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Sohan Lal Commodity Management Limited (SLCM)

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SLCM Celebrating 16 Years of Trust and Leadership in Post Harvest Agri Logistics Management!

Category: Agriculture

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How SLCM Helps Farmers Reduce Post-Harvest Loss Through Better Storage of Agricultural Produce

storage in agriculture
storage in agriculture

In agriculture, the journey does not end at harvest. Farmer income depends on many factors, including the quality of food grains, market prices, weather conditions, and other real-world influences beyond their control. Across India, a large share of agricultural loss happens after the crop has already been harvested. In many cases, the commodity leaves the field in good condition, but once it is moved into substandard storage, quality starts to drop. Moisture in the air, pests, and uneven or rough handling slowly affect the commodity. These issues are not always obvious at the start, but over time they reduce value and limit market options. This is why the storage of agricultural commodities becomes so important after harvest.

A key reason for these losses is that storage in agriculture has often been fragmented or inconsistent. When storage conditions are not checked regularly, even small changes in moisture or temperature can quietly damage the commodity and lead to avoidable losses. As a result, farmers and organisations working at the grassroots level are often forced to sell early, even when prices are not favourable.

About Sohan Lal Commodity Management Limited

Sohan Lal Commodity Management Limited, commonly known as SLCM, has dedicated its mission to strengthening post-harvest management across various geographies. Over the years, the company has focused on bringing structure, discipline, and transparency to how agricultural commodities are stored and managed after harvest. SLCM’s role goes beyond providing warehouse space. The focus is on ensuring that commodities are stored in a controlled and well-managed environment so that quality is protected and losses are reduced.

Storage Designed for Agricultural Commodities

At SLCM, storage and warehouse management are designed to be flexible and agnostic to commodity, weather, and geography, making it possible to store a wide range of agricultural products across different regions without difficulty. After harvest, every commodity reacts differently. Some may be highly sensitive to moisture, while others may require better temperature control or careful handling. Because of these variations, SLCM follows scientific storage practices that match the specific needs of each commodity.

Good storage practices help avoid many common problems such as insect infestation, moisture buildup, and gradual damage that can occur when commodities are not stored properly. This includes keeping warehouses clean, maintaining proper airflow, carrying out regular quality checks, and ensuring careful handling at every stage. When these simple but consistent practices are followed, agricultural commodities are able to retain their quality and stay in good condition for a longer time.

Bringing Better Control into Storage Operations

One of the long-standing challenges in storage in agriculture has been limited visibility. When storage conditions are not checked often enough especially before inward of the commodities, small issues can remain unnoticed and slowly cause damage.

To address this, SLCM keeps a close watch on storage conditions, commodity movement, and inspection schedules across its facilities. This helps bring better control to the Storage of Agricultural Produce. When changes are noticed early, action can be taken in time, before the commodity quality is affected. Over a period, this reduces uncertainty and improves reliability in storage operations.

Maintaining Quality through Regular Checks

Quality does not stay consistent on its own. It needs regular attention. At SLCM, commodities are checked at different stages while they are in storage. These checks help ensure that storage conditions remain suitable and that quality standards are being followed.

Along with inspections, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) help reduce risks associated with handling and storage. This approach strengthens storage in agriculture by preventing small issues from turning into major losses. Post-harvest loss is reduced utilizing physical and scientifically-based methods of storage, with protocols that are consistent for storage around the world, utilizing technology to monitor and control storage conditions, and ultimately to monitor and manage the level of quality assurance of individual products stored in warehouses. The patented Agri Reach tool developed by SLCM provides Risk management, Real time Tracking, Auditing, and Digital Warehouse Management to reduce losses from 10% to 0.5% or less based on the validation of FICCI.

Allowing Better Decisions after Harvest

Reliable storage creates flexibility. When Storage of Agricultural produce is dependable, stakeholders are not forced to rush their decisions immediately after harvest. Commodities can be stored safely while waiting for better market conditions.

SLCM supports this flexibility by offering professionally managed storage environments that allow better planning. This reduces the need to sell in a hurry and gives stakeholders more control over when their commodities are sold.

