In the vast fields of India, where farming is more than just an occupation—it’s a way of life—AgroStar has emerged as a game-changer. From a simple missed-call service to India’s largest digital farmer network, AgroStar has empowered over 5 million farmers with expert advice, high-quality agri-inputs, and an engaged online community.
But how did two brothers, Shardul and Sitanshu Sheth, turn a bold idea into a thriving agritech powerhouse? Let’s dive into AgroStar’s inspiring journey! 🚀
The Problem: A Farmer’s Struggle
For decades, Indian farmers have faced three major challenges:
❌ Lack of access to high-quality seeds & fertilizers ❌ Limited technical knowledge & expert support ❌ Unreliable supply chains
The result? Lower yields, financial losses, and uncertainty.
AgroStar saw this as an opportunity to solve a critical problem using technology-driven solutions.
💡The Beginning: A Simple Yet Powerful Idea
In 2013, AgroStar was launched as a missed-call-based service to provide farmers with direct access to agricultural products and advisory services.
🎯 Farmers could call AgroStar, receive agronomic advice, and order agri-inputs—all from their feature phones!
🚜 The Impact? A growing number of farmers trusted the platform for genuine products and real-time support.
💡The Digital Revolution: AgroStar’s Growth Story
As smartphone penetration grew in rural India, AgroStar evolved into a full-fledged digital agronomy platform with:
✅ AI-driven content 📸—Farmers can upload crop pictures and get expert guidance. ✅ Voice search-enabled e-commerce 🛒—Making agri-inputs easily accessible. ✅ A thriving farmer community 👨🌾—Where farmers share knowledge & experiences.
With a multilingual mobile app, AgroStar has transformed how farmers engage with technology, bridging the gap between innovation and tradition.
💡The Business Model: A Perfect Blend of Tech & Retail
💰 Funding & Expansion: AgroStar has raised over $111M, with a $70M Series D round in 2022 from investors like Evolvence, Schroders, Hero Enterprise, and Accel.🏪 Physical Stores Expansion: From 1,000+ retail stores today to 5,000 in the next two years, AgroStar is strengthening its omnichannel presence.🌱 Private Label Products: The startup is expanding its in-house brand offerings, providing customized solutions for Indian farmers.
💡Impact: Farmers First, Always!
AgroStar’s mission is simple yet powerful—Helping Farmers Win! 🚀
📊 82% of farmers reported increased productivity 📈 73% found no better alternative
With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and farmer empowerment, AgroStar is reshaping Indian agriculture, one farm at a time.
💡The Future: What’s Next?
🚀 AI-powered crop advisory services 🚀 Market linkages to boost farmer incomes 🚀 A stronger supply chain for agricultural inputs
As AgroStar continues to scale, one thing is clear—technology will play a pivotal role in the future of Indian agriculture.
What do you think about agritech’s role in India’s farming future?
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) celebrated its Foundation Day in New Delhi today, honoring prominent figures across agriculture, industry, and media for their exceptional contributions. Among those recognized for their impactful work were two distinguished journalists, Harvir Singh, Editor-in-Chief of a leading agriculture magazine, and Prabhudatt Mishra, Deputy Editor of a national English daily, both lauded for their significant contributions to agricultural journalism.
Harvir Singh, with his decades of experience and previous roles at major media houses, has been a pivotal voice in bringing crucial rural and agricultural issues into the national spotlight. His dedicated reporting has earned him considerable acclaim from prestigious organizations like the FAO and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Similarly, Prabhudatt Mishra, a seasoned journalist with nearly 30 years in the field, is highly regarded for his insightful and in-depth reporting on complex agricultural trade and policy matters.
Dr. W.S. Lakra, Secretary of NAAS, commended both journalists for their unwavering commitment to covering the agriculture sector, acknowledging their sustained efforts in informing and shaping public discourse around critical farming issues. The event, marking 35 years since the establishment of NAAS, also featured a compelling keynote lecture by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, who delivered an address on the pertinent theme of “One Health: Guiding Our Future,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
This recognition by NAAS underscores the vital role of agricultural journalism in bridging the gap between research, policy, and the farming community, ensuring that the challenges and triumphs of India’s agricultural backbone receive the attention they deserve.
In a fascinating blend of horticultural innovation and national homage, celebrated mango cultivator Kalimullah Khan from Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh, has introduced a new mango variety named ‘Rajnath Aam,’ in honor of India’s esteemed Defence Minister. Khan, widely recognized for his pioneering work in mango grafting, has a unique tradition of naming new varieties after prominent national figures, adding a distinctive cultural layer to his agricultural achievements.
