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Agribusiness, Company News, India, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

Company secures its fourth consecutive order for Solar Water Pumping System from HAREDA, Haryana under PM-KUSUM.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., renowned for its innovative solutions in the pumps industry, announced its fourth consecutive win of another landmark solar water pumping system order under the prestigious PM-KUSUM scheme for the state of Haryana. The latest order, sanctioned by the New & Renewable Energy Department Haryana and HAREDA includes the supply, installation, and commissioning of 7.5 HP DC; 10 HP AC and 10 HP DC solar photovoltaic water pumping systems which are worth over Rs. 9 crores. This achievement is part of a larger initiative led by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), aiming to replace and establish new connections for 6.5 Lac pumps across India. Total orders accrued till now from HAREDA stands at Rs 65.6 crores.

Moreover, Crompton has secured a Letter of Empanelment for 2500 solar pumping systems in Maharashtra from MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.) for 500 systems and MEDA (Maharashtra Energy Development Agency) for 2000 systems.

Another Letter of Empanelment has been received for 1000 solar pumping systems in Rajasthan from Commissionerate of Horticulture, Rajasthan. Total value of Letters of Empanelment received amounts to appx Rs 85 crores, marking another step forward in its commitment to agricultural sustainability. This significant development, coupled with the recent fourth order from Haryana and LOE from Maharashtra and Rajasthan Govts., further demonstrates Crompton’s growing footprint and dedication to providing sustainable solutions and leveraging technology for a greener future.

In the vast Indian agricultural landscape, solar power offers a win-win solution for farmers. It not only tackles environmental concerns by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also significantly lowers energy costs, boosting their profitability. As the nation prioritizes sustainable energy, solar emerges as a game-changer, providing a clean and renewable power source crucial for our planet’s future. Integrating solar into sectors like agriculture leads to a transformative shift by creating a practical and eco-friendly approach that benefits both farmers and the environment. Therefore, Crompton’s dedication to sustainable solutions aligns seamlessly with the national push towards renewable energy.

Crompton aims to deploy over 10,000 solar powered pumps under the PM-KUSUM Scheme in the next few years, in its efforts to make an impact in the energy efficiency category. Through an extensive after sales service network, technically equipped channel partner presence across India, top R&D and manufacturing facilities and a rigorous 5-stage product development process, Crompton can achieve its target of deploying in a wide range of highly energy-efficient and innovative solar water pumps.

Speaking on this occasion, Rajat Chopra, VP and Business Head, Pumps at Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. said, “We are thrilled to secure the fourth consecutive order for solar pumping systems in Haryana under the PM-KUSUM Scheme, along with Letters of Empanelment from Maharashtra & Rajasthan Govts., signifying our solid dedication to delivering cutting-edge and sustainable solutions to the agricultural sector. At Crompton, we believe that innovation is a part of our DNA, driving us to continually redefine boundaries. Our success in the solar water pumps category strengthens our position as we continually strive to bring advanced and sustainable solutions to the industry.”

Company secures its fourth consecutive order for

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Funding, Start ups

The partnership will focus on identifying and addressing global food supply gaps, leveraging cross-border opportunities to amplify Mayani’s market presence.

Walmart-backed Ninjacart, India’s leading agri-startup that leverages technology and data to organize the global agriculture ecosystem, joins forces with Philippine B2B agritech innovator Mayani in a landmark deal. This strategic partnership sees Ninjacart deploying capital alongside cutting-edge supply chain technology and its advisory services to fuel Mayani’s innovation and growth trajectory. Ninjacart will also support Mayani’s expansion efforts and jointly establish an integrated Asian agri-food supply chain that would catalyse more digital innovations geared to address Asia’s complex food basket.

Ninjacart’s investment in Mayani, facilitated through its venture funding arm, NinjaVentures, marks a significant step in its international expansion strategy. The partnership will focus on identifying and addressing global food supply gaps, leveraging cross-border opportunities to amplify Mayani’s market presence. Mayani will integrate Ninjacart’s advanced technology, source traceability, and inventory management solutions to achieve inter-operability, hyper-efficiency, predictive modeling, and to enhance its supply chain efficiency.

Ninjacart’s entry into Mayani coincides with follow-on funding from existing investors, including the Jimenez family, after Mayani’s successful $1.7 million seed round led by AgFunder in 2023. With over three times revenue growth in the same fiscal year and positive margins, Mayani demonstrates strong fundamentals for further expansion and impact.

