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AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Trade

According to reports from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), exports of 143,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice have been permitted to Bhutan, Mauritius, and Singapore

India has exempted Singapore from the ban on rice exports due to their close strategic partnership, according to the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

According to reports from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), exports of 143,000 tonnes of non-basmati white rice have been permitted to Bhutan, Mauritius, and Singapore. This adds two more countries to the exemption list. The breakdown is as follows: 79,000 tonnes to Bhutan, 14,000 tonnes to Mauritius, and 50,000 tonnes to Singapore.

Reports indicate that more than 40 nations rely on India for more than half of their rice imports. Countries in certain regions of Africa and South Asia import over 80% of their rice from India.

This is the first exemption to the rice export ban announced by the MEA..

Singapore is one of India’s closest allies in Southeast Asia, with trade ties that exceed $30 billion.

Singapore maintains strong ties with China, its largest investor and trade partner.

According to reports from the Directorate General

Award, Company News, World

The substrate offers high sensitivity, ranging from the nanogram down to the picogram level

Neogen Corporation announced that its K-Blue Luminescent ONE has won the 2023 Best Innovative Luminol-Based Substrate award at the International Life Sciences Awards 2023.

K-Blue Luminescent ONE, which was released in the U.S. and Canada in 2022, is an innovative, one-bottle chemiluminescent substrate designed to create a simpler workflow while minimising mixing errors and reducing plastic waste. The substrate offers high sensitivity, ranging from the nanogram down to the picogram level, and is optimised to emit light at 430 nanometers. It is now available in 35 countries worldwide.

“We are honoured to have received this award and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to providing innovative and high-quality substrates to diagnostic kit manufacturers,” said John Adent, Neogen’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Neogen’s certified quality management system, which oversees all aspects of the development and manufacturing processes, has helped K-Blue Luminescent ONE earn a reputation for providing consistent, high-quality results. We are proud to provide novel solutions that our customers can trust.”

The International Life Science Awards is an annual recognition event organised by Global Health & Pharma Magazine. These awards highlight and celebrate organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of life sciences on an international level. The awards typically cover various categories within the life sciences sector, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical research, healthcare solutions, and more.

With over 30 years of experience developing and manufacturing ELISA test kits, substrates, and reagents, Neogen provides the support and products that enable dependable and reliable results, including an extensive line of forensic and research ELISA test kits, substrates, and reagents for immunoassay applications, testing equipment packages, and experienced technical support.

The substrate offers high sensitivity, ranging from

Award, Company News, Sustainability

The BIG Sustainability Awards honour those people, teams and organisations who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice

The Business Intelligence Group (BIG) named Cargill the recipient of the Sustainability Leadership Award and Sustainability Service of the Year in its 2023 Sustainability Awards program. The BIG Sustainability Awards honour those people, teams and organisations who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice or overall mission.

Cargill knows agriculture plays a vital role in addressing global challenges like climate change and food insecurity. However, that is only possible when sustainable solutions are economically viable for the producers who work hard every day to feed the world. Cargill brings together farmers, industry, academics, NGOs, and policymakers to create a sustainable agricultural sector. Through concrete actions, use of technology and innovation, and meaningful investments Cargill is able to deliver impact at scale globally.

The company received awards and recognition in several of the 2023 BIG Sustainability Awards categories: 

Sustainability Leadership Award – Winner for its overall organisational impact 

Service of the Year – Winner, specifically recognising Cargill RegenConnect

Initiative of the Year – Finalist for its work supporting farmer livelihoods

“We are honoured to receive this recognition from BIG,” said Pilar Cruz, Cargill’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “When it comes to urgent challenges facing people and the planet, Cargill’s connections across the food system give us the opportunity – and responsibility – to deliver meaningful solutions. The problem-solving potential of agriculture is essential to nourishing people, supporting the livelihoods of farmers and food workers, and unlocking a more resilient and sustainable food system for generations to come.”

“We are proud to reward and recognise Cargill for their sustainability efforts,” said Maria Jimenez, Chief Nominations Officer, Business Intelligence Group. “It was clear to our judges that their vision and strategy will continue to deliver results toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.

