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AgroPolicy, Live Stock

An MoU was signed with Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, a Pig Farmers’ Organisation

The ICAR-National Research Centre on Meat, Hyderabad recently organised an interactive meeting on ‘Pig Production and Processing Technology for Entrepreneurship Development – A way forward for Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Aizawl, Mizoram.

The meet was organised in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Aizawl, Mizoram as part of the activities under the North-Eastern Region Component.

Dr SB Barbuddhe, Director, ICAR-NRC on Meat, Hyderabad highlighted the importance of the meat sector in the North-Eastern Hills Region.
Dr FA Ahmed, Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Aizwal, Mizoram applauded the ICAR-NRC on Meat’s initiatives for supporting the different entrepreneurship promotion activities under the NEH component.

The centre also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, a Pig Farmers’ Organisation for the establishment of the slaughterhouse and value-addition of pork at Aizawl.

An MoU was signed with Bharatiya Kisan

Agrotech, Seeds

Wage Improvements in Seed Hybrids will strive for minimum wage compliance in the vegetable seed sector in India

BASF, Syngenta, and Arisa have joined hands in a multistakeholder collaboration called Wage Improvements in Seed Hybrids (WISH). WISH will address child labour issues and strive for minimum wage compliance in the vegetable seed sector in India.

The four-year project, cofounded with a grant from the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), consists of two phases: In the first phase, WISH will research whether and where payments are still below minimum wages and/or child labor and the violation of other labor rights occur. This data will be independently collected by two India-based organisations, Glocal Research and MV Foundation, and used by them suggest modes of action to address these challenges. In the second phase, WISH will implement strategies that address the root causes of gaps in the minimum wages and child labor regulations in the vegetable seeds sector.

Various industry reports from Fair Labor Association (FLA) and Arisa indicate that the agriculture sector in India faces several critical and systemic issues related to human and labor rights. Current wages in the sector are often lower than the region’s statutory minimum wage, and although child labor has been greatly reduced in the past few years, it remains an ongoing challenge within the agricultural sector.

“In this project, Arisa will use its expertise, knowledge, and network to address labour rights violations in the vegetable seed sector. Due to COVID-19, the issues motivating this project have become even more urgent: the number of children working has increased in the last two years, as schools were closed and families lost income,” says Sandra Claassen, the Director of Arisa.
BASF’s vegetable seeds business, present in India since 2002, started a broader initiative towards sustainable seed supply called Child Labor Prevention Program in 2009. “Over this time, we have reached more than 88,000 farms from over 14,000 suppliers,” says Rob Huijten, County Head Netherlands, and board member of BASF’s vegetable seed business. “We are proud to work together with Syngenta and Arisa to address this complex situation that affects thousands of families in India.”

“Syngenta has a history of being a positive force for establishing fair labor practices across the world, improving conditions for field workers and addressing challenges like child labor, fair wages, health and safety,” says Jason Allerding, Head of Health, Safety & Environment, Sustainability and Risk Management, Syngenta Seeds. “We understand that meaningful outcomes can best be achieved through collective action from various stakeholders. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring partners together to build a roadmap for wage progression across the vegetable seeds sector.”

Wage Improvements in Seed Hybrids will strive

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agro Universities, Agrotech

The MoU will aid in advanced agri-extension activities and farmer awareness for three years

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL)’s CSR wing IIL Foundation has signed an MoU with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut, UP for dissemination of the advanced agri-extension activities and farmer awareness for three years.

In the signing ceremony programme organised at the university campus, the MoU was signed by Dr RK Mittal, Vice-Chancellor and Sandeep Aggarwal on behalf of the IIL Foundation.

Under this MoU, IIL Foundation will work with Krishi Vigyan Kendra under the Directorate of Extension of the University for education and awareness of the judicious use of crop protection products. This will help the farmers to learn the new and modern practices and increase their productivity.

