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Agro Universities, India, R&D

Covers 140 technologies in detail

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has launched an e-book ’Creating Wealth from Agricultural Waste’ that covers 140 technologies extensively. The technologies have explored different arenas of wealth creation utilizing various waste material generated during agricultural activities whether it be the waste generated during crop harvesting, crop processing, product synthesis etc.

Some of these technologies have been transferred or commercialized, several of these are presently at various stages of commercialization.

Documentation of these technologies in form of a compendium will attract different stakeholder and will be a stepping stone for creating business ventures around them to create employment opportunities in the rural areas which will in turn contribute towards a strong and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The e-book is available for download at ICAR,s website at https://icar.org.in/node/14655.

Covers 140 technologies in detailThe Indian Council

Agro chems – Pesticides, E-commerce, Europe

It aims to strengthen BASF’s competitive positioning in the non-selective herbicide segment

 

BASF will close its site in Muskegon, Michigan (USA), and one out of three production plants at its site in Knapsack (Germany). These sites produce glufosinate-ammonium (GA), a non-selective herbicide, and its intermediates. The closures are expected to be finalized by 2022 at the latest; in total, they will affect around 100 employees. In future, production will be concentrated at the remaining plants and sites in Germany, the United States, as well as Canada. 

“This step is part of further developing the GA business long-term to strengthen BASF’s competitive positioning in the non-selective herbicide segment to better serve our customers,” said Vincent Gros, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division. “We remain committed to the GA product line, as the recently announced acquisition of the Glu-LTM technology from AgriMetis LLC shows.”

 

Detailed timelines for the planned plant and site closures will be worked out in the coming months. Employee representatives will be involved according to local rules and regulations. Wherever possible the company will support employees to pursue other opportunities within BASF Group.

Source- BASF

It aims to strengthen BASF’s competitive positioning

Animal Health, Dairy, Europe

Prevents infections such as clinical mastitis

Managing cow’s health and performance is an uphill battle for dairy farmers. Cows are prone to intramammary infection, which is at its highest at drying off and around calving and also during the first days of lactation, making dry cow management fundamental to any on-farm mastitis control program. Using internal teat sealants, such as Sureseal from Northern Ireland based company Norbrook, contain bismuth subnitrate and mimic the action of the natural keratin plug in preventing infection of the teat canal.

Modern dairy systems result in slow or incomplete keratin plug formation. Studies show that in high-yielding cows, up to 23 per cent of teats will have an incomplete keratin plug 42 days post dry-off. Sureseal provides a physical seal between the udder and the environment, thus preventing bacteria entering the mammary gland via the teat canal. Infections picked up during the dry period can manifest as clinical mastitis in the days immediately around calving or the first weeks of lactation.

Studies have shown that use of a teat seal in conjunction with dry cow antibiotic therapy significantly reduces the risk for acquiring a new intramammary infection in the period between drying off and the first three days of lactation.

Prevents infections such as clinical mastitisManaging cow’s

Agrotech, Machinery – Post-harvesting

Manufacturing Leadership Council has recognized CNH for outstanding achievement in collaborative innovation and operational excellence 

 

 CNH Industrial has announced that it has received two 2020 Manufacturing Leadership Awards for outstanding achievement in the following categories: Collaborative Innovation and Operational Excellence. The awards, chosen by a panel of expert judges, were presented at the virtual Manufacturing Leadership Awards Event on October 8, 2020. Now in its 16th year, the awards, conferred by the Manufacturing Leadership Council, a division of the National Association of Manufacturers which is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, honour manufacturing companies and individual leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.

 

Winner of the Collaborative Innovation Leadership category, CNH Industrial’s project entitled the Mixed Reality Parametric Environment for Product Development (MR4PD) is a virtual environment used in the design of new agricultural machines.  The MR4PD allows the customer to be involved in the development process from the concept phase through to the finished product. Immersed in a virtual world, the user can experience the new product’s full range of features in a variety of simulated farm environments. The project offers significant benefits both in terms of reduced product development costs and time to market. By testing a new product using the Virtual Reality Environment instead of physical testing, CO2 is also significantly reduced through the elimination of all material and fuel consumption usually associated with the construction of physical prototypes.

 

CNH Industrial’s second award, this time in the Operational Excellence Leadership category, recognizes the pioneering Forklift Simulator Using Virtual Reality Technology project – a fully immersive, virtual reality simulator that gives logistics equipment operators the opportunity to train in multiple scenarios, while feedback is provided in real-time to both user and trainer. The project has led to a 50% reduction in training time for new operators, while the implementation of a proactive defensive driving training program for existing operators is designed to reduce risks within the Company’s plants.

 

These awards represent two major achievements for CNH Industrial and demonstrate the company’s on-going commitment to creating a better future through sustainable and innovative engineering.

 

Manufacturing Leadership Council has recognized CNH for

AgroPolicy

Under the new insurance scheme, a cover of Rs 40,000 per acre will be provided to farmers

Under the new insurance scheme, a cover of Rs 40,000 per acre will be provided to farmers, Dalal said.

14 vegetables including tomatoes, onions, potatoes, cabbage, peas, carrots, okra, gourd, bitter gourd, brinjals, green chillies, capsicum, cauliflower and radish will be covered under the insurance scheme, he was quoted as saying in a statement.

Similarly, horticultural crops kinnow, guava, mango, jujube (ber), turmeric and garlic will also be covered under the scheme.

The state government’s aim is to minimise the borrowing of farmers from ‘arthiyas’ (commission agents) and moneylenders, and a proposal is under consideration to create an emergency fund to provide immediate financial assistance to farmers during any kind of emergency.

Dalal, according to the statement, said the income of farmers should not only increase from farming but also from other related areas such as animal husbandry.

 

Under the new insurance scheme, a cover

Agro chems – Pesticides, E-commerce, North America

Reviton is a PPO-inhibitor herbicide with a novel active ingredient called Tergeo™

Florida-based HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products has recently announced that Reviton™ herbicide has received federal registration from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Reviton is a PPO-inhibitor herbicide with a novel active ingredient called Tergeo™. It is a non-selective herbicide for the pre-plant burndown and desiccation segments in field corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat.

In more than 700 North American product development trials and regulatory studies, Reviton has demonstrated extremely promising performance ratings in burndown control for more than 50 broadleaf and grass weeds, including ALS, triazine and glyphosate-resistant species. 

Additional characteristics of the new herbicide include an ultra-low use rate, tank-mix compatibility, crop rotational flexibility and expanded use as a desiccant for cotton. The new product is also fast-acting with herbicidal effects occurring within 24 hours after application.

Classified as a Group 14 herbicide, Reviton will be formulated as a suspension concentrate containing 2.83 pounds of active ingredient per gallon.

Tergeo is a new molecule discovered by Farm Hannong, a Korean agrochemical company, and developed and registered by ISK Biosciences Corporation, a subsidiary of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd., for use in the United States. Earlier this year, HELM Agro US and ISK Biosciences Corporation agreed to collaborate regarding the distribution of Reviton herbicide for the U.S. crop protection market.

 

Reviton is a PPO-inhibitor herbicide with a

E-commerce, Seeds

New hybrid corn seed for farmers in Bihar

Bayer Crop Science, a leading player in Indian agriculture has recently launched ‘DKC 9188’, a high-yielding hybrid corn seed for progressive corn farmers in Bihar. With DKC 9188, farmers can look forward to higher yields of superior quality corn in the upcoming Rabi season.  

DKC 9188 is Bayer’s latest product offering from its DEKALB® brand portfolio of high-yielding hybrid corn seeds that enjoys immense trust from Indian farmers.

Simon Wiebusch, COO, Bayer Crop Science, said, “DKC 9188 with its high yield potential, wider adaptability and strong plant type will empower Bihar’s progressive farmers to boost their corn yields and improve Bihar’s contribution to India’s national corn output. Farmers in the state are already leading the way in terms of corn production and the adoption of new technologies. Bayer is committed to supporting corn farmers with innovative seed and crop protection products along with integrated crop solutions to help them achieve higher productivity and profitability per acre.”

Bayer markets 25 DEKALB® hybrids in India, all of which have been bred and developed specifically to suit India’s diverse agronomic and climatic conditions. DKC 9188 in particular provides better plant strength compared to other hybrids and delivers uniform, long corn cobs and shiny grains with strong yield stability and higher yield potential.

This new corn hybrid is suited to multiple soil types and a wider sowing window and provides farmers flexibility in their planting decisions. It is best suited for planting from October 15 onwards and will help corn farmers achieve high returns even in difficult weather conditions.

New hybrid corn seed for farmers in

Acts & Schemes – Centre

Referring to high milk, sugar, and wheat production in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab, Modi said such models of local enterprise will take the country forward

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government’s farm reforms will create opportunities to take farmers to entrepreneurship and added his regime is focussed on increasing their income.

Terming the farm reforms as historic, the Prime Minister said, “Today opportunities are being created to take farming and farmers from the role of annadata (food provider) to entrepreneurship.”

Referring to high milk, sugar, and wheat production in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab, Modi said such models of local enterprise will take the country forward.

He said there was a time after Independence when the country did not have sufficient food stock.

“The governments priority then was to increase food production. So the entire focus was on increasing production. Farmers toiled hard to achieve the objective,” Modi said.

“But governments and policies did not pay attention towards profitability of farmers while being concerned about increasing productivity.

“People forgot about income for farmers. But for the first time, this thinking has been changed,” he said and listed steps the Centre has taken for the welfare of farmers.

 

Referring to high milk, sugar, and wheat

E-commerce, North America, Packaging & Labelling

Clamshell is made with food grade adhesives and printed with vegetable-based inks. 

 

 

 

In order to help move the produce industry away from plastic and increase recyclability, Markon Cooperative has introduced new cardboard, fully recyclable strawberry clamshell.

The package, designed for its Markon First Crop (MFC) two-pound strawberries. It is made with food grade adhesives and printed with vegetable-based inks. The clamshell is 100 per cent recyclable within operators’ existing recycling options.

Mark Shaw, Markon’s Vice President of Operations said, “Bringing to market a more sustainable packaging option for our members and foodservice operators is an important step in our commitment to make meaningful changes to reduce our environmental impact while still inspiring culinary innovation and creativity”.

He also added that by converting the 4/2-pound MFC Strawberry clamshells from plastic to cardboard, nearly 30 tons of plastic will be saved annually from going into landfills.a

Markon have partnered with California Giant Berry Farms to create the new cardboard clamshells. The foodservice-friendly, 4/2-pound pack size is being packed in California and available in limited supply exclusively to operators through Markon’s member companies.

“This new sustainable packaging for foodservice produce is yet another example of how Markon is actively working to push the industry and our operators forward,” added Shaw.

 

 

 

 

 

Clamshell is made with food grade adhesives

Agro Universities, R&D

It will help curb rice husk ash pollution arises out of burning paddy waste

 

 Rice husk is one of the most widely available agricultural wastes. The process of disposal of rice husks looks more crucial as burning the material each year during the winters has been creating a severe environmental challenge. While the husk is often used to meet energy requirements for rice milling, this process produces an enormous amount of ash (approx. 20%) which is a hazardous material to the environment. Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have devised an economic and eco-friendly way to dispose of this biowaste. 

A team of researchers from IIT Kharagpur’s Dept. of Agricultural and Food Engineering have developed a chemical treatment which will separate the silica content in the husk ash residue which is about 90 – 95% and neutralize the remaining biomass for disposal in water bodies.

 

“The silica extracted on purification has the potential of commercial-grade silica which can further be used for the production of metallurgical and solar grade silicon, confirmed the researchers,” said lead researcher Prof. A K Datta.

 

Four different alkalis, namely, KOH, K2CO3, NaOH, and Na2CO3, and two different solvents, namely, water and alcohol (ethanol) were selected to accomplish the extraction process. The physical and chemical characterizations of the extracted silica were evaluated using a field-emission scanning electron microscope attached with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, and atomic absorption spectrophotometer. 

To make the process eco-friendly and pollution-free, the rice husk ash was initially dispersed into the water and then Na2CO3 was added to it. As a result, carbonic acid was produced instead of CO2, which is harmless for the environment. 

“The results of the study suggested that the morphological, microstructural and compositional characteristics of the extracted silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) are at par with the market available silica” explained Prof. Datta. 

The researchers have conducted a cost analysis of the treatment of silica samples to compare the costs with market grade silica. The result of the study suggested that the silica nanoparticle obtained from rice husk ash can be a suitable low-cost precursor for Magnesium silicide.

It will help curb rice husk ash

E-commerce, Middle East countries, R&D

SMARTKAS will transform the desert into luscious farms by populating them with high tech SMARTKAS units.

Dutch-based SMARTKAS is going to build an R&D centre in Toulouse to research artificial pollination (mimicry), full automated harvest and a new generation farming AI. SMARTKAS wants to create a platform (the SMARTKAS platform) where experts can tackle social, economical, and environmental challenges with special focus on food security. The Food Security as a Service or FSAS model has become the signature model of SMARTKAS, because it not only builds but also operates the units, creating a true one-stop-shop for agriculture in any country.

Dr David Meszaros, CEO and Founder, SMARTKAS BV signed a joint venture agreement in Dubai with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, UAE. SMARTKAS has entered into this agreement with the HBK Department of Projects. Together HBK DoP, SMARTKAS will transform the desert into luscious farms by populating them with high tech SMARTKAS units. By producing food in the sand, SMARTKAS will ensure that food security in the GCC area (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf).

SMARTKAS will be one of the attractions showcased at the upcoming Dubai Expo which will take place from October 1, 2021- March 31, 2022. Here SMARTKAS will be featuring their upcoming installation just outside of Dubai.

“The mission of SMARTKAS is to make access to food and water a basic human right. This is why we partner up with the market leaders instead of competing with them; we focus on sharing and scaling together instead of infighting and margin cutting. We are technologically and ideologically agnostic” said Dr Meszaros.

“Food security is among the top priorities for the Emirates, especially after the devastating impact of COVID-19. Our joint venture with SMARTKAS will bring about the future of agriculture in the UAE” commented Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

Anwar Husseing, Group CEO, HBK Department of Projects added, “As project promoters and investors, we see the unique opportunity this collaboration brings to the table. SMARTKAS is a disruptive agtech company and together with HBK, we have our eyes on the bigger picture which is ensuring food security in not only the UAE but potentially the entire GCC area.

Source: EIN Presswire

 

 

SMARTKAS will transform the desert into luscious

R&D, Webinar

To showcase science and innovation crucial to improving global food systems

The World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium has commenced from October 12, 2020. The five day virtual event is one of the world’s premier conferences on global agriculture. Held each October in conjunction with the presentation of the World Food Prize, the ’Borlaug Dialogue’ is a three-day symposium that brings together international experts, policy leaders, business executives and farmers to address cutting-edge issues in global food security and nutrition.

This year’s theme, ’Breaking new ground: Building resilience today for improved global food systems tomorrow,’ recognizes the urgent need for equity, sustainability and improved nutrition in our food systems.Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) science and innovation are crucial to improving global food systems. This is underscored by the selection of CGIAR alumnus Dr Rattan Lal as the 2020 World Food Prize Laureate. Dr Lal has spent 18 years at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), a CGIAR Research Center, where he spearheaded research demonstrating that soil organic matter and carbon are crucial to sustaining and enhancing the quantity and quality of food production.

CGIAR will take part in several high-level roundtables and side events this year, focusing on the contribution of CGIAR science and innovation to building food systems that are resilient and sustainable, and meet the food and nutrition needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

To showcase science and innovation crucial

Agro chems – Chemicals, Finance

Due to non-cash-effective impairments and provisions for restructuring, below analyst consensus 

 

 

 

BASF has released preliminary figures for the third quarter of 2020. Sales declined by 5% in the third quarter of 2020 to €13,812 million (Q3 2019: €14,556 million). This was mainly driven by negative currency effects.

 

The BASF Group’s operating business performed better than expected in the third quarter of 2020. EBIT before special items amounted to an expected €581 million, above analyst consensus but below the figure for the prior-year quarter (Q3 2019: €1,056 million). Compared with the second quarter of 2020, EBIT before special items rose by €355 million in the third quarter of 2020 (Q2 2020: €226 million). 

The Surface Technologies, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Chemicals segments exceeded average analyst estimates for EBIT before special items in the third quarter of 2020. EBIT before special items was on a level with analyst estimates in the Agricultural Solutions segment, but fell short of analyst estimates in the Nutrition & Care segment. The EBIT before special items of other was more negative than analysts expected.

 

The year-on-year decrease in the BASF Group’s EBIT before special items was primarily due to the continued weak earnings contributions from the upstream Chemicals and Materials segments due to ongoing high pressure on margins. The Nutrition & Care, Agricultural Solutions and Industrial Solutions segments and other also recorded lower earnings compared with the prior-year quarter. EBIT before special items in the Surface Technologies segment was almost on a level with the prior-year period. 

The BASF Group’s EBIT amounted to an expected minus €2,637 million in the third quarter of 2020 due to non-cash-effective impairments and provisions for restructuring, below analyst consensus and the figure for the prior-year quarter (Q3 2019: €1,336 million). Impairment tests identified fixed asset impairments of €2.8 billion due to considerably weaker macroeconomic developments as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The impairments were largely the result of weaker demand from the automotive and aviation industries, which impacted the Surface Technologies segment in particular, and a continued oversupply of basic chemicals, which put pressure on margins in the Chemicals and Materials segments. In addition, impairments were recognized in the Agricultural Solutions segment as part of measures to streamline the production network.

Due to non-cash-effective impairments and provisions for

Agro Universities, R&D, Water

It is highly cost-effective and has a distinctive edge over resource intensive conventional technologies. 

 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) have formally released their innovative technology ‘Jalopchar’ and an e-book that covers the journey of the technology from ‘lab to land’ and details about the scope and nationwide implementation. The technology has been recommended for national level adoption and implementation by the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and for extension to 400+ Indian cities by the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India.

As a result, the developed technology is being supported as a country wide applicable model under the Government of India’s flagship Swachhtta Action Plan Program (SAP) and is also being replicated across country by both public and private stakeholders in consultancy mode.

It has even been selected as a good practice example under the “Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture” initiative of the United Nations and as an innovation in Indian Agriculture by the National Skills Foundation of India.The technology bagged the prestigious civilian SKOCH (Platinum) Award under Transformational Innovation Category in 2017.

 

It is highly cost-effective and has a