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R&D, Trade, Webinar

Focus on Agriculture, Healthcare, Digital Infrastructure, and Education & Skills

 

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry ( FICCI ), will be holding its annual flagship event, The Global R&D Summit in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This year, the Summit will be organized virtually during November 25-27, 2020 on the FICCI BIKE platform. The theme of the Summit is ‘Building Resilient Economies through Technology and Innovation: Development Partnerships in the New World Order”.

Aimed at Technology and R&D Heads, Corporate Chief Strategy Officers, S&T Advisors, S&T Professionals, Scientists, Government R&D Institutes and Labs, Academia, Tech Start-ups, among others, the Summit will encompass ’Agriculture, Healthcare, Digital Infrastructure, and Education & Skills’. 

 

 

Focus on Agriculture, Healthcare, Digital Infrastructure, and

Agrotech, Environment

With a winning score of 89/100 the Company is confirmed as the Industry Leader in the DJSW Indices for the tenth consecutive year.  

 

 CNH Industrial is the leader in the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Industry Group in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), World and Europe, for the tenth consecutive year.

The DJSI World and DJSI Europe Indices are among the most prestigious sustainability-focused equity indices. Inclusion in these indices is exclusively for companies that are judged as exemplary in terms of their governance and economic, environmental and social performance. The DJSI World evaluation process invited 86 companies to participate in the Machinery and Electrical Equipment industry category, 13 of which were admitted to the index this year. For the DJSI Europe Index, 30 companies were invited to participate and 8 were admitted. All companies selected for consideration in the indices are evaluated by SAM, now a part of S&P Global.

 

“As responsible corporate citizens, we always bear in mind that our actions are reflected on our planet and the society, so we are proud to see that our dedication to be sustainable has once again resulted in us being named as Industry leader. This result confirms that we are on the right path, which calls for us to continue to improve, powering sustainable transformation,” commented Chair and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Heywood.

 In April of this year, CNH Industrial released its 2019 Sustainability Report along with the magazine A Sustainable Year, a publication for general audiences.

With a winning score of 89/100 the

E-commerce, R&D

The identified tomato resistance source for ToBRFV by Philoseed will be mapped using an ultra-density genetic map 

 Israel based NRGene and Philoseed announced their collaboration for DNA marker based ToBRFV trait integration using NRGene’s genomic technology. The identified tomato resistance source for ToBRFV by Philoseed (patent filed) will be mapped using an ultra-density genetic map. A set of DNA markers covering the entire tomato genome will then be used to introduce the ToBRFV trait efficiently into Philoseed’s diverse tomato varieties while minimizing introgression of additional genetic components from the TBRFV resistant tomato donor. NRGene’s genomics, coupled with Philoseed’s breeding qualities, will accelerate the breeding process for ToBRFV resistance and the release of new commercial varieties is expected during 2022. Resistant tomato lines and the DNA marker sets will be available commercially to all tomato seed companies for fast trait integration.

Tomato plants infected with ToBRFV yield fruits of extremely poor quality and low commercial value. The ToBRFV is easily transmitted by mechanical means, which facilitates its rapid spread, and makes it difficult to control. Transmission of the ToBRFV is also likely to occur through infected seeds and therefore seed shipment from infected countries is heavily affected.

 

NRGene’s advanced multi-purpose breeding platform is an AI cloud-based solution for managing the full genomic diversity of species. It can analyze unlimited volumes of genomic data, enabling scientists and breeders to easily relate genomic sequences with beneficial traits, making genomic selection and trait mapping much more productive. Data use is accelerated, making breeding both faster and more cost effective.

 Philoseed has expertise and vast experience in combining its unique tomato genetic material to enable the identification of extremely strong resistance to the ToBRFV. Crossing this resistance source with its advanced commercial lines is expected to give Philoseed a significant edge in the markets in which it is active. Philoseed has already started backcrossing it into its leading lines.

