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Agro chems – Chemicals, IT, R&D

Kebotix combines data, AI and robotics to accelerate the synthesis of new molecules within Bayer’s R&D program. 

Arming farmers with innovative crop protection tools powered by a faster data-driven system is the focus of a new collaboration between technology platform company Kebotix and Bayer.

Today’s partnership announcement comes at a time when farmers worldwide are losing as much as 50 percent of their crops when fields are left unprotected against weeds, insects and diseases.

Cambridge based Kebotix uses artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and robotics to accelerate the discovery of new chemicals. Those discoveries can then be used by researchers within Bayer’s Crop Science R&D program to advance new crop protection solutions.

“Early phase projects often have unexplored chemistry which requires a lot of time to find its best or most effective use,” said Dr Jill S. Becker, Kebotix CEO and founder. “Our AI tools not only optimize chemical reactions, but discover paths to higher yields, positively affecting the bottom line in direct and multiple ways.”

Bayer scientists consistently challenge themselves to discover new generations of crop protection substances that meet the expectations of farmers and society. The accelerated synthesis, through work with Kebotix, will allow them to gain speed and precision via Kebotix’s innovative technology and harness the immense potential of AI.

“AI-augmented automated infrastructures have the potential to provide us with a totally new scale of support to unlock challenging chemistries,” said David Bernier, Science Fellow, Bayer Crop Science, R & D Disease Control Chemistry. “We believe this support will enable our chemists to deliver faster innovative solutions to serve agriculture. The visionary team at Kebotix supports us in turning this aspiration into a reality. We feel confident having them on our side along this journey.”

Kebotix scientists joined other industry leaders to discuss Bayer’s open innovation strategy and the importance of recent collaborations with innovative start-ups at AgConnect  – April 21 – AI Meets Agricultural Research.

Kebotix combines data, AI and robotics to

Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy

IFFCO is putting up an oxygen plant with a capacity of 200 cubic meters per hour in its Kalol unit in Gujarat with total capacity of 33,000 cubic meters per day.

Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya, recently chaired a meeting to explore the possibility of production of oxygen in their plants, with fertilizers companies of Public Sector, Private Sector as well as Co-Operative sector.

Mandaviya called upon the fertilizer companies to help the society during this pandemic time by reorienting their existing capacity of oxygen production & augmenting the supply of medical grade oxygen to the hospitals. The Fertilizer companies have readily shown interest to join the efforts of the Government of India to fight the COVID -19 situation in the country.

The outcome of the meeting is as follows;

  • IFFCO is putting up an oxygen plant with a capacity of 200 cubic meters per hour in its KALOL unit in Gujarat and their total capacity would be 33,000 cubic meters per day.
  • GSFC made a small modification in their plants and started supplying liquid oxygen.
  • GNFC has also started the supply of liquid oxygen for medical purposes after starting of air separation unit. 
  • GSFS & GNFC has already started process to enhance their oxygen production capacities.
  • The other fertilizer companies will set up medical plants in hospitals/plants at selected locations in the country through CSR funding.

Altogether it is expected that approximately 50 Metric Tons (MT) of medical oxygen per day can be made available for COVID patients by the fertilizer Plants. These steps will augment the medical grade oxygen supply to hospitals in the country in the coming days.

IFFCO is putting up an oxygen plant

Dairy, Environment, Live Stock

Arla farmers are among the most climate-efficient dairy farmers in the world with 1.15 kg of CO2e per kilo of milk

Arla’s Climate Checks program, one of the world’s largest externally validated set of climate data from seven European countries, confirms that Arla farmers are among the world’s most climate-efficient dairy farmers. It also provides Arla farmers a clear blueprint of what will drive further reductions of greenhouse gas emissions on their farms over the next decade. 

A total of 7,986 farms across seven European countries have concluded a Climate Check using Arla’s new standardised tool for identifying carbon footprint and the data shows that they are among the most climate efficient in the world. 

“We have made a major investment in developing and implementing a solid model for measuring climate impact on a dairy farm. Arla farmers’ unique data set has now created clearly shows which activities will accelerate our reductions over the next decade. We will use this to decarbonise our farms at a faster pace and share our findings with stakeholders to help drive an effective transition for the whole industry. There’s a huge amount of value in this for all of us,” says Arla Foods Chairman Jan Toft Nørgaard.

