08/11/2024
Calvin Ar**ha and Farish Anfal, two college friends from Udupi, Karnataka, are transforming agriculture through their startup, Krop AI. They have integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into hydroponic farming to grow exotic vegetables like lettuce, basil, and kale.
Their journey began after they completed their engineering studies at the Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering.
Recognizing the challenges faced by traditional farmers—such as reliance on soil, water, and weather—Farish learned about these issues while running a seafood business.
He discovered that many farmers were struggling with rising costs and poor yields due to climate change.
This inspired him and Calvin to explore innovative farming solutions that require significantly less water and can be grown in controlled environments.
Krop AI’s hydroponic system uses advanced technology to optimize growth conditions, saving 95% of water compared to traditional methods.
Their patented vertical farming setup allows precise control over light and temperature, which enhances crop quality while reducing operational costs by 50%.
Since launching in 2021, Krop AI has built farms for various agri-entrepreneurs and aims to scale its technology to benefit small and medium-sized growers.
With a projected turnover of ₹3 crores this year, they are committed to revolutionizing sustainable farming in India.
Regards,
Dr. Adarsha Gowda
Chairperson of Entrepreneurship & Consultancy
Head, Dept of Food Science,
Dept of Food Processing,
St Aloysius (Deemed to be University)
Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.