The $66 billion acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer is set to consolidate the hold of MNCs over the organised seeds & agrochemicals industry in India, constituting around 60% of the total industry. This is the third major global merger in the agricultural space after Dow Chemical-DuPont and ChemChina-Syngenta. The Indian arms of Monsanto and Bayer – Monsanto India and Bayer Cropscience – have a market capitalisation of Rs.4,220 crore & Rs.14,800 crore respectively. Investors certainly are enthused about the acquisition. On 14^th September, when news filtered in suggesting the deal was about to be finalised, Bayer Cropscience closed at Rs.4,115, 1.3% higher than the previous close, while Monsanto India closed at Rs.2,571, a significant 10.3% higher than the previous day’s close.