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Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Company News, India

The product’s positive toxicology profile makes it ideal to retain soil health and enable healthier crop cycles

Corteva Agriscience®, a global pure-play agriculture company, has launched its Novixid™ herbicide at an event in Hyderabad, Telangana. The day-long event in Hyderabad highlighted the importance of weed management to increase productivity and farmer profitability. Novixid™ was showcased as the technology of the future and was well received by the audience.

Rice growers face many challenges, and weeds present a significant challenge as they compete for the same nutrition and resources young rice plants need. The Novixid™ rice herbicide’s unique combination of Rinskor® active has proven very beneficial in weed management. The product effectively controls weeds that are tolerant to ALS (Acetolactate synthase), ACCase (Acetyl- coenzyme A carboxylase), and HPPD (Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase) HPPD inhibitor herbicides as well. It also has a favourable toxicology and ecotoxicology profile which benefits soil health and the environment. This makes Novixid™ a distinctive product which performs across variable conditions and water management environments effectively.

Commenting on the company’s commitment to bring sustainable and innovative agricultural products to India, Ravinder Balain, President – South Asia, Corteva Agriscience® said, “Farmers are looking for modern solutions to address their challenges and improve productivity. Corteva® strives to bring the most innovative and sustainable product solutions to the market. With the introduction of Novixid™, farmers will be able to effectively overcome the weeds that impede crop productivity. The product’s positive toxicology profile also makes it ideal to retain soil health and enable healthier crop cycles.

Speaking about the challenges in the weed management, Dr V K Choudhary, a renowned scientist in the field of weed science said, “Herbicide resistance is one of the biggest issues faced by Indian farmers who grow rice. Herbicides with a single mode of action contribute to resistance development, giving rise to the increase in weeds on the crops. However, the use of herbicides with alternate modes of action can manage the resistance issue faced by many. Rinskor® active is one the molecules that may deter resistance development and help with weed management in current scenario.”

The product's positive toxicology profile makes it

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups

Maharashtra and Bihar farmers see 35 per cent rise in incomes as Farmley’s value chain eliminates middlemen

Farmley, a full-stack dry fruits and nut brand, has announced the launch of its new range of over 100 products. By building direct linkages with the best producers in this category, Farmley is sourcing premium harvests and eliminating multiple points of adulteration. The startup recently raised $7 Million in Series A funding led by Alkemi Ventures and DSG Consumer Partners.

The dry fruits and nuts value chain typically has multiple middlemen involved making quality control a formidable challenge. The unorganised nature of this market also erodes farmer incomes. Farmley’s full-stack business model is disrupting the status quo by sourcing premium produce, creating innovative food items.

Farmley has built deep back-end linkages with 5000+ farmers and producers and established a streamlined supply chain network. In the past 12 months, the startup has produced 4800 tonne of dry fruits and nuts, 80 per cent of which was sourced directly from the farmers and producers. Farmers in Maharashtra and Bihar have seen a 35 per cent rise in incomes as Farmley’s value chain has eliminated middlemen and incentivised farmers to grow better quality produce.

To date, Farmley has set up five farm gate processing units closer to the source of origin to ensure fair remuneration and strict quality check protocols. ​Gender parity is an integral part of Farmley’s ethos. Close to 60 per cent of the workforce at the processing units are women, and the startup has generated over 2.5 lakhs of annual employment hours for them.

Abhishek Agarwal, Co-Founder of Farmley, said, “Adulteration in this category is quite common and is a persistent pain point for consumers. For example, these days almonds soaked in water bleed artificial brown colour instead of leaving only a golden tinge. The root of this problem is the unorganised nature of the market. Through our full-stack model, we have successfully streamlined the value chain to provide consumers with high-quality dry fruits and nuts consistently.”

Subhadeep Sanyal, Partner at Omnivore, observed, “Farmley is reimagining the dry-fruit and nut value chain in India. By solving multiple chronic issues in this segment, the startup is delivering an exciting premium experience to consumers and riding the clean snacking wave.”

