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Carbon Farming, Climate, Collaborations, Company News, Environment, Funding, Investments, R&D, Soil Health, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

With 130 million farmers and 400 million acres of agricultural land UPL-SAS is redefining its function from selling crop protection products to offering solutions

UPL-Sustainable AgriSolutions (UPL-SAS) is spearheading a transformative approach to Indian agriculture, leveraging technology, digital innovations, and a holistic strategy to address the complex challenges facing the country’s farming ecosystem, CEO Ashish Dobhal revealed in an exclusive interview.

With agriculture spanning 400 million acres and involving 130 million farmers, 80-85 per cent of whom are smallholders, the company is reimagining its role from a crop protection product seller to a comprehensive solution provider.

“Each state has its own nuance, cropping pattern, and cultural nuances of farming,” Dobhal explained, underscoring the intricate landscape of Indian agriculture.

Emerging from a challenging period, Dobhal confidently asserted that “the worst of the industry downturn is behind us.” UPL-SAS, a subsidiary of UPL Ltd, is implementing a multi-pronged strategy to revitalize its performance with key strategic priorities.

These priorities include developing crop protection solutions for emerging pest problems, expanding climate-smart technologies, investing in bioinsecticides and biofungicides, and exploring agricultural mechanization and leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics for micro-market strategies. “Climate change and agriculture have become very dynamic. The solutions useful four years back might not be useful in the next four years. Our approach goes beyond selling crop protection solutions,” Dobhal noted.

“We’re committed to solving problems for farmers at a granular level.” He also said the company will leverage a recent $ 200 million investment from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Brookfield, and PNG to accelerate innovation in agricultural technologies and crop protection solutions.

Dobhal emphasized that this investment is not about short-term gains but about “deeply understanding and solving agricultural challenges through data analysis and technological innovation.”

The investment, which Dobhal described as bringing “global expertise on latest trends in data, analytics and tech use,” will primarily focus on addressing emerging agricultural challenges, including climate change-induced pest outbreaks and water scarcity.

“We are working from problem backwards and not investment downwards,” Dobhal said, highlighting that the company’s strategic approach is to leverage advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to develop precise, localized solutions. A critical tool in this strategy is the Nurture Digital platform, which Dobhal described as a comprehensive solution for farmers. “We can provide crop advisory, insurance, and machine information at the push of a button. In a small landholding ecosystem, technology becomes essential. The digital platform provides unprecedented reach, effectively connecting with farmers 24×7.” The CEO stressed a balanced approach to agricultural solutions, advocating for a mixed strategy between chemical and bio-based interventions.

With over five decades of operation in India, UPL SAS views the country as a critical market with immense potential. “It’s a big market with tremendous scope for contribution.” The company’s core mission remains solving the “biggest challenge” facing global agriculture: food security. The ultimate objectives are clear: increasing farm productivity, improving crop quality and ensuring food security domestically and internationally.

On data protection’s critical issue for agricultural innovation, Dobhal advocated for a balanced approach. “We must incentivize inventors while ensuring solutions reach farmers,” Dobhal said, underlining the company’s commitment to both innovation and accessibility. With a strong local brand and innovative digital platforms, UPL aims to incrementally expand its presence in India’s fragmented agricultural landscape.

“We have a good brand name in the local market which provides some insulation against global pressures,” he noted.

“Our focus remains on delivering the right quality to farmers and passing on cost improvements.” Despite challenges, Dobhal remains optimistic about the agricultural sector’s prospects.

“This industry keeps on growing as we have to feed 7 billion people across the planet,” he concluded, reflecting the critical importance of agricultural innovation in addressing global food security challenges.

With 130 million farmers and 400 million

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, Finance, India, Seeds

Seeds business faced headwinds on account of weather challenges that impacted production, created inventory shortages and supply constraints, leading to a revenue drop of 7 per cent.

 Agrochemical major, UPL Ltd., reported financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2024. Revenue growth for the first quarter was flat at 1 per cent, driven by 16 per cent increase in volumes, 14 per cent decline in price and a negative 1per cent Fx impact.

Seeds business faced headwinds on account of weather challenges that impacted production, created inventory shortages and supply constraints, leading to a revenue drop of 7 per cent and EBITDA drop of 30 per cent YoY.

Net Debt increased by $639 million in Q1FY25 vs year end March 24. The corresponding increase last year was $1,136 million.

Commenting on the Q1FY25 performance, Mike Frank, CEO, UPL Corporation Ltd., said: ″We continue to see strong fundamentals in the global crop protection market, with farmgate demand for our products at or above last year levels in most regions.

Herbicides led the growth in North America, driven by glufosinate and clethodim. Our herbicide performance in Brazil also did well. Fungicides growth was led by higher volumes in Europe and North America.

Revenue growth in our Natural Plant Protection (NPP) business was impressive, up 10 per cent versus last year, driven by a strong performance in Europe, among other regions.

Our contribution margin compressed by 600 bps vs Q1FY24. This was primarily due to price decline, and partially offset with lower cost of goods. Increased freight costs and foreign exchange were also headwinds on margins this quarter.

From an SG&A perspective, we continue to remain disciplined, and the organization is focused on making improvements in the operating model and driving efficiency throughout the enterprise. ″

Commenting on the Q1FY25 performance, Ashish Dobhal, CEO, UPL SAS, said: ″On our India Crop Protection business (UPL SAS), we continued our efforts to restructure the business through strict credit policies and tighter credit terms, which lead to a postponement of sales closer to season, and the consequent impact on Q1FY25 revenues. However, our contribution margins and cash flows have improved and working capital reduced, giving us the confidence that this is the right structural move for us in India”.

