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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 20-F
 
(Mark One)
     
o   REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR 12(G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
OR
     
o   SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report                     
Commission file number: 001-33766
AGRIA CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
21/F Tower B, PingAn International Finance Center,
1-3 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
            (Address of principal executive offices)            
     
John Layburn, Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer   David Pasquale, Senior Vice President
Phone: +86 (10) 8438 1060   Phone: +1 914 337 1117
Email: john.layburn@agriacorp.com   Email: david.pasquale@agriacorp.com
 
 
21/F Tower B, PingAn International Finance Center,   Two Park Place
1-3 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District   Bronxville, New York 10708
Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China   United States of America
                         (Name, Telephone, Email and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)                    
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of Each class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
     
American Depositary Shares, each representing
two ordinary shares, par value $0.0000001
per share
  New York Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. 125,160,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.0000001 per share, as of December 31, 2009.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ  
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
         
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
         
US GAAP þ     International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board o
  Other o
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 o Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes o No o
 
 

 

 


 

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  Exhibit 4.22
  Exhibit 4.23
  Exhibit 4.24
  Exhibit 4.25
  Exhibit 4.26
  Exhibit 4.27
  Exhibit 4.28
  Exhibit 4.29
  Exhibit 4.30
  Exhibit 4.31
  Exhibit 4.32
  Exhibit 4.33
  Exhibit 4.34
  Exhibit 4.35
  Exhibit 4.36
  Exhibit 4.37
  Exhibit 4.38
  Exhibit 4.39
  Exhibit 4.40
  Exhibit 4.41
  Exhibit 4.42
  Exhibit 4.43
  Exhibit 4.44
  Exhibit 4.45
  Exhibit 4.46
  Exhibit 4.47
  Exhibit 4.48
  Exhibit 4.49
  Exhibit 4.50
  Exhibit 4.51
  Exhibit 4.52
  Exhibit 4.53
  Exhibit 4.54
  Exhibit 8.1
  Exhibit 12.1
  Exhibit 12.2
  Exhibit 13.1
  Exhibit 13.2
  Exhibit 15.1
  Exhibit 15.2
  Exhibit 15.3
  Exhibit 15.4

 

 


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INTRODUCTION
Unless otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report on Form 20-F to:
    “we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company,” “our” and “Agria” refer to Agria Corporation, a Cayman Islands company, and its predecessor entities, subsidiaries and, unless the context indicates otherwise, P3A and Guanli, our consolidated affiliated entities;
    “P3A” refers to our consolidated affiliated entity, Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., which is a limited liability company established in China;
    “Guanli” refers to our consolidated affiliated entity, Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., which is a limited liability company established in China;
    “PGG Wrightson” refers to PGG Wrightson Group, in which we hold 19% equity interest;
    “China” or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of this annual report, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau;
    “shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares, and “preferred shares” refers to our series A redeemable convertible preferred shares, all of which were converted into our ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial public offering on November 13, 2007;
    “ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents two ordinary shares;
    all references to “RMB” or “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China; all references to “$,” “US$,” “dollars” and “US dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States;
    “breeder sheep” refers to pure breed sheep that are used primarily in rapid reproduction or artificial reproduction methods to spread desired genes widely in a flock and have received official variety recognition in China or another country; and
    “upstream” refers to the production and sale of agricultural products (e.g., seeds, sheep semen and sheep embryos) to be used by other participants in the agricultural industry to produce other agricultural products, such as corn and sheep, which in turn are used to manufacture products such as animal feed, mutton and wool.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts can be forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, business strategy and financial needs. We believe that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect our consolidated results and could cause our actual consolidated results for 2010 and any other future period to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements made by us:
    our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;
    changes in our revenues, cost and expense items;

 

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    our anticipated development strategies, which may include potential acquisitions and divestitures, expanding into new sectors within the agricultural industry, expanding sales into new regions, and expanding our product offerings;
    our strategy to expand our research and development capability;
    the growth in demand in China for high-quality corn seeds, sheep and seedlings;
    our ability to attract customers and end users and enhance our brand recognition;
    future changes in government regulations affecting our business;
    trends and competition in the seed, sheep and seedling industries; and
    our ability to retain and motivate existing management and other key personnel and to recruit and integrate additional qualified personnel into our operations.
You should thoroughly read this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from or worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Other sections of this annual report include additional factors which could adversely impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
You should read the following information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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The following selected consolidated financial information (except for earnings (loss) per ADS) has been derived from our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and our balance sheets data as of December 31, 2008 and 2009 included elsewhere in this annual report have been derived from our consolidated financial statements for the relevant periods which have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Our consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and our consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this annual report. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods.
                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2009  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     $  
    (In thousands, except share, per share and per ADS data)  
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
                                               
Revenue
                                               
Corn seeds
    245,601       245,634       343,743       257,144       107,529       15,752  
Sheep products
    119,468       193,054       255,508       148,457       38,426       5,630  
Seedlings (1)
    19,020       51,015       71,505       62,463       31,013       4,543  
 
                                   
Total revenues
    384,089       489,703       670,756       468,064       176,968       25,925  
 
                                   
Cost of revenue
                                               
Corn seeds
    (147,723 )     (144,730 )     (203,709 )     (153,029 )     (67,186 )     (9,843 )
Sheep products
    (37,716 )     (52,287 )     (72,716 )     (74,701 )     (34,616 )     (5,071 )
Seedlings (2)
    (5,932 )     (10,357 )     (20,459 )     (33,436 )     (17,526 )     (2,568 )
Write down of inventories
                      (16,686 )     (22,508 )     (3,297 )
 
                                   
Total cost of revenue
    (191,371 )     (207,374 )     (296,884 )     (277,852 )     (141,836 )     (20,779 )
 
                                   
Gross profit
    192,718       282,329       373,872       190,212       35,132       5,146  
 
                                   
Operating income (expenses)
                                               
Selling expenses
    (11,349 )     (14,031 )     (36,443 )     (18,585 )     (5,744 )     (842 )
General and administrative
    (4,199 )     (7,472 )     (25,723 )     (896,977 )     (133,203 )     (19,515 )
Research and development
    (2,974 )     (3,746 )     (3,080 )     (20,247 )     (14,541 )     (2,130 )
Government grants
    150       80                          
Total operating expenses
    (18,372 )     (25,169 )     (65,246 )     (935,809 )     (153,488 )     (22,487 )
 
                                   
Operating profit (loss)
    174,346       257,160       308,626       (745,597 )     (118,356 )     (17,341 )
Interest income
    218       280       8,700       34,531       8,778       1,286  
Interest expense (3)
    (5,537 )     (4,923 )     (8,260 )     (1,147 )     (1,639 )     (240 )
Unrealized loss on investment
                            (548 )     (80 )
Exchange loss
                (7,745 )     (11,812 )     (16,602 )     (2,432 )
Other expense
    (7 )           (680 )     (2,657 )     (283 )     (42 )
Other income
    60       1,386       578       1,256       4,290       630  
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income tax
    169,080       253,903       301,219       (725,426 )     (124,360 )     (18,219 )
 
                                   
Income tax
                (159,001 )     (25,576 )     (10,915 )     (1,599 )
Net income (loss)
    169,080       253,903       142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
 
                                   
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share
                                               
Basic
    1.69       2.54       1.37       (5.95 )     (1.08 )     (0.16 )
Diluted
    1.69       2.54       1.34       (5.95 )     (1.08 )     (0.16 )
Earnings (loss) per ADS (4)
                                               
Basic
    3.38       5.08       2.74       (11.90 )     (2.16 )     (0.32 )
Diluted
    3.38       5.08       2.68       (11.90 )     (2.16 )     (0.32 )
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:
                                               
Basic
    100,000,000       100,000,000       103,978,082       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
Diluted
    100,000,000       100,000,000       106,091,889       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
Dividends declared per ordinary share
    0.24       1.10       0.56                    
 
     
(1)   Includes related party amounts of RMB2.2 million, RMB3.0 million, RMB14.5 million, RMB4.2 million and RMBnil ($nil) for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
(2)   Includes related party amounts of RMB0.8 million, RMB1.0 million, RMB4.8 million , RMB1.8 million and RMBnil million ($nil) for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
(3)   Includes related party amounts of RMB4.1 million, RMB2.5 million, RMB6.6 million , RMB0.6 million and RMB0.6 million ($0.1 million) for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
 
(4)   Each ADS represents two ordinary shares.

 

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The following table presents a summary of our consolidated balance sheets data as of December 31, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009:
                                                 
    As of December 31,  
    2005     2006     2007     2008     2009  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     $  
    (In thousands)  
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
    29,477       42,782       1,387,153       1,176,767       737,825       108,092  
Accounts receivable
    67,200       156,440       200,757       162,820       109,265       16,007  
Total assets
    351,866       490,476       2,071,536       2,077,762       2,006,153       293,902  
Total current liabilities
    141,532       127,344       56,976       53,056       94,129       13,788  
Ordinary shares
                                   
Additional paid-in capital
    6,262       8,098       1,561,933       2,368,520       2,381,377       348,874  
Total shareholders’ equity
    208,834       354,136       1,848,207       1,835,560       1,712,486       250,882  
Exchange Rate Information
Our business is conducted in China and substantially all of our revenues are denominated in RMB. However, periodic reports made to shareholders are expressed in US dollars using the then current exchange rates. This annual report contains translations of RMB amounts into US dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of RMB into US dollars in this annual report is based on the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US dollars and from US dollars to RMB in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB6.8259 to $1.00, the noon buying rate in effect as of December 31, 2009. We make no representation that any RMB or US dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, at the rates stated below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On June 25, 2010, the noon buying rate was RMB6.7911 to $1.00.
                                 
    Noon Buying Rate  
Period   Period End     Average (1)     Low     High  
    (RMB per $1.00)  
 
 
2005
    8.0702       8.1826       8.2765       8.0702  
2006
    7.8041       7.9579       8.0702       7.8041  
2007
    7.2946       7.5806       7.8127       7.2946  
2008
    6.8225       6.9193       7.2946       6.7800  
2009
    6.8259       6.8295       6.8470       6.8176  
December
    6.8259       6.8275       6.8299       6.8244  
2010
                               
January
    6.8268       6.8269       6.8295       6.8258  
February
    6.8258       6.8285       6.8330       6.8258  
March
    6.8258       6.8262       6.8270       6.8254  
April
    6.8247       6.8256       6.8275       6.8229  
May
    6.8305       6.8275       6.8310       6.8245  
June (through June 25)
    6.7911       6.8227       6.8323       6.7911  
 
     
(1)   Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not Applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.

 

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D. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
Extreme weather conditions and other natural or man-made disasters could damage our production, which would cause a material reduction in revenues.
Our seeds, sheep products and seedlings are produced primarily on leased land and through a network of multiple village collectives and production companies in Shanxi and other provinces in China. Our production bases are invariably subject to the risks associated with agriculture, including extreme weather conditions and other natural disasters such as drought, flood, snowstorm, earthquake, pestilence, plant diseases and insect infestations. The quality, cost and volume of corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings that we produce could be materially adversely affected by extreme weather conditions or natural disasters, harming our sales and profitability. For example, in November 2009, unexpected snow storms across northern China caused severe damage and disruptions to wide sections of the agricultural industry in Shanxi, where our operations concentrate. Man-made disasters, such as arson or other acts that may adversely affect our inventory in the winter storage season, may also damage our products or our production facilities. For instance, in March 2008, a fire broke out in one of our corn seeds warehouse, which led to a substantial loss of RMB8.2 million primarily from damage to our corn seed inventory and property, plant and equipment. Furthermore, natural or man-made disasters may cause farmers to migrate from their farmland, which would decrease the number of end users of our products. We are particularly susceptible to disasters or other incidents in Shanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang provinces, where we have the greatest concentration of our operations. In the event of a widespread failure of a seed crop in these provinces, we would likely sustain substantial loss of revenues and suffer substantial operating losses. We do not have insurance to protect against such risks and we are not aware of the availability of any such insurance in China.
An outbreak of disease in livestock and/or food scares in China would materially and adversely affect our business.
Any major outbreak of disease in livestock in China, such as foot and mouth disease, is likely to result in significant disruptions to our business operations. A major epidemic at our farms, the onset of disease and the preventive culling of our livestock could result in considerable losses to our flocks, which would materially and adversely affect our business and our profitability. Adverse publicity and concerns resulting from an outbreak of disease in livestock may discourage consumers from purchasing mutton or related products. Such a reduction in demand would adversely impact our financial performance, regardless of whether our livestock has been directly affected by any disease.
We primarily rely on arrangements with village collectives to produce our field corn seed products and on contracts with production companies to produce our edible corn seed products. If we were unable to continue these arrangements or enter into new arrangements with other village collectives or other production companies, our total land acreage devoted to corn seed production would decrease and our growth would be inhibited.
In 2009 we had access to approximately 28,600 acres of farmland in seven provinces, mainly through contractual arrangements with village collectives. During 2009, we used approximately 14,500 acres for field corn seed production. Because we are legally prohibited from owning farmland, we typically lease the land owned by a village collective and enter into a seed production agreement with the collective. These leases generally have the remaining terms of 10 years, while the contracts to produce corn seeds are typically for one-year terms, covering one growing season. These leases provide that the collective must maintain the land, including providing electricity and irrigation. If the collective fails to maintain the land as required, we believe we can terminate the lease without penalty. We outsource the production of our edible corn seeds to production companies in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces. In the event that prices for other crops increase, these village collectives and production companies may decide to farm other crops in breach of our leases and seed production agreements with them or, following the expiration of our leases, lease the land to our competitors or other parties. If the land policy changes so that we are unable to continue to lease land, if a significant number of village collectives refuse to lease land to us upon the expiration of their current leases or if a significant number of production companies are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to us, our business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected. Any of these disruptions could materially and adversely affect our supply of seeds and our revenues. Such disruptions could also damage our relationships with our distributors and customers if we cannot supply them with the quantities and varieties of seeds that they expect. Moreover, due to competition for land suitable for leasing, we may be unable to lease the same land or other land at commercially reasonable prices. In the event that we have to pay more to lease land or are unable to lease sufficient land, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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If our rights to lease land from village collectives were subject to a dispute, or if their legality or validity were challenged, our operations could be disrupted.
PRC law provides for the registration of land ownership and land-use rights and for the issuance of certificates evidencing land ownership or the right to use land. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Land Use Rights.” However, the administrative system for the registration of land ownership and land-use rights is not well-developed in rural areas where we produce most of our corn seed. As a result, we are generally not able to verify the ownership or land-use rights of the parties from whom we have leased land through the land registry system. Despite our efforts to obtain representations from the village collectives that they own the land, possess land-use rights or have the right to sub-contract the land-use right on behalf of the holder of such rights, there is a risk that they have not legally and validly granted the right to use the land to us.
In addition, under PRC law, if a village collective plans to enter into a lease with a party that does not belong to the collective, the contract must first be approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the village assembly or representatives of the villagers. The lease must then be submitted to the township government for approval before it becomes effective. There is a risk that the village collectives with which we have entered into leases, and which have generally advised us that the required village assembly meetings were convened and the leases were approved by the township government, have in fact not undertaken all required actions prior to entering into leases with us.
In 2007 and 2008, P3A entered into two contractual leases, both of which commenced on January 1, 2009, with village collectives with respect to two parcels of land of 5,931 acres in aggregate for a term of 30 years. However, PRC contract law provides that the term of these contractual leases cannot exceed 20 years. As a result, unless the parties are able to renegotiate or otherwise agree to extend the remainder term of the lease, these contractual leases may be subject to termination after the initial 20-year term.
As of December 31, 2009, we had prepaid all of the rent due under certain leases granting access to approximately 13,500 acres of land. The leases have remaining terms of between approximately 10 and 28 years. If we lose our rights to this land, we may not be able to recoup the prepayments made.
There is a risk that the legality or validity of our leases will be disputed or challenged. If our leases are disputed or challenged, we may have to suspend our operations on such leased land. We could also lose our rights to use such land which would in turn reduce the amount of corn seeds we are able to sell and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a consolidated class action lawsuit alleging that we failed to disclose certain information in our initial public offering registration statement. After winning a motion to dismiss, we entered into a memorandum of understanding to settle all claims asserted in the class action lawsuit. If we are unable to reach a final class action settlement agreement approved by the Court, our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, as well as our reputation may be materially and adversely affected.
On February 3, 2009, a consolidated class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was filed, alleging violations of various sections of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, against us, our executive officers, our directors and other defendants. The lawsuit alleges that our initial public offering registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose certain alleged discussions between two Agria executives relating to requests for additional compensation and a threatened resignation.
On December 1, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the consolidated class action against the Company and the underwriters defendants, and the Court issued a judgment in favor of the Company and the underwriter defendants.
On June 4, 2010, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the lead plaintiff reflecting an agreement in principle and agreed to pay $3.75 million to settle all claims asserted in the class action lawsuit. The settlement amount is within the limit of our applicable insurance policies, and we do not expect the settlement to have any impact on Agria’s financial statements. However, if the settlement is not finalized for any reason, including failing to obtain a final approval from the court or failing to fulfill all the terms of the settlement (among other things), we may incur substantial monetary damages exceeding the amount of possible coverage under our directors and officers insurance policies, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our reputation. It may also divert the attention of our management from the normal business operations of our company.

 

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The highly fragmented agriculture industry in China makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and results of operations.
You should consider our future prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties facing companies in the highly fragmented agricultural industry in China. Some of these risks and uncertainties relate to our ability to:
    maintain our competitive position in China and compete in each of our business segments with Chinese and international companies, many of which have longer operating histories and greater financial resources than we do;
    offer commercially successful corn seeds, sheep products, seedling and other products to attract and retain direct customers and ultimate users;
    retain access to the farmland we currently use and obtain access to additional farmland for expansion;
    continue our existing arrangements with village collectives that grow our corn seed products and enter into new arrangements with additional village collectives;
    maintain effective control of our costs and expenses; and
    retain and motivate our management and skilled technical staff and recruit and integrate additional qualified personnel into our operations.
If we are unsuccessful in addressing any of these risks and uncertainties, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
The ongoing strategic review may result in a refocusing and repositioning of the company’s business and operation, including potential acquisitions and divestitures. Future acquisitions or divestitures could materially change our business and materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
In September 2009, we announced a strategic review of our business and operations. The purpose of this review is to reduce inherent risk in the business and to increase the value of shareholders’ equity. We provided an update on the ongoing strategic review in March 2010. This strategic review is now largely complete. For details of our key strategic priorities going forward, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Senior Management Changes and Strategic Review.” While we will only take actions that are considered to be in the best interests of our shareholders, the strategic review may result in a refocusing and repositioning of our business and operations, including potential acquisitions and divestitures.
Our key strategic priorities require our ongoing efforts in pursuing strategic acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships both in China and internationally. In January, 2010, we completed our strategic investment in PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest rural services business, which offers a wide range of products, services and solutions to farmers, growers and processors in New Zealand and internationally. In October 2009, we also entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with China National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, or CNAAS, providing for future cooperation across the spectrum of agricultural research. In addition, we entered into an investment agreement with CNAAS and its affiliates to invest RMB35.0 million ($5.1 million) into Beijing Zhongnong Seed Industry Co., Ltd., or Zhongnong, a company wholly owned by CNAAS and its affiliates. In October 2009, we acquired Beijing Nong Ke Yu Seeds International Co., Ltd., or Nong Ke Yu, a company engaged in research, production and marketing of edible corn seeds, and in January 2010, we acquired Tianjin Beiao Seed Technology Development Co., Ltd., or BeOK, a company engaged in research, production and marketing of vegetable seeds. We are also at various stages of discussions regarding potential investments in seed companies with proprietary seed varieties.

 

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Presented with appropriate opportunities, we may acquire businesses or assets that we believe complement our existing business. Any such acquisitions are invariably subject to associated execution risk including issues relating to the integration of new operations and personnel, geographical coordination, retention of key management personnel, systems integration and the reconciliation of corporate cultures. The acquisition and integration could cause the diversion of management’s attention or resources from our existing business or cause a temporary interruption of, or loss of momentum in, our business. We could also lose key personnel from the acquired companies. There may be unforeseen or hidden liabilities or we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to offset new costs of acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships. The execution of international expansion of our operations exposes us to a number of additional risks including difficulties in staffing and managing overseas operations, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increased costs associated with maintaining the ability to understand local trends, difficulties and costs relating to compliance with the different commercial, legal and regulatory requirements of the overseas locations in which we operate, failure to develop appropriate risk management and internal control structures tailored to overseas operations, inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights, unanticipated changes in economic conditions and regulatory requirements in overseas environment. These risks associated with strategic repositioning, future acquisitions, investments and strategic partnerships could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
P3A has historically been our principal operating entity with three production lines: corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. P3A’s financial and operating performance has declined since 2007. For details of P3A’s financial and operating performance, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results.” We have reached an agreement in principle to divest P3A to Mr. Frank Xue, the president and a director of P3A. Through the proposed transaction, we would acquire Agria shares currently held by Mr. Xue constituting 11.5% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Agria in exchange for the transfer of all of our interest in P3A to Mr. Xue. Immediately following the proposed transaction, Mr. Xue would hold approximately 6% of Agria shares. The leases with rent prepaid in full over nine parcels of land totaling approximately 13,500 acres currently held by P3A would be retained by our group. After this transaction is completed, we would cancel the shares acquired from Mr. Xue. Our audit committee, comprising entirely independent directors, is currently assessing whether the proposed transaction would be in the best interest of our shareholders. The audit committee has engaged external advisors, including a financial advisory firm, a valuation firm and legal counsel to assist them in assessing this transaction. Our board of directors will not approve the proposed transaction without the prior favorable recommendation of the audit committee. Our audit committee may be unable to conclude that the proposed transaction is in the best interest of our shareholders, in which case we may not consummate the transaction to sell our interest in P3A to Mr. Xue or any other potential investor.
Any acquisitions and divestitures may materially affect our operations and business mix. We may also incur costs, suffer losses or incur liabilities in connection with these acquisitions or divestitures. Any acquisitions and divestitures could also result in reduction in our ADS price as result of any of the foregoing or because of market reaction to a transaction and diversion of management’s attention from other concerns. Any such acquisition or divestiture could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Any plans to increase our production capacity and expand into new markets may not be successful, which could adversely affect our operating results.
As a result of our recently announced strategic review, we may decide to increase production of certain or all existing products and produce new corn seed, sheep and seedling products. For example, in October 2009, we acquired Nong Ke Yu, a company engaged in research, production and marketing of edible corn seeds based in Beijing, and in January 2010, we acquired BeOK, a company engaged in research, production and marketing of vegetable seeds based in Tianjin. Such expansion would place substantial demands on our managerial, operational, technological and other resources. Our failure to manage our product offerings, operations and distribution channels effectively and efficiently could materially adversely affect our operating results.
As part of our development, we may expand the geographic areas in which we sell or produce our products. Expansion into new markets may present operating and marketing challenges that differ from those that we currently encounter in our existing markets. If we are unable to anticipate the changing demands that expanding operations will impose on our production systems and distribution channels, or if we fail to adapt our production systems and distribution channels to changing demands in a timely manner, our revenues could decline, our expenses could rise and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our senior management team has worked together for a short time, which may make it difficult for you to evaluate their effectiveness and ability to address future challenges to our business.
Due to our recent restructuring and additions to our corporate management team, certain of our senior management have worked together at our company for only a short time. For example, we appointed Xie Tao to be our chief executive officer and Christopher Boddington to be our chief financial officer in September 2009 and John Layburn to be our chief strategy and compliance officer in October 2009. As a result, it may be difficult for you to evaluate the effectiveness of our senior management, on an individual or collective basis, and their ability to address future challenges to our business. In addition, we may not be able to successfully execute our plan to recruit qualified candidates with substantial experience in the global agricultural industry to join our senior management team. Even if we are able to recruit qualified senior management personnel, such new senior management personnel may not be able to work with our existing management to effectively execute our growth strategy and address future challenges to our business.

 

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Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our management, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success depends significantly upon the continued services of our management, including the management of our operating entities. We rely on our management’s experience in product development, business operations and sales and marketing, as well as on their relationships with distributors and relevant government authorities. If one or more of our key management personnel is unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them easily or at all. The loss of the services of our key management personnel, in the absence of suitable replacements, could materially adversely affect our operations and financial condition, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. Each member of our management team has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains confidentiality and non-competition provisions. If disputes arise between our management and us in light of the uncertainties within the PRC legal system, there is a risk that some of the provisions of these agreements may not be enforced or enforceable in China, where our managers reside and hold most of their assets.
In recent years, there has been significant turnover of our directors and senior management including those at P3A. Effective April 1, 2008, Mr. Zhixin Xue resigned from his former positions as our chief operating officer and director. Mr. Xue is currently the president and authorized legal representative of our primary operating entity, P3A. In addition, Mr. Mingshe Zhang, the former general manager of P3A and a key member of management of the corn seed division of P3A, resigned from P3A in July 2008. Following the departure of Mr. Zhang, P3A lacked the operational management needed to navigate business issues as they arose. If Mr. Xue and/or additional management personnel of P3A resign from P3A in the future, the loss of their services in the absence of suitable replacements would result in a further decline in operational expertise within the current business and would materially adversely affect P3A’s operations and our business, financial condition and results of operations. In such an event, we would also need to incur significant additional expenses to recruit and train new personnel.
We rely on contractual arrangements with P3A and Guanli for our China operations, which may not be as effective in providing control over our operating entity as direct ownership.
Because PRC regulations currently restrict foreign ownership of corn seed companies directly in China, we have no equity ownership interest in P3A and Guanli and must rely on contractual arrangements to control and operate them. The contractual arrangements with P3A and Guanli may not be as effective in providing control over the entities as direct ownership. On occasion, disagreements have arisen between management of Agria and management of P3A. For example, in several instances, P3A management did not fully cooperate in responding to our requests in a timely manner, including our requests for information to allow the timely completion of the investigations conducted at the direction of our audit committee as well as our requests for provision of financial information. In addition, there were differences of opinion between us and management of P3A over the level of expenditure that could be incurred by P3A without prior approval of the board of Agria. In the future, P3A may fail to take actions required for our business despite its contractual obligation to do so. P3A is able to transact business with parties not affiliated with us. If P3A fails to perform under its agreements with us, we may have to rely on legal remedies under Chinese law, which we cannot be sure would be available. In addition, we cannot be certain that the individual equity owners of P3A would always act in our best interest.
Our growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to develop or acquire new products.
The majority of our products are upstream products ultimately used by farmers in China. The profitability of our business depends on sustained and recurring orders from our direct customers, which include distributors, breed improvement and reproductive stations and other intermediaries. Reorder rates are uncertain due to several factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include changing customer preferences, competitive price pressures, failure to develop new products to meet the evolving demands of farmers in China, the development of higher-quality products by our competitors and general economic conditions. If we are unable to develop or acquire additional products that meet the demands of farmers in China, or if our competitors develop products that are favored by farmers in China, our growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected and our revenues and profitability may decline.

 

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One or more of our distributors could engage in activities that are harmful to our brand and to our business.
Outside of Shanxi province, our seed products are sold primarily through distributors, and those distributors are responsible for ensuring that our products have the appropriate licenses to be sold to farmers in their provinces. If those distributors do not obtain the appropriate licenses, their sales of our products in those provinces may be illegal, and we may be subject to government sanctions, including confiscation of illegal revenues and a fine of between two and three times the amount of such illegal revenues. Unlicensed sales in a province may also cause a delay for our other distributors in receiving a license from the authorities for their provinces, which could further adversely impact our sales. In addition, distributors may sell our products under another brand licensed in a particular province if our product is not licensed there. If our products are sold under another brand, the purchasers will not be aware of our brand name, and we will be unable to cross-market other seed varieties or other products as effectively to these purchasers. Moreover, our ability to provide appropriate customer service to these purchasers will be negatively affected, and we may be unable to develop our local knowledge of the needs of these purchasers and their environment. Furthermore, if any of our distributors sells inferior seeds produced by other companies under our brand name, our brand and reputation could be harmed, which could make marketing of our branded seeds more difficult.
Our operating results may fluctuate due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, and you may not be able to rely on our historical operating results as an indication of our future performance.
Our operating results may fluctuate due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our quarterly and annual revenues and costs and expenses as a percentage of our revenues may differ significantly from our historical rates. Our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations. Business disruption in key sales periods may significantly impact our full year results. Any unexpected seasonal or other fluctuations could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Future acquisitions or divestitures may also materially change our business mix and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Our future profitability depends on our ability to secure sufficient orders from customers. An adverse change in market conditions may materially adversely affect our operating results if we cannot adjust our operating and marketing strategy to respond to such changes. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by reduced orders and profit margins in the event of a slowdown in market demand, an increase in business competition, a decrease in government subsidies to farmers, increased costs, or other reasons. As such, we may not be able to maintain a similar level of profitability and you may not be able to rely on our historical operating results as an indication of our future performance.
A severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy could materially and adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.
Recent global market and economic conditions have been unprecedented and challenging with tight credit conditions and recession in most major economies continuing into 2010. Continued concerns about the systemic impact of potential long-term and wide-spread recession, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, and the global housing and mortgage markets have contributed to increased market volatility and diminished expectations for economic growth around the world. The grim economic outlook has negatively affected business and consumer confidence and contributed to volatility of unprecedented levels.
Weak economic conditions could have a negative impact on agricultural production and the rural economy in China, with global agricultural commodity demand and prices slumping. Lower commodity prices reduce farmers’ income and weaken their confidence in the development of agricultural business. In turn, this may limit their ability or lessen their willingness to use more expensive agricultural products, including the ones we produce. There are still great uncertainties regarding economic conditions and the demand for agricultural commodities. Continued turbulence in the international markets and economies and prolonged declines in agricultural commodity demand and prices in China may adversely affect our business, revenues and results of operations.
We have limited insurance coverage on our assets in China and any uninsured loss or damage to our property, business disruption or litigation may result in our incurring substantial costs.
The insurance industry in China is still at an early stage of development. Insurance companies in China offer limited insurance products. Other than automobile insurance on certain vehicles and property and casualty insurance for some of our assets, we do not have insurance coverage on our assets or inventories, nor do we have any business interruption, product liability or litigation insurance for our operations in China. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. Any uninsured loss or damage to property, business disruption or litigation may result in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of our resources, which may materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.

 

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The Chinese agricultural market is highly competitive and our growth and results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to compete effectively.
The agricultural market in China is highly fragmented, largely regional and highly competitive, and we expect competition to increase and intensify within the sector. We face significant competition in our corn seed and sheep lines of business. Many of our competitors have greater financial, research and development and other resources than we have. Competition may also develop from consolidation within the corn seed industry in China or the privatization of corn seed producers that are currently operated by local governments in China. According to the Opinion on Enhancement of Market Supervision regarding Seed Administration Reform issued by the General Office of the PRC State Council in May 2006, local government agricultural administrative offices were required to separate their governmental administrative functions from seed production activities by the end of June 2007 and, therefore, more privately-owned seed companies may emerge in the future. Our competitors may be better positioned to take advantage of industry consolidation and acquisition opportunities than we are. The reform and restructuring of state-owned equity in seed enterprises will likely lead to the reallocation of market share in the seed industry, and our competitors may increase their market share by participating in the restructuring of state-owned seed companies. Such privatization would likely result in increased numbers of market participants with more efficient and commercially viable business models. In addition, the PRC government currently restricts foreign ownership of any domestic seed development and production business to no more than 50%. When and if such restrictions are lifted, multinational corporations engaged in the seed business may expand into the agricultural market in China. These companies have significantly greater financial, technological and other resources than we do and may become our major competitors in China. As competition intensifies, our margins may be compressed by more competitive pricing and we may lose our market share and experience a reduction in our revenues and profit.
If we are unable to estimate farmers’ future needs accurately and to match our production levels to meet the demand of our direct customers, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Due to the nature of the seed industry, we normally produce seeds according to our production plan before we sell them to distributors, which are our direct customers. Chinese farmers, the end users of our seeds, generally make purchasing decisions for our products based on market prices, economic and weather conditions as well as other factors that we and our distributors may not be able to anticipate accurately in advance. If we fail to accurately estimate the volume and types of products sought by farmers, we may produce seeds that are not in demand. Unsold inventory could eventually be sold as field corn to end users at much lower prices than those of field corn seeds. Aged inventory could result in asset impairment, which would cause us to suffer a loss and incur an increase in our operating expenses. Conversely, if we underestimate demand, we may not be able to satisfy our distributors’ demand for corn seeds, and as a result damage our customer relations and end-user loyalty. Failure to estimate farmers’ future needs and to match our production to our direct customers’ demands may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are not able to recover all of the advances paid to village collectives or if a substantial number of our customers fail to pay for our products, our liquidity and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
We provide cash advances to the village collectives that grow field corn seeds for us so they can purchase fertilizer and other production materials. At the end of the growing season, after we take delivery of corn seeds, we credit the advances against the purchase prices payable to the village collectives. If the village collectives fail to produce or deliver the contracted amounts of corn seeds by the end of each growing season, we may not be able to recover all of the advances paid to the village collectives and our financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our sales contracts provide for upfront payments that may be less than 100% of the purchase price, depending upon the payment history and creditworthiness of each customer. Typically, the balance is due within 240 days of delivery. As a result, some of our customers have 240 days of credit to pay after we deliver our corn seeds. In some instances, longer periods of credit have been and may continue to be granted to certain customers. These customers may not have ready access to additional sources of credit and therefore may have limited ability to withstand economic downturns. Lack of credit could prevent them from fulfilling their purchasing commitments with us, which in turn may cause liquidity issues for us and materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

 

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The resources we devote to research and development may not result in commercially viable or competitive products.
Our success depends in part on our ability to develop new products. Research and development in the seed, sheep and seedling industries is generally expensive and prolonged. For example, seed development takes at least five years, as measured from the selection of the variety of seed for product development to the launch of a new seed product on the market. Due to the uncertainties and complexities associated with seed and biotechnological research, seed products may not survive the development process, may not ultimately be commercially viable or may not pass government testing in the relevant provinces. A new breed of sheep takes at least several generations to stabilize. We expect to apply for official variety recognition when our Primalights III hybrid sheep stabilizes and becomes eligible for application. We have not yet begun the application process for the title of official breeder sheep, and it may take several years to complete and may not be successful. In addition, we have significantly fewer financial resources than many of our international competitors. If the resources we devote to research and development do not result in products that survive the development stage, do not result in products that we can sell to our customers or do not pass government testing, our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be subject to intellectual property claims in the future which could result in substantial costs and divert our financial and management resources away from our business.
We are subject to the risk that the products, technology and processes that we have developed in collaboration with institutes and universities will infringe upon patents, copyrights, trademarks or other third-party intellectual property rights. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property of others. If any such claims arise in the future, litigation or other dispute resolution proceedings may be necessary to allow us to retain our ability to offer our products. Even if we prevail in contesting such claims, this could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s resources and attention. If we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property rights, incur additional costs to license or develop alternative products and be forced to pay fines and damages, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and legal action to protect our intellectual property rights may be costly and divert our management’s resources.
We rely primarily on trademark, trade secret and copyright law and contractual restrictions to protect our intellectual property. These afford only limited protection, and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate. Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property rights, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. Preventing unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and expensive. Also, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. The outcome of such litigation may not be in our favor. Such litigation may be costly and may divert management’s attention as well as consume resources which could otherwise have been devoted to our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation would impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our business, prospects and reputation. In addition, we have no insurance coverage against litigation costs and would bear all costs arising from such litigation to the extent that we are unable to recover them from other parties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Historically, implementation of PRC intellectual property laws has been lacking, primarily because of ambiguities in PRC law and difficulties of enforcement. Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as those in the United States or other countries, which increases the risk that we may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property.
Our rights to some of the technologies used in our sheep business and developed in collaboration with Shanxi Agriculture University are limited in scope. If we are unable to continue to employ these technologies, our sheep business could suffer, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
We cooperate with Shanxi Agriculture University in research and development for our sheep business. Under a number of our agreements with Shanxi Agriculture University, the university holds the right to claim authorship on the technological achievements and the right “to apply for awards” for the technologies developed. We have the exclusive right to use, further develop and commercialize these technologies developed by Shanxi Agriculture University under these agreements. If Shanxi Agriculture University were to dispute our exclusive rights to use, develop and commercialize these technologies, we may lose our ability to continue to employ such technologies in our sheep business. If this were to occur, our sheep operations could suffer and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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We face risks and costs associated with our strategic partnership and investment that could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In October 2009, we entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with CNAAS, which provides for future cooperation across the spectrum of agricultural research. In addition, we entered into an investment agreement with CNAAS and its affiliates to invest RMB35.0 million ($5.1 million) into Zhongnong, a company wholly owned by CNAAS and its affiliates. The strategic cooperation framework grants Zhongnong preferential rights to the commercialization of research undertaken by CNAAS. We may not realize the anticipated benefits of our strategic partnership and we face risks, uncertainties and disruptions associated with the integration process, such as diversion of our management’s attention from other business concerns. In addition, our operating results may suffer because of costs related to the strategic partnership and potential additional investments required to commercialize the research. Furthermore, notwithstanding Zhongnong’s preferential rights, CNAAS may partner with other companies in commercializing some of their research.
In January 2010, we completed our strategic investment in PGG Wrightson. We acquired a 19% equity interest and subscribed for convertible redeemable notes issued by PGG Wrightson in an aggregate principal amount of approximately NZ$33.9 million (approximately $24.2 million based on the exchange rate on December 31, 2009). PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest rural services business, offers a wide range of products, services and solutions to farmers, growers and processors in New Zealand and internationally. Our minority interest in PGG Wrightson may not provide us effective control over PGG Wrightson. While we have board representation, we cannot cause PGG Wrightson to make decisions solely because they would be in our best interest or stop them from taking actions that may be detrimental to our interests. In addition, PGG Wrightson is a public company listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange and is subject to a different set of rules and regulations from U.S. securities laws and the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Therefore, even if PGG Wrightson and we intend to follow the same course of action, the different rules and regulations may hinder PGG Wrightson from doing so. Furthermore, returns from equity investments depend on the performance of PGG Wrightson’s share price, which is subject in part to factors outside our control and the control of PGG Wrightson. Additionally, the convertible redeemable notes issued by PGG Wrightson are an illiquid instrument and under the terms of the subscription agreement, the timing of conversion or redemption of the convertible redeemable notes and the form that the conversion will take are not within our control.
Any failure to successfully manage our strategic partnership and investment may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We may not possess all of the licenses required to operate our business, or we may fail to maintain the licenses we currently hold. This could subject us to fines and other penalties, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
We are required to hold a variety of permits and licenses to conduct our corn seed, sheep and seedling businesses in China. We may not possess all of the permits and licenses required for each of our business segments. In addition, the approvals, permits or licenses required by governmental agencies may change without substantial advance notice, and we could fail to obtain the approvals, permits or licenses required to expand our business. If we fail to obtain or to maintain such permits or licenses, or if renewals are granted with onerous conditions, we could be subject to fines and other penalties and be limited in the number or the quality of the products that we could offer. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
If sales of our self-developed Primalights III hybrid sheep are considered by relevant government authorities to constitute sales of breeder sheep, we may be ordered to stop selling Primalights III hybrid sheep and be subject to other penalties.
We sell breeder sheep as well as our self-developed Primalights III hybrid sheep to our customers. We expect to apply for official variety recognition when our Primalights III hybrid sheep stabilizes and becomes eligible for application. According to the PRC Animal Husbandry Law, which became effective on July 1, 2006, any new variety of livestock is subject to examination and approval by the National Commission for Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources and can be marketed and sold as a new variety only after the variety is approved and announced by the Ministry of Agriculture. Before obtaining such approval, we are not allowed to market or sell Primalights III hybrid sheep as breeder sheep, but only as ordinary hybrid sheep. According to informal inquiries with relevant PRC authorities, we do not require additional licenses if we only sell ordinary hybrid sheep. In the past, we sold our Primalights III hybrid sheep together with our breeder sheep under our form contract for breeder sheep, and farmers may use our Primalights III hybrid sheep to breed sheep. Under applicable PRC law, if any person sells any kind of livestock as a new variety before obtaining necessary approval, such person may be ordered to stop selling the livestock and pay a fine of up to three times the proceeds received from prior illegal sales, and all the proceeds received from prior illegal sales may be confiscated. If our sales of Primalights III hybrid sheep are considered by the relevant government authority to be sales of breeder sheep, we may be ordered to stop selling them, be subject to confiscation of the livestock and any illegal gains, or be subject to additional fines, all of which may materially adversely affect our business.

 

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We may be subject to product quality or liability claims, which may cause us to incur litigation expenses and to devote significant management time to defending such claims, and if such claims are determined adversely to us we may be required to pay significant damage awards.
In addition to the genetic traits and the quality of our products, the performance of our products depends on climate, geographic conditions, cultivation method, farmers’ degree of knowledge and other factors. At the same time, the viability of some farmland in China has deteriorated due to toxic and hazardous materials from farmers’ overuse of herbicides. Moreover, different production methods might result in inconsistent quality. These factors can result in sub-optimal production yields. Farmers generally attribute sub-optimal production yields to lower quality agricultural raw materials. In addition, inconsistent quality of products may also result in the unwillingness of consumers to purchase products or pay for products already purchased that they consider to be sub-standard. P3A’s ISO 9001/2000 International Quality Management System Certificate expired in July 2009 and was renewed in December 2009.
We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the quality of our products. The defense of these proceedings and claims could be both costly and time-consuming and significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management. An adverse determination in any such proceeding could subject us to significant liability. In addition, any such proceeding, even if ultimately determined in our favor, could damage our reputation and prevent us from maintaining or increasing sales and market share. Protracted litigation could also result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase of our products.
Seed prices and sales volumes may decrease in any given year with a corresponding reduction in sales, margins and profitability.
There have been periods of instability during which seed and other commodity prices and sales volumes have fluctuated significantly. Commodities can be affected by general economic conditions, weather, outbreaks of disease and factors affecting demand, such as the availability of financing, competition and trade restrictions. Our attempts to differentiate our products from those of other seed producers have not prevented some seed markets from having the characteristics of a commodity market. As a result, the price that we are able to demand for our seed depends on the amount of seed available from other producers. Therefore, prices may be volatile even in the absence of significant external events that might cause volatility. As a result, the amount of revenue that we receive in any given year is subject to change. As production levels are determined prior to the time that the volume and the market price for orders is known, we may have too much or too little product available, which may materially and adversely affect our revenues, margins and profitability.
The advent of the genetic modification of corn seeds in China could adversely affect our business, causing us to lose business opportunities, market share and revenues.
We rely upon traditional methods of creating corn seed hybrids to develop new products. There has been a worldwide increase in the development and application of genetically modified agricultural products to increase the quality and quantity of crop yields. Advances in technology are increasingly allowing the use of gene modification to produce seeds that are superior to those produced by traditional methods. The production and commercial sale of genetically modified corn seed have not yet obtained public acceptance and are not encouraged by government authorities in China. However, if government attitude changes to encourage genetically modified corn seeds, demand may develop for these products, and we expect that we will need to produce genetically modified products to meet customer demands.
Should the Chinese government change its attitude with respect to genetically modified corn seeds, our current steps to respond to the potential competitive threat posed by genetically modified agricultural products, including our research and development activities with respect to genetically modified corn seeds, may not allow us to compete successfully. In particular, our competitors may have more advanced technology or may market genetically modified seed more successfully than we do.

 

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Our growth prospects may be affected if we are unable to obtain additional capital to finance acquisitions.
We may require additional cash resources in order to make acquisitions. In general, we do not know the cost of an acquisition until we analyze the opportunity, complete due diligence and begin negotiations. If the cost of any such acquisition exceeds our cash resources, we will need to seek additional cash resources, and may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or borrow under credit facilities. The sale or issuance of additional equity securities could dilute our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. We may not be able to obtain financing in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. We may also not be able to secure or repay debt incurred to fund acquisitions, especially if the acquisition does not result in the benefits anticipated. As a result, our operating results and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Failure to properly manage our storage system may damage our products, resulting in operating losses.
Corn seed and seedling storage entails significant risks associated with the storage environment, including moisture, temperature and humidity levels, deviations in which may result in damage to corn seeds and seedlings in stock. Our semen and embryo products for our sheep business are generally stored in a frozen state and any problems affecting the temperatures or conditions under which they are stored could damage these products. Any significant damage to the products we have in storage could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Our consolidated affiliated entity, P3A, was the subject of various allegations of financial improprieties. Although independent counsel concluded that (i) it did not find any material inaccuracies with respect of the subject transaction as reported by P3A; and (ii) it did not find any evidence of P3A falsifying its financials among the contracts and underlying documents covering the period which they reviewed, we may be subject to future allegations. These allegations may be costly to address and even if unsubstantiated, may result in negative publicity or further disruption to our operations, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial conditions and reputation.
In December 2008, a former employee made various allegations against P3A. These allegations related to the number of sheep purchased by P3A in August 2008 and the price that P3A paid for these sheep, and the authenticity of certain of P3A’s sales contracts, bank statements and tax invoices. Our audit committee retained an independent international counsel, DLA Piper UK LLP, or DLA Piper, to conduct investigations of these allegations. DLA Piper completed its investigation in December 2009 and in its report concluded that (i) it did not find any material inaccuracies with respect of the sheep transaction as reported by P3A; and (ii) it did not find any evidence of P3A falsifying its financials among the contracts and underlying documents covering the period which they reviewed, from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
These allegations significantly disrupted to the ongoing business operations of P3A during the investigation, and we may be subject to future allegations. Steps taken to address such allegations can be costly and may also divert the attention of our management from the normal business operations of our company. In addition, such allegations, even if unsubstantiated, may result in negative publicity or further disrupt our operations, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.
Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could materially adversely affect the trading price of our ADSs.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, has adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the effectiveness of such companies’ internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm for a public company must report the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting. We became subject to these requirements from the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

 

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Prior to our initial public offering in November 2007, we were a young, private company with limited accounting and other resources with which to adequately address our internal controls and procedures. As a result, during the audit of our financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2006, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a number of control deficiencies, including two material weaknesses, as defined in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Audit Standard No. 5. The material weaknesses identified by us and our independent auditors were our inadequate personnel, processes and documentation to address reporting requirements under U.S. GAAP, and our inadequate independent oversight over financial reporting due to the lack of an independent audit committee. During the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a number of control deficiencies, including a material weakness, in our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness observed was inadequate personnel, processes and documentation to address reporting requirements under U.S. GAAP.
As of December 31, 2008, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified a number of control deficiencies, including a material weakness, in our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness observed was that controls designed to ensure that significant transactions, accounting estimates, and other adjustments were properly reviewed, analyzed and monitored by sufficient and appropriate accounting staff on a timely basis did not operate effectively.
Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2009. See “Item 15. Controls and Procedures.” Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report, which has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2009. When finalizing the financial statements for the year end December 31, 2009, our auditors identified a material misstatement from the misapplication of U.S. GAAP on the presentation of expenses, recorded by our consolidated affiliate, comprising impairment charges to damaged inventories and long-lived assets caused by extreme weather conditions, which constituted a material weakness. As a result, an audit adjustment was required to reclassify non-operating expenses to operating expenses. Management recorded the audit adjustment, which did not result in any change to net income reported by us.
There is no assurance that we will be able to remediate this material weakness in time, if at all, and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting in the future. If we fail to do so, we may not be able to produce reliable financial reports and prevent fraud and investors may lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which would negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs. Our reporting obligations as a public company, including our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, will continue to place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future.
If we grant additional employee share options, restricted shares or other share incentives in the future, our net income could be adversely affected.
We have adopted a share incentive plan and granted share options under the plan. We are required to account for share-based compensation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which requires a company to recognize, as an expense, the fair value of share options and other share-based compensation to employees based on the fair value of equity awards on the date of the grant, with the compensation expense recognized over the period in which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the equity award. If we grant additional options, restricted shares or other equity incentives in the future, we could incur significant compensation charges equal to the fair value of the additional options, restricted shares and other equity incentives, and our net income could be adversely affected.
We do not maintain insurance on our seed storage facilities; therefore, if a fire or other disaster damages some or all of our stored seeds, we will not receive any compensation.
We store a portion of our seed products from February to September. We do not maintain insurance on our storage facilities. A fire or other natural or man-made disaster may damage our stored products, particularly if such event occurs shortly before the peak season for the sales of seeds products, which could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
If the Chinese government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our Chinese businesses do not comply with Chinese governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the seed industry, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.
Most of our operations are conducted through our contractual arrangements with our affiliated entities and their shareholders in China. PRC regulations currently restrict foreign ownership of corn seed companies. For a description of these regulations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Seed Law, Animal Husbandry Law and Other Relevant Regulations—Seed Law and Other Relevant Regulations.” We have entered into contractual arrangements with the affiliated entities, P3A and Guanli, and their shareholders, all PRC citizens, which enable us to, among other things, exercise effective control over the affiliated entities. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements with P3A and Its Shareholders, Contractual Arrangements with Guanli and Its Shareholders” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements with Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan and Their Respective Shareholders.”

 

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If we or either of our PRC subsidiaries or affiliated entities or our corporate structure is found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations (for example, if we are deemed to be holding equity interests in an entity in which direct foreign ownership is restricted), the relevant PRC regulatory authorities, including the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, and relevant agencies of the Ministry of Commerce, would have broad discretion in dealing with such violations, including:
    revoking P3A or Guanli’s business and operating licenses;
    confiscating relevant income and imposing fines and other penalties;
    prohibiting or restricting P3A or Guanli’s operations in China;
    requiring us or P3A or Guanli to restructure P3A or Guanli’s ownership structure or operations;
    restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public offering to finance our businesses and operations in China; or
    imposing conditions or requirements with which we or our subsidiaries or P3A or Guanli may not be able to comply.
The imposition of any of these penalties could materially adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
The shareholders of P3A and Guanli may breach our agreements with them or may have potential conflicts of interest with us, and we may not be able to enter into agreements to derive economic benefits from P3A and Guanli, which may materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The shareholders of P3A and Guanli, our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, may breach or refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements with us that allow us to effectively control P3A and Guanli, and receive economic benefits from their operations. They may not always act in the best interests of our company. We do not have existing arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these individuals and our company. We rely on these individuals to abide by the contract laws of China and to honor their contracts with us in order for us to effectively control P3A and Guanli and to receive the economic benefits of P3A and Guanli. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes that may arise between us and the shareholders of P3A and Guanli or if the shareholders breach our agreements with them, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which may disrupt our business. There is also substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Any limitation of PRC law and regulations on the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliated entity to distribute dividends or make other payments to us could materially adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. In addition, each of our subsidiaries and our affiliated entity in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital, and to further set aside a portion of its after-tax profits to fund the employee welfare fund at the discretion of the shareholders’ meeting or the board. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries and our affiliated entity in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the loan agreements governing that debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make payments to us according to the contractual agreements. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements we have in place in a manner that would materially and adversely affect our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us. Any limitation on the ability of our subsidiaries and our affiliated entity to distribute dividends or other payments to us could materially limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our businesses, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

 

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Pursuant to the new PRC enterprise income tax law that became effective on January 1, 2008, or the 2008 EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered as a resident enterprise and will be subject to a PRC income tax on its global income. According to the implementing rules of the 2008 EIT Law, or the Implementing Rules, “de facto management bodies” refer to “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated a circular setting out the criteria for determining whether “de facto management bodies” are located in China for overseas incorporated, domestically controlled enterprises. However, as this circular only applies to enterprises incorporated under the laws of foreign countries or regions that are controlled by PRC enterprises or groups of PRC enterprises, it remains unclear how the tax authorities will determine the location of “de facto management bodies” for overseas incorporated enterprises that are not controlled by PRC enterprises or groups of PRC enterprises like us. Accordingly, we may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to a PRC income tax on our global income. If we are considered a resident enterprise and earn income other than dividends from our PRC subsidiaries, such PRC income tax on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our cash flow and profitability.
Under the applicable PRC tax laws in effect before January 1, 2008, dividend payments to foreign investors made by foreign-invested enterprises are exempt from PRC withholding tax. Pursuant to the 2008 EIT Law and the Implementing Rules effective as of January 1, 2008, however, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors will be subject to a 10% withholding tax if the foreign investors are considered non-resident enterprises without any establishment or place within China or if the dividends payable have no connection with the establishment or place of the foreign investors within China, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands, where we are incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with China. China Victory International Holdings Limited, or China Victory, our wholly owned subsidiary and the direct holder of 100% equity interest in Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd., or Agria China, and Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., or Agria Brother, is incorporated in Hong Kong. According to the Arrangement between Mainland China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in August 2006, or the Mainland and Hong Kong Taxation Arrangement, and the Notice in Relation to the Dispatch of Schedule of Agreed Tax Rates on Dividends issued by the State Administration of Taxation (State Taxation Circular No. 112 (2008)), dividends paid by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its direct holding company in Hong Kong will be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 5% (if the foreign investor owns directly at least 25% of the shares of the foreign-invested enterprise).
On October 1, 2009, the Administrative Measures for Non-Residents Enjoying Tax Treaty Benefits (Trial Implementation) became effective. Under these measures, our Hong Kong subsidiary needs to obtain approval from the competent local branch of the State Administration of Taxation in order to enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% in accordance with the tax treaty. In February 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued Notice No. 81. According to Notice No. 81, in order to enjoy the preferential treatment on dividend withholding tax rates, an enterprise must be the “beneficial owner” of the relevant dividend income, and no enterprise is entitled to preferential treatment pursuant to any tax treaties if such enterprise qualifies for such preferential tax rates through any transaction or arrangement, the major purpose of which is to obtain such preferential tax treatment. The tax authority in charge has the right to make adjustments to the applicable tax rates, if it determines that any taxpayer has enjoyed preferential treatment under tax treaties as a result of such transaction or arrangement. In October 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued Notice No. 601 to provide guidance on the criteria to determine whether an enterprise qualifies as the “beneficial owner” of the PRC sourced income for the purpose of obtaining preferential treatment under tax treaties. Pursuant to Notice No. 601, the PRC tax authorities will review and grant tax preferential treatment on a case-by-case basis and adopt the “substance over form” principle in the review. Notice 601 specifies that a beneficial owner should generally carry out substantial business activities and own and have control over the income, the assets or other rights generating the income. Therefore, an agent or a conduit company will not be regarded as a beneficial owner of such income. Since the two notices were issued, it has remained unclear how the PRC tax authorities will implement them in practice and to what extent they will affect the dividend withholding tax rates for dividends distributed by our subsidiaries in China to our Hong Kong subsidiary. Under the 2008 EIT Law and the Implementing Rules, if China Victory is regarded as a resident enterprise, the dividends payable to China Victory from Agria China and Agria Brother will be exempt from the PRC income tax. If China Victory is regarded as a non-resident enterprise and the relevant tax authority determines that China Victory does not qualify as the “beneficial owner” of the dividend income it receives from our PRC subsidiaries and therefore is subject to the higher 10% withholding tax rate, the amount of funds available to us to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders, could be reduced correspondingly.

 

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In addition, because uncertainty remains regarding the interpretation and implementation of the 2008 EIT Law and the Implementing Rules, if we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, then any dividends to be distributed by us to our non-PRC shareholders or any gains realized by non-PRC shareholders or ADS holders from transfer of our shares or ADSs may be subject to PRC withholding tax. If we are required under the 2008 EIT Law to withhold PRC income tax on the above dividends or gains, the investment in our shares or ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.
We benefit from certain PRC government incentives. Expiration of, changes to, disputes over or challenges against these incentives or protectionism arising from the incentives could adversely affect our operating results.
Prior to January 1, 2008, companies established in China were generally subject to a state and local enterprise income tax, or the EIT, at statutory rates of 30% and 3%, respectively. However, the Chinese government has provided incentives to high-technology companies and agricultural companies in order to encourage the development of the high-technology and agricultural industries. These incentives include reduced tax rates, subsidies and other measures. For example, P3A, our consolidated affiliated entity, qualified as a “key technology enterprise” pursuant to the Shanxi Province 1311 Agricultural High Technology Project implemented by Shanxi province in 2002. As a result, P3A has been exempted from the EIT since 2002 based on the approval of the local tax authority in Shanxi. Agria China, our wholly-owned subsidiary established in March 2007 in China, was initially granted a full exemption from the EIT for the fiscal years 2007 to 2009. As a result of the 2008 EIT Law and its Implementing Rules, Agria China’s EIT exemption ended on December 31, 2007, and Agria China is subject to EIT at a rate of 25% from 2008 onwards.
Under the 2008 EIT Law, the Implementing Rules, the State Council circulars on implementation of enterprise tax transition preferential policy and relevant rules, foreign-invested enterprises, such as our subsidiary, Agria China, and domestic companies would be subject to EIT at a uniform rate of 25%. Preferential tax treatments will continue to be granted to entities that are classified as “high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the State” or conduct business in encouraged sectors, whether foreign-invested enterprises or domestic companies. Furthermore, enterprises that were established and that have already enjoyed preferential tax exemption or reduction for a specified term will continue to enjoy them until the expiration of such term. Uncertainty remains with respect to their interpretation and implementation. If the PRC central government challenges the tax exemption enjoyed by P3A as a result of the Shanxi province 1311 Agricultural High Technology Project, our effective tax rate will likely increase to a maximum of 25% on our worldwide income, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The PRC government has in recent years reduced taxes and increased subsidies and other support across the agricultural industry. For instance, the government subsidizes farmers for their seed purchases, and has increased spending on rural infrastructure. Sales of agricultural products from producers to intermediaries or to farmers are exempt from PRC value-added tax, or VAT. Discontinuance of preferential treatments granted by the Chinese government to the seed industry could adversely affect our earnings.
In addition, subsidies may adversely affect our ability to market our products, especially in provinces other than Shanxi where we are planning to increase our sales. Farmers can buy corn seeds designated as “high-quality” at subsidized prices, but the designation of seeds as “high-quality” is at the discretion of the local government, companies owned by the local government and local private seed companies. Because of local protectionism, this policy could result in preferential treatment for local seed producers, with locally produced seeds being designated as “high-quality”, while ours are not designated as such. If such preferential treatment were to occur, the price for our seeds to farmers in those provinces would be higher than the subsidized local seeds, and our sales in those provinces could suffer, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and affiliated entity in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China, and in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

 

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Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the violation. In addition, any litigation in China, regardless of outcome, may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
SAFE regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may increase our administrative burden and restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activity. If our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC residents fail to make required applications and filings under such regulations, we may be unable to distribute profits and may become subject to liability under PRC laws.
SAFE has promulgated several regulations, including Circular No. 75 issued in November 2005, requiring registrations with, and approvals from, PRC government authorities in connection with direct or indirect offshore investment activities by PRC residents. These regulations apply to our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC residents.
The SAFE regulations require registration of direct or indirect investments made by PRC residents in offshore companies. In the event that a PRC shareholder with a direct or indirect stake in an offshore parent company fails to make the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that offshore parent company may be prohibited from making distributions of profit to the offshore parent and from paying the offshore parent proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation in respect of the PRC subsidiaries. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC law for foreign exchange evasion.
We have requested our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications and filings as required under these regulations and under any implementing rules or approval practices that may be established under these regulations. However, due to the lack of implementing rules and uncertainty concerning the reconciliation of the new regulations with other approval requirements, it remains unclear how these regulations, and any future legislation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. There is a risk that not all of our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registration or approvals required by these regulations or other related legislation. The failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders and beneficial owners to receive any required approvals or make any required registrations may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, as a result of which our acquisition strategy and business operations and our ability to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Foreign Exchange.”
In addition, under the Implementation Rules of the Administrative Measures for Individual Foreign Exchange, or the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules, issued on January 5, 2007 by SAFE, PRC citizens who are granted shares or share options by an overseas listed company according to its employee share option or share incentive plan are required, through the PRC subsidiary of such overseas listed company or any other qualified PRC agent, to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures related to the share option or other share incentive plan. Foreign exchange income received from the sale of shares or dividends distributed by the overseas listed company may be remitted into a foreign currency account of such PRC citizen or be exchanged into Renminbi. Our PRC citizen employees who have been granted share options, or PRC option holders, are subject to the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules. If we or our PRC citizen employees fail to comply with these regulations, we or our PRC option holders may be subject to fines and legal sanctions.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive all of our revenues in RMB. Under our current structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiaries. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries and our affiliated entity to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade-related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate government authorities is required where RMB are to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also, at its discretion, restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.