Maharashtra and Bihar farmers see 35 per

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

This is the first fish feed technology for freshwater fish transferred by an ICAR institute to the industry

ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai has transferred the technology of CIFE- Argunil (Ivermectin based medicated feed mix for treatment of fish parasites and growth restoration in fish, granted patent No. IN330484, on 28th January 2022) to Godrej Agrovet Limited, Vikhroli, Mumbai today. Godrej Agrovet Limited will develop commercial-scale feed premix/ feed for freshwater fish. The technology was transferred on a non-exclusive mode. This is the first fish feed technology for freshwater fish transferred by an ICAR institute to the industry. Inventors of the technology are Dr. Md. Aklakur (Scientist, OIC-Motipur Centre), Dr. A.K. Pal (Retired Joint Director, ICAR – CIFE) and Dr. N.P. Sahu (Joint Director, ICAR – CIFE).

Dr C.N. Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFE and Dhrubajyoti Banerjee (CEO – Aqua Feed) & Dr. Kamlesh Pai Fondekar (Head Research and Development), signed the MoA on behalf of respective organizations. Dr. N P Sahu, Joint Director, Inventors, co-inventors, Chairperson, ITMU and other officials of ICAR-CIFE and GAVL, Mumbai were present during the occasion.

This is the first fish feed technology

India

ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research project ‘Breeding high yielding wheat genotypes for stress conditions of warmer regions of India’ on heat-tolerant varieties.

The government aims to promote the use of heat-resistant varieties amongst the farmers through public and private partnership and providing seed directly to the farmers. To promote the use of these varieties, the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barely Research (IIWBR), Karnal under ICAR has signed 250 Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) for DBW 187 and 191 MoAs for DBW 222 with private companies for seed production. The institute has distributed more than 2500 quintal seeds of DBW 187 and 1,250 quintal seeds of DBW 222 during the crop season, 2021-22.

The ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research project entitled “Breeding high yielding wheat genotypes for stress conditions of warmer regions of India” on heat tolerant varieties. Besides, ICAR-IIWBR Karnal is also collaborating with International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico on development of climate resilient wheat varieties.

The wheat varieties DBW187 and DBW222 have been found superior over HD-3086 as far as heat tolerance is concerned. During the crop season 2021-22, the varieties namely DBW187 and DBW222 have shown heat tolerance with yield gain of 3.6 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively as compared to HD-3086. The variety PBW 803 developed by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana is suitable for irrigated timely sown condition and resistant to brown rust as well as moderately resistant to stripe rust. This variety is not recommended as heat-tolerant variety.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. 

ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific research

India

Early maturing varieties of rice to be used for Straw Management

The cultivation of Short Duration Varieties (SDVs) provide extended window between Kharif harvesting of paddy and wheat sowing for Rabi, thereby giving sufficient time to the rice farmers for in-situ management and removal of excess paddy straw. The varietal trait for height is inherent in self-pollinated crop like paddy. The dwarf varieties have less production of straw as compared to the tall varieties.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) and State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) have developed high-yielding short duration Basmati rice varieties including Pusa Basmati 1509 (115 days), Pusa Basmati 1692 (115 days) and Pusa Basmati 1847 (125 days) and non-basmati category, aromatic rice varieties PR 126 (120-125 days), Pusa Sugandh 5 (125 days) and Pusa 1612 (120 days).These early maturing varieties mature about 20-25 days in advance which enable farmers for straw management and preparation of the fields for wheat sowing.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to increase the production and productivity of food-grain crops including rice. The various interventions such as cluster demonstrations on direct seeded rice, line transplanting, stress-tolerant varieties etc., distribution of quality seeds of high-yielding varieties including Short Duration Varieties & hybrids, micro-nutrients, soil ameliorants, plant protection chemicals, farm equipments and machinery are implemented to increase rice production and productivity.

This information was given by the Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. 

Early maturing varieties of rice to be

Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

Company’s Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) products Helipro and Ballot works through injections, contact, ovi-larvicidal, larvicidal on chewing pest insects

GSP Crop Science, a leader in the agrochemical business based out of Ahmedabad has launched CTPR (chlorantraniliprole) under the brand name Helipro and Ballot. After tireless efforts by the Research and Development team, GSP Crop will now manufacture and sell CTPR under ‘Make in India’ initiative to benefit the farmers and customers, at large.

