Meet the Kerala farmer who traded rubber for organic lemons. Payment? ₹ 13 lakh in peak season earnings | How did he do it?

After spending nearly three decades working in the Persian Gulf, Rajan Mathew returned to Kerala and took a different approach to farming: replacing rubber trees on his family’s land with lemon trees. His business in Vilakkudy village near Punalur in Kollam district has since grown into an organic lemon orchard that produces tons of fruit annually. 30 Stades.

Mathew grows lemons on 0.8 acre and sells the produce directly to customers for that much ₹260 per kg during peak periods. The business model combines cultivation with direct retail sales, bulk orders and the sale of lemon trees.

Why did Rajan Mathew replace rubber with lemons?

Mathew’s decision was driven by the economics of cultivation. Declining yields and high production costs made rubber cultivation less attractive, while Kerala continued to depend heavily on lemons originating from neighboring Tamil Nadu.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he noticed the rising prices of lemons and saw an opportunity to grow the fruit locally.

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“I was thinking why can’t we grow them here,” Mathew told 30Stades.

He started planting lemon tree saplings before returning permanently from the Persian Gulf in 2022. He initially planted around 140 saplings, but later reduced the number to around 100 to give the trees more room to grow.

How 100 lemon trees produce around five tons per year

Mathew grows different varieties, including Ganapathi lemons, which are used in religious rituals, and the Assam Kaji Nimu variety, which can bear fruit throughout the year.

According to 30Stades, a mature tree can produce approximately 50 kg of lemons per year. With around 100 trees, the orchard has the potential to produce around five tonnes per year.

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Mathew uses organic inputs like Jeevamrut and fish amino acids to promote plant growth and soil health. His farm is also certified organic, according to the report.

The 30 Stades report lists his earnings at almost ₹13 crores during the peak season. This figure must be distinguished from annual revenue and net profit, neither of which is determined by this headline alone.

How does a Kerala farmer sell his produce?

Instead of depending entirely on wholesalers, Mathew sells lemons through his own retail outlet and accepts bulk orders for weddings and other events. Such events can require 1,000 to 1,500 lemons at a time.

He also began selling seedlings, creating another source of income from his experience growing lemons.

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This approach gives the business multiple routes to market: fresh produce for individual customers, bulk deliveries for events and planting material for other growers.

Why Kerala farmers are exploring alternatives to rubber

Mathew’s decision reflects a wider search among some farmers in Kerala for crops that can offer better returns than rubber.

A September 2025 report by Scroll, which republished reports from Mongabay, documented farmers experimenting with crops such as rambutan, dragon fruit, avocado and mangosteen. He also highlighted challenges including changing weather patterns, water demands, supply chain constraints and uncertainty about long-term profitability.

Experts warn that replacing one monoculture with another can cause environmental risks.

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Mathew’s experience illustrates how identifying local demand and building direct sales channels can shape an agricultural business. However, the viability of changing crops depends on factors such as growing costs, yields, prices and the ability to consistently find buyers.