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Agro chems – Fertilizers

The Government of India is promoting non chemical farming under the names of organic and natural farming through PKVY

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha has announced that the Government of India is promoting non chemical farming under the names of organic and natural farming through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Bharitya Prakratik Krishi Padhati along the river Ganga.          

The PKVY scheme is implemented in all the States across the country. Under this scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 31000/ha/3 years for organic inputs such as seeds, bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc. In addition, support is also provided for group/Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition and marketing of their organic produce. 

Under Namami Gange Programme total Rs 120.49 crore fund (Rs 67.36 cr from RKVY and Rs 34.20 cr from PKVY) has been released for 6181 clusters and 123620 ha area covered.

Further, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilisers etc) of plant nutrients for judicious use of chemical fertilisers to improve soil health. In addition, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated.

The government is promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) which includes soil test based balanced and integrated use of chemical fertilisers in conjunction with organic sources of nutrients like Farm Yard Manure (FYM), city compost, vermi-compost and bio-fertilisers that leads to saving in use of chemical fertilisers.

The Government of India is promoting non

Finance, Live Stock, Start ups

The funds will be utilized for investment in technological intervention that will help category development and improve overall customer experience

Bengaluru based Licious, India’s largest tech-first, fresh animal protein brand, announced their Series F2 fund raise of $150 mn, today. This round of fundraise comes just 6 months after the company became the first D2C unicorn in the country. Series F2 is led by Singapore based Amansa Capital, along with Kotak PE & Axis Growth Avenues AIF – I. Existing investors have also participated in the round along with prominent angel investors including Nithin & Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha, BoAt’s Aman Gupta and Haresh Chawla, Partner, True North.

Over the last 6 years, Licious has led the D2C revolution in the country, emerging as the first unicorn in the sector. Licious built India’s first farm to fork model with its proprietary tech-driven supply chain and introduced global standards of meats and seafood for Indian consumers. This was a lot more than just building a brand, it was transformation of an entire sector. Farmers and fishermen were benefited through training on global practices, a fair price for their produce & a steady stream of income.

 Vivek Gupta & Abhay Hanjura, Co-Founders, Licious, “Today, Licious is the highest valued D2C start-up in India. This valuation is a direct outcome of the value that we have created for our stakeholders- investments made towards building the category have borne us rich dividends and have propelled growth for the company and its people. The growing interest of investors- from India and abroad alike is an added assurance that obsession with customers, quality and service standards are the pillars of the best businesses. We are delighted to welcome Amansa Capital, Kotak PE and Axis Growth Avenues AIF – I along with the angel investors to the Licious family and thank our existing investors for reaffirming their faith in our vision.

 S Sriniwasan, MD, Kotak Investment Advisors Limited, said “We are excited to partner with Licious, India’s #1 D2C brand.  Due to Licious’ focus on quality and strong execution, its successfully creating a habituated and loyal customer base”.

The funds raised through Series F2 will be utilized for investment in technological intervention that will help category development and improve overall customer experience. The company will also invest in strategic acquisition and widening & deepening the brand’s reach.

The funds will be utilized for investment

Agrotech

Vorceed Enlist technology is expected to be available in products across all Corteva seed brands, including Pioneer, Brevant seeds, AgVenture, Dairyland Seed, Hoegemeyer, NuTech and Seed Consultants

Corteva Agriscience has unveiled its next generation of corn rootworm (CRW) trait technology. Vorceed Enlist corn will help enable farmers to manage CRW acres with more options than any other seed corn product.

Farmers gain flexibility in managing CRW pressure with three modes of action for above-ground insect protection, three modes of action for below-ground insect protection and tolerance to four herbicide modes of action to help better manage resistant weeds. Vorceed Enlist technology is expected to be available in products across all Corteva seed brands, including Pioneer, Brevant seeds, AgVenture, Dairyland Seed, Hoegemeyer, NuTech and Seed Consultants.

Corteva is finalising its commercial plans for Vorceed Enlist products for the US and Canada.

“Vorceed Enlist corn will build on the enhanced yield potential and superior agronomics of our Qrome products,” said Judd O’Connor, President, US Commercial Business, Corteva Agriscience. “For farmers looking for the most flexibility in meeting their business goals, Vorceed Enlist corn raises the bar in three key areas: maximised yield potential, exceptional CRW protection and more flexible weed management, leveraging our most advanced weed control technology.”

