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Agrotech, Biostimulants, R&D, World

The founding members of Visionary Steering Council (VSC) will provide strategic guidance, oversight and direction in BioAg.

At the forefront of agricultural transformation lies Biological Agriculture (BioAg), encompassing biocontrol, biostimulants, and biofertilisers. This dynamic field promises sustainable solutions for pest management, disease control, and elevated plant vitality on a global scale. However, bridging the gap between pioneering research and practical farming solutions has proven frustratingly sluggish.

The catalyst for change arises from the diverse landscape of innovators, entrepreneurs, and corporations, each engrossed in their unique pursuits. The time has come to reimagine our approach. A fresh business model must unite these stakeholders, weaving their efforts together to drive the creation and adoption of innovative bioprotection solutions – pivotal for tackling our world’s urgent agricultural and ecological challenges, said Professor Shashi Sharma, Chairman of the World BioProtection Research Foundation.

This was the rationale for the creation of the Research Foundation, a dynamic not-for-profit institution that is dedicated to promoting research and innovation in BioAg. By harnessing the power of nature and leveraging global research expertise, the Foundation aims to revolutionise and work towards finding unique microbial strains which can be used for crop protection and plant health management. Our mission is to pioneer distinctive microbial strains for crop protection and plant health. The Research Foundation will spearhead research, foster collaboration, share knowledge, and create a hub for diverse stakeholders.

Since the Research Foundation was launched in May 2023, Professor Sharma has been recruiting high-calibre individuals to populate its governing councils. The Research Foundation is guided by two governing bodies: the Visionary Steering Council (VSC) and the Program Advisory Council of Experts (PACE). Further information about Governance of the Foundation can be found here.

Seven world class experts have joined the VSC, with the goal of providing leadership in setting the research agenda, evaluating progress, and making informed decisions to advance the foundation’s objectives:

Dr Keith Davies PhD, Director, KG Davies Limited, Associate Professor and Visiting Research Professor, United Kingdom.

Mr Marco Brini MBA, Digital Agriculture Expert and Independent C-Level Consultant, Switzerland.

Prof Patricia Stock PhD, Emerita Director and Professor, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Dr Minshad Ansari PhD, Founder and CEO at Bionema; Founder and Chairman of The World BioProtection Forum (WBF), United Kingdom.

Dr D. Joseph Bagyaraj PhD, Chairman, Centre for Natural Biological Resources & Community Development (CNBRCD), Anand Nagar, Bangalore, India.

Dr Suhas Wani PhD, Former Research Program Director – Asia and Director, ICRISAT Development Centre (IDC) at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India.

Prof Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed PhD, Chairman at the Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

The VSC will ultimately comprise 10 experts from across the world. Highly experienced individuals with foresight, long-term vision, and wisdom, who are interested in filling the final spaces on the esteemed VSC can express their interest here. This voluntary role provides an outstanding opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Research Foundation, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

The Foundation offers numerous other opportunities to actively contribute to ground-breaking research. It provides a platform to collaborate with esteemed experts and shape the future of our world.  The Research Foundation stands as a driving force behind the advancement of novel scientific discoveries.

The founding members of Visionary Steering Council

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

OJA range will subsequently be launched in North America, ASEAN, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Europe and the SAARC region.

Mahindra Tractors, a part of the Mahindra Group and the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume, has officially launched its much-anticipated, future-ready range of tractors – the Mahindra OJA – at Futurescape, an event held in Cape Town, South Africa. Derived from the Sanskrit word “Ojas”, meaning Powerhouse of Energy, OJA is Mahindra’s most ambitious global lightweight tractor platform. Developed in collaboration between the engineering teams of Mahindra Research Valley, India, the R&D centre for Mahindra AFS and Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan, at an investment of Rs 1200 crore, the new OJA range brings about a transformative shift in Light Weight 4WD Tractor design and engineering, to deliver cutting-edge innovation in tractor technology.

In Cape Town, Mahindra unveiled new tractors on 3 OJA platforms – the Sub Compact, Compact and Small Utility platforms, addressing diverse market needs. With 4WD as standard, Mahindra launched 7 new tractor models for the Indian market on the Compact and Small Utility platforms. These models range from 20HP – 40HP (14.91kW – 29.82kW), for a wide array of applications, for unparalleled platform versatility and efficiency to handle diverse agricultural tasks.

