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Home2021December (Page 7)
AgroPolicy, Floriculture, Trade

Government of India has identified floriculture as a sunrise industry and accorded it 100 per cent export oriented status. Owing to steady increase in demand for flowers, floriculture has become one of the important commercial trades in Agriculture. Hence commercial floriculture has emerged as a hi-tech activity-taking place under controlled climatic conditions inside the greenhouse. The Indian floriculture industry has been shifting from traditional flowers to cut flowers for export purposes. The liberalised economy has given an impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented floriculture units under controlled climatic conditions. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is responsible for export promotion and development of floriculture in India. Dr M Angamuthu, chairman, APEDA shares his views on current status of floriculture export in India and the way forward with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts;

How APEDA is contributing to floriculture exports?

  • APEDA in guidance with the Ministry of Commerce & Agriculture has formed an Export Promotion Forum. This forum is set up to discuss the issues faced by exporters and its Resolution.
  • APEDA intends to organise Capacity Building Programme along with the respective institution of the state for floriculture export.
  • For Market Development, APEDA is conducting regular Buyer Seller Meet with importing countries in the EU.  However, as per the feedback, the cost competitiveness of Indian floriculture products in comparison to Africa is hampering the exports. Similarly, handling perishables like floriculture at exit points need to be improved. 
  • APEDA is always encouraging exports of value added products like dried flowers for bouquet purposes.  However, this sector also faces the challenge of availability of forest material as per the regulations of the Department of Forest, Government of India.

The floriculture industry, being known as the sunshine industry in India, is still struggling with multiple issues such as lack of knowledge about the greenhouse, irrigation management, plant protection, non-availability of modern farming tools and techniques, lack of information regarding import and export business. What measures should be taken to mitigate these challenges?

The challenges faced by the floriculture industry are the same as that of other horticulture sectors. The Government of India and its organisations like NHB (National Horticulture Board), MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) & APEDA do provide subsidies to set up infrastructure including greenhouses, irrigation management etc. It has been observed that the floriculture industry is dependent upon the demand in the international market and is very price conscious. The cost of production, freight and working capital makes it difficult to sustain in comparison to Africa and other Asian countries due to their proximity as well as duty advantage in the main market of the EU. The Ministry of Commerce/Finance is providing relief like TMA (Transport and Marketing Assistance) & RoDTEP (Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Product), APEDA is providing facilitation by conducting regular buyer seller meets.  However, the current crisis of high air freight still hampers the growth of floriculture exports.  It is also seen that the Government is willing to enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU to sort out the issues of import duty.

Recently APEDA had signed collaboration under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Floriculture Mission with ICAR-Directorate of Floriculture; Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED); Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Universities. How will it boost the growth of the floriculture industry?

APEDA’s collaboration with CSIR and institutions will be beneficial to help diversification in the export basket of floriculture. Presently, rose is the prominent variety for export. However, the potential lies in the other traditional floriculture and medicinal products including the dried floriculture for ornamental purposes as well. The plea of the industry is to simplify the export procedures of dried flowers which is connected to the wild collection of ornamental material.  Other value added products like fragrances need a proper recognition as export industries.  In this direction, FFDC & MSME and their state government offices have to play a major role in development of Road Map for exports of value added products of the floriculture industry.

What inputs are required for the growth of floriculture exports in India?

  • Allowing free import for planting material for the development of floriculture according to the demand in the international market.
  • Reforms in the permit procedures of imports of planting material for flowers.
  • Priority clearance for flower consignment at major airports since flowers are a highly perishable category.
  • Reduction in import duties in the EU for level playing field to Indian floriculture in comparison to Africa and other countries having zero duty advantage with Europe.
  • Increase in financial assistance under TMA of the Ministry of Commerce and increase the percentage of RoDTEP declared by the government for mitigating the high air freight.

APEDA has developed a HORTINET traceability platform for horticulture produce export. Is APEDA planning to develop a traceability platform for floriculture export in future?

Traceability system was introduced for horticulture produce based on the requirements from importing countries on pesticides maximum residue limit (MRL) and effective monitoring of the same. Presently the volume of export of floriculture products is less and also in India, we have a limited number of farmers and exporters. Once India becomes a major player non-tariff barriers are likely to emerge. As and when the situation prevails, the introduction of traceability can be taken up in future.

