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Company News, Environment, Finance, India, Institutions, World

Investment to help improve access to sustainable, tailor-made agri-solutions benefiting millions of Indian farmers

IFC and IFC Emerging Asia Fund (EAF) have made an investment of Rs 300 Cr (approx.US$37Mn) in Crystal Crop Protection Ltd., a leading agrochemical player in India. This will allow the company to boost farm productivity, reduce supply chain disruptions triggered by COVID-19, and set up a robust infrastructure for sustainable production of crop protection products. The IFC Emerging Asia Fund, launched in 2016, makes equity and equity-like investments across all sectors in emerging markets in Asia alongside IFC.


The new investment promises to benefit millions of Indian farmers by establishing a robust production framework for green crop solutions. The project will increase farmers’ access to customised, affordable, and environment-friendly crop protection products, and in doing so, enhance their productivity. While supporting farmers, the project will increase market competitiveness, playing a catalytic role in strengthening the agriculture sector in India.


While agriculture provides employment for nearly half of India’s labour force, it contributed only about 17 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 1Q-FY23. Farmer incomes are low and volatile due to poor access to quality inputs, credit, technical expertise, and markets. Addressing these challenges will help the sector increase profits and raise farmers’ incomes.

The financing package will support Crystal Growth plans, enabling it to focus on innovation and strengthening its research and development (R&D) capacity. Improved R&D ability will support the Indian agrochemical industry to align itself with environmentally friendly global market trends.

Commenting on the transaction, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director, of Crystal Crop Protection Limited, said, “This investment will further consolidate the company’s position in the Indian market and strengthen its commitment toward sustainable crop solutions to increase farm profitability of Indian farmers by leveraging R&D and technology. We remain committed to the highest standards of environmental, health and safety guidelines, and governance in all our operations.″

Commenting on IFC’s investment, Wendy Werner, India Country Head at IFC, said: ″IFC’s investment will help improve access to sustainable, tailor-made agri-solutions benefiting millions of farmers.″ ″Strengthening climate-smart agribusiness is at the heart of our development mission in the country. We are confident this investment will bolster supply chains, encourage future investors and promote resilience in the sector,″ she added.

The investment will also help the company improve its IT infrastructure and automation in its plants. Going forward, Crystal aims to grow double digits in crop protection chemicals and seeds by funding working capital requirements. The company recently launched a new business in agrochemical retail, Safire Crop Science, which will leverage technology to promote crop solutions and services, allowing farmers to access them more efficiently.


Investment to help improve access to sustainable,

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Floriculture, Foodgrains, Horticulture, India, Institutions, People, R&D, Schemes - Govt, Trade, Vegetables

At the recently held national conference ‘Expansion of Horticulture Value Chain in India’ held at Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management in Pune, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that to promote farming and to raise the standard of living of farmers, schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore, Digital Agriculture Mission, Drone Technology, e-NAM, PM irrigation schemes are being implemented. The programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and attended by people related to the horticulture field including farmers, FPOs, start-ups and bankers were present.

Tomar in his address said that if the villages are prosperous and self-reliant, then the country itself will become prosperous and self-sufficient. Tomar said that agriculture is our priority and the backbone of our economy. He said that there is a need to pioneer the agriculture sector because the traditional economy of agriculture and villages is the biggest strength of the country. No matter how adverse the situation, agriculture always proves helpful for our economy. He said that the merchant-entrepreneur should give the maximum price of agricultural produce to the farmer. This will not only make our farmers prosperous but also inspire the next generation to do farming.  

Tomar said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has promoted indigenous technology in agriculture in the last 8 years. Modi has not only talked about increasing the income of farmers but also taken several measures by associating State governments and by directly involving farmers.

He also said that today youth, retired employees, and people associated with the corporate sector are also coming forward for farming. People’s interest in organic and natural farming is also increasing. There has been a record export of agricultural products worth Rs 4 lakh crore.

Tomar said that today India is self-sufficient in food grains. India ranks first or second in the world in most agricultural products. Along with food crops, horticulture cultivation is also being promoted. For small farmers, the Central Government started the Horticulture Mission and scheme of FPOs. Efforts are being made that small farmers should do farming together so that they get maximum benefits. By uniting in the FPO and cluster system, the farmers will not have to go to the traders, but the traders will be forced to come to them to buy products.

