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Company News, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, North America, Sustainability, Transportation

The tractor is designed to tackle demanding constraints posed by narrow vineyards

The Straddle Concept from New Holland Agriculture, a global brand of CNH Industrial, has won the gold medal for Excellent Product Design at the German Design Awards 2023. This prestigious ward is given by the German Design Council (set 1953) to products that display outstanding innovation and a seamless marriage of form and function. 

New Holland partnered with Pinnifarina , the internationally renowned design house, to develop the Straddle Tractor Concept. The tractor is designed to tackle the demanding constraints posed by narrow vineyards – which are renowned for producing high quality, high value, wines from grapes grown in rows less than 1.5 metres wide, often on steep slopes. Inspired by the shape of a champagne flute, the design of the tractor is a tribute to our grape growing customers. 

The concept has also been created as ready for electric traction. This reflects New Holland’s commitment to more productive and sustainable agriculture, and its focus on alternative fuelled machines for a better future. 

This award is the latest recognition of the company’s continued excellence in industry leading design and innovation. 

The tractor is designed to tackle demanding

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agro Universities, Agrotech, Award, R&D


Won the third prize and US $1000 for developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide from the leaves of bullock’s heart at International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, USA


Sarvesh Prabhu, a 17-year-old research intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), represented India at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, USA and won the third prize and US $1000 in the biochemistry category for developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide from the leaves of bullock’s heart (Annona reticulata) popularly known as ramphal.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, also awarded him the first prize and Rs100,000 (US $1224) as part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Innovation Award for School Children.

The high school student from FIITJEE Junior College, Hyderabad, conducted research experiments at the entomology unit at ICRISAT headquarters in India early this year, and the outcome of his research was presented at the world’s largest pre-college science fair in Atlanta, USA.

The project titled, ‘A novel study of bio-insecticidal properties of Annona reticulata’ showcased the bio-insecticidal properties of the leaves of the plant. Traditionally, the extracts of various parts of this plant have been used to treat diseases like dysentery and pediculosis. The study revealed that extracts from its leaves could be effective against three disastrous pests, with the mortality rate ranging from 78-88 per cent.

ICRISAT’s Deputy Director General-Research Dr Arvind Kumar said, “The Institute encourages participation of youth in agricultural research and has nurtured over 7000 interns and research scholars since its establishment by offering them access to world-class facilities and multidisciplinary mentoring.”

“ICRISAT always looks forward to mentoring young researchers like Sarvesh Prabhu and supporting them in their endeavors for building a sustainable food system for the future generation,” said Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director, Accelerated Crop Improvement, ICRISAT.

Addressing the pest problem

Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) alone may cause losses of more than US $300 million annually. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) causes 38-42 per cent yield loss in various crops and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) causes 21-53 per cent losses in the absence of pest management. These are the most common pests found in legumes and cereal crops.

“We maintain five insect cultures throughout the year, making it a one-of-its-kind research facility in India and supporting/providing insect cultures to many Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, state agricultural universities, and private companies for their research activities on toxicology and host plant resistance,” said Dr Jagdish Jaba, Scientist- Entomology, Crop Protection and Seed Health, ICRISAT.

​

Won the third prize and US $1000

Agrotech, India, Oilseeds, Sustainability

Over 6,000 hectares are now being regularly farmed in accordance with the SuCCESS sustainable castor code

BASF and its partners have published the latest results from the Pragati project for sustainable castor beans. Pragati, the world’s first sustainable castor program was founded in May 2016 by Arkema, BASF SE, Jayant Agro-Organics along with implementation partner Solidaridad.

  • After six years, the program has had an impressive impact to:
  • Over 6,200 farmers have been trained, audited, and certified.
  • Over 50,000 tons of certified castor seed have been cultivated.
  • Year 6 yield is 22 per cent higher than the yield published by the local government for this region.

Over 6,000 hectares are now being regularly farmed in accordance with the SuCCESS sustainable castor code – more than 19,000 hectares cumulatively; Pragati farmers are increasing their land dedicated to castor farming as it is seen as a profitable crop.

Approx. 6,300 safety kits and crop protection product boxes have been distributed free of charge.

Water consumption has been lowered by approximately 30 percent in the demo plots where accurate measurement and control is in place. Farmers from more than 80 villages in North Gujarat now participate in the program. In 2021, more than 260 individual training sessions were held with farmers.

After the successful implementation in the previous years, the Pragati members are further committed to the world’s first sustainable castor program.

