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R&D

It is estimated that the APAC gene editing market may register more than 15% CAGR with Japan, China and India being the prominent players.  

 

 

 In the history of Nobel prizes, it’s been awarded to 57 women 58 times, with Marie Curie being awarded twice. The 2020 Nobel for chemistry is the first time an all women team has been awarded the Nobel. The only other instance being the Nobel peace prize in 1976 to founders of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) were discovered in bacteria in 1987, but their function as an antivirus defence system of bacteria was elucidated in the 2000s. Bacteria take sections of a virus’s DNA into their own genome using Cas enzyme. The resulting CRISPR sequences allows them to detect a subsequent viral attack and fight back.

Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier showed in 2012, that the bacterial defence system could be turned into a ‘cut and paste’ tool for editing gene sequences. The tool is cheaper, less laborious than other available tools for editing genes and is more precise. Beyond just reading and synthesizing gene sequences, CRISPR empowered scientists to edit genes to modify and correct changes.  This application in editing was put forward in 2012 for the first time and has won the scientists a Nobel within eight years. This prompt acknowledgement and awards reiterate the potential of the technology in various aspects of scientific study.

“Gene editing technology can help eliminate human inherited disease, protect endangered species, address climate change and improve crops for resilience and better yields. Of the various gene editing techniques, CRISPR is widely accepted and adopted due to its simplicity as well as efficiency. Asia Pacific is considered to be a prominent region for gene editing providers. It is estimated that the APAC gene editing market may register more than 15% CAGR with Japan, China and India being the prominent players” said Dr. Ratna Kumria, Director- Biotechnology, AAI.

Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) said,” The technology can have the most positive impact in agriculture. It can improve yield, increase food diversity, improve nutrition, develop disease and pest resistance, and control food waste and support sustainable agriculture. The above listed ongoing improvements will make crops high yielding while using minimal soil resources by making their efficient use. The gene edited plants would require minimal pesticide sprays, reducing GHG emissions, increased shelf life to reduce wastage and enhanced vitamin, protein and mineral levels for consumer health”.

However, its success as an efficient and inexpensive tool rests at the hands of the regulators who make the policies of the use of this technology. A prompt recognition of this tool by the Nobel committee is a testament of its potential, which is also a clear direction of the future research and product development.  A cautious approach will make it inaccessible and expensive, therefore, unattractive for small size enterprises. On the other hand, a more practical technology management, aligned with major economies in Asia Pacific and around the world will allow the optimum usage of CRISPR as a tool to improve agriculture.

 

India can take leadership in the region with available competency and intense demand for technology to improve agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner. Our farmers are dealing with salty soils, lowering water tables over and above the vagaries of climate change, including drought, flooding and increasing temperatures. They need traits in their crops that ensure yields as well as have enhanced consumer traits for better market acceptability and profits. Our trading partners may follow our lead in regulating and managing the products of gene editing in agriculture. Therefore, the technology presents an opportunity for self-reliance and to take up a leadership role in innovation and trade in the region.

 

Alliance for Agri Innovation is a special interest group of Federation of Seed Industry of India.

It is estimated that the APAC gene

Agro chems – Fertilizers, North America

Commerce is currently scheduled to announce its final CVD determinations on or about February 9, 2021

The US Department of Commerce has recently announced affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia.

Commerce preliminarily determined that exporters received countervailable subsidies rates of 23.46 percent, and 20.94 percent to 72.50 percent, respectively.

As a result, Commerce will instruct US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits from importers of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia based on these preliminary rates.

In 2019, imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco and Russia were valued at approximately $729.4 million, and $299.4 million, respectively. 

The strict enforcement of US trade law is a primary focus of the Trump Administration. Since the beginning of the current administration, Commerce has initiated 306 new antidumping (AD) and CVD investigations – this is a 283 percent increase from the comparable period in the previous administration.

The CVD law provides American businesses and workers with an internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of unfair subsidization of imports into the United States. Commerce currently maintains 539 AD and CVD orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade.

Commerce is currently scheduled to announce its final CVD determinations on or about February 9, 2021.

