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AgroPolicy, India, Vegetables

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is the second-largest chilli market in India

The Madhya Pradesh horticulture and food processing department has applied for geographical indication (GI) tags for 46 state speciality products to aid in their worldwide promotion.

As part of the government’s ‘One District, One Product’ initiative, Nimar’s distinctive crop, Khargone Red Chillies, is already making a splash in foreign markets with 46 other products.

According to the local media Khargone district’s red chillies will receive special product status during Vikas Parv.

The Khargone’s chillies are among 46 special horticulture products in the state. A mission is underway to achieve this. The district cultivated chillies on 46556 hectares in 2023.

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is the second-largest chilli market in India. The market has gained recognition for its high-quality chilli crops, leading to an increase in business expectations.

The Department of Horticulture and food processing conducted a survey of horticulture products in various districts of the state on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s instructions.

Bediya chilli mandi in Khargone district is

Agrotech, Company News, India, Oilseeds, Start ups, Supply Chain

Partnership aims to revolutionise Soybean crop monitoring across 51 districts using advanced satellite surveillance and AI-powered technology.

 Arya.ag, India’s leading agritech platform has announced a strategic partnership with The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) to enhance and streamline crop monitoring for Soybean across 51 districts. The collaboration will leverage Arya Ag’s cutting-edge satellite surveillance product, Prakshep, and its Artificial Intelligence “VaMa” powered by multiple data sources.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), SOPA will receive dynamic information, rich datasets, maps, and data-enriched secure APIs for their subscribed districts, spanning Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The integration of Arya.ag’s state-of-the-art technology will enable SOPA to remotely scout its districts, detect anomalies, and track farm growth seamlessly through a user-friendly web/mobile application provided by Arya.

The partnership between Arya.ag and SOPA exemplifies the power of innovation and collaboration to impact India’s agricultural landscape positively. By utilising Arya.ag’s Prakshep and VaMa solutions, SOPA aims to enhance crop yields, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and drive sustainable agricultural practices.

“We are very honoured to become SOPA’s satellite surveillance partner.  Through this partnership, Arya.ag and SOPA would leverage deep tech capabilities for real-time monitoring of the Soybean crop across the country. Our satellite surveillance product, Prakshep, combined with the power of Artificial Intelligence ‘VaMa’, will empower SOPA to make informed decisions for strengthening the soybean value chain,” said Chattanathan Devarajan, Co-founder at Arya.ag.

“SOPA, as a leading association in the soybean processing industry, recognises the transformative potential of Arya.ag’s technology to drive efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Arya’s promising technology will add value to SOPA’s crop surveillance report.  The collaboration promises to enhance crop productivity, optimise resource utilisation, and foster sustainable practices across the soybean value chain,” said D.N. Pathak, Executive Director at SOPA.

Partnership aims to revolutionise Soybean crop monitoring

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Vegetables

The partnership aims to empower farmers with precision agriculture techniques using UAV drones equipped with hyperspectral, multispectral and thermal sensors.

Gurgaon based agritech startup BharatRohan Airborne Innovations Private Limited, a pioneer in agri-tech drone services, has announced a transformative partnership with the Smart Village Movement. This collaboration is set to revolutionize ginger farming in Meghalaya, by reducing their crop losses and improving their income and livelihoods. The project will leverage advanced drone-based hyperspectral imaging and data-driven insights, ensuring affordability for smallholder farmers.

The partnership aims to empower farmers with precision agriculture techniques using UAV drones equipped with hyperspectral, multispectral and thermal sensors, capable of detecting minute changes in crop health. This real-time data enables farmers to make timely interventions to improve crop yield and quality. Moreover, the initiative promotes sustainable, residue-free ginger production, which will incentivize farmers with premium prices by creating better linkages for the export markets, enhancing income opportunities and economic growth for the local farming communities.

“Our drones are equipped with hyperspectral imagery, provide real-time data and precise crop health assessments, enabling swift adaptation to shifting climate patterns. We believe in creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem by producing residue-free, better-quality produce,” said Rishabh Choudhary, CTO & Co-Founder of BharatRohan.

