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AgroPolicy, Finance, India, Schemes - Govt

The infusion of Equity is a significant step towards enhancing the operational capabilities of FCI in fulfilling its mandate effectively.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved infusion of equity of Rs 10,700 crore for working capital in financial year 2024-25 in Food Corporation of India (FCI).  The decision is aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector and ensuring the welfare of farmers nationwide. This strategic move shows the Government’s steadfast commitment to supporting farmers and fortifying India’s agrarian economy.

FCI started its journey in 1964 with authorised capital of Rs. 100 Crores and equity of Rs. 4 Crores.  The operations of FCI increased manifolds resulting in increase of authorised capital from Rs. 11,000 crores to Rs. 21,000 crores in February, 2023.  The equity of FCI was Rs. 4,496 Crores in Financial Year 2019-20 which increased to Rs. 10,157 Crores in the Financial Year 2023-24.  Now, Government of India has approved significant amount of equity of Rs. 10,700 Crores for FCI which will strengthen it financially and will give a big boost to the initiatives taken for its transformation. 

FCI plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security by procurement of food grains at Minimum Support Price (MSP), maintenance of strategic food grain stocks, distribution of food grains for welfare measure and stabilization of food grain prices in the market.

The infusion of Equity is a significant step towards enhancing the operational capabilities of FCI in fulfilling its mandate effectively. FCI resorts to short term borrowings to match the gap of fund requirement. This infusion will help to lower the interest burden and will ultimately reduce the subsidy of Government of India.

The Government’s dual commitment to MSP-based procurement and investment in FCI’s operational capabilities signifies a collaborative effort towards empowering farmers, fortifying the agricultural sector, and ensuring food security for the nation.

The infusion of Equity is a significant

Agribusiness, Drones, Finance, Funding, India

Company plans to use the funds in developing advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expanding its channel partner network and service centres in Tier II and III cities.

Drone technology firm Marut Drones has bagged $6.2 million in Series A funding from investment firm Lok Capital. The Hyderabad-based company plans to use the funds in initiatives, including developing advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expanding its channel partner network and service centres in Tier II and III cities, and establishing drone agriculture service hubs to provide Drone-as-a-Service through partnerships.

“The fresh capital will allow us to make investments in building our team, increasing our manufacturing capacity to 3,000 drones per annum and marketing to continue scaling at a rapid pace to reach a revenue target of Rs1000 crore in the next five years,” CEO and co-founder Prem Kumar Vislawath said.

Company mentioned that it plans to allocate funds towards several initiatives, including development of advanced agricultural drones tailored to customer needs, expand channel partner network and service centres into tier 2-3 cities to better serve rural customers and establish drone agriculture service hubs to offer drone-as-a-service. Across all verticals, it aims to recruit professionals besides promoting drone entrepreneurship, launch 17 new drone academies to train skilled professionals and enhance research and development efforts towards creating advanced applications like direct seeding and crop monitoring.

Founded in 2019 by three IIT Alumni—Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi and Sai Kumar Chinthala- Marut Drones aims to play a pivotal role in modernising agriculture across diverse geographies. The drone tech company intends to create rural employment opportunities for Tier II and III cities, contributing to enhanced productivity and reduced input costs for farmers.

“We are excited to partner with the team at Marut to bring solutions to farmers and the broader rural economy,” Hari Krishnan, Director of Lok Capital, said in a statement.

“Drones for agriculture are a novel technology that can secure the health of crops, while also saving water, preserving soil health, avoiding exposure to chemicals, increase yield to farmers and providing income to village-level entrepreneurs,” Krishnan added.

 Marut Drones Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Prem Kumar Vislawath, noted that the fresh capital will also allow the firm to make investments in building its team, increasing its manufacturing capacity to 3000 drones per annum, and marketing. The company has over 200 team members and a fleet of 750 drones and over 1,000 drone pilots across 14 states in India.

It plans to recruit professionals across all verticals and foster drone entrepreneurship. The firm also intends to launch 17 new drone academies to train skilled professionals and enhance its research and development efforts in partnership with leading institutions in India to create advanced applications like direct seeding and crop monitoring.

The Hyderabad-based company is also exploring disaster management and surveillance applications as it intends to become a comprehensive drone technology provider. It aims to reach a revenue target of 1000 crore in the next five years. Drone startups secured $50 million in investment in FY24, marking a threefold increase from the previous year, according to NITI Aayog. A report by NITI Aayog notes that the unmanned aerial vehicle market in India is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030.

The Indian drone market is expected to grow significantly, with drone volumes increasing to 61,393 units by 2029 from 10,803 units in 2024, according to projections by markets research firm Markets and Markets.

Company plans to use the funds in

Agribusiness, India, Sugar industry

ISMA estimated 333 lac tons of gross sugar production in 2024-25

sugar production for 2024-25 (ISMA) had released its preliminary estimates of sugar production for 2024-25 SS on 30th July’2024, as 333 lac tons of gross sugar production. The same was based on the pan India imagery taken in 3rd week of June’2024 and findings of field reports, considering normal monsoon. As is the practice, Pan India Imagery was taken in 3rd week of October’2024 and the same was discussed in our Executive Committee meeting held on 5th November’2024. It was noted that crop condition looks good in the major sugarcane producing states and field reports also align with the findings of the satellite mapping report. 

Accordingly, ISMA is releasing its 1st advance estimates as gross production of 333 lac tons (before diversion), similar to our preliminary estimate, as per the following table:

(Figures in Lac tons)

S. NoStates2023-24 (P)2024-25 1st Advance estimates(November’24) 
1Maharashtra118.48111.02
2Karnataka58.0858.07
3Uttar Pradesh110.00110.10
4Others54.0853.81
5Gross Total (estimated)340.64333.00 
6Estimated diversion towards ethanol21 
7 Net sugar production319.64

Sufficient availability of sugar, as indicated above will not only ensure a comfortable stock for domestic consumption and sustain the Ethanol Blending Program (EBP), but also open the room for exports, contributing to maintain the financial liquidity of sugar mills, enabling timely payments to farmers.

 Projected sugar balance for 2024-25 SS

S.No.Particulars2024-25 (E)(Fig. in Lac tons)
aOpening Stock as on 1st Oct’202484.79
bGross production during Season (Without diversion for ethanol)333.00
cTotal Availability (a+b)417.79
 dInternal Consumption290
eEstimated sugar diversion towards ethanol40
fClosing Stock as on 30th Sept’2025 (c-d-e)87.79

ISMA estimated 333 lac tons of gross

Agro Universities, India, People

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience in agricultural research for development and is highly regarded for her leadership in tackling the pressing global challenges of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, outgoing Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), headquartered in Hyderabad, India, is set to take up the role of Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum in mid-November 2024. Her extensive career, marked by groundbreaking work in sustainable agriculture, equips her to steer the Forum towards its mission. As Secretary General, Dr Hughes will focus on strengthening alliances and advancing innovative solutions in agriculture, ensuring the World Agriculture Forum is well-positioned to address the evolving needs of the sector globally. Her appointment is a testament to WAF’s commitment to bringing visionary leaders on board.

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience in agricultural research for development and is highly regarded for her leadership in tackling the pressing global challenges of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and rural development in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

Trained in the United Kingdom, Dr Hughes holds a PhD from Reading University and began her career with postdoctoral work before working with national partners in Ghana. Throughout her career, Dr Hughes has held international leadership positions in prestigious agricultural institutes across Africa and Asia, equipping her with a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by these regions.

A distinguished plant virologist, Dr Hughes has strong interests in remote sensing, digitalisation, and gender equity. She continues to champion the integration of modern technologies, plant quarantine best practices, and the ethical use of intellectual property to enhance agricultural outcomes. Dr Hughes believes in both working locally for global impact and working globally for local impact.

As Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Hughes adeptly led the Institute through the global pandemic, achieving significant milestones despite unprecedented challenges. Under her leadership, ICRISAT was honoured with the Africa Food Prize 2021 and welcomed the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the Institute’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2022. Dr Hughes further strengthened ICRISAT’s influence as a leader in dryland agriculture in 2023, actively participating in the agriculture meetings of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi and serving as co-Chair of the International Steering Committee for the United Nations’ International Year of Millets.

