In 2016, the grim narrative of farmer suicides in India, totalling 11,379 according to a National Crime Records Bureau report, struck a chord with Ramesh Biswal, an engineer and post-doctoral student in material science in the US.

Disturbed by these harrowing tales and the stark contrast between the research landscapes of the US and India, Ramesh saw an urgent need to apply his expertise to solve real-world problems back home. His response? Returning to India with a mission to alleviate the plight of farmers in his homeland, Odisha.

What to know: Ramesh’s solution, Villa Mart, emerged not just as a business but as a beacon of hope. This innovative platform operates mobile ‘mandis’ (markets) that directly procure goods from farmers and sell them in villages, thereby eliminating the middleman and ensuring farmers get a fair price for their produce. This concept was inspired by the successful US model of Walmart but tailored to meet the unique needs of Indian agriculture.

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The approach was simple yet revolutionary. By modifying vans into mini-shops, Ramesh and his team created a moving marketplace that brought the market to the farmers’ doorsteps. This initiative significantly reduced the logistical hassles and costs for farmers, rewarding their hard work as they deserved. Villa Mart’s fleet of vans now serves over 3,000 farmers across 110 villages in Odisha, providing an efficient and equitable platform for agricultural trade.

Moreover, Villa Mart uses artificial intelligence to assess the quality of produce, ensuring only the best reaches the consumer, and processes or turns the rest into compost, adding value at every step. This system not only enhances agricultural productivity but also promotes sustainable practices.

Ramesh’s journey from a concerned observer to a changemaker underscores the transformative power of applying scientific knowledge to societal challenges. Villa Mart’s success story, culminating in a turnover of ₹4 crore, is a testament to the potential of innovative solutions to reshape India’s agricultural landscape, making it more sustainable and farmer-friendly.

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