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Organic

The two Integrated Food Processing Units (FPUs) are being laid with a total construction cost of around Rs 50 crore

IFFCO’s Organic Joint Venture, SIFCO (Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd) has started its construction work at Rangpo, Sikkim. The work will be completed by October 2021 and it will start production afterwards. The two Integrated Food Processing Units (FPUs) are being laid with a total construction cost of around Rs 50 crore. 

The Foundation Stone for these plants were laid last year Pawan Singh Tamang, Chief Minister, Sikkim in presence Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister. It will not only give a boost to organic farming in Sikkim but also to organic farmers elsewhere in the North-Eastern States. The global pandemic had delayed the project by few months. SIFCO will soon start trading fresh ginger through its agencies in Germany, Italy and other European countries. The entire range of SIFCO products will be 100 per cent organic certified and hence non-toxic in nature. This will promote sustainable agriculture and promote Green Himalayan Economy.

These plants will be a great step forward in doubling farmers’ income as produce will be directly procured from the farmers.

Sikkim is already recognised as a 100 per cent organic state. The aim of the JV is to provide a safer food supply chain to the consumers in India and elsewhere in the world. The JV will be initially processing ginger, turmeric, large cardamom and buckwheat. These crops are the major produce of Sikkim state with huge export potential. SIFCO will market these produce to different markets of country and world. In this regard two MoUs have already been signed; one with Blossoms Biodynamics, USA for utilising their marketing and distribution in the North American markets and other with Centar Dr Rudolfa Steinera, Croatia for marketing its products in Croatia and the European Union.

The two Integrated Food Processing Units (FPUs)

AgroPolicy, E-commerce, Organic

SIFCO will process organic ginger, turmeric, large cardamom and buckwheat 

  IFFCO’s Organic Joint Venture, SIFCO (Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd.) has started its construction work at Rangpo, Sikkim. The work will be completed by October 2021 and it will start production afterwards. The two Integrated Food Processing Units are being laid with a total construction cost of around Rs 50 Crores. 

The Foundation Stone for these plants were laid last year by Chief Minister of Sikkim,  Pawan Singh Tamang in presence of Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar. It will not only give a boost to organic farming in Sikkim but also to organic farmers elsewhere in the North-Eastern States. The global pandemic had delayed the project by few months. SIFCO will soon start trading fresh Ginger through its agencies in Germany, Italy and other European countries. The entire range of SIFCO products will be 100% organic certified and hence non-toxic in nature. This will promote sustainable agriculture and promote Green Himalayan Economy.

Sikkim is already recognized as a 100% organic state. The aim of the JV is to provide a safer food supply chain to the consumers in India and elsewhere in the world. The JV will be initially processing ginger, turmeric, large cardamom and buckwheat. These crops are the major produce of Sikkim state with huge export potential. SIFCO will market these produce to different markets of country and world. In this regard two MoUs have already been signed; one with Blossoms Biodynamics, USA for utilizing their marketing and distribution in the North American markets and other with Centar Dr Rudolfa Steinera, Croatia for marketing its products in Croatia and the European Union.

 

SIFCO will process organic ginger, turmeric, large

Agrotech, Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses

Good rains have boosted sowing of the kharif crops which farmers have sown in record 1095.37 lakh hectares.

 Dr. Hanish Kumar Sinha, Head – Research & Development, National Bulk Handling Corporation (NBHC) has released NBHC’s First Kharif Crop Estimates for the year 2020-21. According to the estimation, total Rice production is expected to show marginal improvements in area by 6.74 per cent but production is expected to decline by 2.20 per cent than last year.

Kharif crops

This kharif season, acreage is expected to increase by 2.31 per cent but still we are expecting a 5.71 per cent lower crop size because of heavy rain is seen affecting yield of the standing crop in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka both key growers of kharif maize. Jowar is expected to decline by 1.17 per cent despite increase in production by 1.22 per cent. Bajra acreage is expected to increase marginally by 3.71 per cent but production is expected decline significantly by 14.40 per cent.

