BUSINESS
Shrawan Daga Nurturing Ayurveda’s Revival through Krishna Ayurved
The resurgence of Ayurveda gained momentum worldwide as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. In India, people sought alternatives to bolster their immunity, and Ayurvedic products emerged as a popular choice. Shrawan Daga, the founder of Krishna Ayurved, recognized this trend early on and seized the opportunity to build a thriving Ayurvedic brand. Shrawan Daga hails from a family business focused on iron and steel processing. While his father hoped he would join the family enterprise, Shrawan harbored aspirations outside the metal industry. His journey into Ayurveda began when he noticed the increasing popularity of traditional practices and Ayurveda in the mid-2000s, largely catalysed by Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali brand.
Observing that Aloe Vera, a common plant in Rajasthan with numerous health benefits, was being exported from India to the US and then imported back as a health product, Shrawan recognized the untapped potential of Ayurvedic products in India. Inspired to bring Ayurvedic goodness to Indian consumers, he founded Krishna Ayurved in 2007. At the age of 23, Shrawan launched Krishna Ayurved with minimal savings. He started by manufacturing Aloe Vera juice and Amla juice, producing a mere 50 bottles initially. With limited funds, he began selling these products door-to-door and at exhibitions, gradually educating people about the benefits of Ayurveda and his offerings.
A Thriving Venture:
Krishna Ayurved’s product range expanded over the years to include a variety of Ayurvedic juices, medicines, churna, and herbal beauty products, among others. Despite humble beginnings, Shrawan’s determination and commitment to promoting Ayurveda bore fruit. Today, Krishna Ayurved boasts a significant presence in the Ayurvedic market. The brand’s products are available at prominent locations, including Iskcon temples across India and popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket.
Shrawan emphasizes the importance of sourcing high-quality raw materials locally to maintain freshness and nutritional value. For example, Aloe Vera pulp is processed within four hours of harvesting, while Amla fruit is cold-pressed within eight hours. Krishna Ayurved avoids using extracts in its products to ensure top-notch quality.
Addressing Challenges:
Despite its success, Krishna Ayurved faces challenges in sourcing the right quality raw materials consistently. This is a common issue in the Ayurvedic industry, where the quality of ingredients significantly impacts product efficacy.
The Ayurvedic industry in India has grown to approximately Rs 1,000 crore, experiencing rapid expansion, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, Krishna Ayurved plans to introduce more SKUs, offering a wider range of juices and classical Ayurvedic medicines. These include durva swaras, chavyanprash, swarnaprashan, and more.
Shrawan Daga’s entrepreneurial journey with Krishna Ayurved exemplifies the power of recognizing market trends, dedication to quality, and a commitment to traditional wellness practices. As Ayurveda continues to capture the imagination of health-conscious consumers, Krishna Ayurved stands poised for further growth and success.