How can FPO (Farmers Producers Organisation) contribute to floriculture export?

Formation of FPOs is a welcome move in the sector as collaboration at the farm level will help in aggregation of quality produce. It will also help in consolidation of product from identified floriculture clusters and export facilitation can be focused on the clusters. FPOs have been recognised by the Government of India for support financially and technically in order to have the export benefit distributed at the farmer level. Further, institutions like CSIR, Botanical Research Institute and Department of Floriculture Research, Pune will be useful for region wise and state wise development of FPOs in the floriculture sector. FPOs can take advantage of financial assistance for purchase of refer vans, establishment of laboratories and marketing of floriculture products in the identified clusters.

Dipti Barve

dipti.barve@mmactiv.com

Government of India has identified floriculture as

Agrotech, Finance

Meiogenix has developed an innovative approach to common problems in agriculture

Meiogenix, an agriculture biotech company using the process of chromosome editing to expand genetic diversity in food and agriculture, has announced the closing of a $13 million (€11 million) Series A financing round, led by Sofinnova Partners, with participation from Genoa Ventures, Bpifrance, Casdin Capital and Alexandria Venture Investments.

Meiogenix has developed an innovative approach to common problems in agriculture, addressing key global food and industrial challenges. Meiogenix is applying gene and chromosome editing technologies to accelerate nature’s generation of biodiversity through the mixing of parental genomes during plant reproduction. This helps expedite the lengthy process of plant varieties selection and also leads to increased biodiversity, lost during the systematic selection of crops for high yield and long shelf life.

The Meiogenix platform addresses the $50 billion commercial seed market and breeding capabilities of large and essential crops like corn, wheat, rice, soybeans and tomatoes.  
 

Meiogenix has developed an innovative approach to

AgroPolicy, Interaction

ICFA is neither associated with nor is the authorised user of the trademark “AGROVISION”

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court has restrained Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) from use of “Uttar Pradesh AgroVision” banner or logo in any communication in electronic and print media.

“Agrovision Uttar Pradesh” being hosted by ICFA, from December 16-18 at Lucknow.  However, ICFA is neither associated with nor is the authorised user of the trademark “AGROVISION”, the largest agricultural event of Central India organised jointly by MM Activ Sci Tech Communications and Agrovision Foundation in Nagpur.

It appears that use of the name “AGROVISION” by ICFA in their event is thus in violation of AGROVISION trademark .This infringement of trademark by ICFA appears to be, to gain undue advantage through misuse of goodwill and equity created over a decade  by year on year continuing and consistent delivery of  a hallmark event, “AGROVISION” at Nagpur. AGROVISION is registered  trademark under class 16 and class 35 since 2013.

MM Activ and Agrovision Foundation filed a case and had sought injunction against continued use of and infringement of its trademark “AGROVISION”, before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, s registered as CS (COMM) NO. 638 OF 2021. Hon’ble High Court has admitted the suit and issued interim directions in its order dated 13.12.2021.

The Hon’ble Court restrained ICFA  from releasing either in press or in the electronic media, any further advertisements, under the “Uttar Pradesh AgroVision” banner or logo. The Hon’ble Court has, considering the fact that irreparable prejudice may result and considering the equities would have emerged by this stage, not granted a complete injunction staying the event. This position also agreed to by MM Activ and Agrovision Foundation in view of fairness.. However, if ICFA decides to not hold the event on the currently published dates then, it should be noted that AGROVISION would be proceeding to seek immediate injunction for any alternate date, than the ones for which the event is notified to be held.

ICFA may have approached many organisations for the participation at the event. MM Activ and Agrovision Foundation express their deep sympathies  with all who have been misled to believe “Agrovision Uttar Pradesh” is in anyway connected to the one held annually at Nagpur. AGROVISION makes an earnest appeal that if any communication is received that prima facie appears to be from or regarding AGROVISION, and yet is from any party other than Agrovision Foundation or MM Activ, to kindly do get in touch with Agrovision Secretariat at Nagpur earliest.

ICFA is neither associated with nor is

Environment

The initiative involves creativity and resource in talent scouting, training, technology sourcing, market linkage to give a boost to the sector

North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC), has set up nursery and bamboo plantation site at LeirikKhul, Imphal West District and the Bamboo plantation site at Konshak Khul, Kangpopkpi District, Manipur.

