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Home2020February (Page 3)
Pulses, Trade

World Pulses Day was celebrated in recognition of the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of pulses and the important role they can play in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. 

On the evening of February 15, the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) hosted a World Pulses Day dinner in Dubai ahead of the Gulfood food and beverage trade exhibition. The dinner was attended by more than 20 guests representing many key pulse trading nations, including the UAE, India, Turkey, the U.S., Ukraine, Argentina, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Spain.

 Last year, the United Nations proclaimed February 10th World Pulses Day in recognition of the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of pulses and the important role they can play in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals. 

“In an era of climate change and exponential population growth, pulses can literally save the world,” said GPC President Cindy Brown. “Because they are nutrient dense and a high-quality source of protein, they can help address the problems of hunger, malnutrition and obesity. And because pulse crops use less chemical fertilizers and water than most competing crops, they are vital to the sustainable food systems we need to feed the world.”

 Additionally, pulse production provides a livelihood to millions of smallholder farmers, most of them women, in much of the developing world, making them an essential element in the Sustainable Development Goals of no poverty and zero hunger.

 Lastly, pulses have caught the attention and imagination of the global food industry, which has been finding new, innovative ways to include these nutritious grains into new products. In fact, Gulfood is dedicating the entire afternoon of Tuesday, February 18 to sessions focused on plant-based food items. Whether its alternative meat, pasta made with pulse flour or even unlikely pulse-based desserts and ice cream, consumers now have options on store shelves that meet their demands for healthy, nutritious and environmentally friendly foods.

World Pulses Day was celebrated in recognition

Country, E-commerce, Finance, Middle East countries, Start ups, Trade

Investment fuels growth to shake up the traditional “plant-based” industry

 Kibbutz Givat Brenner, Israel – Equinom, Ltd., the leading seed breeding startup, announces it has closed its Series B round of funding of $10 million, led by BASF Venture Capital, Germany followed by Roquette, France; and Trendlines Group, Israel. Equinom’s current investor, Tel Aviv-based Fortissimo Capital, also participated.

 Equinom’s non-GMO technology shapes the future of plant protein by designing smarter seeds via fast-track, technology-driven breeding methodology that harnesses natural genetic variation in plants. Leveraging an innovative business model, Equinom supports the entire supply chain and collaborates with top-tier food companies to bring products to consumers. 

Smart seeds are more nutritious than traditional commercial varieties, featuring protein and oil contents among the highest in the market. Equinom introduces such high-value characteristics and organoleptic properties by combining advanced sensory technologies with high-throughput protein analysis systems.

 Gil Shalev, CEO of Equinom, founded the company eight years ago with a drive to feed the world with nutritious, high protein food. He recognized the need to improve the food supply and make it more affordable, with a primary focus on the source of the challenge – seeds and legumes. Under his leadership, Equinom has been building a new “ecosystem” that directly connects food companies to the supply chain, bringing greater transparency and paving the way for more responsible sourcing of high-value plant protein.

Today, Equinom is transforming the food industry, strategically breeding non-GMO seeds with higher nutritional profiles and increased crop yields. Equinom is the first company to design seeds exclusively for the food industry, enabling clients to choose specific varieties for their needs.

An example of the success of Equinom’s mission is that in just five years, the company has become the preferred supplier for sesame seeds by generating mechanically harvestable varieties. These seed stocks are now being grown worldwide.

“We also plan to launch our high-protein pea variety in 2021,” adds Shalev. “Equinom will continue working with plant-based food ingredients and food companies to help create tasty, “cleaner” plant-based applications. We already have clients producing products with our smart grains, which provide higher quality, improved nutritional values, and lower production costs.”

 The recent $10 million investment represents market leaders’ trust in Equinom’s proprietary technology and its capabilities. The FoodTech startup gained increased awareness and leadership in providing solutions to the plant-based-food industry, spurring numerous international strategic collaborations.

