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Finance, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Investments

The survey has been conducted with nearly 800 farmers and 150 labourers in four Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh).

Philanthropies and impact-first investors can play a crucial role in supporting India’s farmers as they adapt their livelihoods to climate change and boost their income, according to research undertaken by The Bridgespan Group and supported by HSBC India. The report titled “Building Climate Resilience and Prosperity: Six Bold Bets for Smallholder Farmers and Farm Workers” was released by Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

The research focuses on the needs of marginal farmers—smallholders and sharecroppers cultivating less than one hectare (2.47 acres)—and farm labourers. The bold bets were identified with the needs and preferences of these communities as a starting point and are supported with case studies and expected impact.

The survey has been conducted with nearly 800 farmers and 150 labourers in four Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh) through in-depth interviews, and field visits. Women made up 40 per cent of survey respondents, and members of Adivasi and Dalit communities made up over half of the farmers and 70 percent of the farm labourers surveyed. The study also draws on conversations with more than 80 experts, leaders, and practitioners working on climate and agriculture issues, including investors, think tanks, government entities, and NGOs.

Six prime opportunities, referred as “bold bets” in the report—have the potential to build resilience for agrarian communities, according to the study. If fully leveraged, these investments could unlock Rs 3.49 lakh crore (nearly $45 billion) in adaptation finance.

These are:

  • Support transition to natural farming practices
  • Reducing chemical inputs can lower production costs per hectare, depending on crop type and usage.
  • This approach also has climate benefits, since it conserves water and increases soil carbon storage, enhances soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity.
  • Provide low-collateral loans to farmer producer organisations (FPOs) for investment in water conservation and livestock-based livelihoods
  • Water conservation measures ensure dependable irrigation and crop yield, leading to significant income growth.
  • Livestock farming can enrich household nutrition and ameliorate health outcomes.

Overall, this would help FPOs develop water infrastructure (e.g., farm ponds, common wells, bunds) or invest in community animal-rearing infrastructure (e.g., shelters, feed storage).

Support FPO-run seed banks for climate-resilient crops

Allow farmers to adapt to climate hazards such as droughts and floods, thereby safeguarding their incomes and bolstering agricultural sustainability and food security.

  • Leads to lower water consumption for irrigation which in the long run will help improve ground water levels.
  • Support FPOs to enable farmers to bring high-margin crops to the market.
  • Helps farmers diversify and undertake value-added activities such as processing, packaging, and marketing that can boost farmer incomes.
  • Offer weather-indexed wage loss micro-insurance
  • Provide immediate payouts to marginal farmers and agricultural labourers when specific weather conditions (e.g., temperature, rainfall) cause crop loss.

Lend to agricultural micro- and nano-enterprises

Provide farmers access to agricultural products (e.g., inputs, equipment, capital), generate employment opportunities for additional rural workers, and boost local economies.

Speaking at the programme, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, said, “Our farmers are the biggest risk takers who are working tirelessly to ensure food and nutritional security for the nation. The government is working towards transforming the agricultural ecosystem that not only encourages the adoption of sustainable practices, but also enhances productivity and income for the farming households.”

Reiterating HSBC India’s commitment to climate innovation and nature-based solutions, Aloka Majumdar, MD, Global Head of Philanthropy & Head of Sustainability, HSBC India, said, “The objective of the Climate Equity Initiative is to influence innovations and investments for climate action. For this to be effective, it is important to incorporate the voice of the vulnerable communities, who are likely to be excluded from decisions that affect their lives. We hope that this report will drive collaborative work in ensuring sustainable development and preservation of our natural ecosystem.”

Anant Bhagwati, Bridgespan partner and co-author of the report, said, “Marginal farmers’ and farmworkers’ households are aware of the changing climate’s impact on their farming habits. Yet they have fragile finances, and social supports do not always reach them. Centering their voices, and the voices of other vulnerable communities that need tailored support, such as women, Dalit, and Adivasi farmers, is the surest form of adaptation there is.”

