In 2017, Chethan Shetty made a bold change—he left an eight-year corporate career in Bengaluru to pursue farming on his family’s land near Mangaluru. Starting with mushroom cultivation in his rented apartment, Chethan’s experiment turned into a flourishing 10-acre farm with a variety of fruit trees and crops, proving that a return to the roots can be both rewarding and fulfilling.
- Started mushroom farming in a Bengaluru apartment before full-scale farming
- Grew turmeric and various fruit trees on ancestral land
- Earned Rs 15 lakh in 2022 through diverse farm produce sales
What happened
Chethan Shetty left his stable corporate job in Bengaluru after eight years to return to his ancestral farm near Mangaluru. Inspired by childhood memories spent on his grandparents’ land, he cautiously tested farming by growing mushrooms in his rented flat using a small gas stove. This hands-on experiment gave him confidence to pursue agriculture seriously.
On his family’s 10-acre farmland, Chethan developed a variety of crops, including turmeric, rambutan, mangosteen, tender coconut, bananas, and areca nuts. He dug a new borewell and planted hundreds of fruit trees alongside intercrops to sustain income while waiting for the trees to mature. His efforts culminated in the produce generating substantial revenue by 2022.
Why it feels good
Beyond the financial success, Chethan values the contentment and peace farming has brought into his life compared to the pressures of a corporate career. He appreciates that farming allows him to work with nature on his own terms without needing to prove himself to others.
His father, who once hesitated to share Chethan’s career change publicly, now proudly supports his son’s choice, reflecting the deep satisfaction the family feels about the farm’s achievements. The shift also enabled the family to build a new home and reconnect with their roots.
What to enjoy or watch next
Chethan’s farm continues to grow its diverse output, including thousands of areca nut trees, pepper vines, and exotic fruit plants like rambutan and mangosteen, which help sustain the family and contribute to local markets across India. Watching such sustainable farming models thrive could inspire others interested in agriculture.
For those curious about small-scale farming success stories, following Chethan’s journey highlights how experimentation, patience, and connection to land can lead to a fulfilling lifestyle and steady income. It also showcases the increasing viability of fruit tree cultivation and intercrops in regional farming economies.