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Company News, Finance, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during April 2023 were at 36,405 units, as against 40,939 units for the same period last year.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.’s Farm Equipment Sector (FES), part of the Mahindra Group, has announced its tractor sales numbers for April 2023.Domestic sales in April 2023 were at 35,398 units, as against 39,405 units during April 2022.Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during April 2023 were at 36,405 units, as against 40,939 units for the same period last year. Exports for the month stood at 1,007 units.

Commenting on the performance, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “We have sold 35,398 tractors in the domestic market during April’23. De-growth comes due to preponement of high demand generating festivals of Navratri and Gudi Padwa in March this year compared to April last year. At present, sentiments are upbeat with harvesting & procurement of crops going on in full swing. Wheat procurement is very strong and has already crossed last year’s level. High reservoir levels will aid in Kharif sowing and good cash flow from Rabi crop will further add to liquidity in the hands of the farmers. In the exports market, we have sold 1,007 tractors.”

Total tractor sales (Domestic + Exports) during

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D, Start ups

The partnership aims to bridge the gaps in the agri-value chain and provide farmer-centric solutions like optimal markets for produce and fintech support.

NOIDA based Leads Connect Services, the premier agritech data, risk management, and financial services company, in collaboration with Agribusiness and Innovation Platform-International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (AIP-ICRISAT), recently organised a sensitisation program on marketing strategies for farmer producer organisations (FPO) in Hyderabad.

Leads Connect Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICRISAT at the event to study the dynamics of the agricultural value chain and develop sustainable solutions for all stakeholders in agriculture. The partnership aims to bridge the gaps in the agri-value chain and provide farmer-centric solutions like optimal markets for produce and fintech support.

Navneet Ravikar, Chairman & Managing Director of Leads Connect Services, signed the MoU with Victor Afari Sefa, a citizen of Ghana who joined ICRISAT in March 2022 as Director, the Global Research Program Enabling Systems Transformation, ICRISAT. LeadsConnect which is already working on Chilli, pulses and Turmeric value chain, this MOU will further open new avenues for CBBO, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) Pan India to collaborate with Leads Connect Services to close chasms in the agri-value chain, prioritise the needs of farmers, providing better price for their produce thus empowering communities and stimulating economic growth. This collaboration with ICRISAT unlocks the potential to work in Africa as well for upliftment of the farming community.

The agritech company also launched its game-changing AGRANI app. The app is an end-to-end SaaS-based platform developed for all stakeholders in agriculture. It aims to connect all dots from farm-to-fork in the agricultural spectrum and provide farmer-first solutions using Space Tech Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. This is a part of the agritech’s initiative ‘Khet Se Kitchen Tak’, an agri value chain solution to support the farmers’ community, agri-businesses, and FPOs.

ICRISAT is a non-profit organisation that conducts agricultural research for rural development in various parts of the world. It also conducts workshops, seminars, and knowledge sessions to create awareness among the agriculture community.

“Launching AGRANI and signing the MoU was a revolutionary opportunity for us,” says Navneet Ravikar, Chairman and Managing Director of Leads Connect Services. AGRANI intends to bring farm advisory, financial services, and market linkage to the doorsteps of farmers, agribusinesses, and FPOs. It also provides timely access to finance for FPOs and agribusinesses for community infrastructure requirements like storage, processing and transportation.

Ravikar adds, “It’s a transformative value chain platform that will bring much-needed transparency to transactions held at the mandis and FPOs. Our mission is to empower and connect farm value chains to create a sustainable, scalable agribusiness ecosystem. With AGRANI, we are taking a step towards achieving this mission by providing farmer-centric solutions. And this is just the beginning. We look forward to continuing our mission of enabling farm value chains for a brighter and more profitable future.”

The partnership aims to bridge the gaps

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

MEC offers a unique dining experience, besides an in-store shopping experience

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, along with Rajbir Singh, Managing Director, NAFED, commemorated the launch of the first-of-its-kind ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. NAFED in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) established the Millets Experience Centre with an aim to raise awareness of Millets and encourage its adoption among the general public.

