Meet the TrueLeaves

Just a year ago, Shekhar, a small farmer from Mariyala village, located 70 km from Hyderabad, was on the verge of quitting agriculture. Mounting expenses, rising pest attacks, and dependency on chemical inputs had pushed him into debt and despair. Like many others, Shekhar felt that farming was no longer sustainable.

But everything changed when he came in contact with the TrueLeaf Foundation under the Grow India Initiative.

Shekhar received hands-on training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from TrueLeaf’s field team. He learned how to reduce chemical use by adopting eco-friendly practices like biological pest control, crop rotation, and botanical sprays. For the first time, he understood that healthy soil and pest management could go hand in hand — without harming nature or his wallet.

To support his journey, TrueLeaf also provided him with mulching sheets, drip inline irrigation pipes, and seed packets — all free of cost. These simple tools helped him save water, control weeds naturally, and improve soil fertility.

With renewed confidence and lower input costs, Shekhar started growing organic vegetables and crops on his small plot. Today, he proudly sells his harvest to PurOnature and in local retail markets, earning better prices for his chemical-free produce.

“I was about to give up. TrueLeaf brought me back. Now I grow with pride and without poison,” says Shekhar with a smile.

Anwar Shaikh, a dedicated farmer from Motakundoor, a village 70 km from Uppal Hyderabad, was skeptical about growing crops without chemicals. For years, he relied on conventional methods that gave uncertain results and rising costs. But his perspective changed when he connected with the TrueLeaf Foundation.

Through TrueLeaf’s guidance and support, Anwar received organic inputs like seeds, Jeevamrut preparation guidance, mulching sheets, and drip inline irrigation. Encouraged by the training on organic farming techniques, he decided to try growing watermelon organically on a portion of his land.

The results were beyond his expectations — vibrant, juicy watermelons with strong market demand. Consumers appreciated the chemical-free produce, and Anwar saw better returns with lower investment.

“TrueLeaf gave me the courage to trust in natural farming. Now I feel proud of what I grow,” says Anwar.

Anwar’s success is inspiring other farmers in his village to turn to organic farming.

In the remote village of Chinchpada in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, women faced limited livelihood options and lacked access to sustainable income-generating activities. Recognizing their potential, the TrueLeaf Foundation stepped in with a focused initiative to empower these women through mushroom cultivation.

The Foundation organized hands-on training sessions covering the entire cycle — from preparing bags to harvesting and packaging. The women, most of whom had never engaged in such cultivation before, quickly adapted to the low-investment, high-return model.

To enhance their efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses, TrueLeaf also provided a solar dryer, enabling them to dry mushrooms hygienically and increase shelf life, thereby opening access to wider markets.

This intervention has not only improved household incomes but also built confidence among the women of Chinchpada. Today, they proudly contribute to their families’ wellbeing and serve as role models for rural women-led enterprise.