Home2020May (Page 7)

 It is a novel nematicide and fungicide technology under development for both seed- and soil-applied uses.  

 

Syngenta has recently  unveiled  the TYMIRIUM™ technology platform brand. It is a novel nematicide and fungicide technology under development for both seed- and soil-applied uses. 

TYMIRIUM™ technology is a great example of Syngenta investing in innovation to provide farmers with tools that help them maximize their yield in a sustainable way. 

Based on the active ingredient cyclobutrifluram, TYMIRIUM™ technology provides long-lasting protection against a broad spectrum of nematode pests and diseases across all major crops and geographies. Nematodes not only attack crops but also open a path to further fungal infection. TYMIRIUM™ technology offers excellent control of both nematodes and soil-borne diseases, especially Fusarium species. By protecting the root mass, TYMIRIUM™ technology plays a critical part in enabling no-tillage and conservation-tillage practices.

 Jon Parr, President Global Crop Protection, said: “We are investing significantly in soil health at Syngenta, and the development of the TYMIRIUM™ technology is a major step forward in this space. It will give farmers the freedom to maximize their yields without having to compromise on sustainability.”

The first launches of TYMIRIUM™ technology-based products are planned for Latin America in 2021 / 2022. Further registrations across a broad range of crops world-wide are expected over the next five years.

 

 

 

 

 It is a novel nematicide and fungicide

The company sold 4716 tractors in the month against the 27,495 tractors sold in the same month in 2019. 

 

 

The Covid-19 lockdown has made adverse impact on the sales of farm inputs required for the upcoming Kharif season. It seems evident in the sales of tractors of India’s largest tractor manufacturing company, Mahindra & Mahindra. The domestic sales of the company has declined 83 percent in April 2020. The company sold 4716 tractors in the month against the 27,495 tractors sold in the same month in 2019. 

The exports witnessed the similar trends, the company sold 56 tractors in the month against 1057 tractors sold in the same month in 2019. It is a decline of 95 percent. 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), recently, announced its tractor sales numbers for April 2020.

 Highlighting the sales, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra said, “We have sold 4,716 tractors in the domestic market during April 2020. The extension of the national lockdown impacted the business, with dealers partially open for just a few days. Going forward, several positive factors including a good Rabi output, opening of procurement centres by the government, indication of good crop prices, reservoir levels etc., augur well for tractor demand.”

 “However, the rate of improvement will depend on how quickly the on-ground sales operations, including the start of NBFCs are normalised, following the relaxation of the lockdown. In the exports market we have sold 56 tractors,” Sikka added.

 

The company sold 4716 tractors in the

The promoters of 38 cold chain projects participated in the Video Conference 

 

 

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, held video conference with the promoters of the completed Integrated Cold Chain Projects supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the State of Maharashtra. 

Minister of State for FPI, Rameshwar Teli was also present in the meeting.The promoters of 38 cold chain projects participated in the Video Conference. The promoters interacted with the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and shared their experience gained/ problems faced in completing the projects. Further, the promoters shared the challenges faced in running the cold chain projects during the lockdown period.

 Harsimrat Kaur Badal emphasized on the need to leverage the collective strength of the Integrated Cold Chain network to cope up with the COVID-19 crisis that has posed a serious challenge to the existing supply chain of food products.

 They discussed issues such as piling stocks of frozen vegetables and processed dairy products not finding their traditional markets like restaurants, banquets, hotels etc. amidst the lockdown and further, the difficulty in exporting these products. 

The promoters shared that higher number of working hours are required as businesses are operating with 1/3rd or half of labour Force. This has increased the cost of production rendering product as less competitive. 

Union FPI Minister discussed following major issues in the Video Conference: 

  • Raw material availability and its high cost
  • Impact of Lockdown on operations
  • Labour and Logistics issues
  • High inventory costs
  • Liquidity crisis as payments have to be made to farmers 

The promoters of 38 cold chain projects

CCFI has also raised serious concerns with the new Pesticide Management Bill 

Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI), an industry body of pesticide manufacturers and formulators, claims that indigenous pesticides meet global standards and help farmers reduce 30% of annual crop losses in commercial and horticultural crops. 

“There has been false propaganda that 40- 50% of pesticides are “spurious or substandard” in the market in not only false but tarnishes the image of genuine manufacturers. This is baseless,” said Harsh Mehta, senior advisor to CCFI.

Right to Information applications filed with various state governments by CCFI have also revealed that 97.2% of pesticide samples were quality products meeting international standards. 

