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| It’s a Whole New World at Aries! - Rahul Mirchandani, Editor
“If agriculture goes wrong, practically nothing else will go right.” This, in one line, is a summary of 2002-03. The Rain Gods played truant all year long and wrecked havoc on the entire Indian economy – from food stocks to the stock markets. Practically no region, no state, no sector was spared.
Aries however, used 2002 to introspect, to realign corporate processes, frame priorities and plan several new initiatives for the year ahead, all with a singular goal – capturing new markets while maintaining leadership through pursuing excellence in existing ones.
The introspection, as always, began with taking stock of history. Empirical data captured over the years revealed extra-ordinary facets of our distribution network.
Aries today, reaches close to 6 million farmers in 92,603 villages/satellite towns spread over 18 states of India. Our products are sold through 3,380 Registered Distributors and Marketing Agents who have access to 27,561 Retail counters spread out in 2 out of every 3 fertilizer consuming districts of the country.
Continuous feedback received from this channel of distribution, our eyes and ears in Rural India, revealed several opportunities for improvement and improvisation. Change is the latest buzzword at Aries today. Market forces and customer feedback are the pillars on which our entire change programme has been based.
Agromin & Chelamin are products that have been Brand Leaders in the Micronutrient Market for three decades. The year ahead will witness the birth of two siblings – Agromin Max & Chelamin Gold, brand extensions that will propel our best selling brands into the Global league with regard to quality, performance, cost effectiveness and value addition.
Our vision for the immediate future is crystal clear – Aries will focus all its corporate energy into “Bringing the Best of the World to India” and also in “Giving India’s Best to the World.”
Our Priority is to bring o the doorstep of all our customers the Global Best Practices in Plant Nutrition. Our range of Product solutions will be strengthened with the addition of Product Lines sourced from our suppliers abroad.
Our market intelligence and technical support has emphasized to the R&D teams of our International Partners, the unique agro-climatic requirements of India. This ensures that all the products we import from Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Singapore, USA and South America are all tailor-made to suit Indian conditions. “Made For India” is indeed, the Aries mantra.
Our sales promotional initiatives included the successful nationwide launch of KHAZAANA – India’s First & Most Rewarding Dealer Loyalty Programme in the Agrochemical Industry. The entire range of Customer Rewards offered through Khazaana has been very warmly welcomed by our entire Dealer Network.
A Well Formulated Strategy, Inner Corporate Strength and Customer Support are critical to our Success. Aries is confident that we have a fair share of all these, along with the will and grit of the entire Aries Family to “Make Things Happen”. 2003 is a Turning Point. “You aren’t seen nothing yet!”
From the Chairman’s Desk - Dr. T.B. Mirchandani
2002-03 has been a most difficult year for Indian Agriculture. Agribusiness, in general, has suffered a setback and consequently, agribusiness companies have struggled to make ends meet. Most have shown a decline in Sales turnovers when compared to earlier years. We at Aries, with the support and dedication of our loyal team of sales and support staff, have managed to maintain our Sales at previous year levels. This, when viewed in the gloomy context of the disastrous monsoons, failed seasons and declining farmer’s purchasing power, is a commendable achievement.
During 2002-03, we received tremendous feedback from our distribution network as well as from end-users/farmers regarding our entire range of products. In line with this feedback, we are pleased to have made several additions to our product line. We have also taken steps to enhance the formulation of some of our existing products and launch some of our existing products in new, improved International packs.
The year 2003-04 will see a major expansion in our Major Fertilizer Division with the launch of 4 products under the FERTIMAX umbrella brand. These will include NPK 13-0-45, NPK 0-52-34, NPK 12-61-0 and NPK 0-0-50—all value-added soluble NPK fertilizer complexes meeting global standards. The existing balanced NPK fertilizer, ARIES MACROFERT, being imported from Italy, will now meet with the revised FCO 2003 grade of NPK 20-20-20.
Our flagship brand, AGROMIN, will receive a complete make-over. Agromin Soil Application will be marketed in new, improved, multi-colour bags, while Agromin Liquid will have improved labels. A new sub-brand of Agromin is being launched, AGROMIN MAX, for foliar application and use in hi-tech agricultural practices. This product will serve as a superb alternative to traditionally available multi-micronutrient foliar sprays and will certainly prove economically beneficial to farmers.
