“Source:- IBEF”
Native Angels Network, the angel investment arm of Nativelead, has invested Rs 1.2 crore (US$ 0.17 million) in UzhavarBumi Agro Products Pvt Ltd, based in Madurantakam, about 75 km south of Chennai.
Madurai, Karur, Chennai, Coimbatore and Tuticorin participation in the investment round.
According to the press release from Nativelead, UzhavarBumi works directly with farmers and agroworkers, to bring fresh milk to consumers’ tables without chemical interference.
The start-up was founded in 2017 with an aim to establish direct trade between local farmers and consumers. It provides fresh milk (delivered within 12 hours of sourcing), ghee and paneer to the customers.
The idea behind the venture was to make organic and fresh produce available for all, regardless of their socio-economic status, according to Mr Vetrivel Palani, co-founder of UzhavarBumi, a former IT sector employee.
Mr Vetrivel and his friends realised that there was high adulteration in the dairy industry, which became the main reason for founding UzhavarBumi.
The company works directly with individual farmers and cattle owners to source fresh milk which is transported to their facility in Madurantakam where milk is then chilled in sterilised conditions and bottled in eco-friendly glass bottles. The bottled milk is distributed to consumers within 12 hours.
Currently, 4,000 bottles per day are sold by the company, with the milk priced at Rs 60 (US$ 0.85) a litre.
Mr Sankar Kanagasabai, the lead investor, is helping the company adopt global best practices.