Acting upon India’s proposal supported by 72 countries, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). The declaration positioned India at the forefront of the celebrations and the Government of India has been working on ‘mission mode’ to champion millets as a crop good for farmers, the environment and consumers. The ministry-led initiative of establishing a consumer-oriented ‘Millets Experience Centre’ would not only promote the dietary benefits of the ancient grain but also popularise millets or Shree Anna as a nutritional powerhouse fit for cooking a variety of dishes like Millets dosa, Millets pasta etc. In addition to a unique dining experience, customers can also purchase a variety of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products from local millet start-ups at the MEC.

In his inaugural address, Tomar praised India’s dynamic celebration of IYM 2023, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting the visionary efforts of the Prime Minister, starting from the declaration of the National Year of Millets in 2018 and further with the International Year of Millets (IYM), Tomar said India is gearing towards becoming a ‘Global Hub’ for Millets. The setting up of the MEC is a step in that direction, he added. Situated in the heart of Delhi, Dilli Haat is a national & cultural hub for visitors from all around the world, the MEC will further help the global outreach of the local millets and provide visitors with a chance to witness India’s ‘Millet Movement’, he said.

MEC offers a unique dining experience, besides

Agrotech, Company News, Sustainability, World

Funding is a strong statement about the durability, momentum and outstanding potential of this business

Sentera, an industry-leading provider of ag analytics, announced a successful expansion of its previously oversubscribed Series C funding round. The round was led by Conti Ventures (a division of Continental Grain Company) and S2G Ventures. Following this round, Sentera forecasts that its capital requirements to achieve profitability and positive cash flow are fully funded.

Sentera’s data science ecosystem is an industry leader by combining aerial data collection with machine learning engines that deliver more accurate plant-level measurements and insights. Its customers, which include agriscience leaders in research and product development, are empowered to advance their work by getting essential data to validate outcomes, augment product development, and support sustainability initiatives.

“We believe Sentera has unlocked value for its enterprise customers and partners with differentiated technology illustrated by its accelerated growth and blue-chip customer list,” said Chris Abbott, co-head, of Conti Ventures. “In an environment where current capital markets continue to put stress on AgTech fundraising, we believe this funding is a strong statement about the durability, momentum, and outstanding potential of this business.”

Sentera serves customers in more than 45 countries. The company most recently reported 40 per cent year-over-year growth, with key growth drivers in its innovative data capture technology, advanced machine learning, digital phenotyping, and localised data model segments.

Sentera’s data science ecosystem features an advanced geospatial data platform powered by deep learning and agronomic machine learning that deliver comprehensive phenotyping and product performance insights. Insights scale from plant-level tracking and modelling to regional estimates of yield, nutrient uptake, and attributes of crop quality. The company integrates public and customer-proprietary data to deliver high-accuracy insights efficiently and quickly.

“Our platform catalyzes our customers’ ability to transform pools of data into the insights that inform their most critical decisions,” said Eric Taipale, chief technology officer and co-founder, Sentera. “We can deliver tailored – and therefore more accurate – tools more quickly and more cost-effectively because of the capabilities we’ve built. This forms the basis for strong partnerships that translate into meaningful competitive advantages for our customers.”

Funding is a strong statement about the

AgroPolicy, Biofuel industry, Sugar industry, Sustainability

In the last 9 years, the sugar sector has been self-sufficient with more than 99.9%

The growth of the ethanol sector has been tremendous which has set a sort of example for the world, said Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce and Industry while addressing a one-day seminar on ‘National Seminar on Maize to Ethanol’ organised by Department of Food and Public Distribution.