The veteran cultivator, who is also a recipient of one of India’s highest civilian honors for his profound contributions to agriculture, articulated his motivation behind this practice. “I believe names should live on through nature’s gifts. That’s why I dedicate some of these varieties to those who have served the country with distinction,” he explained. His aim, he stated, is to preserve the legacy of individuals who have significantly contributed to the nation, ensuring their remembrance through these unique horticultural creations.
Malihabad, a region historically revered for its rich mango heritage, once boasted an astonishing diversity of over 1,300 distinct mango varieties in the early 20th century. However, a significant number of these unique varieties have unfortunately disappeared over time. Through decades of relentless dedication, meticulous experimentation, and unparalleled expertise, Kalimullah Khan has played a pivotal role in reviving this lost heritage. His tireless efforts have resulted in the development and meticulous maintenance of over 300 distinct varieties within his own orchard, effectively restoring a crucial part of the region’s horticultural treasures.
The introduction of ‘Rajnath Aam’ not only signifies a new achievement in mango cultivation but also reinforces the deep connection between agricultural innovation and national pride. It highlights the profound impact of individuals like Kalimullah Khan, whose passion not only enriches biodiversity but also contributes to the cultural fabric of the nation, one unique mango variety at a time. Sources
India is poised for a significant expansion in its global agricultural trade footprint, as highlighted by Abhishek Dev, Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Speaking at the inauguration of Indusfood 2025 in Greater Noida, Dev pointed out that despite being the world’s seventh-largest agri exporter, India currently accounts for a mere 2.4% of the colossal $2 trillion global agriculture trade. He emphatically stated that this modest share represents a “huge opportunity” for Indian exporters to dramatically scale up their operations and presence on the international stage.
India’s agri exports were valued at approximately $50 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, and concerted efforts are underway to further elevate this figure in the current fiscal year. Dev emphasized the nation’s strategic pivot towards exporting more value-added products, moving beyond simply trading raw agricultural commodities. This shift aims to capture a larger share of the global market by offering processed and diversified food products. A particular focus is on the organic sector, where India currently holds around 2.5% of the $147 billion global organic market. APEDA has set an ambitious target to quadruple this share over the next five years, building on the steady growth witnessed in organic exports—from $213 million in 2012-13 to nearly $495 million in 2023-24.
Indusfood 2025, a flagship event organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) with vital support from the Department of Commerce, was inaugurated by Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan. The prestigious event has drawn an impressive congregation of over 2,300 exhibitors from 30 countries, alongside 7,500 international buyers and 15,000 domestic buyers and trade visitors, creating a vibrant platform for global food and beverage commerce.
Mohit Singla, Chairman of TPCI, elaborated on the multifaceted goals of Indusfood, stating that it extends beyond merely boosting trade. The event also aims to forge crucial connections between farmers and technology providers, thereby enhancing income opportunities through value addition and direct access to global markets. Singla noted the remarkable growth in international participation, with the exhibitor pavilion nearly doubling in size since last year, boasting strong representation from approximately 30 countries, underscoring the increasing global interest in India’s agricultural and processed food sector.
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today lauded the agricultural practices employed by farmers in Karnataka, unequivocally declaring them the “best in the country.” Speaking at the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) at the ICAR-IIHR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Minister Chouhan expressed his admiration, stating, “Farms in Karnataka are the best in the country. The techniques used by farmers here are so well-thought-out and modern, they leave me awestruck.”
The event, which marked a significant step in the VKSA’s rollout, attracted over 500 farmers from various parts of Karnataka, eager to learn about advancements in agricultural science and technology. The program commenced with insightful site visits around the ICAR-IIHR campus farms, where participants had the opportunity to observe various biologically modified flora developed by the institute’s dedicated scientists. This hands-on experience was followed by a comprehensive briefing on the fundamental principles and objectives of the VKSA development program.
The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a joint initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is strategically designed to address pressing challenges faced by farmers. Its core aims include combating issues such as poor cultivation due to plant diseases, rectifying adverse soil conditions, and mitigating the burden of rising input costs. Crucially, the program seeks to build a robust bridge between scientists and farmers, fostering a collaborative environment where they work hand-in-hand to produce disease-resistant crop varieties capable of thriving even in harsh local conditions.
The nationwide campaign has already made significant strides, with 1,896 teams having interacted with a remarkable 8,95,944 farmers across 8,188 villages. In Karnataka specifically, more than 70 interdisciplinary teams, comprising scientists and officials from agricultural and allied departments, are diligently visiting and engaging with farmers daily. Their primary objective is to record direct feedback from the ground, which will be instrumental in shaping future agricultural research and development initiatives. Yelamma, a small marigold farm owner from Chikkaballapur district, shared her positive experience, stating, “I have always been a bit wary of the hybrid crops because I thought them to be unsafe but after seeing the crops here it has changed my views of them.” This direct feedback underscores the program’s success in building trust and promoting the adoption of scientific advancements among the farming community.
