Farmers for Forests: Restoring Ecosystems & Promoting Climate Resilience with Women Entrepreneurs


05/17/2023


Introducing GreenGrahi Solutions, led by the visionary co-founder Shivali Sugand. Born out of a deep desire to transform waste management and tackle the pressing issues of food insecurity and climate change, GreenGrahi Solutions is rewriting the rules of sustainability.
 
In a world where a staggering billion tons of food is discarded annually, leaving millions malnourished, GreenGrahi Solutions emerges as a beacon of hope. By harnessing the power of a circular economy, this groundbreaking startup revolutionizes the very concept of waste.
 
Through their ingenious insect bio-conversion process, GreenGrahi Solutions takes food waste from large-scale generators and breathes new life into it. In specially designed climate-controlled chambers equipped with cutting-edge sensors and algorithms, insects work their magic, transforming this waste into premium-quality ingredients for animal and plant nutrition.
 
But their mission doesn't stop there. GreenGrahi Solutions envisions a future where insects and their pioneering technology become catalysts for change, empowering farmers and revolutionizing the entire food system. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by unsustainable waste management practices and resource-intensive agriculture, they pave the way for a greener, more sustainable world.
 
Cisco and Villgro recognized the transformative potential of GreenGrahi Solutions and selected them as one of the pioneering winners of Project Tvaran. As partners in this extraordinary endeavor, we join forces to accelerate and nurture this exceptional startup, propelling them towards even greater heights.
 
GreenGrahi Solutions is not just a company; it's a movement. Join us in embracing their vision and let us shape a future where waste becomes opportunity and sustainability reigns supreme. Together, we can create a world where everyone thrives and where a brighter, more inclusive future awaits us all.
 
In a world where a staggering billion tons of food is discarded annually, leaving millions malnourished, GreenGrahi Solutions emerges as a beacon of hope. By harnessing the power of a circular economy, this groundbreaking startup revolutionizes the very concept of waste.
 
Through their ingenious insect bio-conversion process, GreenGrahi Solutions takes food waste from large-scale generators and breathes new life into it. In specially designed climate-controlled chambers equipped with cutting-edge sensors and algorithms, insects work their magic, transforming this waste into premium-quality ingredients for animal and plant nutrition.
 
But their mission doesn't stop there. GreenGrahi Solutions envisions a future where insects and their pioneering technology become catalysts for change, empowering farmers and revolutionizing the entire food system. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by unsustainable waste management practices and resource-intensive agriculture, they pave the way for a greener, more sustainable world.
 
Cisco and Villgro recognized the transformative potential of GreenGrahi Solutions and selected them as one of the pioneering winners of Project Tvaran. As partners in this extraordinary endeavor, we join forces to accelerate and nurture this exceptional startup, propelling them towards even greater heights.
 
GreenGrahi Solutions is not just a company; it's a movement. Join us in embracing their vision and let us shape a future where waste becomes opportunity and sustainability reigns supreme. Together, we can create a world where everyone thrives and where a brighter, more inclusive future awaits us all.
 
Green Energy Solutions, spearheaded by the visionary co-founder Kirtti Vaishnav. When it comes to used cooking oil, there's more at stake than meets the eye. The Total Polar Compounds (TPC) value of oil increases with each fry, posing a grave threat to our health. Consuming reused oil with a TPC value exceeding 25% can lead to severe non-communicable diseases, heart ailments, and organ damage, as highlighted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
 
Shedding light on an alarming reality, it is disheartening to note that in India, a staggering 60% of used cooking oil finds its way back into the food chain. This stems from a lack of awareness and an unstable food safety infrastructure, putting countless lives at risk.
 
Recognizing the urgency to address this critical issue, Kirtti Vaishnav co-founded KNP Arises, a trailblazing initiative focused on collecting used cooking oil and transforming it into a valuable resource.
 
Through KNP's innovative mobile application, individuals can easily request the disposal of their used cooking oil. The dedicated KNP team then swiftly coordinates the collection process, ensuring that the oil is safely transferred to the KNP warehouse. As a token of appreciation, the vendors are not only compensated for their contribution but also receive a compliance certificate and a coveted "green" certificate, symbolizing their positive environmental impact.
 
With the KNP mobile application, oil traceability becomes an absolute certainty. Through real-time notifications, users can stay informed about the entire journey of their oil, providing a transparent and accountable process.
 
