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Agrotech, Sustainability

Over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries are expected to convene online for the 2-day virtual conference 

The ICTforAg 2022 conference will take place virtually on March 9-10, 2022, and convene leading stakeholders from the agri-tech and agri-food ecosystems across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sponsored by Feed the Future and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ICTforAg 2022 is implemented by DAI and Intellecap.

The virtual conference will bring together global leaders, top experts from the private and corporate sector, representatives from governments, researchers and academics, stakeholders from the social sector, entrepreneurs and investors, and farmers to strengthen the digital agriculture ecosystem and catalyse partnerships that unlock ground-breaking solutions.

The conference will feature 100+ eminent speakers, including keynote speaker Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development at GSMA; Dr Agnes Kalibata, President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); Beth Crawford, Director, Office of Strategy, Programme and Budget (OSP) at FAO; Daron Acemoglu, Professor at MIT; Kunal Prasad, Co-Founder and COO at CropIn Technologies; Matthias Berninger, EVP, Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE at Bayer; Mike Michener, Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID; Richard Choularton, Director of Agriculture & Economic Growth at Tetra Tech; Tim Hammerich, Creator of Future of Agriculture weekly podcast; Vineet Durani, Director, Microsoft Cloud for Industry (Agri-Food) at Microsoft Corporation; and many more.

Kyriacos Koupparis, Head of Frontier Innovations at the World Food Programme’s Innovation Accelerator said “Digital technology has transformed every aspect of our lives, from the way we work to how we produce and consume. ICTforAg 2022 is a key catalyst in the digital transformation of the agri-food system as it brings together innovators, practitioners, local stakeholders, experts, and thought leaders to take forward solutions that work and bring them to scale.”

The conference will convene over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries across 21 knowledge-sharing sessions focusing on four cross-cutting themes – Locally Led Development, Climate, Digital Inclusion, and Digital & Data Sovereignty. ICTforAg 2022 will for the first time host a tech showcase with 30 ground-breaking agtech enterprises from around the globe, and is bringing together farmers who have benefitted from the use of ICT in four unique social sessions aimed at promoting a strong global community of agriculturists.

ICTforAg 2022 is proud to be collaborating with Tetra Tech as a Featured Session Partner to focus on the potential impact of advanced analytics for smallholder farmers, as well as to be working with like-minded organizations including Bayer Crop Science, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), GSMA, IDH – The Sustainable Trade Initiative, NASA, Solidaridad, and The World Bank, among others, to co-create insightful sessions.

Over 2,500 delegates from 100+ countries are

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Trade

Inland Waterways Authority of India plans to run a fixed schedule sailing between NW1 and NW2 heralding a new age of inland water transport for Assam and North East India

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal received the maiden voyage of food-grains from Patna to Pandu via Bangladesh in Guwahati. Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) welcomed the self-propelled vessel MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying a total of 200 MT of foodgrains for the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as it completed the maiden pilot run from Patna to Pandu via Bangladesh. IWAI is planning to run a fixed schedule sailing between NW1 and NW2 heralding a new age of inland water transport for Assam and North East India.

The vessel started its sail from Patna on National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) and passed through Bhagalpur, Manihari, Sahibganj, Farakka, Tribeni, Kolkata, Haldia, Hemnagar; Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route through Khulna, Narayanganj, Sirajganj, Chilmari and National Waterway-2 through Dhubri, and Jogighopa covering a distance of 2,350 km.

The IWAI is also planning to run a regularly scheduled service on these routes. The protocol on Inland water transit and Trade (PIWTT) between India and Bangladesh will be optimally beneficial when we can unlock the value from the cargo trade in the region. To improve the navigability, two stretches of IBP routes, i.e., Sirajganj-Daikhowa and Ashuganj-Zakiganj are also being developed at a cost of Rs 305.84 crore on an 80:20 share basis (80 per cent is borne by India and 20 per cent by Bangladesh).

Inland Waterways Authority of India plans to

Interaction

At the India Pavilion, the theme of ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ was represented by celebrating the diversity of Indian Agriculture under four major sub-sectors

The ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood fortnight’ at the Indian Pavilion in EXPO2020 Dubai concluded on March 2, 2022, highlighted India’s investment-friendly policies, growth opportunities and showcased country’s core strengths across different areas of Agriculture and allied sectors to the global investors.

