Hello friends! Today, we’re taking you into a world of farming that might be completely new to you. This is the world of exotic vegetables. We’re talking about vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, leeks, celery, and rocket, names you’ve probably only seen on expensive restaurant menus. But did you know that these can be cultivated in Indian soil and offer a huge profit opportunity for farmers?
Today, we’re in Setwad village in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, where Praveen Borgave has established an empire of exotic vegetables on a sprawling 22-acre farm. Praveen, who holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and also works a job, has proven that with the right planning, technology, and marketing strategy, farming can be an incredibly successful business.
In this blog post, we won’t just show you the crops; we’ll try to understand the master plan that helped Praveen achieve a ₹1.5 crore turnover last year. So, let’s embark on this exciting and informative journey to uncover the secrets of exotic vegetable farming that could change your perspective.
1. Zucchini: First Harvest in 25 Days, Millions in 60 Days
Our journey begins in the zucchini field, which looks just like a cucumber.
- Incredibly Fast Crop: Zucchini is an incredibly fast-growing crop. The first harvest begins just 25 days after planting, and the entire crop finishes within 60 days.
- Yield Calculation: Approximately 3,200 plants are grown per acre, and a yield of 10 to 12 tons can easily be harvested within 60 days.
- Economics: The average market price for zucchini ranges from ₹30 to ₹35 per kilogram, but in season, it can exceed ₹100. Even at an average price of ₹30, an income of approximately ₹3 lakh is possible from one acre in 60 days, with expenses around ₹70,000-80,000.
- Market: The highest demand comes from five-star hotels in metropolitan cities like Goa, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.
- Challenges: Zucchini faces risks from viruses, powdery mildew, and fruit flies, requiring timely management.
2. Cherry Tomatoes: Small Package, Big Impact
After zucchini, we arrived at the cherry tomato field, which is a smaller, sweeter version of common tomatoes.
- 12-Month Cultivation: Cherry tomato crops flourish year-round on Praveen’s farm, ensuring their continuous presence in the market.
- Yield and Profit: Approximately 3,200 plants are grown per acre, with each plant yielding up to 5 kg. This totals up to 15 tons of production per acre. The average price ranges from ₹40 to ₹60 per kilogram, but in season, it has gone beyond ₹200. Even at an average price of ₹40, one acre can generate an income of ₹6 lakh in 4-5 months.
- Marketing and Packaging: Marketing cherry tomatoes is different from regular tomatoes. They are packed in small 3 kg boxes to prevent spoilage. The packaging and harvesting require more effort, costing approximately ₹15 per kilogram.
- Challenges: Like regular tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are susceptible to blight, viruses, and the Tuta absoluta pest.
3. Leafy Vegetable Abundance: Bok Choy, Celery, and Leeks
The most attractive part of Praveen’s farm is the leafy vegetables section, featuring greens whose names we heard for the first time.
Bok Choy:
This leafy green resembles a Chinese cabbage.
- Superfast Crop: This is also a very short-duration crop. It’s ready for harvest 25 days after planting, and the entire crop finishes in 40 days.
- Economics: With a yield of up to 10 tons per acre and an average price of ₹20, an income of ₹2 lakh is possible within a month, with expenses of only ₹30,000-40,000.
Celery:
It looks like coriander and has a similar taste.
- Patience Game: This crop takes time to mature. The plants themselves take three months to develop.
- High Profit: Although it takes more time, the profit is substantial. One acre yields 15-20 tons, and the average price is ₹40-₹50 per kilogram. This translates to an income of ₹7 to 8 lakh per acre.
Leek:
This is an exotic onion with a taste resembling a mix of onion and garlic. It’s mostly used in soups.
- Low Maintenance, Good Profit: Leek cultivation has fewer disease and nutritional requirements. It takes three months to mature, and one acre yields 15-20 tons. Even at an average price of ₹30, it provides good returns.
4. Butternut Squash: Pumpkin’s Exotic Cousin
This is a unique vegetable from the pumpkin family, shaped like a guitar.
- Characteristics: When ripe, its outer color turns dark chocolate, and the inside becomes a deep saffron. It has a sweet and buttery taste.
- Storage Capacity: Its biggest advantage is that it can be stored for up to two months after harvesting.
- Market Price: It sells for approximately ₹15 per kilogram. Its demand is limited, so Praveen cultivates it in a smaller area.
5. The World of Herbs: Rosemary and Thyme (Pest-Free Cultivation)
Praveen showed us two miraculous crops that require absolutely no pesticide sprays.
- Rosemary: This is an aromatic herb with a scent similar to Vicks vapor rub. Once planted, the plant lasts for 4-5 years. It’s used in food, medicine, and cosmetics (rosemary oil). Its minimum market price is ₹300 per kilogram.
- Thyme: This is also a medicinal herb with a scent similar to ajwain (carom seeds). It’s also disease-free. Its market price is ₹250 per kilogram.
The Master Plan for Success: “Daily Harvesting”
Managing so many crops simultaneously is no easy feat. Praveen’s secret to success lies in his “Daily Harvesting” master plan.
- Consistency is Key: He selected 10-12 of the best crops out of 40-50 exotic vegetables, ensuring their availability on his farm for 12 months a year.
- Rotation Planning: He plans each crop’s rotation in such a way that as soon as one field is empty, harvesting begins in another. Crops like bok choy are planted at 10-day intervals.
- Market Dominance: This consistency allows him to meet the demands of his buyers (hotel suppliers, retailers) at any time, in any season. He simply receives orders via WhatsApp, and the produce is supplied.
- Benefit of Average Rate: Market prices fluctuate. However, with crops available 12 months a year, he achieves a good average rate, ensuring he always remains profitable.
Full Calculation of Expenses and Earnings
- Total Expenses: Praveen’s total expenses last year (including labor, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) were approximately ₹70 to 80 lakh.
- Total Turnover: His total turnover was ₹1.5 crore.
- Net Profit: This calculates to a net profit of approximately 50%.
This profit motivates him to expand his farm further. He started with a 20-guntha polyhouse and today owns 22 acres.
Conclusion: Farming is Not Just a Profession, It’s a Well-Planned Business
Praveen Borgave’s story is an inspiration for every farmer who wants to do something new and big in agriculture. His journey teaches us that:
- Knowledge is Power: Understand market demand and choose crops accordingly.
- Planning is Paramount: Create a master plan from a single day to the entire year.
- Maintain Consistency: Continuously mark your presence in the market.
- Be Patient: Don’t be deterred by market fluctuations; focus on the average.
The cultivation of exotic vegetables holds immense potential. What’s needed is the passion, planning, and hard work shown by people like Praveen. This story proves that if worked on in the right direction, Indian farmers can not only elevate themselves but also the country’s economy to new heights.