Set up under North Eastern Council, Shillong under the Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, the initiative involves creativity and resource in talent scouting, training, technology sourcing, market linkage for giving a new age thrust to the age-old bamboo sector.

The initiative involves creativity and resource in

Nature, Sustainable Energy

MoU would provide the required impetus for the much acclaimed and majestic Himalayas

The Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Dehradun, Uttarakhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sparsh Himalaya, Dehradun. Dr M Madhu, Director, ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun and Seema Sharma from Sparsh Himalaya, Dehradun signed the MoU on the behalf of their respective organisations.

In his address, Dr Madhu outlined the main objective of the MoU to stimulate and facilitate collaboration and promote mutually-interested common programmes that help to advance the interests of the Himalayan ecosystems and related intellectual life and cultural development. He also emphasised that the MoU would provide the required impetus for the much acclaimed and majestic Himalayas.

Seema underlined that the technological and success stories including the short films, videos and technological exhibits and depictions generated by the ICAR-IISWC will be aired through the channel of the Sparsh Himalaya for wider reach and mass awareness on useful and evidence-based information to the diverse target groups and stakeholders.

MoU would provide the required impetus for

Agro chems – Chemicals, Inputs

The acquisition will expand Aragen’s end-to-end integrated discovery and development platform for animal health and agrochemical industries

Aragen Life Sciences has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pune-based Intox. This acquisition will expand Aragen’s end-to-end integrated discovery and development platform for the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health and agrochemical industries. It will enable Aragen to conduct safety assessment studies from a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-a certified facility for submission to regulatory agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and others globally.

Intox is a reputed GLP certified pre-clinical contract research organization (CRO) with its test facilities in Pune, India. It has conducted more than 15,000 GLP studies for global clients which include large and mid-sized customers across pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, plant protection, nutraceuticals, and medical devices.

Commenting on the acquisition, Manni Kantipudi, CEO, Aragen Life Sciences, said, “The acquisition is in strategic alignment with our long-term vision to be a ‘one-stop’ integrated discovery, development and manufacturing partner to our customers. We can, now, rapidly and seamlessly, advance promising molecules for our customers, from early discovery to Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions, making Aragen one of the few global CROs that can advance programs from “concept- to- clinic”.

The acquisition will also expand Aragen’s geographical footprint in India. Aragen currently has research and manufacturing facilities at Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam in India and a biologics facility in California, USA.

The acquisition will expand Aragen’s end-to-end integrated

Agrotech

The panel will discuss the all-around development and economic viability of agriculture

The 12th AGROVISION, India’s Premier Agri Summit, is scheduled from December 24-27, at Reshimbagh Ground, Nagpur. 400+ brands, startups, industry professionals and research experts will gather to showcase and discuss the latest innovations in agriculture.

An expert panel discussion will be held on the theme, ‘Future of Indian Agriculture’. The panel will discuss the all-around development and economic viability of agriculture in comprehensive terms on how farmers can be provided with the necessary support, encouragement and incentives and how can one focus on income and greater on-farm and off-farm jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Eminent key players in the agro sector will discuss the issues and suggest recommendations to the government. This will aim to bring revolutionary change by adopting best practices and suggesting necessary policy changes to make our farmers more sustainable and efficient. The event will be attended by progressive farmers, policy makers, stakeholders and members of various industry associations, agricultural entrepreneurs etc.

This year farmers from in and around Vidarbha and adjoining states will be participating in the event. Apart from this, there will be free interactive workshops for farmers. Conferences on current issues in
agriculture and allied agri sectors will be held. Around 400 exhibitors are likely to participate in the event.
 
The exclusive media partner is Agro Spectrum India along with BioSpectrum India and Nufoods Spectrum India. MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications is the organiser of the event.

The panel will discuss the all-around development

Dairy, Live Stock, Start ups

Over 2.8 million farmers are likely to benefitted from Stellapps and Nutreco partnership

India’s leading dairy tech startup, Stellapps has announced a five-year partnership with Trouw Nutrition, the animal nutrition division of Nutreco. Stellapps currently impacts 2.8 million farmers in 36,000 villages in India with its technology, and with this partnership, the Trouw Nutrition products will impact its entire customer base. 

