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Agribusiness, Finance, Funding, India, Start ups

Facility will expand Arya.ag’s assurance in commerce solutions across India’s grain commerce value chain.

 India’s largest grain commerce platform, Arya.ag has secured a $19.8 Mn commitment from the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to guarantee a debt facility for Arya.ag’s agri-commerce subsidiary Aryatech.

This financing round, following a $29 million equity raise last quarter, will expand Arya.ag’s ability to connect farmers and FPOs with buyers nationally by ensuring payment security, transaction transparency, and improved access.

By adeptly layering distinct services of storage, financing and market linkages on the same bag of grain, Arya.ag has sharpened its value proposition for all stakeholders across the grain value chain.

Speaking on the development, Prasanna Rao, Co-Founder and CEO of Arya.ag said, “This commitment from DFC represents a significant milestone in our mission to transform India’s grain commerce ecosystem. The facility will enable us to connect more farmers and FPOs to buyers much beyond their existing networks creating a more efficient and inclusive agricultural marketplace. This aligns perfectly with our proven business model that has already demonstrated profitability while driving meaningful impact across the sector.”

Arya.ag offers a comprehensive agri-commerce platform that seamlessly connects sellers and buyers of agriproducts to facilitate and streamline commerce, driving efficiencies and reducing waste, to the benefit of the entire market. The platform integrates warehouse discovery, farmgate-level storage, finance and market linkages, providing a comprehensive solution across the entire value chain by bridging the trust gap at each step.

“DFC is pleased to support AryaTech in expanding its growing agri-tech platform connecting small farmers and farmer producer organisations to buyers in underserved regions of India. This transaction aligns with our goal of supporting economic growth and prosperity in communities across India,” said James Polan, DFC’s Vice President of Health & Agribusiness.

Setuka Partners LLP, a boutique advisory firm focused on catalysing patient capital from international financial institutions for emerging and frontier market enterprises, was the exclusive advisor to this transaction.

The Group’s ground presence with a 12,000 strong warehouse network across 21 states, combined with a technology backbone integrating deep-tech computer vision, IoT and blockchain, ensures physical risks in commodity storage and finance are minimised. Arya.ag’s integrated platform places it uniquely as the only profitable Indian agritech startup at scale. With a growth of 77 per cent over the last year, the platform reported a profit before tax of Rs 22 crore in FY 24.

Facility will expand Arya.ag’s assurance in commerce

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

The mobile application will facilitate rice millers in addressing their grievances with the FCI in an efficient and transparent manner.

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi launched the Mobile Application of FCI Grievance Redressal System (FCI GRS) for Rice Millers in New Delhi. This is one of the measures taken by the Union Government to enhance transparency, accountability, and stakeholder’s satisfaction. The mobile application will facilitate rice millers in addressing their grievances with the FCI in an efficient and transparent manner. The FCI GRS Application is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to harness technology for good governance. This mobile application is available for download on Google Play Store for Android users.

Aligned with the Digital India initiative, the mobile application aims to improve responsiveness and accountability by providing rice millers with a convenient platform to lodge complaints, monitor its status and receive responses on their mobile device in end-to-end digitized manner. Key Features of the App is as under: –

User-Friendly Grievance Submission: Millers can easily register their grievances on their mobile through a user-friendly interface, simplifying communication with FCI. They have to register only once and thereafter any number of grievances can be lodged wherein each grievance will have Unique Grievance ID.

Real –Time Tracking: The App offers real-time updates on grievance status, keeping millers informed and ensuring transparency.

Automatic Assignment & Fast Resolution: Within FCI, once grievance is received, it will be automatically assigned to concerned Nodal Officers for further action. The App provides facility to Nodal Officer to either get grievance investigated by Quick Response Team or get feedback from the concerned Division.

Geo-Fencing for Quick Response Teams (QRTs): Where grievance redressal involves visit to site by QRT team, the mobile application will capture the physical visit by the team members through the geo-fencing tool.

