SETTING SIGHTS ON SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN FERTILISER PRODUCTION
Fertiliser imports dropped by nearly 10 per cent in 2023-24 as local production increased, aiming for self-sufficiency in urea. Urea imports dropped 7 per cent to 7.04 million metric tonnes (MMT) due to a 20 per cent jump in domestic output to 31.4 MMT in 2023-24, according to the data. Lower imports of urea also came on the back of higher local production of nano urea, a liquid form of the farm chemical, as well as a move towards eco-friendly alternatives by farmers. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has sold about 3.3 MMT of locally produced nano urea worth about Rs 7 crore between August 2021 to February 2024. Private players too are contributing to the growth of the fertiliser industry by increasing production of nano urea. Coromandel International Limited has unveiled a state-
of-the-art nano fertiliser plant at its Kakinada complex in Andhra Pradesh. Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) has announced partnership with Ray Nano Science & Research Centre for the production and distribution of nano urea. However, the fertiliser industry is struggling with the challenges such as increased rates of raw materials, dependency on imports for Potash, government’s subsidy policies for the fertiliser sector. Efforts are being made to reduce this dependency and move towards self-sufficiency. 

CAN P3 VEGETABLE APPROACH Bolster SUPPLY CHAIN?
The Centre is planning to set up vegetable production clusters near major cities to increase production and supply chains. The clusters will be developed in partnership with the private sector, Farmer Producer Societies (FPS), and cooperative bodies. The goal is to have consumers buy vegetables from retail shops and vending trucks in their locality. The clusters will be set up in a radius of 50 km from cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The scheme will provide support for: Implementing agencies, decentralised cold storage facilities, Procurement of vending trucks and vans, Fruit and vegetable processing, and setting up kiosks and retail outlets in residential areas. The government will also promote Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, and startups for vegetable supply chains. The government can facilitate the establishment of these clusters by providing infrastructure support, budgetary allocations, and subsidies to farmers for adopting modern technologies and sustainable practices. These subsidies can help farmers invest in advanced equipment, irrigation systems, and post-harvest solutions that are otherwise cost-prohibitive. These initiatives will go a long 
way in setting up vegetable production clusters across the country.

India Steps Up AGRI-EXPORT Resilience
India’s agricultural exports touched $48.9 billion in 2023-24, registering an 8 per cent decline from $53.2 billion in 2022-23. The drop in agricultural exports was mainly due to the export ban on wheat, rice, sugar and onions. Meanwhile, out of 24 principal commodities of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) 17 have recorded positive growth during the
period, which included fresh fruit, buffalo meat, processed vegetables, basmati rice and banana. APEDA contributes a significant 51 per cent of agri-exports. From its modest beginnings with annual exports of $0.6 billion in 1987-88, proactive interventions by the APEDA have taken agricultural exports to a remarkable figure of $26.7 billion in 2022-23. This journey of exponential growth is underscored by expanding the export basket to over 200 countries, showcasing a commendable
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent. To further increase India’s share in agri export in the global market, the government has identified 20 farm products whose global imports are over $405 billion for a focussed push in the coming years. The strategy entails an action plan for the next five years to capture 10 per cent of the world trade in the 20 shortlisted products. India can achieve
this provided the government addresses the issues of the agriculture industry. 

Fuelling Future Farm With Robust Bioenergy
Bioenergy is a promise for the better future of India and indeed a win-win situation for our country. It has the potential to address several issues being faced by the country- from income to independence, savings to sustainability and employment to entrepreneurship. It has the potential to increase farmers’ income, make the nation self sufficient in fuels with oil import substitutes, save the country’s huge funds, provide a sustainable alternative in the energy sector, grow employment prospects and provide entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in the MSME sector.  


India Needs GEd to Usher in A New Agri Revolution
Genome editing technology has the potential to offer solutions to address various problems the Indian agriculture sector is facing – from climate change and disease pressure to high input cost and declining income of farmers. Rapidly increasing population is intensifying the gravity of the problems. Precise genetic modifications, leading to the development of superior crop varieties with improved traits in a short time frame is a solution in sight. In 2022, the Indian government exempted certain gene-edited plants from stringent biosafety regulations. SDN-1 and SDN-2 plants are thus freed from the cumbersome and time-consuming regulations currently
imposed on the commercialisation of genetically modified transgenic crops. With this exemption, India's seed sector is making good efforts for enhancing crop productivity, nutritional value, and sustainability. However, for the development of gene-edited crops in India, seed industry requires infrastructure support, clear Intellectual Property Rights policies, investment in R&D and policy for technology licensing. Strengthening partnerships among academia, seed industry and government agencies will pave the way towards development of gene-edited crops in India.

