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Agrotech, Company News

Leading agricultural drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation Private Limited has revealed that it is aiming a multi-fold growth in both values and volume terms in the current fiscal. The Gurugram-headquartered company is targeting to sell more than 1,000 kisan drones during 2022-23 and is eyeing to capture a good share in the market, estimated to be Rs 5000 crore by 2025-26. 

To fund its growth, India’s first type certified drone manufacturer is in advanced talks with investors to raise funds, which will be utilised for expansion. Last year, the company raised around Rs 30 crore from leading agrochemical company Dhanuka Agritech. The company has also been selected for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drone & Drone components by the government of India.

According to Deepak Bhardwaj and Anoop Upadhyay, Co-founders, IoTechWorld Avigation, the company is working to make all components indigenous within one to two years and is also developing village level entrepreneurs and service partners to increase employment.  “Clearly, the growth opportunity is humungous and IoTechWorld Avigation is likely to gain major share of the kisan drone market,” the founders added.

So far, the company has conducted many campaigns and drone yatra of 15000 km across India for educating farmers on the benefits of using drones in agriculture. It has centres in 12 states and will open a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) with different state governments to offer low-cost pilot license course.

“IoTechWorld Avigation has launched a bike back drone model and new Lithium Ion batteries to reduce the cost of operating and increase the mobility of drones. ICAR, KVKs, state agri universities have procured drones from us and now we are enabling them so that they can give demonstration and can educate the local farmers,” said Bhardwaj and Upadhyay.

“Our company is working with almost all major plant protection chemical manufacturing companies and working to increase the bio-efficacy of all plant protection chemicals. We are also empanelled with various state governments like Madhya Pradesh,” they added.

As per a recent report by FICCI–EY, the drone market is likely to become $30 billion by 2030 and agriculture drone market is estimated to contribute around 30 per cent of the overall market share.

Leading agricultural drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation Private

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

WRMS will empower the onion farmers by providing them with rule engine-based farm level SecuFarm advisory services

WRMS, an agriculture and dairy risk management company, has recently signed an MOU with NIFCO – Nilo Kheri Farmer Producer Company in Karnal Haryana. Through this partnership, WRMS will empower the onion farmers of the Rambha region of the Karnal district by providing them with rule engine-based farm level SecuFarm advisory services. With SecuFarm, these onion farmers will get farm level crop management advisory which will help them achieve water management, yield enhancement, use of climate smart agro chemicals, early detection & control of pest attacks, real time weather advisory for timely decision making, and post-harvest market linkages.

The initiative will begin on 50 acres in the Haryana region of Karnal (Rambha), where smallholder onion growers will receive cutting-edge digital agricultural services from the seed selection stage to the post-harvest market linkages.

Under the SecuFarm service, farmers will receive a free-soil testing service to identify the nutrients missing from the soil and will be given appropriate treatments. In order to reduce crop loss, farmers will receive farm-level crop advice to make sure their crop illnesses are addressed quickly. Additionally, WRMS will give them access to weather forecasts via automatic weather stations so that the farmers can decide how best to safeguard their harvest. A smart irrigation system is another SecuFarm service that helps farmers irrigate their farms according to both the weather forecast and the recommended level of soil moisture in their soil. Consequently, it will help conserve both water and energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of NIFCO, Dr Sardar Singh, said, “We are extremely excited with our association with WRMS as we are confident that SecuFarm services will increase the crop yield of our onion farmers and educate them on sustainable farming practices”.

Rahul Babele, State Head, Haryana (WRMS) also commented that, “We see immense possibility in our association with NIFCO. Having worked with farmers of crops like cotton, paddy, tomato, and potato in Haryana, we understand the key challenges faced by them in the state. This learning will help us serve the onion farmers of NIFCO even better and provide them with digital SecuFarm services that will help them combat those challenges.”