Strengthening the Post-Harvest Ecosystem

Improved storage for agricultural products helps everyone involved in the agricultural supply chain by providing a better end product with fewer losses and therefore more consistent quality as well as smoother movement of commodities through the supply chain. Supporting and encouraging storage systems to operate effectively ultimately reduces the burden of other areas of the value chain due to improved efficiencies within those systems.

By using consistent processes and daily operations, SLCM supports advancement of Post-Harvest Management. Over time, this builds confidence in how agricultural commodities are stored and handled after harvest.

Work With SLCM for Reliable Commodity Storage

If reducing post-harvest loss is important to your operations, SLCM offers storage solutions built around experience, consistency, and scientific practices. Work with us to protect commodity quality and strengthen post-harvest outcomes through better storage systems.

Q1. Why is Storage of Agricultural Produce Important after harvest?

A1. Once the crop is harvested, it becomes very sensitive. If it is not stored properly, moisture, pests, or handling can spoil it quickly and reduce its value.

Q2. How does SLCM help reduce post-harvest loss?

A2. SLCM management of commodities - quality and quantity from the both aspects. Commodities are kept in suitable warehouses, checked regularly, and handled carefully so quality does not drop after harvest.

Q3. What challenges affect storage in agriculture?

A3. The biggest issues are moisture, temperature changes, pests, and rough handling. Even small mistakes in storage can slowly damage the commodity.

Q4. How does scientific storage improve outcomes?

A4. When storage is done properly, the commodity is kept in steady conditions and handled with care. This helps it stay in good condition for a longer time.

Q5. How do improved storage systems benefit those that utilize them?

A5. Improved storage systems allow for better storage for all users. Farmers lose less, traders receive improved quality, supply chain management becomes easier.

Q6. How does proper storage enable improved pricing?

A6. Because commodities are stored securely, farmers have no need to sell quickly. They can wait until a better opportunity arises to sell their commodities.
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Decoding the Basics of Agri-finance in India

Agri-finance in India

Imagine a small dairy farmer who has been slowly growing his business. He has healthy cattle or cows & a good supply of milk, but to expand, he needs better storage and equipment. Without financial support, he risks losing opportunities to increase his income. Here is where ‘agri-finance’ actually helps. It works as a financial backbone, helping people access credit, manage risks, & improve productivity.

Agriculture is the lifeline of India, giving employment to nearly half of the country’s workforce. But financial constraints at times limit farmers from achieving their full capabilities. Agri-finance in India closes this gap by offering financial support via loans, subsidies, and insurance, making sure that farming stays sustainable and profitable.

What Exactly Is Agri-Finance?

The financial products and services created for the agricultural industry is what we mean by ‘agri-finance.’ It includes everything from short-term credit for various things like buying seeds and tools to long-term loans for extending farmlands or acquiring technology. Unlike traditional banking, agribusiness views the specific difficulties of farming as seasonal income, unpredictable weather, and varying market prices.

India’s Agri-Finance Forms

  • Short-Term Credit: These loans help farmers pay for urgent needs such as labor, seeds, fertilizer, and insecticides. Repayment terms usually vary from six to twelve months.
  • Long-Term Loans: Extended loans, which are often paid back over a number of years, are very important for farmers that hope to upgrade their irrigation systems, purchase new equipment, or expand their farms.
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC): This scheme, supported by the government, assists farmers in fulfilling their sudden financial needs by giving them loans at reasonable interest rates.
  • Crop Insurance: As agriculture is highly dependent on weather conditions, ‘crop insurance’ offers financial security against loss due to pests, natural calamities, or market fluctuations.
  • Warehouse Receipt Finance: Farmers can hold their harvested crops in warehouses and obtain loans guaranteed by the produce they have stored, all thanks to ‘warehouse receipt finance.’ When market conditions improve, this helps them dodge stress selling and get better prices.

Obstacles in Agri-Finance

Many farmers still have difficulty obtaining timely support in spite of many financial approaches. Common difficulties include the following:

  • Lack of Awareness: A large number of small-scale farmers are not aware of their financial options.
  • Complex Loan Procedures: Farmers are able to avail loans from conventional banking channels only with difficulty owing to their stringent qualification requirements and long documentation processes.
  • Reliance on Informal Credit: Since they find it difficult to access bank loans, the majority of farmers are forced to approach local moneylenders, who also charge them hefty rates of interest.

