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Home2022October (Page 5)
AgroPolicy, India

PM Modi works on an action plan to end inequality in the country 

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar during the 8th General Meeting in Pune said that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working towards the development of villages-the poor and farmers, making their lives better.

Tomar said that in 2015 the Prime Minister had said that farmers’ income should be doubled. Towards this goal, the Central and State governments, along with FPOs and all other organisations related to Agriculture, worked together, which is benefiting the farmers of the country today. The income of lakhs of farmers has increased from more than double to five to ten times, and for the first time in the country a scheme has been launched which accords dignity to the farmers. 

He said that the government has set up the Agri Infra Fund worth IRs one lakh crore to boost agricultural infrastructure. Besides, packages worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore have been rolled out for Agriculture and allied works in the villages. Projects worth INR 14,000 crores has already been approved from under the Agri Infra Fund. 

The benefits will start percolating to the farmers in the coming days.  Tomar said that there are 86 percent small farmers in the country; in order to empower them 10,000 new FPOs are being constituted. The government is trying to provide all the necessary facilities to the farmers.

PM Modi works on an action plan

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, India

Benefit and usage of drone technology explained and showcased to the farmers 

To promote drone technology and popularise it for spraying purposes and precision agriculture, a demonstration was organised at ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer. 

Dr S N Saxena, Director, ICAR-NRCSS briefed the benefits of emerging drone technology for spraying pesticides, insecticides, and liquid fertilisers. He emphasised that the technology could also be extended for crop monitoring and assessing soil health.

He also said that this could be a boon for seed spice and seed spices-based fruits and vegetable growers.

The event was attended by around 100 farmers, college students and the entire ICAR-NRCSS staff. 

Dr D S Bhati, Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ajmer stated that the technology is excellent for young farmers and agriculture graduates and their employability. Additionally, because it uses contactless spraying technology, which will assist in eliminating the adverse effects of spraying pesticides and insecticides to farmers during spraying. 

Benefit and usage of drone technology explained

Company News, India, Organic

Curated ‘Farm experiences’ create widespread appeal for growing and harvesting produce 

MharoKhet an experiential farm, has collaborated with RV On, India’s leading caravan company, all set to take visitors to its fields in a luxury ride for a tranquil caravan camping experience.

A forty-acre experiential farm in Jodhpur, MharoKhet is home to more than 100 varieties of natural and organic crops and provides soothing experiences in the lap of nature. The Farm Tour and The Culinary Trail, its curated experiences, are an exciting way to explore all that the farm has to offer: from growing and harvesting produce, to cooking and dining. 

“We wanted to make a guest’s journey to our fields as experiential as the fields themselves, and what better way, than to do a luxurious road trip with the option of stopping anywhere one may fancy – could be for a herd of camels or a lush yellow field of mustard plants.” Said Rajnush Agarwal, MharoKhet.

Curated 'Farm experiences' create widespread appeal for

Agrotech, Company News, India, Seeds

Agri experts and scientists educate 600+ farmers about advantages of AcreNext next generation rice farming

Corteva Agriscience, a global pure-play agriculture company, organised a field event, ‘Dhan Mahotsav’ in Mansa, Punjab. In the day-long event, agriculture experts and scientists aimed to teach, train, and educate 600+ farmers about the advantages of AcreNext next generation rice farming. The program aims at enhancing the understanding and knowledge of the benefits of adopting direct seeded rice – a resource-efficient technology that overcomes limitations of traditional cultivation techniques and improves the sustainability and profitability of rice farming.

AcreNext is an integrated direct seeded rice program meaning hybrid rice seed is planted directly into the rice main field.  The hybrid seed has a better yield, can be planted using mechanised sowing services, and is compatible with highly efficient crop protection solutions that do not require fields to be flooded. This comprehensive offering helps rice farmers produce healthier rice crops that mature faster with increased yields while being less water and labor intensive. Through the AcreNext program, the company provides farmers with training in better farming practices and access to an integrated solution that delivers the right product for the right acreage that maximizes productivity and profitability.

To extend their support towards more holistic agronomic practices, the event was attended by chief dignitaries including Gurpreet Singh MLA & Chairman Farmer committee, Punjab & Dr G. S. Buttar, Director Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University.

Commenting on its allegiance to bringing sustainable agriculture practices in India, Gurpreet Bhathal, Marketing Director, Corteva Agriscience, said ‘Corteva Agriscience is committed to helping farmers adopt sustainable and holistic agronomic practices. Direct seeded rice (DSR) consumes less water, produces better yield, and enables rice farming in control of the grower thus increasing productivity and profitability.”

