Two consecutive failed monsoons made almost 40% of India receive less than normal rains in 2015, forcing morethan seven states to declare drought.
Erratic rain have left crops parched, jeopardizing India's nearly $370 billion agricultural sector and thousands of jobs. Helping farmers combat the problem, a clutch of startups have chosen to shun the stereotype entrepreneurial ventures in e-commerce or software to venture into precision farming (site specific crop management and technology).
Karnataka-based Flybird uses sensors in the soil todetect moisture content and control irrigation. With over 45 installations in villages of Karnataka for cropssuch as capsicum and a variety of flowers, the setup helps the farmers optimise irrigation.
"The method alsoproves economical for the farmer in the long run, although the cost of one sensor is Rs 6,000, as it is imported. We are working on making indigenous low-cost sensors," said K S Satish, co-founder, Flybird Agri Innovations. The startup currently makes Rs 22 to Rs 25 lakhs a year and projects a turnover of Rs 1.7 crore the nextyear, as more farmers from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu would join in.
NubeSol, which gauges soil quality based on various parameters and gives out fertility maps, also monitors soil moisture through remote sensing. Catering exclusively to sugarcane crops, the sensor sends out warnings when the soil moisture falls below the threshold level.
"The sensor covers few acres of land, which can be used by more than one farmer. There are currently over 7,000 farmers from Belagavi and Bagalkot whom we cater to," said Suraj Dixit, co-founder, NubeSol.
With more farmers adapting such techniques, the market for irrigation controllers would reach Rs 1 crore by 2016-17, according to data from National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM).
While two consecutive fai ed monsoons have propelled the need for better irrigation, labour shortage has necessitated automation of irrigation.
"Cash crops stand more to benefit from these innovations," said Chakravarty A B, senior investment manager, Villigro, an incubator for agro based startups.
The Chennai-based Sree Sai Aerotech Innovations, run by father and son duo Sai Pattabiram and Venkatesh Sai manufactures drones and drone controllers. They have partnered with a company that has over 4,000 weather stations across the country to detect health of the crop using drones and in-house software for aerial photos.
Erratic rain have left crops parched, jeopardizing India's nearly $370 billion agricultural sector and thousands of jobs. Helping farmers combat the problem, a clutch of startups have chosen to shun the stereotype entrepreneurial ventures in e-commerce or software to venture into precision farming (site specific crop management and technology).
Karnataka-based Flybird uses sensors in the soil todetect moisture content and control irrigation. With over 45 installations in villages of Karnataka for cropssuch as capsicum and a variety of flowers, the setup helps the farmers optimise irrigation.
"The method alsoproves economical for the farmer in the long run, although the cost of one sensor is Rs 6,000, as it is imported. We are working on making indigenous low-cost sensors," said K S Satish, co-founder, Flybird Agri Innovations. The startup currently makes Rs 22 to Rs 25 lakhs a year and projects a turnover of Rs 1.7 crore the nextyear, as more farmers from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu would join in.
NubeSol, which gauges soil quality based on various parameters and gives out fertility maps, also monitors soil moisture through remote sensing. Catering exclusively to sugarcane crops, the sensor sends out warnings when the soil moisture falls below the threshold level.
"The sensor covers few acres of land, which can be used by more than one farmer. There are currently over 7,000 farmers from Belagavi and Bagalkot whom we cater to," said Suraj Dixit, co-founder, NubeSol.
With more farmers adapting such techniques, the market for irrigation controllers would reach Rs 1 crore by 2016-17, according to data from National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM).
While two consecutive fai ed monsoons have propelled the need for better irrigation, labour shortage has necessitated automation of irrigation.
"Cash crops stand more to benefit from these innovations," said Chakravarty A B, senior investment manager, Villigro, an incubator for agro based startups.
The Chennai-based Sree Sai Aerotech Innovations, run by father and son duo Sai Pattabiram and Venkatesh Sai manufactures drones and drone controllers. They have partnered with a company that has over 4,000 weather stations across the country to detect health of the crop using drones and in-house software for aerial photos.