Hyderabad Stories
No Result
View All Result
SHARE YOUR STORY
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • People
    • Pioneers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Bureaucrats
  • Business
    • Startups
    • Companies
    • Enterprises
  • Top 10
  • Startup Stories
  • Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Contact Us
Hyderabad Stories
  • Home
  • About Us
  • People
    • Pioneers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Bureaucrats
  • Business
    • Startups
    • Companies
    • Enterprises
  • Top 10
  • Startup Stories
  • Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Contact Us
SHARE YOUR STORY
No Result
View All Result
Hyderabad Stories
No Result
View All Result
Home Agriculture

Hyderabad Couple Builds HiTech Farm, Can Produce Upto 8000 Kgs of Veggies Per Day

Hyderabad Stories by Hyderabad Stories
March 3, 2021
in Agriculture
Reading Time: 5 mins read
129 7
0
Hyderabad Couple Builds HiTech Farm, Can Produce Upto 8000 Kgs of Veggies Per Day

Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Sachin Darbarwar is a software engineer who spent close to 18 years in New Zealand and Australia before making the move back to Hyderabad.

“I had a very beautiful childhood in India and somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to come back home. The only question was about what I would do here,” Sachin tells The Better India. Though, it took a while to arrive at his next venture, Sachin, along with his wife Shweta, setup Simply Fresh in 2013 in Hyderabad’s Shamirpet. True to its name, the brand aims to provide nutritious food that’s free of chemicals and pesticides.

What got Sachin interested in this farm-to-fork venture was a concept called ‘Talking to Plants’. Here, every stage of plant growth was monitored, nutrient supply recorded and the environment around it controlled.

To further explore this idea, Sachin started working with botanists, professors and others involved in the agri-space and says that he was actively working on decoding the signals that plants send out. These signals are how each plant reacts to the environmental changes in the greenhouse and how it reacts to the nutrient that it is being fed.

“It was during my work on the project that I realised the potential of using technology in the agriculture space. Having lived and breathed technology for so long in Australia, the idea of using it for something new fascinated me,” he says. “To be able to get better produce by marrying technology to agriculture was the thought with which we started the company in 2013,” he says.

A journey back to India

A look at the farm.

In 2013, Sachin and Shweta, started Simply Fresh on a land parcel of about 10 acres. “When we started out, it was an experiment and we wanted to see whether we could make a commercial success out of this,” adds Shweta. She speaks about how one of the attractions at supermarkets in Australia were the wonderfully fresh produce that was made available for consumers. She describes the fresh produce as ‘inviting’ and felt that the same quality was not available in India. “The idea was to be able to bring that kind of quality and freshness to the produce being sold here as well,” she says.

When asked if they had some connection to the agriculture space, Sachin says, “My grandfather was a farmer, with considerable land holdings. While my father did not go down the same path, I think it was there somewhere in my DNA.” Before the couple set up operations in India, they set up a prototype in Australia and given how well it worked there, they started their first project in India. Starting with cultivating four acres, Sachin says, “We grew almost 150 varieties of vegetables, herbs, plants, and were supplying to supermarkets, hotels, and even various corporates around Hyderabad.”

Understanding and profiling plants

Shweta says that they started with growing 14 kinds of lettuce, 10 different types of herbs, tomato, capsicum, peppers, and various microgreens. “We meticulously profiled each plant, from day zero to harvest and understand their nutritional requirements under various climatic conditions,” she says. Just like the nutritional needs of a child changes from birth onwards, Sachin says that even plants need different nutrients during their life cycle.

In totality, plants consume 12 different nutrients, and Sachin says that the combination of these nutrients differs based on their stage of growth. “In summer, just how we like to stay away from oily and greasy food, even plants have a certain preference for what they like to consume in summer months. Technology helps us understand all this and more,” he says. Adding to this, he says, “We call our farms as ‘Precision’ farms as we have combined hydroponics with AI Technology for food safety, traceability, and sustainable farming.” Some examples of what is grown includes lettuce, vine crops, herbs, and microgreens.

