New India-UK Project To Use Quantum Power to Boost Soil Health and Food Security

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to Mumbai is spotlighting a major India-UK research partnership in quantum computing and biotechnology. At the heart of this collaboration is a joint project between Imperial College London and IIT Bombay, aiming to use quantum simulations to improve crop resilience and soil health in climate-vulnerable regions.

Researchers are modeling how plants and soil bacteria communicate, using quantum computing to simulate gene regulation and microbial signaling. Strigolactones, a plant chemicals that act as messengers between roots and microbes. The joint India-UK team is studying how synthetic versions of Strigolactones and biochar can enhance these interactions.

IIT Bombay contributes microbial ecology and genomics, while Imperial brings bioinformatics and quantum simulation capabilities. The aim is to boost natural processes that help crops thrive in arid and extreme weather conditions.

Quantum Roots: How India and the UK Are Using Quantum Computing to Reinvent Agriculture

In a world grappling with climate extremes, a groundbreaking India-UK collaboration is turning to quantum computing—not for finance or cryptography, but for farming. At the heart of this effort is a joint research project between Imperial College London and IIT Bombay, aiming to decode the invisible language between plant roots and soil microbes to build climate-resilient agriculture.

From Silicon to Soil: The Quantum Leap

Led by Dr. Po-Heng (Henry) Lee at Imperial and Dr. Indrajit Chakraborty at IIT Bombay, the project uses quantum simulations to model how plants communicate with microbes in the soil. The focus is on strigolactones—plant hormones that act as chemical messengers, triggering microbial responses that affect nutrient uptake, drought resistance, and overall soil health.

We’re not just simulating molecules—we’re simulating relationships, says Dr. Lee. Quantum computing lets us explore how microbial communities respond to plant signals under stress, and how we might enhance those responses.

The Science Behind the Soil

• Synthetic strigolactones and biochar are being tested to amplify beneficial microbial activity.
• IIT Bombay contributes microbial genomics and soil ecology expertise.
• Imperial College builds quantum circuit models to simulate microbial gene expression and signal transduction.

Strategic Roots: India-UK Tech Diplomacy

• The project is a flagship under the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), signed in 2024.
• Funded by the India Connect Fund, supporting up to 25 joint research efforts annually.
• Will be spotlighted during Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai for the Global Fintech Fest 2025.

Why It Matters

• Food Security: Quantum-enhanced soil treatments could boost yields in climate-stressed regions.
• Climate Adaptation: Understanding microbial resilience helps design farming systems that thrive under stress.
• Tech Transfer: Sets a precedent for applying frontier technologies to grassroots challenges.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about quantum computing—it’s about reimagining agriculture as a system of intelligent, adaptive relationships. By simulating the unseen conversations beneath our feet, researchers hope to unlock new pathways to sustainability.

As Dr. Chakraborty puts it, We’re using the most advanced tools in physics to solve the oldest problem in civilization: how to grow food in a changing world.

TraceX Launches AI Tool to Streamline EU Deforestation Regulation Compliance for AgriFood Exporters

TraceX Technologies, an AgriFood and ClimateTech startup, has launched an Agentic AI Tool to automate and simplify end-to-end compliance with EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that comes into effect from December 2025.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) mandates that any product exported to the EU should be legally sourced and deforestation-free. Non EU Exporters and EU Importers of commodities such as coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, wood and wood based products, rubber and cattle products, have to submit traceability proofs, verified plot-level geolocation data, Due Diligence Statement (DDS), and digital records for audits. Failing to do so can lead to shipment rejections, financial penalties of up to 4% of annual turnover in the EU and reputational damage.

A report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) indicates that Indian exports worth USD 1.3 billion are likely to be impacted due to the new regulations. Among the most affected are agriculture products such as coffee, oil cake, and forest-derived products that include paper, wood furniture, leather hides, etc. Many exporters, particularly small and medium sized companies, are struggling with high compliance costs, challenges in providing traceability proofs, and supply chain complexities.

The existing process for the submission of the Due Diligence Statement (DDS) is done through manual procedures that require field agents, spreadsheet entries and time-intensive workflows that are prone to errors. TraceX’s agentic AI tool automates these processes through interventions such as auto-parsing of supplier emails and documents for KYC, AI-validated geolocation, risk assessment via global earth observation data sets flagging high-risk suppliers or non-compliant plots before shipment, integration with the existing legacy applications, auto-generated Due Diligence Statements (DDS) that match EU TRACES formats, and Real time EU regulatory and technical updates. It cuts down DDS preparation time by up to 80%.

Commenting on the new tool, Srivatsa Sreenivasarao, Founder and CEO, TraceX, said, “While some of this functionality existed in our legacy platform, we have further added more capabilities to it by integrating advanced AI technologies to make the experience more seamless and efficient for non-EU exporters and EU Importers. The EU Deforestation Regulation presents significant economic implications for Indian exporters due to complex compliance requirements that currently need manual intervention. Managing this across fragmented, smallholder-heavy supply chains often results in data silos, manual bottlenecks, inconsistent assessments, and missed regulatory updates. Our Agentic AI Tool automates all the processes, cuts down on turnaround time, improves accuracy and reduces compliance costs”

For more information about the tool, visit https://tracextech.com/eudr-compliance-platform/

About TraceX

TraceX Technologies is a global AgriFood and ClimateTech providing comprehensive solutions to address critical challenges in supply chain traceability, sustainability, carbon management, and regulatory compliance( EUDR, CSRD,CS3D) Their innovative platform combines AI and blockchain technology with satellite monitoring and advanced reporting tools, enabling businesses to improve operational efficiency, build trust with stakeholders, and meet global sustainability standards.

Website: https://tracextech.com/

AI Meets Agriculture : World Bank Fuels Uttar Pradesh’s Farmers & Tech Talent

Uttar Pradesh is making bold initiatives in agriculture and AI, harnessing cutting-edge innovation to empower farmers and equip youth with future-ready tech skills. With the backing of the World Bank, the state has launched two transformative initiatives—UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Accelerated Growth in Rural Economy and Enterprise Strengthening) and AI Pragya —both designed to fuel economic growth, modernization, and digital transformation.

Bridging the Old and the New: Agriculture Meets AI

Traditionally known for its vast agricultural landscapes and diverse farming communities, Uttar Pradesh is now embracing AI-driven solutions to revolutionize its rural economy. The UP AGREES program, backed by a ₹2,737 crore (US $320 million approx.) loan from the World Bank, alongside a ₹1,166 crore ($136.5 million) contribution from the Uttar Pradesh government, aims to modernize farming across 28 districts, particularly in Purvanchal and Bundelkhand.

This initiative is poised to benefit over 10 lakh farmers, with 30% women participation, ensuring inclusivity in agricultural advancements. It also includes sending 500 farmers abroad to learn global best practices, helping them incorporate modern techniques such as precision farming, AI-enabled crop monitoring, and sustainable agricultural methods. The goal? To enhance productivity, optimize resources, and drive rural economic strength.

AI Pragya: Training the Tech Talent of Tomorrow

In parallel, AI Pragya sets its sights on 10 lakh youth, equipping them with AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity skills. As India gears up for a tech-driven future, this initiative aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy and solidifying its role as a startup hub.

