Mumbai, July 8: Prince Raj Shukla, a young entrepreneur from a village in Purnia district of Bihar, has made headlines by turning his startup, AGRATE India Private Limited, into a successful venture with an annual turnover of 2.5 crores. After graduating, Prince initially took a job in Bengaluru but returned to his village due to the pandemic. He borrowed 1 lakh rupees from his father to start his agricultural startup.
Despite facing skepticism and criticism from locals who believed he was ruining his future by staying in the village, Prince remained undeterred. His startup focuses on supplying high-quality seeds, organic fertilizers, and modern tools to farmers. Understanding that mere supply would not solve the challenges faced by farmers, he began training small farmers in modern farming techniques.
Today, Prince is known as the “Makhana Boy” and has positively impacted the lives of many farmers. He has connected with over 10,000 farmers across villages, utilizing technology such as video calls, workshops, and apps to teach them effective sowing methods, water conservation techniques, and organic farming practices.
The methods taught by Prince have resulted in doubled crop yields and reduced losses for farmers. AGRATE has not only strengthened the supply chain but also provided better market links for farmers’ produce.
Recognizing his success, several large companies have partnered with Prince. He has received multiple accolades, including the Best Leading Bihar Entrepreneur Award for his contributions to entrepreneurship and agricultural innovation in Bihar.