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Company News, India

Bayer CS has identified clusters in 10 states and will aim to assist smallholder farmers with business planning, identification of key enablers, creation of market linkages and knowledge transfer.

Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) and Bayer CropScience Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form and promote 50 specialised Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). In collaboration with SFAC, Bayer CropScience Limited has identified clusters in 10 states and will aim to assist smallholder farmers with business planning, identification of key enablers, creation of market linkages and knowledge transfer, while working to establish 50 Farmer Producer Organizations.

SFAC’s partnership with Bayer CropScience Limited will help strengthen grower collectivisation and support farmer collectives to evolve as profitable and self-reliant business entities. Bayer CropScience Limited is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies providing sustainable farming solutions and has conceptualized an initiative with key value chain partners to build capacities of FPOs in India.

SFAC has emphasised the importance of collectivisation and FPOs important role in it. FPOs play a big role in building socio-economic resilience of the farmers, leveraging economies of scale in production and marketing. Value Chain organisations like Bayer has an important role to play in achieving the project’s objective. Its vast experience and outreach will certainly benefit the ultimate primary stakeholder.

Speaking on this milestone occasion, Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head – Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, said, “India is a nation of smallholder farmers. Collectivization in the form of a vibrant and strong network of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will not only improve farmers’ incomes but also supports the building up of a robust food value chain network to aid India’s food security, supporting food quality improvements and export potential. We as Bayer, are grateful to the Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) for giving us this opportunity of forming 50 FPOs. It brings to life and makes tangible our global commitment of empowering 100 million smallholder farmers by 2030 and providing them necessary resources to enhance their productivity and livelihoods and at the same time also contribute to the development of the Indian agricultural ecosystem.”

The MoU is aligned towards achieving the goal of the Central Sector Scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India (“DA&FW”) of forming and promoting 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations.

Bayer CS has identified clusters in 10

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Animal Health, Company News, India

Farmed shrimp industry expected to grow by 11 per cent against a global growth rate of 5.6 per cent

Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) has forayed into Aquaculture Health Segment with the launch of its products to serve the growing need in farmed shrimp and fish in the country. IIL’s foray into aquaculture segment will be in multiple phases comprising of multiple products including vaccines. IIL as a one health company produces multiple types of vaccines for multiple species such as Human, cattle, ship and goats, pigs, and companion animals.

Speaking at the launch function held at Hyderabad, Managing Director of IIL, Dr K Anand Kumar, “IIL is committed to introducing products including vaccines that will significantly reduce the usage of antibiotics in the aqua health industry”.

 Dr. Priyabrata Pattnaik, Deputy Managing Director of IIL added “IIL with its strong R&D team, has all the technological capabilities to manufacture vaccines for aqua health management”.

Aquaculture segment is comprised of fish and shrimp. Shrimp farming has been a huge success in India. The farmed shrimp industry is expected to grow by 11 per cent against a global growth rate of 5.6 per cent. India has established itself as the second largest farmed-shrimp producer in the world. India’s global market share in shrimp business is 14 per cent. India’s annual shrimp production is around 600,000 metric ton that aggregates to more than $3 Billion with a CAGR of 32 per cent since 2010.

India’s shrimp industry primarily includes two species, White leg Shrimp and Black Tiger Shrimp. Approximately 40 per cent of shrimp is exported to the US followed by approximately 30 per cent to Vietnam and nearly 15 per cent to European Union. The export market strictly demands antibiotic free products.

Total fish production in India in 2018 was estimated at 6.24 million metric tons (MMT). The growth in the fish farming sector mainly comes from the freshwater aquaculture sector. Though India holds the second position in the world for freshwater fish farmed production, freshwater fish farming in India is still based on traditional methods – large ponds, no water exchange, no draining, and no bottom sediment removal – that often lead to conditions that promote disease. Many fish farmers are tempted to use high dose of antibiotics to treat such disease, that ultimately leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). IIL as a one health company, through its foray into aquaculture health segment intend to play a role in minimising use of antibiotics, ultimately protecting our environment and health.

