Beed, located within the coronary heart of Marathwada, Maharashtra, faces vital challenges on account of its arid panorama and ongoing water shortage. With inadequate rainfall and a declining water desk, agriculture within the area is a continuing wrestle, significantly for crops that require plentiful water.
Amid these difficulties, Parmeshwar Thorat has defied the percentages by turning into a pioneer in avocado farming. “I wished to maneuver away from conventional crops (like pomegranates) and take a look at one thing distinctive and progressive — one thing nobody else was doing in Beed,” Parmeshwar tells The Higher India.
This want led him to discover the untapped potential of avocado farming.
Avocado, a fruit celebrated for its nutritious worth, was comparatively unknown within the Marathwada area. Its rising demand stems from its advantages for managing blood stress, diabetes, and coronary heart well being. “I delved deep into analysis in regards to the fruit and its benefits. I realised it may very well be a game-changer not only for my household however for the whole group,” he explains.
The avocado has come to symbolise Parmeshwar’s dedication, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. A person of humble beginnings with bold desires, his journey is a story of perseverance and sustainable farming — demonstrating that even in one in every of India’s harshest agricultural environments, innovation can thrive.
Avocado farming in difficult situations
Parmeshwar, who comes from a household of farmers, grew up immersed within the rhythms of rural life. Agriculture grew to become his manner of honouring his household’s legacy. “I at all times wished to observe in my father’s footsteps — not simply to hold on the household custom, however to help him in his work,” he shares.
After incomes a diploma in agriculture, his path grew to become clear. He pursued the course to reinforce his expertise and deepen his understanding of farming.
The turning level got here when he began contemplating the way forward for agriculture in his area. He realised that to make a significant influence, he wanted to innovate and give attention to sustainable crops that would thrive within the area’s difficult surroundings.
The thought for avocado farming first took root in 2018 when Parmeshwar visited South India. Throughout a visit to Bengaluru, he met a number of farmers and realized a few distinctive number of avocados referred to as Arka Supreme. This selection caught his consideration as a result of it may adapt to Maharashtra’s scorching local weather, thriving even in temperatures as excessive as 40 to 45 levels Celsius — excellent for Beed’s surroundings. “Arka Supreme is a high-yielding selection, and I knew it could work right here,” he says confidently.
In his quest for information, Parmeshwar visited the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Analysis (IIHR) in Bengaluru to study extra about avocado cultivation. There, he acquired beneficial insights into farming practices. Geared up with this newfound information, he ordered 50 avocado saplings from Karnataka.
Nonetheless, beginning avocado farming in Beed was removed from straightforward. The area being infamous for its excessive temperatures and persistent water shortage, the challenges initially appeared insurmountable for cultivating avocados. “There was little or no information about avocado farming right here, and nobody had tried it earlier than,” Parmeshwar recollects.
“To beat these challenges, the very first thing I did was dig two ft by two ft pits throughout 0.75 acres of land,” he explains. “I stuffed them with cow dung manure earlier than planting the saplings. I knew the soil wanted enrichment to produce the vitamins the vegetation required.”
Subsequent, he put in a drip irrigation system to make sure the saplings acquired satisfactory water with out wastage. “Drip irrigation takes water and different vitamins on to the roots, minimising wastage,” he says.
Parmeshwar additionally utilised a pond on his farm to seize rainwater runoff. The saved water is used through the dry months of March and April, decreasing reliance on groundwater. “We gather as a lot rainwater as doable through the monsoon and use it through the dry seasons. It helps maintain the farm sustainable,” he explains.
This cautious planning bore fruit when the primary avocados had been harvested in 2021.
From doubt to demand: Constructing a marketplace for avocados
To start with, nobody in Beed believed that avocado farming may succeed. However Parmeshwar’s perseverance paid off. By 2021, his 50 vegetation started to provide fruits!
And by 2022, he bought his first batch for Rs 200 per fruit, incomes a revenue of Rs 3 lakh. “At first, individuals didn’t know a lot about avocados in my area, however after I distributed samples, they grew to become curious. Slowly, the demand began constructing,” he recollects with a smile.
