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Carbon Farming, Climate, Collaborations, Environment, Nature, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

The World Bank’s 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) promotes sustainable agriculture by expanding water-saving methods, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing productivity through public-private partnerships. Its projects, such as Low Methane Rice and innovative irrigation methods in India and Bangladesh, improve climate resilience and food security globally

The World Bank’s 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG), a global public-private partnership, is spearheading efforts to solve water scarcity in agriculture, which accounts for 70% of total freshwater withdrawals. WRG, which operates as a trust fund under the World Bank, works with businesses, governments, and civil society to create innovative water management solutions while also promoting climate-resilient food systems. Climate change poses severe obstacles, making these initiatives critical as farmers struggle to satisfy global food demands. WRG encourages micro-irrigation for water efficiency, better agriculture practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and market innovations that increase agricultural output and mechanization. By driving these sustainable practices, WRG helps secure stable food supplies, increase farmers’ earnings, and save crucial water resources.

WRG’s Low Methane Rice effort is one of its ground-breaking projects, with the goal of having revolutionary environmental and agricultural consequences. Building on the success of India’s Uttar Pradesh PRAGATI Accelerator, the initiative aims to scale up initiatives to reduce methane emissions, improve water efficiency, and increase yields in important rice-growing regions throughout South and East Asia. This unique program demonstrates WRG’s ability to use public-private partnerships to achieve daring solutions that were previously thought impossible. By duplicating established models such as PRAGATI, WRG positions itself as a leader in reducing emissions and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. This initiative demonstrates how sustainable techniques can meet both global environmental issues and local agriculture demands.

WRG’s Low Methane Rice effort is one of its ground-breaking projects, with the goal of having revolutionary environmental and agricultural consequences. Building on the success of India’s Uttar Pradesh PRAGATI Accelerator, the initiative aims to scale up initiatives to reduce methane emissions, improve water efficiency, and increase yields in important rice-growing regions throughout South and East Asia. This unique program demonstrates WRG’s ability to use public-private partnerships to achieve daring solutions that were previously thought impossible. By duplicating established models such as PRAGATI, WRG positions itself as a leader in reducing emissions and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. This initiative demonstrates how sustainable techniques can meet both global environmental issues and local agriculture demands.

Beyond India and Bangladesh, WRG’s creative programs serve as models for other regions with comparable difficulties. In Karnataka, India, WRG established the world’s first large-scale community drip irrigation project, lowering water abstraction by 24 million cubic meters and duplicating the idea on an additional 100,000 hectares. In Kenya, WRG pioneered a funding strategy that allowed smallholder farmers to gain access to sophisticated irrigation systems, helping 500 farmers and encouraging the wider growth of farmer-led irrigation programs. Meanwhile, in South Africa, WRG launched the country’s first automated water administration system, decreasing water distribution losses by up to 20% and expanding the model to 21 major irrigation systems. These projects demonstrate WRG’s ability to provide scalable and meaningful solutions that boost productivity while conserving water.

Over the last decade, WRG’s initiatives have proved the power of public-private partnerships to address the interconnected concerns of water scarcity, agricultural production, and climate resilience. By combining local knowledge with global expertise, WRG has enabled farmers in Africa and Asia to implement novel solutions that increase yields while minimizing environmental impact. From pioneering low-methane rice cultivation to expanding irrigation improvements, WRG’s projects have established new standards for sustainable water management. These measures have not only addressed current issues, but have also established long-term routes for resilience and growth. By ensuring food security, safeguarding natural resources, and lowering emissions, WRG continues to play an important role in addressing some of today’s most critical concerns. With an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability

The World Bank's 2030 Water Resources Group

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, India, Organic

 bigbasket will source organic fruits, vegetables, and staple items directly from organic farmers across the state and will launch four new collection centers in Andhra Pradesh.

Hyderabad based bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen the organic produce market linkage. This partnership will enable bigbasket to source organic fruits, vegetables, and staple items directly from organic farmers across the state and supply them to its distribution centres nationwide.

The MoU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, marking a significant step towards strengthening the organic agriculture ecosystem and supporting the state’s farmers. As part of the collaboration, bigbasket will establish four new collection centres in Andhra Pradesh, ensuring a daily supply of fresh, high-quality organic produce. The initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of local organic farmers and enhance consumer access to sustainable, organic products.

