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IT, R&D

The test can precisely detect and report THC levels between 0.1 per cent and 1.6 per cent, providing fast, reliable, and on-demand crop monitoring

NEOGEN Corporation has recently launched a test that can quickly and accurately detect levels of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) cannabinoid in hemp plants.

NEOGEN’s new Reveal Q+ for Δ9-THC can precisely detect and report THC levels between 0.1 per cent and 1.6 per cent, providing fast, reliable, and on-demand crop monitoring. The new test is designed for use with NEOGEN’s Raptor Solo Integrated Analysis Platform, a portable, Wi-Fi-enabled reader used to analyse the lateral flow test strips, presenting hemp farmers with the ability to quickly test THC levels on-site.

“The addition of the ability to test for Δ9-THC to our Reveal Q+ portfolio puts the power in the hands of hemp farmers,” says John Adent, NEOGEN’s President and CEO. “We are continually focused on empowering and supporting farmers through our innovative solutions. With this quantitative test, farmers no longer have to rely on analytical labs for cannabinoid testing, as it provides results much more quickly and in a more cost-effective manner. Now, crops can be monitored early and often, for more detailed plot analytics, and reducing the risk of crops going hot and needing to be destroyed.”

Hemp, which has been legal to grow since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, is a cannabis plant containing less than 0.3 per cent Δ9-THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid. Hemp has various uses, including rope and textiles, feed and grain, and cannabidiol (CDB), commonly used in body care products and supplements.

NEOGEN Corporation develops and markets comprehensive solutions dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s food safety segment markets dehydrated culture media and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases, and sanitation concerns.

The test can precisely detect and report

AgroPolicy, Live Stock, Supply Chain, Transportation

India has witnessed a rise in demand for Indian bovine meat across

In a major boost to livestock export, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India, is successfully exporting Indian Buffalo meat in more than 70 countries across the world, including Indonesia. As per the quick estimates – April-June, 2021-22 viz.a.viz. April-June, 2020-21, the export of livestock products have increased from $484 million, Rs3668 crores to $1023 million, Rs 7543 crores i.e. 112 per cent in USD terms and 106 per cent in rupee term.

 

There has been a rise in demand of the Indian bovine meat across the globe due to its high quality, nutrient values and risk-free as the buffalo meat is prepared and exported under World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for any risk mitigation.

 

Due to high demand, the Indian buffalo meat is exported to the countries of Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, the UAE, etc.

 

The affordability of Indian bovine meat is contributing towards food security and food price inflation control in the importing countries, including, Indonesia. Notably, only boneless buffalo meat is allowed for export from India.

 

India is one of the world’s leading exporters of buffalo meat. The country has quality management, food safety management and environment management systems certified world-class meat processing infrastructure.

 

There is no effect of COVID-19 on the export business of buffalo meat from India. It is on the track and going on smoothly with no hurdles in the supply chain. Despite the pandemic implications, India has been able to achieve exports value at $3.17 billion in the year April 2020-March 2021, which is equal to the previous year’s level of exports (2019-20).

It may be noted that India is strongly contesting with the Cambodian authorities regarding certifying buffalo meat as COVID-19 free after a news report appeared in some local media that the Cambodian authorities have seized three containers of Indian origin frozen Buffalo meat reportedly infested with COVID-19. All the consignments of Indian Buffalo meat are tested under international standards and sent only after COVID-19 free certification.

 

India exported agricultural and processed food products valued at about $41 billion during April 2020 to March 2021 registering a growth of 17.4 per cent, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, various processed foods, seafood, meat and meat products, rice-wheat, etc.

 

According to latest data, exports of APEDA products basket registered a 23.8 per cent growth at $19.97 billion during 2020-21 against $16.13 billion during 2019-20. Even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, exports of agro products are happening unhindered. 

India has witnessed a rise in demand

Dairy, Finance

Appoints Srideep Nair Kesavan as Chief Executive Officer

Heritage Foods, a leading private dairy player in India, announced its financial results for the first quarter ended on June 30, 2021. The revenue from operations was at Rs 6,481 million during the quarter. EBIDTA was at Rs 520 million as compared to Rs 558 million in Q1 FY2021. EBITDA margin stood at 8 per cent as against 8.7 per cent in Q1 FY2021. Net Profit was at Rs 303 million as compared to Rs 292 million in Q1 FY2021.

