Paul Basil, Founder & CEO, Villgro

Years ago Paul had a dream. A dream that envisioned improving the quality of lives of rural poor, a dream that empowers villagers with resources and puts a smile into every face in Rural India. This propelled the Mechanical engineer and Management Degree holder from the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, to action his vision. And Villgro was born.

Paul believes that an idea remains an idea unless it is executed. It is this personality that translates into Villgro’s core philosophy- Possible. It is this philosophy that drives us to spot and incubate ideas that have market potential and productively turn them into tangible products and services that benefit the rural poor.

Paul’s journey to light up rural lives began long ago. Paul was one of the earliest team members at the marketing department of the Kerala Horticulture Development Programme, a project of the European Union and the Government of Kerala. The fruit and vegetable “farmer’s markets” and “Udyanam” a fresh fruit and vegetable retail chain he helped spearhead, are over a 100 strong now and are the hubs of commercial horticulture in Kerala, catering to over 10,000 farmers.

Paul Basil and his team at Villgro have so far, identified and activated close to 2000 social innovators, impacted more than 360,000 rural users.  Recognizing his contributions to the field of social entrepreneurship, The Ashoka Foundation has conferred its prestigious Ashoka Fellowship to Paul Basil in 2002.