Rudy Rabbinge, Chairman of the World Agriculture Forum, remarked: “Dr Hughes brings to the World Agriculture Forum a wealth of experience and a commitment to agricultural innovation that is critical to achieving our mission. Her proven ability to deliver impactful results, her deep understanding of the international agricultural landscape, and her vision for sustainable intensification will strengthen the World Agriculture Forum’s position as a leader and partner in addressing food and nutrition security worldwide.”

Dr Hughes has over 30 years’ experience

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

Company’s profit after tax for the quarter was at Rs. 659 Cr as against Rs. 755 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023.

Coromandel International Limited, India’s leading Agri solutions provider is in the business of Fertilisers, Crop Protection Chemicals, Bio products, Specialty Nutrients, Organic Fertiliser and Retail. The Company has reported the financial results for the quarter ended 30th September 2024.

Company reported Total Income of Rs. 7,509 Crore in Q2 vs Rs. 7,031 Cr for the corresponding quarter of last year. Company’s EBITDA for Q2 was Rs. 983 Cr vs. Rs. 1,064 Cr for the corresponding quarter of last year. Company has posted Rs 696 Crore Profit After Tax in Q2 was vs Rs 762 Cr in Q2 for the corresponding quarter of last year. Company’s Total Income in H1 was at Rs. 12,277 Cr vs Rs. 12,771 Cr for the corresponding period of last year. Company reported Rs 1,490 Cr EBITDA for H1 vs. Rs. 1,774 Cr for the corresponding period of last year. Company’s PAT for H1 was 1,027 Cr vs Rs. 1,267 Cr for the corresponding period of last year.

Nutrient and Allied Business

The Revenue for the quarter ended September 2024 was at Rs. 6,746 Cr as against Rs. 6,307 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023. Profit before interest and tax for the quarter was Rs. 861 Cr vs. Rs. 998 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023.

The Revenue for the first half was at Rs. 10,944 Cr compared with Rs. 11,499 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before interest and tax for the first half was Rs. 1,297 Cr vs. Rs. 1,670 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Crop Protection Business

The Revenue for the quarter ended September 2024 was at Rs. 755 Cr as against Rs. 722 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023. Profit before interest and tax for the quarter was Rs. 110 Cr vs. Rs. 88 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023.

The Revenue for the first half was at Rs. 1,306 Cr compared with Rs. 1,278 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before interest and tax for the first half was Rs. 173 Cr vs. Rs. 143 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Consolidated Results

Coromandel’s total income for the quarter ended September 2024 was at Rs. 7,498 Cr vs. Rs. 7,033 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023. The profit after tax for the quarter was at Rs. 659 Cr as against Rs. 755 Cr for the quarter ended September 2023.

Coromandel’s total income for the first half was at Rs. 12,281 Cr vs. Rs. 12,771 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year. The profit after tax for the first half was at Rs. 968 Cr as against Rs. 1,249 Cr in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Commenting on the financial results, Sankarasubramanian S, Managing Director & CEO, Coromandel International Ltd., said, “Company registered a healthy performance in Q2, led by higher sales volumes and improved operational efficiencies across the businesses. The company continues to make sequential recovery quarter on quarter, despite lower subsidy rates and firming up of raw material prices. Favourable agricultural environment like above normal monsoon and higher crop sowing supported agri inputs consumption. During the quarter, fertiliser business of the company increased its primary sale volumes by 13per cent and improved its consumption share to 20 per cent.

The company has taken steps to secure its backend supply chain and has been setting up intermediate capacities over the past few years, besides foraying into mining at Senegal. In January 2024, we had announced Sulphuric acid (2000 TPD) and Phosphoric acid (650 TPD) plants at Kakinada and the projects are progressing as per plan and are likely to be commissioned by early 2026, thereby making all of the company’s fertiliser manufacturing sites backward integrated and reducing their dependence on imports.

