Chintalapati Venkata Narasimha Raju, a 56-year-old farmer from Bagwadi village, located on the border of Telangana and Karnataka. Over the years, he has built a successful career in agriculture and agribusiness. His remarkable journey, which began in aquaculture and expanded into banana farming, as well as ventures like cold storage and ripening chambers, highlights his commitment to diversification, innovation, and perseverance.
His story serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of hard work and forward-thinking in the agricultural sector.
Beginnings in Aquaculture
CV Narasimha Raju began working in agriculture in 1996 after his graduation, first in aquaculture on his father's property. He became an expert in Indian catfish farming within a decade of Aqua farming. In 2006, he received the esteemed Hiralal Chowdhury National Gold Medal. In the same year, he was also awarded the Kishan Purskar by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for his exceptional work in aquaculture. Later on, though, he saw that aquaculture did not live up to the financial promises, so he had to change course.
Venturing into Cold Storage and Ripening Chambers
He entered the cold storage business in 2010. He built a facility that stored a capacity of 6,000 tons, with another 1,000 tons for fruit ripening. Narasimha Raju's facility is known for processing large quantities of mango and bananas as it deals with about 5,000 tons per annum. His state-of-the-art pressurized ripening chamber, the only one of its kind in Telangana, set new standards in fruit ripening.
Fresh Start in Banana Cultivation
Narasimha Raju returned to agriculture in 2022, so he has started focusing on banana cultivation and started with a pilot project on 12 acres and expanded rapidly to 48 acres. Now His future is plans to take it up to 100 acres in the next year. It is an integrated end-to-end business model by combines production, processing, and sales.
Strategic Business Model:
Narasimha Raju's business model is based on efficiency and market integration. He began his farming in a 12-acre field. His annual turnover from the cold storage business alone is about 1.8 crores. For banana farming, the initial investment is about 1.25 crores for 48 acres, with a production cost of 8 rupees per kilogram for the first crop, which goes down to 3-4 rupees for subsequent crops. He estimates an average profit of 50,000 rupees per acre, which shows the profitability of banana farming over multiple harvests.
Overcoming Challenges: Innovation and Sustainability in Farming
Narasimha Raju faces challenges such as climate variability and electricity issues like many farmers. However, his innovative practices and focus on organic methods help mitigate these difficulties. He emphasizes the importance of using natural resources, stating that essential nutrients like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are readily available from nature.
Message to Fellow Farmers
Narasimha Raju believes farming is a noble profession, but it requires adaptability and scientific practices. He advises farmers to diversify their crops and focus on sustainable farming methods. He promotes organic kitchen gardening, aiming to educate others about the benefits of organic agriculture through his YouTube channel in Telugu.
Chintalapati Venkata Narasimha Raju's expanding agricultural ventures are a powerful legacy, inspiring farmers nationwide to embrace sustainable, innovative practices that promote both profitability and environmental harmony. His example continues to lead the way in modern agriculture.
