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AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Start ups

FICCI PwC Knowledge Report: Propelling India’s millet sector towards a sustainable future, was released in FICCI Millet Conclave ‘Shree Anna’.

Dr Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, highlighted the emergence of more than 80 startups in the millet sector within the past year and a half, responsible for developing well-packaged products, and acknowledged the innovation from large retail organisations.  Dr Sudhanshu was addressing the FICCI Millet Conclave ‘Shree Anna’.

Dr Sudhanshu emphasised the need for continuous efforts to provide guidance and support to small entrepreneurs and startups in the millet area, recognising the need for handholding rather than focusing solely on large export houses. In addition, he stressed sustaining the momentum after the launch of the campaign and expressing the commitment to take it to the next level.

Reflecting on the past one and a half years, Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops, Oil Seeds), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare noted the significant growth of startups in the millet sector, which has captured the attention of the highest levels of government. She emphasised the importance of making the millet movement a mass movement in India and globally. 

The programme also saw the felicitation of winners of the 2nd Edition of Millet Startup Awards and Millet Idea Competition of Higher Education Students on “Creating India’s Millet Revolution: Game-Changing Idea”. 

On occasion, FICCI PwC Knowledge Report: Propelling India’s millet sector towards a sustainable future, was released. Speaking on the report, Shashi Kant Singh, Partner at PwC India, outlined the policy implications for the next 10 to 15 years, production aspects, awareness creation, innovation, and market development for millets.

Speaking on occasion, TR Kesavan, Chairman of the FICCI National Agriculture Committee & Group President, TAFE, passionately advocated for integrating millets into the regular diet, emphasising its multifaceted benefits, including nutritional value, climatic resilience, and income generation for farmers. He highlighted the challenges in cultivation, the need for mechanisation, and the importance of making millets profitable.

In his address, Dr Khader Vali, known as the Millet Man of India, passionately advocated for millets to eliminate various diseases. He emphasised that millets go beyond nutrition, offering a unique solution to global health challenges. Dr Vali highlighted the sustainable cultivation of millets, which requires minimal water, and lamented the disappearance of many traditional varieties. His insights served as a call to action, urging a reconnection with millets, recognising their unparalleled health benefits, and promoting sustainable cultivation. 

 Ravinder Balain, President South Asia at Corteva Agriscience, highlighted the United Nations’ declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millet on India’s proposal and the Indian government’s subsequent initiatives to raise awareness about millets.

FICCI PwC Knowledge Report: Propelling India’s millet

Agrotech, Company News, Floriculture, India, Seeds, Vegetables

CEF Group aims to engage 1,00,000 households in the next three years of expansion through employing 5000 Gardeners in Delhi NCR and few other cities.

 The CEF Group, a pioneer in waste management and an advocate for sustainability, has recently announced expansion plans for its revolutionary “Urban Farming ” initiative. The primary goal of this initiative is to usher in a new era of organic farming and transform urban spaces into thriving green sanctuaries. With a steadfast commitment to converting urban areas into thriving hubs of greenery and sustainable agriculture, the CEF Group is gearing up to onboard and train 5000 skilled gardeners for fostering employment opportunities, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring community well-being.

Since its inception in April 2022, the Urban Farmer initiative has gained traction in around 250 households across Delhi NCR. It encompasses a wide range of areas including kitchen gardens, green spaces on balconies, rooftop plots, and even farmhouses. By employing creative agricultural techniques and skillful arrangement of planters, this endeavour has effectively nurtured a wide variety of vegetables and flowers within the constraints of people’s own homes at their balconies, terraces and kitchen gardens. CEF Group’s urban farming efforts are driven by a combination of factors that align perfectly with each other. These objectives encompass enhancing air and food quality, fostering environmental awareness, advocating improved health and wellness, and stimulating economic growth through the creation of both full-time and part-time employment opportunities. Furthermore, the enthusiastic response from the local community has acted as a driving force behind CEF Group’s unwavering dedication to this mission.

Considering the pivotal role skilled gardeners play in nurturing the vitality of urban farms, the CEF Group aims to provide a robust platform for local skill development and job creation. The organization’s comprehensive training modules are meticulously designed to empower these gardeners with modern, sustainable farming practices, thereby cultivating a new wave of green entrepreneurs.

