A Unique Initiative Aimed at Enhancing Crop Productivity through Regenerative Practices
HyFun Foods, recognized as India’s largest processor of potatoes into frozen French fries, potato specialties, and flakes, has unveiled an innovative initiative called “HyFarm Paathshala.” This program is designed to educate and empower its contract potato farmers engaged in cultivating French fry varieties, with the primary aim of enhancing crop productivity.
HyFun Foods has emerged as a leading producer and exporter of premium quality frozen and ready-to-cook snacks, offering a diverse range of products, including French fries, potato specialties, dehydrated items, and frozen pizzas. Since its inception in 2015, the company has achieved remarkable growth, crossing INR 1,250 crores in revenue within just 8 years. Its products are trusted by prominent global brands and are a preferred choice for the HoReCa (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) sector, QSRs (Quick Service Restaurants), and consumers both in India and internationally. HyFun Foods proudly contributes to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and exports to over 40 countries.
The core objective of HyFarm Paathshala is to promote regenerative agricultural practices that not only reduce cultivation costs but also improve yields of French fry varieties. This initiative will function as a Knowledge Centre, merging cutting-edge technologies with the rich traditional wisdom of potato farmers. By bringing together a diverse array of potato experts, global specialists, and the experiences of farmers within the French fries industry, HyFarm Paathshala aims to share best practices that will significantly boost crop productivity.
To operationalize this initiative, HyFarm Paathshala will establish model farms, comprising 30 plots, across the key potato-growing regions of North Gujarat, particularly focusing on Sabarkantha and Banaskantha districts. These model farms will be developed under the expert guidance of Dr. Puneet Luthra, General Manager (Agriculture) at HyFarm, to demonstrate effective regenerative agricultural practices.
As part of the program, HyFarm potato contract growers will receive comprehensive training through three on-site sessions during the crop season: pre-planting, mid-season, and harvest period. Additionally, growers will be encouraged to participate in a series of virtual training sessions facilitated through HyFarm’s mobile application, “Farmoji.” This innovative platform will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to allow potato experts and subject-matter specialists from around the globe to interact with HyFarm‘s potato farmers in the Gujarati language. Topics covered will include nutrition management, water management, and disease management.
To further enhance the training experience, HyFarm potato farmers will be equipped with modern tools and IoT devices, such as soil moisture sensors and predictive models, which will enable efficient water usage and customized fertigation. This technological empowerment allows farmers to make informed decisions aimed at reducing cultivation costs while simultaneously improving yields.
Soundararadjane S, Chief Executive Officer of HyFarm, emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing, stating, “We believe every potato farmer deserves access to the latest advancements in agronomy, thereby enabling reduced cost of cultivation and improving yields. We are confident that ‘HyFarm Paathshala’, the industry’s first potato farmer upskilling initiative in India, will play a crucial role in achieving this objective.”
Haresh Karamchandani, Managing Director & Group CEO of HyFun Foods, highlighted the commitment to supporting potato growers: “Potato growers are the backbone of our supply chain, and we are committed to equipping them with the latest technological advancements to tackle and overcome various challenges, including climate change. By adopting regenerative agricultural practices with our network of 6,500 HyFarm contract farmers, we enhance the quality of our raw materials, which in turn ensures the production of superior quality products for millions of consumers worldwide.”
HyFun Foods operates through its unique “Seed-to-Shelf” business model, which starts with contract farming for seed multiplication and procurement of commercial crops through a comprehensive agriculture program. The agriculture supply chain ensures that raw potatoes are maintained at their best in cold storage and supplied to their state-of-the-art processing plants.
HyFun Foods’ HyFarm Paathshala initiative represents a significant step towards transforming potato farming practices in India, ensuring that farmers are well-equipped to meet the growing demand for high-quality French fries while embracing sustainable agricultural methods.
