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China

The latest order for dried mushroom slices is from one of the company’s long-term customers.

Farmmi, Inc, an agriculture products supplier in China, has announced the that the company’s subsidiary Zhejiang Farmmi Biotechnology, has won another new repeat product order. The latest order for dried mushroom slices is from one of the company’s long-term customers, which will export Farmmi’s products to Southampton, England.

Yefang Zhang, Farmmi’s Chairwoman and CEO, commented, “This is another important win for us. It continues the meaningful sales growth trajectory we have been building all year as we leverage our increased investments in sales and marketing to build our global brand, and it also benefited from our consistent product availability due to our strong supply chain relationships. This latest win serves as an example of our successful strategy of working alongside our customers to support them across our broader product line as part of our efforts to increase revenue per customer, while also nurturing the relationships that will drive our longer-term success.”

The latest order for dried mushroom slices

Live Stock

Around 76 farmers were distributed the Poultry birds, night shelter, feeder, water and medicine kits during the occasion.

The ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Hyderabad has recently organised the “Backyard Poultry Distribution Programme” at Heerapur Village of Adilabad District, Telangana under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes.  

Delivering the address, Soyam Babu Rao, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) highlighted the importance of poultry and livestock sector in making agriculture profitable. He also emphasised on the vision of the Prime Minister for doubling the farmers’ income and the role of poultry towards achieving the desired goal.

Dr RN Chatterjee, Director, ICAR-DPR, Hyderabad outlined the ICAR-DPR’s role in livelihood and income generation through backyard poultry in the country.

The participants were provided with the on-farm demonstration and training on scientific rearing of poultry.

Around 76 farmers were distributed the poultry birds, night shelter, feeder, water and medicine kits during the occasion.

Around 76 farmers were distributed the Poultry

Agrotech, China

XAG Annual Conference 2021, held in Guangzhou, China, has launched a series of agricultural innovations to empower farmers.

With the theme “Step into Agriculture”, XAG Annual Conference 2021, held in Guangzhou, China, has launched a series of agricultural innovations to empower farmers with more sophisticated autonomous solutions. Five new products, including the XAG P50 and P100 Agricultural Drone, XAG M500 and M2000 Remote Sensing Drone, and the updated XAG R150 Unmanned Ground Vehicle, are released in China and will be available for global sales in 2022.

For eight long years, XAG has set its record by bridging the gap of the digital divide in about 42 countries, where its agricultural drones are widely used. XAG Agricultural Drone has launched its two new model, P100 and V50. where the former inhibits the classical quadrotor structure with a 40kg effective payload, while the latter adopts XAG’s leading dual tilt-wing design to meet the needs of different users based on the farm size. In addition, XAG has added the Hydraulic Spray system as another task system to its R150, allowing users to rapidly assemble a group of liquid pumps and pressure spray nozzles for crop protection in various farming landscapes.

In April 2021, XAG launched the “Super Cotton Farm” in Northwest China, where two post-90s generation farmers manage a 200-hectare cotton field with the help of drones, robots, and AI.

XAG Annual Conference 2021, held in Guangzhou, China,

AgroPolicy, Interaction

Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the Government wants to make India self-reliant in the field of palm oil.

The National Mission on Edible Oil- Oil Palm Business Summit for states other than North Eastern States has been inaugurated by the Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, in Hyderabad on December 28, 2021. Aiming to give wide spread information on newly launched centrally sponsored scheme on edible oils, the Government is organising business summits across the country. This is the second such summit of the Mission, the first was held in Guwahati for North Eastern states in early October this year.

Addressing the Business Summit, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar assured all the state governments that there will be no shortage of resources for the successful implementation of the National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm. Tomar said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Government wants to make India self-reliant in the field of palm oil.

Appreciating the efforts made by the Government of Telangana to increase palm oil production, Tomar said that he sees Telangana as an emerging leader in oil palm production.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Kailash Choudhary said “At present, we have to import edible oil. Today’s business summit will prove to be important to find a solution to this import.” Expressing his confidence in Mission, he said that with the help of scientists’ research, farmers’ hard work and the government’s support, this mission will achieve its target and will make a significant contribution in making India self-reliant. In order to boost the edible oils’ production, remunerative prices and assured procurement of oilseed crops is being done by the Government, he added.

Distribution of registration certificates for the Farmer Producing Organisations (FPOs) were also done on the occasion.

Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh

Biofuel industry, Company News, Supply Chain

The investment would dramatically expand Cargill’s bio-industrial footprint to better serve industrial manufacturers searching for ‘greener’ ingredient solutions. 

Cargill has reached an agreement with Croda to acquire the majority of its performance technologies and industrial chemicals business for €915,000,000 ($1.03 billion) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The investment would dramatically expand Cargill’s bio-industrial footprint to better serve industrial manufacturers searching for “greener” ingredient solutions. 

