04 July 2026, New Delhi: Indian Potash Limited (IPL) and UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited (UPL SAS) have signed a three-year agreement to promote sustainable sugarcane cultivation in the command area of IPL’s Kodinar Sugar Mill in Gujarat. The collaboration aims to improve farm productivity, strengthen resource efficiency, and enhance farmer livelihoods through regenerative agriculture and digital technologies.
The initiative will cover nearly 2,000 acres of sugarcane cultivation, where farmers will receive support in agronomy, crop protection, crop nutrition, regenerative farming practices, and digital advisory services. The partners expect the programme to increase sugarcane yields by at least 15%, while improving input-use efficiency and encouraging climate-resilient farming practices.
As part of the collaboration, UPL SAS will appoint a dedicated programme officer to coordinate field implementation and work closely with farmers. The project will focus on improving the management of seed material, soil health, irrigation, fertilizer application, crop residue, and integrated crop protection based on local farming conditions.
Digital tools will play a central role in the programme. Farmers will be onboarded through the nurture.farm platform, enabling field mapping, geofencing, monitoring of agronomic interventions, and impact assessment. Digital communication channels, including WhatsApp and YouTube, will also be used to deliver technical guidance and promote the adoption of recommended practices.
The partners expect the programme to deliver benefits across the sugar value chain by improving cane productivity and availability for IPL’s Kodinar Sugar Mill, supporting better utilization of crushing capacity, increasing farmer incomes, reducing the use of water, fertilizers, and energy, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with sugarcane cultivation.
Speaking on the partnership, U. S. Teotia, Chief Agricultural Scientist, Indian Potash Limited, said the company remains committed to helping farmers adopt scientific and sustainable farming practices. He said the collaboration would strengthen farmer engagement, improve sugarcane productivity, and support the long-term growth of the Kodinar sugar operations. He added that integrating scientific agronomy, digital monitoring, and regenerative agriculture could create a scalable model for other sugarcane-growing regions.
Harshal Sonawane, Head – Sustainability at UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions Limited, said the partnership reflects UPL’s focus on building resilient agricultural value chains through science-based agronomy, digital technologies, regenerative agriculture, and farmer-focused solutions. He noted that the initiative aims to deliver measurable improvements in farm productivity, profitability, and environmental performance.
The programme will include farmer advisory services, group meetings, training sessions, demonstration plots, field days, and harvest events to encourage the adoption of recommended agronomic practices. Both organisations will jointly monitor implementation and evaluate outcomes throughout the three-year project.
The collaboration is intended to establish a more productive and resource-efficient sugarcane production system while supporting broader sustainability and climate objectives for India’s agricultural sector.
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