From Corporate to Cultivation: Kristeena Grover’s Journey into Sustainable Agriculture

Faridabad’s Kristeena Grover, a seasoned marketing professional with over 22 years in the corporate world, made a bold decision post-COVID to leave behind her established career and venture into agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. Faced with the challenges of limited employment opportunities in the region, Kristeena chose to invest her efforts in the promising sector of aromatic plants and essential oils. This decision not only aligns with her personal aspirations but also taps into the growing potential of the Himalayan region, where farming is a primary livelihood for many.

Her path to success began when she came in contact with scientists from the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, HP. Motivated by their expertise, Kristeena decided to start cultivating aromatic crops, particularly lemongrass, on land affected by animal menace and degradation in the lower regions of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director of CSIR-IHBT, emphasized the institute’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, stating, “We are dedicated to fostering an environment where women can thrive and contribute significantly to India’s socio-economic development. Our programs are designed to create opportunities for innovation, and our collaboration with Kristeena is an example of how we are building a strong network of women-led businesses that drive local and national progress.”

Kristeena’s project gained momentum when three local farmer sisters—Sneh Gupta, Rama Tandon, and Sharda Pargal—offered five acres of unused land in Village Ghurnun, Tehsil Nurpur, District Kangra, HP, to launch the initiative. With support from CSIR-IHBT, Kristeena and her business partner Ravi Gupta expanded the cultivation to 20 acres, providing steady employment to eight women farm workers, thus contributing to women’s empowerment and rural development.

The collaboration with CSIR-IHBT proved to be a game-changer. Under the CSIR Aroma Mission Phase III, the institute provided Kristeena with 2.5 lakh high-yield lemongrass slips, along with training and technical support for oil extraction, all free of cost. In just the first year of cultivation, Kristeena achieved an impressive 0.8% oil yield, far surpassing the usual 0.3-0.5% yield seen in traditional farming practices. This success highlights the immense potential for innovation in traditional farming methods.

As her venture continues to grow, Kristeena is now in the process of developing a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) that will focus on aromatic and medicinal plants. By involving rural youth and women, particularly those from unemployed backgrounds, she aims to enhance productivity on small landholdings and improve livelihoods across the region.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist and Co-nodal of CSIR Aroma Mission Project Phase III, shared that for the promotion of aromatic crops, the institute is imparting training in agro and process technologies, distributing quality planting material, and establishing market linkages with industries. The institute has expanded the area under aromatic crops to 3,000 hectares across Pan India, further supporting farmers.

Kristeena’s vision extends beyond lemongrass farming. She is passionate about creating job opportunities for local women, offering them a chance to earn a livelihood while contributing to the success of her farms. In addition to training and employing women farmworkers, she is also setting up a buyback guarantee program for farmers who grow lemongrass, ensuring they have reliable market linkages and fostering self-reliance within the community. Her commitment to sustainability is evident in the diverse range of products she is developing. Beyond essential oils, Kristeena has created eco-friendly formulations for floor cleaners, herbal tea blends, soaps, and hydrosols. Her goal is to scale up her operations, acquire more land, and cultivate high-value aromatic plants, further boosting local incomes and contributing to the region’s development.

Kristeena Grover’s journey is a testament to how innovation, determination, and community engagement can transform challenges into opportunities. By leveraging her marketing expertise and collaborating with CSIR-IHBT, she is not only enhancing livelihoods through sustainable agriculture but also paving the way for a more prosperous and self-reliant rural economy. Her work exemplifies the powerful combination of business acumen and social responsibility, proving that with the right support and vision, agriculture can be both a lucrative and transformative force for women and communities in rural India.