The expansion of Urban Farming initiatives also aims at enriching the quality of life for residents. Its key anticipated outcomes and milestones include hosting quarterly community gardening events and workshops and fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration. Furthermore, the Urban Farmer initiative harnesses cutting-edge technology to revolutionize organic and regenerative farming. The amalgamation of technology and contemporary agricultural practices not only amplifies efficiency but also facilitates the seamless adoption of ecologically conscious solutions.

Speaking about this initiative, Maninder Singh, Founder & CEO, CEF Group, said, “CEF group is committed to promoting sustainability practices through environmental conservation. We consistently explore innovative avenues to make a positive impact on the world. With the extension of our Urban Farming Initiative, we aim to minimise carbon emissions, enhance biodiversity, and contribute positively to the ecosystem. Our immediate objective entails engaging 15,000 households during the initial year of this expansion. Additionally, our plan involves training and employing 5000 gardeners, which will help bridge the gap in skilled horticulturists within the Delhi-NCR and other metropolitan regions. These gardeners will also serve as advocates for green practices, fostering community engagement and spreading awareness about the benefits of urban farming. Our ambitious expansion plan promises several advantages – from improved air quality to socio-economic benefits through local employment, skill development, and strengthened community bonds.”

CEF Group aims to engage 1,00,000 households

Agrotech, Biostimulants, Company News, India, Inputs

New packaging launched to protect farmers from counterfeits.

Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Crop Protection Business announced that its biostimulant, Combine, has completed 25 years of enabling Indian grape farmers grow better-quality grapes.

Commenting on 25 years of Combine, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, GAVL, said “In a tropical country like India, Combine has been instrumental in aiding farmers get better yield and quality for their grapes. We serve 90K farming families who grow grapes in close to 1.5 Lakh acres of land every year.  We are happy to have contributed towards putting India on the global grapes map and bringing prosperity to grape growing farmers.”

Aligned with the guidelines set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), ‘Combine’ has been a critical instrument in elevating grape quality. With the right application, grape growers are able to achieve premium parameters such as a bunch weight of 400-500 g, berry diameter of 18 mm and above, uniform berry colour, and improved shelf life. These attributes, in tandem with an ability to reduce impact of disease spreading pests like powdery mildew and downy mildew.

Burjis Godrej, Executive Director & COO, Crop Protection Business, GAVL affirmed, “Grapes stand as a significant contributor to India’s export prowess, holding immense potential to bolster our agricultural economy. At Godrej Agrovet, we take pride in our role as enablers, and our product ‘Combine’ emerges as a key to realizing this potential. By enabling grape farmers to grow their harvest aligned to the global quality standards, ‘Combine’ empowers them to attain exceptional grape quality.”

Considering that the grape is an important fruit with high export potential, it is imperative to have a robust system in place to tackle pests as around 50-80 per cent of the yield is lost due to pest attack. As an integral component of the Integrated Disease Management approach, Combine offers solutions that not only target specific pests but also address potential disease issues in grape cultivation.

The company also launched a celebratory pack marking 25 years of Combine and its commitment to better farming in addition to protecting farmers from counterfeit products. Combine’s new pack is user-friendly and comes in a safe packaging bottle. It has a tamper-evident seal which blasts open and falls when anyone tries to open the bottle. The label has complex watermarks to avoid duplication and the bottle also has a hologram – a unique 9-digit code on each and every bottle to ensure authenticity. While the hologram also has smartly embedded letter ‘G’ to assure the customer that the product is genuine, ‘Braille’ marking on the neck reading danger has also been added for the visually impaired.

Commenting on the same, Rajavelu N.K, CEO, Crop Protection Business, GAVL said, ‘As pests and diseases threaten grape yields, there is a need to popularize Integrated Disease Management in farming community by imparting training to farmers at grass root level”.

New packaging launched to protect farmers from

Animal Health, Company News, Live Stock, Poultry

The poultry feed plant has come up at an investment of Rs 160 crore.

Smriti Irani Union Minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art Poultry Feed plant and Hatchery unit set up by IB Group at Amethi, Uttar Pradesh with an investment of Rs 160 crore.

Spread across 12 acres, the newly commissioned plant of IB Group has come up at Jagdishpur in Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh, which has the capacity to produce 600 tonnes of Poultry feed per day and 3 lakh broiler chicks per day.

With the inauguration of the new plant, the group which posted a turnover of Rs 7782 crores in FY22, now has 5 poultry feed plants having a total capacity to produce 5800 tons of poultry feed per day. Besides, the group has 6 hatcheries, and a presence across 26 Indian states for its poultry, livestock feed, and edible oil businesses. IB Group is among the top 3 largest poultry players in Asia and a market leader in fish feed in India and edible oil in Central India.

