Greenhouse-in-a-box

Kheyti, Inc.

Greenhouse-in-a-box

Eight in ten of the world's farmers are smallholders. Kheyti’s Greenhouse-in-a-Box helps them reduce climate risk and increase yields

Hyderabad, Telangana, India

India

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

India’s 100 million smallholder farmers, who produce 80 percent of the country’s food, are facing growing threats to their livelihoods due to climate change. Most own less than five acres of land and operate with limited resources, making them highly vulnerable to even small shifts in weather patterns. A one-degree Celsius rise in temperature can reduce crop yields by up to 25 percent, while erratic rainfall and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and damaging. In 2023 alone, unseasonal rains led to an estimated two billion dollars in crop losses across India. Declining groundwater levels and increasing pest attacks further compound the challenges. This instability has made farming financially unviable for many, with 75 percent of smallholder farmers saying they want to quit agriculture altogether. The problem is not just economic. It threatens national food security, as the majority of India’s food is grown on these small farms. If these farmers continue to lose income or exit agriculture, the consequences will ripple across the food system, affecting affordability, availability, and rural stability. Addressing the root causes of smallholder vulnerability is critical for ensuring long-term food security and resilience in India.

Kheyti’s Greenhouse-in-a-Box is a transformative solution for India’s smallholder farmers, who face growing threats from climate change and economic volatility. Tailored for farmers with limited land, it is 90% cheaper than traditional greenhouses and fits into just 1/16th of an acre which makes it affordable, scalable, and impactful. The greenhouse creates a controlled environment using insect netting (which reduces pest attacks by 90%), shading cloth (lowers internal temperature by 9°F), and drip irrigation (saves 90% more water than open-field farming). This design helps farmers achieve up to 7x higher yields, even under extreme weather conditions. But Kheyti goes beyond infrastructure. Farmers receive end-to-end support—installation, training, input linkages, and ongoing agronomy and market advisory—enabling them to confidently adopt the technology and improve their practices. As a result, farmers earn an additional $600 per year on average, doubling their farm incomes sustainably. Kheyti’s solution also promotes environmentally sound farming. It uses just 1/50th the water, and significantly less fertilizer and pesticide than conventional methods. By empowering farmers to grow more with fewer resources, Kheyti strengthens climate resilience and economic stability at the grassroots level. Watch it in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QuCeTLQQp0I

Kheyti’s solution serves smallholder farmers in India, who make up more than 80 percent of the country’s farming population. Most of them own less than five acres of land and earn less than $2 per person per day. Many belong to historically marginalized groups, with 75 percent from lower caste communities and 30 percent from indigenous or tribal backgrounds. Despite their central role in food production, they face unstable incomes, limited access to technology, and rising risks due to climate change. These farmers are often underserved by traditional agricultural support systems, which do not address the increasing unpredictability of weather, pest attacks, and water shortages. As a result, many struggle to make a living from agriculture and are forced to seek alternative livelihoods. Kheyti’s work directly improves their lives by increasing incomes, building resilience to climate shocks, and promoting sustainable farming practices. In 2024, farmers using our solution earned an average of $681 in additional income, representing a 120 percent increase. A third-party study found that 64 percent of farmers were able to recover faster from climate-related disruptions. With more stable harvests and resource-efficient farming, these families gain the confidence and security to invest in their futures.