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HomePosts Tagged "BioPrime AgriSolutions"
Agri Genomics, Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, India, Opinions

 By Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, BioPrime Agrisolutions 

A sustainable and resilient agricultural future is built on biotechnology, which is more than just a tool for increasing crop output. Startups are leading this change by using state-of-the-art technologies to provide comprehensive solutions that help consumers, farmers, and the environment.

Biotechnology has emerged as one of the most transformative forces in the agricultural sector, addressing some of the most critical challenges: food security, environmental sustainability, and resilience to climate change. Over the last few decades, advances in this field have paved the way for more efficient, sustainable, and precise farming practices. Today, the convergence of biotechnology with data science, genomics, and precision agriculture has redefined how we think about crop production and farm management.

At its core, agricultural biotechnology applies biological principles and tools to enhance crop productivity, improve resilience, and reduce dependency on chemical inputs. Some of the key applications include:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): GM crops were one of the earliest breakthroughs in agricultural biotechnology. These crops, such as Bt cotton and herbicide-resistant soybeans, were engineered to confer pest resistance and herbicide tolerance. As of 2021, more than 190 million hectares of GM crops were cultivated globally, with the U.S., Brazil, and India leading the adoption.

Success Story: Bt cotton, introduced in India in 2002, drastically reduced the need for chemical pesticides and increased yields. Today, more than 95 per cent of cotton grown in India is Bt cotton, contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural GDP.

CRISPR-Cas9 and Gene Editing: The CRISPR revolution has taken biotechnology to new heights by enabling precise genetic modifications. Unlike traditional GMOs, CRISPR can “edit” genes within the crop itself without introducing foreign DNA. This tool has been used to improve drought tolerance in wheat and increase yield potential in rice.

Success Story: Corteva Agriscience has developed a CRISPR-edited variety of waxy corn with improved starch properties, providing enhanced value for the food processing industry.

Microbial Solutions for Soil and Plant Health: The focus has shifted to the soil and plant microbiome as a critical component of agricultural sustainability. Microbes play an essential role in nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and plant immunity. Advances in microbiome research have identified beneficial microbes that can enhance nutrient uptake, improve stress tolerance, and even protect against pathogens.

Success Story: The Bioprime’s Bionexus platform has revolutionised microbial research by building India’s largest plant-associated microbe library that houses 18000 + microbes from 13 agro-climatic zones and 3 biodiversity hotspots. These solutions are designed to replace or reduce the consumption of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides while maintaining high productivity.

In the global market, Pivot, a U.S.-based company, uses engineered microbial strains to improve nitrogen fixation and reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilisers.

Biostimulants and Secondary Metabolites: Biostimulants such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, and microbial metabolites are gaining momentum due to their ability to enhance plant growth and boost resilience naturally. Bioprime’s proprietary SNIPR platform uses secondary metabolite-based signalling molecules to prime crops for stress tolerance, effectively mitigating the impact of abiotic stresses like drought, heat and salinity.

RNA Interference (RNAi): RNAi technology offers a targeted approach to pest and disease management by silencing specific genes in pests or pathogens. Monsanto’s SmartStax Pro corn, which uses RNAi technology to combat corn rootworm, is a landmark product in this category.

Precision Agriculture Meets Biotechnology: The integration of biotechnology with precision agriculture allows for a more data-driven approach to crop management. By leveraging IoT devices, drones, and AI models, farmers can apply biostimulants and biopesticides in a targeted manner, ensuring maximum efficiency and sustainability.

Case Study: Syngenta’s digital platform combines biological products with precision tools, enabling real-time monitoring of soil health, crop growth, and pest pressures. This helps farmers apply the right inputs at the right time, reducing waste and improving outcomes.

To read more click: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

 By Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-founder & Chief

Agbiologicals, Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D, Start ups

Trials results show a 30 per cent higher income level compared to standard practices in San Luis, California.

 Bioprime Agrisolutions has announced the successful completion of our groundbreaking trials for BioPrime Fortisea in the United States. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize agriculture on a global scale.

In August 2023, Bioprime Agrisolutions set out to prove the efficacy of our innovative technology in the American market. Following tremendous success in India and South Asia, we turned our attention to North America. Collaborating with an accredited validation agency in the USA, our trials delivered outstanding results.

BioPrime Fortisea, our unique seaweed formulation produced using a proprietary cold extraction process, was tested on tomato crops at San Luis Ranch, California. The US tomato industry, known for its variety and importance in American kitchens, provided an ideal testing ground.

