From Hyderabad to Your Table: The Story of Dharthi Foods, India's Premier Women-Led Millet Brand

Dharthi Foods was born in Hyderabad in 2019 — not in a boardroom or a business school, but in a kitchen, from a conversation about why modern Indian food had drifted so far from the ancient grains that sustained civilisations for millennia. The founders — women entrepreneurs from Telangana — brought together a shared vision: make millets accessible, convenient, and genuinely delicious for contemporary Indian families.

The IIMR Connection: Science Behind Every Product

In 2021, Dharthi Foods was accepted into the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) incubation programme in Hyderabad — one of the country's premier agricultural research institutions with over five decades of millet science. This partnership transformed Dharthi Foods from a promising food startup into a science-backed brand. Every formulation — from the 11-pulse blend in the Pearl Millet Soup to the grain ratios in the Multi-Millet Discs — was refined with IIMR's nutritional expertise.

Central Government Recognition

In 2022, Dharthi Foods competed against hundreds of food and agri startups nationwide and was selected as a recipient of a Central Government of India startup grant. This recognition validated not just the quality of the products but the social and agricultural mission behind the brand — reviving ancient grain consumption, supporting women farmer collectives, and building sustainable food systems.

APEDA Registration: Export-Quality Standards

In 2023, Dharthi Foods achieved APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) registration — the gold standard for Indian food export quality. APEDA registration requires rigorous testing of food safety, labelling accuracy, and production facility standards. For domestic customers, this means every Dharthi Foods product meets export-grade quality — the same standard applied to food exported to Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

Women at Every Level of the Supply Chain

Dharthi Foods is not just women-led at the boardroom level — women are central to every stage of the supply chain. Millet grain is sourced from women farmer collectives in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where sustainable farming practices ensure soil health and fair income for farmers. Processing, formulation, and packaging involve women entrepreneurs and workers in Hyderabad. Every Dharthi Foods purchase directly supports women's economic independence across the food chain.

The Vision: Ancient Grains for Modern India

India declared 2023 the International Year of Millets — and Dharthi Foods was already several years ahead of the curve. The brand's products are not positioned as health food for a niche audience. They are designed for every Indian family — affordable, convenient, genuinely nutritious, and deeply rooted in culinary traditions that span thousands of years. From Hyderabad to every doorstep in India, Dharthi Foods carries the mission forward.