From Corporate to Crops: MBA Grad’s Organic Farming Revolution Now Yields Rs 4 Crore Annually

Deepak Sabharwal’s Earthy Tales Transforms Agriculture by Embracing Organic Farming and Empowering Farmers

Deepak Sabharwal, an MBA graduate from Delhi-NCR, transformed his life and career after a shocking discovery on his family farm in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Noticing the word "poison" on pesticide labels used on crops, he was compelled to reconsider the farming methods that he once trusted. This realization led him to a profound change in his career, switching from a high-flying corporate job to organic farming.

For three years, Deepak spent his weekends traveling over 400 km from Delhi-NCR to Pushkar, where he immersed himself in nature and organic farming practices. His determination to move away from chemical farming led to the creation of Earthy Tales in 2017. This venture aimed to provide organic produce and inspire other farmers to adopt organic farming methods.

Starting with a small portion of his 21-acre family farm, Deepak focused on rejuvenating the soil using cow dung and vermicompost. Despite the initial lower yields, the shift to organic farming proved successful as the soil regained its health. Deepak expanded his operations and began multi-cropping, growing pulses and flowers together.

The demand for organic produce grew, prompting Deepak to deliver fruits, vegetables, and groceries personally in Delhi-NCR. Earthy Tales expanded rapidly through word of mouth and social media. Deepak's innovative use of WhatsApp Business as a platform for orders and deliveries gained significant attention, making Earthy Tales a case study in effective digital business practices.

Today, Earthy Tales offers over 300 certified organic products, including fruits, vegetables, ghee, oils, pulses, and value-added items like jams. The company operates on a farm-to-fork model, delivering fresh produce twice a day in Delhi-NCR and 11 other cities across India.

Deepak's mission extends beyond his own success. He mentors small and marginal farmers, encouraging them to transition to organic farming by providing market linkages, training, and support. Despite initial resistance from farmers concerned about yields and marketability, Earthy Tales has trained over 500 farmers and helped them achieve significant income increases.

Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture's Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and RAFTAAR scheme, Earthy Tales has established farmer training and collection centers in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. What started as a personal quest for healthy farming has evolved into a movement, with Earthy Tales striving to become a farmer’s best friend and a pioneer in India's organic farming sector.

Reference:

thebetterindia.com