 

The average milk procurement during Q1 FY2022 was at 1.2 million litre per day (MLPD) compared to 1.4 MLPD in Q1 FY2021. The average milk sales during Q1 FY2022 was 0.95 MLPD compared to 0.92 MLPD in Q1 FY2021. Curd sales during Q1 FY2022 was at 291.7 metric tonnes per day (MTPD) compared to 253.4 MTPD in Q1 FY2021; registering a growth 15.1 per cent YoY. The revenue from value added products (VAP) grew by 11.3 per cent YoY to INR 1,746 mn in Q1 FY22. VAP contributed 27.4 per cent to the overall dairy revenue during Q1 FY22 as against 25.3 per cent in Q1 FY21.

 

Heritage Foods has appointed Srideep Nair Kesavan as the company’s CEO. Kesavan holds a B Tech (Electronics & Instruments) degree and is an XLRI Jamshedpur MBA – PGDBA (Marketing) Alumni. He has 20+ years of leadership experience as an innovative marketer and enterprising business leader with deep-domain expertise across sales and distribution, marketing and category management and P&L/General Management. Before joining Heritage Foods, Kesavan held leadership positions at Coca-Cola (14 years) and Olam International (six years).  

Appoints Srideep Nair Kesavan as Chief Executive

Finance

The scheme is expected to drive the production of textiles in India and find its way to the export markets

The Indian government has taken several steps, including introducing the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for various sectors, including the textile sector. The scheme is expected to drive the production of textiles in India and find its way to the export markets, according to Beroe, a leading provider of market intelligence and compliance solutions. There will be incentives for manufacturing and exporting specific textile products made of man-made fibre.

 

“The government is considering including cotton-based products in the scheme as well, expecting to drive the demand for both natural and man-made fibres directly in the upcoming years,” said Pakshaal S Shah, Principal Analyst, Beroe. “This scheme coupled with new agricultural laws could push up the prices of raw materials in the upcoming years.”

 

The PLI scheme outlay is expected to be Rs 10,683 crores, and it will be valid for five years. Depending on the size of investments and turnover, it could vary between 10 and 11 per cent after meeting certain conditions. It will be trimmed by 1 per cent each year after the first year and granted for five years starting FY22. This applies to 40 man-made fibre items and 10 technical textiles products. The government is also considering cotton-based products.

 

India is the second-largest manufacturer of textiles and clothing globally. It also accounts for 5 per cent of textiles and apparel in global trade. The production share is expected to go up with the scheme. In addition, the government has also proposed other initiatives, like a National Technical Textiles Mission, which will be at an estimated outlay of Rs 1,480 crore ($211.76 million). Further, policies like the Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (A-TUFS) are expected to enable investment worth Rs 95,000 crore ($14.17 billion) by 2022. 

 

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aims to achieve several objectives.

 

  • The scheme will incentivise companies for incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
  • It is expected to attract foreign investment in the sector and encourage domestic producers to expand their units.
  • There will be an incentive that equals 11 per cent of investments more than Rs 500 crore to greenfield projects for big companies in technical textiles.
  • Companies that clock annual sales of Rs 100-500 crores will get a 9 per cent incentive for brownfield projects.
  • For firms with annual sales of Rs 500 crore or more, an incentive of 7 per cent will be granted in the first year if turnover is raised by 50 per cent and by 25 per cent in subsequent years.

The government has planned to launch seven mega textile parks in the next three years. The parks would be set up over 1,000 acres of land with world-class infrastructure and plug-and-play facilities. There is a prospect of adding integrated facilities that have a quick turnaround to reduce transportation time. Further, the facilities include uninterrupted water and power supply, common utilities, and research and development labs.

 

“The pandemic brought a lot of hardship for businesses in the textile industry. This scheme is a much-needed intervention of the government. It’s ambitious and, if executed per plan, will not only support these businesses but even foster their growth,” said Pakshaal S Shah of Beroe. “India’s textile industry is quite resilient. And with PLI scheme and other initiatives in action, it will bounce back very strongly.”

The scheme is expected to drive the

Agrotech, Sustainable Energy

The move expands simulation capabilities for renewable fuels, an expanding variety of bio feedstocks, energy efficiency, and environmental protection

KBC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yokogawa Electric Corporation, announced the release of Petro-SIM 7.2 process simulation software, which is at the core of KBC’s award winning process digital twin. The release expands simulation capabilities for renewable fuels, an expanding variety of bio feedstocks, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. New tools account for emissions from combustion sources and manage energy efficiency. Process design engineers benefit from the integration with MySEP technology. In addition, there are new features for plant monitoring and operator training.

