Agriculture is the backbone of India. It provides livelihood to about 60 percent of its population and contributes approximately 18% to India’s GDP. However, the sector faces numerous challenges such as inefficient farming practices, traditional mindsets, and overuse of pesticides. The solution lies in adopting technology to revolutionize farming, but the key bottleneck is the adoption of such solutions. This is where BharatAgri steps in, providing a simple technology platform that aims at improving productivity and the value chain of agriculture in India.
In this post, The Inspiring Chapters delves deep into the remarkable journey of BharatAgri, an agri-tech startup that is making a significant impact in the lives of Indian farmers. With a focus on providing simple yet effective technology solutions, BharatAgri aims to uplift the agriculture sector by empowering farmers with personalized farming advisories and valuable insights. The post narrates how the founders, Sai Gole and Siddharth Dialani, embarked on an extraordinary path, immersing themselves in the challenges faced by farmers on the ground, and eventually built a platform that revolutionizes the way farming is approached in India.
BharatAgri serves as a smart farming advisory, offering personalized guidance to farmers through daily step-by-step instructions. The platform provides valuable insights into soil, water, and weather conditions on their farmlands, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and optimize their farming practices. Sai Gole of BharatAgri emphasizes the platform’s commitment to ensuring that farmers receive tailored advice that enhances productivity.
The Foundation Story of BharatAgri
The founding duo of BharatAgri, Sai Gole, and Siddharth Dialani, took a unique approach to build their solutions. They spent over a year living with farmers on a farm in Pune, gaining firsthand experience of the challenges they faced. Leveraging their IIT background, they brainstormed ways to create solutions that addressed these obstacles effectively. This on-the-ground understanding became the foundation of BharatAgri’s success, setting them apart from other players in the market.
During its initial years, BharatAgri was bootstrapped and focused on acquiring the first set of farmers using their technology. They initially adopted a B2B model, collaborating with industries working closely with farmers. This approach proved beneficial as they onboarded nearly 3,000 farmers on their platform quite quickly. Eventually, in 2019, they shifted to the Business to Farmer (B2F) model, directly connecting with individual farmers.
SourceBharatAgri App – Using Advanced Algorithms for Personalized Insights
BharatAgri’s platform is a game-changer for farmers, offering actionable insights based on more than 30 variables that influence crop growth. The sophisticated algorithms consider various factors to provide personalized services to farmers, which leads to high user retention. Farmers who use the app witness a remarkable increase in productivity and a reduction in production costs.
The team at BharatAgri understood the challenges of technology adoption among non-tech-savvy farmers. They designed a mobile application BharatAgri app that is user-friendly and compatible with the farmers’ needs. To ensure effective communication, they integrated channels like SMS and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) calls. Over time, farmers became more receptive to smartphones and internet usage, enabling BharatAgri to reach a broader user base.
SourceDriving Collaboration and Monetization
BharatAgri addresses problems on two fronts. For farmers, they enhance productivity and income through technology. At the same time, they connect industries like banks, farm-to-market companies, and seed manufacturers to farmers, facilitating efficient business operations and data availability. This collaborative approach creates a robust model for product growth.
Being part of the JioGenNext programme proved to be pivotal for BharatAgri’s growth. The insights provided by industry experts helped them redefine their vision and strategy, resulting in accelerated B2C marketing efforts. This shift in focus led to a significant increase in their user base, attracting investors and reinforcing their potential.
A Promising Future for BharatAgri
With a strong dedicated team, BharatAgri has been providing personalized farming solutions to over 14 million farmers across the country. The company’s user base has grown a few folds resulting in a significant increase in its revenues. At present, BharatAgri is operating in 8 Indian states and it has strong footholds in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Till date, this agricultural startup has raised a total funding amounting to $13 million over 8 rounds. Additionally, they have won prestigious government and World Bank projects, validating their solutions for farmers. Looking ahead, BharatAgri plans to expand its operations to more Indian states to reach out to a wider section of farmers.
BharatAgri’s journey is a testament to the power of on-field experience and innovative technology in transforming Indian agriculture. With their user-friendly approach, collaborative efforts, and relentless dedication, BharatAgri is poised to revolutionize the farming landscape in India. As they continue their mission, the team remains prepared for the challenges ahead, driven by a long-term vision to create a lasting impact on the lives of millions of farmers.