Kartheeswaran K K, Co-Founder & CEO, Ninjacart, expressed his excitement about the deal, saying “Our investment in Mayani reflects our unwavering commitment to revolutionize global agri commerce. By bridging the expertise of two agricultural powerhouses, India and the Philippines, we aim to create a transformative impact and unlock new opportunities in the Asian agri-commerce landscape and beyond.”

Ochie San Juan, Co-founder and Chief Farmer at Mayani, expresses enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The strategic additionality beyond capital, coupled with Ninjacart’s deep understanding of the Asian agri-supply chain, excites us about this investment. It strengthens the locus of our business, which is tech-enabled output market linkage, that further reinforces our upstream interventions on climate-positive inputs and rural financing.”

Ninjacart’s key investors, such as Walmart, Accel, and Tiger Global, have been instrumental in shaping its trajectory. This milestone highlights the aligned vision of Ninjacart and its investors to meet the evolving demands of agricultural ecosystems through the esteemed NinjaVentures. NinjaVentures is a notable global endeavour committed to sharing Ninjacart’s technological expertise, knowledge, and skills with emerging startups worldwide, aiming to transform agricultural supply chains in a manner akin to the challenges faced by nations like the Philippines.

Mayani boasts a vast grassroots network of over 144,000 organised smallholder farmers and fisherfolk across the Philippine archipelago. Its multi-point value chain platform optimizes supply chain dynamics, connecting fragmented supply with B2B market demand seamlessly. Moreover, Mayani’s ancillary agro-services empower smallholders, enhancing yield and climate resilience through quality agricultural inputs and facilitating rural financial inclusion.

The alliance between Ninjacart and Mayani heralds a new era of innovation and collaboration in the Philippine agritech sector, driving sustainable growth and economic empowerment across the agricultural value chain.

The partnership will focus on identifying and

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

‘LaNevo’ marks a strategic collaboration with Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, further strengthening Dhanuka’s insecticide portfolio.

 Leading agrochemical company Dhanuka Agritech Limited unveiled two groundbreaking products the powerful insecticide ‘LaNevo’, and the bio-fertilizer ‘MYCORe Super’, designed to revolutionize crop protection and yield enhancement in agriculture.

‘LaNevo’ marks a strategic collaboration with Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, further strengthening Dhanuka’s insecticide portfolio. LaNevo offers dual benefits with a unique mode of action for enhanced crop protection against sucking and chewing pests. It is designed to minimise resistance development and, promoting healthier crops and higher yields.

Harsh Dhanuka, Executive Director, Alliances and Supply Chain at Dhanuka Agritech Ltd, along with senior officials from Nissan Chemicals Corporation, addressed a large gathering of retailers, major dealers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana outlining the specifications and benefits of the new products.

Dhanuka said the insecticide ‘LaNevo’ will help farmers, especially those growing vegetables, achieve better control of sucking and chewing pests. Introduced under Section 9(3) of The Insecticides Act, 1968 by Dhanuka, ‘LaNevo’ is a powerful, broad-spectrum insecticide that effectively control a wide range of pests, including Jassid, Thrips, White Fly, Shoot and Fruit Borer, and Leaf Miner, he said.

Y Fukagawa San, General Manager and Head of International Sales Nissan Chemical Japan, said ‘LaNevo’ is tough for insect-pest resistance development, and effectively controls leaf’s lower surface hiding insect-pest. This powerful insecticide is easy to apply, promoting healthier crops and higher yields,” he said.

Dr R.K. Yadav, Managing Director, Nissan Agro Tech India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Farmers can trust in LaNevo’s dual power, reliability and quick action to protect their crops and ensure a bountiful harvest. “For best results, apply Lanevo at the initial appearance of pests in your chilli, tomato, brinjal crops”.

Introducing the bio-fertilizer ‘MYCORe Super’, Manoj Varshney, National Marketing Head of Dhanuka Agritech, highlighted its effectiveness in high-value crops to increase output and quality. “Harnessing the power of natural biological processes, our product offers the most advanced solution to farmers seeking to optimize their agricultural outputs while minimising their environmental impact,” Varshney added.

Dhanuka Agritech remains committed to driving innovation in agriculture, ensuring farmers have access to cutting-edge solutions that optimize productivity and sustainability.

'LaNevo' marks a strategic collaboration with Nissan

Agribusiness, Company News, Farm Mechanisation, Finance, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

Throughout the financial year 2024, the Mahindra Tractor brand also achieved robust sales of over 2 Lakh units.

