The horticulture sector plays a vital role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable farming practices in India. In recent times, this sector has witnessed a significant transformation with the emergence of agri-startups. These innovative businesses are revolutionising the horticulture supply chain by empowering farmers, enhancing production, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.
The concept of farm-to-fork, also known as farm-to-table or farm-to-plate, has gained momentum, advocating for locally sourced ingredients in various food establishments, including institutional dining halls and school cafeterias. In the Indian startup ecosystem, “Farm to Fork Supply Chain Startups” typically refer to enterprises that enable farmers to directly sell their produce to consumers or facilitate the distribution of locally grown food.
In the predominantly unorganised fruit and vegetable industry, farm-to-fork supply chain startups leverage technology to streamline operations, resulting in improved prices for both farmers and consumers.
According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Indian farmers experience staggering post-harvest losses amounting to Rs 93,000 crore. Local agritech startups play a critical role in addressing this issue by implementing advanced supply chain models and reducing food waste, benefiting farmers across the country.
By harnessing the potential of agritech solutions, these startups are transforming the horticulture sector, driving advancements in farming practices, and minimising post-harvest losses. With their innovative approaches and technological interventions, agri-startups are revolutionising the way farmers connect with consumers and paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient horticulture supply chain.
“Along the whole agricultural value chain, new goods, services, and apps developed by agritech startups can make a significant impact. As a result, boosting the industry’s competitiveness will depend heavily on making the most of this pool of expertise. The outcomes of the Indian government’s initiatives to support the growth of startups have been encouraging, but more focused efforts by the proper combination of partners and with defined objectives are needed to fulfil their full potential,” stated Ashok Varma, Partner, Government Reforms and Infrastructure Development, PwC India.
The pandemic opened new doors
The COVID-19 pandemic opened up new opportunities for companies involved in the production and sale of perishable goods. The concept of delivering fresh food directly to people’s homes gained significant traction during this time.
In the past, farmers typically relied on brokers and wholesalers to sell their produce, resulting in a less efficient distribution system. However, many of these intermediaries disappeared during the pandemic. As a result, farmers turned to agritech farms and startups as more sustainable and collaborative partners for the long term.
“There was also a conscious shift among a significant portion of the population towards prioritising healthy living in the aftermath of COVID, and even during the pandemic itself. People started favouring activities that promoted their health and happiness. During this time, there were also major developments in the concept of mindful eating,” explained Avinash BR, Co-Founder at Deep Rooted.
“In summary, startups helped growers to get over some of the obstacles the epidemic presented and to establish more resilient businesses by expanding producers’ access to markets, lowering the cost of transportation, and providing them with the skills and resources to optimise their operations,” added Avinash BR.
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