Kotinaga Manikanta and Naga Venkata Durga Pavani, a husband-and-wife duo from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, both BTech graduates, left their successful IT careers at Infosys and Accenture to promote a healthier world through organic food.
The couple noticed poor health among their colleagues. “They were leading sedentary lifestyles, and it made us realise that there was an opportunity to make a real difference in their health,” says Pavani. This led to the creation of ‘Sreshte’, an organic products store.
With no prior experience in farming, the couple dove into learning sustainable agricultural practices. They enrolled in the Subash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) method and dedicated weekends to learning.
In 2017, after months of learning, they returned to Guntur and invested Rs 17 lakh into 'Sreshte'. “We believed organic farming could be the solution, not only for the health of consumers but also for the farmers committed to sustainable practices,” Pavani says.
“In the beginning, it was just me sourcing the products from farmers, delivering them, and figuring everything out on my own,” recalls Manikanta.
Sreshte works with farmers who practice organic farming. “I would earn just Rs 2 lakh for my organic produce in the conventional market. Now, I am able to earn Rs 4 lakh in just one season,” says Maha Lakshman, a mango farmer.
Today, Sreshte offers over 160 organic items, including rice, oils, and health powders. “We’ve recently started offering homemade sweets, snacks, and cupcakes made from millets, jaggery, and palm jaggery,” Manikanta explains.
The couple collaborates with 55 farmers, helping them earn fair prices and supporting their livelihoods. The store also provides employment to 10 staff members, contributing to the local economy.