Connect with:
Sunday / February 23. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2021March (Page 11)
Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities, R&D

The soil map can be replicated for agricultural plots based on soil tests which can be performed at district administration levels or by private labs. This data when fed into the DGPS module will be accessible to farms using the GUI installed-applicator.

Soil maps which could be accessed using differential GPS, has been developed by researchers at IIT Kharagpur for a variable rate of fertilisation application in farmlands. This tech could transform the food security program of India. The novel technology is aimed towards efficient use of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash for automated soil nutrition management by bypassing both manual labour based operations or sensor-based fertilization technologies which are still under development.

Spatial variations in soil type and mineral content in large agricultural tracts are a common phenomenon that leads to a dynamic need for resources such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and even water. Farmers have been collecting information on these variations through soil tests by local bodies or installing sensors to collect the data in real-time. However, the proximity of the applicator vehicle to the sensor hinders real-time sensor-based data processing and fertilizer application.

Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur along with his former research scholar Dr. Sneha Jha from the Dept. of Agricultural and Food Engineering explored an alternate method of creating a soil nutrition map that can be accessed in real-time through differential global positioning system for variable rate application of NPK.

Explaining the process Prof. Tewari said, “We divided one hectare of land into 36 grids with the nutritional requirement of each grid fed in the soil map. The fertilizer applicator vehicle, fitted with a DGPS module and GUI enabled Microprocessor cum Microcontroller, can access this map and compute in real-time the variable rates in the fertilizer application function.”

The soil map can be replicated for agricultural plots based on soil tests which can be performed at district administration levels or by private labs. This data when fed into the DGPS module will be accessible to farms using the GUI installed-applicator.

“The system can detect the field grids in real-time with a length-wise accuracy of 16 cm towards the east and breadth-wise accuracy of 20 cm towards the north. It can manage the automated application from 5 to 400 Kg per hectare. Application of such desired amount of NPK precisely at a specific location will enhance crop production and avoid environmental degradation. This technology would be able to reduce 30% of fertilizers used in manual methods thus ensuring substantial savings in resource applications”, said Prof. Tewari.

The soil map can be replicated for

Finance, Schemes - Banks, Warehousing

It aims to extend finance to farmers, FPOs, processors, and various depositors stocking their agri-produce in warehouses  

Arya, India’s leading post-harvest Agritech Company entered into a strategic partnership with Canara Bank for collateral management and warehousing services to help farmers with effective market linkage today. The agreement was signed between Anand Chandra, Executive Director, and M Paramasivam, General Manager, Priority Credit Wing, Canara Bank.

The objective of the partnership is to support and extend finance to farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), processors, and various depositors stocking their agri-produce in warehouses managed by Arya pan India.

Talking about this partnership, Prasanna Rao, Co-Founder & CEO of Arya, said, “We feel extremely proud of this alliance. It has happened at the right time. Through this partnership, we are not only trying to focus on getting profit for farmers based on the quantity but also on the quality of grains they produce. Our goal has always been to create an integrated platform that offers everything in an agriculture supply chain but rural lending has been one big obstacle for us as an industry and through this partnership, we will be able to give zero paperwork, instant credits, robust solutions, and much more to our farmers, FPOs, processors, and depositors.”

M Paramasivam, General Manager, Priority Credit Wing, Head office Canara Bank said, “Arya is taking the right steps in innovation and it was also partly because of their vision that helped us establish more efficient operations for the end-users. We trust that this relationship will continue to evolve as we accelerate our transformation to meet the credit and financial needs of farmers, FPOs, and processors across the country.”

The partnership will have a huge impact on the current financing situation of agriculture businesses. While all banks are required to follow the Priority Sector Lending guidelines of the RBI, they look for efficient mechanisms to reach farmers, especially smallholders. Many banks fall short in meeting these targets in the absence of these mechanisms. Through this strategic association with Arya, Canara Bank will be able to leverage the extensive reach of Arya to over 350,000 farmers through the 450 FPOs it works with.

 As a collateral manager, Arya shall facilitate post-harvest credit for the Bank through its digital platform across its network of 4000 warehouses covering more than 3.0 million tonnes of agriculture commodities, especially in primary and secondary near-farm markets.

