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Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, India, Start ups

 Company’s Gross margin increased substantially from Rs 19 Crore to Rs 45.10 Crore in FY23-24, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 379 per cent from Rs 3.13 Crore in FY 2021-22.

 Ayekart, an agri and food supply chain platform focused on empowering businesses and supporting communities with technology, embedded finance, and value-added services—particularly for FPOs and MSMEs—has announced its robust financial results for FY 2023-24. Since its inception in December 2020, the company has processed over six lakh transactions, onboarded more than 40,000 merchants, and operated in over 220 pin codes across 19 states.

The company’s audited financial performance approved by the board highlights its significant growth, as demonstrated by its strong financials. Gross margin increased substantially from Rs 19 Crore to Rs 45.10 Cr in FY23-24, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 379 per cent from Rs 3.13 Crore in FY 2021-22. In FY 2023-24, EBITDA surged to Rs 17.64 Crore, up from Rs 5.97 Cr in FY 2022-23 and Rs 1.02 Crore in FY 2021-22, indicating a CAGR of 415 per cent. Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose from Rs 0.18 Crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 1.49 Crore in FY 2023-24, while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased from Rs 0.08 Crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 1.17 Crore in FY 2023-24. The Gross Transaction Value (GTV) for FY 2023-24 reached Rs 1,558 Crore, up from Rs 657 Cr in FY 2022-23.

In the past six months, Ayekart raised Rs 54 Crore in equity, including Rs 45 Crore in primary funding and Rs 9 Crore in secondary funding from venture capital, bolstering its expansion initiatives.

Debarshi Dutta, Co-Founder & CEO, stated, “Our remarkable growth reflects our strong commitment to leveraging technology and forming strategic partnerships that empower businesses across the food and agri value chain. At Ayekart, we provide comprehensive support in capacity-building for farmers and FPOs while creating both backward and forward linkages for manufacturers and processors to enhance market access and operational efficiency. Through our platform, we are focusing on building a robust distribution and retail network to reach the last mile. This integrated approach drives productivity, fosters sustainable growth, and significantly impacts lives and livelihoods.”

 Company’s Gross margin increased substantially from Rs

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Finance, India

Total income increased marginally to Rs 659.20 crore from Rs 643.84 crore in the year-ago period.

Insecticides (India) Limited has reported the financial results for Q1FY25. Insecticides (India) Ltd on reported 68.18 per cent jump in consolidated net profit at Rs 49.01 crore for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Net profit stood at Rs 29.14 crore in the same quarter of FY24, a regulatory filing said. Total income increased marginally to Rs 659.20 crore from Rs 643.84 crore in the year-ago period. Expenses fell to Rs 593.94 crore from Rs 604.3 crore.

 Q1FY25 – Key Highlights

Steady Demand & Optimism for FY25: Experienced consistent demand across regions, reinforcing our positive outlook for FY25, driven by improved market conditions and stable input costs

Strategic Focus on Premium Products: Committed to enhancing our Premium Products range, including Focus Maharatna and Maharatna.

In Q1FY25, Premium Products achieved 18 per cent growth and represented 60 per cent of total B2C revenue. We are confident in gaining significant market share in these product lines

Strong Financial Performance: In Q1FY25, Insecticides (India) Ltd reported a 57 per cent increase in EBITDA and a 68 per cent rise in Profit After Tax.

Launches & Innovations: Introduced one new product in Q1FY25, continuing from eight launches in FY24. We plan to launch more pathbreaking products, following extensive R&D efforts

Challenges in B2B and Exports: B2B and Exports division faced challenges due to lower pricing and unfavourable market conditions.

Target Focus Area: In FY25, Insecticides (India) Ltd will prioritise driving growth in Premium Products through enhanced demand generation and brand-building efforts while maintaining a disciplined approach to margins and working capital.

Total income increased marginally to Rs 659.20

AgroPolicy, Biofuel industry, India, Sustainable Energy

The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement was signed between Sembcorp Industries, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Co., and NYK Line solidifying a cross-border green ammonia supply partnership from India to Japan.

The Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, chaired the signing ceremony of the first-ever agreement for the export of Green Ammonia from India to Japan. The project offtake agreement marks a significant step forward in India’s journey to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia production.

