Kalyani Rajendra Shinde, a computer engineer by education, was deeply influenced by the challenges her own family faced in onion farming. While pursuing her engineering degree, she began exploring ways to address the recurring issue of onion wastage due to inadequate storage. Her curiosity led her to understand that the problem wasn't confined to her village, it was a nationwide concern affecting thousands of farmers across India.
Motivated by a desire to make a real difference, Kalyani applied to the Digital Impact Square, a TCS Foundation initiative in Nashik, where she joined as an innovator in 2018. This marked the beginning of her full-time journey into agri-innovation.
Beginning of Godaam Innovations
Godaam Innovations was established with the aim of bridging the technological gap in agricultural storage. At its core is a revolutionary product called Godaam Sense— India’s first IoT-based onion storage solution. This smart device monitors the microclimate within onion warehouses by continuously tracking temperature and humidity, two critical factors that affect the shelf life of stored onions.
But Godaam Sense goes one step further. Its patented technology can detect gases emitted during the early stages of onion spoilage. This allows for real-time alerts to warehouse owners, enabling them to act quickly and prevent large-scale losses. This early detection, often at just 1% spoilage, can save up to 30% of produce that would otherwise go to waste.
Tackling Traditional Mindsets with Innovation
Introducing technology in a sector that heavily relies on traditional knowledge posed a significant challenge. Most farmers relied on human senses such as smell or visible signs to identify spoilage. By the time these signs were evident, a major portion of the produce was already lost.
Kalyani and her team undertook extensive fieldwork, co-creating solutions with farmers, conducting pilot trials, and iterating their product based on real-world feedback. Through awareness programs and post-alert support, they slowly built trust and demonstrated the tangible benefits of their technology.
Another significant focus of Godaam Innovations has been to make the technology accessible and affordable. Rather than building new warehouses, the company retrofits existing traditional storage units into smart warehouses using their devices. This not only saves infrastructure costs but also ensures that farmers can continue using their familiar storage setups with enhanced efficiency.
Creating a Data-Driven Future for Farmers
One of the major gaps in traditional onion storage was the lack of data. Farmers often had no accurate record of previous losses or the factors that led to them. Godaam’s warehouse management platform digitizes the entire storage process, providing detailed reports on inflow, outflow, spoilage trends, and more. This empowers farmers and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) with valuable insights, improving decision-making and return on investment.
A Call to Contextual Innovation
Kalyani emphasizes that the true success of agri-tech solutions lies in contextualizing technology to suit the unique needs of Indian agriculture. It’s not about high-end gadgets, but about simple, reliable, and relevant solutions that work on the ground.
She believes that anyone aspiring to enter the agricultural space must focus on understanding real farmer problems, rather than chasing sophisticated innovations that may not be applicable in the Indian context.
Godaam Innovations: Charting the Path Ahead
Today, Godaam Innovations works extensively with FPOs and B2B partners, helping build smarter, data-driven storage infrastructure. Their work not only improves farmer incomes but also strengthens India’s agri-supply chain, reducing waste, stabilizing supply, and supporting both domestic consumption and exports.
Kalyani Shinde’s journey exemplifies how personal insight, technical expertise, and a strong sense of purpose can converge to address real-world challenges. Her unwavering commitment and visionary approach are truly inspiring, as she works to transform Indian agriculture — one smart warehouse at a time.
