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Trade

This is the best time to invest in business and trade ventures in Iran, especially in sectors like oil, energy, and agriculture products

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has recently organized an interactive webinar on ‘India – Iran Business Promotion, Challenges and Opportunities’ on 27th October 2020.

HE Dr Ali Chegeni, Ambassador, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi, India at the Inaugural Session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Interactive Webinar said that, “We believe in mutual legal assistance agreement in the civil and commercial matters which will help in enhancing trade and business relations between the two countries.”

While deliberating about the historical, cultural, and geographical ties between the two nations, he further mentioned that the PTA agreement needs to be processed for facilitating trade at the same time reducing tariffs. He highlighted that increasing trade relations by leveraging business barter deals will be a welcome step between the two countries. He also mentioned that this is the best time to invest in business and trade ventures in Iran, especially in sectors like oil, energy, and agriculture products.

HE Gaddam Dharmendra highlighted that “The need of the hour is to expand and diversify trade in the sectors like oil, paper, printing, packaging, and agri-products. Indian and Iranian companies are working on sectors like rice, saffron, tea, dry fruits, fruits and it’s the right time to enter into joint ventures for increasing investments. We need to take advantage of air traffic, virtual meetings to maintain business relations.”

Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential address deliberated about PHDCCI’s constant engagement and deliberations with Iran in the form of events, conferences, and exhibitions with the agenda to establish business connects between Indian and Iranian companies.”

 

This is the best time to invest

Agrotech, Poultry

The project aims to improve nutrition and income levels through backyard poultry farming and increased consumption of poultry products in Mayurbhanj, Odisha 

  Cargill and international development organization Heifer International together have been positively impacting local communities in India through the Hatching Hope Global Initiative. Launched in November 2018, the project aims to improve nutrition and income levels through backyard poultry farming and increased consumption of poultry products in Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Aligned to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, Hatching Hope has so far impacted over 30,000 farmer households through improved backyard poultry production, resulting in better flock health and bird size and improving income and nutrition across 1.5 million people in the district over two years.

 

Traditionally driven by women farmers, supporting backyard poultry production by Hatching Hope enhances gender equity across rural households in India. The program has already trained over 1,600 Self Help Groups (SHG) to strengthen women-led institutions and facilitated building of new SHGs that can provide their members access to information, services and support needed to start their businesses. By removing barriers to women’s economic independence, Hatching Hope supports women farmers to become successful poultry producers, earn a living income and improve resilience for their communities. Preliminary data collected on consumption and sale patterns from about 100 farmers suggests that the average consumption of protein rich food per household has been approximately 20% higher from the previous year. This increase could be associated with improved awareness of nutritional benefits and adoption of improved poultry production promoted through the mass media campaign, augmenting accessibility of poultry production in the region. Adoption of improved production techniques has also supported farmers to avoid volatility in consumption and sale during unfavorable market conditions or disasters, thus making them more resilient.

  

Imre Havasi, managing director of Cargill’s Animal Nutrition business in India said, “Hatching Hope has been helping women backyard poultry farmers and lifting communities out of poverty in Odisha. Through the initiative, Cargill and Heifer have successfully been able to help farmers become sustainable, efficient animal producers & successful entrepreneurs, who are actively participating in the poultry value chain.”

 

In India, Hatching Hope has promoted improved poultry feed with the establishment of 30 small-scale feed mills at community level in Odisha.  Using a formula jointly developed by the Heifer and Cargill India technical teams, the mills produce a locally prepared, high -quality and affordable feed mix that improves the health and weight of birds, while cultivating business opportunities for local producer entrepreneurs to meet the demand for poultry feed.

  

“Hatching Hope has supported smallholder farmers to become efficient producers and aware consumers, which has ensured sustainable incomes and food security for the most vulnerable producer communities,” said Avni Malhotra, country director of Heifer India. “This change has been possible through Heifer’s partnership development to increase investing in women-led institutions and promote entrepreneurship opportunities for women at the community level.”

