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India, Oilseeds, R&D

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soyabean Research, Indore has developed three varieties of soyabean, NRC 157, NRC 131, and NRC 136 which have been approved by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Sanjay Gupta, principal scientist and breeder, said that NRC 157 (IS 157) is a medium-duration variety that matures in just 94 days. It has an average yield of 16.5 qt./ha. and is also moderately resistant to diseases like Alternaria leaf spots, bacterial pustules, and target leaf spots. Field trials in the institute have found NRC 157 suitable for delayed planting with minimum yield losses. Whereas talking about NRC 131 (IS131), he highlighted that it is a medium duration variety of 93 days, with an average yield of 15 qt./ha. This variety is moderately resistant to diseases like charcoal rot and target leaf spots.

Along with these two varieties, NRC 136 (IS 136) which has already notified for cultivation in eastern region of the country, has also been released for cultivation in Madhya Pradesh this year. Dr Gyanesh Kumar Satpute, the breeder of the variety and the principal scientist of the institute, said that this variety matures in 105 days with an average yield of 17 qt./ha. NRC 136 is moderately resistant to Moongbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) and is India’s first drought-tolerant variety.

ICAR-Indian Institute of Soyabean Research, Indore has

Sustainability, World

IPGA and Myanmar to collaborate and work together to address issues impacting trade

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the apex body for India’s pulses trade and industry, recently hosted H E Mr Tin Htut Oo, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar and the trade delegation from Myanmar, recently in Mumbai to discuss various opportunities, avenues and platforms wherein Myanmar and IPGA can collaborate and work together to address issues impacting the trade. 

The meeting also focused on promoting trade relations, exchange ideas and research knowledge to improve sustainable business between India and Myanmar.

IPGA’s vision is to make Indian pulses and grains industry and trade globally competitive; and in so doing, help advance India’s food and nutrition security. IPGA takes the onus of essaying a leadership role in the domestic agri-business and play a more proactive role in the global domain to foster healthy relations among Indian market participants and between India and all associates overseas.

“Government and private sector partnership is required to achieve the larger objective of food security. We are pleased to be aligned with the vision and mission of IPGA. We should work together towards enhancing the pulses sector as it has a very big potential in the future,” said His Excellency Mr. Tin Htut Oo, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, The Republic Union of Myanmar. 

IPGA and Myanmar to collaborate and work

Agrotech, India, Start ups

MANAGE – Samunnati Agri-Start-up Awards recognise impact-driven agriculture and Agri-Tech start-ups 

Sid’s Farm, a premium D2C dairy brand based out of Telangana, was recognised and felicitated as the ‘Best Agri Start-up’ of Telangana. This honour was bestowed on the company at a well-attended awards ceremony organised under the aegis of The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), in association with Samunnati, India’s major open-agri network of smallholder farmers. Dr Kishore Indukuri, Founder, Sid’s Farm received the award on behalf of his organisation from Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, MoS, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, GoI. 

The MANAGE – Samunnati recognises start-ups dedicated to rebuilding the agriculture development ecosystem and to supporting farmers through technological innovations. 

“Our focus at Sid’s Farm has been quality and customer-focused operations which we constantly improve and better. We are deeply grateful to our farmer partners as well as all our hard-working team members whose innovative acumen and will to serve have made us a people’s organisation. This honour, for which I am humbled and grateful, renews our commitment towards building a healthy, safe, and ethically nourished India.” Said, Dr Kishore Indukuri, Founder, Sid’s Farm. 

MANAGE - Samunnati Agri-Start-up Awards recognise impact-driven

Agrotech, India

The ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, recently organised a “Drone Technology Demonstration” for spraying of agricultural chemicals funded by the central sector scheme, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, implemented through ATARI (sub mission on agricultural mechanisation) with an aim to create awareness about drone applications in agriculture among the farmers, extension workers and other stakeholders.  The demonstrations were conducted at Kemminje farm and Shantigodu experimental station of ICAR-DCR, Puttur.

During the demonstrations, Dr T. N. Raviprasad, Director (Acting) highlighted how drone technology is more important for management of perennial tree crops like cashew, in which manual and mechanical means of crop management are quite challenging. The adoption of the agricultural drones will benefit the farmers by increasing the crop management efficiency and reducing the production cost.

Later, Dr Manjunatha K., Scientist (FMP) & PI of the project briefed the principle and working mechanism of agricultural spray drones. The programme was attended by scientist, technical staffs, nursery men and skilled support staffs of ICAR-DCR and scientist of CPCRI, Kasaragod.

The ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur, recently

Acts & Schemes – Centre, India, Live Stock, Organic

Various schemes being implemented by the State and Central Government to  benefit the farmers and livestock keepers in particular

ICAR-AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilisation, Jhansi organised ‘Forage Day’ today across the country in 35 centres of ICAR Institutes, SAUs, CAUs, Regional Stations and NGOs to sensitise and impart basic understanding about different forage species (traditional fodder crops, range grass species, non-conventional fodder etc.)

As a part of this event, “Forage Day” was also organised by ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. Ram Naresh Tewari, Independent Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd was the Chief Guest who briefed about the various schemes being implemented by the State and Central Government for the benefit of farmers in general and livestock keepers in particular. 

He also put emphasis on the importance of livestock in natural and organic farming and stressed upon the need of increasing farmer’s income and building a strong India.

Various schemes being implemented by the State

India, Supply Chain, Sustainability

The recent announcement by the Government of India on increasing the domestic production of palm oil towards ensuring self-reliance is a great opportunity for the country to demonstrate the economic and social value of sustainable palm oil production, as per Joseph D’Cruz, CEO, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). D’Cruz articulated his views via a virtual keynote address at the Globoil India conference.

Highlighting the challenges, D’Cruz said, “We also find ourselves with an opportunity to demonstrate how well-placed sustainable palm oil is to fill supply gaps while alleviating poverty, mitigating climate change and minimizing environmental and social impacts”.

“The RSPO is more than a certification standard. We are keen to work with the Indian industry, Government, and other stakeholders to support India’s move towards atmanirbharta through the sustainable development of the palm industry,” he added.

RSPO, a global, multi-stakeholder initiative that develops and implements a market mechanism to support and promote sustainable palm oil production, presented its vision to support the development of sustainability in the Indian oil palm industry at the conference.

Sharing his vision for the sustainable palm oil supply chain, Ashwin Selvaraj, deputy director, Market Transformation (India & China), RSPO said, “Unlocking the potential for stronger partnerships from farmers to market to financing is essential if we are to create a smarter and more resilient sustainable palm oil supply chain.”

“India has made a promise to cut its emissions to net zero by 2070. We will need to ensure that this is a just transition that improves the livelihoods of our farming communities and makes us self-sufficient. This is an opportunity for India to lead the way and working together towards creating a sustainable palm oil industry from the very beginning is going to prove beneficial in mitigating the impacts of climate change,” he added.

India is the world’s second-largest consumer of palm oil, with consumption having soared during the 2000s to reach around 9 million tonne each year. Palm oil now accounts for about 40 per cent of India’s edible oil consumption.

The recent announcement by the Government of

India, Oilseeds, Pulses, Seeds

Increase in production to result in higher income for farmers and benefit the country’s agricultural eco system 

The Government’s priority is to increase production of oilseeds and pulses and thus fulfilling the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The formulated strategies are to increase production through area expansion, productivity through HYVs, MSP support and procurement.. Availability of good seeds for farming increases production and productivity by 20-25 per cent, resulting in higher income for farmers and benefitting the agriculture eco system and the nation’s economy. Due to the erratic and deficit rainfall in some states, the need for early sowing of rabi crops especially pulses and oilseeds has increased. 

For Rabi 2022-23, the focus of the Government is also to provide seed minikits of pulses & oilseeds targeting monsoon deficit regions in the states apart from the regular distribution. The minikits are being provided by the Central Agencies such as National Seeds Corporation (NSC), NAFED etc and these are wholly funded by the Government of India through the National Food Security Mission.

The objective of the Seed Minikit Programme is to:

  • Popularise the latest crop varieties among the farmers to increase the production and productivity.
  • To distribute seed minikits of pulses and oilseeds in the states where rainfall receiving low/deficit during Kharif, 2022 such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, part of the Madhya Pradesh & West Bengal.
  • To cover non- traditional area for rapeseeds & mustard (R&M) in Vidharbha Region of Maharashtra.
  • To distribute major rabi oilseeds as Groundnut for southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka and minor oilseeds such as linseed in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, & Rajasthan and safflower in Maharashtra, Karnataka & Telangana.

Increase in production to result in higher

India, Seeds

Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has donated Rs 20 lakh to the Benefit Sharing Fund of Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The donation was made at the ninth session of the governing body of the ITPGRFA in New Delhi.

Commenting on the development, Dr Arvind Kapur, vice chairman, FSII said, “Today, we would like to make a donation of Rs 20 lakh as an addition to the other financial contributions regularly made by the seed sector globally. However, I would like to highlight that the non-financial contributions of the seed sector towards food security are in no way comparable to this donation.”

