Richa Singh Chandel, Founder of Gyros Farms and a native of Kanpur, is on a mission to redefine India’s food landscape by bringing authenticity, transparency, and tradition back to the dining table. At the heart of Gyros Farms lies a commitment to bridging the gap between consumers and genuine nutrition—transforming how people think about food by making healthy, chemical-free products a standard rather than a luxury.
Under Richa’s visionary leadership, Gyros Farms has become more than just a business—it’s a movement toward sustainable agriculture and conscious consumerism. From stone-pressed oils and hand-ground spices to village-sourced A2 Bilona Ghee, every product reflects a dedication to traditional processing methods and ethical sourcing. Through a decentralized food model, Richa empowers farmers, promotes fair trade, and ensures that fresh, unadulterated food reaches households across India.
Richa’s Journey: From Childhood Values to a Mission for Clean, Transparent Food
Richa Singh Chandel’s fascination with pure, chemical-free food began in childhood. She was deeply influenced by the home-cooked meals prepared with fresh ingredients, instilling in her an appreciation for food that was both nourishing and transparent. As she grew older, she started noticing the stark contrast between traditional, wholesome foods and the increasing prevalence of processed alternatives.
After marriage, she began questioning the authenticity of processed foods, realizing that 90% of store-bought products lacked clear information about their manufacturing methods. Despite the growing market for ‘healthy’ food alternatives, many products contained misleading ingredients—a revelation that alarmed her.
Her concerns extended beyond personal choices. She recognized the broader implications of food adulteration and processing on public health. Chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cancer, affecting millions globally, often stem from poor nutrition and hidden chemicals in daily consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic briefly highlighted health issues, but for Richa, the problem was far deeper, rooted in food systems lacking transparency and ethical sourcing.
Birth of Gyros Farm
Determined to address these concerns, Richa immersed herself in research, personally engaging with consumers, market vendors, and farmers. The insights she gathered were eye-opening:
-
Shift from Natural Farming to Factory-Based Manufacturing: Large-scale food production had transitioned from traditional methods to industrial processing, where efficiency took precedence over nutritional value.
-
Consumer Misinformation: Most buyers trusted advertisements blindly, rarely examining product labels.
-
Chemical Dependence in Farming: Farmers relied heavily on pesticides and fertilizers to maximize yields, compromising soil health and food purity.
-
Unfair Farmer Earnings: Despite backbreaking labor, farmers struggled to get fair value for their produce due to exploitative market structures.
She realized that India needed a food system that prioritized both consumers and producers.
Thus, Gyros Farm was founded, rooted in the principles of authenticity, fair trade, and nutrition-first food processing. Alongside her husband, Yogesh Tyagi, and his colleague, Pratik Mishra, Richa built Gyros Farm into a revolutionary food venture that:
-
Delivered fresh, unadulterated food within 14 days of manufacturing
-
Partnered with farmers practicing organic, chemical-free farming
-
Turned farmers into business stakeholders instead of mere suppliers
Gyros Farm’s Growth and Business Model
Gyros Farm began as a single micro-unit in Bhiwani, Haryana, producing stone-pressed oils—an ancient method ensuring nutritional retention. Over time, the brand expanded to five micro-units, transforming farmers into micro-entrepreneurs:
-
Bhiwani, Haryana (2 units)
-
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
-
Ajitgarh, Rajasthan
-
Mulanur, Tamil Nadu
Unlike centralized food processing, Gyros Farm maintains a decentralized model, where:
-
Oils are extracted in small batches at micro-units
-
Products reach customers within 14 days, ensuring freshness
-
Farmers receive higher incomes through direct participation in business
This unique approach removes middlemen, allowing greater economic empowerment for agricultural communities.
Key Projects and Innovations
A2 Bilona Cow Ghee – A Rural Empowerment Model
One of Gyros Farm’s most successful projects is A2 Bilona Cow Ghee, which follows traditional curd-churning methods instead of industrialized butter extraction. However, instead of partnering with commercial dairies, Gyros Farm partnered with an entire village, Bijauli, Uttar Pradesh.
Here, 30+ women, under the leadership of Sanno Sachan, manage small-scale dairy farms, each owning 2-3 cows.
-
Milk is collected at a village center, where women process Bilona Ghee traditionally.
-
Consumers receive 100% pure ghee, free from industrial additives.
-
Women gain stable incomes, supporting economic independence and rural employment.
Hand-Stone Ground Spices – Preserving Medicinal Benefits
Unlike machine-ground spices, Gyros Farm employs a team of 10 women in Bhiwani who sort, clean, and hand-grind spices using traditional methods.
This practice ensures that natural oils, aroma, and medicinal benefits remain intact, unlike high-speed grinding, which deteriorates quality due to heat exposure.
Expanding Stone Pressed Oils – Reviving Ancient Methods
Gyros Farm has partnered with over 500 farmers to produce a diverse range of natural oils using traditional stone-cold press technology. Their offerings include Black Mustard Oil, Yellow Mustard Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Sesame Oil, Black Sesame Oil, Groundnut Oil, and Almond Oil.
Unlike commercial brands that rely on rotary machines where extraction temperatures can reach 60-70°C, Gyros Farm’s oils are extracted at room temperature. This Stone-pressed method helps retain the natural nutrients of the oils while avoiding the greasy texture commonly found in commercially processed alternatives.
Transforming Farmers into Micro-Entrepreneurs
Gyros Farm does not treat farmers as suppliers—it turns them into direct business stakeholders.
-
Farmers gain ownership in production, ensuring fair earnings.
-
Chemical-free farming is incentivized, reducing environmental harm.
-
Rural employment flourishes, preventing migration to urban areas.
Richa’s Message to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
"If you want to start a business, a startup, or any enterprise as a young entrepreneur, first you have to focus on the plan, funds, and positive impact on people, along with benefits to consumers. All you need is a well-thought-out plan and Lots of patience. Understanding the targeted audience is also equally important—success isn’t just about quick profits, but about building trust and a strong reputation.”
