Empowering women and farmers through biotechnology expertise

PUNE: In the rural belt around Theur and Yavat in Pune district, Dr Bhagyashree Patil has created a model where scientific innovation and community livelihoods advance together.Under Patil, Rise N Shine Biotech group of companies has focused on building biotechnology expertise while providing steady employment to rural families. Industry observers noted: "Patil is building systems that support women, train farmers and strengthen entire communities."Founded in 2004 with a modest 4,000sqft laboratory, Patil has overseen its growth into a 2,80,000 sqft facility supporting tissue culture, floriculture production, nurseries and allied agricultural operations. Today, around 85% of the workforce comprises women from around 18 surrounding villages. "From early-stage tissue culture work to nursery protocols, women form the core operations that maintain quality standards," said a company official. Patil's company exports tissue culture and floriculture plants to around 45 countries, while serving the Indian market at scale. Its portfolio includes gerbera, gypsophila, limonium, orchids, chrysanthemum, banana and ornamental plants. Patil's mentorship has empowered farmers as well. Abhijeet Rajabhau Patil of Solapur, a young banana farmer with a civil engineering background, says, "Coming from a family of traditional farmers, I inherited knowledge of agriculture. However, I transitioned to modern banana cultivation under Patil's leadership." Abhijeet's journey demonstrates the impact of timely mentoring combined with structured, science-based practices.