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Home2021January (Page 5)
Schemes - Govt, Start ups

The launch of startup India seed fund intend to provide opportunities for new start-ups to flourish in the country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently announced the launch of a Rs 1,000 crore startup India seed fund intending to provide opportunities for new start-ups to flourish in the country.

Addressing the second day of Prarambh: Start-up India International Summit on Saturday, PM Modi said, “We are launching a Rs 1,000 crore start-up India Seed Fund to help new start-ups grow in the country.”

“We are trying to create a start-up system which is based on the mantra ’of the youth, by the youth, for the youth,” he added.

Under the Start-up India program, PM Modi said that the youth of the country has built a strong foundation in creating ideas and starting their business for the last five years. “We should aim that our start-ups and unicorns excel as global giants and lead in futuristic technology,” he said.

“More than 41,000 start-ups including nearly 5,700 start-ups in the IT sector, 3,600 in the health sector, and 1,700 start-ups in agriculture are engaged in work,” Modi noted.

Further, he said the start-up ecosystem has also given a chance to the economically unstable youth to showcase their talents and earn.

The Prime Minister also noted that the start-ups are spread across the country and have a presence even in Tier 2 states of the country.

Prarambh: Start-up India International Summit marks the fifth anniversary of the Start-up India initiative launched by PM Modi on January 16, 2016. The Summit is built on the foundation set through the 19-point action plan of the Start-up India initiative in 2016.

The launch of startup India seed fund

Agrotech, R&D

To identify innovative AI solutions to solve specific used-cases in the field of agriculture.

NASCOM, in collaboration with Telangana AI Mission (T-AIM), has launched an Innovation Factory – series of a grand challenge to identify innovative AI solutions to solve specific used-cases in the field of agriculture.

The challenge gives a chance for innovators to assist the Government of Telangana in helping farmers increase their income by working on three selected use-cases. These include precision farming for improving yield; Real-time price discovery and volume management and e-marketplaces and; Farmer lending using farm/output backed credit risk assessment.

Innovators will also be able to showcase their AI solution development capabilities at a larger scale and avail an opportunity to implement a pilot within the State of Telangana, with mentorship support from Government of Telangana entities. As a part of the challenge, winner will get a chance to win a prize money of INR 1 Lakh and INR 50,000 for the runner-up, per use-case.

The contest is open for start-ups, companies and institutions operating within India where one team will be allowed one entry per account. Each team will be given six weeks to work on the use-case where these teams will be judged on three focal criteria’s – approach, technique and results. The last date to register for the challenge is 24th January 2021. Winner will be announced on 30th March 2021.

To identify innovative AI solutions to solve

Foodgrains, Trade

The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan explained their requirement or standards for Basmati rice imports from India. 

In a bid to boost exports potential of India’s agricultural and processed food products exports, APEDA has organized a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) in association with Indian Embassy in, Azerbaijan. The meet brought together key stakeholders from the respective Governments and trade on a common platform for strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Azerbaijan in export of Basmati Rice.

This Virtual-BSM with Azerbaijan is the 16th in the series of such events organized by APEDA with various countries. Earlier such virtual Virtual-BSM was first organized with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed by Kuwait, Indonesia, Switzerland, Belgium, Iran, South Africa, Germany, The United States, Canada and Australia, Thailand and Nepal.

During the Virtual-BSM, presentations were made by of leading Basmati Rice Exporters. The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan explained their requirement or standards for Basmati Rice imports from India.

The Virtual BSM was joined by His  Excellency Mr B. Vanlalvawna, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan, Dr M. Angamuthu, Chairman APEDA, S.S.Nayyar, General Manager, APEDA, Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Dr. D D Sharma, Director(BEDF), APEDA, Fuad Humbatov, Deputy Secretary General, The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) Organisations of the Repuyblic of Azerbaijan (ASK), and Senior Officials of APEDA and Embassy of India, Azerbaijan, Indian Basmati Rice Exporters and rice importers of Azerbaijan.

