This Amravati farmer was earning Rs 150 per month, now invited to speak at Oxford University about his Rs 15-crore agri business

Ravindra Metkar, a farmer from Masla village in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, has scripted an inspiring journey from earning just Rs 150 a month to building a Rs 15-crore agricultural enterprise. According to a TOI report, 57-year-old Metkar will travel to the United Kingdom next month to speak at an international AI conference at Oxford University.

Read more: How Navy warships are protecting India-bound ships amid rising Gulf tensions

Oxford AI Conference: Farmer to Share Sustainable Farming Model

Metkar has been invited to the Global Research Conference themed “AI For Every Mind”, scheduled from May 1 to 5 at Said College, Oxford.

At the event, he will speak on sustainable farming, cost optimisation, climate-resilient agriculture and poultry entrepreneurship, highlighting how traditional practices can align with modern innovations.


Read more: Gurgaon gets 24x7 'gas ATM' that exchanges empty cylinders for filled ones in just 2 minutes, no waiting needed

Farming Innovation: Focus on Reducing Costs and Self-Made Fertilisers

Metkar’s success is rooted in a simple yet powerful idea, reducing input costs.

After completing his master’s degree in commerce from Amravati University, his turning point came in 1994 when his family acquired land. They later sold it to purchase one acre in Bhandara district, where he began experimenting with farming techniques.

“I realised early on that farmers cannot control market prices, but they can control costs and improve yield. That’s when I started making my own fertilisers,” he said.

Agricultural Enterprise: From One Acre to 50 Acres

What began as a small experiment has now grown into a large-scale farming operation. Metkar currently cultivates nearly 50 acres in his native village.

His farm produces a diverse range of crops, including mangoes, mosambi, amla, bananas, betel nut and grains. Alongside crop cultivation, he also runs a poultry farm.

Sustainable Farming Practices: Waste-to-Fertiliser Model

A key feature of Metkar’s model is sustainability. He uses locally produced poultry feed and recycles farm waste into fertilisers, reducing dependency on commercial inputs.

This approach not only lowers costs but also promotes environmentally friendly farming practices.

Farmer Empowerment: Guiding Over 50 Lakh Farmers

Beyond his own success, Metkar has shared his knowledge with farmers across India.

“I have guided over 50 lakh farmers across the country. They feel inspired by my journey. If I can achieve a turnover of Rs 15 crore, so can they,” he said.

Inputs from TOI