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Agrotech, Organic, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Vegetables

Showcases progress updates on its food chain partnerships that connect growers to the food value chain

Bayer is presenting the latest innovative and sustainable fruits and vegetable solutions to, on and beyond the farm at Fruit Logistica from April 5 to 7. The company spotlights products for the challenges facing growers, such as the tomato virus, the increasing request for organic and low residue produce and the need to lessen agriculture’s impact on the environment and respond to climate change. An important focus lies in providing growers with what they need to deliver on consumer, regulatory, and ecological demands. Bayer also showcases progress updates on its food chain partnerships that connect growers to the food value chain, as well as updates to the BayG.A.P. Service programmes empower smallholders to grow better crops and increase yields, for a profit.

Bayer is showcasing vegetables and fruits products that reflect the decisions growers need to make to meet the changing demands of consumers. In 2021, Bayer introduced an expansion of products under the new vegetables by Bayer umbrella to offer organically produced seeds. This directly addresses the increased customer need for high-quality organic seeds.

Bayer has introduced BIOLOGICALS by Bayer, a new signet for all biological crop protection products. Bayer’s science-based biological products provide growers with a broader choice for pest and disease management while contributing to Bayer’s goal of reducing the environmental impact of crop protection by 30 per cent by 2030.

Showcases progress updates on its food chain

AgroPolicy, Oilseeds

Brings all states/UTs under Single Central Order on stock limits for edible oils and oil seeds

The government has notified a Central Order on March 30, 2022, amending the removal of licensing requirements, stock limits and movement restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs Order, 2016 and its Central Order dated February 3, 2022, by extending the stock limits for all edible oils and oil seeds put together for a period up to December 31, 2022, for all States/Union Territories. This order is effective from April 1, 2022, up to December 31, 2022.

Six states viz Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Bihar that had issued their control order in pursuance of the

Central Order dated October 8, 2022, have also been brought under the purview of the latest order with effect from April 1, 2022. With the issue of this Central Order, all States/UTs have been brought under one single order. It is mentioned that the six states mentioned above were earlier exempted from the Central Order dated February 3, 2022, as they had issued their Central Orders.

Eight central teams have been deputed by the Government of India, Department of Food & Public Distribution till April 30, 2022, for strict compliance/ enforcement of the above Central Order. The surprise inspections are presently underway in selected districts of eight States for checking the stocks of edible oils and oilseeds at ground level i.e with the retailers, wholesalers, big chain retailers and processors. These states are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. Strict action in accordance with the provisions in the EC Act will be initiated against the entities if found to be violating the Act.

The above Stock Limit Order notified by the government empowers the Union Government and all states/UTs to regulate the storage and distribution of edible oils and oilseeds. This step coupled with surprise inspections seeks to help the Government in checking the hoarding of edible oils and oilseeds in the country and ensure that the prices of edible oils, which are a basic necessity, do not go out of reach of the common man.

Brings all states/UTs under Single Central Order

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The CoE project will focus on the development and integration of advanced genomic technologies in crop breeding programmes for promoting crop diversification

A Centre of Excellence (CoE) project ‘Development and Integration of Advanced Genomic Technologies for Targeted Breeding’ has been awarded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India to Punjab Agricultural University. The CoE project will focus on the development and integration of advanced genomic technologies in crop breeding programmes for promoting crop diversification in the state, increasing the productivity of the target crops and farmers’ profitability.

Dr Parveen Chhuneja, Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology and Coordinator of the CoE project, said that a team of more than 50 PAU scientists including plant breeders, biotechnologists, entomologists, pathologists and biochemists will work on nine projects on various crops including pigeon pea, maize, cotton, brassica, wheat, basmati, pea, citrus and guava. The research project will lead to the development of crop varieties with better yield potential, tolerance to emerging diseases, enhanced nutritional quality for attaining food and nutritional security.

She further explained that new plant breeding and genomic technologies to be developed and utilised in the project will accelerate plant breeding programmes for faster turnover of the value-added crop varieties. Special emphasis will also be given to the building of a new generation of young scientists with expertise in cutting edge science of genomics who will contribute to new advances in Agricultural Biotechnology in times to come, she added.

