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Agrotech, Drones, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

Drones are becoming an essential part of the Indian agriculture sector, with over 220 drone startups as of February 2022. The adoption of drone technology faces challenges like high costs, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of technical expertise among farmers. Despite these challenges, with supportive government policies and ongoing technological advancements, the future of the agri drone business is bright.

A large portion of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), workforce, and food security are supported by the agricultural sector. Many Indians rely on agriculture as a main source of income.  The use of drones in agriculture has the potential to greatly improve productivity. Not only can drones spray an acre in just 5 to 7 minutes, but they can also cover an area of about 25 acres every day, compared to just 2 to 3 acres when employing conventional labour. In addition to reducing reliance on labour, drones offer a safer working environment by eliminating the need for traditional spray methods, which expose labourers to dangerous chemicals.

Agri drones help conserve water and maximise the use of pesticides and fertilisers by distributing the spray uniformly across fields through meticulous mission planning. The Indian government has launched a number of kisan drone initiatives to promote “Drone Shakti” through a variety of uses, including crop assessment, digitisation of land records, insecticide spraying, and nutrient delivery for Drone-As-A-Service (DAAS). Financial support ranging from 40 to 100 per cent is provided to various entities, including farmers, agricultural graduates, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities, and more, under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), so that they can purchase kisan drones and receive drone training.

Even though India is the world’s leading agricultural producer, few would have predicted a few years ago that tech companies would create tools that could revolutionise precision farming. With the goal of making India a world leader in agritech, more than 2,800 entrepreneurs are currently working hard to realise this ambition.

As far as agri-drones in India are concerned, the next year is looking bright. Some market research estimates put the growth rate at more than 30 per cent, with a range of 31.5 to 38.5 per cent. Within the next several years, agri-drones will be widely used by farmers across the nation. The increasing demand for precision farming, along with developments in drone technology and government backing, are driving this trend.

Sharing his views on this growth, Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination said, “The government has also recently authorised the Central Sector Scheme, which would allocate Rs 1261 crore to purchase drones for use by women’s self-help groups (SHGs). The plan is to supply 15,000 chosen women SHGs with drones so they may rent them out to farmers for agricultural purposes (fertiliser and pesticide application). Drone spraying services have recently seen an influx of orders from major fertiliser firms like IFFCO and Coromandel, with over two crore acres of spraying already supplied to the industry. Drones can cost anything from Rs 400- 700 per acre, with the exact figure depending on the area and crop.”

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

Drones are becoming an essential part of

Agrotech, Animal Health, India, Opinions

 By Ankit Alok Bagaria, Co-Founder, Loopworm

Protein hydrolysates offer multiple benefits for animal growth & immunity boosting, plant nutrition and protection, including nutrient supply, biostimulation, crop protection, soil health improvement, and support for organic farming practices. Their versatility and eco-friendly properties make them valuable tools for sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

Protein hydrolysates are essentially proteins that have been broken down into smaller peptides or amino acids through the process of hydrolysis. This process involves the use of water and enzymes or acids to break the peptide bonds between amino acids, resulting in smaller protein fragments.

The hydrolysis process breaks down proteins into smaller fragments. Smaller peptides and amino acids are absorbed more quickly by the body compared to intact proteins, leading to faster delivery of amino acids to muscles and other tissues for growth, repair, and other physiological processes. Protein hydrolysates often exhibit unique functional properties, such as improved solubility, emulsifying properties, and stability, which can make them suitable for use in various animal feed applications. Hydrolyzing proteins can sometimes reduce their allergenic potential by breaking down allergenic epitopes, making them safer for individuals with food allergies or sensitivities.

The source of protein significantly impacts the quality of protein hydrolysates in several ways, including their nutritional profile, functional properties, digestibility, and potential applications.

Protein hydrolysates serve as a valuable source of high-quality protein and essential amino acids in animal feeds especially aquaculture feeds. They provide nutrients necessary for growth, development, and overall health. They also enhance nutrient absorption and utilisation, leading to better growth rates and feed efficiency. Hydrolyzed proteins can enhance the palatability of fish, shrimp and crustacean feeds, making them more attractive to these aquatic animals. This can encourage increased feed intake, which is essential for promoting growth and maximising production. Protein hydrolysates contain bioactive peptides that may have stress-reducing effects on shrimp and other crustaceans. By including hydrolyzed proteins in feeds, aquaculture producers can potentially improve the resilience and survival rates of their livestock during periods of environmental stress or disease challenges. Some protein hydrolysates contain bioactive peptides that have immunomodulatory effects, helping to support the immune system of salmon, trout, and other fish species. Strengthening the fish’s immune defences can enhance disease resistance and reduce the incidence of infectious diseases in aquaculture operations.

