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AgroPolicy, Agrotech

Aims to build a ’National Agri Stack’ that can serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focussed solutions leveraging technologies

Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare is inviting proposals from leading IT companies/agriculture companies /FPOs /start-ups/research bodies for collaborating with the department on a pro bono basis to build PoCs/Use Case Scenarios/Layers around farmers database.

The ministry aims to build a ’National Agri Stack’ that can serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focussed solutions leveraging technologies to contribute effectively towards increasing the income of farmers and improve farm efficiency/efficiency of the agriculture sector in the country with an overall goal of doubling the farmer’s incomes.

The ministry also intends to create mechanisms for nurturing start-ups, develop R&D and encourage domestic players in this space.

In this regard, the department has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a pro bono basis with:

  • Microsoft India- For consolidating agri ecosystem across the value chain (farm to fork) to empower the farmer using Data Analytics.
  • ESRI India Technologies- For establishment and launch of Nation Agriculture Geo Hub.
  • Amazon Web Services India- For digital services across the Agri value chain and creating an innovation ecosystem around digital agriculture.
  • Star Agribazaar Technology Private limited- For collaborating with the Department of Agriculture for a pilot project in three states to promote digital agriculture.
  • Patanjali Organic Research Institute- For farm management and farmers service in three districts.

Furthermore, the department would enter into a year-long MoU with the identified partners and work towards improving the farmer’s database-based solutions addressing various areas of agriculture.

Aims to build a ’National Agri Stack’

North America, R&D

Field Forged Series lineup features 26 total hybrids, including 10 new NK corn hybrids and 4 new Enogen corn hybrids, and 20 new NK soybean varieties

NK Seeds has released the first-ever Field Forged Series of top-performing corn and soybeans. Now available for the 2022 growing season from retailers across the US, this combination of proven performers and elite newcomers represents the best in seed innovation from Syngenta Seeds’ leading research and development engine.

The inaugural Field Forged Series lineup features 26 total hybrids, including 10 new NK corn hybrids and 4 new Enogen corn hybrids, and 20 new NK soybean varieties, each carefully evaluated and hand-selected for top performance.

With challenges in agriculture constantly evolving, Syngenta Seeds is accelerating innovation to keep farms running, structuring the organisation’s entire R&D process around the farmer. The company’s innovations include the Stalk Crusher, a unique sensor-based technology that’s delivering better-standing hybrids, and investments in trait introgression that are empowering breeders to pair the newest traits with the strongest genetics, faster than ever.

In NK corn, Syngenta Seeds R&D has powered a portfolio of hybrids that reflect both yield and agronomic excellence. Each Field Forged hybrid had to meet a number of strict requirements to be included in the launch class, including strong root rot resistance, stalk strength, tolerance of critical diseases and broad adaptation.

The new NK hybrids also offer industry-leading trait choice, with Agrisure Duracade, Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Artesian traits to help farmers meet a variety of needs in their fields. Similarly, the lineup of Field Forged soybean varieties features a diverse selection of the latest in-demand traits, including both proprietary Enlist E3 soybean and proprietary XtendFlex soybean varieties.

 

Field Forged Series lineup features 26 total

AgroPolicy, Webinar

The webinar aims to develop a roadmap for promoting DSR for sustainable use and management of natural resources

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research recently organised a national webinar on ’Promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR): Prospects and Challenges during COVID-19.’ The webinar was aimed at developing a roadmap for promoting the DSR for sustainable use and management of natural resources (soil, water and environment) critical for food, nutrition, and environmental security. More than 2,000 researchers, scientists, state government officials, manufacturers, students and progressive farmers virtually participated in the it

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) and Director General (ICAR), emphasised the role of DSR in facing the challenges posed by climate change. The director-general outlined the global scenario of DSR and its benefits while highlighting the success of DSR during 2020 amidst the labour scarcity due to the national lockdown. Dr Mohapatra also underlined certain researchable issues like urgent DSR suited varieties, herbicide tolerance and resistance, etc.

Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR highlighted the importance of rice in general and DSR in particular in meeting the increasing food demand with limited natural resources. Outlining the pathway to promote DSR, the DDG emphasised the targeting of technology while considering all the stakeholders.

Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR stressed resource-conserving technologies like DSR. The scientific background of what direct seeding of rice does to soil and water movement was highlighted in the DDG’s address.

The webinar aims to develop a roadmap

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Trade, Transportation

The bananas were sourced from progressive farmers of Tandalwadi village, part of Jalgaon district of Maharashtra

A consignment of fibre and mineral-rich ‘Jalgaon banana’ has been exported to Dubai. The 22 metric tonnes of GI certified Jalgaon banana were sourced from progressive farmers of Tandalwadi village, part of Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, a banana cluster identified under Agri Export Policy.

In 2016, Jalgaon Banana got GI certification which was registered with Nisargraja Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Jalgaon. India’s banana export has been rising sharply because of the adoption of farm practices as per global standards.

India’s banana exports grew both in terms of volume as well as value from 1.34 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 413 crore in 2018-19 to 1.95 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 660 crore in 2019-20. During 2020-21 (April-February), India has exported banana worth 1.91 lakh tonne valued at Rs 619 crore.

India is the world’s leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25 per cent in total output. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 70 per cent of the country’s banana production.

The bananas were sourced from progressive farmers

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

Puts forth various initiatives undertaken by the government for the welfare of the farmers

Narendra Singh Tomar recently participated in the 42nd Session of FAO Conference held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India is a founder member of the FAO and has played a significant role since its inception as Chair and member of various statutory bodies and committees.

While speaking at the conference, Tomar congratulated the Food and Agriculture Organization for completing 75 glorious years of service to humanity and said that the Country Program Framework prepared by FAO India in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India is aligned with national priorities and has a much required multi-sectoral approach.

FAO has benefitted from India’s vast repository of knowledge which is shared globally among the member countries. India has been working closely with FAO, extending technical expertise and assistance in incidences of transboundary pests mainly Fall Army Worm and Desert Locust. Tomar acknowledged the support of FAO in endorsing the Indian proposal for an International Year of Pulses which was celebrated in 2016 and for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

Tomar further mentioned that agriculture has always been a high priority for India and the Government of India is always committed to the welfare of farmers. The COVID 19 pandemic has further put the spotlight on the sector.

He said, “I note with satisfaction that the agriculture sector in India performed well during the severe COVID-19 pandemic and registered an all-time high production of 305 million tonnes of food grains as well as their exports contributing to the Global Food Security. Faced with the debilitating Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, the Government of India took swift actions on different fronts to ensure that the farming calendar is not affected by the restrictions imposed during the lockdowns. These initiatives of Government of India ensured timely sowing of the crops, availability of agricultural inputs and proper harvesting and procurement of the crops.”

According to him, significant policy and legislative decisions were taken during this period to liberalise agri marketing to transform Indian agriculture for the benefit of farmers and consumers. Parcel trains with refrigeration facilities “the KISAN RAIL” were introduced by Indian Railways to transport the essential commodities including perishable horticulture produce, milk and dairy products from the production centres to the large urban markets across our vast country creating a win-win situation for the producers and consumers.

He mentioned the ’Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package’ where free food grains were provided to 810 million beneficiaries and now, in May, the scheme has been further extended in which workers will be benefited till November. More than Rs 137000 crore have been sent to the bank accounts of over 100 million farmers under the “PM Kisan” Scheme to provide income support to the farmers.

Tomar opined that India has launched various projects under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture to develop, demonstrate and disseminate the techniques to make agriculture resilient to adverse impacts of climate change. India is promoting organic farming on a large scale.  

He said, “I am sure that unflinching efforts of FAO with all the member countries to improve agriculture productivity, end hunger and malnutrition would go a long way to make the world a safer and healthier place to live in.”

Puts forth various initiatives undertaken by the

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Foodgrains

The move will help to reduce the country’s consumption dependence on imported edible oil in future

Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution today E-launched ’Nafed Fortified Rice Bran Oil.’ On the occasion, Pandey said that this initiative by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) will significantly reduce the country’s consumption dependence on imported edible oil in future. He also said that this will provide opportunities for Indian edible oil manufacturers further, and also will give an impetus to the Prime Minister’s Aatmnirbhar Bharat initiative. The rice bran oil will be marketed by Nafed.