 

Commerce is currently scheduled to announce its

Agro Universities, R&D

BGU is among the world leaders in the field of desert agriculture and water related research

Israel-based Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev and ABAN Group has recently announced the launch of a new initiative to build an agricultural research institute in Chennai, India in a virtual ceremony.

As BGU is among the world leaders in the field of desert agriculture and water related research, BGU will be consulting regarding the establishment, development, launch and operation of the joint Academic Research Institute.

Interested students who have completed their undergraduate studies in an academic institution in India and meet the academic and administrative requirements of BGU can apply to study towards a certificate course, postgraduate Diploma or master’s degree at BGU. The research part of the degree will be carried out at the ABAN-BGU Academic Research Institute under the guidance of the faculty of the University and / or staff trained by BGU, in one of the following fields: dryland agriculture and biotechnology, hydrology and water quality, desert studies, or ecology and conservation.

BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz said, “As part of the international research community, it is our obligation to share our scientific knowledge for the benefit of all of the world’s citizens. We have been deepening our knowledge and researching myriad aspects of desert agriculture up close for more than 50 years. We are proud to be leading global research in these fields and therefore it is natural for Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to direct the academic establishment of an agriculture institute in India. The institute will assist in developing appropriate solutions to the agriculture of India. In addition, the students will benefit from studies at BGU at our Sde Boker Campus, and then carry out relevant research in the new Institute under the mentorship of BGU scientists.”

BGU is among the world leaders in

Nature, Schemes - Govt

India has achieved its voluntary target of reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 21% over the 2005 level

India and Finland have recently signed an MOU for developing cooperation between two countries in the field of Environment protection and biodiversity conservation.

The MoU is a platform to further advance Indian and Finnish partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air and water pollution; Waste management; Promotion of circular economy, low-carbon solutions and sustainable management of natural resources including forests; Climate change; Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources; etc.

The MoU was signed virtually by Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change from the Indian side and Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Government of Finland from the Finnish side.

Javadekar informed that India has achieved its voluntary target of reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 21% over 2005 levels, by 2020 and is poised to achieve 35% reduction well before the target year of 2030.

As part of its Nationally Determined Contributions submitted under the Paris Agreement , India has taken three quantitative climate change goals viz. reduction in the emissions intensity of Gross Domestic Product  by 33 to 35 percent by 2030 from 2005 level, achieving about 40 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 and creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

The MoU will strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and develop bilateral cooperation in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit with due respect to promotion of sustainable development.

 

India has achieved its voluntary target

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The center will impart training and provide incubation facilities to farmers as well as entrepreneurs in agro-processing and value addition 

 The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will establish Food Industry Business Incubation Centre at Abohar in Punjab to impart training and provide incubation facilities to farmers as well as entrepreneurs in agro-processing and value addition. The development was disclosed by Dr Poonam A Sachdev, Head, Department of Food Science and Technology, during a live programme of PAU.

 

Dr Sachdev said, “Processed products hold a good value in the market and farmers and young entrepreneurs can earn 10-50 per cent profit, if they adopt it as a venture.” Many entrepreneurs, farmers and farm women are receiving training as well as availing incubational facilities at Food Industry Business Incubation Centre, at PAU, Ludhiana and Bathinda, she informed. The department has commercialised 38 technologies, such as bottling of sugarcane juice, multigrain flour, porridge, potato snacks, frozen peas, rollable chapatti, etc. she added. The department is also sharing technologies with Punjab Agro, Markfed and Sugarfed regarding sugarcane juice, Kinnow and guava blend, and Kinnow and mango blend, she noted.

 

Explaining the extension set up of PAU, Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, Department of Extension Education, said the University transfers technologies through various extension modes like Kisan Melas, field days, workshops, adaptive research trials, on farm trials, demonstrations, specialized trainings (short, vocational and in-service), exhibitions, campaigns, technical guidance, sale of farm literature, TV/radio talks, social media, etc. Farmers can seek solutions to their agriculture related problems by consulting PAU experts, Ludhiana or experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, located in their nearby districts, he added.

 

Dr MS Bhullar, Head, Department of Agronomy, while discussing weed control in wheat, advised the farmers to follow PAU recommendations for the management of gulli danda in wheat.

 

Dr Paramjit Kaur, Assistant Entomologist, and Ravinder Bhalooria, mobiliser, Skill Development Centre, threw light on recommended varieties and production-protection technologies of various crops.

