About us
Koraput region of Odisha, nestled in the Eastern Ghats, is renowned for its rugged terrain, diverse mineral deposits, and vibrant tribal culture. Although relatively lesser-known for coffee cultivation in the country, it provides an ideal environment for growing Arabica coffee.
OUR STORY
A story of three experiments
Vighneshwari Coffee Plantation (VCP) was started in 1999 in the Koraput region of Odisha by Rajesh Toshniwal. Being an engineer, agriculture was an alien concept to him, but over the years a healthy mix of curiosity, enthusiasm and a new found passion, led him to experiment with new and innovative ways of cultivating coffee. The initial experiment was as vanilla as it could get. It was the traditional route and best practices recommended by the Coffee Board. Although the results were as promised, the Y-o-Y cost of cultivation kept increasing because of inflation. This method also deteriorated the soil quality due to the use of pesticides and fertilisers and was not eco-friendly. Unhappy with this, Rajesh started to research more on sustainable ways of agriculture. With extensive study, he realised that the key to successful agriculture lies in improving soil health nutritionally and biologically. This led to the second experiment which was application of biochar, organic manures, and organic waste for replacing the above mentioned chemicals. While this method was a booster to the soil health biologically, it failed to meet the nutritional requirements of the plant, resulting in significant reduction in yield. Additionally, the process was highly labour intensive and the transformation was very slow, making this method unviable.
The Discovery
To overcome the nutritional inadequacies of the plant with the new understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the plant and soil, he started with his third experiment; Regenerative agriculture!
While it sounds complicated, it is nothing but growing healthy crops to improve soil by increasing the photosynthetic capacity of the plant. He started using individual macro and micro nutrients as foliar sprays on weekly intervals, in addition to the organic cultural practices. As recommended on the AEA website, these solutions were sprayed during critical stages of plant growth like bud initiation, flowering and fruit filling stages. This resulted in consistent and high quality yields over the last three years, and visibly lush and healthy plants.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate naturally thriving, sustainably nurtured, and inherently nutritious crops while minimizing human intervention, allowing the nurturing touch of nature to prevail
Our mission is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ethical and sustainable agriculture. At its core, our mission is to nurture nature and allow it to be the guiding force in our farming practices. We prioritize natural and environmentally-friendly methods, avoiding excessive human interference while cultivating crops that are not only abundant but also rich in vital nutrients. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that our land remains fertile for generations to come. Our mission reflects our deep respect for the environment, our dedication to providing wholesome produce, and our belief in the harmonious coexistence of nature and agriculture.
From Passion to Purpose: A Message from the Founder
In the realm of agriculture, we’ve embraced the first-principle thought process, aligning our practices with the natural rhythms that have sustained generations. Our journey back to the basics is a conscious effort to conserve nature, we must simplify rather than complicate.
By delving deeper into the complexity of nature, we’ve eliminated redundant processes, fostering a genuine connection with the land. This approach conserves resources, making the entire process sustainable, fulfilling, enjoyable, and rewarding. Our pursuit of harmony with nature is at the core of our ethos.
At Vigneshwari, we aim to create a benchmark for generations to come in agriculture. We believe that by complementing age-old secrets of nature with new scientific understanding, we can achieve a perfect synergy. This harmonious blend allows us to honor the wisdom of our ancestors while embracing innovations that contribute to the sustainability of our practices.
Our journey is a testament to the belief that simplicity is not just a choice; it is the way forward. Join us on this meaningful journey as we navigate the intricate dance of simplicity and sustainability, guided by the age-old wisdom of nature and the promise of a brighter future for generations to come.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
The force behind our mission
Get to know the passionate individuals who make up the heart and soul of Vighneshwari Coffee. Our diverse and hardworking team, from skilled farmers to caring support staff, shares a common commitment to sustainable farming and community well-being.
Shobha Toshniwal
Co-owner | CSR Head
Preetidhara Samal
Advisor on Social Issues
Sujay Kumar Pradhan
Senior Planter | Advisor
Trilochan Satpathy
Senior Planter | Advisor
Shyam Deo Singh
Operations Manager (Retd.)
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