From Weeds to Wealth: A Solo Founder’s Journey to Safer, Sustainable Farming with Azeedo Shield

Azeedo is addressing one of India’s most persistent agricultural challenges: the overuse of chemical pesticides by small and marginal farmers. These pesticides are costly, toxic, and often ineffective in the long run. They lead to pest resistance, soil degradation, health risks, and environmental harm. Farmers bear the burden of high input costs and poor yields, while consumers worry about food safety. 

Azeedo’s solution is Azeedo Shield—a plant-based, non-toxic crop protection bioformulation that makes farming safer, more productive, and eco-friendly.

Founder’s Journey: From Odisha’s Fields to Building Azeedo

I’m Koushik Bose, and my startup journey began in rural Odisha, where I saw firsthand how small farmers desperately used hazardous chemicals to save their crops. Toxins seeped into their fields, homes, and even their food. With a background in biotechnology and a passion for solving real problems, I felt compelled to act.

As a student, my inspiration came from resilient yet underserved farming communities. Their struggle convinced me to tackle their biggest pain point—crop protection—without compromising health or the environment.

Starting Azeedo wasn’t easy. I worked solo for a long stretch, often battling doubt and uncertainty. The toughest challenge was convincing farmers to shift from chemical pesticides to plant-based alternatives. Farmers trust what has “worked” for decades, even when it harms them. My technical knowledge wasn’t enough; I had to build trust in the fields.

The turning point came during field trials with Sahyadri Farms in Nashik. On chilli crops, Azeedo Shield delivered a 19% increase in plant height, reduced pest damage, and significant savings in input costs. Farmers saw results and believed in the solution. Word spread through their stories.

Another breakthrough was sourcing our formulation from an invasive weed—turning a nuisance into an asset. This innovation kept production costs low, making the solution affordable for farmers who needed it most.

Grants and awards soon followed, from Startup India Innovation Week, Startup Mahakumbh, IIT Mandi Catalyst, and several student entrepreneurship competitions. But the greatest validation came from farmers themselves, telling me: “Azeedo Shield has changed my season.”

Key Milestones and Achievements

• Field-validated impact: Yield improvements of 19% in chilli and up to 25% in other crops; reduced chemical use by 60%; pilot programs with 100+ farmers.
• Product innovation: Developed Azeedo Shield, a bio-based, non-toxic crop protector sourced from invasive weeds—promoting a circular economy.
• Strategic partnerships: Validation with Sahyadri Farms, collaborations with Farmer-Producer Organisationsand agricultural universities.

• Awards & grants:

  • Selected among Top 75 Startups at Startup India Innovation Week by the Government of India.

  • Winner of Startup Maharathi Challenge (Agritech), IIT Mandi Catalyst Startup Support Grant, and entrepreneurship competitions at XLRI and IIT Hyderabad.

  • Recipient of Orissa Product Development Grant, Ministry of Agriculture Prototyping Grant, SSIP Grant (Gujarat), and student startup grants from IIM Ahmedabad.

  • Honoured with the Young Entrepreneur Award by Lok Sabha MP Dr. Aparajitha Sarangi and the Most Innovative Startup of the Year by actor Tusshar Kapoor.

  • Finalist/winner at EO Global Student Entrepreneur Awards and GSEA Navi Mumbai Chapter.

  • Featured by DD Jharkhand, Prabhat Khabar, and Ministry of Education.

• Market traction: Expanded from pilot batches to wider adoption, supported by training, field demonstrations, and retail collaborations.
• Sustainability impact: Lower pesticide residues in food, healthier crops, safer farmer practices, rural job creation, and stronger local value chains.

Building a Farmer-Centric, Climate-Smart Future

Azeedo was born from a deeply personal observation of India’s farming struggles. Our approach blends empathy, scientific rigor, and impact-driven innovation. We believe every farmer deserves safe, effective, and affordable crop protection.

The journey is still unfolding. With each milestone, we are proving that agriculture innovation can be farmer-first and climate-smart. As we scale Azeedo Shield, our mission is to spark a movement—changing lives, restoring soils, and bringing hope to farming communities across India.

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