Somewhere between the second plate of jowar roti and the tug-of-war match, you forget you’re only an hour from Hubli. That’s the trick Agadi Thota pulls off. It’s a working organic farm that opens its gates for one long, unhurried day of village life: fresh food from its own fields, bullock-cart rides under coconut palms, and the kind of games most of us last played at a school picnic.
This guide covers what Agadi Thota is, what a full day there looks like hour by hour, what you’ll eat, what it costs, and what else to see nearby.
Agadi Thota at a glance
- Where: Kunnur village, near Tadas on the Hubli- Hangal Road, Shiggaon taluk, Haveri district, Karnataka
- Distance: roughly an hour’s drive from Hubli
- Open: daily, 10:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Includes: welcome drink, breakfast, unlimited North Karnataka lunch, evening snacks and village activities
- Best for: families, school groups, office outings and anyone who wants a slow day outdoors
- Book: by phone – 88800 96000 / 78995 81866 / 96321 68855
What Is Agadi Thota?
Agadi Thota (thota means “garden” or “plantation” in Kannada) is a 50-acre organic farm started in 2000 by progressive farmer Shri Jayadev Agadi. His idea was simple: show city people how food can be grown without chemicals, and build a market for organic produce while doing it. The farm’s motto sums it up – Go Organic, Go Healthy.
More than 30 acres are under cultivation today. Cashew and areca nut are the main crops, and the paths are lined with coconut and mango trees. Around the property you’ll find over 1,000 medicinal plants alongside vegetables such as tomato, beans, coriander and brinjal, plus fields of maize, soya bean and paddy. Everything is grown with organic manure and natural fertilisers.
The farm began serving food to visitors in 2017, and that’s when it turned from a model farm into one of the most popular day trips in North Karnataka.
The farmer behind it
Shri Jayadev Agadi has been recognised widely for his work in organic farming. His honours include:
- Krishi Pandit Award from the Government of Karnataka (2014)
- Shreshtha Krishika Award from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
- Best Farmer Award from the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP)
- Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
If you get the chance to chat with the farm staff, ask how they make their organic compost. It’s the backbone of the whole place.
A Day at Agadi Thota, Hour by Hour
The day is loosely scheduled around meals, with activities in between. Here’s how ours went – arrive close to opening to make the most of it.
10:30 am – Welcome drink and fresh fruit
We arrived around 10 am and there was already a small crowd at the gate. Everyone gets a welcome drink and a plate of freshly cut fruit – watermelon, on our visit – before heading in.
11:00 am – Breakfast under the trees
Breakfast is served until about 12:30 pm. We had hot dosa with coconut chutney and liquid jaggery (bella), with lemon tea on the side. The farm now leans towards millet-based breakfast dishes, so the menu changes with the season.
Late morning – Crush your own sugarcane juice
This was the highlight for the kids. A manual sugarcane crusher stands near the play area, and visitors take turns cranking the handle. Between us we pressed enough juice for a family of 16 – and earned every glass.
Activities through the day
Once you’re fed, the farm is yours to explore. Activities vary by season and day, but typically include:
- Bullock-cart ride – the one you shouldn’t skip. The cart creaks along narrow trails lined with coconut palms and gives you a real look at the plantation.
- Tonga (horse cart), horse and camel rides
- Boating on the farm pond
- Pottery – try the potter’s wheel and see how hard it really is
- Cycling and nature walks through the fields
- A children’s play area with swings, slides and space to run
1:30 pm – The North Karnataka lunch
Lunch is served from about 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and it’s the reason many people come back. Expect a full, unlimited spread of North Karnataka home cooking:
- Jowar roti (jolada rotti) and chapati
- Green vegetable palya and chana curry
- Sprouted mung salad and fresh salad
- Two kinds of rice, curd, papad and pickle
- Peanut and other chutneys (chutney pudi)
- Hot bhajji and a sweet to finish
Most of the vegetables, pulses and grains come straight from the farm, and you can taste the difference. Outside food isn’t allowed, so come hungry.
3:00 pm – Rest, then group games
After lunch, do what everyone else does: find a patch of shade and lie down for a while. Then the farm team gathers visitors for group games – musical chairs, tug of war, a pot dance for women, and dandiya and garba, especially popular in the festive season. It’s corny in the best way, and it’s where strangers start chatting.
