Mr. Tapan Kumar Ghosh
Managing Director – Kutch Agrotech Pvt. Ltd. | Managing Partner – Ecocell
Kutch Agrotech Pvt. Ltd. & Ecocell
PGDM, 2002
EDII President’s Alumnus Award 2023 – Social Entrepreneur

Tapan had always been an ambitious kid; he had grown up idolizing entrepreneurs and wanted to become one. Tapan grew up in a humble middle-class family and did not get much on a platter. He knew he had to work hard to carve a path for himself.

Tapan loved to challenge his limits. After completing his Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Bhagalpur University, Tapan enrolled in Post Graduate Diploma in Management of NGOs at EDII. He says, “After getting enrolled at EDII, I gradually started getting hold of my identity. I had joined EDII to get a degree and was unclear about my goal but EDII gave me a purpose. The Institute strengthened my resolve to become a knowledge-driven social entrepreneur.”

Eager to gain hands-on experience before starting his business, Tapan consulted EDII faculty and made the decision to work in the field for a while. He joined Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan (KNNA) after completing his course, where he worked for natural resource management, livelihood and agriculture.

Equipped with extensive field experience, he teamed up with his brother Amit Ghosh and floated Eco Cell in February 2008, a consulting and facilitation services for farmers cultivating dates, in Kutch. The journey was challenging, but they persisted, worked hard and gradually earned the trust of farmers.

Due to a lack of market linkages, farmers often accept the price offered to them for their produce. And, very often this is highly meagre. Eco Cell’s consulting-cum-facilitation services have enabled farmers in gaining good returns through exclusive date cultivation across their farmlands.

Tapan and his brother also ventured into Kutch Agrotech Private Limited in 2017, a leading agri-biotech enterprise based in Kutch, Gujarat, specializing in the production and supply of tissue culture date palm saplings and providing comprehensive allied agricultural services. The startup integrates modern biotechnology, precision irrigation and digital traceability to promote sustainable and high-yield date palm cultivation across India. The enterprise which began with an initial investment of just Rs. 1 lakh, has reached an enviable status with an impressive turnover.

Tapan opines, “I dreamt big and wanted guidance to turn my ideas into reality. EDII gave me that foundation. I will forever be grateful to my alma mater.”