After kickstarting its exciting journey in India, the OJA range will subsequently be launched in North America, ASEAN, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Europe and the SAARC region. Mahindra will also mark its debut in the ASEAN region starting with Thailand in 2024.

Speaking on the launch of the new OJA tractor range, Hemant Sikka, President – Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra said, “The new OJA range of lightweight tractors is a powerhouse of energy, aimed at progressive farmers. Embodied with innovation and technology, OJA tractors empower Mahindra to address 25 per cent of the Global Tractor industry, while opening new markets like Europe and ASEAN. Unveiling 7 agile Lightweight 4WD Tractors Light Weight 4WD OJA tractors (21-40HP) in India, equipped with pioneering technologies, truly embodies our commitment to revolutionize farming worldwide.”

Further talking about OJA’s launch plans for India, Vikram Wagh, CEO, Farm Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said “The OJA tractor range introduces a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture. With 4WD capabilities as standard, pioneering automation controls amplify precision and performance across the range. Reducing operator effort and elevating farm productivity enables us to further embrace fast growing segments like horticulture and grape farming to redefine mechanized farming. Featuring three advanced technology packs – PROJA, MYOJA, and ROBOJA – we proudly present OJA as India’s global innovation. OJA will be exclusively made in Zaheerabad, our youngest tractor manufacturing facility. The range will be available for customers in India starting October.”

OJA range will subsequently be launched in

Agrotech, Company News, Finance, India, Institutions

In addition to the pension fund, Zetta Rozgaar Yojna will also offer an insurance plan that safeguards farmers against unforeseen challenges that can impact their livelihoods.

Zetta Farms, pioneers in introducing sustainable and organized practices in the agriculture sector, proudly announces the launch of Zetta Rozgaar Yojna, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering farmers across India. This visionary scheme sets a new benchmark by introducing innovative benefits that will significantly elevate the lives of farmers and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector. Zetta Farms has been working closely with the farm community across states and is actively working towards strengthening their vision – DeshKaCultureAgriculture through key initiatives.

Zetta Rozgaar Yojna is an ambitious endeavor that reflects Zetta Farms’ deep commitment to transforming the farming landscape in India. The core principle of the scheme is to provide meaningful employment opportunities to farmers, thereby fostering economic growth and prosperity. Under this initiative, Zetta Farms has pledged to employ one farmer for every two additional acres of land acquired, thus creating regular employment opportunities for those who are vital to the agricultural ecosystem. Zetta Farms would be offering each associated farmer an assured income every month, without the dependency on farm yields.

The scheme also incorporates several unprecedented features, including the introduction of a first-of-its-kind pension fund exclusively designed for farmers. This marks a historic milestone as Zetta Farms will be the first private entity to extend such a benefit to the farming community. In addition to the pension fund, Zetta Rozgaar Yojna will also offer an insurance plan that safeguards farmers against unforeseen challenges that can impact their livelihoods.

Rituraj Sharma, Co-Founder of Zetta Farms, spoke about the launch of Zetta Rozgaar Yojna. He commented, “Coming from a farming community myself, I have firsthand experienced the plight of farm workers. Through Zetta Farms our goal has been to establish agriculture as a profitable, organized, and sustainable industry. We hope to create a lasting mindset shift when it comes to addressing the farm community. With Zetta Rozgaar Yojna, we are proud to take a bold step towards transforming their lives by providing them with not only employment opportunities but also holistic benefits that have never been offered by a private entity before. This Independence Day, we are excited to launch a program that embodies the spirit of self-reliance and empowerment.”

In addition to the pension fund, Zetta

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, India, R&D

Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, laid the foundation stone for the Sikkim Organic Agriculture University (SOAU)

Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, laid the foundation stone for the Sikkim Organic Agriculture University (SOAU) in Mondegaon, Soreng district.

According to Tamang, the Sikkim state is now the first organic state in the country. He stated that SOAU will be a centre of excellence for organic farming education.

He said that hundreds of students from the state are studying agriculture, horticulture, and forestry outside, and he has met over 500 students in Dehradun who are doing undergraduate and post-graduate courses in these subjects.

The students of Sikkim will no longer have to travel outside the state to study for the SOAU, according to Tamang.

