How a Madhya Pradesh businessman made fortune from exporting unknown roadside plant seeds

Charota, a humble leafy monsoon plant grown on the side of the road in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, has become a surprising export success for Mekendra Satpute from Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. Charota, a green delicacy enjoyed by the poor and available for free, may have little value in the eyes for many. But, as per a ToI report, Satpute has struck gold by exporting charota, seeds scientifically known as cassia torra seeds, to China, Vietnam, and Korea.

With a massive market demand in these countries, Satpute's firm, Samruddhi Corporation, has secured an impressive order worth Rs 8 crore after successfully sending a container of charota seeds.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) recently recognized Satpute's entrepreneurial prowess during their drive to promote small exporters across central India. With a specific HSN code for customs procedures (09109915), charota seeds have found a niche in the international market, encouraging further exports from the region, ToI report stated.


This unique product cannot be cultivated on farms but thrives naturally in open lands and by roadsides. Although the seeds have little use in India, it has gained popularity in China as a beverage with aromatic properties, akin to coffee. Besides culinary applications, charota seeds are also known for their cosmetic and medicinal uses, making them sought after commodities.

To sustain the export venture, Satpute has engaged local tribals to extract the seeds from the plants that flourish during the monsoons until Diwali. The robust charota plant is abundantly found in the regions of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, providing a steady supply for the export market.

While the export market for charota seeds has been relatively untapped for years, Satpute has ventured into this domain with notable success. He previously sold charota seeds to a German company based in Vadodara, Gujarat, at Rs 3 per kg. Now, he has secured a significant order of 200 tonnes, worth Rs 8 crore, reaffirming his position as the only exporter from Madhya Pradesh.

Satpute's remarkable journey showcases how seemingly ordinary products can find remarkable success in the international market, benefitting both the underprivileged and the region's economy.