How this 23-year-old built a successful agri-drying business; clocks Rs25 lakh turnover

In 2020, when most students were attending online classes and worrying about exams during the COVID pandemic, 17-year-old Josemon Jacob from Kottayam, Kerala, had something else on his mind: how to turn his father’s small farm dryer into a full-fledged business. 

What began as a simple service to help neighbours dry their agricultural produce during the pandemic soon turned into a business idea.

Today, at just 23, Josemon runs a thriving agri-produce drying business with an annual revenue of Rs 25 lakh. He offers drying services for farmers and runs an outlet to sell his own products.

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The beginning

Josemon hails from a family deeply connected to the land. His father, Chackochan, a farmer, had installed a small 50kg dryer at home to process produce from their own farm, mostly coconuts and nutmeg.

But when the pandemic hit and markets came to a halt, people in the locality began bringing their harvests in bulk to use the dryer. It was then that Josemon noticed a gap in the market.

“I realised there was a real demand for this. The produce would either rot due to a lack of storage, or there wouldn’t be enough market demand at the time. But once it’s dried and the moisture removed, the shelf life increases significantly,” Josemon tells 30Stades.

While still in school, he thought of turning this into a business. He shared the idea with his father, who encouraged him. “From that point on, there was no looking back,” he says.

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From 50kg to 500kg: The machinery of growth

The transition from an idea to a functioning business wasn’t without its challenges. Jose needed capital to scale up, so he approached a bank to apply for a loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). But at just 17, he was met with disbelief.

“They were shocked to see a schoolboy asking for a business loan. I still had six months to turn 18,” Josemon laughs.

But he returned after turning 18. This time, his confidence and clarity convinced the bank to back him. He used the loan to purchase a 500 kg dryer and scaled up ten times.

“For the first six months, things moved slowly. It took time for the word to spread,” he says. But once it did, orders began pouring in. “Now, the machines run full-time,” he adds.

In the last year, the factory processed over 100 tonnes of fresh vegetables and fruits and clocked in Rs 25 lakh in revenue. Currently, his unit dries around 2,000 kg of farm produce every month. 

The growth has been steady, the agripreneur says.

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A value-added service for farmers

The core idea was simple but transformative -- dry the farmers’ produce and return dehydrated vegetables them, allowing them to store it and sell whenever market conditions turned favourable.

“Earlier, if it rained suddenly or prices dropped, farmers had no option. Now, they can dry and store their produce. It’s a value-added service that changes the game,” Josemon explains.

His unit handles a variety of produce -- spices, tapioca, vegetables, meat, and more. Tapioca from their own farm is also dried and sold. 

The business has grown to serve individual farmers and large export companies, with clients from the UAE, the US, and other countries.

Entering production

In 2024, Josemon expanded beyond drying services to start production and packaging. 

His factory produces ready-to-cook dried meat products, which include chopped meat mixed with onions, curry leaves, and spices. Customers just add it to a pan and cook.

“We also offer a smashed variant of meat for some customers. It makes the process easier, as they don’t have to clean or chop anything,” he explains.

He also introduced dried vegetables, fruits, and spice powders sold under the JME Agromart brand. The outlet in the Valakuzhy town sells products like dried bitter gourd, ivy gourd, jackfruit, pickles, and plantain chips.

The factory and family

The factory, JME Agri Dryer, is located near his home and has been built gradually, in stages. The drying process uses firewood and electricity, with monthly power bills ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 25,000. Along with the drying unit, Jose has also added a flour mill to the facility.

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His family has been instrumental in running the operations. His mother, Merina, also manages the dryer. “Since we’ve always had a small dryer at home, everyone in the family knows how to handle the equipment. That apart, we even offer maintenance services to others who own similar machines," he shares.

A creative entrepreneur

Alongside running his business, Josemon pursued a multimedia course in college. He also takes up freelance photography and post-production work, balancing both his creative interests and entrepreneurial responsibilities.

In 2022, he was honoured with the Kerala State Award for Best College Student Farmer, recognition for the unique balance he has struck between academics, entrepreneurship, and innovation in agriculture.

Looking ahead

What started as a small dryer in the corner of a home has grown into a business supporting farmers, exporters, and homemakers alike. In a time when agriculture is often seen as uncertain, Josemon is proving that with innovation and effort, it can also be deeply rewarding.

“The dryer has been a blessing not just for us, but for every farmer who uses it. They don’t have to worry about the weather or market drops anymore. They can dry their produce, store it, and sell it when the time is right. That makes all the difference. My dream is to expand JME Agromart into multiple outlets. There is so much potential in agriculture today. If done the right way, it’s definitely profitable. Of course, I will credit my success to my support system, my family. They have always been my strength. Without their encouragement, none of this would have happened,” he signs off.

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

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