The center will impart training and provide

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, R&D

Award Winners Nambikkai fish farmers’ group and Sai Aqua Feeds adopted CIBA’s Fish Waste-to-Wealth” and Feed Processing Technology. 

The Nambikkai Fish Farmers Group, Tamil Nadu and Sai Aqua Feeds, Andhra Pradesh bagged the “Best Fisheries Self Help Group” and “Best Fisheries Enterprise Award – 2020” for adopting the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai’s “Fish Waste-to-Wealth” and Feed Processing Technology. The award was bestowed by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India during the World Fisheries Day – 2020 celebrations held at National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi

 Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying conferred the Awards to Shri T. Kennit Raj, Leader, Nambikkai Fish Farmers Group and Shri Vijay, Managing Director, Sai Aqua Feeds, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh on the behalf of their respective organizations. 

Dr Rajeev Ranjan, I.A.S., Secretary (Fisheries), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and Dr. Suvarna C., Chief Executive, NFDB, Hyderabad were also present during the occasion.

 

The Nambikkai Fish Farmers’ Group from Pattinapakkam in Chennai successfully adopted the technology-conversion of fish wastes into value-added products – developed by the ICAR-CIBA. M/s. Sai Aqua Feeds, a Start-Up Company in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh adopted the technology of ICAR-CIBA, Chennai in formulating Desi Shrimp Feeds. The Awards include a Financial Incentive of Rs. 2 Lakh Cash Prize and a Shield.

“Waste to Wealth” Initiative 

Started its functioning during 2017-18 under the aegis of ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, the Nambikkai Fish Farmers’ Group commercialized the ambitious technology of recycling fish wastes to develop value-added  products named Plankton plus (used in aquaculture system to boost and maintain the healthy plankton blooms) and Horti plus (used as an organic manure in horticulture). The products have been developed under the concept of “Waste to Wealth” initiative of ICAR-CIBA in line with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of the Central Government.

 The Start-Up Processing Unit of Nambikkai Self-Help Group produced 16,345 Kgs of value-added products and attained an annual turnover of Rs. 1.68 Millions. The group has 7 Scheduled Caste Fishermen Members. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the group managed to earn Rs. 2 lakh as livelihood support.

 Low-cost Desi Feed Technology 

The M/s Sai Aqua Feeds commercialized the indigenous shrimp feed Vannamei plus developed by the ICAR-CIBA, Chennai. The feed’s formulation on a commercial scale by the Andhra-based Company helped in reducing the production cost in shrimp aquaculture in the country and effectively contributing towards doubling the farmers’ income.

 Starting its operation in 2017, the Company had an overall production of 7,633 tonnes of shrimp feeds in the brand “Vasanthi Premium” with an average annual production of 2,585 tonnes. An overall turnover of nearly Rs. 5 Crores was earned by it. It is estimated that the production cost could be reduced by 20 % with the Institute’s commercialized desi feed technology.

Award Winners Nambikkai fish farmers’ group

E-commerce

Company expands GoodHemp™ sales to Canada’s industrial hemp market 

 

 Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., a leader in science-based approaches to enhancing the quality and nutritional value of crops and food ingredients, announced it has signed a distribution agreement with Tritium 3H, Inc., a Canadian hemp seed company based in Lethbridge, Alberta, that specializes in hemp field testing, certified seed production, commercialization and distribution of industrial hemp varieties for the Canadian market.

T3H will distribute Arcadia’s GoodHemp seed varieties and genetics in Canada once they have been certified by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (“AOSCA”) and Health Canada. 

Said Arcadia CEO Matt Plavan, “This agreement solidifies our plans to accelerate the commercialization of Arcadia’s hemp genetics internationally and affirms market demand for our portfolio of superior GoodHemp varieties. We’re proud to partner with a well-respected distributor like Tritium 3H to bring our CBD dominant, short day varieties to Canada’s industrial hemp growers.” 

Continued Plavan, “Our GoodHemp varieties were field-tested extensively in regional and national trials by the T3H and Arcadia teams. Working closely with T3H, we expect AOSCA certification in mid-December, Health Canada certification in February and significant commercial sales in the spring prior to the planting season.”

