PUNE, June 2: Kalyani Agro Corporation Ltd (KACL), part of the Rs 1500 crore Pune-based Kalyani group, aims to achieve growth through the development of hybrid seeds by research for field crops, oil seeds, pulses and vegetable seeds. The Rs 5-crore company, which expects to double its turnover in two years, also plans to integrate its operations through an entry into the processed food sector to cater to both, the domestic and export markets. Sources indicated that KACL could tie up with foreign companies for its export oriented units, marking its entry into the food processing segment.
Among several proposed projects are plans to set up contract farming in the Chakan region for the export of frozen vegetables. KACL is believed to be seeking foreign collaboration with Danish and Israeli companies for the development and marketing of hybrid seeds for vegetables and a foray into the food processing sector through another joint venture. These projects are expected to involve investments of around Rs 28crore.
KACL introduced high-yielding research hybrid seeds for cotton, jowar, maize and bajra among crops and chilli, okra (bhindi) and tomato among vegetables in the kharif (June) 1997 sowing season in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Research is underway to develop seeds for cauliflower, baby corn, cabbage and capsicum in addition to seeds for horticultural produce like strawberries, broccoli, red and yellow capsicum and baby corn, GD Pimprikar, president (operations) KACL, said.
KACL's hybrid seeds are grown on a contract basis by farmers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. These are graded, treated and processed at KACL's 60 acre farm at Jalgaon and marketed under the KACL brand name.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
