Pioneering Avocado Farming in India: Harshit Godha's Journey

Avocados, native to Central and South America, are becoming increasingly popular in India due to rising health trends and social media influence. However, their high prices (?200–?400 per fruit) make them a premium item, as most are imported.

While pursuing his Master’s in the UK, Harshit Godha noticed an avocado labeled “Produced in Israel.” Curious about how a hot country like Israel could successfully cultivate avocados—typically suited for 15–30°C—he researched and discovered that Israel had spent 60 years developing technology to grow avocados even in temperatures up to 45°C.?

Recognizing an opportunity, Harshit partnered with an Israeli nursery to import disease-resistant, high-yield avocado rootstocks to India. After successfully piloting production in Bhopal, he expanded his efforts by establishing an avocado nursery (Indo-Israel Avocado), supplying saplings to farmers across India. Along with high-quality plants, he provides guidance on soil selection, suitable varieties, and advanced farming techniques to maximize yield.

Unlike other saplings available in the market, his imported varieties offer better resistance to diseases and higher productivity. This quality assurance allowed him to sell at a premium price, attracting farmers through effective digital marketing.

This showcases the importance of leveraging the right expertise to gain a competitive edge when approaching market opportunities and building a successful enterprise.

But at the same time, factors such as sustainable production are crucial, as cultivating non-native crops often requires higher inputs to achieve optimal yields. A well-targeted approach to ensure production management among his customers is essential to ensure the long-term success of Harshit’s enterprise.

While differentiation and innovation hold the key, success lies in building the right capabilities, making informed decisions, and continuously adapting to industry advancements. Our Agribusiness Academy is designed to support the youth with the necessary skills to run such enterprises —explore it and keep asking the right questions.

Link to enroll for India learmers: https://india.agribusiness.academy/groups/agribusiness-value-chains-pathway/

Link to enroll for global learners: https://learning.agribusiness.academy/groups/agribusiness-value-chains-pathway/

Disclaimer: I have used publicly available information to present this article. It is important to note that this may not comprehensively represent the entirety of Harshit's business and strategies. The article is structured to present the best possible representation of Harshit's enterprise, we encourage discussions and debates on specific points.