Our best-selling product, CHELAMIN, being supplied for Soil Application, will now be available with a highly effective Organic Carrier. Also, a new sub-brand called CHELAMIN GOLD is being launched, formulated with totally revamped hi-tech production techniques, matching in all respects with the latest globally accepted standards for superior concentrations of high-performance Chelated Zinc.
Aries Boron-19, being imported from South America, has been extremely well received over the past few years as an excellent source of soluble boron for foliar application. Our range of Boron products is now being enhanced with a source of Boron for Soil Application as per the requirements of the FCO 2003. This product has been christened BOROSOIL and will contain min. 17% B. Aries is sourcing this product from Turkey for exclusive marketing in India.
Recognizing the need for efficient and effective bio-fertilizers, Aries launched a liquid blend of natural herbal extracts and amino acids containing all essential plant nutrients for balanced fertilization - ARIES TOTAL. Considering the extremely low dose of this product per unit of land area, small and marginal farmers had requested for the introduction of a one-tank dose pack of this product that has proved to be very effective on the field level. In line with this feedback, Aries will be launching a 10 ml single pump dose pack of ARIES TOTAL this year.
Aries has also tied up long term contracts with AKZO NOBEL Functional Chemicals, based in the Netherlands, for our requirements of Chelating Agents. Akzo Nobel is the World’s Largest Manufacturer of Chelates and supply Aries with Chelating Agents of highest purity. This in turn, improves the efficiency of the entire range of Aries’ Chelates. We are also exploring the possibility of marketing some of Akzo Nobel’s brands of Micronutrients in India as well as getting Akzo Nobel to formulate highly effective Combis and Blends of Chelated Micronutrients to suit Indian soil, crop and climatic conditions.
2003-04 is a crucial year for Aries to be recognized as a “One-Stop Shop” for the farmers of India. It is with this comprehensive range of excellent, value-added research based products, encouragement and support of all our customers and the dedication of the entire Aries family that we hope to achieve this cherished goal.
Introducing a Superlative Multi-Micronutrient Fertilizer
Aries is proud to launch a truly superlative Multi Micronutrient Complex, formulated by our in-house R&D team, after receiving loads of feedback from dealers, farmers and Research Institutions all over India. AGROMIN– MAX contains ALL Micronutrients Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Mo with Mg in ideal, high proportions to successfully combat growing deficiencies of these nutrients reported all over the country. It addresses the unique nutritional requirements of horticultural crops, spices, plantation crops, oilseeds and pulses. The product, at lower doses can also be used on cereals. AGROMIN-MAX meets international standards set for foliar sprays of micronutrient fertilizers. It is a spray Dried, Super fine, free flowing, 100% instantly water soluble powder, which provides booster doses of High Performance, partially Chelated micronutrients. Being very highly concentrated, AGROMIN-MAX is recommended for use at extremely low doses per unit of land area, and is therefore a source of tremendous cost benefit advantage over traditional foliar sprays of micronutrients. AGROMIN-MAX will be launched nationwide in 250 g tamper-proof, multi-colour, international stand-up pouches, followed by the introduction of 500 g and 1 kg packs.
A Hatrick for the West !
This is the THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR that the WESTERN REGION has had the distinction of receiving the Chairman’s Trophy for Maximum Percentage Increase in Sales over the previous financial year.
% increase in Sales of the Western Region :
Increase in 2002-03 over 2001-02 - 40%
Increase in 2001-02 over 2000-01 - 46%
Increase in 2000-01 over 1999-00 - 87%
Awards & Accolades Chairman’s Trophies 2003
Best Marketing Manager – All India 2002-03
Mr. Pramod K Jaiswal (Western Region)
for exceptional, co-ordinated and focused team effort resulting in Maximum Percentage Increase in Sales (40%) over the previous financial year
State Trophies 2002-03
Mr. Ashok Sharma & his Maharashtra and Nipani Team
for Maximum Increase in Sales of a State in Rupee Terms over the previous financial year.