The survey has been conducted with nearly

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, India, Start ups

This partnership enables Satyukt to deliver farm management solutions to farmers and stakeholders aligned with ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET, streamlining the agricultural practices by providing instant, near real-time information.

Bengaluru based Satyukt, a global Ag-tech aims to revolutionise farming practices worldwide, offering smart solutions tailored to stakeholders in agriculture. It promotes the digitisation of agriculture through its innovative use of satellite-derived data and a blend of modern technologies including cloud computing, mobile technology, Big Data, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Satyukt’s diverse range of products and services provides actionable insights to empower stakeholders, facilitating informed decisions and sustainable agricultural practices on a global scale. Satyukt, ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET are spearheading efforts to create a sustainable and technologically advanced future for farmers and agricultural stakeholders to increase their farm income. Together, they collaborate to pave the way for a future where technology plays a central role in driving sustainable practices and enhancing the livelihoods of small, marginal and large farmers.

Satyukt, ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET have forged a strategic alliance poised to revolutionise precision farming using Sat2Farm technology. Since 65 per cent of the total population of UP is dependent on Agriculture, this partnership enables Satyukt to effortlessly deliver farm management solutions to all types of farmers and stakeholders aligned with ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET, streamlining the agricultural practices by providing instant, near real-time information which can be accessible from anywhere on the globe.

Through this partnership, Sat2Farm revolutionises agricultural practices for farmers aligned with ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET, offering unparalleled control and insight into their operations. Though the state has achieved self-sufficiency in ensuring food safety and is advancing beyond the necessary standards, this integration transcends traditional methods of soil testing, identifying the pests and diseases, and irrigation practices by providing a seamless platform where data seamlessly flows, empowering farmers and stakeholders to make informed decisions. Moreover, collaboration extends to agribusinesses and researchers, who leverage integrated data to gain valuable insights into regional agricultural trends, enabling strategic resource allocation and fostering sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain of Uttar Pradesh.

By harnessing the power of technology and data-driven insights, the Satyukt, ASSOCHAM UP-UK and GNET partnership transcends mere technological advancement. It signifies a commitment to driving positive socioeconomic change, empowering farmers, and creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the agricultural community of Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Yukti, MD, Co-Founder of Satyukt, enthusiastically announced that “the collaboration aims to bring precision farming information to the doorsteps of farmers, harnessing the technological advancements developed by Satyukt in recent years. Looking ahead, he highlighted that precision farming will help farmers in reducing the cost of cultivation and increase the crop productivity, thereby increasing the farmers’ income”.

 Abhithosh Asthana, managing partners, GNET, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Setting sail on this transformative voyage alongside Satyukt ignites us with excitement and anticipation. Our shared dedication to innovation propels us to lead the charge in delivering precise agricultural services. This steadfast dedication drives our endeavor towards continuous agricultural advancement, to nurture lasting value for both farmers and agricultural stakeholders”.

This partnership enables Satyukt to deliver farm

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

Leveraging the power of Application Programming Interface (API), Satyukt will seamlessly provide access to farm management solutions to farmers associated with Zuari FarmHub.

 Satyukt, a leading global Ag-tech company at the forefront of harnessing satellite data, advanced technology, and machine learning and Zuari FarmHub have entered into a strategic alliance which is set to redefine the landscape of precision farming through Satyukt’s APIs. Leveraging the power of Application Programming Interface (API), Satyukt will seamlessly provide access to farm management solutions to farmers and other stakeholders associated with Zuari FarmHub.

Zuari FarmHub stands as a dynamic force in the agricultural sector, specialised in the manufacturing and distribution of a diverse range of agri inputs. With a comprehensive product portfolio encompassing fertilizers, speciality nutrients, pesticides, and seeds, Zuari FarmHub plays a pivotal role in providing essential resources to farmers across the country.

Through this partnership, the API integration empowers farmers associated with Zuari FarmHub with a level of control and insight into their agricultural operations. They gain access to a comprehensive suite of tools and metrics that cover essential aspects such as soil health, crop health, moisture levels, and the identification of potential threats like pests and diseases. This integration goes beyond traditional methods, providing a seamless and interconnected platform where data flows effortlessly, ensuring real-time access to critical information. Moreover, the collaborative efforts extend to other stakeholders within the agricultural value chain. Agribusinesses and researchers connected to Zuari FarmHub can leverage the integrated data to gain valuable insights into regional agricultural trends and plan resource allocation strategies.

