Eratani Secures US$ 6.2 million Series A, Driving the Future of Indonesia’s Agricultural Revolution

Amid a sharp decline in startup funding across Indonesia, Eratani has successfully raised US$6.2 million in a Series A. The round was led by Clay Capital, with participation from TNB Aura, SBI Ven Capital, AgFunder, Genting Ventures, and IIX.

The raise underscores investor confidence in Eratani’s ability to transform Indonesia’s rice sector while directly supporting the government’s accelerated goal of achieving national rice self-sufficiency by 2027, a key priority for the Prabowo administration.

Delivering Measurable Impact at Scale

Since its founding in 2021, Eratani has demonstrated strong results through its end-to-end platform for smallholder rice farmers:

• Empowered over 34,000 farmers across Java and Sulawesi, many gaining access to formal financing for the first time
• Improved cultivation across 13,000+ hectares of rice farmland
• Increased farmer yields by an average of 29% and incomes by 25% in
• Produced over 112,000 tons of rice and grain, strengthening national food security

“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, creating long-term value for farmers and the agricultural ecosystem while supporting Indonesia’s food security goals.”

Connecting a Fragmented Ecosystem

Eratani’s approach addresses the fundamental challenges facing Indonesia’s rice sector by connecting previously isolated stakeholders and providing comprehensive support throughout the farming cycle. The company’s digital platform enables smallholder farmers to access affordable financing, high-quality inputs, agronomic advisory services, and improved market access.

Bambang Cahyo Susilo, Co-founder and CFO of Eratani, emphasised that digitalisation is a key driver of success. “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 the development of a more resilient farming ecosystem as we expand into critical districts across the country.”

Turning a Staple Crop into a Scalable Impact Opportunity

Rice is a dietary staple for over half the world’s population, providing more than 70% of daily calories in many developing countries. Yet, it is also one of the most environmentally damaging crops. Flooded rice fields contribute approximately 1.5–2% of global greenhouse gas emissions—comparable to the entire aviation sector—and account for nearly half of all emissions from croplands. In addition, rice has an exceptionally high water footprint, requiring 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water per kilogram, two to three times more than other major cereals.

Lead investor Clay Capital highlighted Eratani’s unique positioning in the market: “Eratani is redefining what’s possible for smallholder farmers in Indonesia” said Gerard Chia, Partner at Clay Capital. “As the ‘connective tissue’ in a highly fragmented rice farming ecosystem, their farmer-first, integrated model sets them apart from typical agritech platforms. Beyond improving farmer livelihoods and productivity, Eratani has the potential to drive systemic change by introducing sustainable farming practices and creating future opportunities for farmers as carbon markets continue to evolve.”

With this new capital, Eratani will accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies including precision agriculture tools, on-farm mechanisation, and sustainable cultivation practices. These innovations aim to further boost productivity and profitability, while supporting Indonesia’s broader climate and sustainability goals.