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Animal Health, Award, Company News, R&D, Sustainability, Text Blog

Mahindra Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group and India’s No. 1 tractor brand, today celebrated “Kisan Diwas” by showcasing a heartwarming digital film that celebrates the invaluable contributions of Indian farmers

This unique initiative continues the plot from Mahindra’s previous year’s Kisan Diwas campaign, “Did you thank the farmer?” This year, Mahindra aims to urge social media-savvy youngsters and urban dwellers alike to take part in the initiative, reminding them to thank the farmer, who makes every meal possible.

The campaign thoughtfully draws attention to the role of food delivery apps, which have become a part and parcel of urban living. These apps allow us to enjoy the best of food from across the city while sitting in the comfort of our homes. Mahindra drives home this point through a peppy and engaging film, featuring food delivery personnel, individuals who are now an integral part of our daily lives and to whom we often say “thank you” when receiving a food parcels. Drawing parallels, the campaign urges everyone to use Kisan Diwas as an opportunity to also thank the heroes behind their meals – The Farmer.

Through this initiative, Mahindra encourages people to express their gratitude to farmers on their social media handles with the hashtag #ThankYouKisan.

Kisan Diwas, observed every year on December 23, commemorates the birth anniversary of India’s fifth Prime Minister, Choudhary Charan Singh, a visionary leader and advocate for farmers’ rights. It is a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the efforts of farmers across the country.

Mahindra’s initiative aligns with its mission to enable prosperity for farmers through innovative solutions, tough and reliable tractors, and various finance schemes and support. The campaign aims to create awareness and foster a sense of gratitude among urban and rural audiences alike.

Mahindra Tractors, part of the Mahindra Group

Climate, Environment, R&D, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

Odisha’s Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo highlights state’s lead in sustainable agricultural reforms at a policy roundtable, collaborating with IFPRI and NPS

Odisha is set to lead the way in inclusive and sustainable agricultural reforms, and innovative ideas and collaborations will shape a resilient agricultural future, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has said. He was speaking at a policy roundtable titled Advancing Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Odisha, which brought together over 100 participants, including policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners, to exchange ideas and strategies for sustainable agricultural transformation. The Odisha government held the roundtable in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) on Friday.

The roundtable underscored the state’s innovative approach to agricultural development, showcasing its potential to be a global model for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Deo reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to equitable growth.

“Odisha is poised to lead the way in inclusive and sustainable agricultural reforms. The ideas and collaborations fostered today will shape a resilient agricultural future where every farmer can thrive,” Deo said.

Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, emphasised the sector’s focus on innovation and inclusivity.

He highlighted the need to scale successful strategies to ensure tangible benefits for farmers, positioning Odisha as a frontrunner in sustainable agricultural practices.

“Odisha’s agriculture sector stands at the forefront of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. We are scaling these successes and ensuring that every farmer benefits from our shared vision. Together, we can make Odisha a model state for sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth,” Padhee said.

The roundtable discussions revolved around five critical themes vital for inclusive agricultural growth.

IFPRI South Asia Director Shahidur Rashid stressed the significance of evidence-based strategies to address challenges and create benchmarks for the region’s growth.

“The roundtable underscores the potential of evidence-based strategies to address challenges and harness opportunities for inclusive agricultural growth in Odisha. The discussions today will set benchmarks for the region,” Rashid said.

A key outcome of the event was the decision to establish an advisory group comprising representatives from the Odisha government, IFPRI, and other technical partners.

This group will refine and implement Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (IAT) indicators, aligning them with Odisha’s long-term development goals.

Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Commissioner cum Secretary, Department of Cooperation, highlighted the importance of market linkages in empowering smallholder farmers. He emphasised the role of FPOs in ensuring equitable market access, enabling farmers to secure fair prices and improve their livelihoods. Monica Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti, highlighted the transformative role of women’s collectives in promoting agricultural growth and strengthening rural livelihoods. She noted that women’s empowerment through Mission Shakti has been instrumental in driving inclusive and sustainable development across the state. The roundtable also focused on strategies to enhance climate resilience, including soil and water management, crop diversification, and adaptive practices to mitigate climate risks.

As the event concluded, participants expressed optimism about the potential for collaboration and innovation in Odisha’s agricultural sector.

Odisha's Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo

Digital Technologies, IT, R&D

ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and NAAS, hosts two-day conference on Digital Agriculture to shape strategic roadmap for the sector

ICRISAT recently held a two-day National Conference on “Digital Agriculture: Empowering Indian Farming” in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) at the A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall, New Delhi.

