by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Policies
India’s agriculture sector is getting a big boost as both Central and State governments have slashed GST rates on key agricultural equipment and related goods. The new GST rates, effective from September 22, mean that many tools and machines—such as tractors, soil preparation implements, harvesters, sprayers, and even essential spare parts—now attract just 5% tax, down from the previous 12% or 18%.
At a recent awareness rally in Bhimavaram, attended by Union Minister Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma and other leaders, farmers were encouraged to take full advantage of these reforms. Notably, the event included a tractor rally, with the local District Collector and Deputy Speaker joining in to demonstrate support for the farming community.
These GST reductions are expected to ease the financial burden on farmers by significantly lowering the cost of new equipment, spare parts, and maintenance. For example, the price of popular machines like paddy transplanters, power tillers, and small tractors could drop by thousands of rupees. Lower equipment costs enable more farmers to upgrade to modern technology, resulting in improved productivity and profitability.
Leaders at the event stressed that these new rates also apply to a range of other daily essentials and sectors like healthcare, education materials, and insurance, helping Indian households save an estimated ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month.
Officials are urging custom hiring centres and farm machinery sellers to pass these benefits on directly to farmers. Alongside reduced taxes, the move is seen as a major step toward lowering agricultural production costs, raising farm incomes, and securing a brighter future for rural India.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Farming
Kharif sowing for the 2025 season has surpassed 1120 lakh hectares, marking an increase in overall coverage compared to last year, according to the latest data from the Agriculture Ministry. As of September 26, total area sown reached 1120.73 lakh hectares—up from 1113.72 lakh hectares during the same period in 2024.
The increase is most visible in the rice and coarse cereal segments. Rice cultivation expanded to 441.58 lakh hectares, up from 435.68 lakh hectares last year. Coarse cereals posted a significant jump, with acreage rising to 194.67 lakh hectares, compared to 182.66 lakh hectares in the previous year. Pulses also recorded a marginal uptick, covering 119.85 lakh hectares, which further strengthens the country’s food grain supply prospects.
However, the season brought mixed results for other crops. Oilseed acreage fell sharply to 190.01 lakh hectares, a decline of over 10 lakh hectares from 200.52 lakh hectares last year. Cotton also saw a reduction, with the area sown declining from 112.95 lakh hectares to 109.98 lakh hectares. Jute and mesta recorded a small dip, decreasing to 5.56 lakh hectares from 5.75 lakh hectares.
In contrast, sugarcane continued its growth trend, with sowing climbing to 59.07 lakh hectares from last year’s 57.22 lakh hectares.
These patterns reflect changes in farmers’ preferences, guided by rainfall conditions, market signals, and various government policies. While the rise in staple grains like rice, cereals, and pulses supports national food security, the drop in oilseed and cotton acreage will require attention from policymakers moving forward.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Import / Export
In a strategic bid to manage rising prices and ensure ample domestic supply, the Indian government has extended its duty-free import policy on yellow peas until March 31, 2026. The policy, originally introduced in late 2023 and renewed several times, is now set to continue into the next financial year following the latest order issued on May 30, 2025.
Yellow peas have quickly become a key element in India’s pulse imports, with India importing 2.9 million tonnes of the legume in 2024—an impressive 45% share of total pulse imports. This surge is notable given India did not import yellow peas at all in 2023. The country has sourced most of these imports from Canada and Russia, reflecting its reliance on the global pulse market to keep prices in check and supplies stable.
The nationwide policy has played a vital role in controlling food inflation, especially as overall pulse import volumes soared to an estimated 6.63 million tonnes in 2024, almost twice the 3.31 million tonnes brought in during 2023. This spike surpassed even the previous import record set in 2017.
The government’s move aligns with expectations of a stronger domestic harvest, supported by favorable rains and improved sowing across major producing states. Official estimates forecast tur output to reach 35.02 lakh metric tonnes, up 2.5% from last year. Kharif moong is projected at 13.83 lakh metric tonnes, a 20% increase over the previous year, while chana and masur production are also expected to rise.