Arun Singhal, Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Sanjeev Kumar Chaddha, MD, Nafed and Atish Chandra, CMD, Food Corporation of India (FCI) were present during the E-launch.

On this occasion, CMD, FCI informed that recently an MoU has been signed between Nafed and FCI for the production and marketing of fortified rice kernel.

Chaddha said that this initiative will provide easy access to Nafed branded high-quality rice bran oil, which will also give a boost to the indigenous oil manufacturing industry.

The rice bran oil will be available at all Nafed stores and also on various online platforms.

 

The move will help to reduce the

Machinery – Post-harvesting

Erisha Agritech will acquire 200 units of Belarus tractors by the end of the year 2021

Minsk Tractor Works (MTW), the Belarusian brand of agricultural machinery, has reached a long-term agreement with New Delhi-based Erisha Agritech (India) for localisation and assembly of tractors under the joint brand ’DARSH BELARUS.’ The agreement was signed between Vitali M Volk, General Director, MTW, and Darshan Rana, Managing Director, Erisha Agritech (A Rana Group Company).

Erisha Agritech will acquire 200 units of Belarus tractors by the end of the year 2021. As part of the implementation of the deal, localisation and assembly of tractors under the ’DARSH BELARUS’ brand will get underway at the Indian sites of Erisha Agritech soon.

The new agreement with MTW will enable Erisha Agritech to power optimum farming solutions to farmers and provide them with high-end technology. The two companies are also looking towards inking new deals for the supply of tractors to India’s neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The Indian enterprise of the Rana Group is also the main promoter of Gomselmash in India through a 50:50 Joint Venture with OJSC “Gomselmash”, of the Republic of Belarus. “Gomselmash” is one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery in the world and is the market leader in combine harvesters and other complex agricultural machineries such as forage harvesters, potato harvesters, sugarcane harvesters, and cotton harvesters.

Besides, Erisha Agritech also has an exclusive partnership with Bobruiskagromash, a Belarus company that has expertise in hay management and dairy equipment, such as square baler, round straw baler, hay rake, silage mower and other tillage implements.

Erisha Agritech will acquire 200 units of

Agro chems – Chemicals

Aragen will support FMC’s global discovery and development needs, including discovery chemistry, discovery biology, and chemical process development

Hyderabad-headquartered Aragen Life Sciences has partnered with FMC Corporation. Through this collaboration, Aragen will support FMC’s global discovery and development needs, including discovery chemistry, discovery biology, and chemical process development.

 

The partnership is focussed on accelerating FMC Corporation’s agrochemical pipeline. “It has been our privilege to have been able to assist FMC, one of the global leaders in crop science, accelerate its R&D, through this long-term partnership. The expansion of this collaboration through all facets of discovery and development is a testimony to the trust and confidence that FMC has in Aragen – we look forward to driving several more success stories for our partner,” said Manni Kantipudi, CEO of Aragen.

 

Kathleen Shelton, Chief Technology Officer Research and Development at FMC Corporation, “This partnership extends across multiple disciplines in research and development and we appreciate our strong working relationship.”

Aragen will support FMC’s global discovery and

Agrotech, Europe, Interaction

 It will explain how to use cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological methods to control pests such as leatherjackets in the golf/sports turf and amenity sector.

 The Emergency Summit for the Control of Leatherjackets using Integrated Pest Management takes place on Wednesday 14th July. It will be free virtual event to learn effective management strategies for these increasingly prevalent turf pests.

Leatherjacket larvae are causing extensive damage to turf – this year, these pests have reached an all-time high, thanks to a lack of effective chemical pesticides, and the fact that they have thrived in quiet, unused areas during the COVID pandemic.

Since the banning of the chemical pesticide Chlorpyrifos in 2016, leatherjacket populations have significantly increased year by year. On top of this, up to 20-30% of this year’s population explosion has been attributed to COVID 19 restrictions, which affected regular turf maintenance practices. The damage they have caused has resulted in the closure of several golf courses across the UK, while hundreds of fairways and greens have been left unplayable. Unfortunately, it is probably not unreasonable to expect even more severe infestations in the future, in the absence of control methods. 

