Ayush Roy
Amrita Paul
Anahita Singh
Angshuman Paul
Naresh Tak
Goa Institute of Management
Divya Singhal
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The Organic Tree focuses majorly on the farming industry, and has sustainably been producing local foods by zero waste farming methods while helping local farmers. Thus, directly impacting SDG 2 and SDG 12. Initially, when it started with milk distribution, it ensured that the milk was sourced from local dairymen before delving into keeping its own cattle. The milk sold by them is packaged in recycled glass bottles.
The Organic Tree is working towards increasing the farmers’ income. Its pitch is going to create awareness about how farmers’ income is not decided by the farmers but by the higher-ups. The farming community does not have enough power to influence its income and that should be addressed by the Ministry. Additionally, its recommendations build a cumulative farmers’ community so that the farmers can be brought together to fight for their rights. The Organic Tree helps the farmers in sustainable food production systems and implements resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity.
The Organic Tree significantly reduces the number of plastic packaging and attains recyclable packaging. Moreover, it focuses on producing locally habitable foods via zero-waste farming methodology. The Organic Tree works towards creating the importance of organic produce, cleaner eating, and reducing the impact of food production on the environment and soil.
It has joined hands with the farming community to produce locally habitable foods and has brought recognition to the farmers of remote villages who share a similar ideology as those of the company.
The owner of The Organic Tree worked a typical corporate job seven years back. On the visit to his native village, he was astounded by the state of the farmers back home. He also noticed that majorly the age of farmers working the fields was above 65 years. The youth necessary to bring about the revolution in the farming industry was missing due to the lure of corporate jobs. The fact that people believed that educated youth could not contribute towards farming made an impact on Avinash’s mind. The idea of the company then started shaping his mind. On further research, he found that the farmers’ rights are limited and their source of income is not even decided by them. He then started working alongside local dairymen and expanded its horizon by looking into producing its own foods. He also started working with women to produce homemade products. His drive focuses on creating a community of workmen that share the same mindset and with same agenda in mind they can create a profitable business line. It has to be a community of people together.
Since its debut in 2018, The Organic Tree has seen a significant boost in both business growth and customer retention. Due to this increase, they have been able to diversify their product offerings. The Organic Tree kept growing profitably despite the challenges provided by Covid-19 and the effects the pandemic had on small businesses. The rationale was that the company was producing high-quality products at a fair price while keeping an eye on the environment. The Organic Tree persisted in its dedication to its business goal of providing affordable, clean products for everyone at a time when multinational corporations were taking advantage of people by driving up the price of household goods.
The Organic Tree offers its customers a reliable, high-quality option for eating more hygienically and sustainably. Because of how well-liked its products are, the company now interacts personally with customers. Over 18000 litres of milk are typically sold each year in recyclable glass bottles, saving between 10,000 and 30,000 disposable bags. Additionally, the handcrafted items' materials are devoid of chemical substitutes, resulting in less toxic waste, greater health, and a favourable environmental impact. The Organic Tree has teamed up with more than 100 local farmers who engage in zero-waste farming, bringing the advantages of sustainable production to light, and putting those otherwise obscure farmers in the spotlight. Their whole supply chain, from manufacturing to suppliers to retail, is carried out sustainably by companies with the same basic values. The company's ability to produce its components sustainably has allowed it to receive certification from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Government of Uttarakhand under the organic certification program. Additionally, they are nurtured at IIM Kashipur. To reduce plastic waste, the company stopped using plastic in the marketing and packaging of its products, creating a precedent for its dedication to leading a low-waste and sustainable lifestyle.
The Organic Tree benefited significantly from this innovation by giving customers the choice to use ecologically friendly, sustainable items. The Organic Tree not only survived COVID lockdowns thanks to local community support, but it also became a huge success. The company has over 2500+ loyal customers who regularly order from the store for its daily fresh produce. During this time, The Organic Tree hired people from slum areas as they knew the impact of COVID was severely felt by the marginalised community. The employees believed that this not only strengthened the belief of the company but also streamlined the supply chain further. The Organic Tree has been invited by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to present a pitch for their consistent work towards increasing farmers’ income and building up farmers’ rights. The company achieved all these milestones in just four years of its inception. We are excited to see how far The Organic Tree can grow in the future.
The Organic Tree supports environmental change by reducing the use of single-use plastics and delivering its products in recyclable packaging and glass bottles. Avinash states, “Even though there are some losses incurred due to glass bottle breakage, the health of the earth and imparting the conscience of sustainability is far more important.” Equally important, the owner ensures all communities and people he works with have the same high environmental standards. Avinash describes The Organic Tree’s innovation as "Being in connect with mother nature,” as many local elders have lived off the land of Uttarakhand and enjoyed its pristine surroundings and clean air and to date have a habit of turning to local foods, The Organic Tree aims to preserve these natural resources by bringing awareness to the local community about sustainable farming ways and also encouraging the youth to contribute towards farming. Avinash thoroughly believes,” The revolution can be brought by the youth and if not done soon, we might even have to import wheat”.
Additionally, The Organic Tree has taken up the responsibility to benefit society by providing the option of cleaner foods and healthier consumption. The company propagates the idea of going back to basics and indulging in homemade produce with cleaner ingredients. Avinash is positive about his efforts and he believes that one day this will become a norm and lifestyle for many people.
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The Organic Tree is one of the prominent organic stores of Dehradun. The effectiveness of healthier and cleaner consumption drove Mr. Avinash to come up with this idea of indulging into organic farming and sourcing locally produced foods and handmade products. Additionally, with the mindset of giving back to the framing community, he has relentlessly worked towards benefit of farmers. Today, The Organic Tree carries organically procured foods and products that are safe for consumption and use.