 

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Fluctuation in the value of the Renminbi may materially adversely affect your investment.
The value of the Renminbi against the US dollar, Euro and other currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the US dollar. Under the new policy, the Renminbi was permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy caused the Renminbi to appreciate approximately 21.5% against the US dollar over the following three years. Since reaching a high against the US dollar in July 2008 until June 2010, however, the Renminbi has traded within a narrow band against the US dollar, remaining within 1% of its July 2008 high. As a consequence, the Renminbi has fluctuated sharply since July 2008 against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the US dollar. In June 2010, the PRC government indicated that it would make the foreign exchange rate of the Renminbi more flexible. It is difficult to predict how fluctuating the exchange rate will be in the future.
Our revenues and costs are mostly denominated in Renminbi, while a significant portion of our financial assets are denominated in US dollars. Substantially all of our sales contracts are denominated in Renminbi and substantially all of our costs and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. We rely entirely on dividends and other fees paid to us by our subsidiaries and our affiliated entity in China. To the extent that we need to convert US dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the US dollar would adversely affect the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into US dollars for the purpose of dividend distribution or for other business purposes, appreciation of the US dollar against the Renminbi would negatively affect the US dollar amount available to us. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue which will be exchanged into US dollars and earnings from and the value of any US dollar-denominated investments we make.
Limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging transactions, the availability and effectiveness of these hedges may be limited so that we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currency. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates may materially adversely affect your investment.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks or acts of terrorism in China, which could result in reduced demand for our products or disrupt our operations.
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by an outbreak of H1N1 influenza A, avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome or another epidemic, or an act of terrorism. From time to time, there have been reports on the occurrences of avian flu in various parts of China, including a few confirmed human cases and deaths. Since 2009, human cases of H1N1 influenza A virus infection have been identified internationally. Any prolonged recurrence of H1N1 influenza A, avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome or other adverse public health developments in China or elsewhere in Asia may have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. In addition, terrorist attacks, such as those that took place on September 11, 2001, geopolitical uncertainty and international conflicts, could adversely affect our business operations. Any of these events could adversely affect China’s economy and cause an immediate and prolonged drop in consumer demand. An immediate and prolonged drop in consumer demand could severely disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, a significant portion of our revenues are derived from government customers, which may reduce their spending on our products during a crisis, which could adversely affect our results of operations and could probably be difficult to recover once the threat has subsided.

 

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The PRC Property Rights Law may affect the perfection of the pledge in our pledge agreement with P3A, Guanli and their shareholders.
Under the equity pledge agreement among P3A, the shareholders of P3A and Agria China, the shareholders of P3A have pledged all of their equity interests in P3A to Agria China. Under the equity pledge agreement among Guanli, the shareholders of Guanli and Agria Brother, the shareholders of Guanli have pledged all of their equity interests in Guanli to Agria Brother. These equity pledge agreements were duly created by recording the pledges on the registers of shareholders of P3A and Guanli in accordance with the PRC Security Law and the PRC Contract Law. The purpose of the P3A equity pledge agreement is to guarantee P3A’s performance of its obligations under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement, exclusive consultancy service agreement and proprietary technology license agreement with Agria China. The purpose of the Guanli equity pledge agreement to guarantee Guanli’s performance of its obligations under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement, the exclusive call option agreement and the loan agreement. However, according to the PRC Property Rights Law, which became effective as of October 1, 2007, a pledge is not effective without being registered with the relevant local Administration for Industry and Commerce. It remains unclear whether P3A was required to register the pledge created before October 1, 2007 under the PRC Property Rights Law. P3A and Guanli have attempted to register the pledge, but the applications for registration have not been processed due to the lack of registration procedures. P3A and Guanli will continue to make efforts to register such pledge when the local Administration for Industry and Commerce implements registration procedures. If P3A or Guanli is unable to do so, the pledge itself may be deemed ineffective under the PRC Property Rights Law. If P3A breaches its obligations under the agreements with Agria China, or if Guanli breaches its obligations under the agreements with Agria Brother, there is a risk that Agria China or Agria Brother may not be able to successfully enforce the pledge and would need to resort to legal proceedings to enforce its contractual rights.
Risks Related to the ADSs
The trading price of our ADSs has been and continues to be highly volatile.
The trading price of our ADSs may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
    announcement of securities law class action lawsuits against us and our directors and officers;
    delays in our periodic earnings announcements;
    announcements of technological or competitive developments;
    regulatory developments in our target markets affecting us, our customers or our competitors;
    actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
    changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts;
    changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other corn seed, sheep products or seedling companies;
    additions to or departures of our executive officers and key personnel;
    fluctuations in the exchange rates between the US dollar and RMB; and
    sales or anticipated sales of additional ADSs.
In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially adversely affect the market price of our ADSs.

 

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Substantial future sales or perceived sales of our ADSs in the public market or substantial cancellation of our ADSs could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Additional sales of our ADSs in the public market or the perception that these sales could occur could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. A substantial repurchase of our ADSs may adversely affect the liquidity of our shares. As of June 1, 2010, we had 125,160,000 ordinary shares outstanding, of which 48,830,000 ordinary shares were represented by 24,415,000 ADSs. All ADSs are freely transferable without additional registration requirements under the Securities Act. Since the 180-day lock-up period of our initial public offering has expired, the remaining ordinary shares not represented by ADSs are available for sale subject to the volume and other restrictions as applicable under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. Risks associated with a substantial sale or cancellation of our ADSs could materially and adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and liquidity.
We may have been a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.
Based on the price of our ADSs and the value and composition of our assets, we believe that we were likely a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2009. In addition, it is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries were also PFICs for such year. A non-U.S. corporation will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. We must make a separate determination after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test generally will be determined based on the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of the ADSs or ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. If we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2009, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to U.S. Holders (as defined in “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation”) of our ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to any “excess distribution” received from us and any gain from a sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”
You may not have the same voting rights as the holders of our ordinary shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise your right to vote.
Except as described in this annual report and in the deposit agreement, holders of our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares represented by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs will appoint the depositary or its nominee to vote the shares represented by the ADSs. You may not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote and you may not have the opportunity to exercise a right to vote. Upon our written request, the depositary will mail to you a shareholder meeting notice that contains, among other things, a statement as to the manner in which you may give your voting instructions, including an express indication that such instructions may be given or deemed given to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us if no instructions are received by the depositary from you on or before the response date established by the depositary. However, no voting instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which we inform the depositary that (i) we do not wish such proxy given, (ii) substantial opposition exists, or (iii) such matter materially and adversely affects the rights of shareholders.
Under our deposit agreement, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if you do not vote, unless we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given or under any of the other situations specified under the deposit agreement. The effect of this discretionary proxy is that you cannot prevent ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, absent the situations described above, and it may be more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

 

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Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may dilute your holdings, and you may not receive cash dividends if it is impractical to make them available to you.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.
In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute that property and you will not receive that distribution.
We are a Cayman Islands company and because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, you may have less protection for your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as that from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. In addition, some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders of our company may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders of our company than they would as shareholders of a U.S. public company.
We are controlled by a small group of shareholders, whose interests may differ from other shareholders.
As of June 1, 2010, our principal shareholder, Mr. Guanglin Lai, beneficially owns 38.8% of our total outstanding shares. In addition, as of June 1, 2010, certain key management of P3A beneficially owned an aggregate of 22.2% of our outstanding ordinary shares, with Messrs Zhixin Xue, Mingshe Zhang and Lv Yan holding 17.5%, 2.3% and 2.3% of our outstanding ordinary shares, respectively. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. In addition, because these shareholders could collectively control our company, they would be able to take actions that may not be in the best interests of other shareholders. These actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other shareholders. We do not have any existing arrangements with any of our shareholders to address potential conflicts of interests between these shareholders and our company, and none of our shareholders, other than our officers pursuant to the terms of their service agreements, has entered into non-compete agreements. There is a risk that our existing shareholders may not always act in the best interests of our company.
Our memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could adversely affect the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
Our memorandum and articles of association include the following provisions that may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company:
    Our board of directors has the authority to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares without action by our shareholders and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the designation of the series; number of shares of the series; dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

 

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    Our board of directors may issue a series of shares without action by our shareholders to the extent of available authorized but unissued preferred shares. Accordingly, the issuance of preferred shares may adversely affect the rights of the holders of the ordinary shares. Issuance of preference shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.
    Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, our board of directors may issue additional ordinary shares or rights to acquire ordinary shares without action by our shareholders to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.
By discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction, our memorandum and articles of association could deprive our shareholders of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing market price.
You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.
We are a Cayman Islands company and most of our assets are located outside of the United States. We conduct most of our operations are in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
We are a Cayman Islands incorporated holding company that primarily conducts operations in China through our contractual arrangements with P3A and Guanli, which are our consolidated affiliated entities, and through our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China. Our investment in New Zealand comprises an equity interest in and convertible redeemable notes of PGG Wrightson. We commenced operations in January 2004 through P3A, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the PRC in 2000. We established a holding company, Agria Group Limited, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands in July 2005 to facilitate our future international fund-raising activities. We formed Agria China in Beijing, China as a wholly-owned subsidiary under the laws of the PRC in March 2007 to focus on research and development and other corporate activities.
We incorporated Agria Corporation under the laws of the Cayman Islands in May 2007. Agria Corporation became the holding company of Agria Group Limited in June 2007 when all of the shareholders of Agria Group Limited exchanged their shares in Agria Group Limited for shares of Agria Corporation on a pro rata basis. In April 2008, we formed Agria Brother in Shenzhen, China, as a wholly-owned subsidiary under the laws of the PRC to engage in research and development and other activities.
In August 2009, we entered into contractual arrangements with Guanli to hold our future investments in the agricultural industry in China. We formed Southrich Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Agria Group Limited, in September 2009 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands to hold our convertible redeemable notes issued by PGG Wrightson in 2010. Agria (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southrich Limited, was incorporated in November 2009 under the laws of Singapore to hold our equity interest in PGG Wrightson. In January 2010, Southrich Limited changed its name to Agria Asia Investments Limited.
B. Business Overview
Overview
We are a China-based agriculture company with investments in key agriculture markets of China and New Zealand. In China, we engage in research and development, production and sale of upstream agriculture products in three categories: seeds, sheep products and seedling and date products. We have investments in, and are strategic partner with, PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest agricultural service company. Our total revenues decreased from RMB468.1 million in 2008 to RMB177.0 million ($25.9 million) in 2009 while our net income improved from a loss of RMB751.0 million in 2008 to a loss of RMB135.3 million ($19.8 million) in 2009.

 

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As of December 31, 2009, we had access to approximately 28,600 acres of farmland and owned approximately 5,705 sheep and 1,576 goats in China.
We operate our seed business through two separate consolidated entities, P3A and Nong Ke Yu, which largely operate independently from each other. P3A also operate all of our sheep and seedling business. We acquired Nong Ke Yu in October 2009.
The P3A seed products primarily consist of corn seeds sold to farmers growing corn for animal feed, human consumption and industrial uses. Our products are grown in seven provinces in China through contractual arrangements with village collectives under which we provide farming, harvesting and other technical guidance and supervision to farmers. We process and package field corn seed products and sell them to local and regional distributors.
The Nong Ke Yu seed products primarily consist of corn seeds sold to farmers and food processing companies, which grow and process corns for human consumption. We outsource the production of these corn seeds to production companies located in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces and sell them through regional sales agents and directly to food processing companies which grow and process corns.
We buy and grow sheep in Shanxi province and sell them primarily to government-operated breed improvement and reproductive stations, breeding companies and other sheep reproduction stations and farms. Our seedling products primarily consist of Chinese dates and date seedlings that we sell directly to end users.
In line with other agriculture businesses, our business and results of operations are seasonal in nature.
We hold a 19.0% stake in the equity of and a convertible redeemable notes issued by PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company, which offers a wide range of products, services and solutions to farmers, growers and processors in New Zealand and internationally. We have also entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with PGG Wrightson.
Senior Management Changes and Strategic Review
On September 14, 2009, we appointed Xie Tao as our chief executive officer and Christopher Boddington as our chief financial officer and announced that Xie Tao would lead the management team to conduct a comprehensive strategic review of our company. On October 23, 2009, John Layburn joined our company as the chief strategy and compliance officer.
On March 10, 2010, we announced an update to our strategic review. This strategic review is now largely complete and we have concluded the following as our key strategic priorities:
    Growing a focused seed business in China. We believe that the PRC government and the agricultural industry participants share the same goal of improving agricultural productivity, which is evidenced by strong foreign and domestic investment flowing into the agricultural industry in China. We consider that focusing on the seed sector will best position us to achieve sustainable growth in the future.
    Developing strong expertise in operational management. The agricultural sector in China is highly fragmented with many small companies whose growth potential is hindered by a lack of experienced operational management. Our investment in and strategic partnership with PGG Wrightson, which owns the largest seed company in the southern hemisphere gives us an access to a management team experienced in running modern international seed businesses. In June 2010, we also recruited Mr. Chuanli Zhou as the head of our seeds division. Mr. Zhou has over 20 years of experience in the seed industry in China and was previously the general manager of Shandong Denghai-PIONEER Seed Company, a joint venture between Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., a leading international agricultural company, and Shandong Denghai Seeds Co., Ltd.
    Acquiring proprietary technologies. The seed industry is a technology-centered business and companies with sufficient quantity and quality of proprietary technologies have a significant competitive edge. We will continue to leverage our recent investment in and partnership with CNAAS to develop proprietary technologies. We are also at various stages of discussions regarding potential investments in seed companies with proprietary seed producers.

 

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P3A has historically been our principal operating entity with three production lines: corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. P3A’s financial and operating performance has declined since 2007. For details of P3A’s financial and operating performance, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results.” We have reached an agreement in principle to divest P3A to Mr. Frank Xue, the president and a director of P3A. Through the proposed transaction, we would acquire Agria shares currently held by Mr. Xue constituting 11.5% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Agria in exchange for the transfer of all of our interest in P3A to Mr. Xue. Immediately following the proposed transaction, Mr. Xue would hold approximately 6% of Agria shares. The leases with rent prepaid in full over nine parcels of land totaling 13,500 acres currently held by P3A would be retained by our group. After this transaction is completed, we would cancel the shares acquired from Mr. Xue.
Our audit committee, comprising entirely independent directors, is currently assessing whether the proposed transaction would be in the best interest of our shareholders. The audit committee has engaged external advisors, including a financial advisory firm, valuation firm and legal counsel to assist them in assessing this transaction. Our board of directors will not approve the proposed transaction without the prior favorable recommendation of the audit committee.
Our Products
We specialize in three categories of agriculture products in China: seeds, sheep products and seedlings. In 2009, sales of seed, sheep products and seedling and date products accounted for 60.1%, 21.7% and 17.5%, respectively, of our total revenues.
Seeds
Our seed business consists primarily of research and development, production, marketing and distribution of seeds.
We operate our seed business through two separate consolidated entities, P3A and Nong Ke Yu, which largely operate independently from each other. We acquired Nong Ke Yu in October 2009.
The P3A seed products primarily consist of corn seeds sold to farmers growing corn for animal feed, human consumption and industrial uses. Our products are grown in seven provinces in China through contractual arrangements with village collectives under which we provide farming, harvesting and other technical guidance and supervision to farmers. We process and package field corn seed products and sell them to local and regional distributors.
In 2009, our P3A seed business sold approximately 11,256 tons of field corn seed products. In addition to producing and selling our own products, this business also distributes corn seeds produced by other seed companies in China. The P3A seed business also produces and sells generic field corn seeds whose intellectual property rights have expired in China. As of December 31, 2009, the business had access to a total of approximately 14,500 acres of farmland in the Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Hainan provinces for production of corn seeds.
The P3A seed operations would be sold as part of the P3A divestiture in the event the transaction is consummated.
In October 2009, Guanli, one of our consolidated entities, acquired Nong Ke Yu, a Chinese company engaged in research and development and sales and distribution of edible corn seeds. Nong Ke Yu’s primary operations comprise the Nong Ke Yu seed business.
The Nong Ke Yu seed products primarily consist of corn seeds sold to farmers and food processing companies growing food for human consumption. We outsource the production of these corn seeds to production companies located in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces and sell them through regional sales agents and directly to food processing companies who grow and process corn. The primary seed product produced by Nong Ke Yu is JKN 2000, which is the market leader in the edible corn seed sector. We purchased the rights to the technology in June 2008.
In January 2010, Guanli acquired BeOK, a company based in Tianjin focused on research and development and sale of vegetable seeds. BeOK sells 18 varieties of vegetable seeds in six categories including broccoli, celery, chilies, Chinese cabbage, cucumber and tomato.
In 2010, we also commenced the sale of imported grass seed.
We are at various stages of discussions regarding potential investments in seed companies with proprietary seed varieties.

 

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Sheep Products
In 2009, our sheep business consisted primarily of buying, raising and selling sheep and goats. As of December 31, 2009, we owned approximately 5,705 sheep and 1,576 goats.
In 2008 and previous years, our sheep business was also involved in the production and sale of frozen semen and embryos of sheep and goats. However, in 2008, we relocated our production of frozen semen and embryos to Youyu, Shanxi province. This transfer significantly disrupted our business and led to quality control problems. As a consequence, no revenues were generated from the sales of semen or embryos reported in 2009.
Our sheep products operations are conducted by P3A and would be sold as part of the P3A divestiture in the event the transaction is consummated. The land used by our sheep product operations comprises nine parcels of land totaling approximately 13,500 acres. We have prepaid the rent for this land in full. If the transaction to divest P3A is completed, under the terms of the agreement in principle, the rights to this land would be retained by us. We are currently assessing alternative uses for it.
Seedlings and Dates
Our seedling segment is undergoing a transitional process. Historically, our seedling products comprised Chinese date seedlings and approximately ten varieties of tree seedlings, including white bark pine seedlings. In 2010, we stopped producing date seedlings and as the remaining tree seedling business lacked critical scale to justify continued management and financial resources, we also ceased the production and sale of the other ten seedling varieties. In the future, we intend to use the date trees that previously produced Chinese date seedlings to produce Chinese date fruits.
Our seedlings operations are currently conducted by P3A and would be sold as part of the P3A divestiture in the event the transaction is consummated. We currently have no plans to re-enter the seedling business.
Research and Development
We conduct research and development both through our in-house research and development team and in cooperation with various universities and research institutions. See “—Intellectual Property.” We have also acquired a number of technologies from third parties.
As of December 31, 2009, our own research and development team consisted of 20 research professionals and staff in our seeds, sheep products and seedling businesses operated by P3A, and five research professionals and staff in our seed business operated by Nong Ke Yu.
Our P3A seeds business collaborates with a number of universities and research institutions to develop advanced technologies, including new varieties of seeds.
Our Nong Ke Yu seed business leases land in Beijing and shares experimental breeding stations with the Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences in Beijing and Hainan where we participate in the development and testing of new strains of corn seeds.
In October 2009, we entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement with CNAAS, providing for future cooperation across the spectrum of agricultural research. Established in 1957, CNAAS is the largest agricultural research organization in China. It comprises 39 research institutes across the country covering all major areas of the agricultural sector including advanced research in the development of both horticulture and livestock. CNAAS employs over 5,000 scientists and research engineers, many of whom have been awarded national academic accolades. It also encompasses the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the only agricultural research institution in China that can confer Ph.D. level degrees in agricultural sciences. Through its network of research institutes, CNAAS controls one of the largest seed banks in the world. In addition, we entered into an investment agreement with CNAAS and its affiliates to invest RMB35.0 million ($5.1 million) in Zhongnong, a company wholly owned by CNAAS and its affiliates. The strategic cooperation framework grants Zhongnong preferential rights to the commercialization of research undertaken by CNAAS.

 

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Investments and Strategic Partnerships
In October 2009, we entered into agreements to invest in, and form a strategic partnership with, PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest rural services business, which offers a wide range of products, services and solutions to farmers, growers and processors in New Zealand and internationally. PGG Wrightson structures its operations through four divisions: (i) customer services, (ii) seed, grain and nutrition, (iii) financial services and (iv) South America. Each division consists of several business units.
         
Division   Business unit   Overview
 
 
Customer Services
  Rural Supplies   A leading provider of rural supplies throughout New Zealand through a retail chain operating under the PGG Wrightson brand
 
       
 
  Fruitfed Supplies   A leading provider of agri-chemicals and technical expertise to the New Zealand horticulture sector
 
 
 
  Livestock   A leading livestock broker in New Zealand
 
       
 
  Irrigation and Pumping   A leading irrigation systems provider in New Zealand
 
       
 
  Wool   Joint venture investments in The New Zealand Merino Company and Wool Partners International
 
 
 
  Agriculture New Zealand   A leading New Zealand agricultural and horticultural training provider
 
       
Seed, Grain and Nutrition
  Seeds   A leading southern hemisphere forage seed company with developing global operations
 
       
 
  Grain   A significant share of the grain brokerage and marketing services in New Zealand and a leading proprietary cereal seed provider
 
 
 
  Agri-feeds   A leading New Zealand molasses importer and wholesaler
 
       
Financial Services
  PGG Wrightson Finance   A leading non-bank specialist rural lender in New Zealand
 
 
 
  Real Estate   A leading full service rural real estate business in New Zealand with nationwide operations
 
 
 
  Funds Management   Provider of fund management services to New Zealand Stock Exchange-listed NZ Farming Systems Uruguay Limited
 
 
 
  Insurance   Broking arrangement with AON New Zealand servicing the New Zealand rural insurance market
 
 
South America
      Leading forage seed supplier in Uruguay and provider of rural services and farm management services to South American customers, with potential for growth and expansion
We formed a long-term relationship with PGG Wrightson through a strategic cooperation agreement, under which PGG Wrightson and we have undertaken to work together to create value for both companies by advancing agricultural technology and developing new markets. The scope of cooperation includes:
    joint development and international commercialization of seed cultivars to which we and PGG Wrightson and their development partners have access;
    examination of additional funding lines through a third party source to enhance liquidity in, and development of, PGG Wrightson Finance;
    development of livestock demand in China and the export of livestock from New Zealand, Australia, South America and other markets to China to meet market demand;

 

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    the establishment of livestock trading systems in China using PGG Wrightson’s technical expertise, particularly through the establishment of an auction system; and
    exploring the possibility of developing a rural services business in China, where there is currently no mature provider.
We have initiated the cooperation efforts, particularly in seed development and commercialization.
Between November 2009 and December 2009, through equity purchases and participation in a rights issue, we invested a total of NZ$83.9 million (approximately $60.0 million based on the exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2009), acquiring a 19% stake in PGG Wrightson.
On January 15, 2010, pursuant to a subscription agreement dated November 18, 2009, we subscribed for convertible redeemable notes issued by PGG Wrightson in an aggregate principal amount of approximately NZ$33.9 million (approximately $24.2 million based on the exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2009). Key features of the convertible redeemable notes are as follows:
Term. The convertible redeemable notes have a perpetual term.
Interest
Interest payable under the convertible redeemable notes is:
    for the period from January 15, 2010 to December 31, 2011, 8.0% per annum on the principal amount of the notes;
    for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, the two-year swap on December 31, 2011 plus a margin of 5.5%;
    for subsequent two-year periods commencing on January 1, 2014, January 1, 2016 and so on, the two-year swap at the start of the relevant two-year period plus a margin of 6.5%.
PGG Wrightson can suspend the interest payments at its sole discretion. Suspended interest accumulates and any suspended interest is payable on any subsequent interest payment date at the sole discretion of PGG Wrightson. At any time when there is suspended interest, PGG Wrightson may not declare or pay any dividend or make a distribution on its ordinary shares. Once payment of interest on the notes is resumed, PGG Wrightson may not declare or pay any dividend or make a distribution on its ordinary shares for a period of 12 months commencing on the date on which the payment of interest is resumed, unless all suspended and unpaid interest is paid.
Conversion and Redemption
Unless otherwise agreed by PGG Wrightson and us, PGG Wrightson may elect at its sole discretion to convert or redeem the notes at any time following 18 months after January 15, 2010.
In the event that PGG Wrightson elects to convert the notes into its ordinary shares, each note will be converted into 2.1 ordinary shares of PGG Wrightson, subject to PGG Wrightson’s shareholder approval.
In the event that PGG Wrightson elects to redeem the notes, we may choose whether the notes will be redeemed in cash or exchanged into ordinary shares of PGG Wrightson Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of PGG Wrightson, which exchange is subject to PGG Wrightson’s shareholder approval.
If the notes are redeemed in cash, PGG Wrightson will pay us 102% of the principal amount of the notes if the redemption takes place on or before December 31, 2011, or 104%, with each subsequent two-year period cash redemption amount accreting at an additional 2%, if the redemption takes place during the two-year period after December 31, 2011.
If the notes are exchanged into ordinary shares of PGG Wrightson Finance, the exchange ratio at which each note is exchanged into PGG Wrightson Finance ordinary shares will be the greater of (1) 1/(net tangible assets per PGG Wrightson Finance share on December 31, 2009), and (2) 1/(net tangible assets per PGG Wrightson Finance share at the last day of the month immediately prior to the time of exchange), provided that the exchange ratio shall be between 30% to 50%, depending upon the performance of PGG Wrightson Finance. In addition to the exchange, PGG Wrightson will also pay Agria 2% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed if the redemption occurs on or before December 31, 2011, or 4%, with each subsequent two-year exchange period redemption payment accreting at an additional 2%, if the redemption occurs between January 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2013.

 

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In the event that shareholder approval, or any other regulatory or other approval or consent required by either PGG Wrightson or us in order to effect the exchange of PGG Wrightson Finance ordinary shares, cannot be obtained, we will have the option to have PGG Wrightson redeem the notes in cash at the abovementioned cash redemption amount, or have PGG Wrightson pay us in cash the cash equivalent value of the ordinary shares of PGG Wrightson Finance sought to be transferred to us under the exchange arrangement.
In October 2009, we also entered into a strategic co-operation framework agreement with CNAAS, which provides for future co-operation across the spectrum of agricultural research. In addition, we also entered into an investment agreement with CNAAS and its affiliates to invest RMB35.0 million ($5.1 million) in Zhongnong, a company wholly owned by CNAAS and its affiliates. Zhongnong has priority rights to accept the transfer of all existing and future cultivated seed varieties owned by CNAAS and its affiliates for the purposes of commercialization.
In October 2009, we entered into an agreement to acquire Nong Ke Yu. Under the terms of the agreement, Guanli, our consolidated affiliated entity acquired 100% of the equity of Nong Ke Yu for RMB5.0 million ($0.7 million). Previously, in June 2008, we had purchased the production and sales rights to two corn seeds owned by Nong Ke Yu, JKN2000 and JKN120.
In January 2010, we entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the equity of BeOK for RMB1.0 million ($0.1 million). BeOK is primarily engaged in the research and development and sale of vegetable seeds and is based in Tianjin.
Sales and Marketing
We market our P3A seeds products through pre-sale training, demonstrations and presentations to distributors, farmers and other potential customers. Our field corn seeds are primarily sold to distributors, who in turn sell them to farmers. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 70 distributors in China.
We market our Nong Ke Yu seed products through pre-sale training, demonstrations and presentations to distributors, farmers and manufacturers in the fresh corn processing business. Our edible corn seeds are primarily sold to distributors, who in turn sell them to farmers and corn-processing manufacturers, who plant the corn as raw materials for processing. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 47 distributors and 38 manufacturer customers in China.
We market our sheep products by arranging site visits for, and distributing manuals and information to, potential customers. In 2009, we had approximately 380 direct customers for our sheep products in China, the majority of which were intermediary customers who planned to resell the products to final customers. Our primary distribution model for our sheep products in Shanxi province is through government poverty alleviation and good-breed promotion offices, which are government-owned and funded entities that sell the products to farmers.
During 2009, we had relationships with approximately 29 seedlings customers in China. We sold our white bark pine seedlings primarily to Taiyuan Relord Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd., or Taiyuan Relord, which is a related party. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Other Transactions with P3A and Its Affiliates.”
As of December 31, 2009, our sales and marketing teams comprised over 50 employees.
Competition
The agricultural industry in China is highly fragmented, largely regional and competitive. We expect competition to increase and intensify. In particular, we face significant competition in our corn seed business segment in Shanxi province. Many of our competitors have greater financial, research and development and other resources than we have.

 

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We compete with both domestic and multinational companies in the seed business. The market is highly fragmented and intensively competitive. We also compete with small domestic seed companies in the geographic areas in which they operate. These seed companies operate only in their respective local markets and sell seeds to local customers. However, they are often well established within their locales, have local government support and understand local farmers’ needs, giving them a competitive advantage in their locales. Our sheep and seedling businesses compete with various local sheep farms and seedling companies, respectively.
Intellectual Property
Many elements of our proprietary information, such as production processes, technologies, know-how and data are not patentable in China. We rely primarily on a combination of trade secrets, trademarks and confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties to protect our intellectual property. While we cannot assure you that our efforts will deter others from misappropriating our intellectual property rights, we will continue to create and protect our intellectual property rights in order to maintain our competitive position.
Insurance
Other than automobile insurance on certain vehicles and property and casualty insurance for some of our assets, director and officer liability insurance and employee benefit insurance, we do not have insurance coverage on our assets or inventories, nor do we have any business interruption, product liability or litigation insurance for our operations in China. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We have limited insurance coverage on our assets in China and any uninsured loss or damage to our property, business disruption or litigation may result in our incurring substantial costs.”
Legal Proceedings
On February 3, 2009, a consolidated class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York was filed, alleging violations of various sections of the Securities Act, against us, our executive officers, our directors and other defendants. The lawsuit alleges that our initial public offering registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose certain alleged discussions between two Agria executives relating to requests for additional compensation and a threatened resignation.
On December 1, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the consolidated class action against the Company and the underwriters defendants, and the Court issued a judgment in favor of the Company and the underwriter defendants.
On June 4, 2010, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the lead plaintiff reflecting an agreement in principle and agreed to pay $3.75 million to settle all claims asserted in the class action lawsuit. The settlement amount is within the limit of our applicable insurance policies, and we do not expect the settlement to have any impact on Agria’s financial statements. However, if the settlement is not finalized for any reason, including failing to obtain a final approval from the court or failing to fulfill all the terms of the settlement (among other things), we may incur substantial monetary damages exceeding the amount of possible coverage under our directors and officers insurance policies, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our reputation. It may also divert the attention of our management from the normal business operations of our company.
Regulation
Agriculture Law
On July 2, 1993, the PRC promulgated the Agriculture Law which sets forth certain principles and various measures designed to ensure the steady development of the agricultural industry. For example, the production and operation of agricultural products that affect the health of people or animals, such as seeds, must meet registration and approval requirements under PRC laws and regulations. The Agriculture Law was revised on December 28, 2002, effective March 1, 2003.

 

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Seed Law, Animal Husbandry Law and Other Relevant Regulations
Seed Law and Other Relevant Regulations
The crop seed business is a highly regulated industry in the PRC. In July 2000, the Seed Law was enacted to promote the use of seed resources; to control the selection, production and use of seeds and regulate related business operations; to protect the legal rights of producers, business operators and users of seeds; to promote seed quality; to drive the industrialization processes of seeds and to accelerate the development of the planting and forestry industries. The Seed Law became effective on December 1, 2000 and was amended on August 28, 2004.
Under the Seed Law, major crop seeds and tree varieties are subject to examination and approval as a pre-condition of their popularization. An applicant may apply directly for examination and approval at either the national or provincial level. Committees composed of professional experts have been established separately by the State Council’s agriculture and forestry administrative departments and the provincial governments for the examination and approval of crop and tree varieties. Major crop seed varieties that are verified and approved by the State Council’s committee and the National Crop Variety Examination and Approval Committee may be marketed and distributed nationwide. Varieties that receive provincial approval are only permitted to be marketed and distributed within the province that granted the approval.
For seed production, a permission-based system is currently in practice pursuant to the Administrative Regulation on Permission of Production and Operation of Crop Seeds, which was issued on February 26, 2001 and revised on July 1, 2004. A company engaged in the production of seeds must obtain a production license, which is issued at either the provincial or the local level, entitling the licensee to engage in seed production in the permitted area. The level of issuing authority required for a production license varies based on the types of seeds to be produced. The production license also specifies the types of seeds the license holder may produce, the geographic region where seeds can be produced and the term of the production license.
For seed distribution, a company must obtain a distribution license in order to distribute seeds in permitted areas. Generally, a distribution license may be issued at the county level or above. A seed company must obtain a distribution license from the provincial government to distribute major crop seeds in that province and a distribution license from the national government for national distribution.
Animal Husbandry Law and Other Relevant Regulations
According to the PRC’s Animal Husbandry Law, which was promulgated on December 29, 2005 and became effective on July 1, 2006, popularization of any new variety of livestock is subject to examination and approval by the National Commission of Animal Genetic Resources. Approved varieties are announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and be eligible for popularization.
Pursuant to the Animal Husbandry Law, entities or individuals engaged in production of breeder livestock or poultry, or engaged in the commercial production of new-born livestock or poultry, must obtain a Permit for the Production and Business Operation of Breeding Livestock and Poultry, or the Husbandry Permit. Entities and individuals engaged in the production of ova, frozen sperm, embryos or other genetic materials must obtain a Husbandry Permit from the State Council’s stockbreeding and veterinary administrative departments through their respective provincial agencies. The approval level of the Husbandry Permit varies depending on the permitted scope and content.
In addition to the Animal Husbandry Law, the Administrative Regulation of Breeders was issued on April 15, 1994. These regulations specify conditions and requirements that must be satisfied by breeding farms regarding their technologies, facilities, quarantine measures, livestock and poultry inspection systems and livestock and poultry distribution. We believe our sheep farms meet the conditions required under the applicable regulations.
Supervision of Agricultural Products Quality and Safety
On March 10, 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture issued the Administrative Measures for the Supervision and Spot Check of Agricultural Seed Quality, which became effective on May 1, 2005, and which permit the government’s administrations of agriculture at the county level or above to organize relevant seed administration and seed quality inspection institutions to sample and inspect agricultural seeds that are produced and sold. A seed production and operation company that does not meet inspection standards must recall any seeds that have been sold. Such companies may not conduct sales until they meet inspection standards. A legal representative of the seed company must circulate information on the inspection to all employees, and the company must determine why the seeds failed to meet inspection standards and implement corrective measures. Such measures include improving quality control processes, submitting rectification reports and submitting to subsequent examinations by the administration of agriculture. Our seeds have not been recalled in any inspections by the government authorities.

 

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Under the PRC Law on Agricultural Product Quality Safety, issued on April 29, 2006 and declared effective on November 1, 2006, an entity engaged in the production of agricultural products must maintain production records and retain data relating to production for 2 years.
Under the PRC Law on Animal Epidemic Prevention, issued on July 3, 1997 and revised on August 30, 2007, animals and/or animal products to be sold or transported require quarantine certificates and quarantine inspection marks or seals. Shanxi province’s Regulations on Animal Epidemic Prevention require business operators to report to their local supervisory institutions or animal quarantine officers of animal epidemic prevention where such operators are domiciled, and to submit to inspections and quarantines of animals and animal products. The level of inspection varies depending on the uses for such animals or animal products.
Under the Regulations on Plant Quarantine, issued on January 3, 1983 and revised on May 13, 1992, plants and plant products listed in quarantine catalogues are subject to quarantine inspections before they are transported from a county administration area where an epidemic occurs. Plant seeds, seedlings or other propagating materials are subject to quarantine inspections prior to transportation.
Land Use Rights
All land in the PRC is either state-owned or collectively owned, depending on the location of the land. All land in the urban areas of a city or town is state-owned, and all land in the rural areas of a city or town and all rural land are, unless otherwise specified by law, collectively owned. The state has the right to reclaim land in accordance with law if required for the benefit of the public. Although all land in the PRC is owned by the state or by collectives, private individuals and businesses and other organizations are permitted to hold, lease and develop land for which they are granted land use rights.
National Legislation on Land
In April 1988, the constitution of the PRC was amended by the National People’s Congress to allow for the transfer of land use rights for value, and in December 1988, the Land Administration Law of the PRC was similarly amended.
Under the Interim Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Grant and Transfer of the Right to Use State-owned Urban Land, or Interim Regulations on Grant and Transfer, promulgated in May 1990, local governments at or above the county level have the power to grant land use rights for specific purposes and for a definite period to a land user pursuant to a contract for the grant of land use rights against payment of a grant premium.
Under the Interim Regulations on Grant and Transfer, all local and foreign enterprises are permitted to acquire land use rights unless the law provides otherwise. The state may not reclaim lawfully granted land use rights prior to the expiration of the term of grant. If public interest requires repossession by the state under special circumstances during the term of grant, compensation will be paid by the state. A land grantee may lawfully transfer, mortgage or lease its land use rights to a third party for the remainder of the term of grant.
Upon expiration of the term of grant, renewal is possible subject to the execution of a new contract for the grant of land use rights and payment of a premium. If the term of the grant is not renewed, the land use rights and ownership of any buildings erected on the land will revert to the state without compensation.
Transfer and Lease of State-owned Land Use Rights
After the state had granted land use rights relating to a particular area of land, unless any restriction is imposed, the party to whom such land use rights have been granted may transfer, lease or mortgage such land use rights for a term not exceeding the term which has been granted by the state. The difference between a transfer and a lease is that a transfer involves the vesting of the land use rights by the transferor in the transferee during the term for which such land use rights were vested in the transferor. A lease, on the other hand, does not involve a transfer of such rights by the lessor to the lessee. Furthermore, a lease, unlike a transfer, does not usually involve the payment of a premium. Instead, a rent is payable during the term of the lease. Land use rights cannot be transferred, leased or mortgaged if the provisions of the land grant contract, with respect to the prescribed period and conditions of investment, development and use of the land, have not been complied with. In addition, different areas of the PRC have different conditions which must be fulfilled before the respective land use rights can be transferred, leased or mortgaged.

 

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All transfers, mortgages and leases of land use rights must be evidenced by a written contract registered with the relevant local land bureau at the municipality or the county level. Upon a transfer of land use rights, all rights and obligations contained in the contract pursuant to which the land use rights were originally granted by the state are deemed to be incorporated as part of the terms and conditions of such transfer, depending on the nature of the transaction.
Under Article 38 of the PRC Law on Administration of Urban Real Estate, or the Urban Real Estate Law, issued on July 5, 1994 and revised on August 30, 2007, real property that has not been registered and for which a title certificate has not been obtained in accordance with the law cannot be transferred. Under Article 39 of the Urban Real Estate Law, if land use rights are acquired by means of grant, the following conditions must be met before the land use rights may be transferred: (1) the premium for the grant of land use rights must have been paid in full in accordance with the land grant contract and a land use rights certificate must have been obtained; (ii) investment or development must have been made or carried out in accordance with terms of the land grant contract; (iii) more than 25% of the total amount of investment or development must have been made or completed; and (iv) where the investment or development involves a large tract of land, conditions for use of the land for industrial or other construction purpose must have been confirmed.
Regulation of Collective-owned Land
According to the PRC Law on Land Administration, adopted by the National People’s Congress on June 25, 1986 and amended on August 28, 2004, land in rural and suburban areas, except for that stipulated by law as being owned by the state, is collectively owned by rural residents. Land collectively owned by rural residents is contracted to and operated by members of the respective collective economic entity for uses such as plantation, forestry, livestock husbandry or fishery production. Before any land collectively owned by rural residents is contracted to a unit or individual not from the collective economic entity, at least two-thirds of the members of the villager committee meeting or at least two-thirds of the village representatives must agree, and it must be submitted to the people’s government at the township level for approval. The land use rights of collectively owned land must not be granted, assigned or leased to any party for any non-agricultural uses.
Foreign Ownership Restrictions in the Seed Industry
The PRC restricts foreign ownership of domestic businesses engaged in the seed industry. According to the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, which became effective on December 1, 2007, the selection and breeding of new breeds of crops and the development and production of seeds fall into the category of a restricted foreign investment industry. In addition, the breeding and planting of China’s rare and peculiar breeds (including quality gene cultivation, animal husbandry and aquatic products) and the production and development of genetically modified plant seeds, breeding livestock and poultry and aquatic seedlings are considered prohibited foreign investment industries. PRC law currently prohibits a foreign entity or person from owning over 50% of any seed development and production business in China and prohibits a foreign entity or person from owning any sheep business in China.
In accordance with the Regulation on the Approval and Registration of Foreign Investment Enterprises in the Agricultural Seed Industry, issued and effective on September 8, 1997, investors may establish foreign-invested crop seed companies provided that they have satisfied the following requirements: (i) the company’s PRC investors must have obtained necessary approvals for crop seed production and operation and submitted the business to any necessary examinations; (ii) the foreign investors must be equipped with relatively advanced research breeding capabilities, seed production technologies and good corporate management and possess a positive business reputation; (iii) the investors must be able to introduce or adopt outstanding domestic or foreign species or seed resources and advanced seeds technologies and facilities; (iv) the registered capital of companies engaged in the production of cereal, cotton and oil products seeds must be no less than $2 million, and the registered capital of companies engaged in the production of other crop seeds must be no less than $0.5 million; and (iv) the company’s PRC investors’ equity ownership in the foreign-invested cereal, cotton and oil products seeds enterprises must be more than 50%. Pursuant to this regulation, foreign investors are not permitted to establish foreign-invested crop seed distribution enterprises or wholly foreign-owned crop seed enterprises in China.

 

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We engage in the seed production business through contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entity, P3A. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.” Our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China, Agria China and Agria Brother, do not engage in the seed production business.
Intellectual Property
The PRC Trademark Law, adopted on August 23, 1982 and revised on October 27, 2001, protects the proprietary rights of registered trademarks. The State Administration for Industry and Commerce’s Trademark Office handles trademark registrations and grants an initial term of ten years to registered trademarks. Upon the initial term’s expiration, a second term of ten years may be granted under a renewal. Trademark license agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office or a regional office. In addition, if a registered trademark is recognized as a well-known trademark, the proprietary right of the trademark holder may be extended beyond the registered scope of products and services to which the trademark relates.
Under the PRC Patent Law, which was adopted on March 12, 1984 and revised on December 27, 2008, animal and plant varieties may not be protected under patents, but the production methods of animal and plant varieties may be patented. Producers of plant varieties may seek protection for their rights to new varieties under the Protection of New Varieties of Plants Regulation.
The Protection of New Varieties of Plants Regulation was promulgated by the State Council on March 20, 1997, and became effective on October 1, 1997. The administrative departments of the State Council in charge of agriculture and forestry are, according to their respective functions, jointly responsible for the acceptance and examination of applications for the rights to new varieties of plants and grant such rights to new varieties of plants which satisfy the requirements under the regulations. An entity or individual that has completed the production, sale or dissemination of a new variety of plant which has been granted a variety right will have an exclusive right in its protected variety. Unless otherwise provided for in these regulations, without a license from the owner of the variety right, no other entity or individual may use such variety for commercial purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Under the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated on January 29, 1996 and amended on August 5, 2008, the foreign exchange incomes of domestic entities and individuals can be remitted into China or deposited abroad, subject to the conditions and time limits to be issued by SAFE. According to the Foreign Currency Administration Rules, the Renminbi is convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions. Conversion of Renminbi for capital account items, such as direct investment, loan, securities investment, derivative transactions and repatriation of investment, however, is still subject to the approval of, and/or the registration with, SAFE or its local branches.
Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of wholly foreign-owned enterprises include the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, promulgated by the National People’s Congress on April 12, 1986 and amended on October 31, 2000, and the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules, promulgated by the National People’s Congress on December 12, 1990 and amended on April 12, 2001. Under these regulations, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in the PRC may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, wholly foreign-owned enterprises are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax profits each year, if any, to contribute to certain reserve funds until the cumulative amounts in such reserve funds have reached 50% of the registered capital of such enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Pursuant to the 2008 EIT Law and the Implementing Rules effective on January 1, 2008, dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors who are non-resident enterprises will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation on Income agreed between the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in August 2006 and the Notice in Relation to the Dispatch of Schedule of Agreed Tax Rates on Dividends issued by the State Administration of Taxation (State Taxation Circular No. 112 (2008)), dividends payable by a foreign-invested enterprise to its foreign investors will be subject to a 5% tax provided that such foreign investor directly owns at least 25% of the equity interests of the foreign-invested enterprise.

 

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On October 1, 2009, the Administrative Measures for Non-Residents Enjoying Tax Treaty Benefits (Trial Implementation) became effective. Under these measures, our Hong Kong subsidiary needs to obtain approval from the competent local branch of the State Administration of Taxation in order to enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5% in accordance with the tax treaty. In February 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued Notice No. 81. According to Notice No. 81, in order to enjoy the preferential treatment on dividend withholding tax rates, an enterprise must be the “beneficial owner” of the relevant dividend income, and no enterprise is entitled to preferential treatment pursuant to any tax treaties if such enterprise qualifies for such preferential tax rates through any transaction or arrangement, the major purpose of which is to obtain such preferential tax treatment. The tax authority in charge has the right to make adjustments to the applicable tax rates, if it determines that any taxpayer has enjoyed preferential treatment under tax treaties as a result of such transaction or arrangement. In October 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued Notice No. 601 to provide guidance on the criteria to determine whether an enterprise qualifies as the “beneficial owner” of the PRC sourced income for the purpose of obtaining preferential treatment under tax treaties. Pursuant to Notice No. 601, the PRC tax authorities will review and grant tax preferential treatment on a case-by-case basis and adopt the “substance over form” principle in the review. Notice 601 specifies that a beneficial owner should generally carry out substantial business activities and own and have control over the income, the assets or other rights generating the income. Therefore, an agent or a conduit company will not be regarded as a beneficial owner of such income. Since the two notices were issued, it has remained unclear how the PRC tax authorities will implement them in practice and to what extent they will affect the dividend withholding tax rates for dividends distributed by our subsidiaries in China to our Hong Kong subsidiary. Under the 2008 EIT Law and the Implementing Rules, if China Victory is regarded as a resident enterprise, the dividends payable to China Victory from Agria China and Agria Brother will be exempt from the PRC income tax. If the relevant tax authority determines that our Hong Kong subsidiary is a conduit company and does not qualify as the “beneficial owner” of the dividend income it receives from our PRC subsidiaries, the higher 10% withholding tax rate may apply to such dividends.
Pursuant to the 2008 EIT Law which became effective on January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered as a resident enterprise and will be subject to PRC income tax on its global income. According to the Implementing Rules, “de facto management bodies” refer to establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise. On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated a circular setting out the criteria for determining whether “de facto management bodies” are located in China for overseas incorporated, domestically controlled enterprises. However, as this circular only applies to enterprises incorporated under the laws of foreign countries or regions that are controlled by PRC enterprises or groups of PRC enterprises, it remains unclear how the tax authorities will determine the location of “de facto management bodies” for overseas incorporated enterprises that are not controlled by PRC enterprises or groups of PRC enterprises like us. Accordingly, we may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to PRC income tax on our global income.
Moreover, under the EIT law, if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise and such income is deemed to be sourced from within the PRC, foreign ADS holders may be subject to a 10% withholding tax upon dividends payable by us and gains realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares.
Foreign Exchange
In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or SAFE Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005, and was further supplemented by an implementation notice issued by SAFE on November 24, 2005. SAFE Notice 75 suspends the implementation of two prior regulations promulgated in January and April of 2005 by SAFE. SAFE Notice 75 states that PRC residents, whether natural or legal persons, must register with the relevant local SAFE branch prior to establishing or taking control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving onshore assets or equity interests held by them. The term “PRC legal person residents” as used in SAFE Notice 75 refers to those entities with legal person status or other economic organizations established within the territory of the PRC. The term “PRC natural person residents” as used in SAFE Notice 75 includes all PRC citizens and all other natural persons, including foreigners, who habitually reside in the PRC for economic benefit. The SAFE implementation notice of November 24, 2005 further clarifies that the term “PRC natural person residents” as used under SAFE Notice 75 refers to those “PRC natural person residents” defined under the relevant PRC tax laws and those natural persons who hold any interests in domestic entities that are classified as “domestic-funding” interests.

 

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PRC residents are required to complete amended registrations with the local SAFE branch upon: (i) injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise to the offshore entity, or (ii) subsequent overseas equity financing by such offshore entity. PRC residents are also required to complete amended registrations or filing with the local SAFE branch within 30 days of any material change in the shareholding or capital of the offshore entity, such as changes in share capital, share transfers, long-term equity or debt investments, and granting security interests. PRC residents who have already incorporated or gained control of offshore entities that have made onshore investment in the PRC before SAFE Notice 75 was promulgated must register their shareholding in the offshore entities with the local SAFE branch on or before March 31, 2006.
Under SAFE Notice 75, PRC residents are further required to repatriate into the PRC all of their dividends, profits or capital gains obtained from their shareholdings in the offshore entity within 180 days of their receipt of such dividends, profits or capital gains. The registration and filing procedures under SAFE Notice 75 are prerequisites for other approval and registration procedures necessary for capital inflow from the offshore entity, such as inbound investments or shareholders loans, or capital outflow to the offshore entity, such as the payment of profits or dividends, liquidating distributions, equity sale proceeds, or the return of funds upon a capital reduction.
New M&A Rule
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, namely, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration for Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and SAFE, jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the New M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006. This New M&A Rule purports, among other things, to require offshore special purpose vehicles formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published a notice on its official website specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by special purpose vehicles seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings.
While the application of this new regulation remains unclear, we believe, based on the advice of our PRC counsel, Commerce & Finance Law Offices, that CSRC approval was not required in the context of our initial public offering because we established our PRC subsidiaries by means of direct investment other than by merger or acquisition of PRC domestic companies. The regulation also establishes more complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors which could make it more difficult to pursue growth through acquisitions.

 

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C. Organizational Structure
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure, including our principal subsidiaries, as of the date of this annual report:
(DIAGRAM)

 

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We conduct our business through contractual agreements with our consolidated affiliated entities, P3A, Guanli, Shenzhen Agria Agricultural Co., Ltd., or Agria Agriculture, and Shenzhen Zhongyuan Agriculture Co., Ltd., or Zhongyuan, which hold the requisite licenses and permits for conducting agricultural business. Our contractual arrangements with P3A, Guanli, Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan and their respective shareholders enable us to:
    exercise effective control over P3A, Guanli, Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan;
    receive substantially all of the earnings and other economic benefits from P3A, Guanli, Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan to the extent permissible under PRC law in consideration for the services provided by Agria China and Agria Brother; and
    have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in P3A, Guanli, Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan in each case when and to the extent permitted by PRC law.
In addition, the shareholders of P3A and Guanli have executed a letter of undertaking to remit all of the dividends and other distributions received from P3A to Agria China and from Guanli to Agria Brother, respectively, subject to satisfaction of their personal income tax and other statutory obligations arising from receiving such dividends or other distributions. We will require every person who holds the equity interests in P3A or Guanli at any time to enter into agreements with us on terms substantially similar as the existing contractual agreements between us and the current shareholders of P3A or Guanli. We have the legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by P3A, Guanli, Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan.
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Our principal executive offices are located in Beijing. As of December 31, 2009, we operated farms, breeding centers, propagation centers and other facilities on approximately 28,600 acres of land, mostly through lease of land use rights as well as acquisition of land use rights.
As of December 31, 2009, we leased approximately 14,500 acres of land for our P3A seed product production, primarily from village collectives. These leases typically have approximately 10 years remaining unexpired. We have entered into long-term lease agreements with local government and village collectives for 13,500 acres of land for our sheep business with approximately 10 to 28 years remaining unexpired. We acquired and leased land use rights of approximately 400 acres of land for seedling production. These leases typically are for terms ranging from 10 to 46 years. Production of our Nong Ke Yu seed products is primarily outsourced to third parties. In addition, we lease approximately 200 acres of land for our Nong Ke Yu business, which are generally used for seed testing and production. These leases typically have terms of 19 years.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

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A. Operating Results
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated result of operations for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. The operating results in any period are not indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
                                                         
    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2007     2008     2009  
            % of             % of                     % of  
    RMB     Revenues     RMB     Revenues     RMB     $     Revenues  
    (In thousands, except percentages)  
Revenue:
                                                       
Corn seeds
    343,743       51.2 %     257,144       54.9 %     107,529       15,752       60.8 %
Sheep products
    255,508       38.1       148,457       31.7       38,426       5,630       21.7  
Seedlings
    71,505       10.7       62,463       13.4       31,013       4,543       17.5  
 
                                         
Total revenues
    670,756       100 %     468,064       100 %     176,968       25,925       100 %
 
                                         
Cost of revenue:
                                                       
Corn seeds
    (203,709 )     (30.4 )%     (153,029 )     (32.7 )%     (67,186 )     (9,843 )     (38.0 )%
Sheep products
    (72,716 )     (10.8 )     (74,701 )     (16.0 )     (34,616 )     (5,071 )     (19.6 )
Seedlings
    (20,459 )     (3.1 )     (33,436 )     (7.1 )     (17,526 )     (2,568 )     (9.9 )
Write down of Inventories
                (16,686 )     (3.6 )     (22,508 )     (3,297 )     (12.7 )
 
                                         
Total cost of revenue
    (296,884 )     (44.3 )%     (277,852 )     (59.4 )%     (141,836 )     (20,779 )     (80.2 )%
 
                                         
Gross profit
    373,872       55.7 %     190,212       40.6 %     35,132       5,146       19.8 %
 
                                         
Operating income (expenses):
                                                       
Selling expenses
    (36,443 )     (5.4 )%     (18,585 )     (4.0 )%     (5,744 )     (842 )     (3.2 )%
General and administrative expenses
    (25,723 )     (3.8 )     (896,977 )     (191.6 )     (133,203 )     (19,515 )     (75.3 )
Research and development expenses
    (3,080 )     (0.5 )     (20,247 )     (4.3 )     (14,541 )     (2,130 )     (8.2 )
 
                                         
Total operating expenses
    (65,246 )     (9.7 )%     (935,809 )     (199.9 )%     (153,488 )     (22,487 )     (86.7 )%
 
                                         
Operating profit (loss)
    308,626       46.0 %     (745,597 )     (159.3 )%     (118,356 )     (17,341 )     (66.9 )%
Interest income
    8,700       1.3       34,531       7.4       8,778       1,286       5.0  
Interest expense
    (8,260 )     (1.2 )     (1,147 )     (0.2 )     (1,639 )     (240 )     (0.9 )
Unrealized loss on investment
                            (548 )     (80 )     (0.3 )
Exchange loss
    (7,745 )     (1.2 )     (11,812 )     (2.5 )     (16,602 )     (2,432 )     (9.4 )
Other expense
    (680 )     (0.1 )     (2,657 )     (0.6 )     (283 )     (42 )     (0.2 )
Other income
    578       0.1       1,256       0.3       4,290       630       2.4  
 
                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
    301,219       44.9 %     (725,426 )     (154.9 )%     (124,360 )     (18,219 )     (70.3 )%
Income tax
    (159,001 )     (23.7 )%     (25,576 )     (5.5 )%     (10,915 )     (1,599 )     (6.2 )%
 
                                         
Net income (loss)
    142,218       21.2 %     (751,002 )     (160.4 )%     (135,275 )     (19,818 )     (76.4 )%
 
                                         
Revenues
Our consolidated revenue declined by 62.2% from RMB468.1 million in 2008 to RMB177.0 million ($25.9 million) in 2009, primarily due to the decrease in revenues from all of our three product lines.
Our consolidated revenue declined by 30.2% from RMB670.8 million in 2007 to RMB468.1 million in 2008, primarily due to the decreases in revenues from our corn seed segment and sheep product segment.
Seed Revenues
In the three years ended December 31, 2009, we generated revenues from sales of our own corn seed products, generic corn seed products and other corn seed products that we produced or distributed for other seed companies. Revenues from sales of these corn seed products were influenced by the total sales volume and average selling prices of our products.
The following table sets forth our seed sales volume and revenues, in absolute amounts and as percentages of our total revenues for each of the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009:
                                                                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2008     2009  
                    % of                     % of                             % of  
            Sales     Total             Sales     Total                     Sales     Total  
    Revenue     Volume     Revenues     Revenue     Volume     Revenues     Revenue     $     Volume     Revenues  
    (Revenue in RMB thousands and sales volume in tons)  
 
       
Seed Revenues
    343,743       41,973       51.2 %     257,144       27,655       54.9 %     107,529       15,752       11,256       60.8 %
 
                                                           

 

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In July 2008, the former general manager of P3A and a key member of management of the corn seed division of P3A resigned from P3A. The departure of the general manager caused significant disruption to P3A and in particular to the corn seeds sector which was his primary area of expertise. This disruption continued throughout 2009 and following the departure of the general manager, P3A lacked the operational management needed to navigate a number of business issues as they arose. These issues included the following:
During 2009, our seeds division encountered particularly strong competition in the major sales area of P3A in Shanxi province, including competition from one competitor who aggressively targeted our customer base. Through adopting a competitive price policy, we attempted to rebuild our customer base towards the end of 2009 with some limited success.
During 2009, we supplied RMB24.4 million ($3.6 million) worth of seeds to approximately 20 distribution agents. Following the transaction, our market intelligence raised concerns that these agents would not pay the amount owed to us. We reclaimed the seeds and did not recognize these sales. Due to the seasonal nature of demand for corn seeds, we were unable to resell these reclaimed corn seeds immediately. They were stored and subsequently sold to other customers later in the year.
In December 2008, a former employee made various allegations against P3A. These allegations related to the number of sheep purchased by P3A in August 2008 and the price that P3A paid for these sheep, and the authenticity of certain of P3A’s sales contracts, bank statements and tax invoices. Our audit committee retained an independent international counsel, DLA Piper, to conduct investigations of these allegations. DLA Piper completed its investigation in December 2009 and in its report concluded that (i) it did not find any material inaccuracies with respect to the sheep transaction as reported by P3A; and (ii) it did not find any evidence of P3A falsifying its financials among the contracts and underlying documents covering the period which they reviewed.
These allegations caused significant disruption to the ongoing business operations of P3A during the period of the investigation which lasted through most of 2009. Additionally, the local tax authorities became aware of the investigation and restricted P3A’s ability to issue official tax invoices to customers until the investigation was complete. This in turn significantly reduced the ability of customers to purchase seeds from P3A.
During November 2009, there was heavy snow fall in Shanxi province which rendered our corn seed inventory with a book value of RMB5.4 million ($0.8 million) unsalable. This reduced the quantity of seeds available for sale. This amount is included general and administrative expenses.
China suffered a comparatively poor corn harvest in 2009 caused by lower than average rainfall in many regions. This reduced the quantity of seeds available for sale. In addition, as a result of the poor harvest and increased competition in the local market place, we provided support to three of our key customers in strategically important locations by offering a waiver of RMB6.0 million ($0.9 million). The remaining outstanding balances owed to us by these customers were reviewed by us for collectability. We did not consider there was a collection issue with these outstanding balances. This was one-off in nature and has reduced our accounts receivable by RMB6.0 million ($0.9 million) in 2009. We do not intend to provide further waivers in the future.
In September 2009, we acquired Nong Ke Yu, an edible corn seeds business engaged in research, development, distribution and sales of seeds to grow edible corn for human consumption. Due to the seasonal nature of this business, no material revenue was derived from Nong Ke Yu in 2009.
Our corn seed revenue in 2009 included a royalty income of RMB3.0 million ($0.4 million) from Nong Ke Yu relating to the purchase and subsequent rental of production and sales rights to two corn seeds JKN2000 and JKN120 for the period prior to the acquisition of Nong Ke Yu.
These factors contributed to the decrease in sales volumes of corn seeds from 27,655 tons in 2008 to 11,256 tons in 2009.
Meanwhile, the average price of corn seeds increased from RMB9.2 per kg in 2008 to RMB9.6 per kg in 2009. This was caused by a general increase in market prices for corn seeds during the year, which was partially offset by the adoption of a more competitive pricing policy to rebuild our customer base.
In March 2008, a fire broke out in one of our corn seeds warehouse which led to a loss of approximately RMB8.2 million, comprising RMB7.8 million of corn seed inventory and RMB0.4 million of property, plant and equipment. This fire contributed to reduced corn seed sales in 2008.
This together with the departure of the former general manager of P3A contributed to the decrease in sales volumes of corn seeds from 41,973 tons in 2007 to 27,655 tons in 2008. Meanwhile, the average price of corn seeds increased from RMB8.2 per kg to RMB9.2 per kg.
Our corn seed revenue in 2008 included a royalty income of RMB3.0 million relating to the purchase and subsequent rental of production and sales rights to two corn seeds JKN2000 and JKN120.

