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AgroPolicy, R&D, Sustainability

The areas of interest include bio fuel, bio diesel, medicinal plants etc

India and Oman will work together in certain areas like sustainability scientific harnessing of resources under a Programme of Cooperation (POC) in the fields of science and technology.

The areas of cooperation identified based on the POC for the period 2022 – 2025 are medicinal plants and processing, real-time air quality monitoring, development of an electronic platform for knowledge sharing in the field of genetic resources, technical expertise for SMEs in the field of sustainability (Eco-Innovate) Accelerator, plastic bio-fuel, and bio-diesel research, software development for graduate programmes – linking industry with academia, blockchain and FinTech solutions, training programmes – Big-data, coding and testing, STEM teaching and other areas of S&T cooperation added by mutual consent.

The POC document was signed by the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Omani Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman during the bilateral meeting between Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India and Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman.

The Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, on behalf of Government of the Republic of India and the Office of Science, Knowledge & Technology Transfer, Foreign Ministry, on behalf of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, will supervise, coordinate and implement the POC for India and Oman, respectively.

Under the agreement, both countries will support joint scientific projects based on mutual interest, developed jointly by the Indian and Omani institutions. They will encourage the exchange of scientists, researchers, experts, and specialists for the implementation of selected joint projects aimed at developing applicable technology. This will lead to the dissemination of research results and establishing contacts with the industry for the follow-up of research and development work. The countries will also hold at least one workshop each year – alternatively in India and Oman during the 2022 – 2025 period in mutually acceptable areas.

The areas of interest include bio fuel,

Sustainability

The awards programme was jointly organised by the Energy Research Institute, the International Water Association and the United Nations Development Programme

FMC Corporation, a leading agricultural sciences company, has been conferred a Certificate of Recognition for its exemplary contribution towards water stewardship in India at the inaugural TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Awards 2021-22 on World Water Day 2022. The awards programme was jointly organised by the Energy Research Institute, the International Water Association and the United Nations Development Programme.

FMC runs an ongoing campaign under its flagship Project Samarth that seeks to provide access to safe and potable drinking water to 200,000 farmer families by 2024 in India. Project Samarth has to date commissioned 57 community water purification plants in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, benefiting nearly 100,000 farming families.

Ravi Annavarapu, President, FMC India said, “Our goal is to empower the farming community and raise living standards through various initiatives and community outreach programmes like Project Samarth. Over 4,000 FMC technical field experts engage with farmers about good agriculture practices and the sustainable use of water to enhance productivity while optimising water use. We endeavour to educate the community at large about best practices in water consumption, and we are grateful for this recognition by TERI-IWA-UNDP. It motivates us to move forward on our mission of water stewardship.”

Apart from commissioning water purification plants, FMC also promotes the sustainable use of water in agriculture through its wide network of technical experts and channel partners.

The award was received by Raju Kapoor, director of Public and Industry Affairs, FMC India, in the presence of The Chief Guest Shri Bharat Lal, Secretary Lokpal of India, Former Additional Secretary Jal Jeevan Mission and Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India.

The TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Awards aim to encourage the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by way of reducing the water footprint among various stakeholders through the adoption of the ‘water neutrality’ approach.

The awards programme was jointly organised by

Company News, Trade

The arrangement will be done to nurture one million genetically blessed and superior plantations of stone fruit and pome fruits and grow them exclusively in India

IG International, one of India’s leading fresh fruit importers, has settled into an agreement with BEN DOR FRUITS & NURSERIES which grants them the license to cultivate plantations of stone fruit and pome fruits. The arrangement will be done to nurture one million genetically blessed and superior plants and grow them exclusively in India.

Speaking on the grant of the license, Tarun Arora, Director of Finance and Operations of IG International, said, “This is big for Indian agriculture. This is one of the biggest deals in plant genetics and nurseries. It’s a big win for the Indian apple industry. Ben-Dor is the best partner and has the most superior plant genetics in the world. The values and strategy completely align with our vision. We look forward to working closely together on this.”

“We look for the most professional and reliable partners and are thankful to have reached an agreement with IG, to develop and introduce varieties where quality and flavour is appreciated. India is strategically important for us for the coming decades for the development of high-quality plantations. We hope to be a significant positive impact on the local farming sector,” added Edo Ben Dor, Founder, BEN DOR FRUITS & NURSERIES.

The arrangement will be done to nurture

Agrotech, Nature, Sustainability

The project seeks to enable smallholder framers to recycle plastics conveniently by setting up an ecosystem of plastic waste collection across 60+ villages in Maharashtra, reaching 1500+ farmers

Bayer and PI Industries today inaugurated its ‘Plastic Waste Take Back’ Pilot Project, in partnership with Sahyadri Farms. The technology-powered initiative, driven by Recykal, aims to reduce the impact of farm-based plastic on the environment through proper collection and recycling of plastic waste.

