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Agrotech

The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) offers interesting market opportunities in predominantly food applications

Bühler has developed a string of technologies and capabilities to offer total rearing and processing solutions for the insect industry. “Our proposition to the market is to support the industry through solutions that produce and process a range of insect species,” says Andreas Aepli, CEO Bühler Insect Technology Solutions. The first industrial black soldier fly plant has already opened in June this year. Bühler is now in the execution of a new facility for a second species, the yellow mealworm. 

Livestock production, especially the pig industry, is under enormous pressure because the already tight margins continue to decline – in particular in Europe. While retail prices for pork have remained broadly stable, farm gate prices for pigs have plunged to levels where many producers are struggling to break even. Furthermore, production costs are on the rise, since grain prices have increased substantially, and feed makes up 75% of the cost to produce pig meat. That is why the number of pig producers, who have already de-stocked or are leaving the industry completely, is rising. These producers are now looking for alternative but more sustainable businesses, in which they can leverage their animal farming skills.

First project for the new species

A first project has been started in the Netherlands with a farmer who already worked on the concept of producing yellow mealworm in an old pig farm. Bühler will now support the project and design, installation and commissioning of a complete mealworm production facility in a 2,300 square-meter facility. “With this project we will set the bar on modularized mealworm production in an automated and hygienic way,” says Andreas Aepli, CEO Bühler Insect Technology Solutions. 

“Our technological solutions can be readily integrated into existing farms, but larger-scale facilities can also be realized. Once the first plant is completed and producing profitably in the Netherlands, it will offer livestock farmers an alternative option for gaining a sustainable business with attractive margins.

Yellow mealworm as an alternative

The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) offers interesting market opportunities in predominantly food applications. They have a great nutritional value which includes proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Thus, they are already used in various food products with very attractive marketing concepts. While the mealworm market has shown significant growth in the last years, the global market size is predicted to even exceed its current growth rate. In addition, mealworm farming could offer a new and stable production and commercialization outlook for farmers.

Another interesting aspect of mealworm farming is the resource use. Mealworms can grow on for instance wheat bran and rice husks, by-products that many existing Bühler customers produce and could get increased value out of.

Globally, the pressure on protein is rising fast as the worldwide population is expected to rise to nearly 10 billion by 2050. The global supply of protein is under pressure due to land erosion, ocean depletion and climate change. Alternative proteins are in high demand and innovative sources such as algae, funghi, single-cell bacteria as well as insects are on the rise. Insects offer one of the biggest potentials as they can be produced anywhere in the world and can be used almost directly as a high-quality source of nutrition and protein.

The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) offers interesting

AgroPolicy

These grants are a part of the Walmart Foundation’s commitment made in September 2018 to contribute $25 million (about Rs 180 crore) over the next five years to improve farmer livelihoods in India

FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence together with Walmart.org organized a summit on ‘Strengthening Agri Systems: Road to supporting smallholder farmers and boosting incomes’ recently.

The summit included leaders in the government, trade organizations, nonprofits, suppliers, retailers and others who are leading initiatives throughout all areas of the agriculture supply chain from farm to fork and engaged key stakeholders across the sector to address the barriers faced by smallholder farmers and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).   

The event was inaugurated by Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries. Delivering the event’s keynote address Mr Teli said, “I laud Walmart for its Rs 180 crore ($25 million) commitment towards strengthening the Indian farm sector. The private sector is playing a strong role in aiding development in the agriculture and food processing sectors. These will play a major role in the Government’s vision of doubling farmer incomes by 2022.”  

Vivek Aggarwal, Joint Secretary (Crops & IT) & CEO-PM KISAN, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India said, “All stakeholders, across the private and public sectors, must work together to enable better prices for farmers and help them access markets across India. This will necessitate the intervention of private sector players and for India’s FPO movement to prioritize remunerative prices for the farming community.” 

Deepening its commitment to improve farmers’ livelihood in India, the Walmart Foundation has announced $4.8 million (about Rs 34 crore) in grants to Digital Green and TechnoServe to enable programs that help smallholder farmers have access to agriculture technology, training on sustainable farmer methods, enhanced access to formal markets, and skill and capacity building for farmer producer organizations (FPOs). 

