In a bid to promote crop diversification and reduce water consumption, Sher Singh, a progressive farmer from Nasirewal village in Kapurthala district, is experimenting with a range of alternative crops, including rajma, groundnut and soybean.Sher Singh cultivates over 250 acres of land, of which he owns 30 acres. Encouraged by the returns from rajma cultivation this season, he now plans to significantly expand its acreage.“This year I cultivated rajma on 19 acres and earned good profits. Next season, I plan to increase the area under rajma to nearly 50 acres,” he said.He recalled that around two years ago, he had conducted a trial of rajma on just one kanal. Satisfied with the results, he scaled it up this year.“The crop is ready in about 90 days and the cultivation cost is not very high. The major expense is the seed. Since the profits are good, I want to increase the area under the crop,” he said.Apart from rajma, Sher Singh has also sown groundnut and soybean as part of his efforts to identify crops that require less irrigation.“I am trying to find alternatives where water consumption is lower. Crop diversification is the need of the hour,” he said.A strong advocate of sustainable farming, Sher Singh has also been managing paddy residue without burning it since 2007. Instead of setting the stubble on fire, he incorporates paddy straw into the soil, improving soil health while preventing air pollution.Besides field crops, he also cultivates vegetables such as bottle gourd and pumpkin.Having been engaged in farming since 2000, Sher Singh says he continuously seeks to adopt new techniques and farming practices.“I have been farming since 2000 and I always try to adopt new methods, technologies and crops to diversify my farming. The Agriculture Department and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kapurthala, have been very supportive in guiding me through these experiments,” he said.