The chances of success of the agricultural sector - the backbone of any nation, rests on a very tiny product - a seed. These tiny kernels hold the power to impact the entire agricultural economy. With intense research and technological advancements, extensive investments are being made into seed production, to help farmers boost yields, and harvest high quality crops. The global seeds market size is estimated to be $73.13 billion in 2024, poised to reach a value of $105.3 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 5.38 percent.
However, the market is also obstructed by a number of challenges including a lack of trust among farmers to try new products, and a fierce competition in the market for a very restricted customer pool. Unawareness among farmers and unwillingness to take a risk, poses a significant challenge for seed manufacturers as well. Nevertheless, with a creative approach, a legacy of excellence cultivated over twenty-two years, and an expertise in producing exceptional quality seeds that produce good yields is Siri Seeds India, a Hyderabad based firm.
Serving the Indian Farming Community
Founded by four dynamic and seasoned professionals, Siri Seeds’ understanding of the farming community and its standout capability in communicating with farmers is rooted in the background of the firm. Being sons of farmers, the founders understand the plight of the farming community, and undertake a farmer-first approach to business which includes hiring the right people for communicating with the farmers in the right way.
“Siri Seeds has its vision deep-rooted in its penchant to support the farming community, through an immaculate initiative that would turn into a timeless mission, increasing farm yield, enhancing options, and bettering prospects overall, thus creating an ecosystem in seeds development and distribution. We have entrusted ourselves with the most vital assignment of being a part of the crusade to combat climate change which fuels our efforts every day”, shares K. Rakesh Reddy, Sales & Marketing Director, Siri Seeds.
Dedicated to serving the community with high quality seeds which can yield improved crops, the company does not merely stop at production and sales. Rather, it carries out comprehensive farmer education programs such as the Siri Vikas program to handhold farmers throughout the sowing, cultivating, and harvesting processes. Through careful guidance on seed care, and crop nourishment, the firm ensures that farmers achieve the best output.
Through this methodical system the firm approaches a farmer for a particular region, collaborating with them, educating them about Siri’s seeds, and assisting through the process of sowing, and nurturing the seeds, informing about the best practices to achieve the best yields. From this collaboration, the firm aims to establish trust among farmer communities in different regions, as these Vikas farmers help educate others of the benefits of Siri’s products, paving the way for the firm to assist more farmers.
“Siri Vikas is a special programme taken up by Siri Seeds with the aim of bringing the farming community together. Siri Vikas lets us design and develop collaborative research projects. Expertise of our R&D team and inclusion of growers in this process helps us in providing economical, practical and sustainable solutions to the farming community”, adds K. Rakesh Reddy.
Seed Production
The star of Siri Seeds’ services are the seeds themselves. Without a high performing seed that holds the capacity to withstand regional climatic and conditional challenges, crop yield in terms of quality and quantity is impacted severely, in turn causing exponential loss for farmers. To prevent this, the company prioritizes producing a diverse range of seeds. Currently, Siri’s range of seeds include sunflower, sorghum, maize, mustard, paddy, ssg, bajra, and assorted vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, red chillies, and green chillies, among others.
Siri’s elaborate research and development capabilities enable it to continually advance its seed production methods, as the firm strives to expand its product portfolio further, to ensure farmers have easy access to varied kinds of crops that come with a Siri Seeds guarantee.
“Siri Seeds continues to invest significantly in innovation, which is at the heart of sustaining high-quality and marketable seed production. We are wary of the diverse climatic and geological conditions that adorn this vast nation and also several other pockets outside India, so we direct our research and innovation to bring out varieties that stand these tests and ensure viability and compatibility. Our R&D unit has been recognized by DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India since 2011”, further shares K. Rakesh Reddy.
Employee Excellence
Recognizing the pivotal role that employees play Siri nurtures its teams, including distributors and suppliers with a family-like environment, wherein channels for communication are kept open. Understanding their unique requirements, the heads lend a helping hand as needed, ensuring that employees feel safe. In an industry where the attrition rates are as high as 14-15 percent, Siri has maintained an attrition rate of 1 percent.
Dedicated to serving the community with high quality seeds which can yield improved crops, the company does not merely stop at production & sales
“Our scientists form the backbone of our business, relentlessly working in newer products, with their avowed commitment towards a healthier agricultural picture of the country. Moreover, our strong sales force spearheads the carry and forward, building and strengthening the networks and consistently empowering them with new products. Today, Siri Seeds proudly holds 4000+ distribution partners spread across India, who in turn serve 10000+ retailers”, adds on K. Rakesh Reddy.
In addition to this, a CRM software called LBM has been provided to the sales and marketing team which allows employees to keep track of day-to-day activities like distributor visits, placing orders, sales targets, tour planning, field day programs, and more. LBM also supports the sales team in gathering data on distributors, retailers, and farmers in turn ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Journey & Future
Siri Seeds’ journey so far has been marked with tremendous growth in terms of revenue generation, geographical expansion, product refinement, portfolio expansion, team growth, and recognition growth. Starting its journey with just maize as the primary product, the company now produces over 60 varieties of seeds which are supplied across the length and breadth of India in over 21 states.
Siri Seeds strongly believes in using omnichannel marketing. Its brilliant sales and marketing team uses traditional and digital marketing methods to ensure our products reach a wider group of farmers. The company has been in digital marketing channels like Facebook and Youtube for a couple of years and has recently opened its doors to Google and Facebook ad campaigns, ON page and OFF page SEO, Instagram, and Linkedin with the aim of using modern marketing and branding strategies to reach every farmer in India. This also enables it to reach the right target group and the right location where the farmer needs its seeds through social media analytics.
Looking ahead, the firm has ambitious plans to expand further, primarily aimed at increasing its revenue growth multifold than what it is today. For this, the firm will undertake several strategic steps, further innovating and producing a greater variety of seeds, polishing its sales practices even more, and taking a holistic approach to developing and thriving. With these diverse practices, Siri Seeds is poised to achieve its desired growth and even more in the years to come.
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