Analysis · Agriculture & Food Systems

AquaExchange transforms shrimp farming with IoT and AI

What they do

AquaExchange offers a full-stack tech platform for shrimp farming, combining IoT, AI, financing, insurance, and market linkages

It operates across over 71,000 acres and serves about 6,000 farmers, with 75% smallholders, 15% mid-sized, and over 10% enterprise-scale

The company has deployed over 20,000 Powerman devices and manufactures 25,000 units annually near Vijayawada

AquaExchange is a full-stack tech platform designed specifically for the shrimp farming industry in India.
The company aims to transform aquaculture by building essential data infrastructure directly on farms to solve ecosystem inefficiencies.
It offers a suite of services including IoT monitoring, AI analytics, financing partnerships, and specialized insurance coverage for farmers.
The founders returned to India after careers abroad to address the lack of structured data and risk management in the sector.
AquaExchange has deployed over 20,000 Powerman devices that track aeration motors and send alerts via automated phone calls during power disruptions.
The platform serves approximately 6,000 farmers across more than 71,000 acres of operational land.
It partners with NBFCs, banks, and NABARD to provide real-time insights and risk scoring for lending decisions.
Insurance products are tailored to cover specific diseases like white spot syndrome, moving beyond traditional weather-only coverage.

India's shrimp export market was valued at $4.88 billion in 2023-24, representing a significant share of total seafood exports.
The company addresses a critical gap in risk management and structured data which are currently lacking in the aquaculture ecosystem.
By digitizing farm data, AquaExchange helps farmers achieve global certifications like ASC and BAP for better market access.

The company operates as a technology provider offering hardware, software, and financial services to shrimp farmers.
It designs, develops, and manufactures its own IoT devices in-house near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
The manufacturing facility has an annual capacity of 25,000 units and can double production within three months if needed.
Products include automated feeding systems, water monitoring tools, and farm analytics functioning like an ERP system.
AI models analyze images for animal health and use hydrophones to monitor feeding sounds and appetite levels.
Data collection is facilitated through WhatsApp-based AI agents, eliminating the need for manual entry or additional apps.
The farmer base consists of 75% smallholders, 15% mid-sized farmers, and 10% enterprise-scale operations.
The company maintains two facilities in the AP region for electronics and mechanical operations and a center in Hyderabad for software development.

The company plans to expand its data infrastructure into other animal-protein sectors beyond shrimp farming.
It aims to continue scaling its manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand for IoT devices.

Product: Software platform with IoT devices, AI analytics and real-time monitoring tools for shrimp farmers
Customers: Shrimp farmers and aquaculture businesses across India
How it makes money: B2B SaaS providing farm management software and marketplace for seed, feed and aquaculture products
What sets it apart: Patent-pending electrolyser technology supporting 25% of India's shrimp farming acreage with integrated platform