Ashok Pawar, MLA Shirur inaugurates Poona AgroCart office in Manjari PunePoona AgroCart will source fresh produce from 1000 farmers from Pune region
Pune: Poona AgroCart, an agricultural start-up under MSME, by farmers of Maharashtra began its operations on Sunday (November 13) from its Manjari office in Pune district of Maharashtra. The company has onboarded more than 1000 farmers from Pune region and plans to source fresh produce from about 10000 farmers in the next six months.
Poona AgroCart office was inaugurated at the hands of Ashok Pawar, MLA (Shirur assembly constituency) in the presence Bapusaheb Pathare, former MLA, Krishnath Mahamulkar, SBU Head, Central and North India, Netafim India; Anil Mane, Deputy Director for Land and Records; Raju Patil, Chairman, Ziran India Ltd; and Surendra Pathare, General Secretary of BJYM. Mr. Kiran Dond, Marketing Head; Mr. Mayur Jarkad, Sales Head; Kiran Jadhav, Finance Head; and Mr. Shahu Pawar, HR & Strategy Head were also present.
Poona AgroCart is a Pune based agritech ecommerce start up dealing in farm fresh produce mainly fresh fruits and vegetables using APEDA approved world class infrastructure. The company has also developed applications in B2B, B2C and farmer level apps. The company has also launched an offer called ‘Shagun Basket’ at Rs 499. The proceeds from sale of these Shagun baskets will be donated to an orphanage which works on welfare of farmer’s children.
Mr. Lanka Sivakumar Reddy, CEO, Poona AgroCart said, “Our vision is to create a healthy ecosystem by ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all; and we are working on a mission to deliver safe and nutritious food for all by transforming the agri-food system and increasing the wealth of farmers. We want to create an impact on Indian agriculture, farmers’ economy and customer satisfaction with our innovation, transparency, and quick delivery model. We aim to give all agri-farm outputs to end consumers and feed the world through our export division.”
Mr Kiran Dond said, “We have 1000 farmers associated with us at present and we are planning to increase this number to 10 thousand in the next six months. We are getting good response from farmers and we are also setting up collection centres in different areas.”
Mr Ashok Pawar said, “I have always believed that farmers will benefit from innovative practices like those implemented by Poona AgroCart. I am happy that Poona AgroCart has started its operations from our Manjari area. The company with its ‘seed to harvest’ process and on-field guidance to farmers will contribute to improving productivity and income levels of farmers. There are a lot of hotels and residential townships in and around Manjari and I am confident that Poona AgroCart will capture the market soon. Customers will also benefit from the gradation, disinfection and packaging process implemented by the company.”
Mahamulkar said, “There are a lot of people and companies who advise farmers, but there are very few who guide farmers about how and where to sell in order to get a good market price. Farmers’ income will improve if they start supplying quality and fresh produce and on the other hand customers will also benefit.”