These grants are a part of the Walmart Foundation’s commitment made in September 2018 to contribute $25 million (about Rs 180 crore) over the next five years to improve farmer livelihoods in India. Separate from this commitment, Walmart India also announced it would grow its direct sourcing from farmers to 25 per cent of produce sold in its Cash & Carry stores by 2023. 

Kathleen McLaughlin, Walmart Foundation President and EVP, Chief Sustainability Officer of Walmart said, “Today’s grant announcement builds upon the Walmart Foundation’s efforts to increase economic

opportunity for smallholder farmers and their families while promoting sustainable farming practices and the empowerment and inclusion of women.”

“The work being accomplished by our grantees and their partners is inspiring. We hope the Walmart Foundation’s commitment, alongside the work of Walmart and Walmart India’s direct farm sourcing teams, will help drive real momentum in sustainable agriculture development in India and we encourage others to join us in our commitment.”  

The event also included participation by senior leadership from Walmart India and Flipkart Group. 

These grants are a part of the

Pulses

Beginning with its own proprietary, non-GMO pea seed, PURIS utilizes its network of over 400 U.S. farmers to grow the peas, which not only provide economic benefit to the farmers but also help regenerate the soil

Cargill has invested an additional $75 million in PURIS, the largest North American producer of pea protein. The investment enables PURIS to more than double its pea protein production using an existing 200,000 square-foot facility in Dawson, Minn. 

This investment will position PURIS to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for its category leading pea proteins, starches and fibers all grown and produced through its unique vertically integrated and transparent supply chain. This is more than a pea protein facility. This is the future of food. The Dawson facility will not only support PURIS farmers in the U.S. with a crop that regenerates their land and that is sustainable because it provides soil health advantages but will also support the growing demand for great tasting plant-based products in the market place.

“As consumer demand increases for plant-based proteins, we want to make sure that Cargill, with our partner PURIS, can deliver on that demand with great tasting, sustainable and label-friendly pea protein for customers in North America and across the world,” said Laurie Koenig, Cargill texturizers and specialty lead. “This investment also provides significant support to the local economy with approximately 90 new jobs and a new revenue stream for Midwest farmers.” 

Consumers continue to fuel demand for great tasting, label-friendly, alternative proteins to meet their individual nutritional needs while food and beverage manufacturers, in ever increasing numbers, are turning to pea protein for its functional and nutritional attributes. The launch of new pea-protein-based food and beverage products grew at a very healthy 19 percent CAGR globally from January 2016 – December 2018, according to Innova Market Insights.

PURIS offers non-GMO and organic pea protein options that are renowned for their proprietary, high-quality, clean flavor. Its non-major food allergen and vegan features check all the boxes consumers are looking for in label-friendly products across multiple food and beverage categories.

Beginning with its own proprietary, non-GMO pea seed, PURIS utilizes its network of over 400 U.S. farmers to grow the peas, which not only provide economic benefit to the farmers but also help regenerate the soil. PURIS purchases the peas the farmers grow and turns the crops into pea ingredients, including pea protein, pea starch and pea fiber.

“While this is an important step in our growth for many reasons, one that resonates personally for me is to move ever closer to the vision my father had in 1985. A vision that plant-based nutrition would propel us to a better future for both people and our planet.  With this investment, those possibilities are becoming realities which in turn inspires us to create what’s next for plants, people, planet and PURIS,” said Lorenzen.

PURIS will now own and operate three facilities in North America solely focused on pea protein production: Turtle Lake, Wis.; Oskaloosa, Iowa; and Dawson, Minn. With engineering complete on the Dawson facility, construction to retrofit it for pea production will start immediately, with an anticipated operational start date of late 2020.

“I am excited that Cargill and PURIS are investing in the potential of Greater Minnesota communities like Dawson,” said Governor Tim Walz. “Repurposing an existing facility for a new pea protein plant is an excellent example of the smart, sustainable innovation that has kept Minnesota on the forefront of the food production industry.”

Beginning with its own proprietary, non-GMO pea

Start ups

Growing at the rate of 25% year on year, India currently hosts more than 450 start-ups in the Agritech sector

As digitization expands its horizons and permeates into sectors beyond IT services, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) today unveiled its findings for India’s Agritech sector in its report titled, “Agritech in India – Emerging Trends in 2019”. The emergence of B2B start-ups as key revenue generating segment; maturing Agritech stakeholder ecosystem; evolving public private partnerships; sustained growth for Agritech start-ups in India and emerging business opportunities are some of the noteworthy findings being showcased in the report.

