September is more than just a change of season – It’s the time to ask ourselves: how can we live more sustainably?
September is more than just a change of season. It’s a reminder to slow down, reconnect with the earth, and ask ourselves: how can we live more sustainably? For Aranyam Naturals, Sustainable September is not a campaign…it’s the essence of who they are and why they exist.
A Promise That Sparked a Journey
Back in 2015, at a CSR conference in Meghalaya, Meenakshi Bhardwaj met a missionary working with tribal women farmers. As a parting gift, she was handed Lakadong turmeric and forest honey. Instead of accepting payment, the missionary asked her for something far greater:
“Help the poor farmers of my village.”
That request lingered in Meenakshi’s mind. A lab test later confirmed that this turmeric contained 7–12% curcumin, compared to 2–3% in conventional varieties. It was a divine nudge. By 2017, Aranyam Naturals was born, not just as a business, but as a promise to farmers and consumers alike
Ethos & Product Range: Sustainability at the Core
Aranyam Naturals has grown from procuring 100 kilos of turmeric in the first year to almost a metric tonne today.
What hasn’t changed is the ethos:
- Empowering Farmers: They started with 20 farmers; today, they support an entire village, with a focus on women.
- Chemical-Free Agriculture: Lakadong turmeric resists fungal attacks naturally, so no boiling or chemicals are required.
- Value Addition for Growth: To stand out in a saturated turmeric market, they created blends fusing turmeric with black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and even pet-safe formulations.
- Beyond Turmeric: Their farmers now also provide gooseberry (amla) candies made with jaggery, sun-dried ginger salty, raw forest honey, and a growing portfolio of over 25 products
USP and Benefits
Aranyam focuses on being Authentic, Sustainable, and Purpose-driven.
- Authentic: High-curcumin Lakadong turmeric, raw multiflora honey, and spice blends crafted with integrity.
- Sustainable: Every jar purchased means regular income for marginal farmers, particularly women.
- Purpose-driven: They are a conduit between consumers and farmers ensuring fair trade, preserving traditional practices, and building healthier lifestyles.
Benefits for consumers: The promise of a healthier lifestyle with more potent turmeric, nutrient-rich honey, guilt-free indulgence in healthy blends and natural candies, and the joy of knowing your purchase supports lives in Meghalaya.
Mission, Vision & Future Plans
Mission: To deliver high-quality, naturally cultivated products while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for smallholder tribal farmers, especially women.
Vision: To be more than a brand—to become a movement where fair trade, healthy living, and preservation of indigenous farming practices coexist.
Future Plans:
- Expand farmer base across Meghalaya and beyond.
- Enter export markets to share Lakadong turmeric with the world.
- Invest in eco-friendly packaging and address logistics challenges.
- Build stronger digital footprints through Instagram, YouTube, and community campaigns.
- Scale production of farmer-made innovations like amla candy and ginger salty.
Digital Footprints: Stories That Travel
Aranyam’s journey thrives both offline and online.
- Amazon debut: Our first breakthrough in reaching customers.
- Website: Today, a steady stream of orders flows through our own digital storefront (www.aranyam.co.in).
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn—and even the #MyAranyamStory campaign where customers (including celebrities) shared their experiences, growing their customer base by 133%
- Artisan Markets & Expos: From Delhi’s weekend markets to the Women of India Organic Festival and Global Organic Expo, their blends now stand proudly alongside India’s finest.
Why Sustainable September Matters
For Aranyam, sustainability is not seasonal. It is the lifeline that connects tribal women farmers in Meghalaya with conscious consumers across India.
This Sustainable September, join Aranyam in:
- Choosing authentic, naturally grown produce.
- Supporting brands that empower farmers.
- Making mindful swaps, turmeric blends instead of synthetic supplements, forest honey instead of refined sugar and natural candies instead of packaged junk food.
The Road Ahead
From 100 kilos to almost a metric tonne, from one promise to a growing community of farmers and customers, Aranyam’s story is one of resilience, evolution, and unwavering purpose.
As Meenakshi puts it: “It may be a drop in the ocean, but I’m happy to contribute to providing sustainable livelihoods for marginal farmers, mainly women, who may not even know me.”
This September, let’s make sustainability more than a theme. Let’s make it a way of life.