The interviews and reporting for this story were conducted in May 2024.

In 2021, when Namita Rawat Negi and Manisha Gosain, two sisters from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, decided to pursue farming, their decision raised more eyebrows than smiles.

However, driven by their strong self-belief and a desire to protect agricultural land, they ventured into what is widely regarded as one of the toughest occupations — farming.

This journey demands immense perseverance and patience, but their determination has remained unwavering.

In their 40s, many believed that Namita and Manisha would only dabble in farming for a few months before returning to their previous lives and jobs; possibly selling the land. However, they defied expectations and persisted in building their agricultural venture.

Today, they proudly operate Doon Gooseberry Farm, a cozy setup born from their dedication and passion, supported steadfastly by their husbands.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we first visited my sister’s land in Dehradun. The scene was not promising. We were faced with 10 bighas of land covered........

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