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Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Dairy, R&D, Sustainability

Through this, joint research, knowledge sharing and innovation will be promoted between academic institutions of both countries and practitioners including farmers

Initiatives have been taken between India and Germany on agroecology and sustainable management of natural resources. In this regard, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar and Germany’s Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze signed the declaration in a virtual meeting.

Through this, joint research, knowledge sharing and innovation will be promoted between academic institutions of both countries and practitioners including farmers. The transfer of technology and scientific knowledge will be promoted by encouraging exchanges, partnerships and research collaboration with the private sector. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development intends to provide up to 300 million euros by the year 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects under this initiative.

Germany will provide coordinated support for this lighthouse initiative, supporting the agro-ecological transformation process in India through the Technical Cooperation Project. For the changing agenda of agroecology, the two countries envisage the establishment of a joint research centre supported by financial cooperation to develop and share cutting edge knowledge with practitioners from India, Germany and other countries, while facilitating value-added technology and scientific transfer.

To oversee the implementation, a working group will be set up with the concerned Ministries, namely, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and NITI Aayog.

Through this, joint research, knowledge sharing and

Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, Nature, Organic, Sustainability

According to M Venkaiah Naidu, organic farming is the way forward

The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu underlined the importance of organic farming for sustainable and stable development. He said that natural resources such as soil and water are not unlimited and the future of mankind depends on their conservation.

Addressing a gathering after releasing the book titled Bhumi Suposhan (meaning – soil nutrition) published by Akshay Krishi Parivar at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas, the Vice President expressed his concern over the degradation of soil due to the overuse of pesticides and fertilisers and stressed the need for creating awareness on this important issue. He also said that unchecked extraction of groundwater is fast depleting our groundwater table leading to a reduction in moisture content in the soil, thus turning fertile land into barren land.

Listing out various benefits of organic farming, the Vice President opined that it not only improves soil health but also reduces farmers’ input costs. Locally available resources such as cow dung and waste organic matter can be used to prepare low-cost organic manure, thus increasing farmers’ income.

Acknowledging Green Revolution’s role in ensuring the country’s food security, Naidu highlighted some of its unintended consequences such as the uncontrolled use of pesticides. Appreciating various governmental and individual efforts for soil conservation, he said the network of laboratories for soil testing is being strengthened and natural farming is being promoted in ecologically sensitive areas such as villages adjacent to the river Ganga.

Mentioning that around six lakh farmers are practising organic farming on approximately 38 lakh hectares of land in India, the Vice President expressed his happiness over the fact that many hilly states successfully adopted organic farming. He said that the smaller states have shown that organic farming is particularly beneficial to our small and marginal farmers. He said that there is a growing awareness among the masses about the harmful effects of chemical farming and they are willing to pay for organic products.

Naidu also stressed the need for the popularisation of traditional farming practices. He wanted agricultural universities to focus more on organic and natural farming and promote innovation and agri-entrepreneurship among the youth. The Vice President said agriculture is not just farmers’ concern, rather all of us are equal stakeholders in its development as food is a basic necessity for everyone. He urged parliamentarians, political parties and policymakers to give priority to agriculture.

Naidu urged people, particularly youngsters, to consume traditional foods that are nutritious and suitable to Indian conditions. 

Praising Akshya Krishi Parivar for bringing out ‘Bhumi Suposhan’ – a commemorative publication of the Nationwide Bhumi Suposhan and Samrakshan Abhiyan, the Vice President wanted this book to be translated into Indian languages so that it could reach the maximum number of farmers. He also asked scientists and researchers to translate their works into people’s languages for the larger benefit of the public. Naidu also stressed that early education should be in the child’s mother tongue. 

Similarly, local language should be used in administration and courts.

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji, Kaneri Math, Maharashtra, Bhagaiah, Member of the National Executive and Ex Sah-Sarkaryawah, Rashriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Manoj Solanki, President, Akshay Krishi Parivar, Dr GR Chintala Govindarajulu, NABARD Chairman, Scientists, Agriculturists and other dignitaries were present.