“Out of 54932 samples collected from agriculture department of various states during fiscal 2017-18 and 2018-19, only 1527 samples were found to be below standard or “not meeting specification”. When the ’failed’ 2.78% samples were sent for reanalysis, this failing percentage reduced further, giving credence to the fact that Indian agrochemicals are superior and accepted all across by the farming community,” Mehta claimed.

 Indian agrochemical industry, a major component of Agri inputs, has grown exponentially over the years both in domestic consumption and exports. This has only been possible on account of quality manufacturing by indigenous producers meeting global standards. 

“We have the potential to increase exports from existing $3bn to $8bn under favourable policies of government,” Mehta said. 

A leading global firm McKinsey & Company, in its recent report on Indian Chemical Industry, estimated India can aim for deeper market penetration into global markets in agrochemical exports. 

The body has also raised serious concerns with the new Pesticide Management Bill, which heightens the criminalisation of business operations, as there are penalties of up to Rs 50 lakh with an imprisonment up to 5 years or both, without differentiating between minor or major offences.

 “There is no safeguard provision for the genuine manufacturer, who applies the product manufactured as per the regulatory framework formulated by a competent body like the Registration Committee. No one would take the risk of imprisonment for minor offences,” Mehta said.

 

CCFI has also raised serious concerns with

Prior to the appointment as Director (Operations), he was serving as an Executive Director to the CMD

 

Ramesh Babu V has taken over the role of Director (Operations) at NTPC Ltd. He has been dedicated to NTPC since the year 1987. Started over his journey as an Executive Trainee, he has experience of managing large power stations in the areas of operations and maintenance. He also has a keen eye towards the renovation and modernization of old units and domains of efficiency & systems improvement of thermal plants. 

As a Professional Manager and Strategic Planner, Ramesh Babu has been leading several initiatives in order to improve the reliability and efficiency of Power Stations. He has hands-on knowledge in the power sector including Senior Management level exposure as a “Business Unit Head” of NTPC Talcher Kaniha & NSPCL Durgapur. 

As per NTPC, his primary responsibility as Director (Operations) will be the overall planning of safe, reliable and efficient operations of all power generating stations of the NTPC Group, at the same time, ensuring fuel security and environmental compliance of these power stations. Prior to his appointment as Director (Operations), he was serving as an Executive Director to the CMD. He was also in charge of system improvement activities and forming strategies related to the operational excellence of NTPC power plants.

 

 

 

 

Prior to the appointment as Director (Operations),

 The Tata group firm had posted a net profit of Rs 1.35 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said. 

Agriculture solutions firm Rallis India recently  reported a decline of 49.62 per cent in its consolidated net profit at Rs 0.68 crore for the quarter ended March of 2019-20.The Tata group firm had posted a net profit of Rs 1.35 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said in a BSE filing.

 The total income marginally increased to Rs 346.29 crore during the period as against Rs 339.69 crore during the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Expenses rose to Rs 369.87 crore from Rs 345.05 crore earlier. 

However, for the year ended March 31, 2020, the company reported a rise in its consolidated net profit at 183.69 crore from Rs 154.78 crore at the end of 2018-19.

The company’s total income rose to Rs 2,286.15 crore during the period as against Rs 2,014.61 crore at the end of 2018-19 fiscal. 

Due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Rallis India said its operations were disrupted at certain manufacturing facilities and depots of the company, as a result of which goods worth Rs.16.04 crore could not be dispatched to the domestic market.

Further, international shipments were also disrupted due to absence of transportation facilities in the last week of March 2020 resulting in lower shipment of Rs.53.18 crore, it said in the filing.

Sanjiv Lal, Managing Director and CEO of Rallis India said, “Under the current COVID 19 situation, we are focusing on the safety of our employees and operations. Taking view of the situation, we coincided our maintenance related shutdown with the lockdown period.” 

After completing critical maintenance jobs, the company has resumed operations since April 27 and expect to ramp up production levels gradually with the adoption of safe practices, he said.

“We are thankful to the government in supporting the agri input industry which is declared as an essential industry. As we move forward, we are adapting to the new normal with a consistent focus on product supply, cash position, optimal capex and calibrated fixed cost,” he added.

 The Tata group firm had posted a

It aims at Australia’s sorghum and sunflower germplasm portfolio and carry out R&D, plant breeding, and commercialization services. 

 Nuseed Pty Ltd (“Nuseed Australia”) and Barenbrug Australia Pty Ltd announced they have entered into a formal agreement for Barenbrug Australia to license Nuseed Australia’s sorghum and sunflower germplasm portfolio and carry out R&D, plant breeding, and commercialisation services. 

