Networking In Agriculture

If you want to understand why most new farms fail, don’t look at the soil. Look at the sales. Inconsistent revenue is one of the biggest killers of small farms—especially urban ones. The crops are high-quality. The community demand is real. But the financial model? It’s brittle. One canceled restaurant order. One rained-out market. One week of missed CSA pickups. That’s a make-or-break moment when you’re running lean. Here’s the issue: Urban farms don’t have the margin to absorb volatility. They’re operating on tight footprints, serving diverse crops, often without backup infrastructure. So when one link in the chain fails—sales, delivery, refrigeration—it all collapses. There’s a solution: cooperative sales and aggregation. It’s not new. But it’s wildly underdeveloped in local food systems. Here’s how it works: – Several farms pool their product. – They share marketing, delivery, fulfillment. – The group absorbs variability in individual harvests. – Customers get consistency. Farmers get stability. These systems require effort. Technology. Coordination. But they also unlock resilience. A farm doesn’t have to sell 52 weeks a year alone. It just has to be part of a system that can. Food hubs, urban co-ops, decentralized CSAs—these aren’t side projects. They’re the economic backbone that makes local food viable at scale. So if you’re building a local food system, ask yourself: Are you helping farms survive a bad week? Or are you counting on them to never have one?

When an unseasonal frost threatened Saraswati Vishwakarma's potato crop, she had hours to decide. Months of work and her family's income were on the line—and her husband was away. The nearest agricultural advisor served thousands of farmers across the region. She turned to FarmerChat. In India, one extension worker often serves more than 5,000 farmers. When disease hits or rains come late, help can take weeks to arrive. That's a wait most smallholder farmers simply can't afford. FarmerChat, an AI-powered tool developed by Digital Green and supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, delivers hyperlocal agricultural advice in farmers' own languages—in real time, on their phones. More than 1 million installs. More than 10 million queries answered. Seven in ten users report applying the advice within 30 days. The technology matters. What matters more: farmers like Saraswati now have something closer to a personal advisor—available exactly when it counts. Read more about how FarmerChat is bridging the information gap for India's farmers: https://lnkd.in/eNmMb4hT

There’s nothing like bumping into an Acumen fellow before 6 in the morning and getting an impromptu briefing on the amazing things he’s doing. I loved spending time with Michael Ogundare, Nigerian Foundry member (’21) and co-founder of Crop2Cash, a company that connects smallholder farmers to financial institutions to access credit — and now, skills and advice. Already, the company has 500,000 farmers on its platform. What stunned me most was hearing how Michael is integrating AI into the services provided to farmers. “The farmers are weary of accessing traditional extension services,” he said, “because much of the knowledge hasn’t changed since the ’80s and ’90s. Now, we have 20,000 farmers using our AI service." Essentially, the farmers can call a phone number (they don’t need smartphones) and ask the AI about any problem they’re experiencing or any question they might have. The AI responds in their local language (one of seven) and will call them back when a follow-up is needed — for instance, to fertilize or apply a different input. And here’s the part that took my breath away: the 20,000 farmers spend, on average, 20 minutes daily talking with the AI. They typically call between 7 and 8 p.m., set the phone on a table, put it on speaker and share questions and experiences. They might ask about tomorrow’s weather or share worries or concerns. The results are showing up in the farmers’ productivity. This video shows how Crop2Cash is helping farmers become climate-smart: https://lnkd.in/e5higg2i Of course, these are early days, but the changes to agriculture are suddenly dramatic — and the farmers, at least in this case, are quickly adapting. We have so much to learn. #AgTech #AIforGood #FinancialInclusion #SmallholderFarmers #ImpactInvesting

Want to see the future of IoT? Don't just look at tech conferences and flashy demos. Look at farms. While we debate whether self-driving cars can handle rain, autonomous tractors are covering 7,500-acre wheat fields whatever the weather. Agriculture has cracked the code on edge IoT because they have no choice. When your tractor needs to make plant-by-plant decisions in milliseconds, the cloud isn't an option. When you're managing thousands of acres with spotty connectivity, everything has to work offline-first. The results speak for themselves: ➞ Smart sensors with edge processing cut water consumption by 25% ➞ AI-powered sprayers reduce herbicide use by 30% through local decision-making ➞ Precision systems increase yields by 20% while using 15% fewer chemicals We've seen this firsthand supporting projects like Terraso, where offline-first design enables farmers in remote areas to make critical land management decisions without reliable connectivity. While many connected products still break the moment wi-fi drops, agriculture has proven that edge-first, offline-capable systems aren't just possible - they're more reliable and cost-effective at scale. What would your connected products look like if you built them to work in a field with no cell signal? ♻️ Repost if you liked it   ➞ Follow me, Nick Tudor, for more IoT and AI Insights

