Cargill, a global food corporation based in the United States of America, is entering into the Indian agriculture sector with an agri-tech platform called 'Digital Saathi,' which aims to empower farmers in Karnataka.
'Digital Saathi' is a mobile-first, AI-based local online service platform that intends to provide digitally-enabled agricultural advice services and assist smallholder farmers with greater market access. The app will be available in five districts in Karnataka: Davangere, Bellary, Haveri, Chitradurga, and Shimoga. Farmers will be able to easily connect with other farmers, farm producing companies, agri-suppliers, buyers, traders, and processors using the platform.
The app has already registered 6000 small farmers, with a goal of reaching 30,000 by May 2022. By 2030, the company aims to provide training to 10 million farmers on sustainable agriculture practises and improved their access to markets.
This would also assist farmers with digital solutions such as discussion forums and market price, weather forecasts, pre- to post-harvest information, and other necessary details.
The app will also include Crop Input e-commerce and crop sale offers beginning in October. Producers will be able to sell their produce in digitally enabled markets because this will connect farmers with sellers.
"With Cargill's expertise, Digital Saathi was developed to improve the economic livelihoods of smallholder farmers and engage them in the latest era of the digital economy. This is a step toward creating an ecosystem for farmers, assisting them, and enhancing production and profitability. We will continue to develop for Indian and worldwide consumers, as well as to help Indian farmers better align with the market." said Simon George, Cargill's President of India.
In the coming five years, the firm aims to engage with 3 million farmers. The app will be available in Kannada and will be compatible with even the most basic Android phone.
