According to World Bank research, agricultural output consumes 70% of world water, which is mostly owing to unsustainable irrigation practices. To meet the expanding needs of the global population, 593 million hectares of land would need to be converted into agricultural land by 2050. To Contribute to Solving the crisis, with the goal of creating a sustainable and economically viable agriculture platform, IIT Bombay grads Amit Kumar and Abhay Singh started Eekifoods in early 2019. The hydroponics approach, which includes growing plants without soil and utilizing nutrient-rich water, is used by the Kota-based agritech business.
Eeki Foods, a Kota-based firm founded by Amit Kumar and Abhay Singh, uses hydroponics to cultivate high-quality, residue-free Indian staple vegetables and fruits such tomatoes, cucumbers, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, chilies, and eggplants.
Unlike many other hydroponics businesses, Eeki Foods isn’t primarily focused on growing leafy vegetables, especially those of the exotic sort like arugula, lettuce, or kale. Traditional Indian foods are the focus of their menu. Before settling on hydroponics, the founders investigated several plant-growing systems, ranging from soil-based growth to the current coco-peat-based hydroponics for fruit-bearing vegetables. The researchers then created growing chambers, claiming that they produce crops 20 percent faster, with better control over taste and nutrient value, and require less labor.
“The majority of hydroponics startups in India are mostly focused on growing leafy crops, particularly exotic varieties. Hydroponic kits are widely accessible online, and leafy vegetables grown with them can fetch high rates. The majority of these enterprises, however, have been consigned to niche markets. They haven’t been able to expand since the demand for unusual veggies isn’t as high as it is for traditional Indian mainstays such as tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and chilies. According to Abhay Singh, co-founder of Eeki Foods, “a company that can cultivate high-quality Indian staples as well as exotics is more likely to expand up and have a much broader market.”
Eekifoods plans to open 12 farms by the end of this fiscal year, with a goal of opening at least 50 farms across NCR and Northern India by the end of the next fiscal year, catering to high-end grocery retail stores, and is looking forward to forming strategic partnerships with local vegetable distributors and sellers.
“A regular supply of chemical-free veggies at reasonable rates is what many retail establishments and quality vegetable distribution supply chains look for, and that is exactly what we give.” Pesticides abound in conventional veggies, which are also in short supply. Retailers and distributors benefit from cooperating with us because they can now offer consistent form, quality, and size to end customers throughout the year,” he says.
The firm is competing with Organic Garden, UrbanKisaan, Simply Fresh, and Nature’s Miracle, which are largely into exotic green vegetables, strawberries, nutraceuticals, and other veggies.
Commercial farm setups with individual farm partners are at the heart of their business concept. While the startup manages the responsibility of growing and selling products in the market, individual farm partners put in the first capital. The farm owner gets a cut of the profits.
Also Read: 7 Emerging Agritech Startups In India
