The GreenTokri Story
GreenTokri was founded in 2001 by Dr. Marc Cremer and his wife, Benedikte, in partnership with Mr. Zaheer J. Vakil and Mr. Mohiuddin Mulla. What began as Marc’s personal quest for fresh lettuce in India soon blossomed into a passion-driven venture. Born in Pune, Marc is an Indo-German who has now called India home for over 25 years. With a PhD in Agricultural Engineering from Berlin's Humboldt University, Marc’s journey took him from the IT sector back to his true calling—farming.
Leveraging his expertise in agricultural engineering and technology, Marc introduced advanced farming solutions to overcome the challenges of growing high-quality produce in India’s harsh terrain. On the farm, you'll find an intricate, computer-operated drip-irrigation system that delivers not only water but also liquid fertilizers precisely tailored to the needs of each plant. This innovative approach has made it possible to grow tasty, high-quality lettuce and other fresh produce through hydroponics—a method that’s both eco-friendly and efficient.
Marc’s vision goes far beyond just growing fresh produce. He’s committed to transforming GreenTokri into one of India’s first carbon-neutral farms. We are working towards producing 100% of our energy needs with photovoltaic solar panels, and that’s just the beginning. Our perennial avocado orchards and reforestation projects are designed to bind CO2 in biomass, removing it from the atmosphere for decades to come. Through our no-till agriculture and minimal soil disturbance, we enrich the soil and harness the immense carbon-sequestration potential of the very ground beneath our feet.
By composting our farm's organic waste and relying on natural, renewable growing media such as coco coir, we drastically reduce the CO2 footprint of hydroponic farming. Additionally, our fleet of electric delivery vehicles is powered by our own solar energy, ensuring that we deliver the freshest greens in the greenest manner possible.
Marc and Benedikte’s three sons have since joined the family business, making GreenTokri a true family-run operation. Timothy Cremer, with an M.Sc. in Agricultural Resource Management from the University of Bonn, gets his hands dirty in the daily business. Niels Cremer, with his degree in Product Design from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, drives the innovative side and keeps things creative, and Lars Cremer, with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen, lends his technical expertise to projects around the farm.
Today, GreenTokri’s Farm-to Fork home delivery network spans most areas of Pune. Our fresh lettuces and herbs, along with delicacies like salad dressings, pickled jalapeños, gherkins, pasta sauce, basil pesto, and mayonnaises, are available in numerous retail shops and restaurants across Pune and Mumbai.
Our Cornerstones
Collapsible content
100% Natural
Our homemeade delicacies are free from artificial flavors and taste enhancers. Preserved naturally with vinegar, oil, and citric acid, they’re crafted using fresh, farm-sourced ingredients straight from GreenTokri Farms!
Ecofriendly
- Herbicide-Free Farming: We avoid herbicides by using a high-quality, UV-stable ‘weed mat’ that lasts up to 7 years, significantly reducing waste compared to plastic alternatives.
- Rainwater Harvesting: We farm sustainably by utilizing harvested rainwater, reducing our reliance on external water sources.
- Packaging Return Scheme: Our customer-friendly initiative allows you to return packaging materials in exchange for products of your choice, helping reduce waste.
- Recycling Practices: All metal, cardboard, butter paper, and glass waste on the farm is carefully sorted and recycled, supporting a circular approach to waste management.
- Minimal Plastic Usage: Minimizing plastic is central to our approach. We are fully compliant with Indian plastic laws and have drastically reduced our use of styrofoam to near zero since mid-2019.
- Sustainable Materials: We prioritize natural, renewable growing media like coco coir for hydroponics, further minimizing environmental impact.
Hydroponically Grown
Hydroponic farming is an efficient cultivation method where plants are grown without soil, using a nutrient-rich water solution to provide each plant with the precise amount of water and nutrients it needs, minimizing waste. At GreenTokri, our plants grow in coconut husk, a natural and renewable substrate, ensuring that the roots never come in contact with soil. This method allows for faster growth, better resource efficiency, and a cleaner, more sustainable way to produce fresh, high-quality plants.
Local
Nestled in the foothills of the scenic Sahyadri range, just 30 km from Pune, GreenTokri offers the unparalleled advantage of being truly local. Our proximity to the city ensures that transport distances are minimized, significantly reducing carbon emissions while keeping our produce as fresh as possible. Harvested daily, our vegetables and delicacies travel directly from farm to fork, providing you with unmatched freshness and flavor. Being local also means supporting the regional economy, fostering sustainable practices, and enjoying produce that’s perfectly suited to our climate and your plate.
