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

The broad-spectrum insecticide protects white grub and termites, which are a big challenge for Indian farmers.

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), one of the nation’s leading crop protection and nutrition companies, has unveiled a patented insecticide called Turner with unique properties and residual control, effective against white grub and termites on a variety of crops. 

Turner is an innovative broad-spectrum insecticide that protects white grub and termites, which are a big challenge for Indian farmers. With contact, stomach & repellent properties, Turner will turn out to be a superior tool to fight these insects for the farmers. Turner is a patented product with long-term effectiveness.

Commenting at the launch, Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, IIL, said, “At IIL, we are driven by a strong R&D team, committed to bringing the latest global technologies and introduce novel and sustainable solutions to address Indian farmers’ challenges. Turner is a breakthrough technology promising a leap forward in pest management. We are confident that Turner will help farmers improve their income through effective protection for a superior harvest.”

“Indian growers deserve access to the most advanced solutions to help them achieve better yields. We aim to provide our hardworking farmers with the right product with the best quality possible within their reach.,” Aggarwal further added.

The broad-spectrum insecticide protects white grub and

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, E-commerce, Start ups

Project rolled out in 60 villages of Bulandshahr with plans to scale up pan India in 24 to 36 months.

In a bid to boost market linkages to Indian farmers, Gram Unnati, India’s first integrated agri solutions company has tied up with Common Services Centre (CSC) E-Governance Services India Limited, to establish a digital platform that empowers smallholder farmers to market their produce efficiently. CSCs are internet enabled access points, which provide last mile access to various e-governance services through digital connectivity.

The pilot project has been initiated in 60 villages of Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Farmers residing in these villages can notify the nearest CSC VLE (Village Level Entrepreneur) about the quality and quantity of their agricultural produce. Gram Unnati will then engage with the farmer, inspect produce quality, offer fair selling prices, and take possession of the goods. Payments to the farmers will be processed instantly and in full directly into their bank accounts. Based on the learning of this pilot, in the next 6-12 months, this initiative will be rolled out across the district and in 24 to 36 months across the country.

Commenting on the association, Aneesh Jain, CEO and Founder, Gram Unnati, said, “This initiative by Gram Unnati promises several benefits for farmers, including a 15 per cent to 20 per cent increase in net price realisation due to savings on transportation and trader commissions, fair weighment of produce, transparent payment processing directly into farmers’ accounts within an agreed timeframe, along with advisory support on crop planning and management to enhance quality, productivity, and in turn better price realisation. Gram Unnati’s deep penetration and knowledge and the digital platform offered by CSC will be a game changer for farmers in getting a higher yield for their produce through a right market linkage program.”

Kuldeep Meena, Chief Development Officer of Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh, expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative and said, “The farmers stand to gain extensively through this joint initiative by CSC & Gram Unnati as market linkage is the need of the hour. This initiative will facilitate and accelerate this process, catering to farmers’ needs through last-mile delivery. Not only will farmers get easy access to markets at the village level, but they will also receive fair prices for their produce.”

The primary objective of this initiative is to provide vegetable farmers access to markets at the village level, ensure prompt and full payments directly into farmers’ bank accounts, and offer timely advisory services in case of pest or disease issues.

Project rolled out in 60 villages of

Agribusiness, Company News, Dairy, Finance, India, Investments

The major investment includes a new dairy plant in Nagpur, Maharashtra, with an estimated investment of Rs 525 crore.

Mother Dairy has announced that company plans to invest Rs 650 crore in setting up two new plants for processing milk, fruits and vegetables, alongside another Rs 100 crore to expand capacities of existing plants, in response to increasing consumer demand. As a prominent milk supplier in Delhi-NCR, the company aims to expand its distribution network and cater to a wider consumer base.

“The company has allocated a capital expenditure of over Rs 750 crore to enhance dairy and F&V processing capacities across key locations. The major investment includes a new dairy plant in Nagpur, Maharashtra, with an estimated investment of Rs 525 crore. This greenfield plant will have a processing capacity of 6 lakh litres of milk per day, expandable up to 10 lakh litres per day, serving markets in central and southern regions.”, said Manish Bandlish, MD of Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables

 Mother Dairy also plans to commission a fruit processing plant in Karnataka with an investment of over Rs 125 crore under its Safal brand. Both these projects are expected to be completed within two years.

Bandlish also mentioned strengthening capacities in existing facilities with an outlay of around Rs 100 crore. Currently, Mother Dairy operates nine company-owned processing plants for dairy and four plants for horticulture (fruits and vegetables), besides collaborating with third-party facilities.