Over 2.8 million smallholder farmers using Stellapps’ technology will now gain access to Trouw Nutrition’s high-quality feed products, including premixes and feed additives to support animal health, productivity, and milk yield. The partnership commits both parties to close cooperation, sharing one purpose to find innovative ways of Feeding the Future, Nutreco’s purpose. 

In addition to high-quality feed products, Stellapps’ will benefit from Trouw Nutrition’s 90 years of experience; innovative tools and farm management expertise. The partnership follows a successful 10-month pilot with 5,500 farmers across Uttar Pradesh and Kolar, Karnataka which saw the use of Trouw Nutrition products, alongside mentoring and training, and resulted in an improvement on farm outputs such as milk yield and profitability.

Over 2.8 million farmers are likely to

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

400+ brands, startups, industry professionals and research experts will gather to showcase and discuss the latest innovations in agriculture

The 12th AGROVISION, India’s Premier Agri Summit, scheduled from December 24-27, at Reshimbagh Ground, Nagpur, will initiate a discussion on agritech innovations. The theme will be ’Transforming Agriculture Through Technology Innovations.’ 400+ brands, startups, industry professionals and research experts will gather to showcase and discuss the latest innovations in agriculture.

This year farmers from in and around Vidarbha and adjoining states will be participating in the event. Apart from this, there will be free
interactive workshops for farmers. Conferences on current issues in
agriculture and allied agri sectors will be held. Around 400 exhibitors
are likely to participate in the event.
 
The exclusive media partner is Agro Spectrum India along with BioSpectrum India and Nufoods Spectrum India. MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications is the organiser of the event.

400+ brands, startups, industry professionals and research

Agrotech, Supply Chain

Making use of available technology is a great solution to increasing farmer benefits in India while limiting middlemen in the system

Growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products, especially produce directly from the farm have in recent years led to direct marketing and sale of vegetables and fruits through farmer markets, have been able to successfully establish their popularity. These farmer markets have enabled a unique urban-rural relationship as people seek to consume produce directly from the farm as they are fresh produce. 

 

The value chains in traditional agriculture also consist of multiple layers whose existence between farmers and consumers often delays the process of a product reaching the end-consumer. And these multiple layers often leave the freshness of the products affected.  

 

The farmers’ markets on the other hand allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm-fresh produce. These markets offer farmers the chance to develop personal relationships with their customers, and a bond of loyalty is cultivated between the two. As users, we have come to realise the joy and benefits of consuming fresh farm products, have also come to make sense of awareness, acceptance, accessibility, and affordability that a farm-to-fork model reflects. Farmers markets have been able to successfully demonstrate the benefits of direct-from-farm platforms in comparison to traditional trading models that have been in existence. Such enterprises have created a positive impact on the lives of small-scale farmers besides enabling them a higher income. 

 

Direct supply channel 

Direct procurement from the farmers ensures an increase in their income and thus strengthens the agriculture economy of the country. Making use of available technology is a great solution to increasing farmer benefits in India while limiting middlemen in the system. Agriculture as an economic activity is subjected to serious risk of natural conditions and price risk. Therefore, the need to strengthen the marketing of agricultural produce, by having a supportive supply chain, is real. Since independence, Indian agriculture has generally been only about subsistence farming where the farmers sold only a small part of their produce to pay off rents, debts and to meet their other requirements at prices considerably lower than the market prices. Things are quite different today, as the lack of owned storage and substandard transportation facilities prove to be challenging to the supply chain when it comes to the farmer taking the freshest produce to the consumer using a direct supply channel backed with modern age technology.  

 

Delivering value

Experiments with several farmers markets have been successful in linking the farmers and end-consumers. But with the technological support available to enable this digital upliftment, there is an urgent necessity to create more such long-term platforms. There is a need for the creation of permanent platforms that use a direct-from-farm mechanism making available products to consumers in the least possible time. While offering the best in benefits through a regular high income to the farmers, these platforms bring dynamism to the system offering product value to the consumer. Direct-from-farm services have enabled farmers to realise maximum farm-gate prices in the long supply chain along with helping farmers reduce wastages post-harvesting of crops. Hence, the more such platforms, the more farmers and a larger number of people consuming these products benefit. We have already seen instances of how digital upliftment has brought about a revolutionary change in this space through its technology-driven integrated supply chain. By connecting the farmers directly to the markets, these platforms have proven to be an enabler in managing the end-to-end supply chain including all logistics.

