A Dream Harvested: Tina Bhattacharya’s Journey with Promode Agro Farms
As I sat in Tina’s cozy living room, sipping tea and savoring the delicious crispy, savory nimki—a traditional Bengali snack made from spiced dough and deep-fried to perfection—prepared by her mother, Gitasree Chakravorty, I felt a sense of warmth and hospitality. But what really caught my attention was Tina’s story – a story of passion, perseverance, and a dream to bring fresh, healthy produce to her community.
Tina, along with her husband Papu, founded Promode Agro Farms in 2022. Wanting to understand what led to this entrepreneurial venture, I leaned in as she began to share. “We were living in Hyderabad, a bustling city in southern India, and I realized that it was so hard to find good, fresh Bengali veggies,” Tina explained. “Plus, with all the pesticides and chemicals being used, I was worried about our health.” (Bengali veggies refers to the traditional vegetables of Bengal, a region in eastern India and known for its distinctive use of vegetables, rice, lentils, and flavorful spices.)
Growing up, Tina had no background in farming or business. Her husband Papu, however, came from a family of entrepreneurs – his father had an iron forging business, and Papu himself had a software company. But for Tina, this was a completely new journey.
The initial stages were not easy. Finding the right land, dealing with poor soil quality, and figuring out the best farming practices were just a few of the challenges they faced. “We had to do a lot of research, bring in agricultural scientists, and experiment with different methods,” Tina recalled. “It was tough, but we were determined to make it work.”
Today, Promode Agro Farms is thriving, producing a wide range of fresh veggies, spices, and even fish. From laag saag (a type of leafy green) to eggplant, pumpkin, and bottle gourd, their produce is a hit among the local community. They also offer a range of value-added products, like cumin powder, black pepper, and ginger paste, all made with love and care. Their produce reaches customers through a small farm store, home deliveries, and a weekly community market—a flea market held every Sunday at PBEL City, a large residential neighborhood in Hyderabad. They’re now in talks to expand this model to other communities.
Talking about how far she has come, Tina’s face lit up with a smile. “I’m really happy and proud of what we’ve achieved,” she said. “I’d taken a break from work to focus on my family, and now I’m enjoying being part of something that brings fresh, healthy food to our community.”
As we finished our tea and nimki, I asked Tina about her future plans. “We’re planning to open an Absolutely Bong cloud kitchen soon,” she exclaimed. “We’ll use our own produce, spices, fish, and meat – it’ll be a great way to share our food with everyone!”
As I prepared to leave, I was curious to hear Tina’s advice for newcomers stepping into entrepreneurship, especially in organic farming. “Be prepared to work hard and learn constantly,” she said with a laugh. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. And most importantly, be passionate about what you’re doing – it makes all the difference.”
I wanted to know what she would do differently if she could go back, so I gave her a moment to reflect. “I think having prior knowledge of natural farming and the science behind it would have been really helpful,” she admitted. “Also, sharpening my networking skills earlier on would have made a big difference. Papu actually ventured into farming for the love of good food, and I joined in to support him. But now, it’s become a full-fledged profession for me!”
As I left Tina’s home, I was laden with boxes of delicious nimki and pickle, courtesy of Gitasree Chakravorty’s culinary skills. Needless to say, they’re absolutely delicious!
-Anamika Chakravorty: Content Writer, Social Media influencer, and Life Coach, embracing life with boundless passion and energy.
