Success Story: This farmer from Maharashtra built a Rs 2.2 crore agritech startup by making a sprayer

Success Story: The little Maharashtra hamlet of Chite Pimpalgaon, which is surrounded by farms, is where Yogesh Gawande was born. He was raised in a family with a long history of farming, so he was able to see firsthand the daily challenges faced by farmers, from health hazards to financial uncertainty. He had his early education in the hamlet, which was characterized by limited resources but close ties to the community.

His life changed in 2008 when he went to live with his uncle, a professor of Hindi, in Aurangabad. Yogesh maintained a strong connection to the reality of rural life even as he sought more education in English-medium institutions. Later, his innovative approach to resolving issues at the farm level was fueled by his early experiences. With an annual revenue of over Rs 2.2 crore, his agritech business, Niyo Farmtech, operates on a hands-on, feedback-driven strategy that guarantees workable, farmer-friendly solutions.

An Experience That Changed My Life and Inspired Innovation

When Yogesh was studying mechanical engineering, his professional path took an unexpected detour. When a manual backpack sprayer he had used to apply pesticides poisoned his brother, he was admitted to the hospital. When Yogesh returned home, his father urged him to use his education to help farmers like them. The seeds of his creativity were planted by that encounter, and Yogesh began to imagine a safer and more efficient spraying technique. Based on his knowledge in engineering, he has been inspired by his own experiences.

Yogesh developed a wheel-based pesticide sprayer system based on the concepts he had studied, namely the notion of converting rotational motion into reciprocating motion. Although his initial device was large and made out of bike wheels and abandoned pipes, it worked. A local motorist named Ashok Bhau and school instructors encouraged Yogesh to make improvements to the design, and he subsequently sold his first unit to a farmer in the area. In his view, this episode set off a series of demands and interests.

A Product Gains Notoriety

Yogesh began promoting his product on YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook in 2016. After demonstrating the device at an agri-exhibition in December 2016, his videos went viral, and he received his first bulk order of 65 units. Farmers were amazed by his invention’s practicality and simplicity of usage.

The Tipping Point: BYST Guidance and Assistance

The Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) became linked with Yogesh. The pivotal moment for him occurred between 2017 and 2018, when he was still in his third and fourth years of engineering, thanks to BYST mentors. They helped him refine the product and collaborated with him on plans for pricing, marketing, and sales.

The output was of engineering-grade quality thanks to the advice of his mentors, Sunil Raikatta, Milind Kang, and Prasaj Koke. Above all, Yogesh was given the confidence and strategic vision he needed by the visionary leadership of Ms. Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan, the original trustee of BYST. She supported his entrepreneurial endeavors directly despite having no business experience and no collateral.

Lakshmi’s Advice: A Relentless Source of Support

Yogesh consistently credits Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan for helping him shape his business career. Venkatesan continues the tradition of nation-building as the daughter of the late President of India, R. Venkataraman. She once said, “What my father did for the small-scale industry brought in a sea change: one saw the transformation it could bring about not only in Tamil Nadu but in all of India.”

Under her guidance, Yogesh was able to develop a long-term strategy focused on impact and sustainability. Her unwavering faith in a young student entrepreneur with little financial background gave him the courage to pursue his idea without fear.

Putting the Business into Form: Niyo Farmtech Pvt. Ltd.

Neo Innovative Solutions LLP, the name Yogesh used when he established his company in 2019, has subsequently changed to Niyo Farmtech Pvt. Ltd. With the help of a Rs. 5.5 lakh CC loan made possible by BYST, he was able to build a manufacturing facility and grow his business. He sold more than 500 devices and made over Rs. 20 lakhs in revenue between July 2019 and March 2020.

Using Innovation to Navigate the Pandemic

All commercial operations were halted in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. However, Yogesh saw a chance to use his machines to spray disinfectants. He started supplying companies, hospitals, and the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. The business was able to go on throughout the crisis because of this change. The company’s turnover in the second year was Rs. 22 lakhs.

International Recognition and Exposure

When BYST selected Yogesh to attend the YBI Boot Camp, it gave his business career a big boost. He spoke with businesspeople from over 25 countries there and discovered how widely his product might be used. He was able to go beyond Indian markets and see global development as a result of this experience.

Market Expansion and Product Development

The new pesticide sprayers from Niyo Farmtech are now available in 22 Indian states. African nations, including Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria, and even Russia have received shipments of this substance. So far, almost 7,000 copies have been sold. The premium version costs Rs 12,000, while the basic variant costs around Rs 10,000. Within a season, farmers with five acres or less of land may recoup their investment.

The product has been developed to the point where 90% of maintenance issues don’t occur because of continuous farmer inputs. Local dealers provide on-the-ground assistance in the case of any problems, and if required, farmers are guided via video chats. In severe situations, whole units or parts are replaced.

Strong Financial Development and Several Sources of Income

Niyo Farmtech reported a turnover of Rs. 2.2 crores for 2022–2023 compared to Rs. 1.3 crores for the previous year. This year, the firm is anticipated to surpass Rs. 5 crore. Direct sales, replacement parts, and rental services in certain regions make up the income sources.

An Inspiration for Future Agripreneurs

Yogesh offers meaningful advice for aspiring business owners: “Be consistent and fully committed to whatever you undertake. When they don’t experience any immediate success, far too many individuals give up after a year or two.

But it takes time to achieve success

Since 2016, I have been working on this project. Years of improvement, criticism, and tenacity were required. You will see growth, influence, and success if you remain committed to your company for at least three years. Wait, and the result will arrive.

Yogesh Gawande’s journey from a farmer’s kid to an agritech pioneer is a remarkable illustration of rural creativity bolstered by timely guidance and a steadfast commitment to local problem-solving. His invention saves farmers time, increases productivity, and reduces health risks. Above all, it exemplifies what can occur when rural Indian youth are provided with the right support and opportunities to thrive. In addition to being a tale of personal success, it also serves as a manual for future agricultural reformers in India.