Indian-Swiss agricultural partnership: AgrINovo

Novochizol is derived from chitosan, made from chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharide on Earth, found in crustacean shells, insects, and mushrooms. Novochizol transforms linear chitosan into nanosponges capable of delivering a wide variety of active ingredients to specific locations, only where they are needed. Novochizol's most promising areas of application are in human health (drug delivery,) and in agriculture (crop  protection).

AgrINovo: A Dual Approach
As a research and development platform, AgrINovo will identify optimal agricultural actives—including chemical and biological pesticides, biostimulants, and fertilizers—that are maximally enhanced through Novochizol formulations, alone or in combinations. R&D activities will span physical characterizations, laboratory, in vitro and greenhouse tests, and field trials. Promising candidates will be evaluated across various crops in both Switzerland and India. The overarching objective of the AgrINovo R&D platform is to generate products that will benefit crops across diverse geographical and socio-economic landscapes.

As an industrial project, AgrINovo is set to establish a Novochizol manufacturing capacity designed to meet the demands of very large agricultural markets. This ambitious yet realistic goal is underpinned by strong partnerships:

• Aquagri and its partners are supported by the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO), the world's largest farmers' cooperative. IFFCO brings significant resources and a vital mission to support agriculture that feeds over 1.4 billion people.
• Large scale supply of materials needed to produce Novochizol from Chitosan which requires chitin produced from crustacean exoskeletons is assured considering India's shrimp processing industry, which is among the largest in the world.

AgrINovo is being implemented within the framework of the recently ratified Indo-Swiss Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). This initiative perfectly embodies the synergy between Swiss startups with advanced technologies and Indian partners capable of scaling these innovations to positively impact all of humanity.

Abhiram Seth, Managing Director Aquagri, said: "Chitosan holds extraordinary potential across numerous domains. However, it faces two significant limitations: difficulty in creating homogeneous mixtures with other ingredients and inherent fragility—physically, chemically, and biologically—which often necessitates frequent, repeated administrations. Novochizol effectively overcomes these shortcomings, thereby opening a world of new possibilities. We are thrilled to help realize the full potential of this technology."

Vanya Loroch, CEO Novochizol, commented: "As the CEO of any company, no matter its size, one must harbor a grand vision. My dream has always been to leverage Novochizol technology to advance global health - encompassing the well-being of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. I had never dared to articulate this so directly, but thanks to the vision and opportunities presented by our Indian colleagues, I now have the courage to do so!"

About AQUAGRI
AQUAGRI PROCESSING PRIVATE LIMITED is a pioneering Indian company established in 2007, dedicated to revolutionizing seaweed cultivation and processing. Born from a corporate social responsibility initiative, Aquagri has grown to become a leading manufacturer of seaweed-based value-added products. The company focuses on sustainable aquaculture, providing livelihood opportunities for coastal communities through efficient seaweed farming.

Aquagri produces a range of organic products for diverse applications, including agriculture (bio-stimulants like IFFCO Sagarika), animal husbandry, and food processing (such as carrageenan). Leveraging patented technology and strong R&D, Aquagri is committed to a "waste to wealth" philosophy, striving for zero-liquid discharge and zero-waste in its manufacturing processes. Aquagri mission is to establish aqua-agriculture as a sustainable vertical while maximizing environmental benefits and community well-being.