 “This investment round has been highly successful and combines financial investors as well as strategic investors, as well as VCs from multiple regions around the world,” notes Shalev. “It will accelerate Equinom’s expansion globally and allow us to build talent and infrastructure to better serve our clients locally. Already, we have enjoyed phenomenal sales growth across four continents in 2019.”

 

 

 

Investment fuels growth to shake up the

Org. Chart – Centre, Trade

Around 4000 youths got registered on the first day of employment fair, in which 1100 youths were short-listed for employment

 Two-day skill exhibition and employment fair was organized at Pandit Deendayal Hastkala Sankul at Bada Lalpur, Varanasi on 12th & 13th of February 2020. The motive of this Mahotsav was to encourage the youth of the state in skill development and to connect them with new employment opportunities. Around 4000 youths got registered on the first day of employment fair, in which 1100 youths were short-listed for employment. The Chief Guest of the program was Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Dr Pandey said that 95 companies from 20 sectors participated in the employment fair. 

Such an event will provide opportunity for youth for vocational education and training. The government’s intention is everyone’s development. Under this, skills are being provided to the youth. This fair will bridge the gap between demand and supply. At the fair, 1100 youth received offer letters for the posts of Retail, Sales Associates, Sales Executive, Market Executive, General Duty Assistant, Associate Engineer, Machine Operator etc. Sonbhadra MP Pakodi Lal, MLA Saurabh Srivastava, Praveen Kumar and many others were present on the occasion. 

Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) is working under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). ASCI is working towards the capacity building by bridging gaps and upgrading skills of farmers, wage workers, self-employed & extension workers engaged in organized/unorganized segments of Agriculture & Allied Sectors. 

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has motivated skilling to be a major focus area for all domains/segments and Kaushal Mahotsav was a great platform for companies to know more about skilling India. Agriculture Skill Council of India has embarked on several other initiatives with state governments Pan India, to improve the livelihoods of farmers, farm and wage workers, self-employed and extension workers engaged in various agriculture segments.

Around 4000 youths got registered on the

Agro Universities, Nature, R&D, Water

 The experts stressed on the need for the proper management and conservation efforts restoring the ecosystem health of rivers and other open water bodies. 

 

 

Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) ICAR inaugurated the International Conference on “Ecosystem Health and Fisheries of Indian Inland Waters: Multiple Stressors, Management and Conservation” organized by the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUA&T), Pantnagar, Uttarakhand .

 

The conference is being jointly organized by the Inland Fisheries Society of India (IFSI), Barrackpore; ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; College of Fisheries, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar; Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society (AEHMS), Canada and Professional Fisheries Graduate Forum (PFGF), Mumbai from 17th to 19th February, 2020. 

Dr Jena emphasized on the importance of fisheries sector in Indian agricultural and rural economy. He highlighted about more than 65% contribution of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the fisheries basket of the country. He expressed his concerns over the stressed condition of the aquatic ecosystems, their biotic communities and fisheries due to the increasing water maneuvering, pollution, erratic rainfall and global warming, over-exploitation of aquatic resources and over-fishing. Dr. Jena stressed on the need for the proper management and conservation efforts restoring the ecosystem health of rivers and other open water bodies.

 The Guest of Honor, Dr Gopal Krishna, Director and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai highlighted the importance of open water fisheries of the country. He hoped that the conference will bring out the recommendations to restore the ecosystem health of the inland open water resources. 

Dr Tej Partap, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar hoped that the conference will provide an inter-disciplinary forum for interaction among the experts, researchers, consultants, students and other stakeholders for exchanging the ideas, sharing information, building common platforms.

 Dr B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore briefed about the inland fisheries’ status in the country. He outlined about the important ecosystem health topics, such as, climate change, invasive species, connectivity, wetlands, biodiversity and all aspects of aquatic pollution, restoration and management, etc., in India that will be dealt with during the conference. 