 

“This collaboration will enable us to accelerate the integration of the genomic region for our unique ToBRFV resistance source into commercial genetic background using markers-assisted breeding techniques”, said Dr Ehud Kopeliovitch, Breeding Manager at Philoseed and an internationally recognized tomato breeder. He added “It will let us launch new tomato varieties with strong resistance for this virus in a short period of time”. Amit Schwarz, CEO & Marketing Manager at Philoseed, commented, “As soon as Philoseed launches this new resistant variety series, we will be able to increase our share in targeted markets”.

 

“We are excited to collaborate with Philoseed and jointly fight the Tobamovirus spread”, said Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene’s CEO. “NRGene’s long-term investment into building genomic tools in tomato, including the first pangenome for fresh tomatoes, has now been repaid by our ability to map and introduce this important trait in record time”.

 

 

The identified tomato resistance source for ToBRFV

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agro Universities, R&D

The conditional exemption is valid for 6 months from the date of issue of the letter  

 Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana for the deployment of drones for agricultural research activities. 

 Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “Drones are poised to play a big role in agriculture sector in India especially in areas like precision agriculture, locust control and improvement in crop yield.  The Government is encouraging young entrepreneurs and researchers to look at ruggedized low-cost drone solutions for the over 6.6 lakh villages in India.” 

The conditional exemption is valid for 6 months from the date of issue of the letter or until the full operationalization of Digital Sky Platform (Phase-1), whichever is earlier. This exemption shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations as stated below are strictly adhered to. In case of violation of any condition, this exemption shall become null and void. 

Conditions and limitations to ICRISAT for Data Acquisition for agricultural research activities within the ICRISAT research field using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems are as below:

 This exemption to ICRISAT from the relevant provisions of CAR Section 3, Series X, Part I (i.e. 5.2 (b), 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1. 7.3, 9.2, 9.3, 11.1 (d), 11.2 (a), 12.4), is subject to exemption from Rule 15A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 by Ministry of Civil Aviation.

 ICRISAT shall obtain necessary clearances from (a) Local Administration (b) Ministry of Defence (c) Ministry of Home Affairs (d) Air Defence clearance from Indian Air Force and (e) Airport Authority of India (AAI) prior to operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). 

ICRISAT shall only operate the RPAS which has been voluntarily disclosed to Government of India and issued with a valid Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN) (i.e. D1DAOOT2C for QUADICRISAT2019). 

ICRISAT shall submit a comprehensive brief on the scope of operations and the copy of SOP to Flight Standards Directorate (FSD), DGCA. Operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) shall be carried out only after the vetting/ approval of SOP.

 ICRISAT shall take necessary permission regarding Aerial Photography from Directorate of Regulations & Information, DGCA.

 The photographs/video-graphs, if taken through RPAS shall be used by ICRISAT only. ICRISAT shall be responsible for security of RPAS and data collected through RPAS. 

The operation of RPAS shall be restricted to day operations (from sunrise to Sunset), within Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS).

 ICRISAT shall indemnify DGCA from any legal cases or any other issues arising due to these operations.

 ICRISAT shall ensure that the RPAS is in working condition and shall be responsible for any eventualities due to malfunction I disorientation of equipment.

 In case of any injury to any person due to physical contact with the equipment, ICRISAT shall be responsible for medico-legal issues.

ICRISAT shall have adequate level of insurance to cover any damage to third party resulting from accident I incident occurred during the operation of RPAS. 

ICRISAT shall ensure that hazardous material or variable payload are not carried in using the RPA under any circumstances. 

ICRISAT shall ensure safety, security and privacy of public, property, operator etc. Further, in case of any eventuality, DGCA shall not be held responsible. 

ICRISAT shall not operate the RPAS in 10-fly zones specified in Para 13.1 of the CAR Section 3, Series X, Part I without the approval of concerned Ministries/ authorities. 

