An extensive 6 page story in Fortune India (July 2025 Print Issue) titled, Seeds of Innovation, throws a spotlight on Agritech Startups and how they are rewriting India’s Farm Economy through Made-In -India solutions in storage, fintech and climate resilient farming.
Vineet Rai, Founder and Vice Chairman, Aavishkaar Group and Member of the Organizing Committee and Chair of the Agritech panel of Startup Mahakumbh 2025 spoke to Senior Editor Joe C. Mathew of Fortune India magazine at the Startup Mahakumbh in April 2025 and shared some rare insights.
“Agri-startups are witnessing a democratisation of entrepreneurship. It’s where farmer wisdom meets youth’s enthusiasm and tech prowess,” said Vineet Rai.
Full-stack solutions provider Agrostar, online marketplace DeHaat, and AlI-based agritech startup Cropin are on Rai’s list of IPO probables. “There are a handful of others. This will be the first time India’s home-grown startups tap into the equity market,” Rai said. He believes IPOs will usher in a new era in agritech in the next 12-24 months. The ecosystem might be beginning to discover that the agritech opportunity is much bigger and global than perceived so far.
Of the 10 thematic pavilions at April’s Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi, agritech had the highest number of exhibitors—101. From livestock and aquaculture to precision farming and Al-led crop monitoring, startups demonstrated their ability to solve specific problems of Indian farmers.
According to a report by 1Lattice and the Indian Venture & Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), the sector must overcome challenges like fragmented landholdings, low productivity, soil degradation, water stress, climate change, and labour costs. Yet agriculture grew 5% annually between 2016-17 and 2022-23—a first since Independence. In tthe detailed story, the journalist has quoted various agritech startups, agritech-focused investors, agri economists and other ecosystem players and experts as well.
Available Now on Stands – Fortune India Print Edition