The SuCCESS code mandates regular medical monitoring for all workers. Heavy emphasis is also put on improved personal safety and chemical hygiene. In addition, the farmers are encouraged to use renewable energy, where possible.

The farmer safety kits are provided by BASF. They include disposable respirators, safety glasses and gloves, as well as easy-to-understand, picture-based instructions that show where, when and how to use each personal protection item, along with instructions on how to handle chemicals safely.

Additionally, the SuCCESS code encourages all certified farmers to ensure that their school-age children are actively enrolled in school.

The project starting point

The project was driven by a baseline survey of more than 1,000 castor farmers in Gujarat, India, where the majority of the world’s castor supply originates. The original baseline study highlighted the fact that farmers see castor as a highly remunerative and profitable crop, that is easy to grow and easy to sell.

The goal of the project has been to enable sustainable castor crop production by:

  • Using good agricultural practices to increase yield and farmer income
  • Efficiently using water resources and maintaining soil fertility
  • Driving adoption of good waste management practices
  • Enabling better health and safety practices and respecting human rights

Over 6,000 hectares are now being regularly

Acquaculture, Agrotech, India, Interaction

Amod Ashok Salgaonkar, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer of A2S2 Enterprises was called as a Special Speaker

Department of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra (Region Nashik) organised a special lecture for its department officials on “International Trade of Tilapia & Status of India” on 14 December.

Amod Ashok Salgaonkar, Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer of A2S2 Enterprises, as a Special Speaker for the said event, gave a wide understanding of global overview of tilapia fish production, international trade of tilapia, India’s export to the world in tilapia products, domestic scenario of tilapia business, important aspects of entering in major international market of tilapia. Chosen selected entrepreneurs from the region also attended the session.

“Government of India, Department of Fisheries has given priority importance to scale the tilapia production in a country and through PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matysa Sampada Yojana) flagship scheme, we are doing everything under our control to support all the stakeholders involved in fisheries & aquaculture sector of Maharashtra to boost the segment” said Dr Atul Patne, Commissioner & Secretary (Additional Charge) for Department of Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra.

 S P Wategaonkar, Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, Nashik Region (Maharashtra State) mentioned, “We want to let all our officers understand the latest trends in tilapia business so that they can adopt necessary measures to help entrepreneurs, farmers, processors involved in the business to grow further. We have initiated arranging such sessions to be more equipped with industry knowledge & we will continue organising more such sessions as per requirement”

“Looking at the global nutritious food requirement with high protein at an affordable price, Tilapia is the strong potential candidate of animal fish food species which will become the game changer from fisheries & aquaculture stream in immediate next few years. The trend is particularly important when shrimp segment is tumbling globally & indication of implementing high resource tax on salmon industry in Norway (from January 2023) may impact global trade of these two important fish food species.”, explained Amod Ashok Salgaonkar.

Among the total world tilapia production of 6.88 million tonnes in 2018, farmed category contributed 87.6% & only 12.4% were produced from captured fisheries as per FAO data, while the global import trade shows a figure of $1.49 billion in 2018. China is the largest producer of tilapia in the world market. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) & Worldfish led study for Indian market in 2022 estimated production of tilapia in India at about 70,000 MT for the year 2020.

“UN Comtrade fetched data shows the export of Indian Tilapia to be more than 99.93 per cent tilapia whole (fresh + frozen) form & negligible 0.07% contribution came from tilapia fillet (fresh + frozen) form for the export trade value of $32,69,000 USD in 2018. The total import trade of tilapia (from 27+ countries) in US market has been seen at $612 million for the period of Jan-Oct 2022. Having the logo of BAP from Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is one of the important criteria to do more sales of tilapia products in US market whereas demand is also good for ASC certified seafood”, Salgaonkar added.

Amod Ashok Salgaonkar, Co-founder & Chief Operating

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, Middle East countries

By using a food-grade magnesia product, ICL is able to eliminate toxic materials and reduce product losses, while increasing shelf life

Israel based ICL, a leading global specialty minerals company, has announced the launch of FruitMag, a sustainable and superior solution for post-harvest citrus fruit treatment. This innovative offering is mineral-based and fungicide free, unlike the products currently used by the global citrus fruit industry. By using a food-grade magnesia product, ICL is able to eliminate toxic materials and reduce product losses, while increasing shelf life.

