MBA Grad Earns Rs 36 Lakh along with his Natural ‘Vegetable Property’

Philip Chacko from Alappuzha, Kerala, all the time pictured himself as a industrial farmer. Even whereas learning for his MBA and dealing within the company discipline for 2 years, he was getting ready himself for farming.

Philip’s ancestors have been into farming and his dad and mom owned a small piece of land in addition to cattle. However when he confirmed curiosity in entering into agriculture, they weren’t supportive. “Everybody imagined me working comfortably in a company workplace with an excellent wage. However I went ahead with my ardour, regardless of their rejection,” says the 33-year-old. 

To make himself prepared for the sphere, Philip give up his well-paying job and labored for a plantation in Kottayam for 3 years. He realized extra about farming from right here. Lastly, in 2019, he leased round 30 acres of land in Alappuzha to begin vegetable farming.

In the present day, the younger farmer conducts farming on 34 acres of land unfold throughout completely different components of Palakkad together with Lakkidi and Malampuzha. To develop extra seasonal veggies he has unfold his enterprise to Ooty as effectively. 

“From the very starting, my concept was large-scale farming, in any other case generally known as a vegetable property. I wished to create a model and promote the produce below it. That’s how ‘Pure Harvest’ got here into being. All greens, from gourds to tubers and even seasonal greens are grown within the fields and bought by way of wholesalers and retailers throughout the state,” he explains.

Farmers from every locality work with him in collaboration to develop the crops and he provides them Re 1 increased than the market worth. “The gear and equipment wanted for farmers are offered by me. Largely, farmers come to me voluntarily as the value is best right here,” he says.

Inside 5 months of beginning the agribusiness, Philip obtained a harvest of 56 tonnes. In the present day, the quantity has elevated to 390 tonnes. “Final yr, I earned a revenue of Rs 36 lakh from farming alone,” he gushes.

Again in 2021, then agriculture minister of Kerala V S Sunil Kumar visited Philip’s farm too.

In contrast to different industrial farmers preferring to promote their produce to grocery store chains to unfold their model identify, Philip takes his crops to small retailers and markets. “I need everybody to worth the standard of my greens. Within the case of supermarkets, all they search for is plump and vibrant greens. High quality is rarely their concern. For that reason, the value they supply can be much less,” shares the agripreneur.

Okra, lengthy beans, pumpkin, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, cucumber, spinach, cucumber, inexperienced gram, sesame, black gram, onion, potato and shallot are a number of the crops on his farm. Sure fruits like papaya, musk melon and watermelon are additionally seen on the farms. 

And all of them are grown organically.

In the present day, Philip has the assist of his entire household. His dad and mom Ok J Philip and Theklamma and his spouse Anmary Antony, he says, are his greatest motivation.

Aside from farming, Philip additionally supplies session to farmers to begin industrial farming. “There are a number of misconceptions about fertilising, sowing and each different course of in agriculture. I attempt to assist different farmers to scale up their harvests and attain extra sellers,” he says.

The passionate agripreneur hopes to make his model of high quality greens and fruits out there throughout Kerala below the model inside just a few years. “Everybody has an idea that agriculture is supposed for the uneducated. This could change and extra kids ought to get into farming. If carried out appropriately, it is likely one of the most worthwhile companies. As an MBA, I’ve integrated a number of enterprise methods in farming too,” he says.

He provides, “My greatest dream is to unfold my farming actions to 100 acres. I’m additionally attempting to collaborate with a supply firm to distribute the produce on to prospects with out middlemen. This might convey down the value of greens so much.”

Edited by Yoshita Rao