Women-led Innovation in Agri-Tech: India's Green Horizon

SCI-TECH

Women-led Innovation in Agri-Tech: India's Green Horizon

03 DEC 2024

The agricultural sector of India is undergoing a radical change as women-led startups innovate solutions for challenges like food safety and security, sustainability, and rural livelihood. These revolutionary entrepreneurs are making way for a more efficient and sustainable future by combining conventional methods with technology.

India's Agri-Tech sector, expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% and valued at $24 billion by 2025, offers women unparalleled opportunities. According to Startup India and NITI Aayog research, women entrepreneurs make up around 13.5% of all businesses in the nation, with Agri-Tech being a major focus area. Due to state-sponsored incubator programs and policies, women now lead 50% of companies in Tamil Nadu alone.

Women-led start-ups are changing the face of agri-tech by employing cutting-edge technology, from IoT-based spoilage detection to hydroponic farming. These innovations support the more general objective of sustainable development along with the goal of increasing agricultural production. These startups led by women are breaking stereotypes contributing to economic growth and social transformation.

Women making an impact:

Few of the most prominent women-led organizations and initiatives in India,

Zama Organics:

Established by Shriya Naheta, Zama Organics supplies organic vegetables to more than 50,000 farmers and helps the community by enlisting self-help organisations to manufacture homemade products like oils and pickles. This Mumbai-based venture works on both B2B and B2C models, revolutionizing the farm-to-table supply chain.

Kaze Living:

Anisha Goel and Shruti Jain co-founded Kaze Living, a firm that works with hydroponic farms to deliver fresh vegetables free of pesticides straight to customers encouraging sustainable agriculture methods and organic farming. Their work addresses the gaps in organic farming certifications and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.

Godaam Innovations:

This agri-tech startup, led by Kalyani Shinde, detects rotting in storage facilities using IoT technology to help onion farmers minimise post-harvest losses ensuring agricultural sustainability and efficiency. It has partnered with governmental and cooperative organizations to improve efficiency and sustainability in agriculture.

QZense

QZense, which was founded by Dr. Srishti Batra and Rubal Chib, uses AI and IoT sensors to grade the quality of fresh produce based on its sweetness, ripeness, and spoilage enhancing the quality of food that reaches consumers while reducing inventory losses. Their innovative tools have gained attraction among Indian retailers and aggregators.

Technological Advancements:

Modern advances in technology are being used by women to transform agriculture:

AI and Data Analytics: AI is being used by startups like CropIn, which was co-founded by female executives, to forecast crop yield and optimise water consumption. AI adoption has raised productivity by 25% in experimental projects throughout Karnataka and Maharashtra, according to a report by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
IoT for Precision Farming: To track soil health and control irrigation, agri-tech developers are utilising IoT devices. IoT can boost productivity by up to 70%, according to FAO research, especially in regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat that are prone to drought.
Blockchain for Transparency: According to a World Bank report, women entrepreneurs are spearheading projects like AgriLedger that use blockchain technology to enhance supply chain transparency and eradicate fraud.

Opportunities and Limitations Faced by Women:

Even if women's contributions to Agri-Tech are revolutionary, issues including low digital literacy in rural regions, gender bias, and restricted access to financing still exist. According to NASSCOM research, women-led firms receive just 2.3% of venture capital funding in the Agri-Tech sector. State-specific projects like Startup TN Catalyst and federal programs like Startup India Seed Fund Scheme are assisting in closing the gap of these limitations.

Key Opportunities:

Skill Development: Long-term empowerment can be achieved by teaching women sustainable practices and digital technologies.
Collaborations: Women's roles in agri-tech can be expanded through alliances with commercial businesses and international NGOs.
Policy Support: Mentorship programs and specialised funding for women in agri-tech can reach a wider audience.

Key Research Contributions:

Digital and Precision Farming: Women educators are promoting digital literacy in rural areas, allowing farmers to efficiently use agri-tech equipment. Additionally, they highlight precision agricultural techniques that increase output and minimise resource waste.
Policy and Development: To promote gender inclusion in agricultural development projects, research conducted by women-led institutions frequently examines policy support for agri-tech efforts.

Women entrepreneurs are revolutionising the agricultural ecosystem through the combination of sustainable methods and technology, demonstrating how to propel agricultural developments contributing to India's agri-tech industry by tackling issues including post-harvest losses, inefficiencies in the supply chain, and the demand for premium, organic goods. They are playing a significant role in empowering rural communities, promoting inclusivity, and guiding India towards its green horizon—a future in which equity, ecology, and technology coexist peacefully.