Growing at the rate of 25% year on year, India currently hosts more than 450 start-ups in the Agritech sector. Over the recent years, the Agritech sector in India has witnessed some of the global and sector focused funds directly investing in Agritech startups. According to the report, as of June 2019, the sector has received more than USD 248 mn funding, a massive growth of 300% as compared to the previous year. With the recent rise in funding, 48% Agritech CEOs, as per the NASSCOM Agritech CEO survey, believe to have the next Agritech unicorn in coming 3 years.

Sharing her thoughts, Debjani Ghosh, President NASSCOM, said, “India’s agriculture sector is advancing steadily towards its digital transformation and the start-up ecosystem is playing a critical role here, bringing innovation and disruption in much-needed areas. Adoption of technology in agriculture has always needed a structured institutional focus and technology firms are trying to break into the agricultural landscape using newer business models. The findings of the report are a testimony to the potential of the Agritech industry and the opportunities that India presents in the agriculture and farming landscape.

With more and more local farmers accepting the innovative start-up solutions, there has been a considerable shift witnessed from B2C to B2B startups. Corporates and investors are playing a vital role in supporting this with over USD 200 mn investment in B2B start-ups in the past 18 months, making it as a key revenue generating segments in the overall Agritech sector. This has enabled creating better access to market, faster technology adoption and bring domain specific product development support to the industry. Indian companies are increasingly looking at global markets to expand with focus on regions like South East Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. According to the report in the last 5 years, more than 5 global Agritech companies have ventured in India, as compared to more than 25 Indian Agritech companies with global presence.

New emerging areas like market linkage, digital agriculture, better access to inputs, FaaS and financing are attracting large traction. These technology adoptions are enabling numerous agritech startups to bring forth farming-related advanced technological mechanisms to help local farming become a sustainable and profit-yielding enterprise.

With public private partnerships and government support, several Indian states have established progressive Agritech policies. However, certain measures such as setting up of catalytic or micro funds (ranging USD 2 to 14 mn ) to spur innovation, offer support in terms of incubation, acceleration, and catalytic funding, opening of incubation centres, curriculum changes in agriculture universities, building of a transparent data sharing policy, and engaging with start-ups in larger projects, needs to be implemented by state governments to further enhance the use of futuristic technologies and support the growing Agritech sector in the country.

Realizing the vision of make in India, for the world, it is estimated that by 2020 the Agritech sector to be at the center-stage of innovation and will lead India’s journey towards overall transformation. Therefore, to achieve this goal, it is imperative that the ecosystem needs to focus towards driving innovation, data collaboration, easy working capital and providing digital infrastructure to enable real time access to farmers across the country. NASSCOM will continue its drive towards catalysing emerging tech start-ups, and work with the ecosystem to build category leaders and support start-ups to create not only for India but also scale up and build for the world.

Growing at the rate of 25% year

Agrotech

Tilda is expected to contribute approximately $200 million in net sales

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East providing consumers with A Healthier Way of Life™, has completed the strategic sale of Tilda®, a premium basmati and specialty rice brand, to EBRO FOODS S.A. for a purchase price of $342 million in cash.

The purchase price reflects an adjusted EBITDA multiple of 13.5x, based on estimated fiscal year 2019, which the Company will report on August 29, 2019. Hain Celestial expects to use a portion of the proceeds to pay down debt and is evaluating distribution alternatives for the remainder to maximize value to shareholders.

“We are pleased to complete the strategic sale of Tilda, which is consistent with our transformational plan to simplify our portfolio, strengthen our core capabilities and expand margins and cash flow,” commented Mark L. Schiller, Hain Celestial’s President and Chief Executive Officer. 

“Tilda has been a strong business for us, primarily in the United Kingdom, and under new strategic ownership, we expect the brand to continue to thrive. We believe this transaction represents a significant premium to a majority of other European food and global rice and pasta industry transactions over the last several years. In addition, this divestiture will enable us to reduce our exposure to marketplace disruption associated with the uncertainty of Brexit and additional future potential foreign currency fluctuations.”