Megha Raju, Project Lead at BharatRohan, highlighted the critical role of the collaboration: “Integrating UAV hyperspectral technology into smallholder ginger farming in Meghalaya, our collaboration becomes crucial in providing farm specific actionable advisory, supplying high quality agri-inputs and promoting sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.”

Vivek Shah, CEO of Smart Village Movement, also voiced his enthusiasm: “As a facilitator to take technologies and business models in rural markets, SVM looks forward to the pilot with BharatRohan in addressing the pain points and aspirations of farmers. Our experience to drive other drone-enabled use cases gives us great anticipation to propel the prospects in the agricultural sector as well. The outcomes of this would be key to understanding the technology readiness and resilience in unique conditions like dense clouds, high rainfall and the topography of Meghalaya, but most profoundly, to witness demand in villagers adapting to such innovations would be of essential value to our model.”

The partnership aims to empower farmers with

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, Supply Chain, Trade

The state faces tough competition from other turmeric-producing states such as Telangana and Maharashtra

Turmeric fields in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya are attracting businessmen from India and abroad. The region’s Lakadong turmeric, considered the world’s best, is now in the news due to its freshness and curcumin content, which is used for pharmaceutical purposes and fetches a premium price.

After five years of implementing Mission Lakadong, local turmeric production in Meghalaya has transformed into a profitable economic activity with increased trade and farming opportunities. As a result, the state has been able to expand its exports to countries like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Despite this success, the state faces tough competition from other turmeric-producing states such as Telangana and Maharashtra.

If we compare the production of turmeric, it is seen that many other states surpass Meghalaya in terms of quantity. However, when it comes to quality, the situation is reversed. The West Jaintia Hill district cultivates three varieties of turmeric – Lachen, Lasain and Lakadong. While the first two have only four to five per cent of curcumin, Lakadong has an average of seven per cent curcumin. This variety is grown only by the locals of this small district, which is bordered by Bangladesh and Assam. Any efforts to grow this variety elsewhere have resulted in a sharp decline in its curcumin content.

The Meghalaya government launched ‘Mission Lakadong’ in 2018 to promote the cultivation and sale of turmeric. This involved appointing a nodal officer and working with groups such as Trinity Sio and Life Spice Processing Cooperative Society to find new markets and branding opportunities for farmers.

The state faces tough competition from other

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Foodgrains, India, R&D, Seeds

Bajra Section contributes to developing improved Bajra varieties, identifying new pathogens, and succeeding in hybrid seed production and commercialisation.

Hisar based Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University’s (CCSHAU) Bajra Section has received the prestigious Best Research Centre Award for the year 2022-23 at the national level in recognition of its outstanding research in the field of Bajra crop.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) presented this award during the 58th Annual Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project held in Hyderabad. This marks the second consecutive year that the Bajra Section has been honoured with this prestigious award.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. B. R. Kamboj lauded the significant contributions of Bajra Section, which include developing improved Bajra varieties, identifying new pathogens, and succeeding in hybrid seed production and commercialization. Other achievements include the creation of bio-fortified bajra hybrids with high iron content (73-83 ppm) named HHB 299 and HHB 311. Additionally, Bajra Section introduced the molecular marker-assisted improved pearl millet EDV hybrid HHB 67 Improved-2, displaying better downy mildew resistance compared to its earlier version, HHB 67 Improved. The team also identified a new stem rot disease of pearl millet and its causal organism.

Dr Jeet Ram Sharma, Director of Research, congratulated the Bajra scientists and encouraged them to continue their quality research. The research work was carried out by a dedicated team of scientists led by Anil Kumar (Head, Bajra Section), S.K. Pahuja (Head, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding and Dean, College of Agriculture, Hisar), along with other esteemed researchers like Dr. Dev Vrat Yadav, K.D. Sehrawat, Vinod Malik, Harshdeep Kamboj, Mukesh Kumar, Pankaj, and Ms. Jyoti Kaushik, who have made valuable contributions to millet research in various capacities.