The ‘Plastic Waste Take Back’ Pilot Project will accelerate sustainability in agriculture and involves the setting up of 12 Empty Container Collection Bins (ECCB) across Nashik, Maharashtra. Each will serve a cluster of roughly five neighbouring villages, aiming to support over 60 villages and 1500 farmers across four locations: Nilwandi, Sonewadi, Sawargaon and Umberkhed. This is a joint initiative with a leading integrated agrichemicals solution company, PI Industries.

Sahyadri Farms will mobilise the farmers through its local presence and Recykal, via apps will mobilize stakeholder actions and provide cloud-based solutions for waste management. It will facilitate the collection, recycling and incineration of non-recyclable plastic waste. Together, Bayer and PI Industries will connect the link between Recykal and FPOs and financially sponsor the overall project management.

The project will facilitate waste collection in Nashik and will further be expanded to cities across India through increased awareness, education and dedicated infrastructure needed to bring about behavioural shift amongst farmers and promote safe waste disposal. Sahyadri farms will also assist in aligning with cluster farms, maintaining the access database, identifying the space for ECCB installation and helping create awareness.

The project seeks to enable smallholder framers

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech

Targets pest, disease and on-farm data capture

WayBeyond has launched a mobile app which makes crop data capture faster and easier, particularly for onsite scouting of pests and pathogens.

“There are currently relatively few digital products on the market which assist growers with data collection, consequently there remains much manual use of clipboards, pens and spreadsheets in the industry,” says Sophie Stanley, Head of Global Markets.

“By creating FarmRoad Mobile we solve a key pain point for growers – the length of time it takes and how they record crop data. With farm managers wrestling with staff shortages due to covid and other factors, optimising available staff time is key. By speeding up and simplifying on-farm data capture, the app provides a viable alternative to traditional methods.”

Pest and disease detection is a key component of FarmRoad Mobile due to the need for swift action once detected in the growing environment. Director of Crop Science and Agronomy Dr Tharindu Weeraratne notes that a fast response is essential when it comes to reducing the spread of disease.

Targets pest, disease and on-farm data captureWayBeyond

Agrotech, North America

The new robotic device scans field ecosystems providing detailed real-time data

Solinftec, a global leader in agricultural digitalisation, will expand upon its partnership with GROWMARK, one of North America’s largest agricultural cooperatives, with a collaborative project focussed on a new cutting-edge AgTech robotic device.

With more than 15 years of experience developing digital ag solutions throughout various geographies and crops around the world, Solinftec’s new robot is state-of-the-art technology built to scan and monitor fields. This, connected with Solinftec’s ALICE platform, works together to orchestrate machine operations. Programmed with a neurological network featuring a complex detection algorithm, the new in-field robotic device has the ability not only to scan for crop health and nutrition, insects, and weeds but is built to monitor the entire field ecosystem and provide real-time insights.

The goal is to provide farmers and agronomists with a new level of information to increase yields, improve inputs usage, lowering environmental impact.

GROWMARK will collaborate with Solinftec to run the robot throughout the entire 2022 season where it will fine-tune the technology of agriculture operations in North America from planting to harvesting.

“GROWMARK and our System of FS Cooperative members are recognised as cutting-edge partners by the Farmer of the Future,” says GROWMARK Innovation Director Heather Thompson. “We believe in leading the market with products and technologies customers didn’t know they needed but can’t imagine their operation without.”

“We are looking at the future of farming,” adds Lance Ruppert, GROWMARK’s director of agronomy marketing technology. “We have been working with and utilizing Solinftec’s leading agricultural technologies for over three years and are excited to partner on a project with the potential to change farm practices for the better of the industry and environment.”

With the launch of its new AgTech robot and current ALICE technologies, Solinftec continues to be committed to protecting and respecting its users’ privacy, abiding by core data privacy principles to protect data. Farmers and users maintain ownership of their data and may choose to share results at their discretion.

The new robotic device scans field ecosystems

Allied Industry, People

Bags the award for exemplary work in advanced bio economy

Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder and Executive Chairman, Praj Industries was bestowed with the coveted 2022 William C Holmberg Award for his exemplary contributions during the recently concluded Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) 2022 at Washington DC, USA.

According to Dr Chaudhari, the award comes first time to India at a time when we are celebrating the 75th year of Independence, which gives me immense joy. Indian bio economy is poised for exponential growth on the back of the Nation’s Net Zero commitments outlined in the recently concluded COP26 summit.