According to M Venkaiah Naidu, organic farming

AgroPolicy, Agrotech

According to the minster, new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will facilitate the farmers, reduce the cost and increase the income

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated and addressed the conference on ‘Promoting Kisan Drones: Issues, Challenges and the Way Ahead’ organized as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Tomar said that the government is promoting the use of drones for the convenience of the farmers, reducing the cost and increasing the income. For promoting the use of Kisan Drones, the government is providing 50 per cent or a maximum Rs 5 lakh subsidy to SC-ST, small and marginal, women and farmers of northeastern states to buy drones. For other farmers, financial assistance will be given up to 40 per cent or a maximum Rs 4 lakh.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Kailash Choudhary said that this new technology is aimed to reach more and more farmers, which will facilitate them, reduce the cost and increase their income. Under this vision of the Prime Minister, work is being done expeditiously under the guidance of Union Agriculture Minister Tomar. During the attack of locust, the government had also promptly used drones and helicopters for rescue.

Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said that the conditions are favourable to take drones to the farmers and the government is also committed in this regard. ICAR Director-General Dr Trilochan Mohapatra said that ICAR is contributing through research and training. With this, more and more farmers will be ready to use drones. Joint Secretary Shomita Biswas delivered the welcome address. Additional Secretary Prashant Kumar Swain proposed a vote of thanks. Farmers and entrepreneurs of the drone, fertiliser and pesticide sector, startup operators, and representatives of IFFCO and KVK were present at the conference.

According to the minster, new technology is

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Horticulture, Poultry

The Governor of Kenya Khaemba hailed the evolution of PAU and its significant role in improving the agri-assets

A three-member delegation comprising Patrick Khaemba, Governor of Kenya; Lydia Seroney, wife of Khaemba; and Mary Nzomo, Minister of Agriculture, Kenya visited Punjab Agricultural University (Pday to deliberate upon mutual areas of cooperation. The visiting delegation interacted with the senior officials of PAU, deans of constituent colleges, additional directors of research and extension education, and heads of various departments of the university. The delegation was accompanied by Dr Parvinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Rayat Bahra University, Punjab and GS Bahra.

Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, while giving a presentation on PAU and Green Revolution said, “Having outstanding human resources and exemplary linkage with the farming community, the university has played a remarkable role in the development of agriculture in Punjab as well as India.”

“Presently, the focus is on developing varieties for enhancing crop productivity and quality, having tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, conservation of soil and water, and crop residue management,” he added. Dr Dhatt suggested collaborating in the areas of field crops (wheat, rice, maize, cotton and sugarcane), horticulture, food technology, apiculture, agro-forestry, water use efficiency and farm machinery.

The Governor of Kenya Khaemba hailed the evolution of PAU and its significant role in improving the agri-assets. Stating that Kenya was good at developing poultry, he said, “It is turning about democracy and people.”

Appreciating the close linkage of PAU with farmers of Punjab, he remarked: “We need to think of farmers and how to motivate them to take up new technologies.”

“Kenya would like to assist PAU in agricultural issues being faced in Punjab. We should jointly work in those areas which are following the governmental rules of both the nations,” said the Governor.

The Agriculture Minister of Kenya Nzomo said that Punjab and Kenyan agriculture had many similarities. “Both being rice-wheat producers, we would like to focus on food and nutrition as well as food diversification such as cereals and pulses,” she stated while evincing interest in the area of extension also and lauding PAU’s skill development training.

The Governor of Kenya Khaemba hailed the

Agro Universities, R&D

The MoU was signed for leasing out 44.9 acre of ANGRAU to ICAR-DGR for the establishment of the Regional Research Station of ICAR-DGR at Ananthpur, Andhra Pradesh

The ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research (DGR), Junagadh, Gujarat signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the form of LEASE DEED with the Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Dr CS Praharaj, Director, ICAR-DGR, Junagadh and Dr Yella Reddy, Comptroller of ANGRAU, Guntur signed the MoU on the behalf of their respective organisations in the presence of Dr A Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, ANGRAU, Guntur.

Dr Girdhar Krishna, Registrar; Dr Yella Reddy, Comptroller and Dr (Smt) Neeraja T, Dean, Community Sciences represented the ANGRAU, Guntur side. Dr CS Praharaj, Director, ICAR-DGR; Dr Harish G, Nodal Officer, RRS, ICAR-DGR, RRS, Ananthapur; Dr Ajay BC, Incharge and Dr Rajanna GA, Scientist, RRS, ICAR-DGR, Ananthapur represented the ICAR-DGR.