Speaking on the occasion, Seshu Kumar Tirumala, Chief buying and merchandising officer, bigbasket, said, “This MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government is a monumental step forward, not just in terms of establishing robust market linkages, but in reshaping the future of agriculture. Our focus goes beyond simply supplying fresh, high-quality organic produce – it’s about creating an ecosystem where both farmers and consumers thrive. By extending our network of collection centers, we are creating a lasting impact on the local economy, reducing the carbon footprint of our supply chain and improving the accessibility of healthy, organic food for people across India.”

Currently, bigbasket operates 12 organic collection centres and in total around 80+ collection centres across India, working closely with over 1,500 organic farmers. This initiative aligns with bigbasket’s ongoing efforts to make organic food more accessible and affordable. In September 2024, the company introduced an initiative offering organically grown fruits, vegetables, and staples at prices comparable to conventionally grown products, aiming to eliminate the price gap and promote sustainable agriculture. This MoU is also another significant step by bigbasket towards solidifying its reputation as India’s premier destination for organic produce.

 bigbasket will source organic fruits, vegetables, and

Agribusiness, Biofuel industry, Collaborations, Company News, Oilseeds, Sustainable Energy, World

Bayer will work with Neste, the value chain, and farmers to introduce winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock that delivers fuel with lower carbon intensity.

Bayer and Neste, a leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly scale winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock for renewable products like biofuels. Within the collaboration, the companies are going to develop a winter canola ecosystem in the Southern Great Plains of the US, including product development and additional collaborations to enable Bayer to enter this market.

“Renewable fuels are playing an important role in the decarbonization of transportation and energy while global targets continue to shape biofuel markets and accelerate demand for biomass-based feedstocks going forward,” said Frank Terhorst, Head of Strategy & Sustainability for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We are committed to supporting farmers’ ability to deliver low-carbon feedstocks on demand, through investments in new crops like winter canola and advancements in sustainable cropping systems.”

Bayer aims to launch hybrid TruFlex winter canola in 2027. It offers many benefits to farmers as it includes Roundup Ready and pod shatter resistance technology, delivering excellent product stability and performance. Used as a new alternative rotational crop, winter canola helps sequester carbon in the soil and can improve soil health by increasing its organic matter content and water-holding capacity, leading to enhanced soil fertility and productivity.

“We are excited to partner with Neste to enable profitable new crop options for farmers, while delivering on the unmet demand for renewable fuel,” said Jennifer Ozimkiewicz, Head of Crop Strategy Soy & Biofuels at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We believe our next generation TruFlex products will provide farmers a new profitable rotational crop option, while offering potential sustainability benefits such as increased biodiversity, soil health and agronomic rotation to reduce pest, disease and weed pressure. Bayer is committed to continue to lead the way with alternative biomass-based feedstocks and regenerative agricultural solutions.”

Leading up to launch, Bayer will work with Neste, the value chain, and farmers to introduce winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock that delivers fuel with lower carbon intensity than traditional fuel sources. Bayer and Neste expect to finalize a definitive agreement in 2025.

“This collaboration with Bayer strengthens our strategy to develop together with value chain partners regenerative agriculture concepts that can be scaled up and can play an important role in diversifying and growing the raw materials pool for all of our renewable products,” said Artturi Mikkola, Senior Vice President Feedstock Sourcing & Trading at Neste. “We believe winter canola can bring environmental benefits to cropping systems and result in lower carbon intensity feedstocks that help replace fossil resources with renewable raw materials.”

Renewable fuels play a key role in decarbonizing the transportation sector as electrification will take time in the hard-to-abate sectors, such as aviation. Renewable fuels have a lower carbon intensity than fossil fuels and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle compared to traditional fossil fuels, playing a key role in mitigating climate change. On top, they can provide farmers with new revenue streams through the cultivation of biomass-based feedstocks.

Bayer will work with Neste, the value

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Trade

The country’s organic food exports have grown at a steady pace and over the past decade, exports of organic products have grown from $ 213 million in 2012-13 to $ 494.80 million in 2023 -24

Indian exporters have huge opportunities to increase their share in the global agriculture trade from the current 2.4 per cent, a government official said on Wednesday. The global agriculture trade is about USD 2 trillion.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Abhishek Dev said that given these numbers, “huge opportunities” are there to increase exports from the country.

