From Class 10 Dropout to Rs. 12 Lakh Moringa Business Owner: Meet Ponnarasi

In a world where the agricultural sector is often seen as traditional and slow-moving, one woman has not only redefined the industry but also managed to build a thriving business in record time. Meet Ponnarasi, a 38-year-old farmer from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, who turned her life and her family’s fortunes around by tapping into the power of moringa farming. What started as a humble farming venture has now blossomed into an empire generating over Rs. 12 lakh annually, with her products being exported across the globe. From being a Class 10 dropout to being honoured as the ‘Moringa Queen’ (Murungai Arasi), Ponnarasi’s story is one that inspires and ignites hope.

But here’s the kicker – all of this began with a simple idea and a dash of determination. With an innovative approach to drumstick farming, Ponnarasi is today not just a successful entrepreneur but also a mentor to many budding farmers and entrepreneurs. Let’s dive deeper into her fascinating journey.

The Making of a Moringa Mogul

The idea of Moringa cultivation and processing didn’t fall from the sky for Ponnarasi. Raised in a family that had deep agricultural roots, she was no stranger to the fields and the hard work that came with farming. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. After starting moringa cultivation on her family’s 10-acre plot, she initially focused on selling its leaves, seeds, and roots. Unfortunately, the market was flooded with competition, and prices for seeds plummeted to as low as Rs. 5 per kilogram. But Ponnarasi didn’t let this discourage her. Inspired by the need for better income and motivated by a desire to provide a better future for her daughter, she started thinking outside the box. It was then that her daughter suggested the idea of extracting oil from moringa seeds.

That idea, which initially seemed simple, soon turned out to be the turning point in Ponnarasi’s life. Determined to take her farming venture to the next level, she sought out training in oil extraction and began learning the ins and outs of value-added farming. Her breakthrough came during a visit to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural College in Coimbatore, where she met agricultural expert John Kennedy. He introduced her to the world of value addition – transforming raw products into high-demand items like oil, powder, and cosmetics. Armed with this knowledge and her newfound passion, she went on to establish a brand that offered not only moringa oil but also a wide variety of health and beauty products.

The Turning Point for Ponnarasi

Once Ponnarasi embraced the concept of value-added products, her business took off in a way she had never imagined. She started producing over 36 different moringa-based products, including oil, powder, soaps, shampoos, lip balms, and even soup powders. Her dedication to quality and authenticity didn’t go unnoticed. She secured certifications from the Indian Food and Edible Export Development (IEFED) in Thanjavur, which added credibility to her products and helped her gain the trust of customers far and wide.

Her journey of entrepreneurship wasn’t just about making money – it was also about empowering others. With the support of a Rs. 2 lakh government subsidy under a women’s entrepreneur scheme, Ponnarasi was able to set up a Pack House for the processing and packaging of her products. She quickly realised that the demand for her moringa products wasn’t just local; it was international. Her business began to reach overseas markets, with exports to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, France, and Muscat. Her brand was expanding at a rapid pace, thanks to the power of social media and word-of-mouth.

In just one week, Ponnarasi’s products reached an astonishing 200,000 people, thanks to effective social media marketing. This was a far cry from the local struggles she had faced earlier in her career. Her story not only captured the attention of farmers across the country but also earned her several prestigious awards, including the Best Entrepreneur Award presented by the Collector of Trichy. And of course, she was lovingly nicknamed ‘Moringa Queen’ (Murungai Arasi) by the people who admired her perseverance.

Takeaways from Ponnarasi

Ponnarasi has become a source of inspiration for countless other farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly women, in rural areas. By conducting workshops and sharing her experiences, she has empowered others to take up tree-based farming and explore innovative ways of adding value to their agricultural products, with the mission to promote tree-based farming. She is teaching other farmers to cultivate drumsticks in a sustainable, pesticide-free manner, helping them maintain their land’s health while maximising their profits. Her impact is felt far beyond her immediate community in Dindigul. As Ponnarasi continues to grow her business, she is not only enriching her own life but also changing the future of agricultural entrepreneurs in India and beyond.