The program is being developed in collaboration with leading tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, Google, and HCL, ensuring that trainees receive industry-aligned skills tailored to emerging market demands. By integrating AI education across health, agriculture, IT, and other sectors, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself at the forefront of digital workforce development, empowering young professionals to drive innovation across industries.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Vision: A Growth Engine in Action

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized that Uttar Pradesh must evolve into India’s growth engine rather than an economic barrier. These initiatives—blending AI-driven precision farming with high-tech workforce development—reflect a forward-thinking governance approach, leveraging technology to transform both rural livelihoods and urban employment landscapes.

With World Bank support, Uttar Pradesh is cementing its position as a global leader in agricultural modernization and AI-powered education. By bridging the gap between traditional farming and digital innovation, the state is pioneering a model for sustainable growth, unlocking opportunities forThe Future: A Smarter, More Resilient Uttar Pradesh.

As AI reshapes industries worldwide, Uttar Pradesh’s strategic investments in agriculture and tech education create a dynamic blueprint for the future. Whether in farmlands or tech labs, innovation is now deeply embedded in the state’s growth narrative.

The message is clear— Uttar Pradesh isn’t just embracing change; it’s leading it.

Synopsis

UP AGREES (Uttar Pradesh Accelerated Growth in Rural Economy and Enterprise Strengthening)

• Focuses on modernizing agriculture in 28 districts across Purvanchal and Bundelkhand.
• Supported by a ₹2,737 crore loan from the World Bank, with the Uttar Pradesh government contributing ₹1,166 crore.
• Aims to benefit 10 lakh farmers, with 30% participation from women.
• Includes sending 500 farmers abroad to learn best agricultural practices.

AI Pragya

• Seeks to train 10 lakh youth in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity. 
• Designed to boost employment and support Uttar Pradesh’s startup ecosystem.
• Implemented with support from multiple departments, including education, health, agriculture, and IT.
• Collaborates with tech giants like Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, Google, and HCL.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that these initiatives will position Uttar Pradesh as a growth engine rather than a barrier, aligning with the state’s vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

This seems like a fascinating intersection of agriculture and AI —right up your alley! What aspect interests you the most? The precision farming angle or the AI-driven workforce development? Let us know in the comments....

Skylark Drones Launches India’s First Software for Spray Management to Power India's Agricultural Drone Revolution

As India's agricultural drone sector prepares for exponential growth, Skylark Drones, a leading startup providing drone solutions unveiled DMO-AG at the Krishi Darshan Expo 2025 in Hisar - a first-of-its-kind software platform set to transform how agricultural drones are managed and operated across the country.

The launch is crucial when India's agriculture sector is rapidly adopting drone technology, driven by government initiatives and increasing demand for precision farming solutions. DMO-AG addresses a critical market gap by offering a unified platform that brings together farmers, drone operators, maintenance teams, and agrochemical companies.

"With DMO-AG, we expect a transformative shift in the agricultural industry. By democratizing access to drone technology, we anticipate increased adoption of precision farming, leading to higher yields, reduced input costs, and more sustainable practices. Our DGCA-compliant platform will not only empower farmers but also Drone Service Providers and Done pilots with real-time insights, automation, and Revenue management, ultimately making Indian agriculture more efficient, data-driven, and future-ready." - Mrinal Pai, Co-founder, Skylark Drones. 

Skylark Drones DMO AG

The DGCA-compliant platform introduces several groundbreaking features including real-time fleet management, crop-specific recommendations, and automated health monitoring - all accessible through an intuitive interface available in local languages. This comprehensive solution is compatible with all major autopilot-enabled controllers, making it a versatile tool for India's diverse agricultural landscape.

Skylark Drones, which has already executed more than 10 million autonomous drone flights and processed more than 100 million drone images across 120+ enterprise customers nationwide, brings substantial expertise to this sector. The launch of DMO-AG marks a significant milestone in its mission to make drone technology more accessible and efficient for India's agricultural community.

"With India's agricultural drone market expected to grow at 25-30% CAGR, surpassing $1 billion by 2030, DMO-AG is poised to lead this transformation. Backed by government support and the rising demand for precision farming, our platform democratizes access to advanced drone technology” adds Mrinal Pai

The company is backed by leading investors, including Thakral Corporation, Infoedge Ventures, Advantedge Partners, Turbostart Global, IIM Udaipur Incubation, and Hunch Ventures.

UP Govt Launches ONDC-like Open Network for Agriculture, Powered by Google's Gemini and Beckn Protocol

The Government of Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with Google Cloud India, has launched the Uttar Pradesh Open Network for Agriculture (UPONA). This initiative is powered by Google's Gemini framework and the Beckn Protocol, aiming to provide millions of farmers with a comprehensive digital platform.

The UPONA specifically targets farmers, providing services like agricultural advisory, credit access, and market linkages

The UPONA is quite similar to the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as both initiatives aim to create open, decentralized platforms that facilitate access to essential services and promote digital inclusion. Both initiatives aim to create open, decentralized platforms that facilitate access to essential services and promote digital inclusion.

The Beckn Protocol, which is the backbone of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), is also powering UPONA. While the UPONA focuses on farmers, ONDC aims to support small businesses and retailers by providing a unified platform for e-commerce.

Key Features:

Services Offered: The network offers advisory services, credit access, mechanization, and market linkages.

Accessibility: Farmers can access the network using voice commands in multiple languages, including Hindi, Bangla, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Punjabi.

Open and Decentralized: Unlike traditional marketplace apps, this network is designed to be open and decentralized, allowing various service providers to join and connect with farmers.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): The network leverages Google Cloud’s DPI-in-a-box offering and the Beckn Protocol to enable interoperability and decentralized discovery of products and services.

This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing the agricultural ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh and empowering farmers with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

Key Similarities Between UPONA & ONDC

Open and Decentralized: Both networks are designed to be open and decentralized, allowing various service providers to join and connect with users.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Both initiatives leverage DPI to enhance service delivery and accessibility.

Interoperability: Both networks use open standards to enable interoperability and decentralized discovery of products and services.

Focus on Farmers and Small Businesses: While the UP Open Network for Agriculture focuses on farmers, ONDC aims to support small businesses and retailers by providing a unified platform for e-commerce.

Key Differences Between UPONA & ONDC

Target Audience: The UP Open Network for Agriculture specifically targets farmers, providing services like agricultural advisory, credit access, and market linkages. ONDC, on the other hand, targets a broader audience, including small businesses and consumers, to facilitate digital commerce.

Services Offered: The UP Open Network for Agriculture offers specialized services for the agricultural sector, while ONDC focuses on creating a unified e-commerce platform for various industries.

Both initiatives are significant steps towards enhancing digital infrastructure and promoting economic growth in India.

IG Drones’ ‘AgriDrone’ Solution Leveraging 5G Connectivity Wins Prestigious Hackathon by Govt of India

IG Drones Wins Prestigious 5G & Beyond Hackathon by Govt of India

• IG Drones, India’s First 5G drone maker is revolutionizing agriculture with its cutting-edge 5G technology. The company’s innovative product- AgriDrone delivers unparalleled capabilities, including rapid and reliable data transfer using 5G technology, real-time monitoring, analysis, and operational control from virtually anywhere.

