Shantel
Key Takeaways
- The second phase of Krishi Mangal aims to fast-track seven innovative Agri-tech start-ups.
- The initiative targets to aid small and marginal farmers, making agriculture more sustainable and climate-resilient.
- The selected start-ups will be provided with support such as grants, mentorship, venture acceleration, and help with market scaling.
- The project seeks to implement climate-resilient and income-enhancing technologies.
The Companies Behind the Initiative: Cisco and Social Alpha
World-renowned technology leader, Cisco, and Social Alpha, an innovative venture development platform, are the driving forces behind Krishi Mangal. This scale-up accelerator program is designed to elevate Agritech enterprises and provide practical, technological solutions to smallholder farmers, fostering a sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Krishi Mangal: A Journey of Transformation
Launched in 2021, the inaugural edition of Krishi Mangal was a resounding success. It had a profound impact on more than 17,000 farmers, facilitated the creation of 200+ jobs, supported over 500 micro-entrepreneurs, and incorporated nearly 25 Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs). The program was rolled out in several Indian states, including Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
The second edition of the program aims to support seven innovative start-ups focusing on technologies for soil rejuvenation, water and crop management, and efficient post-harvest management.
Innovation at Work: Introducing the Start-ups
Each of the chosen start-ups brings a unique and inventive solution to the table:
- Proximal Soilsens: Developed NutriSens, a small, user-friendly soil testing system.
- Niyo Farm Tech: Created user-friendly sprayers to enhance yields and reduce manual labor.
- Urdhavam Environmental Technologies: Innovated a smart borewell recharging technique, the Borecharger.
- Dharaksha Ecosolutions: Transforms crop stubble waste into biodegradable packaging material.
- Animeta Agritech: Designed a digital animal healthcare platform with a disease-diagnosing chatbot.
- Mivipro Products Private Limited: Developed Herboliv+, a bio-liquid deterrent for wild animals made from natural ingredients.
- Capsber Global Agro: Enhances crop yields and food security by utilizing the potential of the microbiome.
Quotes from the Frontline
Livelihoods & Prosperity, Social Alpha, stresses on the importance of this venture, saying, “Our initiative Krishi Mangal will help these farmers access technology that can reduce their risk and costs and help realise market value for their produce. We are happy to enter the next phase of the initiative and aim to make more progress and generate greater impact by making agriculture and allied value chains efficient, sustainable, and climate-resilient.”
On the other hand, Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India, notes, “Krishi Mangal truly resonates with Cisco’s purpose of powering an inclusive future for all by leveraging the power of technology… Through Krishi Mangal 2.0, we pledge to invest in technology-led innovations to build Climate-resilient agricultural practices that will revolutionise the lives of marginal farmers.”
Social Alpha and Cisco CSR: Catalysts of Change
Social Alpha is a venture development platform dedicated to supporting start-ups that address social, economic, and environmental challenges. Cisco, a global technology leader, is committed to driving an inclusive future. Their joint venture, Krishi Mangal, is a testament to the impact that collaborative initiatives can have on transforming the agricultural sector, particularly for small and marginal farmers. Together, they aim to revolutionize agritech, making it more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient.
