BL Agro To Set Up World-Class Agro-Processing Plant in Bareilly; Plans to Invest ₹1,660 crores

• A large-scale Green Field integrated agro-processing project- fully automated rice milling unit, edible oil extraction and refining plant will be set-up in Bareilly, UP.
• The project will create 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
• The company signs MoU with Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).

BL Agro, India’s leading FMCG player inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, which is a strategic and investment B2G partnership to build an export-oriented integrated agro-processing hub, advancing India’s food security and global trade leadership.

The MOU was signed between Mr Ashish Khandelwal, Managing Director, BL Agro Group and Hon'ble Shri Preet Pal Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, in the presence of Shri A.P. Das Joshi, Secretary and Shri Shyam Singh Negi, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI), GoI.

As a part of this MOU, BL Agro will be investing Rs. 1,660 crore (USD 200 Mn) over the next 5 years in establishing a large-scale green field integrated agro-processing project in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. This would include setting up of a fully automated rice milling unit for premium basmati rice varieties, a 500 TPD edible oil extraction and refining plant under the renowned Bail Kolhu and Nourish brands, advanced packaging lines, sugar storage and sourcing solutions, and 40,000 MT grain storage capacity to support food security and exports.

Construction will begin in 6 months with Phase I completion targeted for 2027. The unit would be generating over 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities, significantly boosting rural livelihoods and driving inclusive economic growth.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashish Khandelwal, Managing Director, BL Agro Industries Ltd, said, "This collaboration with MoFPI reflects BL Agro’s commitment to building world-class agro-processing infrastructure in India. The partnership between BL Agro and MoFPI is designed to enhance food security, increase exports and also create sustainable value chains for farmers and rural communities. We would be integrating circular economy practices into our operations—such as utilizing by-products in cattle feed and renewable energy systems. This would set new benchmarks in sustainable food processing."

Commenting on the MOU, Shri Preet Pal Singh, Joint Secretary, A.P. Das Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), said, “We are extremely delighted to say that this initiative underscores the Government of India’s focus on attracting large-scale private investment into food processing and agri-value chains. By promoting modern infrastructure and sustainable practices, the collaboration will enable greater farmer linkages, expand export opportunities, and reinforce India’s position in global agri-trade.”

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) will extend facilitation support for statutory clearances and approvals to expedite project execution, with construction expected to commence within six months and Phase I completion targeted for 2027. This partnership is an excellent step towards boosting agro-processing infrastructure, creating robust linkages between farmers and rural enterprises, and driving export growth.

About BL Agro Group

The BL Agro Group is a diverse conglomerate driving quality and sustainability across food products, agri-tech, earth sciences, and agri-genetics innovation. BL Agro Group includes BL Agro Industries, Leads Connect, Leads NexTech, and Leads Agri Genetics.

BL Agro Industries Ltd, its flagship company, was originally a mustard trading business. Now, it is a major FMCG with one of India’s biggest networks for edible oils and food products, known by their brand names Bail Kolhu and Nourish.

Leads Connect is an agri-technology firm specializing in data analysis, risk management, and creating a sustainable agri-business ecosystem. Leads NexTech, a leader in EarthTech Analytics, offering human-centric, sustainable solutions through next-gen technologies. Leads Agri Genetics is committed to strengthening the agricultural ecosystem through advanced science and technology, driving innovation in both crop improvement and cattle genetics.

Together, BL Agro Group is committed to revolutionizing the agri-food ecosystem and making the entire food journey profitable.

Visit for more details: https://blagro.org/

Govt Establishes National Turmeric Board

• National Turmeric Board to increase awareness and consumption of turmeric and develop new markets internationally to increase exports
• Board to promote research and development into new products and develop on our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products
• Turmeric exports from India expected to rise to US$ 1 Billion by 2030

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh have been under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes (over 75% of global turmeric production). More than 30 varieties of Turmeric are grown in India and it is grown in over 20 states in the country. The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

On Wednesday this week, the Government of India notified the constitution of the National Turmeric Board. The National Turmeric Board will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country.