GSP Crop Science, recently got a go ahead from Delhi High Court to sell and manufacture CTPR in India, after which GSP has officially launched its Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) products Helipro and Ballot that works through injections, contact, ovi-larvicidal, larvicidal on chewing pest insects.

Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) provides an effective and long duration of insect control with its unique mode of action in crops like sugarcane, rice, soyabean, pulses and vegetables by controlling all lepidoptera and other species. It is also toxic to insect eggs, larvae and pupae on contact. CTPR has an excellent bottom-up intake and transportation in plants and effectively penetrates plants from root to stem.

On this launch, Bhavesh Shah, managing director of GSP Crop Science said, “GSP is delighted to provide the Indian market with CTPR (Chlorantraniliprole) under the brand name Helipro and Ballot. We can very proudly say we are one of the very few companies who will be selling this market. Our aim is to provide our hardworking farmers with the right product with the price they deserve with the best quality possible.”

With a financial turnover of Rs 1200 crore annually and four manufacturing units in Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir, GSP Crop Science comprises more than 70 branded products – which gets marketed through a network of 6,500 distributors, over 30,000 dealers and 34 depots in India and exports to 25 countries.

Company's Chlorantraniliprole (CTPR) products Helipro and Ballot

North America, Organic

Surge in demand for natural and organic products serves as potential opportunity for the expansion of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market

According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global cold-pressed coconut oil market garnered $2.8 billion in 2021, and is estimated to generate $5.6 billion by 2031, manifesting a CAGR of 7.1 per cent from 2022 to 2031. The report provides an extensive analysis of changing market dynamics, major segments, value chain, competitive scenario, and regional landscape. This research offers a valuable guidance to leading players, investors, shareholders, and startups in devising strategies for the sustainable growth and gaining competitive edge in the market.

The research provides detailed segmentation of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market based on type, application, distribution channel, price point, and region. The report discusses segments and their sub-segments in detail with the help of tables and figures. Market players and investors can strategise according to the highest revenue-generating and fastest-growing segments mentioned in the report.

Based on type, the coconut RBD oil segment held the highest share in 2021, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market, and is expected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. However, the virgin coconut oil segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.4 per cent from 2022 to 2031.

Based on distribution channel, the modern trade units segment accounted for the highest share in 2021, holding nearly half of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market, and is expected to continue its leadership status during the forecast period. However, the online retail segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period.

Based on application, the food industry segment accounted for the highest share in 2021, contributing to nearly half of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market, and is expected to maintain its lead in terms of revenue during the forecast period. In addition, the same segment is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.1 per cent from 2022 to 2031.

Based on region, North America held the largest share in 2021, contributing to nearly half of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market share, and is projected to maintain its dominant share in terms of revenue in 2031. In addition, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 8.2 per cent during the forecast period.

Leading market players of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market analysed in the research include Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), Bunge Limited, Cargill Inc, China Agri-Industries Holdings Limited, FreshMill Oils, Lala Jagdish Prasad & Company (LALA GROUP), Multi Technology (Gramiyum), Naissance Trading, Statfold Oil Ltd and Wilmar International Ltd.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global cold-pressed coconut oil market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Surge in demand for natural and organic

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy

To support Government of India’s efforts in creating long-lasting impact pathways to improve nutrition outcomes amongst the low-income population

New Delhi-based Indian School of Business (ISB) announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India to further strengthen agriculture-nutrition convergence. The collaboration will be led by ISB, the University of Sheffield (UoS) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).  This was formally announced by Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, at an event in Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

ISB will anchor this collaboration in the Ministry which will further augment the government’s efforts in improving nutrition outcomes and strengthening agriculture-nutrition convergence while establishing an institutional mechanism to identify convergence opportunities at both central and state levels.