This initiative underscores the Government’s dedication to enhance accountability, transparency and stakeholders’ satisfaction by providing a robust grievance redressal mechanism. This launch marks another milestone in the commitment of FCI to facilitate the procurement operations with improved service standards.

The mobile application will facilitate rice millers

Agribusiness, Carbon Farming, Company News, World

With this acquisition, Sistema.bio combines its position as the largest full-service biogas company with the first biogas-specific platform for dMRV.

 Sistema.bio, a global leader in the delivery of biogas technology, financing, and services for family farmers worldwide, announced the acquisition of Inclusive Energy (IE). As a pioneer in remote sensors for biogas and solar energy systems, IE is at the forefront of digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV). This strategic acquisition will significantly enhance Sistema.bio’s capacity to deliver high-impact biogas solutions with improved digital MRV capabilities, benefiting farmers worldwide with better service and long-term support.

With this acquisition, Sistema.bio combines its position as the largest full-service biogas company with the first biogas-specific platform for dMRV, enabling the delivery of carbon emission reduction projects at scale with high-quality digital monitoring.

By integrating Inclusive Energy’s cutting-edge technology into Sistema.bio’s platform, the company is poised to expand its offerings and grow in the IoT and remote sensing space. This acquisition will enable Sistema.bio to better support farmers and partners with a real-time monitoring system for biogas digesters, utilizing intelligent sensing and communication tools. This will facilitate remote diagnosis, usage analytics for carbon reporting, and data insights for predictive maintenance.

Alex Eaton, CEO and co-founder of Sistema.bio, shared: “We have been thoroughly impressed by Inclusive Energy’s digital MRV platform, which we have been integrating into our biogas units as part of our global carbon emissions reduction initiatives over the past three years. This acquisition marks an exciting new phase, allowing us to accelerate both technologies to better serve farmers and reduce carbon and methane emissions.” Eaton also emphasized that integrating the two companies is a strategic move to reinforce Sistema.bio’s commitment to climate action, accelerating progress toward achieving a 1% reduction in annual global GHG emissions by 2030.

Inclusive Energy’s innovation and expertise in remote monitoring, tracking, and reporting on biogas system performance align seamlessly with Sistema.bio’s objective to provide sustainable and efficient biogas solutions to family farmers and stakeholders. The combination of both companies’ capabilities will not only improve the accuracy of carbon emission reduction reporting and enhance customer service for farmers—demonstrated through collaboration on thousands of farms to date—but will also strengthen Sistema.bio’s position as a leader in high-quality, high-integrity carbon credits.

Vijay Bhopal, CEO of Inclusive Energy, when speaking about this new alliance said: “Sistema.bio has a proven track record of commercial and technical innovation leading to real-world impact through delivery at scale. We are excited to join their mission to serve millions of farmers, and, together, to drive the biogas market forward towards its potential. With Sistema.bio we are well placed to ensure that Inclusive Energy’s digital technologies are used to improve lives and maximize credibility in the carbon markets.”

“The Sistema.bio Board of Directors supports the integration of Inclusive Energy’s dMRV technology into farmer energy transition technologies. In addition to strengthening business growth at scale, IE technology enhances farmers’ ROI from biogas and regenerative agriculture systems by ensuring the integrity of carbon impact data.” said Joyce Cacho, Independent Board Chair at Sistema.bio.

With this acquisition, Sistema.bio combines its position

Agribusiness, India, Live Stock, Poultry

Driven by rising demand for protein-rich foods, supported by urbanisation and a shift towards healthier diets.

CareEdge Ratings maintains a stable outlook for the Indian poultry industry, anticipating revenue growth of 8-10 per cent in FY2025, driven by urbanisation, rising incomes, and growing consumer preference for protein-rich foods.

Operating profit margins are expected to improve by 180-220 bps YoY in FY2025, although feed prices and disease outbreaks remain key monitorable. “The industry players’ credit profile faces earnings volatility, but benefits from investments in value-added products, backward integration, and efficiency improvements. Additionally, maintaining liquid investments and unutilized credit limits, typically ranging from 15-20 per cent of working capital limits, helps players manage short-term fluctuations,” added Akhil Goyal, Director, CareEdge Ratings.