 Tomar said along with the production of food grains, the horticulture sector, especially the cultivation of vegetables and flowers, plays an important role in increasing the income of the farmers. It is necessary to pay attention to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and millet because only food grains will not work for the nutrients.  

At the recently held national conference ‘Expansion

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Environment, India, Sustainability

Initiative to help farmers adopt best practices in soil nutrition, climate-resilient farming

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it would fund the farm efficiency initiative of Smartchem Technologies Limited (STL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deepak Fertilisers And Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (DFPCL), through a $30 million loan facility with a tenor of 5 years. This is ADB’s first agribusiness ‘Blue Loan’, and the first such blue loan in India in the agribusiness sector across institutions. The loan will be used to finance capital expenditure as well as research and development of enhanced-efficiency speciality fertilisers.

STL was chosen as a suitable candidate for Asian Development Bank (ADB) support because of its leading market position in the enhanced efficiency specialised fertilisers (EESF) segment, with advanced technical capability and satisfactory financial performance. Growth potential from the enhancement of fertiliser production capacity to provide quality inputs.

Actions to encourage the application of EESFs, which will support the sustainable transformation of agriculture in India while improving its resilience to climate change.

ADB has also given approval for a technical assistance grant of $5,00,000 for building capacity for Soil Nutrition Management among Smallholder Farmers and Climate Resilience in India. The said grant is in addition to financing of $30 Million (“Blue loan”).

Enhanced-efficiency speciality fertilisers have shown increased output while reducing the need for fertiliser application rate and also reduces environmental impact and supports Nutrient uptake efficiencies and thus delivers better productivity leading to improved food security.

Initiative to help farmers adopt best practices

Floriculture, Horticulture, India, Nature

A huge demand for saffron from all around the world since it gets the geographical indication (GI) tag

Saffron production in Jammu and Kashmir has increased by 30 per cent this year due to adequate rains just before the flowering season, which raised production and prevented crop yields from declining. Kashmir has more than 3700 hectares of land under saffron cultivation and the Pampore in Pulwama is the main hub for growing saffron. However, the spice is now being cultivated across different districts of Kashmir valley as well.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Saffron Growers Association, this year, the rate of Lacha quality saffron is around Rs 185 per gram while Morga quality saffron is Rs 240 per gram at Kashmir’s Park Pampore. The saffron farmers in the valley earlier were very much disappointed due to low rates in the market. But since the Kashmir Saffron Park came into existence and has decided rates on a high note, the farmers started taking more interest in the cultivation of saffron.

Huge demand for saffron from all over the world since it gets the geographical indication (GI) tag a sign used on products which have a specific geographical origin. Last season, the saffron production exceeded 15 metric tones after a gap of more than 25 years. The year-on-year increases in production are expected to revitalize the industry because growers have been forced to switch to other crops or stop growing the pricey crop due to diminishing yields and land under cover.
Since 1996, production has been falling, with the Valley experiencing the lowest yield of 1.5 MTs in 2011-2012. Experts were warning that due to declining production, this valuable crop would become extinct.

A huge demand for saffron from all

India

Several entrepreneurships come forward to adopt BNH

To augment green fodder availability in arid Rajasthan the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) has attempted a unique intervention that comprised harvesting of rainwater from building roof-top and solar energy for utilising harvested rainwater for growing of Bajra Napier Hybrid (BNH) having high biomass potential from a unit of land. Legumes were also grown in kharif and lucerne in rabi seasons for increasing the nutritive value of the BNH fodder. The BNH was planted at 3×1m spacing and legume fodder crops were grown in the inter-row spaces during kharif and rabi.

The farmers of the desert districts of Rajasthan have benefitted a lot from the BNH crops not only in assured fodder supply but also earning by selling of green fodder, planting material and many others have established commercial fodder farms that give them revenue of more than Rs 500,000 ha-1. The demonstration field of ICAR-CAZRI remained an attraction point for the farmers, personnel from line departments and other dignitaries. Several entrepreneurships from arid region of Rajasthan have come forward to adopt BNH.

