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Home2020November (Page 8)
AgroPolicy, Floriculture

The CM of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the CoE in a virtual conclave

An Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Vegetables and Flowers was inaugurated on 5th November 2020 in the Wayanad District of Kerala. The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the CoE in a virtual conclave. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar presided over the function.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar said that “This center will not only benefit Kerala but the entire nation. This center will mainly showcase the technological achievements of the Netherlands by activities such as production and distribution of quality planting materials & seeds to farmers.  It will showcase post-harvest handling, storage and marketing of produce for farmers. It will offer training programs for officers for enhancing the income of farmers. The inauguration of this centre has much relevance in the Indian context.”

The CoE will be based in the Regional Agricultural Research Station of the Kerala Agricultural University at Ambalavayal in Wayanad District, Kerala and was set up at a cost of 13 crores provided by the central and state governments and technical assistance from the Dutch government. Activities such as open-field precision farming of vegetables and flowers, production and distribution of quality planting materials to farmers, and training programs to farmers, entrepreneurs, and extension officers will be held at the centre in the first phase. A tissue culture laboratory has been set up as part of the project for producing good quality planting materials. The Centre will also explore possibilities in Agri-Horti tourism in the district.The idea is to transform Wayanad into a hub of floriculture.

As many as five Netherlands-model polyhouse nurseries and four Indian model polyhouses have been set up at the centre for large-scale production of flowers and distribution of quality seeds and transplants to farmers.

This CoE is set up as part of the Indo-Dutch Action Plan and in follow up to the letter of intent signed by Ambassador of the Netherlands to India and Minister for Agriculture, Kerala during the occasion of the Royal visit of His Majesty, King of the Netherlands to Kerala in October 2019.

This will be the second CoE being set up under the Indo-Dutch Joint Action Plan. The first CoE for vegetables, in Baramati, Maharashtra opened in 2017.

The CM of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated

E-commerce, Finance

Consolidated profit before tax up by 43.7 per cent year-on-year

Godrej Agrovet Limited has, on November 4, 2020, reported its financial performance for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2020, of the financial year 2020-21. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2020, the company reported consolidated total income and consolidated profit before tax of Rs1,723 crore and Rs 145 crore, respectively. Profit before tax represents a healthy year-on-year growth of 78.5 per cent for the quarter, despite a 7.5 per cent year-on-year decline in total income. For the half year ended September 30, 2020, company reported consolidated total income and consolidated profit before tax of Rs 3,285 crore and Rs 280 crore, respectively.

Commenting on the performance, B S Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet Limited, said, “I am pleased to share that Godrej Agrovet had an excellent half-yearly performance in the financial year 2020-21, with our consolidated profit before tax growing by 43.7 per cent year-on-year. This is despite an 8.1 per cent year-on-year decrease in total income in the first half.

Consolidated profit before tax up by 43.7

E-commerce, Logistics, North America

The facility will expand upon an already established network for Syngenta and unlock new growth potential

WSI, one of the largest privately held logistics companies in the US has recently announced that it is expanding its agriculture crop protection logistics footprint by partnering with Switzerland-based Syngenta, a leader in agriculture innovation, in opening a state-of-the-art storage and distribution center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The crop protection facility will expand upon an already established, nationwide network for Syngenta and unlock new growth potential within the agriculture sector.

The opening is Phase One of the agricultural logistics industrial project located on a 43-acre, rail accessible site in Mills County at Interstates 29 and 80 in a designated Foreign Trade Zone.

This phase comprises a distribution building serving the agricultural industry throughout the Midwest. WSI plans an expansion to include a bulk tank farm and possibly additional packaging space.

Syngenta is the initial occupant of the first phase. The strategically located distribution center provides Syngenta additional capacity and flexibility toward meeting the increasing demand for its innovative crop solutions in the US. The facility will better position Syngenta to provide uninterrupted distribution and faster service designed to keep its customers’ operations running smoothly.

The Mills County project is another in a long list of Syngenta investments in the US for American farmers in recent years, totaling more than $315 million.

