Shashank Kumar shocked everyone when he quit his high-paying consulting job at Beacon after graduating from IIT Delhi. While most imagined a lucrative career ahead, Shashank returned to his hometown in Chhapra, Bihar, with an unusual plan—to transform farming.
Farming in Bihar was riddled with challenges. Most farmers owned less than two acres of land, earning just ₹70,000 annually. Shashank identified a way forward: high-value crops. Excited, he reached out to local farmers, but they scoffed at the idea, dismissing him as just a 24-year-old with no farming experience.
Determined, Shashank decided to earn their trust. He began working alongside the farmers, understanding their struggles firsthand. It quickly became clear: the problem wasn’t just about growing crops. From seeds to the market, the entire agricultural value chain was broken. Recognizing the need for a complete solution, Shashank joined forces with four friends. In 2012, DeHaat was born.
Today, DeHaat is a ₹6,000 crore enterprise revolutionizing Indian agriculture. The company employs 1600+ employees and connects with over two million farmers across 11 states through 11,000 centers.
DeHaat is just one of many examples of India’s agritech (Agriculture+Technology) revolution. Startups like Ninjakart, WayCool Foods are proving that technology can transform agriculture. Agriculture – a sector often associated with the hinterland, may not be the first career choice of many. However, the tide is turning. Using technology and armed with know-how, agritech is set to reach $24 billion by 2025, according to Ernst & Young. The industry, which employs about 1 lakh people, is set to create 60,000-80,000 more jobs in the next five years. Yet, with only a 1.5% market penetration, its potential is just beginning to unfold.
India’s agriculture is undergoing a quiet revolution, one that’s reshaping an age-old sector into a modern powerhouse. At the heart of this change are over 1,300 agritech startups spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and the Delhi NCR. These startups are backed by promising projections—farmer incomes could rise by 25-35%, and the agritech market is expected to grow from $4 billion in 2022 to $34 billion by 2027 (Avendus Report).
But this transformation hasn’t been without challenges. Agriculture has long been fragmented, with multiple intermediaries creating inefficiencies. However, innovations are steadily chipping away at these barriers. Financial apps like YONO Krishi from SBI now offer farmers tailored solutions and advisory services. Companies such as Mahindra provide tractor rentals through mechanization-as-a-service, while ITC’s e-Choupal and ITCMAARS super app are bridging farm-to-market gaps by integrating technology, affordable inputs, and financing.
Despite 75-80% smartphone penetration in rural areas, physical support remains critical. Firms like Agrostar and DeHaat address this by combining digital tools with field teams, ensuring adoption and providing hands-on assistance to farmers.
A shining example of this transformation is ADT Baramati’s “Farm of the Future,” which leverages Microsoft Azure and Agripilot.ai to address pressing agricultural challenges such as water scarcity and soil degradation. By equipping farmers with cutting-edge AI tools, the initiative aims to boost yields and promote sustainable practices across Indian farms.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella praised this groundbreaking effort in a tweet: “It was great to meet the team at ADT Baramati today, who are using our AI tools to help farmers grow healthier, more sustainable harvests.”
Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party, responded: “Thank you @satyanadella for highlighting the benefits of AI for agriculture. We at ADT Baramati are committed to bringing the latest technologies to farmers so they can benefit and are dedicated to working with Microsoft to ensure these tools are put to the best use possible.”
Government initiatives add fuel to the momentum. Programs like eNAM, digital soil health cards, and Agri Stack empower farmers and startups. Highlighting soil health issues,
Private funding and VCs are also eyeing agritech.
As cricketer Ajinkya Rahane puts it, “Exciting times for innovation in agriculture! As someone passionate about sustainable growth, I’m eager to see how agritech empowers farmers, creates jobs, and drives a greener tomorrow.”
As agritech grows with technology and government support, skill development is key to its success. The sector needs a skilled workforce to use technology, drive innovation, and promote sustainability. As agritech evolves, it will create new jobs and change how farming is done, while empowering the next generation of workers.
Tata Sons Director R. Gopalakrishnan emphasized the need to enhance the skills of rural youth in agriculture. He proposed setting up Agriculture Technical Training Institutes (ATTIs) to teach modern farming techniques, similar to how Industrial Training Institutes were created for the manufacturing sector. He plans to share this idea with central government officials.
A Landscape of Diverse Roles
Agritech offers a variety of jobs. AI developers, data scientists, agronomists, and supply chain experts have different roles. With the rise of precision farming and sustainability, there is a need for specialists in these areas. Other roles in biotechnology, food processing, and agricultural economics are also growing.
Opportunities Across Geographies
Agritech offers opportunities in both cities and rural areas. Urban centers like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have jobs in AI and research. Rural areas like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Punjab offer positions for agronomists, field technicians, and supply chain managers. Agritech connects urban talent with rural farming needs.
However, there are challenges. There is a lack of skilled workers in areas like precision farming, drones, and robotics. Only 5% of the workforce is equipped to use these technologies. Additionally, issues like poor internet access, low awareness among farmers, and gaps in agri-finance training lead to inefficiencies and post-harvest losses.
Steps to Bridge the Gap
To overcome these challenges, we need focused skilling programs. These should cover new agricultural techniques, drone operations, and digital skills. Offering good salaries and career growth can help attract workers, especially in rural areas. Creating an inclusive work culture will keep employees satisfied.
Collaboration is key. Partnerships between academia and private companies, along with programs like Agri Innovation and Incubation Centers, can strengthen the ecosystem. Initiatives like NEP 2020 will help upskill students. Supporting Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will also provide hands-on training and help empower rural workers.
Agritech is changing the game, driving economic growth and sustainability in agriculture. India’s agriculture sector is at a turning point. With agriculture contributing 18% to India’s GDP and employing 45% of the workforce, it remains the heart of the country’s economy. The Indian government’s push for digital agriculture is set to boost farmer incomes by 25-35% and add $95 billion to the GDP.
As the sector grows, its economic impact is clear. Agritech is helping rural communities thrive by creating jobs, increasing farm income, and reducing inefficiencies. Modern tools like precision farming allow farmers to minimize waste, optimize resources, and boost productivity while caring for the environment.
But the impact goes beyond borders. India is positioning itself as a global agritech leader. A shining example of this is the India-Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator, launching in October 2024. This program, a partnership between India’s Atal Innovation Mission and Australia’s CSIRO, aims to tackle the toughest agricultural challenges.
Global partnerships like RISE play a crucial role in fostering agritech innovation. This drive toward a more sustainable future is reflected in initiatives like the India-Australia RISE Accelerator. Sanjay Dasari, co-founder of Waycool, a prominent agritech startup, emphasizes the urgency of this shift. Speaking at Babson College’s Entrepreneurship conference, he noted:
“The operational complexity of the global food system has never been greater, nor have the risks that it faces. It’s morbidly ironic that while the food system is one of the leading causes of GHG emissions and climate change through transport, production, processing, and wastage, it is also the industry that is most affected by it. Drastic changes in planning and consumption patterns are needed now more than ever to secure food security around both quantity and quality.”
This perspective underscores the critical need for coordinated, innovative approaches to mitigate food system risks and enhance sustainability—issues central to both India’s agricultural revolution and global agritech initiatives.
India’s agritech journey is more than a story of technological growth. It’s a tale of human potential waiting to be unlocked. With a strategic focus on skilling, inclusivity, and collaboration, the sector stands at the cusp of a revolution that promises not just higher productivity, but also enriched livelihoods for millions, from urban developers to rural agronomists.
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