Freshokartz

Freshokartz Agri Products Pvt. Ltd. operates as a comprehensive agri-tech platform aiming to organize the agricultural sector in India. Founded in December 2016 by Rajendra Lora, Chandrakanta Sahu, Nagendra Yadav, and Sonesh Kumar, the Jaipur-based company emerged from the founders' personal connections to farming. Co-founder and CEO Rajendra Lora, who comes from a farming family in Rajasthan, was inspired to start the venture after observing the vast price disparity for produce between what farmers earned and what consumers paid in cities. This firsthand experience, combined with his computer science background from IIIT Jabalpur, fueled the mission to address systemic inefficiencies in the agricultural supply chain.

The company's core business revolves around a hybrid, omnichannel model that serves farmers throughout the entire crop lifecycle. Freshokartz establishes physical, digitized agri-kiosks at the village level, creating a one-stop shop for farmers' needs. Through these centers and a mobile application, the company provides agricultural inputs such as seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, often delivered directly to the farmers' doorsteps. A key service is data-driven crop advisory; by analyzing a farmer's soil data and past crop history, Freshokartz offers tailored recommendations to enhance crop yield.

Beyond inputs, Freshokartz facilitates market linkages, connecting farmers directly with B2B customers like hotels, restaurants, and larger retailers, thereby ensuring better price realization and prompt payments. The company also arranges financial services, including credit facilities and insurance, through partnerships with financial institutions. Revenue is generated through multiple streams, including margins on the sale of agri-inputs and a subscription-based model for its advisory services, which includes unlimited call-center support and on-field visits from agronomists. The model relies on a network of village-level micro-entrepreneurs, known as 'Saarthis', who are trained to assist and advise farmers, effectively extending the company's reach into rural communities.

Since its inception, Freshokartz has demonstrated significant growth, raising a total of $2.39 million over eight funding rounds from investors including Rajasthan Venture Capital Fund (RVCF) and AWE Funds. The initial B2B model of supplying fresh produce to hotels and cafes evolved into the current, more holistic approach focused on solving farmers' core problems from sowing to selling. The company is currently working with over 90,000 farmers, primarily in Rajasthan, with stated intentions to expand into neighboring states.

Keywords: Agritech, farmer services, agri inputs, market linkage, crop advisory, soil testing, supply chain, rural commerce, farm inputs, produce procurement, digital agriculture, farmer finance, agricultural credit, B2B agriculture, Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajendra Lora, Freshokartz Saarthi, ag-tech platform, farm data analytics, agricultural micro-entrepreneurship