Bajra Section contributes to developing improved Bajra

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Company News, Live Stock

These cutting-edge platforms mark a significant advancement in the aquaculture industry, providing fish farms and aquaculture suppliers with AI-driven data intelligence to make faster

Norway-based Manolin, the leading aquaculture data intelligence company announce the highly-anticipated launch of the revolutionary platforms, Watershed and Harpoon. These cutting-edge platforms mark a significant advancement in the aquaculture industry, providing fish farms and aquaculture suppliers with AI-driven data intelligence to make faster, more accurate, and proactive decisions for sustainable growth and enhanced performance.

Watershed is a game-changing platform designed to empower aquaculture fish farms with proactive, real-time fish health management across all their farm sites. By utilising predictive analytics, Watershed saves farmers the hassle of identifying potential issues, keeping them constantly aware of risks to their farms. With this vital information at their fingertips, farmers can devote more time to forecasting metrics and benchmarking their performance, gaining invaluable insights into their operations. Watershed’s benchmarking capabilities allow farms to identify precisely what strategies work best for their farm and why, enabling strategic growth with unparalleled efficiency.

“Manolin’s data intelligence platform has been instrumental in overcoming common barriers such as reporting and insights. It enables us to unlock the full potential of our farm data, providing real-time visibility and empowering us to make data-driven decisions with confidence”, stated HEvard Olsen, CEO of KvarXy Fiskeoppdrett.

The Watershed platform offers two tiers – the free Researcher tier, designed to help farms streamline data for research purposes, and the paid Explorer tier, which provides comprehensive farm site visualization, benchmarking, and live alerts on production issues.

“With Watershed, we are empowering fish farmers to grow smarter and faster,” stated Tony Chen, CEO of Manolin. “The Researcher tier expedites data analysis for research purposes, while the Explorer tier takes farm site visualization and benchmarking to the next level. Farmers can now have real-time alerts, forecasts, and critical insights at their fingertips, all in one centralised platform. Watershed opens up new possibilities for proactive management and sustainable growth in aquaculture.”

These cutting-edge platforms mark a significant advancement

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, India

 Company’s Profit Before Tax for the quarter stood at Rs 4,061 million, compared to Rs 3,823 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Bayer CropScience Limited announced its unaudited results for the first quarter (Q1) of Financial Year (FY) 2023-24. For Q1 ended June 30, 2023, the Company registered Revenue from Operations of Rs 17,396 million, compared to Rs 16,674 million in the corresponding period of FY 2022-23. Profit Before Tax for the quarter stood at Rs 4,061 million, compared to Rs 3,823 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

Commenting on the quarterly results, Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Executive Director, Bayer CropScience Limited said, “In Q1 of FY2023-24 despite the impact of delayed monsoon we continued to see strong growth in Sales and liquidation of our Crop Protection portfolio. As expected, we witnessed Roundup™ price normalization impacting the overall Sales growth of the quarter. Corn seeds continue to yield strong results with volume growth driven by portfolio and better acreages in Kharif.”

Simon Britsch, Chief Financial Officer, Bayer CropScience Limited, while speaking about the quarterly results said, “We have delivered modest reported Revenue from Operations growth of 4% for the quarter and adjusted for the effect of customer incentive programs, we delivered a Revenue from Operations growth of 9 per cent for the quarter despite normalization of Roundup™ pricing. We have continued to proactively manage costs and invest in targeted growth opportunities resulting in increased Profit Before Tax by 6 per cent.”

 Company’s Profit Before Tax for the quarter

Foodgrains, Sustainability, World

Falling international maize and sugar prices partly offset notable jumps in wheat and vegetable oil quotations

Global food commodity prices rose in July, influenced by the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and new trade restrictions on rice, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 123.9 points in July, up 1.3 per cent from the previous month while 11.8 per cent below its July 2022 level.

