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Collaborations, R&D, Start ups, Supply Chain

Following the successful Walmart Growth Summit in India, KBCols Sciences, GreenPod, and Cropin have announced plans to pilot scalable sourcing technology for Walmart’s U.S. market in 2025

The largest omnichannel retailer in the world, Walmart, announced significant partnerships with startups in India to serve the company’s sourcing and supply chain activities in the United States. Three startups have been chosen for trial programs: Bengaluru-based Cropin, Chennai-based GreenPod Labs, and Pune-based KBCols Sciences. Last year, these businesses attended the Walmart Growth Summit.

Each company’s solutions will support large-scale innovation throughout Walmart’s supply chains. In order to lessen the impact on the environment, the pilot programs will test solutions that increase the availability of better and fresher products for Walmart customers in the United States and abroad, decrease product waste, and develop sustainable substitutes for intermediate products used in manufacturing processes like synthetic textile dyes.

Based in Pune, India, KBCols Sciences produces non-GMO natural textile dyes by fermenting microorganisms from agricultural waste all throughout the country. By using less water and energy during the dying process, these natural dyes can be applied to a variety of textiles, facilitating more efficient manufacturing. This invention opens the door for more regenerative techniques in mass-produced apparel by providing a more environmentally friendly substitute for synthetic dyes. Through testing on jersey cotton and woven fabrics, the pilot will assess the qualities of KBCol’s dyes.

GreenPod Labs, a Chennai-based startup, creates tiny sachets of plant extracts that trigger fruits’ and vegetables’ natural defensive systems, slowing down ripening and simulating the condition while still on the vine, therefore extending the freshness of natural produce. Produce can remain fresher for longer because to the supply chain’s extended travel times. Walmart may be able to source from new regions thanks to this innovation, which could also make transportation more affordable and enhance customer quality and freshness. Walmart will test GreenPod sachets in partnership with UC Davis to determine how well they work.

An AI-driven AgTech platform that offers useful insights on crop yields, improving productivity, optimizing resource use, and guaranteeing consistent harvest quality is provided by Bengaluru, India-based Cropin. To better understand crop health, production projections, and the timing of seasonal transitions, the pilot will test this technology on produce supply networks. Walmart may be able to obtain perishable goods more efficiently with improved data accuracy, which might increase customer availability and quality while cutting waste. This pilot program, which is being launched in partnership with Walmart Global Tech’s Sparkubate program, will enable start-up innovators to expand their concepts and address the most important retail concerns.

Part of a global series, the Walmart Growth Summit in India aims to link innovators, suppliers, and entrepreneurs with Walmart’s vast supply chain network. These summits, which take place in nations like Mexico, Chile, and India, give attendees a stage on which to showcase innovations and technology that complement Walmart’s emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, and creativity. Entrepreneurs can present their goods and look at ways to grow within Walmart’s worldwide supply chain through one-on-one pitch sessions and informative talks.

These most recent pilot projects expand on a portfolio of innovative projects that includes partnerships with Rubi Laboratories, Agritask, and unspun. Pilots for sourcing innovation are intended to improve resource efficiency, assist Walmart in making better sourcing decisions, and promote quantifiable advancements in the direction of a more robust global supply chain.

Following the successful Walmart Growth Summit in

Horticulture

As the demand for the South American tropical fruit avocado rises among health-conscious customers, ambitious farmers are embracing its growing in the state

Often referred to as butter fruit, this fruit is a great source of healthful fats, antioxidants that fight disease and aging, and almost 20 different vitamins and minerals. The fruit has a deep flavor and a creamy consistency. To fulfill the increasing demand, it is now mostly imported, but some ambitious people are attempting to cultivate it locally.

The crop will soon be the subject of research at Telangana State Horticultural University’s Sangareddy campus. For 2024–2025, the horticulture department had set a modest goal of 20 hectares to promote the avocado production.