The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement was signed between Sembcorp Industries, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Co., and NYK Line, solidifying a cross-border green ammonia supply partnership from India to Japan. This agreement represents the first such collaboration between the two nations, underscoring India’s growing prominence in the global green energy landscape.

Sembcorp Industries will lead the production of green ammonia in India, utilising renewable energy sources. Kyushu Electric Power Co. has committed to integrating this green ammonia into their energy mix, partially replacing coal consumption at their thermal power plants in Japan. Sojitz Corporation will act as the business intermediary, facilitating the connection between the ammonia producer and the offtaker. NYK Line will oversee the maritime transportation of the green ammonia from India to Japan.

Speaking at the event, Pralhad Joshi emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Today is a historic day as we mark the first-ever agreement for the supply of Green Ammonia from India to Japan. This agreement will help establish a robust supply chain from production in India to consumption in Japan, paving the way for future collaborations in the green energy sector. The Minister highlighted India’s rapid progress in green hydrogen and renewable energy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reiterated India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia production, leveraging partnerships, building robust regulatory frameworks, and making substantial investments in the sector.

 Pralhad Joshi also announced that a tender for 7.5 lakh TPA of Green Ammonia is currently live, with additional tenders for 4.5 lakh TPA capacity also floated. These efforts are part of India’s broader strategy to award incentives for the production of over a million tonnes per annum of Green Hydrogen, demonstrating India’s capability and intent to scale up green energy production at an unprecedented pace.

The Minister further spoke about the deep cultural and people-to-people ties between India, Japan, and Singapore, noting that the three countries are collaborating on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. He expressed confidence that this agreement is just the beginning of India’s expanding capabilities in the green energy sector, with future endeavors expected to be even more ambitious and impactful.

This agreement not only reinforces India’s position as a key player in the global green energy market but also reflects the Government of India’s steadfast support for green hydrogen and renewable energy initiatives. The collaboration with Japan is a testament to India’s growing expertise and commitment to sustainable development and energy independence.

The Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement was

Finance, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Investments

The survey has been conducted with nearly 800 farmers and 150 labourers in four Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh).

Philanthropies and impact-first investors can play a crucial role in supporting India’s farmers as they adapt their livelihoods to climate change and boost their income, according to research undertaken by The Bridgespan Group and supported by HSBC India. The report titled “Building Climate Resilience and Prosperity: Six Bold Bets for Smallholder Farmers and Farm Workers” was released by Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

The research focuses on the needs of marginal farmers—smallholders and sharecroppers cultivating less than one hectare (2.47 acres)—and farm labourers. The bold bets were identified with the needs and preferences of these communities as a starting point and are supported with case studies and expected impact.

The survey has been conducted with nearly 800 farmers and 150 labourers in four Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh) through in-depth interviews, and field visits. Women made up 40 per cent of survey respondents, and members of Adivasi and Dalit communities made up over half of the farmers and 70 percent of the farm labourers surveyed. The study also draws on conversations with more than 80 experts, leaders, and practitioners working on climate and agriculture issues, including investors, think tanks, government entities, and NGOs.

Six prime opportunities, referred as “bold bets” in the report—have the potential to build resilience for agrarian communities, according to the study. If fully leveraged, these investments could unlock Rs 3.49 lakh crore (nearly $45 billion) in adaptation finance.

These are:

  • Support transition to natural farming practices
  • Reducing chemical inputs can lower production costs per hectare, depending on crop type and usage.
  • This approach also has climate benefits, since it conserves water and increases soil carbon storage, enhances soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity.
  • Provide low-collateral loans to farmer producer organisations (FPOs) for investment in water conservation and livestock-based livelihoods
  • Water conservation measures ensure dependable irrigation and crop yield, leading to significant income growth.
  • Livestock farming can enrich household nutrition and ameliorate health outcomes.

Overall, this would help FPOs develop water infrastructure (e.g., farm ponds, common wells, bunds) or invest in community animal-rearing infrastructure (e.g., shelters, feed storage).

Support FPO-run seed banks for climate-resilient crops

Allow farmers to adapt to climate hazards such as droughts and floods, thereby safeguarding their incomes and bolstering agricultural sustainability and food security.

  • Leads to lower water consumption for irrigation which in the long run will help improve ground water levels.
  • Support FPOs to enable farmers to bring high-margin crops to the market.
  • Helps farmers diversify and undertake value-added activities such as processing, packaging, and marketing that can boost farmer incomes.
  • Offer weather-indexed wage loss micro-insurance
  • Provide immediate payouts to marginal farmers and agricultural labourers when specific weather conditions (e.g., temperature, rainfall) cause crop loss.