Several entrepreneurships come forward to adopt BNHTo

India

Common carp culture in cages installed in Doyang reservoir to improve livelihood and income of tribal farmers

The Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Nagaland has been carrying out multifold activities in the Doyang reservoir, located in Wokha district, Nagaland to facilitate better fisheries activities and marketing. Considering these scenarios, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore in collaboration with Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Government of Nagaland has initiated culture of common carp in cages installed in Doyang reservoir. The reservoir has a water spread area of 2,258 hectare and is a potential resource for augmenting fish production in the state. Fish catch in the reservoir is mainly contributed by stocked fishes.

Demonstration of cage culture technology was carried out with the objectives of popularising cage culture technology among fishers of the State, increasing fish production and improving livelihood and income of tribal fishers. The awareness programme was organised on Cage culture technology on the occasion of fish seed stocking in cages with the active support from Rulanthung Ezung, District Fishery Officer, E Mhonthung Lotha and Konrhi Magh, Assistant Fishery Inspectors, Wokha, Nagaland. 

Common carp culture in cages installed in

India, World

Rathi expected to drive strategic growth and set up processes and capital structures.

V-Trans India Ltd, an integrated single window logistics solution provider appoints Deepak Rathi as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of V-Trans India Ltd group w.e.f. October 13, 2022.

Rathi possesses over two decades of experience as a finance professional. Previously, he was associated with Greaves Cotton Ltd as Vice-President – Finance. In his earlier experience, he has worked with companies like Future Group, Essel Group, Reliance Media World, and Garware Polyester among others companies.  

Rathi is expected to drive strategic growth and set up processes and capital structures. The CFO’s appointment comes as part of the company’s growth strategy that includes the Capital raising plans in the next 2-3 years.

V-Trans India has a turnover of about Rs 1200 crore. It is a six-decade-old company and has three business verticals V-Trans, V-Xpress, and V-Logis. V-Trans India has 850 branches and over 3,000 professionals to provide logistics solutions.

Commenting on his appointment as the Group Chief Financial Officer, Deepak Rathisaid, “I am delighted to be a part of the prestigious Company and aim to drive the Company’s financial vision with added zeal. We intend to tap the financial market by working as a cohesive and collaborative team. As the company plans to scale up, my role is increasingly critical both in capital raising for growth and management of risks.”

Rathi expected to drive strategic growth and

Agrotech, Horticulture, India, R&D, Uncategorized

Initial planting to begin with 40 acres of land and will go up to 100 acres by 2023

IG International, one of India’s leading fresh fruit importers, has joined hands with Special New Fruit Licensing, SNFL Group, one of the world’s leading table grape R&D companies, to plant world-class grape varieties in India. This new project will establish IG International as one of the prime grape growers in India. The partnership will focus on bringing top cultivars to Indian consumers in Nasik, which is set to be the home for the production of new varieties of grapes. The initial planting will begin with 40 acre of land and will go up to 100 acres by 2023.

For over 20 years, SNFL Group has been breeding and developing new table grape varieties and licensing their production around the world. They are driven to propel the next generation of sustainable and healthy table grape varieties to better serve the success of growers, retailers, and consumers around the globe.

Acclaimed as the leading fresh fruit importer in India, IG International is entrenched with a renowned reputation for more than 50 years in this market segment. The company’s organized and strategic sourcing system, augmented by a seamless supply chain with a well-connected overseas procurement network, enables them to bring top varieties of grapes from SNFL which are currently not grown in India.

Speaking about this collaboration, Aman Anand, CEO of IG Grapes, said, “SNFL. Grapes are one of the best-selling commodities in the fresh fruit industry as they are universally liked by many consumers. SNFL will provide first-grade varieties of grapes in India through IG Grapes’ vast network. With this partnership, we are looking forward to making sure that we have scalable production, expertise, and a steady supply of delicious grapes of unmatched quality.”

On this occasion, Josep Estiarte, CEO of SNFL stated, “Grapes are one of the most diverse and devoured fruits in India and with the establishment of this collaboration between our two leading companies, we will be able to deliver quality and freshness for all grape lovers in India. NFL’s project in India started two years ago with the planting of its first protected varieties in the Indian market and we are committed to supporting the development of a premium table grape industry that will deliver better varieties to consumers.”

