30 Stades : Latest Postshttps://30stades.comRSS Feeden-usMon, 18 Mar 2024 00:19:04 +0530<![CDATA[How this teacher-cum-urban farmer built a successful microgreens business in Gujarat ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/teacher-urban-farmer-aditi-mali-built-successful-mali-greens-microgreens-business-in-gujarat-4361677

When Aditi Mali was teaching urban agriculture at Ahmedabad colleges, she wanted her students to connect with what they were learning. So she thought of familiarizing them with the cultivation of microgreens -- vegetables and herbs harvested at the seedling stage when only their seed leaves have developed. 

“I am from a Rajasthani business family with marketing in my genes (with a smile). In 2021, I thought of setting up a venture to cultivate microgreens myself to gain practical experience while also teaching my students about them. And so, Mali Greens was born,” says the 31-year-old urban farmer.  

Fresh, crunchy and flavourful, microgreens do not require the addition of any taste-enhancing ingredients. Packed with nutrients, they are a superfood and that’s why their farming is gaining popularity in the country. 

The global microgreens market stood at 1.8 billion dollars in 2022. It is estimated to reach 2.6 billion dollars by 2031 at a CAGR of 11.1 percent, according to Straits Research.

In a short span of three years, Mali Greens has captured the Ahmedabad market and also supplies to other cities in Gujarat. Aditi says it is Gujarat’s largest producer of organic microgreens, growing sales at an impressive 150 percent annually.

After a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from CEPT University in Ahmedabad, Aditi picked up an MSc degree in sustainable agriculture and food security from the UK. She was awarded the Young Development Agriculturist 2021 award from a UK-based association for her work with Mali Greens.  

boxes of microgreens
Boxes of microgreens. Pic: Mali Greens

“Being an academic has its advantages. I am trusted by customers. On the flip side, being an entrepreneur gives me experience that enhances my teaching,” says Aditi. Her husband is a software programmer. He is her sounding board, she says. And, he helps the Mali Greens team in various ways, including visits to the farmer’s markets.

Also Read: Seven ways to sell organic farm produce without going to mandis

Pandemic baby 

Mali Greens was born in the middle of the pandemic, in March 2021. Aditi started growing microgreens in her guest room. “Initially, we spent a lot of time building awareness about microgreens. People had probably eaten them in restaurants but may not have known that they were eating microgreens. To learn the specific growing techniques, I watched YouTube videos. They showed the practices being followed in other countries and I adapted them to Indian conditions,” says Aditi. 

Today, she has several indoor farms. 

Mali Greens grows and sells around 15 varieties of microgreens. It supplies its products to 60 cafes and restaurants and almost all the five-star hotels in Ahmedabad. 

“We also supply live trays to five-star hotels that are kept in buffets. Before we started, restaurants in Ahmedabad were not sure of reliable sources for microgreens and edible flowers,” says Aditi. 

live trays of microgreens
Aditi Mali with live trays of microgreens at a five-star hotel (left) and sweet peas microgreens. Pic: Mali Greens

Mali Greens has more than 1000 B2C clients. It offers one and three-month subscriptions. “Our 60-gm box of mixed microgreens, our most popular product, costs Rs 180. We give a discount for subscribers. For instance, for a one-month subscriber, it would cost Rs 125 per box. A three-month subscriber would get 12 boxes (weekly once delivery) for Rs 125 per box. People can pause subscriptions anytime. They get free doorstep delivery of freshly harvested products straight from a farm. We close only for Uttarayan and Diwali. We have two people who deliver on bikes,” she relates.  

Apart from regular subscribers and selling to wholesalers, its products are sent to hotels in Surat, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Rajkot and Udaipur.  

The staff size of Mali Greens is around 15, with 80 percent being women. The venture hires domestic helpers and trains them. This way, it aims to upskill them and change their lives. 

Also Read: How this engineer turned barren land into organic sandalwood and fruit farm

Organic practices 

Mali Greens’ indoor farms have artificial lighting and are temperature-controlled. The microgreens are grown in shallow trays on multi-level shelves. Cocopeat (a natural fibre made out of coconut husk) is the primary growing medium. The trays have to be watered two to three times a day.  

“Our cultivation is entirely organic. We do not use any chemicals – either fertilizer or pesticides. We use yellow sticky notes to trap pests like fruit flies,” says Aditi.

“We only use open-pollinated seeds and non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds,” the woman entrepreneur adds. 

The most popular microgreen grown is radish, including purple, pink and rose varieties, she says. People like it for its sharp taste. It is also very nutritious. Some of the other favourites are bok choy, sweet peas, red and green amaranthus, beetroot, sunflower and mustard. 

Also Read: Kerala's ‘farmer with an Audi’ shares the secret of his success

The plants have to be closely monitored to harvest at the right time. The venture faces loss in produce as at times they harvest on demand. When the plant grows more than required, it is fed to animals.

farmers market
Aditi Mali at a farmers' market. Pic: Mali Greens

Offline business

The business of Mali Greens is mostly offline. Subscribers order on WhatsApp. “Word-of-mouth publicity is a major way our business has grown. A subscriber’s friends and neighbours taste our products, like them and start ordering themselves. We also sell exotic vegetables but they are sourced from urban farms we have partnered with. We supply the farms with microgreens while they give us exotic vegetables. This way, we support local farms,” explains Aditi. 

Mali Greens participates in farmer’s markets. It also takes part in the Sattvik food festival held annually in Ahmedabad where the team can connect with around 30,000 people. Clients have doubled every time the venture participates in Sattvik. 

Also Read: Lawyer quits job to grow raspberry and blueberry in Pune; gets bumper harvest

There are few players in this field because apart from the expertise required it is very labour-intensive. “Very few vendors have gone B2C as you need lots of time and energy to interact with customers. I handle my customers to ensure error-free seamless service,” the urban farmer says.  

Concentrated nutrition

“Since I was growing something so niche, I wondered whether the market would accept it. But people are becoming health conscious these days. I have received a very good response from Ahmedabad. My B2C clientele is in the 40-plus age group. They are mature and health conscious,” she relates.

chef and buyer
Bhavna Shah (left) and Chef Revant Bhavsar (right). 

“Microgreens are the first few leaves that emerge from a seed after germination. We have to harvest early before more leaves emerge," she explains. 

"Microgreens taste just like the vegetable the seed belongs to. You get the same quantity of nutrients from 30 gms of microgreens as you get from half a kg of vegetable. This is because you get concentrated nutrition from the seed. A microgreen is the second stage of a sprout.” 

As for the health benefits, microgreens are rich in vitamins A, B and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and magnesium. They significantly increase the nutritional value of food. Aditi says microgreens must be stored in an air-tight container in the vegetable compartment of the fridge. This way, they last for ten days. 

How to use microgreens 

Microgreens can be eaten as a salad or mixed into salads, layered in sandwiches, put inside wraps, and used to garnish drinks and foods like dals and sabzis. They can be used to season soups, added to stir-fried vegetables and juiced, says Aditi. 

“I want people to eat microgreens for health as well as culinary benefits. They add to the taste and flavour of food. We send recipes to customers so that they can use microgreens in different ways,” she adds.

Chef Revant Bhavsar who works for The Gourmet Lab in Ahmedabad says microgreens have been popular in the city for four to five years. “We have been buying products of Mali Greens for nearly two years. We buy mixed boxes of microgreens, lettuce and rocket leaves, rosemary, thyme and oregano from Mali Greens. We use microgreens in salads – they bring in different flavours. For instance, mustard brings a touch of spice. We use them in pasta too. Mali Green products are clean, fresh and colourful. The venture does emergency deliveries too,” he says. 

trays indoor
Trays of microgreens at an indoor farm. Pic: Mali Greens

Customised workshops and consultancy  

Mali Greens provides consultancy to urban farmers. Bhavna Shah has a kitchen garden in Ahmedabad where she grows several vegetables. “I took a one-on-one two-hour workshop with Aditi to learn how to cultivate microgreens four months ago. She is a fantastic teacher who shared all the techniques in detail,” says Bhavna. 

“I now grow a few varieties of microgreens that I like regularly. I grow mustard, fennel, radish, beetroot and sunflower. I have basic knowledge of gardening but growing microgreens involves certain special techniques. For instance, how to grow which seed. The growing medium is primarily cocopeat with some sand and compost added. You have to move the trays from the light to dark areas. Also, sometimes microgreens are watered indirectly. When watering is direct, you have to be careful about the quantity of water. Aditi gives a kit with all necessary materials,” she adds.    

Mali Greens aspires to expand to other nearby towns and cities in both B2B and B2C modes. “We have always believed in slow, steady and consistent growth. We want to continue that way. We don’t want to compromise on quality. People have developed trust in our company and the quality of our products. Mali Greens is standing today on that trust,” says Aditi.

(Aruna Raghuram is a freelance journalist based in Ahmedabad. She writes on women’s issues, environment, DEI issues, and social/development enterprises.)

Also Read: 74-year-old retired IRS officer finds his passion in organic pomegranate farming

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Aruna RaghuramMon, 18 Mar 2024 00:19:04 +053042823894282389
<![CDATA[Sandalwood farm and tribal strawberries ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/sandalwood-farm-and-tribal-strawberries-4359369

Dear Reader,
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! It’s an old proverb that will always remain relevant. I have made lemonade a couple of times – overcoming adversities to move ahead. And whenever any of us does that, we create a story worth narrating to others. At 30Stades, we strive to bring forth stories of people who did not give up despite challenges and made lemonade!
One such person I spoke to last week is Kavita Mishra, a computer engineer, who got married before she completed her studies. Her in-laws did not allow her to take up a job offer from Infosys. But her supportive husband encouraged her to do something on their 8 acres of barren land.
Despite initial difficulties and a lack of groundwater, she has turned that land into an oasis. She has 2500 sandalwood trees on the farm in Raichur, Karnataka. When harvested for wood in 2027, they will bring her over Rs 20 crore in revenues. 
Besides, Kavita also grows mangoes, custard apples, pomegranates, lemons and other plants and has cattle and poultry on the farm that generate Rs4 lakh every month. Do read her story of success and hard work. It is inspiring indeed!
My colleague Riya wrote an interesting piece on Nitesh Agarwal, whose life changed when he saw an old exporters’ directory in a garbage bin near his house. The directory landed him his first order to supply 1,000 sarees with Lucknowi Chikankari embroidery to a buyer in Mumbai. 
Today, he exports handcrafted Chikankari garments to 40 countries. The rest of the details are in Riya’s story, which will brighten your day.
Niroj, my colleague from Odisha, wrote about tribal women farmers growing strawberries in the extremely backward district of Kandhamal. And guess how much they are earning? Rs 20 lakh per acre!
The state government’s agencies procured the strawberry saplings from Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, and trained the women. The tribal women formed groups for collective farming and their strawberries are now bought by India’s top retailers at over Rs350 per kg. Their success goes on to show the power of collective action.
My colleague Anu has put together a piece on five ways to cut irrigation costs. So if farming interests you, this one is for you.
Our Sunday feature is on the beautiful Hogenakkal Falls, where water, rocks and bamboo boats create a surreal picture. 
In the Money section, my colleague Karan has written about five ways to generate regular income after retirement. Since most of us do not have the privilege of pension in the twilight years, we must plan. His article will help you do that.
Happy reading!
Warmly,
Rashmi

 

How this engineer turned barren land into organic sandalwood and fruit farm

How this school dropout from Lucknow took Chikankari art across the world

Tribal women pioneer strawberry farming in Odisha; earn a profit of Rs 15 lakh per acre

Five ways to cut irrigation costs in farming

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 17 Mar 2024 11:11:00 +053042810804281080
<![CDATA[Hogenakkal Falls: Where water, rocks and boats converge ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/hogenakkal-waterfalls-where-water-rocks-and-boats-converge-kaveri-river-4358953

Hogenakkal Falls is a series of waterfalls formed by the Kaveri River on the border between the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and the Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka. The Kaveri River originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills of the Western Ghats, gaining size and strength as various tributaries join it. 

At Hogenakkal, the mighty Kaveri splits into multiple small streams cascading from different heights ranging from 15 feet to 66 feet. The high waterfalls sound like continuous thunder.

The name "Hogenakkal" derives from Kannada, meaning "Smoky Rocks," a fitting description for the streams cascading down rocky terrain and creating a mesmerizing smoky pattern. The forceful current transforms into a frothy white stream with its sheer power. 

The rushing waters, descending at high velocity, eventually merge into the Mettur Stanley Reservoir. Constructed in 1939, the dam is used for irrigation and hydropower generation. Hogenakkal stands out as a destination for all seasons, offering an unparalleled experience of cascading water, echoing sounds of nature, and the steady flow of the river.

The carbonatite rocks all around the waterfalls are one of the oldest formations in South Asia and the world. 

Also Read: Wari Chora: Meghalaya's hidden canyon

Coracles in Kaveri

To get close to nature, tourists can take a coracle ride and gently drift along the river's embrace. During the dry season, boating is permitted, providing a vital source of income for operators. 

Coracles, crafted from bamboo and other materials and locally known as ‘parisal’, offer a unique mode of transportation. The rides are fun and one coracle can accommodate up to eight passengers at a time.

The surroundings teem with activity, as vendors sell freshly caught fish and refreshments. Swimming and bathing are common pastimes, with improvised stalls offering to prepare freshly caught fish for visitors.

coracles
Boatmen waiting for tourists at Hogenakkal. Pic: Flickr

The best time to visit Hogenakkal is post-monsoon when the river is at its peak. However, some opt for the off-season to avoid crowds. 

Rich in cultural history, Hogenakkal Falls finds a reference in Sangam Literature as "Thalaineer Aruvi," with its surroundings known as "Thalaineer Naadu." Legends recount its association with King Adiyaman Neduman Anji, chronicled in Sangam Literature such as Purananooru, Agananooru, and Kurunthogai.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has proposed converting the falls into a drinking water source for the state.

tourists hokenaggal
Tourists at Hogenakkal. Pic: Flickr

Also Read: Anini: A hidden gem in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 17 Mar 2024 00:06:25 +053042800804280080
<![CDATA[Five ways to cut irrigation costs in farming ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/five-ways-to-cut-irrigation-costs-in-farming-drip-mulching-structures-4355385

Irrigation is one of the biggest expenses in farming. The costs related to irrigation and water management include the procurement of water from wells, canals, tanks, or ponds, and also the expenditure on electricity or diesel for pumping water.

Calculating the irrigation and water management costs per acre depends on water demand for each crop and its unit price. Sugarcane requires between 2,000 cubic meters to 3,000 cubic metres of water per hectare annually. If the rate of water is Rs 5 per cubic meter, the irrigation cost per acre will be Rs 10,000 at the lower end and Rs 15,000 at the upper end.

For wheat, the requirement of water ranges between 13,000 cubic metres and 20,000 cubic metres per hectare depending on the geography. So if farmers can cut the costs of irrigation, it can result in more savings and increased profit.

Saving water in agriculture is also crucial due to the country's water scarcity issues and the heavy reliance on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood.

More water usage means digging deeper bore wells, which pull down the water table and also hurt the overall environment.

Here are five effective ways to conserve water and cut costs:

Drip Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation is an efficient method that delivers water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing evaporation and runoff. This method significantly reduces water wastage compared to traditional flood irrigation. It reduces the need for manual labour to water the plants, cutting costs further.

The cost of drip irrigation varies from Rs50,000 per acre for vegetable crops to Rs 35,000 per acre for fruit crops. The Government also provides a subsidy of 55 percent of the costs to small and marginal farmers and 45 percent to other farmers under the Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

In Maharashtra, a state prone to drought, farmers have adopted drip irrigation extensively. In the Beed district, notorious for the highest number of farmer suicides due to drought,  Sandeep Gitte is producing around 60 tonnes of papaya per acre (against the national average of 40 tonnes per acre) through low-cost organic farming and the use of drip irrigation.

By using drip irrigation, farmers can grow more crops with less water, thus contributing to water conservation efforts.

Mulching 

Mulching involves covering the soil around plants with organic materials like straw, leaves, or even plastic sheets. This reduces water evaporation and maintains soil moisture. It also suppresses weed growth, cutting down costs of weeding out as well as irrigation.

Most organic farmers don’t remove fallen leaves of trees as they act as a natural mulching agent. In Punjab, where water tables are declining rapidly, farmers have started using plastic mulching extensively in vegetable cultivation. By covering the soil with plastic sheets, they ensure that the available water is utilized more efficiently for crop growth.

Also Read: How farmers can earn more with organic farming

Crop Rotation and Diversification

Crop rotation and diversification involve planting different crops in a sequence or mixing different types of crops in the same field. By practising crop rotation, growers can enhance the quality of organic matter and overall carbon content. This improves soil health, which in turn reduces water demand, and mitigates the risk of crop failure.

In Tamil Nadu, where water scarcity is a persistent issue, farmers have adopted crop rotation practices. For instance, they rotate water-intensive crops like rice with less water-demanding crops such as pulses or oilseeds. This not only conserves water but also improves soil fertility and reduces the overall water footprint of agriculture.

Also Read: How crop rotation can increase farmers’ incomes

Water Harvesting Structures 

Building water harvesting structures such as ponds, check dams, and rooftop rainwater harvesting systems can capture rainwater and surface runoff, replenishing groundwater resources and providing supplementary irrigation during dry periods.

In Rajasthan, a state known for its arid climate and water scarcity, farmers have constructed numerous check dams and farm ponds to capture rainwater. These structures help in recharging groundwater aquifers and provide water for irrigation during the dry season, reducing dependence on unsustainable groundwater pumping.

Fifty-seven villages in Rajasthan have adopted Padma Shri Laxman Singh’s pioneering Chauka system of water harvesting. It has also been replicated in Israel and Afghanistan, helping lakhs of people in water-scarce regions.

Adoption of Drought-Tolerant Crops and Varieties

Choosing crop varieties and species that are more tolerant to drought and require less water for growth can significantly reduce water consumption in agriculture. This has been the case with engineer-turned-farmer Kavita Mishra, who has turned barren land, with only 1.5 inches of water, into a lush green farm of sandalwood and fruits in Raichur, Karnataka.

She chose sandalwood, and fruits like pomegranate, lemon etc, which do not require much water. She earns Rs 4 lakh per month and will earn in crores after harvesting sandalwood from her 2500 trees in 2027.

Similarly, in Gujarat, where water scarcity is a perennial challenge, farmers have started cultivating drought-tolerant crops like pearl millet (bajra) and pulses such as pigeon pea (tur) and chickpea (chana). These crops require less water compared to water-intensive crops like sugarcane or rice, thus helping farmers cope with water scarcity while maintaining agricultural productivity.

Implementing these water-saving techniques not only conserves precious water resources but also enhances agricultural sustainability, resilience to climate change, and farmers' livelihoods across India.

(US Anu is a Madurai-based writer. She specialises in stories around human interest, environment and art and culture.)

Also Read: Five ways to buy genuine organic seeds in India

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
US AnuSat, 16 Mar 2024 00:05:59 +053042763014276301
<![CDATA[How this school dropout from Lucknow took Chikankari art across the world ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/school-dropout-nitesh-agarwal-took-chikankari-embroidery-from-lucknow-to-world-exports-7-crore-revenue-4350845

In 2005, Nitesh Agarwal found an exporters’ directory in a garbage bin near his house. Intrigued by the voluminous book, he picked it up and started calling some numbers. Living in Lucknow, Nitesh was well aware of the market for clothes with Chikankari, the intricate embroidery done with white cotton thread on cotton or silk fabrics in soft pastel colours. 

He began calling exporters, saying that he was a manufacturer from Lucknow working on an order basis. “One person gave me a good response and asked me to send some samples. I got around 30 samples from Chowk (market in Central Lucknow) on credit of Rs 30,000 and sent them to the exporter in Mumbai. He returned all the samples barring one,” recollects Nitesh with a laugh.

That sample was a white cotton Chikankari saree and the exporter wanted around one thousand pieces. Nitesh accepted the order, but he knew artisans could not handcraft so many sarees in a short period of a month.

“So I collected all the dead stock from shops in Lucknow and sent the 1000 sarees to him. He accepted the order and paid me Rs 3.75 lakh (Rs 375 per saree),” he says.

In business terms, dead stock refers to unsold products that are unlikely to be sold in the future as well. Nitesh, however, made a profit of only around Rs20,000 from the transaction, paying the rest to shopkeepers from whom he had sourced the products. The incident gave a new direction to the life of Nitesh, who had to discontinue studies after class 10 due to financial problems. “I dropped out of class 10th in the year 2000. I later completed High School in 2003 but could not study further,” he says.

"I believe textbook knowledge alone is not enough to make it in life. Life itself is also a big teacher," Nitesh says. 

chikankari
Chikankari was introduced by the Mughals and patronised by the Nawabs of Lucknow. Pic: Triveni Chikan Arts

Though Nitesh successfully executed the 1,000-sarees order, he kept facing difficulties subsequently. Either he could not complete export orders on time or the client would reject the order or not pay. He soon ran out of money. At that time, one of his old customers agreed to loan him Rs13,000 and Nitesh decided to give another try to business.

Making a fresh start

“I restarted with Rs13,000 and began local trading of Chikankari products -- buying from local producers and wholesalers and selling them at my shop – Triveni Chikan Arts. With a margin of 10 percent, I started earning some regular money. In about three months, I made around Rs 1 lakh,” he says.

At that time, some of the Chikankari artisans with whom he had worked in the past, came to him with some dead stock they wanted to get rid of.

“It was very fancy clothing. To sell it, I went to Delhi where I met a few people. One of them was travelling to Singapore and agreed to take me along,” Nitesh says.

Also Read: Dr Hemalatha Jain: The professor reviving age-old handloom weaving of sarees in Karnataka

Nitesh paid Rs30,000 for the flight tickets, carried the stock and sold some of the goods there. The trip costs and other expenses left him with losses again but he had seen the world of exports first hand and he understood its potential. “I saw the big picture in Singapore and realised I could travel with my work. The next trip was again to Singapore with some Chikankari kurtis,” he says.

But Nitesh’s first big money came from South Africa in 2012. He hired a container for sending the Chikankari products to South Africa, where he spent two months.

“The response to our handcrafted embroidered products was very good in South Africa. I covered all my past losses and sold Chikankari products worth Rs 1.5 crore,” he says. 

saree chikankari
A Chikankari saree can take three months to complete. Pic: Triveni Chikan Arts

From there on, Nitesh started preparing garments keeping in mind the requirements of overseas markets. “I used to travel, take orders from buyers from all over the world, and ready the goods in Lucknow with a group of artisans. I would also go myself for market surveys to understand the local tastes and dispatch from here,” he says.

Also Read: This family continues 900-year-old Patan Patola weaving in Gujarat

Why Chikankari business worked

Over time, he understood the huge demand for handmade traditionally embroidered Indian garments in the overseas market and the popularity of Chikankari in particular. Historically, Chikankari embroidery was exclusively crafted on mulmul, a delicate muslin cotton fabric. Today, it is done on cotton, wool, chiffon, crepe, organdy chiffon, and silk, embellished with contrasting coloured threads.

The genesis of Chikankari lies in the intricate motifs found in Mughal architectural designs. Dating back over 400 years, Chikankari in Lucknow flourished under the patronage of Nawabs. Lucknow Chikankari received the geographical indication or GI tag in 2008. Over 700 families in and around villages of Lucknow are still engaged in Chikankari embroidery and around 90 percent of them are women.

“There is a big demand as well as value for handmade Indian products in the global markets,” he says.

Nitesh now works with 2000 women artisans and 50 tailors to create the products. “They work for me as I pay them 50 percent more than the market rate. I am a firm believer in women's empowerment and fair rates. The payment can range from Rs200 to Rs8000 per piece depending on the intricacy of the embroidery and motifs,” he says.

women embroiderers
About 90 percent of the Chikankari artisans are women. Pic: Triveni Chikan Arts

The other factor behind his success is quality. “I have never compromised on the quality of the products,” he says. Triveni Chikan Arts makes handcrafted sarees, stoles, kurtis, kurtas, shawls and even handcrafted shoes with Chikankari embroidery for exports. “We work with cotton, silk, and synthetic fibres depending on the market demand,” he says.

Today, Nitesh sells Chikankari products in 40 countries across Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Africa; the US, Canada and many other countries.

“The annual revenues are around Rs 7 crore and my margin is 10 percent. But what gives me the biggest satisfaction is the consistent livelihood I can provide to artisans and the increasing popularity of an Indian craft in the global market,” he says.

Having carved a niche for himself in global markets, Nitesh is now planning to set up franchisee stores overseas. “We are finalizing the brand name and will soon be available in stores overseas,” he says.

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

Also See: With Rs 2 lakh investment, Jaipur woman handcrafts Rs 1.2 crore saree business in 2 years

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Riya SinghFri, 15 Mar 2024 23:44:13 +053042718274271827
<![CDATA[Five ways to generate regular income after retirement ]]>https://30stades.com/money/five-ways-to-generate-regular-income-after-retirement-annuities-pension-plans-4331836

Life expectancy continues to rise globally, including in India, thanks to the progress in medical science and a general improvement in living conditions. According to the World Bank World Development Indicator, a newly born Indian can expect to live for around 68 years, a gain of 5 years from a life expectancy of 63 years in the year 2000. Most professionals in urban areas are however expected to live till the late 70s and early 80s. In comparison, the official age of retirement in India is 60.

In other words, a salaried or working professional in India must plan for 20 years of post-retirement income or cash flow. It is a non-issue for government employees who enjoy lifelong pensions post-retirement. Government employees or public sector workers with pension benefits are however a small minority in the country.

Most salaried workers, self-employed and business people need to devise their own post-retirement income or cash flow schemes. This requires a lifelong saving strategy, careful planning and consideration of various scenarios such as inflation and our expectations about post-retirement lifestyle choices.

However, this is not rocket science. Retirement planning for regular income is just another piece of the larger savings and investment puzzle that all of us need to solve. 

Thankfully, the growth and expansion of the financial and capital markets have greatly widened the income-generating options for potential retirees. 

Here are five ways to generate regular income post-retirement in India.

1. Pension Plans

Most salaried individuals with a regular permanent job have social security benefits in the form of an employee provident fund (EPF). Under this scheme around a quarter of your basic salary is deposited into an EPFO account that earns a fixed interest hike a bank FD. A small part of the EPF contribution is invested in a pension plan. However, the expected monthly pension from this plan may not be sufficient for many. Understand your pension benefits under the default option and if it is inadequate, you can top it up to increase your benefits. 

Self-employed and business persons can subscribe to new pension plans or invest in plans offered by life insurance companies and mutual funds as well. 

The market is now full of pension plans to suit all budgets and considerations.

2. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)

SCSS is a government-backed savings scheme specifically designed for senior citizens. Under the scheme, senior citizens resident in India can invest a lump sum in the scheme, individually or jointly, and get access to regular income along with tax benefits. They can open an account in a Post Office branch or an authorised bank. 

The scheme currently offers an interest rate of 8.2 percent per annum. The scheme has a tenure of 5 years and an individual can invest a maximum of Rs 30 lakh in the scheme.

The interest income enjoys income tax benefits under Section 80C up to Rs.1.5 lakh per annum.

3. Annuities

A retiree can also purchase annuity plans from insurance companies. Under annuities plans insurance companies provide regular payments or income to subscribers for a specified period or for life in exchange for a lump sum investment. The potential annuity income or the yield on lump-sum investment in the scheme is typically lower than the prevailing interest in long-term bank FDs but it comes with the surety of a life-long income like a pension. The insurance company takes on the life risk. This is a good option for risk-averse and passive savers.

Also Read: Five top-performing retirement mutual funds

4. Dividend Stocks

Another way to generate a steady and growing income post-retirement is to invest in stocks of blue-chips dividend-paying companies. Large blue-chip companies have been paying equity dividends without a break for decades now and a timely investment in them can become a source of income for investors. 

Dividend payouts by companies grow with the rise in their earnings which makes it inflation-proof. 

However, investors should remember two things. Firstly, most companies pay a dividend once a year and secondly, dividend payment is at the discretion of the company subject to economic and market conditions.

5. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

Investment in fixed deposits with banks or post offices is a good way to create a large corpus and then earn a monthly or quarterly income post-retirement through interest income on this corpus. There is no upper limit on investment in a bank FD. You can also opt for a monthly income plan from the post office where you earn a fixed income every month for a specified investment and the principal amount is returned after five years. 

Also Read: Best fixed deposit (FD) options for investors right now

However, you should know that interest on fixed deposits is taxable at the applicable rate of income tax. Secondly, if the interest on FD is less than that of annual inflation in the economy, then this income stream will turn inadequate in a few years.

It's essential to assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs before choosing any income-generating method. Diversifying your income sources can also help mitigate risk and ensure financial stability post-retirement. Consult a certified and experienced financial advisor before making a large investment in any of the retirement plans. They can help you devise a personalised and tailor-made solution based on your specific circumstances and goals. 

(Karan Deo Sharma is a Mumbai-based finance and equity markets specialist).

Also Read: Retirement planning: Why NPS is better than mutual funds and ULIPs 

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Karan Deo SharmaThu, 14 Mar 2024 00:14:29 +053042529504252950
<![CDATA[Tribal women pioneer strawberry farming in Odisha; earn a profit of Rs 15 lakh per acre ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/tribal-women-pioneer-strawberry-farming-in-odisha-kandhamal-earn-profit-of-rs-15-lakh-per-acre-4328944

Chandama Pradhan, a Kondh tribal in the Beradakia village of Odisha’s Kandhamal district, can’t believe her luck. Until two years back, she and her family would struggle to make ends meet. But today, Chandama, along with nine other women farmers, makes a profit of Rs 15 lakh per acre through strawberry farming in her village. 

The ten women are members of the self-help group (SHG) ‘Annapurna’. They collectively practice organic strawberry farming on two acres of land in the tribal-dominated Kandhamal district, which has turned out to be an excellent region for cultivation due to its hilly terrain and cold climate.

Like Annapurna, SHG Ashirbad in the adjoining Barepanga village had achieved bumper returns from strawberry last fiscal. The new crop was introduced in Odisha two years back. “The farming of strawberries was taken up by us under the High-Value Crop of Mission Shakti. The government agencies in Kandhmal facilitated training and setting up of the infrastructure,” says Chandama.

