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One of the key significant drivers of organic farming in India is its long-term sustainability in production and the environment's future.
After independence, agricultural growth focused on increasing production to feed the World’s largest population. However, preferences are now shifting towards developing ways to combat climate change caused by agricultural carbon emissions.
There has been an impressive increase in Farmers and Entrepreneurs working to promote organic farming practices and train other farmers to get organic agriculture education.
Dragon Fruits are an exotic fruit that has witnessed a remarkable demand surge due to growing awareness of healthier lifestyles.
Under Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), India is focusing on boosting the production of Dragon fruit for its health benefits.
The success of Dr. Srinivasa Rao Madhavaram's organic dragon fruit venture is a testament to the power of sustainable agriculture.
Dr Rao has an MD in internal medicine and is equally successful in his dragon fruit farm in Hyderabad. Born into an agricultural family in Kukatpally, he grew up witnessing the dedication of his grandfather and father in the fields.
His passion for dragon fruit started when he tasted it for the first time in 2016. Dr. Rao realized that exotic fruits are like dragon fruits lose thier particular taste and flavor as they are stored for a long time
His lifelong passion for farming was ignited during a chance encounter with a dragon fruit in 2016. Despite its unusual appearance and taste, he was intrigued by the exotic fruit and began researching its cultivation.
Discovering the scarcity of domestically grown dragon fruit in India, Dr. Rao saw an opportunity to fill the market gap. In 2022, he established a thriving organic dragon fruit farm spanning 30 acres in Sangareddy, Telangana.
Beyond his successful farming venture, Dr. Rao is committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise.
He conducts research and development on dragon fruit cultivation and offers free training programs to farmers across India, inspiring them to embrace this profitable and sustainable agricultural opportunity.
Potential of Indian Farmers:
Dragon fruit, also known as Pithaya or strawberry pear, is a high-antioxidant food that helps fight inflammation and cell damage.
Research has proven that foods that are high in antioxidants help prevent cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. Moreover, the seeds of dragon fruit are rich in omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for good health. They have shown positive results in reducing inflammation, preventing blood clots, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Recognizing the health benefits of dragon fruits and the potential of their cultivation in India, Dr. Rao embarked on his farming venture in 2016.
At first, Dr Rao was researching the scope of dragon fruits and brought around 1,000 saplings from different Indian states. However, the plants didn’t survive the temperature on his farm.
The doctor-turned-agriculturist traveled extensively, meeting the experts and gaining valuable insights into dragon fruit cultivation. His quest for knowledge led him to Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan where he learned dragon fruit cultivation techniques.
Through training and hands-on experience, Rao mastered the organic ways of growing dragon fruit including advanced grafting and hybridizing techniques. Eventually, he established a dragon fruit farm in Telangana.
Dr. Rao returned to India in 2017, determined to overcome the challenges of dragon fruit cultivation in India, and embarked on a journey of learning and exploration.
Collaborating with IIHR Tumkur, he developed high-quality dragon fruit saplings and planted them on his 30-acre farm, Deccan Exotics, in Sangareddy.
Since then, Dr. Rao's farm has flourished, yielding approximately 10 tonnes of dragon fruit per acre annually. The optimal planting season in India is from March to July, and mature plants can produce fruit for up to 20 years with minimal maintenance.
Dr. Rao's impressive dragon fruit farm in Sangareddy now boasts over 60,000 plants. To support the growth of the industry, he has established a nursery for producing high-quality saplings and a dedicated research and training center.
Recognizing the importance of education and innovation in dragon fruit farming, Dr. Rao has developed new and improved varieties, including the "Deccan Pink," which matures three times faster than traditional varieties and thrives in various climates.
Empowering the Farmers:
Dr. Rao's dedication to empowering farmers led him to establish Deccan Exotics as a farmer-producer organization (FPO) in 2017.
This initiative aims to encourage and support farmers interested in cultivating exotic fruits, particularly dragon fruit.
Through the FPO, Dr. Rao provides comprehensive training to farmers across India, covering all aspects of dragon fruit cultivation, from planting and nurturing to harvesting and marketing.
Farmers can choose to visit their farms for hands-on training or receive consultations remotely. Additionally, the FPO offers high-quality dragon fruit saplings at affordable prices, typically around Rs 60-70 per sapling.
Through his research and development efforts, he has successfully cultivated over 45 varieties of this exotic fruit.
To further support farmers, Dr. Rao's FPO also purchases dragon fruit produce from participating farmers, providing a stable market for their crops.
Dr Rao has successfully trained over 5,000 farmers, inspiring many to embark on their dragon fruit farming ventures.
Jaimini Krishna, a 30-year-old software engineer from Bihar, traded his desk job for the thrill of organic dragon fruit farming. Inspired by his visit to Deccan Exotics in 2020, Jaimini acquired saplings and began cultivating dragon fruit on his 2.5-acre plot in Kishanganj.
With continuous guidance from Dr. Rao, Jaimini has successfully grown dragon fruit for over a year and a half. His farm produces approximately 1.5 tonnes of dragon fruit per acre, generating substantial income.
Beyond dragon fruit, Deccan Exotics is expanding its research and training programs to explore other exotic fruits, such as avocados.
Their commitment to innovation and sustainable agriculture is evident in their diverse range of products, including jams, jellies, and ice cream, made from their organically grown dragon fruit.
Dr. Rao's inspiring story demonstrates the possibilities of a successful transition to organic farming, even for those with no prior agricultural experience.
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