In the context of technological adoption in agriculture, progress has been segmented into three distinct categories, namely areas of notable success, early adoption, and sectors where adoption is still absent. Among the success stories are advance - ments in drip irrigation and the use of high-yield seed varieties to improve productivity, with high-yield seed varieties significantly boosting crop output. The category of early adoption includes technologies such as solar pumps and fertigation systems, which involve the integration of fertilization with irrigation through drip systems. The most significant lag has been observed in the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies like use of satellite data, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and artificial intelligence. Recognizing the transformative potential of these technologies, ASQI is empowering farmers with a cuttingedge platform to achieve sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.
ASQI (Advancing Sustainability, Quality, and Impact) is an innovative AgTech firm dedicated to transforming the agricultural sector with innovative, technology-driven solutions. By integrating IoT, AI, blockchain, and precision farming techniques, it enables farmers to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and adopt sustainable practices. The company’s AgTech Stack facilitates end-to-end traceability, disease management, and access to premium markets. It also offers advisory services, financing solutions, and satellite-based data to improve farm management and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Bettering Farmers Livelihood
“Our foremost objective is to improve farmers’ net income by enhancing the yield by about 20 to 35 percent,” says Swapnil Pawar, Co-Founder & CEO, ASQI. By integrating satellite-based data, the company enables precise mapping of individual farms, defining specific polygons for daily monitoring of up to 85 critical parameters. Key metrics include irrigation adequacy, crop growth patterns, and nitrogen levels in leaves, allowing for automated insights and reducing the need for constant farmer intervention.
Through IoT-enabled soil analysis, it further refines farm-level nutrient management. Data on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, soil carbon, pH, and moisture is collected in real time, empowering advisors to recommend targeted actions. Traceability represents another cornerstone of ASQI’s offerings. By mapping and tracking crop life cycles from sowing to harvest, the platform ensures buyers, especially those seeking sustainably grown produce, have visibility into farming practices.
By integrating satellite based data, the company enables precise mapping of individual farms, defining specific polygons for daily monitoring of up to 85 critical parameters
Precision Advisory Method
The advisory process begins with seed treatment, a critical step in safeguarding crops against 80 percent of common pests and diseases. This significantly reduces the reliance on pesticides and weedicides, saving costs and minimizing chemical exposure. Soil treatment is the next step, utilizing biochar, compost, and manure to enhance soil carbon content, promoting faster crop growth with the same or reduced inputs. The company also emphasizes crop geometry, advising optimal spacing between seeds to maximize per-acre yield to prevent overcrowding, ensuring healthier growth for all plants. For underperforming crops, the company recommends soil and nutrient testing, including micronutrient analysis. AI-powered disease detection, cross verified by expert agronomists, ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations with 95 percent accuracy.
Recognizing the challenge of crop residue management, ASQI is exploring innovative solutions like biochar production through pyrolysis. This process involves heating dry biomass to approximately 400 degrees Celsius in the absence of oxygen, yielding a stable form of carbon that can be stored for extended periods. In addition, the company is set to operationalize its first biochar plant in near future, utilizing maize and cotton crop residues for this innovative application. Future plans include leveraging IoT and AI technologies for real-time engagement with farmers, alongside embedding government schemes into its offerings to maximize benefits for the agricultural community.
