Agrochemicals manufacturer Anupam Rasayan India has announced Q2 FY23 results. Operating Revenues at Rs 3,107 million in Q2FY23 as compared to Rs 2,489 million in Q2 FY22 – growth of 25 per cent YoY. Profit After Tax at Rs 412 million in Q2FY23 as compared to Rs 358 million in Q2FY22 – growth of 15 per cent YoY. Total revenues at Rs 3,087 million in Q2FY23 as compared to Rs 2,552 million in Q2FY22 – growth of 21 per cent YoY. EBITDA (incl. other revenue) at Rs 898 million in Q2FY23 as compared to Rs 697 million in Q2FY22 – growth of 29 per cent YoY.
Anand Desai, Managing Director of Anupam Rasayan, commented, “I am delighted to inform you that our standalone business grew by 25 per cent year on year to Rs 310 crore. with consistent EBITDA margins.
Our philosophy of carrying a long-term vision in our business conduct is bearing its fruits as Anupam has started seeing the benefits of this Europe 1 trend with our latest announcement of signing two contracts with one of the European Crop Protection companies for supplying two new life science-related speciality chemicals.
Overall, we continue to see upward bias in all the contracted volumes with major customers. This makes us confident of delivering a strong performance in the coming quarters and for the year.”
With expanded distribution, these mushrooms are becoming more widely available on grocery store shelves
Caputo & Guest at Booth #4592 at The Global Produce & Floral Trade Show has recently announced the launch of their fresh organic mushrooms with live cooking demos, and in-person interaction with their team at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.
Caputo & Guest have been cultivating a variety of fresh, distinctive mushrooms in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania since 1977. With expanded distribution, these mushrooms are becoming more widely available on grocery store shelves. Caputo & Guest mushroom varieties include Royal Trumpet, Golden Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Pearl Oyster, and Maitake.
These varieties offer Exceptional flavour, variety, certified organic, locally grown, manure free and farmer friendly.Their Chef’s Mixes include- Asian Bistro Stir Fry Mix – Exotic Oven-Roast Mix – Gourmet Sauté Mix – Wood-Fired Pizza Mix – Prime Steakhouse Mix.
“We have a long legacy as America’s #1 specialty mushroom grower and our 100 per cent vertical integration allows us full control of the process from spore to harvest on our farms, ensuring the most premium, fresh and exotic mushrooms possible,” said Caputo & Guest’s CEO, Louis Caputo Jr.
Dr Chen is world-renowned for his many important innovations in traditional and next-generation corn breeding
Origin Agritech Ltd, a Beijing-based agriculture technology company announces the appointment of Dr Shaojiang Chen to the Origin Agritech Board of Directors as an independent director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Chen to the Origin Board,” said Dr Gengchen Han, Origin Agritech’s Chairman. “Dr Chen is world-renowned for his many important innovations in traditional and next-generation corn breeding. He is also very well connected in the agritech community in China, which will benefit Origin on numerous fronts.”
Dr Chen is currently a professor at the China Agricultural University, Agronomy College, where he has been teaching since 2000. During 2017 to 2022, he also served as the Director at the Maize Breeding Engineering Centre of the MOE and has served as the Vice Director at the National Maize Improvement Centre of China. Dr Chen is widely published on many topics relating to fertilisation and corn plant genetics.
Built specifically to offer superior engine protection that extends engine life
Valvoline Cummins Private Limited, the Original Engine Oil maker and a leading global lubricant manufacturer with 150 years of innovating ground-breaking lubricant technologies has launched an industry exclusive product – Valvoline All Fleet Turbo Plus (Haulage Expert) – for heavy use of high HP tractors on road and other agricultural allied operations.
Tractors are versatile machines with many uses even out of the farm. Over the years, non-agricultural use of tractors has been growing rapidly while its agricultural use has been decreasing. Tractors are a common sight at construction sites, transporting iron, cement, sand, and other construction materials. It is also a common sight to find tractors transporting multiple lorries of agricultural produce during harvest season, which stresses the engine and exposes it to accelerated wear and tear.
These heavy-duty applications put tremendous stress on engines, decreasing its life, increasing maintenance cost, and increasing its susceptibility to frequent breakdowns and causing damage to critical engine components. Traditionally, conventional mineral oils used to hold well to these challenges, but modern tractors need advanced protection in the changing landscape of tractors.
Speaking about the launch, Sandeep Kalia, MD and CEO, Valvoline Cummins India, Said, “Valvoline is committed to researching and developing innovative industry first products. We are an agile customer centric brand that is quick to meet the demands of our customers through products that meet their needs. Valvoline All Fleet Turbo Plus (Haulage Expert) is yet another innovative, exclusive, and industry-first product that is specifically built to meet the demands of tractor owners to offer superior engine protection that extends engine life.”
