As India looks to modernise its post-harvest systems, technology is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring better outcomes for farmers and buyers alike. Arya.ag is one of the few agritech platforms attempting to digitise every step after the harvest from storage and quality checks to financing and traceability. In conversation with Jatinder Alagh, Chief Technology Officer at Arya.ag, we explore how the company is building digital infrastructure around India’s fragmented grain economy and why post-harvest innovation may hold the key to rural resilience.
1.Can you explain how Arya.ag's technology platform works to connect farmers, traders, and buyers?
Through Arya.ag, an integrated digital platform, we address a fundamental issue confronting the Indian farmer: when and to whom to sell their agri produce. Farmer and FPO-level advisory, farmgate-level storage, financing, and market linkages are all integrated under the Arya.ag umbrella, offering a comprehensive digital platform accessible to everyone from smallholder farmers to large corporates. The platform turns each bag of a farmer's commodity into an electronic balance that can be stored, used as loan security, or sold digitally with just one click, seamlessly linking the supply side with the demand side of the agri-ecosystem.
We establish trust and transparency at each level of the post-harvest value chain while optimising the value of each grain. Farmers, traders, and buyers can use Arya.ag's web and mobile interfaces to search for and transact with each other with complete assurance on quantity, quality, and prices. For example, a seller can search for potential buyers and complete a trade, while a farmer can find and book a nearby warehouse by entering into an agreement with Arya. The platform also facilitates single-click loans and repayments, allowing users to take advantage of favourable market prices. Additionally, farmers can access inputs and advisory services through Arya.ag.
Arya.ag has created a digital identity for over 11,000 warehouses, representing around 10% of India’s organised agri-warehousing capacity.
2. What unique technological challenges does the agricultural sector in India present, and how does Arya.ag address them?
India has been working towards adopting new-age technologies and innovation, aiming to be globally competitive, viable, and sustainable. However, agricultural innovation here is still in its nascent stages. There’s much to learn from global examples like those in the West and Israel. True success for digital technologies in India would mean adoption among small and micro-farms, a goal not yet fully realised, given the challenges of access, affordability, and adoption.
At Arya.ag, our central idea is to offer scalable and sustainable tech solutions grounded in the realities faced by our stakeholders. Our focus has been to embed innovation and technology into the “here-and-now” of Indian agriculture. Our services are designed to solve real problems, considering users’ available resources, strengths, and challenges. This, combined with partnerships in community-building and development, forms the backbone of making our business both profitable and sustainable, a key differentiator for Arya.ag.
Whether it’s focusing on near-farm primary and secondary markets, developing innovative price-risk mitigation models for FPOs, or deploying hermetic storage technology, our aim to impact rural lives and improve livelihoods is fundamentally technology-driven. Another key differentiator is that Arya.ag is not a principal in the trade but a platform. We do not compete with buyers or sellers, helping build trust and reliability. By ensuring transparency and confidence in every trade for a nominal fee, the platform guarantees both buyers and sellers the best possible value.
3. How does Arya.ag use data analytics to improve decision-making for farmers and traders?
Arya.ag leverages data analytics in several ways to improve decision-making for farmers and traders. The company analyses user behaviour patterns to layer services in ways that maximise value and keep costs competitive. AI-enabled quality assessment of agricultural produce ensures standardisation across our services in 21 states. We also offer users AI-powered surveillance in warehouses, allowing them to monitor their commodities in real-time from the comfort of their homes. This benefits not only depositors but also auditing teams and banks that finance commodity deposits. Arya.ag further analyses data to detect plant diseases, estimate crop progress and yield, and uses satellite imagery to monitor crop growth and health.
4. Can you discuss any AI or machine learning implementations in your platform?
Arya.ag has implemented several AI and machine learning solutions, including image mining for quality assessment of agricultural produce, AI-powered surveillance in warehouses, and automated decision-making in fintech, enabling loan disbursement within minutes. By the time a farmer arrives at a warehouse and unloads their produce, Arya.ag can, based on KYC, sanction a loan of up to ₹2 crore, depending on the commodity’s value and storage. A digital signature linked to Aadhaar and a single OTP can ensure that funds are instantly credited to the farmer’s account.
Our satellite image analysis can identify crop progress, detect plant diseases, estimate yields, and help measure crop quality. We also deploy machine learning-based price mitigation strategies for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and use machine learning techniques for document parsing and decision-making in our digital lending processes.
5. How does Arya.ag ensure the security and transparency of transactions on its platform?
Arya.ag maintains strict privacy standards and implements security protocols at the application, network, and infrastructure levels. Digital sign-offs are required at every stage of agreements with customers, who receive comprehensive details about each transaction, including the amount, date, time, recipient, and any applicable fees. Users can view a complete history of their transactions through their dashboard, and receive real-time notifications via multiple channels for all payments. Regular security audits, vulnerability scans, and system updates are carried out to identify and address potential platform vulnerabilities.
Trust and transparency are core to Arya.ag’s operations. We have developed a public blockchain ledger on the Ethereum network to provide full visibility and traceability of commodities from producers’ fields onward, building confidence for all stakeholders in the agri-value chain.
6. What role does mobile technology play in Arya.ag's operations, considering the varying levels of tech adoption among Indian farmers?
