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Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Drones, E-commerce, IT, R&D

DMO-AG addresses a critical market gap by offering a unified platform that brings together farmers, drone operators, maintenance teams, and agrochemical companies.
 As India’s agricultural drone sector prepares for exponential growth, Skylark Drones, a leading startup providing drone solutions unveiled DMO-AG at the Krishi Darshan Expo 2025 in Hisar – a first-of-its-kind software platform set to transform how agricultural drones are managed and operated across the country.

The launch is crucial when India’s agriculture sector is rapidly adopting drone technology, driven by government initiatives and increasing demand for precision farming solutions. DMO-AG addresses a critical market gap by offering a unified platform that brings together farmers, drone operators, maintenance teams, and agrochemical companies.

“With DMO-AG, we expect a transformative shift in the agricultural industry. By democratizing access to drone technology, we anticipate increased adoption of precision farming, leading to higher yields, reduced input costs, and more sustainable practices. Our DGCA-compliant platform will not only empower farmers but also Drone Service Providers and Done pilots with real-time insights, automation, and Revenue management, ultimately making Indian agriculture more efficient, data-driven, and future-ready.”  – Mrinal Pai, Co-founder, Skylark Drones

The DGCA-compliant platform introduces several groundbreaking features including real-time fleet management, crop-specific recommendations, and automated health monitoring – all accessible through an intuitive interface available in local languages. This comprehensive solution is compatible with all major autopilot-enabled controllers, making it a versatile tool for India’s diverse agricultural landscape.

Skylark Drones, which has already executed more than 10 million autonomous drone flights and processed more than 100 million drone images across 120+ enterprise customers nationwide, brings substantial expertise to this sector. The launch of DMO-AG marks a significant milestone in its mission to make drone technology more accessible and efficient for India’s agricultural community.


“With India’s agricultural drone market expected to grow at 25-30% CAGR, surpassing $1 billion by 2030, DMO-AG is poised to lead this transformation. Backed by government support and the rising demand for precision farming, our platform democratizes access to advanced drone technology” adds Mrinal Pai

The company is backed by leading investors, including Thakral Corporation, Infoedge Ventures, Advantedge Partners, Turbostart Global, IIM Udaipur Incubation, and Hunch Ventures.

DMO-AG addresses a critical market gap by

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

Company’s net profit stood at Rs 16 crores with PAT margin of 9.2 per cent.

India Pesticides Limited, one of the fast-growing agro-chemical companies for technical manufacturing, announced its results for quarter and nine months ended December 31st, 2024.

Company reported Total Income of Rs. 175 crores, an increase of 13.0 per cent on YoY in Q3FY25. Company recorded EBITDA of Rs 29 crores with EBITDA margin of 16.7 per cent. Net Profit stood at Rs. 16 crores with PAT margin of 9.2 per cent.

 In 9M FY25 company’s Total Income was Rs. 633 Cr, an increase of 12.0 per cent on YoY basis. EBITDA of Rs 101 crores, an increase of 6.3 per cent on YoY with EBITDA margin of 15.9 per cent. Company reported Net Profit of Rs 62 crores, an increase of 3.5 per cent on YoY with PAT margin of 9.8 per cent.

Commenting on the performance, Anand S. Agarwal, Director, Founder & Promoter said, ″We are pleased to report revenue growth of 13 per cent year-on-year for Q3 FY25, achieving a total income of Rs 175 crore. This growth was underpinned by an increase in volumes, which highlights the demand for our products across key markets. While the increase in volumes demonstrates the strength of our operations and market presence, pricing adjustments in the international markets led to a modest impact on margins during the quarter.

Additionally, our freight costs rose due to logistical challenges in the Red Sea region, and investments in strengthening our R&D capabilities and workforce added to the cost base. These decisions were made with a long-term view to enhance our competitiveness and support the development of a strong product pipeline.