Mission Shakti programme of the Odisha government aims to double the farm incomes of 1 lakh women farmers in 12 tribal-dominated districts. Kandhamal is home to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) like Kondh and Kutia Kondha who have limited livelihood opportunities.

Sowing the seeds for profitable strawberry farming

The strawberry farming project has been implemented by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) along with the State Horticulture Department and Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM). The organic berries are marketed by ORMAS as ‘Kandhamal Strawberry’.   

harevesting strawberries
Harvesting strawberries in Kandhamal. Pic: ORMAS

Santosh Kumar Rath, OLM’s District Project Manager, Kandhamal, says the saplings of the Winter Dawn strawberry variety were purchased from Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, for the SHGs. About 22,000 saplings, each priced at Rs13, were planted in one acre. With a mortality rate of 10 to 20 percent, around 19,000 saplings survived in an acre. 

“The yield per plant ranges from 300 gm to 400 gm,” he points out.

Priscilla Pradhan, the secretary of SHG ‘Asashar’ in village Sulumaha, says, “We sell in packs of 200 gm each at Rs 500 per kg in the local market. But our price for ORMAS is Rs 350 per kg as it is purchased in bulk. ORMAS resells at a minimal profit margin of around 10 percent to Reliance Fresh,” she says. Reliance Fresh buys over 10 quintals (1000 kg) every week during the ongoing harvest season.

With a minimum yield of 300 gm per plant, around 19000 plants yield 5700 kg per acre. Even if the whole produce is sold at the lower end of Rs350 per kg, the income per acre will still be around Rs20 lakh. 

“Usually one acre requires an investment of nearly Rs 5 lakh including the expenses on saplings (2.86 lakh), organic manures, drip irrigation (one-time cost) etc. The net profit after deducting expenses is around Rs15 lakh to Rs16 lakh per acre,” Santosh says.

mulched plants
Strawberry plants with mulching (left) and fresh produce (right). Pic: ORMAS 

Marketing it right

ORMAS has facilitated the sale of strawberries through its own outlet as well as to retail players. 

Durga Prasad Bhuyan, the deputy chief executive officer of ORMAS, Kandhamal, says, “Every week, during the harvest season, we sell over two tons (2000 kg) of strawberries through Reliance Fresh and our outlet in Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal.”

He adds, “We plan to sell over five tons per week shortly after roping in online giants like BigBasket and Mother Diary.” 

“We have also trained them to prepare value-added products like jam, squashes and sauces,” says Prashant Kumar Tripathy, the project director of Watershed, Kandhamal. 

KANDHAMAL SRAWBERRIES
Kandhamal strawberries are packed and ready for sale. Pic: ORMAS

Value-added products are necessary as strawberries are highly perishable. They have a shelf life of three days after harvesting. “Value addition is important to minimize fruit wastage and maximize the incomes for tribal women farmers," says Bhuyan of ORMAS.

Also Read: Lawyer quits job to grow raspberry and blueberry in Pune; gets bumper harvest

Investments and requirements for strawberry cultivation

Strawberry farming requires a cold climate for good growth of plants. In Kandhamal, which is over 3000 feet above sea level, this climate prevails from October to February. “The maximum temperature should be 22 degrees Celsius for a healthy plant to yield 300 grams to 400 grams of strawberries. Each berry can weigh 40 grams to 50 grams in these climatic conditions,” says Mihir Samantaray, the former deputy director of horticulture (DDH Kandhamal. He is associated with the project even after his superannuation last year.

Strawberry farming must be done in the upland, as plants require less water, However, consistent moisture is necessary for optimal production as plants are shallow-rooted. They need 300 mm to 450 mm of water during the growing season, according to Bhubaneswar-based agriculturist Nirmal Panda. 

plants
The state government has procured strawberry saplings from Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra. Pic: ORMAS

Optimum irrigation facilities have been ensured with the installation of drip irrigation networks, which supply water to the roots of the plant, minimizing wastage as well as weed growth. 

The investment for drip irrigation is around Rs 1.6 lakh per hectare (2.47 acres). The beneficiaries have put up drip infrastructure by availing subsidies under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana in coordination with OLM and the state horticulture department.  

Also Read: Odisha’s tribal women stitch a bright future with siali leaf plates

The tribal women farmers undertook the work of land development. 

The farmers were trained in strawberry farming through camps at the district and block levels. The allied activities of mulching, preparing organic manures and land fencing were undertaken with the assistance of the GPL Fund.

“Two scientists from Mahabaleshwar along with one from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) have trained the beneficiaries,” says Prashant Kumar of Watershed, Kandhamal. 

Lauding the government’s role in setting up a robust baseline for the success of strawberry farming, Jyotsna Pradhan, the community resource person of SHG ‘Jihaba Shakti’ in Raikia block of Kandhamal, says, “Each member of my two SHGs earns Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 in every two days only because of government.” 

(Niroj Ranjan Misra a Cuttack-based freelance writer. He writes on rural and tribal life, social issues, art and culture, and sports)

Also Read: How this Punjab farmer makes a profit of Rs 5 lakh per acre from strawberry farming

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:03:17 +053042498264249826
<![CDATA[How this engineer turned barren land into organic sandalwood and fruit farm ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/engineer-kavita-mishra-sandalwood-farmer-turned-barren-land-into-organic-farm-integrated-farming-4322199

In 1996, when Kavita Mishra was pursuing computer engineering, she got married. She passed out of college in 1998 and got a job offer from IT giant Infosys but her in-laws did not allow her to take it up. They wanted her to remain at home.

“My husband, however, was very supportive. Since I did not want to spend my life only doing household work, he suggested I start something of my own,” says Kavita, now 48. 

Her husband’s ancestral land of about 8 acres in Kavital in the Raichur district of Karnataka was lying unutilized for years. The temperature also exceeds 45 degrees in summer. 

“It was barren land, a rocky and hilly area where nothing would grow. Even producing half a bag of bajra was impossible. He suggested we try farming there,” she recollects.

Engineer turns to farming

Kavita began by removing stones and small rocks and levelling the land. “I then dug many borewells but did not get water. After a lot of effort, I got just 1.5 inches of water. In such dry conditions, I could only grow pomegranates as they thrive well under hot, dry summer and cold winter with limited irrigation,” she says.

Also Read: This CAPF officer quit job for organic farming of sandalwood; creates employment in his village

She planted the pomegranate saplings in 2005 and the first crop was good. But later, the plants started developing diseases. “The repeated issues made me think of an alternative,” Kavita says.

In 2008, she attended a three-day training on sandalwood cultivation at the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru, which made her aware of the commercial value of sandalwood agroforestry. 

It was also well suited to the topography and climatic conditions at Kavital as sandalwood does not require much water for growth. The sandalwood tree is a partial parasite because it completes its nutritional requirements from other plants around it. Its roots penetrate host plants and take nutrients from them. As a result, sandalwood flourishes alongside other plants. 

iron bars
Kavita inspects a sandalwood tree (left) and under a mango tree. Pic: Kavita Mishra Sandalwood Farm

“Moreover, in agroforestry, income is long-term and is generated when wood is sold. In the case of sandalwood, we can expect Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore per acre after 15 years of plantation. So I had to combine agriculture, horticulture, agroforestry and animal husbandry to generate regular income through integrated farming,” she says.

“Animal husbandry gives daily income, agriculture income comes once in three months, horticulture is mid-term (three years) and agroforestry is long-term (12-15 years),” she says, underlining the importance of integrated farming.

Currently, Kavita’s monthly income is around Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. “We expect Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore per acre in the next three to four years from sandalwood harvest,” the woman farmer says.

Also Read: Kerala's ‘farmer with an Audi’ shares the secret of his success

How sandalwood farming is done

Kavita bought seeds of sandalwood from Marayur in Kerala. “I prepared seedlings on my farm and planted the first plant in 2012. Overall, in 8 acres of land, I have 2500 sandalwood trees and they will be ready for commercial harvest of wood in 2027,” she says.

Kavita says selecting sandalwood seedlings (a young plant grown from seed and not cutting) is very important. 

“The seedling should be a minimum of eight to 10 months old because when the stem is hard, the mortality rate will be low. Secondly, the host plant should not dominate sandalwood,” she says. 

She keeps a plant-to-plant and row-to-row gap of 12 feet between sandalwood plants. “Sun rays should directly reach sandalwood trees to make the hardwood. Otherwise, the quality of wood will not be good,” she says.

honoured
Kavita Mishra regularly gets honoured and awarded for her work in sandalwood farming 

Sandalwood sells for Rs 10,000 to Rs20,000 per kg and one tree, with good farming practices, can yield 20 to 25 kg of wood. The minimum yield per acre is 3 to 4 tonnes. 

Sandalwood is one of the most expensive woods in the world because it is slow-growing and has been over-harvested due to high commercial demand. The wood has many uses in cosmetics, medicine and other industries and retains its fragrance for decades.

“With 300 to 350 trees in one acre, a farmer can get an income of Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore. Sandalwood farming is like a fixed deposit, it grows with time,” the agripreneur says.

Kavita uses mango, guava, custard apple and jamun as host plants that provide nutrition to sandalwood. “I have 1000 trees of mango (Kesar, Banganapalli, Suvarnarekha, Mallika and other varieties), 600 trees each of guava and custard apple, and 100 trees of jamun besides other fruit plants,” she says.

For the security of sandalwood trees, which are prone to theft, she has put up iron bars around trees which can only be cut with machines. Apart from round-the-clock guards (in four shifts), and dog squads, she has put up CCTV cameras as well.

with her cattle
Kavita Mishra with the cows (left) and tending to plants (right). Pic: Kavita Mishra Sandalwood Farm

Horticulture for consistent income

Kavita’s farm has 100 trees of curry leaves, drumstick, coconut, lemon and tamarind each besides 800 teak trees. Most of the fruit trees were planted 10 years back and now give good returns. She harvests around 12 tonnes (12,000 kg) of mango every season, which sell at Rs 150 to Rs180 per kg. Mangoes bring an annual income of Rs18 lakh to Rs20 lakh. Kavita Farm’s organic guava sells for Rs65 to Rs80 per kg while the rate for custard apples is Rs80 to Rs100 per kg. 

Also Read: Seven ways to sell organic farm produce without going to mandis

“I have WhatsApp groups of customers. The produce also goes to nearby metros like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and other local markets. Being organic, we get higher rates than the prevailing market rates,” she says.

Kavita has also started a nursery to sell good quality saplings to other farmers. “Saplings of fruits, decoration plants and agroforestry plants are available at my nursery,” she says.

Organic farming

The repeated problems in her first crop of pomegranates in 2005 had made her aware of the importance of organic farming practices, which rejuvenate the soil and are very effective in checking pests and diseases. “I live in harmony with nature. When leaves fall, I don’t remove them, which helps in mulching and soil retains moisture and fertility,” she says.

nursery
The nursery has ornamental plants and for horticulture and agroforestry besides others. 

With only 1.5 inches of water, the plants grow well using organic practices. 

Kavita prepares panchagavya, jeevamrutham, dashaparni and sapthagavya on the farm. These organic inputs promote growth and immunity in plants and prevent diseases.

Since cow dung and cow urine are essential to make them, Kavita has 20 indigenous cows on her farm. “We also prepare ghee and other items from their milk for sale to our customers,” she says.

Animal husbandry is an essential component of integrated farming as animal dung is used for making farming inputs. Kavita also has sheep and sells hens and roosters of the Salem fighter breed. “Each cock is sold at Rs4000 per piece; we are multiplying for sale and not for eggs,” she says.

Kavita also gives training to people in sandalwood farming and horticulture. “If you want to do agroforestry, you should do it scientifically and technologically. Even if you have just one acre of land, you can earn enough for your family through integrated farming,” Kavita adds.

Kavita Mishra can be reached for training and consultancy here : 088617 89787

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: 24-year-old woman turns family’s small buffalo trading business into Rs 1 crore dairy enterprise

Look up our YouTube Channel  

]]>
Rashmi PratapMon, 11 Mar 2024 00:13:32 +053042427004242700
<![CDATA[Forest dwellers and kitchen businesses ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/forest-dwellers-and-kitchen-businesses-4320066

Dear Reader,

I will start this newsletter with a short story. In 2002, a pharmaceutical distributor in Lumding, Assam, was kidnapped by forest dwellers for ransom. They took away his shoes so that he could not escape into the rugged terrain of the forest. One day, they forgot to lock his door and he managed to overcome challenges to reach home, where his wife and daughters had been praying for his safe return.

After the incident, his wife stopped all movements out of the house, and their elder daughter, who was in college then, had to discontinue her studies. That girl, Ananya Paul, has now been working with tribal forest dwellers for the last 27 years, educating their children, empowering the women and weaning men off kidnapping for ransom.

My colleague Partho has written this story of courage, conviction and change. Ananya’s NGO TribalConnect has provided education to 21,000 women and children and sustainable livelihood opportunities to over 50,000 forest dwellers so far. Do look it up!

Last week, I spoke to Annu Kanawat, who belongs to a conservative upper-class family of Sisodia Rajputs in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Since girls in her family are not very educated, she faced opposition when she expressed her desire to study after class 12th. Overcoming challenges, she completed her MBA but was married off soon. 

Her supportive husband encouraged her to teach at a college in Jaipur. A field trip with students led her to learn about mushroom cultivation, and the assistant professor began farming on a trial basis in 2020. Her startup Aamlda Organic Foods is now set to clock Rs1 crore in revenues. She trains farmers and women for free in mushroom farming, which requires an initial investment of less than Rs500.

From organic beauty products and preserves to meads (honey-based wine) and running food services, a kitchen can be the starting point for many businesses. My colleague Riya has put together a piece on seven women entrepreneurs who started their businesses from the kitchen and are now running successful startups.

Our Sunday story is on Anini, a hidden gem in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh. During World War II, it served as a vital hub for sending supplies and troops to China via the Ledo Road in Assam. In 1947, it officially became a part of India. Today, it is a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers!

Happy Reading!

Warmly,
Rashmi

This Assam activist is transforming the lives of tribal people through education and empowerment

How this Jaipur professor set up Rs 1 crore mushroom business

Seven women entrepreneurs who started businesses from their kitchens

Facebook
Twitter
Website
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Pinterest
]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 10 Mar 2024 10:55:18 +053042409494240949
<![CDATA[Anini: A hidden gem in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/anini-hidden-gem-in-heart-of-arunachal-pradesh-natural-beauty-trekking-4319917

Nestled amid the clouds in Arunachal Pradesh, Anini is a sanctuary of uncharted beauty. Serving as the headquarters of the Dibang Valley district, this serene town is all about tranquillity within misty landscapes. The place is a dream destination for trekkers as the Anini Seven Lakes Trek is enveloped in natural splendour, and replete with local legends. 

The trek from Anini takes visitors through thick forests, rivers, seven lakes and beautiful hills. Primarily inhabited by the Idu Mishmi tribal community, Anini sits atop a miniature plateau cradled between the Dri and Mathun rivers, both tributaries of the Dibang River. The picturesque setting, with pleasant weather, paints a canvas of natural splendour and invites travellers to explore its magic.

Anini remains a well-kept secret, shielded from the bustling tourist circuits of Arunachal Pradesh. 

Its remote location, flanked by snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and hidden lakes, adds to its mystique. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts, culture seekers, and adventure lovers alike.

Also Read: Wari Chora: Meghalaya's hidden canyon

History of Anini

Steeped in history, Anini's origins trace back to ancient times. It is said that Idu Mishmis migrated from Tibet hundreds of years back. Despite its historical significance, Anini remained relatively isolated until its official establishment during the British Raj. 

Anini's significance grew during World War II, as it served as a vital hub for sending supplies and troops to China via the Ledo Road in Assam. In 1947, it officially became a part of India.

Despite its remoteness, Anini is connected by road and air with the rest of India, welcoming visitors to its unspoiled charms. The journey offers a glimpse into a world untouched by time. Some locals offer homestay facilities for tourists.

Also Read: Kalavantin Durg’s steep rock-cut stairs take you to the skies

Anini: A hidden gem in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh
Anini is a paradise for nature lovers. Pic: Apang Miihu

As Anini awaits its place on the tourist map, its potential as a preferred destination for trekkers, hikers, and explorers remains undeniable. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) for domestic travellers or a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for international tourists is required, to ensure the preservation of Anini's pristine beauty for generations to come.

Wildlife sanctuary

But the place’s allure extends beyond its scenic beauty. The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, between the Dibang, Dri, and Mathu rivers, showcases the region's rich biodiversity against the backdrop of Kelingon and Kahaii Kaala Hills. 

The region is home to a variety of rare mammals, including the Mishmi takin, red goral, musk deer (comprising at least two species), red panda, Asiatic black bear, occasional tiger, and Gongshan muntjac. Among its avian inhabitants, notable species include the rare Sclater's monal and Blyth's tragopan. 

trekking
The trek from Anini takes visitors through thick forests, rivers, lakes and beautiful hills. Pic: Tallo Anthony 

A new species of flying squirrel has also been identified on the periphery of this sanctuary, now known as the Mishmi Hills giant flying squirrel (Petaurista mishmiensis). The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary resides either wholly or partially within the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, under the guardianship of the Department of Environment and Forest of Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring its preservation and protection.

Also Read: Nongjrong: India’s English-speaking village above the clouds

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 10 Mar 2024 00:08:16 +053042403204240320
<![CDATA[This Assam activist is transforming the lives of tribal people through education and empowerment ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/assam-activist-ananya-paul-is-transforming-lives-of-tribals-education-empowerment-tribal-connect-4304182

Sometime in the mid-1990s, when Ananya Paul was in class 8, her mother asked her to accompany their caretaker to the nearby store to get some household supplies. Being uneducated, the nanny was unable to distinguish between banknotes of different denominations. She handed the storekeeper a Rs 20 note, but he tricked her by saying it was a Rs 10 note. 

Ananya silently witnessed how the storekeeper took advantage of their caretaker’s lack of education. This incident left a lasting impression on the young girl’s psyche.

Born in the small Assamese tribal village of Lumding, in the Hojai district, Ananya decided to work with the tribal children to train them to write their names, recognise the right currency denomination and equip them to read signs at railway stations and bus stops.

She realised that education was the only means to help forest people stabilise their income, end exploitation and abstain from engaging in unlawful activities. “I have spent the last several years interacting with thousands of tribal people and listening to their journeys. It is the culmination of these experiences that makes me who I am,” says the 40-year-old activist, who has won many awards for her contribution to society.

Ananya has been working to improve the lives of indigenous people for the last 27 years. Her NGO TribalConnect has built community halls, libraries, schools, shelters, and toilets for tribal communities in Assam, Odisha, Karnataka and Goa. It has also provided education to 21,000 women and children and over 50,000 forest residents have benefitted from its Sustainable Livelihood Project. 

sustainable livelihoo
TribalConnect has generated sustainable livelihood opportunities for forest dwellers. Pic: TribalConnect

Through her awareness generation programmes, she has helped to wean men off kidnapping for extortion. 

“I have helped 82 men who were involved in militancy to live regular lives. Some people are now into farming while others weave sarees and teach kids.” 

However, they require ongoing counselling. “Rehab alone won't cut it. They run the risk of returning to militancy if they aren't allowed to live peacefully in society,” she says.

Also Read: This Assam couple quit jobs to promote forest conservation through handlooms

Ananya’s work towards the empowerment of indigenous people has earned her the nickname “Granny of the Northeast” from the forest dwellers. 

Abduction of her father

But her journey has not been a bed of roses. In 2002, when she was studying English literature at the Arya Vidyapeeth College, of the Gauhati University, her father Bidyut Paul was abducted by a militant organisation in Assam.

He had a wholesale pharmaceutical distributorship in Lumding while Ananya’s mother was a housewife. “I was 20 at that time and my father’s abduction was a big shock and setback for us. Over a landline phone, the militants sought a ransom of Rs. 10 lakh from one of my father's business associates. He was imprisoned at a hideaway 250 km from Lumding, an area of ongoing strife in Assam,” recollects Ananya. 

The abductors took away his shoes to prevent him from slipping out of the woods barefoot. They also took away his gold chains and other jewellery. Her father was kept in a three-story structure surrounded by thick woodland. On the sixth day, the abductors failed to lock the terrace door under the influence of alcohol. 

student farmers
Ananya Paul with her students who are also farmers. Pic: TribalConnect

“My father took advantage of it to get away. It was raining heavily. He fled from the terrace, but he was unable to make his way through the bushes. He asked a local milkman for assistance, but the man declined to show him the way to the nearest railway station,” Ananya recalls. 

Also Read: Woman on a mission: Subrata Pandey is supporting tribal women, reviving lost crafts in Odisha

After arriving at the closest train station, the 46-year-old victim asked to speak with the Train Ticket Examiner, who assisted him in boarding a train for Lumding. 

After returning home safely, the trauma left a shadow behind. Her mother halted all activities that involved stepping out of the house.

Her education was discontinued and Ananya was prohibited from entering the forest even though she loved spending time with tribal people and listening to their folklore and stories of their hardship. Her parents relocated their two sisters to a cousin who lived in Konnagar, Hooghly, in 2003.   

Motivated by the plight of tribals

Ananya later completed her graduation from Calcutta University, but her heart was in the forests around which she had grown up. Even during her short stay in Bengal, she managed to visit the forests of Purulia and Birbhum. In 2005, she moved back to her hometown. Her parents didn't speak to her for years because they did not want her to work in the forests with tribal people.

edcuation for all
TribalConnect study centres are breaking intergenerational illiteracy by making education accessbile

Once in the jungles, Ananya, the forest woman, set up a study centre and began to teach the local children. Convincing them wasn’t easy. 

“I used to entice the kids by offering pencils or chocolates. When I launched the education centre under a tree in a small village in Lumding with just five students, my centre didn't even have a name,” she says. 

“Among the five pupils, Roseline stands out in my memory,” Ananya giggles and continues, “She had to be enticed with a chocolate to come to the centre.”  

In 2009, an incident changed Ananya’s life yet another time. A 90-year-old woman's son was abducted. She came to the centre. “When she was asked, ‘What would you do now?’ With promptitude, she said, ‘Be like Ananya.’ “She baptised me as “Phi,” which translates to “grandma” in the tribal dialect. Ever since everyone who lives in the jungle has called me Phi. At the age of 25, I was dubbed the “Grandmother of Northeast,” the forest lady tells 30Stades.   

Also Read: Tribal youth handcraft livelihood opportunities with bamboo toys in Odisha’s Lamtaput

Education model

Ananya has been spreading education among the indigenous people through a unique model of study centres. “First, we locate the settlement and ask the local chief to provide us with a plot of land to establish a centre. We designate a single qualified candidate for the centre's management. We depute someone from a neighbouring village if we are unable to find the perfect candidate in that community. We supply all the materials, such as meals, literature, pencils and slates for the students,” she said.

She also sets up community kitchens which provide two meals a day to students. Interestingly, some kids refused to go home from the centre as they loved spending time there. Ananya then decided to set up a hostel for them and the number of centres continued to grow.

happy students
Ananya Paul and her happy students at a study centre. Pic: TribalConnect

The proportion of native and non-native people living in the forests is 70:30. 

Ananya noticed that every forest and its dwellers face different problems. Unlike those living in north Karnataka, the forest inhabitants in the northeast are undernourished, she points out.

The Kunbi tribes do not have ST certificates. So they cannot avail of any government initiatives. These tribes are predominantly found in north Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat. In contrast to the inhabitants of north Karnataka, the tribes residing in Goa and Gujarat have the certifications. 

Certificates, not food, are the most essential requirement for Kunbis. “We assist them in completing their papers. Applications for higher education and school entrance under government programmes cannot be processed without the right documents. They are also enrolled in a programme for livelihood. We have partnered with Agriculture Universities to provide them with instruction in building beehive boxes and giving out free saplings for their livelihood,” she says.

The northeast is in a distinct league due to the closeness to the international border. “If food isn’t provided, they won’t come to the facility. They will cross the border instead. It is and always will be a conflict zone. There are regions in Assam that have been designated as restricted. Entry is prohibited if the necessary paperwork is missing. Thus, in 2018, we registered all of our centres under the name “TribalConnect.” We have global access to work for the forest people.”

Operating Four Basic Projects  

TribalConnect operates a total of 162 centres. It has 118 centres in the northeast, two centres in Odisha, one in West Bengal and rest in the north Karnataka and Goa. TribalConnect students range in age from newborn to ninety years old.

Their principal areas of operation include the forests of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Lakhimpur, Barpeta, Kaziranga, Manas Tiger Reserve, Margherita; Tura in Meghalaya; and certain regions of Nagaland, also in north Karnataka is the Kali Tiger Reserve.

Project Annapurna, Project Gyan, Sustainable Livelihood Mission and Project Lali are the four initiatives that TribalConnect manages. 

The community kitchen at Project Annapurna is open to everyone. Under Project Gyan, also known as the Wisdom Corridor, parents and grandparents attend classes in the evening while their children participate in morning schooling.

With the support of the Sustainable Livelihood Mission, the forest inhabitants engage in community farming and are allowed to either bring their own necessities or sell the produce at the market. They create various products, like stoles and sarees, to support them.

with a weaver
Saree weaving has also created livelihood for tribal people. Pic: TribalConnect

TribalConnect has held a free, exclusive session on menstruation, health, and hygiene around the country as part of Project Lali. Approximately 90,000 women have benefited from the Sustainable Menstrual Workshop. They have also been made aware of the dangers of napkin disposal because it takes 600 years for a sanitary napkin to decompose. Interestingly, the students share this view with their moms, Ananya adds.

 “By providing handmade sanitary pads to 32,000 women as part of Project Lali, we have improved their quality of life. In addition, we teach ladies how to make pads that last for three to four cycles,” says Ananya, who has been conferred with Asom Ratna.

Ananya’s work has been instrumental in generating awareness among people about the constitutional ways to support themselves and not engage in illegal activities. This has helped to pull people away from kidnapping for extortion. 

Project Funding

The majority of funds for her work come from crowdsourcing, and the organisation has a network of supporters that provide long-term financial support for two to four children. She’s never taken financial assistance from the government. A few of her friends make contributions to TribalConnect's upkeep. 

As a criminal psychologist, she has affiliations with many academic institutions. About 90 percent of the money she earns from counselling is donated to the empowerment of the forest people.

Since the yearly flood destroys the centres, she needs to save money for rebuilding them. There are some centres close to the Elephant Corridor. Thus, the forest elephants, driven out by the light of the fire, have an impact on the centre.

women karnataka
Ananya Paul with women from Karnataka's forests. Pic: TribalConnect

Personal life

Ananya discovered Abhishek Dodmani, a Karnataka native, in an instructional chat room early in 2005 while researching the internet for her history assignment. He joined his family's firm after completing his MBA. While the couple fell in love, Ananya’s parents objected since he was a vegetarian. 

Today, the couple is together. Abhishek supports Ananya's relationships with forests. “We originally got together in 2006, right before we were engaged. On February 14, 2006, we exchanged vows. I spend the first twenty days of a month in the northeastern forests and the last ten days in Karnataka. Without my husband’s help, it would not have been possible to continue,” the Karamveer Chakra recipient says, adding, “He keeps me rooted.” The couple's son, Meeth Dodmani, is a science student in the eleventh grade at Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Ananya was awarded the 2019 “Karamveer Chakra” by the United Nations. In 2020, she was also granted the esteemed “Asom Ratna” award. She received the “Kamala Power Women Award” from the Ministry of External & Tribal Affairs in 2022. Ananya received the “Global Women Leader Award” at the World Women Leadership Congress and Awards in Mumbai on February 17, 2024. 

“My parents are proud of me. I want at least one person to be in charge of my life before I close my eyes,” The Granny of Northeast says, “The women should know that their voice matters.”

(Partho Burman is a Kolkata-based award-winning journalist. He writes inspiring human interest and motivational stories.)

Also Read: Odisha’s tribal women stitch a bright future with siali leaf plates

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Partho BurmanFri, 08 Mar 2024 13:17:17 +053042270784227078
<![CDATA[Three strategies for entrepreneurs to make customers pay on time ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/three-strategies-for-entrepreneurs-to-make-customers-pay-on-time-4279477

It is common for businesses, big and small, to face the challenge of delayed payments from customers. Any delay in payment increases the working capital cycle for entrepreneurs, and they have to fill this gap through borrowing, which raises their operating costs. If this is the case, then it is time to do something about that.

Otherwise, you risk disrupting your cash flows, which weakens your ability to pay vendors and employees on time. It can create a vicious cycle of delayed payments. Here are five strategies to come out of this:

Establish Clear Payment Terms

You must establish clear payment terms for your business. If you have well-defined payment terms, your customers will know what to expect regarding invoicing. If your payment terms are not concrete, then you may end up with a strained relationship with the client.

Some of the things that you should include in your payment terms are the services your agency is providing, as well as the cost of those services. You must also detail the payment logistics and the penalty for late payment. Penalties for non-payment should also be included to make your stand clear. They act as a deterrent for payment delays.

Streamline the Process

An important step to streamline the payment system is a crafted invoice that handles the heavy lifting for you. Think about it as being a way for you to reinforce all of the important aspects of your contract. Break down all the things that your client is being charged for and make sure that you add some billable hours as well.

If you can do this, you will soon find it is easier than ever for you to get the desired results. Things you can do here include a due date and a late payment penalty automatically. Payanywhere's payment app is a great investment if you want to step things up for your business, be it a retail store or any other enterprise.

Offer Automatic Payments

Most of your clients won’t miss their bills on purpose. They will be thinking about so many other things. Sometimes it’s just hard to remember all of the things that you have to do. To help yourself, you can set up autopay for your clients to make things easier. You can also log everything you need without having to have those super awkward money conversations

So there is a lot you can do to make things easier when it is time to get your customers to pay. If you want to try and step things up a bit, make sure that you invest in good accounting software. With this, you will soon find that it is easier for you to get the result you want out of your customers while also making your life easier in terms of payment timelines.

Also Read: Seven ways to save and grow your money

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesThu, 07 Mar 2024 00:07:08 +053041986734198673
<![CDATA[Seven women entrepreneurs who started businesses from their kitchens ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/seven-successful-women-entrepreneurs-who-started-businesses-from-their-kitchens-4251317

Entrepreneurship is not a bed of roses. From developing a niche product or service to marketing them, finding a consistent customer base, and raising funds, entrepreneurship is really about burning the midnight oil. 

