2 Friends Help Indian Farmers Double Income in 1 Year

Sachin Gore grew sugarcane and turmeric on 3.5 acres, but middlemen swallowed 30% of every sale. While they resold his produce at 120 to 150 rupees per kilogram, he received just 90 rupees, barely enough to support his family of eight.

The struggle became so severe a few years ago that Sachin tried to take his own life. "Our situation was very bad. We would not get sufficient income for our produce," he says.

In 2022, college friends Aniket Gharge and Jay Sidhpura decided to change the story. They launched IFE Store, a platform letting farmers sell organic products directly to customers without paying middlemen a single rupee in commission.

Aniket grew up in a farming family and spent years listening to farmers' struggles. After studying computer engineering and working in Pune, he started a YouTube channel sharing their stories and realized what was missing.

"Farmers earn better income with value-added organic products, but nobody tells them where they can sell them," Aniket explains. He wanted to build that marketplace himself.

The two friends created the website with almost no money upfront. Farmers contact Aniket through social media, he visits their farms to verify products, and listings go live after registration.

The pricing is transparent and fair. If a product costs 100 rupees, that's exactly what appears on screen. IFE Store charges zero commission, adding only 10 rupees for packaging.

Products ship from Satara to customers across India. What started in Maharashtra now reaches buyers in more than 15 states, from Gujarat to Kerala to West Bengal.

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell the real story. In just one year, participating farmers have nearly doubled their income.

IFE Store now works with at least 20 farmers and offers more than 25 product categories, from jaggery to spices. Around 340 customers have discovered the platform and bought directly from farmers who once had nowhere else to turn.

Courier delays create headaches sometimes, requiring extra calls and follow-ups. But Aniket remains convinced the benefits outweigh the challenges.

His parents wanted him to take a stable engineering job. Instead, he chose to blend farming with technology and build something that mattered.

"I am fortunate to pursue my passion and be of some help to farmers," he says, giving voice to the farmers who finally have a fair shot at prosperity.