From Barracks to Blooms: The Colonel’s Orchid Odyssey
Retirement usually marks the end of a career, but for Colonel SujanMohanty and his wife, MonalisaMohanty, it was merely the prelude to an ambitious second act. Transitioning from the disciplined ranks of the military to the unpredictable world of commercial agriculture, the couple established "Orchids and More," a thriving floriculture venture in Odisha. Their journey is a compelling case study in applying military precision to high-tech farming, proving that resilience and strategic planning are invaluable assets in any field.
Navigating Early Perils and Wild Frontiers
Eight years ago, when Sujan and MonalisaMohanty decided to start their farm near Bhubaneswar, they faced immediate and daunting challenges. The land they chose was virtually untamed jungle, situated precariously close to a wildlife sanctuary and an active elephant range. The threat wasn't just from large wildlife; the nascent crops were nearly destroyed by severe pest infestations, including an onslaught of thousands of snails and various fungal diseases.
Initially, the venture carried what Colonel Mohanty described as a 100% risk factor. The delicate orchid plants required constant, almost parental vigilance to survive long enough to bloom—a painstaking nine-month wait from the initial planting. It was a stark test of patience and resolve for the new entrepreneurs.
Engineering the Perfect Bloom
Success for "Orchids and More" demanded rigorous technical mastery rather than just a green thumb. The Mohantys quickly realized that standard farming structures were inadequate for Odisha's intense climate. While textbooks recommended keeping orchids between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius, local temperatures inside basic net houses could spike to a lethal 52 degrees.
To counter this, they invested in advanced polyhouses equipped with sophisticated climate control systems. By utilizing fogging and misting technologies, they successfully maintained the high humidity levels crucial for orchids. Furthermore, they fine-tuned environmental parameters, managing light intensity to remain between 25,000 and 30,000 lux and utilizing slightly acidic irrigation water, effectively creating an artificial oasis for their exotic crops.
Market Conquest
Marketing posed another steep learning curve. With zero business background, Colonel Mohanty initially had to go door-to-door to local florists to establish a foothold. A major breakthrough occurred when a prominent local vendor agreed to showcase their high-quality blooms. Today, "Orchids and More" has transcended the local market, supplying premium flowers across India to major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune, especially during high-demand festival seasons.
The success of Colonel Sujan and MonalisaMohanty with "Orchids and More" serves as an inspiring blueprint for modern agri-entrepreneurship. It demonstrates that with disciplined execution, the right technological investments, and smart utilization of government support, even those without a farming background can turn challenging terrain into a flourishing commercial enterprise.