Despite being the seventh largest agri exporter in the world, “our share is 2.4 per cent in the overall world agri trade and immense possibilities are there to increase this share,” he said at the inauguration of Indusfood 2025 at Greater Noida.

India’s agri export was about $ 50 billion in 2023-24 and this year also, the country is looking at pushing the figure to “new record”, he said. Dev added that the overall focus now is to promote exports of value-added goods.

Talking about exports of organic products, the chairman said India’s share in this segment is about 2.5 per cent, “but we have an ambitious target of increasing the share four-times in the next five years and we are working on that.” The global market for organic goods is $ 147 billion.

The country’s organic food exports have grown at a steady pace and over the past decade, exports of organic products have grown from $ 213 million in 2012-13 to $ 494.80 million in 2023 -24.

Talking about the food show, he said the number of foreign participants is increasing year after year.

Over 2,300 exhibitors from 30 countries and 7,500 international buyers are participating in three-day Indusfood 2025. The integrated trade fair will host 15,000 Indian buyers and trade visitors.

Mohit Singla, Chairman of TPCI, said the exhibition will provide a platform to bridge the gaps between farmers, technology providers and global markets.

“It not only enhances trade opportunities but also directly improves farmer incomes by creating access to better markets and value-addition opportunities,” he said.

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan inaugurated the eighth edition of the show, which is being organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) with the support of Department of Commerce.

Apart from the Indusfood food and beverages trade fair at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, the council is also organising the fourth edition of Indusfood Manufacturing (covering food processing technology, packaging technology, ingredients and hospitality technology) and Indusfood Agritech (showcasing agricultural technology, fisheries technology, dairy and poultry farming technology).

The latter two fairs are scheduled for January 9-11 at Yashobhoomi here.

Speaking at the inauguration, Singla said the exhibition is aimed to promote international collaboration, and innovation across the food value chain.

“Over 1,800 exhibitors are attending. The international exhibitor pavilion launched last year has nearly doubled in terms of representation, with exhibitors from around 30 countries now participating,” he added.

The country's organic food exports have grown

Agribusiness, Company News, India, People

Badri Narayanan, a former Unilever veteran, has been appointed as the Group CEO Designate, and Anil Kumar SG, Founder & Group CEO, will be elevated to the position of Founder & Managing Director.

Samunnati, India’s pioneering agri-value chain enabler, has announced a strategic leadership realignment to deepen its focus on empowering smallholder farmers and driving transformative growth in the agri-ecosystem. In this significant move, Badri Narayanan, a former Unilever veteran, has been appointed as the Group CEO Designate, and Anil Kumar SG, Founder & Group CEO, will be elevated to the position of Founder & Managing Director.

This transition will allow Anil to channel his energy toward shaping long-term strategic initiatives, fostering impactful partnerships, and scaling innovative models that strengthen Samunnati’s role as a thought leader in the agricultural sector. His new role emphasizes advancing sustainable solutions that enable growth for smallholder farmers and build resilient value chains across the ecosystem.

Badri will focus on operational excellence, ensuring seamless execution of Samunnati’s vision and mission. Over the next 6–8 months, upon the completion of the integration processes, Badri will transition to the role of Group CEO, leading Samunnati’s operations and driving impactful initiatives.

With more than 24 years of experience at Unilever, Badri brings a wealth of expertise in general management, sales, marketing, digital commerce, and operations.  He has a proven track record of driving success in emerging markets and leading global initiatives. Badri is recognized for his leadership in driving customer growth, digital commerce, and distribution strategies in consumer goods. A certified ontological and leadership coach, he is also deeply passionate about digital transformation through technology integration across value chains.

Speaking on the leadership realignment, Anil Kumar SG said, “This is a pivotal moment for Samunnati. This elevation provides me the bandwidth to steer the organization’s long-term strategic vision and collaborate across the agri-ecosystem. With Badri’s appointment as Group CEO Designate, Samunnati will further strengthen its operational excellence and ability to scale farmer-centric solutions that enable growth and resilience for smallholder farmers.”

This leadership evolution underscores Samunnati’s commitment to serving India’s agricultural community through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. By reinforcing its leadership team, Samunnati is poised to address emerging challenges and opportunities within the sector, ensuring its continued focus on creating transformative impact.

