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Diversified conglomerate ITC Limited said that the strategic focus of its agriculture business continues to be on accelerating growth by scaling up its value-added agri-products portfolio. In the annual report for 2024-25, the Kolkata-headquartered company said the scope and operations of its agri-business have grown manifold over the years and currently encompasses over 3.5 million tonnes of annual throughput in 22 states. The company plans to straddle across multiple value chains comprising spices, coffee, frozen marine products and processed food. Segment revenue of ITC's agri business increased 25 per cent year-on-year to Rs 19,753 crore in 2024-25. The company consolidated its position as a preferred supply chain partner to buyers in spices like chilli, cumin, turmeric and coriander, according to the annual report. The business continues to scale up its organic and integrated crop management programmes, expanding organic cultivation across multiple states to meet the growing
Bayer CropScience on Wednesday said it has tied up with the government's Common Service Center (CSC) and agri-tech firm Gram Unnati to facilitate last-mile delivery of agri-inputs to smallholder farmers in India. As part of the memorandum of agreement, smallholder farmers will be able to access timely crop advisory, transfer of good agricultural practices and access to premium Bayer products through CSC's online portal. Gram Unnati will facilitate farmer mobilization and ensure market linkages. In the first phase, the partnership will support farmers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, it said in a statement. The CSC scheme, a collaborative e-governance platform, is part of the Digital India programme. The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) aims to facilitate the delivery of government, private and social sector services to Indian citizens through the CSC network. It supports linkages, connecting villages in India through high-speed internet and scaling the
Agrochemicals maker Safex Chemicals Ltd on Tuesday said it plans to invest Rs 100 crore in its new agri-tech arm, AgCare Technologies, in the next 3-4 years for launching an interactive tech platform and for setting up a manufacturing unit. Speaking to PTI, the company's Group Director Piyush Jindal said, "We are investing Rs 100 crore from our own kitty. We are not raising any funds. The investment is planned for the next 3-4 years." The plan is to launch an interactive technology platform to integrate the entire value chain in the agri-economy. Key stakeholders, especially farmers, can buy quality crop protection products and get services like weather updates, experts' help and mandi rates on this platform, he said. "A pilot study of this interactive tech platform will be conducted in January-March. We plan to go live in the next fiscal year," Jindal said, adding that the platform will be expanded in a phased manner. Jindal further said a new manufacturing unit will also be set u