Latest news with #LivingLandscapes
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
What solution does Delhi's Central Ridge have for restoration
'I shouldn't presume that you all know what ruttputty means. Some would use it to describe the ratatat of a car, for example, or a washing machine that's on its last legs. But it is a word I grew up with. When I looked it up on Google, it cited a dictionary saying that Salman Rushdie used the word in Midnight's Children, using it to describe something that is ramshackled, rundown, or dilapidated,' says filmmaker and environmentalist Pradip Kishen. Kishen was the guest speaker for the Living Landscapes series, initiated by architect, writer and photographer Anuj Srivastava, which was started in 2024. The previous talks by experts were themed on the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the Lodhi Gardens, the India International Centre gardens, as well as the monsoon gardens of Rajasthan. On June 18, complementing Kishen's talk was a panel discussion with architect and urban designer KT Ravindran, environment and forest analyst Chetan Agarwal, moderated by Srivastava. Kishen's association with the Ridge goes back four decades. At the start of his presentation was a blue 'ruttputty' car covered with green creepers which was a dystopian analogy of the Central Ridge (C Ridge). While most of Delhi's citizens would be familiar with this woodland, the purpose of the talk was to track the degeneration over the years and the recent rehabilitation of its native ecology. The Ridge covers about 850 hectares, with half of it controlled by Delhi's forest department. Kishan spoke of William P Mustoe, the Superintendent of Horticulture Operations as part of (Edwin) Lutyens' cabinet, who designed New Delhi. It was Mustoe who proposed the invasive Neltuma Juliflora (Vilaiti keekar), an alien but sturdy tree. At the time, the question of the hour was to decide the location of the Viceroy's House. Viceroy Hardinge settled on the construction of the present-day Rashtrapati Bhavan in a stretch of land (or here, a forest) which overlooks the entire city. By 1912, as Delhi was being planned, the Ridge came to be known as an 'amenity forest'. It was, at its core, meant to resemble the countryside the British were used to and make them feel at 'home'. It got the status of a reserved forest in August 1914 and an area of 450 hectares was marked for planting. A Punjab-based forester, Richard Parker, records the resilience of the native shrubs. Kishan held the opinion that restoration using natural regeneration could have worked instead of introducing new plants such as jamun and sheesham which require moisture and deeper soil, which the C Ridge was incapable of providing. Currently, the Ridge is rife with encroachments. Kishan, though, is hopeful of transforming as was done in the Mangarbani forest, in Haryana, with the dhau. A 'habitat specialist', it is capable of growing on steep slopes, can regenerate from its own stem, and grows sideways as well, forming green carpets along a rocky terrain. During the panel discussion, Ravindran spoke of the further degradation that came with the metro construction. It led to the never-ending debate upon the tradeoff between preserving natural ecology over development. Agarwal spoke of the importance of informed opinions for restoration and revival of the now lost natural vegetation. The experts collectively felt the only recourse was judicial and citizen action complemented by protection bodies that could work towards a masterplan for the C Ridge that would be a more solution-oriented way. Hia Mehra is an intern with the Indian Express
Agriland
12-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘Solid growth' for Origin Enterprises drives increased revenues
Origin Enterprises, the Dublin-headquartered international agri-services group, has reported group revenue of €1.59 billion in the nine months to April 30. This represents an 4.1% increase year-on-year, which the company said reflected 'solid organic growth' across both its agriculture and Living Landscapes divisions. The trading update published today (Thursday, June 12) shows that quarter three (Q3) revenue was up by 12.8% on the same period last year. Excluding crop marketing, Origin said that group revenue year-to-date (YTD) increased by 6.7%. This was driven by a 7.4% increase in volumes as demand for agriculture-related products and services recovered, a 0.7% contribution from acquisitions and 0.7% from currency, partially offset by a 2.1% decline in pricing. Origin Enterprises In agriculture, Origin saw overall reported revenue of €1.45 billion, a 2.6% increase YTD. Ireland and the UK recorded a 6.7% increase in revenue to €901.3 million YTD, with a strong Q3 performance delivering a 20.8% increase in reported revenue to €470.9 million. Underlying volumes increased 8.3% YTD (Q3: 19.7%) which was partially offset by a pricing headwind of 3.8%. Origin said that the total autumn and winter wheat area in the UK is 1.67 million hectares, a 24% increase on the previous year. 'Combined spring and winter cropping is expected to be largely in line with prior year at 4 million hectares, as we see a return to more winter from spring planting. 'Increased demand for key plant protection inputs reflects the recovery in winter cropping, with dry spring conditions enabling early spring drilling and favourable windows for in-field activity. 