Initial planting to begin with 40 acres

Agrotech, Company News

Evoca helps sustainably control economically important fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables.

Novozymes and Biotalys, an Agricultural Technology (AgTech) company protecting crops and food with protein-based biocontrol solutions have announced the successful outcome of the feasibility study for Evoca™*, Biotalys’ first proprietary biocontrol product candidate. 

Novozymes obtained proof of concept for a new manufacturing process that offers potential significant cost of goods and scaling advantages, thereby broadening the commercial potential of Evoca as a novel biofungicide.

Evoca is Biotalys’ first innovative protein-based biofungicide developed on the company’s AGROBODY Foundry™ platform which platform allows Biotalys to discover and develop novel biological food protection solutions that combine high efficacy, consistency and safety, with new modes of action to fight resistance. 

Evoca helps sustainably control economically important fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables.

“Thanks to its leading protein fermentation expertise, Novozymes has been able to further increase the efficiency of production for Evoca,” said Patrice Sellès, the CEO of Biotalys. “We will now work on a deeper partnership with Novozymes and explore strategic supply and commercialization agreements for the future generation of Evoca while continuing our ongoing internal development activities.”
“Now one step closer to large-scale production, Biotalys and Novozymes have successfully collaborated to provide the industry and growers new ways to safely control damaging pests and diseases and deliver our shared goal of providing highly effective solutions so growers can sustainably feed the world.” Noted Thomas Batchelor, Vice President, Agriculture Marketing and Strategy of Novozymes. 

Evoca helps sustainably control economically important fungal

North America, World

Van Duijn brings more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and international development

The International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) Board of Directors and staff announced the appointment of Henk van Duijn as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Van Duijn will assume his position and new responsibilities on January 1, 2023. IFDC is an independent Washington DC-based non-profit organisation that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.
Van Duijn brings more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and international development, with a focus on Europe, Africa, and Asia. He has led an impressive portfolio of programs that empower agribusinesses to access and benefit from profitable markets. Prior to his selection as IFDC President and CEO, van Duijn served as Vice President, Corporate Services, and Chief Operations and Finance Officer at IFDC. Before that, he headed the 2SCALE program (2019–2021) and served as CEO of Bopinc (2014–2019). As a diplomat and civil service director in the Netherlands, van Duijn led the design, start up, and implementation of large-scale interdisciplinary programs as well as national and international public-private partnerships in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He holds a master’s degree in Land and Water Management from Wageningen University & Research.
Outgoing IFDC President and CEO Albin Hubscher will retire after four years of deftly leading the organisation to a renewed commitment to soil health. He was instrumental in formulating IFDC’s plan to develop a global innovation centre that will design and scale next-generation soil health and plant nutrition innovations.
Dr Rudy Rabbinge, IFDC Board Chair and Professor Emeritus at Wageningen University & Research, announced van Duijn’s appointment during a staff reception hosted by the IFDC Board on October 26, 2022. Rabbinge encouraged staff to “use this as an opportunity to maintain our organisation’s momentum.” Upon accepting the appointment, van Duijn told IFDC leadership and staff, “IFDC is well-positioned to lead global innovations in soil health and food security. Now, it is time for us to move confidently in the direction set for us. I am honoured and privileged to walk with you all.”

Van Duijn brings more than 30 years

AgroPolicy, India, Seeds

Other crop varieties that could potentially be approved for commercial cultivation in future are BT cotton, BT brinjal and HT cotton.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved the “environmental release” of indigenously developed genetically modified (GM) Mustard Seeds. This paves the way for possible ‘commercial use of the country’s first indigenously developed GM food crop.
Prior to this, Bt cotton – the plant containing the pesticide gene from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), has been grown in India for about twenty years. The approval makes GM mustard only the second approved transgenic crop in India after Bt cotton and the first such food crop that can be commercially cultivated by farmers.
Important to note, GEAC approval is not the final call for commercial release but just a step in this direction as it still needs approvals on higher levels for the final release.
The recent approval could pave the way for increased edible mustard oil production while reducing huge import costs for edible oil. It is being said that GM Mustard or DMH-11 seeds could yield about 30 per cent more than a traditional reference mustard variety.
For the benefit of farmers, DMH-11 could reduce the use of pesticides and insecticides during farming thereby leading to better yield production. In fact, other crop varieties that could potentially be approved for commercial cultivation in future are BT cotton, BT brinjal and HT cotton.
Mustard is one of India’s most significant winter crops cultivated between mid-October and late November. It is a self-pollinating crop which is especially difficult to hybridise naturally as it cross-pollinates itself.


