A farmer from Kodhiya village in Talaja taluka of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, is demonstrating the commercial promise of avocado cultivation, with 15 of his trees now bearing fruit and each plant yielding approximately 60 kg this season. The crop fetches between ₹800 and ₹1,500 per kg in the market, offering a significant income boost over conventional crops.

From 50 Saplings to a Thriving Orchard

Danubhai Solanki, the farmer behind the experiment, planted his first batch of 50 avocado trees three to four years ago. He has since layered in scientific farming practices — including net houses, greenhouses, and drip irrigation — to coax consistent yields from a fruit not traditionally grown in this part of Gujarat.

'Three to four years ago, we planted avocado trees. Initially, we started with 50 plants. This year, 15 plants have started bearing fruit, with each plant yielding around 60 kg,' Solanki said.

He noted, however, that not every variety of avocado finds ready buyers. 'There are other varieties that do not sell well in the market. Some avocado fruits are difficult to sell,' he cautioned, flagging marketing as a challenge that aspiring growers must factor in alongside cultivation technique.

A Village Learning From One Farmer

Solanki's orchard has quietly become a knowledge hub for farmers across Kodhiya and beyond. He is actively training neighbours in avocado cultivation, and visitors from other villages now regularly make their way to his farm to study his methods.

Ajabhai Bhadraka, a fellow farmer from the village, said the initiative had become a point of local pride. 'People come from outside to see the farming practised by Danubhai and ask how he has reached this position despite having limited formal education. They are delighted to see the different varieties grown on his farm,' Bhadraka said.

Nutritional Value and Market Demand

Agriculture officials in Bhavnagar underscored why avocados command a premium. M.B. Baghamasi, Deputy Regulatory Officer in the Agriculture Department, Bhavnagar, described the fruit as nutritionally distinctive. 'Avocado is considered one of the best fruits because it contains a good amount of protein and fat. It has a low sugar content, so even people with diabetes can eat it,' Baghamasi said.

He put the prevailing wholesale price at ₹800 to ₹1,500 per kg, varying by variety, quality, and market, and noted that international demand for the fruit remains strong.

State Push for Crop Diversification

Solanki's effort aligns with a broader Gujarat government drive to wean farmers away from dependence on a narrow set of traditional crops. The state's horticulture push covers avocados, dragon fruit, asparagus, and figs, among others, with the stated aim of expanding farming options and lifting agricultural incomes.

B.G. Rathod, Joint Director of Agriculture in Gandhinagar, confirmed institutional support for this shift. 'The Horticulture Department offered assistance for adopting intensive farming practices, introducing new crops and producing value-added products,' Rathod said.

As awareness grows around high-value horticulture, the question is whether supply chains and price-discovery mechanisms in rural Gujarat can keep pace with the cultivation ambition that pioneers like Solanki are quietly building.