This holistic approach to data-driven decision-making ensures that farmers and other agricultural stakeholders aligned with Zuari FarmHub are equipped with the tools they need to make informed choices in their farming practices. By offering actionable insights, this partnership enables farmers to optimize their productivity, conserve resources, and adopt environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural methods.

Dr Yukti Gill, MD, Co-Founder of Satyukt, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Embarking on this transformative journey with Zuari FarmHub fills us with excitement and anticipation. Our joint commitment to innovation means that we will be at the forefront of developing and providing affordable, actionable, and precise agricultural services. This commitment drives us for sustained agricultural growth to create enduring value for farmers.”

Commenting on the partnership, Madan Pandey, MD, Zuari FarmHub said, “We aim to create value for farmers and stakeholders by providing integrated agri solutions to all farm needs. By providing real time access to farm data, we will empower farmers to maximize yields, reduce wastage and hence ensure sustainable farming practices. Precision farming will create the next agricultural revolution in India that will vastly improve the profitability for Indian farmers.”

Leveraging the power of Application Programming Interface

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, Company News, India

ICA Global Board, General Assembly and an International Conference will be held in New Delhi for the first time in 128-year history of ICA.

 In a historic move for Indian Cooperatives, with efforts from IFFCO, The Board of International Cooperative Alliance has unanimously decided to hold ICA Global Board, General Assembly and an International Conference for the first time in 128-year history of ICA at New Delhi, India in June 2024. ICA represents more than 310 cooperative organisations from 107 countries across the world as its members.

Dr. U S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO proposed for hosting the prestigious meeting in India during an ongoing ICA Board meet in Brussels and the ICA Board unanimously approved the same. IFFCO’s mark on the Global Cooperative Movement is inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” and under the able dynamic leadership of Amit Shah, the first Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation, Govt. of India. IFFCO making a mark on the international arena is another huge step for the Socio -Economic development of the Country. IFFCO is ranked Number 1 Cooperative among top 300 cooperatives in the world by ICA’s World Cooperative Monitor.

The Grand International Cooperative event is aimed at leaders from ICA member cooperative organization from all over the world to gather & exchange experiences, discuss new associations and to take important institutional decisions. The ICA General Assembly is a very important event for Cooperative Organizations, as it is a display of democracy & solidarity of the Organizations.

Dr. U S Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO said, “It is a proud moment for IFFCO and Cooperative businesses in India to be hosting the ICA General Assembly & International Conference in India. A great achievement for all of us in the Indian Cooperative Sector. It will open up new opportunities in the cooperative sector where Indian Cooperatives can associate and participate in Global businesses.”  

IFFCO is always committed towards the growth and development of farmers across the country and strengthening the Indian Cooperative Movement to the remotest level of the country. IFFCO has done India proud for last so many years at the International Cooperative Arena.

ICA Global Board, General Assembly and an

Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, India, R&D

The laboratory supports market demand for organic produce, benefiting both farmers and the industry as a whole.

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF) (Amul Federation), the largest food products organization of India has set up State-of-the-Art Advanced Organic Testing Laboratory at Amul Fed Dairy, Gandhinagar. The lab has been inaugurated by Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Government of India, on 21st May 2023.

With the increasing demand for organic food products in India, there is a growing need for advanced laboratories dedicated to organic food testing. Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. To meet these demands, an advanced laboratory for organic food testing plays a crucial role in verifying the organic integrity of food items. The laboratory employs various testing methodologies and techniques to detect the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants. It ensures that organic food products adhere to national and international organic standards, enhancing consumer confidence and protecting public health.

This is the first dedicated lab by Amul for organic testing and supporting organic producers. The organic industry relies on consumer trust and confidence. Organic testing laboratories play a pivotal role in building trust by providing reliable testing results and ensuring that organic claims are backed by scientific evidence. By upholding the integrity of organic products, the laboratory supports market demand for organic produce, benefiting both farmers and the industry as a whole.

