- Active
- Exited
This investment was made when British International Investment was named CDC Group.
Our investment
We invested in the company in 2020 as part of our ‘Venture Scale-up Programme’, with the aim of improving the incomes and resilience of smallholder farmers across our markets. We invested as part of a $20 million funding round, and existing investors include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ankur Capital, and Chiratae Ventures.
| Impact |
|---|
Improve economic opportunities as a result of integration into commercial supply chains; and contribute to climate adaptation by increasing resilience to shocks for farmers (SDG 2.3, 2.4). |
|
|
| How? |
|---|
|
By providing rapid, data-driven insights (SmartFarm) and commodity tracking (SmartRisk) to clients, CropIn makes it more commercially viable to integrate smallholder farmers into formal supply chains. This results in increased income for farmers from 1) increased knowledge, access to inputs and markets; 2) enhanced farm productivity through reduced waste and improved yields leading to less negative climate effects and increased food security. |
| Stakeholder | Geography | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Suppliers/customers (farmers) of clients (including agri-input/seed companies, agribusinesses, government agencies, commodity traders, financial institutions and insurance providers). |
The company reaches farmers globally, with 90 per cent presently located in India and Africa. |
Smallholder farmers cultivating less than two hectares of land. |
| Scale | Depth/Duration |
|---|---|
|
4 million farmers reached globally. Expected to reach an additional 7.6 million farmers across India and Africa by 2022. |
30 per cent increase in yields, 68 per cent farmers experiencing reduced losses from pests/weather events and 37 per cent of the farmers reported higher earnings from SmartFarm product assessments. |
| Grid Score | Contribution |
|---|---|
|
This investment is made under an approved Catalyst Strategy, and therefore does not require a grid score. To help us direct our investments, we use a tool called the Development Impact Grid. The Grid scores every investment we plan out of a score of four, based on two factors: the difficulty of investing in the country and whether investment in that sector will lead to jobs. |
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| Risk |
|---|
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Environmental and social aspects
As a co-investment under our venture capital scale-up programme, we worked collaboratively with Chiratae Ventures (our co-investment partner) to develop a comprehensive environmental and social action plan (ESAP), to effectively manage environmental and social risks, ensure alignment with international best practice and maximise value-add opportunuties.
Key facts
- Status:
- Active
- Region
:
Since 2012, we’ve only invested in Africa and South Asia. Investments outside these regions are from our pre-2012 portfolio.
- South Asia
- Countries:
- India
- Sector
:
We have seven priority sectors. However, we continue to invest outside these sectors, largely in the most challenging regions, as new investment supporting any sector helps to underpin the private sector, and create jobs and livelihoods for people.
- Food and agriculture
- Investment type
:
We provide capital in three broad ways: direct equity, debt, and intermediated equity (principally through investment funds).
- Co-Investments Equity
- Start date
:
For direct investments, this is the date British International Investment committed capital to the business or project.
For funds, this is the date that British International Investment committed capital to the fund.
For underlying fund investments, this is the date that the fund invested capital into the business.e
- November 2020
- Amount
:
For direct investments, this is the total amount that British International Investment has committed to the business or project (it may be a combination of equity and debt).
For funds, this is the total amount that British International Investment has committed to the fund.
- $3m
- Domicile
:
This is the investee company’s place of incorporation; or a fund’s jurisdiction.
- India
This investment was made when British International Investment was named CDC Group.
We are invested in CropIn Technology Solutions Private Limited through Chiratae Ventures International Fund IV, which is managed by Chiratae India Investment Manager.
We do not hold direct relationships with the companies that investment funds invest in. Instead, we hold relationships directly with the fund. When investing through investment funds, British International Investment takes an active role as a limited partner to the fund, working with the fund manager to ensure best practices, including in environment, social and governance matters, and investment management oversight.
Key facts
- Status:
- Active
- Region
:
Since 2012, we’ve only invested in Africa and South Asia. Investments outside these regions are from our pre-2012 portfolio.
- South Asia
- Countries:
- India
- Sector
:
We have seven priority sectors. However, we continue to invest outside these sectors, largely in the most challenging regions, as new investment supporting any sector helps to underpin the private sector, and create jobs and livelihoods for people.
- Food and agriculture
- Investment type
:
We provide capital in three broad ways: direct equity, debt, and intermediated equity (principally through investment funds).
- Intermediated investment
- Fund:
- Chiratae Ventures International Fund IV
- Fund Manager:
- Chiratae India Investment Manager
- Start date
:
For direct investments, this is the date British International Investment committed capital to the business or project.
For funds, this is the date that British International Investment committed capital to the fund.
For underlying fund investments, this is the date that the fund invested capital into the business.e
- December 2020
- Domicile
:
This is the investee company’s place of incorporation; or a fund’s jurisdiction.
- India