Pulses

In the pulses sector, acreage and production of Tur is expected to increase by 9.78 per cent and 5.48 per cent respectively. Urad area is expected to increase by 1.47 per cent whereas production is expected to increase significantly by 45.38 per cent. Moong is increase by 19.70 per cent whereas the production is expected lower by 3.91 per cent.

Oilseeds

Groundnut acreage expected to improve by 38.61 per cent but the production is expected significantly lowered by 14.69 per cent. Castor area and production is expected to decline by 11.51 per cent and 23.74 per cent.

Cash crops

Cotton is expected up by 4.17 per cent but decline in production by 4.06. Sugarcane area and production is expected up by 2.19 per cent and 2.72 per cent respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good rains have boosted sowing of the

E-commerce, Finance

The Company recorded consolidated revenues of ₹725 Cr for the quarter ended 30 September,2020. 

 Rallis India Limited, a TATA Enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri-inputs industry announced its financial results for the quarter ended 30 September 2020. The company witnessed a moderate quarter-ending with 3 per cent decrease in revenues YoY, despite strong domestic performance. Crop Care grew by 8 per cent YOY and Seeds by 29 per cent. However, international revenues were under pressure, recording a decline of 29 per cent . EBITDA margins were stable.

Announcing the results, Sanjiv Lal, Managing Director and CEO, Rallis India said, “Gradual return to normalcy and a good monsoon season have led to a favourable momentum for agricultural activities. Even though we are now in the Unlock phase, we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our employees. We have registered an 8 per cent revenue growth during Q2 for domestic crop care business and a 29 per cent revenue growth in seeds. Product specific challenges in the international business resulted in 29 per cent YoY de-growth during Q2. Strong operating discipline resulted in improved cash from operating activities. Despite Covid challenges, our capex program and focus on new product introduction remain on course.”

The Company recorded consolidated revenues of ₹725

Agrotech

Acreage under sugarcane has increased by 9% in FY 20-21 at 52.68 lakh hectare  

 According to first advance estimate of sugar production released by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), sugar production in the current season is expected to be around 310 lakh tonnes (Lt)  as compared to estimated 274 lt in the 2019-20 sugar season, which closed on September 30.

This advance estimation is released after the estimated diversion of 20 lt sugar for producing ethanol using B heavy molasses .

 

The opening balance of sugar on October 1 is estimated to be 106.4 lt (145.8 lt). The estimated domestic sales in 2019-20 season was 257 lt and exports were around 56.5 lt.

 ISMA has mentioned that there is about 9 per cent increase in area under sugarcane this year as compared to the previous year. The satellite imageries captured during the first week of October showed total sugarcane acreage to be 52.68 lakh ha (48.41 lakh ha).

According to estimate, Uttar Pradesh is projected to produce 124.57 lt (126.37 lt), while Maharashtra which was hit by drought as well as by floods one after another last year — would produce 108 lt, about 46.34 lt more than last year.

Similarly, sugarcane area in Karnataka has gone up by 0.8 lakh ha to 5 lakh ha and this is estimated to increase the 2020-21 production by nearly 11 lt to touch 46 lt, ISMA said.

ISMA mentioned that Tamil Nadu, whose sugarcane area came down slightly and Gujarat, which registered a 7 per cent increase in the sugarcane acreage, all other sugar-producing States are expected to maintain same production levels as the 2019-20 season.

Acreage under sugarcane has increased by 9%

Schemes - Govt

NCDC’s scheme aligns itself with the focus of the National Health Policy, 2017, covering the health systems in all their dimensions- investments in health, organisation of healthcare services, access to technologies, development of human resources, encouragement of medical pluralism, affordable health care to farmers etc.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture launched Ayushman Sahakar, a unique scheme to assist cooperatives play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country formulated by the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Rupala announced that NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore in the coming years. He said that the ongoing pandemic has brought into focus the requirement of creation of more facilities. NCDC’s scheme will be a step towards strengthening farmers welfare activities by the Central Government. Rupala said that Ayushman Sahakar scheme would revolutionise the way healthcare delivery takes place in rural areas. He also gave a call to existing cooperatives take up healthcare services as an activity for farmers.

