Our Team
KJKS
Meet the People Behind KJKS
A passionate team of visionaries, reformers, and grassroots changemakers driving sustainable farming across India.
Mr. Harpreet Singh
Founder | Entrepreneur | Social Worker | Agriculture Reformer
Harpreet Singh is the founder of Kaushalya Jan Kalyan Samiti and a passionate advocate of organic, farmer-first solutions. His initiatives, like Apna Family Farmer and Punjabi Haandi, have directly empowered over 500 farmers and connected them to fair markets.
Mr. Harpreet Singh
Founder | Entrepreneur | Social Worker | Agriculture Reformer
Driven by a vision to connect farm produce directly to consumers, he Developed a brand called PUNJABI HAANDI, a hotel and chain of restaurants. which has been successfully operating since 2011. The establishment serves as a bridge between local farmers and end consumers, ensuring fair prices and fresh produce.
In his pursuit of global agricultural knowledge, Harpreet visited Brisbane. Australia in 2013 and 2017 to learn advanced farming techniques in protected cultivation, gaining hands-on exposure in the suburbs of Queensland.
In 2017, Harpreet founded Kaushalya Jan Kalyan Samiti, a non-profit. organization on the name of his grandmother, guided by strong ethical principles. The NGO operates with a self-reliant approach. The organization trains farmers in value addition of niche produce like organic gluten-dropped flour, white kidney beans, wild forest honey, bee pollen, mountain salt and native millets.
Under his leadership, Kaushalya Jan Kalyan Samiti became the first NGO in Uttarakhand to register 377 farmers under the Government of India’s e-NAM Mandi platform in 2018.
In 2019, Harpreet was invited by the Business Commissioner of France to Lyon for a 7-day Agricultural Knowledge Exchange Programme. Representing the Indian NGO sector, he engaged with French farmers and institutions, studying their innovative Buy Before Production (BBP) model. Inspired by this concept, Harpreet launched Apna Family Farmer Membership in India during the COVID-19 lockdown. This initiative allows consumers to connect with farmers directly, place seasonal produce orders in advance, and even visit farms five times a year—building transparency, trust, and a deep connection between producers and consumers.
In recognition of his unwavering dedication to rural upliftment and sustainable agriculture, Harpreet Singh was honored by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand in 2023 for transforming the lives of over 500 farmers through protected and diversified farming techniques. Under his leadership, the NGO has successfully developed multiple organic farming pockets, bridging the gap between traditional farming wisdom and modern sustainable techniques.
With a strong belief in chemical-free, regenerative agriculture, Harpreet Singh continues to work tirelessly to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for farmers, ensuring better livelihoods, healthier food, and a greener future for Uttarakhand and beyond. And his journey continues to inspire young entrepreneurs, social activists, and farming communities alike—proving that with vision, values, and dedication, one person can ignite meaningful change.
Dr. Shant Lal Arora
Visionary Horticulturist and Research Mentor
Dr. Shant Lal, a horticulture expert with 40+ years in agricultural sciences, developed innovative fruit varieties, guided research scholars, published widely, and earned national honors. He now advances sustainable farming as General Secretary of Kaushalya Jan Kalyan Samiti (KJKS).
Dr. Shant Lal Arora
Visionary Horticulturist and Research Mentor
A specialist in Horticulture (M.Sc. Ag. & amp, Ph.D.), Dr. Shant Lal has guided 8 postgraduate scholars and supervised 13 doctoral researchers, leaving an indelible mark on the academic landscape. Under the mentorship of eminent scientists like Dr. Ganesh Kumar and Dr. J.P. Tiwari, he honed his expertise, which later translated into groundbreaking work in fruit crop innovation.
His pioneering research led to the development of new fruit varieties—Pant Prabhat (guava) and Pant Garima & amp; Pant Mahima (jackfruit)—which significantly improved productivity and cropping patterns. His special contribution in enhancing winter guava production through innovative Technology has been widely recognized.
With over 45 national and 40 international research publications, five directed research projects, and co-authorship of three educational books, Dr. Shant Lal’s contributions have earned him accolades, including the prestigious Silver Medal in Crop Production through New Technology (1974–75) and a special honor from the Vice Chancellor in 2004.
Today, Dr. Shant Lal is a general secretary in Kaushalya Jan Kalyan Samiti (KJKS) continues to inspire the next generation through his association with progressive agricultural initiatives, embodying a lifelong dedication to the service of farmers, students, and sustainable farming.
Kuldeep Kaur
Vice President of KJKS
Kuldeep Kaur, Vice President of KJKS and a Sociology postgrad, empowers rural women through SHGs. Renowned for her pickle recipes, she combines community development with culinary skills, promoting local traditions and economic growth while inspiring sustainable progress in rural areas.
Kuldeep Kaur
Vice President of KJKS
Aarti Kaur
Auditor of KJKS
Aarti Kaur, M.A., B.Ed., serves as KJKS Auditor, using her finance and marketing expertise to support women farmers. Her strategic insights boost the NGO’s sustainability and help local farmers expand market reach, driving economic empowerment and organizational success.
Aarti Kaur
Auditor of KJKS