 

Petro-SIM technology offers operators quick wins for optimising energy efficiency while reducing operating costs and emissions. This release provides a holistic solution to help reach zero emissions. By using Petro-SIM simulation software, organisations can create a process digital twin from feeds, through CO2 producers, capture, transport, and finally to storage. It connects real-time energy optimisation with process/yield conditions, thermodynamics, electrochemical corrosion, scaling, and remote equipment performance monitoring.

 

Petro-SIM software can now model renewable fuels. Operators can configure and optimise the use of low carbon feedstocks, products such as LNG, bio-feeds, and hydrogen that power industrial facilities.

“Decarbonisation is a global imperative,” commented Russell Byfield, KBC Global Simulation Business Leader. “We continue to improve our best-in-class refinery reactor models, implement new tools to calculate emissions from combustion sources over the life of an asset with time-based simulation, and to manage energy efficiency from upstream oil and gas, to LNG, Bio-Fuels, refining, petrochemicals, and fertilisers. By applying the concept of ’One Model, Many Uses’ Petro-SIM technology helps teams across the enterprise to make informed decisions that maximise asset potential, reduce risk, and increase profitability.”

 

In addition, the new version expands plant monitoring capabilities and maintains alliances with leaders in specialised software like HTRI, Flaretot, and OLI Systems.

The move expands simulation capabilities for renewable

Agrotech, Packaging & Labelling

The new technology is based on a reactive, ultra-low viscosity compatibiliser

Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics (Dow P&SP), announced the advancement of a partnership with a local leading barrier film manufacturer, Vishakha Group, to develop a ’Recyclable Barrier Film’ for solids packaging. These films will be used for the first time by Dharmesh Foods for vacuum-packing wheat.

Dharmesh Foods is pushing the industry towards the use of vacuum-packed flexible packaging to increase shelf life and avoid contamination. Vishakha’s Recyclable Barrier Films is ideally suitable for the application, as it can extend shelf life, reduce food wastage, and is also recyclable.

Jigish Doshi, CMD, Vishakha Polyfab, said, “We at Vishakha always strive to contribute to the future of the country, by developing sustainable solutions for agriculture, renewable energy, storage, and in this case, packaging materials that allow for a longer shelf life. This recyclable barrier film solution will not only add to the shelf life of the product and reduce food waste, it also helps communities in allowing for recycling of the packaging itself.”

Vipul Babu, Sales Director for Dow P&SP India SC, said, “The joint effort between Dow P&SP, Vishakha team and Dharmesh Foods saw the three companies come together to co-develop a nylon-based barrier film enabled by Dow’s RETAIN Compatibiliser to make recyclable packaging for wheat. This partnership brings valuable stakeholders together to foster positive impacts with sustainable packaging solutions.”

RETAIN Polymer Modifiers were developed using Dow’s extensive knowledge of materials science and reactive chemistry to enable the efficient compatibilisation of two otherwise immiscible materials, while maintaining critical value-added physical properties. RETAIN is specifically designed to compatibilise polyamide (nylon) and ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) into a continuous polyethylene matrix.

The innovative technology is based on a reactive, ultra-low viscosity compatibiliser. Reactive groups ’coat’” the polar components, encapsulating them into micro-domains to enable excellent dispersion. When blended at specified ratios with pelletised barrier film recycle streams, the RETAIN polymers allow recyclers to re-process used barrier films into conventional polyethylene based recycle streams.

Dharmesh Thakkar, Owner, Dharmesh Foods said, “We’re committed to securing a healthy and sustainable future for India. Our partnership with Dow P&SP and Vishakha allows us to use state-of-the-art recyclable barrier films, which ensure better taste and increased shelf life. This is a significant breakthrough for the wheat industry, which can offer our customers better quality of daily life, as well as providing environmental benefits.”

The new technology is based on a

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech

The fertiliser improves crop yields

Moleaer, a leading nanobubble technology company has partnered with RainAg, a leading provider of liquid fertiliser products, to market new nanobubble-infused fertilisers combining Moleaer’s patented and award-winning nanobubble technology with RainAg’s patent-pending Rain Technology.

The new RainAg nanobubble-infused fertilisers have been trialled and utilised across a range of commodity crops including corn, cotton, wheat and sugarcane, fruit and vegetable crops, and on turf and silviculture.

 

In agriculture, Moleaer’s nanobubbles have independently been proven to improve irrigation water quality, resulting in 50 per cent reduction of crop loss by disease, increased crop resilience in high heat temperatures up to 110°F, and reduction of Pythium levels of up to 94 per cent. 