The increase was driven by a sharp jump in the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index, which rose 12.1 per cent from June after seven months of consecutive declines. International sunflower oil prices rebounded by more than 15 per cent in the month, due mostly to renewed uncertainties surrounding the exportable supplies after the Russian Federation’s decision to end the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. World prices for palm, soy and rapeseed oils increased on concerns over output prospects in leading producing countries.

The FAO Cereal Price Index declined by 0.5 per cent from June, driven by a 4.8 per cent drop in international coarse grain quotations due to increased seasonal supplies of maize from ongoing harvests in Argentina and Brazil and potentially higher-than-anticipated production in the United States of America. However, international wheat prices rose by 1.6 per cent, their first monthly increase in nine months, due to uncertainty over exports from Ukraine as well as continued dry conditions in North America.

The FAO All Rice Price Index increased by 2.8 per cent on the month and 19.7 per cent on the year to reach its highest nominal level since September 2011, as India’s 20 July prohibition of non-parboiled Indica exports fostered expectations of greater sales in other origins, amplifying upward pressure already exerted on prices by seasonally tighter supplies and Asian purchases. This upward pressure on rice prices “raises substantial food security concerns for a large swathe of the world population, especially those that are most poor and who dedicate a larger share of their incomes to purchase food,” FAO warned, adding that export restrictions can bear adverse consequences on production, consumption and prices that last beyond the duration of their implementation and risk exacerbating high food domestic inflation in many countries.

The FAO Sugar Price Index declined by 3.9 per cent as good progress in Brazil’s sugarcane harvest and improved rains across most growing areas in India weighed on world quotations, as did subdued demand from Indonesia and China, the world’s largest sugar importers. Persistent concerns over the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon on sugarcane crops, along with higher international crude oil prices, mitigated the decline.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined by 0.4 per cent in July to stand 20.6 per cent below its July 2022 value. World cheese prices recovered slightly after steep recent declines as hot weather affected seasonally declining milk supplies in Europe.

The FAO Meat Price Index declined 0.3 per cent from June. Quotations for bovine, ovine and poultry meat declined on solid supply availabilities and in some cases lower demand from leading importers. Pig meat prices, by contrast, rose, reflecting high seasonal demand coupled with ongoing tight supplies from Western Europe and the United States of America.

Falling international maize and sugar prices partly

Floriculture, India, Sustainability

As part of the ‘Ente Nadu Ente Onam’ project, a total of 50 acres of land in the Kattakkada constituency have been dedicated to flower cultivation

Kerala’s Pallichal Panchayat has cultivated marigolds across 26 acres in 13 different locations. This year, as part of the ‘Ente Nadu Ente Onam’ project, a total of 50 acres of land in the Kattakkada constituency have been dedicated to flower cultivation. The first day of the ten-day-long Onam celebration is known as Atham Day. 

On this day, people actively participate in making floral carpets. These carpets are created in houses, apartments, offices, and public places. Kerala has usually had to rely on Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states for flowers to make floral carpets. As Athappookkalam, the carpet-making process, is an integral part of the Onam celebration.

According to the local media, after this flower season, farmers will start vegetable cultivation. Farmers of Vilappil Panchayat planning to start sunflower cultivation. The place was not fertile. MGNREGA workers and Kudumbasree workers have made it suitable for cultivation. For so many years it was not used and remained like a forest. Now the landlord is also happy that the land has been utilised.

Marigold holds immense significance in Kerala, during the Onam celebrations. The vibrant and cheerful flower plays a crucial role in decorating homes, temples, and public spaces. Its golden colour symbolises prosperity, happiness, and purity, making it an integral part of the festivities. 

As part of the ‘Ente Nadu Ente

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry, Supply Chain

At the end of July 2023, India has a sugar stock of about 108 LMT, which is sufficient to meet domestic demand for the remaining months of the current SS 2022-23.

