GenAI can bridge the tech adoption gap in the agricultural sector: Cropin CTO

Bengaluru-based agritech startup Cropin is one of the early movers in technology-based innovations within the agri-food industry, having pioneered custom-built artificial intelligence (AI) and data science innovations for this sector. Supported by investors such as ABC Impact, Chiratae Ventures, Google, and JSR Corporation, Cropin has secured a total of $47 million in funding till date. In an interview with TechCircle, Rajesh Jalan, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head of Engineering at Cropin, discusses the transformative impact of AI/ML and GenAI technologies on the agritech landscape and more. Edited excerpts:

What technologies excite you most in the agritech sector?

Agtech requires a cohesive integration of various technologies. Solutions are ineffective without combining satellite monitoring, weather data, ground observations, and user-friendly digital platforms. Achieving meaningful decisions is impossible without robust tech infrastructure and data processing systems. Every technology, from remote sensing and cloud services to AI and ML, is vital. AI and ML are transformative, enabling swift adoption in agri-food systems and facilitating rapid innovations that can be implemented in months rather than decades. Generative AI will enhance contextual engagements and lower technical barriers, especially in the low-tech agri-food sector. For example, Cropin Sage, our real-time GenAI-driven agricultural intelligence platform powered by Google Gemini, can now predict global crop yields, a feat unattainable until recently. Generative AI is elevating possibilities in Agtech.

Is your company's tech budget growing this year compared to the last few years?

At Cropin, we are committed to advancing technology in agri-food. Since our inception in 2010, we've excelled in R&D and innovation, introducing AI and ML applications nearly five years ago. We launched the first micro-language model for climate-smart agriculture and continue to build intelligence on every cultivable acre globally. Investing in AI and ML is essential as we grow our engineering team. From our recent $34 million funding, we allocated about 40% towards advancing technology and building scalable assets, solidifying our status as a leading AI platform for food and agriculture. Ongoing R&D investments are crucial for enhancing our engineering and AI Labs teams.

What is your tech team like, and are there expansion plans?

Our tech team includes over 100 experts in engineering, data science, agricultural sciences, AI, and ML. We prioritise deep agricultural knowledge alongside expertise in cloud technologies, remote sensing, and weather. We continuously upskill our talent and collaborate with universities to develop a ready industry talent pool.

What innovations are you bringing with technology? Can you highlight a case where it improved revenues or customer experience?

Our AI-led solutions have significantly reduced crop pandemics by 80%, enabled climate-resilient practices with a 92% adaptability rate, and improved smallholder farmer income by 25-30%. Cropin’s platforms enhance food security, increasing yields by up to 25%. For instance, Sage, launched in July, empowers various stakeholders to make data-driven decisions regarding crops, irrigation, and climate. Sage's predictive abilities allow businesses, like those in the chocolate industry affected by cocoa harvest crises, to develop risk mitigation strategies. The same foresight applies to staple crops, highlighting the urgency in preparing for potential food security threats.

How are you enabling the digital transformation journey of farmers?

Our story revolves around enabling our B2B customers to future-proof their business models through digital transformation and AI-powered strategies. We address a range of challenges across sectors—monitoring operations, engaging farmers, and curbing pest attacks. Each customer segment has unique needs, and so we offer tailored solutions, allowing us to lead digital transformation in low-tech agri-food industries.

What is your strategy for maximising ROI and unlocking the potential of the GenAI project?

As a leader in agri-food AI, we strategically invest in Generative AI to solve real-world problems, collaborating closely with customers. There’s significant enthusiasm for the value these technologies provide. Building robust technology partnerships is crucial. Our collaboration with Google led to the launch of Cropin Sage. We believe Gen AI can bridge the tech adoption gap in this low-tech sector, providing accurate agricultural insights.

When benchmarking competitors, which technology areas need improvement?

Cropin is well-positioned in digitalisation and AI in upstream agriculture, but we aim at continuous improvement. AI and Generative AI are key focus areas as we enhance our capabilities. We believe in collaboration and co-innovation, integrating more data providers and breaking down data silos in agriculture, which is essential in this complex field.

Which technology areas will you focus on in FY25 and why?

We aim to advance intelligent solutions and scalable assets, emphasising the enhancement of our AI models and Generative AI technologies. This focus ensures that our solutions are fine-tuned for diverse crops and large-scale regions, maximising accuracy and impact.