One of many key elements behind Parmeshwar’s success is his dedication to natural farming. “Avocados are a wholesome fruit, and I need to maintain them that manner. Initially, I used chemical fertilisers and pesticides, however after studying about natural farming, I modified my strategies,” he explains.
Parmeshwar’s use of cow dung manure and pure farming strategies not solely ensures the well being of the vegetation but additionally appeals to customers who’re turning into extra conscious of the advantages of natural produce.
Sister Annie, an advocate of sustainable agriculture, has been a witness to his transformation. “We visited Parmeshwar’s farm and noticed his avocado cultivation practices. After recommending a swap to natural farming, the outcomes had been outstanding. The yield improved considerably, the style of the fruit enhanced, and so they stayed recent for every week with out refrigeration,” she claims.
Parmeshwar considerably elevated his earnings by incorporating grafting strategies into his farming strategy. “Grafting helps lengthen the lifespan of the vegetation, which is able to profit future generations of farmers,” he explains.
Grafting entails becoming a member of the roots of 1 plant (often called rootstock) with the shoot or sapling of one other (referred to as the scion). He sources the rootstock from Tamil Nadu and makes use of scions from his current vegetation. This method not solely improves the well being of the vegetation but additionally enhances their yield, he informs.
Grafting prices round Rs 100 per sapling, and in 2022, Parmeshwar grafted round 250 new saplings. These vegetation are anticipated to start out fruiting within the coming 12 months. “Grafting is a game-changer,” he explains. “It extends the lifespan of avocado vegetation and boosts their yield potential.”
Krishna, a 62-year-old retired postal worker from Karnataka, performed an important position in supporting Parmeshwar by supplying avocado vegetation for his farm. “Although I come from a non-farming background, we each started this journey of avocado farming collectively,” he says.
“When Parmeshwar visited Karnataka to study avocado cultivation, he didn’t converse Kannada and that’s how we met. I defined every thing to him. His perseverance and dedication had been clear, and over time, they helped him grow to be a profitable avocado farmer,” he shares.
“The avocado saplings I planted have but to bear fruit. In distinction, Parmeshwar’s farm is prospering, and he’s now efficiently harvesting avocados!” he remarks.
Main by instance: Educating the following technology farmers
Parmeshwar’s journey into avocado farming is a outstanding story of innovation, resilience, and sustainable practices. What began with simply 50 saplings on a small plot of land has now blossomed right into a thriving 1.75-acre farm — dwelling to 300 avocado timber.
He says, “In 2023, I harvested and bought round 1,200 kg of avocados, incomes a revenue of Rs 5-6 lakh after promoting every fruit at Rs 200.” He mentions that sustaining the farm prices him about Rs 50,000 yearly.
Along with promoting the fruit, he has additionally ventured into promoting avocado saplings. In 2023, he bought 2,300 saplings at Rs 300 every. After accounting for the price of Rs 100 per sapling, he claims to have made a web revenue of Rs 4.6 lakh from sapling gross sales. In complete, his web revenue for the 12 months 2023 was roughly Rs 10 lakh per acre.
Wanting forward, Parmeshwar is decided to develop his enterprise. “I plan to produce my avocados to markets in Delhi and Mumbai subsequent 12 months, whereas persevering with to promote in Beed and Pune,” he says.
Equally keen about educating others, he provides, “I need to train farmers methods to develop avocados in drought-prone areas utilizing drip irrigation and natural strategies.” Many farmers have already visited his farm to study from his expertise, and he’s desirous to share his information.
Parmeshwar advises different farmers, “If you wish to earn earnings and contribute to the group, contemplate beginning avocado farming. It’s not nearly rising a worthwhile crop; it’s about cultivating one thing that’s wholesome and useful for individuals.”
He additionally emphasises the significance of adaptability and perseverance: “Farming shouldn’t be straightforward. There’ll at all times be challenges, however with dedication and a willingness to study, you’ll be able to overcome something.”
Should you want to purchase the avocados, you’ll be able to attain Parmeshwar at 7875185032.
Edited by Pranita Bhat; All pictures courtesy Parmeshwar Thorat