“Our work will secure millions of people’s health. By providing a strong infrastructure, we can safely guard bodies of water,” said Kirtti. “And using this fuel will ensure our environment is cleaner and greener.”
 
Swachha Eco Solutions Pvt Ltd, driven by the passion and vision of co-founder Victoria D'Souza. In a world where plastic seems irreplaceable, Victoria understood that the real solution lies in transforming our approach to plastic, rather than seeking alternatives.
 
The rampant use of packaged products, especially single-use, multi-layered plastic (MLP), has reached unprecedented levels. From food packaging to shampoo bottles, MLP has become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. However, the long-term exposure to the chemicals present in this type of plastic can lead to leachate, causing water and soil pollution. Currently, India's Plastic Waste Management (PWM) process involves recycling around 60% of MLP, while the remaining portion is simply dumped in landfills.
 
"We believe in the power of collaboration and a collective approach to creating a clean, green, and sustainable environment," emphasized Victoria,
 
Through Swachha Eco Solutions, MLP waste can be collected, shredded, and combined with hot bitumen, also known as asphalt or tar. This innovative process results in a specially formulated mixture that incorporates plastic waste and coarse aggregate, effectively transforming it into a material suitable for road construction and repair. By utilizing discarded single-use plastics in road infrastructure, Swachha Eco Solutions aims to reduce emissions and the overall carbon intensity associated with dumping them in landfills.
 
Mowo Fleet, envisioned by founder Jai Bharathi, as a pioneering force driving the electric vehicle revolution in cities worldwide. Recognizing the lack of awareness among women, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, about this transformative transportation shift, Jai embarked on a mission to ensure their active participation in sustainable mobility opportunities.
 
With Mowo Fleet, Jai reshaped urban mobility by empowering women to take the wheel, specifically on electric two- and three-wheelers. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Mowo Fleet optimizes and schedules commutes and delivery services, opening doors for women to embrace driving as a viable career option and maximize their earning potential.
 
While many women are already eager to pursue livelihoods as drivers, they often face challenges in maximizing their revenue during the hours they spend away from home. Mowo Fleet's innovative technology addresses this hurdle by mitigating empty rides, leveling the playing field and providing women with equal opportunities for success.
 
“Being a part of the Villgro-Cisco Tvaran program, we have the opportunity to be mentored as we are at the initial phase of building technology, which will be a game changer in enabling many women to join the sustainable mobility workforce,” disclosed Jai.
 
Farmers for Forests, the brainchild of visionary founder Krutika Ravishankar. Krutika unveiled a startling truth: the rapid destruction of vital ecosystems like forests, marshes, grasslands, mangroves, peats, and bogs is primarily attributed to the failure of global economic systems to properly value the critical services they provide. Carbon sequestration, soil regeneration, fresh water, and pollination—all essential services—are grossly undervalued and overlooked. For instance, insects, responsible for pollinating 75% of global crops, contribute to an estimated value of $577 billion.
 
Recognizing the indispensable role of thriving ecosystems in climate resilience, Krutika, alongside agrarian and Indigenous communities, co-founded Farmers for Forests. Their mission is clear: to restore and safeguard India's biodiverse forests.
 
Farmers for Forests takes a groundbreaking approach by compensating farmers and communities for their efforts in protecting and revitalizing biodiverse forest cover. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology including drones, satellite data, and modified open-source AI algorithms, the organization can accurately assess tree counts, identify species, and monitor forest cover to evaluate tree health and potential fire risks.

This holistic data-driven approach not only promotes forest health but also quantifies the levels of sequestered carbon and biodiversity in both forests and agroforestry plantations, enabling a more accurate valuation of the services provided by these crucial ecosystems.
 
The impact of Farmers for Forests has been remarkable. Managing over 2,940 acres of vulnerable forests annually, they have also planted 600 acres of new forests and agroforestry plantations, while creating over 17,000 days of rural employment.
 
Let us commend the outstanding achievements of these seven remarkable winners of Tvaran. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the innovative and transformative contributions of these visionary women entrepreneurs to the future of global climate resilience.
 
To delve deeper into Villgro's and Cisco's collaborative efforts in accelerating climate resilience among Indian entrepreneurs, kindly visit our Project Tvaran webpage. Together, we can create a world where sustainability and resilience thrive.