JK Agri Genetics

Conservation of genetic resources and access to genetic resources
JK Agri Genetics collaborates with the national genebank at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in India to conserve the germplasm of crops grown in index countries. The company also gives research organisations, including the International Rice Research Institute and the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) access to its genetic resources through collaborative projects.

Variety testing
The company performs variety trials in all of the index countries it is active in, aside from Pakistan, and has 11 multilocation trial centres for vegetable crops and 30 multilocation trial centres for field crops. These trials are conducted on crops from the company’s own breeding programmes and portfolio. In India, specifically, the company also conducts trials on crops from other breeding programmes, such as research institutes.

Developing improved varieties of global crops
JK Agri Genetics has its own breeding programme in India and develops varieties of both field crops and vegetables suitable for smallholder farmers in the region. The company also has its own breeding programme for the local crop mustard, which it has developed to have traits of early maturity and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.

Breeding programme for specific traits
The company’s breeding programme includes developing a number of traits, such as a longer shelf life and improved nutritional value, that are particularly important for smallholder farmers. The company also focuses on incorporating resistance and tolerance to regionally important pests and diseases, such as blast disease and brown plant hopper in rice and also leaf curl virus in both tomato and chilli.

Quality management in seed production in index countries
To ensure quality, the company has an internal management system that covers all of its seed production in index countries. It has a production field team that trains farmers on important aspects of quality seed production and also visits and inspects seed production fields during key growth stages.

Quality assurance and after-sales
The company’s protocols for its quality assurance system adhere to International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards. JK Agri Genetics monitors its distribution network through distributor visits and has a return policy for its distributors to ensure that seeds are not sold beyond their shelf life. To prevent the sale of counterfeit seeds, the company provides information to farmers on detection of counterfeit packages and identification of aspects of the company’s packaging to verify its validity. The company provides after-sales support through a grievance channel process to address claims filed by farmers.

Extension services
JK Agri Genetics provides extension services in all countries in the region. The company uses a team of market development officers to share agronomic and cultivation packages as well as crop management materials and training to smallholder farmers. JK Agri Genetics has reached approximately 900,000 smallholders in the region in the period 2018-2020.

Information and communications technology (ICT)
JK Agri Genetics has a dedicated programme called JK Connect that connects farmers. The programme enables smallholders to share relevant information on products, including their experience on product performance and use as well as product prices offered by local distributors.

Access to seeds for smallholder farmers and governance and accountability
JK Agri Genetics’ strategy for ensuring access to seeds for smallholder farmers prioritises marketing and sales, research and development and capacity building. For example, the company focuses on developing small package sizes for smallholder farmers, breeding programmes and outreach programmes. While responsibility for its access to seeds strategy lies with its marketing, product development and product campaign teams, the company could strengthen accountability by assigning this responsibility to its highest governance body.

Benefit sharing
The company does not disclose that it has made contributions within the access and benefit-sharing framework.

Local participation in breeding/variety development
The company could disclose more information on how it uses feedback from local consumers, traders and smallholder farmers to inform its breeding programme. Specifically, it could show how it incorporates the feedback and preferences of women farmers in the region.

Seed production activities in index region
The company has seed production locations in various locations across India. It also has a wide network of seed producers in all the agroclimatic zones of the country, consisting of about 5,000 farmers. However, the company has an opportunity to extend its seed production to other countries in the region.

Engaging smallholder farmers in seed production
JK Agri Genetics engages smallholder farmers in its seed production activities, with smallholders carrying out the majority of seed production in India. However, the company has an opportunity to provide direct formal contract to smallholder farmers in the region.

Diverse portfolio
JK Agri Genetics has four or more varieties for the majority of its crops in India and Sri Lanka. However, the company could expand the number of varieties offered per crop in the other index countries where it has sales. Additionally, the company could offer both hybrids and OPVs for more crops in its regional portfolio.

Packaging and labelling
The company offers a barcode track and trace system on its packaging in India. Additionally, the company offers seed packages in sizes tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers in the region. However, JK Agri Genetics can disclose more information on whether it offers packages with local languages or pictograms in index countries.

Programmes for women farmers and next-generation farmers
The company provides extension services in the region but can expand its programmes to target women and next-generation farmers.

Maize
Millets
Rice, paddy
Sesame
Sorghum
Wheat

Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Gourd
Green bean
Green pea
Melon
Okra
Onion
Pepper (hot)
Pumpkin
Tomato
Watermelon

Download the portfolios of all companies in the 2021 index for South and South-East Asia here.