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Agrotech

The hub features a first-of-its-kind database of Indian FPOs

Tata-Cornell Institute (TCI) for agriculture and nutrition has launched a hub for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) within its Centre of Excellence in New Delhi. The hub features a first-of-its-kind database of Indian FPOs. Created with grant funding from the Walmart Foundation, the hub will serve as a repository of learnings, information, and knowledge for the advancement of FPOs in India.

A critical part of the Hub is TCI’s Database for Indian FPOs, a new platform that brings together information on thousands of FPOs to facilitate research on small-farm aggregation models. TCI’s database is the only centralised source of data on Indian FPOs currently available. Through the interactive web-based dashboard, researchers can access a wealth of data on FPOs, such as crops produced, founding years, and sponsoring agencies. Ultimately, the data will allow researchers at the Hub to formulate models to boost smallholder farmer income and welfare.

TCI’s database is the only centralised source of data on Indian FPOs currently available. Through the interactive web-based dashboard, researchers can access a wealth of data on FPOs, such as crops produced, founding years, and sponsoring agencies.

Prabhu Pingali, Director of TCI and professor in the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, with joint appointments in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and the Department of Global Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). “Through the FPO Hub, TCI aims to provide a foundation of data-based knowledge on top of which strong, effective FPOs can be built and sustained.”

“Bringing together data on the over 4,400 FPOs in India will facilitate research aimed at developing strong, effective FPO models,” Pingali said.

The newly launched FPO Hub is supported by a $1 million grant by the Walmart Foundation. Utilising an analytical, data-based approach, the Hub will aid in the understanding, development, and promotion of effective farm-aggregation models and serve as a dissemination platform through which stakeholders can access information, technical help, and guidance.

TCI hosted a virtual panel recently to address the barriers faced by smallholder farmers and FPOs, titled ’Farmer Producer Organizations, Small Farms and the Future of Food Systems in India.’ The event was attended by more than 130 researchers and representatives from the government, donor organizations, the private sector, and civil society organisations.

Among the issues and topics discussed by the panelists were the need for increased awareness of FPOs and their benefits among smallholder farmers, as well as the need for government policies around FPOs to evolve along with the changing market and the characteristics of successful FPOs, like strong leadership. The importance of including women in FPOs was also a key area of discussion, with panelists agreeing that tailored programs and policies are needed to surmount the social and cultural constraints faced by women in agriculture.

The hub features a first-of-its-kind database of

Agrotech, Environment

Ties up with the company as a diamond partner of CII’s for 16th Sustainability Summit

Grundfos India, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, is supporting the 16th Sustainability Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) as a diamond partner. This summit will accelerate conversations on how sustainable efforts can be made for a better future through the opinions of eminent speakers including industry leaders, government officials, diplomats and policymakers to discuss the need for green finance, science and technological innovations. 

 

During this two-day summit being held on September 2 and 3, there will be engaging discussions around how to adopt environmentally conscious systems that can help reduce the exploitation of natural resources such as water. On September 3, Grundfos India’s Country President, George Rajkumar, will be addressing a session on ‘Water Security to highlight the necessity of mindful governance and usage of water through the aid of technology that can help balance our ecosystems. 

 

Commenting on Grundfos India’s association with the summit, George Rajkumar said, “Climate change is having a devastating effect around the world and in India especially when it comes to water. Issues such as flooding, water scarcity and water pollution are becoming prevalent and threatening the country’s water security. With practical policy, proper grass-root level governance, appropriate infrastructure and sustainable solutions, we can move closer towards achieving a water-secure future. Collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector will strengthen this process.”

 

Ties up with the company as a

China, Trade

Farmmi’s subsidiary Zhejiang Farmmi Biotechnology has won a new product order

Farmmi, an agriculture products supplier in China, has announced the company’s subsidiary Zhejiang Farmmi Biotechnology, won a new product order for its popular dried whole Shiitake mushrooms. The customer will export Farmmi’s Shiitake mushrooms to Lebanon.

