Parashram Akhare is a 28-year-old electrical engineer from Mohadari village in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. He started a cool venture called Krushi Sarathi. He wants to help farmers in making their work more profitable, sustainable, and provide easier access to farming products.
Farming is generally tough but in Vidarbha and Marathwada, it has always been tougher.
Do you know, these areas are known for their farming troubles, and farmers face a lot of challenges:
- Not easy access to markets
- Still using old farming methods
- Local shopkeepers taking advantage of the farmers by unfair charges.
Because of this, many end up stuck in cycles of debt and struggle to make ends meet.
Launched during the 2020 lockdown, this venture has rapidly grown to achieve an impressive annual turnover of Rs 5 crore, with projections to double that figure this year. As the son of a farmer, Akhare personally experienced the challenges faced by his community, motivating him to address the obstacles of market access, technology, and support that frequently hinder farmers’ progress.
Early Life and Background
For Akhare, farmers’ struggles were more than mere tales; they constituted his lived experience. Since he was raised in Mohadari, Buldhana, Akhare frequently observed his father and fellow farmers grappling with exploitation at the hands of local shopkeepers. As the markets was dominated by these locals, farmers were struggling for fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides.
When one day, Akhare found himself in the same cycle, he wanted to break free. To do so, he enrolled in electrical engineering at the Government College of Engineering, Amravati, ultimately landing a stable job in Airoli, Navi Mumbai. However, despite his newfound stability, the struggles of his community remained at the forefront of his mind.
The Pandemic Unvieled the Bitter Truth
Everything changed for Akhare during the lockdown in 2020. He figured that with vegetable prices in cities going up, the farmers in his village must be doing really well. But then his dad told him that a lot of them were actually throwing their crops away because they couldn’t get to the markets or make a decent profit from selling.
Taking the Initiative
Inspired by the challenges faced by local farmers, Akhare decided to help them by assisting them with the transportation of their produce to urban markets. Thus, enabling them to sell directly to consumers.
It was 2022 and Parashram was working with IIT Bombay on a project called the Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (POCRA). At that time, he was traveling around Vidarbha and Marathwada.
Then he got the chance to understand the problems faced by farmers, especially when it comes to getting resources and dealing with climate issues. Later, when he joined the Maharashtra Government as a Young Professional Fellow for a year, he got to learn even more about how policies are made and put into action.
Moreover, after learning the little to no earnings (sometimes Rs 60 only) made by farmers, he was determined to bring the change.
The Bold Step
Driven by a desire to create a more significant impact, Akhare made the bold decision to leave his fellowship and job to dedicate himself to Krushi Sarathi full-time.
As usual, his decision was not welcomed by others, and some even questioned whether he would be selling vegetables for a living. But little did they know that his vision was clear, and with the steadfast support of his parents and wife, Meera, he propelled me forward.
Strengthening the Foundation With a New Perspective
Krushi Sarathi was initially designed to connect farmers with urban consumers. However, it has transformed into a platform that is tackling a variety of agricultural challenges.
By 2022, Krushi Sarathi expanded its scope and started providing essential farming supplies (fertilizers and pesticides) directly to farmers. This step not only eliminated intermediaries but also guaranteed fair pricing for the agricultural community.
Transparency as the fundamental pillar of the platform, Krushi Sarathi app and website, offers farmers the ability to compare product prices. Thus, empowering them to make well-informed choices.
The startup has established a strong grassroots network by appointing taluka coordinators who assist farmers both online and offline. This was required because not every farmer is tech-savvy, and Akhare wanted that no one is left behind.
About Krushi Sarathi
Krushi Sarathi (the farmer’s charioteer) is an innovative startup dedicated to transforming the narrative for farmers. It builds connections between farmers and authentic products, technologies, and lucrative market opportunities, all while providing invaluable guidance and consultation.
With the offline and online approaches, the company forms a network of taluka coordinators. This network helps farmers to conveniently receive fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential farming supplies straight to their doorstep within just 24 hours.
Challenges and Solutions
The journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, that’s for sure. It’s been tough trying to shake things up with local shopkeepers, get farmers to think differently, and find enough funding to keep things moving.
Biggest Challenge: It is hard to change the traditional thinking that being in debt is a part of a farmer’s life.
However, it is his vision that fuels his motivation.
Achievements and Recognitions
- In 2022, won the Best Startup Award for Agriculture from the Maharashtra Government.
- The launch of Krushi Sakhi to involve women in farming decisions.
- Promoting group farming and alternative crops for steady year-round income for farmers instead of seasonal earnings.
Krushi Sarathi: A Movement
Yes, slowly but surely, Krushi Sarathi is becoming a movement because its turnover is nearing Rs 10 crore. This proves that right support and guidance can make Indian agriculture and farmers thrive.
Krushi Sarathi has positively affected about 30,000 farmers in Vidarbha, offering them resources and renewed hope. The startup has also created 180 jobs, demonstrating that agriculture can generate employment and revenue in areas with few industries.
Akhare has shown that with determination and creativity, agriculture can drive positive change. Currently, Krushi Sarathi operates in Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana districts and employs 180 people. This success supports farmers and showcases agriculture’s potential to reduce unemployment in Vidarbha.