Once the couple tasted success in this segment, they ventured into the nutraceuticals space, which is growing plants for medicines.

Sachin and Shweta.

“We noticed that there was an inherent problem in the space and finding reliable raw material was difficult. Most of the raw material being procured were from jungles and tribal areas,” says Sachin. This led to each batch being different and that caused a problem for the industry. In medicinal plants, the parameter that is monitored is ‘alkaloids’, which are naturally occurring substances in plants which have medicinal value.

It is of utmost importance to ensure that the plants being grown for medicinal use have no chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals in them to ensure that the final product is not contaminated in any manner. “This gave us a huge edge and in 2017-2018 we started our production of medicinal plants,” says Shweta. Turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha, and safed musli are examples of medicinal plants grown at the farm.

Subsequently, in 2018, Simply Fresh also managed to raise $ 20 million and expanded their farming activity with a 150-acre facility in Arjunpatla, Siddipet. Sachin says that each day the farm has the capacity to produce close to 8,000 kgs of various produce, which is more than 29,20,000 kgs each year, grown over 22 acres of AI controlled automated greenhouses. The company employs 170 people, and almost 70 per cent of the workforce comes from in and around the local area. Both Sachin and Shweta take great pride in having created a farm that is state-of-the-art.

Some of the interesting aspects of the business includes a QR code based packaging, which aids in traceability.

A look into the state-of-the-art facility.

Sachin says, “In working with the pharmaceutical companies, we found that they needed a great level of traceability. From when it was seeded, who seeded it, what climatic conditions were prevalent at that time, who handled it, harvested it, what was the weight when it was harvested, etc. In an attempt to answer all this, we introduced a QR based system.”

While there are various companies making claims of being organic, clean, and fresh, Simply Fresh introduced the QR code system to allow consumers to check every time they buy the produce. “Therefore, we have given all our customers open access to the system,” he says. Every pack that leaves the farm is accompanied by a QR code on the packet, which customers can scan on the website to gather more information. “Being able to back all the claims that the company makes is a very important part of our ecosystem. We also see many customers make use of this,” says Sachin.

Tags: farmhitechveggies
Share71Tweet39Share11
Hyderabad Stories

Hyderabad Stories

We are Hyderabad Stories. One Voice! One City! Infinity Stories!

Related Posts

Shankar Mahadevan participates in Green India Challenge
Agriculture

Shankar Mahadevan participates in Green India Challenge

August 23, 2022
Farm land digital survey in state to begin from June 11
Agriculture

Farm land digital survey in state to begin from June 11

June 3, 2021
Hyderabad-based Home crop promoting ‘Urban Farming’
Agriculture

Hyderabad-based Home crop promoting ‘Urban Farming’

March 18, 2021
Nabard sanctions Rs 9cr for agri varsity’s hub
Agriculture

Nabard sanctions Rs 9cr for agri varsity’s hub

March 4, 2021
Engineer from Hyderabad turns village reformer
Agriculture

Engineer from Hyderabad turns village reformer

February 25, 2021
Urban Farm Fresh plans 25 new stores in Hyderabad
Agriculture

Urban Farm Fresh plans 25 new stores in Hyderabad

February 22, 2021
Jayesh Ranjan Jayesh Ranjan
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Cognizant has inaugurated its new campus in Hyderabad.

Cognizant has inaugurated its new campus in Hyderabad.

August 17, 2024
Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

July 7, 2025
DRDO Scientist Murali Appointed as Head of DLRL Telangana

DRDO Scientist Murali Appointed as Head of DLRL Telangana

July 2, 2025
NALSAR is set to open a new campus near Public Gardens in Hyderabad soon.

NALSAR is set to open a new campus near Public Gardens in Hyderabad soon.

July 26, 2024
Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

Drop in film shoots at Hyderabad’s iconic Paigah Palace sparks concerns over its maintenance and preservation.

Drop in film shoots at Hyderabad’s iconic Paigah Palace sparks concerns over its maintenance and preservation.

