GROWiT: Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture with Protective Farming to Double Farmer Income

January 4, 2026 12 min read

"India's yield per acre is significantly lower than the global average. We don't need magic to solve this; we need to protect the micro-environment around the crop." This mission, led by Saurabh Agarwal, founder of GROWiT, is transforming the lives of millions of Indian farmers. By introducing "protective farming"—a modular approach to climate control using mulch films, crop covers, and specialized wires—GROWiT is helping Bharat's farmers reduce labor costs, eliminate harmful pesticides, and double their agricultural output.

Founded in 2020, just before the global pandemic changed the world, GROWiT was born from Saurabh’s personal hobby of farming. What began as a search for productivity on his own small farm evolved into a national enterprise with over 225 franchise stores across six states. By combining a manufacturing background with a deep understanding of Agronomy, Saurabh and his younger brother are building an ecosystem where "Active Aging" for soil and "Active Income" for farmers go hand-in-hand.

The protective Farming Concept: While most people are familiar with greenhouses, protective farming is the "graduation" of that concept. It involves controlling the photosynthesis process and water evaporation through simple, DIY tools like mulch films and insect nets, providing plants with the perfect conditions to thrive.

The Hobby that Became a Passion: The GROWiT Story

In 2017-18, Saurabh Agarwal was practicing farming as a hobby. As he searched for ways to increase his own farm's productivity, he traveled to multiple countries to study global best practices. He realized that while advanced technology existed abroad, it wasn't localized for the Indian context. "We brought products from other countries, but they didn't work in India," Saurabh recalls.

Leveraging his family's manufacturing background, he began tweaking machinery to produce specialized agricultural plastics. After testing the samples with local farmers and seeing exceptional results, the vision expanded: "Why only stick to our farm? Why not the farmers of India?" Today, GROWiT is a B2B2C powerhouse, providing a "One-Stop Solution" for everything from tomato clips to banana covers.

The GROWiT Impact Strategy

Micro-Environment Control: Using mulch films to stop water evaporation and control photosynthesis, effectively eliminating weed growth.
Pesticide Reduction: Deploying insect nets that block pests from entering the field, reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
Labor Efficiency: DIY installation processes that significantly reduce the cost of manual labor for weeding and maintenance.
Quality Grade: Ensuring consistent crop growth so that the produce qualifies for "A Grade" quality, fetching higher prices in the market.

Cracking the Distribution Challenge: The Taluka Model

Agriculture is one of the hardest segments for digital penetration. Saurabh realized that e-commerce alone wouldn't work. Instead, he built a **Hub and Spoke model** based on the Taluka (local administrative center). Every farmer visits their Taluka once or twice a week for mandis, government work, or supplies. By opening a franchise in every Taluka, GROWiT ensures a store is available within a 20-25 kilometer radius.

"Education was the biggest challenge, not distribution," Saurabh notes. "Farmers won't believe the results until they see them." To solve this, GROWiT set up **Demo Farms** in every district, holding bi-weekly meetings where farmers can learn the science of protective farming and see the yield improvements firsthand. This ground-level approach has resulted in a 27.6% revenue growth in FY24, reaching over ₹35 crore.

GROWiT by the Numbers

225+: Franchise stores active across six Indian states.
6,000-7,000: Targeted stores to cover every corner of India.
₹35.05 Cr: Reported revenue in FY24, a significant jump from previous years.
50+: Agronomists in the ground team helping farmers adopt best practices.
24-48 Hours: Time taken to reach any farmer through the Hub and Spoke model.

The "Startup" Philosophy of Continuous Improvement

For Saurabh, a startup is defined by its ability to pivot. However, he redefines the term: "Pivot is nothing but continuous improvement. We used to do B2B, then we started B2B2C, then B2C. We pivot every day based on what the results tell us." This agile mindset allowed GROWiT to survive the pandemic and scale its operation from a self-funded venture to raising multiple rounds of funding at increasing valuations.

He emphasizes that an entrepreneur’s biggest responsibility is building culture. "If you don't have the right culture, even good people are no good. The founder must be ready to face challenges head-on—I travel 20 to 25 days a month to stay in touch with the ground reality."

"Passion is something that will never let you sleep. If you can dream with your eyes open, that is what brings out the real passion in you. For me, that dream is doubling the income of every Indian farmer."
— Saurabh Agarwal, Founder, GROWiT

Leadership and the Agronomy Advantage

Building a tech-agri company requires more than just salesmanship; it requires deep domain knowledge. GROWiT employs over 50 agronomists who work directly in the fields. Saurabh believes that building confidence in the team is key. "Whether it's an FMCG expert or a pesticide veteran, if you show them the growth and the impact of the product, they will be motivated to work in the fields."

Saurabh’s Wisdom for Agri-Entrepreneurs

Education First: In agriculture, the product is secondary to the education of the farmer. Show the results on a demo farm before you try to sell a kit.
Respect the Science: Farming is a science that our ancestors understood well. We must bring back those best practices using modern, durable materials.
Own the Culture: The entrepreneur is responsible for the systems and processes. If you delegate everything and sit in an office, you lose the pulse of the business.
Continuous Pivot: Don't be afraid to change your plan every day. Continuous improvement is the only way to reach product-market fit.

The Future: A Store in Every Taluka

With plans to reach 7,000 stores across India and expand into international markets, GROWiT is on a trajectory to become the definitive name in protective farming globally. Saurabh remains committed to the mission of doubling farmer income, believing that the "silver economy" of agriculture is India's most significant untapped opportunity.

"We are just at the beginning," Saurabh concludes. "When you enjoy what you're doing, nothing can tire you out. We will keep moving until every farmer in Bharat has the tools to grow better and earn more."

The GI Wire Replacement: Traditional GI (Galvanized Iron) wires spoil in 18 months and are hard to reuse. GROWiT’s specialized Agri Wires last for four years, drastically reducing the recurring cost for the farmer while maintaining higher durability.

Key Takeaways

For Aspiring Founders: Solve a problem you've faced personally. Personal frustration is the best research for a successful business model.

For Investors: The "Bharat" opportunity requires groundwork. High-tech solutions in agriculture must be paired with local franchises and physical demo units to achieve scale.

For Farmers: Protective farming is not a cost; it's an investment. Reducing pesticide and water usage while increasing yield is the only sustainable way to double your income.

About the Guest

Saurabh Agarwal is the Founder and CEO of GROWiT India. Coming from a strong manufacturing and family business background, he has spent over 18 years building and scaling ventures. He is a passionate agri-entrepreneur dedicated to bringing global best practices in protective farming to Indian soil, helping farmers achieve sustainable growth and improved livelihoods.