Sundeep Nayak, MD, NCDC added that there are about 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives. They have cumulative bed strength of more than 5,000. The NCDC fund would give a boost to provision of healthcare services by cooperatives.

NCDC’s scheme aligns itself with the focus of the National Health Policy, 2017, covering the health systems in all their dimensions- investments in health, organisation of healthcare services, access to technologies, development of human resources, encouragement of medical pluralism, affordable health care to farmers etc. It has a comprehensive approach-hospitals, healthcare, medical education, nursing education, paramedical education, health insurance and holistic health systems such as AYUSH. Ayushman Sahakar scheme fund would also assist cooperative hospitals take up medical / Ayush education.

Any Cooperative Society with suitable provision in its bye laws to undertake healthcare related activities would be able to access the NCDC fund. NCDC assistance will flow either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives. Subsidy/ grant from other sources can be dovetailed.

Ayushman Sahakar specifically covers establishment, modernisation, expansion, repairs, renovation of hospital and healthcare and education infrastructure. 

The scheme also provides working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements. The scheme provides interest subvention of 1 per cent to women majority cooperatives.

 

 

 

 

NCDC’s scheme aligns itself with the focus

Agro chems – Pesticides, E-commerce, North America

Gamma herbicide with a novel active ingredient called Tergeo™ for directed post emergence applications in grapes 

 HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products today announced that Gamma™ herbicide has received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Gamma is a non-selective PPO-inhibitor herbicide with a novel active ingredient called Tergeo™ for directed post emergence applications in grapes. In product development trials and regulatory studies, Gamma has demonstrated extremely promising performance ratings in burndown control for more than 50 broadleaf and grass weeds, including ALS, triazine and glyphosate-resistant species.  

 

Additional characteristics of the new herbicide include an ultra-low use rate, broad tank mix compatibility and a signal word of Caution. The new product is also fast-acting with herbicidal effects occurring within 24 hours after application. 

Classified as a Group 14 herbicide, Gamma is formulated as a water-dispersible granule (WG) and contains 0.70 pounds of active ingredient per pound of formulated product.

“HELM is excited to bring new weed control technology to the U.S. grape industry,” says Dave Schumacher, President of HELM Agro US. “Not only will Gamma help with long-standing weed challenges, but as a new herbicide with a novel active ingredient, this product will be a critical option for growers to add to their toolbox specific to resistance management.

 

Tergeo is a new molecule discovered by Farm Hannong, a Korean agrochemical company, and developed and registered by ISK Biosciences Corporation, a subsidiary of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd., for use in the United States. Earlier this year, HELM Agro US and ISK Biosciences Corporation agreed to collaborate regarding the distribution of Gamma herbicide for the U.S. crop protection market.

“At a time when few new herbicides are being brought to market, Gamma is truly breakthrough technology,” says Schumacher. “At HELM, we have a passion for discovering new technology that will help shape the future of agriculture while creating greater value and profitability for our customers.”

 

 

Gamma herbicide with a novel active ingredient

AgroPolicy, Water

It aims to create innovative, modular, and cost-effective solution to develop a ‘Smart Water Supply Measurement’

National Jal Jeevan Mission in partnership with Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) had launched ICT Grand Challenge to create innovative, modular, and cost-effective solution to develop a ‘Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System’ to be deployed at the village level. The last date was 12 October 2020. A total of 213 proposal from various Indian Tech start-ups, MSMEs, Indian Companies, Indian LLPs have been received which will now be scrutinized by a jury committee appointed by MEITY and select the proposals.   

This grand challenge will harness the vibrant IoT eco-systems of India for creating smart rural water supply eco-system to measure and monitor the service delivery of the water supply in rural areas. This challenge will provide opportunity to work for cause of Jal Jeevan Mission and to assure potable water supply through functional household tap connection to every rural household of the country. 

The Grand challenge will provide support at ideation Stage, prototype development stage, deployment stage. The pilot will be conducted in100 villages. The best solution will get cash prize of Rs. 50 Lakh and runner ups will get prize of Rs. 20 Lakh each. The successful developers will be given an opportunity to join the Meit Ysupported incubator for further nurturing of the solution. This will boost the idea and thrust of initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India and Make in India.

