Precision farming for all: Satyukt Analytics levels the playing field for farmers of all sizes

The agricultural landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, and at the forefront of this revolution stands Satyukt Analytics. Led by the visionary Dr Sat Kumar Tomar, Satyukt Analytics is leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower farmers and bridge the gap between supply and demand. In an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, Dr Tomar delves into the challenges and opportunities within the agricultural sector, highlighting how Satyukt Analytics is making a tangible difference in the lives of farmers

Technology without risk management will not address farmers’ problems. Why?

Technology alone may not solve farmers' problems because it often overlooks the inherent risks in agriculture. Farmers face various uncertainties, including weather, pests, and market fluctuations. Without adequate risk management strategies integrated into technology solutions, farmers may not effectively mitigate these challenges. For example, a farming app may provide crop recommendations, but it doesn't account for unforeseen weather events or market crashes. Therefore, coupling technology with risk management tools like insurance and advisory services is crucial to ensure holistic support for farmers.

What are the key tech-trends that will dominate the agriculture sector in 2023?

Three key agritech trends to watch out for in the year 2023 are:

Sustainability using modern technology: The year will witness agri industry to leverage the power of sustainable farming practices. It is very well evident that sustainable farming practices will play a crucial role in 2023 to meet the demands of the expanding population. Technologies, such as AI, will enable the use of relevant data leading to low-input agriculture and better decision-making. IoT technology can be used to optimise the use of agricultural resources and enhance crop yields.

Empowering smallholder farmers: Over the past few years, there has been a massive focus on building farmer-centric solutions for small holder farmers. We expect this trend will significantly pick up pace in 2023 and beyond. Global food-system stakeholders have realised that meaningful and enduring transformation of agriculture is not possible unless smallholder farmers at the grassroots level are trained and enabled to adopt smarter, more efficient, and sustainable ways of farming.

Satellite-based pest management and productivity analysis: Pest and disease management is a problem for farms and agribusinesses all over the world. Farmers struggle to safeguard their crops from pests and illnesses due to inadequate pest management practices. Similarly, agribusinesses may find it quite challenging to evaluate and pinpoint the most productive plots.

Agriculture IoT market may set new growth – why?

The agriculture industry is witnessing a major shift nowadays due to the technologies of industry 4.0. The farming industry benefits from technological development, from planting and irrigation to crop health and harvesting. IoT solutions are focused on helping farmers close the supply-demand gap by ensuring high yields, profitability, and protection of the environment. The approach of using IoT technology to ensure optimum application of resources to achieve high crop yields and reduce operational costs is called precision agriculture. IoT in agriculture technologies comprises specialised equipment, wireless connectivity, software, and IT services

Kindly talk about Satyukt Analytics and its special offerings...

Satyukt provides precise information about a farm to monitor the current conditions, plan for future actions and get historical insights. The precise information helps farmers to improve their bottom line in a climate resilient and environmentally friendly manner, banks and financial institutions to find out the creditworthiness and risk of a farm, crop insurance companies for underwriting and faster claim settlements and agriculture companies to plan their supply chain optimally.

What steps the company has been taking for making farmers’ life easier?

With our advanced technology, our commitment lies in revolutionising agriculture to enhance the socio-economic well-being of farmers and simplify their livelihoods. Through precision soil testing and pest and disease advisory, they not only save the cost which is spent on inputs but also increase the overall productivity and the quality of the products as the crop grows well under optimum conditions. The data can help farmers determine the appropriate fertilisers and soil amendments to use.

Our satellite-based soil testing technology provides access to these findings, which eliminates the need to travel to pick them up, providing accurate results with regard to major soil nutrients, covering NPK, SOC, and PH. Reports of soil tests are available immediately without any physical intervention. Worldwide accessibility without the need to travel long distances and no soil samples need to be taken physically.

Crop advisories provide farmers with up-to-date information on the occurrence, severity, and management of pests and diseases in agricultural crops. These advisories are important tools for preventing and managing pest and disease outbreaks, which can have a significant impact on crop productivity and food security.

What motivated you to venture into the agri-tech sector, and what unique vision does your company bring to the field?

The majority of the farmers in India (almost 85 per cent) and other developing nations fall under the category of small and marginal landholders. Remarkably, contemporary technologies are predominantly tailored for large-scale farming operations. Our vision, in stark contrast, is to democratize precision farming, making it accessible to every farmer, regardless of the extent of their land holdings,

What challenges do small and marginal farmers in India face, and how have they overcome them with the assistance of Sat2Farm?

Small and marginal farmers in India encounter challenges such as limited access to resources, lack of information, and vulnerability to crop failures. Sat2Farm, through satellite-based technology, provides these farmers with critical data and insights. It helps them optimise resource usage, choose the right crops, and manage pests and diseases effectively. By leveraging Sat2Farm's precision agriculture tools, small farmers can increase their yields, reduce input costs, and make informed decisions. This technology levels the playing field, empowering marginalised farmers to enhance their agricultural productivity and economic well-being.

What benefits do you offer farmers, corporates, and other entities availing Satyukt Analytics services?

Satyukt Analytics offers a range of benefits to various stakeholders:

• Farmers: Access to precise information for optimising crop management, increasing yields, and reducing costs.

• Corporates: Insights for supply chain optimization, risk assessment, and creditworthiness of farms.

• Banks and financial institutions: Information for assessing farm credit risks and improving loan disbursal efficiency.

• Crop insurance companies: Data for underwriting and faster claim settlements.

• Agriculture companies: Tools for better planning and resource allocation.

These services contribute to improved agricultural practices, financial stability, and sustainability across the agriculture ecosystem.

What is the USP of Satyukt Analytics that makes it different from competitors?

Satyukt Analytics' unique selling proposition lies in its comprehensive and inclusive approach to agriculture technology. Its key differentiators include:

• Focus on small and marginal farmers: Tailoring technology for the benefit of the majority of farmers in India and other developing nations.

• Precision agriculture for all: Democratising precision farming, making it accessible to farmers of all sizes.

• Satellite-based technology: Leveraging advanced satellite remote sensing and machine learning for real-time, location-specific insights.

• Holistic solutions: Providing a wide range of services from soil testing to pest management, ensuring all aspects of farming are covered.

• Sustainability integration: Promoting environmentally friendly farming practices, especially in water and nutrient management.

What is your goal set for the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, our ambitious objective is to impact more than five crore acres in developing countries, with a primary focus on India. This endeavor aims to achieve several critical goals:

• Providing invaluable advisories to farmers, including those from the small and marginal sectors, enabling them to optimize resource utilization, such as fertilizers, water, and pesticides.

• Spearheading efforts to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from agricultural practices, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.

• Championing the cause of soil carbon sequestration, a vital initiative for enhancing soil health and mitigating climate change impacts.

• Implementing rigorous monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) mechanisms to document and validate reductions in GHG emissions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Empowering farmers to augment their income, fostering economic growth in agricultural communities.

As an entrepreneur in the agri-tech space, what advice would you give to other individuals who are passionate about using technology to drive positive change in the agriculture sector?

First and foremost, I suggest shifting the focus towards comprehending the problem and discovering viable solutions, rather than fixating solely on the technology itself. It is imperative to bear in mind that technology functions as a tool to tackle challenges.

Furthermore, within the realm of agriculture, and possibly in all endeavors, patience plays a crucial role. To succeed, it's essential to invest considerable time engaging with farmers, undertaking their issues, and harnessing our technological expertise to provide meaningful solutions.