IG Drones, India’s leading drone technology company, which has been using 5G technology through its innovative drone solutions, has achieved yet another milestone by winning the 5G & Beyond Hackathon 2024, organized by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. The hackathon, which is an esteemed initiative by the Government, is aimed at identifying and promoting innovative applications of 5G technology tailored for India. It witnessed participation from the country’s brightest minds and most forward-thinking companies. IG Drones’ ‘AgriDrone’ solution, leveraging 5G connectivity to address critical challenges in the agricultural sector, has set a new benchmark of using the 5G technology in this sector.

As India’s first 5G drone manufacturer, IG Drones showcased its AgriDrone solution at the hackathon, the results of which were announced in December 2024. The advanced drone delivers unparalleled capabilities using 5G technology, including rapid and reliable data transfer, real-time monitoring, analysis, and operational control from virtually anywhere.

At the heart of IG Drones’ achievement lies its commitment to leveraging 5G technology for groundbreaking advancements. 5G’s unparalleled speed, ultra-low latency, and high connectivity enable seamless data transmission, real-time decision-making, and remote operational control, redefining the way drones interact with cloud-based platforms. These capabilities have immense potential for industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management, enabling precise monitoring, rapid data analysis, and actionable insights from virtually anywhere.

Ashish Jena, Co-Founder & Chief of Products at IG Drones, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement: “Winning the 5G & Beyond Hackathon is a testament to IG Drones’ relentless pursuit of innovation. By integrating 5G technology into our AgriDrone solution, we are not only advancing agriculture but also setting new benchmarks for the drone industry. This accomplishment underscores our vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to create scalable, impactful solutions that address real-world challenges.”

Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder & CEO of IG Drones, emphasized the broader implications of this success, adding, “As India’s first 5G drone maker, we are proud to pioneer technological advancements that drive progress in critical sectors like agriculture. This achievement highlights the potential of 5G to transform industries, and we are committed to leading this transformation. We extend our gratitude to the DoT for this platform and to our partners and team for their unwavering support and dedication.”

The AgriDrone’s enhanced communication capabilities ensure seamless data transmission, utilizing 5G’s high-speed connectivity to facilitate rapid and reliable data transfer between the drone and cloud-based platforms, enabling faster decision-making.

The integration of 5G technology allows for real-time monitoring of agricultural fields, offering precise insights and facilitating timely interventions. Additionally, farmers and operators can now control the drone’s functions remotely, ensuring operations are efficient and accessible from anywhere. This innovative approach addresses key issues such as crop health monitoring, pest control, and yield optimization, transforming the agricultural landscape in India.

The 5G & Beyond Hackathon aligns with the Government of India’s vision of fostering innovation and self-reliance in technology under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. IG Drones’ accomplishment not only underscores the transformative power of 5G but also positions the company as a leader in driving India’s technological advancements.

The India Drone Market is projected to grow from USD 654 Million in 2024 to USD 1,437 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period. When it comes to agriculture, drones are transforming the sector in India through innovations in crop monitoring, precision farming, and resource management. They enable early issue detection, efficient pesticide and fertilizer application, precise water usage, and livestock monitoring, while reducing farmers' exposure to harmful chemicals. Additionally, drones help minimize environmental impacts and lower input costs. Government initiatives, including subsidies, rental schemes, and training programs, further promote the adoption of agriculture, and empower farmers with advanced technology to boost productivity and sustainability. Notably, IG Drones has also established Centers of Excellence (COEs) across educational institutes like IIMs to provide drone related training and upskilling across sectors.

About IG Drones

Founded with a vision to revolutionize industries through drone technology, IG Drones is India’s leading drone manufacturing and solutions company. Known for its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, IG Drones specializes in developing drones that address critical challenges across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management.

Zoho's Sridhar Vembu To Co-Chair Oversee Committee for 3 AI CoEs

Dharmendra Pradhan to Announce 3 AI-CoE on Healthcare, Agriculture and Sustainable Cities on 15 Oct.'24

Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, will be announcing three AI Centres of Excellence (CoE) focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities on 15th October 2024 in New Delhi.

To realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat," these three CoEs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be led by top educational institutions, in consortium with industry partners and startups. They will conduct interdisciplinary research, develop cutting-edge applications, and create scalable solutions in these three areas. This initiative aims to galvanize an effective AI ecosystem and nurture quality human resources in these critical fields.

To oversee the implementation of this initiative, an industry heavy Apex Committee has been constituted, co-chaired by Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation.

As part of the vision to "Make AI in India and Make AI work for India," the establishment of these centres was announced under Para 60 of the Budget Announcement for 2023-24. In alignment with this, the Government has approved the creation of the three AI Centres of Excellence, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 990.00 Cr over the period of FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.

Shri K.Sanjay Murthy, Secretary/HE will grace the occasion, along with Directors of IITs, Heads of higher educational institutions (HEIs), industry leaders, start-up founders and senior officials from various ministries of the Government of India.

LTIMindtree and Farmers Edge Launch Farmers Edge Innovation Lab (FEIL) in Mumbai

Farmers Edge and LTIMindtree Unveil FEIL – Mumbai: A Pioneering Agricultural Innovation Hub Redefining Farming in India

Farmers Edge, a pure-play digital agriculture company, and LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, today announced the launch of the Farmers Edge Innovation Lab (FEIL) in Mumbai.

The newly launched innovation hub, powered by Fairfax Digital Services, is set to redefine agriculture in India. By integrating cutting-edge AgTech with global digital solutions expertise FEIL will secure early victories and tangible results, laying the foundation for scaling generative AI projects.

Farmers Edge brings advanced capabilities in remote sensing and agronomic modeling, empowering farmers, and enterprise clients with unparalleled insights. Partnering with LTIMindtree, FEIL is poised to create a nexus of expertise and knowledge exchange between North America and India. LTIMindtree’s advanced technologies that includes GenAI, IoT, Automation, and Drones, will work towards elevating farming in the country to provide high crop yields at low input costs. The launch of this innovation lab marks a significant milestone in the evolution of agriculture in India, setting the stage for a future where technology and tradition would harmonise to drive prosperity in the fields.

FEIL’s mission is to educate and empower India’s farmers, providing tailored solutions that enhance yields, reduce costs, and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for Indian agriculture. The lab will focus on key aspects crucial to the Indian market such as:Weather: Analysing weather patterns and their impact on crop production.
Soil: Ensuring a comprehensive understanding for maximising yields while improving soil health.
Crop Cycles: Assisting farmers in optimising field processes to add significant value to the agricultural value chain.

Speaking on the occasion, Vibhore Arora, CEO of Farmers Edge, expressed, “We are thrilled to lead such an incredible initiative for India’s agriculture with LTIMindtree. This is more than just an innovation hub, FEIL-Mumbai will provide the necessary support to the agricultural revolution, creating sustainable and efficient, data-driven solutions tailored to the specific needs of Indian farmers.”

Nachiket Deshpande, Whole-Time Director & COO, LTIMindtree said, “At LTIMindtree, our efforts to build solutions are always focused on fostering an ecosystem where ideas and innovations flourish. With the launch of this innovation lab, our best talent and technology will revolutionise sustainable farming in India.”

