SV Agri teams up with Lightsmith Group backed by US State Department and Nordic Development Fund, to Foster Sustainable Potato Cultivation in Assam and Bihar

Siddhi Vinayak Agri Processing Pvt Ltd (SV Agri) recently spearheaded a pivotal stakeholder consultation workshop on May 15 and 16, 2024. The workshop, aimed at enhancing the potato value chain sector in Assam and Bihar, brought together key players to deliberate on strategies to boost farm income and reduce CO₂ emissions from the potato supply chain in Eastern India.

Supported by the Lightsmith Group, with backing from the US Department of State and the Nordic Development Fund, the initiative underscores a concerted effort towards sustainable agriculture in the region.

Established in 2008, SV Agri has been a disruptive player in the Potato ecosystem. From producing a high quality and innovative variety of seeds and providing potato storage & supply solutions to engineering best-in-class processing technologies, SV Agri is pushing the boundaries in the potato value chain through technological innovation and collaboration. It has been recognised as one of the top 75 impactful startups by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India in 2023.

The workshop saw the participation of diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the US Department of State, U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata, Agrico (Netherlands), SV Agrico India Pvt Ltd, Kishlay Foods Pvt Ltd, PwC, Rang De P2P Financial Services, FWWB, Samunnati Financial Services Pvt Ltd etc.

Discussions centered on the challenges and opportunities within the potato value chain, emphasizing collaboration to address issues like access to quality inputs and a limited range of varieties to choose from, pest pressures, climate variability, access to market, finance and capacity building as well as a critical need of infrastructure related to post-harvest management. 

A highlight of the program was a visit to SV Agri's Farmgate level Modular potato storage facility, showcasing innovations to improve storage and marketability of processing grade potatoes. Farmers, farmer collectives, and Agra-entrepreneurs shared their experiences and insights into the benefits of program activities. 

The Potato Value Chain Development program, anchored by SV Agri, has implemented various impactful initiatives. Eleven demonstration plots were established across Bihar and Assam, showcasing resilient potato varieties sourced through collaboration with Agrico.

These plots demonstrated significant yield improvements, ranging from 17% to 25% over control varieties. Farmer Field Schools provided practical training and insights, while mobilization and capacity-building initiatives equipped farmers with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and personalized advisory services. 

A key component of the program is the Potato Business School, a residential program in Pune aimed at equipping lead farmers and Agra-entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to participate effectively in the potato value chain.

The program has already mobilized over 2,100 farmers and promoted cultivation on more than 500 acres, resulting in a reduction of approximately 100 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. Plans are underway to expand cultivation to 10,000 acres, while further enhancing the sustainability and productivity of the potato value chain in these states.