The major investment includes a new dairy

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Live Stock

It signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

The Department of Fisheries successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, revolutionising access to credit facilities for fishers, fish farmers etc across the nation. The virtual ceremony, attended by esteemed dignitaries including Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Chief General Manager, (Digital Transformation & E-commerce), State Bank of India marked a significant milestone in digitalization of KCC Fisheries application processing system.

Speaking at the event, Sagar Mehra highlighted the government’s relentless efforts to support for digitalization of credit system in the fisheries sector. He emphasised the transformative impact of integrating the scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, which will facilitate seamless access to institutional credit facilities and promote inclusive growth of fisheries.

The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector. This initiative aims to streamline processes, digitize workflows, and provide efficient loan management services, ensuring enhanced accessibility and transparency for beneficiaries.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Department of Fisheries, extensive efforts have been undertaken to bring awareness about the KCC Fisheries scheme, resulting in the issuance of over 3,01,309 KCC cards to beneficiaries engaged in fisheries and aquaculture activities nationwide. This concerted effort underscores the government’s commitment to empowering the credit facilities to fishers and fish farmers and promoting the growth of the fisheries industry.

The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal heralds a new era of efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in the fisheries sector. Fishers and Fish farmers across the country can now easily apply for their KCC loans and manage their loan accounts online.

It signifies a monumental leap towards providing

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Company News, Fungicides, India

 The fungicide provides stronger protection against fungal diseases such as Early Blight, Frog eye leaf spot, Alternaria leaf spot, and Alternaria leaf blight compared to conventional solutions.

Seedlings India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Agrolife has been granted registration for indigenous manufacture of Pymetrozine 303 per cent, Dinotefuran 10 per cent, and Pyraclostrobin 20 per cent by Central Insecticides board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) u/s9(3). The company will launch the product under the brand name Defender.

This innovative formulation will significantly enhance crop health and productivity, offering four times stronger protection against fungal diseases such as Early Blight, Frog eye leaf spot, Alternaria leaf spot, and Alternaria leaf blight compared to conventional solutions.

 The fungicide provides stronger protection against fungal

Agrotech, Company News, Digital Technologies, India, Start ups

The project will digitally visualize agricultural data spanning over 57,000-gram panchayats across 827 blocks in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

 Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated an AI-driven Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based command centre in Lucknow. Spearheaded by Agribazaar, India’s leading agritech platform and a member of the StarAgri group, this initiative is part of the crop survey project by the Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UPDASP).

Mapping Uttar Pradesh’s Agricultural Landscape

The establishment of this command centre marks a significant milestone in ushering in a new era of data-driven agriculture in the state. Covering a vast expanse, it will visualize agricultural data spanning over 57,000-Gram panchayats across 827 blocks in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The project was developed under the guidance of Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC), Government of Uttar Pradesh. Agribazaar is the nodal agency for the project for the next three years. It will partner with three private companies in its efforts.

“We are deeply honored to lead this pivotal initiative,” said Amit Mundawala, co-founder & Managing Director, Agribazaar. “The comprehensive data collected will serve as a scientific repository, addressing critical gaps in India’s agricultural value chain. By empowering informed decision-making, it will ultimately benefit both farmers and consumers removing information inefficiency in the Indian agri-value chain.

We’ve developed one of India’s foremost integrated agri-tech platforms, poised to revolutionize the Indian agri-sector with affordable yet customized solutions. It’s intelligent, user-friendly, and supported by our extensive on-ground agricultural knowledge, powered by AI and ML-driven future tech.”

Agribazaar is Poised to Transform Indian Agriculture

The inauguration of the GIS-based command centre underscores Agribazaar’s position as India’s foremost integrated tech-driven supply chain platform.

GIS technology holds immense potential to modernize Indian agriculture. As the nodal agency in the GIS-based Command Centre, Agribazaar’s efforts align with the government’s Amrit Kaal vision for agriculture, paving the way for an inclusive farmer-centric agricultural ecosystem.

The project will enable the real-time visualization and analysis of spatial data and provide stakeholders with valuable insights into soil health, crop yields, and weather patterns. These data-driven insights will, in turn, help enhance resource management practices, identify areas for targeted interventions, boost agricultural productivity, and improve access to farm services like credit and insurance—thus strengthening the resilience of India’s agriculture sector.

The project will digitally visualize agricultural data

Agribusiness, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain, Trade

Directorate of Horticulture of the Assam government, operating under the ambit of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeast Region (MOVCDNER) facilitated the market linkages for farmers.

