Third Tour: Visit to home grown biotech - India's

number one plant nursery

Our visit to Homegrown Biotech, was an enlightening experience that

provided us with a deep understanding of exotic fruit cultivation and
advanced plant biotechnology. Our journey began at 1:45 PM from college in
an Innova car, with a different driver from our previous tours. Accompanying
us was our supervising teacher, Deepa Miss, who guided us throughout the
trip. Initially, we took a rugged and uneven road filled with pits, rocks, and
pebbles, making our approach feel like an adventurous trek. This path led us
to the backside of the nursery, where we briefly lost our way. However, after
contacting the office, we received the correct directions and rerouted
through the Kanjirappally-Erumely road, spotting the Homegrown Biotech
board along the way. From there, it was a 350-meter drive to the main
entrance, and we finally arrived at our destination at 2 PM.

The first sight of the nursery was breathtaking. It resembled a botanical

garden, with lush green meadows and organized greenhouses spread across
the vast landscape. Situated on 100 acres of fertile land along the
Manimalayar River in Vizhikkathod, Kanjirappally, Kerala, Homegrown
Biotech is recognized as the largest plant production nursery in India. The
nursery is renowned for its research and large-scale cultivation of exotic
tropical fruit trees, including Rambutan, Mangosteen, Pulasan, Durian,
Jackfruit (Daeng Suriya, Vietnam Super Early, J33, Seedless Jack), Mango
Chakkara, Longan, Achachairu, Abiu, Milk Fruit, and Kepel. Their focus is on
developing fruit trees that are high-yielding, pest-resistant, and well-suited
for Indian climates, ensuring longevity, ease of maintenance, and better crop
production.

The vision of Homegrown Biotech is to lead Indian farmers toward profitable

tropical fruit farming through modern plant biotechnology. Their mission
revolves around sourcing exotic plants from around the world, collaborating
with research institutions, developing new fruit varieties, and promoting best
farming practices. They cater to three major customer categories:
homesteads (home gardeners cultivating exotic fruit trees), farmers and
nurseries (providing high-quality plants and training), and institutions
(supporting green initiatives for various organizations). Their marketing
network includes 800 resellers across Kerala, with exclusive depots in
Thiruvalla, Kanjirappally, and Adimali.

Homegrown Biotech was founded three decades ago by members of the

Kondooparampil family, who have a long history of farming expertise. The
leadership team includes Renny Jacob, Jose Jacob, and Jojo Joseph, each
bringing unique skills and experience to the nursery’s operations. Renny
Jacob, the Group Chairman, is a Chartered Accountant and an experienced
agribusiness entrepreneur. He also leads India Cocoa Group, a major supplier
of cocoa beans to Cadbury India for over 30 years. He oversees the finance,
administration, and IT systems of the nursery. Jose Jacob, the Managing
Director, has been leading Homegrown Biotech for over two decades with a
passion for exotic fruit farming. He has established three research farms to
develop improved horticultural practices and introduce new crops to Indian
agriculture. Jojo Joseph, the Director, specializes in land and property
development, ensuring the growth and sustainability of Homegrown
Biotech’s infrastructure.

A key highlight of Homegrown Biotech is its extensive Research &

Development initiatives aimed at improving tropical fruit trees sourced from
Southeast Asia, South America, and other tropical regions. Their research
focuses on developing high-yield, pest-resistant plant varieties while
maintaining disease-free progeny orchards for top-quality nursery
production. They also focus on composting and soil conditioning, producing
1,200 metric tonnes of enriched compost annually. The use of Trichoderma
bio-fungicide, ICAR-certified Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC, Bio NPK), and
standardized potting media ensures healthy plant growth and sustainable
orchards. They also create soilless media for export and long-distance
transport, helping farmers and plant enthusiasts across regions.

As part of our field visit, we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Teena, a
research scholar and lab technician, who provided us with a detailed
explanation of the systematic working of the nursery. She guided us through
the various stages of plant cultivation, starting from seed selection and
preparation of the potting mix to the grafting techniques used for plant
propagation. She explained the process of rootstock and scion preparation,
where the rootstock forms the root system along with a portion of the stem,
onto which the fruit-bearing or flowering part, known as the scion, is
attached. This technique is used to enhance growth and improve fruit quality.
We also learned about different types of grow bags and air pots, as well as
various fruit trees and their specialties. She described how fruits develop and
the different irrigation methods implemented in the nursery.

During our exploration, we observed the irrigation process using a sprinkler

system. Dr. Teena explained the importance of watering plants during the hot
afternoon to reduce heat stress. She highlighted that irrigation follows a
strict schedule and is primarily done through sprinkler and drip irrigation
systems, while manual watering is used for plants kept inside covered areas
to ensure proper moisture levels.

As we moved further, Dr. Teena introduced us to durian, famously known as

the "king of fruits." This fruit is notorious for its strong and distinctive aroma,
which is attributed to a complex mix of volatile compounds. The durian tree
can grow to an impressive height of 40 to 50 meters, making it a challenging
fruit to harvest. Due to its large size and heavy weight, a falling durian poses
a serious risk of injury, making it dangerous for those working near the trees.
The fruit tends to ripen and fall mostly during the late afternoon and
evening, a characteristic that aids in its natural seed dispersal.

