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Agrotech, Start ups

Dr Chauhan will be working towards further strengthening the portfolio of DeHaat , bring in new product lines and looking forward to forge strategic partnerships 

  DeHaat™ one of the fastest growing agritech start-up in India has appointed Dr Dinesh Chauhan as Vice President – New Initiatives. He will be working towards further strengthening the portfolio of DeHaat , bring in new product lines and looking forward to forge strategic partnerships with various multilateral organizations and government agencies. 

 DeHaat™ is one of the very few companies providing end-to-end solutions and services to the farming community in India. Headquartered in Gurgaon, it offers farmers a range of services that encompass supply chain, agricultural inputs, advice on crops, pests, soil and seeds, and a lot more.

Dr Chauhan comes with more than two decades of global experience of working and handling large projects both in Africa and India. He has diverse experience of working both in Agri Input as well as output side of value chain both for fresh and soft commodities along with international consulting and not for profits.   Post MBA he started his career as Management Trainee with Mahindra and went on to become the CEO of International Agriculture Consulting Group. Until recently he was Director and COO with Indian society of Agribusiness professionals ISAP. He was also Category Head of FnV with Reliance Retail in Delhi-NCR and Haryana. He looked after collateral management business of Origo Commodities as National Head – Business Development.

A Phd in Management with MBA in Agribusiness Management and MSc in Food Technology from Pantnagar University, Dr Chauhan is also on advisory board of Africa Agribusiness Alliance, Global Bio Ag Linkages and AgTech Insight – US, Ghana India Trade Advisory Council- Ghana, Global AgTech Council and working group member of National level Committee of Agri StartUps in India.

He has established partnerships and worked with various cross cultural teams ranging from India, US, Australia, Israel, Africa , China, Norway, Middle East and South Asia.

Dr Chauhan will be working towards further

Agrotech, Finance, Start ups

Investments to strengthen value-chain of own food retail brand, VegEase

Egreens announced a Rs 150 million fund for early-stage, agri-tech startups in India. Egreens will focus on startups that use innovative technologies and disruptive business models across the entire value chain of food production, storage and transportation. Among the business ideas that Egreens will look into, the focus will include innovative market linkages, the use of AI and machine learning in farming practices and implementation of IoT (Internet of Things) across the supply chain. 

The investment philosophy of Egreens is to create products and experiences that bring to life the connection between nature and society while supporting transparency, authentic farming practices and community-friendly initiatives. Egreens plans to extend this focus to food distribution and retail. 

The new fund announcement comes close to the heels of investment of Rs 150 million in VegEase, the in-house food retail brand of Egreens. VegEase is re-imagining the delivery of fruits and vegetables with its cart-at-home model. VegEase has re-introduced the aspect of choice in-home delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables. VegEase will use the fresh infusion of funds to diversify into the B2B space.

Speaking on the investment, Mayank Chaurasia, Founder & CEO, Egreens, said, “We are looking at exciting startups that will eventually create forward and backward integration with VegEase. While VegEase is present in the B2C segment, we want to increase our footing in the B2B, B2B2C segments in diverse markets.” 

 Arpit Katta, CFO, Egreens said, “For Egreens, investment-driven on consumer insights is a process of keeping growth on the track effectively and surely.”

 

Investments to strengthen value-chain of own food

R&D

Through the agreement, Corteva receives an exclusive license to Elemental Enzymes’s Waterflux technology

 

 

 

Corteva Agriscience and Elemental Enzymes, a life sciences company that develops novel biotechnology and enzyme solutions, has announced a multi-year global agreement around a unique abiotic stress mitigation technology.

Through the agreement, Corteva receives an exclusive license to Elemental Enzymes’s Waterflux technology. The optimised osmoprotectant blend provides plants with small organic molecules that help crops overcome abiotic stressors such as soil salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures, helping keep them productive and healthy.

Corteva will offer this technology through a family of products to be branded under the name Sosdia Abiotic Stress Mitigator/Biostimulant. Two different products and formulations will be offered for a broad range of crops, including specialty and row crops, sugar cane, and turf and ornamental, as well as range and pasture. Pending appropriate registrations, Corteva will launch the products globally, excluding Australia and New Zealand territories.

