Category: farming loan

In a world increasingly aware of health, sustainability, and ethical consumption, entrepreneurs like Vaishavi Sinha Bhasin are redefining the way India farms and consumes. From the professional golf courses of international arenas to the lush fields of Greater Noida, Vaishavi’s journey from elite athlete to visionary agripreneur is an inspiring testament to passion, purpose, and innovation.

From Golf Greens to Green Fields

Vaishavi Sinha Bhasin spent years representing India as a professional golfer, competing on global stages with precision, discipline, and resilience. Yet beneath the drive to win was a growing curiosity — a deepening understanding of how nutrition and well-being impact performance. This curiosity soon blossomed into a passion for organic, chemical-free farming and a commitment to supporting the backbone of Indian agriculture — the farmers.

Making a bold leap from sports to sustainability, Vaishavi founded Shoonya Farms and co-founded Walabha Industries, ventures rooted in the belief that farming can be both profitable and responsible.

Shoonya Farms: Cultivating Ethical and Sustainable Agriculture

Named after the Sanskrit word “Shoonya,” meaning zero or nothingness, Shoonya Farms embodies the principle of zero waste and mindful consumption. The farm in Greater Noida is not just a place for growing crops — it is a living ecosystem designed to restore environmental balance and nurture indigenous breeds.

At Shoonya Farms, majestic native Indian cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, and Hariyanvi graze in natural harmony alongside desi Kadaknath chickens. These animals are not merely livestock but valued members of a sustainable system where the health of the soil, plants, and animals is interdependent.

Shoonya Farms offers over 50 organic products, ranging from A2 Bilona ghee — prized for its purity and health benefits — to cold-pressed mustard and wellness oils, raw nectar honey, hand-milled pulses, artisanal jams, biscuits, and aromatherapy oils. Beyond serving individual consumers, Shoonya Farms also pioneers luxury organic gifting — collaborating with corporate clients to create bespoke, sustainable gift boxes that bring farm freshness and ethical values to urban markets.

Empowering Farmers through FPOs

A key pillar of Shoonya Farms is its support for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). By linking small-scale farmers directly with markets, Shoonya Farms ensures fair pricing, steady incomes, and knowledge sharing of sustainable farming techniques. This grassroots approach uplifts rural communities while strengthening India’s organic produce ecosystem.

Walabha Industries: Revolutionizing Agricultural Waste into Clean Energy

Vaishavi’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond organic farming. Recognizing the environmental challenges caused by agricultural residue burning and fossil fuel dependence, she co-founded Walabha Industries to transform farm waste into an eco-friendly energy source.

Walabha Industries specializes in manufacturing biomass briquettes and pellets from mustard stalks, groundnut shells, sawdust, and other residues. These briquettes serve as a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to coal, reducing carbon emissions and industrial pollution.

With a large facility in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Walabha Industries has produced over 1.85 million briquettes, working with more than 7,700 farmers to source agricultural residues. Their clientele includes major corporations such as Hindustan Unilever and Mankind Pharma, showcasing the industrial demand for sustainable fuel solutions.

Triple Impact: Environment, Economy, and Energy

Environmental: Significantly cuts down fossil fuel use and greenhouse gases.

Economic: Provides farmers with an additional income stream from residues otherwise wasted or burned.

Energy: Offers industries a high-efficiency, affordable biomass fuel option, improving energy sustainability.

A Vision for India’s Agricultural Future

Vaishavi Sinha Bhasin embodies the new-age agripreneur — one who merges passion with purpose, business with sustainability, and innovation with tradition. Her work is reshaping India’s organic farming landscape, proving that ecological stewardship and economic viability can thrive hand in hand.

Her message to future agripreneurs is inspiring and clear:

> “Agriculture is a vast field that needs innovation and critical minds dedicated to the betterment of agriculture and farmers. It must be driven by a strong purpose. I encourage more people to work in this sector, identify challenges, and drive improvements.”

Conclusion

The story of Vaishavi and her ventures Shoonya Farms and Walabha Industries highlights the power of mindful entrepreneurship — one that nurtures the environment, uplifts communities, and creates sustainable livelihoods. As India marches toward a future demanding ethical food systems and green energy, leaders like Vaishavi are lighting the path.

