Southeast Asia sits on one of the world’s largest untapped agricultural technology opportunities, and India’s evolution in venture capital and governance offers one of the most instructive models for unlocking it, according to a recent report by Omnivore, Beanstalk AgTech, and Briter.
Agriculture contributes about 15 per cent of GDP and employs up to 40 per cent of the workforce across Southeast Asia. The report, titled “The Opportunity for AgriTech Investment in Southeast Asia”, says digitalisation and agri-tech adoption could unlock more than $90 billion in annual GDP gains across the region by 2033.
Produced with support from FMO Ventures, IFC (World Bank Group), and Rabo Foundation, the report offers a data-driven analysis of the agricultural and agri-tech landscape across 13 markets in the region. Drawing on Omnivore’s sector expertise, it identifies four verticals with the strongest momentum — digital value chains, inclusive agri-fintech, agrifood life sciences, and sustainable consumer brands.
“We have spent over a decade investing in Indian agri-tech, watching the ecosystem mature through governance, exit opportunities, and the hard work of building market infrastructure,” said Mark Kahn, managing partner at Omnivore. He said Southeast Asia’s agri-tech landscape is navigating a similar journey, and India’s experience offers a “genuine roadmap”.
“The fragmentation is real, but so is the opportunity to uplift agricultural production and farmer communities across the region. Patient, disciplined capital that understands local market dynamics is what moves these ecosystems forward,” Kahn said.
