For Pune-based entrepreneur and scientist Dr Rajul Patkar, building agricultural technology is about more than innovation. It has become a deeply personal mission to reduce the excessive use of chemicals in farming and help create a healthier future.

Dr.Rajul Patkar, founder and CEO of Proximal Soilsens Technologies, is working to equip farmers with portable soil-testing technology that can provide real-time information about their land. Her mission has taken on greater meaning following the recent loss of her husband, eminent IIT Bombay academician Prof Sachin Patkar, to cancer.

Through her startup, she hopes technology can help farmers make better decisions about fertilisers and chemicals while protecting both soil health and human health.

A Pocket-Sized Lab for Farmers

Founded in 2017 and based in Bhugaon on the outskirts of Pune, Proximal Soilsens Technologies has developed a compact soil-testing device that weighs around 100 grams and can be connected to a smartphone.

The portable sensor allows users to gather information about important soil parameters, including nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, organic carbon and potassium.

The technology can also provide data related to moisture, weather conditions and crop growth, helping farmers understand what their soil actually needs before applying fertilisers.

Patkar was also the first student in IIT Bombay’s electrical engineering department to work on sensors designed to help farmers measure different components in soil.

Tackling India’s Chemical Dependency in Agriculture

One of the biggest challenges facing Indian agriculture is the widespread application of fertilisers and chemicals based on general recommendations rather than specific soil conditions.

Many farmers do not have easy access to timely soil testing. Government laboratories can take time to deliver results and are limited in number compared with India’s massive farming population.

As a result, farmers may apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other chemicals without having a clear understanding of their soil’s actual requirements.

Proximal Soilsens Technologies aims to address this gap by bringing testing capabilities directly to farms.

The company’s technology uses sensitive testing strips to analyse different soil parameters, potentially helping farmers make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary chemical usage.

From Research Lab to Indian Farms

The startup’s technology has received support from organisations including NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission, Venture Center and IIT Startups.

Over the years, the solution has moved beyond the laboratory and into real agricultural environments.

The devices are currently being used by agribusinesses across several Indian states, including Maharashtra, Assam, Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

According to the company, its technology has reached approximately 10,000 to 15,000 farmers so far.

However, Patkar’s larger challenge now is encouraging adoption among farming communities that may be hesitant to experiment with new technologies.

Building a More Sustainable Agriculture System

The startup represents a growing wave of Indian agritech companies using deep technology to solve challenges at the grassroots level.

Instead of simply digitising agriculture, Proximal Soilsens Technologies is focusing on a fundamental part of farming: understanding the soil.

By giving farmers access to faster and more accessible information, technologies like these could support precision agriculture while reducing unnecessary chemical inputs.

For Rajul Patkar, the journey is now about transforming science and technology into a larger purpose.

Her startup’s mission is clear: help farmers understand their soil better, reduce indiscriminate chemical usage and move Indian agriculture towards a more sustainable future.

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