FruitMag was put through rigorous testing, through a collaboration with the Volcani Institute (Agricultural Research Organization ARO), the research arm of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. Professor Samir Droby, a senior research scientist leading the Department of Postharvest Science – and an expert in the development and application of alternative methods for the control of postharvest diseases – worked with ICL to validate the performance of FruitMag.

“Very few consumers know the lemons, oranges and grapefruits sitting in their kitchens have been treated with a toxic fungicide,” said Yaniv Kabalek, president of Industrial Products for ICL. “With FruitMag – one of a series of solutions designed by ICL to address sustainability challenges – ICL has made it possible to reduce product loss, with greater efficacy and in a more sustainable manner.”

By using a food-grade magnesia product, ICL

Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Oilseeds, Seeds, World

Based on geography, in 2022, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market.

According to a new market research report titled, ‘Autonomous Tractors Marketby Type (Fully Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous Tractors), Component (LiDAR, Radar, Ultrasonic Sensors, GPS), Power Output (Up to 30 HP, 31–100 HP, 101 HP & Above), Application (Tillage, Seed Sowing, Harvesting) – Forecast to 2029,’ the autonomous tractors market is expected to reach $5.38 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 22.4 percent during the forecast period 2022–2029.

An autonomous tractor is a self-driving farm vehicle that performs its duties without an operator sitting in the cab. These tractors are equipped with GPS, sensors, and other technologies, such as vision systems, making them capable of operating with minimal manual intervention. Autonomous automobiles are touted as the next big thing in the farm equipment industry. These tractors offer several benefits, such as safety, fuel efficacy, and high productivity. Furthermore, fully autonomous farm tractors can till and plant seeds with pinpoint accuracy, resulting in better farming precision, which leads to greater yields.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Autonomous Tractors Market

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the global economy. The lockdowns and quarantines imposed to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus negatively impacted many sectors, including the agricultural sector. In the initial days of the pandemic, disrupted logistics and transportation impacted the movement of agricultural commodities. Hence, the autonomous tractors market registered a decline in sales in 2020.

In addition to the interruptions in the industry’s value chain from raw materials supply to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution, the COVID-19 pandemic also led to restrictions on the movement of workers, a decline in demand from farmers, and the closure of equipment manufacturing facilities. The industry suffered severe labor shortages due to repeated lockdowns, affecting machinery production. The decline in revenues during the initial months of 2020, coupled with reductions in demand from major markets, impacted the profitability of autonomous tractor manufacturers and vendors. Therefore, disruptions in transportation & logistics impacted production and adversely affected the autonomous tractors market in terms of sales volumes during the initial phase of the pandemic in 2020.

However, government bodies gradually eased restrictions on transportation, making it easier for autonomous tractor providers to meet the demand from farmers across most countries. In 2021, strong growth was witnessed in the autonomous tractors market due to the growing demand for agricultural commodities. In addition, the increasing number of government subsidiaries for purchasing autonomous tractors contributed to the market’s growth.

The autonomous tractors market is segmented based on type, component, power output, application, crop type, and geography. The study also evaluates industry competitors and analyses the market at the regional and country levels.

Based on component, the autonomous tractors market is segmented into camera/vision systems, LiDAR, hand-held devices, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and GPS. In 2022, the radar segment is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market. Radar sensors can determine the range, velocity, and angle of moving objects and operate in almost all weather conditions. Furthermore, they are much more cost-effective than LiDAR systems making them a better option than other detection systems for incorporation in autonomous tractors.

Based on power output, the autonomous tractors market is segmented into up to 30 HP, 31–100 HP, and 101 HP & above. In 2022, the 31–100 HP segment is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market. The large market share of this segment is primarily attributed to the high demand for tractors with 31–100 HP to perform various farm operations such as planting, sowing, harvesting, and tilling. These tractors offer high durability and loading capacity, making them ideal for transportation. In addition, 31–100 HP range tractors are very versatile and provide excellent work efficiency in clay soil as well. These factors drive the demand for 31–100 HP tractors.

Based on application, the autonomous tractors market is segmented into tillage (primary & secondary tillage), seed sowing, harvesting, and other applications (spraying and fertilising). In 2022, the tillage segment is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to advancements in technology and several research & development activities by agronomists. Furthermore, as manual tillage activities are more time-consuming and expensive, there is an increasing need for automation of tillage on medium and large farms for row crops worldwide.

