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Climate, Environment, India, Sustainability

This includes eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products, promoting recycling and waste reduction, using sustainable materials, and offering carbon-neutral or carbon-negative services

Many SMEs or startups are developing and implementing green technologies to reduce carbon emissions. These technologies include renewable energy solutions like solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient systems that help minimise greenhouse gas emissions. 

These SMEs and startups are also focusing on developing and offering sustainable products and services. This includes eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products, promoting recycling and waste reduction, using sustainable materials, and offering carbon-neutral or carbon-negative services.

Climate change poses a formidable and urgent challenge in our era, wherein the agricultural industry emerges as a notable contributor to the release of greenhouse gases. Population growth has fueled higher food demand, leading to emissions from various agricultural activities. At SLCM, we recognise the importance of going green and have implemented initiatives like Agri Suraksha and solar cameras. These measures have saved 72 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. We are committed to taking further actions to ensure the safety and security of agricultural produce while progressing towards sustainability says, Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO, of Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM)

Rajamanohar Somasundaram, Founder and CEO of, Aquaconnect adds With the world population having crossed the 8 billion mark, the pressure on food systems is intense, pushing us to redefine the way we produce and consume. Farmed seafood, one of the most sustainable forms of protein production, is steadily emerging as a viable alternative to meet the nutritional requirements of this rapidly growing population. However, producing clean and sustainable protein requires collection action- from the government, impact organisations, startups, and all the players across the seafood value chain. There is a pressing need to promote and implement decarbonisation measures through intelligent tech intervention. 

Aquaconnect is focused on building scalable tech models that leverage artificial intelligence and Geo-Spatial technology to decarbonise the seafood value chain. From quantifying emissions and measuring carbon footprints to strategising countermeasures. We believe that the strides we make today can help consumers make responsible choices tomorrow, thereby making the seafood sector a significant player in the global combat against climate change.”

Packaging is one of the industries that generate maximum plastic pollution and needs to work on more sustainable options that are as durable as plastic and are the best alternative to plastic. Achieving a completely sustainable alternative to plastic is not going to be easy but at Bambrew we aim to do so and are working towards it. The packaging that we have developed is 100 per cent sustainable and decomposable and in many ways is as durable as plastic. There is a need to identify the pain points when it comes to the end consumer and burst the myths associated with sustainable options, one being the pricing. The government too has understood the cause of the problem and is taking many initiatives like the ban on single-use plastics. To date, at Bambrew we have been able to save more than 20,000 tonnes of plastic and we aim to save more as we strive to grow and are able to replace plastic with our sustainable business model. Says Vaibhav Anant, Founder, and CEO, of Bambrew

Dr Vibha Tripathi, Founder & MD, of Boon (a water tech startup), says “Indian start-ups and SMEs are leading a green revolution by promoting energy-efficient technology, supply chain management, waste reduction, and production processes. 

We being a water-tech startup are pioneering the NetZero Water Initiative. Under this initiative, Boon is replacing plastic water bottles with sustainable glass water bottles across sectors including hospitality, corporates, and government. We have been able to save 548,459 kg of carbon emissions equivalent to planting 26144 trees. We are on a mission to beat plastic pollution while making drinking water accessible and affordable.”

This includes eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products,

Agrotech, Biofuel industry, Company News, Environment, Sustainability, World

The search is on for AgTech Start-ups Advancing Natural and Biological Control Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems

UPL and Radicle Growth, have announced the Radicle Natural Plant Protection (NPP) Challenge by UPL. The Challenge sets out to invest $1.75M in start-up companies that are advancing natural and biological solutions to protect crops from biotic stresses such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, arachnids, and weeds and follows ‘The Radicle Carbon and Soil Challenge by UPL’ which saw $1.25 million invested in early-stage companies in 2022.

NPP is a business unit of UPL, offering growers an extensive portfolio of natural solutions to increase crop resilience and protection, improve nutrition, and support soil health. Over the past decade, there has been a growing demand for natural solutions as an alternative or complement to synthetic chemistries as means of protecting crops whilst safeguarding the environment.

Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corporation Ltd. Said, “Amidst the multitude of challenges facing farmers and food systems, natural solutions are critical to advancing agriculture in a way that delivers prosperity for growers, consumers, and the environment. Guided by our OpenAg purpose, we’re thrilled to be working with Radicle Growth to seek out start-ups that are pioneering the next generation of game-changing solutions. We invite entrepreneurs who share our aspirations to apply and join our journey to Reimagine Sustainability.”

