Verdant Impact, spearheaded by farmer Manish K Prahlad, introduces a comprehensive animal husbandry platform, complete with telemedicine capabilities and RFID-based health monitoring, aiming to bridge healthcare disparities in India's rural cattle rearing.
Addressing Healthcare Gaps in Rural Livestock Farming
India boasts a vibrant livestock industry deeply ingrained in its rural economy, serving roles from agricultural power to nutritional source. With a staggering livestock population exceeding 536 million, the nation faces significant challenges in ensuring cattle health. Despite this, the availability of veterinary clinics remains sparse, with fewer than 12,500 clinics estimated nationwide. Access to healthcare in rural areas, where over 95% of cattle are raised, presents a critical issue. Enter Verdant Impact, offering a comprehensive animal husbandry platform to empower farmers in caring for their livestock and making informed trading decisions. Established in January 2020 and headquartered in Jaipur, the startup's flagship service, Animal ICU, provides telemedicine facilities, delivering real-time diagnostics, remote monitoring, and virtual veterinary consultations for optimal livestock care.
Empowering Farmers through Innovation
Verdant Impact emerged as a promising startup on YourStory's Tech30 list at TechSparks 2023, recognizing its innovative approach. Co-founder Manish K Prahlad, driven by personal experience, embarked on this journey after losing cattle to an unidentified illness in his hometown of Banswara, Rajasthan. Prahlad's vision encompasses the recognition of cattle's significance in rural communities, acknowledging their role in sustaining livelihoods. Economic losses due to treatable diseases among livestock are staggering, highlighting the urgent need for solutions like Verdant Impact. Drawing from firsthand experiences, Prahlad, along with co-founders Vimal Shastri, Maya Zeph, and Dr. Navneet Kumar, developed a platform enabling farmers to seek expert consultations through uploaded videos, photos, and descriptions of their animals. The platform facilitates prescriptions, alternative remedies, and ambulance services, depending on the diagnosis. Moreover, Verdant Impact's utilization of RFID technology enables seamless health monitoring and tracing of cattle, providing vital insights for timely interventions.
A Holistic Approach to Livestock Management
Verdant Impact's innovative solutions extend beyond telemedicine, incorporating RFID tags for comprehensive health monitoring and traceability. Prahlad envisions a future where universal Animal Ancestry Animal Marks enable farmers to trace lineage and make informed breeding and trading decisions. These advancements not only enhance animal welfare but also streamline processes such as insurance claims and credit assessments for farmers.
Sustainable Business Model and Future Prospects
Operating on a B2B2C model, Verdant Impact has garnered over 25,000 monthly active users, predominantly from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, with 18,000 paying customers. The startup conducts over 200 telemedical consultations daily, with plans to expand its revenue streams through direct sales, commissions, and co-branding. Looking ahead, Verdant Impact targets significant revenue growth, propelled by strategic expansion plans and ongoing technological advancements.
Navigating Challenges and Seeking Growth
Despite a substantial market opportunity, Verdant Impact faces investor skepticism due to Prahlad's farming background, language proficiency, and technical expertise limitations. However, the company remains resilient, securing grants from institutions like BITS Pilani, NABARD, and NITI Aayog, while actively pursuing additional funding for expansion and innovation.
In essence, Verdant Impact stands as a beacon of innovation, revolutionizing livestock farming through accessible telemedicine solutions and pioneering RFID-based health monitoring, driving positive change in India's rural communities.