'Dry conditions have resulted in lower disease pressure and yield expectations, and combined with weaker output pricing, this may lead to more selective in-season input use as growers adapt to conditions,' the company said. Origin noted strong performances in both soil nutrition and animal nutrition in the region. Source: Origin Enterprises Continental Europe reported a revenue decline of 2.6% to €443.8 million YTD, primarily due to lower revenue in the crop marketing division reflecting reduced grain prices. Excluding crop marketing, revenue grew 5.7% YTD, with underlying volumes increasing by 4.3%, driven by strong demand for key inputs. In Poland, spring crops have progressed well, supported by favourable in-field conditions that enabled timely planting. The total cropping area is expected to be broadly in line with the previous year at around 9 million hectares. In Romania, crops are also well established, supported by recent rainfall that has improved soil moisture. Combined winter and spring plantings are expected to be in line with last year at approximately 8.9 million hectares. Origin said that Latin America delivered revenues of €104.3 million YTD, a 7% increase on a constant currency basis (-7.7% reported decrease). Strong volume growth of 9.6% in underlying performance was offset by reduced pricing of 2.6%. The company noted that currency continues to be 'a significant headwind' with a 14.7% negative impact on reported performance year-on-year. Crop establishment across the region is progressing well, with favourable weather enabling expanded plantings. Origin said that its Living Landscapes division reported revenue of €137.2 million, up almost 24% YTD. The company said that strong underlying growth of 12% and favourable trading conditions drove increased demand across the portfolio. Origin Enterprises CEO Sean Coyle Sean Coyle, Origin Enterprises chief executive officer, said the group 'delivered an encouraging performance in the first nine months'. 'Improved momentum in Q3 was driven by favourable application conditions for crop inputs and an increased winter cropping area in the northern hemisphere, together with strong demand in Living Landscapes supported by recent acquisitions. 'Despite the impact of the depreciation of the Brazilian Real versus the Euro, we expect our increasingly diversified earnings base will result in operating profit growth in 2025 and guide full year adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of 50c to 52c. 'We remain on track to deliver the Group's stated financial and operational targets for the period FY2022 to FY2026 as outlined at the 2022 Capital Markets Day,' he said. Origin Enterprises will announce its preliminary results for the 2025 financial year (FY25) on September 23, 2025.
RTÉ News
12-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Origin Enterprises' nine month revenues up 4.1%
International agri-services group Origin Enterprises has reported group revenue year to date of €1.59 billion, up 4.1% year-on-year. The company said this reflected solid organic growth across both its Agriculture and Living Landscapes divisions. In a trading update for the nine months to the end of April, Origin Enterprises said its Agriculture division saw revenues of €1.45 billion, an increase of 2.6%. It reported volume growth in Ireland and the UK of 8.3%, while it saw growth of 4.3% in Continental Europe and growth of 9.6% in Latin America. Its Living Landscapes division reported revenue of €137.2m so far this year, an increase of 23.9%. It said that strong underlying growth of 12% and favourable trading conditions drove increased demand across the portfolio. Origin's chief executive Sean Coyle said the company delivered an "encouraging" performance in the first nine months. "Improved momentum in the third quarter was driven by favourable application conditions for crop inputs and an increased winter cropping area in the Northern Hemisphere, together with strong demand in Living Landscapes supported by recent acquisitions," the CEO said. "Despite the impact of the depreciation of the Brazilian real versus the euro, we expect our increasingly diversified earnings base will result in operating profit growth in 2025 and guide full year adjusted diluted EPS of 50 to 52 cent," he said. "We remain on track to deliver the Group's stated financial and operational targets for the period FY2022 to FY2026," he added.
Agriland
13-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Origin Enterprises acquires UK online gardening supplier
Origin Enterprises, the Dublin headquartered international agri-services group, has today (Tuesday, May 13) announced the acquisition of a UK-based online provider of gardening supplies. Established for over 35 years, Elixir Garden Supplies Ltd has extensive expertise in fertilisers, feeds and garden care. The company, which offers a focused product range, dispatches up to 20,000 orders across the UK each week, 90% of which are own-brand sales. Origin said that Elixir's successful direct-to-consumer model further strengthens the group's expanding portfolio within its Living Landscapes division. The move also represents further progress towards the group's target for this division to deliver 30% of group operating profit by the end of the 2026 financial year (FY26). Origin Enterprises added that the acquisition enhances its ability to serve both professional and home gardening customers through a fully integrated supply chain, from raw material through to end user . TJ Kelly, divisional managing director of Living Landscapes Commenting on the acquisition, TJ Kelly, Divisional Managing Director of Living Landscapes, said: 'Elixir Garden Supplies is a strong addition to the Origin family, which both complements our existing portfolio of businesses and accelerates our ability to serve the fast-growing online garden care market. 'By combining Elixir's direct-to-consumer platform with Origin's manufacturing scale and supply chain strength, we are positioned to deliver superior product ranges, value and service to customers throughout the UK.'
