A unique collection of 15 contemporary case studies documenting in detail social enterprises in agriculture, Farming Futures: Emerging Social Enterprises in India, edited by Ajit Kanitkar and C. Shambu Prasad showcases the emergence of an entrepreneurial route to solve India's deep-rooted agrarian crisis. The case studies chart the exciting journeys and tribulations in matching purpose and profit, often with a deep concern for the planet's future.

Written by experienced researchers, academics, and development professionals, the case studies span a wide range of agri-sector issues. They present a hope for farming futures for first-generation entrepreneurs, predominantly from non-agriculture backgrounds, by demonstrating the viability of farm enterprises. These include innovations in providing more efficient and non-exploitative linkages to markets and consumers, providing affordable aids and equipment for farming, and reducing the information asymmetry which farmers have when dealing with the market.

The case studies also show how beyond the journeys Of the entrepreneurs and their enterprises there are significant ecosystem issues that remain unaddressed. The government of India's thrust on entrepreneurship and innovation, Ease Of Doing Business, Make In India, and the announcement of a social stock exchange in the Union Budget 2019, would need an inclusive, and rural turn, for a comprehensive agricultural revival. These social enterprises provide key insights for transforming agriculture.

ABOUT THE BOOK

​This collection of case studies on agri based social enterprises is a welcome contribution which fills a critical gap in our understanding of practices which have the potential of turning around Indian agriculture. The cases demonstrate that farming can be a

financially worthwhile option by relooking and changing how farming is done; by providing more efficient and non-exploitative linkages to markets and consumers; by providing affordable aids and equipment for farming; or by reducing the information asymmetry; which farmers have when dealing with the market, etc. That is there are opportunities for innovation across the entire value chain and ecosystem of agricultural activities which entrepreneurs can leverage. Moreover, these models also provide a template
which can be replicated and scaled across other regions – either by other
entrepreneurs or by the state.

Madhukar Shukla
Chairperson, Fr Arrupe Centre for Ecology and Sustainability, XLRI

A ‘normal’ business entrepreneur generally aims to make money; he (or she) may also aim for a particular lifestyle, or to show that a particular innovation can succeed, and one must hope that most, if not all entrepreneurs are as socially conscious as the rest of us; they at least aim to ‘do no harm’, and perhaps to do some good if it is possible.

The main motive of social entrepreneurs however, such as the remarkable people described in these case studies, is to do more than this, to do some good, and, if possible, to do a great deal of good. One indicator of their genuine desire to do this, however, is their willingness to make a real sacrifice. The cases describe the harsh reality of the early days of many of the enterprises, how the entrepreneurs had to forego any earnings, in some cases to invest their own savings to keep going, but this kind of sacrifice is quite common for
many entrepreneurs.
Malcolm Harper
‘Emeritus’ Professor, Cranfield University

As each of your profiled organizations show (and countless others out there),
solving real world problems and managing to make a business out of it is a win-win for both sides, and truly the need of the hour. Every organization you write about has in it a story of determination and an element of doggedness, which is very refreshing.

This book will hopefully answer some of the doubters and naysayers whose impression of the agri-tech sector is one of pessimism. While we all know that our country is still primarily an agricultural driven workforce (largest employer), which delivers way below its potential (disproportionate contribution) to the GDP, the people with the money seem to have little interest in anything to do with agriculture. Perhaps, it is due to ignorance and this is where books like these will show that in most cases, the best businesses are those, that seek to address humanity’s biggest challenges, doing so with smart business acumen,
and are led by passionate and ‘real’ people.
Pradeep Nair
Regional Director (India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka), Ford Foundation

​The book is topical and timely, and will be well received, especially at a time when there are large expectations on social enterprises in connecting India to Bharat. I would describe this book as a delicious sandwich – with 15 cases making up an eclectic mix of very different social enterprises promoted by
people across the social and economic spectrum. The analytical chapters in the beginning and the end nicely wrap up the conceptual and operational underpinnings of the social enterprises.

N. Srinivasan
Senior development professional and Editor, State of India’s Livelihoods Report 2018

The ability to marry profitability with social impact presents certain challenges. One main challenge is that resources for non-profit and for-profit are compartmentalized into for-profit business or not-for-profit and hardly look at the continuum and the need for long-term sustainability. Not balancing funding sources can lead to mission drift at the early stages of the enterprise. Unfortunately, few and relevant hybrid vehicles that meet this dual imperative
are in place. The case studies tell us that we need more such vehicles in our developing/emerging economies, provided they are led by motivated and capable social entrepreneurs who are able to balance business aspirations while meeting wider societal transformation and dealing with social injustices.
Paula Nimpuno
Development Consultant for Southern Africa

This unique collection of 15 case studies of grassroots agri-enterprises (which are also referred to as social enterprises by some of the case study authors) is a valuable addition to an area where serious academic research has been scanty. Given the overwhelmingly informal nature of rural and agri-enterprises, development literature has not paid sufficient attention to the small but growing number of formal enterprises in this space. In particular, the emerging genre of socially-conscious and impactful enterprises, often promoted and run by highly qualified professionals who have migrated from successful careers in other sectors, has hardly been examined. Therefore, the wonderfully detailed case studies in this volume pleasantly surprise by cataloguing new approaches and ideas as well as lessons learnt by these fledgling businesses.
Pravesh Sharma
Co-Founder and CEO at

Kamatan Farm Tech Pvt. Ltd

Fragmented input, output and credit markets, lack of extension and technical support, postage-stamp sized landholdings, and perverse macro policies have been the bane of India’s small holder farming economy. For decades, farmers waited for co-operatives and public sector institutions to provide them these much-needed support and linkages. However, successes have been few and far between. After a long lull, India’s agricultural economy is now witnessing the onset of a new wave of institutional activity as part of the newly emerging start-up ecosystem. The ideological underpinnings of this new wave are best described as compassionate capitalism. Little is known in the public domain about these new businesses with a social purpose, about their trials and tribulations, their often tortuous journeys, the faced and overcome, and their social impact. This volume brings together case studies of 15 such social enterprises and teases out lessons and insights for thousands of such start-ups. India’s small farmers need in order to thrive and grow. For all those interested in rural institutions in India, this volume is a Godsend.
Tushaar Shah
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Rural Management Anand

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