– Partners with Dr Mylswamy Annadurai – led National Design and Research Forum for programs in sustainable agriculture and other technologies
– NDRF to leverage WayCools network of 50,000 farmers for extensive field testing of naturally developed bio- fertilizer
Chennai, NFAPost: One of Indias fastest growing agri-commerce companies, WayCool Foods has signed a 3-year umbrella MoU with National Design and Research Forum (NDRF).
The collaboration will help WayCool in its pursuit to re-imagine the agri-supply chain with the introduction of solutions aimed at constantly enhancing efficiency and reducing food wastage.
For NDRF, WayCool’s farmer connect and distribution excellence will help expedite field trials of its unique, sustainable agricultural products such as naturally developed bio-fertilizers. Further, WayCool’s network will also be leveraged to ensure these sustainable innovations reach the fields.
The MoU was signed and exchanged betweenWayCool Foods CEO Karthik Jayaraman and NDRF Chairman Padmashri and Former programme director Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai.
Responsible innovation
Elaborating on the synergies, Head – Farmer engagement Sendhil Kumar said WayCool has always been on the forefront to develop and promote responsible innovations.
“We are proud to collaborate with NDRF. Through this partnership, we will facilitate field trials and distribution of natural bio-fertilizers developed by NDRF, and its partners. Through our robust Outgrow platform and FPO networks, we will also enable procurement of raw materials that go into making of these products. Further, NDRFs tech prowess will add fuel to our continuing R&D efforts towards improving efficiencies,” said Sendhil Kumar.
In addition to the above, the partnership will enable WayCools innovation team to access the latest developments in robotics, sensors, AI, and ML, to strengthen its capabilities to develop next-generation agritech solutions. NDRF enables cutting-edge research output from Indias premier research institutes to reach commercial applications.
Commenting on this occasion, Dr Annadurai said considering the ever-increasing population and the demand for food grains on one side and depleting resources like arable land, available manpower, and water for agriculture on the other end, all-round technological intervention from soil to the sale of the agri produce is need of the hour.
“Joining hands with WAYCOOL it is envisaged that NDRF along with its consortium partners could bring in much-needed Innovative and affordable end-to-end solutions towards sustainable agriculture with due value additions in the food chain. I foresee a unique, challenging but well rewarding partnership to all stake holders – farmers to customers,” said Dr Annadurai.
WayCool has been investing in long-term partnerships with institutions like the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), IIT-Hyderabad, and the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) to reduce food wastage and drive sustainability across the entire food supply chain, as part of its long-term capability building efforts.
WayCool distributes its wide range of directly sourced fresh produce as well as staples in brands such as Shuddha, Dhaanyaa, KitchenJi, Lexotique, Madhuram, and Freshey’s, to nearly 20,000 retail outlets, as well as institutional clients.
WayCool Foods, founded in July 2015 by Karthik Jayaraman and Sanjay Dasari, is India’s largest agri supply chain company. Focusing on food development and distribution, the company leverages innovative technology to scale and operate a complex supply chain.
Foodtech WayCool operates a full-stack, broadline product range across multiple channels and categories such as fresh produce, staples, and dairy, serving nearly 20,000 clients in the general trade, modern trade, and food services space.