Tilda is expected to contribute approximately $200 million in net sales and $25 million of adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.

 

Tilda is expected to contribute approximately $200

Live Stock

The Area Specific Mineral Mixture (ASMM) and Sheep and Goat Mineral Mixtures (SGMM) have been commercialized

The ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP), Bengaluru’s two Technologies – the Area Specific Mineral Mixture (ASMM) and Sheep and Goat Mineral Mixtures (SGMM) have been commercialized.

The ASMM technology was earlier commercialized to Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), Bengaluru; Nandi Agro Vet. Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru and the Totgars Co-operative Sale Society Ltd., Uttar Kannada, Karnataka. The impact of the technology has been estimated to be about Rs. 419 crores.

The ICAR-NIANP has been granted the patent on Mineral Mixture as “Nutrients for Small Ruminants” (Patent No. – 294494).

The Sheep and Goat Mineral Mixture technology was earlier commercialized to Nandi Agro Vet. Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru; Kamdhenu Feeds, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and Shakthi Feeds, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Now, both the ASMM and Sheep and Goat Mineral Mixture technologies have been commercialized to Sri Vijayarathna Industries, on non-exclusive basis through the Agrinnovate India, New Delhi on 17th and 24thAugust 2019, respectively at the ICAR-NIANP, Bengaluru.

Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Director, ICAR-NIANP and Smt. Chakka Padma, Proprietor, Sri Vijayarathna Industries, Challakere, Karnataka signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the licensing to manufacture and sell the formulation in the presence of Dr. Sudha Mysore, CEO, Agrinnovate India and the Agrinnovate team.

The Innovators of the technology, Dr. N.K.S. Gowda and Dr. D.T. Pal, Incharge, ITMU; Dr. Atul Kolte, AO and AF & AO, NIANP were also present on the occasion.

 

The Area Specific Mineral Mixture (ASMM) and

Foodgrains

Agreement accelerates global commercialization of Arcadia’s high fiber resistant starch wheat technology

Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.  a leader in science-based approaches to enhancing the quality and nutritional value of crops and food ingredients, has announced a binding term sheet agreement with Arista Cereal Technologies and Bay State Milling Company for commercialization of its high fiber resistant starch wheat in key wheat markets, including North America, Europe and parts of Asia

Under the terms of the binding agreement, Bay State Milling will become the exclusive commercial partner for Arcadia’shigh fiber wheat in North America under Bay State Milling’s HealthSense™ brand portfolio, while Arista receives exclusive rights under Arcadia’s intellectual property in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan and South Korea. Arcadiawill continue to market its high fiber wheat under its GoodWheat™ portfolio of specialty wheat ingredients in other international markets. The agreement resolves an intellectual property dispute between the three companies over Arcadia’s high fiber wheat. The agreement earns Arcadia royalties for sales of its wheat varieties in North America by Bay State Milling, plus additional considerations. 

“We are pleased to have entered into an agreement with Arista and Bay State Milling that will accelerate commercialization of our high fiber wheat in key wheat markets – and capture revenue in 2019 and beyond,” said Raj Ketkar, president and CEO of Arcadia Biosciences. “Bay State Milling is an excellent partner for North America, bringing its strengths in milling, identity preserved supply chains and technical support of customer food companies.”

“We continue to see tremendous opportunity for high fiber wheat flour – particularly in the United States, where consumers are increasingly mindful about the nutrition their food delivers,” said Peter Levangie, president and CEO of Bay State Milling. “As a result, our customers – food manufacturers – also are looking for ingredients with added nutritional value from natural sources. We are excited to add Arcadia’s high fiber wheat to the HealthSense brand and bring it to customers to help close the fiber gap and improve consumer health in North America.”

Eric Vaschalde, CEO of Arista Cereal Technologies, added, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that resolves our ongoing patent dispute and puts our focus on successfully bringing high fiber wheat to market across our wide platform. After decades of research and development, Arista focused its initial market development in North Americawith its partner, Bay State Milling. This agreement not only bolsters Bay State Milling’s commercial opportunities, but it also enhances the global intellectual property for all parties to the agreement.”