He directed officials to identify temporary spaces for the commencement of courses at the earliest.

The Sikkim assembly passed the Sikkim Organic Agriculture University Act, 2023 earlier this year.

The varsity will also boost economic activities in the remote Mondegaon area, the chief minister said.

Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, IT

In Phase-I of the project, the ADeX Platform is currently deployed in the Khammam district and will be expanded to the entire State over a period

K Taraka Ramarao, Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, has launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data Management Framework (ADMF) in Hyderabad. The ADeX has been developed as a digital public infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector and is a collaboration between the State Government, the World Economic Forum, and the Indian Institute of Science.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramarao said both ADeX and ADMF provide the right platform to ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups and significantly boost the data economy, specifically in the agriculture sector. He said these initiatives help lead the country from the front in using innovation and technology to drive food systems transformation and improve farmers’ incomes.

According to newsonair.com, in Phase-I of the project, the ADeX Platform is currently deployed in the Khammam district and will be expanded to the entire State over a period. The software platform facilitates secure, standards-based data exchange between agricultural data users such as agri application developers and agricultural data providers like Government Agencies, Private Companies, NGOs and Universities.

ADMF has been developed after extensive public and industry consultations on data protection, management, and innovation.

In Phase-I of the project, the ADeX

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, India

The company has reported total income of Rs 388.99 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to Rs 382.06 crores during the period ended June 30, 2022.

Agrochemical major, Hikal Limited has reported Consolidated financial results for the period ended June 30, 2023.The company has reported total income of Rs 388.99 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to Rs 545.67 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs. 6.92 crores for the period ended June 30, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 36 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023. The company has reported EPS of Rs. 0.56 for the period ended June 30, 2023 as compared to Rs 2.92 for the period ended March 31, 2023.

Financial Results (Q1 FY2024) – YoY Comparison

The company has reported total income of Rs 388.99 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to Rs 382.06 crores during the period ended June 30, 2022. The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs 6.92 crores for the period ended June 30, 2023, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 8.86 crores for the period ended June 30, 2022. The company has reported EPS of Rs.0.56 for the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to Rs 0.72 for the period ended June 30, 2022.

The company has reported total income of

Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, Company News, India

Gandhidham plant which will be set up at cost of Rs 350 Crore will send 2 lakh nano urea bottles of 500 ml each across the country.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Gandhidham, Gujarat, today. On this occasion, several dignitaries including Chairman, IFFCO, Shri Dileep Sanghani, were also present.

In his address, Amit Shah said that the upcoming plant at Gandhidham would produce more than IFFCO’s existing plant producing 3 million tonnes of DAP. Union Minister of Cooperation said that liquid fertilizer is going to give multi-dimensional benefits to the country’s economy and agriculture sector. Spraying of Nano DAP (liquid) will not pollute the land, which will further ease the natural farming, increase soil fertility along agricultural production and will promote the land conservation.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that IFFCO DAP (liquid) does not go inside the ground, but remains on the top of the crop, due to which not only the benefits of DAP become available to the crop, but the land is also preserved. DAP (Liquid) will not pollute water, increase production, keep price affordable, reduce government subsidy burden and reduce imports to make India self-sufficient in the field of urea and DAP.

Union Minister of Cooperation said that IFFCO has not borrowed a single rupee from the bank for the plant which will be set up in Gandhidham at a cost of about Rs. 350 crores on 70 acres, IFFCO has 100 percent equity in it. He said that IFFCO’s equity means 4 crore farmers’ equity as IFFCO’s money goes back to the farmer through PACS and rest through cooperative societies. He said that from this plant 2 lakh nano urea bottles of 500 ml each would be sent across the country and the world, which would reduce the import of 60 million bags of urea and India would become self-relaint in the field of fertilizer. He said that this would also save fertilizer subsidy of about Rs 10,000 crore, which would come back to the farmers, it will also save foreign exchange of about Rs. 3,500 crores.

Gandhidham plant which will be set up

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, Company News, India, People, Start ups

Kulshreshtha has a diverse exposure in sales and marketing of agrochemicals, organised retail, handling of the entire food value chain and institutional business.