If the entrepreneur is a woman, things get even more difficult. Women have to balance work with home. Importantly, it is more challenging for them to raise funds as investors mostly favour men-led businesses.

The situation, however, is changing gradually. According to the WISER's Women's in India's Startup Ecosystem Report, venture capitalist or VC funding for Indian startups stood at 5.9 billion dollars in 2017, of which the share of women-led startups was 11 percent. By 2022, the funding increased to 21.9 billion dollars, with the share of women-led startups rising to 20 percent.

Many Indian women entrepreneurs, meanwhile, are discovering their route to success – start small, avoid external funding in the early stages, grow gradually and empower others on the way.

Some women who started businesses from home, and some specifically from the kitchen, are now scripting entrepreneurial success stories. Alongside, they are creating employment opportunities for others, especially women.

Here are seven entrepreneurs who transformed their kitchen experiments into successful businesses:

1. Megha Asher, Juicy Chemistry

Hours of laborious experimentation in the kitchen have catapulted Megha’s Juicy Chemistry into an international cosmetics brand. The ethically run, no-chemical, organic cosmetics company today sells everything from soaps and scrubs to dry shampoos and essential oils globally.

Among the first products she created was a coffee scrub for a friend as a wedding gift. Kitchen experiments and an investment of Rs 5,000 led to more products and in 2014, Megha founded Juicy Chemistry along with spouse Pritesh Asher. The company’s revenue was Rs25 crore in FY21.

Here’s more: How Coimbatore’s organic cosmetics start-up reached the world

2. Cerana Meads, Dr Yoginee Budhkar and Dr Ashwini Deore

When Yoginee was pursuing her doctorate in biotechnology in Mumbai in 2011, she met a professor from the UK. He told her about meads – an alcoholic beverage made using honey, spices and water. 

Eager to learn more, she began to explore meads in India. Unable to find one, she started her experiment in the kitchen with a litre of honey-water mixture and used the baker’s yeast instead of wine yeast for fermentation as it was easily available in her kitchen. One thing led to another, and her friend Ashwini joined her to set up Cerana Meads in Nashik in 2020.

Today, Cerana is among the earliest meaderies in India. It is a sustainable alcoholic beverage startup, growing by 250 percent annually.

More on Cerana Meads here: How two women entrepreneurs set up one of India’s first meaderies in Nashik

3. Deepa Muthukumarasamy, Some More Foods

Deepa holds a master’s in Food and Nutrition. Her son was born in 2008 and once he turned eight months old, she began to prepare organic millet-based health mixes to feed him. Her neighbours and friends also began asking for her health mixes and soon, she was preparing big batches in her kitchen for sale.

Today, her venture Some More Foods offers millet-based noodles, pasta, vermicelli, cookies, and other products across India. It will close FY24 with Rs 3 crore in revenues and is doubling them annually. Deepa is also setting up a manufacturing plant in Tirupur with a daily capacity of three tonnes.

Here’s more: How this nutritionist mom set up Rs 3 crore millet foods business

4. Jayashree Krishnamurthy, Rasa Wellness

Jayashree is a practising CA and also a successful woman entrepreneur. She also began her food entrepreneurship journey while finding healthy alternatives to sugar-laden products available in the market. 

Fuelled by a desire to provide her child with a protein-rich porridge devoid of harmful preservatives, Jayashree crafted her recipe using ragi, a millet rich in calcium, iron and protein. It received good feedback from her family and soon, Jayashree began preparing mixes using millets for her friends who had kids in the same age group.

Today, her healthy food startup Rasa Wellness offers 30 millet-based and gluten-free porridges, snacks, and other items across India. Founded in July 2022 with an investment of Rs1 lakh, the enterprise will close FY24 with Rs50 lakh in revenues, which is doubling annually.

Read more here: How this CA set up Rs 50 lakh food business with Rs 1 lakh investment

5. Indira and Divya Chowfin, Himalayan Haat

Indira makes artisanal preserves, sauces, coolers, chutneys and other items with her daughter Divya in Pauri, Uttarakhand. After Indira’s husband, who looked after their 40-acre jungle farm, passed away in 2014, the mother-daughter duo did not know how to use the farm’s natural produce like strawberries, plums, peaches etc. as they did not get the right rates in the local market.

indira
Divya Chowfin (centre) with her workers. Pic: Himalayan Haat

Well-versed with handcrafting preservative-free items, Indira donned the chef’s hat and began to make preserves in her kitchen. Today, their startup Himalayan Haat supplies handmade food products across India. They employ local women who need a consistent income to support their households. Himalayan Haat’s annual turnover was Rs33 lakh last fiscal and is expected to cross Rs50 lakh in FY 24.

Their story: How this mother-daughter duo built a farm-to-table startup in the Himalayas

6. Manzilat Fatima, Manzilat

A descendant of Awadh’s last Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Manzilat is mainstreaming the royal Awadhi cuisine through her eponymous restaurant in Kolkata. The cuisine travelled from Awadh (present-day Lucknow) to West Bengal after the Nawab was dethroned and spent the rest of his life at Metiabruz, then a suburb of Kolkata.

Manzilat, who is a qualified lawyer, loved cooking for family and friends. Repeated requests led her to prepare food items at home and have them delivered. Now, she runs her restaurant Manzilat, which is a profitable venture earning Rs35 lakh in annual revenues. Customers have to make bookings in advance and walk-ins are not accommodated at the restaurant. 

Manzilat uses 167-year-old recipes to keep alive the Awadhi culinary heritage which includes chicken lazeez shami kababs, Kolkata shahi mutton biryani, mutton Awadhi gilauti kabab and a range of pulaos. 

Read here: Manzilat: The food entrepreneur keeping alive Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s culinary legacy

7. Anuradha Joshi Medhora, Charoli

Anuradha is an advertising professional-turned-chef who is reviving the royal cuisine of Malwa. She used to cook food for her family and friends, who soon began to ask for more and led her to start a food business.

What started in her home kitchen is now Mumbai-based cloud kitchen Charoli which recreates traditional recipes from the royal kitchens of Malwa. From Murgi ki Kadhi to Gulab ki Kheer, Charoli has resurrected a dying cuisine which has Rajput, Maratha and Persian influences. Available on Swiggy, Zomato, and through Anuradha’s Instagram presence, the cloud kitchen is growing its revenues by 50 percent annually.

Here's more: How this advertising professional-turned-chef is reviving the royal cuisine of Malwa

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

]]>
Rashmi PratapWed, 06 Mar 2024 00:06:38 +053041711594171159
<![CDATA[How this Jaipur professor set up Rs 1 crore mushroom business ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/how-jaipur-professor-annu-kanawat-set-up-rs-1-crore-mushroom-business-aamlda-organic-foods-bhilwara-4202203

When Annu Kanawat was working as an assistant professor of Agribusiness at a university in Jaipur, Rajasthan, she accompanied her students to Dehradun for a training programme. They went to a mushroom training centre where the students learned about its cultivation and processing. The visit familiarized Annu with a potential business opportunity, something she had been dreaming of for years. 

However, despite an entrepreneurial mind since childhood, she did not get any opportunity to realise her potential. 

“I come from a conservative upper-class family of Sisodia Rajputs in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The girls here are not very educated and I faced opposition when I expressed my desire to study after class 12th,” she says.

“However, since I was adamant, my family said if I get selected into a good university then they would allow me to study,” says Annu.

After her 12th, she appeared for the Rajasthan Joint Entrance Test (JET) for agriculture and secured the first position. Her family then allowed her to pursue a BSc from Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology in Udaipur. “After that, I was selected for an MBA in agribusiness management. During that period, an internship in Bayer CropScience in Gujarat opened my eyes to the possibilities of contract farming and other avenues of good income for farmers,” she says.

professor
Professor-turned-entrepreneur Annu Kanawat during a training programme. Pic: Aamlda Organic Foods

But before Annu could launch any enterprise, she was married in 2016. “My husband (Parakrama Singh) allowed me to work and I joined as an assistant professor in the university at Jaipur,” she says.

Also Read: How this Odisha man became a mushroom millionaire with Rs 36 investment; has trained over 10 lakh people

The seed of an idea

After the Dehradun trip in 2018, Annu decided to grow button mushrooms due to their large market potential and limited availability in Rajasthan. She began to research more about their cultivation. “I felt the process was easy. Some rooms were vacant at my maternal home in Amalda village, Bhilwara. I started my trial on a small scale there. I ordered spawns (seeds) of button mushroom online, and the produce was good,” she recollects.

She sold the mushrooms for Rs1.5 lakh but was not too happy with the long growth cycle. 

“Button mushrooms are ready in four months but the process is much shorter in oyster mushrooms, which are ready in 45 days. So I decided to cultivate the oyster variety,” she says.

Annu again procured the mushroom spawns online from Dehradun and made compost, the base for the growth of mushrooms, using locally available wheat straw. “I prepared 1,000 bags of oyster mushrooms. The production was good but before I could harvest them, the COVID-19 lockdown hit and I was left with a bumper crop left unsold,” she recollects.

annu kanawat
Annu Kanawat and her mushroom-based products. Pic: Aamlda Organic Foods

Since the markets were shut, Annu had to think about some method to use the produce. “I had read about the nutritional benefits of oyster mushrooms. So I dried them, made a powder and began giving it for free to women from our village,” Annu says. Soon, the women began to come back for more. 

Oyster mushrooms are rich in fibre, minerals, vitamins B and D, and other nutrients. High in antioxidants, they regulate blood sugar levels, improve heart health, and boost immunity. 

“Women suffering from aches or other health disorders reported rapid improvement in their condition due to the mushroom powder supplement. The results gave me the confidence to create a business out of it,” the woman entrepreneur says.

Also Read: Jaipur’s MBA dropout succeeds with mushroom seeds business; earns Rs13 lakh monthly revenues

The business of mushrooms

Annu took the trade mark for this first product – Shroom Lady, targeted at women and set off on her entrepreneurial journey with Aamlda Organic Foods and Research Centre, named after her village. “This product (Shroom Lady) is for women and comes in three variants – with beetroot and in chocolate and vanilla flavours. We have similar mushroom-based products for men and children,” she says. 

Her firm now offers 20 products, which are sold online through Aamlda’s Facebook and Instagram pages. “We will also start selling through our own website later this month,” Annu says.

oyster
Oyster mushrooms are ready in 45 days. Pic: Aamlda Organic Foods 

To expand her market and revenues, she will launch products using Cordyceps mushroom, which has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and is said to improve immunity and energy levels besides having other benefits.

“Cordyceps mushroom is currently sold in the Indian market at Rs3 lakh per kg. We are working on a low-cost technology to bring down the production cost. I am targeting to sell it at around Rs1.5 lakh per kg,” Annu says.

“Eventually, over time, I will try to bring down the price further,” she adds.

For processing, Annu procures mushrooms from 30 farmers across Rajasthan. “While 20 farmers grow regularly for us, we place orders with 10 farmers on a need basis,” she says.

Also Read: How this Gwalior professor became a successful mushroom entrepreneur

Aamlda Organic Foods has also received funding of Rs15 lakh from the Ministry of Agriculture’s RKVY-RAFTAAR Scheme, which focuses on the development of agriculture and allied sectors. “We will use the funds for marketing to expand our online presence,” she says.

Aamlda Organic Foods is targeting a turnover of Rs1 crore in the next fiscal. 

Empowering women and farmers

But for Annu, increasing revenues is not the primary goal. “I aim to empower as many women as possible and bring down costs of healthy foods so that more and more people can access them,” she says.

Currently, Aamlda Organics grows mushrooms for processing into products and also trains farmers in their cultivation. “I have trained over 1,000 people for free in oyster and button mushroom cultivation besides conducting certified training programmes for around 3,000 students. There is a fee of Rs1500 per person for students’ training. I don’t charge farmers, women and students from poor socio-economic backgrounds,” says Annu, who also gives training to students in the Central Government’s Navodaya Vidyalayas.

training
Students visiting Aamlda centre to learn about mushroom farming and processing. Pic: Aamlda Organic Foods

She encourages people towards mushroom entrepreneurship as it is a low-investment business and the market demand is good. 

“Anyone can start mushroom farming with an investment of less than Rs500,” she says.

“The rate of oyster spawn is Rs120 per kg and you can mix these seeds with wheat straw and create 10 bags of oyster mushrooms,” she says. The wheat straw is boiled and cooled and mushroom seeds are mixed into it. This mixture can be filled into 10 plastic bags. “After 45 days, the production will be around 30 kg of oyster mushrooms,” she says.

At a wholesale market rate of around Rs 350 per kg, the income will be over Rs10,000 with an investment of under Rs500. “This way, mushroom entrepreneurs can grow them for personal consumption and sharing with friends and family as well,” Annu points out. 

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: How two brothers in Agra earn Rs2 lakh daily from mushroom farming

Look up our YouTube Channel  

]]>
Rashmi PratapMon, 04 Mar 2024 00:20:06 +053041215844121584
<![CDATA[Organic pomegranates and Himalayan coolers ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/organic-pomegranates-himalayan-coolers-siali-leaf-plates-4188865

Dear Reader,
When it comes to retirement from work, I see two types of people. One is our young generation that dreams of amassing enough wealth to retire in their 40s, and the other is the older generation, in their 50s or 60s, that keeps planning what they will do after retirement. The youngsters are mostly people who have burned themselves out too soon. The elderlies have lived a more balanced life and are eager to continue some work in their twilight years.
My colleague Aruna spoke to one such person last week. Muttuluri Narasimhappa is a retired officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). At 74, he manages a farm and nursery of pomegranates in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. With organic farming, the dynamic farmer cultivates some of India’s best-quality fruits, which are exported as well. 
He had a gross income of Rs1 crore in the last year. But that’s not all. Narasimhappa has been responsible for several developmental activities in his village including construction of roads, post office, water supply through taps, better schooling for girls, and more. His story tells us that retirement is nothing but a state of mind. 
Somewhat similar is the case of Indira Chowfin, who makes artisanal preserves, sauces, coolers, chutneys and other items with her daughter Divya in Pauri, Uttarakhand. After Indira’s husband, who looked after their 40-acre jungle farm, passed away in 2014, the mother-daughter duo did not know how to use the farm’s natural produce like strawberries, plums, peaches etc. as they did not get the right rates in the local market, Divya told me.
Well-versed with handcrafting preservative-free items, Indira donned the chef’s hat and their startup Himalayan Haat now supplies their handmade food products across India. They employ local women who need a consistent income to support their households. In all, a win-win for all!
My colleague Niroj wrote about the rise of tribal micro-entrepreneurs in Odisha’s remote Nabarangpur district. For ages, tribal women have been making plates using the leaves of siali creepers. However, they stitched them manually and were also exploited by middlemen who paid them a pittance. 
With hand-holding by the local administration, the women are now using machines to make biodegradable siali leaf plates which are replacing plastic. Much sought after in India and overseas, these leaf plates are creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for thousands of tribal women.
Our Sunday story is on the beautiful but abandoned mansions of Sidhpur, Gujarat, built by the wealthy Dawoodi Bohra community in the bygone centuries. 
In the Money section, my colleague Karan has written about Balanced Advantage Funds (BAFs), which are a safer option for risk-averse equity investors who worry about high valuations and downside risks. He has listed the top five BAFs for investment right now.
Happy Reading!
Warmly,
Rashmi

74-year-old retired IRS officer finds his passion in organic pomegranate farming

How this mother-daughter duo built a farm-to-table startup in the Himalayas

Odisha’s tribal women stitch a bright future with siali leaf plates

The abandoned mansions of Sidhpur

Facebook
Twitter
Website
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
Pinterest
]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 03 Mar 2024 11:00:35 +053041132784113278
<![CDATA[The abandoned mansions of Sidhpur ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/the-abandoned-dawoodi-bohra-mansions-of-sidhpur-gujarat-european-architecture-4187475

The Sidhpur (also Siddhpur) town, around 103 km from Ahmedabad, is famous for its historic temples, water structures, and the abandoned mansions of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims. Situated on the left bank of the invisible Saraswati River in Patan, the town reached the pinnacle of prominence and glory during the reign of Gujarat's Solanki rulers.

During the rule of Solanki king Jaisingh Siddharaj (1094–1143), Dawoodi Bohra Muslims came to Gujarat from Yemen. They are a sect of followers of Islam who adhere to the Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought. This sect originated in Egypt and later shifted to Yemen. In Gujarat, they settled in what is now Hasanpura or old Sidhpur on the banks of the Saraswati River. They were mostly traders and farmers and as the community grew, the seat of the sect was moved from Yemen to Sidhpur in 1539. 

Dawoodi Bohras flourished in Sidhpur for almost a thousand years. When India was struck regularly by famine in the late 19th and early 20th century, the community’s religious leader at that time, Syedna Abdullah Badruddin, advised the Bohras of Sidhpur to leave their hometown in search of better trading and earning opportunities.

A slice of Europe

A sect within Shia Islam, the Dawoodi Bohra community is known for trading and business acumen. As they travelled to other parts of the world for trade, their finances soared. 

Also Read: Kalo Dungar: Gujarat’s magnetic hill where vehicles go up the slope

sidhpur 2
Mostly made of wood, the mansions have stuccoed facades, trellised balconies, & gabled roofs. Pic: Wikipedia

Alongside, during these trade travels, they saw the opulence and grandeur of Victorian architecture and replicated the same back home.

The small houses of Sidhpur became large mansions or havelis replete with features of European architecture, especially French and Italian influences.

These architectural elements have come to define Sidhpur’s aesthetic. Constructed primarily of wood, they boast stuccoed facades adorned with ornate pilasters, trellised balconies, and gabled roofs. The havelis have multiple windows and the row houses have three levels, including a basement which remains cool amid the scorching desert heat.

Also Read: Nalukettu: Kerala’s eco-friendly traditional homes

Each mansion facade is painted in a soft pastel hue - from pink and lilac to lime green and peach, evoking a charming ambience. Every facade bears an intricate monogram inscribed in Latin, showcasing the initials of the proud homeowners. Not surprisingly, Sidhpur is often referred to as ‘a slice of Europe’.

Today, however, the town is almost deserted with only a handful of people living in the mansions.

Most havelis are under caretakers or occupied by distant relatives of original owners who have shifted out for better educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

The later generations moved to bigger cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad, where they have carved a position of importance for themselves in fields beyond trade and business. 

Also Read: From India to Indonesia and Abu Dhabi, Hunnarshala’s artisans revive traditional building techniques

the initials of the proud homeowners
The initials of the homeowners are inscribed on each mansion. Pic: Wikipedia

But their ancestral havelis in Sidhpur are now reeling under the vagaries of time. The paint is chipping off, most structures are creaking and a lack of use has made most mansions a relic of the past. The streets are also deserted just like the opulent mansions. Sidhpur is, however, a destination for tourists who want to know more about the old town.

The Dawoodi Bohras are well-educated, thriving business people and well-to-do professionals in numerous fields. Despite their presence in Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and some other places, they consider Surat in Gujarat their base. India is home to over 5 lakh Dawoodi Bohras, the majority of whom live in Gujarat even today. But surprisingly, Sidhpur is not their preferred home anymore.

Also Read: Bhunga: The 200-year-old earthquake-resistant mud houses of Kutch

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 03 Mar 2024 00:09:39 +053041079324107932
<![CDATA[Odisha’s tribal women stitch a bright future with siali leaf plates ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/odishas-tribal-women-stitch-a-bright-future-with-siali-leaf-plates-biodegradable-sustainable-4148517

It’s just dawn and Ganachi Majhi, a Bothra tribal living in the Semla village of Nabarangpur, Odisha, is already out for work. She reaches the nearby forest of Ampani Ghati and starts plucking the leaves of ‘siali’ (Bauhinia vahlii), a creeper that typically grows around Sal trees. She continues to collect the large-sized leaves till afternoon after which she returns home. 

Then Ganachi starts stitching together leaves to make khali (plate) and dana (bowl/cup). Like her, tribal women from 100 families in her village make ecofriendly leaf plates and bowls to supplement their family income. “The men folk in our village mostly work as labourers or have migrated to earn more. We stitch the khali and dana to earn some extra income,” says Ganachi.

Nabarangpur is a tribal-dominated area with limited livelihood opportunities and siali leaf plate making is one of them. The consistent income from making biodegradable leaf plates, which are a sustainable alternative to plastic, is improving the lives of tribal people. About a decade back, these women would sell a bundle of 100 leaf plates at Rs 50 (or 50 paise per plate) and bowls at 25 paise a piece. 

Also Read: Vistaraku: How Telangana’s start-up is taking traditional Indian leaf plates to the world

From unorganized to organized

At that time, the work was unorganized and the uneducated women were exploited by traders, who further sold the products at more than double the rates. Due to limited market opportunities, the women accepted whatever came their way.

“Earlier, we used to stitch 100 to 150 khali and 75 to 100 dana per day and earn about Rs80. It was difficult to make ends meet,” says Ganachi.

In 2012-13, Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) entered the scene. “It encouraged us to form an all-women group Matru Shakti Producer Enterprises (MSPE) in Semla and that helped us to get the right market rate,” says MSPE president Swapnabati Nayak.

Tribal women making siali leaf plates in Odisha
Tribal women with siali leaf plates. Pic: Courtesy Niroj R Misra

MSPE comprises over 250 women members from seven adjoining villages under the Papadahandi block. They have now switched over to sewing machines for making khali and dana which has increased production rate and also boosted their income. 

Also Read: This Kerala-based geologist is making edible & biodegradable cutlery to replace single-use plastic

“We have installed 50 sewing machines that cost Rs 5,500 each and a pressing machine for Rs 1.2 lakh for MSPE. This machine helps make moulded (buffet) plates,” says Allaka Uma Mahesh, the deputy chief executive officer of ORMAS, Nabarangpur.

Now every MSPE member earns over Rs7,500 per month.

The MSPE production centre makes revenues of around Rs 35,000 per month. The centre’s earning is reinvested in the purchase of leaves from non-members when demand for khali and dana shoots up and the collection of leaves is inadequate. “MSPE buys good quality leaves for use throughout the year,” says Chitrasen Majhi, MSPE’s ‘Sanjog Sathi’ (cluster coordinator), who belongs to the Bothra tribe. 

siali leaves and plates
Siali leaves and the plates. Pic: ORMAS 

While MSPE has scripted its success story in Semla, ORMAS is planning to replicate it in four villages under the Chandahandi and Tentulikhunti blocks of Nabarangpur.  

“The MSPE has its production-cum-raw material bank in Nabarangpur where beneficiaries, called swarojgaris (self-employed persons), make leaf products and store them,” he added. 

Also Read: Tamul’s areca nut leaf plates travel from Assam to the world as plastic ban gets stronger

Siali leaf plates and tribal culture

Tribals collect leaves between April and November, as their quality, texture and durability deteriorate between December and March. Siali creeper’s bark is used to tie the collected leaves and store them for future use. 

“Nearly 100 MSPE members collect and stitch leaf plates while about 50 are involved in stacking and packing them,” says Chitrasen.

The dana or bowl made from leaves of sal trees (Shorea robusta) and siali creepers is closely associated with tribal culture and religious ceremonies. Tribal priests, called dehuri, use dana of sal leaves in puja during harvest time and on festivals like Chata Parab. “It is also used during festive feasts and special occasions like the ceremonies around childbirth,” says Chitrasen.

Oramas
An ORMAS official demonstrating leaf plate making to tribal women, including from Bonda tribe who
came from Malkangiri to Nabarangpur on an exposure visit. Pic: ORMAS 

Tribals dry the leaves in the shade in the open for a day or two before using them to make plates and bowls or cups “We never dry leaves in a place that receives direct sunlight, as it affects their quality, texture and durability,” says MSPE secretary Bhabani Majhi. 

Minor forest produce

“Siali and sal leaves come under minor forest produce (MFP) that also includes tamarind, mahua and kusuma seeds, jhuna, honey, guggal and shatavari herb. So their collection by tribals is exempted from restrictions,” says Nabarangpur’s divisional forest officer (DFO) Suvendu Prasad Behera.

Each MSPE member makes 400 to 500 khali and 300 to 350 dana per day with sewing and pressing machines. 

Also Read: Katul: The craft beer of Odisha’s Kutia Kondh tribe

Loose siali leaves alone fetch 20 paise per piece. Food stalls, small hotels and restaurants purchase loose leaves to serve dry snacks to their customers. Even street vendors sell sukhua (dried and salted fish) on leaves. A roughly stitched plate sells at 60 paise, while the price of bhoji khali or feast plate is 80 paise. “A machine stitched plate sells for a rupee to Rs 1.20 at the local market. However, traders sell each plate at Rs 1.50 in adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh,” says Bhabani.

ORMAS OFFICIALS
ORMAS officials with leaf plates and their makers. Pic: ORMAS

ORMAS also plays the role of a mediator in the sale of leaf plates to Hyderabad-based Annapurna Cottage Industries and Srinivasan Enterprise. They purchase nearly 30,000 buffet plates and 50,000 loose plates in two phases -- between September and January and April to July.

“Tribal people are also provided with stalls at fairs and festivals within and outside the district to sell their leaf products,” says Mahesh. Siali leaves are available at the border between Papadahandi and Tentulikhunti blocks. The forest department in cooperation with NGOs should plant siali creepers, particularly in degraded forest areas in all 10 blocks of the district which will help bring about a substantial upturn in tribals’ income, he adds

“Leaf plates are eco-friendly and have immense export potential, as their demand is said to be increasing in several European countries. So the forest department should plant siali creepers along with other native trees under its afforestation programmes,” says Ishwar Sabut, the chairman of NGO Gram Vikash Sangathan in Nabarangpur district headquarters. 

DFO Behera of Nabarangpur admits that the plantation of siali creepers is yet to be included in his department’s afforestation programmes. They will be included in the afforestation drive from next fiscal, he says.

(Niroj Ranjan Misra a Cuttack-based freelance writer. He writes on rural and tribal life, social issues, art and culture, and sports)

Also Read: Two friends, Rs 20,000 investment and Rs 23 crore leaf plate business

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:21:19 +053040742374074237
<![CDATA[Best balanced advantage funds to invest in right now ]]>https://30stades.com/money/best-balanced-advantage-funds-hybrid-funds-for-investment-in-right-now-4115036

Equity valuations in India are rising again after some moderation in the second half of 2022 and the first half of the 2023 calendar year. For example, the benchmark BSE Sensex is valued currently at nearly 25 times its trailing 12-month earnings per share.

In comparison, the index valuation had fallen to a low of 21X in the second half of the 2022 calendar year. The BSE Mid and small-cap indices are even more richly valued at trailing price-to-earnings multiples of around 27.5X and 32X, respectively. Incremental or fresh investment in equities at higher valuation increases the downside risk for investors. While domestic investors remain bullish on equities despite higher valuation, quite a few investors have been deterred by a sharp rise in valuation in the last three months.

They are waiting on the fence for a decline in valuation to make a fresh investment in equities. In simple words, this is called market timing or buying on dips. If you can get the timing right, this strategy can generate superlative profits, but investors also run the risk of missing the bus if the stock prices rally further from current levels. In the past, the Sensex earnings multiple has gone up to as high as 29X in the pre-Covid period and 35X during the post-Covid period.

A safer option for risk-averse investors is to invest in hybrid funds or balanced advantage funds (BAF).

While these funds invest in stocks and shares like regular equity mutual funds, they mitigate the downside risk by shorting a part of their exposure in equities. 

For example, if a BAF has invested 60 percent of its corpus in equities, 20 percent of it may be in the firm's short or sell position in the futures or option segment. So the net long-position in equity for the fund will be only 40 percent. The ratio of long to short position equities is dynamic and based on the internal valuation model of the fund house or the fund manager. Besides, these funds also invest in bonds, fixed-income assets, and even gold. This ensures these funds perform better than pure or long-only equity mutual funds during a market correction. Overall, the year-on-year returns from BAF are steadier and less volatile than other equity funds.

This doesn't mean that balanced advantage funds have given sub-par returns to their investors in the past.

In the last five years, balanced advantage funds have given annualised returns of 11.7 percent to investors on average which is quite impressive considering their low-risk profile.

In the last year, 21 BAFs under operations have delivered 23.7 percent returns, at par with the rise in the BSE Sensex during the period. The top-performing BAFs have done even better and have beaten the benchmark thanks to their hybrid investment style where they try to make money on both sides of the market movement.

Also Read: Five top-performing retirement mutual funds

Here are the top five balanced advantage funds that have delivered the highest and the most consistent returns to their investors in the last five years. These funds also score highs in terms of risk-adjusted return parameters such as the Sharpe Ratio and the Sortino Ratio.

1. At the top of our list is HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund, the category leader and one of the biggest equity schemes in the county with assets under management (AUM) of nearly Rs 77,000 crore currently. It has been one of the top-performing funds with 41.1 percent returns in the last one-year and 5-year compounded annual returns (CAGR) of 19.84 per cent higher than many pure equity schemes.

2. Baroda BNP Paribas Balanced Advantage Fund is second best in our list with 26.7 per cent returns in the last one-year and 5-year CAGR returns of 15.8 per cent. The fund with an AUM of around Rs 3700 crore also scores high on Sharpe and Sortino ratio.

3. Tata Balanced Advantage Fund is next on our list with a 23.4 per cent return in the last one-year and 5-year CAGR returns of 13.3 percent. The fund currently has an AUM of around Rs 8500 crore.

Also Read: Best fixed deposit (FD) options for investors right now

4. Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund is the fourth best fund in its category in our list. The fund with an AUM of around Rs 10,350 crore currently has delivered 25.2 per cent returns in the last 12 months and has given annualised returns of 15 per cent in the last 5 years.

5. ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund is the fifth and the last fund on our list. It is one of the oldest funds in the category with an AUM of Rs 54,000 currently and has been a consistent performer in the past. The fund has delivered 21.3 per cent returns in the last one-year and annualised returns of 13.5 per cent on average in the last five years.

Happy Investing!

(Karan Deo Sharma is a Mumbai-based finance and equity markets specialist).

