Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture with AI: Niqo Robotics’ Precision Spraying Technology

In the bustling tech hub of Bengaluru, Niqo Robotics is pioneering a transformative shift in Indian agriculture with its AI-backed precision spraying robots. This innovation promises to significantly lower farming costs through an innovative pay-per-use leasing model, making cutting-edge technology accessible to small and marginal farmers across India.

The Need for Technological Advancement
Agriculture in India is predominantly characterized by traditional practices, particularly among small and marginal farmers (SMFs) who hold less than 2 hectares of land. These farmers represent a staggering 86.1% of the total farming population, according to the latest Agriculture Census of 2015-16. The founder of Niqo Robotics, Jaisimha Rao, identified the urgent need for a more scientific and precise approach to farming while managing his family farm.

“Agriculture benefits from wisdom, but there’s a crucial need to embrace more scientific methods,” Rao explains. Transitioning from Wall Street to agritech, Rao established TartanSense (now Niqo Robotics) in 2015. The startup received seed funding of $2 million in 2019 and later raised $5 million in Series A funding in 2021, reflecting strong investor confidence in its vision and technology.

Unique Selling Proposition: Precision Spot-Spraying
Niqo Robotics stands out with its smart spot-spraying technology, central to which is a proprietary camera. This camera meticulously analyzes plants and spaces, making real-time decisions on whether to spray or not, independent of cloud connectivity. This innovation ensures that only the targeted areas receive treatment, thereby reducing the indiscriminate use of herbicides and fertilizers common with conventional sprayers.

Niqo’s robot boasts impressive accuracy, particularly its cotton model which achieves a 99.4% success rate. The system, trained on 3.4 million pictorial points across various crops, demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance agricultural productivity sustainably.

Market Adaptation and Financial Model
The Indian agricultural hardware market is dominated by medium-sized players who purchase mechanical equipment and rent it out to smaller farmers. Niqo’s leasing model aligns perfectly with this ecosystem. Last year, the company deployed 50 sprayers, 40 of which were leased to village-level entrepreneurs for Rs 4 Lakhs each. These entrepreneurs, in turn, offer spraying services to farmers at Rs 300-Rs 500 per acre.

Abhilash Sethi, Investment Director at Omnivore, highlights the need for financial engineering to attract asset financing companies to underwrite these assets, making the model more financially feasible. This pay-per-use approach not only makes the technology affordable but also immediately reduces pesticide costs for farmers.
Expansion and Global Ambitions

Niqo Robotics has successfully integrated its technology in farming networks across eastern Maharashtra, Guntur, and Khammam in Andhra Pradesh. With recent funding, the company aims to expand globally, targeting North America and Australia, particularly in horticulture applications. Unlike its leasing model in India, Niqo plans to adopt an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model for international markets, focusing on selling products and securing recurring revenues.

Duane Cantrell, Managing Partner and CEO at Fulcrum Global Capital, underscores Niqo’s competitive edge due to its lower production costs and wide application spectrum. Despite competition from companies like Mahindra’s Mitra and John Deere’s smart sprayers, Niqo’s affordable and versatile technology positions it favorably in the global market.

Future Prospects
The global agriculture sprayer market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.10%, reaching $7.07 billion by 2029. In India, the used agricultural equipment market is expected to grow at a 22.7% CAGR from FY’21 to FY’26, driven by increasing adoption among small and medium farmers and supportive government subsidies.

Conclusion
Niqo Robotics is not only revolutionizing Indian agriculture with its precision AI technology but also setting a precedent for sustainable and cost-effective farming globally. As the company continues to innovate and expand, it holds the promise of transforming agricultural practices and improving livelihoods for farmers worldwide. By leveraging AI and smart technology, Niqo is paving the way for a future where farming is more efficient, productive, and sustainable, ensuring a brighter future for the agricultural sector.