Farmed shrimp industry expected to grow by

Agro Universities, India, Live Stock

Registered indigenous breeds now totals 212

ICAR-NBAGR has registered ten new breeds of indigenous livestock species in the country. These breeds are -Kathani cattle (Maharashtra), Sanchori cattle (Rajasthan) and Masilum cattle (Meghalaya); Purnathadi buffalo (Maharashtra); Sojat goat (Rajasthan), Karauli goat (Rajasthan) and Gujari goat (Rajasthan); Banda pig (Jharkhand), Manipuri Black pig (Manipur) and Wak Chambil pig (Meghalaya). Accession numbers were also assigned to these breeds by the Bureau.

 Earlier, Breed Registration Committee (BRC) in its 10th meeting held on August 31, 2022, approved the registration of these livestock breeds of different states. After including these breeds, total number of registered indigenous breeds are 212, including 53 for cattle, 20 for buffalo, 37 for goat, 44 for sheep, 7 for horses & ponies, 9 for camel, 13 for pig, 3 for donkey, 3 for dog, 1 for yak, 19 for chicken, 2 for duck and 1 for geese.

Newly registered breeds include the following:

  • Kathani is dual-purpose cattle. It is distributed in mainly Vidarbha region of Western Maharashtra. The Kathani cattle possesses good draft ability, suited to marshy land for paddy cultivation.
  • Purnathadi buffalo is distributed in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state. Milk yield ranges from 353 to1533 kg in a lactation. Milk fat percentage ranges from 6.5 to11.5.
  • Sanchori is a medium sized, good milk producing cattle. It is distributed in Jalore district of Rajasthan. Average daily milk yield is about 9 kg with 2769 kg milk in a lactation.
  • Masilum is a small sized but well-built and sturdy cattle of Meghalaya. It is well adapted to the hill ecosystem. 
  • Sojat is a large sized dual-purpose goat; reared for both meat and milk purpose. Sojat is mainly distributed in Pali, Jodhpur, Nagaur and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan. Average adult weight is about 60.0 kg in males. Average milk yield in female is about 1 kg per day.
  • Karauli is a medium to large sized goat, reared for meat and milk. It is distributed in Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Bundi, and Baran districts of Rajasthan.
  • Gujari goat is a large sized, dual-purpose breed of Rajasthan.
  • Banda pig is native of Jharkhand, mainly reared for pork and manure. Animals are black coloured, having short and erect ear. These animals are having medium to short bristle on neck with a long and concave snout. 
  • Manipuri Black is native pig of Manipur state, mainly reared for meat.
  • Wak Chambil is a small sized pig with round and pendulous belly. It is mainly distributed in Garo Hills of Meghalaya.

Registered indigenous breeds now totals 212ICAR-NBAGR

Agrotech, Company News, Europe, Sustainability

The collaboration will be used in asparagus and winegrowing

Huawei and Dronetech, Austria’s largest drone service provider announce new applications resulting from their collaboration in 5G smart farming.

The two companies provided an update on their pioneer project that started last year, and introduced how their 5G and IoT technologies can advance sustainability in agriculture. They also hosted a panel made up of digitalisation and agriculture experts discussing how technology innovation, and 5G particularly, can promote sustainable farming amid rising global concerns for food security.

The two companies announce that their collaboration is entering the second phase called “Digital Sky”, where Huawei will provide cloud computing services on top of 5G and Dronetech’s drones will survey the land and objects to capture images. 

“The project of Huawei and Dronetech with drone use in asparagus and winegrowing is the first in Austria and here we want to analyse plant growth with real-time image recognition. By doing so, we want to improve the harvest, the output and the quality of the products,” said Andreas Reichhardt, Director-General of Directorate-General VI – Telecommunications, Postal Services and Mining at the Austrian Ministry of Finance. 

The collaboration will be used in asparagus

India, R&D

The new facility will come up on 1.25 acre land at total cost of about Rs 5 Cr

Dr T R Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR lays the foundation stone of the new building of ICAR-IISR, Lucknow Biological Control Centre at Pravaranagar (Maharashtra). 

The proposed building and facilities of Biological Control Centre is constructed on about 1.25 acre land with the total cost of about Rs 5 crore, which is sanctioned by the Government of Maharashtra under RKVY scheme.

A Discussion on the ongoing research projects and experiments in the sugarcane fields and the research work and outreach activities of the centre for the benefit of sugarcane farmers of the Maharashtra also took place. 