🌱 Empowering Farmers for Export and Collective Growth: A Path to Prosperity 🌍 As global markets evolve, there’s an increasing opportunity for farmers to tap into the export sector and increase their income through direct global sales of high-quality agricultural products. However, to make this transition, it’s crucial that farmers join forces and form Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) or cooperative farming groups. Here’s how we can guide them toward a sustainable future: 1. Building Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs): FPCs enable small-scale farmers to pool resources, share knowledge, and increase bargaining power. This collective effort helps farmers reduce production costs, gain access to better technology, and enhance product quality, making them more competitive in international markets. 2. Strengthening Export Knowledge: Farmers must be equipped with knowledge on export regulations, packaging standards, quality assurance, and global market trends. By understanding these elements, farmers can meet international demands while ensuring their products reach a wider, more profitable market. 3. Improved Infrastructure and Networking: Setting up collection centers, cold storage, and transportation facilities are crucial to ensuring the products remain fresh and meet international standards. By collaborating with local governments and trade bodies, farmers can gain the necessary infrastructure support. 4. Value-Added Products: Encouraging value-added processes like packaging, branding, and processing can significantly increase the marketability of agricultural products. These steps not only enhance the value but also ensure the products cater to diverse consumer needs in different countries. 5. Training and Capacity Building: Continuous training programs on modern farming techniques, sustainable practices, and export procedures will empower farmers to produce globally competitive goods, while improving their livelihoods and creating new opportunities in their communities. 🌿 The Future of Agriculture is Collective! By forming FPCs and working together, farmers can unlock new doors to success, gaining not only local but international recognition for their products. Let’s collaborate and create a sustainable, profitable farming ecosystem that benefits everyone, from the farmer to the global consumer. #Agriculture #Universeexports #village #Akola #FarmerEmpowerment #FPC #SustainableFarming #AgriExports #GlobalMarkets #InnovationInAgriculture #FarmersFirst #AgriculturalGrowth #ExportOpportunities

In the Netherlands, a significant number of people have embraced a sustainable lifestyle by purchasing fresh, organic food directly from local farms, bypassing traditional supermarkets. This movement is largely facilitated through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives, where consumers and farmers collaborate closely. Members of CSAs invest in local farms by purchasing shares, which provides farmers with essential capital at the start of the growing season. In return, members receive a regular supply of seasonal produce, fostering a direct connection between food production and consumption. One notable example is De Nieuwe Ronde, a CSA farm in Wageningen. Established in 1998, it now serves approximately 150 households on 1.5 hectares of land. Members not only enjoy fresh produce but also support sustainable farming practices and local food systems. Another example is Pluk! CSA, initiated in 2017 to provide urban dwellers with healthy organic food. This model emphasizes local food production and offers an alternative to the industrial food system. These initiatives reflect a broader trend in the Netherlands, where communities prioritize local, sustainable food sources. This approach not only ensures access to fresh and nutritious food but also strengthens local economies and reduces environmental impact. #India

