This Unemployed Engineer from Kerala Launched Healthy Food Startup Specializing in Sprouted Cashews, Now Earns Rs. 25 Lakhs Annually

Kerala’s Brijith Krishna was deeply troubled after losing his job as a supervisor in an IT company out of the blue during the pandemic in 2020. To top his worries, his second source of income from cashew farming was also declining. 

At the age of forty-seven, he was at a crossroads, unable to find a stable source of income for his family. Being a vegetarian, he always felt there was a lack of protein in most vegan diets. With this idea and a background in cashew farming, he intended to launch a food start-up specializing in protein-rich sprouted cashews for vegans.

In an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, Brijith shared his unique journey of starting a healthy food startup with no security but only a head full of dreams.

The Beginnings of Eatery Malbarikas

Brijith officially launched his cashew sprouts venture, Eatery Malabarikas LLP in 2021 to prepare a variety of unique cashew dishes. Now, his startup is supplying food items to major food supply companies and hotels in Kerala, Bengaluru, and Mumbai.

Currently, Brijith’s company also sells products through leading marketplaces like IndiaMART, JioMart, and Amazon. 

From brined sprouted cashew, pickle green cashew, and choco cashew to pista cashew, Eatery Malabarikas offers a wide range of protein-rich, delicious, and non-allergic cashew sprout items to vegetarians.

Challenges Faced and Overcome

Initially, a major challenge for Brijith was the limited germination potential of cashews. 

However, through persistent research, he successfully extended the germination potential to 180-200 days, ensuring year-round availability of sprouted cashews.

Coming from a family of cashew farmers at Iritty in Kannur, Brijith was aware of the challenges faced by the farmers. He knew that wet cashew nuts had no buyers. 

“Rain spoils a year’s effort of a cashew farmer. During heavy rains, the cashew nuts absorb moisture, and because of the moisture content, these cashew nuts are refused by cashew nut processing companies. When I decided to start a venture, I was determined to find a solution to this problem,” cashew sprout farmer Brijith told Startup Pedia.

The unseasonal rains in March-May affect the pollination process and the harvesting period. As the small farmers don’t have good storage facilities, they keep their harvest out in the open.

During this time of the year, their produce gets wet. No cashew factory is ready to purchase this damaged product as the quality becomes poor, the colour fades, and the taste is ruined.

Brijith did his research to come up with a patented technology that extends the germinability of cashews.

“Wet cashew nuts sprout very fast. But I have developed a technology with the support of the Cashew Research Station of Kerala Agriculture University to extend the germinability potential of cashew nuts for more than 90 days. Sprouted cashew nuts are healthier than roasted or normal cashew nuts. I can store wet cashew nuts for more days and make them sprout whenever required,” the Kerala startup founder disclosed to Startup Pedia.

Brijith said that his technology prevents tonnes of wet cashews from going to waste. His healthy food company uses them to make value-added food products. 

“Combining traditional practices with modern-day technology, I wanted to revitalize the cashew farming industry as well as amplify the potential for agri-business entrepreneurship to drive economic growth in rural communities. I am glad that we don’t have to worry about wet produce anymore,” the cashew sprouts entrepreneur added.

Additionally, he obtained a Rs. 25 Lakh grant from the central government under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme, which boosted his venture.

Are cashew sprouts actually nutritious?

Cashews are good for the development of young children, as well as a great choice for the elderly. This cashew sprouts venture provides the best diet for all age groups.

Jalaja S Menon, assistant professor and head of Madakkathara Cashew Research Station stated that their studies revealed cashew sprouts have a much higher quantity of iron, calcium, and fiber when compared to kernels. Also, its fat content is reduced by half during germination and hence good for anyone and everyone.

“It is the commercialization of a traditional technology that has huge potential. We are mentoring and incubating Brijith’s products under the Agri-Business Incubation Centre of the varsity and efforts are on to mechanize the production and packaging,” she remarked.

Also read: Gold Medalist Professor Leaves Prestigious College Career to Become Mushroom Farmer, Makes ₹50 Lakh Annually (startuppedia.in)

Value-Added Products and Market Positioning

Today, Eatery Malabarikas offers a wider range of delicious cashew sprout dishes ranging from curries to salads, snacks, and milkshakes.

“Green cashews go well with most veggies. At Eatery Malbarikas we have used it in biryani, aviyal, and even pickles. We have also made milkshakes with the nuts!” Brijith informed Startup Pedia excitedly.

Eatery Malabarikas now offers cashew sprouts Manchurian, cashew sprouts butter masala, cashew sprouts malai, cashew sprouts schezwan, cashew sprouts Malabar masala, cashew sprouts theyal, and cashew sprouts soup premix to its growing clientele. 

Brijith's sprouted cashews are priced competitively at Rs 1,000 per kg at today's date.

Notably, an excited Brijith shared exclusively to Startup Pedia that Eatery Malabarikas has just received ISO 22000:2018 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications from the globally recognized Food Safety Management System.

Also read: MP Farmer Abandoned Dream of Becoming Doctor to Build Disease-free Nation, Earns ₹40 Lakhs Annually (startuppedia.in)

Applying the Retort Technology to Safeguard Nutritional Value of Food

Retorting is a scientific food preservation technique by which low-acid foods prone to microbial spoilage are heated (typically around 120°C) in hermetically sealed containers to extend their shelf life. The aim is to obtain commercial sterilization by application of heat.

At Eatery Malabarikas LLP, ready-to-eat cashew sprout items are produced in a clean, natural, and flavorful way without sacrificing nutritional value by using this Japanese retort technology.

Supporting Local Farmers 

Beyond his passion for cashew innovation, the Kerala farmer is supporting local farmers by purchasing wet cashews from at least 11 local farmers and transforming them into high-quality sprouted cashews.

This sustainable solution not only benefits the local farming community but also contributes to the growth of the agricultural sector in Kerala. As a result of his efforts, Brijith's annual turnover for FY 2024 was Rs 25 lakh, and he continues to expand his reach in the market.

Providing Free Training

Brijith told Startup Pedia that he provides free training to small-scale farmers who want to make a living out of cashew farming. 

“If a farmer wants to make some money and support himself through cashew farming they would need something within five lakhs to invest for their business,” Brijith told exclusively to Startup Pedia. “Although if they want to take a patent and do it commercially, the required investment will go higher.”

Any farmer from around the country can visit his factory and take the free training before starting. He also shared that for non-commercial purposes around 5 Lakh investment is needed for cashew farming.

Also read: Meet 60-YO Cancer Survivor Who Empowered 100 Women With Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Coffee Farming (startuppedia.in)