As per the guidance of Shri Amit Shah, Hon Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amul ventured into the organic business last year in May 2022 with the launch of Amul Organic Atta. Over the past year, Amul has expanded its organic product portfolio to include products such as Organic Basmati Rice, Organic Toor Dal, Organic Chana Dal, Organic Masoor Dal, Organic Moong, Organic Rajma, Organic Besan and Organic Kabuli Chana. A range of other organic products are in the pipeline.

Jayen Mehta, MD, Amul Federation said that the latest state of the art equipments  viz. Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) etc been installed at the new Organic testing lab at Amul.

These equipments will help identify and quantify organic compounds in food samples. They can detect pesticides, herbicides, and other organic contaminants, determine trace elements and heavy metals in food samples and also detect mycotoxins, additives, and preservatives. Amul aims to provide organic testing results meeting international standards to organic farmers and industry players at an affordable price.

The laboratory supports market demand for organic

Agrotech, Award, India, People

Boratkar has successfully established the flagship event of Indian Science Congress and has strengthened all other initiatives in R&D, Agriculture and other cutting-edge technologies.

Renowned scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar conferred Suryadatta National Award 2023 to Ravindra Boratkar , Managing Director ,MMActiv Sci- Tech Communications to recognise his excellence in the field of Economic Development at the Surydatta National Award 2023 function held in Pune on February 7. Founder of Ahimsa Vishwabharati Acharya Dr Lokesh Muniji and Gyanvatsal Swami Maharaj of Akshardham temple were the keynote speakers on this occasion, while Padmashri Muralikant Pethkar, Padmashri Anup Jalota was present as Guest of Honour.

 The Suryadatta National Awards and the Suryadatta LifeTime Achievement Awards 2023 announced on the occasion of Commemoration of 25th Suryadatta Foundation Day and given to towering personalities from all walks of life, whose significant contributions towards the enrichment of their chosen vocation have made a difference to society, transforming all those lives whom they have touched and leaving their footprints on the sands of time.

Ravindra Boratkar is a visionary leader  and has contributed actively to promote and provoke reasoned thinking in matters of socioeconomic development at both the state and the national levels. He is a Science Graduate with a Masters in Business Administration. He started his career with Newspaper as a Management Trainee and then set up his own Advertising agency in 1988, which has won many awards and accolades.

Boratkar has successfully established the flagship event of Indian Science Congress and has strengthened all other initiatives in R&D, Agriculture and other cutting-edge technologies. He also serves as a board member of Solvent Extraction Company and A composite project of Sugar, Power, Ethanol and Bio-Fertilisers.

He is the Managing Director of –

MM Activ Sci Tech Communications Pvt Ltd. India’s leading Tech Media & Events company, since its inception MM Activ has curated over 100 National & International Conventions with special focus on Agro, Food, Nutraceuticals, Biotech & other Frontier Technologies. He is the Publisher & Managing Editor of B2B Publication & Portals namely BioSpectrum  , NuFFooDS Spectrum and AgroSpectrum.

Asian Conventions & Expositions Pvt Ltd, which operates Maharashtra’s only Integrated Convention & Exhibition Centre -CIDCO at Navi Mumbai. This is the first PPP initiative for accelerating regional economic growth through convention centre in India.

He is Chairman of Central India Central Multipurpose Consumer Co Op Society, which runs Purti Super Bazar.

He is Organising Secretary of Agrovision  and President of the Agrovision Foundation which is working to educate, encourage and empower farmers of central India to make their livelihood sustainable.

He is the youngest President of Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC), which works as the Think Tank for the socio-economic development of Maharashtra.

He is also on the board of AFC India Ltd (Formerly Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd.), Cian Agro Industries & Infrastructure Ltd, PURTI Power & Sugar Ltd, SCI Knowledge Interlinks Pvt Ltd, Profit Advertisers (India) Pvt Ltd., Citrus Estate, Paitham.

Boratkar has successfully established the flagship event