 

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Sheep Product Revenues
During the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, we generated revenues from the production and sale of frozen sheep semen and sheep embryos and sheep sales. Our revenues from sales of our sheep products are determined by the total sales volume and average selling prices of the products we sell.
The following table sets forth our revenues derived from sales of each of these products in absolute amounts and as percentages of our revenues from sheep products and our total revenues for the three years ended December 31, 2009:
                                                                                 
    2007     2008     2009  
            % of                     % of                             % of        
            Sheep     % of             Sheep     % of                     Sheep     % of  
            Product     Total             Product     Total                     Product     Total  
    RMB     Revenues     Revenues     RMB     Revenues     Revenues     RMB     $     Revenues     Revenues  
    (In thousands, except percentages)  
Revenues:
                                                                               
 
                                                                               
Frozen semen
    167,562       65.6 %     25.0 %     52,466       35.3 %     11.2 %                        
 
                                                                               
Embryos
    10,299       4.0 %     1.5 %     4,132       2.8 %     0.9 %                        
 
                                                                               
Sheep sales
    77,647       30.4 %     11.6 %     91,859       61.9 %     19.6 %     38,426       5,630       100.0 %     21.7 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                               
Total
    255,508       100.0 %     38.1 %     148,457       100.0 %     31.7 %     38,426       5,630       100.0 %     21.7 %
 
                                                           
In 2008 and previous years, in addition to our sheep sales, our sheep product business included the production and sale of frozen semen and embryos. However, in 2008, our sheep product business was relocated to Youyu, Shanxi province. This transfer caused significant disruption to the production of frozen semen and embryos and led to quality control problems caused primarily by more severe weather conditions at the new production base. As a consequence, there were no revenues generated from the sale of semen or embryos recognized in 2009. During 2009, we restarted our semen and embryos production on a trial basis. The output of these trial production was provided to prospective customers free of charge and the cost was charged to inventory write down as part of cost of sales.
Many of the sheep we sell are supplied to us by farmers who have bred the sheep using our embryo and semen products. Due to the business disruption in the embryo and semen segments in 2008 and 2009, fewer sheep of sufficient quality were available for purchase and eventual resale.
As a result, sheep sales fell by 58.2% from RMB91.9 million in 2008 to RMB38.4 million ($5.6 million) in 2009. The number of sheep sold fell from 43,260 in 2008 to 16,790 in 2009.
In 2008, we sold 7.8 million straws of frozen semen, which generated sales of RMB52.5 million. In 2008, we sold 3,797 straws of embryos, which generated sales of RMB4.1 million.
As a result of the quality issues caused by the relocation of our sheep semen and embryo production base to Youyu in 2008, we did not meet our contractual requirements and sales of 9.6 million straws of frozen semen, representing RMB64.3 million in contract value and 4,059 straws of embryos representing RMB4.4 million in contract value were not recognized in 2008. Associated sub-standard inventory amounting to RMB13.9 million was included in the inventory write down totaling RMB16.7 million in cost of revenues.
The sales of frozen semen fell from RMB167.6 million in 2007 to RMB52.5 million in 2008. The number of straws of frozen semen sold also declined from 25 million in 2007 to 7.8 million in 2008.
The sale of embryos fell from RMB10.3 million in 2007 to RMB4.1 million in 2008. The number of straws of embryos fell from 9,430 in 2007 to 3,797 in 2008.
Sales of sheep increased from RMB77.6 million in 2007 to RMB91.9 million in 2008. The number of sheep sold increased from 36,545 in 2007 to 43,260 in 2008.
Seedling Revenue
In the three years ended December 31, 2009, our seedling business generated revenues primarily from the production and sale of Chinese date and white bark pine seedlings.

 

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Our seedling business is currently undergoing a process of transition. Historically, our seedling products comprised Chinese date seedlings and approximately ten varieties of tree seedlings, including white bark pine seedlings. In 2010, we stopped producing date seedlings and as the remaining tree seedling business lacked critical scale to justify continued management and financial resources, we also ceased the production and sale of the other ten seedling varieties. In the future, it is intended that the date trees that previously produced Chinese date seedlings will produce Chinese date fruits.
In 2009, seedling sales of RMB8.7 million ($1.3 million) were not recognized. These seedlings were sold with a survivability assurance condition in the sales contract but subsequently died.
Sales of seedlings decreased from RMB62.5 million in 2008 to RMB31.0 million ($4.5 million) in 2009. The number of seedlings sold decreased from 25.5 million in 2008 to 14.0 million in 2009.
Revenues from our seedling segment decreased by 12.6% from RMB71.5 million in 2007 to RMB62.5 million in 2008, primarily due to a reduction in the number of varieties of seedlings sold.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margins
Cost of revenues and gross margins for 2009 are analyzed below on a segmental basis.
Total cost of revenues decreased by 49.0% from RMB277.9 million in 2008 to RMB141.8 million ($20.8 million) in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to reduced volumes of business. Our gross profit decreased by 81.5% from RMB190.2 million in 2008 to RMB35.1 million ($5.1 million) in 2009.
Corn Seed Segment
Cost of revenues for our corn seed segment primarily consists of the costs that we pay to the village collectives for the seeds they are contracted to grow for us, amortization of purchased technology know-how, depreciation of building and equipment and direct labor cost. At the beginning of each growing season, we provide parent seeds to the village collectives to grow for us under contractual arrangements. During 2009, we used approximately 14,500 acres for field corn seed production. Because we are legally prohibited from owning farmland, we typically lease the land owned by a village collective and enter into a seed production agreement with the collective. These leases generally have the remaining terms of 10 years, while the contracts to produce corn seeds are typically for one-year terms, covering one growing season. Our contractual agreements generally contain terms ranging from one to twelve years. We also provide advances to the village collectives for their purchase of fertilizer and other production materials. At the end of the growing season, after we take delivery of corn seeds, we credit the advances against the costs and recognize the balance as cost of inventory and subsequently recognize this balance as cost of revenues upon sales of corn seeds. If the village collectives fail to produce or deliver the contracted amounts of corn seeds by the end of each growing season, we may not be able to recover all of the advances we paid and our financial condition could suffer.
Our cost of revenues for the corn seed business fell from RMB153.0 million in 2008 to RMB67.2 million ($9.8 million) in 2009. Our gross margin for corn seed sales fell from 40.5% in 2008 to 37.5% in 2009, because our fixed costs, primarily amortization of land use rights, did not decrease in line with the decline in our revenue in 2009.
Cost of revenues for our corn seed business fell from RMB203.7 million in 2007 to RMB153.0 million in 2008. Gross margin of corn seed sales fell from 40.7% in 2007 to 40.5% in 2008 primarily due to product mix and pricing changes during 2008.
Sheep Product Segment
Cost of revenues for our breeder sheep and Primalights III hybrid sheep primarily consists of cost of feeds, depreciation of buildings and equipment, amortization of purchased technology know-how, other materials used to raise sheep and direct labor costs. Feeds are the ingredients used to feed the purebred foreign sheep and the domestic sheep. Depreciation cost primarily consists of depreciation of fences, corrals, sorting pens, lambing pens, water facilities and handling facilities. Direct labor cost comprises the salaries and compensation for our employees who care for the sheep.
Cost of revenues for sales of our frozen semen and embryos mainly consists of cost of feeds, depreciation of breeder sheep and equipment and materials used to collect semen and embryos and direct labor cost. Depreciation cost primarily consists of depreciation of breeder sheep and depreciation of building structure such as fences, corrals, sorting pens, lambing pens, water and handling facilities, raw materials used for semen and embryo collection and preservation, medical supplies, mineral additives and consumables. Direct labor cost comprises the salaries and compensation for our employees who care for the sheep and who collect semen and embryos.

 

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The relocation of semen and embryo production base as noted above caused significant disruption to the business. Our cost of revenues included expenses of RMB22.5 million ($3.3 million) relating to the recommencement of the semen and embryo business.
The cost of revenues for our sheep products fell from RMB74.7 million in 2008 to RMB34.6 million ($5.1 million) in 2009. Gross margin for our sheep products fell from 49.7% to 9.9%.
Cost of revenues from our sheep product segment increased from RMB72.7 million in 2007 to RMB74.7 million in 2008. Gross margin for our sheep products fell from 71.6% to 49.7%.
Seedling Segment
Cost of revenues for our seedling segment primarily consists of depreciation of trees and equipment, cost of nutritional and medical materials used to grow seedlings and direct labor cost. Depreciation cost includes depreciation of nurseries, water facilities, harvesting equipment and other machinery used to grow and harvest seedlings. Raw materials used to grow seedlings include mineral additives and other consumables. Direct labor cost comprises salaries and compensation for our staff who attend to the seedlings on a regular basis.
The seedlings cost of revenues fell from RMB33.4 million in 2008 to RMB17.5 million ($2.6 million) in 2009. The seedlings gross margin fell from 46.5% to 43.5%.
Cost of revenues from our seedling segment increased from RMB20.5 million in 2007 to RMB33.4 million in 2008. During 2008, exceptionally high levels of fertilizer were applied to the land used for seedling production and this has contributed significantly to the reduction in gross margin. RMB2.8 million of our RMB16.7 million inventory write-down charge in 2008 related to seedlings. Gross margin for this segment fell from 71.4% in 2007 to 46.5% in 2008.
Operating Expenses and Income
Selling Expenses. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, our sales and marketing expenses primarily consisted of our expenses of advertising in newspapers, on television and in magazines, salaries and compensation for our sales personnel, promotion expenses and other related marketing expenses.
Selling expenses fell from RMB18.6 million in 2008 to RMB5.7 million ($0.8 million) in 2009. This decrease was due to reduced selling activities.
Selling expenses fell from RMB36.4 million in 2007 to RMB18.6 million in 2008. This decrease was due to a reduction in sales commission as a result of reduced sales and a reduction in entertaining expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation and benefits for administrative, finance and human resources personnel, depreciation, provisions for bad debts, travel and other expenses associated with our corporate and administrative activities.
Our general and administrative expenses decreased from RMB897.0 million in 2008 to RMB133.2 million ($19.5 million) in 2009. The decrease was due to general and administrative expenses in 2008 of RMB768.5 million relating to a non-cash charge arising from the arrangements between Brothers Capital Limited, or BCL, and certain employees of P3A. Excluding this RMB768.5 million non-cash charge, our general and administrative expenses increased from RMB128.5 million in 2008 to RMB133.2 million ($19.5 million) in 2009.
Our general and administrative expenses in 2009 included expenses caused by a very heavy snowfall that damaged irreparably fixed assets with a net book value of RMB20.7 million ($3.0 million) and inventories with a net book value of RMB7.5 million ($1.1 million). Our general and administrative expenses also included expense caused by the drought that damaged seedlings of RMB6.3 million ($0.9 million).
Our general and administrative expenses in 2009 also included legal and professional fees of RMB28.8 million ($4.2 million). This amount included expenses of RMB7.1 million ($1.0 million) incurred during the acquisition of our interest in PGG Wrightson.
Our stock-based compensation charge within general and administrative expenses decreased from RMB68.6 million in 2008 to RMB14.6 million ($2.1 million) in 2009.
Our general and administrative expenses increased from RMB25.7 million in 2007 to RMB897.0 million in 2008. General and administrative expenses in 2008 included an amount of RMB768.5 million relating to a non-cash charge arising from the arrangements between BCL and certain employees of P3A announced to the market in June 2008. This non-cash charge is not expected to recur in the future. After accounting for such arrangements, the remaining increase in our general and administrative expenses from 2007 to 2008 amounted to RMB102.8 million. This increase was contributed to by charges in relation to bad debts, loss on disposal of fixed assets, expense in relation to a warehouse fire and full year impact of costs associated with being a U.S. public company.

 

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The charges in relation to bad debts of RMB12.8 million in 2008 related to corn seed and seedling products where provisions have been made for amounts invoiced in 2008 but that remained outstanding as of September 30, 2008. In 2008, we incurred a loss of RMB7.5 million on the disposal of fixed assets compared to RMB0.9 million in 2007 and a charge (within general and administrative expenses) of RMB8.2 million in relation to the warehouse fire that occurred in March 2008.
As a public company, we incur a significantly higher level of costs than we did as a private company. As we began trading our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in November 2007, the impact of increased costs associated with being a public company in 2007 was minimal and 2008 represented the first full year of these charges that included the cost of our board of directors, additional office rental, insurance, and professional fees.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses primarily consist of expenses related to development of our proprietary products, salaries and benefits of our research and development personnel, fees paid to our research partners, costs of raw materials used in our research and development activities, as well as other overhead incurred by our research and development personnel.
Research and development expenses fell from RMB20.2 million in 2008 to RMB14.5 million ($2.1 million) in 2009 due to a reduction in sheep product related research and development expenses of RMB5.9 million. Our research and development expenses incurred in 2009 were primarily in connection with the development of new corn seed varieties.
Research and development expenses increased from RMB3.1 million in 2007 to RMB20.2 million in 2008. Our research and development expenses in 2008 were incurred in connection with six projects with the Ministry of Agriculture, CNAAS and Inner Mongolia Hongxing Biotechnology Company Limited.
Share-based Compensation Expenses. Since we adopted the 2007 share incentive plan in July 2007, options to purchase a total of 9,949,900 ordinary shares were granted to our officers, directors and employees and remained outstanding as of December 31, 2009. We had not granted any options or other equity incentives to any employee, director or consultant before July 2007.
We determine share-based compensation expenses based on the fair value of the options as of the date of grant and amortize such expenses over the vesting period of the options. A change in the amount of share-based compensation expenses will primarily affect our operating expenses, net income and earnings per share.
For the options to purchase 9,949,900 ordinary shares that were granted to our officers, directors and employees on July 4, 2007, July 19, 2007, December 7, 2007, February 1, 2008, May 27, 2008, June 5 2008, June 12, 2008, September 5, 2008, December 5, 2008 and October 13, 2009 and remained outstanding, total unrecognized compensation costs are estimated to be approximately $2.5 million as of December 31, 2009 based on an assessment of the fair value of the awarded options. The compensation expenses are to be recognized as a charge to expense over the vesting period of two to four years from the respective grant dates.
Operating Profit (Loss)
As a result of the foregoing factors, our operating loss from operations improved from a loss of RMB745.6 million in 2008 to a loss of RMB118.4 million ($17.3 million) in 2009.
As a result of the foregoing factors, our operating profit from operations decreased by 341.6% from a profit of RMB308.6 million in 2007 to a loss of RMB745.6 million in 2008.

 

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Unrealized Loss on Investment
The unrealized loss on investments of RMB0.5 million ($0.1 million) in 2009, compared to nil in 2008, represented the difference between the initial investment cost of PGG Wrightson and the fair value of the investment based on the share price of PGG Wrightson as of December 31, 2009.
Other Income
We recorded RMB4.3 million ($0.6 million) of other income in 2009, which was primarily attributable to RMB2.8 million ($0.4 million) underwriting fee received as part of our participation in the rights issue undertaken by PGG Wrightson and a RMB0.4 million ($0.1 million) income recognized in connection with a lawsuit won by P3A relating to a dispute over delayed entry to new premises in Shanxi.
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax
As a result of the foregoing factors, our pre-tax income improved from a pre-tax loss of RMB725.4 million in 2008 to a pre-tax loss of RMB124.4 million ($18.2 million) in 2009.
As a result of the foregoing factors, our pre-tax income decreased by 340.8% from RMB301.2 million in 2007 to a pre-tax loss of RMB725.4 million in 2008.
Income Tax
Our income tax decreased from RMB25.6 million in 2008 to RMB10.9 million ($1.6 million) in 2009 as a result of our reduced taxable profits.
Our income tax decreased from RMB159.0 million in 2007 to RMB25.6 million in 2008 as a result of our reduced taxable profits.
Taxation
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Under the current law of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to income or capital gains tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.
Hong Kong Income Tax
Our subsidiary in Hong Kong did not have any assessable profits that would be subject to the profit tax for the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2008, our subsidiary in Hong Kong had a taxable profit of RMB1.4 million subject to taxation at a rate of 25%. In 2009, none of our subsidiaries in Hong Kong had any assessable profits that would be subject to the profit tax. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.
PRC Enterprise Income Tax
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted a new tax law, the 2008 EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the new tax law, foreign invested enterprises and domestic companies are subject to EIT at a uniform rate of 25% and any tax exemption, reduction and preferential treatments which are applicable only to foreign invested enterprises will be revoked. P3A, our consolidated affiliated entity, qualified as a “key technology enterprise” under the Shanxi province 1311 Agricultural High Technology Project implemented by Shanxi province in 2002, and therefore P3A has been exempted from EIT since 2002 based on the approval of the local tax authority in Shanxi. Upon effectiveness of the 2008 EIT Law on January 1, 2008 and based on Jin Di Shui Gao Xing Fa (2009)2 issued by Local Tax Bureau of Taiyuan, P3A was approved to be exempted from PRC income tax since January 1, 2008 unless the scope of its operation has been changed. The tax exemption status is subject to annual inspection by end of each May. Although P3A is still in process of conducting its annual inspection with the local tax bureau for 2009, we believe P3A qualifies for tax exemption. Agria China, our wholly-owned subsidiary established in March 2007 in China, was initially granted a “tax holiday” for a full exemption from EIT for the fiscal years 2007 to 2009. As a result of the new EIT law passed in March 2008 and its related implementation rules, our “tax holiday” exemption ceased on December 31, 2007, and Agria China has been subject to EIT at a rate of 25% since January 1, 2008. Agria Brother, our wholly-owned subsidiary established in April 2008 in Shenzhen, China is subject to EIT at a rate of 25%. Guanli, our consolidated affiliated entity established in November 2008, is subject to EIT at a rate of 25%.

 

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Under the new tax law, enterprises organized under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their de facto management bodies located within China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and therefore subject to PRC EIT at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. According to the Implementing Rules, “de facto management bodies” refer to “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” We may be considered a resident enterprise and may therefore be subject to a 25% PRC income tax on our global income. Virtually all of our income is currently sourced from China. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Any limitation of PRC law and regulations on the ability of our subsidiaries and affiliated entity to distribute dividends or make other payments to us could materially adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.”
PRC Value-Added Tax (VAT)
In accordance with the relevant tax laws in the PRC, VAT is levied on the invoiced value of sales and is payable by purchasers. A PRC company is required to remit the VAT it collects to the tax authorities but may deduct the VAT it has paid on eligible purchases. P3A has been exempt from VAT since 2002 pursuant to the relevant PRC regulations and policies regarding the VAT applicable to producers of certain agricultural products.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate these judgments and estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates reflected in our financial statements include, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of fixed assets, intangible assets, and imputed interest on related party loans. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.
The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors that should be considered when reviewing our financial statements. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries and its variable interest entities are eliminated upon consolidation.
Accounts Receivable
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating troubled collection, historical experience, account balance aging and prevailing economic conditions. An accounts receivable is written off after all collection efforts have ceased.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Intangible Assets and Other Assets (“Long-lived Assets”)
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
         
Buildings and improvements
  5-30 years
Plant and machinery
  5-10 years
Furniture and office equipment
  5 years
Motor vehicles
  5-6 years

 

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Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of fixed assets are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirement, sale and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
All facilities purchased or constructed which require a period of time before completion are accounted for as construction-in-progress. Construction-in-progress is recorded at acquisition cost, including cost of facilities, installation costs and interest costs. Capitalization of interest costs ceases when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Interest capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 amounted to RMB0.4 million, RMB0.9 million and RMB0.2 million ($25,000), respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Our primary business activity is to produce and sell corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. The Company records revenue when the criteria of Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 13 “Revenue Recognition” are met. These criteria include all of the following: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
More specifically, our sales arrangements are evidenced by individual sales agreements for each transaction. The customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products upon delivery of products which generally occurs at shipping point. Other than warranty obligations, we do not have any substantive performance obligations to deliver additional products or services to the customers. The product sales price stated in the sales contract is final and not subject to adjustment. We generally do not accept sales returns and do not provide customers with price protection. We assess a customer’s creditworthiness before accepting sales orders. Based on the above, we record revenue related to product sales upon delivery of the product to the customers.
For certain sales transactions involving seedlings, the customer will pay an additional fee if the seedlings meet specified growth criteria pursuant to the terms of the contract. These growth criteria represent contingent performance conditions. Accordingly, the contingent fee is not recognized as revenue until the growth criteria and all other revenue recognition criteria are met, which generally takes place from one month to six months after delivery of the seedlings. Since 2009, the additional fee billable upon meeting specified growth criteria is not provided in the terms of contract. In 2009, the sales contracts for seedlings did not specify any explicit growth criteria. Instead, we obtained customer approval indicating their acceptance of the products received. Accordingly, revenues for these contracts have been recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance assuming all other revenue recognition criteria were met. To the extent payment is received from the customer in advanced of meeting the revenue recognition criteria, we record such amount as deferred revenue.
Business Combinations and Intangible Assets Including Goodwill
We account for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, we record assets and liabilities of the acquired entities at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. We do not amortize the goodwill balance. Substantially all of the goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The primary drivers that generate goodwill are the value of synergies between the acquired entities and us and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
We evaluate our long-lived assets or asset group, including finite-lived intangibles and goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of a group of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When these events occur, we evaluate the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we would recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value based on discounted cash flows.

 

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Income Taxes
We account for income tax using the balance sheet method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Uncertainty on Income Taxes
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which became effective on January 1, 2007 for us. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Our adoption of FIN 48 did not result in any adjustment to the opening balance of our retained earnings as of January 1, 2007.
We have elected to classify interest due on any underpayment of income taxes, if and when required, in interest expense and penalties, if and when required, to other operating expenses. As of December 31, 2009, RMB3.3 million ($0.5 million) of related interest and penalties were recorded.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from operating activities and from financing activities, consisting of proceeds from our initial public offering in November of 2007, bank borrowings and loans from related parties. As of December 31, 2009, we had RMB737.8 million ($108.1 million) in cash and cash equivalents, which is the main component of our current assets. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and bank deposits, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use. Although we consolidate the results of P3A, we can only receive cash payments from P3A pursuant to our contractual arrangements with P3A and its shareholders. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Contractual Arrangements with P3A and Its Shareholders.”
As of December 31, 2009, we had RMB8.8 million ($1.3 million) in outstanding short-term bank loans and borrowings, which bore weighted-average interest rates of 10.2% per annum. These short-term bank loans and borrowings have terms of twelve months and expire in December 2010. These loans were guaranteed by a related party, Taiyuan Relord.
Besides cash and cash equivalent, inventories and accounts receivable are the other two principal components of our current assets. Our inventories were RMB59.9 million, RMB48.5 million and RMB73.4 million ($10.7 million) as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our inventories increased by RMB24.9 million ($3.6 million) from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009, primarily due to our purchase of Nong Ke Yu and its associated inventory of RMB21.4 million ($3.1 million) held as of December 31, 2009. Our inventories decreased by RMB11.4 million from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, primarily due to our reduced levels of activity.
Our current accounts receivable were RMB200.8 million, RMB162.8 million and RMB109.3 million ($16.0 million) as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our accounts receivable decreased by RMB53.5 million ($7.8 million) from December 31, 2008 to December 31, 2009, primarily due to our reduced levels of activity. Our accounts receivable decreased by RMB37.9 million from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, primarily due to reduced trading volumes and an increase to bad debt provision.
We incurred capital expenditures of RMB178.9 million, RMB350.8 million and RMB8.9 million ($1.3 million) in 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our capital expenditures were made primarily to acquire property, plant and equipment, other assets and technologies. Our capital expenditures are funded by cash provided from operating activities and the proceeds from our 2007 capital raising.

 

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We incurred acquisition expenditures of RMB421.1 ($61.7 million) in connection with our acquisition of a 19.0% interest in PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company that is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, and a 100% of equity interest in Nong Ke Yu, a seeds distribution business based in Beijing.
We also invested RMB7.0 million ($1.0 million) into Zhongnong that has been recognized as an investment.
Our acquisition of Nong Ke Yu for RMB5.0 million ($0.7 million) resulted in net cash in flow of RMB0.5 million ($0.1 million) as a result of acquired cash balances of RMB5.5 million ($0.8 million).
We have not encountered any difficulties in meeting our cash obligations to date. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions that we may pursue, or any amounts we may pay in the class action lawsuits against us. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity securities, issue debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our shareholders. The incurrence of debt would divert cash from working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
                                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2008     2009  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     $  
    (In thousands)  
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
    259,388       209,096       (6,281 )     920  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (196,356 )     (337,636 )     (429,981 )     (62,993 )
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
    1,296,144       (13,612 )     (2,026 )     (296 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (14,805 )     (68,234 )     (654 )     (96 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    1,344,371       (210,386 )     (438,942 )     (64,305 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    42,782       1,387,153       1,176,767       172,397  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
    1,387,153       1,176,767       737,825       108,092  
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2009 was RMB6.3 million ($0.9 million), primarily as a result of the decrease in our revenue. The decrease in accounts receivable caused cash inflow of RMB47.4 million ($6.9 million). The increase in our inventories caused cash outflow of RMB34.9 million ($5.1 million).
Net cash provided by operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB209.1 million, resulting primarily from the sales of our products. Although we recorded a net loss of RMB751.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, there were significant non-cash charges, including the P3A settlement of RMB768.5 million, stock-based compensation charges of RMB45.3 million, amortization and depreciation of RMB26.4 million, inventory write-down of RMB16.6 million and bad debt charges of RMB12.8 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB259.4 million, resulting primarily from (1) our net income of RMB142.2 million, (2) an add-back of non-cash expenses including deferred taxation of RMB157.0 million, depreciation of fixed assets and other assets of RMB11.2 million and amortization of share-based compensation charge of RMB13.3 million respectively and (3) an increase in our other payables and accruals of RMB14.3 million as a result of increase in salary of RMB2.7 million and increase in business tax payable of RMB3.1 million. The foregoing effects were offset in part by (1) an increase in accounts receivable of RMB40.9 million due to a significant increase in our sales and the longer credit terms provided to selected customers in order to attract bigger orders from them, (2) a decrease of RMB18.2 million in accounts payable due primarily to the decrease in our inventory purchases and (3) an increase in prepayments and other current assets of RMB24.5 million primarily due to the prepayment made for a research and development project and an acquisition of corn seeds.

 

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Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was RMB430.0 million ($63.0 million) due primarily to the following factors: (1) we incurred capital expenditure of RMB8.9 million ($1.3 million) in 2009 primarily to acquire property, plant and equipment, other assets and intangible assets, and (2) we incurred acquisition expenditures of RMB414.6 ($60.7 million) in connection with our acquisition of a 19.0% interest in PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company that is quoted on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. Our acquisition of Nong Ke Yu for RMB5.0 million ($0.7 million) resulted in net cash inflow of RMB0.5 million ($0.1 million) as a result of acquired cash balances of RMB5.5 million ($0.8 million).
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was RMB337.6 million, due primarily to the prepayments for acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of RMB256.4 million and acquisition of property, plant and equipment and other assets of RMB69.2 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 was RMB196.4 million, due primarily to (1) cash outflows for purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets of RMB67.6 million and (2) acquisition of intangible assets such as land use rights and technology of RMB119.1 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in our financing activities was RMB2.0 million ($0.3 million) in 2009, resulting primarily from loan proceeds and repayment of existing loans and the repurchase of shares.
Net cash used in our financing activities was RMB13.6 million in 2008, resulting primarily from loan proceeds and repayment of existing loans and the repurchase of shares.
Net cash provided by our financing activities was RMB1,296.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, resulting primarily from (1) the net proceeds from our initial public offering of RMB1,333.0 million, (2) the net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares and ordinary share redemption rights of RMB76.2 million and (3) the proceeds of bank borrowings of RMB34.8 million. These cash inflows were partly offset by (1) our repayment of bank loans of RMB58.0 million, (2) our dividend payment of RMB56.8 million and (3) a decrease in amounts due to shareholders of RMB30.0 million as a result of our repayment of a shareholder’s loan.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-19, “Foreign Currency Issues: Multiple Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.” The guidance provides clarification of accounting treatment when reported balances in an entity’s financial statements differ from their underlying US dollar denominated values due to different rates being used for remeasurement and translation. The guidance indicates that upon adopting highly inflationary accounting for Venezuela, since the US dollar is now the functional currency of a Venezuelan subsidiary, there should no longer be any differences between the amounts reported for financial reporting purposes and the amount of any underlying US dollar denominated value held by the subsidiary. Therefore, any differences between these should either be recognized in the income statement or as a cumulative translation adjustment, if the difference was previously recognized as a cumulative translation adjustment. We do not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-18 (ASU 2010-18), Receivables (Topic 310): Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset-a consensus of the FASB Emerging Task Force. The amendments in this Update are effective for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under Subtopic 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. The amendments are to be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. We do not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-13 (ASU 2010-13), Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In February 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09 (ASU 2010-09), Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This amendment addresses both the interaction of the requirements of this Topic with the SEC’s reporting requirements and the intended breadth of the reissuance disclosure provision related to subsequent events (paragraph 855-10-50-4). All of the amendments in this Update are effective upon issuance of the final Update, except for the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors. That amendment is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2010. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-08 (ASU 2010-08), Technical Corrections to Various Topics. This amendment eliminated inconsistencies and outdated provisions and provided the needed clarifications to various topics within Topic 815. The amendments are effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after issuance (February 2, 2010), except for certain amendments. The amendments to the guidance on accounting for income taxes in reorganization (Subtopic 852-740) should be applied to reorganizations for which the date of the reorganization is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. For those reorganizations reflected in interim financial statements issued before the amendments in this Update are effective, retrospective application is required. The clarifications of the guidance on the embedded derivates and hedging (Subtopic 815-15) are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, and should be applied to existing contracts (hybrid instruments) containing embedded derivative features at the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06 (ASU 2010-06), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This amendment to Topic 820 has improved disclosures about fair value measurements on the basis of input received from the users of financial statements. This is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In January 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-04 (ASU 2010-04), Accounting for Various Topics—Technical Corrections to SEC Paragraphs. We do not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary. This amendment to Topic 810 clarifies, but does not change, the scope of current U.S. GAAP. It clarifies the decrease in ownership provisions of Subtopic 810-10 and removes the potential conflict between guidance in that Subtopic and asset derecognition and gain or loss recognition guidance that may exist in other U.S. GAAP. An entity will be required to follow the amended guidance beginning in the period that it first adopts FAS 160 (now included in Subtopic 810-10). For those entities that have already adopted FAS 160, the amendments are effective at the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2009. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to the first period that an entity adopted FAS 160. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-01, Equity (Topic 505): Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This amendment to Topic 505 clarifies the stock portion of a distribution to shareholders that allows them to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected in EPS prospectively and is not a stock dividend for purposes of applying Topics 505 and 260. This update is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and would be applied on a retrospective basis. We do not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities. This Accounting Standards Update amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for Statement 167. This update is effective on a prospective basis for milestone achieved in fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning on or after June 16, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. This update addressed the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than a combined unit and will be separated in more circumstances under existing U.S. GAAP. This amendment has eliminated that residual method of allocation. Effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 (ASC Topic 810), “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”). SFAS 167 amends the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities. The provisions of SFAS 167 significantly affect the overall consolidation analysis under FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). SFAS 167 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009. SFAS 167 will be effective for the Company beginning in 2010. We are currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
We place strong emphasis on research and development to enhance the quality and competitiveness of our products. We conduct research and development both through our in-house research and development team and in cooperation with various universities and research institutions.
Our expenses incurred in connection with company-sponsored research and development were RMB3.1 million in 2007, RMB20.3 million in 2008 and RMB14.5 million ($2.1 million) in 2009. We believe that our future success depends on our ability to provide high quality and advanced products to our customers. We have also acquired a number of technologies from third parties.
Research and development expenses primarily consist of expenses related to development of our proprietary products, salaries and benefits of our research and development personnel, fees paid to our research partners, costs of raw materials used in our research and development activities, as well as other overhead incurred by our research and development personnel.
Our research and development expenditure in 2009 was primarily incurred in connection with fees paid to our research partners.

 

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D. Trend Information
See “Item 3. Key Information,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Results of Operations” for information on material trends affecting our business and results of operations.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our own shares and classified as shareholder’s equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. Moreover, we do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009:
                                                 
            Payment Due by December 31,  
    Total     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter  
    (in RMB thousands)  
Short-term borrowings (1)
                                               
- principal
    8,750       8,750                          
- interest
    869       869                          
Building and premises lease obligations (2)
    53,722       5,485       3,590       2,911       1,711       40,025  
Production land rental obligations (3)
    113,780       13,841       13,841       13,841       13,841       58,416  
Purchase obligations (4)
    2,520       2,520                          
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the balance sheet (5)
                                               
- principal
    8,588       204       204       204       204       7,772  
- interest
    12,657       587       573       560       546       10,391  
Convertible redeemable note commitment (6)
    170,648       170,648                                  
Investment into Zhongnong (7)
    28,000             28,000                    
Capital expenditure commitment
    51,330       51,330                          
Research and development commitment
    12,000       12,000                          
 
                                   
Total
    462,864       266,234       46,208       17,516       16,302       116,604  
 
                                   
 
     
(1)   Includes short-term borrowings and future interest obligations.
 
(2)   Includes lease obligations for our office premises and buildings under non-cancelable leases.
 
(3)   Represents commitments for the rental of land used for the production of corn seeds.
 
(4)   Represents commitments for the purchase of corn seeds, acquisitions of intangible assets and payments for research and development services. These commitments are not recorded on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, 2008 or 2009, as we have not received related goods or services or taken title to the properties.
 
(5)   Represents commitments for the purchase of forestry use rights from Taiyuan Relord.
 
(6)   Represents commitments for the subscription in a convertible redeemable note that was issued by PGG Wrightson in January 2010.
 
(7)   Represents commitments to make remaining investment into Zhongnong.
Other than the obligations set forth above, we did not have any long-term debt obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations or capital commitments as of December 31, 2009.

 

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G. Safe Harbor
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including our future operating results and conditions, our prospects and our future financial performance and condition, all of which are largely based on our current expectations and projections. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:
    our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;
    changes in our revenues, cost and expense items;
    our anticipated development strategies, including expanding sales into new regions, increasing the farmland to which we have access, and expanding our product offerings;
    our strategy to expand our research and development capability;
    the growth in demand in China for high-quality corn seeds, sheep and seedlings;
    our ability to attract customers and end users and enhance our brand recognition;
    future changes in government regulations affecting our business, including regulation of genetically modified corn;
    trends and competition in the corn seed, sheep and seedling industries; and
    our ability to retain and motivate existing management and other key personnel and to recruit and integrate additional qualified personnel into our operations.
The accuracy of these forward-looking statements may be impacted by a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in the section entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date of this annual report.
             
Directors and Executive Officers   Age   Position/Title
Guanglin Lai
    46     Chairman of the Board of Directors
Xie Tao
    46     Chief Executive Officer and Director
Gary Kim Ting Yeung
    44     Director
Kenneth J. DeWoskin
    67     Independent Director
Shangzhong Xu
    59     Independent Director
Jiuran Zhao
    47     Independent Director
Joo Hai Lee
    54     Independent Director
Sean Shao
    53     Independent Director
Yue Zhao
    46     Chief Operating Officer
Christopher Boddington
    44     Chief Financial Officer
John Layburn
    34     Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer
Weizhong Wang
    46     Chief Strategy Officer, Corn Seed
Kean Seng U
    43     Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs
David Pasquale
    39     Senior Vice President
Zhixin Xue
    48     President of P3A

 

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Mr. Guanglin Lai has served as the chairman of our board of directors since June 2007 and as chairman of our compensation committee since March 2010. Mr. Lai also served as our co-chief executive officer from September 2007 to June 2008 and as our chief executive officer from November 2008 to September 2009. Mr. Lai is a director of BCL, which is our largest shareholder. In 2002, Mr. Lai founded Ace Choice Management Limited, a company that specializes in promoting business and investment activities between the PRC and other countries. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Lai was managing director of Shenzhen Keding Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd., a venture investment management company. From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Lai was a director, chairman of the audit and nomination committees and member of the remuneration committee of KXD Digital Entertainment Limited, a producer of electrical appliances listed in Singapore. Mr. Lai is the chairman of the board of directors and chairman and a member of the nomination committees of China Pipe Group Limited, a Hong Kong-listed company that manufactures construction and energy related pipes in Asia. Mr. Lai holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia and is a certified public accountant in Australia.
Mr. Xie Tao has served as our chief executive officer since September 2009 and became our director in March 2010. Prior to joining us, Mr. Xie engaged in advisory practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 22 years where he led PricewaterhouseCoopers China market corporate finance practice and served on the firm’s governing board. Mr. Xie has extensive experience in China related cross-border investments and M&A and has helped structure many well-known Chinese businesses. Mr. Xie received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Beijing University in China and was a member of the UK Chartered Associate of Certified Accountants.
Mr. Gary Kim Ting Yeung has served as our director since September 2007. Mr. Yeung served as our chief financial officer from August 2007 to March 2009. Prior to joining us, Mr. Yeung was an audit senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Yeung worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1991 to January 2007. While at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Yeung participated in various assignments, including statutory annual audits, financial due diligence and preparing PRC companies for listings of their shares on overseas markets such as the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore. Mr. Yeung is a fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Mr. Yeung holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Ulster.
Dr. Kenneth J. DeWoskin has served as our independent director and chairman of our audit committee since March 2010. Dr. DeWoskin is a former partner for Strategy and Business Development at one of the Big Four accounting firms and currently serves as a senior advisor to Deloitte China and as a director of Deloitte’s China Research and Insight Center. He also serves as a senior advisor to The Conference Board, where he oversees a range of leadership activities, spanning workforce, financial, and strategic areas. Dr. DeWoskin is a former professor of international business and the chairman and professor of Asian cultures at the University of Michigan. He has also taught executive education programs for the University of Michigan, Singapore Management University, and Wharton School of Business. He has presented on China business issues across the US and throughout Asia and Europe, in the World Economic Forum, Chambers of Commerce, Economist Intelligence Unit, Eurasia Group, the Conference Board, US China Business Council, China Britain Business Council and World Transportation Forum. Dr. DeWoskin has authored numerous articles during his career, including a regular column for the China Economic Review and previously written regularly for the Far Eastern Economic Review . His influential views have made him sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious media outlets, including The New York Times , Financial Times , Economist , SCMP , People’s Daily , CNBC, Business Week , Fortune , Asian Wall Street Journal , the Washington Post , Red Herring , BBC World Services, and major newswire services. Dr. DeWoskin received his B.A. from Columbia College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1974. A fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese and Japanese, he has also studied at National Taiwan University and Kyoto University.
Dr. Shangzhong Xu has served as our independent director since September 2007. Dr. Xu has been the director of the Research Institute of Genetic Breeding and a researcher at the Beijing Research Institute of Husbandry Veterinary Science of the Chinese Agricultural Scientific Academy since 1978. Dr. Xu specializes in animal genetic breeding and its industrialization, breeding planning, breeder evaluation and marker genes. He established the open nucleus breeding system to conduct breeding selection. Dr. Xu has also been the managing director of the Genetic Breeding Branch and Genetic Marker Branch of the China Husbandry Veterinary Science Association since 1989. Dr. Xu received his Ph.D degree in animal genetic breeding from Beijing Agricultural University and took advanced courses at Michigan State University.

 

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Dr. Jiuran Zhao has served as our independent director since September 2007. Since 1997, Dr. Zhao has served as the managing director of the Maize Center of the Agricultural and Forestry Scientific Research Academy in China. Dr. Zhao is also a director of Shangdong Denghai Seeds Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. From 1986 to 1997, Dr. Zhao worked at the Crop Center of the Agricultural and Forestry Scientific Research Academy, where he began as a researcher, became a vice director and later became the director. Dr. Zhao specializes in the genetic breeding and industrialization of maize and other varieties of crops as well as DNA fingerprint techniques. He is also an agricultural consultant to the Beijing municipal government, the director of the maize expert group of the Ministry of Culture of China, a vice director of the China Crop Association, the leader of the National Maize Cultivation Group, a member of the Examination Committee of the Plantation New Variety of the Ministry of Culture and an expert for The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Dr. Zhao received his Ph.D. degree in crop genetic breeding from China Agricultural University.
Mr. Joo Hai Lee has served as our independent director since November 2008 and as chairman of our corporate governance and nominating committee between November 2008 and March 2010. Mr. Lee has 32 years of experience in accounting and auditing. Mr. Lee joined BDO Patrick Tay & Partners/BDO International Singapore in 1983 and became a partner there in 1986. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and the Singapore Institute of Directors.
Mr. Sean Shao has served as our independent director since November 2008, chairman of our compensation committee from November 2008 to March 2010 and chairman of our corporate governance and nominating committee since March 2010. He currently serves as an independent director of China Medicine Corporation, a distributor and developer of medicines listed on the bulletin board and the chairman of the audit committee of: Renhuang Pharmaceuticals Inc., a pharmaceutical company based in China; China Biologic Products, Inc., a plasma-based biopharmaceutical company listed on Nasdaq; China Recycling Energy Corporation, an energy recycling system design company listed on the Nasdaq; Yongye International, Inc., a Chinese agricultural company listed on the Nasdaq; and China Nuokang Bio-Pharmaceutical, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company listed on the Nasdaq. In addition, Mr. Shao served as chairman of the audit committee of China Public Security Technology, Inc. from 2008 to 2009. He served as the chief financial officer of Trina Solar Limited from 2006 to 2008, where he assisted its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Shao served from 2004 to 2006 as the chief financial officer of ChinaEdu Corporation, a Chinese educational service provider, and Watchdata Technologies Ltd., a Chinese security software company. Prior to that, Mr. Shao worked at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd. for approximately a decade. Mr. Shao received his master’s degree in health care administration from the University of California at Los Angeles and his bachelor’s degree in art from East China Normal University. Mr. Shao is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Mr. Yue Zhao became our chief operating officer in November 2008 after serving as the deputy general manager of Agria Agriculture from September 2008 to November 2008. Mr. Zhao has more than 20 years of experience in business management. He previously served as the managing director of Yetop International Investment Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, responsible for the firm’s investments in the Chinese hydropower industry. Prior to that, Mr. Zhao served as the executive director and president of Lianhong Investment Co. Ltd, responsible for investments in land development, technology, chemicals and transportation. Mr. Zhao earlier served as the vice president of Bossen International Ltd., the executive vice president of Bocom Group, the vice president of Compass Pacific Holdings Limited, the chief operating officer of Compass Pacific Automotive Co., Ltd. He also held executive level positions with Yatton Group, a subsidiary of Esquel Enterprises Ltd. Mr. Zhao received his bachelor’s degree in information system management and his master’s degree in industrial business administration from Tsinghua University in China and received his master’s degree in economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Mr. Christopher Boddington has served as our chief financial officer since September 2009. Prior to joining us, Mr. Boddington engaged in advisory practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers for ten years with a significant amount of time in China. Mr. Boddington brings extensive experience in domestic and cross-border transactions as well as business restructuring. Mr. Boddington holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Kingston Polytechnic and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Mr. John Layburn has served as our chief strategy and compliance officer since October 2009. Prior to joining us, Mr. Layburn worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international accounting and consulting firm, for eleven years. He was initially based out of PricewaterhouseCoopers London office, followed by four years in the Beijing office. Mr. Layburn has served a wide range of clients ranging from large multi-national companies to entrepreneurial investors advising on strategic reviews, turnaround situations, and investment and divestment processes. While in China, he has specialized in advising both multinational companies on their business activities in China and Chinese companies on their overseas operations. Mr. Layburn holds a masters degree in mathematics from Oxford University.
Dr. Weizhong Wang served as our chief strategy officer from September 2007 to October 2009 and our chief strategy officer focusing on the corn seeds business since October 2009. From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Wang served as chairman and president of Denong Seed Science and Technology Development Company, a company that engages in the development, production and marketing of corn, rice, cotton and other agricultural products in China. Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. degree in agricultural economics from the Chinese Academy of Agriculture.

 

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Mr. Kean Seng U has served as our head of corporate and legal affairs since December 2008. Mr. U has extensive experience in advising multi-national corporations and sovereign entities on direct investments in the People’s Republic of China entities. Mr. U previously practiced as a partner in the Singaporean firm of Shooklin & Bok LLP and led a corporate finance team in Allen & Overy Shooklin & Bok, JLV, an international law venture partnership with London-based Allen & Overy LLP. Currently, Mr. U sits as independent and non-executive directors of several publicly listed corporations. Mr. U received his bachelor of laws degree with honors from Monash University in Australia. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia, an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore and a solicitor of England and Wales. In addition to his extensive legal knowledge, Mr. U also has a degree in economics and accounting from Monash University in Australia.
Mr. David Pasquale has served as our Senior Vice President since February 2008 and is responsible for developing, implementing and leading our investor relations, corporate and crisis communications initiatives. Prior to joining Agria, Mr. Pasquale worked with U.S.-listed public companies domiciled in China, Singapore, Korea and Taiwan. He most recently served as executive vice president at a leading investor relations and public relations firm based in New York City, where he was instrumental in driving the firm’s growth from September 1999 through January 2008. He previously worked at Citigate Dewe Rogerson, The Hudson Stone Group and N.W. Ayer & Partners, all based in New York City. Mr. Pasquale holds a bachelor of science, cum laude , from Providence College. He is an active member of the National Investor Relations Institute.
Mr. Zhixin Xue has served as the president of P3A since May 2008. Mr. Xue resigned as our chief operating officer and director in March 2008 after serving as our chief operating officer since June 2007 and as our director since August 2007. Mr. Xue also serves as the chairman of the board of Taiyuan Relord, one of the former shareholders of P3A. Mr. Xue was selected as one of the “National Outstanding Entrepreneurs” in 2005, was named as one of the “Outstanding Entrepreneurs of Shanxi Province” in 2005 and one of the “Outstanding Entrepreneurs of Taiyuan” successively from 2002 to 2005 by the local government of Taiyuan, Shanxi province. Mr. Xue is a member of the Shanxi Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body in China. Mr. Xue holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine from Shanxi Medical College.
Mr. Terry McCarthy served as our independent director and chairman of our audit committee from September 2007 until he relinquished his directorship in March 2010. Dr. Geoffrey Duyk served as our director starting in August 2007 and resigned in May 2009. Mr. Raymond Cheuk Kwong Lo was appointed as our acting chief financial officer in April 2009 and resigned in September 2009. Dr. Juliana H. Xu served as our chief technology officer starting in May 2007 and resigned in March 2009.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our senior executive officers. Under these agreements, we may terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the employee, including but not limited to a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony, negligence or dishonesty to our detriment, failure to perform the agreed-to duties after a reasonable opportunity to cure the failure and failure to achieve the performance measures specified in the employment agreement. An executive officer may terminate his employment at any time with one-month prior written notice if there is a material reduction in his authority, duties and responsibilities or in his annual salary before the next annual salary review. Furthermore, we may terminate an executive officer’s employment at any time without cause upon one-month advance written notice. In the event of a termination without cause by us, we will provide compensation to the executive officer only to the minimum extent expressly required by applicable law of the jurisdiction where the executive officer is based.
B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the year ended December 31, 2009, we paid an aggregate of approximately RMB10.5 million ($1.7 million) to our directors and executive officers in cash or benefits in kind. This included approximately RMB0.9 million ($0.1 million) of bonus payments to directors and executive officers. These bonuses were provided in our agreements with directors and executive officers on an individual basis.
During the year ended December 31, 2009 certain of our directors and executive officers were granted options to purchase a total of 2,340,000 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $0.92 per ordinary share.

 

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Share Incentives
2007 Share Incentive Plan. We have adopted the 2007 Share Incentive Plan to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants and promote the success of our business. Our board of directors has authorized the issuance of up to 15,000,000 ordinary shares upon exercise of awards granted under our plan, plus an increase of 5,000,000 shares when and if the 15,000,000 ordinary shares plan has been fully used pursuant to the awards granted under the plan and the board approves such increase.
Since December 31, 2009, options to purchase a total of 5,160,000 ordinary shares have been granted to our directors and executive officers and options to purchase 1,461,800 ordinary shares that were previously granted to certain of our directors, executive officers and employees have been cancelled following the termination of their services or employment with Agria. As of the date of this annual report, options to purchase a total of 13,648,100 ordinary shares have been granted to our directors and executive officers and other individuals as a group, including certain of our former directors and officers, with exercise prices of $0.92, $1.00, $2.18, $2.40, $3.15, $3.80, $3.83, $4.80 and $5.21 per share and a term of ten years to exercise from the date of grant, and remained outstanding.
In June 2008, Messrs. Lai, Qian and Xue agreed to contribute their options for no consideration to purchase a total of 2,200,000 ordinary shares to a new management retention plan to be established for the benefit of our employees, including employees of P3A.
The following paragraphs summarize the terms of our 2007 Share Incentive Plan:
Plan Administration . Our board of directors, or a committee designated by our board or directors, will administer the plan. The committee or the full board of directors, as appropriate, will determine the provisions and terms and conditions of each option grant.
Award Agreements. Options and other share incentives granted under our plan are evidenced by an award agreement, as applicable, that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each grant. In addition, the award agreement also provides that securities granted are subject to a 180-day lock-up period following the effective date of a registration statement filed by us under the Security Act, if so requested by us or any representative of the underwriters in connection with any registration of the offering of any of our securities.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to employees, directors and consultants of our company or any of our related entities, which include our subsidiaries or any entities in which we hold a substantial ownership interest.
Acceleration of Options upon Corporate Transactions. The outstanding options will accelerate upon occurrence of a change-of-control corporate transaction where the successor entity does not assume our outstanding options under the plan. In such event, each outstanding option will become fully vested and immediately exercisable, and the transfer restrictions on the awards will be released and the repurchase or forfeiture rights will terminate immediately before the date of the change-of-control transaction, provided that the grantee’s continuous service with us shall not be terminated before that date.
Term of the Options. The term of each option grant shall be stated in the stock option agreement, provided that the term shall not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator determines, or the stock option agreement specifies, the vesting schedule. The share options have a vesting term of two to four years.
Transfer Restrictions. Options to purchase our ordinary shares may not be transferred in any manner by the optionee other than by will or the laws of succession and may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee.
Termination of the Plan. Unless terminated earlier, the plan will terminate automatically in 2017. Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate the plan subject to shareholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law. However, no such action may (i) impair the rights of any optionee unless agreed by the optionee and the plan administrator or (ii) affect the plan administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it under our plan.

 

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C. Board Practices
Our board of directors currently consists of eight directors. A director is not required to hold any shares in the company by way of qualification. A director may vote with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is materially interested provided the nature of the interest is disclosed prior to its consideration and any vote on such contract or transaction. The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, mortgage its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any obligation of the company or of any third party.
In 2009, our board held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent ten times.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have established three committees under the board of directors: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the corporate governance and nominating committee. We have adopted a charter for each of the three committees. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Kenneth J. DeWoskin, Joo Hai Lee and Sean Shao, all of whom satisfy the independence requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and meet the independence standards under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In addition, the board of directors has determined that Mr. Sean Shao’s simultaneous service on the audit committee of five public companies would not impair his ability to effectively serve on our audit committee. Mr. DeWoskin is the chair of our audit committee. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
    selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;
    reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;
    reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;
    discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
    reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;
    annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter;

 

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    meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
    reporting regularly to the board of directors.
In 2009, our audit committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent 16 times.
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee consists of Messrs. Guanglin Lai, Dr. Jiuran Zhao and Dr. Shangzhong Xu. Dr. Zhao and Dr. Xu satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Lai is the chair of our compensation committee. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:
    reviewing and recommending to the board total compensation packages for our senior executives;
    approving and overseeing the total compensation packages for our chief executive officer;
    reviewing and recommending director compensation to the board; and
    periodically reviewing and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans.
In 2009, our compensation committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent three times.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Our corporate governance and nominating committee consists of Messrs. Sean Shao, Kenneth J. DeWoskin and Xie Tao. Mr. Shao and Mr. DeWoskin satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Shao is the chair of our corporate governance and nominating committee. The corporate governance and nominating committee assists the board of directors in selecting qualified individuals to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The corporate governance and nominating committee is responsible for, among other things:
    selecting and recommending nominees for election or re-election to the board or appointments to fill any vacancy;
    annually reviewing with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us;
    periodically advising the board with regard to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken; and
    monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.
In 2009, our corporate governance and nominating committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent twice.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty of loyalty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skill they actually possess with such care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association.
Terms of Directors and Officers
Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board of directors. Except for one director who is subject to an initial term of two years, our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until their resignation, death or incapacity or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified in accordance with our shareholders agreement and our articles of association. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors or (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or become of unsound mind.

 

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D. Employees
We had 422, 619 and 348 full-time employees and 185, nil and 59 temporary employees as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our temporary employees are usually hired seasonally because of the seasonality of our business. The following table sets forth the number of employees for each of our three business segments and our corporate offices as of December 31, 2009:
                                 
    Number of full-     Percentage of     Number of part-     Percentage of  
    time Employees     Total Employees     time Employees     Total Employees  
Seeds
    80       20 %     59       14 %
Sheep products
    107       26 %            
Seedlings
    55       14 %            
Administration
    106       26 %            
 
                       
Total
    348       86 %     59       14 %
 
                       
We have entered into employment agreements with our full-time employees. Generally our management and research and development staff have signed non-compete agreements with us and are prohibited from engaging in any activities that compete with our business during the period of their employment with us. Furthermore, the employment contracts with our officers or managers generally include a covenant that prohibits them from engaging in any activities that compete with our business for periods ranging from six months to three years after the period of their employment with us. None of our employees are registered under collective bargaining agreements. None of our employees is a member of a labor union.
If we lose the services of one of more of our key management personnel, including P3A management personnel, and are unable to find suitable replacements, our operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our management, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.”
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares by:
    each of our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report; and
    each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2010.
The calculations in the shareholder table below are based on 125,160,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of June 1, 2010. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we have included shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this annual report, including through the exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion of any other security. These shares, however, are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.
                 
    Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned  
    Number (1)     % (2)  
Directors and Executive Officers:
               
Guanglin Lai (3)
    48,522,000       38.8  
Xie Tao
    *       *  
Gary Kim Ting Yeung
    *       *  
Kenneth J. DeWoskin
    *       *  
Shangzhong Xu
    *       *  
Jiuran Zhao
    *       *  
Joo Hai Lee
           
Sean Shao
    *       *  
Frank Yue Zhao
    *       *  
Christopher Boddington
    *       *  
John Layburn
    *       *  
Weizhong Wang
    *       *  
Kean Seng U
    *       *  
David Pasquale
    *       *  
Zhixin Xue (4)
    21,943,040       17.5  
All directors and executive officers as a group (5)
    73,037,040       57.2  
Principal Shareholders:
               
Morgan Finanz Capital Limited (6)
    31,076,750       24.8  
Brothers Capital Limited (7)
    17,445,250       13.9  
TPG Capital, L.P. (8)
    8,650,000       6.9  
Heartland Advisors, Inc. (9)
    8,928,200       7.1  
Dubai Group Limited (10)
    6,600,000       5.3  

 

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*   Less than 1% or our total issued and outstanding shares
 
(1)   Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities.
 
(2)   For each person and group included in this table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group by the sum of 125,160,000, being the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of June 1, 2010, and the number of ordinary shares underlying share options held by such person or group that are exercisable within 60 days after the date of this annual report if any.
 
(3)   Includes (i) 17,445,250 ordinary shares owned by BCL, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Lai, and (ii) 31,076,750 ordinary shares owned by Morgan Finanz Capital Limited, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by BCL. The business address of Mr. Lai is Room 21/F Tower B, PingAn International Finance Center, 1-3 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China.
 
(4)   Based on the Schedule D filed with the SEC on July 23, 2008. The business address of Mr. Xue is Floor 25, Golden Port Hotel, No. 35 North Bing Zhou Road, Tai Yuan City, Shanxi Province 030012, People’s Republic of China.
 
(5)   Certain directors and executive officers have been granted options pursuant to our 2007 Share Incentive Plan. See “—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers—Share Incentives.”
 
(6)   Morgan Finanz Capital Limited is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. Morgan Finanz Capital Limited is wholly owned by BCL, which in turn is wholly owned by Mr. Guanglin Lai. Mr. Guanglin Lai is the sole director of Morgan Finanz Capital Limited.
 
(7)   Includes 17,445,250 ordinary shares held by BCL, a British Virgin Islands company wholly owned by Mr. Lai, The business address of BCL is 21/F Tower B, PingAn International Finance Center, 1-3 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, People’s Republic of China.
 
(8)   In the form of ADSs, each representing two ordinary shares, based on Form 13-F filed with the SEC by TPG Capital, L.P. for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. TPG Capital, L.P. is ultimately owned by Tarrant Capital Advisors, Inc., a Delaware company, whose shareholders are David Bonderman and James Coulter. The registered address for both of these companies is c/o M&C Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309GT, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
 
(9)   In the form of ADSs, each representing two ordinary shares, based on Form 13-F filed with the SEC by Heartland Advisors, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The business address of Heartland Advisors, Inc. is 789 North Water Street. Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
 
(10)   Based on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 17, 2009. Dubai Ventures Group Limited, a company incorporated in Cayman Islands, holds 3,300,000 ADS, representing 6,600,000 ordinary shares of the company. Dubai Ventures Group Limited is wholly owned by Dubai Ventures Group L.L.C., whose General Manager is Dubai Group Limited, which has the authority, among other things, to acquire, purchase, subscribe for, sell, assign and/or transfer any shares owned by Dubai Ventures Group L.L.C. The directors of Dubai Group Limited are Fadhel Abdulbaqi Abu Al Hassan Al Qaed Al Ali, Hashim Abdulla Ahmad Al Babal, Soud Ahmad Abdulrahman Baalawi and Mohammad Abdulla Ali Al Gergawi. The address for Dubai Group Limited is c/o Paget Brown Trust Company Ltd., West Wind Building, Harbour Drive, George Town, Grand Cayman, British West Indies.
As of June 1, 2010, 125,160,000 of our ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. To our knowledge, we had only one record shareholder in the United States, The Bank of New York Mellon, which is the depositary of our ADS program and held approximately 39.0% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of June 1, 2010. The number of beneficial owners of our ADSs in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our ordinary shares in the United States.
None of our existing shareholders has different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
For the options granted to our directors, officers and employees, please refer to “—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers.”
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership.”

 

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B. Related Party Transactions
PRC law currently restricts foreign ownership of seed business and prohibits foreign ownership of sheep business in China. We conduct our business in China primarily through Agria China’s contractual arrangements with P3A and its shareholders and Agria Brother’s contractual arrangements with Guanli and its shareholders.
Contractual Arrangements with P3A and Its Shareholders
Under PRC laws, each of Agria China and P3A is an independent legal person. Other than pursuant to the contractual arrangements between Agria China and P3A, P3A does not transfer any other funds generated from its operations to Agria China. P3A has five record shareholders, consisting of Ms. Juan Li who is the wife of Mr. Guanglin Lai, our chairman of the board of directors, our chief executive officer and a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares; Mr. Zhaohua Qian; Mr. Kenneth Hua Huang; Mr. Zhixin Xue who is the president of P3A, Mr. Mingshe Zhang who has been involved in the management of P3A. All five shareholders of P3A are PRC citizens and do not receive any compensation from us for holding shares of P3A. Mr. Guanglin Lai, who is the husband of Ms. Juan Li, a shareholder of P3A, is the sole director of BCL, which is the largest shareholder of our company. Agria China’s relationship with P3A and its shareholders is governed by the following contractual arrangements entered into on June 8, 2007. The powers of attorney, the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive call option agreement enable Agria China to effectively control P3A. The exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement, the exclusive consultancy service agreement, the proprietary technology license agreement and the letter of undertaking, the terms of which may be amended from time to time, enable Agria China to receive substantially all of P3A’s earnings and other economic benefits to the extent permissible under PRC law. We have a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by P3A.
Power of Attorney
Each shareholder of P3A has executed a power of attorney to appoint a nominee of Agria China as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of his or her rights as a shareholder of P3A as provided under PRC law and the articles of association of P3A, including voting rights, the rights to transfer any or all of his or her equity interest in P3A and the right to appoint the general manger of P3A.
Equity Pledge Agreement
Under the equity pledge agreement among P3A, the shareholders of P3A and Agria China, the shareholders of P3A pledged all of their equity interests in P3A to Agria China to guarantee P3A’s performance of its obligations under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement, the proprietary technology license agreement, the exclusive consultancy service agreement and the exclusive call option agreement. If P3A or any of such shareholders breaches its contractual obligations under any of these principal agreements, Agria China, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell or auction the pledged equity interests. During the term of this agreement, such shareholders of P3A may not transfer their respective equity interests to any third party or create other pledges or rights over the equity interests that may have an adverse effect on the rights of Agria China as pledgee. The equity pledge agreement will terminate when all the principal agreements are terminated or fully performed.
Exclusive Call Option Agreement
Under the exclusive call option agreement among the shareholders of P3A, P3A and Agria China, the shareholders of P3A irrevocably granted Agria China an exclusive option to purchase from such shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all of the equity interests in P3A for the higher of (i) RMB100,000 and (ii) the minimum amount of consideration permitted by applicable law. To the extent permitted by PRC law, Agria China or its designated person has sole discretion to decide when to exercise the option and when to buy all or part of the equity interests in P3A.
Exclusive Technology Development, Technical Support and Service Agreement
Under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement between P3A and Agria China, Agria China is the exclusive provider of technology development, technical support and services to P3A relating to P3A’s agricultural business. P3A will not accept these services from any third party without the prior consent of Agria China. Agria China owns the rights to any intellectual property developed by Agria China in the performance of this agreement. P3A pays to Agria China service fees of 20% of the annual net profit of P3A after each accounting year. The payments of fees are secured by the equity interests in P3A under the equity pledge agreement. This agreement is effective during the operation term of P3A unless terminated by Agria China or by either party due to the other party’s breach of the agreement according to the early termination provisions of the agreement. This agreement may be amended at any time by P3A and Agria China. Through the power of attorney granted by the shareholders of P3A to an individual designated by Agria China, Agria China has the ability to cause P3A to agree to amend the agreement and intends to do so as needed.

