Gandham Agro has achieved a big milestone by closing the gap between raw materials and added value. This has greatly helped farmers in upgrading their farming methods and techniques with modern innovations. On January 26th, Gandham Agro will be part of Lohas Expo 2024, a major exhibition for natural, organic, health, green, and sustainable businesses. This presents a great opportunity for them to export food, snacks, and farm products from Andhra Pradesh to various Asian countries, with Hong Kong as a key connection point.

In 2023, the success of Millets products, especially during the International Year of Millets, brought a positive shift in women empowerment and youth involvement and empowerment. The focus on adding value to raw materials not only improves product quality but also creates more job opportunities (employment generation). As farmers step into the retail segment, they adapt to upgraded innovations, contributing to overall growth with their own and whole Agriculture practice. Gandham Agro goes beyond supporting farmers – they’re enhancing lives and knowledge. By introducing advanced innovations, farmers are learning new and improved techniques, stepping into retail, and without moving away from traditional farming. The company is also dedicated to empowering women and youth, actively involving them and nurturing a genuine interest in agriculture. The aim is to create a sustainable and flourishing future for everyone involved in the process.

A person’s legacy is like the footprint they leave behind, showing the world the story of their life and the difference they made. One such living example of the person’s legacy is the Gandham family.

The Gandham family has a strong tradition of supporting farmers and empowering them. Even though the way they do it may change, the family’s commitment to this essential idea remains constant over time.

Proving that capability knows no gender, daughters too stand as pillars of strength, ready to carry forward the legacy of a family with resilience and determination. One such being to set an example is Sunita Gandham garu.

The story starts with her grandfather, a remarkable man who played a crucial role in public service during the British era. Despite not holding an official title, he worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people in Vishakapatnam’s three constituencies as their Head, particularly focusing on helping farmers. Shri Gandham Nanda Gopal, the second generation, took the legacy forward by addressing unemployment, improving education for farmers’ children, and tackling issues like water scarcity and financial hardships, showing a deep commitment to the well-being of the farming community.

After running a successful fashion business for 20 years, Gandham Sunita realized that her dreams were only halfway achieved. Upon returning to her hometown from Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic, she noticed that local farmers were not receiving fair prices for their crops, also dealing with challenges like seed quality, market access, climate unpredictability, and lack of awareness about government support. They face exploitation from middlemen and need
assistance in adopting advanced farming techniques for sustainable agriculture.

By addressing the challenges faced by farmers, ensuring their welfare, and empowering them, she discovered the means to fulfill her dreams.

To address all these issues, she established GN GOPAL AGRO Pvt. Ltds, collaborating with 11 FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), to create a direct link between farmers, tribals, and retailers. Through this initiative, farmers can secure reliable prices for their crops, benefiting both themselves and the local communities. Sunita’s guidance has enabled farmers to expand their sales domestically in Vizag and nationwide in cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai and internationally in Singapore and the United Kingdom.

She not only carries on her father’s commitment to agricultural welfare but also instills a deep sense of responsibility in those she assists. Whether aiding others or leading significant welfare initiatives, she ensures recipients not only receive support but also cultivate a robust sense of responsibility alongside it.

Furthermore, Sunita founded Na’palli Green Net Millet Kitchen, which promotes the consumption of healthy dietary millet-based food and snacks among younger generations. This initiative aims to create awareness about the nutritional benefits of millets and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Gandham Sunita, reflecting on her journey, expressed— “While I continue my family’s legacy in promoting farmers’ welfare, my aspiration is for society, particularly those connected to agriculture, to embrace this cause as their own legacy and propel it into the future.”

Gandham Sunita strongly believes in “Raitu Varasatvam” (farmer’s legacy). After sincerely fulfilling her individual—person’s legacy, now, she’s committed to passing on this legacy. It’s crucial for young people and the children of farmers to not just be aware of this legacy but actively engage in carrying it forward willingly. Sunita emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the heritage that comes with farming.