Lend to agricultural micro- and nano-enterprises

Provide farmers access to agricultural products (e.g., inputs, equipment, capital), generate employment opportunities for additional rural workers, and boost local economies.

Speaking at the programme, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, said, “Our farmers are the biggest risk takers who are working tirelessly to ensure food and nutritional security for the nation. The government is working towards transforming the agricultural ecosystem that not only encourages the adoption of sustainable practices, but also enhances productivity and income for the farming households.”

Reiterating HSBC India’s commitment to climate innovation and nature-based solutions, Aloka Majumdar, MD, Global Head of Philanthropy & Head of Sustainability, HSBC India, said, “The objective of the Climate Equity Initiative is to influence innovations and investments for climate action. For this to be effective, it is important to incorporate the voice of the vulnerable communities, who are likely to be excluded from decisions that affect their lives. We hope that this report will drive collaborative work in ensuring sustainable development and preservation of our natural ecosystem.”

Anant Bhagwati, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the report, said, “Marginal farmers’ and farmworkers’ households are aware of the changing climate’s impact on their farming habits. Yet they have fragile finances, and social supports do not always reach them. Centering their voices, and the voices of other vulnerable communities that need tailored support, such as women, Dalit, and Adivasi farmers, is the surest form of adaptation there is.”

The survey has been conducted with nearly

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Bee keeping, Company News, Fungicides, World

The approval covers delivery of CR-7 using both bumble bees and honeybees on various high value crops, including the berry group of crops and indoor vegetables.

Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. announced that the Company’s proprietary Vectorite with Clonostachys Rosea CR-7 (CR-7) has been approved by Mexico’s COFEPRIS (The Federal Commission for Protection from Sanitary Risks), the country’s health authority responsible for registration of plant protection products, for use as a fungicide on commercial crops. The approval covers delivery of CR-7 using both bumble bees and honeybees on various high value crops, including the berry group of crops and indoor vegetables.

“The success of BVT receiving regulatory approval for its product in Mexico is consistent with our strategy to focus on increasing the Company’s addressable market through geographic market expansion,” said Ashish Malik, CEO of BVT. “With US EPA approval in 2019, and now by adding Mexico COFEPRIS approval allowing BVT’s CR-7 to be sold in Mexico for the first time, we have significantly increased the market opportunity for commercial sales of the Company’s proprietary biological fungicide.”

Mexico’s growers offer significant market potential for BVT’s natural precision agriculture system: official statistics indicate that the country’s production in 2019 included 41,600 acres of strawberries, 12,100 acres of blueberries and over 377,000 acres of tomatoes and peppers.(1) In the same year, US imports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables from Mexico amounted to US$15.6 billion.(2) The country uses US$1.3 billion worth of pesticides each year,(3) but an increasing number of growers are turning to biologicals as an alternative that offers better quality, greater food safety and reduces the need for chemicals.

“Having already completed demos with some berry growers in Mexico, and with the registration now in hand, BVT is in a great place to secure a commercial arrangement with a partner to bring our system to market in Mexico,” added Malik. “Mexico is a strategic market for BVT – being an export-oriented country where the growers are keen to adopt low- or no-chemical solutions to fight diseases and increase crop yields, BVT’s all-natural solution together with the classification of CR-7 being exempt from residue tolerance in the US, will provide them with a competitive advantage.”

Mexico’s COFEPRIS registration makes Vectorite with CR-7 available immediately for sale as a registered fungicide for use on the labelled crops.

The approval covers delivery of CR-7 using

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

 Transforming hybrid seed trials with precision drone surveillance and data analytics.

BharatRohan, a leader in precision agriculture, launched a revamped version of SeedAssure®, an innovative service for seed companies for conducting Hybrid Evaluation Trials. By integrating advanced drone technology with meticulous data analysis, SeedAssure® offers unparalleled crop monitoring and delivers crucial insights for evaluating seed performance. Seed companies now have an option to fully customise the visualisation platform as per their needs.

In the pursuit of testing new hybrid or high-yield seeds under diverse climatic conditions, accurate and reliable data is crucial. SeedAssure® surpasses the limitations of traditional human-based monitoring, providing precise, actionable data that empowers seed companies to develop superior seeds and reinforce global food security.