Kirk Haney, Managing Partner, Radicle Growth, said, “Feeding our growing population is of utmost importance. We recognise that to transform our agriculture system and advance sustainable solutions in the food value chain, we need to find new technologies that are working on natural and biological control solutions. We are excited to work collaboratively with UPL to find and fund the best entrepreneurs worldwide who are solving these issues.”

A $1 million investment will be made in The Challenge winner and a $750,000 investment in the second-place winner in order to accelerate their growth. Apply now at https://radicle.vc/upl-npp/

Investment decisions will be made during a ‘Pitch Day’ in March 2024. A judging panel of industry experts will hear from 4-6 finalists who will be chosen from the global applicant pool. In addition to the funding, the winners will also get access to advice from both UPL and Radicle senior executives to help accelerate their company’s business and technical efforts.

The search is on for AgTech Start-ups

Agrotech, Company News, Finance, India

The insurance plan for dairy farmers to protect their income loss arising from drop in milk yield during summers.

Stellapps’ fintech arm mooPay, in partnership with IBISA Network, HDFC ERGO & Gramcover, has launched a unique Heat Index-based insurance plan for farmers. It provides financial compensation to mooMark dairy farmers to offset income loss due to a fall in milk productivity during heat waves in summer. The cover guarantees insurance benefits for farmers if, over 60 days starting from May 1st, temperatures exceed the specified limits for a predetermined number of days, with region-specific parameters.

The claim settlement process is simple and hassle free. The insurer takes the data of temperature trends for the insured period from a pre-agreed public database and compensates the claimant as per the prescribed benefits slab. Each insured cattle is eligible for a cover of a maximum of INR 2000. Currently, the insurance cover extends to one cattle per household.

In the first phase, mooMark is offering this insurance as a part of its loyalty program. This policy covers around 7000 farmers, in 5 districts, across 4 states for a total sum assured of over INR1.3 crore. Farmers are informed of this plan at the village-level collection center and through Stellapps’ smartFarms app. This innovative financial product can potentially help more than 80 million dairy farming families who depend on the income from approximately 300 million cattle.

Jinesh Shah, Managing Partner of Omnivore, said, “This is a commendable step towards mitigating the impact of climate change on farmers. This plan will provide them with financial support, promote resilience, and foster long-term agricultural sustainability.”

Commenting on this partnership, Rahul Mallick, CEO of mooPay said, “At Stellapps’ mooPay, we are reimagining financial products for rural consumers. Working towards this vision, we have partnered with Gramcover to provide India’s first Heat Index linked insurance product to protect dairy farmers from the financial loss from extreme heat-related stress on milch cattle. Farmers will get the benefits of this unique cover directly in their bank account, which will also drive confidence in other insurance products.

The insurance plan for dairy farmers to

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

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during May 2023 were at 34,126 units, as against 35,722 units for the same period last year.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), part of the Mahindra Group, has announced its tractor sales numbers for May 2023.Domestic sales in May 2023 were at 33,113 units, as against 34,153 units during May 2022.

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during May 2023 were at 34,126 units, as against 35,722 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 1,013 units.

Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We have sold 33,113 tractors in the domestic market during May ’23. Record high Rabi crop output, good reservoir levels, improved terms of trade for farmers and IMD’s prediction of a normal southwest monsoon, augurs well for the upcoming Kharif season. In the exports market, we have sold 1,013 tractors.”

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during

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

The 2022 report details FMC’s progress in three focus areas: protection, innovation and engagement

FMC Corporation published the 2022 sustainability report, Science-Driven, People-Focused Solutions for Agriculture. The 12th annual report presents the company’s progress on key sustainability commitments, goals and targets, including net-zero emissions, sustainable innovation, product stewardship, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Despite unprecedented challenges in 2022, sustainability remained core to how we operate and serve customers around the world,” said Mark Douglas, president and chief executive officer. “By setting aggressive targets and embedding sustainability across the organisation, we continue to deliver real results that benefit agriculture and society while having a direct impact on the long-term viability and success of our company.”

