THE EDITORIAL

Address,Agriculture in India began as early as 9000 BC and employs60% of the work force and contributes 18% to the GDP. Theagro- biotechnology sector is growing at 30 % therebyreflecting the strong influence of Biotech in this sector aswell. The stake of Biotechnology in Agriculture will go onincreasing with the constant need of improved productivity.Indian Government is constantly working to achieve themagic figure of 4% growth in Agriculture sector. Agriculturein India would remain a mainstay for a large share of therural population in the next decade. Promoting moreagricultural growth would help in achieving strong economicperformance for the country. Keeping this in view, this issueis dedicated to the Agriculture sector.In order to evaluate the scenario of tissue cultured crops aproject has been undertaken by the students of PUMBA toanalyze the business opportunity for Potato mini tuberproduction.An article on what can be done to consider the aftermath ofintroduction of Bt-Brinjal in India has also been included.An interview by Dr.Vikas Khaire has also been incorporatedwhich throws light on the various aspects pertaining to GMcrops and biopesticides and other parameters ofagriculture.One of the 12 part series of the CSR activities undertakenby various companies has also been included.In the BT news section the increasing number of ventures inthis field is considered and the impact it would have on thesector.A section upon the recent happenings in PUMBA has beenalso included.Your feedback and Suggestions are welcome atthepumbagazette@gmail.com“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to staywhere we are.”- Mason CooleySincerely Yours,

Chief Editor:

Queeny Bubna, MBA-BT (Sem IV)(The PUMBA Gazette Team)(The detailed project report shall be provided onenquiry. Kindly send in your enquiries atthepumbagazette@gmail.com)

CONTENTS•

Cover Story 3

Mini Potatoes

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Articles/Analysis 4

The Purple Revolution

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Back to Society 5

CSR initiative by PRANAV Group

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BT News 6

Ensure Insurance

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Candid Talk 7

An Interview with Dr.Vikas Khaire

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PUMBA News 8

Guest lecture by Mayuri Bhan

Mini Potatoes…

Agriculture is the major driving force that contributes toIndian economy. It is the way of life for more than sixty percent of India’s population. Cultivation of land not onlysustains the livelihood of farmers but also provides a socialmilieu for their day-to-day living. No wonder the hopes,despairs, joys and sorrows of rural communities are wovenaround what the land provides.Potato is ranked as a highly valuable crop and is consumedas staple food in many parts of the world. Tissue

culture (

in vitro

) technology has enormous advantages in potato seedproduction. One of the major advantages is the eradicationof different kinds of viruses that cause the drastic reductionof yield in terms of quality and quantity of the crop. There ishuge demand for tissue cultured potato today as it gives ahigher yield and a better quality product.Keeping this in mind, a survey was conducted to estimatethe expected demand in the market for the product and todetect the business opportunity in this field. The first partwas done by conducting field work in potato belts ofGujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Data was obtainedby personally interviewing the farmers.

A sample size of 85farmers was identified using stratified random sampling andsnowball sampling methods. Then an estimate regardingthe demand of the product and its feasibility was evaluated.The second part focussed on analysis of both domestic andinternational competitors in the market. StructuredQuestionnaires were mailed to companies enquiring abouttheir product, production capacity

advantages anddisadvantages of the business. An approximate cost benefitratio sheet was prepared in order to quantify the dataobtained by means of survey (Table 1).Data collected revealed a positive response in terms ofquality and yield after usage of tissue culture by the Gujaratfarmers i.e. use of tissue cultured crops is definitelyexpected to increase profits for farmers and thus wouldmean profits for company.Farmers surveyed in Maharashtra and West Bengal areunaware of tissue cultured potato, thus signifying anuntapped market. In spite of big players in the market,there is still a huge gap between demand and supply. Theactual demand for mini tubers is about 10

tons, howeverthe actual supply calculated is about 10

. This presents anopportunity for new players to venture in this field. As thereare not many companies in this business it is the right timeto tap this growing market.The tubers produced in the lab and/or in the greenhouseand consequently, in the open field would become a sourceof prosperity amongst the potato growers. This wouldprovide a chance to export good quality seed potatoes indifferent parts of the world by improving productivity andquality standards of the seed tubers. Moreover it wouldprotect the integrity of potato industry by ensuring only highquality potato seed to the growers.Thus there is an immense scope and room for business inthis case. Such a business would be worthwhile as it wouldserve a social cause by solving the food problems of thenation. Nationwide implication of this method would alsoboost the economy as there would be room for export. Thisendeavour would definitely benefit in the long run as itwould increase profits after the initial period whereininvestment may be required. However the payback period isnot expected to be very long and the project would likelyfetch a good return on investment. The approximatepayback period calculated ranges between 4-6 years.The cost of logistics is 10-15% of the total cost for thecompanies surveyed. Also the share of R&D varies from 10-20% of the total cost.

Table 1: APPROXIMATE COST PER ACRE (IN RUPEES)(Seeds sown:1000kg)ADVANTAGES:

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Increase the production by 10 -15%

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Virus free seeds

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Seeds with good luster and uniform size (Fetchesgood price in market)

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Cost benefit Ratio: In spite of high seed costfetches good returns in the long run.

LIMITATIONS IN POTATO MINI TUBER PRODUCTION:

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Presently very few farmers are using tissue culturedpotato in their field mainly due to 3 reasons;1)High price 2) Low availability 3) Unawareness