myHarvest Farms: From Setback to Sustainable Success

Setbacks, patience, and courage often shape entrepreneurs into stronger, wiser, and more determined leaders.

Archana Stalin’s journey reflects that spirit. At 22, she faced the failure of her first venture, Geoverge.

Instead of seeing it as defeat, she treated the experience like a practical MBA. She learned from its challenges and waited for the right opportunity to return.

Archana and her college classmate, Stalin Kalidoss, married at 21 despite family opposition. In 2012, they invested around ₹10 lakh to start Geoverge, a geospatial company. However, the venture closed within two years.

Archana then explored professional roles at NativeLead Foundation and Naturals Salon. Meanwhile, her interest in organic farming continued to grow.

In November 2016, the couple launched myHarvest. They initially focused on terrace gardening and helped urban families grow greens and vegetables.

Soon, however, they recognised the limits of small urban spaces. Therefore, they shifted towards larger-scale organic farming.

Their next step was a two-acre leased property in Sembedu village, Tiruvallur district. They named it Vembu Farms and later incorporated myHarvest Farms as a private limited company.

The venture connected farmers and consumers through a community-focused subscription model. Families paid three-month subscription fees, which also provided working capital.

The business gained momentum steadily. Its turnover rose from ₹8 lakh in 2018-19 to ₹44 lakh the following year. Eventually, it crossed ₹1 crore. The customer base also expanded beyond the initial community in Chennai.

Then, COVID-19 disrupted conventional supply chains. Yet, myHarvest adapted quickly. The company moved to an order-based, cash-on-delivery system. As demand for reliable food supplies increased, it expanded its offerings to oils, rice, and snacks.

Today, myHarvest represents more than organic farming. It brings consumers closer to farmers, food, and nature.

Archana’s story shows how failure can become a foundation for a stronger and more purposeful second beginning.

Image Credit: myHarvest Farms Website Screenshot

Image Reference: https://myharvestfarms.com/