Ever since the COVID pandemic, there is an increased shift of focus towards  CIS trade partners by India for creating new opportunities for alliance in agricultural and processed food sector.

The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers’) Organizations

Agrotech, North America

The ATAC is comprised of senior representatives from across the US agricultural community

The Chairman of the Board of the National Industrial Hemp Council Patrick Atagi was recently appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, and Peanuts by United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer.

The Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee is comprised of senior representatives from across the US agricultural community who provide advice to the US Department of Agriculture and the Office of the US Trade Representative on trade policy matters including the operation of existing trade agreements and the negotiation of new agreements. Members of the six ATACs provide technical advice and guidance from the perspective of their specific product sectors.

The ATAC for Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts scope is to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and USTR on matters that are of concern to the United States and to its consumers, producers, processors, and traders of tobacco, cotton and peanuts in connection with the trade policy activities undertaken by the United States.

The committee also provides advice and information regarding trade issues that affect both domestic and foreign production and trade concerning tobacco, cotton and peanuts; and, furnishes advisory opinions and reports regarding trade policy as requested by the Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Trade Representative, or their designees.

The ATAC is comprised of senior representatives

AgroPolicy, Poultry

The state government has put requisite information on Avian Influenza in line with the revised Avian Influenza Action Plan 2021 for both, the departmental officials and the general public. 

Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department has started a Toll-free Helpline Number for farmers to report any unusual mortality of birds. The state government has put requisite information on Avian Influenza in line with the revised Avian Influenza Action Plan 2021 for both, the departmental officials and the general public. As gathered, necessary notifications regarding ’infected area’, etc. to check spread of the disease, have already been issued by the state.

In order to contain the incidences of Bird Flu without delay, the exercise of the powers conferred under Prevention And Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, the state government has delegated all its requisite powers on District Collectors within their local jurisdiction in the state for prevention, control and eradication of Avian Influenza.

Following the advisories of the department, states are undertaking awareness generation activities through newspaper advertisements, social media platforms etc. Also, continuous efforts to generate awareness about Avian Influenza and how to deal with the situation is being shared among the general public through various media platforms including social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook handles.

In Maharashtra, RRTs has been deployed and culling of poultry birds is underway in all the affected epicentres including CPDO, Mumbai. Further, in Madhya Pradesh, RRTs have been deployed. Culling operation of poultry is continuing in the epicentres of Haryana.

The state government has put requisite information

Foodgrains, R&D, Seeds

Dr Vijay Gahlaut proposes to carry this out through a process called epigenomic mapping

Heat stress causes a dramatic reduction in yield and quality loss of wheat, the food crop that nurtures more than one-third of the world population. In order to address this challenge, Dr Vijay Gahlaut, an Inspire Faculty, New Delhi Fellow of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is exploring the epigenetic route to modify gene expression in a manner that is stably transmitted but do not involve differences in the underlying DNA sequence, so that the heritable genes do not buckle under heat stress and non-stress conditions during different grain filling stages.

Dr Vijay who is faculty at the Biotechnology division at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, will identify the role of DNA methylation (a biological process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule) patterns of heat stress-tolerant and heat stress-sensitive wheat genotypes during different grain filling stages. He proposes to carry this out through a process called epigenomic mapping, which will also help in the identification of natural epigenetic variation.

His recent publication in the journal ‘Genomics’ has shown the differential expression pattern of C5-MTase genes under heat stress suggesting their role in stress response in wheat. This could give a major clue to producing heat-tolerant productive wheat varieties.

The utilization of identical genes that differ in the extent of methylation is known as epialleles identified through his research could be one of the most promising solutions to improving wheat productivity by engineering elite wheat varieties with enhanced heat stress tolerance and increase grain yield.

