Why ROOTARI Began: From Nannari Farmers to Global Families

ROOTARI began with a farmer problem—not a product idea

ROOTARI is building India’s Botanical Heritage Mission, beginning with Nannari (Sugandha / Indian sarsaparilla) as its first pilot root. Our purpose is to connect farmers, cultivation knowledge, responsible science, value addition and transparent products—from farms in Chittoor district to families in India and worldwide.

The idea took shape in 2021, during the COVID period, when conversations with village farmers revealed a difficult gap. Nannari carried deep cultural familiarity and commercial potential, yet farmers faced uncertainty around planting material, cultivation knowledge, quality expectations, value addition and dependable markets. At the same time, many consumers knew Nannari mainly as a flavoured summer drink and had little visibility into the original roots behind it.

Could an under-recognised native root become the centre of a value chain that respects farmers, informs consumers and creates responsible products?

Learning Nannari cultivation from the ground up

We did not begin by making large claims or launching a long product list. In 2022, we began cultivating Nannari ourselves and learning directly from the crop cycle. That meant working through nursery and sapling development, soil and water requirements, field establishment, root maturity, harvesting and post-harvest handling.

This experience shaped a principle that still guides us: understand the root before building the product. It also gave ROOTARI first-hand knowledge that cannot be gained through branding alone.

Why original Nannari roots matter

Original Nannari roots contribute the botanical identity, natural aroma, taste and traditional character people associate with Nannari preparations. Root colour, aroma and extraction appearance can vary with the plant material, cultivation, drying, extraction, filtration and formulation, so no single visual test proves authenticity.

For ROOTARI, “original roots” is therefore not a decorative phrase. It represents a chain of responsibility: cultivated root material, careful selection, root-based extraction, transparent formulation and product-specific label information. Our roots are cultivated using organic farming practices; they are not presently certified organic, and we communicate that distinction clearly.

Consumers can learn more through our guides to original Nannari authenticity, organic cultivation practices and the broader Nannari Knowledge Library.

Beyond syrup: building a Nannari product ecosystem

Nannari should not be limited to one summer beverage. ROOTARI is developing a wider root-based portfolio that can serve different consumers, seasons and business channels. Current and planned formats include:

• Traditional sweetened Nannari syrup
• No-added-sugar concentrate and zero-sugar options
• Whole and prepared Nannari roots
• Warm and cold herbal infusion blends
• Nannari pickle and other responsible food applications
• Bulk roots, ingredients, B2B, private-label and export pathways

Each format must be judged by its own ingredients, serving directions, nutrition, processing and intended use. ROOTARI products are foods and beverages—not medicines—and traditional knowledge or botanical research is not presented as a guaranteed treatment claim.

The value chain we are working to build

The ROOTARI model is designed to create connected value rather than shift the problem from one participant to another.

• For farmers: better access to planting knowledge, quality expectations, post-harvest practices and market-linked opportunities as verified demand grows.
• For consumers: authentic root-based choices, clearer labels and practical education about taste, aroma, preparation and responsible wellness use.
• For businesses: differentiated Nannari formats for retail, food service, distribution, private label, bulk ingredients and export enquiries.
• For society: renewed attention to India’s native botanical heritage and food traditions without converting heritage into exaggerated medical promises.
• For Chittoor: the long-term possibility of a recognised Nannari cluster connecting nurseries, cultivation, aggregation, processing, testing, skills and market development.

This work is phased. ROOTARI does not promise automatic buy-back or guaranteed farmer income; cultivation and commercial arrangements must be based on crop suitability, quality requirements, supply capacity and real market demand. That honesty is part of building a durable ecosystem.

Trust before marketing

A botanical brand earns confidence by showing what it knows, what it does and what it is still working to establish.

ROOTARI separates traditional knowledge, botanical identity, laboratory findings, established human evidence and product-level information. Scientific communication is reviewed under the leadership of Dr. Golla Geetha, PhD Biotechnology, while product communication remains grounded in applicable labels and food-product responsibilities.

This approach may sound more measured than ordinary wellness marketing, but it supports a stronger long-term relationship with consumers, farmers, researchers, institutions and business partners.

ROOTARI’s short-term and long-term vision

In the near term, ROOTARI is strengthening Nannari cultivation knowledge, product quality, consumer education, domestic availability, B2B partnerships and responsible market development.

In the long term, our ambition is to help build a farmer-linked botanical ecosystem that can take native Indian roots from local cultivation to trusted global applications. Nannari is the pilot—not the limit. The learning can support future work with other under-recognised medicinal and aromatic plants where farmer opportunity, responsible science and social value can grow together.

From Farmers to Global Families is not only a tagline. It is the direction of the value chain we are building.

Explore the ROOTARI Journal and Knowledge Library

Our journal will continue documenting field learning, original roots, preparation methods, product choices, farmer impact and evidence-aware wellness communication.

ROOTARI Story: Frequently Asked Questions

The journey continues

ROOTARI began with questions in the field. It continues through cultivation, learning, product development and conversations with farmers, families, researchers and businesses. We will use this journal to share that progress honestly—including the work completed, lessons learned and capabilities still being built.