CB BureauThe grant is part of a programme called Krishi Mangal that will support startups working on solutions for smallholder farmers. The five startups selected for the programme have developed agritech innovations across supply-chain traceability powered by blockchain, data analytics for crop management, energy-efficient cold-storage units, sustainable aquaculture solutions, and e-commerce solutions for livestock management. The objectives of these startups are focused on income increase, creating jobs, and promoting micro-entrepreneurship along agriculture and its allied value chain.
Take a look:
–TraceX Technologies is organising the food and agriculture supply chains using blockchain technology to enable transparency, trust and traceability across the ecosystem. Trace X will work with 1,000 farmers in Belgaum, Karnataka, on maize value chain; increasing their income by 25%.
–Jalkeevika Infotech is focusing on creating sustainable livelihood options by bringing accessibility and affordability in aquaculture. Jaljeevika will train 500 farmers in fisheries in pond-management practices and deploy IoT sensors in Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
–Pashu Bajaar is building a transparent, objective and efficient livestock product market and promoting micro-entrepreneurship for livestock farmers via e-commerce. The startup will train over 1,000 livestock farmers on commercial goat farming, credit planning and livestock financial services in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and Deoghar, Jharkhand.
–Tan90 is decentralising the cold chain for storage and transportation for last-mile delivery through their proprietary Phase Change Material based cold-storage solutions. They will deploy portable cold-storage boxes for fisheries in 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, impacting 5,000 farmers.
–Satyukt is providing farm-specific dynamic crop advisory and early warning of risks (flood, drought, pest, diseases) via a mobile application at an affordable cost for marginal farmers. Satyukt will work with 7,000 farmers in Karnataka, UP, Telangana and Maharashtra in using the mobile app to increase crop yield in a sustainable manner.
Krishi Mangal will follow a two-pronged approach. Along with the accelerator programme, it will also promote India’s first digital agri collective to enable ecosystem-level collaboration and co-creation of solutions while helping startups navigate the ecosystem and accelerate their work in agriculture and allied sectors. In Krishi Mangal’s one-year scale-up accelerator, the five startups will each receive a grant of Rs 42.5 lakh to implement their solutions in a new geography or customer segment. Additionally, they will receive support in market access, sales and distribution, and fundraising.
In a press release shared with CauseBecause, Harish Krishnan, managing director, Public Affairs & Strategic Engagements, Cisco India, said, ‘With the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital technologies connecting devices and data, innovative ideas now have the ability to make a difference more quickly than ever before – and we’re here to help. While the prize money will help accelerate the adoption of breakthrough technology, products, and services that drive economic development and solve social or environmental problems, engagement with Cisco mentors during the course of the programme will mean that organisations and entrepreneurs can leverage great domain expertise and strong market knowledge.’
Manoj Kumar, founder and CEO, Social Alpha, said, ‘Small and marginal farmers already face numerous risks to agricultural production, and climate change is making their livelihoods even more precarious. At Social Alpha, we have chosen to address these vulnerabilities and are constantly scouting for startups that are working on breakthrough technologies for large-scale impact. Social Alpha’s partnership with Cisco will help us scale high-impact solutions to reduce risk and increase the income of smallholder farmers.’