From coding to cultivation: Software engineer thrives in Mango farming

June 19, 2024

An inspiring journey of Vijay Pawar from software engineer to successful mango farmer.

Every youth dreams of pursuing engineering or an MBA, working in a multinational company, earning a lucrative salary, and living comfortably in a big city or abroad.

However, Vijay Pawar from Betul has charted a different path, serving as an inspiring example for today’s youth. He left a high-paying job as a software developer in Pune to return to his village, Dunava. Today, Vijay earns lakhs by selling over 30 varieties of mangoes and has transformed his family farm into a renowned mango orchard.

Vijay Pawar, a resident of Dunava village on Chhindwara Road in Multai tehsil of Betul district, prioritized his village and farm over a multinational company job. Until 2013, Vijay was living in Pune, working as a software developer with a substantial annual package. Despite offers from other multinational companies, Vijay had different aspirations. When his father’s health deteriorated, Vijay decided to return to his village, leaving his job behind.

Upon returning to Dunava, Vijay faced the challenge of making his return meaningful. Observing the meager annual turnover from his farm, Vijay realized the need for change. His father’s traditional farming methods yielded only two and a half lakhs annually from 17 acres of land, with rising costs each year. 

Utilizing his education, Vijay decided to experiment by planting 1,200 saplings of various mango varieties on 7 acres of his land. This decision proved fruitful, as the orchard now produces over 30 varieties of mangoes.

Initially, Vijay sold the mangoes himself, making a profit but finding the process time-consuming and labour-intensive. To focus on other business ventures, he began leasing out his orchard. Each year, the orchard is auctioned, and the highest bidder gains the right to sell the mangoes, along with the responsibility of maintaining the orchard. This arrangement brings Vijay a direct profit of 10 to 12 lakhs annually, equivalent to a monthly income of 90,000 to 1 lakh, similar to his earnings in the IT sector, but without the stress and pressure of city life.

The orchard’s success extends to the contractors who lease it, making significant profits from the diverse mango varieties. Vijay Pawar’s garden boasts mangoes like Langra, Chaunsa, Hapus, Dussehri, Safeda, and Malda. Additionally, rare varieties such as Swarnpari and Alphonso are grown, flourishing in Betul’s unique environment.

Vijay’s story exemplifies how leveraging existing resources can yield substantial profits. His success offers a model for young people who abandon their farms for city jobs, showcasing the potential of rural entrepreneurship and innovative farming practices.