Actor Rajesh Kumar, who has an avid interest in farming, is currently hosting farming reality show Khet Khet Mein. The actor, who has been involved with farming since the last seven years, says that this show was perfect for him.
“All the memories of shooting this show are special. The format was scripted, but the interactions were real. I had to act as a bridge between participants and farmers. One contestant from Ladakh didn’t know much Hindi, while a farmer from Gujarat didn’t understand Hindi well either. I had to translate and simplify things. One memorable moment was when we were shooting in 47-48°C heat in May and June. I collapsed from heat stroke but had to continue shooting after getting an injection. Another great moment was when we were shooting in dry Udaipur, and it suddenly rained—I danced like a peacock,” he says.
He adds, “I’ve been farming naturally. The show hasn’t changed my methods much, though I’ve learned some things. My focus is on using natural fertilizers and maintaining a natural farming technique. Farming is on autopilot for me now, after seven years of investment. I have people taking care of it. I focus more on the marketing aspect and converting more land into natural farming.”
He says that AI is the future for farming. “AI can be a game changer for farming, offering weather and seed support systems. The government is also working on Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), where farmers work together. Dividing roles—sowing, cultivating, marketing—under one roof can solve many problems. If we organize farming in a unified way, our challenges will be resolved much faster. It’s like being a gladiator: if you stand together, you survive; if you act individually, you don’t,” he says.