5:30 pm – Evening snacks
The day ends with tea or coffee and two North Karnataka classics: mirchi bajji (fried stuffed chillies) and girmit, a tangy puffed-rice snack that Hubli-Dharwad is famous for. The gates close at 6:00 pm.
Shop for Organic Products Before You Leave
Agadi Thota has an in-house shop selling natural, chemical-free products made or grown on the farm. Stock and prices change with the harvest, so ask what’s fresh that day. It’s a good place to pick up jaggery, pulses, spices or seasonal produce to take home.
Agadi Thota Entry Fee and What It Includes
On our visit, entry cost ₹500 per person on weekdays and ₹550 per person on weekends. The ticket covers all meals (welcome drink, breakfast, lunch and evening snacks) and the village activities, though some rides may carry a small extra charge.
Prices change from season to season and differ for children and groups, so call the farm before you go to confirm the current rate and reserve your spot – especially for weekends and holidays.
Places to Visit Near Agadi Thota
If you’re driving from Hubli, you can easily add one or two stops on the same day:
- Utsav Rock Garden, Gotagodi (Shiggaon) – an open-air museum of life-size sculptures showing rural Karnataka life. It pairs perfectly with a farm visit.
- Gayatri Tapovan, Tadas – a quiet spiritual retreat close to the farm.
- Navagraha Teertha, Varur – a Jain pilgrimage site near Hubli with a towering statue of Parshvanatha.
- Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary – one of India’s few sanctuaries dedicated to peacocks, near Shiggaon. Go early in the morning for the best sightings.
Tips for Visiting Agadi Thota
- Arrive at opening time. The day is built around meal slots, and late arrivals miss breakfast and the quieter morning activities.
- Book ahead on weekends. Weekends and school holidays draw large groups.
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes – you’ll be walking on farm paths and possibly climbing onto carts.
- Carry sunscreen, a cap and a water bottle, especially from March to May.
- Bring a change of clothes for kids – between the sugarcane juice, the pond and the mud, they’ll need it.
- Best time to visit: October to February, when the weather is pleasant and the farm is green after the monsoon.
FAQ
Q: Where is Agadi Thota located? A: Agadi Thota is in Kunnur village, near Tadas on the Hubli-Hangal Road, in Shiggaon taluk of Haveri district, Karnataka. It’s roughly an hour’s drive from Hubli, which makes it one of the most popular one-day trips from Hubli and Dharwad.
Q: What are the Agadi Thota timings? A: Agadi Thota is open every day from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. Breakfast runs until about 12:30 pm, lunch from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm and evening snacks from around 5:30 pm, so arriving at opening time gives you the full experience.
Q: What is the Agadi Thota entry fee? A: On our visit, the fee was ₹500 per person on weekdays and ₹550 on weekends, including all meals and village activities. Rates change, and children and groups may be priced differently, so call the farm to confirm before you go.
Q: Is food included at Agadi Thota? A: Yes. Your ticket includes a welcome drink, fresh fruit, breakfast, an unlimited North Karnataka lunch and evening snacks with tea or coffee. Outside food is not allowed. Most of the ingredients are grown organically on the farm itself.
Q: Is Agadi Thota good for kids? A: Very. Children can ride bullock carts, horses and camels, crush sugarcane, try pottery, go boating and use the play area. The group games after lunch are a hit with all ages, so it works well for family outings and school trips.
Q: How do I book Agadi Thota? A: Bookings are made by phone on 88800 96000, 78995 81866 or 96321 68855, or by email at [email protected]. Booking ahead is recommended for weekends, holidays and large groups.
Is Agadi Thota Worth Visiting?
Yes – especially if you have kids, elderly parents or a big group to keep happy. Agadi Thota isn’t a resort, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a real organic farm that feeds you very well, keeps you busy all day, and sends you home tired, full and a little more curious about where your food comes from. For the price of a city restaurant meal, that’s hard to beat.
If you’re in or around Hubli, set aside a full day, book your spot, and leave the phone in your pocket for once. The sugarcane crusher is waiting.
Visit the official website of AgadiThota to learn more about the place, offerings, activities, special offers, and booking facilities.
