Rupakheda village in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is becoming a new model of modern farming. The village is now known as the ‘Mini Holland of Madhya Pradesh’ because of its flower cultivation. Earlier, farmers here depended on traditional crops like wheat, gram, maize and soybean. Now they grow roses, gerbera, lilies and other flowers, along with high quality vegetables in polyhouses and shade net houses. The village has 44 polyhouses and 13 shade net houses.

Farming in a controlled environment has increased production and farmers’s income. Under the Government of India’s Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, farmers received financial support to build polyhouses and shade net houses. Modern farming techniques have helped save water and improve the quality and yield of crops. With the support of the Horticulture Department and the hard work of farmers, Rupakheda has become a successful model of protected farming in the state.