Badri Narayanan, a former Unilever veteran, has

Horticulture, Trade

India plans to increase banana exports to Russia, with a goal of reaching $1 billion in the coming years. This initiative follows successful trial shipments to nations such as the Netherlands via sea routes, indicating a movement away from traditional air freight and toward marine channels for exporting fresh goods

Due to low numbers and varying ripening timelines, Indian banana exports, as well as mangoes, pomegranates, and jackfruit, are currently primarily delivered by air. To address these constraints and increase export quantities, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a division of the Commerce Ministry, is actively establishing marine protocols. These protocols are intended to ease the export of fresh produce by sea, providing a more cost-effective and scalable method for accessing global markets.

“We are targeting Russia to increase banana exports and will attend buyer-seller meetings in the country,” said APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev. In 2023-24, India exported bananas worth $300 million, up from $176 million the previous year.

India, the world’s largest banana producer, has achieved impressive gains in the worldwide export market. The country’s proportion in banana exports increased from 0.21 per cent in 2013 to 1.74 per cent in 2023. This expansion reflects the government’s proactive attempts to promote banana growing and exports, including as financial assistance to farmers, improved infrastructure, and increased access to international markets.

Indian farmers’ use of sophisticated agricultural practices has also played an important influence in increasing banana yield and quality. By utilizing these technologies and focusing on maritime exports, India has the potential to considerably grow its presence in the global fruit market, with Russia emerging as an important trading partner.

As attempts to secure marine routes for exports ramp up, India’s ambitious $1 billion aim demonstrates the country’s commitment to expanding agricultural exports and establishing a significant position in the global banana trade.

India plans to increase banana exports to

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Collaborations, Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Trade

These MoUs aim to bolster the export and value addition of Odisha’s fresh fruits and vegetables, empowering local farmers with better market access, fair pricing, and global recognition.

In a groundbreaking move to advance Odisha’s position in agricultural exports, Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Odisha in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., signed 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector exporters at the prestigious Krushi Odisha 2025. The ceremony took place in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, Principal Secretary (Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment) Arabinda Padhee, Director of Agriculture Prem Chand Chaudhury, Director of Horticulture Sri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, and Director of Fisheries Ramashish Hazra.

This milestone agreement aims to bolster the export and value addition of Odisha’s fresh fruits and vegetables, empowering local farmers with better market access, fair pricing, and global recognition. The MoUs mark a significant stride in Odisha’s journey to establish itself as a leader in agricultural and horticultural exports, aligning with the state’s strategic vision for sustainable growth.

With nearly 10,000 participants, including farmers, women-led self-help groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), exporters, students, and agri-entrepreneurs, Krushi Odisha 2025 serves as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Featuring 13 technical sessions, farmer-scientist interactions, and over 200 stalls showcasing advanced technology and products, the event underscores Odisha’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector.

The event spotlighted the launch of the Amala Utkala crop information booklet, developed by the Directorate of Horticulture with Palladium as the Technical Support Unit. This booklet offers a comprehensive overview of Odisha’s crops, detailing varieties, production statistics, and market linkages, empowering farmers with critical insights for informed decisions and export opportunities. The event also celebrated sustainable farming by felicitating progressive farmers, SHGs, and FPOs from all 30 districts of Odisha. Key sessions on ‘Developing Organic Commodity Value Chains: An Opportunity for FPOs,’ and ‘Promoting climate resilient Horticulture through ag-tech adoption and innovation’ organized by the Directorate and Palladium Consulting India, highlighted adoption of climate-smart practices for sustainability, market-led organic production systems, emphasizing FPOs and women farmers. Experts shared valuable insights on supply chain efficiency, export potential, agri-entrepreneurship and role of ag-tech in development of sustainable food systems.

Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture, said, “Odisha is on a transformative path to position itself as a leader in agricultural exports. Our collaboration with exporters supported by Technical support Unit led by Palladium and the signing of these MoUs reflects our dedication to empowering farmers, enhancing value addition, and ensuring remunerative market access for our produce on a global scale.”

Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., said, “At Palladium, we are committed to creating sustainable value chains and enabling inclusive economic growth. Through these MoUs and our partnership with the Government of Odisha, we aim to unlock the state’s agricultural potential, provide farmers with global market opportunities, and strengthen Odisha’s position in the export ecosystem.”

