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Agro chems – Pesticides, R&D

Avelyo fungicide provides control of key diseases including powdery mildews, leaf spots, scab and soil borne diseases.

 

BASF has introduced Avelyo™ fungicide for the greenhouse and nursery market. Avelyo fungicide is powered by the active ingredient mefentrifluconazole, providing commercial growers with broad-spectrum protection from difficult diseases with exceptional plant safety. 

Avelyo fungicide provides control of key diseases including powdery mildews, leaf spots, scab and soilborne diseases caused by Cylindrocladium spp. and Berkeleyomyces spp. (formerly Thielaviopsis spp.). This next-generation demethylation inhibitor (DMI) makes an exceptional rotation partner at any stage of the crop production cycle with no known injury on small plants or plants in flower, unlike other traditional DMI products currently on the market. 

“As we continue to expand our solutions, we look for ways to add value for our growers,” said Liz Dunbar, Product Manager – Greenhouse & Nursery, BASF Corporation. “The plant safety of Avelyo fungicide gives growers another rotation partner to use from propagation to market ready plants.” 

Avelyo fungicide also offers long-lasting residual activity and outstanding rainfastness within just one hour, making it a great option for outdoor nursery production where frequent rainfall is common.

Avelyo fungicide provides control of key diseases

Agro chems – Chemicals, Sustainable Energy

Commits to set science-based targets for its greenhouse gas emission reductions

Corteva has announced its intention to become a more carbon-efficient business. In its inaugural 2020 Sustainability Report released recently, the company detailed a commitment to set science-based targets for its greenhouse gas emission reductions. The report also highlights the company’s 2030 goals and provides updates on its commitments to enrich lives, increase the resilience of the global food system, and protect the planet.

Corteva’s sustainability report is being released one year after the company announced 14 ten-year commitments to advance sustainability for farmers, for the land, in communities, and the company’s operations.

Delivering on the company’s 2020 pledge to establish a climate strategy goal, Corteva has set forth a commitment to set science-based targets for its greenhouse gas emissions reductions. These targets are aligned with Corteva’s scale and global impact– joining the effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The company’s commitments include:
– 65 per cent intensity reduction for scope 1 and 2 emissions
– 20 per cent intensity reduction for scope 3 emissions

While this is a new commitment, the company’s efforts to address climate issues are not new. Corteva Agriscience intends to achieve this goal through a variety of initiatives, including taking steps to reduce energy usage, focus efforts in R&D, increase production efficiencies, and transition to renewable energy sources.

Commits to set science-based targets for its

Seeds, World

Ideltis hybrid wheat will be available in the mid-2020s in key wheat growing regions in Europe and North America

BASF has launched its new brand name for hybrid wheat seeds, Ideltis.

“Ideltis stands for our commitment to hybrid wheat and the transition of the wheat crop system in the long term,” said Vincent Gros, President, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “With Ideltis, we are unlocking the full potential of wheat.”

“Hybrids are already used in many crops, but wheat and the production of hybrid wheat seeds is complex. This is why it took time to develop breakthrough technologies that enable future broad commercialisation of hybrid wheat,” said Prof Dr Jochen C Reif, Head of the Department of Breeding Research at Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben, Germany, one of the world’s leading institutions in this field.

Ideltis hybrid wheat will be available from the middle of the decade, initially for farmers in key wheat-growing regions in Europe and North America.

Ideltis hybrid wheat will be available in

Agro Universities, Goat farming, Live Stock, R&D

The P-MART is a user-friendly, low cost, portable, mobile, environment-friendly and animal welfare compliant facility for hygienic meat production from sheep and goats.

The ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad has recently designed and fabricated an innovative Portable Meat Production and Retailing Facility (P-MART) for the hygienic meat production from the small ruminants. The P-MART’s operation has been validated and also a patent application has been filed. The developed technology has been transferred to entrepreneurs for up-scaling so as to make the facility available to stakeholders.

The P-MART is a user-friendly, low cost, portable, mobile, environment-friendly and animal welfare compliant facility for hygienic meat production from sheep and goats. The technology has been commercialised. Having the potential to revolutionize the small-scale meat production scenarios in the country, the technology can also be promoted in resource-poor countries. 

It consists of Lairage, Slaughtering, Cutting & Packaging, and Retailing Units. The four Separable Wheeled Units make it unique to move independently. The Units are equipped with pest killers, wall-mounted fans, exhaust fans and water storage facility to ensure hygienic production and for operators’ comfort. The electrical stunning, refrigeration, bone cutting and mincing facilities have also been provided.

It can be operated either on ground or on a vehicle. The food grade stainless steel (SS 304) was used for fabricating the facility. To meet the production requirements, the innovative aerobic green waste composting mechanisms and anaerobic biogas plants were also standardised.

