Agri-tech startup Apna Godam is successfully expanding its services across six states in India. Jaipur-based agritech startup, Apna Godam provides essential warehousing facilities and online commodity financing to farmers nationwide. Additionally, the platform facilitates online trading for farmers, traders, and buyers, to help improve price discovery and streamline the marketing of agricultural produce.
Many sellers lack access to adequate warehousing and financing options because terminals are often located far away. As a result, they are forced to sell their commodities immediately after harvest at lower prices, and they miss out on potential gains.
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Apna Godam addresses this issue by identifying closed factories, old sheds, and abandoned buildings near production areas, converting them into agricultural terminals where sellers can store their commodities and secure loans by pledging their stock. When market prices improve, they can sell their produce to millers on the Apna Godam portal on an “as-is, where-is” basis.
The startup offers a range of services, including financing, e-mandi, and warehousing. Through its NBFC firm, Apna Godam provides low-interest loans to farmers against pledged stock, ensuring fast processing and easy access to finance for stored commodities. With its state-of-the-art storage solutions and an integrated pan-India warehousing network, Apna Godam aims to maximize efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers.
In 2020, when state governments began issuing licenses for spot trading of agricultural commodities, Apna Godam registered for to get spot trading license. They wanted to address the challenges faced by farmers using their warehouses. As many farmers struggled because APMC markets were often far away and farmers did not receive fair prices for their produce as well. This gap led Apna Godam to create their own online spot trading platform, making it a one-stop solution for the major issues faced by farmers.
Why farmers and traders are choosing Apna Godam?
Apna Godam helps farmers by offering low transportation costs for the pickup and drop-off of agricultural commodities, thanks to its warehouses located near the agriculture farms. Users simply send their commodities to the warehouse and can relax, as all necessary documents are available online through their app.
To ensure the safety of the goods, Apna Godam conducts proper fumigation and spraying. Millers can purchase commodities through their terminals, and some terminals provide grading and sorting facilities as well, all conveniently situated near farms. The company also offers affordable storage solutions and a paperless loan process that can be completed in just 10 minutes.
Customers have online access to CCTV, which enables them to monitor their stored items. They can sell agricultural commodities on an “as-is, where-is” basis, supported by a systematic and process-driven organization. Farmers and traders can book storage space online and track their inventory in real time, thanks to an integrated Inventory Management System (IMS) that monitors goods throughout the supply chain.
Additionally, Apna Godam provides logistics management that allows users to track drivers, shipments, vehicles, and client operations online. The company maintains high-quality standards with a team of qualified experts, their team conducts quality testing on agricultural commodities. Additionally, users can participate in online trading through their platform, facilitating seamless transactions between buyers and sellers of various agricultural products.
Apna Godam addressed every challenge faced by farmers and earned their trust. During the pandemic, word of mouth helped them stand out as a lifeline for farmers. They provided all the necessary facilities for agricultural commodities, ensuring that farmers receive excellent service. They are committed to maintaining high standards and constantly strive to improve their services.
Strategic market expansion of Apna Godam
Agritech startup Apna Godam has expanded its services to Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, building on its previous success in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Their focus in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar was on Rabi crops, which are harvested between April and June. However, Apna Godam’s resources—such as staff, warehouses, and logistics were not fully utilised during the Kharif season.
By entering new states, where Kharif crops are harvested from October to December, Apna Godam can now maintain operations throughout the year. This strategic expansion ensures that the startup can effectively utilise its resources in both Rabi and Kharif seasons, thereby increasing its sustainability and growth potential. The move not only diversifies their service offerings but also strengthens their presence in the agricultural market. They are expected to expand in 6 other Indian states till 2027.
Conclusion
Apna Godam has launched a phygital warehousing system that combines digital and physical experiences to improve interactions with customers. As communication channels grow, the company aims to make these interactions seamless and easy. Sellers and buyers can now trade online by simply making a phone call.
This user-friendly approach not only simplifies trading for those less familiar with technology, but also builds trust among users. By offering a wide range of services tailored to the needs of farmers and traders, Apna Godam is establishing itself as a leading agritech startup in India. Their focus on enhancing customer experience through phygital warehousing systems, coupled with a strong service network, positions them well for growth in the agriculture sector.