Yefang Zhang, Farmmi’s Chairwoman and CEO, commented, “This is another developing market for Farmmi and we are pleased to be working with customers to expand our product shipments there. We have seen considerable momentum led by the increased sophistication of consumer diets, the desire for more vitamin and nutrient-rich products and the mainstreaming of meatless choices.”

Farmmi is an agricultural products supplier, processor and retailer of Shiitake mushrooms, Mu Er mushrooms, other edible fungi and other agricultural products.

Farmmi’s subsidiary Zhejiang Farmmi Biotechnology has won

Supply Chain

Through CropTrak, Benson Hill will have the capability to recommend, measure and assess farmer conservation

Benson Hill, a food tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants with its cutting-edge food innovation engine, has announced a relationship with CropTrak, a cloud technology solutions company digitally connecting global food companies’ entire supply chains to ensure efficiency and transparency. The collaboration allows Benson Hill to accelerate the collection of agronomic data to improve product performance and farm sustainability.

 

Benson Hill is shaping the future of food by taking an integrated approach to the food value chain. Beginning with the seed, the company links farmers with consumer-driven food trends and markets. The CropTrak relationship provides the technological infrastructure to accelerate this connection and further positions Benson Hill as a leader, providing the ingredients needed to deliver more healthy and sustainable food and feed products.

 

The CropTrak platform increases the efficiency to geo-locate acres contracted by Benson Hill, collect soil samples and measure protein content, and seamlessly uploads holistic data directly from existing farm management information systems and equipment. The information is delivered to CropOS, Benson Hill’s technology platform that combines data analytics and artificial intelligence with plant biology and food science to produce crops that are optimised for taste and nutrition while maximising agronomic performance and assisting in the assessment of sustainability impacts on the farm.

 

Through CropTrak, Benson Hill will have the capability to recommend, measure and assess farmer conservation and regenerative agricultural practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, crop rotation and irrigation methods to increase soil carbon sequestration.

 

Through CropTrak, Benson Hill will have the

Agrotech

The online platform will allow to have ownership of managed farmland from anywhere in the country and also monitor its operations remotely

Amaryllias Farmland is a new tech-based online platform which allows one to have ownership of managed farmland from anywhere in the country and also monitor its operations remotely. Amaryllias Farmland offers a great opportunity to diversify one’s investment portfolio to a physical asset offering greater returns over a period of time. The investment enables passive income and good returns on exit. And one also gets to enjoy the authenticity of the farmland connecting them to the local people and farm life.

With this online investment platform, one can get the benefits of direct ownership without needing the agriculture expertise to choose the right deals or the scale to buy an entire farm.

Managed Farmland is the best alternative physical asset investment offering competitive returns, consistent appreciation, and pretty low levels of volatility. Amaryllias Farmland as an asset class is ideally suited for retail investors looking to diversify their investment portfolios. The small entry ticket size makes it more interesting.

Amaryllias Farmland aims at creating positive social impact and shift agriculture to net-neutral for greenhouse gas emissions. Currently with a farmland project in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan with just Rs 60 sq ft which includes both land and its management cost. The tech-based disruption through Amaryllias Farmland aims at solving challenges being faced by Indian agriculture sectors like small landholdings which results in low produce therefore lower returns, lack of knowledge on best agriculture practices, and poor supply chain which impacts profitability. The aim is to revolutionise and modernise agriculture and landholdings.

The online platform will allow to have

Agrotech

Shukla is spearheading the company’s initiatives in new energy areas like bio-fuels, coal gasification, waste to fuel, hydrogen energy

Vartika Shukla has assumed the charge as CMD of Engineers India Limited (EIL) w.e.f. September 1, 2021. Shukla has the distinction of being the first-ever woman CMD of the Company.

 

A graduate in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Shukla joined EIL in 1988 and possesses extensive consulting experience comprising design, engineering and implementation of complexes in refining, gas processing, petrochemicals, fertilisers etc. She has led to the successful completion of many prestigious projects for clients in the oil and gas and petrochemical industry both in India and overseas.

