Land meant everything to the Indian farmer, now it means big bucks. As large swathes of farmland turn into prime real estate, instant crorepatis are sprouting across the countryside. Sunday Times tracks the rich harvest Devanahalli New Bangalore airport a harbinger of fortunes Muniraju Shivaramegowda left his village and ran away to Bangalore when his poor father couldn't send him to college. He joined a private firm that provided security guards to companies. Five years on, Muniraju is a tour operator who owns 32 vehicles and employs as many drivers. Now, a security guard stands outside his office. Muniraju got lucky when the state government decided to have an international airport near his native village of Devanahalli, 40 km north of Bangalore. As land prices took off, Muniraju sold his father's five acres of farmland for nearly Rs 1 crore per acre. He now lives in an imposing house in Marathahalli, an upmarket area.