Dr G S Buttar highlighted the role of PAU in making farmers aware about DSR technique & also highlighted the steps the farmer should take to make DSR a lively practice. He emphasised the role of field preparation, Weed management & water usage in the DSR way of Farming.

Agri experts and scientists educate 600+ farmers

Agrotech, Company News, India

The project will help develop the potential of the rural and semi-urban communities

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has selected Arya.ag and Friends of Women’s World Banking, India (FWWB India) as partners for implementing enterprise promotion and value chain interventions in agriculture and allied activities. The partnership aims to create a cadre of community resource persons for mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs and promoting individual and group enterprises by December 2023. The blueprint of Project Excel includes building a team of sourcing managers to implement value chain interventions and establish market and credit linkages through collectivization. As part of this partnership, Arya.ag will build on farmers’ collectives to effectively manage the post-harvest process and develop the agriculture value chain of the producer group.

UNDP is implementing Project Excel in Jamnagar and Dwaraka Devbhumi districts of Gujarat to improve the incomes of 10,000 households through enterprise promotion, agri-value chain interventions, skilling, employment and social protection. Arya.ag and FWWB India will work extensively to strengthen agri value chain and build an entrepreneurship ecosystem. They will enable deeper engagements with knowledge partners that positively impact the livelihoods of millions of small farmers and women from the under-served communities of Dwarka Devbhumi and increase their income.

Arya.ag will provide its platform for the farmer collectives and FPOs to showcase their produce on its marketplace. Farmers will benefit from the economies of scale and synergies provided by the company’s vast, integrated ecosystem of services, including quality inputs, commercial support, farm advisory and management tools, affordable credit, and capacity building. Through collectivisation, they will help farmers in the villages establish market and credit linkages. FPOs, who have farmers as the shareholders, would leverage economies of scale, reducing production costs and enhancing farmers’ incomes. Arya.ag’s dedicated agritech initiatives solve traceability and transparency issues and give quality assurance for seamless commodity commerce.

FWWB India will focus on the development of entrepreneurship among villagers. It will support youth and women’s economic empowerment through setting up demand-driven micro and nano enterprises. This partnership is to create a conducive business environment with end-to-end solutions consisting of training and technical support, capital and market linkages, and skill enhancement support, empowering women and ensuring a sustainable income at the individual and collective level.

The overall aim of this project is to develop the potential of the rural and semi-urban communities and provide them with the opportunities to enhance their livelihoods in sectors like agriculture, dairy, poultry, handloom, goat rearing and handicraft, etc. The project will also help build their managerial capabilities and provide stronger market linkages.

The project will help develop the potential

India

78 tribal farmers including 57 ladies from different parts of Leh participated

To overcome the problems of the onion growers regarding improved onion varieties as well as production and protection technologies, ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune had initiated a programme to conduct field demonstrations on improved onion varieties during 2022-23 in collaboration with High Mountain Arid Agriculture Research Institute (HMAARI), SKUAST-K Leh and KVK, SKUAST-K Kargil-1.

A total of 78 tribal farmers including 57 ladies from different parts of Leh participated in the this training programme. Dr V Mahajan, Director, ICAR-DOGR appreciated the farmers of Leh for their interest and hard work for conducting field demos on improved onion varieties. He also briefed about the scientific cultivation of onion which will enhance productivity and income of farmers.

Demonstrations conducted at the fields of various farmers were monitored and performance of all the demos on improved variety of onion were found to be in good conditions. However, onion maggots are the major problem in Leh and organically protection measures are the need of hour.

78 tribal farmers including 57 ladies from

Agrotech, India, Seeds

Centre is setting up 10,000 new FPOs, for which a provision of INR 6,865 crore has been made

In a virtual address to the National Conference on Enhancing Agricultural Productivity on the topic ‘Integration of Improved Seeds and Agri Inputs’, organised by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)  in New Delhi, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, said, “Agriculture sector is the backbone of our country and our rural economy and agriculture has such strength that the country can easily overcome adverse situations.” . 

There is a need to work in this direction to transform agriculture into advanced farming, technology should be used in agriculture and its continuity should be maintained, the stronger and more profitable the Agriculture sector is, the stronger the country will be.

Tomar said that the government is working to reduce the gap between farmers and the market, providing infrastructure in rural areas and eliminate the role of middlemen. He said that the number of small farmers in the country is more, who have small acreage and do not have money for investment; for such farmers, the Central Government is setting up 10,000 new FPOs, for which a provision of INR 6,865 crore has been made and small farmers are being mobilised.  