Mahindra Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group and the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, has achieved a milestone by selling the brands 40th Lakh tractor, inclusive of exports in March 2024. The Mahindra Yuvo Tech Plus, based on Mahindra’s next-generation Yuvo tractor platform, marks this milestone, having rolled-out from Mahindra’s Zaheerabad facility, Mahindra’s youngest tractor facility and a global production hub for Mahindra Tractors.

Having rolled out its first tractor in 1963 through a partnership with International Harvester Inc. of the U.S., Mahindra Tractors surpassed the 1-Million-unit production mark in 2004 and then went on to claim the title of the world’s highest-selling farm tractor manufacturer by volume in 2009. 9-years later in 2013, Mahindra reached the 2-Million-unit production milestone, followed by the 3- Million mark in 2019. Just 5-years later in FY’24, Mahindra Tractors proudly sold its 40th lakh tractor. Throughout the financial year, the Mahindra Tractor brand also achieved robust sales of over 2 Lakh units.

Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. “Driven by our purpose of transform farming and enriching lives, we take great pride in selling our 40th Lakh Mahindra Tractor, as we celebrate decades of leadership and 60 years of the Mahindra Tractor all in the same year. With these milestones I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our customers, the farmer, who inspire us every day, as well as our partners and our teams, as we embark on journey of transformation together.”

Vikram Wagh, Chief Executive Officer of Mahindra Tractors, expressed that, “This is a momentous occasion for us at Mahindra Farm Division. 40 Lakh tractor deliveries are a strong testament to the trust that customers have in our brand purpose and our deep understanding of Indian farming. While the past 5-years has been fantastic, during which we clocked our fastest million, we will continue to respond to diverse needs of our customers with the widest portfolio of tractors, while delivering global-first technologies and unmatched reliability as we enable the farmer to Rise.”

Spanning 60 years, Mahindra has broadened its offerings to encompass a diverse range of more than 390 tractor models. During this period, Mahindra Tractors has also established a robust network of over 1200 dealer partners across India, with a customer first orientation that has enabled the brand to provide unparalleled levels of sales, service and spares support to an expanding base of 40 lakh Mahindra Tractors customers.

In appreciation of Mahindra Tractors 40 lakh customers, the company launched a new Digital Video Commercial (DVC) titled ‘40 lakh happy customers and 60 years of brand trust,’ while also rolling-out new offers on its products and services across the country. The campaign revolves around the colour ‘red’, symbolising prosperity and synonymous with Mahindra Tractors.

Throughout the financial year 2024, the Mahindra

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, India

 The partnership aims to promote high performing Specialty fertilisers to improve quality and productivity of crops in India and other countries.

 Mahadhan Agritech Limited (MAL), formerly known as Smartchem Technologies Limited (STL) and a subsidiary of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (DFPCL), and Israel-based Haifa Group, a multinational corporation and leading global supplier of Specialty Plant Nutrients have entered into an understanding to promote high performing Specialty fertilizers to improve quality and productivity of crops in India and other countries.

“This partnership with Haifa Group is yet another milestone in MAL’s journey towards transforming agriculture in India with customized crop nutrient solutions that deliver balanced and precise Crop Nutrition. Currently, over 6 million hectares of Agricultural land are already supported by drip irrigation systems spread over most states. It encompasses a wide range of crops including Fruits, Vegetables, Sugarcane, and many other field crops giving a ready platform to deploy the Specialty Water Soluble fertilizers.

The MAL-Haifa offerings will support agricultural practices that counter the vicious trend of water scarcity and also hugely enhance Nutrient uptake & Use Efficiency in the plants. This will directly help achieve our Prime Minister’s dream of Doubling the farm incomes. In addition, these initiatives will also help reduce groundwater and air pollution. We believe this collaboration will bring positive change in the agricultural sector, thereby empowering farmers,” said Sailesh C. Mehta, Chairman & Managing Director of DFPCL. This partnership will significantly contribute to speed-up MAL’s journey in the specialty crop nutrient market.

“I am pleased that we have entered into an agreement with Mahadhan Agritech to support Indian Farmers by synergizing our global expertise and resources with MAL’s on-ground expertise, we aim to proactively address the evolving needs of Indian agriculture and farmer preferences by leveraging the latest technologies. Through this collaboration, we will also take special practices and innovations of Mahadhan Agritech to other geographies in the developing world to improve yields and Agri produce and quality,” said Motti Levin, CEO of Haifa Group, Israel.

