Success Story: Know how Amrita Bharti transformed her Rs 40 lakh annual business into organic farming and agritourism
Success Story: The tale of Amrita Bharti is one of bravery, foresight, and unwavering determination. Born in Jamshedpur and now residing in Pune, she lived overseas for many years before dreaming her way back to India. She felt unhappy and longed for a life based on purpose and independence despite having a wealth of business expertise. She experimented with a variety of endeavors, including beauty pageants and artistic endeavors, but none of them fulfilled her inner calling. She was determined to do actions that would benefit the environment and her spirit.
Growing Dreams in a Garden on a Balcony
Her decision to start growing plants on her little 100-square-foot city balcony marked a sea change. She demonstrated her natural green thumb by growing over 500 plants over time. She won the title of “Best Balcony Garden in India” for her hard work and inventiveness. This realization made her dream bigger: what could she do with open land if she could do this in such a little area?
Hariyali Farms: Realizing a Green Vision
Despite not having any official farming expertise, Amrita established Hariyali Farms on two acres of land in 2021. Determined, she engaged herself in experiential learning and learned from a variety of sources. In addition to being a site for farming, her ideal farm would serve as a haven for city dwellers looking to get away to the peace and quiet of the countryside. She created a place where guests could take in the fresh air, practice farming, and re-establish a connection with the soil after seeing how cut off city people were from the natural world.
Amrita received official agritourism training and obtained Maharashtra government certification as an Agri-Tourism Center to bolster her venture. Her goal is to inspire, educate, and provide city dwellers an opportunity to experience the rhythms of rural life.
Seasonal, Organic, and Conscientious Farming
Seasonal and organic agricultural practices are used at Hariyali Farms. Amrita grows the aromatic Indrayani rice on 1.5 acres during the monsoon season, producing more than 1 ton of the grain every year. Her farm-to-table philosophy is furthered by serving this unpolished rice to visitors and using it for personal use. She cultivates a wide variety of indigenous and exotic vegetables in the winter, along with wheat, mustard, maize, sugarcane, green and black chana, and more.
Fresh produce is available for visitors to purchase or eat as part of specially prepared farm lunches. She prioritizes developing genuine experiences related to sustainability above just making money.
Amrita cultivates 600–700 kg of sunflower seeds in the summer and then cold presses them to obtain the oil. Her agricultural operations and reputation for purity are maintained by the high prices at which these organic items are sold.
An Eco-Friendly Closed-Loop Model
The closed-loop environment of Hariyali Farms is one of its distinguishing characteristics. Amrita avoids using synthetic fertilizers. Rather, she uses the waste from farm animals, such as cows, goats, bunnies, ducks, chickens, and guinea pigs, to create her own organic compost. This keeps the farm sustainable and fruitful by enriching the soil and lowering reliance on outside inputs.
Grit: Overcoming Adversity
Amrita had a really difficult path. She encountered mistrust, opposition, and even animosity since she was a woman and a non-Maharashtrian entering a traditional rural context. During a terrifying dark journey, she was harassed and obstructed by a group of locals. She defused the situation herself, videotaped the confrontation, and maintained her position despite being alone.
During the monsoon, she lived without power for over a month, further isolating herself. Because of their jobs and schooling, her husband and kids stayed in Pune, leaving her to run the farm by herself. She was also made fun of for trying to operate a tractor, which many people said was inappropriate for a woman. Even her detractors praised her bravery when she triumphed.
Her perseverance gradually gained favor with the locals. Many locals now look up to her and seek her advice, having previously been skeptics.
Accomplishments and Acclaim
Amrita has won praise from all throughout the country for her dedication to sustainable agriculture. DD Kisan highlighted Hariyali Farms as one of the emerging agricultural entrepreneurs in India. In addition, Krishi Jagran presented her with the esteemed “Millionaire Farmer of India Award,” which acknowledged her creative contributions to organic farming and agritourism.
Experience, Inform, and Encourage
Amrita creates a whole rural experience rather than only managing a farm. Her visitors are invited to learn about organic agricultural methods, sample products free of chemicals, and become involved in farming. Her objective is to raise awareness of the value of sustainability in addition to growing food.
Her strategy crosses the gap between rural and urban areas and sows the seeds of change in the minds of those who come. She cultivates an appreciation for calm, thoughtful living and the work that goes into the food we eat via these immersive events.
An Insight into the Future
Amrita Bharti is a remarkable example of vision, tenacity, and the strength of purpose in the modern world. Her journey from a corporate worker to a nationally renowned organic farmer and agritourism business owner is evidence that exceptional outcomes can be achieved when passion and action are combined.
She keeps expanding the range of services she offers on her farm and wants to inspire other would-be farmers—especially women—to adopt sustainable farming practices. “We have to be strong and focused, not distracted by the noise,” she adds sagely.
Beyond only cultivating food, Amrita Bharti is fostering self-awareness, self-assurance, and a more sustainable future. Because of her background, she is well suited for programs like the Global Farmer Business Network, which emphasize creativity, resiliency, and environmental responsibility.