Can a Startup Help Farmers Go Digital? DeHaat Is Proving It Can

Introduction

DeHaat, founded in 2012, is one of India’s fastest-growing AgriTech startups that provides end-to-end agricultural services to farmers. From input supply (seeds, fertilizers, machinery) to crop advisory, financial services, and market linkages, DeHaat has built a 360° ecosystem for farmers.

Headquartered in Patna and Gurugram, DeHaat operates across 12+ states including Bihar, UP, Odisha, West Bengal, MP, and Rajasthan, serving over 2 million farmers through its tech-driven platform. By integrating AI, ML, and IoT, the startup is bridging the gap between rural farmers and modern agribusiness.

Founder & Origin Story

DeHaat was co-founded by Shashank Kumar, Amrendra Singh, Adarsh Srivastava, and Manish Kumar.

• Shashank Kumar (IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad) – left a corporate job to solve farmers’ real challenges. 
• Amrendra Singh (IIM Ahmedabad) – came from an agricultural family background. 
• Together, they envisioned a digital ecosystem that would empower smallholder farmers, who often struggle with low yields, lack of access to markets, credit, and quality inputs.

Starting in Bihar villages with 1,000 farmers, the founders gradually scaled DeHaat into one of India’s most impactful AgriTech companies.

Business Model & Operations

DeHaat operates on a B2F (Business-to-Farmer) and B2B model:

1. Input Supply – Seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, farm equipment delivered through DeHaat centers. 
2. Advisory Services – AI-based agronomy support, soil testing, and crop disease alerts. 
3. Financial Services – Access to credit, insurance, and working capital through partnerships. 
4. Output Market Linkage – Farmers can sell produce directly to institutional buyers, ensuring better prices. 
5. DeHaat Centers – Local micro-entrepreneurs run centers acting as physical touchpoints for farmers. 
6. Tech-Driven Platform – A mobile app in local languages connects farmers to all services. 

Growth & Financials

DeHaat’s rise shows how tech + agriculture can scale impact:

• 2012 – Founded in Patna, started with 1,000 farmers. 
• 2015 – Expanded to UP and Odisha. 
• 2019 – Raised Series A funding led by Omnivore and AgFunder. 
• 2020 – Served 250,000+ farmers, raised $12M Series B. 
• 2021 – Raised $115M Series D from Sofina, Lightrock, Temasek, and Sequoia Capital. 
• 2022 – Acquired B2B Agri marketplace Helicrofter to expand in Maharashtra. 
• 2023 – Crossed 2 million farmers on the platform. 
• 2024 – Revenue crossed INR 1,200 Cr (~$150M); targeting 5 million farmers by 2025. 

Economic & Social Impact

1. Farmers’ Income Growth – Farmers earn 15–25% higher prices by bypassing middlemen. 
2. Employment Generation – Thousands of rural youth employed as DeHaat center operators. 
3. Market Access – Connects farmers to FMCG companies, processors, and exporters. 
4. Financial Inclusion – Over 200,000 farmers received credit/insurance via DeHaat. 
5. Sustainability – Promotes climate-resilient farming and precision agriculture. 

Challenges

1. Fragmented Agriculture Sector – Small land holdings and scattered farmers. 
2. Adoption Barriers – Many farmers are not tech-savvy. 
3. Supply Chain Complexities – Logistics in rural India is still a challenge. 
4. Competition – AgriTech startups like Ninjacart, AgroStar, Bijak pose competition. 
5. Capital Intensive – Scaling across India requires huge funding and partnerships. 

Future Plans

DeHaat is focused on:

• Scaling to 5 million farmers by 2025. 
• Geographical Expansion – deeper presence in Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan, and Southern India. 
• AI-driven Advisory – Real-time pest detection and weather-based crop management. 
• Global Expansion – Long-term plan to replicate model in Southeast Asia & Africa. 
• Agri Exports – Enable farmers to directly access global markets. 

Conclusion

DeHaat is more than a startup  it’s a movement to modernize Indian agriculture. By combining tech, supply chain, and financial inclusion, it has become a lifeline for millions of farmers.

Its journey from a small village initiative to a $700M+ valued company proves how AgriTech can transform rural India. DeHaat stands as a role model for startups aiming to create profit with purpose.

References

• DeHaat – Official Website 
• Inc42 – DeHaat Growth Story 
• YourStory – DeHaat’s Impact on Farmers 
• Economic Times – Funding & Expansion 
• Mint – DeHaat’s Acquisitions 

Social Media Presence

• Website: agrevolution.in
  
• Facebook: facebook.com/DeHaatIndia
•  Twitter (X): twitter.com/DeHaat_official
• Instagram: instagram.com/dehaat_official
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dehaat
•  YouTube: youtube.com/@DeHaat