 

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Exclusive Consultancy Service Agreement
Under the exclusive consultancy service agreement between P3A and Agria China, P3A exclusively engages Agria China to provide consultancy services including but not limited to the administration model, operational plans and market research and development. P3A will not accept any of these services from any third party without the prior consent of Agria China. P3A pays Agria China a consultancy service fee of RMB3 million each year upon P3A’s confirmation of the list of services provided by Agria China for that year. The payments of fees are secured by the equity interests in P3A under the equity pledge agreement. This agreement is effective during the operation term of P3A unless terminated by Agria China or by either party due to the other party’s breach of the agreement according to the early termination terms of the agreement. This agreement may be amended at any time by P3A and Agria China. Through the power of attorney granted by the shareholders of P3A to an individual designated by Agria China, Agria China has the ability to cause P3A to agree to amend the agreement and intends to do so as needed.
Proprietary Technology License Agreement
Under the proprietary technology license agreement between P3A and Agria China, Agria China licenses to P3A the exclusive rights to use 20 technologies listed in the appendix of the agreement that are related to the sheep business. Agria China owns the intellectual property rights developed by P3A in the performance of this agreement. P3A pays Agria China license fees of RMB2.72 million before December 31 of each year. The payments of fees are secured by the equity interests in P3A under the equity pledge agreement. This agreement is effective during the operation term of P3A unless terminated by either party according to the early termination terms of the agreement. This agreement may be amended at any time by P3A and Agria China. Through the power of attorney granted by the shareholders of P3A to an individual designated by Agria China, Agria China has the ability to cause P3A to agree to amend the agreement and intends to do so as needed.
Letter of Undertaking
The shareholders of P3A have executed a letter of undertaking to irrevocably undertake that, unless otherwise limited by laws, regulations or legal proceedings, they will remit all of the dividends and other distributions received from P3A to Agria China, subject to satisfaction of their personal income tax and other statutory obligations arising from the receipt of such dividends or other distributions. The spouse of each of such shareholders has consented to the foregoing undertaking.
Contractual Arrangements with Guanli and Its Shareholders
Under PRC laws, each of Agria Brother and Guanli is an independent legal person. Other than pursuant to the contractual arrangements between Agria Brother and Guanli, Guanli does not transfer any other funds generated from its operations to Agria Brother. Guanli has two record shareholders, consisting of Ms. Juan Li who is the wife of Mr. Guanglin Lai, our chairman of the board of directors, our chief executive officer and a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares and Ms. Jie Zhen Chen. Both shareholders of Guanli are PRC citizens and do not receive any compensation from us for holding shares of Guanli. Mr. Guanglin Lai, who is the husband of Ms. Juan Li, a shareholder of Guanli, is the sole director of BCL, which is the largest shareholder of our company. Agria Brother’s relationship with Guanli and its shareholders is governed by the following contractual arrangements entered into in October and November 2008 and June, July, August and November 2009. The powers of attorney, the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive call option agreement enable Agria Brother to effectively control Guanli. The exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement and the letter of undertaking, the terms of which may be amended from time to time, enable Agria Brother to receive substantially all of Guanli’s earnings and other economic benefits to the extent permissible under PRC law. We have a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by Guanli.
Power of Attorney
Each shareholder of Guanli has executed a power of attorney to appoint a nominee of Agria Brother as his or her attorney-in-fact to exercise all of his or her rights as a shareholder of Guanli as provided under PRC law and the articles of association of Guanli, including voting rights, the rights to transfer any or all of his or her equity interest in Guanli and the right to appoint the general manger of Guanli.

 

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Equity Pledge Agreement
Under the equity pledge agreement among Guanli, the shareholders of Guanli and Agria Brother, the shareholders of Guanli pledged all of their equity interests in Guanli to Agria Brother to guarantee Guanli’s performance of its obligations under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement, the exclusive call option agreement and the loan agreement. If Guanli or any of such shareholders breaches its contractual obligations under any of these principal agreements, Agria Brother, as pledgee, will be entitled to certain rights, including the right to sell or auction the pledged equity interests. During the term of this agreement, such shareholders of Guanli may not transfer their respective equity interests to any third party or create other pledges or rights over the equity interests that may have an adverse effect on the rights of Agria Brother as pledgee. The equity pledge agreement will terminate when all the principal agreements are terminated or fully performed.
Exclusive Call Option Agreement
Under the exclusive call option agreement among the shareholders of Guanli, Guanli and Agria Brother, the shareholders of Guanli irrevocably granted Agria Brother an exclusive option to purchase from such shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all of the equity interests in P3A for the higher of (i) RMB1 and (ii) the minimum amount of consideration permitted by applicable law. To the extent permitted by PRC law, Agria Brother or its designated person has sole discretion to decide when to exercise the option and when to buy all or part of the equity interests in Guanli.
Loan Agreement
Under the loan agreement among the shareholders of Guanli and Agria Brother, Agria Brother made a loan to the shareholders of Guanli who undertook to use the loan for investment purposes in Guanli.
Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Agreement
Under the exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement between Guanli and Agria Brother, Agria Brother is the exclusive provider of technology development, technical support and services to Guanli. Guanli will not accept these services from any third party without the prior consent of Agria Brother. Agria Brother owns the rights to any intellectual property developed by Agria Brother in the performance of this agreement. The payments of fees are secured by the equity interests in Guanli under the equity pledge agreement. This agreement is effective during the operation term of Guanli unless terminated by Agria Brother or by either party due to the other party’s breach of the agreement according to the early termination provisions of the agreement. This agreement may be amended at any time by Guanli and Agria Brother. Through the power of attorney granted by the shareholders of Guanli to an individual designated by Agria Brother, Agria Brother has the ability to cause Guanli to agree to amend the agreement and intends to do so as needed.
Letter of Undertaking
The shareholders of Guanli have executed a letter of undertaking to irrevocably undertake that, unless otherwise limited by laws, regulations or legal proceedings, they will remit all of the dividends and other distributions received from Guanli to Agria Brother, subject to satisfaction of their personal income tax and other statutory obligations arising from the receipt of such dividends or other distributions. The spouse of each of such shareholders has consented to the foregoing undertaking.
We have been advised by our PRC legal counsel, that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. The uncertainties include how the PRC government may interpret the restriction of foreign ownership of corn seed development and production companies and whether foreign companies may conduct the corn seed development and production businesses through contractual arrangements with domestic companies engaging in such businesses. We have been further advised by our PRC counsel that if the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our PRC agricultural business do not comply with PRC government restrictions on foreign investment in the agricultural businesses, we could be subject to severe penalties. In addition, under PRC Property Rights Law which became effective on October 1, 2007, an equity pledge is required to be registered with the relevant administration for industry and commerce in order to become effective.

 

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For more information in this regards, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—If the Chinese government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our Chinese businesses do not comply with Chinese governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the seed industry, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations,” and “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.”
Contractual Arrangements with Agria Agriculture and Zhongyuan and Their Respective Shareholders
In September 2009, we formed Agria Agriculture, to engage in the businesses of research and development, service, sales and investment. Agria Agriculture was set up with 51% interests legally held by Guanli and 49% interests legally held by Ms. Juan Li, the wife of Mr. Guanglin Lai, the chairman of our board of directors. Agria Brother’s relationship with Agria Agriculture and its shareholders is governed by the contractual arrangements entered into on August 24, 2009. The powers of attorney, the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive call option agreement enable Agria Brother to effectively control Agria Agriculture. The exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement and the letter of undertaking, the terms of which may be amended from time to time, enable Agria Brother to receive substantially all of Agria Agriculture’s earnings and other economic benefits to the extent permissible under PRC law. We have a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by Agria Agriculture.
In September 2009, we formed Zhongyuan, to engage in the businesses of research and development, service, sales and investment. Zhongyuan was set up with 95% interests legally held by Ms. Juan Li, the wife of Mr. Guanglin Lai, the chairman of our board of directors, and 5% interests legally held by Mr. Yachao Cui which was transferred to Ms. Jie Zhen Chen in November 2009. Agria Brother’s relationship with Zhongyuan and its shareholders is governed by the contractual arrangements entered into on August 25, 2009 and November 3, 2009. The powers of attorney, the equity pledge agreement and the exclusive call option agreement enable Agria Brother to effectively control Zhongyuan. The exclusive technology development, technical support and service agreement and the letter of undertaking, the terms of which may be amended from time to time, enable Agria Brother to receive substantially all of Zhongyuan’s earnings and other economic benefits to the extent permissible under PRC law. We have a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by Zhongyuan.
Other Transactions with P3A and Its Affiliates
On June 8, 2007, an agreement on equity interests of P3A was entered into among P3A, P3A’s five former shareholders and P3A’s four then-existing shareholders and China Victory. This agreement confirms that P3A’s former shareholders do not have any outstanding rights or obligations with respect to P3A. Under the agreement, P3A’s then-existing shareholders have agreed to cause the individuals nominated by Agria China to be elected as P3A’s directors and to grant a voting proxy to the individual(s) designated by Agria China to vote on all matters subject to shareholder approval at P3A’s shareholder meetings. In addition, P3A’s then-existing shareholders are prohibited from transferring, pledging or otherwise disposing of their equity interests in P3A without prior written consent of China Victory. P3A’s then-existing shareholders have also agreed to enter into and cause P3A to enter into a series of agreements, including a service agreement, a share pledge agreement and an exclusive option agreement, with Agria China in form and substance satisfactory to Agria China, and not to sign any contract relating to P3A or to distribute any dividends without the prior written consent of Agria China. Concurrently with the execution of this agreement, P3A, P3A’s current shareholders and Agria China entered into a series of contractual arrangements as described above.
On June 8, 2007, P3A and Agria China entered into a proprietary technology transfer agreement, whereby P3A transferred to Agria China certain proprietary technologies owned by P3A. Agria China has agreed to pay RMB13.6 million to P3A in consideration for this technology transfer.
On June 8, 2007, P3A and Primalights III Biotech Engineer Academy, or P3A Academy, entered into a proprietary technology transfer agreement, whereby P3A Academy transferred to P3A all of the proprietary technologies that P3A Academy had developed or acquired. P3A was not required to make any new payment for this transfer, as it had been funding P3A Academy’s research and development activities.
On October 25, 2006, P3A and Taiyuan Relord entered into a transfer of forest ownership agreement, pursuant to which Taiyuan Relord transferred to P3A 200,200 date trees at the price of RMB43.6 million and leased to P3A four pieces of land with the total size of approximately 165 acres where the date trees grow upon at the rent of RMB1.2 million each year starting from November 2007. Taiyuan Relord is owned by individuals who are deemed our affiliates.
P3A entered into a lease agreement with Taiyuan Relord on October 25, 2006 for the lease of a piece of land for growing date trees. The term of the lease is 45 years. The annual rent under the lease is RMB673,000.
We guaranteed a short-term bank loan of RMB2.0 million extended to Taiyuan Baojia on December 31, 2007. We did not receive any fee for providing the guarantee. The bank loan was repaid in January 2008 and the guarantee was released concurrently. We guaranteed a short-term bank loan of RMB2.0 million extended to Taiyuan Baojia on December 31, 2006. We did not receive any fee for providing the guarantee. The bank loan was repaid and the guarantee was released in 2007. Taiyuan Baojia is a subsidiary of Taiyuan Relord.
On June 28, 2007, BCL, our controlling shareholder, made a loan of $20.2 million at an interest rate of 7% per annum to our subsidiary China Victory to enable China Victory to fund the registered capital of its directly wholly-owned subsidiary Agria China, as required under applicable PRC law. The loan was repaid to BCL in November 2007.
We guaranteed a short-term bank loan in the amount of RMB1.5 million extended to Taiyuan Relord on June 30, 2007. We did not receive any fee for providing the guarantee. The bank loan was repaid on December 27, 2007 and the guarantee was released when the bank loan was repaid.
During 2008, we sold our white bark pine seedlings to Taiyuan Relord, which was one of the former shareholders of P3A and is currently an affiliate of P3A. Amounts due from Taiyuan Relord under this transaction was RMB3.5 million and RMB1.9 million ($0.3 million) as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

 

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During 2008, P3A secured short-term loans in the aggregate amount of RMB8.8 million, which were guaranteed by Taiyuan Relord. These loans, bearing weighted-average interest rates of 10.2% per annum, were renewed in 2009 and continued to be guaranteed by Taiyuan Relord. As of December 31, 2009, the balance of these loans was RMB8.8 million ($1.3 million). See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations.”
During 2009, Agria China waived accumulative amounts due from P3A under the contractual arrangement amounting to RMB71.2 million ($10.4 million).
Private Placement
On June 22, 2007, we issued and sold 2,400,000 shares of Series A preferred shares at a purchase price of $4.1667 per share in a private placement. The investors in the private placement were TPG Growth AC Ltd. (which purchased 1,600,000 preferred shares from us) and TPG Biotech II, Ltd. (which purchased 800,000 preferred shares from us), or together, TPG. TPG was an unrelated third party prior to its investment in our Series A preferred shares. The value of the Series A preferred shares was determined based on arm’s-length negotiations between TPG and us and was approved by our board of directors. Concurrently with our issuance and sale of Series A preferred shares to TPG, BCL, the largest shareholder of our company, transferred and sold 4,170,000 and 2,080,000 ordinary shares to TPG Growth AC Ltd. and TPG Biotech II, Ltd., respectively.
In August 2007, our shareholders authorized a 10,000-for-1 share split of our ordinary shares and our preferred shares. Upon the effecting of the share split, TPG Growth AC Ltd. held 1,600,000 Series A preferred shares and 4,170,000 ordinary shares and TPG Biotech II, Ltd. held 800,000 Series A preferred shares and 2,080,000 ordinary shares. All Series A preferred shares were converted into our ordinary shares upon the completion of our initial public offering on November 13, 2007.
Registration Rights Agreement
We and TPG have entered into a registration rights agreement dated June 22, 2007. Under the terms of this agreement, TPG and certain subsequent transferees of TPG may require us to effect up to two registrations and unlimited registrations on Form F-3 of ordinary shares held by such parties, subject to certain offering size limitations. The agreement also granted to TPG and certain subsequent transferees of TPG “piggyback” registration rights, other than in connection with a registration by us pursuant to a stock option plan or other employee benefit plan, a registration on Form S-8 or a registration relating to a corporate reorganization. In the event we use reasonable best efforts but are unable to register our shares, we have no liabilities to these shareholders. We, TPG and Dubai Investment Group L.L.C., or DIG, entered into a deed of adherence dated August 30, 2007 whereby DIG agreed to comply with and be bound by all of the provisions of the registration rights agreement in all respects as if DIG were a party to the agreement and were named therein as a party, and on the basis that references therein to holders of registrable securities shall include a separate reference to DIG, and the ordinary shares (and any other shares of capital stock) held by DIG shall constitute registrable securities. The deed of adherence superseded and replaced any prior understanding, agreement or statement of intent, in each case written or oral, of any kind and every nature with respect to DIG’s registration rights. The purpose of the deed of adherence was to ensure that the eligible shareholders have the same registration rights under the same agreement. TPG and DIG have each converted their shares to ADSs as of July 2009 and August 2008, respectively. As a result, all rights and obligations of the company, TPG and DIG under the registration rights agreement and the deed of adherence have terminated.

 

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Undertaking Agreement
On June 22, 2007, we entered into an agreement with BCL and TPG, whereby each party to the agreement agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to cause each of our shareholders to enter into a new agreement regarding share transfers, our memorandum and articles of association and a new registration rights agreement as soon as possible but no later than the public filing date of our registration statement. Such agreements would clarify the relationship between our memorandum and articles of association and certain investment agreements of our shareholders as well as grant each of our shareholders substantially similar rights and obligations with respect to transfer and preemption as well as equivalent piggyback and demand (to the extent such shareholder currently enjoys demand registration rights under an existing agreement) registration rights.
Shareholders Agreement
We, BCL and TPG have entered into a shareholders agreement dated June 22, 2007 to further document the shareholding relationship. All rights and obligations of the company, BCL and TPG under the shareholders agreement terminated upon the completion of our initial public offering on November 13, 2007, except for limited exceptions related to confidential information.
Share Options
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers—Share Incentives.”
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.
Legal Proceedings
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Legal Proceedings.”
Dividend Policy
We have no present plan to declare and pay any dividends on our shares or ADSs in the near future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely on dividends from our subsidiaries in China, Agria China and Agria Brother. Current PRC regulations permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, our subsidiaries in China are required to set aside a certain amount of their accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends. Further, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us.
Under Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, we are able to pay dividends out of either profits or share premium. Subject to having sufficient profits and share premium, our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in US dollars.

 

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B. Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offering and Listing Details
The following table provides the high and low trading prices on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.
                 
    Sales Price ($)  
    High     Low  
Yearly Highs and Lows
               
2007 (starting from November 7, 2007)
    17.00       7.00  
2008
    11.75       1.21  
2009
    4.53       0.75  
 
               
Quarterly Highs and Lows
               
First Quarter 2008
    11.75       6.05  
Second Quarter 2008
    9.30       3.52  
Third Quarter 2008
    5.42       2.80  
Fourth Quarter 2008
    3.54       1.21  
First Quarter 2009
    1.85       0.75  
Second Quarter 2009
    3.77       1.05  
Third Quarter 2009
    2.62       1.69  
Four Quarter 2009
    4.53       1.90  
First Quarter 2010
    3.31       1.77  
 
               
Monthly Highs and Lows
               
December 2009
    3.67       2.66  
January 2010
    3.31       2.00  
February 2010
    2.44       1.87  
March 2010
    2.78       2.11  
April 2010
    2.44       1.77  
May 2010
    1.94       1.18  
June 2010 (through June 28)
    1.71       1.26  
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
Our ADSs, each representing two of our ordinary shares, have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange since November 7, 2007. Our ADSs trade under the symbol “GRO.”
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.

 

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F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We incorporate by reference into this annual report our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on October 18, 2007.
C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4. Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.
D. Exchange Controls
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation—Foreign Exchange.”
E. Taxation
Cayman Islands Taxation
According to Maples and Calder, our Cayman Islands counsel, the Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not a party to any tax treaties for the avoidance of double taxation.
PRC Taxation
Under the former PRC Income Tax Law for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises, any dividends payable by foreign-invested enterprises to non-PRC investors were exempt from any PRC withholding tax. In addition, any interest or dividends payable, or distributions made, by us to holders or beneficial owners of our ADSs or ordinary shares would not have been subject to any PRC tax, provided that such holders or beneficial owners, including individuals and enterprises, were not deemed to be PRC residents under the PRC tax law and had not become subject to PRC tax.
Under the 2008 EIT Law, which took effect as of January 1, 2008, enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose “de facto management body” is located in China are considered “resident enterprises” for PRC tax purposes. Under the Implementing Rules issued by the State Council relating to the 2008 EIT Law, “de facto management bodies” are defined as the bodies that have material and overall management control over the business, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise. Substantially all of our management are currently based in China, and may remain in China in the future. If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes, we would be subject to PRC income tax on our worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, but dividends received by us from our PRC subsidiaries may be exempt from the income tax.
Under the 2008 EIT Law and its Implementing Rules, dividends paid to a non-PRC investor are generally subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax, if such dividends are derived from sources within China and the non-PRC investor is considered to be a non-resident enterprise without any establishment or place of business within China or if the dividends paid have no connection with the non-PRC investor’s establishment or place of business within China, unless such tax is eliminated or reduced under an applicable tax treaty. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by such investor is also subject to a 10% PRC withholding tax if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within China, unless such tax is eliminated or reduced under an applicable tax treaty.

 

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If we were considered a PRC “resident enterprise,” it is possible that the dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares, or the gain you may realize from the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares, would be treated as income derived from sources within China and be subject to the 10% PRC withholding tax.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (defined below) under present law of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets and that have the US dollar as their functional currency. This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual report and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect, as of the date of this annual report, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, and it is possible that such change will apply retroactively and affect the tax consequences described below.
The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:
    certain financial institutions;
 
    insurance companies;
 
    broker dealers;
 
    traders that elect to mark to market;
 
    tax-exempt entities;
 
    persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
 
    persons holding an ADS or ordinary share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;
 
    persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock;
 
    persons who acquired ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; or
 
    persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities.
WE RECOMMEND THAT HOLDERS CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES.
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply if you are the beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
    a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia;

 

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    an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
    a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership that holds ADSs or ordinary shares, your tax treatment generally will depend on your status and the activities of the partnership.
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied with in accordance with the terms. If you hold ADSs, you should be treated as the holder of the underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the beneficial ownership of the underlying shares (for example, pre-releasing ADSs to persons who do not have the beneficial ownership of the securities underlying the ADSs). Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (discussed below) could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of ADSs and our company if as a result of such actions the holders of ADSs are not properly treated as beneficial owners of underlying shares.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to discussions below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company,” the gross amount of all our distributions to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will be included in your gross income as ordinary dividend income on the date of actual or constructive receipt by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends will be “qualified dividend income” that is taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate, provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including (1) the ADSs or ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2) we are neither a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) nor treated as such with respect to you for our taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, ADSs will be considered for purposes of clause (1) above to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as are our ADSs. Based on existing guidance, it is not entirely clear whether dividends that you receive with respect to the ordinary shares will be taxed as qualified dividend income, because the ordinary shares are not themselves listed on a U.S. exchange. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. We recommend that you consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares.
Dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation generally will be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will constitute “passive category income” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute “general category income.”
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder can expect that a distribution will be reported as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.

 

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Taxation of a Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to discussions below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company,” you will recognize capital gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or ordinary share equal to the difference between the amount realized (in US dollars) for the ADS or ordinary share and your tax basis (in US dollars) in the ADS or ordinary share. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder (such as an individual), you will be eligible for reduced tax rates if you have held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than a year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, subject to exceptions and limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
Although it is not clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our affiliated entities will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules, based on the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares and the value and composition of our assets, we believe that we were likely a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2009. A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
    at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, or
    at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”).
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the asset test generally will be determined by reference to the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares, our PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. Based on the significant decline in the market price of our ADSs and our retention of a significant amount of cash during the taxable year ended December 31, 2009, we believe we were likely a PFIC for such year. No rulings from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or opinion of counsel has been or will be sought with respect to our status as a PFIC.
If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, unless we cease to be a PFIC and you make a “deemed sale” election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares, as applicable. If such election is made, you will be deemed to have sold the ADSs or ordinary shares you hold at their fair market value and, and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described in the following two paragraphs. After the deemed sale election, as long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, your ADSs or ordinary shares with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC, and you will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any “excess distribution” you receive from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. You are strongly urged to consult your tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale election if we were a PFIC, we cease to be a PFIC, and such election becomes available to you.
For each taxable year that we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or ordinary shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
    any excess distribution or gain from a sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares,
    the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and
    the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

 

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The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.
If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you for any taxable year, to the extent any of our subsidiaries (or possibly our affiliated entities) are also PFICs, you will be deemed to own shares in such lower-tier PFICs that are directly or indirectly owned by us in that proportion that the value of the ADSs or ordinary shares you, and you may be subject to the rules described in the preceding two paragraphs with respect to the shares of such lower-tier PFICs that you would be deemed to own. It is possible that one or more of our subsidiaries (or possibly our affiliated entities) were PFICs for the taxable year ended December 31, 2009. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries (or affiliated entities).
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC can make a mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above regarding excess distributions and realized gains. If you make a valid mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary shares, you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ADSs or ordinary shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income discussed above under “— Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares” would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and, consequently, if you are a holder of ADSs and the ADSs are regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC (as we believe we likely were for 2008). A U.S. Holder will not be able to make a mark-to-market election with respect to stock of any lower-tier PFIC. You are urged to consult your tax advisors as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.
Alternatively, if a non-U.S. corporation is a PFIC, a holder of shares in that corporation can avoid taxation under the rules described above by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis, or a “deemed sale” election once the corporation no longer qualifies as a PFIC. However, you can make a qualified electing fund election with respect to your ADSs or ordinary shares only if we agree to furnish you annually with certain tax information, and we do not intend to prepare or provide such information.
Under newly enacted legislation, unless otherwise provided by the U.S. Treasury, each U.S. shareholder of a PFIC is required to file an annual report containing such information as the U.S. Treasury may require. Prior to such legislation, a U.S. shareholder of a PFIC was required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 only for each taxable year in which such shareholder received distributions from the PFIC, recognized gain on a disposition of the PFIC stock, or made a “reportable election.” If we are or become a PFIC, you should consult your tax advisor regarding any reporting requirements that may apply to you.

 

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The rules dealing with PFICs are very complex. You are strongly encouraged to consult your tax advisor about the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in ADSs or ordinary shares.
New Legislation
Newly enacted legislation requires certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts to pay a 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of common stock for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. In addition, for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, new legislation requires certain U.S. Holders who are individuals to report information relating to an interest in our ADSs or ordinary shares, subject to certain exceptions. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of new U.S. federal income tax legislation on their ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to ADSs or ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of ADSs or ordinary shares will be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%, unless the conditions of an applicable exception are satisfied. Backup withholding will not apply to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status can provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. We recommend that U.S. Holders consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding can be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you can obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.
F.  Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G.  Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H.  Documents on Display
We have filed with the SEC registration statements on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and securities under the Securities Act with respect to underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs.
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F no later than six months after the close of each fiscal year, which is December 31. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional office of the SEC located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We will furnish JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary of our ADSs, with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
I. Subsidiary Information
For a listing of our subsidiaries, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—C. Organizational Structure.”

 

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ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest rates for our outstanding debt and the interest income generated by excess cash invested in liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. As of December 31, 2009, our total outstanding loans amounted to RMB8.8 million ($1.3 million) with a weighted average interest rate of 10.2% per annum. A 1% increase in each applicable interest rate would add RMB0.1 million ($13,000) to our interest expense in 2009. We have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our future interest income may be lower than expected due to changes in market interest rates.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Our financial statements are expressed in RMB, which is our reporting currency. Our functional currency and the functional currency of Aero-Biotech Group Limited (currently known as Agria Group Limited), China Victory, Agria HongKong Limited, Agria Asia International Limited, Agria Biotech Overseas Limited, Southrich Limited (currently known as Agria Asia Investments Limited) and Agria (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. is the US dollar. The functional currency of Agria China, Agria Brother and our variable interest entities is RMB. Substantially all of our revenues and most of our expenses which are derived from P3A are denominated in RMB. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalents denominated in US dollars as a result of our past issuances of preferred shares through a private placement and proceeds from the initial public offering on November 7, 2007. We have not hedged exposures denominated in foreign currencies or any other derivative financial instruments. The value of an investment in our ADSs will be affected by the foreign exchange rate between US dollars and RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while the ADSs will be traded in US dollars.
The value of the RMB against the US dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions and China’s foreign exchange policies. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including US dollars, has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the US dollar. Under the new policy, the Renminbi was permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy caused the Renminbi to appreciate approximately 21.5% against the US dollar over the following three years. Since reaching a high against the US dollar in July 2008 until June 2010, however, the Renminbi has traded within a narrow band against the US dollar, remaining within 1% of its July 2008 high. As a consequence, the Renminbi has fluctuated sharply since July 2008 against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the US dollar. In June 2010, the PRC government indicated that it would make the foreign exchange rate of the Renminbi more flexible. It is difficult to predict how fluctuating the exchange rate will be in the future. To the extent that we need to convert US dollars into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the US dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. As of December 31, 2009, we had RMB denominated cash balance of RMB426.1 million, US dollar denominated cash balance of $43.4 million and New Zealand dollar denominated cash balance of NZ$3.1 million and Hong Kong dollar denominated cash balance of HKD0.3 million. Assuming we had converted the US dollar, New Zealand dollar and Hong Kong dollar denominated cash balances as of December 31, 2009 into RMB at the exchange rates prevailing as of December 31, 2009, this cash balance would have been RMB737.8 million. Assuming a further 1% appreciation of the RMB against all other currencies, this cash balance would have decreased to RMB734.7 million as of December 31, 2009. Conversely, if in the future, we decide to convert our RMB into other currencies for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the other currencies against the RMB in the period up until conversion would have a negative effect on the amount available to us in the other currencies. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue which will be exchanged into US dollars and earnings from and the value of any US dollar-denominated investments we make in the future. We have not used any forward contracts or currency borrowings to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.
Inflation
In recent years, China has not experienced significant inflation, and thus historically inflation has not had a significant effect on our business. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the change in the Consumer Price Index in China was 4.8%, 5.9% and -0.7% in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s general consumer price index increased by 2.8% in April, 2010 as compared to April, 2009. Although we have not in the past been materially affected by any such inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and office operating expenses may increase as a result of higher inflation. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, high inflation could significantly reduce the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are not able to hedge our exposures to higher inflation in China.

 

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ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A. Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
C. Other Securities
Not applicable.
D. American Depositary Shares
Fees and Charges Our ADS Holders May Have to Pay
The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of our ADS program, collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deductions from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
     
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay:   For:
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)
 
    Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property
 
   
 
 
    Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates
 
   
$.02 (or less) per ADS
 
    Any cash distribution to ADS registered holders
 
   
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs
 
    Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities that are distributed by the depositary to ADS registered holders
 
   
$.02 (or less) per ADSs per calendar year
 
    Depositary services
 
   
Registration or transfer fees
 
    Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
 
   
Expenses of the depositary
 
    Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
 
   
 
 
    Converting foreign currency to US dollars
 
   
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes
 
    As necessary
 
   
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its
agents for servicing the deposited securities
 
    As necessary

 

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Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us
The depositary has agreed to reimburse us for expenses we incur that are related to the administration and maintenance of our ADS facility including, but not limited to, investor relations expenses or any other program related expenses. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not related to the amounts of fees the depositary collects from investors. In 2009, we received $4,003 from the depositary as reimbursement for legal fees and administrative expenses after deducting withholding tax.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
See “Item 10. Additional Information” for a description of the rights of securities holders, which remain unchanged.
The following “Use of Proceeds” information relates to the registration statement on Form F-1 (File number: 333-146785) filed by us in connection with our initial public offering of 17,150,000 ADSs, representing 34,300,000 ordinary shares. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on November 6, 2007.
We received net proceeds of approximately $184.1 million from our initial public offering and as of December 31, 2009, we used and expected to use the net proceeds received from our initial public offering as follows: approximately $25 million has been used to repay a shareholder’s loan; approximately $2 million has been used to repay bank loans; approximately $107 million has been and is expected to be used to fund investments, approximately $15 million is expected to fund our research and development projects, and the balance has been and is expected to continue to be used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $97 million of the net offering proceeds from our initial public offering had been applied.

 

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ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2009, the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, our management performed, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act filings is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to the management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, because of the material weakness described below under “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generallly accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management or our board of directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our interim or annual consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not prevent or detect misstatements as set out above. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated by the SEC, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 using criteria established in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Beijing Nongkeyu Seeding Development Co., Ltd., which is included in the 2009 consolidated financial statements of Agria Corporation and constituted RMB42.3 million ($6.2 million) and RMB6.2 million ($0.9 million) of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2009 and RMB13,000 ($2,000) and RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended.
Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 (17 CFR 240.12b-2) and Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X (17 CFR 210.1-02) defines a material weakness as “a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.”
When finalizing the 2009 financial statements, our auditors identified a material misstatement from the misapplication of U.S. GAAP on the presentation of expenses, recorded by our consolidated affiliate, comprising impairment charges to damaged inventories and long-lived assets caused by extreme weather conditions. As a result, an audit adjustment was required to reclassify non-operating expenses to operating expenses. Management recorded the audit adjustment, which did not result in any change to net income reported by us.
In evaluating this audit adjustment, we concluded that controls designed to ensure that significant transactions were appropriately accounted for did not operate effectively. This was in part because we had significant turnover of senior management and personnel in the finance related functions during the second half of 2009, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Also, due to insufficient handover procedures, documentation of these non-routine transactions was not readily available. Finally, despite our remediation efforts to address the fiscal year 2008 material weakness disclosed in our Form 20-F filed on December 29, 2009, sufficient time did not exist to complete our remediation plan.
Because of this material weakness, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report, which has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

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Remediation Initiatives
As disclosed in our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008, our remediation efforts started in September 2009 when we assembled a new and experienced executive team with the relevant skills to improve the overall management of our business. However, as the process to design, implement and test internal controls over financial reporting is a time consuming and complex process, our remediation efforts have continued past the 2009 year end, including:
  (i)   We have and will continue to review and make necessary changes to the overall design of our internal control environment, as well as policies and procedures to improve the overall effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In particular in 2010, we are implementing a series of review and monitoring controls over the financial statement closing process which will ensure complete and accurate reporting of transactions, including ones involving unusual or non-recurring events, in compliance with U.S. GAAP.
  (ii)   In 2010, we have also appointed external consultants with relevant expertise and experience in U.S. GAAP and internal control over financial reporting to assist our management in addressing the material weaknesses noted in our internal control evaluations for both 2008 and 2009.
  (iii)   Our audit committee is monitoring the remediation plan on an ongoing basis and providing the necessary oversight to ensure that we are effectively addressing our material weakness.
If our material weakness is not remediated, there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements in future financial periods will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Our management team performed analysis and procedures to ensure that the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report were prepared in conformity with the U.S. GAAP, including correcting the misstatement identified by our independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, our management believes that the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report fairly present in all material respects our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of our operations and our cash flows for the years presented.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Agria Corporation
We have audited Agria Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Agria Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment. Management has identified a material weakness relating to its financial statement closing process controls to ensure significant transactions were properly reviewed, analyzed and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2009 consolidated financial statements and this report does not affect our report dated June 29, 2010, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Beijing Nongkeyu Seeding Development Co., Ltd, which is included in the 2009 consolidated financial statements of Agria Corporation and constituted RMB42.3 million ($6.2 million) and RMB6.2 million ($0.9 million) of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2009 and RMB13,000 ($2,000) and RMB1.3 million ($0.2 million) of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Agria Corporation also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Beijing Nongkeyu Seeding Development Co., Ltd excluded from the scope of management’s assessment.
In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Agria Corporation has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.
/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming
Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
June 29, 2010
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We have engaged in, and are continuing to engage in, substantial efforts to improve our internal control over financial reporting and disclosures and procedures related to substantially all areas of our financial statements and disclosures.

 

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ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Sean Shao, a director and member of our audit committee, is an audit committee financial expert and an independent director.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and agents, including certain provisions that specifically apply to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technology officer, vice presidents and any other persons who perform similar functions for us. We have filed our code of business conduct and ethics as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-146785).
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by Ernst & Young Hua Ming, an independent registered public accounting firm, for the periods indicated . The fees paid in 2009 were in respect of work performed in the audit of our annual report for the period ended December 31, 2008. We did not pay any other fees to our auditors during the periods indicated below.
                 
    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2009  
    $     $  
Audit fees (1)
    911,520       1,037,233  
Audit-related fees
           
Tax fees
           
 
           
 
    911,520       1,037,233  
 
           
 
     
(1)   “Audit fees” means the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for the audit of our annual financial statements and the performance of agreed upon procedures on our comparative unaudited interim financial statements.
The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young Hua Ming independent registered public accounting firm, including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimis services which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
None.

 

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ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
The table below is a summary of the ADSs repurchased by us as of the date of this annual report. All the ADSs were purchased in the open market.
                                 
                    Total Number of     Approximate Dollar  
                    ADSs Purchased as     Value of ADSs that  
    Total Number of     Average Price Paid     Part of Publicly     may Yet be Purchased  
Period   ADSs Purchased     Per ADS (1)     Announced Plan (2)     Under the Plan (1)  
August 15, 2008
    33,949     $ 5.0644     $ 171,931.32     $ 9,828,068.68  
August 18, 2008
    32,289     $ 5.0348     $ 162,568.66     $ 9,665,500.02  
August 25, 2008
    36,393     $ 4.7657     $ 173,438.12     $ 9,492,061.90  
September 2, 2008
    22,450     $ 4.4485     $ 99,868.83     $ 9,392,193.07  
September 8, 2008
    25,000     $ 4.2728     $ 106,820.00     $ 9,285,373.07  
September 9, 2008
    19     $ 4.2800     $ 81.32     $ 9,285,291.75  
September 30, 2008
    26,261     $ 3.2976     $ 86,598.27     $ 9,198,693.48  
October 1, 2008
    500     $ 3.3960     $ 1,698.00     $ 9,196,995.48  
October 2, 2008
    23,139     $ 3.3367     $ 77,207.90     $ 9,119,787.58  
October 30, 2008
    17,744     $ 1.9904     $ 35,317.66     $ 9,084,469.92  
December 12, 2008
    27,256     $ 1.5475     $ 42,178.66     $ 9,042,291.26  
December 17, 2008
    24,669     $ 1.6066     $ 39,633.22     $ 9,002,658.04  
December 18, 2008
    2,400     $ 1.5900     $ 3,816.00     $ 8,998,842.04  
December 19, 2008
    10,535     $ 1.6111     $ 16,972.94     $ 8,981,869.10  
December 22, 2008
    12,396     $ 1.5155     $ 18,786.14     $ 8,963,082.96  
December 23, 2008
    5,000     $ 1.4104     $ 7,052.00     $ 8,956,030.96  
February 20, 2009
    10,000     $ 0.9982     $ 9,982.00     $ 8,946,048.96  
February 23, 2009
    15,381     $ 0.9651     $ 14,844.20     $ 8,931,204.76  
February 24, 2009
    15,381     $ 0.9998     $ 15,377.92     $ 8,915,826.84  
February 25, 2009
    15,381     $ 0.9709     $ 14,933.41     $ 8,900,893.43  
February 26, 2009
    15,381     $ 0.9624     $ 14,802.67     $ 8,886,090.76  
February 27, 2009
    15,381     $ 0.9423     $ 14,493.52     $ 8,871,597.24  
March 2, 2009
    21,893     $ 0.8815     $ 19,298.68     $ 8,852,298.56  
March 3, 2009
    21,893     $ 0.8793     $ 19,250.51     $ 8,833,048.05  
March 4, 2009
    21,293     $ 0.8927     $ 19,008.26     $ 8,814,039.79  
March 5, 2009
    21,893     $ 0.8550     $ 18,718.52     $ 8,795,321.27  
March 6, 2009
    21,893     $ 0.8237     $ 18,033.26     $ 8,777,288.01  
March 9, 2009
    24,552     $ 0.8276     $ 20,319.24     $ 8,756,968.77  
March 10, 2009
    24,552     $ 0.8324     $ 20,437.08     $ 8,736,531.69  
March 11, 2009
    24,552     $ 0.8262     $ 20,284.86     $ 8,716,246.83  
March 12, 2009
    24,552     $ 0.8137     $ 19,977.96     $ 8,696,268.87  
March 13, 2009
    24,552     $ 0.8252     $ 20,260.31     $ 8,676,008.56  
April 20, 2009
    1,470     $ 1.7482     $ 2,569.85     $ 8,673,438.71  
Total
    620,000     $ 2.1396     $ 1,326,561.29     $ 8,673,438.71  
 
     
(1)   Each of our ADSs represents two ordinary shares.
 
(2)   On August 12, 2008, we announced that our board of directors had approved a share repurchase program to repurchase from the open market up to $10 million worth of our outstanding ADSs from time to time within the next 24 months. The timing and amount of any repurchase will be determined by our management, based on market conditions, ADS price and other factors, and will be subject to the restrictions relating to volume, price and timing under applicable law, including Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. We have canceled the ADSs repurchased and their underlying ordinary shares.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We intend to follow the applicable corporate governance standards under the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.
NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 302.00 requires each issuer to hold an annual meeting of shareholders during each fiscal year. However, NYSE Listed Company Manual permits foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. Our Cayman Islands counsel has provided a letter to the NYSE certifying that under Cayman Islands law, we are not required to hold annual shareholder meetings every year. We follow home country practice with respect to annual meetings and did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders in 2009. We may, however, hold annual shareholder meetings in the future if there are significant issues that require shareholders’ approvals.
Other than the annual meeting practice described above, there are no significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. domestic companies under NYSE Listed Company Manual.

 

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PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements of Agria Corporation are included at the end of this annual report.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
         
Exhibit Number   Description of Document
       
 
  1.1    
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  2.1    
Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.3 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  2.2    
Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  2.3    
Form of Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the owners and holders of American Depositary Shares and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.1    
English Translation of Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2007, between Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Primalights III Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.2    
English Translation of Exclusive Consultancy Service Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2007, between Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.3    
English Translation of Proprietary Technology License Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2007, between Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.4    
English Translation of Powers of Attorney, dated as of June 8, 2007, from each of Juan Li, Zhixin Xue and Mingshe Zhang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.5    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2007, among Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., Juan Li, Zhaohua Qian, Zhixin Xue, and Mingshe Zhang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.6    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2007, among Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., Juan Li, Zhaohua Qian, Zhixin Xue, and Mingshe Zhang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.7    
English Translation of Agreement on Equity Interest of Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., dated as of June 8, 2007, among China Victory International Holdings Limited, Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., Taiyuan Relord Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd., Shanxi Chuanglong Technology Investment Co., Ltd., Mingshe Zhang, Lv Yan, Jinbin Liu, Zhaohua Qian, Zhixin Xue and Juan Li (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)

 

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Exhibit Number   Description of Document
       
 
  4.8    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of July 13, 2007, from Juan Li, Zhaohua Qian, Zhixin Xue and Mingshe Zhang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.9    
English Translation of Spouse Statement, dated as of July 13, 2007, from Guanglin Lai, Wei Xue, Liqun Sun and Jiangping Meng (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.10    
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2007, among TPG Growth AC Ltd., TPG Biotech II, Ltd., the Registrant, China Victory International Holdings Limited, Aero-Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. and Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.11    
Shareholders Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2007, among TPG Growth AC Ltd., TPG Biotech II, Ltd., Brothers Capital Limited and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.12    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2007, among TPG Growth AC Ltd., TPG Biotech II, Ltd. and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.13    
Undertaking Letter, dated as of June 22, 2007, among TPG Growth AC Ltd., TPG Biotech II, Ltd., Brothers Capital Limited and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.14    
Deed of Adherence, dated as of August 30, 2007, among Dubai Investment Group L.L.C., the Registrant, TPG Growth AC Ltd. and TPG Biotech II, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.15    
Lease of Land, dated as of October 25, 2006, between Taiyuan Relord Enterprise Development Group Co., Ltd. and Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  4.16    
Deed of Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2008, among Brothers Capital Limited, Guanglin Lai, Zhaohua Qian and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 from our form 6-K (File No. 001-33766) filed with the Commission on June 2, 2008)
       
 
  4.17    
Acknowledgement and Waiver Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2008, among Brothers Capital Limited, Zhixin Xue, Guanglin Lai and Zhaohua Qian (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 from our form 6-K (File No. 001-33766) filed with the Commission on June 2, 2008)
       
 
  4.18    
Employment Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2008, between Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. and Zhixin Xue (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 from our form 6-K (File No. 001-33766) filed with the Commission on June 2, 2008)
       
 
  4.19    
Deed of Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2008, among Zhixin Xue, Mingshe Zhang, Yan Lv and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 from our form 6-K (File No. 001-33766) filed with the Commission on June 2, 2008)
       
 
  4.20    
Subscription Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2009, between PGG Wrightson Limited and Agria Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.20 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on December 29, 2009)
       
 
  4.21    
Subscription Agreement for Convertible Redeemable Notes, dated as of November 18, 2009, between PGG Wrightson Limited and Agria Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 of our annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on December 29, 2009)

 

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Exhibit Number   Description of Document
       
 
  4.22*    
English Translation of Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2008, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.23*    
English Translation of Loan Contract, dated as of October 6, 2008, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Juan Li
       
 
  4.24*    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2008, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.25*    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2008, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.26*    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of November 7, 2008, from Juan Li
       
 
  4.27*    
English Translation of Power of Attorney, dated as of November 7, 2008, from Juan Li
       
 
  4.28*    
English Translation of Statement of Spouse, dated as of November 7, 2008, from Guanglin Lai
       
 
  4.29*    
English Translation of Loan Contract, dated as of July 22, 2009, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Juan Li
       
 
  4.30*    
English Translation of Supplemental Agreement to Exclusive Call Option Contract, dated July 22, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.31*    
English Translation of Loan Contract, dated as August 4, 2009, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Juan Li
       
 
  4.32*    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.33*    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.34*    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Juan Li
       
 
  4.35*    
English Translation of Power of Attorney, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Juan Li
       
 
  4.36*    
English Translation of Statement of Spouse, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Guanglin Lai
       
 
  4.37*    
English Translation of Loan Contract, dated as August 4, 2009, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Yachao Cui
       
 
  4.38*    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Yachao Cui and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.39*    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Yachao Cui and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.40*    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Yachao Cui
       
 
  4.41*    
English Translation of Power of Attorney, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Yachao Cui
       
 
  4.42*    
English Translation of Statement of Spouse, dated as of August 4, 2009, from Aiying Zhang
       
 
  4.43*    
English Translation of Equity Transfer Agreement, dated August 12, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Juan Li and Yachao Cui
       
 
  4.44*    
English Translation of Supplemental Agreement to Loan Contract, dated November 3, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Yachao Cui and Jie Zhen Chen
       
 
  4.45*    
English Translation of Loan Contract, dated as November 3, 2009, between Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Jie Zhen Chen

 

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Exhibit Number   Description of Document
       
 
  4.46*    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Jie Zhen Chen and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.47*    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2009, among Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Jie Zhen Chen and Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.48*    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of November 3, 2009, from Jie Zhen Chen
       
 
  4.49*    
English Translation of Power of Attorney, dated as of November 3, 2009, from Jie Zhen Chen
       
 
  4.50*    
English Translation of Equity Transfer Agreement, dated November 5, 2009, between Yachao Cui and Jie Zhen Chen
       
 
  4.51*    
English Translation of Equity Pledge Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2008, among Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Hua Huang and Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.52*    
English Translation of Exclusive Call Option Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2008, among Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Hua Huang and Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.
       
 
  4.53*    
English Translation of Letter of Undertaking, dated as of June 30, 2008, from Hua Huang
       
 
  4.54*    
English Translation of Power of Attorney, dated as of June 30, 2008, from Hua Huang
       
 
  8.1*    
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
       
 
  11.1    
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from our F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-146785), as amended, initially filed with the Commission on October 18, 2007)
       
 
  12.1*    
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  12.2*    
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  13.1*    
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  13.2*    
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
 
  15.1*    
Consent of Commerce & Finance Law Offices
       
 
  15.2*    
Consent of Maples and Calder
       
 
  15.3*    
Consent of DLA Piper UK LLP
       
 
  15.4*    
Consent of Ernst & Young Hua Ming
 
     
*   Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F

 

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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
         
  AGRIA CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ Xie Tao    
    Name:   Xie Tao   
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer   
Date: June 29, 2010

 


Table of Contents

     
 
  Agria Corporation
 
 
 
  Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
  December 31, 2009

 

 


 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         
    Page  
 
       
Consolidated financial statements
       
 
       
    F-1  
 
       
    F-2  
 
       
    F-3  
 
       
    F-4–F-5  
 
       
    F-6–F-7  
 
       
    F-8–F-57  
 
       

 

 


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Agria Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Agria Corporation and its subsidiaries (together, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Agria Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated June 29, 2010 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming
Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
June 29, 2010

 

F-1


Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollar (“US$”),except for number of shares)
                             
    Note   2008     2009     2009  
        (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                           
ASSETS
                           
Current assets:
                           
Cash and cash equivalents
        1,176,767       737,825       108,092  
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of RMB12,853 and RMB 10,670 (US$1,563) at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
  5     162,820       109,265       16,007  
Inventories
  6     48,488       73,372       10,749  
Prepayments and other current assets (net of allowance for doubtful accounts related to other current assets of RMB1,125 and RMB 1,723 (US$252) at December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
  7     21,560       36,621       5,365  
Amounts due from related parties
  19     3,578       1,865       273  
 
                     
Total current assets
        1,413,213       958,948       140,486  
 
                     
 
                           
Non-current assets:
                           
Property, plant and equipment, net
  8     97,928       88,222       12,925  
Investment at fair value
  3           414,047       60,658  
Investments at cost
        205       7,205       1,056  
Intangible assets, net
  9     202,091       389,101       57,004  
Goodwill
  4           9,817       1,437  
Non-current prepayments
  7     251,105       40,738       5,968  
Deferred tax assets
  17     437       3,480       510  
Other assets, net
  10     112,783       94,595       13,858  
 
                     
Total non-current assets
        664,549       1,047,205       153,416  
 
                     
Total assets
        2,077,762       2,006,153       293,902  
 
                   
 
                           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                           
Current liabilities:
                           
Short-term bank borrowings
  11     8,800       8,750       1,282  
Tax payable
  17     2,487              
Accounts payable
        3,500       8,126       1,190  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  12     36,733       77,184       11,306  
Deferred revenue
        1,536              
Amounts due to related parties
  19           6       1  
Deferred tax liability
  17           63       9  
 
                     
Total current liabilities
        53,056       94,129       13,788  
 
                     
 
                           
Non-current liabilities:
                           
Deferred tax liability
  17     180,558       191,154       28,004  
Amount due to related parties
  19     8,588       8,384       1,228  
 
                     
Total non-current liabilities
        189,146       199,538       29,232  
 
                     
Total liabilities
        242,202       293,667       43,020  
 
                     
 
                           
Commitments and contingencies
  22                        
Shareholders’ equity:
                           
Ordinary shares (par value US$0.0000001 per share; 499,900,000,000 shares authorized; 125,800,000 and 125,160,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
  13                  
Additional paid-in capital
        2,368,520       2,381,377       348,874  
Statutory reserves
  16     76,953       76,953       11,274  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
        (77,653 )     (78,309 )     (11,472 )
Accumulated deficit
        (532,260 )     (667,535 )     (97,794 )
 
                     
Total shareholders’ equity
        1,835,560       1,712,486       250,882  
 
                     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
        2,077,762       2,006,153       293,902  
 
                   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollar (“US$”),
except for number of shares and per share data)
                                     
    Note   2007     2008     2009     2009  
        (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                                   
Revenue:
                                   
Corn seeds
        343,743       257,144       107,529       15,752  
Sheep products
        255,508       148,457       38,426       5,630  
Seedlings (including related party amounts of RMB14,500, RMB4,180 and RMBnil (US$nil) for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
        71,505       62,463       31,013       4,543  
 
                           
Total revenue
        670,756       468,064       176,968       25,925  
 
                           
 
                                   
Cost of revenue:
                                   
Corn seeds
        (203,709 )     (153,029 )     (67,186 )     (9,843 )
Sheep products
        (72,716 )     (74,701 )     (34,616 )     (5,071 )
Seedlings (including related party amounts of RMB4,785, RMB1,760 and RMBnil (US$nil) for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
        (20,459 )     (33,436 )     (17,526 )     (2,568 )
Write down of Inventories
  6           (16,686 )     (22,508 )     (3,297 )
 
                           
Total cost of revenue
        (296,884 )     (277,852 )     (141,836 )     (20,779 )
 
                           
 
                                   
Gross profit
        373,872       190,212       35,132       5,146  
 
                           
 
                                   
Operating income (expense):
                                   
Selling expenses
        (36,443 )     (18,585 )     (5,744 )     (842 )
General and administrative expenses
        (25,723 )     (896,977 )     (133,203 )     (19,515 )
Research and development expenses
        (3,080 )     (20,247 )     (14,541 )     (2,130 )
 
                           
Total operating expenses
        (65,246 )     (935,809 )     (153,488 )     (22,487 )
 
                           
Operating profit (loss)
        308,626       (745,597 )     (118,356 )     (17,341 )
Interest income
        8,700       34,531       8,778       1,286  
Interest expense (including related party amounts of RMB6,567, RMB615 and RMB601 (US$88) for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
        (8,260 )     (1,147 )     (1,639 )     (240 )
Exchange loss
        (7,745 )     (11,812 )     (16,602 )     (2,432 )
Unrealized loss in investment
  3                 (548 )     (80 )
Other expense
        (680 )     (2,657 )     (283 )     (42 )
Other income
        578       1,256       4,290       630  
 
                           
Income (loss) before income tax
        301,219       (725,426 )     (124,360 )     (18,219 )
Income tax
  17     (159,001 )     (25,576 )     (10,915 )     (1,599 )
 
                           
Net income (loss)
        142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
 
                         
 
                                   
Earnings (loss) per share:
                                   
Basic
  18   RMB 1.37     RMB (5.95 )   RMB (1.08 )   US (0.16 )
 
                         
Diluted
  18   RMB 1.34     RMB (5.95 )   RMB (1.08 )   US (0.16 )
 
                         
 
                                   
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:
                                   
Basic
  18     103,978,082       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
 
                         
Diluted
  18     106,091,889       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
 
                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollar (“US$”))
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                               
Net income (loss)
    142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
P3A Settlement (Note 20)
          768,540              
Deferred income tax
    157,032       23,088       10,915       1,599  
Unrealized loss in investment
                548       80  
Share-based compensation
    13,311       45,299       14,833       2,173  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets
    917       7,496       20,325       2,978  
Depreciation
    11,226       13,766       16,479       2,414  
Amortization of intangible assets
    5,350       12,636       24,292       3,559  
(Reversal)/allowance for doubtful accounts
    (1,949 )     12,815       7,346       1,076  
Write-down of inventories
    86       16,622       22,508       3,297  
Imputed interest on ultimate controlling shareholder’s loan
    1,822                    
Imputed interest on amounts due to related parties
    629       615       601       88  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                               
Accounts receivable
    (40,887 )     25,122       47,404       6,945  
Inventories
    (2,016 )     (5,173 )     (34,936 )     (5,118 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    (24,528 )     35,237       (8,697 )     (1,274 )
Amounts due from related parties
    (398 )     (3,027 )     1,719       252  
Deferred revenue
    1,122       414       (1,536 )     (225 )
Tax payable
          2,488       (2,507 )     (367 )
Accounts payable
    (18,175 )     (5,511 )     3,939       577  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    14,341       5,262       6,163       903  
Amounts due to related parties
    2,514       (1,025 )     (805 )     (118 )
Non-current prepayments
    (3,227 )     5,434       403       59  
 
                       
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    259,388       209,096       (6,281 )     (920 )
 
                       
 
                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Payment for investment in PGW (note 3)
                (414,595 )     (60,739 )
Payment for investment at cost
                (7,000 )     (1,026 )
Business acquisition (net of cash received) (note 4)
                516       76  
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and other assets (including related party amounts of RMB20,020, RMBnil and RMBnil (US$nil) for 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively)
    (67,557 )     (69,215 )     (3,400 )     (498 )
Prepayment for acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
    (10,900 )     (256,361 )            
Acquisition of intangible assets
    (119,068 )     (25,227 )     (5,502 )     (806 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets
    269       13,167              
Loan to related parties
    900                    
 
                       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (196,356 )     (337,636 )     (429,981 )     (62,993 )
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollar (“US$”))
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Proceeds from issuance of preference shares and ordinary shares redemption rights
    76,155                    
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of issuance cost
    1,329,995                    
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
    34,800       17,600       8,750       1,282  
Repayment of short-term borrowings
    (56,540 )     (23,960 )     (8,800 )     (1,289 )
Repayment of long-term borrowings
    (1,500 )                  
Dividends paid
    (56,774 )                  
Repayment of loan from shareholders
    (29,992 )                  
Repurchase of shares
          (7,252 )     (1,976 )     (289 )
 
                       
Net cash used in financing activities
    1,296,144       (13,612 )     (2,026 )     (296 )
 
                       
 
                               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (14,805 )     (68,234 )     (654 )     (96 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,344,371       (210,386 )     (438,942 )     (64,305 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
    42,782       1,387,153       1,176,767       172,397  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
    1,387,153       1,176,767       737,825       108,092  
 
                       
 
                               
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                               
Cash paid during the year for interest
    5,609       1,147              
 
                               
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and other assets through utilization of non-current prepayment
    3,338       802       209,311       30,644  
 
                       
Nonmonetary exchange of other assets — breeder sheep (note 10)
                11,859       1,737  
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) except for number of shares)
                                                         
                                    Accumulated              
                    Additional             Other     Retained     Total  
    Number of     Ordinary     Paid-in     Statutory     Comprehensive     Earnings     Shareholders’  
    Ordinary Shares     Shares     Capital     Reserves     Loss     (deficit)     Equity  
          (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)  
 
                                                       
Balance as of December 31, 2006
    100,000,000             8,098       76,953             269,085       354,136  
Imputed interest on ultimate controlling shareholder’s loan
                1,822                         1,822  
Comprehensive income
                                                       
Net income for the year
                                  142,218       142,218  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            (9,421 )           (9,421 )
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                                    132,797  
Capital contribution from a shareholder (Note 15)
                7,426                         7,426  
Issue of redemption rights to redeemable ordinary shares (Note 15)
                3,618                         3,618  
Reclassification of ordinary shares subject to redemption (Note 15)
    (6,250,000 )           (20,142 )                 (135,787 )     (155,929 )
Initial public offering of ordinary shares
    24,000,000             1,332,084                         1,332,084  
Reclassification of redeemable ordinary shares upon expiration of redemption rights (Note 15)
    6,250,000             152,173                         152,173  
Conversion of series A redeemable convertible preferred shares into ordinary shares (Note 14)
    2,400,000             63,543                         63,543  
Stock-based compensation expense
                13,311                         13,311  
Dividends paid
                                  (56,774 )     (56,774 )
 
                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. Dollars (“US$”) except for number of shares)
                                                         
                                    Accumulated              
                    Additional             Other     Retained     Total  
    Number of     Ordinary     Paid-in     Statutory     Comprehensive     Earnings     Shareholders’  
    Ordinary Shares     Shares     Capital     Reserves     Loss     (deficit)     Equity  
          (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)  
Balance as of December 31, 2007
    126,400,000             1,561,933       76,953       (9,421 )     218,742       1,848,207  
Comprehensive loss
                                                       
Net loss for the year
                                  (751,002 )     (751,002 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            (68,232 )             (68,232 )
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive loss
                                                    (819,234 )
P3A Payment (Note 22)
                768,540                         768,540  
Repurchase of shares (Note 13)
    (600,000 )           (7,252 )                       (7,252 )
Share based compensation
                45,299                         45,299  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    125,800,000             2,368,520       76,953       (77,653 )     (532,260 )     1,835,560  
Comprehensive income
                                                       
Net loss for the year
                                  (135,275 )     (135,275 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
                            (656 )           (656 )
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive loss
                                                    (135,931 )
Repurchase of shares (Note 13)
    (640,000 )           (1,976 )                       (1,976 )
Share based compensation
                14,833                         14,833  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance as of December 31, 2009
    125,160,000             2,381,377       76,953       (78,309 )     (667,535 )     1,712,486  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Balance as of December 31, 2009, in US$
              348,874       11,274       (11,472 )     (97,794 )     250,882  
 
                                         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
1.  
Corporation Information and Basis of Presentation
   
The Company, through its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) (collectively the “Group”), is primarily involved in the research and development, production and sale of upstream agricultural productions. The Company does not conduct any substantive operations of its own and conducts its primary business operations through VIEs in the PRC. PRC Laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of research and development, production and sale of hybrid food crop businesses. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, the Group operates its research and development, production and sale of upstream agricultural productions in the PRC through its VIEs.
   