These MoUs aim to bolster the export

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, India

Centran is a unique blend of dual active ingredients for pest control and crop nourishment.

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), a leading name in the crop protection and nutrition industry, has launched, a new revolutionary Insecticide, Centran. This will be a pioneering solution for tackling stem borers in paddy. With its dual-action formula, Centran effectively controls stem bores and help the farmers to achieve healthier crops and better productivity.

Paddy is the backbone of the Indian farmers. Stem borers pose a significant threat to their hard work. To address this, new age insecticide Centran has been developed by the R&D Team of Insecticides (India) Limited. Centran is a unique blend of dual active ingredients for pest control and crop nourishment. The product supports robust root development, improves tiller growth, and delivers superior yields, ensuring a higher return on investment for growers.

Commenting on the launch, Rajesh Kumar Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India) Limited, said, “Farmers often face the dual challenge of safeguarding their crops from pests while improving their productivity. Centran addresses both aspects with a thoughtful approach to pest control and crop health. By integrating advanced technology and understanding the specific needs of Indian agriculture, Centran helps to optimise farming efficiency while contributing to food security. At IIL, our focus remains on creating solutions that reduce losses, improve farm economics, and support a thriving agricultural ecosystem.”

Adding to the above, Dushyant Sood, Chief Marketing Officer, said “Centran is yet another product developed by the R&D Team of IIL, this not only protects crop against stem borers but also energizes the crop, with stronger root foundation and excellent tiller growth. We are confident that Centran will create waves in all the paddy growing regions of the country.

“With the usage of Centran, farmers can get strong & healthy stems, complete stem borer protection, vigorous tiller growth, deep, robust root system and visible healthier crop.” Mentioned Manoj Bhandari, Crop Manager – Rice.

With a strong distribution network and a legacy of empowering agriculture, IIL continues to bring impactful innovations that resonate with the needs of those who grow the nation’s food.

Centran is a unique blend of dual

R&D

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), visited ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics on 1st January 2025. He interacted with the Directors and Heads of various ICAR institutes located in Bengaluru and discussed the ongoing ICAR activities. The discussions reflected the collaborative spirit and strategic alignment of these institutes in advancing agricultural and livestock research in the region

Dr Pathak inaugurated the prestigious World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis at ICAR-NIVEDI on 2nd January 2025. Leptospirosis, a major zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, poses a significant public health challenge, especially in high-prevalence areas. The newly inaugurated laboratory at ICAR-NIVEDI’s advanced biosafety laboratory marks a key step in addressing this re-emerging disease. Equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, the facility supports research, development, and capacity-building programs, strengthening India’s efforts in the global fight against Leptospirosis.

The DG lauded the scientists of ICAR-NIVEDI for securing the prestigious WOAH recognition and their contributions to advancing zoonotic disease diagnostics and control. He also inaugurated the ‘Hoof & Health Gate,’ symbolizing the collaborative commitment between ICAR-NIVEDI and ICAR-IVRI towards livestock health and research excellence. Dr Pathak also highlighted ICAR-NIVEDI’s impactful work in livestock disease informatics, real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and its efforts in AMR/AMU studies and zoonotic disease surveillance, crucial for protecting livestock health across the country.

Dr Baldev R Gulati, Director, ICAR-NIVEDI, briefed about the achievements and the ongoing activities of the institute.

Dr Pallab Chaudhury, Joint Director, ICAR-IVRI, Regional Campus, Bengaluru, also graced the occasion.

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director

Acquaculture

Researchers from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources have identified a new yellow catfish species, Horabagrus Obscurus, in Kerala’s Chalakudy River

Researchers from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources have identified a new yellow catfish species, Horabagrus Obscurus, in Kerala’s Chalakudy River. Characterized by its greenish-brown mottled coloration, shorter barbels, and distinct genetic traits, the species coexists with the endangered Horabagrus Nigricollaris. This discovery, led by ICAR-NBFGR’s Centre for Peninsular Aquatic Genetics Resources and published in the Indian Journal of Fisheries, highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Dr U.K. Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, described the discovery as a significant achievement in protecting India’s aquatic resources. He highlighted the importance of conserving Horabagrus obscurus through initiatives like captive breeding and habitat restoration, calling it a vital step towards preserving the delicate ecosystems of the Western Ghats.

