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AgroPolicy

The state food authorities to include programs related to animal husbandry, agriculture, pesticide usage

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently written a letter to the Food Safety Commissioners of different states for an awareness and training program about ‘Good Agricultural Practices’ and the FSS Act for the primary producers to look into the problem of contaminants and residues of various pesticides post-harvesting.

The letter added that the programs can be organized in collaboration with state departments of animal husbandry, agriculture, fisheries, dairying, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

The matter gained popularity after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health observed that harmful contaminants and components enter the food system during the time of primary production. Food authorities were asked to ensure that the food was safe right from the start of the food chain and that they needed to work closely with the primary producers.

Once the food enters the food value chain, FSSAI being the apex food regulator, regulates and monitors the contaminants and maximum residue limits for various pesticides in farm produce.

An official informed that FSSAI has issued various codes of exercises under the Food Safety Management System for fish, fish products, meat, meat products, milk, milk products, and so on, along with vegetable edible oils.

Moreover, FSSAI has also issued a number of guidance materials on major food safety issues pertaining to the primary production level regarding metal aflatoxins, pesticides, contaminants, and the issue of formalin.

The state food authorities to include programs

Trade

Companies with exposure to fats, oils, hides, and hemp can hedge their exposure using similar concepts.

Beginning in 2021, for the first time, commercial entities that wanted to hedge or trade organic corn or organic soybeans will have that opportunity using The Jacobsen, US data via Stableprice.com. Farmers, Merchandisers, Traders, Crushers, and Consumer who transact conventional grains have benefited from their ability to hedge their risks using the derivatives markets.

This first-of-its-kind product will finally enable organic grain traders to trade derivatives using the most trusted publishing company in the business. The products available are both call options and put options. Trade options with Stableprice.com, will face a counterpart backed by triple-rated insurance companies, including AON. This product provides the peace of mind the industry has been waiting for. 

Additionally, companies with exposure to fats, oils, hides, and hemp can hedge their exposure using similar concepts. The Jacobsen is one of the few companies meeting IOSCO compliance, considered the most trusted commodity price discovery source.

Companies with exposure to fats, oils, hides,

North America

The company has expanded geographically into new markets including South America

US-based Verdesian Life Sciences, a leading platform that develops patented biological, nutritional, fertilizer enhancers, seed treatment and inoculant technologies for high-value specialty crops, row crops, and turf and ornamental markets, has recently announced that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with funds managed by AEA Investors LP (AEA). Verdesian’s management team, including President and CEO Kenny Avery, will continue to lead the company following the close of the transaction.

Verdesian has grown into a market leader in Nutrient Use Efficiency by executing on a multi-pronged go-to-market strategy, completing six add-on acquisitions, and developing best-in-class products. The company has expanded geographically into new markets, including South America, and has filed more than 290 patents since 2014. With more than 240 employees around the world, a diverse portfolio of plant nutrient offerings and a stronger financial foundation to scale the business, Verdesian is poised for its next phase of growth.

“AEA is the right partner to help us continue scaling Verdesian and doing what we do better than anyone else: offering Nutrient Use Efficiency technologies for growers all over the world,” said Avery. “With AEA, we are gaining a global partner who recognizes the potential of our products and will support our growth, both organically and through strategic investments, in North America and around the world. We are proud of what we have accomplished since our founding and have had a very successful partnership with Paine Schwartz. Looking ahead, we are excited to work with AEA as we continue to provide critical products to farmers that increase their productivity, profitability and ability to do so sustainably.”

 

The company has expanded geographically into new

Agrotech, R&D

Regulatory modernization could create a more predictable, effective, safe, transparent as well as timelier path to market globally for agriculture innovation

Brussels based CropLife International has announced the publication of peer-reviewed recommendations to modernise the regulation of genetically modified crops in the open access Journal of Regulatory Science.

“As part of our purpose to advance innovation in agriculture for a sustainable future and ensure we play a leading role in enabling a sustainable food system, CropLife International is pleased to share the results of joint experts’ efforts — working together with over 50 industry scientists. These findings will provide a basis for future discussions and open collaborations between stakeholders and governments around modernizing approaches to regulating genetically modified crops, to make new agricultural innovations readily and widely available for all,” said Laurie Goodwin, Director of Regulatory Affairs at CropLife International.

