Empowering Rural India One Drop of Oil at a Time
In the heart of Rajasthan, three young visionaries Satyam Bhandari, Rohit Negi, and Mohit Rana are proving that business can be a force for good. Through their social enterprise Foreka, they are transforming the lives of farmers by producing sustainable, cold-pressed oils while ensuring fair wages and dignity for those who cultivate India’s fields.
Their story is not just about entrepreneurship it’s about empathy, resilience, and redefining rural prosperity.
Seeds of Inspiration
Born in the serene town of Agastyamuni, nestled in Uttarakhand’s hills, Satyam grew up watching his mother’s relentless struggle to provide for their family. Losing his father before birth, he witnessed firsthand what financial insecurity meant for a single parent and how education and opportunity could change lives.
This experience planted the seed of purpose that would one day grow into Foreka.
During his Gandhi Fellowship with the Piramal Foundation, Satyam worked with marginalized tribal families in Madhya Pradesh. There, he saw how poverty forced children to abandon schools and join their parents in the fields. The harsh reality that survival took precedence over education changed his worldview forever.
“I realized that the real issue wasn’t a lack of willingness, it was a lack of opportunity,” says Satyam. “Livelihoods are the key to lasting change.”
The Birth of a Purpose-Driven Venture
After his fellowship, Satyam joined hands with his childhood friends, Rohit and Mohit, to create something meaningful. With shared values and complementary skills, the trio launched Heart in Hills in 2021 a small startup in Uttarakhand that procured millets directly from farmers, offering them 10–15% higher prices than market rates.
Their fair-trade approach empowered local farmers, especially women, to earn steady incomes and regain control over their produce.
But challenges soon followed. The venture faced seasonal limitations and supply chain issues. Instead of giving up, they pivoted and Foreka was born in Rajasthan in 2022, focusing on cold-pressed oils made from locally sourced mustard and groundnuts.
A Model of Fairness and Impact
Supported by a Rs 22 lakh grant from The Buddha Institute, the team established a processing unit in Hindaun, Karauli district, partnering with local Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
Foreka’s approach is unique: farmers own the cold-press machines and share 50% of the profits after costs. The result? Genuine empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
“Farmers are treated as partners, not just suppliers,” says Satyam proudly. “Their success is our success.”
One such partner, Ramavtar, a 42-year-old farmer, shares,
“Foreka gave me pride in my work and stability for my family. I can now educate my children, one of whom is studying veterinary science. That’s something I once thought was impossible.”
Overcoming Setbacks with Purpose
The journey wasn’t easy. A major financial fraud once cost them Rs 4 lakh, forcing them to borrow money from friends and family to stay afloat. But instead of breaking them, it strengthened their resolve.
They sought mentoring, learned business management, and continued building their impact step by step. Their perseverance paid off Foreka’s revenue grew from Rs 60 lakh in 2023–24 to Rs 1.3 crore in just two quarters of 2024–25, with projections of Rs 2.5 crore by year-end.
A Future Rooted in Hope
Foreka’s oils black mustard (Rs 320/L), yellow mustard (Rs 450/L), and groundnut (Rs 500/L) are 100% cold-pressed, chemical-free, and nutrition-rich.
But beyond profits, the team’s vision is larger:
🌾 Expand to 10,000 farmers across India
🏭 Set up five new processing units
👩🌾 Create 250+ rural jobs
🌱 Launch “House of Mustard” – India’s first mustard-based value chain brand
“We’re not just building a business, we’re nurturing livelihoods,” says Satyam.
Foreka’s journey reflects the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat empowering rural communities to build sustainable, self-reliant futures.
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