On April 23, 2024, Syngenta India, a leading Swiss-based agri-science and seed technology company, announced the launch of SapRaiseTM, a pioneering smart seedling solution that promises to bring about transformative change in the agricultural sector in Maharashtra and create a high-tech resource of quality vegetable seedlings for farmers in Nashik and Pune. Nashik being a leader in horticulture, contains Asia’s biggest Tomato mandi, grows tomatoes in 80000 acre, cauliflower in 30000 acre, watermelon in 2500 acre and capsicum & hot peppers in 10000 acre, it would benefit from SapRaiseTM initiative and get high yielding crop seedling solutions round the year.
The debut of SapRaiseTM Nursery in collaboration with OM Gayatri Global Seedlings marks a significant milestone in agricultural innovation in Nashik and Pune districts. This hi-tech nursery will act as an Excellence Centre in seedlings production and is an outcome of the company’s strategic partnership with Syngenta’s Young Plant Raisers (YPR).
Susheel Kumar, MD and Country Head, Syngenta India, said, “Through this partnership, we aim to set new standards in seedling production by demonstrating advanced seedling development through collaborative business models with existing YPR partnership. SapRaiseTM smart seedlings solution highlights Syngenta’s commitment to enhancing the quality and profitability of our growers through shared knowledge and cutting-edge seedling technology”. “We all know that Nashik and Pune farmers are well versed with scientific solutions, they are aware and innovative in adopting farming solutions, I am certain our initiative would benefit the farmers here”, Susheel added.
SapRaiseTM support is designed to nurture early crop establishment for a large number of vegetable farmers in Nashik and Pune, which is crucial for enhanced crop quality and yield potential. “Our Excellence Center will provide growers with high-quality, healthy seedlings, ensuring that they have the best possible beginning to achieve superior crop yields and enhanced income”, informed Susheel. Nashik initiative has been launched on a pilot basis, Syngenta India plans to later expand the SapRaiseTM Excellence Center across the country, aiming to benefit farmers from all states.
In addition to boosting business quality, the Excellence Center will extend the sales reach of existing YPR partners, enabling growers in untapped and new geographical areas to access best quality seedlings. This expansion will ensure that more farmers can benefit from modern agricultural practices.
SapRaiseTM aims to set a new standard for seedling quality and agricultural innovation as a model initiative for Maharashtra. "Our collaboration with OM Gayatri Global and our YPR partners through the Excellence Center will transform the agricultural landscape by providing farmers with the tools and resources they need to succeed," said Sanjay Kumar Singh, Territory Business Head, Vegetable Seeds, South Asia.
The launch event featured demonstrations of the SapRaiseTM system and opportunities for farmers to learn directly from experts in seedling technology. This initiative was attended by over 300 farmers from Nashik and Pune, key leaders from Syngenta including Sanjay Kumar Singh, Territory Head, Vegetable Business, South Asia; Meenal Maheshwari, Head, Finance; Vinod Shivrain, Head, Crop Protection Development; Madhavanand Kashid, Head (Production and Supplies) and team from OM Gayatri Nursery.