The 2022 report details FMC’s progress in three focus areas: protection, innovation and engagement. Introduced in 2022 as part of its long-term sustainability strategy, these focus areas guide the company’s efforts to address climate change, advance sustainable farming practices and improve the representation of women and minorities in the industry. Key highlights in the report include FMC’s emissions reduction strategy, which resulted in a 3 per cent reduction in absolute Scopes 1 and 2 emissions and a 2 per cent reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions. These reductions demonstrate strong progress toward the company’s goal to achieve net zero by 2035, which was verified by the Science Based Targets initiative in early 2023.

The report also highlights FMC’s continued investments in new synthetic technologies as well as innovative biological solutions, like pheromones and peptides, to bring unique, environmentally friendly crop protection solutions to farmers worldwide. As part of its increasingly sustainable product portfolio, 100 per cent of new synthetic products in its development pipeline meet the company’s sustainable innovation criteria. Additionally, the company has one of the fastest-growing plant health platforms in the industry.

“FMC is uniquely positioned to deliver solutions to key challenges in agriculture and the environment,” said Karen Totland, vice president and chief sustainability officer. “With world-class innovation capabilities and strategic partnerships, we continue to deliver new technologies that help farmers sustainably protect their crops while building resiliency to climate impacts.”

The 2022 report details FMC's progress in

Agrotech, Finance, World

The partnership aims to benefit finance, insurance and agri-business service providers and government entities

Agrograph announced a new partnership with Planet Labs PBC (Planet) to integrate Planet’s high-resolution global satellite data with Agrograph’s expert geospatial data technology to comprehensively support clients’ need for data-driven business and farm-risk management decision tools.

The partnership aims to benefit finance, insurance and agri-business service providers, government entities, and other organisations seeking to measure financial and environmental risk, identify business opportunities, and inform cropland agriculture capital investment strategy across the globe

“We’ve been providing actionable, geospatial data to customers for nearly a decade, continually expanding and refining our offerings of variables, models and insights to empower our customers’ decisions, planning and asset management strategies,” said Michael Barrow, Vice President at Agrograph.

Barrow said this partnership intends to play to the strengths of each company and benefit clients globally. “Planet’s SkySat and PlanetScope data provide a steady stream of medium to high-resolution data for updating imagery and monitoring risk and environmental change,” said Barrow. “Now, our more sensitive models that may otherwise be affected by events such as cloud cover are enhanced so that barriers to time-sensitive observation windows for crop monitoring and land management activity are removed.”

This now formalised partnership expands upon the successes already achieved by the organisations working together. Planet and Agrograph have been delivering imagery and data solutions in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia since 2021.

 “We welcome Agrograph into the Planet Partner program due to its diverse technological capabilities, industry expertise, and ability to bring value to every step of the agricultural supply chain,” said Jennifer Doogan, Planet Director, Partnerships Americas, “Through this partnership, Agrograph can enhance their solutions with Planet high-resolution imagery to deepen and broaden their geospatial-data products and services that report on crop production, finance and insurance risk, land use change, farm management and sustainability measurement.”

The partnership aims to benefit finance, insurance

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, India, Sustainability

Appeals to the government to investigate unsubstantiated claims of WHO

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit organisation representing the cause of millions of farmers and farm workers of commercial crops across the States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, etc. challenged the WHO (World Health Organisation) to provide evidence on its recommendation that alternative crops should replace tobacco crops as they are negatively impacting sustainable agriculture and contributing to the global food crisis. FAIFA has also submitted a representation to the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to start an investigation into WHO’s unscientific recommendation. FAIFA has emphasised that certain groups with vested interests are propagating the (misplaced) benefits of other crops replacing tobacco cultivation.

The Climate Transparency Report of 2022 highlights the consequences of extreme events occurring between 2016 and 2021. Cyclones, flash floods, floods, and landslides have collectively caused extensive damage to crops, affecting over 36 million hectares of agricultural land. This damage has resulted in a significant loss of approximately $3.75 billion for farmers across the country. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Bihar, and West Bengal have been particularly affected, reporting the highest crop damage due to flooding and heavy rainfall.

The impact of climate change is increasingly evident as traditional fertile lands experience a decline in yield and productivity, leading to frequent crop failures that adversely affect farmers. Tobacco cultivation is predominantly practised in semi-arid regions where alternative sustainable crops are not economically viable. However, even these arid lands are becoming more inhospitable due to climate change. In light of this situation, the unscientific recommendation by the WHO, a science-based organisation, to replace tobacco with other crops is illogical and is an agenda driven by vested interests.  

