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A Startup Fuelled By Father’s Loss! This MBA Student Is Making Lives Better

It was way back in 2013, when Somashekar Pogula, an MBA student working in a corporate FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods), faced an unexpected family tragedy. His father died due to critical kidney failure. This untimely tragedy fuelled Somashekar to study the root cause of what led to the death of his father. He eventually came to understand that it was linked to the unhealthy intake of food, especially chemical fertilizers being used on a large scale by farmers.

He also realized that not only was his father's life cut short due to unhealthy intake of food, but that there was a surge in other life-threatening diseases related to the intake of unhealthy food. This understanding, tied with the disturbing trend of farmers` suicide in India, led Somashekar Pogula to start what is today known as the Adithi Millets in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

Adithi Millets - Bringing Back Organic Farming

Deeply aware of the harmful impact on health due to the use of chemical fertilizers to produce food, Somashekar vehemently worked hard to usher in once again the age-old practice of organic farming. He was also aware of the growing trend of startups that were working for the promotion of organic farming, but most of these startups were not able to effectively change farmers' mentality to opt for organic farming.

It is a known fact that Indian farmers, since time immemorial, have practiced organic farming. What led our farmers to abandon organic farming is a matter of concern to this day. The one immediate cause for this drastic shift from organic farming to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on a large scale was the enticing, quick results of producing food.

Somashekar Pogula`s Adithi Millets came into being to revive and restore the age-old practice of organic farming amongst the farmers. Indeed, as of today, this enterprise has been doing commendable jobs as far as the promotion of organic farming is concerned.

An Empowering Strategy For Farmers

Starting out with just 30 farmers in 2017, Adithi Millets at present caters to the needs of over 200 farmers across seven villages in Kurnool. This gradual climb of Adithi Millets speaks volumes of Somashekar's endeavor to usher in organic farming once again by employing a holistic approach among the farmers. Millet cultivation comprises the core produce of Adithi Millets.

Its “Millets to Millions” tagline is purely to showcase the immense benefits of this `superfood ', as it is sometimes called, to a wider community of farmers in India. Farmers who work in collaboration with Adithi Millets are assured of a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) and free seeds.

Image credit: Online source

Adithi Millets purchases the millet harvest from its farmers by ensuring a consistent market for the farmers. The company then processed the raw millets into consumable value-added products, carried out by the women at the factory. The ready-for-market millet products then reach consumers through marketing platforms such as Amazon at affordable rates.

A Company That Looks Beyond Profit

Adithi Millets stands out as a perfect example for small companies that empower and enhance its stakeholders beyond its immediate profit margins. If the sole earning member of a family died due to suicide, Adithi Millets renders an alternative means of employment by providing sewing machines and livestock to the family.

Hemadri Reddy, a local farmer, said that Adithi Millets has had a positive impact on him as he almost doubled his earnings after he adopted Somashekar’s re-cropping method of organic farming.

The success of Adithi Millets` business collaboration with the farmers while being a socially responsible company is visible from the company`s impressive turnover of INR 2 crore in 2023.

Relevance With IYM 2023

This story of an MBA student who, as a corporate employee, went on to start Adithi Millets for the benefit of farmers displays the profound positive impact an individual can have on a community. It also shows that one`s endeavor for a positive change by incorporating business acuity with social welfare will go a long way for the betterment of all while coexisting and thriving together.

“Millet is an incredible ancestral crop with high nutritional value. Millet can play an important role and contribute to our collective efforts to empower smallholder farmers”.

Image credit: Online source

Also, this year is being observed as the International Year of Millets (IYM) to create awareness around the ancient forgotten golden grains, this story of Somashekar Pogula comes as a piece of good news to all. The United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This was adopted by a United Nations Resolution for which India took the lead and was supported by over 70 nations. Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu also stressed the importance of millet in achieving sustainable development, eliminating hunger, adapting to climate change, promoting biodiversity, and transforming agrifood systems.