By continuing duty-free yellow pea imports while boosting homegrown production, the government seeks to maintain price stability for pulses and safeguard food security for millions. These measures are especially crucial for meeting the country’s dietary needs as demand for pulses continues to rise.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 3, 2025 | Policies
India has unveiled a major initiative to make the country self-reliant in pulse production by 2031, approving a six-year mission with an investment of ₹11,440 crore. This landmark programme aims to boost India’s ability to meet growing domestic demand for pulses and reduce dependence on imports, directly supporting millions of farmers and strengthening national food security.
Key Features of the Pulses Mission
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Enhanced Production Targets: The mission intends to raise annual pulse output to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31, with productivity goals set at 1,130 kg per hectare and expanded cultivation on 310 lakh hectares.
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Seed Development & Access: Emphasis will be placed on new, high-yield and climate-resilient varieties of pulses. ICAR will oversee the development of breeder seed, while government agencies will manage the provision and certification of seeds to farmers. Around 126 lakh quintals of quality seeds will be distributed and tracked via a digital platform to ensure transparency.
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Expansion of Cultivation: The scheme targets the expansion of pulse cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, focusing especially on rice fallow and under-utilised areas. To encourage diversification, 88 lakh free seed kits will be shared with farmers across the nation.
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Support for Modern Farming: Farmers will receive support and training in sustainable and modern agricultural techniques, such as soil health management, balanced fertilizer use, mechanization, and environmentally friendly practices.
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Infrastructure and Market Support: Plans are in place to set up 1,000 new processing and packaging units for pulses, each eligible for up to ₹25 lakh in subsidies. This post-harvest support will help reduce crop loss, add value, and boost farmer incomes.
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Assured Procurement & Price Protection: For the next four years, the government will guarantee the procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor dal under the Price Support Scheme (PM-AASHA), ensuring stable returns for farmers. National agencies will carry out direct procurement at assured prices.
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Monitoring & Farmer Safeguards: A monitoring system will be established to track international pulse prices and protect Indian farmers from price fluctuations.
Projected Impact
The mission is expected to transform India’s pulse sector by:
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Reducing dependency on imports and saving valuable foreign exchange
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Increasing farmer incomes and generating more rural jobs
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Strengthening food security and promoting climate-resilient agriculture
With rolling implementation starting in 2025-26, the pulses mission represents a significant push toward Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in agriculture and marks a new chapter for the country’s pulse growers and agri-economy.
by Shahu Pawar | Aug 21, 2025 | Agri Startups, Startoscope
BharatAgri: The Digital Doctor for India’s Farmlands
In India’s vibrant farmlands, a new revolution is quietly transforming how millions of farmers grow their crops and run their businesses. Born from the challenges of Vidarbha’s cotton fields and powered by the innovation hubs of IIT Madras, BharatAgri is championing a uniquely Indian model: where personalized, science-driven agri-advisory meets a farmer-friendly online marketplace, accessible right from Karnataka and beyond.
The Spark: Bringing Science Home to the Fields
Co-founded in 2017 by Sai Gole and Siddharth Dialani, both with deep roots in farming families and top-notch engineering backgrounds, BharatAgri began as an effort to answer a question they’d both faced growing up: How can Indian farmers get reliable, scientific advice and quality products without leaving their villages? They saw that farmers lacked systematic knowledge in agronomy, were often misled or underserved by local retailers, and missed out on crucial timely interventions for better yields.
The Solution: LeanNutri Algorithm, Personalized Advice, and E-Commerce
Dubbed a “doctor for India’s farmlands,” BharatAgri’s secret sauce is its LeanNutri algorithm—a tech marvel that tailors recommendations to each plot’s specific crop, soil, and weather data. Farmers start with a consultation, get a digital “prescription” for what, when, and how much to sow, fertilize, or spray, and benefit from real-time, local language alerts for pest and disease threats.
- Precision Advisory: From sowing to harvest, every step is backed by data and agro-science.
- E-commerce Empowerment: Inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides—literally the “medicines” for crops—are available in a vast, vetted marketplace delivered to the farmer’s doorstep, even in remote villages. No more stock-outs or long waits, and no need to trust the local shopkeeper over genuine quality.
- Pest & Disease Focus: Farmers receive early alerts and best-in-class solutions for pest and disease management, boosting yields and minimizing losses.