Arcadia’s high fiber wheat delivers multiple times the resistant starch as traditional wheat and significantly higher amounts of dietary fiber than traditional wheat flour. Because of its high fiber content, consumer product goods companies, food manufacturers and food service retailers can reduce the need to add other sources of fiber in their formulation and simplify their ingredient labels.

In 2015, the global flour market was valued at $200 billion and is estimated to reach a value of $270 billion by 2022. The United States Department of Agriculture reported the total value of wheat production in the U.S. was $9.7 billion for 2018. Wheat contributes about 20 percent of the total dietary calories and proteins worldwide, according to a 2013 paper published in Food Security. Arcadia’s high fiber wheat can provide additional, proven health benefits for consumers who want to continue to enjoy the wheat-based foods they love

 

Agreement accelerates global commercialization of Arcadia’s high

Text Blog

Soil fertility relates to the capacity of soil to support agricultural plant growth.

Soil fertility and sustainable agriculture experts know that most soils today need their health and endurance restored. Soil fertility relates to the capacity of soil to support agricultural plant growth. But if this were indeed the case anywhere at all – especially the sustained and consistent bit measured over a few decades, then the level of inputs added to the soil that agriculture requires across the world today! 

On the other hand, for millennia, soil grew life, more soil, and more life in perpetual cycles, all over the planet. Without any external help!

Factors like cultivation, grazing, composting, soil remineralization, fertilizer priorities, fossil humates, soil conservation, green manuring, soil testing, and visual soil assessment all play a crucial part in establishing fertile soils.

 

Nutrients in the soil

Plants need nutrients just like people do. Plants depend on carbon, moisture, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a bunch of trace minerals. Each of these is cyclic in nature – the water cycle which ensures there are enough of them everywhere, and similarly, there’s a carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle and so on. 

Additionally, to provide for this living carbon in the soil, the conditions need to be right. Sunlight falling directly on the ground, and the lack of organic matter on and in it destroy the habitat in which these thrive. Keeping the soil covered is absolutely critical for healthy, fertile soils! Our farming methods – clearing the land of all vegetation, tilling and more recently, dosing it with harsh chemicals in large quantities – all contribute to the living constituents of the soil that help keep these processes and cycles going.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture too, good healthy soil is 45% minerals, 5% carbon, 25% water and 25% air! This is likelier to be soil in sync with these numbers, and stay healthy as well. 

 

Raising soil fertility

What commonly referred to as fertility is not a point in time measurement of a few things, but a process that keeps the ecosystem ideal for easy growth of plant life. And soil’s innate ability to support plant life, it has to be considered as over a period – if it supports this less and less innately, the fertility reduces. 

There are natural processes that sit at the intersection of these various cycles that keep the soil “fertile” and moisture-rich. In a sense, fertility can be described in terms of the health of these processes in the soil itself! 

Fertility is something the forest both nurtured over eons and depended on for its own sustenance and growth. It is something that was inadvertently disrupted and destroyed as humans started farming about 12000 years ago, and accelerated a century ago as the world acquired superpowers and scaled energy through oil. 

 

Cultivating soil

This is where the ecosystem of bacterial colonies, nematodes, larger insects and various fungi – most notably mycorrhizae – play a significant role. There are millions of these around root ecosystems and strike a symbiotic relationship with the roots and play a variety of different roles that are unearthed only to an extent today. All of these life forms, in turn, need other forms of carbon in the soil, as well as a diverse set of roots producing sugars and carbs for them. They also burrow and loosen the soil, helping absorb and retain moisture to greater depths. And having moisture in the soil is excellent for plants!

Obviously, great soil needs to have the moisture as well as all the macronutrients and micronutrient. What is more important is that these need to be in a form that the plants can use. And the cycles that make these available and replenish in various forms are in motion.  

Fertility is what nature had created as its method to grow and sustain life in a variety of conditions, and that can be achieved again. Even in severely degraded landscapes. A helping hand is what nature needs, and it will do the rest!