Dr Gurjit Singh Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Crop Improvement) and Director, Dr Gurdev Singh Institute of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, said that the project was formulated under the mentorship of visionary scientists Dr Gurdev Singh Khush and Late Dr Darshan Singh Brar and submitted to DBT in December 2019. He emphasised that it was approved after rigorous reviews by technical experts from all over the country under the chairmanship of Dr Deepak Pental, Former Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU explained that DBT has provided a generous grant of more than 27 crores for a period of five years for strengthening infrastructure, research activities for cutting edge research in agricultural biotechnology, human resource, travel, conducting advanced training and workshops for capacity building. He also said that a specialized speed breeding facility for taking multiple generations of the target crops in a single year will be established under CoE.

Dr Sandeep Kapur, Comptroller and Dr Shammi Kapoor, Registrar, assured that all the necessary support for the successful implementation of the project will be provided.

DK Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab congratulated the CoE team on this great achievement. He further added that PAU scientists have big challenges ahead, however, their devotion and commitment will lead to successful outcomes which will give Punjab agriculture a new direction. He wished them luck in this endeavour.

The CoE project will focus on the

Sustainability, World

Bruno Ferreira from Bolivia, Chidinma Ezeh from Nigeria and Emiliano Barbero from Argentina will each receive a €5,000 bursary award

Three young leaders, each with a passion for sustainable global agriculture, have been named winners of Bayer’s Youth Summit Thrive for Change Awards. Bruno Ferreira from Bolivia, Chidinma Ezeh from Nigeria and Emiliano Barbero from Argentina will each receive a €5,000 bursary award to help put their winning Thrive for Change project ideas into action. From September 2021 to March 2022, the awardees developed their project plans to make a difference in the fight against food insecurity and climate change.

The delegates were selected from more than 2,000 applicants. The university program then provided each of these young leaders with further training and mentoring on how to prepare their Thrive for Change project ideas for real-world implementation.

This year’s awards programme featured speakers who share the delegates’ passion to make a difference toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Julie Borlaug, President, Borlaug Foundation and Mina Guli, CEO, Thirst Foundation shared their insights into what actions will help this new generation of change makers continue to create a more sustainable world.

All twelve finalists will receive a laptop or tablet to further boost their ability to create impact projects that help build a world with health for all and hunger for none.

Bruno Ferreira from Bolivia, Chidinma Ezeh from

Agrotech, Company News

Launches Mankind Agritech

Mankind Pharma has announced the launch of Mankind Agritech. The company has entered into the ever-growing Indian agri-Input segment to use technological innovations in the field and bring its expertise to Indian farmlands and the Indian agriculture consumers, respectively. The decision behind foraying into this division is to assist Indian farmers by providing new-age technologies and helping farmers for the betterment of the rural sector.

With the launch of Mankind Agritech, the company will be providing crop care solutions to Indian farmers, including weedicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators and biologicals. Mankind Agritech will work towards food safety for the country. The company will invest in the new technological tools and aims to deliver the same to the farmers to support them.

Rajeev Juneja, MD and Vice-Chairman, Mankind Pharma said, “We are happy to announce our launch in the Agritech domain with long-term investment plans with an initial 150 to 200 crore Capex infusion in the first two to three years. Mankind Agritech is committed to bringing world-class crop protection technology to Indian farmers. Technology is playing a crucial role in ensuring the growth of the agriculture sector in India. Agritech has the potential to scale up the agricultural industry through technological intervention. If the farmers get the right products and tools they would be in a position to make an informed decision of user input and the right technology. Mankind Agritech will ensure quality assurance to the farmers.

The new vertical will be headed by Partha Sengupta, a veteran of the Indian agrochemical industry. Sengupta brings in a plethora of experience from the agrochemical industry with over three decades of experience in Sales and Marketing. Sengupta was National Marketing Head and part of the Senior Leadership team at Dhanuka Agritech overseeing marketing operations in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Launches Mankind AgritechMankind Pharma has announced the

Floriculture, Organic

Raj Petro Specialities is among the few companies globally to have received this certificate for agricultural spray oils

Raj Petro Specialities Private Limited, a Brenntag Group company, has received National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) certification for agricultural spray oils. The Uttarakhand State Organic Certification Agency (USOCA), a state-run organisation that certifies organic food, awarded the company this prestigious certification.

Three products have received accreditation, i.e., Kyros Agrispray E-3 oil, Kyros Duratek Agrispray oils and Kyros Keleol Agrispray oil. Kyros Agrispray E-3 oil is used for crop care in agriculture, horticulture and floriculture farming. Duratek Agrispray oils are specially formulated for Apples to defend against red mites and Sanjose Scale. Keleol Agrispray oils are specially designed for Banana crops and can effectively manage leaf spot diseases when mixed with an appropriate fungicide. 

