In a rare but welcome intersection of profit and purpose, Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has spotlighted the tangible impact of two sustainable businesses, Agni Mitra and Amwoodo on rural livelihoods, environmental conservation, and scalable social entrepreneurship in India.
This week, Kamath posted statistics on LinkedIn that demonstrate how well these endeavors have performed in producing quantifiable socio-environmental results in addition to financial returns. His post, which has since become popular in the business and sustainability communities, offers a glimpse of what can be accomplished by well-thought-out, for-profit social enterprises that are rooted in India’s rural economy.
From Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000: Tripling Rural Incomes
Among the most striking outcomes cited was a threefold increase in rural incomes, from approximately Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 per month affecting a cohort of farmers and artisans engaged in the two initiatives. Over 1,200 individuals are now reportedly earning “much more” than before, thanks to sustainable bamboo harvesting, responsible supply chains, and value-added artisanal production.
While exact timelines and geographies weren’t disclosed, the outcomes suggest a focused effort on building grassroots resilience, likely in semi-rural or tribal belts where bamboo is native and economic opportunities remain limited.
11 Lakh Bamboo Trees and a New Model of Forest Economy
Kamath’s post also mentions the planting of over 11 lakh bamboo trees, a figure that reflects long-term investment in regenerative resources and sustainable forestry. Bamboo, known for its fast growth and carbon sequestration properties, has increasingly emerged as a green alternative in construction, furniture, and bioenergy sectors.
This large-scale planting, if managed responsibly, not only ensures future income for growers but also strengthens India’s move toward nature-based solutions, a term gaining currency among climate investors and policymakers.
Plastic and Carbon: Quantifying the Environmental Payoff
Together, Agni Mitra and Amwoodo have prevented 384 metric tons of plastic from ending up in landfills and offset 312,232 metric tons of CO2 emissions. These numbers suggest a two-pronged approach: encouraging low-emission production and transportation methods and lowering reliance on plastic, perhaps by recycling or using biodegradable materials.
To put this in perspective, offsetting over 300,000 tons of CO₂ is equivalent to taking nearly 67,000 passenger cars off the road for a year, based on U.S. EPA calculations. Such metrics signal that these enterprises aren’t just talking sustainability, they are delivering it at scale.
Profit with Purpose: Not Just a Buzzword
In a candid acknowledgment, Kamath stated that the businesses are “for profit and quite profitable,” breaking the myth that impact-led ventures must compromise on returns. This sentiment aligns with a broader trend of “conscious capitalism” emerging in India, especially post-pandemic, where consumer awareness and investor scrutiny have pushed companies to demonstrate purpose beyond profitability.
Kamath’s endorsement carries weight, not only because of Zerodha’s unique bootstrapped success story, but also due to his consistent backing of health, climate, and wellness startups through Rainmatter, Zerodha’s investment arm.
The Bigger Picture
In a country where over 60% of the population still relies on agriculture or allied sectors for livelihoods, models like Agni Mitra and Amwoodo offer a hopeful template. They represent a new breed of Indian enterprises that don’t just serve markets, but build ecosystems, connecting farmers, artisans, environmentalists, and consumers through shared goals.
Such endeavors may be crucial as India looks to a future shaped by climate action pledges, growing rural distress, and the pressing need for green jobs. However, maintaining this momentum will necessitate managing supply chain integrity, market demand, scale pressures, and policy changes.
Kamath ended his post with cautious optimism:
“I really hope these numbers keep increasing as the business grows and has to deal with other pressures and competing priorities. We need more of such businesses in India.”
It’s a timely reminder not just for entrepreneurs, but for policymakers and investors alike, that doing good can also mean doing well, provided the model is built on trust, accountability, and long-term thinking.
Also Read: “If It Were 2025, Zerodha Wouldn’t Exist”: Nithin Kamath