Key highlights from the trials include:

  • A 10 per cent increase in productivity compared to standard grower practices.
  • An additional $1,738 per acre in farmer income.
  • Early crop maturity, boosting growers’ income levels.

In another trial, we reduced fertilizer application to 80 per cent of the standard practice. The results were even more remarkable:

  • A 33 per cent increase in production.
  • An additional $4,872 per acre in income.

A 30 per cent higher income level compared to standard practices in San Luis, California.

Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & CEO at Bioprime Agrisolutions said, “The positive feedback from the North American market highlights the practical benefits of BioPrime Fortisea, affirming its potential to enhance agricultural productivity globally. We are excited to bring our innovative solutions to North American markets, promoting healthier crops and a more sustainable future.”

Trials results show a 30 per cent

Agribiotechnology, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, India, Start ups, Sustainability

Collaboration will bring together BioPrime’s cutting-edge SNIPR technology-based “Chiron” and Yara India’s expertise & leadership in crop nutrition.

 BioPrime AgriSolutions, a leading ag-biotech startup harnessing the power of agricultural biotechnology for sustainable and resilient farming practices, announced a strategic partnership with Yara India, a subsidiary of Yara International, the world’s leading crop nutrition company. Bringing together BioPrime’s cutting-edge SNIPR technology-based “Chiron” with Yara India’s expertise & leadership in crop nutrition, this collaboration marks a noteworthy milestone in serving farmers with sustainable solutions mitigating the risk of crop failures due to weather uncertainties & boosting the crop yields.

Chiron, developed by Bioprime, leverages the cutting-edge SNIPR technology, utilizing small molecules to modulate plant responses effectively. This fast-acting formulation is designed to enhance flower count and improve flower-to-fruit conversion, resulting in a significant increase in crop yields. Additionally, Chiron helps in delivering better qualitative parameters like uniformity of produce & higher-grade output leading to additional profits for the farmers. Farmers have benefited with its capacity to mitigate climatic uncertainties and provide them with a reliable solution for achieving superior crop yields despite changing and challenging agricultural conditions.

“We are excited to collaborate with Yara India to deliver sustainable solutions built on the back of nature for the benefit of farming community”, said Dr Renuka Diwan, CEO of BioPrime. “Together with Yara India, we have the huge opportunity to cater to the unmet needs of the farmers facing the brunt of weather uncertainties leading to loss in yield”.

Speaking on the partnership, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia said, “We are delighted to announce Yara India’s strategic partnership with Bio Prime, a leading player in biostimulants. This alliance signifies not just our mutual commitment to innovation and sustainability, but also a shared vision of a greener future for India. Yara India is committed to enhancing crop nutrition and soil health, ensuring healthier crops and improved livelihoods contributing to a nature positive food future”.

This partnership between Bioprime Agrisolutions and Yara India marks a significant milestone in the agricultural sector, paving the way for innovation and sustainability in farming practices. Together, we are poised to empower farmers with the tools and solutions they need to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

Collaboration will bring together BioPrime's cutting-edge SNIPR

Company News, People

Jonathan Margolis has held senior R&D positions in prominent agricultural biotechnology companies

BioPrime Agrisolutions, a leading ag-biotech company announces the appointment of Jonathan Margolis as Scientific Advisor. With over two decades of experience in agricultural biotechnology, Jonathan brings a wealth of scientific expertise and strategic insight to the BioPrime team.

Jonathan Margolis has held senior R&D positions in prominent agricultural biotechnology companies, demonstrating his exceptional leadership and contribution to the industry. Most recently, he served as the Chief Scientific Officer at Joyn Bio for four years, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s scientific initiatives and driving innovation in agricultural biotechnology.

Before his tenure at Joyn Bio, Jonathan spent six years as the Head of Research Technologies, Biologics, at Bayer Crop Science Division. During his time at Bayer, he spearheaded research and development efforts, contributing to the development of cutting-edge technologies and products aimed at enhancing crop protection and agricultural sustainability.

Before his tenure at Bayer, Jonathan held the position of Senior Vice President, of R&D at AgraQuest, Inc., where he made significant contributions to the development of some of the most successful biologicals used in the market today. His expertise and leadership were instrumental in shaping the company’s research and development strategies, leading to groundbreaking innovations in agricultural biotechnology.

Jonathan Margolis has held senior R&D positions

Agri Genomics, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, R&D, Start ups

This approval will allow BioPrime to deliver their new microbial solutions boasting an improvement across eleven key areas, including mineralization, nitrogen fixation, nutrient use efficiency, and soil restoration.

