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Agrotech, Interaction, Supply Chain

Aqgromalin, an agri-tech startup, is helping farmers with new and innovative techniques. It is building the nation’s largest blockchain-enabled tech and supply chain platform to streamline the animal husbandry and aquaculture ecosystem. Their tech platform enables farmers to access quality inputs delivered at the farm-gate, giving them a wider choice of species and price discovery. Prassana Manogaran, Founder and CEO, Aqgromalin interacts with AgroSpectrum on the status of micro-farming in India

How does Aqgromalin help small scale farmers with their ready-to-implement micro-farms?

Micro-farms are small-scale agricultural ventures that require significantly less land compared to conventional commercial or family farms. They are predominantly found in urban or suburban settings. Despite their small size, micro-farms generate large profits when managed effectively. Moreover, small plot sizes require simpler equipment and do not need huge expenditure on technology. Farmers get ideas from a variety of sources, viz. the government, merchants, businesses, and start-ups, however, they prefer to test a model before pursuing new ventures.

Aqgromalin is a technology-driven agricultural diversification platform that empowers farmers with access to the animal husbandry and aquaculture industries. Aqgromalin’s “ready-to-implement micro-farms require minimal land or investments and is not labour intensive, allowing farmers to easily get into animal husbandry and aquaculture. Aqgromalin offers farmers essential supplies and tools to commence operations right away; this includes thorough cultivation instruction, improving farmers’ knowledge of frequent flock or crop illnesses, and providing them with professional skills to be able to troubleshoot and enhance productivity. 

Aqgromalin’s assistance facilitates small and marginal farmers to diversify their portfolios and take advantage of the higher profits that this sector affords. 

Farmers may reap benefits within six to eight months and register a return on their investments by adopting Aqgromalin’s solutions and ready-to-implement micro-farms.

Since the financial and land requirements are modest, more farmers are adding this to their other ventures. Aqgromalin has a repurchase programme in place to guarantee the farmers a fair price for their goods. Women farmers can also boost their home income with our ready-to-use micro-farms.

Tell us more about Aqgromalin’s end-to-end traceability of products. How does it provide complete visibility of the value chain?

AQAI works with all stakeholders of the supply chain like farmers, breeders, village aggregators, traders, food processors, retailers & exporters and thus has the unique vantage point to collect user-permissioned data from all these stakeholders. AQAI has built an ecosystem of apps to capture information along this value chain. AQAI also has a vendor app that helps in the registration of vendors from various locations. When vendors supply products to AQAI, AQAI stores information about vendors, their products, breed details, pricing information and growth patterns. AQAI’s Animal Tracking App is an RFID enabled platform to track the health and weight of individual animals during purchase, transport, storage and sale. It helps prevent theft and replacement during transport.

The AQAI Farm Management App helps in livestock crop monitoring – it stores when a batch of livestock is started, how much feed is consumed, vaccines and medicines administered, the growth weight at regular intervals, mortality (if any) and other critical farm parameters like night temperature, ammonia levels, etc.

Our comprehensive AQAI app helps onboard customers, accept and fulfil orders. It gathers customer profiles (farmer or trader or exporter), their product preferences, buying frequency and location.

Is there a plan to expand micro-farms beyond southern India?

 Implementation of micro-farms has registered an immense increase in farmer income across the southern states. Market study of the farming community in the North, reveals the enormous potential for Aqgromalin to replicate the success achieved by micro-farms in the south.

Aqgromalin can also assist in bringing about a positive result in the generation of income that is at par or beyond what has been achieved by the southern states. Efforts have already shown a positive trend in West Bengal where some farmers have welcomed micro-farming. A cluster of farms has been identified for growing Sonali Chicken in tandem with Aqgromalin.

Micro-farms, being a low investment diversification tool for farmers, allows for veteran farmers as well as new entrants to take an active interest in setting them up. Multiple queries are being received from amongst the farming community in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, for Aqgromalin to assist in setting up micro-farm farms in these states.

