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HomePosts Tagged "Managing Director" (Page 3)
AgroPolicy, Dairy, Finance, India, Live Stock

The budget 24 announcement about mandatory blending of CBG in CNG and PNG, financial assistance for procurement of biomass aggregation machinery to support collection will boost dairy industry.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the interim Union Budget for forthcoming financial year (2024-25) in the parliament.FM announced schemes and special programmes for the various sectors of agriculture.

Jayen Mehta, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF) (Amul) said that in her budget speech, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister informed the parliament that India is the largest producer of milk in the world. She mentioned a comprehensive programme for supporting dairy farmers will be formulated. Efforts are already on to control foot and mouth disease. India is the world’s largest milk producer but with low productivity of milch-animals. The programme will be built on the success of existing schemes such Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, and Infrastructure Development Funds for dairy processing and animal husbandry.

Mehta said, “Amul welcomes this support to the dairy industry of the country. India contributes to 24 per cent of the total milk production of the world and at the current rate of growth and the world dairy situation, India will contribute to one third of the total milk production in the world in a decade. The proposed comprehensive program for supporting dairy farmers will help India achieve the dream of becoming the ‘Dairy to the world.’

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has today approved the continuation of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to be implemented under Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) with an outlay of Rs.29,610.25 crore for another three years up to 2025-26.

The scheme will incentivise investments for Dairy processing and product diversification, Animal Feed Plant, Breed multiplication farm, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri-waste management) and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities.”

Government of India will provide 3 per cent interest subvention for 8 years and the Dairy Cooperatives will also avail benefits for modernisation, strengthening of the dairy plants.

Further, Finance Minister also announced that the Government will further promote private and public investment in post-harvest activities including aggregation, modern storage, efficient supply chains, primary and secondary processing and marketing and branding for ensuring faster growth of the food processing sector.

It may be noted that Amul has announced investments of Rs 11500 crores over the next 2-3 years for all round expansion of its dairy processing infrastructure.

 Finance Minister also announced the phased mandatory blending of compressed biogas (CBG) in compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport and piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic purposes will be mandated. Further, financial assistance will be provided for procurement of biomass aggregation machinery to support collection. This will support Amul’s initiative to promote circular economy by collecting dung from its farmers through the cooperative model, process it into compressed biogas (CBG) and bio fertilizer and thereby benefiting the farmers through additional income from dung, the economy by reducing imports of fuel and fertilizer and also supporting the plant. Amul has plans to set up 100 such CBG fuel pumps in the next couple of years across Gujarat.

Cooperatives are a powerful institutional mechanism to connect all these four and provide them sustainable benefits over a long period of time as the Amul model has successfully demonstrated. We believe that the initiatives of new Ministry of Cooperation shall help promote this cause for the betterment of all these four major castes through the several measures being taken for strengthening of cooperatives across the country.

The budget 24 announcement about mandatory blending

Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, Digital Technologies, India

The initiative provides a suite of services to dairy farmers, including supplying IoT enabled collar devices for tracking vital health parameters of dairy animals.

Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company focused on industrial automation and digital transformation, is helping to modernise farming practices in rural India in partnership with ISAP India Foundation.

The initiative, titled “Economic and Social Development of Indian Village Through Technology-Enabled Dairy Farming,” aims to help modernise dairy farming practices in the water-scarce region of Antargaon (near Nagpur) in Wardha District, Maharashtra. This also involved collaboration with a technology implementation partner – eVerse.AI, to implement this corporate social responsibility (CSR) project.

The on-ground implementation utilises cutting-edge digital technologies and scientific veterinary practices to improve livestock development. The interventions of this project undertaken over the last six to seven months, beginning in May 2023, has already yielded promising results. The initiative provides a suite of services to dairy farmers, including supplying IoT (Internet of Things) enabled collar devices for tracking vital health parameters of dairy animals, providing mobile phone-based alerts and advice to farmers from veterinary experts, use of muzzle-based biometric identification system to provide digital identity to animals along with 12-digit Pashu Aadhar, use of eVerse.

AI’s newly launched CowGPT platform to provide accurate insights and advisory to dairy farmers about animal health, ration balancing advisory services, fodder development activities, supply of quality animal feed, village level animal health services, dairy farming extension programs (training, demos, expert visits), market integration activities for milk sale and the creation of additional revenue sources for families of dairy farmers utilizing animal waste products.

