Growing up in the rural landscapes of Kondagaon, Apurva was deeply influenced by the agricultural legacy of her family and the rich cultural fabric of the tribal communities around her. Her father, Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, a renowned figure in Indian agriculture and National President of the All India Farmers Alliance, played a crucial role in shaping her worldview. Her early exposure to organic farming, traditional herbal knowledge, and grassroots innovation laid the foundation for her future venture.
Apurva recently became a part of Krishi Jagran’s initiative, the “Global Farmer Business Network,” aligning her work with a larger national movement that showcases sustainable agripreneurship models from across India.
MD Botanicals: Bridging Tribal Wisdom & Modern Science for Sustainable Wellness
The spark that led to the birth of MD Botanicals came during Apurva's academic pursuit in Intellectual Property Rights and International Law, as part of her research journey as a scholar pursuing a Ph.D. in Law, with a focus on Traditional Health Practices (THP) and Plant Varieties. It was during this time that she realized traditional tribal knowledge—especially in herbal healing—remained vastly underutilized and largely unrecognized.
She identified a critical need to protect, promote, and present this indigenous wisdom in a way that respected its origins while making it accessible to a broader audience. With this vision, she founded MD Botanicals, an enterprise rooted in ethical sourcing, community empowerment, and ecological harmony.
What sets MD Botanicals apart is its core principle: every product must carry the essence of the land and the people who nurture it. From Ashwagandha to Safed Musli, Stevia to black pepper, each herb used in MD Botanicals' formulations is organically grown on their own farms using sustainable practices such as natural greenhouses and eco-friendly processing. The product range, which includes herbal teas, health capsules, powders, and spices, has been crafted after years of scientific research and collaboration with both modern scientists and tribal experts. This blend of traditional healing with modern quality assurance has resulted in products that are effective, safe, and rooted in India’s rich heritage.
Empowering Tribal Women and Preserving Heritage Through Ethical Enterprise
At the heart of MD Botanicals lies Apurva’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment. Nearly 90% of the workforce is tribal women who are actively involved in every stage of production, from farming and harvesting to processing, packaging, and even marketing. But it’s not just about employment. These women are trained, upskilled, and encouraged to take leadership roles, contributing ideas and making decisions that shape the business. Apurva believes that true empowerment comes when women are treated as partners, not just participants, and MD Botanicals is a testament to this philosophy.
Apurva’s model is truly visionary as it integrates economic development with cultural preservation. The company uses Bastar’s iconic tribal art on its packaging, not just as a design element, but as a form of recognition for the community’s identity and contribution. Each product that leaves the MD Botanicals facility carries with it a story of the land, the people, and the sustainable processes that birthed it. This authenticity has helped the brand carve a niche in a competitive market, attracting customers who value transparency, heritage, and holistic wellness.
Advancing Women’s Health and Herbal Innovation
The social impact of MD Botanicals has been significant, particularly in the area of women’s health. The company’s thyroid and PCOS-specific herbal formulations have received strong feedback from women who report noticeable improvements in their condition within 45 to 60 days of usage. This success has further validated Apurva’s approach, using indigenous knowledge to address contemporary health issues, and encouraged her to expand the product range to cater to broader wellness needs.
Building a brand from scratch in the herbal wellness space wasn’t without its challenges. Apurva admits that breaking into the market and building consumer trust was an uphill task, especially as a relatively small, woman-led venture from a remote region. However, her dedication to quality, transparency, and community engagement helped overcome these hurdles. Today, the growing demand for MD Botanicals’ products is proof that consumers are ready to embrace natural, ethically made alternatives.
One of the most inspiring aspects of her journey is the way she has managed to blend commerce with cause. Apurva is not just running a business, she is building a model for inclusive growth, ecological responsibility, and cultural integrity. She ensures that profits are reinvested into community development, capacity-building programs, and the continuous improvement of farming practices.
Looking ahead, Apurva has ambitious plans for MD Botanicals. She aims to expand the global footprint of the brand while remaining firmly anchored to the values that define it, sustainability, community, and authenticity. Plans include expanding product lines, increasing exports, and establishing training centers for tribal women to scale up operations without compromising on quality. She envisions a future where Bastar is known not just for its forests and crafts, but also as a global hub for natural wellness and herbal innovation.
Trailblazing Achievements in Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-Innovation
Apurva's impactful work in sustainable agriculture and community empowerment has garnered widespread recognition. Among her many accolades, the most distinguished is the Millionaire Farmer Award for Research and Development in the Field of Agriculture, presented by the Krishi Jagran Group in 2024. This prestigious national honour celebrates her pioneering contributions to organic farming and indigenous practices.
In addition, she received the Excellence Award in Agri-Entrepreneurship from the Shakuntala Foundation in both 2022 and 2023, and was also honoured with a National Level Award by the Government of India in 2024, underscoring her role as a leading force in agri-innovation.
Apurva stands as a powerful symbol of women’s empowerment, with her remarkable efforts to uplift the Bastar community and revive indigenous healing traditions leaving a lasting impact. Her work exemplifies how meaningful change can be achieved through sustainability and organic practices. By championing forest conservation and supporting local livelihoods, she is not only preserving natural resources but also making the world a better, more conscious place to live.
NOTE: If you also want to be a part of Krishi Jagran’s initiative, the ‘Global Farmer Business Network,’ click on the link: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn/
