Dr. LK Pandey, National Sales Head, Sungro Seeds talks about the industry in an exclusive to B&E
Good seeds means a good crop. Sungro Seeds, which has been associated with the industry has tried to come up with high yielding seeds. In an interview with Vikas Kumar, Dr. LK Pandey, National Sales Head, Sungro Seeds Ltd. talks about the challenges faced by the seeds industry and what is Sungro trying to do to solve them
B&E: Scarcity of better quality seeds at required time and place discourages farmers from replacement of their own saved seeds with good quality seeds? How do you view this trend?
LKP: Timely availability of seeds at a convenient place is a very important factor in seed business. However, it hardly deters farmers to use high quality hybrid seeds. In fact competition has made a different scenario where seeds of more than one brand are present at any seed retail counter. Therefore, it is a matter of particular brand choice which farmer has to take rather than non-availability of products of any crop. Sungro like any other system oriented company has an annual planning system broken into monthly requirements and weekly requirements of all important segments or growing regions. It accordingly makes logistical arrangements for timely seed availability at every place of requirement.
B&E: Seed Multiplication under National Agriculture Research System needs major strengthening. How do you view this policy?
LKP: The seed industry has become customer driven where product features and quality is decided by customer preferences. As of now various choices are available in the market which helps customers to choose the best. The present NARS System should involve private sector also to make available right product at right time.
B&E: What are your views on prices of seeds particularly of hybrids and affordability among farmers?
LKP: Traditionally, farmers used to do maximum savings in seeds, though it makes only a fraction of total investment on inputs like fertilizer and pesticides. When we talk about the seed price in terms of kilogram then it appears exorbitant. However, if we think about total amount of seed required in one acre area then it looks reasonable and affordable.
B&E: What are the major achievements of Sungro Seeds till date? And what will be the next area for you?
LKP: In the year 2008-09 Sungro achieved sales turnover of Rs 45 crores by marketing almost 150 products of 26 crops throughout the country. We are market leader in cauliflowers, radish, cabbage, carrot, brinjals, okra, bitter gourd, chilli and tomatoes. Its products are demanded by vegetable growers all over India and overseas due to high quality and affordable price. Now, by mapping all the districts and every market segment, Sungro is planning to reach out to all vegetable growers in the country with the help of a large distribution network. We also export our products in many countries.
Good seeds means a good crop. Sungro Seeds, which has been associated with the industry has tried to come up with high yielding seeds. In an interview with Vikas Kumar, Dr. LK Pandey, National Sales Head, Sungro Seeds Ltd. talks about the challenges faced by the seeds industry and what is Sungro trying to do to solve them
B&E: Scarcity of better quality seeds at required time and place discourages farmers from replacement of their own saved seeds with good quality seeds? How do you view this trend?
LKP: Timely availability of seeds at a convenient place is a very important factor in seed business. However, it hardly deters farmers to use high quality hybrid seeds. In fact competition has made a different scenario where seeds of more than one brand are present at any seed retail counter. Therefore, it is a matter of particular brand choice which farmer has to take rather than non-availability of products of any crop. Sungro like any other system oriented company has an annual planning system broken into monthly requirements and weekly requirements of all important segments or growing regions. It accordingly makes logistical arrangements for timely seed availability at every place of requirement.
B&E: Seed Multiplication under National Agriculture Research System needs major strengthening. How do you view this policy?
LKP: The seed industry has become customer driven where product features and quality is decided by customer preferences. As of now various choices are available in the market which helps customers to choose the best. The present NARS System should involve private sector also to make available right product at right time.
B&E: What are your views on prices of seeds particularly of hybrids and affordability among farmers?
LKP: Traditionally, farmers used to do maximum savings in seeds, though it makes only a fraction of total investment on inputs like fertilizer and pesticides. When we talk about the seed price in terms of kilogram then it appears exorbitant. However, if we think about total amount of seed required in one acre area then it looks reasonable and affordable.
B&E: What are the major achievements of Sungro Seeds till date? And what will be the next area for you?
LKP: In the year 2008-09 Sungro achieved sales turnover of Rs 45 crores by marketing almost 150 products of 26 crops throughout the country. We are market leader in cauliflowers, radish, cabbage, carrot, brinjals, okra, bitter gourd, chilli and tomatoes. Its products are demanded by vegetable growers all over India and overseas due to high quality and affordable price. Now, by mapping all the districts and every market segment, Sungro is planning to reach out to all vegetable growers in the country with the help of a large distribution network. We also export our products in many countries.
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