Speaking about the project, Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India, said: “We are thrilled that our CSR project at Antargaon, Maharashtra, is already showing early signs of success and providing tangible benefits to local farmers, and augmenting their incomes. Rockwell Automation is committed to give back to the communities where we operate by engaging in tech-led initiatives to create impact at a societal level. We are confident that this project will continue to help the people of Antargaon to benefit from the technology-enabled scientific management of the health and reproductive cycles of their farm animals. Projects like this will eventually lead to improved incomes and better quality of life in rural communities throughout India.”

The decentralised structure of dairy farming in India and limited awareness about scientific veterinary practices among rural farmers contributes to these issues. By partnering with ISAP India Foundation, Rockwell Automation aims to improve livelihoods of dairy farmers in one of the most water-scarce areas of the country, by using innovative products and services that leverage cutting-edge digital technologies for livestock development through scientifically proven veterinary practices.

The initiative provides a suite of services

Agribusiness, Cold Storage, Company News, Finance, India, Investments, Supply Chain

Maersk’s new Cold Store facility will offer temperature-controlled storage solutions for perishable frozen processed food items.

A.P. Moller–Maersk (Maersk), the global integrated logistics company, broke ground for its upcoming Rs 113 crore Cold Store facility at Mehsana in North Gujarat, stated an official release. Being built exclusively for HyFun Foods, the brand-new facility will offer temperature-controlled storage solutions for perishable frozen processed food items.

Maersk’s new Cold Store facility spread over 2.6 lakh square feet will be constructed close to the HyFun Foods’ manufacturing facility and will serve as the mother Cold Store facility. The 14,700-pallet position facility will be built at the Fanidhar Mega Food Park and will be one of India’s largest single-shed cold stores. The large facility will help the customer store all the cargo in a single facility instead of multiple smaller facilities before dispatch.

“Frozen food items need high quality, unbroken cold chain logistics solutions to preserve their integrity. Our new, state-of-the-art facility at Mehsana will be equipped with the highest standards of temperature compliance, with customised racking system to suit customer’s exact requirements, and modern technology to ensure top-notch operational accuracy,” said Vikash Agarwal, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia.

Maersk’s existing integrated cold chain solution provided to the customer will continue to ensure that an unbroken cold chain logistics solution is provided to the customer as the cargo moves from the manufacturing facility. This includes landside transportation to the port by road and rail, coordination at the port, customs clearances and ocean transportation for all export cargo, making this investment a step towards a truly integrated and end-to-end logistics solution.

Maersk also provides the customer with Captain Peter solution, a Remote Container Management system, that provides full visibility to the customer during cold chain transportation. It monitors temperature and other critical elements necessary to ensure the integrity of cold chain logistics at the fingertip of the customer.

The facility will boast of operational and sustainable excellence using Ammonia refrigeration, which is a natural gas with zero Global Warming Potential (GWP). The facility will also use high-efficiency compressors that operate with lower power consumption. PIR panels will be used at the cold store facility which are built for fire resistance and have lower thermal conductivity.

The facility will be equipped with modern warehouse management systems that will ensure the most efficient inventory management. It also provides real-time visibility to the customer on inventory developments in order to let the customer make informed decisions on inventory management. The facility will adhere to the highest safety standards as well such as a human-friendly staging area and a robust fire detection and firefighting system, the release mentioned.

Maersk’s new Cold Store facility will offer

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, India, Investments, Oilseeds

Under the MoU, the company plans to invest Rs 500 crores in Telangana and employ 5000 people.

Witnessing the potential in the Southern parts of India, BL Agro, India’s fastest-growing FMCG company, has signed an MOU with Chief Minister of Telangana, Anumula Revanth Reddy to set up a manufacturing unit in the State. The MoU was signed recently at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland. Under the MoU, the company plans to invest Rs 500 crores in Telangana and employ 5000 people. With this, BL Agro sets its footprints in South India, after becoming a household name in North and East India.

The new manufacturing unit will be engaged in producing the entire range of ‘Nourish’ products-wheat flour, pasta, vermicelli, spices, papad, etc., along with rice bran and cotton seed oils. This plant will be instrumental in providing employment to 5,000 workers, including skilled workforce, farmers and other workers.

On signing the MoU with Telangana Government, Ashish Khandelwal, Managing Director, BL Agro said, “It is a moment of pride for us as a Group company to sign an MoU with Telangana Government and expand our footprints in the Southern part of the country. The MOU signed at WEF represents our shared commitment to redefining the agricultural landscape, bringing forth a new era of sustainable development in the State, and our country eventually”.