Mr. A M Bhatt & his Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh Team
for Maximum Increase in Sales of a State in Percentage Terms over the previous financial year
Team Leader Trophies 2002-03
for Outstanding Overall Sales & Collection Performance during the financial year
Mr. C K Dwivedi, HQ Pune, Maharashtra
Mr. A R Dass, HQ Nasik, Maharashtra
Mr. S K Chauhan, HQ Bhilwara, Rajasthan
Trophies for Exemplary Sales Performance
Mr. B N Ambare, HQ Sangamner, Maharashtra -
for achieving 154% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Mr. D B Shinde, HQ Alephate, Maharashtra -
for achieving 146% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Mr. S T Patil, HQ Kolhapur, Maharashtra -
for achieving 139% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Mr. B S Chavan, HQ Solapur, Maharashtra -
for achieving 123% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Mr. D K Tiwari, HQ Raipur, Chhatisgarh -
for achieving 100% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Mr. Sushil Sharma, HQ Indore, Madhya Pradesh -
for achieving 90% of 2002-03 Annual Target
Trophies for Commendable Sales and Collection Performance
Mr. Munjal Dave, HQ Mehsana, Gujarat
Mr. S K Mishra, HQ Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Trophies for Commendable Sales Performance
Mr. Sudhir K Pandey, HQ Padrauna, U.Pradesh
Mr. Rajesh Gupta, HQ Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Mr. Bhanwar Lal Kumhar, HQ Bagru, Rajasthan
Aries presents a bouquet of products ideal for Horticulture
Soluble NPK Fertilizers
providing balanced doses of major nutrients essential for formation of the Cell membranes (critical to withstand storage and transport stresses), Catalyst to hasten the ripening process, ensure the translocation of sugar, help in fruit formation, developing winter hardiness and disease resistance.
Secondary Nutrients
providing Sulphur in clear liquid form, in combination with Nitrogen to maintain the critical N:S ratio. The Sulphur serves as building blocks for proteins, increases the ascorbic acid content in fruit crops as well as the total soluble solids. It reduces leaf fall, ensures full maturity of fruits and prevents undersized or misshapen fruits. It enhances pungency in spices and prevents dry juice sacks in citrus fruits.
Post Harvest Management
Chelated Calcium helps improve the transportability of horticultural produce, thereby increasing its commercial value. It strengthens the cell wall thereby enhancing shelf life, allows for cold storage, reduces post harvest losses and builds tolerance to extreme temperatures and transport stresses.
Multi Micronutrient Mixtures
providing all essential Micronutrients, namely Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Mo and Mg in ideal, pre-determined proportions, in partially chelated, completely water soluble form, suitable for cost-effectively eliminating Micronutrient deficiencies on Horticultutal crops.
Boron Products
Available for both foliar spray and soil application, Boron is essential for even and shapely development of fruits. It increases efficiency of Calcium and influences cell development. Crops will set more fruit with pre bloom boron application. Reduces die back/failed buds.
Complete Bio Fertilizer
A highly effective, concentrated, natural plant tonic providing enzymes, all essential major and micro nutrients along with amino acids, for balanced plant nutrition.
Plant Hormones for Horticulture
The ARIES range of products also has an extremely effective NAA based Plant Hormone spray that is recommended in suitable concentrations for use on Horticultural Crops including Chillies, Tomato, Brinjals, Peas, Guava, Jackfruit, Sweet Cherry, Water Melon, Mango, Apples, Pears, Citrus, Oranges, Guava, Chickoos, Pineapple, Litchies, Papaya and Grapes.
In general, AGRONAA induces flowering and increases yield by preventing bud and flower drop. AGRONAA also incrrases the overall size and quality of the fruits, delays maturity and induces uniform growth. All these factors are critical to ensuring the optimum productivity and consequent profitability of the horticulturist.
AGRONAA has also been found useful on Oilseeds crops where it increases the overall number and size of the pods and kernels and also increases oil content.
“The Aries range of Chelated Micronutrients are also used in Hi-Tech Horticulture, being 100% water soluble organo-metallic complexes, ideally suited for use in Drip Irrigation Systems”
Effect of Aries Chelamin on Paddy
ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, Andhra Pradesh.
