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Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D, Trade, Water

The laboratory carries out tests for heavy metals and other trace metals in water complying with BIS and a variety of fresh and processed food products for compliance

The Punjab Horticultural Post-Harvest Technology Centre (PHPTC) at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has recently been granted NABL Accreditation in accordance with ISO17025:2017 for analysis of trace metals (including heavy metals) in water wide accreditation certificate number TC- 10329. The quality control laboratory of PHPTC is equipped with sophisticated equipment such as an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) and microwave digestion system (MDS) for heavy metal analysis.

Dr BVC Mahajan, Director, PHPTC, emphasised that the authentication of a testing report is a major challenge faced by the farmers, exporters, entrepreneurs and various food industries all over India. Owing to this, FSSAI is emphasising the food testing laboratories all over India to get NABL accreditation. NABL’s accreditated report from a laboratory signifies authentication of quality and its technical competence, he added. The reports issued by NABL accredited laboratories are acceptable internationally, catering to the export requirements of industries and exporters. This laboratory is funded by Punjab State Mandi Board to provide testing services to farmers, entrepreneurs, government and private institutions, he informed. The laboratory carries out tests for heavy metals and other trace metals in water complying with BIS and a variety of fresh and processed food products for compliance with the requirements laid down by FSSAI under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, he told.

The other testing services such as estimation of quality attributes in fresh and processed food products, portability of water including biochemical and microbiological parameters are also provided by the laboratory. The centre is also creating awareness among the farmers and new entrepreneurs regarding accreditated testing of water and food in its training programmes, he said.

Dr Ritu Tandon, Quality Manager of the laboratory, told that with the increasing pace of industrialization, heavy metals (Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium) are getting accumulated and have started becoming an integral component of the food chain through drinking and irrigation water. She informed that heavy metals monitoring in drinking and irrigation waters is the need of the hour as these metals have a deteriorating effect on human and animal health. The ICP-MS is a highly sensitive and accurate instrument for analysing all heavy metals and other nutritional elements in water and food, she added.

Dr Swati Kapoor, Technical Manager and Dr Pooja, Deputy Technical Manager of the laboratory, highlighted the criticality of analytical operations of the equipment to generate the authenticated results. The detailed list of test parameters and their charges can be accessed on the website of PHPTC.

The laboratory carries out tests for heavy

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Textile industry

Discussions were held on the future of jute sector

The ICAR-Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore, Kolkata in association with the National Jute Board and Jute Corporation of India recently organised the Stakeholders’ Meet on “Modern Agronomic Practices for Jute Cultivation.”

Delivering the inaugural address, the Chief Guest, MC Chakrabortty, Jute Commissioner, National Jute Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India stressed the greater contribution involvement and coordination in the future for better performance in the jute sector.

The Guest of Honour, Kamlesh Kumar, General Manager, NABARD underlined the important role that the NABARD can play by mobilising the Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations, Farmers’ Club to a single platform for subsidised input and profitable marketing of jute fibres.

The Guest of Honour, AK Jolly, MD, Jute Corporation of India accentuated the exchange of ideas and strategies for filling up the gap existing in the Jute-ICARE Project.

The Guest of Honour, Esther Kathar, Additional Secretary, P&RD, Government of Assam highlighted the scope of developing the Jute Clusters in Assam.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata emphasised the adoption of the technology-centric strategies for filling up the yield gap. Dr Kar emphasised disseminating four to five good quality varieties to the farmers for sustaining and maintaining the growth in fibre productivity. The technologies like inter-specific jute hybrid, endospore-based liquid retting consortium and jute ribboner that are useful in jute farming were also highlighted by Dr Kar.

The Guest of Honor, Dr DB Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata regarded the Jute-ICARE as one of the most successful promotional Projects that has reached a larger section of the jute farmers.

More than 100 delegates from the various ICAR Institutes; Directorate of Jute Development, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; Jute Corporation of India; National Jute Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India; representatives from state governments and Indian Space Research Organization, etc., attended the meet.

Discussions were held on the future of

Supply Chain

102.29 lakh farmers were benefitted with an MSP value of Rs 1,42,282.68 crore

A quantity of 725.93 LMT of Paddy has been procured in KMS 2021-22 up to 06.03.2022 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 102.29 Lakh farmers have been benefitted with an MSP value of Rs. 1,42,282.68 crore.

102.29 lakh farmers were benefitted with an

Agrotech, Interaction, Sustainability

Agriculture, not unlike other sectors, continues to be male dominated in India. However,  due to various agricultural policies introduced by the government, this picture is changing and  more women agro entrepreneurs are actively entering  this  sector. But, is that enough? What steps can be taken by, not just the government, but also by the new crop of enterprising women agripreneurs? We shall unearth just that, and more.

