After retiring as an Additional Secretary to the Government of India in 2013 and having served as an Director of International Cooperation while travelling to 36 countries, Hardip Singh Kingra could have opted for a peaceful post-retirement life after his stint as an Indian Forest Service (IFoS) official. Instead, he embarked on an entirely new mission — one that is now transforming the future of farming in Punjab.
In his new avatar as an agri-tech pioneer, Kingra does not touch soil, nor does he use traditional agricultural equipment like tractors, any other farm implements or even soil. Dressed in formal attire — as if heading to an office job rather than working in the fields — he is leading Punjab's hydroponic revolution.
From his humble beginnings at a village school in Faridkot district to studying at Oxford University, and a career where he led high-level delegations and served as Protocol Officer to global dignitaries, including the prime ministers of the UK and Australia, and Prince Andrew, Kingra's life has always been defined by purpose. In 2019, that purpose took a decisive turn toward agriculture — specifically, hydroponic farming — growing plants without the use of soil.
"Agriculture was always close to my heart. After retirement, I had the time to follow my passion, but I wanted to do something different," says Kingra.
Read more at The Indian Express
