Manappuram Farm: Rs 20 crore worth agro venture that teaches a lot
This isn't just any farm; it's a thriving agricultural enterprise in Valapatt, Thrissur, Kerala, generating a remarkable Rs 20 crore annual turnover. Unlike traditional estates, 'Ma Farm,' under the Manappuram Agro Farm, operates like a food factory, efficiently producing poultry, dairy, and fish,
This isn't just any farm; it's a thriving agricultural enterprise in Valapatt, Thrissur, Kerala, generating a remarkable Rs 20 crore annual turnover. Unlike traditional estates, 'Ma Farm,' under the Manappuram Agro Farm, operates like a food factory, efficiently producing poultry, dairy, and fish,
This isn't just any farm; it's a thriving agricultural enterprise in Valapatt, Thrissur, Kerala, generating a remarkable Rs 20 crore annual turnover. Unlike traditional estates, 'Ma Farm,' under the Manappuram Agro Farm, operates like a food factory, efficiently producing poultry, dairy, and fish,
This isn't just any farm; it's a thriving agricultural enterprise in Valapatt, Thrissur, Kerala, generating a remarkable Rs 20 crore annual turnover. Unlike traditional estates, 'Ma Farm,' under the Manappuram Agro Farm, operates like a food factory, efficiently producing poultry, dairy, and fish, along with vegetables and fruits. It's a model for food security and a source of financial success for many, mirroring the success of the Manappuram Finance group, led by V P Nandakumar.
Poultry: Over 54,000 broiler chickens in 15 sheds (27,000 sq ft), utilizing a high-density rearing system (approximately two chicks per square foot initially). Daily sales average 3,000-4,000 kg, reaching up to 13 tons during peak seasons. The farm also houses around 1,000 ducks, 300 broiler ducks, and thousands of fish (including 23,000 Varal fish—a local favourite). They are exploring producing their hatching eggs. The farm uses coconut husk waste from their copra processing as litter for the broiler sheds, reducing costs and utilizing farm waste. This waste, mixed with chicken manure, is sold as organic fertilizer.
Dairy: Around 120 cows, with 80-90 in milking, producing an average of 1,200 liters of milk daily. Milk is sold locally and through the farm's own outlets at ₹65/liter. Value-added products like ice cream, buttermilk, yogurt, paneer, ghee, butter, and more are also produced. They produce silage from maize stalks sourced from Tamil Nadu.
Fisheries: The farm boasts diverse fish varieties including Snakehead fish (Varaal), Red-bellied piranha fish (Natter), Tilapia, Ribbon fish (vaala), totalling approximately 32,000.
Vegetable cultivation: Vegetables and tubers are cultivated between coconut trees, with a focus on safe-to-eat practices without chemical pesticides. They use weed mats for weed control.
Value-added products:A dedicated value-added unit produces a wide range of products, including ice cream, buttermilk, yogurt, paneer, ghee, butter, roasted coconut oil, dosa batter, chapatti, coconut oil, and Naruneendi Sharbat.
Management and Sustainability:
Nandakumar, having a postgraduate degree in Biology and a decade of banking experience, attributes his success to integrating his agricultural background with business acumen. He stresses the importance of even small-scale farming for everyone, regardless of their profession. Each unit within Ma Farm has specific targets to ensure monthly profits. The farm employs a rigorous management system, with each unit responsible for its own profit and loss calculations.
Women play a significant role in the farm's operations, driving tractors, operating machinery, and even climbing coconut trees. Environmental sustainability is also prioritized, with a unit dedicated to processing waste from Manappuram Group companies into pellets. The farm has six sales outlets and a supermarket on its premises, including a restaurant using farm-fresh ingredients. A modern abattoir handles meat processing.
Contact: +91 9847288360