Water consumption reduced by 95% - LED vertical farm launched in India

According to foreign media TechCrunch, severe drought has dried up rivers and reservoirs in parts of India. It is estimated that more than 500 million people in the world's second most populous country will run out of drinking water by 2030. This is evident on farms that consume the vast majority of the total water supply. Farmers in India have been trying to grow crops because they are still heavily dependent on rain. Capable people have turned to crops such as cowpeas and corn, which basically use a small amount of water except rice. But most people don't have it.

In addition, some cities in India are facing another challenge: the levels of harmful chemicals used in vegetables have risen sharply over the years.

Hyderabad based start-up, which will compete with TechCrunch disrupt startup battlefield this week, believes it has found a way to address both challenges. UrbanKisaan is growing crops in many of its centers in Hyderabad and Bangalore. Vertical agriculture has gained a good momentum in some Western markets, but it is still a very new concept in India.

This model brings a series of benefits. Vihari kanukollu, co-founder and chief executive of UrbanKisaan, told TechCrunch in an interview that the start-up uses 95% less water than traditional farms because it does not use any soil or harmful chemicals to grow crops.

"We've built a hydroponic system to keep the water flowing and recycling." He said. UrbanKisaan says that despite using less water, its crop yield has increased by 30%. "Our crops can grow at least 30-40 feet high. And it has an infinite loop there. "

Kanukollu, 26, said UrbanKisaan designed a technology for growing more than 50 vegetables, unlike other vertical farming models that only grow lettuce and basil.

For UrbanKisaan, the bigger challenge is to persuade businesses such as restaurant chains to buy from it. "Although we provide healthier vegetables, companies are more willing to choose traditional crops and save a few yuan." He said.

So in response, UrbanKisaan is selling directly to consumers. Visitors can check in at UrbanKisaan centres in Hyderabad and Bangalore to buy a range of vegetables.

The start-up is backed by Y combinator and, most recently, South Indian actress Samantha akkineni, and sells a $200 kit that anyone can buy and grow vegetables in their own home.

Kanukollu, with a business background, began exploring the idea of UrbanKisaan in 2018, frustrated by his inability to buy fresh, pesticide free vegetables for his mother. Fortunately, he found Sairam palicherla, a scientist who has spent more than 20 years studying agriculture. Both men spent their first year studying and contacting farmers.

Today, UrbanKisaan has more than 30 farms. Kanukollu said the farms were profitable in the first month. "Currently, our sales are up 110% per month, and our average bill value has increased tenfold in the past six months."

The start-up is still trying to reach a point of $150000 a month in revenue over the next three months. The start-up has further refined its technology stack over the past few quarters. Kanukollu said that they have reduced the power consumption of LED lamps by 50% and the manufacturing cost of each tube by 60%.

Kanukollu said the start-up is currently working with five farmers to find a viable model to bring to each farmer.

It also develops centralized intelligence based on convolutional neural network to realize real-time detection, find more harvestable agricultural products and detect the shortcomings of farms.

UrbanKisaan has raised about $1.5 million and plans to expand it to more big cities in India in the next few quarters. (source: cnBeta)