Based in Odisha, India, eKutir is a social business that focuses on improving the lives of smallholder farmers through increased prosperity and productivity. While many social enterprises focus on farming and agriculture specifically, what makes eKutir specifically interesting is its use of information and communication technologies (ICT). This, in turn, could impact India as a whole.
The featured video explains exactly how eKutir works: through equalizing unfair information distribution (on seeds, fertilizer, market info, etc.) through a network of social entrepreneurs. "eKutir sets up franchised, local hubs to support small farmers within a 15 km radius," the team writes in a press release. "The hubs are served by eKutir-trained local entrepreneurs who offer tailored agricultural advice, trade information and value chain linkages via the ICT-based tools. eKutir now operates in 4 states across India, serving nearly 2000 villages, close to 50,000 farmers and has created over 60 micro-entrepreneurs for ag-based services."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Increased Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Agriculture
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and implement ICT-based tools to provide tailored agricultural advice, trade information, and value chain linkages to smallholder farmers.
- Social Enterprises Focused on Farming and Agriculture
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish local hubs with trained entrepreneurs to equalize information distribution and support small farmers.
- Improving Lives of Smallholder Farmers
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create social businesses that increase prosperity and productivity for smallholder farmers.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Agricultural Technology (agtech)
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop and deploy technology tools for small farmers, such as ICT-based solutions and value chain linkages.
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish social enterprises that focus on farming and agriculture to support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create and enhance ICT-based tools to provide tailored agricultural advice and trade information to smallholder farmers.
