Posts by Abishek Keerthi Narayan

Digital transformation is fast becoming an imperative for food processing companies, as it can achieve end-to-end traceability, optimize operations at every stage, eliminate malpractices, and build brand loyalty. Digitization also helps in quality assurance and wastage prevention and is emerging to be synonymous with maintaining food security. As per an internal survey of food processing companies commissioned by Cropin, 91% of respondents were keen to adopt a centralized platform for effective data management. The poll showed that a shift to automate the process of data collection in the industry is imperative and predicted that it will increase from 55% in 2022 to 91% by 2024.

Digital transformation in the crop protection industry is key to overcoming food production and pest management challenges. Optimized use of agri-input resources via constant monitoring of precision agriculture using crop monitoring systems and smart agriculture practices can result in higher yields at a reduced cost of production. Furthermore, digitalization in agriculture can solve supply chain problems, environmental and health concerns, regulatory restrictions, etc. It can result in better visibility and traceability in agriculture supply chain from farm to fork. Precision in fertilizer and pesticide usage can limit environmental impact, protect biodiversity, and reduce wastage and production costs. Also, farm digitalization can improve farmer engagement and enablement and connect all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

Improved agriculture technologies and large-scale farm production spells growth time for the food processing industry. The food processing market is projected to reach USD 235.67 billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. To be a part of this growth, it is essential for agribusiness verticals to upgrade to smart farming and farm digitalization from conventional methods.

The food journey begins with seeds, and it plays a fundamental role in the entire food ecosystem – by supporting the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities, improving food security and nutrition, contributing to sustainable usage of agri-input resources, and mitigating climate change.

Increasing disposable incomes in rapidly growing economies, a shift in lifestyles, and various other factors contribute to the demand for quality processed food. Moreover, as we aim to bridge the widening gap between food production and food consumption needs, implementing crop yield management in the food processing supply chain can help resolve the challenge. As per Market Future Research, the global food processing market is expected to grow at 7.60% CAGR between 2022-30, reaching $134.7 billion.

Farmers worldwide work hard to provide nutritious food for the global population. However, weeds, pests, and diseases — destroy over 40% of potential output. If farmers are not provided with appropriate products to help crops withstand infestation and disease, it will affect global food security. Limited arable land, climate change and a rapidly growing world population also add to the challenges. In such a scenario, crop protection products play a significant role in increasing agricultural production and helps in strengthening the Crop Disease Management.

With the global population estimated to reach 9.3 billion by 2050, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) has calculated that there is a need to increase food production by 60% to meet the growing demand. Urbanization, growing awareness about healthy and functional food, demand for convenience, lifestyle changes, and a rise in disposable income have led to an upsurge in demand for processed food.

Agriculture is an occupation as old as human civilization, and it has continuously evolved to become a USD 12,000+ billion industry today. Its progress – from Agriculture 1.0 to Agriculture 4.0 – has shaped communities, economies, and human ambition itself.

Contract farming is rapidly gaining popularity as a win-win solution for agricultural producers and buyers. It is defined as an arrangement between producers/suppliers and buyers for the production and sourcing of agricultural produce under forward contracts. Buyers can be government bodies, individual entrepreneurs, or companies.

According to estimates, the global seed market size is expected to reach a value of $86.8 billion by 2026. There is a steady rise in the demand for seeds driven by Asia – particularly India and China. Factors such as limited land availability, growing population, and increased demand for sustainably cultivated food grains make it challenging for farmers to maintain the quality of the crop yield and increase their returns.