 

Union Government’s flagship programme- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented in partnership with States for providing Functional Household Tap water Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024. The programme focuses on service delivery at the household level, i.e. water supply regularly in adequate quantity and of prescribed quality, on long-term basis. This necessitates the use of modern technology in systematic monitoring of the programme and to capture service delivery data automatically for ensuring the quality of services. Digitisation of water supply infrastructure has the potential to solve some of the biggest societal problems facing the nation. More importantly, it will help anticipate and address future challenge

 

It aims to create innovative, modular,

Agro Universities, R&D

Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh taking up cultivation of asafoetida (Heeng) to utilize vast expanses of waste land in the cold desert conditions of the region 

 

 Due to efforts of CSIR constituent laboratory, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, a historical shift in farming practices is in the offing with farmers of the remote Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh taking up cultivation of asafoetida (Heeng) to utilize vast expanses of waste land in the cold desert conditions of the region. CSIR-IHBT brought in seeds of asafoetida and developed its agro-technology.

 India imports about 1200 tonnes of raw asafoetida annually from Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan and spends approximately 100 million USD per year. Lack of planting material of Ferula assa-foetida plants in India was a major bottleneck in cultivation of this crop. The first seedling of asafoetida was planted by Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT on 15th October, 2020 at farmer’s field in village Kwaring of Lahaul valley to mark initiation of cultivation of asafoetida in India.

            Since asafoetida is a major condiment in Indian cuisines, team CSIR-IHBT made relentless efforts for introduction of this important crop in the country. The institute introduced six accessions of seeds from Iran through ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi in October, 2018. ICAR-NBPGR confirmed that in the past thirty years, this has been the first attempt for introduction of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) seeds in the country. CSIR-IHBT raised the plants of heeng at CeHAB, Ribling, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh under the vigil of NBPGR. The plant prefers cold and dry conditions for its growth and takes approximately five years for the production of oleo-gum resin in its roots, therefore cold desert areas of Indian Himalayan region are suitable for cultivation of asafoetida.

 

Raw asafoetida is extracted from the fleshy roots of Ferula assa-foetida as an oleo-gum resin. Although, there are about 130 species of Ferula found in the world, but only Ferula assa-foetidais the economically important species used for the production of asafoetida. In India, we do not have Ferula assa-foetida, but other species Ferula jaeschkeana is reported from the western Himalaya (Chamba, HP), and Ferula narthex from Kashmir and Ladakh, which are not the species that yield asafoetida.

 

 

 

Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh taking up

Agro chems – Fertilizers, E-commerce

Major capacity additions will be from Reliance Industries Jamnagar Urea Plant with a capacity of 2.60 mtpa by 2030. 

 

 

 

 According to the report of  GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, the global urea capacity is poised to see considerable growth by 2030, potentially increasing from 218.21 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2019 to 301.55 mtpa in 2030, registering a total growth of 38%. India accounts for 21% of global capacity additions by 2030.

The company’s report, ‘Global Urea Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook, 2020-2030’, reveals that India accounts for the highest capacity additions with a capacity of 16.84 by 2030. Major capacity additions will be from Reliance Industries Jamnagar Urea Plant with a capacity of 2.60 mtpa by 2030.

Dayanand Kharade, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, says: “India is set to have large capacity additions to meet its large and growing demand and to curb its import dependence.”

GlobalData identifies Iran as the second highest country in terms of capacity additions, with a capacity of 15.30 by 2030. Major capacity additions will be from Hamoon Chabahar Urea Plant, with a capacity of 1.33 mtpa by 2030.

Russia will be the third highest country in terms of capacity additions, with a capacity of 12.04 by 2030. Major capacity additions will be from LUKOIL Oil Company Budyonnovsk Urea Plant, with a capacity of 2.00 mtpa by 2030.

Dangote Industries Ltd, Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co and Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd will be the top three companies globally in terms of planned and announced capacity additions over the outlook period.

 

Major capacity additions will be from Reliance

Agro chems – Pesticides, Finance

The Company’s reported net income in Q3 and nine-month period are expected to reflect around $18 Mn and $63 Mn, respectively.  