Dr M. Munawar, President, AEHMS, Canada accentuated on the importance of ecosystem health and its conservation. He regarded the management and conservation as important factors for maintaining the health and fisheries of rivers and other open water bodies.

 The dignitaries also released the Conference Souvenir and Book of Abstracts along with Two Booklets namely – “Invasive species of River Ganga” and “Ex-situ conservation of wild Indian Major Carp germplasm of river Ganga” during the occasion.

 More than 200 researchers, academicians including scientists from Canada and Bangladesh along with 150 farmers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal participated in the conference.

 The experts stressed on the need for

Agrotech, Country, North America, R&D

Onmira is a highly active strobilurin (Group 11) fungicide used for the control of foliar and soil-borne plant diseases

Corteva Agriscience announced in recent that it is implementing Onmira active as the new global brand name for picoxystrobin, the active ingredient in more than 15 proven fungicides from Corteva. 

“With a consistent global brand, farmers can be confident that products containing picoxystrobin and labeled with Onmira active possess the benefits of Corteva’s exceptional research, development and testing,” says Keith Graham, Global Portfolio Leader, Corteva Agriscience. “Farmers worldwide will also be better able to recognize our high-quality active ingredient in these current Corteva fungicide products, as well as new ones we will be launching in the future.” 

For example, Corteva continues ramping up Vessarya fungicide with Onmira active1, one of the latest technologies released as part of the company’s robust innovation pipeline. 

Onmira is a highly active strobilurin (Group 11) fungicide used for the control of foliar and soil-borne plant diseases. Products with Onmira are labeled for crops including soybean, corn, wheat, rice, sunflower, canola and oilseed rape.

 Drawn from Latin and Romance languages, “mira” is associated with words meaning to see, as well as to wonder at or admire. Onmira captures the product’s proven ability to support farmers in growing visibly stronger, more vigorous crops. 

Local commercial teams are coordinating plans to integrate this brand into Corteva marketing and packaging materials in the coming year.

Onmira is a highly active strobilurin (Group

Agrotech, Country, E-commerce, North America, R&D, Trade

The financing was led by Morningside Group, a Boston-based private equity and venture capital firm.

Semios, the leading precision farming platform for permanent crops, has raised US$75 million in private equity funding to advance the development of its data-driven crop management solution. The financing was led by Morningside Group, a Boston-based private equity and venture capital firm. Since its founding in 2010, Semios has secured a total of $115 million in external capital. 

Semios has seen revenues double year-over-year, on average, since 2015. The company’s rapid growth is the result of its relentless focus on providing precision farming solutions that address production challenges such as insect damage encountered by growers of crops including almonds, apples, pistachios and grapes.

 “The Semios IoT network, the largest in agriculture, provides critical insights into the relationships between organisms and their environments, leveraging big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence,” says Semios CEO & founder, Michael Gilbert.

 “We amplify the experience and confidence of farmers by providing a clear picture of how environmental and agronomic factors influence the yield and grade of their crops. This investment will help us continue to deliver innovative solutions to the most pressing problems growers have told us they face”, Gilbert added. 

Semios collects sensory data on every acre in near real-time, helping farmers manage the complex biosystems in orchards to optimize the sustainability and profitability of their crops. Its cloud-based analytics platform ingests highly granular data from over one million IoT sensors in the field, measuring in-canopy microclimate, soil and plant conditions every 10 minutes. The 350 million data points collected daily feed established and proprietary models that provide guidance to improve agricultural practices addressing weather, insects, and disease and water management challenges. 

The funds raised enable Semios to accelerate research, development, partnerships or acquisitions to use in-field data to help growers around the world reduce chemical inputs, improve water management and increase crop outcomes. 

“Capitalizing companies that are solving important and complex problems with data is an area of focus of our investment team,” says Mick Sawka, investment manager at Morningside Group. “Semios’ proven track record growing revenues through innovation is exemplary. Their work has made farming more environmentally sustainable, more productive and therefore enhanced the security of our food chain.” 