“The new manufacturing unit will set the stage for innovation, empowerment, and prosperity for the State’, added Khandelwal.

As per the guidelines laid in the MoU, BL Agro, along with its group company, Leads Connect agritech, plans to create an agri value chain in the State under its initiative ‘Khet Se Kitchen Tak’, which supports the farmers’ community and agribusinesses, and help improve productivity and sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Under the MoU, the company plans to

Agribusiness, Company News, India, Logistics, Supply Chain

Maersk will explore strategic investment opportunities in land development for logistics hubs, warehousing facilities.

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and the Government of Tamil Nadu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. As per this MoU, Maersk and the Government of Tamil Nadu entered a partnership that allows both to explore strategic opportunities together and enable the state’s growing trade.

Maersk will explore strategic investment opportunities in land development for logistics hubs, warehousing facilities and deployment of electric trucks for distribution network in a bid to enable the Indian state’s growing trade. The Government of Tamil Nadu will provide Maersk with the right access to information, enable faster decision-making and provide a conducive environment to implement the latest in technology and best global practices.

Tamil Nadu is currently the third-largest contributor to India’s GDP, with the potential to become the second-largest next year. It is also the third-largest exporter from India, with an ambition to become a 1 trillion USD economy by 2030. In a state with such ambitions and a clear roadmap aided by a conducive business ecosystem, the right policy framework, a competitive environment and a large pool of young and future-proof talent, it is a win-win for Maersk and the state to partner and explore all potential opportunities for enabling trade.

Vikash Agarwal, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia said, “We have a long-standing 25-year relationship with the state of Tamil Nadu. The state’s conducive business ecosystem, robust infrastructure and a future-proof talent pool make it an attractive destination to invest in. We offer robust integrated logistics solutions in Tamil Nadu to various global and local customers across sectors such as Renewables, Automotive, Electronics, etc. Looking at the potential for growth in trade out of the state, we are now ready to explore opportunities that will allow us to develop land for integrated logistics hubs, build warehousing infrastructure and a sustainable distribution network to strengthen our integrated logistics solutions”.

Integrated Logistics in Action

The state of Tamil Nadu is currently connected to the global ocean network through Maersk’s two major service calls. Further, Maersk has a robust distribution network that connects the ocean ports to the hinterland, where many of the manufacturers and consumers are located. Maersk also has a cold storage facility in Chennai, which caters to its customers’ frozen and chilled cargo.

In addition to these, Maersk will now explore opportunities to invest in land development to create logistics hubs. These logistics hubs will implement the best practices from global examples to drive maximum efficiency while delivering resilience to customers’ supply chains. Maersk will also study the customer needs for storage facilities and build modern, state-of-the-art warehousing facilities that would incorporate the latest Warehouse Management Systems for the most efficient inventory management and focus on waste reduction. Finally, Maersk will also invest in building a fleet of electric trucks that will ensure sustainable and environment-friendly distribution. This is an imperative for some of the top customers of Maersk who have set for themselves stringent NetZero targets and who reply on logistics partners who can deliver decarbonised solutions.

V. Vishnu IAS, Managing Director and CEO, Guidance, Tamil Nadu said, “We are happy to collaborate with Maersk as a strategic logistics partner. To attract global investments into the state, the availability of effective logistics and supply chain solutions is key. We believe this collaboration would bring the right global expertise, network, and ambition to enable the growth of trade in the state. Guidance, Tamil Nadu shall facilitate necessary support and bolster existing conducive environment to implement best global practices for proposed investments.”

Maersk will explore strategic investment opportunities in

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, India, Live Stock

With an investment of approximately Rs 700 crores the proposed facility is expected to create more than 750 direct and indirect jobs.

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), one of India’s leading biotechnology companies dedicated to manufacturing and supplying life-saving vaccines, has started construction of its new greenfield veterinary vaccine facility to manufacture the Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine (FMD-Vac) as well as Foot and Mouth Disease + Haemorrhagic Septicaemia Vaccine (FMD+HS-Vac) in Hyderabad’s Genome valley.

This brand-new unit will have a BSL3 facility for the manufacture of Drug substances and a Fill-Finish capability for the production of both drug products FMD vaccine and the FMD+HS vaccine.

Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TSIIC), a Government of Telangana undertaking had allotted the land to IIL at Biotech Park, Phase III, Karkapatla, Siddipet district in Telangana. The proposed facility has a capacity of 150 million doses/annum of FMD vaccine or FMD+HS vaccine each. With an investment of approximately Rs 700 crores the proposed facility is expected to create more than 750 direct and indirect jobs.