Some key benefits of using drone data for hybrid seed evaluation trials over human-based data collection are:

Efficiency & Speed: Drones can rapidly cover large trial areas, collecting data much faster than human teams.

Accuracy & Consistency: Drones equipped with multispectral or hyperspectral sensors capture precise and standardized data, reducing human error and bias. A score of 7 for a disease severity will remain 7 across all the hybrid trial locations as compared to human based approach where a human evaluator may score same severity as 5 or 8 in different trial locations.

Cost-Effectiveness: Over time, drones can be more economical than employing large field crews for data collection.

Frequency & Early Detection: Drones can collect data at frequent intervals, enabling early detection of crop stress or disease, leading to timely interventions.

Data Richness: Drones offer various data types that allow comprehensive crop health and growth analysis.

Safety & Accessibility: Drones access challenging terrains or hazardous conditions safely, reducing risks for field workers.

Scalability: Drones enable data collection from multiple trial locations, providing broader insights into hybrid performance.

“BharatRohan’s mission is to empower agriculture with cutting-edge technology. SeedAssure® exemplifies this commitment by providing seed companies with the precise drone data needed to develop superior seeds,” said Amandeep Panwar, Director & Co-Founder, BharatRohan.

SeedAssure® tracks and analyses eight critical parameters—plant count, chlorophyll content, canopy coverage, crop-specific traits, plant height, pest and disease severity, and germination rate—offering a comprehensive view of each seed variety’s performance. This detailed phenotypic data, collected and analyzed throughout the trial, forms the foundation for informed decision-making and seed selection.

By integrating routine drone surveys with agronomist validation, SeedAssure® ensures meticulous observation and documentation at every trial stage. The plot-specific data collection and timeline-centric database enable comparative analysis of all seed varieties, ensuring that seed companies achieve superior results with greater speed and precision.

“SeedAssure® leverages high-resolution and hyperspectral drone data along with machine learning algorithms to detect subtle variations in crop traits. This empowers seed companies with predictive analytics that accelerate the development of high-quality seeds,” added Rishabh Choudhary, Director & Co-Founder, BharatRohan.

BharatRohan is dedicated to aiding seed companies in their quest to develop resilient, productive, and high-quality seeds. With SeedAssure®, the landscape of seed trials is being redefined, offering seed companies the tools they need to achieve more accurate and reliable results, ultimately enhancing the quality of seeds available to farmers.

 Transforming hybrid seed trials with precision drone

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Award, Company News, India, R&D, Start ups

 The AgTech Award recognises Innoterra for innovation in global pandemic crop disease management.

Innoterra has been honoured with the ‘Most Innovative AgTech’ award at the 6th Edition of the FICCI Agri Startup Awards 2024 for its groundbreaking bio-vaccine product, BanacXin. Innoterra BioScience was honoured at the award ceremony for its significant contributions to combating critical fungal diseases in crops, including Fusarium Wilt TR4 and Sigatoka.

BanacXin, a product of Innoterra’s bioscience business, is recognized for its revolutionary nature-derived microbial solution that has undergone rigorous multi-location and multi-season testing in India and the Philippines. This solution addresses the urgent need to sustain the banana supply chain and trade economics, which are severely impacted by pandemic fungal diseases.

Dr. Anup Karwa, Managing Director of Innoterra BioScience, said, “Receiving this national recognition from FICCI is a significant honour that propels us to further innovate. BanacXin’s success is a testament to the Innoterra Group’s commitment to leveraging bioscience for sustainable agriculture. This award reaffirms our role in developing effective disease management solutions that enhance global food security.”

Lorenzo Marconato, Managing Director, Head of International Business, added, “This award is a milestone that highlights Innoterra’s leadership in agri-biotech innovation. Anup’s vision and leadership have been pivotal in driving our mission of integrating advanced biological solutions into farming practices worldwide.”

Innoterra’s application and subsequent pitch to the esteemed FICCI jury highlighted the sustainability, efficacy, and innovative approach of BanacXin. This award not only celebrates Innoterra’s current achievements but also sets a dynamic course for future projects aimed at expanding the scope of biologically based treatments for a variety of crops affected by fungal pathogens.

