Supplies straw to Gujarat, Kashmir and beyond
Young entrepreneur Navraj Singh turns crop residue into a profitable venture, generates jobs and promotes stubble management
25 May, 2026 – Ferozepur : At a time when stubble burning continues to remain a major challenge in the region, with Ferozepur being among the worst-affected districts, a young farmer from this border district has transformed crop residue into a successful business model, inspiring many farmers to think beyond conventional farming and generate additional income.
Navraj Singh of Jaimal Wala village in the Guruharsahai subdivision ventured into the stubble trade three years ago instead of depending entirely on traditional agriculture. What began with the collection of stubble from just nine acres of his own fields has now expanded to nearly 1,000 acres, with straw being supplied to states including Gujarat, Rajasthan and even Kashmir.
Belonging to a humble family, Navraj said he realised that while most people considered straw “useless” and burned it, causing environmental hazards, it actually had significant commercial potential if managed properly. Starting on a small scale, he gradually expanded his operations after witnessing encouraging demand and earning sizeable profits. Today, many people in the region refer to him as the “Straw King”.
Adopting the “waste-to-wealth” concept, Navraj initially prepared straw bales from a few acres, but now processes straw from more than 1,000 acres by entering into agreements with other farmers. Along with building a successful business model, he has also generated employment opportunities for 30 to 35 local youths.
Talking to The Tribune, Navraj said farming always involves risks, but innovation and new ideas can open fresh avenues of income for rural youth. He explained that managing straw is not easy as it requires proper storage and round-the-clock monitoring to prevent fire hazards, especially during summer.
To reduce costs and minimise risks, Navraj avoided investing heavily in new machinery and instead designed his own equipment using scrapped machines. “Even if I avail subsidy from the government to procure machines, it would still cost me more. So, I engineered my own equipment, which is working efficiently,” he said, claiming that it helped him save lakhs of rupees.
“Last year, around 10 to 12 quintals of straw per acre were produced. However, this season, the output is expected to remain between 8 and 10 quintals per acre due to weather conditions. I have invested around Rs 80 lakh this year and expect a profit margin of 25 to 30 per cent,” said Navraj, adding that the business usually witnesses higher demand around Diwali, when straw prices also rise.
Navraj said that in Gujarat and Rajasthan, stubble is mainly used for manufacturing cattle feed, while in Kashmir, where harsh winters affect fodder availability, it is used to feed livestock. He added that spoiled straw is supplied to cardboard factories and biomass plants.
According to Navraj, he generally pays farmers around Rs 150 per quintal for straw, while an additional Rs 250 per quintal is spent on transportation and other expenses. “The straw is sold for around Rs 500 per quintal, though this year I expect the price to touch Rs 600,” he said.
District Agriculture Officer Dr Balwinder Singh said Navraj Singh’s success story demonstrates how modern thinking and technology can help even marginal farmers create large-scale business opportunities. He added that while unpredictable weather and falling market prices continue to affect farmers, initiatives linked to crop residue management can generate additional income while also helping curb stubble burning, which remains a serious issue in the region.
The Tribune