Brijith Krishnan, a mechanical engineering diploma holder from Kerala, faced significant challenges that could have easily crushed his spirit. After losing his job and suffering devastating losses to his cashew crop due to unseasonal rains, he refused to succumb to despair. Instead, he channelled his resilience into pursuing a bold idea that ultimately transformed his life. Today, Brijith's entrepreneurial venture generates an impressive annual income of Rs 25 lakh

Overcoming challenges

In 2020, Kerala was struck by unseasonal rains that devastated Brijith’s cashew crop, leaving him with nothing. Compounding his difficulties, he also lost his job around the same time, which cut off his primary source of income. Faced with these overwhelming challenges, Brijith turned his focus to finding a new way to support his family. It was during this tumultuous period that the innovative idea of producing sprouted cashew products emerged, sparking a new chapter in his life.

Launching the business

Recognizing the surging demand for vegetarian foods, Brijith leveraged his engineering expertise and traditional cashew farming knowledge to drive innovation. He decided to add value to sprouted cashews and build a business around this concept. In 2021, he launched Eatery Malabarikas, a company dedicated to creating dishes made from sprouted cashews, which he supplies to hotels and food companies in major cities such as Kerala, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Brijith introduced a range of unique cashew sprout products to the market, including pickles, soup premixes, and snacks, all designed to cater to the evolving tastes of health-conscious consumers.

Investments

Brijith initially launched his venture with just Rs 1 lakh. However, he received a significant boost when he secured a grant of Rs 25 lakh from the central government under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). This financial support not only strengthened his operations but also accelerated the marketing of his innovative products, allowing him to reach a wider audience and expand his business rapidly.

Eatery Malabarikas

What sets Eatery Malabarikas apart is the delicious yet healthy nature of its products. Made from nutrient-rich sprouted cashews, these offerings provide a wholesome food choice for health-conscious consumers. Brijith's innovative menu includes a variety of dishes, such as cashew sprout Manchurian, cashew sprout pickle, cashew sprout butter masala, cashew sprout soup premix, cashew sprout malai, cashew sprout theyal, and cashew sprout Szechwan. Each dish showcases the versatility of sprouted cashews while delivering both flavour and nutrition.

Achieving success

To establish a distinctive identity for his premium cashew sprout products, Brijith partnered with celebrity chefs, luxury hotels, and catering companies, a strategy that significantly boosted his profits. By 2023, he achieved an impressive annual income of Rs 25 lakh. His success not only benefited him but also supported local farmers. Brijith sourced raw cashews from 11 farmers in the Kannur district, teaching them the technique of sprouting cashews. This initiative not only enhanced the quality of their produce but also increased their incomes, fostering a sustainable and supportive community.