Southeast Asia's $90B AgriTech Growth Story Led by India

Southeast Asia’s agri-tech sector could unlock more than $90 billion in annual GDP gains by 2033, positioning the region as one of the world’s largest untapped agricultural technology opportunities, according to a joint report by Omnivore, Beanstalk AgTech, and Briter.

The report highlights how India’s venture capital evolution and governance frameworks offer a proven roadmap for scaling innovation in the region.

Agriculture currently contributes nearly 15 percent to Southeast Asia’s GDP and employs up to 40 percent of its workforce, making it central to economic transformation. Titled “The Opportunity for AgriTech Investment in Southeast Asia,” the report identifies digitalization and agri-tech adoption as key drivers of productivity gains. It outlines four high-growth verticals — digital value chains, inclusive agri-fintech, agrifood life sciences, and sustainable consumer brands — that are attracting investor interest.

Key Highlights:

• Southeast Asia agri-tech could unlock $90B annual GDP by 2033

• Funding dropped nearly 70 percent after peaking at $750M in 2022

• Over 60 percent of startup failures are linked to premature expansion

“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.”

Also Read: Mapping the Growth Trajectory of the Indian Agriculture Sector

“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.

Investment trends, however, signal caution. Agri-tech funding in the region peaked at over $750 million in 2022 before declining nearly 70 percent by 2025, reflecting investor reassessment of fragmented markets and scaling challenges. The report states that over 60 percent of venture failures between 2022 and 2025 were linked to premature regional expansion, while nearly two-thirds of cross border scaling attempts failed.

On exits, corporate acquisitions accounted for around 75 percent of liquidity events since 2020, with limited IPO activity. The report also underscores the role of blended capital, as development finance institutions and impact investors commit $650 million, signaling that future growth will depend on a mix of equity, credit, and concessional funding.