 

Hatching Hope is also piloting small-scale hatcheries to increase poultry production by reducing the brooding period. The program also trains farmers in developing backyard poultry production as a family business and establishing Farmer Producer Organizations while connecting them to the poultry value chain by improving market access.

 

Through mass media and advocacy campaigns, communities in over 400 villages in Mayurbhanj have been educated about the nutritional benefits of poultry consumption. Further leveraging digital platforms and mass media channels this will be scaled to reach up to 3.2 million people in newer geographies in Odisha by 2022. Innovative tools like android application ‘Storyteller’, IoT toys and digital talking comics are being developed to maximize reach across local communities.

 

Working directly with women smallholder farmers in India, Mexico, and Kenya, Hatching Hope aims to improve nutrition and economic livelihoods of 100 million people globally by 2030 through production, promotion, and consumption of poultry. In India, the program will reach 62 million people.

Cargill’s work through this program is just one example of how Cargill is working with nonprofit and NGO partners around the globe to ensure people have access to nutritious food. Across all the communities where Cargill’s employees live and work, the company provided more than 39 million meals to global and local food bank partners this past fiscal year. Cargill employees remain committed and energized to help ensure food security for their neighbors through personal and corporate monetary contributions paired with product donations.

 

 

The project aims to improve nutrition and

E-commerce, Europe

Acquisition will secure and increase BASF’s position in melon seeds

 

BASF has formally agreed to acquire ASL, one of the most innovative melon breeding companies in the world, to continue expanding its position as a preferred partner in the fruit and vegetable value chain. The transaction with the privately-owned French company based near Avignon, covers all assets, including seed production, intellectual property rights, germplasm, research and development facilities as well as staff. 

ASL is specialized in orange flesh type melons, such as the Cantaloup and Charentais types. To guarantee an efficient know-how transfer it is planned to close the acquisition on January 1, 2023. The owners’ decision to pursue the divestment of their company to their long-term partner, BASF, will secure the continuation of the most innovative melon breeding program.

 

“For the global vegetable seeds industry, melon is an important crop. BASF’s vegetable seeds portfolio marketed under the Nunhems® brand already covers hybrid melon seeds,” said Vicente Navarro, Senior Vice President of BASF’s vegetable seeds business. “By acquiring ASL, we continue offering a highly innovative melon pipeline to our value chain partners and consumers. They are the ultimate motive of all our business activities and the reason why we want to make healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable by breeding new varieties that meet their expectations in taste and convenience.” 

The seed production and breeding facilities near Avignon will complement BASF’s existing network of 23 breeding stations for vegetable seeds worldwide and will be the first station for R&D activities, such as breeding and screening, located in France. Financial details of the transaction are not disclosed.

Acquisition will secure and increase BASF’s position

Agrotech, Trade

FICCI with APEDA and Yes Bank organized the virtual conference on ‘Enhancing Export Competitiveness of Agriculture Produce’ focusing on Rice and Fruits & Vegetables

In the first of its series of ‘Enhancing Export Competitiveness of Agriculture Produce’ virtual conferences by FICCI, the focus of the day-long event was on discussing a holistic action plan by the who’s who of the agricultural sector to significantly promote and increase India’s global export competitiveness for the two value chains – i.e. Fruits & Vegetables and Rice. Organised in association with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Yes Bank, the event saw the stalwarts having a unanimous view that India needs to upscale its storage and export infrastructure, supply chain solutions and brand the indigenously produced fruits, vegetables and rice importantly to remain competitive in the vast global agricultural export market.

 

The event’s inauguration session marked the presence of Dr. M. Angamuthu, IAS, Chairman, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; T R Kesavan, Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee & Group President, TAFE; Sanjay Sacheti, Co-Chairman, FICCI National Agriculture Committee & Country Head & Executive Director, Olam Agro India Pvt Ltd; Nitin Puri, Group President & Global Head, Food & Agribusiness Strategic Advisory & Research, Yes Bank, and Jyoti Vij, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI.