 

The P-MART is a user-friendly, low cost,

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains

India exported 6.38 lakh tonnes (worth Rs 5381 crore) of groundnuts during 2020-21

Opening a window of possibilities of boosting groundnut exports from the eastern region, a consignment of 24 metric tonne (MT) of groundnuts was exported to Nepal from West Bengal.

The consignment was sourced from farmers of the West Midnapore district of West Bengal, was exported by APEDA registered Laduram Promoters, Kolkata. Traditionally, Gujarat and Rajasthan have a major share in groundnut exports. The groundnut exports from West Bengal would boost the exports potential of the crop from the eastern region.

India exported 6.38 lakh tonnes (worth Rs 5381 crore) of groundnuts during 2020-21. The groundnuts are exported to most countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Russia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and Nepal.

Through initiatives such as peanut.NET, APEDA has streamlined the exports of groundnuts through measures including buyer registration, batch processing by APEDA registered peanut units, application for a certificate of export and stuffing certificate by exporter, Aflatoxin analysis and issue of stuffing certificate by laboratories, issuance of the certificate of exports by APEDA.

According to the third advance estimates of oilseeds production by the ministry of agriculture and farmer welfare, the groundnut production in 2020-21 is estimated at 101.19 lakh tonne against 99.52 lakh tonne estimated in 2019-20.

Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnuts in the country, which is followed by Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Rajasthan. The crop is grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. The Kharif season has a share of more than 75 per cent of the total production.

India exported 6.38 lakh tonnes (worth Rs

Agro Universities, Environment, R&D

Black carbon is a key contributor to global warming and improve weather and climate predictions

Accurate estimation of black carbon (BC), the second most important global warming pollutant after CO­2, will now be possible using optical instruments in the Himalayan region. Thanks to a parameter called the mass absorption cross-section (MAC) specific to the Himalayan region that scientists have estimated. It will also improve the performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models.

Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Space Physics Laboratory, ISRO have made extensive observations of black carbon and elemental carbon and estimated monthly and wavelength-dependent values of MAC over the central Himalayan region for the first time.

The researchers have derived the values of MAC – an essential parameter, which is used for obtaining Black Carbon mass concentrations. In a study published in ‘Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences’ led by Priyanka Srivastava, along with her supervisor Dr Manish Naja, have calculated the annual mean value of MAC (5.03 ± 0.03 m2 g− 1 at 880 nm) and found it to be significantly lower than the constant value (16.6 m2 g− 1 at 880 nm) used earlier. These lower values are a result of transport of processed (not fresh) air pollution emissions at this otherwise clean site. The study also revealed that these estimated MAC values show significant seasonal variation, spanning over a range of 3.7 to 6.6 m2 g− 1 at 880 nm. It is found that these changes are caused by the seasonal variability of biomass burning, air mass variation, and meteorological parameters.

According to the ARIES team, these higher resolutions multi-wavelength and long-term observations used in calculating MAC will help improve the performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models in

Black carbon is a key contributor to

AgroPolicy

Surpasses previous year high record

Paddy procurement in the ongoing season Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring states with the purchase of 805.21 LMTs of paddy (includes Kharif Crop 706.93 LMT and Rabi Crop 98.28 LMT) up to 04.06.2021 against last year corresponding purchase of 732.40 LMT.

About 119.42 Lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with an MSP value of Rs 1,52,022.37 crore. Paddy procurement has also reached an all-time high level, surpassing the previous high of 773.45 LMT in KMS 2019-20.

As of October 28, 2020 paddy procurement was continuing smoothly in the procuring states and UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Gujarat with the purchase of over 179.827 LMTs of paddy against the last year corresponding purchase of 143.47 LMT showing an increase of 25.34 per cent over last year. Out of the total purchase of 179.83 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 122.22 LMT which translates to 67.97 per cent of total procurement.

Surpasses previous year high recordPaddy procurement in

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy

The schemes and programs being implemented by the Department aims at the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector

 

 

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India have recognised the urgency to protect various freshwater habitats while ensuring optimal utilisation of our national resources. In view of the same, the schemes and programs being implemented by the Department, aims at the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, keeping the sustainability of the environment as the prime focus.

“Blue Revolution”, the flagship scheme of the Department, launched in the year 2015, aimed to achieve economic prosperity of the country and the fishers and fish farmers as well as contribute towards food and nutritional security through full potential utilization of water resources for fisheries development in a sustainable manner, keeping in view the bio-security and environmental concerns.

As part of the Blue Revolution scheme, various environment-friendly technologies were adopted for safeguarding our aquatic ecosystem. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) were supported; RAS technology is eco-friendly, water-efficient, and is a highly productive intensive farming system, with zero environmental impact.

