FARMER'S DAY OUT

Innovative agritech startups are helping farmers make more informed decisions, while connecting various players in the ecosystem

- MANSVINI KAUSHIK & NAINI THAKER

Since the pandemic, India’s agriculture sector has witnessed a number of changes, both at the policy and the operational level. With the disruption in the supply chain due to the nationwide lockdown, there was a rising demand for many essential and perishable items, like fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fish, etc, leading to a mounting pressure on the supply chain.

The reverse migration prompted the government to announce an increase in its budget for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by ₹40,000 crore, over and above the existing allocation of ₹61,500 crore. Additionally, the announcement of agricultural reforms, along with the ₹1.5 lakh crore package for agricultural infrastructure that was announced in May—allowing barrier-free interstate trade of farm produce and farmers to engage with large retailers and exporters, and amendments in the Essential Commodities Act—are clear indications that a boost in agriculture, and consequently the rural ecosystem, might be the key to India’s economic recovery. To assist the farmer and to provide high quality produce to consumers, a number of agritech startups have come up with innovative methods of cultivation and supply chain management. We take a look at some of them:

BIJAK: CONNECTING PEOPLE