Primalights III Modern Agriculture Development Co., Ltd (“P3A”), a company incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) on April 20, 2000, is involved in the development, production and sale of corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. In October 2003, China Victory International Holdings Limited (“China Victory”), a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, entered into a purchase agreement (the “Acquisition”) with the shareholders of P3A to acquire all of the dividend and voting rights in P3A without obtaining legal ownership over its ordinary shares. The Acquisition was structured in this manner because of the aforementioned legal restrictions placed on foreign ownership.
   
In June 2007, China Victory underwent certain restructuring events wherein it transferred its voting rights in P3A into its newly incorporated and wholly-owned subsidiary, Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd (the “WOFE” or “Agria China”). In addition, the WOFE entered into an equity pledge agreement, exclusive call option agreement, power of attorney agreements and exclusive consultancy service, technology license and other service agreements (collectively, the “Contractual Agreements”) with P3A and its shareholders. Together, these contractual agreements enable the WOFE to: a) exercise effective control over P3A through its ability to exercise all the rights of P3A’s shareholders, including voting and transfer rights; b) receive substantially all of the earnings and other economic benefits to the extent permissible under PRC law and the management of the Group intends to do so; and c) have an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in P3A held by the shareholders, to the extent permitted under PRC law for the higher of RMB100,000 or the minimum amount of consideration permitted by PRC law. The power of attorney agreements allow the WOFE to cause P3A to change the terms of the consultancy service, technology license and other service agreements at any time. In addition, P3A’s shareholders have entered into an agreement to remit all of the dividends and other distributions received from P3A to the WOFE, subject to satisfaction of P3A shareholders’ personal income tax and other statutory obligations arising from receiving such dividends or other distributions. During 2008, the number of shareholders in P3A changed from 4 individuals to 5 individuals, all of whom have entered into the Contractual Agreements. Agria China has a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by P3A.
   
In November 2008, Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanli”) was set up using contractual agreements substantially consistent with those described above such that Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“Agria Brother”) effectively controlled Guanli. As at December 31, 2009, the 100% legal interest in Guanli is held by two PRC individuals.
   
In September 2009, Shenzhen Agria Agricultural Co., Ltd (“Agria Agricultural”) was set up with 51% interests legally held by Guanli and 49% interest legally held by another individual. In September 2009, Shenzhen Zhongyuan Agriculture Ltd. Co. (“Zhongyuan”) was set up with 95% interests legally held by Ms. Li Juan, the wife of Mr. Guanglin Lai, the chairman of board of directors, and 5% interests legally held by another individual shareholder. Agria Brother has entered into the aforementioned Contractual Agreements with the individual legal shareholders of Agria Agricultural and Zhongyuan, respectively. Agria Brother has a legal obligation to provide funding for all losses incurred by Guanli, Agria Agricultural and Zhongyuan.
   
Through the aforementioned agreements, WOFE and Agria Brother demonstrate their ability and intention to exercise the ability to absorb substantially all of the profits and all of the expected losses of P3A, Guanli, Agria Agricultural and Zhongyuan. Accordingly, WOFE and Agria Brother are the primary beneficiaries of P3A, Guanli, Agria Agricultural and Zhongyuan and consolidates their operating results in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation” (Pre-codification: Financial Accounting Standards board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and Interpretation of ARB NO. 51).

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
1.  
Corporation Information and Basis of Presentation (continued)
   
Also, on June 21, 2007, the controlling shareholder along with the minority shareholder of Aero-Biotech Group Limited (“Aero-Biotech”) which later changed its name to Agria Group Limited, exchanged their entire equity interest in the company in return for all the equity interest in Agria Corporation (the “Company”), a company established under the laws of the Cayman Islands, on a pro-rata basis. As a result of the exchange, the shareholders’ respective interest in the Company was identical to their respective interest in Aero-Biotech immediately prior to the share exchange. The above noted share exchange transactions have been accounted for as reorganizations of entities under common control in a manner similar to a pooling-of-interest. Accordingly, these transactions have been accounted for at historical cost. These consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position and operating results of the Company and its subsidiaries and VIEs as if the above transactions were completed throughout the periods presented. All share and per share data have been presented to give retroactive effect to these share exchanges.
   
On April 1 2008, Agria Brother was established in the PRC as a wholly-owned subsidiary by China Victory with a registered capital of US$29,000,000. The principal activity of Agria Brother is to provide biotechnology related services.
   
On September 30, 2009, Guanli acquired from a third party 100% equity interest in Beijing Nongkeyu Seeding Development Co., Ltd (“Nongkeyu”). (Note 4)

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
1.  
Corporation Information and Basis of Presentation (continued)
   
As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s subsidiaries consist of the following entities:
                 
    Date of   Place of   Percentage of   Principal
Name   incorporation   incorporation   shareholdings   Activities
 
               
Agria China
  March 29, 2007   PRC   100%   Research and development
 
               
Aero-Biotech
  July 6, 2005   BVI   100%   Investment holding
 
               
China Victory
  September 19, 2003   Hong Kong   100%   Investment holding
 
               
Agria Brother
  April 11, 2008   PRC   100%   Service of biotechnology and investment holding
 
               
Agria Biotech Overseas Ltd (“Agria Overseas”)
  November 5, 2009   Hong Kong   100%   Sale of upstream agricultural products and investment holding
 
               
Southrich Limited (“Southrich”)
  September 29, 2009   BVI   100%   Investment holding
 
               
Agria (Singapore) Pte. Ltd (“Agria Singapore”)
  December 19, 2009   BVI   100%   Investment holding
   
As of December 31, 2009, the Company consolidates the following VIEs and their consolidated subsidiaries which comprise substantially all of the Group’s operations:
             
    Date of   Place of   Principal
Name   incorporation   incorporation   Activities
 
           
P3A
  April 20, 2000   PRC   Research, development, production and sale of upstream agricultural products
 
           
Guanli
  November 6, 2008   PRC   Investment holding
 
           
Nongkeyu *
  August 31, 1998   PRC   Research, production and marketing of edible corn seeds
 
           
Agria Asia International Ltd (“Agria Asia”) *
  November 5, 2009   Hong Kong   Sale of upstream agricultural products
 
           
Agria Agricultural
  September 16, 2009   PRC   Research and development
 
           
Zhongyuan
  September 16, 2009   PRC   Research and development, service, sales and investment
 
           
Agria Hong Kong Ltd (“Agria Hong Kong”) **
  November 5, 2009   Hong Kong   Investment holding
     
*  
Agria Asia and Nongkeyu are 100% owned by Guanli
 
**  
Agria Hong Kong is 100% owned by Zhongyuan

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
1.  
Corporation Information and Basis of Presentation (continued)
The carrying amount of the total assets and total liabilities of VIEs as of December 31, 2009 were RMB 1,110.3 million (US$162.7 million), and RMB 239.7 million (US$35.1 million) respectively. There was no pledge or collateralization of the VIEs’ assets. Creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. The amount of the net assets of VIEs as of December 31, 2009 were RMB 870.6 million (US$127.5 million). In addition, the Group has not provided any financial or other support that it was not previously contractually required to provide during the periods presented to VIEs.
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries and its VIEs are eliminated upon consolidation.
Foreign Currency
The functional currency of the Company, Aero-Biotech, China Victory, Agria Hong Kong, Agria Asia, Agria Overseas, Southrich and Agria Singapore is the United States dollar. The functional currency of Agria China, Agria Brother and VIEs is RMB as determined based on the criteria of ASC 830-10, “Foreign Currency Matters: Overall” (Pre-Codification: SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation”). The reporting currency of the Company is RMB. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities are remeasured at the balance sheet date exchange rate. Exchange gains and losses are included in foreign exchange gains and losses in the consolidated statements of operations.
On consolidation, the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries that use the United States dollar as their functional currency are translated into RMB at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities, and at the average exchange rate during the year for income and expense items except for individually significant transactions whereby the exchange rates on the date the transactions are recognized are used. Translation differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of shareholders’ equity.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Convenience Translation
Translations of amounts from RMB into United States dollars for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB6.8259 on December 31, 2009 in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at such rate.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory write down, impairment assessment and useful lives determination of property plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and other long-lived assets, recognition of deferred income taxes, impairment assessment of certain investments and consolidation of VIEs.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use.
Accounts Receivable
An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable based on an assessment of specific evidence indicating troubled collection, historical experience, account balance aging and prevailing economic conditions. An accounts receivable is written off after all collection efforts have ceased.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by the weighted average method. Raw materials and supplies consist of feed ingredients, packaging materials and operating supplies, while work-in-progress and finished goods include direct materials, direct labor and the allocation of manufacturing overhead costs.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:
         
Buildings and improvements
  5-30 years
Plant and machinery
  5-10 years
Furniture and office equipment
  5 years
Motor vehicles
  5-6 years
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of fixed assets are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirement, sale and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
All facilities purchased or constructed which require a period of time before completion are accounted for as construction-in-progress. Construction-in-progress is recorded at acquisition cost, including cost of facilities, installation costs and interest costs. Capitalization of interest costs ceases when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Interest capitalized for the year ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 amounted to RMB358,937, RMB861,976 and RMB168,578 (US$24,697), respectively.
Other Assets
Other assets, which represent breeder sheep and date trees for producing seedlings, are stated at cost of acquisition and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follow:
         
Breeder sheep
  5 years
Date trees
  30-46 years
We estimated the useful lives of breeder sheep by taking into account the sheep’s normal breeding lifecycle. We estimated the useful lives of date trees by taking into account the topography of where the date trees are planted which directly impacts their ability to produce seedlings.
Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation cost of breeder sheep and date trees is allocated to the related inventory cost. Abnormal losses in breeder sheep and date trees are written off in the period in which such losses occur.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Intangible Assets
Land use rights
Prepaid land use rights are recorded at the amount paid less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement ranging from 10 to 46 years.
Acquired technologies
Acquired technologies which consist primarily of purchased technology know-how related to the production of corn seeds and breeder sheep are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives from 3 to 5 years.
Software
Software consists of computer software purchased from third party developers for internal use with estimated useful life of 5 years.
Investments
Investments in privately held entities, which are not readily marketable or have quoted market prices, are recorded at cost. Distributions received, other than for return of capital, are recorded as other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company assesses its investments for other than temporary impairments when indicators of impairment arise, including adverse changes to financial condition and market environment of the investees.
In accordance with ASC 825-10 “Financial Instruments — overall” (Pre-codification: SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”), the Company elected to account for its equity investee in which the Company exercises significant influence using fair value as determined by the investee’s quoted market price (see Note 3). Accordingly, the investment is reflected on the balance sheet at its fair value, with changes in fair value between reporting periods reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. The Company’s goodwill outstanding at December 31, 2009 was related to the Company’s acquisition of Nongkeyu (note 4). In accordance with the provisions of ASC 350-20, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other (Pre-codification: SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets) , goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment present. If the carrying value of the reporting unit to which goodwill is allocated is less than the reporting unit’s fair value, goodwill is considered to be impaired. A reporting unit’s fair value is determined based on its expected cash flows. The amount of goodwill impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying value of goodwill over its implied fair value. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment loss is prohibited. Goodwill has been assigned to Nongkeyu, a component of the Company’s corn seeds operating segment, for purposes of impairment testing.. No impairment charge has been recognized for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Revenue Recognition
The Group’s primary business activity is to produce and sell corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. The Company records revenue when the criteria of ASC 605-10 “Revenue Recognition: Overall” (Pre-Codification: Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104) are met. These criteria include all of the following: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.
More specifically, the Group’s sales arrangements are evidenced by individual sales agreements for each transaction. The customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products upon delivery of products which generally occurs at shipping point. Other than warranty obligations, the Company does not have any substantive performance obligations to deliver additional products or services to the customers. The product sales price stated in the sales contract is final and not subject to adjustment. The Company generally does not accept sales returns and does not provide customers with price protection. The Company assesses a customer’s creditworthiness before accepting sales orders. Based on the above, the Company records revenue related to product sales upon delivery of the product to the customers.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Revenue Recognition (continued)
For certain sales transactions involving seedlings, the customer will pay an additional fee if the seedlings meet specified growth criteria pursuant to the terms of the contract. These growth criteria represent contingent performance conditions. Accordingly, the contingent fee is not recognized as revenue until the growth criteria and all other revenue recognition criteria are met, which generally takes place from one month to six months after delivery of the seedlings. Since 2009 the additional fee billable upon meeting specified growth criteria is not provided in the terms of contract. In 2009, the sales contracts for seedlings did not specify any explicit growth criteria. Instead, the Company obtained customer approval indicating their acceptance of the products received. Accordingly, revenues for these contracts have been recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance assuming all other revenue recognition criteria were met.
To extent payment is received from the customer in advance of meeting the revenue recognition criteria, such amount is recorded as deferred revenue.
In November 2009, the Group waived RMB6 million (US$879,005) of outstanding accounts receivable from certain corn seeds customers. This concession was provided to assist the customers in overcoming the negative impacts of extreme drought that they experienced in 2009. While the extreme drought has had a negative impact on these customers, the Group does not believe it has created probable doubt on their credit worthiness and their ability to comply with the original sales contract terms which the Group intends and has the ability to enforce. Historically the Group has not granted any form of concession to its customers. The Group does not intend to provide concessions to either change the sales price or waive accounts receivable in the future and therefore, the accounts receivable waiver provided in November 2009 is not considered a business practice that would not violate the revenue recognition criteria for fixed or determinable fees.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue includes direct and indirect production costs, as well as transportation and handling costs for products sold. Business taxes at the rate of 5% on consultancy service, license and technical support and service fees charged by Agria China to P3A are included in the cost of revenues. These business taxes are levied by the PRC government.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Advertising Expenditure
Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and are included in “selling expenses”. Advertising expenses were RMB3,032,000, RMB5,000,000 and RMBnil (US$nil) for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Group accounts for income tax using the balance sheet method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions
On January 1, 2007, the Group adopted ASC 740-10, “Income taxes: Overall” (Pre-codification: FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB No. 109”), to account for uncertainties in income taxes. The Group’s adoption of ASC 740-10 did not result in any adjustment to the opening balance of the Group’s retained earnings as of January 1, 2007.
The Company has elected to classify interest due on any underpayment of income taxes and penalties, if and when required, within general and administrative expenses.
Share-based Compensation
Stock awards granted to employees and non-employee are accounted for under ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation: Overall” (Pre-Codification: SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment), and ASC 505-50, “Equity: Equity-based Payments to Non-Employees” (Pre-Codification: EITF Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services), respectively.
In accordance with ASC 718-10, all grants of equity awards to employees are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. The Company elected to recognize compensation cost for equity awards with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award with the limitation that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date must at least equal the portion of the grant-date value of the award that is vested at that date.
ASC 718-10 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent period if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Share-based compensation expense was recorded net of estimated forfeitures such that expense was recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest.
Where the terms of an equity-settled award are modified, the minimum expense recognized is the expense as if the terms had not been modified. An additional expense is recognised for any modification, which increases the total fair value of the share-based payment arrangement, or is otherwise beneficial to the employee as measured at the date of modification.
Where an equity-settled award is cancelled and is not accompanied by a concurrent grant of a replacement award or other valuable consideration, it shall be accounted for as a repurchase for no consideration. Accordingly, any previously unrecognized compensation cost shall be charged to expense at the cancellation date.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of the Company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.
Leases
Leases are classified at inception date as either a capital lease or an operating lease. A lease is a capital lease if any of the following conditions exist: a) ownership is transferred to the lessee by the end of the lease term, b) there is a bargain purchase option, c) the lease term is at least 75% of the property’s estimated remaining economic life or d) the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term is 90% or more of the fair value of the leased property to the lessor at the inception date. A capital lease is accounted for as if there was an acquisition of an asset and an incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases wherein rental payments are expensed over the lease term. The Group has no capital leases for any of the years stated herein.
Earnings (loss) Per Share
Earnings (loss) per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share” (Pre-Codification: SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share”). Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing income attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per ordinary share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised or converted into ordinary shares. Ordinary shares issuable upon the conversion of the redeemable, convertible preferred shares are included in the computation of diluted income per ordinary share on an “if-converted” basis, when the impact is dilutive. The dilutive effect of outstanding share options is reflected in the diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets or asset group, including finite-lived intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of a group of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. When these events occur, the Company evaluates the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group would recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value based on discounted cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts and notes payable, other liabilities, short-term bank borrowings and amounts due to/from related parties approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The long-term bank borrowings approximate their fair value as their interest rates approximate market interest rates.
Segment Reporting
The Company follows ASC 280-10, “Segment Reporting: Overall” (Pre-codification: SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”) for its segment reporting.
The Company operates and manages its business in three segments. The accounting policies used in its segment reporting are the same as those used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. The Company generates substantially all of its revenues from customers in the PRC. Accordingly, no geographical segments are presented.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-19, “Foreign Currency Issues: Multiple Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.” The guidance provides clarification of accounting treatment when reported balances in an entity’s financial statements differ from their underlying U.S. dollar denominated values due to different rates being used for remeasurement and translation. The guidance indicates that upon adopting highly inflationary accounting for Venezuela, since the U.S. dollar is now the functional currency of a Venezuelan subsidiary, there should no longer be any differences between the amounts reported for financial reporting purposes and the amount of any underlying U.S. dollar denominated value held by the subsidiary. Therefore, any differences between these should either be recognized in the income statement or as a cumulative translation adjustment, if the difference was previously recognized as a cumulative translation adjustment. The amendments in this Update are effective as of the announcement date of March 18, 2010. The company will adopt the amendment for its fiscal year commencing January 1, 2010. The Company does not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-18 (ASU 2010-18), Receivables (Topic 310): Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan is Part of a Pool That Is Accounted for as a Single Asset-a consensus of the FASB Emerging Task Force. The amendments in this Update are effective for modifications of loans accounted for within pools under Subtopic 310-30 occurring in the first interim or annual period ending on or after July 15, 2010. The amendments are to be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. The Company does not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-17 (“ASU 2009-17”), Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (Pre-codification: SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)), which amends guidance regarding consolidation of variable interest entities to address the elimination of the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity. ASU 2009-17 also replaces the quantitative based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity, and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity. Additionally, ASU 2009-17 requires any enterprise that holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity to provide enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. ASU 2009-17 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 30, 2009. The Group is currently evaluating whether the adoption of ASU 2009-17 will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In April 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-13 (ASU 2010-13), Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-08 (ASU 2010-08), Technical Corrections to Various Topics. This amendment eliminated inconsistencies and outdated provisions and provided the needed clarifications to various topics within Topic 815. The amendments are effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after issuance (February 2, 2010), except for certain amendments. The amendments to the guidance on accounting for income taxes in reorganization (Subtopic 852-740) should be applied to reorganizations for which the date of the reorganization is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. For those reorganizations reflected in interim financial statements issued before the amendments in this Update are effective, retrospective application is required. The clarifications of the guidance on the embedded derivates and hedging (Subtopic 815-15) are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, and should be applied to existing contracts (hybrid instruments) containing embedded derivative features at the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2010-06 amends ASC 820 to require a number of additional disclosures regarding (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Group is currently assessing the impact, if any, of the adoption of ASU 2010-06 on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
In February 2010, the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-09 (ASU 2010-09), Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. This amendment addresses both the interaction of the requirements of this Topic with the SEC’s reporting requirements and the intended breadth of the reissuance disclosure provision related to subsequent events (paragraph 855-10-50-4). All of the amendments in this update are effective upon issuance, except for the use of the issued date for conduit debt obligors. That amendment is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2010. The Group is currently assessing the impact, if any, of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. This update addressed the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than a combined unit and will be separated in more circumstances under existing US GAAP. This amendment has eliminated that residual method of allocation. Effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the provisions of this new standard to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
2.  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Concentration of Risks
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2009, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were deposited in several financial institutions. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from customers in the PRC. The risk with respect to accounts receivable is mitigated by credit evaluations the Company performs on its customers and ongoing monitoring process on outstanding balances.
Current vulnerability due to certain other concentrations
The Company’s operations may be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties in the PRC. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than 20 years, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC’s political, economic and social conditions. There is also no guarantee that the PRC government’s pursuit of economic reforms will be consistent or effective.
Substantially all of the Company’s businesses are transacted in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. On January 1, 1994, the PRC government abolished the dual rate system and introduced a single rate of exchange as quoted daily by the People’s Bank of China. However, the unification of the exchange rates does not imply the convertibility of RMB into United States dollars or other foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions continue to take place either through the People’s Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Approval of foreign currency payments by the People’s Bank of China or other institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices, shipping documents and signed contracts. In June 2010, the PRC government indicated that it would make the foreign exchange rate of the RMB more flexible. It is difficult to predict the effect of this change to the foreign exchange rate of the RMB in the future.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
3.  
Investment in PGW
On October 16, 2009, the Company and PGW have entered into a strategic partnership and have jointly undertaken to work to create value for both companies through the advancement of agricultural technology and the development of new markets.
In October 2009, the Company invested in PGW through the placement of 41.1 million newly issued shares representing 11.52% of PGW’s share capital, at NZD$0.88 per share, at a value of NZ$36.2 million. (US$25.3 million)
In November 2009, together with all existing shareholders’ PGW in a pro rata basis, the Company subscribed for additional 46.2 million shares at an aggregate price of NZ$20.8 million (US$14.6 million) without changes in the percentage of shareholding before and after the subscription.
On December 23, 2009, one of the existing shareholders of PGW, sold to the Company 56.8 million of PGW’s share rights by the price of NZ$0.025 per share right. The Company exercised these rights and subscribed for 56.8 million shares at an aggregate consideration of NZ$27.0 million (US$18.9 million). Upon the completion of the acquisition, The Company held an equity interest of 19.0% in PGW which enable it to have 2 directors on PGW’s board. Accordingly, the Company determined that its representation on the board of directors of this investee enables it to apply significant influence over PGW.
Under the agreement signed between the Company and PGW in November 2009, PGW agreed to issue Convertible Redeemable Notes (“CRNs”) having an aggregate principal amount of US$25 million to the Company with the proceeds being invested as new capital into PGG Wrightson Finance, to enhance regulatory capital and provide greater liquidity and capacity for growth in that business. As a result, PGW issued the CRNs to Agria Asia on January 15, 2010 (Note 26(a)).
The Company elects to apply the fair value option for its equity investment in PGW which otherwise would be accounted for using equity method accounting because it believes a readily determinable fair value based on the investee’s quoted market price provides investors with the most relevant and reliable information in assessing its value. The Company recognized the decline in fair value, which amounted to RMB 547,837 (US$80,258), between its acquisition date (December 23, 2009) and December 31, 2009 in the consolidated statements of operations.
4.  
Business Acquisition
In order to expand its spectrum of agricultural research, on September 30, 2009, Guanli acquired a 100% equity interest of Nongyeku, an entity engaged in research and sales of agriculture products in the PRC, for RMB5,000,000 (US$732,504). The acquisition has been accounted for as a business acquisition in accordance with ASC 805-10, “Business Combinations: Overall” (Pre-codification: SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations). The results of Nongkeyu’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since its acquisition date.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the date of acquisition:
                 
    (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
Cash
    5,516       808  
Accounts receivable
    596       87  
Inventory
    12,456       1,825  
Other current assets
    6,446       944  
Property and equipment, net
    1,355       199  
Other non-current assets
    508       74  
Payable for acquisition of technology
    (5,086 )     (745 )
Advance from customers
    (13,674 )     (2,003 )
Other current liabilities
    (16,233 )     (2,378 )
Deferred tax assets, non current
    3,362       494  
Deferred tax liability, current
    (63 )     (9 )
Goodwill
    9,817       1,437  
 
           
Purchase consideration
    5,000       733  
 
           
The goodwill recognized represents expected synergies from combining operations of Nongkeyu and its intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition with the operations of the Company. Goodwill has been assigned to Nongkeyu, a component of the Company’s corn seeds operating segment, for purposes of impairment testing.
Pro forma results of operation for this acquisition have not been presented because the effects of the acquisition were not material to the Group’s consolidated financial results.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
5.  
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Accounts receivable
    175,673       119,935       17,570  
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (12,853 )     (10,670 )     (1,563 )
 
                 
 
                       
 
    162,820       109,265       16,007  
 
                 
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Movements in allowance for doubtful accounts:
                               
Balance at the beginning of the year
    (3,467 )     (38 )     (12,853 )     (1,883 )
Provision for doubtful collection
          (12,848 )     (14,664 )     (2,148 )
Collections of doubtful debt previously provided for
    3,429       33       7,916       1,160  
Write-offs
                8,931       1,308  
 
                       
 
                               
Balance at the end of the year
    (38 )     (12,853 )     (10,670 )     (1,563 )
 
                       
6.  
Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Raw materials and supplies
    6,805       7,447       1,091  
Work in progress
    4,674       6,339       929  
Finished goods
    37,009       59,586       8,729  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    48,488       73,372       10,749  
 
                 
Total Inventory write-off amounted to RMBnil, RMB16,686,000 and RMB22,508,000 (US$3,297,000) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and presented separately as a component of cost of sales represent non-salable, low quality inventory.
During 2009, severe snowstorms and drought caused an inventory write-off of approximately RMB13.8 million (US$2.0 million) which was recorded as an operating expense within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. During 2008, a warehouse fire caused an inventory write-off of approximately RMB7.8 million which was recorded as an operating expense within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
7.  
Prepayments and Other Current Assets
Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
Non-current assets
                       
Non-current Prepayments (1)
    251,105       40,738       5,968  
 
                 
 
Current assets
                       
Prepayments
    7,999       4,985       730  
Advances to suppliers (2)
    8,124       29,732       4,356  
Individual income tax withholdings receivable
    1,045       1,005       147  
Other receivable (3)
    4,000       1,772       259  
Others
    1,517       850       125  
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (1,125 )     (1,723 )     (252 )
 
                 
 
                       
 
    21,560       36,621       5,365  
 
                 
     
(1)  
In 2008, the Group prepaid RMB 244.8 million for leasing two parcels of land for a lease term from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2038. In 2009, RMB 204.8 million was transferred to land use rights upon completion of the legal registration process.
 
(2)  
The amount represents interest-free payments to suppliers associated with contracts the Group enters into for the future scheduled delivery of corn seeds. The risk of loss arising from non-performance by or bankruptcy of the suppliers is assessed prior to placing the advance. To date, the Group has not experienced any loss on advances to suppliers.
 
(3)  
The Group cancelled its purchase of technologies know-how related to the production of corn seeds in 2008, the related prepayment of RMB 1 million (US$146, 501) have been received in June 2009.
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Movements in allowance for doubtful accounts:
                               
Balance at the beginning of the year
          (1,480 )     (1,125 )     (165 )
Provision for doubtful accounts
    (1,480 )           (598 )     (87 )
Collections of doubtful debt previously provided for
          355              
 
                       
 
                               
Balance at the end of the year
    (1,480 )     (1,125 )     (1,723 )     (252 )
 
                       

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
8.  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Buildings and improvements
    80,446       72,499       10,621  
Plant and machinery
    7,797       7,240       1,061  
Furniture and office equipment
    2,950       4,265       625  
Motor vehicles
    7,652       9,509       1,393  
Construction in progress
    12,520       12,937       1,895  
 
                 
 
    111,365       106,450       15,595  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (13,437 )     (18,228 )     (2,670 )
 
                 
 
                       
 
    97,928       88,222       12,925  
 
                 
Depreciation expense was RMB3,982,080, RMB5,124,550 and RMB 7,238,431 (US$1,060,436) for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
9.  
Intangible Assets, Net
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2008 consist of the following:
                         
    Gross              
    Carrying     Accumulated     Net Carrying  
    Value     Amortization     Value  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)  
 
                       
Land use rights
    192,658       (13,093 )     179,565  
Acquired technology
    35,771       (13,429 )     22,342  
Software
    256       (72 )     184  
 
                 
 
                       
Balance, end of year
    228,685       (26,594 )     202,091  
 
                 
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 consist of the following:
                                 
    Gross                    
    Carrying     Accumulated     Net Carrying     Net Carrying  
    Value     Amortization     Value     Value  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Land use rights
    397,457       (28,541 )     368,916       54,046  
Acquired technology
    42,273       (22,217 )     20,056       2,938  
Software
    256       (127 )     129       19  
 
                       
 
                               
Balance, end of year
    439,986       (50,885 )     389,101       57,004  
 
                       

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
9.  
Intangible Assets, Net (continued)
   
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were RMB5,350,263, RMB12,635,581 and 24,291,800 (US$3,558,769), respectively.
   
The land use rights increased by RMB204.8 million in 2009 as a result of the acquisition and registration of the rights to use two parcels of land in the PRC.
   
The Company purchased technological rights related to the production of corn seeds from third parties in 2009, amounting to RMB6.5 million (US$952,548).
   
The intangible assets acquired during the year have a weighted average amortization period of 17.12 years. The acquired land use rights and technologies during the year have weighted average amortization periods of 20 years and 3 years, respectively.
   
Expected amortization expense on these intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
                 
Year ending December 31   (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
2010
    26,311       3,855  
2011
    22,238       3,258  
2012
    19,237       2,818  
2013
    18,371       2,691  
2014
    17,983       2,635  
Thereafter
    284,961       41,747  
 
           
 
               
 
    389,101       57,004  
 
           
10.  
Other Assets, Net
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Breeder sheep
    33,323       16,234       2,378  
Date trees
    91,012       91,012       13,333  
 
                 
 
    124,335       107,246       15,711  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (11,552 )     (12,651 )     (1,853 )
 
                 
 
                       
 
    112,783       94,595       13,858  
 
                 
   
Depreciation expense was RMB7,243,920, RMB8,640,970 and RMB9,240,270 (US$1,353,707) for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
   
The Group entered into barter agreements whereby it exchanges its breeder sheep for breeder sheep of a different type from third parties. Such exchanges lack commercial substance because the risk, timing, and amount of cash flows expected from the two types of breeder sheep are not significantly different. Accordingly, these exchanges have been measured based on the carrying value of the breeder sheep sold which approximated RMB 11.8 million (US$1.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2008 — RMBnil).

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
11.  
Bank Borrowings
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Short-term
    8,800       8,750       1,282  
 
                 
   
As of December 31, 2009, short-term bank borrowings were from one bank repayable through December 22, 2010, and bearing a weighted average interest rate of 10.18% per annum (2008: 12.83%). Short-term bank borrowing as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were guaranteed by Taiyuan Relord.
   
The Group did not pay any fees to obtain the guarantees in relation to short-term bank borrowings in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
12.  
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
   
The components of accrued expenses and other liabilities are as follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Salary, welfare, education and union fund
    7,423       8,601       1,260  
Individual income tax withholdings (Note 22)
    15,709       17,594       2,578  
Sales commission due to sales staff
    2,291       2,115       310  
Advance from customers
          11,494       1,684  
Business tax and other taxes
    6,495       6,684       979  
Deferred government grant (i)
    1,200       1,200       176  
Unrecognized tax benefit and related interests and penalties (Note 17)
    1,969       8,696       1,274  
Accrued expenses
    468       12,151       1,780  
Payable for acquisition of technology (Note 4)
          5,086       745  
Others
    1,178       3,563       520  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    36,733       77,184       11,306  
 
                 
     
(i)  
Deferred government grant received are conditional on the Company establishing an agricultural products market network without specifying requested date of completion or repayment provision. The network was not established as of December 31, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
13.  
Ordinary Shares
                         
Shares   2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Authorised:
                       
499,900,000,000 ordinary shares of US$0.0000001 each Issued and outstanding:
                       
125,800,000 and 125,160,000 ordinary shares with par value of US$0.0000001 at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009, respectively
                 
   
On August 15, 2007, the Company effected a 10,000 for 1 share split whereby each ordinary share with an original par value of US$0.001 per share is exchanged for 10,000 new ordinary shares, each with a par value of US$0.0000001 per share. The authorized number of the ordinary shares increases to 499,900,000,000. All share and per share data prior to August 15, 2007 are presented to give retroactive effect to the share split.
   
On November 7, 2007, the Company completed its initial public offering. 24,000,000 ordinary shares were issued for US$184,140,000 proceeds net of offering costs of US$4,875,331. Upon the completion of the initial public offering, 2,400,000 Series A preferred shares were converted into 2,400,000 ordinary shares. In addition, 6,250,000 redeemable ordinary shares were reclassified as ordinary shares when the redemption rights expired upon the completion of the initial public offering.
   
On August 7, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a repurchase of up to US$10 million over the next 24 months by the Company of its of American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) (the “stock repurchase program”). The timing and amount of repurchase ADSs will be determined by the Company’s management based on market conditions, ADS price and other factors, and will be subject to the restrictions relating to volume, price and timing under applicable law, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The repurchase program may be expanded, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
   
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company had repurchased 320,000 ADSs (2008: 300,000) at an average price of US$0.90 (2008: US$3.55) per ADS, including transaction costs. Under Cayman Islands’ law, the shares are cancelled upon repurchased. Accordingly, any excess of purchase price over par value is recorded against the additional paid-in-capital account.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
14.  
Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares
   
On June 22, 2007, the Company issued 2,400,000 Series A Redeemable convertible preferred shares to two third party investors in exchange for total consideration of US$10,000,000. Each Series A preferred share is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time after the date of issuance of such share, into one ordinary share. The preferred share conversion price shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, consolidation, and certain issuances. If an IPO is completed, all of the Series A Redeemable convertible preferred shares outstanding will automatically convert into ordinary shares of the Company.
   
Beginning on August 1, 2008, the holders of preferred shares shall have the right to receive annual cumulative dividends of 8% if a qualifying IPO of the Company’s ordinary shares is not consummated prior to July 31, 2008; otherwise no dividend is payable to the holders.
   
If the Company has not completed a qualifying IPO on or prior to December 31, 2008, the investors have the right at any time within 90 days after December 31, 2008 to require the Company to redeem all of the convertible preferred shares for cash equal to their principal value plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. The redemption right shall terminate 90 days following December 31, 2008.
   
In connection with our sale of the Series A Redeemable convertible preferred shares, the Company and the purchasers entered into a registration rights agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, the purchasers may, at any time following 180 days after an initial public offering by the Company, require the Company to use reasonable best efforts to effect up to two registrations (and unlimited registrations on Form F-3) of ordinary shares held by such parties. In the event the Company uses reasonable best efforts and is unable to register the shares, the Company has no further obligations to these shareholders.
   
Upon the occurrence of a liquidation event, redemption payment or liquidation distribution, each holder of preferred shares shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Company to the holders of the ordinary share, an amount equal to the preferred shares purchase price per share plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.
   
The preferred shares were classified as mezzanine equity because their redemption is contingent on occurrence of an event that is not within the control of the Company. The preferred shares were not redeemable because the contingent redemption event has not occurred and the Company determined that it was not probable of occurring. An accretion charge to increase the preferred shares’ carrying value of US$8,549,862 at the date of issuance to the US$10,000,000 redemption amount will only be recorded to retained earnings when redemption is deemed probable.
   
The Company has determined there are no embedded derivatives subject to bifurcation because the embedded conversion option and the contingent redemption option do not meet the net settlement or payment provision under paragraph 6c of ASC 815-15-83 “Derivatives and Hedging — Scope and Scope Exceptions — Definition of Derivative Instrument” (Pre-codification : SFAS No. 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities). There is also no beneficial conversion feature related to the issuance of preferred shares as the estimated fair value of the ordinary shares is less than the effective conversion price on the date of issuance.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
14.  
Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares (continued)
   
On August 15, 2007, the Company effected a 10,000 for 1 share split whereby each Series A redeemable convertible preferred share with an original par value of US$0.001 per share is exchanged for 10,000 new Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares, each with a par value of US$0.0000001 per share. The authorized number of preferred shares of the Company increased from 10,000 to 100,000,000. All share and per share data are presented to give retroactive effect to the share split. The Series A preferred shares were converted into 2,400,000 ordinary shares upon the initial public offering on 7 November 2007.
15.  
Redeemable Ordinary Shares
   
On June 22, 2007, the controlling shareholder of the Company sold 6,250,000 of his ordinary shares of the Company to two third party investors in exchange for cash. The Company issued to those investors a redemption right related to the shares purchased, whereby if an IPO is not completed prior to or on December 31, 2008, the investors can require the Company to redeem the ordinary shares at an amount equal to the purchase price (US$20 million) paid to the controlling shareholder of the Company. The occurrence of the event giving rise to redemption was not within the Company’s control, accordingly, the redeemable ordinary shares were classified in mezzanine equity. The redemption right expired upon the completion of the initial public offering on 7 November 2007.
16.  
Statutory Reserves
   
According to the Company Law of the PRC and the Articles of Association of P3A, P3A is required to provide the following statutory reserves which are appropriated from its net profit as reported in its PRC statutory financial statements:
  (i)  
Statutory common reserve fund
     
P3A is required each year to transfer 10% of the profit after tax as reported in its PRC statutory financial statements to the statutory common reserve fund, except where the fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of P3A. This fund can be used to make up any losses incurred or be converted into paid-in capital, provided that the fund does not fall below 25% of the registered capital. The appropriation of the fund had reached 50% of the registered capital of P3A, and P3A ceased providing such reserve since 2007.
  (ii)  
Statutory common welfare fund
     
Before January 1, 2006, P3A was required each year to transfer 5% of the profit after tax as reported in its PRC statutory financial statements to the statutory common welfare fund. This fund was used for the collective welfare of the staff and workers of P3A. According to the revised Company Law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, P3A was no longer required to make appropriation to the statutory common welfare fund and has ceased providing for the reserve. The balance of the statutory common welfare fund was then transferred to the statutory common reserve fund.
     
The statutory common reserve fund and statutory common welfare fund are not distributable except upon liquidation.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
17.  
Income Taxes
   
Under the laws of the Cayman Islands and BVI, the Company, Aero-Biotech, Southrich Limited and Agria Singapore are not subject to tax on its income or capital gains. In addition, no withholding tax on dividends or other distributions will be payable by an exempted company on its operations. However, the Company is subject to income tax at the rate of 25% on its taxable income according to the Enterprise Income Tax Law (“the New EIT Law”) (as detailed below).
   
Agria China, being a foreign invested enterprise, was initially granted a ‘tax holiday’ for a full exemption from Enterprise Income Tax for the fiscal years from 2007 to 2009 by the local tax authority. On March 16, 2007 the National People’s Congress enacted the New EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008 and replaced the existing separate income tax laws for domestic enterprises and foreign invested enterprises (“FIEs”). The New EIT Law adopted a unified 25% enterprise income tax rate applicable to all resident enterprises in China, including FIEs and foreign enterprises operating in the PRC, except for certain entities that are eligible for tax holidays and are grandfathered by the New EIT Law. The New EIT Law did not provide detailed implementation and administrative rules and regulations. On December 28, 2007, the Circular of the State Council on the Implementation of Transitional Preferential Policies for Enterprise Income Tax (“Implementation Rules”) was issued to provide guidance on the transitional rules for preferential taxation policies (including tax exemption periods). The Implementation Rules shortened the EIT tax exemption period applicable to Agria China from a three year period beginning in 2007 and ending in 2009 to a one year period expiring on December 31, 2007. As a result of the New EIT Law and its related Implementation Rules, the company’s ‘tax holiday’ exemption ceased on December 31, 2007. Agria China, is subject to income tax at the rate of 25%, on its taxable income according to the New EIT Law with effect from January 1, 2008.
   
China Victory, Agria Overseas, Agria Asia and Agria Hong Kong are originally subject to applicable profits tax rate of 16.5% in Hong Kong. However, these companies mentioned above are subject to income tax at the rate of 25% on their taxable income according to the NEW EIT Law mentioned above.
   
Further, also under the New EIT Law, enterprises established under the laws of foreign countries or regions and whose “place of effective management” is located within the PRC territory are considered PRC resident enterprises and subject to the PRC income tax at the rate of 25% on worldwide income. The definition of “place of effective management” shall refer to an establishment that exercises, in substance, overall management and control over the production and business, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise. As of December 31, 2009, no detailed interpretation or guidance has been issued to define “place of effective management”. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2009, the administrative practice associated with interpreting and applying the concept of “place of effective management” is unclear. The Group has analyzed the applicability of this law and will continue to monitor the related development and application.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
17.  
Income Taxes (continued)
   
Agria Agricultural, Guanli, Agria Brother, Nongkeyu and Zhongyuan are subject to PRC income tax at a statutory rate of 25% on their respective taxable income.
   
P3A is subject to PRC income tax, at the statutory rate of 25% for 2008 and 2009 (2007: 33%), on its taxable income as reported in their PRC statutory accounts adjusted in accordance with relevant PRC income tax laws. However P3A was approved as one of the Key enterprises under the Shanxi Province Agricultural Technology Project “1311” (“Project “1311”) by the Shanxi Province in 2002. According to the approval document for income tax exemption issued by the Local Tax Bureau of Taiyuan, Shanxi on February 28, 2002, based on the tax document “CaiShuiZi(94)001” issued by the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Bureau and “The Notice regarding the Implementation of the Five Supplementary Measures for Project “1311” by the People’s Government of Shanxi Province”, P3A meets the relevant requirements for income tax exemption and is entitled to full exemption from income tax commencing January 1, 2002. Upon effectiveness of the New EIT Law on January 1, 2008 and based on Jin Di Shui Gao Xing Fa (2009)2 issued by Local Tax Bureau of Taiyuan, P3A was approved to be exempted from PRC income tax from January 1, 2008 provided that the scope of its operations did not change. The tax exemption status is subject to annual inspection by the end of May each year. Although P3A is still in process of conducting its annual inspection with the local tax bureau for 2009, the Company believes P3A qualifies for tax exemption.
   
Deferred tax liabilities arising from undistributed earnings
   
The New EIT Law also imposes a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by a foreign invested enterprise to its immediate holding company outside China, which were exempted under the previous income tax law and regulations. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. The foreign invested enterprise will be subject to the withholding tax starting from January 1, 2008. Given that the undistributed profits of the Group’s operations in China are intended to be retained in China for business development and expansion purposes, no withholding tax accrual has been made.
   
Deferred tax liabilities arising from investment in undistributed earnings of the VIEs that are available for distribution to PRC tax resident parent companies (Agria China and Agria Brother) amounted to RMB191,154,010 (US$28,004,221) as at December 31, 2009 (2008: RMB180,557,715).
   
Income (loss) before income taxes consists of:
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
PRC
    315,001       90,572       (54,391 )     (7,969 )
Non-PRC
    (13,782 )     (815,998 )     (69,969 )     (10,250 )
 
                       
 
    301,219       (725,426 )     (124,360 )     (18,219 )
 
                       
   
The loss from the non-PRC operation consists primarily of the operation cost, administration expense, interest income and charges.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
   
Income taxes consist of
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Current income tax
    1,969       2,487              
Deferred income tax
    157,032       23,089       10,915       1,599  
 
                       
 
    159,001       25,576       10,915       1,599  
 
                       

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
17.  
Income Taxes (continued)
   
The reconciliation between taxes computed by applying the statutory income tax rate of 25% for 2008 and 2009 (2007: 33%) applicable to the Group’s PRC operations to income tax expense is:
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Income/(loss) before income tax
    301,219       (725,426 )     (124,360 )     (18,219 )
 
                       
Income tax computed at the applicable statutory tax rate of 25% for 2008 and 2009 (2007: 33%)
    99,402       (181,356 )     (31,090 )     (4,555 )
Expense not deductable for tax
          205,365       5,597       820  
Effect of tax exemptions
    (101,981 )     (24,539 )     6,344       930  
Effect of tax rate differences
    3,788                    
Effect of tax law changes and recognition of outside basis differences
    157,032       22,997       10,596       1,552  
Changes in valuation allowance
    760       2,787       19,523       2,860  
Others
          322       (55 )     (8 )
 
                       
Income tax expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations
    159,001       25,576       10,915       1,599  
 
                       
   
The benefit (loss) of the tax exemption per basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                               
Basic
    1.00       0.19       (0.05 )     (0.01 )
 
                       
Diluted
    0.98       0.19       (0.05 )     (0.01 )
 
                       
   
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax balance at December 31, 2008 and 2009 are as follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Property, plant and equipment
    58       131       19  
Acquired technology
    1,255       5,144       754  
Provision for doubtful accounts
          1,513       222  
Deferred expense
    193       137       20  
Net operating loss carry-forward
    2,478       19,406       2,843  
Others
          219       32  
 
                 
Deferred tax assets
    3,984       26,550       3,890  
Valuation allowance
    (3,547 )     (23,070 )     (3,380 )
 
                 
Deferred tax assets, net
    437       3,480       510  
 
                 
 
                       
Inventories
          (63 )     (9 )
 
                 
Deferred tax liability, current
          (63 )     (9 )
 
                 
 
                       
Investment basis in VIEs
    (180,558 )     (191,154 )     (28,004 )
 
                 
Deferred tax liability, non current
    (180,558 )     (191,154 )     (28,004 )
 
                 

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
17.  
Income Taxes (continued)
   
As of December 31, 2009, the Group had gross deferred tax assets of approximately RMB23,070,000 (US$3,380,000), for which it did not believe that sufficient objective positive evidence currently exists to conclude that the recoverability of these deferred tax assets is more likely than not. Consequently, the Company has provided a valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets.
   
Based on existing PRC tax regulations, the tax years of the PRC entities for fiscal year 2005 through 2009 remain subject to examination by the tax authorities.
   
The Company has elected to classify interest due on any underpayment of income taxes, if and when required, in interest expense and penalties, if and when required, to other operating expenses.
   
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits and liabilities, exclusive of related interest and penalties, is as follows:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                       
Balance at beginning of fiscal year
          7,751       1,134  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    7,751       983       144  
Addition arising from business acquisition
          1,271       187  
Additions based on tax positions related to the previous year *
          2,487       365  
 
                 
Balance at the end of fiscal year
    7,751       12,492       1,830  
 
                 
     
*  
The amount of RMB 2,487,000 (US$365,000) was previously recorded under tax payable as at December 31, 2008.
   
The Group’s unrecognized tax benefits are presented in the consolidated balance sheet within accrued expenses and other liabilities. As at December 31, 2009 unrecognized tax benefits relating to certain tax position of RMB 7,078,809 (US$1,037,051) (2008 — RMB 6,097,000) creating a deferred tax asset such as a net operating loss carry forward have been classified as a reduction of deferred tax asset (of which a full valuation allowance would have been provided if the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized) in the financial statements.
   
It is possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months. However, an estimate of the range of the possible change cannot be made at this time.
   
If the unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2009 were realized in a future period, it would result in a tax benefit of RMB5,412,793 (US$792,979) and a reduction of the Group’s effective tax rate.
   
During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Company recognized approximately nil, nil and RMB576,496 (US$84,457) in general and administrative expenses for interest, and nil, RMB 315,000 and RMB2,391,555 (US$350,365) in general and administrative expenses for penalties related to uncertain tax positions. As at December 31, 2008 and 2009, the Group recognized total interest and potential penalties relating to certain uncertain tax positions amounting to RMB315,000 and RMB3,283,051 (US$480,970), including approximately RMB770,760 (US$112,858) assumed in the acquisition of Nongkeyu, respectively.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
18.  
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
   
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for each of the years presented are calculated as follows:
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
    (Amounts in thousands except for number of shares and per share data)  
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders (numerator), basic and diluted
    142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
 
                       
Number of Shares (denominator):
                               
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating income per share —basic
    103,978,082       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
Effect of dilutive securities
                               
Series A redeemable convertible preferred shares
    900,645                    
Employee share options
    1,213,162                    
 
                       
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating income per share —diluted
    106,091,889       126,262,529       125,271,946       125,271,946  
 
                       
Earnings/(Loss) per share
                               
—basic
    1.37       (5.95 )     (1.08 )     (0.16 )
 
                       
—diluted
    1.34       (5.95 )     (1.08 )     (0.16 )
 
                       
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, all of the ordinary shares issuable upon exercising employee share options were not included in the calculation of dilutive earnings (loss) per share because the effect of inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
19.  
Related Party Transactions
     
Name of Related Parties   Relationship with the Group
 
Taiyuan Relord
  A company owned by a director of P3A
Taiyuan Baojia Agriculture Science & Technology
Development Co., Ltd. (“Taiyuan Baojia”)
  A subsidiary of Taiyuan Relord
Xue Zhi Xin
  A director of P3A
Zhang Ming She*
  A director of P3A
Yan Lv
  A director of P3A
     
*  
Zhang Ming She resigned as a director of P3A on 31 July, 2008.
(1)  
The Company had the following related party transactions during the years presented:
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Sales of seedlings to:
                               
Taiyuan Relord
    14,500       4,180              
 
                       
 
                               
Collection of amounts due from:
                               
Taiyuan Relord
                1,652       242  
Yan Lv
                28       4  
 
                       
 
                1,680       246  
 
                       
 
                               
Payment of amounts due to:
                               
Taiyuan Relord
                204       30  
Yan Lv
                6       1  
Xue Zhi Xin
                6       1  
 
                       
 
                216       32  
 
                       
 
                               
Repayment of loan to Taiyuan Baojia
    900                    
 
                       
   
P3A entered into an operating lease agreement with Taiyuan Relord on October 25, 2006 for the lease of a piece of land for growing date trees. The term of the lease is 45 years. Annual land lease expense is approximately RMB673,000 per year. The related operating lease commitment has been included in the disclosure of operating lease commitment in Note 22.
   
P3A provided a short-term loan in the amount of RMB900, 000 to Taiyuan Baojia in 2006 and such loan was fully repaid in 2007.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
19.  
Related Party Transactions (continued)
(2)  
The Company had the following related party balances at the end of the year:
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
Amounts due from related parties:
                       
Taiyuan Relord
    3,517       1,865       273  
Zhang Ming She(i)
    39              
Xue Zhi Xin(i)
    (6 )            
Yan Lv(i)
    28              
 
                 
 
    3,578       1,865       273  
 
                 
 
                       
Amounts due to related parties:
                       
Included in current liabilities
                       
Yan Lv (i)
          6       1  
 
                 
 
          6       1  
 
                 
The balances with related parties are unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.
                         
Amounts due to related parties:
                       
Included in non-current liabilities
                       
Taiyuan Relord(ii)
    8,588       8,384       1,228  
 
                 
     
(i)  
The balances represent cash advances paid to or due from directors for reimbursable company expenses.
 
(ii)  
The non-current amount due to Taiyuan Relord represents the consideration for the purchase of date trees repayable over the next 45 years. Imputed interest relating to the balance is calculated using the incremental borrowing rate at the transaction date of 6.84% per annum.
     
(3)  
The Group’s short term bank loans amounting to RMB8.75 million (US$1.282 million) (2008 — RMB8.8 million) were guaranteed by Taiyuan Relord as of December 31, 2009.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
20.  
Share-based Awards Plan
   
In July 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the granting of share options and restricted ordinary shares to employees and consultants of the Company. Options granted under the Plan may be either incentive share options or nonqualified share options. The Company reserved 15,000,000 ordinary shares for issuance under the Plan. Under the Plan, options granted generally vest 30% after the first year of service, 30% after the second year of service, 20% after the third year of service and 20% after the fourth year of service. Certain options granted vest 50% after the first year of service and 50% after the second year of service. Options may be granted for a term not exceeding 10 years from the date of grant. The option award provides for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plan).
   
For certain options granted with four years of graded vesting term as described above, in the event of termination of employment or service for any reason after one year of employment or service, the grantee’s right to vest in the option under the Plan will terminate twelve months after the written notice of termination. The Company concluded that the termination clause represents a non-substantive vesting term since it allows the grantee to continue to vest options for a twelve month period after termination. For accounting purposes, 60% of these options granted are vested after the first year of service, 20% after the second year of service and 20% after the third year of service.
   
On July 4, 2007, the Company granted 1,500,000 options with exercise price of US$4.80 per share to two employees. 20% of the options will vest after the first year of service, 20% will vest after two years of service, and for the remaining 60%, 10% will be vested semi-annually over the next three years. In the event of termination of employment or service for any reason after one year of employment or service, the grantee’s right to vest in the option under the Plan will terminate twelve months after the written notice of termination. On July 19, 2007, the grant to the two employees was modified such that the options granted were reduced from 1,500,000 to 1,200,000, and the exercise price was reduced from US$4.80 per share to US$2.40 per share. In addition, the modified options vest 30% after the first year of service, 30% after the second year of service, 20% after the third year of service and 20% after the fourth year of service. In the event of termination of employment or service for any reason after one year of employment or service, the grantee’s right to vest in the option under the Plan will terminate twelve months after the written notice of termination. The total incremental compensation cost resulting from the modifications amounting to US$452,500 (RMB3,363,025) is recognized ratably over the new requisite service period.

 

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AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
20.  
Share-based Awards Plan (continued)
   
During 2008, a significant shareholder of the Company agreed to pay cash totaling US$18 million and ordinary shares constituting 22% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company to certain management personnel of P3A as recognition of their contribution to the success of the Company. In addition, to provide additional incentives and retain the services of certain employees, Zhixin Xue, Guanglin Lai and Zhaohua Qian, all shareholders of the Company, agreed to contribute 1.6 million options which are exercisable into 2.2 million ordinary shares of the Company to a new management retention plan. No consideration was paid by the Company for this contribution of options made by the shareholders. The fair value of the cash payment and ordinary shares transferred to the P3A management personnel have been recorded as compensation expense of approximately US$107,826,953 (RMB744,943,189) with a corresponding increase to Additional Paid-in Capital. The return of the options back to the Company for no consideration has been accounted for as a cancellation resulting in an immediate recognition of compensation expense of US$2,743,405 (RMB18,881,760).
   
During 2008, 600,000 stock options held by an executive of P3A were exchanged for 600,000 ordinary shares for no additional consideration. The exchange is accounted for as a settlement wherein the difference between the fair value of the ordinary shares and the stock options, amounting to US$685,145 (RMB4,715,579) has been recognized immediately as compensation expense.
   
