We Envisioned Bringing The Lab To The Farm To Solve The Delay And Depletion, Leading To The Development Of Our Devices

What if a farmer had a device that measures soil health in just five minutes? With their unique offerings and more on the way, arising from an urge to upgrade the agriculture sector with cutting-edge tech, Rajul Patkar of Proximal Soilsens delves into the world of sustainable farming with EFY’s Nitisha Dubey. 

Q. Can you describe your products and offerings, highlighting their features and benefits? 

A. We have developed two breakthrough devices: Nutrisense and TerraPort, to assist farmers in making data-driven decisions. Nutrisense measures soil nutrient levels within five minutes, providing quick insights for fertiliser application. TerraPort is a compact, 100-gram device equipped with multiple sensors that enable farmers to gather field data and upload it via mobile for immediate analysis. Together, these tools support more precise soil management, improving efficiency and sustainability in farming.

Q. What is Soilsens’ uniqueness when it comes to these devices?

A. Sustainable agriculture begins with healthy soil—precision testing is the first step toward smarter farming. But traditionally, soil testing requires sending samples to a lab, which takes weeks, delaying necessary interventions. Another challenge is that excessive use of chemical fertilisers degrades 33 per cent of agricultural land annually. We envisioned bringing the lab to the farm to solve the delay and depletion, leading to the development of our devices. Nutrisense is the world’s most compact soil testing device—similar to a glucometer. It uses electrochemical sensor technology with specialised sensor strips for pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic carbon. Farmers can easily prepare a soil solution, place a drop on the sensor, and receive results within five minutes, as I said earlier. This eliminates the need for costly, bulky lab equipment and long testing durations. Beyond just testing, Nutrisense also provides recommendations. Based on the farmer’s crop—whether banana, sugarcane, or another—the system generates a customised soil health report with guidance on fertiliser application and best farming practices.

Q. Has Soilsens filed any patents for its innovative agricultural technologies and solutions? 

A. Yes, we have filed patents for Nutrisense in India, the United States, China, Australia, and Indonesia and are currently awaiting approvals. The first patent report (FPR) has been received, but the final process will take time. Additionally, a patent for the soil moisture sensor developed at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has been granted, and we hold an exclusive license for its use in our Internet of Things (IoT) system. We have also filed a patent for our ‘IoT in a Box’ technology, a compact 100-150 gram device designed for agricultural IoT applications. All necessary filings have been completed, and we are awaiting official confirmation.

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Q. How are you promoting soil testing awareness and adoption among farmers? 

A. Farmers need to understand the importance of soil testing and why it is essential for improving productivity and sustainability. We are collaborating with implementation partners to facilitate this transition. Our clients include farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), self-help groups, agricultural enterprises, rural youth, agri-tech startups, and fertiliser companies. These organisations help provide soil testing as a service to farmers, ensuring widespread adoption and awareness. By working with these partners, we aim to make soil testing more accessible, reliable, and impactful at the grassroots level.

Q. How do you educate farmers about soil testing and technology?

A. The first step is raising awareness, as changing farmers’ mindsets can be challenging. Our partners, already engaged with farmers, conduct online and offline awareness camps. We visit farms, train farmers, and emphasise the importance of soil testing. Additionally, we reach out to school students from farming families, introducing them to soil science and technology to encourage their parents to adopt modern techniques. You see, they are the future of agriculture. A pilot initiative in one school showed positive results, and we now plan to expand to rural schools through collaborations with foundations. To support this, we have developed a ‘Know Your Soil’ kit for soil monitoring in schools.

Q. Where is your headquarters, and where is your manufacturing facility?

A. We are headquartered in Pune, India. Our manufacturing is in-house, focusing on sensor modifications and intellectual property-related processes. However, some components, like printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, are outsourced.

Q. Are you continuously developing new products? 

A. Yes, we are a research and development (R&D)-focused organisation. Our Nutrisense product measures six soil parameters already. We are actively working on adding more sensors, including zinc and magnesium. Additionally, we plan to extend our technology to irrigation water quality testing and leaf analysis [plant tissue observation (PTO) analysis]. Our pipeline is long, and these products are set to be launched in the next one or two years.

Q. What were the hurdles that you encountered while developing and commercialising soil testing technology? 

A. Product development comes with technical and implementation challenges. In 2011, we explored micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic technologies for a compact soil testing device. While we built a prototype, large-scale fabrication in India was impossible, making it costly and dependent on foreign facilities. Seeking an affordable, made-in-India solution, we pivoted to a chemical-free model, but accuracy was insufficient. Experts advised chemical-based testing, so in 2015, we developed paper-based electrochemical sensors, which are now being commercialised. Similarly, we built an IoT-based soil moisture system but found it too expensive and impractical for small Indian farms. A single fixed sensor could not address soil variations. To solve this, we innovated TerraPort, making data collection affordable and accessible. Overcoming multiple technological hurdles, we refined solutions to ensure affordability, accuracy, and scalability, demonstrating how innovation evolves through persistent problem-solving.

Q. How many units of Nutrisense have you sold so far? 

A. Nutrisense is a relatively new product. Over the last two years, we have sold approximately 180 to 200 units. It is already present in eight countries and has been deployed across 12 states in India over the last two years. 

Q. Are you looking for vendors or partners to collaborate and expand your offerings? 

A. I am always looking for new partnerships to expand our reach. For example, one of our partners is interested in introducing TerraStation to pomegranate and grape farmers. I strongly believe in collaboration and prefer working with partners who can help bring our solutions to the right agricultural communities.