Semios helps manage more than 150,000 acres of permanent crops, including over 500 farms in the United States. Its in-field data and control systems make it simpler and more efficient for growers to adopt technology to address their most pressing problems in crop production.

The financing was led by Morningside Group,

E-commerce, India, Trade

As per market reports, about 1.6 million tonnes of sugar has been exported from India, and about 3.2 million tonnes of contracts have been signed for exports.

 Amid the global deficit of sugar across the globe, India’s sugar export may cross 5 million tonnes in the marketing year ending September on higher demand from overseas, ISMA (Indian Sugar Mills Association) said on Tuesday.

As per reports, the Indian government has allowed export of 6 million tonnes of sugar for the current year, under Maximum Admissible Export Quota (MAEQ) to help deal with the surplus sugar. Moreover, India had exported 3.8 million tonnes during the 2018-19 marketing year (October-September) against the mandatory quota of 5 million tonnes. 

Total Sugar Production

As per reports, India’s sugar production has reached 16.98 million tonnes till February 15 of the current marketing year, which is much lower than 21.96 million tonnes output till the same period a year ago, reports said. 

 Hike in Global Sugar Price

According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), global sugar prices for raw and white sugar are 20-25 percent higher than the prices which prevailed three months ago when India started its exports against 6 million tonnes under MAEQ. 

“Accordingly, Indian sugar exports may get accelerated in the coming months, and could achieve more than 5 million tonnes of MAEQ in the whole season,” it said in a statement. 

As per market reports, about 1.6 million tonnes of sugar has been exported from India, and about 3.2 million tonnes of contracts have been signed for exports, it said. 

However, ISMA said the government has decided to withdraw and reallocate the export quota of mills that were not able to undertake shipments. “20 percent of export quotas of mills which have not contracted for 25 percent of their MAEQ by end of January 2020, will be withdrawn and reallocated among the others who have exported most of the MAEQ and are willing to export beyond their original MAEQ,” said ISMA.

 There is an estimated deficit of 8 to 9 million tonnes in the 2019-20 marketing year in the global market, and that Thailand’s exports are likely to be down by 3-4 million tonnes due to lower production, said experts.

As per market reports, about 1.6 million

Agrotech, Country, E-commerce, Europe, North America, R&D, Trade

BVT will expand its European office in Switzerland’s Agri & Co Innovation Center, where the Company joins other innovative organizations in the country’s flourishing ag-tech community 

 Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (the “Company” or “BVT”) (TSXV: BEE) (OTCQB: BEVVF) on recently  announced the opening of its new European office in Switzerland’s Agri & Co Innovation Center, where the Company joins other innovative organizations in the country’s flourishing ag-tech community. The move is part of BVT’s award in the Agri & Co Challenge.

 “We are honored to have been awarded this space as part of the Agri & Co Challenge and we would like to thank them for their support. The award recognizes BVT as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, something that the European market is eager to adopt,” says Ashish Malik, CEO of Bee Vectoring Technologies. “The new office and the accompanying expert resources will help BVT expand into the European market.” 

The new location is designed to help BVT continue its innovation in biological crop protection delivery systems. It includes a fully-equipped laboratory, growth chambers, greenhouse space for trialing (starting in spring 2020), and 95 hectares of land leased to a local grower who will host trials in his fields, as well as office space. In addition, BVT will receive the full support of Agri & Co staff and the Swiss canton of Fribourg’s state government, access to experts in various fields, as well as facilitated R&D collaborations with other ag-tech innovators. 

“This is now our regional base for piloting and commercializing our natural precision agriculture technology in Europe. The goal of the BVT Europe office is to coordinate registration efforts across Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), enable partnership conversations and develop our go-to-market strategy with our North American head office,” says Christoph Lehnen, BVT’s Business Manager for EAME. “As soon as we have Swiss regulatory approval, which we anticipate this year, we will start establishing commercial deals with Swiss growers and gain valuable experience for an eventual launch across Europe.”