BioPrime Agrisolutions, a biotechnology company, has appointed Ajay Kulshreshtha as the new vice president of sales and marketing.With over 25 years of experience spanned across the multiple facets of Agri-business, Kulshreshtha brings expertise to the BioPrime team. He has a diverse exposure in sales and marketing of agrochemicals, organised retail, handling of the entire food value chain and institutional business.

Talking about the appointment, Renuka Diwan, CEO, BioPrime Agrisolutions, said, “We are happy to have Ajay Kulshreshtha on board as VP sales and marketing. His leadership and knowledge of the agrochemical sector make him the perfect fit for our mission to revolutionise the biotechnology landscape. His dedication to sustainable agriculture and drive for innovation align seamlessly with our core values, and we look forward to achieving new milestones under his guidance.”

Prior to joining Bioprime, Kulshreshtha served as assistant vice president of sales and marketing at Sulphur Mills, where he worked for two years. Before that, he worked as senior general manager at PI Industries for nine years, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s market presence and product portfolio. His vast experience also includes key positions at organisations including Aditya Birla Retail and Global Agrisystems, Mahindra, Syngenta.

“I am happy to be a part of the BioPrime team and highly impressed with the disruptive innovations offered to the farmers by the company. My entire career has been spent in offering technology-driven innovative products to farmers and I am looking forward to continuing that tradition by providing the “best-of-breed” to Indian as well global farmers. I further aim to leverage my expertise by developing and implementing an overall marketing strategy to strengthen BioPrime’s market position, enhance customer engagement, and expand the company’s reach in the agricultural industry,” Ajay Kulshreshtha added.

Kulshreshtha has a diverse exposure in sales

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Finance, India, Inputs

Company’s PAT stood at Rs 291.42 Mn in Q1 FY24, compared to Rs 383.09 Mn in Q1 FY23, margins reduced from 6.83 per cent in Q1 FY23 to 4.55 per cent in Q1 FY24.

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), one of the leading players in the crop protection and nutrition industry has declared its financial results for Q1 FY24. Revenue from operations increased by 14.14 per cent to Rs 6,399.53 Mn in Q1 FY24 from Rs 5,606.90 million in Q1 FY23 on account of favourable monsoon conditions and increasing share of Focused Maharatna products like Hachiman, Shinwa and Torry as a result of our step ahead go-to-market strategies.

EBITDA margins stood at 7.13 per cent in Q1 FY24, a decrease of 329 BPS on account of liquidation of high-cost inventory from previous year. The high-cost inventory is significantly liquidated from the balance sheet. PAT stood at Rs 291.42 million in Q1 FY24, compared to Rs 383.09 million in Q1 FY23, margins reduced from 6.83 per cent in Q1 FY23 to 4.55 per cent in Q1 FY24.

Commenting on the performance Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director Insecticides (India) Limited said, “We had a strong quarter to start the year in terms of revenue growth as we witnessed a robust demand for our products owing to favourable monsoon. Although there was an initial delay in rains in certain regions of the country, our widespread presence across India mitigated the impact of this factor and helped us achieve a growth of 14.14 per cent YoY in Revenue from Operations.

We recently launched promising products in the form of Mission granule and Mission liquid, both of which have received very positive response from the market and contributed in our topline. Products launched in last few years like Torry, Hachiman, Shinwa, Green Label, Izuki, Dominant and Kunoichi have started yielding positive results, gaining massive tractions as a result of our concentrated marketing efforts on the entire Focused Maharatna range.

At IIL, we continue to move forward on our mission to grow responsibly towards a sustainable future through continuous support of our employees and other stakeholders I would like to conclude by thanking all our stakeholders for helping us move in the right direction.”

Company’s PAT stood at Rs 291.42 Mn

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, Supply Chain, Trade

The government is taking steps to control inflation and meet the demand and check the prices of tomatoes in India

Nirmala Sitharaman Finance Minister (FM) informed the Parliament that the government is importing tomatoes from Nepal due to a record-high spike in prices in the country.

The minister said that the government is taking steps to control inflation and meet the demand and check the prices of tomatoes in India, it has decided to import them from its neighbour, Nepal. Sitharaman was participating in a debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. As per her, the government has removed import restrictions and the first lot of tomatoes from Nepal will reach Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow this week.

