Headquarter In: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Founded in Year: 2009
Employees Headcount: 501-1000
We at Business Iconic Magazine caught up with Dr. Arvind Kapur, the M.D of Acsen HyVeg, to know more about the company and how it is revolutionizing AgTech for more sustainable agriculture.
- BRIEF US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND TELL US WHY AND HOW YOU CHOSE TO VENTURE INTO YOUR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRY
After completing my B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. (Hons) and Ph.D. in 1980 from Panjab Agriculture University (PAU) in plant physiology and understanding the molecular genetics functionality, I joined the plant breeding department of PAU as assistant professor in 1980 and then promoted to associate professor in 1986. In 1988, I joined Pioneer Seed Company which became Proagro seed company in 1990. I was responsible for various functions of the company including breeding of cereals like Corn, millets etc. In 1994, I became the director of Proagro- PGS, a joint venture company with leading biotech company of Europe and brought to India the first Genetically modified seeds of oil seed Brassica. The technology called “Seedlink” to remove the barriers in developing hybrids in Mustard crops to improve the productivity and promote oil seed cultivation in India. After acquisition of Proagro by Agrevo Hoechst, I became the Managing Director of Nunhems India, a subsidiary of a Dutch company Nunhems Netherland. After Bayer acquired all these companies, I started building the vegetable seed business of the company in India and Asia including China. I established the R&D centres in China, Indonesia and testing locations in Philippines and Thailand. In a very short period of 10 years Nunhems India became one of the top company in vegetable seed space. In china and S.E. Asia also our seed business expanded significantly.
In 2009, I started another company Rasi HyVeg with Rasi seeds which was renamed as Acsen HyVeg P ltd in 2016. This company became one of the fastest growing company and within 10 years, became one of the top five companies in vegetable seed space including multinational seed companies operating in India. Presently I am MD and director on board of this company.
My knowledge and passion brought me in agricultural seed industry where by providing performing seeds of different crops to the farmers and bringing profit and smile on the farmer’s face give you a good sense of achievement. In my 35 years of career in seed industry, I have covered length and breadth of Indian farming communities and supported them with good performing seeds and provided best agronomic practices to improve their profitability.
- WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGESYOU CAME ACROSS IN YOUR CAREER AS A BUSINESS LEADERS
India falls under all climatic zones from temperate, sub- tropical to tropical. All these zones have their own peculiar challenges in agriculture. The climatic shifts now happening more frequently. As a breeding company, we have to develop those hybrids and varieties which can adapt to these changing climatic conditions. Keeping our strong focus on R&D, we have developed hybrids for all the zones and put those value added traits which can adapt to those challenges and give farmers the sustainable productivity. Our challenge is to continuously add diverse gene pool to meet the challenge of market and consumer. To get Skilful and trained people is now biggest challenge of this business. We have to create better pool of trained people for continuous growth.
- HOW DO YOU DIVERSIFY YOUR ORGANISATION’S OFFERINGS TO ENTICE THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Our organisation have one of the largest breeding group and we are breeding in 21 crops for developing hybrids and another 15 open pollinated crops for clonal selection and further improvement in their performance. We are the only company which is breeding in all temperate crops extensively. We are replacing the imported seed component with indigenous seeds and making India Atamnirbhar in vegetable seeds. Our diversified products in Cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, Onion kohl Rabi etc. are helping farmers get locally adaptable seed and consumer get better quality vegetable for their local taste.
- WHAT UNIQUE IDEAS HAVE YOU IMPLEMENTEDAS A LEADER OF YOUR COMPANY THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETITORS
The first and foremost is to select right people for right job roles. Significant investment in R&D and selected those crops for breeding where others are depending on imports. Analysis of the future demands of the consumers and traits required for future stability of the products due to climate change. Clear and predictable market policies so that our trade partners feel comfortable in working with us. Our professional approach in all our functions and fairness in dealing helped us to establish our brand name strongly in the market. These some of the unique ideas we have implemented and we became one of the fastest growing vegetable seed company of our seed sector.
- WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE WITHIN A TEAM OR AN ORGANISATION AND HOW DO YOU BRING A POSITIVE WORK CULTURE WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?
We have open door open heart policy at our work place. Unlike most conventional work places, where hierarchies are the order of the day, the Acsen HyVeg work floor is a rather democratic space. We have an open and conducive environment for employees to grow and perform in the organisation. I also believe in walking around and interacting with employees regularly. I always share my knowledge and experience with employees frequently to prepare them for future. The company also have robust talent review process for further development of employees for future assignments. Our company also have reward and recognition system which keep employees motivated.
- HOW DO YOU STRATEGISE ON SCALING YOUR CAREER AND YOUR COMPANY FUTURE
Right from beginning of my journey in seed Industry, I started improving my technical and managerial skills. After handling directly all the major functionalities in seed industry, I have gathered huge experience and understanding of seed business and the seed market. As a technical person in breeding and product development, I supported my breeding teams to develop right product for the market and how to compete in the market with big and more experienced competitors. I take pride in establishing two companies from start with viable strategies and focussed approach. Today both companies are in top five in vegetable seed space. I always believe in right and practical approach. I believe in actions not just theory and process.
- WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THE ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS LEADERS OF TOMORROW?
The first and foremost is the commitment towards your passion. Learn, Learn and Learn always about your job and business you want to pursue. Don’t run after money and profits in the beginning, first establish yourself, understand different dimensions of the business particularly pitfalls and risks. Learn how to manage these and come out as winner. Develop good and knowledgeable teams around you and allow them to be your best critics. Increase your listening skills and analyse every feedback given to you. Don’t react to situation instantly, think and analyse the situation and involve your think tank for advice and then take appropriate action. Being mindful of every stakeholder is the good trait you can develop. Remember that first learn to walk before you run so that even failure at later stage should not deter you to achieve your goals.