Anubhav Crop Show 2024

160 Varieties. Two Crops. One Farmer’s Bold Decision.

About This Edition

2024 โ€” A New Kind of Anubhav

Anubhav 2024 took S2H’s field trial approach in a bold new direction. In Atlnagar village, Kutch, farmer Haribhai Gagal agreed to plant 160 different varieties of Teti (muskmelon) and Tarbooch (watermelon) on his land โ€” making his farm the site of one of the largest single-crop variety trials ever conducted in Kutch district.

Started on 5th May 2024, this was not a controlled research station experiment. It was a working farmer’s field โ€” his own soil, his own water โ€” and 160 varieties growing side by side under identical real-world conditions. No lab. No greenhouse. Just real land and real results.

Both muskmelon and watermelon are commercially important summer crops across Kutch โ€” yet most farmers choose varieties based on habit or dealer availability, with no scientific comparison. Anubhav 2024 changed that.

Event Details Preview
Event Details
Edition Third Edition ยท Anubhav 2024
Date 5th May 2024
Location Atlnagar Village, Bhuj Taluka
Kutch, Gujarat
Host Farmer Haribhai Gagal
+91 99787 35988
Varieties Trialled 160 varieties total
Trial Type Side-by-side field plots
Real farm conditions
Organised by S2H โ€“ Seed 2 Harvest

From the Field

Anubhav 2024 โ€” Field Photos

Photography from the 160-variety muskmelon and watermelon trial at Atlnagar, May 2024.

Key Takeaways

What Anubhav 2024
taught Kutch farmers

Not all Teti varieties are the same for Kutch

Skin thickness, cavity size, and brix (sweetness) varied significantly across the 80+ muskmelon varieties โ€” differences that directly impact market price and shelf life for Kutch traders.

Watermelon variety selection matters more than most farmers think

Seed-to-seed colour, rind thickness, and cracking resistance under heat varied widely โ€” crucial factors for a crop that must survive Kutch's May temperatures and long-distance transport.

Heat resistance is a non-negotiable criterion for Kutch

Varieties that looked promising in company brochures sometimes wilted or cracked under real Kutch summer heat. Only field trials reveal heat resistance โ€” no brochure can tell you.

Harvest window timing impacts mandi price significantly

Earlier-maturing varieties hit the market before peak supply, commanding better prices. Knowing the harvest timeline before sowing allows farmers to plan mandi timing strategically.

The Trial

What farmers could see on the field

Every variety in the trial was grown in its own dedicated plot under identical conditions โ€” same soil preparation, same fertilizer dose, same irrigation schedule. The only variable was the seed.

01

160 varieties growing side by side โ€” same soil, same water

Identical conditions for every plot โ€” making every comparison between varieties completely fair and directly meaningful for a farmer's own field decision.

02

Direct comparison of fruit size, skin quality, and shelf life

Farmers could physically pick up and examine fruits from different variety plots โ€” comparing size, skin thickness, colour, and texture that directly impacts market price.

03

Heat stress performance under real May conditions

May in Kutch is among the harshest growing conditions in Gujarat. Varieties that performed here are proven for local summer conditions โ€” not just controlled environments.

Trial Plot Layout Preview
160 Variety Trial Plot Layout โ€” Anubhav 2024
Teti (Muskmelon)
Tarbooch (Watermelon)
Trial border plots

Reach Out

Ready to farm with clarity and confidence?

Whether you’re planning a new crop, struggling with an existing one, or simply want an expert eye on your field โ€” S2H is here. Let’s start with a conversation.