 

Shukla has also been spearheading the company’s initiatives in new energy areas like bio-fuels, coal gasification, waste to fuel, hydrogen energy etc. These initiatives will not only strengthen the energy infrastructure of the country but will also promote the sustainability mission.

 

Shukla said that while EIL’s leadership position in the domestic hydrocarbon sector is unparalleled, the company will strive to consolidate its international footprints by mapping high potential geographies and forging strategic alliances. “We must strive to usher in a new era of Customer Delight through immaculate services and innovation in our operations,” she added.

 

Vartika Shukla’s distinguished career is adorned with several prestigious accolades namely, the first PETROFED Woman Executive Award, SCOPE Excellence Award and MoP&NG Innovation Award with her team.

 

Shukla is spearheading the company’s initiatives in

Start ups, Sustainable Energy

The challenge will provide a platform to explore disruptive and innovative technologies across the entire food value chain, covering soil health, digital tools, supply chain tech

Radicle Growth, a company-building platform for early-stage ag and food technologies, has announced its partnership with UPL, a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions. The partners have come together to run ’The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge by UPL,’ which sets out to invest $1.25 million in two start-up companies that can positively impact and reduce the carbon footprint and improve the soil health of the food value chain.

 

The challenge provides a platform to explore disruptive and innovative technologies across the entire food value chain, covering soil health, digital tools, supply chain tech, biologicals, plant nutrition, fintech, carbon markets, MRV, new business models, and livestock management. A $1 million investment will be made in The Challenge winner and a $250,000 investment in the second-place winner to accelerate their growth. 

 

Jai Shroff, Global CEO, UPL Ltd. said, “At UPL we strongly believe in the power of open collaboration to connect people and problems with game-changing technologies and solutions. That is why we are launching The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge in partnership with Radicle Growth, to pool the best ideas, innovators, start-ups and scientists that will help protect and preserve one of our most valuable natural assets: soil.” 

 

Investment decisions will be made during a ’Pitch Day’ in San Francisco in March 2022. A judging panel of industry experts, soon to be announced, will hear from four to six finalists who will be chosen from the global applicant pool. In addition to the funding, the winners will also get access to advise from both UPL and Radicle senior executives to help accelerate their company’s business and technical efforts.

 

The challenge will provide a platform to

Agrotech, Interaction, Organic

Teams up with USDA and academia to make technology work for organic

The Organic Center is teaming up with the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service; California State University, Fresno; and Purdue University on a free virtual conference series and hackathon examining technology to address complex issues for organic agriculture. Because organic farmers are prohibited from using common conventional materials such as most synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, the tools available for them to tackle common agricultural challenges are limited. 

 

Organic farming is made up of a diversity of operations. This raises such issues as the accessibility of technology for small- and low-income farms, equity around tech use and adoption, and inclusion of marginalised farming communities in the development of AgTech.

 

“There are several innovative technologies are being developed that are or could be leveraged by the organic sector,” said Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “However, the uniqueness of organic has created certain challenges to more organic farmers using ag technology. This series will address these issues.”

 

The first conference of the series, titled “Organic Confluences Conference: Connecting Organic and AgTech” will be held on December 2, and will highlight the potential for technology to support the organic sector, including a panel of organic farmers talking about the experiences and needs for technology and a panel of AgTech community members discussing the intersection of their work with organic.

 

The second conference, titled ’Organic Confluences Conference: Equity and Access in AgTech’ will be held on February 10, 2022, will examine potential pitfalls concerning equity in AgTech, opportunities for small-farm AgTech access, historical and current examples of AgTech exacerbating the pre-existing structures of racism in the food system, and methods for analyzing AgTech’s fit within organic ideals.

 

The Organic Center will host a hackathon in collaboration with the Gathering for Open Ag Technology (GOAT) on February 24-26, 2022. This event will engage the community in collaborative computer programming focused on open-source solutions to the challenges faced by organic farmers.