Based on crop type, the autonomous tractors market is segmented into cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, and fruits & vegetables. In 2022, the fruits & vegetables segment is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the rising demand for fruits & vegetables with the rise in the global population. Weeding and harvesting fruits & vegetables are labor intensive. As a result, there is an increase in the demand for new technologies, such as autonomous tractors, to carry out labor-intensive farming.

Based on geography, in 2022, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the autonomous tractors market. North America’s major market share is attributed to the high adoption rate of advanced technologies due to the large sizes of farms. Farmers from developed countries such as the U.S. face labor shortage challenges. Thus, farmers in these countries adopt advanced agricultural equipment, such as autonomous tractors, to overcome these challenges, driving the market’s growth. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is slated to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period of 2022–2029. The growth of this regional market is attributed to the increasing agricultural activities and the rising disposable incomes of farmers in developing economies such as India and China.

Some of the key players operating in the autonomous tractors market are AGCO Corporation (U.S.), AgJunction Inc. (U.S.), Autonomous Solutions Inc (U.S), CNH Industrial N.V. (U.K), Deere & Company (U.S.), Kubota Corporation (Japan), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (India), Raven Industries (U.S.), TRIMBLE INC (U.S.), YANMAR CO., LTD. (Japan), and Zimeno Inc. (DBA Monarch Tractor) (U.S.).

Based on geography, in 2022, North America

Agrotech, Environment, Europe

 The project conduct bioacoustic surveys that will allow WWF to compare the biodiversity of the agricultural areas managed with organic methods within WWF Oases.

WWF Italy, Rainforest Connection, and Huawei Italy recently renewed collaboration on the Nature Guardian series of area-based conservation projects. The second phase aims to study agriculture’s impact on biodiversity in Italy using innovative audio-monitoring technologies.

Twenty-four offline RFCx AudioMoth edge devices have been deployed to record the sounds of different animal species over 12 months in eight agroecosystems: Valle dello Sporeggio, Bosco di Vanzago, Ghirardi, Ripabianca di Jesi, Calanchi di Atri, Lake Penne, Monte Sant’Elia, and Lake Preola/Gorghi Tondi.

The collected data is sent to a Huawei cloud platform for analysis by the Rainforest Connection Arbimon tool, with the analytics function trained to recognize the calls of target species. The resulting data insights, which would be impossible to acquire through conventional manual methods, will be used to study the characteristics and trends of biodiversity in agroecosystems, including the relationship between different farming practices and nature conservation.

“Thanks to the renewed collaboration with Huawei and Rainforest Connection, we will conduct bioacoustic surveys that will allow us to compare the biodiversity of the agricultural areas managed with organic methods within WWF Oases with those of other neighboring agricultural areas managed using conventional methods,” said Benedetta Flammini, Marketing & Communication Director of WWF Italy.

Aligned with WWF’s Food4Future, Huawei’s TECH4ALL program, and EC policy, the project’s data-driven insights are intended to help guide future best practices for sustainable agriculture, including balancing the needs of nature and people and promoting a food supply system that is resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.

“At Huawei, we embrace the objectives of the European Green Deal and the ‘farm to fork’ strategy,” said Wilson Wang, CEO of Huawei Italy. “By placing our technology at the service of these objectives, we want to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable food system, preserving the richness and variety that Italy can boast in terms of wildlife and habitats in agricultural environments.”

 The project conduct bioacoustic surveys that will

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

Banana Shakti” increases the ‘use efficiency’ of primary and secondary macronutrients in banana crop, thereby increases the productivity by 15 – 20 percent and enhances the quality.

An agreement for technology transfer of Banana Shakti was signed between the FPO and ICAR-NRCB. Three female farmers and two male farmers received a know-how training from ICAR-NRCB for the production process of the micro-nutrient mixture.

R Selvarajan, Director, ICAR-NRCB said micronutrient deficiency is a common problem in banana cultivation and has a huge impact on the yield and quality. Therefore, ICAR-NRCB has focused its research programme on micronutrient requirements.  The micro nutrient mixture is gaining popularity among the banana farming community. And the current initiative to support the FPO women farmers with the technological backstopping will certainly pave the way not only in the upscale of the technology but also will create a good impact in economic level of the women farmers.

KJ Jeyabaskaran, Principal Scientist and inventor of the technology briefed that “Banana Shakti” corrects the micronutrient deficiency and increases the ‘use efficiency’ of primary and secondary macronutrients in banana crop, thereby increases the productivity by 15 – 20 percent and enhances the quality. By using Banana Shakti, an additional net profit up to Rs 1 lakh per hectare could be accrued.

