Latest news with #DSIR
RNZ News
25-07-2025
- RNZ News
Search contines for Roy Arbon who beat drug scam and braved Erebus
Roy Arbon. Photo: Supplied The search will resume today for a West Coast beekeeper who helped to recover bodies after the Erebus air disaster and was later the victim of a drug smuggling scam after the 75-year-old went missing on a tramp near Greymouth. Police are concerned for the welfare of Roy Arbon, who is overdue from a solo walk between Mt Davy and Mt Sewell he set out on on Wednesday. He may be wearing a blue puffer jacket, shorts, and hiking boots, but this is unconfirmed. West Coast beekeeper Roy Arbon Photo: Supplied "Although he is believed to be an experienced hiker, concerns are growing due to the time overdue, lack of contact, and cold temperatures," a police spokesperson said. Arbon worked for the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus in 1979. In an interview with NZ History , he described the dangerous recovery work: "We were working on a glacier… probing for crevasses with an ice axe. One thing that stayed with me is the smell of unburnt aviation fuel." He also helped erect a memorial cross on the crash site amid gale-force winds so strong the helicopter could not be shut down. West Coast beekeeper Roy Arbon Photo: Supplied "I was asked to help erect a memorial cross on the site. This was done in a gale-force wind so bad the helicopter could not shut down. I believe this was because the wind was blowing so hard, they wouldn't be able to get the machine started without damage to the main rotors." In 1995, Arbon also assisted in recovering the bodies of 14 people who died when a viewing platform collapsed at Cave Creek. Years later, Arbon was caught up in an international drug smuggling scam. Photo: The Scam screenshot He was detained in Australia after unknowingly transporting a suitcase from Brazil that contained more than 2kg of cocaine. He was later acquitted at trial in Western Australia. His ordeal was featured in the documentary The Scam . Anyone with information on Arbon's whereabouts is urged to contact police on 105, quoting job number P063265345. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
20 Microns Ltd (BOM:533022) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue and Strategic ...
Release Date: May 27, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. 20 Microns Ltd (BOM:533022) achieved a significant milestone with an annual revenue of 9,127 million, reflecting successful strategic initiatives. The company reported a 70.4% annual revenue growth, showcasing a steep growth trajectory. Margins improved to 12.7% in Q4 FY25, indicating enhanced operational efficiency. The company successfully executed a key international acquisition in Malaysia, expanding its global footprint. 20 Microns Ltd declared a 25% dividend, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. The company faces high pressure from raw material imports, freight costs, and forex volatility, impacting operational costs. Borrowing increased from 121 crores to 165 crores in FY25, raising concerns about financial leverage. Inventory levels jumped by more than 40%, indicating potential inefficiencies in supply chain management. The company is dependent on imported raw materials, which account for 36-37% of total raw material usage, posing a risk due to supply chain disruptions. The paint industry, a significant market for the company, is undergoing stress, creating uncertainty in demand forecasts. Q: What is the current ownership structure of the subsidiary in Malaysia, and what are the plans for acquiring the remaining shares? A: Currently, 20 Microns owns 100% of IQ and 90% of GTLQ, with the remaining 10% held by minor stakeholders. The process to acquire the remaining shares is ongoing, aligned with the strategic plans for the Malaysian subsidiary. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) Q: Can you elaborate on the competitive advantages of 20 Microns and identify key competitors? A: 20 Microns faces competition from large global industrial mineral manufacturers. In India, competition is more regional and varies by mineral type. The companys competitive advantages include a diverse product portfolio and strong R&D capabilities. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) Q: What revenue growth is expected from the value-added niche segment over the next 2-3 years? A: The company targets an 18-20% growth rate annually in the value-added segments, considering current market trends and the longer approval times for these products. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) Q: Why has borrowing increased despite having significant cash reserves? A: The increase in borrowing is primarily for working capital to support additional inventory. The company prefers to reserve cash for CapEx investments that add more value to the product chain. (Respondent: Unidentified_1 and Unidentified_3) Q: What are the expected benefits from the recent DSIR certification? A: The DSIR certification enhances credibility and provides financial benefits, such as discounts on imported R&D instruments. It also validates the company's R&D capabilities, adding value to its innovation efforts. (Respondent: Unidentified_3) For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Beej Ratna' recognition framework for boosting India's R&D in seed sector
India's agricultural sector stands at a pivotal crossroads today, grappling with immense challenges from climate change, dwindling natural resources, and the growing demand for food security for our expanding population. India's R&D investment is indeed significantly lower than the global average, with the Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of GDP around 0.7% compared to a global average of 1.8%. This underinvestment persists despite agriculture delivering significant returns on R&D investments, with an estimated 13:1 return ratio. At the heart of agricultural productivity and resilience lies the seed sector—the fundamental determinant of crop yield, resource efficiency, and adaptation to climate extremes. Despite its critical importance, India's seed industry has historically suffered from regulatory bottlenecks, fragmented policies, and inadequate R&D investment, limiting its evolution into a world-class sector. Complex maze of ambiguous policies and regulations catering to divergent priorities between Center and States resulted in inadequate incentives for R&D investments and impeded the development of India's seed and biotechnology sector. Notable public-private partnerships