MBA quits Delhi job for flower farming in UP, clocks Rs 24 lakh turnover from 2 acres

When Ravi Pal completed his MBA in Marketing and Finance in 2011, it was clear to him that a career in the corporate world was the next step. Over the next few years, he worked with leading companies such as L&T Finance, Tata Motors Finance, HDFC Bank, and later Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited. With a stable salary and urban lifestyle, farming was never part of the plan.

“A chance observation changed everything. While posted in Delhi around 2014, I noticed extensive flower cultivation near the Yamuna river bank, something which I had not seen in my hometown, Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh,” Ravi tells 30Stades.

When he visited home next time, he saw that while farms were full of grains and pulses, flowers were absent. Despite this, flowers were readily available in local markets and near temples. 

“When I asked the sellers, they said they sourced flowers from Delhi. This gap between local demand and distant supply signalled a business opportunity to my MBA mind,” he says with a laugh.

Ravi visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Pusa), where scientists recommended marigold varieties such as Pusa Narangi and Pusa Basanti, and guided him on seed procurement and cultivation practices.

Also Read: Kanpur farmer builds flower-drying business; annual turnover at Rs 1.5 crore

The unusual route: MBA to farmer

At home, Ravi’s father, who had retired from the Army, strongly opposed the idea of his entering farming. However, Ravi was convinced that flower cultivation, especially marigolds, could be a profitable venture.

He convinced his father to lease him just two bighas of land for one year, offering Rs 10,000 as rent in return. “He agreed, and I went ahead,” he says.

In early 2015, Ravi purchased marigold seeds for Rs 2,000 as suggested by Pusa officials and prepared a nursery. “The saplings were ready in a month, and we transplanted them in March. In 45 days, the plants began to flower.

Working full-time in Delhi, Ravi travelled to Mainpuri every Friday night and returned by Sunday evening, managing the farm on weekends.

Early profits

The first harvest of 5 kg of flowers was sold at Rs 50 per kg in the local market. “I earned Rs 250 on day one. But soon, daily harvests increased. After a few days, I sold 50 kg at Rs 30 per kg, earning Rs 1,500 in a single day,” he recollects.

Also Read: How this Odisha farmer clocks Rs50 lakh annual turnover from flower farming

Over four to five months, from just two bighas, Ravi earned Rs 1.30 lakh, with total expenses of around Rs 30,000. His net profit of Rs 1 lakh exceeded what many farmers earned annually from traditional crops, like wheat and maize.

He also benefited because marigolds are not eaten by nilgai (blue bull), known for damaging crops in the region. “Marigold plants release compounds that repel pests and animals, making them naturally resilient,” he says.

Taking the risk and increasing turnover

In 2016, Ravi experimented with new flower varieties and developed contacts with growers in Kolkata and Thailand. He cultivated marigolds on 10 bighas (half owned and half leased), achieving a turnover of Rs 8 lakh and a profit of Rs 4 lakh.

By 2017, the numbers increased.

“In 2017, my uncle’s annual wheat income was equal to my one-day earnings from flowers. That year, I quit my job with Kotak Mahindra Prime in Delhi and returned to Mainpuri for full-time farming,” he adds.

Today, Ravi cultivates marigolds on 10 bighas (about 2 acres). He grows high-demand varieties like Jafri marigold during winter and the popular Tennis ball marigold sourced from Kolkata in summer. “The average production is around one quintal per day. We harvest throughout the year and supply to Agra, Mathura, and Kanpur, and local buyers,” he says.

Also Read: How this homemaker set up a profitable orchid nursery business; earns Rs4 lakh per month

“The biggest advantage of marigolds is that they can be cultivated throughout the year, giving a daily income. However, prices fluctuate, rising drastically during the marriage season,” he says.

The plants give flowers for three months, but since they are planted in batches over two acres, about a quintal of flowers are ready for harvest daily.

“The costs of cultivation are extremely low. I bury the marigold plant residue (biomass) after harvest, as this green manuring enriches the soil. I don’t add anything else,” Ravi says.

His annual turnover from flowers is Rs 12 lakh, and he earns a similar turnover from his plant nursery and trading business. “I source the best quality saplings from Kolkata and sell them locally. This generates a turnover of around Rs 12 lakh to Rs 13 lakh annually. The profit margin is 50 percent,” the agripreneur says.

For marigold farming, saplings are either purchased or prepared in the nursery with seeds. They begin yielding flowers within 2 months of the seed stage. “Irrigation should be done immediately after transplanting. The frequency depends on the season and soil type, about every four days in summer and eight to 10 days in winter,” he says.

Ravi has been guiding other farmers since 2017. He helps them with seeds, cultivation practices, and market linkages for flower farming. Gradually, more growers have transitioned to floriculture in the region, generating consistent income.

To reduce waste, Ravi plans to start solar drying of flowers, adding value and extending shelf life. “Farming can be highly profitable when treated as a business. But one should start small as it reduces risk and builds confidence,” Ravi says.

(Riya Singh is a Ranchi-based journalist who writes on environment, farming, sustainability, startups, & women empowerment)

Also Read: How this Maharashtra engineer earns Rs 15 lakh monthly from gerbera farming

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