RPAS shall not be operated in the vicinity of airport as per the provisions of the CAR. If operated near the airport, approval fror1 Airports Authority of India (AAI) shall be taken in advance regarding time and area of operations of RPAS. 

ICRISAT shall ensure that only trained I experienced bona fide personnel operates the RPAS. 

This letter shall not override other restrictions I SOP on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System framed by other Government Agencies

 In case of incident/accident during at any phase of the operations, reports to be submitted to Air Safety Directorate of DGCA.

 

 

The conditional exemption is valid for 6

Agrotech, China

The DJI AGRAS T20 features an Omnidirectional Digital Radar system that detects obstacles in any direction horizontally

China-based DJI, a global leader in the development and manufacture of civilian drones and aerial imaging technology for personal and professional use, is once again transforming agriculture with its latest agricultural drone, the DJI AGRAS T20. This rugged, high-performance and precision smart agricultural spray drone integrates powerful features into a modular and portable design, making it practical and scalable for farmers who are ready to implement digital ideas and automatic spray technologies in their operations. To facilitate operation in more complex environments and different agricultural terrains, the DJI AGRAS T20 has received a series of optimizations, from its autonomous radar for definition of flight and interpretation of the terrain, to a longer operating time, high load capacity and options off-grid power.

The DJI AGRAS T20 can carry up to 20 kg, and the sprinkler arrangement was optimized to achieve up to a 20% improvement in droplet uniformity and an effective spray width of seven meters. The DJI AGRAS T20 has eight high volume sprinklers and pumps that can spray at a rate of up to 6L / min. A highly optimized wind field produces droplets of the ideal size and consistency. With the new four-channel electromagnetic flow meter design, the drone can monitor and control all four hoses independently, ensuring an efficient rhythm for each sprinkler.

The DJI AGRAS T20 features an Omnidirectional Digital Radar system that detects obstacles in any direction horizontally. It also avoids obstacles automatically when flying over different terrain, which makes possible a high level of operational safety. With this radar system, the AGRAS T20 adapts to some of the toughest environments, and thanks to its high resistance to dust and water the drone received an impressive IP67 rating. 

DJI’s agricultural solution packages are designed to monitor crop health and generate different procedures for treatments. With the P4 Multispectral, operators can record target areas and generate multispectral tables with executable actions for crop health, and help formulate different spray and seeding maps.

The DJI AGRAS T20 features an Omnidirectional

Agrotech, Supply Chain

S4S offers a suite of solutions across the value chain to improve the way produce is preserved, processed, and consumed by over one million people in India

S4S Technologies is a Mumbai-based company using innovative technology to restore and add value to India’s inefficient agricultural supply chain. The company closed a $1.75 Million pre-series A round on October 16, 2020, led by Acumen Fund and joined by return investor Factor[e]Ventures and  (C-SAW) to expand into new markets and improve their technology and consumable product offerings.

Factor[e] Ventures first invested in S4S in 2018 when the company was comprised of Dr Vaibhav Tidke and a group of technical and operational experts aspiring to empower rural women and reduce food waste with their patented solar conduction dryer. The UN award-winning technology allows agri-entrepreneurs to easily dehydrate produce, extending its shelf life up to one year without any chemicals. Today, S4S offers a suite of solutions across the value chain to improve the way produce is graded, sorted, preserved, processed, and consumed by over one million people in India. They are supporting hundreds of female agri-entrepreneurs, providing dehydrated products to over 650 industry customers including global food brands like Nestle, Sodexo, Indian Railways, Marico, and have successfully piloted their solar conduction dryer in 14 countries.

The funds from the pre-Series A will be used to further develop their network of rural women drying partners, expand their dehydrated product customer base, and optimize their core business systems to prepare for rapid growth in the future. 