Dr T R Sharma said that in view of the increasing demand for sugar and ethanol in the country, sugarcane farmers need to obtain high production of sugarcane by using modern technology developed and advocated by the ICAR-Indian Sugarcane Research Institute. Dr Sharma also advocated the use of bio agents for the management of pests and diseases in sugarcane.

The new facility will come up on

China, Country, Horticulture, R&D

The World Agricultural Centre (WAC), a new global hub for agricultural research, has opened its doors in Harbin, the capital city of China’s northeastern province Heilongjiang. The WAC builds on the legacy of the International Agricultural Technology Innovation Center (IATIC),  a part of Heilongjiang’s effort to build itself into an international hub for agricultural innovation.

Global Headquarters of DBN officially settled in the “World Agricultural Center”, and introduced a number of international institutions such as the International Black Soil Research Institute of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the International Agricultural Economic Research Center, and the International Agricultural Think Tank, and will be built as the permanent site of the annual World Agricultural Economic Forum here. As a result, China’s agricultural field will work together to build the world’s agricultural science and technology innovation highland, and promote world agriculture to China, and Chinese agriculture to the world.

Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences and DBN recently held a global introduction conference for high-end agricultural talents. Liu Di, Dean of Heilongjiang Academy of Agriculture Science, and Zhang Lizhong, Vice Chairman of DBN Group, signed an agreement and jointly issued an announcement regarding the introduction of high-end agricultural talent in China, concentrating on corn, rice, soybeans, horticulture, and potatoes, as well as economic crops, edible fungi, and other planning.

The World Agricultural Centre (WAC), a new

India, Sugar industry

Of the over 5000 LMT sugarcane produced, 35 LMT sugar was diverted to ethanol production

India emerges as the world’s largest producer and consumer of sugar as well as the world’s 2nd largest exporter of sugar. 

A record of more than 5000 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) sugarcane was produced in the country out of which about 3574 LMT of sugarcane was crushed by sugar mills to produce about 394 LMT of sugar (Sucrose). Out of this, 35 LMT sugar was diverted to ethanol production and 359 LMT sugar was produced by sugar mills. 

A watershed season for Indian Sugar Sector as all records of sugarcane production, sugar production, sugar exports, cane procured, cane dues paid and ethanol production were made during the season.

Another shining highlight of the season is the highest exports of about 109.8 LMT that too with no financial assistance which was being extended upto 2020-21. Supportive international prices and Indian Government Policy led to this feat of Indian Sugar Industry. These exports earned foreign currency of about INR 40,000 crore for the country.

The success story of sugar industry is the outcome of synchronous and collaborative efforts of Central and State Governments, farmers, sugar mills, ethanol distilleries with very supportive overall ecosystem for business in the country.

Of the over 5000 LMT sugarcane produced,

Company News, Finance, North America

The divested business is set to operate as an independent company called Envu

Bayer has completed the sale of its Environmental Science Professional business to the international private equity firm Cinven, after the two companies had entered into a corresponding agreement in March. The conditions for closing the transaction – including the receipt of regulatory approval – have now been met. The purchase price for the business, which generated sales of approximately 600 million euros in 2021, amounts to 2.6 billion U.S. dollars (2.6 billion euros).

The divested business is set to operate as an independent company called Envu. The business is a global leader offering solutions to control pests, disease and weeds in non-agricultural areas such as vector control, professional pest management, vegetation management, forestry, and turf and ornamentals. It is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, United States, and is active in over 100 countries. Nearly 900 employees in total will transfer from Bayer to Envu.

“In Cinven, we have found a strong new owner with a firm commitment to the long-term growth potential of the business and to its people,” said Rodrigo Santos, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and head of the Crop Science Division. “At the same time, we can concentrate on our core agricultural business and the successful implementation of our growth strategy in the Crop Science Division.” Bayer will use the net proceeds from the transaction to reduce its net financial debt.

“Envu is a global leader in a highly attractive and critical industry. We thank Bayer for the trust they have placed in Cinven and plan to build on the strong foundations established by Bayer by significantly investing in it,” said Pontus Pettersson, Partner at Cinven. “Cinven is excited to build an independent, focused company and is well positioned to continue to drive innovation and accelerate growth, including the delivery of digital and data-enabled solutions, and to extend the product portfolio further by creating innovative and sustainable solutions for its customers.”

