HYDERABAD: Realizing that there is a world beyond corporate careers, Ginka Akhil Raj and Teti Venkat Balaji, 23-year-old MBA students from Hyderabad, realize that they are the only goal under the sun. , I found myself tilling the land with only one goal: to reap the harvest. Beautiful orange marigold.
They literally put their education into practice. After conducting thorough market research, they discovered that there is a huge demand for marigold flowers during the festive season in Telangana. With prices expected to reach $200 per kg at the peak of the season, the duo travels about 150 km every day from the city to Gandhamala near Jagadepur. Crops will be cultivated on 2 acres of land in Siddipet district.
Akhil and Balaji rented land from a friend and started working hard on their own. They did everything from laying power lines to tilling the land, planting seeds and installing makeshift irrigation systems. More than 16,000 plants have now sprouted in the field.
“We chose marigolds because they are a major part of Telangana’s culture. Everyone uses this flower to decorate the entrance of their homes. And we saw an opportunity there. ” Balaji said. “We then worked with local shopkeepers to learn how to use pesticides and fertilizers effectively.”
The journey was not easy for the young people. “We were ridiculed by both friends and family, who didn’t understand what we were trying to do. Then our family started supporting us in our work.” They rode scooters to the farm. The cost of fuel and food weighs heavily on their pockets. But their determination and passion for farming keeps them going.
“We pray to God for the crops to ripen,” Akil said. They emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring in agriculture. “Useless plants need to be plucked on time, and once the plants germinate, the flower parts need to be ‘plucked’ to encourage the growth of larger flowers,” Balaji said. He expects each plant to produce three to four flowers by the end of October.
“We have to repeat the application of fertilizers and pesticides every 10 days. If we don’t get the timing right, we risk losing the entire crop,” Balaji said.
By migrating back to the rural landscape, they not only pursue their passions but also contribute to the growth and development of rural communities. “It’s a shame to see young people not wanting to take up farming. Without a new generation of farmers, villages will be empty,” Balaji said.
“We want to set an example for other young people,” Akil says. “Farming is not just a way of life, it is a business that requires skills, knowledge and dedication. We hope that through our journey we will inspire more young people to consider farming as a viable career option. ”
Now that the festive season has begun, Akhil and Balaji are looking forward to the fruits of their labor. The plant blooms three times and is expected to have more than 4,000 kilograms of flowers by mid-October.
From a corporate career to growing marigolds: An inspiring journey of two young entrepreneurs | Hyderabad News