“The trusted genetics responsible for the high yield potential of Qrome products will be brought forward in Vorceed Enlist corn,” O’Connor said.

Vorceed Enlist corn will add a new RNAi mode of action to proven Bt traits for a total of six modes of action to protect against above- and below-ground pests.

Vorceed Enlist corn also will provide the benefits of the Enlist weed control system, including exceptional flexibility with tolerances to four herbicide modes of action: 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, glufosinate and FOP herbicides.

Vorceed Enlist technology is expected to be

AgroPolicy, Live Stock

This herbal based formulation kills all stages of ticks in cattle and goat and safe to be used all stages of livestock

ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, and Natural Agro Products Private Limited, Port Blair has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for licensing of Dweep tickure- a herbal based formulation for control of ticks in livestock, on March 11, 2022.

Dr E B Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI and Vijay Vishwasrao Patil, C/o Natural Agro Products Private Limited, Port Blair, South Andaman inked the MoU for their respective Institutes.

A team comprising Dr Jai Sunder, Dr T Sujatha, Dr D Bhattacharya, Dr E B Chakurkar and Dr A K De have developed oil based herbal topical formulation as acaricides for control of tick infestation in livestock. This herbal based formulation kills all stages of ticks in cattle and goat and safe to be used all stages of livestock including pregnant and lactating animals.

This herbal based formulation kills all stages

Interaction, Sustainability

UPL has received the More Integrity Award’s ‘yellow seal,’ valid for a further two years

UPL was first recognised with the award in 2020, receiving a ‘green seal’ valid for the duration of 2021. This year, UPL has received the More Integrity Award’s ‘yellow seal,’ valid for a further two years.

Rogerio Castro, CEO of UPL Brazil, said: “UPL is honoured to receive the More Integrity Seal, reflecting not just our immediate successes in sustainability, social responsibility, and ethics, but our long-term commitment to these ideals across our businesses. For us, sustainability is at the core of our work, it is reflected in the products we bring to market now, in the products we’re developing as we seek to ‘re-imagine sustainability,’ and in the way we do business with our customers, our distributors, and our partners in both the public and private sectors. We look forward to continuing to reflect and promote these ideals in Brazil and everywhere we work, raising the bar for agribusinesses around the world.”

The More Integrity Seal was instituted in 2018 to foster, recognise and reward integrity practices by agribusiness companies and cooperatives under the perspective of social responsibility, sustainability and ethics.

Recipients of the seal underwent a rigorous evaluation process by an esteemed panel of private and public sector members of the Seal Management Committee. The committee consisted of members from Alliance for Integrity, the Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3), National Confederation of Industries (CNI), Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), Ethos Institute of Business and Social Responsibility (ETHOS), Organisation of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), Brazilian Company of Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA Stock), and the Federal Inspector General Office (GCU).

UPL has received the More Integrity Award’s

Inputs, Uncategorized

North America held the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the total market

According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global autonomous tractors market generated $1.56 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $11.58 billion by 2030, manifesting a CAGR of 20.9 per cent from 2021 to 2030. The report offers an extensive analysis of changing market trends, value chain, top segments, top investment pockets, regional scenarios, and competitive landscape.

Rise in income, enhanced productivity, growing demand for food, and encouraging government initiatives drive the growth of the global autonomous tractors market. However, lack of awareness, technology integration among farmers, and high initial investment and maintenance costs hinders the market growth. On the other hand, introduction of drones in agriculture and growing technological advancements create new opportunities in the coming years.

The report offers detailed segmentation of the global autonomous tractors market based on component, application, and region.

By component, the GPS segment contributed to the highest share in 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of the total market share, and is expected to maintain its lead during the forecast period. However, the vision system segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 21.7 per cent from 2021 to 2030.

By type, the tillage segment accounted for the largest market share, contributing to more than one-fourth of the global autonomous tractors market in 2020. However, the seed sowing segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 21.7 per cent from 2021 to 2030.

By region, North America held the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly two-fifths of the total market. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 22.7 per cent during the forecast period.

