At 38, Ponnarasi inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, with her journey from a humble Tamil Nadu background to a thriving moringa farming business driven by determination and innovation.

As she speaks to a room full of aspiring entrepreneurs, her voice carries the weight of experience and resilience. Her transformation from a small-town farmer to a renowned entrepreneur is as extraordinary as the moringa she cultivates.

Growing up in a family dedicated to agriculture, she was no stranger to hard work. “I never imagined that moringa would change my life,” she reflects. “But it has given me a purpose, and I want others to discover theirs too.”

Unlocking the True Potential of Moringa

A mother of four, Ponnarasi stepped into moringa farming in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, driven by a keen observation of market dynamics. “I have been cultivating moringa on our family 10 acres of land for the past decade,” she shares. “We traditionally sold leaves, seeds, and roots, but intense competition caused seed prices to drop as low as ₹5 to ₹10 per kilogram.”

Her turning point came during a visit to Tamil Nadu Agricultural College, Coimbatore, where she met agricultural expert John Kennedy, who had an in-depth understanding of moringas value.

“I listened to him explain how most farmers focus solely on selling raw produce instead of maximizing the crops potential,” Ponnarasi recalls. That insight completely transformed her approach to farming.

Kennedy introduced her to the concept of value addition—the process of transforming raw moringa into high-demand products like oil, powder, and cosmetics. Inspired by his insights, Ponnarasi realized she could go beyond traditional farming and tap into a more lucrative market.

Determined to learn, she sought training at the Gandhigram Agricultural Extension Office, where she attended free workshops on moringa product development. These sessions provided her with hands-on experience in oil extraction and processing techniques, laying the foundation for her new venture.

How Ponnarasi Leveraged Moringas High Value

Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officers recognized her potential and stepped in to guide her through the technical and business aspects of moringa oil production, helping her refine her skills and expand her enterprise.

“They introduced me to the global demand for moringa oil, which sells for ₹5,000 per liter and is widely used in cosmetics, food, and medicine,” says Ponnarasi. Experts Srikumari and Saravanan from the Agricultural Department of Gandhigram University conduct in-depth research on moringas nutritional and medicinal benefits, which Ponnarasi applies to enhance her production process.

The 2019 training program became a turning point in her journey, allowing her to merge her traditional farming expertise with a modern entrepreneurial approach.

She cultivates the Moolanur variety of moringa, a high-yield, drought-resistant strain that produces three tons per acre annually with proper care. This variety is particularly valuable for moringa oil extraction due to its high oil content and resilience to extreme weather conditions, making it ideal for organic farming and value-added moringa products.

Overcoming Doubts and Setbacks

Despite her unwavering enthusiasm, Ponnarasi early journey in moringa product development was far from easy. Extracting oil at home required precision, labor-intensive techniques, and meticulous seed coat removal, making the process both challenging and time-consuming.

Adding to her struggles was skepticism from her community. Many doubted her entrepreneurial ambitions, especially considering her limited formal education (she had only completed Class 10).

“I used to travel to gatherings with my four children on an Excel vehicle (a type of two-wheeler), and my relatives often made snide remarks about my financial situation,” Ponnarasi recalls. But instead of letting criticism hold her back, she remained focused on her vision, determined to prove that success is not defined by conventional education but by persistence and innovation.

Turning Challenges into Strengths

But Ponnarasi refused to give up. Through perseverance, she built a tight-knit team that not only supported her vision but also became like family. Those working under her placed their trust in her instincts, helping streamline the moringa production process.

“Akka (elder sister) has faced many challenges—both internal and external. But her confidence keeps us focused on our work,” says Kalaiarasi, who has been with Ponnarasi since 2019.

With a strong support system and an unwavering belief in her mission, Ponnarasi turned obstacles into opportunities, proving that entrepreneurship is not just about business—its about resilience, leadership, and community empowerment.

From Small-Scale Production to a Thriving Business

Throughout her journey, mentorship played a crucial role in keeping Ponnarasi motivated. “If I called Srikumari mam unsure about a particular product I was creating, she always encouraged me and never let self-doubt take over,” she recalls.

Once she had perfected the oil extraction process, Ponnarasi took strategic steps to formalize and scale her operations. A major milestone was obtaining quality certification from the Indian Food and Edible Export Development (IEFED) in Thanjavur. This certification not only enhanced the credibility of her products but also opened new market opportunities, helping her reach a wider audience.

With her products now meeting industry standards, Ponnarasi secured a ₹2 lakh government subsidy under a women entrepreneur scheme. This financial boost allowed her to set up a Pack House, a critical infrastructure that enhanced product quality, improved packaging, and added value to her moringa-based products, setting the stage for further expansion.

Expanding the Product Line

With the Pack House in place, Ponnarasi diversified her business, expanding to an impressive range of 36 moringa-based products. From moringa oil and powder to soaps, shampoos, lip balms, and even soup powders, her offerings cater to both health and beauty markets.

“We make all the food-related products by hand, and my brother manages the cosmetic products,” she shares, emphasizing the family-driven nature of her business.

Innovation within her team has also played a key role in growth. “It was Kalaiarasi who suggested adding moringa to idly podi, and it turned out really well,” Ponnarasi recalls, showcasing the power of collaboration in product development.

Her ambition remains strong—she aims to introduce 10 new products each year, constantly innovating to meet the demands of her growing customer base.

With over one lakh customers on Facebook and WhatsApp, she exports to Malaysia, Singapore, the U.S., France, and Muscat. Her top-selling products include moringa seeds, soup powders, and oil. Recognized for quality, she has won multiple awards, including the Best Entrepreneur Award from the Trichy Collector.

Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Business Growth

She believes that each award she receives is a milestone in her entrepreneurial journey, motivating her to contribute more to the farming community. She actively mentor farmers and self-help groups by conducting workshops, sharing her expertise to help them grow. Ponnarasi also takes pride in being invited to MBA colleges, where she shares her experiences in entrepreneurship and farming with aspiring students. Kalaiarasi, one of the individuals who has worked closely with her, describes the experience as life-changing, stating that Ponnarasi guidance has equipped her with the skills to become financially independent and support her family livelihood.

Ponnarasi leveraged social media to grow her business, recognizing that digital marketing is as vital as product quality. With no prior experience, she learned with the help of her daughter and made Facebook her primary platform to connect with customers. Social media allowed her to reach new customers, build a loyal customer base, and expand internationally. Facebook not only boosted her marketing efforts but also enabled global orders, transforming her local business into an international brand.

Ponnarasi challenges societal norms, stating that a woman responsibilities should not define her identity. She highlights the misconception that women pursuing entrepreneurship are failing as mothers or wives. Encouraging women to explore opportunities beyond societal expectations, she emphasizes that true success lies in becoming self-sufficient. According to her, success is not about having a degree but about continuous learning and self-improvement.

Edited by Gayathri