WRMS will empower the onion farmers by

Agrotech, Company News

Syngenta Crop Protection, a global leader in agricultural innovation, is launching the world’s first commercial digital solution to diagnose infestations of plant-parasitic nematodes in soyabean crops by analysing photographs taken from satellites.

Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic parasites living in the soil that feed on plant roots, opening pathways to further fungal infections and threatening plant health, crop quality and yield. These harmful nematodes account for as much as $ 150 billion in crop losses globally each year.

The new digital tool uses a unique, proprietary algorithm to analyse images of fields obtained by satellites, allowing it to identify areas of high infestations of plant-parasitic nematodes in crops and estimate potential losses caused by these microscopic parasites.  Using the tool, farmers can make quick adjustments to their field management practices, helping them avoid losses in yield, as well as optimising the use of inputs, improving the sustainability of their farms.

Syngenta will first market this service to soybean farmers in Brazil, where the company already offers an extensive range of advanced digital solutions. Soybean is one of the most important crops in the world for its vital role in food production, and Brazil accounts for approximately 35 per cent of global soybean production. In Brazil, plant-parasitic nematodes cause estimated losses in soybean production amounting to more than $5.4 billion a year. So far, the threat from harmful nematodes has been largely invisible and insufficiently understood, and estimates say that Brazilian farmers lose as much as 30 per cent of their yield in highly infested areas.

“Harmful nematodes that devastate crops are a major threat to farmers and food security, and Syngenta is using cutting-edge digital solutions to help combat these pests,” said Jeff Rowe, President Global Crop Protection. “We are excited to be launching this product in Brazil, and there is great potential to scale this solution to other countries and crops and transform the decision-making capabilities for growers.”

This first-of-its-kind innovation is the culmination of a multi-year collaboration with Swiss-based AgTech startup Gamaya SA – a spin-off from Switzerland’s Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne – bringing together its highly specialised expertise in algorithm development together with Syngenta’s agronomic and crop knowledge. Syngenta is integrating this advanced digital solution within its own digital technology platform, CROPWISE™.

“At Syngenta, we will continue to invest in machine learning and data science, to develop further breakthrough offers for farmers,” said Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer of Syngenta Group. “The technology is a great addition to our CROPWISETM platform, which already digitally connects almost 200 million acres of land, and underlines our commitment to invest in and partner with providers in the AgTech space.”

The introduction of the digital diagnosis and mapping tool for harmful nematodes comes as Syngenta launches TYMIRIUM® technology globally, its next-generation nematicide and fungicide for both seed and soil uses that can help farmers maximise crop output while preserving soil biodiversity and health.

Syngenta Crop Protection, a global leader in

Acquaculture, India

Household economy of rural women to get a boost

Ornamental fish farming is an enterprise which will boost the household economy of rural women and will play a significant role in the Indian export as well as domestic market. 

To popularise ornamental farming activity among the women of Sundarbans, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore has initiated promotion of ornamental farming in the Pachapara-Narayantala village involving five Self Help Groups with 50 Scheduled caste (SC) women beneficiaries.

Under the SC Programme 50 beneficiaries were selected on a mission mode approach in a cluster basis for hands on training, demonstration as well as providing initial inputs such as 500 Litre Fiber tank, aerator and other accessories like thermostat, live-bearer fish fingerlings, ornamental fish feed.

Dr B K Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI inaugurated the mass awareness cum training cum input distribution to empower rural women of Pachapara-Narayantala village, South 24 Parganas in association with Kultali Milon Tirtha Society and Rotary International. 

Das stressed upon various aspects of ornamental fish farming and its avenue to boost the rural economy and household income for a long run without any labour migration, which will provide additional income of Rs. 500-2000/ family/month when adopted

ICAR-CIFRI has also adopted 50  families from this area, who are now scaling up and getting their livelihood from this source.

The innovative approach developed by the ICAR-CIFRI to create an ornamental fish village is a step towards developing rural enterprise among the women to address the SDG- 5 of UN.

Household economy of rural women to get

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