The conference, held from 17 to 18 December 2024, brought together a vibrant community of thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders focused on charting the future course of digital agriculture in India by leveraging advancements in rural digital infrastructure.

The conference welcomed approximately 120 participants representing over 40 institutes spanning research, academia, and the private and public sectors.

In September 2024, the Government of India launched its Digital Agriculture Mission with an ambitious budget of INR 2,817 crores. This mission aims to build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and support various initiatives, including the Agri Stack, digital crop surveys, and cyber decision support systems. The conference offered a timely platform for stakeholders to collaborate and develop a strategic roadmap for the mission’s implementation.

“To build a resilient and food-secure future, we must transcend borders and foster a global exchange of technologies, knowledge, and innovations. By collaborating as a global community, we can ensure that no farmer, regardless of location, is left behind in this digital transformation. Together, we can create an inclusive, sustainable, and adaptable agricultural ecosystem that benefits farmers globally,” stated Dr Pathak.

Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim of ICRISAT, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between ICAR, NAAS, and ICRISAT, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in achieving success.

Dr M.L. Jat, Global Research Program Director – Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT presented an overview of CGIAR’s digital innovations and initiatives on enhancing decision-making, bridging the digital divide, and promoting gender equity in agri-food systems.

Stressing the need for better collaboration between national and international research bodies, he advocated for alignment with the global SDGs for broader impact. Dr Jat also proposed the establishment of a Virtual Academy for Digital Agriculture, a dedicated platform for training to address the gaps in skill development among farmers and extension agents.

Dr Anil Rai, Assistant Director General of ICAR and the event’s convenor underlined the role of ICT as a critical tool to close the digital gap. Dr Rabi Sahoo, Principal Scientist at ICAR, highlighted the importance of integrating real-time data and innovative tools to enhance decision-making and inform policy frameworks. Moderating a session on farmer-centric solutions, Dr Srikanth Rupavatharam, Senior Scientist – Digital Agriculture, ICRISAT, stressed the need for accessible and affordable technologies tailored for smallholder farmers.

The event laid a strong foundation for a future where Indian agriculture advances through the integration of data, AI, and smart technologies, ensuring resilience and prosperity for farming communities.

ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and NAAS,

Award, Drones, E-commerce, R&D

In his keynote address, Shri Suresh Prabhu emphasized the critical need for innovative and intensive research to ensure food, nutritional, and environmental security, advocating for farmer-centric approaches providing actionable strategies for sustainable agriculture, received widespread appreciation from the audience

The prestigious TAAS Award Ceremony 2024 was held on December 20 at the iconic Pusa Institute campus in New Delhi. Hon’ble Shri Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Cabinet Minister, graced the event as the Chief Guest, with Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF, Chennai, presiding over the ceremony. Dr. Raj S. Paroda, Chairman of TAAS and Former Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, delivered the welcome address and outlined the event’s objectives. The gathering was attended by around 100 distinguished agricultural experts.

In his keynote address, Shri Suresh Prabhu emphasized the critical need for innovative and intensive research to ensure food, nutritional, and environmental security, advocating for farmer-centric approaches. His address, which provided actionable strategies for sustainable agriculture, received widespread appreciation from the audience. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan highlighted the importance of solving farmers’ challenges, connecting them to markets, delivering timely inputs, and addressing human nutrition and health concerns.

The event also celebrated the legacy of the “Dr. MS Swaminathan Award for Leadership in Agriculture,” instituted in 2004 by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) to honor the lifetime contributions of eminent individuals in agriculture with a focus on food security and sustainability. The annual award includes a trophy, a citation scroll, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.  

Since its inception, the award has been presented to 15 prominent figures, including Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, World Food Prize laureates Dr. Gurdev Khush and Dr. SK Vasal, and other luminaries such as Prof. Rattan Lal, Dr. Sanjay Rajaram, Dr. MC Saxena, Dr. William Dar, Dr. Thomas Lumpkin, Dr. Uma Lele, Dr. John Dixon, Dr. Shenggen Fan, Dr. Adel Beltagy, Dr. Suri Sahgal, Dr. Kamal Bawa, and Dr. BM Prasanna. These awards have been conferred by Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Union Cabinet Ministers.  

In 2024, TAAS introduced two new accolades: the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award and the Dr. SK Vasal Award for Excellence in Hybrid Crop Research.  

This year’s recipients of the Dr. MS Swaminathan Award were Dr. Kamal Bawa, FRS, founder of the Ashoka Trust, for 2023, and Dr. BM Prasanna of CIMMYT, for 2024, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to agricultural science and sustainability.  