By choosing sustainability without compromise, she reminds us that farming is not just about yields or profits — it’s about nourishing lives, preserving nature, and honoring the roots that feed us all.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was grappling with uncertainty and health concerns, a quiet revolution was taking shape in the Indian food industry. Anchal Saxena, co-founder of Mad Over Millets, embarked on an inspiring journey to transform ancient grains into modern, nutritious, and delicious snacks that fit seamlessly into today’s fast-paced lifestyle. What started as a personal mission from her home kitchen has today blossomed into a promising brand that champions wellness, sustainability, and the revival of traditional Indian ingredients.

The Spark: Why Millets?

Anchal’s story began during the global lockdown when people everywhere were forced to rethink their food habits and overall well-being. Observing a clear gap in the snack market—where most options were either overly processed or lacking in real nutritional value—she turned to millets, an age-old, nutrient-dense group of grains long overlooked in modern diets.

Millets like ragi, jowar, and bajra are not only rich in fiber, iron, calcium, and essential micronutrients but are also environmentally friendly crops, requiring minimal water and thriving in poor soils. Recognizing their immense health and ecological benefits, Anchal started experimenting with these grains, combining them with wholesome ingredients such as chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, organic jaggery, and desi ghee.

Her experiments produced snacks that were flavorful and nourishing—snacks she personally felt good about eating.

Partnership and Foundation: Bringing Passion and Strategy Together

Realizing the potential of her idea, Anchal teamed up with her longtime friend Himanshu Mishra, who brought complementary business acumen and operational expertise. Together, their shared vision was clear: make millets cool again by turning them into tasty, accessible snacks that could appeal to the modern consumer without compromising on health.

This partnership fused Anchal’s culinary creativity—sharpened by her experience at the prestigious Oberoi Group—with Himanshu’s strategic insight, laying a strong foundation for Mad Over Millets.

Tackling the Awareness Challenge

Despite recent government efforts and global recognition of millets, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promotion of “Shree Anna,” many consumers in India remain unfamiliar with millets and their benefits. To overcome this awareness gap, Mad Over Millets adopted a multi-pronged approach focused on education and direct experience:

Leveraging digital marketing and social media campaigns to share the benefits of millets.

Collaborating with influencers and participating in health and food forums.

Offering free product samples in gyms, organic stores, and corporate offices to convert skeptics into believers.

These efforts earned Mad Over Millets not only consumer trust but also recognition from NutriHub, the world’s only dedicated millet institute based in Hyderabad.

Products Where Taste Meets Nutrition

Mad Over Millets prides itself on creating snacks where health and flavor go hand in hand. Their product range includes millet-based super cookies and savory snacks made with natural sweeteners like jaggery instead of refined sugar, and desi ghee in place of butter, keeping the offerings true to Indian culinary heritage while catering to modern nutritional needs.

The snacks are rich in fiber, iron, calcium, and essential nutrients, supporting digestion and overall wellness. Anchal describes their products as something “you’ll feel good about eating,” and the positive consumer feedback reflects this sentiment.

Innovation and Technology: Raising the Bar

Innovation is central to Mad Over Millets’ growth and quality strategy. The team works closely with government-backed incubation centers to refine their recipes and scale production.

One notable innovation is low-heat baking, a technique that preserves the fiber and nutrient content of the snacks while achieving the perfect crunch. Another is vacuum packaging, which extends shelf life and protects nutritional integrity without the use of preservatives.

These technological advancements help Mad Over Millets deliver products that are consistently safe, tasty, and wholesome.

Commitment to Sustainability and Farmer Empowerment

Sustainability runs deep in the brand’s ethos. Millets themselves are eco-friendly crops that require less water and chemical inputs, thus conserving natural resources and reducing agricultural carbon footprints.

Moreover, Mad Over Millets sources grains directly from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) at fair prices, ensuring farmers receive a good livelihood while maintaining premium quality inputs. This approach strengthens rural agricultural ecosystems and promotes sustainable farming practices.

Looking Ahead: Growth, Expansion, and Diversification

Though still a relatively young brand, Mad Over Millets has ambitious plans for the next five years:

International Expansion: Targeting markets in the Middle East and South Asia where demand for gluten-free, nutritious snacks is rising.

