Uttarakhand farmer earns Guinness Book of World Records for tallest coriander plant

An organic farmer from Ranikhet in Uttarkhand had earned his place in the Guinness Book of World Records for growing world’s tallest coriander plant with a height of 7.1 feet (2.16 metre). 

Forty-seven-year-old, Gopal Dutt Upreti said he had applied for recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records in April after having succeeded in growing over seven feet of the coriander plant.

He grows organic apples over his four-acre apple orchard in Bilkesh village Ranikhet space in Almora district, after he succeeded in raising over seven feet of the coriander plant, he had applied for the recognition in April within the Guinness Book of World Records. 

The Guinness Book World Records website entry states, "The tallest coriander plant is 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) and was grown by Gopal Upreti (India) in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, India, as measured on 21 April 2020."

"As an organic farmer, Gopal grows coriander every year. Using traditional Himalayan farming methods brings its own challenges. As the coriander is grown without using a polyhouse or any artificial covering, the crop is sometimes exposed to the harsh Himalayan weather conditions," it further said. 

Talking to news reporter, Upreti said in October of last year he began growing coriander in half an acre of land and the yield was overwhelming.

On his farm, the average height of coriander plants was more than 5 feet and one of them crossed 7-feet mark.

Upreti said in 2011 that he delved into organic farming when he left Delhi where he used to work in the construction industry. “I came back and started focussing on organic farming over four acres of land. As of now, I have over 2,000 apple trees in my orchard. On the sidelines, I also grow garlic and coriander”, he told HT. 

Upreti said most of the coriander plants he grew organically had reached an altitude of about five feet. "And one of those plants reached a height of one inch by seven feet. Then I realized it might be a world record and as such I should be applying for World Records' Guinness Book, "he said.

A team from the state department of agriculture also recorded his plant height and gave him a certificate.

Upreti grows, in addition to coriander, turmeric, apples and other vegetables. He says organic farming has tremendous scope, especially in hill states.

Known as a progressive farmer in Uttarakhand, Upreti urged fellow farmers to focus on organic farming, as demand for pesticide-free products after the COVID-19 pandemic has multiplied.

Upreti said that his name in the Guinness Book of World Records is an honour for Indian farmers, especially organic farmers.