An Inspirational Interview with Sanjukta Badhai

As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Chevening programme at Oxford University, To Focus is delighted to feature a short piece by Sanjukta Badhai, a guest contributor whose regenerative work with Indian farmers offers a powerful example of renewal from the ground up.

I had the pleasure of working with Sanjukta during the three-month programme in Oxford, where I supported her as a Coach. Her story brings our metaphor of the soil to life: grounded, nourishing and full of potential.

Mark: What were some of the early experiences or influences in your life that shaped your relationship with land, farming, or fairness?

Sanjukta: Hailing from a farming family, I’ve always had a deep connection to agriculture. Some of my earliest memories are of watching village farmers treat the soil with reverence - especially smallholders who, despite their hard work, received so little in return. That shaped my sense of fairness. For me, it’s never been just about crops - it’s about dignity. I’m driven to build a systemic model where farmers are valued, fairly rewarded, and treated with the same care and respect we expect from our food.

Was there a moment when you realised the current agricultural system wasn’t working - and felt called to do something different?

Yes, there was a moment that changed everything for me. I saw the farmers struggle to buy quality seeds and inputs due to high costs, only to face low returns. Chemical fertilisers, though necessary, were slowly degrading our soil and reducing productivity. I watched young farmers around me lose interest, seeing no future in the fields. That’s when it hit me - the system wasn’t just failing, it was pushing the next generation away. I felt called to act, to build a new model that restores soil, supports farmers, and brings dignity back to agriculture.

What exactly are you building now with your work in regenerative rice - and how does it support both farmers and the land?

We are building the NutriRice Cluster Model to invest in the future of food - where nutrition meets sustainability and inclusive growth drives lasting returns. This AgriFood system model focuses on restoring soil health, reducing chemical inputs, and promoting nature-based solutions to combat climate change. Beyond cultivation, we prioritise value addition - transforming nutritional rice into food products that enhance local livelihoods and foster circular economy by converting Nutririce by-products into animal feed and bio-inputs, ensuring zero waste. This integrated approach uplifts farmers, regenerates the land, and creates a resilient rural economy - especially empowering rural youth.

What challenges have you faced in trying to build this regenerative business - and what has helped you stay committed?

One of the biggest challenges has been working with small and fragmented land holdings, along with low technological adoption and the essential trust-building they require to participate in the project. But what’s kept me going is a regenerative vision: I see the NutriRice Cluster not just as an enterprise, but as a platform for rural resilience - restoring soil health and care for the environment, improving family nutrition, and strengthening local economies through value addition. Collaborating with farmer groups, ecosystem enablers and Government support has enabled to build this regenerative business. Slowly, a shared support system is taking shape - distributing leadership and reducing the burden on any one actor.

How do you see your work influencing the bigger picture of Indian agriculture or inspiring others in the system?

The NutriRice Cluster Model focuses on building a sustainable, nutritious, and inclusive food system - centered on soil health, farmer ownership, and local value addition. It’s a model rooted in resilience, yet scalable across regions. This isn’t just about one village or district; it’s about showing that systemic change is possible even in resource-poor settings when trust, appropriate technology, and collective action come together. In this vision, smallholders aren’t passive recipients - they are leaders in driving regenerative, nutrition-sensitive farming. Their efforts light the path toward a more equitable, sustainable future for Indian agriculture and rural communities.

What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to others who want to start something regenerative in their own work or community?

Begin with small steps, remain grounded, and cultivate trust - regeneration starts with connections, not just practices. Focus on listening deeply to the land and the people, and let the solutions emerge from there. Don’t wait for perfect conditions; begin with what you have, where you are. Over time, even the smallest actions can grow into resilient ecosystems - if they’re nurtured with patience, collaboration, and a clear, grounded vision.

Thank you so much Sanjukta for a very thought provoking, inspirational interview.

If you too would like to share your regenerative stories with us then please contact us here. We’d love to hear them.

Warm regards,

Mark