Chikoo Farm Experience
Walk through India's finest sapota orchards in the heart of Gholvad
From Tree to Table: The Gholvad Chikoo Story
Gholvad, a small town in Maharashtra's Palghar district, is renowned as India's chikoo (sapota) capital. The region's unique coastal climate, mineral-rich soil, and traditional farming methods produce a fruit so distinctive it earned Geographical Indication (GI) status — the same protection given to Champagne and Darjeeling tea.
At Save Farm, our 25+ acre working orchard has been cultivating chikoo for over 50 years. Unlike commercial farms, we follow organic practices passed down through generations, allowing the fruit to develop its signature honey-sweet flavor and melt-in-mouth texture naturally.
A visit to Save Farm isn't just a farm tour — it's a journey through the heritage of Gholvad's most treasured crop, guided by the family that has nurtured these orchards for decades.
The Sweet Legacy of Dahanu
Over 130 years of horticultural history that earned the GI tag
The Roots of Sweetness (1888)
The journey began in 1888 with an experiment. Sir Dinshaw Petit, a Parsi entrepreneur, imported a sapota sapling from South America. Lacking space in his own garden, he entrusted it to his friend Ardeshir Irani in Gholvad.
That single sapling didn't just survive; it thrived. The coastal air and warm tropical climate proved to be the perfect nursery. By the 1920s, the Parsi-Irani community had embraced chikoo farming, laying the foundation for what would become a century-long tradition.
Innovation Born from Storms
In the 1940s, a devastating storm swept through Dahanu, uprooting thousands of trees. The destruction revealed a fatal flaw: the traditional air layer root systems were too shallow for the coastal winds.
Faced with ruin, a local farmer named Merwan Khodadad developed a revolutionary solution: grafting chikoo onto the native Rayan (Khirni) rootstock. The Rayan tree had deep, anchor-like roots and was incredibly resilient. This innovation saved the industry and became the standard practice that defines Dahanu orchards today.
"The Rayan rootstock is the unsung hero of Dahanu—providing the strength to weather any storm while the chikoo scion provides the sweetness."
The Secret Sauce: Soil & Sea
Why does Dahanu chikoo taste different? It's not just the variety (Kalipatti); it's the Terroir.
Calcium-Rich Soil
The soil here is uniquely rich in calcium derived from ancient shell deposits. This mineral content directly contributes to the fruit's unique granular texture and intense sweetness (TSS > 11%).
Maritime Climate
The humid sea breeze creates a microclimate that reduces irrigation needs and imparts a distinct flavor profile that cannot be replicated in interior regions.
The GI-Tagged Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo
More Than Chikoo
Save Farm is more than chikoo. 55+ years of experimental farming includes high-density plantations, fish as intercrop, farm produce processing, and rainwater harvesting systems. Every season reveals a different side of sustainable agriculture.
Government Registered Nursery
Save Farm operates one of the oldest government-registered fruit crop nurseries in the region. For over three decades, we have been supplying high-quality saplings to farmers across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Northern Karnataka.
Government-registered nursery with decades of expertise
High success rate with repeat customers across four states
Chikoo saplings from proven GI-tagged farm
Multiple mango varieties and other fruit crops available
Expert guidance on plantation and aftercare
More than 400 identified plant varieties on the farm.
Seasonal Calendar
Peak Harvest
Nov – Feb
Maximum chikoo availability, pick-your-own experience, pleasant weather cooler than any nearby hill stations
Extended Harvest
Mar – Jun
Chikoo continues + summer fruits (mango, papaya), warm days, orchard in full production
Monsoon Retreat
Jul – Oct
Lush green landscapes, 1.25-acre rainwater pond at its fullest, dramatic skies, fewer crowds
Chikoo Festival — Bordi Beach
Annual celebration of Gholvad's GI-tagged heritage with farm tours, cultural performances, and exclusive experiences.
Why Our Chikoo Experience Is Unique
25+ Acres
Working chikoo orchard with high-density plantation and integrated fish farming
55+ Years
Three generations of sustainable farming, experimentation, and horticultural expertise
GI Certified
Geographical Indication tag (2016) — same protection as Champagne and Darjeeling tea
Experience the Chikoo Orchard
Walk through India's sapota capital, taste tree-ripened fruit, and discover 50 years of sustainable farming.
Rates: ₹7,500 (Couple) | ₹11,500 (Family) per night
Includes accommodation, all meals, farm tour, and activities