Dear Members,
On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my honour and pleasure to
present the Adventz Agri-Business annual report for the financial year ended on 31st March
2018 (FY 2017-18).
Indian Agriculture sector is undergoing a much required change by
adopting and implementing modern-age technologies. The Government of India has brought in
innovative policies to boost the Agri Economy of the country, with path-breaking Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT), Soil Health Card, e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market)
and revising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 50% for 14 crops during Kharif season.
Furthermore, policies pertaining to Crop Insurance, Irrigation and to ensure proper
nutrient balance in the soil have been strengthened for achieving a sustainable
agricultural growth.
As India aims at 'Doubling the Farmer's Income' (DFI) by 2022, it is an
ardent need of the hour for Agri-Business entities like ZACL to emerge as a key agent in
transforming the lives of Indian Farmers for a better and prosperous future. ZACL is
committed to serving the farmers of India and its 50-year-old legacy is a testament to how
ZACL's brand Jai Kisaan has evolved in the life of a farmer by being a valuable partner
for their success. In the 51st year of ZACL's operation, as the Chairman of
Board, I can assure that our engagement with the farming community shall further
intensify.
In the last year, we expanded the reach of Jai Kisaan Junction stores,
which has emerged as a one-stop solution for all the cultivation requirements of the
farmer, right from agri products to farm consultation services. Our penetration in the
markets of Maharashtra and Karnataka has been deepened while our tryst with newer regions
like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha has yielded encouraging results. We are
reinforcing our efforts for the farmers by pushing for necessary R&D in agriculture.
The Adventz Agri Park situated in Solapur-Maharashtra is the core R&D centre for
farmers which exhibits model-farming practices induced with modern yet cost-effective
technology. ZACL's Soil-health Laboratories, situated across pan India, disseminate
technological know-how to farmers across ZACL's key market regions. ZACL has been fully
compliant to the production of neem-coated Urea and adopting DBT while assisting the
dealers, retailers and farmers in the supply chain of DBT. Our theme 'Aan-Dhaan-Sampaan'
is not only symbolic but an actual reflection of our endeavour in creating a livelihood of
fulfilment for the farmers of India.
The Agri-Group this year further strengthened its share in the market.
Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilisers Ltd (MCF), subsidiary of ZACL, has enabled deeper
penetration in the southern markets and the acquisition of MCF has paid rich dividends for
the Adventz Agri-Business. Paradeep Phosphates Ltd continues to yield robust business
performance. The merger of subsidiaries, like Zuari Fertilisers & Chemicals, Zuari
Speciality Fertilisers and Zuari Agri Sciences with Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited, has
bolstered the consolidation of Adventz Agri-Business.
ZACL is growing the business in a sustainable way so that the benefit
reaches all our shareholders earning their trust over the long term by returning capital
in a consistent and transparent way. With the support from our internal and external
stakeholders, ZACL will continue to strive towards building a more sustainable business
and enhancing shareholders' value in the near and long-term.
Best regards,
Saroj Kumar Poddar
Chairman, Zuari Agro Chemicals Limited