Over a five-year period, UoS, LHSTM, & ISB, along with ISB’s implementation partners – CInI-TATA Trusts, MSC and PDAG, will work towards the vision to increase the accessibility, availability, and affordability of Nutrient-Dense Foods for low-income population in underserved areas through agriculture-nutrition policy convergence, such that improving nutrition outcomes amongst the target audience becomes a stable policy outcome over an extended time horizon.

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, said, “The need to improve nutrition, particularly of the underprivileged population, is of prime importance. There must be convergence of policies and programmes in agriculture and nutrition to address this pressing need. I am happy we are embarking on this journey with the consortium led by ISB; the Ministry will fully support this collaboration to strengthen research and policy for improved nutrition outcomes.”

Prof Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB), said, “The needle on nutrition in India has been hard to move. The collaboration, with a focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods (NDFs) such as fruits & vegetables (F&Vs) and animal source foods (ASFs), will support Government of India’s efforts in creating long-lasting impact pathways to improve nutrition outcomes amongst the low-income population”.

To support Government of India's efforts in

Acquaculture, India

This breakthrough opens a new vista and adds a new species for research on various aspects of captive propagation to harness commercial aquaculture potential

The ICAR – Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai has initiated the broodstock development and breeding of R sarba in captivity at finfish hatchery in its Muttukkadu Experimental Station. About 45 brood fishes in the size ranged from 350g to 1800g have been maintained in the Recirculation Aquaculture System and small volume cages for two years since December, 2020. One of the bright features of the species is its easy adaptability to formulated feed, from rearing to captive maturation and this indicates its domestication potential.

The Silver or Goldlined seabream fish (Rhabdosargus sarba) belongs to sparidae family and is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region. It is considered as one of the widely preferred food fishes in India due to its white tender meat and fetches a premium price ar Rs 400-500 per kg in the domestic market. Being a euryhaline species, R sarba has a better potential for farming both in the ponds and cages.

Mature males in oozing condition and females with developing oocytes observed from the 1st week of November 2022. During 2nd week of December 2022, female fish (917g) had an oocyte diameter of 414 µm and two oozing males (907g & 240g) were administered with HCG and LHRHa hormones as priming and resolving doses at 24 hours intervals. After 12 hours of resolving dose, spontaneous spawning observed on 9th December 2022 and total of 7000 eggs (878 µm) collected. Fertilisation and hatching rates estimated were @ 71 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. The newly hatched larvae were measured with the size of 1.92mm. The Incubation time was estimated as 16 hours at 35 ppt salinity and 25ºC water temperature. The fish is probably a batch spawner, where the same fish released the second batch of eggs @ 8000 nos after 45 hrs (11th December 2022) of first spawning. The larvae were stocked in the larval rearing tanks and rearing is under progress.

This is first report on the captive breeding of Goldlined seabream in India. This breakthrough opens a new vista and adds a new species for research on various aspects of captive propagation with an aim to harness commercial aquaculture potential.

This breakthrough opens a new vista and

Agrotech, Sustainability

Two new members voted into position

The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) connects stakeholders from across the bioprotection/biocontrol sector, with a view to nurturing scientific and technological innovations and maximising their commercial potential. The WBF is guided by an international Advisory Board comprising 30 experts from industry and academia, and the organisation is led by a Board of Directors, two new members of which were voted into position during a meeting of the Advisory Board .

Elected as the new WBF President is Carol Pullen, Exclusive Consultant to Rovensa, and formerly General Manager – Europe at Oro Agri (part of the Rovensa Group). Pullen has been a member of the WBF Advisory Board since its formation in early 2021, and she is well acquainted with the values and mission of the WBF. Pullen replaces Shashi Sharma, Chair in Biosecurity and Food Security at Murdoch University, Australia, who has led the WBF since his appointment in July 2021, and has overseen achievements in regulatory reform, and numerous initiatives aimed at connecting the bioprotection/biocontrol sector for innovation and collaboration. Sharma will remain a member of the WBF international Advisory Committee.