Indian Immunologicals Limited is a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). In its more than 40 years of journey, IIL has carved a niche space as a leading “One Health” organization, manufacturing animal and human vaccines. IIL also exports its products to more than 60 countries across the globe.

 Speaking on the occasion, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB and IIL said, “IIL continues to fulfil the purpose for which it was created by NDDB as a world class vaccine manufacturer. This new vaccine manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is dedicated to the nation and will certainly aid in the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease in our country. IIL’s ability to discover and manufacture affordable vaccines has saved the exchequer several thousand crores of rupees”.

Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL said, “We are the largest supplier of FMD vaccine to Government of India’s prestigious Livestock Health Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). We are in an exponential growth phase and expected to grow 40 per cent this year alone. In order to sustain the momentum, IIL is seriously considering making additional investments in building infrastructure within India and in other emerging geographies including Africa in a manner to develop tools that will help in control and eradication of diseases.”

With an investment of approximately Rs 700

Agrotech, Digital Technologies, IT

The app introduces groundbreaking tools such as “map-my-farm,” real-time weather updates, a fertilizer calculator, and a digital leaf colour chart for accurate nitrogen assessment in crops.

Yara India, a subsidiary of the Norwegian multinational Yara International and a global leader in crop nutrition, proudly introduces the upgraded FarmCare app on World Soil Day. The app redefines the landscape of digital solutions tailored to farmers’ needs. Launched initially in 2021, the revamped app stands as a testament to Yara’s commitment to providing real-time agricultural solutions and empowering farmers through technological innovation.

The enhanced FarmCare app features a user-friendly interface and introduces groundbreaking tools such as “map-my-farm,” real-time weather updates, a fertilizer calculator, and a digital leaf colour chart for accurate nitrogen assessment in crops. A noteworthy addition is an integrated marketplace offering Yara product details, store locations, personalized crop insights, and knowledge advisories.

With over 4.5 million downloads and 2.2 million registrations, the FarmCare app has become an indispensable resource for 1.3 million active farmers across key states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Providing insights for a diverse range of crops, including wheat, paddy, sugarcane, maize, beans, onions, and cotton, the app empowers farmers to optimize their agricultural practices.

Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said, “In the dynamic landscape of India’s agri-tech revolution, the revamped FarmCare app exemplifies Yara’s unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge agricultural solutions. Empowering farmers with a user-friendly interface, the app facilitates insightful weather pattern comprehension, digital soil analysis booking and resource optimization. Yara is dedicated to Indian agriculture beyond technology and continues to actively contribute to the enrichment of soil health and working towards growing a nature-positive food future. It is important to note that depletion of secondary and micronutrients in the soil is fast becoming a limiting factor in improving yields as well as nutritive value of the crops. This can be addressed by easier registration of new generation micronutrients at state as well as national level.”

Highlighting the pivotal role of soil health in Yara’s mission, it operates a state-of-the-art soil analysis lab in Babrala, UP. The cutting-edge facility conducts assessments covering chemical, physical, and biological aspects of soil, providing farmers with invaluable insights to manage soil effectively, optimize food production, and enhance the environmental benefits of soil. In line with Yara’s dedication to fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in India, the soil analysis lab is a key component of its comprehensive approach.

Yara is committed to Indian agriculture beyond technology, encompassing community development, environmental sustainability, and strategic initiatives that uplift local farming communities. This strategic approach reinforces Yara’s enduring dedication to building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in India.

The app introduces groundbreaking tools such as

Agrotech, Cold Storage, Company News, Digital Technologies, Horticulture, India, IT, Supply Chain, Warehousing

The platform facilitates farmer connectivity, enabling the exchange of insights on available technologies and facilitating supply-demand interaction.

Chennai based Covestro (India), a pioneering high-tech polymer materials manufacturer, has initiated a significant venture aimed at combatting post-harvest losses prevalent in India’s horticulture and fisheries sector. The company unveiled the groundbreaking Covestro Food Security Platform during a hybrid event held at the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai. This digital platform marks a collective effort bringing together government authorities, industry leaders, and farmers with the mission of empowering farmers through innovative postharvest technologies, thereby minimizing losses and augmenting the value of agricultural produce.

