The Genesis of Capsber
Capsber Global Agro Pri- vate Limited was founded in 2017 with the goal of bridging the gap between advanced agri- cultural science and its practical application for farmers. The company emerged from the realization that sustain- able, scalable and scientifically validated solutions were needed to improve soil health, crop resilience and yield productivity in an environmentally responsible manner. Capsber’s vision was to revolutionize agriculture through biological innovations, moving away from conventional chemical-based farming inputs.
Co-founded by Manoj Kumar Rupa, Gavaskar Jaya- kanthan and Priti Khalkho, Capsber Agriscience focuses on redefining farming with nature-based, science-driven solutions. With expertise in microbial engineering, prod- uct development and bioefficacy, the team is pioneering innovations that enhance productivity while protecting the environment. From overcoming early challenges to earning national recognition, Capsber continues to lead in trans- forming agriculture and empowering farmers. The company aims to develop disruptive technologies that enhance sus- tainability in agriculture.
Capsber’s innovation and impact have earned recogni- tion at the highest levels. The company was awarded the “Startup of the Year” by ABLE and ELEVATE in Karnataka, home to India’s largest number of biotech startups. Caps- ber also received the National Bio-Entrepreneurship Award from India’s top science-led institutions. Additionally, Capsber won the National Startup Award in both Agricul- ture Productivity and Rural Impact categories and was rec- ognized by the International Fertilizer Association in 2023 for its innovation.
To date, Capsber has introduced 18 proprietary, na- ture-based bio-formulations that have benefited over 500,000 farmers across India and Southeast Asia. The company is ex-
panding into Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and beyond, aiming to drive sustainable agriculture globally.
CAPSBER AGRISCIENCE: PIONEERING NEXT-GENERA- TION BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS
Capsber Agriscience is committed to enhancing soil and plant health while providing economic benefits to farmers. The company developed BiointelX™, its proprietary Microbi- al Intelligence Platform, which boasts over 24,000 beneficial microbes. This platform deciphers nature’s hidden intelli- gence, identifying microbial actions and the metabolites responsible for them. Capsber’s flagship products—FERTI- MAN™, SONAAR™ and CAPSNEMA™—are innovations born from this platform.
The company’s proprietary CapsulX™ microencapsula- tion technology enables pharma-grade formulations with en- hanced stability, extended shelf life and superior efficacy.
Key offerings include:
- Next-Generation Biostimulants: FERTIMAN™ enhances plant growth, stress resilience, and nutrient efficiency.
- Advanced Biofertilizers & Microbial Solutions: SONAAR™ promotes soil microbiome health and sustainable nutrient management.
- Biological Crop Protection: CAPSRAKSH™ acts as a biological fungicide, while CAPSNEMA™ controls nematodes.
- Precision Seed Coating Technologies: CAPSTISEED™ improves seed performance and early-stage vigor.
- Data-Driven Agronomic Insights: CAPSHARVEST™ provides AI-powered tools to optimize farming practices.
Capsber is also developing next-generation bioherbicides and bioinsecticides, targeting pests such as Helicoverpa ar- migera, Spodoptera frugiperda and Aphids. Capsber is focused on global collaboration, partnering with research institutions, industry leaders and agricultural organizations to deliver scal- able, affordable solutions for farmers worldwide.
KEY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN ESTABLISHING CAPSBER AGRISCIENCE
Building Capsber into a leader in AgBiologicals involved overcoming several challenges in research, commercialization and market adoption.
-
Market Acceptance & Farmer Awareness
Challenge: Farmers were skeptical about transitioning from chemical inputs to biologicals.
Solution: Capsber conducted extensive field trials, collaborated with agricultural universities, and launched agronomy support services to demonstrate the benefits of AgBiologicals. -
Limited Access to Initial Funding
Challenge: Securing capital for R&D, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.
Solution: Capsber utilized grants from BIRAC, state government programs, and raised investment from IFFCO for expansion. -
Navigating Regulatory Complexities
Challenge: Lengthy approval processes delayed market entry.
Solution: The company built a dedicated regulatory team, collaborated with ICAR institutes, and worked with policymakers to streamline approvals. -
Skilled Talent Acquisition
Challenge: Finding experts in AgBiologicals and related technologies.
Solution: Capsber partnered with universities, invested in training programs, and built a diverse leadership team. -
Strengthening Distribution & Market Penetration
Challenge: Developing a farmer-centric distribution model.
Solution: Capsber established a network of rural entrepreneurs, engaged youth and women, and partnered with IFFCO e-Bazaar for wide-reaching distribution across 45,000+ rural outlets in India.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND STARTUP GROWTH
Capsber’s growth has been supported by strategic insti- tutional partnerships. These include early-stage R&D grants
from BIRAC, the Gates Foundation and state government schemes, as well as collaborations with ICAR, IKP Knowledge Park and global agricultural networks. These partnerships have provided funding, regulatory support and scientific val- idation to help Capsber scale its innovations beyond India, expanding into markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia and African nations. The Gates Foundation Grant has also en- abled Capsber to bring sustainable solutions to smallholder farmers, accelerating rural agricultural transformation.
SCALING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BIOAG INDUSTRY
The demand for sustainable agricultural inputs is rising globally, driven by climate change, soil degradation and evolv- ing regulations. Capsber is strategically positioned to capital- ize on these trends by:
- Expanding internationally into high-growth markets such as Latin America, the EU, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- Strengthening R&D to introduce next-generation solutions with enhanced efficacy.
- Leveraging AI and machine learning to support precision agriculture.
- Establishing farmer training centers for BioAg input adoption.
- Strengthening supply chain sustainability through localized production.
CAPSBER’S VISION FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
In the next five years, Capsber aims to become a global leader in biological agriculture, impacting 50 million farmers across five continents. The company plans to establish decen- tralized production centers, promote large-scale adoption of sustainable solutions, and enhance its research & revelopment efforts to develop climate-resilient bio-solutions. Additionally, Capsber will advocate for policy support and invest in sustain- able supply chains to ensure affordability and accessibility.
As the global agriculture industry moves toward sustain- ability, Capsber is committed to driving change—empowering farmers, protecting the planet and securing food systems for future generations.
Leave a Reply