The divested business is set to operate

Company News, Dairy, Sustainability, Uncategorized

Ecological Laboratories, Inc. (ELI), a world-wide leader in environmental waste water management, is expanding its global distribution network in the farm waste sector. Near-term expansion will include the countries of Brazil, Denmark, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Poland, and building on Asian partnerships. This network, together with the recent ELI acquisition of TOMCO Chemical in the USA, has reached to greater than 800 animal husbandry producers servicing more than 1 crore pigs and cattle globally.

Elaborating on the commercial bioformulations of its product Microbe-Lift IND & Microbe-Lift/SA, the company said it contains a select consortium of live bacterial cultures that exhibit anaerobic oxidation capabilities. The product will allow animal producer to solve challenges such as odor, pump-out consistency/consistent fertility grade, flies, crusting and sludge build-up, H2S toxicity and related corrosive effects.

George Meserole, Vice President of International Sales Operations for Ecological Labs stated, “Currently we are in the strong position to selectively engage with global partners who share our vision on utilising natural bacterial products.  These products allow the farm operators to transition away from less efficient methods used.” Ecological Laboratories will focus on identifying on-farm distribution partners in Belgium/Netherlands, Canada, Mexico and Germany in Q4 2022-2023.

Ecological Laboratories, Inc. (ELI), a world-wide leader

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited in New Delhi to boost the initiative visioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote Millets towards celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023.

DA&FW and NAFED will collaborate in key areas like facilitating advisory support to manufacturers/processors of millet-based products to develop value-added millet-based commodities; on-boarding of start-ups, inclusive of start-ups empaneled with Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR); formation of FPOs specifically for developing a range of millet-based products; promote and market millet-based products through the network of NAFED Bazaar Stores and other institutions linked with NAFED as well as installation of Millet based Vending Machines at various locations across Delhi-NCR; and dispensing millet-based products that shall assist in establishing the focus on millet-based commodities.

Both organizations will work together for the promotion and marketing of millet-based products, keeping in view the initiative of “International Year of Millets (IYOM)-2023” proposed by the Government of India to the United Nations, which is to be celebrated across the world. As India is gearing up to bring millet back on the global map, they will build support and organize, promote, market, and forge effective market linkages for millet-based products to maximize the value capture and millet-based commodities across the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

Company estimates the market size of the CTPR combination products to around Rs 800 crore in India

Natco Pharma Limited announced the launch of two Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) pesticide formulated combination products under the brand names NATVOL: Chlorantraniliprole 8.8 per cent + Thiamethoxam 17.5 per cent SC; and NATLIGO: Chlorantraniliprole 9.3 per cent + Lambda-cyhalothrin 4.6 per cent ZC.

Both products are broad-spectrum, foliar insecticides used across wide range of crops. Syngenta markets these combination products under brand names Voliam Flexi® and Ampligo®. We estimate the market size of the CTPR combination products to around Rs 800 crore in India.

NATCO is the first company, after Syngenta, to launch above mentioned CTPR combination products in India. It follows on the heels of indigenously manufactured CTPR formulation 18.5 per cent SC launched by NATCO recently under brand name NATGEN. NATCO has challenged FMC for revocation of their patents for these combination products that are marketed by Syngenta, and the case is pending before the High Court of Delhi. NATCO is committed to bringing high quality agrochemical products at affordable prices to farmers across India.

Company estimates the market size of the

Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D, Sustainability

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”

CropLife India, one of the leading associations of domestic and multinational R&D driven crop science companies, organised a two-day national conference on the occasion of its 42 AGM, which witnessed the congregation of the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, agriculture ministers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka, senior government officials, experts and industry leaders.

The theme of the conference was “Sustainable Growth of Agriculture for Self-Reliant India” and the inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”. A special plenary session on the “Perspectives of State Governments” focussed on the achievements in agriculture in the four key states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka.

In his inaugural address, Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, shared that “There is utmost need to employ the latest technology for agriculture and enhance farmer awareness about the same. Drone technology can play a big role as it offers multiple benefits like spraying of agrochemicals, determination of amount of fertilisers and nutrients to be used, among others.”

