Five moringa entrepreneurs who made it big from small villages

Moringa farming is rapidly gaining popularity in India for several reasons. From moringa powder and tablets to soups and wastewater treatment, the crop has multiple uses. Its cultivation is profitable because the plant is hardy and does not require much maintenance and inputs. It thrives well with organic manure and cow dung. 

Moringa thrives in arid and semi-arid climates and is known for its drought tolerance. This makes it an ideal crop for regions with limited rainfall. Additionally, it adapts well to various soil types with minimal water requirements.

Moringa cultivation is cost-effective as farmers can cultivate it on small plots of land and achieve substantial incomes.

The high yields of around 25 tonnes of fresh leaves from one acre result in 5 tonnes of dried powder, valued at Rs 6 lakh (Rs 120 per kg). 

The global moringa market was valued at 9.5 billion dollars in 2022, as per Zion Market Research. India dominates the market and meets more than 80 percent of the global demand. 

Moringa leaves need to be dried immediately upon harvesting, and the cost of transporting loose dried leaves is high. As a result, overseas buyers depend on India to meet their moringa powder demands, creating a huge opportunity for farmers here.

Farmers can also cultivate moringa for its pods and oil, both of which command good market value. It is packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and protein, making it a valuable dietary supplement. 

In the last six to seven years, moringa farming has changed the fortunes of many farmers and created millionaire entrepreneurs from villages and small towns in India. Here are five moringa entrepreneurs who made it big with this miracle crop:

1. Dr Kandasami Saravanan, Tamil Nadu 

After working for seven years as a soil scientist at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Kandasami quit his job to pursue organic moringa farming in Somankottai village of Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. He uses no-till cultivation to grow moringa for its leaves and processes them into soup, spice mixes and powder, which sell at over Rs 800 per kg.

“I prepare and sell moringa powder apart from value-added products like moringa-dal mix (podi) and moringa leaf soup in the local markets as well as overseas. I export to the USA and Europe,” Kandasami points out.

Read his full story here: Scientist turns moringa farmer; exports products to the US, Europe

2. Dr Kamini Singh, Uttar Pradesh

Kamini quit her government job as a scientist with the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow and now sells organic moringa powder, soaps, oil and other products under the Doctor Moringa brand, based in Mubarakpur village. It will hit Rs 2.5 crore in turnover this fiscal. Kamini works with 1050 farmers in villages of Uttar Pradesh to promote moringa farming. She buys back their produce for processing, giving them higher than market rates..

Here’s her detailed story: Scientist quits job to make organic moringa products; annual turnover at Rs1.75 crore

3. Sagar Khare, Maharashtra

Sagar Khare quit his job with American MNC Adient in 2019 and began organic moringa farming in the Kurdwadi village of Solapur, Maharashtra. He cultivates moringa for leaves as well as drumsticks. While moringa leaves are used to make powder, drumsticks have culinary uses. He makes an annual profit of Rs 30 lakh from a turnover of Rs 36 lakh.

Here’s his story: Engineer quits MNC for organic moringa farming; makes a profit of Rs6 lakh per acre

4. Mahadev More, Maharashtra

Mahadev More grows organic moringa in Maharashtra’s drought-prone Sade village of Solapur district. The hardy plant does not require much water, and its leaves are harvested every two months. Mahadev sells moringa powder in 15 states in India, apart from the US and Nepal. He earns Rs 10 lakh per acre and makes a profit of Rs 9 lakh on every acre.

Here’s his strategy: This moringa farmer clocks Rs10 lakh per acre in drought-prone Solapur; exports powder to the US

5. Kiran and Pardeep Mann, Haryana

This couple grew moringa over half an acre as an experiment in Mehmudpur village of Sonipat, Haryana, in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdown. Their organic moringa powder sold out in four days. 

Encouraged by results, they expanded the cultivation and now grow organic moringa over 3 acres, resulting in a profit of Rs 7 lakh per acre.

Here’s their full story: How this couple clocks Rs8 lakh per acre from organic moringa farming

(Riya Singh is a Ranchi-based journalist who writes on environment, farming, sustainability, startups, & women empowerment)

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