Also Read: Ten small-cap stocks that could shine in 2024

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Karan Deo SharmaThu, 29 Feb 2024 01:05:20 +053040418464041846
<![CDATA[How this mother-daughter duo built a farm-to-table startup in the Himalayas ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-this-mother-daughter-indira-divya-chowfin-built-farm-to-table-startup-himalayan-haat-in-pauri-uttarakhand-4052209

When Divya Chowfin was studying at St. Stephen's College in Delhi (2003-08), she struggled to find jams, squashes and condiments made from real fruit as her mother, Indira, prepared back home in Pauri, Uttarakhand. She made them with fruits harvested from their jungle farm in the Himalayas without any preservatives or food additives.

In contrast, the products in retail stores were full of artificial flavours and colours and nowhere close to the taste Divya had grown up with. “So every time I visited my parents during those 10 years when I was studying and then working in Delhi, I always lugged back jams and condiments for my friends and colleagues,” she recollects.

Today, Divya and Indira are shipping preserves, sauces, coolers, chutneys, herbs, seasoned salts and herbal teas across India for food connoisseurs who value handmade products straight from farm to their tables. 

The duo works with local women, who have traditionally run their households by rearing cattle or working as farm labour with little or no support from their husbands.

The 40-acre farm, named Marrora (the local word for a place with abundant water) was set up in the 1960s by Divya’s father the late Ronnie Chowfin, an agriculture graduate. He passed away in December 2014, leaving behind a lush green jungle farm, orchard and forest. He was instrumental in forest conservation, putting out the annual forest fires and practising regenerative natural farming without using any chemical inputs.

fruit himalayan haat
Himalayan Haat sources naturally grown fruits and herbs from its jungle farm Marrora. Pic: Himalayan Haat

“About 30 acres is the forest and the rest is used for farming,” says Divya. Marrora is home to strawberries, citrus fruit, walnuts, pears, peaches, plums, and apricots, herbs like rosemary, chamomile, lemongrass, bay leaf, and seasonal vegetables like peas, tomatoes, chillis and garlic. The natural springs in Marrora supply water to 14 nearby villages before merging into the Alaknanda River.

Setting up a startup

After her father’s demise, Divya and her mother, a retired school teacher, realised they were struggling with fresh, naturally-grown produce which did not have buyers due to a lack of market linkages. “I had got married in 2013 and I and my husband, moved back from Delhi to Pauri in 2015 to look after the farm. There was no market for this produce. My mother would just distribute fruits and her preserves among friends, who loved them,” says Divya, a mother of two.

Also Read: How this CA set up Rs 50 lakh food business with Rs 1 lakh investment

“We realised that as a farmer, market linkages were challenging due to lack of transport and infrastructure facilities in the mountains,” she says.

“The rate for our produce we got in the local market did not cover even the transport cost. So we could either let the fruits rot or distribute or make jams,” the woman entrepreneur says.

The duo decided to address this challenge through food processing. “We thought of converting the fresh produce into handmade preservative-free products with a good shelf life that can be transported everywhere,” Divya says.

work in the kitchen
Women working in the farm kitchen of Himalayan Haat. Pic: Himalayan Haat

Indira, who had inherited some family recipes, also developed her own formulas to create a wide range of products for the food business. They hired two women to help them with cutting and chopping in their farm kitchen in 2015. That was the beginning of Himalayan Haat – their Pauri-based social enterprise that brings farm produce to urban households while empowering women.

Their first batch comprised 50 bottles of pear cinnamon preserve, which Divya put in her car and took to her friends and former colleagues in Delhi. 

“I would take the bottles of preserves and coolers in my car to Delhi and soon the brand name spread through word of mouth. We then started with one retailer in Delhi in 2016 and another one in 2017,” Divya says.

Also Read: Cerana Meads: How two women entrepreneurs set up one of India’s first meaderies in Nashik

Taking artisanal products from farm to tables

The food startup sells directly through its website, via marketplace Amazon and about 40 retailers across India. “When we started, we couldn’t ship from Pauri due to logistics issues. I also had to buy glass bottles from Delhi for packaging and drive back to the hills. Now, we can ship from the farm to across India and the bottles are also available easily,” Divya says. The social enterprise had revenues of Rs33 lakh last year.

“Everything at Himalayan Haat is made using mountain produce.”

The enterprise also procures produce from other marginal natural farmers in nearby villages. Himalayan Haat products are made using organic khand (unrefined sugar with natural molasses) from a farmer group near Hardwar, Divya points out.

indira
Indira Chowfin working in the kitchen with her staff. Pic: Himalayan Haat

They make fruit preserves (with fruit chunks) in various flavours like strawberry, spiced peach, and pear cinnamon, malta marmalade etc. Himalayan Haat’s coolers, made with plum, apricot, buransh (deep vermillion Rhododendron flower) and other fresh produce are high in fruit content. They are made using only fruit, lemon juice, and khand. The other products include herbs, apple cider vinegar, and condiments like plum chutney and chilli sauce.

“All the products are free of preservatives, colours and agents. We continue to focus on environment and sustainability just as my father did,” she says. 

Himalayan Haat uses pine needles and leaves for packaging its products instead of thermocol. “Ours is a sustainable and manageable farm brand where every product is handmade. We are growing our online presence to cater to our fast-growing customer base,” Divya says.

Also Read: Chemical engineer’s healthy food startup finds global buyers, empowers rural women

Women empowerment

Divya recollects that when the business picked up and they needed to hire more people, 12 women turned up, but they had work available for only two. “A fight broke out among them as they all needed work. With a lack of employment opportunities in the hills, high levels of migration and rampant alcoholism, women run the households and need a stable income,” she says.

products himalayan haat
All the products are free of preservatives and additives. Pic: Himalayan Haat

That’s when Divya and Indira decided to create jobs for women. Himalayan Haat now works with a core team of 25 women and more are hired for extra work seasonally. The women work for four hours a day and earn Rs5,000 to Rs7,000 per month, depending on the work. “We give them flexibility in terms of time and aim to empower as many women as possible,” she says.

Sonam, who has been working with Himalayan Haat for some years, says: “I don’t have to go far into the forest anymore for grass as I can collect it from the farm. I am in charge of the sterilizing, filling and canning the bottles.”

Babita started working at Himalayan Haat when there were many financial problems at her home. “Today, things are stable and I can give my daughters a good education. I take care of the drying, mixing and filling of the different herbal teas,” she says.

Divya and Indira are glad that they can sustainably grow a handcrafted food brand while empowering women in the Himalayas.

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: Couple quits Singapore jobs to set up successful artisanal jams business in the Himalayas

Look up our YouTube Channel  

]]>
Rashmi PratapWed, 28 Feb 2024 00:22:37 +053039863313986331
<![CDATA[74-year-old retired IRS officer finds his passion in organic pomegranate farming ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/retired-irs-officer-muttuluri-narasimhappa-does-organic-pomegranate-farming-andhra-pradesh-1-crore-income-3999127

In 1966, when Muttuluri Narasimhappa was in class 12, he was instrumental in bringing electricity to parts of his village Narasimhapalli in Andhra Pradesh. Again, in the late 1980s, he asked himself: “What have I done for my village?” By then he was an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He was responsible for several developmental activities in his village including bringing roads, bus service, post office, drinking water supply through taps, community toilets, better schooling for girls, and facilities for silk weavers. 

If you are wondering what all this has got to do with pomegranate farming, here is the answer: It is his commitment to giving back to his village that prompted the dynamic 74-year-old to plunge into farming after retirement. 

“I am from an agricultural background. My father and grandfather were actively involved in farming,” says Narasimhappa.  

“It is the income my family obtained from farming that was responsible for my education and my joining the IRS. Agriculture and the village had enabled me to get a good job. After I retired in 2009, I wanted to find a reason to keep going back to my village,” he says. 

Not only did he feel he owed a debt to the agricultural sector, but he also wanted to use his education and network to bring in improvements in farming and help other farmers adopt the latest techniques too. He had land in the village which he did not want to sell. He decided to get back to farming and connect with his village.

Ideal crop

Narasimhappa chose pomegranate farming for two reasons. Anantapur district where his village lies is one of the driest regions of the country. And, pomegranate is a desert crop that is sustainable even with limited rainwater. In fact, heavy soil that retains water is not good for the plant.  

Also Read: How organic fruit farming made Rajasthan’s Santosh Devi a millionaire

ideal crop of pomegranates
Muttuluri Narasimhappa grows pomegranates over 16 acres in Anantapur. Pic: Courtesy of M Narasimhappa

Secondly, pomegranate is a high-value crop. Being rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre, pomegranates are in high demand among health-conscious segments of people.  Also, the limited rain had advantages – the crop would be less vulnerable to pests and diseases. 

Today, he cultivates pomegranates on 16 acres of land. Last year he realised a gross revenue of Rs 1 crore (net revenue was Rs 70 lakhs).

He cultivates two varieties ‘Bhagwa’ and ‘Super Bhagwa’ and the cost varies from Rs 50 to Rs 120 per kg depending on the demand and supply conditions, he says. The older ‘Ganesh’ variety has lost its market. Narasimhappa spends at least one week every month at the farm where he also grows millets and groundnuts.  He was honoured with the ‘Grama Pragathi Puraskaram’ (rural development award) in 2016.

Also Read: This 29-year-old grows organic exotic fruits in his backyard, gets bumper crops

Organic pomegranate nursery

“The first thing I needed was disease-free saplings. Initially, in 2010, I bought 9,000 saplings from a friend who had a farm near Mysore at Rs 20 per sapling. I could transport a lorryload as I was buying a large number of plants. But what would smaller farmers do?” he says.

“I decided to set up a nursery for my own needs and to supply to smaller farmers.  Today, apart from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, our saplings are sold in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” he says.

The septuagenarian finds it very satisfying to supply quality plants to farmers at reasonable rates. “Our  nursery supplies for around 2,000 acres of land,” he adds. 

NURSERY OF POMEGRANTES
Farmers from four states buy pomegranate plants from his nursery. Pic: Courtesy of M Narasimhappa

During COVID-19, the nursery activities were discontinued. It is now being revived. Currently, it is two acres in size. Last year, 45,000 saplings were sold with each sapling priced at Rs 30. 

The saplings are developed without using chemicals using the ‘air layer’ method. As a result, their survival rate is more than 90 percent when transplanted in the orchards, he explains. 

Annually, the nursery produces 4 lakh saplings which are protected in a shade net.  

Also Read: Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

The initial investment in the pomegranate cultivation venture was Rs 2 lakh per acre. This included not just the plants and other materials but also the capital investment in a borewell, large tank to store water (where the fluoride would collect at the bottom while the plants would get pumped water from the top free of fluoride), drip irrigation, a work shed for storage, and fencing, he says.  

According to him, the first crop can be harvested after 18 months. On average, the yield can be expected to be 10 kg per plant.

Organic farming practices

Narasimhappa has adopted chemical-free and livestock-based farming practices. As a result, the fruit cultivated is very sweet and tasty. He visited the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth at Rahuri in Maharashtra, a large research institute, and learnt improved practices for growing pomegranates. The Super Bhagwa variety ripens sooner and has better seeds, he says.  

Many of the organic farming practices he uses are ancient Indian techniques focused on cow dung and cow urine.  

He has a gaushala (shelter and care centre for cows) on his farm with around 15 cows. It is hard work to adopt organic practices but it is worth it in terms of quality of fruit harvest and health considerations, says the dedicated farmer.  He describes some of the organic practices:

Mixing tank silt with farmyard manure: Tank silt is available easily and is rich in nutrients. When he was a child, it would be brought in bullock carts to be used on farms. Today, it is transported in tractors. The tank silt is added to the farmyard manure. Farmyard manure is very expensive. So by adding tank silt, quantity can be increased.

Also Read: Shifting from cotton to mushroom farming increases Haryana farmer’s profit ten times

harvest
Workers sorting and packaging pomegranates after harvest. Pic: Courtesy of M Narasimhappa

Spraying waste decomposer: Waste decomposer is sprayed on the mixture of tank silt and farmyard manure for quicker decomposition. 

Spraying of Jeevamrut: Jeevamrut is made with cow dung, cow urine, water, gram flour, jaggery, and some soil (so that the soil organisms can get into the mixture). It is then fermented and filtered to get a clear liquid. It is an elixir for plants, says Narasimhappa. 

Charcoal waste: This is collected and added to enrich the soil with carbon.

Vermicompost: This is prepared on the farm with waste material, cow urine and earthworms. 

Fish amino acids: Waste fish parts are rich in amino acids. They are ground and fermented with jaggery. The liquid is sprayed on plants and acts as organic urea.   

Fish waste pesticide: Fish waste mixed with cow urine is sprayed on plants. That keeps away fruit flies and parrots from the pomegranate fruits. 

Neem pesticide: Neem leaves added to cow urine is also used as a pesticide. It is filtered and sprayed on the plants. 

‘Dashaparni’: This is an organic pesticide made of leaves which are poisonous to pests. More than ten types of poisonous leaves are collected and fermented for 45 days. The filtered liquid is sprayed on the plants and it wards off most of the pests.   

These three biopesticides are used to protect the plants instead of using chemicals. 

manure unit
All the organic inputs are prepared on the farm. Pic: Courtesy of M Narasimhappa

High in sweetness

The pomegranate harvest is sold to one big player -- Sam Agritek Ltd -- a Hyderabad-based company, which exports the fruit and seeds of the pomegranate. “They have tested our fruit and found it very high in sweetness. We do not directly export. We also sell in the wholesale market. Traders also come to the farm and purchase our produce,” says Narasimhappa. 

His advice for young farmers is not to lose heart. “Don’t think agriculture or horticulture is not remunerative. Choose a good lucrative crop that will give a good income. There is lots of money in horticulture and ancillary fields. Also, keep yourself updated. There is so much research going on. Keep experimenting and adopt the latest practices. Of course, you must be passionate about farming,” he says. 

(Aruna Raghuram is a freelance journalist based in Ahmedabad. She writes on women’s issues, environment, DEI issues, and social/development enterprises.)

Also Read: Engineer quits US job to cultivate exotic fruits in TN, earns four times more per acre than traditional fruits

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Aruna RaghuramMon, 26 Feb 2024 14:09:01 +053039269383926938
<![CDATA[Harvesting luxury and blueberries ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/harvesting-luxury-and-growing-blueberries-areca-leaf-plate-business-3990972

Dear Reader,
About 60 percent of India’s population depends on farming for livelihood. They feed millions of stomachs but barely have enough for themselves. Not surprisingly, the word farmer conjures up the image of a dhoti-clad tired man toiling in the fields, miles away from technology and urban glitz.
However, today’s young and educated farmers are breaking away from that image, using the latest gadgets, technology and apps to increase the yield, sell at higher rates and earn more. This week, we have featured two people – a lawyer and a hotel management graduate – rolling in money with farming.
My colleague Chandhini spoke to Sujith SP, who was filmed while driving his Audi A4 luxury sedan to the local market to sell spinach last year. The video clip went viral and Sujith is glad it did because he is working to change people’s perception towards farmers and agriculture. Farmers can earn enough to live a luxurious life!
A hotel management graduate, he grows vegetables, flowers and paddy using organic and precision farming in Alleppey, Kerala. He deploys efficient farming techniques to boost production and uses social media for marketing and knowledge-sharing. He shared the secret of his success with Chandhini, who has put it all down in her story. Do read it.
If you are among those who watch their calories and incorporate superfoods in your diet, then you must have eaten blueberries. Rich in fibre, nutrition and antioxidants, blueberries are imported into India as the climate in most parts of the country is not conducive to their cultivation. 
Keya Salot, a corporate lawyer who wanted to be an urban farmer, is now growing blueberries and raspberries in Talegaon, Pune. She quit her job for the love of farming and imports blueberry and raspberry saplings conducive to cultivation in India, she told me. 
Keya uses tunnel farming to create the right conditions for their growth and is expecting 1.35 lakh tonnes of berries this year! She supplies to all of India’s major retailers and hotel chains. As I always say, the combo of education and farming is quite unbeatable!
When Amardeep Bardhan and Vaibhav Jaiswal were pursuing their higher education (MBA), they participated in a business plan contest. Their idea was to make eco-friendly plates from areca palm leaves, and it bagged the first prize in the inter-college competition. 
Before completing their course, the duo began working with some areca palm leaf makers in Tinsukia, Assam. They invested Rs20,000 in getting new dyes and moulds for making trendy leaf plates and started selling them in north India. Today, Prakritii sells leaf plates worth Rs23 crore annually. About 50% of sales come from exports. They are expecting Rs25 crore in revenues in FY25.
My colleague Riya has written a piece on five ways you can buy genuine organic seeds in India. Don’t miss it if you love gardening or farming.
Our Sunday story is on Kalo Dungar, Gujarat’s magnetic hill where vehicles go up the slope!
And in the Money section, my colleague Karan has written a piece to help you choose between buying and renting a house. So if you are the one sitting on the fence, this article will help you choose the right course of action.
Happy Reading! 
Warmly,
Rashmi

Kerala's ‘farmer with an Audi’ shares the secret of his success

Lawyer quits job to grow raspberry and blueberry in Pune; gets bumper harvest

Two friends, Rs 20,000 investment and Rs 23 crore leaf plate business

Five ways to buy genuine organic seeds in India

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 25 Feb 2024 11:01:23 +053039216573921657
<![CDATA[Kalo Dungar: Gujarat’s magnetic hill where vehicles go up the slope ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/kalo-dungar-kutch-gujarats-magnetic-hill-where-vehicles-go-up-the-slope-india-pak-border-3990214

The highest point in Kutch, Gujarat, is Kalo Dungar, where vehicles seem to defy gravity and go up the slope instead of coming down. A car or bus or any other vehicle, if left out of gear (neutral), will roll up the slope, as has been witnessed by lakhs of travellers so far.

In the Kutchi language, the word 'Kalo' means black and 'dungar' is hill, translating into the Black Hill. Located at 462 m (1,516 ft) above sea level, Kalo Dungar is about 97 km from Bhuj and is the only place offering a panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch – the world’s largest salt crust desert with mesmerizing hues.

One can walk to the edge of the hill and look over at the sprawling desert landscape that changes colours as the day progresses and the sun sets behind the mountains. Visitors can shop at the local shops, which sell handmade and traditional handicrafts of Kutch. Tourists can also opt for a camel ride around the area.

Since Kalo Dungar is just about 40 km from the India-Pakistan border, there is an Army post at the top beyond which only military personnel are allowed. The area comes under the jurisdiction of the army.

Also Read: Mainpat: The Shimla of Chhatisgarh where water flows upwards

kalo dungar
A mesmerizing view of the Rann of Kutch from Kalo Dungar. Pic: Flickr

The history and science behind the uphill phenomenon 

In the afternoon of December 24, 2010, a resident of the Kalo or Kala Dungar hill area reported witnessing vehicles rolling downhill in neutral gear. Later in the evening, the collector of Kachchh (also Kutch) visited the site and confirmed the phenomenon. 

He noted that over a stretch of about 4 km, vehicles rolled uphill in neutral gear, reaching speeds of 70-80 km per hour and smoothly crossing over bumps along the way.

Then a team from the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), the Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar; and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur studied the phenomenon. The team concluded that the vehicles pick up speed because the slope is steeper than it appears to the traveller.

Also Read: Lambasingi: South India’s only hill station where it snows

sunset
Sunset from Kalo Dungar. Pic: Gujarat Tourism

So Kalo Dungar's magnetic hill creates an optical illusion where the vehicle seems to defy gravity. In a gravity hill or magnetic hill, the layout of the surrounding land produces an optical illusion, making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope. 

The main reason behind the illusion is a completely or partly obstructed horizon. Kalo Dungar is the highest point in Kutch. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the Great Rann of Kutch, and the desert and sky often become indistinguishable. 

Without a horizon, it becomes difficult for a person to judge the slope of a surface, as a reliable reference is missing. Even things typically presumed to stand more or less perpendicular to the ground, like trees, might be tilted, disrupting the visual alignment.

Dattatreya Temple

Kalo Dungar is also renowned for its 400-year-old Dattatreya temple. According to legend, when Dattatreya walked the earth, he halted at the Black Hills and encountered a group of starving jackals. Being a deity, he offered them his body to consume, and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. 

dattatreya
Dattatreya Temple at Kalo Dungar. Pic: Wikimedia Commons

As a result, for the last 400 years, the temple priest has been preparing a prasad of cooked rice, which is offered to the jackals after the evening aarti. In an arid land with limited resources, the beauty of nature persists along with the kindness of sharing food with others.

 Also Read: Udaigiri caves: A repository of ancient shrines and mythological tales

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 25 Feb 2024 00:12:21 +053039177593917759
<![CDATA[Five ways to buy genuine organic seeds in India ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/five-ways-to-buy-genuine-organic-seeds-in-india-farmers-market-seed-savers-exchange-3985469

Organic or native seeds are the backbone of organic farming. Native seeds adapt to a region’s climate over a long period of time. So they are naturally resistant to pests, can withstand natural calamities better and even require less water for growth. Importantly, native organic seeds can be saved for use in the next season, unlike hybrid varieties. As a result, they seeds reduce costs for farmers and gardeners. 

The use of organic and native seeds in the country is intertwined with agricultural practices and cultural traditions.

India has a long history of traditional farming practices where farmers saved seeds from their own harvests for the next planting season. This practice ensured that seeds were adapted to local conditions and preserved the biodiversity of crops.

In the 1960s, the Green Revolution, which aimed to increase agricultural productivity through the adoption of modern technologies, promoted high-yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. This led to the displacement of traditional seed-saving practices and the adoption of hybrid and genetically modified seeds.

With growing concerns about environmental sustainability and health, there has been a resurgence of interest in organic farming practices. Organic farming promotes the usage of natural inputs and prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Efforts are underway to conserve native seed varieties that are well-adapted to local climates and conditions and bring down the cost of cultivation for growers. 

The Indian government has also initiated several programmes to promote organic farming and conserve native seeds. Like the National Programme on Organic Farming (NPOF) provides support and incentives to farmers transitioning to organic practices. Here are five ways to choose genuine organic seeds for gardening or farming:

1. Seed Swapping and Exchanges

One can join local gardening communities or online forums where gardeners exchange seeds. This is a cost-effective way to acquire organic seeds while also engaging with fellow growers. Websites like Seed Savers Exchange facilitate seed swapping on a global scale. Domestically, Navdanya's Seed Tribunal and Bija Yatras (seed march) organise seed fairs and seed exchange programmes.  Many state governments and local NGOs also periodically organise seed exchange programmes to promote organic seed conservation.

2. Local Organic Farmers' Markets

Visit local organic farmers' markets or organic farming cooperatives in your area. Farmers and gadeners often sell organic seeds directly to consumers at reasonable prices. Buying locally not only supports small-scale organic farmers but also ensures the freshness and authenticity of the seeds. Like V Priya Rajnarayanan, an MBA and seed saver from Tirupur, has conserved over 500 varieties of native vegetable seeds and gives them free to farmers and gardeners. 

3. Government Agricultural Departments

Many state agricultural departments in India promote organic farming practices and may provide subsidies or assistance for purchasing organic seeds. The Himachal Pradesh government is setting up a seed bank to save traditional seeds of vegetables, grains, cereals and other crops and will provide them free of cost to farmers. You can contact your local agricultural department or research agricultural programmes that support organic farming initiatives.

4. Online Organic Seed Retailers

Many online retailers specializing in organic seeds have come up in the last decade. Some of them include Seed Basket, Pabhoi Greens and Hariyalee Seed. They offer a wide range of organic seeds at competitive prices. They either conserve them directly in their farms or procure from organic farmers. Since they sell across India, one can buy easily.

5. Seed Banks and Non-Profit Organizations

Many seed banks and non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving indigenous and heirloom seed varieties are working in India. Organizations such as Navdanya and the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) often distribute organic seeds to farmers and individuals interested in sustainable agriculture at affordable rates. Navdanya has set up 150 community seed banks to promote the use of native seeds.

Vrihi is South Asia’s largest open-access rice gene bank with seeds from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Philippines, Italy and other countries. Organic paddy growers can reach out to the founder Debal Deb who has saved 1480 indigenous varieties.

When purchasing organic seeds, always look for certifications such as India Organic, USDA Organic, or other recognized organic standards to ensure the seeds are genuine and free from harmful chemicals. Additionally, consider factors like seed variety, adaptability to your local climate, and specific gardening needs when making your purchase.

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

Also Read: Seven ways to sell organic farm produce without going to mandis

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Riya SinghSat, 24 Feb 2024 00:03:27 +053039125183912518
<![CDATA[Kerala's ‘farmer with an Audi’ shares the secret of his success ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/keralas-farmer-with-an-audi-sujith-sp-shares-success-secret-organic-precision-farming-3971517

In 2023, Sujith SP, a farmer from Alleppey, Kerala, garnered national attention as he drove his Audi to the local market to sell spinach. Although unaware that this would go massively viral, Sujith is delighted because that video has reshaped the image of farmers. 

"Traditionally, farmers remind us of an elderly person struggling in his fields. I'm pleased that people now know of the new Indian farmer, a young, happy person carrying the baton forward," Sujith tells 30 Stades, beaming with pride. 

With almost a decade of experience in farming and a thriving social media presence, 37-year-old Sujith is popular as Variety Farmer – his social media username. He has been experimenting with new farming techniques and adapting them to Alleppey's sandy terrain. He is also the recipient of the Kerala State Award for Best Young Farmer (2014), the Yuvajana Kshema Board Award for Best Farmer (2020) and the Kerala State Award For Youth Icon (2023).

Hotel management to farming 

Growing up in an agrarian family in Alleppey's Cherthala, Sujith's childhood hobby was assisting his mother in cultivating spinach, beans and ash gourd over around 50 cents (0.4 acres) of land.

"Since agriculture is not viewed as a lucrative full-time profession, I was asked to pursue a different path and hence I studied hotel management. Subsequently, I did various jobs, ranging from sales to hotel business. Nothing gave me job satisfaction and good income. So in 2013, I returned to my roots -- farming.”

ash gourds sujith p
Sujith SP with his ash gourd plantation. Pic: Variety Farmer

Sujith began farming with the little money he had. At that time, farming was predominantly done from January to April when water drains in the field as Alleppey lies below the sea level. He was satisfied with the yields. Then, along with a few other farmers, he created a 50-member collective. They attended several workshops in different districts like Thrissur and Palakkad to learn and update their knowledge about hi-tech farming mechanisms. 

Precision Agriculture 

"Many said such advanced farming wouldn't be possible in Alleppey's sandy terrain. However, we took a risk and applied for a bank loan to implement open precision farming,” he says. Precision agriculture (PA) reduces labour costs and improves crop yields by using technology like sensors and analysis tools. 

Instead of treating the fields as one land parcel, PA looks at them as management zones based on soil pH levels, pest infestation, yields etc. Technology is used to map production, use of fertilizers, irrigation requirements and also crop quality. 

“This technique aims to increase the yield by ensuring the use of efficient tools. In the first set, we successfully grew lady's finger, spinach, beans and brinjal in my 50 cents land. We pioneered this approach in Alleppey, and it proved successful beyond expectations. My next step was to search for leased land to expand my farming operations," he shares. 

Also Read: Engineer quits US job to cultivate exotic fruits in TN, earns four times more per acre than traditional fruits

sunflower precision farming
For precision farming, the soil has been covered with coir for sunflower plantation (left). Pic: Variety Farmer

Currently, Sujith is doing organic farming of paddy and vegetables on around 30 acres of land spread over Kanjikuzhi, Cherthala, Muhamma and Thanneermukkom in Alleppey.

Precision farming techniques 

Sujith adopted the Israeli technique to grow bananas. 

He planted three different types of banana saplings - Robusta, Ethan, and Poovan - per pit instead of one. This ensures different harvest times and a regular market supply. 

He employed tunnel farming with tomatoes and chillies, of which the latter was successful. He constructed a 5ft tunnel and cultivated crops within it. According to Sujith, it keeps heat under control and pests away from the crops. 

"The goal should be to adopt farming techniques that are favourable to changing climatic conditions and yield maximum from limited space. For this, I encourage, inter-cropping, multi-cropping and crop rotation. Besides, farming can be done on small pieces of land with regular breaks before every other cycle," Sujith adds.

Mustard precision farming
Mustard cultivation with precision farming. Pic: Variety Farmer

Sujith opts for natural manure and chemical-free fertilisers and emphasises the use of tools like foilers and tractors for efficient processes. He utilises drip irrigation and says cultivating in small patches of land will ensure less to no pest attacks. 

Also Read: Lawyer quits job to grow raspberry and blueberry in Pune; gets bumper harvest

Pricing and revenue model 

Sujith grows at least seven to eight varieties of vegetables according to the season. He believes that sticking to the cultivation of only 1 or 2 crops might not be feasible in marketing. 

"Now, it is the season for cucumber and melons, so we would focus more on cultivating such veggies which have a demand. Likewise, ahead of the Onam festivity, we will be growing flowers,” he says. 

“So on average, per month, Rs 1 lakh is assured as income, excluding the costs and other expenses.”

“I also rear fish, ducks and hens. Mixed farming is an impressive and profitable farming technique,” he adds. Sujith further explains that he fixes prices for the products based on the quantity of production. If they produce in a small quantity, it will be sold for a higher price. 

Also Read: Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

organic pumpkins sujith
Sujith SP's organic produce gets much higher market rates. Pic: Variety Farmer

"Since we don't use any chemical fertilisers, the production is only around 70 percent of the regular produce but of premium quality. So, let's say, the price for our lady's finger will be Rs 42 to Rs50 while non-organic varieties sell for Rs 20-30 per kg. Likewise, we sell gourds for a minimum of Rs15 per kg. The products are usually sold in nearby local markets. If there is any excess, I go to the market and sell it myself.”

Marketing

Sujith highlights that besides learning all things agriculture, a farmer must be on his game when it comes to marketing. He owes it to social media which has been a boon to him. 

"From 2015 to now, I transitioned from Facebook to Instagram, where I not only market my products but also raise awareness and share my knowledge about farming techniques,” he says.

“In the next phase, I am planning to launch an app to sell my products" he shares. 