🌾 #Mulkanoor : A Cooperative Revolution Transforming Agriculture When we think of cooperatives, what often comes to mind are credit societies, sugar factories, political interference, and financial irregularities. Unfortunately, the true spirit and purpose of cooperation collective progress and community empowerment have been forgotten over time. Despite beginning in 1904 and expanding widely, India’s cooperative movement has yet to realize its full potential to tackle rural inequality, farmer distress, and unemployment. Amid this backdrop, my recent visit to the Mulkanoor Cooperative Credit and Marketing Society in Telangana was eye-opening. Established in 1956 with 375 members from 14 villages, it now has over 7,600 active members, including fourth-generation farmers. This model proves that when people unite, they become not just beneficiaries but torchbearers of transformation. The strength of Mulkanoor lies in its integrated approach. Initially formed to provide affordable credit and free farmers from moneylenders, the society has evolved into a multi-dimensional institution supporting poultry, dairy, and sericulture enterprises. Loans are offered both in cash and kind, with facilities for renting tractors and farm machinery ensuring timely access to essential tools. The society operates its own rice mill, cotton ginning unit, and seed processing center, enabling farmers to move beyond selling raw produce to value-added processing. Bulk procurement ensures members get inputs at lower costs. It also runs information and training centers where farmers learn about modern technologies and practices all through a fully computerized and transparent system. Understanding the importance of marketing, Mulkanoor launched its own ‘Mulkanoor’ rice brand. From seed to sale, the society supports members through every stage procurement, storage, processing, and market linkage helping farmers earn more by eliminating middlemen. Women empowerment is another hallmark. Mulkanoor established India’s first women-led cooperative dairy, with over 80% women members engaged in processing and marketing dairy products, ensuring their financial independence. Beyond business, the society undertakes several welfare initiatives family planning and health camps, veterinary services, and assistance to bereaved families all funded from its value-added reserves. The Mulkanoor experiment shows that rural development cannot rely on subsidies or loan waivers. When agriculture-based industries grow through collective efforts, they become self-sustaining. In this region, there are no farmer suicides, and incomes continue to rise a testament to the success of true cooperative spirit. Mulkanoor is not just a society; it is the lifeline of its farming community, a living example of what cooperation can achieve. Mulkanoor Cooperative Credit and Marketing Society VAMNICOM Official Vijayashri Bhagawati Sarvesh Ghangale The Farm Farmeducon Research Foundation

In India, there's something quietly powerful that’s been working for decades—cooperatives and self-help groups (SHGs). These aren’t big flashy businesses or tech unicorns. They’re grassroots models that have helped millions of ordinary people become self-reliant, especially in rural areas. And there’s a lot #Africa can take from this. Let’s start with a story. The dairy revolution in #India, famously known as the White Revolution, didn’t start in corporate boardrooms. It started with a cooperative, Amul India. Farmers pooled milk, managed #procurement and pricing collectively, and built something huge. Today, Amul is a $7 billion brand owned by 3.6 million milk producers. Not private investors. Farmers. India has over 850,000 cooperatives with over 300 million members—that’s nearly 1 in 4 #Indians. These cooperatives span #dairy, #credit, #farming, #housing, and even #marketing. Then come the SHGs. Mostly women-led, mostly rural, and massively impactful. There are over 7.8 million SHGs in India, involving over 85 million #women. Many of these women didn’t even have a bank account before joining an SHG. Today, they're running micro-enterprises, managing credit, pooling savings, and negotiating better prices for their produce or products. It’s not that Africa doesn’t have #cooperatives or community groups—it does. But in many places, they lack structure, financing, or institutional support. What India shows is that when the #government creates the right environment (legal frameworks, training, #credit access), and when the people drive the mission themselves, this model can scale. Africa has the same building blocks—community spirit, local leadership, informal savings groups, and strong social ties. Add a bit of structure, training, and patient support, and these grassroots networks can unlock serious economic potential—from agri-value chains to local manufacturing to financial inclusion. Across countries like #Kenya, #Uganda, #Ghana, and #Tanzania, women’s groups and farmer cooperatives already play a crucial role in food systems, #trade, and savings. But they often operate in isolation or face barriers like limited market access and lack of credit. With a bit more policy support and ecosystem building, these local engines can turn into national growth drivers. Think of how rural youth could form #agribusiness clusters or #artisans could brand and #export locally made goods with collective power. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every region has its own context. But it’s worth asking—can Africa learn from India’s model and adapt it to local #African realities? Can it support farmers, artisans, and women’s groups not just with aid, but with real autonomy? The biggest lesson: collective effort beats individual struggle—when the system supports it. Is it time for Africa to rethink how community-led #economics can power the next chapter of growth? 🔄️ Repost to your network to educate others.