Teams up with USDA and academia to

Agro Universities, Start ups

The AgHub operates in a hub and spoke model

Prof Jyashankar, Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), has recently launched its agri innovation hub, AgHub. The hub was formally inaugurated by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, in the presence of Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy, Education Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy, and other officials.

AgHub operates in a hub and spoke model, where the innovation hub headquartered on the PJTSAU campus supports agritech start-ups through ‘Innovation-Incubation-Acceleration’ of the start-ups across the country, whereas the rural innovation spokes in Jagtial, Warangal and Vikarabad would cater to the promotion of rural entrepreneurship.

The rural entrepreneurship for building agribusiness enterprises promoted by rural youth, women, farmers and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) would cater to the last mile delivery of innovations. They would also act as agritech innovation pilots, help capacity-building of FPOs and building FPO-led enterprises for building up crop value chains in select by-crops of Telangana.

As very few agri graduates and postgraduates have inclined towards agri-preneurship as well the emerging opportunities in the startup ecosystem, PJTSAU has created AgHub, a first-of-its-kind innovation hub to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture, university officials said.

The officials stated that the AgHub would focus on three core areas — innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through the promotion of startups, which includes sensitisation, ideation, innovation grants, incubation, acceleration and seed funding; research ecosystem through the promotion of translational research to post-graduates, PhD scholars and scientists; and finally, rural innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem through the promotion of rural entrepreneurs and FPOs.

Recognising the need to foster an entrepreneurial climate in Telangana, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) gave a grant of Rs 9 crore to PJTSAU in April 2021 this year for a five-year programme. AgHub is a NABARD-funded incubator under its Rural Business Incubation Scheme.

The AgHub operates in a hub and

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Start ups

Several fermentation technologies on vinegar production from sugarcane, grapes, jamun and apple have been recommended and commercialised by PAU

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has entered into an agreement with a startup Sardara Organic Farms, for licensing of fermentative processing technology ’Brewed vinegar production from sugarcane and fruits’. The pact was signed by Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research, PAU and Tisjot Singh Aujla, Proprietor-cum-Director, Sardara Organic Farms, on the behalf of their respective organisations.

Dr GS Kocher, Principal Microbiologist-cum-Head and technical expert of the technology, Department of Microbiology, said PAU has been actively engaged in research on fermented vinegar. Several fermentation technologies on vinegar production from sugarcane, grapes, jamun and apple have been recommended and commercialised by PAU. The research focuses on the increasing use of fermented/natural vinegar prepared from traditional fruits that carry nutritional and therapeutic values besides the value addition of the horticultural produce, he added.

Dr AS Dhatt, Additional Director of Research (Horticulture and Food Science) said there is a need to encourage brewed vinegar among consumers as synthetic vinegar which though is found abundantly in local markets, yet has health concerns due to its zero nutritional value. He further informed that PAU has so far signed 7Memoranda Of Agreements (MoAs) for the commercialisation of brewed fruit vinegar technology.

Dr TS Riar, Additional Director of Communication, Dr Rajinder Singh, Director (Seeds), Dr (Mrs) Amarjeet Kaur, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell and Kulwant Singh Aujla were also present on the occasion.

Several fermentation technologies on vinegar production from

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agro Universities

Organises programme in collaboration with Basmati Export Development Foundation

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kapurthala under the aegis of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana organised an awareness programme cum workshop on ’Safe and Judicious use of pesticides and adoption of good agricultural practices for production of Basmati Rice’ in collaboration with Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF). 

 

Dr Paramjit Singh, Director, Regional Research Station, Kapurthala graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He motivated the farmers to adopt good agricultural practices of cultivation of basmati and paddy. Dr Satbir Singh, Deputy Director (Trg.) inspired the farmers to participate in different vocational training programmes organised by KVK from time to time for the benefit of farmers and farm women. 

 

Dr Amarjit Singh, Senior Extension Specialist, Department of Plant Pathology discussed the symptoms and control measures of various diseases of Basmati. Dr KS Suri, Principal Entomologist, Department of Entomology, awarded the farmers about the nine banned pesticides and their harmful consequences in Basmati. 