The Impact: Growth, Profit, and Sustainability
BharatAgri isn’t just about advice—it’s about results. Farmers using the platform see up to 30% higher production and a 20% reduction in costs, thanks to tailored recommendations and faster, better access to inputs. With over four million farmers served and a reach across 20,000+ pin codes in India, the platform reduces greenhouse emissions by promoting sustainable practices and guides farmers toward healthier soil and water use.
The Hook: Bharatiya Roots, Digital Heights
Picture a farmer in Karnataka, getting a custom plan for her chickpea field, ordering “crop medicine” with the click of a button, and harvesting higher yields with less worry about pests, market shortages, or misinformation. That’s BharatAgri’s dream in action: bridging ancient farming wisdom with next-gen technology.
With its unique blend of personalized agri-advisory, science-powered algorithms, and rural e-commerce, BharatAgri is setting a new standard—where every Indian farmer can access the right knowledge and products at the right time, and realize the full potential of their land.
by Shahu Pawar | Aug 7, 2025 | Agri Startups, Startoscope
Crofarm: In the bustling urban sprawl of Delhi NCR, Crofarm is leading a digital revolution in agriculture—using AI-driven logistics to connect farmers directly with businesses, reduce waste, and ensure every tomato or mango arrives crisp and fair-priced.
The Backstory: Building from the Ground Up
Founded in 2016 by Varun Khurana and Prashant Jain, Crofarm’s journey began in the world of grocery logistics. The co-founders previously launched Mygreenbox, a grocery delivery startup acquired by Grofers, and quickly realized the biggest pain wasn’t delivery—it was the chaos and waste in the upstream supply chain. Layer after layer of middlemen made produce expensive for consumers and unrewarding for farmers, with up to 40% of fresh food lost before even reaching the city.
Determined to fix this, Varun and Prashant plunged into India’s heartland, visiting farms across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana. There, they saw the real challenges: farmers struggling with unpredictability, delayed payments, and lack of market access. The duo envisioned a transparent, tech-powered network that would give both farmers and buyers a better deal.
The Solution: AI-Powered Agri Logistics at Scale
Crofarm set up a robust, AI-driven digital supply chain to tackle the root of the problem:
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Direct Sourcing: They buy fruits and vegetables straight from over 20,000 farmers in more than twelve states, cutting out traditional market “mandis.” This shrinks costs and guarantees timely, electronic payments to farmers.
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Demand Prediction: Crofarm uses advanced machine learning to forecast exactly what and how much produce is needed by retailers and consumers. This tech has slashed wastage from 30-40% in traditional systems to under 4%, and sometimes as low as 3%.
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Fast Turnaround: Their system moves produce from farms to city warehouses within hours. Warehouse operations—sorting, quality checking, and last-mile dispatch—are optimized by smart software, with live rider tracking and routing to ensure ultra-fresh, just-in-time delivery.
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Traceability: Every veggie can be traced back to its farm, building consumer trust and rewarding growers for premium quality through a blockchain-based traceability and incentive system.
Impact: A Win-Win for Farmers, Retailers, and the Planet
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For Farmers: Crofarm means more predictable demand, higher earnings (with market guidance), and prompt digital payments—ending the cycle of uncertainty and debt.
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For Retailers and Consumers: Reliable, daily deliveries of fresh, nutritious produce; transparent pricing; and the assurance of quality, with fewer hands (and less time) between harvest and plate.
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On Wastage and Efficiency: Tech-driven demand prediction has brought food waste down to one-tenth of market averages. This saves money, natural resources, and environmental impact.
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For Women & Local Communities: Through its sister brand Otipy, Crofarm empowers over 500 women resellers to distribute at the hyperlocal level, boosting rural incomes and building a new “farmer-to-family” economy.
The Hook: A New Era for India’s Food Chain
Crofarm isn’t just a logistics startup—it’s a community. By weaving together AI, a passionate farmer network, and modern supply chain muscle, it’s making Indian agriculture more transparent, profitable, and sustainable. Their relentless focus has already created a digital, cross-country expressway for India’s fruits and veggies—one that’s fairer to the field and fresher to the fork.
Crofarm’s story proves that with the right blend of tech and purpose, even the most challenging supply chains can be rebuilt for people and planet alike—a harvest of hope for millions.