While India is heading for a sizeable agricultural surplus, Sacheti expressed, “Production is rising for fruits and vegetables in India, but a minuscule share is seen in exports. Given the agro-climatic conditions of India, it is a potential powerhouse to contribute to the $300 bn worth of global trade. However, we do only $2-3 bn, 1 per cent of global fruits and vegetables export scenario.”

 Dr. Angamuthu said, “India is known as a raw product exporter. We need to improve our product diversification. We are having a good bank of organic produce, but never get good value for it. We must improve our organic identity. India is a repository of 300 Agri products with GI tags. AT APEDA, 94 products are GI tagged. This is the right time to export these products. Value addition and product diversification for horticulture and agricultural needs to be taken.” 

Puri of Yes bank expressed that from the supply side, private investment is lacking in the country due to non-promising policies. The other countries have thrived with private players investing in the agricultural export sector from infrastructure to supply chain solutions, etc.

The latter half of the event saw panel discussions wherein notable players dealing in exports of fruits & vegetables and rice brainstormed on ways to bolster India’s position in the global export market of the two value commodities. The panellists touch based on various aspects of how India lacks from performing in the export market on the back of poor storage and logistics infrastructure, to being recognised as a cheap, unbranded and inconsistent raw product exporter.

 

FICCI with APEDA and Yes Bank organized

AgroPolicy

The base price is determined based on the cost of production and productivity

To support farmers and boost the agricultural sector, Kerala Government has recently decided to fix base prices for 16 varieties of agricultural crops. The scheme will come into effect from November 1, 2020.

The base price is fixed for 16 varieties of tapioca, banana, pineapple, squash, cucumber, squash, plantain, lentils, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, beans, beetroot and garlic. The base price is determined based on the cost of production and productivity. The plan is to make the base price available to the farmer when the market price falls even lower. This will ensure price stability and good returns for the farmers. It will also help protect farmers from market price fluctuations.

The scheme will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Local Governments and the Department of Co-operation. Listed crops will be procured from farmers through VFPCK, Horticorp and wholesale markets. It intends to open at least one market in a panchayat. In the first phase, primary agricultural co-operative societies will procure crops directly from farmers in 250 markets. 

The Department of Agriculture will implement the scheme based on the online portal AIMS. Farmers’ registration, area and production determination and certification as local produce should be recorded in the AIMS portal. The Department of Agriculture will prepare working procedures applicable to all procurement agencies.

The decision has been taken to sell the procured crops under the brand name ’Jeevani-Kerala Farm Fresh Fruits and Vegetables’.

The base price is determined based on

Agrotech, E-commerce

With this transaction, CNH Industrial is further strengthening the product portfolio of AGXTEND, the Company’s accelerator for tech start-ups. 

CNH Industrial announced that it has completed its acquisition of a minority stake in Zasso Group AG, a global specialist in non-chemical weed and invasive plant management solutions using electrical power.

With this transaction, CNH Industrial is further strengthening the product portfolio of AGXTEND, the Company’s accelerator for tech start-ups, and reaffirms its commitment to providing the world’s farmers with easy access to the latest innovative technologies. This equity participation will further enhance synergies to facilitate the launch of disruptive new products.

 

Zasso’s patented and innovative Electroherb™ solutions enable targeted, chemical-free weed control using an electrical current. This technology can also be employed in urban weed management situations. Electroherb™ is as effective and efficient as standard chemical herbicides, does not have to contend with growing developed plant chemical resistance and delivers social and environmental benefits.

Zasso Group, headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, was founded in 2016 and joined the AGXTEND platform in January 2019, providing exclusive distribution to its XPower™ electronic herbicide technology. This innovative technology was recognized with a bronze innovation award at the 2019 SIMA agricultural trade show in France.