Srirangam Banana Producers organisation is the initiative of women banana farmers with the 1200 members at Tiruchirappalli. The FPO received financial assistance from the District Project Management unit of Trichy under the Business Innovation Fund of the ‘Vazhlndhu Kattuvom” (Lets’ live) scheme. As part of the aegis of ‘Vazhlndhu Kattuvom” scheme at Tiruchirappalli, the FPO had an agreement of ToT with the ICAR-NRCB for business venture of production of ‘Banana Shakti’ mainly for the economic empowerment of women farmers for their livelihood. The Trichy unit of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation – MSSRF organisation has also supported the initiatives of the women FPO.

Banana Shakti" increases the ‘use efficiency’ of

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D

The main objective of this MoU was to commercialise the nano-Zn suspension production technology for the benefit of various stakeholders.

SK Shukla, Director, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Biofac Inputs Private Limited, Hyderabad for commercialisation of Nano-Zn suspension production technology. Biofac is an ISO 9001-9002, GMP-certified and DSIR (Govt of India) recognised company dedicated to creating an expansive landscape of products and technologies for improving soil health, increasing agricultural yield, enhancing the quality of produce and enriching the farming community. The main objective of this MoU was to commercialise the nano-Zn suspension production technology for the benefit of various stakeholders.

Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients required by the plants and also an important constituent of enzymes and proteins. Though required in very less quantity, it is crucial to plant development. Commercial sources of zinc fertiliser include inorganic compounds like zinc sulphate, synthetic chelates like Zn-EDTA and natural organic compounds like zinc lignosulfonates. To add a new dimension, ICAR-CIRCOT developed a Nano-Zn suspension formulation for enhanced performance.

The Innovators of the technology, N Vigneshwaran, AK Bharimalla and A Arputharaj from ICAR-CIRCOT were present during the signing of this MoU.

The main objective of this MoU was

Company News, Environment, Sustainability

Bayer receives the highest CDP score for its activities and transparency in climate change

Bayer has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’. Bayer receives the highest CDP score for its activities and transparency in climate change. This rating confirms the company’s high commitment to sustainability. A record-breaking 18,700 companies disclosed data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities through CDP’s platform / 3.4 percent of companies scored on climate received an A (globally). Bayer, committed to net-zero by 2050, continues to reduce scope 1,2 & 3 own emissions and along the value chain following SBTi’s guidelines and supports decarbonization of agriculture through a 2.5-billion-euro innovation budget in crop science.

Bayer also appeared in the CDP “Forest” and “Water Scarcity” rankings. In “Forest” Bayer achieved a respectable “B” status while scoring an “A-” in “Water Scarcity”. A record number of companies participated in this year’s CDP ranking.

Based on data reported through CDP’s 2022 Climate Change questionnaire, Bayer is one of a small number of companies that achieved an ‘A’ – out of nearly 15,000 companies scored. Bayer has held its leadership position for half a decade and has never scored below an A- since first submitting a CDP climate change questionnaire in 2010. This year, 3.4 percent of companies scored on climate received an A rating.

Matthias Berninger, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE at Bayer, said: “Bayer’s excellent track record of CDP ratings in the past few years and the latest result validate the company’s high commitment to sustainability. The maintenance of a CDP A-rating for our work and transparency around climate change is an important acknowledgment of our ongoing position as a world-leading company in this field. CDP holds us to account for reporting on our ambitious efforts in decarbonization and demonstrates that reporting requirements recently proposed by several governments are attainable.”

CDP’s annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely recognized as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency. In 2022, over 680 investors with over 130 trillion U.S. dollars in assets and 280 major purchasers with 6.4 trillion U.S. dollars in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 18,700 companies responded.

Bayer receives the highest CDP score

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D, Seeds

Both companies are hopeful of obtaining necessary policy support to further advance the technology involved

PlantArcBio Ltd, an ag-biotech company specialising in research and development  in the field of gene discovery and biological components to improve traits in plants and Rallis India Limited, a TATA Enterprise, specialising in Crop Care and Seeds, have announced positive results of on-ground polyhouse trials in corn that were performed as part of their collaboration to develop drought tolerant corn and yield increase.

The main objective of the trials, conducted in India by Rallis, was to validate the drought resistant traits and yield increase of corn containing novel genes discovered by PlantArcBio. The results of the trials, which were performed in soil (in a polyhouse), showed that several genes, each integrated separately in corn plants by Rallis, resulted in a statistically significant increase of between about 60 percent to about 250 percent in the total seed weight of corn plants under drought conditions. This is in comparison to control plants that do not contain PlantArcBio added genes.

