'Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village,' says Nilam Brahma from Anthaigwlao, a village in Assam. The flower, known as aparajita, features striking blue blossoms and offers various potential uses including tea production and natural dyes.
Around two years ago, Brahma heard of local women making money through selling the flowers. She decided to join them and was pleasantly surprised to earn $50 from her first sale of dried flowers, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey. This initial success led her to invest in solar dryers to enhance her output quality.
While countries like Thailand and Indonesia have been at the forefront of butterfly pea cultivation, increasing global demand has caught the attention of Indian entrepreneurs. Varshika Reddy, founder of THS Impex, highlights the expanding market for natural colorants as consumers seek synthetic-free alternatives in food products. This shift is further bolstered by the approval of butterfly pea as a food additive by the US FDA.
However, challenges persist. 'The crop is still viewed as an ornamental plant instead of a commercial commodity,' Reddy notes, emphasizing the need for structured market awareness. Working with farmers in Uttar Pradesh, her team is helping to elevate production standards and ensure fair trade practices.
Nitesh Singh, based near Delhi, founded Blue Tea and has endeavored to grow an Indian brand around butterfly pea. His dedication has led to collaboration with 600 farmers, primarily women, dedicated to nurturing the flowers while also ensuring quality control in harvesting and drying processes. This encourages community empowerment through economic collaboration.
Notably, research is revealing the health benefits of butterfly pea, with one study indicating improved sugar control for pre-diabetic individuals consuming butterfly pea tea.
Pushpal Biswas, a farmer in West Bengal, attests to the transformative impact of butterfly pea cultivation on his livelihood, sharing that his income and farm size increased significantly after adopting this new crop. As his farming community grows, he reflects on the shift from mere agriculture to a collective business family.
The rise of the butterfly pea flower illustrates not just an economic opportunity, but a story of empowerment and community collaboration within India.