The MoU was signed for leasing out 44.9 acre of ANGRAU to ICAR-DGR for the establishment of the Regional Research Station of ICAR-DGR at Ananthpur, Andhra Pradesh for 99 Years to conduct the groundnut related research and extension.

The MoU was signed for leasing out

Acquaculture, Agro Universities

The main objective of the MoU signed with the university is to evaluate the nano-sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems

The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai signed the two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Hindustan University of Technology and Science, Chennai and AA Biotech, Chennai for collaborative research.

Dr KP Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai emphasised the significance of the collaborative research and validation of the technology between a research institution, academic university and aquaculture entrepreneur that would facilitate knowledge sharing, technology validation and popularisation of the broad spectrum of the techniques available in the institute.

Dr K Nandakumar, Director of Research (who signed the MoU) on the behalf of Hindustan University, Chennai stated that through the partnership, the specialized capacities of both the Institutions would aid in the application of the nano-Sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems.

Udaya Ram Jothy, CEO, AA Biotech said that the water testing protocol would address the farm level issues like a human error in testing water quality parameters, rapid detection, geo-location and option for rectifying errors in tests with a reasonable cost.

The main objective of the MoU signed with the university is to evaluate the nano-sensors for sustainable intensification of the different aquaculture systems like RAS and Biofloc-based systems and synthesis of the nanoparticles for the targeted therapy and protein/peptide characterisation. The MoU with the AA Biotechis aimed at the calibration and validation of the water quality testing protocol in aquaculture.

The main objective of the MoU signed

Animal Health, R&D

The Global Innovation Centre hosts more than 2,000 visitors a year

Cargill is expanding and renovating its Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Center in Elk River, located just 30 minutes from its global headquarters. Along with a facility in Velddriel, The Netherlands and the soon to be operating Changrong R&D centre in China, the Elk River site serves as a hub of the company’s global network of 15 animal nutrition research and technology application centres. These sites work around the clock to explore, innovate, and think ahead of customers’ challenges in navigating today’s complex and ever-changing environment.

The nearly $50 million investment will upgrade animal facilities including a new dairy innovation unit, construct a larger onsite feed mill, create a visitor’s space, and build a state-of-the-art laboratory for nutrient research and development. The Global Innovation Centre hosts more than 2,000 visitors a year. In addition, new viewing corridors will allow visitors to view the animal R&D facilities conveniently.

Adriano Marcon, Group Leader of Cargill’s animal nutrition business commented, “This is the largest investment Cargill’s animal nutrition business has made in innovation. We are taking a significant step towards what is going to create state-of-the-art technologies for our world. We want to be the best animal nutrition partner globally, and our customers expect us to bring innovations that make them more competitive, efficient, and sustainable. When they choose us as a trusted partner, they rely on us as a conduit to new technology. Therefore, we must be in the forefront and move faster to continue delivering on our promise to customers.” 

The Global Innovation Centre hosts more than

Dairy, Live Stock

Dvara E-Dairy will provide Milky Mist farmers with technological solutions like the SSFA and cattle specific recommendations and DSI

Tamil Nadu based Milky Mist, one of the largest milk aggregators and a leading dairy brand in South India, has partnered with Dvara E-Dairy Solutions to provide new-age technology solutions to its over 60,000 dairy farmers across the 13 districts in Tamil Nadu. Milky Mist procures approximately 6 lakh litres of milk daily from these farmers to produce an array of dairy products. It is known to convert all the milk procured into value-added products.

Through this partnership, the company aims to augment the milk yield and production capacity of the farmers and improve their livelihood through the adoption of new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence that Dvara E-Dairy is pioneering.

Dvara E-Dairy will provide Milky Mist farmers with technological solutions like the Surabhi Score for Financial Access (SSFA) and cattle specific recommendations & Dvara Surabhi Index (DSI) to help them manage their cattle’s health and adopt scientific methods to improve their procurement volume and enhance their income from dairying.  

Commenting on this collaboration, Dr K Rathnam, CEO of Milky Mist, said, “The Artificial Intelligence (AI) based app developed by Dvara E-Dairy Solutions to monitor, assess and correct feeding practices of dairy cattle is going to be a game-changer for the Indian dairy industry, with positive consequences of impacting sustainable income to the milk producers and social upliftment. Milky Mist is happy to collaborate with Dvara E-Dairy Solutions to help small dairy farmers increase their income and scientifically manage dairy.”