Bags the award for exemplary work in

Agrotech, World

Launch in North America with future collaboration expansions in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Over the next decade, agriculture and the food system will undergo a massive transformation to produce enough and affordable food for the growing population on limited arable land. Innovative and breakthrough technologies are needed and BASF supports this transition by leveraging the potential of the best digital agriculture ideas from inside and outside the company with its open innovation platform AgroStart which will now be established on a global level.

First introduced in 2016 in Brazil and continuously rolled out across Latin America, AgroStart benefits today from learnings and successes that pave the way for the expansion of the open innovation platform in North America and for future market entries in Europe and Asia Pacific.

AgroStart pairs these ideas with mentorship, market access, exploratory capital and new ways of working. Bringing together trusted capabilities from BASF and entrepreneurs enables quick, efficient and cost-effective co-creation of digital agricultural solutions that help farmers worldwide to tackle the many challenges they face.

AgroStart complements further co-creation initiatives and programs from BASF. The Open Innovation Platform Agro focuses on collaboration with scientists from universities, research institutes, biotech companies and pharmaceutical companies to develop new crop protection compounds.

“With the global launch of our open innovation platform AgroStart, we combine the world’s most promising ideas – be it from BASF’s or external’s bright minds – with our expertise, direct access to our global customer base and markets, mentoring, as well as capital to cultivate the future of digital agriculture together,” said Vincent Gros, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division.

Launch in North America with future collaboration

Pulses, Types

The estimated production of pulses in 2021-22 as per the DA&FW is 26.96 million tonnes

The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha has informed that as per the report of Working Group constituted by NITI Aayog on Demand and Supply Projections Towards 2033 – Crops, Livestock and Agricultural Inputs (February 2018), the demand for pulses is projected to increase from 26.72 million tonnes in 2021-22 to 32.64 million tonnes in 2029-30. The estimated production of pulses in 2021-22 as per the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) is 26.96 million tonnes.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare implements the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, which aims at increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and nutri-cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in the identified districts of the country; improving soil fertility, farm level productivity besides, transfer of technology through demonstrations and trainings, incentives on critical inputs like quality seeds, water saving devices, farm equipment and machinery etc. 

To boost agricultural productivity, the Government is implementing various schemes for supply of farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, agricultural machinery and equipment, irrigation facilities, institutional credit, etc., at subsidised rates to the farmers.

The estimated production of pulses in 2021-22

Bee keeping, R&D

The results showed blueberries pollinated by Beeflow were substantially bigger – more than a 50 per cent increase in average berry size by gram

Washington State University (WSU) Department of Horticulture, Beeflow has announced the first-round results of research involving Beeflow pollination services for blueberry crops. The study, led by Dr Lisa Wasko DeVetter, PhD, Associate Professor, Small Fruits, was conducted across two farms in northern Washington in 2021, using the Duke variety of blueberries, and showed larger berries on the plants pollinated by Beeflow bees.

The results showed blueberries pollinated by Beeflow were substantially bigger – more than a 50 per cent increase in average berry size by gram – than berries pollinated through conventional pollination approaches. Additionally, the research team observed greater foraging by Beeflow bees on sub-optimal weather days, when the air temperatures were colder, than non-Beeflow bees, which increased the flight hours of the Beeflow pollination.

“Our goal is to innovate in order to optimise pollination in a way that has not been done before,” said Matias Viel, Beeflow Founder & CEO. “We know how important our work is to increasing biodiversity and helping to build an agriculture system that is more harmonious with nature, so these positive results are monumental to achieving this goal.”

Studies of this nature require researchers to conduct their work over three cycles in order to validate and confirm the results. The next round of field trials, which have been funded by the WA Blueberry Commission, will be conducted by Dr DeVetter and her team during 2022 focusing on the Liberty variety of blueberry, a notoriously more difficult variety to pollinate.

The results showed blueberries pollinated by Beeflow

Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy

The commissioning of the three units will add 38.1 LMTPA indigenous urea production in the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given approval for the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for extension of applicability of New Investment Policy (NIP)-2012 for the three units of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) viz. Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni.

HURL, incorporated on 15th June, 2016 is a Joint Venture Company by Coal India Limited (CIL), NTPC Limited (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL). HURL is reviving the erstwhile Gorakhpur and Sindri Units of FCIL and Barauni Unit of GFCL by setting up new gas based Urea Plants with the installed capacity of 12.7 Lakh Metric Ton Per Annum each (ILMTPA). The cost of three HURL Urea projects is Rs. 25,120 crore. GAIL is supplying Natural Gas to these three units of HURL.

The state-of-the-art based HURL Plants are a part of the initiative taken by the Government to revive the closed urea units of SCIL/HFCL in order to achieve self-sufficiency in urea sector. The commissioning of the three units will add 38.1 LMTPA indigenous urea production in the country and help to realize the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in the urea production. The Project will not only improve the availability of fertilizer to farmers but will also give a boost to the economy in the region including development of infrastructure like roads, railways, ancillary industry etc. besides ensuring food security to the nation.

