Bal Padda, a soft fruit grower in the UK, has drawn a lot of attention with a unique documentary that highlights the realities of farming. Inspired by Clarkson's Farm, Padda and his team have created a mini-documentary that goes beyond the crops, focusing on the people who dedicate their lives to growing food.
"We want to do our take on Clarkson's Farm, our version of it," Bal explains. "It's a family farm, mostly in polytunnels, growing strawberries and raspberries. We've been doing this since 1997, but our family's roots go back to Punjab, the breadbasket of India. Farming runs in our blood."
The story behind the story
Unlike conventional farming documentaries that focus on production and yield, this documentary introduces the characters behind the farm. "It tells the story of farming, the struggles, and the people. You meet the characters—the tractor man, the drill man, the expert, and the families involved. It's not just about farming, but the love and passion that go into it."
The aim, according to Bal, is to celebrate the true heroes of society: the growers. "There are 8 billion people in the world, and they all need food. We, the growers, provide it. Yet, we've forgotten who the real heroes are. Celebrities and TV stars get all the attention, but the ones putting food on the table are the actual heroes."
Farming comes with sacrifices, and he wants people to recognize them. "Growers miss birthdays, weddings, religious festivals—Vaisakhi, Eid, Christmas—because they have to grow food. That's what this story is about."
A documentary that resonates
The project has already made an impact. Bal and his team screened the first two episodes in the Regal Cinema to an audience of industry professionals and media representatives. "Before the show, I shared the video with over 100 experts and then showed it at the cinema which experts from the industry, media, family, and friends attended. There were over 250 people at the cinema The standing ovation at the end proved it was something special."
The trailer has been released, but the full documentary is still being built up. "People are asking for our raspberries and the story behind it, but it's not the season yet. We're using this time to get everything ready."
Major media outlets have taken notice. "There were representatives from BBC and Channel 4 at the screening. We have four media companies interested in doing something with it. It's great for our industry because farming needs representation. Real growers, not celebrity growers—people who struggle every day to keep this industry alive."
The farm in the spotlight
Padda's farm, located in the Vale of Evesham, also known as the 'Garden of England,' is also the setting for the documentary. "We grow about 1,200 tons of strawberries and 150–200 tons of raspberries. Everything is grown in polytunnels."
The documentary showcases the farm's operations and the challenges that come with running a soft fruit business in the UK. "Farming isn't easy, and there are protests happening all over—whether it's the UK's heritage tax or the farmer protests in Punjab, India. People need to understand that farming is a tough industry, and the people in it are remarkable."
Bal hopes that the documentary will inspire more appreciation for the farming community. "It's about the characters, the real people who make this industry what it is. Growers are amazing, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated."
With an overwhelmingly positive reception, the documentary's future looks promising. "We're going to keep sharing the story, and as soon as the full documentary is ready, we'll make sure people can watch it. The response so far has been incredible, and it's only the beginning."
For those eager to see what's next, Bal is making sure the word spreads. "I'll be sharing pictures, videos, and more information soon. And when the full documentary is ready, everyone will get a chance to see what farming is really about."
Watch the trailer of the documentary below:
For more information:
bal@vicaragenurseries.co.uk
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X: x.com/itsapunjabifarm