Green Incubation Program: Enabling Green Enterprises in Eastern UP
The Green Incubation Program, led by Jagriti under the Bioregional Centre of Excellence, supports the incubation and acceleration of environmentally sustainable small businesses in the Purvanchal region. The program works with micro and small enterprises to embed sustainability into their business models while helping them become economically viable and investment-ready.
So far, the program has supported 30 small and growing businesses, resulting in a 96% average increase in revenue, 86% employment growth, and 75% success rate in raising external funding.
Case Study: Pravidhaan FPO, Kushinagar
Pravidhaan Farmer Producer Company Ltd., founded in 2023 by Anshuman Upadhyay, is a farmer-owned enterprise based in Kushinagar, supported initially by NABARD. It started with 300 farmers and has since grown to a network of 831 small and marginal farmers.
In July 2024, Pravidhaan was selected for the Green Incubation Program. Through structured support in business planning, marketing, and financial access—along with mentorship from Emmanuel Murray—the FPO scaled its operations and unlocked growth opportunities.
Key interventions included:
- Input supply partnerships with IFFCO, YARA, and Bayer
- Procurement and marketing of Kala Namak rice, millets, and jaggery
- Processing and branding of retail-ready products
- Farm equipment rental services
- Participation in exhibitions and direct sales channels
Financial milestones:
- ₹57 lakh revenue in FY 2023–24, projected to cross ₹1 crore in FY 2024–25
- ₹10 lakh working capital secured from Axis Bank
- ₹14 lakh raised through grant support
- ₹40 lakh market order from Kisan Say
- 27 jobs created, including 5 full-time and 22 part-time roles
Looking ahead, Pravidhaan is focused on building a strong value chain around Kala Namak rice, expanding its member base, and reaching ₹3 crore in revenue in the coming year.