From Barren Land to Pear Orchard: Manpat’s Agri‑Tourism Triumph

RAYPUR — Known as the Shimla of Chhattisgarh, Manpat is quickly redefining its identity from a scenic getaway to a thriving agri‑tourism destination. The region’s pleasant climate, combined with horticulture department subsidies, is prompting farmers to explore fruit orcharding as a viable source of income.

Manoj Yadav, a farmer from Barima village, is a prime example. In the 2017‑18 season he sourced pear saplings from the state‑run nursery at Kamleshwarpur and planted them on a 0.5‑hectare patch of barren terrain near Kudaridiha. Although a few saplings were lost to natural causes, today 170 fully productive pear trees stand tall, nurtured by continuous guidance on fertilisation, pruning and disease control from department officials.

Despite monsoon delays and a brief market slowdown, Yadav harvested roughly 2.5 pickups (≈260 kg) of pears. Selling the produce at a wholesale price of ₹500 per kilogram yielded a gross of about ₹1.3 lakh, while direct sales to tourists contributed an extra ₹25‑30 thousand, culminating in a net profit of about ₹1.5 lakh for the season. The previous year’s better weather had delivered earnings of ₹2.5‑3 lakh.

The orchard now doubles as a tourist attraction. Set amid the famed red‑soil (Lalmati) landscape, it offers a panoramic view of the Raigarh region and draws 100‑250 visitors daily. Tourists purchase fresh pears at ₹50‑₹100 per kilogram and relish the hands‑on experience of picking fruit straight from the trees, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring farmers receive full market value.

Yadav urges fellow cultivators and young entrepreneurs to convert unproductive land into orchards of pears, lychees and other high‑value fruits. The district administration and horticulture department continue to provide technical training, modern cultivation methods and financial assistance, reinforcing the message that scientifically managed orchards can become lucrative, self‑reliant ventures.