Transforming the way farmers use water

As we enter a hotter, dryer world, water scarcity is becoming a greater challenge, especially for farmers in the Global South. At the same time, methane emissions from rice alone account for ~1.5% of the world's GHG emissions. Enter today's start-up, CultYvate which uses sensor data to optimize water consumption across paddy and sugarcane.

After having worked in the IT industry for two decades, founder Mallesh T M gained a passion for applying that same analytical rigor to India's number 1 employer (by far), agriculture. Historically, agriculture has been more of an art than a science, with farmers using gut feeling and vague heuristics. He first applied scientific principles to his own farm and realized that by careful management, profits could be nearly 10x per acre.

Cultyvate was started in 2017 and brings scientific management to the application of water. Paddy farmers flooding their field typically overwater, as "better to be safe than sorry". However, flooding deeper than 6" underground damages the roots while flooding greater than 1" aboveground wastes water. However, with no accurate measurements, farmers would have to manually check water levels and make their best guess. Cultyvate's patented system uses in-ground sesnors to automatically optimize water levels, enhancing a practice known as "alternate wetting and drying".

Not only does this substantially reduce the amount of water (and electricity to pump the water), it also reduces methane emissions, reduces the incidence of fungus, nitrogenic bacteria and other pests (as the roots are not water logged) and actually increases yields 5-15% (for paddy, their similar offering for sugarcane has increased yields up to 50%). More rice for less water-what a great deal! More importantly, it breaks the myth that to continually grow/develop we constantly need more inputs-in this case they are growing farmer yields and incomes with less inputs

One of the challenges of selling to farmers (and in the water space generally) is the ability to pay. When I first met Mallesh, Cultyvate was pitching their solution to governments. For state governments which subsidize water and electricity to farmers, this seemed like a huge win-win. However, as anyone who has tried to sell to governments knows, this is not the easiest proposition! Thankfully Cultyvate has been able to pivot and works with corporates who are procuring sustainable produce, especially for export. Using their sensor data and automated controls, Cultyvate can validate the rice as low-water, which allows farmers to fetch a higher price for their produce. They are also working on cultivating carbon credits, for further income generation.

Another aspects I love about Cultyvate is their continued innovation and investment in R&D. The cost of their sensor system has come down 97% in just 4 years (an even faster learning curve than the much heralded Solar PV price drops!). This has allowed them to make a profitable business while still offering more affordable prices for farmers, further boosting farmer incomes. They have also innovated in produce design, creating sensors to help sugarcane farmers optimize water levels at the root, with similar benefits in terms of reduced water and electricity consumption and improved yields and product grades. They have even expanded their sensor system to polyhouses, where farmers can optimize temperature, humidity and light levels (in addition to soil water levels).

Cultyvate's systems now cover over 17,000 acres and their strong value proposition to corporates and farmers mean they are continuing to grow. Cultyvate is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 2, 6 and 12 while also enhancing economic output and farmer incomes. By applying scientific approaches to farming, Cultyvate is creating a win-win for farmers, consumers and the planet.