Avanijal Agri Automation, based in Bengaluru, India, was founded with a clear vision to transform the agricultural sector through innovative technology. The startup aims to address one of the most critical challenges faced by farmers in India: efficient irrigation. Here is a look at the company's foundation and the people behind it.
The idea behind Avanijal Agri Automation was born out of a desire to make farming more sustainable and efficient. Co-founder Vijayeendra H S noted, "One of the biggest farming challenges in India is irrigation. Farmers generally use drip or sprinkler systems, which typically waste water and can often over-irrigate crops, affecting the final yield"[1]. This insight led to the development of a new irrigation method that could be controlled using an app.
The founders recognized the need for a solution that could be tailored to Indian conditions. They observed that while countries like the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia were ahead in agricultural innovation, India needed solutions that were specifically designed for its unique challenges. This realization drove the development of their first product, Nikash.
The early days involved extensive research and feedback from farmers. The founders participated in many krishi melas (agriculture fairs) to understand the needs of their potential customers and refine their product accordingly.
Avanijal Agri Automation was co-founded by Vijayeendra H S and Channabasappa Kolar. Vijayeendra, who initially wanted to start something in the field of energy conservation, found the perfect partner in Channabasappa, who was working in the rural sector at the time. Their backgrounds complemented each other well, with Vijayeendra bringing expertise from his days at Wipro and Channabasappa contributing his experience in rural development[1].
Channabasappa Kolar, the Managing Director, has a strong background in managing projects in rural areas. This experience has been invaluable in understanding the ground-level challenges faced by farmers and in designing solutions that are practical and effective.
The founding team's combined expertise and commitment to innovation have been key factors in the company's success.
From its inception, Avanijal Agri Automation has focused on developing innovative solutions for the agricultural sector. Here’s a look at how the company has evolved over time.
The journey of Avanijal Agri Automation began in September 2013 when Vijayeendra and Channabasappa decided to focus on agriculture. Their first product, Nikash, took three years to develop. This was a slow and painstaking process, but it finally came to fruition when it was commercialized[1]. Nikash is an automated irrigation system that leverages IoT and wireless technology to control irrigation motors and valves in the field.
The system includes a controller connected to an app, wireless sensor nodes embedded in the soil, and repeaters that establish communication between the controller and the nodes. This setup allows farmers to configure their irrigation schedule on the app and remotely monitor the activity, automating processes that were earlier done manually.
Today, Avanijal Agri Automation continues to innovate, with a focus on expanding its product line to include crop monitoring. The company is working with IBM to analyze data collected from sensors in the field and provide actionable insights to farmers.
Avanijal Agri Automation has achieved several key milestones since its inception. Here are some notable ones:
Avanijal Agri Automation has been expanding its product portfolio beyond its initial irrigation system. Here are some key areas of expansion:
The company has started working on crop monitoring, using sensors to collect data from the field. This data is stored on the cloud and analyzed to provide farmers with actionable insights. This expansion helps farmers not only with irrigation but also with overall crop health and management.
The use of IoT and wireless technology has also enabled the company to develop other related products and services. For example, the real-time feedback system allows farmers to get data on various stages of irrigation through their mobile phones or laptops.
The technology infrastructure of Avanijal Agri Automation is robust and designed to support its innovative solutions. Here’s a detailed look at the core components.
The core platform of Avanijal Agri Automation is built around IoT and wireless technology. The system includes a controller, wireless sensor nodes, and repeaters. The controller is connected to an app that allows farmers to configure and monitor their irrigation schedules. This architecture ensures seamless communication between the different components and enables automated irrigation processes.
The use of wireless sensor nodes embedded in the soil provides real-time data on soil moisture and other parameters. This data is crucial for optimizing irrigation and preventing overwatering or under-watering of crops.
The app interface is user-friendly, allowing farmers to easily set up and manage their irrigation schedules. The system also includes features for real-time monitoring, ensuring that farmers can adjust their irrigation plans as needed.
Avanijal Agri Automation places a strong emphasis on security and compliance. The company ensures that all data collected from sensors is securely stored on the cloud. The partnership with IBM for using its Watson IoT platform adds an extra layer of security and reliability to the system.
The company complies with all relevant regulations and standards for data protection and privacy. This ensures that the sensitive data of farmers is protected and used only for the purpose of improving their agricultural practices.
The security framework also includes measures to protect against potential cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the data collected and analyzed.
