Temasek fund backs India startup bringing AI technology to farms

An Indian (right) working with others in his field in Fatehpur district, south of Lucknow, India. India’s agritech space is abloom, with dozens of startups sprouting up in the last few years to disrupt dated farming practices and bring more efficiency into a massive industry dominated by small land holdings. — AP

CropIn, an artificial intelligence and data-based agritech startup, has raised US$20mil (RM80.21mil) in a funding round led by Temasek Holdings Pte-backed ABC World Asia, as the coronavirus pandemic accelerates the adoption of digital technologies in farming.

The Bangalore-headquartered agricultural AI startup provides software-as-a-service, or SAAS, products to farms and development organisations globally to improve predictability, efficiency and sustainability of crops. Additional new investors in the Series C funding include Infosys Ltd billionaire co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan’s family office and a fund of the UK government, CDC Group. CropIn has raised US$33.1mil (RM132.74mil) so far.