Furthermore, under standard (non-dry) conditions, apparent positive visual indications of cob yield were obtained, compared to the control plants in relation to some of the plants in which the company’s genes were integrated.

 “We are excited to report these positive results which are a breakthrough in drought tolerance trait for corn, the world’s largest agricultural crop”, said Dror Shalitin, CEO of PlantArcBio, “The results show extraordinary ability of the genes we discovered to significantly increase the yield of corn under drought conditions. Our findings address global climate change challenges, most importantly drought and desertification, and the growing global need for food security.

Shalitin added: “In addition, the results strongly demonstrate the efficacy of the unique Direct-in-Plants (DIP™) platform developed by the company to discover novel genes, in a fast and significantly lower cost method, compared to computational computerised theoretical discovery platforms. We consider Rallis as a long-term strategic partner and look forward to expanding our collaboration in Asia, and work together to develop and commercialise the genes in additional territories via partnerships.”

“Rallis is committed to provide solutions to farmers through science. We are delighted at the opportunity to develop a solution for drought in one of the key global crops – maize.” Said Vairamani Ramanathan, Chief – Technology & Innovation, Crop Care & Seeds at Rallis “PlantArcBio and Rallis have worked very closely in a seamless manner to sift through the gene options, creating events containing different genes, evaluating them using lab assays and containment facilities. We are committed to evaluating these events thoroughly under field conditions and identifying the best solution for the maize farmers to tackle the drought stress. We are hopeful that climate resilience being a major theme in agriculture, we will be able to obtain the necessary policy support to further advance our technology”.

It should be noted that previous experiments carried out as part of the collaboration at the various stages of development, starting from the germination stage of the seeds, and including drought experiments in pots, also showed positive results.

In light of these results, Rallis intends to continue the development process, including the integration of the best performing genes into its elite corn varieties, and to conduct field trials to test the corn drought tolerance and the potential to increase crop yield.

In addition, based on such positive results, the parties intend to jointly approach leading global seed companies, to collaborate on development, licensing and commercialization of the genes identified as successful.

According to public reports, maize is the leading cereal in terms of production volume and is expected to become the most widely grown crop in the coming decade in the world, with estimated growing area of 196 million hectares, and production estimated at about one billion tons per year. The US, Brazil, and Argentina grow about 45 percent of the crop in their territory, while in these countries about 90 percent of the corn is genetically modified to improve various traits. The global corn seed market was valued at about $25 billion in 2018.

The continued growth in world population is causing an increasing demand for food, alongside a continuous reduction in arable lands for agriculture (which are limited due to urbanisation and desertification trends), and trends of climate change that make it difficult to cope with the demand for agricultural production. The combination of these processes creates a constant need to improve crop yields around the world. The drought resistant corn developed by the companies is clearly addressing this need.

These positive results, as well as former positive results published by PlantArcBio in relation to various genes, further validate its DIP™ unique gene discovery process, directly from any source in nature.

This collaborative project between PlantArcBio and Rallis is supported by the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F), a cooperation platform between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GITA – Global Innovation & Technology Alliance – the nodal agency in India), and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), Government of Israel, to promote facilitate and support joint Industrial R&D projects between companies from India and Israel, which would lead to successful commercialization and benefit for both countries. Both companies are grateful for this support.

Both companies are hopeful of obtaining necessary

Company News, North America, Supply Chain, Sustainability

With Cargill’s support, CARE has helped millions of people around the world grow more food, expand their incomes and build their communities

Cargill and CARE have embarked on the next chapter with Cargill pledging $14 million over the next three years. The goal is to drive deeper impact and build resiliency for rural agricultural communities globally, especially as the world faces a growing hunger crisis.

CARE and Cargill are longstanding partners; for more than 60 years, the two organisations have collaborated to develop and implement 34 distinct programs that reached more than 4.6 million people across 13 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Indonesia.

“Cargill has been CARE’s longest standing corporate partnership- a collaboration spanning more than six decades,” said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE US. “With Cargill’s support, CARE has helped millions of people around the world grow more food, expand their incomes and build their communities. The next phase of our partnership will apply the lessons of experience and new innovations to increase our impact and create a more sustainable and food secure world.”