are scarce, and the deployment of modern agricultural technologies has suffered—ultimately disadvantaging our farmers and the overall economy. To address the systemic challenges in India's seed sector, the 'Beej Ratna' framework is suggested as a comprehensive national-level recognition system. The framework rewards innovation, enhances ease of doing business, eliminates redundant procedures, and aligns private sector capabilities with national agricultural priorities. This framework draws inspiration from India's successful 'Navaratna' model for Public Sector Undertakings and could transform our seed industry from a regulation-burdened sector into an innovation powerhouse. The Beej Ratna framework would recognize those pioneering companies that are having long-term outlook, and commitment and demonstrate high levels of ethics in business. Qualification for the coveted 'Beej Ratna' status would require more than basic DSIR recognition. They must also demonstrable comprehensive research & development capabilities, qualified breeders, proprietary germplasm, complete production and processing infrastructure, and world-class product testing systems. Companies would undergo stringent evaluation of their variety development track record, testing capabilities, collaboration history with research institutions, scientific staff qualifications, and infrastructure quality. Specific criteria would include specialized DSIR-recognized breeding operations, R&D investment of at least 5% of yearly sales, essential facilities like test rooms and refrigeration chambers, and varieties registered at both national and state levels. NABL accreditation would ensure adherence to international testing standards. Importantly, Beej Ratna status would be conditional, with renewal every five years contingent on inspection and performance review. Companies would submit annual research reports and present their work to a government committee comprising experts from ICAR, state agricultural universities, NABL, DSIR, and other relevant institutions. This accountability ensures continued commitment to research excellence. Understanding the framework's mechanics is important, but recognizing its potential to transform India's seed sector and drive growth across the agrarian economy and national GDP is even more critical. The Beej Ratna initiative offers far-reaching benefits that extend well beyond regulatory aspects to effect greater positive impacts on India's overall economic growth. Perhaps the most transformative aspect of the Beej Ratna framework is its potential application as eligibility criteria for a 'One Nation, One License' policy. Currently, seed companies must navigate a complex labyrinth of contradictory requirements across different states, obtaining separate selling licenses from each—creating significant regulatory inefficiencies. The redundancy in testing requirements is particularly burdensome, with companies conducting separate field trials for identical varieties in different states, each with slightly different protocols. Conservative estimates suggest that eliminating this redundancy could free up over ₹80-100 crore annually across the industry—resources that could directly fund new R&D initiatives. The proposed framework would replace this inefficient patchwork with a single national license that maintains rigorous standards while eliminating redundancies. Companies could then optimize their operations based on agro-climatic suitability rather than regulatory convenience, delivering better-adapted varieties to farmers. The streamlined process could reduce time-to-market for new varieties by 18-24 months—a critical advantage when responding to emerging climate challenges or pest outbreaks. Beyond regulatory streamlining, the Beej Ratna framework could extend fiscal incentives to accelerate R&D investments. Recognized companies would become eligible for a 200% tax deduction on qualifying R&D expenditures, effectively transforming the economics of agricultural research. The resources freed from compliance activities would enable seed companies to invest more in developing innovations specifically designed for addressing emerging challenges like heat tolerance. The framework aligns perfectly with flagship government initiatives like Make in India, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and Research Linked Incentive (RLI) programs, creating a cohesive strategy for agricultural advancement. This integration ensures that the seed industry contributes significantly to India's aspiration of becoming a global agricultural innovation hub while enhancing domestic food security. The impact of the Beej Ratna framework would extend throughout India's agricultural ecosystem. Farmers would gain access to improved varieties tailored to their specific growing conditions, potentially increasing yields while reducing input costs. India's economy would benefit from enhanced agricultural productivity, reduced import dependence for key crops like oilseeds and pulses, and potential export opportunities for Indian seed innovations. The framework's focus on research excellence would also drive collaboration between private companies, public research institutions, and international organizations, potentially accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like genomic selection, precision breeding, and gene editing. One of the most significant challenges facing our seed industry is production of required volumes with world-class quality—particularly as changing climate patterns introduce new complexities. The Beej Ratna framework addresses this by incentivizing infrastructure and process development investments essential for high-quality seed production at scale. The framework represents a visionary approach to transforming India's seed industry from a sector prone to high compliance costs and redundant regulations into an innovation powerhouse addressing the country's most pressing agricultural challenges. By recognizing excellence, streamlining regulations, and strategically incentivizing research, this framework could help secure India's food future while enhancing farmer prosperity and environmental sustainability. The Beej Ratna framework deserves top priority consideration in view of India's aspiration to become Vikasit Bharat by 2047 and will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sector and ensuring the country's long-term food security. The time for implementation is now—our farmers, our economy, and our future food security depend on it. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