The FICCI recognition motivates Innoterra to accelerate the innovation-driven development and commercialization of biologicals. Such initiatives will enhance the disease management regimes used by farmers and growers, integrating novel approaches to develop and commercialize enhanced natural biological formulations.

 The AgTech Award recognises Innoterra for innovation

Agribusiness, Agrotech, North America, R&D, Water

 The Goanna Ag GoField® technology solution leverages field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and crop data to enable precise irrigation.

Cargill is partnering with Australian company Goanna Ag on a new pilot project focused on advancing irrigation efficiency on cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta. The project will introduce a state-of-the-art technology that aims to transform how and when farmers water their fields, optimizing crop yields, reducing water withdrawals and lowering operational costs. The program is initially available to a select number of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.

“Through our partnership with Cargill we are thrilled to offer program participants with solutions to improve water-use efficiency, reduce costs and promote long-term, sustainable outcomes.”

“Major retail brands have set goals related to water and are increasingly looking to supply chain partners like Cargill for data-backed sustainability solutions. This pilot project underscores Cargill’s commitment to helping our customers meet those ambitions to advance sustainable agriculture and water conservation,” said Matt Dunbar, managing director of Cargill’s cotton business. “By integrating advanced irrigation technology, we aim to bolster the resilience of cotton farming in the Mississippi Delta while conserving one of our most precious resources—water.”

Goanna Ag, a leader in on-farm irrigation management operating in Australia and the U.S., brings over 20 years of experience and data driven insights to the project. The Goanna Ag GoField® technology solution leverages field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and crop data to enable precise irrigation. This innovative approach helps farmers optimize their water use, contributing to both increased crop yields and significant water conservation.

Participants in the pilot receive installation of the GoannaAg GoField® technology and personalized training to optimize irrigation timing tailored to their specific soil and crop conditions.

Goanna Ag’s proven methodologies and easy to use tools can help cotton growers improve water-use efficiency, boosting crop yields, essentially delivering more crop per drop,” said Derek Brazda, vice president, U.S. sales and operations, GoannaAg. “Through our partnership with Cargill we are thrilled to offer program participants with solutions to improve water-use efficiency, reduce costs and promote long-term, sustainable outcomes.”

This pilot project aligns with Cargill’s global water ambition to enable restoration of 600 billion litres of water and reduction of 5,000 metric tons of water pollutants in water-stressed regions by 2030.

The Mississippi Delta region–home to the third largest area of irrigated cropland in the U.S.—is experiencing a significant decline in groundwater-levels, which poses a threat to water availability in the region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. With more precise irrigation scheduling, this project is expected to maximize farmer yields while reducing the pressure on aquifer resources.

With approximately 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals used for agriculture, innovative partnerships and solutions are critical to producing food sustainably and meeting the demands of a growing global population.

 The Goanna Ag GoField® technology solution leverages

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Start ups

  The RISE Accelerator will focus on start-ups and MSMEs with technologies and solutions that enhance agricultural productivity.

The Atal Innovation Mission – in partnership with CSIRO, Australia – is inviting applications from start-ups and MSMEs from India and Australia for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator – a program designed to support businesses aiming for international expansion between the two countries. This marks a significant milestone in fostering innovations that address India and Australia’s most pressing shared challenges in the agriculture sector.

Commencing in October 2024, the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the RISE Accelerator will focus on start-ups and MSMEs with technologies and solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of growing climate variability, resource scarcity and food insecurity.

The program is particularly interested in start-ups and MSMEs with solutions that prioritise farmer needs, priorities, and on-farm practices.  The RISE Accelerator program – launched in 2023 – has been instrumental in supporting start-ups and MSMEs in validating, adapting, and piloting their technologies for new markets. With the introduction of the Climate Smart Agritech cohort, the focus is now on agritech start-ups and MSMEs with solutions that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of growing environmental challenges.

Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director, CSIRO said, “India and Australia share common agricultural challenges, but the scale and diversity of our farming operations are unique. This cohort will enable participants to achieve product-market fit in diverse markets, and rapidly scale their solutions to meet global demands”.

Over the course of the nine months of the accelerator program, the selected start-ups and MSMEs will benefit from a blend of self-paced online learning and in-person sessions, including immersion weeks in both India and Australia. These sessions will offer deep market insights, one-on-one coaching, and mentorship from subject matter experts and industry professionals. The program is designed to facilitate connections with potential partners and customers, boosting the chances of success in new markets. The program will also involve field trials and technology pilot in the latter half.