From Insecticides (India), Sandeep Aggarwal, CFO, Insecticides (India) and trustee of IIL Foundation, MK Singhal, Vice President, Insecticides (India), Sanjay Singh, Sr GM, Insecticides (India) and Dr Charan Singh, Project Charge, IIL foundation were present among other team members.

The MoU will aid in advanced agri-extension

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech

50 leading companies showcased their product portfolios during the two-day event

The 16th International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE 2022 Dubai) was recently organised by the Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) in Dubai.

The welcome address was given by PMFAI President Pradip Dave. The two-day event provided an opportunity for business expansion by way of joint ventures, bilateral trade, sub-contracting / contract manufacturing and distribution and networking opportunities for buyers and sellers to benefit mutually.

ICSCE 2022 Dubai was coincided with Dubai Expo by PMFAI, the first international physical event for the Global Agrochemical and allied sector, which witnessed the participation of delegates from across the globe.

50 leading companies showcased their product portfolios during the event having 600-plus footfall and more than 500 registered delegates’ participation. Delegates from various countries included – Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Columbia, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UK, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Azerbaijan Georgia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Singapore, Sweden, Hong Kong, China, Tunisia, Tanzania, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Lebanon,

The event hosted renowned pesticide scientists and industry experts, who gave presentations on various important topics. Vikram Shroff, Director, UPL delivered the keynote address. Shroff’s keynote address included brief details about the achievement of the Indian Agrochemical industry which remained self-reliant during the covid period and the industry’s contributions in supporting food chains and containing food price inflation.

Abhishek Agarwal, President (Sales & Strategic Alliance), Bharat Rasayan gave a presentation on ‘Current Scenario & Opportunity – Indian Agrochemical Industry.’ The topic on Sustainable Formulation Technologies for Microbe based Bio solutions was delivered by Dr Rene Haensel, Technical Director – Agriculture & Global Expert, Evonik Nutrition & Care for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Om Dhande, Regional Sales Manager – South Asia, Croda India gave a presentation on ‘Croda Crop Care – Your Partner in Microbial Formulations.’

The topic on the Impact of New Chinese Energy Policy on Agrochemicals Market was discussed by Ajay Joshi, Senior Consultant – Chemicals, Materials & Nutrition, Frost & Sullivan, South Asia. Dr Bob Fairclough, Principal Consultant, Kynetec Germany presented a brief on market dynamics over time (with facts and figures) and future drivers related to market; industry; regulatory and technology.

Shrikant Aherkar, Lead Scientist: Stepan Agricultural Solutions, Singapore briefed on ‘Naturally Derived Adjuvants for Effective Drone Application. Lawrenece Middler, Senior Analyst, IHS Markit gave an overview about the mechanism about patent protection; data exclusivity (on registration data); leading active ingredients expiring its patent period during 2020-2030 (Herbicides, Insecticides & Fungicides).

The topic on ‘New age registered Bio-stimulants as per FCO’ was delivered by Reza Jivani, Director, Vikas Crop Care.

50 leading companies showcased their product portfolios

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

The technology will support in enhancing productivity even in small private landholding and ensure financial benefits for the farmers

The Government of Sikkim has announced to launch modern farming technology of Hydroponics, Aquaponics and Rooftop farming in the state on February 22, 2022. The launching programme is scheduled to be held in the presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at Sokeythang, Gangtok. This was informed by the Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Lok Nath Sharma while addressing a press conference held at the Training Hall of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Sokeythang.

The Minister highlighted the objectives and purpose for launching the newly developed farming technology of Aquaponics, Hydroponics and Rooftop farming. The technology will support in enhancing productivity even in small private landholding and ensure financial benefits for the farmers, he stated.

Sharma said that hydroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil by using organic nutrients. It would be very beneficial for farmers because it assures higher yield and economic returns compared to natural agricultural practices, because of higher number of harvest cycles. Aquaponics is an integrated food production system that combines raising fish in tanks with soilless plant culture. The nutrient -rich water generated in the procedure while raising fish provides natural fertiliser for plants and these plants help to purify water for the fish.