ADAMA Ltd.  has announced an estimate regarding its financial performance for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020.

The Company is expecting to deliver record third quarter sales, in both USD and RMB terms, driven by solid volume growth, resulting in higher sales over the nine-month period. While global currencies recovered somewhat against the US Dollar during the third quarter, they generally remained weaker than in the comparative periods in 2019, which continued to restrain sales growth and significantly impact profitability in USD terms in the quarter and nine-month period.

Sales

Sales are expected to grow by 12% in the quarter and by 8% in the nine-month period, in CER terms, compared to the corresponding periods last year, driven by strong, double-digit increase in volumes.

ADAMA is expecting growth in the quarter to have been led by a strong performance in Latin America, driven by robust volume growth across the region, most notably in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay, and bolstered by the Company’s acquisition in Peru, and despite widespread COVID-19 related restrictions in the region.

Continued growth was seen in the India, Middle East & Africa region, led by India which benefited from above-average monsoon rains and good cropping conditions. The Company is expecting to deliver strong growth in Asia-Pacific with noteworthy performances in Australia alongside solid growth in New Zealand and Korea.

In China, the Company is expecting to deliver moderate growth, with a strong performance from its branded, formulated sales being partially offset by lower prices received for its raw materials and intermediates due to increased supply generally from Chinese producers.

 Crop protection sales in North America are expected to be markedly lower, largely due to disruptive weather conditions in the US which saw windstorms damage corn fields in the mid-west, fires raging in the orchards and vineyards of California and Oregon.

Net Income

Net income in the third quarter and nine-month period is expected to be below that reported in the same periods last year, driven by the lower operating income over both periods, and further impacted by higher financial expenses in the third quarter due to an increase in financing costs on the NIS-denominated, CPI-linked bonds due to a higher CPI in Israel, and the effect on balance sheet positions of the strengthening of the RMB when compared to 2019. 

The Company’s reported net income in the third quarter and nine-month period are expected to reflect around $18 million and $63 million, respectively, of net expenses in respect of certain non-operational, mostly non-cash items.

The Company’s reported net income in Q3

Finance, Start ups

The financial details of investment was not disclosed.  

 

 

B2B agri-marketplace Ninjacart, has raised money in a follow-on round of funding from US retail giant Walmart Inc and its Indian e-commerce arm Flipkart.

 The Company will utilise the capital to expand to new markets and build new offerings and supply chains for emerging customer segments, said the Bengaluru-based firm, in press statement. 

“The e-grocery market in India has seen tremendous growth over the past several months as people have increasingly taken to ordering groceries and fresh produce online,” said Kalyan Krishnamurthy, CEO at Flipkart Group.

Ninjacart stated that  the company has introduced several initiatives during the initial months of the pandemic to help customers and it  will continue to play a key role in providing fresh produce as Flipkart grows its Supermart (grocery) and Flipkart Quick (hyperlocal business).

Ninjacart has secured more than $150 million so far overall. Its other investors include venture capital firms Accel, US-based Qualcomm Ventures, Russia’s HR Capital, Japanese venture capital firm-cum-accelerator Mistletoe, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani’s NRJN Trust and South Korea-based Neoplux, the venture arm of Doosan Corp.

 

The financial details of investment was not

Agro chems – Fertilizers, E-commerce

SymTRX brings enormous benefits to farming both from an economic and environmental perspective

US-based Anuvia Plant Nutrients has recently entered into a strategic relationship with ATP Nutrition to promote, sell and service Anuvia’s SymTRX products in Canada. SymTRX is a bio-based granular fertilizer line (16-1-0-20S and 14-24-0-10S) engineered to increase nutrient availability to the plant while contributing to improved soil health.  