Company’s profit after tax for the quarter

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Oilseeds

The total Kharif Foodgrain production for 2024-25, is projected at 1647.05 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) which is higher by 89.37 LMT as compared to previous year kharif foodgrain production.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released First Advance Estimates of production of Major Agricultural Crops (Kharif Only) for the year 2024-25. These estimates have been primarily prepared on the basis of information received from States.

The crop area received from the States have been validated and triangulated with information received from Remote Sensing, Weekly Crop Weather Watch Group and other agencies. Further, DA&FW took the initiative of Stakeholder consultation with representatives from the industry and other Governmental Departments to receive their opinion, views and sentiments for the current kharif season. These have also been considered while finalising the estimates.

For the first time, data from the Digital Crop Survey (DCS) which is being conducted under Digital Agriculture Mission in collaboration with State Governments has been utilized to prepare area estimates. This survey which is envisaged to replace the manual Girdawari system is an important step towards arriving at robust crop area estimates. DCS based Crop Area Estimation has been done for the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha wherein 100 per cent districts are covered under DCS in Kharif 2024. This has led to substantial rise in area under rice particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

The total Kharif Foodgrain production for 2024-25, as per the First Advance Estimates, is projected at 1647.05 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) which is higher by 89.37 LMT as compared to previous year kharif foodgrain production and 124.59 LMT higher than average kharif foodgrain production. Foodgrain production witnessed record increase due to good production of Rice, Jowar and Maize.

The total production of Kharif Rice during 2024-25 is estimated to be 1199.34 LMT which is higher by 66.75 LMT than the previous year kharif rice production and 114.83 LMT higher than average kharif rice production. The Kharif Maize production is estimated at 245.41 LMT and Kharif Nutri/coarse cereals is estimated to be 378.18 LMT. Further, the total Kharif pulses production during 2024-25 is estimated to be 69.54 LMT.

The total Kharif oilseeds production in the country during 2024-25 is estimated to be 257.45 LMT which is higher by 15.83 LMT than the previous year total kharif oilseeds production. The Kharif Groundnut production for 2024-25 is estimated at 103.60 LMT and Soybean production is estimated at 133.60 LMT.

The production of Sugarcane in the country during 2024-25 is estimated to be 4399.30 lakh tonnes. The production of Cotton is estimated to be 299.26 lakh bales (of 170 kg each). The production of Jute and Mesta is estimated to be 84.56 lakh bales (of 180 kg each).

The details of production of various crops are given as under:

Total kharif Foodgrains–1647.05 LMT (record)

Rice – 1199.34 LMT (record)

Maize – 245.41 LMT (record)

Nutri / Coarse Cereals – 378.18 LMT

Total Pulses – 69.54 LMT

Tur – 35.02 LMT

Urad – 12.09 LMT

Moong – 13.83 LMT

Total Oilseeds–257.45 LMT

Groundnut – 103.60 LMT

Soybean –133.60 LMT

Sugarcane – 4399.30 LMT

Cotton – 299.26 Lakh Bales (170 Kgs. each)

Jute& Mesta – 84.56 Lakh Bales (180 Kgs. each)

The Crop yields estimates are majorly based on trend/normal yield, coupled with other ground level inputs and expectations. This yield will undergo revision based on receipt of actual yield ascertained through conduct of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) during the time of harvest, which in return would be reflected in the subsequent production estimates.

The total Kharif Foodgrain production for 2024-25,

Agribusiness, Company News, Speciality Chemicals, Trade, World

The divestiture of GSS is a key step in FMC’s strategic plan to focus solely on innovating products and services for the global crop protection market.

FMC Corporation and Environmental Science U.S. LLC, known as Envu, announced the successful completion of the sale of FMC’s Global Specialty Solutions (GSS) business to Envu. The companies announced the signing of a definitive acquisition agreement on July 11, 2024, and have now satisfied all necessary conditions and regulatory approvals.

The divestiture of GSS, which includes a line of products that serve a diverse mix of non-crop markets such as golf courses, professional sports stadiums and pest control, is a key step in FMC’s strategic plan to focus solely on innovating products and services for the global crop protection market.

