Conference on Linking Farmers with Market: Financial and Information Technology

1. CONFERENCE ON LINKING FARMERS WITH MARKET Financial And Information Technology Presenter Chandra P Singh CEO Vindhyachal Agro Farms

2. 2 Assumptions Finance Chases Successful Enterprise Successful Enterprise Needs to be Tech-Enabled

3. So The Question Is? What Does It take to Create a Successful Farming Enterprise? The Enablers……

4. The Enablers…… • Production & Productivity • Market Access (Linkages) • Agri-Risk Management • Financial Access/Inclusion • Value Enhancement Seamless Technological Platform

5. Market & Financial Reach • No Of Districts : 651 • No Of Blocks : 6,612 • No Of Villages : 6,40, 930 • No. of APMC Markets : 7548 • Villages-to-Mandi Ratio : 85 :1 • Mandi Per Sq. Kms : 240 Sq Kms • (Average Distance Travelled 15-20 Kms of “disaggregated Produce”) • Number Of PACS : 92,432 • Functional PACS : 88, 291 • Village-to-PACS Ratio : 7:1 • Farming Family served per PACS: 1450 (Estimated)

6. Financial Reach • Crop Insurance and channel development for PMFBY – Crop & Livestock Insurance Agents. TPA Concept for claim assessment. • Insurance Cover for Seed Producers – Securing the seed producing farmers as subsequent cropping depends on the output. ‘’Financial Bundling Concept’ • Comprehensive Agri-Risk Management – broad based insurance cover from weather-based to further include disease and pest incidence. “Weather & Susceptibility Index” • Last Mile connectivity of the banking system in Agriculture – Agri-Clinics; Common Service Centres for delivery. Micro-ATM’s in Warehouses, eNAM and Traders. • Reforms in banking for inclusion of Contract/Lesse Farmers – Commercial or Urban Property as Collateral counter-productive. ‘’Commercialization Of Farming-Direct Participation of Corporates’’

7. Technology In Agriculture • GIS and GPS Systems • Internet-of-Things (IoT) • Robotics And Automation • Geographical Indicators and Traceability • Genetics and Nutritional Genomics • Micro Grids/Automated Weather Stations • Farm-On-Palm • Micro ATM’s

8. Technology In Agriculture Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and GPS (for Precision Agriculture) • for Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation • Soil types • pH rates • Pest infestation • Nutrient availability • Soil moisture content • Fertility requirements • Weather predictions • Crop characteristics • Hybrid responses The true value of these innovations is often unlocked when they are combined. For example, GPS enabled robotics informed by Big Data can perform targeted on-farm weeding, irrigating or fertilising. https://youtu.be/LYIlmgae02U?t=120

9. GPS trackers GPS trackers use the Global Positioning System to track the precise location of the device (and the person, animal or object it is attached to). Trackers are already widely used by sectors such as transport, logistics, ecological research and high-performance sports. Catalysts: decreasing cost, smarter GPS technology, part of an emerging trend towards greater locational awareness, Increased Mobility Penetration in Rural Area, Smartphones Barriers: cost of technology, complexity of integrating with other technologies (e.g. yield monitoring), and connectivity with other devices and/or the internet. Opportunities: more precise use of agricultural inputs, greater visibility of the utilisation, efficiency and location of plant & equipment, proactive maintenance of plant & equipment, proactive decision making for farming activities, and improved traceability of farm produce.

11. Robotics And Automation in Agriculture • Drone Technology And Sensors • IoT (Internet Of Things) For Agriculture and Livestock The Indian Agriculture and Farmer in general needs to look beyond “ MECHANIZATION’’ to ‘’AUTOMATION’’ Robots and automation Robots are machines that can perform repetitive and labour-intensive operations. Catalysts: high labour costs, enhanced computing power, lower cost of sensors, and productivity gains from more precise production processes. Barriers: high initial investment costs, complexity of agriculture’s working environment including exposure to weather conditions, and connectivity to the internet. Opportunities: reduced reliance on labour with potential broader efficiency benefits, improved resource utilisation (e.g. in precision agriculture) and as a source of additional information for improved decision making.

12. Micro Grids and Solar Power Integration Microgridsare small-scale, locally controlled electricity generation and distribution networks. They can be operated in a controlled, coordinated way independently or in parallel with the main power network. Early adopters of this innovation include mining sites, universities, defence facilities, and residential and commercial precincts. Catalysts: demand for secure, reliable and better quality energy supply in remote and rural areas. Barriers: inconsistent or insufficient legal and regulatory definition to adopt microgrids at a greater scale, lack of standardised approach to measure lifecycle costs (and therefore benefits), low level of standardisation in safety standards and codes, high costs of integrating with existing technology and mainstream power sources. Opportunities: cost effectiveness and ease of integration of renewable generation sources compared to traditional energy networks, increased supply flexibility and scalability, and increased energy efficiency.