He informed that the concerned departments have developed four different models of Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Roof top farming of both low cost and high-cost green house at designated premises. The models will remain open for interested individuals to explore wherein the technical experts will guide and educate visitors about the procedure, benefits, structural set-up after scheduled launching of Hydroponics, Aquaponics and Rooftop farming. Besides, the department will provide essential technical support and guidance. An absolute mechanism will be developed to ensure quick response to queries and grievances of the people, he added.

The technology will support in enhancing productivity

Agrotech, Finance, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The new venture will take forward various initiatives towards a comprehensive transformation of India’s rural economy

Rhiti Group has announced collaborations with EST Global, a leading FinTech company based in the Boston Cambridge MIT ecosystem working towards investing in FinTech solutions and bringing financial inclusion.

The new venture will take forward various initiatives towards a comprehensive transformation of India’s rural economy based on principles of SDG, ESG, and Circular Economy by developing islands of economies with rural eco centres. These will interact with each other and further integrate themselves to create a decentralised rural ecosystem and address major issues faced by farmers during the pre-farming, farming and post-farming phases. The platform will also offer multiple opportunities to the rural population employed with various ancillary services in the rural economy beyond agriculture like small scale artisans and service providers. 

EST Rural Tech will provide all the pre-and post-harvest support to the rural community with AI, ML, IoT, Drone and Blockchain technology-based services, crop insurance, micro-lending and rural e-commerce all under one umbrella so that a perfectly aligned rural ecosystem gets created. This amalgamation of technology and agricultural science within the matrix of the rural economy will help farmers in making farming profitable. A reasonable, rational platform will always stand up to remove the blocks of the hinterland economy.

EST Rural Tech is launching the project of Globalagri.in throughout India. 

The new venture will take forward various

Agro chems – Pesticides

The product has been initially launched in Andhra Pradesh and later will be launched in Karnataka and Eastern states

Agrochemicals company PI Industries has launched Distruptor, a pesticide against brown planthopper (BPH) in rice crop. The product was launched in the presence of PI Industries CEO, Prashant Hegde along with marketing head Dushyant Sood and production head Kishore Nagarkar.

According to Hegde, the Distruptor was widely tested in various places across Andhra Pradesh and will be launched later in Karnataka and in the Eastern states.

The product has been initially launched in

Environment

The deadline to apply for this grant cycle is March 30, 2022, at 5 pm EDT

The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation with the vision to prevent and relieve hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has announced the launch of its new grant application cycle on the theme of “Climate Action Within the Context of Agriculture” for non-profit organisations with grant proposals between $20,000 – $300,000 and located anywhere across the globe.

In alignment with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) on “Climate Action” and AGCO’s purpose to deliver “farmer-focused solutions to sustainably feed our world,” the Foundation is accepting grant applications on climate action in agriculture. The AAF grant application platform, through its community investment software partner, Benevity, is running the application cycle from February 21 to March 30. This programme strengthens AAF commitment to its strategic focus areas and AGCO’s Farmer-First strategy while addressing global trends on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Foundation’s first grant application cycle for 2022 seeks new project proposals from non-profits that combine various sustainable methods to tackle the specific climate change-related challenges of today’s farming communities. 

Grant eligible non-profit organisations must focus on climate action in the agricultural context that also aligns with any of the AAF thematic focus areas such as Nutrition & Sustainable Food Systems, Agricultural Education, Research and Innovation, and Farmer Community Development. The aim is to implement projects that promote sustainable climate solutions for farmers and the agricultural sector to benefit economies while also strengthening community development. 

The deadline to apply for this grant cycle is March 30, 2022, at 5 pm EDT. 

The deadline to apply for this grant

Agrotech, Finance

Krishify plans to use this round for accelerating pan-India growth and to further refine the technology for an enhanced user experience in the agriverse

Rural social network Krishify has closed $6.2 million in Pre-Series A funding with the additional participation of agritech VC fund Omnivore alongside existing investors Ankur Capital, Omidyar Network India, and Orios Venture Partners. Krishify had already raised $2.7 million in August 2021 and has now closed the Pre-Series A round with an additional $3.5 million in funding.