As AQAI is the world’s first app to deliver live input material for poultry and aquaculture, is there a plan to add variety to its portfolio?

We offer a wide range of choices across poultry farming and aquaculture. For poultry farming, we currently serve quails, turkeys, white Pekin ducks, and country ducks. Among these bird varieties, we have a wide range of breeds to choose from such as Japanese quails, Aseel chicken, Kadaknath chicken, Sonali Chicken, DP Cross among others. In aquaculture, we offer Murrels (desi and hybrid), Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Asian Sea Bass, Siver Carp, Pompano Fish, Pearl spot, and Mud-Crabs.

Above and beyond livestock we also offer poultry feed. Live goats for goat farming is also a product line that we are nurturing. Currently, our focus is on augmenting the volume of each product category. 

How does AQAI integrate Data Science and AI in its effort to grow the poultry and aquaculture industry?

AQAI’s end-to-end involvement in the poultry and aquaculture value chain helps collect massive amounts of data on vendors, farmers, transporters, livestock growth, buyers, food processors, exporters, etc. Analysis of this data helps in demand forecasting, feed consumption, farmer discovery, sales patterns, and much more. The data is also conducive for demand and supply forecasting using machine learning techniques.

AQAI also uses computer vision techniques and autonomous robots to monitor the livestock in a farm and aquaculture ponds. Use cases of computer vision include counting the livestock/fish, disease detection, intrusion detection, etc. Autonomous robots can help with the raking of poultry shed soil, aerating of ponds, disinfecting the area of dead birds, removal of dead birds/fish, etc.

Dipti Barve

dipti.barve@mmactiv.com

Aqgromalin, an agri-tech startup, is helping farmers

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, Environment, Sustainability

The 50th milestone was framed by the challenges and opportunities facing the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

The 50th-anniversary celebrations build upon the inauguration of the occasion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar among other dignitaries, who visited the Institute’s global headquarters in early February.

The official celebration was marked by a distinguished gathering of global agricultural institutions and financing leaders to members of the diplomatic corps, ICRISAT’s Governing Board, the Director-General Dr Jacqueline Hughes and staff from across India and Africa.

The 50th milestone was framed by the challenges and opportunities facing the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a series of roundtable discussions on ‘Partnerships and Funding for Sustainable Agriculture in the Drylands’.

ICRISAT Director General Dr Jacqueline Hughes said that while the Institute’s 50th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s illustrious history, it was also a defining moment to coalesce new and innovative approaches to funding scientific innovation to address the challenges facing dryland agri-food systems.

“While the world grapples with evolving climate change, environmental degradation and geo-political shifts there tragically remains one constant for dryland farming communities, and that is food insecurity and hunger,” said Dr Hughes.

“With our deep expertise in dryland farming and recent advances in research, ICRISAT will continue to serve as a global research and thought leader to reduce poverty, hunger, malnutrition, environmental degradation in the semi-arid tropics while making farming profitable.

“We will also augment our scientific advances by working to influence good public policy with a focus on gender and social inclusion as but some cross-cutting themes especially relevant to developing a more equitable and sustainable agricultural sector.

“Our strength has been built upon the diversity of our public and private sector partnerships and our inspiration remains the 2.1 billion people who call the drylands home.

“ICRISAT is well-positioned to now build upon its past successes as an autonomous, independent organisation which will be further strengthened by a deepening of our South-South collaboration.

“Our 50th Anniversary celebrations will segue the Institute into the International Year of Millets in 2023 in which ICRISAT will be a key actor. As a speciality crop of the Institute, we look forward to collaborating with partners to enhance nutritional security in India and Africa,” said Dr Hughes.

The 50th milestone was framed by the

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Seeds

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries, Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works, Ferozepur, Punjab

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on tractor operated PAU Smart Seeder was signed between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and two firms namely Dhanjal Agriculture Industries (regd.) Ludhiana and Punjab Engineering Works (regd.), Ferozepur, Punjab.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr Ashok Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology and Director of Extension Education; Dr Gursahib Singh Manes, Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bioenergy) congratulated Dr Rajesh Goyal, Scientist and Dr Manpreet Singh, Extension Scientist, for the commercialisation of the technology.

The Head of the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Dr Mahesh Kumar Narang said that this machine will help in managing paddy straw management as it has advantages of Super Seeder and Happy Seeder technology.

“PAU Smart Seeder manages the paddy residues by incorporation and surface mulching and thus, smartly retains the benefits of both Happy Seeder and Super Seeder in a single machine. PAU Smart Seeder places wheat seeds in a well-tilled narrow band of soil and covers the seed rows with soil, using furrow closing rollers. This machine can be operated with 45 to 50 hp tractor. The field capacity and fuel consumption of the machine is 0.4 ha/hour and 5.5 litre/acre, respectively,” he added.

In 2021, PAU in collaboration with its industry partners worked to stop paddy straw burning under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project initiatives and large-scale demonstrations/popularization of Smart Seeder were conducted on around 200 ha of area.

Dr Usha Nara, Plant Breeder, Technology Marketing and IPR cell, PAU informed that the university has signed 285 MoAs to date with different companies/firms/individuals. She also said that seven MoAs have been signed for this technology.

The two firms are Dhanjal Agriculture Industries,

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

Discussions were held on fishery-based integrated farming system

The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre recently organised a three-day skill development programme on “Advances in Freshwater Aquaculture” under Tribal Sub Plan. The programme was jointly organised in collaboration with the ICAR-Research Complex for North-Eastern Hills Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Sikkim, Ranipool and Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, Sikkim.

The Chief Guest, N Jaswant Singh, Director, Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Sikkim underlined the different government schemes for fisheries development in Sikkim. The need for the recirculatory aquaculture system and the value-added fish products from organic farming in the state was stressed by Singh.

Dr Ramgopal Laha, Principal Scientist & Joint Director, ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre emphasised the fishery-based integrated farming system.

CS Rai, Additional Director, Directorate of Fisheries, Government of Sikkim highlighted the major diseases and common problems of the fish culture in the State. The ways for better management practices were also suggested by Dr Rai.

The KVK also held the “Farmer’s-Scientists’-Interaction Session” during the occasion.

Around 12,000 fingerlings of Amur Carp along with 1,540 kg fish feed and 1,250 kg lime were distributed to the farmers during the programme. The programme registered participation by 50 farmers.

Discussions were held on fishery-based integrated farming

Foodgrains, Interaction, Opinions

Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Federation of Seed Industry of India and Alliance for Agri Innovation

The global wave of consuming ‘superfoods’ has taken Indians in its fold too. People are going back to the old treasures like amla (Indian Gooseberry), pumpkin seeds, berries, which are said to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals. These superfoods have multiple benefits as their consumption helps in weight loss, promotes heart health, control blood pressure, prevent ageing as well as reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Superfood markets are gaining considerable space in the food market due to the rising awareness of leading a naturally healthier lifestyle. People especially the youth are ready to spend significant money on health and nutrition and superfoods can contribute towards achieving that. 

Superfoods are an assorted mix of various crops such as leafy vegetables, grains and cereals, berries, seeds, and seafood and dairy products, which have showcased several health benefits including reducing the chances of cancers. It is modern consciousness that has been the driving force for the consumption of superfoods. But it saw exponential growth during the Covid-19 pandemic when healthy home-cooked eating took the centre stage and strengthened the impression that superfoods have huge potential to keep infections away. Avocado, kiwi, blueberries and cranberries, oats, kale, chia seeds, are some of the famous global superfoods. Indian contribution to the international superfoods has been identified such as moringa, Jamun (Indian blackberry) amla, ashwagandha (winter cherry), buckwheat, flax seeds, forest honey, millets like ragi among others. The list is growing as different superfoods are seen as a solution to address different deficiencies and health problems. 

The global superfoods market size in 2020 was USD 172 billion and it is expected to reach USD 287 billion by 2027. In India too, the market is growing and it is expected to see a growth of 6 per cent during 2021-26. Superfoods have become a lucrative market due to their demand and profit margin, which is three to four times higher when compared to other foods. Global brands, supermarkets, cafes, fitness clubs are bringing innovations in the use of superfoods in their products such as daily nutrition mixes, sports nutrition supplements, smoothie mixes, meal replacement drinks, nutraceuticals, daily protein. Turmeric latte is one such example.    

Internationally famous superfoods like quinoa and chia are actually from Peru and Bolivia but they have found takers in urban areas in India. Farmers in Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are earning big money by cultivating these superfoods. Quinoa has been adopted into Indian cuisine and is being used in various snacks such as idli, payasam, poha, and even in protein bars, cookies and beer. 

Indian millets too are identified as superfoods and are set to get global recognition. The Government of India is encouraging the cultivation of millets that can help secure dietary, nutritional and economic security. Millets are rich sources of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, besides containing appreciable amounts of dietary fibre and vitamins. Millet production in India had declined over time due to changes in consumption patterns and replacement by wheat and rice. Farmers in India can easily switch back to millets. 

The Indian government has asked corporates to brand and promote Indian millets. These superfoods can ensure higher income for farmers through exports. Similarly, another local superfood moringa has risen to fame for being rich in calcium and is in great demand worldwide. Moringa is traditionally used in the South Indian dish Sambhar but has been adopted in Indian drinks. The superfood market is still underrated in India but there is going to be sharp growth due to the growing awareness about healthy food and new trends of switching to veganism and vegetarianism. Indian farmers can make farming a profitable business through superfoods cultivation as most of them need low inputs, less water and withstand harsh weather conditions. 

Dr Shivendra Bajaj, Executive Director, Federation of

Company News

Wide range of world-class, high quality, fruits, vegetables, staples and dairy products will be available under one roof

Bengaluru-based ‘Namdhari’s Group’ have increased its presence in Bengaluru with the Simpli Namdhari’s store in Whitefield. Spread across an area of around 7,000 square feet, a variety of farm-produced residue-free and high-quality fruits, vegetables, staples and dairy products will be available under one roof.

Simpli Namdhari’s is the only 100 per cent vegetarian omnichannel retailer in India with a seed to plate concept. The store also houses a well-equipped kitchen, which churns out a variety of ‘Simpli Good Food’ for customers. 

“We have planned out a strategic growth path, which would include additional production facilities, R&D centres and retail outlets over the next five years. Our ultimate aim is to make ‘premium’ produce accessible and available to the common man,” said Gurmukh Roopra, CEO, Namdhari’s Group.

The company plans to extend beyond the state of Karnataka in the coming few months. 

Wide range of world-class, high quality, fruits,

Environment, Live Stock

Harit Dhara is found very effective in reducing the enteric methane emission upto 17 per cent to 20 per cent when incorporated in the livestock feed

The ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru, Karnataka has commercialised the “Harit Dhara” Technology to the M/s Saideep Exports Private Limited on a non-exclusive basis through the AgrInnovate India on March 24, 2022.

Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Director, ICAR-NIANP, Bengaluru and MR Aravind, CEO, M/s Saideep Exports signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the behalf of their respective organisations for the licensing to manufacture and sell the formulation.

Aravind stated that with the technology’s commercialisation, they can brand their feed as a “Green Feed”. He also said that the technology is truly indigenous in tune with the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in combating the climate change.

The Harit Dhara developed by the Institute through the comprehensive research over a decade is an anti-methanogenic feed supplement prepared from the natural phyto-sources. It is found very effective in reducing the enteric methane emission upto 17 per cent to 20 per cent when incorporated in the livestock feed.

The partial inhibition of the enteric methanogenesis will have the dual advantage of stabilising the global warming process and enhancing the productivity by re-channelising the saved biological energy. The Institute has already filed a Patent for Harit Dhara.

Harit Dhara is found very effective in

Agrotech, Allied Industry

Both companies have partnered to create sustainable change through unique drip irrigation technology

PepsiCo India and N-Drip, manufacturer of an innovative gravity-powered micro-irrigation system, have announced a partnership, as a lead-up to World Water Day 2022, to help farmers in India adopt game-changing technology in water efficiency. The technology has already been introduced in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan with an aim to improve water efficiency levels across thousands of hectares in the country by 2025. This is part of a global partnership between PepsiCo and N-Drip aimed at increasing water efficiency across 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) around the world by 2025.

N-Drip’s high-efficiency irrigation system is powered by gravity and harnesses the water-saving benefits of high-pressure drip irrigation, but with low energy, operating and maintenance demands—making it more accessible to all types of farmers and nearly all types of crops. Farmers using N-Drip routinely achieve significant water savings, see larger crop yields, and reduce the need for expensive fertilizess. In addition, by converting from flood irrigation to N-Drip’s drip irrigation system, carbon (CO2) emissions are reduced by as much as 83 per cent and methane emissions by as much as 78 per cent.

Speaking about this development, Pratap Bose, Agro Director, Supply Chain, PepsiCo India, said, “Being an agri centric company at heart, PepsiCo India over the last 30+ years has been working towards increasing efficiency across its agri supply chain to reduce water usage by providing alternates to flood irrigation practices. The collaboration with N-Drip is another step in that direction. We are excited to partner with them as they are committed to solving the problem of water shortage by providing a robust alternative to flood irrigation. The initial response to the pilot project has been quite encouraging. We are already seeing improved crop yields, reduced fertiliser usage, and an average reduction of 39 per cent water consumption compared to flood irrigation in states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan.”

This new innovative technology not only applies to potato cultivation but also to other crops such as vegetables or maize.

Both companies have partnered to create sustainable

AgroPolicy, Live Stock

The minister also released two manuals on export of value-added meat products and pork & pork products

The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Parshottam Rupala, to boost exports of value-added meat products has called on stakeholders to work towards creation of region-specific animal disease free zones in the country.

Rupala, while inaugurating the National Business Meet on promoting exports of value-added meat products organised by APEDA in New Delhi on March 25, 2022, said that even in case of single outbreak of disease amongst poultry bird, the entire country is referred as ‘disease affected’.

“All the stakeholders must take small steps and work to declare small regions- a few districts at a time, as disease free,” said Rupala, while referring to the model of Sikkim being declared as an organic state and its produce command a premium in the market.

The minister also released two manuals on export of value-added meat products and pork & pork products.

Rupala also recommended to the livestock industry to leverage the schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Anima; Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and the National Livestock Mission for setting up animal farms for their rearing in order to produce good quality meat and thereby quality value-added products.

Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, said, “India is the largest exporter of frozen and bovine meat while achieving significant growth in export of organic honey and fish produce.”

The minister also released two manuals on export

AgroPolicy, Trade

All set to achieve an annual target of $23.71 billion in current fiscal

Notwithstanding COVID-19 challenges, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has scripted a new success story by achieving 90 per cent of the export target fixed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the financial year 2021-22.

The APEDA has successfully exported agricultural and processed food products worth $21.5 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal and is all set to achieve the annual export target of $23.71 billion for 2021-22. APEDA has a share of more than 5 per cent in achieving this target of $400 billion of mercantile exports in the current fiscal.

Being the highest foreign exchange earner, 91 per cent of the rice export target of $8.67 billion has been achieved by APEDA so far. Rice exports have crossed $8.67 billion from April-February in the current fiscal, India has exported rice worth $8.62 billion, while the export of other cereals has jumped to 105 per cent of the export target of $847 million.

In the fruits and vegetable category, against the export target of $3048 million till February, APEDA has exported F&V worth $2506 million, which is 75 per cent of the total target.