The renewed third phase of Promoting a Sustainable and Food Secure World program, PROSPER, will support 11 projects spanning ten countries including Benin, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Peru, Philippines, and Vietnam. With more than 50 per cent of the world’s food been produced by women, PROSPER will focus on three main areas:

Enabling women’s access to inclusive markets to unlock greater production, expand profits on small-scale agriculture, and ensure food security.

Increasing women’s access to productive agricultural resources by improving access to market information, extension and inputs as well as the technology and financial services they need to be successful.

Strengthening and expanding strategic partnerships to advocate for systemic change for women and the broader community.

With these refined focus areas, PROSPER will be more focused on women and have a greater emphasis on scaling its work through advocacy and partnership.

“Building resilient agricultural supply chains is at the core of our work at Cargill, and we know women play a critical part in driving the long-term change needed to strengthen the food system,” said Pilar Cruz, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cargill. “We are excited to expand our work with CARE and continue improving livelihoods of people in agricultural communities around the world.”

PROSPER is built on decades of evidence and learning, while rooted in community engagement and systems strengthening approaches that foster long-term sustainability. CARE and Cargill have successfully delivered signature programs since 2008 in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Honduras, Guatemala, and Ghana. With PROSPER, both organisations aim to incorporate innovative approaches such as Farmer Field and Business Schools, Community Based Adaption, Village and Savings Loans Associations (VSLAs), and Engaging Men and Boys to create deeper impact and empower communities at large.

The goal is to reach nearly 1.6 million people directly and indirectly. However, the reach will go far beyond the program’s efforts. With increased investment in global, national, and local advocacy as well as scaling up approaches though partners, innovation, and use of digital technologies; both organisations believe they will be able to multiply this impact further.

Through collaboration and ensuring women have a leadership role in determining economic opportunities that best fit their communities, this partnership can deliver transformative impact. With Cargill’s position as a connector of the food system and their unique expertise and technical support paired with CARE’s on the ground experience and network, PROSPER will build sustainable and resilient supply chains and communities.

With Cargill's support, CARE has helped millions

Agrotech, Company News, India

Investment will accelerate the commercialisation of Hydron’s biogas-to-RNG upgrading technology for small-to medium-scale sites

Hydron Energy Inc, the cleaner fuel company commercialising a revolutionary gas upgrading solution, has announced a strategic investment by Standard Nutrition Company (SNC), a leader in livestock nutrition and management consulting. This partnership and funding will extend our in-house manufacturing programme and solidify Hydron’s focus on commercial opportunities for renewable natural gas (RNG).

“Hydron is proud to add Standard Nutrition to its growing list of partners,” said Hydron Energy President and CEO Soheil Khiavi. “This investment further validates our success to date and enables us to pursue manufacturing advancements that will further improve the capital – and operating-cost savings we can extend to our clients. In addition, with growing proof in our system’s capability to deliver quicker returns on investment for project owners, we are well positioned to respond to the unique requirements of the small- and medium-scale projects.”

Hydron’s patented INTRUPTor™ system significantly reduces the cost of upgrading biogas to RNG and enables the deployment of small-scale plants aligned with feedstock availability. The INTRUPTor™, an acronym for Intensified Regenerative Upgrading Platform Technology, is a containerised module system scalable from 20 Nm3/hr to 2,000 Nm3/hr (12.5 SCFM to 1250 SCFM) and delivers a best-in-class carbon intensity score.

“Farmers have a unique opportunity to put their manure and crop wastes to beneficial use as renewable natural gas,” said Eric Ohlendorf, President of Ag Property Solutions, a division of Standard Nutrition Company. “But with so many new technologies and unknowns, it’s a struggle for producers to understand all that’s involved. Companies like Hydron and the tools and resources they offer are what livestock producers need to help them capitalise on RNG opportunities.”

“Hydron offers a compelling value proposition regarding cost structure, and the cost is a big issue for our clients,” added Ohlendorf. “If we can fundamentally change that dynamic, we have a game changer in the market.”

Ohlendorf will join Hydron’s Board of Directors, adding his much-needed agricultural expertise and views along with his connections. SNC consists of five subsidiary companies providing focused support and products to some of the most successful dairy, swine, poultry producers, and horse owners.

“Producing RNG can provide farmers with benefits such as fuel security, economic revenues, local air quality improvements, and greenhouse gas reductions,” said Alison Cartier, Hydron Business & Development Manager. “In Canada and the U.S., federal and provincial/state programs provide incentives for projects to convert biogas to RNG but for smaller scale projects the upgrading costs can be prohibitive. Therefore, this valued renewable gas is often flared to atmosphere instead of being used to displace fossil fuel-based natural gas.”