There is no quick fix to these infestations, but there are effective management strategies that can help control this pest. To help the turf industry deal with the problem, the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF; a not-for-profit organisation) has organised an Emergency Summit on 14th July 2021. This virtual event, which is free to attend, will explain how to use cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological methods to control pests such as leatherjackets in the golf/sports turf and amenity sector. 

The Emergency Summit is being organised by the World Bioprotection Forum, a not-for-profit organisation.  Our distinguished faculty include:

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Ltd

Professor Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Founder of e-nema GmbH

Glenn Kirby, Technical Manager at Syngenta

Peter Corbett, Rigby Taylor Ltd

Mark Tucker, Head Greenkeeper at Neath Golf Course

The event is free to attend. Simply register at https://biopesticidesummit.com/leatherjacket-emergency-summit-registration/

 It will explain how to use cultural,

AgroPolicy, Environment

Provided free food grain ration to 80 crore Indians during the COVID pandemic

Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal said that India has provided free food grain ration to 80 crore Indians during the COVID pandemic. During his speech at the UN Trade Forum 2021, Goyal said, “Because of the public procurement programmes, we can provide such support to such a large number of people to ensure nobody dies of hunger.

India’s per-capita CO2 emission is the lowest amongst big economies. He said, “In India, we are still doing our part, and our ambitious renewable energy target of 450 Gigawatts by 2030 shows our commitment towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

He said that there is no doubt about all of us being very concerned and we will work with renewed thrust in the post-COVID world to achieve our climate goals.

The Minister said that India has taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and bio-diversity, and that is why India is among the few countries whose NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) are 2-degree-Celsius compatible. “We have also encouraged global initiatives like International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.”

Goyal said the UN and UNFCC should focus on getting the world together to fulfil their commitments around climate change. Issues relating to climate change need to be discussed under the UNFCCC Framework and the Paris Agreement, and not as part of trade negotiations. Trade Agreements are not the first best option to achieve these goals.





Provided free food grain ration to 80

Agro Universities

The webinar saw participation from 50 farmers, scientists and agriculture development officer

The Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), recently organised an online farmer training webinar on ’Successful Cultivation of paddy crop’ as a part of a project funded by NABARD. The programme was organised under the aegis of the Directorate of Extension Education. The webinar saw participation from 50 farmers, scientists and agriculture development officers.

Dr Kuldeep Singh, Head, Department of Extension Education, motivated the farmers to adopt recommended cultivation techniques for paddy crops. He asked the farmers to follow water-saving technologies recommended by PAU.

Dr KB Singh, Principal Soil Scientist, explained recommended fertilizer application practices in paddy. He emphasised the importance of micro-nutrients in realising better crop yield.

Dr Amit Kaul, Extension Scientist, Department of Agronomy, explained the various agronomic practices like field preparation, sowing time, seed rate, irrigation, and weed control for successful paddy cultivation especially DSR method.

Rasheed Lekhi, DDM, NABARD discussed the importance of natural resources and called upon their conservation for a clean environment. He lauded the efforts of PAU scientists for the success of the project.

Dr Dharminder Singh, Senior Extension Scientist emphasised the adoption of short-duration varieties of paddy to get better returns and efficient straw management. He further explained that recommended varieties of paddy by PAU would not only give comparable yield but also reduce the straw load.

 

 

The webinar saw participation from 50 farmers,

Europe, R&D, Seeds

Sunup melons will impress Northern European markets with its attractive external appearance and excellent post-harvest qualities. 

 BASF is breaking new ground in the melon market with the creation of a new type of melon called Sunup. The external colour of its skin is golden, and the internal flesh colour is orange making it a unique proposition. The fruit itself is firm and juicy with a sweet taste as it has a high Brix value. It closely resembles a cantaloupe melon from which it inherited its netting and sutures.