The government of India has been successfully maintaining stable retail prices of sugar in the country. Though international sugar prices have touched the highest level in a decade in April-May 2023, domestic prices of sugar have nominal inflation of about 3 per cent, which is commensurate with the hike in Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane.

At the end of July 2023, India has a sugar stock of about 108 LMT, which is sufficient to meet domestic demand for the remaining months of the current SS 2022-23 and also for optimum stock of about 62 LMT at the end of the season. Thus, enough sugar is available for domestic consumers at reasonable prices throughout the year.

In addition, the interests of sugarcane farmers are being addressed by ensuring Fair & Remunerative prices as well as their timely payments by sugar mills. 99.9 per cent of cane dues of sugarcane farmers for the sugar seasons up to 2021-22 have already been cleared by sugar mills. Even for the current sugar season 2022-23, with payments of more than ₹ 1.05 lakh crores, about 93 per cent of cane dues payments have already been cleared as of date.

International sugar prices are almost 50 per cent higher than those in India. The average retail price of sugar in the country is about ₹ 43 per kg and is likely to remain in range bound only. It can be seen from the chart below that there has been less than 2 per cent annual inflation in the country in sugar prices in the last 10 years. Domestic prices have been kept stable with little increase as a result of pragmatic government policy interventions.

Timely government interventions have brought the sugar sector out of the crisis. Strong fundamentals of the sugar sector and more than sufficient production of sugarcane and sugar in the country have ensured that sugar remains within easy access to each & every Indian consumer.

During the current Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2022-23, India is estimated to have produced of 330 LMT sugar after the diversion of about 43 LMT for ethanol production. Thus, total sucrose production in the country would be about 373 LMT which is the second highest in the last 5 years. Further, there has been a considerable increase in the production of sugar during the last 10 years; however, the consumption has not increased in the same proportion; thereby, ensuring the availability of sufficient stock for any unforeseen event.

At the end of July 2023, India

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

The Program in its first year aims to significantly scale up its coverage to 25,000 hectares of rice cultivation during the Kharif 2023 and Rabi 2023-24 seasons.

Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of agriculture and healthcare, in collaboration with GenZero, a Temasek-owned investment platform company dedicated to accelerating decarbonization globally, Shell Energy India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Shell Plc and investor in nature-based solutions, and other experts, is pleased to announce their efforts to develop a robust model to showcase the scalability of methane emissions reduction in rice cultivation. The proposed approach will include training, support, and guidance for smallholder farmers while utilizing Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV) mechanisms incorporating remote sensing technology. The project aims to set a benchmark for similar efforts in the rice decarbonization space.

Bayer over the last two years has already done the necessary groundwork and initiated a pilot Sustainable Rice Project across India. It started with an aim to generate carbon reductions by encouraging rice farmers to switch from the current practice of transplanting with continuously flooding fields to Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) that involves controlled and intermittent flooding and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) that involves no transplanting operations and very limited flooding.

With this collaboration in place, the Program in its first year aims to significantly scale up its coverage to 25,000 hectares of rice cultivation during the Kharif 2023 and Rabi 2023-24 seasons. Any success achieved during this first year will pave the way for the implementation of an even larger-scale sustainable rice project. Beyond greenhouse gas reduction, the program is expected to generate other benefits such as water savings, soil health improvement, and enhanced community livelihoods for smallholder rice farmers.

To ensure scientific accuracy and credibility, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), a globally renowned scientific institution, will provide valuable support in conducting scientific assessments of greenhouse gas reductions, water use reductions, and improvements in soil health.

Speaking about the program, Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka said, “Bayer’s commitment to rice cultivation is two-fold. Through our focus on rice, we want to solve two of the biggest challenges impacting humanity, namely, food security and climate change. With this program, we aim to get more insights into how regenerative agricultural practices can contribute to mitigating climate change by way of methane emission reductions, water conservation, soil health improvements and drive sustainable development of smallholder farmers. Having the expertise and support of organizations like GenZero, Shell, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and others will go a long way in developing the ecosystem for faster adoption of such sustainable practices”.

