Dr.Karthikeyan is a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering. He had done his schooling at Carmel Garden, undergraduate programme at Karunya and his higher education at Pennstate University in the USA.
Dr.Karthikeyan is a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering. He had done his schooling at Carmel Garden, undergraduate programme at Karunya and his higher education at Pennstate University in the USA. His wife Shobhana is a post graduate in computer science ( University of Houston, Texas - USA ) and the couple have returned to India after spending nearly 15 years overseas.
Karthikeyan was eager to share details about his goals and experiences, " Shobhana and myself came to India with a plan. We wanted to take up organic farming. Tamilnadu is known for its water issues and therefore we equipped ourselves with an aquaponics course before reaching India. We could not move forward for reasons beyond our control - cost of farming, transport, storage and marketing.
Therefore we looked out for a different oppourtunity based on research. Post harvest losses were high in our country and we understood that about 30 % of the produce was lost in transit or in storage. Our climate is a blessing and a curse. We do not have storage or processing facilities like the western countries. Historically they had to preserve or process their produce due to climatic conditions prevalent in their part of the planet.
Indians have been lucky to consume fresh produce. However we will face huge water issues in less than 30 years. Just look at the pulses scenario. Our country needs 24 million tonnes of pulses per year and we are importing about 8 million tonnes in order to fulfill our needs. Its shocking to learn that our wastage equals our imports. If the wastage is avoided we will save precious foreign exchange. A grain saved is a grain earned. Unfortunately we have learnt how to destroy good land by drawing water.
Trees are being cut, forests are being denuded for creating newer farm lands and we are creating industries / housing colonies in the good quality farm lands which are yielding good produce. Once we address the issue of wastage, we will help the forest, soil, forest and our currency - the Rupee. All these resources could be used elsewhere in a fruitful manner. "
The couple had gone around Tamilnadu and decided to set up shop in Coimbatore. The city has always been an enterprising city and its tier 2 status had been an added advantage. They had found out that processed and canned food from abroad was very expensive and contained a lot of preservatives.
Based on this input they decided to offer products without preservatives but with a decent shelf life. Shobhana and Karthikeyan had understood that this venture of theirs would reduce imports, wastage while giving them a chance to do business. The business belongs to the canned beans category. ' Eka ' meaning number one in Sanskrit is their new venture and its making available traditional beans in a novel form.
The customers will save time while enjoying the process of cooking. ' Eka Foods ' is offering kondakadalai ( kala channa ), Kabuli channa, Rajma, Kollu ( horsegram ), peanuts ( verkadalai ) and more are in the pipeline. The brand is known as ' KWIK PACK '. Currently it is available in a small number of outlets including Pazhamudir Nilayam and Nilgiris.
The facility is Fssai approved and the packing material is from the USA ( FDA approved and is acceptable in Europe and Japan ). This polypropylene pack has a lining inside and it consists of 8 layers. It does not belong to the single use category and is reusable, recyclable and micro waveable.
" The multi layer barrier pack is fantastic for each layer takes care of one or more elements. It is designed to address issues pertaining to moisture and germs. Polypropylene is there for ensuring structural integrity. Virgin material is used here because recycled material may have got contaminated. It is possible to check out the cross section once its cut open but can be analysed with the aid of a microscope.
Tin could have been used but it is expensive and harmful as well. Glass is the best but it is expensive plus difficult in terms of logistics. Therefore we opted for the next best material. Now we are selling our products in the IT corridor at Saravanampatti on the outskirts of Coimbatore and are beginning to supply our goods to shops in Bengaluru. Our facility is located in our own property and we maintain it well.
Our products do not contain additives or colours. In fact people want to why preservatives are not being used. The process itself is quite interesting. We pack the products in brine and then boil them in batches. The stuff is washed, rinsed and then put in brine, packed and steamed finally with the container. Toxins are destroyed fully in the process. We calculate time for the purpose of eliminating bacteria and we ensure that the food is edible.
One can use the stuff straight away. It can be used for making sundal or sambar immediately. Time gets saved and we can provide healthy snacks to our guests instantly. All of us aware that we should have sundal everyday and even the schools tell us to give it to the kids regularly.
The brine in the containers can be used in the sambar for it contains a lot of nutrition. In Coimbatore ' kollu paruppu ' ( horsegram ) is a delicacy and it could be used as a substitute in sambar. Now , we are also available in Amazon, " shared the enthusiastic promoter , Karthikeyan whose father Shanmughasundaram happens to be a lecturer turned businessman.
" The response has been slow due to the lack of awareness. We are addressing the issue now and plans are being made. It has a bright future because people are health conscious besides being time conscious as well.
One container has enough for about three of four people. Machinery for these kind of businesses are available abroad but they can be only used for large scale operations. We had create our own pilot plant with the active participation of our vendors.
Eka is perhaps the first company in India to pack horsegram and peanuts in this manner. A number of ideas are being implemented now. We plan to have a retail outlet for serving these products by using ancient and also innovative recipes. Hundred gram packs for school going kids are in the anvil, " stated an ebullient Karthikeyan.
The presence of CFTRI ( Central Food Technological Research Institute ) in close by Mysore will be an advantage for the Coimbatorean who is blessed with the presence of the Tamilnadu Agricultural University ( TNAU ). Coimbatore is sure to be the platform for many food start ups like Eka Foods, who have begun offering the amazing KWIK PACK.