This announcement demonstrates Nuseed Australia’s prioritization and focus on its market-leading position in the Australian canola and Monola markets and its ongoing Australian research and development commitments as the global commercialization partner for CSIRO and GRDC for Nuseed Omega-3 canola. The collaboration aligns strongly with Barenbrug’s strategic objective of being a key player in summer crop in Australia, which includes a long-term focus and continued R&D investment.

Starting July 1st, 2020, all Australian-based Nuseed grain sorghum, forage sorghum and sunflower plant breeding, R&D, sales and distribution will be licensed to Barenbrug. Australian growers will have access to the same Nuseed products, sold under the Barenbrug brand. 

Travis Rankin, Nuseed Australia’s General Manager says, “Barenbrug is in a strong position to bring Australian farmers an exciting suite of next-generation hybrids from the genetics currently in the Nuseed pipeline.”

 “This agreement reinforces Barenbrug’s commitment to investing in R&D in Australian agriculture,” says Barenbrug’s Australian Managing Director Toby Brown. “We have an extensive program focused on innovation in Australia, and we look forward to developing new products and tools for sorghum and sunflower growers. It represents an exciting next step following the recent opening of our new, state-of-the-art warehouse and seed-coating facility in Toowoomba as part of our ongoing investment in Northern Australia. Barenbrug looks forward to working with Nuseed to continue driving the breeding program forward, with the objective of providing new and existing hybrids to sorghum and sunflower growers.”

 Globally Nuseed will continue to provide industry-leading sorghum and sunflower hybrids to other regions through global germplasm, R&D programs, sales and service in North America, South America, and Europe. Similarly, Barenbrug will continue to remain focused on being a global market leader in research and development, marketing, extension and distribution of proprietary pasture and forage seeds, cropping, turf and seed enhancement technology.

It aims at Australia’s sorghum and sunflower

Around 100 participants involved in pearl millet R&D participated in the virtual meeting

The ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet, Jodhpur, Rajasthan organized its 55th Annual Group Meeting through Video Conferencing.

The Chief Guest of Plenary Session, Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) applauded the participants for successfully coordinating the various activities of ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet. He also appreciated the Members for successfully conducting the Online 55th AGM of Pearl Millet despite the lockdown. 

Earlier, in his inaugural address through video conferencing, Dr Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR emphasized on carrying out the basic and strategic research for enhancing the crops’ production, productivity and its sustainability. Dr Sharma stressed on pre-breeding by using the diverse gene pools for developing parental lines with resistance to major Pearl Millet diseases like blast, downy mildew and rust. He also suggested for exploring the possibility of fixation of heterosis using apomixis in pearl millet.

 Dr C Tara Satyavathi, Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet briefed about the various activities taken up and research conducted during 2019-20.

The Publications on Pearl Millet were also released during the plenary session. The ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet presented various awards to the Best Performing Centres & Scientists in different categories.

The senior officials of ICAR Institutes also attended the Online Meeting. Around 100 participants from various parts of the country representing public and private sectors involved in Pearl Millet R&D participated in various sessions of the 55th Annual Group Meeting on Pearl Millet through Video Conferencing.

Around 100 participants involved in pearl millet

KRBL aims to provide all top selling packs to consumers without having them to step out of their home 

KRBL Limited, India’s largest branded rice company has announced their association with Zomato and Swiggy to introduce INDIA GATE BASMATI RICE on the country’s leading food delivery platforms. This service will be available on Zomato in 34 cities across 11 states-West Bengal (Kolkata, Durgapur, Siliguri), Orissa (Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambhalpur), Tripura (Agartala), Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Nellore, Nizamabad), Jharkhand (Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad), Bihar (Bhagalpur, Gaya), Chattisgarh (Raipur), Karnataka (Bangalore, Bellary, Mysore, Hubli, Bijapur, Bidar, Davanagere), Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior, Mandsaur,Neemuch, Indore), Gujarat (Surat), Maharashtra (Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Latur, Ichalkaranji). 

On Swiggy, this service will be available in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi & Gurgaon and will be extending to more cities as well.

Through this collaboration, India Gate Basmati Rice aims to provide all top selling packs to consumers without having them to step out of their home. The customers can choose any of the packs visible in the app as per availability. 

Commenting on the association, Ayush Gupta, heading the domestic marketing of KRBL Limited, elaborated, “During this pandemic situation which has taken most of the countries across the world Off-guard, we are making sure to be available as an essential grain to tens of thousands of our customers across the nation through all channels possible. It is our duty to provide best quality and hygienic products in controlled environment to each and every person while respecting their need for safety in a lockdown state. Our association with Swiggy and Zomato is further going to strengthen this promise and give assurance and ease to everyone who wants their product to be delivered safely at their doorstep.” 

