Indian agritech startup NEERX, founded by Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal, is tackling one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges—delayed access to soil health information. Through its portable smart soil sensor, Shool, the startup enables farmers to assess soil conditions within seconds, helping them make faster and more informed decisions about fertiliser application, irrigation and crop management.

As climate change, rising input costs and unpredictable weather continue to challenge Indian agriculture, real-time field data is becoming increasingly valuable. NEERX is positioning itself as a technology-driven solution that empowers farmers with actionable insights instead of relying solely on conventional laboratory testing.

Addressing a Long-Standing Agricultural Challenge

Healthy soil is fundamental to improving crop productivity and reducing unnecessary farming expenses. However, traditional soil testing methods often require farmers to collect samples and send them to laboratories, where reports may take one to three weeks to arrive.

By the time the results are available, many farmers have already made key decisions regarding fertiliser use or irrigation schedules.

This delay can result in:

• Excess fertiliser application
• Increased cultivation costs
• Nutrient imbalance in soil
• Reduced resource efficiency

Recognizing this gap, NEERX developed a portable solution capable of delivering near-instant soil analysis directly in the field.

How NEERX Began

The idea behind NEERX originated while founders Nikita Tiwari, now 26, and Harsh Agrawal, 27, were working on a college project focused on agricultural technology.

Both shared an interest in applying engineering and data-driven innovation to practical farming challenges.

After validating their initial concept through field testing, they formally established NEERX in 2019, shifting their focus toward designing a portable, farmer-friendly soil testing device that required minimal technical expertise.

The founders recognized that changing weather patterns and climate variability had increased the need for real-time agricultural information.

Static soil reports generated weeks earlier no longer reflected rapidly changing field conditions.

Introducing the Shool Smart Soil Sensor

NEERX’s flagship innovation, the Shool smart sensor, is a handheld device designed for direct use in agricultural fields.

Once inserted into the soil, the sensor analyzes conditions in approximately two seconds, transmitting results to a connected mobile application.

The system provides farmers with valuable insights, including:

• Soil health status
• Fertiliser retention
• Water-holding capacity
• Potential pest risks
• Crop foliage analysis using satellite imagery
• Overall field health indicators

One device can cover approximately 2.5 acres, and many of its core functions operate even without continuous internet connectivity, making it suitable for rural areas with limited network access.

Helping Farmers Make Better Decisions

Rather than offering theoretical recommendations, NEERX focuses on providing practical information that farmers can immediately apply during the crop cycle.

One example comes from Santosh Parmar, a farmer from Balrampur, Chhattisgarh, who used the Shool sensor across his paddy fields.

The soil analysis revealed that certain sections of his farm were receiving more fertiliser than necessary.

By adjusting fertiliser application based on the sensor’s recommendations, Parmar reportedly reduced fertiliser usage by around 25% without negatively affecting crop yields.

Such experiences demonstrate how timely field data can help improve efficiency while lowering production costs.

Overcoming Adoption Challenges

Although precision agriculture technologies continue to advance, encouraging widespread adoption among farmers remains an ongoing challenge.

Many cultivators continue to rely on traditional farming practices or recommendations from local agricultural input suppliers.

According to the founders, building confidence in data-driven farming tools requires consistent field demonstrations and measurable results.

Harsh Agrawal has noted that India’s agritech ecosystem historically attracted greater investment in marketplaces, logistics and supply chains, while hardware-based deep technology startups received comparatively less attention.

However, growing concerns around rising fertiliser prices, water scarcity and climate uncertainty are creating greater interest in technologies that improve farm efficiency.

Expanding Across Indian States

NEERX has steadily expanded its operations across multiple agricultural regions.

The startup currently works directly with approximately 450 farmers across:

• Chhattisgarh
• Gujarat
• Maharashtra
• Rajasthan

Beyond direct users, the company collaborates with around 60 organizations, including:

• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
• Government agencies
• Agricultural research institutions

Through these partnerships, NEERX estimates that its technology reaches between 15,000 and 20,000 farmers.

Business Model and Revenue Growth

NEERX follows a flexible commercial model designed to improve accessibility.

Farmers have the option to:

• Purchase the Shool device for approximately ₹12,000
• Rent the device for ₹1,000–₹2,000 per month

The accompanying mobile application is offered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model.

Financially, the startup reported revenue of approximately ₹75 lakh during the previous financial year and aims to reach ₹1.5 crore in revenue during the current year.

Supported Through Government Grants

Unlike many technology startups, NEERX has grown without raising venture capital funding.

Instead, the company has received grant support from several government and innovation organizations, including:

• Government of Gujarat
• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)
• CIIE

These grants have helped finance product development, technology refinement and efforts to reduce manufacturing costs.

The founders say making the sensor more affordable remains one of their primary objectives.

Technology Validation

To strengthen confidence in its product, NEERX has collaborated with leading scientific and agricultural institutions.

According to the company, its technology has undergone evaluation by:

• ISRO
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

The startup reports an accuracy level of more than 97%, helping establish credibility among research organizations, government agencies and farming communities.

NEERX is also incubated at CrAdLE, the business incubator of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Ahmedabad, where it receives mentorship and operational support.

The Growing Role of Agritech

Indian agriculture is increasingly facing challenges related to:

• Soil degradation
• Water scarcity
• Rising cultivation costs
• Climate variability

As a result, precision farming technologies capable of delivering real-time insights are gaining attention among policymakers, researchers and farmers alike.

Rather than replacing farmers’ experience, NEERX seeks to complement traditional agricultural knowledge with accurate field data that supports more informed decision-making.

Looking Ahead

Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal believe the future of agritech lies in practical innovation that delivers measurable value to farmers.

Their roadmap includes:

• Lowering manufacturing costs
• Expanding partnerships with agricultural institutions
• Enhancing software capabilities
• Improving user experience
• Scaling adoption across additional states

As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into Indian agriculture, NEERX hopes the Shool smart sensor will become a routine tool for soil analysis, fertiliser planning and sustainable crop management.

With growing awareness of precision farming and resource-efficient agriculture, the startup is positioning itself to play a meaningful role in helping Indian farmers make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Most Searched FAQs

1. Who are Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal?

Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal are Indian agritech entrepreneurs and the co-founders of NEERX, a startup developing smart soil testing technology for farmers.

2. What is the NEERX Shool sensor?

The Shool sensor is a portable handheld device that analyzes soil health, fertiliser efficiency, water retention and pest risk within seconds, with results available through a mobile application.

3. How much does the Shool smart sensor cost?

Farmers can purchase the device for approximately ₹12,000 or rent it for ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per month, depending on their requirements.

4. Where does NEERX operate?

NEERX currently works with farmers across Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, reaching up to 20,000 farmers through partnerships with farmer organizations and government institutions.

5. Has NEERX raised venture capital?

No. NEERX has primarily grown through grants from organizations including the Government of Gujarat, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, BIRAC and CIIE, rather than venture capital funding.

6. How accurate is the Shool sensor?

According to NEERX, the Shool sensor has demonstrated an accuracy level of over 97% and has undergone validation with institutions including ISRO and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).

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