Swati Mylavarapu

Pioneered soil restoration solutions in India, addressing agricultural challenges through innovative biotechnology.

Swati Mylavarapu: Revolutionizing Soil Health in India

Swati Mylavarapu, born in 1980, is a visionary environmental scientist and entrepreneur who co-founded EnviTec Biochem, a company dedicated to restoring degraded soils in India. Her work has transformed agricultural practices in regions like Andhra Pradesh, where soil depletion threatened food security. By developing microbial-based solutions, she revived millions of acres of barren land, increasing crop yields by up to 30% in pilot projects. EnviTec’s official website details her patented techniques, including the use of Bacillus subtilis strains to combat soil erosion.

Impact and Legacy

Mylavarapu’s innovations have been recognized by the Indian government’s National Soil Health Card initiative, which integrates her methods. She has trained over 50,000 farmers through workshops, empowering them to adopt sustainable practices. Her TEDx talk "Soil as a Living Organism" has inspired global audiences. Critics argue her approach reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).

Challenges and Vision

Despite early skepticism from traditional agribusinesses, Mylavarapu scaled her operations to 10 Indian states by 2020. Her current focus on carbon sequestration through soil microbes positions her as a leader in climate resilience strategies. With partnerships from the World Bank, her work exemplifies how biotech can bridge environmental and economic divides in developing nations.