Niharika hails from Koppal, an area where agriculture supports countless livelihoods. The practices that are followed are normally plagued by outdated practices and minimal innovation. With an agricultural science background and interest in social influence, Niharika co-founded MS CropSecure AgriTech Pvt. Ltd. on August 4, 2021. Her mission was simple but significant is to empower rural farmers by infusing technology into their day-to-day farming activities.
She believed that the largest challenges faced by farmers were not necessarily about weather or pests but access—access to good inputs, prompt services, updated techniques, and equitable markets. Her vision was to design a complete ecosystem wherein farmers wouldn't have to visit one vendor and then another but find everything within reach of their fingers.
A One-Stop Digital Solution for Farmers
MS CropSecure provides an exclusive, complete platform through which farmers can receive seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, equipment hire, drone spray services, professional advisory, and even post-harvest facilities. The app is made accessible in a simplified manner, such that even persons with minimal digital literacy can make use of it. Farmers can order, keep records of expenses, and follow their profits from their mobile phones.
Addition of drone spraying technology has been a game changer for farmers as they can now save time, man-hours, and minimize chemical exposure. With the app, they can also keep track of the health of the soil and obtain personalized suggestions in accordance with their crop and soil conditions.
Additionally, MS CropSecure remedies an age-old problem—book-keeping. The majority of small farmers are not keeping record of their expenditure and income. Niharika's platform helps them monitor what they have expended on seeds, fertilizers, labor, and what they've received after harvesting. This kind of transparency ensures that they have better control of their finances and can plan ahead for the coming season.
Overcoming Challenges with Determination
Building trust among farmers who had been dependent on traditional practices was not an easy task. Niharika had to travel to villages in remote areas, conduct training camps, and demonstrate the advantages of the app herself. Many were hesitant at first when it came to using smartphones for agricultural work. But through consistent field visits and patience, her team started changing attitudes.
Financial challenges were the other issue. Being a bootstrapped organization, MS CropSecure frequently struggled to raise funds for scaling operations. Even with recognition by Startup India and Startup Karnataka, procurement of funds via grants and schemes has been sluggish and continuous. Yet, Niharika sticks to her vision, continuing venturing into newer funding sources while creating impact at the grassroots level.
A Woman Leading the Way in Agri-Tech
In a male-dominated industry, Niharika is a shining example of a woman leader. Her journey is one of resilience, courage, and determination. She is convinced that women offer a different, empathetic approach to solving problems, particularly in the rural and agricultural industries.
She continues to push for more involvement of women in agri-entrepreneurship. In her view, when women take charge, societies thrive. She invites young girls and rural women to walk into technology, business, and leadership and never be afraid to take risks.
Connecting Farmers to the Global Market
In addition to inputs and services, MS CropSecure links farmers to buyers directly. This will eliminate middlemen who usually nibble at their margins. As a digital marketplace, the platform allows farmers to sell their produce at fair prices. This not only enhances incomes but also exposes them to international standards of quality and demand.
The app also features a traceability of farm function that traces each step of the crop—from seed to sale. This level of transparency builds trust among consumers and creates export avenues, making the future sustainable for Indian farmers.
Vision, Mission, and a Call to Action
MS CropSecure's vision is to empower farmers in rural areas and make traceable agriculture through digital means. Its mission is to bring them together on a single digital platform to achieve maximum productivity and economic prosperity.
As Niharika passionately states, "When rural farmers grow, the entire economy grows."
Her story is not about a single startup's success—it's a movement to transform agriculture in India.
Her advice to entrepreneurs is to take bold action. "If you want to change the world around you, you have to start by changing yourself and your mindset. And yes, risks are part of the process—embrace them."
