Drone-based crop monitoring and access to financial services may become more accessible for Indian farmers with the launch of the BharatRohan Pragati card. Introduced by agritech firm BharatRohan in collaboration with financial service providers Obopay and Mastercard, the Pragati card is designed to integrate advanced technology with financial tools to promote sustainable farming practices.
The Pragati card combines payment capabilities and credit access, enabling farmers to adopt services such as drone-based monitoring and spraying. These technologies, part of BharatRohan’s CropAssure service, provide critical data insights to help farmers manage their crops more effectively while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
Supporting Drone Technology in Agriculture
Farmers can use the Pragati card to pay for drone-based services that monitor crop health, identify pest infestations, and optimize input use. By leveraging drones, BharatRohan aims to help farmers transition to precision agriculture, improving yields while minimizing environmental impacts.
Amandeep Panwar, CEO and Co-founder of BharatRohan, highlighted the card’s focus on sustainability:
“Our Pragati card rewards farmers for adopting eco-friendly practices, such as Integrated Crop Management and drone-based monitoring. These services empower farmers to make data-driven decisions for sustainable farm management. In return, they earn redeemable points to reduce future input costs, creating a cycle of sustainable farming benefits.”
The card also enables purchases of essential agricultural inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and biological products, at merchant outlets that accept Mastercard payments.
Simplifying Financial Access
Beyond facilitating payments, the Pragati card offers access to season-specific loans ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000, depending on the crop cycle and farmer needs. These loans are subject to verification and lending norms, ensuring responsible use of funds.
Also read: BharatRohan Appoints New Board to Advance Drone-Based Agriculture Initiatives
Transparency in financial transactions is a key feature of the card. Lenders can track the utilization of loan funds for specific agricultural purposes, boosting lender confidence and reducing approval times. This approach supports BharatRohan’s goal of enhancing credit access for farmers while ensuring funds are used effectively.
Integration with Mastercard’s Community Pass
BharatRohan is exploring the integration of the Pragati card with Mastercard’s Community Pass platform. This step aims to provide farmers with access to offtake solutions, allowing the proceeds from crop sales to be credited directly to their cards. The platform also enables supply chain financing for these transactions, simplifying the financial ecosystem for farmers.
Encouraging Carbon Credit Programs
The Pragati card also opens opportunities for farmers to participate in carbon credit initiatives. By adopting sustainable methods such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in paddy cultivation, farmers can generate carbon credits. These credits provide an additional revenue stream while aligning with BharatRohan’s focus on reducing methane emissions and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Expanding Reach and Impact
BharatRohan, in collaboration with Obopay, which is an RBI-licensed entity, will manage the onboarding and KYC verification process for farmers. The partnership ensures a seamless experience for card users, including transaction support and loan management assistance.
The initiative targets 500,000 farmers by 2027, building on BharatRohan’s existing base of 50,000 farmers across 200,000 acres. By integrating drone technology with financial tools, the Pragati card aligns with national efforts to double farmers’ incomes and promote sustainable agriculture.