This acquisition is further testament to AGXTEND’s core philosophy of facilitating and expediting broad and open access to new technologies which help farmers improve their overall productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

With this transaction, CNH Industrial is further

Agrotech

Employment in farming rose to 14 million by August 2020 

 

 

 Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. With the farm sector registering a growth rate of 3.4 percent in the first quarter when most other sectors were slowing down, shows the resilience that this sector holds. Experts are calling agriculture a bright spot in the current Covid-19 gloom. When the government had no option but to impose lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, it was feared to be a big blow to the farm and allied sectors. The severe restrictions on businesses, trade and general public movement brought the normal life to standstill, challenging the farm-to-fork supply. The cascading effects caused the reverse migration of labourers following limitation of workforce in urban areas.

 

Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), said, the ripples of nationwide lockdown disrupted the rural livelihood and the food supplies. The major farming operations including harvesting and marketing of Rabi crops received a jolt initially. But a joint intervention by the public and private industry helped in easing the supply chain. The agriculture sector emerged as a bright spot, said the Reserve bank of India (RBI), and is a leading factor in the country’s economic recovery. The agriculture sector now needs to leverage in the process of the recovery and usher in new era of growth, development and farmer welfare.

 

How Indian agriculture sector managed to pull off positive growth despite the challenges posed by the pandemic? In the first phase of the lockdown, the government eased restrictions for farmers, inter-state movement of agri inputs, allowing harvesting activities and transportation of food grains to wholesale markets while the Food Corporation of India (FCI) continued with procurement despite the challenges. Over 389 lakh tonnes of wheat procured by the FCI this year, which is higher than that last year—about 341 lakh tonnes. Similarly, other major crops such as chana, mustard, arhar was bought by the government agencies from farmers on time.             

 Despite the adverse conditions, the sowing area under the summer crops saw year-on-year increase of 38 percent to 57.07 lakh hectare. Even the area under kharif crops this monsoon has seen 2.6 percent increase to 1,095 lakh hectares compared to the last year’s figures. The migrant workers who returned to their native villages appeared to have taken up agriculture in the previously fallow or uncultivated lands. The assertion can be supported from the data issued by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). As per news report, employment in farming rose to 14 million by August 2020. The optimum monsoon rains also did complement the efforts of farmers this Kharif season. The monsoon which was weak initially made a comeback and ended with 109 percent more than average rainfall. 

In order to provide relief to farmers during the lockdown, the central government as well as the state governments intervened with remedial measures. Besides, the central government’s big relief package of 1.7 lakh crore, many states offered assistance and support to farmers. The Uttar Pradesh government amended the Mandi Act allowing farmers to skip the APMC mandis and sell 46 fruits and vegetables directly in the open markets. Madhya Pradesh too allowed food processing companies, exporters and wholesalers to buy directly from farmers. Karnataka exempted cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for agriculture trade outside the market yards while Tamil Nadu removed market fee on all notified agricultural produce. Uttarakhand declared warehouse, cold storage and processing plants as sub-mandis. The collective efforts worked in the favour of agriculture sector.

 With the new farm laws in force, we must seek for opportunities in the current crisis for innovative approaches, which may lead to lasting changes. Some of the area of focus can be on boosting crop productivity, strengthening mechanisation and technology in agri processes as well as increased participation of corporates. Use of smartphones, digital tools and entrepreneurial efforts and e-commerce can make farm operations and supply chain smooth and robust in the long term. 

Employment in farming rose to 14 million

Acquaculture, E-commerce, Finance, Live Stock

The company aims to expand in Indian cities and the Middle East.    

 FreshToHome, an online brand in fresh fish and meat e-commerce, announced that it has raised USD 121 million funding. The funding round was led by Investment Corporation of Dubai, Investcorp, Ascent Capital, DFC, Allana Group and other investors.

Barclays was the advisor for the transaction, it added. Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) is the principal investment arm of the Government of Dubai, while Investcorp is a global manager of alternative investments and DFC is a US government development finance institution. 

Shan Kadavil, co- founder and CEO of FreshToHome said, “COVID-19 transformed the fish and meat purchasing behaviour of consumers dramatically and due to safety concerns, consumers made the habit-forming shift to e-commerce”.

 He also added that we saw online demand for our products going up many folds this year. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of a very large market and the current capital raise will help us realise our full potential through rapid expansion in India and the Middle East.