Sustainable
GreenTokri's sustainability efforts include
- Carbon-Neutral Vision: Aiming to produce 100% of our energy needs through photovoltaic solar panels and other green energy initiatives.
- Electric Fleet: Delivering fresh produce using electric vehicles recharged daily by solar energy.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Utilizing harvested rainwater to irrigate crops, reducing reliance on external water sources and conserving resources.
- Composting: Transforming organic farm waste into nutrient-rich compost, cutting landfill waste and enhancing soil health.
- Reforestation Projects: Planting perennial avocado orchards and trees to sequester CO2 in biomass for decades, while enhancing biodiversity.
- No-Till Agriculture: Minimizing soil disturbance to store carbon in the ground and improve soil fertility.
- Natural Growing Media: Using renewable materials like coco coir instead of synthetic options in our hydroponic systems.
- Solar-Powered Processing: Using solar-heated water to pasteurize GreenTokri’s delicacies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Residue-Free Produce: Offering fresh, high-quality vegetables grown locally, avoiding imports to reduce the environmental impact.
- Local Farming: Located just 30 km from Pune, minimizing transport distances and ensuring daily fresh produce from farm to fork, reducing carbon emissions.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
At GreenTokri, waste reduction and recycling are at the heart of our sustainability efforts. We are proud to be fully compliant with Indian plastic laws, reflecting our commitment to responsible waste management. On the farm, every bit of metal, cardboard, butter paper, and glass waste is meticulously sorted and recycled, ensuring nothing goes to waste unnecessarily. Since mid-2019, we’ve drastically reduced our use of styrofoam to near zero, embracing more sustainable alternatives.
To further reduce waste, we’ve introduced a packaging return scheme that allows customers to return materials such as jars and containers to us in exchange for products of their choice. This initiative not only reduces packaging waste but also promotes a circular approach to consumption. Together, these efforts are part of our mission to operate as a cleaner, greener business while empowering our customers to join us on this sustainable journey.
Residue Free
At GreenTokri, we take a thoughtful and precise approach to pest management, avoiding the overuse of chemicals common in many agricultural practices. Unlike others who rely on fixed "spraying schedules," we spray only when necessary—triggered by our pheromone traps detecting pests. While we don’t label ourselves as organic to follow market trends, we are committed to honesty, safety, and sustainability. Our farm vegetables are guaranteed to be safe for consumption, with minimal chemical intervention, and grown in ways that reduce waste and care for the environment. At GreenTokri, residue-free produce means fresh, wholesome food you can trust.
Community Oriented
At GreenTokri, we believe in cultivating not just crops but connections. Through our farm tours, we invite local families and their children to reconnect with nature and their roots, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable farming and fresh, wholesome food. Beyond this, we are deeply committed to supporting the communities around us. We employ people from nearby villages, ensuring their well-being through health insurance, vaccination drives, and fair employment practices.
Our partnerships with local organizations and schools extend this commitment, as we work together to promote health, nutrition, and the importance of a balanced diet. At GreenTokri, building a healthier, more connected community is as integral to our mission as growing the freshest produce.
Innovative
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at GreenTokri. We embrace cutting-edge, smart farming methods to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Our computer-controlled drip irrigation system ensures each plant receives the precise amount of water and nutrients, reducing waste and optimizing growth. We also use advanced grafting techniques to improve crop resilience and yield, while our renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered systems, help us minimize our carbon footprint. From hydroponic growing systems to eco-friendly technologies, GreenTokri is constantly pushing the boundaries of modern farming to deliver fresh, high-quality produce while protecting the planet.
The GreenTokri Effect
At GreenTokri, we’re passionate about providing you with fresh, delicious produce grown locally with care and respect for the environment. From exotic fruits and vegetables to homemade delicacies, our commitment to sustainability ensures we offer high-quality food with a low carbon footprint. We deliver directly to your doorstep or to your local shop, bringing you the best of nature with minimal impact. We’d be delighted to have you shop with us or visit our farm to see our sustainable practices in action.
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Since 2001, GreenTokri has become syonymous with fresh greens and healthy eating to Puneites. So what's stopping you? Come be a part of the family!