After IoTechWorld Avigation, Dhanuka Agritech Announces to Invest in More Agri Startups

Agro-chemical firm Dhanuka Agritech has announced its investments in two startups and expressed its openness to investing in more companies to support young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector. The chairman of Dhanuka Group, R G Agarwal, stated that they are ready to support and invest in startups with promising products and technologies.

In 2021, Dhanuka Agritech made a significant investment of Rs 30 crore in IoTechWorld Avigation, a Gurugram-based agri drone manufacturer, acquiring a minority stake in the company. Agarwal highlighted that IoTechWorld has a substantial order book as drones are increasingly being used in agriculture for tasks such as pesticide spraying.

The second startup in which Dhanuka has invested develops IoT- and AI-based equipment for the farm sector, specifically soil sensors. These technologies play a vital role in modernizing and optimizing agricultural practices.

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Agarwal emphasized the integration of technological advancements like drones and artificial intelligence with the agriculture sector. These innovations offer benefits such as early identification of crop diseases and pest attacks, efficient use of fertilizers, and water management. Real-time data provided by these technologies enable farmers to make informed decisions and plan their crops more effectively.

Addressing challenges in the agrochemical sector, Agarwal pointed out the issue of spurious pesticides, which negatively affect both farmers and manufacturers. To tackle this problem, Dhanuka Agritech has introduced QR codes on all its products to counter the sale of counterfeit items in the parallel market. The company is also actively running campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of using high-quality farm inputs and purchasing them through legitimate channels.

Agarwal emphasized that substandard, spurious, smuggled, or duplicate pesticides can significantly impact crop yields and farmers' income. Such low-quality products fail to effectively control pests and insects, leading to substantial crop losses.

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The chairman urged the central and state governments to take strict action against entities involved in the sale of substandard and spurious agrochemicals and agri-inputs. By cracking down on these illicit practices, the authorities can safeguard the interests of farmers and promote a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector.

Dhanuka Group, with manufacturing units in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir, reported a turnover of nearly Rs 1,500 crore in the previous fiscal year. The company's investments in startups reflect its commitment to supporting innovation and technology adoption in agriculture, ultimately benefiting farmers and the industry as a whole.

Source- PTI

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