Sitharaman also said that through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and other cooperative societies, the government has been procuring tomatoes from Maharashtra and Karnataka. These tomatoes are then distributed in Delhi-NCR, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajasthan at subsidised rates. The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. has distributed 8.84 lakh kg of tomatoes in the aforementioned states. The finance minister added that the wholesale prices of tomatoes in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are already coming down.

Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Tamil Nadu are the major tomato-producing states in the country. These states account for 91 per cent of the total production of the country, said FM.

The government is taking steps to control

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Sustainability

The combined production capacity of these units is 3.14 lakh tonnes of food items annually, around 40,307 farmers would benefit from these initiatives

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has launched 11 food processing units. The Units were established with a budget of Rs 1,719 crore. Out of 11 units six units have been inaugurated virtually. The combined production capacity of these units is 3.14 lakh tonnes of food items annually, around 40,307 farmers would benefit from these initiatives.

Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the launch of four primary vegetable and fruit processing centres in the Annamayya and Chittoor districts, a millet processing unit at L Kota in the Vizianagaram district and an onion and tomato dehydration cluster at Thadakanepalle in the Kurnool district.

The foundation stone laying for three primary tomato processing centres in Satya Sai and Anantapur districts was also marked. A groundnut processing unit was initiated at Dharmavaram in the Satya Sai district and a Mondelez India foods unit in Sri City, Chittoor district.

Reddy has mentioned the state has allocated 8,000 crore for intervening and ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) during price drops. The state stands alone in providing MSP even for millets, intricately connecting them with the Public Distribution System (PDS) through Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs).

Furthermore, he unveiled plans for significant agricultural advancements, including an expansive 55,620mt-capacity groundnut processing unit in Dharmavaram, set to benefit 15,000 groundnut farmers. He also revealed upcoming projects such as four vegetable and fruit processing centres in Annamayya and Chittoor districts, catering to 2,414 farmers, along with proposed tomato processing units in Satya Sai and Anantapur districts, aimed at supporting 3,588 farmers. Additionally, he noted the emergence of 32 primary and 13 secondary processing units for millets, with a notable 7,200mt-capacity secondary millet processing unit in Vizianagaram district, aimed at aiding millet farmers.

The combined production capacity of these units

AgroPolicy, Cold Storage, India, Supply Chain

The Center of Excellence (CoE) will provide community cooling centres, a model pack-house, a solutions development lab, and a demonstration facility

K T Rama Rao, the Minister of IT and Industries of Telangana called for ideas to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable cooling systems. He inaugurated the Telangana Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain, the first of its kind in India, at the GMR Innovex Campus Hyderabad. The centre’s mission is to accelerate the deployment of energy-efficient refrigeration for food and vaccine supply chains nationwide.

The first phase of the project will focus on cold chains for food and health after harvest. Phase Two will add electronics and a data centre. The CoE will have cutting-edge technology and act as a one-stop-shop for any issues relating to the nation’s cold chain ecology. The University of Birmingham and industry partners like Carrier are supporting the effort. “It will develop and demonstrate cooling technologies and solutions that meet the State’s needs and could be scaled up with global reach,” he added.


The Center of Excellence (CoE) will provide community cooling centres, a model pack-house, a solutions development lab, and a demonstration facility. It aims to improve the lives of farmers in Telangana by addressing the lack of cold storage facilities which prevents many farmers from selling perishable goods. The CoE will develop strategies to protect perishable food and improve the quality of items. It will also offer upskilling and training courses for farmers, regional agribusinesses, agri-startups and entrepreneurs, equipment technicians, and researchers, using a hub and spoke concept.

The Center of Excellence (CoE) will provide

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Interaction

During the two-day summit, experts highlighted the global surge in adopting the food banking model, a crucial link that connects an increasing number of individuals in need with surplus food resources.

Leading voices in the field have urged G20 nations, under India’s presidency, to embrace food banks as a solution to the pressing issues of food loss and food waste. To drive this narrative forward, The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and Thinkthrough Consulting (TTC) hosted the Global Food Security Summit 2023, this week under the aegis of G20 fostering diverse dialogues across sectors to establish sustainable ecosystem and pave the way for ensuring universal access to #FoodForAll.

During the two-day summit, experts highlighted the global surge in adopting the food banking model, a crucial link that connects an increasing number of individuals in need with surplus food resources. The event occurred one month ahead of G20 Leader’s summit, where the critical topic of global food challenges is expected. Recent UN data revealed that an additional 122 million people worldwide face food shortages in 2022, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.