The data has revealed five universal levers to a lower carbon footprint for dairy on all types of Arla farms. They are:   

  • Better feed efficiency to improve milk yield  
  • Precision feeding to reduce surplus protein in feed rations
  • A healthy and long life for the cow to improve milk yield  
  • Precise fertilizer management to reduce nitrogen surplus from feed production 
  • Better land use management to ensure better crop yields  

The data confirms that Arla farmers are among the most climate-efficient dairy farmers in the world with 1.15 kg of CO2e per kilo of milk including peat lands.  

 

 

Arla farmers are among the most climate-efficient

Acts & Schemes – Centre, Finance, Schemes - Govt

AIF has brought farmers & agribusinesses together with newer partnership models emerging for the creation of distributed infra near farm-gate in a hub & spoke model.

 Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the Rs. 8000 crore mark after receiving 8,665 applications worth Rs. 8,216 crores. The largest share of the pie is contributed by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) (58 per cent), agri-entrepreneurs (24 per cent) and individual farmers (13 per cent). These investments are for a wide range of projects which will unlock value for farmers across the country. States leading the front are Andhra Pradesh (2,125 applications), Madhya Pradesh (1,830), Uttar Pradesh (1,255), Karnataka (1,071) & Rajasthan (613). While most of these states are leveraging their strong cooperatives network to take the lead, Madhya Pradesh stands out with the highest non-PACS applications. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund will bring together the collective power of all stakeholders in the Agriculture ecosystem.

The Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is undertaking a host of initiatives to accelerate on-ground investments. The department has directly reached out to 150+ FPOs and livelihood organisations, along with IFFCO, HAFED, NAFED & others. The department hosted an agribusiness conclave, supported by CII & FICCI, with 90+ agribusiness participants; where key players like Arya CMA, Mahindra Agri, Tata Consumer, IFFCO and Escorts Cropping Solutions gave presentations on their role in building infrastructure under AIF through partnership with farmers, farmer groups and local entrepreneurs.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee. The duration of the scheme is from FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years).

AIF has brought farmers & agribusinesses together with newer partnership models emerging for the creation of distributed infra near farm-gate in a hub & spoke model. The agribusinesses are increasing awareness about AIF & newer agri-tech amongst FPOs and supporting them in application & adoption.

 

 

AIF has brought farmers & agribusinesses together

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Oilseeds, Pulses, Trade

India’s organic products have been exported to 58 countries including USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Israel and South Korea. 

India’s export of Organic food products rose by 51% in terms of value (USD Million), to USD 1040 million (Rs 7078 crores) during financial year 2020-21 compared to the previous fiscal (2019-20).

In terms of quantity, the exports of organic food products grew by 39% to 888,179 metric tonne (MT) during FY 2020-21 compared to 638,998 MT shipped in 2019-20. The growth in organic products has been achieved despite logistical and operational challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic.

Oil cake meal has been a major commodity of the organic product exports from the country followed by oil seeds, fruit pulps and purees, cereals & millets, spices & condiments, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, sugar, pulses, coffee, essential oil etc.

India’s organic products have been exported to 58 countries including USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, South Korea .

Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, stated that Indian organic products, nutraceuticals and health food are gaining more demand in overseas market.

Organic products are currently exported from India only if they are produced, processed, packed and labelled as per the requirements of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).The NPOP certification has been recognised by the European Union and Switzerland which enables India to export unprocessed plant products to these countries without the requirement of additional certification. The equivalency with EU also facilitates export of Indian organic products to the United Kingdom even in the post Brexit phase.

In order to facilitate the trade between major importing countries, negotiations are underway with Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, UAE, New Zealand for achieving Mutual Recognition Agreements for exports of Organic products from India.

India’s organic products have been exported to

North America, R&D

Fruitworks | The IFG Discovery Centre will include 27,000 square feet of new lab, greenhouses and business support buildings on 160 acres of land and will be the future site of IFG 

IFG, the world’s top fruit-breeding and licensing company widely recognized for inventing the Cotton Candy™ and Sweet Globe™ grapes, has unveiled plans and the name of the company’s new $12 million state-of-the-art research facility and breeding campus at a socially-distanced ground breaking ceremony. The new facility, named Fruitworks | The IFG Discovery Center, will be the company’s new research and development headquarters and is located in McFarland, Calif.

IFG CEO Andy Higgins announced the name of the facility and surrounding grounds and discussed the company’s future endeavours. “Fruitworks | The IFG Discovery Centre will include 27,000 square feet of new lab, greenhouses and business support buildings on 160 acres of land and will be the future site of IFG where we will innovate, create, breed and grow many of the new varieties consumers and licensees have come to expect, as well as employ people in the Kern County and surrounding area,” said Higgins.