Corteva’s model for developing its best-in-class Biologicals portfolio combines external innovation, R&D collaboration, licensing, and distribution. This agreement shows how Corteva collaborates with leading companies to accelerate commercializing customer-centered innovations. Waterflux technology from Elemental Enzymes will provide value through Sosdia Abiotic Stress Mitigator/Biostimulants to improve consistency under environmental stress and enhancing yield potential and sustainability, in line with the Corteva Agriscience 2030 Sustainability Goals.

 

 

Through the agreement, Corteva receives an exclusive

Agrotech, Environment

Kellogg Company has announced a milestone in its efforts to support farmers and nurture the planet through its Origins project.

Ahead of World Environment Day, June 5, Kellogg Company has announced a milestone in its efforts to support farmers and nurture the planet through its Origins project.

In a new blog post, Amy Senter, Chief Sustainability Officer for the Kellogg Company, wrote that the company has now worked with more than 440,000 farmers around the world to protect soil health, water, and the climate. 

One way Kellogg is supporting the preservation and restoration of ecosystems is through our Kellogg’s Origins program. Each Origins project is developed through unique partnerships between with farmers, suppliers and trusted experts to bring restorative agriculture to the mainstream.

Restorative agriculture, simply put, refers to farming practices that rebuild a farm’s topsoil and protect surrounding ecosystems. The tactics in Origins projects are tailored to meet the needs of farmers around the world and to deliver real progress against specific sustainability challenges.

The company’s approach is to respond to the needs of farmers around the world, as they seek support to transition to new practices that support ecosystem and community resiliency. To date, they have collaborated with more than 440,000 farmers in 29 countries, and that work will continue.

Kellogg Company has announced a milestone

AgroPolicy

Union Agriculture Minister reviews collaboration in the field of agriculture in a virtual meeting with his Australian counterpart

India and Australia acknowledged that frequent engagement between the two nations at the highest level has resulted in significant progress in many spheres of bilateral relations during the last five years. A virtual meeting was recently held between Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and David Littleproud MP, Australian Minister for Agriculture, Drought & Emergency Management.

The two ministers met to follow up on the collaboration in the field of agriculture highlighted in the comprehensive strategic partnership announced by Prime Ministers of India and Australia at their Summit on June 4, 2020. India – Australia Grains Partnership was a significant inclusion aiming to use Australia’s expertise in post-harvest management to strengthen rural grain storage and supply chains to reduce losses and wastage.

Tomar expressed satisfaction at the progress being made in this area of cooperation between the two countries and informed that the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing will be the nodal organisation from India.

Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress of giving market access to the respective agricultural products and sharing technical information. Australia has recently given market access for the export of Indian pomegranates. There would be a joint strategy for deeper access for Indian mangoes and pomegranates in Australian markets led by the Indian High Commission in Canberra also. The Australian Minister assured to fast track the Indian requests for market access for okra and pomegranate arils.

Tomar further mentioned the flagship programme of National Innovation for Climate Resilient Agriculture and also opined that collaboration could be set up with the research organisations of Australia.

Union Agriculture Minister reviews collaboration in the

Agrotech, R&D

24 scientists will receive both financial and scientific support for their crop science research proposal / successful projects have the potential to become future collaborations with Bayer.

 24 proposals, designed to accelerate precision agriculture, reduce chemicals to enhance soil health or fight pests to preserve biodiversity, make up this year’s Bayer Grants4Ag winners. The successful researchers will receive grants (ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 euros) to fund their projects. Bayer will also pair each winner with one of the company’s own scientists to provide guidance on each project as it progresses.

“I was thrilled to have my project chosen!” says microbiologist Vanessa Nessner Kavamura. “As a postdoc scientist, it’s not often that we get to develop our own project, making this a great opportunity to develop my research ideas. Bayer offers a lot of support from its experienced team, and I hope I have some exciting results which could lead to additional future collaborations”.

Proposals like Kavamura’s, on fighting fungal disease in wheat with microbes, centred around solutions aimed at helping farmers around the world protect their crops. For those researchers selected, Bayer Grants4Ag provides both financial support and scientific guidance to develop their ideas to advance agriculture. For Bayer, those grants could end up as an investment in a larger, longer-term collaborations with the scientist.

“Ideas from this year’s winners represent all research and development areas in crop science,” says Phil Taylor, Open Innovation Lead for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We love the idea that, given support, these research proposals could develop into the next advancement that helps farmers.”

