Karnataka couple's eco-friendly venture gains global recognition | Fusion - WeRIndia

In the picturesque hills of Shivamogga, Karnataka, a couple, Suresh and Maithili, has caught the nation’s attention with their innovative palm leather start-up.

Prime Minister Modi, in his recent Mann Ki Baat episode, lauded the duo for harnessing the potential of indigenous products and successfully carving a niche in the international market, including the UK and Europe.

Hailing from Vinoba Nagar, Suresh and Maithili embarked on their entrepreneurial journey with a unique idea—producing eco-friendly products from betel nut fibre.

Their start-up, Bhoomi Agri Ventures, specializes in crafting a range of sustainable products, including chappals, plates, trays, and decorative items, utilizing palm leather.

The couple’s ingenious concept has not only found a market internationally but also serves as an affordable and eco-conscious alternative to animal leather.

PM Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address, commended the couple’s efforts and urged citizens to draw inspiration from them, emphasizing the significance of promoting indigenous products.

Suresh, rooted in a farming background, initially explored coconut sheets in 2018, discovering their utility in eco-friendly products, particularly in the Netherlands.

Despite setbacks in 2019 due to the pandemic, the couple applied for a grant through the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

With financial support, they installed machinery and ventured into manufacturing various products from coconut sheets, creating a foreign market for their offerings.

Bhumi Agni Ventures, their start-up, now produces an array of items like slippers, pen stands, vanity bags, and more, using bio-nut sheets.

Leveraging nut husk and sheets, the couple crafts multi-purpose items such as shoes, bags, book covers, mats, and pencil boxes.

The demand for these eco-friendly products has surged both domestically and in international markets.

Utilizing walnut sheets that naturally fall from trees, the couple has tapped into a sustainable source for creating sheets, plates, and slippers.

Their commitment to environmental consciousness has not only garnered praise but has also established Shivamogga’s Suresh Bhat and Maithili as a household name in the hills.

As Bhoomi Agri Ventures continues to flourish, the success story of this enterprising couple exemplifies the potential of eco-friendly alternatives and the power of indigenous entrepreneurship to make a global impact.

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