Applications Open: Innovate for Smallholder Agriculture!

In India, smallholder and marginal farmers with less than two hectares of land account for 86.2% of all farmers, but own just 47.3% of the arable land, according to provisional numbers from the 10th agriculture census 2015–2016. In comparison, the census revealed that semi-medium and medium land holding farmers own between 2 and 10 hectares of land, account for 13.2% of all farmers, but own 43.6% of crop area.
Such a large number of smallholder and marginal farmers, close to 126 million, according to the survey, poses enormous challenges for the government’s extension arms to reach them with relevant technologies and farm support schemes. Moreover, conventional modern farming, based on green revolution principles, has limited benefits in diverse smallholder Indian agro-ecologies.
Small and marginal farmers, the backbone of our agricultural sector, face numerous challenges in their daily endeavours. From soil health to pest management, their struggles are manifold. Here’s a snapshot of the pressing issues they confront:
Opportunity Areas for Startups/Entrepreneurs:
1. Irrigation Water:
Access to clean and healthy irrigation water is a significant concern for farmers, especially in regions prone to water scarcity and contamination.
Excess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can contaminate water sources, leading to pollution and health hazards for both humans and ecosystems.
Issues such as high levels of nitrogen, abnormal pH, scale deposits, and trace element toxicity in irrigation water can negatively impact crop growth and quality.
Clogging problems in irrigation systems, caused by sedimentation and microbial growth, reduce water flow and efficiency, leading to water wastage and reduced crop yields.
Call to Action: Can your technology address issues such as excess nitrogen, abnormal pH, scale deposits, magnesium problems, trace elements toxicity, clogging problems in irrigation systems, corrosion, encrustation, water infiltration problems, and toxicity? We’re looking for sustainable solutions to ensure farmers have access to clean and healthy irrigation water.

2.Soil Health:

Farmers often struggle with maintaining soil health due to factors such as soil erosion, compaction, nutrient depletion, and loss of organic matter.
Soil erosion, exacerbated by factors like deforestation and improper land management practices, leads to the loss of valuable topsoil, reducing fertility and productivity.
Compaction of soil due to heavy machinery and livestock trampling restricts root growth and water infiltration, resulting in poor crop yields.
Nutrient depletion occurs when essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are not replenished adequately, leading to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances in the soil.
Call to Action: Do you have innovative solutions to common problems affecting soil quality, such as compaction, nutrient depletion, microbial imbalance, and nutrient deficiencies? We’re seeking technologies that enhance soil fertility and productivity sustainably.
3.Affordable Pest and Disease Management:
Pests and diseases pose significant threats to agricultural productivity, leading to crop losses, reduced quality, and increased production costs.
Small and marginal farmers often lack access to affordable and effective pest and disease management solutions, resulting in reliance on chemical pesticides with harmful environmental and health impacts.
Rapidly evolving pest and disease outbreaks, exacerbated by climate change and globalization, challenge farmers’ ability to protect their crops and livelihoods.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches that combine cultural, biological, and chemical control methods offer sustainable alternatives but may require technical knowledge and resources that are not readily available to all farmers.
Call to Action: Are you developing cost-effective technologies for detecting, monitoring, and controlling pests and diseases in agricultural produce? We’re seeking innovative solutions that empower farmers to transition to residue-free and organic farming practices. (Chemical-Free Integrated Pest and Disease Management solutions)

4.Dairy Farm Management

Small and marginal dairy farmers face various challenges in managing their dairy farms efficiently and profitably.
Issues such as limited access to quality feed and fodder, inadequate healthcare and breeding services, and lack of proper infrastructure and equipment hinder dairy farm productivity and profitability.
Dairy farmers struggle with maintaining herd health, preventing diseases, and optimizing milk production while ensuring animal welfare and sustainability.
Dairy farm management practices need to be improved to enhance productivity, reduce production costs, and ensure the welfare of both animals and farmers.
Call to Action: Are you developing affordable technologies to increase productivity and streamline cattle and dairy farm management for small and marginal dairy farmers? We’re interested in solutions that empower farmers to efficiently manage their operations and improve livelihoods
The AIC-ADT Baramati Foundation with support from ED&F MAN COMMODITIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, invites early stage startups and entrepreneurs to join us in our mission to transform smallholder agriculture in India.
If you have a passion for agriculture and want to make a difference for small farmers, we want to hear from you. This is your chance to help transform agriculture and make it more sustainable and profitable for those who need it most. Apply now and join us in driving positive change.