Corel Lifecare’s Bold Revolution: 7 Powerful Ways It’s Transforming India’s Fish Farming Industry

Corel Lifecare empowers India’s vulnerable aquaculture farmers by tackling critical industry gaps through ethical innovation and accessible technology. Founded by Abhijeet Naohate to combat exploitation and misinformation, the startup provides affordable, science-driven bio-formulations like Mintamix for shrimp health and PondTrust for water hygiene. Crucially, Corel integrates AI-powered diagnostics, enabling farmers to detect deadly diseases like EHP instantly via smartphone photos, bypassing costly, unreliable labs.

Their vertically integrated model ensures quality control and fair pricing (Rs 500 – Rs 3,800), while on-ground education builds trust. Engaging 3,000+ farmers monthly across 7 states, Corel achieved remarkable bootstrapped growth (₹26L to ₹2.5Cr in 6 months) and a 78% retention rate by solving real problems—promoting antibiotic-free farming, preventing disease outbreaks, and democratizing advanced tools for sustainable, profitable aquaculture.

Corel Lifecare’s Bold Revolution: 7 Powerful Ways It’s Transforming India’s Fish Farming Industry

India’s vast aquaculture sector, a global powerhouse second only to China, feeds millions and fuels exports. Yet, beneath the surface of this success lies a harsh reality for the farmers at its heart: a persistent vulnerability. With over 250,000 ponds but critically lacking diagnostic infrastructure, fish and shrimp farmers face a constant, high-stakes gamble against disease, misinformation, and exploitation. It was this stark inequity that sparked Abhijeet Naohate to found Corel Lifecare in 2018, not just as a business, but as a mission to empower. 

The Genesis: From Exploitation to Empowerment 

Naohate’s experience in the global aquafeed industry wasn’t just enlightening; it was disillusioning. Witnessing firsthand the exorbitant markups – a Rs 500 product sold for Rs 5,000 – simply because farmers had no alternatives, became an unbearable burden. “I couldn’t be part of a system that exploits those who feed us,” he states, recalling the moment that crystallized his purpose. Corel Lifecare was born from this ethical imperative, built on pillars of affordability, transparency, and uncompromising science. 

Joining forces with manufacturing expert Nikhilesh Hajare as Co-founder and COO in 2023, and industry veteran Rohit Patel as Chief Business Officer, Naohate assembled a dedicated 11-member team committed to transforming this vision into tangible solutions for India’s aquafarmers. 

Science as the Shield: Democratizing Bio-Formulations 

Corel’s approach isn’t about flooding the market with products; it’s about solving specific, critical problems with precision: 

• Mintamix: Combating the scourge of adulterated mineral carriers, this flagship product delivers essential, bioavailable minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) crucial for healthy shrimp molting and growth – a direct investment in yield and quality. 

• PondTrust: A probiotic-enzyme blend tackling the root cause of disease outbreaks: poor pond hygiene. By efficiently breaking down organic waste and reducing toxic ammonia, it creates a healthier environment, reducing losses. 

• Immu-45: Streamlining farmer efforts and costs, this multi-functional immunity booster consolidates five essential supplements into one feed additive, strengthening shrimp against disease. 

• Targeted Solutions: Products like Zeerovib (pathogen control), Bindo Best (feed efficiency), O2Balance (oxygen stability), and Toxxeal PS (toxin neutralization) address the multifaceted challenges of modern aquaculture. 

The core philosophy is clear: “Our goal is not to push a product, but to solve a problem.” Every formulation is developed in-house, rigorously researched, and priced accessibly (Rs 500 – Rs 3,800), ensuring efficacy doesn’t come at the cost of farmer livelihoods. 

Technology as the Torch: AI Illuminates the Depths 

Recognizing that products alone aren’t enough in an infrastructure-starved sector, Corel made a strategic leap into AI-driven precision aquaculture, partnering with Vietnam’s RYNAN Aquaculture: 

• Smartphone Diagnostics: Forget expensive, slow, often unreliable lab tests. Corel’s AI-powered imaging tool allows farmers to simply take a smartphone photo of a shrimp’s hepatopancreas. Computer vision algorithms analyze the colour instantly, detecting deadly diseases like EHP (Enterocytozoon Hepatopenaei) – enabling rapid, on-the-spot intervention. 

• Low-Cost Pathogen Detection: The Tomgoxy mobile app, paired with a simple bacterial culture kit, uses AI-driven colour detection to identify harmful pathogens like Vibrio. Starting at Rs 8,600/year, this subscription service brings lab-grade diagnostics directly to the pond side, a revolutionary shift for small and medium farmers. 

• Future-Proofing Farms: Corel is integrating IoT sensors for real-time water quality monitoring, automated feeding systems responsive to environmental changes, and predictive analytics to forecast disease outbreaks. This ecosystem moves Indian aquaculture from reactive guesswork to proactive, data-driven management. 

The Human Impact: Trust, Education, and Growth 

Corel’s vertically integrated model – controlling R&D, manufacturing (Mumbai), and distribution – ensures quality and keeps prices fair. But their true differentiator is on-ground engagement: 

• Education as Distribution: “We realised early that education would be our most effective distribution channel,” notes Naohate. Field officers conduct workshops and demonstrations, empowering farmers with the knowledge to use products effectively and adopt best practices. 

• Building Trust: Overcoming initial skepticism towards a new brand competing with giants like Cargill and BASF required consistent proof of concept. Corel’s focus on solving real problems with tailored aquaculture solutions (not repurposed poultry/dairy products) and demonstrable results has built strong loyalty. 

• Scaling Impact: Engaging over 3,000 farmers monthly across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, and four other states via 120 channel partners, Corel is rapidly expanding. Their bootstrapped journey saw revenue soar from Rs 26 lakh to over Rs 2.5 crore in under six months, targeting Rs 12 crore for FY 2024-25. A remarkable 78% customer retention rate speaks volumes about farmer trust and product efficacy. 

The Ripple Effect: A Sustainable Future for Indian Aquaculture 

Corel Lifecare’s significance extends beyond impressive numbers. They are tackling systemic challenges: 

• Promoting Antibiotic-Free Farming: Effective probiotics and targeted health solutions reduce reliance on harmful antibiotics, crucial for consumer safety and export market access. 

• Combating Pollution & Disease: Products like PondTrust and diagnostics directly address water pollution and disease – the twin banes of aquaculture profitability. 

• Empowering the Smallholder: By making advanced science and diagnostics affordable and accessible, Corel levels the playing field for smaller farmers often marginalized by high-cost inputs and lack of support. 

Looking Ahead: Deeper Waters 

With the Indian aqua inputs market projected to reach nearly Rs 10,000 crore by 2033, Corel’s ambitions are surging. Plans include expanding into livestock nutrition, crop care, and companion animal health, leveraging their bio-science core. Partnerships, like potential exclusivity with a US agri-tech firm, are on the horizon. To fuel this growth, external funding is being sought, targeting Rs 25 crore revenue in 2-3 years and an eventual Rs 1,000 crore market cap. 

Yet, the North Star remains unchanged. “Our mission is to improve the lives of over 1 lakh farmers annually, using science and integrity,” affirms Naohate. Corel Lifecare is proving that ethical business and cutting-edge technology aren’t just compatible; they are the most powerful tools for building a more resilient, profitable, and sustainable future for the people who cultivate India’s waters. They are not just selling products; they are empowering a vital sector, one farmer and one pond at a time.