“The successful sale of our GSS business to Envu marks an important milestone for FMC,” said Pierre Brondeau, FMC Chairman and CEO. “This transaction enables us to further sharpen our focus on our core agricultural business while ensuring the GSS business and employees have the right partner in Envu to support their continued growth and success. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Envu to ensure a smooth transition and drive innovation in the non-crop market.”

As part of the agreement, FMC will work with Envu through the companies’ transition period and will remain a contracted supplier of key products and actives. This ongoing collaboration will support a seamless transition for customers and employees while allowing Envu continued access to innovation.

“This is a very exciting day for Envu, and we believe for our customers as well,” said Gilles Galliou, Envu CEO. “Now that the deal is closed, we will move quickly to begin integrating the GSS team and exploring ways that we can leverage our collective strengths to deliver more innovation and more value for our customers. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with FMC as a trusted supplier and partner.”

The divestiture of GSS is a key

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, Start ups, World

 This MOU brings together Garuda Aerospace’s drone technology with CYOL’s advanced agricultural software, creating an integrated platform for precision farming, surveillance, and data-driven analytics.

In a strategic partnership set to transform the global agriculture landscape, Garuda Aerospace, one of India’s leading drone manufacturers and CYOL (Pvt) Ltd., a leading provider of advanced agricultural technology solutions in Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Sri Lanka. This agreement marks a major milestone in both companies’ growth as they expand their operations into Australia, Africa, and Asia.

The MOU was signed by Chamitha Ranneththi, Chairman and Director of CYOL, alongside Sanjeewa Dissanayake, Director, S. Mahendran, Director, and Vincent Renold, Director of Garuda Aerospace Ceylon Pvt. Ltd.

A Collaboration to Revolutionise Global Agriculture

As part of this partnership, Garuda Aerospace has officially launched its operations in Sri Lanka, further solidifying its presence in South Asia. The Indian-based drone company, recognized for its cutting-edge solutions in agriculture, surveillance, mapping, thermography, videography, and defence anti-drone systems, will collaborate with CYOL to deliver a revolutionary approach to farming and technology integration.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder CEO, Garuda Aerospace said, “This collaboration with CYOL cements our commitment is a significant step toward advancing precision farming and technological innovation in agriculture across these key regions. By combining our drone expertise with CYOL’s robust software solutions, we are confident that this partnership will create significant value for farmers and stakeholders.”

This MOU brings together Garuda Aerospace’s renowned drone technology with CYOL’s advanced agricultural software, creating an integrated platform for precision farming, surveillance, and data-driven analytics. Together, the two companies aim to revolutionize agriculture across Australia, Africa, and Asia, providing farmers with real- time insights, optimized resource management, and enhanced crop monitoring capabilities.

Chamitha Ranneththi, Chairman and Director of CYOL, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “This collaboration between CYOL and Garuda Aerospace is a game-changer for the agricultural industry. By merging drone technology with advanced software solutions, we are poised to deliver high-value solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and decision-making for farmers across multiple regions.”

The partnership is expected to offer mutual benefits by combining Garuda’s aerial expertise with CYOL’s technological advancements in data analytics, crop monitoring, and farm management systems. Together, both companies will provide a comprehensive suite of services, offering farmers holistic tools for optimizing their operations and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

 S. Mahendran, Director of Garuda Aerospace Ceylon Pvt. Ltd., shared his vision: “The potential for integrating drones with smart farming solutions is immense, and this partnership will enable us to bring the latest innovations to regions where agriculture is crucial for economic growth. We are excited about the impact this collaboration will have on farmers globally.”

 This MOU brings together Garuda Aerospace’s drone

Agribusiness, Company News, Floriculture, Horticulture, Seeds, Trade, Vegetables

This acquisition will enable Crystal to diversify its seeds business and strengthen its presence in the high-value vegetable and flower segments.

Crystal Crop Protection Limited has announced its 12th acquisition, acquiring I&B Seeds, a prominent player in the flower and vegetable seeds market having a leadership position in Marigold seeds with Indus and SPS brands. This acquisition will enable Crystal to diversify its seeds business and strengthen its presence in the high-value vegetable and flower segments, positioning the company as a formidable player in the industry.