“Creative Innovation Lab is a great step forward to bring global technology in India to support sustainable farming practices and enhancing farmers’ yield. Aligned with UN SDG Goal #2, Farmers Edge (a Fairfax Company) and LTIMindtree are poised to uplift the food supply chain, keeping sustainability at heart. As a Co-Chair of G20 Startup 20 Sustainability Task Force, I am very pleased to witness how digital technology is truly creating an impact on the ground, quite literally,” said Sanjay Tugnait, President, and CEO of Fairfax Digital Services.

As a testament to the international collaboration, Farmers Edge and LTIMindtree are facilitating the cross-pollination of best practices from North America to India. The specific goals include sustainability, yield enhancement, and cost reduction for Indian farmers. FEIL – Mumbai aims to create a tailored setup, focusing on weather, soil, and crop cycles unique to the Indian agricultural landscape.

AgriTech Startup Bull-Agritech Raises $100K in Pre-seed Funding Led by Pedalstart

PedalStart's Pre-Seed Investment Spurs Bull Agritech's Growth and Agricultural Transformation

Bull Agritech's Vision for Disrupting the Non-Perishable Agri-Trade Market

Agri-tech company Bull Agritech has raised $100K (INR 8 Million) in a pre-seed funding round led by startup accelerator PedalStart. Bull Agritech has been part of PedalStart's current cohort One-to-N which is backed by leading Venture Capital funds from the ecosystem.

The company plans to use funds for the growth of the company and accelerate the operations along with building the team, Bull Agritech said in a press release

Co-founded in 2021 by Hit Desai and Divyajeet Chauhan, Bull Agritech connects farmers directly to agri-commodity processors providing end-to-end supply chain solutions, in a highly fragmented non-perishable agri-supply chain market. The way Bull has gained traction amongst the farmers has been the reason behind the buzz in the Agritech space. The startup is based out of a tier 3 region in the North Gujarat region and is working to enable the breadmakers of the nation. The initiative by Bull Agritech is going to be a boon for the agriculture sector of the nation.

Manas Pal and Aditya Darolia, Co-founders at PedalStart commented, “One-to-N has been a cohort that has set a benchmark for us as well. Out of 9 startups which have been selected had raised their first round and here we came up to upscale their journey to level two. Bull Agritech has been the first success, and counting on more coming up.

With a mission to revolutionize the non-perishable agri-trade market and empower farmers through transparent and efficient market connectivity, Bull Agritech has already facilitated trades worth INR 25 Crores and onboarded 15000 farmers digitally, illustrating their rapid growth and impact in just 18 months. Co-founders Hit Desai and Divyajeet Chauhan's vision, rooted in the principles of transparency and trust-building, resonates deeply with the agricultural community, promising a brighter future for India's agricultural landscape.

Hit Desai, Co-founder at Bull Agritech said, “We see a huge opportunity in the non perishable agri-trade market as the farmers have been left with a 100-year-old monopoly that is APMC which lacks market connectivity, transparency, and efficiency. It is a known fact that the intermediaries use this monopoly to manipulate the market which results in farmers’ loss. There has been no brand in the output linkage space which is widely trusted by farmers at scale when it comes to selling their crop. We come from North Gujarat, the land of white revolution and cooperative movement which created the brand AMUL in the rural as well as urban market, and with enablers like Pedalstart by our side. We are hopeful about being a pillar to the green market revolution which India awaits”.

Adding to that, Aditya mentions the journey with the Bull’s team. He said, “After interacting with APMC players we realised how traditional players are misusing their monopsony and farmers not getting clarity about the prices they get for the quality of stock. We saw the potential in the business and the way the founders have been executing was impressive when we visited their centres in North Gujarat”.

Bull Agritech's recent success in securing $100K (INR 8 Million) pre-seed funding led by PedalStart speaks volumes about the company's strong potential and the agricultural sector's growing interest in disruptive technologies. With PedalStart's unwavering support and expertise, Bull Agritech is well-positioned to become a driving force in the long-awaited green market revolution, ushering in a new era of equitable and sustainable agricultural practices for the nation.

About PedalStart-

PedalStart is a platform that solves a single major problem statement of the ecosystem: building startup founders. The platform helps build founders through their startup ideas, with the help of ex-entrepreneurs, successful startup founders, domain experts, and angel investors. The team at PedalStart uses real-life experiences over traditional theoretical knowledge, to build startup founders. With more than 10,000+ startups, 300+ mentors, 800+ founders building ideas, and 1200+ house discussions, PedalStart has been transforming big ideas into high-potential businesses since 2021.

Fortune Rice Partners with Arya.ag to Elevate Crop Management Through Satellite Technology

Arya.ag and Fortune Rice join forces to enhance paddy crop monitoring through satellite technology and AI-driven insights, revolutionizing precision agriculture

Arya.ag, India’s largest & only profitable grain platform, is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Fortune Rice Limited aimed at advancing crop monitoring capabilities for the agricultural industry. This collaboration will leverage Arya.ag's cutting-edge satellite surveillance product, combined with Fortune Rice's expertise in agriculture, to enhance the monitoring and growth of paddy crops.

As part of this collaboration, Fortune Rice Limited will provide details of 2000 acres of farmland under monitoring. Arya.ag will provide comprehensive insights into crop health and growth patterns, empowering farmers, and agribusinesses with data-driven decision-making tools.

One of the key highlights of this collaboration is the integration of Arya.ag's Artificial Intelligence and satellite surveillance solutions to enable access to rich datasets, detailed maps, and a secure application programming interface (API) designed to streamline data retrieval. This will facilitate real-time monitoring and analysis of their subscribed districts, villages and blocks, ensuring a deeper understanding of crop performance. This will enable early detection of anomalies in the monitored farmland and the required active measures in irrigation fertilisation and pest control to increase the operational efficiency and increased yield of the crop. Furthermore, this will be done through an user-friendly mobile.

"We are excited about our collaboration with Fortune Rice, which represents a significant step towards optimizing crop management," said Anand Chandra, Co-founder and Executive Director of Arya.ag. "Together, we will transform the way farmers and agribusinesses monitor and manage their crops, ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices."

Jai Kumar Gupta, Executive Director at Fortune Rice Limited, stated, "We are delighted about our collaboration with Arya.ag which represents a big step towards modernizing agriculture. Through this collaboration, we will be able to monitor and improve the performance of our paddy crops by utilizing cutting-edge technologies. We hope to promote sustainable agriculture, assure food security and provide farmers with useful data-driven insights.”

Fortune Rice's commitment to harnessing innovative technology aligns perfectly with Arya.ag's mission to revolutionize agriculture through data-driven solutions. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector.

Arya.ag, India’s largest and fastest-growing integrated grain commerce that eliminates the trust deficit in the grain commerce value chain through its disruptive integrated PAN India platform that delivers value to all stakeholders by enabling access to high-quality produce, products, and services. Powered by an exponentially growing layer of visibility and control currently stretching across 425 districts in 21 states, 11,000 warehouses and USD 2.5 billion of grain, Arya.ag offers the assurance of quality supply to buyers and on-time fair payment for their produce and allied services to sellers. It seamlessly embeds finance to maximise value for both sellers and buyers, and the platform facilitates over USD 700 Mn of finance annually. More at www.arya.ag

Fortune Rice Limited, a company, a leading manufacturer and exporter of rice since 2005 where excellence and innovation converge seamlessly. Company expertise lies in supplying both basmati and non-basmati rice, with a specialization in the production of high-quality rice varieties. Over the years, Fortune Rice has earned a stellar reputation across the country, establishing itself as a trusted name in the industry.

