How 100% Baseline and Tech Are Transforming Improved Cookstove Projects in India

Improved Cookstoves (ICS) have been introduced in many parts of India to reduce indoor pollution, save fuel, and improve lives- especially in rural households where traditional three stone chulhas are still common. But even after years of efforts and multiple carbon projects, the real on-ground impact of these cookstove projects remains limited.

At Anaxee, we believe it’s not because people don’t need ICS, but because the way these projects are being implemented needs to improve. And we are fixing that with the help of 100% baseline surveys and technology-driven distribution.

What’s Going Wrong in Many ICS Projects?
Most Improved Cookstove projects in India follow the same old method. A sample survey is done in the beginning to prepare a baseline, and then the stoves are distributed during the project rollout. But by the time the actual users are identified, it’s often too late.

Here’s what usually happens:

✅ The cookstoves are given to people who don’t need it, or worse, don’t use it properly.

✅ The ICS ends up sitting unused in a corner.

✅ As a result, fuel savings are low, and carbon credits are weak.

✅ The community doesn’t really benefit, and the project fails to create real, measurable impact.

 

What Makes Anaxee’s Model Different?
We do things the opposite way. Before distribution, we do a 100% baseline survey– not just a sample. That means every single beneficiary is verified, profiled and mapped.

Why is this better?

✅ Real data in your hands before starting the distribution

✅ Only the right families are selected- those who cook regularly on traditional stoves

✅ Better adoption rate, because the stove actually solves a problem

✅ Improved monitoring, since data is already organized

✅ Stronger carbon outcomes, which means better return for project developers

 

But How Do We Do 100% Baseline?
Doing surveys at such a large scale across rural areas sounds impossible. And yes- it would be, if you try to do it manually.
But at Anaxee, we use tech and mobile-based apps to collect structured data from remote locations across India. Our Digital Runners, a trained network of field agents, help us reach last-mile villages quickly and cost-effectively.

This means:

✅ Surveys happen fast

✅ Data is collected digitally (no paper work)

✅ Reports can be viewed in real-time

✅ Distribution is tracked and managed through our system

Why This Matters for Carbon Projects
Carbon credit calculations depend heavily on actual usage and impact. If stoves are not used correctly or regularly, your entire carbon revenue is at risk. By choosing the right households upfront and tracking usage over time, your carbon project becomes stronger, cleaner and more reliable.
Also, when you include technology from the start, your project can scale to 100,000+ households without losing quality or accuracy.

If you’re planning or running an Improved Cookstove project in India, and want to improve your baseline, adoption and monitoring process, talk to us.
At Anaxee, we’re already helping carbon project developers improve their project design and implementation across India.

 

Biochar in India: Decentralized or Centralized Model- Which One Works Best?

Biochar is becoming a powerful climate solution in India and around the world. It not only helps to store carbon in the soil but also improves soil health, boosts crop yields and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. This makes it a win-win for farmers and the environment.
India, with its vast agricultural lands, is emerging as a global leader in biochar-based carbon sequestration. Expanding biochar projects can help farmers grow more food, improve the quality of their soil and reduce their dependence on chemical inputs- all while fighting climate change.
Even big companies recognize the potential. For example, Google recently pledged to buy 100,000 tons of carbon removal credits through biochar projects in India. This shows how biochar is gaining importance as part of the global strategy to tackle climate change.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a special kind of charcoal made by heating crop waste in a low-oxygen environment. This process is called pyrolysis. Instead of the waste burning and turning into smoke, its carbon is locked inside the biochar, which stays in the soil for hundreds of years. This not only improves soil fertility but also helps the soil hold more water, making plants healthier and stronger.

Two Ways to Make Biochar: Decentralized vs. Centralized Models
When it comes to making and using biochar, there are two main approaches- the decentralized model and the centralized model.

● Decentralized Model:
In this approach, farmers make biochar themselves on their own farms using small, low-cost kilns. This method is simple, affordable and helps farmers turn their crop waste into a valuable soil amendment. It also reduces air pollution from burning crop residues openly. This model is very scalable and benefits farmers directly. However, it can face challenges like inconsistent biochar quality, lack of technical training and difficulty in verifying carbon credits for climate projects.