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

 By Ankit Alok Bagaria, Co-Founder, LoopwormProtein hydrolysates

Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, Opinions

 By Dr Richa Priyadarshini, Associate Professor, Department of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR.

Biotechnology is increasingly poised to accelerate the transition from a petroleum-based linear economy to a sustainable and circular economy. Embracing the principles of a circular economy offers a promising approach to address the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.

The circular economy is a systematic approach that is dedicated to creating an economically sustainable system that optimises resources, recycles and reduces waste, and promotes environmental preservation. The United Nations has laid down the framework for sustainable development (SDGs), and the curricular economy is a major contributor. Microbes are crucial for a circular economy and contribute towards both the manufacturing of economic products and the recycling and degradation of waste materials. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation divides the circular economy into two halves: Technical and Biological. The technical side deals with non-biological resources entering the manufacturing cycle. Efficient use of resources and energy, sustainable design concepts for increasing the life of materials, and improving the reuse and recycling of materials all fall under the technical half. The other half of the circular economy consists of biological resources. Biotechnology and bio-based industries play a major role in transitioning from a linear to a sustainable circular economy. Many biotechnological interventions are helping to develop eco-friendly solutions for significant problems of pollution and food security. Some of them include biofuels, bioplastics, and biodegradation.

Sustainable Agriculture

Pesticides and chemical interventions are heavily employed in agriculture practices to meet the food requirements of the growing world population. These chemical interventions negatively impact soil and disturb the phosphorus and nitrogen cycles. Moreover, excessive use of chemical fertilisers leads to contamination of water and soil and is hazardous to human health. Biofertilisers and biopesticides are safer alternatives, which can contribute towards sustainable agriculture. Bacteria and fungi play an important role in sustainable agriculture. Plant-microbe interactions are known to be important for plant health and increase crop yields. Bioinoculants composed of microbes are used to promote plant growth. Plant growth-promoting microbes induce plant growth by nitrogen assimilation, phytohormones, and bioavailability of macro and microelements. Moreover, symbiotic plant microbes help plants resist pathogens and induce immune response by modulations of gene expression. These microbial interventions not only enhance plant yield but also aid in the remediation of degraded soils.

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

 By Dr Richa Priyadarshini, Associate Professor, Department

Agribusiness, Animal Health, India, Interaction

Ranjan Kumar, CEO and Founder of eFeed, is spearheading a transformative wave in the dairy industry shares more about the VetVantage platform. Edited Excerpts:

Ranjan Kumar, CEO and Founder of eFeed, is spearheading a transformative wave in the dairy industry with the launch of VetVantage. eFeed has introduced this platform that empowers dairy firms to effectively manage and mitigate methane emissions. Keen on innovation and sustainability, Kumar is not just revolutionising dairy farming practices but also setting new standards for environmental stewardship in the agricultural sector. VetVantage stands as a testament to his commitment to marrying technological advancements with eco-friendly practices, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations while enhancing the efficiency and profitability of dairy operations today. In a conversation with AgroSpectrum, Kumar shares more about the VetVantage platform. Edited Excerpts:

 What was the inspiration behind eFeed?

My journey into entrepreneurship and innovation was shaped by my previous experiences in autonomous cars, ADAS, and electric vehicles. These roles honed my commitment to real-world impact and sustainable practices. The idea for eFeed emerged from observing the significant challenges faced by cattle farmers in India, including low incomes, poor animal nutrition, and high methane emissions. Motivated to make a difference, I founded eFeed to empower these farmers through advanced AI-driven solutions that not only enhance their livelihoods but also address environmental concerns. Our mission at eFeed is to transform livestock management by boosting productivity and reducing emissions, leading us toward a more sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

How has the company evolved since its inception?