We continue to drive operational efficiencies and prioritize innovation to maintain our leadership in key product categories. Our investments in R&D and talent are aligned with our vision to deliver superior products that meet evolving customer needs and align with global trends.

Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about the growth trajectory of the agrochemical sector. With a strong operational framework, an expanding product portfolio, and a deep commitment to excellence, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable growth while creating value for all our stakeholders. ″

Company’s net profit stood at Rs 16

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

Q3 FY25 gross profit stood at Rs. 89 crores, an increasing from Rs. 72 crores in Q3 FY24.

Best Agrolife Limited, India’s leading agrochemicals manufacturer, announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31st, 2024, in the Board meeting held on 14th February, 2025.

Q3 FY25 Revenue from Operations declined by 13 per cent YoY to Rs 274 crores in Q3 FY25 compared to Rs. 315 crores in Q3 FY24. This decline was primarily due to the recent cyclonic conditions in southern India, which severely impacted the chilli crop, a key contributor to the region’s agricultural economy. Frequent rainfall during the season disrupted several crucial pest control sprays, exacerbating the situation.

Q3 FY25 gross profit stood at Rs. 89 crores, an increasing from Rs. 72 crores in Q3 FY24. The gross profit margin stood at 32 per cent with an improvement of 900 Bps as compared to last year showcasing the impact of higher braded sales contribution.

Q3 FY25 EBITDA (excluding other income) was at Rs. -6 crore compared to Rs. 19 crores in Q3 FY24. The EBITDA margin stood at -2 per cent with a decrease of 800 Bps on YoY basis, mainly due to higher fixed costs associated with investments in sales teams and a loss of Rs. 11 crores resulting from foreign currency fluctuations. Q3 FY25 Loss stood at Rs. 24 crores compared to Rs. 7 crores in Q3 FY24.

Commenting on the result and overall update on the Q3 FY25, Vimal Kumar, Managing Director, Best Agrolife Ltd. said, ″As we reflect on the current state of the agrochemical industry, this season has been challenging climatically and demand wise. Recent cyclonic conditions in southern India have affected the agricultural landscape, particularly in key states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The disrupted weather patterns, delayed monsoons, and extended rainfall impacted the crop cycles, delaying and causing reduction in agrochemical consumption. Overall, we observed unfavourable market conditions, such as the drop in prices of key crops like chillies and tomatoes, making it difficult for farmers to invest in crop protection products. The quarter was further impacted by the strengthening of USD leading to incurring a foreign currency loss.

This combination of reduced demand and strained market sentiment created a challenging operating environment for the company. The revenue from operations stood at Rs 274 crores, a dip of -13 per cent (Q3FY24). We have experienced a weaker Q3 with PAT of -24 crores as compared to -7 crores in Q3FY24. The widening of the quarterly loss was primarily due to a weaker revenue from operations. We continue to see positivity in our strategy of shift towards a business-to-consumer (B2C) model, increasing the contribution of branded sales to 72 per cent in 9 months of FY25. The company’s branded business improved due to introduction of new products and witnessed a volume increase. Despite the volume growth, we saw a 20 per cent reduction in product prices impacting our overall revenue. Our institutional business saw a reduction by Rs72 crores in line with our movement to B2C segment, but the corresponding expected increase in the branded sales was impacted by the reduced demand and price erosion despite a healthy volume growth.

While these results are below our expectation, we view them as an opportunity to fine tune our operations for better margins by reducing costs, optimizing operations and building efficiencies. We remain focused on stabilizing our financial performance in the upcoming quarters. We intend to bring down costs as a percentage of sales and be better equipped to navigate the current and future challenges. Our focus on IP generation, technical R&D, new formulation research and development of innovative products will continue with renewed zeal. ″

Q3 FY25 gross profit stood at Rs.

Agro Universities, Biofuel industry, Collaborations, Company News, India

BPCL has pledged Rs 5 crore to support research and development initiatives within this partnership.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sugar Institute (NSI) in Kanpur to collaboratively develop sweet sorghum as an eco-friendly feedstock for bioethanol production. This strategic alliance supports India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme and aligns with the government’s objectives to promote biofuels and diminish reliance on fossil fuels.

