Varanashi Organic Farms
Where tradition and science shape our future
The Varanashi Family are 9th generation farmers with every generation contributing their knowledge to the farm’s tradition. Being one of India’s oldest Cacao Farms, Varanashi Organic Farms has a long history of tradition and change. From conventional to organic, from arecanut monoculture to a diverse multi-crop agroforest, and from oyster mushrooms to Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and a wide range of bio-fertilizers. Today, the farm is a thriving multilayer agroforest that produces diverse crops while serving as a valuable carbon sink.The developments of the past decades prove how agriculture can be more than selling crops, it’s our driving force into the future
Meet the Varanashi Family
Dr Varanashi Krishna Moorthy
Dr Varanashi Krishna Moorthy PhD in Fungal Microbiology MSc Agriculture BSc Agriculture Krishi Pandit Awardee (Karnataka Govt)
Dr Ashwini K Moorthy
Dr Ashwini Krishna Moorthy PhD in Soil Macrobiology MSc Zoology BSc Biological Science Best Woman Entrepreneur Awardee (Kerala Govt)
Partha Varanashi
Partha Varanashi MSc Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Adelaide BSc Biotechnology Aquatic Educator Team India Coach
Lakshmi Varanashi
Poet & Writer Yoga teacher & Practicioner Mrs. Karnataka 2026
ORGANIC CASHEWNUT
Cashew is one of the important crops of Varanashi Farms. Over 30 elite high yielding varieties have been collected and cultivated organically. A well-established nursery recognised by Directorate of Cocoa and Cashew Development Council produces both Cashew nut and Cocoa grafts as well as high yielding plants.
During 2006/07, Dr. Varanashi Krishna Moorthy has several times visited Cambodia under German GTZ funded project to advise farmers on Organic Cashew nut cultivation. Along with Dr. Yadukumar and Shri Shankar Raj, he has authored “Hand Book on Organic Cashew Cultivation”.
Towards organic and sustainable agriculture
In organic farming, the mobilization of enough farmyard manure (the conventional manure) was found difficult. The introduction of coir pith, an agro-industrial by-product for composting by VDRF method has became handy and led to sweeping changes in the manurial practices. Later on, recipes for compost production from different agro-industrial wastes, like coffee husk, tea wastes, cocoa pod waste, saw dust, poultry manure etc. were formulated. Application of balanced compost to VF fields, based on soil testing, improved more than 50 per cent in crop yields. The farm has multiple cropping system growing arecanut, rice, cocoa, coconut, banana, pepper, cashew, vanilla, vegetables etc. An efficient bio-gas unit is located near the cattle shed. The spent slurry is distributed in the farm by a pipeline. A bigger unit producing both electricity and manure is under planning.
Varanashi Farm has also adopted water harvesting measures by providing catch pits, mini check dams, percolation pits and recharging bore wells during the rainy season which greatly enhanced the water availability during summer. By growing timber and firewood trees like teak, jack, acacia, casuarina etc., the farm is now producing excess of timber and firewood after meeting the requirements of the people depending on the farm. Another interesting and eye opening observation is the reduction in the absenteeism of the farm workers due to ill health during recent years as compared to the pre-organic period. The farm workers as well as the owners are healthier not only due to non-exposure to the hazardous chemicals but also due to consumption of self-grown poison-free food. Thus the Varanashi Farm has become a model with multifarious farm activities, which are eco-friendly and economically stable.
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A Legacy of Regeneration Since 1973
Discover the story of Varanashi Organic Farms through a vertical timeline of milestones, innovation, research and sustainable living.
Agricultural cultivation of the land started with the predecessors of the Varanashi lineage.
CAMPCO
A Cooperative Born from Crisis
Our family's history is closely intertwined with the origins of CAMPCO. The cooperative was founded in 1973 by Varanashi Subraya Bhat, grandfather of the current generation, in response to the arecanut market crisis that threatened the livelihoods of farmers across Karnataka and Kerala. His vision was to unite growers through a cooperative that ensured fair prices and long-term stability.
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CAMPCO later expanded into cocoa and established its chocolate manufacturing plant in 1986. Today, it is one of India's leading cocoa and chocolate producers, while remaining committed to supporting farming communities.
Towards Organic & Regenerative Agriculture
From 1981 onwards, the low-input, chemically managed farm was converted to an intensive chemical farming system in an attempt to increase yields. However, rising pest and disease pressure, combined with low profitability, led to a complete transition to organic farming in 1991. Since then, soil health, biodiversity, productivity, and profitability have steadily improved, making Varanashi Organic Farms one of the region's most productive and resilient farms.
“Make the running water walk, the walking water crawl, the crawling water stand and sink.”
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The transition was built on regenerative farming principles that work with natural ecosystems. Today, the farm combines multi-layer cropping and agroforestry with on-farm compost production using agricultural by-products, nutrient recycling through livestock and biogas, and a strong focus on soil microbiology. Extensive water harvesting systems—including ponds, check dams, percolation pits, and groundwater recharge structures—capture monsoon rainfall and provide reliable irrigation throughout the dry season. Together with a diverse mix of crops, native trees, and permanent ground cover, these practices regenerate soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and create a resilient farming system that produces healthy food while minimizing external inputs.
Crop Development
Since becoming certified organic and adopting regenerative farming practices in 1991, Varanashi Organic Farms has transformed from a traditional arecanut, cashew, and banana plantation into a diverse agroforestry system. Today, we cultivate coconut, arecanut, cacao, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, paddy, bananas, heirloom vegetables, flowering plants, and a wide range of native forest species. Our farm is also home to one of India's oldest cacao plantations and its oldest known mother cacao tree.
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Crop development is a core part of our work. We maintain nurseries for high-yielding arecanut and coconut varieties, produce grafted black pepper plants, propagate pepper through rapid multiplication techniques (serpentine method), and conserve medicinal plants and heirloom seeds. The farm also serves as a living repository of indigenous biodiversity, featuring jackfruit, wild and heirloom mango varieties, bamboo species, teak, acacia, and numerous native forest trees, preserving the rich ecological heritage of the Western Ghats.
Varanashi Development and Research Foundation
Varanashi Organic Manures
Varanashi Agro-Sustainable Technology VAST Centre
Agritourism
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Our farm offers an immersive agritourism experience where guests can reconnect with nature, food, and community. Stay options range from simple shared accommodation and cozy mud cottages to our handcrafted treehouse and unique floating cottage overlooking a natural water irrigation pond. Enjoy fresh farm-to-table meals at our Rasayana Café, join Events like yoga retreats, workshops & presentations, or volunteer programs, and experience regenerative farming firsthand. Guests can also enjoy our Olympic-size natural swimming pond, where Varanashi Swimming Academy offers aquatic safety education, learn-to-swim programs, and swim camps, alongside outdoor fitness spaces and adventure activities—including stand-up paddling, surfing, slacklining, and climbing—in collaboration with Stoked India Adventures. Whether you're seeking relaxation, learning, or adventure, our farm offers a unique way to experience sustainable living in harmony with nature.
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Terra Artisanal Chocolate
Story of Varanashi Farms
Compiled by Prashant for Farmizen