 Strategically, it’s beneficial for BVT to have a presence in the Agri & Co Innovation Center. The vision for the Center is to become the Swiss – and potentially even a European – hub for the Agri, Food and Nutrition industry, with a number of startups already in place and more companies in talks to occupy a portion of the newly refurbished space. 

 “Consumer pressure against pesticides is significant in the European market,” continued Mr. Lehnen. “The European Union (EU) and Switzerland recently banned Chlorothalonil1, one of the world’s most common pesticides, which means another one of very few available contact fungicides is off the market. Growers have access to fewer and fewer tools to manage their crops, while resistance to fungicides is increasing. It’s a perfect entry point for crop protection alternatives, like BVT, that are effective and meet strict environmental requirements.”

 Switzerland, like the rest of Europe, has targeted to reduce the risks of pesticide use by 50%.2 In the Swiss action plan on pesticides, this involves less pesticide applications, more training and education, the substitution of pesticides posing particular risks, and other target actions. At the same time, new pests (e.g. Drosophila suzukii) and diseases (e.g. Marssonina coronata) have established a foothold in Europe, and in many cases, cannot be managed with chemical pesticides. Alternatives are needed and this presents the market opportunity for BVT. 

Today, growers in Switzerland and broader within the EU are increasingly seeking non-chemical alternatives. The overall EU pesticides market is worth approximately US$13 billion.3 BVT is targeting $1 billion of that for its bee delivery system, a huge opportunity that opens up a new market, helps maintain yields, and offers Europe a healthier, less chemically-dependent future.

BVT will expand its European office in

Agro chems – Pesticides, Country, E-commerce, North America, R&D

ADAMA’s Vopak™ 3ME and Zurax™ L herbicides offer pre- and post-emergence weed control options for rice growers, and purchase can qualify growers for a rebate.

 

 ADAMA announced that it has received registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for two rice herbicides.

Vopak™ 3ME is a clomazone herbicide with powerful residual activity on both grass and broadleaf weeds. Vopak 3ME can be applied pre-plant through early post-emergence. Its microencapsulated formulation is designed to meet the needs of both ground and aerial applicators.  

 Zurax™ L is a liquid formulation of quinclorac that provides reliable control of annual grass and broadleaf weeds, including barnyardgrass and large crabgrass. Zurax L offers increased ease-of-use, a flexible application window and can be foliar-applied to dry- and water-seeded rice as well as soil-applied before, during or after planting dry seeded rice. 

 In addition to these new products being foundational solutions for conventional rice, they complement ADAMA’s Preface™ and Postscript™ herbicides for the FullPage™ Rice Cropping Solution, furthering the company’s commitment to the rice industry. 

“ADAMA is excited to continue building our rice portfolio,” said Jake Brodsgaard, ADAMA USA CEO. “Our growers demand value-oriented, effective solutions, and we’re dedicated to bringing high-preforming, cost-effective solutions to the market.” 

ADAMA’s commitment to high performing and cost-effective solutions includes the launch of a rebate program geared toward rice growers who use the FullPage Rice Cropping Solution along with qualifying herbicides. ADAMA GROW (Grower Resource Optimization that Works) is a simple-to-use program supporting rice growers with sound solutions to help drive yields and optimize their return on investment. The ADAMA GROW website features a calculator that growers can use to estimate potential rebate amounts. Qualifying products include Preface and Postscript herbicides, along with the newest herbicides Vopak 3ME and Zurax L, giving growers choices for their integrated weed management programs. 

ADAMA and RiceTec are releasing the FullPage Cropping Solution with Preface and Postscript herbicides for the 2020 growing season. FullPage represents a new generation of IMI herbicide tolerance. The FullPage solution used in conjunction with Vopak 3ME and Zurax L herbicides can help improve weed control, peace of mind and profits.  

