Dr. Pragnesh Bharat Kumar Raval, a 34-year-old visionary from Bholad village in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is redefining modern agriculture by blending smart technology, sustainability, and farmer-focused innovations. Originally trained as a computer engineer, he made a bold transition into agribusiness four years ago. Today, he leads a dynamic federation that supports over 10,000 farmers and generates an annual turnover of Rs 1–1.5 crore within just 1.5 years through ventures such as precision farming, stevia cultivation, and organic horticulture.
Hailing from the agricultural heartland of Dholka Taluka, Dr. Raval grew up surrounded by traditional farming methods. Despite pursuing a Master’s in Computer Engineering and later receiving an honorary doctorate in e-Governance and Agriculture, his true transformation began at the grassroots. As a governance consultant for over a decade, he worked extensively on the last-mile delivery of welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Aadhaar inclusion, and PM-Kisan across rural Gujarat.
It was during this phase that Dr. Raval observed a critical insight: nearly 90% of beneficiaries of these schemes were farmers yet they continued to struggle with systemic issues such as poor access to quality inputs, weak market linkages, insufficient financial support, and limited awareness of modern technologies. These challenges sparked his commitment to empower farmers not just through policy, but through action on the ground.
Starting Small, Thinking Big: The First Steps
Dr. Raval started by identifying farmer challenges and creating innovative solutions. Rather than cultivating land himself, he focused on empowering other farmers through precision farming services. These include remote sensing, soil testing, crop advisory, irrigation guidance, pest and disease forewarning, and weather forecasting. Additionally, his efforts in developing strong market linkages ensure that farmers access fair and profitable markets.
Journey to Agripreneurial Leader
In 2023, he founded the Indian Agriculture Union Federation (IAUF), a national farmer support platform. It brings together over 45 entities including Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Self-Promoted Farmer Groups, and those under government CSS schemes. IAUF serves over 10,000 farmers directly, offering services like customized agri-inputs, credit access, market linkages, and capacity building.
As the Director of IAUF, Dr. Raval has integrated advanced tools like satellite remote sensing, precision soil health monitoring, and tech-based advisories for crop planning to harvest management. He has helped establish Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement centers at the cluster level to reduce farmer dependence on middlemen. These include tie-ups with FPCs, PACS, and progressive farmers acting as anchor entities.
Turning Challenges into Market Opportunities
One of Dr. Raval’s strongest suits is identifying market trends and acting early. He saw the rising demand for natural sweeteners and medicinal plants and chose stevia cultivation. He also supports carbon and water credit-based models in agriculture. It is helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint while tapping into green finance.
As an agripreneurial leader, he promotes climate solutions such as carbon credits and water credits, along with customized products designed for sustainable agriculture development. His programs in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana focus on skill development, sustainability, and revenue diversification. He regularly conducts training events on carbon credit systems and sustainable agriculture practices.
Enterprise with Impact: Numbers That Matter
In just 1.5 years, Dr. Raval’s agri-enterprise has achieved an annual turnover of Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.5 crore. This includes both his individual ventures and IAUF’s collective initiatives. His model not only ensures profitability for himself but uplifts thousands of small and marginal farmers by giving them market visibility, technical support, and fair pricing for their produce.
National Recognition and Awards
His work has earned significant recognition:
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Best Startup Award 2024 by BSE and VyaparJagat at the Bombay Stock Exchange
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Gujarat Changemaker’s Award 2024, presented by former Union Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu
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Supporters Women Thinkers Federation Recognition 2025, awarded by the Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Shri Shankarbhai Chaudhary
These accolades reflect his commitment to merging innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.
Role in GFBN and Future Vision
Dr. Raval is a proud member of the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), an initiative by Krishi Jagran to unite and support India’s most impactful agripreneurs.
Looking forward, he aims to scale up the federation to include 100+ FPCs, promote export-ready organic fruits like guava and custard apple, and establish decentralized processing hubs for value-added products. He also envisions integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real-time crop monitoring and predictive analytics.
Dr. Pragnesh Bharat Kumar Raval’s story is a powerful example of how one individual can transform an entire ecosystem. From a tech-savvy consultant to an award-winning agripreneur, his work bridges rural gaps with scalable, sustainable solutions. His initiatives not only boost incomes but empower farmers to take control of their futures.
In his own words: "Farming isn’t just about growing crops, it’s about growing communities, building ecosystems, and nurturing a sustainable tomorrow."
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals—farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