At the India Pavilion, the theme of ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ was represented by celebrating the diversity of Indian Agriculture under four major sub-sectors: Millets, Horticulture, Organic and Food Basket of the World (dairy, poultry & fisheries). The stories shared through the sub-sectors also covered Food Processing & Cooperation, which are also pillars for future growth.

Starting on February 17, 2022, the fortnight was inaugurated by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The inaugural ceremony also included the opening of the Millets Food Festival along with introductory conversations amongst the Government & Private sector.

In line with the recent declaration of the year 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ by the United Nations General Assembly, India’s advantage as a major Millet producer was highlighted during the expo. A seminar on Millets was conducted to highlight India’s potential and tremendous opportunities of this sub-sector, for stakeholders across the Millets value chain including processing & export.

The seminar organised on the subject ‘Indian Organic and Horticulture Sector–Moving Up the Value Chain’, further emphasised on the progress made in these sub-sectors to improve quality and access high-value markets.

At the India Pavilion, the theme of

Uncategorized

Istem was launched in the UK market in 2021 and has already been awarded a 3-star Superior Taste Award by the Brussels International Taste Institute

Syngenta Vegetable Seeds has been nominated for a prestigious Fruit Logistica Innovation Award for the second consecutive edition of the industry’s premier event, spotlighting the company’s leadership and innovation in high-demand segments, from tomato to water melon, sweet pepper to sweet corn. Syngenta’s unique Istem cauliflower is shortlisted – two years after YOOM tomato won the gold award.

Istem is high-yielding and appeals to consumers with its sweet, nutty curds individually held on top of tender, succulent stems. Eaten whole there is no food waste. It is quick to prepare, and can be eaten raw or cooked, from baking to barbecuing, steaming to stir-frying. It’s also a healthy choice – high in fiber and immune-boosting vitamin C.

Istem was launched in the UK market in 2021 and has already been awarded a 3-star Superior Taste Award by the Brussels International Taste Institute.

Lotfi Bani, Istem project manager in Europe commented, “We have the capability to use agile, science-based agronomic solutions to create sustainable crops, while anticipating consumer preferences and market trends. The Istem exemplifies this. It not only cuts food waste, it also offers consumers a great-tasting, healthy, convenient choice.” 

Istem has a bright future. Extensive trials are planned in 2022 across Europe, Africa, Middle East, North America and Australasia, preparing for it to launch in new markets very soon.

When growers were coming under pressure from the devastating new Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), Syngenta fast-tracked its research to respond to this threat. Its teams’ speed and precision brought growers disease-resistant varieties such as Lansor and Barosor. Both varieties allow farmers to maximise marketable produce, even when ToBRFV is present. Syngenta has also bred spinach varieties to resist foliar disease Stemphylium.

Istem was launched in the UK market

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities, Sustainability

The theme is ‘Soil, air and water conservation; Practice this for future generation’

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has announced the dates for the upcoming Virtual Kisan Melas in March 2022. Sharing the details, Dr Ashok Kumar, Director of Extension Education, said that the series of melas will kick off with the first Virtual Kisan Melas at Ballowal Saunkhri (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) and Nagakalan Jahangir (Amritsar) on March 14. This will be followed by the Virtual Kisan Mela at Rauni (Patiala) on March 16 and Virtual Kisan Melas at Faridkot and Gurdaspur on March 21, he informed. The two-day Virtual Kisan Mela at Ludhiana is scheduled to be held on March 24 and 25, he added. Further, Dr Kumar said that the last Virtual Kisan Mela will be organised at Bathinda on March 29.

Dr Kumar said that the theme of the melas is “Soil, air and water conservation; Practice this for future generation.” With special emphasis on the conservation of natural resources, the melas will call upon the farming community to save soil, air and water by making judicious use of groundwater, fertilisers and agro-chemicals, and saying no to stubble burning, he added. The melas will provide an opportunity to the farmers, farm women and rural youths to learn about latest recommendations related to crop varieties and production and protection technologies; subsidiary occupations (mushroom production, beekeeping, animal husbandry, etc.); home management practices and other allied enterprises, he said. Focus will also be on promoting rural entrepreneurship for the economic stability of their families. In addition, quality seeds of crop varieties, plant material, biofertilisers and farm literature will be available for purchase during these melas.

Dr Kumar called upon the farmers to participate in the melas along their families. “Melas are revitalising events; your presence will make it a grand success,” he stated.

