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Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, AgroPolicy, Biofertilizers, Company News, Fungicides, Herbicides, R&D

Initial estimates suggest a market size of ₹200–₹300 crores for targeted pest management products in high value crops, offering a sustained growth opportunity for Best Agrolife Ltd

Best Agrolife Ltd., one of India’s leading agrochemical manufacturers, has been granted a synergistic patent for its novel ternary pesticide formulation that integrates Spiromesifen, Hexythiazox, and Abamectin. This breakthrough product is specifically designed to address mite infestations in cotton, chilli and tea plantations, a persistent issue that threatens crop productivity and quality. This unique formulation is effective against multiple pests, delivering unparalleled efficacy in combating various mites, as well as sucking pests like whiteflies. These pests are among the most destructive to crops and vegetables including brinjal, okra, and tomato.

Mites pose a severe challenge to tea farmers, leading to crop losses ranging from 17% to 46%. The patented formulation offers a holistic approach to managing mite infestations by targeting mites across ovicidal, nymphal, and adult stages. This multi-action mechanism ensures efficient pest control, contributing to healthier crops and improved yields for high value plantations.

India, the second-largest producer of tea globally and the largest consumer, accounts for 30% of the world’s tea consumption. In 2022, tea cultivation in India spanned approximately 6.19 lakh hectares. The tea segment in India is valued at around ₹20,000 crores annually, and pest management is a critical component of this market. Mites constitute a major challenge for Tea estates.

The new product addresses a critical need, offering farmers a powerful solution to protect their crops in regions where these pests are most prevalent. States Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, Assam and West Bengal, are expected to benefit from the introduction of this product.

The new formulation has the potential to cater to a significant share of this market, especially given the increasing demand for specialized crop protection solutions. Initial estimates suggest a market size of ₹200–₹300 crores for targeted pest management products in high value crops, offering a sustained growth opportunity for Best Agrolife Ltd. Initial sale estimates in the first year of introduction are estimated to be around ₹15 to ₹30 crores.

This development underscores Best Agrolife Ltd.’s commitment to innovation and its robust R&D capabilities. By securing this patent, the company has further strengthened its product portfolio addressing a critical pain point for tea, cotton and chilli and brinjal farmers. By combining three potent active ingredients, this formulation provides broad-spectrum control, reducing the necessity for multiple applications. This not only lowers costs for farmers but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices by limiting environmental impact.

The patent is part of Best Agrolife Ltd.’s growing portfolio of specialised crop-specific product portfolio. The company’s leadership in research and development continues to drive advancements that empower farmers and support the agri-industry’s growth.

Initial estimates suggest a market size of

AgroPolicy, Biofertilizers, India

FSSAI is extending financial assistance to Assam for the upgrading of laboratories dedicated to pesticide testing

In a significant move towards ensuring the safety and quality of tea production, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), addressed a gathering of Tea Growers and Tea Planters during an interactive session in Kellyden, Assam. The event saw active participation from key stakeholders including officials from FSSAI, the Tea Board, the Tea Research Institute, tea planters, tea processors, industry associations and the Food and Drug Department of the State.

The focal point of the discussion was enhancing traceability and testing measures for raw materials, emphasising the need for screening every batch for pesticide residues and adherence to Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) of pesticide usage as prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011 (FSSR). Rao emphasised the importance of adopting bio-pesticides and encouraged collaboration with the Tea Board for joint inspection, sampling and testing processes.

During the session, the Tea Board stressed the significance of awareness campaigns among planters to educate them about the maintenance of a harvesting gap to ensure safe agricultural practices. Planters raised concerns about the use of unauthorised pesticides in tea cultivation and urged the State Government to impose a ban on such substances. Processors advocated for the provision of rapid testing kits at the farm gate level to streamline pesticide testing. Scientific Panel members engaged in detailed deliberations on specific pesticides, monitoring procedures and the prevention of off-label use.

Notably, FSSAI is extending financial assistance to Assam for the upgrading of laboratories dedicated to pesticide testing. The need for regular interaction with all stakeholders and the formulation of a time-bound action plan to guarantee the availability of safe tea to consumers was also stressed during the meeting.