Enthusiastic farmers took up cultivation of the avocado crop even before the horticulture department started its research. One can grow more avocado trees per acre of land than mangoes and the retail price is between Rs 400 to Rs 500 per kg. Containing a lot of minerals, vitamins and is rich with fats which are good for health. As it does not have sugars, it’s good for diabetics also.

It is stated that the avocado oil, which costs Rs 1,500 per litre, has properties similar to those of olive oil and is beneficial for the skin, heart, and Vitamin E. As a result, it is utilized in cooking and cosmetics. According to data just released by the American Heart Association, eating avocados lowers the risk of having a heart attack by 30 per cent. International demand for the fruit has been strong. For the past six years, we have been providing farmers with training programs. We market the fruit, maintain a nursery, and conduct field tests. Around it, we are creating an ecology. The demand for it is enormous on a global scale. Fruit folate promotes the development of the baby’s brain and spine and facilitates digestion during pregnancy.

As the demand for the South American

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Collaborations, Finance, Funding, R&D, Trade

FPOs deliberate on Challenges of Commodity Derivatives Suspension where FPOs discussed and shared the critical impact of suspensions of Commodity Derivatives and way forward highlighting the research by IIT Bombay (SJMSOM), on the ‘Impact of suspensions of Commodity derivatives on the agri Ecosystem’

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, collectively representing over 10,000 farmers gather at IIT Mumbai. This unique forum organized by NCDEX IPFT facilitated a dialogue on the critical impact of the suspension of commodity derivatives on farmers and their livelihood. A study conducted by Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay, titled “Impact of Suspension of Commodity Derivatives on the Agri Ecosystem,” was also presented at the event. The research underscores the critical role of commodity derivatives in price discovery and risk management for farmers and stakeholders in the agri value chain.

Shri Pasha Patel Chairman of the State Agriculture Price Committee, Maharashtra addressed the meet and opined, “The commodity derivatives markets are an extension of the spot markets. As price discovery is an important function of Commodity Exchanges – FPOs must have access to it. Government initiatives in collaboration with the Exchange can yield results that can empower the farmers / FPOs to mitigate their price risk establishing a robust and sustainable agri ecosystem” India is the 4th largest producer of oil and oilseeds in the world accounting for 10 per cent of global production.

Government has launched a mission worth $ 1.3 billion (Rs. 11,000 crore) FY’25 aimed at reducing the dependency on imported edible oils and achieving self sufficiency in oilseed production. Commodity derivatives market played a vital role in empowering farmers by providing a transparent price discovery mechanism, mitigating price volatility and promoting sound decision-making by all agri market participants. However, the suspension of Exchange-Traded Commodity Derivatives (ETCDs) has disrupted these benefits, leaving farmers vulnerable to inconsistent mandi prices and volatile market conditions.

The SJMSOM IIT Bombay report Impact of Suspension of Commodity Derivatives on the Agri Ecosystem highlighted that commodity derivatives market and futures trading provides a transparent price discovery process for Farmers’ Producers (FPOs) to make informed decisions regarding their agricultural produce (right from sowing to selling); commodity derivatives serve as market-driven tools for price risk management by the entire commodity value chain in managing the price volatility and inherent risks in the agro economic space; commodity price fluctuations are inevitable and depends primarily upon market dynamics of Demand & Supply.

Dr. Sarthak Gaurav, IIT Bombay, the author of the aforementioned report, commented that, “Commodity derivative contracts play an important role in price discovery and risk hedging, which is apparent from the analysis. The suspension of futures commodities trading has negatively impacted better price realization because of the absence of reference pricing mechanism and thus also disrupted price risk management practices of participants in the commodity value chain. Consequently, the agri-ecosystem in whole has been affected due to hurdles in market access, participation and securing fair prices.”