It aims to extend finance to farmers,

Agrotech

The mobile app helps farmers get a real-time look at their farm & see their data in a new way- all from their iOS smartphone

Golden Harvest farmers now have access to the E-Luminate Mobile app, a digital agronomy platform designed to deliver timely insights directly to farmers from their trusted Seed Advisors.

The E-Luminate Mobile app helps farmers get a real-time look at their farm and see their data in a new way- all from their iOS smart phone or tablet. Access to the app also increases connectivity and engagement between farmers and their Golden Harvest Seed Advisors via digital touchpoints throughout the year.

The app not only puts field-level data at farmers’ fingertips but also additional insights and in-depth analysis from Golden Harvest Seed Advisors. E-Luminate Mobile’s suite of features includes creating and editing fields and reviewing field data, including yield as planted, imagery, scouting, weather, crop monitoring and more. Additionally, a farmer’s yield data from the John Deere Operations Center and other equipment manufacturers can be integrated into the E-Luminate Mobile app, providing another data input to inform seed decisions.

The E-Luminate Mobile app is a value-added service provided free of charge to farmers with the purchase of Golden Harvest seed.

The Golden Harvest portfolio is available from Golden Harvest Seed Advisors, who combine high-yielding corn and soybean seed options with local agronomic knowledge and deliver a Service 365 year-round commitment to doing whatever it takes to yield results for farmers.

The mobile app helps farmers get a

Agro Universities, R&D

The workshop will provide a ready platform for understanding the basic concepts for use of this technology for various applications in agriculture, environment and health sector. 

 SGT University, Gurgaon and Alliance of Bioversity International ,CIAT, Asia-India, New Delhi in collaboration with ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack, ICAR-NIPB, New Delhi and DBT-NABI, Mohali has organised Hands-on Laboratory Course on CRISPR-Cas Gene Editing on March 23- 27, 2021.

The primary aim of this laboratory workshop is to advance participants’ knowledge of science through education. The course is designed as comprehensive 5-day CRISPR workshop comprising both lectures and hands-on laboratory practical at the SGT University in collaboration with nationally and internationally renowned key experts. In this course, there will be walk through a basic CRISPR cell engineering workflow, from design and synthesis of target specific guide RNAs (gRNAs) to the analysis of gene editing efficiency, and screening, detection and validation. The best experienced faculty will guide through generating a knockout and knock-in construct using CRISPR-Cas9 and will work closely with participants to ensure their successful learning.

As there is a great deal of interest and excitement in CRISPR-mediated genome editing and precise prime/base editing, we believe that such a workshop will provide a ready platform for understanding the basic concepts for use of this technology for various applications in agriculture, environment and health sector.  The course will cover topics such as General introduction and an overview of Genome Editing Technology, Concept of CRISPR Technology, DNA Repair Mechanisms: NHEJ and HDR, Gene Editing using Knock-in and Knock-out Approach, Genome Editing Reagents and Delivery, Screening, Detection and Validation, Obtaining Transgene-free Mutants and Application in Agriculture and Crop Improvement. Interested candidates can contact Dr Sonia Goel, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences SGT University, Gurgaon at drsonia.fas@sgtuniversity.org                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The workshop will provide a ready platform

Agro chems – Chemicals, R&D

Rynaxypyr is considered a reduced risk pesticide due to its favourable toxicological and environmental profile.

 Agrochemical major, UPL Ltd has announced a long-term strategic collaboration with FMC Corporation, a leading global agricultural sciences company. The agreement provides UPL access in key markets prior to patent expiration, to commercialize Rynaxypyr® active, FMC’s leading insecticide. As per the agreement, UPL will toll manufacture and supply Rynaxypyr to FMC in India, and FMC will supply the active ingredient to UPL depending on the markets. The deal adds a key portfolio of products to UPL’s business and supports FMC in maximizing the penetration of this important active ingredient.

