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The company recently announced the expansion of its SmartFresh Inbox in California with CDPR approval for a range of new crops

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc, a global agtech innovator that provides produce freshness solutions, and digital technologies that enhance the quality and extend the shelf life of fresh produce, recently announced the expansion of its SmartFresh Inbox in California with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s (CDPR) approval for a range of new crops. SmartFresh InBox offers powerful protection in a small, portable sachet, expanding the availability of SmartFresh technology for growers, packers and retailers who either don’t have an airtight room or require a more convenient option.

SmartFresh InBox, now registered in California on pome fruits (apples and pears), stone fruits (peaches and plums), kiwi and avocados, utilises AgroFresh’s industry leading SmartFresh (1-MCP) ethylene management technology to delay the ripening process and helps maintain post-harvest produce quality and freshness. SmartFresh InBox sachets are easy to apply and handle, offering effective protection against internal and external threats to freshness, resulting in increased shelf life and reduced levels of food loss and waste.

“California is the largest and most diverse fruit growing region in the US and our customers there need more flexible application methods and products to help preserve and protect the crops they oversee,” said Sarah Enescu, Commercial Business Director for AgroFresh.

The company recently announced the expansion of

The event united a select group of representatives from academia, policy, finance and the private sector under the theme ‘Food Futures in a Changing Climate: Reimagining the role of agriculture as a pathway to Net Zero’

The second edition of the OpenAg Symposium, hosted by UPL Limited, a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, and the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), Somerville College, University of Oxford, has outlined a series of policy positions, technological interventions, and financial models to transform food systems as positive contributors to global decarbonisation efforts.

The event united a select group of representatives from academia, policy, finance and the private sector under the theme ‘Food Futures in a Changing Climate: Reimagining the role of agriculture as a pathway to Net Zero’. Following a keynote by Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, panellists from Brazil, India, the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, and Kenya, proposed a series of policies and interventions to ensure future food systems are efficient, resilient, inclusive and sustainable.

Jai Shroff, Global CEO of UPL, commented, “At UPL, we believe that agriculture has a decisive role to play on the path to decarbonisation during this crucial window for action in the fight against climate change. The discussions we’ve heard at this year’s OpenAg Symposium demonstrate the growing appetite for the innovation and cross-sector collaboration required to transform the climate-positive contribution of food systems around the world.”

The event united a select group of

First India Animal Health Summit 2022 was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi on July 6, 2022

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that there is need to strengthen the cooperative movement in the livestock sector. While inaugurating first India Animal Health Summit 2022, he called for greater use of Ayurveda for ensuring better animal health.

First India Animal Health Summit 2022 was held at NASC Complex, New Delhi on July 6, 2022, understanding the significance of animal health towards the broader objective of the country’s food and nutrition security, rural incomes and prosperity and overall economic development.

Rupala was the chief guest at the inaugural function of ‘India Animal Health Summit 2022’ organised by Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the Agriculture Today Group. He said that by ensuring good animal health, veterinarians are playing a very significant role.

Speaking on the occasion, Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying said that animal health is a very major component of One Health and there is need to ensure even more respect for veterinarians in the community at large. He said that the department is taking initiatives to address animal pandemic preparedness.

The two-day event will host a plethora of panel discussions ranging from topics such as Animal Health policy initiatives to Business environment & investment opportunities in the Animal Health sector.

First India Animal Health Summit 2022 was held at NASC

This initiative by the Government to involve the private sector towards policy forming will go a long way for the growth of the animal husbandry sector in India

Rajiv Gandhi, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Hester Biosciences has been nominated as a member of the National Advisory Committee for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sector, constituted by the government of India.

This committee, chaired by Union Minister (FAHD) Parshottam Rupalaji, has been constituted to recommend, prescribe and advise policies relating to cattle & dairy development, feed and fodder, poultry, piggery, sheep, goat and animal health.

This initiative by the Government to involve the private sector towards policy forming will go a long way for the growth of the animal husbandry sector in India.

Hester Biosciences was trading at Rs 2,196.60 up by Rs 31.5 or 1.45 per cent from its previous closing of Rs 2,165.10 on the BSE.

This initiative by the Government to involve the

The ODOP initiative has significant potential given its aim to achieve a district’s true potential by utilising economies of scale, product specialisation through identification and promotion through marketing, and creation of employment opportunities. The ODOP initiative is trying to raise awareness of ODOP products as well as their benefits of buying them, in domestic and international markets. Thus, the scheme offers an opportunity to strengthen local products having health, environmental or other benefits. This will help enable India to become a stronger economy.

