Agrichikitsa: Revolutionizing Agriculture through Holistic Approach to Agritech Solutions
In the vast realm of agriculture, technology is driving a transformation that promises to reshape the future of farming. However, with a mere 1.5 percent penetration, there is still a vast untapped market waiting to be explored. Among the pioneers in this field is Agrichikitsa, an agritech startup that offers a comprehensive and innovative solution to the challenges faced by farmers in India. The company offers end-to-end solutions, right from pre-harvesting to post-harvesting, supply, and marketing, Agrichikitsa aims to be a game-changer in the agritech space.At the core of Agrichikitsa's approach lies the development of Agrichikitsa centers at the gram panchayat level. These centers serve as comprehensive agricultural hubs, integrating AI and additive-based customized agri labs and inputs. While district level Krishi Vigyan Kendras exist, they fall short of addressing the specific needs at the grassroots level. In contrast, Agrichikitsa centers provide a much-needed solution, catering to farmers' requirements right from the analysis of soil health, water quality, and climatic conditions.
A key aspect of Agrichikitsa's methodology is soil testing, which provides a crucial foundation for tailored recommendations. Unlike other agritech companies that rely on outdated data from government soil testing or Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agrichikitsa offers real-time soil data, ensuring accuracy and up-to date insights. Through comprehensive soil analysis, encompassing parameters such as pH levels, electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, and macro and micronutrient deficiencies, Agrichikitsa provides farmers with precise recommendations for agri inputs.
Water quality analysis is another vital component of Agrichikitsa's approach. By assessing factors such as turbidity and pH levels, the team provides farmers with
insights into the suitability of water for crop production. Agrichikitsa's emphasis on water management ensures optimal conditions for crop growth, resulting in increased productivity. Further, Agrichikitsa's dedication to weather-based recommendations is yet another testament to their holistic approach. By considering local climate conditions, the team suggests the best-in-class seeds suitable for specific farmlands. This personalized approach enables farmers to maximize yields while minimizing risks associated with adverse weather events. All these models focus on reducing agri input costs by around almost 20-30 percent, thereby ensuring a significant economic advantage for farmers.
In addition to their focus on preharvesting practices, Agrichikitsa provides integrated pest and disease management solutions. Through their Agrichikitsa app, farmers can access virtual consultation services.
Furthermore, the company would be offering this solution via a mobile app which is under development. This virtual platform serves as an extension of the Agrichikitsa center, allowing farmers to monitor their plots, receive weather alerts, and access expert consultancy.
“We leverage technology such as remote sensing and satellite imagery for red alerts and disease prediction, as well as an IoT-based Agristick device for realtime data collection and pest trapping. By using these technologies, we aim to reduce the dependence on chemical pesticides and mitigate the severity of diseases”, highlights Hemant Singh, Co-Founder at Freshnic Agribusiness.
“In addition to these services, we provide crop care practices through an AI-based Agrichikitsa chatbot. Farmers can seek guidance and solutions for their grievances, and they can even share pictures of affected areas for personalized recommendations. We are also developing drone technology for liquid fertilizer and pesticide spraying, which helps save water, reduce fertilizer usage, and minimize labor costs. And to top it off, the company integrates blockchain technology, enabling buyers to have transparency regarding the origin, field conditions, seed quality, and agri input usage of the products they purchase. This enhances the quality and traceability of the produce, which is crucial for export and supplying to quality-conscious markets", he adds. Going forward, Agrichikitsa’s core mission is to boost the rural economy by enhancing productivity, quality, and traceability in agriculture.
In addition to their focus on preharvesting practices, Agrichikitsa provides integrated pest and disease management solutions. Through their Agrichikitsa app, farmers can access virtual consultation services.
Furthermore, the company would be offering this solution via a mobile app which is under development. This virtual platform serves as an extension of the Agrichikitsa center, allowing farmers to monitor their plots, receive weather alerts, and access expert consultancy.
“We leverage technology such as remote sensing and satellite imagery for red alerts and disease prediction, as well as an IoT-based Agristick device for realtime data collection and pest trapping. By using these technologies, we aim to reduce the dependence on chemical pesticides and mitigate the severity of diseases”, highlights Hemant Singh, Co-Founder at Freshnic Agribusiness.
“In addition to these services, we provide crop care practices through an AI-based Agrichikitsa chatbot. Farmers can seek guidance and solutions for their grievances, and they can even share pictures of affected areas for personalized recommendations. We are also developing drone technology for liquid fertilizer and pesticide spraying, which helps save water, reduce fertilizer usage, and minimize labor costs. And to top it off, the company integrates blockchain technology, enabling buyers to have transparency regarding the origin, field conditions, seed quality, and agri input usage of the products they purchase. This enhances the quality and traceability of the produce, which is crucial for export and supplying to quality-conscious markets", he adds. Going forward, Agrichikitsa’s core mission is to boost the rural economy by enhancing productivity, quality, and traceability in agriculture.