Padumpathar Agro Organic Farmer Producer Company (FPC), a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) nestled in Golaghat district of Assam, has made significant strides in the international market by exporting 10 tonnes of organic ginger to Dubai.

After this successful export, the FPO is planning to dispatch another 10 tonnes of premium organic produce to Dubai next week, showcasing the growing potential of organic farming in the region.

This remarkable achievement was made possible through the concerted efforts of the Directorate of Horticulture of the Assam government, operating under the ambit of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeast Region (MOVCDNER), a central sector scheme aimed at promoting organic farming and facilitating market linkages for farmers in the region.

The export of organic ginger marks a significant milestone for farmers in Golaghat district, who have traditionally relied on conventional farming methods.

With the support and guidance provided by MOVCDNER, the farmers have transitioned towards organic cultivation practices, thereby enhancing the quality and value of their produce.

The premium quality of organic ginger cultivated by farmers associated with Padumpathar Agro Organic FPC has garnered attention in international markets.

Directorate of Horticulture of the Assam government,

Agribusiness, Company News, Farm Mechanisation, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting

The campaign promises a series of exciting events, including tractor rallies and customer meets, bringing together the Swaraj sales team, local farmers, channel partners and influencers.

 Swaraj Tractors, a part of the Mahindra Group, proudly commenced a nationwide van campaign ‘Josh Ka Swaran Utsav’ coinciding with brands Golden Jubilee. Through the campaign Swaraj Tractors aims to pay tribute to Indian farmers instrumental in the brands success, while introducing Swaraj’s new range of tractors – ‘Naya Swaraj’ to forge stronger connections with farmers across the country.

To symbolise 50 years of excellence, Swaraj has launched ‘Josh ka Swaran Utsav’ campaign, embarking on an extensive journey across the country, starting from North India. This initiative will serve as a dynamic platform for direct engagement with farmers and spread awareness about Naya Swaraj.

The campaign promises a series of exciting events, including tractor rallies and customer meets, bringing together the Swaraj sales team, local farmers, channel partners and influencers. The initiative is expected to attract enthusiastic participation, enabling Swaraj to connect with over 50,000 customers directly.

Flagging off the ‘Josh ka Swaran Utsav’ campaign from one of Swaraj’s Tractors oldest manufacturing plants in Mohali, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., emphasized the significance of the celebration, stating that, “As we embark on this momentous journey, we honour the invaluable role of farmers in Swaraj’s success story. This Golden Jubilee celebration is a testament to our commitment to serving and empowering farmers across India.”

 Harish Chavan, CEO – Swaraj Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., highlighted the trust between Swaraj and its customers, stating, “At Swaraj we have the privilege to experience the unwavering trust and loyalty of our customers and the ‘Josh ka Swaran Utsav’ campaign is a gesture to acknowledge and thank farmers and the farming communities for their contribution in our success. By introducing Naya Swaraj, we aspire to continue our endeavour of empowering farmers and deepen our bond with them.”

During the campaign, Swaraj will showcase its latest range of tractors and farm equipment, while also seizing the opportunity to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture practices.

The campaign promises a series of exciting

Award, Biofuel industry, Company News, India

SET100 list was first launched in 2017 in collaboration with the World Energy Council with the aim of offering young companies a platform to showcase their forward-thinking solutions.

Biofuel Manufacturer and aggregator Buyofuel, proudly announced that Buyofuel has once again been selected as one of the top 100 international start-ups in the Clean Energy & Storage category for the SET Award 2024. With over 430 start-ups from 75 countries vying for recognition, being among the chosen few for two consecutive years has truly been an honour for the cleantech startup. SET100 list is a compilation of the top 100 SET Award applications. The initiative was first launched in 2017 in collaboration with the World Energy Council to offer young companies a platform to showcase their forward-thinking solutions.

As the Industry sector moves towards a net-zero horizon, SET100 start-ups are fusing technological innovation with sustainability principles to reshape operating paradigms. Endeavours led by SET100 start-ups in this domain target the core of industrial operations, slashing carbon emissions in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production.

“We are honoured to be recognized among the top 100 global start-ups by the SET Award,” said Kishan Karunakaran CEO of Buyofuel. “This achievement underscores our commitment to leveraging technology to drive positive change in India’s biofuel sector. Our team’s dedication and innovative solutions have once again earned us this prestigious recognition. At Buyofuel, we are dedicated to empowering businesses and communities to embrace sustainable energy solutions, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future.”