Raj Petro Specialities is among the few companies globally to have received this certificate for agricultural spray oils. The company’s vision is to safeguard the environment and offer farmers a value proposition for profitable farming. To further this vision, the company plans to expand its product reach in supplying Agrispray oils to Sikkim, the world’s first organic state, which has certified all of its agriculture as organic. Winning against 51 nominations worldwide, Sikkim won the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) coveted Future Policy Gold Award.

On receiving NPOP certificate Mehul Nanavati, Managing Director, Raj Petro Specialities, said, “I feel privileged to receive this certification for our products. Agri-spray products at Raj Petro are formulated judiciously conscious of the environmental impact. These products are alternatives to harsher chemicals and pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment and the end consumer. Keleol Spray oils are tested and approved by the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Tamil Nadu. Duratek Spray oils are tested and approved by Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Srinagar, and Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan.”

He added, “The current scenario has prompted Raj Petro Specialities Pvt Ltd. to continue working on creating innovative environmentally friendly products that are alternatives to conventional pesticides in organic farming.”

Raj Petro Specialities is among the few

Agrotech, Start ups

The start-up will use the funds to build out the product and accelerate business in targeted value chains

Bengaluru-based ag-tech start-up, Agrizy has raised $4 million in a seed round led by Ankur Capital. This round also saw participation from Omnivore and notable angels like Rajesh Yabaji (CEO, BlackBuck), Zetwerk’s Co-founders Srinath Ramakkrushnan, Amrit Acharya, Rahul Sharma, and Vishal Chaudhary among others.

The funds raised will be utilised to build strong business and engineering teams, develop a suite of digital services for the processed agri marketplace and ramp up customer traction in targeted value chains across various locations in India. The start-up will use the funds to build out the product and accelerate business in targeted value chains. 

Founded in September 2021 by Vicky Dodani and Saket Chirania, Agrizy is developing a tech-first platform to bridge the processed agri supply chain. The tech platform connects the processors and buyers of non-perishable farm products across both food and non-food categories like jute, oilseeds, cereals, pulses, and others to optimally discover and fulfill transactions.

This will support agri processors with innovative technology solutions, for effective utilisation to execute the trade through Agrizy’s logistics partners. The founding team comes with a good mix of operations, finance, and logistics experience at high-growth start-ups like Blackbuck, Bizongo, and Zoomcar, as well as deep ties to the agri processing domain. 

Vicky Dodani, Co-Founder, Agrizy, said, “We aim to be the single point of contact for the agri processing units by providing them an end-to-end fulfillment platform and simplifying their procurement and sales cycle. The recent round of funding from two notable funds investing in Agri Tech reinvigorates our vision of transforming the processed agri supply chain.”

Saket Chirania, Co-Founder, Agrizy, added, “There is a lot of untapped potential in the way agri processing units can leverage technology to grow and thrive. Agrizy offers solutions across digital vendor management, and supply and value chain automation to its Agri Processing Units. We are sustainably growing our business by 100 per cent MOM from inception.”

The start-up will use the funds to

Agrotech, Finance

The new fund will continue to invest in early-stage start-ups developing breakthrough technologies for agriculture, food, climate, and the rural economy

Omnivore, India’s leading agritech venture capital firm, announced that the launch of its third fund, with a target corpus of $130 million (Rs 1000 crore). The new fund will continue to invest in early-stage start-ups developing breakthrough technologies for agriculture, food, climate, and the rural economy. Omnivore generally invests in Seed, Pre-Series A, and Series A rounds, with follow-on capital for future growth. 

Originally founded by Jinesh Shah and Mark Kahn in 2010, Omnivore pioneered agritech investing in India, and over the past decade has backed over 35 start-ups which are making farming more profitable, resilient, sustainable, and climate-proof.  Omnivore is targeting a first close of the new fund by September 2022 and a final close by June 2023.  With this new fund, Omnivore expects to make 25 to 30 new investments over the next four years, continuing to fund entrepreneurs building the future of Indian agriculture and food systems. 

Omnivore Fund 3 will have a sharper focus on catalysing climate action in agriculture, backing start-ups addressing both climate mitigation (reducing India’s GHG emissions) and climate adaptation/resilience (securing a future for India’s farmers).  Along these lines, earlier this year, Omnivore launched the OmniX Bio initiative to provide additional support to agrifood life science startups, initially targeting the fields of agricultural biotechnology, novel farming systems, bioenergy and biomaterials, as well as innovative foods, including alternative protein.  With the new fund, Omnivore aims to deepen the reach and impact of OmniX Bio, and help reboot the agrifood life sciences ecosystem in India.

