Agriculture Products

UPL-SAS sees tech, climate solutions for growth after $200 mn investment

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 ...

UPL, CH4 Global partner to launch methane-reducing cattle feed in India

Agricultural solutions provider UPL and CH4 Global announced a strategic partnership on Thursday to distribute a seaweed-based feed supplement in five major markets, including India that could reduce cattle methane emissions by up to 90 per cent. The multi-year agreement targets India, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, which together account for more than 40 per cent of the global cattle population, the UPL said in a regulatory filing. The partnership will focus on distributing CH4 Global's Methane Tamer product, a feed supplement derived from Asparagopsis seaweed, through UPL's existing distribution networks and feed formulations. "Methane is almost thirty times as harmful for global warming than CO2," UPL Chairman and Group CEO Jai Shroff said. "Recent reports show the highest levels in 8,00,000 years, so its reduction must be our top priority." The initiative comes as the livestock industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Enteric methane fro

As kharif harvest gains momentum, what's in store for crop prices?

As the Kharif harvest season intensifies, crop prices may see shifts driven by increased arrivals, inflation pressures, and recent govt interventions aimed at stabilising key agricultural commodities

India's agri-exports slip slightly, but rice and meat shipments show growth

Basmati rice exports rose sharply by 11 per cent between April and September 2024, compared to the same period in FY24 reaching $2.87 billion, aided by the recent removal of the minimum export price

Centre forms panel to reduce gap between farm to fork in perishables

Agriculture minister suggests shared transport costs between Centre, states to reduce consumer prices for perishable goods like tomatoes, while also proposing agricultural reforms for small-scale farm

India's imports of pulses likely to decline in FY25 on good monsoon

Eminent agri economist Ashok Gulati says imports likely to double in the next 5 yrs if policies remain unchanged

Global agricultural trade focuses on India policies post new govt formation

Prices of some farm commodities have softened from their peaks, with state agencies also cracking down on hoarding and selling some grains from state reserves

Govt lifts ban on onion exports; imposes min export price of $550 per tonne

The government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne. The decision assumes significance as the commodity is politically sensitive and general elections are going on in the country. "The export policy of onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of USD 550 per metric ton with immediate effect and until further orders," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification. Last night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on the export of onions. In August last year, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31, 2023.

Govt working to support agri, focus on overall development: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that the government is making efforts to increase the profitability of agriculture and is focusing on people-centric development

HM Amit Shah launches tur dal procurement portal; Nafed, NCCF to buy

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated a tur dal procurement portal through which farmers can register and sell their produce to NAFED and NCCF at a minimum support price or market price. A similar facility will be launched in future for urad and masoor farmers as well as maize farmers, he said. The minister also transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) about Rs 68 lakh to 25 farmers towards payment for sale of tur via the portal. Cooperative National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) undertake procurement of pulses on behalf of the government's in order to maintain a buffer stock. After the launch, the Minister said before the sowing operation, tur farmers can register on the portal to sell their produce to NAFED and NCCF at minimum support price (MSP). The registered tur farmers will have an option to sell to either NAFED/NCCF or open market, he said and a

Nearly 7,600 FPOs registered, 75% govt target, boosting farm productivity

Centre launched a Rs 6,865-crore scheme in 2020 to form and promote 10,000 FPOs by 2024

Balrampur Chini aims to maintain growth traction; acquisition on radar

Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd (BCML) expects its growth momentum to remain robust, fueled by increased crushing and higher yield in the current sugar season October 2023-September 2024, a top company official said. In addition to the organic growth it is achieving, the company is also exploring suitable "acquisition opportunities" in the inorganic space. "I don't want to stall our growth trajectory. We need to evaluate various opportunities to ensure sustained healthy growth given the favourable government policies. We expect our performance is going to be only better in the years to come," Avantika Saraogi, Promoter and Business Lead (New Initiatives), told PTI, without divulging specific targets. BCML's 2022-23 topline stood at Rs 4,728 crore. H1FY'24 (April-September 23) revenue jumped 33 per cent YoY to Rs 2,929 crore. Saraogi who played a pivotal role in BCML's success, expressed confidence in the company's future performance. The city-based sugar major, which operates ten sugar

India's soybean production may drop due to erratic rain: Industry officials

India uses soybeans to manufacture soyoil, which helps the country cut its hefty edible oil imports, while the by-product soymeal is used for animal feed and exported mainly to Southeast Asia

SEA asks govt to reconsider decision to ban export of de-oiled rice bran

On July 28, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification prohibiting the export of de-oiled rice bran till November

India to cut import duty on Washington apples to 50% by September end

An import duty of 70% is imposed on Washington apples, which is 20 percentage points more than the 50% import duty applicable for the apples imported from Iran and Turkey

Tomato is not the villain of the rise in retail inflation in June

The kitchen staple may, however, be responsible for its spike in July

Kashmiri Saffron: Why is it so expensive, and how has the market revived?

The price of Kashmiri Saffron is at an all-time high of Rs 3.25 lakh per kg from Rs 2 lakh per kg last year after receiving its GI tag

Wheat rises in Paris as US drought may cut grain supply worldwide

Volumes were light as a US holiday deprived Euronext of the usual impetus from Chicago futures.

Best Agrolife Ltd: 1st Indian company to manufacture tricolor agrochemical blend

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Best Agrolife Q4 loss at Rs 8.4 cr; FY23 profit rises 83% to Rs 192 cr

Agro-chemical firm Best Agrolife Ltd has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 8.40 crore for the January-March quarter on a lower income. Its net profit stood at Rs 38.16 crore in the year-ago period. Total income fell to Rs 254.58 crore in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal from Rs 310.35 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing. During the entire last fiscal, the net profit increased sharply to Rs 192.14 crore from Rs 104.76 crore in the previous year. Total income rose to Rs 1,748.27 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal from Rs 1,212.57 crore in the previous financial year. Vimal Alawadhi, Managing Director, Best Agrolife, said: We have delivered strong revenue from operations of Rs 1,746 crore which is a robust growth of 44% over FY22." "Our constant focus on introducing innovative products to cater to farmers' needs has resulted in company introducing many specialised combination products including patented novel combination Ronfen