WSI has historic expertise when it comes to chemical logistics, being the first third-party logistics provider to receive Responsible Care designation from the American Chemistry Council. WSI is devoted to providing its customers the same consistently high-quality services for which it is known, as well as maintaining strict regulatory and quality control its customers and members of the community expect.

The facility will expand upon an already

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro Universities, North America

Approved for selective suppression of invasive annual grass weeds

Idaho based BioWest Ag Solutions has recently announced the release of Battalion Pro-a liquid, preemergent bioherbicide product, in the United States. The product, whose active ingredient is Pseudomonas fluorescens strain ACK55, provides an economically sound and natural alternative for the selective suppression of the invasive annual grass weeds cheatgrass/downy brome, medusahead, and jointed goatgrass.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had registered Battalion Pro on September 30, 2020, stating that the product could be helpful in preventing future wildfires in the western United States. EPA risk assessments, extensive contract testing, along with laboratory and field research, conclude that Battalion Pro is nontoxic, nonpathogenic, and does no harm to non-target plants, native flora, and fauna. Registration includes use on crops, range land, forest, pasture, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Lands, grasses grown for forage or seed, sod production, recreational areas, roadsides, road cuts, construction sites and rights-of-way.

Battalion Pro contains a naturally occurring weed-suppressive bacterium from the soil, discovered after years of research by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The patent protected technology is exclusively licensed from ARS. BioWest Ag Solutions further developed the product for the commercial market.

Approved for selective suppression of invasive

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Foodgrains

Expected to generate employment for 15000 people

Twenty-one projects under the Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition were approved by Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) meeting chaired by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, on November 10, 2020, leveraging investment worth Rs 443 crore and supported with a grant of Rs 189 crore. 

Eight projects leveraging investment worth Rs 62 crore with grants of Rs 15 crore under the BFL Scheme were approved in another meeting chaired by Union FPI Minister. 

Launched with the aim of benefitting farmers and consumers, Tomar urged the officers to expedite the implementation of approved projects. It is estimated that the 21 projects are likely to generate employment for nearly 12,600 people and benefit 2,00,592 farmers. The projects are spread across the 10 states of Andhra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Nagaland, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value addition infrastructure aims at arresting post-harvest losses of horticulture and non-horticulture produce and providing remunerative price to farmers.

Eight projects approved in another meeting are likely to generate employment for nearly 2,500 people. The objective of the scheme is to provide effective and seamless backward and forward integration for the processed food industry by plugging the gaps in the supply chain in terms of availability of raw material and linkages with the market.

Expected to generate employment for

E-commerce, Environment, R&D

Technology utilizes a proprietary microbial consortium made from feedstock such as agri residues and press mud. 

Praj Industries’ demonstration plant that deploys innovative technology for the production of Compressed Biogas (CBG) was inaugurated today by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar. Located in the Praj Matrix R&D campus, the plant deploys Praj’s technology which utilises a proprietary microbial consortium made from feedstock such as agri residues and press mud. Also known as Renewable Natural Gas or RNG, CBG forms part of Praj’s Bio-MobilityTM portfolio which uses captive bio based feedstock to produce carbon neutral transportation fuel across all modes of mobility. 

 Further, with India committed to reduce its GHG emissions by 30-35% by 2030, it has become imperative to commercialise alternative indigenous energy sources derived from advanced biofuels technologies. Moreover, biofuels like CBG produced from agricultural crop waste is also an alternative to the burning of agri residue after harvesting.  

Since last 20 years, Praj has executed more than 50 biogas plants; most of them operating on industrial waste streams. Its latest technology which has multi-feed flexibility is automated and offers several other benefits through its signature L-EPC (Licence – Engineering procurement and construction) and O&M model. Additional advantages include round the year biogas production, best in class yields, more efficient degradation and gas upgradation, and low utility footprint. The plant will also c0-produce high quality organic manure certified by Natural Organic Certification Agro (NOCA). 

