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Agro chems – Fertilizers, Webinar, World

Focus on lessons learnt from present pandemic aftermath

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) will be conducting ’The 2020 IFA High-Level Forum (HLF) on Sustainable Plant Nutrition’. It will be held on November 17 and 18, 2020 and will integrate reflections and lessons learned from the current crisis into the larger, long-term context of changing business fundamentals and developing agricultural management strategies. 

These will contribute to more resilient, sustainable food production as part of a more fundamental transformation in our approaches to food systems and climate change.

The event brings together a variety of expert stakeholders from key institutions and companies in the agricultural, economic and policy sectors to provide insights and share views on the development of new models, strategies and in some cases even visions for their own activities, as well as for international cooperation and partnerships. 

Focus on lessons learnt from present pandemic

R&D, Start ups

Focus on transforming agri materials into functional ingredients

Myco Technology, Inc a food technology company was selected as the winner of the Radicle Protein Challenge by Syngenta for their novel, organic food processing platform that transforms agricultural material into functional ingredients. BlueNalu Inc, an innovative food company making a variety of seafood products directly from fish cells was selected as the runner-up for its solution to secure a sustainable protein source that addresses supply chain issues through cell-based seafood products made directly from the cells of fish.

Myco Technology, Inc secured a $1m investment from the win while BlueNalu Challenge won $250k investment and were chosen from 150 impressive applicants from across the globe. 

“All of us at MycoTechnology are thrilled to be the winner of the Radicle Protein Challenge by Syngenta,” said Alan Hahn, CEO of MycoTechnology. “ I believe that our unique mushroom fermentation platform, combined with Syngenta’s global scale and expertise, will allow us to play a pivotal role in helping to feed an exponentially growing population.”

In addition to securing new funding, MycoTechnology, Inc. and BlueNalu, Inc. will benefit from access to Radicle and Sngenta’s broad agriculture expertise and technology. 

Speaking on the opportunity, Erik Fyrwald, CEO, Syngenta Group said, “The demand for protein is rising and as a result the need for new protein technologies is increasing.”

Focus on transforming agri materials into functional

E-commerce, Europe, R&D

First joint product to be released in Brazil, followed by Europe and North America  

Bosch and BASF Digital Farming have signed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) agreement to globally market and sell smart farming solutions from a single source in the future. The JV agreement was signed on November 10, 2020 and will be followed by the founding of a new company based in Cologne, which will be established in the first quarter of 2021. The foundation is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details.

Bosch brings to the JV significant capability in hardware and software, as well as digital services for planning and decision making in field crops. BASF Digital Farming with its xarvio™ Digital Farming Solutions provides an automated, real-time, field specific agronomic decision-making engine for weed management that is powered by the digital xarvio platform for crop optimization. It provides farmers with field zone specific advice on how to produce crops in the most sustainable way. Combining the expertise of both companies, with state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions, will make it easier and more convenient for farmers to benefit from digital solutions.

Spraying and saving

“Thanks to connecting agricultural machinery using high-tech sensors, intelligent software and digital products, we can make tomorrow’s agriculture more efficient and at the same time more environmentally friendly,” said Andrew Allen, responsible for Commercial Vehicles and Off-Road Business at Robert Bosch GmbH. “Both companies are committed to investing time, resources and funding in joint activities that will lead to the development of new sustainable precision technologies that improve agricultural practices and outcomes,” said Vincent Gros, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division.

The first two products to be launched will be a version of the Intelligent Planting Solution (IPS) system, with enhanced digital intelligence for seeding and fertilizer prescriptions, and Smart Spraying. The Smart Spraying solution combines Bosch’s camera sensor technology and software with xarvio’s crop optimization platform. Both products have been tested extensively in real growing conditions. Such innovative precision farming practices enable resource efficiencies supporting farmers and the environment.

Depending on the local conditions this may lead to a reduced need for crop protection products in specific applications. Smart Spraying shows up to 70 % herbicide volumes reduction in experimental stage. The solution is expected to be launched with a limited number of machines in 2021.

 

 

First joint product to be released in

E-commerce, North America, R&D

NRGene’s genomics platform to accelerate Calyxt’s trait discovery in hemp 

 

 Calyxt, Inc., a plant-based technology company, today announced a research collaboration with NRGene® that includes the adoption of NRGene’s cloud-based genomics platform to support key Calyxt’s research projects. The genomics solutions are expected to allow for more comprehensive evaluations to accelerate trait discovery and breeding across multiple crops. 

Calyxt is leveraging its proprietary breeding techniques and TALEN® technology to optimize product performance and transition hemp to a broad acre crop for use across food, industrial fiber and therapeutic applications.

