From Rocks to Riches: How an MBA Grad Turned Barren Land into Organic Gold!
In 2021, Purva Jindal started to work on an empty plot of land in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, and transformed it into a thriving organic farm. Her farm-to-fork company Saakhi Organic is poised for growth, providing veggies and goods straight to consumers. Little did Purva Jindal realize that she would become a prosperous organic farmer someday when she graduated with her MBA in 2017 from Mumbai's SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR). Purva obtained her MBA in Family Business to advance her father's textile company in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Seeing as how others in her immediate vicinity were becoming sick from weakened immune systems and eating food full of chemicals for years, she considered initiating a project that would restore health. For the 29-year-old agripreneur, organic farming sounded like the greatest concept and something she was passionate about. When she started visiting organic farmers in Rajasthan in 2021, she discovered that the majority of them were cultivating food without the use of chemicals, either for food processing or export. Barren terrain to abundant harvests ~ (Source: Google Images)In 2014–15, Purva's family bought a 10-acre agricultural plot in Hamirgarh, which is roughly 22 km from Bhilwara. No one ever cultivated anything in that desolate area of rocks and stones. Only cacti and a few untamed plants were there, according to Purva. Her first duty was thus obvious: use organic farming methods to cultivate that arid region. She used a tractor and backhoe loaders to clear the plants, stones, and boulders. She separated the field into three sections: two-thirds were to be used for farming, and one-third was to be maintained for permanent development, including our office, cow shed, and irrigation system. Moreover, she concentrated on the less rocky part of the area first while the other, which lacked topsoil and was covered with stones, was developed in the second phase. Since the land had never been farmed, Purva also employed organic termite treatment. "We made our own bacterial cultures, such as those for jeevamrit and neemastra, etc. She adds, "We have six vermicompost beds and we have used castor oil for pest management. There hasn't been any going back since then ~ (Source: Google Images) Despite obstacles like heavy rains or bug infestations, they haven't stopped. Sticky traps are used to keep pests at bay, and crops like marigolds are planted alongside tomatoes. Insects that prey on crops tend to target marigolds rather than tomatoes. This month, the installation of net dwellings spanning two acres was finished by her. That will raise yield even more. By controlling light and shielding crops from inclement weather like wind and rain, net homes can double or triple crop yields. They lessen the likelihood of pest assaults as well as the requirement for chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and water. About six months ago, Purva began sourcing groceries from certified organic growers to offer a wider range of products to her customers. These include pulses, spices, organic wheat flour, and more. "We're currently sourcing locally and selling directly to consumers. Our monthly sales are around Rs. 1 lakh, and we have plans to expand quickly into more cities," says Purva.