The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership on turmeric related matters, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with Spices Board and other Government agencies in development and growth of the turmeric sector.

There is significant potential and interest in the world over on the health and wellness benefits of turmeric, which the Board will leverage to further increase awareness and consumption, develop new markets internationally to increase exports, promote research and development into new products, and develop on our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products.

The turmeric board will especially focus on capacity building and skill development of turmeric growers for harnessing greater benefits out of value addition. The Board will also promote quality and food safety standards and adherence to such standards. The Board will also take steps to further safeguard and usefully exploit turmeric’s full potential for humanity.

The activities of the Board will contribute towards greater well-being and prosperity of the turmeric growers through their focussed and dedicated attention to the sector and the larger value addition closer to the farms, which would provide better realisation to the growers for their produce.

The Board’s activities into research, market development, increasing consumption, and value addition will also ensure that the country's growers and processors continue to maintain their pre-eminent position in the global markets as exporters of high-quality turmeric and turmeric products.

The Board shall have a Chairperson to be appointed by the Central Government, members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Departments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry of the Union Government, senior State Government representatives from three states (on rotation basis), select national/state institutions involved in research, representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters, and have a Secretary to be appointed by the Department of Commerce.

India has more than 62% share of world trade in turmeric. During 2022-23, 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at 207.45 million USD was exported by more than 380 exporters The leading export markets for Indian Turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia. With the focused activities of the Board, it is expected that turmeric exports will reach USD 1 Billion by 2030.

Food-Agri Business Fresh From Farm Raises Over 3.2 Cr in Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures

Fresh From Farm aims to alter the dynamics of fruit and vegetable production through a targeted, data-driven predictive analysis, resulting in less food waste and better nutrition for all.

The funds raised will assist the company in team building, inventory management, Capital Expenditure, Research & Development and branding

IPV has so far invested over Rs. 520 Cr across 140+ deals

Food-Agri Business start-up Fresh From Farm has raised over 3.2 Cr in Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures. Fresh From Farm is a demand-and data-based aggregation ecosystem that recognizes retailer demand trends and buys the precise amount from farmers. Growing and acquiring fresh produce, Fresh From Farm distributes it through an omnichannel online and physical presence while establishing a clear brand strategy. The funds raised will assist the company in team building, inventory management, capital expenditure, Research & Development and branding.

Rohit Nadgewani, Founder & CEO

Rohit Nagdewani, Founder, Fresh From Farm is an urban farmer and home cook and launched his hydroponic farming enterprise in 2018. Fresh From Farm sells its products under its private label “Happy Froot” and aims to alter the dynamics of fruit and vegetable production through a targeted, data-driven predictive analysis, resulting in less food waste and better nutrition for all. To reduce waste at the retailer level, the company assesses demand and supply patterns and works towards matching them.

Vinay Bansal, Founder & CEO, Inflection Point Ventures says, “The customers are increasingly getting aware about what they eat, where is it sourced from and its nutritional value. The farmers and retailers on the other hands deal with the supply chain challenges resulting in million of tonnes perishables getting wasted every year. We liked Fresh From Farm’s approach of leveraging tech to solve the challenges that directly impacts the three key stakeholders of the fruit and vegetables ecosystem. Their tech and the platform with predictive qualities prompted us to invest in the Company.”

The total combined size of fruits and vegetable market over the next 15 years is $500 billion. Fresh From Farm has access to 1000+ Sales Touchpoints for 30x growth in the next 12-15 months. The company can save up to 14-16 USD billion Fruits & Vegetables annually. Delhi/NCR alone consumed Rs. 22,000 Cr worth of fruits & vegetables in 2021. The business can provide fresh food to the entire Delhi/NCR region in just two hours as they have built a 6000 sqft collecting and distribution hub in the heart of South Delhi, that helps them service the NCR in the most efficient way.

