For decades, farming in Punjab has been strongly associated with crops such as wheat and rice. But Gursimran Singh Dhanoa decided to experiment with something very different.
Instead of following the usual farming pattern, he began exploring whether fruits that are commonly associated with other countries could be grown successfully in Punjab.
From 4 Acres of Family Land to an Exotic Fruit Farm
Gursimran started this journey around 2016–17, when he decided to transform his family’s nearly 4-acre ancestral farmland in Malerkotla, Punjab.
Until then, the land was mainly used for conventional farming, including paddy and other traditional crops.
His idea was simple but unusual: select exotic fruit varieties that could adapt to the local climate and build a commercial farm around them.
To gain the required knowledge, Gursimran completed diplomas in Nursery Management and Plant Tissue Culture from Punjab Agricultural University in 2012 and 2016. He also took advice from agricultural experts before expanding his experiment.
He invested approximately ₹4–5 lakh to convert the existing farm into an exotic fruit-growing operation.
The Beginning Was Full of Challenges
Growing exotic fruits was not as easy as simply planting different varieties.
Some expensive saplings were damaged while being transported from places such as Kolkata and Kerala. Others could not tolerate Punjab’s weather conditions and failed to survive.
There was another major challenge time.
Many exotic fruit plants do not produce commercial quantities quickly. Some varieties can take two to three years before producing fruit, while reaching their maximum production can take around six to seven years.
This meant Gursimran had to invest money and effort for years before seeing significant commercial returns.
Instead of giving up, he continued experimenting with different varieties and learning which plants were better suited to the region.
Today, His Farm Has 15+ Exotic Fruit Varieties
After years of experimentation, the farm has developed into a diverse collection of exotic crops.
It now includes varieties such as:
- 🥑 Avocado
- 🍈 Longan
- 🌰 Pecan
- 🌰 Macadamia
- 🫒 Olives
- 🖤 Black Sapote
- 🥭 Mamey Sapote
- 🍋 Finger Lime
- 🍋 Kaffir Lime
- 🍋 Buddha’s Hand Lemon
- 🍇 California Grapes
- ☕ Coffee
- 🥜 Peanut Butter Fruit
- And several other uncommon fruit varieties
The farm began commercial sales in 2025, nearly a decade after the initial experiment began.
Building a Business From an Unusual Idea
The prices of some of these fruits are considerably higher than many conventional crops.
According to the information shared about the farm, its avocados sell for around ₹400 per kg, while longan can reach approximately ₹500 per kg.
The farm generated around ₹1 lakh in the previous year. Its target is to reach approximately ₹2.5–3 lakh this year, with a longer-term goal of generating ₹10–12 lakh in annual revenue.
For Gursimran, the experiment is also about changing the way people think about farming.
The idea that exotic fruits can only be cultivated abroad is not necessarily true. With suitable varieties, proper knowledge, climate selection and long-term planning, farmers can explore crops beyond traditional choices.
A Nearly 10-Year Journey
What started with a few acres of ancestral land has taken almost a decade to develop into a commercial exotic fruit farm.
There were failed saplings, transportation losses, weather-related problems, long waiting periods and financial investment along the way.
But the journey also demonstrates another side of Indian agriculture farmers experimenting with new crops, learning new techniques and looking for alternative sources of income.
Gursimran Singh Dhanoa’s story is a reminder that innovation in farming does not always require leaving the village or abandoning agriculture.
Sometimes, it starts with looking at the same piece of land differently.
🇮🇳 India’s Story
India is full of people who take a familiar path and try something new.
This is one such story from traditional crops to 15+ exotic fruit varieties, and from a family farm to a growing agricultural business.
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