Overview of the Poultry Industry

The Indian poultry sector is a fast-growing part of the agriculture industry, providing affordable, high-quality protein to the nation. The poultry value chain begins with breeding and genetic selection to produce birds optimized for egg or meat production. Parent stocks produce fertilised eggs, which hatch into day-old chicks at hatcheries. These chicks are raised on farms with nutritionally balanced feed, reaching market weight for broilers or maturity for layers. Broilers are processed into meat products, while eggs are cleaned, graded, and packaged. Distribution is managed through wholesalers, retailers, and direct channels, with cold storage preserving quality.

Robust Growth in Egg and Meat Production

The poultry industry in India has consistently grown in both egg and meat production over the past decade, highlighting its increasing role in meeting the country’s protein needs. Historically, the food and beverage sector has driven protein demand, with meat, poultry, and seafood making up 31-34 per cent of this demand. Egg production is expected to grow by 7-8 per cent in the near term, reflecting the rising demand for affordable protein. Similarly, meat production is projected to increase by 5-6 per cent, indicating a recovery from previous disruptions. Improved feed availability, a demand for protein-rich diets, and shifts in consumer preferences during festive seasons contribute to this demand, aligning with historical growth trends and suggesting continued expansion.

CareEdge Ratings anticipates 8-10 per cent revenue growth for the Indian poultry industry in FY2025, driven by rising demand for protein-rich foods, supported by urbanization and a shift towards healthier diets. Poultry, being an affordable protein source, is increasingly consumed across households and food services. Stabilizing input costs, improved feed management, and government support further enhance growth prospects.

Revenue and Profitability Set for Recovery After Two-Year Decline

The poultry industry’s revenue trend has shown significant fluctuations over the years, reflecting changes in market dynamics and input costs. – Post covid disruption in FY20, which impacted scale and profitability, the industry saw a strong demand recovery with better realisations. However, this moderated in 2023 and 2024 due to oversupply and increased input costs. Meat and egg prices are volatile due to commodity and perishable nature of these products, and they are influenced by local supply-demand dynamics, which limit pricing flexibility. The poultry industry experienced volatility in broiler meat prices during FY2024. Strong demand boosted prices in H1 (April [1] October), but an oversupply from November 2023 led to a decline.

Fluctuations in Input Costs

The poultry industry is heavily dependent on feed costs, particularly maize and soybean, which constitute about 65-70 per cent and 30 per cent of the total feed cost, respectively. Feed prices, driven by factors like weather and global demand for maize and soybean, significantly impact profitability of players operating in the industry. In FY2024, the industry witnessed a stabilisation in feed prices that had a direct impact on profitability. To reduce the impact of the same, key players focus on developing better breed which has lower Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).

Impact of FCR on Profitability

The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is crucial for profitability in the poultry industry, reflecting how efficiently birds convert feed into body mass. Over the last decades, there has been a noticeable improvement in the FCR across all bird sizes, with larger birds demonstrating the most efficient feed conversion. The FCR for breeds that dominate the Indian poultry market typically ranges from 1.50 to 1.80. This efficiency can be further optimised through improvements in breed selection, feed quality, and management practices. Analysis reveals that larger poultry groups achieve better feed efficiency, with management strategies and seasonal variations playing key roles in maintaining optimal FCR values.

Driven by rising demand for protein-rich foods,

Agro Universities, Collaborations, Foodgrains, India, R&D, Seeds

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalised farmers across the Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India, will release new forage sorghum varieties in 2025, marking the first successful adaptation of this dryland crop to the region’s temperate climate. The release follows advanced on-farm trials of elite sorghum lines conducted by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock production and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized farmers across the Kashmir Valley by releasing these cold-tolerant sorghum varieties in 2025.

