FATEHPUR, UTTAR PRADESH – Ashok Tapaswi, a former urban resident, has successfully transformed his barren ancestral land into India’s first organic farm for Annatto trees, a plant with seeds used to produce natural sindoor and other bio-pigments. His venture has not only created a successful business but is also spearheading a movement for chemical-free beauty products and rural empowerment.
Tapaswi’s journey began after he became aware of the harmful chemicals, such as lead and mercury, present in commercially available synthetic sindoor. He discovered a safer, traditional alternative in the medicinal Annatto plant, whose red seeds are a source of natural, toxin-free pigment. With no established cultivation model in his region, he began experimenting with a few saplings, eventually growing over 400 Annatto trees on his farm.
The successful cultivation has led to a profitable business, with Tapaswi earning over ₹45 lakhs from the sale of his plant-based sindoor, which is also used in lipsticks, fabric dyes, and food coloring. His mission extends beyond personal gain; he is actively working to revive natural farming practices by distributing saplings to other farmers across India, with the goal of reaching 1 lakh. His efforts demonstrate a sustainable and ethical model for rural entrepreneurship, proving that it is possible to combine financial success with environmental care and cultural preservation.