The SJMSOM, IIT Bombay combined primary and secondary research through survey and indepth interview of physical market participants (including farmers and FPOs) in three states i.e. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh with focus on Mustard Seed, Soya Oil, Soybean, Chana and Wheat. It primarily examined the relationship between futures and spot prices, volume, and volatility and presented commodity-specific price variation associated with the suspension. The report shared insights pertaining to futures trading for physical market participants including the farming community whose experiences in the context of futures trading remain understudied

FPOs deliberate on Challenges of Commodity Derivatives

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Europe

Bayer to distribute Ecospray’s new liquid nematicide with their exclusive brand, Velsinum™, across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa starting in 2026.

Bayer today announced that the company has signed a new exclusive distribution agreement with UK-based Ecospray to market a biological liquid nematicide sourced from garlic. The product presents a biological alternative to traditional synthetic chemical nematicides in vegetable and potato crops and will be marketed in the European Union under the new name Velsinum™.

“Farmers in the EU are in desperate need of new, effective solutions against pests for their high-value vegetable crops,” said Jens Hartmann, Regional Head for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “Velsinum will be a welcome addition into Bayer’s trusted portfolio of biological solutions and technologies supported by innovations like Velum, BioAct, Nematool and Terra MG.”

Nematodes cause over 75 billion euros worth of damage to crops globally each year with all crops facing at least one nematode pest threat. Velsinum will offer growers a new tool against nematode root damage with complementary benefits for both plant and soil health. Plants which can avoid root damage are better able to absorb available nutrients and also can withstand disease and pest pressure overall, all while safekeeping beneficial earthworm populations to maintain soil quality.

Ecospray’s knowledge and expertise of the naturally occurring bioactive compounds contained within garlic has allowed the company to develop effective plant protection products which take advantage of the natural nematicidal properties of garlic extract in order to create safe, effective and zero-residue solutions.

“We are excited to collaborate with Bayer on Velsinum, which is fully compatible with Bayer’s existing biological portfolio,” said Peter McDonald, CEO of Ecospray. “This partnership is a strong endorsement of Ecospray and its R&D capabilities developed over many years. We also greatly appreciate the ongoing support from our existing distributors in Europe Certis Belchim BV and CBC (Europe) SRL., who remain vital to our market development with our legacy product Nemguard.”

Bayer’s partnership with Ecospray continues Bayer’s work to bring new botanical and biological solutions from the open innovation ecosystem to growers, while encouraging diversity in modern agricultural practices and enabling additional regenerative agricultural practices. With Bayer’s trusted brand, global commercialization capabilities, and unparalleled agricultural systems expertise Bayer helps to bring effective biological products to market more quickly.

Bayer to distribute Ecospray’s new liquid nematicide

Collaborations, Finance, Trade

A Milestone in Regional Financial Co-operation towards Building a Cutting-Edge Trading Ecosystem

National Commodities & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), India’s leading agri commodity derivatives exchange, and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), Sri Lanka’s flagship stock exchange, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 16th January 2025 at Colombo, to foster collaboration in assisting in establishing a comprehensive framework for derivatives and commodities to be traded in Sri Lanka. The collaboration aims to harness NCDEX’s more than two decades of expertise in developing and managing a robust derivative ecosystem and CSE’s expertise in the equity segment to establish market infrastructure that aligns with global standards.

The areas of cooperation include knowledge transfer, technology support, capacity building, and the development of a regulatory framework. The partnership highlights the value of regional collaboration in financial market development, ably supported by respective forward-looking governments. Expressing enthusiasm at the development, Mr. Arun Raste, Managing Director & CEO, NCDEX, said, “This MoU reflects NCDEX’s commitment to creating globally benchmarked platforms that support regional development. It presents an opportunity to contribute to establishing a sustainable and well-regulated financial market ecosystem.

Our expertise in derivatives and commodities trading, developed under the progressive policies and unwavering support of the Indian government and regulators, positions us well to share valuable insights internationally.” Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara, Chairman of the CSE, stated, “This initiative marks a pivotal milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey toward diversifying its capital market offerings. By partnering with NCDEX, we aim to introduce world-class trading facilities. Through this exchange will empower market participants, create economic opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development.”