SET100 list was first launched in 2017

Agrotech, Foodgrains, India, Interaction, Seeds, Sustainability

Experts opined at a conference “DSR for Sustainable & Profitable Rice Production” organised by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) in New Delhi.

 Direct-seeded rice (DSR) has the potential to bring a reduction in water consumption, cut methane emissions, minimize soil erosion, reduce manual labour, and provide better crop residue management in rice cultivation in India. DSR is a result-oriented and successful method for sustainable rice cultivation in India. The success of DSR lies with the farmers’ confidence. Farmers need confidence that they will get better yield, their plants will establish well, and effectively manage weeds, pests and diseases, experts opined at a conference “DSR for Sustainable & Profitable Rice Production” organised by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) at The Park Hotel, New Delhi today.

Rice is India’s leading foodgrain crop and is a staple food for the 1.4 billion population of the country. Grown in a variety of agro-climatic zones, according to industry estimates, rice is responsible for 50 per cent of crop-related methane emissions and approximately 40 percent of water consumption in agriculture, leading to depleting groundwater levels, soil degradation due to water runoff, and intensive manual labour in traditional and transplanted rice cultivation.

To successfully drive this transition from transplanted puddled rice to DSR with minimum fear and risk, allowing farmers to experience first-hand convenience and an equivalent or higher return on investment would require the agri input industry to closely work with the Central and state governments, plant breeders, farm machinery industry and farmers.

Speaking on the research and development in the field of DSR techniques, Dr AK Singh, Director, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), said, “Ongoing research and development efforts in the field of agriculture aim to improve DSR techniques, develop new varieties, and address any challenges associated with its adoption, ensuring continuous improvement and sustainability. In essence, Direct Seeded Rice in India represents a shift towards more sustainable, resource-efficient, and economically viable rice cultivation practices. As the agricultural landscape evolves, DSR will play a crucial role in meeting the demand of a growing population while addressing environmental and economic challenges.”

“Farmers need to adopt appropriate practices, such as selecting suitable rice varieties and managing weeds effectively, to maximize the benefits of this cultivation method. DSR eliminates the labour-intensive process of rice transplantation, saving on labour costs. Since DSR reduces the duration of flooded fields compared to traditional rice cultivation, it contributes to lower methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas associated with flooded rice fields, leading to climate change and global warming,” Dr Singh added.

Speakers during the inaugural session discussed how remunerative is DSR for farmers as compared to traditional and transplanted rice cultivation, challenges in the adoption of DSR, training and capacity building of farmers, developing an ecosystem to encourage DSR adoption and synergies between Central and state government policies.

Addressing the conference, Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII and Managing Director & CEO, Savannah Seeds, said, “The industry sees DSR as a technological advancement in rice cultivation. Direct seeding through machinery and drones, has the potential to further enhance efficiency and reduce dependence on manual labour, aligning with the modernization trends in Indian agriculture. The shift toward DSR creates opportunities for agribusinesses involved in the production and distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery. As more farmers adopt DSR, the demand for suitable inputs and equipment is likely to increase.”

“With a growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, the industry recognizes DSR as a practice that contributes to resource conservation. The reduced water usage and lower methane emissions align with global sustainability goals, making DSR an attractive option for environmentally conscious stakeholders. The reduced need for water and seedling nurseries contributes to overall cost reduction in terms of inputs and resources. This is particularly crucial in regions facing water scarcity. DSR is a win-win situation for the farmers. While reducing costs, DSR provides better yields which results in better incomes for farmers.” Rana added.

The benefits of DSR are well known as it is resource efficient, environment and soil friendly, has higher yields and less manpower requirement due to the shift from flooded to direct seeding system which leads to variation in water, tillage, nutrients, the crop faces challenges of weeds, pest and diseases attacks, and lodging.

The majority of rice farmers constantly struggle with issues of water availability and cultivation costs. Rice is a staple food and has good export potential. At the same time, this rice is resource-intensive and has a severe impact on the environment. DSR promises to address these challenges however this requires the support of government policies and procurement systems to encourage farmers to switch from traditional rice cultivation methods to DSR.

Ultimately, industry players evaluate the economic viability of DSR both for farmers and the broader agricultural value chain. The potential for increased yields reduced input costs, and improved sustainability positions DSR as a valuable component of the agricultural landscape in India.

By Nitin Konde

Experts opined at a conference “DSR for

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Company News, Herbicides, India

Sindica will be sold primarily in India, but the Company has undertaken market development studies in other countries as well.