Also See: Veer Shetty: The truck driver who became a millet millionaire

Farming and its future

"In today's time, everyone needs good quality food. So farming, I believe, is an essential skill. I wish more youth were drawn towards farming. More success stories like mine should come to the limelight that will encourage youth to consider farming as an occupation. With their adept skill, they can easily learn fast, keep up-to-date and adopt technology and there will be more scope for expansion," Sujith opines. 

He also shares that in a place like Alleppey, there is a lot of scope for farm tourism. Many visitors, particularly tourists from abroad, seek a cultural experience. They appreciate an authentic, rooted village encounter, and such farm tourism can be beneficial. 

"That apart, anyone who is interested in taking up farming must be ready to keep updating and learning new things. From realising that farming is my calling, to being able to buy and drive an Audi car for selling my products, I am proud of my journey," Sujith signs off. 

(Chandhini R is a Kerala-based journalist specialising in human interest, entertainment, and art and culture stories)

Also Read: This 29-year-old grows organic exotic fruits in his backyard, gets bumper crops

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

]]>
Chandhini R Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:05:41 +053038997313899731
<![CDATA[How to choose between buying and renting a house ]]>https://30stades.com/money/how-to-choose-between-renting-and-buying-a-house-benefits-investment-3904680

House rents in India are rising after witnessing a decline in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. In most major cities, house rents have increased at an annualised rate of 9-12 percent in the last two years. The maximum rise in housing rent has been in IT sector hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, with an increase of 17-30 percent in prime locations, according to a survey by Anarock Research.

Alongside, housing prices are also rising across India after some moderation during the COVID-19 years. They were up 5.9 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2023, according to Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index. According to a survey by the rating agency Crisil, home prices in India have increased at an annualised rate of around 6 percent on average in the last 20 years.

At the other end of the equation, interest rates on home loans have increased by around 200 basis points in the last two years after hitting a record low in 2020. This has translated into higher equated monthly instalments (EMI) on home loans. 

The interest rates could rise further in future if the liquidity condition remains tight as is the case right now or if inflation doesn’t come down as anticipated by the Reserve Bank of India.

The ever-changing dynamic of house rentals, home prices and interest rates creates a dilemma in the minds of working professionals in India – should you buy a house or live in a rented house and save yourself the hassle of paying EMIs on a home loan? 

Also Read: Five tips to bid for a bank auction property

It’s a bigger dilemma than before because, for many professionals and office goers, home is now also a place of work, thanks to work from home (WFH) in the post-pandemic world. In the past, however, homes were a place to retire and rest after a hard day at work. This was especially true in metros cities where professionals would be out for 12-14 hours at a stretch.

WFH has also forced many professionals to reassess the suitability of their current residence and many found this to be less than ideal for the post-pandemic world. Most homes are either too small or not built for WFH or are in the wrong locality. Not surprisingly many people are now actively looking for new homes that will better fit the new work-life balance and also provide enough breathing space to their family members.

This brings us back to the original question – should you buy a new house or rent a property in a locality of your choice? Buying a house is most often the biggest financial investment and expenditure for a typical urban dweller in the country. So, before you take a plunge and sign on the property paper let’s break down the pros and cons of the decision.

1. Buying a house means a large committed monthly expense for the next 20 years or even 30 years. This means spending a significant chunk of your monthly salary or income on servicing loans for most of your working life. This will require a fair bit of financial discipline and motivation not to mention financial and lifestyle sacrifices at least in the initial years.

In contrast, rental expenses are much lower than EMIs on home loans and you have the flexibility to move to a cheaper locality given work from home. This provides you and your family with financial headroom, something not available to families with a fixed monthly commitment towards EMI.

Also Read: Five tips to tackle rising interest on your loans

2. The interest on home loans is once again on the rise after declining sharply in 2020. 

Monthly EMIs on home loans currently work out to be anywhere from Rs 850 to Rs 1200 per Rs 1 lakh worth of loan for a tenure of 20 years. 

The EMIs had declined to as low as Rs 700 at the height of the pandemic scare in 2020. Higher EMIs increase the financial burden of home loans and raise the overall cost of home ownership.

3. Home purchase also requires you to pay margin money or a down payment while buying the property. Most banks ask for a 20 percent down payment from borrowers though it can be reduced to as low as 5 percent in special cases. 

The greater the down payment, the lesser your EMI expenses. A house worth Rs 50 lakh will require you to make a down payment of around Rs 10 lakh. 

This means that you need to start saving a few years prior to your decision to buy a house or dip into your retirement corpus such as a provident fund, or take help from your family and friends or do a bit of both.

Also Read: Five investment options for senior citizens

4. As a homeowner, you will also need to spend money on maintenance, property taxes and occasional repairs and refurbishments. While the maintenance cost is levied by the housing society that provides the common facility, property taxes are charged by the municipal bodies. 

At the prevailing rate, running expenses could be anywhere from 1-2 percent of the property acquisition cost depending on the amenities and the apartment size. Expect these expenses to rise at an annual rate of 4-5 percent in line with the cost of living.

5. A tenant on the other hand has to only bother about the monthly expenses and leave all other worries to the landlord. Besides, rents are still much lower than EMIs for apartments in most cities. For example, at the current home loan interest rate of around 9.5 percent, a house worth Rs 50 lakh will cost around Rs 37,300 as EMI assuming a down payment of 20 percent. 

In comparison, the same apartment can be taken on a monthly rent of around Rs 10-15,000 depending on the locality or the city. However, unlike EMI which is largely fixed during the tenure of the loan, the rents are expected to grow at 8-10 percent every year. 

6. As a tenant you also have the option to invest the potential down payment or the margin money into high-yielding assets such as equity mutual funds, corporate deposits or provident funds. 

An initial investment of Rs 10 lakh into a diversified equity mutual fund will grow to a corpus of around Rs 61 lakh at the end of 20 years assuming an annual return of 10 percent. 

In the last five years, diversified equity mutual funds have given 18 percent annualised returns on average. This is an opportunity loss for home buyers that they can hope to recover through the appreciation in their home prices over the years.

Also Read: Seven ways to save and grow your money

7. Given this, at the end of the day, buying vs renting a house becomes a long-term financial decision. 

A back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that living in a rented apartment is rewarding if you are financially disciplined to invest the monthly savings in the difference between rents and potential EMIs in high-yielding assets such as equity mutual funds. 

In contrast, buying a house is financially more rewarding if it appreciates in value over a period and you have a high-spending lifestyle. For the latter home purchase becomes a forced saving and long-term asset that they can monetise in their old age or in financial emergency. Assuming home prices rise at an annualised rate of 6 percent, the house price will triple in value over 20 years and your initial Rs 10 lakh equity investment in the house will appreciate by around Rs 1.32 crore.

8. So, when you decide to purchase a home rather than take it on rent, you have decided to live a frugal and financially disciplined lifestyle. Homeownership forces you to raise your savings directly or indirectly and cut back on discretionary spending and lifestyle choices such as exotic holidays, expensive cars, jewellery or even luxury clothing. This makes homeownership a lifestyle issue for many, especially those with a zest to get a taste of good things in life and explore the world.

(Karan Deo Sharma is a Mumbai-based finance and equity markets specialist).

Also Read: Five top-performing retirement mutual funds

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

]]>
Karan Deo SharmaThu, 22 Feb 2024 00:11:10 +053038324223832422
<![CDATA[Lawyer quits job to grow raspberry and blueberry in Pune; gets bumper harvest ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/lawyer-keya-salota-quit-job-for-raspberry-blueberry-farming-pune-farm2fam-gets-bumper-harvest-3871703

Right from her childhood, Keya Salot wanted to be an entrepreneur. Coming from a Gujarati family, she had grown up amid businesses and entrepreneurs. But Keya and her family knew that a good education was necessary for a sound foundation in life, including entrepreneurship.

“I studied in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school in Mumbai. It gave me a global perspective and I then decided to study law,” says Keya, now 32.

She pursued the five-year BLS and LLB course at Mumbai’s Government Law College and specialised in corporate law to get exposure to the world of business. “At college, I had my first internship in the first year. By the time I graduated at 23, I already had a good internship experience spread over 4 to 5 years. It gave me the platform to network, and taught me how to build businesses within a legal framework,” she says.

She completed the course in 2014 and then worked with some of India’s top law firms for 3.5 years. “By then, the entrepreneur in me was becoming eager to get started,” says Keya, who is mother to twin boys.

Also Read: Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

Starting with microgreens

While she was clear about taking up impactful entrepreneurship, Keya knew the venture had to be commercially successful also to reduce financial dependence on others. 

“I wanted to set up an enterprise with a combination of good revenues while bringing about positive transformation,” she says.

In 2018, she took a break from work to understand all facets of agriculture as she was drawn towards farming though nobody in her family or friend circle had ever ventured into the space. “I was always interested in new-age farming methods. So I started a small business of growing microgreens on the terrace of my family office in Powai,” she says.

keya solaot
Keya Salot next to raspberry plantations at her farm. Pic: Farm2Fam

Keya grew 25-30 varieties of microgreens in a vertical set-up made on the terrace. Living microgreens remain alive until used and they are not cut beforehand. Grown in a natural fibre medium, they're ready for the plate. “It increases their shelf life. I began supplying them to top hotels and speciality restaurants. In six months, we on-boarded 50 clients,” she says.

The microgreens venture was undertaken as a proof of concept and gave Keya good returns in terms of market accessibility and establishing retail connections.

Also Read: Engineer quits US job to cultivate exotic fruits in TN, earns four times more per acre than traditional fruits

Zeroing in on blueberry and raspberry farming

In November 2019, she and her husband Vimal Salot travelled to Mexico and Europe. Among other agricultural innovations, she saw farms of raspberries and blueberries. “During our overseas travels, we saw large-scale raspberry and blueberry farms and decided to cultivate them in India,” she says.

Blueberry and raspberry are considered superfoods. Berries are rich in fibre and antioxidants and can help lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease. With high demand from health-conscious consumers, India is one of the world’s top importers of blueberry. 

In 2020, India imported 1900 tonnes of blueberry from the US in dry, frozen and fresh form, according to the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). And the numbers are rising annually.

Yet, blueberry farming, like many other exotic fruit farming, is currently at a nascent stage in India as it requires cold winters and moderate to high rainfall throughout the growing season. Raspberries are also not widely grown domestically as they are typically suited to temperate regions with cool summers and mild winters. 

harvested bluberry
Keya grows blueberry over 13 acres. Pic: Farm2Fam

Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Nilgiris and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, Munnar in Kerala and Sikkim in the North East are suitable for raspberry farming. Both the Himalayan raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) and Mysore raspberry (Rubus neveus) are more sour than sweet. 

Also See: Ex-NSG commando earns Rs6 lakh per acre with organic date farming

On February 20, 2024 (yesterday), the government cut import duty on blueberries and cranberries from 30 percent to 10 percent in some cases and 5 percent in other cases given the rising demand.

How raspberry and blueberry farming is done

Given the huge domestic market, Keya decided to import saplings of blueberry and raspberry to cultivate them. “In July 2020, we imported our first set of plants, adaptable to Indian weather conditions, and harvested the first commercial yield in 2021. We sold the produce to Star Bazaar. The harvest within one year gave us the confidence that we could do it on a larger scale,” says the urban farmer.

The lawyer-turned-farmer then took 20 acres of land on lease from farmers in Talegaon, Pune, in Maharashtra and named it Farm2Fam. 

The total berry production at Farm2Fam will be 135 tonnes (1.35 lakh kg) in the coming year, she says.

growbags in tunnel
The berries are grown in grow bags in tunnels. Pic: Farm2Fam

Keya has opted for the tunnel method of cultivation, which overcomes the drawbacks of extreme weather conditions. 

“Growing blueberries under high tunnels protects them from extremes of temperature, require less water to grow and yield more fruit,” she says. 

Blueberries also ripen earlier and can give yields for four to five months instead of the usual harvest period that lasts only a few weeks. “We have developed low-cost tunnels using our technology. Around 80 percent of the farm is currently covered by tunnels and before the next monsoon, we hope to cover the complete farm,” Keya says.

Also Read: How two brothers in Agra earn Rs2 lakh daily from mushroom farming

She cultivates blueberries in grow bags. Blueberries require a higher soil acid level (4.5 to 5.5 pH) and it is much easier to maintain this level in a grow bag and ensure optimum fruit production. 

“We do protected cultivation where we follow the EU (European Union) standards of residue testing,” she says. This farming method does not leave any traces of fertilisers behind and is gaining popularity due to high yields and food safety.

workforce
Majority of the workforce at Farm2Fam comprises women. Pic: Farm2Fam

Currently, raspberries are produced around the year over seven acres under cultivation at Farm2Fam. “Blueberries are grown over 13 acres and have a January to May harvest cycle,” Keya says.

The 75-member team at Farm2Fam is not only led by a woman entrepreneur but also comprises mostly women. “I have always believed that financial empowerment of women is the best way to ensure good health and education of the next generation,” the agripreneur says.

Keya continues to import the saplings instead of propagating them on her own to ensure high-quality produce. Farm2Fam buyers are some of India's leading retailers. “We supply online to Swiggy, and Zepto and in the offline space, we are suppliers to Star Bazaar, KisanKonnect, Reliance Retail and Nature’s Basket,” Keya points out.

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: This 29-year-old grows organic exotic fruits in his backyard, gets bumper crops

Look up our YouTube Channel  

 

]]>
Rashmi PratapWed, 21 Feb 2024 00:36:38 +053037989913798991
<![CDATA[Two friends, Rs 20,000 investment and Rs 23 crore leaf plate business ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-amardeep-bardhan-vaibhav-jaiswal-set-up-rs-23-crore-areca-leaf-plate-business-with-rs-20000-investment-3845322

While pursuing their MBA from IILM University, Greater Noida, friends Amardeep Bardhan and Vaibhav Jaiswal participated in a business plan contest. Their idea was to make eco-friendly plates from areca palm leaves, and it bagged the first prize in the inter-college competition. 

The year was 2009, the problem of plastic pollution was growing by the day, and the duo knew they had hit the right idea for their business. Areca palm leaf plates and bowls are an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to disposable plastic tableware as they are biodegradable.

“There was a huge issue with plastic disposal primarily in the developed economies and people were moving out of plastic use. We saw a big gap in the availability of eco-friendly products that could replace plastic disposables like plates and bowls,” says Amardeep. While the two friends completed their MBA in 2011, they started doing the groundwork for their venture in 2009. 

Choosing areca palm

Primarily, leaves of sal tree or areca palm (supari) are used to make leaf plates which have been used in India for centuries. Being biodegradable, they do not cause pollution and also provide employment to local communities, especially tribal people, who prepare plates, bowls and cups using these leaves. Using leaf plates promotes organic life as the disposed plates turn into compost over time. 

“We zeroed in on areca palm. The primary advantage of areca palm is that it is cultivated widely in India,” says Amardeep. 

“Our country has 75 percent of the world’s areca nut plantation and whatever is made out of these leaves is an Indian monopolistic product. There is no competition from China as raw material is unavailable there,” says Amardeep.

The states with major areca nut plantations are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam and Kerala. Since Amardeep is from Tinsukia in Assam, the two friends started meeting small local farmers to understand about areca nut leaves, their collection and the manufacturing of plates while still doing their MBA in 2010.

areca palm
Areca palm leaves, the raw material, (left) and the ready product, leaf plates (right)  

The areca palm leaf is the protective sheath that covers the fruit during its development and falls to the ground when the fruit matures. The sheath is sturdy and smooth. They are transported to local units, stored, cleaned, and pressed into various shapes using machines.

Also Read: Tamul’s areca nut leaf plates travel from Assam to the world as plastic ban gets stronger

“Areca nut leaf plates are made locally in Assam using indigenous machines. But there was no innovation in designs or shapes,” says Vaibhav. 

“Since we did not have huge amounts to invest in machines, we decided to invest Rs 20,000 in making moulds and dyes for various sizes and types of leaf plates,” Vaibhav says.

They tied up with local manufacturers to produce the plates and started marketing them in north India under the Prakritii brand. “In 2011, we also started exporting small consignments to the US market,” he adds.

Fine-tuning the business model

Once the product began to get traction and recognition among its handful of buyers, Amardeep and Vaibhav realised the limitation of working in Assam. Heavy rainfall leads to a shortage of raw materials during rains. It also halts production and can also cause fungal growth in the products. Areca palm is not treated as a cash crop in Assam and often the quality of leaves is not good. 

“So in 2012, we shifted our manufacturing base to Tamil Nadu which has abundant sunlight and the leaves are bigger and brighter,” says Vaibhav.

They registered their firm AV Prakritii International Pvt Ltd and tied up with local leaf plate manufacturers in Coimbatore. “We invested in dyes and machines for contract manufacturing. From 2012, we started getting good orders from Delhi and Punjab,” Amardeep says.

work on at prakritii
Prakritii follows the hub and spoke model of leaf plate manufacturing. Pic: Prakritii

Their first major breakthrough came in 2013 when Prakritii started exporting products to the European market. 

“The first order from Germany, in 2013, was a small consignment but led us to tie-ups with supermarkets and large distributors in Europe where users were eco-conscious and valued eco-friendly products like ours,” says Vaibhav.

However, there was not much acceptance in India due to the popularity enjoyed by plastic. “Till about 2014, we used to export 70 percent of our products while the rest were sold domestically,” he adds.

By 2016, Vaibhav and Amardeep had found the model that would help their sustainable business expand capacity rapidly. They opted for the hub and spoke model where a central unit works with smaller units spread over a wide area. “We do capital investments, take up the place, put up machines, moulds, shed and hire local people for production. We forge partnership agreements and give them work orders,” Amardeep says. 

Also Read: This Kerala-based geologist is making edible & biodegradable cutlery to replace single-use plastic

The production is done at the smaller units, managed and operated by locals, most of whom are women. “The products are brought back to the main unit and checked for quality,” he adds.

The cost of setting up the main hub unit is around Rs25 lakh to Rs30 lakh while the spoke units require an investment of Rs5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. 

“We invest in the main unit and the locals make investments in the sub-units. We help them with technical know-how, and getting loans and subsidies on machines, shed etc.,” he says. 

women entrepreneurship
Prakritii promotes women entrepreneurship through its sub-units. Pic: Prakritii

“We promote women entrepreneurship at these units. Prakritii gives them work orders and they sell the products to us. The payment is fixed on a per-piece basis,” Amardeep says. The model works well as the locals lack technical knowledge, innovation, and access to markets, which is provided by Prakritii. They are also assured of work and income throughout the year. In turn, Prakritii can procure good quality products as per its requirements. 

Also Read: GreenKraft: taking banana bark baskets made in Madurai to Sweden’s IKEA & beyond

Currently, Prakritii has one main unit and 18 sub-units in Karnataka and another main unit in Tamil Nadu with 14 sub-units. “In 2017-18, we started the Karnataka unit and expanded our export market beyond Germany and France. We tied up with other large distributors in Europe and Australia,” Amardeep says.

Rapid expansion

While plates and bowls from areca nut are the primary products, Prakritii also offers complimentary products like paper glasses, and bamboo stirrers and skewers, which are made at a unit in Dehradun.

prakritii cutlery and leaf plates
Prakritii offers areca palm leaf plates, bowls, wooden and bamboo cutlery and paper glass. Pic: Prakritii 

In the pre-Covid period, around 2018-19, there was a growing awareness to reduce the use of plastic in India and that led to significant expansion of the domestic market for Prakritii. 

“By 2019-20, our revenue split from domestic sales and export became 50:50. We expect to close this fiscal (FY23) with Rs 23 crore in revenues. The target for next fiscal is Rs25 crore,” Amardeep says. 

Outside India, the biggest geographies for Prakritii are Europe and the US. “Even during COVID, we were receiving orders and the market did shrink a little post-COVID but still things were good.”

In Europe, energy prices went up due to the Russia-Ukraine war which resulted in the lower consumption of these articles as these are not primary goods. Now, markets are looking up again. “We also got good support from the domestic market after the July 2022 ban on single-use plastic. As awareness about plastic pollution increases, there will be more demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products like ours,” he says.

In India, Prakritii sells through supermarket chains, online marketplaces, and retailers. It also has contracts with catering agencies. “We also have a huge chunk of institutional sales, aviation catering and tie-ups with five-star hotels for outdoor events,” Amardeep adds.

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: Vistaraku: How Telangana’s start-up is taking traditional Indian leaf plates to the world

Look up our YouTube Channel  

]]>
Rashmi PratapMon, 19 Feb 2024 00:18:57 +053037728313772831
<![CDATA[Cambodian grapes and millet muesli ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/cambodian-grapes-and-millet-muesli-3835383

Dear Reader,
Do you have any hobbies or pastimes? I believe that we all should have some hobby to break the monotony of life – be it studies or work at home and office. Often, these hobbies can do more than help us relax. And the results can be sweet, as has been the case with Ashal PH.
Extremely fond of gardening and experimenting with exotic fruits, Ashal began their cultivation during the lockdown in 2020 at his home in Aluva, Kerala. He procured saplings of gac, a Vietnamese fruit from the melon family, from a local nursery. The plants gave good quality produce, and the success motivated the pharma professional to grow more unique fruit plants, writes my colleague Chandhini.
Now, his backyard is home to Terengganu cherry, sundrop, purple forest guava, baraba and other exotic fruits. His Cambodian wild grape plant yields bunches of 600-1000 berries and Ashal uses only sesame powder and cow dung manure! Do read this interesting story of a backyard gardener.
My colleague Riya spoke to Jayashree Krishnamurthy last week. Jayashree is a practising chartered accountant in Chennai and also a food entrepreneur. What started in her kitchen as healthy recipes for her son led to her food startup Rasa Wellness, which offers 30 millet-based and gluten-free porridges, snacks, and other items across India. Founded in July 2022 with Rs 1 lakh investment, it is set to close this fiscal with Rs50 lakh in revenues.
Jayashree says she is well aware of the challenges of being a mom, entrepreneur and CA, all at the same time. But she is navigating the journey well and hopes to double the food business sales to Rs 1 crore in FY25.
We have another story about a food startup set up by two college friends. Poojitha Turumalla and Keerthi Kabra launched Millet Mantra in January 2020, just before COVID-19 hit. The bootstrapped startup sells millet-based muesli in multiple flavours both in India and abroad and is also set to cross Rs1 crore in revenues next fiscal, writes my colleague Anu.
These women entrepreneurs are a testimony to the silent changes underway in the Indian startup ecosystem. As women increasingly become founders and run their businesses successfully, they also drive innovation through their fresh perspectives and create a dynamic work environment. Kudos to them!
My colleague Chandhini has put together a web story on Veer Shetty, who has been a school dropout, truck driver, general assistant, millet chapatti seller, farmer, community leader, and now, a millionaire millet entrepreneur.  His journey of transformation is inspiring indeed.
Our Sunday story is on Kalavantin Durg in Maharashtra, about 70 km from Mumbai. It is one of the highest summits in western India and a favourite with trekkers with its 80-degree rock-cut stairs.
In the Money section, my colleague Karan has listed five ways for startups to raise money without knocking on the doors of angel investors or venture capital firms.
Happy Reading!
Warmly,
Rashmi

This 29-year-old grows organic exotic fruits in his backyard, gets bumper crops

How this CA set up Rs 50 lakh food business with Rs 1 lakh investment

How two MBA friends built a millet muesli business

Veer Shetty: The truck driver who became a millet millionaire

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 18 Feb 2024 11:02:34 +053037668703766870
<![CDATA[Kalavantin Durg’s steep rock-cut stairs take you to the skies ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/kalavantin-durg-raigad-maharashtra-tough-trekking-route-80-degree-rock-cut-stairs-3835036

Kalavantin Durg in Maharashtra’s Raigad district is one of the highest summits in western India with a steep staircase leading to the top. Among the toughest trekking routes in India, Kalavantin Durg is next to the Prabalgad Fort, about 70 km from Mumbai. 

It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantinicha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle and is a popular trekking destination in the Western Ghats due to the steep stairs and natural beauty all around. In Marathi, durg means fort but Kalavantin is not a fort. Maratha rulers used the pinnacle to keep a watch over the surrounding areas.

Local tribal people say the pinnacle, in the Sahyadri Hills, was built in the 15th century for a queen named Kalavantin.

The neighbouring Prabalgad fort was also built at around the same time. About 700 metres (2,300 feet) above sea level, Kalavantin Durg offers gorgeous views of the Matheran hill, Chanderi, Ershal, Peb, and Karnala forts besides the Mumbai city.

The nearly vertical steps leading to the pinnacle are a testament to the craftsmanship of bygone centuries. Hand-cut during the 15th century, these colossal steps offer ample space for two people to stand side by side.

Also Read: Maharashtra’s Sea Forts: A testimony to the rise & fall of kingdoms on India’s West Coast

Climb to heaven

Kalavantin Fort trek is also called the ‘climb to heaven’, owing to its dangerous nature and the bird’s eye view of the immense beauty from the top.

The trek to Kalavantin Durg starts from Thakurwadi village in Karjat taluka from where the summit is about 3 km away. There are small waterfalls along the route.

Once travellers reach Prabalmachi village, 2 km from Thakurvadi, the trail diverges into two paths: a shorter route leading to Kalavantin Durg and a longer one to Prabalgad fort.

Also Read: Bhatner Fort: India’s oldest & strongest fort built 1800 years ago in Rajasthan

route kalavantin
The steps have been hand-carved into rocks. Pic: Wikipedia

The local administration has implemented safety regulations for trekkers, requiring each individual to register by paying a Rs 20 entry fee and providing personal information. Entry is prohibited during the dark hours of 5 pm to 6 am, and during other times, trekkers must be accompanied by a local guide, who charges Rs 50. The administration has trained 50 villagers to serve as guides and has enforced a ban on plastic bags and bottles along the route.

On every Holi (Shimga) Festival, the tribal people of Machi-Prabal village observe the custom of dancing at the top of Kalavantin fort. These people have a long-standing relationship with this fort and it has become a part of their heritage.   

Also Read: Harihar Fort’s 80-degree rock-cut stairs take you to the top of the world

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 18 Feb 2024 00:04:06 +053037628463762846
<![CDATA[Veer Shetty: The truck driver who became a millet millionaire ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/veer-shetty-telangana-truck-driver-who-became-a-millet-millionaire-3819495 ]]>Chandhini R Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:04:55 +053037476063747606<![CDATA[How this CA set up Rs 50 lakh food business with Rs 1 lakh investment ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-ca-jayashree-krishnamurthy-set-up-rs-50-lakh-rasa-healthy-food-business-with-1-lakh-investment-3791314

From humble kitchen experiments to a thriving food business, Jayashree Krishnamurthy, founder of Chennai-based Rasa Wellness Pvt Ltd, has travelled a long distance in a short time. What started as a quest to provide her 8-year-old son with a nutritious alternative to store-bought beverages has blossomed into a Rs 50 lakh enterprise in less than two years.

Fuelled by a desire to provide her child with a protein-rich porridge devoid of harmful preservatives, Jayashree, rooted in her vegetarian upbringing, crafted her own recipe using ragi, a millet rich in calcium, iron and protein. It received good feedback from her family and soon, Jayashree began preparing batches for her friends who had kids in the same age group.

From kitchen to healthy food startup

When demand for her products kept increasing, she transformed her kitchen solution into a full-fledged business venture. She started Rasa Wellness in July 2022 with a modest investment of Rs one lakh.

Also Read: Engineer couple builds Rs 2 crore laddu business with Rs 1 lakh investment 

A chartered accountant (CA) with over 13 years of experience, Jayashree also runs her firm Infini Consulting Pvt Ltd. “I wanted to start a venture with food because I love cooking and exploring healthy food options. One day, I thought, why not start it as a business,” says Jayashree, who continues her CA consultancy work as well.

“People usually take protein supplements, but I wanted to bring a product that is not only a wholesome nourishing breakfast but also high in protein without any additives, or plant-based proteins. So, I work with basic cereals, nuts, and spices,” she adds.

Jayashree's original recipe received an award in the innovative millet-based product category from Hospisource, an online platform facilitating connections within the hospitality industry. 

jayashree hspice
Jayashree Krishnamurthy with the Hospisource award. Pic: Rasa Wellness

To cater to all age groups, she launched it in vanilla and peri-peri flavours. Having started with just one product, Rasa now has over 30 high-nutrition products in its portfolio in various categories like – instant health drinks, healthy porridge, flour and instant mixes, laddu mixes, laddus, millet cookies and crunchies.

Explaining the idea behind instant mixes, she says, "Our goal was to offer nourishing food products that are also delicious."

"Over time, we discovered that convenience is equally important; if a product isn't quick and easy to prepare, customers may go for online ordering instead."

Also Read: How two MBA friends built a millet muesli business

Focus on health

Rasa incorporates as gluten-free flour, jaggery, pearl millet, foxtail millet, and more into its diverse range of offerings, including millet chocolate drinks, healthy porridge, snacks and laddus.

These ingredients have several health benefits. Millets, for instance, are rich in nutrients like fibre, protein, and essential minerals. Gluten-free flour caters to individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Jaggery is a natural sweetener, providing a healthier alternative to refined sugar. Hence, Rasa not only delivers delectable treats but also promotes a lifestyle rooted in holistic wellness.

The sweets crafted by Rasa are customized to order with a shelf life ranging from 15 days to 1 month. The shelf life of their cookies and laddus varies between two and five months. As for their instant mixes, it is between nine and 12 months. The company has a contract manufacturing unit in Hyderabad and outsources baking to a bakery in Chennai. 

Jayashree says her financial expertise as a CA has played a crucial role in the development of Rasa. 

"While the initial business concept is vital, effective financial management is paramount, especially when you are bootstrapped. Every penny counts," she explains. 

Managing two companies brought significant challenges for Krishnamurthy over the past two years. "Establishing a brand from scratch is no small feat, and it has certainly impacted my family time. However, my loved ones understand the additional responsibilities I've undertaken, and I've mentally prepared myself for the journey," the food entrepreneur says.

 Also Read: Banker turns entrepreneur to give the best to her baby; sets up zero-preservative healthy food business

sugar free rasa products
Rasa's preservative-free products on a retail shelf. Pic: Rasa Wellness 

Rasa works around the mantra that food can be either the most powerful medicine that heals you or the slowest poison that incapacitates you. The company delivers across India, facilitated by its own website and online platforms like Amazon, Vegan Dukan, and Vegan Mall, among others. The brand is also present across niche local organic stores in Chennai. 