By expanding into this segment, Crystal aims to provide farmers with access to high-quality vegetable and flower seeds that can enhance yield and profitability. I&B Seeds is a leader in the flower and vegetable seeds market, known for its strong focus on R&D and high-quality seed products. The company is the market leader in Marigold seeds with Indus and SPS brands and has a strong presence in Tomato, Chilies, Sweetcorn and Cucumber. With over 600+ dealers across India and export operations in countries like the United States, Egypt, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, I&B Seeds has a robust global presence.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director of Crystal Crop Protection Limited, said, “This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in our growth strategy. At Crystal, we are deeply committed to the well-being of our farmers. By expanding into the vegetable and flower seed segments, we are not only diversifying our offerings but also enhancing our ability to provide farmers with high-quality seeds that can significantly increase their incomes. Our focus is on empowering farmers with innovative solutions that improve yields and profitability, ensuring they have access to the best resources for their cultivation needs. I&B Seed’s expertise in the flower and vegetable seeds market, combined with our strong portfolio in field crops, will allow us to better serve the agricultural community and contribute to sustainable farming practices across India.”

Crystal’s current seeds portfolio has farmer’s preferred brands like Proagro, Sadanand, Surpass, and Dairy Green across field crops like cotton, maize, pearl millet, mustard, fodder, wheat, berseem, and sorghum. With the addition of Indus and SPS Brands with the acquisition of I&B Seeds vegetable and flower segments, Crystal will further diversify its product offerings and expand its reach to more farmers. The new business is expected to boost Crystal’s seeds division, contributing to a 30 per cent increase in its topline growth.

Praveen Noojibail, Managing Director of I&B Seeds, stated, “This acquisition is a great opportunity for Crystal Seeds to combine I&B Seed’s legacy in flower and vegetable seeds with Crystal’s extensive resources and distribution network. The size and strength of Crystal will help accelerate the reach of innovative and high-quality seeds to farmers across India and beyond, ensuring better yields and profitability.”

George Ball, Chairman, W. Atlee Burpee Company and Partner in I&B Seeds, also stated that it will be a great opportunity for I&B Seed’s R&D to reach farmers at a larger level and help them produce better crops.

Artha Arbitrage Consulting, a Hyderabad-based financial consulting firm, advised I&B on this transaction.

This acquisition will enable Crystal to diversify

AgroPolicy, E-commerce, India, Seeds

The newly populated categories feature nearly 8,000 seed varieties that can be procured by Central/State PSUs and other governing bodies for further dissemination across the country.

On a mission to simplify access to quality agricultural & horticulture seeds, Government e Marketplace (GeM) has revamped & introduced 170 Seed categories on the portal. Created ahead of the upcoming cropping season, the newly populated categories feature nearly 8,000 seed varieties that can be procured by Central/State PSUs and other governing bodies for further dissemination across the country.

Created after consultation with stakeholders including state seed corporations and research bodies, seed categories on GeM portal offer a ready framework for seed procurement, incorporating the extant rules & regulations by Government of India and necessary parameters, easing the entire process for procuring authorities.

The roll out of these new categories is a part of GeM’s broader strategy to promote category-based procurement through the portal. With an emphasis on increasing efficiency, category-based procurement of seeds aims to reduce time consumed in tendering processes, stimulate transparency & accountability in government procurement, while facilitating increased participation of sellers across the country.

“We invite sellers to leverage these new seed categories and list their offerings to participate freely in government tenders. We also encourage seed corporations/state bodies to utilise these new categories for cost-effective procurement of quality seeds” said Roli Khare, Deputy CEO, GeM.

The newly populated categories feature nearly 8,000

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry

 Requests formula-based increase in ethanol prices to Rs. 73.14 per litre (Sugarcane), Rs. 67.70 per litre (B-Heavy Molasses), Rs. 61.20 per litre (C-Heavy molasses) to offset heavy losses being incurred by manufacturers.