To further build on the achievements in the fisheries sector through the implementation of the Blue Revolution Scheme and develop the sector in a sustainable and responsible manner, the Government of India launched a flagship scheme of “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” in May 2020, with a highest-ever estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package.

PMMSY aims to promote sustainable fish production systems/methods with minimal environmental impacts to support more crops per drop.  Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages will be developed under PMMSY with an investment of Rs 750 crore to leverage Blue economy with an aim to maximise economic and social benefits to coastal fishers while minimising environmental impact through sustainable fishing practices

The Department of Fisheries is committed to improve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance to bring about a positive change through its environment-friendly programs, policies and practices in the country.

 

The schemes and programs being implemented by

Environment, Start ups

Farmland projects will be curated on the principles of Permaculture through which investors can set up their food forest.

Hosachiguru, a Bengaluru-based farm asset management startup, has launched two new managed farmland projects on the outskirts of Bengaluru to cater to the increasing interest in owning farmland and leading a more sustainable lifestyle. The two 100-acre community projects ‘Unnathi’ located near Chikkaballapur and ‘Sambhrama’ located 45 minutes from Electronic City in Bangalore will be curated on the principles of Permaculture through which investors can set up their food forest. Permaculture is an ecologically sustainable and efficient method of living.

Based on the buyer’s interests and liking, Hosachiguru will set up and manage the land on a day-to-day basis. Gradually, over years, the produce grown on the farm or the ‘food forest’ created will be self-sufficient and the buyer and their families can live off the farm. In addition to the managed farmland, Hosachiguru will also set up farmhouses and cottages for investors looking for a second home away from the hustle-bustle of the city yet easily accessible. 

All the vegetables grown on the farms are aggregated and sent to the customer’s home in the city every week at an additional cost. Owners can enjoy the organic produce and also visit the farm to enjoy the fruits grown on their trees.

The farmlands will also have permaculture gardens, plant nurseries, animal petting farms, camping sites, and an environmental education centre. Owners can also work from the farm with high-speed internet access and electricity.

Farmland projects will be curated on the

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, Organic

NMPB will support CSIR-NBRI in carrying out the potential medicinal plant species with high commercial value for the Germplasm collection/conservation

The National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPS) and the National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) signed an MoU on June 4, 2021, for extending joint collaborative efforts to boost the cultivation and production of medicinal plants and herbs in India.

The MoU will facilitate the development of Quality Planting Material (QPM) of medicinal plants and herbs identified by NMPB, help in the establishment of their nurseries for QPM, development, promotion, conservation and cultivation of the appropriate medicinal plants in different agro-climatic zones, including the threatened medicinal plant species and plants for the high-altitude regions.

Through this collaboration, NMPB will support CSIR-NBRI in carrying out the potential medicinal plant species with high commercial value for the Germplasm collection/conservation and establishment of nursery and seed banks/gene banks.

NBRI while undertaking the survey of medicinal plants will work in coherence with NMPB in the desired direction. The outreaches of NMPB and its implementing agencies like State Medicinal Plants Boards (SMPB’s), Regional-cum-facilitation Centres will work together under the ambit of this MoU.

Working under the Ministry of Ayush, NMPB is mandated to coordinate all matters relating to medicinal plants and support Policies and Programs for growth of trade, export, conservation, and medicinal plants’ growth.

 

NMPB will support CSIR-NBRI in carrying out

Agrotech

In the year ended FY 20-21, the company has reported a total income of Rs 0.9013 crores during the 12 months ended March 31, 2021

Agri-Tech (India) has reported financial results for the period ended March 31, 2021. In Q4 FY20-21 (QoQ Comparison), the company has reported a total income of Rs 0.46 crores during the period ended March 31, 2021, as compared to Rs 0.2484 crores during the period ended December 31, 2020.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs (2.03) crores for the period ended March 31, 2021, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs (0.9298) crores for the period ended December 31, 2020. The company has reported EPS of Rs (3.43) for the period ended March 31, 2021, as compared to Rs (1.56) for the period ended December 31, 2020.

In the year ended FY 20-21, the company has reported a total income of Rs 0.9013 crores during the 12 months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to Rs.1.30 crores during the 12 months ended March 31, 2020.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs (2.97) crores for the 12 months ended March 31, 2021, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs (0.3299) crores for the 12 months ended March 31, 2020.







In the year ended FY 20-21, the

Agrotech, Dairy, World

IDF is an international non-governmental, non-profit association that has the vision to help nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy 

 Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) Managing Director R S Sodhi was unanimously elected to the Board of International Dairy Federation (IDF) in recent.