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

July 7, 2025
IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

July 7, 2025
Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

July 4, 2025
Drop in film shoots at Hyderabad’s iconic Paigah Palace sparks concerns over its maintenance and preservation.

Drop in film shoots at Hyderabad’s iconic Paigah Palace sparks concerns over its maintenance and preservation.

July 4, 2025

Recent Posts

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

Viral: This Hyderabad café’s ₹1500 coffee is luxury in a cup you can’t ignore.

July 7, 2025
IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

IMD Hyderabad issues warning for very heavy rainfall through July 10.

July 7, 2025
Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

Hyderabad Weekend Guide: Explore art, culture, live music, and wellness experiences

July 4, 2025

Categories

  • (CII) Telangana State Annual Meeting 2022-23
  • (DCA) Drugs Control Administration
  • (DSP)
  • Achievements
  • Adventures
  • Aerospace
  • Agriculture
  • AI Revolution
  • Ai Technology
  • AI- Health monitoring app
  • Airbus Beluga
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Ameet Mirpuri’s Design Studio
  • Anti-drug
  • architectural
  • Architectural Digest AD
  • Art
  • Art & Culture
  • Art Exhibitions
  • Art Exhibitions at Salar Jung Museum
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineers
  • Asian Games
  • Astronomy
  • Automobile
  • Aviation
  • Awards
  • Beyond biryani
  • BioAsia 2023
  • Book Lovers
  • BRICS Summit 2024
  • Bureaucracy / Civil Services
  • BUREAUCRATS
  • Business
  • Business & Economy and Technology & Innovation
  • Cafes in Hyderabad
  • Cartoon Network
  • Celebrity News
  • Charlapalli Railway Station
  • City Growth & Development
  • City Police Commissioner
  • Classical Dance
  • Clean Energy
  • Collection
  • COVID-19
  • Culinary Events
  • Cultural Preservation through Art
  • Culture & Events
  • Culture and Heritage
  • CV Anand
  • Cyber Security
  • Defence
  • Defence Exhibition
  • Development
  • DGP
  • Dhruva Spaces
  • Diamonds of Hyderabad
  • Digital
  • Digital marketing
  • Dino Fossil Museum
  • Diversity Inclusion
  • Dr Reddy's laboratories
  • Dr. Reddy’s Labs
  • Durgam Cheruvu Lake
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Education & Research Collaborations
  • Electric Buses
  • Electric Expo
  • Energy
  • Entertainment
  • Entertainment & Cinema
  • entrepreneur
  • Events
  • Events & Exhibitions
  • Events and workshops
  • Exclusives
  • Exhibition
  • Experium Eco Park
  • Family Digital Card
  • Fashion
  • Fashion Designer
  • Festival
  • Finance
  • Financial Sector
  • First drive-in theatre in Hyderabad
  • Food & Culinary
  • Food and Beverage
  • Food Safety Commissioner
  • Food Safety Department
  • Formula E
  • Fragrance Trends
  • FTCCI
  • Gachibowli Stadium
  • Gaming
  • Getaway's
  • GHMC
  • GHMC Commissioner
  • Global AI Summit
  • Global AI Summit 2024
  • Global Events in Telangana
  • Global IT Center
  • GMR Aerocity
  • GMR Hyderabad International Airport
  • Golconda Fort
  • Government
  • Governor of Telangana
  • Green spaces
  • Guinness World Records
  • Health and wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Heritage
  • Hilife Exhibition
  • Historian
  • Historical Preservation
  • Hitex
  • Hospitality
  • Hyderabad
  • Hyderabad Black Hawks
  • Hyderabad Book Fair 2024
  • Hyderabad FC
  • Hyderabad Neighborhoods
  • Hyderabad Public School
  • Hyderabad Road Trip
  • Hyderabad Weekend Guide
  • Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute
  • Hyderabad’s Traffic Challenges
  • Iconic Khairatabad Ganesh
  • IIT Hyderabad
