In a collaborative effort to address persistent energy challenges in India’s agri food sector, SaaS based food commerce platform FarMart and rooftop solar provider Aerem have announced a partnership to embed clean energy solutions into the agri food supply chain. The alliance is designed to support food processors and aggregators in cutting energy costs, improving uptime and scaling their operations sustainably.
Strengthening Energy Infrastructure in the Agri Food Sector
India’s agri food processing sector has long faced infrastructure limitations, particularly in terms of reliable energy access. Frequent disruptions and dependence on high cost, non renewable energy sources have hindered the ability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow sustainably. Recognising this challenge, FarMart and Aerem have joined forces to deliver rooftop solar energy solutions to key stakeholders in the food supply ecosystem.
FarMart operates a decentralised, technology driven platform that connects over 3.8 million farmers, more than 1,500 food processors, and upwards of 4,000 food businesses. With operations spanning India, West Asia and Africa, the platform digitises the sourcing, aggregation and distribution of agricultural produce. This system creates a more streamlined and transparent value chain while enabling farmers and food businesses to reach new markets efficiently.
Aerem, on the other hand, brings a comprehensive rooftop solar ecosystem tailored for MSMEs. Its offering includes a digital platform, a Reserve Bank of India licensed non banking financial company (NBFC) and a B2B marketplace that connects users with verified original equipment manufacturers, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) providers and distributors. This integrated model allows food processors to finance and install solar systems with ease, ensuring a smoother transition to clean energy.
Addressing a Long Standing Bottleneck in Food Processing
This partnership seeks to resolve one of the most pressing bottlenecks in the food processing industry energy intermittency. Unreliable power supply not only disrupts operations but also adds to the operational costs for food processors and aggregators. By integrating Aerem’s solar solutions within FarMart’s supply chain network, the collaboration supports processors in reducing dependency on conventional energy sources while improving operational resilience.
“Our partnership with FarMart Solaris is a powerful step towards accelerating solar adoption in India’s food processing sector. Our shared goal is to make clean energy accessible, helping processors cut costs, reduce emissions and build resilient businesses for the future.”
The clean energy integration is expected to particularly benefit smaller processors who often operate on thin margins and face constraints when it comes to infrastructure investments. With Aerem’s financing options and verified solar ecosystem, these businesses will gain access to sustainable energy alternatives that can improve their cost efficiency and productivity.
“Reliable energy has become foundational infrastructure for the food economy, We’re excited to collaborate with Aerem to help our partners transition to clean energy and build a future ready agri supply chain.”
The decentralised structure of FarMart’s platform allows for tailored solutions across geographies, making it feasible to roll out rooftop solar systems in both rural and peri urban settings where energy needs are high but access remains limited.
Backed by Shared Investors with a Focus on Sustainable Impact
The collaboration between FarMart and Aerem also has the support of Avaana Capital, an early stage investor in both companies. Avaana Capital focuses on investments that operate at the intersection of climate action and economic inclusion.
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“We’re delighted to see two Avaana portfolio companies FarMart and Aerem come together in a partnership that brings value at the intersection of energy and food systems. They are powering the agri value chain with clean energy, strengthening resilience, unlocking productivity and creating systems level change. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that will shape a Viksit Bharat.”
Scaling for Broader Regional Impact
While the partnership initially focuses on the Indian market, both FarMart and Aerem operate with a vision that extends beyond national borders. With FarMart’s existing presence in West Asia, Africa and Aerem’s scalable model for rooftop solar, the clean energy solutions could be extended to other regions facing similar energy challenges in the agri food processing space.
As the collaboration progresses, it has the potential to improve energy access and sustainability outcomes across the broader agri supply ecosystem. This initiative not only aligns with India’s goals for renewable energy adoption and rural development but also provides a model for other sectors and regions aiming to address infrastructure gaps through integrated partnerships.
The FarMart-Aerem partnership combines agricultural commerce and clean energy to offer a practical approach to some of the most enduring issues in food processing. By bridging digital supply chain management with accessible solar power, the initiative opens new pathways for cost efficiency, operational continuity and long term sustainability in the agri food sector.
