Bengaluru, Feb 16: Vibez Estate, a trusted and renowned new age firm based out of Bangalore has come up with an interesting offer for enthusiasts who are keen to own plantation estates in the lush green town of Sakleshpura.
“There are many people who want to own Plantation land, pursue farming and maintain farm house but cannot do it due to professional commitments. We launched a pilot project to offer maintained plantation to customers and this is receiving a great response” says Mr. Ashwin Kumar, Co-founder, Vibez Estate
“People would buy the Plantation land with no one to maintain it. Many were dependent on relatives/friends/employees. This resulted in the estate being neglected and money being misused. We setup Vibez Estate to monitor the production and maintain the estate”
The company started in 2009 has sold over 300 acres in this format and has received an overwhelming response to this project.
The company has now gradually branched out to offer pomegranate and pepper plantations to customers. The company manages coffee estate in Chikkamagalur and Sakeleshpur, Karnataka while pomegranate in Pawagada and Belur at the borders of Karnataka.
Vibez Estate works on the model, ‘Ownerships is yours-Workmanship is ours’. According to this model, company signs a maintenance agreement with the clients. Agreement clearly states the role and responsibilities along with specific clause to monetary understandings.
“People found the model interesting and agreement transparent. As a result presently we have around 288acres under cultivation for different clients. We have serviced over 200 happy clients who are receiving good revenue from their plantations.” Said Mr Ashwin.
“First we visit the farmland to inspect the available resources such as water, soil, electricity and road connectivity. Once satisfied with the farming conditions at the location we proceed with the agreement,” informs Mr. Ashwin Kumar on the project undertaken.
Speaking on financial agreement he elucidates, “Investment in the estate and maintenance expenditure is borne by the customer. In the revenue that is generated from the produce, a percentage is taken by us as a commission and rest is given to the client. Nevertheless company does not interfere in the farmland purchase. It is focused on crop cultivation, and maintenance and selling the produce”.
Clients are updated weekly on the farm progress through online interaction. “We provide every member with a user id and password. They can login as they want to check on work progress and expenses incurred. If the farming expense details are shown to a full-time farmer, he might certify that we spend reasonably infact surely lower cost,” he asserts.
Mixed farming is practiced for the cultivation. “Mainly we use organic farming inputs. We prepare vermicompost on farm itself,” he explains.
Comparing coffee and pomegranate farming potential Mr. Ashwin Kumar insists both are different as the two serves different target segments. “Coffee estate attracts the professionals who are looking for some good retirement plan. They aspire to have a farmhouse after retirement and settle there,” he shares. “On contrary pomegranate farm is preferred by those looking for some add-on income.”
In coffee plantation maintenance cost incurred is Rs. 40 thousand/acre/annum while revenue generated is Rs. 75 thousand-1 lakh/acre/annum. In pomegranate farming cost incurred is Rs. 60 thousand/acre/annum and revenue earned is Rs. 2.5lakhs/acre/annum. (These are approximate figures subject to market variations). Coffee and pomegranate harvest so far is given to the traders.
Challenges faced are identifying the proper land with clear documents, good connectivity to main road, feasibility of transportation and scarcity of labors.
Vibez Estate has received Indira Priyadarshini National Award, 2013 for rural entrepreneurship. Founders plan for expansion in acreage and crops and was awarded the ‘Customer Satisfaction’ award by the Karnataka State Small Scale Industries in 2015.
Indian agriculture industry might be disorganized but it is gaining back its shine that was lost in the past few years. “There is good scope for growth in agriculture. Many educated people are considering it as business venture,” concludes Mr. Ashwin Kumar.
For More information please visit - http://vibezestates.in/coffee_microsite/microsite-new2/
Contact Details –
Vibez Estates
Vibez Estate
No 121, Abiksha Complex, Bull Temple Road,
Basavanagudi, Bangalore – 19
Ph: 09945686255
Email: [email protected]
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