The MoU is aimed at sharing expertise in product designing and development, trading systems, and regulatory frameworks; providing assistance in setting up advanced trading and operational systems; conducting training programs, technical assistance, and infrastructure development to empower stakeholders; develop a broad-level regulatory framework to ensure the smooth functioning. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from CSE and NCDEX, reinforcing the commitment of both organizations to enhancing market infrastructure and advancing sustainable trading practices.

A Milestone in Regional Financial Co-operation towards

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Horticulture

At Higi Bagra Village in the West Siang district, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein inaugurated the Arunachal Pineapple Festival Bagra 2.0, underlining the intrinsic worth of agriculture and how it blends with local culture and tourism

At the opening of the Arunachal Pineapple Festival Bagra 2.0 at Higi Bagra Village in the West Siang district, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein stressed the economic importance of agriculture and how it melds with local culture and tourism. Mein complimented the All Bagra Welfare Society for arranging the event together, stressed the 9,000 metric tons of pineapples cultivated in the area each year, and advised farmers to take into account governmental initiatives such as the Atma-Nirbhar Bhagwani Yojana (ANBY) and the Atma-Nirbhar Krishi Yojana (ANKY). In a bid to raise farmers’ incomes and access to worldwide markets, he also underscored the significance of post-harvest solutions, facilities for food processing, and specific mandi in the Siang Belt.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced plans for the Arunachal GI Mahotsav-2025 in New Delhi and suggested that Bagra Pineapple be registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) to increase its recognition. Local officials, such as Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, who praised the initiative’s cultural and environmental benefits, and other dignitaries who honored the commitment of Bagra’s agricultural community participated in the celebration.

Mein also stated that Bagra is the hub of Arunachal Pradesh’s pineapple industry, with the West Siang district alone exporting about 9,000 metric tons a year. He maintained, “The region is also known for its oranges, which further illustrate its agricultural potential, with 265 farmers engaged in pineapple farming in the area.” He highlighted that the state already has a variety of GI-tagged goods, such as Arunachal Orange, and underscored the value of GI registration for goods like the Bagra Pineapple.

Mein gave the assurance that the state government is dedicated to helping the farming sector and encouraged local farmers to advance their agricultural endeavors. He said that initiatives like the Atma-Nirbhar Krishi Yojana (ANKY) and the Atma-Nirbhar Bhagwani Yojana (ANBY) are meant to empower farming communities throughout the state. He went on to say that these initiatives have received a significant amount of cash in order to support Arunachal Pradesh’s agricultural growth.

He also talked about one of the main issues that Arunachal Pradesh farmers have with regard to selling their produce. “I understand the difficulties our farmers experience, as even high-quality produce can occasionally be sold for poor rates. He stated that “post-harvest management solutions are urgently needed” and recommended the construction of a Mandi in the Siang Belt as well as food processing facilities for value addition.

Additionally, he encouraged business owners to look into projects that will help farmers’ financial circumstances since they will be selling their goods directly to customers or wholesalers rather than via intermediaries.

At Higi Bagra Village in the West

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

Post the acquisition, DeHaat will be serving an overall base of over 12 million farmers across the country, quadrupling the farmer network benchmark it had set for itself by 2024.

 Leading AgTech platform DeHaat, announced the acquisition of Olam Agri owned AgriCentral, one of the largest farm advisory platforms in India through a Business Transfer Agreement (BTA) in an all-cash deal. This strategic acquisition of AgriCentral, a platform with over 10 million smallholder farmers, will enhance DeHaat’s bouquet of digital farmer services, extend its outreach to these farmers, and solidify its position as India’s largest full-stack AgriTech platform.