Expanding business

Opting for organic growth strategies, Rasa primarily caters to demand from regions such as Chennai, Maharashtra, and Kerala. To promote their products, Rasa participates in pop-ups and exhibitions and benefits from word-of-mouth marketing. 

To expand the customer base, Rasa also collaborates with nutritionists and gynaecologists. Its black gram porridge stands out as a good option for adolescent girls' menstrual health, frequently recommended by gynaecologists.

Online sales are the primary revenue stream for Rasa, with retail sales gradually gaining momentum. Corporate gift orders also constitute a significant portion of the company's income. Rasa has worked with over 20 corporate firms so far.

Jayashree believes that creating brand awareness can be daunting and one could end up burning a lot of cash without a solid understanding of the market landscape. However, recent governmental initiatives promoting millet-based products have provided a significant boost to Rasa's endeavours. 

Also Read: From a daily wager to a food entrepreneur, how Assam’s Diganta Das set up a successful business

Giving examples, she says several branches of the State Bank of India opted for millet-based sweets over conventional ones for Diwali gifting in support of the government's campaign. This shift not only contributed to Rasa's success but also underscored the growing recognition and appreciation for millet-based offerings. 

Jayashree event
Jayashree Krishnamurthy at an event to promote her products. Pic: Rasa Wellness

In a span of two years, Rasa has witnessed significant growth. 

The company’s revenue has surged to around Rs 50 lakh for the current financial year, marking a substantial increase from the Rs 20 lakh recorded in FY23. This converts into over 110 percent annual growth.

Educating people about the benefits of healthy snacking has been a major challenge for Rasa. According to Jayashree, many individuals tend to intermittently embrace healthy eating habits. “People punctuate their life with healthy food. They eat healthy for one day and go back to junking for the next month. To bring it as a lifestyle change is very difficult,” the woman entrepreneur says.

She envisions Rasa beyond a food platform, aiming to transition it into a comprehensive wellness service. Recently, Rasa introduced the Rasa Energy Hub, offering strength training sessions and educational workshops on daily nutrition. By integrating exercise, nutrition, and their product line, Rasa aims to provide a holistic wellness experience. 

The company is also expanding its reach to ensure healthy food accessibility to a wider audience. Currently, Rasa is developing a cutting-edge vending machine capable of dispensing millet-based drinks with a single tap, catering to office canteens and other large establishments. Jayashree is also actively pursuing partnerships with hospitals, corporate offices, and college canteens to incorporate their products into breakfast menus. "We are focusing on institutional sales alongside retail, aiming to maximize our impact,” she says.

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

Also See: This investment banker quit his job to become an idli entrepreneur

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Riya SinghFri, 16 Feb 2024 00:02:13 +053037204003720400
<![CDATA[Five ways to fund your startup without angel investors and VCs ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/five-ways-to-fund-your-startup-without-angel-investors-and-venture-capitalists-3763831

Starting and building a startup is a common ambition among professionals and even students. A successful startup opens up the possibilities of earning name, fame and financial success at any age or stage of life. It also offers young professionals an opportunity to retire early, enjoy life, and pursue their hobbies and passions.

Building a successful startup is however not easy. It takes years of hard work and sleepless nights to build a financially sustainable business. The toughest part of this journey is to arrange the initial capital and the operating expenses for the early years when the cash flows from the new business are not sufficient. 

This is especially challenging for professionals or budding entrepreneurs who don't come from families with established businesses or don’t have access to the network of angel and venture capital (VC) investors.

But there are still many ways for entrepreneurs to obtain startup funding without approaching angel investors or venture capitalists. Here are five of them:

1. Bootstrapping or self-funding

This is perhaps the oldest and the most obvious way to fund a start-up or a new business. Use your personal savings to fund the initial investment in the business and then use the cash flow generated from the business to pay for running expenses and to fund growth. 

Bootstrapping is a slow way to grow a business but the upside is that it allows you to maintain full ownership and control your business and its future growth trajectory. 

Self-funding is also a good option for start-ups where revenue visibility is clear and the business offers the possibility to generate adequate amounts of recurring cash flows but doesn’t require large follow-on investments to sustain the operations. Bootstrapping however exposes the founder to personal finance and she can lose all her personal savings in case of a business failure. Given this, you must draw a line or put a limit to how much personal savings you can put into the business.

Stockbroking giant Zerodha, software-as-a-service company Freshworks, and content and news aggregator application Dailyhunt are all examples of successful bootstrapped ventures.

Also Read: Engineer couple builds Rs 2 crore laddu business with Rs 1 lakh investment

2. Raising money from family or friends

Another option is to tap your immediate family members and close friends or colleagues to part-fund the initial capital required for your startup. You can raise money either as an interest-bearing or interest-free loan or provide a pro-rata stake or share in your business to your family members and friends. This is a good way to divide the financial risk of a start-up among many and thus reduce your own financial risk. But remember your family members and friends may ask for a convincing and credible business plan before opening their wallets for you.   

Not surprisingly, as per the Reserve Bank of India, ‘Families and Friends’ emerged as the primary source of funding for 43 percent of the 1246 startups that participated in RBI’s survey conducted between November 2018 and April 2019.

Also Read: Ten tips for entrepreneurs to navigate the restaurant business

3. Crowdfunding

Entrepreneurs and founders can also raise the initial capital for their startup from the general public aka small retail investors through crowdfunding websites or marketplaces. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe enable startups to raise funds by soliciting contributions from a large number of individual investors. 

In some ways, crowdfunding is similar to the initial public offers that establish business launches on stock exchanges and raise equity from individuals and institutional investors. Crowdfunding offers the possibility to raise significantly more money than you can ever raise from your personal savings or from family and friends. 

One of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns was done for Holosuit, the flagship product of Holoworld. Holosuit is the world’s first affordable, bi-directional, wireless and easy-to-use full-body motion capture suit. Founders Harsha Kikkeri and Shwetha used crowdfunding which got a lot of support from domain experts.

So a side benefit of crowdfunding is that it can help you validate and fine-tune your idea and also generate buzz around your product or service while raising capital. 

If your idea clicks on a crowdfunding platform it will also be easier to rope in big investors in the future.

Also Read: Five simple ways to invest & grow your money in 2022

4. Grants and awards

Many philanthropic organisations, charities, family trusts and even government organisations provide grants, awards and donations for start-ups that have the potential to create a big positive effect on the communities in which they operate. 

Many organisations also offer financial support, mentorship, and resources to innovative startups that could revolutionise or create a positive disruption in their industry or segment. 

This funding route is best suited for non-profit start-ups and social enterprises that seek to improve the lives of the communities living at the bottom of the pyramid rather than make money for the founders. Grants are also a good option for start-ups in the environment and climate change mitigation space.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), NIDHI- Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS), Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI) and many other such government schemes are available for startups. There are also many private grants and awards available for startups in specific sectors.

5. Revenue-Based Financing (RBF)

Start-ups not only require initial seed capital to kick-start their operations but they may need working capital to fund the day-to-day business operations. One way to raise the maintenance or running capital is to go for revenue-based funding (RBF) from investors and specialised institutions. 

RBF allows startups to raise capital by selling a percentage of future revenues to investors. Unlike traditional equity financing, RBF investors receive a portion of the company's future revenues until they achieve a predetermined return on their investment. 

This is a good funding option for businesses with strong revenue visibility and a clear growth path. Any slippage in achieving future revenue targets or a slowdown in growth trajectory will be frowned upon by RBF investors. So, be ready for scrutiny by your investors.

If your idea is convincing and you have a good business plan then you can leverage any of these non-conventional funding sources to raise capital for your start-up without losing control to angel investors and venture capital funds. Each of these funding methods has its own advantages and challenges, so it's essential to evaluate which options align best with your business plan and long-term vision of your business.

(Karan Deo Sharma is a Mumbai-based finance and equity markets specialist).

Also Read: Seven ways to save and grow your money

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

]]>
Karan Deo SharmaThu, 15 Feb 2024 00:03:03 +053036917433691743
<![CDATA[How two MBA friends built a millet muesli business ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-two-mba-friends-poojitha-keerthi-built-millet-millet-mantra-muesli-business-3735984

When Poojitha Turumalla and Keerthi Kabra were completing their graduation in Agriculture and Rural Development in 2012, little did they know that they would one day set up a millet breakfast enterprise with global buyers. The two college friends pursued an MBA in Agri-Business Management from the Navsari Agricultural University in Gujarat and worked in the corporate world after completing their studies in 2014.

During interaction with her colleagues, Poojitha realised that while people wanted to eat healthy food, they did not have time to prepare it. “I had grown up eating millet dishes like ragi java (a drink made with sprouted ragi flour, water or milk and jaggery). And Keerthi too regularly had millet chapattis and other items,” says Poojitha.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, the duo realised the need for healthy food options, especially breakfast which is the most important meal of the day. By then, Keerthi had moved to Madhya Pradesh after marriage and pursuing farming. Poojitha had settled in Hyderabad, Telangana, and worked in a startup. 

Zeroing in on millets 

“Keerthi and I discussed the potential of millet-based easy-to-prepare food items and clearly saw a market demand for it. Most importantly, we both believe in the benefits of millets beyond health. They require very little water for cultivation and are climate-resilient. They have the potential to wipe out global hunger,” says Poojitha.

Millets are also loaded with minerals, proteins, micronutrients and antioxidants. “They are high in nutrition and dietary fibre, helping lower blood glucose levels,” says the woman entrepreneur.

In 2019, Poojitha enrolled in a two-month training programme with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad. 

IIMR is a premier agricultural research institute where basic and strategic research on millets is done under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The research includes millet cultivation, pathology and value addition among other areas.

no sugar
Millet Mantra products are free of sugar and preservatives. 

“From the importance of millets to setting up a company, I learnt everything as part of the first batch of COHORT at IIMR. We also received Rs5 lakh grant under the RKVY RAFTAAR scheme (which focuses on the development of agriculture and allied sectors),” says Poojitha.

Also Read: This IITian quit job to become a millet entrepreneur; clocks Rs2.5 crore in revenues

The duo began to work with food technologists to arrive at a recipe that would use the maximum amount of millet and was free of preservatives and sugar. 

They opted for muesli as breakfast is the most important meal of the day and also the one for which people have the least time to prepare. With changing lifestyles and a higher need for convenience, Indians are increasingly moving towards breakfast cereals like muesli, granola and porridge, especially in urban areas. 

Indian breakfast cereals market is expected to witness a CAGR of 8.2 percent between 2024 and 2029, according to a report by Mordon Intelligence. And muesli is among the fastest-growing product categories.

“We thought millet mueslis will be a good product for those who do not have time to prepare breakfast for themselves or for their families but are keen to provide them with healthy options,” the millet entrepreneur says.

Preservative and sugar-free muesli

“So we ensured that at least one-third of our muesli formulation contained millets. That was the starting point of our recipes. We worked on the formula, and in place of sugar, we decided to use palm jaggery. We don’t use any preservatives and use nitrogen packaging to ensure freshness and a good shelf life,” she says.

Nitrogen drives out oxygen and moisture from the packet and preserves quality, slows down spoilage, and extends the products' shelf life. 

Keerthi and Poojitha opted for a contract manufacturing facility in Bengaluru instead of setting up their own plant. 

One, they wanted to test the market demand for their product and, two, they wanted to roll out the business with minimum investment. “A contract manufacturing facility also cuts down the time to reach market,” Poojitha says. 

The duo then registered Millet Mantra Pvt Ltd and was ready with the first product by January 2020. While founder Poojitha looks after overall operations, co-founder Keerthi manages marketing, branding and business development.

Also Read: From truck driver to millet millionaire, how this Telangana farmer built a successful food business

raftar grant
Poojitha (second from left) received grant under RKVY-RAFTAAR programme. Pic: Millet Mantra

“We rolled out Crunchy Nutty Delight and diet muesli flavours on January 12, 2020. The first batch was 600 kg and the response to samples in stores at Hyderabad was good,” she recollects. 

Also Read: Engineer couple builds Rs 2 crore laddu business with Rs 1 lakh investment

Pandemic and growth

However, the pandemic hit in March 2020 and Keerthi and Poojitha were not sure of the next steps to ensure sales. “At that time, Hyderabade-based Millet Mantra got placed at Amazon and we were happy because it was an opportunity amid COVID. Initially, we would get an order in two to three days. Gradually, sales started picking up. When offline stores were shut, we continued online sales,” she says.

The startup will close FY24 with revenues of Rs45 lakh and is targeting Rs1 crore in FY25, Poojitha says.

In October 2021, Millet Mantra launched two more flavours – Berry Blast and Dark Chocolate Muesli. Its products include around 30 percent millets, 21 percent nuts and berries, oats and palm jaggery. “In November, we launched millet-based snacks after taking feedback from 15,000 students. These are coconut buds, peanut pops, flaxseed hearts and almond hearts,” she says.

millet factsheet
Millet - the orginal superfood. Pic: 30Stades

Millet Mantra, despite the slowdown during the pandemic, has carved a niche in the breakfast space. The products are sold offline in 100 stores in Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Tamil Nadu. Online, they are available at Amazon, Flipkart and other marketplaces. 

Millet Mantra products are also exported to Dubai. “We are also in talks for exporting to other countries,” the millet entrepreneur says. We are going to launch more products this year. “We are not looking at setting up a manufacturing facility right now. We will go for it by FY27,” she says.

(US Anu is a Madurai-based writer. She specialises in stories around human interest, environment and art and culture.)

Also Read: 7 millet entrepreneurs changing India’s food habits profitably

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
US AnuWed, 14 Feb 2024 00:26:34 +053036639753663975
<![CDATA[This 29-year-old grows organic exotic fruits in his backyard, gets bumper crops ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/keralas-anshal-ph-grows-organic-exotic-fruits-in-backyard-gets-bumper-crops-combodian-grapes-purple-guava-3688552

Hobbies offer a productive and fulfilling use of free time and keep stress at bay. For Ashal PH, a 29-year-old professional in a healthcare company in Aluva, Kerala, his passion for cultivating exotic fruits has turned out to be more productive than he had ever imagined.

Ashal began cultivating exotic fruits in the backyard of his house in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. "For the love and curiosity to experiment with different fruits that are not commonly available, I embarked on a farming experiment to cultivate exotic fruit varieties during the lockdown. I began with gac, a Vietnamese fruit from the melon family, which I discovered during online research,” he tells 30Stades. 

Ashal learned that both male and female plants were necessary for pollination to result in fruiting. “I bought saplings from a local nursery and planted them on my terrace. They gave good quality produce and the success motivated me to grow more unique fruit plants," says Ashal. 

Following that, he began to plant Brazilian passion fruit, miracle fruit, dragon fruit and many other varieties over 5 cents (0.05 acre) of land, which includes his residence. 

“With regards to farming inputs, I only use sesame powder and cow dung as natural manure. I don't use any fertiliser and so far I have not had any pest-related issues," Ashal shares. 

Also Read: Engineer quits US job to cultivate exotic fruits in TN, earns four times more per acre than traditional fruits

In the last four years, Ashal has cultivated many different exotic fruits organically. His farming model is quite simple. Since he grows them in a small area in his backyard, he does not congest it with unnecessary plants. There is only one plant of each variety at a time, ensuring that some fruit is ready for harvest throughout the year. 

exotic
Brazilian passion fruit, dragon fruit and North Eastern tomato. Pic: Ashal PH 

Cambodian wild grape, a sensation

Ashal planted a Cambodian wild grape fruit plant almost eight months back and constructed a trellis to support the climber. In just six months, it began flowering. About two months later, the fruiting began. 

"While each bunch has around 600-1000 fruits, the fruiting process continues now. I have already harvested 16 bunches,” he says.

“Surprisingly, the stems that hold these huge honeycomb-like bunches are strong. The plant does not seem like it is just eight months old. Its root resembles tapioca, which can be utilized for propagating new saplings,” he says, beaming with joy.

Contrary to the predominant sour flavour of regular grapes, this wild Cambodian variety boasts a rich sweetness, which is yet another surprise factor.

"Many farmers, agriculture officers and enthusiasts have been visiting my house to witness the extraordinary phenomenon of wild fruit plants. Every visitor has expressed awe at the unprecedented growth and noted that it is not like anything they've seen in grape plants. The uniqueness of this wild variety has encouraged research interest, and there's anticipation that it may set a production record," he says. 

Also Read: How this 32-year-old college dropout set up a Rs 4-crore marigold nursery business

record wild grapes
Cambodian wild grapes in Ashal's backyard. Pic: Courtesy Ashal PH

Sourcing exotic fruit plants 

Ashal had procured the Cambodian grape sapling from Veliyath Garden Nursery in Ernakulam.

Apart from Cambodian wild grapes, Ashal currently has Terengganu cherry, sundrop, eugenia florida, dragon fruit, abiue, purple forest guava, baraba, medusa pineapple, jaboticaba, red Surinam cherry, ber apple red, passion fruit and miracle fruit growing in his backyard. 

As many people are now aware of Ashal's passion for exotic fruit farming, they gift him saplings because they know he will take good care of them. And some nurseries give saplings at a subsidised price to demonstrate proof of concept. 

He is also a professional cyclist and whenever he goes for rides, he collects some unique varieties from his connections. 

maximising space usage
Ber apple red (left) and Cambodian grape vine (right). Pic: Courtesy Ashal PH 

Farming technique

"For me, the internet is the most precious source of knowledge. From getting to know these exotic varieties to learning about growing them, I do all my research online. In fact, many farming videos of people abroad inspire me to experiment here. Luckily, over the years, all of the exotic plants that I had cultivated had a successful growth and it was suitable for Kerala's tropical climate," he adds. 

He also notes that investment for each plant -- from sourcing to growing them -- is not more than Rs 350. 

Exotic fruit cultivation in India is currently in its nascent stage. So farmers need to combine information available on the internet with traditional knowledge to arrive at the best farming methodologies in the given climatic conditions.

Also Read: This MBA quit Wipro for organic kiwi farming in Himachal; turns barren land into profitable orchard

Ashal states that after his initial research, he analyses and adapts simple low-cost farming techniques to suit the local soil and climate. He believes that there is no one standard way for cultivating these plants. "All of these plants are either planted in pots, ground or on the terrace. They don't require much space,” he says, emphasizing the use of sesame powder and cow dung manure to ensure good growth.

passion fruit
Red Surinam cherry (left) and Brazilian Passion Fruit (right). Pic: Courtesy Ashal PH

According to him, most of the exotic plants, except Dragon Fruit, need a generous amount of water. So he dedicates time in the morning to watering the plants regularly. 

While many farmers who take up exotic fruit farming find it hard to succeed, Ashal observes that it is mostly because they depend on a single farming approach. "It is essential to gather and update knowledge from various sources, analyse and try and keep updating procedures," the gardener adds. 

Vision

What began as a quest for trying new fruit flavours, says Ashal, will continue as it is, with a generous motive of keeping the doors open for visitors to take a look at this little homegrown nursery, and taste the fruits. 

“Additionally, every December, I plant a few Brazilian passion fruit saplings, and by early March, they begin to bear fruit. Recognized by doctors for its health benefits, patients affected by flu and dengue visit our home to receive these fruits free of charge,” he shares.

"Many visitors to my home garden have been inspired to start growing their own exotic fruit saplings and venture into home horticulture. That's my goal – to demonstrate that cultivating exotic fruits at home can be simple, effective, and efficient. Now, with home gardening, we have a variety of fruit ready for harvest throughout the 12 months. Next, I am researching on growing raspberry," Ashal signs off. 

(Chandhini R is a Kerala-based journalist specialising in human interest, entertainment, and art and culture stories)

Also Read: Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

 

]]>
Chandhini R Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:02:02 +053036164433616443
<![CDATA[Pigmented rice and dragon fruit ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/pigmented-rice-dragon-fruit-khamir-bhuj-earthquake-3684025

Dear Reader,

Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Growing up in the National Capital Region, I experienced some of them. But my most vivid memory is of fans swinging vigorously and a bucketful of water moving from side to side during the January 2001 Gujarat earthquake. The impact of the massive earthquake that hit Bhuj on Republic Day was felt in many nearby states. It left behind death and devastation. 

Rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals and creating livelihood opportunities from scratch required massive efforts. Many traditional artisans also lost their raw materials and workshops. While rehabilitation work was going on, there arose a fear that knowledge of traditional crafts would be lost forever. 

And that led to the establishment of the non-profit Khamir, which made centuries-old crafts of the Kachchh region a viable livelihood option for artisans once again, writes Aruna, my colleague. Khamir supports traditional artisans through design and marketing intervention. It clocked revenues of Rs 6.5 crore last year and has created a national market for the region’s endangered crafts. 

From Odisha, my colleague Niroj wrote about indigenous pigmented rice varieties that sell at Rs300 to Rs500 per kg due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. But out of the 320 landraces in Koraput in the 1950s, only 25 are under cultivation now as farmers shifted to hybrid and high-yielding paddy. 

Koraput’s tribal people have now stepped in to bring back the pigmented rice varieties. They are not only cultivating them but also consuming and conserving them. It has also given them an additional source of income.

Last week, I spoke to an MTech farmer from Maharashtra. Mahesh Asabe grows dragon fruit over 20 acres in the drought-prone Solapur district, earning Rs 2 crore annually. The 27-year-old engineer-farmer cultivates the Jumbo Red, Siam Red, White flesh and Yellow flesh varieties which are sold on the farm and also exported to other countries.

From a young age, Mahesh had made up his mind to continue the family’s farming occupation. He is now set to start a processing plant in June this year. It is heartening how he has combined his academic knowledge with farming in the fields. Do read his success story.

Our Sunday piece is on Neermahal. Did you know that it is India’s largest water palace and it is not in Rajasthan? Look up the story to know more.

We put out an interesting web story on Krishnan Mahadevan, an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, who quit his high-paying job to sell idlis at Iyer Idly. He does pretty good business by selling over 50,000 idlis monthly besides other items. Do go through it because it reiterates that following one’s heart is the best solution at a crossroads.

Happy Reading!

Warmly,
Rashmi

How Khamir is preserving the traditional crafts of Kachchh

Odisha's tribal farmers bring back pigmented rice varieties

Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming

This investment banker quit his job to become an idli entrepreneur

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 11 Feb 2024 11:02:09 +053036133323613332
<![CDATA[Neermahal: India’s largest water palace ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/neermahal-in-tripura-is-india-largest-water-palace-architecture-tourism-destination-3677235

Standing amid the waters of Rudrasagar Lake in Melaghar, Tripura, Neermahal Palace has been a quiet witness to history in the last almost hundred years. Also referred to as Twijilikma Nuyung (meaning Water Palace in the local Kokborok language), it is the former royal residence of the Tripura Kingdom.

India has only two water palaces -- Neermahal in Tripura and Jal Mahal in the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Neermahal is much bigger than Jal Mahal.

Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur commissioned Neermahal in 1930. The Maharaja, who ruled from 1923 to 1947, engaged the British firm Martin and Burns to erect a distinctive water palace in the middle of Rudrasagar.

With meticulous guidance from the Maharaja, the palace amalgamated Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, predominantly crafted from marble and sandstone. Its distinctive features include numerous balconies, towers, pavilions, and bridges, with dome-shaped minars which give it the appearance of a fortress. The  jaali or latticework shows a strong influence of Mughal architecture. The construction spanned nine years and was concluded in 1938. It served as a summer retreat for the royal family.

architecture neermahal
Neermahal is a mix of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. Pic: Flickr

The palace was named Neermahal by Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore.

A man of refined tastes, King Bir Bikram was a fan of the poet and organized a special programme in May 1941 to celebrate Tagore’s eightieth birthday.

Also Read: Assam’s Rang Ghar: Asia’s oldest amphitheatre

Bir Bikram is also credited with planning the kingdom’s capital, Agartala and building Tripura’s first airport. He also set up one of India’s first municipalities and built schools besides starting Tripura’s first University.

Unique to Eastern India, Neermahal comprises two sections: the Andar Mahal on the west, reserved for the royal family, and an open-air theatre on the east, hosting cultural events. The palace boasts 24 rooms and two stairways leading to Rudrasagar Lake.  

boating at neermahal
Boating in the Rudrasagar Lake. Pic: Flickr

NeerMahal features two internal staircases that descend to a platform above the waters of Rudrasagar Lake. Historically, Maharajas accessed the palace via hand-powered boats. Adorning the ceiling, the palace boasts one of India's most enchanting terrace gardens.

The palace remains a focal point for the famous Neermahal Water Festival held annually in August. It features boat races and swimming competitions besides other events. The lake also attracts migratory birds during winter. In modern times, Neermahal echoes a glorious past where the royal family revelled in its beauty and cultural significance.

Also See: Lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage sites in India

Look up our YouTube Channel

 

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 11 Feb 2024 00:06:24 +053036115513611551
<![CDATA[Odisha's tribal farmers bring back pigmented rice varieties ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/odisha-koraput-tribal-farmers-bring-back-indigenous-pigmented-rice-varieties-3658140

Govindia, a member of Odisha’s Bhumia tribal community, cultivates 70 indigenous varieties of paddy on just half an acre out of his three-acre farm in Nuagada village of the Koraput district. These include four pigmented varieties of paddy, which are rich in nutrients, antioxidant nutraceuticals and medicinal properties but fighting for survival. 

Similarly, Kondh tribal Pabitra cultivates black and yellow pigmented rice varieties one acre out of his six-acre land where he grows eight other native types of paddy. “I cultivate black ‘Surubadi’ and ‘Bhaludhan’ along with yellowish ‘Lachia’ and ‘Hema’,” Pabitra of Bari village of Koraput tells 30Stades.  

“We grow indigenous and pigmented varieties only for our consumption and conservation,” says Govindia’s spouse Raimati. This is in contrast to the scenario about half a century back. At that time, every tribal family in Odisha cultivated pigmented rice varieties not only for domestic consumption but also for commercial exchange through the barter system. 

However, native paddy including pigmented rice started losing their popularity after the advent of the Green Revolution in the 1960s which shifted the focus to hybrid and high-yielding varieties. This wiped out many native rice varieties as farmers stopped their cultivation in favour of commercially successful hybrid rice.

Also Read: Bengal farmer revives native paddy variety; earns Rs120 per kg with organic farming

transplanting paddy
Women farmers transplanting indigenous paddy. Pic: Courtesy Niroj Ranjan Misra

Reviving and conserving pigmented rice

Realising the loss of biodiversity, Kendrigenda, a self-help group (SHG) of 10 Kondh women farmers in the Bari village, in Koraput, Odisha has set up a seed centre to conserve the remaining native paddy varieties. Set up in 2023, it has conserved the seeds of nine indigenous varieties including red-pigmented rice called ‘Bolak’ locally. The SHG in coordination with the farmers’ interest group (FIG) in Bari collect and conserve them.

Also Read: Debal Deb: Seed warrior who has conserved 1,480 traditional rice varieties & shared them for free with over 7,600 farmers 

“All 20 members of our FIG not only cultivate indigenous paddy but also motivate over 600 tribal families in Bari to follow suit. As a result, they have started cultivating both hybrid and indigenous varieties in over 100 acres including 15 acres where red ‘Bolak’ grows,” says Bipin Tadingi, a member of the Kondh tribal and the resource person of the FIG. 

“We will continue to encourage farmers to pursue organic farming of indigenous paddy, including the pigmented black, red, yellow and brown varieties in place of the hybrid crops,” he adds. 

The area under cultivation of native paddy has drastically decreased to less than 2 percent of what it was in the 1960s. “The yield of a hybrid variety is between 20 quintals and 25 quintals per acre, while that of a high-yielding variety varies between 15 and 20 quintals. On the other hand, pigmented paddy yields a maximum of 10 quintals per acre,” says Sarat Kumar Patnaik, the secretary of the Koraput Farmers Association (KFA).  

two tribal farmers
Tribal farmers grow pigmented rice in small areas and share the seeds for conservation. Pic: Courtesy Niroj R Misra

This lower yield of pigmented rice can be made up by the higher market prices these varieties command. Pigmented rice sells at Rs 300 to Rs 500 per kg in the market due to its nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Tribal farmers of Odisha are trying to increase the area under their cultivation but undoing the past will take some years.

Also Read: How tribal women farmers are conserving native seeds & ensuring nutritional security

The world of native rice varieties

In the past, about 3,000 indigenous rice landraces including 320 pigmented ones are said to have been cultivated in Koraput, says Dr. Mihir Ranjan Mohanty, the head of Jeypore-based Regional Research and Technology Transfer Substation (RRTTS) of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar. Jeypore is a town in Koraput.

“This was revealed during the Jeypore Botanical Survey (JBS) undertaken by the Central Government between 1950 and 1955. Only 150 to 180 indigenous varieties including 20 to 25 pigmented landraces are under cultivation now in Koraput,” Dr Mohanty points out.

About 1,740 indigenous paddy varieties including a few numbers of pigmented rice landraces were collected during JBS, according to Dr Debabrata Panda, the assistant professor of the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources (DBCNR) of the Central University of Odisha (CUO) in Sunabeda of Koraput.

some pigmented rice
Eight pigmented rice varieties. Pic: Courtesy Dr Debabrata Panda 

When pigmented rice landraces are inching towards extinction, the state government has done precious little to prevent their disappearance. “The Government may soon take measures to promote pigmented landrace cultivation. Right now, aromatic landraces are the focus,” says Tapas Chandra Roy, the executive agriculture officer of the Kundra block.

Also Read: This septuagenarian Odisha couple has saved 1072 native rice varieties; shares seeds free with farmers 

When the scenario is dismal, some organisations like RRTTS, DBCNR of CUO, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Jeypore and a few NGOs like Pragati in Koraput conserve indigenous varieties including pigmented landraces. While RRTTC claims to have 35 pigmented landraces in its collection of 554 indigenous varieties, MSSRF has 28 pigmented varieties among 361 indigenous ones.

dr panda pigmented rice
Dr Debabrata Panda with his students and a farmer in Koraput. Pic: Courtesy Niroj Ranjan Misra  

“We have conserved about 400 samples of indigenous varieties including 20 pigmented ones,” says Prabhakar Adhikari, Director, Pragati.