Sodhi was elected during the IDF General Assembly. Indian National Committee of India had nominated R S Sodhi to the IDF which unanimously accepted it, said National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in a statement. 

“It is an honour for me to represent the world’s largest milk producing country and contribute to promoting Sustainable Goals of dairying and also meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said Sodhi in the statement.  Sodhi has 39 years of rich experience with GCMMF that markets under the Amul brand. He took over as the managing director of GCMMF in 2010.

IDF is an international non-governmental, non-profit association that has the vision to help nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy.IDF members are National Committees generally constituted by dairy organisations in each country.

The National Committee represents its country. India is represented by the National Committee (INC) of the IDF. The Secretary (ADF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is the President of the INC-IDF and NDDB, as its Secretariat, coordinates its activities

IDF is an international non-governmental, non-profit association

E-commerce, IT

CropScope uses sensors and satellite photographs to visualize the growth status of tomatoes and the condition of soils and provides farming advice using artificial intelligence (AI)  

 NEC Corporation today announced the enhancement of CropScope, its agricultural ICT platform, which NEC has been operating jointly with Kagome Co, Ltd. since April 2020. New functions to improve farming have been added to the strengthened platform, and stable yields have already been achieved through verification in a variety of environments. As a result, NEC expects to expand the number of new contracts for the platform, and to contribute to the achievement of more sustainable farming by resolving challenging farming issues.

CropScope consists of a service that uses sensors and satellite photographs to visualize the growth status of tomatoes and the condition of soils, as well as a service that provides farming advice using artificial intelligence (AI). The AI capitalizes on a wealth of know-how from experienced cultivators, enabling it to provide guidance on the optimum amount of water, fertilizer and the best time to apply them. This platform enables tomato producers, regardless of skill level, to stabilize their harvests and reduce cultivation costs, while implementing environmentally friendly farming.

In addition, the platform’s accumulation of farming knowledge from experienced workers enables know-how to be passed down, and successful farming production from experienced cultivators to be duplicated, thereby expanding the areas of production and providing support for the training of new farmers. Moreover, the operators and managers of processed tomato facilities can comprehensively understand the growth of tomatoes in both their own soils and the soils of contracted farmers, making it possible to optimize harvesting and improve productivity based on objective data.  

“In its strategic partnership with Kagome, NEC has been expanding digitization in the tomato market. At the same time, NEC has responded to the challenges faced by its production sites by enhancing the versatility of farming advice utilizing AI, which is NEC’s specialty, and strengthening its ’CropScope’ platform. NEC will continue to develop and provide solutions that contribute to the cultivation of a wide range of crops, helping to overcome social issues, climate change and food safety concerns, while creating sustainable farming experiences,” said Teruyuki Nakajima, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Business Development Division, NEC Corporation.

CropScope uses sensors and satellite photographs to

Europe, R&D, Sustainable Energy

Transformers for floating projects will increase offshore wind potential by enabling a new generation of floating substations and turbines

 Headquartered in Switzerland, Hitachi ABB Power Grids today launched a portfolio of transformer products for offshore floating applications, designed to overcome the challenging offshore environment and withstand the physically demanding conditions on floating structures. The portfolio will enable much greater volumes of wind to be efficiently harvested and integrated into the global energy system, directly supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future.

The portfolio of transformers will be installed on floating offshore substations and floating wind turbines in deep waters, where traditional solutions are not feasible.

Building offshore presents many challenges beyond the harsh saltwater environment. So far, only a small fraction of offshore potential has been exploited, as in many areas the seabed is not suitable and depths of 60 meters are not feasible for fixed structures.

Floating substations and floating wind turbines offer a solution, which can be used in deeper waters, vastly increasing the available global capacity for developing offshore wind energy. Yet floating systems come with their own challenges: over their entire lifetime they are constantly in motion and can be exposed to vibrations and shocks from waves up to 15 meters in height.

“Our world-class engineers take pride in pioneering innovative solutions that overcome harsh offshore conditions and ultimately, help move society towards a sustainable energy future,” said Bruno Melles, Managing Director of the Transformers business at Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “Floating electrical systems are an important development in the offshore renewable industry, which will open up tremendous opportunities for clean power,” he added.

This portfolio introduces a range of collector step-up transformers, earthing transformers and shunt reactors for floating substations plus wind turbine transformers for floating wind turbines, including the industry leading WindSTAR units.

Transformers and shunt reactors are key pieces of equipment in the grid infrastructure, enabling transmission of electricity generated by offshore windfarms. This complete and qualified equipment range, developed in partnership with leading floating offshore developers, meets challenging operating requirements with a lightweight and modular design made up of specially designed active part, tank, tap changer, accessories and external components.

 

 

 

 

Transformers for floating projects will increase offshore