LONDON, UK: Schroder UK Public Private Trust plc has announced its first investment in Asia, with an $8 million investment in AgroStar, one of India’s leading agricultural technology start-ups.

The investment is part of a $40 million financing round, with Schroders Capital leading the way with a $25 million investment. Other investors included Accel, Chiratae Ventures, Evolvence, Aavishkaar Capital, Bertelsmann India Investments, Hero Enterprise, Rabo Frontier Ventures, British International Investments and IFC.

AgroStar, founded in 2013, uses technology, data, and agronomy knowledge to assist Indian farmers in overcoming three significant obstacles: limited access to high-quality agricultural inputs, a knowledge gap, and a lack of access to global markets to sell their produce.

The company serves millions of farmers in various Indian states through its highly engaged digital farmer network on the AgroStar app, which has over 7.5 million users. The company is also rapidly expanding its retail network of over 5,000 stores.

AgroStar recently acquired INI Farms, India’s largest exporter of fruits and vegetables, enabling the company to scale up its business into the domestic and international food supply chains.

Schroder UK Public Private Trust plc is committed to enhancing its sustainability profile and aims to disclose the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) associated with new investments. The investment in AgroStar aligns with SDG 2, which seeks to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture,” specifically Targets 2.3 and 2.4, which aim to double agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food production systems by 2030.

Tim Creed, Portfolio Manager commented: “Our investment in AgroStar is in line with the Company’s private equity sub-strategy of backing innovative growth businesses while utilizing the Company’s broadened global investment remit. Schroders Capital has known AgroStar for a number of years, having been an investor since 2021, and the company has demonstrated exceptional growth by combining technology with strong agronomy capabilities to play an important role in the Indian agricultural sector.”

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