The partnership focused on promoting dual-purpose sorghum varieties that provide both grain and forage. These varieties aim to enhance food, feed, and fodder security, addressing the critical feed supply-demand gap in the region’s animal husbandry sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. Currently, the region is facing a 40 per cent fodder deficit.

Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research of ICRISAT, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project said “This initiative reflects ICRISAT’s commitment to delivering demand-driven innovations. Partnering with SKUAST has allowed us to co-develop sustainable solutions that benefit smallholder farmers and the broader agricultural sector”

Livestock rearing is crucial in the Kashmir Valley, providing essential protein and employment opportunities. However, the limited availability of nutritious feed poses a significant challenge for the sector, especially at high altitudes.

Fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has emerged as a promising solution. It offers high biomass production of up to 50 tons per hectare, has adaptability to local conditions and also high nutritional value. Its cultivation can improve livestock productivity and enhance the rural economy, directly benefiting marginalized communities, especially smallholder farmers and landless labor dependent on animal husbandry for their livelihoods.

Prof. Nazir A Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir, praised the initiative: “This marks a significant step toward achieving feed, fodder, and livelihood security, especially for underprivileged tribal communities in high-altitude areas.”

Through the initiative, a comprehensive multi-environment evaluation program was established to identify high-yielding, nutritionally rich sorghum genotypes suited for the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. The trials, conducted over two cropping cycles, assessed biomass yield, nutritional quality, and adaptability to low temperatures, leading to the identification of superior cultivars.

“Developing elite sorghum lines tailored to Kashmir’s high-altitude ecologies is a remarkable achievement that will further inform our efforts to extend the cultivation north of 40° latitude,” said Dr Ephrem Habyarimana, Principal Scientist – Sorghum Breeding.

The project aims to enhance sustainable livestock

AgroPolicy, Animal Health, Finance, India, Live Stock, Schemes - Govt

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying also released ‘Revolutionizing Animal Health: Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines and Crisis Management Plan during the event.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Pandemic Fund Project on “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” in New Delhi.  The Pandemic Fund Project is a $25 Million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund.

The “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response” initiative will play a key role in reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases that can spread from animals to humans. The Pandemic Fund Project will focus on enhancing India’s animal health systems, thereby fortifying the country’s defences against future pandemics. It will be implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.

On this occasion the Union Minister also released two important documents aimed at strengthening animal health management in India:

Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG): A comprehensive document that outlines best practices for veterinary care, aimed at improving the overall health and productivity of livestock and supporting to the national action plan for Anti-microbial resistance.

Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases: A critical resource that will provide a framework for managing and responding to outbreaks of animal diseases, ensuring rapid containment and mitigation.

These documents will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers, and field officials, helping to ensure timely and effective responses to animal health crises and improving disease management protocols.

In his address Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the importance of the Livestock Sector as it contributes to the social and economic upliftment of the society.  He stated that the livestock sector has shown immense growth in the last 9 years with the implementation of many schemes of the department. Through National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP), the department is aiming to control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis from the country.  He said that so far, a total of 90.87 crores FMD vaccines and 4.23 crore vaccines for Brucellosis have been administered. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is also planning for creation of FMD Disease Free Zones in nine states of the country.

 He also said that the Pandemic Fund supports the existing initiatives of the department through enhancing disease surveillance including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration, and will create a more integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases.

Further, in his address the Union Minister emphasised on the importance of adopting a One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health in preventing and managing health crises. With most recent public health emergencies stemming from animal origins, the project reinforces the need to address zoonotic risks to protect both human and animal populations from future pandemics.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of

Agribusiness, Company News, E-commerce, India, People, Start ups

Rohit’s experience spans the entire agri-food value chain, allowing him to build integrated, sustainable, technology-driven solutions that align with the evolving market demands and sustainability imperatives.

FarMart, India’s leading B2B food e-commerce platform catering to Asia, the Middle East and Africa, has appointed Rohit Pajni to head its global processed and retail businesses. Rohit brings over 17 years of experience in driving commercial growth, digital transformation, and operational excellence at major corporations like ITC and innovative startups like AgNext.