DeHaat’s acquisition of AgriCentral aligns perfectly with its mission to empower farmers in leveraging technology to enable better decision making across the crop life cycle. The integration will further strengthen DeHaat’s digital capability to offer holistic solutions across crop advisory, input supply, and market linkages. Post the acquisition, DeHaat will be serving an overall base of over 12 million farmers across the country, quadrupling the farmer network benchmark it had set for itself by 2024.

“DeHaat has successfully developed robust supply chain capabilities to offer 360-degree agricultural solutions to Indian farmers across 120,000+ villages through a network of 15,000+ DeHaat Centres. We have also established institutional tie-ups with 1,000+ agribusiness institutions, including agri-input manufacturers, agri-produce buyers, warehouse operators, and financial institutions,” said Shashank Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, DeHaat.

He added, “AgriCentral’s cost-efficient digital capabilities will complement our efforts in reaching millions of underserved farmers with our full stack agri value chain offerings. It will also enable us to introduce multiple value-added services such as precision advisory, mechanization, insurance, and cattle advisory to enhance the livelihoods of our farmers. With this integration, we reinforce our commitment to bringing transparent and direct access to farmers in the USD 500 billion Indian agriculture sector.”

Founded in 2018, AgriCentral is an Olam backed & incubated app-based platform for Indian farmers and has emerged as one of the largest digital advisory platforms with over 10 million users. The platform today serves farmers through features like real-time crop price data, personalized crop planning, crop health diagnostics and community interaction platforms. AgriCentral harnesses state of the art technologies such as global positioning, satellite imagery, big data analytics, machine learning and image analytics to usher farmers into the era of digital farming.

Commenting on the acquisition, Ramanarayanan Mahadevan, CEO, Jiva AG PTE said ‘At AgriCentral, our mission has always been to leverage technology to enhance the lives of Indian farmers, and we take immense pride in having reached over 10 million farmers through our platform. I am confident that DeHaat will further scale the impact, providing farmers on the AgriCentral platform with better access to a comprehensive range of agricultural value chain services. It is incredibly fulfilling to reflect on the role we’ve played in advancing the Indian agri-tech landscape”.

Post the acquisition, DeHaat will be serving

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Drones, Finance, Funding, India, Start ups

This strategic investment underscores the growing demand for precision agriculture solutions and GA’s ability to meet these needs with innovative and affordable drone technology.

Bangalore based General Aeronautics (GA), a pioneering drone technology company specialising in precision spraying and agriculture, has successfully raised an undisclosed amount in its Series A+ funding round led by Fowler Westrup India. This strategic investment underscores the growing demand for precision agriculture solutions and GA’s ability to meet these needs with innovative and affordable drone technology.

Certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), GA’s cutting-edge solutions are already deployed by leading agrochemical giants such as Syngenta, Bayer, FMC, and IFFCO. These partnerships reflect the trust in GA’s ability to enhance farming practices through automation, precision, and efficiency.

Scaling Production, Expanding Reach & Strengthen R&D: This funding round is a pivotal milestone for GA as it gears up to:

• Expand Production Capacity: Scale operations to fulfil growing demand and clear pending orders.

• Introduce Affordable Variants: Lucrative model for microentrepreneurs, with drones offering comparable unit economics to traditional farm equipment and ensuring affordable services to farmers with back up of full indigenously built software stack.

• Strengthen Distribution: Enhance accessibility of its technology by expanding distribution networks.

Abhishek Burman, Founder and CEO of General Aeronautics, said, “This investment marks a significant step in our journey to transform agriculture through precision technology. By scaling production and expanding our reach, we aim to empower farmers with sustainable, efficient, and accessible solutions that redefine farming practices.”

Shardul Kshirsagar, MD & CEO of Fowler Westrup, commented, “General Aeronautics has demonstrated a remarkable capability to integrate advanced technology with practical farming solutions. Our partnership will enable them to scale up production capacity, improve supply chain efficiency & grow the business to make a profound positive impact on farmers’ income. Our investment reinforces our commitment to add value to Indian farming and agriculture sector to become food bowl of the world with ‘Make in India’ products and solutions.”