The BIG Sustainability Awards honour those people, teams

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D

 As per new guidelines, manufacturer shall confirm that the tractor model has been submitted for tests and the test report on the same shall be submitted to DA&FW within 6 months.

In a major step towards encouraging ease of doing business and promote trust-based governance, the Government has simplified the process of testing of tractors for performance evaluation on 28th August 2023. Tractor manufacturers shall now be allowed to participate in the subsidy scheme on the basis of CMVR/Conformity of Production (COP) certificates and a self-declaration to be given by the company that the tractor proposed for inclusion under subsidy conforms to the benchmark specifications given by Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.  Simultaneously, the manufacturer shall also confirm that the tractor model has been submitted for tests and the test report on the same shall be submitted to DA&FW within 6 months. The manufacturers shall give a minimum of three years warranty on the tractor to be supplied under subsidy.

The following process will henceforth be followed for the 4 (four) mandatory tests: 

Drawbar Performance Test: The drawbar performance test through the use of load car may be done at Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute Budni or at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), Chennai. The manufacturers shall also have an option to get it done from any other Government authorized institute or at their own facilities provided that adequate infrastructure is available to conduct this test. In case of the test done at the manufacturers facilities, the test data as may be provided by the manufacturers shall be included in the test reports released by the CFMTTI Budni or the chosen government authorized institution, with the remarks that the tests have not been carried out by the institute and performance results are self-certified by the manufacturer.

PTO Performance and Hydraulic Performance Test: Manufacturers shall have the option to conduct this test at their facilities and the test data may be provided to the CFMTTI, Budni  or the chosen Government authorized institution for generation of the test report with a self-certification that this test has been carried out as per applicable BIS Codes.  The test data as may be provided by the manufacturers shall be included in the test reports released by the CFMTTI Budni or the chosen government authorized institution, with the remarks that the tests have not been carried out by the institute and performance results are self-certified by the manufacturers. The manufacturers shall also have the option of getting it done either at CFMTTI, Budni or at any other Government authorized institutes/facilities having adequate infrastructure to conduct this test.       

Brake Performance: This test shall be done as per the requirements under CMVR. The test already done under CMVR at the authorized institutions shall not be repeated at CFMTTI Budni or any other Government authorized institutes and the same data shall be incorporated in the test reports.

The detailed guideline also provides for the process to be followed by for testing of tractors at CFMTTI, Budni.

 As per new guidelines, manufacturer shall confirm

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, R&D

It is expected that this tractor CSIR PRIMA ET11 will create a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture while meeting the demands of small and marginal farmers in India.

India announced to work towards reducing the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tones by the year 2030. Also, target was kept to achieve Net Zero carbon emission by the year 2070. Therefore, electrification of tractors is a necessary step that aids our country in achieving these targets.

Considering the need to further reduces the greenhouse gas emissions and the eventual scarce availability of fossil fuels shortly, electric tractors have been identified as a possible solution in the context of more sustainable farming. However, most of the commercial equipment consists of high-power machines, which are only feasible to large area Farming and poses a challenge for Indian marginal farmers having around 2 hectare of farming land or less and this small & marginal farmer consist of more than 80 per cent of farmer community.

Addressing to this, CSIR-CMERI has indigenously designed and developed compact 100 per cent Pure Electric Tractor named CSIR PRIMA ET11 mainly to cater small and marginal farmers of India.

Salient features of the developed CSIR PRIMA ET11 are as follows:

1) Since the main purpose of the tractor is to cater the demand of agriculture field application, it has been designed in such a way that its dynamics, weight distribution, transmission engagements, then lever and pedal position everything has been well designed and considered.

2) Another USP of the developed technology is that it Women friendly. For this we have given special attention in the ergonomics, for eg: All the lever, switches etc has been placed for easy approach to the women. Further to minimize the effort many mechanical system is being replaced with electronic switches for easy operations.

3) The farmers can charge the tractor using conventional home charging socket in 7 to 8 hours and operate the tractor for more than 4 hours at field. Otherwise, tractor can run more than 6 hours in case of normal Haulage operation.

4) Coming to Transmission: The tractor is being designed with the robust and efficient transmission system by using the semi Synchronized type gearing system. The design helps to achieve the desired efficiency in min cost.

