Rahul Chakrapani Is Building Scalable Business Models for Farmers in South India
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.