Rohit Nagdewani, Founder & CEO, Fresh Form Farm says, “Our AI based system currently has a confidence rate of 89% allowing us to predict the exact quantities and qualities of fruits that can be sold at particular touchpoints. This has enabled us to reduce the wastage to 2-3% while the industry standard is 20-22%. We aim to achieve a 95% accuracy rate over the next 18 months.”

India is the second-largest producer in the world, producing about 300 million metric tonnes (MT) of fruits and vegetables each year, 40% of which is lost due to supply and demand imbalances, lengthy distribution chains, and inadequate infrastructure, among other issues. The market is big and highly unorganized, where the margins on fruit and vegetable sales surpass $12 billion. Fresh From Farm is attempting to disrupt this area with their demand-based aggregation platform, which focuses largely on B2B commerce and employs predictive analytics and on-the-ground customer insights to decrease waste, eliminate middlemen, and simplify the supply chain.

Through its curation process, it helps buyers procure fresh and quality fruits, delivered to their doorstep, and increases income by 13%. Fresh from Farm made INR 78 lacs in FY22 and is working to improve its fruits and vegetables trade margin. They have a large market, and immense scope to optimise tech enabled output supply chain capabilities.

For Building India’s first focussed brand play in fruits and vegetables, Fresh From Farm is using a proprietary AI-based approach to analyze demand-supply and create equilibrium, resulting in reducing the fruit waste at the merchant level by 15%-17%. In-house developed management and tracking software enable the entire goods movement to be transparent. Due to this fruit dealers can make 20% more because of their unique selling proposition.

About Fresh From Farm

Fresh From Farm (F3) is an ecosystem that keeps the demand-supply balance intact while reducing fruit waste at the merchant level. The vegetables are marketed under the demand-based aggregation company's own label "Happy Froot."

About Inflection Point Ventures & Physis Capital

Inflection Point Ventures is an angel investing platform with over 7400 CXOs, HNIs, and Professionals to invest together in start-ups. The firm supports new-age entrepreneurs by providing them with monetary & experiential capital and connecting them with a diverse group of investors. IPV has announced the launch of $50 million AIF Fund Physis Capital to invest in Series A and B growth-stage start-ups. IPV has announced the launch of $50 million AIF Fund Physis Capital to invest in Series A and B growth-stage startups

Swiss based Agri-Food VC Pioneering Ventures Launches $70 Mn PE Fund

Zurich, Switzerland and Mumbai-India-based agri-food venture capital firm and incubator, Pioneering Ventures, has launched a $70 million private equity fund - "Rural India Impact Fund" - to provide growth capital to the companies it has incubated in India, The Economic Times reported.

With Rural India Impact fund, the VC firm is offering investors to co-invest in its portfolio of growth companies at the same terms as the Promoter. Investment terms are the same as for the promoters and other parties

Focused on agriculture, farm credit and food supply chain, the 5 incubated startups are -- Desai Fruits & Vegetables, Citrus International, FarmLink, MilkLane and Samaaru.

While Desai Fruits & Vegetables is India’s largest exporter of bananas, Citrus International is one of the largest producer of citrus concentrate and its by-products in India, Middle East and South East Asia,

FarmLink is fruits and vegetables supply chain company and MilkLane is in dairy business. Samaaru is a technology-enabled value chain and financial services company, which is working for the inclusion and prosperity of farmers, rural communities and under-served entrepreneurs.

According to the VC, the five startup it has backed play an important role in building an end-to-end value chain in agri-food in India.

Pioneering Ventures plans to invest in capital expenditure of these firms over the next two years and expects their sales to triple to $300 million during the period. Across its five platforms, the fund employs 500 people in the country and aims to reach one million farmers through its ventures.

The investors of the new fund are largely European HNIs and family funds who have invested into the five businesses alongside Pioneering Ventures.