The following table summarizes the option activity for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares and exercise price):
                                         
                            Weighted-        
                            Average     Aggregate  
            Weighted-     Weighted     Remaining     Intrinsic  
    Number of     average     average grant-     Contractual     Value  
Share Option   Shares     Exercise Price     date fair value     Term     (US$’000)  
Outstanding, December 31, 2006
                                     
Granted
    9,194,500             US$ 1.67                  
Forfeited/Cancelled
    (74,000 )                                
 
                                       
Outstanding, December 31, 2007
    9,120,500                               19,239  
Granted
    2,434,000             US$ 0.87                  
Forfeited
    (510,000 )                                
Cancelled
    (2,200,000 )                                
 
                                       
Outstanding, December 31, 2008
    8,844,500     US$ 2.97                        
Granted
    2,340,000       0.92       0.44                  
Forfeited
    (784,600 )     2.81       1.59                  
Expired
    (450,000 )     2.40       1.65                  
Outstanding, December 31, 2009
    9,949,900       2.53       3.30       6.72       1,735  
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2009
    9,949,900       2.53       3.30       6.72       1,735  
Exercisable at December 31, 2009
    5,494,500       2.71       0.56       6.05       581  
   
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day at each balance sheet date and the exercise price.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
20.  
Share-based Awards Plan (continued)
As of December 31, 2009, there was RMB17,255,831 (US$2,527,994) unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to share options. That deferred cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.72 years. To the extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from the original estimate, actual share-based compensation related to these awards may differ.
The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the binomial option pricing model by the management with assistance from an external consultant. The volatility assumption was estimated based on the implied volatilities of comparable public companies due to the limited historical volatility of the Company’s share. The relevant historical information is limited because the Company became a public company in November 2007. The expected term was estimated based on the resulting output of the binomial option pricing model.
The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience. The option awards are not transferable and the grantee has a limited amount of time subsequent to their termination of employment or service to exercise the options. These post-vesting restrictions are considered in the binomial option pricing model as a suboptimal exercise factor. The suboptimal exercise factor of 1.5 is based on the external consultant’s research on the early exercise behavior of employees with stock options.
The following table presents the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the share options granted in the periods presented:
                         
    2007     2008     2009  
 
                       
Risk-free interest rate
    4.12%-5.04 %     2.67%-4.23 %     3.17 %
Dividend yield
                 
Expected volatility range
    32.22%-33.17 %     34.91%-49.94 %     48.62 %
Weighted average expected volatility
    32.52 %     40.19 %     48.62 %
Expected life (in years)
    2.4 to 7.38       3.31-5.58       2.77  
The total fair value of option awards vested during the year ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were RMBnil, RMB54,647,899, RMB17,926,430 (USD2,532,850), respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
20.  
Share-based Awards Plan (continued)
Total compensation cost recognized for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as follows:
                                 
    For the years ended December 31,        
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    RMB’000     RMB’000     RMB’000     US$’000  
 
                               
Cost of revenues
    152       520       206       30  
General and administrative expenses
    13,147       44,732       14,596       2,139  
Research and development expenses
    12       47       31       4  
 
                       
 
                               
 
    13,311       45,299       14,833       2,173  
 
                       
21.  
Employee Defined Contribution Plan
Chinese labor regulations require companies in the PRC to participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees, and to make contributions to the government for these benefits based on a certain percentage of the employees’ salaries. P3A is required to make contributions to the government mandated defined contribution plan for these benefits based on 28% of the employees’ salaries. The Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were RMB903,230, RMB1,659,509 and RMB1,394,630 (US$204,314) respectively for each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
22.  
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating lease commitments
Payments under operating leases for land and building, which are mainly used to grow seedlings, are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The terms of the leases do not contain renewal options, rent escalation, restriction or contingent rents and have lease periods ranging from 3 to 45 years. Future minimum lease payments for each of the next five years and thereafter, under all non-cancelable operating leases, are as follows:
                 
Year ending December 31   (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
               
2010
    5,485       804  
2011
    3,590       526  
2012
    2,911       426  
2013
    1,711       251  
2014
    1,662       243  
Thereafter
    38,363       5,620  
 
           
 
    53,722       7,870  
 
           

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
22.  
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Total rental expense was RMB7,683,568, RMB9,127,444 and RMB15,350,133 (US$2,248,050) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Purchase commitments
Purchase commitments represent service agreements entered into with village collectives and corn seed companies to grow corn seeds. The terms of the agreements have periods ranging from 1 to 12 years. Future minimum purchase payments for each of the next five years and thereafter, under all non-cancelable agreements, are as follows:
                 
Year ending December 31   (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
2010
    16,361       2,396  
2011
    13,841       2,028  
2012
    13,841       2,028  
2013
    13,841       2,028  
2014
    13,841       2,028  
Thereafter
    45,074       6,603  
 
           
 
               
 
    116,799       17,111  
 
           
The amount purchased under the above obligations was RMB40,243,708, RMB13,841,000 and RMB13,841,000(US$2,027,035) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Capital commitments
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had commitments of RMB51,330,000 (US$7,519,887) related to the property, plant and equipment to be used for the Company’s sheep product department and the decoration of the office.
Commitment for research and development services
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had commitments of RMB12,000,000 (US$1,758,010) related to the research and development services to be used for the Company’s corn seed department.
Commitment for further investment in PGW
Under an investment agreement signed between the Company and PGW in November 2009, PGW agreed to issue Convertible Redeemable Notes (“CRNs”) having an aggregate principal amount of US$25 million (RMB 170.6 million) to the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
Commitment for Investment in Beijing Zhongnong Seed Industry Co., Ltd
In Oct 2009, the Company has entered into a strategic co-operation framework agreement with the China National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (“CNAAS”), the largest agricultural research organization in the PRC, providing for future co-operation across the spectrum of agricultural research. The Company also entered into an investment agreement with CNAAS and its affiliates, under which the Company will invest RMB35 million (of which RMB 7 million has been paid as at December 31, 2009) for 53.84% equity interest of Beijing Zhongnong Seed Industry Co., Ltd (“Zhongnong”), a company wholly owned by CNAAS and its affiliates. Zhongnong has priority rights to accept the transfer of all existing and future cultivated seed varieties owned by CNAAS and its affiliates for the purposes of commercialization.
Enterprise income tax
All PRC incorporated entities are subject to enterprise income tax regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Bureau of the PRC. P3A has not recorded any current or deferred income taxes in reliance on an enterprise income tax exemption notice received from the Local Tax Bureau of Taiyuan in the province of Shanxi and a legal opinion received from Shanxi Cheng Kai Law Firm, confirming P3A’s enterprise income tax exemption status under existing PRC tax regulation. Based on the above, management believes that it is unlikely that the Ministry of Finance and the Sate Tax Bureau will challenge P3A’s enterprise income tax exemption status pre January 1. 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
22.  
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Enterprise income tax (continued)
As of December 31, 2009, the Company recognized approximately RMB5,412,793 (US$792,979) of liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and, in addition, RMB3,283,051 (US$480,970) of related interest and penalties. The final outcome of these tax uncertainties is dependent upon various matters including tax examinations, legal proceedings, certain authority proceedings, changes in regulatory tax laws and interpretations of those tax laws, or expiration of statutes of limitation. However, due to the uncertainties associated with litigation, and the status of examinations, including the protocols of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, which could include formal legal proceedings, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the future cash outflows associated with these tax uncertainties. As of December 31, 2009, the Company classified RMB5,412,793 (US$792,979) of its liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and RMB3,283,051 (US$480,970) of interest and penalties as current liabilities.
Individual income tax withholdings
Based on existing PRC tax regulations, P3A is required to withhold and remit income taxes from its employees. Failure to do so would subject the company to a penalty of 50% to 300% of the actual withholding tax amount. P3A did not remit employee income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009. P3A estimated that the most likely outcome will result in a 150% penalty assessment of which, 100% is borne by the employees and 50% is borne by the Company; therefore an accrual of RMB4,802,530, RMB4,335,678 and RMB748,686 (US$109,683) was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The taxation authorities may assess the maximum amount which would exceed the accrued amounts. P3A obtained written agreements from its employees that they will reimburse the company for tax penalty assessed over 50% of the withholding tax amount.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
22.  
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Class action lawsuits
In April 2008, the Company was named as a defendant in several class action lawsuits filed in the United States. The lawsuits also assert claims against our executive officers, our directors and other defendants with respect to alleged misleading and omitted disclosures in the Company’s registration statement for its initial public offering in November 2007 concerning compensation as well as alleged deficiencies in our corporate governance controls. The complaint alleges that some or all of the defendants violated Section 11, Section 12 and Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and requests unspecified compensatory damages. An estimate of the amount or range of possible loss cannot be determined currently. No provision has been made for any expenses that might arise as a result of the class action lawsuits as at December 31, 2008.
On 1 December, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the class action lawsuit against the Company and the underwriter defendants with respect to alleged misleading and omitted disclosures in the Company’s registration statement for its initial public offering in November 2007, and the Court issued a judgment in favor of the Company and the underwriter defendants. However, a final judgment has not been entered and the court has not yet ruled on the motion to dismiss by the company’s executive officers and directors so the case is still pending. As the ultimate outcome is not reasonably determinable, no amount has been recognized.
On June 9, 2010, the Company announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the lead plaintiff in the consolidated securities class action. The MOU reflects an agreement in principle providing for the settlement and release and dismissal with prejudice of any and all claims that were asserted, or could have been asserted, against all defendants in or relating to Agria Corporation Securities Litigation, including all of the underwriter defendants and all served and un-served defendants named in the consolidated complaint dated February 3, 2009. The settlement contemplated by the MOU is subject to a number of material conditions, including court approval. Under the agreement in principle, the amount to be paid on behalf of all defendants to lead plaintiff for the benefit of the class in settlement of the above mentioned class action is US$3.75 million. On June 18, 2010, the Company’s insurance companies paid US$3.75 million into a settlement account pending the above noted approval of this case. Accordingly, the Company will not incur any cash layout as a result of this proposed settlement. By entering into the MOU, neither the Company nor the other defendants admit wrongdoing or liability. If a final settlement agreement is concluded pursuant to the MOU, all claims in the litigation would be dismissed against the Company and all other defendants.
23.  
Segment Reporting
The Company is engaged in the development, production and sale of corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings. In accordance with ASC 280-10 “Segment Reporting: Overall”, the Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates segment performance based on revenue and cost of revenue by segment. The Company has determined that it has three operating and reportable segments which are corn seeds, sheep products and seedlings.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
23.  
Segment Reporting (continued)
The revenue, cost of revenue and gross profit by segment is as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2007
                                 
            Sheep              
    Corn Seeds     Products     Seedlings     Consolidated  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)  
Revenue
    343,743       255,508       71,505       670,756  
Cost of revenue
    (203,709 )     (72,716 )     (20,459 )     (296,884 )
 
                       
Gross profit
    140,034       182,792       51,046       373,872  
Unallocated operating expenses
                            (65,246 )
Unallocated non-operating expense
                            (7,407 )
 
                             
Income before income tax
                            301,219  
 
                             
Year ended December 31, 2008
                                 
            Sheep              
    Corn Seeds     Products     Seedlings     Consolidated  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)  
Revenue
    257,144       148,457       62,463       468,064  
Cost of revenue
    (153,029 )     (74,765 )     (33,436 )     (261,230 )
Write down of inventories
          (13,856 )     (2,766 )     (16,622 )
 
                       
Gross profit
    104,115       59,836       26,261       190,212  
Unallocated operating expenses
                            (935,809 )
Unallocated non-operating income
                            20,171  
 
                             
Loss before income tax
                            (725,426 )
 
                             
Year ended December 31, 2009
                                 
            Sheep              
    Corn Seeds     Products     Seedlings     Consolidated  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)  
Revenue
    107,529       38,426       31,013       176,968  
Cost of revenue
    (67,186 )     (34,616 )     (17,527 )     (119,329 )
Write down of inventories
          (22,508 )           (22,508 )
 
                       
Gross profit (loss)
    40,343       (18,698 )     13,486       35,131  
Unallocated operating expenses
                            (153,488 )
Unallocated non-operating loss
                            (6,005 )
 
                             
Loss before income tax
                            (124,360 )
 
                             

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
23.  
Segment Reporting (continued)
Year ended December 31, 2009
                                 
            Sheep              
    Corn Seeds     Products     Seedlings     Consolidated  
    (US$’000)     (US$’000)     (US$’000)     (US$’000)  
Revenue
    15,752       5,630       4,543       25,925  
Cost of revenue
    (9,843 )     (5,072 )     (2,567 )     (17,482 )
Write down of inventories
          (3,297 )           (3,297 )
 
                       
Gross profit (loss)
    5,909       (2,739 )     1,976       5,146  
Unallocated operating expenses
                          (22,487 )
Unallocated non-operating expense
                          (878 )
 
                             
Loss before income tax
                            (18,219 )
 
                             
The Company had no customers which accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues for any of the years presented in the consolidated financial statements.
All of the Company’s sales are made to customers located in the PRC and all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC. The Company does not allocate such assets to individual segments.
24.  
Fair Value Measurement
Effective January 1, 2008, the Group adopted ASC 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: Overall” (Pre-codification: FAS 157 “Fair Value Measurements”). ASC 820-10 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Although the adoption of ASC 820-10 did not impact the Group’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow, ASC 820-10 requires additional disclosures to be provided on fair value measurement.
ASC 820-10 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 — Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
ASC 820-10 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset.
In accordance with ASC 820-10, the Company elects to measures its investment in PGW at fair value. Investment in PGW is classified within Level 1 because it is valued based on PGW’s quoted trading price.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
                                         
    Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2009  
    Quoted Prices                          
    in                          
    Active     Significant                    
    Markets for     Other                    
    Identical     Observable     Unobservable     Fair Value at     Fair Value at  
    Assets     Inputs     Inputs     December 31,     December 31,  
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US’000)  
 
                                       
Investment in PGW
    414,047                   414,047       60,658  
25.  
General and Administrative Expense
A loss of RMB 34.5 million (US$5.1 million) representing writedowns to inventories (see Note 6) and property, plant and equipment due to damages caused by extreme weather conditions was recognized in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2009.
26.  
Subsequent Events
a) PGW Convertible Redeemable Notes (“CRN”)
On January 15, 2010, PGW completed the issuance of CRNs to the Company at a value equivalent of US$25 million (approximately NZ$33.8 million), as part of the original subscription agreement announced between the two companies in October 2009.
Key terms of the CRNs are as follows:
Term: The convertible redeemable notes have a perpetual term.
Interest: Interest payable under the CRNs is for the period from January 15, 2010 to December 31, 2011, 8.0% per annum on the principal amount of the notes; for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, the two-year swap on December 31, 2011 plus a margin of 5.5%; for subsequent two-year periods commencing on January 1, 2014, January 1, 2016 and so on, the two-year swap at the start of the relevant two-year period plus a margin of 6.5%. PGW can suspend the interest payments at its sole discretion. At any time when there is suspended interest, PGW may not declare or pay any dividend or make a distribution on its ordinary shares.
Conversion and Redemption: Unless otherwise agreed by PGW and the Company, PGW may elect at its sole discretion to convert or redeem the notes at any time following 18 months after January 15, 2010. In the event that PGW elects to convert the notes into its ordinary shares, each note will be converted into 2.1 ordinary shares of PGW, subject to PGW’s shareholder approval. In the event that PGW elects to redeem the notes, the Company may choose whether the notes will be redeemed in cash or exchanged into ordinary shares of PGW Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of PGW, which exchange is subject to PGW’s shareholder approval.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
b) Grant of options
In May and June 2010, the Company granted 2,580,000 options to purchase the Company’s ADS with an exercise price of US$2 per ADS to certain employees. Those options will vest from July 2010 through May 2013. In the event of termination of employment or service for any reason, the grantee’s right to vest in the option under the Plan will terminate immediately after the written notice of termination.
c) Business acquisition
In January 2010, the Company acquired 100% equity interest in Tianjin Beiao Seed Technology Development Co., Ltd. a company engaged in research, production and marketing of vegetable seeds from a third party for RMB1,000,000 (US$146,501).
d) New banking facility agreement
Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited granted a general banking facility to the amount of US$18 million on January 12, 2010. The maturity date will be one year of drawdown. The interest rate of the bank facility is Libor+0.7%.
e) Proposed divesture of P3A
On June 29, 2010, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement in principle to divest P3A to Mr. Frank Xue (“Mr. Xue”), the president and a director of P3A. Through the proposed transaction which is subject to approval by the board of directors, the Company would acquire its ordinary shares currently held by Mr. Xue constituting 11.5% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Company in exchange for the transfer of all of the Company’s interest in P3A to Mr. Xue.

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
27.  
Condensed Financial Information of the Company
Under PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries and VIEs are restricted in its ability to transfer certain of its net assets to the Company in the form of dividend payments, loans, or advances. The amounts restricted include paid up capital, statutory reserve and net assets of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs, as determined pursuant to PRC generally accepted accounting principles, totaled approximately RMB1,174 million (US$171.9 million) as of December 31, 2009.
Statements of operations
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                               
Revenue
                           
Cost of revenue
                           
 
                           
Gross profit
                           
 
                           
Operating expenses
                               
General and administrative expenses
    (619 )     (19,744 )     (26,700 )     (3,912 )
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    (619 )     (19,744 )     (26,700 )     (3,912 )
 
                       
Operating loss
    (619 )     (19,744 )     (26,700 )     (3,912 )
Interest income
    6,900       23,735       3,379       495  
Interest expense
    (62 )     (14 )     (22 )     (3 )
Exchange gain (loss)
    132       (433 )     24       4  
Equity in profit (loss) of subsidiaries and variable interest entities
    135,867       (752,842 )     (111,956 )     (16,402 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before income tax
    142,218       (749,298 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
Income tax
          (1,704 )            
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
    142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
 
                       

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
27.  
Condensed Financial Information of the Company (continued)
Balance sheets
                         
    2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB’000)     (RMB’000)     (US$’000)  
 
                       
ASSETS
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    844,216       88,640       12,986  
Prepayments and other current assets
    2,595       3,211       470  
Investment in subsidiaries and variable interest entities
    990,453       1,630,286       238,838  
 
                 
Total assets
    1,837,264       1,722,137       252,294  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
                       
Liabilities
                       
Tax payables
    1,704              
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
          9,651       1,413  
 
                 
Total liabilities
    1,704       9,651       1,413  
 
                 
 
                       
Shareholders’ equity
                       
Ordinary shares (par value US$0.0000001 per share; 499,900,000,000 shares authorized; 125,800,000 and 125,160,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 20089, respectively)
                 
Additional paid-in capital
    2,368,520       2,381,377       348,874  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (77,653 )     (78,309 )     (11,472 )
Accumulated deficit
    (455,307 )     (590,582 )     (86,521 )
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,835,560       1,712,486       250,881  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
    1,837,264       1,722,137       252,294  
 
                 

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
27.  
Condensed Financial Information of the Company (continued)
Statements of Cash flows
                                 
    2007     2008     2009     2009  
    (RMB)     (RMB)     (RMB)     (US$)  
 
                               
Cash flows from operating activities:
                               
Net income (loss)
    142,218       (751,002 )     (135,275 )     (19,818 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Equity in (profit) loss of subsidiaries and variable interest entity
    (135,867 )     752,842       111,956       16,402  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
                               
Prepayments and other current assets
    (4,018 )     1,422       (616 )     (89 )
Tax payable
          1,704       (1,704 )     (250 )
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
          (833 )     9,651       1,413  
 
                       
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    2,333       4,133       (15,988 )     (2,342 )
 
                       
 
                               
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Investment in subsidiaries and variable interest entities
    (243,519 )     (230,918 )     (737,525 )     (108,048 )
 
                       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (243,519 )     (230,918 )     (737,525 )     (108,048 )
 
                       
 
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Proceeds from issuance of preference shares and ordinary shares redemption rights
    76,155                        
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of issuance cost
    1,332,917                        
Repurchase of ordinary shares
          (7,252 )     (1,976 )     (289 )
 
                       
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    1,409,072       (7,252 )     (1,976 )     (289 )
 
                       
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (25,869 )     (63,764 )     (87 )     (13 )
 
                       
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,142,017       (297,801 )     (755,576 )     (110,692 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year
          1,142,017       844,216       123,678  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
    1,142,017       844,216       88,640       12,986  
 
                       

 

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Table of Contents

AGRIA CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
27.  
Condensed Financial Information of the Company (continued)
  (a)  
Basis of presentation
In the Company-only financial statements, the Company’s investment in subsidiaries and variable interest entity is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since inception. The Company-only financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company records its investment in its subsidiaries and variable interest entities under the equity method of accounting as prescribed in ASC 323-10, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Overall” (Pre-codification: APB opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock”). Such investment is presented on the balance sheet as “Investment in subsidiaries and variable interest entities” and share of their profit or loss as “Equity in profit (loss) of subsidiaries and variable interest entities” on the statements of operations.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted.

 

F-57

Exhibit 4.22

English Translation for Reference
EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
SERVICES CONTRACT
This Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on November 7, 2008 in Shenzhen:
BETWEEN:
     
Party A:
  Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
 
   
Party B:
  Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
(1)   Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
(2)   Party B is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
(3)   Party A agrees to provide exclusive technology development and related services to Party B and Party B agrees to accept such services from Party A.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
1.   Exclusive Consultancy and Services; Monopolized and Exclusive Interests
  1.1   During the term hereof, Party A agrees to act as the provider of Party B with respect to the exclusive technology development, consulting and services on the conditions and terms hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by the PRC laws, to provide Party B with the technology development, technology support and any technology services in relation thereto, including without limitation:
  (1)   conducting the research and development of technologies in biological breeding as commissioned by Party B;
  (2)   provision of technology support services required by Party B;
  (3)   provision of technology consulting services to Party B on a regular or ad hoc basis, including without limitation, provision of feasibility studies, technology forecasts, specific technology investigations, analysis evaluation reports;
  (4)   conducting technical training for Party B’s personnel;
  (5)   provision of on-site technology guidance to Party B when it needs to hire relevant technology personnel;
  (6)   assisting Party B in the promotion of technologies.
  1.2   Party B agrees to accept the technology development, technology support and any technology services in relation thereto provided by Party A, and further agrees that, unless with the prior written consent of Party A, it will not accept any or part of the technology development, support and services provided by any third parties in connection with the above business during the term hereof.
  1.3   Party B shall promptly provide Party A with any plans and arrangements relating to the technology development, technology support or technology services required by Party B.

 

 


 

2.   Calculation and Payment of, and Security for Technology Development and Service Fees (hereinafter referred to as the “Technology Service Fees”)
  2.1   The parties agree that the Technology Service Fees hereunder shall be calculated and paid according to the calculation and payment method of the Technology Service Fees listed in Annex 1 hereto.
  2.2   The parties shall bear their respective taxes payable in connection with the execution or performance of this Contract according to laws. Party B shall, at the request from Party A, make its best effort to assist Party A in obtaining the treatment of business tax exemption for all or part of its income derived from the Technology Service Fees hereunder, including without limitation, the provision of the relevant documents and the execution of written agreements with Party A from time to time in respect of any specific services within the scope of this Contract and in a format that meets the reporting requirements of competent departments in charge of science and technology. However, the execution of such documents shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) the provisions of such written agreements shall, in principle, be consistent with this Contract and shall not contradict with the provisions of this Contract, and (2) the execution of such documents shall not violate any laws and regulations.
  2.3   The Technology Service Fees payable by Party B hereunder shall be secured by a pledge created in favor of Party A by other holders of equity interest of Party B over their respective equity interests in Party B.
3.   Intellectual Property
  3.1   Unless otherwise required by the PRC laws and regulations, any technology developed and information prepared by Party A in the course of the provision of its technology development and technology services to Party B, as well as any intellectual property rights associated with all research and development products of Party A obtained from research and development due to the performance of this Contract and/or other contracts jointly signed by the parties and any other rights arising out thereof shall be exclusively owned by Party A. The above rights shall include but not limit to the right of patent application, ownership of proprietary technology, copyright or other intellectual property rights of technical documents and information, rights to grant a license to others for the use of the above intellectual property rights or to transfer such intellectual property rights.
  3.2   If, during the performance hereof, Party B needs to use any proprietary technology of Party A, the parties hereto shall sign a separate contract to stipulate the scope of license in relation to the propriety technology, its manner and license fees.
4.   Representations and Warranties
  4.1   Party A hereby represents and warrants as follows:
  4.1.1   Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
  4.1.2   Party A executes and performs this Contract within its authority and business scope. It has taken the necessary corporate actions and been granted appropriate authorization, and has obtained the necessary consents and approvals from third parties and governmental departments. In addition, it does not violate the restrictions of any laws and contracts that are binding upon or having an effect on it;
  4.1.3   This Contract, when executed, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Party A, and is enforceable against it pursuant to the provisions hereof.

 

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  4.2   Party B hereby represents and warrants as follows:
  4.2.1   Party B is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;
  4.2.2   Party B executes and performs this Contract within its authority and business scope. It has taken the necessary corporate actions and been granted appropriate authorization, and has obtained the necessary consents and approvals from third parties and governmental departments. In addition, it does not violate the restrictions of any laws and contracts that are binding upon or having an effect on it;
  4.2.3   This Contract, when executed, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Party B, and is enforceable against it pursuant to the provisions hereof.
5.   Confidentiality
  5.1   Party B agrees that it will make its best effort to take all reasonable measures to keep in confidence any confidential materials and information of Party A (hereinafter referred to as the “ Confidential Information ”) that are known to or accessible by Party B in connection with the provision of the exclusive technology development, technology support and technology services by Party A to Party B. Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not divulge, provide or transfer such Confidential Information to any third parties. Once this Contract is terminated, Party B shall return to Party A any documents, materials or software containing the Confidential Information according to the requirements of Party A, or destroy them on its own. It shall also delete any Confidential Information from all relevant memory devices and shall not continue to use such Confidential Information.
  5.2   The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other party, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
  5.3   The parties agree that this Article 5 shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, modified, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated.
6.   Indemnification
Party B shall indemnify and hold Party A harmless from and against any losses, damages, obligations and costs arising from any legal actions, claims or other requests as a result of the content of consulting service and other services requested by Party B.
7.   Effectiveness and Term
  7.1   This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
  7.2   This Contract shall remain valid during the operating period of Party B, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant contracts separately signed by the parties hereto.

 

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8.   Termination
  8.1   Early Termination: During the term hereof, Party B shall not terminate this Contract in advance unless Party A commits gross negligence, fraud, other unlawful act or is bankrupt. Notwithstanding the above requirements, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Contract at all times by giving a thirty (30) days prior written notice to Party B. If, during the term hereof, Party B violates this Contract and fails to make any remedy in respect thereof within fourteen (14) days after receiving a written notice of such breach from Party A, Party A may terminate this Contract by serving written notice to Party B.
  8.2   Provisions After Termination: After the termination hereof, the rights and obligations of the parties under Articles 5 and 10 hereof shall remain in effect.
9.   Governing Law
The validity, performance, interpretation and enforceability of this Contract shall be governed by the laws of the PRC.
10.   Dispute Resolution
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
11.   Force Majeure
  11.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who seeks for an exemption from its obligations hereunder because of being affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought, and of any steps required to be taken for the completion of the performance of its obligations.
  11.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. The party so affected shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.

 

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12.   Assignment of this Contract
  12.1   Party B shall not transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties, unless with the prior written consent of Party A.
  12.2   Party B hereby agrees that, to the extent permitted by the PRC laws, Party A may transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B in respect of such transfer.
13.   Integrity of this Contract
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
14.   Severability of this Contract
If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.
15.   Amendment and Supplement to this Contract
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
16.   Counterpart
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. Each of them shall have the same legal effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be duly executed by their legal representatives or authorized representatives on the day first above written.

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

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Exhibit 4.23

English Translation for Reference
LOAN CONTRACT
Party A (Lender): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B (Borrower): Li Juan with ID card number: 420983197609010023
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1.  
Loan Amount: Party A shall lend to Party B a loan of Renminbi Five Million And One Hundred Thousand (¥ 5,100,000).
2.  
Time for Loan Payment: Party A will pay the above loan to Party B within five working days after this Contract becomes effective.
3.  
Term: The loan shall be for a term of three years from the date on which Party A makes the loan payment, and may be extended upon its expiry after mutual consultation.
4.  
Use of the Loan: Party B undertakes that the loan will be used for investment only, and shall be in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, Party A shall have the right to discharge this Loan Contract unilaterally and request Party B to assume the liabilities for breach of contract.
5.  
Equity Pledge: All equity interests owned or proposed to be owned by Party B in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. shall be pledged as security. Please see the Equity Pledge Contract for details.
6.  
Liabilities for Breach of Contract: If a party violates this Contract, the other party shall have the right to discharge it and request the defaulting party to make compensation for any loss arising therefrom.
7.  
Termination of this Contract: After the termination or discharge of this Contract, Party B shall return the loan to Party A within five working days. In the event of any late return, Party B shall pay to Party A any interest accrued thereon at a loan interest rate stipulated by banks for the corresponding period.
8.  
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arisen during the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties through consultation. In the event that no agreement can be reached through consultation, such dispute shall be referred to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
9.  
If any provision of this Contract becomes invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions hereof.
10.  
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.
11.  
This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
Party B: Li Juan /s/ Li Juan
Date of execution: October 6, 2008

 

 

Exhibit 4.24
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY PLEDGE CONTRACT
This Equity Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on November 7, 2008 in Shenzhen:
BETWEEN:
     
Party A:
  Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgee ”)
Address:
  Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
 
   
Party B:
  Li Juan, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 420983197609010023 (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgor ”)
 
   
Party C:
  Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
(1)   The Pledgor is the legal and valid shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”), who holds 51% equity interest of Guanli according to laws;
(2)   The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
(3)   Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
(4)   The Pledgee and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract on November 7, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by Guanli of all of its obligations under the above contract;
(5)   The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on November 7, 2008, and the Pledgee and the Pledgor entered into the Loan Contract on October 6, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the above two contracts.

 

 


 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after friendly consultation:
1.   Definitions
Unless otherwise required herein, the following terms shall have the meaning as follows:
  1.1   Pledge Right ” refers to the full content of Article 2 hereof.
  1.2   Equity Interest ” means the equity interest legally held by the Pledgor in Guanli.
  1.3   Master Contract ” means the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Exclusive Call Option Contract , the Loan Contract and any amendment and supplement thereto.
  1.4   Secured Party ” means any contractual party of each Master Contract other than the Pledgee.
  1.5   Secured Debt ” means all contractual obligations of a Secured Party under each Master Contract, including (but not limited to) interest, default penalty, compensation, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in realizing debt.
  1.6   Event of Default ” means any circumstances stated in Article 7.1 hereof.
  1.7   Notice of Default ” means the notice of default issued by the Pledgee pursuant to this Contract, declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default.
2.   Pledge Right
The Pledgor hereby pledges all of her Equity Interest in Guanli to the Pledgee as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the Master Contract. Therefore, the Pledgee is entitled to the Pledge Right in respect of all the Equity Interest of the Pledgor in Guanli. The “Pledge Right” means the right of priority to claim for any money converted from the Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor to the Pledgee, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest that is enjoyed by the Pledgee.
3.   Registration of Pledge
  3.1   Within one (1) week from the date hereof, Guanli shall, and the Pledgor shall procure Guanli to record the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above on the register of members of Guanli, and deliver a copy of the register of members of Guanli with its common chop affixed thereon and the original of the equity contribution certificate to the Pledgee for custody.
  3.2   After the execution hereof, the Pledgor shall, at the written request of the Pledgee at any time, complete the notarization jointly with the Pledgee in respect of this Contract, as well as the Pledge Right of the Pledgee recorded on the register of members and the equity contribution certificate as set forth in Article 3.1 at a notary public office of the place where Guanli is located.

 

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  3.3   The parties agree that they will make their best effort to register, and cause the pledge hereunder to be registered with an industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered. The parties also confirm that, unless the registration of the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department is mandatory in law, the validity of this Contract and the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above shall not be affected even if the parties fail to register the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered after the execution of this Contract.
4.   Rights of the Pledgee
  4.1   When a Secured Party does not perform any of its obligations under the Master Contract, the Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from Guanli’s Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest.
  4.2   The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive any dividends (including bonuses) and other property distributions arising from the Equity Interest that is pledged.
5.   Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor
  5.1   The Pledgor is the legitimate owner of the Equity Interest;
  5.2   The Pledgor fully understands the contents of the Master Contract. She signs and performs this Contract on a voluntary basis and all her actual meaning is truly expressed herein. The Pledgor is legally authorized to execute this Contract;
  5.3   All documents, information, statements and evidence provided by the Pledgor to the Pledgee are accurate, true, complete and valid;
  5.4   The Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Pledge Right in a manner stipulated herein and within the scope restricted by the PRC laws;
  5.5   Except for the interest of the Pledgee, the Pledgor has not created other pledges, any other kinds of rights or any third party rights over the Equity Interest;
  5.6   The Pledgor has obtained the consent of other shareholders of Guanli to pledge the Equity Interest, and the other shareholders have unanimously agreed that they will not interfere by any means and will give up the exercise of their pre-emptive right when the Pledgee actually exercises the Pledge Right.

 

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6.   Undertakings of the Pledgor
In addition to the obligations specified in the other provisions hereof, the Pledgor undertakes as follows:
  6.1   During the term hereof, the Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee for its benefit that:
  6.1.1   save for the transfer of the Equity Interest to the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, transfer the Equity Interest, nor create or permit the existence of any pledge which might affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee, nor procure any resolution in relation to the sale/transfer/pledge or disposal by other means of the legal and beneficial interest in any Equity Interest of Guanli or permitting the creation of any other security interests over it to be passed at a shareholders’ meeting of the company; unless with the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall vote at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli/procure any director of Guanli nominated by her to vote at a board meeting of Guanli and/or by other means to object Guanli to sell/transfer/pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its major assets, including (but not limited to) any intellectual property rights.
  6.1.2   if the Equity Interest pledged hereunder is subject to any compulsory measures imposed by courts or other departments for any reasons, the Pledgor shall use all her efforts, including (without limitation) the provision of other security to courts or adoption of other measures, to remove the compulsory measures taken by courts or other departments in respect of the Equity Interest pledged.
  6.1.3   the Pledgor shall comply with and implement all laws and regulations relevant to the pledge of rights. The Pledgor shall, within five (5) days of the receipt of any notices, orders or recommendations given or made by the competent authority with respect to the Pledge Right, present the above notices, orders or recommendations to the Pledgee, and shall comply with the same or raise objections and make representations in respect of the above matters as reasonably required by or with the consent of the Pledgee.
  6.1.4   the Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event which might have effects on the Equity Interest of the Pledgor or any part of her right or any notice received in connection therewith, as well as any event which might change any warranty and obligation of the Pledgor as created by this Contract or might have effects on it or any notice received in connection therewith.
  6.2   The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee shall not be interrupted nor impeded by any legal proceedings instituted by the Pledgor or any successors of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other persons when it exercises its rights on the pledge pursuant to the provisions hereof and within the scope permitted by the PRC laws.
  6.3   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that, in order to protect or improve the security for the repayment of the Secured Debt herein, she will honestly execute and procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge Right to execute all title certificates and contracts required by the Pledgee, and/or perform and procure other interested parties to perform all acts required by the Pledgee, and facilitate the exercise of any right and authorization conferred to the Pledgee by this Contract.
  6.4   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will execute all documents in relation to the change of share certificates (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), and shall provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions in relation to the Pledge Right which it thinks necessary within a reasonable time.

 

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  6.5   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will, for the interest of the Pledgee, observe and perform all warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions. If the Pledgor does not perform or fully perform her warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions, she will indemnify the Pledgee all losses suffered by it arising therefrom.
7.   Event of Default
  7.1   The following events shall be deemed as Events of Default:
  7.1.1   the Secured Party fails to fully perform any of its Secured Debts under the Master Contract as scheduled;
  7.1.2   any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof contains misleading or false information that is material, and/or the Pledgor violates the warranties set forth in Article 5 hereof;
  7.1.3   the Pledgor violates the undertakings set forth in Article 6 hereof;
  7.1.4   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract;
  7.1.5   the Pledgor gives up the pledged Equity Interest or transfers the pledged Equity Interest without the written consent of the Pledgee;
  7.1.6   any external loan, guarantee, compensation, undertaking or other debt liability of the Pledgor (1) is required to be repaid or performed prior to the scheduled date due to any breach of this Contract; (2) has been due but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, which in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;
  7.1.7   Guanli is incapable to repay the general debts or other debts;
  7.1.8   this Contract becomes illegal or the Pledgor fails to continue to perform her obligations hereunder due to any reasons other than “force majeure”;
  7.1.9   there has been any adverse change in the properties of the Pledgor, which, in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;
  7.1.10   there occurs any material adverse change in the assets, operating result or financial situation of Guanli;

 

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  7.1.11   the successors or heirs of Guanli can only perform part of, or refuse to perform, the Master Contract;
  7.1.12   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract through any act or omission to act.
  7.2   If the Pledgor is aware or discovers that any event described in this Article 7 or any event which may possibly result in the aforesaid events has happened, she shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing.
  7.3   Unless the events of default listed in this Article 7.1 has been resolved to the satisfactory of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may serve a written Notice of Default to the Pledgor at any time when the Pledgor is in default or thereafter and require the Pledgor to pay any debts and other payables under the Master Contract or to dispose of the Pledge Right pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
8.   Exercise of the Pledge Right
  8.1   Subject to the requirement in Article 6.1.1 hereof, the Pledgor shall not transfer the pledged Equity Interest before the obligations of the Secured Party under the Master Contract have not been fully performed and without the written consent of the Pledgee.
  8.2   The Pledgee shall serve Notice of Default to the Pledgor when exercising its Pledge Right.
  8.3   Subject to the requirement in Article 7.3 hereof, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge Right at the time when the Notice of Default is given pursuant to Article 7.3 or at any time after such notice is given.
  8.4   The Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from all or part of the Equity Interest hereunder, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest according to statutory procedures until the outstanding debts and all other payables of the Secured Party under the Master Contract are repaid.
  8.5   When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge Right in accordance with this Contract, the Pledgor shall not pose any obstacles, and shall offer necessary assistance in this regard so that the Pledgee can realize its Pledge Right.
9.   Assignment of this Contract
  9.1   Unless with the prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor or Guanli shall have no right to transfer any of her/its rights or obligations hereunder.
  9.2   This Contract shall be binding upon the Pledgor and her successors or heirs, and shall be valid and binding upon the Pledgee and each of its successors, heirs or permitted assignees.

 

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  9.3   The Pledgee may, at any time and to the extent permitted by laws, transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), in which case, the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake all rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it should have been entitled to and undertaken such rights and obligations as a party to this Contract. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Master Contract, a written notice shall be only given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor, and the Pledgor shall, at the request of the Pledgee, execute and transfer the relevant contracts and/or documents in this regard.
  9.4   A new pledge contract shall be signed between the new parties to the pledge after the change of the pledgee as a result of the transfer.
10.   Effectiveness
This Contract is signed on the date first written above and shall become effective on the date on which the pledge of the Equity Interest is recorded in the register of members of Guanli.
11.   Termination
This Contract shall be terminated after the Secured Debt under the Master Contract has been fully repaid and the Pledgor has no longer undertaken any obligation under the Master Contract, and the Pledgee shall, within the earliest reasonable and practicable time, offer assistance to complete necessary formalities so as to release the pledge of the Equity Interest.
12.   Handling Fees and Other Costs
  12.1   All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Contract, including without limitation, legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any other taxes and charges, shall be borne by the Pledgee. If the relevant taxes are required by law to be paid by the Pledgor, the Pledgee shall fully indemnify the Pledgor such taxes paid by her.
  12.2   If the Pledgee fails to pay any taxes or charges payable in accordance with this Contract or the Pledgor recovers such taxes or charges by any means or ways due to any other reasons, the Pledgee shall bear all costs arising therefrom (including without limitation, all taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation cost, attorney’s fees and various insurance premiums in connection with the handling of the Pledge Right).
13.   Force Majeure
  13.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who is affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought.

 

7


 

  13.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. It shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.
14.   Confidentiality Obligation
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
15.   Dispute Resolution
  15.1   This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC;
  15.2   Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached in respect of a dispute, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
16.   Integrity of this Contract
Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 10 hereof, the parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written discussions, communications, understanding, agreements and arrangements between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.

 

8


 

17.   Severability of this Contract
If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.
18.   Amendment and Supplement to this Contract
  18.1   All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
  18.2   This Contract and any of its amendments, supplements or modification shall be made in writing and shall become effective once they are signed and sealed by the parties.
19.   Counterpart
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli shall each keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.

 

9


 

[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Li Juan
Signature: /s/ Li Juan
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

10

Exhibit 4.25
English Translation for Reference
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
This Exclusive Call Option Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on November 7, 2008 in Shenzhen:
BY AND AMONG:
     
Party A:
  Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
 
   
Party B:
  Li Juan, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 420983197609010023
 
   
Party C:
  Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
1.  
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
2.  
Party B is a citizen of the PRC, who holds 51% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”);
3.  
Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
4.  
Party B intends to grant to Party A an exclusive call option so that Party A may request Party B to sell her equity interest to it upon certain conditions are satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
CHAPTER 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST
1.1  
Grant of Option
Party B hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or designate any person or persons (hereinafter referred to as the “ Designated Person ”) to purchase from Party B all or part of her equity interest in Guanli at any time according to the steps for exercise of the option as determined by Party A at its sole discretion to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “ Call Option ”). Except for Party A and/or the Designated Person, Party B shall not sell, offer to sell, transfer, offer as gift nor pledge any equity interest of Guanli to any other third parties. Guanli hereby agrees to the grant of the Call Option by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person. The term “person” specified in this Article and this Contract shall include individuals, corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, enterprises, trusts or non-corporate bodies.

 

 


 

1.2  
Steps for Exercise of the Call Option
Subject to the provisions of the PRC laws and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Person may exercise the Call Option by giving written notice to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Purchase Notice ”) and specifying the portion of equity interest to be purchased from Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchased Equity ”) and the manner in which the purchase is made.
1.3  
Purchase Price
  1.3.1  
When Party A exercises its Call Option, unless an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by applicable PRC laws and regulations then in effect or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the purchase price payable by Party A to Party B in respect of all of the equity interest (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be RMB One (1). Party A shall also release the obligation of Party B to make repayment under the Loan Contract dated October 6, 2008 between Party A and Party B, respectively.
  1.3.2  
If an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by the PRC laws and regulations that are applicable at the time when Party A exercises its Call Option or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the parties agree that the Purchase Price shall the minimum price permitted by applicable laws.
  1.3.3  
If Party A chooses to purchase part of the equity interest, the exercise price of the Call Option shall be adjusted according the ratio of the Purchased Equity to the whole equity interests of Guanli.
1.4  
Transfer of the Purchased Equity
For each exercise of the Call Option:
  1.4.1  
Party B shall cause Guanli to hold a shareholders’ meeting in a timely manner, during which a resolution approving the transfer of equity interest by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person shall be passed and she shall procure other shareholders to give up their right of first refusal in respect of the Purchased Equity in writing;
  1.4.2  
Party B shall sign an equity transfer contract in relation to each transfer with Party A and/or the Designated Person (as applicable) in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Equity Purchase Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity;
  1.4.3  
The relevant parties shall execute all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to grant the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity to Party A and/or the Designated Person without any security interest being attached thereto and procure Party A and/or the Designated Person to become the legal owner of the Purchased Equity. For the purpose of this Article and this Contract, “security interest” shall include guarantees, mortgages, pledges, third parties’ rights or interests, any share options, acquisition rights, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements but exclude any security interest arising from the Equity Pledge Contract dated November 7, 2008 by and among Party A, Party B and Guanli (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Pledge Contract ”).

 

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1.5  
Payment
CHAPTER 2 UNDERTAKINGS RELATING TO EQUITY INTEREST
2.1  
Joint undertakings relating to Guanli
Party B and Party C hereby jointly undertake as follows:
  2.1.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, they shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Guanli, increase or decrease its registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its registered capital;
  2.1.2  
Guanli shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices by operating its business and handling its affairs in a prudent and efficient manner; it shall make its best endeavour to ensure that Guanli continues to own all permits, licenses and approvals that are necessary for its operation and that such permits, licenses and approvals will not be cancelled; it shall make its best endeavour to keep the current organizational structure and the senior management of the company unchanged, and to maintain the relationship with its customers so as to guarantee that there will not be any material adverse effect on the goodwill and operation of Guanli after the delivery of equity interest as agreed;
  2.1.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial interest in any assets, businesses or revenues of Guanli, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon;
  2.1.4  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in the normal or ordinary course of business other than through loans; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
  2.1.5  
Guanli shall always operate all of its businesses during the ordinary course of business to maintain its asset value, and shall refrain from any action/omission that may affect its business operation and asset value;
  2.1.6  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not enter into any material contract, except for those contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this paragraph, a contract with a value exceeding RMB One Million (1,000,000) shall be deemed as a material contract);
  2.1.7  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not provide any loan or credit to any person;
  2.1.8  
Guanli shall, at the request of Party A, provide it with information relating to the business operation and financial condition of Guanli;
  2.1.9  
Guanli shall take out and maintain insurance from an insurance company recognized by Party A. The coverage and type of insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance typically taken out by other companies that operate businesses similar to Guanli in the same region and possess property or assets similar to Guanli;
  2.10  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in any person;

 

3


 

  2.1.11  
Guanli shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli’s assets, businesses and revenues;
  2.1.12  
To maintain the ownership by Guanli of all of its assets, it shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.1.13  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholders, provided that upon Party A’s written request, it shall immediately distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its shareholders;
  2.1.14  
Within the term hereof, Guanli shall operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules and regulations of the PRC, and there will not be any material adverse effect on the business operation or assets of Guanli due to any breach of the above requirements;
  2.1.15  
If Party A exercises the Call Option according to the conditions of this Contract, Guanli shall make its best endeavour to obtain all government approvals and other consents (if applicable) that are necessary for the completion of the equity transfer as soon as possible;
  2.1.16  
At the request of Party A, they shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli.
2.2  
Undertakings relating to Party B
Party B hereby undertakes that:
  2.2.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon, except for the pledge right under the Equity Pledge Contract ;
  2.2.2  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal in any other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any security interest to be created thereon, except for the same is made to Party A or any person designated by it;
  2.2.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the merger or consolidation of Guanli with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;
  2.2.4  
She will immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by her;
  2.2.5  
She will procure the shareholders’ meeting of the company to vote in favor of the transfer of the Purchased Equity as set forth in this Contract;
  2.2.6  
To maintain her ownership in the equity interest, she will execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;

 

4


 

  2.2.7  
At the request of Party A, she will appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli;
  2.2.8  
At the request of Party A at any time, she will unconditionally and promptly transfer her equity interest to Party A and/or the Designated Person at any time, and give up her right of first refusal in respect of other equity interests to be transferred;
  2.2.9  
She will strictly observe the provisions of this Contract and other contracts jointly or separately executed by and among Party B, Guanli and Party A, perform her obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof.
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Party B and Guanli hereby represent and warrant to Party A as of the date hereof and each date of transfer:
3.1  
They have the right to execute and deliver this Contract and any equity transfer contracts to which they are a party and which are entered into in respect of each transfer of the Purchased Equity hereunder (each, a “ Transfer Contract ”), and to perform their respective obligations under this Contract and any Transfer Contracts. This Contract and the Transfer Contracts to which they are a party, once executed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;
3.2  
The execution and delivery of this Contract or any Transfer Contracts and the performance of their respective obligations under this Contract or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) result in any violation of any applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) be in conflict with their articles of association or other constituent documents; (iii) result in the violation of any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them, or constitute any breach under any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any licenses or permits issued to either of them; or (v) result in the suspension or revocation of or imposition of additional conditions to any licenses or permits issued to either of them;
3.3  
Guanli has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets. Guanli has not created any security interest on its assets;
3.4  
Guanli does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debts incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
3.5  
Guanli has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;
3.6  
There are no ongoing, pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli or the equity interest in or assets of Guanli; and
3.7  
Party B has a good and merchantable title and a complete and valid disposal right to all of her equity interests (except for the restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations). Save for the security interests under the Equity Pledge Contract , she has not created any security interest on her equity interest and is free from any third party claims.

 

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CHAPTER 4 ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CONTRACT
4.1  
Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Guanli shall not transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties.
4.2  
Party B and Guanli hereby agree that Party A shall have the right to transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B and Guanli when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B or Guanli in respect of such transfer.
CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND TERM
5.1  
This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
5.2  
This Contract shall be automatically terminated only after Party A exercises its option to purchase all of the equity interests in Guanli pursuant to the requirements of this Contract, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant agreements separately signed by the parties hereto.
5.3  
If, during the period stipulated in Article 5.2, the operation term of Party A or Guanli (including any extended term) expires or either party terminates due to other reasons, this Contract shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such party, except for the circumstances where Party A has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 4.2 hereof.
CHAPTER 6 APPLICABLE LAWS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
6.1  
Applicable Laws
The formation of this Contract, its effectiveness, interpretation and performance, as well as the dispute resolution hereunder shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.
6.2  
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
6.3  
Liabilities for Breach
A breach of this Contract shall be constituted if any party hereto violates the requirements of this Contract by failing to fully perform this Contract, or making any false information, or withholding or omitting significant facts in any undertaking, representation and warranty made by her/it in this Contract, or refusing to perform any of her/its undertakings, representations and warranties. The defaulting party shall bear the corresponding liabilities for the breach according to laws.

 

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CHAPTER 7 TAXES AND FEES
Party A shall bear any and all transfer and registration tax and fees incurred by or levied on the parties in accordance with the laws of the PRC in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Contract and the Transfer Contracts.
CHAPTER 8 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following:
  a.  
the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party);
  b.  
the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or
  c.  
the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of confidential information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of confidential information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract. This article shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated due to any reason.
CHAPTER 9 FURTHER ASSURANCE
The parties agree to promptly execute such documents and take such further action as are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purpose of this Contract.
CHAPTER 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.1  
Modification, Amendment and Supplement
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
10.2  
Integrity of this Contract
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.

 

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10.3  
Severability of this Contract
If any provision or provisions of this Contract is/are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contract shall not be affected or impaired in any respect. The parties shall, through amicable negotiations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions with valid provision or provisions, and the economic effect of such valid provision or provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions.
10.4  
Headings
The headings of this Contract are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Contract.
10.5  
Language and Counterpart
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. Each party shall keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
10.6  
Successors
This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the interest of the respective successors or heirs of the parties and the permitted assignees of such parties.
10.7  
Survival
Any obligations that occur or are due as a result of this Contract prior to the expiration or early termination of this Contract shall survive the expiration or early termination hereof. The provisions of Chapters 6 and 8 and this Article 10.7 hereof shall survive the termination of this Contract.
10.8  
Waivers
Any party may waive the terms and conditions of this Contract, provided that such a waiver must be provided in writing and shall require the signatures of the parties. No waiver by any party in certain circumstances with respect to a breach by other parties shall operate as a waiver by such a party with respect to any similar breach by other parties in other circumstances.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Li Juan
Signature: /s/ Li Juan
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

9

Exhibit 4.26

English Translation for Reference
LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
IT IS HEREBY UNDERTAKEN THAT:
Li Juan, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 420983197609010023, holds 51% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”);
The above shareholder hereby irrevocably undertakes to Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) as follows:
Once I, as a shareholder of Guanli, receive any dividends, bonuses or other distributions from Guanli, I shall transfer all such incomes remaining after the deduction of any taxes payable thereon, without compensation, to Agria Brother and/or any person designated by it unless this is restricted by laws, regulations or judicial proceedings.
Undertaken by (Signature):
     
/s/ Li Juan
   
 
November 7, 2008
   

 

 

Exhibit 4.27

English Translation for Reference
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Li Juan, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 420983197609010023, am a shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”), holding 51% equity interest of Guanli. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI to exercise the following rights within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI (passport number: S2630389C) to represent me with full power to exercise any shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of Guanli at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli, including but without limited to execute legal documents in relation to the sale or transfer of all or part of my equity interest in Guanli, and to act as my authorized representative at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli to designate and appoint a general manager of Guanli.
The above authorization and designation are conditional upon Mr. GUANGLIN LAI being a director of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) and Agria Brother granting its consent to the above authorization and designation. Once Mr. GUANGLIN LAI leaves Agria Brother or Agria Brother notifies me of the termination of the above authorization and designation, I will immediately withdraw the authorization and designation made herein, and will designate and authorize any other personnel nominated by Agria Brother to exercise all my shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli.
During the validly existing period of Guanli, except for the early termination of the Exclusive Call Option Contract jointly signed by me, Agria Brother and Guanli for any reasons, this Power of Attorney shall remain effective throughout the operating period of Guanli from the date hereof.
         
     
  /s/ Li Juan    
 
      November 7, 2008   
     
 

 

 

Exhibit 4.28

English Translation for Reference
STATEMENT OF SPOUSE
Name: GUANGLIN LAI
Passport Number: S2630389C
This is to confirm that I, as the spouse of Li Juan, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably represent to Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. that:
the equity interest held by Li Juan in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and any dividends, bonuses or other distributions received by her in respect of the equity interest are the personal property of Li Juan, and shall not be the husband-and-wife common property of Li Juan and myself at any time.
Signature: /s/ GUANGLIN LAI
Date: November 7, 2008

 

 

Exhibit 4.29

English Translation for Reference
LOAN CONTRACT
Party A (Lender): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B (Borrower): Li Juan with ID card number: 420983197609010023
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1.  
Loan Amount: Party A shall lend to Party B a loan of Renminbi Ten Million And Two Hundred Thousand (¥10,200,000).
2.  
Time for Loan Payment: Party A will pay the above loan to Party B within five working days after this Contract becomes effective.
3.  
Term: The loan shall be for a term of three years from the date on which Party A makes the loan payment, and may be extended upon its expiry after mutual consultation.
4.  
Use of the Loan: Party B undertakes that the loan will be used for investment only, and shall be in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, Party A shall have the right to discharge this Loan Contract unilaterally and request Party B to assume the liabilities for breach of contract.
5.  
Equity Pledge: All equity interests owned by Party B in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. shall be pledged as security. In the Equity Pledge Contract dated November 7, 2008, all obligations hereunder shall be covered in a pledge created by Party B over its equity interests in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd..
6.  
Liabilities for Breach of Contract: If a party violates this Contract, the other party shall have the right to discharge it and request the defaulting party to make compensation for any loss arising therefrom.
7.  
Termination of this Contract: After the termination or discharge of this Contract, Party B shall return the loan to Party A within five working days. In the event of any late return, Party B shall pay to Party A any interest accrued thereon at a loan interest rate stipulated by banks for the corresponding period.
8.  
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arisen during the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties through consultation. In the event that no agreement can be reached through consultation, such dispute shall be referred to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
9.  
If any provision of this Contract becomes invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions hereof.
10.  
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.
11.  
This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
Party B: Li Juan /s/ Li Juan
Date of execution: July 22, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.30

English Translation for Reference
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
     
Party A:
  Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
 
   
Party B:
  Li Juan, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 420983197609010023
 
   
Party C:
  Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address:
  Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
Party A and Party B entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on November 7, 2008.
The parties have reached the following agreement after friendly consultation:
1.   Article 1.3.1 of the Exclusive Call Option Contract shall be revised as follows:
When Party A exercises the Call Option, Party A shall pay to Party B Renminbi One (1) as the purchase price (“ Purchase Price ”) in respect of all the equity interest, unless an appraisal of the equity interest or other restrictions on the equity price is required by any applicable PRC laws and regulations then in force. In addition, Party A shall waive any repayment obligations of Party B under the two Loan Contracts entered into between Party A and Party B on October 6, 2008 and July 22, 2009, respectively.
2.   The other provisions of the Exclusive Call Option Contract shall remain unchanged.
3.   This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and Party C and signed by Party B. This Contract is executed in three originals and each of the parties shall keep one original.

 

 


 

[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal representative/authorized representative: /s/                     
Common chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Li Juan
       
By:
  /s/ Li Juan  
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal representative/authorized representative: /s/                     
Common chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Date of execution: July 22, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.31

English Translation for Reference
LOAN CONTRACT
Party A (Lender): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B (Borrower): Li Juan with ID card number: 420983197609010023
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1.  
Loan Amount: Party A shall lend to Party B a loan of Renminbi Thirty-two Million And Two Hundred Thousand (¥32,200,000).
2.  
Term: The loan shall be for a term of three years from the date hereof, and may be extended upon its expiry after mutual consultation.
3.  
Use of the Loan: Party B undertakes that the loan will be used for investment in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., and shall be in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, Party A shall have the right to discharge this Loan Contract unilaterally and request Party B to assume the liabilities for breach of contract.
4.  
Equity Pledge: All equity interests owned by Party B in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. shall be pledged as security.
5.  
Liabilities for Breach of Contract: If a party violates this Contract, the other party shall have the right to discharge it and request the defaulting party to make compensation for any loss arising therefrom.
6.  
Termination of this Contract: After the termination or discharge of this Contract, Party B shall return the loan to Party A within five working days. In the event of any late return, Party B shall pay to Party A any interest accrued thereon at a loan interest rate stipulated by banks for the corresponding period.
7.  
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arisen during the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties through consultation. In the event that no agreement can be reached through consultation, such dispute shall be referred to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
8.  
If any provision of this Contract becomes invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions hereof.
9.  
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.
10.  
This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
Party B: Li Juan /s/ Li Juan
Date of execution: August 4, 2009

 

Exhibit 4.32
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY PLEDGE CONTRACT
This Equity Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on August 4, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BETWEEN:
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgee ”)
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B: Li Juan, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 420983197609010023 (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgor ”)
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
(1)   The Pledgor is the legal and valid shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”), who holds 95% equity interest of Guanli according to laws;
(2)   The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
(3)   Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
(4)   The Pledgee and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract on November 7, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by Guanli of all of its obligations under the above contract;
(5)   The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on August 4, 2009, and the Pledgee and the Pledgor entered into three Loan Contracts on October 6, 2008, July 22, 2009 and August 4, 2009, respectively. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the above four contracts.

 

 


 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after friendly consultation:
1.   Definitions
Unless otherwise required herein, the following terms shall have the meaning as follows:
  1.1   Pledge Right ” refers to the full content of Article 2 hereof.
  1.2   Equity Interest ” means the equity interest legally held by the Pledgor in Guanli.
  1.3   Master Contract ” means the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Exclusive Call Option Contract , three Loan Contracts dated October 6, 2008, July 22, 2009 and August 4, 2009 and any amendment and supplement thereto.
  1.4   Secured Party ” means any contractual party of each Master Contract other than the Pledgee.
  1.5   Secured Debt ” means all contractual obligations of a Secured Party under each Master Contract, including (but not limited to) interest, default penalty, compensation, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in realizing debt.
  1.6   Event of Default ” means any circumstances stated in Article 7.1 hereof.
  1.7   Notice of Default ” means the notice of default issued by the Pledgee pursuant to this Contract, declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default.
2.   Pledge Right
The Pledgor hereby pledges all of her Equity Interest in Guanli to the Pledgee as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the Master Contract. Therefore, the Pledgee is entitled to the Pledge Right in respect of all the Equity Interest of the Pledgor in Guanli. The “Pledge Right” means the right of priority to claim for any money converted from the Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor to the Pledgee, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest that is enjoyed by the Pledgee.
3.   Registration of Pledge
  3.1   Within one (1) week from the date hereof, Guanli shall, and the Pledgor shall procure Guanli to record the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above on the register of members of Guanli, and deliver a copy of the register of members of Guanli with its common chop affixed thereon and the original of the equity contribution certificate to the Pledgee for custody.
  3.2   After the execution hereof, the Pledgor shall, at the written request of the Pledgee at any time, complete the notarization jointly with the Pledgee in respect of this Contract, as well as the Pledge Right of the Pledgee recorded on the register of members and the equity contribution certificate as set forth in Article 3.1 at a notary public office of the place where Guanli is located.

 

2


 

  3.3   The parties agree that they will make their best effort to register, and cause the pledge hereunder to be registered with an industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered. The parties also confirm that, unless the registration of the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department is mandatory in law, the validity of this Contract and the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above shall not be affected even if the parties fail to register the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered after the execution of this Contract.
4.   Rights of the Pledgee
  4.1   When a Secured Party does not perform any of its obligations under the Master Contract, the Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from Guanli’s Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest.
  4.2   The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive any dividends (including bonuses) and other property distributions arising from the Equity Interest that is pledged.
5.   Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor
  5.1   The Pledgor is the legitimate owner of the Equity Interest;
  5.2   The Pledgor fully understands the contents of the Master Contract. She signs and performs this Contract on a voluntary basis and all her actual meaning is truly expressed herein. The Pledgor is legally authorized to execute this Contract;
  5.3   All documents, information, statements and evidence provided by the Pledgor to the Pledgee are accurate, true, complete and valid;
  5.4   The Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Pledge Right in a manner stipulated herein and within the scope restricted by the PRC laws;
  5.5   Except for the interest of the Pledgee, the Pledgor has not created other pledges, any other kinds of rights or any third party rights over the Equity Interest;
  5.6   The Pledgor has obtained the consent of other shareholders of Guanli to pledge the Equity Interest, and the other shareholders have unanimously agreed that they will not interfere by any means and will give up the exercise of their pre-emptive right when the Pledgee actually exercises the Pledge Right.

 

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6.   Undertakings of the Pledgor
In addition to the obligations specified in the other provisions hereof, the Pledgor undertakes as follows:
  6.1   During the term hereof, the Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee for its benefit that:
  6.1.1   save for the transfer of the Equity Interest to the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, transfer the Equity Interest, nor create or permit the existence of any pledge which might affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee, nor procure any resolution in relation to the sale/transfer/pledge or disposal by other means of the legal and beneficial interest in any Equity Interest of Guanli or permitting the creation of any other security interests over it to be passed at a shareholders’ meeting of the company; unless with the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall vote at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli/procure any director of Guanli nominated by her to vote at a board meeting of Guanli and/or by other means to object Guanli to sell/transfer/pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its major assets, including (but not limited to) any intellectual property rights.
  6.1.2   if the Equity Interest pledged hereunder is subject to any compulsory measures imposed by courts or other departments for any reasons, the Pledgor shall use all her efforts, including (without limitation) the provision of other security to courts or adoption of other measures, to remove the compulsory measures taken by courts or other departments in respect of the Equity Interest pledged.
  6.1.3   the Pledgor shall comply with and implement all laws and regulations relevant to the pledge of rights. The Pledgor shall, within five (5) days of the receipt of any notices, orders or recommendations given or made by the competent authority with respect to the Pledge Right, present the above notices, orders or recommendations to the Pledgee, and shall comply with the same or raise objections and make representations in respect of the above matters as reasonably required by or with the consent of the Pledgee.
  6.1.4   the Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event which might have effects on the Equity Interest of the Pledgor or any part of her right or any notice received in connection therewith, as well as any event which might change any warranty and obligation of the Pledgor as created by this Contract or might have effects on it or any notice received in connection therewith.
  6.2   The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee shall not be interrupted nor impeded by any legal proceedings instituted by the Pledgor or any successors of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other persons when it exercises its rights on the pledge pursuant to the provisions hereof and within the scope permitted by the PRC laws.
  6.3   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that, in order to protect or improve the security for the repayment of the Secured Debt herein, she will honestly execute and procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge Right to execute all title certificates and contracts required by the Pledgee, and/or perform and procure other interested parties to perform all acts required by the Pledgee, and facilitate the exercise of any right and authorization conferred to the Pledgee by this Contract.

 

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  6.4   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will execute all documents in relation to the change of share certificates (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), and shall provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions in relation to the Pledge Right which it thinks necessary within a reasonable time.
  6.5   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will, for the interest of the Pledgee, observe and perform all warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions. If the Pledgor does not perform or fully perform her warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions, she will indemnify the Pledgee all losses suffered by it arising therefrom.
7.   Event of Default
  7.1   The following events shall be deemed as Events of Default:
  7.1.1   the Secured Party fails to fully perform any of its Secured Debts under the Master Contract as scheduled;
  7.1.2   any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof contains misleading or false information that is material, and/or the Pledgor violates the warranties set forth in Article 5 hereof;
  7.1.3   the Pledgor violates the undertakings set forth in Article 6 hereof;
  7.1.4   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract;
  7.1.5   the Pledgor gives up the pledged Equity Interest or transfers the pledged Equity Interest without the written consent of the Pledgee;
  7.1.6   any external loan, guarantee, compensation, undertaking or other debt liability of the Pledgor (1) is required to be repaid or performed prior to the scheduled date due to any breach of this Contract; (2) has been due but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, which in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;
  7.1.7   Guanli is incapable to repay the general debts or other debts;
  7.1.8   this Contract becomes illegal or the Pledgor fails to continue to perform her obligations hereunder due to any reasons other than “force majeure”;
  7.1.9   there has been any adverse change in the properties of the Pledgor, which, in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;

 

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  7.1.10   there occurs any material adverse change in the assets, operating result or financial situation of Guanli;
  7.1.11   the successors or heirs of Guanli can only perform part of, or refuse to perform, the Master Contract;
  7.1.12   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract through any act or omission to act.
  7.2   If the Pledgor is aware or discovers that any event described in this Article 7 or any event which may possibly result in the aforesaid events has happened, she shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing.
  7.3   Unless the events of default listed in this Article 7.1 has been resolved to the satisfactory of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may serve a written Notice of Default to the Pledgor at any time when the Pledgor is in default or thereafter and require the Pledgor to pay any debts and other payables under the Master Contract or to dispose of the Pledge Right pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
8.   Exercise of the Pledge Right
  8.1   Subject to the requirement in Article 6.1.1 hereof, the Pledgor shall not transfer the pledged Equity Interest before the obligations of the Secured Party under the Master Contract have not been fully performed and without the written consent of the Pledgee.
  8.2   The Pledgee shall serve Notice of Default to the Pledgor when exercising its Pledge Right.
  8.3   Subject to the requirement in Article 7.3 hereof, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge Right at the time when the Notice of Default is given pursuant to Article 7.3 or at any time after such notice is given.
  8.4   The Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from all or part of the Equity Interest hereunder, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest according to statutory procedures until the outstanding debts and all other payables of the Secured Party under the Master Contract are repaid.
  8.5   When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge Right in accordance with this Contract, the Pledgor shall not pose any obstacles, and shall offer necessary assistance in this regard so that the Pledgee can realize its Pledge Right.
9.   Assignment of this Contract
  9.1   Unless with the prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor or Guanli shall have no right to transfer any of her/its rights or obligations hereunder.
  9.2   This Contract shall be binding upon the Pledgor and her successors or heirs, and shall be valid and binding upon the Pledgee and each of its successors, heirs or permitted assignees.