This first of its kind electric tractor has been launched by Union Minister for Science and technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in One Week One lab curtain raiser ceremony held at New Delhi in the presence of, Secretary, DSIR Dr N Kalaiselvi and many other dignitaries.

Also, this impactful technology has been licensed to K N bioscience, Hyderabad based Company famous for its Kushal Tractor brand and many biosciences related development/product for take it to the ground level and mass production; we are hoping for its grand success.

It is expected that this tractor CSIR PRIMA ET11 will create a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture while meeting the demands of small and marginal farmers in India. And thereby this development will trigger to lead India in the global tractor industry with revolutionary vision of “Make for the World”.

It is expected that this tractor CSIR

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, Europe, Finance, R&D

This is the company’s largest single investment in its Crop Protection business in Germany.

Bayer significantly strengthens its commitment to innovation in regenerative agriculture with a EUR 220 million investment in research and development (R&D) at its Monheim site. This is the company’s largest single investment in its Crop Protection business in Germany since the founding of the Monheim campus in 1979. The new Product Safety complex with labs, offices, and a greenhouse area offers space for approximately 200 employees. Its principal focus will be on developing the next generation of chemicals for a sustainable future and enhancing the environmental and human safety of Crop Protection. The new facility will boost Bayer’s efforts to become a major contributor to regenerative agriculture by developing and bringing to market new Crop Protection solutions which have even better environmental profiles than those currently available and will play a key role in significantly reducing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

“Looking into the future, we must radically transform today’s farming systems and switch to regenerative agriculture practices that produce more with less, while restoring more. There is a high demand for pushing beyond established standards in safety to unlock breakthrough innovation and Crop Protection solutions with better environmental profiles,” said Dr. Robert Reiter, Head of R&D at Bayer’s Crop Science Division.

The investment is also a clear commitment to Europe as a base of operations as well as one important cornerstone of Bayer’s Future Concept for Germany. “Even in times of economic uncertainty, we are laser-focused on innovation and future technologies,” Dirk Backhaus, Head of Product Supply at Crop Science, pointed out. “We have a long track record of investing into research, development, and production of safe chemical products for agriculture, and we’re eager to leverage our world class expertise in Germany to shape the future of regenerative agriculture here and around the world. The new facility at our Monheim site is a shining example of precisely that: Investments in future technologies, modern facilities, and, most importantly, our people.” Over the past three years, Bayer has invested EUR 180 million at its Dormagen site, with a focus on expanding production capacities for modern Crop Protection.

 The opportunity to invent better, climate neutral and environmentally benign Crop Protection products is huge and aims to strengthen Bayer’s global competitiveness. As such, this investment also reflects Bayer’s commitment to the innovative capacity of Germany and Europe. The anticipated construction period of the new Monheim facility will be around 3 years. Full commissioning is planned for 2026.

The new R&D facilities will be an important cornerstone of Bayer’s new innovation approach for Crop Protection. Already today, Bayer’s product portfolio ranks very well in terms of environmental impact. But the company is strongly committed to reducing it even further and pushing beyond established standards.

“With our new disruptive innovation approach – what we call CropKey – we are now designing molecules instead of selecting them,” said Rachel Rama, Head of Small Molecules at Crop Science. “This is based on a discovery concept which allows us to create solutions based on the predefined safety and sustainability profiles that go above and beyond current standards.” Data science, early safety screenings, modeling and artificial intelligence are crucial elements that enable our top scientists to create the next generation of Crop Protection, taking advantage of massive amounts of data and machine learning and setting a new benchmark. “With our investment in Monheim, we are now building a new data powerhouse in a high-tech work environment that will be highly attractive for our researchers and future top talents.”

The new innovation approach to Crop Protection is also clearly aligned with Bayer’s sustainability commitment to reduce the environmental impact of Crop Protection products by 30% by 2030.

This is the company’s largest single investment

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

Company is aiming to treat 20,000 acres of tea estates in India with Fascinate Flash in 2023.

UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions (SAS), an integrated AgTech platform of UPL Ltd., has introduced Fascinate Flash, a safe to use, sustainable and innovative solution to redefine weed control practices in Indian tea plantations.

With its rapid action, extended residual control, and crop safety features, Fascinate Flash revolutionises weed management, positively impacting the economic and environmental aspects of tea farming.