FreshToHome claims to be the world’s largest fully integrated online brand in fresh fish and meat e-commerce, with approximately 1.5 million B2C orders per month and USD 85 million (about Rs 600 crore) annualised sales run rate on the platform.

FreshToHome enables its marketplace sellers to source and sells high-quality meat and fish directly from livestock farmers and fishermen in most major Indian cities and the UAE.

 

The company aims to expand in Indian

China, E-commerce

ADAMA will acquire a majority stake in the vast majority of Huifeng’s synthesis and formulation facilities

China-based ADAMA Ltd. (ADAMA) a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers across the world to combat weeds, insects and disease and Jiangsu Huifeng Bio Agriculture Co., Ltd (Huifeng) announced that they have entered into an agreement in terms of which ADAMA will acquire a majority stake in the vast majority of Huifeng’s synthesis and formulation facilities.

  • Phase I: As previously announced in November 2019, ADAMA will acquire a 50% stake in Shanghai Dibai Plant Protection Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huifeng focused on the sale and distribution of key formulated crop protection products in China
  • Phase II: Under the agreement now executed, ADAMA will acquire:
    – a 51% equity stake in Jiangsu Kelinong Co., Ltd. (“Kelinong”), a newly established, wholly-owned subsidiary of Huifeng, to which Huifeng is to transfer its key crop protection synthesis and formulation facilities
  • ADAMA will hold 51% of the equity in both Kelinong and Dibai, providing ADAMA with a majority stake in one of China’s leading crop protection manufacturers, and significantly bolstering ADAMA’s commercial presence in the China crop protection market
  • The total cash consideration for both phases of the transaction is approximately RMB 1,224 million (approximately $175 million)
  • Closing of Phase II is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and other corporate approvals, and is further subject to full resumption of production at the relevant facilities of Huifeng.

ADAMA will obtain the exclusive, indefinite, royalty-free rights to license Huifeng’s existing and future registrations in China and following Phase II, ADAMA will own all registrations, with all sales of formulated products in China to be managed by ADAMA.

ADAMA will acquire a majority stake in

Agro chems – Pesticides, North America, R&D

Tavium manages more than 70 notorious grass and broadleaf weed species.

 Syngenta announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the registration for Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology herbicide in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. As the market’s first dicamba herbicide premix, Tavium contains built-in residual control to manage resistant weeds and maintain clean fields throughout the season. Tavium, a proprietary Syngenta premix, will be available for the 2021 growing season, subject to state approvals.

 

Tavium can be used preplant, at planting and early post-emergence on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. A combination of the contact control of dicamba and the residual control of S-metolachlor, Tavium offers growers a convenient premix to manage key ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant broadleaf and grass weeds.

 

“Following the unpredictable circumstances this year, growers will be closely looking at their dicamba herbicide options for 2021,” says Pete Eure, herbicide technical lead at Syngenta. “In its first full season in the field, Tavium delivered consistent weed control, crop safety and three weeks longer residual than dicamba alone across geographies in soybeans and cotton. It is the market’s first dicamba herbicide premix, and it remains a powerful and convenient choice for growers next year.”

 

Syngenta developed the Tavium formulation to target the toughest weeds growers face, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, horseweed (marestail), common and giant ragweed, kochia, morningglory, barnyardgrass, and foxtail. Through the combination of dicamba and S-metolachlor, Tavium manages more than 70 notorious grass and broadleaf weed species.

Tavium manages more than 70 notorious grass

E-commerce

ITC’s Choupal Saagar will facilitate brand visibility and engagement for JK Tyre’s product range with rural customers. 

 

JK Tyre and Industries has announced a collaboration with the e-Choupal network operated by ITC in the rural areas. According to the pact, JK Tyre will leverage the network of Chaupal Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, according to a joint statement by the JK Organisation firm and ITC. The Company also added this is first-of-its-kind comprehensive endeavour undertaken by a tyre manufacturer in India

 

’This partnership is aimed at expanding presence in the rural markets through ground level 360 degrees engagement. JK Tyre will engage at the Choupal Sagaars -ITC’s integrated rural services hubs across the three states in a phased manner”, said the company in statement.

 

 ITC’s Choupal Saagar will facilitate brand visibility and engagement for JK Tyre’s product range with rural customers. “Our association with ITC’s e-Choupal will further help in reaching out and engaging with the hinterland customers which in turn will help us understand and serve them better”, said Srinivasu Allaphan, Director (Sales and Marketing) JK Tyre and Industries.

ITC’s Choupal Saagar will facilitate brand visibility

Schemes - Govt

The launching of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) by the Government will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers

Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat has recently finalized the modalities regarding preparations for the launch of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), by Lt. Governor, UT of J&K Manoj Sinha on 28th of October.

The Director informed that launching of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) by the Government will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers and will ensure remunerative prices of apples resulting in avoiding any kind of distress sales thereof.

Sanction by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India for implementation of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple of Jammu and Kashmir for the current apple harvesting season:

  1. The nomination of Director Horticulture (P&M), J&K as the Nodal Agency for the Mandi and procurement issues
  2. The nomination of Directorate of Horticulture, Kashmir as Nodal Agency for issues relating to transportation and registration of growers.
  3. Establishment of procurement centers at Kulgam, Anantnag (Jablipora), Shopian (Arhama), Srinagar (Parimpora), and Baramullah (kanispora)
  4. Constitution of the Price Fixation Committee with following composition

Furthermore, according to the Ministry the terms of reference for the Price Fixation Committee shall be the fixation of the prices/rates of the apple produce for various grades of different varieties (of the apple merchandise).

By order of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for the transportation of procured Apple, the use of Kisan Rath application will also be encouraged in the first instance.

The launching of the Market Intervention Scheme

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

Aimed at empowering women of the Scheduled Castes

Dr B.K Das, Director, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata and Swami Ashrananda, Centre Head, Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak inaugurated a Ornamental Fish Culture Unit at Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak, Odisha on October 24, 2020. The Unit has been established for women of the Scheduled Castes of different villages of Bhadrak, Odisha under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan Programme.

In his inaugural address, Dr Das highlighted the Ornamental Fish Culture’s importance and opportunity. He also outlined benefits for earning an alternative income and increasing the earning basket from the sector for the rural women.

The Ramakrishna Sevashram also conducted a seven-day training programme from October 18 to 24, 2020, prior to establishment of the unit for strengthening the theoretical and practical skills of SC Women for Ornamental Fish Culture through learning by doing practical demonstrations and class room sessions. In the first phase, the institute provided 25 fish holding tanks of 350 L capacity along with Ornamental Fish, plants, medicines, heaters, air blowers and pipes to the SC Women.

The programme was jointly organized by ICAR-CIFRI, Rotary Club, Bhubaneswar Royal, Odisha and Ramakrishna Sevashram, Bhadrak, Odisha.

Aimed at empowering women of the Scheduled

Agro Universities, North America, R&D

Combination of genes from eastern and western blackberries

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has released three new blackberry varieties – Eclipse, Galaxy and Twilight that have been created by combining the best genes of eastern and western blackberries. The sought after traits of eastern erect-cane blackberries and western trailing blackberries have been combined into new varieties with thorn less semi-erect canes to create new berry niches by the ARS’ Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, in conjunction with the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station.

Eclipse has not only inherited the outstanding flavor and sweet, fruity taste, with hints of root beer and spice of one of its parents, Triple Crown, but also has a firmer skin. Eclipse also ripens earlier thereby filling the gap in the fresh market harvest season between when trailing varieties ripen and when Triple Crown ripens. Galaxy has similar traits as Eclipse but its berries are slightly larger than those of Eclipse with dark-colored fruit. Twilight has higher yield than Eclipse and has a complex, deep blackberry jam flavor, with floral and honey notes, but the berries are not as sweet compared to other blackberries.

Combination of genes from eastern and western