The census of 2018-19, conducted by the Government of India, has revealed that 71 per cent female workers are employed in agriculture, followed by manufacturing (9 per cent), construction (6 per cent) and hospitality (4 per cent). These figures clearly indicate that participation of women in this domain has been scaling continuously. In order to further support this increased participation, the Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development launched a specific scheme called ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)’, as a subcomponent of DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — National Rural Livelihoods Mission). This scheme has been implemented since 2011 with the objective to empower women by making systematic investments to enhance their participation and productivity, as well as create sustainable livelihoods for rural women. Despite all these efforts, there are various challenges such as product awareness, limited access to credit, lack of infrastructure, disproportionately larger levels of deprivation in terms of rights to land, to inputs, etc. that needed to be addressed to attract  more women entrepreneurs to the agriculture sector. 

Participation of women entrepreneurs in  every sector of the country has been scaling up constantly. Agriculture sector is also one of those sectors that is witnessing massive involvement of women in its various operations. With the infusion of technology and rise of startup culture in the country, this trend of more women agro entrepreneurs joining this domain is going to increase further.

To read more click on https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

Agriculture, not unlike other sectors, continues to

Agrotech, World

VT4PRO with RNAi Technology to launch in the US as early as 2024

Bayer announced the commercial registrations from the EPA for the traits that will enable the commercialisation of its newest corn product, VT4PRO with RNAi Technology, in the US. VT4PRO Technology will provide US farmers with an additional option within the already-strong Bayer corn product portfolio to help control troublesome above-ground and below-ground pests.

VT4PRO Technology will mark the first product that combines the power of the three modes of built-in action in Trecepta Technology, an elite above-ground pest package for corn that controls insects such as corn earworm and western bean cutworm, along with an RNAi-based mode of action, the latest defence to help manage corn rootworm.

A complement to Bayer’s existing portfolio, VT4PRO Technology will complement other products like SmartStax PRO Technology and offer an additional option for growers looking for products that will perform well in low-to-moderate corn rootworm pressure conditions, along with potentially higher risk for corn earworm or western bean cutworm.

Bayer plans to conduct large scale field testing of VT4PRO Technology during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons with the potential to launch commercial volumes as early as 2024, pending state registrations.

VT4PRO with RNAi Technology to launch in

R&D

The move will strengthen the company’s market position for many years

Breeder of ornamental crops Royal Van Zanten and plant research company KeyGene have agreed upon a multi-year partnership in research and development. The partnership will enable Royal Van Zanten, a leading company in pot plants, cut flowers and flower bulbs, to accelerate the development of market-focussed varieties in its ornamental crops and strengthen its team of passionate breeders and scientists. Thanks to the new collaboration, KeyGene, which develops and applies innovative technologies for crop improvement, can importantly broaden the use of its proprietary technologies in ornamental crops.

Innovative technologies for plant breeding developed at KeyGene will boost Royal Van Zanten’s breeding of ornamental crops, which will allow for strengthening the company’s market position for many years.

The move will strengthen the company’s market

People

Kumar hails from Haryana and has been in the company for the last 12 years

Syngenta India has appointed Susheel Kumar as the new country head and managing director of the company. Kumar takes over from Rafael Del Rio, who served as managing director for the past four years.

Del Rio has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Syngenta India, one of the biggest agricultural companies in the world, selling seeds and crop protection chemicals. Kumar hails from Haryana and has been in the company for the last 12 years.

Kumar completed an international assignment in Basel, Switzerland, where he worked on global strategy as well as projects for Commercial Excellence.

Kumar hails from Haryana and has been

Agrotech, Finance, Start ups

The fund will be used to strengthen supply chain, invest in cutting-edge tech, add product categories

Agri-tech startup, Otipy (operated by Crofarm Agriproducts), India’s first community group buying platform for fresh produce, raised Rs 235 crores ($32 million) in its Series B round led by Westbridge Capital. Existing investors SIG and Omidyar Network India also participated in the round. These fresh funds have come in six months for Otipy, after its series A funding of Rs 76 crores ($10.2 million).

Varun Khurana, Founder & CEO, Otipy said, “The series B round of funding will support us as we expand to new pin codes, strengthen our supply chain, invest in cutting-edge tech, add product categories and accelerate our mission of making fresh, nutritious food accessible to all.”

The fund will be used to strengthen

Agro chems – Chemicals, Inputs

Corprima will provide tomato and okra farmers across the country with superior crop protection against fruit borers

FMC India, an agricultural sciences company, has announced that it has launched a new insecticide Corprima.

Powered by FMC’s world’s leading Rynaxypyr insect control technology, Corprima will provide tomato and okra farmers across the country with superior crop protection against fruit borers.

The innovative insecticide Corprima has been proven to deliver better returns on investment to farmers by having a longer duration pest control as well as enhanced flower and fruit retention leading to larger harvests of better quality.

