While Bengaluru is celebrated for its tech unicorns, just beyond the city’s skyline stands a different success story rooted in soil and resilience. Forty-year-old Srikanth Bollapally today earns nearly ₹5 crore in personal profit annually through floriculture — a journey that began with a ₹1,000 monthly salary.
From school dropout to flower trader
Born into a farming family in Telangana’s Nizamabad district, Srikanth left school in Class 10 due to mounting family debt. At 16, he moved to Bengaluru and began working in the flower trade. Instead of giving up, he immersed himself in learning cultivation, harvesting, marketing and exports.
By 1997, he started his own small flower shop, trading blooms sourced from local farmers. After a decade in trading, he decided to take a bigger leap — growing flowers himself.
Building a 52-acre floral venture
With support from the National Horticulture Board through subsidies and loans, Srikanth acquired his first 10-acre plot. Today, his enterprise spans 52 acres near Doddaballapura.
Climate-controlled polyhouses produce premium varieties including roses, carnations, gypsophila and gerberas throughout the year. The farm generates an annual turnover of approximately ₹70 crore.
Sustainability and rural employment
What distinguishes his venture is its sustainable approach. Organic waste from the farm is converted into vermicompost, ensuring minimal wastage. More than 200 people from rural Karnataka are employed, creating steady livelihoods.
Srikanth’s message to young entrepreneurs is clear: agriculture, though demanding, can be deeply rewarding. In a city known for coding and capital, his story proves that prosperity can bloom from the ground up.