In his keynote address, Shri Suresh Prabhu

R&D, Sustainability

Farmers spanning across 20 districts of Chhattisgarh now have a magic wand to aid pest and disease detection, soil quality assessment, and water analysis in their agricultural fields, fostering informed decision-making and sustainable practices at minimal cost in their farm lands. Foldscope, a portable and affordable microscope, is the new tool that is empowering communities in the state to take agricultural decisions with the help of frugal science and hence helping agricultural livelihoods. It is helping in in-situ diagnosis and digital cataloging of plant-pathogenic fungi through Foldscope Microscopy.

The initiative spread across the districts of Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Raipur, Dhamtari, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Koriya, Surguja, Jashpur, Korba, Sakti, Mahasamund, Bilaspur, Mungeli, Kabirdham, Bemetara, Kanker, and Bastar spanning over 30 villages is being implemented by ICAR – National Institute of Biotic Stress Management. It is supported under SYST programme of SEED Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Capacity building and sampling activities are being undertaken to identify the plant pathogenic fungal diseases — Powdery mildew, Leaf blight, Leaf spot and post-harvest diseases and so on at In-situ condition with the help of the foldscope.

A total 16 fungal diseases and their causal organisms were identified based on morphological structure of pathogen and host species such as Golovinomyces cichoracearum, Erysiphe polygoni, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Leveillula aurica, Penicillium digitatum, Ustilago tritici, Albugo bliti, Fusarium oxysporum, Alterneria sp and Rhizophus sp.

In addition, five biopesticides have been tested and two bioagents –. Trichoderma viride and Pacelomyces spp have been successfully observed under Foldscope and with Fruiting bodies of mushroom and Pleurotus spp (oyster mushroom).  

Foldscope microscopy was also used for assessing semen quality in straws for cattle artificial insemination (AI). This could be a pioneering application with significant potential to enhance conception rates and improve the grading of indigenous cattle breeds.

Rural youth and students received hands-on training to independently demonstrate foldscope microscopy to local communities to expand the reach of the initiative. Training sessions, demonstrations, workshops, and awareness campaigns were organized to promote the use of Foldscope for in-situ diagnosis of plant pathogenic fungi and zoonotic diseases. This helped reach out to diverse audience, including farmers, rural youth, college students, agriculture and horticulture extension officers, veterinary officers, and faculty members.

The Foldscope’s frugal science approach is transforming livelihoods in Chhattisgarh by bringing advanced microscopy within the reach of rural communities. Farmers use it to detect crop pests, diagnose plant diseases, and assess soil and water quality, enabling timely and informed actions for sustainably enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.

Farmers spanning across 20 districts of Chhattisgarh

Digital Technologies, IT, R&D

Phytech, a leader in digital farming solutions, is announcing two landmark strategic partnerships with Rivulis and Netafim, two of the world’s largest and most respected precision irrigation companies. These collaborations mark a major step in the global adoption of digital farming, as Phytech’s technologies will be integrated into the global operations of these key industry players.

Phytech helps growers optimize the farming production value chain using proprietary plant and field condition sensors to deliver data-driven agronomic insights and recommendations. These insights are executed through in-field automation controls, enabling optimized yields, water savings, and input efficiency for economic and environmental impact. The company provides daily service to over 1,000 global producers of fruit, nuts, and commodity crops, covering 45 million trees across 18,000 sites.

Phytech has developed a simplified, alert-driven mobile platform, combining predictive algorithms and data analysis tools that integrate continuous crop health and supportive environmental data, distilled into real-time recommendations. By providing clear visibility into tank level, pumps, filters and valves, Phytech’s hydraulic monitoring capabilities enable real-time problem detection and predictive maintenance of a farmer’s irrigation system, creating a speedy response to any issue. Without these “eyes” in the field, growers depend on manually checking key functions or detecting the problem only after the damage has occurred.

The first partnership combines Rivulis’ global presence in micro irrigation products and solutions with Phytech’s real-time plant health and hydraulic monitoring and automation technology. Rivulis has integrated its cloud-based precision irrigation subsidiary, Manna, into Phytech. This integration enables farmers to optimize plant performance and resource usage with unprecedented accuracy and simplicity. By merging Phytech’s detailed, sensor-based field data with Manna’s spatial remote sensing capabilities, farmers will gain monitoring and insights into their crops, irrigation systems, and fields, alongside actionable irrigation recommendations and closed-loop system automation. The integration of Manna into Phytech also includes the Jain Logic and Observant offerings in the USA and Australia, respectively.

