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E-commerce, R&D, Warehousing

It will provide real-time technologies for managing the agri space, in line with its multiple award-winning Agri Reach technology.

Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM), India’s leading agri services solutions provider with operations across India and Myanmar, has digitally transformed the 24X7 call centre dedicated to its agri-warehousing operations in India and Myanmar into a paperless entity integrating artificial intelligence (AI), to make it more efficient and seamless. 

The call centre, which was established in 2010, is a part of SLCM’s endeavour to provide real-time technologies for managing the agri space, in line with its multiple award-winning Agri Reach technology. It will have a dedicated team of customer support executives who will provide support to the field staff.

The system uses real-time data integrating it with artificial intelligence to provide seamless experience to the field staff, thus adding a much-needed human yet smart element to the technology-enabled platform Agri Reach, an algorithm which combines series of processes, audits and real-time tracking of the facilities to give error-free results and deplete the risk of crop damage.

SLCM is the only company in this domain which has a centralised real-time process management system, and the patent for Agri Reach is pending. It uses techniques like geo-fencing to real-time tracking, bar-coded storage receipts to avoid thefts/pilferage and internal audits, along with a maker and checker policy at each level.

 

In an archaic industry like agriculture, SLCM has once again showcased its ability for innovation. Through this call centre, it strives to enhance service standards and constantly raise the bar on scientific storage by eliminating paperwork and providing the evidence of the calling details. It will also help in reducing the timelines, which will lead to an overall improvement in the efficiency of the system.

Talking about the initiative, Sandeep Sabharwal, group chief executive officer, SLCM, said, “In a marketplace model, intelligent call centres have an extremely important role to play, as they create a physical touchpoint. The idea behind augmenting this dedicated 24×7 call centre is to create an interface that warehouse managers may be more comfortable using.”

 

“It builds upon our centralised real-time process management system Agri Reach, and integrates it with artificial intelligence for real-time monitoring, thus enhancing the level of service,” he added.

 

“So far, the interactions with these warehouse managers have been through online portal and e-mails. Now, through this call centre, they will have a dedicated customer care person to talk to, to discuss issues related to inventory, and other logistical issues,” Sabharwal stated.

 

“As all of our warehouses are now online, we wanted to setup a virtual customer service network which complements our digitisation efforts. This call centre is a step in that direction,” he added.

The call centre will be equipped to provide the evidence of the calling details and will have technical features like MySQL Version: 5.1.73 – Backend Database Interface Coded in PHP 5.3.3, perl v5.10.1 used for automation process, Asterisk 1.4.32 – Dialer HTML5 – Graphic User Interface.

 

Additionally, it will have all warehouse contact details predefined for auto dialling, besides all incoming or outgoing call divided into three types – morning, afternoon and evening. All the calls will also get automatically recorded across the platform. These calls will later be verified for quality and training needs of the back office and field staff.

 

To make things convenient for the call centre representative, the call centre will come with a landing page, for incoming and outgoing call, which will be prefilled with balance stock and basic details. For unhindered service, it will have manual entry option in case phone lines are not working.

It will provide real-time technologies for

E-commerce, Start ups, Trade

The company has set for itself a turnover target of ₹12 crore from Maharashtra region alone in the first year and an overall target of ₹50 crore in FY 20-21.

 Singapore-headquartered start-up Samudra has forayed into the Indian agricultural and domestic pumps space with the launch of open-well and bore well submersibles, slow speed self-priming mini monoblocs and control panels.

Samudra headquartered in Singapore with manufacturing capabilities in the city, has set a conservative target of Rs.12 Cr in the Maharashtra region alone in the first year of its launch, which was held at Pune in that State.

The state-of-the-art pumps will be manufactured at 18.000 sq. ft highly specialised manufacturing and R & D facility here and the products will be distributed through its dealer and sales network in all the states.

With another additional 35,000 Sq. ft production facility to be operational by April, Samudra  plans to enter six states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan and Punjab in another 18 months and aims to establish strong pan India presence by 2022 and targets Rs. 50 Crore turnover in 2020-21.

Samudra aims to be a leading player in the hydraulics segment by offering top quality pumps and motors catered to varied needs. Its Founder and CEO, Shivan Ramachandran said in a release.

Shivan Ramachandran, founder, Samudra said, “We will look to expand into other States in a phased manner, and hopefully establish a pan India presence by 2022.” To keep pace with expansion plans, Ramachandran is planning to invest ₹25-₹30 crore by April 2021.