SymTRX brings enormous benefits to farming both from an economic and environmental perspective. Some of the key benefits growers can expect from using SymTRX include:

  • Over the last four years, university, on-farm trials and commercial use have shown the Organic MaTRX™ technology within SymTRX reduces volatility and leaching thereby contributing to an average yield increase of over 5% versus conventional fertilizers.
  • SymTRX contains up to 16% organic matter and research confirms an increase in soil microbial activity thereby improving root mass as well as soil health.
  • Unlike other fertilizers, SymTRX uses bio-based technology to deliver recycled organic matter, along with 100% plant- available nutrients for more sustainable production. Research highlights the environmental benefit with up to a 32% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • As a high quality, homogeneous, granular product, SymTRX provides uniform nutrient distribution, blends easily with other fertilizers and fits well with existing application equipment.

SymTRX addresses a key issue of our time—how to meet future food demand in a sustainable way. SymTRX offers benefits for both end-users and the planet with little to no barriers to implementation. SymTRX works within current user practices and technologies, making its use a turnkey part of achieving sustainable production goals.

SymTRX brings enormous benefits to farming both

Acts & Schemes – Centre, AgroPolicy

By Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India

Over the past few weeks, much has been written on the newly enacted farm bills, which have been termed “historic” by the proponents while “death warrant” for farmers by the opposition groups. The issues of contention range from the removal of commission agents, entry of private players, absence of price fixation mechanism among others.

 

For decades, the majority of farmers have been living under abject poverty due to a range of complex problems. However, low productivity and subsequent inadequate farm remuneration are the crucial reasons. In the past, farmers often complained about the exploitation by commission agent or middlemen in the APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committee) mandis. Farmers struggled to get remunerative prices even for those agriculture commodities, for which Minimum Support Prices (MSP) were declared by the government.

 

Therefore, it was imperative for farmers to have different options. And the new farm laws provide the required platform to fetch the right remunerative to any buyer they want to sell their produce. Through the laws, the government has enabled farmers and given them the independence to sell their produce to whoever and wherever they want. Indian agriculture will witness a massive transformation. With changing farm dynamics, farmers will have to harness new technology, remain updated of market information, pool their lands.

 

Quality of produce and output are major concerns when it comes to Indian agriculture. Our farmers are still stuck with the traditional farming practices, and smaller landholdings appears to be one of the major factors. Over 86 percent of farmers own not more than 2 ha land while the average landholding keep on shrinking. It reduced to 1.1 ha in 2015-16 from 1.16 ha three years ago. Small landholdings bring limitations on farmers’ capacity to invest in better crop inputs and access advanced machinery.

 

Faced with the challenges of landholding, finding the right buyer and right price, issues with transportation made them vulnerable and were over dependent on the middlemen. With the new laws, farmers now have the free hand to choose their buyer, who they want to be in contract and what they want to grow. Besides, APMC mandis will still be operational, therefore, the farmers have multiple options to sell their produce. 

Interestingly, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, facilitates farmers to enter into farming contracts with FMCG companies, large-retailers, wholesalers, agri-food businesses for farm services and sale of future agri produce at the pre-fixed rates. Though at small scale, India has seen successful contract farming examples in the recent past. Now farmers can expect protection from the vagaries of daily price changes in the local markets. 

The government’s decision to free India’s agricultural market – a long pending reform – is expected to  revive India’s weak agriculture sector and private investment. Big corporate-owned entities can now procure directly from farmers and be motivated to build cold storages, warehouse, food processing units.

 

On the other hand, farmers will now have to ensure what they produce is of optimum quality and meets the prescribed standards. It will be pertinent for farmers to choose good quality seeds so they cultivate healthy and nutritional crops. This will open new avenues for them to trade their commodities and attract more investment.

 

Under the concept of land pooling, different farmers can come together and join hands with private companies to cultivate particular crop on a consolidated land area. It would certainly increase crop productivity through operational efficiency using technological solutions and scientific methods of farming. Mobile technology has reached in almost every corner of the country and many farmers use smart phones. It offers farmers resources to analyse trends in agriculture markets, decide on crops to be cultivated and choose markets where prices are best. 

 

I believe the new farm Laws herald a new era for Indian agriculture and farmers must strive hard to gain maximum benefits. The country needs financial sustainability for farmers, which will result in making agriculture a success. It is laudable that government has retained all mix be it APMC, open market and MSP. It will only create competitiveness, with consumers realising quality food and farmers their profit.

 

By Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director,