This document summarizes an innovation by CII-Yi & Aries Agro to create a national farmers network in India. The network aims to bridge information gaps between rural and urban India by facilitating knowledge sharing between progressive farmers across the country and other stakeholders like scientists and government officials. It will provide services like farmer meetings and study tours. Partnering with Aries Agro will benefit the network as it is a leader in mineral nutrition for plants and animals with in-house R&D capabilities. Initial field work scouting farmers adoptions innovative practices like greenhouse cultivation was positively reviewed. The network has high potential and a first mover advantage in the country.

1. Innovation 6CII-Yi & Aries Agro national farmers network Team Trojans Sana Supriya Nitin Chirag

2. Sector Analysis Agriculture in India is a mainstay occupation. It provides livelihood to more than 50% of the population. Although its contribution to GDP in comparison to industrial and service sector has been diminishing but nevertheless its contribution to exports and to processing industries as a raw material cannot be ignored. Post white and green revolution, technology has got an entry in Indian agriculture scenario. It has be realized that the key to attain sustainable development goals is to empower rural farmers to innovatively manage soils, water, biological resources, pests, disease vectors, genetic diversity and conserve natural resources in a culturally appropriate manner.

3. CII-Yi & Aries Agro Ltd. National farmers Network The aim of the First ever National Farmers Network is to attempt to bridge the information gap using knowledge as a catalyst. The National Network will focus on two way knowledge dissemination between Rural Bharat and Urban India. It is a hope to engage progressive farmers from across the nation in a meaningful dialogue to spread awareness about the best practices in farming being followed in India and adapted from all over the world. It brings together on a common platform, scientists, research scholars, agriculturists, students, government officials and industry to ensure that information flows freely and without barriers

4. Aries Agro-Role The organization is into the business of : manufacturing of micronutrients and other nutritional products for plants and animals. range of mineral feed additives for animals & birds and then diversified into mineral additives for the agriculture use brand leader in the field of mineral nutrition with a range of products including mineral premixes, milk boosters, protein concentrates, vitamin premixes, anti-coccidian and anti-bacterial feed additives diversified into nutrients for plant with plant hormones. Plant nutrition product line includes value-added, water-soluble complexes of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K).

5. Key Characteristics of Innovation Endeavour to adopt cost effective farm management processes follow integrated nutrient management and crop protection Union to match global standards of quality and quantity. networks from urban India interact with farmers and explore opportunities to learn rural best practices in several core areas Facilitating Exchange programmes across Urban and Rural educational Institutions and advisory

6. Global Edge ! Services in the form of farmer meetings, study tours, visits and courses at Agricultural Universities, conduct of trials and farm demonstrations, SMS based weather alerts, prices of major agricultural output and soil health cards will also be available to Yi Farmers Network Members Network also be a medium to voice opinions To help structure government policy initiatives and development programmes

7. Importance of tying up with Aries Agro First to receive ISI mark for Mineral Feed Supplements In-house R&D Usage of two major technological inputs used in the development of ARIES products are: CHELATION This is a process, which was developed in the USA and adapted to Indian conditions by ARIES 2. COMPLEXING OF MULTI MICRO NUTRIENTS The Company uses a world class system of producing multi micro complexes, in contrast to most competitors who produce mixtures.

8. Time Pentagon Model- By Ranchhod and Gurau (2007) First mover advantage Technological advances Time cycle of products Experiential advantage Consumer perceptions CII –Yi & Aries agro farmers network currently has a first mover advantage in the country.

9. Primary Research – Field Work Mr. Ramchand Saini is the first Green House Cultivation for specialised vegetable and exotic crops at Jhunjhunu, Jaipur . The innovation is under progress The future work entails final setup of sophisticated technology in form of irrigation system They are also working on temperature control systems to maintain correct temperature within cultivated area - Picture of DRIP IRRIGATION METHODOLOGY in Ramchand Saini’s Greenhouse

10. A very important work undertaken is fogging system to limit the use in the desert state. Use of specialty plant nutrient products to increase yield is in its penultimate stage.

11. SWOT

12. Stage I :- Table Analysis Rating the innovation on a scale of 0 to 5 (5 being the highest score) on each of the parameters outlined in the sandbox, the self assessment scores are:

13. C.K. Prahlad’s Sandbox moderate High High High High High

14. Environmentally Sustainable: Greenhouse helps in growing new and unique varieties of plants, bigger and better harvests, and a wealth of invaluable gardening experience. Social equity: Since the cost involved is minimum, the farmers truly benefit in margins. Also employment is generated and produce is guaranteed

15. Future In addition to the existing 10 green houses, 4 more are coming up each having 1000sq mts. 150000 kgs of Colour capsicum is produced in only 150 days The average price being Rs. 50

17. Join hands with NGOs working for Climate change

18. Exporting Coloured capsicum and other exotic plants for opening this market

19. Employing maximum women to encourage female participation and give employment