BPCL has pledged Rs 5 crore to support research and development initiatives within this partnership. The funding will optimise sweet sorghum yields, enhance agricultural practices, and create efficient juice extraction and fermentation methods to boost ethanol production. Additionally, this collaboration will examine the use of leftover biomass for compressed biogas (CBG) and other value-added applications, promoting a comprehensive approach to bioenergy use.

BPCL has pledged Rs 5 crore to

Agribusiness, Fruits, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain, Trade, Transportation

AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of 5.7 metric tons (MT) Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra.

In a significant milestone for India’s agricultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed India’s first-ever commercial trial shipments of premium Sangola and Bhagwa pomegranates respectively to Australia via sea. This marks a major breakthrough in expanding market access for Indian fresh produce.

The first-ever sea-freight shipment departed from India on December 6, 2024 and arrived in Sydney on January 13, 2025 with 5.7 metric tons (MT) of pomegranates sourced from the Solapur region of Maharashtra, packed into 1,900 boxes, each containing 3 kg of premium fruit. Another commercial sea shipment carrying 1,872 boxes (6.56 tons) of Bhagwa variety arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on January 6, 2025. The use of bulk sea shipment ensured competitive pricing, benefiting farmers and creating sustainable trade opportunities. Both shipments were integrated into ANARNET, India’s traceability system, ensuring transparency and building consumer confidence in international markets. This successful export not only underscores India’s capabilities in meeting global quality standards but also provides a significant boost to Indian farmers by opening up new revenue streams.

Upon arrival, the pomegranates received an overwhelmingly positive response in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The strong demand has already led to immediate requests for additional shipments, showcasing the growing potential for a profitable and sustainable trade relationship between India and Australia. The shipment’s timing was strategically aligned with Australia’s non-producing season, maximizing market opportunities for Indian exporters.

 Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA, emphasised “India’s agricultural export landscape is growing at an unprecedented pace, with fresh fruit exports surging by 29% year-on-year. Pomegranates alone have seen a 20 per cent growth, demonstrating the immense potential of this segment. The successful shipments of premium pomegranates to Australia marks India’s ability to supply high-quality fresh produce to discerning international markets. Through advanced traceability systems like ANARNET, we ensure that Indian agricultural products meet the highest global standards, enhancing consumer trust worldwide.”

Abhishek Dev also emphasized APEDA’s role in securing and facilitating market access for Indian farmers, stating, “We are committed to supporting Indian farmers and agri-entrepreneurs by expanding into new and emerging markets. This success story paves the way for further collaborations and increased export volumes in the future.”

With the next export season beginning in September, AgroStar’s INI Farms, Kay Bee Exports and other key players are poised to build on this success, ensuring a steady supply of Indian pomegranates to Australia. This development reaffirms India’s position as a global leader in agricultural exports and strengthens bilateral trade ties with Australia.

AgroStar and Kay Bee Exports successfully completed

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News

The global conglomerate ITC Ltd is allegedly in preliminary talks with Orkla ASA of Norway to purchase its Indian businesses, MTR Foods Pvt Ltd and Eastern Condiments Pvt Ltd, for about $1.4 billion. This possible acquisition fits with ITC’s plan to increase its market share in the food industry in southern India

ITC has been aggressively growing in the spices and ready-to-cook food sectors, while maintaining a diversified portfolio that includes FMCG, hotels, and agro. The company recently announced that it will buy Prasuma, a brand that specializes in frozen and ready-to-cook foods, in February 2025. In 2020, it bought Sunrise Foods, a manufacturer of spices.

Orkla ASA, a Norwegian industrial investment firm, entered the Indian market by acquiring MTR Foods in 2007 and later expanded by purchasing a majority stake in Eastern Condiments in 2020. In October 2023, Orkla consolidated its Indian operations—MTR, Eastern, and its international business—under Orkla India.

