This 27-YO GenZ from Goa Turns 25-Acre of Barren Land into Organic Farm, now Inspires Students through Agrotourism, Clocks ₹2 Crore Annually

Only a few people manage to transform their childhood hobbies into a profession. 

This story is about 27-year-old Vandit Naik, who spent his childhood at his grandmother’s home, engaging in the agricultural activities she carried out.

As he grew older, this exposure turned his playful involvement into a genuine hobby, and he became curious about understanding agriculture at a deeper level.

In 2010, Vandit and his family purchased a barren piece of land in Mollem, Goa, and transformed it into an innovative organic farm known as Rasraj Goa Farms.

"In 2010, my father bought a piece of land. We have been developing it since then, for more than a decade and a half now.It was just barren land when we purchased it,"Vandit tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview.

Rasraj Goa Farms was formally established in 2011 and spread across 25 acres of land in the Dharbandora taluka of Mollem, Goa. The name ‘Rasraj’ was formed by combining the names of Vandit’s mother (Rasita) and father (Rajendra).

Initially, it was a barren piece of land that had been left unutilised for 40 years after sugarcane farming by previous landlords, with shrubs and weeds growing all over.

The entire family became involved and cleaned the land together, making it a better place for crops. 

Today, Rasraj Goa Farms not only produces crops using organic methods but also plays an important role in providing agricultural education and training. 

Also, several local agricultural colleges regularly send their students to the farm, giving them hands-on exposure to sustainable farming practices.

About the Owner of Rasraj Goa Farms, Vandit Naik

After spending his childhood days at his grandmother’s place and engaging in the agricultural activities she carried out, Vandit grew up convinced that his path would be different. 

He completed his higher secondary education in 2015 with a typical physics and mathematics background, and everyone expected him to pursue engineering. However, Vandit had a different plan in mind. 

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” Vandit quoted this line by Walt Disney, while talking to Startup Pedia.

Because he faced no family or social pressure, he found it easy to pursue a degree in agriculture. While exploring agricultural colleges in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, Vandit discovered that Don Bosco College of Agriculture in Goa had just begun its first academic batch, and he enrolled as part of the inaugural cohort and completed his B.Sc  in Agriculture in 2019.

This decision was strongly supported by Vandit’s family, including his grandmother, who encouraged him to do “something unique and different from others.” Although his school friends mocked him as “weird” for deviating from mathematics to agriculture, Vandit remained confident in his choice.

"My grandmother said, 'You should do something unique and different,’ because she knew everyone was doing the same thing," he says.

"I have loved farming since childhood. I used to go with my grandmother, and that passion has shaped everything I do today,” the Goa-based agripreneur added further.

Initial Challenges Faced by Vandit’s Family to Set Up Rasraj Goa Farms

When Vandit’s family purchased the land in 2010, it was in extremely poor condition. The land had remained largely uncultivated for nearly 40 years after earlier landlords stopped sugarcane farming. 

Over time, it had turned into a dense mass of weeds and vines, with uneven terrain and severely degraded soil. They cleared the land and gradually transformed it into a suitable space for growing organic vegetables and crops.

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About Rasraj Goa Farms

Vandit manages the farm along with his wife, Priyanka Naik; both are agricultural graduates from Don Bosco College of Agriculture.

The farm follows the traditional Kulagar system, a multi-level and integrated farming practice commonly found in the Kola belt of Goa. This system allows multiple crops to be cultivated together, ensuring efficient land use and long-term soil health.

The farm houses over 5,000 areca nut plants, along with GI-tagged Goan Mankurad mangoes, nutmeg, coconuts, and several exotic fruit varieties. In addition, it includes  

• Dairy unit

• Beekeeping unit

• Vermicomposting

• Manure production facilities

• Plant nursery

• Agritourism activities. 

Rasraj Goa Farms is claimed to be the only farm in Goa practicing completely pure organic and natural farming methods.

"We are not using a single drop of chemical, urea, chemical fertilisers, or chemical pesticides on the farm. We are the only farm in Goa practicing completely pure organic and natural farming methods on such a large scale," Vandit explains.

Operational Challenges After Setting Up the Farm

A major operational challenge resulted from the farm’s proximity to the mining belt, as it was surrounded by active mines on three sides.

Mining activities brought pollution, heavy movement of people, and water access issues. However, a major turning point came in 2016–17, when mining operations were completely shut down across Goa, providing significant relief to the farm.

Another serious challenge arose from the farm’s location near the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Wild animals such as porcupines and bison caused repeated damage to the crops.

With support from the Goa government, the entire area has now been brought under protective fencing, effectively addressing the issue.

Farm Development Timeline

In the first year (2011–12), the focus was on nurturing the young plants, and in the following year (2012), the farm expanded into dairy operations. 

Beekeeping was introduced in 2013 to enhance pollination as the plants began flowering. For the next three to four years, honey was not harvested, and the colonies were maintained for ecological balance. Commercial honey harvesting began in 2016–17.