Dr Chris Owens, IFG’s lead plant breeder, spoke about IFG’s legacy of the last 20 years and how the new facilities will provide the infrastructure for continuing to transform the fruit industry.IFG is renowned worldwide for its innovative fruit-breeding programs that have changed the way consumers and retailers think and experience grapes and other fruits, and through the company’s unique offerings of flavor-forward fruit varieties and its global IP licensing program, IFG has transformed the fruit breeding industry in the short span of just 20 years.

 

Fruitworks | The IFG Discovery Centre will

North America, R&D

It aims to increase and accelerate global innovation research and development (R&D) on agriculture and food systems in support of climate action.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates, with endorsement from the United Kingdom’s COP 26 Presidency, and with support from Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Israel, Singapore, and Uruguay, have announced plans to launch the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), at President Biden’s Leaders’ Summit on Climate on April 23, 2021.

The goal of AIM for Climate, which will be advanced at the UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 and launched at COP26 in November 2021, is to increase and accelerate global innovation research and development (R&D) on agriculture and food systems in support of climate action.

AIM for Climate will catalyse greater investment in agricultural R&D and innovation to help to raise global ambition and underpin more rapid and transformative climate action in all countries, including by enabling science-based and data-driven decision and policy-making. Investments in agricultural innovation and R&D can enhance existing approaches and deliver new ways to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, conserve nature and biodiversity, and adapt and build resilience to climate change, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon.

By COP26, AIM for Climate will:

  • Demonstrate collective commitment to investment in agricultural innovation and R&D for climate-smart food systems by its participants over the next five years;
  • Outline a framework to discuss and promote priorities across international and national levels of innovation, in order to amplify participants’ investments; and
  • Identify chief scientists as key focal points for international cooperation on climate-related agricultural R&D

 

It aims to increase and accelerate

Agro chems – Chemicals, Finance

Rallis India’s consolidated PAT during 2020-21 grew by 24 per cent to Rs 228.58 crore as compared to Rs 183.69 crore in the previous fiscal.

 

 Rallis India, a subsidiary of Tata Chemicals, reported a consolidated profit after tax (after exceptional items) of Rs 8.12 crore for the March quarter. The company’s consolidated PAT stood at Rs 68 lakh during the corresponding period of 2019-20, Rallis India said in a BSE filing.

 Consolidated revenue from operations of the company during the quarter under review grew to Rs 471.26 crore compared to Rs 355.79 crore earlier. Rallis India’s consolidated PAT during 2020-21 grew by 24 per cent to Rs 228.58 crore as compared to Rs 183.69 crore in the previous fiscal. Consolidated revenue went up by 8 per cent to Rs 2,429.44 crore as against Rs 2,251.82 crore in FY20.

 Rallis India Managing Director and CEO Sanjiv Lal said, “The favourable agricultural activities in the last quarter were supportive of our domestic crop care business, which grew by 14 per cent and seeds business by 7 per cent. Exports were robust during the quarter. The ongoing harvest season is expected to support a continued growth in agricultural production aided by normal monsoon forecast”.

Lal also added that the company will continue to keep a close watch on the second wave of COVID-19 to ensure it can sail through the hard times. While positioning ourselves to meet the market requirements, we are also consistently prioritising the safety and well-being of all our employees and other stakeholders.

Rallis India’s consolidated PAT during 2020-21 grew

Trade

3,675.13 tonnes of sugar to be exported by APEDA to the UK under TRQ up to September 30, 2021

Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Department of Commerce, Govt. of India (DGFT) has recently issued a notice ‘Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Trade’ on April 20, 2021. The notice indicates that the export of Sugar to the UK under TRQ is allowed subject to the following conditions:

  • The quota will be operated by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
  • This will be subject to a quantitative ceiling notified by DGFT from time to time.
  • The exporters shall be required to furnish the details of actual exports (viz. quantity, value, destination, name, and address of foreign buyers, etc.) to APEDA.
  • Certificate of Origin, if required, shall be issued by Additional DGFT, Mumbai.

Earlier, in a public notice, dated April 13, 2021, the DGFT also mentioned, “The additional quantity of 3,675.13 tonne of raw/refined sugar to be exported to the UK under TRQ up to September 30, 2021, this year .”

