The Agriculture Sector plays a dominant role in the economy. More than half of India’s population depends on Agriculture as a primary source of Livelihood. The agriculture sector contributes 20% to the National GDP. Globally, the agriculture industry is a $5 trillion industry. Like any other industry, the Agriculture industry has also been devastated by the Global Pandemic. Agri-tech startups have come up to leverage modern technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT), data digitization and data platforms, data analytics, and many more to yield healthier crops; gradually making agricultural activities more immaculate, profitable, and sustainable. Agri-Tech, the merger of agriculture and technology, uses modern methods to strengthen the farming sector. These advancements in Agriculture Industries have uplifted and helped the industry to sustain during Covid times. Moreover, this technology came out at a time when the world is undergoing crucial times. In 2020, farmers mitigated agriculture challenges like seed and crop quality, availability of input, fragmented land holdings, supply chain and storage, weather and climate risks, as well as soil nutrition.

India is among the top six countries where Agri-tech startups are changing the face of Indian agriculture. The Indian Agri-tech Market is in a growing stage, due to increase in Internet penetration and mobile connectivity farmers are getting familiar with the term ‘Agri-tech’. Government impetus in the form of setting up incubators, grants and entering into public-private partnerships with these players has also stimulated entry of players in the sector. Agri-tech Startup is also witnessing significant amount of investment activity, with increasing interest from venture capitalist firms and internationals investments. In 2020 only, the investment in the sector crossed $300 million. The overall Agri-tech industry saw 85% of revenue growth during FY’2019-FY’2020.

Let’s look at how Agri-tech startups are revolutionizing the traditional way of Agriculture.

Sustainability In Agriculture

Development in Farming through Agriculture technology (agri-tech) offers precise solutions for sustainable farming that includes indoor vertical farming, hydroponic farming, and modern greenhouse practices. These practices are set to redesign the farming experience with myriad benefits. By all these farming techniques, the produce is much healthier, nutritious, fresh and has a longer shelf life. These practices also help in saving valuable water, land, and labour resources. Furthermore, the controlled growing system enables farmers to produce food free from harmful chemicals and residue.

Well Fit With Customer Preferences

Consumer preferences keep on changing. Now, people have become more aware of eating healthy and fresh. Also, the pandemic has made people question what they’re eating. People have changed their dietary habits and consume food that helps prevent infections and build strong immunity against infections.

Use Of Technology

The process of ultra-modern tech farming optimizes crop production and quality and offers food safety all year round. They are grown in nutrient-rich water pesticides, harvested a few hours before it reaches the customer’s plate. This has fostered the power of making good choices and brought in a behavioral change to create a healthier food system.

The surge in the adoption of advanced technology solutions in agriculture is transforming the sector. By using the smart farming model, traditional farming is gradually becoming urban modern tech farming. It enables producing differently using new techniques that increase food production and efficiencies in the food supply chain by integrating automated technologies and processes. It becomes easier to meet the burgeoning demand of the population.

Moreover, with the changing scenario of traditional farming and technological advances, both farmers and Agri-tech start-ups have started adopting indoor vertical and hydroponic farming techniques. These are highly data-driven and combine agriculture with science to grow safe and healthy food in less time. These also help the farmers to manage growth factors and optimize their field for better produce.

List Of Few Agri-Tech Startups

Ninjacart

India’s largest fresh produce supply chain company, Ninjacart. An app-based B2B platform offering fruits and vegetables. Founded in 2015. With the help of the app, retailers and restaurants can place their orders after which the products will be delivered to them by their own logistic teams within twelve hours.

Waycool

India’s fastest growing Agri-Tech companies, WayCool Foods & Products Pvt. Ltd., driving social impact while transforming India’s food economy. Founded in July 2015, the company aims to build the world’s largest food development and distribution services company and positively impact the lives of 500,000 farmers. With this goal, WayCool’s operation has spread across product sourcing, food processing, branding and marketing, last mile distribution, and farm inputs. This gives WayCool end-to-end control over the food value chain.

Agrostar

Agrostar is an online platform offering agri-inputs, content, and advice. Agrostar was founded in 2008. The company claims to offer products like fertilizers, tractors, pumps, seeds, pesticides, etc. It also claims to offer expert advice, agricultural data, agronomy knowledge, weather forecast, etc. to farmers through its platform.

Jai Kisan

Jai Kisan, Online supply chain platform for farmers, founded in 2017. It provides an integrated input and produces a supply chain solution for farmers. It offers a fintech platform connecting farmers with finance providers facilitating finance solutions. It gives an agriculture marketplace for the users to buy agriculture inputs. Furthermore, it provides market linkages with buyers to buy the farmer’s produce. It also offers advisory services on agriculture practices.

Licious

Licious, an online platform for delivery of meat and seafood, founded in 2015. It delivers hand-cut individually vacuum-sealed, packed fresh, marinated, or cold cut meat. Has a central processing plant and a number of storage units in multiple cities. Works on a zero-inventory model. It also offers a subscription model that allows pre-set delivery dates and products. Its app is available on Android and iOS platforms.

CropIn

CropIn is a provider of saas-based farming solutions to agribusinesses, founded in 2010. Its offerings are Smart farm; a complete farm management solution, Smart risk; risk mitigation and forecasting solutions, warehouse; traceability and compliance solution, and Smart sales; CRM and input channel management solutions. The company claims to offer its solutions for farming companies, agri-input companies, crop insurance providers, seed production companies, government, and advisories. It also claims to offer Acre Square solutions; a farmer application for companies to connect their farmers, educate them, and share content.

Krishidhan

Krishidhan, founded in 1996. It is a producer and supplier of hybrid seeds. Krishidhan offers hybrid seeds of cotton, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables. It claims to develop varieties with antiviral, antibacterial, quality improvement, and multi-stress resistance traits. The Agri-Tech industry has a bright scope in our country, as we have one of the most cultivated lands and our economy is also dependent on it. With the majority of the rural population involved in agriculture practice, through Agri-tech startups we can produce a significant amount of agricultural produce if cultivated and managed properly. Moreover, our climate and diverse geographical landscapes are highly advantageous for the agricultural sector. Therefore, increase in Agri Tech start-ups, thus help farmers increase productivity and efficiency by using digitalization. With this lies a great possibility of the change in the agriculture economy.

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