Complimenting this initiative,  Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises said, “I am pleased to inaugurate this innovative and indigenous technology that helps secure a cleaner and greener world. Praj’s CBG technology is one of the most sustainable solutions to combat the impact of air pollution on health and environment because of stubble burning.  The conversion of agri residue and biomass to biofuel is also in keeping with the government’s goals towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat.” 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman, Praj Industries, said, “The CBG demo plant is another step closer to reducing carbon emissions and pollution.  Besides reducing the import of natural gas and crude oil, our technology will boost entrepreneurship, economy and employment in rural India. This project is aligned with our endeavours towards energy self-reliance and supports the national commitment in achieving climate change targets”. 

Biofuels, a renewable transportation fuels in gaseous and liquid form complements fossil fuel sources. Govt of India launched the National Biofuels Policy 2018 and Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative to promote Compressed Biogas (CBG) as an alternative, green transport fuel. Under this initiative, 5,000 CBG plants are expected to be rolled out across India in a phased manner. They are expected to produce 15 million tonnes of CBG per annum, which is about 40% of current CNG consumption of 44 million tonnes per annum in the country, generating direct employment for 75,000 people and producing 50 million tonnes of bio-manure.

Technology utilizes a proprietary microbial consortium made

Agrotech, E-commerce

Farmers can find solution to their problems related to complete supply cane starting from planting to harvesting by dialing this help line Centre from their home. 

 A DCM Shriram Suvidha Help Line Centre located in Sugar Unit Loni was virtually inaugurated by Sanjay R. Bhoosreddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Sugar Industry & Cane Development and Cane & Sugar Commissioner U.P.

In his inaugural speech, he appreciated efforts of DCM Shriram in the field of digitization and hoped that this centre will be extremely useful in solving the cane related problems of farmers.  It is a historical step towards Digitization in Sugarcane and during Covid pandemic situation it is very relevant to maintain social distancing. He also urged other Sugar Mills to open such centres in their respective mills. He advised senior officers of the Cane Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh to make a system of mutual sharing of farmers’ issues between Central Control Room and DCM Shriram Suvidha Center so that issues received at either of call centres can be resolved. He highlighted that solving of issues of farmers is more important than the site it is received at.

 

 R.L.Tamak, Executive Director & CEO-Sugar Business, DCM Shriram Ltd. speaking on the occasion said that this help line centre is unique and first of its kind in Sugar Sector in India. Farmers from any of our four units can find solution to their problems related to complete supply cane starting from planting to harvesting by dialling this help line centre from their home. It will avoid unnecessary travel of farmers resulting in wastage of time and money. Other than supply problems, this centre will also give solution related to cane development. Tamak hoped that this help line centre will improve ease of sugarcane cultivation and its supply. About 2.25 lacs farmers will get benefit from this service.

 Y.S. Malik, Additional Cane Commissioner, Lucknow &  V.K. Shukla, Additional Cane Commissioner (Research and Coordination), Lucknow,  V.K. Kanaujia, Joint Cane Commissioner (Purchase), Lucknow,  V.B. Singh, Joint Cane Commissioner (Society), Lucknow,  Satyendra Singh, Deputy Cane Commissioner, Lucknow,  Sana Afreen Khan, District Cane Officer, Hardoi, Unit Heads DCM Shriram & other officials of Cane Dept. attended the virtual inauguration.

 

 

Farmers can find solution to their problems

Animal Health, Dairy, R&D

New tech ensures birth of female calves

In line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mantra, NDDB Dairy Services (NDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has announced an indigenous technology for sex sorting bovine sperms that will ensure the birth of female calves. The first female calf from sex sorted semen dose produced at Alamadhi Semen Station was born in a farm near Chennai in October, 2020. This was the results of the field trials conducted by NDS in partnership with Jiva Sciences, a Bangalore-based R&D organization, to ascertain the performance of the product under actual field conditions are encouraging.

The ability to assure the birth of only female calves provides huge financial advantage to dairy farmers as the economic utility of a male calf is negligible.  The current technologies for the sex sorting of bovine sperms was earlier proprietary to a few multi-national companies which made it difficult for dairy farmers to access the technology due to its high pricing.

Dilip Rath, Chairman, NDDB, informed that NDS had taken up the project to develop an indigenous technology for sex sorting bovine sperms a few years back with an objective to significantly bring down the cost of the sex sorted semen doses so that it becomes affordable for the dairy farmers in the country. This development would lead to large scale adoption of the technology. The sex sorted semen doses produced using the indigenous technology is reported to be meeting the industry quality and production benchmarks.