 

Dr Vijay Gahlaut proposes to carry this

Animal Health, Live Stock

The facility produces non-medicated feed and supports Cargill and Provimi branded animal nutrition premixes

During a virtual event for producers, customers, and media, Cargill, the global food, agricultural, financial and industrial products company, announced recently the opening of its new premix animal nutrition facility in Lewisburg, Ohio. The 220,000 square-foot, future-ready facility is deploying advanced technology not previously used in animal agriculture or pet food production that allows the use of fewer resources to produce feed while ensuring the highest quality and traceability of its products for Cargill customers.

The Lewisburg West facility produces non-medicated feed and supports Cargill and Provimi branded animal nutrition premixes and products, along with additives and specialty and custom blends.

The facility includes a 160-ft steel premix tower, along with a new benchmark of automation and controls that provide precise measurements and traceability that exceed industry standards and significantly reduce cross-contamination risks. 

 

The highly automated production process with continuous human monitoring ensures accuracy and reduces the risk of injuries to employees. Among several new features, the facility’s humidity and temperature controls, strict management of ingredients, and plant access will further protect food safety as well as customers’ brands.

Each of the plants’ four segregated production lines can run a mix from start to finish in approximately one hour, providing increased capacity across Cargill’s network of feed facilities. As a non-medicated facility, it allows for more support to livestock and poultry operations raising animals without the use of antibiotics and opens new opportunities for the company within the pet food market. It’s estimated that Lewisburg West will produce 154,000 tons of non-medicated animal nutrition products and premix across its production lines each year.

The facility produces non-medicated feed and supports

Europe, R&D, Seeds

The Center in Aussonne is the first in Europe and the third worldwide. Expected to be operational in the first half of 2022 

 

 Corteva Agriscience has begun building a new Center of Seed Applied Technologies (CSAT) in south west France, with the goal of helping Europe’s farmers get their crops off to the best start and achieve a successful harvest. 

The Center in Aussonne is the first in Europe and the third worldwide. Expected to be operational in the first half of 2022, it will focus on service development, with strong scientific investment that will be part of new seed treatment solutions to help farmers meet the challenges of a changing agricultural sector.

Corteva Agriscience also offers a suite of Seed Applied Technology (SAT) solutions, which involve treating the seed, including Lumiposa™ and Lumivia™ for insecticide seed treatment, Lumisena™ and Lumiflex™ for fungicide seed treatment control, and Lumidapt, a seed applied growth nutrition for all hybrid crops.

CSATs act as a laboratory, testing centre and seed treatment plant, with rigorous processes in place for the discovery, formulation and real-world testing of seed applied technologies. This process enables seed treatments to protect and perform to solve on-farm challenges, delivering value for growers.

  “Corteva Agriscience is committed to innovation. That’s why we are investing almost €5m in this project as part of efforts to strengthen our seed offering. We are a company focused on those who produce and those who consume, and this Center will help farmers boost productivity while meeting consumer demand for a more sustainable agriculture”, said Andre Negreiros, Seed Applied Technologies Leader, Europe for Corteva Agriscience.

 

The Center in Aussonne is the first

Agro chems – Chemicals, Europe, Live Stock, Trade

Technical expertise and broad product portfolio will strengthen LANXESS’ position in growth market of animal hygiene 

 Specialty Chemicals Company LANXESS intends to further expand its Consumer Protection business and has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire the Theseo group. The French group, headquartered in Laval, is a leading manufacturer of disinfection and hygiene solutions in Europe and Latin America. The products are used in particular in livestock farming to prevent and control diseases. Subject to completion of the transaction, LANXESS will significantly expand its range of products for the animal hygiene and will in future also be able to offer products for the animal nutrition industry.

Prior to the execution of the envisaged transaction, the usual French employee information and consultation process will be followed. Furthermore, the transaction is subject to antitrust clearance. Thereupon, the parties expect the envisaged transaction to be completed in mid-2021.

“We are focusing on profitable specialty chemicals and here consumer protection products play an important role. Once we complete the planned acquisition of Theseo, we will yet again expand our high-margin business in this area,” said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG.

