A school teacher in Kerala has built a successful farming business utilising her spare time and that too converting her four acres of rubber plantation into a thriving farm of dragon fruit and other exotic fruits.
With rubber plantation fetching no desired income, 42-year-old Anit Thomas of Kumaramangalam in Thodupuzha, Idukki took the bold step to fell the rubber trees and transform the land into a thriving farm cultivating dragon fruit and other exotic fruits. Today, her venture not only provides a steady income but has also made her a sought-after supplier of fruit saplings, earning her revenue in lakhs.
Anit, who teaches botany at Cooperative Public School in Thodupuzha, started her farming journey seven years ago. With her expertise in botany, she researched high-value crops that could flourish in Kerala’s climate and zeroed in on Dragon fruit, Gac fruit, Avocado, Duku fruit and Abiu fruit.
“I spend close to six hours a day working in the farm after my school hours. I have saved a lot of manpower by installing mist sprinkler and drip irrigation for watering the crops. My husband and my children also support me in day-to-day activities of the farm,” Anit told “Open Digest“.
While the sale of exotic fruits brings her a good income, her major revenue stream comes from sapling sales. Understanding the growing demand for high-value fruit cultivation, Anit began propagating saplings of all the varieties she grew. Local farmers, gardening enthusiasts, and commercial growers now rely on her farm for high-quality planting material.
“The demand for exotic fruits is increasing, and many farmers are looking for alternatives to traditional crops like rubber and coconut. By selling saplings, I help them transition smoothly into profitable farming,” says Anit.
Despite her full-time teaching job, she manages her farm with dedication, proving that passion and planning can turn agriculture into a lucrative venture. She extensively uses social media to highlight the activities of her farm and attract more customers. “I get a lot of orders through social media platforms for saplings,” she adds.