Fascinate Flash swiftly penetrates weed leaves, leading to rapid withering and elimination within just four hours of application. In addition to eradicating existing weeds, Fascinate Flash inhibits the germination of weed seeds, maintaining a weed-free environment, and reducing the need for frequent applications of herbicides. The decrease in herbicide usage not only lowers product and labour expenses but also amplifies the return on investment for tea estate owners. This contributes to the sustained economic advancement of the industry over the long run.

Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL SAS, said, “With the launch of Fascinate Flash, we are confident in delivering advanced sustainable weed management for tea plantations. This marks another stride in our commitment to empower farmers with solutions that enhance productivity, nurture sustainability, and generate exceptional returns on investment, all while maintaining the balance of our environment.”

For optimal results, it is recommended to use Fascinate Flash at the 3-4 weed leaf stage. UPL SAS is aiming to treat 20,000 acres of tea estates in India with Fascinate Flash in 2023, exemplifying our endeavour to the tea industry’s growth through innovative solutions.

Company is aiming to treat 20,000 acres

Floriculture, India, Nature, Sustainability

In June, the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) collaborated with the civic body to launch a project called Happy Happy Sulthan Bathery

Every year, numerous tourists from the northern districts of the State travel through Wayanad to Karnataka to relish the allure of flower gardens located on the Kerala-Karnataka border. Nonetheless, this year, civic bodies, farmers groups, and other organisations have established their own gardens in the district to capitalise on the tourism potential during the Onam holidays. 

An innovative project by the Sulthan Bathery Municipality to attract tourists to the town opened. The project focuses on floriculture and showcases the town’s cleanliness.

In June, the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) collaborated with the civic body to launch a project called Happy Happy Sulthan Bathery. The goal of this initiative is to spread the positive and happy culture of the civic body throughout the state.

The members of HKS have planted marigolds, sunflowers, and gomphrena on two acres of land near Sulthan Bathery town, according to T.K. Ramesh, chairman of Sulthan Bathery Municipality.

The civic body spent Rs.3 lakh on the project, with organizers expecting to recoup the amount in a few weeks.

A tribe of women in Panappady, found in Noolpuzha grama panchayat, have established a garden roughly 100 meters from Kozhikode-Kollegal National Highway 766. The garden, which occupies half an acre of leased land, showcases 5,000 marigold plants in hues of yellow and orange, offering a pleasant spectacle for anyone visiting.

The pilot project was launched with financial aid from the Tribal Development Department as part of the Haritarashmi project, which is being implemented by the Centre for Management Development (CMD). 

In June, the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS)

Japan, Sustainability, Water

The project will rehabilitate the existing Nurgal irrigation canal in Kunar province, improving both the quantity and reliability of irrigation water for agricultural production

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Japan has launched a four–year project that aims to increase the amount of irrigated land, boost local food production and strengthen the food security and livelihood resilience of more than 12 600 vulnerable people in the Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan.

Facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the $9.5 million project will also provide direct environmental benefits to local communities, helping to protect fragile rangelands and recharge vital groundwater resources, which are particularly important in the context of the increasing impacts of the climate change.

Access to water is critical in Afghanistan, a country where more than 70 per cent of food production depends on irrigation.

The project will rehabilitate the existing Nurgal irrigation canal in Kunar province, improving both the quantity and reliability of irrigation water for agricultural production and increasing the total command area – the agricultural land irrigated by the canal – by 70 hectares to a total of 643 hectares, leading to both increases in overall agricultural production and increases in productivity of at least 12 per cent.  Importantly, the project will enable poor food insecure rural households to plant two crops a year, rather than just a single wheat crop, boosting incomes, resilience and food security. 

The project will also deliver benefits to communities, helping to protect more than 2,000 hectares of fragile rangelands through improved and adapted plant varieties.  The project builds on and enhances the Green Ground Project initiated in 2003 by Tetsu Nakamura and Peace (Japan) Medical Services (PMS) to build irrigation systems in the Kunar River Basin. By 2023, the PMS project will have transformed 23,800 hectares of abandoned arid farmlands back into green fields. Over 650,000 people have benefitted from this project.  