NRGene’s QuickGENETICS™ technology analyzes breeding populations, delivers high resolution genetic mapping, and generates unique genetic markers for high value traits. NRGene’s CannaGene™ technology is an optimized and customizable genomics database allowing for the search and discovery of novel gene candidates to enable Calyxt targeting of key traits of interest in hemp.

Calyxt is integrating NRGene’s genomic resources to build out its proprietary predictive data analytics, which combines insights, scientific data, predictive algorithms, and data visualization tools to develop customized products to meet specific customer requirements. The company is also adopting advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and augmented reality to enhance its data analytics capabilities.

 

“The synergistic potential of combining NRGene’s genomic resources with our evolving predictive analytics program will give us a deeper understanding of the complex genomics of hemp and discover novel pathways to target,” said Travis Frey, chief technology officer at Calyxt. “Having access to NRGene’s technology helps jumpstart our ability to quickly identify gene targets of interest to optimize the hemp crop.” 

“We are honoured that Calyxt chose our technology solutions to speed up their trait discovery and integration in hemp,” said Dr Gil Ronen, NRGene’s CEO and co-founder. “Hemp genome is still relatively un-researched territory and Calyxt is in a great position to lead the industry and develop new, disruptive varieties of hemp for diverse key commercial markets.”

NRGene’s genomics platform to accelerate Calyxt’s trait

E-commerce, R&D

It aims to optimizes the food value chain by leveraging data in new ways to increase efficiency and yields 

 

TELUS announced the launch of TELUS Agriculture, a new business unit dedicated to providing innovative solutions to support the agriculture industry with connected technology. TELUS Agriculture optimizes the food value chain by leveraging data in new ways to increase efficiency, production, and yields, delivering better food outcomes for businesses and the end consumer. Connecting each piece of the agriculture value chain empowers farmers and ranchers, the agri-business industry, and agri-food, consumer goods and retail companies to leverage advanced data systems and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, improve food traceability, and provide consumers with fresher and healthier food. TELUS Agriculture currently supports more than 100 million acres of agricultural land, backed by a team of more than 1,200 experts across Canada, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Armenia, Germany, China, and Australia.

 “The launch of TELUS Agriculture reflects TELUS’ unwavering commitment to our social purpose to leverage our world-leading technology to create remarkable human and social outcomes as, together, we help to protect and improve the global food system,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS.

 Darren also added that by means of our technology innovation, artificial intelligence and human compassion, we will help farmers and ranchers produce food for the world’s ever-expanding population more efficiently, safely and in a more environmentally friendly manner. Our efforts to optimize food production will contribute to a better yield of food supply to meet the ever-growing requirements of our hungry planet. From farm to fork, by digitizing the entire value chain and linking these technologies together for the first time, we will facilitate a secure exchange of information to allow farmers and ranchers, agri-business organizations, the agri-food industry and the consumer to make smarter decisions. Importantly, we are striving to provide innovative solutions to advance the agriculture sector on a worldwide basis, whilst positioning Canada as a preferred global supplier of safe, sustainable food.

It aims to optimizes the food value

Agrotech

Nishant Dalal has about 14 years of work experience spanning across Corporate Finance. 

Zuari Global Limited has appointed Nishant Dalal as Chief Financial officer (CFO) with effect from 13th November, 2020.  

Nishant Dalal has about 14 years of work experience spanning across Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Corporate Strategy, Business Planning and M&A areas. He holds BTech in Mechanical Engineering and MBA in Finance and Strategy, He has been associated with the group since 2011.

Due to organization restructuring, Vijay Kathuria relinquished the position of Chief Financial Officer of the company with effect from 12th November, 2020.

 

Nishant Dalal has about 14 years of

Agro chems – Pesticides, E-commerce

Set up with an investment of € 24 Mn, the plant’s annual production capacity is 1,500 Mt. 

 

 

 

    German agrochemicals major Bayer inaugurated a new plant at its Vapi site in Gujarat. The plant will manufacture Ethiprole, an active ingredient used in insecticides for crop protection products. Set up with an investment of € 24 million, the plant’s annual production capacity is 1,500 metric tons. It will cater to domestic demand in India and export to global markets across Asia Pacific and Latin America.

The Vapi site is an integral part of Bayer’s commitment towards the Government’s vision of ‘Make in India’ that aims to promote job creation and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, ensuring sustained growth of the Indian economy.

“The agriculture sector is currently the largest end-user of Ethiprole, which is emerging as one of the best insecticides for a variety of crops. With our new insecticide plant, we will fulfill domestic needs for Indian agriculture and also export to global agricultural markets. India is one of Bayer’s key growth markets in Crop Science and with this strategic investment, we aim to further enhance our global competitiveness in agrochemical manufacturing and supply chain,” said Narendra Shah, Director, Bayer Vapi Private Limited.

