Bayer has partnered with Absolute’s agricultural biotechnology division, INERA, to bring biological crop nutrition solutions to a wider Indian farming market, as the agriculture sector explores alternatives to improve soil health and make more efficient use of farm inputs.
Under the commercial arrangement, Bayer will handle marketing and distribution of INERA’s biological solution, with commercial engagement already underway. The product is designed to improve nutrient-use efficiency, helping crops absorb and utilise nutrients more effectively while supporting plant and soil health.
The collaboration brings together INERA’s biotechnology capabilities and Bayer’s established distribution network. However, the companies have not disclosed the product’s name, pricing, projected sales or independent efficacy results across different crops and growing conditions.
INERA’s research pipeline draws on Absolute’s proprietary NIP platform, which contains more than 35,000 microbial strains, biomolecules and enzymes collected from diverse habitats. Its Nature+ artificial intelligence platform analyses biological datasets to identify promising molecules and proteins, which are subsequently evaluated through laboratory research and field trials.
The company is also developing RNA interference (RNAi)-based biological control products, peptide-based agricultural inputs and AI-discovered bioherbicides, extending its work across crop nutrition and protection.
INERA said it had conducted more than 50,000 field trials and farmer demonstrations across over 100 acres of dedicated trial grounds. The commercial success of its latest offering, however, will depend on consistent field performance, affordability and farmers’ willingness to incorporate biological inputs into existing cultivation practices.
Agam Khare, founder of Absolute, said changing climatic conditions, food security concerns and evolving policy priorities were increasing the need for sustainable agricultural solutions that could be deployed at scale. He said the partnership with Bayer would help extend access to INERA’s technologies.
For Bayer, the arrangement strengthens its engagement with biological agricultural inputs by adding an externally developed technology to its crop science portfolio. Simon Wiebusch, country divisional head of Bayer’s Crop Science business for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, said collaborations combining scientific innovation, agronomic expertise and market access could accelerate the availability of sustainable farming solutions.
The partnership comes amid policy efforts to encourage more efficient resource use in agriculture. The Centre’s PMPRANAM scheme seeks to incentivise states and Union territories to reduce chemical fertiliser consumption, while its BioE3 policy promotes biotechnology-led innovation.
Despite growing interest in biological inputs, wider adoption will depend on whether farmers see measurable improvements in crop performance and input economics. The extent to which INERA’s solution can complement conventional fertilisers, deliver consistent results and gain commercial traction will become clearer as distribution expands across the Indian market.