 

3,675.13 tonnes of sugar to be

AgroPolicy, Organic

14,491 ha area of UT of A&N Islands becomes the first large contiguous territory to be conferred with organic certification under ‘Large Area Certification’ scheme

 Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is working to identify Traditional Organic Areas to transform them into certified organic production hubs. The Government of India has certified 14,491 ha of such area under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of islands in UT of A&N Islands. This area becomes the first large contiguous territory to be conferred with organic certification under the ‘Large Area Certification’ (LAC) scheme of the PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System) certification programme.

Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of Islands have been traditionally organic for ages. The administration has also banned the sale, purchase and usage of any chemical inputs of GMO seeds in these islands. The administration of UT in collaboration with local communities prepared the island-wise and farmer wise database of land holding, practices being adopted, input usage history etc. An expert committee has verified their organic status and recommended for declaration of the area as certified organic under the PGS-India certification programme.  Based on these reports, the Government of India certified 14,491 ha area under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of islands in UT of A&N Islands.

Besides these islands, agriculture areas in States like Himachal, Uttarakhand, North Eastern states and tribal belts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, desert districts of Rajasthan which are essentially free from the use of chemical inputs can be transformed to certified organic. Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) in consultation with states is working to identify such areas, transform them into certified organic and facilitate the marketing of area-specific niche products through branding and labelling.

After A&N Islands, UTs of Lakshadweep and Ladakh are proactively taking steps for the transformation of their traditional organic areas into certified organic. Armed with organic certification these hitherto unexplored areas will have direct access to the emerging organic food market of the country.

14,491 ha area of UT of A&N

Agrotech, Finance, Water

The raised funds will be utilized effectively for business expansion, enhanced offerings, and to expand horizons in the agri-rural domain. 

 

 

Netafim Agricultural Financing Agency Pvt. Ltd. (NAFA), an agri-focused NBFC and a subsidiary of Netafim Singapore, has raised USD 40 million via external commercial borrowing (ECB) from the Phoenix Group and Cogito Capital, both Israel based investors. The raised funds will be utilized effectively for business expansion, enhanced offerings, and to expand horizons in the agri-rural domain. The company would successfully improve its margins as it intends to service the high-cost old debt and bring down the overall cost of funds.

The deal also marks fresh equity infusion into NAFA, which recently raised USD 9.4 million of Tier I Capital from Netafim Singapore and offered exit to the initial equity partners Atmaram Properties & Granite Hill Fund as they had reached their investment horizon. This is the maiden investment for both Phoenix Group and Cogito Capital in India and NAFA, through acquiring stake in Netafim Singapore.

While commenting on the development Lauri A. Hanover, CFO, Netafim said, “In the aftermath of Covid, India is gearing up for self-reliance with emphasis on the agri-rural economy and its rapid modernization. While the sector is still highly fragmented, the demand for credit in agriculture is largely unmet through formal financial institutions. Being the innovator of drip irrigation and the world leader in precision irrigation serving customers for more than 57 years across the globe, the equity infusion in NAFA is aligned with our core of supporting customers in adopting precision irrigation and automation solutions in agriculture. This equity infusion will help NAFA strengthen its capital adequacy and further expand its market presence.” 

Prabhat Chaturvedi, CEO, Netafim Agricultural Financing Agency Pvt. Ltd. elaborated on the company’s plans and said, “The advent of intensive and climate-resilient agricultural technologies has further amplified the need for good financing schemes. Despite the presence of multiple financial mediums, there aren’t enough credit products catering to the niche demands of the farmers, leading to a huge credit gap. In India, there is a need for diversified credit schemes, along with adequate handholding, to provide financial guidance to farmers on investing in agriculture and allied activities.”

Guy Zukin , Managing Partner, Cogito Capital said, “We are looking forward to co-operating with our partners in supporting NAFA’s continued journey in realizing the potential in the Indian agricultural NBFC market. This investment matches Cogito’s strategy of making investments alongside strong partners, focusing on high growth and adjusted risk opportunities.”

 Ofer Aviran, Head of Direct and Infrastructure Investments of Phoenix Group commented, “Netafim’s prominent presence in emerging markets, and their professionalism in such an important field of agricultural infrastructure development and food production constitute fertile ground for continued cooperation for the benefit of all parties. “.

The raised funds will be utilized effectively

Agro Universities, R&D, Seeds

The seed coating process prevents the seed desiccation and ensures protection against environmental stress and enhances the longevity of the seeds. 

