How This IT Couple Earns Rs 90 Lakh/Year with Organic Farming

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Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Venkata Durga Pavani have made a remarkable spot in India’s organic farming with Srestha Organics.

Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Venkata Durga Pavani have made a remarkable spot in India’s organic farming with Srestha Organics.

This IT couple left their high-paying jobs to create an organic farming business and generate income for thousands of farmers.

To promote healthier, chemical-free, sustainable food options for their community, the couple founded "Sreshte," a commitment to organic farming.

From building a strong foundation of organic farming in their region to empowering local farmers, their commitment to health has turned SRESHTE into a thriving business with a mission.

Manikanta and Pavani both worked at Infosys and Accenture, respectively, climbing the corporate ladder and making solid careers in the tech world.

Despite this success, they saw many wealthy people struggling with health and diseases.

This realization fueled the inspiring journey of Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Venkata Durga Pavani’s organic farming start-up.

From Corporate to Organic Farming Education:

Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Venkata Durga Pavani were at the helm of corporate success when they took the bold step of starting organic farming.

To pursue a healthier lifestyle and a better world for the farmers, the couple decided to make a real difference in their health, and ‘Sreshte'—a store for all organic products—was born.

As they noted the rising health problems associated with unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles, they also became more conscious of the difficulties organic farmers may be facing in selling their products.

With no background in agriculture, the couple decided to educate themselves in the Subash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method, a sustainable farming method without the use of chemicals and fertilizers.

They began attending weekend training sessions in their village, Lachannagudipudi, Andhra Pradesh, while still working full-time in Chennai, finding it challenging to juggle their IT careers and classes; however, their passion for creating a positive impact fueled their determination.

In 2017, they channeled their savings of ₹ 17 lakhs into launching ‘Sreshte’, after dedicated education and meticulous planning.

Empowering Local Organic Farmers and Community:

The name ‘Sreshte’, which means "Excellent” in Sanskrit, reflected their mission to provide top-quality organic products rooted in health, sustainability, and excellence.

Before partnering with farmers, Sreshte ensures that thorough research is conducted by adhering to strict organic farming standards.

Once it is verified that no pesticides or chemicals are used, Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Pavani outline the requirements and foster long-term relationships.

The farmers need to be government-certified and trained under the Subash Palekar Natural Farming method.

This natural approach advocates for herbal pesticides like neem astra and bhramastra, along with fertilizers such as jeevamarutham and ghana amrutham made from cow dung, cow urine, and natural jaggery.

Read more: The Story of India’s First Organic Farm: Ambrosia Organic Farm

One example is Maha Lakshman, a farmer from Agiripalli in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, who struggled to sell his organic mangoes at fair prices before teaming up with Sreshte,

After partnering with Sreshte, the farmer’s earnings have doubled from ₹ 2 lakh to 4 lakh in a single season due to the premium prices on organic produce.

Organic ‘Ready-To-Eat’ products:

Sreshte expanded its operations by establishing a dedicated processing unit and warehouse in Manikanta’s village, Lachannagudipudi, to enhance control over the quality and authenticity of its products.

Manikanta's father, Subbarao Garu, took charge of the processing unit, providing invaluable support throughout their organic farming journey.

While products were processed at their village facility, the packaging and delivery options were managed at their store in Guntur, ensuring a smooth transition from production to customer.

“Sreshte” found deep satisfaction in knowing that their food was contributing to long-term health benefits for many people, and the positive feedback they received daily inspired them to strive for continuous improvement.

The couple has also become fit and active after knowing more about health and good food.

As demand for organic products grew, Sreshte expanded its product range to include over 160 items offering a diverse range of organic rice and cold-pressed oils to homemade powders like peanut and sprouted ragi flour, along with Himalayan pink salt, black salt, and various flakes.

Sreshte ventured into ready-to-eat items, introducing homemade sweets, snacks, and cupcakes made from millets, jaggery, and palm jaggery, which are healthier alternatives to refined sugar, flour, and oils.

They also invite customers to their farms, recognizing that people are eager to try organic products and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Sreshte’s dedication to authenticity was evident in their traditional processing methods by employing vacuum packing and oxygen absorbers to naturally prevent pests without relying on preservatives.

Journey to Organic Empire:

Sreshte achieved impressive milestones, generating a monthly income of Rs 7.5 lakh and an annual turnover of Rs 90 lakh in just five years of operation.

For Manikanta and Pavani, the true measure of success is beyond financial accomplishments; they take pride in the positive impact their customers have on health and well-being.

Sreshte collaborated with 55 farmers, empowering them with fair prices and stable markets for their produce, marking their strong commitment to their community.

They have also employed 10 dedicated staff members who assist with packaging and delivery, contributing to the local economy and organic product awareness.

For instance, Sesha Rao, a farmer from the Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, has expressed gratitude for working with Sreshte, noting that they ensured he received a fair price for his organic farming practices with chilies.

Their support has encouraged Sesha’s efforts to continue organic farming and grow professionally by enabling direct sales of organic chilies and chilly powder to customers.

The true measure of Sreshte’s success was evident in the stories of their commitment to people’s health and making this world a better place to live.

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