Speaking on the occasion, Smriti Irani said, “I would like to thank IB Group for setting up the largest poultry feed plant of Uttar Pradesh in Amethi, which is far from Chattisgarh. For the growth of the country’s GDP, it is imperative to strengthen the poultry industry. I am hopeful that with technical support to young and talented farmers here, the plant will make its own mark very soon.

Commenting on the commissioning of the new plant, Bahadur Ali company’s founder said, “IB Group is aligned with prioritisation of development at grassroots level. We are privileged to set up the biggest poultry feed plant and hatchery unit of UP which has immense potential to generate local employment. The new plant will also benefit maize and soya-growing farmers of this region.  My confidence in the growth of the poultry industry in UP has gone up manifold after interacting with the promising young farmers today. IB Group is committed to offering business opportunities and technology support to young and new poultry farmers in UP thereby improving their livelihood and making Uttar Pradesh a developed and an Atmanirbhar state in the region.”

The poultry feed plant has come up

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, Japan

Toyota set up an experimental greenhouse in April 2022 at its Kamigo Plant to grow strawberries and at its Myochi plant to grow tomatoes

Toyota has taken a unique approach to sustainability by implementing initiatives in its factories to cultivate strawberries and cherry tomatoes using heat and CO2 waste, in addition to focusing on electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Toyota has set up an experimental greenhouse in April 2022 at its Kamigo Plant to grow strawberries and at its Myochi plant to grow tomatoes as a way to tackle the negative environmental impact of excess heat and CO2.

Toyota’s planters are built on sliders, maximising available space and increasing yield by 1.5 times compared to a similarly sized field. The design eliminates wasted space between planters and allows growers to create aisles when and where needed.

Farmers need not worry about Toyota meddling in their business. Toyota serves strawberries and cherry tomatoes grown in its factories for free in its cafeterias. The company aims to use its expertise to help farmers build efficient agricultural systems, says Hiroshi Okajima, Toyota Project General Manager, R&D and Engineering Management Division.

Toyota uses pink LEDs to grow fruit without the green tint, which isn’t necessary for photosynthesis.

Automakers can pursue eco-friendly practices by repurposing waste and using recycled materials in vehicle manufacturing, including fishing nets and plastics. They could also explore agricultural initiatives.

Toyota set up an experimental greenhouse in

Company News, R&D, World

Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient in the HRAC/WSSA Group 28 and the first new herbicide with a novel mode of action in the industry

FMC Corporation, a leading global agricultural sciences company, announced Dodhylex active (pronounced DOH’-deh-leks) as the global brand name for tetflupyrolimet, a new mode of action herbicide effective on the most challenging grass weeds in rice.

“The global brand will ensure growers around the world recognise this novel mode of action in the newest herbicide products FMC expects to begin launching in 2025,” said Diane Allemang, FMC executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Growers worldwide will have the confidence that products powered by Dodhylex active contain FMC’s patented active ingredient that’s backed by seven years of research, development and field testing.”

The Dodhylex name is derived from the site of action – dihydroorotate dehydrogenase – combined with the flexibility of use in both transplanted and direct-seeded rice and the herbicide’s ability to block the nutrients needed for the weed to survive.

“Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient in the HRAC/WSSA Group 28 and the first new herbicide with a novel mode of action in the industry in over three decades,” said Seva Rostovtsev, vice president and chief technology officer. “This new mode of action herbicide was discovered at the FMC Stine Research Centre and is a testament to FMC’s commitment to innovation and our disciplined approach to advancing the most promising new molecules. The molecule is a significant advancement for the agriculture industry as it will help combat resistant weeds.”

Studies show Dodhylex actively provides season-long control of important grass weeds in the rice market, as well as key broadleaf weeds and sedges. FMC is also testing Dodhylex active in other crops, including sugarcane, wheat, soybean and corn. 

Dodhylex active is the first active ingredient

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, World

Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused on new and emerging technologies in the areas of sustainable industry, decarbonisation technologies, circular economy, and sustainable food systems

Nouryon, a global speciality chemicals leader, announced that it will invest in Icos Capital Fund IV, a collaborative venture capital fund connecting corporations and financial institutions with start-ups that have a potential for fast growth. The investment strategy of the Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused on new and emerging technologies in the areas of sustainable industry, decarbonisation technologies, circular economy, and sustainable food systems.