According to the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, tomato farmers across the country lose up to 65 per cent of their yields to fruit borers every year. The infestation of this pest leads to flower dropping and poor plant health resulting in poor quality fruiting, thus adversely impacting crop yields.

Corprima, powered by Rynaxypyr active, promises to provide a superior and long-lasting protection from fruit borer pests which saves farmers’ time, costs and effort to protect their crops.

FMC India President, Ravi Annavarapu said, “The past year saw a record horticultural crop production in the country. However, every year, tomato and okra farmers incur heavy losses due to fruit borer pests, diseases and post-harvest losses amongst other factors. At FMC, we use innovation to solve the challenges faced by farmers by introducing sustainable products and solutions. The introduction of Corprima is a testimony to FMC’s commitment to bring novel solutions to meet farmers’ crop protection needs. I’m confident that Corprim will help tomato and okra farmers improve their incomes through higher yields of better quality.”

Introduced in 6gm, 17gm and 34gm packs, Corprima will meet the crop protection needs of small, marginal and big farmers.

Corprima will provide tomato and okra farmers

Agrotech, Sustainability

Over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries are expected to convene online for the 2-day virtual conference 

The ICTforAg 2022 conference will take place virtually on March 9-10, 2022, and convene leading stakeholders from the agri-tech and agri-food ecosystems across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sponsored by Feed the Future and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ICTforAg 2022 is implemented by DAI and Intellecap.

The virtual conference will bring together global leaders, top experts from the private and corporate sector, representatives from governments, researchers and academics, stakeholders from the social sector, entrepreneurs and investors, and farmers to strengthen the digital agriculture ecosystem and catalyse partnerships that unlock ground-breaking solutions.

The conference will feature 100+ eminent speakers, including keynote speaker Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development at GSMA; Dr Agnes Kalibata, President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); Beth Crawford, Director, Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) at FAO; Daron Acemoglu, Professor at MIT; Kunal Prasad, Co-Founder and COO at CropIn Technologies; Matthias Berninger, EVP, Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE at Bayer; Mike Michener, Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID; Richard Choularton, Director of Agriculture & Economic Growth at Tetra Tech; Tim Hammerich, Creator of Future of Agriculture weekly podcast; Vineet Durani, Director, Microsoft Cloud for Industry (Agri-Food) at Microsoft Corporation; and many more.

Kyriacos Koupparis, Head of Frontier Innovations at the World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator said “Digital technology has transformed every aspect of our lives, from the way we work to how we produce and consume. ICTforAg 2022 is a key catalyst in the digital transformation of the agri-food system as it brings together innovators, practitioners, local stakeholders, experts, and thought leaders to take forward solutions that work and bring them to scale.”

The conference will convene over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries across 21 knowledge-sharing sessions focusing on four cross-cutting themes – Locally Led Development, Climate, Digital Inclusion, and Digital & Data Sovereignty. ICTforAg 2022 will for the first time host a tech showcase with 30 ground-breaking agtech enterprises from around the globe, and is bringing together farmers who have benefitted from the use of ICT in four unique social sessions aimed at promoting a strong global community of agriculturists.

ICTforAg 2022 is proud to be collaborating with Tetra Tech as a Featured Session Partner to focus on the potential impact of advanced analytics for smallholder farmers, as well as to be working with like-minded organizations including Bayer Crop Science, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GSMA, IDH – The Sustainable Trade Initiative, NASA, Solidaridad, and The World Bank, among others, to co-create insightful sessions.

Over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries are

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Trade

Inland Waterways Authority of India plans to run a fixed schedule sailing between NW1 and NW2 heralding a new age of inland water transport for Assam and North East India

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal received the maiden voyage of food-grains from Patna to Pandu via Bangladesh in Guwahati. Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) welcomed the self-propelled vessel MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying a total of 200 MT of foodgrains for the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as it completed the maiden pilot run from Patna to Pandu via Bangladesh. IWAI is planning to run a fixed schedule sailing between NW1 and NW2 heralding a new age of inland water transport for Assam and North East India.

The vessel started its sail from Patna on National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) and passed through Bhagalpur, Manihari, Sahibganj, Farakka, Tribeni, Kolkata, Haldia, Hemnagar; Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route through Khulna, Narayanganj, Sirajganj, Chilmari and National Waterway-2 through Dhubri, and Jogighopa covering a distance of 2,350 km.

The IWAI is also planning to run a regularly scheduled service on these routes. The protocol on Inland water transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh will be optimally beneficial when we can unlock the value from the cargo trade in the region. To improve the navigability, two stretches of IBP routes, i.e., Sirajganj-Daikhowa and Ashuganj-Zakiganj are also being developed at a cost of Rs 305.84 crore on an 80:20 share basis (80 per cent is borne by India and 20 per cent by Bangladesh).

