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The project will also focus on water management for crops and human use through soil and moisture conservation measures

Ambuja Foundation has partnered with NABARD to implement the Bari Watershed Development Project in the Ropar district of Punjab. With the success of a pilot capacity-building program in 2020, the partnership continued with a watershed initiative.

Bari in Ropar faces water scarcity being a sub-mountain region that receives about 80 per cent of total rainfall. Other problems include climatic conditions, soil erosion, and land degradation resulting in low income from agriculture and animal husbandry. Under this project, as the implementation partner, Ambuja Foundation will focus on soil conservation and improving soil quality, water management, conserving biodiversity, climate proofing activities, women empowerment, and livelihood along with capacity building in the area.

The project will also focus on water management for crops and human use through soil and moisture conservation measures. With its integrated approach, the Ambuja team will support in building staggered contour trenches, farm ponds, percolation tanks, waste weir, check dams, gabion structures, and gully plug along with driving plantation drives and recharging pits.

Under climate-proofing activities, the foundation will target 85 households and encourage them to install sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, consider crop diversification, kitchen gardening, and fruit cultivation to increase income, manage crop residue, and set up light traps. Ambuja Foundation will also organize training sessions for women to learn better dairy farming practices and livestock rearing to create alternate income.

The project will also focus on water

Global Microbial Consortium will engage with industry experts to establish the commercial potential of identified microbial strains.

The WBF Research Foundation has taken a giant leap forward in revolutionising the agricultural industry with the formation of the Global Microbial Consortium.Biological agriculture (BioAg), which includes biocontrol (crop protection), b1iostimulants (crop enhancement), and biofertilisers (crop nutrition), is a fast-growing segment of agriculture, offering safe and sustainable alternatives for the management of pests and diseases, and plant health.

The Global Microbial Consortium has been formed, under the WBF Research Foundation (part of the WBF Group). Chaired by Professor Shashi Sharma, esteemed Adjunct Professor at the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Australia, the Global Microbial Consortium will establish an international network of institutions committed to identifying and developing microbial-based solutions for biocontrol, biostimulants, and biofertilizers. This will promote the discovery and development of novel microbial agents that are effective, safe, and sustainable alternatives to chemicals and other harmful control methods.

The Global Microbial Consortium is underpinned by a vision to create a world in which microbes are widely used for plant health management, and recognised as a key resource for sustainable agriculture. By harnessing the power of microbes, and the expertise of a global network of researchers, it aims to revolutionise the way we manage pests, diseases and plant health, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals and improving the health and well-being of people and the planet.

“With recent advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, researchers have the ability to conduct high-throughput screening of microbes, while bioinformatics tools and techniques can analyse the genomes of microbes and identify the genes responsible for specific traits,” said Professor Sharma, Chairman of the WBF Research Foundation. “However, unless we have a way to co-ordinate and interpret these global efforts and findings, various opportunities for utilising all this information for bio-solutions could be missed.”

The WBF Research Foundation will operate and manage Global Microbial Consortium. By establishing connections with existing initiatives and institutions on soil microbiomes and microbial-based solutions, the plan is to review and streamline the process for sharing and screening microbial diversity, and to identify potential biocontrol agents, biostimulants and biofertilizers including species and strains of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses. This will involve several stages of testing and evaluation, from discovery to commercialization.

The Global Microbial Consortium will serve as a hub for sharing information on microbial strains. It will connect researchers and institutions to facilitate international screening and evaluation of microbes, and it will engage with industry experts to establish the commercial potential of identified microbial strains.

Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and Chairman of the WBF, commented, “The WBF was founded to connect different stakeholders across the bio-solution sector, with the goals of advancing innovation and commercialisation The establishment of the Global Microbial Consortium under the WBF Research Foundation demonstrates the organization’s commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally responsible biobased solutions for agriculture and environmental remediation.”

Global Microbial Consortium will engage with industry

LPU’s MSc Plant Breeding programme pass out Sumant Bindal is currently the Director of RK Seed Farms

Sumant Bindal, an innovative agricultural entrepreneur from Lovely Professional University, was recently invited to the World Vegetable Centre Consortium in Taiwan to strengthen agricultural R&D initiatives. His membership in the consortium was facilitated by the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA).

LPU’s MSc Plant Breeding programme pass out Sumant Bindal is currently the Director of RK Seed Farms (R). Sumant, who has received excellent training at LPU, is passionate about plant breeding and the creation of new vegetable varieties.

While he was a student at LPU, Sumant was granted the Rs One Crore+ Scholarship for PhD Programme from Australian National University (ANU). It’s important to note that ANU only provides PhD Scholarships to a small number of scholars from throughout the world. He used the skills he had learned in Australia in India’s extensive agricultural fields in order to benefit both the nation and its farmers.

