Pune : UPL, a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions, stands at the forefront of revolutionizing sustainability through its visionary approach. With an unwavering commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting farmers worldwide, UPL consistently expands its range of sustainable solutions.
UPL's resolute commitment to reimagining sustainability is further exemplified by its pledge to reduce GHG emission by 1GT by 2040 through sustainable product portfolio and sustainable agri-service and technology solutions. The company also stands as one of the initial three global partners of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in the mission to eliminate wastewater pollution by 2030. The company is currently ranked #1 Crop Protection Company in ESG Performance by Sustainalytics.
From soil health to advanced hybrid seeds to post-harvest waste reduction, water efficiency to carbon sequestration – UPL is working hand-in-hand with farmers and has undertaken various initiatives to make a difference to their lives.
UPL’s Shashwat Mithaas Project exemplifies its steadfast dedication to sustainability. The project, signifies a ground-breaking collaboration between UPL and sugar mills throughout India, aiming to provide sustainable solutions for sugarcane farmers. This pioneering initiative addresses various challenges faced by sugarcane farmers, including poor yields, rising costs, labor shortages, and water scarcity. Recognizing the water-intensive and resource-consuming nature of sugar cultivation, UPL seeks to transform the industry by implementing the Pronutiva initiative, which combines protection and nutrition. This initiative incorporates the use of Zeba technologies, a patented smart technology derived from natural starch that is completely biodegradable. By implementing Pronutiva, including Zeba technologies, UPL aims to achieve an impressive 15% increase in sugarcane yield across 3,500 acres in Pune, benefiting over 1,200 farmers by October 2023.
The utilization of Zeba technology has resulted in significant water conservation, saving approximately 600,000 liters of water per acre and reducing urea fertilizer usage by 50 kg/acre. These efforts contribute to mitigating water scarcity and minimizing the agricultural footprint associated with sugarcane farming.
UPL's visionary goals extend far beyond Pune, as the company plans to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with an additional 15 sugar mills across Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat by FY24. Over the next three years, UPL aims to collaborate with 100 sugar mills, covering a total operational area of 1,000,000 acres. These collaborations will foster increased sugarcane yields, improved profitability, and enhanced income for farmers.
The partnerships with sugar mills encompass comprehensive interventions, including advisory services on Good Agronomical Practices (GAP), the implementation of ProNutiva, mechanization utilizing advanced equipment, and traceability through the Nurture.farm app. These measures empower farmers to establish sugarcane nurseries, creating opportunities for the sale of sugarcane seeds to fellow farmers.
With pioneering initiatives like the Shashwat Mithaas Project, UPL remains at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, propelling positive change for farmers and the environment alike.
About UPL
UPL Ltd. (NSE: UPL & BSE: 512070, LSE: UPLL) is a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, with annual revenue exceeding $6bn. We are a purpose-led company. Through OpenAg®, UPL is focused on accelerating progress for the food system. We are building a network that is reimagining sustainability, redefining the way an entire industry thinks and works – open to fresh ideas, innovation, and new answers as we strive towards our mission to make every single food product more sustainable. As one of the largest agriculture solutions companies worldwide, our robust portfolio consists of biologicals and traditional crop protection solutions with more than 14,000 registrations. We are present in more than 130 countries, represented by more than 10,000 colleagues globally. For more information about our integrated portfolio of solutions across the food value chain including seeds, post-harvest, as well as physical and digital services, please visit upl- ltd.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