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in Summer 2022. Cargill will comply with applicable information and consultation requirements with our employee representative bodies.

“The bio-industrial space is a priority for Cargill, as we strive to support our customers with innovative, nature-based solutions that deliver real-world benefits,” said Colleen May, President of Cargill’s Bio-industrial business. “Combining our diverse, global supply chain and deep operational expertise with Croda’s extensive industrial business capabilities and broad bio-based portfolio will spark a new wave of innovation and create tremendous value for our customers.”

Under the agreement, Cargill would gain nearly 1,000 employees around the world and production facilities spread across Europe and Asia, along with a strong technology portfolio that supports leading market positions in automotive, polymer and food packaging applications.

The Croda acquisition would greatly expand the company’s bio-industrial market presence, especially in Europe, the US and Asia, all high-growth markets for bio-based solutions.

The investment would dramatically expand Cargill’s bio-industrial

Interaction

BAL organised a mega farmer awareness meet to train farmers and onion growers in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Best Agrolife Limited (BAL), one among the Top 15 Crop Protection Agrochemical companies in India, organised a mega farmer awareness meet to train farmers and onion growers in Nashik, Maharashtra. Agriculture minister (State) Dadasaheb Bhuse was present as the Chief Guest at the event in which hundreds of farmers participated to benefit from the expertise provided by BAL.

The experts at the meet informed farmers that Q-Fop+ Oxyclean (oxyfluorfen 23.5 ec) would help them produce weed-free onion, Vibgyor will help control soil insects, and the majority of diseases can be controlled by using company’s fungicides like Bestline, Zodio, Zoxit and Tebuca.

Farmers present at the meet interacted with the experts and got their problems solved. “In Rabi season, a minimum of three lakh acre onion is cultivated in Maharashtra. Hence it is necessary that the farmers get all possible advice to ensure crop’s health. Through this meet, we have tried to help the farmers and educate them about products that can help them protect their harvest from crop destruction,” said Raajan Kumar Ailawadhi, Executive Director, Best Agrolife Limited.

BAL organised a mega farmer

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, Agrotech

This will help the farmers to make arrangements before the spread of disease in the healthy crops.

To rescue the Indian farmers from the increasing crop loss problem due to pests and diseases, Department of Research & Development of Chandigarh University has come forward with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based mobile application which will detect the crop diseases at an early stage of farming cycle. This will help the farmers to make arrangements before the spread of disease in the healthy crops. Scientist F of SEED, NCSTC Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, Dr Rashmi Singh launched the mobile app along with Dean Research, Chandigarh University Prof Sanjeet Singh.   

While giving details about the mobile app, the inventor and project scientist of Chandigarh University, Amit Verma said, “The diseases like cut worms, potato tuber moth are common in potatoes. Early and Late Blight in Tomatoes severely damage the crop. To overcome from these and many other diseases, this detecting application can be used to identify and detect the illness in these crops in order to increase agricultural production.” 

Amit Verma explained that the mobile application works on three step disease detection which is based on Image Processing which matches the current picture of the crop with that of disease infected crop. Using the pattern matching technique the app prompts any significant change in the leaves, stems or branches. In addition, the mobile app offers suggestions to further treat the disease based upon the stage of the crop damaged by the pests and insects. The app will be able to detect 39 diseases in two crops while the study to extend the detection for 19 more crops is currently under-process. 

Dr Rashmi Sharma, DST Scientist F (SEED, NCSTC Division) department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, said that Chandigarh University has performed quintessentially well in terms of research and this shows the great character of Chandigarh University towards the society as this application is going to help millions of farmers across Punjab and India. 

This will help the farmers to make

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News

Acquisition to fast-track MOL’s foray into Titanium Dioxide

Meghmani Organics Limited (MOL) recently announced that it has completed an acquisition of Kilburn Chemicals Limited (KCL). MOL paid Rs 132 Crores (including Rs 12.15 Crores towards equity subscription) as per the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved resolution plan dated December 16, 2021. Thus, the company has diversified its Pigment Division’s product offering with Kilburn Chemicals acquisition, fast-tracking its foray into Titanium Dioxide (TiO2). The aforesaid acquisition has been funded from MOL’s internal accruals. As a result, MOL’s Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) project will be EPS accretive.

The plant is located at Dahej, Gujarat and its existing Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) manufacturing capacity is pegged at 16,500 metric tons per annum (MTPA). MOL expects to commence the commercial production of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) from Q2 FY23, thereby adding Rs 300-350 Crores to the revenues on a full financial year basis.