“The new plant at Vapi will expand Bayer’s global production volumes for Ethiprole and enable us to introduce innovative products to help growers secure their yields and grow healthier, high-quality crops,” said Dr Udo Schneider, Head of AI Manufacturing Product Supply, Crop Science at Bayer AG.

Ethiprole-based insecticides have been in use since 1994. In 2010, Bayer expanded its portfolio of Ethiprole insecticides to include broad acre crops such as sugarcane, soybean, corn and cotton. In rice, they are used extensively for control of three major insect pests – hoppers, weevils and stinkbugs.

Ethiprole can not only eliminate insect pests from standing food crops in the field, it can also extend the shelf life of crops such as peanuts, citrus fruits, wheat and corn during storage

Set up with an investment of €

Finance, World

It aims to help small-scale farmers in high-risk countries to increase their productivity.  

 In an effort to tackle the devastating impact of climate change on rural hunger and poverty, the French development agency, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), signed a €300 million loan to the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to help small-scale farmers in high-risk countries build their resilience to shocks and increase their productivity.

 

“If we want a world without hunger and poverty we have to focus our attention on the most vulnerable places where the poorest people live – and this is in rural areas,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD, the UN agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger.

“This loan demonstrates France’s strong commitment to investing in rural people, as well as the role of IFAD in assembling development finance to fight climate change in line with the Paris Agreement.”

Estimates show that climate change could push 100 million people into poverty by 2030, with those working in agriculture suffering most. This is likely to result in more hungry people. Almost 690 million people went hungry in 2019 – up by nearly 60 million compared to five years ago. COVID-19 could increase that number by an additional 135 million by the end of this year, with poverty expected to increase for the first time in decades.

This sovereign loan from AFD aims to reverse these trends. The funds will be used to help rural small-scale farmers to increase their productivity, better manage scarce natural resources, access new markets and financial services, and build their resilience to a changing climate.

 

 

 

 

 

It aims to help small-scale farmers in

Agro Universities, R&D, Start ups, Webinar

Primary agendas included tackling agri problems and exploring private partnership for agricultural research funding

The 111th Foundation Course for Agricultural Research Service (FOCARS) was held on November 12, 2020 at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad.

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) interacted with the Scientist-Probationers undergoing the course and urged them to take cognizance of the various concerns associated in the Indian agricultural sector and come up with innovative ideas to address them. Mohapatra highlighted the need for building the core competencies in preparing competitive project proposals, science communication, nurturing agri-entrepreneurs, developing start ups and using frontier tools like IoT, AI and Block Chain Technology.

He also outlined the initiatives taken for enhancing the production of pulses and oilseeds in the past 4 to 5 years and reiterated the Government’s resolve to achieve self-sufficiency in oilseeds by 2030. The Director General stressed on the need for engagements with private sector for the funding of agricultural research.

 Dr Ch Srinivas Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad highlighted the major innovations introduced in the program for imparting the contemporary skills to match the new normal under the COVID-19 Pandemic situation.

The Directors of ICAR Institutions, State Agricultural Universities, Eminent Agricultural Scientists from across the country along with Progressive Farmers virtually participated in the program.

Primary agendas included tackling agri problems and

Finance, India, Sustainable Energy

Govt policy initiatives cited as major contributor

The 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) , a PSU under Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, was held on November 11, 2020, at India International Centre, New Delhi. Annual accounts for financial year 2019-20 were adopted at the AGM.

Addressing the Directors and Shareholders, Pradip Kumar Das, CMD, IREDA highlighted the performance of FY2019-20 and informed that gross income of the company increased to Rs. 2,372.38 Crore, registering a growth of 17.32 per cent. IREDA has sanctioned the loans of Rs 12,696 crore and disbursed Rs 8,785 Crore. Loan sanctioned during the year including co-financed projects/ take over loans ,would support capacity addition of 5673 MW as against 3266 MW in last year. 

Speaking about future strategies, Das emphasized that Green Energy portfolio of the country is consistently growing in terms of both quantity and quality; and is expected to get a further boost with various policy initiatives of the Government, such as PM-KUSUM scheme, Solar and Wind hybrid technologies, Biofuels such as Ethanol and Compressed Bio Gas (CBG), E-mobility and associated infrastructure, Off-shore Wind energy, Solar Roof-top programme etc.

Govt policy initiatives cited as major contributorThe

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agro chems – Fertilizers, India

Part of the larger Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 stimulus package

Close on the heels of agri reform Bills, the Centre has provided another fillip to the Indian agriculture sector by announcing Rs 65,000 crore fertilizer subsidy to farmers.