 

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  9.3   The Pledgee may, at any time and to the extent permitted by laws, transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), in which case, the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake all rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it should have been entitled to and undertaken such rights and obligations as a party to this Contract. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Master Contract, a written notice shall be only given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor, and the Pledgor shall, at the request of the Pledgee, execute and transfer the relevant contracts and/or documents in this regard.
  9.4   A new pledge contract shall be signed between the new parties to the pledge after the change of the pledgee as a result of the transfer.
10.   Effectiveness
  10.1   This Contract is signed and shall become effective on the date first written above.
  10.2   After this Contract becomes effective, the Equity Pledge Contract dated November 7, 2008 signed by Party A, Party B and Party C will be terminated.
11.   Termination
This Contract shall be terminated after the Secured Debt under the Master Contract has been fully repaid and the Pledgor has no longer undertaken any obligation under the Master Contract, and the Pledgee shall, within the earliest reasonable and practicable time, offer assistance to complete necessary formalities so as to release the pledge of the Equity Interest.
12.   Handling Fees and Other Costs
  12.1   All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Contract, including without limitation, legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any other taxes and charges, shall be borne by the Pledgee. If the relevant taxes are required by law to be paid by the Pledgor, the Pledgee shall fully indemnify the Pledgor such taxes paid by her.
  12.2   If the Pledgee fails to pay any taxes or charges payable in accordance with this Contract or the Pledgor recovers such taxes or charges by any means or ways due to any other reasons, the Pledgee shall bear all costs arising therefrom (including without limitation, all taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation cost, attorney’s fees and various insurance premiums in connection with the handling of the Pledge Right).
13.   Force Majeure
  13.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who is affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought.

 

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  13.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. It shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.
14.   Confidentiality Obligation
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
15.   Dispute Resolution
  15.1   This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC;
  15.2   Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached in respect of a dispute, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
16.   Integrity of this Contract
Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 10 hereof, the parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written discussions, communications, understanding, agreements and arrangements between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.

 

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17.   Severability of this Contract
If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.
18.   Amendment and Supplement to this Contract
  18.1   All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
  18.2   This Contract and any of its amendments, supplements or modification shall be made in writing and shall become effective once they are signed and sealed by the parties.
19.   Counterpart
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli shall each keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Li Juan
Signature: /s/ Li Juan
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

10

Exhibit 4.33
English Translation for Reference
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
This Exclusive Call Option Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on August 4, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BY AND AMONG:
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B: Li Juan, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 420983197609010023
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
1.  
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
2.  
Party B is a citizen of the PRC, who holds 95% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”);
3.  
Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
4.  
Party B intends to grant to Party A an exclusive call option so that Party A may request Party B to sell her equity interest to it upon certain conditions are satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
CHAPTER 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST
1.1  
Grant of Option
Party B hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or designate any person or persons (hereinafter referred to as the “ Designated Person ”) to purchase from Party B all or part of her equity interest in Guanli at any time according to the steps for exercise of the option as determined by Party A at its sole discretion to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “ Call Option ”). Except for Party A and/or the Designated Person, Party B shall not sell, offer to sell, transfer, offer as gift nor pledge any equity interest of Guanli to any other third parties. Guanli hereby agrees to the grant of the Call Option by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person. The term “person” specified in this Article and this Contract shall include individuals, corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, enterprises, trusts or non-corporate bodies.

 


 

1.2  
Steps for Exercise of the Call Option
Subject to the provisions of the PRC laws and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Person may exercise the Call Option by giving written notice to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Purchase Notice ”) and specifying the portion of equity interest to be purchased from Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchased Equity ”) and the manner in which the purchase is made.
1.3  
Purchase Price
  1.3.1  
When Party A exercises its Call Option, unless an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by applicable PRC laws and regulations then in effect or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the purchase price payable by Party A to Party B in respect of all of the equity interest (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be RMB One (1). Party A shall also release the obligation of Party B to make repayment under three Loan Contracts dated October 6, 2008, July 22, 2009 and August 4, 2009 between Party A and Party B, respectively.
  1.3.2  
If an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by the PRC laws and regulations that are applicable at the time when Party A exercises its Call Option or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the parties agree that the Purchase Price shall the minimum price permitted by applicable laws.
  1.3.3  
If Party A chooses to purchase part of the equity interest, the exercise price of the Call Option shall be adjusted according the ratio of the Purchased Equity to the whole equity interests of Guanli.
1.4  
Transfer of the Purchased Equity
For each exercise of the Call Option:
  1.4.1  
Party B shall cause Guanli to hold a shareholders’ meeting in a timely manner, during which a resolution approving the transfer of equity interest by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person shall be passed and she shall procure other shareholders to give up their right of first refusal in respect of the Purchased Equity in writing;
  1.4.2  
Party B shall sign an equity transfer contract in relation to each transfer with Party A and/or the Designated Person (as applicable) in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Equity Purchase Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity;
  1.4.3  
The relevant parties shall execute all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to grant the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity to Party A and/or the Designated Person without any security interest being attached thereto and procure Party A and/or the Designated Person to become the legal owner of the Purchased Equity. For the purpose of this Article and this Contract, “security interest” shall include guarantees, mortgages, pledges, third parties’ rights or interests, any share options, acquisition rights, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements but exclude any security interest arising from the Equity Pledge Contract dated August 4, 2009 by and among Party A, Party B and Guanli (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Pledge Contract ”).
1.5  
Payment
The payment method of the Purchase Price or the exercise price of the Call Option shall be determined by Party A and/or the Designated Person and Party B through negotiation in accordance with the laws applicable at the time when the Call Option is exercised.

 

2


 

CHAPTER 2 UNDERTAKINGS RELATING TO EQUITY INTEREST
2.1  
Joint undertakings relating to Guanli
Party B and Party C hereby jointly undertake as follows:
  2.1.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, they shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Guanli, increase or decrease its registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its registered capital;
  2.1.2  
Guanli shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices by operating its business and handling its affairs in a prudent and efficient manner; it shall make its best endeavour to ensure that Guanli continues to own all permits, licenses and approvals that are necessary for its operation and that such permits, licenses and approvals will not be cancelled; it shall make its best endeavour to keep the current organizational structure and the senior management of the company unchanged, and to maintain the relationship with its customers so as to guarantee that there will not be any material adverse effect on the goodwill and operation of Guanli after the delivery of equity interest as agreed;
  2.1.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial interest in any assets, businesses or revenues of Guanli, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon;
  2.1.4  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in the normal or ordinary course of business other than through loans; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
  2.1.5  
Guanli shall always operate all of its businesses during the ordinary course of business to maintain its asset value, and shall refrain from any action/omission that may affect its business operation and asset value;
  2.1.6  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not enter into any material contract, except for those contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this paragraph, a contract with a value exceeding RMB One Million (1,000,000) shall be deemed as a material contract);
  2.1.7  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not provide any loan or credit to any person;
  2.1.8  
Guanli shall, at the request of Party A, provide it with information relating to the business operation and financial condition of Guanli;
  2.1.9  
Guanli shall take out and maintain insurance from an insurance company recognized by Party A. The coverage and type of insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance typically taken out by other companies that operate businesses similar to Guanli in the same region and possess property or assets similar to Guanli;

 

3


 

  2.10  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in any person;
  2.1.11  
Guanli shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli’s assets, businesses and revenues;
  2.1.12  
To maintain the ownership by Guanli of all of its assets, it shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.1.13  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholders, provided that upon Party A’s written request, it shall immediately distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its shareholders;
  2.1.14  
Within the term hereof, Guanli shall operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules and regulations of the PRC, and there will not be any material adverse effect on the business operation or assets of Guanli due to any breach of the above requirements;
  2.1.15  
If Party A exercises the Call Option according to the conditions of this Contract, Guanli shall make its best endeavour to obtain all government approvals and other consents (if applicable) that are necessary for the completion of the equity transfer as soon as possible;
  2.1.16  
At the request of Party A, they shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli.
2.2  
Undertakings relating to Party B
Party B hereby undertakes that:
  2.2.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon, except for the pledge right under the Equity Pledge Contract ;
  2.2.2  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal in any other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any security interest to be created thereon, except for the same is made to Party A or any person designated by it;
  2.2.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the merger or consolidation of Guanli with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;
  2.2.4  
She will immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by her;
  2.2.5  
She will procure the shareholders’ meeting of the company to vote in favor of the transfer of the Purchased Equity as set forth in this Contract;

 

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  2.2.6  
To maintain her ownership in the equity interest, she will execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.2.7  
At the request of Party A, she will appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli;
  2.2.8  
At the request of Party A at any time, she will unconditionally and promptly transfer her equity interest to Party A and/or the Designated Person at any time, and give up her right of first refusal in respect of other equity interests to be transferred;
  2.2.9  
She will strictly observe the provisions of this Contract and other contracts jointly or separately executed by and among Party B, Guanli and Party A, perform her obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof.
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Party B and Guanli hereby represent and warrant to Party A as of the date hereof and each date of transfer:
3.1  
They have the right to execute and deliver this Contract and any equity transfer contracts to which they are a party and which are entered into in respect of each transfer of the Purchased Equity hereunder (each, a “ Transfer Contract ”), and to perform their respective obligations under this Contract and any Transfer Contracts. This Contract and the Transfer Contracts to which they are a party, once executed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;
3.2  
The execution and delivery of this Contract or any Transfer Contracts and the performance of their respective obligations under this Contract or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) result in any violation of any applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) be in conflict with their articles of association or other constituent documents; (iii) result in the violation of any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them, or constitute any breach under any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any licenses or permits issued to either of them; or (v) result in the suspension or revocation of or imposition of additional conditions to any licenses or permits issued to either of them;
3.3  
Guanli has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets. Guanli has not created any security interest on its assets;
3.4  
Guanli does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debts incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
3.5  
Guanli has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;
3.6  
There are no ongoing, pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli or the equity interest in or assets of Guanli; and

 

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3.7  
Party B has a good and merchantable title and a complete and valid disposal right to all of her equity interests (except for the restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations). Save for the security interests under the Equity Pledge Contract , she has not created any security interest on her equity interest and is free from any third party claims.
CHAPTER 4 ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CONTRACT
4.1  
Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Guanli shall not transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties.
4.2  
Party B and Guanli hereby agree that Party A shall have the right to transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B and Guanli when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B or Guanli in respect of such transfer.
CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND TERM
5.1  
This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
5.2  
This Contract shall be automatically terminated only after Party A exercises its option to purchase all of the equity interests in Guanli pursuant to the requirements of this Contract, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant agreements separately signed by the parties hereto.
5.3  
If, during the period stipulated in Article 5.2, the operation term of Party A or Guanli (including any extended term) expires or either party terminates due to other reasons, this Contract shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such party, except for the circumstances where Party A has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 4.2 hereof.
5.4  
After this Contract becomes effective, the Exclusive Call Option Contract dated November 7, 2008 by and among Party A, Party B and Party C, and the Supplemental Agreement to the Exclusive Call Option Contract dated July 22, 2009 will be terminated.
CHAPTER 6 APPLICABLE LAWS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
6.1  
Applicable Laws
The formation of this Contract, its effectiveness, interpretation and performance, as well as the dispute resolution hereunder shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.
6.2  
Dispute Resolution
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.

 

6


 

6.3  
Liabilities for Breach
A breach of this Contract shall be constituted if any party hereto violates the requirements of this Contract by failing to fully perform this Contract, or making any false information, or withholding or omitting significant facts in any undertaking, representation and warranty made by her/it in this Contract, or refusing to perform any of her/its undertakings, representations and warranties. The defaulting party shall bear the corresponding liabilities for the breach according to laws.
CHAPTER 7 TAXES AND FEES
Party A shall bear any and all transfer and registration tax and fees incurred by or levied on the parties in accordance with the laws of the PRC in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Contract and the Transfer Contracts.
CHAPTER 8 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following:
  a.  
the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party);
  b.  
the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or
  c.  
the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of confidential information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of confidential information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract. This article shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated due to any reason.
CHAPTER 9 FURTHER ASSURANCE
The parties agree to promptly execute such documents and take such further action as are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purpose of this Contract.
CHAPTER 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.1  
Modification, Amendment and Supplement
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.

 

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10.2  
Integrity of this Contract
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
10.3  
Severability of this Contract
If any provision or provisions of this Contract is/are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contract shall not be affected or impaired in any respect. The parties shall, through amicable negotiations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions with valid provision or provisions, and the economic effect of such valid provision or provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions.
10.4  
Headings
The headings of this Contract are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Contract.
10.5  
Language and Counterpart
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. Each party shall keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
10.6  
Successors
This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the interest of the respective successors or heirs of the parties and the permitted assignees of such parties.
10.7  
Survival
Any obligations that occur or are due as a result of this Contract prior to the expiration or early termination of this Contract shall survive the expiration or early termination hereof. The provisions of Chapters 6 and 8 and this Article 10.7 hereof shall survive the termination of this Contract.

 

8


 

10.8  
Waivers
Any party may waive the terms and conditions of this Contract, provided that such a waiver must be provided in writing and shall require the signatures of the parties. No waiver by any party in certain circumstances with respect to a breach by other parties shall operate as a waiver by such a party with respect to any similar breach by other parties in other circumstances.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Li Juan
Signature: /s/ Li Juan
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

9

Exhibit 4.34

English Translation for Reference
LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
IT IS HEREBY UNDERTAKEN THAT:
Li Juan, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 420983197609010023, holds 95% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”);
The above shareholder hereby irrevocably undertakes to Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) as follows:
Once I, as a shareholder of Guanli, receive any dividends, bonuses or other distributions from Guanli, I shall transfer all such incomes remaining after the deduction of any taxes payable thereon, without compensation, to Agria Brother and/or any person designated by it unless this is restricted by laws, regulations or judicial proceedings.
Undertaken by (Signature):
   
/s/ Li Juan   
August 4, 2009

 

Exhibit 4.35

English Translation for Reference
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Li Juan, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 420983197609010023, am a shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”), holding 95% equity interest of Guanli. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI to exercise the following rights within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI (passport number: S2630389C) to represent me with full power to exercise any shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of Guanli at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli, including but without limited to execute legal documents in relation to the sale or transfer of all or part of my equity interest in Guanli, and to act as my authorized representative at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli to designate and appoint a general manager of Guanli.
The above authorization and designation are conditional upon Mr. GUANGLIN LAI being a director of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) and Agria Brother granting its consent to the above authorization and designation. Once Mr. GUANGLIN LAI leaves Agria Brother or Agria Brother notifies me of the termination of the above authorization and designation, I will immediately withdraw the authorization and designation made herein, and will designate and authorize any other personnel nominated by Agria Brother to exercise all my shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli.
During the validly existing period of Guanli, except for the early termination of the Exclusive Call Option Contract jointly signed by me, Agria Brother and Guanli for any reasons, this Power of Attorney shall remain effective throughout the operating period of Guanli from the date hereof.
         
  /s/ Li Juan    
     
  August 4, 2009  

 

Exhibit 4.36

English Translation for Reference
STATEMENT OF SPOUSE
Name: GUANGLIN LAI
Passport Number: S2630389C
This is to confirm that I, as the spouse of Li Juan, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably represent to Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. that:
the equity interest held by Li Juan in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and any dividends, bonuses or other distributions received by her in respect of the equity interest are the personal property of Li Juan, and shall not be the husband-and-wife common property of Li Juan and myself at any time.
Signature: /s/ GUANGLIN LAI
Date: August 4, 2009

 

Exhibit 4.37

English Translation for Reference
LOAN CONTRACT
Party A (Lender): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B (Borrower): Cui Yachao with ID card number: 220104195612155017
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1.  
Loan Amount: Party A shall lend to Party B a loan of Renminbi Two Million And Five Hundred Thousand (¥ 2,500,000).
2.  
Term: The loan shall be for a term of three years from the date hereof, and may be extended upon its expiry after mutual consultation.
3.  
Use of the Loan: Party B undertakes that the loan will be used for investment in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., and shall be in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, Party A shall have the right to discharge this Loan Contract unilaterally and request Party B to assume the liabilities for breach of contract.
4.  
Equity Pledge: All equity interests owned by Party B in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. shall be pledged as security.
5.  
Liabilities for Breach of Contract: If a party violates this Contract, the other party shall have the right to discharge it and request the defaulting party to make compensation for any loss arising therefrom.
6.  
Termination of this Contract: After the termination or discharge of this Contract, Party B shall return the loan to Party A within five working days. In the event of any late return, Party B shall pay to Party A any interest accrued thereon at a loan interest rate stipulated by banks for the corresponding period.
7.  
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arisen during the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties through consultation. In the event that no agreement can be reached through consultation, such dispute shall be referred to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
8.  
If any provision of this Contract becomes invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions hereof.
9.  
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.
10.  
This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
     
Party B: Cui Yachao
  /s/ Cui Yachao
Date of execution: August 4, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.38
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY PLEDGE CONTRACT
This Equity Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on August 4, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BETWEEN:
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgee ”)
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B: Cui Yachao, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 220104195612155017 (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgor ”)
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
(1)   The Pledgor is the legal and valid shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”), who holds 5% equity interest of Guanli according to laws;
(2)   The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
 
(3)   Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
(4)   The Pledgee and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract on November 7, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of his equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by Guanli of all of its obligations under the above contract;
(5)   The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on August 4, 2009, and the Pledgee and the Pledgor entered into the Loan Contract on August 4, 2009. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of his equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the above four contracts.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after friendly consultation:

 

 


 

1.   Definitions
 
    Unless otherwise required herein, the following terms shall have the meaning as follows:
  1.1   Pledge Right ” refers to the full content of Article 2 hereof.
 
  1.2   Equity Interest ” means the equity interest legally held by the Pledgor in Guanli.
 
  1.3   Master Contract ” means the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Exclusive Call Option Contract , the Loan Contract and any amendment and supplement thereto.
 
  1.4   Secured Party ” means any contractual party of each Master Contract other than the Pledgee.
 
  1.5   Secured Debt ” means all contractual obligations of a Secured Party under each Master Contract, including (but not limited to) interest, default penalty, compensation, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in realizing debt.
 
  1.6   Event of Default ” means any circumstances stated in Article 7.1 hereof.
 
  1.7   Notice of Default ” means the notice of default issued by the Pledgee pursuant to this Contract, declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default.
2.   Pledge Right
 
    The Pledgor hereby pledges all of his Equity Interest in Guanli to the Pledgee as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the Master Contract. Therefore, the Pledgee is entitled to the Pledge Right in respect of all the Equity Interest of the Pledgor in Guanli. The “Pledge Right” means the right of priority to claim for any money converted from the Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor to the Pledgee, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest that is enjoyed by the Pledgee.
 
3.   Registration of Pledge
  3.1   Within one (1) week from the date hereof, Guanli shall, and the Pledgor shall procure Guanli to record the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above on the register of members of Guanli, and deliver a copy of the register of members of Guanli with its common chop affixed thereon and the original of the equity contribution certificate to the Pledgee for custody.
  3.2   After the execution hereof, the Pledgor shall, at the written request of the Pledgee at any time, complete the notarization jointly with the Pledgee in respect of this Contract, as well as the Pledge Right of the Pledgee recorded on the register of members and the equity contribution certificate as set forth in Article 3.1 at a notary public office of the place where Guanli is located.

 

2


 

  3.3   The parties agree that they will make their best effort to register, and cause the pledge hereunder to be registered with an industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered. The parties also confirm that, unless the registration of the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department is mandatory in law, the validity of this Contract and the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above shall not be affected even if the parties fail to register the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered after the execution of this Contract.
4.   Rights of the Pledgee
  4.1   When a Secured Party does not perform any of its obligations under the Master Contract, the Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from Guanli’s Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest.
  4.2   The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive any dividends (including bonuses) and other property distributions arising from the Equity Interest that is pledged.
5.   Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor
  5.1   The Pledgor is the legitimate owner of the Equity Interest;
  5.2   The Pledgor fully understands the contents of the Master Contract. She signs and performs this Contract on a voluntary basis and all his actual meaning is truly expressed herein. The Pledgor is legally authorized to execute this Contract;
  5.3   All documents, information, statements and evidence provided by the Pledgor to the Pledgee are accurate, true, complete and valid;
  5.4   The Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Pledge Right in a manner stipulated herein and within the scope restricted by the PRC laws;
  5.5   Except for the interest of the Pledgee, the Pledgor has not created other pledges, any other kinds of rights or any third party rights over the Equity Interest;
  5.6   The Pledgor has obtained the consent of other shareholders of Guanli to pledge the Equity Interest, and the other shareholders have unanimously agreed that they will not interfere by any means and will give up the exercise of their pre-emptive right when the Pledgee actually exercises the Pledge Right.
6.   Undertakings of the Pledgor
 
    In addition to the obligations specified in the other provisions hereof, the Pledgor undertakes as follows:
  6.1   During the term hereof, the Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee for its benefit that:

 

3


 

  6.1.1   save for the transfer of the Equity Interest to the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, transfer the Equity Interest, nor create or permit the existence of any pledge which might affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee, nor procure any resolution in relation to the sale/transfer/pledge or disposal by other means of the legal and beneficial interest in any Equity Interest of Guanli or permitting the creation of any other security interests over it to be passed at a shareholders’ meeting of the company; unless with the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall vote at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli/procure any director of Guanli nominated by him to vote at a board meeting of Guanli and/or by other means to object Guanli to sell/transfer/pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its major assets, including (but not limited to) any intellectual property rights.
  6.1.2   if the Equity Interest pledged hereunder is subject to any compulsory measures imposed by courts or other departments for any reasons, the Pledgor shall use all his efforts, including (without limitation) the provision of other security to courts or adoption of other measures, to remove the compulsory measures taken by courts or other departments in respect of the Equity Interest pledged.
  6.1.3   the Pledgor shall comply with and implement all laws and regulations relevant to the pledge of rights. The Pledgor shall, within five (5) days of the receipt of any notices, orders or recommendations given or made by the competent authority with respect to the Pledge Right, present the above notices, orders or recommendations to the Pledgee, and shall comply with the same or raise objections and make representations in respect of the above matters as reasonably required by or with the consent of the Pledgee.
  6.1.4   the Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event which might have effects on the Equity Interest of the Pledgor or any part of his right or any notice received in connection therewith, as well as any event which might change any warranty and obligation of the Pledgor as created by this Contract or might have effects on it or any notice received in connection therewith.
  6.2   The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee shall not be interrupted nor impeded by any legal proceedings instituted by the Pledgor or any successors of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other persons when it exercises its rights on the pledge pursuant to the provisions hereof and within the scope permitted by the PRC laws.
  6.3   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that, in order to protect or improve the security for the repayment of the Secured Debt herein, she will honestly execute and procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge Right to execute all title certificates and contracts required by the Pledgee, and/or perform and procure other interested parties to perform all acts required by the Pledgee, and facilitate the exercise of any right and authorization conferred to the Pledgee by this Contract.

 

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  6.4   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will execute all documents in relation to the change of share certificates (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), and shall provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions in relation to the Pledge Right which it thinks necessary within a reasonable time.
  6.5   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will, for the interest of the Pledgee, observe and perform all warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions. If the Pledgor does not perform or fully perform his warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions, she will indemnify the Pledgee all losses suffered by it arising therefrom.
7.   Event of Default
  7.1   The following events shall be deemed as Events of Default:
  7.1.1   the Secured Party fails to fully perform any of its Secured Debts under the Master Contract as scheduled;
  7.1.2   any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof contains misleading or false information that is material, and/or the Pledgor violates the warranties set forth in Article 5 hereof;
  7.1.3   the Pledgor violates the undertakings set forth in Article 6 hereof;
 
  7.1.4   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract;
  7.1.5   the Pledgor gives up the pledged Equity Interest or transfers the pledged Equity Interest without the written consent of the Pledgee;
  7.1.6   any external loan, guarantee, compensation, undertaking or other debt liability of the Pledgor (1) is required to be repaid or performed prior to the scheduled date due to any breach of this Contract; (2) has been due but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, which in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing his obligations hereunder;
 
  7.1.7   Guanli is incapable to repay the general debts or other debts;
  7.1.8   this Contract becomes illegal or the Pledgor fails to continue to perform his obligations hereunder due to any reasons other than “force majeure”;
  7.1.9   there has been any adverse change in the properties of the Pledgor, which, in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing his obligations hereunder;
  7.1.10   there occurs any material adverse change in the assets, operating result or financial situation of Guanli;

 

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  7.1.11   the successors or heirs of Guanli can only perform part of, or refuse to perform, the Master Contract;
  7.1.12   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract through any act or omission to act.
  7.2   If the Pledgor is aware or discovers that any event described in this Article 7 or any event which may possibly result in the aforesaid events has happened, she shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing.
  7.3   Unless the events of default listed in this Article 7.1 has been resolved to the satisfactory of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may serve a written Notice of Default to the Pledgor at any time when the Pledgor is in default or thereafter and require the Pledgor to pay any debts and other payables under the Master Contract or to dispose of the Pledge Right pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
8.   Exercise of the Pledge Right
  8.1   Subject to the requirement in Article 6.1.1 hereof, the Pledgor shall not transfer the pledged Equity Interest before the obligations of the Secured Party under the Master Contract have not been fully performed and without the written consent of the Pledgee.
  8.2   The Pledgee shall serve Notice of Default to the Pledgor when exercising its Pledge Right.
  8.3   Subject to the requirement in Article 7.3 hereof, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge Right at the time when the Notice of Default is given pursuant to Article 7.3 or at any time after such notice is given.
  8.4   The Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from all or part of the Equity Interest hereunder, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest according to statutory procedures until the outstanding debts and all other payables of the Secured Party under the Master Contract are repaid.
  8.5   When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge Right in accordance with this Contract, the Pledgor shall not pose any obstacles, and shall offer necessary assistance in this regard so that the Pledgee can realize its Pledge Right.
9.   Assignment of this Contract
  9.1   Unless with the prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor or Guanli shall have no right to transfer any of her/its rights or obligations hereunder.
  9.2   This Contract shall be binding upon the Pledgor and his successors or heirs, and shall be valid and binding upon the Pledgee and each of its successors, heirs or permitted assignees.

 

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  9.3   The Pledgee may, at any time and to the extent permitted by laws, transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), in which case, the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake all rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it should have been entitled to and undertaken such rights and obligations as a party to this Contract. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Master Contract, a written notice shall be only given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor, and the Pledgor shall, at the request of the Pledgee, execute and transfer the relevant contracts and/or documents in this regard.
  9.4   A new pledge contract shall be signed between the new parties to the pledge after the change of the pledgee as a result of the transfer.
10.   Effectiveness
 
    This Contract is signed and shall become effective on the date first written above.
11.   Termination
 
    This Contract shall be terminated after the Secured Debt under the Master Contract has been fully repaid and the Pledgor has no longer undertaken any obligation under the Master Contract, and the Pledgee shall, within the earliest reasonable and practicable time, offer assistance to complete necessary formalities so as to release the pledge of the Equity Interest.
12.   Handling Fees and Other Costs
  12.1   All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Contract, including without limitation, legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any other taxes and charges, shall be borne by the Pledgee. If the relevant taxes are required by law to be paid by the Pledgor, the Pledgee shall fully indemnify the Pledgor such taxes paid by her.
  12.2   If the Pledgee fails to pay any taxes or charges payable in accordance with this Contract or the Pledgor recovers such taxes or charges by any means or ways due to any other reasons, the Pledgee shall bear all costs arising therefrom (including without limitation, all taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation cost, attorney’s fees and various insurance premiums in connection with the handling of the Pledge Right).
13.   Force Majeure
  13.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who is affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought.

 

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  13.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. It shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.
14.   Confidentiality Obligation
 
    The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
15.   Dispute Resolution
  15.1   This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC;
  15.2   Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached in respect of a dispute, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
16.   Integrity of this Contract
 
    Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 10 hereof, the parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written discussions, communications, understanding, agreements and arrangements between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
17.   Severability of this Contract
 
    If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.

 

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18.   Amendment and Supplement to this Contract
  18.1   All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
  18.2   This Contract and any of its amendments, supplements or modification shall be made in writing and shall become effective once they are signed and sealed by the parties.
19.   Counterpart
 
    This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli shall each keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Cui Yachao
Signature: /s/ Cui Yachao
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

10

Exhibit 4.39
English Translation for Reference
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
This Exclusive Call Option Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on August 4, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BY AND AMONG:
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B: Cui Yachao, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 220104195612155017
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
1.  
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
2.  
Party B is a citizen of the PRC, who holds 5% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”);
 
3.  
Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
4.  
Party B intends to grant to Party A an exclusive call option so that Party A may request Party B to sell his equity interest to it upon certain conditions are satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
CHAPTER 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST
1.1  
Grant of Option
 
   
Party B hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or designate any person or persons (hereinafter referred to as the “ Designated Person ”) to purchase from Party B all or part of his equity interest in Guanli at any time according to the steps for exercise of the option as determined by Party A at its sole discretion to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “ Call Option ”). Except for Party A and/or the Designated Person, Party B shall not sell, offer to sell, transfer, offer as gift nor pledge any equity interest of Guanli to any other third parties. Guanli hereby agrees to the grant of the Call Option by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person. The term “person” specified in this Article and this Contract shall include individuals, corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, enterprises, trusts or non-corporate bodies.

 

 


 

1.2  
Steps for Exercise of the Call Option
 
   
Subject to the provisions of the PRC laws and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Person may exercise the Call Option by giving written notice to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Purchase Notice ”) and specifying the portion of equity interest to be purchased from Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchased Equity ”) and the manner in which the purchase is made.
 
1.3  
Purchase Price
  1.3.1  
When Party A exercises its Call Option, unless an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by applicable PRC laws and regulations then in effect or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the purchase price payable by Party A to Party B in respect of all of the equity interest (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be RMB One (1). Party A shall also release the obligation of Party B to make repayment under the Loan Contract dated August 4, 2009 between Party A and Party B.
  1.3.2  
If an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by the PRC laws and regulations that are applicable at the time when Party A exercises its Call Option or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the parties agree that the Purchase Price shall the minimum price permitted by applicable laws.
  1.3.3  
If Party A chooses to purchase part of the equity interest, the exercise price of the Call Option shall be adjusted according the ratio of the Purchased Equity to the whole equity interests of Guanli.
1.4  
Transfer of the Purchased Equity
 
   
For each exercise of the Call Option:
  1.4.1  
Party B shall cause Guanli to hold a shareholders’ meeting in a timely manner, during which a resolution approving the transfer of equity interest by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person shall be passed and he shall procure other shareholders to give up their right of first refusal in respect of the Purchased Equity in writing;
  1.4.2  
Party B shall sign an equity transfer contract in relation to each transfer with Party A and/or the Designated Person (as applicable) in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Equity Purchase Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity;
  1.4.3  
The relevant parties shall execute all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to grant the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity to Party A and/or the Designated Person without any security interest being attached thereto and procure Party A and/or the Designated Person to become the legal owner of the Purchased Equity. For the purpose of this Article and this Contract, “security interest” shall include guarantees, mortgages, pledges, third parties’ rights or interests, any share options, acquisition rights, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements but exclude any security interest arising from the Equity Pledge Contract dated August 4, 2009 by and among Party A, Party B and Guanli (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Pledge Contract ”).

 

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1.5  
Payment
 
   
The payment method of the Purchase Price or the exercise price of the Call Option shall be determined by Party A and/or the Designated Person and Party B through negotiation in accordance with the laws applicable at the time when the Call Option is exercised.
CHAPTER 2 UNDERTAKINGS RELATING TO EQUITY INTEREST
2.1  
Joint undertakings relating to Guanli
 
   
Party B and Party C hereby jointly undertake as follows:
  2.1.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, they shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Guanli, increase or decrease its registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its registered capital;
  2.1.2  
Guanli shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices by operating its business and handling its affairs in a prudent and efficient manner; it shall make its best endeavour to ensure that Guanli continues to own all permits, licenses and approvals that are necessary for its operation and that such permits, licenses and approvals will not be cancelled; it shall make its best endeavour to keep the current organizational structure and the senior management of the company unchanged, and to maintain the relationship with its customers so as to guarantee that there will not be any material adverse effect on the goodwill and operation of Guanli after the delivery of equity interest as agreed;
  2.1.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial interest in any assets, businesses or revenues of Guanli, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon;
  2.1.4  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in the normal or ordinary course of business other than through loans; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
  2.1.5  
Guanli shall always operate all of its businesses during the ordinary course of business to maintain its asset value, and shall refrain from any action/omission that may affect its business operation and asset value;
  2.1.6  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not enter into any material contract, except for those contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this paragraph, a contract with a value exceeding RMB One Million (1,000,000) shall be deemed as a material contract);
  2.1.7  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not provide any loan or credit to any person;
  2.1.8  
Guanli shall, at the request of Party A, provide it with information relating to the business operation and financial condition of Guanli;
  2.1.9  
Guanli shall take out and maintain insurance from an insurance company recognized by Party A. The coverage and type of insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance typically taken out by other companies that operate businesses similar to Guanli in the same region and possess property or assets similar to Guanli;

 

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  2.10  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in any person;
  2.1.11  
Guanli shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli’s assets, businesses and revenues;
  2.1.12  
To maintain the ownership by Guanli of all of its assets, it shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.1.13  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholders, provided that upon Party A’s written request, it shall immediately distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its shareholders;
  2.1.14  
Within the term hereof, Guanli shall operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules and regulations of the PRC, and there will not be any material adverse effect on the business operation or assets of Guanli due to any breach of the above requirements;
  2.1.15  
If Party A exercises the Call Option according to the conditions of this Contract, Guanli shall make its best endeavour to obtain all government approvals and other consents (if applicable) that are necessary for the completion of the equity transfer as soon as possible;
  2.1.16  
At the request of Party A, they shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli.
2.2  
Undertakings relating to Party B
 
   
Party B hereby undertakes that:
  2.2.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon, except for the pledge right under the Equity Pledge Contract ;
  2.2.2  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal in any other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any security interest to be created thereon, except for the same is made to Party A or any person designated by it;
  2.2.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the merger or consolidation of Guanli with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;
  2.2.4  
He will immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by him;
  2.2.5  
He will procure the shareholders’ meeting of the company to vote in favor of the transfer of the Purchased Equity as set forth in this Contract;

 

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  2.2.6  
To maintain his ownership in the equity interest, he will execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.2.7  
At the request of Party A, he will appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli;
  2.2.8  
At the request of Party A at any time, he will unconditionally and promptly transfer his equity interest to Party A and/or the Designated Person at any time, and give up his right of first refusal in respect of other equity interests to be transferred;
  2.2.9  
He will strictly observe the provisions of this Contract and other contracts jointly or separately executed by and among Party B, Guanli and Party A, perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof.
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Party B and Guanli hereby represent and warrant to Party A as of the date hereof and each date of transfer:
3.1  
They have the right to execute and deliver this Contract and any equity transfer contracts to which they are a party and which are entered into in respect of each transfer of the Purchased Equity hereunder (each, a “ Transfer Contract ”), and to perform their respective obligations under this Contract and any Transfer Contracts. This Contract and the Transfer Contracts to which they are a party, once executed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;
3.2  
The execution and delivery of this Contract or any Transfer Contracts and the performance of their respective obligations under this Contract or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) result in any violation of any applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) be in conflict with their articles of association or other constituent documents; (iii) result in the violation of any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them, or constitute any breach under any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any licenses or permits issued to either of them; or (v) result in the suspension or revocation of or imposition of additional conditions to any licenses or permits issued to either of them;
3.3  
Guanli has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets. Guanli has not created any security interest on its assets;
3.4  
Guanli does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debts incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
3.5  
Guanli has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;

 

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3.6  
There are no ongoing, pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli or the equity interest in or assets of Guanli; and
3.7  
Party B has a good and merchantable title and a complete and valid disposal right to all of his equity interests (except for the restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations). Save for the security interests under the Equity Pledge Contract , he has not created any security interest on his equity interest and is free from any third party claims.
CHAPTER 4 ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CONTRACT
4.1  
Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Guanli shall not transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties.
4.2  
Party B and Guanli hereby agree that Party A shall have the right to transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B and Guanli when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B or Guanli in respect of such transfer.
CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND TERM
5.1  
This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
5.2  
This Contract shall be automatically terminated only after Party A exercises its option to purchase all of the equity interests in Guanli pursuant to the requirements of this Contract, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant agreements separately signed by the parties hereto.
5.3  
If, during the period stipulated in Article 5.2, the operation term of Party A or Guanli (including any extended term) expires or either party terminates due to other reasons, this Contract shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such party, except for the circumstances where Party A has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 4.2 hereof.
CHAPTER 6 APPLICABLE LAWS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
6.1  
Applicable Laws
 
   
The formation of this Contract, its effectiveness, interpretation and performance, as well as the dispute resolution hereunder shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.
6.2  
Dispute Resolution
 
   
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.

 

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6.3  
Liabilities for Breach
 
   
A breach of this Contract shall be constituted if any party hereto violates the requirements of this Contract by failing to fully perform this Contract, or making any false information, or withholding or omitting significant facts in any undertaking, representation and warranty made by him/it in this Contract, or refusing to perform any of his/its undertakings, representations and warranties. The defaulting party shall bear the corresponding liabilities for the breach according to laws.
CHAPTER 7 TAXES AND FEES
Party A shall bear any and all transfer and registration tax and fees incurred by or levied on the parties in accordance with the laws of the PRC in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Contract and the Transfer Contracts.
CHAPTER 8 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following:
  a.  
the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party);
  b.  
the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or
  c.  
the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of confidential information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of confidential information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract. This article shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated due to any reason.
CHAPTER 9 FURTHER ASSURANCE
The parties agree to promptly execute such documents and take such further action as are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purpose of this Contract.
CHAPTER 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.1  
Modification, Amendment and Supplement
 
   
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.

 

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10.2  
Integrity of this Contract
 
   
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
 
10.3  
Severability of this Contract
 
   
If any provision or provisions of this Contract is/are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contract shall not be affected or impaired in any respect. The parties shall, through amicable negotiations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions with valid provision or provisions, and the economic effect of such valid provision or provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions.
 
10.4  
Headings
 
   
The headings of this Contract are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Contract.
 
10.5  
Language and Counterpart
 
   
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. Each party shall keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
 
10.6  
Successors
 
   
This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the interest of the respective successors or heirs of the parties and the permitted assignees of such parties.
 
10.7  
Survival
 
   
Any obligations that occur or are due as a result of this Contract prior to the expiration or early termination of this Contract shall survive the expiration or early termination hereof. The provisions of Chapters 6 and 8 and this Article 10.7 hereof shall survive the termination of this Contract.
 
10.8  
Waivers
 
   
Any party may waive the terms and conditions of this Contract, provided that such a waiver must be provided in writing and shall require the signatures of the parties. No waiver by any party in certain circumstances with respect to a breach by other parties shall operate as a waiver by such a party with respect to any similar breach by other parties in other circumstances.

 

8


 

[No text in this page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Cui Yachao
Signature: /s/ Cui Yachao
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

9

Exhibit 4.40

English Translation for Reference
LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
IT IS HEREBY UNDERTAKEN THAT:
Cui Yachao, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 220104195612155017, holds 5% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”);
The above shareholder hereby irrevocably undertakes to Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) as follows:
Once I, as a shareholder of Guanli, receive any dividends, bonuses or other distributions from Guanli, I shall transfer all such incomes remaining after the deduction of any taxes payable thereon, without compensation, to Agria Brother and/or any person designated by it unless this is restricted by laws, regulations or judicial proceedings.
Undertaken by (Signature):
     
/s/ Cui Yachao
   
 
August 4, 2009
   

 

 

Exhibit 4.41

English Translation for Reference
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Cui Yachao, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 220104195612155017, am a shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”), holding 5% equity interest of Guanli. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI to exercise the following rights within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI (passport number: S2630389C) to represent me with full power to exercise any shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of Guanli at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli, including but without limited to execute legal documents in relation to the sale or transfer of all or part of my equity interest in Guanli, and to act as my authorized representative at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli to designate and appoint a general manager of Guanli.
The above authorization and designation are conditional upon Mr. GUANGLIN LAI being a director of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) and Agria Brother granting its consent to the above authorization and designation. Once Mr. GUANGLIN LAI leaves Agria Brother or Agria Brother notifies me of the termination of the above authorization and designation, I will immediately withdraw the authorization and designation made herein, and will designate and authorize any other personnel nominated by Agria Brother to exercise all my shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli.
During the validly existing period of Guanli, except for the early termination of the Exclusive Call Option Contract jointly signed by me, Agria Brother and Guanli for any reasons, this Power of Attorney shall remain effective throughout the operating period of Guanli from the date hereof.
         
     
  /s/ Cui Yachao    
  August 4, 2009   
     

 

 

Exhibit 4.42

English Translation for Reference
STATEMENT OF SPOUSE
Name: Zhang Aiying
ID Card Number: 220104195908155024
This is to confirm that I, as the spouse of Cui Yachao, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably represent to Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. that:
the equity interest held by Cui Yachao in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and any dividends, bonuses or other distributions received by him in respect of the equity interest are the personal property of Cui Yachao, and shall not be the husband-and-wife common property of Cui Yachao and myself at any time.
Signature: /s/ Zhang Aiying
Date: August 4, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.43
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
Transferor: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Party A ”)
Address: Unit 8, 17 th Floor, Tax Free Business Mansion, Fuhua Yi Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
     
Legal Representative: LAI GUANGLIN
  Position: Executive Director
 
   
Authorized Agent: Zhang Hui
  Position: Administrator
Transferee: Li Juan (hereinafter referred to as “ Party B ”)
Address: No. 10, Yanglian Street, Yingshan Office, Guangshui, Hubei Province
     
ID Card No.: 420983197609010023
  Telephone No.: 13603071085
Transferee: Cui Yachao (hereinafter referred to as “ Party C ”)
Address: Team No. 341, Xinyi Road Committee, Hongqi Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun
     
ID Card No.: 220104195612155017
  Telephone No.: 13603076606
Authorized Agent: Cui Yang
Address: Room 101, 5 th Floor, Block 3, Xinyi Zone, Xinyi Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun
     
ID Card No.: 220104198401120344
  Telephone No.: 13603076606
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “ Joint Venture ”) was established by Party A and Li Juan as an equity joint venture in Shenzhen on November 6, 2008 with a registered capital of RMB30 million, in which Party A owns 49% equity interest. Party A agrees to transfer its 44% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party B and Party B agrees to accept such transfer; Party A agrees to transfer its 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party C and Party C agrees to accept such transfer. Party A, Party B and Party C have unanimously reached the following agreement in respect of the equity transfer after mutual consultation in accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China :

 

 


 

I. Equity Transfer Price, and its Payment Period and Method:
1. Party A owns 49% equity interest in the Joint Venture. In accordance with the requirements of the original articles of association of the Joint Venture, Party A shall contribute RMB14.7 million and has actually contributed RMB14.7 million. Party A hereby transfers its 44% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party B at a price of RMB13.2 million; Party A hereby transfers its 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party C at a price of RMB1.5 million.
2. Party B and Party C shall pay to Party A the equity transfer price in a lump sum by bank transfer in such currency and amount as prescribed in the preceding paragraph within 30 days from the date on which this Agreement becomes effective.
II. Party A guarantees that it has the full right to dispose of any equity interest proposed to be transferred to Party B. It also guarantees that no pledge has been created over such an equity interest and that the equity interest has not been seized and is free from any third party claims. Otherwise, Party A shall bear all economic and legal liabilities arising therefrom.
III. Sharing of Profits and Losses of the Joint Venture (Including Liabilities and Debts):
1. Party B and Party C shall be entitled to profits of the Joint Venture and undertake its risks and losses according to their respective equity ratio after this Agreement becomes effective.
2. If, at the time of signing this Agreement, Party A fails to notify Party B and Party C accurately of any liabilities undertaken by the Joint Venture prior to the equity transfer, and, as a result, Party B and Party C suffer losses after they become the shareholders of the Joint Venture, Party B and Party C shall have the right to make claims against Party A in respect of such losses.
IV. Liabilities for Breach:
1. The parties shall perform this Agreement on a voluntary basis once it becomes effective. Any party who fails to fully perform its/his/her obligations as required by this Agreement shall bear all liabilities according to law and the provisions hereof.
2. Should Party B and Party C fail to settle the equity transfer price as scheduled, they shall pay a default penalty that is equivalent to 0.0003% of the portion of the equity transfer price that has been overdue for each day overdue. If Party A suffers any loss due to the breach of this Agreement by Party B and Party C, and the default penalty paid by Party B and Party C is lower than the actual amount of the loss, Party B and Party C shall make compensation separately in respect thereof.

 

 


 

3. If, due to the fault of Party A, Party B and Party C are unable to change the registration as scheduled or the realization by Party B and Party C of the purpose for concluding this Agreement is seriously affected, Party A shall pay to Party B and Party C a default penalty that is equivalent to 0.0005% of the portion of the equity transfer price that has been paid by Party B and Party C. If Party B and Party C suffer any loss due to the breach of this Agreement by Party A, and the default penalty paid by Party A is lower than the actual amount of the loss, Party A shall make compensation separately in respect thereof.
V. Modification or Discharge of this Agreement:
Party A, Party B and Party C may modify or discharge this Agreement after a unanimous agreement is made through mutual consultation. If this Agreement is to be modified or discharged after consultation, the three parties shall enter into a separate agreement for modification or discharge of this Agreement, and such an agreement shall be notarized by Shenzhen Notary Public Office.
VI. Undertaking of Relevant Costs:
All costs incurred during the equity transfer (such as the costs in connection with notarization, appraisal or audit, and any change of registration with the administrative department for industry and commerce) shall be borne by Party A.
VII. Ways of Dispute Resolution:
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by Party A and Party B through friendly consultation. In the event that no agreement can be made, such dispute shall be resolved in the following ways (please select any one of the options listed below and only one option can be chosen. Please put a “ ü ” in the box next to the option you select): þ making an application to Shenzhen Arbitration Commission for arbitration; o referring such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Southern China Branch, for arbitration in Shenzhen; o instituting a legal action in a people’s court with competent jurisdiction.
VIII. Conditions for this Agreement to Become Effective
This Agreement shall become effective once it is signed and sealed by Party A, Party B and Party C, respectively, and notarized by Shenzhen Notary Public Office. The three parties shall complete the formalities in relation to the change of registration with the administrative authority for industry and commerce according to law after this Agreement becomes effective.

 

 


 

IX. This Agreement is executed in 6 originals. Party A, Party B and Party C shall each keep one original, each of the Joint Venture and Shenzhen Notary Public Office shall keep one original and the remaining original shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
     
Transferor (Party A):
  /s/ Zhang Hui
 
  [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
 
   
Transferee (Party B):
  /s/ Li Juan
 
   
Transferee (Party C):
  /s/ Cui Yang, the agent of Cui Yachao
Made in Shenzhen on August 12, 2009

 

 


 

English Translation for Reference
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE
(2009) Shen Zheng Zi No. 124090
Applicants:
Transferor (Party A): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Representative: Zhang Hui
Transferee (Party B): Li Juan with ID card number: 420983197609010023
Transferee (Party C): Cui Yachao with ID card number: 220104195612155017
Authorized Agent: Cui Yang with ID card number: 220104198401120344
Matter for Notarization: Equity Transfer Agreement
Party A, Party B and Party C made an application to us on August 12, 2009 for notarization of the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate.
It is found after investigation that the parties entered into the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate after a unanimous agreement is made through mutual consultation. The parties had the civil right and civil capacity as required by law at the time of signing the Agreement.
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. was established on November 6, 2008 with a registered capital of RMB30 million. Party A owns 49% equity interest in such company. Party A hereby transfers its 44% equity interest in such company to Party B at a price of RMB13.2 million and its 5% equity interest in such company to Party C at a price of RMB1.5 million. Each of the Transferees agrees to accept the above equity interests at the prices mentioned above.

 

 


 

By signing the Equity Transfer Agreement , the parties express their real intention to make the equity transfer. The terms of this Agreement, such as the price for the equity transfer, its payment method and breach of liabilities, are specifically and clearly defined.
Based on the above facts, it is hereby certified that Zhang Hui, the representative of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (as Transferor (Party A)), and Li Juan (as Transferee (Party B)) and Cui Yang, the authorized agent of Cui Yachao (as Transferee (Party C)), entered into the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate on August 12, 2009. The execution of the Agreement by the parties are in compliance with Article 55 of the General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China , and the contents of the Agreement are in compliance with the relevant requirements of the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China . The signature and common chop of the respective parties to the Agreement are real.
     
 
  Shenzhen Notary Public Office, Guangdong Province,
 
  the People’s Republic of China
 
   
 
  Notary: /s/ Liu Suimei
 
   
 
  [Chop of Shenzhen Notary Public Office is affixed]
August 13, 2009

 

 


 

English Translation for Reference
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE
Beijing Qiushi Notary Public Office, the People’s Republic of China

 

 


 

LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION
Authorizing Party: Cui Yachao, male, born on December 15, 1956
Address: Team No. 341, Xinyi Road Committee, Hongqi Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun
ID Card No.: 220104195612155017
Telephone No.: 13603076606
Authorized Party: Cui Yang, female, born on January 12, 1984
Address: Room 101, 5 th Floor, Block 3, Xinyi Zone, Xinyi Road, Chaoyang District, Changchun
ID Card No.: 220104198401120344
Telephone No.: 13926526626
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “ Joint Venture ”) was established by Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Li Juan as an equity joint venture in Shenzhen on November 6, 2008 with a registered capital of RMB30 million. Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. agrees to transfer its 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Cui Yachao, and Cui Yachao agrees to accept such transfer.
I, Cui Yachao (the Authorizing Party), hereby authorize my daughter Cui Yang with full power to execute the Equity Transfer Agreement in relation to the transfer by Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. of its equity interest in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. to Cui Yachao (the Authorizing Party), and to deal with the notarization in connection with the Agreement on my behalf.
The Authorized Party shall not have the right to delegate the authorization.
Period of Authorization: from August 5, 2009 to December 30, 2009
Authorizing Party (Signature): /s/ Cui Yachao
Made in Beijing on August 5, 2009

 

 


 

English Translation for Reference
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE
(2009) Jing Qiu Shi Nei Min Zheng Zi No. 2807
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED THAT Cui Yachao (male, born on December 15, 1956) came to my office on August 5, 2009 to give his signature, before me, on the Letter of Authorization attached in front of this Certificate.
     
 
  Beijing Qiushi Notary Public Office, the People’s Republic of China
 
   
 
  Notary: /s/ Liu Zheng
 
   
 
  August 5, 2009
 
   
 
  [Chop of Beijing Qiushi Notary Public Office is affixed]

 

 

Exhibit 4.44
English Translation for Reference
Supplemental Agreement to Loan Contract November 3, 2009
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO LOAN CONTRACT
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Party B: Cui Yachao with ID card number: 220104195612155017
Party C: Chen Jiezhen with ID card number: 440106197702170360
WHEREAS:
1. Party A and Party B entered into the Loan Contracts on August 4, 2009 and August 25, 2009, respectively;
2. Party A and Party C entered into two Loan Contracts on November 3, 2009;
3. Party B and Party C entered into two Equity Transfer Agreements on November 3, 2009.
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1. Party B agrees that Party C shall not be required to pay the equity transfer prices to Party B in accordance with the two Equity Transfer Agreements dated November 3, 2009;
Party C agrees that Party A shall not be required to provide the loans under the two Loan Contracts dated November 3, 2009 to Party C;
Upon completion of the equity transfer, Party A will waive any repayment obligations of Party B under the Loan Contracts dated August 4, 2009 and August 25, 2009.
2. Upon completion of the equity transfer, the Exclusive Call Option Contract and the Equity Pledge Contract entered into between Party B and Party A on August 4, 2009 and August 25, 2009, respectively, will be terminated.
3. This Contract is executed in three originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.
4. This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B and Party C.

 

 


 

Supplemental Agreement to Loan Contract November 3, 2009
(This is the signature page)
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
Party B: Cui Yachao
/s/ Cui Yachao
Party C: Chen Jiezhen
/s/ Chen Jiezhen
Date of execution: November 3, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.45
English Translation for Reference
Loan Contract November 3, 2009
LOAN CONTRACT
Party A (Lender): Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Party B (Borrower): Chen Jiezhen with ID card number: 440106197702170360
Party A and Party B have reached the following agreement in respect of the provision of a loan by Party A to Party B after friendly consultation:
1.  
Loan Amount: Party A shall lend to Party B a loan of Renminbi Two Million And Five Hundred Thousand (¥2,500,000).
2.  
Term: The loan shall be for a term of three years from the date hereof, and may be extended upon its expiry after mutual consultation.
3.  
Use of the Loan: Party B undertakes that the loan will be used for investment in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., and shall be in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. Otherwise, Party A shall have the right to discharge this Loan Contract unilaterally and request Party B to assume the liabilities for breach of contract.
4.  
Equity Pledge: All equity interests owned by Party B in Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. shall be pledged as security.
5.  
Liabilities for Breach of Contract: If a party violates this Contract, the other party shall have the right to discharge it and request the defaulting party to make compensation for any loss arising therefrom.
6.  
Termination of this Contract: After the termination or discharge of this Contract, Party B shall return the loan to Party A within five working days. In the event of any late return, Party B shall pay to Party A any interest accrued thereon at a loan interest rate stipulated by banks for the corresponding period.
7.  
Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arisen during the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties through consultation. In the event that no agreement can be reached through consultation, such dispute shall be referred to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
8.  
If any provision of this Contract becomes invalid, it shall not affect the validity of the other provisions hereof.
9.  
This Contract is executed in two originals and each of the parties shall keep one original. All of them shall have the same legal effect.

 

 


 

Loan Contract November 3, 2009
10.  
This Contract shall become effective after it is signed and sealed by Party A and signed by Party B.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
[Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
/s/
Party B: Chen Jiezhen /s/ Chen Jiezhen
Date of execution: November 3, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.46
English Translation for Reference
Equity Pledge Contract Nov 3, 2009
EQUITY PLEDGE CONTRACT
This Equity Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on November 3, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BETWEEN:
Party A:   Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgee ”)
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B:   Chen Jiezhen, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 440106197702170360 (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgor ”)
Party C:   Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
(1)   The Pledgor is the legal and valid shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”), who holds 5% equity interest of Guanli according to laws;
(2)   The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
(3)   Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
(4)   The Pledgee and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract on November 7, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by Guanli of all of its obligations under the above contract;
(5)   The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on November 3, 2009, and the Pledgee and the Pledgor entered into the Loan Contract on November 3, 2009. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of her equity interest in Guanli as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the above four contracts.

 

 


 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after friendly consultation:
1.   Definitions
 
    Unless otherwise required herein, the following terms shall have the meaning as follows:
  1.1   Pledge Right ” refers to the full content of Article 2 hereof.
  1.2   Equity Interest ” means the equity interest legally held by the Pledgor in Guanli.
  1.3   Master Contract ” means the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Exclusive Call Option Contract , the Loan Contract and any amendment and supplement thereto.
  1.4   Secured Party ” means any contractual party of each Master Contract other than the Pledgee.
  1.5   Secured Debt ” means all contractual obligations of a Secured Party under each Master Contract, including (but not limited to) interest, default penalty, compensation, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in realizing debt.
  1.6   Event of Default ” means any circumstances stated in Article 7.1 hereof.
  1.7   Notice of Default ” means the notice of default issued by the Pledgee pursuant to this Contract, declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default.
2.   Pledge Right
 
    The Pledgor hereby pledges all of her Equity Interest in Guanli to the Pledgee as security for the performance by the Pledgor and Guanli of all of their respective obligations under the Master Contract. Therefore, the Pledgee is entitled to the Pledge Right in respect of all the Equity Interest of the Pledgor in Guanli. The “Pledge Right” means the right of priority to claim for any money converted from the Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor to the Pledgee, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest that is enjoyed by the Pledgee.
3.   Registration of Pledge
  3.1   Within one (1) week from the date hereof, Guanli shall, and the Pledgor shall procure Guanli to record the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above on the register of members of Guanli, and deliver a copy of the register of members of Guanli with its common chop affixed thereon and the original of the equity contribution certificate to the Pledgee for custody.
  3.2   After the execution hereof, the Pledgor shall, at the written request of the Pledgee at any time, complete the notarization jointly with the Pledgee in respect of this Contract, as well as the Pledge Right of the Pledgee recorded on the register of members and the equity contribution certificate as set forth in Article 3.1 at a notary public office of the place where Guanli is located.

 

2


 

  3.3   The parties agree that they will make their best effort to register, and cause the pledge hereunder to be registered with an industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered. The parties also confirm that, unless the registration of the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department is mandatory in law, the validity of this Contract and the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above shall not be affected even if the parties fail to register the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where Guanli is registered after the execution of this Contract.
4.   Rights of the Pledgee
  4.1   When a Secured Party does not perform any of its obligations under the Master Contract, the Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from Guanli’s Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest.
  4.2   The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive any dividends (including bonuses) and other property distributions arising from the Equity Interest that is pledged.
5.   Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor
  5.1   The Pledgor is the legitimate owner of the Equity Interest;
  5.2   The Pledgor fully understands the contents of the Master Contract. She signs and performs this Contract on a voluntary basis and all her actual meaning is truly expressed herein. The Pledgor is legally authorized to execute this Contract;
  5.3   All documents, information, statements and evidence provided by the Pledgor to the Pledgee are accurate, true, complete and valid;
  5.4   The Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Pledge Right in a manner stipulated herein and within the scope restricted by the PRC laws;
  5.5   Except for the interest of the Pledgee, the Pledgor has not created other pledges, any other kinds of rights or any third party rights over the Equity Interest;
  5.6   The Pledgor has obtained the consent of other shareholders of Guanli to pledge the Equity Interest, and the other shareholders have unanimously agreed that they will not interfere by any means and will give up the exercise of their pre-emptive right when the Pledgee actually exercises the Pledge Right.

 

3


 

6.   Undertakings of the Pledgor
 
    In addition to the obligations specified in the other provisions hereof, the Pledgor undertakes as follows:
  6.1   During the term hereof, the Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee for its benefit that:
  6.1.1   save for the transfer of the Equity Interest to the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, transfer the Equity Interest, nor create or permit the existence of any pledge which might affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee, nor procure any resolution in relation to the sale/transfer/pledge or disposal by other means of the legal and beneficial interest in any Equity Interest of Guanli or permitting the creation of any other security interests over it to be passed at a shareholders’ meeting of the company; unless with the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall vote at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli/procure any director of Guanli nominated by her to vote at a board meeting of Guanli and/or by other means to object Guanli to sell/transfer/pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its major assets, including (but not limited to) any intellectual property rights.
  6.1.2   if the Equity Interest pledged hereunder is subject to any compulsory measures imposed by courts or other departments for any reasons, the Pledgor shall use all her efforts, including (without limitation) the provision of other security to courts or adoption of other measures, to remove the compulsory measures taken by courts or other departments in respect of the Equity Interest pledged.
  6.1.3   the Pledgor shall comply with and implement all laws and regulations relevant to the pledge of rights. The Pledgor shall, within five (5) days of the receipt of any notices, orders or recommendations given or made by the competent authority with respect to the Pledge Right, present the above notices, orders or recommendations to the Pledgee, and shall comply with the same or raise objections and make representations in respect of the above matters as reasonably required by or with the consent of the Pledgee.
  6.1.4   the Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event which might have effects on the Equity Interest of the Pledgor or any part of her right or any notice received in connection therewith, as well as any event which might change any warranty and obligation of the Pledgor as created by this Contract or might have effects on it or any notice received in connection therewith.
  6.2   The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee shall not be interrupted nor impeded by any legal proceedings instituted by the Pledgor or any successors of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other persons when it exercises its rights on the pledge pursuant to the provisions hereof and within the scope permitted by the PRC laws.
  6.3   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that, in order to protect or improve the security for the repayment of the Secured Debt herein, she will honestly execute and procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge Right to execute all title certificates and contracts required by the Pledgee, and/or perform and procure other interested parties to perform all acts required by the Pledgee, and facilitate the exercise of any right and authorization conferred to the Pledgee by this Contract.