 Over the last decade, Covestro (India) has dedicated its efforts to a social transformation project under Inclusive Business, with the Food Security vertical being its inaugural pillar. Through this initiative, the team has spearheaded the installation of advanced solutions such as greenhouses for drying and cultivation, solar conduction dryers, solar cold stores, and the promotion of portable cold boxes. The Covestro Food Security Platform serves as a comprehensive resource hub, providing farmers with access to tools and knowledge to enhance postharvest processes, ultimately prolonging the shelf life of their produce.

 The platform facilitates farmer connectivity, enabling the exchange of insights on available technologies and facilitating supply-demand interactions. Additionally, it showcases produce that has undergone advanced post-harvest management techniques like solar drying and temperature-controlled preservation.

 India’s horticulture and fisheries sectors collectively encounter an average postharvest loss of 15- 20 per cent, leading to increased CO2 emissions and missed opportunities for value addition. Covestro responds to this challenge by introducing cutting-edge technologies and establishing a virtual platform to encourage widespread adoption. The integration of digitalization and modern technologies is pivotal in ensuring farmers receive equitable returns for their efforts, and the Covestro Food Security Platform stands as a significant stride towards achieving this at scale.

Anand Srinivasan, Managing Director, Covestro (India) Private Limited, emphasized the Food Security Platform as a testament to the global mission of Covestro: To make the world a brighter place. “We aim to foster innovation and growth through products, technologies, and partnerships that benefit society while minimizing environmental impact. I am confident the Food Security Platform will significantly add value to the hard work of our farmers.”

The event culminated in an interactive session between the audience and the Covestro team, featuring a live demonstration of the app’s features and potential benefits to farmers.

Speaking from his office, K Lakshminarayanan, Minister for Public Works, Fisheries, and Fisherman Welfare, Pondicherry, commended Covestro for its solutions, acknowledging their positive impact on both farmers and the fishing community.  

The platform facilitates farmer connectivity, enabling the

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Company News, India, Sustainability

To kickstart this comprehensive approach, a pilot program is underway, integrating 500 farmers in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh into the Zinc Wheat value chain.

Yara India, a subsidiary of Yara International and the world’s leading crop nutrition company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HarvestPlus Solutions (HPS). HPS’s objective is to seamlessly incorporate nutrient-rich seeds and foods into global agricultural systems, empowering vulnerable communities to boost their intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

Together they are committed to the successful implementation of the project “Establishing Nutri-Farms with Smallholder Farmers in India.”  To kickstart this comprehensive approach, a pilot program is underway, integrating 500 farmers in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh into the Zinc Wheat value chain. The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of the approach, with the ultimate aim of expanding its reach to benefit a larger number of farmers and communities in the future.

The strategic partnership seeks to transform food systems through a focus on delivering nutritious food to all individuals, with a special emphasis on vulnerable communities. The project employs a comprehensive approach that combines the use of biofortified seeds with capacity strengthening of farmers in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including efficient nutrient management. This approach aims to enhance farm productivity and bolster farmers’ resilience toward food and nutrition security.

In ensuring a sustainable supply chain, the project facilitates the connection of farmers to relevant markets, enabling them to access businesses in the biofortified value chain. This not only contributes to improved food quality but also positively impacts the income and livelihoods of farmers. Additionally, the project fosters collaboration with public sector stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the adoption of nutrition-smart agricultural techniques.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia said, “We are delighted to collaborate with HarvestPlus Solutions on a transformative journey towards nutritional security, focusing on sustainable solutions to shape a nature positive food future. Our partnership focuses on enhancing farm productivity, improving food quality, uplift farmer livelihoods and revolutionize food systems for a healthier and more resilient future.

Ravinder Grover, Regional Coordinator – Asia, HarvestPlus said,” “We are excited to join hands with Yara India to set up nutrition smart farms in India. By combining our expertise, we aim to introduce innovative bundles that promote sustainable farming practices and enhance crop nutrition and yield. This collaboration stands as a testament to our shared dedication to building a healthier, more resilient future for communities around the world.”

To kickstart this comprehensive approach, a pilot

Company News, India, Oilseeds

GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years in setting up the integrated palm oil complex.

Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Oil Palm business announced that the company will be setting up an Integrated Palm Oil Complex in the state of Telangana. To be set up in the Khammam district, it will consist of a state the of art Crude Palm Oil mill along with the provision of setting up a refinery in the near future. GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years in setting up the integrated palm oil complex. Additionally, through its Samadhan Centers – a one stop solution for oil palm farmers, the company would also provide advisory services on best practices / modern technologies, farm inputs (such as fertilizers, drip irrigation, pesticides, seeds, and harvesting tools) and services under one roof. The company’s partnership with the State Bank of India would also support Oil Palm Plantation farmers during the gestation period. With 65,000 hectares of palm oil under cultivation across the country, GAVL plans to increase cultivation to 1.2 Lac hectares by 2027.

