Latest news with #farmers
Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Building a Scalable and Inclusive Agri Network
With over 30,000 FPOs in its outreach network, 6,500 engaged in active transactions, and a footprint that integrates 8 million farmers, Samunnati has developed a system that not only "signifies deep trust across the agricultural ecosystem," but also operationalizes "inclusive, last-mile connectivity through FPOs." Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. "Samunnati has built one of the largest agri-value chain networks in India," shares Anil Kumar SG, Founder and Group CEO of Samunnati. With over 30,000 FPOs in its outreach network, 6,500 engaged in active transactions, and a footprint that integrates 8 million farmers, Samunnati has developed a system that not only "signifies deep trust across the agricultural ecosystem," but also operationalizes "inclusive, last-mile connectivity through FPOs." By aggregating demand and supply, the company enables these FPOs to access "tailored financial services and market linkages," which have helped "reduce costs, improve market access, and drive farmer prosperity at scale." Among its suite of offerings, one product stands out. "Samunnati introduced the Instant Preapproved Loan (IPL), a first-of-its-kind product designed specifically for newly formed FPOs with no credit or transaction history." Anil explains how IPL's minimal documentation, quick access, and customized design are critical for new FPOs. Acting as a starter credit product, it helps build credit history and improves borrowing capacity over time. The impact is tangible. "The IPL product has transformed the landscape by making thousands of new FPOs institutionally creditworthy," says Kumar, allowing them to evolve into financially sustainable, market-ready entities. While operational issues are part and parcel of any business, Anil highlights the deeper challenges that exist. "The biggest hurdles in our business stem from fundamental structural issues inherent to the agricultural value chain surrounding smallholder farmers." One major issue, according to Anil, is the lack of customized financial and trade solutions aligned with the highly seasonal nature of agriculture. Samunnati responds by "designing tailored solutions aligned with the specific cash flow patterns of different crops," thus enhancing repayment capacity. Another problem is scale. The fragmented and dispersed nature of smallholder farmers and agri enterprises limits scale and bargaining power. To overcome this, Samunnati leverages the power of aggregation through Farmer Producer Organizations, thereby reducing transaction costs and improving price realization. Finally, the absence of suitable underwriting models for FPOs has hampered credit flow. Samunnati tackled this by "developing robust in-house underwriting capabilities that combine social capital and trade capital of FPOs." This, Anil says, "transforms FPOs into credible financial entities and emerging asset classes." The cumulative result? "These solutions create significant entry barriers for others," while ensuring "scalability, risk mitigation, and sustainable growth." "Samunnati's journey toward profitability is anchored in a multi-pronged strategy focused on sustainable growth and operational efficiency," Anil says. • Year of inception – 2014 • No. of employees – 550+ Revenue for FY 2024-25: ~$850 Mn External funding: $46.5 Mn
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
'Is this real?' UAE farmer grows massive, organic 4kg mangoes
In the farms of Fujairah, Emirati farmer Saeed Al Maeli has been quietly working on something that has left everyone at Mango Festival in Khorfakkan surprised. Even seasoned cultivators are baffled. He has grown mangoes that weigh nearly 4 kilogrammes. But they're not sweet like the ones found in fruit baskets. Instead, this large fruit, named Malda mango, is slightly tangy and works well for pickles and curries. He sells it for Dh25 and says people come looking for it every year. Saeed grows over 35 varieties of mangoes on his farm. He has hundreds of trees spread across his land. The farm also grows tomatoes, papayas, figs, dragon fruit, and other seasonal fruits. What sets him apart is his ability to grow mangoes through most of the year, something many don't expect to hear about farms in the UAE. 'I started this out of interest, and over time it became a full-time work,' said Saeed, standing near his stall at the festival, where he displayed the heavy Malda mango. 'People stop and ask, 'Is this real?' But it's grown right on our land.' Saeed said the Malda variety came out of years of careful hybrid cultivation, mixing cuttings and seeds from different trees. 'Not everything succeeds,' he said. 'But when it works, the result is something unique. This nearly 4kg mango is one of those outcomes.' The fruit doesn't attract people for its sweetness but for its size, look, and how well it works in traditional dishes. Families buy it to make chutneys, pickles, or mango curry. Some even come just to see it. 'It's not something you find in regular markets,' he said. At the festival, his stall was busy. The crowd included local residents, tourists, and even a few restaurant owners looking for organic produce. Saeed said participating in such events helps him sell directly and build a connection with the buyers. 'They ask questions, they want to know how it's grown, whether it's organic, what we use, it builds trust,' he said. Saeed sells his mangoes at the farm, through a small shop in Fujairah, and during seasonal events like this one. His prices start at Dh15, and some of the most requested mangoes on his farm are Naumi, R2E2, and Kolfi. These are known for their balanced flavour and texture. 'We don't use chemicals,' he added. 'It's all organic. That takes more effort. But I believe it's worth it.' On the farm, Saeed manages both the technical side of things, irrigation, plant care — and the day-to-day sales. He says growing mangoes in the UAE's desert climate has taught him a lot about the land and water. 'You learn to listen to the trees. They show you what they need,' he said. His farming journey hasn't gone unnoticed. Other growers visit him to learn from his methods. 'I'm not doing anything special,' he said. 'I am just trying things out, seeing what grows better here.' Husam Al Meheri, another farmer who took part in the Khorfakkan festival, also grows the Malda variety. His version of the mango is sweeter and slightly smaller than Saeed's. 'One mango is about 3 kilogrammes,' said Husam. 'It's so big that even a family of four finds it hard to finish in one sitting.' Husam has also been farming mangoes for a few years now and said he's learning how different soil and techniques affect the taste. 'Saeed has been doing this longer, and it's good to see what's possible when you focus on quality,' he said. Farmers agree that the interest in UAE-grown mangoes is increasing. And as more people try these home-grown fruits, it's giving local farmers a platform to grow and experiment. For Saeed, it's simple. 'Mango farming is not just about selling fruit,' he said. 'It's about making something with your own hands, something that grows from the land you live on.'
