Biography of Manjari Sharma: Founder and CEO of FarmDidi- Entrepreneur
Biography of Manjari Sharma
Birth of FarmDidi: A Dream to Empower Rural Women
Manjari Sharma, the founder of FarmDidi, has a remarkable
journey that led her to create a transformative business empowering rural women
across India. Growing up in Bahadurgarh, Haryana, a place known for its high
rates of female foeticides, Manjari was influenced by her grandfather's social
work, which sparked her passion for community service. Her parents supported
her to pursue a path that balanced purpose, respect, and financial success.
Little did they know, this would lead her to build a company that would change
lives across rural India.
A Strong Educational Foundation
Manjari completed her schooling at Bal Bharati School, then
went on to study Mathematics at Ramjas College, Delhi University. Alongside her
academics, she taught mathematics and science to over 50 students. This early
involvement in teaching laid the foundation for her later focus on education
and empowerment. After graduation, Manjari joined Wipro, where she worked for
two years while continuing her teaching efforts. However, her desire for
further growth led her to pursue an MBA at the prestigious Indian Institute of
Management (IIM) Calcutta, where she excelled both academically and as a sports
leader.
The Spirit of Leadership at IIM Calcutta
At IIM Calcutta, Manjari's leadership abilities shone. She
became the Badminton Captain and was part of various teams including
Basketball, Futsal, and Cricket. Additionally, she played an important role in
organizing major events like Club Syscon and TedxIIMC. Her outstanding
performance earned her the Monalisa Award, a prestigious recognition for the
best all-rounder in her batch. This experience honed her leadership and
organizational skills, preparing her for her future entrepreneurial journey.
A Life-Changing Experience in Bihar
In 2015, Manjari and her team participated in a research
competition organized by the Bihar government, which aimed to identify key
development areas such as agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment.
During their travels through villages in Bihar, Manjari witnessed the strong
feminization of agriculture. As many men migrated for better work opportunities
in the cities, women were left behind to manage the farms and household duties.
This exposed her to the struggles of rural women and planted the seeds of her
future mission.
Empowering Women in Rural India
Manjari’s deep interaction with women in Self-Help Groups
(SHGs) during her travels made her realize the potential for empowerment in
rural India. The women were already working hard to support their families but
lacked resources and access to opportunities. Manjari conducted several
meetings to understand their challenges and began brainstorming solutions to
help them. This experience inspired her to make a long-term impact by creating
a platform that could elevate rural women’s economic conditions.
A Lasting Question: What More Can Be Done?
One recurring question from the rural women stayed with
Manjari long after her trip: “Didi, hum aur kya kar sakte hain?” (Sister, what
more can we do?). This question continued to resonate with her, as she realized
that women, when empowered, could significantly improve the living standards of
their families. Studies showed that women contribute 90% of their income to
their households, compared to just 35% by men. The desire to answer this
question and support rural women became the driving force behind her
entrepreneurial dreams.
From Consultant to Entrepreneur
After completing her MBA, Manjari worked as a management
consultant at AT Kearney, a top global firm. She advised high-level executives
in industries such as banking, telecommunications, and healthcare. Despite her
successful career, Manjari’s heart remained with the rural women she had met
during her travels. The question of what more could be done for them never left
her mind. She realized there was untapped potential in rural India, especially
in the northern states, and felt a growing urge to do more for these women.
Biography of Manjari Sharma: Founder and CEO of FarmDidi- Entrepreneur /empower rural women/age/net worth/investor/startup/food business model
The Vision for FarmDidi
In 2021, Manjari took the bold step of leaving her corporate
career to start FarmDidi. Her vision was clear: to empower rural women through
the creation of a sustainable, technology-driven food business. FarmDidi would
not only offer high-quality, homemade food products but also provide essential
training, food licenses, packaging solutions, and managerial guidance to women
in rural communities. The goal was to help these women become successful
entrepreneurs, just like the iconic rural success stories such as Amul.
Building a Social Enterprise with Impact
FarmDidi’s mission focused on bringing about change by
providing 100% natural, healthy, and preservative-free food products. Manjari’s
team began by working with rural women in Maharashtra and successfully expanded
the company’s reach to over 45 villages, impacting nearly 2000 women. The
women, known as "Didis," were trained to produce food products like
pickles, pappads, and chutneys, which were both nostalgic and of high quality.
These products not only brought income to the women but also created a deep emotional
connection with the consumers.
Awards and Recognition for FarmDidi
In recognition of its significant social impact, FarmDidi
received numerous awards and honors. The company was named a UNDP SME Champion,
recognized among the top women-led startups in Maharashtra by Silicon India,
and even signed an MoU with the Maharashtra Government to scale its impact.
Other accolades included recognition from Yunus Social Business, Upaya
Ventures, Google for Startups, and the SBI Foundation. These awards validated
the company’s mission and inspired further growth and expansion.
The Success of FarmDidi’s Business Model
In a short period, FarmDidi had established itself as a
leading social enterprise in rural empowerment. The business model combined
technology with traditional knowledge to enhance production, traceability, and
distribution. Over time, more women joined the company, benefiting from the
steady income and entrepreneurial opportunities FarmDidi provided. The
company’s commitment to quality, safety, and empowerment led to a steady
increase in both product demand and social impact.
A Growing Network of Empowered Entrepreneurs
FarmDidi’s success in Maharashtra led to the growth of a
robust network of rural women entrepreneurs. More than 100 women began
receiving a regular monthly income, and the company’s reach continued to
expand. Manjari’s leadership and her team’s hard work had created a platform
where women not only supported their families but also became role models and
inspirations to others in their communities. As FarmDidi continued to scale,
the dream of empowering one million rural women seemed more achievable every day.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Social Change
Today, FarmDidi stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment
for rural women across India. The company's story is one of perseverance,
vision, and compassion. Manjari Sharma’s journey from a management consultant
to the founder of a social enterprise has inspired countless individuals to
think about how businesses can drive social change. Through her work, she has
shown that business success and social impact can go hand in hand, creating a
lasting legacy of empowerment for generations to come.
A timeline for Manjari Sharma's journey with FarmDidi:
Childhood in Bahadurgarh, Haryana – Influenced by her
grandfather’s social work, Manjari develops a passion for community service.
Schooling and Early Teaching – Completes schooling at Bal
Bharati School and teaches over 50 students during her studies.
2011 – Graduates in Mathematics from Ramjas College, Delhi
University, and begins working at Wipro while continuing her teaching work.
2013-2015 – Pursues MBA at IIM Calcutta, excels
academically, and develops leadership skills as a sports captain.
2015 – Participates in a research competition organized by
the Bihar government, witnessing the challenges faced by rural women in
agriculture.
2016-2019 – Works as a management consultant at AT Kearney,
advising executives while remaining focused on her vision for rural women
empowerment.
2021 – Leaves her corporate career and launches FarmDidi to
empower rural women through a sustainable food business model.
2021 – Expands FarmDidi to over 45 villages in Maharashtra,
impacting nearly 2000 women by training them in food product production.
2021-2022 – FarmDidi receives several awards and
recognition, including from UNDP and the Maharashtra Government, for its social
impact.
2022 and beyond – Continues to scale FarmDidi, creating a
growing network of over 100 women entrepreneurs and aiming to empower one
million women.
2024 – FarmDidi stands as a leading social enterprise with a
legacy of empowering rural women across India.
