Santosh Sahu: Pioneering Change In Agriculture Through Warehouse Empowerment & Farmer Support
Santosh Sahu
Director
Santosh holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, complemented by an MBA and an MS in Information Technology in Agriculture. His strategic leadership and holistic approach position him as a key force in shaping a sustainable future for agriculture. Under his guidance, Go Green Warehouses continues to make a lasting impact, empowering farmers and transforming the industry.
In an in-depth conversation with CEO Insights magazine, Santosh shares with us his journey, his leadership approach, and his vision for Go Green Warehouses. Let’s hear it from him.
How would you define Go Green Ware houses as an integrated commodity management solution provider in the agri value chain?
Go Green Warehouses addresses two critical challenges in agriculture. Firstly, we establish direct connections between banks, farmers, and agri value chain partners, facilitating finance in the warehousing sector. Farmers can store produce, get loans against stored produce, and sell at better prices. Secondly, we ensure a timely supply of materials by collaborating with farmers and FPOs, also helping farmers access funds for procurement during the harvest season. Our focus is to minimize commodity loss during warehousing from 10 percent to less than 1 percent through scientific practices. This transforms agricultural commodities into valuable assets, enabling financing for buyers and sellers. As warehouse and collateral managers, our aim is to create a sustainable model benefiting all stakeholders in the Agri value chain.
How do you foster a learning cul
ture in your team to enable them to draw valuable insights from the market to ensure the company stays relevant and stable amid market fluctuations and trends?
In the current era of AI and information abundance, individuals are inundated with vast amounts of data. As a result, it becomes the responsibility of every leader to assist team members in decision-making processes, considering the wealth of information available to them. Facilitating effective decision making is a crucial aspect of leadership.
Furthermore, the younger generation, while inherently resilient and dynamic, often benefits from initial guidance to propel their growth. As a leader, I am committed to fostering a learning environment where individuals can work autonomously and flourish. Encouraging independence and providing opportunities for personal development are integral to empowering team members to soar to greater heights. By nurturing a culture of continuous learning, I aim to support the growth and success of each individual within the team.
Tell us about your success mantra. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routine?
Coming from a middle-class background, I recognized the value of employment early on, which propelled me to explore diverse industries like agri input, agri output, retail, procurement, and supply chain. At each stage, my thirst for knowledge drove me to delve into the intricacies of the business, giving me a competitive edge.
Having grown up in rural India as an agriculture graduate, I have personally witnessed the challenges faced by farmers. They often lack accurate information and struggle with lengthy marketing channels that deprive them of fair profits. At Go Green, our mission is to bridge this gap by providing farmers direct access to essential services, removing intermediaries, and empowering them with the resources they need to thrive.
Where do you see yourself headed towards in the upcoming years?
We strive to elevate our organization
In the current era of AI and information abundance, individuals are inundated with vast amounts of data. As a result, it becomes the responsibility of every leader to assist team members in decision-making processes, considering the wealth of information available to them. Facilitating effective decision making is a crucial aspect of leadership.
Through sustainable practices, innovation, and empowering farmers, Go Green Warehouses is nurturing a future where nature flourishes, communities thrive and the potential of agriculture is fully realized
Furthermore, the younger generation, while inherently resilient and dynamic, often benefits from initial guidance to propel their growth. As a leader, I am committed to fostering a learning environment where individuals can work autonomously and flourish. Encouraging independence and providing opportunities for personal development are integral to empowering team members to soar to greater heights. By nurturing a culture of continuous learning, I aim to support the growth and success of each individual within the team.
Tell us about your success mantra. What is the motivation that fuels your daily routine?
Coming from a middle-class background, I recognized the value of employment early on, which propelled me to explore diverse industries like agri input, agri output, retail, procurement, and supply chain. At each stage, my thirst for knowledge drove me to delve into the intricacies of the business, giving me a competitive edge.
Having grown up in rural India as an agriculture graduate, I have personally witnessed the challenges faced by farmers. They often lack accurate information and struggle with lengthy marketing channels that deprive them of fair profits. At Go Green, our mission is to bridge this gap by providing farmers direct access to essential services, removing intermediaries, and empowering them with the resources they need to thrive.
Where do you see yourself headed towards in the upcoming years?
We strive to elevate our organization
by streamlining processes and embracing digitalization. Through extensive automation, we aim to expand in two key directions. Firstly, we seek to reach the farming community by establishing small-scale warehouses, like micro and nano warehouses, at the village level. This backward integration strategy empowers farmers to store produce locally. Secondly, we aim to enhance our proximity to consumers through thirdparty logistics (3PL) solutions, particularly in the realm of e-commerce. By integrating warehousing and logistics functions, we can directly engage with consumers and efficiently cater to their needs. Our goal is to create seamless connections between producers and consumers, optimizing the supply chain and enhancing customer satisfaction.
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs and leaders in the industry?
Entrepreneurs should prioritize building teams with individuals who foster a positive culture. In a constantly changing world full of uncertainties, setbacks should not hinder progress. Instead, adaptability and perseverance are key. Maintaining a healthy cash flow is crucial for organic growth as it provides the lifeblood for businesses. By managing finances diligently, entrepreneurs can mitigate risks, seize opportunities, and sustain their ventures. Success often stems from resilience, optimism, and careful financial planning. Embrace challenges as opportunities for innovation, surround yourself with positive-minded individuals, and ensure a stable cash flow to navigate the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.
Santosh Sahu, the Director, Go Green warehouses
Santosh Sahu, with over two decades of experience, excels in profit center operations, strategic planning, product positioning, and collateral management. As the Director of Go Green Warehouses, his strategic vision connects banks, financial institutions, farmers, and Agrivalue chain partners, empowering farmers to secure fair profits and essential services by eliminating barriers and intermediaries
•Favorite Hobbies-Watching Cinema and shows
•Favorite Cuisine-South Indian
•Favorite Books-Leadership Books
•Favorite Travel Destination-South India
•Awards and Recognitions-Brand of the Year 2022, Company of the Year 2022, Emerging Startup in Gujarat in 2020, the leader in the Warehousing and Logistics Industry, Top 10CEO in India.
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs and leaders in the industry?
Entrepreneurs should prioritize building teams with individuals who foster a positive culture. In a constantly changing world full of uncertainties, setbacks should not hinder progress. Instead, adaptability and perseverance are key. Maintaining a healthy cash flow is crucial for organic growth as it provides the lifeblood for businesses. By managing finances diligently, entrepreneurs can mitigate risks, seize opportunities, and sustain their ventures. Success often stems from resilience, optimism, and careful financial planning. Embrace challenges as opportunities for innovation, surround yourself with positive-minded individuals, and ensure a stable cash flow to navigate the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.
Santosh Sahu, the Director, Go Green warehouses
Santosh Sahu, with over two decades of experience, excels in profit center operations, strategic planning, product positioning, and collateral management. As the Director of Go Green Warehouses, his strategic vision connects banks, financial institutions, farmers, and Agrivalue chain partners, empowering farmers to secure fair profits and essential services by eliminating barriers and intermediaries
•Favorite Hobbies-Watching Cinema and shows
•Favorite Cuisine-South Indian
•Favorite Books-Leadership Books
•Favorite Travel Destination-South India
•Awards and Recognitions-Brand of the Year 2022, Company of the Year 2022, Emerging Startup in Gujarat in 2020, the leader in the Warehousing and Logistics Industry, Top 10CEO in India.