 

Sameer Shisodia, Co-founder & Chief Farming Officer, Beforest

Soil fertility relates to the capacity of

AgroPolicy

Two days brainstorming session on technological innovations and strategies for farmers’ prosperity

Urging every farmer of the country to be a progressive farmer Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that farmers should adopt new technologies and advancements in the field and must have frequent engagements with ascientists and local Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Inaugurating the two day ‘Brainstorming Session on Technological Innovations and Strategies for Farmers’ Prosperity in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh’ in the presence of the Ministers of State Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that ‘Gaon, Garib, Kisan’ is always at the centre of Prime Minister’s thoughts and actions and all these initiatives are aimed at fulfilling the vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

The Minister said that being an important sector Agriculture should play a stabilising role in the economy and for this modernisation and technological advancements are required in the field to which the ICAR can contribute immensely. The Minister added that this series of discussions with Farmers that started with Rajasthan in July should continue with every other state as this initiative will definitely help in the prosperity of the farming community. Calling on the farmers to adopt modern technologies, the Minister said that the discussions and learning from the two day session shall be taken forward to practising in the agricultural fields.

Enumerating the major challenges in the Agriculture sector such as providing market connectivity and promoting agricultural exports, Tomar said that amongst these one major challenge is farmers not getting proper value for their produce. For this he called for better coordination between the farmers and researchers in the field for improvement of agricultural produce. Indian products should be able to compete with products from across the world and thereby fetch best market value. Although farmers get subsidy and Government support, their aim should be not to solely rely on Government support but to take initiatives on their own to improve productivity.  Highlighting the importance of integrated and organic farming, the Minister said that the thought of farming as just growing grains should be changed to adoption of integrated farming wherein fisheries, poultry, animal husbandry and bee keeping etc. become part of farming. If every farmer starts doing this, the GDP share of agriculture shall increase.

Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, (DAC&FW) Ministry of Agriculture said that it is for the first time that Central Government is holding State specific discussions and that too directly with the farmers. The Secretary also said that the banking formalities have now been reduced and farmers can easily open accounts. Asking farmers to join for the new Farmers Pension scheme- PM Maan Dhan Yojana, the Secretary said that those farmers who have already registered for PM Kisan scheme will now start getting all information on their registered mobile phones.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) stressed on the adoption of the newer and advanced technologies that will help in achieving the targeted goal of doubling the farmers’ income by the Year – 2022. Outlining few issues in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Dr. Mohapatra said that discussions shall be on how proper value for product can be ensured, market intervention through FPOs, role of Scientists & Institutes and how crop diversification can be made possible in these States.

The Minister also launched diagnostic kits, vaccines developed by different ICAR institutes and 8 ICAR mobile Apps during the occasion. More than 300 farmers from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, students, entrepreneurs, Vice Chancellors, Institute Directors are attending the two day brainstorming session.

Two days brainstorming session on technological innovations

Start ups

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University will inaugurate the event

TiE Kerala is organising a state agriculture sector focused programme called ‘Agripreneur 2019’ at Hotel Windsor Castle, Kottayam on August 31.

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University will inaugurate the event.

MSA Kumar, President TiE Kerala said, “The conference would deal with current state of agriculture sector in the State faces today and solutions that could propel its growth.”

The summit will bring together experts and innovators to give latest updates on technically competent and futuristic ideas to steer the state’s agri-business chain both upstream (filed activities) and downstream (marketing and food processing).

“Establishment of new agri models, profitable farming, identifying new markets, evolving new trade systems and ensuring rapid growth and sustainable success are the key areas of panel discussions,” Kumar said.

Jojo George, Programme Chair said that “the focus is on how to approach farming as a well-integrated enterprise incorporating, not just adopting latest technologies but all aspects of an enterprise, which would mean management of costs, human resources, finance, marketing and communications.”

The programme would also discuss success stories in agriculture, future of farming, new technologies, allied activities, agri startups, best practices and agricultural clusters.

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural

Start ups

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs and startups to deliver new food innovations and businesses across Europe within its different programs

Recently EIT Food has informed that, 14 agrifood startups from 10 different countries that they had been accepted into the 3rd cohort of the EIT Food RisingFoodStars community.

“This next phase of expansion to our scaleup association strengthens our commitment to transforming the food system by scaling agrifood companies in an international context who are actively driving the innovations of the future,”EIT said in statement.