For a Seed Coating Composition and its preparation, the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala has received Patent (350698). The Institute has successfully developed, field-tested and commercialized the Seed Coating Technology of PGPR / beneficial microbes for seeds. The technology was developed by a team including Dr M. Anandaraj, Dr Y.K .Bini and Dr A.K. Johny.

It is an application of Exogenous Materials onto the surface of seeds with the aim of improving the delivery of active compounds, viz., plant growth regulators, micronutrients and microbial inoculants which can increase the germination and plant growth. The invention using Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and its preparation help in storing the viability of seeds and also to maintain the coated organisms in a buffered state.

The process prevents the seed desiccation and ensures protection against environmental stress. It also protects the seed against storage pests which, in turn, enhances the longevity of the seeds ensuring the enhanced germination and helps the emerging seedling to establish with the help of the introduced organisms on the seeds. Due to the enhanced viability quantity of seed required is low and the enhanced primary growth results reduced weed growth.

Advantages

It enhances the viability and seed quality during storage and protects seeds from storage pest incidence. Along with enhancing the seed germination and vigour, it helps to improve the yield by 15% to 30%. It is also helpful in reducing the seed rate requirement. Having the applicability to all kinds of seeds including vegetables, it can be used in organic farming also.

Technology licensing and commercialization

The technology was also licensed by the SRT Agro Science Pvt. Ltd., Chhattisgarh in 2018 January, a Bio-fertilizer / Bio-pesticide Private Company started in the Year – 2007.

The seed coating process prevents the seed

Agrotech

Consumers can scan the QR code to know the GI status and source of the Alphonso mango.

Innoterra Tech, an Innoterra group company, has recently announced that it is collaborating with the state government of Maharashtra, Konkan Alphonso Mango Producers and Sellers Cooperative Association– the proprietor and Custodian of Alphonso Geographical indication issued by Geographical indication Registry, Government of India – to tag each Alphonso mango with FarmTrace. FarmTrace has picked the original king of mangoes, the GI-tagged Alphonso.

The innovative traceability solution from Innoterra Tech works with a simple sticker scan and provides consumers with key information points, such as point of origin, farm location and timeline, displayed on their mobile phones. The technology not only helps consumers but also farmers in the Konkan belt. By tagging their Alphonso fruit, they can ensure that they receive the right premium for their produce.

Suniti Gupta, MD and CEO of Innoterra Tech, explains: “Our solution is based on technology architecture that links data already logged by food producers and suppliers, tracks each piece of fruit based on a unique sticker. Scanning the sticker QR code will let the consumers know the location of the farm, the batch number, processing unit, packaging unit, shipping information as well as complete timeline of these steps. Thus, the complete journey of a fruit from the farm to the retail shelf is made available to the consumers. This is especially relevant for all GI-tagged products, as authenticity and source of origin are very important in ensuring the right value for producers.”

 

Consumers can scan the QR code to

Agrotech, Organic

BOHECO Life is ready to take its agricultural revolution to the next level by launching its flagship store-come-clinic

The brainchild of 7 lateral thinkers, BOHECO has taken upon themselves the mission to revolutionise and formalise the hemp & cannabis sector, allowing for standardised procedures in harvesting, production, and procurement.

The way forward to sustainable Indian agriculture is currently being paved by continuous research, sustained farmer empowerment, and initiating dialogues with the government for lasting partnerships, policy changes and value addition to the crop itself. By launching this wellness centre, BOHECO Life wishes to encourage communication with the public too, and looks forward to dispelling any doubts and providing any clarification required.

As of date, the need for plant-based health & wellness is monumental. Individuals are increasingly opting for sustainable sources that care for them and protect the planet as well. With generations progressively turning to new lifestyle ailments that continuously crop up, Hemp & Cannabis based products fit into this realm quite seamlessly.

Reflecting upon this new step in their venture, BOHECO’s co-founder Yash Kotak remarked: “A single hemp plant can provide a multitude of things including the food we eat, the clothes we wear, ropes, building material, and medicine. The knowledge of which has been passed down generations in the hilly regions of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, the advantages of hemp and cannabis have so far been lost to people living in cities. Through the launch of BOHECO Life’s brick & mortar store-come-clinic, we wish to only further our vision to Educate, Cultivate and Elevate. The products available at the store will comprise of BOHECO Life and its partner brands products – Rx and OTC. Essentially, all products available on www.bohecolife.com are on display and available at the store.”

With the launch of this wellness centre, BOHECO Life wishes to encourage communication with the public too and looks forward to dispelling any doubts and providing any clarification required.

BOHECO Life is ready to take its