Regulatory modernization could create a more predictable, effective, safe, transparent as well as timelier path to market globally for agriculture innovations. These innovations are critical to contributing to the achievement of food systems sustainability as they provide solutions for farmers to address a changing climate while meeting growing food demand within the limitations of our planet.

The papers serve to continue to open a dialogue with stakeholders and governments to deliver on the need to modernize the approach to the assessment of genetically modified crops.

Regulatory modernization could create a more predictable,

Agro Universities, Dairy, Live Stock, R&D

ICAR-NRCM Hyderabad organises national workshop on ’Sustainability of Buffalo Sector in India’. 

 

 

The ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad; ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad; NAAS-Hyderabad Chapter and Indian Meat Science Association jointly organized the National Workshop and Consultations on “Scientific Interventions and Policies for Strengthening of Buffalo Meat Sector: Catalyst for Boosting India’s Agro-Economy”.

 Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab marked his presence as the Chief Guest along with Dr. Lakshma Reddy, Director, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Telangana as the Guest of Honour of the occasion.

 During the inaugural session, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad felicitated the winners of the Essay Writing Competition conducted among the students from State Agricultural Universities of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Rao released the Policy Document on “Policy Issues and Stakeholder requirements in Indian meat sector” jointly developed by ICAR-NRC on Meat and ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad.

 Dr. S.B. Barbuddhe, Director, ICAR-NRC on Meat, Hyderabad convened the workshop. In the inaugural session, all the experts highlighted the potential of Indian Buffalo Meat Sector, contribution of Buffaloes through milk and meat towards nutritional security, value-addition and diversification of food, livelihood opportunities for farmers, etc. 

As a part of the workshop, a separate panel discussion involving more than 30 experts from Research Institutes, Universities, APEDA, Animal Husbandry Departments and Export Meat Plants was also organized on the occasion.

ICAR-NRCM Hyderabad organises national workshop on ’Sustainability

Agro chems – Chemicals, Finance

The company has posted net profit of Rs.252.55 crores for the period ended December 31, 2020 as against net profit of Rs.174.35 crores for the period ended December 31, 2019. 

DCM Shriram Limited has reported total income of Rs.2175.76 crores during Q3 FY20-21 ended December 31, 2020 as compared to Rs.2064.61 crores during the period ended September 30, 2020.

The company has posted net profit of Rs.252.55 crores for the period ended December 31, 2020 as against net profit of Rs.118.37 crores for the period ended September 30, 2020.

DCM Shriram has reported total income of Rs.2175.76 crores during the period ended December 31, 2020 as compared to Rs.2229.49 crores during the period ended December 31, 2019. The company has posted net profit of Rs.252.55 crores for the period ended December 31, 2020 as against net profit of Rs.174.35 crores for the period ended December 31, 2019.

Commenting on the performance for the quarter and 9M ending December 2020, in a joint statement,  Ajay Shriram, Chairman & Senior Managing Director, and  Vikram Shriram, Vice  Chairman & Managing Director, said, “The Company has witnessed a sequential improvement in its quarterly performance as the challenges  posed by Covid-19 reduced. This quarter has been particularly robust wherein almost all are businesses operated at normal levels.” 

 He also added that given our resilient performance in last nine months, our balance sheet strength, stable free cash-flows and the improvement in economic environment, the board has approved investment in Chemical downstream products of Epichlorohydrine, Hydrogen Peroxide and expansion of Aluminium Chloride.  Further, it has also approved setting up a research and development centre for Chemicals business to enable forward integration of current & pipeline products as well as to develop other value added chemical products. These steps augur well for growth and strengthening of our Chemicals business.

Chlor-alkali business continues to face headwinds of supply being in excess of demand leading to subdued prices. Our efforts on cost optimization in the past and going forward will ensure reasonable margins and competitiveness. 120 MW Coal based Power plant at Bharuch is under implementation and 66 MW plant at Kota was implemented last year, these are significant steps in this direction. Going forward chlorine utilization (partly) in ECH will further strengthen the business.

Sugar business will utilize Ajbapur distillery for full current season, which along with better ethanol prices will help in partly offsetting the impact of lower sugar cane recovery. 

