Introduction:
Here, a silent revolution in this rich cultural and historical city is in the process of making itself felt. Verdant Impact is a 2020 January-created startup with the soul mission to transform rural livestock management across India. A company which bridges this gap between tradition and cutting edge technology has been able to come up with solutions that improve animal health and empower millions of farmers in reshaping agriculture in the world’s largest democracy.
A Necessity-Based Vision
Manish K Prahlad, the cofounder of Verdant Impact, experienced first-hand the daily struggles livestock farmers in rural India had to go through while he was growing up. It was this background, with poor access to veterinary care, inefficient management practices, and next to no use of technology that turned everyday hassles into huge losses for the farmers. This planted an idea in him that developed into Verdant Impact.
How Verdant Impact Came to Be
January 2020 was when Prahlad and his team launched Verdant Impact. The mission was as clear as crystal: to harness technology and serve better livestock health management while empowering farmers in India. The world was just about to get entangled in the turmoil of a pandemic. But for Prahlad, probably the most difficult time to start an organization would be exactly when the crisis unraveled at a rapidly fast pace, and with it came the urge.
Cultivating Change: Verdant Impact’s Journey
The early days of Verdant Impact amounted to a period of intense R&D. For months, Prahlad and his team moved through the countryside, speaking with farmers and attempting to fathom the ins and outs of the problems they faced every day. This grassroot level of approaching issues helped in designing solutions that were not just technologically forward but also practical and available to their target users.
No Room for Doubters
Of course, the major challenges Verdant Impact had to surmount were convincing farmers and potential investors. “Many farmers were initially skeptical of adopting new technologies,” remembers Prahlad. “And investors often questioned whether a tech solution could really make a difference in such a traditional sector.”
Overcoming this, the team adopted a very hands-on approach. They held free workshops in villages, demonstrating to the farmers their technology and how it would directly affect their livelihoods. Slowly but surely, trust began to build.
The Breakthrough: Animal ICU
The first major breakthrough for Verdant Impact came with the launch of Animal ICU, a telemedicine facility allowing farmers to have virtual consultations with veterinary professionals. For a country where veterinary facilities are very poor, especially in rural parts, this facility was nothing less than a lifeline.
“We saw an immediate impact,” says Dr. Anjali Sharma, one of the veterinarians partnering with Verdant Impact. “Farmers who used to travel hours in order to get help for their sick animals were now getting expert advice within minutes.”
Expanding Horizons: RFID Technology
On the success of Animal ICU, Verdant Impact introduced RFID technology. Under this, small tags would be inserted under the skin of cattle, by which farmers could track health metrics like body temperature and heart rate in real time. This provided information not only for the early detection of health issues but also provided the key to preventing insurance fraud.
“The RFID tags have been a game-changer,” explains Rajesh Patel, a dairy farmer from Gujarat. “Now I can track my herd’s health on my smartphone. It is like having a personal vet for every animal.”
The Fruits of Labor: Verdant Impact’s Achievements
By 2023, Verdant Impact had grown from a small startup serving more than 25,000 monthly active users and performing about 200 telemedical consultations daily. Naturally, this growth trajectory did not go unnoticed by the startup ecosystem, and it featured in YourStory’s marquee Tech30 list at TechSparks 2023.
Empowering Women in Agriculture
One of the unintended but most refreshing results of Verdant Impact’s effort has been its impact on rural women. Easy-to-operate technology has empowered rural women and enabled them to get more actively involved in livestock management, often resulting in enhanced household incomes.
“Before Verdant Impact, I rarely got to decide anything on our farm,” remembers Lakshmi Devi of Rajasthan, a farmer. “Now, I maintain records related to the health of our cattle and almost regularly make decisions regarding their treatment. It’s empowering.”
Scaling Impact: The Road Ahead
As Verdant Impact grows, Prahlad and his team look towards bolder objectives. Introducing the Animal Ancestry Mark—utilizing DNA analysis to help farmers trace livestock lineages—would likely effect a sea change in breeding practices and trading decisions.
“Our vision is that we want to have an end-to-end ecosystem on the management of livestock,” Prahlad explains. “Health monitoring, breeding decisions, market access – we want to give farmers power at all steps.”
Timeline of Key Events
- January 2020: Verdant Impact founded in Jaipur
- Mid-2020: Animal ICU telemedicine service rollout
- Early 2021: Launch of RFID technology for livestock monitoring
- Late 2021: Expansion of services to include insurance support
- 2022: Reached milestone of 10,000 monthly active users
- 2023: Featured in YourStory’s Tech30 list at TechSparks 2023
- 2024: Introduction of Animal Ancestry Mark (planned)
Key Takeaways
Verdant Impact’s story is that of a small Jaipur-based startup that has transcended to redefine livestock management in India. It is, therefore, an important example to ascertain at all times—ground reality and gaining constituents’ trust are the only ways one can hope to use technology to be effective in real-world applications. Verdant Impact will continue to grow and innovate, shining brighter as an example of how technology can be used as a force of positive change, even in the most traditional of sectors.
