EMPOWERING INDIA’S RURAL BACKBONE
In the heartlands of India—across the rice paddies of Bihar, the fisheries of Tripura, and the turmeric fields of Odisha—an agricultural revolution is quietly unfolding. At its helm stands Basix Krishi Samruddhi Limited (BKSL), a social enterprise that has become synonymous with innovation, sustainability, and community transformation in India’s agri-sector. Since its inception in 2010, BKSL has committed itself to “reaching the unreached” through holistic, farmercentric services that span advisory, production, market linkage, and institutional development. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Tapas Kumar Pati, the 51-year-old Chief Executive Officer, BKSL has emerged as a beacon of ethical leadership and agricultural entrepreneurship.
“We are not just building a company,” Mr. Pati says. “We are nurturing a movement—for prosperity, self-reliance, and rural dignity.”
Vision and Mission: Rooted in Rural Empowerment
At the core of BKSL’s philosophy lies a steadfast commitment to farmer welfare and sustainable development. The company envisions transforming rural livelihoods by providing end-to-end agri-solutions tailored to the challenges of climate variability, resource constraints, and market inaccessibility. BKSL’s mission is driven by three key pillars:
• Sustainability – Promoting climate-resilient production systems and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
• Innovation – Leveraging digital tools and farmer-centric models to increase productivity and market reach.
• Value Creation – Generating tangible returns for small and marginal farmers through improved inputs, training, and market linkages.
With operations in 11 states, including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura and West Bengal, BKSL currently works in 63 districts and 1,468 villages, positively impacting more than 200,000 farmers—of which 53% are women.
The BKSL Business Model: A 360° Approach to Rural Agriculture
BKSL’s business portfolio is designed as an integrated ecosystem where farmers are at the center. It includes:
• Advisory Services for governments, CSR initiatives, and international development agencies.
• Input & Output Agribusiness, facilitating both quality agriinputs (seeds, bio-products) and marketing of produce.
• Seed and Compost Production, including potato, wheat, and moong seed multiplication, along with enriched compost.
What sets BKSL apart is its institution-building approach— creating and mentoring Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). As of December 2024, BKSL has supported over 174 FPOs, with 75 new fishery cooperatives added in 2023–24, creating institutional resilience and collective bargaining power for smallholder farmers.
Bold Innovations That Redefined Rural Agribusiness
BKSL’s strategic innovations have created a new narrative for rural agriculture in India:
1.Digital Marketing via ONDC & “Mystore” App With over 100 FPOs now selling online, BKSL has built a bridge between rural producers and urban consumers. The integration with India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and use of the “Mystore” app has extended farmer markets to over 15 states.
2.Farm to Home (F2H) Value Chain The F2H model empowers farmers to conduct primary and secondary processing at the FPO level—creating 120+ valueadded products like aromatic rice, turmeric powder, and pickles—boosting price realization by 15–20%.
3.Digital Agriculture Solutions Through partnerships with FarmiTopia in Odisha and eKutir in Tripura, BKSL uses precision agriculture tools and mobile apps to guide nutrient application and pest management, enhancing productivity and sustainability.
4.Digital Learning Ecosystem With over 105 virtual training sessions involving 2,500+ participants, BKSL has democratized agri-education— empowering farmers to become trainers and change agents in their communities.
5.Climate-Smart Agriculture In Ganjam district of Odisha, over 11,000 households have adopted climate-resilient cropping systems—mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, and bio-floc fisheries—resulting in increased incomes and enhanced resilience.
Scaling with Purpose: Practical Growth, Real-Time Monitoring
BKSL’s success lies in balancing its bold vision with grounded execution. Real-time monitoring systems, field-level tracking, and a dedicated, reward-driven team enable the organization to meet timelines, analyse gaps, and maintain transparency. “Scalability is not just about numbers,” notes Mr. Pati, “it’s about sustainable impact and empowered communities.”
To date, BKSL has facilitated market linkages, mechanization support, and climate adaptation for thousands of farmers:
• 7,500+ farmers benefited from government schemes directed through FPOs.
• 136 “Pani Panchayats” formed to promote water conservation.
• Export initiatives took jackfruit and scented lemon from Tripura to markets in the UAE, Germany, and the UK.
• Farm Mechanization supported via Farm Machinery Banks in four states.
• Potato seed multiplication has fetched 20% premium pricing for farmers in Uttar Pradesh.
Defining Moments and National Recognition
Several milestones have catalysed BKSL’s national recognition:
• Interaction with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during a virtual dialogue with Naveen Kisan PCL in Lucknow—a proud moment for BKSL.
• PM’s visit to the Daringbadi FPCL stall at Aadi Mahotsav 2023, where tribal products including Kandhamal Haldi (GI tagged) were showcased.
• Awards such as “Star Performer CBBO” (2022) and “Best Performing Agri Company” at the 9th FPO Conclave & Agri Awards 2025.
These events not only validated BKSL’s grassroots impact but also amplified its credibility among policymakers, funders, and farmers alike.
The CEO’s Ethos: Ethical Leadership and Human-Centric Growth
For Mr. Tapas Kumar Pati, ethical leadership is non-negotiable.
“We lead with integrity, inclusivity, and respect. We listen to our farmers, trust our teams, and believe that values must precede valuation.”
This philosophy has translated into tangible internal reforms:
• Promotion based on merit and leadership rather than just qualifications.
• Creating space for innovation, even during periods of low profitability.
• Ensuring smooth exit policies for employees with misaligned goals.
• Implementing performance-based incentives for senior leadership.
The result? A 116-member team (94 men, 22 women) that is agile, motivated, and mission-driven.
Future Forward: Vision 2030 and Strategic Expansion
BKSL envisions a future where over 500,000 farmers will be integrated into its ecosystem by 2030. To achieve this, the company is actively pursuing:
• Horizontal expansion into new geographies and sectors.
• Vertical scaling of services including value-added processing and retail linkages.
• Continued investments in climate resilience and digital transformation.
• Building a customer-centric culture that is responsive to market feedback.
“This decade is not about competition,” says Mr. Pati. “It’s about collaboration—between people, policies, and platforms—to transform Indian agriculture.”
Advice to Emerging Entrepreneurs: Purpose First, Process Always
Drawing from BKSL’s journey, Mr. Pati offers grounded advice to entrepreneurs: “Create a roadmap. Know your beneficiaries. Focus on quality, monitor every process, and be ready to pivot. Visibility, scalability, and sustainability must go hand-in-hand.”
One Powerful Statement
If the BKSL journey could be summed up in a single line, it would be:
“Reaching the unreached through sustainability, innovation, and value creation.” From banana plantations in Bihar to climate-resilient farms in Odisha, BKSL is not merely transforming agriculture—it is redefining rural India’s future. Through vision, ethics, and relentless execution, the organization continues to sow the seeds of a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous India.