With an aim to accelerate the country’s exports and further push the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched the One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme. According to the Ministry, the scheme adopts the ODOP approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. The ODOP scheme provides the framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure. As a way to promote socioeconomic development throughout the country, the ODOP scheme selects, brands, and promotes a single product from each of the country’s districts. The selection of products spans the country and touches on a variety of industries and communities that have already established their own distinct identities. As part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, which aims to modernise existing units by providing financial and technical assistance, ODOP has been implemented in agriculture. Farmers can receive up to 35 per cent federal subsidy and an additional 15 per cent from the state under this programme. Farmers can also get loans of up to Rs 10 lakh from nationalised banks to improve or build new agricultural facilities. The project will also help women’s self-help groups, cottage businesses, and cooperatives, in addition to farmers and farmer producer organisations. An initiative for uniform economic development To achieve AtmaNirbhar Bharat, the initiative DOP is being hailed as a game-changing step in realising a district’s full potential, igniting economic growth and fostering rural entrepreneurship. The ODOP initiative was launched by the Uttar Pradesh Government on January 24, 2018 and due to its success, it was later adopted by the Central Government. This initiative is carried out with the ‘Districts as Exports Hub’ initiative by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as a major stakeholder. Institutional mechanisms in the form of State Export Promotion Committee (SEPC) and District Export Promotion Committee (DEPC) have been constituted in all the 36 states/UTs to provide support for export promotion and address the bottlenecks for export growth in the districts.
Districts’ Export Action Plans include specific actions required to support local exporters/ manufacturers in producing/manufacturing identified products in adequate quantity and with the requisite quality, for reaching potential buyers outside India. The plans also focus on the interventions required to provide an ecosystem for innovation/ use of technology at the district level to make them export competitive. Government of India works with the States/UTs at the local level to implement the initiative to create conducive environment for the exporters and manufacturers to export their products to international markets.

To read more click: E-Magazine – Agrospectrum India


The ODOP initiative has significant potential given

Founded in 2013, AgroStar primarily offers advisory to  farmers and access to quality agri-products through their  retail stores. AgroStar currently operates in the states  of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,  and Uttar Pradesh serving over 18 million farmers and  covering over 7,500 pin codes. Agri Advisory Center is the  largest such centre in South Asia in the field of agriculture. Recently, AgroStar acquired INI Farms Pvt Ltd, the largest  exporter of fruits like bananas and  pomegranates from  India, in a 100 per cent acquisition deal. The acquisition will help AgroStar to rapidly scale their business into the domestic and international food supply chains, as well as achieve their target of Rs 1000 crore in FY23, a threefold jump in revenues. Shardul Sheth, Co-founder & CEO, AgroStar interacts with AgroSpectrum about the future of horticulture exports in India. Edited excerpts;

Recently AgroStar has acquired the largest exporter of F&V crops, INI Farms. How will the company provide market linkage solutions for the
domestic and export markets to INI Farms’ large network of farmers?
AgroStar is India’s largest digital network of farmers and has created an AgTech platform that provides farmers with good quality agri-inputs and on-time advisory. These value propositions have helped millions of farmers increase their yield, reduce their cost of cultivation and improve the quality of their produce, thereby helping farmers earn more. Just like the assistance on the input side, our farmers are seeking our support in providing better market linkages to sell their produce. With repeated farmer requests over the years, venturing into the output side was the logical next step in our mission of Helping Farmers Win. INI Farms has spent a decade building a brand focused on making great quality fresh fruits of Indian origin available to the world. It is now India’s largest exporter of bananas and pomegranates. Its brand “Kimaye” is available in more than 35 countries around the world. AgroStar will provide additional value to its large network of farmers by making its produce available to quality-conscious consumers around the globe. INI Farms’ customer base of global retailers will get access to a wider basket of F&V products. AgroStar will also provide access to great quality inputs, tech-based farm interventions, and solutions designed to increase yields to INI Farms’ network of farmers across multiple states. INI Farms’ acquisition provides a great opportunity for our farmers to expand their business to new and international markets, and our global customers will also now have access to a much wider and more diverse crop base.

To read more click: E-Magazine – Agrospectrum India

Founded in 2013, AgroStar primarily offers advisory

By Dr C D Mayee, President, South Asia Biotechnology Centre, New Delhi and Advisor,  Agrovision Foundation & Bhagirath  Choudhary,  Director, South Asia Biotechnology Centre.

The surge in agri-export is the beginning of a long journey as India increases its share in international agri- and food trade. If the story continues we will double the export of agri-products by 2030 and create a positive impact on farmers’ income.