Also Read: This Couple Quit Their Successful IT Jobs in Bengaluru to Grow Affordable Organic Food on Their Ancestral Land in Kanpur

Initial Investment and Growth

After the land was purchased and cleared, Vandit’s family initially invested around Rs. 15–20 lakh between 2011 and 2014.

Each areca nut plant costs approximately Rs. 40, bringing the total investment in planting material to around Rs. 2 lakh.

The remaining expenses were directed toward land development, irrigation infrastructure, and other miscellaneous costs. These foundational steps were essential to support long-term cultivation on such a large parcel of land. 

The farm later diversified its plantations by adding 600 nutmeg plants, 30–40 lemon trees, 100 kokum plants, 50 breadfruit trees, and 125 Goan Mankurad mango plants, of which 115 are currently thriving and fruit-bearing.

The land already housed 100–200 coconut trees, with additional coconut plants introduced to increase planting density.

The farm primarily focuses on horticulture and orchard crops rather than vegetable cultivation, which requires a shorter cultivation cycle.

Areca nut yields are harvested twice a year. The market demand for areca nuts is high, and buyers are willing to procure good quantities at competitive prices year-round.

"When you cultivate crops, they bear fruit only after four to five years. During this time, you must wait and ensure you have provided the required conditions," the farmer tells Startup Pedia.

Agrotourism and Student Activities

Being a young agricultural graduate, Vandit is empathetic towards students pursuing higher education in agriculture. 

Local agricultural colleges in Goa regularly send their students to Rasraj Goa Farms for educational visits. Vandit actively engages with these students to help change their perception of agriculture.

During farm visits, students are given a practical understanding of how the farm is developed and operated. Vandit walks them through different income streams, crop selection strategies, and the economics behind sustainable farming. This initiative began in 2021 to promote agritourism activities.

"If we do not show glamour and modern success in agriculture, young people will not connect to it. But once they understand what agriculture truly is, they will automatically become interested," the Goa-based farmer tells Startup Pedia.

Beyond their farm, Vandit and his wife are actively involved in community outreach, helping individuals establish home, kitchen, terrace, and balcony gardens.

Additionally, she has supported nearly 150 schools across Goa in implementing waste management systems and providing training in organic farming and plant care through the Botanical Society of Goa.

Also Read: Hyderabad Founders Build Clean-Label Organic Food Ecosystem, Asking India To Count Chemicals Not Just Calories - Have 60% Repeat Customers

Annual Revenue and Distribution Channels

Vandit and his family primarily focus on cultivating areca nut, a low-maintenance crop with minimal competition in Goa. 

At the time of plantation, areca nut prices ranged between Rs 125–150 per kilogram, up from Rs 80–90 per kilogram just a few years earlier. Annually, areca nut generates revenue of around Rs 22–26 lakh.

The price range of GI-tagged Goan Mankura mangoes is around Rs 10,000–12,000 per dozen at the start of the season (May–August).

As the season progresses, prices gradually decline to around Rs 1,500 per dozen. The farm sells approximately 45,000–50,000 mangoes annually, generating annual revenue of around Rs 1.1–1.7 crore.

Along with these crops, breadfruit also holds strong demand in Goa. At the wholesale level, a single breadfruit is priced between Rs 100-150, while retail prices range between Rs 250–450 per fruit.

Breadfruit contributes approximately Rs 2.0–4.5 lakh in annual revenue to the farm.

"While the crops we cultivate face little competition, they remain in high demand. They are consumed across India. Everyone uses these products," Vandit tells Startup Pedia.

“Our yield is mostly concentrated in the south side, particularly in Karnataka. But in the north, like Madhya Pradesh and other regions, these crops are not readily available,” he added further.

The farm primarily follows a direct-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) distribution model, with most products sold directly at the farm through customer visits.

In addition, the produce is distributed through three to four retail outlets across Goa, operated by Vandit’s former college mates.

These outlets serve as distribution points for the farm’s fruits, plant nursery stock, vermicompost, biofertilizers, and other farm-made products, which are then sold to end consumers.

Looking Ahead

Vandit is aspiring to transform Rasraj Goa Farms into a larger agritourism-led venture. His primary objective is to create employment opportunities at the village level. He also aims to enable sustainable livelihoods while strengthening the rural economy.

Apart from this, he is also planning to expand the educational initiatives beyond Goa and take them across India, to schools in cities such as Mumbai and those in Gujarat.

Looking ahead, Vandit envisions expanding the farm model across various regions of India by adapting its organic cultivation practices to suit diverse local conditions

“In the next five to ten years, my major focus will be on agriculture, growing plantations, and generating employment at the village level,” Vandit says.

“There are many people in the villages who do not have jobs. We are trying to set up opportunities for them to help earn their livelihood," he concludes.

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