AGRICULTURE
These 5 startups are scouting for greener solutions to help farmers fight climate change
Extreme heat waves, frequent floods, and severe drought – the effects of climate change are not subtle anymore. It has taken away lives, destroyed agricultural yields, and ravaged homes in the last few years.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of calamitous consequences if the present 1.5 degree celsius rise in global temperatures is not death with.
Image credit: Flickr/ Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security
India is one of the most-affected countries when it comes to the phenomenon of global warming and climate change, considering it has a large population to feed and thereby an extensive agricultural set up. Erratic rains and fluctuating temperatures have been at the helm and is taking a toll on both agricultural productivity and farm revenues. The Economic Survey on Climate Change and Agriculture, 2018, says that it could reduce annual agricultural incomes by a whopping 15 to 18 percent.
Amidst the country’s efforts to cut down carbon emissions and move towards renewable energy sources, YourStory lists five startups that are offering innovative solutions to boost agricultural yield amidst the looming perils of climate change.
AgriBolo
Looking to help farmers get out of their cycle of debt and crop failure, AgriBolo has created a sustainable solution for the agri-ecosystem through a mobile application. Its digital platform provides farmers with weather updates, expert advice related to soil health and nutrition, tips on some of the best agricultural practices as well as information about the apt use of fertilisers.
Farmers attending an awareness drive.
Based out of Ganganagar, Rajasthan, the startup also gives farmers access to an online marketplace to buy and sell farm products. Besides, they are also given an option to partner with some of the business entities listed on the platform. Founded by Balaji Balaram in 2015, Agribolo has so far engaged over 2.5 lakh farmers across the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra.