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Agro chems – Pesticides, World

The innovation has been applied in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest rice producer

Provivi, a leading provider of pheromone-based crop protection solutions, and Syngenta Crop Protection, announced the commercialisation of Nelvium, a new mating disruption solution, to effectively and more safely control detrimental pests in rice. This crop serves as the primary energy source for half of the world’s people.

While pheromones have been utilised in agriculture for more than 30 years as a pest control method, this will be the first time this innovation has been applied to rice in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest rice producer and one of the world’s biggest rice consumers.

Pheromone solutions provide a foundation service in insect control, ensuring the natural technologies are able to maximise the validity and scalability of pest management systems, significantly decreasing the development of resistant populations.

The innovation has been applied in Indonesia,

Agrotech, R&D

Mitsui will work with the management team and staff of the merged company to strengthen its management foundation

Tokyo based Mitsui & Co, has recently merged two European crop protection distribution business: Certis Europe B V, and Belchim Crop Protection NV/SA, both affiliates of Mitsui’s wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsui AgriScience International SA/NV.

The two companies will merge their operations to form a business with significant presence primarily in the European market. Upon completion of the required formalities, the new company’s name will be changed to Certis Belchim B V in order to capitalise on the brands of both companies.

Both companies have achieved growth as crop protection distribution platforms for the European and North American markets by working with the Mitsui & Co group through strategic alliances with leading Japanese R&D-focused crop protection manufacturers.

Mitsui will work with the management team and staff of the merged company to strengthen its management foundation, achieve the improvement of crop productivity and quality while pursuing environmental protection in agriculture by combining original high added-value products developed by Japanese R&D focused crop protection manufacturers and environment-friendly bio-pesticides and seed treatment preparations, which are strengths of both companies, to create an attractive crop protection distribution platform that will generate new value.

Mitsui will work with the management team

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities

This MOU includes joint working on drone technology and demonstrations of agri-drones for spray of fertilisers & agrochemicals

R G Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Agritech Limited and Dr J S Sandhu, Vice Chancellor, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University (SKNAU) Jobner signed a MOU on March 24, 2022 between Dhanuka Group & SKNAU, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan for working together for trials, verification of new technology & transferring the same to a large number of farmers.

This MOU includes joint working on drone technology and demonstrations of agri-drones for spray of fertilisers & agrochemicals. Also training of farmers, scientists and other agriculture stakeholders on new technology will be done.

Dhanuka Agritech Limited has earlier signed MOUs with G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar; CCS Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar; Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Telangana; University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur; Maharana Pratap Horticultural University (MHU), Karnal & Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab.

R G Agarwal delivered a presentation titled “Smart agriculture with Precision Plant Protection; Agri-business Entrepreneurship Development & How to increase farmer’s income” as a special invitee, panelist & speaker in the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the Indian Phytopathological Society & its 8th International Conference 2022 (hybrid) on “Plant Pathology: Retrospect and Prospects” being held from March 23-26, 2022 at SKN Agricultural University, Jobner, Jaipur.

R G Agarwal explained the large opportunities available to increase Indian GDP from Agriculture sector. Dhanuka Group has always believed in working in PPP mode with the Government & Agricultural Universities to benefit our farmers.

Agarwal during his presentation announced an annual award of Rs 50,000 for 5 years for the best pathology scientist who will be decided by the jury to be appointed by the Indian Phytopathological Society. This award will be known as the Dhanuka Scientists Award & will be handed over in the annual function of the Society.     

This MOU includes joint working on drone

Agrotech, North America

CNH Industrial also intends to invest in the expansion of Raven’s existing Innovation Campus in Baltic, South Dakota

CNH Industrial has opened a new engineering centre in Scottsdale, Arizona. This facility will support the rapid growth of the company’s Raven precision agriculture technology business as it develops cutting-edge customer solutions.

“Our industries are undergoing a significant tech transformation and CNH Industrial wants to attract a growing talent pool of engineers and digitally-focused professionals that will shape this future,” said Kevin Barr, Chief Human Resources Officer, CNH Industrial. “Our new Scottsdale hub will be an attractive, dynamic and innovative workplace where we will accelerate progress in the digital, automation and autonomous spaces.”

In addition to the new Scottsdale location, CNH Industrial also intends to invest in the expansion of Raven’s existing Innovation Campus in Baltic, South Dakota, located minutes away from its Headquarters in Sioux Falls. These facility upgrades will provide more space and resources for customer-inspired engineering, testing and research. The investments in Scottsdale and Baltic will bolster the Company’s engineering talent base, support the demand for innovative aftermarket solutions, and further Raven’s technology integration and advancements for the Case IH and New Holland Agriculture brand platforms.

These sites complement CNH Industrial’s current footprint in Arizona, which includes its nearby R&D facility in Casa Grande and proving grounds in Maricopa.

“Our integration with Raven is rapidly accelerating technology delivery to customers. It allows our Engineering teams to efficiently go from ‘code to cab’ to develop and deploy new technologies. These sites combined with our existing activities will reinforce our commitment to having engineers work closely with our customers,” said Parag Garg, Chief Digital Officer, CNH Industrial.

CNH Industrial also intends to invest in

Agro Universities, Dairy

A small scale dairy processing unit with a budgetary allocation of Rs 9.91 lakhs has been established at Vaniyampara Village of Coastal District, Thrissur

The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa signed an Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala for establishing the Farmers’ Producers’ Organization (FPO) / Self Help Groups (SHGs) / Community Organizations (COs) of the tribal farmers of the coastal districts of Kerala.

Dr R Solomon Rajkumar, Senior Scientist & Liaison Officer, ICAR-CCARI, Goa represented the ICAR-CCARI, Goa for signing the MoA on the behalf of the Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa.

As a part of the collaboration, a small scale dairy processing Unit with a budgetary allocation of Rs 9.91 lakhs has been established at Vaniyampara Village of Coastal District, Thrissur.

The senior officials of ICAR-CCARI, Goa and KVASU, Kerala were also present during the occasion.

A small scale dairy processing unit with

Agro Universities, Water

The scientists have developed a user-friendly, simple device – Soil Moisture Indicator

A team of scientists from ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu recently received the TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Award – 2021 (WINNER).

The award was conferred by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in partnership with the International Water Association (IWA) and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to recognize the exceptional efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water.

The scientists including Dr K Hari, Dr D Puthira Prathap, Dr P Murali, Dr A Rameshsundar, Dr B Singaravelu and Dr Bakshi Ram received the Award in the Category of “Excellence in Water Use Efficiency in the Agricultural Sector” from Bharat Lal, Secretary, Lokpal of India; Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India, UNDP and Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI on the occasion the World Water Day – 2022 during the event organised at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The scientists have developed a user-friendly, simple device – “Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI)” employing the participatory action research approach which helps the farmers in assessing the soil moisture levels while scheduling irrigations, thus, ensuring considerable saving of the irrigation water. The SMI usage was found to conserve the water resources, increase farm profits and save electricity and labour, thereby, leading towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Dr G Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore underlined the successful testing of the SMI Device in the sugarcane farmers’ fields of the three agro-climatic regions in Tamil Nadu before its launch. She stated that the device’s utility in the conservation of water resources had been successfully demonstrated in many other crops besides sugarcane across the country. 

Dr Hemaprabha said that the Institute has given the licence to 19 firms from the States / Union Territories of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana for the commercial production of SMI.

The scientists have developed a user-friendly, simple

AgroPolicy, Trade

Goyal was speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Parliament Session

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Commerce and Industry and Textiles has said that the Centre stands committed to buying the excess stocks as per quality standards from Telangana.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Parliament Session, Goyal pointed out that in 2014-15, Rs 3391 crore was paid as MSP of paddy to farmers of Telangana. However, in KMS 2020-21, the Union government paid Rs 26,610 crores as paddy MSP to the farmers of Telangana.

“The Central Government stands committed to buy whatever excess stocks are there in Telangana, after their own consumption, in the form of raw rice and as per the quality specified by Food Corporation of India (FCI), as per the MoU with the Centre, as was committed by the state government in writing to the union government,” he said.

Goyal also briefed about the rice procurement process. He said that the Centre procures the rice based on the consumption pattern and demand of various states. The states after procuring the rice, keep stock for domestic consumption of the state and the balance is taken by the Centre.

Goyal was speaking on the sidelines of

Agrotech, World

PhenoGene is a game-changing solution for plant breeders to optimise breeding strategies

Phenome Networks in collaboration with KeyGene introduces PhenoGene, a game-changing solution for plant breeders to optimise breeding strategies.

PhenoGene, based upon an algorithm developed by KeyGene is now available as a novel module in the PhenomeOne software, as a decision support tool to optimise breeding strategies for any crop. The PhenoGene module enables breeders to design the ideal plant, the so-called ideotype, based on genetic trait information from multiple parents, and calculate the fastest and most efficient breeding schedule, to combine favourable traits from multiple parents into a single variety.

The PhenoGene algorithm provides the most efficient recipe for which crosses to perform, how many plants to use in each generation for each cross, and how many generations are required to achieve that requested genotype in the most efficient way mathematically possible.

In discussions with Phenome Networks, KeyGene scientists recognized the value of converting this optimiser into a user-friendly tool integrated into the PhenomeOne software suite, in order to make it available for a large number of breeders across the globe.

Phenome Networks is the company behind the well-known PhenomeOne package that already supports thousands of breeders all over the world in data collection, data management, and breeding intelligence. The breeding optimizer is made available as a module called PhenoGene of the PhenomeOne package on a SaaS (Software as a Service) basis.

Using the tool breeders can develop and compare different breeding strategies to integrate beneficial traits from multiple parents. Moreover, the results of the algorithm show the total costs and time that it takes to develop the variety, which can be reviewed by breeders and matched to the actual resources and time to market.

PhenoGene is a game-changing solution for plant

Acts & Schemes – Centre, AgroPolicy

Discussions were held on various aspects of Kisan Credit Card Scheme for improvement and better implementation

A meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare was recently held. The committee discussed various aspects of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme for improvement and better implementation.

Addressing the committee, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the government is running a campaign for saturation of KCC to farmers to cover all leftover PM KISAN beneficiaries. He said that all the administrative charges up to Rs 3 lakh of short term loans i.e processing fee, inspection fee, ledger, folio charges etc have been waived off so that the maximum number of farmers can get the loan at a cheaper rate through the Interest Subvention Scheme.

The minister also told the committee members that the form for KCC has been simplified and directions have been sent to banks to issue KCC within 14 days of receipt of the complete application form. As a result of sustained and concerted efforts by banks and other stakeholders in the direction of providing access to concessional credit to farmers, a major milestone has been achieved by covering around 2.94 crore farmers under the KCC scheme with the sanctioned credit limit of Rs 3.22 lakh crore as on March 4, 2022, the minister added.

A presentation on details of KCC scheme was given by Joint Secretary Ritesh Chauhan. The committee members raised their concerns and gave suggestions for further improvement of the scheme. Tomar thanked the committee members for their valuable suggestions and assured them that the Ministry will look into each suggestion and will come out with favourable solutions for the betterment of farmers. He also requested members to put their efforts into creating awareness about KCC among the farmer community in their respective constituencies.

Discussions were held on various aspects of

AgroPolicy, R&D, Sustainability

The areas of interest include bio fuel, bio diesel, medicinal plants etc

India and Oman will work together in certain areas like sustainability scientific harnessing of resources under a Programme of Cooperation (POC) in the fields of science and technology.

The areas of cooperation identified based on the POC for the period 2022 – 2025 are medicinal plants and processing, real-time air quality monitoring, development of an electronic platform for knowledge sharing in the field of genetic resources, technical expertise for SMEs in the field of sustainability (Eco-Innovate) Accelerator, plastic bio-fuel, and bio-diesel research, software development for graduate programmes – linking industry with academia, blockchain and FinTech solutions, training programmes – Big-data, coding and testing, STEM teaching and other areas of S&T cooperation added by mutual consent.

The POC document was signed by the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Omani Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman during the bilateral meeting between Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India and Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman.

The Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, on behalf of Government of the Republic of India and the Office of Science, Knowledge & Technology Transfer, Foreign Ministry, on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, will supervise, coordinate and implement the POC for India and Oman, respectively.

Under the agreement, both countries will support joint scientific projects based on mutual interest, developed jointly by the Indian and Omani institutions. They will encourage the exchange of scientists, researchers, experts, and specialists for the implementation of selected joint projects aimed at developing applicable technology. This will lead to the dissemination of research results and establishing contacts with the industry for the follow-up of research and development work. The countries will also hold at least one workshop each year – alternatively in India and Oman during the 2022 – 2025 period in mutually acceptable areas.

The areas of interest include bio fuel,

Sustainability

The awards programme was jointly organised by the Energy Research Institute, the International Water Association and the United Nations Development Programme

FMC Corporation, a leading agricultural sciences company, has been conferred a Certificate of Recognition for its exemplary contribution towards water stewardship in India at the inaugural TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Awards 2021-22 on World Water Day 2022. The awards programme was jointly organised by the Energy Research Institute, the International Water Association and the United Nations Development Programme.

FMC runs an ongoing campaign under its flagship Project Samarth that seeks to provide access to safe and potable drinking water to 200,000 farmer families by 2024 in India. Project Samarth has to date commissioned 57 community water purification plants in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, benefiting nearly 100,000 farming families.

Ravi Annavarapu, President, FMC India said, “Our goal is to empower the farming community and raise living standards through various initiatives and community outreach programmes like Project Samarth. Over 4,000 FMC technical field experts engage with farmers about good agriculture practices and the sustainable use of water to enhance productivity while optimising water use. We endeavour to educate the community at large about best practices in water consumption, and we are grateful for this recognition by TERI-IWA-UNDP. It motivates us to move forward on our mission of water stewardship.”

Apart from commissioning water purification plants, FMC also promotes the sustainable use of water in agriculture through its wide network of technical experts and channel partners.

The award was received by Raju Kapoor, director of Public and Industry Affairs, FMC India, in the presence of The Chief Guest Shri Bharat Lal, Secretary Lokpal of India, Former Additional Secretary Jal Jeevan Mission and Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India.

The TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Awards aim to encourage the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by way of reducing the water footprint among various stakeholders through the adoption of the ‘water neutrality’ approach.

The awards programme was jointly organised by

Company News, Trade

The arrangement will be done to nurture one million genetically blessed and superior plantations of stone fruit and pome fruits and grow them exclusively in India

IG International, one of India’s leading fresh fruit importers, has settled into an agreement with BEN DOR FRUITS & NURSERIES which grants them the license to cultivate plantations of stone fruit and pome fruits. The arrangement will be done to nurture one million genetically blessed and superior plants and grow them exclusively in India.

Speaking on the grant of the license, Tarun Arora, Director of Finance and Operations of IG International, said, “This is big for Indian agriculture. This is one of the biggest deals in plant genetics and nurseries. It’s a big win for the Indian apple industry. Ben-Dor is the best partner and has the most superior plant genetics in the world. The values and strategy completely align with our vision. We look forward to working closely together on this.”

“We look for the most professional and reliable partners and are thankful to have reached an agreement with IG, to develop and introduce varieties where quality and flavour is appreciated. India is strategically important for us for the coming decades for the development of high-quality plantations. We hope to be a significant positive impact on the local farming sector,” added Edo Ben Dor, Founder, BEN DOR FRUITS & NURSERIES.

The arrangement will be done to nurture

Agrotech, Nature, Sustainability

The project seeks to enable smallholder framers to recycle plastics conveniently by setting up an ecosystem of plastic waste collection across 60+ villages in Maharashtra, reaching 1500+ farmers

Bayer and PI Industries today inaugurated its ‘Plastic Waste Take Back’ Pilot Project, in partnership with Sahyadri Farms. The technology-powered initiative, driven by Recykal, aims to reduce the impact of farm-based plastic on the environment through proper collection and recycling of plastic waste.

The ‘Plastic Waste Take Back’ Pilot Project will accelerate sustainability in agriculture and involves the setting up of 12 Empty Container Collection Bins (ECCB) across Nashik, Maharashtra. Each will serve a cluster of roughly five neighbouring villages, aiming to support over 60 villages and 1500 farmers across four locations: Nilwandi, Sonewadi, Sawargaon and Umberkhed. This is a joint initiative with a leading integrated agrichemicals solution company, PI Industries.

Sahyadri Farms will mobilise the farmers through its local presence and Recykal, via apps will mobilize stakeholder actions and provide cloud-based solutions for waste management. It will facilitate the collection, recycling and incineration of non-recyclable plastic waste. Together, Bayer and PI Industries will connect the link between Recykal and FPOs and financially sponsor the overall project management.

The project will facilitate waste collection in Nashik and will further be expanded to cities across India through increased awareness, education and dedicated infrastructure needed to bring about behavioural shift amongst farmers and promote safe waste disposal. Sahyadri farms will also assist in aligning with cluster farms, maintaining the access database, identifying the space for ECCB installation and helping create awareness.

The project seeks to enable smallholder framers

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech

Targets pest, disease and on-farm data capture

WayBeyond has launched a mobile app which makes crop data capture faster and easier, particularly for onsite scouting of pests and pathogens.

“There are currently relatively few digital products on the market which assist growers with data collection, consequently there remains much manual use of clipboards, pens and spreadsheets in the industry,” says Sophie Stanley, Head of Global Markets.

“By creating FarmRoad Mobile we solve a key pain point for growers – the length of time it takes and how they record crop data. With farm managers wrestling with staff shortages due to covid and other factors, optimising available staff time is key. By speeding up and simplifying on-farm data capture, the app provides a viable alternative to traditional methods.”

Pest and disease detection is a key component of FarmRoad Mobile due to the need for swift action once detected in the growing environment. Director of Crop Science and Agronomy Dr Tharindu Weeraratne notes that a fast response is essential when it comes to reducing the spread of disease.

Targets pest, disease and on-farm data captureWayBeyond