Farmers should do group farming, so that the input costs can be reduced, production quality improves and small farmers can shift to remunerative crops and get the price for their produce on their own terms.

Centre is setting up 10,000 new FPOs,

Animal Health, India

Farmers were educated about different technologies developed by the Centre

Dr Jagadish Barbad, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry Department appraised State Animal Husbandry Department’s role in promotion of camel farming. He applauded NRCC’s role in extending animal health services to this far-reach areas of Rajasthan. Dr Artabandhu Sahoo, Director, ICAR-NRCC briefed about the recent achievements of the Institute.

The camp was attended by more than 258 farmers in which 408 camels received prophylactic chemotherapy for deadly disease ‘Surra’. Risk for outbreak of Surra disease in camel in coming months is high due to higher precipitation received in Rajasthan state compared to the previous year’s resulting into increased population of blood sucking flies transmitting the disease.

Farmers were educated about different technologies developed by the Centre and other efforts taken for conservation of camel like promotion of camel as a milch animal.

During the camps, dewormers, first aid medicine kits, feed supplements and salt licks were also distributed for other livestock farmers. Blood and fecal samples were collected from camels for updating the epidemiological status of various parasitic diseases prevalent in the area. The Camel and other livestock owners were also advised on usage and advantage of mineral and feed supplements, medicines for immediate health care besides special.  attention on seasonal health. care, year-round management practices, cleanliness of self and the premises. They were also explained on clean milk production, organised collection, processing and marketing of camel milk for higher benefit and revenue with profitability.

Farmers were educated about different technologies developed

Agro chems – Chemicals, India

Briar is Safex’s first overseas acquisition as a global expansion strategy

Safex Chemicals India Limited (Safex), a fast-growing Indian agrochemicals company, announces the acquisition of Briar Chemicals (Briar), the UK’s leading agrochemicals Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) provider, from the pan-European alternative investment firm AURELIUS Equity Opportunities. Safex is backed by ChrysCapital, one of India’s largest private equity firms, which owns a significant minority stake in the business.

“We are delighted to enter the UK by acquiring the country’s pre-eminent independent agrochemical CDMO provider,” said Piyush Jindal, Director of Safex. “The addition of Briar to Safex’s crop protection business strengthens our position in the global agrochemicals market.”

Founded in New Delhi in 1991, Safex is a leading Indian manufacturer and supplier of the most advanced crop protection chemicals. Safex is one of the fastest-growing agrochemical companies in India, having achieved a Combined Annual Growth Rate of over 25 percent in revenue over the last five years. Briar is Safex’s first overseas acquisition and forms part of the company’s strategy for global expansion in step with the substantial growth of the worldwide agrochemicals market, which is set to increase in value by over 11 percent from USD 62.3 billion in 2022 to USD 69.4 billion in 2026. 

“Acquiring Briar Chemicals will fast-track Safex into becoming a fully integrated company, present in all industry verticals. Strong operational synergies and strategic vision will help Safex to become an important player in the global agrochemical industry. This is a very exciting time for our business,” said Mr. SK Chaudhary, Founder, and Director of Safex.

Briar is Safex’s first overseas acquisition

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, India

As per MoU IFFCO will supply & distribute IFFCO Nano Urea, Sagarika WSF, Biofertilisers and other products in Malaysia.

The fertiliser cooperative major, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has signed an MoU with Singapore-based Bind Resources PTE for supplying and distributing the latter with Nano Urea and other products. On behalf of IFFCO, Yogendra Kumar, Marketing Director whereas on behalf of Bind Resources PTE Vivudh Rawal signed the MoU.

The MoU was signed at the IFFCO headquarters.  Dr U S Awasthi, Managing Director & CEO, IFFCO, mentioned in his tweet, “In yet another development IFFCO signed an MoU with Bind Resources PTE Ltd, Bind Pte Singapore to supply and distribute IFFCO Nano Urea, Sagarika WSF, Biofertilizers and other products in Malaysia.

As per MoU IFFCO will supply &

Agrotech, Company News, North America, Organic

CEA involves growing crops indoors in a highly conditioned environment as the most common forms are greenhouse and vertical farming

Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. has announced its first sales commitment in the growing Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) market. This key customer is a leading industry innovator in vertical farming with multiple US locations and will be conducting a paid pilot of the BVT system as a crop productivity tool.

CEA involves growing crops indoors in a highly conditioned environment as the most common forms are greenhouse and vertical farming. Entering this sector is a significant growth opportunity for BVT given the global CEA market was valued at over US$74 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$125 billion by 2027.

