Satara Agri Graduate Earning ₹1 Crore Annually From Aloe Vera On Just 3 Acres

Currently, the number of young farmers experimenting with various methods in agriculture has increased significantly. Farmers are starting to think about how to produce more in a short period of time and at a low cost. One such farmer is earning as much as one crore rupees annually from aloe vera farming.

An example of this is Hrishikesh Dhane, a young farmer from Padli in Satara taluka, who decided to leave his degree in agriculture and pursue farming despite having a job opportunity. After successfully farming, he has produced a good crop of the medicinal plant Aloe vera in a 3-acre field.

Currently, he is selling aloe vera to cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies in Pune, Thane, and Mumbai at a rate of Rs 25 per kg, earning Rs 1 crore per year. He also acquired his education while farming, and the income from aloe vera farming is certainly inspiring for other young farmers.

Many young farmers in Satara district focus on various experiments, but till now, no one has thought of cultivating aloe vera. However, a young farmer from Padli, Hrishikesh, thought that good yields can also be obtained from aloe vera farming, and he started cultivating aloe vera in his 3-acre field.

Hrishikesh holds a degree in Agricultural Education

Hrishikesh Dhane, who holds a degree in Agricultural Education (B.Sc. Agri), chose the organic method for aloe vera production and used efficient technology for irrigation. This led to a huge increase in his production. His successful aloe vera farming has given him a new path, and he has created an ideal for farmers with this successful business.

Farmers in Padli village of Satara taluka cultivate jowar, millet, or soybean. Large quantities of these three crops are produced. Hrishikesh from the same village also cultivated jowar, millet, and soybean in the beginning. However, instead of being discouraged by the falling prices of farm produce from traders during the season and the losses incurred, Hrishikesh always felt that he should try something different and produce a bountiful crop as he was repeatedly producing only three crops.

From this, he took an important decision, and in the year 2017, he bought 4,000 aloe vera seedlings from his neighboring farmer. He planted them in his field. After that, he planted aloe vera in 3 acres of land, and since then, he has been getting good income.

Selling at a rate of more than Rs 25 per kg:

Aloe vera grows easily in different soils. It can be planted and harvested in any season throughout the year. That is why this crop is proving profitable for Hrishikesh. He sells aloe vera to cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies in Pune and Mumbai at a rate of Rs 25 per kg. Apart from this, he prepares and sells organic pesticides from it. This further increases his income. He earns one crore rupees per year from aloe vera cultivation.

What type of land and season gives more yield:

Aloe vera can be cultivated in dry areas to irrigated fields. Nowadays, it is cultivated in all parts of the country. It can be easily grown in low water and semi-arid areas. The most suitable temperature for good cultivation of aloe vera is 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. This plant can maintain itself at any temperature, and its production can be done in the varieties IC 111271, IC 111280, IC 111269, and IC 111273. The amount of aloin found in it is 20 to 23 percent.

You need to be prepared to work hard in farming: Hrishikesh Dhane

“While farming, it is necessary to get good yields from it in less time, with less effort, less water, and at less cost. Till now, farmers used to think that only crops like jowar, millet, soybean, sugarcane, turmeric, etc. are profitable. However, I decided to experiment in the field and kept it consistent, starting to produce aloe vera from it since 2017. Now we are getting good yields from its production and processing. However, for this, one must be prepared to work hard, and I have shown that and succeeded today,” said young farmer Hrishikesh Dhane while speaking to the Free Press Journal.