Krishify plans to use this round for accelerating pan-India growth and to further refine the technology for an enhanced user experience in the agriverse. Krishify is also accelerating monetization on the network via advertising, lead generation, and marketing services for companies targeting rural consumers. 

Commenting on the investment, Rajesh Ranjan, Co-Founder of Krishify, said, “We are excited to partner with Omnivore in our journey to build India’s agriverse. More and more Indian farmers are connecting via Krishify every day, as the network breaks down geographic barriers and helps people interact to access knowledge and do business. We recently met a third-generation guava farmer in Rajasthan who was selling record numbers of guava saplings to farmers across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra who only could have ever discovered him through the Krishify app.”

Mark Kahn, Managing Partner, Omnivore, also noted, “Rising smartphone penetration in rural India has created an opportunity to build a farmer-centric social network for India’s 130 million cultivators and their families, a total population of over 600 million. Krishify is building a content-centric agriverse to help farmers and rural communities realise greater success and joy through peer-to-peer engagement.”

Krishify plans to use this round for

AgroPolicy, Start ups

StartUps under Aroma Mission will be be encouraged besides promoting lavender cultivation

Lavender has been designated as Doda brand product, while Kishtwar’s Rattle Hydropower Project has been revived after over eight years. This information was disclosed by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while chairing the District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meetings of districts Doda and Kishtwar respectively

Khilani – Goha – Sudhmahadev National highway, also linking Kalota and Humbal, and National High Altitude Medicinal Plant Bhaderwah will become functional early next year in district Doda.

Dr Jitendra Singh maintained that CSIR-IIIM’s Aroma Mission is providing means of livelihood to budding farmers and Agri-Technocrats and promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship giving a boost to the Start-Up India campaign. Regarding the Purple Revolution, the Minister emphasized that awareness/beneficiary programmes should be organised in Doda, Jammu and other districts and later in the rest of the country to showcase the lucrative aspects of lavender cultivation so that StartUps under Aroma Mission would be encouraged. This would also enhance the image of the district Doda District which is the birthplace of the Purple Revolution.

The Minister also said that various initiatives were being taken to improve forward and backward linkages for Lavender produce and various options of marketing are being explored for which deliberations with various industry partners are underway.

He further informed that the National Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plant will be functional in March next year paving a way for developmental activities in the district with strides towards ease of living and providing livelihood.

StartUps under Aroma Mission will be be

AgroPolicy, Environment

More than 60 spice growers took part in the training prog

The North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS), Shillong, in collaboration with the Spice Board Divisional Office Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, under the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, GoI, organised a training programme for spice growers at the Patkai Hills Welfare Society Office, Deomali, Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh. Deomali hamlet is located in the Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, where most people are engaged in agriculture. Since the growing of spices has great potential in NER due to suitable agro-climatic conditions.

More than 60 participants were trained. They were trained in spice growing as well as to sell their produce for income generation.
Spice Board authorities further highlighted that more such projects will be implemented in the Namsang Block and Soha Block in the near future to encourage farmers to improve their farm activities and economic status.

More than 60 spice growers took part

Supply Chain

94.15 lakh farmers benefitted with an MSP value of Rs. 1,36,350.74 crore

The paddy procurement is progressing smoothly in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021-22 at MSP from farmers, as was done in previous years. A quantity of 695.67 LMT of Paddy has been procured in KMS 2021-22 up to 20.02.2022 in the procuring States/UTs of Chandigarh, Gujarat, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, NEF (Tripura), Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Till now about 94.15 Lakh farmers have been benefitted with an MSP value of Rs 1,36,350.74 crore.

