digantsharma As climate challenges, input costs, and logistical hurdles weigh heavily on the Indian agricultural sector, building a resilient and transparent supply chain has become mission-critical. In an exclusive conversation, Raghav Bansal, CEO of HarvestLink Technologies, sheds light on how technology can future-proof the farm-to-market journey for millions of Indian farmers.
“Farmers are producing good quality crops, but their biggest pain point today is reaching the right buyer at the right price,” says Raghav, who has worked in agritech logistics for over a decade. His startup, HarvestLink, works across five Indian states to digitize rural procurement and distribution networks.
🚜 Breaking the Middlemen Monopoly
Raghav points out that the traditional supply chain model has too many intermediaries. “By the time produce reaches the mandi, then the wholesaler, then the retailer, the farmer’s profit margin has shrunk drastically. There’s little incentive to grow high-quality or specialty crops.”
To address this, HarvestLink uses real-time pricing tools, farmgate procurement hubs, and direct market linkages with retail chains. “When we give farmers live updates on crop demand and pricing via our app, they can plan harvests more strategically and negotiate better,” he explains.
📡 Tech as the Backbone of Agri Logistics
Raghav believes tech-enabled traceability is no longer optional. “Whether it’s QR-coded crates or blockchain-led quality tracking, the future of agriculture is digital transparency. This builds trust between producers and consumers.”
He cites examples where retailers were willing to pay a premium for crops that could be digitally traced back to sustainable farms. “This not only improves farmer income but also opens doors to export markets and organic certifications.”
🧑🌾 Putting Farmers at the Center
While technology plays a big role, Raghav emphasizes the importance of on-ground implementation. “No app can work if the last-mile delivery isn’t strong. We work with local ‘agri-partners’—often educated youth from the villages—who help farmers use our systems.”
Training sessions, vernacular support, and offline data syncing have been crucial to building trust among smallholders. “We don’t sell technology. We sell solutions to real-world farming problems,” he says.
🌱 Policy, Partnerships, and Scale
For Raghav, partnerships with FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), cooperatives, and government agencies are key. “No private company can scale alone in Indian agriculture. Collaborating with the public sector brings trust, reach, and regulatory alignment.”
He applauds the government’s push for digital agriculture but warns that “top-down tech” without field feedback won’t work. “You have to co-create with farmers, not just impose solutions.”
🔮 The Way Forward
Looking ahead, Raghav envisions a hybrid agri-market model where local infrastructure, digital traceability, and smart logistics converge to create resilient value chains. “We can’t prevent climate shocks, but we can build systems that adapt quickly, ensure fair prices, and minimize post-harvest losses.”
His final message: “Empowering farmers doesn’t end at the farm. It begins at the farm and follows every grain until it reaches the consumer.”