 

When combining Moleaer’s nanobubble technology with RainAg fertilizers, farmers can reduce operational costs, reduce risks from crop loss and reduce the environmental impacts to local water sources from increased phosphorus and nitrogen levels while achieving maximum crop yields and profits.

 

“Moleaer has demonstrated its patented nanobubble technology is superior for increasing root zone oxygenation and plant health compared with other methods. We are excited to partner with Moleaer as the exclusive nanobubble technology provider for our patent-pending process. Our fertilizer-processing technology is a quantum leap forward in the evolution of fertiliser efficiency. Through our trials and in-field results, we’ve demonstrated that our fertilisers reduce costs for farmers while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture in America,” said Tim Ford, General Manager, RainAg.

 

“We’re proud to partner with the innovative team at RainAg as their nanobubble technology provider. Our award-winning nanobubble technology has been proven to provide significant sustainability benefits to agriculture, specifically fruit and vegetable crops. With RainAg, we’re able to enhance and improve farming practices for larger commodity crops, reducing nutrient runoff and leaching and improving crop yields, all while American farmers are faced with significant heat waves and water shortages,” said Nicholas Dyner, CEO, Moleaer.

 

The fertiliser improves crop yields Moleaer, a

Supply Chain, Transportation

The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland and was packed at APEDA assisted packhouse at Guwahati

A consignment of ‘Raja Mircha’ also referred to as king chilli from Nagaland was exported to London via Guwahati by air for the first time. The consignment of King Chilli is also considered as the world’s hottest based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland and was packed at APEDA assisted packhouse at Guwahati. 

 

The chilli from Nagaland is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. It got GI certification in 2008. 

 

APEDA in collaboration with the Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board (NSAMB), coordinated the first export consignment of fresh King Chilli. APEDA had coordinated with NSAMB in sending samples for laboratory testing in June and July 2021 and the results were encouraging as it is grown organically. Exporting fresh King Chilli posed a challenge because of its highly perishable nature.

 

Nagaland King Chilli belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae. Naga king chilli has been considered as the world’s hottest chilli and is constantly on the top five in the list of the world’s hottest chillies based on the SHUs.

The consignment was sourced from Tening, part

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Environment, Nature

A long-term field research was conducted by the University of Guelph

Solvita Soil Tests capture key biological, chemical and physical traits indicating healthy functioning in a farm system. The usefulness of Solvita commercial soil health tests as valuable tools to predict soil health indicators such as Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and Total Nitrogen (TN) has been confirmed by long-term field research conducted by the University of Guelph.

 

Highlights of the research (Long-term effects of crop rotation, tillage, and fertiliser nitrogen on soil health indicators and crop productivity in a temperate climate) include:

  • Diversifying rotations with perennial and cover crops increased yields
  • Higher concentration of SOC, evolved CO2-C and Solvita Amino-N developed from diverse rotations
  • SOC is positively linked with crop yield; thus, SOC is an indicator of agricultural resilience
  • Solvita labile amino nitrogen (SLAN) and Solvita CO2- burst positively correlated with SOC & total nitrogen
  • Applied nitrogen in diverse rotations had a synergistic effect on soil health indicators

 

Will Brinton, Founder and Chief Science Officer, Woods End Laboratories, commented, “The study accessed two long-term plot studies, providing optimal platforms to evaluate soil health test parameters. Such long-term practices provide greater confidence in distinguishing soil quality effects in laboratory analyses than reliance on short term studies. These projects reflect significant commitments of researchers supporting sustainability research objectives. Both Solvita tests (SLAN + CO2) were tested in several combinations of crops, soil management regimes and time frames confirming their usefulness in monitoring changes that are indicative of soil health improvements.”

 

Solvita soil tests capture key biological, chemical and physical traits indicating healthy functioning in a farm system. There are also Solvita products for compost quality testing. These products are used by soil conservationists, crop producers and compost facilities worldwide.

A long-term field research was conducted by

Agrotech, Machinery – Post-harvesting, Sustainable Energy

Control-Tec Eco allows a greater percentage of water used in the cleaning and processing of produce to be safely reused or returned to the environment

AgroFresh Solutions, a global AgTech innovator, has announced the expanded availability of Control-Tec sustainability technology systems across North America, South America, Europe and Australia/New Zealand following the successful implementation of these technologies in Chile. The customisable, automated post-harvest systems help packinghouse operators reduce water usage and increase the efficiency of the disease prevention process.
 
