Bayer, a global enterprise specializing in life science fields of agriculture and healthcare, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Superplum, an agri-tech start-up, to build and implement a sustainable crop protection model for fruit growers in India. The collaboration aims to benefit 15 thousand smallholder farmers in India over three years, delivering definable economic benefits to all stakeholders.
The partnership will see Bayer provide support for domestic and export compliance. Bayer will support the commission of a production schedule to ensure improvement in the quality and productivity of the produce and will train farmers in the implementation of crop protection packages for fruit crops. Superplum will provide full traceability to consumers through its scannable QR code and incorporate their information from farmers in its own supply chain.
Speaking about the partnership, D Narain, President, of Bayer South Asia and Global Head of Smallholder Farming, stated: “To achieve nutritional security at scale, a collaborative ecosystem is required.” He added that the partnership with Superplum would create a holistic ecosystem that would improve fruit growers’ incomes by sustainably enhancing market linkages and ensuring healthy produce for the end consumers.
Superplum’s CEO, Shobhit Gupta, said: “With our joint efforts in the field and a technology-first approach, we will be able to provide full transparency to consumers and farmers.” The partnership will guide farmers toward better fruit quality, provide advice to increase the productivity of the produce, and ensure proper implementation of crop protection management practices as developed by Bayer.
Superplum deploys science and technology to increase the shelf life of a range of fruits through a proprietary multi-faceted approach. Their unique IoT-driven Fresherator, a cold-chain transport system that carries fruit in an environment that can be remotely monitored and controlled, helps reduce wastage and increases the shelf life of the produce without the need for expensive temperature-controlled transport.
Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. The company’s global ‘Nutrient Gap Initiative’ aims to expand access to essential nutrients to 50 million people in underserved communities by 2030. The partnership with Superplum is part of this initiative and will help improve fruit growers’ incomes by sustainably enhancing market linkages and ensuring healthy produce for the end consumers.
Superplum, a start-up backed by some of Silicon Valley’s most notable investors, has been addressing Indian agriculture’s endemic issues since 2020 by building the country’s most sophisticated supply chain for fresh produce. The company works with farmers in 21 states to provide consumers with a healthier eating alternative. Their fruits deliver to over 500 stores in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru, including Spar, Lulu Hypermarket, and Star Bazaar. They are also available on Amazon Fresh and other online channels.
The partnership between Bayer and Superplum is a significant step towards building a sustainable crop protection model for fruit growers in India. The collaboration will not only benefit smallholder farmers, but will also deliver definable economic benefits to all stakeholders involved in the supply chain. The partnership highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in achieving sustainable development.
Image provided by SuperPlum
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