“We are very excited to work with FMC on this mutually beneficial agreement. The collaboration clearly demonstrates our commitment to our OpenAgTM Purpose to create an agriculture network that feeds sustainable growth for all,” said Jai Shroff, Global CEO of UPL. “Early access to Rynaxypyr formulations in key markets allows UPL to provide growers with more sustainable product choices,” according to Diego Casanello, COO of UPL. “This agreement enables us to add a new core active ingredient to our portfolio and to develop a new family of innovative, high-value solutions for farmers.”

“We are pleased to engage in this strategic relationship with UPL, adding a new global partner to our diamide growth strategy,” said Mark Douglas, FMC president and chief executive officer. “This is an important collaboration for FMC to expand our leading diamide technology in diverse geographies and crops with differentiated formulations. FMC has continued to grow the diamides significantly since acquiring them in late 2017, including achieving double-digit year-on-year growth again in 2020. We forecast the diamide franchise will continue to grow above market rates, and our strategic partners are an important component in that growth.”

Rynaxypyr is considered a reduced risk pesticide due to its favourable toxicological and environmental profile. It is a useful tool for farmers in integrated pest management systems. This provides opportunities for growers to implement more sustainable solutions, supporting UPL’s mission to make every single food product more sustainable.

Rynaxypyr is considered a reduced risk pesticide

R&D

Vanity Citrus® is formulated with pheromones and natural pyrethrum to control pests in citrus fruits. 

 Bayer will introduce Vanity Citrus®, its latest biological and pheromone-based crop protection product to control pests on citrus farms during the International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe – SHE2021, March 8-11.

Vanity Citrus® is an innovative device – a container with an active liquid inside – that does not generate resistance or residues in harvests or in the environment. It is the first such product on the market that is formulated with pheromones and natural pyrethrum to control pests in citrus fruits. Pheromones effectively control pests by interfering with their mating behaviours, thus preventing their reproduction.

The product is currently being used in Spain and will soon be available to growers of citrus and other crops in other Mediterranean countries. It is licensed for commercial use by Ecología y Protección Agricola (EPA) in Valencia and provides 400 days of pest control.

Vanity Citrus® is formulated to gradually reduce the invasive pest populations of three species: California red louse (Aonidiella aurantii), citrus cotonet (Planococcus citri) and South African cotonet (Delottococcus aberiae). The South African cotonet, due to its rapid expansion in recent years and the deformities it causes in citrus fruits, is considered the most invasive fruit pest and the one that alarms growers the most.

“With this, we manage to control and gradually reduce the populations of these species with a more sustainable solution, which does not generate resistance or residues in the harvest or in the environment and, moreover, acts 365 days a year,” said Javier Pérez, Head of Bayer Crop Science Fruit Crops in Spain.

Currently the plague of the South African cotonet is affecting more than 40,000 ha of citrus fruits in the Valencian Community. As a result, the pest is causing the deformation of fruits which not only prevents them for commercial use, but it is also forming new colonies within citrus areas located on the Spanish eastern coast.

Vynyty Citrus® complements the strong biological portfolio of Bayer which includes Serenade®, BioAct™ and Flipper® that were broadly adopted by European growers to strengthen sustainable production concepts and improve the quality of produce with low residue levels. This biological solution responds to Bayer’s commitment to help reduce the environmental impact of crop protection by 30% by 2030 without reducing crop yields.

 

Vanity Citrus® is formulated with pheromones and

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, E-commerce

It provides complete control of tough weeds like kochia, Canada thistle, and Russian thistle,

 Nufarm Americas, Inc., has launched Scorch EXT herbicide powered by Duplosan. Scorch EXT is the latest in Nufarm’s portfolio of innovative Industrial Vegetation Management (IVM) herbicides, formulated to help applicators maintain efficacy to control tough weeds and combat resistance.

Scorch EXT offers three-way power, combining two tried and true chemistries with a new key ingredient – Duplosan™. Nufarm-exclusive Duplosan™ delivers control of many broadleaf weeds, such as kochia, including populations that are demonstrating resistance, particularly to 2,4-D, dicamba, and fluroxypyr.

“Nufarm is committed to developing new solutions for IVM applicators to fight resistance and keep sites free of invasive and other unwanted vegetation while providing space for native and desirable species,” said Bethany Allison, Nufarm Brand and Customer Marketing Manager. “Scorch EXT is the trifecta – it controls over 100 tough weed and woody species, provides systemic power for total control above and below ground, and combats increasing resistance.”