Other crop varieties that could potentially be

India, Organic

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) focuses on Campaign 2.0 on Swachhta and reducing pendency in Government

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country have adopted 900 villages in October this year as part of the government’s campaign to demonstrate and promote microbial-based agricultural waste management and Vermicomposting. Technologies related to the microbial decomposition of agricultural residues and conversion of farm residues and other organic wastes into vermicompost was demonstrated to 22,678 farmers.  Apart from farmers, awareness of vermicomposting was created among 3,000 schoolchildren.

Crop residues are valuable organic inputs to improve soil health and crop productivity when utilised after proper decomposition.  Due to the long duration of the natural composting process of most of the crop residues, farmers resort to burning, resulting in environmental pollution apart from the wastage of a valuable asset.  

Composting technologies using efficient microbial decomposers like ‘PUSA Decomposer’ accelerates the decomposition process resulting in high-quality organic manure in a shorter period.  Application of composted residues rather than burnt ash to soil adds organic carbon and other essential plant nutrients to the soil and promotes microbial activity in the soil.

Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agro chems – Pesticides, AgroPolicy, India, Uncategorized

Only allowed for pest control operators

The Indian government has restricted the use of the chemical Glyphosate, via an official order on October 25. The use of Glyphosate poses a risk to the health and lives of humans and animals alike. The government has officially restricted the use of Glyphosate. The herbicide, glyphosate has been registered for use in India under the Insecticides Act of 1968 for weed control only in tea plantations, but is illegally being used for weed removal across a number of food and non-food crop fields and premises of houses, institutions as well as to remove the growth of vegetation everywhere.
From now Glyphosate only can be used for pest control operators (PCO). PCOs are licensed to use deadly chemicals for treating pests such as rodents. As part of the implementation of the order, the government asked the holders of the registration certificates to return the certificates for further process, and also says if any person fails to return the registration certificates within three months; appropriate action will be taken under the Insecticides Act of 1968. The order also says that each state government has to look into this and shall take all such steps under the provisions of the said Act and the rules framed there under, as it considers necessary, for executing this order in the State.
Glyphosate, a synthetic herbicide patented in 1974 by the Monsanto Company and now manufactured and sold by many companies in hundreds of products, has been associated with cancer and other health concerns. The toxic chemical has been banned or severely restricted in more than 35 countries of which are Sri Lanka, Netherlands, France, Colombia, Canada, Israel, and Argentina.

Only allowed for pest control operatorsThe Indian

Company News, North America, Organic

A new seed-to-table conversation that supports tastier food, healthier soils, and more diverse and nutritious diets

Row 7 Seed Company, the flavour-first organic seed company co-founded by chef Dan Barber and vegetable breeder Michael Mazourek, has launched a line of branded vegetables, available in select Whole Foods Market locations in the Greater Boston area. Row 7 works alongside chefs, plant breeders and farmers to co-select new and uniquely delicious varieties of vegetables. Now Row 7 is building a dynamic growing model to bring these vegetables to the produce aisle. Partnering with regional, organic farmers to support biodiversity above and below ground, Row 7’s vegetables are grown for place and are picked (and eaten) at the perfect moment, it is advancing its mission to reimagine food from seed to table.

“Row 7 on the supermarket shelves is the realisation of a dream for this company,” said Dan Barber, chef and Row 7 Co-Founder.  “Our hope in launching Row 7 was to bring these vegetables into people’s home kitchens, and spark a new seed-to-table conversation that supports tastier food, healthier soils, and more diverse and nutritious diets.” Every single seed sold by the company is Certified organic and Non-GMO.

Row 7 is an organic food company grounded in the idea that flavour can change the world, and it starts with the seed. Working in collaboration with chefs, farmers and plant breeders, Row 7’s mission is to develop exceptional new vegetables and grains selected for our palates and the planet.

A new seed-to-table conversation that supports tastier