By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
Dr. Kamini Singh, a 38-year-old PhD scholar in horticulture from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is a pioneer in agri-entrepreneurship, demonstrating how passion, expertise, and a commitment to grassroots change can transform agriculture and empower farmers.
With over a decade of experience as a scientist, Dr. Kamini made significant contributions to the field of horticulture while working with renowned institutions like the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH). However, despite her success in research, she faced immense challenges in transferring lab-based innovations to real-world applications. The bureaucratic hurdles and the disconnect between scientific research and practical implementation ignited a fire in Dr. Kamini to make a more direct impact in the lives of farmers.
How She Started Chasing Her Dream
Kamini used to work as a scientist in CISH, Lucknow. During work, she got inclined towards farming. After working for 7 years, she resigned in 2015 to do research on Moringa. During that time, a company related to farmers offered her the post of Project Director, which she accepted. While working here only she was able to engage with many farmers, from whom she derived the new business concept.
Pilot Project and Moringa’s Promise
Moringa, known for its rich nutritional value and versatile applications, became the perfect solution for Dr. Kamini’s vision of empowering small-scale farmers. Its low input requirements and adaptability to a variety of climates made it an ideal crop for regions with limited resources. In 2017, she launched a pilot project with just 10 farmers.
Despite initial challenges, such as farmers’ reluctance toward organic farming due to low yields, Dr. Kamini introduced Moringa as a low-maintenance crop. She encouraged farmers to plant Moringa trees along the boundaries of their fields, with minimal investment in fertilizers, pesticides, and water. The results were extraordinary. Each farmer planted 100 Moringa trees, yielding around 1,500 kg of pods annually, generating a return of ₹ 37,500 per farmer.
The success of this trial ignited further interest among farmers, and many began integrating Moringa with other crops like vegetables and herbs. The model proved sustainable, both environmentally and economically, sparking a new wave of interest in Moringa cultivation.
Turning Vision into Reality
In 2019, Dr. Kamini formalized her entrepreneurial journey by founding Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd., backed by an initial investment of ₹ 9 lakh. She purchased basic processing equipment such as a pulverizer and began producing Moringa powder, a value-added product that extended the shelf life of Moringa and solved logistical challenges for farmers.
Her first year in business was a resounding success, with profits soaring from ₹ 10 lakh to ₹ 19 lakh. Encouraged by this growth, Dr. Kamini began expanding her product range, focusing on Moringa-based edibles, health products, and personal care items. From Moringa tea and biscuits to capsules, oils, and handmade soaps, Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. quickly gained a foothold in the growing health and wellness market.
Kamini future goals include expanding her network of farmers, innovating new products, and making Dr. Moringa a global leader in the health and wellness industry. Her vision is to harness branding and online promotion to bring Moringa’s benefits to a wider audience and continue her mission of improving lives through sustainable agriculture.
Scaling Up and Empowering Farmers
In 2020, Dr. Kamini’s business took a significant leap forward with a ₹ 25 lakh grant from the RKVY RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubator at IIT (BHU). With this funding, she was able to scale operations, purchasing advanced machinery such as oil extractors and capsule-filling machines. This enabled her to produce a variety of Moringa-based products, including oils for pain relief, health supplements, and personal care items like hair oil and serums.
Her company now boasts 22 value-added Moringa products, all of which are sold under the Dr. Moringa brand. Alongside her business growth, Dr. Kamini has worked with 50-100 farmers to transition them from traditional farming practices to more sustainable and profitable methods. Through intercropping Moringa with crops like turmeric, lemongrass, and mango, Dr. Kamini has diversified income streams for farmers, improved soil health, and reduced their dependency on chemical fertilizers.
Turning ₹ 9 lakh into ₹ 1.75 crore
As demand for her products grew, the venture showed its true potential. What started with a ₹ 9 lakh personal loan is now a business with a turnover of ₹ 1.75 crores and a steady 30 percent profit margin. Meanwhile, Kamini’s scientific insights and dedication to farmer education serve as foundational pillars of her work. She employs her research expertise to conduct meticulous analyses, checking for factors such as germination rates and pest control while ensuring the quality and safety of moringa crops.
Through hands-on training sessions and practical demonstrations, Kamini equips farmers with the tools they need to become confident, skilled organic farmers. She doesn’t just teach them the basics of organic farming; she shows them how to implement these methods on their own land, making them feel capable and self-reliant. Anil Kumar Singh, who owns mango orchards in the popular Malihabad belt of Lucknow, turned to growing moringa on 17 acres of his farmland. “Four years back, I’d started with an acre of land but there is immense profit in this crop. Initially, I had little knowledge about moringa, but as I was getting technical support, directly from a scientist, I took a chance and I got good results.”
“Earlier, I would get ₹ 40,000 from wheat or paddy, but now I get up to ₹ 1.5 lakh from the same land. I get profits by selling both leaves and drumsticks. I received my return on investment of ₹ 30,000 in the very first year. Seeing my success, more local farmers have adopted it,” he adds. Her vision translates into more than economic prosperity for these smallholders. It embodies a paradigm shift towards integrated and multilayer farming, creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. “By switching to moringa farming and value addition, farmers could earn ₹ 1 lakh alone from just one acre of land, compared to traditional crops that would only fetch them ₹ 25,000 annually,” she shares.
Conclusion
Dr. Kamini Singh’s journey from scientist to successful agri-entrepreneur is a powerful example of how innovation, passion, and grassroots empowerment can redefine Indian farming. By turning a niche crop like Moringa into a profitable and sustainable venture, she has uplifted countless farmers and demonstrated the potential of value-added agriculture. Her ₹1.75 crore enterprise not only showcases financial success but also highlights a shift toward environmentally conscious and integrated farming practices. Through hands-on support and scientific rigor, Dr. Kamini is building a resilient agricultural model one rooted in knowledge, self-reliance, and long-term impact.
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