This trial conducted in Rabi 2001-02 indicated that application of 20 kgs./ha. Chelamin 12% Zn-EDTA (1 kilo Technical + 19 kilos Carrier) as basal gave highest grain of 5.34 t/ha. The percent increase over Control due to ZnEDTA application was 21.64%.
COST BENEFIT STUDY based on Trial Results - T-3 : Chelamin @ 20 kgs./ha.— Cost of application Rs 225/ha. v/s T-6 : Zinc Sulphate @ 20 kgs./ha. Basal—Cost of application Rs 400/ha.
SAVING IN APPLICATION COST PER HA. = Rs. 175
GRAIN YIELD : T-3 : Chelamin—5.34 t/ha. v/s Yield using ZnSO4—5.02 t/ha.— Chelamin yield is 6% higher ( 320 kgs) sold at farm gate price of approx. Rs 6 per kilo.
REALISATION FROM IN CREASED YIELD PER HA. = Rs. 1920
INCREMENTAL NETT BENEFIT RATIO : (Realisation from Increased yield + Saving in Cost of application) / (Actual cost of application of Chelamin) = (Rs.1920+Rs.175) : (Rs.225) = Rs 9.30 : Re 1.
This implies for every Re 1 shifted from Zinc Sulphate to Chelamin farmer receives an incremental return of Rs 9.30
Aries Macrofert on Rice
BIDHAN CHANDRA KRISHI VISWAVIDYALAYA, West Bengal.
Trial Period : Kharif 2002
TREATMENT : 25% of Basal NPK + 2 sprays of Macrofert @ 6g/lit per ha. Cost of Application/ha : Rs 616.79 Yield using this treatment per ha : 48.70 qntls
CONTROL : Basal dose of NPK 60:30:30 – No Macrofert -Cost of Application/ha : Rs 1627.17, Control Yield per ha : 42.70 qntls
62% (Rs 1010.38) reduction in cost of application per ha.
14% increase in yield when sold yielded Rs 3000 extra per ha.
BENEFIT PER HECTARE : Rs 4010.38
TOTAL COST OF FERTILIZER TREATMENT PER HA : Rs 616.79
BENEFIT COST RATIO : Rs 6.4 : Re 1. This implies that for every Re 1 invested on Macrofert, farmer benefited by Rs 6.40.
Aries Chelamin maximizes Paddy yields
RESEARCH REPORT BY ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY, Tamil Nadu.
“… Zinc, either directly or indirectly, helps the plants achieve maximum yield. The best usage of Zinc is in Chelated form. Chelated Zinc, due to its specific nature, enters readily into the roots. It is easily soluble in water and the wetting and dispersing agent facilitates complete absorption by the plants. Taking this into consideration a trial was conducted by the Agronomy Department … The results obtained showed that the plants applied with 500 g Chelamin showed healthy growth with green leaves and hefty grains. The yield was phenomenal in both seasons. … Chelamin also helped the growth of shoots and proved more effective than Inorganic Zinc Sulphate. … With minimum quantity of usage, Chelamin guarantees maximum yields.”
Phenomenal Field Results on Tobacco
FIELD TRIAL AT DAKOR, GUJARAT, USING MACROFERT+ NITROSULF +ARIES TOTAL
Planting : August 2002; Regular basal dose of fertilizers were applied; Spray as per dosage below was done is October 2002. Indeed, these Nov 2002 photos speak for themselves !
Spray Dosage :
Nitrosulf @ 25 ml per tank.
Aries Total @ 10 ml per tank.
Macrofert @ 100 g per tank.
Aries Micronutrients on Sugarcane
SHRI VIGNAHAR SAHAKARI SAKHAR KARKHANA LTD, Junnar, Ambegaon, Pune Dt., Maharashtra
Observations from a one yer trial using AGROMIN, BG FERTILIZER & CHELAFER at Vignahar Seed Farm during 1999-00 on Suru Sugarcane
Variety — CO-86032
Treatment area—0.8 acre,
Date of planting— 15 Dec 99,
Date of harvest— 13 Dec 2000
Results shoe combined usage of Agromin + BG Fertilizer + Chelafer (T1) yielded the best Sugarcane, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
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