In this episode of businessline’s Agrispective Podcast, host Subramani M R speaks with Pinakin Simaria, Head – Agribusiness Group at Kotak Mahindra Bank, on the rapid evolution of India’s agricultural cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure. 

India’s cold storage capacity has crossed 39 million tonnes, with utilisation levels rising sharply in recent years. While potatoes continue to dominate storage, facilities are increasingly being expanded for fruits, vegetables, seafood, dairy, and high-value processed crops. How is this growing cold storage network helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses and secure better price realisation? 

The conversation examines regional demand trends across coastal Andhra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and other key belts, along with the impact of government schemes, financing support from banks, technological advancements, and expectations from the Union Budget on the future of India’s cold chain ecosystem. 

(Host: Subramani Ra Mancombu, Producers: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy , Renil Varghese)

In this episode of businessline’s Agrispective Podcast, host Subramani Ra Mancombu speaks with Rajesh Aggarwal, MD of Insecticides India Limited, on India’s rise as the third-largest agrochemical exporter. With exports hitting $3.3 billion and domestic turnover at ₹69,000 crore ($8 billion), the sector is booming.  

Aggarwal shares how companies are navigating raw material volatility, price cycles, and shifting global demand while leveraging backward integration, R&D, and sustainable formulations. 

They go on to talk about India’s competitive advantages—low production costs, favorable demographics, and year-round manufacturing—and the role of policy support and innovation incentives in boosting export competitiveness.  

Aggarwal highlights the shift toward eco-friendly chemistries, water-based formulations, and specialty crops, offering insights for investors, industry professionals, and farmers eager to understand the trends shaping India’s agrochemical growth. 

(Host: Subramani Ra Mancombu; Producers: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy, Siddharth MC)

This episode looks at the fast-moving climate workforce revolution and what it means for agriculture. Subramani Ra Mancombu speaks with Amit Banka, founder and chief executive of WeNaturalists, about how climate action has shifted from boardrooms to community-led movements across the world. Banka explains why the past decade has seen rapid awareness and participation, especially among young people, and why meaningful progress depends on empowering communities at the grassroots rather than relying on policy alone.The conversation explores how climate initiatives are playing out on farms in India and abroad. While regions with large land holdings have adopted precision and regenerative farming at scale, India faces the complexity of small and fragmented farms. Banka highlights why access to weather intelligence and on-the-ground support can make a direct difference to crop patterns and farmers’ income. The discussion centres around common perceptions about climate leadership. From mangrove conservation groups in India to climate tech innovators in Kenya, action is emerging far beyond traditional institutions — provided resources reach the right hands.

Listen in!

(Host: Subramani Ra Mancombu; Producers: Rowan Barnett, Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy, Siddharth MC)

In this episode of BusinessLine’s Agrispective, host Subramani Ra Mancombu speaks with Professor. Rajeswari Raina, Shiv Nadar University, about the challenges and opportunities facing Indian agriculture under climate change.

Prof. Raina explains how agriculture, a state subject under the Constitution, requires regionally differentiated policies that can anticipate and respond to climate shocks. She highlights the consequences of policy neglect—from stubble burning to farmer distress—and stresses the need for public investment to build resilience and sustainability.

The episode also examines how policy gaps impact farmers on the ground and explores strategies for creating climate-resilient, locally adaptive agricultural systems.

Tune in to understand how thoughtful, region-specific policies can safeguard India’s fields, farmers, and food future.

In this episode of BusinessLine's Agrispective, host Subramani Mancombu talks with Dr. RS Paroda, former Director General of ICAR, about the transformative potential of gene editing in agriculture. 

Dr. Paroda explains how gene editing, using tools like CRISPR-Cas, allows precise changes to crop DNA to improve traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and nutrient content—without introducing foreign genes. This technology speeds up crop improvement and helps address challenges like climate change and soil health. 

The episode goes on to cover India’s regulatory approach to gene editing, which supports faster innovation while ensuring safety. Dr. Paroda emphasises the importance of public awareness and science-backed communication to address concerns about gene-edited crops. 

Tune in to learn how gene editing could revolutionise Indian farming, improve yields, and support nutrition security in the face of evolving agricultural challenges. 

In this episode of Agrispective, businessline’s Subramani Ra Mancombu speaks with Naveen Patidar, CEO of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), about the growing role of women in Indian agriculture. While women contribute to nearly 80% of farm and livestock activities, their access to land ownership, credit, and income remains limited.

The episode begins with how rural women are stepping into leadership roles in farming, irrigation, and entrepreneurship. Patidar shares the success of the Solar Didi initiative in Bihar, where women manage solar-powered irrigation services and earn steady incomes. He goes on to talk about women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that give female farmers more control over profits and decision-making. 

This episode sheds light on the challenges women face in agriculture and the steps needed to recognise them as farmers in their own right. From fieldwork to financial empowerment, their contributions are essential to food security and rural prosperity. 

Tune in to hear how grassroots efforts are reshaping the future of Indian agriculture by placing women at the centre of progress.