All three HURL units have various unique features like state of the art blast proof control room equipped with DCS (Distributed Control System), ESD (Emergency Shutdown System) and environment Monitoring Systems. There is no offsite waste water disposal in these plants. The systems are operated by the highly motivated, dedicated, well trained Operators. HURL-Gorakhpur unit has India’s first Air Operated Bulled Proof Rubber Dam of 65 mtrs length and 2 mtrs height.

These three facilities integrate the world’s best technologies aiming to meet the demand for urea in Seven States of India, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha.

The commissioning of the three units will

Agrotech

The programme defines clear milestones to cover all phases of the rice growing cycle from pre-sowing to harvesting

Corteva Agriscience, the global agriculture company, has recently introduced ‘Udayan – Tarakki ka Naya Savera’- an integrated farmer engagement programme is focused to establish and nurture a relationship with Corteva’s customers and channel partners. Aimed at empowering the farmers and bringing prosperity to them, the programme focuses on 3As – Aware, Alert, Act, as an enabler of change. The programme defines clear milestones to cover all phases of the rice growing cycle from pre-sowing to harvesting. It further aims to create awareness and sensitise rice farmers on brown plant hoppers (BPH) menace, timely and effective usage of Pexalon, a science-based and sustainable solution to manage the BPH menace, thus increasing yield productivity by 10 per cent.

With the help of ‘Farmer Connect App’, farmers can scan unique QR codes printed on Corteva products to distinguish between a ‘genuine Pexalon product’ against counterfeit, engage with fellow rice farmers and encourage others to use Pexalon.

In a span of 4 months since the launch of Udayan programme, Corteva brought more than 10 lakh acre farmland under various crop protection and care. More than 1.13 lakh farmers stayed connected through the app, and thousands of field photos were shared. Lakhs of farmers interacted on social media and learnt to use better crop protection products.

This programme was amplified by building a robust campaign ecosystem connecting all on-ground activities with digital programme via the Farmer Connect app. Commenting on the program, Gurpreet Bhathal, Marketing Director, Corteva Agriscience South Asia said, “Corteva is committed to working towards developing technology-driven solutions to meet farmers’ needs today while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges. We aim to provide products and services to help farmers produce what our food system demands while conserving resources and sustaining the land. In line with this commitment, our ‘Udayan’ programme focuses on educating the farmer community to use sustainable crop protection products that empower growers, protect their crop with precision.”

The programme defines clear milestones to cover

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy

Centre under the PMMSY scheme, inter-alia, provides financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territories  for the development of fishing harbours and fish landing centres.

The Visakhapatnam Port Trust under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India has finalized the Detailed Project Report for Modernisation of Fishing harbour at Vishakhapatnam at an estimated cost of Rs.152.81 crore under Central Sector in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) of Department of Fisheries, Government of India and Sagarmala scheme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.

Setting up of fishing harbours depends on several factors such as assessed need, availability of land, project feasibility, receipt of complete project proposal from the State Governments, etc. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the PMMSY, inter-alia, provides financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territories (UTs) for the development of fishing harbours and fish landing centres. Under PMMSY, the central financial assistance up to 60 per cent of project cost to the State Governments and 100 per cent for UTs is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme component for the development of fishing harbours and fish landing centres. Besides, the Government of India meets the entire cost under Central Sector for modernization of fishing harbours exclusively owned by the Central Government. The PMMSY also provides for suitable linkages and convergence with the “Sagarmala” scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

 Further, in order to address the infrastructure requirements of fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during 2018-19 created the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore. Under FIDF, concessional finance is provided to State Governments and their entities including private sector for development of fisheries infrastructure including fishing harbours and fish landing centres. States including Andhra Pradesh are availing assistance under the above schemes for establishing fishing harbours.

Centre under the PMMSY scheme, inter-alia, provides

AgroPolicy

It is a progressive step towards ensuring better remunerative returns to the jute growers and to incentivise quality jute fibre

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute for 2022-23 season on March 22, 2022. The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for agricultural costs and prices.

The MSP of raw jute (TDN3 equivalent to TD5 grade) has been fixed at Rs 4750 per quintal for 2022-23 season with an increase of Rs 250- over the previous year. This would ensure a return of 60.53 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production. The announced MSP of raw jute for 2022-23 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.

It assures a minimum of 50 per cent as margin of profit. It is one of the important and progressive steps towards ensuring better remunerative returns to the jute growers and to incentivise quality jute fibre.

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will continue as Central Government Nodal Agency to undertake Price Support Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in such operations, will be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.

It is a progressive step towards ensuring