In Startup50 2017: EM3 made it to the list, thanks to its product – Samadhan, a FaaS (Farming as a Service) platform that enables technology to reach the farmer in an efficient and affordable manner through a network of farm centres called Samadhan Kendras. Each center, managed through IT enabled systems and manned by agri-professionals, is equipped to handle a comprehensive suite of basic and precision farm operations throughout the entire crop production cycle. The company is backed by Aspada and has helped manage over 35,000 acres of land in the past 2 years.

Founders: Adwitiya Mal, Rohtash Mal

Enabling top-notch farming: EM3’s Samadhan Kheti centres are equipped with the entire range of machines, tools and technology needed for precision farm operations for crops such as oil seeds, sugarcane, pulses, rice and wheat. “We are bringing high engineering, IT, mobile technology, payment gateways, all together for the farmer. Right from soil preparation to harvesting, we do everything on a pay-for-use basis,” says Adwitya Mal, the company’s founder. Farmers who need to avail Samadhan services can book it online, or offline, on a first-come-first-serve basis. What differentiates EM3 from a normal agricultural equipment hiring centre are the partnerships it has with key industry stakeholders. For instance, tractor major John Deere provides technical support to EM3’s tractor and harvester fleets. Trimble, a leading provider of advanced location-based navigation, provides satellite-based technologies to EM3. Its tie-up with the agri-business division of ITC allows EM3 to use ITC’s e-choupal platform to reach out to farming communities.

Backing of Aspada: In 2015, Impact investor Aspada Investments committed to invest US $3.3 million in the company, thanks to its vision of enabling the farmer to access the latest farm equipment on a financial model that would suit the farmer community. Later, it raised US$10 million Series B round from London-based Global Innovation Fund (GIF) and Aspada.

Experienced Founding team: Rohtash Mal, the Chairman of EM3, was formerly CEO of Bharati Airtel and later Managing Director of Escorts Limited.

Quick Facts:

• Serviced farmers cumulatively manage over 35,000 acres of land in the past two years
• Over 20,000 farmers have worked with EM3 over the years
• MoU with Rajasthan government to open 120 Samadhaan centers which will increase to 300 over the next few years