Starting out nearly two decades ago, Smt Chayaa Nanjappa faced challenges that would have deterred many. As a first-generation woman entrepreneur without a mentor or guide, the journey was extremely difficult, particularly because she had chosen the path of social entrepreneurship in rural Bharat.
Eighteen years back, awareness about entrepreneurship was limited, and there were no structured programmes or government initiatives to guide or support new entrepreneurs. Without prior exposure or experience, she faced hesitation from financial institutions, which made access to finance one of the biggest challenges.
Setting up a production unit in a rural area further brought difficulties related to marketing, logistics, and visibility. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, driven by conviction and the desire to create livelihoods where opportunities were scarce.
Market Values and Investment
Over the years, Nectar Fresh has evolved into a social venture of pride under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The enterprise has stayed rooted in its founding vision — tribal and rural empowerment, inclusive growth, and ethical business.
By procuring directly from farmers and small producers, Nectar Fresh has helped improve the standard of living of rural communities, prevented migration to overcrowded cities, and created a sustainable market for local produce.
The enterprise continues to prioritise social impact over commercial expansion, and its focus remains on people, not profit. Pertaining to the monetary aspect, the brand plans to look into investment opportunities when it decides to go public in a couple of years.
Export and Sales of Products
Nectar Fresh is widely recognised for its high-quality standards, which have earned it credibility even beyond Bharat’s borders. Despite being a social enterprise, it has attracted enquiries from several countries due to the superior quality of its products.
The brand has already catered to markets in the United States, European Union, Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka through agents and distribution networks. Going forward, Nectar Fresh aims to undertake direct exports, strengthening its international presence while maintaining its commitment to ethical sourcing and quality.
Future Plans
Nectar Fresh is steadily expanding its footprint. The brand plans to diversify into more natural, health, and wellness products, sourcing from across Bharat while continuing to support Self-Help Groups (SHGs), clusters, and federations. Through this expansion, the enterprise aims to provide market access and business scalability to smaller producers and community enterprises.
Nectar Fresh is also on the verge of passing the BRC Audit, one of the toughest global food safety audits, and may soon become the first social enterprise in rural Bharat to achieve this milestone.
With an increase in production capacity, the brand is preparing to become a source of hope and opportunity for many small farmers and tribal communities. Each unit of Nectar Fresh carries a story — a story of empowerment and dignity for those once deprived of access to markets and fair returns.
Health, Wellness, and Sustainability
In keeping with its vision of promoting health and wellness, Nectar Fresh has made a conscious shift towards using honey as a natural substitute for sugar in its wide range of products.
All packaging materials used by the brand are eco-friendly and sustainable, reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.
Every product in the Nectar Fresh basket represents not only high quality and purity but also a story of empowerment from rural Bharat. Ethics and quality have remained the defining principles of the brand for the past nineteen years.
The Brand
Nectar Fresh is a rural social enterprise dedicated to empowering tribal and rural communities for over 18 years. Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Smt Chayaa Nanjappa, the enterprise produces high-quality, ethically sourced products that include Honey, Jams, Vinegar, Coffee, Superfoods, Pickles and Chutneys, Sauces, Dry Fruits and Spices, Forest Produce, and Health and Wellness Products.
The brand’s offerings meet global quality standards and are trusted by hotel chains, airlines, retail outlets, and Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical industries across Bharat and abroad. With strong R&D associations and private labelling capabilities, Nectar Fresh is well-equipped to meet custom product requirements for diverse clients.
Each initiative of the brand contributes to the enterprise’s broader vision — building a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable Bharat.
From a single woman’s determination to a nationally recognised social venture, Nectar Fresh has come a long way. The brand stands today as a symbol of empowerment, integrity, and innovation, proving that entrepreneurship grounded in ethics can create not just profit, but purpose.
Every jar, every product from Nectar Fresh, carries within it the story of a community that found strength through enterprise — a reminder that true progress begins in the villages of Bharat and flows outward, enriching all. n
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