This strategic alliance also solidifies Rivulis’ role as a shareholder in Phytech and expands the reach of Phytech’s advanced solutions across Rivulis’ extensive global retail network and turnkey project channels, aiming to accelerate global agriculture technology adoption. Phytech’s technology can also enable irrigation dealers to enrich their service to growers with a data driven proactive approach.

Phytech’s second strategic partnership, with Orbia Precision Agriculture Netafim, a global leader in precision irrigation and the world’s largest irrigation company, aims to enhance digital farming solutions across the globe. Phytech’s technology will be integrated with GrowSphere™, Orbia Netafim’s all-in-one irrigation operating system, providing both sets of customers with deeper visibility into their irrigation environment for faster and more accurate monitoring. The partnership creates synergy by fully leveraging GrowSphere’s advanced control and automation capabilities, enabling customers to benefit from more precise and responsive irrigation solutions tailored to the specific needs of their crops. This includes detecting issues like water or fertilizer waste and low pressure, which lead to system malfunctions and higher costs.

Phytech’s CEO, Oren Kind, remarked: “In a rare vote of confidence, Rivulis and Netafim have chosen Phytech to lead the digital farming offering for farmers around the world. This selection highlights over a decade of success, marked by significant revenue growth and the proven ability to scale in-field monitoring solutions and drive digital adoption across farm operations globally. This achievement is thanks to our growers, whose commitment to transformative technology has driven our innovation. Together, these relationships enable us to expand our unique hardware and software solutions, supporting growers and ecosystems worldwide.”

“Both Rivulis and Netafim are leaders in their respective fields,” said Kind. “Our collaboration with these key players underscores the growing importance of data-driven solutions in modern agriculture. Together, we aim to usher in a new era of sustainable farming, benefiting growers globally.

Phytech, a leader in digital farming solutions,

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, R&D

BAL has been actively pursuing and expanding its intellectual property portfolio of 100+ national filings and 20+ international filings in OAPI, ARIPO, EU, USA, Thailand, UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Philippines, Cambodia, Yemen, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

Best Agrolife Ltd., one of India’s leading agrochemical manufacturers, has been granted an international patent for its novel ternary insecticidal combination that effectively controls the entire sucking pest complex, including whitefly, jassids, aphids, and thrips with a single application. The granted patent covers the composition of Pyriproxyfen, Diafenthiuron, and Dinotefuran in a unique suspension concentrate formulation and has been granted by the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) covering the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Centrafrique, Comores, Congo, Cote d’lvoire, Gabon, Guinee, Guinee Bissau, Guinee Equatoriale, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, Senegal, Tchad, Togo.

The patent grant exemplifies Best Agrolife Ltd.’s dedication to globally delivering advanced, farmer-centric solutions, lowering costs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Best Agrolife Limited has been actively pursuing and expanding its intellectual property portfolio of 100+ national filings and 20+ international filings in OAPI, ARIPO, EU, USA, Thailand, UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Philippines, Cambodia, Yemen, Bangladesh and Bhutan. These strategic international filings reflect the company’s commitment to developing a global presence with a quality IP-protected portfolio. The companies’ patents cover major agricultural regions like the US, LATAM, APAC, Far East and Africa. “These patents are not just about protecting our intellectual property; they’re about driving meaningful change in agriculture,” added Vimal Kumar Alawadhi, MD of Best Agrolife.

Internationally, sucking pests are one of the most serious threats to agricultural crop productivity, causing significant quantitative and qualitative losses. Losses due to sucking pests are estimated to harm 18-20 percent of annual crop productivity. As much of these losses happens in the fields just before harvest, the impact can be devastating in developing countries such as the nations in the African continent.

The diverse modes of action of this formulation includes active ingredients that work through different mechanisms. “Pyriproxyfen” disrupts insect growth and reproduction, while “Diafenthiuron” targets the nervous system of pests, and “Dinotefuran” acts systemically to penetrate the plant and control pests internally. This diverse action stalls development of resistance.

This novel formulation is being successfully sold in India under the brand name of “Ronfen” and has garnered praise from farmers throughout India as a cost-effective and efficient combination. Year on year, the sale of “Ronfen” has been steadily increasing with wider adoption. The combined sale of “Ronfen” since its introduction has exceeded Rs. 400 crores with farmers using “Ronfen” to treat acreage of more than 2.4 million acres.

Best Agrolife Ltd. reaffirms its position as a leader in agricultural innovation, continuing to empower farmers across the globe by enhancing productivity, safeguarding crop quality, and increasing profitability.

