Three agritech platforms that use advanced technology to support Indian farmers are AgNext, Unnati and Agribazaar. AgNext uses AI and sensors to test food quality in seconds, Unnati combines farm inputs, advice and credit, and Agribazaar runs an online marketplace for crops. Together they show how data and digital tools are changing farm trade in India.
Agriculture supports a large share of Indian households, yet many farmers still lose money to slow quality checks, costly inputs, weak access to credit and limited buyers. Agritech start-ups are trying to fix these gaps. Here is what each of these top 3 agritech platforms does, what is new as of 2026, and how it helps farmers.
Top 3 agritech platforms: quick facts
| Platform | Main focus | Key technology | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| AgNext | Food quality testing | AI, IoT, data analytics (Qualix) | Chandigarh |
| Unnati | Inputs, advice, credit and produce sales | Predictive farm data, fintech | Noida |
| Agribazaar | Online crop trading | AI quality checks, GIS, IoT traceability | StarAgri, Mumbai |
1. AgNext: instant food quality checks
AgNext is a deep-tech company based in Chandigarh that works on food quality assessment. Its platform, Qualix, uses artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and data analytics to test grains, milk, oilseeds, pulses, spices, tea and animal feed.
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Traditional lab tests can take days, and farmers often have to accept whatever grade a buyer gives. AgNext’s tools give results on the spot, which makes pricing more transparent. The company has said its AI testing device cut spice quality testing from days to about 30 seconds.
In August 2021, AgNext raised US$21 million in a Series A round led by Alpha Wave Incubation, with Kalaari Capital and Omnivore taking part, as reported by AgFunder News. At the time, it counted Godrej, ITC and the farmer cooperative NAFED among its clients and said it had tested more than 20 lakh food samples since launching in late 2016.
How AgNext helps farmers
- Faster, standard quality grading at the point of sale.
- Fewer disputes and fairer prices based on measured quality.
- Digital records that support trade across the food value chain.
2. Unnati: inputs, credit and advice in one place
Unnati is an agritech and fintech platform founded in 2017 by Amit Sinha and Ashok Prasad and based in Noida, according to Inc42. Farmers can buy seeds, fertilisers and other inputs at lower prices, get crop-specific guidance and access credit, often with little or no collateral.
The platform also lets farmers sell their produce directly to food processors and agribusinesses. Unnati has described a predictive model that uses more than 200 data points, including satellite images, soil data, weather and past transactions, to guide decisions on sowing time, crop health, nutrients, moisture and harvest sales.
The business has grown quickly. Entrackr reported in May 2025, citing filings with the Registrar of Companies, that Unnati’s revenue rose 30% to Rs 515 crore in FY24 from Rs 397 crore in FY23, while its loss widened slightly to about Rs 16 crore. Almost all of its revenue comes from input and produce transactions.
How Unnati helps farmers
- Lower-cost inputs with usage advice.
- Easier access to working credit.
- Direct sales to large buyers, cutting out some middlemen.
3. Agribazaar: an online marketplace for crops
Agribazaar is the digital trading arm of StarAgri, a Mumbai-based agri-warehousing and services group. StarAgri describes it as a full-stack agritech platform for farm-to-fork transactions, with a secure online marketplace where farmers, traders and buyers can deal directly.
The platform uses AI and machine learning for quality assessment, farm health monitoring, GIS-based workflows and IoT-enabled traceability. StarAgri reports that gross merchandise value on its platform grew from about Rs 10,289 crore in FY22 to about Rs 12,155 crore in FY25.
Agribazaar was also among the private firms that signed early agreements with the Government of India to use farm data the government has collected since 2014. The aim was to build tools for crop identification, remote-sensing based yield estimates, farmer advice, post-harvest planning, market access and finance.
How Agribazaar helps farmers
- Access to buyers beyond the local mandi.
- Clearer prices through online trading.
- Quality and traceability records that build buyer trust.
Why agritech platforms matter for Indian farmers
Most Indian farmers have small plots and little bargaining power. Platforms like these bring three things that were hard to get earlier: fair quality data, cheaper inputs with guidance and wider market access. Credit linked to farm data also helps farmers who lack collateral.
Challenges remain. Many farmers still need help with smartphones and digital payments, internet access is uneven in villages, and start-ups must keep costs low to reach small farmers. Partnerships with cooperatives, farmer producer organisations and government schemes are key to wider reach.
Read more about start-ups and new technology in our technology section, and see how money and markets affect your pocket in Finance. Big-picture explainers are in Infotainment.
Further reading: AgNext, Unnati, AgriBazaar.
Frequently asked questions
What is an agritech platform?
An agritech platform uses technology such as AI, sensors, satellite data and mobile apps to help farmers with inputs, advice, quality checks, credit or selling crops.
Which are the top agritech platforms in India?
AgNext, Unnati and Agribazaar are three well-known platforms, covering food quality testing, farm inputs and credit, and online crop trading.
How does AgNext test food quality?
Its Qualix platform uses AI, IoT devices and data analytics to grade commodities like grains, spices, milk and tea in real time instead of days.
How do agritech start-ups help farmers earn more?
They cut input costs, give data-based advice, offer easier credit and connect farmers directly with larger buyers for better prices.
Sources: AgFunder News on AgNext, Entrackr on Unnati’s FY24 results, Inc42: Unnati profile, StarAgri: Our story.