In recent times, company have dedicated to producing paddy in deep association with farmers at ground level that complies with the stringent international food safety standards of the European Union (EU) & U.S. countries etc. This exclusive focus has allowed us to ensure that company products meet the highest levels of quality and safety for discerning customers.

Rallis India Powers Its Hybrid Seed Production Process with Mobile App ‘SeedSure’

Rallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri inputs industry announced the roll out of a mobile application, ‘SeedSure’, for monitoring and managing its Hybrid Seed Production (HSP) program. The ‘SeedSure’ app helps deal with critical operations such as data collection and crop assessment during different stages of the crop life cycle.. Seedsure is developed with the help of TCS.

Management of Hyrbrid Seed Production is a complex task for many organisations and inefficient seed production monitoring leads to problems like measurable reduction in crop yield or unanticipated yield drops.

Commenting on the introduction of ‘SeedSure’, Sanjiv Lal, MD & CEO of Rallis India Limited, said, “This hybrid seed production monitoring app marks a significant milestone in our journey towards efficient operations. At Rallis India, we recognise the critical role that technology plays in addressing the challenges of the complex seed production process. 'SeedSure' is a testament to our unwavering commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to solve these complex challenges”

Commenting on the diverse merits of ‘SeedSure’, S Nagarajan , Chief Operating Officer of Rallis India Limited, said, “In today’s times, interventions such as ‘SeedSure’ are important for agri input players as they help seamless data collection, monitoring and management of the Hybrid seed Production program. The robust data collected will help in improving production quality, apart from providing early signals of any production challenges. In future, we aim to integrate it with remotely sensed weather and crop data to support AI/ML based predictions on crop yields at a plot level. It is a robust, data-driven and an at-scale approach towards seed management, which paves the way for improved & predictable yields and quality.”

For additional information about other products in Rallis India’s portfolio, please visit https://www.rallis.com/.

About Rallis India:

Rallis India Limited is a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals Limited and a part of the US$ 150 billion Tata Group. It is one of India’s leading agro sciences companies, with more than 75 years of experience of servicing rural markets with the most comprehensive portfolio of products/solutions for Indian farmers.

Rallis is known for its deep understanding of Indian agriculture, sustained contact with farmers, quality agrochemicals, branding and marketing expertise along with its strong product portfolio in seeds and crop care which is available through vast distribution network of 7,000 dealers and over 1,00,000 retailers across India. Rallis has marketing alliances with several multinational agrochemical companies. Rallis is also known for its manufacturing capabilities and ability to develop new processes and formulations, hence is considered as a preferred partner for contract manufacturing by leading global corporations.

Arya.ag Launches Agri Loans on Blockchain

Revolutionary Initiative Ensures Accuracy, Trust, and Rapid Loan Disbursement in the Agri-Value Chain.

Arya.ag, India’s largest and only profitable grain commerce platform, has launched agri loans on the blockchain. Warehouse receipt loans disbursed on its fintech arm and NBFC, Aryadhan, shall be processed on its blockchain to offer users absolute trust and transparency.

Arya.ag has tokenised commodities stored in its warehouses, and this development now enables it to board its disbursements on the blockchain.

“Trust and transparency are key values for us at Arya.ag. Porting all disbursements on the blockchain while making payments in under five minutes will mark a significant leap in the efficiency of agri-lending services. The blockchain will ensure unprecedented visibility and assurance to control all physical risks in commodity storage and finance,” said Prasanna Rao, CEO of Arya.ag.

Partnering with 35 financial institutions, including banks and NBFCs, Arya.ag has emerged as a key player, managing 7.6 million tonnes of commodities with an AUM of 3 billion USD in the last financial year. “We look at collaborating with other lenders to move commodity-based warehouse-receipt financing onto the blockchain and improve the overall transparency, speed, and reliability of these transactions," said Rao.

Navigating the agricultural lending landscape presents a fundamental challenge of establishing trust between the lender and borrower. Arya.ag solves for this through its blockchain. Arya.ag stands as the trusted custodian for every token generated, safeguarding against duplicate pledges and ownership conflicts. Upon a pledge, a smart contract initiates, allowing banks to assign a distinct identifier for the token lien. This procedure guarantees the exclusivity of each pledge while offering banks a consolidated view on all pledged commodities.

Moving the lending process to a blockchain would not only expedite transactions but also significantly enhance security and trust among participants. The decentralised nature of blockchain ensures immutable record-keeping, making the data transparent yet secure and virtually tamper-proof, thereby reducing fraud and errors. Additionally, such a move would standardise procedures and documentation, facilitating smoother interactions among various stakeholders in the commodity trading and financing sectors.

Arya.ag collaborated with Newrl, a decentralised trust network blockchain to develop this infrastructure. For now, Arya.ag’s ledger has 3.2 million metric tons of commodities stored across 894 warehouses on the blockchain network. Through this initiative, Arya.ag is creating a world of faster, safer transactions not just for big business but, importantly, for smallholder farmers, too. This technology levels the playing field, giving them quicker, more secure access to the funds they need to thrive.

ABOUT ARYA.AG

Arya.ag, India's largest and fastest-growing integrated grain commerce platform, eliminates the trust deficit in the grain commerce value chain. Its disruptive integrated PAN India platform delivers value to all stakeholders by enabling access to high-quality produce, products, and services. Powered by an exponentially growing layer of visibility and control currently stretching across 425 districts in 21 states, 11000 warehouses, and USD 3 billion of grain, Arya.ag offers the assurance of quality supply to buyers and on-time fair payment for their produce and allied services to sellers. It seamlessly embeds finance to maximise value for both sellers and buyers, and the platform facilitates over USD 1.3 Bn of finance annually. More at www.arya.ag

Investments in Indian Agri-Tech Startups Fell By 45% in FY22—FY23

FSG Report Reveals Latest Investment Trends and Emerging Themes in

India’s Agricultural Technology Sector

Investments in Indian agri-tech start-ups fell by 45% between FY22 and FY23, primarily due to a hike in global interest rates and heightened investor caution amid rising uncertainty. Meanwhile, global agri-tech investments declined by 10% between calendar years 2022 and 2023, reveals consulting firm FSG’s new report, `India’s Unfolding Agri-Tech Story: Updates and Emerging Themes in India’s Agricultural Technology Sector’.

While FY22 witnessed a boom in agri-tech start-up investments, which drove start-up valuations to unprecedented heights, the correction in FY23 has led to a more prudent investment climate.

In a positive trend, start-ups operating in the mid-stream agri-tech category in India are starting to mature, as the bulk of investments (~75%) in this space are now in growth (Series B and C) and late (Series D+) stages, FSG’s analysis shows.

FSG is a global mission-driving consulting firm that partners with corporations and foundations to create equitable systems change. Its new report is a significant update to its insightful Agri-tech Report 2022, “What’s Next for Indian Agri-Tech?” 

