Mahesh Asabe, a farmer from Akola village in Solapur, Maharashtra, has reached an annual turnover of ₹2 crore through fruit farming, primarily dragon fruit. Starting with three acres in 2013-14, his family now cultivates on 60 acres under Rukmini Farms and Nursery. Dragon fruit alone generates around ₹1.25 crore annually, according to Startup Pedia, marking a significant shift from traditional crops.
The family began dragon fruit cultivation by importing about 9,000 saplings from Bangladesh at a cost of ₹9.9 lakh. They were among the earliest growers of this crop in Maharashtra. The first harvest in 2015-16 yielded approximately 15 tonnes across three acres, earning ₹5 lakh at ₹33 per kilogram. By 2017, prices rose to ₹150-₹250 per kilogram, boosting profitability. Mahesh's background in Agricultural Engineering and Food Processing supported the venture's success.
This success story highlights the potential of alternative crops like dragon fruit in dry regions, where water scarcity limits traditional farming. The crop's relatively low water requirement and high market value have encouraged diversification in Maharashtra's agriculture sector. The family's experience demonstrates how innovation and education can transform farming economics, with dragon fruit cultivation emerging as a lucrative option compared to conventional crops.
Rukmini Farms and Nursery now spans 60 acres, producing several fruits alongside dragon fruit. Mahesh Asabe's journey from a small-scale grower to a ₹2 crore turnover farmer underscores the growing market demand for exotic fruits in India. The farm's expansion and revenue growth illustrate the commercial viability of dragon fruit cultivation in Maharashtra's dry climate.