Corporate Partnerships: Introducing healthy snacking options at workplaces to replace unhealthy food habits.

Product Diversification: Developing granolas, energy bars, and quick meal solutions to widen their consumer base.

Collaborations: Exploring white-label partnerships with larger food brands to scale millet-based innovations.

Every new product and initiative will continue to emphasize the brand’s core values of health, taste, and sustainability.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Agribusiness

As a woman entrepreneur in the food sector, Anchal understands the challenges female agripreneurs face. She shares practical advice and encouragement for aspiring women leaders:

Educate Yourself: Stay abreast of market trends, consumer behavior, and emerging food technologies.

Start Small, Test Often: Use customer feedback to refine and improve products continuously.

Leverage Digital Tools: Harness the power of digital marketing to reach wider audiences cost-effectively.

Be Patient and Believe in Your Vision: Resilience and adaptability are crucial to overcoming setbacks.

Anchal believes women bring unique strengths such as emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and determination to entrepreneurship. Even a “half-hearted” effort can go far when driven by passion and purpose.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Brand — A Movement

Mad Over Millets is not just another food startup; it is a movement that is redefining snacking habits across India by blending ancient wisdom with modern innovation. Through consumer education, sustainable sourcing, and continuous innovation, Anchal Saxena and her team are building a profitable business that also contributes positively to health, tradition, and the environment.

As Anchal puts it simply and powerfully, “Let’s just do it.”

Pabitra Khatri, from the village of Dharapani in Ilam district, Nepal, is a remarkable woman who has not only succeeded in organic tea farming but has also become a leader and role model for women in her community. As a board member of the Barboteli Tea Producer Cooperative Society Ltd., Pabitra has played a vital role in empowering women and driving social and economic progress.

Beginning with Social Engagement

Pabitra lives with her family of five — herself, her husband, two daughters, and one son. They also own a cow and a calf. In 2011, after connecting with board members and other members of the Barboteli Tea Producer Cooperative Society Ltd., Pabitra became a member of the cooperative. With a lifelong passion for learning, her primary motivation to join was to become socially active and to contribute meaningfully to her community.

Gaining Strength through Training and Knowledge

Through participation in programs, training, and workshops conducted by the Central Tea Cooperative Federation Ltd (CTCF), Pabitra acquired extensive knowledge about cooperative management, organic tea farming techniques, tea plucking, and occupational health and safety. This training not only improved her farming practices but also led to better economic outcomes and a healthier lifestyle.

Historically, women were confined mainly to household duties, but now women like Pabitra are actively participating in cooperatives and contributing equally to their families’ and communities’ development. They have grown into active leaders, sharing economic responsibilities alongside men.

Increased Productivity and Leadership Role

With increased productivity, Pabitra expanded her tea plantation and is recognized as a tea farmer producing high-quality and high-quantity tea leaves on relatively small land through good agricultural practices and organic farming.

As a board member of her cooperative, she now facilitates and empowers other members, especially women, helping them enhance their skills and leadership abilities. Since joining the cooperative, Pabitra has seen the price of green tea leaves increase by 3 NPR per kilogram due to improved collective bargaining power. This has benefited not just her but the entire cooperative community economically.

A New Identity for Women in Society

Pabitra’s story demonstrates that women can successfully manage farming, cooperative work, and leadership roles. Women in her cooperative balance household responsibilities with economic contributions through qualitative and sustainable tea farming.

Participation in occupational safety and health training has equipped members to minimize hazards and maintain safety at the workplace. The cooperative’s own tea processing factory also creates employment opportunities and raises awareness about tea processing technology.

The most significant social change has been the growing belief in the community that “women can do this too” — a major milestone in a country like Nepal.

Pabitra’s Message

I became a member of the cooperative to connect with people, learn more about cooperatives and tea, and to empower women. My participation has made me stronger. I feel I can overcome any difficulty — whether in farming, cooperative work, or family responsibilities

Conclusion

Pabitra Khatri’s journey is a shining example of women’s empowerment through education, training, and community engagement. Her story shows how women can be powerful agents of change in agriculture and social development when given the right knowledge and opportunities.

If you are inspired by Pabitra’s story and want to make a difference in farming or women’s empowerment, remember that continuous learning and taking initiative are key.

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