The theme is 'Soil, air and water

Agrotech, Finance

Bayer grew sales by double-digit percentages at herbicides, fungicides, and soybean seed & traits on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis

In the agricultural business (Crop Science), Bayer increased sales by 11.1 per cent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to 20.207 billion euros. The division grew sales significantly across all regions, especially in Latin America and Asia/Pacific. At Corn Seed & Traits, sales were up 9.2 per cent thanks to increased market share in North America and Latin America, as well as to higher prices worldwide. Bayer grew sales by double-digit percentages at Herbicides (15.4 per cent), Fungicides (13.8 per cent) and Soybean Seed & Traits (14.9 per cent) on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. The main drivers were price increases for glyphosate-based products at Herbicides, and higher Fox Xpro volumes in Latin America at Fungicides. Soybean Seed & Traits benefited from higher volumes and prices, particularly in North America and Latin America.

EBITDA before special items at Crop Science increased by 3.6 per cent to 4.698 billion euros, resulting in a margin of 23.2 per cent. The growth in earnings was mainly driven by higher prices and volumes as well as contributions from ongoing efficiency programs. By contrast, earnings were diminished by a largely inflation-fueled increase in the cost of goods sold, as well as by negative currency effects of 387 million euros.

Bayer sees encouraging steps regarding glyphosate litigation in the US.

Bayer grew sales by double-digit percentages at

Agrotech

Key utilities featured are mandi prices, automated soil labs, crop health

WayCool Foods has launched its next-gen Ai powered ‘Outgrow App’. The App will provide comprehensive advisory and personalised solutions in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, and English languages. With the Outgrow App, WayCool aims to assist small, medium, and marginalised farmers to increase their income and profitability. The app during its launch phase will support farmers based in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana offering a boutique of services, mandi prices, automated soil testing facilities, Crop Health.

Sendhil Kumar, Head Farmer Engagement & Outgrow, WayCool Foods said, “Outgrow App is a go-to-platform for real-time Mandi prices, crop health, automated soil testing, and holistic farm advisory on fingertips. We are also planning to add financial assistance services, farm inputs, procurement services to the app in subsequent phases. Farmers can download the Outgrow APP for free from the google play store”. 

Karthik Jayaraman, MD, WayCool Foods said, “This is a major step towards our mission to build the world’s most comprehensive tech stack in the food economy. Outgrow App will lessen the digital divide that exists today.”

Key utilities featured are mandi prices, automated

Agro Universities, Bee keeping

Discussions were held on how to create awareness among beekeepers by designing courses with the support of ICAR schemes

A 21- day Winter School on “Commercial Apiculture for Livelihood Security of Farmers and Unemployed Rural Youth” concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The programme was organised by the Department of Entomology, PAU under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In total, 29 participants from 12 states comprising Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and one Union Territory Ladakh participated in the winter school.

In his concluding remarks, the chief guest, Dr Naveen Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) and Executive Director, National Bee Board, New Delhi, observed that there were some issues and problems in the apiculture sector which called for the attention of the apiculture scientists. 

“Some crops remain untouched and scientists need to work on the schedule of the crops which can be recommended in apiculture,” he said. Besides, Dr Patle made a call for focusing on technology demonstrations, increasing the quality and quality of by-products made from honey, and creating awareness among the beekeepers by designing courses with the support of ICAR schemes.

The guest of honour Dr Seema Jaggi, Additional Director General (Human Resource Development), ICAR, New Delhi, said that apiculture was an area where more entrepreneurs could be developed. The winter school was a two-way process; it provided an opportunity to disseminate knowledge in apiculture (by experts) and learn in return (from participants). Seeing the relevance of beekeeping, the programme was chalked out for the livelihood and security of the farmers, she remarked.

Dr Sandeep Bains, Nodal Officer and Dean, Postgraduate Studies, said that the university made an outstanding contribution in the commercialisation and industrialisation of apiculture, thus, opening the gates for the export of Apis Mellifera in 1996. “PAU has the credit of producing the largest hive manufacturers as well as the honey traders and exporters,” she added.

Dr MIS Gill, Dean, College of Agriculture, said: “PAU is leading in apiculture research. Since the introduction of Italian honey bee Apis Mellifera by a noted entomologist Dr AS Atwal in 1962, PAU has never looked back in apiculture.” Apiculture was an asset that could earn money for the small and marginal farmers/labourers, he observed. Dr Gill voiced his concern over the issue of ‘adulteration’ in honey and stressed maintaining its quality to win the faith of the consumers.

Dr DK Sharma, Head, Department of Entomology, said that the department has made 30 national recommendations in apiculture till date. “PAU was the first in India to start Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) in apiculture,” he revealed. The University has the distinction of having an Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre and a Toxicology Laboratory, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the analysis of pesticide residues in agricultural produce and commodity samples. The lab is set up as per the Bureau of Indian Standards under the National Accreditation Board for Laboratory and has been declared as the referral lab for pesticide residue analysis at the national level, he told.

Dr PK Chhuneja, Professor of Entomology and Course Director, in his welcome address, said that the winter school was a great learning experience for the apiculture scientists. It touched all the developmental aspects of apiculture through the organisation of 100 specialised lectures and virtual tours of apicultural manufacturers and beekeeping entrepreneurs, he added. Dr Chhuneja disclosed that the participants also toured Nagrota Bagwan (then in Punjab state and presently in Himachal Pradesh), where Apis Mellifera was introduced in India in 1962.

 Dr Jaspal Singh, Principal Entomologist, proposed a vote of thanks.

During the programme, four participating scientists, namely, Dr Sunita Yadav, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar; Dr Kumaranag KM, ICAR- All India Coordinated Research Project (Honey Bees and Pollinators); Dr Ipsita Odisi Priyadarsini Mishra, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha; and Dr PS Neharkar, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Prabhani, Maharashtra, hailed the informative lectures and the tours, organised by the PAU. They described the winter school training as ‘excellent.’

Discussions were held on how to create

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The transfer of technology is aimed at enhancing the banana production system in Tamil Nadu

The ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu licensed and transferred its Technology – ‘A Micronutrient Mixture – Banana Shakti’ to the three different stakeholders, viz., KVK, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM), Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, and KVK, Karur respectively.

Dr S Uma, Director, ICAR-NRC for Banana, Tiruchirapalli stressed addressing the micronutrient deficiency in the banana production system immediately with a more scientific approach. The technology has been widely used by the farmers across Tamil Nadu and is gaining momentum in the other states as well. Dr Uma stated that the technology is low-cost, more adaptable, trial-able and farmer-friendly.

Dr KJ Jeyabaskaran, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NRC for Banana & Inventor of the Technology underlined that the micronutrient mixture – Banana Shakti primarily corrects the micronutrient deficiency and at the same time, increases the “use efficiency” of the primary and secondary macronutrients in the Banana production system. It increases the productivity by 15 per cent to 20 per cent and enhances the quality too.

Dr Jeyabaskaran stated that with the investment of Rs 5,000 for its application, an additional net profit of Rs one Lakh per hectare could be accrued. He emphasized that it also improves the shelf life and reduces the skin splitting of banana fruits.

The transfer of technology is aimed at enhancing the banana production system in Tamil Nadu.

The transfer of technology is aimed at

Agro Universities, Environment, Sustainability

The weather station will aid farmers in managing pests and various diseases

The new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Department of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad established under the DST-ICRISAT collaborative Project on Centre of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Protection: Pest and Disease Management has opened.

Dr RM Sundaram, Director, ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad and Dr Mamta Sharma, Project Coordinator, Deputy Regional Director-Asia, ICRISAT, Hyderabad inaugurated the Station.

Dr MS Prasad, Head, Plant Pathology, ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad underlined the project. Dr V Prakasam, Principal Investigator underlined the 12 Soil and Atmospheric Weather Parameters recorded in the AWS.

The weather station will aid farmers in

Environment

Summit Carbon Solutions will primarily capture CO2 from ethanol plants and other industrial sources in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota

Summit Carbon Solutions has recently announced a strategic investment from Continental Resources, to create the largest carbon capture and sequestration project of its kind in the world.

Continental Resources will commit $250 million over the next two years to help fund the development and construction of the project’s associated capture, transportation, and sequestration infrastructure, while also leveraging its operational and geologic expertise to help ensure the safe and secure storage of CO2.

Summit Carbon Solutions will primarily capture CO2 from ethanol plants and other industrial sources in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The CO2 will be aggregated and transported to North Dakota via pipeline, where it will be safely and permanently sequestered in extensively researched subsurface geologic formations.

The project has commitments from 31 partner ethanol facilities to deliver more than 8.0 million metric tons per annum (MMtpa) of CO2, with initial pipeline capacity of 12.0 MMtpa, and expansion capabilities to handle up to 20.0 MMtpa.