“At AgroFresh, we’re on the front lines of developing AgTech solutions, from the fields to the packinghouses, to reduce food loss and water waste while maximising harvest and fruit quality,” said Clint Lewis, CEO, AgroFresh.

Post-harvest water uses and the quality of the water returned to the environment have long been critical and addressable points in the food production process. Chilean processor and packer Premium Packaging Services (PPS), an industry leader for 20 years, has achieved a remarkable water sustainability and fungicide reduction impact with the Control-Tec Cherry system.

AgroFresh’s proprietary Control-Tec Cherry processing system integrates Control-Tec Eco, Control-Tec Dosifier and an upgraded data reporting software capability, all specially designed to enhance environmental benefits and gain operational cost efficiencies for cherry processing.

Control-Tec Eco allows a greater percentage of water used in the cleaning and processing of produce to be safely reused or returned to the environment by reducing the need for and frequency of water exchanges from prepared solution mixes; clarifying solution mixtures to allow reuse; minimising spills; improving phytosanitary output by reducing solution exchanges over longer periods, and filtering solution mixtures to reduce organic matter. Control-Tec Dosifier automatically optimises the use of fungicides based on the amount of fruit being processed.

AgroFresh offers a comprehensive range of Control-Tec technology solutions for packing lines, ripening rooms, storage rooms and facility disinfection resulting in more efficient and sustainable water use and the reuse and filtration of phytosanitary or disinfectant mixtures in hydro cooling, drenchers and rafts. Global installations of Control-Tec equipment total 600+ across 15 countries and continue to grow.
 

Control-Tec Eco allows a greater percentage of

AgroPolicy, Environment

The programme aims at serving the combined national goals of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support to the local population

In the first of its kind efforts to develop green cover in the Indian deserts of Rajasthan, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) planted 1000 bamboo saplings at Tanot village in Jaisalmer, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF). KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena launched the plantation programme in presence of Surendra Panwar, Special DG (Western Command), BSF. Bamboo plantation, as part of KVIC’s Project BOLD (Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought) aims at serving the combined national goals of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support to the local population.

The bamboo saplings have been planted over 2.50 lakh sq feet of Gram Panchayat land near the famous Tanot Mata Temple which is located close to Longewala Post on the Indo-Pak Border. KVIC plans to develop the bamboo-based green patch in Tanot as a tourist attraction. BSF will be responsible for maintaining the plants.

Project BOLD was launched on July 4, 2021, from a tribal village Nichla Mandwa in Udaipur district in Rajasthan with a plantation of 5000 saplings of special bamboo species over 25 bighas of arid land. The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s ’Khadi Bamboo Festival’ to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

KVIC Chairman said the bamboo plantation in the deserts of Jaisalmer will serve multiple objectives, i.e. preventing desertification, environment protection and creating a sustainable model of development by supporting rural and bamboo-based industries.

In the next three years, 1000 bamboo plants will multiply and produce at least 4,000 bamboo logs weighing about 100 MT of bamboo. At the current market rate of Rs 5000 per tonne, this bamboo produce will generate an income of nearly Rs 5 lakh after three years and later on every year, thus supporting the local economy.

The programme aims at serving the combined

Agro chems – Pesticides, R&D

R&D partnership will give farmers more options for fighting weeds worldwide

Crop health company Enko has partnered with Bayer to develop diverse chemistries for crop protection. Applying drug discovery approaches from pharma to crop protection will allow the companies to identify unexpected product candidates that safely target pests in new ways.

The partnership uses Enko’s toolkit of proven pharma technologies—DNA-encoded libraries, machine learning and structural biology—to quickly assess more than 140 billion molecules based on specific target pest enzymes not found in people. The process identifies novel product starting points in new chemical families that haven’t been explored yet, eliminating pests through new pathways and combating resistance. The resulting molecules bind with the target pest like a lock and key, which means they are more effective in lower quantities and don’t interact with the surrounding environment. Farmers can apply less product, less often.

“There’s a vast chemical universe that can help growers with the urgent crop threats they’re facing—those molecules are just waiting to be found,” said Jacqueline Heard, CEO, Enko. “Borrowing from and building upon pharma innovations can help the agriculture industry solve these problems faster while building in safety guardrails from the start. Bayer has understood the synergies between these two industries for decades and is the right partner to accelerate our technology expertise.”

Enko’s target-based approach makes sure pesticide candidates are going to be safe, sustainable and effective before sinking years of resources into them. Only molecules that bind with the specific pest enzyme and don’t impact similar enzymes in other organisms continue in discovery. This de-risks development, increases success rates and speeds up the time to market. The process is also trait-independent, so growers worldwide will be able to choose the best seeds for their operation when using the future herbicide and increase field resilience.