BAL has been actively pursuing and expanding

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, Finance, India, Investments

The investment will fund a brownfield expansion at its existing urea plant in Panagarh Industrial Park, West Bengal.

India’s one of the leading urea producers Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals has announced plans to invest approximately Rs 7,500 crore to double its urea production capacity. The investment will fund a brownfield expansion at its existing urea plant in Panagarh Industrial Park, West Bengal.

With the expansion, the company expects to significantly increase its market share. The Rs 7,500 crore investment will be financed through a mix of debt and equity. For FY24, Matix Fertilisers reported a revenue of Rs 6,900 crore, up from Rs 5,700 crore in FY23.

Nishant Kanodia Chairman, Matix Fertilisers said, “Currently, the company operates at a production capacity of 1.27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), but it has consistently exceeded this capacity in recent years. In the last financial year, Matix Fertilisers achieved 118 per cent capacity utilisation, producing 1.5 million tonnes. This year, the company continues to operate at 112-113 per cent capacity utilisation, demonstrating operational excellence”.

“We are aiming to double the capacity at the same site. We have already made significant progress, with some initial work completed. We are now awaiting approval from the Department of Fertilisers of the Government of India for the expansion. Once we receive the green light, we are confident that construction will begin soon, and the plant will be operational within the next 30 months,” Kanodia added.

Matix Fertilisers currently holds a market share of approximately 4.8 per cent in India’s urea production, which stood at around 31.4 million tonnes in the last fiscal year. The company is a dominant player in eastern India, with a 20 per cent market share in the region.

The investment will fund a brownfield expansion

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Pesticides, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, India

 The programme has started from Haryana, will cover over 5,000 acres of demonstrations across different villages, showcasing the benefits of drone technology.

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), a key player in the agrochemical industry, through its CSR arm, IIL Foundation, has teamed up with General Aeronautics, a leader in drone-based agricultural solutions, to demonstrate and train drone spray technology to the farmers. The programme has started from Haryana, will cover over 5,000 acres of demonstrations across different villages, showcasing the benefits of drone technology for crop protection directly to farmers in their fields.

The collaboration between IIL and General Aeronautics is designed to provide farmers with hands-on experience and live demonstrations of drone spray technology. This initiative will make it easier for farmers to embrace this innovative approach, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and progressive farming strategies.

Drone technology for spray of crop protection products is gaining traction in India, spurred by government initiatives and increased interest from both public and private sectors. Drones offer a smart farming solution that addresses crucial agricultural challenges like labour shortages and inadequacy in traditional spraying methods. The government’s push towards precision farming have further accelerated this shift, positioning drones as a game-changer in modern agriculture.

Efficient application of crop protection products is essential for maximizing yield and maintaining healthy crops. Conventional spraying methods often lead to uneven distribution, wastage, health hazard to the spraying person and environmental concerns. Drones equipped with sensors and AI-driven analytics provide precise application, reducing chemical use and preventing issues like runoff and soil compaction. This targeted approach not only conserves resources but also ensures crops receive the necessary protection, leading to better yields and more sustainable farming practices.

Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited said, “To ensure farmers stay updated with technological advancements, IIL Foundation has initiated a Drone Spray Awareness and Education Program in Haryana, reaching over 10,000 farmers. Through demonstrations across 5,000 acres, the program highlights the benefits of drone technology, such as precise spraying, reduced water consumption, and eco-friendly practices. IIL Foundation plans to soon expand this initiative to other states, promoting efficient and sustainable farming methods nationwide.”

Dushyant Sood, Chief Marketing Officer, Insecticides (India) Limited mentioned “Our partnership with General Aeronautics is an important step towards integrating advanced drone spray technology into the lives of farmers. By offering practical training in their own fields, we’re enabling them to see the real-world benefits of precision agriculture. Our goal is to promote sustainable and competent farming practices that directly contribute to the well-being of the agricultural community.”

 The programme has started from Haryana, will

Agribusiness, Climate, Collaborations, R&D, Trade

UPL Ltd bags winner title in Large Life sciences including Pharma and Agriculture sciences – Trademarks category as well as Large life sciences including Pharms and Agriculture sciences – Patent category at CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property and Industry Academia Partnership 2024

CII Felicitates Companies, Academic Institutions and Research Institutions excelling in Intellectual Property and Industry Academia Partnership at the CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property and Industry Academia Partnership 2024

In a ceremony hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry, the apex industry body, recognized top companies across large, medium, and small segments for their IPR excellence.

