Farmer Turns Barren Land into Thriving Orchard, Earns Rs 3 Lakh from Mangoes
Sudarshan Shivaji Jadhav, a farmer from Ganjewadi in Tuljapur taluka, has shown how hard work and smart farming can turn unused land into a success story. He transformed a dry, neglected patch next to his vineyard in Tamilwadi into a lush mango orchard and earned Rs 3 lakh this season by selling Kesar mangoes.
Mango Orchard Success
Jadhav planted 325 Kesar mango trees on the barren land. This year, about 100 trees produced fruits, giving him a harvest of 4 tons. Each mango, weighing around 250 grams, was sold directly from his farm for Rs 100 per kg. Even though the region saw a poor mango crop this year, Jadhav’s trees performed well, thanks to his careful organic farming practices.
Organic Farming and Water Management
Jadhav used drip irrigation and organic fertilizers for his orchard. He set up pest control traps and kept a close watch on the trees during flowering. To ensure enough water, he built a farm pond across 1.5 acres, storing up to one crore liters of water, enough for four months.
Expanding the Orchard
Along with mangoes, Jadhav has also planted:
- 20 guava trees
- 20 coconut trees
- 100 custard apple (Ramphal) trees
- 15 lemon (Limbu) trees
- 20 sapodilla (Chikoo) trees
This mix of trees helps him spread risks and increase income over time.
Support and Training
Jadhav improved his farming methods after receiving organic farming training from the Agriculture Department and Tuljapur Krishi Vigyan Kendra. His family — including his retired father Shivaji Jadhav, mother, brothers, and sister-in-law — have been strong pillars of support, helping with all the farm work.
Selling Locally Instead of Exporting
Earlier, Jadhav exported his Kesar mangoes, but this year he chose to sell them locally due to good market prices. The rich soil on the embankment helped produce sweet, high-quality mangoes that were much loved by nearby buyers.
An Inspiring Example
“This year, around 100 to 125 mango trees bore fruits, and I harvested four tons, earning Rs 3 lakh,” said Jadhav. His success story proves that with sustainable farming, organic methods, and family effort, even dry, forgotten land can be turned into a profitable venture.