The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has issued an appeal to the government, urging timely policy interventions to support the sustainability of the sugar industry, as it confronts rising production costs, stagnant ethanol procurement prices, and a significant anticipated sugar surplus. The apex body of India’s sugar and bio-energy industry has highlighted the need to promptly adjust the Minimum Sale Price (MSP) of sugar to Rs. 39.14 per kg for SS 2024-25, raise ethanol procurement prices, and establish a stable framework for sugar exports—key measures to stabilise the industry, enable timely farmer payments, and sustain growth in renewable energy initiatives through ethanol production.

M Prabhakar Rao, President, ISMA, said, “We need urgent support from the Govt. to increase the MSP of sugar to reduce losses being faced by the industry. The increase of MSP will protect the minimum ex-factory price particularly during the crushing season during which the prices tend to go below the cost of production, bleeding the Mills and making them financially unviable. This may lead to a delay in payment of cane arrears and sometimes defaults to the farmers. Based on the historical MSP declared by the Government, ISMA has been requesting to revise the MSP to at least Rs. 39.14 per kg, based on the same formula that was used for fixing the MSP in 2017-18 and 2018-19”.

“Even if the MSP for sugar is fixed at Rs. 39.14, the increase of the sugar prices over the last 10 years will be only 0.95 per cent per annum, much lower than the consumer price increase of 2.23% per year. As such, more than 60 per cent of the sugar is consumed by the beverages, confectionery and other food industries, who are capable of absorbing these prices. There is no cost implication to the ex-chequer”, M Prabhakar Rao, added.

Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, said, “In recent years, the Indian sugar industry has made significant strides with the government’s support, enabling us to improve efficiencies and strengthen our contribution to both the rural economy and renewable energy sector. However, with rising production costs, stagnant ethanol procurement prices, and anticipated surpluses, urgent policy action is needed to ensure the sector’s continued stability. Specifically, we are calling for an increase in the Minimum Sale Price (MSP) of sugar, which has remained unchanged since 2019 despite substantial hikes in cane prices. An adjustment in the MSP is essential to cover rising production costs and help mills make timely payments to farmers.

Additionally, a revision of the ethanol procurement price is necessary to support the government’s 20 per cent ethanol blending target by 2025-26, fostering a sustainable shift towards renewable energy. Finally, a long-term export policy would enable effective management of anticipated surpluses, allowing India to strengthen its position in the global sugar market while maintaining a healthy domestic balance. We, at ISMA, remain committed to working alongside the government to sustain industry growth, protect farmers, and strengthen India’s economic resilience”, Ballani added.

 Requests formula-based increase in ethanol prices to

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, India, Oilseeds

This partnership will provide farmers with access to advanced agricultural technologies, training programs, and essential resources to enhance productivity.

Hyderabad based 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd has strengthened its presence in Karnataka through a strategic partnership with the Karnataka Department of Horticulture by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable agriculture in rural communities. The MoU was signed in the presence of Prakash M Sabarad, Additional Director of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, paves the way for transformative support to oil palm cultivators in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and the Sedam taluk of Gulbarga district.

This partnership will provide farmers with access to advanced agricultural technologies, training programs, and essential resources to enhance productivity and support Karnataka’s growing horticultural sector. The company plans to introduce state-of-the-art cultivation practices, focusing on sustainable growth and community empowerment.

Speaking on the partnership, Srinivasarao Kilari, Head Agriculture, 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd said, “This MoU represents a major milestone, aligning with our mission to uplift local farming communities while setting new benchmarks for sustainable oil palm cultivation. We extend our gratitude to the Karnataka Horticulture Department for their vital support and look forward to collaborating closely with the farming community.”

As part of the initiative, 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd will oversee area expansion, nursery development, sprout procurement, and seedling cultivation within the designated zones. This effort aims to increase palm oil productivity, create economic growth, and empower farmers with sustainable knowledge, offering a model for long-term agricultural success in Karnataka.

This partnership will provide farmers with access

Agribusiness, Company News, R&D, Sustainable Energy

This demonstration plant will produce about 1 Tonne green hydrogen per day by gasifying about 25 Tonne per day MSW/agri-waste.

