Visually Impaired Matriculate Starts Flower Farming, Now Earns Rs. 6 Lakhs Annually From His Rose Farm

Haryana’s Rajesh Kumar was born with a vision impairment that hindered his studies. After completing matriculation, while pursuing the plus two level, his visual problem posed a challenge and he could not continue his studies.

“I suffer from a genetic disorder called retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration,” the flower farmer from Haryana’s Hindwan village, Rajesh Kumar shared in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia. “My visual field is 10 degrees when compared to the normal 180-degree peripheral vision. Because of this problem, I could not complete my education,” he explained. 

From facing big challenges to becoming a flower farmer

Coming from a humble agricultural family he did not have high aspirations. And now that he could not complete his studies, he started doing whatever odd job that landed his way. After struggling for a couple of years, the Haryana man kept searching for a way to earn a decent income. Discussing with his mother, Rajesh decided to start farming.

"I realised early on that it's better to do something on your own than work for others,” today’s popular rose farmer opened up in the interview with Startup Pedia.

He started marigold farming on his own piece of land, which was only 55 X 198 sq ft. He bought 1000 seedlings at the price of Rs. 22 each. His initial investment was Rs. 30,000, including the price of seedlings, pesticides, and conveyance. 

In 2016, Rajesh decided to do something new. By this time he had cultivated marigolds, tuberose and other flowers. Now, he started farming roses. By 2018, with the support of his family, Rajesh was able to propagate rose cuttings and expand his farm to four kanals. (1 kanal = 0.125 acre of land)

Parerana Flower Farm

In 2020, Rajesh Kumar started Parerana Flower Farm, a sole proprietorship flower farm, named after his daughter. However, Rajesh realised the scope of farming roses extended beyond just selling the flowers.

Especially, during the pandemic, when the demand for roses had dropped, the flower farmer introduced value-added rose products such as rose water, gulkand (rose jam), soap, oil, and shampoo. In this way, he was able to prevent wasting the expensive flowers which are perishable if kept simply on their own. Initially, he earned around Rs. 300 a day by selling roses.

“I was earning about Rs. 9,000 per month from rose farming, which was better than what I earned from the previous flower crops,” Parerana Flower Farm’s Rajesh shared with Startup Pedia.

Next, he started adopting organic farming practices by using dung, vermicompost, groundnut cakes, and mustard cakes to fertilise the soil. The rose farmer also prepares Gokripa Amrit, an organic concoction to fend off pests.

Revealing the secret of this natural insecticide to Startup Pedia, Rajesh said, “To prepare this, you have to take 5 litres of lassi and mix it with 5-7 litres of cow urine and 5-7 kilograms of jaggery. Next, transfer the content into a 500-litre tank and fill it up with water. It takes about 7 days to prepare the insecticide. You should spray it once every week. When you spray this on plants, add a small packet of asafoetida powder (hing). This creates a strong pungent smell that drives away pests.”

Also read: 57-YO Homemaker Turns Jackfruit into Innovative Food Products, Clocks ₹12 Lakh Annually (startuppedia.in)

Products of Parerana Flower Farm

Parerana Flower Farm started gaining popularity with word-of-mouth publicity. The demand for its rose-based products grew. The organic rose products were widely chosen for their therapeutic benefits and beauty solutions. 

The 100 ml rose water priced at Rs.120 is best for skin cleansing, beauty treatment, freshness, treatment of dark circles, and acne. Rajesh Kumar claimed that his homemade gulkand cures constipation and acidity. The 500 gm packet of gulkand is priced at Rs. 200. 

The 100 ml bottles of rose oil and shampoo are priced at Rs. 150 and Rs. 80 respectively. While the freshly prepared 300 gm soap is priced at Rs. 100.

Rose farmer takes formal training

Rajesh Kumar, an incubatee of ICAR-CIPHET Ludhiana, received expert technical guidance from Dr Ranjeet Singh, on the processing of rose-based innovative and value-added products.

“The officials helped me secure an FSSAI licence,” Rajesh Kumar told Startup Pedia. “After lab tests and nutritional analysis, we were able to market our products to a wider market.”

The rose farmer’s wife and children help him manage the farm activities. 

“Before leaving for school, my children pluck the roses from the farm, and Sunita (wife) tends to the plants,” Rajesh explained. “She also prepares all the value-added products of our farm herself. I handle the delivery and marketing part,” he added. 

Today, the value-added products of ‘Parerana Flower Farm’, are available across Haryana, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh in stores. Besides Rajesh also couriers his products across India.

“Initially, I was selling my rose products on Amazon and Flipkart,” shared Parerana Flower Farm’s Rajesh Kumar. “However, I had to quit because customers had to pay extra because of platform and delivery charges. I did not like that, so, I am delivering my products directly to those ordering me.” 

Rose farmer Rajesh Kumar shares tips for new farmers

The recipient of the Maharana Pratap Horticulture University Award, rose farmer Rajesh Kumar shared that new farmers can contact their State’s horticulture department to know how to apply for government grants. 

"You can contact the state agricultural university for suggestions before starting your farming business,” remarked the Haryana rose farmer. “And the State Horticulture department can inform you about government subsidy details,” he added.

Most importantly, the Haryana-based flower farmer suggested that a new farmer should first know the market demand for the flower he intends to produce, as well as if some products can be obtained from it.

“Flower is a perishable commodity,” said Rajesh knowingly. “So, it’s better to study the market and the scope of the business before starting it. Otherwise, you will keep wasting your cultivated crops!”

Rajesh Kumar’s farming journey was not a smooth ride. Apart from visual challenges and financial constraints, he also faced a lot of discouragement from people.

“Friends and relatives doubted if I could run a family selling flowers, especially when I started growing flowers on a small patch of land compared to others. Therefore, many would advise that I should return to the job market and find one,” he shared.

But Rajesh knew what he was doing. His physical or financial challenges could not dim his spirit. With his family's support, he toiled on the rose farm. Gradually, his earnings started increasing. 

“Challenges should not weigh you down,” the rose farmer told Startup Pedia. “If you have a positive mindset and enough perseverance, you can be a successful flower farmer. Keep holding the trust in yourself and work hard. Success will eventually follow,” he concluded.

In 2024, Rajesh Kumar earned an annual income of Rs. 6 Lakh from his flower farm. He is expecting to double his income through strategic farming practices. He is about to start green chilli and moringa farming.