Custard apples, once an overlooked fruit in drought-prone regions of India, are emerging as a resilient and profitable crop. Farmers like Ashoka Shivareddy in Kolar have revived family farms by growing custard apples, which thrive on minimal rainfall and require no costly irrigation. The fruit’s natural hardiness, combined with new high-yield, longer-shelf-life hybrids like Arka Sahan and NMK-01, has unlocked commercial potential both domestically and internationally.

Developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Arka Sahan offers 70% pulp recovery and stays fresh for up to a week at room temperature. Meanwhile, farmer-innovator Navnath Kaspate spent over a decade breeding the NMK-01 variety, which is now exported to Gulf countries, Europe, and the US. Exporters rely on precise cold-chain logistics to deliver whole fruit, while increasing volumes are shipped as pulp or powder for use in ice creams, bakeries, and specialty cafes.

Despite the challenges of heat sensitivity and short shelf life in traditional varieties, innovation in processing and packaging is driving growth. Farmers are now exploring pulp processing units to reduce waste and boost margins. Yet, because custard apples grow so well with little intervention, adoption of advanced farming technology remains low — making this a rare case of climate-resilient agriculture that doesn’t depend on high-tech inputs.