The four organisations that will advance to the final round of the challenge and who will be awarded the milestone grant of ₹15 lakh each include EF Polymer (specialising in bio-inputs that enhance soil moisture retention), CultYVate (providing advanced advisory services to optimise water use in farming), Industill (innovating in the automation of irrigation systems for precise water management) and Phyfarm (developing scalable solutions to increase water efficiency in agriculture).
The final phase of the challenge will commence from September 2024 and the winner will be announced in February 2025. Rs.2 crore will be awarded to the most impactful and scalable innovation, making it one of the most generous grants available for sustainable agricultural interventions.
Aman Pannu, President, DCM Shriram Foundation said 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 ground-breaking innovations that promise significant contributions to water conservation and enhanced productivity.
“I want to congratulate the four winning organisations for solving for 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,” Pannu said. Kanishka Chatterjee, Director, The/Nudge Prize, said, “Innovating for efficient water utilisation in agriculture is essential for the future of smallholder farming in India. 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.”