Offsetting Extreme Weather Impact with Tech-Driven Insurance 
India, like many other countries, faces challenges such as weather fluctuations, pest attacks, erratic rainfall, and humidity, affecting agricultural produce. These factors lead to lower yields and income for farmers each year. Between 2015 and 2021, India lost 33.9 million hectares of cropped area due to floods and excess rains and 35
million hectares due to drought. To address this, the government of India is increasingly considering “parametric” insurance or weather-based index insurance, which relies on predefined parameters to trigger a payout. This helps overcome the shortcomings of indemnity-based insurance by directly linking the compensation to specific parameters rather than farmers’ actual loss. The results are reduced transaction costs, greater transparency, and a faster processing time. Weather-based index insurance can rely on remotely sensed weather data to determine
a threshold level of weather variables. Both the government and private insurers are recognising the potential of index-based insurance. Collaborative efforts and technology startups specialising in agri-tech are leading the way in fine-tuning and promoting these innovative insurance solutions. In an era of digitisation, technology is pivotal in refining index-based insurance. Satellite data aids accurate monitoring of weather patterns, while AI algorithms can help predict and set appropriate indices. Let’s explore how tech-driven crop insurance and the leveraging of AI in insurance payouts is poised to disrupt the crop insurance landscape in India. 

From Traditional to Tech-Driven: APAC Precision Farming Market Ripe for Growth
The Asia-Pacific Precision market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4 per cent to reach $2.62 billion by 2026, according to a report by Markets and Markets. The increasing use of cloud-based technology, the growing adoption rate of modern farming techniques to enhance productivity and growing food demand are the major factors driving the precision agriculture market. The growing need to increase food production in the available agricultural land and government initiatives to increase the usage of modern technologies in
agriculture are propelling the market growth. However, the requirement of high initial investment and lack of awareness among the farmers are becoming obstacles to growth. The silver lining, though, is that in the Asia-Pacific region, the precision farming industry is steadily taking root through joint ventures between global agri-tech players and local companies. 

Doubling Down on Climate-Smart Agriculture
Indian agriculture being a gamble of monsoons, crop yields continue to be climate sensitive and the fluctuations in temperature and rainfall pattern adversely affect crops productivity, thus threatening food security in India. In India, climate change has triggered an increase in temperatures by 0.6 °C to 25.1 °C between 1901 and 2018, causing shifts in monsoon patterns. According to government reports, productivity of  most crops is likely to decrease 10-40 per cent by 2100 due to increases in temperature, rainfall variability, and decreases in irrigation water. The major impacts of climate change will be on rain fed or un-irrigated crops, which are cultivated in nearly 60 per cent of cropland. A temperature rise by 0.5°C in winter is projected to reduce rain fed wheat yield by 0.45 tonnes per hectare in India. Government of India's economic survey (2018) estimated that the annual loss of $ 9-10 billion was due to the adverse effects of climate change. To overcome this, the Government of India highlighted the significance of a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing climate challenges and took up climate smart agriculture measures since 2011 to support the small and marginal farmers, who constitute 85 per cent of the farming population. 

Is SMART Farming A Smart Bet for India?
In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture, the dawn of smart farming 
technologies heralds a new era of innovation and efficiency. Recently, significant strides have been made in this sector, exemplified by Arya.ag’s, strategic partnership with Crystal Crop Protection Limited. This collaboration introduces a nationwide crop monitoring initiative powered by Arya.ag’s cutting-edge satellite crop monitoring tool, “Prakshep”. Such initiatives underscore India’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices towards greater productivity and sustainability, a commitment further reinforced in India’s Interim Budget 2024.