Shriram farm solutions, Bioseed and Fenesta are focusing on expanding the product portfolio and market development activities which will enable them to enhance their growth momentum.”

The company has posted net profit of

R&D

The new Ceratina fioreseana bee belongs to a group of important pollinators for plants and crops. 

The new bee species was first identified by Favizia Freitas de Oliveira, a research scientist with the Institute of Biology at Brazil’s Federal University of Bahia and Hebert Luiz Pereira, a Bayer consultant whose firm, HP Agroconsultoria focuses on bee production and conservation. In 2017, both began working with Henrique Fiorese, whose family owns the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Farm, where the discovery was made. 

 Through Bayer’s Forward Farm initiative, the company collaborates with independent farmers like Fiorese in locations throughout the world to share knowledge about modern and sustainable agriculture through first-hand experiences. Pereira and Freitas de Oliveira noticed the new species, which is a solitary bee that does not live in colonies, while studying other bees that were building their nests inside insect hotels that had been installed on the property by Bayer, as well as living in nests located in thick wooded areas within the farm’s nature preserve and its vegetable gardens. 

The new Ceratina fioreseana bee is a member of the Ceratina (Ceratinula) subgenus, which occurs with 38 species in the Americas, 15 of which are found in Brazil. As a solitary bee, it lives alone, does not produce honey nor does it have a queen, however it belongs to a group of important pollinators for plants and crops.

“We collected some (female and male) specimens in the field survey,” said Freitas de Oliveira. “In addition to these, we identified 72 other species of native Brazilian bees during a rapid assessment to monitor pollinator diversity around soybean crops.” 

 “This discovery reinforces the harmonic coexistence between agriculture and the bee population,” said Cláudia Quaglierini, Tropical Intelligence Manager for Bayer. “Through this partnership, we could see that taking good agricultural practices into account, we are able to verify the diversity and productivity of pollinators that have existed on the farm for more than 30 years. In fact, bees can bring better productivity results through pollination.”

 

 

The new Ceratina fioreseana bee belongs to

Agro Universities, North America, Poultry

Auburn researchers are working on ways to find and utilize alternative water resources for irrigating crops

As fresh water supplies become increasingly limited and the world’s population continues to grow, US based Auburn University College of Agriculture researchers are working on ways to find and utilize alternative water resources for irrigating crops. “One proven source that can meet this demand is wastewater,” said Brendan Higgins, assistant professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering.

Higgins is leading a research team that has received a four-year $499,577 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or NIFA, to study the possibility of using poultry processing wastewater for irrigating in controlled-environment agriculture.

The first challenge, he said, is that nutrients in the wastewater should be in the appropriate form for stable crop production. Secondly, the crops irrigated with wastewater must be free of pathogens, and, lastly, the negative effects of antimicrobial chemicals in the poultry wastewater must be mitigated.

Researchers will meet the project’s goal by engaging in four major research activities:

  1. Develop an innovative wastewater treatment reactor that uses algae and bacteria deployed together to clean the water and transform existing nutrients into forms that are usable by plants.
  2. Test the ability of the above reactor, along with other non-chemical treatment steps, to clean the water of pathogens so it is safe to use for crop irrigation.
  3. Grow lettuce—a model crop that presents a “worst-case scenario” from a food-safety standpoint—to test the system’s performance.
  4. Develop a set of engineering models derived from the experimental data.

The Auburn project will be located at the College of Agriculture’s Charles C Miller Jr Poultry Research and Education Center.

While the research project will be focusing on growing lettuce, Higgins sees the potential for using wastewater on a variety of crops.

Auburn researchers are working on ways to

Acquaculture

The two field schools will contribute greatly to the extension and advisory services delivery

The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sonarpur, Kolkata inaugurated the two Farm Schools – Aquaculture Farmer Field School (AFFS) and Livestock Farmer Field School (LFFS) in Sonarpur Block, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal on 13th January 2021.

Dr Saroj Kumar Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha urged farmers’ cooperation to get connected with the ICAR-CIFA and SSKVK for their fisheries and other farming activities. He highlighted the popularity of AFFS piloted by the Institute in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Dr Swain stressed that the two field schools will contribute greatly to the extension and advisory services delivery.

