Posted on 26 June, 2018
Pankaj Raina, Managing Director, Zephyr Peacock India
writes in Livemint on the investment themes to watch out for in food and
agriculture sectors in India.
Click here to read the article full article on ‘Livemint’
Below are excerpts from the post which first appeared on
Livemint on 26 May 2018:
The agriculture sector accounts for around 17% of India’s
gross domestic product and employs close to half of India’s labour force. While
many segments of the economy are experiencing improvement in productivity
through modern management practices and use of technology, besides capital
investment, the agriculture sector remains set in old ways.
Increasing urbanisation, growth in the middle class and the
accompanying change in nutrition needs will increase demands on agriculture.
The segment will do well to infuse the entrepreneurial energy, which has
transformed sectors such as IT, pharma and financial services, to drive growth.
The inefficient agriculture supply chain, which is plagued
by the presence of inefficient intermediaries capturing a large share of
profits, poor infrastructure and outdated farming techniques, also provides
significant opportunities for entrepreneurial innovation. Entrepreneurs could
also develop low-cost tools, smart farming techniques and warehousing
facilities, besides improving the quality of inputs and extending the reach of
irrigation, to transform agriculture in India.
Zephyr Management is a global emerging markets investment manager, specializing in the creation and management of highly focused private equity funds
Since its inception in 1994, Zephyr has sponsored and/or managed 26 investment funds in both public and private securities markets representing approximately $1.2 billion in combined commitments and assets under management
Emerging Markets Focus
The firm has initiated several private equity funds investing in several African countries, South Korea, Mexico, India, and Sri Lanka since its founding. Zephyr's funds serve medium size enterprises that are often ignored by larger private equity players. Zephyr funds provide growth capital to established companies with proven business models and sustainable competitive advantages.
Investment activities are currently focused on India, Sri Lanka and Africa.
Zephyr Peacock India
Zephyr Peacock India provides equity financing for fast growing, small to medium sized companies led by strong entrepreneurs and management teams.
Read MoreEmerald Sri Lanka Fund
Emerald Fund provides equity financing for fast growing, small to medium sized (SME) Sri Lankan companies led by strong entrepreneurs & management teams.
Read MoreZephyr Acorn provides equity
Zephyr Acorn provides equity financing and business support to innovative early-stage companies in East Africa.
Read MoreActive Portfolio Support
The firm's special expertise lies in bringing global best practices to medium-sized growing companies by assisting them in conceptualizing sustainable business strategy, management development, compensation, ESG, expansion outside of their home country, capital structure and positioning for stock exchange listing or trade sale.