 NETRA, the R&D wing of NTPC Ltd., embarks to set up green hydrogen production plant using Plasma Oxy Gasification of MSW/Agri-Waste technology. Upon set-up, it shall be a unique plant globally, wherein plasma assisted ‘oxy gasification’ of MSW-RDF/Agri-Waste shall be carried to produce ‘very high quality syn-gas’, from which high purity hydrogen (more than 99.9 per cent) shall be separated using a novel configuration of ‘gas membrane’ and ‘pressure swing adsorption’.

This demonstration plant will produce about 1 Tonne per day green hydrogen by gasifying about 25 Tonne per day MSW/Agri-Waste. Besides ‘Carbon-Mono-Oxide’ separated from ‘Hydrogen Recovery System’ shall be used to produce electricity using a low-calorie gas engine.

It may be mentioned that other than electrolysis, which is a highly energy intensive process (55-60 kWh/kg H2), Gasification & Reformation of MSW/Agri-Waste is the only pathways to produce green hydrogen.

This cutting-edge technology is in line with NETRA’s commitment to undertake research projects and demonstrate technologies for achieving Energy Transition goals and NTPC’s commitment for adopting ‘Circular Economy’ models.

This opens a new avenue for NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC in the domain of green hydrogen.

This demonstration plant will produce about 1

Agribusiness, Agro Universities, Collaborations, Company News, India, Sustainability

CSSRI in collaboration with Syngenta India will conduct joint research and development projects on soil salinity management and improving crop productivity, through sustainable agricultural practices.

Syngenta India recently announced two critical MoUs it has signed with government institutions to help farmers enhancing crop productivity and promoting diversified sustainable agriculture practices, Syngenta India signed multiple Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), aiming to benefit the farmers of Haryana.

Susheel Kumar, MD & Country Head, Syngenta India, signed two MoUs with ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) and Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) respectively.

The MoU with CSSRI is focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving soil health and resilience in salt-affected areas, while the MoU with Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) aims to promote diversified sustainable farming systems for improving productivity and working towards promoting diversified sustainable agriculture practices.

Susheel Kumar, Country Head and MD, Syngenta India, said, “Both the MoUs mark a significant step towards strengthening our collaborations with experts in the agriculture domain. Innovations are at the core of our functioning to effectively meet the challenges of a changing world, from climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss to the demands of farmers and the wider society. Since our contribution is a combined effort, we believe in taking all stakeholders along to make agriculture in India a model of sustainability and prosperity of farmers.”

After the exchange of MoU, Prof BR Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of CCSHAU, Hisar, said, “As a premier university dedicated to agriculture research and education, we are pleased to join hands with Syngenta India, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies, to promote diversified sustainable farming systems for improving productivity.”

Kumar added, “The need of the hour is to adopt a multifaceted approach by engaging all stakeholders to meet the challenge of increasing farm productivity. “We believe in a partnership approach and we have been collaborating proactively with public institutions, growers as well as non-government organizations in India”. As per the MoU, CCSHAU and Syngenta India would work together to achieve the common aim to develop skills of stakeholders, promote the use of ICT-driven tools and technologies to enhance decision making through accurate, reliable and timely information for agricultural research and sharing the output with the farmers, he explained further.

They will also collaborate to implement projects related to capacity building of rural youth in agriculture and allied sciences, safe use of crop protection chemicals and adoption of new technologies, etc., through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agriculture Diploma Technical Schools, Farmers Groups and other institutes of the university under Syngenta’s I RISE (Inculcating Rural India Skill Enhancement) initiative.

Dr RK Yadav, Director, ICAR-CSSRI, Karnal, while interacting with media persons on the occasion, said, “We in collaboration with Syngenta India will conduct joint research and development projects on soil salinity management and improving crop productivity, through sustainable agricultural practices.”

Kumar further explained that as per the terms and references of the MoU with ICAR-CSSRI, capacity building and training programs would also be conducted for farmers, researchers, and extension workers in the areas of soil salinity management, crop protection, and sustainable agriculture. Development of joint publications, presentations, and dissemination of research outcomes to the broader scientific community and stakeholders will also be done by us”.

Additionally, CSSRI will offer internship opportunities to interns sponsored by Syngenta, allowing them to work with eminent scientists and enhance their expertise in soil health and salinity management.

CSSRI in collaboration with Syngenta India will