LPU’s MSc Plant Breeding programme pass out Sumant

Syngenta will commercialize products containing mixtures of Tetflupyrolimet for rice in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, as well as in Japan and South Korea.

Switzerland based Syngenta Crop Protection and FMC Corporation announced an agreement to bring to market a breakthrough technology to control grass weeds in rice in Asia. The new active ingredient Tetflupyrolimet, discovered and developed by FMC with support from Syngenta for the development in rice, marks the first major herbicide with a novel mode of action (DHODH – HRAC Group 28) in over three decades, promising relief to farmers challenged by weed resistance to existing herbicides.

Under the agreement, Syngenta and FMC will both bring Tetflupyrolimet based products to key rice markets in Asia. Syngenta will register and commercialize Tetflupyrolimet in China – the world’s largest rice market. In addition, Syngenta will commercialize products containing mixtures of Tetflupyrolimet for rice in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, as well as in Japan and South Korea. FMC will register and commercialize Tetflupyrolimet and an array of products in all these countries, except in China where it will focus on mixtures for rice. Syngenta will further exclusively commercialize Tetflupyrolimet for rice in Bangladesh.

Tetflupyrolimet boosts the yield and quality of rice production by delivering season-long control of the most significant grass weeds, which compete with the crop for water, fertilizer, light and space, and host pests and diseases that impact rice farming. A further benefit of this technology is that it can be used at low rates with good crop safety. In addition to being easy to apply in traditional transplanted rice, the herbicide is also highly suited to direct-seeded rice, paving the way for the greater adoption of modern and more environmentally friendly cropping systems.

“This innovation will drive a step-change in the yield and quality of rice harvests, address the growing challenge of weed resistance, and could transform the lives of millions of rice farmers,” said Ioana Tudor, Global Head of Marketing at Syngenta Crop Protection. “At Syngenta, we are excited by the potential of this new technology to elevate the sustainability of global rice production.”

Syngenta will commercialize products containing mixtures of

It is building a platform that leverages gene editing techniques to fix the innate immune system of crops

Resurrect Bio, a biotechnology startup announce the completion of a seed investment round which totals £1.61million. The investment was led by SynBioVen and also included UKI2S, AgFunder and SHAKE Climate Change Accelerator.

Resurrect Bio is a spin-out company of The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich.  It is building a platform that leverages gene editing techniques to fix the innate immune system of crops and make crops more resistant to disease, which is critical if we want to reduce the use of agrichemicals while feeding an increasing world population.

Resurrect Bio uses the latest scientific discoveries, combining a unique blend of computational biology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and synthetic biology methods to rapidly identify and resurrect native disease-resistance genes in crops. With this new investment, Resurrect Bio will accelerate product development and strengthen its underlying disease-resistance trait-discovery platform.

The company partners with key members of the seed industry to enable the rapid delivery of gene-edited disease-resistant seeds so that farmers will be provided with the option to enhance their crop yield and reduce dependence on agrichemicals.

Recently the Precision Breeding Act received royal assent and it is anticipated that gene-edited crops will become much more accessible in England.

“Resurrect Bio is thrilled to have secured this investment from such a strong group of partners who share our vision of delivering disease-resistant crops to farmers,” said Dr Cian Duggan, CEO of Resurrect Bio. “This funding will enable us to accelerate our mission and make significant strides towards more sustainable agriculture.”

“Oliver Sexton, Investment Director UKI2S commented, ‘The fund backs world-changing technology at an early stage and Resurrect Bio is a great example of that ambition. Its platform will lead to reduced pesticide use and UKI2S is delighted to help Cian and the team build their technology.”

It is building a platform that leverages

Projects of value Rs. 14659.12 Crores have been approved by the Government till March

Under the flagship Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana(PMMSY) seven major field studies are being carried out by the autonomous body, National Productivity Council (NPC). While speaking at an occasion held at NPC headquarters in New Delhi, to launch these interventions under PMMSY, ParshottamRupala Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said, “PMMSY has proved to be transformative in boosting the contribution of the fisheries sector to the country’s GDP. Innovative and proactive measures by the Government of India along with stakeholders are bringing about a new blue revolution. The new field studies by NPC would help the Department further strengthen its mechanisms of delivery.”

