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Agrotech, Award, Company News, World

In his current role, John leads a team of more than 80 regulatory and stewardship professionals.

 Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC is proud to announce that John Abbott, head of regulatory and stewardship, received the Lea S. Hitchner Award at CropLife America 2023 Annual Meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee.

“John has been a leader in the pesticide industry for 36 years, serving in numerous corporate and volunteer roles and receiving many awards,” said Val Dolcini, head of Syngenta Business Sustainability and Government Affairs in North America. “This well-deserved award is reflective of his leadership and tremendous contribution to the industry.”

In his current role, John leads a team of more than 80 regulatory and stewardship professionals. His team is responsible for all new regulatory approvals in North America, maintaining current registrations, ensuring compliance with regulations, supporting the safe use of our products with stakeholders, and interacting with all areas of our business.

But John’s corporate work is only one part of his contributions to our industry. He has a rich and robust history of leading volunteer efforts that find new ways in which the agriculture industry, pesticide manufacturers, and regulatory agencies can work together more effectively.

“I work with John regularly and am consistently impressed by his ability to find positive outcomes for every stakeholder at the table. It’s a remarkable skill that has served him well in his long career, and I believe his contributions have greatly benefited CLA and the pesticide industry by keeping us all at the table, learning from each other, and, most importantly, listening to each other,” said Dolcini.

Named after the first CropLife America president, the Lea S. Hitchner Award honors one individual whose outstanding contributions to the industry and association activities epitomize the essence of Lea Hitchner.

In his current role, John leads a

Company News, People, World

Scanlan joined the company on September 25, 2023. She is assuming the role previously held by Kyle Matthews, who passed away earlier this year

FMC Corporation announced that Jacqueline (Jackie) Scanlan has been named executive vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO). Scanlan will lead the global Human Resources (HR) function and assume responsibility for FMC’s global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy and team. She will report to Mark Douglas, FMC president and chief executive officer.

Scanlan is a seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of experience at multinational companies across various industries. She joins FMC from Axalta Coating Systems, where she served as senior vice president and CHRO since 2021. She has held senior HR roles at several leading companies, including Haemonetics Corporation, Novo Nordisk and Campbell Soup Company.

“Jackie brings extensive experience in HR management with significant focus in areas such as organisation and people strategy, change and talent management, leadership development, culture and HR functional excellence,” said Douglas. “She is ideally suited to lead our Human Resources and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organisations. I am pleased to welcome her to the FMC executive team and look forward to her leadership.”

Scanlan joined the company on September 25, 2023. She is assuming the role previously held by Kyle Matthews, who passed away earlier this year.

Scanlan joined the company on September 25, 2023.

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, IT

Currently, the Chatbot is available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, and Tamil. In a short period, it will be available in all 22 languages of the country.

Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched AI Chatbot for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at New Delhi. The launch of AI Chatbot marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, and also providing farmers prompt, clear, and accurate responses to their queries.

Launching the AI Chatbot, Choudhary said the AI Chatbot will help in accessing scheme information and resolving grievances. He also called upon the need to widen the service to link it with other related issues like weather information, soil conditions and bank payments etc. The minister complemented the Ministry officials for onboarding the technology in a short span of time and added that it will ease the burden for agriculture officials at the Centre and states.

During the virtual event, dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in the agricultural sector. The successful launch of the AI Chatbot for PM KISAN scheme reaffirms the Government’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements for the welfare of farmers.

 Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Family Welfare noted that the AI chatbot will also be implemented for other major schemes of the Ministry in coming months.  Pramod Mehreda, Addl. Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Family Welfare made a detailed presentation on the features of Chatbot and its benefits for farmers.

The AI Chatbot acts as a comprehensive guide for the beneficiaries, providing them with timely and accurate responses to their queries related to the scheme. This is the first AI Chatbot integrated with a major flagship scheme of the Union government. It has been developed and improved with the support of EKstep foundation and Bhashini. The introduction of the AI chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform. In its first phase of development, the AI chatbot will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates. The AI Chatbot, accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, is integrated with Bhashini, which offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic and regional diversity of the PM KISAN beneficiaries. This integration of advanced technology will not only enhance transparency but will also empower farmers to make informed decisions.

Currently, the Chatbot is available in English,

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (2nd from right) along with dignitaries inaugurating the 5th World Coffee Conference 2023 by lighting the lamp on Sept 25 at Bangalore.

