Agriculture

Dr Monika Garg, a scientist at National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali, Punjab, has developed three new varieties of wheat - black, blue, and purple - which can reduce blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and body fat levels.

With weather conditions becoming favourable, few villages in the south of Karnataka are now experimenting by growing strawberries, among other exotic vegetables. Some speak of harvesting up to 400 kgs of the fruit per day.

C V Varghese from Wayanad has come up with a solution to grow produce using a vertical mesh tower method, which allows maximum produce in limited spaces. The method also uses dry leaves and other organic matter.

Kanak Lata from Vittalpur, Uttar Pradesh, grows Durg and Aryaman varieties of tomatoes that are now a hit with the locals and foreigners. She now expects a profit of Rs 2.5 lakhs from the sale of her organic produce

Harvesting Farmer Network has helped 23 lakh farmers across India sell produce worth $23 million through partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations and farmer groups.

Simply Fresh founded in 2013 by Sachin and Shweta Darbarwar in Hyderabad is a state-of-the-art farm. Employing technology to gauge the nutrient supply to each plant along with hydroponics, this brand promises fresh, pesticide-free veggies.

Momee Pegu, from Majuli, Assam, started RIGBO in 2015, and has trained women in her village in how to convert 11,000 kg of water hyacinth into organic compost

Noida-based urban gardener Harpreet Singh Ahluwalia grows 75 varieties of vegetables through the year, on her terrace. She walks through the process, step by step

Telangana farmer Chintala Venkat Reddy has innovated a rice and wheat variety that is infused with vitamin D, for which he won an international patent from WIPO

Saptkrishi, a startup in Bihar, founded by Nikky Kumar Jha and his younger sister, Rashmi Jha, have devised an IoT technology — the Sabjikothi — which is helping farmers store their produce for longer while also keeping them fresh.