Thrissur-born Tom Kiron Davis is a banker-turned-farmer who moved away from traditional farming methods to become an agripreneur.
“Being born in a farmer’s family is a privilege that not many realise,” says the 38-year-old.
Most of Tom’s childhood memories are around farming, which motivated him to quit a successful career in UAE and step into muddy fields.
“People called me a fool and said I can earn nothing from agriculture. But I proved them wrong,” says the owner of the agri brand Pepenero.
Over the years, Pepenero has turned into an international brand that exports rice and spices including black pepper, nutmeg, nutmeg mace, kokum and Wayanadan turmeric.
In addition to his own 15-acre land, he has transformed an additional 200 acres into fertile soil through his farmer’s collective.
He grows four varieties of indigenous rice — namely Kuruva, Rakthashali, Mattatriveni and Kodukanni. He harvests around 10 tonnes every year.
The rice and other spices are exported to the UK, Canada and Germany.
The remaining produce is sold via his official website and through e-commerce platforms.
All the items are produced in an organic manner without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
Over 50 farmers are associated with Tom and each earn a minimum of Rs 50,000 per acre.
Tom shares that any farmer can earn this profit by removing middlemen and doing sales directly through their own brand.