Biography of Asmita Khobragade: Co-founder and Tech Didi at Farm Didi-Entrepreneur
The Journey of Asmita Khobragade:
Asmita Khobragade’s professional journey is a compelling
narrative of transitioning from a seasoned IT expert to a dedicated social
entrepreneur. With over a decade and a half in the IT industry, including
significant roles at IBM and Google, Asmita now channels her expertise into
Farm Didi, a pioneering social startup aimed at empowering rural women through
food entrepreneurship.
A Strong Academic Foundation
Asmita’s academic background laid a solid foundation for her
career. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from
Amravati University, which set the stage for her technical career. Later, she
pursued an Executive MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies,
enhancing her management skills and preparing her for leadership roles in
technology and beyond.
Transition to IT Excellence
Starting her career at Polaris Software Labs, Asmita honed
her skills in software development and production support. Her role involved
leading a team, managing server migrations, and providing crucial support,
which equipped her with a robust technical and managerial skillset. This
experience was instrumental in her subsequent roles in the IT industry.
Achieving Expertise at IBM
Asmita’s significant tenure at IBM India Pvt Ltd spanned
nearly 15 years, where she held various impactful roles. As a Google
Professional Cloud Architect, she designed and configured mobile applications
and represented IBM in client meetings. Her work involved creating innovative
data solutions and integrating advanced technologies like Google Cloud Big
Query and Apache Beam.
Biography of Asmita Khobragade: Co-founder and Tech Didi at Farm Didi-Entrepreneur /Age/Net worth/empowering rural women/food entrepreneur/Asmita story
Shaping Solutions for Leading Clients
During her time at IBM, Asmita also worked as a Business
Analyst for a leading shipping client. Here, she provided vital business
analysis, crafted functional specifications, and proposed solutions that added
value to the projects. Her contributions were pivotal in enhancing operational
efficiency and supporting critical business decisions.
Leadership in Telecommunications
Before her tenure at IBM, Asmita served as a Team Lead for a
major telecommunications client. She managed a team, handled requirement
analysis, data validation, and oversaw various phases of project execution,
including coding, testing, and production migration. This role further
solidified her leadership abilities and technical acumen.
Founding Farm Didi: A New Mission
In August 2021, Asmita co-founded Farm Didi, a for-profit
social startup with a dual mission: to provide high-quality, natural food
products and to empower one million rural women. This transition marked a
significant shift from her IT career to focusing on social impact, leveraging
her skills to drive change in rural India.
The Vision Behind Farm Didi
Farm Didi aims to bring authentic, healthy food products
directly from rural kitchens to consumers. By focusing on traditional and
natural food, the startup addresses a growing demand for quality regional
products while creating economic opportunities for rural women. Asmita’s vision
is to enhance the livelihoods of these women and make a positive impact on
their communities.
Empowering Rural Women
Farm Didi’s mission is not just about food but also about
empowerment. The startup has trained 349 rural women in FSSAI food regulations
and enabled 550 women entrepreneurs. These efforts have impacted 43 villages,
providing women with the tools and knowledge to become successful food
entrepreneurs.
Harnessing Technical Expertise for Social Good
Asmita’s technical background plays a crucial role in scaling
and managing Farm Didi’s operations. Her expertise in IT helps streamline
processes, manage quality control, and build efficient systems to support the
startup’s goals. This unique combination of technical and social skills is
central to Farm Didi’s success.
Implementing Quality Control
Farm Didi employs a rigorous seven-step quality control
process to ensure that all products meet high standards. This process involves
working closely with Self Help Groups (SHGs) across Maharashtra to test,
produce, and supply viable food products. The emphasis on quality ensures that
consumers receive only the best products.
Building a Strong Team
At Farm Didi, Asmita collaborates with a dedicated team of
15 individuals who share her passion for the startup’s mission. Together, they
work towards achieving the company’s goals, including expanding their reach and
impact. The team’s commitment and enthusiasm are vital to the startup’s
progress.
A Vision for Expansion
Farm Didi’s future plans include investing in technology to
further streamline operations and enhance the quality control process. The
startup aims to build a robust online presence to reach a broader audience and
continue its mission of empowering rural women across India.
Impacting Communities
Farm Didi’s approach has already made a significant impact
on rural communities. By focusing on empowering women and providing quality
food products, the startup helps improve local economies and supports
sustainable development. The initiative fosters a sense of community and
encourages collaboration among rural women.
From Idea to Reality
The inception of Farm Didi was driven by Asmita’s desire to
address the challenges faced by rural women and leverage her technical
background for social good. The startup’s journey from concept to reality
illustrates how dedication and innovation can drive meaningful change.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations
Asmita’s ongoing efforts with Farm Didi reflect her
commitment to social entrepreneurship and rural development. As the startup
continues to grow, her focus remains on expanding its impact and achieving the
ambitious goal of empowering one million rural women.
Conclusion: A Transformative Path
Asmita Khobragade’s journey from an IT professional to a
social entrepreneur showcases a transformative career path driven by purpose
and innovation. Through Farm Didi, Asmita combines her technical expertise with
a commitment to social impact, creating opportunities for rural women and
contributing to their economic empowerment and well-being.
Timeline of Asmita Khobragade’s Journey
2000 - Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer
Science and Engineering from Amravati University.
2004 - Completes an Executive MBA from Symbiosis Institute
of Management Studies.
2005-2008 - Begins career at Polaris Software Labs, focusing
on software development and production support.
2008-2023 - Holds various roles at IBM India Pvt Ltd and
Google, including Business Analyst, Google Professional Cloud Architect, and
Team Lead for telecommunications clients.
August 2021 - Co-founds Farm Didi, a social startup aimed at
empowering rural women through food entrepreneurship.
2022 - Trains 349 rural women in food regulations and
enables 550 women entrepreneurs, impacting 43 villages.
2023 - Implements a seven-step quality control process and
builds a dedicated team to support Farm Didi’s mission.
2024 - Focuses on expanding Farm Didi’s impact, investing in
technology, and building a strong online presence for broader reach.