● Centralized Model:
Here, an organization like Anaxee collects crop waste from many farms and processes it in large, high-quality biochar kilns. This ensures consistent and verified biochar production that meets carbon credit standards. It also takes the burden off farmers, who don’t have to manage production themselves. But this model needs more investment in infrastructure, transport and logistics to operate efficiently on a large scale.

Looking to scale your biochar climate projects in India?
Get in touch with the Best Climate Project Implementation Partner in India. Connect with us at sales@anaxee-wp-aug25-wordpress.dock.anaxee.com 

Reaching More Retailers in India- Best GTM Strategy for Non-FMCG Brands

India’s retail market is huge, but it’s also very complex. For non-FMCG brands, the challenge is even bigger. Unlike daily use items where retailers ask for products themselves, categories like kitchen appliances, utensils, lubricants, batteries, tyres, and electronics don’t work the same way. These durable goods depend a lot on distributor and dealer networks to reach local retail stores.
Many brands believe that once they set up a distribution strategy in India, their retail coverage is done. But that’s not true. Often, they miss a big part of the market, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The reality is, distributors have limited reach– based on personal contacts, location choices, and credit rules. Because of this, rural retail markets and semi-urban towns stay untapped, even though they hold huge potential.

Some key data to consider:
● 88% of India’s population lives outside metros

● 70% of household consumption happens in these areas

● 85% of non-FMCG commerce is still offline
(Source: Internet)

We at Anaxee recently did a small study in 5 districts of Uttar Pradesh. In just the kitchen appliance and utensil category, we found 3,026 potential retail outlets that many brands are not reaching. This shows the gap between assumed coverage and real market presence.

So, the idea is not to replace distributors- but to support and strengthen the dealer network. Distributors do their best with the information they have, but there’s always more to explore. Some retail outlets remain unknown, smaller towns don’t get regular supply, and competition in distribution channels can block your product from reaching new shops.
What’s needed is a data-driven retail strategy- one that combines field insights, technology, and mapping tools. At Anaxee, our Digital Runners collect real-time data from on-ground retailers across India. With this, we help brands do retail outlet mapping, find missed retail opportunities, and optimize distribution.
From our experience, if the right approach is taken, brands can reach up to 90–95% of the relevant retailers, even in remote areas. It’s just about going a little beyond the traditional ways.

If you’re a CMO or marketing leader looking to expand your retail presence in small and semi urban towns and improve your channel performance, Let Connect on sales@anaxee-wp-aug25-wordpress.dock.anaxee.com

How Anaxee Uses Technology to Bring Transparency in Agroforestry Projects in India

Agroforestry is not just about planting trees. It’s about making sure they survive, grow and bring real change- for people, for climate and for the planet.
But how can anyone be sure that trees were really planted? That the trees are alive after a year? Or that the money spent on climate projects is actually creating impact?
This is where Anaxee’s tech-driven approach makes a big difference.
We use technology to bring transparency, traceability and accountability into every agroforestry project.

Ground Truth with Polygon Mapping, Geo-Tagging & Photos:

Many agroforestry projects struggle with proof. Anyone can claim trees were planted, but can they show it?
At Anaxee, every single tree is:
– Geo-tagged- We record the exact GPS location of the plantation using our app.

–  Polygon Mapped- We use satellite images to draw boundaries (polygon mapping) of the land where trees are planted. This shows the area and land type.

–  Photo Logged- Our Digital Runners (Field workers) click photos during and after plantation. These are time-stamped and location-tagged.

This way, each tree is not just planted, but also digitally recorded, tracked and verified.


Real-Time Dashboards for Clients & Funders:

In most agroforestry programs, stakeholders are often left wondering: What’s really happening on the ground?
Anaxee solves that problem with interactive dashboards that offer visibility across the project lifecycle.

We provide partners with custom dashboards that show:
– Number of trees planted, per location

– Land mapped, categorized and covered

– Tree species diversity

– Growth & survival rates

– Farmer participation data

– Timeline views & field activity logs

This means ESG teams, climate finance stakeholders and carbon credit buyers don’t have to rely on reports- they can also track results with these dashboards.

If you are a climate investor, an ESG leader or an organization looking to fund trackable agroforestry projects in India- Anaxee offers you the best agroforestry implementation in India.

Why Agroforestry is India’s Best Bet Against Climate Change

Climate change is a global problem. From melting glaciers to rising sea levels, no country is untouched. One of the most promising tools in the climate action toolkit is Agroforestry- especially in India, where agriculture, environment and livelihoods are closely linked.