FarMart leverages a capital-efficient model to facilitate faster and more sustainable movement of food commodities from farms to factories, extending into retail and hospitality. With Rohit’s leadership, FarMart aims to solidify its global footprint and expand into the processed foods segment, reinforcing its commitment to building resilient and future-ready supply chains.

Rohit’s extensive expertise spans the entire farm-to-fork value chain. He has successfully managed a $1 billion turnover, contributed significantly to ITC’s pioneering e-Choupal initiative, and spearheaded growth for Ashirvaad Atta. His experience spans the entire agri-food value chain, allowing him to build integrated, sustainable, technology-driven solutions that align with the evolving market demands and sustainability imperatives.

Alekh Sanghera, CEO and Co-founder, FarMart said, “We are delighted to welcome Rohit to the FarMart team. His rich background in managing large-scale operations and building multifunctional global teams instills great confidence in our shared vision. Together, we are poised to achieve remarkable growth and success for FarMart.”

Commenting on his new role, Rohit Pajni, Head of Business, FarMart said, “I’m excited to join FarMart, a company deeply committed to building trust, transparency, and sustainability across the food supply chain. With the food landscape constantly evolving, there are immense opportunities to unlock value for customers. I look forward to driving innovation in the processed foods category and contributing to FarMart’s mission of creating a more resilient and sustainable future for both farmers and consumers.”

It has been a privilege to work alongside Rohit for 15 years in ITC and as a mentor to him in his entire journey. As an investor and a believer in FarMart, I am thrilled to see Rohit and the team come together to propel FarMart to new heights. Their combined vision and dedication make this an exciting journey ahead, said Sanjiv Rangrass, Independent Director Zetwerk, Co-Founder The Agri Collaboratory, Venture Partner Capria Ventures.

Rohit’s experience spans the entire agri-food value

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality seed materials or germplasm from abroad, enabling domestic multiplication for ensuring farmers have access to quality seed stock.

In a significant move, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the ‘Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds into India’. This initiative aims to bolster the development of seaweed enterprises as a key economic driver for coastal villages, ensuring livelihood sustainability and socio-economic upliftment of the fisher community while upholding environmental protection and biosecurity concerns at the core of all actions.

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality seed materials or germplasm from abroad, enabling domestic multiplication for ensuring farmers have access to quality seed stock. Currently, the growth of seaweed enterprises in India faces the challenge of seed availability in sufficient quantity for the commercially valuable species, and quality degradation in the seed materials of Kappaphycus, the most commonly farmed seaweed species.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya sampada Yoiana (PMMSY), the flagship scheme of Government of India envisaged to revolutionize the seaweed sector, aiming to increase seaweed production of the country over 1.12 million tonnes by 2025. Under the scheme, the Government have taken many steps to strengthen the seaweed farming activities the prominent of which is establishment of Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu with the total investment of Rs 127.7 crore.

The guidelines outline a process for importing live seaweed, including a clear regulatory framework for the import of live seaweed, ensuring transparency and accountability, strict quarantine procedures to prevent introduction of pests and diseases, risk assessment to identify potential biosecurity concerns and post-import monitoring for strengthening ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.

This guideline will encourage responsible cultivation of seaweed, ensuring environmental sustainability and economic growth. Further, the import of new seaweed strains will stimulate research and development, leading to enhanced seaweed production of variety of seaweed species belonging to red, brown and green algae, paving way for development of downstream seaweed processing and value addition enterprises which will yield additional livelihoods in the villages while bolstering the overall export of the country.

As per the guidelines, for import of live seaweed into India, the importers may submit a detailed application to the Department of Fisheries which will be reviewed by the National Committee on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Species into Indian Waters. Upon approval, the Department will issue an import permit within four weeks, facilitating the import of high-quality seaweed germplasm.

The guidelines thus provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for the import of live seaweeds into India, ensuring that the process is conducted safely, smoothly and responsibly. Department of Fisheries, Government of India encourage stakeholders, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers, to take advantage of these new opportunities and contribute to the growth of the seaweed industry.

