AgroSpectrum - September 2023

In this issue

Bolstering Value-Added Agri Exports
Food processing involves the conversion of raw agricultural materials into consumable products or the transformation of one type of food into various other forms. This encompasses a wide spectrum of techniques, ranging from grinding grains to produce raw flour, engaging in home cooking, to employing sophisticated industrial methodologies for crafting convenient foods. Considering the fact that India is the world's largest producer of spices, milk and pulses and the second largest producer of tea, sugarcane, food grains, fruits, and vegetables, there has been continuous attention of policymakers to process it for a variety of reasons, reducing food loss and waste, increasing shelf life, enhancing farm’s income, and making food available to India’s growing population at affordable prices.

Bolstering Value-Added Agri Exports

Food processing involves the conversion of raw agricultural materials into consumable products or the transformation of one type of food into various other forms. This encompasses a wide spectrum of techniques, ranging from grinding grains to produce raw flour, engaging in home cooking, to employing sophisticated industrial methodologies for crafting convenient foods. Considering the fact that India is the world's largest producer of spices, milk and pulses and the second largest producer of tea, sugarcane, food grains, fruits, and vegetables, there has been continuous attention of policymakers to process it for a variety of reasons, reducing food loss and waste, increasing shelf life, enhancing farmers' income, and making food available to India's growing population at affordable prices.

3 mins

Leveraging Value-addition to Enhance Farmers' Income

India recorded agricultural exports of $43.37 billion, registering an increase of 6.04 per cent in the financial year (April 2022 January 2023). As the international market for value-added products is constantly growing, it is time India moved faster towards export of agri products.

5 mins

Export demand ramps up for value-added fish products

Fish not only provides a food source but also contains important substances that can be extracted and utilised in various forms of fish products. Some of these valuable products are fish meal, fish oil, dry fish, fish flour, fish silage, fish soluble, Shark fin, fish skin, etc.

3 mins

India's Soaring Coconut Exports

India is third in the world in terms of coconut planting area but first in terms of production and productivity. According to data from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University Coimbatore, India produced 192.47 million nuts of coconut in 2021-22, making up more than 31 per cent of the world's total and producing 9123 nuts per hectare. Coconuts are grown on 2.10 million hectares of land in the country. The number of coconut-based businesses in India is on the rise, which is good news, translating to more options for consumers and more jobs in the current competitive scenario.

4 mins

Impact of Export duty on Onion

The implementation of 40 per cent export duty on onions is poised to discourage certain farmers from planting onions during the current Kharif season. This decision comes after a period of subdued onion prices over the past 18 months, and the move to limit exports aims to prepare for late Kharif onion cultivation. Nationallevel agricultural challenges, including economic recessions, have resulted in significant delays for major Kharif crops. The ongoing drought conditions cast uncertainty over the future cultivation of Rabi (summer) onions. Consequently, farmers will likely be motivated to grow crops that yield immediate financial gains during this crisis.

2 mins

"CDMOs can play a significant and evolving role in the growth of the agrochemical industry in India"

Insecticides (India) Ltd is India's leading and one of the top ten Indian agrochemicals manufacturing companies. IIL has emerged as a front-line performer in India's crop care market with a top line of Rs 1192 crore in 2018-2019. In 2022, it launched its innovative biological product for improving the health of the soil called Kayakalp, the soil energiser which has received an overwhelming response. The company has state-of-the-art formulation facilities at Chopanki (Rajasthan), Samba & Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir) and Dahej (Gujarat). IIL also has two technical synthesis plants at Chopanki and Dahej to manufacture technical grade chemicals providing the competitive edge by backward integration. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited shares his views on the status of the agrochemical industry in India with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts:

4 mins

"By leveraging expertise, India can tap into a burgeoning market"

Established in 2014, CEF Group, a Delhi-based company specialising in bio-fuels and municipal solid waste/agri-waste management, has recently partnered with Halman-Aldubi Group to convert slaughterhouse waste into protein-rich food for fish. The Israeli company is renowned for its expertise in finance, energy, climate and technology management solutions. In an interaction with AgroSpectrum, Maninder Singh Nayyar, Founder & CEO of CEF Group expressed his insight on converting slaughterhouse waste into fish feed. Edited excerpts:

2 mins

Reducing Post-Harvest Losses can initiate an Agri Revolution

Amid the vast expanse of India's agricultural landscape and its global stature as a key agricultural hub, the country has been grappling with substantial post-harvest losses. Boasting significant contributions to global outputs of jute, pulses, and milk, alongside securing the second spot in cultivating commodities like wheat, rice, and cotton, India's agricultural feats shine bright. However, these accomplishments are cast under a shadow by the notable wastage that unfolds between harvest and consumption. In this era, defined by transformative technology, it's only fitting to explore the potential of innovative strategies to tackle this pressing issue.

4 mins

Striking a delicate balance between corporate interests and small farmers' welfare

In recent years, India's agricultural landscape has witnessed a significant transformation with the rise of corporate farming. Traditionally dominated by small-scale farmers, the sector is experiencing a paradigm shift as larger corporations are increasingly investing in agriculture. This emerging trend brings forth a multitude of opportunities and challenges, paving the way for a dynamic and evolving agricultural sector. We would like to delve into the latest trends shaping corporate farming in India and explore the potential opportunities it presents.

4 mins

Can Seed Tech Transform Agri Productivity?

As per a UNICEF study, it is projected that nearly 55 per cent of Asia's population will reside in urban areas by 2030, raising concerns about food security and nutrition. The Asia-Pacific Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2022 focuses on urban food security and nutrition, highlighting how urbanisation, along with an increase in low-income settlements, accompanied by rising food prices is hindering access to healthy diets. The report reveals that nearly two billion people (1.9 billion individuals, which accounts for 44.5 per cent of the region's population) cannot afford a healthy diet in most countries of Asia and the Pacific. This poses significant challenges for agriculture systems to meet the growing demand for food supply. Agriculture remains the backbone of many Asian economies, employing a substantial workforce and making food security a critical issue.

4 mins

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AgroSpectrum Magazine Description:

Agrospectrum is a B2B digital media platform catering to all sub-sectors and verticals of the agro business – from food grains to inputs, machinery, live-stock, fisheries to agro tourism. It regularly updates on latest news on Agri—business and analytical & informative articles targeted at agro industry and business leadership, key decision makers; R&D, policy makers, academia and farmers’ community leaders. The portal is devoted to agriculture related business and not farming activity. It neither informs nor guides the farmers on direct farming, but handles allied and peripheral areas of agriculture related activity called agriculture business.