This strategic investment underscores the growing demand

Agribusiness, Funding

FMC Corporation, a manufacturer of agricultural chemicals, has reorganized its venture capital investing division, FMC Ventures

“FMC is still dedicated to agricultural technology innovation. Under the direction of Zack Zaki, Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Development, FMC Ventures continues to run and oversee its current investment portfolio even though we have modified our organizational structure to improve operations.

Since its establishment in 2020, FMC Corporation’s venture arm has supported companies including Traive, Agrospheres, Niqo Robotics, Micropep Technologies, Guardian Agriculture, and Trace Genomics, among others. For ag input companies like FMC, the environment has become challenging due to lower commodity prices, high costs, and other supply chain and climate change-related challenges.

At the same time, the broader tech downturn has severely (some would say completely) impacted agtech investment. Capital is still scarce despite forecasts that investment is rebounding. Brooks wrote a guest piece for AgFunderNews just last week, explaining why agtech investment requires new finance models.

FMC sold its Global Specialty Solutions division to environmental scientific firm Envu in November 2024.

FMC Corporation, a manufacturer of agricultural chemicals,

Award

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) has been honoured with the prestigious “Capacity Building, Awareness and Excellence Recognition Programme” award by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for its outstanding contributions to apprenticeship training and skill development

Through its strong Apprenticeship Training School (ATS), which has been in existence since 1954, TCL has demonstrated its unshakable commitment to developing talent and empowering the future generation. Ms. Gargi Jain, IAS Director, Employment and Training, presented the award.

This Apprenticeship Training School (ATS) has trained thousands of young people to gain practical skills over the years, enabling and empowering them to work in any manufacturing area. Tata Chemicals has maintained an impressive 4.5 per cent apprenticeship rate each year, continuously surpassing government-recommended targets.

With its Apprenticeship Training School, Tata Chemicals successfully hires apprentices in a number of categories, such as Freshers (SSC Pass), ITI Pass, Graduates, and Diploma Apprentices. In accordance with the Apprenticeship Act, apprentices receive practical training in a variety of departments within the TCL plant area, guaranteeing that they acquire important skills and knowledge.

Tata Chemicals demonstrates its dedication to diversity by providing chances for women in traditionally male-dominated vocations like maintenance mechanic and boiler attendant. In India, the initiative makes a substantial contribution to youth empowerment and workforce development. The annual placement rate for the Tata Chemicals Apprenticeship Training School (ATS) ranges from 95 per cent to 100 per cent.

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) has been honoured

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Horticulture, Opinions

At the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, the Golden Jubilee and Farmers Expo 2025 got underway, commemorating 50 years of commitment to agricultural innovation and development in the Northeastern Indian states In the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Meghalaya M. Amapareen Lyngdoh, who visited the various stalls showcasing the region’s rich agricultural diversity, Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar officially opened the program.

In his speech, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Meghalaya’s and the Northeast’s potential to develop into a center for fruits, vegetables, and decorative plants.
Meghalaya’s agricultural wealth is a veritable gold mine. The diversity of bananas, ginger, turmeric, pineapples, chiles, and even orchids is astounding. When it comes to horticulture and agriculture, the Northeast can really excel, Chouhan said.He emphasized the importance of improving logistics, creating agricultural varieties with longer shelf lives, and fortifying the lab-to-land strategy. “ICAR needs to concentrate on extending the shelf life of crops and making sure they are delivered to consumers in optimal form. For farmers to directly benefit, science must move from the lab to the field more quickly. To improve rural livelihoods, we must take advantage of natural farming, cutting-edge technologies, and the special potential of crops like bamboo, honey, and mushrooms,” he said.

