Varija Khanna, DGM - Founder's Office and Mrunmayi Dharu, ESG Coordinator at Nutrifresh Farm Tech India, explain how the enterprise is revolutionizing sustainable farming practices through precision techniques, technological innovation, and eco-conscious initiatives to meet growing food demands while addressing food security and climate change concerns.
As the global population continues to grow and urbanise, the pressure on the agricultural sector to produce more food has intensified. The traditional farming practices are further complicated by the erratic and often extreme climatic shifts which disrupt these practices, making it increasingly difficult to achieve consistent crop yields. To address these challenges, Nutrifresh turned to sustainable farming practices by leveraging technology and precision farming techniques like controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and hydroponics.
Nutrifresh stands at the forefront of the Agri-tech space, addressing the triple concerns of Food Security, Seasonality, and Climate Change. The Promoters, Ganesh Nikam and Sanket Mehta, began their journey at Nutrifresh to meet the growing demand of our rapidly evolving population and the need to transition to sustainable agricultural solutions in the modern farming ecosystem. The Company’s mission is to operate with environmental consciousness and to use innovative agricultural technology for year-round crop cultivation. Consumer preferences for fresher, nutrient-rich produce with reduced carbon footprint perfectly aligns with the Company’s vision, thus fuelling consumer-driven demand.
By harnessing the power of smart data and tech-based crop selection, Nutrifresh has crafted a cutting-edge farming ecosystem, meticulously tailored to the geographic and crop-specific requirements. AI-powered solutions and IoT-based automation, masterfully fine-tunes crop inputs to create fresh, pesticide-free, and traceable produce accessible to households, while leaving a profound social impact.
Nutrifresh places a paramount emphasis on sustainability across its operations by careful utilization of resources such as water and land. With the use of recirculating and micro drip irrigation systems, water efficiency is increased up to 90% as compared to traditional agriculture. For efficient space utilization, barren and arid lands are converted into fully functional hydroponics farms. In alignment with its core values, Nutrifresh prioritises using predominantly biodegradable materials throughout its operations, demonstrating a strong commitment to eco-conscious practices.
For waste management, the biodegradable waste generated at the farms is put through a biogas production plant, which in turn is used for captive consumption. Furthermore, the manure produced by degeneration of the bio-waste is used in the farms as a fertiliser.
With a commitment to nurturing both the health and wealth of society, Nutrifresh passionately fosters the growth of women of local communities by empowering them and putting them ahead to pioneer inclusive growth. This commitment to gender equality in the workforce not only contributes to the empowerment of women but also fosters a more inclusive and socially responsible work environment.
Nutrifresh offers a basket of 42+ SKUs to the consumers, which includes an assortment of both Indian and foreign leafy greens, fruity vegetables, herbs and fruits serving its B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (Business-to-consumer) customers. The B2B partners consist of Service Restaurants (QSR), Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes (HORECA), Modern Trade and Quick Commerce to in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Surat, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bangalore, and beyond. The Company holds certifications such as ISO, HACCP, APEDA, FSSAI and Global Gap and is committed to attaining global leadership in sustainable farming. This ambition entails expanding the overall production area to 500+ acres, extending geographical reach to encompass all major cities in India and incorporating innovative technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
Ms. Varija Khanna is designated DGM Founders Office at Nutrifresh and works with the Promoters, overlooking all aspects at the Company. She has transitioned from being a Corporate Lawyer to the field of sustainable agriculture. She takes a profound interest in innovative solutions oriented towards achieving sustainability and food security.
Ms. Mrunmayi Dharu is working as an ESG Coordinator at the Founder’s office at Nutrifresh primarily overlooking the environmental management aspects of the company. She has completed her Master's in Hydrogeology and specializes in water resource planning and management. She is working to seek innovative solutions to address environmental and water resource challenges.
Background of Nutrifresh Farm Tech India Pvt. Ltd.
Nutrifresh Farms is one of India's largest hydroponic farms based out of Pune, India. Its mission is to transform the farming and agriculture landscape in India by combining state of the art technology and advanced farming techniques to produce fresh, residue free and pesticide-free vegetables. Nutrifresh also delivers these produce directly from the farm to shoppers via an e-commerce platform that enables customers to order fresh food, at affordable prices and have it delivered directly to their doorstep. More about Nutrifresh: https://nutrifresh.co.in/#/ and https://in.linkedin.com/company/nutrifresh-farms