 The partnership aims to promote high performing

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities, India, R&D

Polymeric microgels are engineered for the slow release of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers over an extended period to enhance crop nutrition.

A research team from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has achieved a significant breakthrough in sustainable agriculture with the development of natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels. These microgels are engineered for the slow release of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisers over an extended period, presenting a promising solution to enhance crop nutrition while minimising environmental impact.

Modern agriculture heavily relies on fertilizer applications to meet the escalating food demand of a growing population. While fertilizers are essential for providing nutrients to plants and improving crop yields, their effectiveness is often compromised by factors such as gaseous volatilization and leaching. Consequently, excessive fertilizer application not only leads to high costs but also has adverse effects on the environment, including groundwater and soil contamination, as well as human health hazards. Therefore, developing technological alternatives that prolong fertilizer release is imperative to facilitate a shift towards sustainable agriculture practices.

The findings of this comprehensive research have been published in the prestigious journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces from American Chemical Society. The research work was led by Dr Garima Agrawal along with her team including Ankita Dhiman, Piyush Thaper and Dimpy Bhardwaj from School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi. The research was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India and the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Explaining the motive of the study, Dr Garima Agrawal, Assistant Professor, School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, said, “We have developed natural polymer-based multifunctional smart microgels for the slow release of urea over longer period. These microgels also act as a potential source of phosphorus for plants and are cost effective, biodegradable and environment friendly.”

Further Dr Agrawal added, “The microgel formulation is eco-friendly and biodegradable, as it is made with natural polymers. It can be applied by mixing it into the soil or by spraying it on plant leaves. Recent studies with maize plants have shown that our formulation greatly improves maize seed germination and overall plant growth compared to pure urea fertilizer. This sustained release of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers helps crops thrive while cutting down on fertilizer use.”

These findings pave the way for sustainable agriculture, offering a promising solution to optimise nutrient supply, enhance crop yields, and mitigate environmental challenges associated with traditional fertilisers.

Polymeric microgels are engineered for the slow

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Sustainability

The new hub will enable and scale carbon market access in Vietnam and extends the intended impacts of this partnership to other countries that are operating in similar environments.

Gold Standard and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have released a new resource hub designed to encourage and support the development of sustainable rice production activities in Vietnam, by simplifying rice producers’ access to new income streams from carbon finance.

In 2022, Gold Standard entered into a partnership with IRRI and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) with the aim of scaling carbon market access for sustainable rice producers in Vietnam. The Rice Sustainability Hub developed through the partnership is the first of its kind for the rice sector in Vietnam, and the resources and tools provided will help sustainable rice project developers across the world.

Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, said, “In launching the Rice Sustainability Hub, we hope to facilitate not just a significant reduction in methane emissions — a potent greenhouse gas – but also to open new opportunities for income for smallholder farmers, moving us closer to our dual goals of environmental sustainability and economic resilience.”

IRRI Climate Change Specialist, Dr. Katie Nelson said, “This new resource hub takes us a step closer to enabling and scaling carbon market access in Vietnam and extends the intended impacts of this partnership to other countries that are operating in similar environments.”

Rice production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to around 8% of global agricultural emissions. Rice is the world’s most important staple food crop, helping to feed over four billion people and providing a livelihood for about 150 million smallholder farmers. Moving towards sustainable production practices will have a positive impact on the climate and on the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

As the third largest exporter of rice in the world, rice production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam. The Government of Vietnam has pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and transitioning to sustainable rice production practices will be important to meet this objective. 

Sustainable rice farming can only be achieved by working closely with farmers, by giving them access to information, training, and financial support. Carbon finance offers one route to support these activities. The Rice Sustainability Hub is designed to provide the resources and tools project developers and other stakeholders need to effectively support the development of sustainable rice projects under the Gold Standard “Methane Emission Reduction by Adjusted Water Management Practice in Rice Cultivation” methodology.

While the hub aims to promote project activities in Vietnam, most of the resources and tools are also relevant for sustainable rice projects located in other countries. 

The new hub will enable and scale

Agri Genomics, Agribusiness, Agrotech, China, Company News, Finance

Company completed trials of two new hybrids and four GMO corn hybrids currently in national trials.

Origin Agritech Ltd., a leading Chinese agricultural technology company, provided an update on its financial and operational performance. Origin Agritech reported an estimated half-year revenue of RMB 85-95 million, an increase of 30-40 per cent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Product and Innovation updates:

New Hybrid Developments: Two new hybrids have successfully completed three years of national trials and are expected to receive approval this summer. These hybrids are anticipated to be commercially available in 2025. Furthermore, an additional 15 new hybrids have entered the national official registration trial, highlighting the Company’s ongoing commitment to expanding its product portfolio.

