Innovation

Indian Organic Enterprise advocates for sustainable living by manufacturing environmentally friendly products from agricultural resources and cow manure. The company creates cutting-edge solutions, including organic wall paints, plant-growth tablets, vermicompost, and beauty products by incorporating traditional expertise with emerging scientific methods. The company, which operates in India, looks to empower local people and address environmental concerns. Natural, biodegradable, and resource-efficient products are introduced as alternatives to chemical-intensive items harmful to the environment and humans.

The company's core idea is turning cow dung—a resource utilised in Indian villages for a very long time—into products that can be used daily. Their wall paints, for example, are environmentally friendly, antifungal, antibacterial, and have thermal insulation qualities, which reduce energy intensity and enhance indoor air quality. Their vermicompost and organic plant tablets improve soil fertility without harmful fertilisers, therefore supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Their main focus is cleaning processes that guarantee product safety. This will be critical if the company pursues the skincare market with scrubs and body wash made from cow dung.

These ideas and processes support many UN SDGs. The company reduces environmental impact by encouraging sustainable methods of manufacturing and consumption (SDG 12). By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the utilisation of agricultural waste, it supports Climate Action (SDG 13). In addition, the company promotes gender equality (SDG 5) by providing economic opportunities to women, who comprise 75% of its workforce. Indian Organic Enterprise concerns itself with important global issues with a creative and solid strategy, resulting in a more sustainable and healthy environment.

Inspiration

Mr. Ratan Taparia, founder and CEO of Indian Organic Enterprise, is motivated by a solid commitment to sustainability and social impact. His journey began when he realized that India, while rich in traditional methods of utilizing byproducts, often overlooks the potential of natural and eco-friendly solutions for daily life. “India is still very utility-driven,” he noted; “If your product is offering a solution that no one else is doing, and if it happens to be eco-friendly or sustainable, well and good. But consumers may not want to choose your product only because of sustainability.” This understanding motivated him to create products that combine utility with environmental responsibility.

In rural areas, cow dung has long been used as a natural insulator on the walls of mud houses. This practice keeps the interiors cool during scorching summers and prevents the cold from seeping in during winters, ensuring a stable and comfortable indoor environment year-round. Drawing from this age-old wisdom, the idea emerged to use cow dung as a key ingredient in wall paints. This eco-friendly alternative not only leverages the natural insulating properties of cow dung but also offers a sustainable replacement for widely used synthetic paints.

He drew further inspiration from a desire to acknowledge and address the issue of abandoned non-milking cows. “How do we stop them? People need to realize that even their dung is something that can help them earn money,” he said. His belief in utilizing and transforming agricultural waste into valuable products became the foundation of the company. By creating eco-friendly wall paints, organic plant growth tablets, and skincare products, the company provides sustainable solutions and bolsters rural livelihoods and animal welfare. 

Overall impact

Indian Organic Enterprise has transformed rural communities by empowering women, boosting local economies, and promoting environmental sustainability. In the short term, the innovation has created meaningful employment prospects for women and farmers, enabling financial independence and reducing urban migration. By buying cow dung from local farmers, the company provides immediate income while utilizing waste to produce eco-friendly products. Moreover, rainwater harvesting ensures efficient water management, supports sustainable farming, and reduces dependence on groundwater.

In the long term, the innovation fosters economic resilience and environmental conservation. Women employees gain skills in sustainable manufacturing while farmers benefit from improved soil health and increased crop yields through organic fertilizers. The company’s initiatives, such as using traditional cow dung-based practices combined with modern technology, help preserve Indian cultural heritage while reducing carbon footprints. Rainwater harvesting further strengthens community water security and ensures sustainable agricultural practices.

Evidence of its impact lies in the rising demand for eco-friendly products, testimonials from satisfied customers, and visible improvements in rural living standards. The innovation contributes to SDGs like Gender Equality (SDG 5), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11), offering a model for sustainable development that blends tradition, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Business benefit

This innovation benefits the business in terms of reputation, building customer trust, and steady revenue growth. The company, by focusing on eco-friendly products made from cow dung, is unique in the market and attracts customers who are concerned about sustainability and cultural values. This niche has little competition, making their brand memorable and relatable.

The innovations are an asset because of the emotional connection they generate. They are tying their products to the welfare of cows and the environment, and people resonate with that story. Communication about how the products are made and why they are safe builds trust, so customers can easily adopt these non-conventional items.

Products like compost ensure immediate income while other products, like wall paints, provide a sales base for long-term growth. Credible partnerships, such as with Khadi India and using patented technology, help them gain support from customers and institutions.

Beyond profits, the business is making a difference through employing women and funding sustainable cow shelters. Such efforts enhance their reputation and attract socially conscious buyers who value impact over just price.

The company appeals to modern and culturally rooted consumers by blending innovation with tradition and sustainability. This thoughtful balance allows them to overcome challenges like educating people about their products and competing with big players, ensuring a strong and growing presence in the market.

Watch video on YouTube

Social and environmental benefit

Indian Organic Enterprise is making a difference in society and the environment by turning something as simple as cow dung into innovative, eco-friendly products. Imagine wall paints that don’t just enhance and decorate homes but also improve air quality, or organic plant growth tablets that nourish crops without harming the soil. These are the solutions the company creates - combining traditional Indian wisdom with modern science to solve today’s pressing challenges.

This innovation is a game-changer for rural communities in places like Ladriya, Rajasthan. The company is not just about products but also about people living in the village. The company provides job opportunities to women in villages, giving them a chance to earn an income, learn new skills, and contribute to their families with confidence. Local farmers also benefit by selling cow dung, turning what was once waste into a stable source of income. By creating these opportunities, the company helps reduce poverty, improve livelihoods, and prevent people from leaving their villages in search of work.

On a greater scale, the impact extends to the environment. By reducing agricultural waste and creating substitutes to harmful chemical products, Indian Organic Enterprise is helping to make homes healthier and the planet greener. Their work tackles pollution and fights climate change, showing us all that small, considerate changes can lead to a big, positive impact. This is more than just a business—it is a vision for a sustainable and inclusive future, proving that innovation doesn’t have to come at the cost of tradition or the environment.

Interview

Ratan Taparia, Founder

Watch video