Avanijal Agri Automation is at the forefront of innovation in the agricultural technology sector. The company's use of IoT and wireless technology to automate irrigation is a significant advancement. Here are some ways the company is innovating:
These innovations not only benefit farmers but also contribute to the broader goal of sustainable agriculture and efficient water use.
Avanijal Agri Automation has made a significant impact on the agricultural sector in India. Here’s how they are changing the game:
Avanijal's innovative irrigation system, Nikash, has been well-received by farmers across India. The system's ease of use and affordability have attracted a growing user base. Farmers can now manage their irrigation schedules and monitor their fields remotely using an app, which has simplified their work significantly.
According to Vijayeendra H S, co-founder of Avanijal, "Farmers generally use drip or sprinkler systems, which typically waste water and can often over-irrigate crops, affecting the final yield."[10] Nikash addresses these issues by providing precision irrigation based on time, volume of water available, and soil moisture.
The startup has also made it easy for farmers to start small and expand as they see the benefits. "A farmer can start with the basic plan by automating a small portion of the land first before expanding its reach later," Vijayeendra explains.
Avanijal's market share is expanding rapidly due to the increasing adoption of automated irrigation systems. The global irrigation automation market is expected to grow significantly, with the Asia-Pacific region showing the highest growth rate due to decreasing water levels and increasing awareness among farmers[7].
The use of IoT and wireless technology in Nikash has made it a preferred choice for many farmers. "The system has also been designed to take voltage fluctuations into consideration, so the time or volume of water is automatically adjusted during the event of power outages," Vijayeendra adds.
Avanijal is also exploring opportunities in markets outside India and partnering with corporate farmers to further expand its market share.
Avanijal's affordable pricing strategy has made their solution accessible to a wide range of farmers, including those in rural areas. The cost of the solution varies from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 per acre, making it a viable option for many[10].
"India is a price-sensitive market and the few products that are available today are too costly for many farmers," Vijayeendra notes. "The payback period for farmers can go up to 2.5 years," he adds, highlighting the financial inclusivity of their solution.
This affordability has helped in increasing the adoption rate among small and medium-scale farmers, contributing to financial inclusion in the agricultural sector.
Avanijal Agri Automation's financial journey has been marked by steady growth and strategic financial decisions.
Avanijal's revenue has been growing steadily since the introduction of Nikash. The demand for irrigation automation is increasing globally, driven by factors such as water scarcity and the need for efficient water use[7].
The global irrigation automation market is expected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 16.5% from 2025 to 2030. This growth trend is expected to contribute significantly to Avanijal's revenue.
The company's focus on precision irrigation and remote monitoring has helped in reducing operating costs for farmers, which in turn has increased the demand for their system.
Avanijal's path to profitability is supported by its cost-effective solution and the growing demand for automated irrigation systems. The company has managed to keep its costs low while providing a valuable service to farmers.
"The reduction in operating costs for farmers is expected to boost the worldwide demand for irrigation automation significantly," according to market reports. This reduction includes labor, equipment, fuel, and water costs.
By providing a solution that is both affordable and efficient, Avanijal is on a clear path to profitability.
Avanijal Agri Automation started as a bootstrapped company with an initial investment of Rs 30 lakh. The company has been exploring opportunities for further investment to scale its operations.
While specific details on recent investment rounds are not available, the company's growth and market potential make it an attractive option for investors. Avanijal's strategic partnerships and expanding user base are key factors that could attract future investments.
Avanijal Agri Automation has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings and reach.
Avanijal has not publicly disclosed any specific banking collaborations, but such partnerships are crucial for expanding financial inclusion initiatives. These collaborations can help in providing financing options to farmers who want to adopt the Nikash system.
Financial institutions can play a key role in making Avanijal's solution more accessible by offering loans or other financial products tailored to farmers' needs.
Avanijal is working with various merchants and suppliers to ensure the smooth delivery of its products. These partnerships help in maintaining a consistent supply chain and ensuring that the system is available to farmers across different regions.
"These visits were greatly helpful in tuning our product based on actual problems faced by farmers," Vijayeendra says, highlighting the importance of field-level feedback and partnerships.
Avanijal has a significant technology alliance with IBM. The company uses IBM's Watson IoT platform to analyze data collected from sensors in the field.
"We can analyse that data and provide input back to the farmer in a readable and graphical way for them to take action," Vijayeendra explains. This alliance has enhanced the capabilities of Nikash and provided valuable insights to farmers.
This partnership also underscores Avanijal's commitment to leveraging advanced technology to improve agricultural practices.
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