The Union Minister also promised the state’s continuing assistance and praised CM Conrad K. Sangma’s leadership. He reaffirmed how crucial it is for ICAR, agricultural universities, and government agencies to work together to develop a plan for the region’s sustainable agricultural development. Chouhan added a roadmap that needs to be worked out diligently and underlined how Meghalaya’s biodiversity is a wealth to the region. Improved collaboration between state departments, KVKs, agricultural institutions, and ICAR institutes is required. The region’s various agroclimatic zones necessitate the collaboration of multiple departments, especially when it comes to the creation of a logistic hub, product processing, value addition, and pricing. In his inaugural address, Governor Vijayashankar underlined that India is an agrarian nation where agriculture is essential to both the populace and the economy. He underlined that ICAR is leading the nation in agricultural research and development, noting that the institute has made substantial contributions to the creation of crop varieties, livestock breeds, and IFS that have benefited the rural community. In addition to being a center for medicinal plants, Ayurveda, and other agricultural products, the area is abundant in specialized crops like turmeric and ginger, he said.
CM Sangma spoke during the event and emphasized how ICAR has changed the Northeast’s agricultural landscape. Since its founding, ICAR has created more than 100 crop varieties, brought in livestock breeds with exceptional yields, and supported environmentally friendly methods like organic and integrated farming. These initiatives have protected biodiversity, improved food security, and equipped farmers with advanced technologies. “ICAR’s leadership in sustainable agriculture and rural development is highlighted by the international recognition of its integrated organic farming models,” he said. He acknowledged the commitment of ICAR’s scientists, researchers, and staff in changing agriculture in the area and praised their efforts. “You have not only empowered farmers but also opened the door for our young people to pursue business through creative solutions like integrated organic agricultural systems. He stated, “Your contributions have been crucial in improving rural livelihoods and revolutionizing agriculture in the Northeast.”

Additionally, the Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for his assistance in promoting agriculture in the area. He praised programs that have improved farmers’ access to markets, technology, and inputs, like as PM-KISAN, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeast Region.
President Droupadi Murmu gave a taped speech to commemorate the event. “ICAR has developed hundreds of varieties of crops, livestock, and climate-resilient technologies suited to the agroclimatic conditions of the region that help to enhance food security and livelihood security of the region,” she said, congratulating the Institute on 50 years of unmatched service and dedication. According to her, horticultural crop and food grain production have grown by 40% and 30%, respectively, in the past ten years. She discussed the importance of agribusiness and related industries, stating that they have played a key role in creating jobs and drawing young people to the area’s agricultural industry. She noted that as a result, the number of young people who are agri-entrepreneurs has increased by 25% over the past five years. Additionally, she stated that the documenting and validation of indigenous resources, the protection of germplasm, and the integration of current technologies with local knowledge are all necessary.

At the ICAR Research Complex for NEH

Climate, Thailand

According to a study on the effects of climate change, a 1 per cent increase in temperature can cause food prices in Thailand to rise by up to 2 per cent

Thailand’s Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) and the ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA) recently met to go over the conclusions and suggestions from the AFBA report, “Climate Change and Food Prices in Southeast Asia.”

The study, which was released in association with Oxford Economics, looked at how climate change affected food production costs and pricing in five Southeast Asian nations: the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The analysis found that a 1 per cent increase in temperature might raise food costs by 1 per cent to 2 per cent in four countries and by up to 6 per cent in the Philippines, said OAE deputy secretary general Kanjana Kwanmuang .

Additionally, research discovered that policies like carbon taxes, clean energy transitions, and other environmental measures that aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 might increase food prices by 31–59 per cent because of increased gasoline and electricity costs.

Experts from the OAE and AFBA discussed the effects of climate change on agriculture during the meeting, including decreased crop yields, an increase in plant diseases and pests, and changing growing seasons.

In order to address these issues, Kanjana described Thailand’s plans, which include creating the Agricultural Action Plan (2023–2030) to lessen the effects of climate change.

She also mentioned the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry’s efforts, including the creation of the Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Learning Center, the extension of irrigation systems over 40 million rai (6.4 million hectares), and the proactive management of land through the Agri-Map platform.