Since inception in 2021 at Pune, we have seen tremendous growth in how we leverage technology to support farmers. Initially, we used the premise that smartphones are powerful, accessible tools for farmers. This idea has expanded into a comprehensive platform that not only gathers data but also provides precise, actionable insights directly to farmers. Our focus on reducing methane emissions and improving animal yields has led to notable success, including a 13-14 per cent reduction in methane with a balanced Total Mixed Ration (TMR). We have also launched VetVantage, a revolutionary platform that aids dairy companies in managing their emissions, transforming the way we approach sustainability in livestock management. This evolution reflects our commitment to turning India into an innovation-led economy, benefiting farmers and the environment alike.

Can you explain how the technology that converts methane into milk works?

Methane emissions from cattle are a function of cattle genetics, nutrition and microbiomes in rumen. We have studied how the feed energy in the cattle gets utilised in the cattle body and evaluated the energy loss in methane emissions. By improving the cattle rumen and improved nutrition we have seen significant improvement in milk outputs and methane emissions. For every 1kg milk we saw reduction of 14 grams of methane drop in cow and 18 gms drop in buffalo.

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

Ranjan Kumar, CEO and Founder of eFeed,

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

 Indian fertiliser industry is struggling with the challenges such as increased rates of raw materials, dependency on imports for Potash, government’s subsidy policies for the fertiliser sector. Efforts are being made to reduce this dependency and move towards self-sufficiency. Let’s dig deeper.

The fertiliser imports dropped by nearly 10 per cent in 2023-24 as local production increased, aiming for self-sufficiency in urea. Urea imports dropped 7 per cent to 7.04 million metric tonnes (MMT) due to a 20 per cent jump in domestic output to 31.4 MMT in 2023-24, according to the data. Lower imports of urea also came on the back of higher local production of nano urea, a liquid form of the farm chemical, as well as a move towards eco-friendly alternatives by farmers. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has sold about 3.3 MMT of locally produced nano urea worth about Rs 7 crore between August 2021 to February 2024. Private players too are contributing to the growth of the fertiliser industry by increasing production of nano urea. Coromandel International Limited has unveiled a state-of-the-art nano fertiliser plant at its Kakinada complex in Andhra Pradesh. Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) has announced partnership with Ray Nano Science & Research Centre for the production and distribution of nano urea. However, the fertiliser industry is struggling with the challenges such as increased rates of raw materials, dependency on imports for Potash, government’s subsidy policies for the fertiliser sector. Efforts are being made to reduce this dependency and move towards self-sufficiency. Let’s dig deeper.

The Union Government has set 2025-26 as the deadline by which the country will end all urea imports. To achieve this goal the government has focused on reviving closed fertiliser plants in Talcher, Ramagundam, Gorakhpur, Sindri, and Barauni to increase the fertiliser production. In this regard a lot has been achieved so far. However, with the help of impactful policy support, global partnerships for technology transfer and expansion and most importantly financial support for R&D and infrastructure from the government, the fertiliser industry can achieve self-sufficiency in the coming years.

India has one of the world’s largest fertiliser industries, driven by substantial agricultural demand. The market has seen consistent growth, propelled by increased agricultural activity, government support, and technological advancements in the sector. The industry comprises both domestic production and significant imports to meet fertiliser demands. Supportive government policies, subsidies, and schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) drive fertiliser usage and agricultural productivity. Integration of innovative technologies like precision farming, smart fertilisation methods, and bio-fertilisers enhances efficiency and boosts market growth. Growing environmental awareness fosters the demand for organic and eco-friendly fertilisers, driving market growth. International collaborations and agreements between companies contribute to market growth, expanding the availability of specialised fertilisers.

The India fertiliser market has experienced substantial growth owing to multiple factors that have contributed to its expansion and evolution. The conducive policy environment has catalysed investments across the public, cooperative, and private sectors, fostering a surge in fertiliser production. This encouragement led to a remarkable increase in total fertiliser output, reaching 46.22 MMT in 2021-22, representing an impressive 11.40 per cent per cent year-on-year growth. Maximize Market Research report noted that the India fertiliser market size was valued at Rs 1046.85 billion in 2023 and the total India fertiliser revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7 per cent from 2024 to 2030, reaching nearly Rs 1543.15 billion by 2030.

