How This Jaipur-Based Agritech Startup is Bridging the Gap with Innovative Farming Tools

In the world of agriculture, where large-scale farming often dominates the conversation, small and marginal farmers frequently face significant challenges in accessing the right tools to improve productivity and reduce manual labor. Founded on June 10th, 2016, Balwaan Krishi emerged with a clear mission: to provide affordable, easy-to-repair, and accessible farming machinery specifically designed for these farmers. Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, this startup has grown to become a significant player in the agricultural machinery sector, making farming easier for those with smaller landholdings.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Rohit Bajaj, Co-Founder of Balwaan Krishi. With a passion for transforming Indian agriculture, Rohit, along with his brother Shubham, has made it their mission to empower farmers with the tools they need to thrive. In this insightful conversation, Rohit shares the story behind Balwaan Krishi, its unique approach to serving small farmers, and the impact the company has made across India:

Q.: What is the problem you are trying to solve? Please share with us any insights that led you to believe that this is a big enough problem.
Ans: We’ve seen that small and marginal farmers in India often struggle to find affordable and effective farming machinery. From talking to farmers and seeing the situation ourselves, we realized there was a real need for better tools to help them work more efficiently and reduce manual labor. That’s why we started Balwaan Krishi.
At Balwaan Krishi, we’re focused on providing affordable and easy-to-repair machinery. We’ve even set up warehouses dedicated to repairing these machines to make things as hassle-free as possible for farmers. Our goal is to make farming easier and more efficient for those who need it most.

Q.: Please tell us about the founders.
Ans: Balwaan Krishi was founded by Rohit and Shubham, brothers who came together with a shared vision to revolutionize Indian agriculture by providing accessible and innovative farming tools for the farmers.

Q.: List all the names of the core team members, along with their designated roles. How do you see them evolving over time? What would be each of their skill sets?
Ans: Client is not ready to disclose.

Q.: Tell us about the product/solution. How did you get your first customer? Explain how you went about the product-market fit process.
Ans: We provide lightweight and affordable agricultural machinery specifically designed for small farmers. Our products aim to make farming easier and more efficient by offering cost-effective solutions that meet the unique needs of small-scale farmers.

To get our first customer, we organized field demonstrations and engaged with local farmer networks. By showing how our machinery worked in real farming conditions, we were able to directly address the needs and concerns of the farmers. This hands-on approach helped us build trust and demonstrate the value of our products.
As we began to work with farmers, we continuously gathered their feedback on our machinery. This feedback was crucial in refining our products, ensuring they were practical and truly met the needs of our target market. This ongoing process of listening to our customers and making improvements helped us achieve a strong product-market fit, making sure our solutions were effective and well-received by the farmers we aimed to help.

Q.: What is your USP? What is the insight that you have about this market, which no one else has?
Ans: Our unique selling point (USP) is that we offer durable and affordable agricultural machinery tailored specifically for small-scale farmers. Unlike larger manufacturers who often focus on high-end, expensive equipment for big farms, we concentrate on meeting the needs of farmers with limited resources and small landholdings.

We’ve gained valuable insights into this market by understanding the everyday challenges faced by small farmers. These challenges include having limited capital to invest in expensive machinery and dealing with small plots of land that require specialized equipment. By focusing on these specific needs, we design our machinery to be both cost-effective and easy to use, ensuring it fits well with the constraints and demands of small-scale farming.

Our deep understanding of these unique challenges sets us apart from others in the industry. We’re not just selling machinery; we’re offering practical solutions that genuinely address the issues faced by small farmers, helping them work more efficiently and improve their productivity.

Q.: What were your assumptions when you entered the market, and what did you learn? Who in your mind is your ideal customer? Do you have at least one of them signed up?
Ans: When we first started, we assumed that small farmers might be hesitant to adopt new technology. We thought they might be wary of trying new tools or equipment. However, we quickly learned that this wasn’t the case. With the right demonstrations and support, small farmers are actually very open to using new tools if they can see how they will improve their farming and make their work easier.

Our ideal customers are small and marginal farmers. These are farmers with limited resources and small plots of land, who could benefit greatly from affordable and easy-to-use machinery. We’re happy to say that we’ve successfully signed up many of these farmers. They continue to use and benefit from our products, which confirms that our approach and products are meeting their needs effectively.

Q.: Please tell us about the investors (if any).
Ans: We have raised $2 million in a pre-Series A round with support from Caspian Leap for Agriculture Fund. In 2024, we secured INR 40 crore (about $4.8 million) in Series A funding from JM Financial Private Equity.

Q.: Is there any interesting success story of your startup? If yes, please write about it.
Ans: One interesting success story from Balwaan Krishi is our journey from zero to eight lakhs, which has significantly transformed farmers’ lives. By manufacturing a range of lightweight machinery and agricultural equipment tailored for small and marginal farmers—such as plows, cultivators, seeders, and harvesters—we’ve empowered them to enhance productivity and improve their quality of life. Many farmers have reported increased crop yields and reduced labor costs, fostering a positive impact not just on individuals but on the agricultural community as a whole.

Recognizing the unique needs of these farmers, we strategically established warehouses based on demand, making our products easily accessible across various regions. Our affordable and technologically advanced solutions have seen growing demand from small and regional markets, making a tangible impact on their livelihoods. Through rigorous quality testing and sustainable manufacturing practices, we ensure our products are both reliable and environmentally friendly. Moreover, our commitment extends beyond equipment; we provide comprehensive support, including training sessions and after-sales services, to empower farmers fully. By fostering collaboration with agricultural experts and integrating farmer feedback, we continuously innovate to meet their evolving needs. Ultimately, we aim to promote inclusive growth and rural development, strengthening communities and improving livelihoods across the agricultural value chain.

Q.: Since inception, give us a sense of the value of business done by your venture. Please explain in detail.
Ans: Since its launch, we have made significant strides in supporting small and marginal farmers. Through our efforts, we’ve impacted the lives of over 2 lakh farmers across India, helping them save both time and effort in their farming activities. Our product range now includes more than 100 models of machinery, all designed to meet the specific needs of small-scale farmers.

With growing awareness about our products, we’ve been able to generate substantial revenue, primarily by catering to the rural and regional markets. We estimate that since inception, Balwaan Krishi has contributed to improved productivity on over 50,000 hectares of farmland. Our sales have steadily grown, and with the recent infusion of capital, we’re looking to expand our operations further, providing our products to even more farmers across India.

Q.: Where do you see your startup 5 years from now?
Ans: In the next five years, we see Balwaan Krishi becoming a household name for small farmers across India. We plan to expand our product range and enhance our distribution network so that even more farmers can access our machinery. We are also investing in R&D to innovate new, more efficient tools and machines that further meet the needs of small-scale farmers.

By 2029, we aim to have a presence in every state of India and increase our market share significantly in the agricultural machinery sector. Beyond that, we hope to create a robust ecosystem for farmers, providing not just tools and machinery but also education, resources, and support to help them succeed.

Q.: What would you want to be remembered for as an entrepreneur?
Ans: As an entrepreneur, I want to be remembered for making a lasting impact on Indian agriculture. My goal is to improve the lives of small and marginal farmers by making farming more accessible, productive, and efficient for them. Ultimately, I hope that Balwaan Krishi will be seen as a company that genuinely cared about and supported the farming community, helping to transform the agricultural landscape for the better.