Pune based BioPrime AgriSolutions, a leading innovator in sustainable agriculture, has received a crucial green light from the government to commercialise its high-performance microbial strains from the Bionexus library. This landmark approval unlocks the potential for BioPrime to deliver their new microbial solutions boasting a remarkable 2x performance improvement across eleven key areas, including mineralization, nitrogen fixation, nutrient use efficiency, and soil restoration.

With the government’s collaborative effort, Bioprime has registered these novel strains. This strategic move involves rigorous data generation encompassing safety, toxicology, and stability parameters, underscoring Bioprime’s commitment to ensuring the utmost quality and safety standards for its groundbreaking microbial offerings.

Beyond the approval for existing strains, Bioprime’s visionary approach extends to formulation innovation- a key differentiator in addressing long-standing challenges associated with microbe stability, in-field establishment, and ensuring plant-microbe communication. Previous formulations in the market have consistently fallen short of overcoming these hurdles, limiting the true potential of microbes in agriculture.

Bioprime’s commitment to overcoming historical bottlenecks in microbial activity reflects its dedicated efforts toward formulation innovation. Combining top-tier strains with cutting-edge formulations, Bioprime is poised to redefine the boundaries of microbial efficacy and deliver unparalleled performance.

Speaking on the opportunity, Dr Shekhar Bhosle, Co-Founder & COO of BioPrime AgriSolutions, said, “The government’s approval to introduce our high-performance microbial strains marks a pivotal moment in Bioprime’s journey. This endorsement validates our commitment to agricultural innovation and reinforces our vision for a future where sustainable practices redefine the agricultural landscape.”

Speaking on the potential of the Bionexus Library Dr Amit Shinde Co-Founder & COO of BioPrime AgriSolutions, said, “This is just the beginning for the Bionexus biologicals. Our library contains several hundred high potential novel strains e.g. 650+ Bacillus strains, 300+ Pseudomonas strains, 250+ endosymbiotic nitrogen fixers, 50+ Trichoderma strains. We are cementing partnerships with global MNCs for these strains commercialisation Besides we are very excited about our discovery of several potent microbial metabolites for antifungals, antibacterials, bioinsecticides and biopesticides.”

This strategic approach positions Bioprime as a frontrunner in sustainable agriculture, offering farmers a comprehensive solution that unlocks the true potential of microbes. This landmark government approval, coupled with BioPrime’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, paves the way for a future where agriculture and environmental health go hand-in-hand.

This approval will allow BioPrime to deliver

Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

Cohort participants will receive business and technical assistance over the entire crop cycle through technical training sessions, mentorships and one-on-one support.

BioPrime AgriSolutions, a leading biotechnology company specialising in developing cutting-edge agri-biologicals, is revolutionising farmer empowerment with the launch of its “King Farmers Cohort” program. This initiative equips farmers with crop-specific, region-specific knowledge and skills, preparing them to thrive in the evolving agricultural landscape. Through a mixture of focused technical training sessions, mentorships, one-on-one support, and group farm visits, Cohort participants will receive business and technical assistance over the entire crop cycle. 

The King Farmers Cohort goes beyond mere yield maximization and fosters a holistic approach to agriculture, with a focus on crucial areas like climate-resilient practices, soil health management, and building profitability. Each cohort will hold four dedicated technical training sessions led by leading researchers, and innovators to provide targeted knowledge focusing on farmers’ crop specific needs and empower them to adapt to the ever-changing climate and nurture healthy soil, which is the foundation for sustainable success.

The learning extends beyond the classroom with designated field days and harvest days in selected farmer fields for practical learning, inspiration, and networking. Thus, creating a forum for peer-to-peer learning, where shared challenges find collaborative solutions and best practices flourish through hands-on experiences. As one farmer who’s participated in an Onion Cohort noted, there’s a great benefit of learning from other farmers with differing amounts of experience and expertise, and the supportive nature of the group created a space to find solutions to problems collaboratively.

To crown it all, BioPrime will organise a valedictory function to commemorate each cohort with rewards for outstanding achievements in yield, profitability, and sustainability through a grand ceremony, adding a layer of motivation that inspires every farmer to reach their highest potential.

 Speaking about the initiative, Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & CEO, of BioPrime AgriSolutions said, “At BioPrime, we believe empowering farmers isn’t just about higher yields, it’s also about equipping them to be sustainable. The King Farmers Cohort is a catalyst in this changing world where we pool resources and support for farmers towards a future where profitability and sustainability go hand-in-hand.”