S4S offers a suite of solutions across

Agro Universities, India

Dhillon assumes office from November 11, 2020

Dr Tarsem Singh Dhillon has assumed office as Head, Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, from November 11, 2020. He started his service with the university as District Extension Specialist (Vegetables) at FASS, Bathinda in December 1992 and elevated to the post of Director (Seeds), PAU, Ludhiana in September 2015.

Dhillon has vast experience of 28 years in the field of vegetable research, extension and seed production. During his period as Director (Seeds), seed production of field and vegetable crops was increased significantly and large scale production and distribution of vegetable kits in the new look was initiated. Moreover, 53 varieties of field crops have been got notified at national level. He has developed four varieties of carrot and bitter gourd and recommended 10 vegetable production technologies at state level. 

He is a member of six scientific societies engaged with the advancement of Vegetable Research and has published 24 original research papers in journals of national and International repute.

 

Dhillon assumes office from November 11, 2020Dr

Agro Universities, R&D, Webinar

Scientific management of honey bee colonies and bee diseases were key focus

Recently, the Skill Development Centre, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), conducted a five-day online advanced training course on ’Mass Queen Bee Rearing and Production of Hive Products’ with the participation of 40 farmers.

Dr TS Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), said that the University experts delved upon beekeeping extension and development. Dr Pardeep K Chhuneja, Head, Department of Entomology, explained the scientific management of honey bee colonies, and identification and management of bee diseases.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Technical Coordinator of the course, shed light on techniques required for selecting honey bee stocks for various aspects of bee breeding.Entomology experts, Dr Bharti Mohindru, Dr Amit Choudhary and Dr Yuvraj Singh Pandha dwelt on the importance of mass/commercial queen bee rearing, selection of honey bee colonies for stock improvement, preparing breeder and cell builder colonies, production, processing and storage of pollen, propolis and bees wax, etc.

 

 

Scientific management of honey bee colonies and

Agro Universities, Organic, Webinar

Core focus included organic agriculture and integrated crop management strategies  

The Skill Development Centre, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), recently organized a two-day online training course on ’Integrated Farming System and Organic Farming’ for in-service candidates under the guidance of Dr Jaskran Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education. A total of 17 agriculture and horticulture development officers, soil conservation officers, and scientists from PAU and its Krishi Vigyan Kendras participated. Dr Tejinder Singh Riar, Associate Director (Skill Development), informed that the course was designed to disseminate scientific knowledge on organic agriculture and integrated crop management strategies for production of safe food and improvement of natural resources.

Dr Kiran Grover, Senior Extension Specialist (Food and Nutrition) and Course Coordinator, highlighted that integrated farming systems provide balanced food/nutritional security as components of different nature are linked, enabling the production of different sources of nutrients from the same unit. “Organic foods provide various benefits to our health as well as our environment”, she added. 

Dr Sohan Singh Walia, Principal Agronomist and Technical Coordinator, demonstrated the development of integrated farming system models for small and marginal farmers for improving their livelihood. He also emphasized that the sustainable development in agriculture must include integrated farming system. In integrated crop – livestock farming system, crop residues can be used for animal feed, while manure from livestock can enhance agricultural productivity. 

Core focus included organic agriculture and integrated

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

Farmers urged to connect with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha inaugurated the “Aquaculture Field School (AFS)” at the farm of Kailash Chandra Sahoo, Subarnapur, Puri on November 10, 2020. Dr S K Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, applauded K.C. Sahoo for his multi-dimensional activities related to fisheries and being the embodiment of inspiration for others. He also urged the farmers’ cooperation and interest to get connected with the Institute for their fisheries activities.

The School aims at empowering the aqua-farmers in a cost effective way. AFS is a school without walls for improving the decision-making capacity of the farmers and facilitating cross learning opportunities. Aquaculture Field School promotes farmer-to-farmer extension. It is a participatory extension approach whereby fish farmers are allowed to choose the methods of aquaculture production through discovery-based approach.

