Pune firm inks alliances in the US

The Pune-based KF Bioplants (KFB) has inked strategic tie-ups with companies in the US to enter the highly competitive global plant biotechnology business.

The firm registered sales of over 1.6 crore plants in 2002-2003. Plants such as Limonium, Carnations, Anthuriums, Gerberas and Lilium were exported mainly to South Korea, Australia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Israel and Holland.

The company produces over 12 million plants annually and exports to over 25 countries.

The floriculture multinational company is set to commence exports of potato seeds, bananas, and calla.

In a media release, director Manish Kumar Jain said: "Today, 90 per cent of planting material required for flowers (except roses) that are sold in the local market come from us.

"We also supply flowers such as Gerbera and Carnations that were introduced in India by us."

He added that KFB, a group company of Kumar Properties Construction and Biotechnology, is putting in additional investments and had acquired 18 acre of land as part of its expansion.

The existing greenhouse has been upgraded into a 50,000 sq ft sophisticated facility with cold rooms, cold chain logistics.

The firm hopes to capitalise on the boost to the sector as a result of the memorandum of understanding signed between Apeda, Nabard, and Exim Bank.

This is expected to boost the food processing industry growth prospects by 20 per cent a year on account of a vibrant domestic market.