Both MTR Foods and Eastern Condiments have a strong market presence in the ready-to-cook and spices segments, particularly in southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. If ITC successfully acquires these brands, it would gain a substantial advantage in these regions. Orkla is currently determining if a private sale would provide a superior valuation, despite having previously contemplated an initial public offering (IPO) for its Indian business as recently as September 2024. Orkla might choose to go public if talks with ITC don’t work out.

If the deal goes through, ITC would bolster its position against rivals like Everest and MDH in the spices industry and greatly increase its market footprint in southern India’s food sector. But the agreement hasn’t been formally verified by Orkla or ITC.

The global conglomerate ITC Ltd is allegedly

Agribusiness

ITC has today signed definitive agreements for acquisition of Prasuma1, a leading player in the frozen, chilled and ready to cook foods space in India. Prasuma, a specialist in oriental cuisine (viz. momos, baos, Korean fried chicken), high quality delicatessens and raw meats, etc., sells a wide assortment of 170+ products, backed by unparalleled innovation expertise in developing ‘Good-for-You’ products. This acquisition will further fortify ITC’s presence in these future-facing categories, with current annual market size of over Rs 10,000 crores and poised for rapid growth in the years ahead

ITC will acquire 100 per cent stake in Prasuma over a period of 3 years. The first tranche of 43.8 per cent stake shall be acquired upfront and balance stake will be acquired, in tranches, by June, 2028, basis pre-defined valuation criteria and subject to other conditions as stated in the definitive agreements. Prasuma operates through ‘Prasuma’, ‘Meatigo by Prasuma’ and ‘Prasuma Momo Kitchen’ brands. The flagship ‘Prasuma Momos’ were launched in 2019 – an industry first innovation – garnering leading retail market position in the frozen momos category within a short span of time.

Prasuma has also developed several first-to-market frozen products like Baos, Korean Fried Chicken, Schezwan Momo meal, Japanese Fried Rice, etc. and caters to a variety of consumption occasions through innovative and differentiated product offerings. Meatigo, on the other hand, offers consumers access to high quality delicatessens and raw meats through its own D2C platform (www.meatigo.com). Prasuma Momo Kitchen offers high quality Pan Asian offerings through 40 cloud kitchens. Prasuma, with presence in 100+ cities across online and offline channels, has scaled up to an Annual Revenue Runrate of about Rs 200 crore (trailing 3 months basis). ITC had entered the Frozen Foods market in 2019 under ‘ITC Master Chef’ brand. Within 5 years of launch, ITC Master Chef has grown rapidly and has established itself as one of the leading Frozen Foods brands, offering a range of 50+ easy to cook nutritious and tasty frozen Western and Indian snacks and Indian breads.

Available across 200+ towns, ITC Master Chef caters to both Retail and Food Service customers. With the industry at an inflection point, this acquisition will help strengthen and expand ITC’s presence in the aforesaid categories by gaining entry into high growth segments, viz. Pan Asian foods, Deli meats, etc. With the proposed acquisition, ITC will become the first full stack player in the segment with an unparalleled portfolio, offering meals and snacking options across multiple occasions throughout the day for the discerning consumer. ITC Master Chef and Prasuma shall also benefit from significant synergies through well designed institutional mechanisms and enablers.

This investment is in line with the ‘ITC Next’ strategy articulated by Chairman, Mr. Sanjiv Puri, that focusses on building a future ready portfolio of products that serves evolving consumer needs. Commenting on this acquisition, Mr. Hemant Malik, Wholetime Director, ITC Limited stated, “We are delighted to back Prasuma and look forward to jointly building an unparalleled, full stack frozen, chilled and ready to cook foods portfolio. With Good-for-You, first-to-market products, across cuisines, we believe that the combined portfolio will delight our discerning consumers.