India boasts a robust infrastructure with 33 large-scale urea plants, 21 units dedicated to producing DAP and complex fertilisers, and 3 units generating Ammonium Sulphate as a by-product. Such a diverse and extensive network of production facilities has substantially contributed to meeting the country’s fertiliser demands. Urea production during 2021-2022 increased to 24.93 MMT, while the estimated production of DAP and complex fertilisers rose to 13.74 MMT, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 6.51 per cent over the previous year. India’s reliance on imports, especially for urea (25 per cent), phosphates (90 per cent), and potash (100 per cent) has driven the government’s push for joint ventures abroad. These collaborations, with buy-back arrangements, foster long-term agreements for the supply of vital fertiliser inputs, securing the nation’s fertiliser demands. The convergence of these factors, favourable policies, robust production facilities, specific fertiliser type growth, and strategic international collaborations stands as the primary driver propelling the India fertiliser market towards sustainable growth and self-sufficiency in meeting its agricultural requirements.

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

 Indian fertiliser industry is struggling with the

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Collaborations, India, R&D

These farms will serve as experimental sites for testing and implementing various agricultural practices and new technologies in accordance with Indian standards.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the development of the first of its kind ‘Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farm’ (SADF) in India.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr M. S. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT, and senior officials from the University, including Dr. Deepa Vinay, Registrar; Dr.Ajeet Kumar Nain, Director of Research; and Deans of various colleges of GBPUAT, along with Dr. S. B. Singh, BIS Chair at GBPUAT.

Rajeev P, Deputy Director General (North), Saurabh Tiwari, Director & Head, BIS Dehradun, and other senior officials of BIS attended the event. This MoU marks the first collaboration between BIS and an agricultural university in the country to develop SADFs.

While emphasising about the potential benefits of MoU, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS, stated, “This partnership with GBPUAT is a major step forward. It will enhance agricultural practices by integrating Indian Standards, benefiting farmers and advancing agricultural innovation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on the agricultural sector and the broader community.”

The primary objective of this MoU is to develop SADFs at GBPUAT in collaboration with BIS. These farms will serve as experimental sites for testing and implementing various agricultural practices and new technologies in accordance with Indian Standards. Regarding the fast pace development, it was informed that the Vice-Chancellor has instructed the concerned officials at GBPUAT to commence work on the project immediately and report the outcomes regularly, keeping BIS informed as per the defined periodicity.

This partnership with GBPUAT is a significant step towards promoting standardised agricultural practices and ensuring the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.

These farms will serve as experimental sites

Agribusiness, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Oilseeds, Trade

CRISIL Ratings noted improved operating margins and stable credit profiles, with government policies supporting profitability through extended zero import-duty measures.

For domestic refiners of edible palm oil, revenue is expected to grow 10 per cent this fiscal on steady demand and higher realisations. Operating profitability is seen rising 40-50 basis points (bps) to 3.5 per cent owing to favourable prices and continuation of duty-free imports.

Healthy balance sheets and the absence of major debt-funded capital expenditure (capex), over the medium term, will keep the credit risk profiles of palm oil refiners stable. A study of nine companies rated by CRISIL Ratings, accounting for a third of the industry revenue of Rs 75,000 crore, indicates as much.

Palm oil dominates edible oil consumption in India, with 38-40 per cent share in volume. Palm oil is used largely in the food processing and hotels, restaurants and catering (HoReCa) segments, which account for 45-50 per cent of the overall consumption. The household and industrial segments consume the rest.

Rising urbanisation and increased consumption of processed and outside food will keep palm oil demand firm. Hence, the industry is set to witness volume growth of 3-4 per cent this fiscal to 93 lakh tonnes.

India has ample refining capacities but does not produce much crude palm oil (CPO) to feed the refineries and is dependent on the world’s largest producers — Malaysia and Indonesia — for over 90 per cent of its CPO requirement. Over the years, the global palm acreage has stagnated owing to sustainability and environmental concerns, ultimately leading to price rise.

 Rahul Guha, Director, CRISIL Ratings said, “In the latest budget, the Government’s endeavour to strengthen the domestic production of oil seeds to support domestic availability was amply clear, but the outcome could be little long drawn. In the meantime, global CPO output is expected to remain stagnant at 78-79 million tonnes, leading to price rise of 7-8 per cent this fiscal. Along with steady volume increase, this will lead to Indian edible palm oil industry revenues rising 10 per cent this fiscal.”