GMO Hybrid Trials: Progress continues in developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with four GMO hybrids undergoing national GMO hybrid trials. This initiative represents a significant step in the Company’s efforts to introduce traits that enhance crop resilience and yield.

Biosafety Certification Application: Origin has submitted a new application for a GMO bt/gt trait for biosafety certification to further its advancements in GMO technology. This submission underscores the Company’s dedication to adhering to regulatory standards while pushing the boundaries of agricultural biotechnology.

NEC Hybrid Success: The Company is also proud to report the successful performance of its new NEC hybrid. Following promising results, plans are underway to prepare for large-scale planting in Xinjiang. This expansion is poised to contribute significantly to the region’s agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Dr. Gengchen Han, Chairman and CEO of Origin Agritech, commented, “Origin Agritech continues to lead the way in agricultural innovation, as evidenced by our strong financial performance and exciting progress in product development. With new hybrids and GMO technology advancements, we are setting the stage for a future where agriculture is more productive, sustainable, and resilient. We remain committed to leveraging our gene editing and hybrid development expertise to address the pressing challenges of food security and agricultural sustainability and deliver high-value solutions to farmers and stakeholders worldwide.”

Company completed trials of two new hybrids

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Dairy

IBISA anticipates expanding its reach in the coming months through collaborations with multiple milk unions and key partners within the dairy value chain.

 IBISA, a leading Insurtech pioneer headquartered in Luxembourg, announced the launch of its latest innovation – the Heat Stress Solution. This groundbreaking advancement in climate-risk insurance underscores IBISA’s commitment to addressing critical challenges faced by the dairy industry.

In response to the significant decline in milk yield, estimated at 30-35% during severe heat waves, IBISA’s Heat Stress Solution utilizes advanced climate metrics and satellite technology to provide vital protection for dairy farmers. By offering compensation for revenue losses incurred due to heat stress, this unique solution serves as a lifeline for dairy farmers across India.

Since its introduction in 2024, the Heat Stress Solution has already safeguarded over 100,000 livestock within a mere fortnight, spanning 14 districts in Kerala. Notable beneficiaries include farmers associated with the Trivandrum, Malabar, and Ernakulam Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Unions (TRCMPU, MRCMPU, and ERCMPU respectively).

Furthermore, the product is currently operational in select districts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. IBISA anticipates expanding its reach in the coming months through collaborations with multiple milk unions and key partners within the dairy value chain. Strategic partnerships with Dehaat, a leading Agritech firm, and Behtar Zindagi, an online agri marketplace platform provider, further enhance the product’s accessibility and impact.

IBISA’s expertise in developing, distributing, and overseeing effective climate insurance solutions is unparalleled. As an Insurtech firm, IBISA collaborates with local insurers, providing comprehensive support in insurance risk modelling, design, assessment, and technological infrastructure, ultimately enabling insurers to underwrite and deliver tailored insurance products efficiently.

“Identifying and addressing a critical necessity, we’ve brought to the fore an insurance model that is not just accessible but also comprehensible to our clients,” remarks Balachandran MK, IBISA’s Head of Growth for Asia. “The surge in our solution’s adoption is a clear indicator of the heightened awareness and demand for such protective measures amidst climatic adversities.”

Recognising the impact of climate change on various sectors, IBISA is committed to addressing insurance gaps in the poultry industry as well. Through strategic collaborations and grassroots awareness initiatives, IBISA aims to redefine India’s agri-insurance landscape, empowering farmers and enterprises to navigate climate uncertainties effectively.

As pioneers in climate focused Insurtech, IBISA’s approach emphasizes innovative tech applications and simplicity, fostering sustainability and agricultural security for the future.

IBISA anticipates expanding its reach in the

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Digital Technologies, World

The experts have developed a very high quality arabica reference genome using advanced data science methods.

With climate change threatening coffee cultivation, Nestlé experts are exploring how advanced data science and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to help select and breed more climate-resilient plants. While more than 120 species of coffee exist, around 70 per cent of the world’s coffee production is arabica. However, arabica has a lower tolerance to rising temperatures and is more susceptible to disease than other coffee plants, such as Robusta. Additionally, climate change is reducing the amount of arable land it is possible to cultivate coffee on, and water shortages are significantly reducing yields.