This investment reaffirms our commitment to building future facing, best in class, innovative portfolios.” Commenting on this transaction, Ms. Lisa Suwal, CEO and Mr. Siddhant Wangdi, COO of Prasuma, said, “We are extremely proud of what we have built and excited to join hands with ITC to drive the next phase of growth. The overwhelming support and love for our products from consumers have always inspired us. ITC shares our commitment to quality and innovation, making them the perfect partner. Frozen food is a category of the future. With Prasuma’s strength in manufacturing and innovation, combined with ITC’s expertise in distribution and building new-age brands, we are excited about the significant value that this collaboration will create for consumers in India and globally.”

ITC has today signed definitive agreements for

Award

Shri Hariman Sharma, an innovative and dedicated farmer from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to Indian agriculture. The Government of India recognized his remarkable achievements in advancing apple cultivation in non-traditional regions. Shri Sharma developed the HRMN-99 apple variety, which has transformed apple farming by allowing it to thrive in the tropical climate of India, paving the way for nationwide apple cultivation

HRMN-99 is a self-pollinating, low-chilling variety that grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas, flourishing in temperatures between 40-45°C, thus broadening the scope of apple farming across various Indian states and Union Territories. The variety has been registered by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), New Delhi, through the ICAR-Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar being the DUS center for temperate fruits and nuts.

The registration of HRMN-99 by the PPV&FRA, New Delhi, offers dual protection by safeguarding both the variety and its denomination. Traditionally, apple cultivation requires a cold climate with chilling hours (the number of hours below 7°C during dormancy). However, with advancements in horticultural practices and the development of low-chill apple varieties like HRMN-99, apple farming is now feasible in some of India’s low-chill regions.

The HRMN-99 variety has been gaining traction in the warmer parts of India, allowing successful apple cultivation in areas once considered unsuitable. States such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Manipur are now cultivating HRMN-99. Apples grown in the lower reaches and tropical regions tend to mature earlier, which increases demand and profitability. The development and promotion of indigenous varieties like HRMN-99 is a significant step toward achieving an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” by reducing imports and boosting exports.

Shri Hariman Sharma, an innovative and dedicated

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy

According to the research, agriculture continues to play a significant role in the economy of Odisha, providing a living for more than 60 per cent of the population and employing 49 per cent of the labor force

The most recent report from the Odisha Economic Survey (OES) projects that the state’s agriculture and related industries would expand by 3.3 per cent in 2024–2025, which is comparable to the growth rate for all of India.

It is anticipated that agriculture, cattle, and fisheries will all experience strong growth, demonstrating their increasing significance in propelling agricultural expansion. According to the most recent Odisha Economic Survey report, the livestock sector is anticipated to increase by 6.2 per cent in 2024–2025, while the forestry and fisheries sectors are each expected to rise by 6.7 per cent.

According to the research, agriculture continues to be a vital sector of the Odisha economy, providing a living for more than 60 per cent of the population and employing 49 per cent  of the labor force.

In 2024–2025, the industry will account for approximately 18.9 per cent of the state’s gross value added (GVA). It noted that the sector’s projected growth rate for 2024–2025 is 3.3 per cent, which is comparable to the growth rate for the entire country of India.

It is anticipated that agriculture, cattle, and fisheries will all experience strong growth, demonstrating their increasing significance in propelling agricultural expansion.

In 2024–2025, the livestock industry is predicted to increase by 6.2 per cent, while the forestry and fisheries sectors are each predicted to grow by 6.7 per cent. These numbers highlight the necessity of giving livestock and fisheries top priority in order to propel the state’s agricultural growth rate.

Significant structural changes have occurred in agriculture and related industries in recent years, as seen by the strong growth rates of livestock and fisheries, which contribute more to agriculture’s GVA.

