Empowering farmers, youth, and innovators to build a sustainable future for Indian agriculture.

An additional 16,300 participants joined via livestream, bringing this message of regeneration and innovation to audiences across India and worldwide.

The festival also featured 100+ vibrant stalls, showcasing natural food products, soil-friendly farming solutions, and innovative small-scale machinery, creating a dynamic marketplace of ideas and opportunities.

A Day of Knowledge and Action

The full-day seminar offered hands-on training for those eager to launch or grow agri-based businesses. Sessions provided practical tools to make agriculture both sustainable and profitable, with themes such as:

• Launching and scaling agriculture-based enterprises
• Navigating MSME government schemes to access funding and resources
• Branding and packaging products to meet global standards
• Using digital marketing and social media to reach conscious consumers

Participants left with actionable strategies, mentorship, and the inspiration to take their next steps toward becoming successful agri-entrepreneurs.

Leaders and Visionaries

The event was graced by eminent leaders committed to transforming agriculture in India:

• Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University:
  “Without agriculture, there is no life. By 2047, strong agriculture will be essential for national prosperity.”
  He emphasized SRM’s commitment to research and startup incubation for young agri-innovators.
• N. Selvam, Joint Director, Directorate of Extension, Govt. of India:
  Highlighted the government’s increasing support for natural and organic farming practices.
• Hari Krishnan, General Manager, NABARD:
  Introduced key financing schemes including MABIF, NABKISSAN, and Agri Sure, and announced NABARD’s collaboration with the Save Soil movement.
• Narendra Kumar, Executive VP, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance:
  Applauded the Save Soil initiative for uplifting rural livelihoods through natural farming.

Agripreneurs Who Inspire

Experienced agripreneurs shared their journeys, showing how traditional knowledge, innovation, and perseverance can create thriving, soil-positive businesses:

• Dhanalakshmi Vignesh (Dhana Food Products, Madurai):
  Began with just ₹400 in a small 100 sq. ft. space, now produces 100+ traditional health food products, exports to 8 countries, and earns ₹1.2 crore annually.
• Archana Stalin (MyHarvest Farms, Chennai):
  Mobilized 300+ farmers to practice organic farming, supplying toxin-free food to 15,000 families, generating ₹6 crore in net income while ensuring fair prices for farmers.
• Kannan Hari (Palm Era Food Products, Thoothukudi):
  Innovated modern techniques for palm jaggery production, growing from a family tradition to ₹67 lakh in profit, with a target of ₹3 crore for next year.
• Vijaya Mahadevan (Vaseegara Vedha, Thanjavur):
  Started her natural beauty care brand at age 50 with just ₹8,000. Today, she manufactures 60 products, serves 6 lakh customers, and earns an annual profit of ₹24 lakh.

These inspiring journeys showed how soil-friendly entrepreneurship can preserve ecological traditions while uplifting entire communities.

Mentors and Experts

A distinguished lineup of mentors and industry experts shared practical insights to guide the next generation of agri-startups:

• M. K. Anand - Founder, See Change Consulting, Chennai: Guidance on MSME schemes and business strategy.
• R. Anand - Chief General Manager, NABARD, Chennai: Financial assistance and subsidies for agri-businesses.
• Vasanth Kumar - Founder, Brand Mindz Global Technology, Tirunelveli: Training in digital marketing for scaling startups.
• Vasanthan Selvam - CEO, EDII-Periyakulam Horti-Business Incubation Forum: Market strategies for value-added agri-products.
• Ashwin Kumar - Founder, Shapers Design Studios, Madurai: Expertise in global-standard branding and packaging design.

These mentors bridged the gap between innovation, market opportunities, and sustainability, helping participants see agriculture as a modern, viable career path.

Why This Festival Matters

India’s soils are in crisis. Over 50% of India’s soil is degraded, threatening food security, farmer livelihoods, and rural economies.

The Save Soil movement, launched by Sadhguru, has been working for three decades to reverse this trend. Its focus includes:

• Training 35,000+ farmers, with 10,000+ successfully transitioning to natural farming.
• Establishing 47 research centers and two model farms to demonstrate high-yield, low-cost regenerative techniques.
• Generating ₹10 crore in sales, benefiting 11,500 farmers cultivating a total of 60,000 acres.

By linking regenerative farming practices with entrepreneurship, the movement ensures soil regeneration is both ecologically restorative and economically rewarding.

From Awareness to Enterprise

The festival represents a growing ecosystem where:

• Natural farming lowers input costs and improves soil fertility.
• Youth innovators bring fresh ideas and tech solutions to rural markets.
• Startups create value chains that benefit farmers and deliver toxin-free food to consumers.
• Communities gain resilience and dignity through sustainable rural development.

This is more than a one-day event, it is the foundation for a regenerative revolution, turning soil health into a national mission for prosperity.

Watch the Full Event

Relive the festival and experience the highlights here:

Soil is more than the ground beneath our feet. It is the living foundation of India’s food systems and future prosperity.

The Save Soil Agri Start-Up Festival celebrates the innovators and changemakers dedicated to keeping soil alive and building a thriving, sustainable agricultural economy.