India's First Onion Transplanter: How 2 Farmers Built SP Agro from Scratch

Founded by a farmer-engineer duo, SP Agro Innovations is revolutionising rural India by creating cost-effective, precision-driven machines

May 28, 2025 - 02:20

India's First Onion Transplanter: How 2 Farmers Built SP Agro from Scratch

Key Takeaways

SP Agro Innovations addresses the labour-intensive nature of Indian farming with patented mechanised solutions.
Co-founded by an engineer and a progressive farmer, the company roots its innovations in firsthand agricultural challenges.
Its flagship product, the Plantomate onion transplanter, enhances planting precision and reduces labour costs.
Strategic partnerships and non-dilutive funding have fueled domestic and international growth.
The startup champions affordable, scalable farm mechanisation for broader rural impact.

In the heart of Maharashtra's farming belt, two sons of the soil, an engineer and a farmer, are quietly transforming Indian agriculture. Saurabh Kadam and Prasad Deshmukh, co-founders of SP Agro Innovations LLP, embody a rare synergy of technical know-how and deep-rooted farming wisdom. Together, they are tackling one of India's most pressing agricultural issues: labour scarcity.

Their story began in Deolali Pravara, a town synonymous with farming traditions. Kadam, once a construction contractor, and Deshmukh, who managed a local milk collection centre, met through the Shetkari Raja Farmers Club—a collective of over 15 forward-thinking farmers. The club, acting as a crucible for innovation, bore witness to their first breakthrough in 2016: a seeder machine born out of necessity during a drought-induced cropping shift.

From Local Success to Formal Launch

That grassroots innovation gained rapid traction, drawing inquiries from farmers after being featured in the agricultural daily Sakal Agrowone. Encouraged by this momentum, SP Agro Innovations LLP was officially founded in November 2020, with roots tracing back to their informal operations as early as 2015. Their mission was clear: provide need-specific, farmer-friendly mechanical solutions.

Solving Real Problems with Simple Engineering

India's small and marginal farmers continue to grapple with labour shortages and rising costs. SP Agro’s flagship product, the Plantomate, India's first patented onion sapling transplanter, aims to shift this paradigm. Unlike traditional manual methods that compromise planting precision and burden female labourers, the Plantomate ensures accurate planting geometry while slashing the need for manual work.

It addresses all three planting dimensions: inter-row spacing, intra-row spacing, and planting depth. Additionally, it can operate on raised beds, enhancing compatibility with micro-irrigation systems. This level of sophistication positions the machine as a standout in both domestic and international markets.

Strategic Growth and Global Reach

With over 125 units sold in the past financial year, SP Agro has already begun to make a dent in the market. International sales in countries such as Morocco, Mexico, and Tanzania signal a growing global demand. Strategic partnerships with ITL (Sonalika Tractors) and lead generation agreements with Mahindra Krishi Company are helping amplify this reach.

Despite limited equity-based funding, the startup has thrived on grants and support from programs like RKVY-RAFTAAR, HDFC’s Parivartan initiative, and Social Alpha’s Techtonic program. This has allowed SP Agro to remain agile and independent, reinvesting in innovation and infrastructure.

Future-Proofing Agriculture

The company’s short-term goals include launching complementary onion farming machinery, like sapling pickers and bulb harvesters, and a mulberry leaf harvester for sericulture. Long-term, they plan to set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and expand into regions demanding mechanised farming tools.

Challenges remain, especially in educating farmers about mechanisation and managing seasonal agricultural variances. Yet, their grassroots approach, frugal ethos, and commitment to listening to users position them for continued growth.

Redefining Rural Entrepreneurship

At its core, SP Agro Innovations is not just building machines; it’s cultivating a new narrative for rural India. By blending innovation with tradition and engineering with empathy, the company exemplifies how localised solutions can solve global agricultural problems.