Elaborating on the significance of the treaty, Dr Ajai Rana, vice chairman, FSII said, “The treaty is of particular importance for the FSII members as it provides a fair and simple mechanism for access and benefit sharing of germplasm, critical to breed varieties adapted to the local needs of Indian farmers. Every day, the seed sector across the world is working to provide farmers with the varieties that can help them make a decent living out of their hard work.” The ITPGRFA is a specialised international regime designed to facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture i.e., germplasm. It is harmonised with international regimes that support conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable benefit sharing for all organisms, specifically the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing.

Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII)

Agri Genomics, China, Vegetables

Cultivation on the 650 square metres of land can produce 3000 kgs of the new variety of Chilli

China’s city of Jize has come up with a new variety of Chilli. This year, Peng Ruiling a farmer in Jize city will get 20,000 RMB (2.792USD) income from the production of a new variety of Chilli. A new variety of Chilli has been planted over 1000 acres of land this year. In May 2021 Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, the Agricultural University of Hebei and Tianxia Red Chilli Company established Hebei Chilli Industry Technology Research Institute in Jize city. This research institute has launched this new variety of chilli last year. Peng Ruiling is the first farmer who cultivated a new variety of Chilli. Hebei Chilli Research institute is promoting a new variety of Chilli. Like Peng Ruiling other farmers may take the production of a new variety of chilli next year. Jize is a city in the Hebei province of China known as the ‘Hometown of Chilli Peppers’. In the Jize city, nearly 13,000 acres of land is under chilli cultivation, with an annual production of more than 200,000 tons of chilli. More than 130 chilli processing units are there in the Jize city with an annual processing capacity of 600,000 tonne of fresh chilli. More than one lakh workers are involved in chilli farming in Jize city.

Cultivation on the 650 square metres of

Agri Genomics, World

On 3rd day of the 9th Session of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), the Ninth Governing Body (GB9) held deliberations on following most significant issues of Plant Treaty.

The GB9 finalised a resolution on “Celebrating the Guardians of Crop Diversity” to recognise the role of communities, farmer-conservers and women as “Guardians of Crop Diversity” in conservation and continued availability of crop diversity.

GB-9 established a ‘Contact Group’ to guide a draft process for re-starting the negotiations which broke down during the GB-8 on package of measures to enhance the functioning of the MLS of Plant Treaty. Delegates of GB-9 held the first informal meeting of the Contact Group to take the agenda forward in the plenary discussion.

Under Agenda 17 for consideration of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) discussed in the GB9 (Ninth Governing Body) Meeting, India endorsed the need for continuation of technical deliberations to provide clarity of definition, scope, jurisdiction, nature of implementation and access and benefit sharing mechanisms for fulfilling the objectives of ITPGRFA.

India demanded that GB-9 deliberate on the issue of continued funding of ICRISAT Genebank. India argued that DSI issue should be resolved without compromising on the discussions on multilateral system enhancement and ITPGRFA should not wait for Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to resolve DSI issue, since ITPGRFA deliberations are relatively ahead in content, delineated in scope and easy to implement. 

On 3rd day of the 9th Session

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

It aims to enable its affiliated farmers and the larger ecosystem to become more efficient and productive via protective farming, in turn increasing its returns.

GROWiT, India’s leading Direct-to-Farmer (D2F) protective farming company, announces a partnership with Samunnati, an open agri network. The partnership will increase awareness and penetration of protective farming techniques and products among farmers associated with Samunati and its farmer producer organizations (FPOs).

GROWiT aims to help them get an increment in yield and per hectare output. This development is part of its larger mission to help double farmers’ income by 2030. Samunnati, based in Chennai, is India’s leading open agri networks serving the entire value chain with its solutions, including Agri Commerce and Agri Finance. By collaborating with GROWiT, the company aims to enable its affiliated farmers and the larger ecosystem to become more efficient and productive via protective farming, in turn increasing its returns.

Commenting on the partnership, Saurabh Agarwal, Director and CEO of GROWiT, said, “This partnership is not about GROWiT and Samunnati alone. We have always promoted protective farming techniques because of the benefits they offer to farmers in terms of crop quality, yield, and carbon footprint. If we achieve the goal of doubling farmers’ income by the end of this decade, it will benefit the entire agriculture industry and farmer community in India.”

Echoing the sentiments, Samunnati, said, “We are pleased to be associated with GROWiT. We have partnered with them to spread awareness about protective farming and how it can help our affiliated farmers increase their yield in an economical and sustainable way. This collaboration will also give us more avenues to increase our return.”

For the Surat-based D2F agritech firm, this development also translates to an increase in revenue while also offering its franchise owners increased customer (farmer) reach, which would result in an increase in sales and their income. GROWiT recently entered into technical collaboration with KVK Baramati and will continue to push its efforts towards empowering Indian farmers.

It aims to enable its affiliated farmers

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, India, Oilseeds, Organic, Seeds

The production of seeds in the Ravines of Morena will improve the land and the land will turn fertile.