The company will also establish a nursery with a capacity of up to 7 Lac saplings per year in addition to the seed production & research unit. At the complex, GAVL will be setting up first-ever seed garden in India. This seed garden can provide seeds for the planting of 90,000 acres of area and shall help Telangana state to achieve targets for oil palm plantation.

Present on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for Crude Palm Oil mill were K. T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana; Burjis Godrej, Executive Director and COO-Crop Protection Business, GAVL; Sougata Niyogi, CEO – Oil Palm, GAVL and Rakesh Swami, Group President Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Limited.

“Telangana’s ambitious oil palm mission aims to bring 20 lakh acres under cultivation across the state. The mission will improve income for more than 5 lakh farm households while at the same time contributing to the nation’s deficit for edible oils. Along with being the rice bowl for the country, Telangana is all set to become the largest edible oil producer in India. We are delighted to partner with a strong and reliable partner like Godrej Agrovet in this endeavour. Their expertise in the oil palm sector will definitely help us achieve our goals of unleashing a yellow revolution”, said K. T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana.

Commenting on the announcement, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, GAVL said, “Leveraging our expertise of more than three decades in the oil palm business, we intend to handhold oil palm farmers by providing them access to quality seedlings and nursery. With our plans of commissioning of Crude Palm Oil mill in the coming years, it is our honour to set up country’s first integrated palm oil complex in the state of Telangana”.

GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore

Agrotech, Company News, India, Inputs, Seeds, Trade

Crystal anticipates a substantial boost in its seeds business revenues, sees an increase of approximately 20 per cent.

Crystal Crop Protection Limited, one of the fast-growing R&D-based crop protection manufacturing and marketing companies in India, has strengthened its cotton seeds portfolio with the strategic acquisition of Sadanand Cotton Seeds business from Kohinoor Seeds.

The acquisition will boost Crystal’s goal of providing end-to-end innovative and progressive solutions to stakeholders in the cotton seed business. With a persistent commitment to innovation and quality, Crystal Crops has consistently demonstrated its dedication to enhancing agricultural productivity and crop yields for farmers across the country.

Commenting on the acquisition, Satyender Singh, CEO of Seeds at Crystal Crop Protection, said: “We firmly believe that this strategic acquisition will not only reinforce our market presence in the Cotton Seeds segment but will also substantially enhance our reach and accessibility within the broader Seeds industry. In a market where approximately five crore packets constitute the cotton seed sector, displaying consistent performance over recent years, the importance of cotton as a pivotal cash crop for farmers cannot be emphasized enough. Crystal’s commitment to actively collaborating with farmers to amplify their income levels remains consistent. This acquisition represents an important milestone in further solidifying Crystal’s presence within the cotton crop sector. We look forward to continuing the legacy of Sadanand and delivering exceptional value to our customers.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Pawan Kansal, Managing Director, Kohinoor Seed Fields India Private Limited said: “We are delighted that Crystal Crop Protection has acquired ‘Sadanand’. Crystal Crop Protection is a leading company in the segment and has been making giant strides in this space through focus on innovation and digitalisation. We believe that this acquisition will provide a unique synergy of strengths to build the brand further.”

Crystal’s seeds business has experienced substantial growth in recent years, driven by a combination of organic and inorganic expansion efforts. Today, Crystal occupies a formidable presence among the leading seed providers in multiple segments, including cotton, mustard, fodder, sorghum and pearl millet. With the strategic acquisition of Sadanand Cotton Seeds from Kohinoor Seeds, Crystal anticipates a substantial boost in its seeds business revenues, projecting an increase of approximately 20 percent.

This significant acquisition marks the tenth addition to Crystal’s strategic portfolio and represents the fourth investment in the Seeds business. Some notable acquisitions in the past have been the acquisition of Cotton, Pearl Millet, Mustard, and Sorghum portfolios from Bayer in 2021. In previous years, Crystal has successfully acquired a range of agrochemical and seed brands from multinational companies such as Syngenta, FMC, and Dow-Corteva etc. Additionally, the company expanded its manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of a production facility from the Solvay group in Nagpur in 2018.

