The butterfly pea flower, once just a wild plant in Assam, is now changing farmers’ lives in India. Nilam Brahma from Anthaigwlao village made her first $50 selling dried butterfly pea flowers. These flowers have a bright blue colour and can be used to make tea or natural dye. Encouraged by this success, she loaned money to buy solar dryers that preserve the flower’s colour and quality. Countries like Thailand and Indonesia have grown butterfly pea flowers for years, but now India’s farmers are joining in due to growing global demand. Varshika Reddy, founder of THS Impex, said, "The global demand for natural colourants is exploding." Strong laws in the US and Europe against synthetic dyes have increased this demand. The US FDA approved the flower as a food additive in 2021, but Europe remains cautious. Despite this, Indian companies want to build a market here. Reddy works with farmers in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on women farmers. She provides training on best farming methods and irrigation, and signs formal contracts to secure the market. Near Delhi, entrepreneur Nitesh Singh started Blue Tea in 2018 to produce Indian butterfly pea tea. Initially, he imported flowers but now works with 600 farmers who grow better flowers with more petals and stronger colour. Women are key to the business, as they carefully pick the delicate flowers. Drying is also vital; too much heat ruins the flower’s colour and medicinal properties. Singh says, "Temperature control is extremely important for drying this flower – one mistake and you lose its value." Butterfly pea flowers may also help health. Research is limited, but a small study by V Supriya found that pre-diabetic people drinking the tea had better sugar control. Supriya says, "With evidence now emerging, its health benefits may make it very popular." Pushpal Biswas from West Bengal changed from rice and vegetables to butterfly pea farming. His production rose from 50kg to 80kg with scientific methods, allowing him to lease more land and increase income. He said, "This isn’t just farming anymore — it has become a network, a community, a business family." Butterfly pea flowers are truly turning blue into gold for many Indian farmers.