The latest report delves into the dynamic changes that have shaped the Indian agri-tech landscape over the last year, providing valuable insights into investment trends, the evolution of agri-tech start-ups, and the growing emphasis on sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. Some of the key findings of the report are as follows:

Investment slowdown: India’s agri-tech sector witnessed its most successful year in terms of venture capital funding in FY22, followed by a significant decline in FY23 amid a global funding slowdown. While the number of investment deals rose from 121 in FY22 to 140 in FY23, the total funding raised by agri-tech start-ups in India fell from US$ 1,279 million in FY22 to US$ 706 million in FY23.

Going forward, FSG expects the funding slump to continue into FY24, before springing back in FY25. It expects that start-ups will continue focusing on profitability to tide over the next financial year. Investors are likely to continue being cautious, and direct their limited funding towards established business models, such as follow-on funding for companies in the mid-stream agri-tech category.

Mid-stream maturation: Mid-stream tech has consistently had higher ticket sizes when compared with up-stream start-ups, starting from FY20. The report highlights that mid-stream agri-tech start-ups have begun to mature, with investments primarily in growth and late-stage funding rounds. For example, 56% of investments in start-ups focusing on output linkages and quality management were in their growth and late stages. The corresponding figure for other mid-stream start-ups, such as those offering agri-carbon or agri-fintech solutions, was as high as 91%.

Many of mid-stream tech start-ups have also ventured into inorganic expansion through strategic acquisitions.

Early-stage deals in upstream tech: While the up-stream tech category has seen a sharp rise in total investments over the last two years, early stage deals (pre-seed to Series A) continue to be the dominant investment stage in this category, accounting for ~50% of total investment.

Traditional companies alter course:  Traditional agriculture companies expanded their footprint across the value chain through inorganic growth, spin-offs, and pilot ventures. However, over the last two years, several key players announced plans to consolidate and streamline pilot projects, and to try to re-focus closer to their core business.

FSG expects this trend to continue into FY24, with traditional companies continuing to adopt a cautious approach, and expanding into areas adjacent to their core business line, rather than placing big bets in new value chain stages where they have limited expertise, resources, and farmer networks. 

Sustainability and climate focus: Sustainable solutions and climate-smart agriculture have emerged as key focus areas in the Indian agri-tech sector, driven by a growing focus on environmental conservation and climate resilience, and supported by several government initiatives.

Commenting on the trends identified by the firm, Rishi Agarwal, Managing Director, Head-Asia, FSG, said, “The shift in investment dynamics highlights the Indian agri-tech sector’s sensitivity to global economic trends. Start-ups must use periods of slower investment to refine their business models and drive towards profitability. These moments can be invaluable for building a robust foundation that can withstand market fluctuations.”

He added, “Those in the upstream agri-tech space can seize this moment to innovate and capture market share, while midstream start-ups must focus on sustainable growth strategies, leveraging their maturing status and acquisition capabilities. The decision by some key traditional agriculture companies to streamline pilot projects and focus on their core business suggests a need for a strategic pause to recalibrate their approach. This strategic shift must be executed thoughtfully to ensure they remain agile in responding to the evolving market dynamics. Balancing consolidation with continuous innovation is a tightrope they must walk.

FSG’s report provides invaluable insights for industry stakeholders, investors, and policymakers seeking to navigate the evolving agri-tech landscape in India. With the data-driven analysis and forward-looking perspectives presented in this update, organizations can make informed decisions to thrive in this dybnamic sector.

“With government facilitating collectivisation, mechanization, and digitization of Indian farms, there are plenty of emerging opportunities available for agri-tech innovations that address the key farmer problems of agro-climatic information, yield management, and price realization. Just like UPI facilitated a paradigm shift in the Indian financial sector a unified digitized land and soil database can provide significant grassroots impact,” said Agarwal.

“The emphasis on sustainable solutions and climate-smart agriculture, bolstered by government support, signals a significant paradigm shift. Agri-tech’s transition towards sustainability isn’t merely a trend; it’s an absolute necessity. Innovations in sustainable farming practices and technologies are poised to be the driving force behind the sector’s future growth and resilience. Companies that prioritize eco-friendly solutions and climate-smart practices today will not only meet consumer demands but also ensure the long-term viability of the sector,” he added.

About FSG: 

FSG is a global mission-driven consulting firm that partners with foundations and corporations to create equitable systems change. Through customized consulting services, innovative thought leadership, and learning communities, we're working to create a world where everyone can live up to their full potential. 

FSG serves as a strategic advisor to leaders and teams at corporations on how they can leverage their core business, CSR, and philanthropic activities to create a more equitable and sustainable world while strengthening their competitive positioning and profitability.

We believe real change requires an expert understanding of systems. As advisors and facilitators who blend rigorous data analysis with empathy, we are comfortable working in complex environments with clients, partners, and community members. We share the insights from our work on topics that range from equity and shaping markets to strategy, learning, and evaluation. With our partners, we develop initiatives and grant-funded programs to put some of those insights into practice. These efforts include Talent Rewire (engaging employers for equitable economic mobility), GLOW (empowering women in India), PIPE (supporting activity-based learning in India), and Collective Impact Forum.

To learn more, please visit: www.fsg.org

Arya.ag and Bioseed Collaborate to Cultivate ‘Efficiencies of Business’ in Agriculture

Arya.ag partners with Bioseed to revolutionise seed research through advanced satellite surveillance and AI-powered technology.

Arya.ag, India’s largest and only profitable grain commerce platform, announced its collaboration with Bioseed, a visionary player in the agriculture sector. This partnership ushers a new era in farm surveillance and data-driven decision-making with Arya.ag's satellite surveillance product, Prakshep, combined with the power of Artificial Intelligence 'VaMa'.

Bioseed's subscribed farms are poised to benefit from Arya.ag's state-of-the-art data-rich datasets, enriched APIs, and dynamic maps. This collaboration carefully informs how seeds perform in various agroclimatic zones and prepares a suitable package of practice, assuring the utmost quality and dependability of data outputs.

"This partnership underscores our steadfast commitment to harnessing satellite technology for climate resilience. Bioseed stands out in biotechnology, and we are happy to partner with them to offer data-driven insights through farm monitoring. Our unified vision is to empower farmers to make informed decisions and fortify them against climate uncertainties," remarked Anand Chandra, Executive Director and co-founder at Arya.ag.

 

Arya.ag uses various data sources, including satellite imagery, weather data, market trends, and ground images, to monitor thousands of demo plots and observe crop growth and biotic and abiotic stress. As part of the partnership, Arya.ag will link farm and village analytics to provide users with in-depth insights into farm performance including, Vegetation Maps, Moisture Maps, Biotic Stress Maps, Abiotic Stress Maps, Nutrient Stress Maps, and targeted surveys for early control, irrigation management, and soil sampling locations.

"Arya.ag's AI-driven platform, paired with our deep-rooted expertise in the agricultural field, promises a more informed future for Indian farmers. Physical Monitoring is often time-consuming and expensive, and there also exists a challenge of human bias. We are impressed with how Arya.ag has aligned their technology to integrate our strengths," said Mr. Sreekanth Chundi, Executive Director & Business Head, Shriram Bioseed Genetics.

This collaboration aims to stir up the agri ecosystem through remote farm scouting, anomaly detection, and robust growth tracking using Arya's web and mobile application. Arya.ag's adherence to data privacy ensures that Bioseed's sensitive farm data remains secure and private.