The operating margins of Indian refiners are set to improve 50 bps to 3.5 per cent on account of increased economies of scale, firm commodity hedging policies and continuation of duty-free imports of CPO.

Says Rishi Hari, Associate Director, CRISIL Ratings, “In fiscal 2023, the Government of India had extended the zero import-duty structure for CPO for two straight years until March 2025. The duty structure was earlier set to expire in March 2024. The import duty for CPO was as high as 40% pre-pandemic. The extension will help regulate domestic supplies and keep prices in check, whilst supporting profitability this fiscal.”

Amid stagnant global supplies, Indian refiners are unlikely to add capacities over the medium term, and cash accrual will be more than adequate to cover incremental working capital requirement and maintenance capex. Hence, credit profiles will remain stable this fiscal, with total outside liabilities to tangible networth (TOLTNW) and interest coverage ratios estimated at 1.25 times and 4 times, respectively. That said, the impact of geopolitical challenges and international edible oil trade dynamics will bear watching.

CRISIL Ratings noted improved operating margins and

Agribusiness, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain, Trade, Vegetables

This strategic export has helped three FPOs achieve 30-40 per cent increased price realisation boosting income and economic stability for farming communities.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Odisha is promoting cultivation of vegetables in cluster-mode across Odisha. Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment together with APEDA, ORMAS and NABARD, has opened doors for Odisha’s farmers to global markets by enabling export of fresh vegetables produce.

Once known to be part of remote KBK region, today three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Titlagarh and Loisingha blocks of Balangir district namely Jaden Farmer Producer Company, Krushak Unnayan Sangathan Farmer Producer Company, and Undher Farmer Producer Company have exported 800 kilograms of high-quality fresh vegetables including Pointed Gourd, Okra, Bitter Gourd, and Ivy Gourd to Dubai.

“Today is a proud day for Balangir district, as fresh vegetables from this district is being exported to Dubai. This has been possible because of the handholding support and constant encouragement of PSFPO team from Palladium. I would like to thank the local farmers, FPOs, local NGO, NABARD, ORMAS and district horticultural officers because of whose support and cooperation this was possible. I hope that this initiative continues” said, Prafulla Kumar Bhanja, Deputy Director Horticulture, Balangir.

“It is for the first time that fresh vegetables from the district have reached the international market through export. I want to thank local NGO ASSA, ORMAS, NABARD, District agriculture and horticulture officials, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ empowerment and special thanks to Palladium for providing end-to end support under the PSFPO project for facilitating the export. As a result of this initiative, 4 FPOs in the district will now be able to supply fresh vegetables to Dubai for the upcoming 12 weeks”. Kamalendu Paul, Joint CEO, ORMAS, Balangir.

“The export will benefit the members of FPO as the farmer will get nearly 25 per cent more than the farm gate and the FPO will also earn a profit of 25 per cent, which excludes transportation and other expenses that will be borne by the exporter. NABARD, Odisha RO as a pilot, has selected three Northern Odisha districts i.e Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore for cultivation of three vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd and long beans through NABARD promoted FPOs for export to Dubai. Accordingly, one-day sensitization workshop involving APEDA, Directorate of Horticulture, NABARD, FPO members & CBBO/POPI representatives of respective FPOs was conducted on 18 July 2024 at Baripada, Mayurbhanj district.” Dr. Sudhanshu K. K. Mishra, Chief General Manager, NABARD.

Palladium’s marketing and capacity building support has opened global markets for these FPOs, enabling them to supply fresh vegetables to international markets year-round. This strategic export has helped three FPOs – one of which is an all women FPO, achieve 30-40 per cent increased price realization boosting income and economic stability for farming communities.

“By enabling small holder farmers including women farmers to access international markets, we are not only ensuring higher price realizations but also setting the stage for a new revolution in agriculture. Women farmers, when given the right opportunities, can drive significant economic and social change. By focusing on women-led FPOs, Palladium wants to tap into the power of inclusivity and empowerment in driving sustainable development.” adds Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium.

This strategic export has helped three FPOs

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Company News, Herbicides, India

Company has received registration for Isoflex® active in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and Great Britain.

FMC, a leading global agricultural sciences company, has received registration in India for Isoflex® active and Ambriva® herbicide for use in wheat. Ambriva® herbicide, powered by Isoflex® active, presents a novel mode of action in wheat. Isoflex® active is classified by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) as a group 13 herbicide.

