Biro Power: Smart Harvesting Solutions for Small Farmers

Rajnish Kumar, son of a small farmer in Bihar, grew up immersed in the struggles of Indian agriculture—manual labour, inefficiencies, and minimal technological access. Years later, after a successful career in industrial automation and a degree from IIM Kashipur, Rajnish returned to his roots with a purpose. 

Watching his father and neighbours still harvesting paddy with sickles, he realised the urgent need for tools designed for small farmers. That moment inspired the founding of Biro Power Pvt Ltd in 2021, a Patna-based agri-tech startup focused on transforming rural livelihoods.

Empowering Farmers with Purpose-Built Tech

'Biro' pays homage to Bihar's resilience, while 'Power' stands for grassroots innovation. Biro Power's mission is clear—to develop modular, eco-friendly, and IoT-integrated harvesting solutions that are accessible, affordable, and tailored to India’s fragmented farmlands.

The smart harvester is battery-operated, crop-agnostic, lightweight, and field-tested for Indian conditions. Its modular build allows compatibility with multiple crops, while built-in IoT features offer real-time data on yield, soil health, and performance. This farmer-first innovation is designed not to displace labour but to enhance it.

The Team Driving Rural Agri-Tech Innovation

Rajnish leads a multidisciplinary team comprising mechanical and electrical engineers, IoT developers, agri-technicians, and rural mobilizers. Their hiring philosophy prioritises passion, empathy, and a hands-on problem-solving attitude. 

With support from the Bihar Startup Cell, Biro Power gained access to mentorship, infrastructure, and early-stage debt funding. It also adheres to ISO and ZED-certified manufacturing standards.

Bridging the Gap to India’s Last-Mile Farmers

India has over 100 million smallholder farmers, many of whom lack access to appropriate mechanised tools. Biro Power’s harvesters address this gap by reducing crop losses, improving efficiency, and offering sustainable, battery-powered alternatives that cut fuel costs by up to 80%. These machines are easy to operate, require minimal training, and are tailored to the specific needs of small and marginal farmers. 

Biro Power's customer base includes smallholder farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, and rural entrepreneurs. To reach them effectively, the company employs a grassroots outreach strategy—conducting live field demonstrations, participating in Krishi Melas, and partnering with panchayats and agricultural departments to drive awareness and adoption across India’s rural landscape.

A Revenue Model Rooted in Rural Needs

The core revenue stream is derived from the direct sale of harvesters, e-tricycles for the disabled, and other agricultural machines. Recurring revenue is generated through IoT subscriptions and annual servicing plans. To ensure financial stability in the early stages, Biro Power also introduced e-cycles and e-tricycles for rural transport, helping to manage the burn rate while addressing real mobility challenges.

“Our e-tricycles have given a new lease of life to many differently-abled individuals in rural areas,” says Rajnish Kumar. “We designed them with a deep understanding of the terrain, comfort, and usability. The idea wasn’t just to create a product, but to restore dignity and independence.”

These e-tricycles come with ergonomic design, high battery mileage, and a sturdy frame built for village roads. The company sells them directly to rural users and NGOs while working with panchayats for bulk deployment. The initiative complements Biro Power’s agri-core by ensuring consistent revenue and broader rural utility.

From Rs 70K to Rs 2 Crore: Building with Purpose

Biro Power’s revenue trajectory reflects a steady and impressive climb—from Rs 70,000 in its first year to Rs 12 lakh in the second, surging to Rs 1.58 crore in the third year and reaching Rs 2.04 crore in the fourth. With these foundational gains, the company has set its sights on a bold long-term vision: to deploy over 1,00,000 smart harvesters across more than 10,000 villages by FY 2030, generating Rs 204 crore in revenue and directly impacting the lives of over 1 million farmers across India.

Competitive Differentiators and Rural Roadblocks

Unlike traditional agri-machinery companies that primarily serve large-scale commercial farms, Biro Power has carved out a unique position by focusing on the needs of smallholder farmers. Its technology is designed to be adaptable and affordable, featuring a crop-agnostic architecture, real-time IoT analytics, and a resilient rural servicing network.

This tailored approach ensures that even farmers with fragmented landholdings can access modern mechanisation. 

Nevertheless, the company faces persistent challenges such as low rural adoption rates, seasonal demand fluctuations, and the absence of widespread charging infrastructure in remote areas. These obstacles have only deepened Biro Power’s commitment to its field-first philosophy.

By working directly with farmers instead of designing in isolation, Biro Power ensures its solutions are practical and relevant. Its focus on simplicity supports rural scalability, while prioritising revenue early has kept the company agile and less dependent on outside funding.

Recognition and Real-World Impact

Biro Power has made measurable strides in the field, reducing harvest time by 60% across its pilot villages while cutting fuel costs significantly through its battery-powered solutions.

The company’s inclusive approach has empowered both women and rural youth, training them in agri-tech operations and roles. It holds a granted design patent, two more under review, and a registered trademark for its ‘Byjo’ product line. Recognised by institutions like the Bihar Startup Cell, Biro Power has emerged as a prominent voice in leading agri-tech forums and policy discussions.

Founder Rajnish Kumar encapsulates the company’s ethos best: “Don’t wait for perfection or funding. Start with one farmer, one prototype, one success story. Build trust. Learn in the field. Profit will follow purpose.”

A Roadmap from Bihar to Global Fields

In the short term, Biro Power plans to expand into Jharkhand, Odisha, and Eastern UP, while launching solar-powered harvester variants and a mobile agri-support app. The mid-term vision includes crop-specific attachments, stronger state collaborations, and affordable e-logistics for post-harvest.

Long-term, Biro Power aims to establish India’s first Smart Agri R&D hub in Bihar, build a national last-mile service network, and export its products to emerging markets in Africa and Southeast Asia.