Role of Agri-Finance Companies’

Post-harvest agri-logistics companies such as Sohan Lal Commodity Management Limited (SLCM) play a key role in filling these gaps. SLCM guarantees that agricultural producers have access to timely loans, better storage facilities, and risk management methods by offering financial solutions made just for farmers and allied agriculture community. They improve the financial stability in the agriculture sector by helping farmers get loans backed by their stored product due to their knowledge of post-harvest management.

In Conclusion

In a nation such as India, ‘agri-finance’ is a mechanism that empowers the farmers, augments production, and fortifies the agricultural sector by extending loans in time, encouraging new agricultural methods, and ensuring financial sustainability for small- and large-scale farmers.

It is more than just about loans. With the correct financial assistance, farmers can easily improve their decision-making, lower risks, and increase revenue. As companies like us continue to innovate and better the outreach of financial access, possibilities for Indian agriculture only rise from here.

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The Importance of Food Grain Quality Checks in Agriculture

Importance of Food Grain Quality Checks in Agriculture

In agriculture, the journey of food grains from the field to the consumer’s table is both complex and critical. Along this journey, ensuring the quality of food grains is paramount. Farmers invest months of hard work, only to see their efforts jeopardized by poor handling, contamination, or substandard storage practices. For consumers, food grain quality directly impacts health, nutrition, and trust in the agricultural supply chain.

Quality checks play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of food grains, preserving their nutritional value, and maintaining market standards. By incorporating advanced testing methods and adherence to stringent guidelines, food grain quality checks ensure that only the best produce reaches the market. In a country like India, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, the role of a reliable food grain quality checks company becomes even more significant.

In this blog, we’ll explore why food grain quality checks are essential, the processes involved, and how they contribute to the overall agricultural ecosystem.

Why Food Grain Quality Checks Matter

Food grain quality checks are not just a regulatory requirement but a necessity for multiple stakeholders:

1. Ensuring Consumer Safety

Contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, or aflatoxins in food grains can pose serious health risks. Quality checks ensure that harmful substances are within permissible limits.

2. Preserving Nutritional Value

Proper testing ensures that food grains retain their nutritional content, delivering the intended health benefits to consumers.

3. Enhancing Marketability

High-quality grains fetch better prices in both domestic and international markets, benefiting farmers and traders alike.

4. Reducing Post-Harvest Losses

Regular inspections help detect issues like insect infestations or mold growth early, minimizing spoilage and wastage.

5. Compliance with Standards

Quality checks ensure that food grains meet regulatory standards, fostering trust among consumers and buyers.

Key Parameters of Food Grain Quality Checks

A comprehensive quality check involves evaluating various parameters:

  • Physical Characteristics

Factors like size, shape, and color are assessed to ensure consistency and appeal.

  • Moisture Content

Excess moisture can lead to fungal growth and spoilage, making this a crucial parameter.

  • Purity Levels

The presence of foreign matter like stones, husks, or other grains is evaluated and minimized.

  • Pest and Disease Inspection

Grains are checked for infestations or signs of disease that could impact storage and consumption.

  • Chemical Testing

Residue levels of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals are tested to ensure they are within acceptable limits.

Technological Advancements in Quality Checks

The agricultural industry is increasingly adopting technology to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of food grain quality checks. Some key innovations include:

1. Digital Moisture Meters

These devices provide quick and accurate readings of moisture levels in grains.

2. Spectroscopy

Advanced spectroscopic tools analyze the chemical composition of grains without the need for extensive sampling.

3. Automated Sorting Machines

These machines sort grains based on physical characteristics, ensuring uniformity.

4. Blockchain for Traceability

Blockchain technology is being used to create transparent supply chains, ensuring that quality standards are maintained at every stage.

How Sohan Lal Commodity Management Supports Quality Assurance

Sohan Lal Commodity Management is a pioneer in the field of integrated post-harvest agribusiness management. With a commitment to excellence, the company provides end-to-end solutions for the storage, testing, and distribution of food grains. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology and a team of experts, Sohan Lal Commodity Management ensures that the grains meet stringent quality standards, benefiting both farmers and consumers.

Their role as a trusted food grain quality checks company highlights their dedication to safeguarding agricultural produce and fostering a robust supply chain.