Commenting on the Q1FY25 performance, Bhupen Dubey, CEO, Advanta, said: ″On our global seed platform, Advanta, we saw some headwinds in Q1FY25 on account of weather challenges that impacted production, created inventory shortages and supply constraints, leading to the impact on sales and EBITDA margins. ″

Seeds business faced headwinds on account of

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, World

This prestigious acknowledgment reinforces UPL’s position as one of India’s leading agrochemical companies in the market.

UPL Ltd., a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, has been recognised as a ‘Well-Known Trademark’ by the Indian Trademark Registry. This prestigious acknowledgment reinforces UPL’s position as one of India’s leading agrochemical companies in the market, thereby fostering trust and credibility among customers.

In 2021, UPL filed its first “well-known” trademark application under the new regulations. The petition included comprehensive details about their brand evolution, extensive evidence of public recognition, and information on their various initiatives. After a detailed analysis and procedure, the company received the esteemed ‘Well-known trademark’ title.

In addition to strengthening UPL’s brand positioning, this recognition also provides enhanced legal protection, a competitive advantage, simplified marketing efforts, and increased company value. Speaking about the achievement, Ashish Dobhal, CEO, UPL SAS, said, “We are honoured to have been recognized as the ‘Well-Known Trademark’. This achievement underscores our relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to delivering innovative solutions to empower farmers with the best[1]quality products for enhanced agricultural productivity. This acknowledgment validates our brand’s prominence in providing best-in-class agricultural solutions to farmers worldwide.”

A “well-known” trademark denotes a high level of recognition among the public, associating the brand with specific goods or services. This recognition is so strong that using a similar mark for different offerings could mislead consumers and create confusion about the source or origin. The 2017 Rules established a streamlined process for seeking “well-known” status. Companies can submit detailed applications to the IP Office, outlining their brand history, evidence of recognition, and supporting documentation.

UPL remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer-centricity as it continues to pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future.

This prestigious acknowledgment reinforces UPL’s position as

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Company News, India

Company is aiming to treat 20,000 acres of tea estates in India with Fascinate Flash in 2023.

UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions (SAS), an integrated AgTech platform of UPL Ltd., has introduced Fascinate Flash, a safe to use, sustainable and innovative solution to redefine weed control practices in Indian tea plantations.

With its rapid action, extended residual control, and crop safety features, Fascinate Flash revolutionises weed management, positively impacting the economic and environmental aspects of tea farming.

Fascinate Flash swiftly penetrates weed leaves, leading to rapid withering and elimination within just four hours of application. In addition to eradicating existing weeds, Fascinate Flash inhibits the germination of weed seeds, maintaining a weed-free environment, and reducing the need for frequent applications of herbicides. The decrease in herbicide usage not only lowers product and labour expenses but also amplifies the return on investment for tea estate owners. This contributes to the sustained economic advancement of the industry over the long run.

Ashish Dobhal, CEO of UPL SAS, said, “With the launch of Fascinate Flash, we are confident in delivering advanced sustainable weed management for tea plantations. This marks another stride in our commitment to empower farmers with solutions that enhance productivity, nurture sustainability, and generate exceptional returns on investment, all while maintaining the balance of our environment.”

For optimal results, it is recommended to use Fascinate Flash at the 3-4 weed leaf stage. UPL SAS is aiming to treat 20,000 acres of tea estates in India with Fascinate Flash in 2023, exemplifying our endeavour to the tea industry’s growth through innovative solutions.

Company is aiming to treat 20,000 acres

Agrotech, India, Sugar industry, Sustainability

UPL SAS and Olam Agri will jointly implement the Shashwat Mithaas initiative assuring an additional 15 per cent increase in yields.

UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions Ltd. (UPL SAS), a global provider of sustainable agricultural products and solutions, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Olam Agri, a leading food and agribusiness supplier, to drive sustainable and consistent sugarcane production across India through the ‘Shashwat Mithaas’ initiative.

The programme aims to benefit farmers within the Olam Sugar Mill (Channehatti-Rajgoli, Kolhapur, Maharashtra) catchment area, with a 15 per cent increase in yield per acre and additional income. The initial phase of the programme will cover 2,000 acres in its inaugural year, with the potential to expand across a catchment area of 70,000 acres.

The project aims to reduce water usage by 30 per cent through the adoption of efficient irrigation practices, and cut fertilizer consumption by 25 per cent, while increasing crop yield and improving soil health. Through this partnership, farmers will be supported with a holistic package of solutions and services, including UPL’s climate-smart technology ZEBA as part of the ProNutiva package, training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanization, and access to the nurture.farm platform to ensure traceability. 25 model plots have been established so far to demonstrate the efficacy of the solutions and approach.

Harshal Sonawane, Head Sustainability, UPL SAS, said: “At UPL SAS, we are committed to ensuring a greener and more prosperous future for all. This comprehensive package will empower farmers with improved productivity and enhanced profitability, while offering shared benefits for environmental health. By addressing the shortage of sugarcane in the market, this partnership is set to deliver wins for all while advancing long-term sustainability of crop production”.

Bharat Kundal, Business Head, Olam Agri, said, “At Olam Agri, reimagining global agriculture and food systems is at the heart of our endeavours. We firmly believe that adopting sustainable farming practices is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by our sugarcane farmers. Through collaborative efforts and embracing innovation, we are determined to create a lasting impact on the lives of farmers and the entire agricultural ecosystem”.

UPL SAS and Olam Agri will jointly