Mohit Sardana, COO-Food Delivery, Zomato said, “We are focused on making sure everyone has access to essential products from the comfort of their homes. We are glad to partner with KRBL and make India Gate Basmati Rice available online on Zomato Market across 34 cities in India. Rice is one of the key staples in India and our wide delivery network will ensure our users don’t have to wait more than 60 mins for it.” 

Speaking on the collaboration, Paul Varghese, VP, Supply-Swiggy, said, “Swiggy is committed to accelerate its existing services to serve the citizens of our country in every way possible. Rice is the most basic grain in every household in India and is constantly in demand. We are happy to partner with KRBL to make this essential grain easily accessible to our customers. While KRBL team is persistently working to maintain the supply of essentials for its customers, Swiggy will maximise on its efforts to aid the last mile deliveries to ensure the product reaches the consumers quickly and in a safe manner.”

 

 

KRBL aims to provide all top selling

Govt will supply free power for nine hours of the feeders of the farm sector 

Andhra Pradesh government will supply free power for nine hours to 81 per cent of feeders of the farm sector during the Kharif season and will increase it to 100 per cent for the next Rabi season.

This was revealed in a review meeting, chaired by State Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Due to issues relating to Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the State power sector, the issue of supply of free electricity to farmers for nine hours has been restricted to 81 per cent. 

In the previous Kharif season, power was supplied to only 58 per cent of the feeders during the day time. Now, the state is ready to provide the power for 9 hours to 81 per cent of the feeders, State Power Secretary N Srikanth, informed.

The Chief Minister was however keen that there should be 100 per cent supply. He ordered the officials to supply free power to 100 per cent feeders from the next Rabi season.

The Chief Minister sought details on the progress of the proposed 10,000 MW capacity solar power plant. Officials stated that the works would start by month-end.

Govt will supply free power for nine

Priority was given to agricultural and power train manufacturing, considered essential industries by governments

 

CNH Industrial today announced that the resumption of manufacturing operations is proceeding according to plan, and follows all COVID-19 health and safety protocols on a global basis. Central to this process is employee health and safety and agreements with trade unions, to ensure full engagement with the resumption of activities. 

More than two thirds of the Company’s 67 plants are already operational, to varying degrees. On a regional basis, more than 75% of production sites in Europe and some 60% in North America, in South America and in the Rest of the World are already operational; in the case of the latter, when considering joint ventures, this proportion approaches 90%.

 Priority was given to agricultural and powertrain manufacturing, considered essential industries by governments, and in response to local market demands. These were followed by commercial and specialty vehicle manufacturing, given the importance of the transportation and civil protection sectors at this time, and thereafter construction equipment production. 

The Company plans to return to full operation at most sites by the end of the month. Modifications may be necessary if local or regional situations deteriorate or in response to specific critical issues, such as end market conditions and supply chains. 

From the beginning of the pandemic, the Company has continuously maintained support and assistance to its sales networks and global spare parts and components supply. End customers, together with the dealer network, have been fully supported by CNH Industrial Aftermarket Solutions, and today, almost all of its 45 logistics hubs are operational, the majority of which are running at full capacity. 

To guarantee future product innovation, CNH Industrial is maintaining its commitment to its most significant Research & Development programs.

Today some 24,000 Company employees are able to work from home, and around half are operational. Where available, the Company in agreement with trade unions, is leveraging employee salary support measures. 

During this period, the Company remains committed to updating and refining its health and safety protocols. Through the contributions of qualified external experts, as well as working in partnership with local and national health authorities, CNH Industrial is ensuring the highest levels of protection and safeguarding for its employees and the local communities in which it operates.

Priority was given to agricultural and power

It aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers. 

 

 

Amid the 3.0 nationwide lockdown, the Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi. A unique initiative of GeM and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, the Saras Collection showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.

As per reports, 913 SHGs from 11 States have already registered as sellers and 442 products have been on-boarded in the first phase.

Under this initiative, the SHG sellers will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely handicrafts, handloom and textiles, office accessories, grocery and pantry, and personal care & hygiene. In the first phase, 913 SHGs from 11 States have already registered as sellers and 442 products have been on-boarded. In order to develop a scalable model capable of on boarding a large number of SHGs across the country in a short time frame, GeM has developed an API based integration mechanism with the NRLM database.

About GeM platform

GeM will provide dashboards for functionaries at the national, state, district and block level to provide them real time information about the number of products uploaded by SHGs, and value and volume of orders received and fulfilled. In addition, Government buyers shall be sensitized through system generated messages/ alerts in the Marketplace about availability of SHG products on the portal. Potential buyers shall be able to search, view, cart and procure such products through the stipulated modes of procurement.