The guidelines will facilitate import of high-quality

Agribusiness, Carbon Farming, Company News, India, Sustainability

Varaha’s project in Telengana produces biochar, a carbon-rich material, using agricultural waste (corn shanks) as the feedstock.

Varaha, a leading carbon removal company from farming, has issued durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits from industrial biochar under Puro.Earth, the world’s leading CDR registry. This is the first-ever issuance of industrial biochar credits in India.

Varaha’s project in Telengana produces biochar, a carbon-rich material, using agricultural waste (corn shanks) as the feedstock. Biochar helps improve soil fertility and locks carbon away for thousands of years. By generating biochar via a gasifier facility, Varaha not only sequesters CO2 but also prevents emissions that would have resulted from waste mismanagement and fossil fuel usage.

Varaha’s issuance positions it as the leading project developer for industrial biochar credits in South and Southeast Asia. Its in-house, industry-leading, digital measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) platform quantifies the sequestration from biochar projects. Beyond carbon removal, its efforts extend to improving soil health, boosting crop yields, conserving water, and enhancing biodiversity across its projects.

Varaha has already enrolled over 9 lakh acres of farmland across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Kenya, working with over 100 partners across these geographies to expand its impact. This positions the company as the leading solution provider for global companies striving to achieve net-zero goals through its diversified portfolio of high-quality, science-backed carbon removal credits.

Madhur Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Varaha, said, “We are now poised to become the world’s leading destination for high-quality, industrial carbon removal projects, and Varaha is committed to being at the forefront of this effort. Moreover, our MRV technology is highly scalable, and we are confident of deploying it across smallholder geographies, with our global implementation partners.”

Alvin Lee, Regional Head of Asia-Pacific for Puro.earth said, “Having spoken with leading experts on the CDR Panel and project developers the growth potential of the carbon removal services market in India is palpable.” Varaha has raised nearly $13 million in equity financing, with recent Series A round led by RTP Global, with support from Omnivore, Orios, Norinchukin Bank, among others.

Varaha’s project in Telengana produces biochar, a

Agribusiness, Company News, World

This marks the 8th consecutive year the company has achieved this prestigious recognition, underscoring its unwavering dedication to employee development, cutting-edge research, collaborative innovation, and industry leadership.

Syngenta Group has once again secured its position as one of the world’s top five employers, and the #1 agricultural employer, in the 2024 Science Careers Top Employers Survey.

This marks the eighth consecutive year the company has achieved this prestigious recognition, underscoring its unwavering dedication to employee development, cutting-edge research, collaborative innovation, and industry leadership.

“We are delighted to maintain our status as the world’s number one agricultural employer,” says Camilla Corsi, Global Head of Crop Protection Research. “This consistent recognition is a testament to our team’s determined pursuit of our vision: to be the most diverse, trusted, and innovative force driving sustainable agriculture and global food security.”

Trevor Hohls, Head of Seeds Development, emphasized the importance of talent acquisition and retention saying, “Our success hinges on attracting and nurturing the brightest minds in science and technology. We’ve created an environment that not only challenges but also empowers our teams, providing access to cutting-edge tools and fostering a culture where innovation thrives.”

Syngenta Group continues to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation, with three blockbuster products recently on the market – TYMIRIUM® technology, PLINAZOLIN® technology and ADEPIDYN® technology – and with significant advancements in areas such as CRISPR gene editing, AI-driven crop protection, and climate-resilient seed technologies. Syngenta’s commitment to its Sustainability Priorities guides its work, ensuring that its innovations drive progress, so that farming that feeds the world also improves it. 

Syngenta scientists recently developed a revolutionary new breeding technology that integrates haploid induction and genome editing, potentially increasing the speed of trait introgression to bring forward new advancements.

“As we look to the future, our focus remains on harnessing the power of science and technology to unlock bold discoveries, using the power of data to address the complex challenges facing global agriculture,” says Hohls.