LANXESS plans to finance the envisaged acquisition with an enterprise value of approximately EUR 70 million out of cash. In 2020, Theseo is expected to generate sales of around EUR 33 million and an EBITDA in the mid-single-digit million euro range. Within three years following the completion of the planned transaction, LANXESS expects an additional annual EBITDA contribution in the same amount from synergy effects. The envisaged acquisition will already be earnings per share* accretive in the first fiscal year after its completion.

Theseo offers an extensive portfolio of disinfection and hygiene products for all areas of pig and poultry. Herein, LANXESS sees strong growth prospects due to rising biosecurity requirements. Theseo also has a well-positioned portfolio in water hygiene as well as animal nutrition. With the continuous drive towards antibiotic free meat, these products play an ever-growing role in livestock production.

 

 

 

 

Technical expertise and broad product portfolio will

AgroPolicy

FCI to set the highest standards for itself in serving the nation

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Railways, and Commerce & Industry inaugurated the newly constructed building of Divisional Office, Mysuru on the occasion of the 57th Foundation day of FCI on January 14, 2021.

The minister also complimented FCI for the all-time high procurement of Wheat and Paddy. Further, the minister said that the organization is not just a government establishment but a committed organization working in service of the nation and especially, the farmers.

Piyush Goyal, in his address, mentioned that FCI had procured 140 LMT Paddy and 390 LMT Wheat and about 305 LMT additional foodgrains were issued, during the pandemic, free of cost under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY). Most importantly, when PMGKAY was audited through a third party, the satisfaction level was found to be 94 per cent. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, during the lockdown, food and all essential products were made available to each individual, which in itself is a significant feat.

The minister also highlighted how a 50 per cent increase in the number of procurement centers has resulted in helping the farmers to efficiently and conveniently sell their produce.

The minister also highlighted the role of FCI in the procurement process and spoke about strengthening procurement through MSP to benefit the farmers. FCI is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the farmers, encouraging them to increase their production and at the same time, giving them the confidence of adequate procurement through MSP.

 

FCI to set the highest standards for

Agro Universities, Foodgrains, R&D, Seeds

It includes six varieties of agricultural crops, four horticulture crops and one forestry crop. 

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has released 11 crop varieties which include six varieties of agricultural crops, four horticulture crops and one forestry crop. The release was based on the recommendation by the 51th State Variety Release Committee under the chairmanship of Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the government Gagandeep Singh Bedi and TNAU Vice- Chancellor Dr N Kumar, a varsity press release said.

 There are three rice varieties for Tamil Nadu while small millet varieties Ragi ATL 1, Varagu ATL 1 for rainfed and irrigated conditions to enhance the nutritional security and to adopt eat right food. Blackgram Co 7 is resistant to serious devastating yellow mosaic viral disease and released for both rainfed and irrigated conditions. Among four horticultural crops, brinjal VRM(Br) 2, a spine-less variety, to replace spine variety VRM(Br)1 for northern districts of Tamil Nadu, gumless/latex free sweet jackfruit PLR3, Kodampuli/Malabar tamarind PPI(K) 1 for cooking and medicinal purpose and the nutria-health fruit wood apple PKM 1 are released for adoption.

 In forestry, MalaiVempu MTP3 is released for agro- forestry to increase the farmers’ income and the variety possesses industrial application of face veneer utility for plywood decoration. The government of Tamil Nadu and TNAU wish that the crop varieties can be cultivated by the farmers to promote their farm income and rural livelihood.

The university has released 854 crop varieties in the past 100 years and in addition 11 varieties released this year as Pongal gift. The varieties are suitable to different agro-climatic zones and meeting the demand of farmers. The farmers are requested to cultivate the varieties and take the benefit of new varieties, Kumar said in the release

It includes six varieties of agricultural crops,

Agro chems – Fertilizers

Innovative nutrient efficiency technology improves profitability while reducing environmental impact

California based Sound Agriculture’s flagship product, SOURCE, provides a new option for growers looking to support positive environmental practices and maintain or boost yield. SOURCE has been shown to provide the equivalent of 25-50 lbs of nitrogen per acre for corn growers, helping to optimize nitrogen application while improving return on investment (ROI).