“Scorch EXT steps up where other options are failing. It provides complete control of tough weeds like kochia, Canada thistle, and Russian thistle, while delivering the foundational benefits IVM applicators rely on,” added Allison.

Scorch EXT is labelled across the non-crop sites including but not limited to utility rights-of-way, highways, industrial sites, and forests. It provides flexible fall or spring application timing and tank mixing – and will be available in February 2021.

Scorch EXT herbicide is the latest addition to the Nufarm’s growing list of herbicides that applicators can use for weed management year round.

 

It provides complete control of tough weeds

Agro Universities, R&D

Tapping into a plant’s microbiome may protect it from harsh growing conditions

One solution to agriculture’s many challenges is to develop smarter fertilizers that aim not only to nourish the plant but also to maximize soil bacteria’s positive effects on the plant.

In the study published on December 4, in Nature: Scientific Reports, researchers at Utah State University recently analyzed the effects of two abiotic stressors on Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 (PcO6), a health-promoting bacterium native to the roots of dryland wheat in northern Utah. They found that stress can cause compositional changes in the bacterium’s extracellular structures called outer membrane vesicles, or OMVs. Scientists have long known that bacterial cells release OMVs, but this study asks what factors prompt their release and how the myriad functions of those structures can be leveraged for the crop’s benefit.

Key to this study is understanding that bacteria is not always bad. Also key to this study is understanding that stress can be good. The bacterium studied here, for example, protects wheat from drought by forming a film around its roots. But by introducing tiny particles of micronutrients, those benefits could be fortified.

Equally important to the findings are the instrument and algorithms used in the study. This is the first time that researchers have used Raman spectroscopy to study OMVs from root-colonizing bacteria.

The study was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, the Utah State University Agriculture Experiment Station, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, but its implications extend beyond agriculture. Raman spectroscopy supported by machine learning algorithms is a powerful tool that can be used in any biological study.

Tapping into a plant’s microbiome may protect

Acquaculture, R&D

It provides power for on-board systems and the electric propulsion system. 

 Japan based Yanmar has delivered engines for an innovative hybrid power solution for the live fish carrier, Ro Vision, the winner of Norway’s Boat of the Year Award. Built by Norwegian shipyard Larsnes Mek. Verksted AS. The Ro Vision is powered by three of Yanmar’s 6EY22ALW diesel generators integrated with a 600kW battery pack from Siemens which together provide power for on-board systems and the electric propulsion system. The ground-breaking vessel was awarded Norway’s prestigious Ship of the Year Award for 2020 for its outstanding technology and design. 

Jarle Gunnarstein, CEO of shipbuilder Larsnes Mek Verksted, gave credit to the power plant: “YANMAR engines are easy to install and accessible for maintenance. Moreover, they are economical, have low emissions and a long lifespan, which is often a decisive factor for our customers, such as ship owners and designers.”

As the Norway’s fisheries embrace new challenges, Yanmar will continue to support the industry with solutions for the vessels of tomorrow.

It provides power for on-board systems and

Agrotech, North America, Poultry

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing, marketing

US based Sanderson Farms Inc. (SAFM) , the third largest poultry producer recently announced that management will participate in the BofA Securities 2021 Consumer & Retail Technology Conference to be held March 9-10, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this forum will be held in a virtual format only.

The investor presentation by Joe Sanderson, chairman, and chief executive officer, and Mike Cockrell, treasurer, chief financial officer and chief legal officer, will begin at approximately 11:30 am Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and will be available to investors via a live audio webcast. A link to the broadcast can be found at the investor relations section of the Company’s website, www.sandersonfarms.com and a replay will be available for 30 days.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh, frozen and minimally prepared chicken. Its shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SAFM.

 

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agrotech

The topics discussed were Bamboo for AtmaNirbhar Bharat, Promoting Exports and Global Branding, Availability of Feedstock & Plantations, Innovations, Research & Development, Skill Development, etc. 

