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Tuesday / November 19. 2024

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HomePosts Tagged "Navneet Ravikar"
Agribusiness, India, Start ups

SAMARTH featured scientific and technical sessions, gathering industry experts, researchers, and academics from across spectrums and regions to create a collaborative roadmap for sustainable solutions in agro-ecosystems and value chain development.

 BL Agro, one of India’s leading FMCG brands, and its agritech venture, Leads Connect, focused on risk management, climate, and sustainability solutions, launched SAMARTH 1.0 at Krishi Bharat in Lucknow.

The initiative, SAMARTH 1.0, Seminar on Agricultural Modelling and Assessing Risks for Transforming Humanity is designed to unite key stakeholders in a scientific dialogue focused on addressing critical challenges in agriculture. SAMARTH featured scientific and technical sessions, gathering industry experts, researchers, and academics from across spectrums and regions to create a collaborative roadmap for sustainable solutions in agro-ecosystems and value chain development.

Dr Alok B. Mukherjee, Director – Research, Analytics & Modeling at Leads Connect, highlighted the vision behind SAMARTH, saying, “SAMARTH is more than just a research journal. It’ is a way to create real, on-ground impact. By combining advanced technology with an interdisciplinary approach and hyper-local intelligence, we are moving beyond conventional AI to embrace strong AI. SAMARTH is a call to practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders in the agri-ecosystem and climate domain to contribute their work. The best three research papers, rigorously peer-reviewed and by a board, will receive awards of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000, and Rs. 20,000 respectively. Beyond research, SAMARTH is about direct engagement with farmers to ensure real-world relevance. Each edition will focus on pilot studies that drive tangible, sustainable change on the ground.”

In tandem with SAMARTH 1.0, BL Agro and Leads Connect announced a call for papers to contribute to the newly unveiled scientific journal, Satellite Analytics & Transfer Intelligence (SATI). SATI will serve as a hub for breakthrough research, covering themes such as agriculture, climate and disaster management, and value chain analytics. Ten research articles, selected after a peer review process, will be published in SATI, with awards presented to the authors of the top three articles for their contributions.

Navneet Ravikar, Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services, expressed his excitement, saying, “Our efforts are driven by a deep commitment to develop robust and sustainable solutions for agriculture and the environment. The milk production technology we have introduced has transformed the entire ecosystem, bringing a new level of efficiency and productivity. We are now focused on creating stronger market linkages between agriculture and dairy, fostering a more integrated and sustainable value chain. SAMARTH 1.0 is a testament to our dedication to transforming lives and bringing smiles to people through impactful solutions.”

Special international recognition came from Jan-Kees Goet, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, Netherlands, who also attended the event. He commended the efforts of Leads Connect in supporting farmers and strengthening the agri-ecosystem in India. Speaking on the strides being made in agricultural innovation, Goet remarked, “The Netherlands has been at the forefront of developing technologies that enhance productivity while ensuring sustainability. It is inspiring to see initiatives like SAMARTH 1.0 echoing the same values by bringing together global and local expertise to empower farmers and create sustainable agri-ecosystems.”

SAMARTH featured scientific and technical sessions, gathering

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, Dairy, India

The partnership focuses on promoting a zero-waste economy and long-term sustainability in cattle breeding and dairy technology.

 B.L. Kamdhenu Farms Limited, a pioneering subsidiary of BL Agro Group, has taken a significant step toward revolutionising India’s dairy industry. On day 2 of World Food India 2024, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sweden-based M/s DeLaval. The MoU was signed in the presence of H.E. Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden, who was the chief guest at the event.

The partnership focuses on promoting a zero-waste economy and long-term sustainability in cattle breeding and dairy technology, with an investment close to Rs 1500 crore. The collaboration is designed to harness advanced technologies and farming solutions including milking essentials, farm management and cow comfort.

By integrating all components of the milk value chain—from feed requirements to waste management—the initiative aims to create a circular economy, driving both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Speaking on the occasion, Navneet Ravikar, Director of B.L. Kamdhenu Farms, said, “This partnership with DeLaval marks a pivotal moment. It is a crucial step in our efforts to innovate and transform the White Revolution. Through this collaboration, we are committing to creating a fully integrated and sustainable milk value chain. Because only when we ensure zero waste, can we create long-term benefits for farmers and the environment alike.”

DeLaval is a global leader in dairy farming technology that works towards reducing environmental footprint while improving production and the well-being of the animals involved.