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, called upon the coffee industry leaders and stakeholders “Together, let’s nurture a sustainable and thriving coffee industry for generations to come.”

He said after inaugurating the 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) 2023, on the theme “Sustainability through circular economy and regenerative agriculture”.

Addressing the gathering the minister said “The theme of the conference emphasizes the crucial importance of sustainability, waste reduction, and inclusivity in shaping a greener coffee future. As we gather in Bangalore, a hub of flavour and innovation, I stand by four core principles: continuous innovation from farm to cup, promoting sustainability, fostering global collaborations, and maintaining top-quality standards throughout production, processing, and packaging.”

Organised by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India; Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; Government of Karnataka, and the Coffee Industry, 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) 2023 is taking place from September 25-28, 2023, at the iconic Bangalore Palace in Bengaluru.

Joe Kuli, Minister for Coffee from Papua New Guinea; Massimiliano Fabian, Chair of the International Coffee Council; Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & Managing Director, Nestle India Ltd.; Sunil D’Souza, CEO & MD, Tata Consumer Products; Challa Srishant, Managing Director, CCL Products (India) Ltd.; Shiva Krishnamurthy, Vice President, South Asia Food & Beverage, Hindustan Unilever Limited; N. Sathappan, Chairman & MD, SLN Coffee Pvt. Ltd.; Dr Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization, and representatives of UNIDO, FAO, ITC, Afreximbank and ILO were present on the occasion and shared their views on sustainable and thriving coffee industry.

Rohan Bopanna, India’s No.1 Doubles Tennis Player & Arjuna Awardee who is the Brand Ambassador of WCC 2023 shared his comments via a recorded message as he is representing India at the ongoing Asian Games in China.

Welcoming the Chief guest and dignitaries at the World Coffee Conference, Dr KG Jagadeesha, CEO and Secretary, Coffee Board of India, said, “Today marks the commencement of an extraordinary journey for the coffee industry, not only in India but across the expansive landscape of Asia. The journey encompasses a four-day World Coffee Conference, a sprawling exhibition, business-to-business meetings, exhilarating competitions, and enlightening skill-building workshops. Our primary objective is to cultivate knowledge, promote collaboration, and facilitate networking among coffee professionals on a global scale.”

He further said “This grand event brings together over 80 countries, 2400+ delegates, 130+ esteemed speakers, 250+ exhibitors, and an impressive count of 10,000+ business visitors and 300+ B2B meetings. We are honoured to extend our warm welcome to revered leaders and visionary figures from every corner of the world. Together, we embark on a path of profound transformation and unparalleled growth, bound by our shared passion for coffee and a steadfast commitment to progress.” N. N. Narendra, Director Finance, Coffee Board of India proposed vote of thanks.

The 4-day long event features Conference, Skill Building Workshops, Growers Conclave, CEOs & Global Leaders Forum, Startup Conclave, Competitions & Awards, and an Exhibition showcasing cutting-edge coffee products and services. In line with India’s commitment to the global coffee industry, this event enhances awareness, fosters partnerships, and celebrates the world of coffee.

This prestigious occasion unfolded in the iconic Bangalore Palace, covering an impressive 30,000 sqm area. It is poised as a global rendezvous for coffee enthusiasts, industry leaders, experts, and aficionados. The participants profile includes ICO Member Country Representatives, Coffee Growers, Coffee Roasters, Coffee Curers, Farm to Cup Coffee Industry, HORECA, Café Owners, Coffee Nations, Policy Makers, StartUps, R&D, and students.

A notable highlight of the event is a captivating dome-shaped structure designed as a Coffee Museum, which serves as a remarkable showcase of coffee plantations in the Western Ghats. This feature is particularly appealing to all participants, with the primary goal of raising awareness about the distinctive qualities of shade-grown and sustainable nature of Indian coffees among international attendees. This exceptional structure will vividly depict the journey of a coffee bean from its origin to the coffee cup, offering insights into various coffee varieties from India. It utilises indigenous plants sourced from this region of India to enhance the experience.

Exhibition at WCC 2023 is a star attraction where entire coffee value chain- from bean to cup, equipment companies, coffee machines, soluble coffees brands as well café chains are exhibiting. There are also beautifully designed themed pavilion representing states such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the North-East, each showcasing the diverse range of coffees produced in India.