“CEA is the future of agriculture, in particular for fresh produce,” said Ian Collinson, Sales Manager at BVT. “Growing crops vertically means we can grow more efficiently with greater yield and can be closer to urban centers where the bulk of fresh produce is consumed. It also means growers are no longer dependent on weather conditions, and therefore can operate 365 days a year with far less risk from external factors than traditional farming.”

This innovative agriculture method has several planet-friendly benefits. Farming vertically means 4-6 acres’ worth of crops can be grown in a single indoor acre. The ability to grow food closer to major population centres limits the carbon footprint that results from transportation across great distances. Plus, this process uses 70-90% less water than conventional outdoor methods, and requires significantly fewer pesticides, fertilizers and far less heavy machinery.

“BVT is committed to helping farmers of all circumstances,” said Collinson. “We are pleased and excited to enter the growing CEA market. BVT’s natural precision agriculture system, which is OMRI-listed for organic use, can help indoor growers’ productivity by helping them produce better quality fruits and vegetables – and provide consumers with premium products.”

CEA involves growing crops indoors in a

Agrotech, Company News, Middle East countries, Sustainability

One of only 54 global companies to make the World list of ‘Doing well by doing good’

AeroFarms, a Certified B Corporation and the pioneer in vertical farming, is announced as a Change The World Company by Fortune. The list recognises innovative companies that have made an important social or environmental impact through their profit-making strategy and operations this year.  

It continues to increase consumer availability of AeroFarms flavourful, delicious and sustainably grown leafy greens and microgreens while also scaling farming operations and transforming the agriculture industry. This year, AeroFarms opened two indoor vertical farms: the world’s largest aeroponic smart farm in Danville, Virginia and the world’s largest Research and Development farm in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Both farms scale the company’s mission to grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity and advance the agriculture industry forward.

“This Change The World honour reinforces AeroFarms’ award-winning legacy to build and scale our business as a force for good,” says David Rosenberg, AeroFarms CEO and Co-Founder. “We have been transforming agriculture with people and planet in mind, using the latest breakthroughs in indoor vertical farming, artificial intelligence and plant biology to fix our broken food system and this award is a testament to our team’s commitment to our broader mission.”

One of only 54 global companies to

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, India, Sustainability

To enhance crop and soil specific fertiliser systems and improvements to nutrient use efficiency, balanced soil nutrition

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $30 million loan with Smartchem Technologies Limited (STL) to finance capital expenditure and research and development of enhanced-efficiency specialty fertilisers as well as investments to promote energy efficiency, health, and safety.

In addition, an accompanying technical assistance grant will focus on improving the climate resilience of up to 4,000 smallholder farmers through building their soil management and financial literacy skills.

“ADB’s financial assistance will help us to further improve our enhanced efficiency specialty fertiliser business including applied R&D and grass-root farmer training initiatives. It is encouraging to have our efforts towards crop and soil specific fertiliser systems and improvements to nutrient use efficiency and balanced soil nutrition, validated by international partners like ADB,” said STL Chairman and Managing Director S C Mehta. “We will continue to strive to deliver our vision of raising the yield and quality of Indian agriculture to the global best. We look forward to growing this partnership with ADB.”  

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

To enhance crop and soil specific fertiliser

Europe, Sustainability

Partnership to further advance WFP’s smallholder farmer support programmes in Rwanda and Uganda

Novo Nordisk Foundation commits  $ 4.1 million grant to improve health, nutrition, food security and incomes for marginalised and vulnerable smallholder farming communities. The objective is to build the resilience and functionality of food systems in the most food insecure regions of both countries.

“This exciting new partnership with the Novo Nordisk Foundation will leverage WFP’s existing homegrown school feeding and smallholder farmer support programmes to create even greater impact by further investing in children’s education while building efficient food systems to ensure food is available and affordable for all.”

“Creating resilient food systems is central to WFP’s work across Eastern Africa – from emergency relief to building sustainable livelihoods,”says Michael Dunford, WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

“We are pleased to partner with the World Food Programme and contribute to advancing its existing programmes in Rwanda and Uganda, where millions of people fail to thrive due to the global food crisis. The fact that the programmes focus on offering immediate support, and also work to build sustainable food systems for the longer term, is very well aligned with how we work at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, I’m particularly excited about the prospect of bringing nutritious meals to thousands of school-aged children, since we know that this is a good incentive for them to come to school, which forms a foundation for a bright future and a better quality of life.” Says Flemming Konradsen, Senior Vice President, Social & Humanitarian, Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Partnership to further advance WFP's smallholder farmer