Dr SK Roy, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone – V, Kolkata applauded both the efforts of both the organizations in helping the farmers to adopt the scientific integrated farming system. He also emphasized on innovations in extension and training.

Sagar Mehera, Joint Secretary, Government of India and Swami Shivapurananda, Vice-Chairman, SSKVK, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata were also present during the occasion.

Dr Tara Sankar Pan, Deputy Director, ARD, Government of West Bengal assured of help in promoting scientific livestock farming.

The joint efforts of Dr BN Paul, Co-ordinator, Scheduled Caste Sub Plan Scheme, and Dr NC Sahu, Head, Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kolkata led to the execution of establishing the AFFS and LFFS for empowering over 5,000 farmers in 20 nearby villages in adopting aquaculture and animal husbandry technologies.

Around 200 farmers and farm women attended the program.

The two field schools will contribute greatly

Agro Universities

This one-day event was held to synergize the combined strengths of both institutions to serve the farmers better

The ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana, Punjab has recently organised an interaction-cum-demonstration workshop with the scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab.

This one-day event was held on January 13, 2021, to synergize the combined strengths of both institutions to serve the farmers better. A total of about 50 Scientists & Subject Matter Specialists-cum-Assistant Professors from KVKs and ICAR-CIPHET took part in this live workshop

Dr Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab marked his presence as the Chief Guest along with Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab as the Special Guest of the occasion. Dr Indrajeet Singh encouraged the scientists to have a broad vision to serve the society and help the farmers in transforming their lives. He highlighted the role of animal husbandry in the prosperity of farmers. Dr Singh told this interface meet will synergize the combined strengths of both the institutions to serve the farmers better.

He added that an MoU has been already signed between GADVASU and CIPHET to encourage collaboration in research and extension activities in the areas such as engineering interventions in animal husbandry especially for animal shelters, animal feed, fisheries, etc.

Demonstrated of pilot plants for several post-harvest technologies was conducted for scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barnala, Mohali, and Tarantaran. Technologies viz. Groundnut milk, Wadi Making, Makhana Processing, Live Fish Carrier System and Fish Descaling Tool, Agro Processing Centre, Corn Cob Drying, Protected Cultivation, etc. were demonstrated.

This one-day event was held to synergize

Agrotech, Finance, Start ups

With the Series C investment, the company plans to strengthen the technology platform and expand geographically to other parts of India.   

Based in Gurgaon and Patna, Agritech start up DeHaat has announced that it has raised USD 30 million from various investors to fund its expansion plan and strengthen technology platform.

The company raised USD 30 million in Series C funding, led by Prosus Ventures (formerly Naspers Ventures). RTP Global co-invested in the round with participation from existing investors, Sequoia India, FMO, Omnivore & AgFunder, the company said in a statement.

 Shashank Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO, DeHaat said ,”The recent investment from marquee investors like Prosus Ventures, RTP Global and others is a strong validation of our goal to become the world’s largest farmer aggregator and will help us scale up in both size and scope,”.

DeHaat is a technology-based business to farmers (B2F) platform which offers full-stack agricultural services to farmers, including distribution of high-quality agricultural inputs, customized farm advisory, access to financial services, and market linkages for selling their produce.

With the Series C investment, the company plans to strengthen the technology platform and expand geographically to other parts of India. Currently, DeHaat is operating across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha.

With the Series C investment, the company

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Finance, Seeds

Domestic crop care business grew by 15% and seeds business by 38% albeit on a smaller base.

Rallis India Limited, a TATA Enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri-inputs industry announced its financial results for the quarter ended 31 December 2020.

Announcing the results, Sanjiv Lal, Managing Director and CEO, Rallis India said, “During the current crop season, our business has witnessed a favourable demand resulting in an overall growth of 7 per cent. In the domestic market, growth in Rabi’s sowing area was supportive and our domestic crop care business grew by 15 per cent and seeds business by 38 per cent albeit on a smaller base. Export demand also witnessed a revival, as the revenue shortfall vs PY narrowed in Q3.  All our capex projects are progressing satisfactorily and are on schedule. As the world witnesses a new strain of the COVID-19 virus, employee safety continues to be our priority.”

