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E-commerce, Machinery - Pre-harvesting

The Company claims to be first to launch the 30 HP tractor in the compact tractor segment 

 

VST Tillers Tractors, pioneers in manufacturing of tillers and compact tractors for over five decades, has launched “VST SHAKTI MT 932”, the First Company to launch the 30 HP tractor in the compact tractor segment. The product comes with a tagline “30 Hai to Smart Hai” which comes with 30 plus features that brings smart farming to crops. The New Generation 30 HP “VST SHAKTI MT 932” comes with smart features which offers a combination of Performance, Comfort and efficiency which makes it unique from the others and stand ahead of the competition. 

With this 30 HP Launch, the company demonstrated, it’s undeterred commitment towards offering innovative Quality products to help farmers increasing the productivity. CEO of VST, Antony Cherukara Spoke and informed VST offers products starting from 17 HP to 30 HP in the compact tractor segment. The new launch comes with a 2 Year standard warranty and possibility for extended warranty of 3 Years, which makes it more attractive to farming community.  Antony also expressed that the compact tractor segment continues to be the major forte for VST and is expected to launch more models in the next 12 months. A new generation of tractors in the compact segment is being developed with more back up torque and various other first time features for the segment. 

“VST Tillers Tractors, as one of the leaders in the Indian Compact tractor market, have always been at the forefront of introducing the latest technologies and the new “VST SHAKTI MT 932” is one more step in that direction. By providing lifting capacity of 1250 Kgs, MID PTO [Only compact tractor to offer], Compatible to work with imported sprayer, and comfort features like Heat Guard, Adjustable seat, Sharp clear display, Semi flat form and many more unique features makes its one of the most productive tractors in the compact segment today; The product is developed to meet the evolving demands of the modern farmers and Definitely a smart choice for the modern farmer.

The Company claims to be first to

Agro chems – Pesticides, IT

ICSCE 2020 is scheduled online on 28-29 January 2021 with extended exhibition.               

 

 

International Crop-Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE) is an exclusive agri- input trade show in India, organised by Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI). PMFAI’s ICSCE 2020 is moving this year from Physical to 3d Virtual Platform- an experience of its kind scheduled on 28-29 January 2021 with extended exhibition for 4 days.

It provides ample opportunities for all those involved directly & indirectly with agri inputs (agrochemicals, fertilizers, Biological pesticides and ancillary units- solvents, surfactant, intermediates, raw materials, packaging industry etc.)  business for sourcing, marketing, brand establishment, product promotion, etc. The conference presentations by experts gives an insight of knowledge oriented session highlighting new developments, market reach and market analysis, development in intermediates and research & developments.

It is important to highlight the true potential, capacity and capability of the Indian Pesticides Industry, so the Industry can become self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) and a net exporter of agrochemicals –Make local Go Global.  PMFAI’s ICSCE 2020 is moving this year from Physical to 3d Virtual Platform- an experience of its kind scheduled on 28-29 January 2021 with extended exhibition for 4 days.

The said event on 3d Virtual platform will allow companies to promote their businesses and brands, via video conferencing, Chat messaging during the event, discuss business, visit stalls, meeting rooms and conclude business similar to physical event. As this 3d Virtual Platform is user friendly, this year we are anticipating multi fold participation from across the globe.  Agrochemicals has  played a very important role and will continue in coming years too, to highlight key issues a conference is also organized along with exhibition so delegates can take away the knowledge shared by experts to gear up for changing scenario post Covid-19.

 

 

 

ICSCE 2020 is scheduled online on 28-29

Goat farming, Webinar

Training devised for tribal farmers of Chandrapur, Nandurbar and Dhule districts of Maharashtra

Training and Education Centre, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), in collaboration with CINI TATA Trust, Nandurbar, held an online training on ’Entrepreneurship Development through Commercial Goat Farming’ for the tribal farmers of Chandrapur, Nandurbar and Dhule districts under Tribal Sub-plan Programme on September 10, 2020.

