In a rare bright spot for Indonesia’s startup scene, agritech platform Eratani has raised US$6.2 million in Series A funding, defying a broader slowdown in venture capital across the country.

The funding round, led by Clay Capital with support from TNB Aura, SBI Ven Capital, AgFunder, Genting Ventures and IIX, underscores investor confidence in Eratani’s mission to modernise Indonesia’s rice farming ecosystem and bolster national food security.

Founded in 2021, Eratani operates a full-stack digital platform designed to support smallholder rice farmers—from financing to crop cultivation and market access. The startup has already empowered over 34,000 farmers across Java and Sulawesi, and improved productivity on more than 13,000 hectares of farmland.

According to the company, these efforts translated to a 29 per cent increase in yields and a 25 per cent rise in incomes for farmers in 2024. In total, Eratani-supported farms produced more than 112,000 tonnes of rice and grain, contributing directly to Indonesia’s goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2027—a top priority under the Prabowo administration.

“At Eratani, we’re proving that economic and social impact can go hand-in-hand with environmental sustainability,” said Andrew Soeherman, Co-founder and CEO. “Our focus isn’t on rapid expansion but on building a robust foundation that allows us to scale strategically.”

Digitally Stitching a Fragmented Farming Sector

Indonesia’s rice industry remains highly fragmented, with smallholder farmers often cut off from financing, agronomic support and fair market access. Eratani’s solution has been to act as a connective tissue—integrating these disparate elements through a centralised, tech-driven platform.

Co-founder and CFO Bambang Cahyo Susilo pointed to digitalisation as a key differentiator: “By utilising data-driven insights, we’re able to manage risk more effectively and support smarter decisions on the ground. This not only improves operational efficiency but also fosters a more resilient farming ecosystem.”

A Climate-Focused Path Forward

Rice may be a global staple, but it is also among the most environmentally taxing crops—accounting for nearly half of all cropland emissions and demanding thousands of litres of water per kilogram. Eratani aims to address these challenges through precision agriculture, mechanisation, and sustainable cultivation practices.

Gerard Chia, Partner at Clay Capital, said the firm was drawn to Eratani’s potential to create system-wide change. “As the ‘connective tissue’ in a highly fragmented rice farming ecosystem, their farmer-first, integrated model sets them apart. Beyond improving livelihoods and productivity, Eratani can pave the way for sustainable farming practices and carbon market integration.”

With fresh capital in hand, Eratani will expand its presence across critical rice-growing districts and invest in technologies that enhance farm-level efficiency while supporting Indonesia’s climate targets.