
Dr. Kamini Singh, a 38-year-old PhD scholar in horticulture from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is a pioneer in agri-entrepreneurship, demonstrating how passion, expertise, and a commitment to grassroots change can transform agriculture and empower farmers.
With over a decade of experience as a scientist, Dr. Kamini made significant contributions to the field of horticulture while working with renowned institutions like the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH). However, despite her success in research, she faced immense challenges in transferring lab-based innovations to real-world applications. The bureaucratic hurdles and the disconnect between scientific research and practical implementation ignited a fire in Dr. Kamini to make a more direct impact in the lives of farmers.

In 2015, after seven years of dedicated service as a government scientist, Dr. Kamini took a bold step—she left her prestigious position to pursue independent research. Her decision was driven by her deep desire to work closely with farmers, address challenges at the grassroots level, and create sustainable agricultural solutions. This pivotal decision led her to focus on a unique crop that would become the cornerstone of her entrepreneurial journey: Moringa oleifera, the 'wonder tree.'
Pilot Project and Moringa’s Promise
Moringa, known for its rich nutritional value and versatile applications, became the perfect solution for Dr. Kamini’s vision of empowering small-scale farmers. Its low input requirements and adaptability to a variety of climates made it an ideal crop for regions with limited resources. In 2017, she launched a pilot project with just 10 farmers.
Despite initial challenges, such as farmers’ reluctance toward organic farming due to low yields, Dr. Kamini introduced Moringa as a low-maintenance crop. She encouraged farmers to plant Moringa trees along the boundaries of their fields, with minimal investment in fertilizers, pesticides, and water. The results were extraordinary. Each farmer planted 100 Moringa trees, yielding around 1,500 kg of pods annually, generating a return of Rs 37,500 per farmer.
The success of this trial ignited further interest among farmers, and many began integrating Moringa with other crops like vegetables and herbs. The model proved sustainable, both environmentally and economically, sparking a new wave of interest in Moringa cultivation.

Turning Vision into Reality
In 2019, Dr. Kamini formalized her entrepreneurial journey by founding Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd., backed by an initial investment of Rs 9 lakh. She purchased basic processing equipment such as a pulverizer and began producing Moringa powder, a value-added product that extended the shelf life of Moringa and solved logistical challenges for farmers.
Her first year in business was a resounding success, with profits soaring from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 19 lakh. Encouraged by this growth, Dr. Kamini began expanding her product range, focusing on Moringa-based edibles, health products, and personal care items. From Moringa tea and biscuits to capsules, oils, and handmade soaps, Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. quickly gained a foothold in the growing health and wellness market.
Scaling Up and Empowering Farmers
In 2020, Dr. Kamini’s business took a significant leap forward with a Rs 25 lakh grant from the RKVY RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubator at IIT (BHU). With this funding, she was able to scale operations, purchasing advanced machinery such as oil extractors and capsule-filling machines. This enabled her to produce a variety of Moringa-based products, including oils for pain relief, health supplements, and personal care items like hair oil and serums.
Her company now boasts 22 value-added Moringa products, all of which are sold under the Dr. Moringa brand. Alongside her business growth, Dr. Kamini has worked with 50-100 farmers to transition them from traditional farming practices to more sustainable and profitable methods. Through intercropping Moringa with crops like turmeric, lemongrass, and mango, Dr. Kamini has diversified income streams for farmers, improved soil health, and reduced their dependency on chemical fertilizers.

Financial Growth and Future Vision
Today, Dr. Moringa Pvt. Ltd. enjoys an annual turnover of Rs 1.75 crores, with projections to reach Rs 2.5 crores by the end of FY25. Dr. Kamini’s future goals include expanding her network of farmers, innovating new products, and making Dr. Moringa a global leader in the health and wellness industry. Her vision is to harness branding and online promotion to bring Moringa’s benefits to a wider audience and continue her mission of improving lives through sustainable agriculture.
Overcoming Challenges and Lessons Learned
Dr. Kamini’s journey was not without its challenges. In the early days, farmers were skeptical about adopting Moringa, and infrastructure limitations made logistics a significant hurdle. However, Dr. Kamini’s resilience, strategic thinking, and ability to turn challenges into opportunities helped her overcome these obstacles. Today, her business model is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and collaboration.

Message to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Dr. Kamini’s success story is a powerful reminder that with passion and dedication, it is possible to create lasting change. She firmly believes that fulfillment comes from doing what you love and committing yourself fully to your work. Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: "When you are passionate about your work, nothing in this world can keep you from accomplishing success."