The growing population has increased the demand for food production, which has triggered the farmers and large-scale producers to use modern technologies with the latest fertilizers, pesticides and additives that have maximized crop yield.

However, chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides have several harmful effects. Like water pollution, air pollution, soil deterioration, damaging other plants, birds, and animals and most importantly, affecting humans. It has led to the need for organic farming and sustainable solutions based on Biotechnology.

Here nature itself works well in aiding the process of farm production. Microbial biotechnology can improve the agroecosystem by employing microorganisms to increase the soil nutrient content, increase crop productivity, enhance resistance to specific plant pathogens, and produce safer herbicides.

Implementing phenomenal innovations of microbial biotechnology in enhancing agricultural production in a clean, long-term, healthier and sustainable manner, Kan Biosys Pvt Ltd has transformed how farmers should look at creating the best sustainable, natural and highly effective agricultural production in every crop cycle.

As the Founding Chairperson and Managing Director, Sandeepa Kanitkar has steered the process of offering advanced microbial technology from seed to harvest. An array of selective and efficient strains of microbes are formulated, using award-winning and patented processes, into hi-tech products.

The Core Business

Kan Biosys has been working in the research and development of microbes for over two decades. It offers advanced microbial technology from seed to harvest.

The company has developed a microbial platform for high-yield, cost-effective, residue-free and responsible, sustainable farming. Smart Bioplatform is a unique platform for microbial technologies for sustainable agriculture. It encompasses using microbes for soil health, nutrition, and pest and disease management. It is a dynamic and innovative platform to harness the wonderful properties of microbes in the best possible manner.

The Key Differentiator

Kan Biosys offers the latest technology solutions to feed the crops, protect them from pests and diseases and manage soil fertility from seed to harvest. Kan Biosys has been working with microbes for over two decades. Efficient strains have been collected, tested and selected with award-winning and patented formulation processes into hi-tech products. All products are registered as bio-fertilizers at FCO [Fertilizer Control Order] and as pesticides and plant growth regulators at CIB and RC [Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee]. Products are also certified for organic farming in India, Australia, Turkey and the USA.

Excessive and obsessive use of chemical fertilizers pollutes our soils and water bodies. The plants use less than 30% of the applied fertilizers. The rest are leached into water bodies or fixed as the unavailable form in the soil. This wasteful expenditure increases the cultivation costs and pollutes the environment, food and water. Bio-fertility solutions in the form of bio-fertilizers can supplement Nitrogen and Phosphorus. PGPR bacteria (Plant Growth Promoting) improve the growth of plants substantially.

Bio-fertilizers can be used as seed dressers, soil inoculants and foliar inoculants. Bio-fertilizers can provide 25-30 kg/acre of Nitrogen and 10-15 kg/acre of Phosphorus. Anti-stress products can help the plant overcome stress caused by pests/diseases/herbicides/pesticide-/temperature/water. Soil Nutrient catalyzer can help retain the nutrients around the rhizosphere and absorption by the plant.

Pest and Disease Management

Crop losses due to pests and diseases are problematic around the world. More than 30-50% of the yield is lost due to pests. Chemical pesticides have been able to control many pests over the past decades. However, toxic residues in food/water- /environment threaten human and animal health. Chemical pesticides are also rendered inefficient due to resistance built up in pests. It has necessitated the search for bio-control agents, bio-pesticides and bio-metabolites.

Bio-pesticides are formulations of entomopathogenic (killing insects), fungicidal (killing fungi) and nematophagous (killing nematodes) microbes. Bio-pesticides control pests by causing diseases. They are safe and residue-free with zero pre-harvest intervals. Bio-pesticides are used as soil and foliar sprays. For best results, bio-pesticides are incorporated into the normal package of practices during farming. The main reason is to create a sufficient population density of bio-pesticide microbes which helps reduce unnecessary sprays. For best results, start early and check for compatibility with chemicals.