In partnership with Halo, a partnering platform for scientific innovation, Bayer received more than 600 proposals from 39 countries around the world during a five-week submission window this past fall. Bayer Grants4Ag awardees retain all intellectual property rights to their projects.

24 scientists will receive both financial and

Agrotech, Start ups, World

ICL Planet Startup Hub will offer start-ups investment support and fast-track to the marketplace

ICL, a leading global speciality minerals and speciality chemicals company, has launched ICL Planet Startup Hub. The innovation platform is expected to help propel innovative food tech and agri-tech start-ups to the marketplace and to provide enterprises with an extensive network of support, including investment and mentorship.

ICL Planet was created as an innovation catalyst serving early-stage, pilot-ready start-ups, as well as more mature, market-ready start-ups operating within the agriculture and food tech domains. The initiative was driven to advance and nurture game-changing technology companies active in addressing critical global needs and making a positive and sustainable environmental impact.

The new start-up hub will centre activities on two core areas of competency. The first will focus on areas related to crop nutrition, such as organic fertilisers, nutrient use efficiency, biostimulants, micronutrients and nitrogen fixation. The second will focus on food tech start-ups active in the areas of alternative proteins, natural ingredients, plant-based functional ingredients, and white biotechnology, that can demonstrate a measurable positive environmental impact.

ICL has set up a dual-track programme and service envelope for all start-ups working under its umbrella. Through the programme, they can leverage ICL’s broad business and infrastructural ecosystem, including, investment, co-working space, access to laboratories and analytical equipment, and R&D support, with options for field trials and new-product pilots.

ICL has named Hadar Sutovsky VP of External Innovation and General Manager of ICL Planet. “We seek start-ups aligned with our organisation on sustainability values and product direction,” stresses Sutovsky.  

“A key milestone in our business transformation is centred around the idea of responsibility for our collective future and leading innovations that can favourably impact the industries we work in,” says Anantha Desikan, EVP and Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer, ICL.

ICL Planet Startup Hub will offer start-ups

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agrotech, Dairy

The award has three categories namely Best Dairy farmer, Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) and Best Dairy Cooperative / Milk Producer Company / FPO. 

 Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Giriraj Singh chaired a virtual program organised on the occasion of World Milk Day. Every year, the first day of June is observed as World Milk Day. The Minister announced the launch of the National Awards for the Cattle and Dairy sector, the Gopal Ratna Awards. The award has three categories –  i) Best Dairy farmer, ii) Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) and Best Dairy Cooperative/ Milk producer Company/ FPO. He mentioned that eligible farmers/dairy cooperative societies/ AI technicians can apply for award online and portal for award will open from 15th July 2021. Winners for the award will be announced on 31st October 2021.

He also announced integration of e Gopala App with UMANG platform so that 3.1 Crore users of Umang platform will get access to App. e-GOPALA app (Generation of wealth through Productive Livestock), a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers, had been launched by Hon’ble PM on 10th September 2020.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister stated that India is a global leader amongst dairying nations and produced 198.4 million tonnes of milk during 2019-20. Value of output of milk is more than Rs 7.72 lakh crore during 2018-19 at current prices which is more than the value of output of wheat and paddy together.

Minister also mentioned that Milk Production has grown at an average annual growth rate of 6.3% per year during last 6 years whereas world milk production is growing at the rate of 1.5% per year. Per capita availability of milk has increased from 307 grams per person per day in 2013-14 to 406 grams per person per day in 2019-2020 that is y 32.24%.

He further stated that our dairy sector provides livelihood support to 8 crore dairy farmers engaged in dairying mainly small & marginal and landless labourers. The dairy cooperatives of the country have the singular distinction of providing seventy five percent of their sales, on the average, to the farmers. Over 2 crore dairy farmers organised into dairy cooperatives and there are 1.94 lakh Dairy Cooperative Societies collecting milk from milk potential villages.

 

 

The award has three categories namely Best

Finance, Seeds

The company’s operating loss increase to Rs 124 million in 4QFY21

Agriculture company Kaveri seeds has posted its results for FY21. The revenue increased 11 per cent in FY21 on account of growth in hybrid rice, maize and vegetable seed segments, whereas cotton seed volumes fell 2 per cent.