All Fleet Turbo Plus Haulage Expert from the house of Valvoline is a testament to the brand’s commitment towards technological advancement for ground-breaking products. The industry first product is designed and engineered to meet the specific needs of high HP tractors whether on road or on farm. It effortlessly meets the challenges that arise from wide applications of tractors and is adapted to the changing and expanding role of tractors. It meets the rising complexities of new age tractors, reduces cost per hour due its longer drain interval and offers highest levels of engine protection when carrying heavy loads.
342.33 million tonne estimated to be produced in 28.08 million hectare
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India releases the 3rd Advance Estimates of the area and production of various horticultural crops for the year 2021-22. According to the estimate, a record 342.33 million tonne are estimated to be produced in an area of 28.08 million hectare. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, congratulated the farmers, scientists and officers of horticulture for this achievement.
Year 2021-22 (3rd Advance Estimate):
• The total horticulture production is estimated to be 342.33 million tonne in the year 2021-22, showing an increase of about 7.73 million tonnes (an increase of 2.3 percent) over the year 2020-21.
• Production of fruits is estimated to be 107.24 million tonne as against 102.48 million tonne in 2020-21.
• Production of vegetables is estimated to be 204.84 million tonne as against 200.45 million tonne in 2020-21.
• Production of Onion is estimated to be 31.27 Million Tonne as against 26.64 Million Tonne in the year 2020-21.
• Production of Potatoes is estimated to be 53.39 million tonne as against 56.17 million tonne in 2020-21.
• Tomato production is estimated to be 20.33 million tonne as against 21.18 million tonne in 2020-21.
Achieves solid EBIT before special items of €1.3 billion down by €517 million versus prior-year quarter
BASF has announced sales at €21.9 billion up 12 per cent in third quarter of 2022 over prior-year quarter. EBIT before special items of €1.3 billion down by €517 million versus prior-year quarter. Earnings improve considerably in downstream segments, decline significantly in Chemicals and Materials segments. Cash flows from operating activities increased to €2.3 billion compared with €1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2021. Company has expected sales of between €86 billion and €89 billion, EBIT before special items of between €6.8 billion and €7.2 billion in 2022.
“Despite the continued high raw materials and energy prices, BASF achieved solid earnings in the third quarter,” said Dr Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, presenting the results for the third quarter of 2022 together with Chief Financial Officer Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel.
At €21.9 billion, sales were 12 percent higher than in the prior-year quarter. The sales increase was mainly driven by much higher prices in almost all segments. Only the Surface Technologies segment recorded lower price levels as a result of lower precious metal prices. Currency effects had a positive impact in all segments. Sales growth was also boosted by portfolio effects. Sales development was significantly dampened by lower volumes in all segments except for Agricultural Solutions.
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items declined by €517 million compared with the third quarter of 2021 to €1.3 billion. “Our downstream segments Surface Technologies, Agricultural Solutions, Nutrition & Care and Industrial Solutions increased their earnings considerably,” said Brudermüller. However, earnings in the Chemicals and Materials segments declined significantly compared with the very high levels of the prior-year quarter.
At €1.3 billion, EBIT was considerably below the prior-year quarter (€1.8 billion). This figure includes income from integral companies accounted for using the equity method, which declined by €124 million to €76 million, mainly due to the lower earnings contribution from BASF-YPC Company Ltd., Nanjing, China.
Compared with the third quarter of 2021, income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items (EBITDA before special items) decreased by €446 million to €2.3 billion and EBITDA declined by €474 million to €2.3 billion.
Removal of grazing by herbivores may lead to an increase in the level of soil carbon
According to a 16-year-long study carried out by researchers at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) and the Divecha Centre for Climate Change (DCCC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), large mammalian herbivores like the yak and ibex play a crucial role in stabilising the pool of soil carbon in grazing ecosystems such as the Spiti region in the Himalayas.
Because grazing ecosystems make up about 40 per cent of the Earths land surface, protecting the herbivores that keep the soil carbon stable should remain a key priority for mitigating climate change.
Many previous studies have focused on measuring carbon and nitrogen levels at long time intervals, assuming that the accumulation or loss of carbon is a slow process, explains Dilip GT Naidu, PhD student at DCCC and first author of the study. But the inter-annual fluctuations paint a very different picture.
These fluctuations can be consequential for climate as they are linked to how large mammalian herbivores influence soil.
Since soil contains more carbon than all plants and the atmosphere combined, it is important to ensure its persistence. When plants and animals die, dead organic matter remains in the soil for a long duration before microbes break it down and release carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Credit : Sumanta Bagchi Associate Professor Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
India to promote nutritious cereal products for public health and nutrition
The 7th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting (AIMMAF) on Agriculture and Forestry was held virtually. The meeting was co-chaired by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar.