Cohort participants will receive business and technical

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, Company News, India, People, Start ups

Kulshreshtha has a diverse exposure in sales and marketing of agrochemicals, organised retail, handling of the entire food value chain and institutional business.

BioPrime Agrisolutions, a biotechnology company, has appointed Ajay Kulshreshtha as the new vice president of sales and marketing.With over 25 years of experience spanned across the multiple facets of Agri-business, Kulshreshtha brings expertise to the BioPrime team. He has a diverse exposure in sales and marketing of agrochemicals, organised retail, handling of the entire food value chain and institutional business.

Talking about the appointment, Renuka Diwan, CEO, BioPrime Agrisolutions, said, “We are happy to have Ajay Kulshreshtha on board as VP sales and marketing. His leadership and knowledge of the agrochemical sector make him the perfect fit for our mission to revolutionise the biotechnology landscape. His dedication to sustainable agriculture and drive for innovation align seamlessly with our core values, and we look forward to achieving new milestones under his guidance.”

Prior to joining Bioprime, Kulshreshtha served as assistant vice president of sales and marketing at Sulphur Mills, where he worked for two years. Before that, he worked as senior general manager at PI Industries for nine years, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s market presence and product portfolio. His vast experience also includes key positions at organisations including Aditya Birla Retail and Global Agrisystems, Mahindra, Syngenta.

“I am happy to be a part of the BioPrime team and highly impressed with the disruptive innovations offered to the farmers by the company. My entire career has been spent in offering technology-driven innovative products to farmers and I am looking forward to continuing that tradition by providing the “best-of-breed” to Indian as well global farmers. I further aim to leverage my expertise by developing and implementing an overall marketing strategy to strengthen BioPrime’s market position, enhance customer engagement, and expand the company’s reach in the agricultural industry,” Ajay Kulshreshtha added.

Kulshreshtha has a diverse exposure in sales

Agrotech, Opinions, R&D

By Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & CEO, BioPrime Agrisolutions

In a rapidly growing and urbanising India, a sustained agricultural growth and food security must be factored. Biotechnology holds great promise for enhancing crop resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. One particularly promising approach gaining traction in recent years is the development of microbe–plant interactions for plant‐growth promotion and disease control. The interaction of plants and microbes forms an integral part of the Earth’s ecosystem and have applications in various fields. Studying and harnessing this communication can improve our understanding of natural phenomena that affect our daily lives and enable us to adopt practices that lead to sustainable resource utilisation, reduced environmental impact, pollution cleanup, and even influence on global atmospheric gases.

The connection between the plants and microbes is highly complex, regulated by specialised metabolic products that alter gene expression. This intricate relationship can result in plant growth, inhibition of soil pathogens, improved nutrient availability, biofilm development, accumulation of soil microbes, or a combination of these effects. Such interactions eliminate the need for artificial fertilisers that can contribute to pollution. Utilising these interactions in biotechnology offers numerous advantages. By employing naturally occurring plant-microbe pairings for plant development and biocontrol, the reliance on synthetic fertilisers and pesticide treatments can be minimised. Technologies involving plant–microbe interactions provide economically viable and environmentally sound alternatives to conventional processes. The mutualistic nature of these interactions enables plants to directly acquire nutrients (acting as biofertilisers) or facilitates the uptake of substances like iron or phosphate, making them more accessible to plants.

Leveraging Biological Agents

Microbials, which encompass naturally occurring microorganisms and their byproducts, provide sustainable and eco-friendly solutions to address climate-related stressors in crops. These biological agents work in harmony with nature, promoting plant health, improving nutrient uptake, and combating diseases and pests. By harnessing the power of biologicals, farmers can enhance the resilience of their crops, ensuring sustainable and consistent yields even in challenging climates.

Deploying Biostimulants

Biostimulants, derived from natural sources such as seaweed extracts, humic acids, and beneficial microbes, play a crucial role in strengthening crop health and resilience. These substances stimulate plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake efficiency, and improve stress tolerance. By incorporating biostimulants through biologicals, farmers can fortify their crops against drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, ultimately leading to improved yields.

