New Delhi, February 14:
Kavita Mishra from Karnataka has emerged as a shining example of determination, resilience, and entrepreneurship. Once forced to reject a promising job offer from Infosys due to pressure from her in-laws, she refused to let her dreams fade away. Instead, she transformed barren land into a thriving integrated farming venture and is now earning nearly ₹40 lakh annually.
Originally from Dharwad district in Karnataka, Kavita never imagined that farming would become her profession after her marriage in 1996. Coming from a conservative middle-class Kannada family, she faced restrictions that prevented married women from working outside the home.
Infosys Offer Rejected Under Family Pressure
Despite completing a diploma in Computer Science from Karnataka University between 1996 and 1999, and securing a job offer from Infosys in 1998 for the post of Software Engineer, Kavita was forced to decline the opportunity.
Her in-laws did not approve of her working outside, leaving her with no choice but to give up what could have been a corporate career. However, her husband encouraged her to use their ancestral land in the village of Kavital to build something meaningful.
From Barren Land to a New Beginning
The land she inherited was far from fertile. It was rocky, dry, hilly, and considered nearly impossible for cultivation. Yet, after years of effort, Kavita began cultivating pomegranate in 2006, a crop suitable for the drought-prone conditions of Raichur district.
For several years, the harvest brought encouraging results, earning her around ₹1–2 lakh per crop.
A Major Setback: Entire Orchard Destroyed
However, her journey was not without hardship. In 2011–2012, her pomegranate orchard was devastated by bacterial blight, a severe disease that affects pomegranate plantations. Agricultural experts advised her to uproot all the trees, as the disease had no effective cure.
After nearly eight years of hard work, she was once again left with an empty farm and a shattered plan.
Integrated Farming: A Game-Changing Move
Instead of giving up, Kavita took expert advice and shifted to integrated farming, which later became the foundation of her successful venture named “Kavita Mishra Sandal Farm.”
Located in Raichur district, the farm focuses primarily on cultivating white sandalwood, along with multiple horticultural and agroforestry crops. Her farm now grows a wide range of produce, including:
- Mango
- Guava
- Custard apple
- Amla
- Jamun
- Tamarind
- Lemon
- Coconut
- Drumstick (Moringa)
- Banana
- Sapota
- Sweet lime
- Curry leaves
- Jasmine
- Coffee
- Black pepper
- Turmeric
In addition, she has also planted teakwood and red sandalwood, creating a strong agroforestry model that supports long-term profitability.
₹40 Lakh Annual Income and High Future Potential
Today, Kavita Mishra earns around ₹40 lakh per year through her farming venture. She believes her model has the potential to generate returns of ₹5–6 crore per acre in the long run, especially through sandalwood plantations.
To ensure legal and secure sales, she has signed a formal agreement with Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) for selling sandalwood and red sandalwood.
High-Tech Security to Prevent Theft
Given the high value of sandalwood, Kavita has also adopted modern security measures. She uses microchip-based e-security systems on her trees, which can instantly alert the nearest police station in case of trespassing or theft attempts.
A Story of Determination and Transformation
Kavita Mishra’s journey proves that setbacks can become stepping stones when backed by courage and innovation. From rejecting an Infosys offer under social pressure to becoming a successful agricultural entrepreneur, she has created not only wealth but also inspiration for thousands of women across India.
Her story stands as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, even barren land can bloom into prosperity.
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