Growing up in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, Raghunathan Narayanan imbibed generosity and empathy from his grandmother, Lakshmi Paati. Regardless of caste, she welcomed farmers, instilling in him the belief that everyone, like fingers, should work together. This early lesson set the stage for Narayanan’s transformative journey.
Following family footsteps into engineering, Narayanan chose agri-engineering at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Later, at the Indian Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), he embraced Dr. Verghese Kurien’s people-centric approach. Inspired, he co-founded Catalyst Management Services in 1994 with a focus on systems change.
Catalyst Group’s Birth and Vision
Catalyst Group emerged, housing Vrutti and Swasti. Vrutti’s flagship three-fold model addresses the mindset shift from farmers as beneficiaries to entrepreneurs, treating their farms as enterprises. The model spans livelihood transformation, considering families as enterprises, and providing a bundle of services.
The Three-Fold Model Unveiled
Narayanan explains the model’s three steps. Firstly, mobilizing farmers into collectives forming cluster-level farmer producer companies. Secondly, engaging with farmers on-ground, analyzing agroecological zones, and identifying market opportunities and commodities. Thirdly, exploring diverse livelihood options, both on-farm and non-farm.
In the initial stage, farmers enhance income by reducing costs and increasing productivity. This involves using biopesticides, adopting better practices, accessing formal credit, and leveraging government schemes. Vrutti’s intervention empowers farmers to navigate the complexities and avail these benefits.
The second stage focuses on diversification and securing better prices through improved market linkages. Vrutti facilitates selling value-added products, ensuring farmers not only sustain their livelihoods but thrive economically.
The Three-Fold Impact
Narayanan summarizes the model’s impact in threefold: Wealth, building economic strength for smallholder farmers. Resilience, ensuring sustainability in agricultural practices. Responsibility, fostering a sense of duty and empowerment among farmers.
Scaling Across States
Vrutti initiated its pilot in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu, considering factors like agroecological zones and socio-cultural dynamics. Overcoming initial scepticism from Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Vrutti has positively impacted 1,40,000 farmers in seven states.
Narayanan’s Innovations
Undeterred by initial scepticism and entrenched trade relationships, Narayanan introduced the Platform for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (PIE). This digital platform, developed in collaboration with Industry and Social Venture Partners, connects farmers, buyers, and service providers. Over 18,000 Vrutti farmers benefit from PIE, which aims to streamline information and services for farmers and farming institutions.
A Vision for the Future
Narayanan envisions PIE as an open-source infrastructure benefitting farmers nationwide. By seamlessly connecting farmers, buyers, and service providers, PIE ensures transparency in pricing and provides valuable information, empowering farmers to make informed decisions with a simple click.
Positive takeaway
Raghunathan Narayanan’s innovative three-fold model is not just changing farming; it’s revolutionizing lives across seven states. From instilling a mindset shift among farmers to creating resilient agricultural practices, his vision encompasses wealth, resilience, and responsibility, promising a brighter future for Indian farmers.
