Srinagar, Jun 25 (JKNS): Qul FruitWall Farm Installations Pvt. Ltd. (QUL), one of India’s leading horticulture development companies, and Koppert Biological Systems, a global leader in biological crop protection, pollination and sustainable agricultural solutions, on Thursday announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of biological agriculture across North India and the Himalayan region.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by QUL Chief Executive Officer and Founder Khuram Mir and Koppert Biological Systems Head of Asia Pacific Rob Rippens during a public event held in Srinagar.
The collaboration builds upon more than three years of joint work between the two organisations through field demonstrations, grower engagement programmes and biological agriculture initiatives across the region.
As part of the partnership, QUL and Koppert have expressed their intention to work towards establishing a North India Centre of Production, envisioned as a platform to strengthen local capabilities in biological agriculture and support the long-term development of sustainable horticulture systems suited to regional conditions.
The partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to improving farmer livelihoods through scientific innovation, biological agriculture and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Khuram Mir said the future of Himalayan horticulture will be shaped not only by productivity but also by resilience.
“Farmers today face new realities, including climate variability, rising production costs, evolving market requirements and sustainability expectations. Through our partnership with Koppert, we are bringing together global expertise and local execution to create long-term value for growers and strengthen the foundations of horticulture across the region,” he said.
Mir said what began as a collaborative effort three years ago has now evolved into a strategic partnership with a shared vision for the future.
“Together, we aim to build the capabilities, knowledge and innovation ecosystems that will support growers for generations to come,” he added.
Rob Rippens said Koppert has spent more than five decades helping growers around the world harness the power of nature to improve productivity, quality and sustainability.
“We see tremendous potential in the Himalayan region and believe that biological agriculture will play a critical role in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing growers in the years ahead,” he said.
Rippens said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, farmer success and sustainable agricultural development.
“Together, we look forward to expanding access to biological solutions and creating meaningful impact across North India,” he added.
The collaboration will focus on promoting biological crop protection, pollination solutions, soil health improvement, regenerative agriculture practices, farmer education and sustainable orchard management systems.
The initiative is expected to benefit growers across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh and other horticulture-producing regions of North India by improving access to globally proven biological technologies adapted to local conditions.
The announcement marks another significant step in QUL’s long-term vision of building a comprehensive horticulture ecosystem that integrates genetics, orchard development, sustainable production systems, infrastructure, market access and innovation.
With the combined strengths of QUL’s deep regional presence and Koppert’s global leadership in biological agriculture, the partnership aims to contribute towards a more resilient, productive and sustainable future for horticulture in the Himalayas. (JKNS)
