New Delhi, July 25, 2024: AgTech company AgroStar has empowered over 9 million Indian farmers and reached global customers across over 25 countries, according to its comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact report 2024.
The ESG report, titled ‘Sowing Seeds of Sustainability’, provided a comprehensive view of the initiatives and actions undertaken by AgroStar. According to the report, Indian farmers have increased their yield by an average of 27% with the help of AgroStar products and advisory services while reducing their input cost by 17%. The company’s agri-input products have contributed to the global cause of water conservation by reducing water consumption by 423 billion litres. The use of the company’s environmentally friendly products has helped restore 580 metric tonnes of carbon matter into Indian soils.
Optimal post-harvest processes introduced by the company have led to a reduction in food wastage to less than 1% in its supply chain, compared to industry standards of 6-10%. The company’s F&V brand ‘Kimaye’ ensures product safety by achieving 100% compliance with the food safety requirements of 25+ importing countries. Additionally, 100% of Kimaye products are part of a traceability system, the report said.
The company promotes workforce diversity and provides work opportunities to women in the rural agriculture ecosystem, with over 75% of employees being women at its fruit and vegetable packhouses. The company offers equitable economic opportunities to women farmers, providing them a premium price for their produce procured for its ‘Kimaye’ brand, it said.
Shardul Sheth, Co-founder & CEO of AgroStar, said: “Since our inception, we have been driven by a deep-rooted commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of farmers across India. As an organisation deeply entrenched in the agriculture sector, driving positive change is woven into our DNA. Our ESG Report 2024 - ‘Sowing Seeds of Sustainability’ - not only measures the direct and indirect impact of our work but also showcases our dedication to sustainable development. We are incredibly proud to have received a Gold rating from Aspire Impact for our sustainability efforts and committed to driving impact on our identified UN SDGs (sustainable development goals) and our mission of Helping Farmers Win.”
The impact assessment was conducted by Aspire Impact. The study assessed AgroStar’s impact across People, Planet, Product, and Policy. These are further broken down into 13 categories and 40 impact standards, with around 160+ metrics collected and analysed.
According to the study, AgroStar employs a cutting-edge digital-first strategy, delivering scientific agronomy knowledge through multiple channels. This approach has successfully resolved over 10 million farmer queries and garnered over 325 million video views, ensuring farmers receive expert guidance anytime, anywhere.
Access to high-quality agricultural inputs remains a significant hurdle for farmers as the market is flooded with spurious low-quality non-branded products. AgroStar addresses this critical problem faced by farmers by making a vast range of high-quality products available through its robust omnichannel distribution system, the report said.
AgroStar operates Asia's largest agri-advisory centre, managing 30,000+ daily farmer conversations, and provides resolutions to a digital network of over 9 Mn farmers through its app. With a network of 10K+ retailer stores across 11 Indian states, AgroStar facilitates seamless omnichannel access to essential products, empowering farmers to make informed decisions regarding their farm management effortlessly.
Through technical innovations and agronomy assistance provided, farmers in the AgroStar network are now able to export their produce to distant locations like the US for Pomegranate and the EU for Banana, opening up new horizons for the export of fresh Indian fruits and vegetables. Through its brand ‘Kimaye’, the company is helping Indian farmers reach global customers across 25+ countries and earn a premium for their produce.
Arvind Sridharan, Co-founder & CEO of Aspire Impact, said, “We had the privilege of assessing AgroStar's transformative impact on the Indian agriculture ecosystem through extensive interactions with their farmers, partners, and employees. Their commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident in every aspect of their work. This report showcases their dedication to driving positive change and sets a high standard for transparency and accountability in the industry.”
