Ravi Prakash Maurya, a former journalist from Mansoorpur, Uttar Pradesh, never imagined that his career would take a turn toward farming. However, after his father’s passing in 2016, Ravi returned to his ancestral village and decided to pursue agriculture, seeking a path that felt more connected to his roots. It was during this time that he discovered the potential of black crops — crops like rice, wheat, tomato, turmeric, ginger, and, most notably, black potatoes.
Ravi’s journey into farming began with black potatoes, a unique variety with deep purple skin and flesh. He sourced them from a farmer in Rae Bareilly, intrigued by their remarkable health benefits. These potatoes are rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which are known for their disease-fighting properties.
“A kilo of tubers (underground stem or root of a plant) can yield around 15 kg of potatoes,” Ravi shares, describing how he quickly saw the potential for this nutrient-packed crop.
Starting with a small patch of land, Ravi grew black potatoes using traditional farming methods and farmyard manure. With an initial investment of around Rs 6,000 per bigha, he was able to produce a yield of approximately 90 quintals.
Although the harvest of black potatoes is smaller compared to regular potatoes, Ravi believes that their high demand and premium prices make them a profitable option for farmers. His focus was on both growing these potatoes himself and educating other farmers about the benefits of black crops.
Soon, word spread, and Ravi’s ‘black potatoes’ gained popularity. Overwhelmed with orders, Ravi has already supplied these unique tubers to more than 500 farmers across 15 states. In addition to providing seeds, he offers invaluable guidance to help farmers succeed. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and highlighting the health benefits of black crops, along with advocating for sustainable farming practices that could help improve soil health and yield.
Today, Ravi is known as the ‘Black Potato Champion’ — a man helping thousands of farmers to grow crops that enhance both their health and their livelihoods.
Edited by Khushi Arora
