Mangaluru: Chandrakantha Rao Inna, once at the helm of multinational operations across 15 nations as a global president, has now carved a new identity as a progressive farmer in his native village, Inna near Padubidri. After opting for early retirement in 2012, Rao turned to horticulture, transforming his land into a model fruit farm—an effort that earned him the prestigious Krishi Pandit Award.
“People mocked me for walking away from a high-paying corporate job, but I had clarity and financial freedom,” he recalled. Ditching conventional paddy and coconut farming, he purchased eight acres and began experimenting with fruit crops.
Five acres of his farmland are now devoted to one-acre plots of guava, chikku, rambutan, and mangosteen. He also maintains a mixed-crop acre for demonstration. His highlight is Arka Kiran, a pink-fleshed guava rich in vitamin C, sourced from the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru. This variety bears fruit in just 18 months and lasts up to 20 years.
He encouraged nine farmers to adopt Arka Kiran through subsidy support and collaborated with Ashwath Hebbar to develop a premium guava halwa, now in high demand, consuming 80–90% of his guava produce.
Using meadow planting, Rao keeps guava trees under 6 feet for easy harvesting and rural job creation. His mangosteen and improved rambutan yields now fetch top prices in Bengaluru.
Rao also built a two-acre oxygen forest, inspired by Japan’s Oxypark, planted with native and high-value species like sandalwood and red sanders, underlining his vision for eco-conscious farming.
Read Also: