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Agrotech, Digital Technologies, E-commerce, IT, Opinions, R&D, Start ups

 By Dr Prashant Khande, COO, FASAL Centre of Entrepreneurship, Software Technology Parks of India

Despite the enormous potential of the agritech industry, issues like lack of knowledge, fragmented land ownership, and digital literacy still exist. But thanks to initiatives and rising smartphone adoption, startups are getting beyond these obstacles to spur innovation and growth. By 2025, Indian agritech companies will have resolved current agricultural problems and established a standard for the global agritech industry. 

The agritech sector in India is experiencing a dynamic transformation, driven by technological advancements, innovative business models, and supportive government policies. As one of the world’s largest agrarian economies, India has become a hotbed for agritech startups, leveraging technology to address critical challenges in agriculture. We as STPI FASAL CoE are working very aggressively on agriculture technologies startups to shape their organisation and the future of agriculture in India.  

If we talk about the current status of agritech startups in India, then we can say thatIndia hosts over 1,500 agritech startups, a number that has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25 per cent over the last five years.Startups are addressing critical challenges like productivity, market access, and supply chain inefficiencies.Significant funding inflows, with over $2 billion invested in agritech in the past three years, indicate robust investor confidence.The adoption of digital tools, automation, and data analytics is rising among farmers, supported by government initiatives like Digital India. Here are the latest trends shaping the Indian agritech landscape in 2025;

AI and Data-Driven Farming: Agritech startups are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data to optimise farming practices. From predictive analytics for weather forecasting to disease detection in crops and livestock, AI-powered solutions are empowering farmers with actionable insights to improve yields and reduce losses. Our Amravati-based (Tier-III City) startup is working on disease detection in crops and getting good responses through various showcase events. 

IoT-Enabled Smart Agriculture: The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising precision agriculture in India. Startups are deploying IoT-based devices such as soil sensors, water management systems, and climate monitoring tools to enable data-driven decision-making. These technologies help in resource optimisation, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability.

Drone Technology: Drones have gained widespread adoption for tasks such as crop monitoring, aerial mapping, pesticide spraying, and yield estimation. With advancements in drone regulations and affordability, agritech startups are leveraging drones to provide cost-effective solutions to farmers.

Sustainable and Organic Farming Solutions: Sustainability is a significant focus in 2025, with startups promoting organic farming, vertical farming, and hydroponics. These methods address land scarcity, climate change, and the growing demand for chemical-free produce. Startups are also innovating in creating bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides. One of our startups is working on aeroponic technologies and building a small portable structure from which you can take your daily vegetables from your structure at your home. Hydroponic systems will soon be one of the alternatives for organic farming. 

Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency: Blockchain technology is being utilised to bring transparency to the agricultural supply chain. Agritech startups are creating platforms where farmers, traders, and consumers can trace the journey of produce from farm to fork, ensuring authenticity and fair pricing. Two of our startups are working on this and are coming up with proper solutions in 2025 in India. 

Market Linkages and Digital Platforms: E-commerce platforms tailored for farmers are on the rise. These platforms connect farmers directly with buyers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring better price realisation. Many startups are also providing real-time market intelligence and advisory services via mobile apps.

Agri-Fintech: Fintech solutions tailored for agriculture are addressing the financial needs of farmers. Startups are offering micro-loans, crop insurance, and investment platforms based on farmer credit scores and crop data, making financial services more accessible to the rural population.

Agri-Biotech Innovations: Biotechnology is being leveraged to develop high-yielding crop varieties, genetically modified seeds, and pest-resistant crops. Startups are focusing on innovation to tackle issues such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change.

Focus on Agri-Mechanisation: Automation is playing a key role in reducing labour dependency. Agritech startups are developing affordable farm machinery, such as robotic harvesters and automated planters, to cater to small and marginal farmers. Electric Bull is one of the innovations that is developed by our startups and getting good responses across the nation. 

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

 By Dr Prashant Khande, COO, FASAL Centre

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India, Inputs

The result of a strategic partnership with Japan-based agro-chem company, Benzilla’s unique formulation incorporates patented BPX active ingredient for BPH control.

Rallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri inputs industry has launched its differentiated crop protection product, ‘Benzilla’. Backed by extensive research and field trials, Benzilla is a cutting-edge product powered by patented BPX technology from Japan that promises to redefine crop management practices, boost yields and benefit farmers. The result of a strategic partnership between Rallis India Limited and Japan-based agro-chem company, Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd (Japan), Benzilla’s unique formulation incorporates IGR technology, ensuring a prolonged and sustained control of Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) infestations in paddy crops.

BPH is regarded as one of the most devastating pests for paddy, which causes serious damage to the crop by sucking the sap from plants, leading to ‘hopper burn’. It also causes indirect damage by transmitting viral diseases such as grassy stunt and ragged stunt viruses.

Speaking about the importance of crop protection solutions in Indian agriculture, Sanjiv Lal, MD & CEO, Rallis India Limited, said, “The agriculture industry is an important contributor to the Indian economy. The role played by the crop protection market is critical in this context, and with the introduction of Benzilla, we aim to strengthen the way BPH is managed in paddy crops in India. We believe this innovation will not only enhance crop protection but also contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of Indian agriculture.”

Adding to this, S Nagarajan, COO, Rallis India Limited, said, “Benzilla is our breakthrough product for paddy farmers. Being a unique mixture of two highly effective technicals, it is designed to target both nymphs and adult BPH, offering a comprehensive approach to control BPH. This multistage action represents its unique differentiation versus the other solutions in the market.  This product is being introduced for the first time in India.”

“While Benzilla is being launched first in Chhattisgarh, it will subsequently be introduced in other major paddy producing states such as– Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Odisha in the coming months”, concluded S Nagarajan.

The result of a strategic partnership with

AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain

The resounding success of their recent endeavour, the India Cold Chain Conclave organised in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment

In a remarkable display of collaborative effort, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare spearheaded by the National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD), continues its dedicated mission to sensitise cold chain stakeholders across the nation. The resounding success of their recent endeavour, the India Cold Chain Conclave organised in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment.

Attended by a distinguished assembly of around 400 delegates, including luminaries such as Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and Advisor to Governor Shri Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, the conclave served as a platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange. This grand assembly organized on 20th September, was further graced by the esteemed presence of J.S (Horticulture), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Priya Ranjan Verma; COO, NCCD, Asheesh Fotedar; Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ghulam Rasool; Chairman PHDCCI-Kashmir, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Ganai and several other concerned officials.

The Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta lauded the approach of bringing this important conclave to Srinagar and pressed for increasing the capacity of CA stores in the valley to benefit the growers. Advisor to Governor Sh. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar pointed out the importance of the event and extended full support to farmers, growers and CA enterprises.

The Joint Secretary (Horticulture), Priya Ranjan spoke about the importance of sustainable cold chain and how NCCD is propelling the development of the Cold chain sector with a focus on energy, technology, and climate which in turn will bring more investment opportunities to the UT of J&K.

The resounding success of their recent endeavour,

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

FPOs will receive an assured incentive on each spraying order (acreage wise) while reducing input costs for farmers, improving operational efficiency, and conserving valuable resources.

With an aim to equip farmers with effective tech-enabled solutions, Salam Kisan, India’s fast-growing data-driven end to end agriculture platform that helps increase productivity and profitability for farmers, introduces a first-of-its-kind drone-based spraying service through FPOs on a rental basis for farmers in the Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. This groundbreaking initiative was unveiled by Sudhir Munagantiwar, Cabinet Minister of Finance & Planning, Forests, Government of Maharashtra during the Wild Vegetable Festival 2023 on Independence Day, and he hoisted the national flag using a drone provided by the company. With this initiative, Salam Kisan aims to equip farmers with cutting-edge technology that not only enhances their agricultural practices and promotes sustainable resource usage but also contributes to their economic well-being.

Under this initiative, Salam Kisan has collaborated with Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs) to make drone spraying services easily accessible and affordable to a broader spectrum of farmers. By making drones an efficient and doorstep solution, the company intends to equip farmers with cutting-edge spraying capabilities for seamless pest management and precise use of agrochemicals. It also reduces water wastage by 85-90 per cent and product usage by 20-30 per cent, making strides toward sustainable agriculture.

At the same time, FPOs will receive an assured incentive on each spraying order (acreage wise). While reducing input costs for farmers, improving operational efficiency, and conserving valuable resources, this strategic initiative intends to provide FPOs with financial benefits and upliftment.

The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries who have significantly contributed to India’s agricultural progress. Accompanying them were Salam Kisan’s special guides, including Akshay Khobragade, COO; Paresh Kullarkar, Agri-Operational Manager, and the pioneering drone pilots Raj Sidam and Amol Kohare.

Dhanashree Mandhani, Founder & CEO, Salam Kisan, said, “At Salam Kisan, we’re committed to empowering rural communities toward resilience and sustainability, and collaborations between public and private entities will be pivotal in implementing change at the grass-roots level.  Our national agriculture policy aims to set up 10,000 new FPOs by 2025 with a focus on revamping agriculture value chains and catalysing the growth of logistics in rural areas.”

“Usually, traditional pump spraying uses 100 – 120 liters of water per acre, and drone spraying uses 10 liters per acre. Traditional spraying is time-consuming and requires manual labor, while drone spraying takes 7 minutes. By making drone service accessible to farmers, we are helping reduce input costs, increase efficiency, and ensure farmers’ safety. At the core, we intend to benefit farmers, our agricultural ecosystem, and FPOs.”  stated Akshay Khobragade, COO, Salam Kisan. 

FPOs will receive an assured incentive on