ADAMA’s Vopak™ 3ME and Zurax™ L herbicides

Acquaculture, Acts & Schemes – Centre, India, Live Stock

FSSAI has decided to set up six new branch offices, four new import offices and two new food laboratories in the country

Amid the horrific outbreak of Coronavirus in China, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an alert in the country’s meat and fish market and has become active towards creating a clean and hygienic environment. The hygiene condition of fish and meat markets is not in a good condition, but efforts are being made to improve it, said FSSAI CEO Pawan Aggarwal on Monday. Moreover, it also highlighted the need for ensuring the hygiene and safety standards of meat shops and slaughterhouses in the country. 

Aggarwal said that, “The problem of the novel coronavirus is being speculated to be related to the meat and fish market of Wuhan (China). The hygiene of our meat and fish shops and slaughterhouses is very critical. Slaughtering meat products in India requires a lot of hygiene up-gradation. About six to eight months FSSAI took some steps to improve the hygiene of such shops”.

 Survey of Slaughterhouses to improve hygiene

“FSSAI had conducted a survey of the municipal slaughterhouses a few days ago and now a third-party audit of non-government slaughterhouses is going on. We are starting the Hygiene Rating Scheme for Meat Shop and our effort is to improve hygiene conditions”, he added.

 Moreover, he added that while the coronavirus has no impact on meat products being sold in the country “but because of their awareness in the country surrounding coronavirus, we want to leverage that to improve the hygiene conditions of our meat and fish markets.”

 Setting up branch offices and Food Labs

As per reports, FSSAI has decided to set up six new branch offices, four new import offices and two new food laboratories in the country. After this, FSSAI will have four regional offices, 12 branch offices, and 6 import offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. FSSAI will have four national food laboratories in Kolkata, Ghaziabad (Delhi-NCR), Mumbai JNPT and Chennai and two food laboratories in Sanoli and Raxaul on the India-Pakistan border.

 The FSSAI that has already been auditing meat and fish shops, and slaughterhouses for some time now has stepped up efforts in the past six to eight months to ensure better safety and standards at such shops. The regulator is also in the process of introducing hygiene ratings for meat shops

FSSAI has decided to set up six

Country, E-commerce, North America, Trade

The company reports a 15 per cent increase in volume this season compared to 2019.

 LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados and grapes, announces the start of its Moroccan W. Murcott season with a strong supply of clementines available now through April. The company reports a 15 percent increase in volume this season compared to 2019, and expects fruit to peak at medium to large sizes.

 Murcotts are known for their overall excellent quality and taste. LGS has been supplying Moroccan W. Murcotts to the U.S. for over 10 years between February and April, and from Chile in the summer until fall. 

“At LGS, we only import the highest quality, color, flavor and crop for our Darling Clementine product line, and Morocco’s winter climate is the ideal environment for growing premium W. Murcotts,” said Luke Sears, president and founder of LGS Specialty Sales. “As the largest importer of clementines in the U.S., supplying W. Murcotts from Morocco has allowed us to keep up with the ever-growing demand for easy-peeler clementines.” 

Throughout each season, LGS’ quality advisors visit each field to monitor and observe the growing practices to ensure the fields and products are of the highest quality. In the off season, the advisers consult and recommend any changes that can be made to constantly improve product taste and condition.

Pink packaging of Clementines

New this year, LGS is unveiling a special pink packaging for the Darling Clementine line to use around various holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Breast Cancer Awareness month, etc. Shoppers can purchase Murcotts in 2, 3 and 5 pound packages.

LGS Specialty Sales, Ltd. has been importing fruit from select growers around the world for more than 25 years. Today, LGS is a leading importer of clementines, oranges, avocados, grapes, lemons, minneolas, cara cara oranges and persimmons, with an industry-wide reputation for innovation and excellence in produce quality, service, packaging and food safety.