A unified goal of technological development and sustainability in the agricultural industry results from the collaboration.

About Arya.ag:

Arya.ag, India's largest and fastest-growing integrated grain commerce platform, eliminates the trust deficit in the grain commerce value chain. Its disruptive integrated PAN India platform delivers value to all stakeholders by enabling access to high-quality produce, products, and services. Powered by an exponentially growing layer of visibility and control currently stretching across 425 districts in 21 states, 10,000 warehouses, and USD 2 billion of grain, Arya.ag offers the assurance of quality supply to buyers and on-time fair payment for their produce and allied services to sellers. It seamlessly embeds finance to maximize value for both sellers and buyers, and the platform facilitates over USD 1.3 Bn of finance annually. More at www.arya.ai

About Bioseed:

Bioseed, a trailblazing force in the agricultural domain, stands at the forefront of innovation with its unwavering commitment to transforming farming practices. Through pioneering research and cutting-edge technology, Bioseed is dedicated to empowering farmers with holistic solutions that optimize productivity and sustainability. With a keen focus on harnessing data-driven insights, Bioseed leverages advanced techniques to enhance crop management, mitigate challenges, and maximize yields. As a driving force in the agri ecosystem, Bioseed's vision extends beyond traditional boundaries, ushering in a new era of agricultural excellence that places farmers at the heart of its mission.

Recently Setup AgribioTech Center Sri BioAesthetics Developed 3 New Microbial Products for Soil Health and Fertility Management

Sri BioAesthetics’ Integrated AgribioTech Center 

Sri BioAesthetics, a Hyderabad-based Integrated AgribioTech Center set up recently at an investment of INR 30 crore developed three new microbial products for soil health and fertility management at our R&D facility, Hyderabad.

Dr KRK Reddy, MD of Sri BioAesthetics

Disclosing this in a press note issued in the city today, Dr KRK Reddy, Managing Director of Sri BitoAesthetics Pvt. Ltd who is also the President of BIPA,a trade body of BioAgri Input Producers in India said the three futuristic products with a future full of promise are a microbial consortium was developed through the technology transfer from ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal to mitigate saline stress in Rice.

ICAR-CSSRI is a Central Soil Salinity Research Institute. It is a premier research institute dedicated to pursuing interdisciplinary research on salinity/alkalinity management and the use of poor-quality irrigation waters in different agroecological zones of the country.

The second product is Prof.Ajith Verma’s (JNU/Amity Univ) discovery, Serendipita Indica, a desert fungus that helps in drought mitigation and nutrient acquisition. Serendipita indica is a fungal species of the order Sebacinales. It is an endophytic root-colonising species, discovered from orchid plants in the Thar desert in Rajasthan, India by Prof. Ajit Verma and group, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The third product is the Indigenously developed Root Organ Culture Mycorrhiza for water and nutrient absorption through symbiotic association.

The three products will be formally launched in Vijayawada by Dr Janaki Ram, Vice Chancellor, YSR Horticulture University, a state University in Andhra Pradesh; Dr Sarada Jayalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and Scientists from ICAR and Amity University will be gracing the occasion.

India Launches Its 1st Indigenous e-Tractor Developed By the CMERI

On Monday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, had launched the CSIR Prima ET11, the first indigenous e-Tractor developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, a public engineering R&D institution in Durgapur, West Bengal, and a constituent laboratory of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Underlining the role of Agri StartUps in India’s economy and called for the adoption of new and AI driven technologies in Agriculture, Dr Singh said, "an increasing number of new Startups are venturing into the Agriculture sector, focussing on niche technologies including e-Tractor, recycling garbage, drip irrigation, Genome sequenced farming such as Mango and Lotus."

CSIR Prima ET11

“This is one sector in which India has rather not taken up the pace that was required,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding, “This is a huge unexplored resource, which is only exclusive to India. Those countries which had been promoting IT, have been promoting from their point of view because they have their assets; they don’t have the agri asset that we have. So we don’t have to ape them. If I have plenty of agriculture resource, why not I make use of it… Therefore, this route would be a very important component in India’s future economy in the next 25 years.”

To recall, Indianweb2 recently reported that TI Clean Mobility (TICMPL), the electric vehicle arm of Murugappa Group’s engineering company Tube Investments of India (TII), is launching at least three electric tractors during this fiscal.

Further, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “We have a very enabling atmosphere and an enabling leadership, which is quite patronising,” he said, adding, “PM Modi has not only given us the freedom to perform to our full potential and aptitude, but he has also raised the esteem of science and the scientists.”

The CSIR-CMERI will be celebrating the theme-based campaign “One Week One Lab” from 11-15 September 2023, showcasing the laboratory's cutting-edge research, products and technologies, expertise and facilities to various stakeholders.

Ministry Announces Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon

Government announces Tomato Grand Challenge Hackathon to generate innovative ideas to enhance Tomato value chain and ensure its availability at affordable prices.

Students, Research Scholars, Faculty Members, Industry, Start-ups, MSMEs, LLPs, and Professionals urged to participate in the Hackathon.

Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) Hackathon has been announced by the Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Rohit Kumar Singh, to invite innovative ideas at various levels of the tomato value chain to ensure availability of tomato to the consumers at affordable prices and help tomato farmers get value for the produce.

India is the second largest producer of Tomatoes in the world and studies estimates that about 20-22% of fresh tomatoes and 5% of processed tomatoes are wasted every year. Moreover, Tomatoes are highly susceptible to price volatility as slight disruptions in supply chain or damage due to heavy rains leads to spike in prices.

The prices of tomatoes can be brought back to normal levels by improving storage and processing. To ensure prices remain stable, innovation at the seed level, primary storage, post-harvest and crop information is necessary and this hackathon is announced for the public to share ideas for reducing tomato prices that have currently skyrocketed in several cities across the country.

The Hackathon has been formulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with Ministry of Education (Innovation Cell).

The Grand Challenge invites ideas on comprehensive and focused area interventions in tomato value chain - from cropping and market insights for the farmers, appropriate cultivars (OP varieties or hybrids) with higher shelf-life of the fruits for fresh marker, cultivars specifically suitable for processing, value-addition through interventions that can increase shelf-life, improve transportation of fresh and processing products, innovative packaging and storage.

The entry of participants for the TGC are invited under two tracks, namely —

1. Students, Research Scholars
2. Faculty Members, Industry individuals, Indian start-ups, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Limited Liability Partnership (LLPs), Professionals.

The winning ideas will be evaluated by Experts followed by prototype development and field implementation for ensuring its usability/scalability on a large scale and price of the product.

Interested participants can apply at –https://doca.gov.in/gtc/index.php

Tomato is produced almost in all the states in India, though in varying quantities. Maximum production is in southern and western regions of India, contributing 56%-58% of all India production. Southern and Western regions being surplus states, feed to other markets depending on production seasons.

The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurred in December to February. The periods during July-August and October-November are the lean production months of tomato. July coinciding with monsoon season, adds to further challenges related to distribution and increased transit losses adding to price rise.

The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often led to sudden spikes in prices. Conversely, glut in the production of at local levels have also led to dip in prices causing huge loss to the farmers.