“At Nouryon, we are focused on offering innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Philip Clark, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nouryon. “Our investment with Icos provides Nouryon with an effective way of screening a very large number of start-ups and emerging technologies that are in and adjacent to our key end-markets with a focus on accelerating sustainability.”

Nouryon’s corporate partnership with Icos Capital goes back to 2017 with its original investment in Icos Capital Fund III, which has enabled several strategic partnership discussions and insights into innovation critical to Nouryon.

Icos Capital is active in the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Germany, with activities across Europe. Icos Capital Fund IV will expand its geographic reach to other parts of the world, including North America, and its corporate partners will play an important role in setting the fund strategy, as well as identifying and evaluating the start-ups.

Icos Capital Fund IV will be focused

Acquaculture, India, Live Stock, R&D

Between June and September 2022, the project’s fish breeding team produced more than 7 million mola hatchlings

At WorldFish, scientists achieved a significant milestone in June 2022 by successfully inducing the breeding of mola for the first time in India at its partner hatchery, Biswal Aquatech in Odisha, standardising breeding protocol for mola. The breakthrough involved designing breeding tanks fed with a steady shower of oxygen-rich water from an aeration tower to improve breeding and larval survival.

The innovation opened the door for mass mola production with minimal risk of animal disease spread, improving availability and access to nutrient-rich food in rural communities in Odisha.

Between June and September 2022, the project’s fish breeding team produced more than 7 million mola hatchlings, which were either sold or distributed free of charge to farmers, who used them primarily for household consumption and sale. Aiming to benefit women in particular, the project collaborated with the Odisha Government’s Mission Shakti initiative, distributing approximately 15,000 fries to women’s self-help groups for stocking in publicly owned tanks.

“Previously, mola was absent in our gram panchayat tank. After the introduction of mola in our pond by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries, we are able to harvest and consume mola frequently,” said Gurubari Khilar, a mother of two young children and a member of Maa Manasa Women Self-Help Group that received the mola fry from the hatchery.

“This success has motivated other Mission Shakti self-help groups in the area to take up fish farming in gram panchayat tanks on a large-scale basis. The technical collaboration with WorldFish was very instrumental in the successful implementation of this scheme,” said, Sujata R Karthikeyan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha.

Between June and September 2022, the project’s

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector

A high-level delegation led by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries and other senior officers is on a visit to Norway for strengthening the bilateral cooperation between India and Norway in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. After attending the Opening Ceremony of the Aqua Nor 2023 trade show at Trondheim Spektrum, Klostergata, which is one of the world’s largest trade shows for aquaculture technology and innovation, the delegation visited AquaGen, a research-oriented breeding company that develops, manufactures, delivers genetic starter material and fertilised eggs to the global aquaculture industry. Parshottam Rupala, and Dr. L. Murugan, discussed opportunities for joint collaboration with Knut Roflo, CEO, AquaGen.  

Parshottam Rupala and Dr. L. Murugan interacted with the Indian participants at the exhibition, who displayed their products and services related to aquaculture and fisheries. Parshottam Rupala appreciated the efforts of the Indian exhibitors in promoting the quality and diversity of Indian aquaculture and fisheries products in the global market. The delegation also discussed various issues and opportunities for cooperation in the aquaculture and fisheries sector.

The delegation also discussed various issues and

Agrotech, Company News, IT, North America

Company launches, PheNode® the next-generation environmental sensor platform to enable the swift integration of emerging technologies across various climate-smart industries, such as real-time carbon measurements and advanced crop modelling.

Agrela Ecosystems, a startup launched by Nadia Shakoor, PhD, principal investigator, at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced the pilot launch of its flagship product, PheNode®. This milestone marks the first step towards a full-scale commercial release set for 2025. PheNode is an advanced, scalable environmental sensor platform designed to empower users with customizable data collection and the rapid integration of new technologies. Already creating a buzz, the platform is now collecting data and generating customer feedback, preparing to revolutionize the field with its optimized, modular sensor technology.

 In aligning with the principles of Industry 4.0, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution characterized by smart systems and digitization, PheNode incorporates cutting-edge technology to redefine data collection standards, opening endless opportunities for advancement in various sectors.

