The greatest innovations are not always about creating something entirely new. Sometimes, they emerge from rediscovering traditional wisdom and making it relevant for the modern world. This philosophy lies at the heart of MARS, a startup founded by Venkata Mahesh Subrahmanyam Bharatula and his co-founders Bhargavi Kamakshi, Ananth Vedantham, and Raghu Dupaguntla, with a vision to revolutionize Indian agriculture by blending technology with age-old natural farming practices.
Mahesh’s entrepreneurial journey began long before he entered college. As a child, he naturally stepped into leadership roles, representing his school in more than 200 science, cultural, and literary competitions, winning over 145 medals along the way. His passion for innovation earned him the prestigious INSPIRE Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh during his school years. These early achievements nurtured his confidence and planted the seeds of leadership that would later shape his entrepreneurial path.
The defining moment came in 2015 during his second year of polytechnic studies. Instead of searching for jobs, Mahesh and his close friends chose to search for problems worth solving. They developed solutions for eight different challenges before discovering a much larger issue hidden in India’s agricultural landscape.
Coming from rural backgrounds, the founders had witnessed the hardships faced by farmers firsthand. They observed how excessive dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers not only increased farming costs but also damaged soil health and affected farmers’ livelihoods. While researching alternatives, they discovered the immense benefits of natural farming. Yet only a small percentage of farmers had adopted these sustainable practices.
Curious to understand why, the team spent nearly eleven months conducting extensive research. They found that natural farming was often avoided because preparing organic fertilizers and pesticides was labor-intensive, time-consuming, and required specialized knowledge. Instead of treating these as separate problems, they envisioned a single solution capable of simplifying the entire process.
Within just fifty-four days, they developed the first prototype of GROWHITHA—an innovative automated machine capable of preparing seven different types of natural fertilizers and pesticides using a single system. Designed specifically for farmers, GROWHITHA significantly reduces labour requirements while making natural farming easier, faster, and more accessible.
Through this breakthrough, MARS aims to encourage millions of farmers to transition from chemical-based agriculture to sustainable natural farming. The company believes that technology should not replace tradition but strengthen it. By simplifying age-old agricultural practices through automation, the startup enables farmers to increase productivity while protecting soil health and reducing production costs.
Today, MARS operates from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with a mission to serve India’s vast farming community. While its immediate focus is supporting natural farmers, the company ultimately aims to inspire millions of conventional farmers to adopt healthier and more environmentally responsible agricultural practices.
What truly distinguishes MARS is its purpose-driven culture. Every member of the organization believes that meaningful innovation begins with understanding people’s struggles. Their philosophy is simple: if a solution genuinely improves lives, success naturally follows. This customer-first mindset has helped the startup earn recognition at prestigious national and international platforms, including representing India at an International Innovation Fair, participating in the iB Hubs Startup School Acceleration Program, and being selected for the 6th International MSME India Expo.
Building a startup while pursuing graduation was far from easy. Managing academic responsibilities alongside product development required extraordinary discipline. With team members studying at different colleges, coordination often became a challenge. Rather than allowing these obstacles to slow progress, Mahesh personally took on multiple responsibilities across operations, marketing, research, branding, and project management to ensure the company continued moving forward. These experiences shaped him into a leader capable of understanding every aspect of the business.
Looking ahead, MARS envisions expanding its services across every corner of India within the coming years. The company aspires to build a farmer-centric ecosystem where innovation empowers rural communities, promotes sustainable agriculture, and creates healthier food systems for future generations.
For Mahesh and his team, entrepreneurship is not merely about building a successful company—it is about creating lasting impact. Their journey demonstrates that when youthful passion meets purpose-driven innovation, even the oldest traditions can become the foundation for the future.
