Indian UrbanKisaan launches LED vertical farm to reduce water consumption by 95%

A severe drought has dried up rivers and reservoirs in parts of India, and it is estimated that more than 500 million people in the world's second most populous country will run out of drinking water by 2030,media TechCrunch reported. Signs of this are evident on farms that consume the vast majority of the total water supply. Farmers in India have struggled to grow crops because they still rely heavily on rainwater. The able-bodied have turned to crops such as cowpea and corn, which basically use a fraction of the water except for rice. But most people don't have that.

Indian UrbanKisaan launches LED vertical farm to reduce water consumption by 95%

In addition, some Indian cities face another challenge: the levels of harmful chemicals used in vegetables have risen sharply over the years.

A Hyderabad-based startup competing in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield this week believes it has found a solution to both challenges. In its many centers in Hyderabad and Bangalore, UrbanKisaan is growing crops. Vertical farming, a concept that has gained good momentum in some Western markets, but is still very new in India.

This model brings a series of benefits. UrbanKisaan co-founder and CEO Vihari Kanukollu told TechCrunch in an interview that the startup doesn't use any soil or harmful chemicals to grow crops and uses 95 percent less water than traditional farms.

"We've built a hydroponic system that keeps the water flowing and recycling," he said. UrbanKisaan says it has increased crop yields by 30 percent despite using less water. "Our crop grows to a height of at least 30-40 feet. And it has an infinite loop there."

Unlike other vertical farming models that only grow lettuce and basil, UrbanKisaan devised the technology to grow more than 50 vegetables, said Kanukollu, 26.

For UrbanKisaan, the bigger challenge is just convincing businesses like restaurant chains to buy from it. "Even though we offer healthier vegetables, businesses are more willing to choose traditionally grown crops and save a few bucks," he said.

So to deal with this situation, UrbanKisaan sells directly to consumers. Visitors can check in at UrbanKisaan Centres in Hyderabad and Bangalore to buy a range of vegetables.

The startup, backed by Y Combinator and, most recently, popular South Indian actress Samantha Akkineni, also sells kits for around $200 that anyone can buy and grow vegetables in their own homes.

Kanukollu, who has a business background, started exploring the idea of ??UrbanKisaan in 2018, frustrated by his inability to buy fresh pesticide-free vegetables for his mother. Fortunately, he found Sairam Palicherla, a scientist who has spent more than two decades studying agriculture. Both spent their first year researching and engaging with farmers.

Today, UrbanKisaan has more than 30 farms. The farms were all profitable in their first month, Kanukollu said. "Our sales are currently up 110% monthly, and our average bill value has grown 10 times over the past six months."

The startup is also working to hit a point within the next three months of $150,000 a month in revenue. The startup has further refined its technology stack over the past few quarters. Kanukollu said they have reduced the power consumption of LED lamps by 50% and the manufacturing cost per tube by 60%.

Kanukollu said the startup is currently working with five farmers and is trying to figure out a way to find a viable model to bring it to every farmer.

It also develops centralized intelligence based on convolutional neural networks to enable real-time detection, find more produce to harvest, and detect farm deficiencies.

UrbanKisaan has raised about $1.5 million so far and plans to expand it to more large cities in India in the coming quarters.

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