Tomar, in his opening remarks during the meeting, reiterates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of keeping ASEAN at the centre of India’s Act East Policy, he also emphasised on mutually close regional cooperation with ASEAN to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for agricultural development in the region. Referring to the importance of millet (nutritional-cereals) as a nutritious food and the international nutritional-cereal year 2023.
Tomar said that India will promote nutritious cereal products for the health and nutrition of the people. Nutritious cereals help in the creation of nutritious, with low resource requirement and more efficient agri-food systems.
The meeting also welcomed the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations. In the meeting, the commitment to ASEAN-India cooperation in agriculture and forestry was reaffirmed.
There’s tremendous therapeutic utility of Camel Milk including diabetes, TB, autism
A team of 95 Sanyasis, Acharyas and Brahmacharis of Patanjali Yogpeeth Haridwar recently visited the ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel. They were briefed on research activities undertaken by NRCC and were also apprised about different activities during their visit to Camel Farm.
During the visit they interacted with Dr Artabandhu Sahoo, Director, NRCC, on therapeutic utility of camel milk in various human ailments like diabetes, tuberculosis and autism related disorders. The unique nutraceutical properties of camel milk and its hypoallergenic nature, role in immunity helps patients recover faster from illness and thus the ‘Ship of the Desert’ may also be referred as ‘Store-House of Medicine’.
They were also appraised of different delicious value-added products developed from camel milk which can pave way for its outreach to other Indian states and fetch revenue to camel breeders.
Patanjali’s team representative Dr Parmarth Dev and representatives from different states endorsed their view to increase the number of camels to increase availability and acceptability of milk for human health, which would in-return, help camel owners and involved-chain of people to sustain their livelihood and enhance the usefulness of animal in the society.
ICLeaf is currently available for grape, cotton, banana, tomato and pomegranate crops in India, with other crops being added
Israel-based leading global specialty minerals company, ICL announced the launch of ICLeaf, a revolutionary diagnostics tool, which will provide farmers with a personal prescription for maximising yield. The tool measures 10 different elements in a leaf sample and then delivers accurate, real-time feedback and a recommendation regarding nutrient use.
ICLeaf is currently available for grape, cotton, banana, tomato and pomegranate crops in India, with other crops being added. The revolutionary diagnostics tool was created at the Center for Fertilisation and Plant Nutrition (CFPN), which was founded through a partnership between ICL and the Volcani Institute (Agricultural Research Organization ARO). The Volcani Institute is the research arm of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and leads in its field, with among the widest range of technologies and developments in advanced agriculture.
The digital technology suite – including the ICLeaf and Crop Advisor solutions, among others – was developed by Agmatix, an ICL owned digital ag startup, which developed the world’s first single engine designed to drive the agronomic innovation cycle from research and experimental data into meaningful and actionable insights. The Agmatix platform can read and interpret thousands of the different data points commonly used across the agricultural industry to help scientists, agronomists and farmers make actionable decisions.
The process begins with the collection of leaves from the targeted crop, which are then analysed using unique technology. Results are rapidly available – within up to three days after initial sampling – versus several weeks using traditional methods, and the new tool is also more sustainable than traditional testing. It will allow farmers to make quick and data-driven decisions, based on the measurements, and enable them to take multiple samples each year and make immediate, in-season improvements.
ICLeaf is complementary to Crop Advisor, an optimized data-based crop nutrition plan, which provides customised fertiliser recommendations, based on type of crop, location and environmental conditions. This customer-focused solution is supported by professional agronomists, who offer personal guidance throughout the process.
Kanwar has been associated with NFL for more than 33 years with an extensive experience in Project Management, Operations and Maintenance of fertilizer plants
Rajan Kanwar has been appointed as an Additional Director (Director Technical) on the board of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) with effect from October 21, 2022.
Prior to his appointment as Director (Technical) in NFL, he was posted as Unit head at NFL’s Vijaipur Unit. He has been associated with the NFL for more than 33 years with extensive experience in Project Management, Operations and Maintenance of fertiliser plants.
He is credited with concept development to execution of Ammonia FeedStock Change over Project (AFCP) at NFL Nangal Unit, GTG-HRSG energy savings schemes for NFL Nangal, Panipat and Bhatinda Units and ESP-II of NFL Vijaipur Unit. He was also closely associated with commissioning of a group of Hydrogen plants 1n Indian refineries and Fertilizer industry.
Kanwar has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in chemical discipline from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree with specialization in operations.