Dvara E-Dairy will provide Milky Mist farmers

Bee keeping

As part of the project, rural women will be selected from Sitarganj, Kotabagh, and the towns of Almora and Ranikhet and trained in beekeeping

FMC India, a leading agricultural sciences company, has announced a collaboration with Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GB Pant University) to develop entrepreneurship among rural women through beekeeping, as a means to generate sustainable income for their families and raise their living standard.

Named Project MadhuShakti, is a first-of-its-kind innovative sustainable development initiative in India. The project, spanning three years, is planned for the rural area of Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain range, where there is an abundant source of natural herbs and flora useful for honey production. Approximately 53 per cent of the population in Uttarakhand lives in hills and mountains, out of which 60 per cent falls below the poverty line.

Ravi Annavarapu, President, FMC India, said, “Our objective with Project MadhuShakti is to transform the lives of rural families by empowering women in agriculture with sustainable business opportunities. We place sustainable agriculture at the center of our commitment to support farmers who maintain a safe and secure food supply, while protecting the environment for future generations.  The success of this project will not only encourage women farmers in India to see beekeeping as a fruitful endeavor, but also address the global concern around safeguarding pollinator populations under intensive agriculture.” 

As part of the project, rural women will be selected from Sitarganj, Kotabagh, and the towns of Almora and Ranikhet and trained in beekeeping. The produce from the farmers’ beehives will be procured by the university’s Honey Bee Research and Training Centre (HBRTC) through a revolving fund set up to facilitate payment to farmers and market products from the hives. The project will also closely monitor pollinator behaviour, generating a wealth of scientific knowledge that will benefit beekeepers across the country.

Other goals of the project include promoting good agronomic practices that lead to the safe and judicious use of pesticides while keeping honeybees safe.

In a biodiverse state like Uttarakhand, the potential of beekeeping remains untapped. The state currently produces only 12,500 metric tons of honey. This figure is expected to grow significantly under the aegis of a program like MadhuShakti.

As part of the project, rural women

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Live Stock

Discussions were held on Neoteric Techniques and Technologies in Fisheries and Aquaculture

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India recently organised a webinar on ‘Neoteric Techniques and Technologies in Fisheries and Aquaculture’. The event was presided over by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GOI) and well-attended by more than 350 participants including fishers, farmers, entrepreneurs, officials of Department of Fisheries, GoI and fisheries officials of different States/UTs, faculties from state agriculture, veterinary and fisheries universities, scientists, hatchery owners, students and stakeholders from aquaculture industry across the country.

In his inaugural address, Union Secretary Fisheries, Shri Swain highlighted the growth and development of fisheries sector over the recent years and added that there is ample scope and need of expansion and diversification of Indian fisheries and aquaculture with the help of advanced technologies. He further requested the scientists and entrepreneurs to motivate farmers and develop innovative ways for increasing profits, decreasing input cost, species diversification and increasing the production and productivity of fish species and commercialize these techniques. 

Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), in his opening remarks, briefly highlighted that GOI is promoting scientific methods, innovations and infusion of modern technologies by providing financial assistance under various schemes which can benefit fishers and farmers of the country using latest techniques and the need of research and development in focus areas.

The webinar began with the welcome address by Sanjay Pandey, Assistant Commissioner, DoF along with introduction of the theme of the Webinar and the distinguished panelists, Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries) along with Dr AP Sharma, Former Director, ICAR-CIFRI and Dr L Narasimha Murthy, Senior Executive Director, NFDB and other participants. 

During the technical session, Dr AP Sharma, Former Director- ICAR CIFRI made a comprehensive presentation on ‘Technological trends in fisheries and aquaculture’ focusing on the reproductive innovations, productivity trends, molecular technologies, along with commercially viable trends like RAS, biofloc technology, coldwater fisheries, ornamental fisheries, multi trophic aquaculture, aquatic health management, genetics and biotechnology along with future technologies highlighted the importance of investing in good quality fish feed for ensuring high quality fish is produced and reared. 