Researchers from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish

Agribusiness, Company News, Farm Mechanisation, Finance, Funding, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The funds raised will be directed towards fostering innovation and building strong capabilities in vehicle engineering, vehicle software and battery technology.

 Moonrider an Electric Tractor Technology Company headquartered in Bangalore, has raised a seed round of US$2.2M (Rs.19 crores) co-led by AdvantEdge Founders and Micelio Technology Fund, in addition to a clutch of angel investors. Moonrider, founded in August 2023 by Anoop Srikantaswamy and Ravi Kulkarni, leverages their extensive backgrounds in vehicle engineering and electric vehicle R&D from the Volvo Group, Ola Electric & Olectra BYD. Moonrider offers a comprehensive range of heavy-duty electric tractors that significantly reduce operational costs for farmers and fleet operators.

The funds raised will be directed towards fostering innovation and building strong capabilities in vehicle engineering, vehicle software and battery technology. The company’s electric tractor recently captured significant attention at an agricultural event in Hyderabad, drawing interest from farmer producer organizations (FPOs), individual farm owners, and various stakeholders within the agricultural ecosystem across the country.

Commenting on the funding Anoop Srikantaswamy, co-founder and CEO of Moonrider, stated, “Our mission is to enhance farm profitability by empowering farmers to earn more, save more and produce more. Our electric tractors are designed to cater to diverse farming needs, delivering superior performance, boosting farmer income, and promoting climate-friendly farm mechanization. In recent months, we have forged strong partnerships with leading agri-players and fleet operators both in India and internationally. By leveraging our collective expertise, we aim to develop world-class solutions that elevate productivity. We are proudly Made in India, for the world”.

‘AdvantEdge’s fund thesis centers around accelerating the transition from the Internal Combustion Engine to Electric Vehicles and we see electric tractors as the next category since they are fifty percent cheaper to own and maintain,’ said Kunal Khattar, from AdvantEdge Founders, India’s leading mobility technology fund.

Shreyas Shibulal, founder, Micelio Fund stated, ‘We are very excited about our partnership with Anoop, Ravi and the entire Moonrider team. We believe we are at the right intersection point for electric tractors given the technology and business model evolutions. At Micelio Fund, we aim to back disruptive and sustainable innovations that push the envelope of clean mobility and Moonrider feels right at home.’

The funds raised will be directed towards

Finance, Funding, Investments

Sweden is contributing SEK 30 million (approximately CHF 2.4 million) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) from 2024 to 2026 to help developing economies and least developed countries (LDCs) meet international food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade

The contribution was confirmed at a signing ceremony on 7 November attended by Ambassador Nina Tornberg of Sweden and the WTO‘s Financial Controller at the Finance and Corporate Services Division, John Breckenridge.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “We thank Sweden for its continued generosity and commitment to the STDF, and to improving people’s lives through trade. For two decades, the STDF’s global partnership has successfully provided pathways to trading safely, enabling communities around the world to use trade to sustain inclusive development and growth. STDF’s support has helped small-scale producers in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean meet standards and start exporting to regional and international markets, contributing to higher earnings and job creation, including for women and youth; supporting poverty reduction and food security; and creating ‘win-wins’ for development and the environment.

Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, said: “STDF’s work to strengthen farmers’, producers’ and traders’ access to international food markets helps boost food security by facilitating trade flows while offering the potential to improve income opportunities for communities. Supporting and strengthening the synergies between trade and development cooperation is a key part of the Swedish Government’s reform agenda for development assistance and STDF’s work is well aligned with this objective”.

The donation underscores Sweden’s commitment to the STDF’s mission, bringing its total contributions to approximately CHF 17.86 million since 2005. Sweden has contributed CHF 66.5 million to WTO trust funds over the past 22 years.

The 2024-2026 contribution will be used to strengthen the ability of small-scale farmers, producers and traders to gain and maintain access to markets for food and agriculture products through the development and roll-out of collaborative and innovative projects to strengthen SPS capacity, knowledge sharing, and monitoring and evaluation of results.

Sweden’s long-standing collaboration has been key over the years to promote the economic inclusion benefits of STDF’s work, which has contributed to increasing capacity in developing economies through contributions to legislation, strategies, structures, and SPS-related processes, as well as improved implementation of trade-focused measures for food safety, plant, and animal health.

