Farming

Pune startup BioPrime AgriSolutions have developed SNIPR, a technology that harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microorganisms to help farmers increase crop yields while reducing their dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Michelin star chef Johnson Ebenezer, along with his former sous chefs Mythrayie Iyer and Avinash Vishaal, set up an organic farm-to-table dining experience in Bengaluru called FarmLore, which lets guests immerse themselves in everything natural.

To address the problem of soil testing before every round of sowing, IIT Bombay researcher and scientist Dr Rajul Patkar has recently developed Nutrisens, a portable device that claims to test soil health in a matter of minutes.

Bengaluru-based Organic Tap, founded by Hasan Chaithanya, is a marketplace that connects organic farmers with consumers directly, while assuring fair pricing and high visibility for farmers, and fresh and verified produce for consumers.

Chandana Gade co-founded Seedbasket Agro Services with her husband Naveen, to source native seeds from the villages and make them available to urban gardeners looking to grow their own vegetables.

Christina and her mother Anitha Ajith started The Lilac Farm near Somashettyhalli in Bengaluru after a life-altering event forced them to rethink their lifestyle choices. Today, they promote veganism and healthy living through various activities at their farm stay.

Mangaluru farmer Ganapathi Bhat has innovated an easy-to-use ’tree scooter ’that helps reduce dependence on labourers and helps farmers harvest 300 areca palms in a day, thrice the amount harvested using traditional methods.

Chethan Shetty quit his lucrative eight-year-long corporate career to farm on his ancestral land in Bellare village near Mangaluru. He grows trees like areca nut, pepper vines, nutmeg, coconut, rambutan, and mangosteen.

Chef Avinash Martins from Goa has transformed his ancestral land into a farm to table venture C’est L’avi, which takes a deep dive into a lesser-known side of Goa, its food, and its people.

Coimbatore resident Aravinthan R P grows rare varieties of vegetables in a spare space at his father’s residential school. He also conserves seeds, and provides nutritious meals to the students, while encouraging them to learn how to farm.