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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Botany and Horticulture department of Sikkim Central University carried out tests to understand the soil and actual pH conditions of Yangyang of Sikkim

The saffron bowl, which was so far confined to Kashmir, may soon expand to the North East of India. Plants from seeds transported from Kashmir to Sikkim and acclimatized there are now flowering in Yangyang in the Southern part of the North-East state.

Pampore region, in India, commonly known as the Saffron bowl of Kashmir, it is the main contributor to saffron production, followed by Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtiwar districts. Saffron has traditionally been associated with the famous Kashmiri cuisine. It’s its medicinal values were considered as part of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. As saffron growth was confined to very specific areas in Kashmir, its production remained limited. Though the National Mission on Saffron focused on several measures to improve its farming, the measures were still limited to the specified areas of Kashmir.

North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India supported a pilot project to explore the feasibility of growing saffron in North East region of India, with the same quality and higher quantity.

The Botany and Horticulture department of Sikkim Central University carried out tests to understand the soil and actual pH conditions of Yangyang of Sikkim and found it comparable to saffron growing places of Kashmir. Saffron seed/corms were purchased and air transported from Kashmir to Yangyang site by the department. One saffron grower was engaged and stationed to look after the complete growing process, along with the faculty of the university.

The corms were irrigated during the month of September and October, which ensured timely corm sprouting and good flower yields. The matching of climatic and geographical conditions between Pampore (Kashmir) and Yangyang (Sikkim) led to the successful sample farming of Saffron in Yangyang.

The project also focused on post-harvest management and value addition of saffron so that quality saffron drying and efficient post-harvest processing can improve saffron recovery, thereby improving its production.

The Botany and Horticulture department of Sikkim

The launch self-certification scheme will not only benefit the industry but also make India globally competitive in ease of doing business

Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (IC) for Shipping & Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt of India recently in a webinar said that the government is in the process to launch a self-certification scheme for the Indian chemicals industry, which will not only benefit the industry but also make India globally competitive in ease of doing business. 

Addressing a webinar ‘Post-COVID-19: The Future and Dynamics of agrochemicals Industry’, organized by FICCI, jointly with HIL, Mandaviya said that the chemicals and agrochemicals industry is growing rapidly, and India will soon become the priority for foreign companies. “In the future, the world will trade with India and this is an opportunity for the chemicals sectors. Global companies are today investing in India,” he added. 

Mandaviya said that India has created a lot of opportunities in every sector including textiles, ceramics, brass, and agrochemical sectors during the pandemic. “Next 10 years are golden years for India and the world will prefer to come to India,” he noted.   

Mandaviya further said that under the Make in India program, many global companies are looking for opportunities in India. He added, “We are also working to launch the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in the chemicals sectors as we have done in the pharma sector.”

He said that the government will support the industry to become globally competitive along with skill development and bringing new reforms. Our vision is to ensure that both the industry and the economy grow in the future. We must move forward, and we will not take any step that will not benefit the industry, he assured. 

  

The launch self-certification scheme will not only

Targets Rs 451 crore revenue in current financial year

HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers,  has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals recently to achieve the revenue target of Rs 451 crore in the current financial year ( 2020-21). The MoU was signed by SP Mohanty, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD),  HIL (India) Limited and  Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi,  Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals.

 Mohanty  said “The target of Rs 451 crore for HIL (India) Limited for the current financial year is quite attainable and can be easily achieved. If we the look at HIL (India) Limited’s performance during the first two quarters, it has recorded incredible growth of 65 percent”. The company has manufactured 530.10 MT of Malathion Technical in the first two quarters as compared to 375.5 MT in the corresponding period last year (CPLY), which is the highest ever production since its inception, he added.

In addition to this, the company has also registered the highest ever sale for the product in the first two quarters and supplied the entire quantity to various institutions like the Ministry of Agriculture’s Locust Control Programme and municipal corporations across the country for the vector control.

Targets Rs 451 crore revenue in

Merger to consolidate company’s global footprint

After months of deliberation and formalities which began in 2019, the merger of agri-business major SynTech Research, USA and the European Contract Research Organization (CRO) major Acceres, has now successfully met all the requirements to form a world-leading global Agricultural R&D CRO. Consisting of Acceres, (which includes Biotek Agriculture, GAB Consulting and Promovert) and SynTech Research, the new company will be a leading global player in this sector, with over 600 laboratory, field and regulatory staff providing services in over forty countries, in all Regions.

Dr Khosro Khodayari has been appointed as CEO of the new Company, chairing the Global Executive Committee (GEC), leading further integration activities and serving on the Board of Directors (BoD). Dr Francis Lacroze, former SGS, who has been involved with EKKIO Capital in the development of Acceres, has been appointed as Chairman of the BoD. EKKIO Capital are the majority shareholders and will provide the additional investment required for rapid growth of the new Company through acquisitions and Greenfield expansion projects. As previously announced, once integration activities have been completed, the name of the new Company will be formalized as SynTech Research.

SynTech Research which was founded in California 1999 had initially focused on field GLP and bio-efficacy in the US. The company started work in India in 2010 and was the first Contract Research Organisation (CRO) in the country. It works in partnership with a local CRO to deliver client’s trials programs. Currently trials on agrochemicals and new plant varieties including bio-safety research level (BRL) GMO trials are being carried out in several locations in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharastra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. 

Merger to consolidate company’s global footprint After months

Collaboration will boost accessibility of quality agri-products in India

 

 

 

www.iffcobazar.in, the e-commerce arm of IFFCO has announced its integration with the SBI YONO Krishi, which is the dedicated portal catering to the farmer’s needs. This will insure that a wide variety of agriculture products are made accessible to lakhs of Indian Farmers. Hassle free payment portal of SBI YONO and quality products of IFFCO is a combination which aims to drive the digital sales in this segment.

 www.iffcobazar.in is one of the fast growing agriculture based e-commerce portals in India, promoted by IFFCO, biggest fertiliser manufacturer in the country. The portal is available in 12 Indian languages and promises free home delivery pan India. It also operates 1200+ stores in 26 states across India. A wide variety of products which include, speciality fertilisers, organic agri-inputs, seeds, agrochemicals, agri-machinery amongst others are made available on the portal. 

 Speaking on the partnership, Dr. U.S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO said that, “IFFCO and SBI are two of the oldest business institutions in India. The letter ’I’ in our names, which stands for India, binds us together in letter and in spirit. I am proud to say that, through this integration the two proud ’Indian’ institution with their combined synergy can work towards the betterment of Indian farmers.”

He further added that, “Through the portal, farmers can not only order best quality non-subsidised fertilisers and other agriculture inputs but can also get answers to their queries through a farmers’ forum and a dedicated helpline.”

 

Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director, IFFCO added that, “Finance and Fertilisers are two critical inputs for the farmers. With the partnership between SBI YONO and iffcobazar.in two of the biggest Indian institutions in their respective sectors can finally collaborate to get the best quality agri-inputs at the doorstep of farmers”.

He also said that, the collaboration will help IFFCO BAZAR to reach out to over 3 crore registered customers of YONO, a large part of which happens to be farmers. Through the partnership we can leverage the strong brand equity in rural India to create a trustworthy ecosystem which will ultimately help reduce the input costs for the farmers. 

 

 

Collaboration will boost accessibility of quality