Leaders

Organic Food has gained significant popularity among health-conscious consumers, driven by a growing demand for clean, chemical-free, and sustainable food options. In this context, Rekha Chandak, CEO of Gropure Organic Farm stands out as a prominent leader in this field. Her remarkable journey commenced with the realization that the most effective way to ensure the quality and purity of organic products was to deliver them directly to consumers, by­passing the interference of middlemen. This realization gave birth to 'Gropure Organic' a platform that provides convenient access for individuals to purchase Organic Groceries. Rekha Chandak, a graduate of Delhi Univer­sity, is not only a genuine food enthusiast but also deep­ly committed to environmental sustainability. As the founder, Rekha has played a pivotal role in empowering farmers and making organic food readily accessible to everyone, aligning with the vision of a healthier and more sustainable future. Know more from Rekha Chan­dak, CEO of Gropure Organic in the below interview snip­pets.

Could you please provide a brief overview of your educational history and previous industry experience?

I come from a modest lower middle-class family that faced financial challenges, even during my early years. I completed my undergraduate studies at Delhi Universi­ty. Nevertheless, I was a diligent learner and had a keen sense of observation with Sharp Business Acumen.

What inspired you to establish Gropure Organic Farming? Please share the core concept behind your enterprise and its primary areas of expertise.

My spouse and I were determined to ensure that our loved ones had access to uncontaminated food. While my husband held a high-ranking position in the auto­mobile industry, he fully supported this initiative. In ear­ly 2016, we embarked on a quest to find suitable land for our organic farming venture, eventually locating a prop­erty near Pune, which had become our home. By 2017, it became apparent that this endeavor had significant po­tential to benefit society and generate economic viabili­ty. Gropure Organic's primary focus has been on Organic Farming and the sale of its produce.

In your perspective, what are the most signif­icant challenges you face as an entrepreneur, and what strategies do you employ to sur­mount these obstacles?

Our initial major challenge was the realization that farm­ing could only be economically sustainable when con­ducted on a large scale. Large land holdings and substan­tial capital were prerequisites for this. After consulting with my spouse, who also became my co-founder, we made the strategic decision to expand our operations to Madhya Pradesh. This expansion proved to be a pivotal moment, as it allowed us to grow rapidly, thanks to the availability of more affordable and less contaminated land in that region.

How do you ensure that you and your team stay in sync with the ever-evolving industry and technological advancements?

Organic farming is known for its heavy reliance on manual labor, and we take pride in our significant con­tribution to rural employment, with a particular focus on empowering women. We leverage technology across various aspects of our operations. For instance, we em­ploy drones to efficiently apply naturally produced plant nutrition over large sections of our farms. Additionally, we are actively using farm-based sensors to monitor soil moisture and temperature. Moreover, we are in the pro­cess of implementing technology that involves embed­ding RFID chips in high-value plantations to maintain complete traceability.

What has been the trajectory of Gropure's growth in the past six years, and could you highlight some significant achievements along the way?

In 2022, we achieved a major milestone by expanding our farming operations to cover more than 500 acres of land across multiple operational sites. Presently, we are active­ly engaged in our second phase of expansion, aiming to procure an additional 2000 acres of land for farming with the support of investors, with this goal set to be realized within the next 12 to 18 months. We have developed a unique approach to involve like-minded investors who can invest in small land parcels of just 5 acres and start earning a consistent, tax-free income. We invite anyone interested in investing in the highly profitable field of Organic Farming and generating tax-free agricultural in­come to connect with us. If you share our passion for pro­viding chemical-free food to your family and want to con­tribute to the protection of our environment, we encourage you to reach out to us.

What principles or leadership philosophy have guided your success as a business leader?

I believe the key to achieving success is having a passion­ate drive coupled with a clear sense of direction. Another crucial element for success is maintaining one's happi­ness. If you can master the art of happiness, everything else falls into place.

Rekha Chandak, CEO, Gropure Organic Farm

Rekha Chandak is the CEO of Gropure Organic Farm, she has been at the helm since its inception, driving the organization's mission to empower farmers and make organic food accessible to all. Her work aligns perfectly with the vision of a healthier and more sustainable future, making her a true inspiration in the realm of Organic Farming.