Rajasthan youth shine in Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list for solving water scarcity in farming 

NEW DELHI/TOKYO: Narayan Lal Gurjar and Ankit Jain, both aged 26 and co-founders of a startup which originated from a small village in Rajasthan, and later headquartered in Okinawa in Japan, have figured in the prestigious “Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia” list for the year 2024 for their ground breaking work in sustainable agriculture.

Their innovative polymer, made from up-cycled fruit waste such as banana and orange peel, is designed to address water scarcity and reduce chemical use in farming, marking a significant step towards more sustainable agricultural practices. The product is benefiting not only the farmers in India but also in multiple countries including Japan and the USA.

EF Polymer’s flagship product Fasal Amrit is a super absorbent polymer derived from inedible fruit parts like orange peels and banana peels. This eco-friendly polymer can absorb More than  50 times its weight in water, enhancing soil’s water retention and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers by approximately 20%, and increasing the Farmer’s’ income.

Forbes Under 30 is an award that highlights young talents under the age of 30 who are poised to lead the next generation. This initiative by Forbes since 2011, now extends to 25 countries and regions, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list for 2024 features 300 outstanding individuals and teams across ten categories, selected from over 4,000 nominations from across Asia. The honorees were chosen for their leadership, innovation, and potential to impact their fields positively. Ankit Jain and Narayan Gurjar have been honoured in the “Industry, Manufacturing & Energy” category.

The recognition by Forbes is one of many accolades for Gurjar and Jain. EF Polymer has received multiple international awards, including the Carbon Tech Award at the Global Climate Launchpad 2019 in the Netherlands and being named among the “2022 APAC Cleantech 25” by the Cleantech Group and  Apart from this, They have received the Best Green Startup Award from the Japan Government Environment Ministry for solving the problem of climate change and drought In Farming .  These awards highlight the significant social impact of their innovation in sustainable agriculture.

EF Polymer has attracted substantial investment from Japanese venture capitalists (VCs). In April 2023, the company secured ¥550 million (approximately 4 million USD) in its Series-A funding round. This investment was led by notable firms including Universal Materials Incubator, Nishimoto Wismettac Holdings, MTG Ventures, BNV and others. The funding will enhance EF Polymer’s production capacity, expand sales channels, and further develop their technology.

Puran Singh Rajput, another EF Polymer c0-founder, said, “We are delighted that our efforts, which began with the single-minded desire to help farmers around the world suffering from water shortages, have been recognized in such a meaningful way. It is gratifying to see the recent increase in environmental awareness and the growing number of people committed to sustainability on a global scale. However, true impact requires cooperation. We believe that startups like ours can create new value and synergies by collaborating with large corporations, breaking through traditional barriers. We will continue to work alongside those who share our vision to address environmental and social issues.”

EF Polymer plans to raise Series B financing next spring. The company seeks for support to expand its overseas operations, especially in the U.S., one of the focus regions, and is looking for partnerships, including with foreign investors.

While disclosing the vision of the company, Ankit Jain said, “We are on a mission to bring “Fasal Amrit” to every corner of the world by 2030 so that no one has to struggle with water scarcity. We aim for every farmer to use our product, achieving maximum yield with minimal water while conserving the environment. We hope that other organizations will join us in making this mission a success.”

As of May 2024, EF Polymer employs 18 people at its Okinawa headquarters (including overseas and remote workers) and nearly 50 at its office in India.

Narayan Lal Gurjar’s inspiration came from his personal experience with water scarcity in his home state of Rajasthan, India. While still in high school, he started developing solutions to help farmers like his father. Teaming up with Ankit Jain and Puran Singh Rajput, they focused on creating an accessible and effective product for low-income rural farmers. After years of research and development, EF Polymer was established in 2019 through the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Startup Accelerator Program (OIST).

EF Polymer growth journey

2014: As a high school student, Narayan Lal Gurjar conceived the idea for EF Polymer technology after witnessing his father, a farmer, struggle to grow crops due to water shortages.

2018: Developed a prototype of EF Polymer with the Help of Ankit Jain and Puran Singh Rajput started a business (initially a small production company in India) while still a student at an agricultural university in India, majoring in agricultural engineering. Narayan and Ankit were 20 years old at the time.

2019: Moved to Japan after being selected for the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) Accelerator.

2020: Established EF Polymer K.K. in Okinawa, Japan. Commenced sales in the Indian market.

2021: Launched sales in the Japanese market.

2023: Raised 4 million USD in Series A financing and began sales in the U.S. market.

2024: Expanded and relocated the manufacturing plant in India. Started sales in the French market, and established a local subsidiary in Delaware, U.S.A.

In 2019 after being selected for the OIST Innovation Accelerator, Gurjar relocated to Japan, and established the headquarter in Okinawa, where agriculture is also facing some drought issues.

EF Polymer’s products are already making a significant impact in agriculture, helping farmers conserve water and reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers. The polymer is being used in various states across India, as well as in the US and Japan, with plans to expand into markets in France and Thailand. The company’s mission is to provide sustainable and affordable agricultural solutions to farmers worldwide.

Looking ahead, Ankit Jain and Narayan Lal Gurjar aim to continue their efforts in promoting sustainable farming practices. They are exploring new applications for their technology in other sectors, such as daily necessities and cosmetics. Their dedication to a circular economy and sustainable development stands as a testament to their vision of a greener, more resilient future.

Through their innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of sustainability, Ankit Jain and Narayan Lal Gurjar are transforming agriculture and inspiring young entrepreneurs globally. Their journey from a small startup in Rajasthan to an internationally recognized company is a remarkable story of determination, innovation, and impact.

Wataru Mizutani, one of the investors from the UMI Japan, said, “First, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Narayan and Ankit for being selected in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list. This prestigious recognition is a testament to their outstanding contributions and vision. The EF Polymer team is doing truly remarkable work, addressing the critical issue of water scarcity in agriculture with innovative solutions that are both effective and environmentally friendly. The entire team at EF Polymer is incredibly energetic and passionate about solving water problems in farming. Their dedication and hard work are inspiring, and I am confident that their efforts will continue to make a significant positive impact on the agricultural sector and the environment.”