Rudra Raj Singh Sisodia, co-founder of Lake Valley Farms, has been honoured with a Leadership Award at the UK House of Commons for his groundbreaking efforts to reduce post-harvest waste and improve global food security.
This prestigious honour underscores his impactful efforts in addressing one of the global agricultural sector's most significant challenges—food wastage.
What does Lake Valley Farms do?
Lake Valley Farms, based in Madhya Pradesh, is committed to addressing some of India’s most pressing agricultural challenges, including food wastage, unskilled labour, rising land prices, and limited market access for farmers.
Operating in a state often referred to as “Soya Pradesh” for its high soybean production, the startup focuses on bringing fresh solutions to a sector that employs nearly 70% of the local population.
Lake Valley Farms leverages technologies like solar-powered cold storage to extend the shelf life of fresh produce, cutting down on post-harvest losses. The startup also provides training to farmers and agriculture students, helping them adopt modern techniques, improve their yields, and gain better access to fair-trade markets.
By leasing land instead of buying it, it remains flexible and invests more resources into sustainable practices.
Co-founded with Nikita Jain, a bio agritech graduate, Lake Valley Farms has developed methods that help reduce food spoilage, ensuring that more nutritious produce reaches consumers instead of going to waste.
Sisodia’s work is timely. Globally, about 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted each year. By focusing on solutions that preserve the harvest—such as advanced storage techniques, efficient supply chains, and eco-friendly packaging—the startup aims to bring down this staggering figure.
Notably, it has established partnerships, including collaborations with Craste for sustainable packaging and Agridoot for tech-driven farming methods, reflecting an expanding network dedicated to reducing food waste and supporting farmers.
Empowering local communities
A key aspect of Lake Valley Farms’ approach is empowering the communities they serve. By offering education and hands-on training, the startup ensures that farmers learn to better manage their crops after harvest. This not only increases their profits but also strengthens rural economies, as less produce is lost and more is sold at fair prices.
Under Sisodia's leadership, Lake Valley Farms plans to expand its reach and scale its innovative solutions globally. It aims to forge new partnerships, explore international markets, and drive meaningful change at the intersection of food security and environmental preservation.
"The world can no longer afford to waste the resources we have. At Lake Valley Farms, we are focused on creating solutions that not only preserve the harvest but also contribute to a healthier planet," he said.