Goyal said that in the last 9 years, the sugar sector has been self-sufficient with more than 99.9 per cent payment to farmers for the previous season. Now, ethanol will support maize farmers in increasing their income and bringing growth with stability along the lines of sugarcane farmers. Investments of thousands of crores have come creating thousands of jobs in the rural sector which has generated a multiplier effect on the Indian economy. He highlighted that environment-friendly fuel like ethanol has been on the top priority list which has resulted in more than doubling of ethanol blending in just 2 years and the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending has also been preponed from 2030 to 2025.

Timely planning, industry-friendly policies and a transparent approach of the Government of India with the collaboration of industry have made these achievements a reality, he said. He stressed the need for synchronous efforts of the Central Government, States, Research Institutes, OMCs and Distilleries to achieve the target of 20 per cent ethanol blending while keeping the interests of the farmers always on top priority.

The Union Minister highlighted that India has transformed to accomplishing bigger goals in a shorter time to be the world leader. The Target of E 20 was preponed from 2030 to 2025 so that India can have clean fuel with propagating farmers’ interests.

In the last 9 years, the sugar

Agrotech, Company News, Sustainability, World

A breeder-centric hub of new cannabis clone genetics, carefully propagated in small batches and available only to select, hand-picked California growers

Phinest Cannabis, California’s leading provider of cannabis tissue culture-based clones and operator of one of North America’s largest indoor cannabis clone nurseries announced the introduction of a new project called Dubplatez.

Dubplatez is an initiative by the Phinest team to reverse the recent trend of cannabis genetics being bred for a very narrow range of attributes that are currently in demand by distributors and brokers.

“Botanists have identified more than 100 cannabinoids in cannabis and 400 different terpenes,” said Matt Wich, COO for Phinest Cannabis. “We have more than 200 distinct aroma compounds to work with. The combination of these elements should provide breeders with a nearly infinite palette to explore. Yet we continue to see a hyper-focus on high THC production and on purple strains which is driving the industry toward the lowest common denominator genetics. Dubplatez is our commitment to change this direction.”

Ian Strouss, VP of Breeding and Cultivation for Phinest states, “Dubplatez is the underground label for cultivators who want something truly unique. By taking chances, the farmers will be able to earn higher tickets on unique genetics. High risk, high reward. Our approach is to follow in the footsteps of heirloom/craft movements in other industries. We want to experiment with all the flavours, smells and effects of cannabis in order to create more beautiful expressions from the plant. We’re in the trenches looking, smelling and smoking original work being created by new breeders with passion and skill.”

A breeder-centric hub of new cannabis clone

Company News, Dairy, Live Stock, World

Athian, the world’s first carbon marketplace for the livestock sector, advances the global acceptance of its novel transactional carbon credit inset program with this investment from DSM Venturing and CDI

Athian announces the completion of their seed funding round with investments from two strategic partners: DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of Royal DSM, a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, and California Dairies, Inc. (CDI), the largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative in California and second largest in the United States. Athian, the world’s first carbon marketplace for the livestock sector, advances the global acceptance of its novel transactional carbon credit inset program with this investment from DSM Venturing and CDI, along with previous investors, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, Tyson Ventures and Newtrient LLC.

This game-changing innovation provides livestock producers with economic incentives for on-farm sustainability practices while helping improve global food system sustainability and reducing climate warming. “CDI’s membership has been leading the way in sustainable dairy farming investments, and we continue to move as fast as technology and on-farm economics allow,” said Simon Vander Woude, chairman of the board at CDI. “This is an opportunity to showcase that hard work while doubling down to drive innovation and further improve our environmental footprint, ensuring that our farms produce some of the most sustainable milk in the world, across all the various pillars of sustainability.”

“We are excited by CDI and DSM Venturing’s enthusiasm for our innovative carbon marketplace platform. The groundswell of support has been tremendous” said Paul Myer, CEO of Athian. “This announcement not only expedites our reach into international markets but also accelerates practical environmental solutions that give farmers new revenue streams and helps companies deliver on their sustainability commitments throughout the value chain.”

