Leaving behind a stable corporate career in Bengaluru, Karnataka-based farmer Chethan Shetty took a bold decision in 2017 that completely changed his life. After spending eight years in industrial sales, he returned to his hometown to manage his family’s 11-acre ancestral farmland.
While many questioned his decision to leave a secure, high-paying job, Chethan invested nearly Rs 17–18 lakh to modernise the farm. Today, the venture reportedly generates annual revenues between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 60 lakh, with profits touching nearly Rs 15 lakh.
From traditional farming to exotic crops
Chethan retained arecanut cultivation as the farm’s stable income source, earning nearly Rs 12 lakh annually. Alongside this, he introduced high-value exotic crops including rambutan, mangosteen, avocado, turmeric, and nutmeg.
These crops significantly boosted earnings. Rambutan reportedly sells between Rs 200 and Rs 400 per kg, while mangosteen can fetch prices up to Rs 750 per kg during peak demand seasons.
Farm grows into successful venture
Over the years, the farm expanded into a large agricultural enterprise with over 2,500 arecanut trees, 800 pepper vines, 300 coconut trees, 650 rambutan trees, and more than 100 mangosteen plants.
However, the journey was not without challenges. Due to unpredictable weather conditions, rambutan production reportedly dropped from 5,500 kg in 2022 to only 400 kg in 2024. Instead of giving up, Chethan adapted his farming techniques and revised cultivation strategies.
Supporting local farmers
Chethan also focused on improving delivery networks from Mangaluru using road, rail, and bus transport to reach customers across India.
By partnering with platforms like Zepto and Farmizen, he helped improve market access for local farmers and demonstrated how modern agriculture can become a sustainable and profitable busines