The cereal preparations and miscellaneous processed items have been exported to the tune of $2036 million which is 89 per cent of the export target of $2102 million till February in the current fiscal year, while the export of meat, dairy and products has been recorded at $3771 million, which is 82 per cent of the $4205 million export target fixed till February 2022.

The export of wheat recorded a huge surge at $1742 million during April-January 2021-22, growing 387 per cent over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched $358 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 66 per cent by fetching $869 million during April-January 2021-22 over the corresponding period in 2020-21 when it touched $527 million.

Meat, dairy and poultry products exports grew over 13 per cent standing at $3408 million in April-January 2021-22 compared to $3005 million in the corresponding ten-month period of 2020-21. Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 16 per cent to touch $1207 million during April-January 2021-22 against $1037 million in April-January 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetable exports were up by 11 per cent to reach $1269 million during the first ten months of 2021-22 against $1143 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

“We continue to provide assistance to exporters based on clusters approach in collaboration with state governments while taking into consideration objective of Agriculture Export Policy, 2018,” Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA, said.

The rise in export of agricultural and processed food products has been also largely due to the various initiatives taken by APEDA such as organising B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product-specific and general marketing campaigns by the active involvement of Indian Embassies.

All set to achieve an annual target

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Dairy, Horticulture, R&D

Ministers discussed ways to improve the agri sector and the role being played by ICAR

The 93rd Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society was recently organised at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi.

Delivering his presidential address, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar underlined the establishment of the ICAR in 1929. The pivotal role played by the Council through its research and technology development in creating the food and nutritional security in the country with the untiring cooperation of farmers and scientists over the years was also highlighted by the minister. Tomar underlined the record production of the food grains and horticultural products in the country that has made us self-sufficient to meet not only the domestic demands enabled to supply the same to the different countries as well.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying urged for recognising the local techniques of the small farmers. The encouragement of the cheese made from Banshi Gir Cow’s Milk for export was also stressed by the Union Minister. Rupala suggested the ICAR get benefitted from the upcoming three events – G20 Conference, International Dairy Programme and Jamnagar getting International recognition in Ayurveda.

Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare urged for working in pace with the visions of the Prime Minister. He said that there is a scope for working in the field of horticulture. Mentioning a number of plants that are being imported, the minister urged for developing their varieties in the country itself.

Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog stated that in the current Financial Year, India’s Agricultural exports have crossed $50 billion. He said that there has been an increase of about 22 per cent in a single Year.

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) underlined the development of 389 new varieties by the ICAR during the last Year. The DG mentioned the focus on crops and pulses varieties. Dr Mohapatra stated that the new research in food crops and horticultural arenas have benefited the country to a large extent.

Raghavji Patel, Cabinet Minister, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cow Breeding, Government of Gujarat; Virender Kanwar, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Government of Himachal Pradesh; Tage Taki, Minister Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture & Fisheries, Government of Arunachal Pradesh were among the Guests of Honor during the occasion.

The Members of ICAR Society; Members of ICAR Governing Body along with Sanjay Garg, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Sanjiv Kumar, Financial Advisor (DARE) and Senior Officials & Scientists of ICAR were also present during the occasion.

The ministers released the various ICAR Publications and Products during the occasion.

Ministers discussed ways to improve the agri

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy

Discussions were held on all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats

The fifth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on fisheries was recently held through virtual mode.

The Indian delegation was led by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The other members of the Indian delegation included senior representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Puducherry, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by RMI Rathnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Sri Lanka. The other members of the Sri Lankan delegation comprised of senior officials from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Navy, Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Police, Department of the Attorney General and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency.

The Joint Working Group discussed all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka for many years.

Jatindra Nath Swain observed that the Indian side is always committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan side towards the resolution of issues related to fishermen and their livelihoods in a humanitarian manner. He also took up the issue of the early release of Indian fishermen and boats currently in Sri Lankan custody. The Indian side expressed its readiness to work together with Sri Lanka for joint research to enhance the productivity of the Palk Bay fisheries.

Both sides also discussed cooperation between Navy & Coast Guard of both countries in patrolling, an existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters including cooperation in tracking poaching, prevention of environmental damage due to bottom trawling, addressing grievances of fishermen on either side, besides issues relating to investigation on recent deaths of fishermen and status of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats.

The Indian side highlighted the initiatives taken by the Central and State Governments to diversify livelihood options and reduce fishing pressure in Palk Bay. It also informed that infrastructure has been created to facilitate deep-sea fishing and promotion of alternative livelihood through seaweed cultivation, mariculture and several aquaculture activities.

The Sri Lankan side proposed a faster transition to sustainable fishing in the Palk Bay fisheries and also suggested that India can help them develop the aquaculture sector and the associated infrastructure in Northern Sri Lanka.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with commitment towards continued cooperation and dialogue to solve the fishermen related issues and to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group as per schedule.

Discussions were held on all relevant issues

Agro chems – Fertilizers, World

Averland FC combines abamectin and Vive’s patented Allosperse nano-polymer delivery system

Cotton growers have a convenient new tool to battle nematodes in-furrow with Averland FC nematicide/insecticide/miticide from Vive Crop Protection.

As one of the most economical in-furrow nematicides/insecticides on the cotton market, Hadley Howard, Senior Product Manager with Vive Crop Protection says, “Averland FC is a cost-effective, fertiliser-compatible solution to fight nematodes in-furrow in cotton. With proven nematode protection from Averland FC, cotton growers will maximize early plant stands and get the crop off to a strong start.”

Averland FC combines abamectin and Vive’s patented Allosperse nano-polymer delivery system, making it the only abamectin in-furrow solution registered for nematodes in cotton that also mixes perfectly with liquid fertilizers and other crop inputs.

George Huckabay, Southern Technical Sales Agronomist with Vive Crop Protection says, “Other products used in-furrow for nematodes are not as compatible with liquid fertiliser, and some don’t even behave well in the spray tank when mixed with water.”

“With Averland FC, growers will appreciate how easy it is to use because it doesn’t settle out as quickly, even with high-salt fertilisers like 10-34-0 or 11-37-0,” continues Huckabay.

Infield trials across the cotton-growing region, Averland FC provides comparable activity on nematodes and equivalent yield maximization as Velum Total, but in a more convenient, low-use-rate product. If growers are looking for additional disease control in-furrow, Averland FC is also compatible with most fungicides, including Xyler FC (metalaxyl with Allosperse).

Averland FC combines abamectin and Vive’s patented

Sustainability, World

The company has now started supplying its first sustainable castor ingredients to the personal care industry

BASF is the first chemical company to be certified according to the SuCCESS (Sustainable Castor Caring for Environmental & Social Standards) Code and has successfully finished the certification process by an external body. The production site in Düsseldorf-Holthausen, Germany is also the first site in the personal care industry to be certified. BASF has now started supplying its first sustainable castor ingredients to the personal care industry.

BASF, Arkema, Jayant Agro-Organics, and the international civil society organisation Solidaridad launched project ‘Pragati’ in May 2016 to improve working conditions, create awareness for sustainable farming and increase yields thanks to more efficient farming practices. The Pragati project was driven by a baseline survey of more than 1,000 castor farmers in Gujarat, where the majority of the world’s castor supply originates.

The goal is to support the sustainable production of castor beans to establish sustainable supply chains that amongst others increase the yields and income of the farmers. Since the project was initiated, more than 5,800 smallholders and over 13,300 hectares of land have been certified for sustainable castor cultivation.

The Code SuCCESS is designed by multiple partners and stakeholders to ensure the objective of Pragati project and to develop sustainability principles for castor seeds that will guide and further allow castor producers to offer certified sustainable castor in the global market.

The SuCCESS Code adopted 11 principles of ownership and provides smallholders with on-field support for ensuring monitoring and compliance with 41 mandatory and 25 non-mandatory control points. Only SuCCESS-certified Sustainable Castor Association (SCA) members can claim to supply sustainable castor products.

The company has now started supplying its