Athian’s carbon credit insetting platform will enable livestock farmers who implement sustainable practices the ability to earn revenue to fund those initiatives. Athian’s key mission is to help the beef and dairy value chains capture and claim carbon credits earned through sustainability efforts. Athian aggregates, validates, and certifies, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and monetizes those reductions through the sale of carbon credits which offer value to the supply chain as important carbon assets related to Scope 3 emissions.

Athian, the world's first carbon marketplace for

Acquaculture, Agrotech, Animal Health, China, Industry Reports / Analysis, Live Stock

India and China are currently the top feed additives exporters worldwide, while Russia is a relatively new market for Asian feed additive suppliers. However, feed additive exports from Asia to Russia have increased significantly over the past year, as the country is highly dependent on the Asian market due to western sanctions. This trend is expected to continue in the long term, making Asia a permanent feed additives market for Russia if suppliers can consistently meet their demand. 

The Asia Pacific feed additives market is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.69 per cent from 2019 to 2024, having been valued at $10.21 billion in 2018. A report by Market Data Forecast attributes the growth of the meat industry in emerging economies such as India and China as the major driver of this market expansion.  

According to Volza’s Global Export data, India is a major exporter of feed additives, having exported 6500 shipments in the first two months of 2023 to countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam. As per the report, China is the top feed additive exporter with 16,818 shipments, followed by the United States with 15,290 shipments. India stands third with 6474 global shipments of feed additives.

In 2022, western countries faced significant sanctions, resulting in Russia importing almost all feed additives from Asia. During the first nine months of 2022, Russia imported 136,000 tonnes of feed additives, marking a 25 per cent increase from the previous year.

Russian companies were initially hesitant to buy feed additives from Chinese firms, but the sanctions imposed by western countries led to a reversal of the situation. In 2022, 86 per cent of feed additives imported by Russia came from China, while imports from other Asian countries such as Indonesia and South Korea also increased. Indonesia’s feed additive export to Russia increased by 27 per cent from the previous year, while South Korea saw a 37 per cent rise in exports to Russia. In contrast, Japan’s export dropped by 77 per cent from the earlier year. 

Feed additives are products that are added to livestock feed to enhance health and performance. The growing consumption of meat and concerns regarding animal diseases have driven the market’s growth. Feed additives play a crucial role in enhancing the metabolic system and providing essential nutrients to animals, improving the quality of food derived from them. Soybean and wheat are commonly used as raw materials for animal feed, while fish meals and fish oils are used for animal-based products. In dairy and beef production, feed additives account for approximately 36 per cent and 55 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions respectively. Hence, feed additives play an essential role in the environmental impact of the human diet.

Cattle feed additives

According to a report by the Business Research Company the cattle feed and feed additives market is projected to reach $68.51 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 3.5 per cent. The ongoing Russia- Ukraine conflict has resulted in economic sanctions being imposed on a number of countries, disrupting the supply chain and causing inflation across the globe. Despite this, the global cattle feed and feed additives market is expected to grow from $57.12 billion in 2022 to $59.74 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 4.6 per cent.

In 2022, Asia Pacific was the largest region in the cattle feed and feed additives market. Cattle feed and feed additives are used on farms to raise livestock and animals, providing them with essential nutrients to promote faster growth. The increasing demand for livestock and animal husbandry are driving the growth of the cattle feed and feed additives market.

Cattle feed additives refer to products that increase cattle nutrition, which are added to cattle feed to provide complete nutrition. These feeds are balanced for various nutrients based on cattle needs. Feed additives are compounds fed to cattle for reasons other than supplying nutrients, such as promoting good cattle health and improving their growth. These additives are ground, pelleted, crumbled, or offered as mixed feed for cattle.

The main types of ingredients used in cattle feed and feed additives include corn, soybean meal, wheat, oil seeds, grains, and others. Corn is used as livestock feed, biofuel, and raw material in the farm industry.

