In India, where over 86% of agricultural land is owned by small and marginal farmers, Blukhet Private Limited is transforming agriculture through innovative hydroponic farms.
Founded in 2020 by Tanmay Prasad and Vishant Savio D’Mello, this pioneering startup is transforming unproductive land into lucrative farming opportunities, all while focusing on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and community empowerment.
Tackling the Challenges of Traditional Farming
India’s agricultural landscape is fraught with numerous challenges, including small and marginal landholdings, poor soil quality, and excessive use of harmful chemicals. These factors often limit crop production and profitability for millions of farmers.
Additionally, the traditional methods of farming consume excessive water and are heavily influenced by climatic conditions, leaving farmers vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns.
Recognizing these obstacles, Blukhet offers a groundbreaking solution in the form of hydroponics, which allows crops to grow without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions instead.
One of the biggest challenges in traditional farming is the inefficient use of land and water resources. Over 86% of India’s agricultural land is categorized as marginal, meaning the soil often lacks the nutrients required for high-yield farming.
This not only limits crop variety but also forces farmers to rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to meet demand, further degrading soil quality and impacting long-term agricultural productivity.
Blukhet addresses this issue head-on by designing and building hydroponic farms that thrive in conditions where traditional farms would fail.
Transforming Wastelands into Agricultural Hotspots
Blukhet’s innovative approach doesn’t just solve the problem of poor soil quality; it turns wastelands into profitable farms.
The company has partnered with a government PSU to convert 20,000 square feet of mining wasteland into hydroponic farms, and this project is just the beginning.
With access to an additional 800 hectares of wasteland, Blukhet aims to revolutionize large-scale farming in regions where traditional agriculture is no longer viable.
By using wasteland, Blukhet not only maximizes land utilization but also makes farming more sustainable by reducing the dependency on arable land.
Incorporating technology into farming, Blukhet has developed an in-house automation unit that allows for full control over farm operations via smartphone. This includes monitoring nutrient levels, managing water flow, and optimizing plant growth.
Such precision farming ensures higher productivity while minimizing resource use, a critical advantage in water-scarce regions.
A Cost-Effective Hydroponic Solution
Blukhet prides itself on being 30% more cost-effective than other major competitors in India. This is achieved by handling every aspect of the farm setup process—from design and construction to operation and revenue generation—in-house, significantly reducing external expenses.
Blukhet offers several tiers of commercial hydroponic farms, ranging from the 500-square-meter Silver model to the 4,000-square-meter Platinum farm, each designed to cater to different scales of operation.
This flexibility makes their hydroponic solutions accessible to individual farmers, corporate entities, and government initiatives alike.
Another standout feature of Blukhet’s model is its crop buy-back program, where the company purchases produce from the farms it helps establish.
This offers a stable revenue stream for farmers, ensuring that their investment in hydroponics delivers consistent returns.
Blukhet has already built 50+ farms and served over 100 customers, and the company is rapidly expanding its footprint across India.
Animal Feed Solutions
In addition to its expertise in crop cultivation, Blukhet is revolutionizing the animal feed market with its unique vertical fodder machine, which grows nutrient-dense lentil sprouts.
This innovation has made Blukhet the sole supplier of fresh sprouts to India’s prestigious horse racing industry. By offering high-quality, chemical-free feed, Blukhet is helping to improve animal health and performance, further showcasing its commitment to sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions.
Milestones and Future Vision
Since its incorporation in August 2020, Blukhet has achieved several key milestones that underscore its rapid growth and industry impact.
From setting up a 2,700-square-foot vertical hydroponic strawberry farm to signing multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with academic and industrial partners, the startup is making significant strides in the agri-tech sector.
Notable achievements include a 20,000-square-foot farm on mining wasteland, 5000-square-foot hydroponic farm in Mysuru and the establishment of an R&D center.
Furthermore, the company’s hydroponic fodder unit, launched in collaboration with the Mysore Race Course, demonstrates its versatility and ability to meet diverse agricultural needs.
Blukhet has been incubated under prestigious programs such as VIT-TBI, IIC, and SID-IISc Bangalore and has participated in initiatives like the Stanford Seed Spark Program and IIM-B’s NSRCEL Launchpad Program.
These incubations provide the company with mentorship and resources to scale its innovative solutions across India.
The Path Forward
Blukhet’s mission is clear: to make sustainable, profitable farming accessible to all by leveraging technology and innovation.
The company’s soil-less farming techniques are not only transforming unproductive land into agricultural assets but also reducing water consumption, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals, and empowering farmers with cutting-edge technology.
With the potential to tap into 800 hectares of wasteland, Blukhet is set to expand its operations and continue shaping the future of agriculture in India.
As Blukhet continues its journey, it remains focused on its goal of redefining agriculture for the better—turning barren landscapes into hubs of productivity and sustainability while ensuring that fresh, healthy, and pesticide-free produce is within everyone’s reach.
