Success Story: Monika Mohite did business worth lakhs of rupees through organic farming and nutrients

Success Story: A resolute and forward-thinking agribusinesswoman from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Monika Mohite has become a powerful voice in the organic agricultural movement. Monika’s academic achievements are as varied as they are outstanding, having earned a Master’s in English Literature, a Diploma in Creative Writing, and a postgraduate degree in Computer Science. Beyond her scholastic achievements, however, she is a living example of strength, purposefulness, and an uncompromising dedication to using clean, organically cultivated food to improve the world’s health.

She took up farming as a very personal endeavor. When her son started racing professionally in 2008, she was struck by a dietician’s comment that he would need protein supplements and energy bars to improve his strength and stamina. Being an athlete herself, Monika saw right away that commercially marketed goods lacked enough nutrients.

Her instincts as an athlete and mother drove her to set out on a mission: if there wasn’t a clean, natural meal that would enhance energy on the market, she would cultivate and create it herself. Paarakhi Organic Farms’ adventure started there.

Paarakhi Organic Farms: A Tradition Stemming from Authenticity and Family

Paarakhi, which means “someone who has an eye for the genuine,” is the name of Monika’s organic business. The name is a sentimental combination of the names of two ladies who greatly influenced her: her daughter Khyati and her mother-in-law Parvati. Monika highlights the intergenerational history of health and the family relationship by sharing, “This is my humble tribute to my mother, Aai, who introduced me to the world of farming.”

At first, Monika’s agricultural education was little. But starting in 2010, she threw herself into a rigorous study schedule, going to seminars, speaking with professionals, and gaining firsthand knowledge. One of the most important things she learned during her training at ICAR-CIAE in Bhopal was that soy flour greatly increases protein content when combined with other flours in the proper ratio.

These findings, which were built upon via research and testing, started to influence Paarakhi’s main offerings. Even now, Monika actively maintains her expertise to make sure her products are still nutrient-dense and current.

An Organic Ecosystem That Can Support Itself

Paarakhi Organic Farms is a dynamic, multifaceted environment spanning 40 acres. The foundation of Monika’s strategy is integrated, sustainable farming, which includes everything from cereals and pulses to livestock and poultry. Her main commercial crops are sugarcane, which is used to manufacture the popular powdered jaggery, and soybeans, which are ground into high-protein flour. The pulp for her farm’s fruit products comes from her mango orchard, which has around 150 trees. She also grows rice, jowar, legumes, and chikoo (sapodilla).

Her creation of dhoop sticks from cow dung, which was formerly derided but is today praised for its environmental friendliness and demand in urban health markets, is one notable invention. Additionally, her farm makes money every day from the selling of eggs and fresh vegetables. Her yearly revenue, which varies from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore depending on supply, climate, and seasonal demand, is evidence of her economic savvy and agricultural knowledge.

Overcoming Opposition and Informing Stakeholders

Persuading other farmers and workers to switch to organic farming methods was one of Monika’s hardest tasks. Many had doubts, particularly about the practicality and financial gain of using manures, composts, and natural repellents produced on farms. “They dismissed my ideas, particularly the concept of making dhoop sticks from cow dung,” she says. Monika, however, was unwavering. Slowly, those around her started to trust her since her actions talked louder than words.

She underlines that the absence of reasonable prices for farmers is one of the main obstacles to organic farming. In order to guarantee quick profits, farmers often resort to chemical treatments when they lack a direct market or knowledge of soil deterioration. Monika supports removing intermediaries and establishing networks that allow farmers to communicate with customers directly. For sustainable agriculture to succeed in the long run, she thinks this is essential.

Using GFBN to Build a Digital Bridge

Additionally, Monika is a member of the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), where she intends to exchange expertise and cultivate deep relationships with other forward-thinking farmers. According to her, agriculture might undergo a revolution if farmers had access to a digital platform that would allow them to sell their goods directly to customers. Digital media companies like Krishi Jagran, in her opinion, might be crucial in building this connection.

She thinks the GFBN Summit has the potential to change India’s agricultural destiny by fostering cooperation as well as the development of a united voice. “Every farmer has something unique to offer, and a common platform can ensure that everyone benefits, from producers to consumers,” says Monika.

A Promise of Pure Food from One Mother to Many

Motherhood is the highly emotional driving force for Monika’s endeavor. She often asks herself, “What’s the point of my work if I can’t feed my own children well?” But her goal is not limited to her family. She is committed to giving every kid access to wholesome, nutrient-dense food because she thinks that the current generation deserves more than the boring, chemical-laden meals that are widely available.

She often considers how different the cuisine she grew up consuming is from what is available now. Her childhood’s colorful, nutrient-dense vegetables have given way to mass-produced goods with less nutritious content. Through Paarakhi, she is bringing back not just traditional farming but also a lifestyle based on balance, well-being, and organic development.

In addition to being a farmer, Monika Mohite is a mother, businesswoman, pioneer, and civic leader. She has developed a movement with Paarakhi that is based on compassion, sustainability, and authenticity rather than just a company. Her transformation from a mother worried about her son’s diet to a nationally renowned organic farmer with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh is a testament to what can be accomplished with fortitude, knowledge, and vision.

Monika serves as a reminder of what is possible when we decide to cultivate thoughtfully, eat deliberately, and live meaningfully in a world that is becoming more and more cut off from its food sources.