Phygital Farming Takes Root in India
In the heart of India's agricultural landscape, a transformation is underway, powered by the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms. Online platforms are becoming the bridge that connects farmers directly with buyers, eliminating the traditional intermediaries and ensuring fair prices. This shift holds the promise of addressing
long-standing challenges and propelling the sector into a new era of efficiency and sustainability. India’s agri-inputs market alone boasts a substantial $44 billion valuation, driven by over five lakh agri-input retailers serving as vital sources for farmers. As this marketplace rapidly evolves, combining the power of technology
and agriculture to revolutionise the way farmers, suppliers, and consumers interact, it brings together various stakeholders - farmers, agricultural input suppliers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, processors and retailers in one virtual marketplace. India’s B2B AgriTech companies have for decades been demonstrating
how digital platforms are addressing agricultural challenges by leveraging data, analytics, and innovative technologies to optimise farming practices, reduce wastage, and enhance the overall efficiency of the agricultural supply chain. Now, the promise of India’s agriculture e-commerce sector is poised to contribute
significantly to the surge in global agricultural e-commerce. That growth is primarily fueled by the demand for agricultural fertilisers, anticipated to secure the largest market share, closely followed by agricultural pesticides. 

“With farmers’ engagement  in energy generation, we’ll be able to produce energy worth Rs 10 lakh crore” :NITIN GADKARI, Union Minister for Road Transport & 
 Highways; Chief Patron, Agrovision
At the 14th Agrovision Summit, India’s Premier Agri Mega Event, held between 
November 24 and 27, 2023 at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) 
Ground, Dabha, Nagpur, AgroSpectrum had the opportunity to interact with the 
stalwart politician and Chief Patron of Agrovision, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister 
for Road Transport & Highways. Gadkari shared his views and ideas to further the 
aspirations of India’s farmers and citizens alike. His zeal for the empowerment of 
farmers, focusing on innovations that can benefit the farmers and the agriculture 
sector at large has, as always, been profound


RESHAPING AGRICULTURE With AI, DRONES & BIOLOGICALS
The global sustainable agriculture market is on a trajectory to reach over $31.35 billion by 2031, exhibiting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.17 per cent from 2023 to 2031. India has a major role in this transformative journey, where sustainable farming is emerging not just as a necessity but as an economically viable, socially supportive, and ecologically sound approach to crop cultivation. This
transformation has been enabled over the past year by a synergy between government support, the complementary development of cutting-edge technologies by industry and a proactive push from the corporate sector. To explore the milestones in the growth of the sustainable agriculture market in India, the theme of the AgroSpectrum cover story is 'Sustainable Agriculture,' which is consistent with the outline set by 14th Agrovision i.e. “Sustainable Farming through Skilling and Technology”. In our special Dec ’23 issue, AgroSpectrum delves deep into the realm of growing sustainable farming technologies through a series of analytical and informative articles on advancements in sustainable agriculture.

SEEDS of CHANGE
ccording to TechSci Research, the Indian seed market is valued at $3,914.36 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.41 per cent by 2029. The seed industry has recently gained the attention of investors and Indian investors are eager to see Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) from the seed industry. The government has authorised FDI in agricultural fields such as development and production of seeds and planting material. Apart from this, many private entities are getting attracted towards seed companies and are investing in them. The latest example is Summit Partners, a private equity group, that has bought a minority investment in two of India's leading seed companies, Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. and Krishi Dhan 
Seeds. Crystal Crop Protection Limited recently made a smart purchase from Kohinoor Seeds by acquiring  the Sadanand Cotton Seeds company. Leading seed companies are also incorporating cutting-edge digital  technologies to mitigate the effects of pests, climate, and other external variables on farming, propelling 
the market to expand. Data science, AI tools, cutting-edge phenomic analysis, and genomic sequencing are being leveraged to enhance production. However, there are certain challenges that are hampering the growth of this sector. For instance, marginal investment in R&D, short shelf life, unpredictability of demand, lack of effective monitoring mechanism, among others, are becoming a dampener in this growing sector. 

