Pune resident Sharmila Jain Oswal has made a significant impact on the lives of farmers in India through her dedicated efforts. She founded the Green Energy Foundation, an NGO, with the goal of supporting farmers, revitalizing water sources, and promoting smart farming techniques, including the cultivation of water-efficient crops like millet. Additionally, she co-founded ‘Gud Mom’ alongside her son, Shubham, a venture specializing in millet-based products. Here is an overview of her entrepreneurial journey:
Around 2004 to 2006, there was a concerning surge in farmer suicides in India, particularly in Maharashtra, with a significant number occurring in Vidarbha, the state’s cotton belt. Sharmila, who was in Canada at the time, was deeply affected by this crisis. She decided to return to India to support farmers and contribute to the nation’s food security.
Growing up in a rural village near Alibaug, Maharashtra, Sharmila had firsthand experience of the challenges faced by farmers. Her father, who ran a flour mill in the village, introduced her to the importance of millets and the concept of corporate social responsibility.
Sharmila’s determination to make a difference in the lives of women facing hardships, including early marriage and lack of education, drove her to become a lawyer. However, her upbringing in a farming community and witnessing the struggles of farmers motivated her to pursue a master’s degree in environmental and agricultural law in England.
After working in the UK and Canada, she returned to India in 2008 and established the Green Energy Foundation with a grant from NABARD. The foundation initiated sustainable water management programs in various regions, including Buchkewadi, Maharashtra, where they optimized water usage and increased water availability for farmers.
Sharmila expanded her work to states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, helping farmers transition from single-crop farming to cultivating multiple crops, including millets, which are water-efficient. This diversification improved farmers’ income and resilience against crop failures.
Over the past two decades, Sharmila’s efforts have impacted over 1.5 lakh farmers in five states through water management programs, millet cultivation, and capacity-building initiatives. She advocated for millets as climate-resilient, eco-friendly, and water-efficient crops long before their recent popularity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharmila’s son, Shubham, inspired by his mother’s work, co-founded ‘Gud Mom.’ This startup focuses on selling millet grains and healthy millet-based snacks to combat the rise in lifestyle diseases among the younger generation.
‘Gud Mom’ has achieved an annual revenue of over Rs 16 crore and collaborates with more than 5,000 millet farmers nationwide. The startup received recognition as the Best Startup in Organic Farming 2021 and the ‘Poshak Anaj Award 2022’ from the Indian Institute of Millet Research.
Sharmila envisions a future where millets are distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) and included in mid-day meal schemes to promote their consumption as a healthier alternative to wheat and rice.
In recognition of her impactful work, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Sharmila Jain Oswal’s efforts on increasing millet cultivation during his ‘Mann ki Baat’ program.
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