From fields to snacks: Sharmila Jain Oswal’s Millet Revolution

November 11, 2023 Start Up Valli Sarvani No comments

In the heart of Poynad, Maharashtra, where hardships overshadowed comforts, Sharmila Jain Oswal’s journey unfolded, a tale of resilience and transformation.

From witnessing the struggles of farmers to building a thriving enterprise, her story is a testament to the power of passion and determination.

Having carved a successful legal career in Canada, Sharmila couldn’t ignore the distressing news of farmer suicides in her homeland.

In 2008, she made a life-altering decision. She left her prosperous career behind to return to Pune with a mission—to revive the soil and support her people.

Grounded in a two-year research mission across states, Sharmila founded the Green Energy Foundation. It is an NGO dedicated to revitalizing water sources and introducing smart farming methods.

But her true stroke of genius came with the humble millet, a grain rich in nutrients often overlooked.

Inspired by her father’s flour mill, which primarily used millets, Sharmila decided to launch a millet-based startup. She, along with her son Shubham, launched Gud Mom.

Their venture transformed millets into a range of delicious, affordable, and healthy snacks, creating a storm of positive change.

Millets became a sustainable, lucrative crop, reducing farmers’ dependency on unpredictable monsoon rains.

The impact rippled through communities, providing a source of affordable and nutritious snacks for all.

Sharmila’s efforts, now a thriving business with an annual revenue of over ₹16 crores, have touched the lives of over 1.5 lakh farmers.

Besides, she received accolades from many people. She even earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Her journey is more than a business success story—it’s a narrative of homecoming, of reconnecting with one’s roots and nurturing dreams that extend beyond personal gains.

Sharmila proves that with passion and determination, you can turn grains of millets into mountains of change. Her story inspires several people to start their entrepreneurial journey.

Image Credit: Gudmom Website Screenshot