In 2018, Ritesh Kumar Singh, CEO of Indonomics Consulting wrote about India’s ‘self-inflicted wounds’ – on how India, at $40 billion in global textile exports, had failed to take advantage of its strengths in raw material and labour to catch up with global leader China at $269 billion. Forget China, India is now behind Bangladesh and Vietnam in textiles export as the global opportunity of $284 billion of textile and another $443 billion of clothing that’s knocking on our door. Just as with textiles, one of our largest agro-based sectors, India needs to do a lot more to grow other exports across the agro[1]sphere.

Two years ago, we published an article “Why export push is critical to doubling of farm incomes” in a prominent newspaper. We suggested numerous steps to increase the volume and value of agri-export facilitated under the newly launched Agri Export Policy (AEP) 2018 targeting the doubling of agri-export to $60 billion by 2022. In 2021-22, India garnered an additional $8.4 billion or a ~20 per cent increase over $41.8 billion in 2020-21 to achieve a magic figure of $50.2 billion. Can India top this up with an additional $9.8 billion to achieve $60 billion by 2022-23 – an arduous, but possible target for Indian policy makers, farmers, processors and exporters?

Accomplishing the 2022-23 target of $60  billion and $120 billion by 2030 would be a testimony to India’s will and capability to transform the farm sector and harness its true export potential – contributing significantly to the goals of doubling farmers’ incomes and Atmanirbhar agriculture.

A bountiful market At $50.2 billion, India’s current agri-export represents a miniscule portion of India’s agriculture production and a very small fraction of global trade in agriculture at $2 trillion in 2021-22. Agriculture and related sectors such as forestry and fisheries account for 18.8 per cent of the country’s GDP or equivalent of ~$500 billion in 2020-21.

We need to utilise the wealth of diversity in India’s agricultural products such as food grains, horticulture, livestock, dairying, fisheries and forestry to boost raw, processed and value added exports and increase India’s share of global trade in agriculture by 5 per cent. Currently, the percentage share of export from domestic production is barely 14.6 per cent in spices and herbs, 15 per cent in rice, 25 per cent in sugar, and negligible in fresh fruits and vegetables, and total produce of respective agriculture commodities.

To read more click: E-Magazine – Agrospectrum India

By Dr C D Mayee, President, South

India is among the world’s leading producers of sugar, spices, cereals, milk, fruits and vegetables, red meat, and seafood products. India’s export basket is a diversified mix led by rice ($9.65 billion), wheat ($2.19 billion), sugar ($4.6 billion), beef (1.5 million metric tonnes carcass weight equivalent (CWE) of beef and veal were exported from India in 2021) and other cereals ($1.08 billion); altogether exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) for the year 2021-22 have crossed $50 billion, the highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports. But the country recently saw a ban on wheat exports when there was a turn in the global geopolitical situation. Given the external factors, India’s resources as well as its domestic needs, an important question that arises is how sustainable is this growth in agri-exports? Here, AgroSpectrum tries to find an answer.

Agro processing and agricultural exports are now a key trade area and it is a matter of satisfaction that India’s role in global export of agricultural products is steadily increasing. Recent growth rates show that agri-food production is rising faster and export is witnessing accelerated growth. This offers further scope and opportunity for capturing overseas markets to earn foreign exchange and enable producers to earn higher prices for farm produce. This has been made possible largely by rising global commodity prices and also by the Agriculture Export Policy of the Ministry of Commerce and its various export promotion agencies like Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and commodity boards. Having come this far, we now need to examine how we can carve out a sustainable trajectory for agri-exports that ensures stability for all stakeholders in the ecosystem. AgroSpectrum  spoke to a few experts to understand better.

Sugar export curbs

Latest data released by the sugar industry body, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) stated that as the world’s largest producer and second biggest exporter of the sweetener, sugar exports from India have touched a record 8.6 million tonnes till May of the ongoing 2021-22 marketing year ending September. The country exported a total of 7 million tonnes of sugar in the marketing year 2020- 21, while domestic production stood at 31.19 million tonnes in the same period. This steady rise took a turn just after the centre banned wheat exports. After an intense heatwave hit output and domestic prices hit a record high, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has now placed sugar under the restricted category. The central government has banned the export of sugar effective from June 1. The curbs on sugar export will continue till October 31, 2022.

To read more click: E-Magazine – Agrospectrum India

India is among the world’s leading producers

Exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) for the year 2021-22 have crossed $50 billion, the highest ever achieved by India. This was made possible largely by rising global commodity prices and the favourable and aggressive export policy of the Ministry of Commerce and its various export promotion agencies like APEDA, MPEDA, and commodity boards. Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) interacts with AgroSpectrum about the future of agri-export in India. Edited excerpts;

What are the outcomes achieved by some new initiatives of APEDA in recent years?