Like in other sectors, mobile technology has significantly accelerated the adoption of agritech solutions. Arya.ag has also benefitted from this widespread shift, enabling access to its platform in segments that were previously difficult to reach.
Through mobile technology, farmers gain access to tools for managing warehouse inventory, digital payments for loans and repayments, trade facilitation, quality assessments, crop monitoring, plant disease detection, and community engagement. Arya.ag’s mobile solutions empower farmers to fully benefit from its services.
7. How does Arya.ag's technology help in quality assessment and grading of grains?
At Arya.ag, we employ AI-based quality assessments for each bag of produce, transforming physical commodities into digital assets that can be stored, used as collateral for loans, or traded digitally with a single click. This seamless system connects supply and demand across the ecosystem.
Arya offers financial and collateral management solutions to farmers, FPOs, and other stakeholders either directly or through partnerships with over 25 banks and financial institutions. Arya has also devised an innovative multi-lending model that improves lending margins for banks while lowering borrowing costs for customers. Our AI-driven approach enables precise and efficient digital assessment and transactions of physical grains.
8. What role does IoT play in Arya.ag's operations, if any?
IoT plays a crucial role in enhancing warehouse security and storage solutions at Arya.ag. We deploy IoT-enabled devices such as camera vision systems and motion detectors to monitor warehouses in real time, minimising pilferage and unauthorised access. IoT is also integrated into our hermetic storage technology to maintain optimal storage conditions. We use IoT-based scanners to detect visible defects in grains and employ moisture meters to monitor storage environments. These measures help preserve the quality of stored commodities and reduce post-harvest losses.
9. Can you share any plans for upcoming tech innovations or features on the Arya.ag platform?
Arya.ag is continuously evolving to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. One area of innovation is the ongoing expansion of our blockchain capabilities. We are exploring ways to offer customers more flexibility over blockchain integration for their transactions, aiming to provide greater transparency, security, and control over commodity trades and financing.
Additionally, we are refining our AI and machine learning models for better forecasting of warehouse arrivals, further reducing operational turnaround time through camera vision technology, and improving risk analysis via machine learning for more precise price projections. These innovations are designed to streamline processes and maximise value for all our stakeholders.
10. Can you discuss any blockchain implementations or plans in your supply chain management?
Arya.ag has implemented blockchain solutions on the Ethereum network to enhance transparency and traceability in agri-commodity transactions. Currently, select grain transactions are recorded on-chain, ensuring each trade is verifiable and secure. Looking ahead, Arya.ag plans to explore blockchain integration for lending operations, enabling banks to manage collateral more efficiently and adding another layer of security to agri-financing.
11. How does Arya.ag's tech stack compare to other agritech platforms globally?
Arya.ag’s technology stack is benchmarked against global agritech standards, incorporating best practices and innovations shaping agriculture worldwide. Our team of tech professionals from across India brings expertise in AI, machine learning, IoT, and blockchain to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. By focusing on scalable, secure, and user-friendly technology, Arya.ag differentiates itself through its ability to integrate the specific needs of Indian agriculture with cutting-edge global solutions, positioning itself as a leader both in India and internationally.
12. How does Arya.ag use technology to address issues like price volatility and market information asymmetry?
Arya.ag tackles price volatility and market information asymmetry through machine learning-powered price risk mitigation strategies that help farmers engage in market-driven trades with greater confidence. By leveraging data analytics, Arya.ag monitors purchase and sales trends across its network, assesses environmental factors, and analyses warehouse activity to predict market dynamics. This insight allows farmers and traders to make informed decisions, reducing risks linked to market fluctuations and helping maximise returns.
13. How does Arya.ag's technology contribute to reducing post-harvest losses?
Post-harvest food loss, which accounts for around 7% of annual agricultural losses in India, is a significant challenge that Arya.ag addresses through technology-driven solutions. Our hermetic storage technology creates a controlled, airtight environment that minimises spoilage and pest infestations. We also implement scientific warehousing practices to maintain optimal storage conditions.
AI-enabled monitoring systems track stock lifecycles in our warehouses, providing real-time data that supports efficient inventory management and helps minimise losses. These systems, combined with IoT-based surveillance, significantly reduce pilferage and unauthorised access, ensuring secure storage and handling of commodities. By integrating these technological measures, Arya.ag reduces post-harvest losses and ensures more of the harvested produce reaches the market in optimal condition.
14. How does Arya.ag use technology to facilitate warehouse management and inventory tracking?
Arya.ag leverages its proprietary SaaS platform, Arjun, designed for both agri-commodity procurement and warehouse operations management, to streamline processes and ensure accurate inventory tracking. With nearly a decade of expertise in the agri-sector, Arjun was developed by agripreneurs to address unique challenges in agribusiness. It offers a time-saving, precise, and organised system for record-keeping, supplier verification, error elimination, and tracking trade commitments. Arjun also integrates with accounting software to ensure smooth data transmission, prevent duplication and manual errors, and enable easy reconciliation in a paperless environment. This system supports faster payments, boosting business credibility.
In addition to Arjun, Arya.ag employs AI-driven quality assessments and AI-based surveillance to oversee warehouse operations in real time, ensuring transparency and security. IoT technologies, such as camera vision systems and motion detectors, further enhance warehouse safety, while hermetic storage solutions help preserve commodity quality. Together, these technologies optimise efficiency, minimise losses, and enable dependable inventory management.