Millet as India’s Pillar of Sustainability
India is the world’s leading producer of millets accounting for over 40 per cent of global production. Andhra Pradesh stood in the first place in the country in millet productivity in 2022, as per the National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) annual report 2022-23. NABARD has been promoting 22 
millet-based farmer producer companies in Andhra Pradesh. These FPCs have nearly 9,970 farmers as members and are engaged in millet-based business activities such as input supply, procurement, providing custom hiring services, and processing and marketing of the millets, among others. In order to provide support to entrepreneurs for recipes and value-added products to promote millet consumption under the International Year of Millet (IYoM) 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture has funded 66 startups with more than Rs 6.25 crore. A remarkable increase in the number of startups in the millet sector has caught the government’s attention to turn the production and promotion of millet into a mass movement in India and abroad. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India has witnessed more than 80 startups in the millet sector in the past year and a half. On the other hand, there  are certain challenges such as lack of awareness amongst the consumers, high cost of millet procurement and processing, maintaining smooth supply, and cost of multiple distribution channels, that are hampering the growth of this sector. Let's take 
stock of how impactful has the International Year of Millet been in India so far.

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.

VIABILITY of Vertical Farming
The past decade has witnessed an increased dependence on technology and tech-enabled agriculture. The government, too, has been actively promoting the adoption of agri innovations, including AI, ML and monitoring of crops via satellite. With a focus on increasing productivity and providing precise data to cultivators for informed planning, technology has made significant inroads. Vertical farming is one such technological marvel gaining traction worldwide. It is particularly popular in smaller countries facing land constraints and water scarcity. Countries such as Singapore, the Middle East, the UK, and Japan have embraced vertical farming,
revolutionising their agriculture. However, in India, while vertical farming has gained some momentum, its adoption remains limited to urban areas, as traditional farming is still the more convenient and profitable choice for rural cultivators. Yet, there is a new crop of startups that are keen to make vertical farming widely accepted by farmers and consumers alike.

Future-proofing with Regenerative Agriculture
In a significant development for the regenerative agriculture sector, IITM Pravartak and WayCool Foods have joined forces to create the Regenerative Agriculture tech stack. This collaboration, which brings together the expertise of IITM Pravartak and the deep industry knowledge of WayCool Foods, aims to revolutionise farming practices in India and establish a robust ecosystem for regenerative agriculture. By leveraging innovative solutions and advanced technologies, the partnership seeks to drive the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among Indian farmers, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

India Bolsters Horticulture Sector to Boost Export
The horticulture sector, which contributes approximately 33 per cent of the gross value of agricultural GDP, is emerging as a key driver of economic growth and transitioning into an organised industry encompassing seed trading, value addition, and exports. India holds the second position globally in fruits and vegetable 
production, following China, as per data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).  The export growth is hindered by challenges such as inadequate adherence to international quality standards, marketing diffi culties, inadequate transportation infrastructure, fragmented supply chains, and insuffi cient storage facilities. To address these challenges, the government has allocated Rs 2,200 crore in the Union Budget of 2023 for
the development of the horticulture sector. This provision aims to promote the availability of disease-free, high-quality planting material for valuable horticultural crops. Additionally, the government has permitted five private fi rms to undertake cluster farming of specifi c horticulture crops on a pilot basis in approximately
50,000 hectares with an investment of Rs 750 crore. The government is progressively adopting a cluster value-chain-based approach to position Indian horticulture as a leader in the global market. The utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in providing end-to-end solutions for growers and buyers, the establishment of more horticulture clusters, fi nancial support from the government and private sector, and improved infrastructure for storage and logistics will contribute to making the horticulture supply chain more robust.

Splicing Away to Agri Self-reliance
The application of molecular biology and genomics to farming, known as agrigenomics, has the potential to significantly transform India's agrarian landscape. India is one of the world's largest consumers of food, with a population of over 1.3 billion, and the agricultural industry employs over half of the country's workforce. However, Indian farmers face various challenges, including pests, diseases, unpredictable weather fronts and the need to increase yields to feed a growing
population. Agrigenomics offers potential solutions to these problems, but its implementation has been slow in India. CRISPR/Cas9, also known as the "genetic scissors," was recently discovered by Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This technology allows scientists to make precise modifications to the DNA of various organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes. It has the potential to revolutionise agriculture
by enhancing yield, expanding food variety, improving nutrition, creating disease and pest resilience, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The 'GenomeEditing' technology is currently under scrutiny as AgroSpectrum examines its impact on the agriculture industry in general, with a particular focus on the future of India's agriculture sector. 

