Enterprising woman launches thriving business of microgreens

Taorem Bishwajit
IMPHAL, Dec 28 : With the growing number of health-conscious individuals opting for raw, uncooked vegetables and herbs in their diets, microgreens have gained particular attention due to their impressive health benefits.
Microgreens, also known as superfoods, are tiny, nutrient-packed seedlings of vegetables and herbs, harvested in just 7 to 21 days.
According to reports published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, funded by the US Government, micro-greens are rich in nutrients and offer numerous health benefits, including antioxidants and vitamins that help reduce inflammation, arthritis, heart ailments, and may prevent diabetes and Alzhei-mer, among other conditions.
Apart from their nutritional benefits, microgreens can also provide a significant source of income for farmers as they can be grown in small spaces and harvested in a short period of time.
In Manipur too, some people have begun cultivating microgreens commer- cially in view of their growing popularity and versatility.
Entering the emerging and rapidly growing sector is Kanchan Ningombam (25), a resident of Khongnangpheidekpi.
She runs a microgreens business called Microbloom Enterprise, operating from a small room at her residence.
She primarily sells her products to local restaurants.
Apart from self-employment, the young entrepreneur has also created job opportunities for a few others.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Kanchan said that the idea to grow micro-greens came to her after seeing sprouts and micro-greens being served to customers at some Korean restaurants.
She explained that microgreens can be grown in a small room without requiring a large investment.
Kanchan said that she decided to start a business after completing her Master's degree in Commerce from Manipur University in 2023 and seeing micro-greens being served to cus- tomers at restaurants spark-ed the idea for her venture.
Saying that she first began planting sprouts for her own diet before pursuing microgreens farming as a profession in August 2024, Kanchan added that she faced several challenges in finding clients or buyers in the initial stages as the field was entirely new in Manipur.
The young entrepreneur elaborated that she visited restaurant after restaurant to sell her microgreens in the early stages of her venture.
Emphasizing that she now supplies microgreens to various restaurants in both Imphal East and Imphal West, she added that she also offers home deliveries to customers who wish to purchase them.
The market value of microgreens is high, she said.
Saying that farmers can earn additional income by planting microgreens, which can be harvested in a short span of time and grown multiple times a year, Kanchan emphasised that microgreens also offer health benefits due to their rich nutrient content.
Kanchan said that she makes around Rs   50,000 a month through microgreens farming. Although microgreens farming is new to Manipur, it has great potential, she said.
Stating that no fertilizers or insecticides are used in microgreens farming, which follows 100 per cent natural practices, Kanchan expressed her desire for more people to grow microgreens and help expand the business in Manipur.
Kanchan further stated that she plans to expand her business in 2026 by introducing a microgreens-based beverage.
She went on to say that she currently employs four people but plans to hire over 20 next year.
Promoting microgreens farming can boost the State’s economy by creating employment opportunities for unemployed youth and thereby contribute to India’s goal of becoming a 30 trillion-dollar economy by 2047.
The story is written under the Award in Scientific Journalism Programme of CAU, Imphal. For further details, please contact Dr Indira Thounaojam, Information & Publicity Officer, CAU Imphal, at [email protected].