In his address at the Award ceremony, Dr R A Mashelkar, Former Director General, CSIR and Chair of Jury for 10th CII Industrial IP Awards – 2024 highlighted that Science must solve, Technology must transform, and Innovation & IP must create impact, and that just cannot be done by academics or industry alone; we must come together in partnership, because what you can’t do alone and what I can’t do alone, we do it together.

Mr Vipin Sondhi, Chairman, CII National Forum on Industry-Academia Partnership for R&D and Innovation emphasized the need to solve the critical challenge known as the ‘Valley of Death,’ where promising research often fails to evolve into commercial products due to insufficient investment and collaboration between academia and industry.

In their addresses at the 10th CII Industrial Property awards ceremony, Mr Vivek Shah, Vice- Chairman, CII National Committee on Intellectual Property and CEO Meril Life Sciences and Mr Shaheen Majeed, Vice- Chairman, CII National Committee on Intellectual Property and Global CEO & Managing Director, Sami-Sabinsa Group emphasized on the importance of IP as an economic and strategic asset.

The winners of 10th CII Industrial IP awards are as follows:

Startup – Manufacturing/Engineering – Patent
Sigtuple Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – 2nd Runner Up
Trispace Technologies (OPC) Pvt Ltd – 1st Runner Up
Matter Motor Works Pvt. Ltd. – Winner

Startup – Lifesciences including Pharma and Agriculture sciences – Patent
Celagenex Research India Pvt. Ltd – Winner

SME – Manufacturing/Engineering – Patent
Mist Ressonance Engg. Pvt. Ltd. – 2nd Runner up
Arrow Greentech Ltd. – 1st Runner up
Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. – Winner

SME – Life Sciences including Pharma and Agriculture sciences – Patent
Sami-Sabinsa Group Ltd. – 1st Runner up
Optimus Drugs Pvt. Ltd (Sekhmet Pharmaventures Pvt Ltd) – Winner

Academic Institution – Patent
SRM Institute of Science and Technology – 2nd Runner Up
Amity University – 1st Runner up
Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Winner

R&D Institution – Patents
CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology – 1st Runner Up
CSIR – National Chemical Laboratory – Winner

Large – Large life sciences including Pharms and Agriculture sciences – Patent
Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd (Cyrus Poonawalla Group) – 2nd Runner up
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd – 1st Runner up
UPL Ltd – Winner

Large – Large Life sciences including Pharma and Agriculture sciences – Trademarks
Biocon Biologics Ltd. – 2nd Runner up
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd – 1st Runner up
UPL Ltd – Winner

Large – Manufacturing – Patent
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd – 2nd Runner up
TVS Motors Ltd – 1st Runner Up
Tata Steel – Winner

Large – Manufacturing – Trademark
Forbes Marshall – 2nd Runner up
Havells India Ltd. – 1st Runner up
Tata Chemicals Ltd – Winner

Large – Manufacturing – Design
Havells India Ltd. – 2nd Runner Up
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited – 1st Runner Up
Tata Motors Limited – Winner

Special Appreciation Awards – 13 Organizations recognized under different categories
Tata Consultancy Services
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
Tata Motors Ltd.
Forbes Marshall
Bharat Forge Ltd.
Uno Minda Ltd.
Apollo Tyres Ltd.
Endurance Technologies Ltd.
Poly Medicure Ltd.
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.
Bright Lifecare Ltd.
Indian Nippon Electrical Ltd.
IIT Rookee

A Compendium of the Winners of the 10th CII Industrial Intellectual Property Awards was also released during the Conference.

The winners of 1st CII Industry Academia Partnership Awards 2024 are as follows:

Large Industrial Category – Gold
Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt Ltd
Tata Consulting Engineers
Forbes Marshall

Large Industrial Category – Diamond
Mahindra Technical Academy, Mahindra Research Valley
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
Merck Life Science Private Limited
Applied Materials India
Tata Chemicals

Large Industrial Category– Platinum
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
ITCMAARS – Crop Advisory
HCL Tech

Large Industrial – Grand Jury
Hindustan Unilever Limited

MSME Category – Gold
Novus Hitech

MSME Category- Diamond
Acsia Technologies Pvt Ltd

MSME Category – Platinum

Micromatic Grinding Technologies Pvt Ltd

MSME Category – Grand Jury
Abhitech Energycon Limited

Private Institution Category – Gold
AISSMS INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
K. E. Society’s Rajarambapu Institute of Technology
SaiBalaji Education Society’s International Institute of Management Studies
Acropolis Group of Institutions
School of Allied Health Sciences,VMRF-DU

