Ergos: redefining storage infrastructure and market access for small farmers in India
Publication date: 11 October 2024
Abstract
Learning outcomes
After completion of the case study, students will be able to analyse the path of the entrepreneurship from idea generation to market development to scaling up business, examine the impact of start-ups like Ergos on India’s agriculture value chain, discuss the challenges faced by tech entrepreneurs in growing a business, identify problems solved by Grain Bank Model and evaluate digitisation of farming’s custodial services such as warehousing, market linkages and loans.
Case overview/synopsis
The case study discusses how founders of Ergos, India-based leading digital AgriTech start-up, Kishor Kumar Jha and Praveen Kumar, started one of the unique models in the AgriTech landscape in India. After noticing the grim condition of small and marginal farmers in Bihar, India. Kishor and Praveen decided to put their banking and corporate experience to use in the farming sector. Ergos aimed to empower farmers by providing them with a choice on when, how much quantity, and at what price they should sell their farm produce, thus maximising their income. As a result, Ergos launched the grain bank model, which provided farmers with doorstep access of end-to-end post-harvest supply chain solutions by leveraging a robust technology platform to ensure seamless service delivery. Ergos faced many challenges in its journey related to financing, marketing and distribution. Amidst these developments, it remained to be seen how Kishor and Praveen would be able to realise their goal to serve over two million farmers across India by 2025 and create a sustainable income for them through its GrainBank Platform.
Complexity academic level
This case study was written for use in teaching graduate and postgraduate management courses in entrepreneurship and business strategy.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision-making. The authors may have disguised names; financial and other recognisable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Kumari, S. and M, V. (2024), "Ergos: redefining storage infrastructure and market access for small farmers in India", , Vol. 14 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-02-2023-0039
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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