Corn is a tall American cereal grass plant widely grown for its large ears of starchy grain, which come in a wide variety of products including antibiotics, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, feed enzymes, and acidifiers.

To read more click on :https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

India and China are currently the top

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak with Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries in Maharashtra, to discuss his views on the fisheries sector. Edited excerpts:

Maharashtra is one of the major marine fish producing states in India. It has a 720 kms long coastal line spread all over the 7 maritime districts namely Thane, Palghar, Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The continental shelf area upto 40 fathoms i.e. 55,529 sq kms (50 per cent of the total continental shelf) is being exploited. There are 25 zones in the seven districts and 173 fish landings centres in the state.  During 2021-22 total fish production in Maharashtra was 5,89,436 tonnes valued at Rs 8,570 crore out of which 1,56,688 tonnes valued at Rs 1915 crore came from Inland sources and 4,32,748 tonnes valued at Rs 6,655 crore from marine sources. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from Fishery is estimated at Rs 6,300 crore. AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak with Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of Forests, Cultural Affairs, and Fisheries in Maharashtra, to discuss his views on the fisheries sector. Edited excerpts:

Since taking office, what decisions has this government made to improve the fisheries sector, especially in the latest budget?

The Central Government announced the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which has received approval for a total estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore. This comprises a Central share of Rs 9407 crore and a State share of Rs 4880 crore for a period of 5 years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

The scheme aims for the Ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive fisheries sector that contributes towards economic prosperity and well-being of fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders, food and nutritional security of the country in a sustainable and responsible manner.

To promote cage culture in both inland and marine sectors, the state government has issued two government resolutions, dated January 18, 2023, and January 24, 2023, respectively.

To enhance fish/prawn seed production of the state and fulfil the requirements of fish farmers, the state government has directed that the government fish/prawn seed production and rearing centres be leased out for 15 years through an e-tender process.

Is the state government taking any initiatives to grow ornamental fishery, an emerging sector that can generate jobs?

Special attention is being given to developing the ornamental fish industry in Maharashtra. The state is blessed with ideal environmental and climatic conditions for the culture of ornamental fish and Mumbai is one of the biggest markets for them.

This industry has a lot of scope for generating employment and income for rural youth. Fishes of good quality and lineage are being bred, and fish seeds are being developed for rearing and sale in the market with assistance provided under PMMSY. The beneficiary-oriented schemes in Ornamental Fisheries under PMMSY are as follows:

1)            Brood bank for ornamental fish

2)            Integrated ornamental fish breeding unit

3)            Medium-scale ornamental fish rearing unit

4)            Backyard ornamental fish rearing unit

5)            Retail outlets for ornamental fish

These schemes are being given wide publicity and information about ornamental fishes is provided in workshops and fisheries exhibitions held in various districts of the state. An ornamental fish quarantine centre is also proposed to facilitate the import of ornamental fishes in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra has enormous potential for marine exports. What are the government’s plans to increase exports of shrimp, crab, oyster mussels, other types of fish, and ornamental fish?

The marine fisheries sector, both in India and around the world, is currently facing a crisis due to stagnation in production, higher cost of operation, and low profitability, whereas the demand for seafood in domestic and export markets has been on the rise.

The PMMSY Scheme is being implemented in the state to improve the quality of exported fish and enhance exports. Under this scheme, subsidies are given for the development of deep-sea fishing vessels, modernisation of the ice plants, construction of ice plants, cold storage, refrigerated vans, insulated vehicles, etc.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

AgroSpectrum recently had the opportunity to speak

Agrotech, Biostimulants, India, Interaction

In an interview with AgroSpectrum Juzar S. Khorakiwala, Chairman & Managing Director, Biostadt India Limited, shared his views about the future prospects of the biostimulant industry in India. Edited excerpts;