Lisa Moon, President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), emphasized the financial impact of food banking, stating, “Foodbanking addresses two huge challenges, within the global food system.  The First pertains to food loss and waste, with a staggering one third of worldwide food production never reaching people’s tables.  This loss occurs throughout the supply chain, from farms to the consumer stage, resulting in significant economic implications – amounting to staggering $1,6 billion annually. The Second challenge is food security, with approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide currently facing food difficulties, and roughly 3 billion unable to afford a nutritious diet.  Foodbanking is creating surplus to address both these problems by acting as a logistical expert of food, operating as both as a social enterprise and a nonprofit entity, collaborating with producers across supply chain to save food.”

“Food waste is a global challenge that requires collective efforts from all stakeholders,” said Parul Soni, Global Managing Partner, Thinkthrough Consulting, “We want to work with the producers of food – farmers, corporations, FMCG companies – to get surplus food to foodbanks and process it to reach the underprivileged. Through this Summit, we aim to promote food security and mitigate climate change through the concept of food banking.”

The summit was also about highlighting the opinions of thought leaders within the ecosystem and the work done by changemakers to mitigate food insecurity and the climate crisis. Various High Commissioners, Ambassadors, and Senior Officials of the G20 member countries and nine guest countries invited by India, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and UAE, collectively participated to spread awareness and express their viewpoints Multilateral and Bilateral Organizations – World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and Industry Thought Leaders like Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI), Invest India, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), among others, had representation in the discussions at the Global Food Security Summit.

During the two-day summit, experts highlighted the

Uncategorized

Up to 10 companies are invited to register for the contest that will award a $100,000 grand prize for the krill replacement product that results in the best growth, feed consumption and survival during a 12-week feeding trial on Atlantic salmon

The F3 – Future of Fish Feed launched its newest aquaculture feed contest the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge to spark innovation for a substitute for krill in aquaculture feeds.

Up to 10 companies are invited to register for the contest that will award a $100,000 grand prize for the krill replacement product that results in the best growth, feed consumption and survival during a 12-week feeding trial on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Registration is open until August 31, 2023.

“We are upping the stakes in our fourth challenge to the aquaculture industry to replace another critical marine animal ingredient in fish feed,” said Kevin Fitzsimmons, professor at the University of Arizona and chair of the Future of Fish Feed. “We invite innovators from the feed supplement, feed ingredient, and synthetic biology sectors to join us in advancing more sustainable aquaculture practices that will improve food security globally.”

The F3 Krill Replacement Challenge—the fourth contest hosted by the Future of Fish Feed—was motivated by scientific research that has shown sharp declines in krill populations by as much as 80 per cent, the result of climate-induced changes in ocean temperature, currents, acidification and regional overfishing.

Krill is a popular aquaculture feed ingredient for its nutritional benefits and is thought to increase feed palatability and fish growth. As a result, the commercial krill fishery located in the Antarctic has steadily increased production over the last decade from a high of 200,000 tons in 2010 to 450,000 tons in 2020. The rapidly expanding industrial fishery coupled with climate-induced stressors presents considerable risks to the global krill supply.

A wide variety of marine life depends upon these tiny shrimp-like crustaceans at the base of the marine food chain including whales, penguins, and commercially important wild fisheries like salmon, rockfish, squid, and sardines. Krill is also important for its role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The contest will be run as a comparative feeding trial in which each competitor’s feed additive, attractant or other feed-enhancing product free of marine-animal ingredients will be incorporated into an F3-designed, plant-based feed for Atlantic salmon. To determine a winner, the F3 judges will compare salmon weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and survival observed for each krill replacement product. A diet containing a krill meal is also included in the trial as a control.

The challenge focuses on a widely consumed fish—Atlantic salmon—that are known by farmers to be finicky eaters. The krill replacement products have the potential to benefit many other farmed seafood producers seeking to enhance the performance of “fish-free” feeds since krill is not only used to enhance nutrition but also for its perceived attributes as an attractant and palatant.

To join the race to replace krill in aquaculture feeds, visit the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge website: www.f3challenge.org.

Up to 10 companies are invited to