This farmer clocks a turnover of Rs32 lakh per acre from capsicum farming

After completing his BSc in Agriculture in 2012, Pravin Borgave began working with a farming company. The next eight years brought him in touch with the ground realities of agriculture and how technology could make farmers earn well. Coming from a family of farmers in Ganeshwadi village of Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, he was always keen to work in the fields. 

In 2020, he decided to take the plunge. Pravin began setting up a polyhouse over one-fourth of an acre (10 guntha) to start protected farming where environmental factors could be controlled. “My initial investment was Rs10 lakh out of which I received a subsidy of Rs 5 lakh (50 percent). When the work was in progress, the pandemic hit,” Pravin tells 30Stades.

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Understanding that going back to work would not be possible anytime soon, he built another polyhouse over 0.25 acres and chose capsicum (green and coloured) given its demand throughout the year and good rates. 

A new beginning during COVID-19

“I had already booked the saplings (priced at Rs11 each). I planted them in April 2020 and began harvesting in June-end after about 85 to 90 days,” he says.

By then, there were relaxations in lockdown and an increasing demand for exotic vegetables from hotels, restaurants and household buyers. 

“The 6,000 plants over half an acre yielded six tonnes in the first month, five tonnes in the second month and a total of 30 tonnes (30,000 kg) by February 2021 (one crop cycle),” Pravin says.

The average market rate at that time was Rs110 (ranging between Rs80 and Rs180) and Pravin earned Rs33 lakh (30,000 kgXRs110) from half an acre. Since then, there has been no looking back.

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“For marketing, which is the biggest pain point for farmers, I focused on metro cities. I supplied to vendors who were suppliers to hotels and restaurants. I built contacts in the first year and I continue to supply them. I also meet new vendors and build contacts every year,” he says.

Every year, Pravin expands his polyhouse by one or two acres. 

“I have been increasing the area every year and now grow capsicum over 4 acres in polyhouses,” he says.

Pravin also has another 2-acre plot where he grows exotic vegetables like cherry tomato, Thai chilli, galangal, jalapeno etc.

Cost of one-acre polyhouse and revenues

Explaining the financials of farming in one acre, Pravin says the initial investment is Rs40 lakh including the cost of polyhouse, saplings, sprays, organic cow dung manure and labour. 

“Out of this, the government gives a 50 percent subsidy. So the farmer has to invest only Rs20 lakh,” Pravin points out.

There are 12,000 plants in one acre, and each plant yields 4kg of capsicum. 

“The yield is 48 tonnes in a year but we can assume 40 tonnes excluding any plants that yield lower or are damaged,” he says.

“With good farming practices, a farmer can harvest around 200kg to 300 kg of capsicum daily. The average rate is Rs80 per kg (going up to Rs180 and falling to Rs40 at times),” he says.

For an annual yield of around 40 tonnes, at Rs80 per kg, the income is Rs32 lakh in the first year. “One can recover the investment of Rs20 lakh and make a profit in the first year itself,” he says.

The annual maintenance cost, including that of labour, plant nutrition, sprays and compost, is Rs10 lakh and the farmer can make a high profit of around Rs 15 lakh to Rs18 lakh per acre from the second year, says Pravin.

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How polyhouse farming works

A good quality polyhouse structure functions well for eight to ten years, giving high returns. It protects crops from extreme weather conditions, pests and diseases. The produce is of higher quality with capsicums better in size, colour, and nutritional value. 

Polyhouses accelerate crop growth, leading to a shorter cropping period and longer harvesting period of eight to nine months, unlike three months in open-field farming.

Plants require good nutrition and high-quality soil. “I keep organic waste for composting for one year and then use it for the plants. I also apply cow dung manure. Drip irrigation takes water and fertilizers directly to the roots of the plant. I use sprays and preventive medicines to ensure healthy plants with high yields,” Pravin explains.

For those wanting to opt for polyhouse farming, he says it is important to monitor parameters like temperature, and humidity and monitor plants daily. “Plus, the market rate is never fixed. What you get today will not be there a month later. So be prepared for rate fluctuations,” he adds.

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

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