Soil Health Management

The key to success is 4R-Recycle, Reactivate, Reclaim and Reap. Soil is the most vital part of any farming system. Intensive crop cultivation often compromises soil fertility, mainly due to excessive use of fertilizers, water and tillage and the absence of recycling organic matter. Soils having more than one per cent organic matter have sufficient nutrient reserves with mobilizing microbes. Organic matter also buffers against drastic changes and imparts a “bio-sponge” effect to the soil.

Organic matter stops chemical fertilisers’ leaching, improving fertilizer use efficiency. The living world in the form of microbes and small animals is nourished by organic matter. Soil fertility depends on the soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties. Recycling carbon as compost is the best sustainable way to maintain soil fertility.

Exemplary Leadership

The main driving force of this great organization, Sandeepa, has been passionate about guiding the team in the research and development of several products and solutions. They have impacted sustainably growing agriculture. Her enthusiasm for bringing in newer technologies and practices has led her to explore various international platforms, exhibitions and conferences where she identified new avenues of collaboration for mutual symbiosis.

Inspired by Nature

Looking at the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Sandeepa strongly felt that nature has a solution to every problem; in this case, it is nature itself. She read and researched alternate eco-friendly, sustainable methodologies and offered effective solutions at much more feasible costs.

Modern technologies have contributed to the research and development of biotechnologies by developing useful products from organisms, including microbes, bacteria, microorganisms, tissues, organs, molecules, and cells.

Tech Transitions

Recent developments in biotechnology include genetically modified plants and animals, cell therapies and nanotechnology. DNA technology forms the sequencing, analysis, and cutting-and-pasting of DNA. Like DNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, DNA cloning, and gel electrophoresis. Modern biotechnology plays a role in developments in environmental studies, forensics, farming and food preparation, medicine and fuel production.

Innovation is in Kan Biosys’ DNA. Its unique SAP-RTD platform in its DSIR-recognized R&D department has produced state-of-the-art microbial products formulated by award-winning technologies.

The firm is the inventor of Liquid bio-fertilizers for NP and K supplementation. Novel methods of using microbes on seed, in the rhizosphere and foliar surfaces provide the farmer with multiple benefits. Its discovery pipeline can yield novel microbes for plant nutrition, protection and soil health management.

Tackling Challenges with Innovation

Sandeepa believes that changing the mindset of the farming community is very crucial. Most of the farmers are influenced by the traditional practices of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides that damage the soil, increase water pollution and cause health hazards to humans, birds and animals. With our examples and testimonials of several farmer groups who have produced surplus crop cycles at very low investments, they started believing in the advantages of biotechnological applications through the power of microbes for agriculture.

Words of Wisdom

Offering her advice to young professionals by adopting an approach that adopts organic, eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives., Sandeepa says that to understand the current conditions, study the concerns of the farmers and the challenges faced. “With a scientific approach and implementing biotechnology solutions, you can help the farmers generate optimum crop production with the proper use of water, fertilizers and natural resources. Always remember that we are responsible for what we give in nature.”

Envisaging a Sustainable Symbiotic Future

Sandeepa has envisioned a future of developing affordable innovation for farmers, maximizing yields, and reducing the cost of cultivation. “Our efforts focus on creating responsible cultivation practices with mindful and accountable production.” It will help create a sustainable world by producing healthy food through fertile soil, fresh water and a clean environment.

Sandeepa and Kan Biosys Hall of Fame:

• MSME Award of ₹15 lacs/- on 11th May 2021by Technology Development Board – New Delhi for developing Situ rice straw incorporation to stop rice straw burning in Punjab and Haryana.
• Kakasaheb Supnekar Best Women Entrepreneur Award by Dr Raghunath Mashelkar in 2012.
• Ramabai Joshi Award (2007) from Mahratta Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Pune.
• WIPO Gold Medal at the hands of His Excellency Vice president of India- Shri Krishna Kant, on 11th May 2001.
• First Technology Day Award at the hands of Hon Minister for Science and Human Resource Development – Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, for the outstanding invention of the year. The National Research and Development Corporation instituted the award. May 1999.
• Leelavati Mehendale Award for Best Women Entrepreneur at the hands of Mr Madhav Jog – Chairman – Rest of Maharashtra Development Board. June 1996.