Conference Sessions will revolve around important topics like Circular Economy & Regenerative Agriculture, Financing Mechanisms, Coffee Quality, Sustainability & Climate Change, Start-up Innovations, Coffee Trade, Livelihood Challenges, Consumption, Social Sustainability, Importance of Robusta and Trading Platforms.

Another highlight is the Skill Building Workshops which will focus on sessions around The Rise of Alternative Milk, Everything Brewing – Cold and Hot, Creating Coffee Community – Cafes and Micro Roasters, Sample Roasting at Origin, Alternative fuel for the future of Coffee Roasting, Cooperative venture in India: 19 steps to fetching a cupping score of 91 points – seed-to-cup journey, Panel Discussion on The Cafe Business, A Masterclass in Espresso – (Intermediate & Professional), Sipping Sustainability: Exploring Climate-Resilient Coffee Species – Tasting & Panel Talk, Basics of Barista Championship Preparation, The Mysterious Robusta Bean (With Sensory Assessment), Cocoa and Coffee – A story in the making and Blending & profiling Robusta.

Growers Conclave during WCC 2023 aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among individuals who contribute to the coffee cultivation and production process. Participants will get the global perspective from speakers from all over the world including Brazil, Mexico, Vietnam, Colombia, Europe, and more. They will also get to explore cutting-edge techniques, sustainable practices, specialty coffee and exciting trends in the world of coffee farming.

Bengaluru serves as the host city for this exceptional global assembly, highlighting a shared dedication to sustainability and innovation within the coffee industry. As part of the event, traditional folk dances from coffee growing states of Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and the North-East have been organised, providing delegates from around the world with a delightful glimpse into India’s rich and diverse cultures.

The day concluded with insightful keynote sessions on Global Coffee Perspectives and Future Prospects by Dr Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, ICO; Principles of Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture by Prof. Gunter Pauli, Economist, Blue Economy and Coffee Market Future Trends by Matthew Barry, Insight Manager- Food & Beverage, Euromonitor International.

This event continues the tradition of previous successful editions held in England (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010), and Ethiopia (2016), each of which garnered widespread acclaim from coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry,

AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain

The resounding success of their recent endeavour, the India Cold Chain Conclave organised in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment

In a remarkable display of collaborative effort, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare spearheaded by the National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD), continues its dedicated mission to sensitise cold chain stakeholders across the nation. The resounding success of their recent endeavour, the India Cold Chain Conclave organised in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment.

Attended by a distinguished assembly of around 400 delegates, including luminaries such as Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and Advisor to Governor Shri Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, the conclave served as a platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange. This grand assembly organized on 20th September, was further graced by the esteemed presence of J.S (Horticulture), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Priya Ranjan Verma; COO, NCCD, Asheesh Fotedar; Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ghulam Rasool; Chairman PHDCCI-Kashmir, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Ganai and several other concerned officials.

The Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta lauded the approach of bringing this important conclave to Srinagar and pressed for increasing the capacity of CA stores in the valley to benefit the growers. Advisor to Governor Sh. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar pointed out the importance of the event and extended full support to farmers, growers and CA enterprises.

The Joint Secretary (Horticulture), Priya Ranjan spoke about the importance of sustainable cold chain and how NCCD is propelling the development of the Cold chain sector with a focus on energy, technology, and climate which in turn will bring more investment opportunities to the UT of J&K.

The resounding success of their recent endeavour,

AgroPolicy, Dairy, India

The surveillance survey will cover around 766 districts across the country and over 10,000 samples will be collected during the exercise

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a nationwide surveillance study on milk and milk products this month, in a bid to curb adulteration of such items, said an official of the country’s apex food regulator.

Satyen K Panda Advisor (Quality Assurance) FSSAI said, “The exercise will continue till October, and the regulator is expected to submit its report to the health ministry by December. The surveillance survey will cover around 766 districts across the country and over 10,000 samples will be collected during the exercise. Two agencies have been engaged for the purpose.”

Panda further added, “Quality Council of India, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the National Dairy Development Board will conduct the survey for FSSAI. The scope for the survey includes milk, khoya, paneer, ghee, butter, curd and ice cream. The test parameters are adulterants, normal quality and compositional parameters, contaminants, antibiotic residues and microbiological indicators.