 The National Bamboo Mission anchored at the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare organized a two day conference ‘National Consultation on Opportunities and Challenges for Bamboo in India’ through the virtual platform on 25th and 26th of February 2021. NITI Aayog and Invest India also joined hands with the National Bamboo Mission to conduct the event. The aim of the brainstorming session was to deliberate on the bamboo ecosystem for promoting the holistic growth of the sector across the entire value chain. The deliberations of experts and stakeholders from various fields would further accelerate the efforts of the National Bamboo Mission to pin point solutions to issues facing the sector. 

Nitin Gadkari Union Minister of MSME inaugurated the conference on 25th February 2021 in a ceremony graced by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Sanjay Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and Indevar Pandey, Special Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.   

The conference benefitted from the participation of eminent professionals from various aspects related to bamboo farming, research, innovation, entrepreneurs and industry and attendees from research institutes, State officials, farmers and entrepreneurs. It witnessed discussions on all subjects related to the end to end progression of the bamboo industry from planting material to high end engineered products and marketing. The topics discussed were Bamboo for AtmaNirbhar Bharat, Promoting Exports and Global Branding, Success Stories, Availability of Feedstock & Plantations, Innovations, Research & Development, Skill Development, Access to Institutional Credit and International Cooperation etc.

 

The topics discussed were Bamboo for AtmaNirbhar

Agrotech, E-commerce

The company plans to open 100 EBOs across India in FY 2021-2022

BL Agro Limited, India’s leading FMCG Company, has recently launched its 12th Exclusive Brand Outlet (EBO) ‘Nourish’. This is the Company’s 12th EBO in India and 1st in Delhi. The Nourish store will retail a wide range of 80+ products that the company offers. The company is amongst the fastest growing FMCG brands in the country and has been committed to providing quality food products over many years.

BL Agro boasts of one of the largest distribution networks amongst all branded edible oil and food product players in the country with over 50,000 retailers, across 200 cities in 13 states of India – Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jammu, and in Nepal.

The brand offers an entire range of food products typically used in an Indian kitchen including Atta, Rice, Pulses, Ghee; Oils, Dry Fruits, Papad, Pickles, Murabba, Spices, and more. Each Nourish product is packed with superior quality ingredients and is produced with the finest processes that ensure maximum retention of nutrients. The 12th outlet is now open at Janpath Bhawan in central Delhi.

BL Agro remains bullish on its expansion and plans to open 100 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) in India in the next FY 2021-22. The company’s turnover in the FY 2019-20 was INR 2500 crores and is expected to grow 30% YOY.

The company plans to open 100 EBOs

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Agrotech

The products have been identified from agricultural, horticultural, animal, poultry, milk, fisheries and aquaculture, marine sectors for 728 districts across the country. 

 The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in consultation with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has finalized the products for One District One Focus Product (ODOFP). The products have been identified from agricultural, horticultural, animal, poultry, milk, fisheries and aquaculture, marine sectors for 728 districts across the country. The list of products have been finalized after taking inputs from the States/UTs and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These products will be promoted in a cluster approach through convergence of the Government of India schemes, to increase the value of the products and with the ultimate aim of increasing the income of the farmers. These identified products will be supported under the PM-FME scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries which provides incentives to promoter and micro-enterprises. Many products also include convergence of resources and approach from the other departments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will support ODOFP from its ongoing centrally sponsored schemes such as MIDH, NFSM, RKVY, and PKVY. The implementation of ODOFP by State Governments will benefit farmers and provide support for realizing the expectations of value addition and subsequently enhancing agricultural exports.

 The products for various districts are as follows:

(i) Paddy – 40 districts

(ii) Wheat – 5 districts

(iii) Coarse cum Nutri Cereals- 25 districts

(iv) Pulses – 16 districts

(v) Commercial crops – 22 districts

(vi) Oilseeds – 41 districts

(vii) Vegetables – 107 districts

(viii) Spices – 105 districts

(ix) Plantation – 28 districts

(x) Fruits – 226 districts

(xi) Floriculture – 2 districts

(xii) Honey – 9 districts

(xi) Animal husbandry/Dairy products – 40 districts

(xi) Aquaculture/Marine fisheries – 29 districts

(xii) Processed Products – 33 districts

The products have been identified from agricultural,