KICL Accelerates Vision 2030, Focusing on Agriculture Tech, Drone Ecosystems, and Footwear Manufacturing Growth

KICL Accelerates Vision 2030, Focusing on Agriculture Tech, Drone Ecosystems, and Footwear Manufacturing Growth​

Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited (KICL), a respected business group with over six decades of history in South India, has announced an ambitious growth roadmap positioning the company at the intersection of agriculture technology, advanced manufacturing, and geospatial intelligence. The strategy is designed to create long-term value while contributing significantly to India's economic transformation and employment generation.

Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Rafiq Jinnah Ahmed stated that KICL is strategically positioning itself to participate meaningfully in India’s growth story as the nation enters a phase driven by technology, manufacturing, infrastructure development, and agricultural modernization.

Revolutionizing Agriculture through Technology​

KICL’s Fertilisers and Agro Division has been serving Indian agriculture since 1962. It operates fertilizer blending facilities across Trichy, Veltore, and Madurai, supporting farming across Tamil Nadu with a strong dealer network. The division manufactures various specialized products, including Bio Sakthi Gotd, Nutribest, Calcium Nitrate, and advanced agrochemical formulations, helping farmers improve productivity while maintaining sustainable farming practices.

Looking ahead, KICL is exploring international partnerships for fertilizer manufacturing and raw material sourcing, including ongoing discussions with partners in Qatar and Algeria to strengthen long-term supply security.

Building a Data Driven Farmer Ecosystem​

A key part of KICL’s agricultural transformation is the development of a pioneering Farmer Identity Linked Precision Agriculture Platform. This integrated ecosystem aims to transform KICL from a conventional agri-input supplier into a technology enabled agriculture intelligence company capable of delivering precision farming solutions at scale.

The platform, once operational, will integrate several critical data points for farmers:

• Farmer identity and holding information
• Survey number and geospatial records
• Crop wise cultivation databases
• Soil nutrient intelligence and geo referenced soil maps
• Drone based field services
• Precision fertilizer and crop protection recommendations

Expanding Drone and Geospatial Divisions​

KICL’s Drone and Geospatial Division is noted as one of the company's fastest growing businesses. The division undertakes large scale drone surveys and geospatial projects across multiple states in India. It executes infrastructure mapping assignments for the National Highways Authority of India, covering thousands of kilometers of highway corridors annually.

The company also supports Keltron and the Kerala Government with advanced drone, LiDAR, and geospatial surveys related to mining assets and natural resources. In Tamil Nadu, KICL conducts drone based surveys for mining and quarry management projects. Furthermore, KICL was among the early private sector participants deploying AI enabled drone surveillance systems for public safety applications, including establishing a Drone Police Unit and Command Centre for the Greater Chennai Police.

KICL is also significantly expanding the use of agricultural drones for precision spraying of fertilizers, micronutrients, bio-stimulants, and crop protection products, helping farmers reduce input costs and environmental impact. The company is actively investing in indigenous drone platform development and is progressing through the DGCA Type Certification process. KICL has established a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) to build skilled workforce for the growing drone industry.

Manufacturing Surge in Footwear​

Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited (KICL) is rapidly emerging as a key force in India's footwear industry, driven by its commitment to employment generation and manufacturing excellence. The company’s strategy focuses on creating opportunities particularly for women from underprivileged communities.

A major milestone in the footwear business was KICL’s Joint Venture with Taiwan’s Evervan Shoe Town Group. Together, two world class manufacturing facilities have been established in Tamil Nadu. The Perambatur facility is already producing for global giant Crocs, while the second factory in Karur is set to commence production for Adidas in July 2026. These projects offer a combined manufacturing capacity of nearly 80 million pairs annually, generating large scale employment and export opportunities.

KICL’s branding initiatives include holding a 30 year license for the iconic Kickers brand across nine countries, focusing on Gen Z consumers. Within one year, the Kickers brand has established five exclusive stores and presence in nearly 100 multi-brand outlets. Additionally, KICL acquired the Zodiz and Jeetto brands, which are currently available through more than 2,500 retail outlets across India. The company aims to expand its market reach to a minimum of 15,000 to 20,000 retail stores by 2030.

Diversified Operations​

In addition to core technology and manufacturing, KICL has established diverse operational arms that support industrial operations and workforce welfare:

Vision for 2030​

KICL’s overarching vision is to create a unique convergence of Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Geospatial Technologies, Drones, Manufacturing, and Data Analytics. The company aims to significantly expand revenues from both its Agriculture and Drone businesses over the coming years.

Dr. Rafiq Jinnah Ahmed reiterated that KICL is building technology platforms that improve agricultural productivity, support national infrastructure development, strengthen indigenous manufacturing, and contribute to India's growth story. The company set an ambitious goal to contribute at least 10% of India’s footwear exports by 2030 and help establish India as a leading global footwear manufacturing and design hub.

KOTIC Stock Price Movement​

Shares of Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited slipped by 0.60% on Friday, closing at ₹153.11 after shedding ₹0.92 from the previous close. The stock registered a trading volume of 2,661 shares during the session.