The partnership is targeting the most common weeds worldwide, and the proof-of-concept phase will narrow down the best application.

R&D partnership will give farmers more options

E-commerce

‘NourishStore’ to scale up its business growth

BL Agro Industries, a leading FMCG company has launched its brand’s e-commerce website www.nourishstore.co.in, enabling direct access to its nutrition-rich product range to customers on grounds of digital India. Along with the range of Nourish food products, BL Agro’s flagship mustard oil brand ‘Bail Kolhu’ will also be available on the webstore. 

 

The website showcases the brand’s product range across nine categories including unpolished dal with over 14 SKUs, rice with 3SKUs, oil and ghee with 6SKUs, flours with 6SKUs, dry fruits with 5SKUs, pickles and murabba with 4 SKUs, spices with 20 SKUs, cereals with 6 SKUs and ready to cook items with 11 SKUs. The diverse food range is aimed at catering to daily household food item requirements. 

 

Ashish Khandelwal, MD, BL Agro Industries stated, “This will provide wider access to the entire range of our products, where customers can also read the nutritional information and make an informed decision. This is in keeping with our vision to deliver quality food products to promote a healthier lifestyle.” 

 

The streamlined, modern design offers an interface and engaging content to help website visitors better understand the nutritional details of its products and make an informed decision. With features such as maximum safety delivery, 100 per cent nutrition as well as replacement guarantee, secure payment gateways and convenient home delivery at pan India level on minimum order of Rs 300, the website offers a seamless digital buying experience for customers. It also features nutritious recipes and nutrition profiles of food items for fitness enthusiasts.  

 

‘NourishStore’ to scale up its business growthBL

Australia, IT

Nine scaleups from Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the US, Australia, and Israel have been shortlisted to join the inaugural cohort of GRAFT Challenge Vietnam

The Australian Government through the Aus4Innovation development assistance programme and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam are supporting nine leading AgriTech scaleups to enter the Vietnam market. The nine scaleups have been selected to join the inaugural cohort of GRAFT Challenge Vietnam, a first-of-its-kind ‘land and launch’ programme designed to give promising innovators from around the world bespoke support to scale into Vietnam to solve the country’s most pressing AgriFood challenges. The GRAFT team evaluated applications from AgriTech scaleups from across 16 countries, including the US, Israel, Australia, India and Thailand before selecting the finalists.
 
Applicant scaleups pitched solutions for integrated IoT solutions to improve water quality in local aquaculture systems, microbial solutions for environmentally friendly crop health management, and microclimate monitoring and control systems for safer and more energy-efficient piggeries, amongst other examples. All of the scaleups that applied were either post-revenue or had previously graduated from a top global accelerator programme, and nearly 50 per cent of the scaleups in the final cohort are female-led companies.  
 
“The calibre of this year’s applicants exceeded even our already-high expectations. The market-ready solutions and capabilities carried by our inaugural cohort will help many of Vietnam’s AgriFood industry leaders to solve some of their toughest challenges,” said Justin Ahmed, GRAFT Program Lead.
 
GRAFT Challenge Vietnam convened industry working groups of Vietnamese agribusiness corporates to identify the unique challenges that face Vietnam’s crops and plantations, aquaculture, and livestock industries.  
 
“The strength of the GRAFT Challenge Vietnam 2021 scaleup cohort gives the Australian government even more confidence in this public-private partnership and its potential to kickstart a wave of innovation in Vietnam’s agriculture sector,” said Tom Wood, Program Director of Aus4Innovation.
 
“Our team was excited that many of this year’s applicants presented digital and data-driven solutions for lingering production challenges in Vietnam,” said Quang Phan, Director of the Mekong Business Initiative Company.

Pham Hoang Ngan, Director of Innovative AgriBusiness Research & Investment (INARI), mentioned, “The proprietary software solutions pioneered by the incoming class of scaleups will have immediate applications for food quality assessment, supply chain efficiency, agricultural project management in Vietnam.”  
 
The selected scaleup cohort will now have the opportunity to deploy their AgriTech solutions and address these challenges. During the week of  August 16, the scaleups will begin GRAFT’s 15-week programme of tailored support, during which a network of in-market experts will provide bespoke consultation to help the scaleups validate their technologies. This phase of the programme will culminate with the scaleups presenting their solutions to Vietnamese agricultural corporations at an intensive week-long roadshow.

Nine scaleups from Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Thailand,