MAM
Ankur Aggarwal elected chairman of CropLife India during 44th AGM
Mumbai: CropLife India announces a significant leadership transition with the election of Crystal Crop Protection Ltd, managing director, Ankur Aggarwal as the new chairman of the board during its 44th Annual General Meeting. Aggarwal succeeds K. C. Ravi, who served as chairman for the past four years, bringing his extensive expertise to guide the organisation’s mission of advancing sustainable agriculture in India.
The AGM also re-elected Sumitomo Chemical India, vice president, Anil Kakkar as vice chairman for a fourth consecutive year. Additionally, Bayer CropScience, chief operating officer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, Mohan Babu joins the leadership as the second vice chairman of the board.
Aggarwal emphasised the challenges facing India’s agriculture, stating, “India is confronted with a pressing challenge: decreasing agricultural landholdings alongside a growing population, which is increasing at about 0.8 per cent annually. This scenario heightens the demand for food production, putting pressure on food systems and necessitating innovative solutions for food security. To address this, the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, efficient resource management, and responsible use of crop protection solutions will be essential for maximising productivity on existing farmland. As the Chairman of CropLife India, we remain committed to improving the lives of Indian farmers. We are dedicated to providing them with science-based solutions that ensure effective and sustainable crop protection.”
CropLife India, secretary general, Durgesh Chandra expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating, “It will be our earnest endeavor in collaborating closely with Ankur Aggarwal and the board of directors, to fulfill our responsibility in delivering the latest and safest innovations. Together, we aim to educate farmers on the safe and responsible use of crop protection solutions, ensuring they can effectively protect their crops while prioritising safety and sustainability.”
With its members working closely with farmers, the scientific community, and policymakers, CropLife India continues to tackle both current and future agricultural challenges. Member companies have pledged to invest 10 billion Euros in precision agriculture by 2030, along with another 4 billion Euros in biopesticides development, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable growth.
The new leadership is set to steer CropLife India towards a more resilient agricultural future, prioritising innovative technologies and sustainable practices to help farmers meet growing demands.
MAM
Safal launches coconut water campaign with Tara Sutaria
Month-long push promotes 100 per cent tender coconut water, no added sugar.
MUMBAI: When life gets heated, Safal wants you to keep your cool, the coconut way. Safal, the horticulture arm of Mother Dairy, has rolled out a new campaign for its packaged Coconut Water, featuring Tara Sutaria, as it sharpens its pitch in the fast-growing ready-to-drink segment. The campaign, anchored in the idea of #TheSafalWayToRecharge, positions the product as a quick, natural and convenient hydration option for multiple everyday moments.
Conceptualised by Ogilvy, the month-long campaign is led by a digital video commercial (DVC) and is being amplified across Safal’s digital platforms to drive visibility and engagement. The communication shifts coconut water from a situational drink to an all-day companion spanning everything from post-workout recovery to on-the-go refreshment.
The film opens on a familiar note: fatigue after a shopping spree. Tara Sutaria’s character pauses for a break before being handed a pack of Safal Coconut Water, setting up a simple but effective narrative around instant, natural recharge. The moment pivots from exhaustion to energy, underlining the brand’s promise of effortless refreshment.
The campaign builds on changing consumer preferences, where convenience meets a growing demand for better-for-you beverages. Safal’s offering taps into this shift with 100 per cent tender coconut water, no added sugar, and sourcing from Tamil Nadu aimed at delivering consistency in taste and quality.
Having introduced packaged coconut water in 2025, Safal is now doubling down on positioning moving beyond functional hydration to embed itself in daily lifestyle routines. The messaging is clear, recharge does not need to be complicated, it just needs to be natural and within reach.
With this campaign, Safal is not just selling a drink, it is staking a claim in the evolving refreshment narrative, one sip, one moment at a time.