Private Institution – Diamond
Kumaraguru College of Technology
SRI RAMAKRISHNA ENGINEERING COLLEGE
DR. REDDY’S INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES
Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science

Private Institution – Platinum
KPRIET INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
KCG College of Technology
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

Government Institution – Gold
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

Government Institution – Diamond
IITB-Monash Research Academy

Government Institution – Platinum
IIT Delhi DBT COE for Biopharmaceutical Technology

Government Institution – Grand Jury
Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur

The award ceremony was held during the two day CII Annual Summit on Technology, IP, and Industry-Academia Partnerships being held on 12-13 December 2024. With more than 2,500 granted patents and around 4,300 pending applications, UPL has a strong IP portfolio at this time. Over 17,000 registered trademarks and roughly 13,000 pending applications are part of UPL’s global trademark portfolio. With a strong portfolio of patents and trademarks, UPL further solidifies its position as a pioneer in the sector for using innovation and technology to address pressing agricultural issues.

UPL Ltd bags winner title in Large

Agribusiness, Climate, Collaborations, Digital Technologies, Environment, Funding, Institutions, Live Stock, R&D, Sustainability

FAIFA projects a 5.5 per cent growth rate, reaching Rs 42 lakh crore by 2030 on digital infrastructure and sustainable farming

The Federation of All India Farmer Association (FAIFA) released a comprehensive agricultural roadmap on Thursday, calling for enhanced digital infrastructure and sustainable farming practices to boost India’s agricultural sector through 2040. The white paper, titled “Indian Agriculture Outlook 2025,” was unveiled by parliamentarians Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy and Putta Mahesh Kumar to mark Kisan Divas 2024, highlighting persistent challenges, including low productivity, weather vulnerabilities and fragmented land holdings.

“Despite government initiatives across crop, livestock, and fisheries sectors, significant hurdles remain in realising Indian agriculture’s full potential,” FAIFA said in the report.

FAIFA projected that Indian agriculture will likely grow at a CAGR of 5.5 per cent from 2025 to 2030, reaching a total value of Rs 42 lakh crore. Foodgrain production is projected to increase by 25 per cent by 2030, from the current 330 million metric tonnes.

“On the National Farmers’ Day, let us resolve to work together-farmers, policymakers, and leaders-to build a future where agriculture thrives, rural livelihoods flourish, and every farmer feels empowered,” MP and BJP party president for Andhra Pradesh unit Daggubati Purandeswari said.

The federation, representing farmers growing commercial crops across the country, outlined a three-tiered strategy spanning short-term goals through 2025, medium-term objectives until 2030, and long-term targets extending to 2040.

FAIFA projects a 5.5 per cent growth

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Pesticides, AgroPolicy, India, R&D

DBT’s BRIC-Instem Research Team in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt Ltd develops Anti-Pesticide Suit “Kisan Kavach®”.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, unveiled Kisan Kavach, Bharat’s first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit. Designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure, this innovation marks a transformative step in ensuring farmer safety and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of using science and technology to empower the agricultural community.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Kisan Kavach is a groundbreaking solution addressing a critical gap in farmer safety. Developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., the bodysuit offers protection against pesticide-induced toxicity, which often leads to severe health complications, including breathing disorders, vision loss, and, in extreme cases, death.

“Kisan Kavach is not just a product but a promise to our farmers to safeguard their health as they continue to feed the nation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated. The washable and reusable suit, priced at Rs 4,000, can last up to a year and employs advanced fabric technology to deactivate harmful pesticides upon contact, ensuring farmer safety like never before.

Dr Jitendra Singh commended the efforts of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and BRIC-inStem for spearheading the project and delivering a society-centric innovation. He highlighted the Modi Government’s sustained focus on integrating science, technology, and innovation to empower the agricultural sector, reflecting in initiatives such as Kisan Kavach and policies like the BioE3 biomanufacturing initiative.

“Over the last decade, the number of biotech startups in India has surged to over 8,500, putting us on track to achieve a $300 billion bioeconomy. With initiatives like Kisan Kavach, we are not only safeguarding our farmers but also advancing towards climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development,” he added.

The manufacturing process involves covalent attachment of a nucleophile on cotton fabric, which is stitched as “Kisan Kavach®”. This Kisan Kavach fabric can deactivate pesticides upon contact through nucleophilic mediated hydrolysis, thereby preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality.

