When Govind Yadav, an IIM graduate, chose to leave a promising corporate career and return to his village in Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya district, few anticipated the remarkable success that would follow. Four years later, his brand, Akalpam, specializing in traditional desi ghee, has grown into an ODOP (One District One Product)-certified business, achieving an impressive annual revenue of ₹43 crore in FY 2025-26.
From Dairy Farms to IIM Classrooms
Govind's roots are deeply embedded in Bela village, Auraiya, where he grew up surrounded by dairy farming and cattle rearing. This early exposure instilled in him a profound understanding of traditional dairy products, particularly the taste, aroma, and texture of homemade ghee. His academic journey led him to management studies at IIM Kashipur, followed by an executive program in Financial Management from IIM Ahmedabad. Post-education, he gained valuable experience across diverse sectors including food testing, exports, manufacturing, and logistics, honing his skills in quality control and organized business operations.
Spotting a Gap in the Ghee Market
The inspiration for Akalpam arose when Govind moved to cities for work and identified a significant void in the market. He observed that many products marketed as premium or traditional bilona ghee fell short of the authentic quality he remembered from his childhood. According to Yadav, larger brands often prioritized packaging, speed, and cost reduction over transparency and traditional purity. This realization sparked his determination to bridge that gap.
Akalpam: Purity and Tradition at its Core
In 2022, Govind launched Akalpam, starting with a small network of local farmers in Auraiya. His primary focus was on preserving the purity and traditional production processes, rather than investing heavily in marketing. Returning to his village and leaving a secure corporate job surprised many, but building the business presented its own unique set of challenges.
The Challenge of Scaling Tradition
One of Akalpam's biggest hurdles was maintaining consistent flavor and texture without compromising the traditional bilona method. To overcome this, the team meticulously documented variables like curd-setting temperatures and churning times, while keeping batch sizes small to ensure quality control.
A Local Sourcing Model with 100% Traceability
Akalpam's sourcing model is central to its identity. The company avoids large dairy aggregators, instead procuring milk directly from carefully selected farmers and gaushalas exclusively within the Auraiya district. This local sourcing strategy helps maintain geographical and climatic consistency, contributing to the distinctive quality of their ghee. Furthermore, Akalpam offers “100% traceability,” allowing customers to track the origin of the milk, its collection date, and relevant laboratory reports.
Rapid Growth Driven by Repeat Customers
Over the past four years, Akalpam has experienced rapid expansion. The brand now serves over 50,000 customers, with an impressive 70% of monthly sales attributed to repeat buyers. Its revenue trajectory highlights this growth: from ₹9 crore in FY 2022-23, it rose to ₹15 crore in FY 2023-24, then ₹25 crore in FY 2024-25, culminating in ₹43 crore in FY 2025-26.
Looking ahead, Akalpam plans to diversify its product portfolio to include A2 curd, white butter, and buttermilk. The company is also exploring opportunities in NRI markets and Ayurvedic wellness exports within the next two to three years, aiming to extend its traditional Indian products globally.