Biostadt India, one of the world’s largest companies in seaweed-based plant biostimulants, with multiple brands under its umbrella was started in 1987 as Biostadt Agri-sciences under the leadership of Juzar S. Khorakiwala. With a presence in over 20 countries, Biostadt India is a diversified agrochemical organisation with an annual turnover of Rs 1,000 crore. The company has gained a solid reputation in the agrochemical industry, with a focus on developing crop healthcare products that utilise biological means of plant protection and to increase farm productivity. One of their flagship products, Biozyme, is the world’s largest selling plant growth stimulant. In an interview with AgroSpectrum Juzar S. Khorakiwala, Chairman & Managing Director, Biostadt India Limited, shared his views about the future prospects of the biostimulant industry in India. Edited excerpts;

How do you envisage the future of the biostimulants industry in India?

With the ongoing developments within the agriculture industry today and the environment becoming more positive, it is only a matter of time for biostimulants to become an integral part of the agriculture industry. We should be able to see a marked change in the industry within one decade.

Most Indian families have landholdings of less than 2 hectares each, and they are heavily focused on increasing harvest yields. How do you feel about biostimulants as a new advancement in this regard?

Intensive cultivation over a period of time has exhausted the soil resulting in a significant depletion of fertility levels. With the use of biostimulants which are, by nature, more effective on crop growth, farmers will be able to achieve better yield making it more feasible for them to produce and sell better quality crops. This also results in better soil health and productivity.

Which types of biostimulants are most popular among users, and where in the country are they most commonly used?

Amongst those available today, we see the use of biostimulants that have high content of amino acids, humic acids and especially seaweed extracts. These are being used effectively to improve agricultural yields across the country.

If we compare biostimulants with biopesticides and biofertilisers, which is producing better results and why?

Biostimulants, biopesticides and biofertilisers are all essential to agricultural production. Each of these have a specific role to play according to the requirements of the corps. Among them, biostimulants play a vital role in improving soil health and productivity of the crops, ultimately benefiting farmers.

What are the major challenges that are hampering the growth of biostimulants in India?

Limited awareness mainly amongst small farmers, about biostimulants and its features is one of the many challenges faced. However, guidelines and regulations that are being put in place more effectively, are very important and helpful for serious players like Biostadt that manufacture organic products. Another challenge is the time it takes for biostimulants to positively impact the soil. The repeated use of soil depletes its nutrition quotient. With the use of biostimulants, this previously low nutrient soil is enhanced over a period of time. The transformed soil is then able to produce better quality yield and thereby help the farmer with good quality and quantity of crops. 

The Indian government announced in April 2021 that biostimulants would be governed by the same standards that regulate fertilisers and other crop nutrients used to boost soil health. Is this move by the government striking the right chord for the industry? Can you elaborate on this?

This is indeed a very positive change occurring in the Indian agriculture industry. This will set the direction and regulations required for farmers to be able to produce quality products.

This pandemic has influenced consumer behaviour in favour of organic produce to the point where it may become an integral part of people’s shopping habits. Can this shift also be considered as a positive sign for the biostimulants industry?

A significant population of India is becoming aware about the quality of food consumed. The use of biostimulants will be very helpful in improving the quality and productivity of produce which will have an impact on sales for the farmer community.

What are your expectations from the government?

The government is on the right path and we are positive and hopeful for continued support in terms of regulations and guidelines to help the biostimulant industry. This will be immensely helpful for companies that are dedicated to the segment.

The biostimulants that promote root growth and increase size of the fruits and vegetables are getting increasingly popular. What is the reason for this?

Farmers that are able to sell better produce are much more effective than farmers that sell low quality produce. With increased awareness and concern towards the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables consumed today, it is imperative for the farmer to be able to produce and sell good quality products. Due to this high demand, farmers need to be able to grow good quality and a variety of crops almost all year through. This increases the pressure on the soil, drastically impacting its health. Factors such as intensive cultivation and environmental aspects such as the lack of rainfall or in some cases, more than adequate rainfall are detrimental to crop yield.