Union Minister informed that the major field studies would be undertaken in seven areas such as Best practices in the fish marketing system of Andhra Pradesh and dissemination through workshop; Agro-climatic zone-specific mapping of innovative fishing Practices for enhancing Production and Productivity in the Upper Gangetic Plain Region; Design improvement in storage containers used in the supply chain for inland and marine fishes by vendors; Improvement in fish marketing infrastructure of Ghazipur and Howrah fish markets; Evaluation of RAS and Biofloc technologies and their dissemination through workshop; Strengthen monitoring mechanism of implementation of PMMSY and Assessment of post-harvest losses in inland and marine fisheries and to suggest measures to minimise these losses. NPC would complete the field studies in about nine months.

Rupala further added that “while aiming at enhancing production and productivity, the PMMSY offers a wide range of activities for the benefit of fishers, fish farmers, youth, women, entrepreneurs etc. The Scheme has facilitated cluster development, economies of scale, enhanced competitiveness of the fisheries sector, generation of higher incomes to the stakeholders, etc. While accelerating growth and expansion of the sector in an organised manner, the PMMSY has created a conducive environment for the development of entrepreneurship and encouraged private sector participation”.

Union Minister said that the Govt. has provided financial assistance under PMMSY to individuals and groups engaged in the fishing industry and to build critical infrastructure and supply chains to support the industry and PMMSY has received overwhelming responses from states/UTs and projects of value Rs. 14659.12 Crores have been approved by the Govt till March.

Projects of value Rs. 14659.12 Crores have

The partnership aims to usher in a transformative approach to agricultural water management and enabling sustainable farming practices.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA), and the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Government of Maharashtra have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on May 16, to propel a new era in groundwater augmentation across seven districts in Maharashtra using a landscape approach.

Through this landmark partnership, ICRISAT and GSDA strive to usher in a transformative approach to agricultural water management, enabling sustainable farming practices and securing water resources for future generations.

Chintamani Joshi (IAS), Commissioner of GSDA, expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with a world-class organization like ICRISAT. He emphasized on the pressing need to enhance agriculture water use efficiency and conserve vital groundwater resources.

“This agreement aims to fulfil the needs and requirements of farmers. In the face of climate uncertainties and excessive groundwater extraction, this partnership with ICRISAT will usher in a new era in dryland agriculture in Maharashtra,” said Joshi.

This collaborative initiative titled ‘Water budget based NRM planning and groundwater recharge’ uses a landscape approach for groundwater augmentation. The initiative is mapped to Atal Bhujal Yojana, a flagship program of the Government of India’s Jal Shakti Mantralaya. This initiative will directly benefit more than 3000 farming families covering 10,000 ha with a population of more than 13,000 across seven districts viz., Satara, Solapur, Pune, Latur, Jalna, Nasik and Nagpur. Large-scale indirect benefits include various ecosystem services and strengthening the capacity of various stakeholders.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, conveyed her delight in working together with the Government of Maharashtra. “With ICRISAT’s decades of experience and expertise in agricultural water management, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of farmers and the environment. We look forward to working hand in hand with the Government of Maharashtra. Together, we will pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector, ensuring a sustainable agri-food system ​ for generations to come.” said Dr Hughes.

Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, thanked the Government of Maharashtra and Mr Sanjay Jaiswal (IAS), Principal Secretary of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, GoM, for providing this opportunity.

Dr Kumar added, “We eagerly anticipate close collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra in the field of water conservation and the establishment of learning sites in the seven districts. The knowledge gained from these sites can also benefit other regions in India and beyond”

This initiative is unique as it surpasses mere water conservation efforts by aiming to transform dryland agri-food systems through an integrated systems approach at the landscape level. Spanning the entire value chain, from seed to market, this approach capitalizes on the core strengths of ICRISAT across its three global research programs.

The partnership aims to usher in a

The new Integrated Bio Control Laboratory (BC Lab) is a state-of-the-art laboratory in NIPHM

Narendra Singh Tomar, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare inaugurated the Integrated Biological Control Laboratory at the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) Hyderabad, Telangana.

After inaugurating the lab, he emphasised that the use of biocontrol for pests is necessary to overcome the adverse effects of excessive pesticide use in different crops as well as to reduce the cost of cultivation and to increase farmers’ income. He underlined the need that the technologies developed in the laboratory should be taken to the farmers who have the least access to information so that they can be convinced about the benefits of these technologies. He emphasised that there should not be any pesticide residue in organically produced agricultural commodities which are being exported to foreign markets to keep up with the brand image of the Country. He congratulated all the staff and officials of NIPHM on the new Integrated Biocontrol Laboratory building and expressed hope that they will rededicate themselves to the cause of taking the technology to the farmers.

The new Integrated Bio Control Laboratory (BC Lab) is a state-of-the-art laboratory in NIPHM, that has facilities for giving hands-on experience on production methodologies for Biopesticides, Biocontrol agents like predators and parasitoids, Entomopathogenic fungi, Biofertilisers, NPV, Pheromone and Botanicals. The use of bio-control agents, bio-pesticides, and bio-fertilisers will help in reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, consequently, reducing the adverse effects on the environment and human health and contributing to improved Soil and Plant Health. The BC Lab will also have an Insect Museum, weed museum, exhibition hall, Natural Farming Cell etc. to showcase the specimens of agriculturally important insects and weeds in the best preserved or live forms.

The new Integrated Biocontrol Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and the labs are staffed with highly qualified faculty members.NIPHM promotes sustainable agricultural practices such as Agro Ecosystem Analysis (AESA) and Ecological Engineering (EE) for pest management with enhanced use of different biological agents, bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers. NIPHM is conducting regular training programs on various aspects of insect pests and disease management in different crops. The training programmes are attended by officers working in different states, scientists/academicians from Agricultural Universities, KVKs, ICAR institutes, students, farmers, DPPQ&S and private organisations.

The new Integrated Bio Control Laboratory (BC

Parties to FAO global agreement endorse a strategy for strengthened global commitment and information exchange

Parties to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (PSMA) have agreed to strengthen efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by extending vessel inspections, exchanging global information and improving the capacity of developing states.

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties, an event hosted by the Indonesian Government in Bali, has endorsed a strategy to increase adherence to the PSMA.

The Parties also agreed to take the Global Information Exchange System (GIES), a digital system developed by FAO at the request of the Parties, from its current pilot phase to a fully operational system by the end of this year.

“FAO is working with countries and regional fisheries management organisations to combat IUU fishing, by reviewing national legislation, identifying ways to strengthen their institutional capacity, and helping them enhance their monitoring and surveillance systems, so they can effectively implement the PSMA and other international instruments to promote sustainable fisheries,” said Manuel Barange, the director of FAO’s fisheries and aquaculture division.

Currently, one in three fish stocks is overfished. With the rising demand for aquatic foods, ensuring that all stocks are managed sustainably is crucial.

The PSMA has the highest rate of adherence of all international fisheries instruments. It is the first binding international agreement designed to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing by stopping foreign vessels engaging in it, from using ports, landing their catches, or even denying them entry. It is a key instrument to block fish products derived from IUU fishing from entering international markets.

So far 75 Parties, including the European Union as one Party on behalf of its Member States, have adhered to the PSMA. This represents 59 per cent of port States globally. Timor-Leste became the latest Party to the agreement at the end of last month.  

The Global Information Exchange System (GIES) plays a critical role in supporting the implementation of the PSMA. It is a global system that shares vital information including inspection reports and actions taken on foreign fishing vessels engaged in IUU fishing.

“We need streamlined information exchange and digitalisation for the PSMA to effectively combat IUU fishing,” said Matthew Camilleri, senior fishery officer and head of the Fisheries Global and Regional Processes Team in FAO’s fisheries and aquaculture division.

During this Fourth Meeting of the Parties, Parties to the PSMA pledged further support to the Global Capacity Development Programme, which has to date supported more than 50 developing States in improving their capacity to combat IUU fishing.

Parties to FAO global agreement endorse a

The company’s revenue increased by 14 per cent over the previous year.

Agrochemical major, Rallis India announced the financial results of fourth quarter of FY2023. Company has reported revenue of Rs 523 crore in Q4FY23, an increase of 3 per cent over Q4FY22 of Rs 508 crore. The company’s exports recorded a revenue of Rs 979 crore in FY23. The company’s revenue increased by 14 per cent over the previous year. The Crop Nutrition business grew by 22 per cent. Domestic crop care business grew by 12 per cent and exports by 25 per cent during the year.

According to the release by the company, Seed’s revenue at Rs 345 crore was impacted mainly due to segmental shifts in Paddy and due to a supply shortfall in Maize.

  • Q4FY23 summary
    • Revenues of Rs 523 crore for Q4FY23, an increase of 3 per cent over Q4FY22 of Rs 508 crore
    • Loss after tax (after exceptional items) was (Rs 69) crore for Q4FY23, as compared to loss after tax (after exceptional items) of (Rs 14) crore in Q4FY22.
  • FY23 summary
    • Revenues of Rs 2,967 crore for FY23, an increase of 14 per cent over FY22 of Rs 2,604 crore
    • Profit after tax (after exceptional items) was Rs 92 crore in FY23, as compared to FY22 profit after tax (after exceptional items) of Rs 164 crore

Sanjiv Lal, Managing Director, and CEO, of Rallis India, said, “We have recognised a provision for slow moving/non-moving inventory Rs 52.8 crore and impairment in intangible assets Rs 30.4 crore. Work is underway to stabilise the business and improve its unit economics. The positive response to Diggaz, a cotton brand for North India, is encouraging.”

For FY24, there are forecasts of the likely onset of El Nino effects and efforts are underway to mitigate its business impact.

On a longer-term basis, our capex plans, new product introduction plans and demand generation investments remain on course. Our focus on Technology & Digital Transformation projects in our operations will continue.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Rallis’ incorporation. We want to thank all our stakeholders for supporting us in this journey. We have themed the milestone as ‘Rooted in Values. Seeding Growth’ and as we continue Serving Farmers through Science.”

The company’s revenue increased by 14 per

SA-IMIDAN (Phosmet 50% WP) is suitable for pest management in crops such as Chili, Cotton and Rice.

 New Delhi based Saraswati Group has announced the launch of its new insecticide product SA-IMIDAN (Phosmet 50 % WP) through one of its group companies named Saraswati Agro Life Science exclusively for the Indian market with the Collaboration of Gowan Crop Science, a worldwide Agrochemical Company.

SA-IMIDAN (Phosmet 50 % WP) is a broad spectrum, environment-friendly insecticide and safe for friendly pests. This product will help farmers ensure the greatest and healthiest yield. The Crops on which this pesticide is applied are Chili, Cotton and Rice and the Common Name of Pest which are controlled by this insecticide are Aphids, Thrips, Fruit Borer, Jassids, Aphids, Whitefly, Bollworm, Yellow Stem, Borer (Scirpophagaincertulas), Leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocismedinalis).

SA-IMIDAN (Phosmet 50% WP) is suitable for

Due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Bihar India

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong has announced that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Purnia District and Bhagalpur District of Bihar in India, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry eggs from the areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with India for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no eggs were imported into Hong Kong from India in the first three months of this year.

“The CFS has contacted the Indian authority over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1

Company’s operating income was $465 million versus $902 million, while adjusted operating income was $480 million versus $880 million in the first quarter of last year.

ICL, Israel-based a leading global specialty minerals company, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. Consolidated sales were $2.1 billion versus $2.5 billion. Operating income was $465 million versus $902 million, while adjusted operating income was $480 million versus $880 million in the first quarter of last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $610 million versus $1,002 million. Earnings per share were $0.22 versus $0.49, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.23 versus $0.48.

“ICL delivered another solid first quarter, even as prices pulled back significantly from last year’s peak levels. We are working to leverage opportunities created by geopolitical developments, global sustainability challenges and the current capital markets backdrop, to strengthen long-term value creation through innovative food security and battery materials solutions, while maintaining our focus on consistent cash generation and on driving cost efficiencies,” said Raviv Zoller, president and CEO of ICL. “For the first quarter, we continued to return value to shareholders, as we delivered record operating cash flow of $382 million and announced a dividend of $0.11 per share.”

The company also reiterated its guidance for full year adjusted EBITDA of between $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion, with approximately $1.1 billion of this amount estimated to come from the company’s specialties focused businesses. (1a).

First quarter 2023 summary

  • Sales of $564 million vs. $566 million.
  • EBITDA of $45 million vs. $110 million.
  • Margin decreased, due to destocking during a declining price environment.

Key developments

  • Specialty agriculture: Sales declined versus the prior year, as lower volumes offset higher prices achieved through new product launches.
  • Turf and ornamental: Results softened year-over-year, as higher prices from new product launches were unable to offset weaker ornamental and horticulture sales volumes.
  • Brazil: Sales increased versus the prior year, while profit was impacted by higher-cost inventory.
  • Polysulphate: Sales and profit increased year-over-year, with record production at Boulby of 259,000 metric tons.

Company’s operating income was $465 million versus

Indigenous fish collected and donated from the 16 districts of Nagaland

Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture and Department of Fisheries (ICAR- CIFA) and Aquatic Resources, Government of Nagaland have organised a Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for farmers of Nagaland on scientific aquaculture and inauguration of Aquarium Unit on fish germplasm of Nagaland was held at Brooder Fish Farm Dimapur. Dr Pramoda K. Sahoo director of ICAR-CIFA was present.

The state has a rich infantry of fish species which harvest different kinds of fish as it has 42 aquariums of houses of indigenous fishes collected and donated from the 16 districts of Nagaland.

According to the local media, Nagaland is having different fish species that have the potential to export, fisheries department of Nagaland has requested the farmers and the stakeholders to pass species of fisheries to the department for preservation instead of consumption. CIFA will be going to support aquarium units in the state.

Indigenous fish collected and donated from the