Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 28: Lohit Shetty, a native of Dakshina Kannada, has proven that formal education isn’t the only path to success. Due to financial challenges, he discontinued his studies in 10th grade and turned to agriculture, cultivating exotic fruits like rambutan, dragon fruit, and mangosteen, eventually becoming a millionaire.

Initially, Lohit cultivated rubber and arecanut, but he found them costly to maintain. After researching more profitable crops, he sourced rambutan and mangosteen plants from Kerala and planted them on his family’s land in Dakshina Kannada.

Growing up watching his father and uncle work on their 21-acre land, Lohit decided to drop out in 10th grade and took on jobs in shops and restaurants. However, a friend recommended him to agriculture in Dharmasthala, leading to his new path.

Over the last eight years, Lohit has profited greatly from cultivating unique fruits. Today, he owns a farmhouse and a nursery, supporting others in starting their own businesses.

In 2016, he returned to Dakshina Kannada, leased 20 acres, and combined it with his family’s 21 acres to farm on a large scale. He now earns a profit of Rs 1 crore annually.

“We rear plants for three years, and once they start yielding, they are handed over to the owners, supporting other farmers in the process,” Lohit explained. “Currently, we cultivate rambutan on 12 acres, maintain 500 dragon fruit plants, and grow mangosteen in our arecanut farm. Rambutan sells for Rs 180 to 300 per kg, mangosteen for Rs 350 to 750, and dragon fruit for Rs 100 to 150.”