It brings expertise in integrated solutions that enhance a) milk quality, b) volume of production, and c) overall quality of life for dairy producers. The partnership will strengthen India’s position in the global dairy industry while significantly contributing to the country’s sustainability goals.

H.E. Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “Sweden is proud to be part of India’s journey towards sustainable agriculture and dairy innovations. This MoU reflects our shared values of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. We believe that the collaboration between B.L. Kamdhenu Farms and DeLaval will show the world what partnerships across borders can do for everyone.”

B.L. Kamdhenu Farms Ltd., headquartered in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, is a pioneering entity under BL Agro Group, specialisng in embryo technology, cattle IVF, breeding innovations, and a fully integrated milk value chain. Its focus is on shaping the future of dairy farming in India and creating a circular economy that fosters zero waste and long-term sustainability. It aims to create a future that’s better for farmers, consumers, and the environment.

DeLaval is a global leader in dairy farming technology, providing integrated solutions that improve dairy producers’ production, animal welfare, and overall quality of life. The company has been committed to making sustainable food production possible for over 135 years.

The partnership focuses on promoting a zero-waste

Agrotech, Company News, Finance, India, Institutions, Start ups

The two companies will hold a 50-50 % stake in the new company under the JV.

Noida based Leads Connect Services, a premier agritech data, risk management, and financial services company, and Ensuredit, an AI-based platform that brings efficiency to the insurance distribution cycle, are delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic joint venture (JV) named ‘Leads Ensuredit Private Limited’.

The collaboration harnesses the power of technology, data analytics, and industry insights to improve the financial resilience of farmers and agribusinesses by developing tailored insurance products that help with enhanced risk management.

Leads Connect has been a leading force in pioneering inventive solutions for the agricultural sector, catering to the diverse requirements of farmers, agribusinesses, and financial institutions. It has brought about a paradigm shift in agricultural financing, ensuring effortless access to capital and financial services for farmers throughout the country.

Ensuredit, an established platform-as-a-service (PaaS) insurtech provider in India, has positively impacted millions of individuals and businesses, transforming the insurance industry through state-of-the-art technological solutions.

The collaboration combines the proven expertise and capabilities of both organisations. It creates a dynamic fusion of agricultural knowledge, agri-research, disaster risk management, and an understanding of insurance technology to provide a short- and medium-term product roadmap for farmers and agribusinesses.

The primary objective of the joint venture is to build a futuristic insurtech infrastructure that will provide comprehensive insurance solutions and drive innovation in the agri-insurtech sector. In the initial phase following the formation of the joint venture, the focus will be on expanding service offerings in national and international markets.

Both Leads Connect Agritech and Ensuredit are committed to the success of the JV and will provide all resources to ensure its growth and development. Furthermore, Leads Ensuredit plans to hire an initial core team of 7 to 8 people, which will be expanded based on business growth needs.

Amit Boni, CEO of Ensuredit, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Leads Connect in this exciting joint venture. The signing of the MoU and the alliance are history in the making.

By springboarding on each other’s strengths, we’ll be offering unique value to the sector. With Leads Ensuredit, we aim to make a positive impact by providing farmers with innovative agri-fintech solutions that enhance their productivity, mitigate risks, and improve the overall ecosystem.”

Navneet Ravikar, Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services, expressed great enthusiasm about the joint venture, stating, “Leads Ensuredit represents an unprecedented opportunity to transform the agricultural landscape by leveraging the power of agritech, fintech, and insurtech. By combining our agricultural expertise with Ensuredit’s technological prowess, we are confident that we can deliver ground-breaking financial inclusion that will empower everyone and contribute to the sector.”

The two companies will hold a 50-50

Finance, Interaction, Opinions

A separate fund needs to be earmarked for R&D in the field of remote sensing, UAV for crop yield estimation and crop claim management and state technical units to be earmarked funds for the purpose. We expect a subsidy of 50 per cent or 10 lakhs whichever is less for buying drones and their accessories to be used for agri research to both research units and private sector agritech companies. The crop insurance premium needs to be subsidised to Rs 10 for all farmers (farmers share the rest premium to be paid by the central government and state government in the ratio of 70:30) with landholding less than one hectare with compulsory coverage by all banks and FIs. All insured farmlands by banks should be geotagged and Aadhaar linked. The banks are to be paid an additional 2 per cent of the premium over and above 4 per cent being paid by the insurers.

A separate fund needs to be earmarked