North America held the highest share in

Finance, Start ups

Arya.ag targets Rs 1000 crore loan disbursal in FY23 under its Insta-Loan product

Arya.ag, India’s largest integrated grain commerce platform,has announced first-of-its-kind single click Agri Insta-Loan for the farming community across India.  Arya.ag’s Insta-Loan will enable immediate and easy access to loans to users on its digital platform. With this revolutionary launch, a farmer can avail a loan instantly against her stored commodity at her discretion & choice from the comfort and convenience of her home.

The integrated digital platform leverages the best of capabilities of AI, ML, IoT and overall new-age digital technologies, to convert each bag of farm produce stored in Arya.ag’s digitally enabled warehouse into an electronic balance.  An automated decisioning engine on Arya.ag offers finance against this electronic balance in a few clicks. Seamless and smooth access to loans empowers small farmers as they can fend off any distress sale scenarios after harvest.

With immediate access to finance, smallholder farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain can tide over any liquidity requirements. This shall empower farmers to optimise the value of their farm produce.

An earlier appeared RBI report pegs that just about 40 percent of Indian farmers are covered by formal credit. Arya.ag’s Insta-Loan will address the pertinent problem of lack of adequate access to finance faced by Indian farmers.

Chattanathan Devarajan, Arya.ag’s co-founder, said, “The scope of agritech players in enhancing the agri-chain ecosystem in India is enormous. At Arya.ag our focus is to empower the country’s farmers by maximizing the value of their farm produce. We enable this through an end-to-end integrated, full stack solution spanning digitally enabled warehouses, embedded finance and commerce solutions, all delivered using our tech-led digital platform. Our latest offering, Insta-Loan, is designed to comprehensively provide farmers instant access to loans.”

Arya.ag targets Rs 1000 crore loan disbursal

Agrotech, Middle East countries, R&D

The companies will collaborate in a first-of-its-kind joint study, combining PlantArcBio’s RNAi technology with the unique lipid-based RNA delivery technology developed by Prof. Dan Peer.

PlantArcBio Ltd., an ag-biotech company engaged in research and development in the field of gene discovery and biological components for improving plant traits, intended primarily for use in the global agricultural industry, and Ramot, the Technology Transfer Company of Tel Aviv University, signed a collaboration agreement. The companies will collaborate in a first-of-its-kind joint study, combining PlantArcBio’s RNAi technology with the unique lipid-based RNA delivery technology developed by Prof. Dan Peer. Prof Peer is TAU’s Vice President for R&D , and a pioneer using RNA to manipulate cells in cancer and other immune related diseases. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to develop a range of RNAi-based products for agricultural uses.

RNAi technology enables a temporary external disruption of RNA molecules, diminishing the amount of mRNA, and thus temporarily reducing the expression of specific genes, without modifying or genetically engineering the organism’s DNA. PlantArcBio signed four agreements for development and commercialization in this field, including insect and pest control and crop improvement products. The company’s strategic partners include ICL, Gadot-Agro, TMG and Seach Medical. To the best of its knowledge, PlantArcBio is one of the world’s leaders and pioneers in developing RNAi-based products for agriculture.

The joint study will examine the efficacy of PlantArcBio’s RNAi technology for agriculture, combined with Prof. Peer’s RNA delivery based on unique lipid molecules. Specifically, the research will focus on testing the joint technology’s contribution to the stability of RNAi-based products and their ability to penetrate plants and insects. Research will be carried out both at PlantArcBio’s Laboratories and at Prof. Dan Peer’s Laboratory of Precision Nano Medicine at Tel Aviv University.

The companies will collaborate in a first-of-its-kind

Agro Universities, R&D

Data from of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) is used by the governments for planning agricultural schemes, policies and programmes

 Researchers at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) used high-spatial resolution satellite derived data to assess optimal numbers of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) that can be undertaken to improve crop yield estimations.

The CCE is an assessment method deployed by governments to assess crop yield in a region. Produce from the CCE are then tested on various parameters such as biomass weight, grain weight, moisture, crop management practices and other indicative factors for crop yield estimations.