Highlighting the importance of the program, Pramit Dash, Program Lead, AIM stated, “by fostering innovation and providing a platform for start-ups to scale their solutions, the RISE Accelerator program not only addresses the immediate challenges in the agriculture sector but also ensures that farmers can access and adopt resilient practices tailored to their specific needs”

The program’s latest round seeks novel solutions to tackle critical agricultural challenges, including boosting productivity, reducing emissions and optimising natural resource use.

Applications for the RISE Accelerator close on 15 September 2024. 

There is no charge for start-ups / SMEs to participate in the program, with a number of opportunities to travel between Australia and India. Selected start-ups / SMEs may also be eligible for up to Rs 45 lakhs in non-equity grant. For more information and to apply, please visit https://riseaccelerator.org/

  The RISE Accelerator will focus on start-ups

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

The technology aimed to reduce the import of clonal rootstocks from other countries and a major step towards the Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The Institute Technology Management Unit of ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, organised a Technology Transfer Meeting where the ‘Robust and high throughput apple clonal rootstock multiplication technology under controlled/open conditions for enhancing domestic supply and reducing the import of apple rootstocks” was transferred to 13 nursery growers and progressive farmers of Himachal Pradesh and 7 of Jammu & Kashmir, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. The technology aimed to reduce the import of clonal rootstocks from other countries and a major step towards the Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The vertical expansion through air layering has been accomplished in commercially important clonal rootstocks, including (M9-Pajam, M-9-T337, M-9-T339, MM-106, MM-111, B-9, P-22, and M-27) by using this technique. The technology involves the induction of the wound, followed by the supplementation of suitable media and phytohormones at a specified time and position. Through this technology, an additional four to five good-quality rootstocks within one year will be obtained, which thus increases the multiplication rate significantly and saves time. One more additional benefit of this technology is that under greenhouse conditions, a rootstock attains a sufficient girth, above (6 mm) and becomes available for budding (95% success rate in budding) during the current year only, and thus budded plants can be produced directly in the rootstock nursery, saving time and cost significantly.

Dr. M. K. Verma, Director, ICAR-CITH, chaired the meeting along with the scientists of the Institute, farmers, and nursery growers from different regions of the country, both in hybrid mode. The technology was licensed to 13 growers with a license fee of Rs 5000/= for 8 years.

Dr. Wasim H. Raja, lead developer of the technology, highlighted the importance of the technology and its benefits, as it promotes the vertical expansion of the nursery and the number of plants per unit area can be increased 4 times, utilizing very little input cost.

The technology aimed to reduce the import

Agribusiness, Company News, India, Start ups

 It aims to support startups which includes strategic mentoring, field pilot opportunities, rural distribution access, climate impact evaluation guidance, and technical assistance for carbon projects.

SBI Foundation and Villgro announced the launch of the ‘Innovators for Bharat’ portfolio, supporting 9 agricultural start-ups with equity seed funding. SBI Foundation, under its flagship SBIF LEAP (Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program), unveiled the ‘Innovators for Bharat’ initiative last year, which collaborates with high-impact incubators providing support to start-ups working to address the most pressing development challenges in the country. Partnering with Villgro, one of India’s foremost social enterprise incubators, in September 2023, the initiative introduced the Agri-tech Cohort under Innovators for Bharat. The goal of this Cohort is to identify and support Startups working on cutting-edge solutions to improve agricultural productivity, build climate resilience and sustainability for the agriculture sector in India, taking their innovations to the ground.

Through their support for 9 startups, SBI Foundation and Villgro aim to surpass the goal of benefiting 10,000 farmers by not only enhancing livelihoods and incomes but also bringing 60,000 acres of land under sustainable cultivation and preventing 15,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The initiative is supporting these startups addressing crucial points across the agriculture value chain:

Bharat Rohan: Utilizes drone-based hyperspectral imagery to offer farm advisory, optimizing soil health, yields, and profitability.

RAAV Techlabs: Offers near-infrared technology devices for objective testing of quality parameters in produce, thereby reducing food losses.

Navork Innovations: Tackles post-harvest losses with a plant extract-based formulation that extends the shelf life of highly perishable produce like mushrooms and bananas.

Marut Drones: Provides drones and software for multiple farming services, including spraying, direct seeding, crop health monitoring, and advisory.

