A marked. improvement in yields and profits as well as quality and residue norm. compliance. The Indian Gherkin Project

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1 The Indian Gherkin Project A marked improvement in yields and profits as well as quality and residue norm compliance

2 How it all started Yields were not improving in the Gajendragad growing region and importers were still facing residue issues resulting from the plant protection products applied. In 2008, Bayer CropScience got involved in this project by organizing training sessions on pest and disease identification, food safety topics, and how to improve productivity by adopting good agricultural practices. What we aimed to achieve The main aims of this Food Chain Partnership project are to increase yields and improve the quality of the produce through effective management of insect pests and diseases. The main challenges are the management of critical defects, with fruit borer and fruit fly the key issues, and of PPP residues to meet importers requirements, while maintaining quality standards.

3 Who is involved Ken Agritech Pvt Ltd.: One of the top five gherkin- processing companies in India, which is a wholly export-oriented industry; provides all the agricultural inputs to the farmers and buys back the gherkins at pre-agreed prices. Growers: 100 % of Ken Agritech s raw material is procured through a contract farming system involving around 3,000 small and marginal farmers. Bayer Vegetable Seeds: Provision of information on seeds and agronomic practices to Ken Agritech, of major gherkin seed hybrids Ajax, Sparta, Vertina and Anaxo. Bayer CropScience: A leading agricultural input provider with innovative plant protection products (PPPs) and a plant protection schedule to enable the growers to produce residuecompliant gherkins.

4 The integrated crop solution Bayer developed a season- and region-specific plant protection protocol, involving Admire to control sucking pests and Sectin to treat downy mildew. Demo trials were conducted in all growing locations and all seasons. A nutrient management company is involved in providing nutritional technology knowhow, and two biological companies are also involved in supplying parapheromones for the biological management of fruit flies through annihilation of the male population. Many training sessions were organized to teach Ken Agritech staff and growers to identify, monitor and manage pests and diseases in gherkins (Integrated Pest Management), and to safely handle PPPs.

5 What we achieved There was a 10 % increase in average yields across all production centers and seasons. Additionally, applications of PPPs were reduced, which brought the farmers savings of up to 20 % and boosted their profits. Moreover, the farmers learned how to handle PPPs correctly. The project partner, Ken Agritech, also benefited from the growers increased yields, improved gherkin quality, and compliance with EU and US requirements. For the consumer the benefit was also clear: produce quality and residues within the required norms. These successes were achieved through on-going interactions and meetings between all those involved in the project, regular training for farmers and extension personnel, enhanced technical know-how, and better knowledge of food safety trends worldwide. Next steps This Food Chain Partnership project is not only ongoing but also being extended to include more acreage as well as jalapenos, baby corn and cherry tomatoes as new crops. Involvement in the Bayer Food Chain Partnership has helped us in increase gherkins productivity through a reduction in cost and an improvement in produce quality. Ken Agritech official left: Dinesh Bhoir Sr. Manager Food Chain & Technical Support Bayer CropScience Ltd. right: Pramod Menon GM- Agri Operations Ken Agritech Pvt. Ltd.

6 Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the need for healthy nutrition. Food Chain Partnerships help to supply consumers with high-quality fresh produce, which forms the basis of a healthy diet. But such partnerships can only succeed if they involve every player in the food chain from the farmer and processor to the exporter or importer and retailer. Bayer CropScience has the global experience and cutting-edge expertise to create a successful partnership at every level. For more information contact: Bayer CropScience Ltd. Central Avenue, Hiranandani Estate Thane Maharashtra India Phone: yogesh.mohite@bayer.com Ken Agritech Private Limited 131/1A, Anchatageri, Karwar Road HUBLI India Phone: Mobile: pramod@kenagritech.com Bayer CropScience AG Food Chain Management Alfred-Nobel-Str Monheim Germany Phone: Fax: foodchainpartnership@bayer.com Internet: by Bayer CropScience FCP