Let’s understand why Agroforestry in India can be the best answer to this climate crisis and how the Anaxee Agroforestry model is already making a difference on the ground.

India’s Forest Cover Challenge
India has committed to increasing its forest and tree cover to 33% of the total geographical area. As per the Forest Survey of India, the actual number stands at around 24%. That’s a big gap.
Afforestation projects often face issues like land conflicts, poor maintenance, and slow results. On the other hand, community lands, farm boundaries, and degraded areas remain underutilized.
So how do we bridge this gap? This is where agroforestry steps in.

Agroforestry as a Solution
Agroforestry is the practice of growing trees along with crops or livestock. It is not a new idea — Indian farmers have done it for generations. But now, it is getting attention as a powerful climate solution.
Why is it so effective?
– Trees capture carbon from the air and help reduce global warming.

– They protect soil from erosion and help it retain water.

– They create shade for crops and animals.

– And they give extra income from timber, fruits, leaves, or medicinal plants.

This means one piece of land can give more value- to the farmer and to the planet.

Benefits for Climate, Soil and Livelihoods
Let’s break it down:
– Climate: Agroforestry helps absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. Trees also cool down the surrounding area, reducing the “heat island” effect.

– Soil: Tree roots hold the soil together and improve its health over time. Fallen leaves become natural compost.

– Water: With better soil and shade, land retains more moisture. This reduces the need for irrigation.

– Livelihood: Farmers don’t have to depend only on crops. Trees give extra products to sell- from fruit to firewood.
This is how agroforestry becomes a win-win for nature and for farmers.

Why Anaxee’s Model is Different
At Anaxee, we’re not just talking about planting trees. We’re building a community-driven, data-backed agroforestry model.
– Community-First Approach
We work directly with farmers, using our 40,000+ Digital Runners to onboard communities, conduct baseline surveys and provide continuous support.

– Technology for Transparency
Every plantation is geo-tagged and monitored digitally. We use mobile apps, satellite imagery, and polygon mapping to capture exact land boundaries, track survival rates, and maintain accurate plantation data.

– Carbon Credit-Ready by Design
Our model is built for MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) from day one- ensuring that plantations are not just planted, but also properly maintained and eligible for carbon credits.

– Scalable, Auditable & Trustworthy
Whether it’s 10 villages or 10,000 acres, our data-backed system ensures every stakeholder- funders, partners or communities- can track impact and trust the results.

We don’t just plant and forget. We monitor, support and improve the plantations over time.

Agroforestry is more than just planting trees. It’s about changing the way we use land in a way that helps both people and the planet. India needs fast, scalable solutions to fight climate change. Agroforestry, especially when done right, could be the answer.
At Anaxee, we believe in mixing tradition with technology. With the power of community, tech and data, we are helping make agroforestry work.

Anaxee Electric Vehicle Survey in Rajasthan and Delhi for estimating carbon credits.

Anaxee recently conducted a comprehensive survey on electric vehicles (EVs) in Rajasthan and Delhi. This survey focused on understanding the usage patterns and electricity consumption of EV owners who received their vehicles in subsidies. The primary aim was to gather data to help claim carbon credits, promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Anaxee received a list of EV owners from the client, focusing on those who had received/purchased EVs with a subsidy. Anaxee’s backend team contacted these EV owners to know their interest and availability for the survey.

Digital Runners, local to the EV owners’ areas, were assigned the task of visiting their homes. During the visit, Digital Runners explained the survey process to them and provided an adaptor for EV charging. This adaptor was essential for collecting data on electricity consumption.

Over the next few days, Digital Runners used Anaxee’s application to monitor and record data on the EVs’ electricity consumption. The application facilitated the capture of photographs of the adaptor, meter readings, the EVs, and their owners to ensure data accuracy and authenticity.

This unique data collection technology enabled seamless daily monitoring and data recording. The application was crucial for capturing comprehensive data points, including:

  – Electricity consumption readings.

  – Distance traveled by the EVs.

  – Visual confirmation through pictures.

 

The collected data provided valuable insights into the electricity consumption of EVs, which is helpful for the client to claim carbon credits.

By supporting the use of electric vehicles, the survey promotes a reduction in carbon footprint, cleaner air, and sustainable transportation solutions.