PheNode has already gathered an impressive range of customers, from the Taylor Geospatial Institute at Saint Louis University to the globally respected Salk Institute’s Harnessing Plants Initiative in San Diego, CA. Back at home, the Danforth Center is deploying PheNode technology within its own realm, collecting vital data from its Creve Coeur campus and St. Charles-based field research site. The momentum doesn’t stop there; PheNode is also set to play a pivotal role in community projects. In collaboration with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center and the University of Illinois Extension, PheNode will be an integral part of the USDA NIFA-funded FANE Summer Camp initiative. This groundbreaking project seeks to ignite the passion of young minds towards food and agricultural technologies, underlining the transformative impact these advancements can have on our world.

Despite being in its nascent pilot phase, Agrela has already recorded an impressive $250,000 in revenue through the sales of its game changing PheNode technology and related services. This initial traction reinforces the belief that they could be addressing a long-standing gap in the market. Agrela Ecosystems’ founders envision a shift from traditional ‘closed’ sensor platforms to a more inclusive ‘open platform’. This open approach will enable the swift integration of emerging technologies across various climate-smart industries, such as real-time carbon measurements and advanced crop modeling.

Agrela Ecosystems’ initial seed funding was successfully garnered from BioGenerator Ventures and the Danforth Technology Company. Agrela’s President, Bill Kezele, celebrates this achievement, remarking, “The Danforth Technology Company and BioGenerator Ventures recognized the potential of PheNode, which served as a stepping stone to our early success. This support enables us to publicly share our efforts with those who can benefit now as we continue enhancing the system and expanding into new markets.”

“Agrela firmly believes in the importance of accurate, research-grade data, and is committed to offering quality products and services. Our aim is to embolden users, channelling PheNode’s environmental data into their chosen platforms for analysis and visualization. In doing so, we are enabling them to create tailor-made data collection tools that better align with their unique requirements,” elaborates Shakoor.

While originally designed to address quantitative gaps in remote field phenotyping, it has been discovered that PheNode effectively meets the growing demand for scalable, customizable data capture across a broad spectrum of industries, far beyond its initial agricultural roots.

Company launches, PheNode® the next-generation environmental sensor

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, India

Sperto provides remarkable efficacy in managing a wide range of pests, including whitefly, aphids, jassids, semi looper, and girdle beetles.

 Mumbai based agrochemical company, SWAL Corporation Ltd. has announced the launch of a new product Sperto designed for soybean and cotton crops in India. Utilising a WG formulation that rapidly dissolves in water, Sperto is a combination of Acetamiprid 25% and Bifenthrin 25% Wettable Granules (WG). With a reduced dosage requirement per acre, Sperto proves to be an economical remedy, advocating sustainable farming methods. The WG formulation ensures effortless handling and eradicates the hazard of spillage, drift, or dust formation during the application, leading to healthier air and soil quality. It is ecologically safe and harmless to applicators, setting it apart from other competitively priced alternatives.

The product provides remarkable efficacy in managing a wide range of pests, including whitefly, aphids, jassids, semi looper, and girdle beetles. Its dual mode of action effectively thwarts pest resistance, ensuring a sustainable and enduring approach to pest management while reducing the need for frequent applications. For better results, it is recommended to apply Sperto 40-45 days after sowing in cotton and 20-25 days after sowing in soybean during the Kharif season.

 Pankaj Joshi, Business Head of SWAL, said: “The launch of Sperto is yet another step towards enabling farmers to nurture their fields in harmony with nature, all the while ensuring effective pest management. Beyond the environmental benefits, the adoption of Sperto will help farmers achieve not only better yields but also increased profitability.”

Sperto provides remarkable efficacy in managing a

Company News, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain

Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be available in a special punnet and consumers can be assured of consistent quality and ripeness

Westfalia Fruit India announced the launch of its first Avocado ripening facility in Mumbai, India. This will allow the company to supply avocados that are ready to eat to consumers in Mumbai and neighbouring areas.

The dedicated ripening chamber has been built in Navi Mumbai, near the APMC market and was launched at a ceremony. In addition to the Westfalia Fruit India leadership team, the launch ceremony was attended by leading fruit distributors, wholesalers, offline retailers, and e-commerce operators.

Westfalia Fruit India has established itself as the market leader and largest importer of avocados in India. Westfalia Fruit started its India journey last year and has already supplied over 1,000 MT of avocados to the Indian market in 2023. This year also marks the first year of commercial harvest of Indian-grown Hass avocados. Over the next few years, over 500 acres of our existing Hass avocado plantations in Southern India will come into production, enabling consistent year-round availability of avocados for consumers.

