Agrotech Space, in partnership with Reskilll, is set to organize an AgriTech Hackathon on 5 March 2025, aimed at developing technology-driven solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture. A key highlight of the event is the panel discussion titled “Can AI Democratize Technology for Farmers?” where industry experts will explore the role of artificial intelligence in making technological advancements more accessible to the agricultural community.
The AgriTech Hackathon, supported by Microsoft Azure and Azure Development Community and set to take place at the Microsoft Office in Gurugram, invites students, technologists, freelancers and professional developers to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and data analytics to address real-world agricultural problems. Participants will collaborate on solutions that enhance supply chains, optimize resource use and create sustainable farming practices.
AgriTech Hackathon Bringing Together Innovators & Industry Experts
Participants will work in teams to create practical, scalable solutions that address real-world agricultural issues.
The event will feature a panel of industry experts who will not only judge the competition but also provide valuable insights into the role of technology in modern agriculture. The jury comprises professionals with extensive experience in agritech, business development, and digital transformation, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the event.
The jury includes (in albhabetical order) Ashutosh Tiwari (Founder & CEO, Nkosh), Nitin Puri (Founder & CEO, KisaanSay), Sachin Sharma (Co-Founder, Moonbeam Ventures Global Corp), Sanya Duggal (Partner GTM & Strategy Manager, SMB Azure – India and South Asia, Microsoft), Suparnaa Chadda (Founder Curator, SABERA) and Vishal Salgotra (CF & COO, INNOFarms.ai).
Ashutosh Tiwari, Founder & CEO, Nkosh
Ashutosh Tiwari, has been driving innovation in the agribusiness sector since 2016. With a background from the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur and the National Power Training Institute, he Founded Nkosh in 2021 to provide digital solutions tailored to farmers, MSMEs, and producer groups. His platform enables better access to B2B markets while reducing food waste and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Nitin Puri, Founder & CEO, KisaanSay
Nitin Puri has over 25 years of experience in agribusiness, supply chains, and retail operations, with a background that includes roles at ITC, Reliance Retail, MCX, and Yes Bank. He holds a B. Tech from NIT Kurukshetra, an MBA from IRMA Anand, and an AMP in Agribusiness from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Nitin launched KisaanSay, a collaborative initiative that connects farmers with consumers by offering authentic agricultural products directly from origin. The company’s unique co-branding and co-profit model is designed to improve farmers’ livelihoods while delivering quality food to consumers.
Sachin Sharma, Co-Founder, Moonbeam Ventures Global Corp
Sachin Sharma brings strategic business expertise acquired since 2001. With an MBA from the International Management Centre, he has held leadership roles at The Wave Group, Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd and DSC Limited. Currently, as the Founder, Agro Farm Ventures (which own the brand Kisan Manch), he focuses on expanding business operations and project management, bringing expertise in construction planning, marketing strategies, and large-scale business planning.
Sanya Duggal, Partner GTM & Strategy Manager, Microsoft
Sanya Duggal is the Partner GTM & Strategy Manager for SMB Azure – India and South Asia at Microsoft, where she has played a key role in driving digital transformation and cloud technology adoption. She holds a PGDM in Marketing and Strategy from Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, and a B.Com (Hons.) from Delhi University. With nearly 5 years at Microsoft, Sanya specializes in go-to-market strategies and helps businesses integrate AI and cloud solutions into their operations. Her leadership in these areas has significantly impacted the adoption of digital technologies across industries.
Suparnaa Chadda, Founder Curator, SABERA
Suparnaa Chadda, a UN Women WEP Awardee, has nearly two and a half decades of experience across media, advertising, television, radio, print and digital platforms. She founded SABERA in 2018, an annual awards summit recognizing sustainable and socially impactful initiatives across India. She is also an advocate for women’s rights and conducts workshops on menstrual hygiene and violence prevention.
Vishal Salgotra, CF & COO, INNOFarms.ai
Vishal Salgotra has over 17 years of experience in business development, digital transformation, and sales strategy. Specializing in AI, IoT, and agritech solutions for urban farming, he has led INNOFarms.ai in developing data-driven systems for precision agriculture, optimizing resources, and promoting sustainable food production. An MIT Sloan alumnus, Vishal excels in identifying business opportunities, developing sales strategies, and managing client relationships. He has experience working with C-Level executives and closing deals across media, eCommerce, and digital transformation in 40+ countries, including APAC, Europe, and the Americas.
“The Agritech Hackathon is a perfect example of showcasing the the power of the engineering community to revolutionize Indian agriculture. By harnessing innovation, technology, and collaboration, India could tackle the toughest agri-challenges, drive sustainable growth, and empower farmers for a better future.”
Tackling the Stubble Burning Crisis
One of the major challenges the AgriTech Hackathon aims to address is the persistent issue of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. Every year, approximately 23 million tonnes of paddy stubble are burned in Punjab and Haryana alone, significantly contributing to air pollution. The practice is responsible for nearly 40% of the winter air quality deterioration in Delhi, posing severe health and environmental risks.
Despite multiple directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to curb the practice, farmers continue to rely on burning crop residue due to the high costs and lack of viable alternatives for residue management. Hackathon participants will be tasked with designing a cost-effective and scalable solution that offers farmers an alternative approach to stubble management while minimizing environmental harm. The goal is to develop a technology-driven intervention that is both practical and financially feasible for widespread adoption.
Also read: How AI is Transforming Farming: Nadella Tweets, Musk Reacts
Reducing Post-Harvest Losses in Fruits and Vegetables
The AgriTech Hackathon will also focus on the issue of post-harvest losses in Maharashtra, particularly in the Nashik and Pune districts, which are key hubs for grape and tomato production. India faces significant losses in its fruit and vegetable supply chain, with up to 30% of produce perishing before reaching the market due to inefficiencies in storage, handling, and transportation.
Maharashtra contributes nearly 80% of India’s grape exports, but inadequate storage and delays in transportation often result in substantial financial losses for farmers. A major concern is the lack of real-time demand and pricing data, leading to supply chain disruptions and wastage. Hackathon participants will be challenged to develop technology-driven solutions that enhance supply chain efficiency, improve cold storage capabilities, and provide real-time market insights to ensure fresher produce reaches consumers.
With agriculture playing a crucial role in India’s economy, the AgriTech Hackathon serves as a platform for innovators to develop solutions that could drive efficiency, reduce losses and promote sustainability in the sector. Open to students, technologists, freelancers and professional developers, the event encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration to create meaningful change in agriculture through technology.
The AgriTech Hackathon aims to transform Indian agriculture by uniting developers, experts, and innovators to address critical challenges such as stubble burning, post-harvest losses, and supply chain inefficiencies. With the support of Agrotech Space, Reskill, Microsoft, and industry leaders, the event encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration to develop AI-driven solutions, sustainable farming techniques, and optimized supply chains. By empowering farmers with accessible, cutting-edge technology, the hackathon strives to make agriculture more sustainable, efficient, and resilient, shaping a better future for Indian farming.
Want to participate in the Hackathon? Register here.