Crystal anticipates a substantial boost in its

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Interaction

Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (Extension), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare was addressing the knowledge sharing session ‘Harnessing Agriculture’s Potential- 2035’, organised by FICCI.

Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (Extension), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India said that it is imperative to adopt technology and create infrastructure to build a resilient agriculture sector in India.

Addressing the knowledge sharing session ‘Harnessing Agriculture’s Potential- 2035’, organised by FICCI, Kumar stated that earlier the government had a production centric approach in the agriculture sector but now we focus on the entire value chain. Every country across the world is embracing newer technology, following innovative ways to build a strong agriculture value chain. “By adopting these measures along with the collective efforts of all stakeholders, we can make Indian agriculture sector more robust, resilient, climate smart to match the global standards,” he added.

To promote infrastructure in the agriculture sector, Kumar said that the government introduced agriculture infrastructure fund scheme. “Till date, close to Rs 30,000 crore has been disbursed for these projects and this in turn has brought in investments around Rs 50,500 crore. This is going to change the landscape of the agriculture sector in the country as it is through infrastructure only that we can address the other inefficiencies in the supply chain,” he added.

Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, YARA South Asia said, “The agri-channels who have been in this space for over 50 years are the original start-ups of Indian agriculture- they believed in the future of Indian agriculture and committed themselves to making India self-sufficient by serving farmers with right agri inputs and technology support. Channel partners must be recognized for providing the last-mile connectivity from lab to land.”

Siraj Hussain, Advisor, FICCI and Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt of India said, “FICCI is thrilled to have partnered with Yara India for this knowledge-sharing event, ‘Harnessing Agriculture’s Potential – 2035’. This partnership opens doors to explore needs of input dealers and channel partners.”

Ajai Rana, CEO, Savannah Seeds Pvt Ltd said that we can improve our farm production by utilizing high-quality seeds, proper crop nutrition, and efficient mechanization in the farming process.

Kaushal Jaiswal, Co-Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee and MD, Rivulis Irrigation India Pvt Ltd said with so much potential in the agriculture sector, it becomes imperative that the Agri channel partners are suitably identified, supported and handheld so as to mainstream them for the long run. 

Deepak Verma, Domain Lead- Agriculture, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) said that ONDC brings all technology providers on one platform to provide unified solutions to the end user.

Arvind Chaudhary, Director General, Fertilizer Association of India said that there is a need to create awareness about balance use of fertilizers in farming.

Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary (Extension), Ministry

Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

 Developed in collaboration with Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan.

Leading agrochemical company Dhanuka Agritech Limited has introduced a new herbicide ‘Tizom’ that will help farmers in controlling weeds in sugarcane crop and enhance farm profitability from Sugarcane cultivation. Company has introduced Tizom for Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu farmers and will soon tap other states too.

Introduced in collaboration with Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, ‘Tizom’ is a groundbreaking herbicide whose unique composition and properties promise to revolutionize weed control in sugarcane farming. Two key active ingredients of ‘Tizom’- Halosulfuron Methyl 6% + Metribuzin 50% WG – provide an effective solution for controlling a wide range of weeds, including narrow leaf weeds, broadleaf weeds and Cyperus rotundus. Thus, it plays a pivotal role in increasing the productivity of sugarcane crop.

Commenting on the introduction of Tizom, Rahul Dhanuka, Joint Managing Director, Dhanuka Agritech Limited said, “Tizom will further strengthen our robust sugarcane portfolio and will be extremely helpful to sugarcane farmers. The introduction of Tizom is also a testament of our continuous endeavour to offer the best solutions to farmers and help enhance their income.”

“We at Dhanuka have aggressive growth plans in the current financial year and we plan to introduce a slew of products lined up during the remainder of the current fiscal year,” he added.

As part of Dhanuka’s unwavering focus on serving the needs of Indian farmers and strengthening its position in the crop care product segment, following the launch of 6 biologicals, 2 herbicides and 1 insecticide, Tizom is 10th product launched in this financial year.

One of the major advantages of Tizom is that it targets and eliminates weeds while leaving sugarcane crops unharmed. Moreover, Tizom offers prolonged weed control, allowing farmers to enjoy a weed-free environment for an extended duration.

Throwing more light on the benefits that Tizom brings to the table, Manoj Varshney, National Marketing Head of Dhanuka Agritech Limited said, “The selectiveness is crucial for protecting the sugarcane plants from weeds and ensuring optimal growth and yield. Such a unique offering is the need of the Indian farmers and we at Dhanuka are determined to provide noble solutions to farmers.”

