Krishi Trade: Beyond Mandis Towards Markets
Year: 2017
Founders: Sachin Nikumbh (CEO), K. Satyanarayana
Funding: Supported by Villgro; partnered with VibhaVani for agri-entrepreneurship promotion
Introduction
Krishi Trade is India’s first private APMC that is revolutionizing post-harvest trade by a complete digital, B2B agri-marketplace. Where fintech and agritech meet, the platform enables farmers, FPOs, SHGs, and agri-enterprises through end-to-end, direct, transparent, and hassle-free trading of farm produce. With embedded financial services and logistics facilitation, Krishi Trade presents an end-to-end agri-commerce solution.
Tackling Agricultural Challenges
India’s existing agri-marketing infrastructure is full of inefficiencies—too many intermediaries, delayed payments, no credit facility for the buyer, and poor logistics. Farmers and FPOs have no access to better markets, negotiation facilities, or timely delivery of produce. Krishi Trade fills this gap with a digital-powered, trust-based platform that accelerates agricultural trade, makes it smart and farmer-friendly.
Key Offerings
Krishi Trade’s value proposition lies in its integrated service suite that simplifies trading while ensuring farmer empowerment:
- Digital Marketplace: Web and mobile-empowered platform where procurement needs can be posted by buyers and quoted by sellers in real time, enabling competitive, transparent price discovery.
- Instant Farm-Gate Payment: 100% payment is received by farmers immediately at the time of e-way bill generation, and buyers are given credit terms of up to 90 days, providing better cash flow for both
- Logistics & Fulfillment via Truck Dial: The platform handles everything from pickup and packaging to quality checks and doorstep delivery, ensuring full traceability and zero leakage.
- Export Enablement: Supports FPOs in accessing global markets by offering grading, certification, packaging, and shipment support, enabling them to operate as direct exporters.
- Entrepreneurship Collaboration: Works with organizations like VibhaVani to promote rural entrepreneurship by training individuals and groups to onboard local supply onto the platform.
Real Impact
Krishi Trade has transformed farmers’ post-harvest trade. By taking transactions online and adding logistics and credit to the equation, the website has developed an easy marketplace that removes middlemen, provides timely payments, and enhances farmer profitability. Farmers from states can now sell with assurance to buyers in the country as well as abroad. This is helping in fetching better returns and minimizing losses.
Success Story
In Maharashtra, a citrus-producing FPO struggled with delayed payments and lack of quality buyers. After onboarding with Krishi Trade, they began receiving farm-gate payments within minutes and used the logistics support to ship produce to institutional buyers in Gujarat and Karnataka. With the help of export facilitation services, the FPO also completed its first overseas order of 5 MT of lemons to the UAE. Their revenue increased by 30% within the first season of partnership.
Lessons for Agri-Startups
Krishi Trade’s model highlights several critical takeaways for agritech ventures:
- Payment Assurance Builds Trust: Instant payouts at farm-gate reduce farmer risk and drive long-term loyalty.
- Combine Tech with Fulfillment: Marketplaces only succeed when backed by efficient logistics and real-time updates.
- Credit for Buyers is a Growth Lever: Providing working capital to buyers ensures faster order cycles and broader market participation.
- Export Is Achievable for FPOs: With the right support in documentation and packaging, even small groups can enter global markets.
- Partner to Scale: Collaboration with grassroots organizations enables deeper market penetration and trust-building.
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