Betting on Biostimulants for Enhanced Yields
Factors such as the growing popularity of organic farming, surging demand for
environmentally friendly agricultural inputs, and official encouragement of the practice, are driving the expansion of the biostimulant market in India, though inadequate production infrastructure may present challenges in distributing products on time and in sufficient numbers. The lack of education, awareness and encouragement of biostimulant use in India's agricultural sector further exacerbates this problem.

IT'S GO TIME  for Plant-based Meat Industry 
The plant-based food sector presents an incredible opportunity to India for the long term by effectively and efficiently utilising natural resources and adding value through processing. It can cater towards the populations living and working in cities as well as those in rural settings, who increasingly have access to cold chains and upermarkets. It can leverage the unique strengths and qualities of its indigenous crops. The export market for India’s plant-based sector is projected to be significant by 2030, with the plant-based meat market expected to be larger than that of milk, as per a report by the Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority(APEDA). The plant-based meat market is projected to range from $283 million to $880 million (Rs 2194 crore to Rs 6824 crore). Although the Indian plant-based meat market is currently in its nascent stage, it has already established its position in the market. The market is still small at around Rs 300 crore, but it has the potential to grow 8-10 times and reach Rs 3,500 crore by 2026. Let's take a closer look at the buoyant plant-based meat space.

A Midas Touch For Agri Waste
Human endeavours have scaled new heights in all spheres of 'civilisational' comforts and scientific advancement, including growing resilient and high-yielding crops. Agricultural activity has reached the zenith of modern food cultivation potential. Yet, one common thread of these endeavours is the sheer volume of waste
generated. Agriculture and allied industries, too, are bogged down by this. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) statistics show that annually India generates about 500 million tonnes of agricultural and agro-industrial leftovers. According to a recent media report, between 16 and 17 million metric tonnes (MMT)
of grains are lost each year due to inefficient food management systems. Unscientific grain harvesting and storage practices are mostly to blame for this problem. The same holds true for the massive wastage of fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products every year due to antiquated storage, transport and distribution methods. However, numerous initiatives are now being taken to minimise and convert this agricultural waste into various types of products and services. As things are changing for the better, although at a slow pace, let’s take this up with a few industry insiders who can shine some light on this pressing issue.

Could Indian Wine Be Toast of the World?
Wines from India are now among the best in the world. People were more open to trying new wines of all sorts and price points while quarantined at home or while binging on homecooked meals as a form of entertainment during the pandemic-induced shut down, which contributed to the resurgence of India's viticultural industry. Wine sales have surged as a result of new brand innovations aimed at appealing to customers. As statewide alcohol restrictions have been loosened, the industry too has got a new occasion to rejoice. What remains to be seen is a marked increase and acceptance of Indian wines for their quality, taste and brand value. Let's explore this facet of the Indian wine industry.

AGRICULTURE 4.0: One Giant Leap For Mankind?
India is moving forward to become the largest exporter of agri commodities. The latest export of agricultural and processed food products has increased by 25 per cent within six months of the current Financial Year 2022-23 (April-September) in comparison to the corresponding period of FY 2021-22. To achieve the export target of $23.56 billion India needs to implement Agriculture 4.0 which includes use of new farm technologies, Public-Private Partnership, enhanced digital literacy and access, and secure platforms to efficiently exchange data. This purported Fourth agricultural Revolution (or Agriculture 4.0) will equip farmers to grow more food on less land while feeding more people. It entails leveraging of game-changing technologies such as Internet of Things, Agricultural Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Drone Tech, Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Biotechnology, Big Data & Analytics,
Blockchain Technology, among other innovations which promise to drive India's economic growth and stabilise the global food system. Agri feeds are also a key component of the smooth functioning and development of profitable agri businesses. AgroSpectrum takes a closer look at the promising future farming technologies, including those that could make India self-sufficient from 'Feed to Fuel'.

