The DCM Shriram AgWater Challenge has reached a pivotal moment as the midline evaluation announces the top four innovations set to transform water efficiency for smallholder farmers. Launched in collaboration with The/Nudge Institute’s Centre for Social Innovation and the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (GoI), the challenge aims to address critical water use challenges in agriculture. Four breakthrough technologies have been selected from 14 cutting-edge innovations, each awarded a milestone grant as they move forward to compete for the final ₹2 crore prize.
Assessment of Innovative Technologies
The challenge, initiated in June 2023, assessed 14 pioneering technologies across various agro-climatic zones. These innovations target some of India’s most pressing agricultural challenges, focusing on crops like paddy, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton. Over the past ten months, these technologies were rigorously tested in the field, addressing the specific needs of smallholder farmers.
Selection of Finalists
A comprehensive midline evaluation was conducted by The/Nudge Prize team, in partnership with Ecociate Consultants, an independent third-party evaluator. Through a meticulous jury process, four organizations were selected to advance to the final phase of the challenge. These finalists are EF Polymer, CultYvate, Industill, and Phyfarm, each awarded a milestone grant of ₹15 lakh for their innovative solutions.
The Finalists and Their Innovations
- EF Polymer: Specializes in bio-inputs that enhance soil moisture retention, crucial for water conservation in agriculture.
- CultYVate: Provides advanced advisory services aimed at optimizing water use in farming, enhancing overall productivity.
- Industill: Innovates in the automation of irrigation systems, enabling precise water management for smallholder farmers.
- Phyfarm: Develops scalable solutions to increase water efficiency, focusing on affordability and accessibility for farmers.
Financial Support and Next Steps
A total of ₹60 lakh will be distributed among these four finalists. These funds will support the scaling of their technologies to improve water use efficiency and profitability for smallholder farmers. The final phase of the challenge will begin in September 2024, culminating in February 2025 with the announcement of the winner. The most impactful and scalable innovation will be awarded ₹2 crore, one of the most generous grants available for sustainable agricultural interventions.
Leadership Statements
Aman Pannu, President, DCM Shriram Foundation
“The DCM Shriram AgWater Challenge is a critical initiative aimed at addressing water-related challenges in agriculture, especially for smallholder farmers who are the backbone of India’s agricultural economy. The midline evaluation has highlighted the potential of several groundbreaking innovations that promise significant contributions to water conservation and enhanced productivity. The evaluation process, which spanned over two months, included field visits across eight states and interviews with hundreds of farmers to assess the impact and effectiveness of these technologies. Congratulations to the four winning organizations for solving this problem and being awarded the milestone grant. As we move into the final phase, we are excited to see these technologies scale and make a tangible impact on the lives of millions of farmers across the country.”
Kanishka Chatterjee, Director, The/Nudge Prize
“Innovating for efficient water utilization in agriculture is essential for the future of smallholder farming in India. While progress has been made in developing solutions for agri-water challenges, affordable and accessible models for marginal farmers remain scarce. The midline evaluation of the DCM Shriram AgWater Challenge has demonstrated that there are viable, scalable solutions capable of addressing the complex water challenges of land productivity, pricing, and market instability our farmers face. The challenge is designed to encourage AgTech to rapidly innovate, showcase, and implement solutions to address these issues. By enhancing water efficiency in agriculture, these innovations have the potential to significantly improve the livelihoods of over 600 million smallholder farmers across India.”
Jury Panel and Evaluation Process
The jury panel, comprising industry experts such as Hemendra Mathur (Bharat Innovation Fund), Aruna Pohl (IFHD), Vilas Shinde (Sahyadri Farms), and Emmanuel Murray (Caspian), engaged in detailed discussions with the contesting organizations. They evaluated the potential of these technologies to enhance water use efficiency and their scalability for broader adoption among India’s smallholder farmers.
Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
The DCM Shriram Foundation is dedicated to challenging the status quo of inefficient water use in agriculture. By promoting innovations and practices that enable large-scale water conservation, the Foundation aims to secure the future of India’s smallholder farmers. The/Nudge Prize continues to focus on creating solutions that address livelihood challenges for the bottom 30% of India’s population, particularly small and marginal farmers, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector.
(India CSR)