“At FMC, we’re committed to serving farmers with innovative crop solutions that help them protect their crops and optimize yields,” said Ravi Annavarapu, FMC India, and South-West Asia President. “In the last few years, we have rigorously tested Ambriva® herbicide in wheat over multiple seasons, observing consistent performance against Phalaris minor. We believe that Ambriva® herbicide will contribute to a healthy crop by providing growers with a new and effective tool to control Phalaris minor, which has become resistant to other herbicides.”  

Ambriva® herbicide powered by Isoflex® active and metribuzin will support wheat farmers, especially in the northwestern regions of the Indo-Gangetic plains, where Phalaris minor poses a significant challenge to crop yield potential. Studies have shown that Ambriva® herbicide demonstrates residual control against Phalaris minor and early post-emergence knock-down activity, protecting wheat during the critical crop-weed competition period as a one-shot solution.

The registration and imminent introduction of Ambriva® herbicide in India marks a critical milestone for FMC. It demonstrates the strength of FMC’s robust pipeline and the ability to address grower challenges through new innovative solutions that enhance the productivity and resilience of their crops. Isoflex® active is registered in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and Great Britain.

Company has received registration for Isoflex® active

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, India, Microfinance

The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems and other sustainable farming solutions.

Caspian Debt has announced the launch of new loan product to help Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) fund climate-adaptive agricultural products. The credit facility aims to boost farmer resilience against climate change. The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems and other sustainable farming solutions. Caspian Debt expects this to improve food security and farmer income.

Caspian Debt MD & CEO Avishek Gupta said the loan product will accelerate adoption of climate-resilient technologies. The company plans to partner with MFIs and technology providers. The loan product builds on work by Sustain Plus Energy Foundation, GIZ, and Sa Dhan. GIZ and NABARD partnered with these organizations to promote climate-resilient agricultural technologies. Financial intermediaries have started lending to farmers for these products.

GIZ Director Shailendra Dwivedi called the partnership a milestone for climate adaptation financing. Jiji Mammen, Sa-Dhan CEO, said the loan product will boost their climate-resilient agriculture initiative. Sustain Plus Energy Foundation Director Ganesh Neelam said the loan product will help financing institutions lend for energy and agriculture technologies.

Sustain Plus has tested climate-adaptive products and demonstrated their benefits. GIZ mapped out the framework and coordinated with financial institutions. Sa Dhan mobilized MFIs to offer loans. GIZ also promotes decentralized renewable energy technologies, which are part of the loan product’s focus.

The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems

Agribusiness, Company News, India

ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up its Value-Added Agricultural Products portfolio which includes Spices, Coffee, Frozen Marine Products, Processed Fruits, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Extracts, among others.

In the Company’s 113th AGM address Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC Ltd, shared his vision on ITC: Stakeholder Value through Purposeful Performance. Relevant Excerpts from the speech are below:

Enabling farmers to enhance their range of remunerative crops for both domestic and international markets, the ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up its Value-Added Agricultural Products portfolio. This includes Spices, Coffee, Frozen Marine Products, Processed Fruits, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Extracts, among others. The state-of-the-art Spices processing facility in Andhra Pradesh leverages ITC’s strong backward integration, identity-preserved sourcing, Organic and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programmes, as well as custody of supply chain. ITC takes pride in being a farmer-centric organisation that contributes significantly to rural empowerment. I am confident that ITC’s impactful initiatives will continue to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of India’s agri sector.  

The ITC Next strategy leverages the Company’s century-long relationship with farmers to promote value-added agriculture, accelerate digital adoption and build climate resilience. ITC’s world-class brands anchor demand-responsive agri-value chains that ‘produce the buy’, providing its businesses with unique competitive advantages. As one of the largest procurers of agri-commodities, ITC supports 20 agri-value chains, sourcing over 3 million tonnes from 200 districts in 22 States. This enables ITC to derive unique sourcing efficiencies apart from offering identity-preserved, attribute-specific, traceable agri-commodities to discerning customers in India and overseas. ITC exports agri-commodities to over 85 countries, linking farmers to global value chains.

