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The laboratory supports market demand for organic produce, benefiting both farmers and the industry as a whole.

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF) (Amul Federation), the largest food products organization of India has set up State-of-the-Art Advanced Organic Testing Laboratory at Amul Fed Dairy, Gandhinagar. The lab has been inaugurated by Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Government of India, on 21st May 2023.

With the increasing demand for organic food products in India, there is a growing need for advanced laboratories dedicated to organic food testing. Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. To meet these demands, an advanced laboratory for organic food testing plays a crucial role in verifying the organic integrity of food items. The laboratory employs various testing methodologies and techniques to detect the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants. It ensures that organic food products adhere to national and international organic standards, enhancing consumer confidence and protecting public health.

This is the first dedicated lab by Amul for organic testing and supporting organic producers. The organic industry relies on consumer trust and confidence. Organic testing laboratories play a pivotal role in building trust by providing reliable testing results and ensuring that organic claims are backed by scientific evidence. By upholding the integrity of organic products, the laboratory supports market demand for organic produce, benefiting both farmers and the industry as a whole.

As per the guidance of Shri Amit Shah, Hon Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amul ventured into the organic business last year in May 2022 with the launch of Amul Organic Atta. Over the past year, Amul has expanded its organic product portfolio to include products such as Organic Basmati Rice, Organic Toor Dal, Organic Chana Dal, Organic Masoor Dal, Organic Moong, Organic Rajma, Organic Besan and Organic Kabuli Chana. A range of other organic products are in the pipeline.

Jayen Mehta, MD, Amul Federation said that the latest state of the art equipments  viz. Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) etc been installed at the new Organic testing lab at Amul.

These equipments will help identify and quantify organic compounds in food samples. They can detect pesticides, herbicides, and other organic contaminants, determine trace elements and heavy metals in food samples and also detect mycotoxins, additives, and preservatives. Amul aims to provide organic testing results meeting international standards to organic farmers and industry players at an affordable price.

The laboratory supports market demand for organic

Uttar Pradesh government launched ‘Mahila Samarthya Yojana’ (MSY) in the budget of 2021-22 to promote producer-owned enterprises exclusively owned by women

Uttar Pradesh government has mandated NDDB Dairy Services (NDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to promote women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship by setting up women-owned milk producer companies to harness the dairying potential of UP’s 17 districts. A milk producer company is a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) which embodies principles that are similar to Cooperatives.

Encouraged by the results of Balinee Milk Producer Company, Jhansi and Kashee Milk Producer Company, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh government launched ‘Mahila Samarthya Yojana’ (MSY) in the budget of 2021-22 to promote producer-owned enterprises exclusively owned by women and had allocated an amount of Rs. 200 Crore in the budget. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh praised Balinee as a model organisation for women during last year’s IDF World Dairy Summit 2022.

The project will be anchored by UP State Rural Livelihood Mission and the technical support will be provided by NDS. Under a collaborative agreement between UPSRLM and NDS, 3 women Milk Producer Companies (MPCs) have been incorporated, namely, Saamarthya Milk Producer Company, Raebareli; Baba Gorakhnath Kripaa Milk Producer Company, Gorakhpur and Srijanee Milk Producer Company, Bareilly which will together procure milk from over 2,800 villages of 17 districts enrolling 1.50 lakh women dairy farmers and procuring over 7 lakh litres of milk per day by the fifth year of operations. 

On the initiative, C. Indumathy, State Mission Director, UP SRLM said, “MSY is a path-breaking scheme of the U.P. government to promote women empowerment through skilling of rural women and supporting their entrepreneurship. Since its announcement, GoUP has earmarked a substantial outlay towards the implementation of the scheme and we are progressing well. UPSRLM, by using the expertise of NDS, is aiming at not only promoting women’s entrepreneurship in rural UP substantially but also bring about a fundamental change in the lives of these women and their families, thereby realising the vision of Yogi Adityanath Ji – Empowered woman makes the state power.”

Meenesh Shah, Chairman, of NDDB & NDDB Dairy Services said, “Uttar Pradesh is the second largest milk-producing state in the country, however, the state still has a large untapped potential and focused interventions in the State through producer-owned enterprises can immensely contribute to realising the Government’s vision of ‘Making India Dairy for the World’. This initiative of bringing together the women dairy farmers will not only provide market access and livelihood to women farmers but will also unleash the entrepreneurship potential of women belonging to the targeted 17 districts which are predominantly rural.”

Uttar Pradesh government launched ‘Mahila Samarthya Yojana’

It aims to implement best technologies of Israel in a tailor-made context for the Indian requirements and pilot sustainable technologies to ensure water security for the country.

The Government of Israel is partnering with India through the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish an ‘India – Israel Center of Water Technology’ (CoWT) in Water Resources Management and Water Technologies at IIT Madras.

A letter of Intent was signed at New Delhi on 9th May 2023 by Mr. Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India, in presence of S. Jaishankar and Mr. Eli Cohen, Hon’ble External Affairs Ministers of India and Israel, respectively, in the presence of Prof. T. Pradeep, Institute Professor, IIT Madras.

The two Governments also intend to jointly identify specific projects relating to integrated water resources management, Urban water supply and non-revenue water, water and sewage recycling, IoT solution and online monitoring, water harvesting, smart data management and AI, among other areas, with the objective of demonstrating most advanced technologies in the field.

Israel, a strategic partner to India, is a global leader in Integrated Water Resources Management. The MoHUA will collaborate with MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, to establish this new centre, which will be located at IIT Madras.

A key objective of this new centre would be to ensure the implementation of Israel’s best technologies being practised in a tailor-made context for the Indian requirements and work on sustainable management solutions for the Indian water sector.

Speaking about this partnership between India and Israel, Dr. Lior Asaf, Water Attache, Embassy of Israel said, “The partnership with IIT Madras is very important and with our partners in Central Government (AMRUT) and IITM, we will jointly work for better management of Water Resources of India. This will be done with a focus on introduction of new state of art Israeli technology and know-how in a more sustainable manner.”

This upcoming Centre will help the ‘AMRUT’ Mission of the MoHUA for achieving its overall targets. In addition, it will pursue joint activities for implementing technological solutions through separate agreements.

It aims to implement best technologies of

With the support of Bayer, ICAR-NRCP will develop the model orchard for technology demonstrations and also will formulate and evaluate the IDIPM protection schedule with European Union

Bayer Crop Sciences Limited and ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) To strengthen the public-private partnership

The main objective of the research collaboration is to develop the Integrated Pest & Disease management schedule (IDIPM) for export-quality pomegranate production and to establish a model pomegranate orchard at NRCP Solapur.

Dr Rajiv Marathe, Director, ICAR-NRCP, Solapur, and Yogesh Mohite, Crop Lead Horticulture, and plantation crops IBSL, Bayer Crop Sciences Ltd. India signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

Dr Marathe highlighted the production, protection, and processing technologies developed by ICAR-NRCP for pomegranate farmers. He further added the importance of the MoU to strengthen the public-private partnership for cash crops like pomegranate and its use for pomegranate farmers willing to export to the European market.

According to the MoU, with the support of Bayer, ICAR-NRCP will develop the model orchard for technology demonstrations and also will formulate and evaluate the IDIPM protection schedule with European Union (EU) Maximum Residue Level (MRL) and Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) for export quality pomegranate production. This schedule will take into account of set guidelines of MRL and PHI of the European Union for pomegranate export intended for the European market and the USA.

The IDIPM schedule will be evaluated for 2 seasons at the NRCP orchard and 4 farmer’s fields from 3rd year onwards. This project also includes capacity-building activities of farmers and officials as per the requirement.

With the support of Bayer, ICAR-NRCP will

Aquanetix’s farm management software is in use at more than 200 farms in 31 countries

Innovasea, a global leader in technologically advanced aquatic solutions for aquaculture and fish tracking, announced today that it has purchased Aquanetix, a UK-based aquaculture software company, and moved its operations to a new office in Greece.

Founded in 2015, Aquanetix’s cloud-based aquaculture management software provides customers with deep insights into farm operations.

“Acquiring a company of Aquanetix’s calibre presents an exciting opportunity for us,” said Innovasea CEO David Kelly. “By adding its powerful farm management capabilities to our suite of real-time aquaculture intelligence solutions, we’ll be rounding out our precision aquaculture platform and further helping our customers make data-driven decisions to improve operations, run more efficiently and sustainably and become more profitable.”

Diogo Thomaz, Aquanetix co-founder and CEO and his team have been retained by Innovasea and the company will be hiring additional personnel to staff the new office in Corinth, Greece.

“We’re thrilled to become part of the Innovasea family and add our farm management software to its strong portfolio of egg-to-harvest aquaculture solutions,” said Thomaz. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to make additional investments into our business to enhance our existing tools and better serve our customers.”

Terms of the deal, which closed earlier this year, were not disclosed.

Aquanetix’s farm management software is used at more than 200 farms in 31 countries and is currently used to grow more than 30 species of fish and shrimp. By offering it alongside Realfish Pro, Innovasea has a complete suite of precision aquaculture tools that can handle all aspects of running a fish farm – from real-time environmental monitoring and control capabilities to powerful analytics that improve operations and decision-making.

Innovasea’s move into Greece is its second major expansion in the last three years. In 2020 it opened a full-service office in Puerto Varas, Chile.

Headquartered in the United States, Innovasea also has offices in Canada, Norway and Australia.

Aquanetix’s farm management software is in use

About 800 farmers in the region get the advantage of exclusive claims of a specific geographical origin and qualities under Intellectual Property Rights

The Queen pineapple of Tripura along with 12 other fruits and vegetables of the Northeast have received a geographical indication (GI) tag with the initiative of the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC).

Arunachal Orange, Mizo Chilli, Kachai Lemon, Khasi Mandarin, Tezpur Litchi, Sikkim Large Cardamom, Karbi Anglong Ginger, Naga Tree Tomato, ‘Chak-Hao’ Black Rice, Memang Narang, Dalle Khursani and Naga Sweet Cucumber have also got the GI tag.

The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region has facilitated the process of GI tagging and authorised about 800 farmers in the region to get the advantage of exclusive claims of a specific geographical origin and qualities under Intellectual Property Rights across the globe.

After NERAMAC, authorised these farmers, working in groups, to use its certifications, the decision is expected to boost the promotion of these unique products of the northeast in the international and domestic markets.

Tripura is producing the world-renowned Queen Pineapple – spiny, golden yellow in colour, with a distinctive aroma, and has high juice content, tanginess, and sweetness that sets it apart from the pineapples grown in the other Northeast states. The northern parts of Tripura are also producing the Kew verity pineapple, which is also juicy and sweet in taste but bigger in size till the middle of the monsoon.

About 800 farmers in the region get

Tomar said that a lot of success has been achieved in organic farming in the North Eastern region

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister launched Tripura’s famous organic Queen Pineapple at a function in Delhi. Ratanlal Nath, Tripura’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Energy and Parliamentary Affairs Minister was also present on the occasion. In the program, Agriculture Minister Tomar said that the development of the North Eastern region is the priority of the Government, the Central Government is continuously working there and Tripura and other North East states are making rapid progress.

In a function organised by Tripura Government and State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation (SIMFED) at Dilli Haat, INA, Union Agriculture Minister Tomar said that the North East region is the main concern of all of us, which was neglected earlier and the budget allocation for it was also less.

Tomar said that a lot of success has been achieved in organic farming in the North Eastern region, Sikkim has been declared as an organic state, while Tripura is also moving on this path, which is commendable. Agriculture Minister Tomar said that agriculture is developing a lot in the states of the North Eastern region. The products of this sector have made the mark in the global market and exports are increasing. Even now, there is a lot of potential for the development of agriculture and horticulture in the North Eastern region. Farmers in the Northeast are benefiting through organic farming.

On this occasion, the uniqueness, quality and usefulness of Tripura’s organic Queen Pineapple was displayed and a tasting session was also held.

Tomar said that a lot of success

With this investment, Ayekart will be able to tap into the extensive network of farmers and other stakeholders in the Indian vegetable market.

Ayekart Fintech, a leading digital technology platform for the food and agriculture value chain, has announced a minority investment in Nature’s Fresh Express, a pioneer in producing and supplying exotic vegetables. The move aims to strengthen Ayekart’s product portfolio and expand its retail offerings while supporting the growth of Nature’s Fresh Express.

This investment marks a significant milestone in Ayekart’s growth strategy and demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing innovative businesses that are transforming India’s agricultural sector. With this investment, Ayekart will be able to tap into the extensive network of farmers and other stakeholders in the Indian vegetable market, providing the platform with the necessary resources to compete effectively in this space.

Commenting on the announcement, Debarshi Dutta, CEO & Co-founder of Ayekart, said, “We are excited to partner with Nature’s Fresh Express and support their growth. With its expertise in producing and supplying exotic vegetables, Nature’s Fresh Express has the potential to transform the vegetable market in India, and we are pleased to be part of this journey. Ayekart looks forward to accelerating its growth and enhancing its reputation as a leading provider of digital solutions for traditional businesses and the agricultural value chain.”

The latest investment positions Ayekart well to become a leader in the Agri-fintech market in India. As traditional businesses in India continue to adopt digital technologies and automate their processes, there is an increasing demand for homegrown exotic vegetables and fruits. Agri-tech companies in India have a tremendous opportunity to capture this growing demand by creating products that address the specific needs of Indian consumers.

Sameer Mulani, Founder of Nature’s Fresh Express, added, “We are delighted to have Ayekart as our investor and partner in this venture. Their extensive experience and in-house technology solutions will be invaluable as we work towards scaling up the exotic vegetable market.”

Nature’s Fresh Express is a Pune-based company specializing in growing various exotic vegetables. The company was founded in 2005, and its operations are based on organized farming across pan-India by associating farmers with their produce. Nature’s Fresh Express has partnered with more than 1000 farmers to date, and its customers include Godrej Nature Basket, CCI, Pizza Hut, Tacobel, Subway, TFS KFC, BOX8, Haiko Supermarket, and many more. With its network spanning five states—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, MP, and Kolkata—the company is rapidly expanding and will soon establish its presence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

With this investment, Ayekart will be able

To enable farmers, develop and maintain, their oil palm garden during gestation period of first 5 years.

Godrej Agrovet’s Oil Palm Business announced the launch of first-of-its-kind finance offering for oil palm farmers in partnership the State Bank of India (SBI). A product jointly developed by the company and country’s leading public sector bank will enable farmers avail loan for setting up micro irrigation facility, set up fencing arrangement to protect from cattle grazing and improvement of tube well at their oil palm farms. Introduced with an objective of aiding oil palm growth by improving Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) productivity, it will act as a catalyst to maintain juvenile gardens during the gestation period of first 5 years.

Sougata Niyogi, CEO, Oil Palm Business, Godrej Agrovet said, “The partnership with SBI is a testament of our company’s efforts to improve farmer’s confidence in sustainable oil palm farming. With no income visibility during the long gestation period, this partnership will aid bridge the gap for their finance needs during the initial years.”

“The implementation of National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has generated a new sense of excitement and momentum in the oil palm industry since its launch in August 2021. Being a leading player, we will continue to provide solution for industry’s expansion and prosperity,” he further added.

Launched initially for the oil palm farmers of Telangana state, Godrej Agrovet farmers from the states of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Manipur and Tripura can now easily avail loan with the ticket-size of Rs 1 Lac to Rs 50 Crore.

Commenting on first-of-its kind Horticulture Loan, K.V.L.N. Murthy, A.G.M. ABU Hyderabad, SBI, said, “We’re happy to partner with Godrej Agrovet in nation’s quest to reduce import of oil palm. With no security needed for a loan up to Rs 1.6 Lacs, the product is ideal for farmers venturing into oil palm farming for the first time. With the entire process being facilitated by Godrej Agrovet, a farmer can easily understand product integrities and apply for the same at Samadhan centers of the company. We’re confident of extending this product to more oil palm farmers of our country in the coming months.”

Godrej Agrovet is the largest oil palm processor in India and works directly with the farmers for the entire lifecycle of their crop. With 65,000 hectares of palm oil under cultivation across the country, the company plans to increase cultivation by 1 Lac hectares by 2027. Through its Samadhan centres, a one stop solution centre, it provides a comprehensive package of knowledge, tools, services, and solutions to oil palm farmers. Each Samadhan centre intends to support the planting of 2,000 hectares of oil palm and help farmers achieve a sustained productivity in mature gardens through the use of modern agricultural technologies and expert advice. The partnership with the SBI is another step to boost income and productivity of oil palm farmers.

To enable farmers, develop and maintain, their

Representatives from over 120 countries are expected to attend

Seafood Expo Eurasia will take place in Istanbul from December 7-9, 2023 and is an eagerly anticipated event for the international fishery industry.

With representatives from over 120 countries expected to attend, the exhibition promises to be a truly global experience, breaking down geographical and political barriers and bringing together fishery companies from around the world.

The event will take place at the TUYAP Fair and Congress Centre and will occupy 2 pavilions, offering a wide range of sectors, including catching and processing, shipbuilding and ship repair, equipment and components, aquaculture, logistics and storage, product distribution, and final products. What sets Seafood Expo Eurasia apart is its unique ability to provide a platform for small and mid-sized fishery companies that may go unnoticed at larger exhibitions, as well as big industry players, to make new connections and seize big opportunities.

Seafood Expo Eurasia is designed with a business-focused approach in mind, catering to the unique needs of attendees and offering a flexible approach, ensuring a stress-free and successful experience. With 46 per cent of visitors being business owners, CEOs, and top managers who make decisions or influence them, this event provides a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to connect and collaborate.

Representatives from over 120 countries are expected

The five-day event also discusses the role of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as future importers and self-sufficient markets

Dairy Olympics 2023 will be held in Uzbekistan during 21-26 May in partnership with Agritechnica and EuroTier. As part of the international conference program to be held with over 400 visitors, themed tours to farms and processing plants will be organised.

At the 14th Dairy Olympics, an international conference event addressing region-relevant dairy topics is being held this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the DLG (German Agricultural Society) will be contributing with its dairy know-how and management as well as farm equipment expertise. DLG’s two world-leading Germany-based exhibitions, Agritechnica, the international agricultural machinery exhibition, and EuroTier, the trade fair for animal farming and livestock management, will feature as partners with a contributing expert participating in the conference program from 21-26 May.

Designated as an official Agritechnica on Tour stop, which explores regional farm machinery topics, the Dairy Olympics is expected to attract 400 visitors from neighbouring countries including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as international experts.

The venue of Uzbekistan is interesting as it is not only one of the most populous countries in Central Asia but also one of the youngest. Agriculture plays an important role in the overall economy, employing over a quarter of the workforce, with a government program seeking to reform the sector, using modern genetics, production methods and a consistent feed system. Water management is a major challenge and the country is still coping with the legacy of its recent past. Some 27 million hectares of arable land represent 63 per cent of Uzbekistan’s total land area.

The five-day event not only explores the Uzbek dairy sector in-depth but also discusses the role of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as future importers and self-sufficient markets, as well as the position of Turkey in the region. Current technological, social and humanitarian challenges in the industry will be topics of discourse throughout the conference, a highlight of which will be the DLG’s expert contribution, entitled ‘Crises and sustainability policies: impact on dairy farming’ and presented by Dr Olga Hunger, Area Director Eastern Europe, DLG.

The five-day event also discusses the role

The policy will help stabilise apple prices in the local market by reducing the oversupply of cheap imported apples

The central government has introduced the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for apples, a move that has been widely celebrated by local farmers. This decision aims to protect the interests by preventing tax-free imports of apples from other countries, ensuring a level playing field for the local apple industry.

According to the policy, any apple costing less than Rs 50 per kg cannot be imported, effectively levelling the playing field for local farmers and providing a much-needed boost to the local apple industry. The introduction of MIP brings several benefits to the apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir. The policy will help stabilise apple prices in the local market by reducing the oversupply of cheap imported apples. This stability will enable local farmers to fetch better prices for their produce, thereby improving their profitability and income.

Additionally, the MIP will boost the overall morale of the apple farming community, as they will no longer have to fear losing the market share to imported apples that enjoy an unfair price advantage. The news of the government’s decision to implement the MIP has been met with widespread relief and optimism among J&K apple growers.

The policy will help stabilise apple prices

Move to ensure the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for revision in Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for various nutrients i.e. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S) for Rabi Season 2022-23 and approved NBS rates for Kharif Season, 2023 for Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers.

The Subsidy on P&K fertilisers is governed by the NBS Scheme. The government has approved a revision in the NBS rates for Rabi 2022-2023 effective from 01.01.23 to 31.03.2023 and approved the NBS rates for Kharif, 2023 to make available 25 grades of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices.

The government will be providing a subsidy of Rs. 38,000 crores for Kharif 2023 to fulfil its commitment to providing quality and subsidised P&K fertilisers to farmers. The Cabinet decision will have the two-fold benefit of ensuring the availability of DAP and other P&K fertilisers to farmers at subsidised, affordable and reasonable prices during the Kharif season and will also ensure rationalisation of subsidy on P&K fertilisers.

Move to ensure the availability of fertilisers

It is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to come together and learn about the latest developments in the seaweed industry

The Seagriculture EU 2023 conference, the leading conference for the seaweed industry, will be taking place from 21 – 22 June 2023 in Trondheim, Norway. This two-day event will explore the vast potential of seaweed in various applications such as feed, food, offshore cultivation, investment and business aspects, as well as biorefinery of seaweed and much more.

“We are thrilled to welcome all seaweed enthusiasts in Trondheim. It is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to come together and learn about the latest developments in the seaweed industry,” said Silje Forbord from the event sponsor SINTEF. “Seagriculture EU 2023 offers a diverse range of sessions and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for anyone interested in the seaweed industry.”

According to the organisers, the programme includes six plenary sessions and a panel discussion, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and opportunities in the seaweed industry. Top speakers from the industry will share their know-how and insights and it will also feature poster presentations where researchers will have the opportunity to present their latest findings to fellow conference delegates.

In addition, the accompanying trade show will provide companies within the seaweed industry with a platform to showcase their products and services to other industry professionals. This aims to facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities among attendees, while also allowing them to stay informed about the latest developments in the field.

It is a unique opportunity for industry