Mr. Kissan Essentials Private Limited, originally known simply as “Kissan,” traces its roots back to 1954 in Velur, Thrissur, Kerala. It was founded by Louis Lonappan, a visionary entrepreneur who returned from Sri Lanka with valuable experience in British industrial technology. Bringing this knowledge back home, he established a rice mill unit that played a crucial role in supporting the local agrarian economy.
The rice mill not only helped farmers process paddy into rice but also added value by converting rice bran into cattle feed — a much-needed solution in a region dominated by paddy cultivation. The brand name “Kissan,” meaning farmer, symbolized the company’s mission of standing beside Indian farmers and strengthening the rural backbone of Kerala.
The second generation, under the stewardship of Johny Luies, son of Louis Lonappan, expanded the product portfolio beyond rice milling. Johny introduced essential food items like chili powder, rice powder, and traditional condiments, catering to changing consumer preferences while remaining rooted in local culinary traditions. His foresight laid the foundation for the company’s entry into the broader FMCG space.
Following Johny Luies’ passing, a new chapter began under the leadership of his nephew, a former Indian Army Soldier, who brought discipline, strategic thinking, and a modern industrial approach to the family business. To address the branding conflict with the name “Kissan” (already trademarked by Unilever), he registered a new brand — Mr. Kissan — preserving the agricultural essence while differentiating the business in the competitive market.
This move was not merely a name change; it marked the company's transformation into a modern enterprise with structured operations, product innovation, and a future-oriented vision.
The company was formally restructured and incorporated as Mr. Kissan Essentials Private Limited under the dynamic leadership of Kissan Justin, the current CEO. A bold entrepreneur with a keen interest in product development and rural empowerment, Justin spearheaded the company’s modernization drive.
Under his guidance, the company expanded into FMCG products, food supplements, cleaning agents, and other consumer essentials — while maintaining quality, trust, and affordability as its core values.
Today, Mr. Kissan Essentials stands as a respected name in India's homegrown FMCG sector, producing a diverse range of consumer goods that serve both urban and rural markets. With dedicated manufacturing units, research-led product development, and a customer-first mindset, the company aims to create value for every stakeholder — especially the farmers who form the backbone of its legacy.
Driven by innovation and community-centered values, the company envisions scaling new heights through digital transformation and global outreach.
To bridge the growing gap between farmers and end-consumers, and to offer them a fair, direct, and empowered market, the fourth generation of the family business entered the scene — Jesweno Justin, son of Kissan Justin.
Jesweno, with his digital-first mindset and deep respect for family legacy, launched Kissan Shopee, a farmer-centric online marketplace under Mr. Kissan Essentials. This platform was born out of the realization that traditional physical markets were witnessing declining footfall and shrinking margins for primary producers.
Kissan Shopee is not just an e-commerce portal; it is a digital revolution for Indian farmers. It enables farmers to:
List their crops and products directly online from anywhere in India.
Declare self-certified quality and origin of their produce.
Connect with domestic and international buyers looking for authentic, traceable agricultural products.
Eliminate middlemen, ensuring fair pricing and higher profits for their efforts.
Access cultivation advice, crop marketing tools, and even logistics support for doorstep delivery.
By integrating technology with tradition, Kissan Shopee transforms every farmer into a digital entrepreneur, giving them the confidence to scale, the tools to grow, and the platform to be heard.
The initiative is particularly empowering for small-scale farmers, women-led rural enterprises, organic cultivators, and youth returning to farming. Kissan Shopee champions local produce, clean labeling, sustainable practices, and consumer transparency.
Jesweno’s vision is to make Kissan Shopee a global gateway for Indian farms, turning every regional farmer into a global seller. The platform will also integrate features such as:
Digital crop dashboards for buyers.
Real-time price discovery and alerts.
Buyer-seller messaging and contract farming options.
Multilingual support and mobile app accessibility.
From a humble rice mill in 1954 to a modern multi-brand FMCG and agri-tech company, Mr. Kissan Essentials Private Limited has consistently evolved while holding fast to its foundational mission — to support and uplift Indian farmers.
Now with Kissan Shopee, the company enters a bold new phase — one where Indian farmers become global market participants, one where agriculture meets e-commerce, and one where tradition is powered by technology.
This is not just the story of a family business; it is the journey of rural India finding its voice and value in the digital age — through the commitment, innovation, and enduring vision of Mr. Kissan Essentials.
