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Tag: SustainableFarming

  • Varanasi farmers reap higher returns with floriculture

    Varanasi farmers reap higher returns with floriculture

    Farmers in Varanasi have reported significantly higher returns compared to traditional crops, along with early harvests and improved market access, thanks to a new Varanasi Floriculture initiative by Ambuja Foundation and HDFC Bank.

    The project, launched under the Holistic Rural Development Program (HRDP) in 15 villages of Uttar Pradesh, is helping small landholding farmers shift to high-value, sustainable flower cultivation to capitalise on the city’s strong religious demand for blooms used in rituals and worship.

    A total of 32 farmers, including both men and women, were trained in organic farming and eco-friendly crop protection techniques. They received nursery plants of Marigold, Rose, and Jasmine varieties, along with vermi bed units to produce organic manure that enhances soil health and fertility.

    Supported by onsite expert guidance and continuous follow-up, the farmers successfully adopted chemical-free Varanasi Floriculture practices across 6.4 acres of land.

    With an input cost of approximately ₹1,60,000, the initiative generated nearly ₹5,90,000 in total income, underlining the strong profitability of the model.

    “Ambuja Foundation and HDFC Bank are committed to bringing positive change in the lives of rural communities,” said Ms Pearl Tiwari, CEO, Ambuja Foundation. “This Varanasi Floriculture initiative promotes efficient and organic farming to support economic growth.

  • bigbasket farmer empowerment: heartwarming stories from India’s fields on Kisan Diwas

    bigbasket farmer empowerment: heartwarming stories from India’s fields on Kisan Diwas

    On Kisan Diwas, as India honours its hardworking farmers, there’s a quiet revolution unfolding in villages across 16 states—one that’s putting smiles on faces and money directly into pockets. bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, is at the heart of this change, empowering over 50,000 farmers through a network of more than 120 collection centres right at the farm gate.

    Imagine a farmer in rural Karnataka, waking before dawn to harvest crisp vegetables. Instead of haggling with middlemen who take a big cut, he loads his produce onto a truck heading to a nearby bigbasket centre. By evening, the payment hits his bank account—within just 48 hours. No delays, no uncertainty. This simple shift has brought stability to thousands of families who once worried about unpredictable income.

    It all started small in 2015, with one collection centre in Malur near Bengaluru. Over the past decade, bigbasket has strengthened this model, building trust one harvest at a time. Today, a dedicated team of over 400 agricultural graduates, including agronomists at every centre, works hand-in-hand with farmers. Using the in-house Farmus app, they geotag fields, forecast harvests, and advise on growing high-demand crops that fetch better prices.

    “Our relationship with farmers is central to everything we do,” says Seshu Kumar Tirumala, chief buying & merchandising officer at bigbasket. “It’s about long-term trust and shared success, not just buying produce.”

    For organic farmers, the support goes even deeper. Through 12 exclusive centres, bigbasket helps around 6,300 growers get certified—at no cost to them. Trained local youth, called Jaivikmitras, visit farms to teach natural methods, like preparing Jeevamruth and Beejamruth, traditional elixirs that enrich the soil without chemicals.

    These stories aren’t just numbers—they’re about real people gaining dignity, security, and hope. As bigbasket continues to revolutionize farmer empowerment, it’s proving that a fairer food chain benefits everyone: fresher produce on our tables, and brighter futures in India’s fields.