Javare Gowda, President of, the Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) said, “WHO officials should not be making such unscientific statements or recommendations. We invite them to our lands where tobacco is cultivated for a minimum stay of 30 days or as long as they want to experience firsthand the harsh conditions. We challenge them to replace tobacco crops and demonstrate alternative crops that are equally remunerative and sturdy. If they fail, they should shut down their offices in the country and leave. This is a fair demand since they are causing economic loss to farmers.”

Murali Babu, General Secretary, of the Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) said, “The recommendation of WHO is as good as asking our tobacco farmers to consume poison as replacement of tobacco with other crops will surely kill their livelihoods, destroy their lives and that of their families. Earlier experimentations have ended in huge losses for our tobacco farmers. We appeal to WHO to show their genuine intent to help the farming community and they should guarantee full compensation for any loss arising to the tobacco farmers. We request them to show their intent and deposit a minimum of Rs 1000 crore with the tobacco board and continue to replenish this every year so that amount can be distributed to farmers to cover the loss for crop substitution.” 

“The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an international treaty that India is a party to, is a threat to the livelihoods of tobacco farmers as it has not provided viable alternatives for tobacco-growing countries. Considering that the recommendations will result in revenue loss including foreign exchange earnings, the Government of India must investigate the recommendations,” added Murali Babu.

Appeals to the government to investigate unsubstantiated

Agrotech, Dairy, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

The market for plant-based milk is still in its infancy and faces several challenges as it strives to compete with the well-established dairy industry. By addressing affordability concerns, fostering consumer education, and ensuring sustainable business practices, the plant-based milk industry can make significant strides towards meeting the evolving needs of Indian consumers.

Soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk are among the plant-based milks now available to Indian consumers, found on store shelves and café menus. In the developed market of the United States, plant-based milk accounted for 15 per cent of total retail milk dollar sales by 2020. Reports suggest that Indian consumers, like their Western counterparts, are increasingly incorporating products from this category into their diets as alternatives to dairy products from animals.

The report further states that the dairy industry in India has grown by 12 per cent over the past five years, with value-added products playing a significant role in this expansion. However, despite being relatively new, plant-based dairy is gaining popularity worldwide including among Indian consumers. The popularity of plant-based milks is experiencing encouraging growth in India. Plant-based dairy in India is projected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7 per cent, reaching $63.9 million by 2024, compared to the estimated $140 billion market size of animal-derived dairy.

Sustainability

The traditional dairy sector in India heavily relies on cow farming, which demands significant space, water, and food resources. Unfortunately, this practice contributes to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution, particularly in industrial-scale dairy farms. Moreover the use of antibiotics and hormones in conventional dairy farming can have unintended consequences for the environment.

In contrast, plant-based milk alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk offer greener alternatives to cow’s milk. These plant-based options have a smaller ecological footprint, requiring less water and land resources while generating fewer greenhouse gases. Unlike conventional dairy farming, the production of plant-based milk production does not contribute to the destruction of natural habitats or water contamination.

Expanding on the subject, Parini Kapadia, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Zero Cow Factory, stated, “Sohil and I founded Zero Cow Factory because we saw a need to address issues related to climate change, animal welfare, and protein deficiency in developing nations like India.”

She further explained, “Proteins produced through precision fermentation are identical to animal-sourced proteins, particularly dairy proteins on a molecular, chemical, and technological level.  They have the same amino acid profile as the protein sequence found in bovines, but we synthesise them manually in a laboratory. So, they have the same flavour and consistency, but are produced using a different method.”

To read more click: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

The market for plant-based milk is still

Agrotech, Horticulture, India, Opinions, Supply Chain

 By Dr Kaushik Banerjee, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune

Grape is an important commercial fruit crop, which is mostly grown in the peninsular region of India. Maharashtra is the leading grape-growing state, with the major production loci being Nashik, Sangli, Solapur and Pune districts. Karnataka and Mizoram also have a good acreage of grapes. The supply chains of fresh grapes and raisins (its dried product) involve multiple stakeholders, and hence, are influenced by diverse factors affecting the financial viability of the process.