In order to boost agriculture growth and farmers’ income, the government has implemented a number of measures, including providing an input subsidy of Rs 800 per quintal for paddy above the MSP of Rs 2,300, direct cash transfer for the purchase of inputs, crop diversification, a dedicated mission for cash crops, comprehensive rice fallow management, and infrastructure development.

In order to support the livestock and fisheries industry and diversify farmers’ income, the government has also implemented extensive initiatives in these areas, such as the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana (MKY) and the Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY).

These strategic efforts aim to secure the sector’s long-term socioeconomic development in addition to increasing sustainability and productivity. Due to their small holdings and limited marketable surplus, farmers in Odisha continue to have serious concerns about access to an improved market. The government has strengthened marketing infrastructure through a number of initiatives, such as encouraging exports, building cold storage facilities, and updating mandis. By creating a cold storage facility at every subdivision, the government will enable farmers to safely store their product and sell it when the market is at its best, minimizing distressed sales.

The state is aggressively encouraging farmers to switch to high-value crops including oilseeds, pulses, and horticulture goods in order to modernize and diversify agriculture.

According to the OES, in order to lessen the negative effects of climate change and guarantee sustainable productivity, the government is also supporting climate-resilient farming methods, such as the cultivation of millets under the Shree Anna Abhiyan, preserving traditional seed varieties, and encouraging organic agriculture.

According to the research, agriculture continues to

Agribiotechnology, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, IT, Trade

Trade, knowledge sharing, and digital agriculture were the topics of a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhawan aimed at enhancing India-Brazil agricultural connections. Through cooperation, the discussion sought to increase productivity, food security, and creativity

In a major attempt to improve agricultural cooperation, Governor Ronaldo Caiado of the Brazilian State of Goiás met with Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi. Strengthening bilateral ties between Brazil and India was the main goal of the high-level summit, with a focus on trade and cooperation in the areas of sugarcane, ethanol, pulses, R&D, innovation, and digital agriculture.

In the course of the talks, Bhagirath Choudhary emphasized the two countries’ robust and complex bilateral and multilateral ties. He underlined that the governor’s visit will open up new avenues for collaboration and further ongoing projects. Through information exchange and technological breakthroughs, both nations want to increase agricultural output, develop food security, and improve the wellbeing of their populations.

Governor Ronaldo Caiado recognized the close agricultural relations between the State of Goias and India, pointing out the parallels between their climates and agricultural landscapes. He emphasized that these similarities open doors for cooperation, especially when it comes to knowledge sharing, cutting-edge agricultural technologies, and capacity-building programs. Both countries may improve their agricultural capacities and promote sustainable growth in the industry by utilizing these synergies.

The gathering also covered India’s agricultural modernization initiatives. Key government programs like crop insurance, agriculture loans, and the growth of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the industry were discussed by Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation). Both small and large farmers stand to gain from these efforts, which seek to build a more technologically sophisticated and robust agricultural environment.

The Brazilian delegation comprised high-ranking officials from the State of Goias, along with industry representatives, while the Indian side included senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Trade, knowledge sharing, and digital agriculture were

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro Universities, Collaborations, Company News, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D, Seeds

Key areas identified for joint projects included agro-chemicals, seeds, microbiome research, agro-machinery, farmer training and food processing.

The teams from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, and UPL engaged in discussions to explore potential collaborations for technology development and its transfer to farmers’ fields. Key areas identified for joint projects included agro-chemicals, seeds, microbiome research, agro-machinery, farmer training, food processing, and more. It was also proposed that, to advance these collaborative efforts, the R&D team from UPL could visit ICAR-IARI for one-on-one discussions with the relevant research groups in the respective fields.

Dr C H Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-IARI, highlighted the research, education, and extension agenda of IARI and opportunities for collaborations in emerging research priorities. He also emphasised the placement opportunities for IARI students in agro-industries. Heads of divisions presented various research themes during the visit.

Key areas identified for joint projects included

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, India, Seeds

Special varieties of potatoes from the Netherlands like Santana and Quintera will be grown in Shahjahanpur in large areas.