Frederick Teo, CEO of GenZero, said, “ With this program, we aim to transform the future of rice cultivation by driving the adoption of alternative wetting and drying as well as direct seeding techniques across smallholder farmers in India. The aim is to reduce the amount of water required for farming across many water-stressed agricultural regions in India and reduce methane emissions arising from rice cultivation, supporting the transition of the agricultural industry towards a low-carbon future.

Flora Ji, Vice President Nature Based Solutions, Shell plc said, “Nature-based solutions, like this rice cultivation project, are an important additional tool in addressing climate change and contributing to sustainable development. We look forward to the outcome of this program to further strengthen capabilities and leverage novel technologies to deploy nature-based solutions at scale.”

Speaking about the collaborative initiative with Bayer, Dr. Ajay Kohli, Deputy Director General for Research, IRRI said, “Public-private partnerships are an effective way to transform food systems, leveraging the strengths and resources of both sectors to achieve common goals. Such partnerships in agricultural science can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research and development. By combining the strengths and resources of both sectors, and also sharing knowledge and capacity-building, thus enhancing the overall productivity and sustainability of the agricultural sector.”

The Program in its first year aims

Agro Universities, People, R&D

Dr Kohli will be taking over from Dr Jean Balié, who will transition to a new role in CGIAR as Director for the Impact Area Platform on Poverty Reduction, Livelihoods, and Jobs.

Deputy Director General for Research Dr. Ajay Kohli has been appointed interim Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) by the Board of Trustees, effective 1 August 2023. He will be taking over from Dr Jean Balié, who will transition to a new role in CGIAR as Director for the Impact Area Platform on Poverty Reduction, Livelihoods, and Jobs.

“As Interim Director General, Dr Kohli’s primary focus will be ensuring stability and continuity in IRRI’s mission,” said Cao Duc Phat, Chair of the IRRI Board of Trustees. ”Dr. Kohli will collaborate with the Board of Trustees Leadership Transition Committee, the Executive Team, The Research Leadership Team, IRRI staff, CGIAR, and our global partners to uphold the Institute’s commitment to excellence in rice systems research for development and impact.”

“Thank you for your trust and support going ahead. I assure you of my full commitment to elevating IRRI higher in all aspects. Moving forward, we will focus on accelerating the development and roll-out of game-changing scientific solutions and ensure success on multiple fronts while continuing to be a strong cohesive team”, said Dr Kohli.

Dr Kohli brings 33 years of extensive experience and expertise in research and leadership in various capacities within IRRI, as well as in academia at universities and research institutes in India, the UK, USA, and Germany.

In his role as Deputy Director General for Research, Dr. Kohli led the development and operationalization of IRRI’s four product-focused flagship programs (Direct Dry-Seeded Rice, Nutritious Products and Diet, Climate Resilient Farming, and Accelerated Impact) that address key challenges and provide significant opportunities for game-changing research leading to impactful product innovations.

During Dr. Kohli’s tenure and under Jean Balie’s oversight, IRRI’s new institutional climate change strategy for rice-based systems was formulated, focusing on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice production and developing climate-resilient rice varieties. This strategy has already been operationalized through an inter-departmental portfolio of upstream-to-downstream bilateral projects and CGIAR initiatives, with a pipeline of novel research projects and activities planned.

Under Dr. Kohli’s leadership, IRRI’s research activities have gained international recognition and acclaim. Most recently, the IRRI-led Seeds Without Borders received the David and Betty Hamburg Award, IRRI and AfricaRice’s collaboration on flood-resistant rice won the Milken-Motsepe Prize, and IRRI’s work on arsenic-safe rice was awarded the grand prize at the Global Food Systems Challenge. A recent 2022 study showed that the net returns from investments in IRRI and national partners’ research remain strongly positive and continue to have enduring economic benefits for the Philippines and Bangladesh, the two countries evaluated, while similar studies are ongoing for other partner countries.