 Added T3H CEO Jayme Hunter, “We’re pleased to add Arcadia’s high CBD, early maturing varieties to our portfolio. They’ve performed extremely well in our field trials allowing us to offer field proven, feminized, and compliant hemp genetics appropriate for all of Canada’s unique climatic regions. Arcadia’s genetics will provide market leading value to Canadian industrial hemp growers.”

Company expands GoodHemp™ sales to Canada’s industrial

Finance

The Delta Facility will receive $5000000 which will provide full funding to the licensed cultivation areas

AgraFlora Organics International Inc. (AgraFlora) a Canada based leading cannabis company building shareholder value through the development of revenue-generating operating assets in the global cannabis industry, has recently announced that Propagation Services Canada Inc. the Company’s flagship cultivation asset located in Delta British Columbia (the Delta Facility or PSC) has received an Agriculture Loan (the “Loan”) to bring its cannabis cultivation to market and continue Phase 1 of the Company’s cultivation strategy.

As part of the loan, the Delta Facility will receive $5000000 which will provide full funding to the licensed cultivation areas and will allow the PSC team to bring their first crop of low-cost high potency cannabis to market on a wholesale basis in Q1 2021.

The curated portfolio of elite genetics at the Delta facility has been tailored to work with PSC’s Delta-based infrastructure and utilizing 422828 sq. ft. of cultivation space with state-of-the-art semi-pressurized semi-open Venlo greenhouses.

With demand for high potency products trending upward especially within the value pricing segment PSC is uniquely positioned to produce a compelling value proposition for wholesale customers: high potency cannabis with desirable strains at a competitive price.

The Delta Facility will receive $5000000 which

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, India

To celebrate the success of these 200 Best Under A Billion companies, Forbes Asia Best Under A Billion Virtual Forum and Awards Ceremony was held on November 23 from Singapore

Deepak Nitrite Limited (DNL), one of India’s leading chemical intermediates company has recently received Forbes Asia Best Under Billion Top 200 Award. To celebrate the success of these 200 Best Under A Billion companies, Forbes Asia Best Under A Billion Virtual Forum and Awards Ceremony was held on November 23 from Singapore.

The annual Forbes Asia Best Under A Billion list spotlights top-performing publicly listed companies in the Asia-Pacific region with sales under $1billion. From 18,000 small and mid-sized companies, 200 companies were selected based on a composite score that incorporated their overall track record in measures such as debt, sales and earnings growth over both the most recent fiscal one- and three-year periods, and the strongest one- and five-year average returns on equity. The criteria also ensured a geographic diversity of companies from across the region. By using metrics both quantitative and qualitative, the final list of 200 companies were shortlisted.

Maulik Mehta, CEO & Executive Director, DNL while receiving this prestigious recognition said: “I am delighted to receive Forbes prestigious recognition and ranking at a time- when the company has entered 50th year of operation. I dedicate this award to our employees, customers and partners who have partnered with us to create this legacy. As a company, we look forward to strengthening this legacy and are committed to build a sustainable future.”

 

To celebrate the success of these 200

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Sustainable Energy

It aims at facilitating operation for production of CBG and Organic Compost Manure under SATAT scheme. 

 

 

 

Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Praj Industries in presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas & Steel, Government of India. The MoU aims at facilitating technological support to the entities for setting-up and commissioning of multiple number of eligible and qualified CBG plants and their continuous operation for production of CBG and Organic Compost Manure under Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT).

 To boost availability of affordable and clean transport fuels, a MoU was signed between MoPNG and leading oil & gas marketing companies & technology providers to establish Compressed Bio-Gas CBG) plants across India under the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative.

Government of India, under the SATAT initiatives envisages setting up of 5000 CBG plants by 2023-24 with production target of 15 MMT, facilitating the creation of new employment opportunities and enhancing farmers’ income towards further invigorating the rural economy. 

Speaking about SATAT, Pradhan said, “We have developed a clear-cut roadmap for SATAT. I am glad to note that Indian industry players have shown immense interest in SATAT. Letter of intent for 600 CBG plants have already been given and with today’s signing of MoUs for 900 plants, a total of 1500 CBG plants are at various stages of execution. Rs 30,000 Cr of investment is envisaged in these 900 plants. A total of 5000 CBG plants with approximate investment of Rs. 2 lakh crores are envisaged. Biofuels have the potential to reduce our fuel import bill by Rs. 1 lakh crore.”

