In the coastal town of Udupi, Karnataka, two young engineers are revolutionizing the way India grows its greens. Calvin Aranha and Farish Anfal, childhood friends turned co-founders, have built a thriving hydroponics business called Krop AI — a cutting-edge venture that integrates artificial intelligence with soilless farming to grow exotic vegetables and herbs.
Their journey began with a shared fascination for technology and sustainability. After finishing their engineering degrees, both Calvin and Farish explored conventional career paths but soon found them limiting. It wasn’t long before they discovered hydroponics — a soil-free farming technique that uses nutrient-rich water to grow plants — and saw in it the potential to bring something new and sustainable to Indian agriculture.
The duo combined their technical expertise to create an AI-enabled system that monitors, controls, and optimizes the growing environment. From light intensity and nutrient flow to humidity and temperature, every variable is tracked in real-time. This precision farming model ensures higher yields, consistent quality, and minimal resource wastage.
They began their operations in a modest space with just a few grow trays. Today, Krop AI cultivates a range of exotic crops including lettuce, kale, arugula, and basil — varieties often in demand in urban restaurants, supermarkets, and health-conscious households. Their produce is free from pesticides and is grown in a controlled environment, offering freshness and safety that’s difficult to guarantee with traditional farming.
In less than three years, Krop AI has grown into a Rs 50 lakh annual revenue business. Their startup now caters to clients across Karnataka and neighboring states, supplying premium quality produce as well as setting up turnkey hydroponic systems for aspiring growers.
Krop AI’s edge lies not just in growing vegetables but in the intelligent automation that makes the entire process efficient and scalable. They are also working on building a mobile app that will allow users to track their crops remotely, get alerts, and manage maintenance schedules with ease.
As the global demand for clean, sustainable, and locally grown produce rises, Krop AI’s model offers a scalable solution that blends traditional farming wisdom with futuristic technology. Calvin and Farish envision a future where Indian homes, schools, and communities grow their food efficiently using smart hydroponics.
From engineers to eco-entrepreneurs, their story is proof that with the right mix of innovation and intent, even small beginnings can lead to big harvests.