The maize and paddy drove the overall performance. The standalone revenue stood at Rs 551 million in 4QFY21, up 6 per cent YoY. Operating loss increased to Rs 124 million in 4QFY21 v/s a loss of Rs 117 million in 4QFY20. The gross margin stood at 56.7 per cent in 4QFY21 v/s 42.8 per cent last year. As a percentage of sales, employee cost/other expenses increased to 34 per cent/45.2 per cent in 4QFY21 v/s 26.8 per cent/38.7 per cent in 4QFY20. It reported a net loss of Rs 143 million in 4QFY21 v/s a net profit of Rs 94 million in 4QFY20.

Cottonseed volumes declined marginally by ~2 per cent to 7.09 million packets in FY21 due to lower sales in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, leading to a revenue drop of 2.2 per cent to Rs 4,404 million. Contribution from new products rose to 25.2 per cent of volumes from 23.8 per cent. Hybrid paddy reported 56 per cent revenue growth (to Rs 1,325 million) in FY21 on 48 per cent volume growth. Introduction of new hybrids – 7299, 471, and 473 – aided strong volume growth. Volume contribution from new hybrids rose to 68 per cent from 51 per cent.

Revenue from maize seeds grew ~18 per cent (to Rs 2,032 million) in FY21 due to a better product mix and stable contribution from new products. The consolidated revenue/EBITDA/adjusted PAT grew 11 per cent/18 per cent/20 per cent in FY21. KSCL generated a CFO of Rs 2.5 billion (up 31 per cent YoY) in FY21 on the back of higher payables and lower receivables. This was offset by higher inventory.

 

The company’s operating loss increase to Rs

Agro Universities, R&D, Transportation

AmbiTag records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of meat & dairy products. 

Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT Ropar) in Punjab has recently developed a first-of-its-kind IoT device – AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products such as meat, dairy etc, among others.

That recorded temperature further helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation.

AWaDH Project coordinator, Dr Suman Kumar commented, “From -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge. Most of the similar devices available in the international market record data only for the duration of 30- 60 days.” 

Further, the device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Start-up ScratchNest. AWaDH is a Govt of India project. Prof Kumar said that the device is certified with ISO 13485:2016, EN 12830:2018, CE & ROHS.

Besides perishable items including vegetables, meat and dairy products it can also monitor the temperature of animal semen during transit. “So far, such devices are being imported by India in a massive quantity from other countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, and China,” said Amit Bhatti, one of the founders and directors of ScratchNest.

 

AmbiTag records real-time ambient temperature during the

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Dairy, Webinar

Experts shared the constraints being faced in exports and about need to promote the FPOs, dairy farmers or cooperatives to export dairy products directly to the global destinations.

For commemorating World Milk Day on June 1, 2021, APEDA in association with Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MFAHD) organised a webinar cum interactive session on the prospects of harnessing the full potential of dairy products exports from the country.

While delivering the keynote address at the webinar, Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, MFAHD said India is Atmanirbhar in the production of milk and has enough surplus produce to exports. He shared the progress made in production and export growth in dairy products.

Chaturvedi also mentioned the schemes and programs of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying like National Program for Dairy Development, National Livestock Mission, Livestock Health and Disease Control and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund etc.

For ensuring availability of quality fodder and feed for the cattle nutrition through Pashuaadhar for traceability for the animals. MFAHD has a scheme for developing infrastructure under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. 

Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA said that time has come to promote the FPOs, dairy farmers or cooperatives to export dairy products directly to the global destinations. Shri Meenesh C Shah, Executive Director, National Dairy Development Board also shared their views on Overall scenario of Dairy sector in India.

On the behalf of the exporters Dr R S Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) also known as AMUL, shared the constraints being faced in exports i.e market access issues in China, EU, South Africa, and Mexico, Sodhi said that high import duty charged by SAARC and neighboring countries such as Bangladesh (35 per cent) and Pakistan (45 per cent). Sodhi also noted that major importing countries have imposed much higher import duty on dairy products from India.

 

 

Experts shared the constraints being faced

E-commerce, Machinery – Post-harvesting

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during May 2021 were at 24184 units, as against 24341 units for the same period last year. 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), a part of the USD 19.4 billion Mahindra Group, today announced its tractor sales numbers for May 2021, which indicate a clear growth path in the upcoming season.