With all these factors under consideration, biostimulants have therefore been found to be most effective towards producing better quality crops. The soil is enriched with nutrients resulting in a stronger and better yield.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

In an interview with AgroSpectrum Juzar S.

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Company News, India

One of the key benefits of the project is the potential to enhance crop management and output

To enhance the sustainability and productivity of tea gardens in Northeast India, a special grant by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) of the Government of India under the Biotech Ignition Grant (BIG) to drone-tech company IG Drones.

The project led by Sambit Parida CTO and Co-founder of IG Drones, promises to revolutionise tea farming practices, promote environmental sustainability, and foster socio-economic development in the region. This project holds immense socio-economic advantages for the region, promising to revolutionise farming practices, mitigate climate risks, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Tea is a widely consumed beverage worldwide and has significant economic importance in India’s North-East. Tea gardens in the northeast region have challenges like a lack of accurate and timely information on soil and plant health. IG Drones project aims to address these challenges by utilising advanced drone technology to gather real-time data on crucial aspects, providing tea growers with valuable insights to improve their farming practices.

One of the key benefits of the project is the potential to enhance crop management and output. Drones can collect data on pest infestations, nutrient levels, and soil moisture, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on the use of fertilisers, irrigation, and pest control. This precision farming approach reduces costs, minimises environmental impact, and boosts agricultural yields, leading to increased productivity and improved financial stability for tea farmers, contributing to the broader economic prosperity of the region.

One of the key benefits of the

Agrotech, Biostimulants, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

Factors such as the growing popularity of organic farming, surging demand for environmentally friendly agricultural inputs, and official encouragement of the practice, are driving the expansion of the biostimulant market in India, though inadequate production infrastructure may present challenges in distributing products on time and in sufficient numbers. The lack of education, awareness and encouragement of biostimulant use in India’s agricultural sector further exacerbates this problem. 

Despite being in the early stages of development, the biostimulant market in India has substantial potential for expansion as demand for sustainable farming methods and reduced use of chemical fertilisers grows. Multinational corporations currently dominate the market but rely on local distributors for product sales. 

Biostimulants, such as biopolymers, non-living products produced from microbes, formulations based on biomolecules, and botanical extracts, are designed to be used in harsh environments and require targeted marketing to reach their full potential.

According to Dr Venkatesh Devanur, CEO, MD Agri Life, “the biostimulant industry is growing well in most crop segments across India. Abiotic pressures on crops and their adverse impacts are felt by farmers.” 

Biostimulants have the potential to enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and increase farmer income sustainably, making them an attractive option for the Indian agricultural sector. 

Despite facing challenges such as erratic weather patterns, soil salinity, and declining soil health due to the climate crisis, India’s agricultural sector has made remarkable strides in becoming a leading food provider worldwide.

As the world’s population continues to grow, sustainable agricultural practices, such as the use of seaweed biostimulants will become increasingly important in maintaining soil health and meeting food demand. 

Commenting on the subject, Prashant Kharwadkar, Regional Business Director, Acadian Plant Health, said, “increasing awareness among farmers on the importance of good quality biostimulants against the adverse impact of crop chemicals/residues, pest–disease resurgence, increasing cost of production, climate changes (abiotic stresses), and deteriorating soil health will continue to drive the demand for good quality biostimulants and sustainable technologies in agriculture for increasing crop yield and produce quality. India is an emerging market for biostimulants and provides a unique opportunity for continued growth on a sustainable basis.”

To read more click:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

Factors such as the growing popularity of

Agrotech, India, Opinions, Sustainability

By Dr Deepak Birewar, Chairman & MD, Inventys Research Company

India is one of the major players in the global agricultural market. With the unstable food security landscape and the burden of feeding the growing population, the stress on the agricultural systems is increasing. This is leading to the emergence of issues like soil degradation and loss of crops and biodiversity. International scientists and industry reports suggest that at the current pace, only 50 years of harvest remain to feed the world population. In such a scenario, regenerative agriculture that prioritises ecological functions will be effective in building the resilience of agroecosystems.