The company anticipates doubling up its Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) capacity to 33,000 MTPA by Q1 FY24 by incurring an additional capex of Rs 270 Crores funded by an appropriate mix of internal accruals and debt. At normal capacity utilisation, the aforesaid plant is expected to contribute Rs 650-700 Crores to MOL’s topline on a full financial year basis. Capacity utilisation will be ramped up gradually. MOL’s Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) plant is expected to garner an EBITDA margin of ~23-25 per cent, along with robust return ratios i.e., ROCE and ROE ranging ~19-20 per cent each.

Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), an import substitution product, accelerates MOL’s growth plans mirroring the Government’s ‘Make in India’ & ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

The company remains committed to execute its overall capex guidance of Rs 620 Crores by Q2 FY23 and achieve Rs 3,000 Crores topline by FY24.

Acquisition to fast-track MOL's foray into Titanium

Company News, Types

As part of the AgroStar Technology Farms initiative, the company collaborated with a pomegranate farmer in Devkapadi village.

AgroStar, India’s largest digital farmer network, and Agri-inputs e-commerce platform has been relentlessly working towards increasing the yield of farmers with the use of the right advisory and right inputs. Based on the success of local farmers in doubling yield with 20 per cent lower input cost with the support of AgroStar advisors, AgroStar held a farmers’ meet in Devkapdi village of Banaskantha district recently.

As part of the AgroStar Technology Farms initiative, the company collaborated with a pomegranate farmer in Devkapadi village, a prominent area for pomegranate cultivation in Gujarat. The team of agri-experts, including plant pathologists and nutrition management experts consulted the farmer on the kind of nutrients, pesticides and other inputs to be used, as well as provided on-field guidance on pruning and nurturing of the plants. The result was an increase in yield and superior quality of fruit despite the adverse climatic conditions this year. The farmer, Dasrathbhai, has been able to produce around 30 kg of pomegranates in his one-acre land at the cost of Rs 290 per tree. In comparison, the typical yields in the region have been between 15-20 kg per acre at a cost of Rs 350 per tree.

Close to 100 farmers from the region participated in the meeting where AgroStar experts explained how they were able to achieve a higher yield with lesser inputs cost, and explained some of the key knowledge gaps that exist even among experienced farmers across regions.

Commenting on the success of the initiative, Tushar Bhatt, Director, Farm Solutions said, “AgroStar’s motto has always been helping farmers win. We are delighted by the success of this initiative. Through our continued efforts, many more farmers like Dashrathbhai, will be able to create an impact in the lives of Indian farmers across regions. With technology and data at the forefront, we are capable of providing end-to-end solutions for farmers. As we continue to expand our omnichannel services, it will further enhance our reach to millions of farmers in the country.”

As part of the AgroStar Technology Farms

Company News, Inputs

The newly developed tractors are equipped with CRDs technology.

Sonalika Tractor has recently launched its new tiger series, CRDs Technology in Tiger DI 75 4WD on Kisan Diwas to deliver benefit of power as well as the economy. The tractor is priced at an introductory price of 11 to 11.2 lakh in Indian rupee. The newly developed Sonalika Tiger DI 75 4WD tractor is equipped with CRDs technology and is TREM-IV compliant. The company claims that the new tractor offers 10 per cent better fuel economy with multi-speed gearbox and next generation 5G hydraulic control system. The tractor has been designed in Europe and is developed in India, keeping in mind, the desires to young farmers here.

There has been another launching made at the same day where second one has been titled as Tiger DI 65 which is again one of a kind when the advancements are recalled. It comes with common Rail Diesel System- CRDs engines which makes sure to provide ample power while maintaining a class one fuel economy in its eco mode. The Sonalika Tiger DI is provided with both 2WD and 4WD options, offered in two states of tune- 63 bhp and 73 bhp respectively.

The newly developed tractors are equipped with

AgroPolicy, Finance, Foodgrains

This association will connect traders and processors with six leading private and public sector banks of India through SLCM Group.

Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM), India’s leading holistic service provider in the global post-harvest space for agricultural commodities has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard (TFMY) in order to provide finance against commodities stored in the TFMY warehouse facility.

Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Marketing Yard (TFMY) is a unique project that aims to provide necessary infrastructures for Cereals, Pulses and Staples (CPS) for Milling Cluster in and around Madurai. The project is being implemented under the Chairmanship of S Rethinavelu, Chairman and Managing Director. He is also the Senior President of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Madurai.

The traders and processor can stockpile their produce in the warehouse and apply for finance against warehouse receipts.

Commenting on the association, Sandeep Sabharwal, Chief Executive Officer, SLCM Group, said, “The agreement with TFMY is a major step towards promoting the ease of financial inclusion for Agri traders and processors. Our strong relations with six leading private and public sector banks of India will be pivotal in enabling easy access to financial help for commodity depositors in warehouse. We are humbled that the Tamil Nadu government has placed its confidence in us.”

