Saurabh Agarwal: Paving the Way for a More Resilient Agricultural Landscape
As the global population continues to grow, the demand for efficient food production methods intensifies, urging innovators to rethink traditional farming approaches. Amidst this backdrop, the agriculture sector is witnessing a transformative shift driven by the integration of advanced technologies and a commitment to sustainability. At the forefront of this transformative movement is Saurabh Agarwal, a visionary leader who is dedicated to revolutionizing the agricultural landscape.
Coming from a business family, Saurabh never fully grasped the challenges that farmers in India face on a daily basis. However, his passion for agriculture and the obstacles he encountered while managing his own small farming venture inspired him to take action to improve agricultural practices in India. He recognized a significant gap between the potential of technology and its implementation in the agricultural sector. Saurabh understood that technology could play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by farmers, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.
Envisioning a Sustainable Future
Driven by his commitment to agriculture and a strong belief in the power of technology, Saurabh founded GROWiT. His goal was to bridge the gap between technology and agriculture by providing farmers with access to the latest tools and technologies. GROWiT offers a range of products and services, including weather forecasting, soil testing, crop advisory, and farm management tools, all designed to help farmers make informed decisions, enhance their yields, and reduce operational costs.
For Saurabh, GROWiT represents more than just a business venture; it is a means to create a positive impact on society and improve the lives of farmers. He is convinced that by leveraging technology to solve real-world problems, it is possible to forge a brighter future for everyone involved in the agricultural ecosystem.
GROWiT India is on a mission to “Empower Farmers for Food Security towards a Sustainable Future.” The organization is dedicated to providing innovative protective farming products and holistic solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainability. Through its
commitment to a technology-driven approach, GROWiT aims to uplift farmers and foster a sustainable agricultural industry for future generations.
The establishment of GROWiT India Pvt Ltd in 2020 marked a pivotal moment in Saurabh Agarwal’s career, as it laid the groundwork for a leading Soil to Harvest Agri-tech company in India. This milestone set the stage for the organization’s mission to revolutionize agriculture with innovative and sustainable solutions.
Since its inception, GROWiT has expanded its outreach, serving over 250,000 farmers through various models and establishing more than 500 franchise stores across over 10 states. This extensive network underscores the organization’s rapid growth and commitment to supporting farmers nationwide by bringing advanced farming practices directly to them.
Revolutionary Approach to Empowering Farmers
GROWiT has introduced groundbreaking protective farming products, such as Agri thread, mulches, and crop covers, which have significantly enhanced crop yields and addressed declining productivity. These products have been instrumental in saving farmers time and money while ensuring high yield and quality, aligning with the organization’s mission to provide effective agricultural solutions.
To further educate and empower farmers, GROWiT established Grow Kshetras, or demo farms, in each taluka of the four states in which it operates. These demo farms serve as practical learning centers where farmers can adopt advanced agricultural techniques, promoting sustainable farming practices at the grassroots level.
Additionally, GROWiT developed the GROWiT Mobile App, which provides farmers with easy access to information on protective agricultural techniques via their smartphones. This app has significantly enhanced the organization’s ability to support farmers in implementing innovative practices conveniently.
Vision for Sustainable Agriculture
The company has also ventured into soil health testing devices, offering detailed soil composition analysis and crop recommendations. This innovation empowers farmers to make informed decisions, ultimately improving crop yield and soil health.
GROWiT’s commitment to sustainability is further reflected in its buyback model, ensuring responsible product use and disposal. These milestones collectively showcase Saurabh Agarwal’s and GROWiT’s dedication to enhancing crop yield, reducing input costs, and fostering sustainable practices in agriculture.
GROWiT is currently developing a technology product—a soil sensor designed for farmers to periodically test their soil. This innovation aims to help farmers make informed decisions that lead to improved agricultural output while utilizing fewer resources.
The company aspires to become a leading global provider of innovative agricultural solutions that contribute to sustainable and efficient food production. GROWiT firmly believes that technology can play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and is committed to leveraging this technology to empower farmers and enhance their productivity.
In line with its ideals, GROWiT emphasizes the significance of sustainability and social responsibility. The company is dedicated to building a business that not only delivers value to its stakeholders but also contributes positively to the well-being of society and the environment.
Navigating the Green Frontier
As the CEO of GROWiT, Saurabh Agarwal encountered several challenges while establishing his sustainable agriculture business. One of the most significant hurdles he faced was building a team that shared his vision and passion for sustainability. Saurabh prioritized bringing on board individuals who not only possessed the right skills and experience but also shared his enthusiasm for creating a sustainable future. He invested considerable time in networking and building relationships within the industry, which helped him identify the right team members who aligned with his values.
Raising funds presented another challenge for Saurabh. While he had a clear vision of what he wanted to achieve, convincing investors to back his idea proved to be difficult. To address this, he dedicated time to developing a robust business plan and pitch deck that clearly articulated his vision, the problems GROWiT aimed to solve, and the market opportunities. Additionally, he networked with other entrepreneurs and investors to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Navigating regulatory hurdles was also a significant challenge, particularly in complying with strict regulations surrounding genetically modified crops and meeting quality standards. To overcome this, Saurabh’s team invested heavily in research and development to ensure that their
products met all regulatory requirements. They also worked closely with regulators to gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape.
Finally, building brand awareness was a challenge as GROWiT sought to introduce a new concept to the market. Saurabh’s team invested in marketing and PR campaigns aimed at educating consumers about the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Additionally, they built relationships with influencers and thought leaders in the industry to help spread the word about their products.
Integrating Technology with Traditional Farming
GROWiT is a unique company that provides end-to-end solutions for the agri-food sector, integrating technology with traditional farming practices to increase yield and reduce waste. The company’s approach is to empower farmers with the latest technological advancements to optimize their output while also ensuring sustainability.
Additionally, GROWiT’s focus on sustainability and social responsibility is what sets it apart. The company is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of farming and ensuring fair prices for farmers, making it a unique and socially responsible agri-tech company.
Its USP is its Franchise Model of 500+ Stores across 10+ States & our B2B collaboration with over 50 corporates.
Feathers in the Cap
GROWiT has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for its work, highlighting its impact and success in the agricultural industry. Some of the notable accolades include:
- Indian Achiever’s Award 2021 for the Most Promising Company – Growit India Pvt. Ltd.
- Best Start-Up / Emerging Company at the Agri-Business Summit & Awards (ABSA) in August 2022.
- Excellence in Agritech at the Times Business Awards 2022.
- Agriculture- MSME and Start-Up Awards in August 2023.
- Best Training & Development Award from Stratefix (Drishti) in September 2023.
- Best Agri Start-Up Awards 2023 from the Start-Up Award 2023.
- Best Place to Work for 2024 – Business Success Magazine 2024
- The Gujarat State Best Employer Brand Award 2024 – 19th Employer Branding Awards
These recognitions not only validate GROWiT’s efforts but also serve as motivation for the team to continue performing at a high level and innovating within the agricultural sector.
The Power of Perspective
Saurabh Agarwal emphasizes that attitude is the most crucial skill for every entrepreneur aspiring to succeed in their respective industries. He acknowledges that the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with both highs, stemming from accomplishments, and lows, resulting from failures. According to Saurabh, a successful entrepreneur must possess the ability to concentrate and remain steadfast in their course, especially when challenges arise.
He stresses that, despite the struggles one may face, it is essential for entrepreneurs to maintain the attitude and focus necessary to keep their eyes on the end goal. Saurabh firmly believes that “Attitude is Everything,” a principle he not only advocates but also lives by in his own professional journey.