RP Agriculture Research and Innovation Centre designated as the lead centre of the newly announced Urban Agriculture Centre of Innovation, in partnership with Temasek Polytechnic
Singapore’s Republic Polytechnic (RP) organised its inaugural Sustainable Urban Agriculture Forum on October 27, 2022, in collaboration with IPI Singapore and the Trendlines Agrifood Innovation Centre at the grandeur Agrifood Tech Expo Asia 2022.
By sharing perspectives and trends on urban agriculture, food security, and sustainability, the forum brought together the Asia Pacific agriculture ecosystem. The event was graced by Minister of State for Trade and Industry & Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Alvin Tan, who launched the Urban Agriculture Centre of Innovation (UA COI), established with support from Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG).
RP’s Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre (AGRI Centre) is the lead for the new UA COI and is formed in collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic’s (TP) Centre for Research & Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPs). The UA COI will help drive research and development (R&D) and build meaningful partnerships across the urban agriculture value-chain. It will also help develop innovation capabilities in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in this sector. The UA COI will also contribute to the agritech startup ecosystem and value-add to the wider economy.
Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO, Republic Polytechnic said, “As a small city-state with limited resources, it is paramount for us to ensure that Singapore remain innovative in spurring capabilities in the agritech sector to ensure long-term food security. In support of Singapore’s 30 by 30 food resilience goal, we are delighted to be appointed by Enterprise Singapore as a Centre of Innovation for Urban Agriculture. Together with our agritech partners, RP will continue to leverage its multi-disciplinary and agritech capabilities to develop creative solutions for the industry.”
Ms Dilys Boey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Industry Clusters), EnterpriseSG, said, “By tapping the combined expertise of Republic Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic, we will be able to equip local agritech enterprises with innovative solutions in areas like plant genetics, crop health and smart farming. This will pave the way for Singapore to become a leading agri-food tech innovation hub in Asia and accelerate the development of solutions required to address pressing food security, health and nutrition needs both regionally and globally.”
The UA COI will assist local farms in their research and development (R&D) efforts, particularly in enhancing crop health, improving crop yield and enabling smart farming. It will also help these companies accelerate their business growth through internationalisation, move up the value chain and collectively tackling global resource constraints.
At the event, RP also signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Priva Group, Ripe Fresh and Sembcorp Industries. Through these MOUs, RP will explore new methods to drive sustainable farming, and utilise precision climate control technology to improve plant growth and quality. Additionally, these partnerships will present opportunities for RP to test-bed new technologies such as high pressure aeroponics that minimise water consumption when cultivating plants. The MOUs will also facilitate training and industrial attachment opportunities for RP’s staff and students.
Mr Yeo added, “Today’s forum is an example of our continuing efforts to engage with the industry, deepen existing partnerships whilst forging new ones across the urban agriculture and sustainability industry sector. We are pleased to partner Priva Group and Ripe Fresh while renewing our longstanding collaboration with Sembcorp Industries.”
Speakers from the agriculture industry, government agencies and academia shared their insights on how to sustainably drive food supply resilience through urban agriculture. They also covered the latest trends in sustainable farming and the viability of adopting them domestically and regionally.
Delegates viewed an exhibition showcasing agritech projects completed by RP’s staff and students. One of the projects on display was an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled growth light solution that reduces operating costs while increasing crop yield. Using predictive algorithms, end-users such as farmers and scientists can devise the ideal formula to optimise crop growth.
Targeted goal is to build support, organise, market, and forge effective market linkages
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DAFW) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to boost the initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote Millets towards celebration of the International Year of Millets 2023.
Both organisations to work together for the promotion and marketing of millet-based products, keeping in view the initiative of “International Year of Millets (IYOM)-2023” proposed by the Government of India to the United Nations, which is to be celebrated across the world.
As India gears up to bring millet back on the global map, both the organisations will build support, organise, promote, market, and forge effective market linkages for millet-based products to maximise the value capture and millet-based commodities across the country.
The start-up to co-fire biomass in its Thermal Power plants
BiofuelCircle, Indias first digital marketplace for biomass and biofuels wins the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) Startup Grand Challenge to Create a Digital Marketplace for Biomass.
Through this challenge, NTPC identifies a start-up company which will collaborate with it to fulfill its ambition to co-fire biomass in its Thermal Power plants. A pilot project will begin with two of NTPC power plants to help create a farm-to-furnace ecosystem.
Elaborating further, Suhas Baxi, Co-founder and CEO, BiofuelCircle said, “We are delighted to work with NTPC to fulfill a shared vision of creating organised and reliable rural supply chain for biomass. Our model has been recognised for its focus on rural enterprises and farmer participation, in creating a viable supply chain. At maturity, Indian power sector can consume farm waste from more than 5 million farmers across the country. We are excited to be at the cusp of a major green energy revolution in India.”
