A non-descript but much successful agri-retail store run on the
co-operative model for chickoo farmers in Navsari is driving a budding
entrepreneur’s efforts to bring an agricultural produce platform for
farmers in the backward regions of Champaran in Bihar.
The entrepreneur, Nagarjun Khushwaha, a 2010-12 batch graduate of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), is busy setting up a ‘mandi’ (agri-retail store) in Champaran to help provide an agri platform to farmers of around 25 villages. The idea struck him following his visit to the Amlasad VVK Sahakri Khedut Mandali Ltd in Navsari.
It should be noted that at present there are no government APMCs in Bihar for the farmers to buy or sell their produce in a cost-effective manner. Talking about his initiative, for which he has already invested Rs25 lakh, Khushwaha said, “The idea is to provide a platform to farmers to buy inputs like seeds and fertilizers and also a place where they can come together to sell their produce,” he said, adding that his business plan includes making farmers members of his mandi after payment of a fee.
“Members will get priority when it comes to sale of seeds and fertilizers. Eventually I also plan to provide equipment on hire to the farmers and again members will get a preference,” said Khushwaha. He said in backward districts like Champaran not many farmers can access the latest equipment for farming. “The mandi will help them provide it on rent. It will also give them a platform to sell their produce. There will also be a warehouse facility where members can store their produce,” said Khushwaha.
His mentor for the project, PG Makhija, who helped him conduct the primary survey for the business among others, said Khushwaha had researched well before going about his venture.
“It is unusual for students to do such intense field study before setting up a business. He went into minute details of things involved. While we were working on the project, the fact that Bihar lacked an APMC came up. We thought that Nagarjun’s business model should be scaled up to a private Mandi. Having understood the immense potential of the idea, he went for a detailed field study and perfected the business plan,” said Makhija, a senior visiting faculty at EDI.
At present, the former Yamaha employee who spent three years in Japan, is busy setting up the infrastructure for his Mandi, which will be inaugurated around September. He also plans to tie-up with fertiliser and seed companies to ensure best quality products for the members.
The entrepreneur, Nagarjun Khushwaha, a 2010-12 batch graduate of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), is busy setting up a ‘mandi’ (agri-retail store) in Champaran to help provide an agri platform to farmers of around 25 villages. The idea struck him following his visit to the Amlasad VVK Sahakri Khedut Mandali Ltd in Navsari.
It should be noted that at present there are no government APMCs in Bihar for the farmers to buy or sell their produce in a cost-effective manner. Talking about his initiative, for which he has already invested Rs25 lakh, Khushwaha said, “The idea is to provide a platform to farmers to buy inputs like seeds and fertilizers and also a place where they can come together to sell their produce,” he said, adding that his business plan includes making farmers members of his mandi after payment of a fee.
“Members will get priority when it comes to sale of seeds and fertilizers. Eventually I also plan to provide equipment on hire to the farmers and again members will get a preference,” said Khushwaha. He said in backward districts like Champaran not many farmers can access the latest equipment for farming. “The mandi will help them provide it on rent. It will also give them a platform to sell their produce. There will also be a warehouse facility where members can store their produce,” said Khushwaha.
His mentor for the project, PG Makhija, who helped him conduct the primary survey for the business among others, said Khushwaha had researched well before going about his venture.
“It is unusual for students to do such intense field study before setting up a business. He went into minute details of things involved. While we were working on the project, the fact that Bihar lacked an APMC came up. We thought that Nagarjun’s business model should be scaled up to a private Mandi. Having understood the immense potential of the idea, he went for a detailed field study and perfected the business plan,” said Makhija, a senior visiting faculty at EDI.
At present, the former Yamaha employee who spent three years in Japan, is busy setting up the infrastructure for his Mandi, which will be inaugurated around September. He also plans to tie-up with fertiliser and seed companies to ensure best quality products for the members.
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