Goa has been celebrated for its pristine beaches, enchanting sunsets, lively parties, and popularity as a vacation destination with friends for decades.
Thanks to the two extraordinary visionaries of Ambrosia Organic FArm, Goa has evolved into a thriving hub for organic living.
Today, tourists enjoy the green charm of this Konkan region and relish the wholesome delights of India’s first organic company.
In the 1990s, David Gower, a UK native, arrived in India during the 1990s with his wife, Michaela Kelemen. Captivated by India’s vibrant culture and natura resources in Goa, the couple chose to start organic farming in the region.
In 1993, David founded the Ambrosia Organic Farm, a foundation for a natural and sustainable agriculture in Goa.
His farm was joined by Janardan Khorate, also known as “Saladbaba”, determined to establish India’s first Organic company and for Goa to become an Organic hub.
Today, Ambrosia Organic Farm stands as a prominent organic brand, celebrated not only in Goa but also on the global stage.
Read on to find out more about the inspiring rise of Ambrosia Organic Farm and how organic living is empowering farmers in Goa.
The Start of Ambrosia:
David Gower and his wife, Michaela Keleman, often visited Goa during their India trips from 1978.
Their fascination for the natural beauty of Goa grew over the yeas, inspiring them to start an organic farm in the region.
In 1993, David established a five-acre farm in Siolim and began cultivating exotic fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and capsicums.
Janardan Khorate helped him set up the farm and took initiatives to expand their business.
Fresh produce from Ambrosia organic farm found their way into nearby restaurants, primarily for salads, leading to the affectionate moniker "Saladbaba.”
By 1999, Ambrosia had expanded their offerings to product offerings like peanut butter, chia
By 2003, Janardan become their personal and business relative and embraced their organic idea, wholeheartedly.
After securing his parents' consent, David and Michaela promised to provide him with an education, a home, and a bright future. True to their word, in 2008, they entrusted Janardan with the management of Ambrosia, officially handing over the reins to him.
Today, the family splits their time between London and Goa, while Janardan remains at the helm of Ambrosia, deeply involved in all aspects of the venture's operations.
When Ambrosia was growing chemical and presticdes-free fruits and vegetables, Organic farming was still a novel conceptt in India.
Read more about the Agriculture’s Carbon Footprint and Natural Farming
Ambrosia Oraganic Farm was a one-of-a-kind initiative, marking the beginning of a era era of sustainable farming.
Establishing the farm required deliberate choices, identifying the right and selecting the the choice of harvest according to the land, to expand the concept the organic farming further.
Empowering 4000 Organic Farmers:
Ambrosia organic farm grew and gained significant base of loyal customers after the omropduction of online sale sin 2016.
When visitors from other states, including Delhi, began expressing interest in the farms offerings, Ambrosia started selling on online retail platforms like Amazon and achieved success. This pivotal busines step further propelled them to newer heights.
Today, Ambrosia Organic Farm spans 135 acres of flourishing farmland and empowers 4000 registered organic farmers offering an extensive portfolio of 59 organic products.
With a strong focus on social responsibility and community upliftment, Ambrosia dedicates 20% of its profits to the education of farmer’s children.
Ambrosia organic farm provides books, notebooks, and uniforms to school childrens across Goa and the Maharashtra border, including orphanages and government-run instituions for farmers’s children.
“Saladbaba” actively undertakles inititatves striving to improve the quality of life, of their farming community.
To reinforce this mission, Ambrosia Organic Farm proudly carries the tagline ‘Save the Farmers,’ symbolizing its unwavering support for those who sustain the nation.
Among their popular offerings are organic blueberry-flavoured peanut butter and rice cakes, made from puffed organic brown, black, and red rice.
Amrosia’s ready-to-eat delicacies have gained international popularity, particularly from tourists from Russia, Germany, and Italy, who often carry them home as souvenirs from Goa.
Additionally, the company sources certain products, like Apple Cider Vinegar, from Himachal Pradesh.
They support uniformity in high-quality sustainable production by providing them with seeds and compost.
Empowering 4000 Organic Farmers:
Janardan, aka Saladbaba demonstrated strategic acumen in running Ambrosia Organic Farm and earning widespread recognition for his efforts.
Ambrosia began exporting its organic products across India and countries like Japan and Taiwan, with plans to expand to the Middle East soon.
The organic farn also achieved a remarkable turnover of ₹22 crore in the last financial year.
Ambrosia Organic Farm was awarded Times of India’s Iconic Organic Food of the Year for three consecutive years.
With the launch of organic fitness food, Ambrosia Organic Farm added the recognition of Infia’s first organic fitness food manufacturer in 2019.
Supported by the Government of Goa, Ambrosia’s fitness organic food range was hit with IFBB pro Sunit Jadhav being their brand ambassador.
Summing up the Journey:
The story of Ambrosia Organic Farm is a testament to vision, perseverance, and the transformative power of collaboration.
For Janardan, the journey feels almost surreal as he reflects on how his partnership with David and Michaela Gower changed the course of his life, propelling Ambrosia to unprecedented heights.
Today, Goa boasts numerous organic farms, yet Ambrosia Organic Farm remains the people’s favorite, celebrated for its high-quality produce and innovative organic products.
Through their pioneering efforts, David Gower and Saladbaba not only introduced organic farming to Goa but also transformed the region into a thriving organic hub, inspiring a sustainable future.
Their story is a beacon of hope and a reminder that dedication and a shared dream can create a lasting impact.
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