 

Dr Simerjeet Kaur, Principal Agronomist, Directorate of Extension Education delivered a lecture on the scientific cultivation of Basmati. Dr Rajwinder Singh, Zoologist explained the importance of poisonous bait in the management of rodents in Basmati. 

 

More than 200 hundred farmers and extension functionaries from the line departments participated. Dr Bindu Marwaha, Associate Professor (Agril.Engg.) extended the vote of thanks.

 

Organises programme in collaboration with Basmati Export

Agro Universities, Agrotech

Discussions were held on technological interventions to each such sub-division of rice-fallow areas in Eastern India

The ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar recently organised a national seminar on ’Rice-fallow Management in Eastern India’. In his address, the Chief Guest, Dr Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar stressed the need for redefining and sub-dividing the rice-fallow areas based on the amount of annual rainfall received. He also urged for separate technological interventions to each such sub-division of rice-fallow areas in Eastern India.

 

The Guest of Honor, Dr RK Sohane, Director (Extension Education), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar opined that rice-fallow areas of eastern India held the potential for contributing significantly to food and nutritional security in the eastern regions.

 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Ujjwal Kumar, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna, Bihar briefed about the importance of rice-fallow management for improving the socio-economic condition of the farming community of the eastern regions of the country.

 

Delivering the Lecture on “Enhancing pulses production from rice-fallows areas: Strategies & policies,” Dr SK Chaturvedi, Dean (Agriculture), RLBCAU, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh suggested the technological interventions for realising the sustainable crop intensification by including short duration, high-yielding varieties of pulses like chickpea, lentil, grass pea, pea, green gram and black gram.

 

In his lecture on ’Oilseeds production in rice-fallows: A perspective,’ Dr PK Rai, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur, Rajasthan outlined the Government of India’s various schemes that are aimed at promoting the oilseeds production in rice-fallow agro-ecology of eastern India.

 

In his lecture on ’Agronomic interventions for crop intensification in rice-fallow areas,’ Dr JS Mishra, Director, ICAR-DWR, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh underlined the possible agronomic interventions based on his research performed for improving the productivity of rice-fallow areas in Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

 

Deliberating on ’Water management in the rice-fallow production system,’ Dr KG Mandal, Director, ICAR-Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Farming Research Institute, Motihari, Bihar emphasised the delineation of rice-fallow areas, development of water harvesting structures and Integrated Farming System Modules for improving the livelihood of farmers in rice-fallow areas of eastern India.

 

The seminar aimed at creating awareness about the technological interventions and adoption to bring about sustainable crop intensification in rice-fallow areas of eastern India registered total participation by 405 participants from 26 states of India, Nepal, Germany and the US.

Discussions were held on technological interventions to

AgroPolicy, Dairy

An accredited model named ’A-HELP’ will be implemented across the country by using the existing cadre developed under DAY-NRLM for livestock

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav, Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and NN Sinha, Secretary, Department of Rural Development (DoRD) signed an MoU between DAHD and MoRD for leveraging SHG platform for rural economic growth through the convergence of the DAHD, MoFAHD and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), MoRD at Krishi Bhawan. The MoU was signed in the presence of Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

 

Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Rural Development and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Rural Development also present.

 

As per the MoU, it has also decided to use the services of the members of the SHGs as livestock resource persons and primary service providers through a new accredited model named ’A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production). The model will be implemented across the country by using the existing cadre developed under DAY-NRLM for livestock (Pashusakhis) by providing further training and accreditation as an A-HELP worker.

 

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) has been supporting the farm livelihood sector both through backward and forward linkages. Under backward linkages, the support is being provided through a cadre of pashusakhis who are being trained through structured modules as part of training and capacity building architecture and are providing services by handholding the Mahila Kisans through Pashu Pathsalas and services at the doorstep of farmers. The mission has more than 40,000 Pashusakhis in its fold. This convergence will help in increasing the outreach of DAHD schemes through these community cadres and also help in additional earning for the cadres thus supporting in enhancing their sustainability.