CTV News
10 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
How is strawberry season shaping up?
CTV's Karis Mapp explains why strawberry fans may have to dig deep this year and why farmers are watching out for a fungal threat. Summer is here and some strawberry lovers are eager to head out into the field and get their pick of the juiciest berries. But this year, strawberry enthusiasts may have to work a little harder to find the delectable delight. Last week the team at Brantwood Farms in Brantford warned pickers that the crop was less than overwhelming. 'We were really keen on how many strawberries we thought we had, but when we went to pick them, we realized we didn't have as many as we thought we had,' Andrew Pate from Brantwood Farms said. In a social media post on June 20, Brantwood Farms wrote, 'Strawberry picking is VERY light. We have not had the heat needed for the strawberries to ripen.' However, their luck changed as a heatwave hit the area. 'Everything started to come on all at the same time, and now we can't pick them fast enough,' Pate told CTV News on Friday. Strawberry Brantwood Farms Strawberries sat in baskets at Brantwood Farms in Brantford, Ont. on June 27, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) 'We still have lots of strawberries out there. It does just take you a little bit longer to find them than some years we have in the past. But, we haven't had too many people not able to fill their baskets yet.' Some eager fans were out in the field searching for the best berries. 'You really have to dig deep,' strawberry picker Meghan Hill advised. 'You really have to look under the leaves and pick it from the bottom.' 'They're a bit on the small side,' fellow picker Justin Hale said. 'We have noticed that.' But Justin said it was all part of the fun. 'It's like a treasure hunt. Right?' he said. Strawberry Brantwood Farms Strawberries from Brantwood Farms were pictured on June 27, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) Keeping an eye on a fungal threat The weather is not the only factor farmers are closely watching. A fungal disease, Neopestalotiopsis, is threatening some strawberry crops across the country. 'The plants gradually start to wilt and they eventually die,' Youbin Zheng, professor at the University of Guelph, said. 'That's going to reduce your yields, and you may not have any harvest.' There is no known cure for the disease, and it can spread quickly from plant to plant. A fungicide can keep it at bay, but it can't eliminate it completely. 'If you have rain underneath the infected [plants] you can splash to another plant,' Zheng said. Strawberry Brantwood Farms Strawberries from Brantwood Farms were pictured on June 27, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) Neopestalotiopsis was first reported in Florida in 2017. Since then, it has been found in Mexico and Canada. The first recorded Canadian case was in Ontario in 2020. 'We are aware of it. We haven't found it in our field yet,' Pate said. 'We are scouting for it. We are worried about it. Haven't found it yet, which is a good thing.' With files from Daniel Otis and Karis Mapp.
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
New grant helps farmers fight phosphorus runoff
The Grand River Conservation Authority is offering funds to help farmers fight phosphorus runoff in the Grand River watershed. Phosphorus is a nutrient that maintains healthy ecosystems and helps plants grow, but excessive amounts can lead to harmful algal blooms which can hurt aquatic life and even produce toxins. The conservation authority is offering a grant to fund projects such as soil testing and crop nutrient planning, cover crops, erosion control structures, stream fencing and tree planting. The grant is a part of the Grand River Priority Watersheds Phosphorus Reduction Program, which supports farmers who use practices that keep phosphorus out of the water. The GRCA said the Nith River and Fairchild Creek subwatersheds have been identified as priority areas. 'Projects to manage runoff and help maximize nutrient use efficiency will also help improve soil health, biodiversity and flood mitigation,' said GRCA Supervisor of Conservation Outreach Louise Heyming in the release. 'What's good for farm productivity and sustainability is also good for landscape resilience and watershed health.'
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Chicago soybeans set for second weekly loss on favourable weather, supplies
BEIJING - Chicago soybean futures were poised for a second consecutive weekly loss on Friday, pressured by favourable weather in the U.S. Midwest and abundant global supplies. The most-active soybean contract rose 0.02% to $10.17 per bushel as of 0226 GMT, but remained near an 11-week low. Warm weather and rains have created ideal growing conditions for soybeans and corn in the U.S. Midwest. Weather forecaster Vaisala projects widespread rainfall this week, which will likely improve soil moisture further. In Argentina, soybean sales doubled in the first 18 days of June to 4.71 million tons from a year earlier as farmers raced to close deals before a planned hike in export taxes on July 1, official data analysed by Reuters and industry sources showed. Additionally, selling pressure ahead of the first notice date for July soybean, wheat and corn contracts weighed on the market. Wheat and corn were on track for weekly losses amid strong crop production outlooks and ideal growing conditions. Wheat rose 0.47% to $5.39 a bushel, while corn gained 0.5% to $4.06 a bushel, but hovered near an eight-month low. On Thursday, the International Grains Council (IGC) raised its 2025-26 world wheat crop outlook by 2 million tons to 808 million on Thursday. Meanwhile, last week's dry weather in most of Argentina boosted 2025-26 wheat planting, especially in key farm areas that had been struggling with excess moisture after heavy rains in May, the Buenos Aires grains exchange said. Traders are awaiting the USDA's crop progress and quarterly stock reports on June 30. Commodity funds were net sellers of Chicago Board of Trade wheat and soymeal futures contracts on Thursday, traders said. Traders were net buyers of soyoil contracts and were net even on corn and soybean futures.