Though based out of Singapore, the company has a 14,000 sq ft unit at Athipalayam near Ganapathy in Coimbatore, a 4,000-sq ft R&D centre and testing unit at Varadharajapuram and an upcoming facility spread over 33,000-sq ft in Peelamedu.

“We would have established 50,000 sq ft of manufacturing space in the next two months with daily production capacity of 300 plus products. We intend to expand this further by adding another 30,000 sq ft to support component manufacturing and product assembly,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

The company has set for itself a

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, E-commerce, Trade

Company’s sales volume has grown by 44 percent on the Year-On-Year basis to 0.7 million tonnes in the quarter ended December 2019, as compared to 23 percent of the industry.

One of India’s largest phosphate fertilizer companies, Coromandel International has received an increase of 20 percent, thanks to the company’s focus on bringing unique grade products and rising backward integration.

These grade products, which usually fetched higher margins, have contributed to the 38 percent to the total revenue in the financial year 2019. The company is also planning to raise it to half its output in the next few years.

As per recent data, the company’s sales volume has grown by 44 percent on the Year-On-Year basis to 0.7 million tonnes in the quarter ended December 2019, as compared to 23 percent of the industry.

Coromandel International Limited produces a broad range of fertilizers and specialty nutrients. It also deals in the business segments of crop protection and retail. The company is a part of the Murugappa Group, which is worth Rs 36,893 crore.

The company is working aggressively towards its growth. Their major focus is on creating products with a new and unique chemistry. Recently, the company came up with a revolutionary insecticide called ’Astra’ and a product named ’Prospell’ in fungicides.

Satish Tiwari, who earlier used to be Coromandel’s Senior General Manager – Crop Protection, has recently been promoted as National Head – Marketing. As a new marketing head, he envisions to work towards renovating their services and products that can please the farmer community. The core markets of Coromandel International are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat.

 

Company’s sales volume has grown by 44

E-commerce, R&D, Trade

This acquisition is one step in simplifying technology for the grower while also bringing them new capabilities.

Ten years after its founding, CropMetrics has been acquired by CropX.  Both companies have been building their businesses on remote sensing capabilities to enable agronomic decisions.

The acquisition will deepen CropX’s product offering says President John Vikupitz.  “We are the only company in the world today that has a software team, hardware team, and agronomy team all under one roof to provide the whole package to farmers,” he says. “Growers are dealing so many companies with very little coordination between the companies. The industry is going through a phase where we should expect to see some consolidations.”

He also added, this acquisition is one step in simplifying technology for the grower while also bringing them new capabilities.

“Look at the industry of data-driven agronomy, and you’ll see it needs to evolve so growers can find platforms that are friendlier when it comes to making decisions in the field,” he says. “A lot of companies provide a lot of data, but it’s too confusing and overwhelming. In the soil sensing arena, we are committed to provide highly accurate data that can automate decisions.”

He says CropX saw a lot of “nice synergies” in CropMetrics and they also appreciated the existing sales footprint in the Corn Belt. CropX was founded in 2015 and has its headquarters in Israel.

“We like that CropMetrics positions the trusted advisor close to the farmer to help them adopt new technologies and optimize how it can improve their farm,” Vikupitz says.

Of note, the company is already working to integrate CropMetrics’ variable-rate irrigation and soil moisture product into their hardware. “We will continue to provide user friendly and data rich products,” he said. CropMetrics was founded in 2009 by Nebraska farmer Nick Emmanuel.

 

This acquisition is one step in

E-commerce, R&D, Trade

Ownership of West Central positions CHS as a leading supply partner to cooperatives and retailers serving growers through out US

CHS Inc., recently announced that it has completed the acquisition of West Central Distribution, LLC, and a full-service wholesale distributor of agronomy products headquartered in Willmar, Minnesota.

“Completing the acquisition of West Central demonstrates our commitment to provide more of the products, services and technologies cooperatives, retailers and our farmer-owners need to compete,” said Gary Halvorson, senior vice president, CHS Agronomy. “Ownership of West Central expands our agronomy platform, positions CHS as a leading supply partner to cooperatives and retailers serving growers throughout the United States and adds value for CHS owners.”

 

About west Central Distribution

West Central offers crop protection, nutrients and other specialized agronomy products to cooperatives and independent retailers. With 30 locations, West Central expands the distribution assets, capabilities, and expertise of CHS Agronomy, which currently offers a globally-integrated wholesale crop nutrient supply chain and an array of retail seed, crop protection, fertilizer and agronomic technologies and services.