Dr L Narasimha Murthy, Senior Executive Director, NFDB gave an insightful presentation on ‘Training & Capacity building on new technologies in fisheries and aquaculture’ and highlighted the significance of skill & capacity building of fishers/fish farmers for building a pool of skilled workforce in the Aquaculture activities. 

After the presentation, a session sharing the success stories was also held and stories highlighting the success aquaculture ventures were presented by the Department of Fisheries, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh which served as motivation of the participants. This was followed by an open discussion forum with the participants, led by Sagar Mehra with Dr AP Sharma and Dr L Narasimha Murthy, focusing on real-time successful techniques being invented and practiced by fish farmers accross the country. The forum also provided an opportunity to the participants to ask relevant questions and queries about benefits under various schemes run by the GoI. 

The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr SK Dwivedi, Assistant Commissioner, DoF.

Discussions were held on Neoteric Techniques and

AgroPolicy, Trade

33 GI agricultural products from 12 states were displayed at the fair

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched a variety of millet products for all age groups at affordable prices ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 15 at the AAHAR food fair.

All the millet products launched by APEDA are gluten-free, 100 per cent natural and patented. The launched products are cream biscuits, salt biscuits, milk biscuits, ragi peanut butter, jowar peanut butter, jowar upma, pongal, khichadi and millet malts (jowar, ragi, bajra).

APEDA also launched a variety of “Millet in Minutes” products under the category of Ready-to-Eat (RTE) such as Upma, Pongal, Khichadi, Noodles, Biryani, etc, which is a breakthrough in the food sector as it’s the first RTE millet product in the market to cater fast-paced world at their convenience in a healthy way.

All the RTE products are vacuum processed without any additives, fillers and preservatives. Nutrition value is retained as original with a shelf-life of 12 months in ambient temperature.

The APEDA is also working in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to increase cultivation area, production and productivity of millets, including bajra, jowar and ragi.

The 36th edition of AAHAR was jointly organised by APEDA and the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) at Pragati Maidan. In view of the nutritional value of the millets, the government has notified millets as nutri-cereals in April, 2018. The millets are a rich source of protein, fibre, minerals, iron, calcium and have a low glycemic index. In March, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has declared 2023 as International Year of Millets.

In line with the theme of APEDA’s pavilion, – ‘To promote GI products for export’, the apex body to promote agricultural products put on display 33 GI agricultural products at AAHAR. The APEDA also released two booklets which include a catalogue on Agri and Food GI products (APEDA scheduled) and a brochure on Indian GI mangoes.

The 33 GI products which were on display to attract the attention of over 100 buyers from 40 countries are Punjab’s Basmati Rice, Karnataka’s Gulbarga Tur Dal, Maharashtra’s Sangli Raisin, Kolhapur Jaggery, Ajara Ghansal Rice, Sindhudurg & Ratnagiri Kokum, Vengurla Cashew and Waigaon Turmeric; Assam’s Boka Chaul, Joha Rice, Karbi Anglong Ginger; Manipur’s Chak-Hao and Kachai Lemon, Mizoram’s Ginger and Chilli, Sikkim’s Large Cardamom, Nagaland’s Naga Mircha, Kerala’s Navara Rice, Pokkali Rice, Kaipad Rice, Palakkadan Matta Rice, Himachal Pradesh’s Kala Jeera, Chulli Oil, West Bengal’s Gobindabhog Rice, Tulaipanji Rice, Bardhaman Sitabhog, Bardhaman Mihidana, Banglar Rasogolla, Rajasthan’s Bikaneri Bhujia and Odisha’s Kandhamal Haladi.

AAHAR is a part of the series of export promotion initiatives taken by APEDA, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to showcase agricultural and processed food products to the global players in the food and beverages industry as the fair is visited by a large number of importers from different parts of the world.

Apart from AAHAR, APEDA also organises national events like Organic World Congress, BioFach India, etc to promote agri-exports. Notably, more than 150 food and agri Products have been registered as GI by the GI Registry till March 2022, out of which 123 GI products fall under APEDA’s category.

Also, APEDA created dedicated stalls for exporters from North East Region (NER) and Himalayan states/UTs like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, women entrepreneurs, Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs), Start-Ups and exporters of millets and millets products. More than 40 participants participated under these categories and each category will have dedicated stalls in the APEDA pavilion.

33 GI agricultural products from 12 states