Nitrogen is the most essential nutrient for plant growth, yet overuse of nitrogen fertilizers can have significant environmental consequences. Up to 30-50 per cent of applied nitrogen fertilizer is not used by the plant. Unused fertilizer can pollute waterways, degrade soil health, and contribute to climate change by releasing nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, which has 300 times the heat-trapping effect of carbon dioxide. In addition, nitrogen fertilizer is the most expensive nutrient input for growers, costing $50-75 per acre for the average US corn farmer, up to 15 per cent of overall operating costs.

SOURCE is a microbiome activator that unlocks both nitrogen and phosphorus to increase nutrient use efficiency. SOURCE stimulates the soil microbes that fix nitrogen and solubilize phosphorus, making optimal use of existing nutrients and providing a new option to growers looking to maximize profitability while supporting environmental wellbeing.

Four years of field trials show that growers can improve ROI multiple ways using SOURCE:

  • Those who use nitrogen fertilizer efficiently can add SOURCE to increase corn yields an average of 7.5 bushels per acre with an 83%-win rate.
  • Those with less efficient nitrogen fertilizer practices can use SOURCE to provide the equivalent of 25-50 lbs of nitrogen per acre while maintaining yield, greatly reducing input costs.

Innovative nutrient efficiency technology improves profitability while

North America

everyvine relaunched under new ownership, with a new site and presence for 2021

At the 2021 Dollars and $ense Virtual Conference, one of the North Coast’s longest-running and most widely attended wine industry tradeshows for grape growers and vintners, everyvine relaunched under new ownership, with a new site and presence for 2021.

“everyvine is a classic website that deserves to continue to be enhanced and updated for past and future vintages,” said Keith McCall, CEO of everyvine. “Accessing one site that incorporates detailed GIS topography, climate and soil data with vineyard block maps helps wineries acquire the best grapes and to produce the best wines.”

Since 2012, US-based everyvine has offered enhanced mapping of wine regions, vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms throughout the world, powered by comprehensive tools that enable managers to quickly update information on their properties, wine grape varietals, with the goal of improving the production of great wines.

Today’s vineyards use everyvine to market and sell their wine grapes to wineries for wine production, and to advertise their wines to consumers.

everyvine relaunched under new ownership, with a

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, R&D

First sales for Axalion-based products expected by 2023 in Asia Pacific and by 2026 in the European Union

 BASF has started the global registration for a new insecticide active ingredient. The company submitted the regulatory dossiers for the Axalion™ insecticide in Australia and Korea. This step marks a key milestone in further expanding BASF’s global insecticide portfolio and the company’s position in providing sustainable innovations for agriculture. Further regulatory dossier submissions are planned for the European Union, Brazil and India in 2021 as well as other key markets in the coming years.

Axalion is the sole representative of a unique class of chemistry discovered by BASF. It quickly stops insect pests from feeding. This reduces nutrient loss for the plant and prevents the pests from transmitting diseases, resulting in healthier plants and optimal yields with higher quality. At the same time, extensive testing by BASF has demonstrated that proposed uses of Axalion are environmentally friendly with regard to soil and water organisms, beneficial insects including pollinators as well as birds. 

“Close exchange with our customers enabled the development of this new insecticide to address real farming challenges: the need for powerful solutions, environmentally friendly approaches and resistance management support,” said Neil Bentley, Vice President Global Strategic Marketing Insecticides at BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division.

Axalion will be registered for use in a broad range of crops in the fruits and vegetable markets, including grapes and potatoes. Additional row crop uses extend to soybeans and other legumes, cotton and cereals. The high-performing insecticide will also be available to flower and ornamental producers.

Pending regulatory approvals, BASF expects first market introductions of Axalion-based product formulations as early as 2023 in Australia and Korea, 2024 in India. The company anticipates market introductions in the European Union in 2026.

First sales for Axalion-based products expected by