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, opined that the crop protection industry should continue to develop greener chemistries for sustainable growth. He also invited the crop protection industry to invest in Uttar Pradesh which is on a trajectory towards becoming a food basket of the country as well as the world.

Commenting on the resources required for boosting agriculture, S. Niranjan Reddy, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Telangana, said, “The biggest task of mankind is to keep the soil healthy for better human health and wellness. Water conservation is essential for agriculture and Telengana is the first state to implement Watershed program in 1983-84. Under Mission Kakatiya, 46000 water tanks and water bodies in Telangana have been restored. Due to concerted efforts, water has brought about the biggest revolution in Telangana.”

Kamal Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said, “Madhya Pradesh has been taking many key initiatives like insurance to safeguard the interests of small holder farmers and make the farmers self-reliant”. Patel also invited industry to work with the state government on stewardship and other initiatives.

B. C. Patil, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Karnataka government has increased the reservation of students from the families of farmers in admissions to B.Sc. Agriculture, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. The total number of reserved seats for this category of students in agriculture universities is 1230 while the total intake is 2460 in the state.”

Dr K. C. Ravi, Chairman, CropLife India, said, “There is a need for a predictable, stable and science-based policy and regulatory regime for the proper growth of the crop protection sector; which promotes innovation and new product introduction to address the current and upcoming challenges faced by farmers while paving the way with introduction of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and drones.”

CropLife India is an association of 16 R&D driven member companies in crop protection and jointly represent 70 per cent of the market and are responsible for 95 per cent of the molecules introduced in the country.

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation

Agrotech, Company News, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting

With Kharif crop harvest starting soon and crop prices holding firm, the sentiment is positive

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), part of the Mahindra Group, has announced that its domestic tractor sales were at 47,100 units for September 2022 as against 39,053 units during the same period last year.

The total tractor sales including domestic and exports during September 2022 were at 48,713 units, as against 40,331 units for September 2021. Exports for the month stood at 1,613 units.

Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We have sold 47,100 tractors in the domestic market during September 2022, a growth of 21 per cent over last year. This is our highest ever sale in a month. Demand remained strong during the month owing to festive boost, which we expect to continue in October as well. With Kharif crop harvest starting soon and crop prices holding firm, the sentiment is positive. Above normal monsoon has improved the reservoir levels, leading to high moisture content in the soil, which is very positive for higher food grain production in the upcoming Rabi season. In the exports market, we have sold 1,613 tractors with a growth of 26 per cent over last year”.

With Kharif crop harvest starting soon and

Company News, Finance, India, Start ups

Considering low penetration of crop insurance, expansion of weather insurance products is imperative

Bengaluru-based nurture.farm, India’s leading AgTech start-up, has partnered with HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, a leading general insurance company in India, to further enhance and expand its insurance solutions for the 2.3 million farmers on its platform.

Farmers face varied types of risks at every stage of the farming cycle. The risks range from weather anomalies adversely impacting their crop productions, personal health risks due to the nature of work, and price fluctuations in the commodities market, leading to huge revenue loss for the farmers. Most farmers do not opt for insurance due to expensive premiums and the tediousness associated with paperwork.  Owing to the widespread nature of this issue, nurture.farm aims to offer its insurance solutions to nearly 2 million farmers in 2022-23, and will continuously innovate to provide risk mitigation solutions to enhance farmer resilience.

 Pranav Tiwari, CTO of nurture.farm, said, “The low insurance penetration in India is a cause of much grief for our farmers who have to face all kinds of risks like pests, weather, price volatility, misfortune on the field, etc. The lack of product offerings and insurance solutions that protect them against these risks leaves them financially vulnerable and susceptible to exploitation. Our partnership with HDFC ERGO aims to alleviate farmers’ distress associated with losses due to untimely and unfavourable conditions during the farming life cycle. This association will help us get closer to our vision of making farmers resilient and delivering sustainable outcomes to the farming community of India.”

Commenting on the partnership, Hiten Kothari, Appointed Actuary, HDFC ERGO, said, “At HDFC ERGO, we are committed to bringing in innovative insurance solutions for the rural community to provide financial security and also encourage sustainable farming. Considering the low penetration of crop insurance, expansion of weather insurance products is imperative. We firmly believe in nurture.farm’s vision and look forward to a long and productive collaboration.”

Considering low penetration of crop insurance, expansion