Born in a farming family in Karnataka, Lohith Shetty was unable to continue his education after Class 10. He focused on supporting his family’s income and tried various businesses — including a small shop and a restaurant. But success was elusive.

However, things changed when Lohith took up a job at a farm in Dharmasthala. Over the next decade, he would learn how to cultivate exotic fruits like rambutan, dragon fruit, and mangosteen.

“I worked for 10 years in an estate that grew rambutan and mangosteen. I got an idea about how these fruits are grown, where they come from, the ideal conditions for their growth and more,” Lohith shares.

In 2016, Lohith returned to his family farm in Kadaba, bringing back seeds and cuttings of exotic fruits. With the newfound knowledge, he began his journey to turn his farm into a profitable business.

Lohith leased 20 acres of land, adding to his family’s 21 acres. He started planting rambutan, mangosteen, and dragon fruit — becoming one of the first growers of these fruits in his region.

Today, Lohith’s farm generates over Rs 1 crore in annual revenue. His success lies in growing fruits like rambutan, which can yield up to 45 kg per plant, and dragon fruit, which produces 300 fruits annually.

Lohith explains, “Rambutan needs more humidity to survive. It doesn’t grow in very hot areas. Dragon fruit and rambutan don’t grow in the shade. You need to create the perfect environment for it.”

Taking an organic approach, Lohith uses neem cakes, cow dung, goat droppings, and chicken manure for his crops. He also relies on drip irrigation and fertigation to ensure optimal growth.

He supplies fruits to major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai, while also hosting buyers who visit his farm. Despite challenges like erratic rainfall due to climate change, Lohith’s business thrives.

In addition to his farm, Lohith runs a nursery where he grows and sells exotic fruit plants. “We make the plants, maintain them for three years, and once they yield well, the owners take over,” he adds.