Leveraging its advanced digital platform for market linkage and supply chain management, agrotech startup, Mulyam, claims to have empowered over 3,000 farmers and facilitated the supply of more than 12,000 metric tons of onions in just ten months. Mulyam uses technology — specifically a mobile app — to connect farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) directly with wholesalers, export markets, urban retailers, and institutional buyers, addressing key challenges of price instability and market volatility in India’s onion supply chain.
India’s Onion Market and Challenges
India, the world’s second-largest producer of onions, faces ongoing issues of supply volatility and price instability. Major onion-producing states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh contribute significantly to the national yield, yet market fluctuations can cause price spikes during lean periods. While government measures like buffer stock releases and price monitoring aim to stabilize the market, agrotech innovations are crucial for enhancing market efficiency. The role of agrotech startups like Mulyam becomes crucial in complementing these efforts by streamlining the onion supply chain from farm to consumer.
Onions are a staple in Indian households, with the average Indian consuming around 15 kg of onions annually. Their integral role in Indian cuisine, makes onions an essential commodity that requires careful management. Given the substantial export market for Indian onions, with the red onion variety being the most popular, ensuring a steady supply is not just important for domestic consumption but also for global markets.
Mulyam’s Impact on Onion Supply
Mulyam’s digital platform plays a pivotal role in optimizing the onion supply chain. By creating seamless connections between farmers, FPOs, and various market segments, the platform ensures better price realization and stabilizes prices. This technology reduces reliance on intermediaries, improves transparency, and enhances the efficiency of market access for farmers.
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The startup’s success in supplying over 12,000 metric tons of onions reflects its ability to streamline operations from field to consumer. By helping farmers monitor production, manage post-harvest processes, and access markets more efficiently, Mulyam is playing a vital role in stabilizing onion prices and ensuring availability to consumers year-round.
Its model is rooted in the fundamentals of Indian onion farming. Onion production typically follows a precise process, from preparing fields to sowing seeds, irrigation, and harvesting. After harvest, onions undergo curing to improve their shelf life, a critical step before they are packed for domestic sale or export. Mulyam’s integration of technology into this process ensures that onion quality is maintained, prices remain competitive, and farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
The key challenge for horticulture in India, according to Yogesh Kedari, Founder and CEO, Mulyam, is market linkage.
“While agritech companies can support farmers with production advice, inputs, and mechanization, the real value is in connecting them to markets. Mulyam is dedicated to creating a robust market linkage platform that supports farmers of all sizes, eliminates middlemen, and provides data-driven insights for better margins and price advantages.”
Founded in 2023, Mulyam claims to be rapidly establishing itself as a key player in fresh commodity distribution. The bootstrapped startup asserts to be working with 3,000 farmers across states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Karnataka. The startup reports facilitating the procurement and delivery of over 22,000 metric tons of fresh produce, including potatoes, tomatoes, and apples, to clients such as quick commerce companies and institutional buyers.
With a team of over 40 professionals, Mulyam states it is developing a comprehensive B2B marketplace and targets connecting with 150,000 farmers by FY2025.
Future of Agrotech and Onion Supply in India
As the government continues its efforts to stabilize onion prices and safeguard consumer interests, agrotech start-ups like Mulyam are set to play a bigger role. By enhancing supply chain efficiency, improving post-harvest processes, and ensuring seamless market access for farmers, these start-ups are addressing some of the core issues plaguing India’s onion market. Additionally, they are positioning India’s agricultural sector to meet both domestic and global demand more sustainably.
The collaborative efforts between startups, cooperatives, and government agencies mark a new chapter in Indian agriculture—one that promises better livelihoods for farmers and more stable food prices for consumers. With a growing focus on technological solutions, the future of India’s onion market looks promising, offering a more sustainable, stable, and profitable model for all stakeholders involved.