India’s #farmers fight daily battles—fragmented land, scarce resources, weak storage and supply chains, and mounting pressure from #climatechange #wildlife incursions. These factors keep smallholders vulnerable and often dependent on subsidies for survival. Amid these constraints, Elavanchery village in Kerala’s Palakkad district demonstrates a replicable alternative: community-led collective farming as a pathway to scale, resilience, and sustainable rural wealth creation. Since 1996, more than 300 families have pooled resources and land under the Elevancherry Swasraya Karshika Samithy, promoted by the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam. This cooperative structure has built an efficient, self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem: - In 2024, farmers sold over ₹16 crore worth of vegetables, harvesting around 5,000 tonnes. - Risk and profit-sharing mechanisms reduce vulnerability and eliminate dependency on government doles or intermediaries. - Families reported incomes of ₹1 crore annually—unprecedented for smallholder farmers. Elavanchery combines modern agricultural practices (soil testing, drip irrigation, high-quality seeds, organic pest management) with traditional knowledge to maximize productivity while conserving resources. Importantly, cropping and marketing decisions remain market-driven, ensuring alignment with demand and minimizing post-harvest losses. Beyond productivity, the model has reversed outmigration: most participating farmers are between the ages of 20 and 50, showing that agriculture—when organized collectively—can restore both dignity and financial viability for rural youth. Policy Takeaways - Rural Infrastructure Matters: The success of collective farming depends on reliable storage, transport, and market linkages at the village level. -Shift from Subsidies to Systems: Replication calls for investment in enabling ecosystems—credit access, cooperative governance support, and technology dissemination—rather than untargeted subsidies. Risk Pooling for Resilience: Policy can incentivize cooperative structures that spread risk and smooth income volatility for smallholders. Scaling Up Models: With more than half of India’s population reliant on agriculture, structured replication of Elavanchery-type models could transform rural livelihoods, reduce subsidy leakage, and build long-term self-reliance. Elavanchery is not merely a local success but a policy case study for India’s agricultural future—a replicable, people-powered framework that aligns innovation with equity. #ViksitBharat #ViksitGram #CommunityFarming #AgriPolicy #RuralDevelopment #FoodSecurity #SupplyChainInnovation Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India Ministry of Rural Development, GoI NITI Aayog Official ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research https://lnkd.in/gBcgpM5R

This platform took markets to the farmers 25 years ago! ITC Limited's e-Choupal is one of the most celebrated examples of rural-change. e-Choupal was launched in year 2000 by Sivakumar S, head of the agri-services division of ITC. If I am not wrong, while it started from UP, but one of the most talked-about Choupal Saagar (as they were called) was located in Sehore, about 35km from Bhopal, where I lived then. The idea was to address the inefficiencies and exploitative middlemen in the Indian agri supply chain and offer farmers better price, access to information, and inputs. But how I consumed the idea was like a 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭-𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞! Here’s a Soya farmer (MP is the largest producer of Soy seeds), coming to sell his produce in return of a good price, and is offered agricultural implements and other products by ITC while he still has a pocket-full of cash! That was smart business. I was in awe of this project. Here’s how it worked - - Digital Kiosks were set up in villages, run by local farmers called Sanchalaks. - Farmers got to know real-time prices, weather, ideas in their language. - ITC offered direct procurement of crops through these kiosks. - It also offered logistics and storage. Soon, e-Choupal started selling fertilizers, seeds and implements, and insurance and loans at Choupal Saagar! Why was it so unique then? - Well before mobile phones, this was smart use of technology for rural inclusion. - Private sector-led model that linked profit with farmer welfare. - Leveraged trust-based peer networks (Sanchalaks). - This was profound - while aimed at bypassing middlemen, ITC integrated the out-of-work middlemen in its supply chain. By 2010, e-Choupal had reached 4 million farmers in over 40,000 villages. The company saved on its costs while farmers got better prices than mandi. The project received appreciation globally, became a Harvard case study et al. However, it also faced limitations. Many argued that the benefits were’t distributed democratically since it was controlled by ITC. Farmers were still vulnerable to price fluctuations since ITC operated it as a business, not a social safety net. I haven’t checked if it’s still running. But often wonder how would it be if it was a combination of cooperative + corporate. Such collaboration could be fascinating. It would have possibly hedged against some of the limitations or risks to farmers. It might have: - Given farmers more ownership and control - Made the system more inclusive, not just efficient. - Perhaps built some resilience against price fluctuations. - Allowed profits to be reinvested in the community, like AMUL did. Some thoughts - not qualified though. I am sure there are fundamental differences in crop-cycles etc which experts would know better. This was a start that many others followed. #Tech for #rural #innovation and #farming has come a long way. And perhaps a longer way to go… What do you think? #India