- Mahindra’s AgTech business, Krish-e launched a brand agnostic smart kit for easy tracking of farm equipment; provides geofencing alerts
- Paired with an app called the Krish-e Rental Partner, the user can access the inventory of high-end farm machinery on a pay-per-use basis
In a recent update, Mahindra’s AgTech business unit, Krish-e launched its Krish-e Smart Kit (KSK). The released statement explained that the Krish-e Smart Kit is an after-market device which is the first of its kind to provide equipment owners with detailed insights into their tractors and farm equipment, through GPS-enabled time tracking and remote monitoring of various parameters from the comfort of a smartphone. Among other highlights, the company added that the kit enables equipment owners and rental entrepreneurs to sustainably improve fleet performance, improve incomes and manage maintenance costs while reducing tractor downtime and preventing unauthorised usage of their tractors. Furthermore, the Smart Kit also includes an advanced trip replay feature for tracking commercial transportation and trolley activity.
Start-up Product
It must be noted that an Ag-Tech start-up called Carnot Technologies developed the Krish-e Smart Kit. Interestingly, the kit can be installed on any new or old brand of tractor or farm equipment, such as harvesters, rice transplanters and self-propelled sprayers. Paired with an app called the Krish-e Rental Partner, the user can access the inventory of high-end farm machinery on a pay-per-use basis, claimed the company.
Senior VP and Head of Krish-e – Farm Equipment Sector, M&M Ltd, Ramesh Ramachandran remarked, “An industry-first aftermarket IoT solution, the Krish-e Smart Kit presents the smartest, most affordable and sustainable way for farmers and businesses to connect and monitor their farm equipment on the go. In its scale-up phase, with over 25,000 active users we will officially launch the Krish-e Smart Kit. Besides farmers, we invite institutions, FPOs, government bodies and start-ups in the state to partner with us on this connected journey as we aim to digitise every acre and kilometre of rental activity. Going forward we aim to become the leading provider of connectivity for farm equipment in India.”
CTO of Carnot Technologies, Pushkar Limaye commented, “With a vision of building world-class products out of India, we came up with a small plug-and-play device for tractors to help improve their productivity using IoT, with real-time updates on smartphones. And today we are glad to see over 25,000 kits having already helped farmers digitise their businesses and add real value on the ground. And today with the official launch of the Krish-e Smart Kit, together with Mahindra, we aim to digitise Indian farming with an India-based solution, while reaching a larger audience of tractor owners and rental business owners.”
Krish-e Sahayaks
As per the company, Krish-e Smart Kit is available for individual farmers, institutional buyers, FPOs, and start-ups at the nearest Krish-e centre and the Krish-e website for Rs 4,995. They can also call the ‘Krish-e Sahayaks’ at 1800-266-1555.
Launched in 2020, Krish-e is a new business vertical from Mahindra, which offers technology-driven services aimed at minimising the income potential of farmers and other value chain players sustainably. Carrying the tagline – ‘Expert Takneek. Naye Upay. Parinaam Dikhaye’, Krish-e services currently focus on the areas of farm advisory, equipment rental & used equipment through an omni channel presence which includes 150 Krish-e centres and app-based touch points. The company claims that Krish-e has over 25,000 active subscribers.
Founded in 1945 and spread in over 100 countries, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest multinational federations of companies. It is a leader in sectors like farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and claims to be the world’s largest tractor company by volume.
Carnot Technologies was founded in 2015 by four alumni from IIT Bombay in their mid-20s, who as part of the IITB racing team, developed solutions to monitor the performance of race vehicles from the pit. Today Carnot Technologies is engaged in manufacturing and retailing products and services related to internet-connected devices for monitoring the performance of vehicles and equipment, with M&M Ltd. having acquired a significant stake in the company.