 

—Narendra Firodia, Co-founder, YouCare Lifestyle

Making use of available technology is a

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Seeds

The agreement will help provide growers seed treatment insecticides

FMC Corporation has signed multi-year agreements with Corteva Agriscience to continue to supply Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr actives to Corteva for seed treatment products. These multi-year agreements extend the existing global collaboration between the two companies.

 

Seed-applied insecticides powered by Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr actives help growers protect their seed investment against key insect pests, resulting in improved yield and higher quality crops. Corteva is a leader in developing and supplying commercial seed combining advanced germplasm and novel traits.

 

“These agreements are another example of FMC’s commitment to ensure growers have access to advanced crop protection products from patent-protected and qualified sources,” said Diane Allemang, VP and CMO, FMC. “Collaborations with companies such as Corteva are an important component of FMC’s diamide growth strategy. Corteva’s expertise in seed treatment, as well as its commitment to stewardship and innovation, will support the continued expansion of our Rynaxypyr and Cyazypyr actives globally.”

 

 

The agreement will help provide growers seed

Acquaculture, R&D

Tilapia are endemic to Africa, and East Africa including Tanzania is a hotspot of natural diversity for tilapia species

In a recent study by Earlham Institute, a new genomics marker tool has been shown to accurately identify tilapia species and tell apart their hybrids, providing a novel resource to help develop aquaculture and empower conservation in Tanzania, Africa.

 

Led by the Earlham Institute, alongside the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Roehampton University, Bangor University, the University of Bristol and the University of East Anglia in the UK, the new genomics marker tool enables tilapia species identification and pinpoints hybridisation between invasive and native tilapia species.

 

Tropical inland aquaculture production has increased rapidly in recent decades to 47m tonne in 2018. Tilapia, a group of cichlid fish dominated by the genus Oreochromis and native to Africa and the Middle East, have been a key part of this expansion — accounting for 5.5m tonnes of the global total.

 

Tilapia are endemic to Africa, and East Africa including Tanzania is a hotspot of natural diversity for tilapia species. At least eight fully-endemic Oreochromis species are found in Tanzania and an additional 12 species that are endemic to catchments shared with neighbouring countries. Several of these species are adapted to unique environmental conditions, such as elevated temperatures, salinity, and pH and could be of interest for future aquaculture developments.

 

The study was funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Council, the Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust.

Tilapia are endemic to Africa, and East

Environment, North America, Sustainable Energy

The rankings accounted for the company’s waste, emissions, energy and water use disclosures

FMC Corporation is recognised for its excellence in sustainability, ranking higher than any other US crop protection company on Newsweek’s 2021 Most Responsible Companies list.

“Sustainability has long been a core value for FMC, but over the past year we have taken giant steps toward defining a clear strategy to address major global threats like climate change, hunger and malnutrition,” said Karen Totland, VP and CSO, FMC.

In addition to the environmental projects folded into FMC’s business strategies, Newsweek’s rankings also accounted for the company’s waste, emissions, energy and water use disclosures, as well as FMC’s ambitious goals around increasing the company’s representation of women and minorities, an area that president and CEO Mark Douglas has championed over the course of his tenure.

“FMC should have a workforce and a leadership team that reflects the world we live in and the communities where we do business,” said Douglas. “In 2020 we launched two global taskforces led by FMC officers to understand and address issues of gender and race equity within our company. As a result of their work, we developed new global policies and practices to achieve our gender balance and race equity goals.”

Recently, FMC also entered into the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) and the Coalition for Sustainable Productivity Growth for Food Security and Resource Conservation (SPG Coalition), initiatives spearheaded by the USDA focused on accelerating sustainable agriculture for a more productive and equitable future.

The rankings accounted for the company’s waste,

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The MoU will help in providing the knowledge and innovative research opportunities

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vikram University, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

 

Dr Nita Khandekar, Director, ICAR-IISR, Indore apprised about the recent scenario of the R&D of Soybean and stressed on the need of the collaboration in higher education to develop human resources with Entrepreneurial attributes.

 

Prof Akhilesh Kumar Pandey, Vice-Chancellor, Vikram University, Ujjain stated that the MoU will help in providing the knowledge and innovative research opportunities not only for the students of agricultural sciences, but also biology and biotechnology as well.

 

The senior officials of both the organisations were present during the occasion.

 

 

 

The MoU will help in providing the