94.15 lakh farmers benefitted with an MSP

AgroPolicy, Environment, Horticulture, Organic

Discussions were held on how to set a 10 per cent export share in the global fruits and vegetable market by 2030

India Pavilion at EXPO2020 Dubai hosted a seminar on ‘Indian Organic and Horticulture Sector–Moving Up the Value Chain’ as part of the ongoing ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ at EXPO2020 Dubai.

The seminar, to deliberate on the opportunities and huge export potential that the Indian agriculture sector offers, saw participation from the representatives of the government and private sector.
In his opening remarks, PK Swain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, said, “In ‘Rising India’, agriculture is a dominant sector which contributes significantly to the Indian economy. With 15 agro-climatic zones, rich soil, mineral-rich water, and is driving the volume, variety, and quality. India is on its way to becoming the food basket of the world and is offering both food and nutritional security with good agricultural practices to the world.”

Applauding the expansion of the sector in the country, Swain said, “India is scripting history with the enchanting growth trajectory of organic horticulture.” He also urged the global investors to invest in the agriculture supply chain and take advantage of FDI policies introduced by the government in the sector.

Dr B Rajendra, Minister (Agriculture), Embassy of India, Rome and Italy & Representative, FAO said, “We need to put a lot of effort in ensuring the quality of our organic horticulture produce and take advantage of such global platforms to expand our export avenues.”

Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare said, “To ensure the quality of our organic produce, we need to have a robust system of certification and the Government of India has anchored two systems of certification for the organic products.”

He further emphasised that appropriate phytosanitary protocols need to be ensured for better acceptability of Indian organic and horticultural products. “We envisage targeting 10 per cent export share in global fruits and vegetable market by 2030,” he added.

It is pertinent to point out that despite the pandemic, India’s organic exports grew 51 per cent over 2019-20 levels. India’s organic exports stood at 8,88,180 MT in 2020-21.

K Srinivas, Partner, Food & Agribusiness, KPMG, said, “India is ranked amongst the top ten exporting countries in agriculture and the overall exports have been growing at an extremely significant rate. Despite the pandemic challenges, we were able to achieve this feat and it strengthens India’s positioning as an exporter globally.”

Emphasising the export-focussed strategy for the promotion of organic and horticulture produce, Srinivas said, “This platform is helping us initiate conversation around awareness and capacity building with investors to make prominence of India in horticulture space. Adoption of good agriculture practices, enhanced farm gate infrastructure, higher investment in R&D, and digital integration are some of the strategies that will play important role in promoting India’s horticulture exports.”

The ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ fortnight will conclude on March 2.

Discussions were held on how to set

Start ups

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi has invited the start-ups and FPOs to submit their proposals

As part of India’s efforts to showcase the country’s investment-friendly policies and growth opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors at EXPO2020 Dubai, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has invited the start-ups and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) to submit their proposals to the ministry, and assured them that they would be considered for providing equity grants, management costs, and other available support measures. Dr Likhi suggested this at the inauguration of ‘Food, Agriculture and livelihood’ fortnight at the India Pavilion in EXPO2020 Dubai.

Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops & Oil Seeds), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, T R Kesavan Group President (Corporate Relations & Alliances) Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE), Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Partner, KPMG, among other officials from the ministry also attended the event.

The ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ fortnight (February 17th – March 2nd) will comprise various sessions which will be presided over by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Cooperation.

On the theme for the first week of the fortnight, that is, millets, Shubha Thakur said, “Millets is an important area for us, and we would like to utilise this global platform to learn about the health and nutritional aspects of millets and bring back the glory of millets.”

India produces all the nine commonly known millets and is the largest producer and second-largest exporter of millets globally.

During the launch of the ‘Millet’ theme as part of the ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ fortnight at the sector floor at the India Pavilion, the delegation led by Dr Likhi unveiled the Millet Book comprising nutritious and delightful recipes made using millets. The delegation also launched the first ‘Millet food festival’, during which the visitors will get to relish the healthy and nutritious delicacies prepared using the millets.

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi has invited the start-ups