To help ensure a sustainable future for coffee cultivation, and support farmer livelihoods, Nestlé plant scientists are exploring new, higher yielding arabica varieties with greater resistance to disease and drought. As part of this work, the experts have developed a very high quality arabica reference genome using advanced data science methods. The reference genome, which is available in a publicly available digital database, makes it easier to analyse different traits of coffee varieties to identify specific traits such as better yield, coffee cherry size and greater resilience to disease or drought, as well as flavour or aroma characteristics.

Jeroen Dijkman, Head of Nestlé’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said: “In simple terms, our new reference is like a high-quality map of a big city. It will help us identify key genetic markers in the arabica genome that are responsible for specific traits in adult plants. This will help our plant scientists, and other experts to better identify, select and breed new and improved arabica coffee varieties.”

The reference genome represents a significant advancement in the field of plant research. The innovative work was recently published in Nature Genetics, a high impact scientific journal. Patrick Descombes, Senior Expert in Genomics at Nestlé Research, and one of the paper’s co-authors, said: “While other public references for arabica do exist, the quality of our team’s work is extremely high. We used state-of-the-art genomics approaches – including long and short reads high throughput sequencing – to create an advanced, complete and continuous arabica reference.”

This work was co-directed with the French National Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) and consists of collaborative efforts with several academic partners as part of a global consortium. This includes Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, University of São Paulo, Brazil, University at Buffalo, USA, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda, University of Helsinki, Finland, University of Leipzig, Germany, Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University, USA, and VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Belgium.

The work of Nestlé’s plant breeders is already bearing fruit. The company is working with farmers in its key sourcing origins to grow elite coffee varieties developed by its plant sciences experts. More than 6M plantlets were distributed in 2022 alone under the Nescafé Plan 2030.

The experts have developed a very high

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

The first version of akṣara will cover nine crops viz. paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, cotton, sugarcane, soybean, and millets for 5 countries in the Indian subcontinent.

 Cropin Technology, a global Agtech company enabling intelligent agriculture, announced the launch of ‘akṣara’, the sector’s first purpose-built open-source (Apache 2.0 License and with no restrictions) Micro Language Model (µ-LM) for climate smart agriculture, built on Mistral’s foundation model. ‘Akṣara’ is designed to address the problems faced by the underserved farming communities in the Global South by removing barriers to knowledge and empowering anyone in the agriculture ecosystem to build frugal and scalable AI solutions for the sector. With the goal of democratizing access to digital technologies and modernizing agriculture for the 21st century, Cropin aims to empower agricultural stakeholders, developers, and researchers to tackle global challenges like food security, climate change, resource conservation – water and soil, regenerative agriculture practices amongst others by providing access to contextual, factual and actionable information.

The first version of akṣara will cover nine crops viz. paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, cotton, sugarcane, soybean, and millets for 5 countries in the Indian subcontinent. These food crops collectively account for a substantial portion of the world’s food requirements and are the staple food for the population in the global south. Developed by Cropin and hosted on Hugging Face, akṣara is a frugal and scalable µ-LM built and fine-tuned on top of the Mistral-7B-v0.2 model. Recognizing the environmental impact of running large language models (LLMs), Cropin has meticulously compressed ‘akṣara’ into 4-bit from 16-bit by using QLoRA or Quantization and Low-Rank Adapters (LoRA). The model seems to be more relevant than GPT-4 Turbo by almost 40% on randomly selected test dataset as measured by the ROUGE or the Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation scoring algorithm.The model ensures that the responses are factually relevant and brief while minimizing the compute and storage resource requirement.

It was fine-tuned with more than 5,000 high-quality question-response pairs specific to agriculture and more than 160k tokens in the context. These numbers are expected to increase as we add more crops, geographic locations and use cases. To ensure that the model remains faithful to the question, it is grounded by using techniques like RAG or Retrieval Augmented Generation by cross referencing an authoritative subject matter experts’ knowledge base.

This initiative also demonstrates Cropin’s commitment to sharing knowledge, and ethical and responsible use of AI for agriculture. The Cropin Al team used Google’s People + AI Guidebook and discussions with Google’s Responsible AI team to help guide the model’s design process. The aim was to ensure the model’s alignment with key responsible AI principles, reduce biases, promote the use of AI for sustainable agricultural practices (practices involving biological controls, soil conservation, water conservation, companion planting, preserving beneficial plants and insects), and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits across farming communities in the Global South.