“We purchase samples of black, brown and red varieties at Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kilogram from farmers who grow them in small patches of land for their consumption,” he adds. 

“Motivated by us, about 5,000 farmers who mostly belong to Bhumia, Kondh, Gadaba, Paraja and Rana tribal communities cultivate pigmented landraces and other indigenous varieties in about 200 acres in over 100 villages under eight blocks of Koraput,” says Muralidhara Adhikari, the chief executive officer of Jaivik Sri Farmer Producers Company Ltd in Koraput, a wing of Pragati.

Also Read: How this Kerala farmer turned barren land into organic paddy farm

Pigmented rice landraces have several health benefits, according to the scientists of MSSRF and DBCNR of CUO. “Pigmented varieties have antioxidant properties. Besides, fibre in them helps prevent the possibility of diabetes,” says MSSRF scientist Dr Kartik Lenka.

The DBCNR of CUO has collected nearly 130 indigenous rice landraces and has researched the nutritional and nutraceutical content of eight pigmented varieties-- ‘Bedagurumukhi’, ‘Bhatamali’, ‘Haladiganthi’, ‘Kandulakathi’, ‘Kalachudi’. ‘Malimakada’ ‘Paradhan’ and ‘Tikichudi’.

“Pigmented varieties that we have studied contain fat, fibre, carbohydrates, protein, amylose, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant, zinc and iron. All of them are beneficial to human health. For example, phenol averts damage to cells and promotes anti-inflammation capacity. Similarly, amylose boosts immunity, helps check diabetes and reduces risks of heart disease. On the other hand, flavonoids can dilute cancer risks, cardiovascular diseases, and several other disorders,” says Dr Panda. 

(Niroj Ranjan Misra a Cuttack-based freelance writer. He writes on rural and tribal life, social issues, art and culture, and sports)

Also Read: How fish farming is boosting paddy harvest in Bihar

Look up our YouTube channel

 

]]>
Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:40:07 +053035859563585956
<![CDATA[This investment banker quit his job to become an idli entrepreneur ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/this-investment-banker-quit-his-job-to-become-an-idli-entrepreneur-3633794 ]]>Chandhini R Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:06:00 +053035644483564448<![CDATA[How Khamir is preserving the traditional crafts of Kachchh ]]>https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-khamir-is-preserving-traditional-crafts-of-kachchh-ajrakh-bandhani-namda-kala-cotton-weaving-leathercraft-3618693

Shamji Valji, 50, is a weaver living in the Bhujodi village in the Kachchh (also Kutch) district of Gujarat. Everyone in his 32-member joint family is involved in the weaving of cotton and wool. “I learnt the craft from my father at the age of 12. I work for eight hours a day and earn around Rs 20,000 per month. While the women in the family make the bobbins and set the warp (vertical threads of yarn) on the loom, the men do the weaving and dyeing work,” says Shamji. 

Ramzu Ali Mohammed, 55, is a potter living in Bhuj. “We are 20 members of a family living together. I learnt my craft from a young age. I make pots, kulhads (earthen pots for tea), flower pots, tiles, toys and other decorative items. I earn around Rs 80,000 in the six-month season including Navratri and Diwali. While the women prepare the mud and paint the items, men shape the pottery objects and work in the kiln,” says Ramzubhai. 

Both Shamji and Ramzubhai work with Khamir, an organisation involved in the education, training, demonstration and interpretation of crafts, environment and heritage of the Kachchh region. 

Khamir provides artisans practising 20 traditional crafts of Kachchh with access to raw materials, design and marketing support, production, quality control and innovation. It also offers archival services to preserve the endangered crafts.  

Shamji says Khamir constantly conducts experiments and holds workshops to provide design exposure. Ramzubhai also says he has learnt a great deal from interacting with Khamir. His three children are undergoing training at the organisation. 

ramzubhai and shamji
Ramzubhai at the wheel (left) and Shamji at his loom (right). Pic: Khamir & 30Stades

‘Intrinsic pride’

Khamir stands for ‘Kachchh Heritage, Art, Music, Information and Resources’. The word Khamir means ‘intrinsic pride’ in Kachchhi, the local language. 

Khamir was set up in 2005 as a joint initiative of Kachchh Nav Nirman Abhiyan and the Nehru Foundation for Development. As a result of the earthquake of 2001, many artisans lost raw materials and their workshops. 

While rehabilitation work post the Bhuj earthquake was going on, there arose a fear that years of traditional knowledge would be lost. That’s what led to the establishment of Khamir.  

“It was a post-earthquake initiative to work with the crafts of Kachchh sustainably. We aim to make these crafts a viable livelihood option for the artisans and encourage the young generation to them up as a profession. When Khamir was started some organisations were working with embroidery like Kala Raksha and Shrujan. There was a need for an organisation to focus on the other crafts of the region. This is where Khamir stepped in,” says Ghatit Laheru, director of Khamir.

Also Read: How Okhai handcrafted a success story with 25,000 rural women artisans and one e-commerce platform

After a master's in journalism and a post-graduate diploma in the management of NGOs, Ghatit came to Kachchh looking for grassroots experience. He joined Khamir in 2008-09.  

director of khamir ghatit
Ghatit Laheru, Director of Khamir

The Khamir Craft Resource Centre is located in Kukma, 15 km from Bhuj. The unique eco-friendly campus is a space for artisans, institutions, buyers and craft lovers to collaborate and learn. 

Variety of crafts

Kachchh, the largest district in India, is home to a wide range of communities and cultures. As a result, it is also a hub of different crafts. Khamir supports printed textiles (ajrakh and batik), woven textiles, leather art, lacquered wood, wood carving, knife work, metal balls, silver work and pottery. 

It is also involved in reviving some art and craft forms like ‘namda’ (making woollen rugs), ‘rogan’ (a technique of fabric painting) and ‘bela’ printing (bold and graphic designs usually in black and red).  

“The textile products are very popular. ‘Kala cotton’ weaving, ‘ajrakh’ block printing and tie and dye (bandhani) products have good market demand. Marketing is a significant part of our activities and this includes finding new sales avenues for artisans,” explains Ghatit. 

Wool-carpet-weaver
An artisan weaving wool carpet. Pic: Khamir

Khamir helps with raw material procurement and design inputs. “Ideation is by designers but the skill part comes from the artisans. There is a collaborative process between the designer and the artisan. New designs help us create new markets and opportunities for the artisans,” he adds.

Also Read: How Sahaj India has empowered 18,000 tribal women in eastern Gujarat

The price range of products is understandably wide. While copper-coated wind chimes are priced between Rs 200 and Rs 600, handwoven sarees cost anywhere from Rs 10,000-24,000. A handmade chef’s knife costs around Rs 1,000, a lacquered wooden spatula Rs 350, a clay ‘handi’ Rs 350, a set of six upcycled plastic tea coasters Rs 230, a leather mirror set Rs 200, handcrafted leather diaries around Rs 700 and a silk bandhani stole Rs 1,950.

Family units

Khamir has engaged with around 6,000 artisans so far. “We work with units. Each unit consists of a small weaver working with the help of family members. In most crafts, women play a major role. However, the face of the crafts is still the man. They handle marketing. Spinning and upcycled plastic crafts are led by women,” Ghatit says.  

Artisan incomes range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 per month. Weavers, block printers and spinners earn well. Lacquer product sales are dependent on the tourist season. Leathercraft and pottery items are also in demand. Khamir’s revenue was Rs 6.5 crore in the last financial year, he says.

bandhani drying
Artisans drying bandhani products. Pic: Khamir

Khamir ensures that natural materials and environment-friendly dyes are used. It promotes hand weaving to ensure that mechanisation does not replace traditional crafts. 

Khamir is working on a project to recycle textile waste through hand spinning and weaving, says Ghatit. It is exploring opportunities with solar power enterprise SELCO for the use of solar-based equipment. However, since it doesn’t want to mechanise activities, solar use will be limited. 

Also Read: This Assam couple quit jobs to promote forest conservation through handlooms

Impactful innovations

Khamir has undertaken three impactful innovation programmes – camel wool, kala cotton initiative and recycled plastic weaving. 

Camel wool: In Kachchh, camels are mainly used for milk and transportation. However, their wool is of high quality and is warm, water-resistant and durable. It can be used to make textiles, carpets and ropes. The Camel Wool Project was started in 2013 by Khamir. Camel wool is coarse and has short fibres, which poses challenges to both spinning and the production of soft fabric. Khamir has explored pre-treatment options that remove the coarse fibres leaving only very soft, fine wool that can be used to make stoles, bags and other products.

Also Read: Kutch: Mangrove loss threatens Kharai swimming camel; hurts livelihood of pastoralists

Kala Cotton initiative: Kala Cotton is locally grown and organic, as the farmers do not use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Kala Cotton is one of the few genetically pure cotton species remaining in India. 

Kala cotton’s short staple length makes it difficult to spin and weave. After years of experimentation, Khamir began producing its first Kala Cotton products in 2010. 

kala cotton hand spinning on peti charkha
An artisan is spinning kala cotton in a 'peti' or box charkha. Pic: Khamir

It has created a supply chain between the Kala Cotton farmers, ginners, spinners and weavers to convert raw cotton into handwoven products.

Recycled plastic weaving: The Recycled Plastic project, launched in 2010 was envisaged to tackle the urban plastic waste problem in Bhuj. Collected plastic is transported to Khamir, where it is cleaned and segregated based on colour and quality. It is then cut into long strips and given to weavers to make bags and other items. Plastic weaving is currently practised by a large number of women trained by Khamir. As it is a skill that can be easily learned by new weavers, it can also generate supplementary income for medium-skilled weavers, people with disabilities, and senior citizens.

“More recently, the IITs have set up a rural technology group and have developed an energy-efficient kiln design. We have built 12 such kilns. We are also working with ‘vegetable-tanned leather’ to minimise the use of chemicals. We are in touch with Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for that technology. We plan to set up a tanning facility in Kachchh which will use the local knowledge. We also plan to work with vegan leather in the future,” elaborates Ghatit.

leatherwork mirror
A handpainted pot and leatherwork pocket mirrors. Pic: Khamir

Outreach and documentation

Khamir conducts workshops, holds festivals and exhibitions and encourages school and university students to visit the Kukma centre. It also undertakes research and documentation to preserve the crafts for future generations. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses a problem. 

“AI is a concern for us in terms of theft of creative property. We are trying to figure out how to counter this problem,” says Ghatit. 

The organisation is increasing payments to artisans every year. “However, we don’t just want to help artisans who are doing well to do better. Our focus is to reach out to small and marginalised artisans (in distant villages) to make a critical difference in their lives. As for future plans, we may support clusters in other parts of Gujarat,” he says. 

Khamir has an initiative to integrate crafts into the education curriculum. It works with local schools for this purpose. “The aim is to make the children of artisans understand and value traditional crafts that their parents and neighbours are engaged in. Spinning is just a hobby in the West. But in India it is part of the national ethos. A spinner’s child should know that,” stresses Ghatit. 

(Aruna Raghuram is a freelance journalist based in Ahmedabad. She writes on women’s issues, environment, DEI issues, and social/development enterprises.)

Also Read: How Kamli Tribes is empowering Udaipur’s tribal women through embroidered handicrafts

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Aruna RaghuramWed, 07 Feb 2024 00:02:39 +053035471213547121
<![CDATA[Maharashtra’s engineer-farmer earns profit of Rs 9 lakh per acre from dragon fruit farming ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/maharashtra-engineer-farmer-mahesh-asabe-rukmini-farms-earns-profit-of-rs-9-lakh-per-acre-from-dragon-fruit-farming-3587489

In the drought-prone Sangola taluka of Maharashtra’s Solapur district, a 27-year-old engineer is leading the way in dragon fruit cultivation. Mahesh Asabe has planted dragon fruit over 20 acres of his family farmland and now earns Rs10 lakh per acre in the dry region where agriculture is considered a loss-making proposition.

In 2018, Mahesh completed his BTech from Dr D Y Patil College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur, and followed it up with an MTech in Food Processing from the Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur.

Coming from an agrarian family in Akola Wasud village, Mahesh had a keen interest in farming from childhood. “My father is a progressive farmer. He planted Apple Ber (also known as the Indian jujube) in 2009 when it was a new crop in the region. Following him, many farmers wanted to plant the fruit. My father began to prepare saplings for them and helped other farmers earn profitably,” says Mahesh.

With this, the thought of experimenting with new exotic fruit varieties took root in Mahesh’s mind. In 2013, when dragon fruit was not very popular in India, he read about it in a magazine.

Also Read: Engineer quits US job to cultivate exotic fruits in TN, earns four times more per acre than traditional fruits

“I told my father I wanted to grow it on our farm and he agreed. I procured 9,000 saplings of dragon fruit and planted the saplings over 3 acres of land,” he says.

POLE IN DRAGON FRUIT
Mahesh Asabe's Rukmini Farms. Pic: Courtesy Rukmini Farms

Costs, revenues and profits in dragon fruit farming

Mahesh procured the plants at Rs110 per piece from a nursery in West Bengal. Today, however, dragon fruit saplings can be bought at Rs 25 to Rs30 per plant.

Dragon fruit is a cactus vine and needs a pole’s support to grow on. One pole can support five to six saplings. So an acre requires around 500 poles which can support around 2,000 to 2,500 saplings.

“It is best to opt for drip irrigation as it provides water directly to the roots and results in better yield and growth. Flood irrigation wastes water and leads to weeding,” Mahesh says.

In all, the total initial investment including poles, plants, drip irrigation, labour, and other costs for dragon fruit farming is around Rs5 lakh to Rs6 lakh per acre. “The plant starts giving fruit after 12-15 months. The fruiting season in India is from June to November and harvesting is done six times during this period,” he says.

Also Read: Doctor in the morning, farmer in the evening: How Hyderabad’s Dr SR Madhavaram earns crores from organic farming of dragon fruit

three types of dragon fruit
Red, white and yellow varieities of dragon fruit are grown at the farm. Pic: Rukmini Farm

Dragon fruit output in the first year is around 5 tonnes per acre. The fruit sells at an average of Rs100 per kg, resulting in an income of Rs5 lakh.“Farmers can recover investment in the first year or at the most second year,” he says, adding that the Maharashtra government also gives a subsidy of Rs 1.60 lakh per hectare (2.5 acre) for dragon fruit cultivation.

After two years of planting, the average yield is 10 tonnes (10,000 kg) per acre. With the market rate of Rs 100 per kg of fruit, the revenue generated is Rs 10 lakh (10,000 kg X Rs 100) per acre.

“After deducting annual maintenance expenses of Rs 1 lakh per acre, the profit is Rs 9 lakh per acre,” Mahesh explains.

Also Read: How this 32-year-old college dropout set up a Rs 4-crore marigold nursery business

He sells the fruits in bulk. “About 95 percent of the produce is sold from the farm. The buyers include wholesalers and supermarkets. The fruit has a shelf life of six to eight days after harvest,” he says. Mostly, his buyers are from Sangli, Kolhapur, Sholapur, Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra besides Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Hardy, profitable crop

Dragon fruit belonging to the cacti family requires very little water due to which it is gaining popularity among horticulture enthusiasts. “It does not require water at all during the summer months of March to May, keeping irrigation costs very low. It is a sturdy plant resistant to pests and diseases and can even withstand calamities like drought and storms,” Mahesh points out.

Over the years, he has expanded the area under dragon fruit cultivation to 20 acres where he grows the Jumbo Red, Siam Red, White flesh and Yellow flesh dragon fruit varieties.

The Yellow flesh variety commands the highest rate of Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg, resulting in a per acre income of over Rs 20 lakh.

“I brought the Yellow Flesh variety from Thailand in 2019,” says Mahesh, who has continued to grow his farming knowledge over the years. In 2017, he was selected for summer training at the Tel Aviv Agriculture University in Israel for 35 days with a scholarship. In 2018, he visited Vietnam to learn more about dragon fruit cultivation and its processing. In 2019, he visited Thailand to learn about newer dragon fruit varieties and cultivation practices. 

“In 2020, I visited Oman to promote dragon fruit cultivation in the dry areas there,” says Mahesh, who has set up his export company and ships dragon fruit overseas.

Also Read: Seven women farmers running profitable organic farms

Training and nursery

After his post-graduation in Food Processing (2018-20), the agripreneur has readied recipes for dragon fruit jam, juice, jelly, squash, chips and wine. “We have received the necessary licenses and will launch the food processing unit in June 2024,” he says.

on field training mahesh
Mahesh Asabe providing on-field training to farmers. Pic: Rukmini Farms

With an increasing demand for dragon fruit saplings from other farmers, Mahesh has set up Rukmini Farms and Nursery.

“I sell the Jumbo Red variety for Rs30 per plant, Siam variety at Rs40 per plant and white variety at Rs15 per plant,” he says.

Mahesh also gives training to farmers. While earlier these training sessions were free of cost, he now charges Rs1,000 to weed out uninterested people. “It is on-field one-day training,” he adds.

So far, around 30,000 farmers have visited the farm and over 500 farmers have purchased plants from there.

From 20 acres, Mahesh earns Rs 2 crore annually. With the food processing unit, his income will go up. “As the area under dragon fruit cultivation increases in India, the market prices may decline. Even if they become half at Rs50 per kg, the income per acre will be still Rs 5 lakh, which is good for a drought-prone region like ours,” he says.

The Sangola Taluka falls in a drought-prone area of Solapur district. The average annual rainfall is less than 500 mm in Sangola and in 2018 it received just 241.6 mm of rainfall, the lowest in 20 years, with only 24 rain days. 

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: Organic farming of dragon fruit and lemon triples Punjab farmer’s income

Look up our YouTube Channel  

 

]]>
Rashmi PratapMon, 05 Feb 2024 00:37:22 +053035147583514758
<![CDATA[Mushroom millionaires and Sargasheshi ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/mushroom-millionaires-marketing-organic-fruits-and-vegetables-sargasheshi-2874775

Dear Reader,
Do you enjoy eating mushrooms? I do. While farmers in India now grow many varieties including shiitake, oyster, paddy straw and button mushrooms, my favourite is the button mushroom for its earthy flavour which intensifies after cooking.  
Mushrooms are rich in nutrients, and medicinal properties and are considered a superfood. That’s why their demand in India is growing at around 8 percent annually. Realising this, two brothers in Agra zeroed in on mushroom cultivation during the lockdown.
Rishabh Gupta, a computer science engineer, quit his job in Dubai in 2020 and started mushroom farming in his hometown Agra in 2021. His brother Ayush joined him after completing his BBA from the London University and the duo now sells around 1600 kg of mushroom daily, earning Rs 7.5 crore annually.
Their daily profit is Rs70,000, Rishabh told me. The duo use cold chamber technology for mushroom farming, which gives yield throughout the year, unlike seasonal cultivation. Do read their story.
From Kerala, my colleague Chandhini wrote a heart-warming story on Sargasheshi, a handicraft store that promotes inclusivity by providing job opportunities to women with Down syndrome. Jointly set up by ULCCS and DOTS, it is India's first-of-its-kind social venture focusing on mainstreaming women with the condition.
From opening the store in the morning to arranging the articles on respective shelves, ensuring cleanliness and keeping a tab on the stock, the store is fully managed by Anjali, Anjana, Anushree and Teena Mariyam Thomas. Sargasheshi shows how training and encouragement can help in mainstreaming differently-abled individuals.
Niroj, my colleague from Odisha, spoke to Pradeepta Kumar Nayak, who has created a modern straw craft using paddy waste. Seeing the high amount of waste after paddy harvesting in his village, Pradeepta began creating art pieces from them in 1989. The eco-friendly craft has gained national recognition and popularity and has given birth to some award-winning artisans.
Organic farm produce commands higher-than-market rates as people are willing to pay more for chemical-free products. However, organic farmers need to find markets other than traditional mandis to get that premium pricing. My colleague Riya has put together seven ways for farmers to sell organic produce without going to mandis. Our readers who are farming enthusiasts should not miss this one.
Our Sunday story is on Tamil Nadu’s Pichavaram, where you can cruise through mangrove trees and enjoy nature.
In the money section, my colleague Karan has written about the best options for fixed deposits (FDs) right now as interest rates by banks have increased by 150-200 basis points.
Happy Reading!
Warmly,
Rashmi

How two brothers in Agra earn Rs2 lakh daily from mushroom farming

Kerala’s Sargasheshi breaks stereotypes by employing women with Down syndrome

How this Odisha artisan created modern straw craft using paddy waste

Seven ways to sell organic farm produce without going to mandis

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 04 Feb 2024 11:00:30 +053035069953506995
<![CDATA[Pichavaram, where you can cruise through mangrove trees ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/pichavaram-tamil-nadu-you-can-cruise-through-mangrove-trees-wetlands-tourism-2820058

Have you ever imagined riding a boat with thick mangroves on both sides forming a tree tunnel? You can experience this at Pichavaram near Chidambaram in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. Pichavaram is home to mangrove trees firmly rooted in a few feet of water, providing a beautiful waterscape for cruises. 

One of the largest mangroves in India, it is a popular tourist destination where one can hire a row boat or a motor boat to experience mangroves with roots hanging down into the water.

Some of the roots are so low-hanging that one has to duck the head to avoid being brushed by them.

Spread over 1478 hectares, Pichavaram mangrove lies between two prominent estuaries: the Vellar estuary to the north and the Coleroon estuary to the south of the Cuddalore district. This area forms the Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves, offering ample opportunities for water sports such as rowing, kayaking, and canoeing.

Pichavaram mangroves connect with the sea through a shallow passage, while numerous water channels link them with Vellar, Coleroon, and Uppanar rivers.

Also Read: The pristine beach and backwaters of Kuzhupilly

For wildlife enthusiasts

Picharavarm is a treat for nature and wildlife lovers because it is home to threatened species such as spoon-billed sandpipers, olive ridley turtles, smooth-coated otters, oriental darters, spot-billed pelicans and black-headed ibis. It also supports over 150 species of plants, 16 species of mammals, 200 types of fishes, birds (115), reptiles (22), butterflies (40) and amphibians of eight species. 

boating pichavaram
The picturesque waterscape at Pichavaram. Pic: TTDC

So besides their aesthetic appeal, the mangroves play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. 

Pichavaram supports a diverse range of flora and fauna like other mangrove wetlands. In 2022, it was declared a Ramsar wetland of international importance. The mangroves act as a natural barrier during calamities, stabilize shorelines, mitigate erosion, and serve as a buffer against the sea, contributing to climate change adaptation.

Also Read: Devil’s Kitchen: The mystical caves in Tamil Nadu

Due to its diverse habitats, the vegetation within the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is varied, ranging from dry evergreen forests to mangrove vegetation and salt marshes. This expansive mangrove cover is part of the coastal forests of the Cuddalore Forest Division.

second largest mangroves in tamil nadu
Pichavaram is the second-largest mangrove in Tamil Nadu. Pic: Wikipedia

Tourists often combine a visit to the Pichavaram with a pilgrimage to the nearby temple town of Chidambaram where the famous Nataraja complex is spread over 40 acres. It also has the Thillai Kali Amman Temple, Chathapuram Nathar Temple and many other historic sites. Some more pictures here:

Also Read: Tapola: A piece of Kashmir in Maharashtra

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 04 Feb 2024 00:02:38 +053028269422826942
<![CDATA[Seven ways to sell organic farm produce without going to mandis ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/seven-ways-to-sell-organic-vegetables-fruits-grains-without-going-to-mandis-2472006

Organic farming is gaining popularity among farmers in India. Alongside, consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of organically grown fruits, vegetables, oil seeds and grains as they are free of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

India has 4.43 million (44.3 lakh) organic farmers, the highest in the world, according to the Economic Survey 2022-2023. Also, organic food is cultivated over 2.6 million hectares of land in India, the fifth largest in the world. 

In the last decade, a large number of engineers, MBAs, postgraduates, lawyers and other working professionals have switched to organic farming to produce healthy food and live in harmony with nature. The bonus is the higher-than-market rates that organic products command. However, to reap those rewards, organic farmers need to find markets for their farm produce without relying on traditional mandis (wholesale markets).

Most mandis do not give any premium for organic produce. In such a scenario, it is much better and easier to develop a network of buyers to whom the farmers can supply directly.

Establishing trust and building relationships with consumers is the key to sustaining a market for your organic produce. Here are some ways to explore the market for organic farm produce beyond the mandis:

1. Local Farmers' Markets

Many cities and towns in India host weekly or monthly farmers' markets where local producers can sell their goods directly to consumers. These markets often attract environmentally-conscious consumers who appreciate organic produce and pay a much higher price for the same.

Many farmers like Aakash Thakkar of Karjat, Maharashtra, have built a robust customer base through these markets. This MBA farmer started selling organic fruits and vegetables at Mumbai’s weekly farmers’ markets and began home delivery to customers in 2011. Today, he sources organic fresh produce, groceries and other products from farmers across India and sells them online under The Farmer brand.

2. Community Agriculture Programme

Organic farmers can come together to set up a community where consumers sign up for regular deliveries of fresh produce directly from the farm. This model allows farmers to establish a direct relationship with consumers and receive payments upfront, helping to secure steady revenue.

For example, Kerala's paddy grower Tom Kiron Davis started organic paddy farming on a wasteland in Thrissur in 2015. Now he has set up a collective, Pepereno, that sells the rice from his farm and that from 30 other farmers to buyers across the world. The orders are placed through WhatsApp and the rice is sent from Kerala.

3. Online Marketplaces and own website

Organic farmers can use online platforms and marketplaces to sell organic produce directly to consumers. Websites and apps dedicated to organic and locally sourced products can help you reach a wider audience beyond your local area.

Apart from bigger platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, there are many marketplaces dedicated to organic food like Orgpick, The Farmer etc.

Farmer Mandeep Verma, who grows kiwi organically in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, sells directly from his farm through his website, Swaastik Farms. He supplies from his orchard to customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and other places.

4. Social Media and Digital Marketing

Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to showcase your farm products, share your farming practices, and engage with potential customers. Building an online presence can help generate interest and attract buyers.

Raman Salaria, who grows organic dragon fruit in Pathankot, Punjab, has two models for selling the chemical-free fruit grown on his Unnat Natural Farm. He supplies directly to customers in nearby cities who place the order through calls, WhatsApp or social media. Whatever remains unsold is then supplied to wholesalers.

5. Collaborate with Restaurants and Cafés

Partnering with local restaurants, cafés, and eateries that use organic ingredients is an effective way of selling your produce without incurring transportation costs. Establishing wholesale agreements with these businesses can provide a steady market for your produce.

Farmer Mukesh Manjoo, who grows organic dates, watermelons and olives (both green and black) on his farm in Pilani, Rajasthan, has tie-ups with some top five-star hotels in north India for supplying the olives.

6. Organic Food Stores and Co-ops

Approaching organic food stores and cooperatives in your area to inquire about selling your products on their shelves is also a good option. Many such establishments are eager to support local farmers and offer a variety of organic foods to their customers.

In Chennai, stores like Vaer Organic and Uzhavu Organic procure fresh fruits, vegetables and other grocery items from organic farmers. You can sell directly to them. Many organic stores buy directly from the farm, saving your cost of transportation.

7. Direct Sales to Institutions

Explore opportunities to sell your organic produce directly to schools, hospitals, corporate cafeterias, and other institutions that prioritize healthy and sustainable food options. You can also participate in regional farm-to-table events, workshops, and food festivals to showcase your products and connect with potential buyers who value organic and locally sourced food.

By exploring these avenues and employing creative marketing strategies, organic farmers can effectively find markets for organic farm produce in India without solely relying on traditional mandis.

Also Read: Seven tips for switching to organic farming

Look Up our YouTube channel

]]>
Riya SinghSat, 03 Feb 2024 01:00:46 +053023993452399345
<![CDATA[How this Odisha artisan created modern straw craft using paddy waste ]]>https://30stades.com/art-culture/odisha-artisan-pradeepta-nayak-creates-sustainable-ecofriendly-straw-craft-using-paddy-waste-2470502

Kuni Patra is busy segregating paddy straws into three stacks at the Kalyani Craft Centre in the Jiral village of Dhenkanal, Odisha. One pile is fresh from the field, the second is straw treated by the sun and rain, and the third is from a thatched rooftop.

Kuni pulls out the long inner ribs of the straws, called ‘sasa’ in Odia, with forceps and arranges them into three mini piles. The hue of sasas from fresh straws is white, while those of the second and the third are golden yellow and red. She then starts cutting, sizing and pasting sasas of three hues to create beautiful paintings without using any colours.

Her guru is Pradeepta Kumar Nayak, a self-taught artist who introduced the delicate straw craft in Odisha in the 1990s. 

He began making art pieces with paddy straws in 1989 while studying in class 12 at Panchagarh Somnath Jagadev College in Banarpal of Angul, Odisha.

Pradeepta has trained Kuni and many others in the straw craft in the last three decades. Now 36, Kuni began learning the art when she was just 12. She is among the handful of women artisans who have continued to practice the straw craft after marriage. 

kuni
Kuni Patra working on a straw craft painting of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra.

Pradeepta, 53, is still searching for dedicated students who can keep his craft alive after him. The male folk in his village and adjoining areas earn their livelihood from agriculture, and most girls give it up after marriage as household chores leave them with little time for this craft. The youth do not find it lucrative enough and prefer stable jobs.  

“I did not continue my studies after 12th class because of my love for the craft though my father, an Assistant Conservator of Forest, wanted me to complete graduation,” says Pradeepta. 

Also Read: Pattachitra: Odisha’s Raghurajpur turns hub of recycled art as artisans combine 12th century craft with sustainability

Creating a sustainable craft 

Pradeepta had tried and tested many methods for about two years to lend a full-fledged shape to his straw craft. 

“When I noticed that much of paddy straw goes waste in my village Jiral after use as cattle feed and setting rooftops, I thought of creating a new craft out of this waste,” Pradeepta says.

However, he waited for four long years, seeking visibility for his sustainable craft. In 1992, he met officials of the Sambalpur-based office of Deputy Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Union Ministry of Textiles during an art and craft exhibition in the Angul district headquarters. He shared about his craft’s uniqueness, and the officials were impressed.

women segregating straws
Women segregating straws for handcrafting art pieces.