Atul Ltd (Atul) is in the process of launching its novel and patented formulation, Sindica, a post-emergence herbicide with outstanding efficacy against major weeds on the sugarcane crop. This unique formulation is a combination of 2,4-D Sodium, Metribuzin and Chlorimuron ethyl. It has rapid action and a long-lasting protection against key weeds, such as broadleaf weeds, grasses and sedges, with no adverse impact on the crop or on the soil.

Sindica will further strengthen the position of Atul in the crop protection retail sector in India. The Company plans to utilise its existing production capacity for the manufacturing of Sindica; the capacity will be increased in the near future aligning with the growth of the Crop-Protection Retail business and the expansion of Sindica and other products.

Sindica will be sold primarily in India, but the Company has undertaken market development studies in other countries as well.

Founded in 1947, Atul Ltd (Atul) is a leading integrated chemical company in India with an annual revenue of about Rs. 5,000 crores. The Company manufactures about 900 products and 400 formulations. The production facilities of Atul and its associate, joint venture and subsidiary entities are at Ambernath, Ankleshwar, Jodhpur, Panoli, Tarapur and Valsad in India and Somerset in the UK. It has established subsidiary companies in Brazil, China, Ireland, the UAE, the UK and the USA to serve its customers better and enhance the breadth and depth of its business. While it has followed the B2B model since inception, it is now also into B2C products and is endeavouring to grow them in and outside India.

The Crop Protection-Retail business of Atul has a presence across the country and provides crop care solutions for major crops, such as cotton, paddy, soybean, sugarcane, wheat and a range of fruits and vegetables. Its product portfolio comprises ~ 50 brands, including the best-selling brands like Zura, Salix, Cyno, Rymix, Loxo, Rhyzo and Amsac.

Sindica will be sold primarily in India,

Agbiologicals, Company News, Europe

The partnership aims to foster collaboration within the AgriTech sector and advocate for a regulatory framework that champions sustainable agriculture practices.

The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) announced Absolute as its newest sponsoring partner, further strengthening the organization’s mission to foster collaboration within the AgriTech sector and advocate for a regulatory framework that champions sustainable agriculture practices.

Dedicated to promoting the synergy between industry and academia, the WBF serves as a vital platform for stakeholders keen on advancing the development and adoption of products essential to fostering clean, green agriculture. With a focus on leveraging the potent combination of Nature, Science, and Exponential Innovations, the Absolute is committed to reimagining the possibilities across Agriculture, Materials, and Care.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and Chairman of WBF, expressed enthusiasm about Absolute’s inclusion, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Absolute, to the WBF, which brings a diverse portfolio of biological products that complement traditional crop nutrition, including pioneering prototypes like Bioleather developed at their R&D hub, Xenesis.”

Agam Khare, Founder & CEO of Absolute, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the privilege of joining a global organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of agricultural biologicals for sustainable farming practices.

In an era marked by the imperative of sustainable food security amidst challenges such as population growth and climate change, understanding and harnessing the potential of agricultural biologicals are paramount. The WBF recognizes this urgency and is actively working to establish a robust research foundation that elucidates the intricate interactions between microbial components and plants, paving the way for innovative solutions that enhance grower profitability while preserving biodiversity and natural resources.

Moreover, in alignment with global initiatives such as the EU’s ambitious targets to reduce pesticide and synthetic fertilizer usage, the WBF is advocating for reforms in biopesticide regulations to facilitate the entry of innovative products into the market.

To further these objectives, agricultural stakeholders and scientists from academia and private companies will convene at the annual World BioProtection Summit and Awards in London this November 2024. Organized by the WBF, this event serves as a platform for showcasing innovations, fostering networking opportunities, and sharing expertise to collectively advance knowledge in the field of agricultural biologicals. From biocontrol agents and biopesticides to biostimulants and biofertilizers, the summit will offer insights into cutting-edge research and initiatives within a sector experiencing exponential growth, outpacing traditional agrochemicals by fivefold.

The partnership aims to foster collaboration within

Agrotech, Company News, Digital Technologies, R&D, World

Expert generative AI system has been trained by Bayer agronomists and proprietary data to benefit farmers, agronomic advisors, and other industry users.

Bayer announced the pilot of an expert GenAI system to benefit farmers and up-level agronomists in their daily work. The company has been using proprietary agronomic data to train a Large Language Model (LLM) with years of internal data, insights from thousands of trials within its vast testing network, and centuries of aggregated experience from Bayer agronomists around the world.