Target economies and sectors – including micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) – that have benefitted from STDF support have seen stronger export growth in plants, animals and foods. STDF projects have also contributed to enhancing sustainable economic growth and climate change resilience.

Together with other donors, Sweden has driven work to mainstream cross-cutting issues focused on gender and environment, which enables STDF’s work to achieve stronger and more sustainable results. In addition, Sweden is actively contributing towards developing the next STDF strategy for 2025-2030 and strengthening STDF’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework with a view to further improving its performance and impact.

The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership facilitating safe and inclusive trade, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership. The STDF responds to evolving sanitary and phytosanitary needs, drives inclusive trade, and contributes to sustainable economic growth and food security, in support of the United Nations’ Global Goals.

Sweden is contributing SEK 30 million (approximately

Dairy, Dairy

Omfed’s managing director, Vijay Amruta Kulange, announced on Monday that plans are on to establish model Khira Dhara Kendras (KDKs) in each panchayat in order to enhance milk production and sales

Kulange, who presided over a meeting of all unit in-charges and supervisors at the Cuttack Milk Union headquarters, emphasized the importance of developing more milk farmers in the state. He recommended everyone present at the meeting to develop a micro-plan for increasing milk output.

He also asked them to identify farmers at the grassroots level and involve them in the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana (MKY) and Mukhyamantri Krushi Utkarsa Yojana (MKUY). “This will increase the number of dairy farmers in the state and increase milk production,” according to him.

Kulange emphasized the need of improving fodder cultivation, stating that cows will give more milk if they have access to sufficient fodder. “Farmers are urged to have female calves. Omfed provides farmers with a variety of facilities for producing and maintaining female calves. Everyone should work together to ensure that these benefits reach all farmers. Milk output rises as the number of female calves grows. That is why Omfed offers food, medicines, and medical services at reduced prices,” he explained.

The Omfed MD further stated that elaborate plans have been made to provide Omfed products to the Indian diaspora arriving in the state for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. “All arrangements have been made for the display and sale of Omfed products at the tourist destinations where the Indian diaspora will visit,” according to him.

Omfed has set up 21 stalls in Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack. “We are ready to welcome the Indian diaspora and making all-out efforts to ensure Omfed products, which are a symbol of Odia Asmita, reach them,” Kulange told reporters.

Digamber Nayak, Omfed’s technical advisor and the general manager of Cuttack Milk Union, was also present for the meeting.

Omfed's managing director, Vijay Amruta Kulange, announced

Agribusiness, Allied Industry

As coffee becomes more popular among urban consumers in a traditionally tea-loving nation, India’s out-of-home coffee industry is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15-20 per cent, reaching $2.6-3.2 billion by 2028

According to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants, the premium coffee segment (above Rs 200), which accounted for 46 per cent of the market in 2023, is expected to grow to 55-60 per cent of the market at a CAGR of 20-25 per cent, highlighting its dominant role in shaping India’s outside coffee landscape.

This sector focuses on affluent, sophisticated coffee drinkers through artisanal brewing and experience consumption.

The mass market (less Rs 100) had a 50 per cent market share in 2023 and is expected to fall to 30-35 per cent by 2028, expanding at an 8-10 per cent CAGR. While affordability remains its defining characteristic, the market provides little opportunities for premium differentiation, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the mid-price category (Rs 100-Rs 200), which accounted for only 4 per cent of the market in 2023, is predicted to expand to 8-10 per cent by 2028, with an excellent CAGR of 35-40 per cent. This space has enormous potential for launching specialized brews, making it a key driver of industry growth.

“Coffee has evolved from instant and traditional brewing to premium experiences. It is now a lifestyle product for Indian consumers, with the mid-priced category emerging as a whitespace to address the growing demand for inexpensive solutions that provide both quality and an enhanced experience,” said Rohan Agarwal, Partner at Redseer Strategy Consultants.

This market is ready for businesses to enter and provide high-quality, accessible specialty coffee solutions, altering India’s beverage landscape, he said.

While India’s outside coffee industry presents numerous prospects, firms must overcome significant difficulties.

“The intricacies of the supply chain make it difficult to ensure quality and timely delivery across regions. Finding the correct site in high-traffic areas such as malls and technology parks is critical, but it is also extremely competitive,” it noted.

As coffee becomes more popular among urban