This Pune-based start-up helps farmers make crops more resilient to changing weather

Among the weather complexities that have troubled Indian farmers in recent times are the growing instances of untimely or heavy rainfall and fluctuating temperatures. Not only does such bad weather harm standing crops, but it also seriously hampers seasonal yield, impacting their total farm revenue. 

City-based Bioprime Agrisolutions has built eco friendly bio-molecules capable of making crops more resistant to the atmosphere to help farmers deal with the effects of climate change. 

'The growth of plants can be affected by a rapid change in weather or large changes in day-night temperatures. It is found that plant growth falls by at least 40 per cent in such weather conditions. This is amid the farmer's best attempts to apply compost or spray fertilizer, they contribute to the farmer's expenses but do not give the desired yield,' said  Renuka Karandikar, CEO of Bioprime Agrisolutions Pvt Ltd.   

Natural biomolecules, available in liquid form, are delivered to plants and are a targeted intervention aimed at preventing any kind of crop failure during plant development. 

Under the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) LEAP funds; the company was awarded Rs 1 crore. The organization has received a grant from the Atal New India Challenge under the Atal Innovation Mission for the climate-resilient agriculture group. 

'Farmers, especially those cultivating fruits of export quality such as grapes and pomegranates, have recorded good yields without much residual matter, which is necessary for export standards to be met. The use of these advanced bio-molecules could increase crop growth to 70%, even under adverse weather conditions,' Karandikar explained. 

The start-up, which was incubated in 2016 at the Pune Venture Hub, has been working closely in Pune, Nashik and Satara with farmers growing vegetables and fruits. This team has also widened its network and connects with Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Telangana growers.