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming system that focuses on improving soil health, enhancing food quality, and biodiversity improvement, through practices that increase soil organic matter, biota and biodiversity. The technique builds soil health, supports biodiversity and even returns carbon and nutrients to the soil. Regenerative agriculture also enables soil aggregation, water infiltration, retention and nutrient cycling. The practice further reduces soil erosion and provides habitat and food for diverse species.

The technique works on four main principles: minimising soil disturbance through conservation or zero tillage, diversifying crops to replenish nutrients and disrupt pest and disease lifecycles, retaining soil cover using cover crops, and integrating livestock (which adds manure to the soil and serves as a source of carbon sinks). Regenerative agriculture preserves soil organic matter and moisture, which helps suppress weeds, protects soil from the impact of extreme weather patterns, and avoids soil compaction. The farming method promotes nutrient cycling, improved plant nutrition, and helps prevent pests and diseases.

Also known as conservation agriculture, it is a farming system that supports sustainable land management, environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation. It is relatively 20-50 per cent less labour-intensive and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through lower energy inputs and improved nutrient use efficiency. Additionally, it minimises soil disturbance by reducing ploughing and retaining carbon in the soil, promotes crop rotation to enhance biodiversity and moves grazing animals to different pastures, thus improving soil quality and animal welfare.

Benefits

The practice improves long-term farmer livelihood through reduced costs and improved crop quality. It also ensures greater resilience to market volatility and extreme climate events. It further opens new green revenue streams for farmers, such as rewarding them for carbon capture and storage in the soil.

When soil is healthy, it produces more food and nutrition, stores more carbon and increases biodiversity. It also supports other water, land and air environments and ecosystems through natural processes, including water drainage and pollination. Other benefits of this model include efficient water usage and fewer pests, as greater biodiversity makes the land more resilient.

Regenerative farming can improve crop yields – the volume of crops produced- by improving the health of the soil and its ability to retain water, as well as reducing soil erosion. These improved yields can help feed the world’s growing population. Moreover, regenerative farming has the potential to transform the croplands and pastures, which cover up to 40 per cent of Earth’s ice-free land, into carbon sinks, reducing emissions from agriculture.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Dr Deepak Birewar, Chairman & MD,

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Dairy, Foodgrains, India, Poultry, Sustainability

27 MoUs were signed between Telangana Government and agri-food companies

The state of Telangana has received an investment worth Rs 7218 crore at the Food Conclave 2023, which has the potential to generate 58,458 direct job opportunities in the agri-food industry in Telangana. 27 MoUs were signed between Telangana Government and agri-food companies announced by K.T. Rama Rao, Minister of IT Industries and Municipal Administration at the Food Conclave 2023.

The First Food Conclave 2023 was organised by the state government of Telangana. S. Niranjan Reddy Minister of Agriculture, T. Srinivas Yadav Minister of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Dr Ramesh Chand, NITI Aayog member; Dr R.S. Sodhi, President of Indian Dairy Association; Dr Vijay Gupta, former ADG World Fish Centre were present.

K.T. Rama Rao said, “Telangana is the best place to invest, the state is ushering in five revolutions including the agriculture sector, dairy, meat and fisheries all at once. During the last five years, the state government has added more than 7000 crore worth of capital base to food processing units. The government also developing special food processing zones which will collectively bring more than 10,000 acres of land under fresh food processing units.”  

‘Innovation in Food Processing’ was also launched by Rama Rao inviting start-ups and innovators across Telangana and India to build solutions to enhance local food processing.

The conclave was attended by industry leaders and experts from the agriculture and food industry. More than 100 agri-food industry representatives participated in the conclave and discussed on investment in ‘agriculture production and policymaking to build production and growth’. Thematic tracks, on agriculture (green), edible oil (yellow), dairy (white), meat and poultry (pink) and aquaculture (blue) were a part of the event.

27 MoUs were signed between Telangana Government