Corsi agrees: “This recognition from Science magazine reaffirms our position as a leader in agricultural innovation. By combining our worldclass talent with cutting edge technologies and an open approach to collaboration, we are finding new ways to empower farmers everywhere.”

This marks the 8th consecutive year the

Agribusiness, Company News, Fruits, Supply Chain, Trade, World

Considering India’s growing interest in avocados company plans to build strong partnerships within the market.

Westfalia Fruit, a leading multinational supplier of avocados and a range of fresh fruit, announced the arrival of its first-ever container of South African Hass avocados in India. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the company’s export efforts and the broader South African avocado industry.

This accomplishment comes after the finalisation of a long-awaited phytosanitary agreement between South Africa and India, the result of years of dedicated work to open this promising new market. The shipment, which arrived in time to meet the growing demand in India, is a testament to Westfalia’s commitment to expanding its global reach.

The geographical proximity of Africa to India provides South African avocados a competitive advantage over Latin American origins, which face longer transit times. India, a rapidly growing fruit market, offers excellent opportunities for South Africa, particularly during the April to October period.

Zac Bard, Business Development Executive at Westfalia Fruit, commented on this historic milestone, and said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the arrival of our first shipment of South African Hass avocados to the India market. This achievement highlights our dedication to expanding our global footprint and delivering top-quality produce to new markets. We look forward to establishing a strong presence in India and strengthening the ties between our two countries. Supplies of high-quality, large-sized Hass avocados from South Africa to India, will complement our supply abilities from other sourcing origins.”

South Africa is coming to the end of the 2024 supply season. “This shipment allows Westfalia Fruit to ensure that we land a quality product in the market, that complies with the requirements set out in the import protocol for India. We can then confidently scale up shipments in the 2025 season with a solid campaign that can support the growing consumption in India,” Bard added. East Africa, which has faced logistical challenges with shipping to Europe due to the Suez Canal closure, and Kenya and Tanzania are increasingly focusing their efforts on eastern markets which will ensure that there is sufficient supply from all African sources to meet growing demand in the Middle East, India and Far Eastern markets.

While India is currently a much smaller avocado market compared to Europe, it holds immense potential for growth. Westfalia Fruit remains committed to leveraging this opportunity to further solidify South Africa’s position in the global avocado market, ensuring a steady supply of premium-quality avocados to Indian consumers.

Ajay TG, General Manager at Westfalia Fruit India, commented: “This first shipment to India marks an exciting new chapter for Westfalia as we continue to broaden our global presence. India’s growing interest in avocados presents a significant opportunity, and we are eager to build strong partnerships within the market. With our focus on quality and sustainability, we look forward to playing a role in meeting the rising demand for avocados in India.”

Considering India’s growing interest in avocados company

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, India, Inputs, Start ups

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Bayer and Samunnati aim to provide Indian farmers with access to quality agri-inputs through FPO Agri-input Retail Stores.

 Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture, announced its partnership with Samunnati, a leading agri value chain enabler company, dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers, to usher farmers of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with access to premium products with the goal to deliver optimal solutions to smallholder farmers.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Bayer and Samunnati aim to provide Indian farmers with access to quality agri-inputs through FPO Agri-input Retail Stores. As part of the association, FPO farmers will be able to leverage the strength of collectivization, facilitating farmers with ample opportunities to become key stakeholders in the ag value chain.

Samunnati will support in aggregating demand from the FPOs, while Bayer will, once purchase orders are placed by FPOs, fulfill the orders through their distributors, ensure timely and efficient delivery of customized products and solutions. To facilitate easy access to quality inputs, agronomic support, and encourage agri-technology knowledge transfer, Bayer will leverage its field force to actively engage with farmers in the field, thereby supporting the FPOs to build a successful business model.

Together, both parties are committed to empowering farmers with the resources, knowledge and market access they need to thrive. The association aims to create a sustainable and farmer-centric ecosystem for farmers in India, ensuring theyfind reliable markets for their produce, ultimately contributing to their growth and prosperity.

