Spanish bio-innovation leader Kimitec has forged a strategic partnership with FIL Industries, a prominent investor in the sector based in Kashmir. This is a significant move towards transforming India’s apple fruit industry, and the alliance aims to revolutionize the horticulture sector in India, with a primary focus on apples and exploring opportunities in agro-waste management. The partnership intends to establish a circular economy for biostimulants and smart fertilizers derived from innovative processes, thereby addressing the challenges of waste management in the agricultural sector. With India projected to become the largest producer of biowaste by 2030, the FIL-Kimitec collaboration aims to pioneer waste upcycling initiatives.
Stéphane Chabierski, EVP Global Corporate Strategy and General Manager Asia-Pacific for Kimitec, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential, envisioning a significant market opportunity worth $30 million over the next five years. Leveraging FIL Industries’ extensive market presence, the collaboration aims to introduce cutting-edge solutions tailored to farmers’ needs, fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Kimitec’s expertise in extracting molecules from biowaste aligns with FIL’s focus on valorizing apple waste and underscores their commitment to driving innovation in the agricultural sector.
With a keen emphasis on technological innovation, the partnership aims to introduce advanced solutions to enhance the quality and yield of apples in Jammu and Kashmir and other regions of India. Syed Junaid Altaf, Group Executive Director of FIL Industries, emphasized the transformative potential of the collaboration, highlighting its commitment to offering farmers holistic solutions through innovative technologies. FIL Industries is actively engaged in developing biological solutions for apple diseases like scab, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. The introduction of Kimitec’s products and ongoing collaboration with farmers underscore FIL’s dedication to driving positive change in the apple industry.
The partnership also seeks to enhance farmer outreach through digital initiatives, including the development of an app for advisory services aimed at engaging with thousands of farmers annually. Additionally, FIL Industries is launching India’s first parametric apple crop insurance program, appleINSURE, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting apple farmers in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. With concerted efforts towards technological innovation and comprehensive support programs, the apple industry in Jammu and Kashmir is poised for exponential growth, potentially tripling its current value of $1 billion over the next decade.