New tech ensures birth of female calves In

Agrotech

Wins awards for Best formulation innovation and Best Stewardship Program

 

 Corteva Agriscience received two Crop Science Awards and one High Commendation at Crop Science Forum, hosted virtually from London. Chief Technology Officer Neal Gutterson was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of his consistent history of service to agriculture throughout his career. 

“Our goal is to enable farmers to adjust to consumer preferences in planet-friendly ways — all while maintaining a productive and profitable business” said Jim Collins, Chief Executive Officer at Corteva Agriscience. “These awards validate our approach to innovation and demonstrate the power of putting the farmer at the centre of everything we do. Congratulations to Neal and the project teams that made this work possible.”

Corteva was recognized in two categories such as Best Formulation Innovation: Hibifen™ insecticide and Best Stewardship Program: Safe Food Safe Farmer.

Hibifen insecticide is a sustainable, low use rate formulation with a favourable environmental and toxicological profile that delivers superior control of rice hoppers and rice leaf folders. This innovative formulation has been designed to deliver significant agronomic benefits, protect beneficials and provide ease of use for rice growers in both backpack and drone applications

WinCorteva developed the Safe Food Safe Farmer stewardship campaign to increase the safety of farming practices in Maharashtra state, India. Since its inception in 2018, the Safe Food Safe Farmer campaign has reached nearly a million stakeholders to teach farmers how to safely use seed and crop protection products that increase food production. In 2020, the program continued this work while also expanding its scope to include COVID-19 safety.

Gutterson’s award comes as he prepares to retire at the end of the year. The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes his distinguished career in the agricultural industry, his unique contributions in building the research and development team at Corteva, and his commitment to innovation.

“I’m humbled to receive this Lifetime Achievement award,” said Gutterson. “As I look forward to finishing this chapter of my career, I’m proud to look back and see the progress we’ve made as an industry. I remain committed to affecting change through new roles in my ‘retirement’, driving further progress through innovation for farmers worldwide.”

 

 

Wins awards for Best formulation innovation and

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

CIBA will provide scientific and technical support to the govt forMoU aims at developing captive breeding and seed production technology of commercially important brackish water fishes 

 

 

 

Chennai-headquartered ICAR-Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture (CIBA) has partnered with the Fisheries Department in Kerala to set up a multi- species fish hatchery under the aegis of the government to increase brackish water fish production in the state.

 An MoU was signed between CIBA and Agency for Development of Aquaculture (ADAK) of the Kerala Government to set up the hatchery at Odayam in Thiruvananthapuram district, following the initiatives taken by Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma, a CIBA release said.

CIBA will provide scientific and technical support to the government for developing captive breeding and seed production technology of commercially important brackish water fishes Asian sea bass, milk fish and Keralas state fish pearl spot. The hatchery will target seed production of these species throughout the season, enabling continuous seed production.

CIBA Director Dr K K Vijayan described CIBAs linkage as knowledge partner with the Kerala government a ’’game-changer’’ in the states brackish water aquaculture sector as it would become an ideal model for transfer of technologies in a farmer-focused manner. The establishment the hatchery would provide a stimulus for augmenting brackish water fin fish production in the state, along with enhancing the livelihood generation during every step of the fish production process, he said.

Vijayan also added that Kerala is endowed with rich brackish water resources to the tune of 1.26 lakh ha. Since timely availability of fish seeds in sufficient quantity is still a major constraint, the brackish water aquaculture is yet to explore its potential resources. Timely availability of seeds in a farmer-friendly way will help develop the sector.

CIBA will provide scientific and technical support

Agro Universities, Webinar

Farmers to be educated in local languages via social media and digital platforms

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Navsari, Gujarat jointly organized a ’State Level Webinar for Creating Awareness on Farm Acts-2020’ on October 30, 2020. Dr Z P Patel, Vice-Chancellor, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, urged the farmers to accept the Farm Acts in their best interest. He stressed that the Acts have been implemented at the right time for the right cause, in order to make farming more remunerative and give freedom to farmers to sell their farm produce across the states. Over 200 farmers virtually participated in the Webinar.