The RisingFoodStars Association is an umbrella organisation for high potential, game-changing mature agrifood startups and early scaleups, enabling its members to participate as Partners in all EIT Food activities. EIT’s 3rd cohort of startups to the Association are:

Amai Proteins (IL) – produces healthy, tasty and cost-effective proteins for the mass food market

Urban Crop Solutions (BE) – provides total solutions for indoor vertical farming

Trellis AI (IL) – a food system intelligence platform with real time data management and market intelligence over the entire food chain

Team30MHz (NL) – a digital platform for all indoor farming with wireless sensors allowing real-time remote crop monitoring on any device

Fruitsapp (IT) – a B2B Marketplace for the fresh produce industry, connecting companies based on their complementary needs

Connecting Food (FR) – allows digital B2B food auditing in real time from farm to fork and demonstrates to consumers proof that brands respect commitments and fair-trade practices

Wasteless Ltd (IL) – real-time dynamic pricing engine for fresh food that allows supermarkets to promote products with a shorter expiration date on the shelves

Mimica (UK) – focuses on food expiry labelling, Mimica Touch shows food freshness and spoilage in real time, by change in texture.

SIA Agroplatforma (LV) – develops a grain trading platform connecting farmers with buyers and the stock market

Natufia Labs (EE) – focuses on vertical farming in-house, with a device that allows growing any plants and herbs automatically

Innovopro Ltd (IL) – produces unique chickpea protein ingredients in order to create nutritious, tasty, safe, and sustainable food products

Thorice (IS) – controlled chilling technology for the poultry industry

Novolyze SAS (FR) – a food safety company ensuring strong compliance with international Food Safety & Quality standards

Fazla Gida (TR) – a holistic tech platform to manage food waste according to the Lansink ladder.

Welcoming our new members, Annick Verween, our RisingFoodStars Manager, said: “With every cohort we add new impactful members to our community who we know will leave a positive mark on society. I am delighted to welcome our new RisingFoodStars and am looking forward to making them an active part of our EIT Food family.”

5 reasons to join the EIT Food RisingFoodStars:

Access to an unparalleled network – access to, and collaboration with, our expert network of industrial and academic Partners in EIT projects, as well as potential customers and distribution channels

Enhanced European reach – we have a presence in every country in Europe and beyond, helping your business reach new markets and develop internationally

Backing from a powerful brand – as the designated EU body to transform Europe’s food system, you will benefit from our powerful EIT Food RisingFoodStars brand, making your business more attractive to investors and customers

Increased visibility – access to and possibility to host a booth at best-in-class agrifood and entrepreneurship events, both in Europe and globally

Long term support – business support and professional development in scaling up, investments and the typical pains of a scaleup during your membership.

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs and startups to deliver new food innovations and businesses across Europe within its different programs. These programs are open to all agrifood companies. Within RisingFoodStars, we select only those companies who will drive the disruption of the food system and thereby help tackle our strategic objectives.

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs

AgroPolicy

Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR & MSME to Promote & Develop Agro and Rural Enterprises

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized the “Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR & MSME to Promote & Develop Agro and Rural Enterprises” at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex.

The Chief Guest, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries emphasized on agricultural mechanization for enhancing the famers’ income. The Minister stressed on making the farmers well-versed with the modern technologies of agriculture and farming.

Sarangi urged the farmers to adopt the new innovations in the agricultural technologies developed by scientists. He also encouraged the scientists and the farmers to follow the path of “Let’s think, work and live together”. The Minister adjured the farmers to adopt organic farming.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) briefed about the partnership between the ICAR & MSME to promote & develop the Agro and Rural Enterprises. The Director General emphasized that the farm mechanization will help in doubling the farmers’ income as it reduces the cost, time and labor, thereby, enhancing the agricultural productivity. He said that the ICAR has been committed to work towards the farm mechanization.

Dr. Mohapatra said that this venture will provide a platform for their field establishments to enter the MoUs at the local level for the promotion & development of Agro & Rural Enterprises by leveraging upon the strength and expertise of the respective Institutes.

The Director General emphasized that the ICAR & MSME will collaborate with each other in the research, education, training & capacity building, development of farm implements and other specified areas.

Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, MSME opined for adopting the strategies that could help to disseminate the latest agricultural technologies to the real users – the farmers. Dr. Panda citied the examples of success in the fields of agri-processing technologies and Cluster Development Programmes of MSME.

Ram Mohan Mishra, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, MSME outlined the important aspects that both the organizations will work on together.

Earlier, Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General, Agricultural Engineering, ICAR, New Delhi and R.K. Rai, Director, MSME briefed about their respective organizations and their roles in the collaboration.

Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural & Crop Science), ICAR along with several other Senior Officials of ICAR and Ministry of MSME were also present during the occasion.

Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR &

Agrotech

Company also announced updates and expansion at their US Headquarters in Huron, Ohio

Mucci Farms announces that it has acquired controlling interest of Leamington, Ontario based Orangeline Farms, including its existing greenhouse and warehouse facilities, and additional land with plans for expansion.  Subsequently, the company also announced additional expansion plans in Canada and the United States

“It’s an exciting time for the company as we continue our aggressive expansion plans to increase our local and regional production,” says Bert Mucci, CEO.  “The Orangeline acquisition comes with a 32-acre greenhouse and a warehouse with additional land totalling 100 acres.  Consumers are demanding more local production, and we’re listening.  We also have plans in place to build on the additional land that was received as part of the agreement.”

In addition to Orangeline Farms, the company also announced updates and expansion at their US Headquarters in Huron, Ohio. Originally a 60-acre project, the company has acquired additional land adjacent to the current property to increase the totality of the enterprise to 75-acres. “The first 24-acre phase is in its second season of harvesting, and we’ll be building two more identical ranges. Phase two construction is already underway,” remarked Bert Mucci. “The Ohio program has gotten off to a great start and we’re looking forward to growing our presence in the community and the regional market.”

Mucci Farms is a vertically integrated fruit and vegetable grower that owns and operates 250-acres of tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce and strawberry greenhouses in Canada and the United States, with a partner-grower network of 1500 acres across North America.  Committed to maximizing efficiencies, the organization makes sizeable investments in automation and technology to provide consumers with the most flavourful fruits and vegetables in the market.  In addition to harvesting and packing equipment, these investments include a significant acreage of grow lights that allow the company to grow locally 365 days per year, with an end goal of equipping 100% of their hi-tech glass facilities with High Pressure Sodium and/or LED lights

Company also announced updates and expansion at

Acquaculture

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity to meet the food demand and supply

Global Fish Farming Market by Environment & Fish Type – Forecast to 2025, A $376+ Billion Opportunity

Key Findings

  • Asia-Pacific is expected to lead the global fish farming market, growing at the highest CAGR of 4.89%, in terms of revenue, from 2018 to 2025.
  • Based on environment, the fresh water segment occupied around 61.8% of fish farming market share of the total market in 2017.
  • By fish type, the others segment that includes craps mackerels, sea bream, and trout occupied a major share of the global market in 2017, in terms of revenue, followed by salmon.
  • China is the largest country, in terms of revenue generation, in the global fish farming market, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.31% from 2018 to 2025.
  • The tilapia fish segment is expected to witness significant growth of 4.62%, in terms of revenue, during the fish farming market forecast period.

 

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity to meet the food demand and supply. This industry provides high-quality and disease-free fishes by rearing fishes in an environment that meets the hygiene standards. In addition, fish farming activity is utilized to conserve the species on the verge of extinction.

The global fish farming market is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to increased health awareness among consumers about the intake of balanced nutrient quantities. In addition, rise in government rules and regulations in different countries that promote fish farming to meet the growth in demand to cope with food insecurities is expected to boost the fish farming market size.

However, increase in water pollution and changes in climatic conditions hamper the fish farming market growth. Moreover, fish farming production is vulnerable to adverse impacts of diseases such as koi herpesvirus a viral disease that hamper the fish production. Disease outbreaks in recent years have affected farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile, and in several countries in Asia, South America, and Africa, resulting in partial or total loss of production, which restrained the of market growth.

Freshwater was the highest revenue generator, and is expected to witness highest CAGR of 4.74% during the forecast period, followed by marine water segment at 4.89%.

LAMEA was the second largest market in terms of revenue generation, with almost one-fourth share in 2017, and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.55% during the forecast period. In North America, fish farming has ceased expanding in recent years, however, in South America it has shown strong and continuous growth, particularly in Brazil and Peru.

This is attributed to technological developments in South America. Moreover, rapid development in the Middle East, in terms of infrastructure and technology, drives the growth of the LAMEA fish farming market. However, weak economies in Africa hamper the spending of consumers, which in turn limits the growth of the market.

 

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity