Success Story: This woman from UP built a business of Rs 1.75 crore from Moringa farming
Success Story: Dr. Kamini Singh, a 38-year-old horticulture PhD researcher from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is a trailblazer in agri-entrepreneurship, exemplifying how a dedication to grassroots change, enthusiasm, and knowledge can revolutionize agriculture and empower farmers.
With more than ten years of scientific expertise, Dr. Kamini worked with esteemed organizations such as the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) and made important contributions to the horticultural sector. But even with her scientific accomplishments, she had a very difficult time translating lab-based ideas to practical uses. Dr. Kamini was inspired to have a more direct influence on farmers’ lives by the administrative roadblocks and the gap between scientific study and real-world application.
Dr. Kamini made the audacious decision to leave her esteemed job as a government scientist in 2015 to pursue independent research after seven years of devoted devotion. Her strong desire to collaborate directly with farmers, tackle issues at the local level, and develop sustainable agricultural solutions was what ultimately led her to make this choice. This crucial choice caused her to concentrate on a special crop—Moringa oleifera, the “wonder tree”—that would serve as the foundation of her business endeavors.
The Promise of Moringa and the Pilot Project
Because of its many uses and high nutritional content, moringa was the ideal plant to support Dr. Kamini’s goal of empowering small-scale farmers. It was the perfect crop for areas with limited resources because of its minimal input needs and climate adaptability. She started a test operation in 2017 with only ten farmers.
Dr. Kamini presented Moringa as a low-maintenance crop in spite of early obstacles, such as farmers’ unhappiness with organic farming because of its poor yields. She advised farmers to grow Moringa trees around the edges of their fields, using little water, fertilizer, or pesticide. The outcomes were remarkable. Each farmer received a return of Rs 37,500 after planting 100 Moringa trees, which produced around 1,500 kg of pods a year.
Farmers were even more interested in Moringa as a result of the trial’s success, and many started combining it with other crops like herbs and vegetables. A renewed interest in Moringa farming resulted from the model’s economic and environmental sustainability.
Making a Vision a Reality
Dr. Kamini officially began her business career in 2019 when she established Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. with a Rs 9 lakh initial investment. She started making moringa powder, a value-added product that increased the plant’s shelf life and helped farmers with logistical issues, after investing in basic processing tools like a pulverizer.
With earnings skyrocketing from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 19 lakh, her first year with the company was a huge success. Encouraged by this expansion, Dr. Kamini started to diversify her product line, concentrating on delicacies made from moringa, health goods, and personal care items. Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. swiftly established itself in the expanding health and wellness industry by producing everything from Moringa tea and biscuits to capsules, oils, and handcrafted soaps.
Expanding and Strengthening Farmers
The RKVY RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubator at IIT (BHU) awarded Dr. Kamini a Rs 25 lakh grant in 2020, which marked a major advancement for her company. She was able to expand her business and buy cutting-edge equipment like capsule-filling machines and oil extractors thanks to this money. This allowed her to create a range of products based on moringa, such as pain-relieving oils, health supplements, and personal care products, including serums and hair oils.
Under the Dr. Moringa brand, her firm now sells 22 value-added Moringa products. In addition to expanding her company, Dr. Kamini has assisted 50–100 farmers in switching from conventional agricultural techniques to more lucrative and sustainable ones. Dr. Kamini has enhanced soil quality, decreased farmers’ reliance on chemical fertilizers, and diversified their revenue sources by intercropping Moringa with crops like mango, lemongrass, and turmeric.
Financial Development and Prospects
Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. now generates Rs 1.75 crores in revenue a year, and by the end of FY25, it is expected to have grown to Rs 2.5 crores. Future plans for Dr. Kamini include growing her farmer network, creating additional goods, and establishing Dr. Moringa as a world leader in the health and wellness sector. Her goal is to continue her aim of enhancing lives via sustainable agriculture by using branding and internet advertising to spread awareness of Moringa’s advantages.
Overcoming Obstacles and Gaining Knowledge
The path taken by Dr. Kamini was not without difficulties. Farmers were initially dubious about using Moringa, and logistical challenges were exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure. But Dr. Kamini overcame these difficulties because of her fortitude, strategic thinking, and capacity to see possibilities in difficulties. Her current company strategy is proof of the strength of tenacity, creativity, and teamwork.
Advice for Future Business Owners
The success story of Dr. Kamini serves as a potent reminder that long-lasting change is achievable with commitment and enthusiasm. She is certain that doing what you love and giving your all to your profession is the path to satisfaction. It is simple yet profound: “When you are passionate about your work, nothing in this world can keep you from accomplishing success.” This is her advice to budding entrepreneurs.
