The Agri, Agro & Food Processing Industry Vertical & MSME Vertical of FICCI FLO Pune Chapter had the opportunity to visit Natural Agro, a pioneering organic food processing enterprise located in Manjri, on the outskirts of Pune. The factory visit session was led by Ms. Neelima Ghavate who provided valuable insights into sustainable food processing practices, value addition, and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector.
Founded in 2014, Natural Agro was established by Ms. Ghavate, a graduate in B.Sc. Agriculture, with the vision of creating awareness about the importance of organic farming and making nutritious produce available throughout the year. Recognizing the challenges of seasonal availability and post-harvest losses, she set up a dehydration unit to transform organically grown fruits and vegetables into healthy, value-added products.
The company dehydrates a wide range of fruits including Alphonso mangoes, jamun, pineapple, and amla, which are further processed into nutritious candies containing minimal added sugar. Similarly, vegetables such as drumsticks, drumstick leaves, spinach (palak), mint (pudina), curry leaves, ginger, garlic, tamarind, beetroot, bitter gourd, and many others are dehydrated and converted into powders, chutneys, seasonings, and other convenient food products suitable for everyday use.
Key Takeaways
* Natural Agro primarily uses fruits and vegetables grown on its own organic farmlands, ensuring complete control over quality and traceability.
* Whenever additional raw material is required, the company procures it through a carefully selected network of trusted farmers who follow similar quality standards.
* The enterprise has received several national-level awards and recognitions for its contribution to organic farming, food processing, and entrepreneurship.
* The unit demonstrates how value addition can significantly reduce post-harvest losses while generating higher returns for farmers.
Impact & Outcome
The visit to Natural Agro was an enriching learning experience for 15 members that showcased how innovation, sustainable farming, and food processing can work together to create high-quality, nutritious products while minimizing food waste.
Ms. Neha Gawate’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey reflects the immense potential of value-added agriculture in empowering farmers, promoting healthy food choices, and building a resilient agri-food ecosystem. The visit reinforced the importance of supporting enterprises that combine organic farming practices with modern food processing technologies to create sustainable and market-ready products.