 Elucidating the benefits of SATAT, Minister Pradhan said, “Benefits out of the SATAT will go to our farmers, rural areas and tribals. With inclusion of forest waste, Agri-waste, animal husbandry waste and marine waste, SATAT involves a multi-pronged approach. With liberalized policy regime ensuring ease of doing business for entrepreneurs, off-take guarantee, financing and technology support, SATAT is all set to contribute towards doubling farmer’s income, generating employment for the youth and ensuring clean energy for sustainable development.

 

It aims at facilitating operation for production

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agrotech

Training will be imparted in primary cooperative institutions with 45 new training modules 

 

 

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Food Processing Industries, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar unveiled Sahakar Pragya.The 45 new training modules of Sahakar Pragya of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) will impart training to primary cooperative societies in rural areas of the country along with Lakshmanrao Inamdar National Cooperative Research and Development Academy (Linac).Sahakar Pragya embodies enhancing NCDC’s training capacity by 18 fold through an elaborate network of 18 Regional Training Centres across the country by the dedicated, Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy for Cooperative Research and Development (LINAC) set up and fully funded by NCDC.

 Tomar called upon the cooperative sector to play a role in making the village-poor-farmers Atma Nirbhar.Shri Tomar said that today India boasts a huge network of over 8.50 lakh cooperative societies with about 290 million members and around 94% of the farmers in India are member of at least one cooperative society. He said that cooperatives have a major role in Atma Nirbhar Bharat and it lends strength to farmers to minimize risks in agriculture and allied sectors and act as shield against exploitation by unscrupulous traders.

Tomar said that NCDC has emerged as a financial powerhouse giving the client cooperatives a wide range of products and services. So far it has advanced loans to the tunes of Rs 1.58 lakh crores to cooperative societies of various categories across the country. Sahakar Pragya is the latest in the series of farmer focused steps by NCDC.

These 45 training modules of Sahakar Pragya to be delivered at LINAC and its countrywide network of Regional Training Centres will address the need for training of Primary cooperatives, FPO-Cooperatives and Self Help Groups federating. The training programmes will be supported under NCDC schemes, 10000 FPO formation scheme of Government of India, Agri Infra Fund scheme of Government of India , PM-FME scheme of Min of Food Processing Industry,  Dairy Infra Dev Fund scheme of Government of India, Fisheries Infra Dev Fund scheme of Government of India, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana of Government of India, Min of Rural Dev schemes State/UT schemes  Other organizations’ schemes.

NCDC has been created for the purpose of planning and promoting programmes for the production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock, certain other commodities and services like hospital & healthcare and education etc. on cooperative principles. It extends financial assistance to cooperatives at all the three tiers, Primary, District and Apex / Multi-State.

 

Training will be imparted in primary cooperative

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agrotech

These projects will leverage private investment of Rs. 173.81 Cr and are expected to generate employment for 7750 persons. 

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Narendra Singh Tomar, chaired the IMAC meeting through video conference to consider the proposals received under the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) of Pradhan Mantri KisanSampada Yojana (PMKSY). The promoters of projects also participated through Video Conference.

 

IMAC approved 7 proposals with total project cost of Rs. 234.68 Crores including grants-in-aid of Rs. 60.87 Crores in the States/UTs of Meghalaya, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These projects will leverage private investment of Rs. 173.81 Crores and are expected to generate employment for 7750 persons.

 

The scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) has been approved on 03.05.2017 under the Pradhan Mantri KisanSampada Yojana to incentivize the setting up of agro processing clusters in the country.  This scheme aims at development of modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach. These clusters will help in reducing the wastage of the surplus produce and add value to the horticultural / agricultural produce which will result in increase of income of the farmers and create employment at the local level.

 

 

 

These projects will leverage private investment of

Foodgrains, R&D, Warehousing

It aims at advancing a solution for the food storage industry particularly for potatoes and grains 

 

 

 Canada based MustGrow Biologics Corp., has announced the exclusive patent licensing from the University of Idaho pertaining to a natural bio pesticide mustard-based treatment of stored produce and other foods, particularly sprout suppression of potatoes. 