 

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  6.4   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will execute all documents in relation to the change of share certificates (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), and shall provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions in relation to the Pledge Right which it thinks necessary within a reasonable time.
  6.5   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that she will, for the interest of the Pledgee, observe and perform all warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions. If the Pledgor does not perform or fully perform her warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions, she will indemnify the Pledgee all losses suffered by it arising therefrom.
7.   Event of Default
  7.1   The following events shall be deemed as Events of Default:
  7.1.1   the Secured Party fails to fully perform any of its Secured Debts under the Master Contract as scheduled;
  7.1.2   any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof contains misleading or false information that is material, and/or the Pledgor violates the warranties set forth in Article 5 hereof;
  7.1.3   the Pledgor violates the undertakings set forth in Article 6 hereof;
  7.1.4   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract;
  7.1.5   the Pledgor gives up the pledged Equity Interest or transfers the pledged Equity Interest without the written consent of the Pledgee;
  7.1.6   any external loan, guarantee, compensation, undertaking or other debt liability of the Pledgor (1) is required to be repaid or performed prior to the scheduled date due to any breach of this Contract; (2) has been due but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, which in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;
  7.1.7   Guanli is incapable to repay the general debts or other debts;
  7.1.8   this Contract becomes illegal or the Pledgor fails to continue to perform her obligations hereunder due to any reasons other than “force majeure”;
  7.1.9   there has been any adverse change in the properties of the Pledgor, which, in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing her obligations hereunder;

 

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  7.1.10   there occurs any material adverse change in the assets, operating result or financial situation of Guanli;
  7.1.11   the successors or heirs of Guanli can only perform part of, or refuse to perform, the Master Contract;
  7.1.12   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract through any act or omission to act.
  7.2   If the Pledgor is aware or discovers that any event described in this Article 7 or any event which may possibly result in the aforesaid events has happened, she shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing.
  7.3   Unless the events of default listed in this Article 7.1 has been resolved to the satisfactory of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may serve a written Notice of Default to the Pledgor at any time when the Pledgor is in default or thereafter and require the Pledgor to pay any debts and other payables under the Master Contract or to dispose of the Pledge Right pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
8.   Exercise of the Pledge Right
  8.1   Subject to the requirement in Article 6.1.1 hereof, the Pledgor shall not transfer the pledged Equity Interest before the obligations of the Secured Party under the Master Contract have not been fully performed and without the written consent of the Pledgee.
  8.2   The Pledgee shall serve Notice of Default to the Pledgor when exercising its Pledge Right.
  8.3   Subject to the requirement in Article 7.3 hereof, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge Right at the time when the Notice of Default is given pursuant to Article 7.3 or at any time after such notice is given.
  8.4   The Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from all or part of the Equity Interest hereunder, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest according to statutory procedures until the outstanding debts and all other payables of the Secured Party under the Master Contract are repaid.
  8.5   When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge Right in accordance with this Contract, the Pledgor shall not pose any obstacles, and shall offer necessary assistance in this regard so that the Pledgee can realize its Pledge Right.
9.   Assignment of this Contract
  9.1   Unless with the prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor or Guanli shall have no right to transfer any of her/its rights or obligations hereunder.
  9.2   This Contract shall be binding upon the Pledgor and her successors or heirs, and shall be valid and binding upon the Pledgee and each of its successors, heirs or permitted assignees.

 

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  9.3   The Pledgee may, at any time and to the extent permitted by laws, transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), in which case, the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake all rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it should have been entitled to and undertaken such rights and obligations as a party to this Contract. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Master Contract, a written notice shall be only given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor, and the Pledgor shall, at the request of the Pledgee, execute and transfer the relevant contracts and/or documents in this regard.
  9.4   A new pledge contract shall be signed between the new parties to the pledge after the change of the pledgee as a result of the transfer.
10.   Effectiveness
 
    This Contract is signed and shall become effective on the date first written above.
11.   Termination
 
    This Contract shall be terminated after the Secured Debt under the Master Contract has been fully repaid and the Pledgor has no longer undertaken any obligation under the Master Contract, and the Pledgee shall, within the earliest reasonable and practicable time, offer assistance to complete necessary formalities so as to release the pledge of the Equity Interest.
12.   Handling Fees and Other Costs
  12.1   All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Contract, including without limitation, legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any other taxes and charges, shall be borne by the Pledgee. If the relevant taxes are required by law to be paid by the Pledgor, the Pledgee shall fully indemnify the Pledgor such taxes paid by her.
  12.2   If the Pledgee fails to pay any taxes or charges payable in accordance with this Contract or the Pledgor recovers such taxes or charges by any means or ways due to any other reasons, the Pledgee shall bear all costs arising therefrom (including without limitation, all taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation cost, attorney’s fees and various insurance premiums in connection with the handling of the Pledge Right).
13.   Force Majeure
  13.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who is affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought.

 

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  13.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. It shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.
14.   Confidentiality Obligation
 
    The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
15.   Dispute Resolution
  15.1   This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC;
  15.2   Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached in respect of a dispute, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
16.   Integrity of this Contract
 
    Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 10 hereof, the parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written discussions, communications, understanding, agreements and arrangements between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
17.   Severability of this Contract
 
    If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.

 

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18.   Amendment and Supplement to this Contract
  18.1   All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
  18.2   This Contract and any of its amendments, supplements or modification shall be made in writing and shall become effective once they are signed and sealed by the parties.
19.   Counterpart
 
    This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. The Pledgee, the Pledgor and Guanli shall each keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.

 

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Equity Pledge Contract Nov 3, 2009
[No text in this page]
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Chen Jiezhen
Signature: /s/ Chen Jiezhen            Nov 3, 2009
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

10

Exhibit 4.47
English Translation for Reference
Exclusive Call Option Contract Nov 3, 2009
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
This Exclusive Call Option Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on November 3, 2009 in Shenzhen:
BY AND AMONG:
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Address: Unit 201, 2/F, Longyuan Building, Clear Water River Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Party B: Chen Jiezhen, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 440106197702170360
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1501, Tower 1, Huarong Building, Mintian Road, Futian Center District, Shenzhen
WHEREAS:
1.  
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in Shenzhen under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan);
2.  
Party B is a citizen of the PRC, who holds 5% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guanli ”);
3.  
Guanli is a limited liability company established in Shenzhen under the laws of the PRC;
4.  
Party B intends to grant to Party A an exclusive call option so that Party A may request Party B to sell her equity interest to it upon certain conditions are satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
CHAPTER 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST
1.1  
Grant of Option
 
   
Party B hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or designate any person or persons (hereinafter referred to as the “ Designated Person ”) to purchase from Party B all or part of her equity interest in Guanli at any time according to the steps for exercise of the option as determined by Party A at its sole discretion to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “ Call Option ”). Except for Party A and/or the Designated Person, Party B shall not sell, offer to sell, transfer, offer as gift nor pledge any equity interest of Guanli to any other third parties. Guanli hereby agrees to the grant of the Call Option by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person. The term “person” specified in this Article and this Contract shall include individuals, corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, enterprises, trusts or non-corporate bodies.

 

 


 

1.2  
Steps for Exercise of the Call Option
 
   
Subject to the provisions of the PRC laws and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Person may exercise the Call Option by giving written notice to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Purchase Notice ”) and specifying the portion of equity interest to be purchased from Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchased Equity ”) and the manner in which the purchase is made.
1.3  
Purchase Price
  1.3.1  
When Party A exercises its Call Option, unless an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by applicable PRC laws and regulations then in effect or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the purchase price payable by Party A to Party B in respect of all of the equity interest (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be RMB One (1). Party A shall also release the obligation of Party B to make repayment under the Loan Contract dated November 3, 2009 between Party A and Party B.
  1.3.2  
If an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by the PRC laws and regulations that are applicable at the time when Party A exercises its Call Option or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the parties agree that the Purchase Price shall the minimum price permitted by applicable laws.
  1.3.3  
If Party A chooses to purchase part of the equity interest, the exercise price of the Call Option shall be adjusted according the ratio of the Purchased Equity to the whole equity interests of Guanli.
1.4  
Transfer of the Purchased Equity
 
   
For each exercise of the Call Option:
  1.4.1  
Party B shall cause Guanli to hold a shareholders’ meeting in a timely manner, during which a resolution approving the transfer of equity interest by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person shall be passed and she shall procure other shareholders to give up their right of first refusal in respect of the Purchased Equity in writing;
  1.4.2  
Party B shall sign an equity transfer contract in relation to each transfer with Party A and/or the Designated Person (as applicable) in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Equity Purchase Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity;
  1.4.3  
The relevant parties shall execute all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to grant the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity to Party A and/or the Designated Person without any security interest being attached thereto and procure Party A and/or the Designated Person to become the legal owner of the Purchased Equity. For the purpose of this Article and this Contract, “security interest” shall include guarantees, mortgages, pledges, third parties’ rights or interests, any share options, acquisition rights, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements but exclude any security interest arising from the Equity Pledge Contract dated November 3, 2009 by and among Party A, Party B and Guanli (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Pledge Contract ”).

 

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1.5  
Payment
 
   
The payment method of the Purchase Price or the exercise price of the Call Option shall be determined by Party A and/or the Designated Person and Party B through negotiation in accordance with the laws applicable at the time when the Call Option is exercised.
CHAPTER 2 UNDERTAKINGS RELATING TO EQUITY INTEREST
2.1  
Joint undertakings relating to Guanli
 
   
Party B and Party C hereby jointly undertake as follows:
  2.1.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, they shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of Guanli, increase or decrease its registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its registered capital;
  2.1.2  
Guanli shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices by operating its business and handling its affairs in a prudent and efficient manner; it shall make its best endeavour to ensure that Guanli continues to own all permits, licenses and approvals that are necessary for its operation and that such permits, licenses and approvals will not be cancelled; it shall make its best endeavour to keep the current organizational structure and the senior management of the company unchanged, and to maintain the relationship with its customers so as to guarantee that there will not be any material adverse effect on the goodwill and operation of Guanli after the delivery of equity interest as agreed;
  2.1.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial interest in any assets, businesses or revenues of Guanli, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon;
  2.1.4  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in the normal or ordinary course of business other than through loans; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
  2.1.5  
Guanli shall always operate all of its businesses during the ordinary course of business to maintain its asset value, and shall refrain from any action/omission that may affect its business operation and asset value;
  2.1.6  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not enter into any material contract, except for those contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this paragraph, a contract with a value exceeding RMB One Million (1,000,000) shall be deemed as a material contract);
  2.1.7  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not provide any loan or credit to any person;
  2.1.8  
Guanli shall, at the request of Party A, provide it with information relating to the business operation and financial condition of Guanli;
  2.1.9  
Guanli shall take out and maintain insurance from an insurance company recognized by Party A. The coverage and type of insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance typically taken out by other companies that operate businesses similar to Guanli in the same region and possess property or assets similar to Guanli;

 

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  2.10  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in any person;
  2.1.11  
Guanli shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli’s assets, businesses and revenues;
  2.1.12  
To maintain the ownership by Guanli of all of its assets, it shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.1.13  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, Guanli shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its shareholders, provided that upon Party A’s written request, it shall immediately distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its shareholders;
  2.1.14  
Within the term hereof, Guanli shall operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules and regulations of the PRC, and there will not be any material adverse effect on the business operation or assets of Guanli due to any breach of the above requirements;
  2.1.15  
If Party A exercises the Call Option according to the conditions of this Contract, Guanli shall make its best endeavour to obtain all government approvals and other consents (if applicable) that are necessary for the completion of the equity transfer as soon as possible;
  2.1.16  
At the request of Party A, they shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli.
2.2  
Undertakings relating to Party B
 
   
Party B hereby undertakes that:
  2.2.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon, except for the pledge right under the Equity Pledge Contract ;
  2.2.2  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal in any other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any security interest to be created thereon, except for the same is made to Party A or any person designated by it;
  2.2.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, she will not vote in favor of or support or execute any shareholders’ resolution at a shareholders’ meeting of Guanli to approve the merger or consolidation of Guanli with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;
  2.2.4  
She will immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by her;
  2.2.5  
She will procure the shareholders’ meeting of the company to vote in favor of the transfer of the Purchased Equity as set forth in this Contract;

 

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  2.2.6  
To maintain her ownership in the equity interest, she will execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
  2.2.7  
At the request of Party A, she will appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of Guanli;
  2.2.8  
At the request of Party A at any time, she will unconditionally and promptly transfer her equity interest to Party A and/or the Designated Person at any time, and give up her right of first refusal in respect of other equity interests to be transferred;
  2.2.9  
She will strictly observe the provisions of this Contract and other contracts jointly or separately executed by and among Party B, Guanli and Party A, perform her obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof.
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Party B and Guanli hereby represent and warrant to Party A as of the date hereof and each date of transfer:
3.1  
They have the right to execute and deliver this Contract and any equity transfer contracts to which they are a party and which are entered into in respect of each transfer of the Purchased Equity hereunder (each, a “ Transfer Contract ”), and to perform their respective obligations under this Contract and any Transfer Contracts. This Contract and the Transfer Contracts to which they are a party, once executed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;
3.2  
The execution and delivery of this Contract or any Transfer Contracts and the performance of their respective obligations under this Contract or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) result in any violation of any applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) be in conflict with their articles of association or other constituent documents; (iii) result in the violation of any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them, or constitute any breach under any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any licenses or permits issued to either of them; or (v) result in the suspension or revocation of or imposition of additional conditions to any licenses or permits issued to either of them;
3.3  
Guanli has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets. Guanli has not created any security interest on its assets;
3.4  
Guanli does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debts incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
3.5  
Guanli has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;
3.6  
There are no ongoing, pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to Guanli or the equity interest in or assets of Guanli; and

 

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3.7  
Party B has a good and merchantable title and a complete and valid disposal right to all of her equity interests (except for the restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations). Save for the security interests under the Equity Pledge Contract , she has not created any security interest on her equity interest and is free from any third party claims.
CHAPTER 4 ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CONTRACT
4.1  
Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and Guanli shall not transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties.
4.2  
Party B and Guanli hereby agree that Party A shall have the right to transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B and Guanli when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B or Guanli in respect of such transfer.
CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND TERM
5.1  
This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
5.2  
This Contract shall be automatically terminated only after Party A exercises its option to purchase all of the equity interests in Guanli pursuant to the requirements of this Contract, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant agreements separately signed by the parties hereto.
5.3  
If, during the period stipulated in Article 5.2, the operation term of Party A or Guanli (including any extended term) expires or either party terminates due to other reasons, this Contract shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such party, except for the circumstances where Party A has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 4.2 hereof.
CHAPTER 6 APPLICABLE LAWS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
6.1  
Applicable Laws
 
   
The formation of this Contract, its effectiveness, interpretation and performance, as well as the dispute resolution hereunder shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.
6.2  
Dispute Resolution
 
   
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Shenzhen. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.

 

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6.3  
Liabilities for Breach
 
   
A breach of this Contract shall be constituted if any party hereto violates the requirements of this Contract by failing to fully perform this Contract, or making any false information, or withholding or omitting significant facts in any undertaking, representation and warranty made by her/it in this Contract, or refusing to perform any of her/its undertakings, representations and warranties. The defaulting party shall bear the corresponding liabilities for the breach according to laws.
CHAPTER 7 TAXES AND FEES
Party A shall bear any and all transfer and registration tax and fees incurred by or levied on the parties in accordance with the laws of the PRC in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Contract and the Transfer Contracts.
CHAPTER 8 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following:
  a.  
the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party);
  b.  
the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or
  c.  
the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of confidential information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of confidential information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract. This article shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated due to any reason.
CHAPTER 9 FURTHER ASSURANCE
The parties agree to promptly execute such documents and take such further action as are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purpose of this Contract.
CHAPTER 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.1  
Modification, Amendment and Supplement
 
   
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.

 

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10.2  
Integrity of this Contract
 
   
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
10.3  
Severability of this Contract
 
   
If any provision or provisions of this Contract is/are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contract shall not be affected or impaired in any respect. The parties shall, through amicable negotiations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions with valid provision or provisions, and the economic effect of such valid provision or provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions.
10.4  
Headings
 
   
The headings of this Contract are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Contract.
10.5  
Language and Counterpart
 
   
This Contract is executed in Chinese in six originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. Each party shall keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
10.6  
Successors
 
   
This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the interest of the respective successors or heirs of the parties and the permitted assignees of such parties.
10.7  
Survival
 
   
Any obligations that occur or are due as a result of this Contract prior to the expiration or early termination of this Contract shall survive the expiration or early termination hereof. The provisions of Chapters 6 and 8 and this Article 10.7 hereof shall survive the termination of this Contract.
10.8  
Waivers
 
   
Any party may waive the terms and conditions of this Contract, provided that such a waiver must be provided in writing and shall require the signatures of the parties. No waiver by any party in certain circumstances with respect to a breach by other parties shall operate as a waiver by such a party with respect to any similar breach by other parties in other circumstances.

 

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Exclusive Call Option Contract Nov 3, 2009
[No text in this page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.
Party A: Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Chen Jiezhen
Signature: /s/ Chen Jiezhen            Nov 3, 2009
Party C: Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/
Common Chop: [Chop of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

9

Exhibit 4.48
English Translation for Reference
LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
IT IS HEREBY UNDERTAKEN THAT:
Chen Jiezhen, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 440106197702170360, holds 5% equity interest of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”);
The above shareholder hereby irrevocably undertakes to Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) as follows:
Once I, as a shareholder of Guanli, receive any dividends, bonuses or other distributions from Guanli, I shall transfer all such incomes remaining after the deduction of any taxes payable thereon, without compensation, to Agria Brother and/or any person designated by it unless this is restricted by laws, regulations or judicial proceedings.
Undertaken by (Signature):
     
/s/ Chen Jiezhen
 
    
November 3, 2009

 

Exhibit 4.49
English Translation for Reference
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Chen Jiezhen, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 440106197702170360, am a shareholder of Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Guanli ”), holding 5% equity interest of Guanli. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI to exercise the following rights within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I authorize Mr. GUANGLIN LAI (passport number: E1037693K) to represent me with full power to exercise any shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of Guanli at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli, including but without limited to execute legal documents in relation to the sale or transfer of all or part of my equity interest in Guanli, and to act as my authorized representative at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli to designate and appoint a general manager of Guanli.
The above authorization and designation are conditional upon Mr. GUANGLIN LAI being a director of Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria Brother ”) and Agria Brother granting its consent to the above authorization and designation. Once Mr. GUANGLIN LAI leaves Agria Brother or Agria Brother notifies me of the termination of the above authorization and designation, I will immediately withdraw the authorization and designation made herein, and will designate and authorize any other personnel nominated by Agria Brother to exercise all my shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled at shareholders’ meetings of Guanli.
During the validly existing period of Guanli, except for the early termination of the Exclusive Call Option Contract jointly signed by me, Agria Brother and Guanli for any reasons, this Power of Attorney shall remain effective throughout the operating period of Guanli from the date hereof.
     
 
  /s/ Chen Jiezhen
 
   
 
   
 
  November 3, 2009

 

Exhibit 4.50
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY TRANSFER AGREEMENT
Transferor: Cui Yachao (hereinafter referred to as “ Party A ”)
Address: Team No. 341, Xinyi Road Committee, Hongqi Street, Chaoyang District, Changchun
     
ID Card No.: 220104195612155017
  Telephone No.: 13603076066
Transferee: Chen Jiezhen (hereinafter referred to as “ Party B ”)
Address: Units 1 and 8, 17 th Floor, Tax Free Business Mansion, No. 6, Fuhua Yi Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
     
ID Card No.: 440106197702170360
  Telephone No.: 13602653557
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “ Joint Venture ”) was established by Party A and Li Juan as an equity joint venture in Shenzhen on November 6, 2008 with a registered capital of RMB50 million, in which Party A owns 5% equity interest. Party A agrees to transfer its 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party B and Party B agrees to accept such transfer. Party A and Party B have unanimously reached the following agreement in respect of the equity transfer after mutual consultation in accordance with the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China :
I. Equity Transfer Price, and its Payment Period and Method:
1. Party A owns 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture. In accordance with the requirements of the original articles of association of the Joint Venture, Party A shall contribute RMB2.5 million and has actually contributed RMB2.5 million. Party A hereby transfers its 5% equity interest in the Joint Venture to Party B at a price of RMB2.5 million.
2. Party B shall pay to Party A the equity transfer price in a lump sum by bank transfer in such currency and amount as prescribed in the preceding paragraph within 30 days from the date on which this Agreement becomes effective.

 

 


 

II. Party A guarantees that it has the full right to dispose of any equity interest proposed to be transferred to Party B. It also guarantees that no pledge has been created over such an equity interest and that the equity interest has not been seized and is free from any third party claims. Otherwise, Party A shall bear all economic and legal liabilities arising therefrom.
III. Sharing of Profits and Losses of the Joint Venture (Including Liabilities and Debts):
1. Party B shall be entitled to profits of the Joint Venture and undertake its risks and losses according to their respective equity ratio after this Agreement becomes effective.
2. If, at the time of signing this Agreement, Party A fails to notify Party B accurately of any liabilities undertaken by the Joint Venture prior to the equity transfer, and, as a result, Party B suffers losses after she becomes a shareholder of the Joint Venture, Party B shall have the right to make claims against Party A in respect of such losses.
IV. Liabilities for Breach:
1. The parties shall perform this Agreement on a voluntary basis once it becomes effective. Any party who fails to fully perform his/her obligations as required by this Agreement shall bear all liabilities according to law and the provisions hereof.
2. Should Party B fails to settle the equity transfer price as scheduled, she will pay a default penalty that is equivalent to 0.0003% of the portion of the equity transfer price that has been overdue for each day overdue. If Party A suffers any loss due to the breach of this Agreement by Party B, and the default penalty paid by Party B is lower than the actual amount of the loss, Party B shall make compensation separately in respect thereof.
3. If, due to the fault of Party A, Party B is unable to change the registration as scheduled or the realization by Party B of the purpose for concluding this Agreement is seriously affected, Party A shall pay to Party B a default penalty that is equivalent to 0.0005% of the portion of the equity transfer price that has been paid by Party B. If Party B suffers any loss due to the breach of this Agreement by Party A, and the default penalty paid by Party A is lower than the actual amount of the loss, Party A shall make compensation separately in respect thereof.
V. Modification or Discharge of this Agreement:
Party A and Party B may modify or discharge this Agreement after a unanimous agreement is made through mutual consultation. If this Agreement is to be modified or discharged after consultation, the parties shall enter into a separate agreement for modification or discharge of this Agreement, and such an agreement shall be notarized by Shenzhen Notary Public Office.

 

 


 

VI. Undertaking of Relevant Costs:
All costs incurred during the equity transfer (such as the costs in connection with notarization, appraisal or audit, and any change of registration with the administrative department for industry and commerce) shall be borne by Party A.
VII. Ways of Dispute Resolution:
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by Party A and Party B through friendly consultation. In the event that no agreement can be made, such dispute shall be resolved in the following ways (please select any one of the options listed below and only one option can be chosen. Please put a “ ü ” in the box next to the option you select): þ making an application to Shenzhen Arbitration Commission for arbitration; o referring such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Southern China Branch, for arbitration in Shenzhen; o instituting a legal action in a people’s court with competent jurisdiction.
VIII. Conditions for this Agreement to Become Effective:
This Agreement shall become effective once it is signed (and sealed) by Party A and Party B, respectively, and notarized by Shenzhen Notary Public Office. The parties shall complete the formalities in relation to the change of registration with the administrative authority for industry and commerce according to law after this Agreement becomes effective.
IX. This Agreement is executed in 6 originals. Party A and Party B shall each keep one original, each of the Joint Venture and Shenzhen Notary Public Office shall keep one original and the remaining originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
     
Transferor:     /s/ Cui Yachao
  Transferee:     /s/ Chen Jiezhen
Made in Shenzhen on November 5, 2009

 

 


 

English Translation for Reference
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE
(2009) Shen Zheng Zi No. 176463
Applicants:
Transferor (Party A): Cui Yachao with ID card number: 220104195612155017
Transferee (Party B): Chen Jiezhen with ID card number: 440106197702170360
Matter for Notarization: Equity Transfer Agreement
Party A and Party B made an application to us on November 5, 2009 for notarization of the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate.
It is found after investigation that Party A and Party B entered into the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate after a unanimous agreement is made through mutual consultation. The parties had the civil right and civil capacity as required by law at the time of signing the Agreement.
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. was established on November 6, 2008 with a registered capital of RMB50 million. Party A owns 5% equity interest in such company. Party A hereby transfers its 5% equity interest in such company to Party B at a price of RMB2.5 million. Party B agrees to accept the above equity interest at the price mentioned above.
By signing the Equity Transfer Agreement , the parties express their real intention to make the equity transfer. The terms of this Agreement, such as the price for the equity transfer, its payment method and breach of liabilities, are specifically and clearly defined.

 

 


 

Based on the above facts, it is hereby certified that Cui Yachao (as Transferor) and Chen Jiezhen (as Transferee) entered into the Equity Transfer Agreement attached in front of this Certificate in Shenzhen on November 5, 2009. The execution of the Agreement by the parties are in compliance with Article 55 of the General Principles of the Civil Law of the People’s Republic of China , and the contents of the Agreement are in compliance with the relevant requirements of the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China and the Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China . The signature of the respective parties to the Agreement are real.
     
 
  Shenzhen Notary Public Office, Guangdong Province,
 
  the People’s Republic of China
 
   
 
  Notary: /s/
 
   
 
  [Chop of Shenzhen Notary Public Office,
 
  Guangdong Province, is affixed]
November 5, 2009

 

 

Exhibit 4.51
English Translation for Reference
EQUITY PLEDGE CONTRACT
This Equity Pledge Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on June 30, 2008 in Beijing:
BETWEEN:
Party A:   Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgee ”)
Address:   Block 16, No. 26 Court, Xihuan South Road, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Beijing;
Party B:   Huang Hua, a citizen of the PRC with ID card number: 110108196204292252; (hereinafter also referred to as the “ Pledgor ”)
Party C:   Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as “ P3A ”)
Address:   Middle Area of Highway 73, Zhuang Er Shang Village, Huang Ling Rural Area, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan
WHEREAS:
(1)   P3A (i.e. Party C) is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) under the laws of the PRC;
 
(2)   The Pledgor is the legal and valid shareholder of P3A, who holds 40% equity interest of P3A according to laws;
 
(3)   The Pledgee is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise legally established and validly existing in the PRC, which provides technology support, technology consulting and related services to P3A. It has now become a major cooperative partner of P3A;
 
(4)   The Pledgee and P3A entered into the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Proprietary Technology License Contract and the Exclusive Consultancy Service Contract on June 8, 2007. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of his equity interest in P3A as security for the performance by P3A of all of its obligations under the above contracts;
 
(5)   The Pledgee, the Pledgor and P3A entered into the Exclusive Call Option Contract on June 30, 2008. The Pledgor agrees to pledge all of his equity interest in P3A as security for the performance by the Pledgor and P3A of all of their respective obligations under the above Exclusive Call Option Contract .
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED between the Pledgee and the Pledgor as follows after friendly consultation:

 

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1.   Definitions
 
    Unless otherwise required herein, the following terms shall have the meaning as follows:
  1.1   Pledge Right ” refers to the full content of Article 2 hereof.
 
  1.2   Equity Interest ” means all the equity interest legally held by the Pledgor in P3A.
 
  1.3   Master Contract ” means the Proprietary Technology License Contract , the Exclusive Technology Development, Technology Support and Technology Services Contract , the Exclusive Consultancy Service Contract , the Exclusive Call Option Contract and any amendment and supplement thereto.
 
  1.4   Secured Party ” means any contractual party of each Master Contract other than the Pledgee.
 
  1.5   Secured Debt ” means all contractual obligations of a Secured Party under each Master Contract, including (but not limited to) interest, default penalty, compensation, expenses incurred by the Pledgee in realizing debt.
 
  1.6   Event of Default ” means any circumstances stated in Article 7.1 hereof.
 
  1.7   Notice of Default ” means the notice of default issued by the Pledgee pursuant to this Contract, declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default.
2.   Pledge Right
 
    The Pledgor hereby pledges all of his Equity Interest in P3A to the Pledgee as security for the performance by each Secured Party of all of its obligations for Secured Debt under the Master Contract. Therefore, the Pledgee is entitled to the Pledge Right in respect of all the Equity Interest of the Pledgor in P3A. The “Pledge Right” means the right of priority to claim for any money converted from the Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor to the Pledgee, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest that is enjoyed by the Pledgee.
3.   Registration of Pledge
  3.1   Within one (1) week from the date hereof, P3A shall, and the Pledgor shall procure P3A to record the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above on the register of members of P3A, and deliver a copy of the register of members of P3A with its common chop affixed thereon and the original of the equity contribution certificate of P3A to the Pledgee for custody.
 
  3.2   After the execution hereof, the Pledgor shall, at the written request of the Pledgee at any time, complete the notarization jointly with the Pledgee in respect of this Contract, as well as the Pledge Right of the Pledgee recorded on the register of members and the equity contribution certificate as set forth in Article 3.1 at a notary public office of the place where P3A is located.

 

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  3.3   The parties agree that they will make their best effort to register, and cause the pledge hereunder to be registered with an industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where P3A is registered. The parties also confirm that, unless the registration of the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department is mandatory in law, the validity of this Contract and the Pledge Right specified in Article 2 above shall not be affected even if the parties fail to register the pledge hereunder with the industrial and commercial administrative department of the place where P3A is registered after the execution of this Contract.
4.   Rights of the Pledgee
  4.1   When a Secured Party does not perform any of its obligations under the Master Contract, the Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from P3A’s Equity Interest pledged by the Pledgor, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest.
 
  4.2   The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive any dividends (including bonuses) and other property distributions arising from the Equity Interest that is pledged.
5.   Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor
  5.1   The Pledgor is the legitimate owner of the Equity Interest;
 
  5.2   The Pledgor fully understands the contents of the Master Contract. He signs and performs this Contract on a voluntary basis and all his actual meaning is truly expressed herein. The Pledgor is legally authorized to execute this Contract;
 
  5.3   All documents, information, statements and evidence provided by the Pledgor to the Pledgee are accurate, true, complete and valid;
 
  5.4   The Pledgor acknowledges that the Pledgee shall have the right to dispose of and transfer the Pledge Right in a manner stipulated herein and within the scope restricted by the PRC laws;
 
  5.5   Except for the interest of the Pledgee, the Pledgor has not created other pledges, any other kinds of rights or any third party rights over the Equity Interest;
 
  5.6   Each of the Pledgors has obtained the consent of other shareholders of P3A to pledge the Equity Interest, and the other shareholders have unanimously agreed that they will not interfere by any means and will give up the exercise of their pre-emptive right when the Pledgee actually exercises the Pledge Right.
6.   Undertakings of the Pledgor
 
    In addition to the obligations specified in the other provisions hereof, the Pledgor undertakes as follows:
  6.1   During the term hereof, the Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee for its benefit that:

 

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  6.1.1   save for the transfer of the Equity Interest to the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, transfer the Equity Interest, nor create or permit the existence of any pledge which might affect the rights and interests of the Pledgee, nor procure any resolution in relation to the sale/transfer/pledge or disposal by other means of the legal and beneficial interest in any Equity Interest of P3A or permitting the creation of any other security interests over it to be passed at a shareholders’ meeting of the company; unless with the prior written consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall vote at a shareholders’ meeting of P3A/procure any director of P3A nominated by him to vote at a board meeting of P3A and/or by other means to object P3A to sell/transfer/pledge or otherwise dispose of any of its major assets, including (but not limited to) any intellectual property rights.
 
  6.1.2   if the Equity Interest pledged hereunder is subject to any compulsory measures imposed by courts or other departments for any reasons, the Pledgor shall use all his efforts, including (without limitation) the provision of other security to courts or adoption of other measures, to remove the compulsory measures taken by courts or other departments in respect of the Equity Interest pledged.
 
  6.1.3   the Pledgor shall comply with and implement all laws and regulations relevant to the pledge of rights. The Pledgor shall, within five (5) days of the receipt of any notices, orders or recommendations given or made by the competent authority with respect to the Pledge Right, present the above notices, orders or recommendations to the Pledgee, and shall comply with the same or raise objections and make representations in respect of the above matters as reasonably required by or with the consent of the Pledgee.
 
  6.1.4   the Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee of any event which might have effects on the Equity Interest of the Pledgor or any part of his right or any notice received in connection therewith, as well as any event which might change any warranty and obligation of the Pledgor as created by this Contract or might have effects on it or any notice received in connection therewith.
  6.2   The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee shall not be interrupted nor impeded by any legal proceedings instituted by the Pledgor or any successors of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other persons when it exercises its rights on the pledge pursuant to the provisions hereof and within the scope permitted by the PRC laws.
 
  6.3   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that, in order to protect or improve the security for the repayment of the Secured Debt herein, he will honestly execute and procure other parties who have an interest in the Pledge Right to execute all title certificates and contracts required by the Pledgee, and/or perform and procure other interested parties to perform all acts required by the Pledgee, and facilitate the exercise of any right and authorization conferred to the Pledgee by this Contract.
 
  6.4   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that he will execute all documents in relation to the change of share certificates (if applicable and necessary) with the Pledgee or any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), and shall provide the Pledgee with all notices, orders and decisions in relation to the Pledge Right which it thinks necessary within a reasonable time.

 

4


 

  6.5   The Pledgor undertakes to the Pledgee that he will, for the interest of the Pledgee, observe and perform all warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions. If the Pledgor does not perform or fully perform his warranties, undertakings, contracts, representations and conditions, he will indemnify the Pledgee all losses suffered by it arising therefrom.
7.   Event of Default
  7.1   The following events shall be deemed as Events of Default:
  7.1.1   the Secured Party fails to fully perform any of its Secured Debts under the Master Contract as scheduled;
 
  7.1.2   any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof contains misleading or false information that is material, and/or the Pledgor violates the warranties set forth in Article 5 hereof;
 
  7.1.3   the Pledgor violates the undertakings set forth in Article 6 hereof;
 
  7.1.4   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract;
 
  7.1.5   the Pledgor gives up the pledged Equity Interest or transfers the pledged Equity Interest without the written consent of the Pledgee;
 
  7.1.6   any external loan, guarantee, compensation, undertaking or other debt liability of the Pledgor (1) is required to be repaid or performed prior to the scheduled date due to any breach of this Contract; (2) has been due but cannot be repaid or performed as scheduled, which in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing his obligations hereunder;
 
  7.1.7   P3A is incapable to repay the general debts or other debts;
 
  7.1.8   this Contract becomes illegal or the Pledgor fails to continue to perform his obligations hereunder due to any reasons other than “force majeure”;
 
  7.1.9   there has been any adverse change in the properties of the Pledgor, which, in the opinion of the Pledgee, would have affected the ability of the Pledgor in performing his obligations hereunder;
 
  7.1.10   there occurs any material adverse change in the assets, operating result or financial situation of P3A;

 

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  7.1.11   the successors or heirs of P3A can only perform part of, or refuse to perform, the Master Contract;
 
  7.1.12   the Pledgor violates any other provisions of this Contract through any act or omission to act.
  7.2   If the Pledgor is aware or discovers that any event described in this Article 7.1 or any event which may possibly result in the aforesaid events has happened, he shall immediately notify the Pledgee in writing.
 
  7.3   Unless the events of default listed in this Article 7.1 has been resolved to the satisfactory of the Pledgee, the Pledgee may serve a written Notice of Default to the Pledgee at any time when the Pledgor is in default or thereafter and require the Pledgor to pay any debts and other payables under the Master Contract or to dispose of the Pledge Right pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
8.   Exercise of the Pledge Right
  8.1   Subject to the requirement in Article 6.1.1 hereof, the Pledgor shall not transfer the pledged Equity Interest before the obligations of the Secured Party under the Master Contract have not been fully performed and without the written consent of the Pledgee.
 
  8.2   The Pledgee shall serve Notice of Default to the Pledgor when exercising its Pledge Right.
 
  8.3   Subject to the requirement in Article 7.3 hereof, the Pledgee may exercise the right to dispose of the Pledge Right at the time when the Notice of Default is given pursuant to Article 7.3 or at any time after such notice is given.
 
  8.4   The Pledgee shall have the right of priority to claim for any money converted from all or part of the Equity Interest hereunder, or any proceeds from the auction or sale of such Equity Interest according to statutory procedures until the outstanding debts and all other payables of the Secured Party under the Master Contract are repaid.
 
  8.5   When the Pledgee disposes of the Pledge Right in accordance with this Contract, the Pledgor shall not pose any obstacles, and shall offer necessary assistance in this regard so that the Pledgee can realize its Pledge Right.
9.   Assignment of this Contract
  9.1   Unless with the prior consent of the Pledgee, the Pledgor or P3A shall have no right to transfer any of his/its rights or obligations hereunder.
 
  9.2   This Contract shall be binding upon the Pledgor and his successors or heirs, and shall be valid and binding upon the Pledgee and each of its successors, heirs or permitted assignees.
 
  9.3   The Pledgee may, at any time and to the extent permitted by laws, transfer all or any of its rights and obligations under the Master Contract to any person designated by it (natural person/legal person), in which case, the assignee shall be entitled to and undertake all rights and obligations of the Pledgee hereunder as if it should have been entitled to and undertaken such rights and obligations as a party to this Contract. When the Pledgee transfers its rights and obligations under the Master Contract, a written notice shall be only given by the Pledgee to the Pledgor, and the Pledgor shall, at the request of the Pledgee, execute and transfer the relevant contracts and/or documents in this regard.

 

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  9.4   A new pledge contract shall be signed between the new parties to the pledge after the change of the pledgee as a result of the transfer.
10.   Effectiveness
 
    This Contract is signed and shall become effective on the date first written above.
11.   Termination
 
    This Contract shall be terminated after the Secured Debt under the Master Contract has been fully repaid and the Pledgor has no longer undertaken any obligation under the Master Contract, and the Pledgee shall, within the earliest reasonable and practicable time, offer assistance to complete necessary formalities so as to release the pledge of the Equity Interest.
12.   Handling Fees and Other Costs
  12.1   All costs and actual expenses in connection with this Contract, including without limitation, legal fee, cost of production, stamp duty and any other taxes and charges, shall be borne by the Pledgor. If the relevant taxes are required by law to be paid by the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall fully indemnify the Pledgee such taxes paid by it.
 
  12.2   If the Pledgor fails to pay any taxes or charges payable in accordance with this Contract or the Pledgee recovers such taxes or charges by any means or ways due to any other reasons, the Pledgor shall bear all costs arising therefrom (including without limitation, all taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation cost, attorney’s fees and various insurance premiums in connection with the handling of the Pledge Right).
13.   Force Majeure
  13.1   “Force Majeure” means any event that is beyond the reasonable control of a party and that is unavoidable even though the party so affected gives reasonable attention to it, including but not limited to act of government, act of nature, fire, explosion, typhoon, flood, earthquake, tidal, lightning or war. However, the shortage of credit, capital or financing shall not be deemed as events beyond the reasonable control of a party. Any party who is affected by “Force Majeure” shall notify the other party as soon as possible of the event, in respect of which the exemption from such obligations is sought.

 

7


 

  13.2   When the performance of this Contract is delayed or prevented due to the “Force Majeure” defined above, the party so affected shall not be required to assume any liabilities hereunder to the extent that it is within the scope of the delay or prevention. It shall take appropriate measures to minimize or eliminate the impact of “Force Majeure” and shall make effort to resume the performance of any obligations that are delayed or prevented by the “Force Majeure”. Once the “Force Majeure” is removed, the parties agree to resume the performance of their respective obligations hereunder with their greatest efforts.
14.   Confidentiality Obligation
 
    The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following: (a) the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party); (b) the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or (c) the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of Confidential Information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of Confidential Information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract.
15.   Dispute Resolution
  15.1   This Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC;
 
  15.2   Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached in respect of a dispute, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Beijing. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
16.   Integrity of this Contract
 
    Notwithstanding the requirement in Article 10 hereof, the parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written discussions, communications, understanding, agreements and arrangements between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
17.   Severability of this Contract
 
    If any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with the relevant laws, such provision shall be deemed to be invalid only to the extent within the scope of the related jurisdiction, and shall not affect the legal effect of the other provisions hereof.

 

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[No text below]

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/ Huang Hua
 
Common Chop: [Chop of Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Huang Hua
Signature: /s/ Huang Hua
 
Party C: Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative:
Common Chop: [Chop of Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

10

Exhibit 4.52
English Translation for Reference
EXCLUSIVE CALL OPTION CONTRACT
This Exclusive Call Option Contract (hereinafter referred to as “ this Contract ”) is made on June 30, 2008 in Beijing:
BY AND AMONG:
Party A: Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: Block 16, No. 26 Court, Xihuan South Road, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Beijing
Party B: Huang Hua, ID card number: 110108196204292252;
Party C: Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter also referred to as “ P3A ”)
Address: Middle Area of Highway 73, Zhuang Er Shang Village, Huang Ling Rural Area, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan
WHEREAS:
1.  
Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ PRC ”, and for the purpose of this Contract, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan) under the laws of the PRC;
 
2.  
Party C is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, the PRC;
 
3.  
Party B is a citizen of the PRC, who holds 40% equity interest of P3A;
 
4.  
Party B intends to grant to Party A an exclusive call option so that Party A may request Party B to sell his equity interest to it upon certain conditions are satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows after mutual consultation:
CHAPTER 1 SALE AND PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTEREST
1.1  
Grant of Option
 
   
Party B hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or designate any person or persons (hereinafter referred to as the “ Designated Person ”) to purchase from Party B all or part of his equity interest in P3A at any time according to the steps for exercise of the option as determined by Party A at its sole discretion to the extent permitted by the PRC laws and at the price specified in Article 1.3 hereof (hereinafter referred to as the “ Call Option ”). Except for Party A and/or the Designated Person, Party B shall not sell, offer to sell, transfer, offer as gift nor pledge any equity interest of P3A to any other third parties. P3A hereby agrees to the grant of the Call Option by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person. The term “person” specified in this Article and this Contract shall include individuals, corporations, joint ventures, partnerships, enterprises, trusts or non-corporate bodies.

 

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1.2  
Steps for Exercise of the Call Option
 
   
Subject to the provisions of the PRC laws and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Person may exercise the Call Option by giving written notice to Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Equity Purchase Notice ”) and specifying the portion of equity interest to be purchased from Party B (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchased Equity ”) and the manner in which the purchase is made.
1.3  
Purchase Price
  1.3.1  
When Party A exercises its Call Option, unless an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by applicable PRC laws and regulations then in effect or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the purchase price payable by Party A to Party B in respect of all of the equity interest of P3A (hereinafter referred to as the “ Purchase Price ”) shall be RMB One (1).
 
  1.3.2  
If an appraisal is required to be made in respect of the equity interest by the PRC laws and regulations that are applicable at the time when Party A exercises its Call Option or there are other restrictions imposed by such PRC laws and regulations on the price of equity interest, the parties agree that the Purchase Price shall the minimum price permitted by applicable laws.
 
  1.3.3  
If Party A chooses to purchase part of the equity interest, the exercise price of the Call Option shall be adjusted according the ratio of the Purchased Equity to the whole equity interests of P3A.
1.4  
Transfer of the Purchased Equity
 
   
For each exercise of the Call Option:
  1.4.1  
Party B shall cause P3A to hold a Party Bs’ meeting in a timely manner, during which a resolution approving the transfer of equity interest by Party B to Party A and/or the Designated Person shall be passed and he shall procure other Party Bs to give up their right of first refusal in respect of the Purchased Equity in writing;
 
  1.4.2  
Party B shall sign an equity transfer contract in relation to each transfer with Party A and/or the Designated Person (as applicable) in accordance with the requirements of this Contract and the Equity Purchase Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity;
 
  1.4.3  
The relevant parties shall execute all other necessary contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all necessary government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to grant the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity to Party A and/or the Designated Person without any security interest being attached thereto and procure Party A and/or the Designated Person to become the legal owner of the Purchased Equity. For the purpose of this Article and this Contract, “security interest” shall include guarantees, mortgages, pledges, third parties’ rights or interests, any share options, acquisition rights, right of first refusal, right to offset, ownership retention or other security arrangements.
1.5  
Payment
 
   
The payment method of the Purchase Price or the exercise price of the Call Option shall be determined by Party A and/or the Designated Person and Party B through negotiation in accordance with the laws applicable at the time when the Call Option is exercised.
CHAPTER 2 UNDERTAKINGS RELATING TO EQUITY INTEREST
2.1  
Undertakings relating to P3A
 
   
Party B and Party C hereby jointly undertake as follows:

 

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  2.1.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, they shall not in any manner supplement, change or amend the articles of association of P3A, increase or decrease its registered capital, or otherwise change the structure of its registered capital;
 
  2.1.2  
P3A shall maintain its corporate existence in accordance with good financial and business standards and practices by operating its business and handling its affairs in a prudent and efficient manner; it shall make its best endeavour to ensure that P3A continues to own all permits, licenses and approvals that are necessary for its operation and that such permits, licenses and approvals will not be cancelled; it shall make its best endeavour to keep the current organizational structure and the senior management of the company unchanged, and to maintain the relationship with its customers so as to guarantee that there will not be any material adverse effect on the goodwill and operation of P3A after the delivery of equity interest as agreed;
 
  2.1.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the legal or beneficial interest in any assets, businesses or revenues of P3A, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon;
 
  2.1.4  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not incur, inherit, guarantee or allow the existence of any debt, except for (i) debts incurred in the normal or ordinary course of business other than through loans; and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
 
  2.1.5  
P3A shall always operate all of its businesses during the ordinary course of business to maintain its asset value, and shall refrain from any action/omission that may affect its business operation and asset value;
 
  2.1.6  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not enter into any material contract, except for those contracts that are entered into in the ordinary course of business (for the purpose of this paragraph, a contract with a value exceeding RMB One Million (1,000,000) shall be deemed as a material contract);
 
  2.1.7  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not provide any loan or credit to any person;
 
  2.1.8  
P3A shall, at the request of Party A, provide it with information relating to the business operation and financial condition of P3A;
 
  2.1.9  
P3A shall take out and maintain insurance from an insurance company recognized by Party A. The coverage and type of insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance typically taken out by other companies that operate businesses similar to P3A in the same region and possess property or assets similar to P3A;
 
  2.10  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in any person;
 
  2.1.11  
P3A shall immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to P3A’s assets, businesses and revenues;
 
  2.1.12  
To maintain the ownership by P3A of all of its assets, it shall execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;

 

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  2.1.13  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, P3A shall not in any manner distribute dividends to its Party Bs, provided that upon Party A’s written request, it shall immediately distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its Party Bs;
 
  2.1.14  
Within the term hereof, P3A shall operate its business in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, administrative rules and regulations of the PRC, and there will not be any material adverse effect on the business operation or assets of P3A due to any breach of the above requirements;
 
  2.1.15  
If Party A exercises the Call Option according to the conditions of this Contract, P3A shall make its best endeavour to obtain all government approvals and other consents (if applicable) that are necessary for the completion of the equity transfer as soon as possible;
 
  2.1.16  
At the request of Party A, they shall appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of P3A.
2.2  
Undertakings relating to Party B
 
   
Party B hereby undertakes that:
  2.2.1  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not, at any time after the date hereof, sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any other security interest to be created thereon, except for the pledge right under the Equity Pledge Contract ;
 
  2.2.2  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not vote in favor of or support or execute any Party Bs’ resolution at a Party Bs’ meeting of P3A to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal in any other manner of any legal or beneficial interest in the equity interest, nor allow any security interest to be created thereon, except for the same is made to Party A or any person designated by it;
 
  2.2.3  
Without the prior written consent of Party A, he will not vote in favor of or support or execute any Party Bs’ resolution at a Party Bs’ meeting of P3A to approve the merger or consolidation of P3A with any person, or the acquisition of or investment in any person;
 
  2.2.4  
He will immediately notify Party A of the occurrence or possible occurrence of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to the equity interest held by him;
 
  2.2.5  
He will procure the Party Bs’ meeting of the company to vote in favor of the transfer of the Purchased Equity as set forth in this Contract;
 
  2.2.6  
To maintain his ownership in the equity interest, he will execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and make all necessary or appropriate claims or raise necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims;
 
  2.2.7  
At the request of Party A, he will appoint any persons designated by Party A as directors of P3A;
 
  2.2.8  
At the request of Party A at any time, he will unconditionally and promptly transfer his equity interest to Party A and/or the Designated Person at any time, and give up his right of first refusal in respect of other equity interests to be transferred;

 

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  2.2.9  
He will strictly observe the provisions of this Contract and other contracts jointly or separately executed by and among Party B, P3A and Party A, perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder, and refrain from action/omission that may affect the effectiveness and enforceability thereof.
CHAPTER 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Party B and P3A hereby represent and warrant to Party A as of the date hereof and each date of transfer:
3.1  
They have the right to execute and deliver this Contract and any equity transfer contracts to which they are a party and which are entered into in respect of each transfer of the Purchased Equity hereunder (each, a “ Transfer Contract ”), and to perform their respective obligations under this Contract and any Transfer Contracts. This Contract and the Transfer Contracts to which they are a party, once executed, will constitute their legal, valid and binding obligations and shall be enforceable against them in accordance with the provisions thereof;
 
3.2  
The execution and delivery of this Contract or any Transfer Contracts and the performance of their respective obligations under this Contract or any Transfer Contracts shall not: (i) result in any violation of any applicable PRC laws and regulations; (ii) be in conflict with their articles of association or other constituent documents; (iii) result in the violation of any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them, or constitute any breach under any contracts or documents to which they are a party or which are binding upon them; (iv) result in the violation of any conditions for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any licenses or permits issued to either of them; or (v) result in the suspension or revocation of or imposition of additional conditions to any licenses or permits issued to either of them;
 
3.3  
P3A has a good and merchantable title to all of its assets. P3A has not created any security interest on its assets;
 
3.4  
P3A does not have any outstanding debts, except for (i) debts incurred in the ordinary course of its business, and (ii) debts disclosed to Party A for which Party A’s written consent has been obtained;
 
3.5  
P3A has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the acquisition of assets;
 
3.6  
There are no ongoing, pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings relating to P3A or the equity interest in or assets of P3A; and
 
3.7  
Party B has a good and merchantable title and a complete and valid disposal right to all of his equity interests (except for the restrictions under the PRC laws and regulations). Save for the security interests under the Equity Pledge Contract , he has not created any security interest on his equity interest and is free from any third party claims.
CHAPTER 4 ASSIGNMENT OF THIS CONTRACT
4.1  
Unless with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B and P3A shall not transfer their respective rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties.

 

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4.2  
Party B and P3A hereby agree that Party A shall have the right to transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third parties when necessary. Party A shall only be required to serve written notice to Party B and P3A when such transfer is made, and no consent shall be further required from Party B or P3A in respect of such transfer.
CHAPTER 5 EFFECTIVENESS AND TERM
5.1  
This Contract shall become effective as of the date first written above.
 
5.2  
This Contract shall be automatically terminated only after Party A exercises its option to purchase all of the equity interests in P3A pursuant to the requirements of this Contract, except for the early termination by this Contract or pursuant to the provisions of the relevant agreements separately signed by the parties hereto.
 
5.3  
If, during the period stipulated in Article 5.2, the operation term of Party A or P3A (including any extended term) expires or either party terminates due to other reasons, this Contract shall be terminated at the time of the termination of such party, except for the circumstances where Party A has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 4.2 hereof.
CHAPTER 6 APPLICABLE LAWS, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
6.1  
Applicable Laws
 
   
The formation of this Contract, its effectiveness, interpretation and performance, as well as the dispute resolution hereunder shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.
6.2  
Dispute Resolution
 
   
Any disputes between the parties arising from the interpretation and performance of any provisions hereof shall be resolved in good faith by them through consultation. If no agreement can be reached within thirty (30) days after a Party proposes to resolve a dispute through consultation, either party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in force. The seat of arbitration shall be Beijing. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.
6.3  
Liabilities for Breach
 
   
A breach of this Contract shall be constituted if any party hereto violates the requirements of this Contract by failing to fully perform this Contract, or making any false information, or withholding or omitting significant facts in any undertaking, representation and warranty made by him/it in this Contract, or refusing to perform any of his/its undertakings, representations and warranties. The defaulting party shall bear the corresponding liabilities for the breach according to laws.

 

6


 

CHAPTER 7 TAXES AND FEES
Party A shall bear any and all transfer and registration tax and fees incurred by or levied on any party in accordance with the laws of the PRC in connection with the preparation and execution of this Contract and the Transfer Contracts, as well as the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Contract and the Transfer Contracts.
CHAPTER 8 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION
The parties hereto acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between them in connection with this Contract shall be confidential information. The parties shall keep all such information confidential and shall not disclose any of the information to any third parties without the written consent of the other parties, except for the following:
  a.  
the information that are or will be known to the public (provided that they are not disclosed to the public without authorization by the information receiving party);
 
  b.  
the information required to be disclosed by applicable laws, or the rules or regulations of securities exchanges; or
 
  c.  
the information required to be disclosed by a party to its legal or financial advisors with respect to the transaction mentioned herein, for which such legal or financial advisors shall also comply with the confidentiality obligation as similar as that described in this Article. Any divulgence of confidential information by the employees of either party or any organization engaged by it shall be deemed as the divulgence of confidential information by such party, and such party shall be liable for the breach pursuant to this Contract. This article shall survive regardless of whether this Contract is invalid, discharged, terminated or cannot be operated due to any reason.
CHAPTER 9 FURTHER ASSURANCE
The parties agree to promptly execute such documents and take such further action as are reasonably required for or are conducive to the implementation of the provisions and purpose of this Contract.
CHAPTER 10 MISCELLANEOUS
10.1  
Modification, Amendment and Supplement
 
   
All amendments and supplements to this Contract shall be made by the parties in writing. Any amendment contracts and supplemental contracts hereto duly signed by the parties shall be an integral part of this Contract, and shall have the same legal effect as this Contract.
 
10.2  
Integrity of this Contract
 
   
The parties confirm that, once this Contract becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the contents of this Contract, and shall completely supersede all previous oral or/and written agreement and understanding between the parties hereto in connection with the contents of this Contract.
 
10.3  
Severability of this Contract
 
   
If any provision or provisions of this Contract is/are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in accordance with any laws or regulations, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Contract shall not be affected or impaired in any respect. The parties shall, through amicable negotiations, strive to replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions with valid provision or provisions, and the economic effect of such valid provision or provisions shall be as close as possible to the economic effect of those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or provisions.

 

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10.4  
Headings
 
   
The headings of this Contract are for convenience only, and shall not be used to interpret, explain or otherwise affect the meanings of the provisions of this Contract.
 
10.5  
Language and Counterpart
 
   
This Contract is executed in Chinese in nine originals and each of them shall have the same legal effect. Each party shall keep one original and the remaining three originals shall be provided to the relevant government departments.
 
10.6  
Successors
 
   
This Contract shall be binding on and shall inure to the interest of the respective successors or heirs of the parties and the permitted assignees of such parties.
 
10.7  
Survival
 
   
Any obligations that occur or are due as a result of this Contract prior to the expiration or early termination of this Contract shall survive the expiration or early termination hereof. The provisions of Chapters 6, 8 and 9 and this Article 10.7 hereof shall survive the termination of this Contract.
 
10.8  
Waivers
 
   
Any party may waive the terms and conditions of this Contract, provided that such a waiver must be provided in writing and shall require the signatures of the parties. No waiver by any party in certain circumstances with respect to a breach by other parties shall operate as a waiver by such a party with respect to any similar breach by other parties in other circumstances.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract on the day first above written.
[No text below]

 

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[No text in this page]
Party A: Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative: /s/ Huang Hua
 
Common Chop: [Chop of Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. is affixed]
Party B: Huang Hua
Signature: /s/ Huang Hua
 
Party C: Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative/Authorized Representative:
Common Chop: [Chop of Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. is affixed]

 

9

Exhibit 4.53
English Translation for Reference
LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
IT IS HEREBY UNDERTAKEN THAT:
Huang Hua, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 110108196204292252, holds 40% equity interest of Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ P3A ”);
The above shareholder hereby irrevocably undertakes to Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria China ”) as follows:
Once I, as a shareholder of P3A, receive any dividends, bonuses or other distributions from P3A, I shall transfer all such incomes remaining after the deduction of any taxes payable thereon, without compensation, to Agria China and/or any person designated by it unless this is restricted by laws, regulations or judicial proceedings.
Undertaken by (Signature):
         
     
/s/ Huang Hua      
     
June 30, 2008

 

Exhibit 4.54
English Translation for Reference
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, Huang Hua, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “ China ”), with the Chinese ID card number: 110108196204292252, am a shareholder of Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ P3A ”), holding 40% equity interest of P3A. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mr. ZHIXIN XUE to exercise the following rights within the term of this Power of Attorney:
I authorize Mr. ZHIXIN XUE (Chinese ID card number: 140102621023081) to represent me with full power to exercise any shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled under the laws of China and the Articles of Association of P3A at shareholders’ meetings of P3A, including but without limited to execute legal documents in relation to the sale or transfer of all or part of my equity interest in P3A, and to act as my authorized representative at shareholders’ meetings of P3A to designate and appoint a general manager of P3A.
The above authorization and designation are conditional upon Mr. ZHIXIN XUE being a citizen of China and Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “ Agria China ”) granting its consent to the above authorization and designation. Once Agria China notifies me of the termination of the above authorization and designation, I will immediately withdraw the authorization and designation made herein, and will designate/authorize any other personnel nominated by Agria China to exercise all my shareholder’s rights, including voting rights, to which I shall be entitled at shareholders’ meetings of P3A.
During the validly existing period of P3A, except for the early termination of the Exclusive Call Option Contract jointly signed by me, Agria China and P3A for any reasons, this Power of Attorney shall remain effective throughout the operating period of P3A from the date hereof.
         
     
  /s/ Huang Hua    
     
  June 30, 2008   
 

 

Exhibit 8.1
List of Subsidiaries
     
Name   Place of Incorporation
Agria Group Limited
  British Virgin Islands
China Victory International Holdings Limited
  Hong Kong
Agria Asia Investments Limited
  British Virgin Islands
Agria (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
  Singapore
Aero Biotech Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Agria Brother Biotech (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Agria Biotech Overseas Limited
  Hong Kong
Consolidated Affiliated Entity of the Registrant
     
Name   Place of Incorporation
Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Shenzhen Guanli Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Shenzhen Agria Agricultural Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Shenzhen Zhongyuan Agriculture Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Beijing Nong Ke Yu Seeds International Co., Ltd.
  PRC
Agria Asia International Limited
  Hong Kong
Agria HongKong Limited
  Hong Kong

 

Exhibit 12.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Xie Tao, certify that:
1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Agria Corporation (the “Company”);
2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.    The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.    The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: June 29, 2010
         
     
By:   /s/ Xie Tao     
  Name:   Xie Tao     
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer     
 

 

 

Exhibit 12.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Christopher Boddington, certify that:
1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Agria Corporation (the “Company”);
2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.    The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.    The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: June 29, 2010
         
     
By:   /s/ Christopher Boddington     
  Name:   Christopher Boddington     
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer     
 

 

 

Exhibit 13.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Agria Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Xie Tao, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: June 29, 2010
         
     
By:   /s/ Xie Tao     
  Name:   Xie Tao     
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer     
 

 

 

Exhibit 13.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Agria Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Christopher Boddington, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: June 29, 2010
         
     
By:   /s/ Christopher Boddington     
  Name:   Christopher Boddington     
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer     
 

 

 

Exhibit 15.1
[Letterhead of Commerce & Finance Law Offices]
June 29, 2010
Agria Corporation
21/F Tower B
PingAn International Finance Center
1-3 Xinyuan South Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We hereby consent to the use of our name under the caption “Regulation” included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, originally filed by Agria Corporation on June 29, 2010, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.
         
  Sincerely yours,



/s/ Commerce & Finance Law Offices
Commerce & Finance Law Offices
 
 
     
     
     
 

 

Exhibit 15.2
[Letterhead of Maples and Calder]
     
Our ref  
GDK/JLL/630408/3932871v1
Direct tel  
+852 2971 3090
Email  
jo.lit@maplesandcalder.com
Agria Corporation
21/F Tower B
PingAn International Finance Center
1-3 Xinyuan South Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
29 June 2010
Dear Sirs,
Re: Agria Corporation (the “Company”)
We consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Cayman Islands Taxation” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the month of June 2010.
Yours faithfully,
/s/ Maples and Calder                                  
Maples and Calder

 

Exhibit 15.3
[Letterhead of DLA Piper UK LLP Beijing Representative Office]
Agria Corporation
21/F Tower B
PingAn International Finance Center
1-3 Xinyuan South Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100027
People’s Republic of China
June 28, 2010
VIA EMAIL
Dear Sirs,
We consent to the reference to our firm and our investigation conducted in connection with Taiyuan Primalights III Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Results of Operations” in Agria Corporation’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Yours sincerely,
/s/ DLA Piper UK LLP Beijing Representative Office
DLA Piper UK LLP Beijing Representative Office

 

Exhibit 15.4
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-153058) pertaining to the 2007 Share Incentive Plan of Agria Corporation of our reports dated June 29, 2010, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Agria Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Agria Corporation, included in this Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 2009.
/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming
Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
June 29, 2010