Despite having farmers in the family and agriculture always being the main occupation, Kargiyoda, who lives in Bangalore, could have found a good job after obtaining higher education. However, he decided to choose agriculture over an office career.
Kargiyoda did not want to engage in traditional farming like his grandfather and father practiced. He realized that many farmers face low profitability and market instability in traditional agriculture. Therefore, understanding the demand in the international market and modern technologies, he managed to create a new success story.
In one of the interviews, Kargiyoda shared that he decided to grow 'Baby Bottle Gourd', which are small gourds, on his 3.5-hectare land. This decision became a turning point in his life. Today, by exclusively growing gourds, he earns a significant daily income of about 50,000 rupees.
The main feature of this harvest is the high demand for it in the Persian Gulf countries, especially in the markets of Qatar. Kargiyoda comes from a family of traditional farmers who previously grew crops such as corn, eggplant, and tomatoes. However, they faced problems such as the lack of adequate prices for their produce in local markets and sales difficulties.
To achieve a high income, he applied modern technologies, including drip irrigation, mulching, and the use of modern agricultural equipment. It was during this period that he learned about the growing global demand for small vegetables, which prompted him to start growing 'baby gourd'.
Indian markets usually sell large gourds, whereas in countries like Qatar, small gourds weighing 500 grams have become the preferred choice for small families. The small size allows the vegetable to be prepared in one meal, eliminating the need to store cut pieces in the refrigerator. Because they are harvested before full maturity, these small gourds have very thin, soft skin and tender seeds. They have a sweeter and tastier flavor compared to regular gourds.
Kargiyoda mainly grows 'Swagat 045 F1' variety gourds. Sowing takes place in June-July, and harvesting begins approximately 70 days later, from September to December. About 1000 kilograms of gourds are collected from his field daily. Large traders purchase the harvest directly from his field at a price of 50 rupees per kilogram.
It is easy to calculate the impressive income this farming brings. Selling 1000 kg of gourds yields 50,000 rupees. Over a 90-day harvest season, his total earnings reach almost 4.5 million rupees, which translates to a monthly income of 1.5 million rupees solely from high-tech gourd cultivation.
Traders themselves come to the farm to purchase the produce and take care of all logistics and export processes to Qatar. This frees Kargiyoda from worries about marketing or transportation, allowing him to focus entirely on high-tech agriculture.
Kargiyoda emphasizes that time management is critical for the export market. If a gourd is left for a few hours longer than necessary, its weight increases from 500 grams to 800 grams, which does not meet export standards. Therefore, the harvest is done daily, strictly adhering to the required size.