IRRI contributes to or co-leads 19 of the CGIAR Global Initiatives, which will provide opportunities to broaden its impact, helping improve livelihoods and food and nutrition security equitably, especially in relation to gender, youth and marginalized communities, for populations across the globe.

An immediate area of concentrated efforts for D. Kohli will be ensuring the success of the upcoming International Rice Conference 2023 in Manila (IRC2023; 16-19 October 2023). All plant and rice scientists addressing global challenges of climate change, food and nutrition security, equitable scalability of technologies, and impact assessment experts are encouraged to join in, contribute to, and learn from the pool of knowledge and expertise that will be represented during IRC2023.

Dr Kohli will be taking over from

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Interaction, Oilseeds, SAARC, Sugar industry

INAGRITECH, INAGRICHEM, SUGARMACH INDONESIA, PUMP&VALVES INDONESIA, INAPALM ASIA: Showcase of Indonesia’s Agricultural, Chemical, Sugar, Pump, and Palm Oil Industries

Event Overview:

INAGRITECH, along with its co-located events, is a three-day event that is set to take place at the prestigious Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) venue. With each exhibition having its own significance, the amalgamation provides a unique opportunity for professionals, businesses, and enthusiasts to explore a diverse array of products, technologies, and services.

The 9th edition of INAGRITECH: Advancing Agricultural Technology

INAGRITECH focuses on the latest advancements and innovations in the agricultural sector. From smart farming technologies to precision agriculture equipment, the exhibition aims to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in the farming industry. Participants can expect to witness cutting-edge machinery, crop protection solutions, irrigation systems, and farm management software that will empower farmers to meet the challenges of the modern world.

The 7th edition of INAGRICHEM: Revolutionizing the Chemical Industry

INAGRICHEM is dedicated to showcasing the chemical sector’s contributions to agriculture and other industries. This segment will highlight agrochemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and various chemical formulations that play a pivotal role in enhancing crop yield and quality. Manufacturers, distributors, and researchers will come together to exchange knowledge and explore partnerships that can drive the chemical industry forward.

The 5th edition of SUGARMACH INDONESIA: Sweetening the Sugar Industry

Indonesia is a major player in the global sugar industry, and SUGARMACH INDONESIA aims to accentuate this position. This segment of the exhibition will feature state-of-the-art machinery, equipment, and technologies related to sugar processing, refining, and production. It is a must-visit for sugar industry professionals seeking modern solutions to optimize their operations and deliver high-quality sugar products.

The 4th edition of PUMP&VALVES INDONESIA: A Hub for Pump and Valve Technologies

PUMP&VALVES INDONESIA brings together the most comprehensive range of pumps, valves, and related equipment. These vital components are essential for various industries, including agriculture, oil and gas, water management, and manufacturing. This exhibition will allow attendees to explore the latest pump and valve technologies and engage with industry experts to address their specific needs.

The 9th edition of INAPALM ASIA: Embracing the Palm Oil Sector

The palm oil industry is a significant economic driver for Indonesia, and INAPALM ASIA serves as a platform to support its growth and sustainability. Visitors will have the chance to connect with key players in the palm oil sector, discover innovative harvesting and processing techniques, and explore eco-friendly practices that promote responsible palm oil production.

Conclusion:

INAGRITECH, INAGRICHEM, SUGARMACH INDONESIA, PUMP&VALVES INDONESIA, and INAPALM ASIA collectively form an unparalleled opportunity for various industries to converge, share knowledge, and foster growth and development. This grand showcase of agricultural, chemical, sugar, pump, and palm oil technologies are an event not to be missed for professionals and businesses looking to stay at the forefront of their respective sectors. As Indonesia continues to assert its position in the global market, these exhibitions play a crucial role in driving innovation and sustainability across multiple industries.

We invite you to come & visit us in 23 – 25 Aug 2023 at JIExpo, Jakarta – Indonesia where we will feature INAGRITECH 2023, INAGRICHEM 2023, SUGARMACH 2023, INAPALM ASI 2023 and PUMP & VALVES 2023.

