Case Studies

Understanding Digital Agriculture Impact

These case studies document real-world implementations of digital agriculture solutions—from marketplace platforms to precision farming tools. Each study analyzes the implementation approach, challenges faced, outcomes achieved, and lessons learned.

Case Study 1: Direct Marketplace Impact on Vegetable Farmer Income

Background

A study of 50 vegetable farmers in Ranga Reddy district (Telangana) who adopted online marketplace selling versus traditional mandi sales during 2023-24.

Implementation

Farmers were trained to use smartphone apps for listing produce, taking quality photographs, and managing orders. They sold through platforms like Jaikisan Marketplace alongside their traditional mandi sales, allowing direct comparison.

Key Findings

• Price Realization: Average 25% higher prices on platform sales versus mandi sales
• Payment Speed: Digital payments within 24-48 hours versus 7-15 days in mandi
• Volume Limitations: Platform sales suited for 20-30% of production; bulk volumes still required mandi
• Quality Premium: Graded produce fetched 40% premium over ungraded lots

Lessons Learned

• Digital platforms work best as complementary channels, not complete replacements
• Product photography and accurate descriptions significantly impact sales
• Reliable delivery logistics remain the biggest operational challenge
• Farmers with smartphone literacy adopted faster and achieved better results

Case Study 2: Soil Health Card-Based Nutrient Management

Background

Analysis of 100 paddy farmers in Krishna district (AP) who received soil health cards and followed recommended fertilizer applications versus those who continued traditional practices.

Implementation

Farmers received soil testing through government program and personalized nutrient recommendations. Extension workers explained how to interpret cards and adjust fertilizer purchases accordingly.

Key Findings

• Input Costs: 18% reduction in fertilizer expenditure
• Yield Impact: No significant yield reduction; 3% improvement in subset
• Adoption Rate: Only 35% fully implemented recommendations; 40% partially
• Barriers: Dealer influence, ingrained habits, distrust of recommendations

Lessons Learned

• Information alone is insufficient; behavioral change requires sustained support
• Dealer network can undermine or support adoption based on their incentives
• Visible success in neighboring farms drives faster adoption
• One-time testing is less effective than ongoing soil monitoring

Case Study 3: FPO-Enabled Collective Marketing

Background

Three-year study of Rayalaseema Farmers Producer Organization (300 members) aggregating and marketing groundnut in Anantapur district.

Implementation

FPO established collection centers, grading facility, and direct relationships with oil mills and exporters. Members contributed produce for collective sales while retaining option for individual sales.

Key Findings

• Price Premium: 12-15% higher realization versus individual mandi sales
• Volume Growth: Collective sales grew from 200 tonnes (Year 1) to 1,200 tonnes (Year 3)
• Value Addition: Graded and cleaned groundnut fetched 8% additional premium
• Member Benefits: Input cost savings of 10% through bulk procurement

Lessons Learned

• Trust-building takes time; consistent transparent operations are essential
• Professional management capability is critical for scaling
• Working capital access remains a major constraint for FPOs
• Member education on quality parameters improves collective outcomes

Case Study 4: Precision Irrigation in Water-Scarce Regions

Background

Pilot project with 25 mango orchards in Mahbubnagar district implementing sensor-based irrigation scheduling versus traditional time-based irrigation.

Implementation

Soil moisture sensors installed at two depths, connected to mobile app for real-time monitoring. Farmers received alerts when irrigation was needed and could track water usage.

Key Findings

• Water Savings: 35-45% reduction in water consumption
• Yield Impact: No negative impact; 8% improvement attributed to stress reduction
• Energy Cost: 40% reduction in pumping electricity/diesel costs
• Adoption Barriers: Upfront sensor cost, technical maintenance, battery replacement

Lessons Learned

• Technology works when economic benefits are clear and immediate
• Local service support for maintenance is essential
• Farmers prefer simple actionable alerts over complex dashboards
• Group installations reduce per-farmer cost and enable peer learning