“Joining CHS builds on our shared values and history of collaboration,” said Mike Fiebelkorn, West Central president. “With the combined strengths of both organizations, we can better meet the needs of CHS and West Central customers.”

CHS has owned 25 percent of West Central since January 2015. With the completion of the transaction, West Central’s more than 200 employees become CHS employees.

 

 

Ownership of West Central positions CHS as

Agro Universities

This will enable APEDA to continuously expand its recognition network of laboratories across the country

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has added 135 laboratories to existing 51 recognized laboratories. 

With this initiative APEDA recognition of laboratories has reached 186 laboratories across the country. The number of laboratories have increased in states with exporting potential like Maharashtra (35), Gujarat (23), Andhra Pradesh & Telangana (10), Tamil Nadu (23) and Karnataka (17). Laboratory testing requirements are crucial in agri export supply chain.

For increasing the laboratory network further, APEDA has taken a policy decision for simplification of APEDA recognition of laboratories.  It has been decided that the laboratories which are NABL accredited will be recognized by APEDA and same will be added in the network of APEDA recognition laboratories. 

This will enable APEDA to continuously expand its recognition network of laboratories across the country and will enable the exporters to have an easy access to the laboratories for testing of APEDA scheduled products for exports.

This will enable APEDA to continuously expand

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, R&D

The symposium emphasized on the importance of the researches in the frontier areas like genomics, robotics and bioinformatics for meeting the national food security.

The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar in association with the Association of Aquaculturists’ organized the “3rd International Symposium on Genomics in Aquaculture” at its Kausalyaganga Campus from 21st to 23rd January, 2020.

The Chief Guest, Prof. Dr Soumendra Mohan Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar emphasized on the importance of the researches in the frontier areas like genomics, robotics and bioinformatics for meeting the national food security. He urged for more collaborative works among the researchers for producing the useful products / technologies for the benefit of the stakeholders in aquaculture.

The Guest of Honor, Dr Victor Martinez, Director, FAVET-INBIOGEN, Chile stated that the research in genomic science requires huge investment, however, it pays. He said that we are already reaping its advantages in agriculture and animal husbandry.

 

Dr. B.R. Pillai, Director, ICAR-CIFA outlined about the genetics research being done in the Institute for the better growth and aquaculture production enhancement. She also highlighted about the collaborative research works being carried by the Institute with the other ICAR Institutes, DBT, DST and other national and international Institutions.

 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr K.D. Mohapatra, Organizing Secretary of the Symposium briefed about the symposium’s genesis and thematic areas. Over 200 researchers from the various parts of the country and abroad participated in the symposium.

The symposium emphasized on the importance

Acquaculture, R&D

The MoU aims to initiate the knowledge partnership for the production of indigenous Penaeid shrimps (viz. Indian white shrimp, Kuruma shrimp) seed production.

 

ICAR-CIBA inks MoU with Private Shrimp Hatchery for Knowledge Partnership and Production of Indigenous Shrimp Seeds. The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the A.R. Shrimp Hatchery Pvt. Ltd., Tamil Nadu recently.

Dr K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA emphasized that the partnership program would trigger the framing of indigenous shrimps, a step forward in the sustainable shrimp farming in the country. He highlighted about the usefulness of the model in leveraging the diverse expertise between the Government Research Institute and Industry for addressing the current issues in the Brackishwater Shrimp Aquaculture.

 

Suresh Naik, A.R. Shrimp Hatchery expressed his confidence in bringing the positives through the MoU that would benefit the shrimp farming sector.

 

Dr. C.P. Balasubramanian, Scientist In-Charge, CCD briefed about the ICAR-CIBA’s initiatives in the shrimp farming sector. He also highlighted about the goals of the programme that facilitate the future domestication and genetic improvement programmes in the native shrimps.

 

The MoU aims to initiate the knowledge

Agro chems – Chemicals, E-commerce, Trade

It is a single-window agricultural solution provider, and partners with Indian farmers for progress and prosperity.

Leading fertiliser firm Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd on Thursday said its NPK plant has been shut on account of non-availability of raw material. “NPK – a plant of the company has been shut down due to non-availability of raw material.

“We will inform you once the plant operations resume,” the company said in a BSE filing. The shares of the company were trading at Rs 104.70 apiece on the BSE, up 0.62 percent from the previous close.

Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd was founded in 1967. The products of Zuari are being sold by the brand- Jai Kisaan. It is a single-window agricultural solution provider, and partners with Indian farmers for progress and prosperity. It provides fertilisers that are both affordable and effective.

