DeHaat: India Farmers’ Full-Stack Services
Year: 2012
Founders: Shashank Kumar, Amrendra Singh
Funding: $200M+ across rounds
Investors: Sofina Ventures, Temasek, RTP Global, Prosus Ventures, Sequoia Capital India
Introduction
DeHaat is the biggest full-stack agri-fintech platform in India.Co-founded by Amrendra Singh and Shashank Kumar, platform in India. It was established in Patna, Bihar, in 2012. More than 2.2 million farmers in 12 states receive financial services, market connections, agri-input access, and advisory services driven by AI. With operations in more than 11,000 rural centers and more than 500 FPOs, DeHaat has emerged as a key player in India’s digital and sustainable agriculture sector.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
Indian agriculture struggles with farmers lacking access to credit, dealing with broken supply chains, and not having the latest information. DeHaat uses technology to solve these issues by helping farmers get loans, offering AI assistance in their local languages, and connecting them with suppliers and big buyers.
Key Offerings
- DeHaat App: Crop advisory in 30+ local languages, weather alerts, and pest control tips
- Input Marketplace: Verified seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm equipment
- Output Services: Harvest procurement and direct market connections
- Fintech Tools: Credit lines, loans, and buy-now-pay-later solutions for inputs
- Physical Network: 11,000+ DeHaat Centers and veterinary helplines
Real Impact
DeHaat is redefining rural agribusiness. Serving over 2.2 million farmers across 11,000+ villages in 12 Indian states, the platform has catalyzed income growth of 30–50% for its user base. DeHaat provides farmers with everything they need, from crop selling options to pest alerts, all under one digital roof, through easy digital access and rural touchpoints.
Reputable investors Lightrock, Temasek, and Sofina have contributed more than $200 million to DeHaat’s funding. The World Economic Forum, Forbes, and NASSCOM have all praised it for facilitating inclusive and scalable agri-innovation.
Success Story
In rural Bihar, farmer Dinesh Kumar grew paddy and wheat on five acres. Traditionally, he sold produce through middlemen and faced frequent input shortages. After enrolling with a local DeHaat Center, he began using the app for pest alerts and purchased government-grade seeds on credit. When the harvest came, DeHaat connected him directly with a wholesale buyer.
As a result, Dinesh’s net income jumped by ₹60,000 annually, and he expanded into vegetable farming. Stories like his show how rural livelihoods are transformed when tech meets trust and accessibility.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
DeHaat’s decade-long journey is rich with insights for AgriTech startups aiming to build inclusive ecosystems:
- Hyperlocal First: DeHaat’s decentralized model proves that farmer support works best when delivered hyper locally—through village-level centers and language-specific content.
- One Platform, Many Needs: Input + output + advisory + fintech—farmers need bundled services, not fragmented apps.
- Fintech Integration is a Gamechanger: Credit is as critical as seeds. Syncing financial services with harvest cycles builds loyalty and resilience.
- Scale with Purpose: DeHaat scaled only after perfecting its impact model, showing that rural markets reward trust and utility more than just digital presence.
- Public-Private Collaboration: By partnering with 500+ FPOs, DeHaat leverages grassroots networks to increase reach and adoption.
Stay Informed with Focus Agritech
DeHaat is more than a startup—it’s a movement making India’s agriculture smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready.Explore more such stories, insights, and opportunities in the agritech ecosystem.
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