FSSAI is extending financial assistance to Assam

Agrotech, Company News, R&D, World

The collaboration is being driven by the renowned scientific advisor Dr Baharuddin Salleh and includes Aquilaria inoculation and post-inoculation product development

Agroforestry Group has announced the expansion of its Aquilaria programme through its collaboration with a Malaysian research and development company. The collaboration is being driven by the renowned scientific advisor Dr Baharuddin Salleh and includes Aquilaria inoculation and post-inoculation product development. In terms of inoculation, it is aimed at specifically improving the success, speed and yield of agarwood within inoculated trees. Each stage in the inoculation process requires a different mixture of compounds with Agroforestry Group investing heavily in finding an optimal balance of performance enhancement and cost minimisation. 

Paul Martin, Managing Director of Agroforestry Group, stated, “We are delighted to have further strengthened our research and development programme with this collaboration of ours. This marks a significant milestone for us as we approach the final stages of our inoculation research programme for Aquilaria trees that were planted in 2018 and 2019. The expansion of our programme is crucial as it allows us to safeguard our ongoing research and development efforts while also extending our focus to post-inoculation product development. This includes the creation of tea, fragrances, and various other Aquilaria-based products.”

Martin further emphasized the immense value of the partnership, by highlighting the decades of experience that renowned Aquilaria expert, Dr. Baharuddin Salleh provides to the company. Dr Baharuddin Salleh, a distinguished researcher and author, formerly served as a Professor of Plant Pathology & Mycology at the University Sains Malaysia (USM) and boasts an impressive portfolio of over 100 published works. His expertise and contributions will be instrumental in the progress of Agroforestry Group’s initiatives in the field of Aquilaria research and development.

The collaboration is being driven by the

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Company News, India

One of the key benefits of the project is the potential to enhance crop management and output

To enhance the sustainability and productivity of tea gardens in Northeast India, a special grant by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) of the Government of India under the Biotech Ignition Grant (BIG) to drone-tech company IG Drones.

The project led by Sambit Parida CTO and Co-founder of IG Drones, promises to revolutionise tea farming practices, promote environmental sustainability, and foster socio-economic development in the region. This project holds immense socio-economic advantages for the region, promising to revolutionise farming practices, mitigate climate risks, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Tea is a widely consumed beverage worldwide and has significant economic importance in India’s North-East. Tea gardens in the northeast region have challenges like a lack of accurate and timely information on soil and plant health. IG Drones project aims to address these challenges by utilising advanced drone technology to gather real-time data on crucial aspects, providing tea growers with valuable insights to improve their farming practices.

One of the key benefits of the project is the potential to enhance crop management and output. Drones can collect data on pest infestations, nutrient levels, and soil moisture, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on the use of fertilisers, irrigation, and pest control. This precision farming approach reduces costs, minimises environmental impact, and boosts agricultural yields, leading to increased productivity and improved financial stability for tea farmers, contributing to the broader economic prosperity of the region.

One of the key benefits of the

AgroPolicy, Logistics, Supply Chain, Trade

The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a fall of around 50 per cent in the last decade from 13 mkgs to 6.5 mkgs

The Indian Tea Association (ITA) held its 138th Annual General Meeting under the chairmanship of Vivek Goenka. Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Assam graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present were Sunil Barthwal, IAS Secretary to the Govt of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Dr KN Raghavan, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board of India.

Goenka said, “Indian tea prices after remaining stagnant for almost a decade showed some promise in 2020 due to shortfall in production. However, in 2021 average prices have declined by 6 per cent. A majority of teas are selling below Rs 200 per kg which is below the cost of production of the organised sector. Interventions like generic promotion, incentivising orthodox production, Auction reforms and value addition are critical for boosting domestic demand and exports.”

Goenka added, “Mitigation of the high cost of production through the takeover of social welfare amenities through government schemes as envisaged in the occupational safety, health and working conditions code, 2020 is a necessity for the future.”

Input costs have increased at a CAGR of 9 per cent to 12 per cent outpacing the growth in prices. The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a fall of around 50 per cent in the last decade from 13 mkgs to 6.5 mkgs. The Darjeeling tea sector which is experiencing lower crops and lower prices over the years needs special attention. 

The Darjeeling tea sector has witnessed a