GreyMatter (Upaz): Supplies farmers with high-quality inputs and affordable credit through a ‘Community Commerce and Financing Model’ integrating microfinance and services across the agriculture value chain.

Carbon Masters: Implements a circular economy solution converting organic waste into Bio-CNG and organic fertilizers.

Raheja Solar: Develops renewable energy-based solar dryers to reduce post-harvest losses and processes and sells its own dried food using produce bought back from farmers.

Ekosight: Provides a portable soil testing device for assessing soil quality and offering accurate advice on fertilizer application and precision farming.

Pasidi Panta: Develops an end-to-end commodity value chain service for farmers, focusing on residue-free chili production using Integrated Pest Management.

Support provided to these companies includes strategic mentoring, field pilot opportunities, rural distribution access, climate impact evaluation guidance, and technical assistance for carbon projects. Additionally, the program helps startups develop financially stable models, secure debt financing, and raise awareness about their innovations.

“This programme serves to reinforce our commitment to strengthening India’s agriculture sector – a bedrock of the nation’s heritage and economy. This year’s Independence Day echoes the spirit of ‘Viksit Bharat’ – a vision of a progressive, inclusive and empowered India. In light of this, Innovators for Bharat, seeks to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of our country’s startups. Beyond financial support, we will provide the selected startups access to our network of banking experts for mentorship, Civil Society Organizations and other key stakeholders,” said Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, SBI Foundation.

“This programme was launched with a strong focus on climate-resilience and sustainability. These are both imperative to safeguard the country’s agriculture sector from increasingly variable weather patterns stemming from climate change. Combining Villgro and SBI Foundation’s synergies has allowed us to onboard unique start-ups with innovative technologies addressing challenges across the agricultural value chain. We are excited to gear up our efforts in supporting these startups as we enter the second phase of the programme and move closer to our goal of building climate resilience while impacting 10,000 farmers,” adds Srinivas Ramanujam, CEO, Villgro.

In the second leg of this program, SBI Foundation and Villgro will be supporting another 5 enterprises with Grant capital with a view to unlocking innovative finance through their partners in the financial ecosystem.

 It aims to support startups which includes

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, North America

The company has partnered with Toros Agri, a leading fertilizer manufacturer and distributor in the European market.

Phospholutions Inc, a growth stage sustainable fertilizer startup, has reached a significant milestone in commercializing its flagship RhizoSorb® technology to produce more affordable and sustainable phosphorus fertilizers at commercial scale. The company has partnered with Toros Agri, a leading fertilizer manufacturer and distributor in the European market, as the first commercial-scale producer of RhizoSorb®, touted as The Next Generation of Phosphorus Fertilizer™. 

The partnership was formed after Phospholutions received investment during their Series A funding round from Tekfen Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Tekfen Holding, including ownership of Toros Agri.

Founded in 2016, Phospholutions has achieved a remarkable milestone with the completion of a commercial pilot in January followed by a full-scale production run in April. This achievement is especially significant for the North American and European markets, where RhizoSorb-based fertilizers are being introduced. It also represents their first major production partnership. RhizoSorb is promoted as a more economical replacement for conventional fertilizer products and is derived from ammoniated phosphate fertilizer production methods. This collaboration represents a significant leap toward offering a sustainable alternative for the world’s second most essential nutrient for global food production.

Ahmet Eren, president of Toros Agri commented, ″RhizoSorb® technology offers a unique opportunity to enhance the fertilizer production process with its simplicity and seamless integration along with the technology’s marketable advantages to customers. ″

Following the pilot production run in January, Phospholutions publicized a life cycle analysis showcasing a reduction in the carbon emissions when compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizers by 45.2%. This analysis compared RhizoSorb produced in Turkey and imported into the United States to domestically manufactured MAP for the use in corn production.

RhizoSorb® is a dry granular phosphorus fertilizer formulated to increase phosphorus efficiency in the soil utilizing a novel plant-driven nutrient release mechanism based on a chemical gradient rather than environmental conditions.  While its appearance resembles other dry granular fertilizers, RhizoSorb effectively reduces the rate of applied phosphorus needed to achieve the yield potential for row crops such as corn, as proven throughout the company’s five years of academic and on-farm field trials. 