However, for export facilitation to the European Union, the Grapenet of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has established an end-to-end food-safety-traceability system in the country and as per the farm registration records of the Government of Maharashtra, the registered farm area under Grapenet is still ~45 per cent. For the products from these registered farms, it is possible to track all the details of grape consignments, right down to the location of the vineyards, where each one-hectare area is given a unique registration code. The network system maintains the records of all quality control/quality assurance (QA/QC) processes that are coordinated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-NRC (National Research Centre)  for Grapes (NRCG) and the Department of Agriculture/Horticulture of the concerned state governments. The system includes traceable services of ISO17025 accredited laboratories, which carry out the sampling and residue testing as per the harmonised protocols implemented by NRCG. The entire system is meticulously managed, to ensure that every consignment passing through Grapenet for export is 100 per cent MRL (maximum residue level)-compliant.

It is often a challenge to register the smaller grape growers for such traceability systems, but farmers have been resolving the problem by organising themselves into groups based on the concepts of cooperative farming or farmer producer organisations. One of the main hurdles to maintaining the quality of the produce is the emergence of contaminants. For example, in 2023, the internal monitoring data revealed that residues of a veterinary insecticide were detected in certain grape samples. This was observed mostly in spurious, unregistered products that claimed the insecticides were nutritional supplements used to aid vine growth. The use of such dubious agrochemical formulations pose a major challenge to the grape industry. Their use often results in MRL non-compliances, pest resistance and resurgence, adversely impacting the economic returns of the stakeholders.     

To read more click:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

 By Dr Kaushik Banerjee, Director, ICAR-National Research

Agrotech, Horticulture, India, Start ups

The horticulture sector plays a vital role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable farming practices in India. In recent times, this sector has witnessed a significant transformation with the emergence of agri-startups. These innovative businesses are revolutionising the horticulture supply chain by empowering farmers, enhancing production, bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices.

The concept of farm-to-fork, also known as farm-to-table or farm-to-plate, has gained momentum, advocating for locally sourced ingredients in various food establishments, including institutional dining halls and school cafeterias. In the Indian startup ecosystem, “Farm to Fork Supply Chain Startups” typically refer to enterprises that enable farmers to directly sell their produce to consumers or facilitate the distribution of locally grown food.

In the predominantly unorganised fruit and vegetable industry, farm-to-fork supply chain startups leverage technology to streamline operations, resulting in improved prices for both farmers and consumers.

According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Indian farmers experience staggering post-harvest losses amounting to Rs 93,000 crore. Local agritech startups play a critical role in addressing this issue by implementing advanced supply chain models and reducing food waste, benefiting farmers across the country.

By harnessing the potential of agritech solutions, these startups are transforming the horticulture sector, driving advancements in farming practices, and minimising post-harvest losses. With their innovative approaches and technological interventions, agri-startups are revolutionising the way farmers connect with consumers and paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient horticulture supply chain.

“Along the whole agricultural value chain, new goods, services, and apps developed by agritech startups can make a significant impact. As a result, boosting the industry’s competitiveness will depend heavily on making the most of this pool of expertise. The outcomes of the Indian government’s initiatives to support the growth of startups have been encouraging, but more focused efforts by the proper combination of partners and with defined objectives are needed to fulfil their full potential,” stated Ashok Varma, Partner, Government Reforms and Infrastructure Development, PwC India.

The pandemic opened new doors

The COVID-19 pandemic opened up new opportunities for companies involved in the production and sale of perishable goods. The concept of delivering fresh food directly to people’s homes gained significant traction during this time.

In the past, farmers typically relied on brokers and wholesalers to sell their produce, resulting in a less efficient distribution system. However, many of these intermediaries disappeared during the pandemic. As a result, farmers turned to agritech farms and startups as more sustainable and collaborative partners for the long term.

“There was also a conscious shift among a significant portion of the population towards prioritising healthy living in the aftermath of COVID, and even during the pandemic itself. People started favouring activities that promoted their health and happiness. During this time, there were also major developments in the concept of mindful eating,” explained Avinash BR, Co-Founder at Deep Rooted.

“In summary, startups helped growers to get over some of the obstacles the epidemic presented and to establish more resilient businesses by expanding producers’ access to markets, lowering the cost of transportation, and providing them with the skills and resources to optimise their operations,” added Avinash BR.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

The horticulture sector plays a vital role

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Sustainability

The combined Stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool stands at over 579 LMT

Wheat procurement during the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24 has progressed smoothly. The progressive procurement of wheat in the current season till 30 May is 262 Lakh Metric tons (LMT) which has already surpassed last year’s total procurement of 188 LMT by 74 LMT. About 21.27 Lakh farmers have already benefitted from the ongoing wheat procurement operations with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) outflow of about Rs. 47,000 crores. Major contribution in the procurement has come from three procuring states of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana with procurement of 121.27 LMT, 70.98 LMT and 63.17 LMT respectively.

