Ask anyone in Goa about ‘Saladbaba’ and they will direct you to 34-year-old Janardan Khorate, manager of Ambrosia Organic Farm.

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The farm prides itself not just on being one of India’s first organic companies with a turnover of Rs 22 crore, but also on being the go-to provider for numerous restaurants and cafes across Goa.

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Janardan, who now goes by the name John, was adopted by David Grower and his wife Michaela Kelemen, a couple from London, in 2003.

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In 1993, they set up their own 5-acre farm in Siolim, an area they would frequently visit, and where they began growing tomato, capsicum and other exotic vegetables and fruits.

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“We would supply the vegetables and fruits to nearby restaurants for salads and that’s how the name ‘Saladbaba’ came to be,” Janardan adds.

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By 1999, Ambrosia had started diversifying to produce peanut butter, rice and grains such as chia.

Today, the family spends a few months of the year in London and the rest in Goa, while Janardan is closely involved in all the activities of the venture.

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However, it was only when online sales came into the picture in 2016 that the business picked up speed.

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