This open-source initiative aims to support agronomists, agri-scientists, field staff, and extension workers and gradually extend the services to farmers in multiple languages, considering the need for local language support. Cropin believes that transforming global food systems requires equipping industry think tanks and researchers with the best decision-making tools and information. This knowledge should then be disseminated at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the announcement, Krishna Kumar, Founder & CEO, Cropin said, “In an era where Large Language Models are reshaping jobs, businesses, and customer interactions, the spotlight is now on industry-specific models trained on niche and comprehensive domain data as the ‘next big thing.’ These models can potentially transform agriculture, paving the way for a new era of tech-driven farming in a sector that has traditionally seen limited technological advancement. Domain-specific AI models for agriculture are expected to attract significant investments, offering a practical and economically viable approach to food systems transformation. Akṣara reinstates our commitment to leading the tech-driven agricultural movement in the years ahead, significantly impacting small-scale farmers’ lives”.

The first version of akṣara will cover

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, India, Speciality Chemicals

Company joined hands with Deepak Fertilizer & Petrochemical Corporation Ltd. for Nitric Acid Expansion Project.

The Nitric Acid Expansion Project, situated at DFPCL’s Dahej plant in Gujarat, entails the provision of comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services, alongside Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) responsibilities for offsites & utilities. Central to the project’s scope is the expansion of the Nitric Acid plant, encompassing a 900 TPD Weak Nitric Acid Plant, 2 X 225 TPD Concentrated Nitric Acid Plant, and associated offsites and utilities, including storage and loading/unloading facilities. Licensors for the project include M/s Casale for Weak Nitric Acid and M/s KBR for Concentrated Nitric Acid.

Commenting on the significance of the project, Rajiv Menon, President and COO – Energy & Industrial Business, Tata Projects, mentioned, “The journey of Tata Projects has been quite noteworthy in recent years, evolving from its notable presence in Onshore Terminals to venturing into core process refinery units. The DPFCL acquisition further strengthens our resolve to be a diversified and technology driven EPC company. The Nitric Acid Complex project demonstrates our ability to engage in varied contracting models and reinforces our commitment to the Customer First Approach.”

“The partnership with TPL marks another significant milestone in DFPCL’s journey in the specialty chemical segment. This nitric acid plant is designed to optimise both capital and operational expenditure while prioritising energy efficiency and environmental sustainability with minimal NOx emissions.  With this partnership, we have aligned ourselves with the escalating demands of our customers across the rapidly growing pharma, steel, solar, and agri-industry sectors, where India is emerging as a prominent manufacturing hub”, said Arun Vijay, President- Projects, DFPCL.

Nitric Acid serves as an excellent Building Block Chemical for multiple sectors, encompassing Fertilizers, Specialty Chemicals, and Mining Chemicals. DFPCL is the leading player in the Indian Nitric Acid market, with a market share of over 45 per cent. Currently, the total Nitric Acid production capacity (CNA + WNA) is 1,120 KTPA, which is projected to increase to approximately 1,600 KTPA post-expansion, solidifying DFPCL’s position as one of Asia’s largest merchant Nitric acid players. Drawing on the 40 years of robust experience in Nitric Acidand demonstrated proficiency lean manufacturing and managing intricate supply chains, DFPCL is committed to delivering high-quality products to its customers.

Having commenced on the 19th February, 2024 and scheduled for mechanical completion by September 30, 2025, the project’s contract is structured as a FEED Plus EPCM Open Book Value contract convertible to LSTK later.

Rajiv further added, with a firm focus on Safety, Predictable delivery, and accountability as our core value we aim to enhance their production capacity and efficiency, while reducing environmental impact and operational cost.

Company joined hands with Deepak Fertilizer &

Agribusiness, India, Opinions, Sustainability

By Raghav Arora, CTO & Co- Founder, Statiq

The agricultural sector offers numerous opportunities for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), spanning from agri-logistics to on-farm activities. EVs have the potential to decrease pollution and transportation costs associated with moving farm produce due to their cleaner and energy-efficient power. What’s more, deploying EVs results in significantly less noise pollution compared to diesel and other fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Creating a sustainable future demands the collective effort and collaboration of various stakeholders across sectors. While commercial commuter and passenger vehicles always face the eye of the storm from environmentalists who constantly call for cleaner energy, many industries need to align their practices and operations to the clean energy movement for sustainability and better outcomes; one of them is agriculture.