Dr Tejas Shende, Assistant Professor, College of Veterinary Sciences, Shirwal (Satara) was the guest speaker. 

Shende spoke in detail on various aspects of commercial goat farming for making it a profitable venture in rural settings. He stressed on the importance of selecting ideal goat breed, cost effective housing and feeding management, vaccination, disease control and management, record keeping, breeding, finance and marketing of goats in local Marathi language.

It was followed by interaction and discussion session, wherein many enthusiastic participants asked their queries. A total of 101 farmers from different villages of Chandrapur (30), Nandurbar (45), Akkalkuwa (8), Sakri (17) (Maharashtra) and Dahod (1)  (Gujarat) actively participated in the training programme.

Training devised for tribal farmers of Chandrapur,

Agro Universities, Webinar

Innovation in industry specific research was the focus

The Eastern Regional Station, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) , Kolkata, joined hands with Centre for Advanced Agricultural Science & Technology (CAAST)-Advanced Centre for Livestock Health, a World Bank funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) to organize an online webinar titled, “Industry-Academia Interface Meet” on September 15th 2020. 

The meet was organized to throw more light on robust collaboration between the academia and industry, and to enable innovation in research thereby producing an industry-ready workforce in line with today’s requirements. 

The webinar was attended by 104 participants, including personnel from industries representing veterinary biologicals, pharmaceuticals, feed processing industry, entrepreneurs, faculty, students and research scholars of ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar and its regional stations.

Innovation in industry specific research was the

AgroPolicy, Finance, Schemes - NABARD

NABARD has received 3,055 proposals of PACS (Primary Agriculture Credit Societies) through state cooperative banks in 22 states

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has given in-principle sanction for Rs 1,568 crore worth of proposals received from agri-credit societies in 22 states under the recently launched Rs 1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. 

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, in a written reply to the Lower House, said the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund was launched last month for developing farm gate infrastructure facilities.

“So far, NABARD has received 3,055 proposals of PACS (Primary Agriculture Credit Societies) through state cooperative banks in 22 states for which in-principle sanction of Rs 1,568 crore has been accorded,” he said.

The first in-principle sanction of Rs 1,128 crore was made to over 2,280 farmer societies by NABARD, he said.

The operational guidelines of the scheme have been circulated to all states and meetings have been held for early roll out of the scheme, he added.

The minister said Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with all 12 public sector banks, IDBI and Yes Bank by the Union Agriculture Ministry, and a portal for the scheme has been created.

 The scheme, to be implemented for ten years till 2029, aims to provide medium- to long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.

 Under the scheme, Rs 1 lakh crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to PACS, marketing cooperative societies, farmer producers organizations (FPOs), self help groups, farmers, joint liability groups, multipurpose cooperative societies, agri-entrepreneurs, start-ups and Central/state agency or local body sponsored public private partnership project. 

All loans under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3 per cent per annum up to Rs 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years. 

Further, credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from this financing facility under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to Rs 2 crore. The fee for this coverage will be paid by the government.

 In case of FPOs, the credit guarantee may be availed from the facility created under FPO promotion scheme of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DACFW). Moratorium for repayment under this financing facility may vary subject to minimum of 6 months and maximum of 2 years.

Source-PTI

NABARD has received 3,055 proposals of PACS

E-commerce, R&D

Company anticipates the products will be available for commercial sale in Mexico in 2021, 

Bayer announced the final large-scale pre-launch trials of Roma-type tomatoes to help growers address Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). The trials, which begin later this month in Mexico, will include two varieties of Roma-type tomato that claim Intermediate Resistance (IR) to ToBRFV. The type of IR Bayer has seen in these varieties is commonly referred to as the “symptomless carrier,” where, despite the presence of virus particles, the crop can show little or no symptoms of the virus in the leaf and/or fruit should the crop become infected by the virus. Adding ToBRFV in the pathogen list for tomato was discussed during last week’s September meeting of the International Seed Federation. 