Domestic sales in May 2021 were at 22843 units, as against 24017 units during May 2020.Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during May 2021 were at 24184 units, as against 24341 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 1341 units.

Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We have sold 22843 tractors in the domestic market during May 2021. In May, COVID spread in rural markets led to stringent lockdowns, leading to deferment of tractor purchase and limited operations at dealerships. While state specific lockdowns and localized restrictions continue, it is heartening to see the Covid cases reducing sharply. This is leading to sharp improvement in farmer sentiments and green shoots of recovery are visible, especially since the last week, as farmers start preparing their land for upcoming Kharif crop season. A bumper Rabi harvest, record procurement, food prices holding up, gradual opening up of Mandis and expectations of a normal monsoon will pave the way for growth in the upcoming season. In the exports market, we have sold 1341 tractors with a growth of 314 per cent over last year.”

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during

Agro chems – Pesticides, China

Following the completion of both Phases I and II, ADAMA now owns 51 per cent of the equity in both Dibai and ADAMA Huifeng (Jiangsu)

 

ADAMA Ltd. and Jiangsu Huifeng Bio Agriculture Co., Ltd recently reported that they have completed the second and final phase of their previously announced transaction. In this phase, ADAMA has closed the acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Huifeng’s key crop protection synthesis and formulation facilities.

Transaction Overview:

  • Phase I: As previously announced, in December 2020; ADAMA acquired a 51 per cent stake in Shanghai Dibai Plant Protection Co., Ltd.
  • Phase II: In the transaction that has now been completed, ADAMA has acquired a 51 per cent stake in a recently established, created to incorporate Huifeng’s key crop protection synthesis and formulation facilities;
  • Closing of Phase II follows the satisfaction or waiver of the relevant Closing conditions, including the obtaining of the required regulatory and other corporate approvals as well as the resumption of production at Huifeng’s key production facilities;
  • The total cash consideration for both phases of the transaction is approximately RMB 1,224 million (approximately $192 million at the current exchange rate), of which:
  • RMB 306 million (approximately $48 million) has been paid in respect of Phase I;
  • RMB 663 million (approximately $104 million) has been paid in respect of Phase II;
  • RMB 255 million (approximately $40 million) is being held back to secure the future post-Closing obligations of Huifeng.

Following the completion of both Phases I and II, ADAMA now owns 51 per cent of the equity in both Dibai and ADAMA Huifeng (Jiangsu), providing ADAMA with a majority stake in one of China’s leading crop protection manufacturers, and significantly bolstering ADAMA’s commercial presence in the China crop protection market. Through this transaction, ADAMA now gains access to backward-integrated and competitive positions in key global molecules, expected to drive significant growth through ADAMA’s worldwide market reach.

Following the completion of both Phases I

Organic, Start ups

With a total plant capacity of 5,00,000+, RISE Hydroponics has successfully developed 2,00,000+ square feet of Soilless Cultivation Area

 

 

RISE Hydroponics is an Ahmedabad-based agritech startup, a rising dynamic in the modern agriculture field of Hydroponics. They are committed to spread the use of Hydroponics and other soilless methods for agriculture across India. They help in building nature-friendly and commercially viable projects. With the advent of excessive use of pesticides and deteriorating farm output quality, it has never been a better time to start a farming business using modern methods like Hydroponics.

They provide end-to-end service in the field of Soilless Agriculture – Commercial Project Development (Indoor/Outdoor), NFT Systems, Dutch Buckets, DWC, Cost-effective grow bag with cocopeat system, Grow Lights, IOT Automation, Autodoser, Polyhouse Structure Development, Irrigation systems, Raw Materials, Hydroponics Consultation, Agronomy Services.

RISE Hydroponics has successfully developed 2,00,000+ square feet of Soilless Cultivation Area with a total plant capacity of 5,00,000+ and yearly yield expectation of 1000 Ton, across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and more.

With a Vision to make agriculture a sustainable business by helping small farmers, creating urban farmers, making India future-ready for 2030 while giving a healthy and nutritious food options, they are on a mission to support 5,00,000 farmers by 2030 and make India “Aatmanirbhar” by giving one-stop turn-key solutions.

 

 

With a total plant capacity of 5,00,000+,