13. Farm-On-Palm The concept is around availability of Farm Map, Crop Planning and connected devices for irrigation system within the reach of the farmer on a smartphone or a tablet. Catalysts:Need for integration of farm practices, data management for insurance, better decision making on farm planning basis the weather and crop condition. Barriers:Farm Management Software and Hardware installation and prohibitive cost for smallholder farmers in India. Lack of GIS Mapping, fewer sensors and connectivity problems at rural level Opportunities: cost effectiveness, better data management, remote operations of certain farm activities, better linkages on market and financial transactions. Lighter mobile versions given the penetration, farm labour shortages, better agronomic and voice based support systems.

14. The Big-Bang Roadmap • Privatisation of Irrigation and Water Distribution – Possibility of privatised management of Reservoirs and Canal Distribution • Agriculture Impact Bonds – Private Player Centric Impact Funds otherwise used for Other Social Spending on Education, Healthcare etc.

15. Vindhyanchal Agro Farms - Introduction • Food & Agriculture Company with farms in Eastern UP • Key partners in the business Cooperatives, Farmers, Entrepreneurs and Corporate Players • VAPL aims to be the single largest commercial farming player in the country • VAPL will be a completely food Supply Chain integrated company. The value chain engagement will span across Upstream (Cultivation) – Mid-Stream (Supply Chain and Logistics) – Downstream (Processing and Branding) • The business model seamlessly comprises of Fresh Produce, Livestock Production, Food Processing and Distribution through partnership with Farmers.

16. VAPL Farm Site: A Snapshot • Vindhyan Range Of East Uttar Pradesh • Farm Area of over 5000 Acres under management with good surface water resources • Bakhar River, sub-tributary stream of River Ganga, flows between the farm • Surface Reservoir Area of Over 40 Acres, a large check dam fed through irrigation canal • Stream length - 5.51 km, total on farm area of river - 31.57 acres • Total Road length: 34.36 Km

17. Cornerstone of VAPL Strategy • Vindhyanchal Agro Farms core strategy encompasses: • MORE CROP, PER DROP – Use of advanced Micro- Irrigation Systems like low water discharge drip systems, soil moisture based irrigation planning, efficiency of water use and irrigation timing. • CLIMATE ADAPTIVE AGRICUTLURE - Green Houses, Polyhouses, organic enrichment of soil, efficient water use, weather based dynamic cropping • VALUE PRESERVED, VALUE CREATED – value addition at the farm level, primary and secondary processing, crop preservation through cold storages, Agri. Infrastructure • DIVERSIFY - DE-RISK – diversified business streams like Orchards, Dairy, Bio-composting • PEOPLE-PARTNERSHIPS-PROSPERITY - Farmer linkages, Center Of Excellence, Skill Development, Entrepreneurial ecosystem

18. Key Strategic Businesses • Vindhyanchal Agro Farms core strategy encompasses: • COMMERCIAL FARMS – Modern Hi-Tech Farms, High Value Cropping, Fruit Orchards • MEGA FOOD PARK - Food Processing and Value addition to the produce • FARM CITY – A lifestyle destination, Farm Villas, Eco-Tourism, Spiritual Retreat • SOLAR PARK –Energy Sufficiency, Clean Energy • ENTREPRENEURSHIP– Encourage local entrepreneurs to participate in VAPL • CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – CoE in Agriculture to set up model farm units for new trials

19. Key Farm Initiatives • Seed Production: Pulses and Vegetables in partnership with IAS-BHU, Indian Institute Of Vegetable Research (IIVR), FaizabadUniv Research Program • Orchard Development: Guava and Citrus Plantation • Organic Cultivation: in partnerships with leading European Company • Vegetable Cultivation: Under technical guidance of leading seed companies • Soil Fertility : Soil Enrichment and microbial inoculation in partnership Latin American Partner and Organic Manure producer • Micro-Irrigation System: in collaboration with Netafim and Jain Irrigation • Skill Development: under MoU with Agricultural Skill Council Of India (ASCI)-NSDC • Hydrology And Watershed Development: CII-Triveni , AFPRO

20. THANK YOU The document is meant to be an introductory presentation about VindhyachalAtttivo Food Park Private Limited and not for broadcast or sharing without the knowledge of the company. For mailing it to companies, trade bodies, official please do seek permission through e-mail addresses mentioned above. Chandrapratap.singh@vindhyagro.com Gourav.saboo@vindhyagro.com