Conclusion

In the agricultural ecosystem, the importance of food grain quality checks cannot be overstated. They serve as the backbone of a reliable, safe, and efficient supply chain, ensuring that every stakeholder—from farmers to consumers—reaps the benefits of quality produce.

As the agricultural landscape evolves, the integration of technology and expertise in quality checks will pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future. Companies like Sohan Lal Commodity Management are at the forefront of this transformation, providing farmers and businesses with the tools and support they need to uphold the highest standards of food grain quality.

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Boosting Farm Productivity with Equipment Finance Options

Farming has always been the backbone of the Indian economy, providing livelihoods to millions and ensuring food security for the nation. However, as the agricultural sector evolves, the challenges farmers face grow more complex. Rising input costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and the demand for higher yields have made modern equipment a necessity for sustainable farming. From advanced tractors to irrigation systems and harvesting machines, these tools significantly enhance farm productivity.

For many farmers, however, acquiring this equipment remains out of reach due to financial constraints. This is where agriculture equipment finance solutions step in, bridging the gap between aspiration and affordability. These tailored financing options empower farmers to access state-of-the-art machinery without bearing the burden of upfront costs, fostering productivity, efficiency, and sustainability across the sector.

In this blog, we’ll explore how equipment financing is reshaping Indian agriculture, its benefits for farmers, and why it is a crucial factor in improving overall farm productivity.

The Role of Equipment in Modern Agriculture

The adoption of agricultural machinery is no longer a luxury but a necessity for achieving higher yields and better-quality produce. Equipment like seed drills, threshers, and combine harvesters not only save time but also ensure precise operations that maximize output.

Modern tools have proven indispensable in:

  • Reducing Labor Dependency: With labor shortages becoming a recurring issue, machines can perform tasks with greater efficiency and consistency.
  • Improving Crop Quality: Equipment ensures precise planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, resulting in better crop quality and higher market value.
  • Optimizing Resources: From water to fertilizers, mechanized processes ensure optimal resource utilization, reducing waste and costs.

Challenges in Accessing Agricultural Equipment

While the benefits are undeniable, purchasing agricultural machinery comes with its own set of challenges:

  • High Costs: Advanced equipment can cost lakhs of rupees, a significant investment for small and medium-scale farmers.
  • Seasonal Income: Farming income is often cyclical, making it difficult for farmers to manage large, upfront expenses.
  • Limited Access to Credit: Many farmers struggle to obtain loans due to a lack of formal credit history or collateral.

How Agriculture Equipment Finance Solutions Help

Agriculture equipment finance solutions offer a lifeline to farmers by enabling them to purchase machinery through affordable and flexible payment plans. Here’s how these solutions are making a difference:

Low Down Payments

Many financing providers offer loans with minimal initial costs, making it easier for farmers to acquire machinery.

Flexible Repayment Options

Seasonal income can make fixed monthly payments challenging. Flexible plans align repayments with the farmer’s harvest cycle.

Access to Modern Equipment

With finance options, farmers can invest in advanced tools, keeping up with technological advancements and boosting productivity.

Government Schemes and Subsidies

In India, several government-backed programs subsidize interest rates on agriculture equipment loans, making them more accessible.

Reduced Financial Strain

Instead of depleting their savings or borrowing at high interest rates, farmers can use structured financing to invest in their future.

How Sohan Lal Commodity Management Supports Farmers

As a trusted name in post-harvest agribusiness management, Sohan Lal Commodity Management recognizes the importance of empowering farmers with the right resources. Their approach integrates innovative solutions with farmer-centric services to ensure financial support and operational efficiency. By understanding the unique challenges farmers face, the company is committed to providing practical, accessible, and sustainable agriculture equipment finance solutions that drive growth and resilience in India’s agricultural landscape.

Conclusion

Access to modern agricultural equipment is no longer a distant dream for Indian farmers, thanks to the advent of flexible and affordable financing options. These solutions enable farmers to enhance productivity, improve resource management, and secure higher incomes, paving the way for a prosperous agricultural future. For farmers and businesses looking to invest in advanced machinery without financial strain, companies like Sohan Lal Commodity Management offer robust and reliable agriculture equipment finance solutions. By combining expertise with a deep understanding of agricultural needs, they are helping transform the sector, one farm at a time.

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