 Sinan Uzan, President and Founder of Tekfen Ventures, commented ″The partnership between Toros and Phospholutions marks a significant milestone for both companies leading the way in the development and marketing of industry-first technologies for the agricultural market. Our mission at Tekfen Ventures is to invest and enable new technologies like RhizoSorb to change legacy industries like agriculture. ″

The two companies are on the second year of product performance trials in Turkey in crops such as corn and wheat. Phospholutions and Toros are enthusiastic about extending their partnership as they aim to enhance production capacities and offer a phosphorus fertilizer that is more affordable and sustainable to the market.

The company has partnered with Toros Agri,

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

The Company aims to register and sell these products in India and global markets.

 Jaipur based Agrow Allied Venture, a strong technical product manufacturing Company, announced addition of two new herbicidal technical (actives) to its crop protection range fostering its commitment to provide distributors and growers with significant crop protection products and solutions for the markets. The Company aims to register and sell these products in India and global markets.

The first one is Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester, belonging to the class of aryloxyphenoxyproponic acid herbicides (commonly called “FOP”). The Company is now actively engaged in manufacturing Quizalop-ethyl and Clodinafop-propargyl Technical. In near future, under this series we will also be manufacturing Propaquizafop and Cyhalofop-butyl Technical.

Haloxyfop-R-methyl ester:

Haloxyfop R-Methyl ester is a selective and systemic post emergent herbicide. It provides effective control in wide range of annual and perennial grass weeds in Soybean, Cotton, Black gram, summer fallow, grain, legume, onion, oilseed crops, lucerne, clover pasture and seed crops, forestry, bananas, citrus, grapes, pineapples, pome and stone fruit, pyrethrum, tropical fruit and nut crops.

Haloxyfop-R-Methyl ester is a member of the aryloxyphenoxy propionate group of herbicides. The product has the acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitor mode of action. It inhibits the growth of meristematic tissues. It is absorbed by the foliage and roots, which is translocated to meristematic tissues. It is a fatty acid synthesis inhibitor that works by inhibiting Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase). It has low use rate, versatile uses in both winter and summer crops.

The second Technical is Topramezone belonging to Pyrazole group of HPPD inhibitor herbicide.

This year, Company has already started manufacturing two more HPPD inhibitor herbicides from the Triketone group, viz. Mesotrione and Tembotrione Technical.

Topramezone:

Topramezone belongs to the phenyl pyrazolyl ketone family of herbicides. Its mode of herbicide action is inhibition of an enzyme 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) that controls carotenoid biosynthesis.  It is a selective post emergent herbicide for corn.  It is rapidly metabolised by corn to non-active substances. It gets absorbed through the roots and shoots of the weeds and it starts working immediately. Weeds stop taking nutrients from soil and in 10 to 12 days, it controls weeds from their roots. It effectively controls narrow leaf and broad leaf weeds in corn field while ensuring complete safety of the crop.

The Company has also started the construction of its new technical plant with an investment of approx. Rs. 150 Crore. and the launch of new products are a result of Company’s committed investment in Research and Development. The Company is focused on investing in new De-patented products. All these new products will help the Company in maintaining the growth and healthy bottom line. The Company is looking forward to further expand its portfolio with launch of new range of technical products this year.

The Company aims to register and sell

Agribusiness, Company News, India, People

Anupam has extensive experience of over 34 years brings immense value in marketing of AgriInputs products.

Dhanuka Agritech announced that Anupam Pal has been appointed as Senior Management Personnel under the designation Vice President- Marketing (National Marketing Head) of the Company with effect from 29th July 2024.

In his new role in the Company, he will be responsible for driving impactful strategies in the Marketing Function. Anupam’s expertise will be instrumental in managing the overall product portfolio at Dhanuka leading the marketing of existing products and propelling new products introduction.

Anupam Pal has extensive experience of over 34 years brings immense value in marketing of AgriInputs products. He has worked in the areas of Product Management, Brand Management, and Building & Execution of Business Growth Strategies in Companies like FMC, DuPont, HOECHST, etc. Anupam’s expertise is pivotal in managing overall product portfolio at Dhanuka leading marketing of existing products and propelling new products introduction. 

Anupam holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from ICFAI Business School in the year 2008 after his B.SC (Agriculture) from Assam Agriculture University. He also completed Executive Development Program in Digital Marketing in the year 2021, from the XLRI, Jamshedpur.

Anupam has extensive experience of over 34