This startup helps small farmers with low cost solutions to increase their productivity

The vitality of small farms and the commitment of small farmers are what make Indian agriculture strong. Balwaan Krishi, an agri startup, recognises the importance of the small farmers and is therefore dedicated to helping small farmers since they recognize their importance. Its programs and products are made to empower people by giving them easy-to-use, low-cost solutions that increase productivity and ease problems. The Jaipur-based company is helping build communities by supporting vocational training, farmer cooperatives, and sustainability projects, contributing, thereby, to the overall growth of rural areas.

Speaking to Bizz Buzz exclusively, Rohit Bajaj, Co-Founder, Balwaan Krishi, narrates the company’s journey and explains how they are planning to share their successful farming methods with other countries that are facing similar farming problems

How important are small farms and small farmers, given the structure and composition of Indian agriculture?

The backbone of Indian agriculture is small farms and small farmers, who play a crucial role in our agricultural system. At Balwaan Krishi, we are aware of their crucial contribution to and influence on the rural economy and food security of our country. Indian agriculture is distinguished by its diversity, with a sizable number of small farms greatly boosting national output. These farms collectively contribute a large amount of our nation's food supply, underscoring their crucial role in supplying millions of people with food.

Additionally, small farmers frequently work within regional and traditional frameworks, conserving important indigenous customs. Long-term ecological balance depends on the preservation of biodiversity and the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

Small farmers' health has a direct impact on rural economies, promoting employment and fostering community growth. Their success is linked to the success of our country as a whole.

What were your objectives when you started Balwan Krishi?

Balwaan Krishi was started because a number of important things came together to show that the agricultural industry needed to change. First, there was a clear lack of modern, effective farming tools and equipment that were made to meet the specific needs of Indian farmers. This gap was made worse by the size of the market, which showed an untapped possibility. Since I come from a background where I was exposed to manufacturing machine parts as a family business, what really got to me was seeing how challenging it was for farmers to do their jobs without the right tools. Just after finishing my bachelor’s, me and my brother were thinking of doing some venture that would have a ready market, and need serious focus. We had thought through many ideas, but what stuck us is the struggle of farmers in terms of machinery that were heavy and expensive. Not many of them could afford it, and whoever could, the operation of those machines was pretty tough. We realised the opportunity here where farmers had the tools they needed, communities did well, and Indian agriculture grew. This would be made possible through innovation, cost, and a focus on social impact. This made me more determined to find a way to close the gap and give farmers tools that really met their needs.

This problem became a moving force. Balwaan Krishi was created to be a solution provider, with a focus on making affordable tools that fit the needs of the market at the time. This included making tools that were easy for the new generation to use and gave women farmers more power. This made technology available to everyone.

The effect on society was a very important factor. We knew that giving farmers good tools would not only make them more productive, but also help whole towns. By making sure affordable, easy-to-use tools were available, we hoped to make farmers' lives easier, which would help rural development and economic growth.

How has been the journey so far?

Balwaan Krishi, with over 100 employees, strives to bolster Indian agriculture through innovative and cost-effective mechanized solutions. By providing farmers access to equipment that slashes costs by up to 45 per cent and labour expenses by up to 70 per cent, our impact is socially transformative. Our commitment extends to crafting lightweight machinery, accommodating women's unique needs and roles in agriculture.

Our focus remains on serving small and marginal farmers, constituting 80 per cent of India's agricultural workforce. Balwaan Krishi offers budget-friendly solutions, empowering farmers and enhancing practices through an array of offerings priced from Rs 1000 to Rs 1 lakh.

At present, what are the offerings from your stable and how do these tools benefit the small and marginal farmers?

Our product range is diverse, spanning sprayers, seeders, brush cutters, power weeders, and earth augers, among others. Our machinery isn't just about function; it's about transforming the lives of small farmers.

Our blended B2B and B2C distribution model, with over 450 strategic dealers in the North and an expanding presence in the South and East, makes our solutions accessible. We recognize the power of efficient machinery in driving progress. For instance, our lightweight tools empower female farmers, enabling them to operate with ease.

With a strong dealer base of over 2,000 partners, including 575 at the tehsil level, our brand resonates. Recognized by e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart, we're committed to expanding our footprint and leaving a lasting impact on farmers nationwide.

Where do you manufacture these tools? How much have you invested in this?

We started our own business in Jaipur with an initial investment of Rs 1 lakh, and then our family provided us with a loan of Rs 20 lakh. As soon as our business began to generate a profit, we made it a point to rigorously reinvest the money that we made back into our enterprise. We reached the major milestone of turning a profit in a remarkably short period of time of just four years.

Going forward, how many more tools would you like to add?

We have set up service and delivery centres in important places like Uttar Pradesh, Howrah in Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, among others. We'll be in Maharashtra and Chennai the next year. This will strengthen our market reach. Our dedication to serving the domestic market is still our main priority right now, but we have big plans for the near future. After the next two years, our business's growth into foreign markets will depend on how the markets change and how well our plans work out.

How much of your sales comes from B2C and how much from B2B or institutional sales? Would this ratio remain the same, going forward?

We have made a business plan that is open enough to serve both the B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Consumer) markets. We sell our goods and services to a network of stores, dealers, and distributors in the business-to-business market. 60 per cent of our total income comes from this group. On the other hand, most of our business-to-consumer sales, which make up 40 per cent of our total income, happen on e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart. The Jio revolution has changed everything, and the growing number of farmers with smartphones has made it possible for a big move toward selling goods and services online.

Do you offer any finance options to small and marginal farmers?

We are considering finance options for small farmers and already in talks with a couple of banks and establishments, but it will take another 6 to 8 months to formalise it.

How large is this agricultural tool market in India and how is it growing?

The market for agricultural equipment in India reached roughly $1024.16 billion in 2022, and it is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 10.40 per cent from 2023 to 2028. This expansion is a direct result of human and animal migration to metropolitan areas, which has led to an increase in the demand for agricultural machinery. Microfinance firms are making more credit available, which is helping to drive up adoption rates. Agricultural loan waiver programs and increased incomes for farmers are further bolstering the market.

What are your future plans?

First of all, we are dedicated to growing our product line so that we can meet more farming needs. This means improving what we already have and bringing in new farming tools to improve the way we farm. We are also planning to grow into new areas. Balwaan Krishi wants to get into new Indian markets, become a reliable partner for farmers all over the country, and help grow agriculture.

As part of our attempts to digitize, we plan to add IoT, data analytics, and AI to our machinery. This will give farmers analytics in real time, which will improve business efficiency and resource use.

Sustainability is one of the most important ideas that guide our mission. We are committed to developing our products and running our business in ways that are good for the environment. This will lessen the damage we do to the planet and help make the future greener. A main goal is to give people in rural areas, especially women, more power by giving them jobs. We want to get more women involved in gardening by making tools that are easy for them to use. Training and education are important parts of our approach.

Do you have any plans to tap any agro-dominated economies outside India?

Even though the Indian market has been our main focus, we know that agro-dominated economies outside of India have a lot of promise. Small farm tools are in high demand in places like Africa, Bhutan, and Nepal, so we see these places as promising markets for our products. Our first step towards international expansion involves a thorough evaluation of these markets.