She then guided us through different sections of fruit trees and elaborated on
their unique characteristics. Among them, the avocado tree stood out for its
classification into tropical and subtropical varieties. She explained that for
our climate, the tropical variety is more suitable. Avocado plants are also
categorized into A-type and B-type flowers, and planting both types together
is ideal for commercial cultivation as it enhances fruit yield. The litchi tree
was another remarkable plant, which requires lower night temperatures to
flower successfully.

Another fascinating plant we encountered was the Abiu tree, an evergreen

species native to the Amazon rainforest. The Abiu tree grows up to ten
meters tall, forming a broad and rounded crown. Its small, oval-shaped fruits
turn yellow when ripe and have a smooth, thin skin. The inner pulp is creamy
and sweet, resembling the flavor of tender coconut.

Moving along, we came across a large well that was securely fitted with iron
safeguards. The well is a major source of water for the nursery, and we
noticed that water from the nearby Manimalayar River cascades into the well
like a small waterfall. The presence of the river ensures a continuous and
reliable water supply, which is essential for the large-scale cultivation of
plants in the nursery.

Dr. Teena then introduced us to the milk fruit tree and even plucked a fruit
that was expected to ripen in the next two to three days. The tree can grow
up to fifteen to twenty meters tall, with a broad, rounded crown and a
straight, smooth trunk. The bark is grayish-brown, becoming rougher as the
tree ages. Its leaves are dark green, elliptical, and leathery, arranged in an
opposite pattern along the branches. The milk fruit itself is small, round, or
oval, typically about two to three inches in diameter. Its thin and smooth skin
varies in color from green to purple, depending on its stage of ripeness.
When fully ripe, the fruit becomes soft and has a slightly sweet, milky flavor
with a creamy pulp.

As we continued our tour, we visited the compost production unit and

observed the different stages of compost formation. The compost is prepared
using green waste, such as plant trimmings, along with organic manure
derived from cow dung, pig manure, and goat droppings. These organic
materials enrich the soil and improve its fertility, mimicking the natural
nutrient content found in forest soil. The process begins with biological green
waste, which is finely chopped to increase its surface area for decomposition.
The cut waste is placed in prepared compost beds, where cow dung mixed
with water is sprinkled to accelerate microbial activity. Aeration machines are
used weekly to enhance the breakdown of organic matter, making the
process faster and more efficient compared to conventional composting
methods. While traditional composting can take several months, this method
allows compost to form within just thirty to forty-five days. During the final
stage, microbial activity causes the temperature to rise up to eighty degrees
Celsius, ensuring the complete breakdown of organic material. The compost
eventually takes on a soil-like texture with an earthy smell, indicating that it
is fully matured and ready for use.

Dr. Teena explained the differences between trees grown in the ground and
those cultivated in pots. Trees planted directly in the ground grow more
freely, with thicker leaves and stronger root systems. In contrast, trees grown
in pots experience higher levels of stress, which prompts them to produce
more fruit as a survival mechanism. This knowledge is particularly useful for
commercial growers seeking to maximize yield in limited space.

She also introduced us to parthenocarpy, a fascinating phenomenon where

plants produce fruit without fertilization. In such cases, the fruit develops
without seeds, making it highly desirable for commercial cultivation. Some
plants exhibit natural parthenocarpy, while in others, it can be induced using
horticultural techniques such as grafting or hormone application.

As we proceeded further, we observed the bag-filling process used for

planting new saplings. The soil used in this process is sourced externally and
carefully filtered using a strainer machine to remove pebbles and large
particles. The filtered soil is then layered with compost before being packed
into planting bags. As the plants grow, they are transferred to larger bags in
a process known as re-bagging to provide sufficient space for root expansion.

Dr. Teena also elaborated on various plant propagation techniques. Grafting

is a widely used method where a scion, which is a stem or branch from one
plant, is carefully attached to a rootstock. The two are bound together using
tape or wax, allowing them to heal and grow as a single plant. Another
technique, known as budding, involves inserting a single bud from one plant
into a small T-shaped cut on the rootstock. This method is particularly useful
for plants that are difficult to graft using traditional methods. Air layering, on
the other hand, is a propagation technique that encourages root
development on a section of stem while it is still attached to the parent
plant. The selected stem is wrapped in moist material, such as sphagnum
moss or coconut coir, creating a humid environment that promotes root
growth. Once roots are well-developed, the stem is cut and potted separately
as a new plant.
The explanations continued as we walked across different fields and sections
of the nursery. The afternoon sun was intense, and we felt a bit exhausted,
but the sight of lush greenery and fruit-laden trees kept us captivated. After
completing our field tour, we returned to the starting point, where we were
served a chilled drink made from bush orange and seedless lemon. The
refreshing taste of the drink instantly lifted our spirits.

Before concluding our visit, we explored the sales section, where some of us
purchased plant saplings after checking the price cards. Payments were
processed smoothly, and we received nursery-themed calendars along with a
product catalog booklet. The nursery workers assisted in carefully packing
and loading the purchased plants into our vehicle, even providing extra
covers for safe transportation.

At 3:45 PM, we departed from the nursery, bringing an end to an enriching

and enjoyable experience. Along the way, some of us got down for
convenience. The visit was not only educational but also deeply inspiring,
offering valuable insights into sustainable agriculture and advanced
horticultural techniques.