“Its external colour makes it more attractive to consumers,” explains Enrique Ballester, BASF’s Melon Account Manager. He adds, “thanks to its ripeness indicator (it turns from green to golden when it reaches its optimum harvesting point) it will never disappoint in terms of flavour guaranteeing repeat purchases”. Sunup stands out further as it has excellent post-harvest properties by staying fresh for a longer time, making it a great ally against food waste on our supermarket shelves.

As part of this revolutionary concept, BASF has varieties that can be grown in Senegal, Morocco, Spain, Brazil, and Honduras, ensuring a continuous supply all year round.

Thanks to Sunup’s excellent post-harvest qualities all the value chain will contribute to reducing food waste, thus making healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable. In short, it has the qualities and characteristics necessary to become a market leader within competitive markets.  It is our belief that the North West European and Scandinavian markets won’t be able to resist ranging Sunup on their shelves.

Sunup melons will impress Northern European markets

AgroPolicy, Trade, Transportation

With distinct aroma and taste, Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur district of Bihar received GI certification in 2018.  

 In a major boost to agri-exports potential of eastern region, the first commercial consignment of Geographical Indications (GI) certified Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur, Bihar was exported to United Kingdom. APEDA, in collaboration with Bihar government, Indian High Commission & Invest India, exported juicy & aromatic mangoes which were packed and treated at APEDA pack house in Lucknow. With distinct aroma and taste, Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur district of Bihar received GI certification in 2018.

APEDA has been initiating measures to boost mango exports from the non-traditional regions. Recently, a week-long Indian mango promotion programme was organized in Bahrain where 16 varieties of the fruit including three GI certified Khirsapati & Lakshmanbhog (West Bengal) and Jardalu (Bihar) were displayed at super stores of importer Al Jazeera group.

APEDA has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festival to promote mango exports. APEDA recently organised mango festival in Berlin, Germany as well as in Japan in collaboration with Indian embassies.

APEDA in collaboration with Indian embassy, Seoul and Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea, in May, 2021 organised a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet. Due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, the export promotion programmes were not possible to be organized physically. APEDA organized a virtual meet to provide a platform to the exporters and importers of mangoes from India and South Korea. India exported a consignment of GI certified Banganapalli and other variety Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna and Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh.

The mangoes exported to South Korea, were treated, cleaned and shipped from the APEDA assisted and registered pack house with a vapor heat treatment facility at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and exported by IFFCO Kisan SEZ (IKSEZ). This was the first export consignment sent by IKSEZ, which is a subsidiary of IFFCO, a multi-state cooperative with a membership of 36,000 societies.

Mangoes are processed by the APEDA registered pack house facilities and then exported to various regions and countries including the Middle-east, European Union, USA, Japan and South Korea.

With distinct aroma and taste, Jardalu mangoes

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Environment

UPL has reduced carbon emission intensity by 26%, waste disposal intensity by 45% and water consumption intensity by 21% during the period FY2017 to FY 2020

 

 

 

UPL Ltd., a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, has received the prestigious Asian Sustainability Leadership Award for Excellence in Sustainability Performance Management for displaying commendable commitment to sustainability.

The Asian Leadership Awards (ALA) acknowledges remarkable business leaders and organizations in Asia for their continuing commitment to excellence, developing best practices and innovative strategies.

UPL has been recognized as a sustainability leader by the respected organizations like DJSI and Sustainalytics, and its unique approach to the food value chain puts sustainability at the centre-stage.

UPL Ltd. has showcased its commitment to sustainability via numerous initiatives and programs. A few noteworthy achievements on reducing the environment footprint at UPL includes the reduction of carbon emission intensity by 26 per cent, waste disposal intensity by 45 per cent and water consumption intensity by 21 per cent during the period FY2017 to FY 2020 (considering 2015-16 as the baseline). UPL Ltd operates in over 138 countries across the globe and 60% of its plants are zero liquid discharge plants.

In addition to this, the company is a member of the UN Global Compact as well as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, both working towards sustainable development. UPL was the only crop protection company in the world to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Yearbook 2020, and was rated as the #1 agrochemical company globally by renowned international sustainability rating agency, Sustainalytics. It has also been rated by FTSE Russell with a growth of over 25% in the last three years, and is a certified logo holder of FTSE4Good & Responsible Care.

UPL has reduced carbon emission intensity by