Mr. Prashant Sadashiv Lokhande, Promoter

Access to modern post-harvest infrastructure and efficient market linkages has become essential for enhancing farmers' income and reducing post-harvest losses. One such inspiring example is Khemanand Dudh and Krishi Producer Company Limited, an Ahilyanagar-based enterprise that has transformed the onion value chain through an integrated post-harvest processing and procurement network. The company's journey demonstrates the transformative impact of the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The company established an integrated value chain development project for onion under the PMKSY–Operation Greens Scheme across five locations in Maharashtra. The project includes procurement, grading, sorting, packaging, cold storage and a dehydration plant, while also receiving support from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. Recognising the project's potential to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and improve farmers' livelihoods, the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castates extended financial assistance of ₹12 crore in 2023 through venture capital assistance comprising equity and optionally convertible debentures. The assistance enabled the company to strengthen its post-harvest processing infrastructure, expand procurement capacity and build an efficient supply chain connecting farmers with organised markets.

Post-Harvest Processing & Agricultural facility

The impact of the intervention has been significant. Today, the enterprise has expanded its farmer network to nearly 8,000 farmers, generated direct and indirect employment, created productive rural assets, achieved an annual revenue of ₹25.51 crore, and strengthened its net worth to ₹30 crore. The project has improved grading, handling and storage facilities, reduced post-harvest losses, enhanced price realisation for farmers, and established strong market linkages with institutional buyers and organised retail companies, thereby creating sustainable rural livelihoods.
Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Prashant Sadashiv Lokhande said:

"The support extended through the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, strengthened our mission of empowering farmers through better market access and value addition. Today, Khemanand Dudh and Krishi Producer Company is helping farmers secure improved price realization, reduce wastage, and create sustainable rural livelihoods while contributing to inclusive agricultural growth."

Post-Harvest Processing & Agricultural Procurement Facility

The success of Khemanand Dudh and Krishi Producer Company Limited demonstrates how targeted financial assistance under the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC) is enabling enterprises to build modern agricultural infrastructure, generate employment, improve farmers' incomes and strengthen rural economies. By promoting entrepreneurship and inclusive value-chain development, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and drive equitable economic growth across the country.

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