The result is an expert system that quickly and accurately answers questions related to agronomy, farm management, and Bayer agricultural products. Instead of a time-consuming process, the intuitive system responds to natural language and can generate expert information within seconds. Validated by agronomists, the pilot is already unlocking productivity for Bayer teams in the United States while significantly outperforming out-of-the-box LLMs currently serving the agricultural market.

The future benefit in comparison to today’s reality: A farmer asks their agronomic advisor a series of detailed questions about a product’s characteristics, performance under specific conditions, and application rates. Today, the advisor searches online materials, sends text messages to colleagues, gathers information from multiple sources, and puts together a response, all while the farmer waits hours or days for urgently needed information. Bayer’s expert GenAI system is changing the game, making better information more quickly and readily available.

“Our unique GenAI system has the potential to serve agronomists and benefit farmers all over the world, further advancing AI as an indispensable technology for agriculture,” said Amanda McClerren, CIO and Head of Digital Transformation & Information Technology for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We’ll continue to use traditional AI to develop better products, and we’re also committed to harnessing new GenAI technology in a thoughtful way that augments and supports knowledgeable experts across the industry, bringing value to farmers and those who serve them.”

Developed in collaboration with Microsoft as leading technology partner and Ernst & Young (EY) as an industry partner, Bayer is exploring ways to integrate the expert GenAI system into its digital offerings, and the company anticipates broad opportunities for collaboration with other agricultural offerings and partners. Designed as a global capability, the tool will benefit millions of smallholder farmers in the future by democratizing access to agronomic advice and product information critical to feeding communities and improving global food security.

“AI and automation are helping farms of all sizes produce more while using fewer natural resources, and we’re starting to see how they can enhance decision-making on almost any plot of land,” said Ranveer Chandra, Managing Director, Research for Industry & CTO, Agri-Food at Microsoft. “With Bayer’s strengths in data science, digital, and especially agronomic expertise, we’re pleased to be contributing to an expert system that will make agronomic understanding more accessible and empower those responsible for feeding the planet.”

Bayer aims to expand the pilot of the expert GenAI system to selected agronomists and potentially farmers as early as this year, while continuing to advance a separate GenAI prototype allowing users to directly query their own farm data. Because they also pull insights from closed data sets, these GenAI tools are unique for agriculture and will bring more meaningful value to farmers, agronomists and other industry users, compared to out-of-the-box LLMs that only use open-source data.

Expert generative AI system has been trained

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, India, Supply Chain, Warehousing

Paving the way for enhanced financial inclusion through technological innovation and robust banking frameworks.

Arya.ag, India’s only profitable integrated grain commerce platform, has partnered with Shivalik Small Finance Bank to provide vital financial assistance to farmers, agro-processors, and micro-enterprises. Through this strategic partnership, Arya.ag acts as a Business Correspondent for the bank, facilitating over 200 crores in warehouse receipt financing in the current financial year. The initiative significantly expands the bank’s reach, bringing essential funding to the agricultural ecosystem across India.

This arrangement demonstrates the power of banking-fintech collaborations, bridging the trust deficit within the agricultural ecosystem, particularly in rural India. Digital solutions like Arya.ag act as a conduit in regions where traditional banking infrastructure faces challenges. Partnerships like these democratise access to financial services, ensuring equitable pricing and a consistent supply of credit for farmers and Agri MSMEs.

A key factor driving the success of these models is Arya.ag’s commitment to digitising the entire agri-lending process, from application to disbursement. This streamlined approach ensures quick and easy access to financial resources, particularly for those who have traditionally been underserved by financial systems.

Commenting on this significant achievement, Anand Chandra, Co-founder of Arya.ag, stated, “Our partnership with Shivalik Small Finance Bank highlights our commitment to empowering farmers and MSMEs traditionally underserved by formal banking. This partnership offers assurance to financial institutions and creates a more inclusive ecosystem for small agri-stakeholders – a true win-win for all.”

Anshul Swami, Managing Director and CEO of Shivalik Small Finance Bank, added, “Our partnership with Arya.ag aligns seamlessly with our vision of focusing on underserved segments through digitally focused, affordable products. Arya.ag’s expertise and dedication have provided an additional layer of professional assurance at all levels, increasing our reach and market penetration at a never-before speed. Together, we are happy to make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.”

These partnerships anchor their operations in the twin pillars of technological innovation and robust banking frameworks for the benefit of the smallest of stakeholders.

Paving the way for enhanced financial inclusion