An Agritech Startup from Dehradun Directly from farmers Local, Pure, Backed by Science About Valley Culture Based out of Dehradun, Valley Culture showcases native produce from Uttarakhand by sourcing ingredients from local farmers working in the Himalayan region. Combining their experiences of backgrounds in hospitality training and Ayurveda respectively, co-founders Robin Nagar and Shikha Prakash are passionate about promoting local ingredients while also preserving traditional practices and methods of production. Founded in 2019, they initially worked with cultured ghee, lychee honey, and Lakadong turmeric (a specialty of the region). Today, their website showcases a wealth of produce from the valleys of Uttarakhand—herbs like faran sourced from Pithoragarh, Himalayan Red rice from Ramasarai in Purola Valley , Uttarkashi, and barnyard millet from Navgaon in Sangamchatti. At present, Valley Culture works with a network of around 5,100 farmers across 83 villages in Uttarakhand. Why We Love Valley Culture Preserving traditional practices – Valley Culture works closely with traditional food producers, thereby highlighting the practices of the region through their products. For instance, the stone grinding of whole kernels is processed by gharats (traditional water mills), which subsequently convert the kinetic energy to electricity supplied to the community. Pisyun loon, a hand-pounded flavoured salt traditional to this region, can also be found on their website. Focus on provenance – Their range spotlights products from a specific provenance—turmeric with high curcumin content is sourced from the heart of Tehri hills; rajma from Chakrata and Harsil. These products come with nuanced flavours and a strong focus on nutrition. Red Rice, Jaggery, Nettle Tea and Honey from various districts which are also a part of the ODOP initiative, by Government of India are a part of their product range . Community-driven – Today, if a farmer that they work with faces a challenge, Valley Culture helps out through sharing of knowledge, and by connecting them to the right resource, which could be an NGO or a government department. They also assist farmers in understanding and availing various MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) government policies. Note from the Producer “The Himalayan State of Uttarakhand is a young state, and mostly with very difficult geographical terrains. There are limited opportunities for people in the hills. Over the past few years, the western food culture has become an integral part of our food system. This has led to a reduced consumption of local produce, and a decline in traditional farming practices. With farms discontinuing the practice of farming in the hills, there is a massive challenge of ‘palayan’, meaning migration, resulting in ghost villages.” — Robin Nagar and Shikha Prakash, Co-founders of Valley Culture