Mark Kahn, Managing Partner of Omnivore, stated, “For over a decade now, we have been a part of the evolution of the agritech ecosystem in India. Through Omnivore’s investments, we have touched the lives of almost 7 million smallholder farmers, improving their profitability and resilience, while creating value for our investors.  We believe agritech is just getting started, and we look forward to supporting a new generation of entrepreneurs building a future for rural India.”

The new fund will continue to invest

Agro chems – Chemicals

BAL had received the patent for Ronfen, which covers the composition of Pyriproxyfen 8 per cent, Diafenthiuron 18 per cent, and Dinotefuran 5 per cent in a unique suspension concentrate formulation

Best Agrolife Limited (BAL), one of the fastest-growing agrochemical company in India, has recently made two major announcements. The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee granted the registration for the indigenous manufacturing of the company’s much-awaited patented ternary insecticide to BAL u/s 9 (3) in the 437th RC meeting.

The company will launch it by the brand name Ronfen. BAL had received the patent for Ronfen, which covers the composition of Pyriproxyfen 8 per cent, Diafenthiuron 18 per cent, and Dinotefuran 5 per cent in a unique suspension concentrate formulation, in August last year. With this BAL has become the first Indian agrochemical company to manufacture this first-of-its-kind, three-way insecticidal combination that effectively controls the entire sucking pest complex in various stages in one shot.

Other than Ronfen, the leading agro-inputs company has also been granted the registration for the indigenous manufacturing of Dinotefuran 15 per cent + Pymetrozine 45 per cent WG along with technical manufacturing of Pyrithiobac Sodium u/s 9(4) TIM category in the same RC meeting. The company has decided to launch it with the brand name AxeMan.

“Sucking pests pierce plant parts, suck the plant sap which in turn results in minute white, brown, or red spotting on the leaves, fruits, or stems of the plant. It may also cause curling leaves, deformed fruit, general wilting, browning, and drying of the entire plant. Until now, safeguarding their crops from the sucking pests was a very costly business for the farmers in India and across the globe as they had to spend their hard-earned money on various pesticides. Motivated by a strong sense of urgency and eyeing the opportunity, our R&D team worked on developing a revolutionary one-shot solution for all the sucking pests and innovated Ronfen.” said Vimal Alawadhi, MD Best Agrolife Limited.

“Ronfen was under extensive scale field trials for the last two years. Due to its incredible power on the entire sucking pest complex Ronfen was much awaited by the farmers in India and abroad,” he added further.

On the other hand, AxeMan, with its dual mode of action, helps in protecting the rice crop from the devastating pest BPH which develops high resistance against all agrochemicals.  AxeMan provides healthy and vibrant tillers at the reproductive stage and helps in the long-duration control and resistance management of BPH in paddy.

BAL had received the patent for Ronfen,

Agro Universities, Bee keeping

Discussions were held on managing various diseases of Italian honey bees and development of quality queen bees of Apis mellifera

The National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India (GOI), has sanctioned two new projects in Apiculture to the Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) scheme of the GOI. This information was shared Dr DK Sharma, Head of the department.

According to Dr Pardeep Kumar Chhuneja, Incharge of the Apiculture Unit, the new projects included ‘Facilitating honey bee health through diagnosing and managing various diseases of Italian honey bees’ and ‘Development of quality queen bees of Apis mellifera.’

Dr Sharma disclosed that earlier also, PAU was sanctioned two projects in succession by NBB, the previous being on Queen bee rearing and supplies, followed by a mega project of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre/Centre of Excellence in the year 2016-17 which had bee disease diagnosis and bee breeding as the components.

Dr Jaspal Singh, Principle Entomologist, “PAU is the lead institute in India in breeding of Italian honey bees and supply of quality queen bees to beekeepers.”

Dr Amit Choudhary and Dr (Mrs) Bharathi Mohindru are the Principal Investigators of the projects, respectively, according to whom, these projects will facilitate in building necessary infrastructure and developing technologies in the areas of bee pathology and bee breeding.

DK Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor, PAU and Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab; and Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, congratulated the apiculture team and wished them for the successful conduct of the projects.

Discussions were held on managing various diseases

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities

The MoU is aimed at carrying out the collaborative research on ‘Efficacy Evaluation of ICAR-CIRCOT Nano-Sulphur as Fertilizer Formulation for different Field Crops’

The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra.