Post-harvest sprout suppression is a key element of potato storage. The current annual European sprout suppression market is estimated at US$64 million and over US$100 million globally. The leading agrochemical product for sprout suppression, chlorpropham (“CIPC”), was banned by the European Union on Oct. 8, 2020. CIPC has long been the major global sprout suppressant, widely applied to stored potatoes. 

With this ban now effective, growers will be forced to refrigerate produce, adding an estimated US$150 million expenditure annually in the European Union. The additional capital expenditure and refrigeration energy consumption make this temporary approach unsustainable. Although the ban was anticipated, no effective treatment alternatives have emerged – creating a major problem for existing potato storage sites. 

MustGrow has exclusively licensed from the University of Idaho, U.S. utility patent number 10,588,321 titled “Mustard Meal to Inhibit Sprouting”, which was issued/granted on March 17, 2020 (the “Patent”). The Patent makes matter and method claims to utilize the mustard plant’s active ingredient, allyl isothiocyanate (“AITC”), to control vegetable and potato sprouting without the use of harmful synthetic chemicals. 

MustGrow is advancing a solution for the food storage industry (particularly potatoes and grains), combining expertise in mustard-derived AITC with the newly secured Patent. MustGrow has identified logical partners in relevant global regions based on food product characteristics and economics. 

Emerging literature, from a range of sources, has confirmed a broad array of AITC applications outside of its proven bio pesticide function, including treatment of stored grains and sprout suppression. MustGrow’s intellectual property suite is a platform for several crop protection categories and now stored food protection, aiming to disrupt global agriculture markets that have traditionally been dominated by synthetic chemicals. MustGrow’s existing patent portfolio protects both method-of-use and composition-of-matter claims for its signature mustard-derived approach to controlling soil-borne pests, diseases and weeds.

 Additionally, MustGrow has announced the appointment of Dr. Matthew J. Morra, a leading world expert on value-added products derived from oilseeds, as Scientific Advisor. One of three inventors on the Patent, Dr Morra has extensive expertise in developing mustard-based bio pesticides and is professor emeritus of soil biochemistry at the University of Idaho.

It aims at advancing a solution for

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Environment

BASF Mexico will help farmers achieve a 30% reduction in CO 2 emissions per ton of crop produced

BASF’s Agriculture Solutions division is committed to clear and measurable goals to promote increasingly sustainable agriculture by 2030. Focusing on its capacity for innovation, BASF Mexico will help farmers achieve a 30% reduction in CO 2 emissions per ton of crop produced, as well as committing to increase its offer of solutions that contribute significantly to sustainability by 7% per year.

Furthermore, BASF will bring digital technologies to more than 400 million hectares of agricultural land and will continue to ensure the safe use of its products through good agricultural practices. 

BASF will support farmers to become more carbon-efficient and resilient to changing weather conditions through technologies that allow them to increase productivity, make agricultural management more effective and reduce environmental impact. Those technologies include: 

  • Nitrogen management products, such as Vibelsol and Vizura, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Crop protection products, such as the herbicide Kixor that allow farmers to produce without the need for tillage, reducing CO 2 emissions from the soil and the use of diesel.
  • New crop varieties, such as InVigor canola seeds, which provide greater stability to productivity, especially in adverse weather conditions.
  • Biological inoculants and innovative digital solutions.

With these products and solutions, BASF will help reduce CO 2 emissions per ton of crop produced by 30%.

Furthermore, the company continually invests in its solid portfolio of Research and Development innovations, systematically guided by sustainability criteria. It contains solutions that promote the efficient use of resources and reduce the environmental footprint. Some examples are:

  • Solutions based on the fungicide Revysol, which allows increasing wheat productivity by 4%, allowing the farmer to protect the natural habitat.
  • The targeted application of Biosolutions, such as RAK pheromones, which interrupt the mating of certain moths, protecting the crop throughout its entire cycle, as part of integrated pest management.
  • Plant breeding innovations like Pingo Doce watermelon that help consumers avoid food waste.

BASF Mexico will help farmers achieve a