 India’s leading fertilizer company, Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO) has partnered with Netherland’s Farm Frites to set up a processing plant at Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Company has signed a joint venture agreement to set up a hi-tech potato processing unit at Shahjahanpur. The agreement was signed by KRIBHCO MD M R Sharma and Farm Frites Chairman Pieter de Bruijne, said KRIBHCO in a statement.

Special varieties of potatoes from the Netherlands like Santana and Quintera will be grown in Shahjahanpur in large areas. A dedicated team of KRIBHCO and Farm Frites will provide the seed of special varieties and guide them in its cultivation. This project will help increase the income of farmers of Shahjahanpur and nearby areas. This plant will also help in generation of hundreds of employments.

As per Uttar Pradesh’s industrial policy, this project is going to be a super mega project. A high-level team of KRIBHCO and Farm Frites, led by Bruijne, visited Shahjahanpur on February 10 to finalise the project site.

Farm Frites is a 50-year-old company involved in the business of production of a variety of potato fries and potato specialties. Farm Frites delivers its products to foodservice providers in over 100 countries. Farm Frites is a key supplier to global food chains such as McDonalds, KFC, Dominos, etc. The Farm Frites grows 15 lakh tonnes of potatoes worldwide and supplies more than 80 types of fries, specialities, and appetizers.

Special varieties of potatoes from the Netherlands

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News

San-Vardhan addressed the challenges faced by cotton farmers by leveraging pheromone-based ATGC Biotech’s CREMIT technology. It enabled farmers to adopt eco-friendly population control solution for PBW thus reducing insecticide usage and also guided them on Integrated Pest and Nutrient Management aspects for sustainable cotton production

To celebrate the successful conclusion of this CSR initiative, a Stakeholders Meet was convened to explore the revival of cotton in northern India. The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Baljinder Saini, Executive Director of RGR Cell, who emphasized the necessity of initiatives like San-Vardhan, citing a 31 per cent decline in cotton cultivation area and a 38 per cent drop in production over the past few years.

660 farmers across 2000 acres in 3 districts of Punjab and Haryana benefited from the project and found cotton as a better alternative to paddy. Average yields increased by 21 per cent, leading to a 30 per cent rise in farmers’ incomes. Chemical usage reduced by 2.1 sprays, improving soil health, environmental sustainability and creating positive impact on the environment. He shared the project, funded by Sportking India, demonstrates its potential to make a significant difference in the lives of cotton farmers and the environment in northern India, and marks a promising beginning to help cotton farmers across India.

Dr. Markandya, CMD of ATGC Biotech, elaborated on the CREMIT technology’s effectiveness in managing Pink Bollworm (PBW). Having undergone rigorous testing by government agencies, CREMIT has demonstrated its potential. Dr. Markandya emphasized ATGC’s commitment to developing eco-friendly pest control solutions for various crops, including tomato, rice, wheat, brinjal, and others, aiming to positively impact the lives of Indian farmers. Rakesh Rathi, Director at Indian Cotton Association, highlighted the huge demand-supply gap in cotton in the northern region, with a requirement of 9 million bales annually, but availability of less than 3 million bales and hence sourcing from other states and outside India. Cotton cultivation in Punjab has declined drastically from 7.5 million hectares to just 90,000 hectares last year, impacting Punjab’s economy and cotton industry.

Rathi suggested the government withdraw the mandi tax on cotton and moreover support farmers in accessing good hybrid seeds in the northern belt to increase cultivation. Representing Sportking India, Naresh Behl participated in the event, conveying Managing Director Munish Avasthi’s pride and enthusiasm for being part of this innovative initiative. He emphasized the initiative’s demonstration of collaborative power in driving positive change and encouraged fellow industry stakeholders to continue supporting such impactful endeavours. Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairman, Punjab State Food Commission “extended warm congratulations to the San-Vardhan team on the successful culmination of their CSR initiative, praising their efforts and commitment to driving meaningful change”.