Recognising the significant growth in demand for low carbon fuels, Summit began developing plans for the project and its partnerships with ethanol producers in 2019. By leveraging decades of experience and relationships across the biofuels and agriculture industries, Summit Carbon Solutions was launched in early 2021, and is on track to achieve its target of being operational in the first half of 2024.

“Summit and Continental have a shared vision to produce clean and cost-effective energy for all Americans. This project will be transformational for the ethanol and agriculture industries and will have a substantial economic impact across the Midwest,” said Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Summit Agricultural Group.

Summit Carbon Solutions will primarily capture CO2

Agrotech

FamERP is known to help manage farms and farmlands seamlessly and efficiently

FarmERP is a future-ready Enterprise-Resource Management software platform designed by the co-founders of Shivrai Technologies. It is known to help manage farms and farmlands seamlessly and efficiently.

Data Capturing and Data Management both are advantageous practices that every industry requires. FarmERP facilitates the provision of every service that is required by an agri-business in the full circle from start to end. From accounting for the most minute expenses to executing the largest orders, all the data are recorded and organised in a very systematic form for the ultimate calculations to be accurate.

Having a well-organised record of all activity facilitates the farmers to produce a better-quality yield. A well-managed and an organised structure can influence the right decisions to be taken at every step of the way, making certain that every arrow pulled has a relatively greater chance of capturing the bull’s eye. This is where FarmERP comes into frame to try and aid the smoother functioning of farms by helping farmers resolve their farming problems effectively, efficiently, and seamlessly.

Additionally, many farmers face hurdles in the financial aspect of business and as the yield quality keeps fluctuating; it also affects the money it makes. With the inculcation of an Enterprise-Resource Planning software like FarmERP, the chance of fluctuation in the quality is minimized as per practical possibilities, hence, stabilising the income of farmers.

Loans and transactions are also problems that FarmERP helps farmers to resolve. This aspect of the software makes sure to eliminate the possibility of exploitation of the farming families.

FarmERP’s enhanced software holds in place the existence of an intelligent layer that not only records business information, but also processes it.

Enterprise-Resource Planning does not only pertain to large-scale businesses, in fact, it is required by all businesses at all scales. The software offers options that are most suitable to particular needs and deliver expected efficiency.

Hence, FarmERP can be the strongest weapon that the Agriculture Industry can deploy to evolve at the highest level of optimisation.

FamERP is known to help manage farms

People, Sustainability

Kelly Gast has been appointed as the assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer

Bayer announced changes in the leadership team of its Crop Science division, with Kelly Gast assuming the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from Michael. Schulz, effective April 1, 2022. Schulz had been CFO for the Crop Science division for over a decade and decided to leave Bayer for personal reasons after 16 years with the company. Gast is currently CFO for Bayer’s US organization.

“Kelly has tremendous experience in finance and a true passion for the agricultural sector. She will play a key role in driving our performance and business transformation,” said Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Bayer AG and President of the company’s Crop Science division.

Separately, Sara Boettiger, SVP, Head of Global Sustainability & Public Affairs, shared her wish to leave the organisation. During her time with Bayer, she has made significant contributions to the Crop Science division by driving sustainability and public affairs agendas.

Bayer will take this opportunity to further embed sustainability and public engagement at the heart of its Crop Science divisional roadmap by combining the sustainability and public affairs teams with the strategy team, under the leadership of Frank Terhorst, EVP, Strategy & Sustainability, effective March 1, 2022.

Kelly Gast has been appointed as the

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Sustainability

Goes in for fishery and earns profit

North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) under the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) is helping women groups in Bordumsa, a small hamlet in Changalang district, Arunachal Pradesh, where most people depend on agriculture and farm labour. The villagers received financial support of Rs 46,186 and had collected a total of Rs 79099 from all sources. The group members chose fishery as a group activity for self-sustainability.

The group had 11 members, and the majority of them worked in agriculture. The group used to meet regularly to discuss various topics such as loans, savings, group activities, etc., with a total savings of Rs 10,710.

Initially, they invested Rs 8800 for the purchase of fish saplings and other development costs. As a group activity, the total profit from fishing was Rs 20,000. Every two years, the fish ponds are harvested. As a result of this activity, many changes in the organisation occurred, including unity, leadership, self-sustainability, and other developing social services such as cleaning drives, etc.

The project improved the economic status of the locals, making a difference in their lives. Furthermore, SHGs express their gratitude to NERCORMP for enabling them to overcome other domestic issues in their family through NERCORMP’s support and execution.

Goes in for fishery and earns profitNorth