In the heartlands of agricultural India, a trio of visionaries, Harshit Gupta, Tauseef Khan, and Nishant Mahatre, embarked on a mission to revolutionize the farming landscape. While Gupta brought experience from his tenure at Oyo, the trio shared a common goal – to empower farmers with knowledge, transforming the agriculture sector. Thus, in 2016, Gramophone took root, an agritech venture providing invaluable insights to farmers, elevating their farming practices and income.
One of the early challenges Gramophone faced was gaining the trust of seasoned farmers. Convincing them to adopt new practices required innovative thinking. The concept of missed calls became a bridge, with the team calling farmers back, seamlessly integrating advisory services with retail solutions.
From humble beginnings, the platform has flourished. What started as a few calls a day has evolved into a network of 5.5 to 6 lakh farmers, garnering $8.06 million in funding. Over the past two years, Gramophone has witnessed a 15x growth in revenues, a testament to its impact on the agriculture community.
Gramophone’s commitment extends beyond advice and products. Since October, the platform has facilitated connections between farmers and buyers. Armed with comprehensive data on sowing dates, crop types, and harvest estimates, Gramophone empowers farmers to secure better selling opportunities, enhancing their overall income.
The real measure of success for Gramophone lies in the gratitude of the farming community. During a field visit with an investor, a farmer expressed, “Gramophone hamare crops ko baccho ki tarah paalte hain” (Gramophone looks after our crops like children), underscoring the personal and transformative connection the platform has established.
Investors share the optimism, recognizing Gramophone’s potential to evolve into a complete agritech solution. Aditi Gupta, Principal at Asha Impact, an investor in the company, envisions Gramophone becoming a comprehensive offering for farmers, integrating inputs, market linkage, and data-driven farm credit within the next three to five years.
In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture, Harshit Gupta and the Gramophone team are sowing the seeds of positive change, cultivating not just crops but a future where technology and tradition coalesce for the prosperity of the farming community.