As part of the larger economic stimulus package of Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, this subsidy of fertilizers will directly help increase the supply of the same, ensuring adequate fertilizer availability in the upcoming crop seasons, as per a statement issued by Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India. 140 million farmers will be positively impacted by this subsidy. 

The growth in usage of fertilizer has been estimated at 17. 8 per cent over the actual usage in 2019-20 of 581 lakh metric tonnes. This increase has been attributed to favorable monssons and the subsequent increase im sown area. The fertilizer use is expected to be around 673 lakh metric tonnes in 2020-21, as opposed to the 499 lakh metric tonnes in 2016-17.

Another additional stimulus of Rs 10,200 crore has been set aside for capital and industrial expenditure on defence equipment, industrial infrastructures and green energy. 

 

Part of the larger Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0

AgroPolicy, Webinar

Focused on training , capacity building of farmers in production and packaging of kiwi products. 

The Ministry of Agriculture along with Central Institute of Horticulture, Nagaland organized a virtual meeting on ‘Value Chain Creation for Kiwi fruit – Farm to Fork’ keeping in mind the popularity of the fruit due to its tremendous commercial potential. The meeting was chaired by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar in presence of Minister of State for Agriculture,  Parshottam Rupala, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and other officials of the Ministry and State of Nagaland.

 Tomar stated that the Himalayan Sub – Temperature climate is suitable for Kiwi production and there is a need to introduce high yielding cultivars. With extensive research and development support, the commercial cultivation of Kiwi fruit has been extended from the Sub – Himalayan Regions of India to the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Nilgiri Hills. Presently, India is producing 13,000 MT of Kiwi in an area of about 4,000 Ha in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh.

He said that a new chapter is being introduced in the Agricultural history of Nagaland which will be highly beneficial to the Kiwi farmers of the State. He said that this programme of Kiwi Production enhancement will prove to be a milestone in the years to come.

Tomar also elaborated on the problems faced by the farmers in the North East region namely lack of good planting material, productivity issues, and lack of packaging facilities and marketing networks for farmers. Considering the problems faced, he said that Centre is working hand in hand with State Governments and especially the Central Institute of Horticulture, Nagaland and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’s Welfare has taken key steps to ensure proper training and capacity building of farmers in production as well as packaging of kiwi products is done.

 The Government is also ensuring that farmers are connected to the market so that they can reap a fair price for their produce. The institute in Nagaland has also conducted training and exposure visit of farmers from Phek District of Nagaland for helping them understand how to reap good returns through Kiwi production.

Tomar added that persistent efforts should be made by all to ensure Nagaland can emerge as the ‘Kiwi State’ of India.

Focused on training , capacity building of

Agro chems – Fertilizers, E-commerce

The cost is reduced by ₹1000/Ton as support to farmers on Sulphur, a key input nutrient for the soil. 

IFFCO has announced the reduction of ₹50/bag in the price of NP 20:20:0:13 Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate Fertilisers across India with immediate effect on all stocks.

According to an IFFCO statement of the cost is reduced by ₹1000/Tonn as support to farmers on Sulphur, a key input nutrient for the soil. This nutrient is very important for all type of oilseeds crops. It improves the quality of the crops and also helps in the good growth of the plants. This reduction of ₹50/- per bag on NP 20:20:0:13 Fertilisers reducing agriculture input cost to farmers is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.

IFFCO will keep on reducing prices wherever possible for farmers. Recently in September, 2020 IFFCO also announced that they will not increase any cost of DAP & NPK fertiliser in this Rabi season for the farmers.

The cost is reduced by ₹1000/Ton as

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Dairy

The ministry has also issued the revised Export of Milk and Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring) rules

Under the Export of Milk and Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring) Rules, 2020, the government of India has recently set up a standing committee under Chairman, Export Inspection Council (EIC) to formulate standards for which none are available.

Under the rules, the government has made a health certification mandatory for all milk and milk product exports that will be subject to stringent quality control, inspection and monitoring. Export of milk and milk products that do not comply with the standards will be prohibited as per rules notified by the commerce and industry ministry.

As per the rules, it is further notified by the government that milk and milk products shall be subjected to quality control or inspection or both prior to export in cases where importing countries require such an export certification.

The ministry has also issued the revised Export of Milk and Milk Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring) rules.

According to the rules, as part of the procedure for quality control, inspection and certification, an exporter intending to export milk or milk products would have to apply for the approval of its establishment where the intended product is prepared or processed as per the Food Safety Management System based inspection system.

 

 

The ministry has also issued the revised