“With their help, nearly 50 designs of my craft were displayed for the first time in 1993 at an exhibition in Ranchi, Jharkhand (then a part of undivided Bihar). I have participated in over 80 exhibitions across India so far,” says Pradeepta. 

“Now my annual income from craft ranges between Rs5 lakh and Rs7 lakh,” he adds.  

The office of the Deputy Commissioner then appointed Pradeepta as a master craftsman in 1998 to train 10 aspiring artisans for six months. While he used to get a monthly honorarium of Rs 1800, each trainee got a monthly stipend of Rs 300. Now, the duration of training is four months, and his monthly honorarium and stipend for each trainee have increased to Rs 20,000 and Rs 3000 respectively.

Also Read: Kalam Patua: The postmaster who revived Bengal’s Kalighat paintings

Training the artisans

Pradeepta has trained more than 800 people of which over 70 percent are women. “But I have yet to come across anyone as dedicated as Kuni,” says Pradeepta, who has bagged the State Merit Award (2003), State Award (2004), National Merit Award (2005) and National Award (2017).

However, Kuni gives all credit to her in-laws who support her. Married into an agrarian family in Gadapalasuni village (about 65 km from Jiral), she earns around Rs 5000 per month. 

Her income from handcrafted items is more than her family’s annual income of around Rs 45,000, says Kuni who has won the State Kalakruti Award thrice (2017, 2018, and 2019) and National Award in 2018.

a scene from the Gita
Straw craft painting with Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield in Mahabharata. Pic: Pradeepta Nayak

“I use straws from our fields. When extra quantity is needed, my in-laws buy it for me. A bundle of fresh straws costs Rs 25 to Rs 30, while that of sun-and-rain tanned straw and rooftop ones cost around Rs 15 and Rs 7 respectively,” she says. “I get full support of my spouse and in-laws, but most of the others are as fortunate as me in this regard,” she adds.

The process of straw craft

Kuni squeezes each straw’s bottom a little with forceps for its sasa to be pulled out. Then one side of the sasa is torn with forceps and flattened. It is then pressed and polished with forceps moving up and down along it. Then a paper is taken and glue is applied on one side.

Also Read: How Kalyan Joshi has made Rajasthan’s 1,000-year-old Phad paintings trendy

Flattened straw ribs are pasted on the paper in such a way that the tip of one is at the base of the paper while the bottom of the next one is pasted up. The process continues till the whole paper is stuck with ribs of a single hue. 

These sheets of white, golden yellow and red sasas or straw ribs form the base of the craft.

A plyboard is then tightly covered with smooth black cloth using glue. A white carbon paper piece is pasted on it. The artisan takes a piece of translucent or butter paper and places it on the picture he or she wants to recreate in the straw craft. It is copied on the butter paper and pasted on the straw sheet.

art of straw craft
The price of a straw craft piece ranges from Rs200 to Rs one lakh. Pic: Pradeepta Nayak

Then sasas of different hues are cut and pasted at appropriate places along the lines of the sketch drawn on the board or the ply to create shiny paintings ranging from flowers and mythological figures to Lord Jagannath.

“While a straw craft flower sells for Rs 200 to Rs 250, the price of a chariot is over Rs one lakh,” says Kuni.

Marketing support 

“If government agencies like State-owned Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) can explore and expand more avenues for sale, artisans can earn more,” she adds.

Assistant director of Deputy Commissioner’s (Handicrafts) office, Kumari Shailaja, says, “The Government has set up portal indiahandmade.com through which artisans and craftsmen display their items for sale. However, they need a GST registration.”

kuni patra award
Kuni Patra receiving the National Award in 2018. Pic: PIB

Amazon India’s state coordinator, Durga Madhav Nayak echoed a similar view. He, however, says that straw craft has not yet registered with his outfit. “Any business outfit with an annual turnover of less than Rs 40 lakh should submit zero return under GST norms for getting into e-commerce,” he says.

Also Read: Aquatic weed water hyacinth gives rise to ecofriendly handicrafts industry in the North-East

However, avid craft lovers like Dhenkanal-based Dayanidhi Bal argue that state agencies like ORMAS and Utkalika can boost sales. “Utkalika sells 51 approved handicrafts through its outlets. But there are no branches in Dhenkanal, the straw craft’s birthplace,” he adds.     

Assistant director (handicraft), Dhenkanal, Ramakanta Behera said, “More than one year ago we requested Dhenkanal’s civic body to provide a place where we can open a branch. But it did not yield any result,” he says.

Deputy chief executive officer of ORMAS, Dhenkanal, Sourav Dash contended that his organization not only provides stalls to showcase different crafts including straw craft at exhibitions. It also plans to open outlets for them at airports within Odisha, he adds.

As things stand, Pradeepta is fighting two battles – finding students who can keep his art alive and discovering newer markets to sell beautiful paintings.

(Niroj Ranjan Misra a Cuttack-based freelance writer. He writes on rural and tribal life, social issues, art and culture, and sports)

Also Read: Sholapith: Bengal’s eco-friendly ivory craft intrinsic to life and death

Look up our YouTube channel

   

]]>
Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:48:11 +053023978672397867
<![CDATA[Best fixed deposit (FD) options for investors right now ]]>https://30stades.com/money/best-fixed-deposit-fd-options-for-investors-high-interest-rate-banks-nbfc-post-office-2467071

Banks and finance companies are now scrambling for deposits thanks to a growing mismatch between credit and deposit growth. Loan disbursement for banks and finance companies continues to grow in double digits, largely driven by personal loans, but deposit growth has been sluggish. This has created liquidity issues for lenders and they are forced to solicit new deposits by offering higher interest on fixed deposits (FDs) and even saving accounts if the amount is high. 

In the last one year, interest rates on term deposits by banks have increased by 150-200 basis points on average, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India. This is good news for savers who have been struggling with low interest on banks' fixed deposits and other such fixed-income products for many years now. The hike in deposit rates by lenders has come at a time when there is talk of a cut in interest rates by the world’s major central banks including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). If the rate cut comes through it will force banks to cut interest on their deposits as well.

This is the right time for savers to lock in their deposits at a higher rate before they start softening later this year as many experts believe. 

Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and urban-cooperative banks offer higher interest on deposits than banks, but they also come with higher default risk. As a thumb rule, we advise readers to stick to large NBFCs with higher credit ratings (AA+ or higher).

Here are some of the best savings options available in the market right now.

1. RBI Floating Rate Bonds (FRBs) 2023: In October 2023, the Reserve Bank of India set the annual interest rate for the Government of India Floating Rate Bond (FRBs) at 8.05 percent for the duration spanning from October 30, 2023, to April 29, 2024. It’s a floating rate instrument and the interest rate on these bonds will be reset every six months and the next reset will occur on April 20, 2024. 

Also Read: Ten small-cap stocks that could shine in 2024

It is a taxable bond – interest on bonds is taxable under income tax, with a tenure of seven years, through premature redemption is allowed for senior citizens in special cases. This is a good option for long-term savers who won’t mind blocking their funds for seven years. 

The bonds can be purchased from the designated branches of the State Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. 

The RBI has now allowed individuals to apply for FRBs via its retail direct portal. The Bonds will be issued in electronic form only and credited to your demat account called Bond Ledger Account by the RBI. The bond is like a half-yearly income plan and there is no option to receive cumulative interest and principal at maturity at the end of seven years. Savers will earn interest every six months and it will be directly credited to their bank account.

2. Post office deposits: The old plain vanilla post office deposits are no more as lucrative as in the past but at the current interest rate of 6.9 percent for a one-year term, 7.5 percent for 5-year term deposits, they are still one of the best options for savers who prefer government-backed savings instruments. The post office also offers a monthly income scheme (MIS) at an interest rate of 7.4 percent per annum payable. 

Investment in post office MIS can be done in multiples of Rs 1000 with a maximum investment limit of Rs 9 lakh in a single account and Rs 15 lakh in a joint account.

The post office also offers 5-year recurring deposits (RD) at an interest rate of 6.7 percent per annum compounded quarterly. The effective yield on post office deposits rises by 50-100 basis points including the cashback that you get if you invest through their authorised agents. 

Also Read: Ten mid-cap stocks for investment in 2024

3. Shriram Finance Fixed Deposit: The Chennai-based NBFC currently offers one of the best interest rates on deposits in the private sector. The company currently offers an annualised yield of 8.6 percent for a 50-month deposit. The annualised yield works out to be 7.8 percent for a one-year deposit. An investor can earn an annual interest income of Rs 431 for an investment of Rs 5000 for five years. Annual interest income will be Rs 463 in the case of women senior citizens. It is one of the oldest and biggest non-banking finance companies in the country with a credit rating of AA+ for its long-term rupee and total assets worth Rs 2.21 lakh crore at the end of September 2023.

4. M&M Financial Services FD: One of the top non-bank lenders with a major presence in rural areas and smaller towns, M&M Finance currently offers three FDs with tenures of 15, 30 and 42 months respectively. The effective annual yield on cumulative deposit varies from 7.86 percent for a 15-month deposit to 8.92 percent in the case of a 42-month FD. It is one of the best-rated NBFCs with a long-term credit rating of AAA which could be partly attributed to it being part of the large Mahindra group. It reported total assets of Rs 1.09 lakh crore at the end of September 2023.

5. Bajaj Finserv: The country's second largest non-bank retail lender through its subsidiary Bajaj Finance offers up to 8.85 percent interest on its longer-term FDs with a tenure of 42 months. The annualised yield varies from 7.45 to 7.75 percent for FDs with a tenure of 15 to 33 months. Bajaj Finance is now the country’s largest non-bank lender with total assets of Rs3.16 lakh crore at the end of September 2023 and a long-term credit rating of AAA, at par with most top banks.

Also Read: Five tips to pick stocks in a falling market

6. Other non-bank lenders that offer FDs include LIC Housing Finance Company and PNB Housing Finance. Their interest rate is slightly lower than that offered by other NBFCs but they are a good vehicle to reduce risk in your FD portfolio through diversification. 

7. Small Finance Banks (SFB) such as Ujjivan SFB, AU SFB, Equitas SFB, Jana SFB, Utkarsh SFB, Capital SFB and Suryoday SFB among others also offer higher interest on their regular and terms deposits compared to regular or scheduled banks. For example, Equitas Small Finance Bank now offers an annualised interest rate of 8.5 percent for a term deposit with a tenure of 444 days while Ujjivan Small Finance Bank is offering 8.25 percent interest on 12-month tenure FDs. 

In general, small finance banks have lower credit ratings than large NBFCs and full-size private sector commercial banks.

For example, both Equitas and Ujjivan SFBs are currently rated at AA while AU SFB is rated BBB+ which is lower than top NBFCs and banks.

8. Among banks, relatively smaller banks such as Bandhan Bank, RBL Bank, South Indian Bank, Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank offer higher interest rates on deposits than their bigger peers in the private and public sectors. For example, RBL Bank is offering 8 percent for a term deposit with a tenure of 18 months to 24 months, while IndusInd Bank is offering 7.5 percent for FD with a tenure of 12 months.

9. If safety and liquidity are the prime concern, savers should opt for fixed deposits by public sector banks such as State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank among others. However, they offer low-interest rates. Another option is AAA-rated private sector banks such as HDFC Bank and Axis Bank that currently offer 7.15 to 7.55 percent interest on a 1-year to a 3-year term deposit.

The best option for savers would be to divide their corpus over four to five lenders to balance the return and the risk. For example, an equal split of corpus among the five-highest yielding FDs would generate interest of well above 8 percent.

Happy Investing!

(Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. Readers are advised to consult a certified financial advisor before investing in any of the funds or securities mentioned above.)

(Karan Deo Sharma is a Mumbai-based finance and equity markets specialist)

Also Read: Ten mid-cap stocks for investment in 2024

Look up our YouTube Channel 

]]>
Karan Deo SharmaThu, 01 Feb 2024 00:24:49 +053023942242394224
<![CDATA[Kerala’s Sargasheshi breaks stereotypes by employing women with Down syndrome ]]>https://30stades.com/society/kerala-sargasheshi-handicraft-breaks-stereotypes-employs-women-with-down-syndrome-inclusive-2407776

Every morning, 26-year-old Anjana proudly puts on her sales representative badge and steps into the vibrant world of Sargasheshi Handicraft outlet with her infectious smile to kick start another day at work. 

Anjana is not just another employee supporting her family with her salary. She was born with Down syndrome, a medical condition in which a baby is born with an extra chromosome that delays mental and physical development and increases the risk for health problems.

"Today, I have a job and I get a monthly salary. I feel proud to be able to support my family financially. This opportunity gives me confidence and the ability to overcome hurdles," says Anjana with a sense of accomplishment.

In Kerala’s Kozhikode, a unique initiative is redefining the lives of women with Down syndrome. The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) foundation and Down Syndrome Trust (DOST), Kozhikode, have jointly set up India's first-of-its-kind social venture – a retail store dedicated to providing job opportunities to resilient women born with Down syndrome, like Anjana.

Also Read: How this Chhattisgarh engineer’s inclusive café chain is breaking stereotypes

The visionary behind this initiative

Sargasheshi was established in 2021. The project is the brainchild of Dr MK Jayaraj, director of ULCCS and former director of the State Institute of Mentally Challenged. In 2013, he was appointed to the one-man commission by the Government of Kerala to take up a study on intellectually challenged individuals. After the report was completed in three months, the state government approved 137 out of its 168 recommendations.

On what prompted him to come up with the idea of a social venture, Jayaraj says, "Having worked in this field for more than three decades, I have observed the lack of job opportunities for people with Down syndrome. When it is a woman, it becomes a double struggle. There's also a notion that women with such conditions are a burden,” he says.

“We understood that financial independence was necessary to break this notion and promote inclusivity. Hence, we came up with the idea to start an inclusive workplace, a retail store, to provide employment exclusively to women with Down syndrome, Jayaraj says."

The outlet sells products handcrafted by adults with intellectual challenges and artisans from Sargaalaya Kerala Arts & Crafts Village. 

Also Read: Karnataka: Clinical psychologist couple empowers differently-abled people to make ecofriendly handicrafts & earn income

Training for transformation 

Currently, Anjali, Anjana, Anushree and Teena Mariyam Thomas take care of all the operations at Sargasheshi. All four of them were provided special training by ULCCS in association with DOTS. 

Between 2017 and 2018, when Jayaraj and his team were mulling over ways to empower people with Down syndrome, they did not have any model to follow. So they created a curriculum, enrolled around 50 adults with intellectual challenges, and provided them with free tailored training based on individual learning capacities and IQ.

Dr mk jayaraj
Dr M K Jayaraj, Director of ULCCS

 Six experienced special instructors conducted the sessions. Over the years, around 105 students have been successfully employed in various sectors. The organisation has developed an association with 19 employers, where these students are placed after training.

"People with intellectual challenges and Down Syndrome can be trained to do any non-technical job that is predominantly repetitive."

So in the training programme, they are taught the basic practices like developing attention span, regularity and punctuality. "There is also training to do simple chores like cleaning, arranging and assisting other individuals,” Jayaraj says. 

Also Read: Bridges Vidyalaya: This Puducherry School is mainstreaming students with developmental disorders; many are now doctors, engineers, MBAs & more

“We also provide on-the-job training for them to better understand the real-time working space, develop peer interaction and eventually integrate fully with the mainstream. Our students are working in hospitals, labs, shopping malls and retail stores. From housekeeping, and gardening to working as sales staff, the organisation has equipped its students to take up jobs and earn a living with dignity," he adds. 

EMPLOYEES AT SARGASHESHI
From left: Anjali showcasing newly arrived articles; Anjana and Teena at work; Anushree arranging articles 

Jayaraj believes that the success of this project is reflected in the positive feedback they receive from employers about their students, many of whom have become breadwinners for their families. If they face any problem, the foundation actively intervenes to address the concerns and ensure the safety of the individuals. 

A supportive work environment

The store also has a dedicated special instructor, Lalitha, on duty to assist the women staff whenever they require any help. 

"With extensive training, all four of them are successfully running the shop on their own. From opening the store in the morning to arranging the articles on respective shelves, ensuring cleanliness and keeping a tab on the stock,” Lalitha says. 

“In fact, they learn about each product and explain its features to customers. Since there isn’t any sales target, they are not pressured to persuade the customers. They genuinely help out the customers with their requirements and give the correct information about the products. I step in for billing-related support," Lalitha adds.

lalitha with teena
Special instructor Lalitha with staff Teena. Pic: Sargasheshi

Financial sustainability and impact

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jayaraj says Sargasheshi has managed to stay afloat. The initiative began with very modest gains and recently achieved an impressive monthly revenue of Rs1,40,000. The entire profit is reinvested for the welfare of the women staff, who receive a monthly salary of Rs6000 along with PF, allowances, and bonuses.

Also Read: How Chennai’s HashHackCode is creating ‘differently-abled’ coders

"A lot of people are learning about this outlet through social media and the number of patrons is gradually increasing. Sargasheshi today stands as an example of how initiatives to support people with Down syndrome can make their lives better and also bring about a holistic attitudinal change in society," Jayaraj adds. 

Anjana, echoing the sentiments of her peers, finds joy in coming to work every day. She enthusiastically explains the variety of products available at the store. "We have decorative items, traditional games, gifting articles and many more. I enjoy interacting with the customers and guiding them through selecting the products,” she says. 

“The training provided by ULCCS and DOST has been immensely helpful. I was previously working in Malabar Hospital in the laundry division. When Sargasheshi was started, I moved here. This place feels like my own and I look forward to coming to work every day," Anjana says with a smile.

(Chandhini R is a Kerala-based journalist specialising in human interest, entertainment, and art and culture stories)

Also Read: Echoes SOS: This Delhi café employs speech & hearing-impaired people 

Look up our YouTube Channel

]]>
Chandhini R Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:05:14 +053023355922335592
<![CDATA[Ex-NSG commando earns Rs6 lakh per acre with organic date farming ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/ex-nsg-commando-mukesh-manjoo-earns-rs6-lakh-per-acre-with-organic-date-farming-pilani-2406533 ]]>Team 30 StadesTue, 30 Jan 2024 00:02:45 +053023340192334019<![CDATA[How two brothers in Agra earn Rs2 lakh daily from mushroom farming ]]>https://30stades.com/farming/two-brothers-in-agra-rishabh-ayush-gupta-earn-rs2-lakh-daily-from-mushroom-farming-2404769

When the world was grappling with COVID-19, Rishabh Gupta was working with the Mashreq Bank in Dubai after completing his engineering in Computer Science. When loneliness in a faraway land hit him, he came back home. His Delhi-based parents, Rashmi and Rakesh Arya, had also moved to their hometown in Shamsabad, Agra (Uttar Pradesh) during the lockdown.

“After coming home, I decided not to go back again. I wanted to pursue something here, and organic farming was one of the options since our family owns around 3 acres of land here in Shamsabad,” says 27-year-old Rishabh.

Around the same time, his younger brother Ayush Gupta completed his BBA from the University of London and returned to India. The two brothers took online training on vegetable farming at the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Gharaunda (Karnal). It is an Indo-Israel Project approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The pull towards farming

“After that, we set up a polyhouse in January 2021 and started organic farming of the English cucumber variety. From March 2021, we started harvesting the vegetable and sold it at Rs40 to Rs45 per kg,” recalls Rishabh. However, they wanted to build an agribusiness to generate consistent income throughout the year.

Also Read: Jaipur’s MBA dropout succeeds with mushroom seeds business; earns Rs13 lakh monthly revenues

“We didn’t want to stick to regular farming. So we began to research about mushroom farming,” he says. Rishabh and Ayush did not take any formal training for it. They saw many videos of international experts and other farmers cultivating mushrooms.

parents rashmi and rakesh arya
Rishabh and Ayush's parents Rashmi Gupta and Rakesh Arya at the unit. Pic: Courtesy Rishabh Gupta

Farmers grow many varieties of mushrooms, including Button, Oyster and Shiitake. Mushrooms can be cultivated in two ways – seasonally or throughout the year in cold chambers. 

“In India, cold chambers for mushroom farming are not very popular yet. But this method gives yield around the year due to controlled environment parameters like temperature and humidity,” Rishabh says. 

“We zeroed in on this option as there is a minuscule chance of contamination besides consistent daily income,” says Rishabh.

However, it wasn’t easy to convince their father. “We had to prove the concept to convince our dad. In September 2021, we bought 20 compost bags (the growing medium for mushrooms) and spawns (mushroom seeds) through a friend. The results were good, and our father gave us the nod for Button mushroom cultivation on a larger scale,” says Ayush, 24.

Also Read: How this Odisha man became a mushroom millionaire with Rs 36 investment; has trained over 10 lakh people

Income from cold chamber mushroom cultivation

In April 2022, the duo began setting up the infrastructure for mushroom farming. They used one acre of land for the cold chamber, compost preparation unit, packaging facility etc. 

worker harvesting mushroom
A worker harvesting mushrooms at the facility. 

The brothers opted for PUF panels to make 12 chambers. PUF panels have three layers made of galvanized steel sheets. An essential component of the pre-fabricated construction industry, PUF panels are antioxidant and antimicrobial. 

“Each chamber has a dimension of 70 feet x 18 feet. The rooms have vertically stacked racks, 62.5 feet in length and 5 feet in width. Each room is fitted with air conditioners to maintain the right temperature,” Rishabh explains.

The temperature in each chamber is lowered from 24 °C to 13 °C as the mushrooms grow. “Each room can accommodate 3500 beds, but we use 3000 beds at a time,” he says, adding that they invested their savings and took a bank loan to fund the project.

Also Read: Shifting from cotton to mushroom farming increases Haryana farmer’s profit ten times

Today, Rishabh and Ayush harvest an average of 1600 kg of mushrooms daily, of which 1300 kg is ‘A’ grade mushrooms, which are mature, well-shaped and well-trimmed. The rest is ‘B’ grade mushrooms, which are not evenly shaped and sold to food processing companies for canning.

packaging of mushroom
Weighing and packaging of mushrooms are underway at the unit. 

“While prices go up to Rs180 per kg in summer, they are down to even Rs90 in winter. The average annual price per kg is Rs134,” he says. So their daily income is Rs 2.144 lakh (Rs 134 X 1600 kg).  

With electricity, composting and staff salaries, the per kg cost of production comes to Rs90, leaving a daily profit of Rs44 per kg or Rs70,400.

They have tie-ups with companies and wholesalers for direct procurement, which cuts the cost of transportation. “At a later stage, we want to set up our facility for canning of mushrooms to enter the export market,” the mushroom entrepreneur says.

Also Read: From juveniles in correctional centres to landless labourers, how Pushpa Jha is helping create mushroom entrepreneurs in Bihar

The process of growing mushrooms

Compost, the base for the growth of mushrooms, is prepared at the unit using wheat straw, chicken manure and gypsum. Chicken manure is an easily available source of nitrogen and other nutrients, essential for good mushroom growth.

rajya sabha arun
Rajya Sabha Member & BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh with founders Rishabh and Ayush Gupta and their parents. 

“Wheat straw is cut and soaked in water for some days. Then chicken manure is added to it along with gypsum and potassium to make mushroom compost. The next important step is pasteurization of compost,” Rishabh says.

Pasteurization of compost is necessary as it kills any insects, fungi, or other pests that may be present in the compost. It also removes the ammonia formed during composting.

“We then mix mushroom spawns with compost. About 35 tonnes of compost is mixed with 350 kg seed,” he says, adding that they procure spawns from growers and don’t grow them in-house right now.

Compost is filled in polythene bags with two or three holes for aeration. 

“Each bag has at least 10 kg compost mix and they are stacked on racks in the cold chamber,” the agripreneur says.

In 12 days, mushroom fungus mycelium spreads in the bags. The chambers' temperature is maintained at 23 to 24 degrees Celsius till then. “The bags are then opened and casing is done using coco peat (natural fibre particles made from coconut husks which hold water), and gypsum etc,” he says. The casing is a top dressing applied to the spawn-run compost to regulate evaporation. The thickness of the casing is around 1.5 to 2 inches on which the mushrooms later grow.

mushroom growers family
Rishabh and Ayush with their parents and visitors at the mushroom production unit

At this stage, the temperature is brought down to 5 to 10 degrees. The mycelium then disappears and mushroom initials grow, which is called pinning. After pinning, the size of the mushroom doubles every 24 hours, Rishabh explains.

“Mushrooms are ready in 21 days after casing. They are then harvested and packed for sale,” he says.

For those who want to be mushroom entrepreneurs, Rishabh says it is important to figure out the market for selling the produce before starting production. "The most critical aspect of mushroom entrepreneurship is ready buyers because the product has an extremely low shelf life. You cannot begin looking for a market after production," he says. 

While the canning of mushrooms is one of the plans on the anvil, the other is the in-house production of spawns or mushroom seeds. “We are looking at that option as well,” Rishabh says.

(Rashmi Pratap is a Mumbai-based journalist specialising in business, financial, and socio-economic reporting)

Also Read: How this Gwalior professor became a successful mushroom entrepreneur

Look up our YouTube Channel  

]]>
Rashmi PratapMon, 29 Jan 2024 13:47:26 +053023322512332251
<![CDATA[Seven women farmers and Sirohi ]]>https://30stades.com/newsletter/seven-women-organic-farmers-millet-entrepreneur-sirohi-2403794

Dear Reader,
Agriculture is almost synonymous with men, probably with a turban on the head, sweating it out under the scorching sun. But do you know that over 80 percent of the farm work like sowing and harvesting is done by women?
But today, women are coming out of the shadows of their fathers, brothers or husbands and creating their own farming success stories. This week, we have profiled seven women farmers running profitable organic farms. They are engineers, teachers, social workers, and even school dropouts.
However, common among them is the zeal to succeed, adherence to organic farming, and the willingness to take risks. Read the piece to know how they turned around the fortunes of their families with their hard work. 
Our other interesting story this week was written by my colleague Anu. She spoke to Gauri Malik, who quit her investment banking job to work in Haryana’s Sirohi village. Three years later, she realised that people consider non-profits equal to free goodies and don’t want to put in any effort. She went back home to Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and started her social enterprise Sirohi from her parents’ garage in 2019.
Sirohi empowers women from marginalized communities by training them to make zero-waste home décor and lifestyle products with fibre and waste materials. The venture hit Rs4.5 crore in revenues in FY23 and is set to achieve a much higher number this fiscal.
Last week, I spoke to Tirupur-based Deepa Muthukumarasamy, a trained clinical nutritionist who began preparing millet-based health mixes for her toddler son once he turned eight months old. Soon, one of her neighbours came up with a request to make a batch of 7 kg per month for the family. The word spread and Deepa set up Some More Foods to sell health mixes.
Today, Some More Foods offers millet-based noodles, pasta, vermicelli, cookies, and other products across India. It is doubling revenues annually and is setting up a manufacturing plant in Tirupur with a daily capacity of three tonnes. It clocked Rs3 crore in revenues last fiscal and Deepa has grown the business by reinvesting her profits and has not taken any loans. Do read this mompreneur’s inspiring story.
Our Sunday feature is on Kuzhupilly in God’s own country. It is a wonder of nature with a beautiful beach and the sea on one side and backwaters on the other. 
In the Money section, my colleague Karan has given five tips to pick stocks in a falling market. The recent correction in the Indian equity market with a steep fall in the share price of many frontline stocks offers a good buying opportunity for long-term investors. He has shared five common ratios you can use to cherry-pick value stocks.
Happy Reading!
Warmly,
Rashmi

Seven women farmers running profitable organic farms

Investment banker quits job to empower women, builds sustainable luxury home décor brand

How this nutritionist mom set up Rs 3 crore millet foods business

 

]]>
Rashmi PratapSun, 28 Jan 2024 11:00:54 +053023314252331425
<![CDATA[The pristine beach and backwaters of Kuzhupilly ]]>https://30stades.com/travel/the-pristine-beach-and-backwaters-of-kuzhupilly-island-ernakulam-adventure-tourism-2403635

Amid coconut groves and backwaters, Kuzhupilly is a small village on the Vypeen (also Vypin) Island of Kerala in the Ernakulam district. About 18km from the capital city of Kochi, Kuzhupilly is a natural wonder with a beautiful beach and the sea on one side and the backwaters on the other.

The most beautiful part of the Kuzhupilly beach lies in its picturesque approach road. As you veer off the main road onto the village route, the enchanting view of the backwaters unfolds. The narrow road meanders through this scenic beauty, flanked by serene waters on both sides.

The beach, with its white and sandy shores, is a paradise for swimmers and nature lovers. One can see paddy fields and coconut groves on the way to the beach. The village, close to Ernakulam, has a pleasant climate for most of the year. The beach is relatively less crowded than other popular beaches in Kochi, making it perfect for those seeking solitude.

In November 2023, a floating bridge was inaugurated at Kuzhupilly Beach to promote adventure tourism.

 Adventure enthusiasts can float over the waves on the floating bridge, which is 100 metres long and 3 metres wide. It's an ideal spot for picnics, beachcombing, and water sports.

Also Read: Wari Chora: Meghalaya's hidden canyon

The pristine beach and backwaters of Kuzhupilly
Sea, beach and the backwaters of Kuzhupilly. Pic: Kerala Tourism

Since the year 2000, the state government has been organizing a kite festival here. The fest, a kite flying and kite cutting show promotes tourism at the Kuzhupilly beach.

For a taste of authentic Kerala seafood, one can venture northward to Cherai Beach, about 4 km away. Here, many rustic eateries offer traditional food in a village setting.

As per the 2001 census, Kuzhupilly has a population of 12,120 and the number of houses is 2,701. The village is home to some churches and temples with traditional local architecture. Locals mostly practice prawn and paddy farming. 

Kuzhupilly village is also home to the Sree Balakrishna Swami Temple, which was originally built in 1895 and later expanded to its present form in 1964. During the exodus of Goud Saraswat Brahmins from Goa in the 16th century after the Portuguese invasion, many families settled in and around Cochin. One of them was Venkateswara Pai alias Vensu Pai who settled in Kuzhupilly in the land given by the King of Cochin. His son Anantha Pai later built the original temple.

Also Read: Tapola: A piece of Kashmir in Maharashtra

Look up our YouTube channel

]]>
Team 30 StadesSun, 28 Jan 2024 00:05:22 +053023312542331254