Speaking on the partnership, Mohan Babu, Chief Operating Officer Bayer Crop Science India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, said, “FPOs have come a long way in India to become successful entities supporting farmers with aggregating input demand and produce supply. We are glad to join forces with Samunnati who bring in their vast network of FPOs and enable credit to kick-start the FPOs input business, so that their farmers can benefit from Bayer’s high-quality products and agronomy knowledge.”

Commenting on the MoU, Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Bayer Crop Science to further empower Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by improving access to quality inputs and agronomic expertise. This collaboration strengthens Samunnati’s mission to create a resilient agricultural ecosystem that enables smallholder farmers to thrive, improving both their productivity and profitability. By combining Bayer’s expertise in high-quality inputs with Samunnati’s deep-rooted connections in the farming community, we are offering a holistic solution that addresses the key challenges faced by farmers today”

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Bayer

Agribusiness, Climate, Company News, Environment, Finance, Funding, India, Sustainability

The Avaana Climate & Sustainability Fund will help build the next generation of climate-first companies to transform key sectors and make meaningful progress toward a sustainable future.

Avaana Capital, India’s climate-focused venture capital firm, has managed to infuse Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund with USD 135 million, with the support from renowned institutional investors, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

“The support we’ve received from leading global and domestic institutional investors underscores the importance of innovation in driving climate action and delivering long-term impact. The Avaana Climate & Sustainability Fund will help build the next generation of climate-first companies to transform key sectors and make meaningful progress toward a sustainable future”, said Anjali Bansal, partner at Avaana Capital in a press statement.

The fund focuses on three core sectors that account for 90 per cent of India’s carbon emissions: Energy and Resource Management, Mobility and Supply Chains, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, according to Bansal.

Bansal said India is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations and with the largest population and the sixth-largest economy, the country plays a crucial role in global climate solutions Incidentally, GCF, the world’s largest climate fund, is making its first investment in a climate venture fund in India through Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund.

 Bansal also added that estimates suggest that India will need investments exceeding USD10 trillion by 2070 to meet its net-zero targets and address the growing risks of climate change.

“Avaana’s focus on transformative technologies in critical sectors like food and agriculture, energy, mobility, aligns with GCF’s vision of catalysing meaningful climate solutions. This partnership will accelerate India’s net-zero journey and create scalable models for other emerging markets facing similar challenges,” said Kavita Sinha, Director, Division of Private Sector Facility, Green Climate Fund.

Apart from GCF, other key participants include the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), UK Government through UK- India Development Cooperation Fund (UKIDCF), the Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Azim Premji Trust.

The Avaana Climate & Sustainability Fund will

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, R&D

This recognition marks a significant milestone in advancing food authentication research and quality assurance in India, particularly in the fisheries sector.

The ICAR-CIFT has been declared a Centre of Excellence in Food Authenticity during a national workshop on “Food Authenticity and Traceability using Omics Techniques,” organized at the institute under the ICAR-NASF Foodomics Project in collaboration with Waters India Pvt. Ltd. This recognition marks a significant milestone in advancing food authentication research and quality assurance in India, particularly in the fisheries sector.

The MoU on the Centre of Excellence in Food Authenticity was exchanged by Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, and T. Anil Kumar, President of Waters India Pvt. Ltd., signifying a collaborative effort to advance food authentication technologies in India. The workshop is an important milestone in strengthening India’s capabilities in food authentication, with a special focus on fisheries, through the use of advanced scientific tools and by fostering international collaborations. ICAR-CIFT’s designation as a Centre of Excellence is expected to boost research in this area, promoting new technologies to ensure the integrity of food products. This move also positions India at the forefront of global efforts to enhance food safety and traceability through cutting-edge research innovations.

In the keynote address, Dr. L.N. Murthy, Senior Executive Director of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, highlighted the need for national traceability of fish and fishery products. The technical sessions were led by Shri Shrinivas B. Joshi, Associate Director of the Food & Environment Market, Waters India Pvt. Ltd., and Dr. Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CIFT.

This recognition marks a significant milestone in