With tractors and payloads, heavy-duty ridgers, and other work and transport vehicles used on farms, agriculture and other food systems is a major contributor to global warming. In fact, agriculture and food systems, including farming practices, land use, crop and livestock production, energy consumption, and food consumption, collectively accounted for 31 per cent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

This is enormous and creates a gap for adopting more renewable energy-powered equipment and vehicles on farms. Electric vehicles, for instance, can play a major role in cutting down carbon emissions in the agri sector and create a safer, cleaner, and climate-conscious industry.

Sustainability in agriculture: The role of EVs in India

The surge in electric vehicle registration in India in recent years is occasioned by a number of factors, including the need to cut down on carbon emissions and the quest for a sustainable feature. Within the Indian agricultural space, which 70 per cent of its rural population depends on and makes up 15per cent of the nation’s GDP, there is a growing consciousness about the impact of conventional vehicles and equipment powered by fossil fuels.

For example, there are electric tractors available that can perform the same tasks as conventional ones, including crop spraying, mowing, and harvesting, provided the appropriate attachments are used. Electric tractors operate emission-free, thus posing no threat to the environment. However, they often remain inaccessible to smallholder farmers in India and other regions worldwide.

Ensuring access to electric vehicles for farmers is a responsibility that falls on both the Indian government and development partners, who must offer support and incentives. Facilitating the availability of these vehicles and equipment is crucial.

The significance of such initiatives lies in the potential to decrease supply chain costs in agriculture by up to 70 per cent through the adoption of electric vehicles. Moreover, when integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), these EVs and machines can considerably enhance efficiency and productivity.

Opportunities for EV adoption in agriculture and agri-logistics

The agricultural sector offers numerous opportunities for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), spanning from agri-logistics to on-farm activities. EVs have the potential to decrease pollution and transportation costs associated with moving farm produce due to their cleaner and energy-efficient power. What’s more, deploying EVs results in significantly less noise pollution compared to diesel and other fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Added to these are energy independence, multi-purpose use, and improved performance which form other benefits of EV adoption in agriculture. This means that farmers will get more value for their effort, leading to improved livelihoods in communities and overall economic benefits.

Furthermore, many governments of the world, including the Indian government, offer subsidies and incentives to promote EV adoption. The fact that this revolution is taking place in the agri sector indicates they will pay even more attention to the efforts of transforming from petrol and diesel vehicles and machines to electric alternatives.

Overall, India’s vision to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2070 is achievable if the right steps are taken. Agriculture can greatly benefit from these undertakings by effectively leveraging the advantages of green energy to enhance food security not only for India but also for the global community.

By Raghav Arora, CTO & Co- Founder,

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Start ups

The franchisee store aiming to create sustainable, women-led agribusinesses that prioritise community health and economic independence.

 In a significant step towards empowering women in agriculture and promoting nutritional security, India’s first women-led Agri Input franchisee store, a collaborative effort between Greenday Kisan Ki Dukan and HarvestPlus Solutions India, was inaugurated in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The groundbreaking franchise was launched by Navneet Kaur, a local farmer’s daughter with a strong academic background in chemistry and biology, embodying the spirit of self-reliance and community service.

The store’s opening was marked by a ceremony attended by Ravinder Grover, Global Business Manager at HarvestPlus Solutions, alongside the dedicated team from Greenday, local farmers, gram Pradhans, and members of the community. The event highlighted the critical importance of enhancing nutrition through advanced agricultural practices, focusing on the use of biofortified crops to combat malnutrition and build a healthier future.

Navneet Kaur, the pioneering franchisee, shared her vision, stating, “Taking on this franchise allows me to blend my scientific background with my commitment to my community. It’s more than a business; it’s an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives by increasing access to nutritious foods.”

“We are proud to empower women in agriculture and promote nutritional security through this initiative. This marks a pivotal moment in enhancing nutrition through advanced agricultural practices, with a focus on using biofortified crops to combat malnutrition and pave the way for a healthier future for all,” said Ravinder Grover, Global Business Manager, HarvestPlus Solutions.

“Empowering communities through innovation and nutrition is our mission; today marks a milestone in that journey,” stated Prateek Rastogi, CEO, Greenday

The Greenday Kisan Ki Dukan and HarvestPlus Solutions India collaboration represents a model for future agricultural retail, combining the latest in biofortification research with grassroots empowerment and education. This franchisee store in Khairabad is the first of many planned outlets aiming to create sustainable, women-led agribusinesses that prioritize community health and economic independence.

As we celebrate the launch of this pioneering initiative, we look forward to witnessing its positive impact on local farming practices, nutritional awareness, and the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector.

The franchisee store aiming to create sustainable,