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GROWiT is a Gujarat-based startup that offers innovative agri-tech solutions to increase farm output through protective farming. The company aims to help farmers by reducing resources while increasing crop yields.
Protective farming is an agricultural practice where crops are grown in a controlled environment by regulating temperature, humidity, and moisture.
GROWiT was founded by two brothers, Akshay and Saurabh Agarwal, from Surat. Gujarat, India, in 2019. They grew up in a family that worked in a packaging business.
The Agarwal brothers discovered that only 2 percent of Indian farmers are using this technique, while in other countries, 70 to 80 percent of farmers are using it.
Akshay pursued a master's degree in plastic engineering from the University of Massachusetts and started researching protective farming practices when he moved back to India in 2014.
He was surprised to find that a country as big as India is not taking full advantage of this simple concept.
Protective farming helps enhance crop production by reducing water consumption, fertilizers, and pesticides. It further helps in preventing sunburn and weed growth and increasing the quality and quantity of farming products, resulting in better returns for farmers.
What GROWiT does
GROWiT sells protective farming products directly to farmers. It is a direct-to-farmer company. By doing so, it fulfills the huge gap of lack of information and education in the existing supply chain that includes manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and the final farmer.
The startup manufactures and sells protective farming equipment that includes mulch film, shade nets, sticky traps, vermin beds, and agri wires.
Through their mobile application, they also guide farmers in climate-smart agriculture to enhance farm productivity.
The application allows farmers to gain access to a lot of important information. For instance, about the crop they should grow, how to prepare the land, the correct market price, and the process to connect with an expert. The company's direct-to-farmer (D2F) model is unique as it allows them to interact directly with customers who are farmers.
The startup has catered to more than 20,000 farmers across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
Shark Tank India
Recently, the brothers bagged a deal of Rs 50 lakh at 1 per cent equity and Rs 50 lakh debt at 10 percent interest at Shark Tank India. The ‘sharks’ who invested were Namita Thapar, the executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and Peyush Bansal, CEO of Lenskart on Shark Tank India Season 2. The deal was closed with a valuation of Rs 50 crore.
Akshay and Saurabh Agarwal aim to encourage a sustainable agriculture ecosystem in the country. 4
They have collaborated with several state governments and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to expand the supply chain.
Last year, the brothers achieved a sales figure of Rs 20 crore. In the current year, they are predicting and aiming for Rupees 30 crore.
GROWiT's success is a result of the Agarwal brothers' vision to use innovative agri-tech solutions to help Indian farmers increase their crop yields. The startup's focus on protective farming practices and direct-to-farmer model has helped them stand out in the industry. By manufacturing products and offering guidance through their mobile application, GROWiT is playing a significant role in enhancing farm productivity in India.