Amitaben Patel, District President, Navsari, Gujarat, narrated the benefits of Farm Act-2020, stressing on empowering the farm women on the Agriculture Bills and joining hands for constituting the Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations. Dr Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune, Maharashtra, urged all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to create awareness on the New Farm Acts by using the different social / digital platforms in local languages.

Dr K A Patel, Director (Extension Education), Navsari Agricultural University, encouraged the farmers to connect with the Krishi Vigyan Kendras and State Agricultural Universities to obtain more information about the different national and state level developmental schemes.

Farmers to be educated in local languages

Agro Universities, R&D, Seeds

Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore to make the crosses for the entire country

 

Despite the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore has started making crosses at the National Hybridization Garden facility for the fluff supply programme by following all precautionary measures.

 

This year, since the COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore has taken-up the responsibility of making the crosses for the entire country.

 

Dr Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore, highlighted the supply of the seed (fuzz) from the crosses made under the National Hybridization Garden (NHG) to the respective Research Stations for raising the progenies and to select superior, locally adapted varieties.

 

Coimbatore is the only place in India having the climatic condition more conducive for profuse flowering and excellent seed setting of sugarcane. A NHG was established at ICAR-SBI in 1974 for enabling the sugarcane breeders from 24 State Sugarcane Research Stations across the country to make crosses of their choice.

 

Usually, breeders from 24 Sugarcane Research Centers across the country visit the Institute every year during October to December to make the crosses.

 

 

 

Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore to make the

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains

About 21.09 Lakh Paddy farmers have benefitted from kharif procurement operations with MSP value of Rs. 47010.10 Crore.

 

In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.

Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,Telangana,Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala,Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 248.99 LMTs of paddy up to 07.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 207.63 LMT showing an increase of 19.92 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 248.99 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 175.24 LMT which is 70.37 % of total procurement.

About 21.09 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 47010.10 Crore.

Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme (PSS). Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra (the perennial crop) for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies. 

Upto 07.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured   31988.25 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 171.60 Crores benefitting 18949 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of  17586.31 MT which is an increase of  81.89%  for pulses and oilseeds.

 

Similarly, 5089 MT of copra (the perennial crop) having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 07.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.

Procurement operations of seed cotton (Kapas) under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Till 07.11.2020 a quantity of 1022074 cotton bales valuing Rs.2952.51 Crore has been procured benefitting 198060 farmers.

 

About 21.09 Lakh Paddy farmers have benefitted

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Finance

The Company reported a turnover of Rs.1047 Crore for the quarter, as compared to Rs.931 Cr during the same period last year. 

The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), a Public Sector Company under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, has made a record profit of Rs.83.07 Crore for the quarter ended 30 September 2020.  This is an all-time high operating profit reported in a quarter by the Company.  Profit during same period last year was Rs 6.26 crore. The Company also reported a turnover of Rs.1047 Crore for the quarter, as compared to Rs.931 Cr during the same period last year. 

During the quarter ended 30th September, 2020, the production and sales of FACTAMFOS, the Company’s flagship product, and Ammonium Sulphate surpassed all time high quarterly records. 

The Company imported two shipments of MOP and one shipment of NPK fertilisers during the first half year. All time high quarterly FACTAMFOS production of 2.36 Lakh MTs. All time high Ammonium Sulphate production of 0.69 Lakh MTs.

 

FACTAMFOS and Ammonium Sulphate sales reached 2.77 Lakh MTs and 0.08 Lakh MTs respectively, for the quarter. MOP sales of 0.46 Lakh MTs and imported NPK sales of 0.26 Lakh MTs.

 

All time high half yearly FACTAMFOS sales of 4.63 Lakh MTs. Started dispatch of fertilisers through coastal shipping route during the second quarter. The Company entered new markets in West Bengal and Odisha.

 

The Company could achieve this sterling performance despite the limitations on account of Covid-19 pandemic, and observing all the Covid protocols and guidelines issued by the Government of India and Government of Kerala.

The Company reported a turnover of Rs.1047