For over a decade, conversations around Indian farmers have
largely revolved around distress, debt, and dependence. Rahul Chakrapani chose a different path—one that moves beyond sympathy and into sustainable
economic empowerment.
Today, Rahul Chakrapani is recognized as a leading voice for farmers across Kerala,
Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, not because he speaks about them, but
because he has spent the last 12 years building businesses that work for
them. He currently serves as the President of SEFAI (Self Employed
Farmers Association of India), one of the prominent farmer associations in
South India, representing thousands of farmers across agriculture, fisheries,
dairy, and allied rural sectors.
A Mission
Rooted in Agriculture
Rahul’s commitment to farmers is deeply personal. Born into a
family with strong agricultural roots in rural Kannur, Kerala, he grew
up witnessing the realities of farming—hard labour, unpredictable income, and
limited market access. Farming was not merely an occupation in his household;
it was an inherited responsibility passed down through generations.
From an early age, Rahul developed a belief that would later
define his life’s work: when farmers stop farming, humanity cannot survive.
For him, agriculture was never just an economic activity—it was the foundation
of society itself.
As a young entrepreneur, Rahul found early success in business.
But instead of separating success from social responsibility, he chose to align
the two. He understood early on that charity could not solve structural
problems in farming. Sustainability requires systems, markets, and long-term economic participation.
From
Advocacy to Action
Rather than limiting himself to activism or representation, Rahul
focused on building enterprises that address specific gaps within farming
communities. Over the years, he identified high-impact segments where
intervention could create measurable change.
Empowering
Hill Farmers Through Direct Market Access
Farmers in the hilly regions of South India often struggle with
market isolation and poor pricing due to logistical challenges. To bridge this
gap, Rahul established Hill Producers Outlet Units—a model designed to
directly source hill produce from farmers and connect them to reliable markets.
Today, these units have scaled to 14 operational locations
across Kerala and Karnataka. Beyond procurement, the model supports farmers
with pricing stability, logistics coordination, and market facilitation. For
many hill farmers, this initiative has meant predictable income and reduced
dependence on intermediaries.
Supporting
Fisherfolk and Women-Led Communities
Rahul’s work also extends to coastal communities. Recognising the
vulnerability of fisherfolk—particularly women—he built a business ecosystem to
support fishing communities in Kerala and Karnataka.
This initiative focuses on end-to-end support, including financial
assistance, direct procurement, marketing, and export of dried fish products.
Special emphasis is placed on women empowerment, enabling women from
fishing communities to participate actively in income-generating activities
rather than remaining on the economic margins.
Strengthening
Inland Fish Farming
Inland and tank-based fish farming has emerged as a significant
livelihood across South India. Rahul’s enterprises support farmers engaged in
this segment by providing market access and business support.
Currently, the initiative works with more than 3,000 customers
involved in fish farming, helping them scale production while ensuring
sustainable market linkages.
Transforming
Dairy Farming Economics
Dairy farmers often operate under cost pressure and fluctuating
returns. To address this, Rahul developed a support system for livestock and
dairy farmers across 14 units in Kerala, with a particular focus on South
Kerala.
Through the distribution of cattle feed at subsidised rates and
consistent procurement models, his initiatives support over 10,000 dairy
farmers, helping them reduce input costs and stabilise income.
To further strengthen value creation, Rahul launched Cochin
Dairy, a farmer-first brand focused on traditional dairy products. The
brand sources directly from 150+ active milk producers, producing
homemade ghee from real cow milk while ensuring ethical pricing and transparent
sourcing.
Building
Farmer-Centric Retail Networks
Completing the ecosystem is a network of Farmer’s Mart
supermarkets across Kerala and Karnataka. These supermarkets operate on a
simple but powerful principle—local farmers supply local markets.
With seven operational Farmer’s Marts, the model supports
approximately 700 to 1,000 farmers every month, offering them direct
retail access and better margins while supplying consumers with traceable,
locally sourced products.
Leadership
That Delivers Results
Across agriculture, fisheries, dairy, and retail, Rahul
Chakrapani’s initiatives have collectively supported 15,000
to 20,000 farmers over the last 12 years. Through his leadership at SEFAI
and his business ventures—including Royal Travancore Farmers Mart and
associated farmer producer companies—he continues to advocate for farmer
welfare while building practical, scalable solutions on the ground.
What distinguishes Rahul’s work is not its scale alone, but its
philosophy. He does not position farmers as beneficiaries of aid, but as entrepreneurs
deserving of dignity, stability, and respect.
In an era where farming is often viewed as an unsustainable
profession, Rahul Chakrapani is quietly reshaping that narrative—proving that when farmers are
empowered through business, agriculture becomes a future worth choosing.