In an exclusive interview with Raamesh Chandra, the editor of Indian Startup Times, Vishnu Dhas and Praveen Shinde, founders of Khetigaadi.com, share insights into their journey and the transformative impact of their platform on India’s agriculture sector. Through Khetigaadi.com, they are revolutionizing how farmers access and utilize technology, making farm mechanization more accessible and efficient.
Q: Can you both introduce yourselves and share how Khetigaadi.com started?
A: Praveen: I’m Praveen Shinde, a B.Sc. Agriculture graduate with over 20 years of experience in the agriculture industry. I started with the agriculture fertilizers and pesticides business and the family business.
A: Vishnu: I started helping my brothers and family members with their work. In 2014, I got the idea for the mechanization industry, and we began Khetigaadi.com. My background is in commerce, and I’ve worked in pharmaceuticals, consulting, and factory automation before venturing into agritech.
Q: What was the inspiration behind Khetigaadi.com?
A: Vishnu: Our background in farming inspired us. We realized that farmers needed better access to information and knowledge to make informed decisions about buying the right technology for their farms.
Q: How does Khetigaadi.com empower farmers?
A: Vishnu: Khetigaadi.com is a knowledge-based advisory platform for farmers to buy, sell, rent, and hire tractors and farm mechanization equipment. We provide farmers with detailed information about various products, testimonials, product reviews, and comparisons to help them make the right choices.
Q: What impact has Khetigaadi.com had on the agricultural sector?
A: Vishnu: We have been able to contribute significantly to the growth of farm mechanization in India. Our platform has more than 1.6 million page visits every month, nearly 1 million app downloads, and over 50 million social media engagements. We aim to contribute 3% to 5% of India’s total tractor industry sales.
Q: How do you ensure a smooth transition between farmers and equipment providers?
A: Vishnu: We have a team of B.Tech agronomists who understand farmers’ profiles and needs. We provide personalized advice to farmers on buying the right equipment. We also offer services for listing tractors for rent or sale, ensuring a smooth transaction process.
Q: What are the plans for Khetigaadi.com?
A: Vishnu: We are expanding our e-commerce platform, Kheti Guru, to offer farmers a wide range of products. We plan to set up local touchpoints called Kheti Guru Ambassadors to provide on-ground support to farmers. We aim to continue empowering farmers with knowledge and technology to improve their livelihoods.
The journey of Vishnu Dhas and Praveen Shinde exemplifies the potential of technology to revolutionize traditional sectors like agriculture. By empowering farmers with information and tools to enhance productivity and sustainability, they continue to pave the way for a brighter future for Indian agriculture through Khetigaadi.com.