Inland Waterways Authority of India plans to

Interaction

At the India Pavilion, the theme of ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ was represented by celebrating the diversity of Indian Agriculture under four major sub-sectors

The ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood fortnight’ at the Indian Pavilion in EXPO2020 Dubai concluded on March 2, 2022, highlighted India’s investment-friendly policies, growth opportunities and showcased country’s core strengths across different areas of Agriculture and allied sectors to the global investors.

At the India Pavilion, the theme of ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ was represented by celebrating the diversity of Indian Agriculture under four major sub-sectors: Millets, Horticulture, Organic and Food Basket of the World (dairy, poultry & fisheries). The stories shared through the sub-sectors also covered Food Processing & Cooperation, which are also pillars for future growth.

Starting on February 17, 2022, the fortnight was inaugurated by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The inaugural ceremony also included the opening of the Millets Food Festival along with introductory conversations amongst the Government & Private sector.

In line with the recent declaration of the year 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ by the United Nations General Assembly, India’s advantage as a major Millet producer was highlighted during the expo. A seminar on Millets was conducted to highlight India’s potential and tremendous opportunities of this sub-sector, for stakeholders across the Millets value chain including processing & export.

The seminar organised on the subject ‘Indian Organic and Horticulture Sector–Moving Up the Value Chain’, further emphasised on the progress made in these sub-sectors to improve quality and access high-value markets.

At the India Pavilion, the theme of

Uncategorized

Istem was launched in the UK market in 2021 and has already been awarded a 3-star Superior Taste Award by the Brussels International Taste Institute

Syngenta Vegetable Seeds has been nominated for a prestigious Fruit Logistica Innovation Award for the second consecutive edition of the industry’s premier event, spotlighting the company’s leadership and innovation in high-demand segments, from tomato to water melon, sweet pepper to sweet corn. Syngenta’s unique Istem cauliflower is shortlisted – two years after YOOM tomato won the gold award.

Istem is high-yielding and appeals to consumers with its sweet, nutty curds individually held on top of tender, succulent stems. Eaten whole there is no food waste. It is quick to prepare, and can be eaten raw or cooked, from baking to barbecuing, steaming to stir-frying. It’s also a healthy choice – high in fiber and immune-boosting vitamin C.

Istem was launched in the UK market in 2021 and has already been awarded a 3-star Superior Taste Award by the Brussels International Taste Institute.

Lotfi Bani, Istem project manager in Europe commented, “We have the capability to use agile, science-based agronomic solutions to create sustainable crops, while anticipating consumer preferences and market trends. The Istem exemplifies this. It not only cuts food waste, it also offers consumers a great-tasting, healthy, convenient choice.” 

Istem has a bright future. Extensive trials are planned in 2022 across Europe, Africa, Middle East, North America and Australasia, preparing for it to launch in new markets very soon.

When growers were coming under pressure from the devastating new Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), Syngenta fast-tracked its research to respond to this threat. Its teams’ speed and precision brought growers disease-resistant varieties such as Lansor and Barosor. Both varieties allow farmers to maximise marketable produce, even when ToBRFV is present. Syngenta has also bred spinach varieties to resist foliar disease Stemphylium.

Istem was launched in the UK market

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities, Sustainability

The theme is ‘Soil, air and water conservation; Practice this for future generation’

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has announced the dates for the upcoming Virtual Kisan Melas in March 2022. Sharing the details, Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education, said that the series of melas will kick off with the first Virtual Kisan Melas at Ballowal Saunkhri (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) and Nagakalan Jahangir (Amritsar) on March 14. This will be followed by the Virtual Kisan Mela at Rauni (Patiala) on March 16 and Virtual Kisan Melas at Faridkot and Gurdaspur on March 21, he informed. The two-day Virtual Kisan Mela at Ludhiana is scheduled to be held on March 24 and 25, he added. Further, Dr Kumar said that the last Virtual Kisan Mela will be organised at Bathinda on March 29.

Dr Kumar said that the theme of the melas is “Soil, air and water conservation; Practice this for future generation.” With special emphasis on the conservation of natural resources, the melas will call upon the farming community to save soil, air and water by making judicious use of groundwater, fertilisers and agro-chemicals, and saying no to stubble burning, he added. The melas will provide an opportunity to the farmers, farm women and rural youths to learn about latest recommendations related to crop varieties and production and protection technologies; subsidiary occupations (mushroom production, beekeeping, animal husbandry, etc.); home management practices and other allied enterprises, he said. Focus will also be on promoting rural entrepreneurship for the economic stability of their families. In addition, quality seeds of crop varieties, plant material, biofertilisers and farm literature will be available for purchase during these melas.

Dr Kumar called upon the farmers to participate in the melas along their families. “Melas are revitalising events; your presence will make it a grand success,” he stated.

The theme is 'Soil, air and water