India’s rural economy heavily relies on the livestock sector, boasting the world’s largest population of livestock. Despite its significance, the sector faces a critical challenge—limited access to healthcare for cattle, exacerbated by a sparse network of veterinary clinics in rural areas.
Dire Need for Accessible Veterinary Services in Rural India
With over 536 million livestock reared in rural areas, the scarcity of healthcare services leads to treatable diseases becoming fatal. This not only results in the loss of valuable livestock but also imposes a significant financial burden on farmers. The economic impact of such losses affects individual livelihoods and the broader agricultural economy. The geographical and infrastructural limitations of rural India make access to specialized veterinary care challenging.
Verdant Impact’s Innovative Solutions for Livestock Healthcare
Verdant Impact tackles critical challenges in India’s livestock sector by offering a full-stack animal husbandry platform designed to enhance livestock care and facilitate informed trading decisions. The startup provides a telemedicine facility named Animal ICU, offering real-time diagnostics, remote monitoring, and virtual veterinary consultations. The platform enables farmers to upload multimedia descriptions of their animals for expert consultation, receive prescriptions, alternate remedies, or even ambulance services based on the diagnosis.
Pioneering Livestock Management with Animal Ancestry Animal Mark
Verdant Impact goes beyond telemedicine, introducing Animal Ancestry Animal Mark, a service that uses DNA analysis and unique identification techniques to help farmers make informed breeding and trade decisions. The startup employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags for monitoring and tracing cattle health, location, and movement, supporting farmers in managing their livestock efficiently and preventing insurance fraud. Under-skin RFID implants store crucial health history data, addressing issues of insurance fraud and supporting more informed decision-making.
Business Model and Impact
Verdant Impact adopts a B2B2C business model, generating revenue through direct sales, commissions, and co-branding efforts. The startup charges for telemedicine consultations and field visits, with a pricing model that includes a fixed fee for teleconsultations and an additional charge for on-site visits if required. It has garnered over 25,000 monthly active users and 18,000 paying customers, primarily in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The platform collaborates with district governments to contribute to its revenue stream.
Funding and Future Plans
Verdant Impact, having received grants from various sources, is now looking to raise $4 million in funding to expand operations across the country and invest in brand building. The startup aims to achieve $12 million in gross revenue by FY25 and $50 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within three years, showcasing a commitment to revolutionizing rural livestock healthcare in India.