Data from CCE is used by the governments for planning agricultural schemes, policies and programmes. It also helps insurance companies and financial institutions with all the inputs they need before offering loans or insurance coverage in case of poor harvest or crop failure.

Moving forward, the government of India plans to optimize CCEs using different technologies including satellite derived metrics on crop performance and spatial variability to guide the selection and number of ground data sites. The idea is to develop technology-driven approaches for direct yield estimation at gram panchayat level.

As part of a pilot project undertaken by ICRISAT in partnership with Mahalonobis National Crop Forecasting Center (ministry of agriculture, India) between June, 2019 and February 2020, researchers assessed four crops – groundnut, chickpea, rice and maize in five districts spread across three states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha). Objective of the study was to assess CCEs using spatial statistical optimising technique for major crops of kharif season in the districts.

Based on the spatial data using Sentinel-2 satellite, the researchers conducted CCEs. As a part of the analysis, researchers identified few mandals in Krishna, Anantapur and Kurnool districts in Andhra Pradesh, Puri district in Odisha and Mahbubnagar in Telangana to test the methodology.

Data from of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE)

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Inputs

The plant will be capable of producing various grades of NPKs as per requirement. The company is taking up the project on LSTK basis and the project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2023.

The Fertilizers And Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), Kochi is expanding its NPK Fertilizer capacity. FACT, a Government of India Enterprise, is one of the first large scale fertilizer companies in India. The NPK Plant is being built within FACT’s existing manufacturing facility of Cochin Division (CD) at Ambalam Edu, Ernakulam district of Kerala state.

 Nuberg EPC, the leading Indian Global EPC and turnkey project Management Company announced that it has been selected for the construction of the brown field 1650 TPD NPK Plant at FACT-Cochin Division on EPC-LSTK basis, thereby enhancing the total production capacity to 3,650 TPD of complex fertilizer.

Nuberg EPC shall be executing this project based on Pre-Neutralizer with Pipe Reactor (PN+PR) technology licensed from INCRO S.A. (Spain). The plant will be capable of producing various grades of NPKs as per requirement. The company is taking up the project on LSTK basis and the project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2023

 A. K. Tyagi, CMD, Nuberg Engineering Ltd., commented, “We are thankful to the Government of India and the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) for entrusting another turnkey project to our engineering capabilities and EPC services and solutions. We are excited about this project because it gives us an opportunity to associate with Government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan”. The project also demonstrates the strategic importance of Nuberg EPC’s presence in India. This project serves as a prime example of the successful combination of Nuberg EPC’s global expertise and local knowledge to offer a complete turnkey solution.

The plant will be capable of producing

Agrotech, Company News

 The Andersons will act as counterparty to Indigo’s remaining legacy grain contracts, helping to complete Indigo’s evolution from a digital merchant to digital merchandising application provider.

 Indigo Agriculture, the ag industry’s independent technology platform provider, and The Andersons, Inc., a diversified company leveraging enduring relationships and deep market expertise to add value across the ag supply chain, announced that The Andersons will act as counterparty to Indigo’s remaining legacy grain contracts, helping to complete Indigo’s evolution from a digital merchant to digital merchandising application provider.

Beginning with the launch of direct-to-buyer contracts as a cornerstone feature of its Market+ offer last year, Indigo has continued to demonstrate its commitment to serve as a neutral and independent partner of choice for the industry with milestones including the recently announced launch of new technology enhancements and integrated ag industry partnerships. Now, by securing The Andersons’ support for its remaining legacy grain contracts, Indigo is removing itself from the transaction flow, enabling the continued expansion of Market+ to directly connect a wider set of stakeholders across the agricultural supply chain.

“The sustainability mega-trend is driving an economic and structural transformation of all industries. Agriculture can harness these transformative forces to meaningfully improve profitability and efficiency for farmers and the rest of the supply chain – and we hope to be the neutral, independent, and quality-driven partner to help navigate this transition,” said Ron Hovsepian, CEO of Indigo Ag. “By removing itself from the business of buying grain, Indigo is proud to operate as an agnostic enabler, leveraging science and digital innovation to unlock new value for the mutual benefit of farmers and agribusiness.”

“The Andersons has a 75-year legacy working with farmers with services that go beyond marketing grain to deliver value. We are excited for the opportunity to broaden our footprint by working with these growers,” said Patrick Bowe, President and CEO of The Andersons.

