Harshit Godha, a 28-Year-Old Entrepreneur, Swaps London Life for Avocado Farming in India and Earns ₹1 Crore Annually
Harshit Godha – Founder of Indo-Israel Avocado
While studying BBA in London, Harshit Godha discovered Israeli avocados and was intrigued by their quality. This curiosity led him to Israel to learn about their farming techniques.
“I was fascinated by the premium quality of avocados from Israel,” Harshit told Startup Pedia. After completing his education and returning to India, he launched Indo-Israel Avocado in 2019, aiming to make Israeli avocados accessible in India.
The Journey of Indo-Israel Avocado
Upon returning to India, Harshit and his team began transforming barren land into a thriving 5-acre farm, complete with a polyhouse and hydroponic system. An investment of ₹50 lakh was made, but delays in importing Israeli plants due to bureaucratic hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the project back to 2021.
Despite these setbacks, Harshit remained proactive. He shared his avocado farming journey through social media, a blog, and a YouTube channel, providing detailed guidance for aspiring farmers. His efforts helped establish his reputation as an avocado expert in India.
By 2021, Indo-Israel Avocado had imported 20,000 plants and started an orchard near Bhopal Airport. The company now sells plants to farmers across various states, with its own orchard producing fruit.
“I’m leading the avocado industry in India. I offer a 100% buyback guarantee for the entire fruit production,” Harshit shared with Startup Pedia.
Indo-Israel Avocado’s Growth and Vision
Indo-Israel Avocado emphasizes sustainability and education, offering high-quality, disease-resistant Israeli avocado plants. The company has achieved ₹1 crore in annual revenue from plant sales and is expanding its orchard to 100 acres, targeting ₹10 crore in revenue.
Specialty of Israeli Avocados
Israeli avocado rootstocks are renowned for their drought tolerance, disease resistance, and high yield. Harshit’s goal is to bring these high standards to Indian agriculture and reduce the reliance on costly imports.
Challenges of Imported Avocados
Imported avocados are expensive due to high shipping costs and multiple intermediaries. Harshit aims to reduce these costs by cultivating high-quality avocados domestically.
Future Plans
Harshit, who comes from a family of lawyers, has ambitious plans for Indo-Israel Avocado. He aims to expand his orchard by 100 acres annually, with the goal of significantly increasing revenue and establishing a robust domestic supply chain.
“My plan is to continuously expand, adding 100 acres each year. This will compound our revenue and drive long-term growth,” Harshit concluded.
FAQ
Who is Harshit Godha?
Harshit Godha is an entrepreneur from Bhopal who founded Indo-Israel Avocado in 2019, transitioning from a BBA student in London to an avocado farmer in India.
What is Indo-Israel Avocado?
Indo-Israel Avocado is an agri-startup focused on growing and selling Israeli avocado plants and avocados in India.
What is the revenue of Indo-Israel Avocado?
Indo-Israel Avocado generates ₹1 crore annually from plant sales, with plans to expand the orchard to 100 acres and target ₹10 crore in annual revenue.