Hydron is currently manufacturing a skid-mounted, containerised demonstration plant. The INTRUPTor™ I-Multi Mobile RNG Solution Centre will travel to key sites and demonstrate how the INTRUPTor system, and biogas upgrading, works in a real-world context. “Our goal is to create an engaging mobile experience that enables us to demonstrate the INTRUPTor™ on a new level across North America and encourage participation from agriculture and agri-food waste producers,” added Khiavi.

Investment will accelerate the commercialisation of Hydron's

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups, Sustainability

Funds to be utilised for the enhancement of the technology and expanding into new geographies

Bharat Krushi Seva (BKS) an agritech company started in July 2021 with a mission to drive mass adoption of digital agriculture across India, has raised Rs 43 million in its first round of seed funding from marquee investors, namely S Amit Group, Upaya Social Ventures, Villgro, Criyagen Agri and Biotech, Mintosh Advisory and SiriusOne Capital. The funds will be utilised for the enhancement of the technology and expanding into new geographies. Currently BKS has catered to over 2 lakh plus farmers across Maharashtra and with this new seed funding, will reach out to a further 2 lakh farmers making a positive impact in their lives.

“BKS has a vision to touch the lives of 5 million farmers in the next four years as a part of their ‘Mass Adoption of Digital Agriculture’ campaign. I firmly believe that technology can make a huge difference in the lives of farmers and with our tech-based platform we envision making the lives of farmers easier and self-dependent,” said, Sharayu Lande, Founder and CEO, Bharat Krushi Seva.

“While agriculture in India has problems such as fragmentation, inefficiencies, and climate vagaries, it also brings with it infinite possibilities to create sustainable big businesses. With scientific and data driven advisory being at its very heart, Bharat Krushi Seva is passionately building a comprehensive tech-based platform to profitably solve such complex issues and help each and every farmer grow more sustainably. We are truly excited to be part of this venture, what we can only classify as, our fulfilling journey,” said Lead Investor Amit Mehta, S Amit Group.

“Despite their crucial role in feeding the world, most smallholder farmers are desperately poor and deeply vulnerable to the changes that are affecting our climate. Upaya is excited to partner with Bharat Krushi Seva to give farmers the information and tools they need to increase productivity in an increasingly challenging environment,” said Kate Cochran, CEO, Upaya.

“BKS is bringing substantial value-add to the smallholders farmers in Maharashtra through their technology based Business-to-Farmer (B2F) platform. The uniqueness of BKS platform combined with trust and affordability that multiplying quality in the farm supply chain and increasing production efficiency further reaffirmed our view that the company is on the right track and creating financial impact in the life of the smallholder farmer,” said Mohammad Azhar, Lead Government & Public Sector Initiatives at Villgro.

“We believe agritech has the potential to solve some of the biggest challenges that the agriculture industry is facing today. We are excited to invest in this highly promising start-up and support the highly passionate founders,” said Shailendra Mruthyunjayappa, Lead Investor, Mintosh Advisory & SiriusOne Capital.

“We have made a strategic investment in Bharat Krushi Seva in our quest to develop the agritech ecosystem. These investments are essential for the growth and sustainability of the agriculture industry and prosperity of the farming community,” said Basavaraj Girennavar, Chairman and Managing Director, Criyagen Agri and Biotech.

One of its flagship products, the Automated Weather alerting system, keeps farmers informed about the changing weather conditions and delivers-farm-specific, crop-specific and crop-stage specific actionable recommendations to farmers to reduce the loss in the yield. 

“We have delivered More than 5000 products till date to the doorsteps of the farmers. Our local level supply chain network of retailers and dealers helps farmers get just in time delivery at their doorstep ensuring quality brands and reduction in damage of stocks too,” said Hemant Dhole Patil, Founder and COO, Bharat Krushi Seva.

BKS aims their solutions will help farmers grow a quality yield, extend shelf life and get a better market price through farm sourcing via institutional buyers directly. This will also result in lesser wastage of food. It is not only the social and economic impact that BKS helps a farmer with, but the environment too. Suggestions by BKS have resulted in farmers saving nearly 40 per cent of their total expenditure with an increase in the total yield by 20-30 per cent of optimal quality and nutritional value with minimal use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Funds to be utilised for the enhancement