 

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala highlighted that the Dovetailing and synergising efforts of the DAHD and the DRD especially in the context of the common objective of helping the farmers and double their income through the livestock sector is the need of the hour.

An accredited model named ’A-HELP’ will be

AgroPolicy, Supply Chain, Webinar

Over 700 stakeholders from over 20 countries attended the webinar

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for India’s pulses trade and industry, recently hosted a webinar on Kharif Sowing Overview under the aegis of the ‘IPGA Knowledge Series’ to get an in-depth insight into this year’s sowing pattern and future outlook for pulse crops of Kharif season, its yield, impact on prices and import-dependence. The webinar was attended by over 700 trade stakeholders from over 20 countries.

 

During the webinar, panellists covered key aspects such as the impact of change in India’s import policy, consumption patterns, the hindrances to the export of pulses given the container shortage and surge in freight charges, among others. 

 

Bimal Kothari, Vice Chairman, IPGA in his opening remarks, said, “Even as monsoons kicked off at a good pace, its progress halted across central India around the third week of June, causing a three-week delay in rainfall during the crucial Kharif sowing season. IPGA’s webinar saw a host of industry experts who helped understand the Kharif sowing pattern, and the impact of monsoon on recovery.”

 

Dr DS Pai, Head – Climate Research and Services, India Meteorological Department speaking about the performance of monsoon this year, said, “Rainfall was relatively good in June – remaining above normal around 10 per cent across most parts of the country. In July, the north-eastern part of the country saw a major deficiency – 7 per cent below normal. However, the situation began worsening in August due to which eastern part of central India, as well as parts of Western India, had a severe rainfall deficiency.”

 

Nirav Desai, Managing Partner, GGN Research, said, “Even though monsoon started early, the abrupt gap between June 15 and July 15 curtailed expansion of the crop area, with an overall rainfall deficit of 27.2 per cent. As Rajasthan and Gujarat witnessed a dry spell, it may cause an overall crop deficit of up to 25 per cent in Rajasthan.”

 

B Krishna Murthy, MD, Four P International, detailing the scenario of Urad said, “India has been steadily improving its crop size of growth over the last few years to meet domestic requirements. For example, India produced 1.7 million tonnes in 2010, which went up to nearly 3 million tonnes in 2018-19 and the crop shortfalls are met by imports from Myanmar.” 

 

Krishna Murthy further said, “At the beginning of Kharif season 2020, India had a carry-on stock of an estimated 4 lakh tonnes, which was being held by the government and procurement agencies as well as the private traders. Our sowing was good at 37 lakh hectares and the monsoon has neither been abnormally low, nor abnormally high. However, the situation depends on how the balance 33 days of monsoon season fare.”

 

Nitin Kalantri, CEO, Kalantry Food Products, in his presentation on Tur said, “Failure of the crop or less sowing and consequent production deficit due to an erratic rainfall pattern will cause a surge in import of the Kharif crops in days to come. This will in turn cause inflation in the price of pulses. India needs to be more dependent on Indian farmers, we have to be Atmanirbhar so that we don’t import too many quantities and going forward, the prices would not rise.”

 

Punit Bachhawat, MD, Prakash Agro Mills, in his presentation on moong said, “With a deficit rainfall despite an early start, the maximum support price (MSP) for Moong has been increased in India giving much-needed relief to farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka. While a timely monsoon did give hopes of a bumper crop, a major interval in rains and erratic patterns spoiled hopes for a good crop of moong.”

 

According to Mr Bachhawat, a rainfall deficiency is expected to hurt prices further. He said, “With a decline in crop production in Rajasthan, prices will start moving up despite expectations of the bumper crop from MP and fresh arrival from Karnataka and Maharashtra. Imports from Tanzania and other parts of Africa will surge. On the other hand, with an increase in minimum support price (MSP), farmers will be interested in selling their goods to profit-making agencies and government bodies leaving little stock for the market and in turn pushing the prices up.”

 

 

 

 

Over 700 stakeholders from over 20 countries