Sarat Moharana, AFO, Gop, Puri stressed on the scientific fish farming’s role and involving women Self Help Groups in aquaculture. Sahoo’s adoption of the scientific aquaculture system integrating many agriculture enterprises with fisheries was also appreciated.

Sahoo, also, illustrated the ICAR-CIFA’s role in making him self-reliant starting with two ponds to owning a 20 acres farm and now, as the AFS operator. He praised the Institute’s efforts for reposing faith in him and recognizing him as a trainer to guide the other farmers.

 

 

 

Farmers urged to connect with the Central

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, R&D

Applicable to precision agriculture, locust control and improvement in crop yield

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana for the deployment of drones for agricultural research activities.

Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “Drones are poised to play a big role in agriculture sector in India especially in areas like precision agriculture, locust control and improvement in crop yield. The government is encouraging young entrepreneurs and researchers to look at ruggedized low-cost drone solutions for the over 6.6 lakh villages in India.”

The conditional exemption is valid for 6 months from the date of issue of the letter or until the full operationalization of Digital Sky Platform (Phase-1), whichever is earlier. This exemption shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations are strictly adhered to. In case of violation of any condition, this exemption shall become null and void.

 

 

Applicable to precision agriculture, locust control and

Agro Universities, Webinar

Pest & Disease forecast and soil health monitoring will be covered

G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, in association with Institutional Development Plan-National Agricultural Higher Education Project (IDP-NAHEP), Pantnagar will conduct a two-days online Training on ’Automation in Agriculture for Informed Decisions’ on November 18 and 19, 2020. The session will be led by Industry Expert, Arvind Dixit, Director & CEO, Advance Tech India Pvt Ltd, Chandigarh.

The first day of the training will focus on ’Automated Agrometeorological Observations and their uses in Pests and Disease Forecast’, while on the concluding day, ’Soil Health Monitoring Solutions’ will be coverred.

Pest & Disease forecast and soil health

Acts & Schemes – Centre

Interacts with representatives from Farmers Organizations from Punjab

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Som Prakash, MoS, Ministry of Commerce & Industries interacted with the representatives of Farmers Organizations of Punjab on November 13, 2020 in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

The Agriculture Minister briefed the representatives of Farmers Organizations of Punjab, about the reforms made in the agriculture sector to empower the farmers. During the interaction, the Ministers also informed the representatives of farmer Organizations that procurement of farm produce on MSP and the Mandi system will continue as before. The new Farm Act will encourage Mandis to provide better services to the farmers. The representatives of the farmers’ unions expressed their views on new Farm Acts.

The minister reasssured the representatives that the new Farm Acts would not only provide freedom of choice to the farmers to sell their produce at remunerative price but also safeguard the interest of farmers.
The farmer’s representatives were also apprised with other initiatives taken by the Government such as Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations aiming towards income enhancement of farmers and creating employment opportunities for youth in rural areas.

Interacts with representatives from Farmers Organizations from

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Sustainable Energy

Solar power plants can be installed on pastureland, besides barren, fallow and agricultural land

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended/clarified implementation guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme based on the learnings from the implementation of the Scheme during the first year. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved PM-KUSUM scheme in its meeting held on February, 2019. The Scheme consists of three components.

The Component-A includes installation of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Power Plants, Component-B includes installation of standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps and Component-C includes Solarization of Grid-connected Agriculture Pumps.

The MNRE expands scope of PM-KUSUM Scheme to enable greater solar energy generation in farm sector. Now, solar power plants can be installed on pastureland and marshy land of farmers besides barren, fallow and agricultural land. Also, the size of solar plant has been reduced to enable participation of small farmers.

With the new amendments, solar pumps can be set up and used by Water User Associations (WUAs)/Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)/Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACSs) or for cluster based irrigation system. Separate bids will be invited for solar pumps with Universal Solar Pump Controller (USPC), wherein, the latter will receive subsidy benefit.

Solar power plants can be installed on