Using Abscisic Acid

Small molecules play a critical role in plant physiology and have been leveraged to enhance crop resilience. Notable examples include the use of abscisic acid (ABA) and proline, which are small molecules involved in plant stress responses. ABA is known to regulate stomatal closure, reducing water loss through transpiration and improving drought tolerance. In a study conducted by Smith et al. (2021), maize plants treated with exogenous ABA showed a 35 per cent reduction in water loss, enhancing their ability to withstand drought stress.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Dr Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & CEO,

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, Company News, Europe, R&D, Start ups

The Bionexus library currently houses an impressive collection of over 15,000 microbial isolates, sourced from over 300 locations spanning the length and breadth of India.

Bioprime Agrisolutions, a pioneering startup in agricultural biotechnology, is proud to announce the launch of the Bionexus library, a first-of-its-kind and the largest collection of plant-associated microbes in India. This groundbreaking initiative aims to unlock the hidden potential of microbial communities residing within plants, revolutionizing the way we approach crop resilience, productivity, and plant protection.

Recognizing that every plant is a complex ecosystem comprising diverse microbial organisms that interact symbiotically and influence the plant’s growth and performance, Bioprime Agrisolutions has developed a cutting-edge high throughput screening process. This innovative approach scrutinizes the physiological and biochemical responses of plants to microbes, enabling the identification and validation of promising leads for further comprehensive plant studies and omics.

The Bionexus library currently houses an impressive collection of over 15,000 microbial isolates, sourced from over 300 locations spanning the length and breadth of India. These invaluable resources include samples from regions as diverse as Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Pangong Tso in Leh, Sonmarg, Kashmir, to caves in Kerala. The collection houses microbes from sea level to 16,500 Ft, from pH 5 to 11, from rainfall of 210 mm to 11430 mm, from -8C to 70C. This covers vast habitats like grass lands, rain forests, lakes, caves, deserts, glaciers, river basins, hot water and sulfur springs, mines etc to name a few. This extensive microbial diversity database will provide researchers and scientists with unprecedented insights into India’s unique microbial ecology, particularly crucial in the face of climate change and the urgent need for sustainable agriculture. These efforts have already yielded results with more than 2000 novel microbes with significantly higher activities. 

Dr. Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & CEO of Bioprime Agrisolutions, expressed her excitement about this groundbreaking endeavor: “The launch of the Bionexus library marks a significant milestone in our journey toward sustainable agriculture. By focusing on the intricate relationship between plants and their associated microbial communities, we are unraveling nature’s secrets to unlock the full potential of our crops. This library will fuel innovation, enabling us to develop novel products and solutions that enhance crop resilience, productivity, and protection.”

Bioprime Agrisolutions has already identified eight promising products from the microbial isolates in the pipeline. Leveraging the wealth of knowledge accumulated in the Bionexus library, these upcoming innovations hold immense potential to transform agriculture and address the pressing challenges faced by farmers.

The launch of the Bionexus library reaffirms Bioprime Agrisolutions’ commitment to spearheading cutting-edge research and development in the field of agricultural biotechnology. With a focus on sustainable practices and climate-resilient crops, the company aims to redefine the future of farming in India and beyond.

The Bionexus library currently houses an impressive

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

Together the formulation of signaling molecules are CODs that help plants mitigate abiotic stress and become climate resilient.

The Government of India (GOI) has granted BioPrime AgriSolutions patent number for the invention of a Novel Bio-Formulation to manage Abiotic Stress in plants and to improve the yield. A unique approach to make crops climate resilient by using extremely small carbon particles called nano dots and molecules that are a part of internal communication systems of plants.

This invention will further demonstrate the use of Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) as a way to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis by enhancing the absorption of light by the pigment chlorophyll, which is responsible for capturing light energy in plants. Signaling molecules enhance a plant’s ability to quench reactive oxygen species that wreak havoc when cells are under stress. Signaling molecules like sphingolipids, traumatin also helped halt cell death and boost recovery of affected cells. This helps plants not only in fighting stress but also aiding recovery from it. Together the formulation of signaling molecules are CODs that help plants mitigate abiotic stress and become climate resilient. This is an example of how cutting-edge technology can truly transform agriculture in India and globally.

Speaking on the development, Dr Renuka Diwan, CEO, BioPrime AgriSolutions said, “This technology gives us the means to control photosynthesis in a way that was not possible before. Controlling fate of stressed cells gives us the opportunity to reduce crop losses due to climate change. Our vision is to offer relief to farmers worldwide, struggling with crop loss, temperature fluctuations, drought, resilient insects and diseases by developing innovative technologies that will improve the productivity irrespective of farmland size and enhance the quality and nutritional value of food produced, while not only preserving but enhancing the environment.”

Together the formulation of signaling molecules are