The project will rehabilitate the existing Nurgal

AgroPolicy, India, New Zealand

Both Ministers emphasised the potential of the partnership envisaged in the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) being finalised between the two countries for the overall development of Horticulture

A meeting between Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Damien O’Connor, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Biosecurity, New Zealand was held. Both leaders reiterated their commitments to work together in strengthening the agricultural cooperation and collaboration between the two countries.

Tomar informed the New Zealand Minister about India’s initiatives in celebrating the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet and sought their cooperation in promoting the health and other benefits of Millet. Both Ministers emphasised the potential of the partnership envisaged in the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) being finalised between the two countries for the overall development of Horticulture.

The Ministers assured each other of their commitments towards maintaining the quality and safety of the agricultural commodities being traded between the two countries and resolved to continue working on phytosanitary measures and systems. The Ministers also discussed the importance of developing a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural system. The New Zealand Minister invited India to join the Global Research Alliance which is an alliance of 67 countries for sharing research on mitigation of climate change impacts on agriculture.

Both Ministers emphasised the potential of the

Agri Genomics, AgroPolicy, SAARC, Textile industry

This is the second GM plant introduced in the country, following Bt brinjal in 2014

Bangladesh has introduced two types of genetically modified (GM) cotton to increase crop yields and reduce the need for imports.

This is the second GM crop introduced in the country, following Bt brinjal in 2014.

During a seminar held at the Cotton Development Board office in Dhaka, Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Agriculture Minister stated that the introduction of Bt and hybrid varieties could help meet around 20 per cent of the domestic cotton demand, which amounts to approximately 1.5 million bales.

Spinning and weaving industries need an additional 85 lakh bales of cotton to produce yarn and fabrics for export-oriented garment factories.

According to local media, domestic growers can only supply two lakh bales of cotton. As a result, Bangladesh imports a significant amount of cotton from countries such as India, Pakistan, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and Central Asian countries, spending around Tk 33,000 crore annually.

The production cost of Bt cotton is 12-15 per cent lower than local varieties, with an average yield of 4,500 kg per hectare, 15-20 per cent higher.

This is the second GM plant introduced

Biofuel industry, Company News, North America, Oilseeds

Camelina seed will be sold through Syngenta’s AgriPro® dealer network in a vertical marketing model.

Syngenta Seeds, LLC, part of the Syngenta Group, and Sustainable Oils, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., have entered into a new agreement to sell Camelina sativa (camelina) seed – an ultra-low carbon oilseed crop that can be used as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable fuels, and an ingredient for sustainable animal feed.

The collaboration reflects Syngenta’s strong commitment to enabling farmers to economically adopt regenerative practices around the world. Camelina can be planted on fallow land or land left idle between crop cycles. It is valued for its low water usage, quick maturity, and resilient yields. Camelina protects land like a cover crop providing a range of environmental benefits, including soil health and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Camelina seed will be sold through Syngenta’s AgriPro® dealer network in a vertical marketing model. Farmers who buy camelina seed will have a harvest purchase contract. There is no marketing risk for the farmer since there is already an integrated value chain model.

In addition, producing camelina is an attractive option, providing farmers with quick soil cover and improved soil structure, without displacing another crop or requiring new equipment.

Camelina seed will be marketed in select areas of Western Kansas, Colorado, Montana and the Pacific Northwest. It can be included as a spring crop in a wheat-fallow rotation in Montana and the Pacific Northwest, and as a winter crop in Kansas and Colorado.

By offering farmers a new cash crop in high demand, the commercial partnership promotes a more diverse and resilient agricultural system while helping to deliver direct economic benefits to farmers from their otherwise idle or fallow farm acres.

“The collaboration of Syngenta Seeds and Sustainable Oils to sell camelina seed for use in sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and animal feed production is a significant step forward in promoting regenerative agriculture and renewable energy,” said Eric Boeck, Regional Director North America for Syngenta Seeds. “By supporting farmers and offering a sustainable source of fuel and animal feed, this partnership represents a win-win for producers, the environment, and the rural economy. It embodies our commitment to sustainability and our drive to bring innovative solutions to market.”

“We are very excited to partner with Syngenta Seeds on this collaboration to expand camelina’s growth in the U.S.,” Sustainable Oils President Mike Karst said. “Camelina represents a key feedstock for the production of renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel. It is a remarkable crop that protects like a cover crop and pays like a cash crop. We’re proud to be working with Syngenta to bring this opportunity to more farmers, improving our soil health and carbon storage while strengthening our nation’s domestic energy production in the process.”

