The Far Acre
Have you ever wondered what sets the dreamers apart from the doers?
The Far Acre is not just a book of entrepreneurial stories; it is a deep human exploration of what it means to enter the unknown and become more by the process itself. The title The Far Acre draws on the idea of a space beyond the visible boundary; a stretch of possibility where the familiar begins to fall away and something new takes shape. This book brings together voices that have taken different paths, yet share a common thread of courage.
At its heart, this book is for anyone who has ever stood at the edge of the unknown, unsure of what lies beyond the horizon yet compelled by an inner urge to move forward anyway. The book brings together the journeys of founders who are alumni of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE ), individuals who went on to build enterprises across agriculture, food systems, technology, rural supply chains, manufacturing, and social innovation. Some have built institutions that have had a profound impact on their respective industries, while others have made a difference in forgotten spaces.
The common ground of these entrepreneurs is not defined by industry, size, or approach, but by the courage to move ahead without a guaranteed map. What these entrepreneurs share is a willingness to begin despite the absence of certainty. They are defined by their readiness to take that crucial first step into the unknown, where opportunity is never guaranteed but always possible. These pathfinders understood that progress does not depend on perfection or absolute clarity. The “Far Acre,” both a physical and metaphorical idea, represents the unexplored ground beyond one’s comfort zone—where certainty is scarce, but possibility is immense.
Is this book for you?
This book is for you if:
- You are curious about entrepreneurship but unsure where to begin,
- You believe entrepreneurs are somehow different or extraordinary,
- You are on your own journey of growth, change, or self-discovery,
- You want to understand what really happens behind the scenes of building something worthwhile.
Inside these pages, you will find:
- unvarnished, honest stories of entrepreneurs whose journeys move beyond success into struggle, doubt, and determination,
- insights into how ordinary experiences can lead to uncommon outcomes,
- reflections on how failure, redirection, and inner strength shape resilience,
- an understanding of how values, relationships, and personal history influence entrepreneurial journeys.
Written in a narrative, reflective, and immersive storytelling style, The Far Acre is not your run-of-the-mill business storytelling book. It invites readers to think more deeply about courage, identity, determination, and the moments that quietly define us when we choose to take the first step. Rather than offering a formula for success, it documents lived journeys that may illuminate the path for future entrepreneurs. If you are ready to think differently about beginning, about building, and about creating something of your own, this book is for you.
Because every journey begins with a single step, into your own far acre!!
ABOUT THE CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Anand Chandra – Arya.ag (www.arya.ag)
Anand Chandra, co-founder and Executive Director of Arya.ag. Arya is revolutionizing India’s agricultural infrastructure through collateral warehousing and post-harvesting initiatives. Anand’s journey is a reflection of grit and system change, addressing agri-finance and rural economic development through access and storage for farmers, helping to build a new India.
Chapter 2: Salil Srivastava – Scimplify (www.scimplify.com)
Salil Srivastava, co-founder of Scimplify, is creating a globally aligned specialty chemicals company, focusing on operational excellence and system change. Salil’s journey reflects resilience and precision in creating a complex industrial supply chain, aligning innovation and growth in a competitive global environment.
Chapter 3: Ashutosh Sinha – Villgro (www.villgro.org)
Ashutosh Sinha, co-founder of Villgro, has been at the core of creating rural innovation ecosystems through his professional journey. Ashutosh has been supporting social enterprises creating sustainable rural livelihoods and impact-driven innovations, reflecting entrepreneurship through patience and aligning innovation and growth in rural areas.
Chapter 4: Sudha Rani Mullapudi – Abhihaara (www.abhihaara.com)
Sudha Rani Mullapudi, co-founder and CEO of Abhihaara, has been at the helm of creating a purpose-driven artisan enterprise for rural development. Her journey reflects the power of combining creativity with impact to build sustainable livelihoods for artisans. She demonstrates how entrepreneurship rooted in social purpose can evolve into a resilient and meaningful enterprise.
Chapter 5: Dharmanand Mortha – Mortha Halls of Ivy (www.mhi.college)
Dharmanand Mortha, founder of Mortha Halls of Ivy and Mortha Properties, reflects on entrepreneurship through a journey of transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship. This reflects courage and confidence in creating ventures in real estate and education, aligning innovation and growth through long-term vision and personal development.
Chapter 6: Vijendra Kumar – Feedsco Global (www.feedscoglobal.com)
Vijendra Kumar, co-founder of Feedsco, is building Bharat’s truly hyperlocal manufacturing and distribution platform for “better-for-you” snacking. Vijendra’s journey represents perseverance in business, where uncertainty has been replaced with success in a relatively short period of time.
Chapter 7: Rajeev Saraswat – Solvera (www.solveraconsulting.com)
Rajeev Saraswat, founder of Solvera Consulting, works in business consulting using systems thinking. Rajeev’s approach to business emphasizes patience in business growth, value creation, and strategic clarity in business execution to create a sustainable growth trajectory in business.
Chapter 8: Vamsi Krishna – Agrisensei (www.agrisensei.com)
Vamsi Krishna, CEO of Agrisensei, a farmer-first agri-marketing and execution platform that, at its core, is reimagining how agri-input firms and farmers connect. Vamsi Krishna’s journey represents a balance between risk and growth in business execution.
Chapter 9: Kavitha David – Unicorpus Health Foundation (www.unicorpus.org)
Kavitha David, COO of Unicorpus Health Foundation, works in accessible health care through a compassionate non-profit approach to business execution. As a woman entrepreneur, she exemplifies how empathy, leadership, and structured execution can create meaningful and scalable impact in healthcare delivery.
Chapter 10: Chandrasekhar Gajula – OrganicSiri (www.organicsiri.com)
Chandrasekhar Gajula, founder of OrganicSiri, works in organic farming through a direct-to-consumer approach to business execution. Chandrasekhar’s approach to business represents a bridge between organic farming and consumer access to organic products to create a sustainable growth trajectory in business. With a strong focus on execution and authenticity, he is proving the viability of organic practices while supporting farmers and promoting healthier consumption patterns.