Anaxee’s survey in Rajasthan and Delhi showcases the effective use of technology and fieldwork to gather essential data on electric vehicle usage. This initiative not only supports environmental sustainability but also aids in the efficient claiming of carbon credits, driving further adoption of electric vehicles.

Anaxee Digital Runners Featured in The Financial Express!

Anaxee was recently featured in The Financial Express, a leading Indian business publication. 

 

This Article highlights our ambitious goal of becoming India’s largest last-mile outreach and data collection network with a network of 100,000 digital runners by 2025.

 

While talking to Financial Express, Our COO, Arti Agrawal, sheds light on Anaxee’s unique approach to business, and the exciting plans we have for the future.

 

This Article talks about: 

Anaxee’s Diverse Service Offerings: How we empower brands & businesses with market mapping, data collection, order taking, surveys, and more.

 

The Power of Digital Runners: How our tech-enabled Digital Runners support businesses in reaching new customers.

 

Bridging the Geographical Gap: Anaxee utilizes local people to overcome geographical barriers and facilitate direct customer engagement.

 

Strategic Partnerships: How Anaxee has collaborated with leading e-commerce companies to expand their reach.

 

And What’s Next For Anaxee: A glimpse into our vision of removing geographical barriers and enabling data-driven growth for businesses across India.

 

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Anaxee Digital Runners. 

Meanwhile, check out the full article here!

 

Link: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-anaxee-aims-to-be-largest-last-mile-data-collection-network-with-100000-digital-runners-2652225/ 

Clean cooking solutions in rural communities

Anaxee has implemented several CSR projects to make a positive impact, as well as carbon projects aimed at maximizing carbon credits for its customers. Similarly, Anaxee has implemented improved cookstove-related carbon and CSR projects, addressing the significant challenges faced in achieving clean cooking solutions in rural communities.

In the heart of rural India, where two-thirds of our population resides, lies a challenge that often goes unnoticed – the traditional three-stone stove. Despite government initiatives promoting clean fuel schemes, many families still rely on these raw stoves to prepare their daily meals.

These Traditional Stoves pose health and environmental risks. They require excessive amounts of wood, emit harmful smoke, and contribute to deforestation. Moreover, women often bear the burden of collecting wood from forests, facing challenges, especially during the rainy season.

At Anaxee Digital Runners Pvt. Ltd. we embarked on a mission to introduce advanced cookstoves to rural communities. These modern- Improved Cookstoves, designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind, offer a viable alternative to traditional cooking methods.

The Improved cookstoves, equipped with innovative designs, require less wood and produce minimal smoke. With a focus on maximizing energy efficiency, these stoves ensure that cooking is faster and more environmentally friendly. Importantly, they also reduce the health risks associated with indoor air pollution, benefiting the entire family.

Recognizing the financial constraints faced by many rural households, we have made these Improved cookstoves accessible through carbon projects. By carbon financing, we are able to provide these stoves at nominal fees to those in need.

Anaxee Digital Runners has been implementing improved cookstove projects across India with transparency and integrity. Through data-driven approaches, we ensure that these stoves reach the right beneficiaries and are utilized effectively. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond distribution – we also provide ongoing support to ensure the proper usage and maintenance of these cookstoves.

To date, we have successfully delivered more than 1.25 lakh advanced cookstoves to rural communities, with our efforts continuing to expand. Each stove represents not only a cleaner cooking solution but also a step towards empowering rural households and protecting our environment.

Exciting Day at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

Mumbai | September 2023

A few days back, I had the privilege to be a part of the ‘IGNITING FUTURE – Decade of Incubation@TISS‘ event at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. It was a remarkable gathering of brilliant minds, innovators, and change-makers.

I also had the privilege to share my insights on Tech for Social and Tech for Climate. The energy in the room was electric, and the discussions were thought-provoking.

One of the highlights of my visit was extending a warm invitation to talented students for internships and job opportunities at Anaxee Digital Runners Pvt. Ltd.

I’m excited to connect with the brilliant minds I met at TISS and explore how we can collaborate to create a better future together.

Thank you, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai, for hosting such an engaging event. The future is filled with possibilities, and together, we’ll ignite change!

Govind Agrawal, CEO, Anaxee Digital Runners Pvt. Ltd.

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