A panel discussion was also organized on this occasion, featuring esteemed experts from various fields. The panel comprised Dr. Joginder Singh (seed industry), Dr. Rishi Kumar
(CICR Sirsa), Dr. Dharminder Pathak (PAU cotton breeding), and Dr. Satnam Singh (PAU integrated pest management). The discussion was moderated by Gurbinder Singh Gill,
Director of Team Athena. The experts expressed concerns about the impact of changing weather conditions and high temperatures on cotton productivity in the region. They emphasized the need for developing temperature-resistant hybrid seed varieties. Furthermore, the panel highlighted the importance of promoting high-density planting system (HDPS) varieties, which can thrive in specific geometric patterns, enabling mechanized harvesting and enhancing efficiency.

Ram Pratap Sihag, Joint Director, Agriculture, Haryana, emphasized the importance of cotton as a key crop for diversification. He announced “That the Haryana government will
provide ₹1,000 per acre as compensation to discourage paddy burning. Additionally, the government is working on waiving market fees on cotton and offering per-quintal compensation to farmers, aiming to promote sustainable farming practices and support the livelihoods of farmers in Haryana”.

Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana, highlighted the challenges faced by cotton farmers in Punjab. He said “The decline in cotton cultivation to increased costs in
cotton farming and paddy encroachment in cotton-growing areas. Hel appreciated the efforts of the San-Vardhan team in helping cotton farmers and emphasized the need for mass
adoption of technologies to reverse the paddy trend in north India”. Specifically, he mentioned that PAU has recommended the CREMIT technology to the state government for
Pink Bollworm management.

Farmers from Bathinda and Sirsa shared their positive experiences with the CREMIT technology, expressing enthusiasm to continue using it in the upcoming cotton season.
Gurbinder Singh Gill concluded the session by thanking all participants. He emphasized that Team Athena is proud to have conceptualized and implemented San Vardhan, a testament
to the impact of collaborative efforts in driving positive change for cotton farmers in North India.

As we celebrate the success of San-Vardhan in North India, we recognize the potential for replication in other regions. We invite leading textile organizations and other stakeholders
across cotton value chain to scale similar initiatives across cotton growing regions, empowering cotton farmers thus ultimately revolutionizing cotton farming and reviving glory of cotton across India.

San-Vardhan addressed the challenges faced by cotton

Company News

Meeting held by Syngenta Group on February 14, 2025, the Company announced that Alf Barrios, a Spanish and U.S. citizen, has been unanimously elected as a new independent director of the Company, effective February 14, 2025. He has also been appointed as a member of the Board’s Compensation Committee and Audit Committee

Alf Barrios has more than 35 years of experience working globally in the natural resources and energy sectors. He retired from Rio Tinto, a leading global mining and materials company, at the end of 2024. At Rio Tinto, he held the positions of Chief Commercial Officer, China Chair and Japan Chairman (Singapore) from 2021. He joined Rio Tinto in 2014 as the CEO of its global Aluminum business (Montreal, Canada). Prior to Rio Tinto, he worked for 21 years at BP, a leading oil and gas company, where his last role was Executive Director and EVP Downstream for TNK-BP (Moscow, Russia). Alf Barrios is a recognized international leader in managing global value chains, having managed production, trading, supply & logistics, and sales & marketing, across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East, Russia, Africa, and Australasia.

Syngenta Group Chairman Li Fanrong said: “We are delighted that Alf Barrios is joining our Board. His deep knowledge in managing global value chains will be invaluable to us and help Syngenta Group pursue our goal of providing agronomic solutions and digital services that farmers need to grow healthy food while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.”

Alf Barrios said: “I am delighted to join the Syngenta Group Board of Directors. Syngenta is one of the world’s biggest agricultural innovation companies, operating in more than 100 countries. I am especially looking forward to supporting the Group with my background in managing complex global businesses.”

Meeting held by Syngenta Group on February