A visionary par excellence

Mr. Vilas Shinde, founder and chairman of Sahyadri Farms at Nashik, leads the country's largest Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) with 25,000 farmers.

After a pilgrimage to Shirdi, I had the golden opportunity to meet him at his corporate office , and the two hours I spent there was truly a remarkable experience. Mr.Shinde's story is compelling; after completing his agricultural engineering degree, he wanted to venture into full time farming . Realizing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers with only 2-3 acres of land, he formed an FPO with just 10 farmers. Today, over 25,000 farmers and more than 25,000 acres of land are part of this organized cultivation initiative.

During our conversation, what struck me profoundly was Mr.Shinde's perspective on the treatment of farmers in our country. He emphasized that farmers shouldn't always rely on subsidies and should be regarded as entrepreneurs. His vision aims to transform the lives of farmers, ensuring that they earn a minimum of 2 lakhs per acre. For instance, a farmer with 3 acres of land, which is the case with 80% of farmers in the country, could potentially earn over 6 lakhs per year, facilitating a comfortable lifestyle even in rural areas.

Sahyadri Farms has gained remarkable trust within the farming community. 

Touring the facilities at Sahyadri Farms, I was impressed by their natural aesthetics and farmer-centric design. They boast of advanced facilities such as high-tech soil and water testing laboratories, crop specific training and support centres, hi tech processing units to produce ketchups , jams etc. Their machinery and hygiene practices are world-class, and they produce horticultural products such as mango pulp and strawberry cubes with utmost care.

Furthermore, they are currently the largest exporter of table grapes in the country. 

Mr.Shinde and his team have meticulously researched which crops thrive in their region and provide guidance to farmers from seed selection to harvest, offering consistent support. It's worth noting that most of these farmers are in their 30-40s age group indicating a rejuvenation of interest in agriculture among the younger generation.

Reflecting as an educator, I recognize the importance of connecting children with nature. Through hands on classes at our organic farm( Adhi vanam) we instil a love for farming in the young minds. Our hope is that when these children grow up, the likelihood of them selling their ancestral farmland for other professions would be less.

 Visionaries like Mr.Shinde have made a significant impact, demonstrating the success of farmer cooperatives and the entrepreneurial potential within the agricultural sector. Mahatma Gandhi said that farmers are the backbone of our nation. Mr.shinde is indeed strengthening the backbone of farmers through his innovative approach.

Mr. Prabhakaran Balasubramaniam, the managing director of Lloyds Metals, aptly summarizes Mr.Shinde's contribution by stating, "He is serving the nation by serving the farmers."