 

 

It is a single-window agricultural solution provider,

E-commerce, R&D

The App will minimize risk factors with real-time weather forecast and relevant advisory to growers.

 Tea Board has released a mobile app called ‘Chai Sahyog’ to integrate small growers and trace green leaf movement, besides circulating advisory on agricultural practices and weather forecast.

 The Board has already issued identity cards with memory chips to small growers. Tea Board Executive Director M Balaji said the process would be completed by January 31. Led by him, senior officers of the Board’s Zonal Office in Coonoor – Deputy Director CS Hariprakash and Assistant Director B Pagalavan – organised a special training programme in Coonoor to familiarise the stakeholders with the features of the app.

The stakeholders were oriented to trace the supply chain from green leaf to made tea and also interact with the technical staff of the Board. They were also familiarised with the process for uploading the quantity and price details of their teas, including minimum benchmark price every month.

Balaji assured them that the new app will ensure traceability of the green leaf and lay the foundation for achieving the required quality and MRL (maximum residue level). It will also facilitate digital payment and information sharing.

Given the fact that weather is the most unpredictable external factor that affects small growers, the App will minimise risk factors with real-time weather forecast and relevant advisory to growers.

The App will minimize risk factors with

E-commerce, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D

T6 Methane Power tractor was capable of the same performance as diesel models at up to 30pc lower running costs.

New Holland Agriculture have launched the first commercial T6 Methane Power tractor, boasting the same performance as a diesel equivalent with up to 30 per cent lower running costs.

The CNH Industrial brand launched the tractor in November at Germany’s Agritechnica. New Holland brand president Carlo Lambro said the T6 Methane Power was the culmination of the companies work on alternative fuels as part of its clean energy leadership strategy.

“It is a significant step forward on the path to decarbonising agriculture, and it is happening now, as the development of this sustainable tractor has reached its production phase,” he said.

New Holland head of tractor product management said the tractor unveiled was the first production unit and the Methane Power would be available in Europe this year.

“With the economic and practical advantages it brings, further enhanced when using biomethane, we expect a lot of interest from biogas plant operators and suppliers, and also farmers with access to the gas network,” he said.

“Municipalities are also showing a lot of interest in adding this tractor to their fleets of compressed natural gas vehicles to further reduce their emissions footprint.”

CNH Industrial said the T6 Methane Power tractor was capable of the same performance as diesel models at up to 30pc lower running costs.

“In real field conditions the T6 Methane Power tractor produces 99pc less particulate matter than an equivalent diesel, and reduces CO2 emissions by minimum 10pc and overall emissions by 80pc,” it said.

The T6 Methane Power tractor features an FPT Industrial NEF 6.7 litre engine. CNH Industrial said the tractor could be powered by bio-methane, enabling farmers to move towards zero-carbon farming by producing fuel on farm.

T6 Methane Power tractor was capable of

E-commerce, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, R&D

It will increase the wear life of many components, simplify maintenance, improve performance and reduce the overall cost of planter ownership.

Beginning with the 2021 model year, Kinze will have a new series of enhanced planters available for growers — and they’ll be easy to spot as the 05 Series, meaning each model number will end in “05.” These planters — such as the 4705, a 24-row, 30-inch planter being introduced — offer a number of enhancements that will increase the wear life of many components, simplify maintenance, improve performance and reduce the overall cost of planter ownership.

 

Changes with this series include:

  • Row unit double parallel arm bushing with impregnated lubrication and double row bearing disc openers for extended wear life
  • High-efficiency vacuum fans that run quieter with less hydraulic demand, utilizing 1.5” diameter vacuum hoses
  • Redesigned bulk-fill seed delivery system that works with more crop types and at higher planting rates
  • Large frame planter models 4905 and 4705 feature a variable displacement piston PTO pump, which provides a simpler planter operation and higher efficiency to reduce tractor HP demands
  • Simplified hydraulics on the model 4905 planter improves serviceability and decreases planter lift times
  • Firestone IVF radial tires on planter model 4905 for reduced compaction

 

Along with the 05 Series planters, Kinze is introducing a 24R30 configuration of the 4705 planter. This configuration features tires in front of the toolbar in a front fold configuration with industry leading 600 gallons of liquid fertilizer capacity. The 4705 is offered with Blue Drive electric drive and True Rate meters for Model Year 21.

