MUMBAI, 13 July 2025: In a move to promote sustainable agriculture and expand clean farming technologies, AgResearch Labs (ARL) has partnered with Samunnati, a Chennai-based agri-value chain enabler, to scale the adoption of aeroponic farming systems across India.

The collaboration will focus on offering financing and trade solutions to farmers and agribusinesses, enabling wider access to ARL’s clean farming systems that use minimal land and water resources. The partnership is supported by Stay Still Scale High, a growth advisory firm that helps early-stage ventures raise capital and scale operations.

ARL’s aeroponic systems—developed by IIM Bangalore and NIT alumni—have been incubated at IIMB NSRCEL and Stanford SeedSpark. These systems claim to produce up to 360 tons of leafy vegetables per acre annually using 95% less water and 98% less land than conventional farming methods. The model also eliminates the use of pesticides, addressing the rising consumer demand for chemical-free and affordable food.

“This collaboration with Samunnati will allow us to reach more growers and institutional buyers who seek clean produce at scale,” said a spokesperson from ARL. “Together, we aim to reduce the carbon footprint of vegetable cultivation in India.”

Samunnati, which operates in 28 states, works with over 100 agricultural value chains and facilitates connections between farmers, buyers, and financial institutions. With a gross transaction value of over $3 billion, and partnerships with 46 financial institutions, the company plays a critical role in providing last-mile credit and market linkages.

The partnership is expected to catalyse the adoption of aeroponic agriculture, particularly in urban and peri-urban centres where land is scarce and demand for fresh, traceable produce is on the rise.

Image credit: edengreen.com