The company reports a 15 per cent

Agro Universities, Live Stock, Poultry

KVK will start buying the chicks of original desi breeds from May and vaccinate poultry before distribution. 

Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is set to ensure availability of authentic desi poultry in urban homes of the city. The KVK will collect one-day-old chicks from organic poultry farmers after ensuring the purity of the native breed of the poultry and will distribute these through its sales counter located at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

Self-Help group for  desi Poultry farmers 

In a first step of this initiative, KVK formed a group of desi poultry farmers in the district and a self-help group. ” After collecting the chicks, KVK will rear them for two months, vaccinate them before distribution”, said Shinoj Subramanian, Head of KVK. The Kendra would also ensure that farmers follow scientific systems in poultry farms as advised by KVK before buying the chicks from them, he said. 

The farmers’ group under the KVK is also planning to solve the issue of shortage of feed for organic poultry. An attempt will be made to produce the feed under farmers’ group he added. 

KVK’s initiative assumes significance in the wake of the shortage of native poultry for consumption in urban markets. KVK will start buying the chicks of original desi breeds from May and it is expected that the vaccinated poultry could be distributed by July, Shinoj said.

Branding of Desi eggs

 In another major initiative of KVK and the poultry farmers associated with, country chicken eggs would be made available in the market with a brand name. Currently, there is no systematic market for desi eggs. Even though there is a huge demand for the produce, lack of proper market network stands in the way of farmers to reach out to the targeted buyers, he said.

KVK will start buying the chicks of

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, R&D

Company has announced a molecule in Phase 2 of early development which has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in research

With stakes in the fight against tough-to-control and resistant weeds at an all-time high, Bayer is adding a new tool to farmers’ toolboxes in coming years. The company says it will introduce a new herbicide mode of action.

 “Bayer announced a molecule in Phase 2 of early development which has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in research,” Bayer said in a news release.

 Right now, the company has not announced a name for the new broad acre, post-emergent herbicide. The last new herbicide mode of action was introduced more than 30 years ago—HPPD inhibitors. A new mode of action is different than a new active ingredient as active ingredients are essentially a subset of a mode of action. That said, if approved through the regulatory process, this new mode of action would represent a novel attack on weeds.

 Each new herbicide takes about one decade and $250 million to come to market.  The process includes internal efficacy and safety testing, Environmental Protection Agency regulatory testing and other requirements and state-level approvals. Each of these hurdles must be jumped before the product gets into the hands of farmers. 

“Discovery of this molecule is being complemented by a discovery-phase program to identify and develop a corresponding biotechnology trait to convey herbicide tolerance and initial approaches are under evaluation,” the Bayer press release continues. 

As with all herbicides, stewardship of this new mode of action is critical. Overuse or improper use of any herbicide can lead to selection resistance in weeds and it doesn’t take long for resistance to occur. Remember herbicide best management practices for this and all herbicides.

Company has announced a molecule in Phase

Agrotech, E-commerce, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting, R&D

K2 tractors will have four tractor variants which will be designed for both domestic and international markets. 

 In collaboration with Japanese brand Mitsubishi, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Ltd is going to launch a new range of tractors. This merger will help strengthen the position of M&M in domestic as well as overseas markets.

 As per the five-year-old strategic agreement, Mahindra and Mahindra acquired a 33 percent stake in the Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery (MAM) in order to develop quality products to address global opportunities in the rice value chain. 

 

 Elaborating on the news, Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, says, “We are working on a program for developing a new tractor platform called K2. It will have four tractor variants. These will be designed for both domestic and international markets. The work is primarily done in Japan in co-operation with Mitsubishi Agriculture Machinery. This is the most ambitious tractor development we have undertaken.”

 As per The Hindu Business line’s report, the company is also working on intelligent tractors to enhance agricultural productivity and address the issue of shortage of skilled labor. As per the report, the new platform will be launched soon in mid-2021. These models will be introduced for two years across horsepower ranges.

K2 tractors will have four tractor variants