Dr Prashantkumar Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MPKV, Rahuri and Dr Sujata Saxena, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai signed the MoU on the behalf of the respective organisations.

Dr Patil stressed on the importance of efficient use of fertilisers for the sustainable agriculture. The conduct of the field trials of the different nano-materials by the University was underlined by Dr Patil.

Dr Saxena emphasised on the importance and relevance of the different Nanotechnology Research & Development Activities carried out at the institute. She stated that the MoU is about the nano-sulphur developed at the institute which will be evaluated at the field level in MPKV, Rahuri for the different field crops.

Earlier, Dr BD Bhakare, Head, Department of Soil Science & Agriculture Chemistry, MPKV, Rahuri delivered the welcome address.

The MoU is aimed at carrying out the collaborative research on “Efficacy Evaluation of ICAR-CIRCOT Nano-Sulphur as Fertilizer Formulation for different Field Crops.”

As per the MoU, the collaboration will provide the new insights into the development of fertilisers in the Nano-dimensions and help in the optimal use of sulphur in the different oilseeds and other field crops.

The MoU is aimed at carrying out

Agro Universities

The agreement will be valid for five years

A tripartite agreement was signed by ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Goa and Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC), Goa.

The agreement is aimed at establishing a Common Incubation Centre (CIC) under the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of the Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. The agreement will be valid for five years.

Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa stated that the Institute will act as a Mentor Institute and play a key role in establishing the CIC, demonstration and operation. The CIC is expected to benefit the Entrepreneurs of South Goa District in processing the coconut and local seasonal fruits.

The agreement will be valid for five

Horticulture, Interaction

ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research has organised a three-day National Seminar on “Fruit Production in Eastern Tropical Region” 

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka has organised a three-day National Seminar on “Fruit Production in Eastern Tropical Region” at its Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Bhubaneswar, Odisha from March 24 to 26, 2022. 

The Seminar was aimed at devising a roadmap for the development of the fruit industry in the Eastern Tropical Region through deliberations and recommendations.

Dr Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), ICAR emphasised on the judicious use of the resources to promote sustainability in the fruit production and enhancing the farmers’ income. The scope of Entrepreneurship development in the horticulture sector as it is the most vibrant sector in agriculture was underlined by Dr Singh.

Professor DP Ray, Chancellor, S‘O’A, Bhubaneswar, Odisha highlighted the importance of crop diversification owing to the prevalence of the different agro-climatic zones.

Dr PK Agarwal, Vice-Chancellor, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha outlined the importance of the post-harvest management including the processing and value-chain management in fruit crops for the development of the sector in the region.

Dr V Pandey, ADG (Horticultural Science), ICAR emphasised on the importance of the genetic diversity in fruit crops for the ecological sustainability and nutritional security.

The Scientists and Students from 23 Universities, 18 ICAR Institutes, FSSAI and IIP, Mumbai, Maharashtra participated in the Seminar.

ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research has organised

Company News, Sustainability

The company is working directly with farmers around the world on initiatives that protect, regenerate, and restore the land

Cargill is working directly with farmers around the globe to focus on advancing nature-positive agriculture production and farmer-centric approaches to sustainably.

Nature-positive production focuses on limiting the destruction and depletion of land by evolving the techniques proven to increase volume and efficiency, while adopting regenerative agriculture practices that prioritise land sustainability. By doing so, farmers can feed more people and address climate change.

These practices include planting cover crops and implementing reduced- or no-till farming to help sequester carbon in the ground, build soil resilience and improve water quality. One way Cargill is helping make these practices more tenable for farmers is through RegenConnect, a voluntary market-based programme that pays farmers per ton of carbon captured in their soil.

“If we’re going to succeed in sustainably transforming our food and agriculture system, we have to help farmers take a nature-positive approach,” says Pilar Cruz, Cargill’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “That’s why we’re working directly with farmers around the world on initiatives that protect, regenerate, and restore the land. This is how we will make a meaningful difference, one field and one farm at a time.”

Another way Cargill is helping farmers make sustainable agriculture economically feasible is by ensuring they receive a premium for sustainably sourced crops. Through the Triple S (sustainability sourced and supplied) soy program in South America, Cargill provides customers in Asia, Europe and North America certified deforestation-free soy from farmers in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

These programmes demonstrate how scaling sustainable agriculture requires removal of the financial and market access barriers that still exist in farming.

The company is working directly with farmers