 Amit Mishra, Senior Portfolio Manager for Herbicides at Dhanuka too expressed similar thoughts and said that Tizom would eliminate a major obstacle for Indian sugarcane farmers and may simplify crop management and enhance productivity.

On the part of Nissan Chemical Corporation, Japan, Dr R.K. Yadav, Managing Director, Nissan Agro Tech India Pvt. Ltd., and Yasuhiko Teraoka, International Business Head at Nissan Chemical Corporation reiterated their commitment to providing quality products to support Indian farmers in the future as well.

 Developed in collaboration with Nissan Chemical Corporation,

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, India, Interaction

. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited shares his views on the status of the agrochemical industry in India with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts:

Insecticides (India) Ltd is India’s leading and one of the top ten Indian agrochemicals manufacturing companies. IIL has emerged as a front-line performer in India’s crop care market with a top line of Rs 1192 crore in 2018-2019. In 2022, it launched its innovative biological product for improving the health of the soil called Kayakalp, the soil energiser which has received an overwhelming response. The company has state-of-the-art formulation facilities at Chopanki (Rajasthan), Samba & Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir) and Dahej (Gujarat). IIL also has two technical synthesis plants at Chopanki and Dahej to manufacture technical grade chemicals providing the competitive edge by backward integration. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited shares his views on the status of the agrochemical industry in India with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts:

How is Insecticides (India) contributing to the growth of the agrochemical sector in India?

Insecticides India (IIL) places a strong emphasis on the research and development of new crop protection and nutrition products both chemical and biological solutions. Our commitment to innovation is exemplified through four distinct R&D centers, each dedicated to different specialized areas. These centres boast state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by qualified and experienced scientists. We firmly believe that investing in today’s research and development will secure a brighter future, positioning IIL at the forefront of the industry in the long term.

The pioneering Chopanki R&D centre, established in 2004, stands as a testament to our dedication which is now a GLP certified lab. This centre features a meticulously designed instrument and process laboratory that has gained international recognition among R&D professionals.

Our biologicals R&D centre specialises in the isolation and detection of beneficial microorganisms. Notable achievements include the development and commercialisation of VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza) and products like kayakalp & KK Pro, Soil Energiser.

Lastly, with the OAT Agrio Co. Ltd., Japan, a pioneering endeavour was undertaken to establish a facility dedicated to invention of agro-chemicals in India. This center, staffed by a team of over 45 scientists, is approved by DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, and led by Japanese experts. Its facilities include four Synthesis Laboratories equipped with advanced machinery such as NMR and UPLC-MS for new molecule analysis and characterisation. The centre also houses ultra-modern greenhouses for in-house testing, breeding rooms, bio-assay rooms, and spray cabinets. The focus here is on adopting international technologies from Japan and the USA for holistic growth and development.

Beyond our R&D endeavours, IIL remains deeply engaged in community-driven development initiatives with positive implications for the wider population. Owing to 105+ branded formulations, 21+ technical, and 380+ SKUs, IIL extends its support to the nation’s agriculture sector by educating farmers on sustainable crops practices and judicious use of the crop protection products. The flagship Kisaan Jagrukta Abhiyaan, initiated a decade ago, is aimed at educating farmers about optimal crop protection techniques to enhance food productivity. Additionally, the programme imparts knowledge about judicious agrochemical use, safety measures, and the cultivation of a third crop to enhance soil fertility and farmers’ incomes. Special camps and collaborative efforts further disseminate farming best practices.

Our unwavering commitment to R&D, community development, and sustainability positions us as a leading force in the agrochemical industry, fostering innovation, growth, and positive impact.

India is the world’s fourth-largest agrochemical producer and a net exporter. It has been estimated that the agrochemical market will reach $8.1 billion by 2025. How can India become competitive in this global market?

Continued investment in research and development is essential to create innovative and effective agrochemical products. R&D efforts should focus on developing novel formulations, sustainable solutions, precision agriculture technologies, and improved delivery mechanisms. Speeding up the registration process is another crucial step to ensure that the Indian agrochemical industry remains competitive in the global market. A swift and efficient registration process enables agrochemical companies to introduce their products to international markets in a timely manner. Accelerated registration processes provide a competitive advantage by allowing Indian companies to respond fast to emerging market trends, changing pest dynamics, and new challenges faced by farmers. In the fast-evolving global market, staying ahead of the curve by introducing novel products can set Indian companies apart from competitors.

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

. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India)