Pratibha Tiwari, a postgraduate in Mathematics and former high school teacher, hails from the serene and historic city of Bhopal- often referred to as the ‘City of Lakes’. Her journey is a remarkable story of transformation, resilience, and purpose. Venturing far from her academic roots, she has carved out a niche in the field of organic agriculture. Her transition from classrooms to crop fields reflects not only a deep personal passion but also a compelling vision to empower rural farming communities through sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
A New Beginning Rooted in Passion for Agriculture
Although her early career was firmly anchored in education, Pratibha always nurtured a deep connection with farming. Agriculture, in her view, was more than a profession; it was a calling. The turning point came after she married into a farming family. This new chapter provided the platform she had long desired to be close to the soil and contribute meaningfully to the agricultural ecosystem.
In 2016, Pratibha made a bold decision to leave her job and dive headfirst into the world of natural and organic farming. Despite having a background in mathematics and no formal agricultural education, she was undeterred. She enrolled in various training programs and pursued agricultural diplomas to equip herself with the technical know-how. Her dedication to learning and innovation would soon lay the foundation for a transformative agribusiness model.
Birth of Bhumisha Organics: A Vision for Farmer-Led Sustainability
Driven by the objective to empower farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices, Patibha established Bhumisha Organics. What started as a personal farming initiative has now evolved into a platform that supports thousands of farmers across multiple states.
Pratibha’s approach to gaining farmer trust is both unique and impactful. Before introducing new organic farming modules to farmers, she and her team first conduct pilot trials on their own farmland. This not only helps in understanding the efficacy of various techniques but also serves as live proof for hesitant farmers. “We practice what we preach,” she often says, underlining the authenticity and transparency that define her model.
At the core of Bhumisha Organics lies a commitment to crop diversification and natural farming. The venture actively trains farmers in adopting organic methods and helps them transition from conventional chemical-intensive agriculture. Recognizing the apprehensions of farmers, especially regarding market uncertainties, Pratibha introduced a contract farming model with an assured buyback policy. This has been a game-changer for many cultivators who now feel secure in experimenting with organic crops without the stress of finding buyers.
Breaking Barriers and Building Trust Among Farmers
Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its own share of hurdles. For Pratibha, one of the most daunting challenges was convincing traditional farmers to shift from chemical-based farming to organic practices. The fear of reduced yields, market instability, and higher input costs kept most farmers from taking the leap.
However, through persistent outreach, evidence-based training, and handholding support, she gradually won them over. The buyback assurance played a critical role. As more farmers witnessed improved soil health, decent yields, and rising demand for chemical-free produce, skepticism turned into enthusiasm.
Today, Bhumisha Organics boasts a strong network of over 1600 farmers under contract farming and more than 300 organically certified farmers across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. In addition, Pratibha has facilitated the formation of a Farmer Producer Company (FPC), onboarding 10 progressive farmers to lead by example and inspire others.
Strengthening Organic Input Supply: The Bioresource Centre
Understanding that organic farming requires consistent access to quality bio-inputs, Pratibha also set up a Bioresource Centre (BRC). This center is dedicated to producing essential organic inputs like vermicompost, jeevamrut, bio-pesticides, and organic fungicides. The facility not only ensures a steady supply for Bhumisha’s farmers but also functions as a training ground.
Farmers are trained to prepare these inputs themselves using affordable and locally available resources. For those who prefer ready solutions, the BRC also provides mother cultures for fertilizers and pesticides, helping farmers maintain quality while staying self-reliant. This in-house production mechanism has reduced input costs and reinforced the sustainable cycle of organic farming.
Celebrating Success: Recognition and Impact
The extraordinary work of Pratibha Tiwari has not gone unnoticed. With an annual turnover of 3.4 crore, projected to exceed 5 crore by the end of this year. Bhumisha Organics is not just a farming initiative, it is a thriving agribusiness making a tangible impact on rural livelihoods and the environment.
Pratibha has been honored as the Best Agripreneur in Madhya Pradesh, a title that reflects her outstanding contributions to the farming community. But her entrepreneurial spirit does not stop at cultivation alone. She has also launched a startup focused on millet-based value-added products, including an innovative millet ice cream that has received wide acclaim.
The startup was recently showcased at the G20 Summit, where Jodie Haydon, the First Lady of Australia, took a personal interest in her venture and engaged in a one-on-one discussion with Pratibha. Such international recognition underscores the global relevance of sustainable, women-led agribusiness models in India.
Further cementing her credibility, the millet startup has been incubated at IIM Kashipur, a premier management institution known for fostering high-impact ventures. Her work has also attracted attention from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, which has undertaken special visits to understand and support her initiatives.
Creating a Model for Future Farmers
What sets Pratibha apart is not just her ability to succeed in an unfamiliar field, but her unwavering commitment to uplift fellow farmers, particularly women and smallholders. Her model offers a sustainable alternative to conventional farming, proving that organic agriculture, when executed with strategy and support, can be both profitable and regenerative.
Bhumisha Organics today stands as a beacon of hope and a blueprint for agricultural transformation. Its emphasis on training, market linkage, organic input production, and inclusive growth has made it a trusted name among farming communities across states.
Pratibha’s journey also serves as an empowering example of how women can lead from the front in agriculture, a sector traditionally dominated by men. By merging scientific knowledge, community engagement, and entrepreneurial grit, she has built not just a business but a movement.
Pratibha Tiwari’s story is one of courage, conviction, and compassion. From leaving the security of a teaching career to becoming a successful agripreneur, she has continually challenged norms and redefined possibilities. Through Bhumisha Organics, she has created a thriving ecosystem where farmers feel valued, supported, and empowered to embrace sustainability. As she continues to expand her operations, innovate with millet-based products, and nurture farmer leaders, her legacy is bound to inspire many more across India. Pratibha is more than an entrepreneur- she is a true changemaker, cultivating not just crops but hope and opportunity in rural India.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals, farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