The event also saw the distribution of the first batch of Kisan Kavach suits to farmers, marking a significant step in protecting the 65 per cent of India’s population engaged in agriculture. Dr. Jitendra Singh assured that as production scales up, the suit’s affordability will increase, making it accessible to more farmers nationwide.

Dr Jitendra Singh concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to leveraging science for societal good, calling Kisan Kavach a beacon of hope for India’s agricultural community. “This transformative technology not only addresses an urgent need but also showcases India’s capability to innovate for its people,” he said.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Dr Maneesha Inamdar, Director, BRIC-in Stem; and Dr Alka Sharma, Scientist ‘H’ and Senior Adviser, DBT, who highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this transformative innovation.

DBT’s BRIC-Instem Research Team in collaboration with

Agribusiness, India, Sugar industry

This year sugar factories in Karnataka started late by around 7-12 days while in another major state Maharashtra, mills started late by 15-20 days, as compared to last year which resulted in fall in the sugar output.

Sugar production declined 17 per cent to 61.39 lakh tonnes till December 15 of the current marketing year that started in October, mainly due to fall in output in Maharashtra, according to the statement by Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA). The production data excludes the diversion of sugar towards ethanol.

Sugar production till December 15, 2024, in the current 2024-25 marketing year (October-September) reached 61.39 lakh tonnes as against 74.05 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the preceding year, ISMA said in a statement.

Notably, this year sugar factories in Karnataka started late by around 7-12 days while in another major state Maharashtra, mills started late by 15-20 days, as compared to last year.

As per the data, sugar production in Uttar Pradesh increased to 23.04 lakh tonnes from 22.11 lakh tonnes. In Maharashtra, the output declined 16.78 lakh tonnes from 24.45 lakh tonnes. Karnataka saw a decline in sugar production to 13.85 lakh tonnes from 17.56 lakh tonnes.

ISMA said that “This year sugar diversion towards ethanol is estimated to be higher at around 40 lakh tonnes against around 21.5 lakh tonnes diverted last year”.

This year sugar factories in Karnataka started

Agribusiness, Fruits, India, Start ups, Supply Chain, Vegetables

The new fruits & vegetables range expands Farmery’s product portfolio, which includes dairy, pantry items, and other fresh food.

Farmery, a leading D2C brand in the farm fresh food industry, is revolutionising how consumers access high-quality farm fresh, pure & natural produce through its farm-to-fork approach. Emphasizing sustainability, transparency, and quality, the brand is committed to making farm fresh, chemical residue free food accessible and convenient. With the introduction of its Fruits & Vegetables range, Farmery ensures that customers receive fresh, carefully sourced produce delivered daily.

Farmery’s farm-to-fork model gives the brand full control over sourcing, partnering directly with local finest farmers to harvest fruits and vegetables at their peak for optimal freshness and flavour. By placing early morning orders, the brand ensures timely harvesting and delivery, preserving nutritional integrity and minimizing transit time for fresher produce.

Farmery’s sustainability commitment extends beyond sourcing. The brand works with farmers who use sustainable farming methods and responsible land management, ensuring products are free from harmful chemicals and preservatives. Local sourcing minimizes transportation and reduces the carbon footprint, further enhancing sustainability.

Once harvested, the produce undergoes a strict quality control process. Every item is inspected, sorted, and graded for consistency and quality. Only the best products are packed in food-grade recyclable packaging, ensuring they reach customers in pristine condition.

Farmery’s delivery system guarantees fresh produce every morning between 5:30 AM and 9:00 AM. By offering reliable, door-to-door service, Farmery makes it easy for customers to enjoy farm fresh, chemical residue free food at home.

“At Farmery, we are committed to bringing the freshest, healthiest, and most sustainable food options directly to our customers’ doorsteps. Our new Fruits & Vegetables range is a testament to this commitment. By working closely with local farmers and ensuring that every product meets our high standards for quality and sustainability, we are not only offering farm fresh produce but also empowering communities and reducing our environmental footprint. Our farm-to-fork approach ensures that every meal is made with the finest, freshest ingredients, providing our customers with the healthiest choices available.” – Mrs. Kamakshi Nagar, Founder, Farmery.

The new Fruits & Vegetables range expands Farmery’s product portfolio, which includes dairy, pantry items, and other fresh food. This range aligns with Farmery’s mission to promote healthy, sustainable eating by providing nutritious and convenient food options.

Farmery stands out by offering fresh, chemical residue free products with complete transparency. Customers can trace the origin and production of their food, fostering trust in their choices. With its dedication to quality, sustainability, and community support, Farmery is leading the way in responsible food shopping.

The new fruits & vegetables range expands