APEDA’s new initiatives coupled with our Prime Minister’s theme ‘Local goes Global’ have endeavoured to drive new innovative/ geographical
indication (GI) products to the global market. This has gone some way in making India “Atma Nirbhar Bharat ” by pushing India’s agri-exports beyond $50 billion in 2021-22, pillared with a share of 52 per cent by APEDA’s agri-exports promotional strategy. There is a rise in exports in major export destinations, remarkable growth in each agri-sector, the media is always covering a display of mouth-watering tasty, delicious, healthy fruits in the stores of importing countries and the whole world is relishing a range of Indian products. India’s floriculture sector blossomed when India’s fragrance, GI tagged Madurai Malli (jasmine) spread in USA and Sharjah. Every now and then, APEDA flagged a new/GI product from unexplored villages to new destinations – amun fruit which was earlier known as poor man’s fruit, was displayed in London markets all the way from Lucknow, UP. Saffron from Kashmir was displayed in the markets of Dubai. Recently, APEDA facilitated export of freeze-dried strawberries from Madhya Pradesh to the USA. APEDA also organised an IBSM (International Buyer-Seller Meeting) in Ladakh facilitating B2B interactions for more than 30 producers of apricots and other agri-products from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir to augment exports from the region. APEDA facilitated participation for various exporters in the Indian Agri Food Products Expo organised in Singapore with the High Commission of India, Enterprise Singapore, APC Singapore and Singapore Fruits & Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association. The exporters from different states showcased their products such as mangoes, grapes, guava, cherry, apricot, vegetables including lemon, okra, yam, bottle gourd, drumstick, potato, and nutri-cereal millets, at the BSM (Buyer-Seller Meeting). Opening up of regional offices and APEDA’s interventions has brought about a historic growth in agri-exports from Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, and Varanasi. Nine new regional offices were opened which led to an increase in exports and flagging up of new products and GI products from these regions. APEDA facilitated development of an automated fumigation chamber in association with ICAR-CIPHET for treatment of grapes with SO2 and CO2 for export to New Zealand. A series of virtual BSMs with missions, importers of destination countries, exporters and product associations from India was organised. A week-long Indian mango promotion programme was organised in Bahrain where 16 varieties of the fruit including three GI certified mangoes from different states were displayed at 13 retail stores of importers. APEDA organised Vanijya Saptah across the country with a series of programmes supporting farmers, startup companies, cooperatives, FPOs, FPCs, exporters and service providers. APEDA participated with exporters in the London Wine Fair to promote Indian alcoholic beverages. APEDA has held a number of workshops and wine tasting events at international trade shows to raise awareness about the potential of Indian wines. The Indian wine industry grew tremendously making it the country’s fastest growing alcoholic beverage industry. APEDA handheld the farmers of remote villages and promoted exports. We reached every nook and corner of the country, even forest regions such as Korba and exported dehydrated Mahuva flowers to France. APEDA is progressing ahead with more innovations

To read more click on E-Magazine – Agrospectrum India

Exports of agricultural products (including marine and

The approval was granted on the basis of the data generated from the state government notified agricultural universities and the ICAR on crop safety.

The Central Insecticide Board functions under the agriculture ministry, has given its approval to Syngenta India to use drones to spray its fungicide Amistar Top on the paddy crop. This fungicide is used to protect the crop against infections such as Blast & Sheath Blight.

Syngenta has stated that it is the first private entity to get such an approval for spraying agrochemicals, after submitting safety and bio efficacy data. The approval was granted on the basis of the data generated from the state government notified agricultural universities and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research on crop safety and other relevant parameters as per Standard Operating Procedure.

The government has also accorded ad-hoc but conditional approval for 477 registered pesticides that can be used in agriculture via Drone spray which includes insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators, out of which around 40 formulations are of Syngenta,” the company said in a statement.

Sunil Kurchania, head, crop protection development (R&D) Syngenta India, said,“ We are also evaluating the use of our solutions through drones in different crops like cotton, soybean, groundnut, hot pepper, red gram, corn, rice in Maharashtra”.