The on-boarding of the SHGs under the initiative has been initially piloted in the States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The coverage shall be rapidly extended to enable a large number of SHGs from all the states/ Union Territories to sell their products to Government buyers.

In order to handhold and facilitate the SHGs in uploading their products, GeM, along with the State and National Rural Livelihoods Missions, are assisting the sellers with product catalogue management, order fulfilment and bid participation. GeM shall also collaborate with State functionaries to address the capacity building and training needs of SHGs, and build up their competencies required for order packaging, catalogue management and logistics. 

With inputs and assistance from NRLM and SRLMs, GeM will develop online learning resources in vernacular content for SHGs and SRLM staff to meet user specific needs. Further, GeM will conduct online webinars for SHGs and functionaries at State Livelihoods Missions and develop videos, eBooks, Manual and repository of FAQs fora seamless learning experience.

 By providing SHGs with direct access to Government buyers, the Saras Collection will do away with intermediaries in the supply chain, thus ensuring better prices for SHGs andspurring employment opportunities at the local level.This is just the beginning and GeM is delighted at this opportunity to partner the SHGs in their growth story. 

The SHGs deserve to be specially commended for the manner in which they, like the entire country, are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic valiantly at this time of national health emergency of unprecedented and historic scale.

 

It aims to provide SHGs in rural

Chakhao has also been used by traditional medical practitioners as part of traditional medicine. 

 

 

Manipur black rice which is popularly known as ‘Chakhao’ by the locals has bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Moreover, the Geographical Indications Registry website also confirmed the report of registering Chakhao in the name of ‘Manipur black rice’ on their official website. 

 Chakhao Rice

The application for Chakhao was filed by the Consortium of Producers of Chakhao (Black Rice),  Manipur and was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited. 

About GI Tag

The GI status is an indication that identifies goods as produced from a particular area which has special quality attributable to its geographical origin. GI has great potential to play a major role in trade and there is a possibility of preserving many traditional skills.

 As per reports, it took more than a year for the registration process including documentation by the team members of the state agriculture department, according to officials. 

On getting the registration, project coordinator MS Khaidem of Manipur Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium said, “Now we can sell seeds as well as grains to any parts of the globe. We will get loyalty if anyone wants to do trading.”

  Speciality of Chakhao

Chakhao, scented glutinous rice which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, is characterised by its special aroma. It is normally eaten during community feasts and is also served as Chakhao kheer.Chakhao has also been used by traditional medical practitioners as part of traditional medicine. It is sold at Rs 100-120 a kilogram on an average in the Imphal market.

 “Now we are targeting to take up the GI process for a high protein content local pea variety-Hawai-Tharak Makhyatmubi,” MS Khaidem added. This local pea variety is sold double the price of other pea varieties in Manipur markets.

 

 

 

Chakhao has also been used by traditional

It will enable companies to commercialize TAEGRO®, biofungicide addressing critical grower needs 

Syngenta, a leading agricultural company, and Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, announced last Friday that they are entering the commercialization phase of TAEGRO®. The two companies originally joined forces in 2012 to develop and market the product, and have now received the first wave of product approvals in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and United Kingdom. Several other approvals are expected across the EU and Latin America during the next 12 months, which will enable multiple product launches in 2020. 

“We’re delighted to see our collaboration with Novozymes entering the commercialization phase and excited about our launch plans. Over the last seven years, our journey together deepened our understanding of biologicals, and we are pleased to place a new tool in the hands of farmers” comments Jean-Philippe Albert, Global Head of Disease Control at Syngenta. 

“This collaboration matches Syngenta’s global market strength in biocontrol and dedication to bring novel technologies to market with Novozymes’ deep knowledge of sustainable, biological solutions,” says Thomas Batchelor, Novozymes’ Vice President of BioAg Commercial. “As the developer and producer of TAEGRO®, we are really excited to see another microbial technology become available to farmers to help them sustainably combat crop diseases and avoid significant yield losses”. 

Alleviating critical grower pain points and addressing the sustainability challenge

TAEGRO® is a microbial foliar fungicide with broad spectrum potential. When fruit and vegetable growers use TAEGRO® in the recommended crop management programs it protects against diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis. Due to its microbial origin, low application rates, and short re-entry and pre-harvest intervals, TAEGRO® is a powerful tool that helps ensure compliance with food chain requirements and maximize marketable yields. The efforts behind the development and commercialization of TAEGRO® demonstrate both companies’ commitment to sustainability.

It will enable companies to commercialize TAEGRO®,