eFresh: Smart & Safe Farming
Year: 2012
Founders: Srihari Kotela
Funding: Supported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Investors: NABARD, ICRISAT
Introduction
eFresh Agribusiness Solutions Pvt Ltd was established in 2012 by Srihari Kotela at Hyderabad. eFresh is an agritech firm that is committed to empowering Indian farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). eFresh has integrated physical centers and market connections with digital platforms, offering an ecosystem that is well-stocked with a complete set of solutions to improve agricultural productivity, support sustainable agriculture, and provide food safety. Its innovative strategy links smallholder farmers to high-value markets, quality inputs, and financial services and empowers them to succeed in the face of a competitive farm environment.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
Indian farmers and FPOs are usually cut off from access to quality inputs, credit, and stable markets, and difficulties in following food safety protocols. All these are addressed by eFresh through its delivery of original agri-inputs through Farmer Development Centers (FDCs), even during off-seasons, with assured supply. The digital solutions of the company enable business processes and access to finance for FPOs and farmers.Additionally, eFresh supports the adoption of good agricultural practices and helps certified produce reach premium domestic and export markets. It also assists FPOs with accounting, compliance, and reporting to boost transparency and creditworthiness.
Key Offerings
- Farmer Development Centers (FDCs): Franchise-based physical centers offering quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm equipment, managed collaboratively with FPOs.
- Customized Digital Platforms: Tools for financial management, market linkages, and dissemination of agricultural best practices.
- Food Safety & Market Access: Support to farmers for meeting global food safety certifications and connecting with premium and export markets.
- Accounting & Compliance Services: Bookkeeping, financial reporting, and statutory compliance assistance tailored for FPOs to enhance transparency and facilitate easier credit access.
Real Impact
eFresh has created a substantial footprint across five Indian states, working closely with 162 FPOs, 120+ suppliers, and impacting over 100,000 farmers.Through providing overall access to quality farm inputs and good farming practices, eFresh has improved productivity and sustainability for its customers to a great extent. Also, through its work of linking farmers to better markets, its initiative has improved revenues and encouraged quality production, making farming as a sustainable business.
Success Story
In Telangana, a group of farmers organized under an eFresh-supported FPO overcame challenges of inconsistent input supply and low market access. By leveraging eFresh’s Farmer Development Center, they gained timely access to certified seeds and fertilizers, while the digital platform helped manage finances and link their produce to export buyers. This holistic support boosted their yields by 25%, increased their income, and allowed them to maintain food safety standards that opened doors to international markets. Their success illustrates how integrated agritech solutions can transform rural livelihoods.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
- Combine Digital and Physical: eFresh’s model shows the power of blending technology with on-ground centers to build trust and convenience for farmers.
- Focus on FPO Empowerment: Strengthening FPOs through finance, compliance, and market access unlocks collective bargaining power and scale.
- Prioritize Quality & Compliance: Helping farmers meet food safety standards is key to accessing premium and export markets.
- Build Collaborative Networks: Partnering with suppliers and stakeholders enhances input availability and service delivery.
- Simplify Financial Management: Providing easy-to-use accounting and compliance tools builds transparency and creditworthiness
Stay Informed with Focus Agritech
eFresh Agribusiness Solutions stands at the forefront of smart, safe, and sustainable farming practices in India, offering a replicable model for inclusive agritech growth.
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