 The Andersons will act as counterparty to

Agro chems – Fertilizers

Michigan Potash stands ready to support American farmers by replacing one-to-one all the potash imported from Russia with domestic production from Michigan

Michigan Potash & Salt Company, LLC (MPSC) Founder and CEO Ted Pagano has recently issued a statement on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of a plan to support innovative American-made fertiliser production to address our nation’s near-total dependence on foreign imports.

Ted stated, “In the face of a global food and fertiliser crisis, I applaud the USDA and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack’s leadership in confronting our nation’s dependency on foreign fertiliser imports. Our farmers feed the world, yet they are wholly dependent on foreign sources of critical potash nutrients while domestic supplies are available right here at home. Michigan Potash stands ready to support American farmers by replacing one-to-one all the potash imported from Russia with domestic production from Michigan.”

The company is committed to developing the US Potash Project in a safe and responsible manner that protects Michigan’s critical natural environment and waters while supporting communities across Osceola and Mecosta counties, Michigan. 

Michigan Potash stands ready to support American

Agrotech, Finance, Organic

Tencent’s investment reflects the company’s focus on sustainable innovations and support for technologies.

An Israeli-Dutch venture, Future Crops has announced a new investment round led by Tencent to accelerate growth. Future Crops is shaping the future of agriculture and our food system, making it more safe, resilient, and efficient.

Future Crops has developed advanced vertical farming from cutting-edge technology that uses a unique soil-like substrate to better reproduce the natural environment. The high-tech farm grows fresh, clean, ultra-sustainable, high quality crops at competitive price points. Researchers from Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) were an integral part of the team that developed Future Crops’ cutting-edge technology.

Future Crops had already raised over $30 million in seed funding from a private equity arm run by the Lerman Family, leaders in the American steel industry to finance the construction of their state-of-the-art facility and to build their team of experts. This is the first time Future Crops has sought investment beyond its initial round of funding.

Gary Grinspan, CEO and Co-Founder of Future Crops said, “Tencent’s investment reflects the company’s focus on sustainable innovations and support for technologies, like vertical farming, which can create clean, locally grown sustainable food while helping to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. We believe our soil-substrate-based platform is closer to nature and produces fresh, longer-lasting, higher-quality produce at improved yields, as plants grow best in soil”.

Grinspan also added that we’re already supplying fresh high-quality herbs to leading European retailers, both under private label and our own brand. Currently, we market all our produce, so this investment will allow us to expand our capacities to meet demand and continue to increase our R&D capabilities and develop proprietary technology.

“Tencent supports companies creating solutions to the world’s most critical challenges, including technologies that can feed more people using fewer resources” said Ling Ge, Chief European Representative, Tencent. “Investments in sustainable agriculture technologies, such as vertical farm systems, aligns with our mission to apply technology for good.”

Tencent’s investment reflects the company’s focus on

Agrotech

The facility will have demonstration units for mushroom production, food processing & value-addition and poultry production

Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) inaugurated the Technology Demonstration Facility at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khordha, Odisha on March 10, 2022. Ajaya Kumar Dash, Head, KVK, Khordha briefed about the new facility. The facility will have demonstration units for mushroom production, food processing & value-addition and poultry production. It will also be used for imparting the skill training to the farmers and farm women.

The DG was accompanied by Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science); Dr BP Mohanty, ADG (Inland Fisheries), ICAR along with Dr SK Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar and other Senior Officials of ICAR-CIFA and KVK, Khordha.

While interacting with the farmers and farm women in the Exhibition organised at the KVK, Khordha, Dr Mohapatra urged the KVK for facilitating the Self-Help Groups to improve their marketing skills and organise them to form as collectives like Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations to scale-up their operations. Underlining the Government of India’s target of creating 10,000 FPOs by 2025, the Director General emphasised that the KVKs would play a key role in mobilising the farmers and providing technical support.

During his interaction with the Scientists and Staff Members of ICAR-CIFA, he urged for focusing on the outreach & effective communication of the scientific research to the stakeholders and reorienting the research priorities for bringing out innovations that can enhance the farmers’ income.

The facility will have demonstration units for