The major contributing factors in healthy procurement this year have been the grant of relaxation by the Government of India in quality specifications of wheat affected due to untimely rains; opening of procurement centres at village/ panchayat level; carrying out procurement through Co-operative Societies/ Gram Panchayats/ Arhatias etc. in addition to designated procurement centres for better outreach and permission to engage FPOs for procurement operations.

The rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. A quantity of 385 LMT of rice has been procured till 30 May during the Kharif crop of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23 with another 110 LMT yet to be procured. Further, a quantity of 106 LMT rice has been estimated to be procured during the Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23.

The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool is over 579 LMT (Wheat 312 LMT and Rice 267 LMT) which has placed the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains.

The combined Stock position of wheat and

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Horticulture, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

Recently, the government has permitted five private firms to undertake cluster farming of specific horticulture crops on a pilot basis in approximately 50,000 hectares with an investment of Rs 750 crore. The government is progressively adopting a cluster value-chain-based approach to position Indian horticulture as a leader in the global market. The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in providing end-to-end solutions for growers and buyers, the establishment of more horticulture clusters, financial support from the government and private sector, and improved infrastructure for storage and logistics will contribute to making the horticulture supply chain more robust.

The horticulture sector, which contributes approximately 33 per cent of the gross value of agricultural GDP, is emerging as a key driver of economic growth and transitioning into an organised industry encompassing seed trading, value addition, and exports. India holds the second position globally in fruits and vegetable production, following China, as per data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). In the fiscal year 2021-22, the country exported fresh fruits and vegetables worth Rs 11,412.50 crore, with major destinations including Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Netherlands, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Oman, and Qatar. The total horticulture production in 2021-22 stood at approximately 341.63 million tonnes, comprising fruit production of around 107.10 million tonnes and vegetable production of around 204.61 million tonnes. APEDA has set an export target of $23.56 billion for the agricultural and processed food products basket in 2022-23, with $13.77 billion already achieved in the first half of the fiscal. During April-September 2022, processed fruits and vegetables witnessed a remarkable growth of 42.42 per cent, while fresh fruits recorded a growth of 4 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

However, the export growth is hindered by challenges such as inadequate adherence to international quality standards, marketing difficulties, inadequate transportation infrastructure, fragmented supply chains, and insufficient storage facilities. These factors lead to delays, wastage, and discourage farmers from improving the quality of their produce. The perishable nature of fruits and vegetables poses additional challenges to the horticulture marketing chain, making efficient storage and transportation problematic. Poor logistics, limited cold storage and warehousing facilities contribute to further delays and wastages. To address these challenges, the government has allocated Rs 2,200 crore in the Union Budget of 2023 for the development of the horticulture sector. This provision aims to promote the availability of disease-free, high-quality planting material for valuable horticultural crops. Additionally, the government has permitted five private firms to undertake cluster farming of specific horticulture crops on a pilot basis in approximately 50,000 hectares with an investment of Rs 750 crore. The government is progressively adopting a cluster value-chain-based approach to position Indian horticulture as a leader in the global market. The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in providing end-to-end solutions for growers and buyers, the establishment of more horticulture clusters, financial support from the government and private sector, and improved infrastructure for storage and logistics will contribute to making the horticulture supply chain more robust.

On April 10, the Indian government granted permission to five private firms to undertake cluster farming of specific horticulture crops on a pilot basis in about 50,000 hectares. This initiative, entailing an investment of Rs 750 crore, including government subsidy, aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian produce and boost farmers’ income.

The selected companies for pilot cluster farming through a bidding process are Desai Agrifoods, FIL Industries, Sahyadri Farms, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, and Prasad Seeds. Under the recently launched central scheme Cluster Development Programme (CDP), implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) with a budget of Rs 2,200 crore, the centre will provide financial assistance of up to Rs 100 crore, depending on the project’s size.

This marks the first time in India that the government is encouraging market-led development of the entire value chain of specific horticulture crops through financial support. These five companies are spread across an area of almost 50,000 hectares and cover around 55,000 farmers. The investment within these clusters is about Rs 750 crore.

