In our mutual requirement for nourishment, the anxiety regarding chemicals present in our food supply, particularly within fruits and vegetables, is strongly felt. We all desire options that are devoid of chemicals, yet discovering such choices seems like a daunting task.
The Indian organic farming food sector is projected to attain a value of Rs 64 billion by 2025. Despite the growing popularity of this trend, organic farming lands continue to cultivate their crops on modest-sized plots, frequently falling short of their maximum potential.
Red Otter Farms: A Try To Make It All A Little More Better
Today we have for you a startup that grows chemical-free food using organic farming while growing itself organically. Red Otter Farms is at the forefront of a revolutionary movement in sustainable agriculture, transforming how food reaches our plates from farm to fork.
This organic farming company not only aims to enhance the world by producing plant-based goods that are both healthy and free from chemicals but also understands that the growing rate of organic food must grow too.
Anubhav Das founded Red Otter Farms in Kotabagh, Uttarakhand, as an organic farming project with the goal of promoting environmentally friendly farming so that more organic food can grow rapidly without becoming the rare gem it is now.
Anubhav Das, co-founder and MD of Red Otter Farm
Anubhav Das, the visionary co-founder and MD of Red Otter Farm, Armed with a degree from Delhi University, embarked on a mission in 2016 alongside his co-founder, Srishti Mandaar.
Das, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, was born to an Odiya father and a Punjabi mother. He holds a degree in economics and spent twenty years engaged in the fields of brand establishment and communication prior to transitioning his career to organic farming.
Having worked with various brands, Das had the opportunity to closely observe the lives of farmers. His observations revealed that, despite certain attempts to enhance their livelihoods, the farmers’ self-reliance wasn’t significantly improving. The situation resembled the concept of providing fish without teaching them how to fish.
This realization motivated him to believe that he could instigate change and restore profitability to farming especially using organic farming. He stated, “I sensed the potential to alter this scenario and reestablish farming as a lucrative venture.”
Together, they laid the foundation for a sustainable and organic farming venture that would bring the goodness of green veggies and salads right to people’s doorsteps. Anubhav’s entrepreneurial prowess, combined with his passion for the environment and deep understanding of science and traditional Indian agricultural practices, fueled the inception of Red Otter Farms.
Organic and clean farming on the basis of data and science
What truly sets Red Otter Farms apart is its commitment to delivering not just organic farming produce but an exceptional experience for consumers. Through their website, “Otter Fresh,” the company takes orders in Delhi, NCR, bringing organic farming plant-based salads and green vegetables right to customers’ gates.
Their achievements are nothing short of remarkable, having delivered an impressive 80,000 kg of chemical-free produce, 22,500 curated salad boxes, and a staggering 175,000 square feet of organic farming capacity.
Beyond the commitment to chemical-free, organic farming, Red Otter Farms understands the modern consumer’s desires and needs. With home delivery, subscription plans, and delectable salad boxes, they’ve woven innovation into every aspect of their business. By eliminating middlemen, they ensure that the journey from farm to table is not just eco-conscious but also efficient and convenient.
At the core of Red Otter’s success lies a marriage of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology. Anubhav Das champions innovative solutions in organic farming, such as soilless farming based on aquaponics, a symbiotic ecosystem where fish and plants thrive in mutual support. What’s more, their data-driven approach examines every facet of production, from environmental conditions to plant growth, ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability using organic farming.
Collaboration Is The Key
However, Red Otter Farms’ impact transcends organic farming. Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve emerged stronger and more resilient. A noteworthy endeavor within their repertoire is the “Samridhifarms” program, which serves as a testament to their commitment to both organic farming and women’s empowerment. Acknowledging the latent potential of women within the organic farming sector, this initiative provides women in rural areas with opportunities for financial independence, achieved through collaborative efforts with local governments.
In addition to operating their own nine organic farming lands, Red Otter Farms has engaged in collaboration with local farmers who cultivate specific crops on their behalf only using organic farming methods. The organization has also partnered with the Uttarakhand government to provide training to a greater number of farmers in the practices of organic farming and sustainable agriculture.
“Given the extensive range of products in our portfolio and the diversity of our consumer demand, cultivating all these crops simultaneously on an individual farm becomes impractical. We hold the perspective that aggregating smaller farmers into clusters to collectively produce certain crops is a mutually beneficial arrangement while promoting organic farming” Das explained.
Red Otter Farms, under Das’s leadership, has recently inaugurated its inaugural commercial aquaponics farm in Kotabagh. Das emphasized that this farm not only holds the distinction of being India’s largest aquaponics farm but also stands as a pioneering venture of its kind in Uttarakhand.
As Red Otter Farms continues to bloom, its vision expands to encompass not only different regions of India but also international markets and organic farming in India. Their journey serves as a reminder that a healthier, greener world is not an unattainable dream, but rather an achievable reality.
In upholding consistency and ensuring the cultivation of chemical-free agricultural products, Red Otter Farms exclusively employs boiled nutrients, and stringent quality protocols are upheld across all farms.
According to Das, the approach taken is to immediately discontinue the use of chemicals on both their own farms and partner farms. Instead, an exclusive boiled nutrient formula is utilized for cultivating vegetables. Rigorous measures, including both in-house and third-party testing, are implemented to guarantee the absence of chemical inputs.
Upon the completion of harvesting, Red Otter Farms promptly transports its produce to restaurants and customers within the Delhi NCR region within a 36-hour timeframe, ensuring not just chemical-free organic farming products but also the delivery of fresh produce.
In a nation as vast as India, where millions yearn for access to clean and chemical-free produce, Red Otter Farms sets a remarkable example. Their growth signifies hope for a future where sustainability and health go hand in hand. With the company’s rapid expansion, one can only hope for more Red Otters to emerge, ushering in an era where chemical-free, green produce is accessible to all.
If you haven’t savored the delights of Red Otter’s plant-based offerings, particularly their tantalizing salads cultivated using organic farming, now is the time. Visit their website or social media pages to embark on a journey toward satisfying your palate with clean, plant-based nourishment.
Isn’t it impressive how these two friends not only chose to abandon a comfortable lifestyle in favor of pursuing organic farming but also managed to thrive as conscientious entrepreneurs in the organic farming industry.
If you liked this story about organic farming, read about Prasiddhi Singh, a 7-year-old environmentalist who’s on a mission to plant 1 lakh saplings.
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