 Kinze previously announced that its 4700 narrow-row planter series (which we learned about at the 2019 National Farm Machinery Show) will debut this coming planting season in a 36-row 20-inch configuration. In addition to all the planter models, Kinze is introducing three new configurations of Mach Till that feature a narrow-transport design to allow farmers to easily transport the units from field to field. Offered in 30-foot, 36-foot, and 41-foot sizes in a three-section frame, the units will fold for transport down to 13-feet-2-inches and 16 feet for the 41-foot unit. The unit model numbers are 302, 362, and 412 with the number 2 representing the second generation of the Kinze Mach Till.

These three models will feature maintenance free bushing design like the current 201 and 262 bi-fold Mach Till. This offers the customer a very low maintenance unit that is easy to operate and maintain. Introduction of the narrow transport Mach Till will be spring 2020.

 

 

 

It will increase the wear life of

Acts & Schemes – Centre, E-commerce, Logistics

Tomar was speaking in First National Consultative Workshop on Strengthening Agri- Logistics in e-National Agriculture Market (e-Nam) held in New Delhi.

The Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organized the first National consultative workshop on Strengthening Agri- Logistics in e-National Agriculture Market (e-Nam) in New Delhi recently. Speaking on the occasion Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar said that agriculture is very important for the country as there is a large population engaged in agriculture. He stated that strengthening agriculture and the rural economy will strengthen India so that the country can face challenges victoriously. The government is also committed to realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

 Strengthening Agri-logistics

Strengthening the e-NAM platform and making it reliable is the constant effort of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Minister said that it is priority of the government that small farmers in large numbers join this platform. On strengthening Agri- Logistics the Minister suggested that Agri- Logistics starts with harvesting. Along with harvesting cleaning, grading, segregating, quality inspection, packaging and marketing have to be done so that the journey from production to consumer is completed. The workshop addressed all these problems that farmers face and the suggestions given by Prime Minister  Narendra Modi.

Tomar told the audience the greatest challenge in present times is to provide farmers the correct price for their produce. For this the Prime Minister has envisioned e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) that envisages a pan-India e-trading facility for agricultural commodities through integration of existing APMCs. Market integration through e-platform facilitates transparent and competitive bidding by enabling inter-mandi trade of the agricultural produce thereby giving advantage to the farmers for better price discovery. Presently 585 markets across 16 states and 2 Union territories have been integrated on e-platform. It is expected that 415 other mandis will soon be integrated. On this portal more than 1.65 crore farmers and 1.27 lakh traders have registered. Through this platform trading of Rs. 91000 crores has already taken place and in the near future it is expected to reach 1 lakh crores.

Tomar emphasized that technology should reach the farmer, micro irrigation should be used to save water, there should be less usage of chemical fertilizers, input cost should be reduced, and farmers should get a good price via MSP. He expressed hope that through this workshop the entire food value chain could be linked resulting in an effective Agri-Logistics infrastructure which will help strengthening e-NAM for the farmers.

 

In the National Consultative Workshop more than 200 prominent professionals, educationists, practitioners of Agri-Logistics, Cleaning, Grading, productivity analysis, quality management, warehousing and transportation and logistics start-ups participated. Senior officials from various states across the country were present. Union Minister of state for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Purushottam Rupala and Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Aggrawal also participated in the workshop.

 

 

Tomar was speaking in First National

E-commerce, Trade

Acquisition helps to expand RFG’s total potential addressable market for its core fresh-cut fruit business.

Calavo Growers, Inc. announced that its Renaissance Food Group (RFG) subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire SFFI Company, Inc. doing business as Simply Fresh Fruit (SFFI).

Founded in 1999 and based in Vernon, California, privately held SFFI is a processor and supplier of a broad line of fresh-cut fruit, principally serving the foodservice and hospitality markets that generated more than $30 million in annual sales in its most recent fiscal year. Its focus in those industries is anticipated to be highly complementary to the retail-grocery expertise of Calavo’s RFG business segment.

The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in Calavo’s first half and to be accretive to the company’s fiscal 2020 adjusted earnings per share. Further transaction terms were not disclosed.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lee E. Cole stated: “The purchase of Simply Fresh Fruit and its combination into the larger RFG platform makes sense on every level. SFFI has built an impressive business, both operationally and financially. It enables Calavo to efficiently add volume on favourable terms across existing RFG production facilities. With its concentration in the foodservice and hospitality industries, SFFI provides us with a profitable, ‘pure-play’ vehicle for accelerating the company’s growth in these additional categories, and expands RFG’s total potential addressable market for its core fresh-cut fruit business. We look forward to SFFI becoming part of the Calavo family.”

Acquisition helps to expand RFG’s total potential