Camelina seed will be sold through Syngenta’s

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Award, Company News, India, R&D

11 companies in India and one in Sri Lanka received awards for their consistent above-the-bar innovation performance.

Clarivate Plc, a global leader in connecting people and organizations to intelligence they can trust to transform their world, announced the winners of South Asia Innovation Awards 2023 at its Innovation Forum held in Mumbai, India. 11 companies in India and one in Sri Lanka received awards for their consistent above-the-bar innovation performance.

The methodology used to select the top innovators in South Asia closely mirrors that of the annual Top 100 Global Innovators™ from Clarivate, which identifies organizations that sit at the very top of the global innovation ecosystem. The Top 100 Global Innovators uses a complete comparative analysis of global invention data to assess the strength of every patented idea, using measures tied directly to their innovative power. The report analyses data from the Derwent World Patents Index™ (DWPI™) and the Derwent Patents Citation Index™.

Nicholas Mason, Head of Intellectual Property markets, South Asia Pacific, Clarivate, said: “The winners of our South Asia Innovation Awards 2023 are transforming industries and creating a positive impact in society. South Asia is a populous region with great growth potential. We are committed to helping our customers in the region drive innovation by unlocking the full value of their intellectual property through our deep expertise, insights and solutions.”

“At UPL, we see innovation as a catalyst for driving real world impacts. We are delighted that our continued commitment to nurturing sustainable technological development and driving farmer-centric solutions has been recognised for the third time by the Clarivate South Asia Innovation Awards,” said Dr Vishal Sodha, Global IP Head, UPL Limited.

11 companies in India and one in

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

D Narain (D), the current President of Bayer South Asia; Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Bayer CropScience Limited (BCSL) and the Global Head of Smallholder Farming for Bayer, will retire by end of November 2023.

Bayer today announced, that after more than 25 years of service, D Narain (D), the current President of Bayer South Asia; Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Bayer CropScience Limited (BCSL) and the Global Head of Smallholder Farming for Bayer, will retire by end of November 2023. Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch (Simon) will take over as President, Bayer South Asia and as Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Bayer CropScience Ltd (BCSL) on November 1st, 2023. Simon will take on these new responsibilities, in addition to his current role as Country Division Head (CDH) of India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka (IBSL) cluster in Crop Science.

Simon moved to India in December 2018 as Chief Operating Officer of IBSL cluster and in partnership with D established the cluster as a strong growth engine for smallholders before being appointed the Country Division Head (CDH) at the beginning of 2022. Simon started his career with Bayer in 1998 from the company’s headquarters in Germany. He built his professional experience by working in multiple divisions of the company across various geographies like Germany, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Before taking over his current role in India, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Bayer’s Crop Science Division in South-East Asia. Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Applied Sciences in Essen, Germany, and an MBA from the University of Bradford. He has more than two decades of experience in the agriculture industry. He currently lives in Mumbai with his wife Tanja and their children and will continue to operate out of Bayer’s office in Thane, Maharashtra.

D Narain (D), with a career spanning nearly three and half decades in global agriculture, has passionately strived to bring innovative solutions for the upliftment of smallholder farmers globally and with the efforts over the last 5 years, has established the global smallholder business as integral to the long-term growth of the company with a commitment of delivering outcomes of improving smallholder incomes and livelihoods. Over his entire global career, D has also played a pioneering role in bringing financing and risk management models to farmers across the world. In his most recent role, D led the successful integration of Monsanto and has positioned Bayer South Asia as one of the fastest growing regions for the company, a major global talent hub, and expanded ‘Centres of Excellence’ to support multiple global teams. D also with his outstanding ability to lead external engagement and thought leadership to shape the industry, leaves behind a strong network of external relationships and partners for Bayer globally.

Over the coming months, D Narain will work with his successors in India and Germany to facilitate a seamless transition before he retires from Bayer. Even after retirement, D will continue to collaborate with Bayer to expand its partnerships and thought leadership engagements with stakeholders, aimed at improving smallholder incomes and sustainability.

D Narain (D), the current President of