Khetaasra Soil Intelligence
Khetaasra Soil Intelligence is a Punjab-based agricultural technology startup focused on long-term soil health monitoring through participatory science.
Profile
Builds long-term soil health records through farmer-scientist collaboration.
Khetaasra Soil Intelligence is a Punjab-based agricultural technology startup focused on long-term soil health monitoring through participatory science. Founded with a philosophy of 'listening to soil' rather than extracting data, the company works directly with farmers and public research institutions to build multi-season soil memory records. Their approach emphasizes farmer consent, institutional collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making over rapid scaling or proprietary technology deployment.
In April 2026, Khetaasra received DPIIT recognition as a DeepTech startup in Agriculture and AgriTech by the Government of India, with certification valid until 2046. The company's first field day in May 2026 at Nurpur Bet involved 60 pilot farmers, Punjab Agricultural University soil scientists, ICAR-CIPHET researchers, and local agriculture department officials, marking the operational launch of their soil monitoring pilot. Unlike conventional agritech firms selling sensor hardware or SaaS platforms, Khetaasra positions itself as a 'listening practice' that prioritizes governance and longitudinal observation over transactional data products. Their current work centers on Punjab's agricultural systems, with explicit focus on regenerative practices and farmer-scientist co-creation.
Who buys this
- Smallholder farmers in Punjab participating in soil monitoring pilots
- Public agricultural research institutions (e.g., Punjab Agricultural University)
- Government agriculture departments implementing soil health programs
- Development agencies funding regenerative agriculture initiatives
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Official recognition as a DeepTech startup by Indian government (DPIIT certification valid until 2046)
- Established partnerships with Punjab Agricultural University and ICAR-CIPHET researchers
- Operational pilot with 60 farmers demonstrating field-level adoption
Watch for
- Limited disclosed funding or revenue model beyond government certification
- Geographic concentration risk with all current operations in Punjab
- No clear productization strategy beyond participatory research model
Recent moves
Key Information
- Founded
- 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Khetaasra Soil Intelligence do?
Khetaasra builds long-term soil health records through farmer-scientist collaboration in Punjab. Unlike conventional agritech, they focus on participatory science and multi-season soil monitoring rather than selling hardware. Their approach prioritizes farmer consent, institutional partnerships, and evidence-based decision-making over rapid scaling.
Is Khetaasra a government-recognized startup?
Yes, Khetaasra received DPIIT recognition as a DeepTech startup in Agriculture and AgriTech by the Indian government in April 2026. This certification, valid until 2046, validates their innovative approach to soil health monitoring through participatory science with farmers and research institutions.
How does Khetaasra work with farmers?
Khetaasra collaborates directly with smallholder farmers in Punjab to build soil health records. Their pilot involves 60 farmers working with scientists from Punjab Agricultural University and ICAR-CIPHET. The model emphasizes farmer consent and co-creation rather than transactional data extraction.
Where is Khetaasra currently operating?
Khetaasra focuses exclusively on Punjab's agricultural systems. Their first field day in May 2026 occurred in Nurpur Bet with local farmers and researchers. The startup's geographic concentration allows deep engagement with Punjab's soil challenges and regenerative agriculture practices.
What makes Khetaasra different from other agritech companies?
Khetaasra positions itself as a 'listening practice' rather than a tech vendor. They avoid selling sensors or SaaS platforms, instead building longitudinal soil memory through farmer-scientist collaboration. This governance-focused model prioritizes long-term observation over proprietary data products.
Who partners with Khetaasra on soil health projects?
Khetaasra collaborates with Punjab Agricultural University, ICAR-CIPHET researchers, and local agriculture departments. Their May 2026 field day involved all these stakeholders. These institutional partnerships lend scientific credibility to their participatory soil monitoring approach in Punjab's farming communities.
Sources
- khetaasra.com — Company's operational philosophy and May 2026 field day details
- khetaasra.com — April 2026 DPIIT DeepTech certification information
- khetaasra.com — Partnerships with Punjab Agricultural University and ICAR-CIPHET
- khetaasra.com — Pilot scale (60 farmers) and geographic focus in Punjab