ITCMAARS Digitised 6 million Acres Covering 1,000 FPOs

At the core of ITC’s interventions is ITCMAARS – the ‘phygital’ eco-system that enables wider agri-tech adoption, enhances efficiencies and access to markets as well as financial services. Leveraging the power of collectives, the ITCMAARS ecosystem now constitutes over 1,650 FPOs covering more than 1.5 million farmers. By 2030, we aspire to connect over 10 million farmers. The predictive, hyperlocal & dynamic advisories coupled with an input marketplace have enhanced net farmer returns up to 30 per cent in a short span of time. Over 10,000+ soil tests, with personalized crop nutrition recommendations based on sophisticated AI-based algorithms, have been facilitated resulting in 10-15 per cent reduction in fertiliser usage and 15-20 per cent improvement in crop yields. Agri-tech solutions are also being progressed across multiple value chains including drone usage, which focuses on nano nutrients and crop protection. Through remote sensing, ITCMAARS has digitized 6 million acres covering 1,000 FPOs to help deliver contextual and crop stage-specific personalised advisories. Recently, ITCMAARS launched the world’s first GenAI-based regional voice chatbot for farmers called ‘KrishiMitra’ that has been co-developed with Microsoft. 

ITC’s PPPs with NITI Aayog

ITCMAARS also harnesses the collective knowledge garnered over decades to provide farmers best-in-class services. This includes the experience gained from ITC’s Baareh Mahine Hariyali programme, which enabled substantial increase in farmer incomes. The expertise gained has also enabled us to implement such best practices in 45 Aspirational Districts. Exclusive PPPs with NITI Aayog in 27 such districts have improved yields up to 30 per cent, reduced cultivation costs by nearly 15 per cent, thereby boosting farmer incomes up to 60 per cent.  In addition, over 5 lakh farmers are trained annually in best practices through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration farms organised by ITC.

ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up

AgroPolicy, Cold Storage, India, Supply Chain

As on 30th June 2024, Ministry has approved 41 Mega Food Parks, 588 Food Processing Units, 61 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 52 Operation Green projects under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.

It is observed that the Food Processing Industries have emerged as an important part of the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, exports etc. During the last eight years ending 2022-23, Food Processing sector has been growing at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of around 5.35%. Gross Value Added (GVA) in Food Processing sector has also increased from 1.61 lakh crore in 2015-16 to 1.92 lakh crore in 2022-23 (as per First Revised Estimates of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation). The employment in Food Processing Industries has increased from 17.73 lakh in 2014-15 to 20.68 lakh in 2021-22 as per the latest Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) report. Moreover, the percentage share of processed food export in agri-food export has gone up to 23.4 per cent in 2023-24 from 13.7 per cent in 2014-15.

In order to ensure the overall development of Food Processing Sector and to help it to overcome various challenges, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme viz Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme PM Formalization of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME).

MoFPI through implementation of PMKSY across the country helps in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet for promotion, overall development and growth of Food Processing Industries, through creation of employment opportunities, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level and enhancing export of the processed foods. MoFPI provides financial assistance as capital subsidy in the form of grants-in-aid (GIA) under various component schemes of PMKSY for setting up of new food processing industries/units/projects and also expanding the existing ones. As on 30th June, 2024, Ministry has approved 41 Mega Food Parks, 399 Cold Chain projects, 76 Agro-processing Clusters, 588 Food Processing Units, 61 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 52 Operation Green projects under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.

MoFPI also provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises under PMFME scheme. The scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with total outlay of Rs 10,000 Crore. A total of 92,549 micro food processing enterprises have been approved for assistance under PMFME as on 30th June, 2024.

PLISFPI is, inter alia, intended to support creation of global food manufacturing champions, branding and marketing abroad and support Indian brands of food products in international market. The Scheme is being implemented over a six-year period from 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore and a total of 172 food processing companies have been approved for assistance under various categories of the scheme as on 30th June 2024.

As on 30th June 2024, Ministry has

Agro Universities, R&D

 The findings of the study offer valuable insights for advancing hydroponic systems and soil-less agriculture.

 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have developed a portable, cost-effective microfluidic system designed to replicate soil-like conditions. This system has demonstrated that optimising nutrient flow can improve root growth and nitrogen uptake, leading to enhanced crop yields.

Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and an associate faculty in the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, and his team leveraged microfluidics to gain insights into how the primary root emerging from a seed absorbs nutrients from the soil. Their innovative use of microfluidic technology to analyse root behaviour holds the potential to significantly enhance crop management and boost agricultural yields by optimising nutrient delivery and root development in practical farming applications. Their research work has been supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB/ANRF), Govt. of India.

The primary root of a germinating seed serves as the plant’s anchor, crucial for absorbing water and nutrients. This root must navigate various soil conditions during early growth, a critical phase for plant survival. Factors such as nutrient supply, pH levels, soil composition, aeration, and temperature significantly influence root development. However, studying root dynamics has been challenging due to the limitations of traditional experimental setups, which often require large containers and complex handling.

Microfluidics—the study of fluid flow in micrometer-sized structures—has revolutionized research in cell studies by enabling precise control and characterization of fluid dynamics at small scales. Existing microdevices primarily focus on phenomena like root-bacteria interactions, hormonal signaling, and pollen tube growth, with limited exploration into real-time plant root dynamics. Specifically, the impact of mechanical stimuli from nutrient flow on root growth and thigmomorphogenesis (the response of plants to mechanical stress) has not been extensively studied.

To address these challenges, Prof. Mondal and his team investigated the high-yielding mustard variety, Pusa Jai Kisan, known for its effective root diameter in the micrometer range. Their goal was to understand how different nutrient flow conditions influence root growth and nitrogen uptake during the critical post-germination stages.

Speaking about the research, Dr. Pranab K. Mondal said, “Our study provides new insights into plant root dynamics through the use of microfluidic devices. We validated our setup’s design and findings by simulating nutrient flow, measuring nitrogen uptake, and analyzing the effects of nutrient uptake and fluid pressure on root cells. This research enhances our understanding of how mechanical stimuli and nutrient uptake interact, with practical implications for agriculture.”

The researchers found that increasing the flow rate of the nutrient medium enhanced root length and nitrogen uptake up to an optimal rate. Beyond this point, excessive flow-induced stress reduced root length. Notably, roots exposed to flow conditions consistently performed better than those in no-flow conditions due to superior nitrogen uptake. This research highlights that carefully managed nutrient flow induces significant morphological changes in the root, promoting plant growth.

Looking ahead, the team plans to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying flow-induced changes in root growth. Understanding these cellular and molecular processes could lead to the development of more resilient hydroponic systems and support soil-less crop production.

 The findings of the study offer valuable

Agribusiness, Finance, Foodgrains, North America, Trade

The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports AGCO’s strategic transformation, recently accelerated by the PTx Trimble joint venture, which closed in April 2024.

AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its Grain & Protein business to American Industrial Partners (“AIP”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $700 million, subject to working capital and other customary closing adjustments.

“The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports AGCO’s strategic transformation, recently accelerated by the PTx Trimble joint venture, which closed in April 2024,” said Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Divesting this business allows us to streamline and sharpen our focus on AGCO’s portfolio of award-winning agricultural machinery and precision ag technology products, which underpins a long-term focus on high growth, high margin and high free cash flow generating businesses.”

“AIP has extensive experience in the industrial sector and vast carve-out expertise, which we believe will unlock new potential for the Grain & Protein business. We believe the move will help ensure its brands continue to lead the market in grain, seed and protein production equipment and remain well-positioned to deliver for farmers,” added Hansotia.

AGCO expects to use the net proceeds from the transaction consistent with its stated capital allocation priorities, including debt repayment, disciplined investment in technology and organic growth initiatives and return of capital to shareholders.

The transaction perimeter to be sold includes the five primary Grain & Protein brands – GSI®, Automated Production® (AP), Cumberland®, Cimbria® and Tecno®. The transaction perimeter to be sold excludes AGCO’s Grain & Protein business in China.

AGCO will begin reporting Grain & Protein as held for sale in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of 2024 through the closing date. The company expects to incur a loss on the sale of the business in the range of $450 million to $475 million.

The transaction purchase price implies a transaction multiple of approximately 8.3x based on Grain & Protein’s trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA as of March 31, 2024.

The transaction is anticipated to close before the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Rabo Securities USA, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to AGCO. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to AGCO. Santander Corporate & Investment Banking is acting as financial advisor to AIP and is leading the fully committed debt financing. Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal counsel to AIP.

The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports