Ex-banker turns rocky land into dragon fruit paradise; clocks Rs50 lakh annual turnover

Every day at 6 am, Joseph KS reaches his farm in Athikkayam, Ranni, in Kerala. This has been his routine for the past nine years. There is no rush, no noise, just him and the plants. 

“At 69, it is no more about passing time, it’s about purpose. I didn’t want to sit idly after retirement. So I decided to dedicate my time to farming,” Joseph tells 30Stades. 

What began as a post-retirement curiosity has turned a rocky, unprofitable land into a thriving dragon fruit orchard that brings Rs50 lakh annually. 

“We had rubber trees earlier, but they need too much water, and our land is rocky. I had to find something that could survive here and give good returns. That’s when I stumbled upon an exotic cactus-like plant with aerial roots and nocturnal flowers, dragon fruit," Joseph says.

Initial trial

In 2016, Joseph retired as a banker and was looking to invest his time in farming. That's when he first heard about dragon fruit and decided to experiment. 

“I started with just 200 saplings on half an acre. I studied a lot about the plant, the soil it needs, its structure, and the yield. Back then, hardly anyone in his area knew about dragon fruit. People would ask what kind of fruit it was. It looked alien,” he laughs.

Also Read: Seven exotic fruit farmers running super profitable farms

So, marketing the produce in the early years was a challenge. He had to create awareness about dragon fruit and its benefits before selling it. 

“I went to local fruit stalls, supermarkets, and retail shops. Slowly, people began to show interest. Demand started picking up. Since the first batch was a success, that gave me the confidence to expand," Joseph shares.

Today, Joseph's farm is spread over 10 acres and houses more than 5,000 reinforced concrete poles or trellises, each one hosting four dragon fruit plants (20,000 plants in total). He cultivates the Malaysian red dragon fruit variety.

Dragon fruit farming – easy and profitable

Dragon fruit farming is comparatively easy, but one needs a proper foundation to maximise profits. 

“You need a strong support system for the dragon fruit vine to grow well. We make 6.5 ft-high concrete poles that go 1.5 ft underground. Around each pole, we plant four saplings. On top, we place two iron rods in a criss-cross manner and fit a bike tyre over it. This helps the vine to climb up and then hang down like a fountain,” he adds.

He says air circulation and sunlight are important for plants. Unlike most commercial crops, dragon fruit does not require irrigation. As it’s a cactus, it survives in dry, rocky terrain. That’s why it works perfectly in this part of Kerala. 

According to Joseph, each bunch of four saplings and the supporting structure costs over Rs 1000. But the returns, he says, make it worth it. Fruiting begins within a year. But the full yield, around 30 kg per pillar per year, starts from the third year.

Organic and sustainable

Joseph doesn’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides and only applies organic manure, poultry manure, cow dung, and neem cake. He says that there’s no need for soil preparation either, because dragon fruit is a hardy plant. But one thing he insists on is keeping the farm clean.

“A lot of weeds grow around dragon fruit plants. If you leave them, it affects the plant growth and fruit quality. Cleanliness is the key to avoiding pests," he says.

"In all these years, I haven't faced any major pest attacks as we maintain the area well. A clean farm is a healthy farm,” the agripreneur says.

Also Read: Doctor in the morning, farmer in the evening: How Dr Madhavaram earns crores from dragon fruit farming

Joseph says propagation of dragon fruit is simple, too. “We don’t use any grafting. We just cut mature stems from 3-4-year-old plants and replant them. That’s it.”

Income from dragon fruit farming 

From earning just Rs50,000 in his first year, Joseph’s dragon fruit farm has grown into a thriving venture with 40 tonnes of produce sold at Rs125 to Rs130 per kg. It brought an annual turnover of Rs 50 lakh last year. 

“Many plants haven’t even reached their peak yield yet. Once they do, we can expect close to 10 tonnes per acre per year (100 tonnes annually)," he adds.

He sells dragon fruits to wholesale dealers across Kerala and exporters shipping to Gulf countries. Currently, he employs 12 full-time staff to manage everything from manures to maintenance. He’s even built a watchtower on the farm to admire the beauty around. 

He has also beautified the landscape over the years, attracting many visitors. “Many people come to see the farm. Many want to start dragon fruit farming. I help them. I have already helped set up more than 25 farms. We have all the equipment and trained workers to offer full setup services as well," Joseph says.

Also Read: Seven organic farmers who made barren land profitable

Inspiring model

Joseph’s farm is surely a model for sustainable and organic farming of dragon fruit in Kerala. The Agriculture Department often arranges farm visits and learning sessions for young farmers, enthusiasts, etc. They come here, and he shows them around and explains everything. He also takes classes outside.

"I feel it’s important to share what we’ve learned. Now, being at the farm is my full-time job. I’m at the farm from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening. It keeps me going," Joseph smiles.

He’s also built a preservation and storage facility on the farm. That helps when there’s a bumper harvest as he can store fruits and sell them gradually.

A full-time farmer

Joseph has received numerous awards, including Krishi Bhavan’s Best Dragon Fruit Farmer Award and recognition from the Federal Bank.

However, despite the recognition, Joseph remains grounded. “There’s a lot of potential in Kerala for exotic fruit farming. Our terrain is suitable. But people need more awareness. Dragon fruit isn’t just a trend; it’s a reliable, long-term crop. A plant’s lifespan is 25 years. If maintained well, it keeps giving.”

His advice to young or aspiring farmers is clear: “Farming needs full-time dedication. You need to love the land and the plants. That’s when it rewards you.”

Nine years in, Joseph is still excited about each harvest, each new visitor, and each opportunity to guide someone. “This is more than a farm. It’s a life I built with my own hands. And I love every bit of it," he signs off. 

(Chandhini R is a Kerala-based journalist specialising in human interest, entertainment, and art and culture stories).

Also Read: Maharashtra's engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

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