Do CONTRACT FARMING Advantages Outweigh Concerns?
Contractual agreements between the farmers and agribusiness companies have gained
immense momentum in many developing countries including India. Besides ensuring
economies of scale, contract farming facilitates access to technology, capital and quality
inputs for the farmers. Consequently, the arrangements hold much significance given that
agriculture accounts for 16 per cent share in India’s GDP against its 4 per cent share in
world GDP and 55 per cent of the country’s population is dependent on it. However, there
are a number of business and legal challenges plaguing the commercial agreements
between the sponsoring companies and the farmers. Enforceability of contracts by
either party is a worrisome aspect that calls for immediate attention from the various
stakeholders. The centre announced the Model Agricultural Produce and Livestock
Contract Farming Act 2018 with a view to address such discrepancies. The primary
purpose was to legi$mate contract farming in India which has been largely based on the
provisions of Indian Contract Act 1872. AgroSpectrum India digs deeper into the contract
farming landscape to uncover the complexities and benefits.

Is Carbon Credit A Long Con?
Global carbon pricing revenue in 2021 increased by almost 60 per cent from 2020 levels, to around $84 billion, providing an important source of funds to help support a sustainable economic recovery, finance broader fiscal reforms, or invest in communities as part of the low-carbon transition future, according to the World Bank’s annual “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing” report released on May 24, 2022. The report noted that the past year has seen some very positive signs, such as the significant increase in revenue that can be invested in communities and in supporting the low carbon transition. Since 2004, the Indian market for carbon credits has been expanding, but it is still in its infancy. The nation's goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. India developed the first exchange in Asia, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), to facilitate the trading of carbon credits. Many agribusinesses have already begun collaborating with farmers to help them sequester
carbon, which will allow them to earn carbon credits. To maintain a transparent operating system in this sector, numerous advancements are still required on the regulatory and market fronts.

Prismatic View of Apiculture Profitability
The rising prevalence of chronic medical ailments, such as diabetes, heart disease,
and cancer, represents one of the key factors positively influencing the honey market
in India. In addition, the escalating demand for immunity-boosting and health improving products is offering lucrative growth opportunities to honey manufacturers.
The rising utilisation of honey in home remedies is also increasing the sales of
honey in the country. Apart from this, scientific validation of the medicinal properties
of honey and its rising usage in formulating medicines for the treatment of cough
and acute throat infection on account of its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial
properties is augmenting the market growth. Additionally, leading players are
focusing on launching different product variants, which is propelling the market
growth. Along with this, the Government of India is introducing various training
programmes and mentoring services to educate farmers on the latest beekeeping
practices. Furthermore, the expansion of organised distribution channels, such as
supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and general stores, along with the
thriving e-commerce industry, is stimulating the market growth. Moreover, increasing
investments by key players in research and development (R&D) activities to improve
extraction processes are anticipated to drive the market further.

How Technology is Driving Agri Value Chain
The agriculture value chain consists of the entire gamut of activities from seeds to last mile delivery of agri produce and includes men and machines engaged in agricultural activities. Therefore, an agricultural value chain would incorporate developing seeds, sowing, pest control, agricultural production, harvesting and handling, transportation, storage, processing, packaging, finance and market linkages. Technology is playing a vital role in agri value chains by providing endto-end solutions and leveraging AI to bring the power of predictive intelligence to enhance productivity and profitability

Strategic Steps towards Agri-export Boom
India is among the world’s leading producers of sugar, spices, cereals, milk, fruits and vegetables, red meat, and seafood products. India’s export basket is a diversified mix led by rice ($9.65 billion), wheat ($2.19 billion), sugar ($4.6 billion), beef (1.5 million metric tonnes carcass weight equivalent (CWE) of beef and veal were exported from India in 2021) and other cereals ($1.08 billion); altogether exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) for the year 2021-22 have crossed $50 billion, the highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports. But the country recently saw a ban on wheat exports when there was a turn in the global geopolitical situation. Given the external factors, India’s resources as well as its domestic needs, an important question that arises is how sustainable is this growth in agri-exports? Here, AgroSpectrum tries to find an answer.

Why Crop Insurance Can’t Be Elusive.
For rural transformation and national economy, agriculture's structural characteristics demand significant government and financial sector 
interventions, not only to ensure household food and nutritional security for farmers but also to generate savings and investments in this grossly  underfunded sector. Poor risk management tools in the country offer a huge opportunity for the emerging crop insurance to pull the producers out of poverty by insulating them from income shocks and ensuring a fair share of the price is paid to the farmer. Let's explore where we stand in terms of empowering farmers with a sound financial recourse to risks and not make them 'fall guys' of dire circumstances.

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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.

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