From a Small Village to Global Markets: How Kanwas Farmers Are Exporting Chia Seeds, Quinoa & Food-Grade Soybean to Bangladesh and Canada
Shantilal sons chia quinoa blog · HTML Agri Export Story · Kanwas, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh From a Small Village to Global Markets: How Kanwas Farmers Are Exporting Chia Seeds, Quinoa & Food-Grade Soybean to Bangladesh and Canada How Shantilal and Sons HUF turned a contract-farming idea in a small Ujjain village into a growing chia seed export and food-grade soybean supply business — and why tofu manufacturers, soymilk brands, and bulk chia buyers worldwide are taking notice. Farmers of Kanwas village, Tehsil Khachrod, District Ujjain, growing chia, quinoa and food-grade soybean under a contract-farming model. (Source: local press coverage) In the small village of Kanwas (Tehsil Khachrod, District Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. What began as an effort to help local farmers earn more from their land has turned into a full-fledged chia seed and quinoa export business — with produce now reaching buyers in Bangladesh and Canada, and demand growing fast from tofu manufacturers, soymilk producers, and health-food brands across India and abroad. A Contract Farming Model That Works for Everyone Under the banner of Shantilal and Sons HUF, around 30–40 farmers in the Kanwas region are now cultivating chia seeds on roughly 100 acres, alongside quinoa and food-grade soybean. The model is simple but powerful: farmers commit a small share of their land — often just a fraction of their total holding — to a chosen crop, and sell it to the company later at rates above the local mandi price. This gives farmers an additional, reliable income stream without making them fully dependent on any single buyer, while giving the company a steady, traceable supply of export-quality raw material. Farmers interviewed for local press coverage confirmed strong returns: chia seed cultivation costs around ₹5,500 per bigha and yields 3–4 quintals, with market realizations between ₹36,000 and ₹88,000. One farmer reported harvesting about 40 quintals from 6 acres of chia, selling at roughly ₹18,000 per quintal. Why Chia, Quinoa and Food-Grade Soybean? 🌱 Chia Seeds Chia is prized for weight management, digestive health, and its benefits for bones, blood sugar, and heart health — making it a fast-growing category for bulk chia seed buyers, health-food brands, and bakery/beverage manufacturers looking for a reliable chia seed supplier in India. Current mandi rates in the Neemuch belt run around ₹18,000–₹22,000 per quintal. 🌾 Quinoa (White Quinoa Seeds) Quinoa is a fast, high-value crop — ready for harvest in just 70 days — yielding 5–7 quintals per acre. As a gluten-free, high-protein superfood, it’s a staple ingredient for salads, bakery products, and health supplements, and this region’s quinoa exporters are already shipping directly overseas. 🫘 Food-Grade Soybean (NRC-142, NRC-150) These food-grade varieties are specifically suited for tofu, soymilk, and soy-based food production and fetch ₹300–₹400 per quintal more than commodity soybean. For tofu manufacturers and soymilk brands sourcing consistent, traceable, food-grade soybean, this is exactly the kind of farm-linked supply chain that reduces quality risk. Export Track Record 5 tonnes of soybean exported to Nepal this month 5 tonnes of chia exported to Bangladesh in April Chia and quinoa also exported to Canada Food-grade soybean exported to Nepal According to local agriculture experts, all produce is cleaned, graded, and processed to international standards before export — helping create both foreign exchange earnings and local employment. About Shantilal and Sons HUF Shantilal and Sons HUF is a farmer-group agribusiness based in Kanwas, Tehsil Khachrod, District Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. The company works directly with a network of contract farmers to produce healthy grains and seeds, and handles primary processing (cleaning and grading), roasting, and traditional deshi-method dal (pulse) milling. Products are supplied to repackers, private-label clients, wholesalers, and exporters — and the company also exports directly. Core product range: Chia Seeds, White Quinoa Seeds, Food-Grade Soybean (NRC-142, NRC-150), Wheat Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Tulsi Seeds, Basil Seeds, Indian Spices, and White Chickpeas. Sourcing Chia Seeds, Quinoa or Food-Grade Soybean in Bulk? Whether you’re a tofu or soymilk manufacturer looking for food-grade soybean, a chia seed buyer sourcing export-quality bulk supply, or a distributor interested in white quinoa seeds — Shantilal and Sons HUF offers traceable, contract-farmed, export-ready produce direct from source. Contact: Balmukund Shantilal Patidar (Karta, HUF) Phone: +91 99075 08831 Location: Kanwas, Tehsil Khachrod, District Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India Website: greenaura.org/product-category/wholesale Source: Local news coverage (Patrika, Krishi Culture / Khet Ka Khazana section) on contract farming and agri-export by Kanwas farmers, Khachrod, Ujjain.