Yogesh Gawande’s startup Impresses Bill Gates with Innovative Agri Sprayers

By Nitin Sindhu VY

Startup Among Top 10 Innovators
Niyo FarmTech, founded by mechanical engineer Yogesh Gawande, has been recognized as one of the top 10 startups at the Greenovation Energy Challenge. The company’s innovative agricultural sprayers caught the attention of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates during the event held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi. Gates personally tested the startup’s solar-powered pesticide sprayers, marking a significant milestone for the city’s startup ecosystem.  

From College Project to Thriving Venture
What began as a college project for Yogesh Gawande evolved into a full-fledged business under the mentorship of the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (Magic). Gawande shared, "Bill Gates tested our product at the IARI event and mentioned that this technology would greatly benefit women in agriculture by making farming equipment more accessible and user-friendly."  

Achievements and Growth
Niyo FarmTech has sold 5,000 units, employed over 100 people, and achieved a turnover of Rs 4.3 crore. Gawande expressed gratitude to Magic for their support in the company’s journey. The startup’s growth has been further propelled by collaborations with industry experts and organizations like Social Alpha, COE FASAL (STPI, IIT Kanpur, IIMCIP), and the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.  

Bill Gates’ Field Test

During the event, Bill Gates observed the Niyo Bahubali Sprayer in action as Yogesh Gawande demonstrated its functionality during a field test at IARI. This interaction underscores the global potential of Niyo FarmTech’s innovations in transforming agriculture.

Gates Foundation’s Role in Boosting Sales
The support from the Gates Foundation has played a crucial role in enhancing Niyo FarmTech’s sales and market penetration. This backing has enabled the startup to reach more farmers, particularly in rural areas, and provide them with affordable and efficient agricultural solutions.

Key Products
The startup’s innovative products include:  

1. Niyo Solar Sprayer: An eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-based sprayers. 
    
   2. Niyo Bahubali Sprayer: Designed for large-scale farming, this product is set to be included in a government subsidy scheme starting April, offering a 40% discount to farmers.  

Support Networks Helped Niyo FarmTech

NIYO FARMTECH’s growth has been significantly supported over the past two years by the India Agritech Incubation Network (IAIN), through the Gates Foundation, enabling the company to commercialize its products in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Odisha (OD). This support has empowered thousands of farmers to adopt innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable spraying solutions.

Nidhi Nath Srinivas from IAIN and Social Alphaand Social Alpha also supported Niyo FarmTech  

Recognition of Make in India Initiative
Prasad Kokil, a director at Niyo FarmTech, emphasized that this recognition highlights the success of the Make in India initiative in fostering technological advancements in agriculture. With backing from the Gates Foundation, the startup has expanded its market reach in states like Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, providing cost-effective solutions to thousands of farmers.