NABVENTURES Invests INR 10 Crore in Satyukt Analytics, A Satellite Agri Analytics Startup

NABVENTURES, a venture growth equity fund backed by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), has announced an investment of INR 10 crore in Satyukt Analytics Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based agri analytics startup. Founded in 2018 with a core team of scientists, Satyukt deploys satellite technology and machine learning to provide SaaS-based advisory services to farmers.

NABVENTURES’ investment, part of a pre-Series A funding round for Satyukt, will enable them to accelerate the development of its Sat2farm app that empowers farmers with data-driven insights, Sat2credit app that helps BFSI players to evaluate a farm's creditworthiness and credit risk and introduce new products such as Sat4agri for agri input companies and Sat4risk for agri insurers. Sat2credit is a revolutionary tool for BFSI industry as it provides in-depth farm-level analysis and insights enabling banks and financial institutions to make customised digital lending decisions.

Commenting on the association, NABARD Chairman, Shri Shaji K. V. said, “Satyukt is a unique agritech startup harnessing the power of satellite data and remote sensing for the benefit of farmers and lenders interested in funding the agriculture sector. The association with Satyukt aligns with our thought processes and beliefs.”

“Satyukt is a global SaaS in the making with a remarkable satellite data analytics and remote sensing team having advanced AI/ML capabilities. We are happy to support them in their endeavour towards transforming India’s agrarian sector by providing data-backed solutions for financing farmers and improving land productivity”, said Rajesh Ranjan, CEO of NABVENTURES.

Dr Sat Kumar, CEO of Satyukt, commented, "NABVENTURES’ investment strengthens our resolve to leverage cutting-edge technologies to enable our stakeholders from India’s agriculture sector to access and utilise accurate, real-time data that can drive their decision-making processes and positively impact their operations."

Satyukt has a proprietary technology that can measure farm soil nutrients content within minutes enabling stakeholders to assess soil quality on their mobile devices without having to visit the farm. They are the only satellite data analytics startup which works directly with farmers using a b2c approach through its Sat2farm app.

The transaction was supported by Equity 360's Sumeet Seraf.

About NABVENTURES:

NABVENTURES is a venture growth equity fund with an AUM of INR 598 crore that invests in food, agritech, and rural fintech. The fund has invested INR 226 crore in 10 startups viz. Jai Kisan, Unnati, Satyukt, Vilcart, TenderCuts, KrishiTantra, TraceX, Eggoz, a stealth startup and FRAAZO (exited).

NABVENTURES is backed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the apex development finance institution of India with an AUM of USD 100 billion. NABVENTURES counts NABARD, SIDBI FoF, Axis Bank, LIC, SRI Fund, Kotak Bank, Bandhan Bank and other banks as its LPs. For further information on NABVENTURES, please visit: https://www.nabventures.in

About Satyukt:

Satyukt is a cutting-edge decision analytics platform that provides improvements in satellite remote sensing, machine learning, and big data analytics to answer large-area issues in the agriculture, banking, and financial services industries, as well as insurance firms around the world.

For more details, please visit www.satyukt.com

Krish-e, a Mahindra’s AgTech Business Launches IoT Based Smart Kit for Farm Equipment

With the Krish-e Smart Kit, Mahindra aims to track & digitise every acre & kilometre of rental activity carried out in the country

Krish-e Mahindra’s AgTech business launched the Krish-e Smart Kit (KSK).

An after-market device, the Krish-e Smart Kit is the first-of-its-kind smart device that provides equipment owners with detailed insights of their tractors and farm equipment, through GPS enabled time tracking and remote monitoring of various parameters from the comfort of a smart phone.

Krish-e Smart Kit

Easy tracking of all brands of tractors, harvesters & rice transplanters via a smart phone or desktop  Increases operator revenue with accurate acreage measurement   Reduces fuel cost by monitoring fuel levels and alerting for fuel theft  Tracks total fleet expenses and reduces fleet maintenance cost Increases equipment security through geofencing alerts Offers advanced trip replay features Retails at an introductory price of INR 4,995

A cutting-edge offering, the Krish-e Smart Kit is developed by Carnot Technologies, an Ag-Tech start-up, founded in 2015 by four alumni from IIT Bombay in their mid-20s, who as part of the IITB racing team, developed solutions to monitor the performance of race vehicles from the pit. Today Carnot Technologies is engaged in manufacturing and retailing products and services related to internet-connected devices for monitoring performance of vehicles and equipment, with M&M Ltd. having acquired a significant stake in the company.

The Krish-e Smart Kit enables equipment owners and rental entrepreneurs to sustainably improve fleet performance, improve incomes and manage maintenance costs, while reducing tractor downtime and preventing unauthorised usage of their tractors. The Smart Kit also includes an advanced trip replay feature for tracking commercial transportation and trolley activity.

The kit is brand agnostic and can be installed on any new or old brand of tractor or farm equipment, such as harvesters, rice transplanters and self-propelled sprayers. The kit is paired with an app called the Krish-e Rental Partner App and is available on the Google Play Store. In addition to tracking and monitoring, the app also offers users access to an inventory of high-end farm machinery on a pay per use basis

Ramesh Ramachandran – Senior Vice President and Head Krish-e – Farm Equipment Sector, M&M Ltd. said, “An industry first aftermarket IoT solution, the Krish-e Smart Kit presents the smartest, most affordable and sustainable way for farmers and businesses to connect and monitor their farm equipment on the go. In its scale-up phase, with over 25,000 active users we will officially launch the Krish-e Smart Kit. Besides farmers, we invite institutions, FPO’s, government bodies and start-ups in the state to partner with us on this connected journey as we aim to digitise every acre and kilometre of rental activity. Going forward we aim to become the leading provider of connectivity for farm equipment in India.”

Pushkar Limaye – CTO, Carnot Technologies commented, “With a vision of building world-class products out of India, we came up with a small plug-and-play device for tractors to help improve their productivity using IoT, with real-time updates on smartphones. And today we are glad to see over 25,000 kits having already helped farmers digitise their businesses and adding real value on ground. And today with the official launch of the Krish-e Smart Kit, together with Mahindra, we aim to digitise Indian farming with an India-based solution, while reaching a larger audience of tractor owners and rental business owners."

So far Krish-e has over 25,000 active subscribers, 85% DAU (daily active users), spending about 55 minutes per day on the app (in season), with 70% resubscriptions post expiry of the free subscription period.

Individual farmers, institutional buyers, FPOs, and start-ups can purchase the Krish-e Smart Kit from the nearest Krish-e center, the Krish-e website, or Krish-e Sahayaks by calling 1800-266-1555 at an early bird price of INR 4,995 (including taxes and a six-month subscription package for the aforementioned services).

Launched in 2020, Krish-e is a new business vertical from Mahindra. Krish-e offers technology driven services, to minimise income potential of farmers and other value chain players sustainably. Carrying the tag line – ‘Expert Takneek. Naye Upay. Parinaam Dikhaye’, Krish-e services currently focus on the areas of Farm Advisory, Equipment Rental & Used Equipment through an omni channel presence which includes 150 Krish-e centers and app-based touch points.

Krish-e efforts have been recognised and included in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) January 2023 White Paper on “Accelerating Business Action on Climate Change Adaptation” as an example on how businesses can collaborate with communities to ensure the sustainability of critical natural resources.

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate.

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.