The approval was granted on the basis

The report cements the company’s commitment to high standards around transparency, sustainability, and social responsibility

ADAMA Limited, a leading global crop protection company, has recently issued its 2021 ESG report. The publication of this report cements the company’s commitment to high standards around transparency, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Ignacio Dominguez, CEO of ADAMA, said, ” ADAMA chooses to put ESG values in the centre of its activity and to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the business – products, manufacturing, operations, and people. Our investment in novel formulation technologies to deliver superior products with enhanced biological performance is resulting in better solutions for farmers and a favourable sustainable footprint, ultimately benefiting all our stakeholders. We’ll continue to listen to farmers and deliver what they need to succeed, making sustainable agriculture part of the solution.”

Michal Arlosoroff, EVP, General Legal Counsel, Company Secretary, Chief Corporate Communication & Chief Sustainability Officer, stated, “As an agrochemical company, we have an even greater obligation to put ESG at the forefront of our operations. We take this commitment seriously and I am proud of the results and progress that we have made in our ESG journey, including reducing our carbon footprint; improving safety; and reducing our products’ environmental impact through a combination of efforts across the whole business.”

2021 ESG highlights:

  • Outperformed regulatory requirements while growing production volumes. 
  • Funded $60 million toward greener manufacturing operations.
  • Increased portfolio of biological products. 
  • Invested 2.9 per cent of total profit in social responsibility. 
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion. 
  • Retained employees’ rate at 87 per cent in 2021.

The report cements the company's commitment to

The review aims to inspire future developments of non-destructive technologies for plant health diagnosis

Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, and their local collaborators from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)  as well as the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE), National University of Singapore (NUS) have published a review.

The review discusses the recent advances in non-destructive plant health monitoring, ranging from electrochemical-based arrays to nanosensors and electronic noses, and why tracking plant health is an attractive and sustainable strategy that can be used to optimise crop growth practices. The review aims to inspire future developments of non-destructive technologies for plant health diagnosis.

“In light of the increasing demand for food due to the growing global population and concern over food security, developing innovative and sustainable technologies and tools to improve crop yield and quality is timely and essential. Non-destructive plant health monitoring stands as one of the key strategies for improving crop growth practices, complementing current agricultural techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping and genetic modification,” said Dr Gajendra Pratap Singh, Principal Investigator and Senior Scientific Director at DiSTAP.

“By tapping into plants’ physiological events in real-time, non-destructive sensors enable prompt adjustment of environmental conditions to augment crop productivity while minimising resource use,” added Dr Tedrick Thomas Salim Lew, Scientist at A*STAR’s IMRE and Adjunct Assistant Professor at NUS ChBE, who was the corresponding author of the article. 

The review aims to inspire future developments of

The mangoes in this cluster will be known as ‘Kakori brand’

During the inauguration of ‘Uttar Pradesh Mango Mahotsav-2022’, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the Centre has approved a mega cluster of mangoes in Lucknow and Rs100 crore will be spent on it in the next five years. The event also witnessed the presence of UP’s Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture Dinesh Pratap Singh.

“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government has approved a mega cluster of mangoes in Lucknow on which ₹100 crore will be spent in the next five years,” Adityanath said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the mangoes in this cluster will be known as ‘Kakori brand’, which will be a true tribute to the great heroes of Kakori as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

Earlier, the chief minister visited the mango exhibition organised by the Horticulture and Food Processing Department, released the festival souvenir and honoured progressive farmers of the state, according to an official statement.

The mangoes in this cluster will be

This partnership will enable Samunnati to scale its outreach to FPOs with customised financial solutions at affordable interest rates, leveraging the vast resources available with SBI

Samunnati, India’s Open Agri Network has entered into the largest co-lending partnership in India aimed at the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) space with SBI, India’s largest bank. The initial programme amount is Rs 100 Crores. 

This partnership will enable Samunnati to scale its outreach to FPOs with customised financial solutions at affordable interest rates, leveraging the vast resources available with SBI. The partnership will enhance the outreach for SBI channel credit to the under-served segment of small-holder farmers in the agriculture sector, by leveraging Samunnati’s outreach and nuanced understanding of the FPO sector. 

SBI and Samunnati has also entered into a non-financial MOU to develop the FPO Sector, to mainstream FPO as an asset class and increase awareness of this class of farmer-owned institutions in the Banking sector. 

Samunnati works with a growing network of 3000+ Farmer Collectives with a member base of over 6 million farmers with solutions spanning Agri Finance, Agri Commerce, and advisory services.  Speaking to the Founder & CEO of Samunnati, Anil Kumar SG said, “SBI’s pan-India presence and deep interest in Financial Inclusion of the small-holder farmers are enablers for helping an FPO avail an array of financial services. Our collective ambition is to make markets work for smallholder farmers by making available adequate, affordable and timely credit to the FPOs.”

This partnership will enable Samunnati to scale