KisanKonnect Secures $3.7 Million in Funding to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiatives

Mumbai-based omnichannel farm-to-fork startup KisanKonnect has raised INR 31 Crores (approximately $3.7 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Green Frontier Capital.

 

 

The funding round also saw the participation of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, VC Grid, and various family offices.

 

 

The primary objective behind this funding is to bolster KisanKonnect’s involvement in climate-smart agriculture initiatives alongside its 5,000 farmers.

 

 

The startup aims to enhance its fresh-produce supply chain technology and expand its farm stores, building upon its existing presence in Mumbai and Pune.

 

 

Established in 2020 by Vivek Nirmal and Nidhi Nirmal, KisanKonnect operates by directly sourcing food from its network of farmers through village-level collection centres.

 

 

By eliminating intermediaries, the startup delivers the produce directly to consumers.

 

 

With a customer base exceeding 1 Lakh, KisanKonnect conducts sales through its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) app and its network of farm stores.

 

 

In addition to agricultural produce, the startup offers preservative-free snacks under categories such as ‘Village Staples’ and ‘Mom’s Kitchen.’ Rural women in centralized kitchens exclusively produce these snacks.

 

 

According to Vivek Nirmal, the startup’s tech-enabled, temperature-controlled and traceable supply chain is crucial in delivering fresh produce to consumers in Mumbai and Pune in the shortest possible time. 

 

 

This efficient supply chain reduces wastage and ensures fair prices for both farmers and consumers, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions in the agricultural supply chain.

 

 

KisanKonnect had previously secured an undisclosed investment from actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra in the previous year. 

 

 

At that time, the startup claimed to manage 1.75 Lakh acres of cultivated land, offering over 200 types of vegetables and 100 types of fruits online. 

 

It reported delivering approximately 1.5 Lakh boxes of vegetables and fruits per month.

 

 

Inc42’s analysis reveals that Indian agritech startups have collectively secured over $2.4 billion in funding since 2014, indicating the increasing significance and support for innovations in the agricultural technology sector.

 

 

As KisanKonnect aims to strengthen climate-smart agriculture practices, the recent funding is expected to drive sustainable growth and expand its impact on the Indian agricultural landscape.