ToBRFV was first observed in 2014 and spread rapidly to different world areas. This viral disease impacting tomato plants represents a challenge for the industry as it can be transmitted very easily through many vectors including farming tools and equipment, workers’ hands, plants, water, soil, and people. 

“ToBRFV can quickly devastate tomato crops, so Bayer worked to develop a product to help growers combat it,” says JD Rossouw, Head of Bayer’s Vegetable Seeds R&D. “Bayer leveraged our global cross-functional teams and extensive research and development pipeline to offer a solution designed to ease the day-to-day challenges faced by growers. Our research continues across several tomato species with the goal of bringing further innovative resistance to growers as quickly as possible.” 

Following the trials, Bayer anticipates the products will be available for commercial sale in Mexico in 2021, to later be followed by offerings in other important markets around the world. 

The ToBRFV resistance program is part of Bayer’s corporate commitment to Health for All, Hunger for None. It complements the company’s SHIELD program, a comprehensive approach to deliver clean seeds season after season to growers around the world. For more than 10 years, the focus of SHIELD has been on the prevention, detection and elimination of pathogens at our own Bayer production and processing sites, as well as third-party production and processing sites for Seminis and De Ruiter brands.

 

Company anticipates the products will be

R&D, Webinar

Applications of genome editing in agriculture and commercialization of genome edited crops are key focus

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) will conduct a weekly webinar series from September 22 to October 20, 2020. The webinar will bring CGIAR centers and partners together with policy makers, academics, innovators and other stakeholders to take stock of current research and applications of genome editing within CGIAR.

It will address related topics that will impact the enabling environment needed to translate research into practice, raising the profile of the genome editing discussions among CGIAR and its partners. Learnings from the webinar series will be used to develop a white paper/policy document that will describe a ‘One CGIAR’ approach to delivering on the promise of genome editing for agriculture.

Timely topics such as ‘Applications of genome editing for crop and livestock improvement across CGIAR’, ‘Regulation of genome edited plants and animals’, and ‘Path to commercialization for genome editing crops’ will be covered in detail.

A One CGIAR Community of Practice (CoP) for Genome Editing in Agriculture is planned with the goal of developing and sharing best practices, guidelines, and strategies for research, development, and deployment of genome edited agricultural products.

 

 

Applications of genome editing in agriculture and

Foodgrains

Procurement estimate nearly 20% higher from previous year

A virtual meeting of State Food Secretaries to discuss the procurement arrangements for ensuing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2020-21 was conducted on September 11, 2020.

Around 495.37 LMT rice has been estimated for procurement during the forthcoming KMS 2020-21 (Kharif Crop) season which is 19.07 percent more than the procurement estimate of 416 LMT during KMS 2019-20 (Kharif Crop). 

Procurement estimates for Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have increased exponentially by 100 percent and more, and for Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar and Jharkhand are higher by 50 percent and more in comparison to KMS 2019-20.

The leading States in terms of estimated procurement of rice are Punjab (113 LMT), Chhattisgarh (60 LMT) and Telangana (50 LMT) followed by Haryana (44 LMT), Andhra Pradesh (40 LMT), Uttar Pradesh (37 LMT) and Odisha (37 LMT).

Procurement estimate nearly 20% higher from previous

E-commerce, Logistics

 Increased customer interest, the combined ocean-rail product contributes in making a permanent weekly service. 

 

Just over a year after its launch in August 2019, Maersk’s AE19 ocean-rail product from Asia to Europe becomes a permanent weekly service responding to increased customer demand.

 In July 2019, first cargo left the Russian Far East on A.P. Moller – Maersk’s AE19 service, a unique combination of a short-sea and intercontinental rail product, which connects several origins in Asia with ports in Northern Europe.

In September 2020, just over a year later and thanks to increased customer interest, the combined ocean-rail producta becomes a permanent weekly service.

The AE19 service complements Maersk’s regular Asia-Europe product offering based on conventional ocean services and offers highly competitive transit times from Asia to major ports in Europe. The service is based on a short-sea connection between Asian origin ports in Korea, Japan or China and the port of Nakhodka in the Russian Far East (operated by Sealand Asia – A Maersk Company), followed by an intercontinental rail connection across Russia from Nakhodka to St. Petersburg, which takes 11 days. The last leg of the product is another short-sea connection between St. Petersburg and ports in Finland (Helsinki and Rauma), continental Europe, such as Gdansk (Poland), Bremerhaven (Germany), or Scandinavia, operated by Sealand Europe. 

“We are delighted that this unique product, designed for our customers in both Asia and Europe, formally becomes a weekly service and gets a permanent place in our product portfolio”, comments Zsolt Katona, Managing Director, Eastern Europe at Maersk. “This has been possible thanks to increased interest from our customers, who appreciate its attractive transit times and cost competitiveness.”

 Benefits enabled by block chain

Being a standard product with a Maersk bill of lading for both refrigerated and dry containers, AE19 is a particularly attractive solution for customers with time-sensitive cargoes, offering them faster transit times compared to ocean-only products and significant cost advantage compared to air freight.

AE19 is part of Maersk’s Asia-Europe portfolio alongside ocean. In March 2020, the service was also launched in the eastbound direction, connecting North European origins with several destination ports in Asia.

 Increased customer interest, the combined ocean-rail product

Acquaculture, India, Start ups

ICAR-CIBA’s quality seeds in demand among aqua-farmers across the country

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIBA) has announced the signing of an MoU with the start-up Canares Aquaculture LLP at Karnataka’s Kumta for transfer of sea bass seed production technology.

 ICAR-CIBA Director K K Vijayan told IANS that this is the first attempt in the country in setting up a sea bass hatchery in private sector on a start-up mode. According to him, the ICAR-CIBA has charged Rs 5 lakh for transfer of technology and 10 per cent royalty on the net profit of the company.

Canares Aquaculture will get the sea bass eggs and brooder from the ICAR-CIBA, rear it in its tanks for about two-and-half months and then sell it to the farmers. ICAR-CIBA will also provide the necessary knowhow, and technology in sea bass breeding.

Presence of a well-established value chain for sea bass is very evident from spawn to harvest size, where huge demand exists among the farmers for the range of hatchery and farm-produced seeds.

A grown-up sea bass above one kg size fetches a market price in the range of Rs 450-750, again with smart profits for the sea bass farmer.

ICAR-CIBA’s quality seeds in demand among aqua-farmers

Finance, Live Stock, Poultry

ADB’s assistance will provide essential liquidity support to Suguna’s operations during this COVID-19 crisis

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement for $15 million of debt financing through the subscription of nonconvertible debentures for Suguna Foods Private Limited (Suguna), in equivalent Indian rupees, to help sustain poultry farming operations, as well as rural livelihoods and food security in India during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“ADB’s assistance will provide essential liquidity support to Suguna’s operations during this COVID-19 crisis, help the company build inventory buffers and make timely payments to contract farmers and suppliers,” said Head of the Agribusiness Investment Unit at ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department Martin Lemoine. “ADB’s assistance will also encourage local lenders to support the business and help attract other medium- and long-term capital and international partners.”

“Since the 1980s, the Suguna Group has played a crucial role in the poultry industry in India,” said Sundararajan. “Its pioneering efforts bring sustainable income to more than 40,000 farmers in India. A unique blend of technology, integrated and efficient operation are at the heart of Suguna’s success across the length and breadth of rural India. ADB’s support will further strengthen Suguna’s capacity and help avoid disruptions to the supply of poultry to the masses.” 

Suguna, one of India’s largest poultry broiler enterprises, has been significantly affected by supply disruptions caused by a nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19. This has resulted in losses and tight liquidity conditions for the company, which employs 7,700 employees and partners. It also supports more than 40,000 contract broiler farmers, including many women, and 200,000 corn and soybean farmers. 

Poultry livestock is central to India’s food value chain as an affordable source of animal protein that can address malnutrition. ADB’s timely financing will help Suguna sustain production to preserve the incomes of farmers and feed suppliers, and ensure continued supplies of poultry. The agreement represents the beginning of a long-term relationship between ADB and Suguna. 

ADB’s assistance comprises 2-year amortizing senior secured nonconvertible debentures, in three tranches. It is consistent with the Government of India’s efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and improve farmers’ incomes by filling in gaps in agricultural supply chains. It also aligns with the National Action Plan for Egg and Poultry.

 

 

 

ADB’s assistance will provide essential liquidity support

Acts & Schemes – Centre, India

Legislations will enable barrier-free trade in farm produce and empower farmers to engage with investors of their choice

Three bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020 that can transform agriculture in the country and improve income of farmers, The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 were tabled in the Lok Sabha . The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 seeks to provide for the creation of an ecosystem where the farmers and traders enjoy the freedom of choice relating to sale and purchase of farmers’ produce.

The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to provide for a national framework on farming agreements that protects and empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or large retailers for farm services and sale of future farming produce at a mutually agreed remunerative price framework in a fair and transparent manner. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 seeks to remove commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities.

Reacting to the ‘Agriculture and Trade bills’, Sanjay Kumar, CEO & MD, Elior India said, “Freeing up the sale of agricultural produce and giving choice to producers to be able to sell their output where they please and at prices which they can directly negotiate is a huge step forward in enabling a more transparent and remunerative price for commodities to farmers. However, the benefit of such an exercise can only be realised fully, if input tax credit is restored on food sales, otherwise, it will at best help in traders making profit through geographical arbitrage”.

 

Legislations will enable barrier-free trade in farm

Agro chems – Fertilizers

More than 22 crores Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers to date.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda Gowda has asked farmers to reduce excessive use of Urea, which he pointed out, is spoiling the soil health. Recently, he was speaking at a webinar on Self-Reliant India and Sustainable Agriculture organized by IFFCO for the farmers of Karnataka. He called upon farmers to use fertilizers based on soil health cards.

More than 22 crores Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers to date. The Soil Health Card scheme was launched by the government in 2015 with a view to addressing the decline of soil nutrients.
 
Saying that efforts are on to reduce dependency on the import of Urea, he informed that by 2023 India will be self-reliant in the production of fertilizers.
 
The nano fertilizers which are 25 to 30 per cent cheaper, have resulted in 18 to 35 per cent higher yield and kept the soil in good health. The Minister said that the production of nano fertilizers will be increased. He blamed black marketing for the creation of artificial scarcity of Urea in the state. The fertilizer dealers, agents and distributors’ godown and outlets were raided and the licenses of 48 distributors were canceled for black marketing.

The Agriculture Ministry has informed that the soil health card has enabled the farmers to understand the soil health parameters and improve its productivity by judicious application of soil nutrients.

During the webinar, around 1,500 farmers had attended the live telecast on YouTube and Facebook.

More than 22 crores Soil Health Cards

AgroPolicy, Trade

The move is aimed at increasing availability and checking the price of the commodity in the domestic market.

Union Government has recently banned the export of all varieties of onions with immediate effect. The move is aimed at increasing availability and checking the price of the commodity in the domestic market.
 
Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification that the export of all varieties of onions is prohibited with immediate effect.

The provisions under transitional arrangement shall not be applicable under this notification.

Suresh Deshmukh, a commission agent operating out of Dindori’s wholesale market in Nashik district, said that “The rain caused extensive damage to stored onions in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Thus, at present, it is only Maharashtra which has stored market-ready onion and the supply crunch is set to continue until the new crop hits the market in November.”

The DGFT, under the Commerce Ministry, deals with exports and imports-related issues.

The move is aimed at increasing availability