 Consolidated Key Highlights – Q3

The Company recorded consolidated revenues of ₹570 Crs for the quarter ended 31 December, 2020, a growth of 7 per cent over PY of ₹534 Crs. Profit before tax (before exceptional items) was at ₹56 Crs, with a growth of 16 per cent over PY of ₹48 Crs and the profit after tax (after exceptional items) was ₹46 Crs, registering a growth of 20 per cent over PY of ₹38 Crs.

 

Consolidated Key Highlights – 9M

The Company recorded consolidated revenues of ₹1958 Crs for the nine months ended 31 December, 2020, a growth of 3 per cent over PY of ₹1906 Crs. Profit before tax (before exceptional items) was at ₹284 Crs, with a growth of 18 per cent (PY ₹240 Crs) and the profit after tax (after exceptional items) was ₹220 Crs, registering a growth of 20 per cent (PY ₹183 Crs).

 

Key Developments –

  • Continued high focus on safety and health of employees, amidst the pandemic
  • 1 new insecticide and 3 new crop nutrition products launched
  • Continued up stocking of raw materials to avert production disruptions due to potential supply chain issues
  • 14% revenue growth on YTD basis in the domestic formulation business. Strong support by flagship brands

Domestic crop care business grew by 15%

Agro Universities, IT

It will help Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations (FPOs) to connect with the forward and backward linkages.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR), HYDERABAD, in association with Youkta Agritech, a Social Enterprise launched a digital platform for the benefit of Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations (FPOs) to connect with the forward and backward linkages. 

The Chief Guest, Y.K. Rao, Chief General Manager, Regional Office, NABARD, Hyderabad applauded the Institute for hand-holding the FPOs to become local business hub in Millets.The Guests of Honour, N.K. Anumala, DGM, Andhra Pradesh Regional Office, NABARD and Dr Ashok Alur, Director, Centre of Excellence on FPOs, Government of Karnataka apprised the participants of the respective states about the schemes available for strengthening the FPOs.

  Neeraj Kumar Verma, Chief General Manager, Regional Office, NABARD, Bengaluru, Karnataka highlighted the schemes available to the FPOs for sustainability.In his address, Dr Vilas A. Tonapi, Director, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad stressed on the need of digital platforms to connect the various stakeholders with timely information for better farming. 

Dr B. Dayakar Rao, CEO, Nutrihub & PS, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad outlined the Institute’s role in connecting the dots between the Start-Ups and FPOs. He also underlined the creation of 50+ Start-Ups by the Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR in the last year.

 Dr Swamy Pentyala, Director, Youkta Social Enterprise, Hyderabad briefed the rationale behind the design of the productive platform. A total of 210 participants including 127 FPOs, farmers, entrepreneurs, Start-Ups, officials of NABARD and Agri-Extension Officers attended the programme.

It will help Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations (FPOs)

Agrotech, E-commerce, Seeds

This next-level partnership will place greater emphasis on grower education, productivity and profitability while continuing to support National Sorghum Producers (NSP) advocacy efforts 

Advanta Seeds US, a global seed company and parent of the premium seed brand Alta Seeds, is upping its commitment to National Sorghum Producers, increasing its support as a Gold level sponsor through the NSP Industry Partner program.

 “We have always appreciated Advanta’s support of NSP and sorghum farmers through its mission to provide high yielding, quality seed through premier research and development,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “Their innovation has played a key role in driving the sorghum industry forward, and we are excited about the new opportunities offered through this continued partnership.”

This next-level partnership will place greater emphasis on grower education, productivity and profitability while continuing to support NSP advocacy efforts. Today, NSP and Alta Seeds launched two resources for growers focusing on forage sorghum and sugarcane aphid (SCA) management. 

“Advanta/Alta Seeds has long supported NSP’s mission of legislatively advocating and building profitable markets for sorghum growers across the country,” Barry Lubbers, North America Business Director for Advanta, said. “We believe our increased sponsorship, which includes the creation of the SCA and forage sorghum management resource pages on the association’s website, will further help sorghum productivity and profitability while underscoring our commitment to the sorghum industry.” 

Alta Seeds launched igrowth®, the first herbicide tolerant sorghum to market, in June 2020 and its partner UPL received approval for IMIFLEX™ in December, making the first commercially available pre and post emergent grass and broadleaf control technology system available to sorghum farmers for the 2021 growing season.

 

This next-level partnership will place greater emphasis