“Modern famine” is a phrase rarely heard in shows on streaming platforms. Amazon MX Player’s Mitti might be an inspirational series about a marketing executive who decides to become a farmer. But the Hindi show also smuggles in truths about the problems faced by Indian agriculturists, from debt to unpredictable weather patterns.

Raghav (Ishwak Singh) is adept at selling “Bharat” to urban Indians. But when it’s time for an actual return to roots, Raghav finds his presentation skills falling short.

Raghav’s beloved grandfather Sudarshan (Yogendra Tiku) has accumulated a huge loan on his plot of cultivated land. Memories of happier times spent in the field, the desire to reclaim Sudarshan’s honour, and a stubborn need to succeed at farming persuade Raghav to take over Sudarshan’s operation.

The obstacles include the loan recovery agent Girdhari (Sharat Sonu), who is as nasty as they come. Naysayers scorn Raghav’s inexperience. Raghav’s girlfriend Stuti (Diksha Juneja) back in the city starts to run out of patience.

The weather does its own thing. There are locusts and nilgais to tackle.

With the the help of the no-nonsense government official Kritika (Shruti Sharma) and the experience of other farmers, Raghav gains a better understanding of what he needs to do. Kritika’s support points to the positive...

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