  • INCOIS
  • India
  • India Game Developer Conference
  • India Industrial Exhibition
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • India Rich List 2024
  • Indian Navy Band
  • Indian Photo Festival
  • Information Technology
  • Infrastructure
  • Infrastructure and Development
  • Infrastructure Development
  • Innovation and Technology
  • Intercontinental Cup
  • Intercontinental Football Tournament
  • International Dating
  • International startup festival 2024
  • International Visits to Telangana
  • IPLT20
  • Irani Cafes
  • ISRO
  • IT Principal Secretary
  • KBR Park
  • Koti Women’s University
  • Laurus Labs
  • Law Enforcement and Governance
  • LV Prasad Eye Institue
  • Malls in Hyderabad
  • Manufacturing
  • Markets
  • Marut Drones
  • Mayor of Hyderabad
  • MEIL
  • Metro Rail Bhavan
  • Microsoft
  • Miss Universe
  • Miss World 2025
  • Monsoon Waterfalls
  • Motorsports
  • MSN Realty
  • Municipal Commissioners
  • Music
  • Music & Events or Cultural Festivals
  • Music Festival 2024
  • Nagarjuna Sagar Project
  • NASA
  • National Doctors' Day
  • National Handloom Day
  • Nehru Art Gallery
  • Nehru Zoo Park
  • Nehru Zoological park
  • New International Stadium
  • News
  • Nightlife & Entertainment
  • Nizam
  • Numaish
  • Numaish 2025
  • Osmania General Hospital
  • Overcoming Adversity
  • PAPEXPO
  • Param Vishisht Seva Medal
  • Paris Olympics 2024
  • Parks Development
  • Personal Journeys and Impact
  • PETA
  • Pharma
  • Photo contributions
  • Pink Power Run
  • Poetry
  • police
  • Police Administration
  • Police commissioner
  • Pre-Summer
  • Professor
  • Qutb Shahi Heritage Park
  • Qutb Shahis tomb's
  • Rachakonda Traffic Police
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
  • Rashtrapati Nilayam
  • RCB
  • Real Estate
  • Research
  • Royal Traditions
  • RV Karnan
  • Sania Mirza
  • Save Rocks
  • Science
  • Sehri & Iftar Specials
  • Shilpakala Vedika
  • Shopping Mall's
  • Sobha Group's
  • Social
  • Space
  • Sports
  • Sports Entertainment
  • Startup Stories
  • Startups
  • State Developments
  • SunRisers
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
  • Sustainable living
  • T-Hub
  • T-Works
  • T20 Tournament
  • T20 world cup
  • Tank Bund
  • Tata Advanced Systems Limited
  • Tech
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Technology
  • TEDx talks
  • Telangana Cyber Security Bureau
  • TGPCB
  • TGTDCL
  • The Kohinoors Book
  • Top 10 in Hyderabad
  • Tourism
  • Traffic advisory
  • Transport
  • TSICCC
  • TSRTC
  • Uncategorized
  • Updates
  • UPSC topper IAS
  • Urban Development
  • Urban Forest Parks
  • Waste Management
  • Wells Fargo
  • Winter in Hyderabad
  • Women bikers
  • Women Empowerment
  • World
  • World Athletics
  • Yoga Sports

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • Go Local
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About Us
Hyderabad Stories

Hyderabad Stories

We LOVE Hyderabad. We unveil untold stories, unsung pioneers, and unrecognized heroes of Hyderabad. Consume the best of the best and experience Hyderabad in its truest form.

Share your Story. Create an Impact. Join the Digital Revolution!

© 2025 Hyderabad Stories
Digital Partner - Infinity Reach
Ouroboros Digital Private Limited

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • People
    • Pioneers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Bureaucrats
  • Business
    • Startups
    • Companies
    • Enterprises
  • Top 10
  • Startup Stories
  • Gallery
    • Photo Gallery
    • Video Gallery
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Hyderabad Stories
Digital Partner - Infinity Reach
Ouroboros Digital Private Limited