According to a study on the effects

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Company News, Fungicides, India, Trade

This landmark acquisition grants Dhanuka access to markets in over 20 countries spanning from LATAM, EMEA, ASIA, and India.

India’s leading agri-input company, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, has successfully concluded its Rs 165 crore strategic acquisition deal for international rights to foray into global markets and distribution of its two prominent fungicides, Iprovalicarb and Triadinenol from Bayer AG. This landmark acquisition grants Dhanuka access to markets in over 20 countries spanning from LATAM, EMEA, ASIA, and India. Bayer AG, a global leader in agriculture input solutions and farming innovations, invented these products.

With this acquisition, Dhanuka Agritech strengthens its position as a rising player in the agri-input industry by combining trusted brands with its robust manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

This acquisition underscores Dhanuka’s ambition to transform from a domestic agrochemical leader into a globally recognized brand. Dhanuka will leverage this acquisition to tap into the pre-established customer base across multiple regions. To enhance cost efficiencies and scalability, Dhanuka plans to transition its manufacturing operations for Iprovalicarb to its Dahej facility within the next 2-3 years.

This deal also brings insights to Dhanuka’s market-driven approach. They are poised to revitalize Iprovalicarb and Triadinenol, both of which experienced a sales decline in recent years. The company’s strategy includes leveraging marketing strength and its existing distributor network to revive demand and regain market share.

“This acquisition is a turning point for Dhanuka as we enter the international markets with Bayer AG’s trusted brands. Our focus is on creating cost-effective crop solutions that resonate with farmers worldwide. In 2023 the revenue from these products was 220 crores. We are targeting an EBITDA margin of 12-15% post-integration from these products. While in FY26 the revenue generation would start in India by Q1 and is expected to expand internationally, with full control of operations by Q4.” said Harsh Dhanuka, Executive Director, Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.

Dhanuka has also shared further market insights on the two acquired ingredients that the existing market share of Iprovalicarb is 50 per cent with very limited generic competition, hence, giving them a competitive advantage. While Triadinenol has a strong foothold in the Brazilian markets with market share between 20-25 per cent. Brazil being a high-barrier market, proves to be critical for sustained growth.

Looking forward, they intend to move with a global B2B model where they collaborate with local distributors in the international markets and take advantage of Dhanuka’s existing robust network in India. This move also strengthens India’s position in the market as a hub for agrochemical production boosting the initiative of ‘Make in India’.

Dhanuka Agritech’s acquisition of Iprovalicarb and Triadimenol rights enhances its product portfolio and marks a critical step toward establishing itself as a global agrochemical powerhouse especially in horticultural crops. By aligning its operational efficiency with the products’ legacy, Dhanuka is set to deliver long-term value to farmers worldwide.

This landmark acquisition grants Dhanuka access to

Collaborations, Digital Technologies, Drones, IT, Schemes - NABARD

KAU and NABARD sign MoU to empower agriculture through drone technology

During the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Processing Growth Summit & Expo 2025, which took place at Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, and ended on Saturday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NABARD and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The groundbreaking project “Empowering Agriculture Through Innovation: Establishing a Drone Pilot Training Hub at Kerala Agricultural University” has begun with this effort.

Through the use of drone technology, capacity-building initiatives, and drone pilot licensing, the project seeks to transform agricultural practices in the State. Biju S. Kurup, Chief General Manager, NABARD, and Dr. E G Ranjit Kumar, Registrar, Kerala Agricultural University, exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding in front of Dr. Jacob John, Director of Extension, Dr. K. P. Sudheer, the project’s principal investigator, as well as other notable dignitaries and participants.

According to the KAU sources, this partnership represents a significant step in incorporating innovation into agriculture and establishes a standard for long-term expansion and technological development in the industry. One of the first organizations in the state to offer courses and training on the use and upkeep of agridrones is KAU Agri Business Incubator.

KAU and NABARD sign MoU to empower