“Today’s unprecedented population growth and climate change, exasperated by various other contributing factors, require a paradigm shift in how we look at agriculture as we are witnessing a shift towards sustainability,” said Pullen. “I look forward to playing an active role, with the support of the esteemed WBF advisors, in facilitating an accelerated transition towards a more sustainable agriculture by encouraging collaboration between academia and industry, and addressing barriers to entry through regulatory reform.”

Elected as the new WBF Treasurer is Shachi DG Gurumayum, Director of AgriMayum GmbH, and Founder of the MaolKeki Foundation which is catalysing development in Manipur through agricultural training and nurturing AgriTech entrepreneurs. Gurumayum will be supported by Meraj Syeda, who has performed the role of Treasurer since the WBF was formed.

“It is a pleasure to join the WBF at a time when biologicals are becoming mainstream and an essential element of many integrated pest management programs,” said Gurumayum. “I look forward to supporting the team at WBF and the industry in shaping this landscape.”

Carol Pullen and Schachi Gurumayum will both serve two-year tenures, from 1st January 2023 until 31st December 2024. They join existing Board Member Zhibing Zhang, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Co-Director of the China Institute, University of Birmingham. UK, who is currently serving a two-year tenure as WBF Vice President (until 31st December 2023).

Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the WBF, thanked the outgoing Board members for their service and achievements, saying “First and foremost, I would like to thank Professor Shashi Sharma for his work in helping the WBF achieve its goals and provide our members with the best possible advantages during their tenure. As a new organisation in 2019, we have had numerous hurdles to overcome, but their strong leadership and support have ensured our success, and we are looking forward to even more accomplishments in the future.”

Welcoming the new Board members, he added, “We are delighted to welcome Carol Pullen and Schachi Gurumayum as the new WBF President and Treasurer. Their experience in the BioProtection sector, and in advancing AgriTech globally, will be invaluable as they guide us over the next two years.”

Two new members voted into positionThe World

Agrotech, Company News, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting, People

Harish is a strong commercial leader with more than 2 decades of holistic experience across the consumer and Industrial sectors.

Farm machinery giant, Escorts Kubota Limited has announced that Harish Lalchandani is being appointed as the Chief Commercial officer to head the domestic tractor business for Agri Machinery effective from December 12, 2022.Harish is a strong commercial leader with more than 2 decades of holistic experience across the consumer and Industrial sectors. He also brings strong expertise in P&L Management, strategic marketing, sales and product management across different verticals and geographies.

 Harish is not a designated Key Managerial Personal as per Companies Act 2013 and this intimation is being provided as a good governance practice.

Harish is a strong commercial leader with

AgroPolicy, Dairy, India, Live Stock, Poultry

A major move to encourage commercial yak farming in the northeast of India  

The Himalayan Yak has received approval as a food animal from the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). Yak farming has not been accepted as profitable farming in India. Now yak milk and meat will be included in the traditional dairy and meat sectors. The approval will help to encourage commercial yak farming in the northeast of India.  

National Research Centre (NRC) on Yak in Arunachal Pradesh had submitted a proposal to FSSAI, to consider Yak as a food animal in 2021. Food Animals are those that are raised and used for food production. Himalayan Yak plays a multi-dimensional and socio-economic role in the northeastern region of India. In Arunachal Pradesh, more than 10,000 farmers are into commercial yak farming, and these farmers sell yak milk products, woollen clothing and meat, it is also used for transportation in remote locations. Churpi, ghee, paneer and churkum are traditional yak milk products that are an essential part of the cuisine in the districts of Arunachal Pradesh    

Yak milk is having nourishing values, it includes, 80 per cent of water, 8 per cent of fat, 5 per cent protein, 5 per cent lactose, and 12 per cent SNF.

The census conducted in 2019, according to it, India has around 58,000 yaks, compared to the data from 2012 declined by 25 per cent.

A major move to encourage commercial yak

Agrotech, Company News, India, IT, SAARC, Thailand

Cropwise Grower app is now available in India in nine languages and slated for rollout in Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh

Syngenta and image recognition specialist, Plantix, have launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital farming tools which is set to provide access to at least half a million smallholder farmers across the Asia Pacific.

The partnership gives Asia’s smallholder farmers access to a global database of over 50 crops and 500 diseases, which will be available through Syngenta’s Cropwise Grower app for farmers. The app uses the power of data to protect crop yields with on-demand advice on agricultural best-practices crop protection solutions.

With a rollout covering five countries and 750,000 hectares of farmland, the farming app will widen access to smart farming features for half a million farmers producing staple cash crops such as cotton, rice, corn, wheat and more.

Using AI, Cropwise Grower will allow farmers to take a photo of their crop problem, and in real-time, diagnose crop pests and diseases with 93 per cent accuracy. The image is analysed by the Plantix algorithms to identify the issue and provide a recommendation.

The uploaded images are also geo-tagged so that the app is able to alert farmers with early warnings when pest and disease pressures are identified in their surrounding area.

Targeting farmers in Asia’s top agriculture economies, the Cropwise Grower app is now available in India in nine languages and will be progressively rolled out in Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

“The emergence of challenges, such as new pests and diseases with climate change, coupled with extreme weather events, have made farming incrementally challenging. By bringing smart solutions closer to farmers, AI and data can help them overcome traditional constraints and information gaps. Our aim is to make digital tools as commonly used by smallholder farmers as the traditional rake here in the Asia Pacific. This partnership taps into our extensive regional networks to make this technology accessible at a large scale,” said Alexander Berkovskiy, APAC Regional Director at Syngenta.

Features of the Cropwise Grower app have been designed and tested with rural farmers in mind and include critical features which are available offline for users in areas with intermittent internet connection. It is tailored to regional crops and diseases and will be available in local languages, including nine local languages across India. Historical diagnoses and recommended solutions can be stored for on-demand offline access by farmers.

“As part of our commitment to the communities in which we operate, we are investing heavily in digital and believe that it has the power to help farmers make better decisions, reduce crop losses and increase yields,” explained Chris Chen, APAC Head of Digital Transformation at Syngenta.

“Cropwise Grower is the vehicle that allows us a direct connection, at scale, with millions of growers across the Asia Pacific. By ensuring the end-to-end user flow is 100 per cent automated, the partnership with Plantix allows an accurate diagnosis and recommendation to be provided in less than five seconds. This real-time feedback will be critical in driving behavioural change for our smallholder farmers across the region,” he adds.

Cropwise Grower app is now available in India

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Company News, Europe, Sustainability

Green fertilisers, made with renewable electricity instead of natural gas, will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of farming and food

Norway-based Yara has signed a memorandum of understanding with El Parque Papas to deliver green fertiliser in 2023. The fossil-free, green fertilisers Yara will start producing next year will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of farming and food because they will be made with renewable electricity instead of natural gas. Using Yara´s green fertilisers for potato production will remove around 28.8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level. For potato chips specifically, using green fertiliser will reduce the carbon footprint by around 5-10 per cent.

Yara was the first company in the world to land a commercial agreement to sell fertilisers made with 100 per cent renewable electricity and is one of the pioneers driving the introduction of green fertilizer to the world market. By choosing green fertilisers from Yara, food producers can lower their carbon emissions, which is required to reach the UN sustainability goals and Paris agreement. The production startup is planned to start up in the summer of 2023.

“Mass production of potato chips is actually a very complex operation involving many elements. My mission is to introduce a completely green, emission free potato in 2024. To do that, every company in the supply chain must take climate action. Collaboration is the only way to ensure that the end product is climate neutral. A farmer can only do so much. Yara helps us make the last piece of the puzzle emissions free – the fertilizer itself”, said Walter Hernández, CEO of El Parque Papas.

El Parque Papas is the biggest singular potato farmer in Argentina. Led by Walter Hernández, they supply 14,000 metric tons of potatoes every year to the Argentinian potato industry, including production of some of the most popular chips in the country.

Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara said, “Most people probably don’t think about emissions when eating their chips. But there are huge opportunities to decarbonize snacks, if we find business models that enable each step of the value chain to contribute and to benefit. This is why the agreement between Yara and El Parque papas is important, we show that this can be done.”

Green fertilisers, made with renewable electricity instead