Satyajit Singh

Patna, Dec. 29: Satyajit Singh, an entrepreneur based in the state capital, has got the Role Model Excellent Entrepreneur Award, 2011, of International Consortium of Contemporary Biologists.

The consortium, which is associated with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, comprises eminent scientists from the national and international arena.

Singh received the award for improving the quality of life of rural people, especially makhana (gorgon nut) growers, and for enhancing the qualitative productivity of the crop through his White Ball Revolution.

Singh, the proprietor of Shakti Sudha Industries in Patliputra Industrial Area that processes and markets makhana, said: “I started the White Ball Revolution project around five years ago. In the past four years, the procurement price of makhana has witnessed a 400 per cent growth. The farmers used to get Rs 60 a kg in 2007. Ever since I intervened and launched the project, they now get Rs 240 per kg.”

“The project has given an identity, empowerment and income growth to makhana farmers who have now got a bargaining power because of the makhana project,” said Singh.