Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village, says Nilam Brahma who lives in Anthaigwlao, a village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.
Butterfly pea, also known as aparajita in India, grows as a vine and has a striking blue flower.
Around two years ago, Brahma heard that local women were making money selling the flowers, which can be made into tea or a blue dye.
She decided to join them.
The results surprised even me. The first time I earned $50 (£37) from selling dried flowers, I felt a shock. It made me believe I could control my own future, she says.
This experiment led to a small business.
I applied for a small loan and invested in solar dryers. The machines helped me dry flowers faster, preserve their colour, and meet the quality standards demanded by buyers.
Thailand and Indonesia have been leading growers of butterfly pea flowers, but there's increasing demand globally, attracting entrepreneurs in India.
The global demand for natural colourants is exploding, explains Varshika Reddy, founder of THS Impex, which exports natural dyes.
Behind that demand is consumer appetite for natural ingredients and stricter controls in the US and Europe on synthetic food dyes.
In 2021, the US FDA approved butterfly pea flower as a food additive.
However, in 2022 the European Food Safety Authority raised safety concerns about using the flower.
Despite this, Indian entrepreneurs see potential in developing the market.
Reddy is working with farmers to raise production standards, assisting with guidance on best farming practices and irrigation management.
Others like Nitesh Singh, based just outside Delhi, have founded companies to tap into the flower's potential.
It was here for thousands of years, but nobody knew it could become clean, healthy food, adds Singh, who founded Blue Tea in 2018.
After initial struggles with quality, he now works with 600 farmers to improve their crop standards.
In West Bengal, farmer Pushpal Biswas shared how butterfly pea has transformed his farming experience.
It's easy to grow, and my production has jumped significantly, he says, emphasizing how it has created a community around farming.
As the butterfly pea flower gains popularity for its vibrant color and potential health benefits, the agricultural landscape in India may never be the same. The crop is not just changing livelihoods; it's fostering connections and building enterprise within rural communities.