Speaking at the launch, Zac Bard, Director – Westfalia Fruit India, said that “Avocado ripeness has been a challenge for both retailers and consumers in India. Many consumers in India are not sure when is the perfect time to eat an avocado. Retailers also at times are unaware of how to differently handle Hass avocados at different stages of their ripeness. Our perfectly ripened avocados will look to address this gap in the market.”

“Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be available in a special punnet and consumers can be assured of consistent quality and ripeness. This ripening facility will be a milestone in India and will change the way avocados are marketed and consumed”, added Zac.

“Westfalia Fruit India is excellently placed to offer avocados consistently from multiple origins all year round mentioned,” GVK Naidu, Director – Westfalia Fruit India and MD of Sam Agri group, the Indian JV partners of Westfalia. “This ripening facility in Mumbai is just the start and in the coming months, we will have similar facilities in other major metros of the country,” added Naidu.

Westfalia ripe and ready-to-eat avocados will be

Agrotech, Biostimulants, R&D

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs.

The World BioProtection Research Foundation is proud to announce the selection of seven distinguished professionals from around the world to join its inaugural Program Advisory Council of Experts (PACE). The selection follows a rigorous international search, attracting exceptional talents in the fields of bioprotection, soil and marine microbiology, and related disciplines.

The newly appointed members of the PACE will play a pivotal role in driving the Foundation’s mission forward. They will provide strategic guidance on research programs and initiatives, shaping research agendas to secure funding and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs. These experts will offer valuable advice and guidance to research teams, as well as participate in research project preparation. Furthermore, they will review and assess research proposals and ongoing projects, providing constructive feedback to ensure the highest quality outcomes. The council members will actively identify collaboration opportunities with academic institutions and industry players, leveraging their networks and expertise to foster meaningful partnerships.

The PACE will consist of up to 12 members, each selected for their diverse expertise in bioprotection research, academia, industry, and project development. Seven world class experts have joined the PACE, with the goal of providing leadership in setting the research agenda, evaluating progress, and making informed decisions to advance the foundation’s objectives:

Dr Zhibing Zhang PhD, Professor and Co-Director of the China Institute, University of Birmingham School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Dr K Annapurna PhD, Former Head, Division of Microbiology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Dr Dean Metcalfe PhD, Managing Director and Plant Pathologist, Metcalf BioControl, Molesworth, Tasmania, Australia.

Dr Aram Mikaelyan PhD, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Dr Kiran P. Raverkar PhD, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture &Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India

Dr Rajan Sharma PhD, Principal Scientist and Cluster Leader – Crop Protection & Seed Health, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Dr D R W Kandula PhD, Research Fellow, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand

Professor Shashi Sharma, Founder Chairman of the World Bioprotection Research Foundation said, “Our vision is to harness the power of microbes and global research expertise to revolutionise pest and disease management, safeguard soil and plant health, and promote planetary well-being. The formation of the Program Advisory Council of Experts is a significant step towards realising this vision”.

Experts will provide strategic guidance on research

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry, Supply Chain

The additional sugar in the domestic market will ensure reasonable prices all over the country

Keeping in view the strong demand for sugar for the upcoming festivals of Onam, Raksha Bandhan, and Krishna Janmashtami, the additional quota of 2 LMT (over and above 23.5 LMT already allocated for August 2023) is being allocated for August 2023. The additional sugar in the domestic market will ensure reasonable prices all over the country.

Despite a 25 per cent increase in international sugar prices in the last year, the average retail price of sugar in the country is about ₹ 43.30 per kg and is likely to remain in range bound only. There has been less than 2 per cent annual inflation in the country in sugar prices in the last 10 years.

During the current Sugar Season (Oct-Sep) 2022-23, India is estimated to have produced of 330 LMT sugar after the diversion of about 43 LMT for ethanol production. Domestic consumption is expected to be around 275 LMT.

At the present stage, India has sufficient sugar stock to meet its domestic demand for the remaining months of the current SS 2022-23 and the optimum closing stock of 60 LMT (sufficient to meet sugar consumption for 2 ½ months) will be available at the end of this season i.e. 30.09.2023.

The recent increase in sugar prices will cool down soon as each year during July-Sep, just before next season, prices increase and then come down on the start of cane crushing. Thus, the price rise in sugar is very nominal and for a short duration.

The additional sugar in the domestic market