SLCM will be monitoring the goods and crops stored against each individual depositor using its proprietary solution ‘AgriReach’ that allows real-time monitoring and management of crops and in specific SLCM will be using its cutting edge technology of surveillance ‘Agri Suraksha’ which is part of the Agri Reach umbrella for monitoring, staff interaction, as well as surveillance of the selected warehouse. The organisation’s corporate headquarters in New Delhi are equipped to provide round-the-clock monitoring of produce across the country via mobile phones, handhelds, computers, etc.  

This association will connect traders and processors

Inputs, Interaction, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The main aim of the meet was to create awareness among the Agriculture Extension Officers and Farmers on the recent developments in the improved cultivation and post-harvest technologies of Jute and Allied Fibre crops.

The ICAR- Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), Barrackpore, Kolkata have recently organised a two-day “Sensitisation-cum-interactive meeting of agricultural officers of Odisha”.

The event marked the presence of Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, who in his inaugural address to the participants stated about how the Institute’s current research programmes and technologies are functioning.  He also highlighted the economic, ecosystem and nutraceutical importance of Jute and Allied Fibre Crops. Kar reiterate the need to bring solutions to the various issues through the appropriate technological intervention for substantial increase in Jute productivity in Odisha.

The participants visited the different models of ‘In-Situ Retting Tank’ and ‘Solar-Operated Slow Moving Retting Water Facility’ in the newly developed Retting Complex of the Institute.

The meet was organised with the sole purpose of creating awareness among the Agriculture Extension Officers and Farmers on the recent developments in the improved cultivation and post-harvest technologies of Jute and Allied Fibre Crops. Near about 10 Officials and 2 Progressive Farmers from different jute growing Districts of Odisha participated in the meet.

The main aim of the meet was

Animal Health, Environment

The resource now holds over 1.1 million geographic records of living organisms which are important to agriculture and the environment.

The Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) Distribution Database has reached a historic milestone with over 300,000 distribution records added in 2021 – meaning the resource now holds over 1.1 million geographic records of living organisms which are important to agriculture and the environment.

The database covers over 55,000 species, across key areas such as crop pests and hosts, crop and animal diseases, invasive species and natural enemies. The data has been sourced from peer reviewed published literature, CABI project work and other authoritative third-party sources such as EPPO and OIE.

Throughout 2021, CABI has been working hard to use new Distribution Database tools to import more geographic records. This includes over 12,000 new species to the database and information that has filled thousands of gaps in existing species distributions.

The CABI Distribution Database serves data to five different Compendia (Animal Health & Production, Aquaculture, Crop Protection, Forestry and Invasive Species), distribution maps for plant pests and plant diseases, the Horizon Scanning Tool, Pest Risk Analysis Tool, Plantwise Knowledge Bank Species Pages (Datasheets) and the Plantwise Knowledge Bank Diagnostic Tool.

Tim Beale, Senior Data Analyst at CABI, said, “CABI is regularly updating its distribution data so that when users go to our knowledge products, they can be more confident that they are getting the latest information about where their species of interest is present or absent. Furthermore, when they use our tools they can have greater trust in the results of their horizon scan, or pest risk assessment.”

The resource now holds over 1.1 million

Organic, Start ups

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic farming, organic farming and natural farming were discussed & assessed from a sustainable and economic perspective of the region.

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has recently met an expert group of Agripreneurs and academicians to explore possibility of an agriculture driven growth, especially for the farming community of the northeast, including Assam on December 26, 2021.

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic farming, organic farming and natural farming were discussed & assessed from a sustainable and economic perspective of the region. It was stressed that the growth arising out of agriculture must satiate both ecological and economic needs of the region and its people. The team was led by Dr Bidyut Deka, Vice-Chancellor, Assam Agriculture University (AAU).

After careful deliberation, the minister requested the expert group to prepare a comprehensive report on the feasibility of organic & natural farming so that it becomes a roadmap & approach for any future policy related discussion at the highest level of government. The report will be prepared at the aegis of the Assam Agriculture University (AAU) with highlights of successful agripreneurs of the state involved in organic as well as natural farming and comparative examination of the Northeast region.

Elaborating on the point of sustainable farming in the region, Sonowal said, “The use of modern technology and expert techniques must be used smartly to reap the benefits of farming in our region. We must learn from our roots and adapt modern techniques so that we can achieve sustainable development. It must respect the ecological balance of our region and at the same time attain economic prosperity for our farming community. We believe that there is huge opportunity for the farming community from the region to avail benefit and become an important stakeholder in expanding the AYUSH based industry in the entire Northeast.”

Various aspects of farming related to inorganic