From School Dropout to Floriculture King: Bengaluru's Rs 5 Crore Flower Farmer
Bengaluru is globally renowned for its tech billionaires and startup unicorns, but just beyond the city limits, a different kind of wealth is flourishing from the earth itself. This is the story of Srikanth Bollapally, a 40-year-old former school dropout who now earns a staggering Rs 5 crore in personal profit every year from flowers. His journey from poverty to prosperity offers a powerful lesson in resilience and innovation.
The Humble Beginnings: A Rs 1,000 Salary
Srikanth grew up in a traditional farming family in Telangana's Nizamabad district, where financial struggles were a daily reality. With his parents drowning in debt, he was forced to drop out of school during his 10th standard. At just 16 years old, he moved to Bengaluru to support his family, taking a job in the local flower trade with a starting salary of only Rs 1,000 per month. Instead of complaining, Srikanth immersed himself in learning the intricacies of the industry.
- He studied cultivation techniques, harvest methods, and marketing strategies.
- He gained hands-on experience in exporting blooms, building a foundation for his future empire.
From Trading to Cultivation: Building a Business
By 1997, Srikanth decided to venture out on his own. Using his savings and industry knowledge, he established a modest flower shop in Bengaluru. For over a decade, he operated as a trader, purchasing flowers from local farmers and selling them across the city. While this business provided stability, Srikanth yearned for more—he wanted to grow his own flowers and control the entire supply chain.
Creating a 52-Acre Floral Paradise
Transitioning from a shop owner to a commercial farm owner was no small feat. Floriculture requires significant initial investment and carries high climate risks. Undeterred, Srikanth developed a solid business plan and sought support from the National Horticulture Board. With government subsidies, loans, and his savings, he purchased his first 10-acre plot near Doddaballapura.
- Today, his farm has expanded to 52 acres of lush, climate-controlled polyhouses and greenhouses.
- It features premium varieties like roses, carnations, gypsophila, and gerberas, blooming year-round.
Sustainability and Success: A Green Mindset
What sets Srikanth apart is not just the scale of his operation but his commitment to sustainability. His farm employs eco-friendly practices, such as recycling dried leaves and discarded stems into organic vermicompost to nourish future harvests. This green approach has fueled remarkable financial growth.
- His farm generates an annual turnover of Rs 70 crore, supplying flowers nationwide to wholesalers and wedding planners.
- It has created over 200 steady jobs for rural communities in Karnataka, boosting local employment.
Lessons for the Future: Agriculture's Potential
Srikanth's success story challenges the notion that agriculture is an unprofitable sector. He emphasizes that while farming tests patience and faces weather uncertainties, it can yield substantial rewards for those willing to work hard. His message to the younger generation is clear: do not overlook agriculture. With dedication and innovation, the soil can indeed pay back—sometimes in crores.
