In an exclusive interview, Saurabh Agarwal, the visionary behind GROWiT India, shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the mission driving his company’s impact in the agricultural sector. From overcoming challenges to leveraging innovation and technology, Mr. Agarwal discusses how GROWiT India is revolutionizing farming practices while fostering sustainability and social responsibility. Discover the unique initiatives, future plans, and invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in this illuminating discussion.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Q. Can you share with our readers a bit about you and your background and what inspired you to establish GROWiT India?
My name is Saurabh Agarwal, I am the Founder and CEO of GROWiT India Pvt Ltd I have completed my graduation from Cardiff University, United Kingdom with a specialization in Supply Chain Management. After that, I joined my family business, Alpha Group, in 2006. After three years of heading the Alpha Group, I went on to pursue an MBA with a focus on Family Managed Business (FMB) from S P Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai, India.
Being a 3rd Generation Entrepreneur, I am a workaholic and understand what it takes to run a profitable business. With my passion for Agriculture, I want to create a legacy and help double the output of the Indian Agriculture sector.
COMPANY VISION AND MISSION
Q. What is the core vision and mission behind GROWiT India? How do you see your company making a positive impact in the industry?
Our mission at GROWiT India is to “Empower the Farmers for Food Security towards a Sustainable Future.” We achieve this by providing innovative protective farming products and holistic solutions. Through our commitment to sustainability and technology-driven approach, we aim to uplift farmers, enhance productivity, and foster a sustainable agricultural industry for future generations.
UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION (USP)
Q. In a competitive market, what sets GROWiT India apart? What is your unique selling proposition that makes your company stand out?
GROWiT is a unique company that provides end-to-end solutions for the agri-food sector, integrating technology with traditional farming practices to increase yield and reduce waste. The company’s approach is to empower farmers with the latest technological advancements to optimize their output while also ensuring sustainability.
Additionally, GROWiT’s focus on sustainability and social responsibility is what sets it apart. The company is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of farming and ensuring fair prices for farmers, making it a unique and socially responsible agri-tech company.
Our USP is our Franchise Model 525+ Stores across 10+ States & our B2B collaboration with over 50 corporates. Our Demo Farms are a major USP as they act as our Learning Centre.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
Q. Every journey has its challenges. Can you talk about some of the major obstacles you faced while building GROWiT India and the strategies you employed to overcome them?
As the CEO of GROWiT, I encountered several challenges while starting my sustainable agriculture business. Building a team that shared my vision and passion was one of the biggest hurdles I had to overcome. It was important to me to bring on board people who not only had the right skills and experience but also shared my enthusiasm for building a sustainable future. I invested a lot of time in networking and building relationships with people in the industry who shared my values, which helped me identify the right team members.
Raising funds was another challenge that we faced. I knew I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve, but convincing investors to back my idea was not easy. To overcome this, I spent a lot of time preparing a solid business plan and pitch deck that clearly articulated my vision, the problem we were solving, and the market opportunity. I also networked with other entrepreneurs and investors to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Navigating regulatory hurdles was also a challenge, as we had to comply with strict regulations around genetically modified crops and meet quality standards. To overcome this, we invested heavily in research and development to ensure that our products met all regulatory requirements. We also worked closely with regulators to gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape.
Finally, building brand awareness was a challenge as we were introducing a new concept to the market. We invested in marketing and PR campaigns to educate consumers about the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Building relationships with influencers and thought leaders in the industry also helped us spread the word about our products.
Despite the challenges we faced, we remained determined and focused on my vision. By investing time in building the right team, preparing a solid business plan, navigating regulatory hurdles, and building brand awareness, I was able to overcome these obstacles and build a successful business.
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Q. How does GROWiT India leverage innovation and technology in its operations and offerings? Can you share any recent technological advancements that have been implemented?
We always believe that Technology is the biggest enabler for any business. So, we use technology like CRM, Mobile APP, E – Commerce Platform, Online Agri Advisory Services, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for awareness etc to bring in efficiency to the company.
Our ambition is to make GROWiT a leading global provider of innovative agriculture solutions that contribute to sustainable and efficient food production. We believe that technology can play a significant role in addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, and our company aims to leverage technology to empower farmers and increase their productivity.
In terms of ideals, we emphasize the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. We are committed to building a business that not only delivers value to its stakeholders but also contributes to the well-being of society and the environment.
MARKET TRENDS
Q. Given the dynamic nature of the market, how does GROWiT India stay attuned to industry trends, and how do you adapt your strategies accordingly?
Technology in the Agri Sector is fairly New and penetration is not even 5% Market opportunity is huge as India is amongst the top 3 Agri Economies of the World. There is immense potential to grow & the Indian Agri Story has just begun.
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Q. Beyond business success, many companies aim to contribute to the community. How does GROWiT India engage in corporate social responsibility, and what positive impact do you aim to have on the community?
GROWiT India actively participates in corporate social responsibility through a distinctive initiative – the buyback program for protective farming products. As the sole company in India offering a buyback option for these products post-harvest, GROWiT demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness. By allowing farmers to return protective farming items after the harvest, the company promotes responsible waste management and recycling practices. This unique approach not only minimizes environmental pollution but also contributes to the overall well-being of the community. GROWiT India envisions a positive impact on the environment and the community by fostering a culture of sustainability through its innovative buyback program.
FUTURE PLANS
Q. What are the future plans and aspirations for GROWiT India? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions that your audience should be excited about?
The primary technology or products we offer at present include Mulch Film, crop cover, Shade Net, Agri Wire, Vermi Bed, Weed Mat, Grow Bag, Insect Nets, and other accessories needed for protective farming. We have also developed the GROWiT app that helps farmers learn about the concept of Protective Farming and how to use our products for maximum efficiency for different crops.
Additionally, GROWiT has forayed into technology with its Pocket-size Soil Testing Device and launched a whole range of biostimulants, which truly makes GROWiT a Soil to Harvest Agri-tech Company. This Device doesn’t stop at data indication but also recommends five best-suited crops based on the soil’s composition. This not only empowers farmers with real-time insights into their soil health but also provides actionable recommendations for crop selection. Which we are going to launch very soon.
LEADERSHIP STYLE
Q. As a leader, what is your leadership style? How do you foster a positive and innovative work culture within GROWiT India?
Being an entrepreneur in today’s dynamic and ever-changing business world is both exciting and challenging. I would say the three most important skills would be:
- Adaptability to change — “The only constant thing is change” and nowhere is it more true than in business. An entrepreneur should always be ready to adapt with changing times and keep learning every day.
- Risk-taking ability— As an entrepreneur, it is very important to be able to perceive the risk involved in every decision you make. Sometimes you’ll feel the risk is too high and step back but it’s important to understand that without taking certain risks, your business is not going to grow.
- Teamwork— All successful businesses have one common theme; a strong, integrated team working towards a common goal. Sitting at the helm, it is easy to forget that business is not a “one-man show” but is rather run by a group of people without whom, none of it would be possible.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
The most exciting part about being an entrepreneur is that I get to learn new things every day, face new challenges, meet new people, and learn more about human behavior. Being an entrepreneur gives me an opportunity to be a part of something more than just the business; it allows me to be part of a larger community. At the end of it all, it helps me to give something back to my society.
ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Q. For aspiring entrepreneurs, what advice would you give based on your own experiences in building and leading GROWiT India?
I would like to share with everyone is that “Attitude is Everything”. I not only believe in this but I live by it.