Desai Agrifoods will develop a ‘Banana cluster’ project in Ananthapura, Andhra Pradesh, with a budget of Rs 103 crore. Sahyadri Farms will establish a ‘Grapes cluster’ project in Nasik, Maharashtra, with a budget of Rs 205 crore. Meghalaya Basin Management Agency will develop a ‘Turmeric cluster’ project in West Jaintia Hills, with a budget of Rs 52 crore. FIL Industries will focus on an ‘Apple cluster’ in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir, and Prasad Seeds will undertake a ‘Mango cluster’ project in Mahabubnagar, Telangana.

The primary crops of focus for these companies will be banana, apple, grapes, turmeric and mango. The projects are expected to be completed and operational within a timeline of four years. The government’s goal is to develop 55 different clusters identified across the country, each dedicated to a specific crop. Initially, the pilot phase will cover 12 clusters and focus on seven crops.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

Recently, the government has permitted five private

AgroPolicy, Biofuel industry, Dairy, Environment, India, Sustainability

Portal to act as a one-stop repository to assess investment & participation and streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants in India

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, launched the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan which will act as a one-stop repository to assess investment and participation in the Biogas/CBG sector at the pan India level and more importantly streamline the process of setting up CBG/Biogas plants in India. Any government, cooperative or private entity operating or intending to set up a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India can obtain a registration number by enrolling in this unified registration portal launched. The registration number will enable availing of a multitude of benefits and support from the Ministries & Departments of the Government of India. States have been advised to get their CBG/Biogas plant operators registered on the portal on priority to avail existing and upcoming support from the Union Government.

Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a vital umbrella initiative of the Government of India, based on the whole Government approach and aims to convert waste to wealth towards promoting a circular economy. The government of India intends to build a robust ecosystem for setting up Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG)/ Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plants to drive sustainable economic growth and promote a circular economy. As the nodal department for GOBARdhan, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), the Ministry of Jal Shakti has developed this portal, which can be accessed at https://gobardhan.co.in. The launch was attended, in virtual mode, by Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries (In charge of rural sanitation) of all States/UTs and representation of various central Ministries and Departments.

Addressing the gathering, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, said that this Unified Registration Portal of GOBARdhan is a perfect example of Cooperative Federalism as the stakeholder Central Ministries, all line departments of Centre and States have come together in development and deployment of the portal. He stated, “With more than 650 GOBARdhan plants and this portal, we have made significant achievements in our waste-to-wealth generation journey”. The Union Minister further said that the portal will not only ensure Ease of Doing Business (EODB) but with aggregated data from all Ministries & Departments across Centres and States, the initiative will also attract greater investment from the private players. “I hope and urge everyone present here that we must continue our concerted efforts to ensure faster pace and progress of outcomes – ‘gati aur pragmatic of the GOBARdhan initiative”, he added.

Portal to act as a one-stop repository

AgroPolicy, Dairy, India, Sustainability

The event witnessed the participation of all the States and UTs and was graced with the presence of 15 Ministers of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and senior officers from all the states

Under the aegis of Azadi Kaa Amrit Mahotsav, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated World Milk Day at SKICC, Srinagar. On this occasion, a two-day summer meet for the animal husbandry and dairying sector was kicked off.

The programme was inaugurated by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the presence of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Information & Broadcasting. The event witnessed the participation of all the States and UTs and was graced with the presence of 15 Ministers of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and senior officers from all the states / UTs. More than 400 livestock farmers from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir participated in the event.

On the occasion, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, underscored the importance of milk in Indian culture and tradition and said that India’s milk production is touching heights owing to the immense contributions by dairy farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. He also inaugurated the exhibition showcasing the achievements and programmes of the department.

He asked the states and Union Territories to emulate J&K’s aspiration of being number one in dairy products so that nations become number one in the world in this sector.

Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor Jammu & Kashmir, while thanking the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for its unflinching support to boost the sector, said that the Union Territory has moved ahead on the path of peace and development. He said that the dairy sector has the potential to boost other sectors as well. The implementation of the Kisan Samparak Scheme has uplifted our marginal farmers and given a boost to our agri sector. It has not only helped in increasing average productivity but also in creating more and more jobs, he added.

Sinha said that the UT of J&K will be milk surplus in the coming five years as we have embarked on a journey of holistic development and this sector remains at the centre stage.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. L Murugan, MoS Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Information and Broadcasting said that World Milk Day is an occasion to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of our dairy farmers, especially women whose contributions have made India the top milk producer in the world. He said that the dairy sector has empowered more than 80 million people in the country.

The event witnessed the participation of all