Pre-Register at : https://reg-gemindonesia.net/

For further details contact at info@gem-indonesia.com or direct call: +6282135958938
website: https://inagritech-exhibition.net/, https://www.inagrichem-exhibition.net/, https://www.sugarmach-indonesia.net/, https://www.inapalm-asia.net/ and https://www.pump-valve-indonesia.net/

INAGRITECH, INAGRICHEM, SUGARMACH INDONESIA, PUMP&VALVES INDONESIA, INAPALM

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, Inputs, Seeds, World

Net debt at $3.19 billion as of June 2023, down by $160 million vs June 2022.

UPL Ltd. has reported financial results for the first quarter of FY24 (Apr-June 2023). Company has reported revenue Rs 8,963 crores in Q1 FY 24 in comparison with Rs 10,821 crores revenue in Q1 FY23 registering 17 per cent drop in the revenue. Company has registered net profit of Rs 166 crores in Q1FY24 against the net profit of Rs 877 crores in Q1 FY23 which indicates significant decrease of 81 per cent.

Revenue and EBITDA for Q1 impacted by the industry-wide slow down.  Differentiated and Sustainable portfolio delivered resilient performance growing by 7 per cent YoY – revenue share rose significantly to 37 per cent (from 27 per cent in Q1FY23) supporting contribution margins.

 Seeds business delivered robust performance as revenue grew by 26% YoY and EBITDA increased by 54 per cent YoY. Net Debt stood lower by $160 million vs LY at $3,193 million as of 30 June 2023 despite lower factoring ($890 million on 30 June 2023 vs 1,140 million on 30 June 2022). Adjusted for the lower factoring quantum, net debt would have stood at $2,943 million (lower by $410 million YoY).

During the quarter, company’s Specialty Chemicals Business (including AI manufacturing) was proposed to be transferred to a wholly-owned subsidiary ‘UPL Speciality Chemicals Ltd.’ (USCL) for a consideration of Rs 3,572 crore. The proposed transfer has been approved at the shareholder meeting on 20th July 2023 and the transaction is expected to be completed in the next few months.

Commenting on the performance, Mike Frank, CEO – UPL Corporation Ltd., said “The global agrochemical industry has been going through a challenging phase over the last two quarters as distributors prioritized destocking and focused on tactical purchases amid high channel inventories. Additionally, the market is witnessing pricing pressure given the high base of previous year and aggressive price competition we have seen from the Chinese post patent exporters. Given this backdrop, our revenue and profitability were also impacted by these headwinds in line with the rest of the industry. Having said that our differentiated and sustainable portfolio performed resiliently (+7% YoY); with revenue share increasing significantly to 37 per cent versus 27 per cent last year. Favorable portfolio and regional mix coupled with better margins at Advanta helped improve contribution margins by 198 bps YoY in Q1.

One of our key focus areas has been to improve cash flows and strengthen our balance sheet. In-line with this, we have reduced our net debt by $160 million versus June 2022 despite much lower factoring (down by ~$250 million YoY).  Further, we are undertaking a cost reduction initiative of $100 million over the period of next 24 months; 50% of which we expect to be realized in FY24. Going forward, while we anticipate demand to remain subdued in Q2 FY24 as well, our performance should be sequentially better. We are optimistic of demand recovery in H2 FY24 as the channel inventory approaches a new normalized level. Overall, led by improved demand and cost optimization efforts, we expect our Revenue and EBITDA growth to turn positive in H2

FY24, with full year Revenue growth to now be in the range of 1-5% with EBITDA growth at 3-7%.”

Regional Performance Update

Region (INR crore) Q1 FY24 Q1 FY23 YoY % Chg.

Latin America 2,965 3,464 (14 per cent)

Europe 1,259 1,728 (27 per cent)

North America 870 1,796 (52 per cent)

India 2,054 2,067 (1 per cent)

Rest of the World 1,814 1,765 3 per cent

Total 8,963 10,821 (17 per cent).

Net debt at $3.19 billion as of