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, recently laid the foundation stone of an organic seed farm of the National Seed Corporation (NSC) at Morena. 

Upon its completion, new organic seeds of oilseeds will be available to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh. With this farm, farmers will be introduced to modern techniques, and will get high yielding seeds and their socio-economic status improved.

Tomar announced that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has taken a big decision to recommend de-notification of 207 hectares land in the National Wildlife Sanctuary of Chambal. Due to this sanctuary area being a revenue land, the availability of sand will be at the local level, which will also increase employment.

Tomar said that the Central Government has decided to establish a farm in Morena (MP) for the production of organic seeds by improving the land in the rugged area. For this, the M.P. Government has allotted 885.34 hectares of land in 4 villages (Gadora, Jakhauna, Rithora Khurd & Gorakha) of Morena to the Union Ministry of Agriculture. 

This land is a rugged area of ​​Chambal and farming was not possible due to ravines in the area. As NSC is committed to provide quality seeds to the farmers and is producing 15 lakh quintals of quality certified seeds and making them available to the farmers, hence the Agriculture Ministry has entrusted the responsibility of developing a farm in Morena to the NSC for the production of organic seeds. 

The production of seeds in the Ravines of Morena will improve the land and the land will turn fertile.

Inspired by land reforms, local farmers will be able to improve the land in their fields and produce seeds with the latest scientific method and get high economic benefits from low cost of farming. Farmers will get to learn the latest techniques of seed production here. Local and state farmers will be taught the latest seed production techniques through training by NSC experts. Local workers of Morena will get employment through land reforms and seed production in the farm. Farmers will get good production by getting latest and genetically and physically pure organic oilseed seeds from Morena Farm, which will not only improve the socio-economic status of the farmers of the state, but will also provide nutritional security to the farmers.

The production of seeds in the Ravines

Agrotech, Logistics, Thailand

NIA encourages investment opportunities for the Thai food sector and counter global food security crisis through ‘Space – F Project‘

The National Innovation Agency (Public Organisation), Thailand or NIA is targeting the use of deep tech as the main engine to drive Bangkok towards becoming the FoodTech Silicon Valley – an innovative food hub of Southeast Asia and the world.

Dr Pun-Arj Chairatana, Executive Director of NIA said that the deep-tech business in food and agriculture continues to enjoy its equal growth as the e-commerce and fintech worldwide, the food companies in Thailand also relish robust supply chains. FoodTech startup incubation and acceleration is the key to secure global food security goals, as well as help drive Bangkok in becoming “FoodTech Silicon Valley” or “Food Innovation Hub of Southeast Asia and the World”. Dr Pun-Arj is confident that Thailand’s capital will contribute as an important meeting ground for startups and investors in advanced food technology from around the world. Bangkok will also serve significantly as a locally-sourced raw material development centre. 

Thailand has sufficient raw material to serve growing demands, the country also has a top-notch logistics service. These attributes make the Thai food industry exceptional and position Thailand as the kitchen of the world.

The utilisation of innovation and technology in the food industry is not diverse and still lacks research and development. The NIA, therefore, stepped in to encourage the use of innovation in this particular industry. Intending to feed the world through innovation, the ‘SPACE-F’ project was initiated in 2019 to incubate and accelerate the growth of FoodTech startups in Thailand. The project brings together FoodTech startups and corporates through innovative mentorship, business connections, and a co-working program. 

NIA encourages investment opportunities for the Thai

Bee keeping, India

Government committed towards increasing overall potential of beekeeping industry in the country

National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, organised a National Workshop on Role of Agri Startups in Honey Value Chain at NSRTC Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Beekeepers, Honey Startups and FPOs, stakeholders in beekeeping, officials from various Ministries/ Government Organisations/ Institutes, State Departments of Horticulture, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), etc participated in the workshop.

Dr N K Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) and Executive Director, NBB briefed about the role of role of Agri Startups in Honey Value Chain. He also highlighted the role of National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) and its contribution in the beekeeping sector, including promotion & facilitation for honey startups and FPOs.  He highlighted that implementation of NBHM scheme is also intended to strengthen the infrastructure facilities for honey collection, storage, processing, testing & branding centres, which ultimately enhance the potential of beekeeping in the nation. He invited Honey Startups and FPOs to avail the facilities available under NBHM and adopt beekeeping in a scientific manner to get additional income through honey and other beehive product.

Startups from MANAGE and other states shared their experience and explained about their products being marketed in the country. They also highlighted the importance of Honey Value Chain being created by various stakeholders. These startups are promoting honey sector by Queen breeding, comb, raw honey production and food supplement of bee pollen.

Government committed towards increasing overall potential of