The surveillance survey will cover around 766

Animal Health, Company News, Live Stock

Decarbia, Ecolibrium, and Renuva technologies support more sustainable offerings for propylene glycol applications

Dow launched a new range of propylene glycol (PG) solutions featuring alternative – lower carbon, bio-based and circular – feedstocks in Europe. Customers can now deliver end-products to a broad range of industries, such as pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food, with third-party validated sustainability benefits due to a mass balance approach. This mass balance approach traces the flow of sustainable raw materials used to manufacture PG through a complex value chain and attributes it based on verifiable bookkeeping; an approach that has received ISCC PLUS certification.

“We recognise demand has increased for the use of renewable materials to reduce carbon and enable circularity. By applying our low-carbon, bio-based, and advanced recycling technologies, we are making this a reality for PG. Our customers will benefit from the same high-quality performance with a more sustainable material,” said Andrew Jones, global business director, Dow CAV & POPG.

Using innovative technologies, three new sustainable propylene glycol product lines will now be available in Europe and certified through ISCC PLUS:

Propylene Glycol RDC featuring Decarbia reduced carbon solutions from renewable energy sources

Propylene Glycol REN featuring Ecolibrium bio-based technology from 2nd generation bio-based raw material

Propylene Glycol CIR featuring Renuva recycled content from post-consumer waste streams

PG RDC, PG REN and PG CIR are suitable for a broad range of applications across industries as diverse as agricultural, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textile and food. Over the coming months, Dow intends to launch equivalent products in other regions of the world.

Decarbia, Ecolibrium, and Renuva technologies support more

AgroPolicy, Sugar industry

This fully digital initiative will facilitate smooth sugar market with deterrence to commodity hoarders from any speculative transactions.

Government of India has been successfully maintaining stable retail price of sugar in the country. As a proactive measure to combat hoarding and curb unscrupulous speculation in the sugar market Government has issued orders to mandatory disclose stock position of sugar for Traders/Wholesaler, Retailer, Big Chain Retailer, Processors of Sugar on the portal (https://esugar.nic.in) of Department of Food and PD on every Monday.

This mandatory weekly stock disclosure for these entities is another proactive step in Government of India’s efforts to maintain a balanced and fair sugar market. By preventing hoarding and speculation, Government of India is aiming to ensure that sugar remains affordable for all consumers. This proactive measure empowers regulatory authorities to closely monitor stock levels and take prompt action against any potential market manipulation.

This fully digital initiative will facilitate smooth sugar market with deterrence to commodity hoarders from any speculative transactions. Besides, it will also provide real-time data on sugar stocks and help the Government to make further policy decisions, as and when need arises, to mitigate the impact of rumours of rising sugar prices on consumers and the industry.

Further, Government is also expecting cooperation from sugar mills and traders to adhere to the relevant laws and monthly domestic quota norms. Strict action will be taken against the mills violating the same.

With 83 LMT at the end of August 2023 and expected beginning of crushing in Oct 2023, India has sufficient stocks for domestic consumption with absolutely no shortage for festivals. In fact, Government has released first tranche of domestic sales quota of 13 LMT also which sugar mills can start selling with immediate effect. More quota will be released in due course in view of market conditions.

This fully digital initiative will facilitate smooth

Acquaculture, Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, India, Live Stock, R&D

 This critical genome data could be used to improve the management strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Indian Oil Sardine fish.

In a major breakthrough in Indian marine fisheries research, a team of scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, has decoded the whole genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps), a popular food fish. This is the first time that the genome of a marine fish species that is important to harvest fisheries in the Indian subcontinent has been decoded. Indian oil sardine is a vital fisheries resource in the Indian subcontinent, contributing substantially, approximately 10-15 per cent, to the total marine fisheries industry in India.

 Milestone in Indian marine fisheries

This development is a milestone in Indian marine fisheries as the decoded genome will be a valuable resource for understanding the biology, ecology and evolution of the oil sardine. This critical genome data could be used to improve the management strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of this fish. The decoded genome is 1.077 Gb in size and contains a total of 46316 protein coding genes. This landmark research accomplishment was achieved through the cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing technology by a group of researchers led by Dr Sandhya Sukumaran, Principal Scientist at Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the ICAR-CMFRI. This research has been published in the high impact journal Scientific Data of Nature group.

Certification and catch monitoring

This fish is a trans-boundary resource and the whole genome information can also be utilised for certification of the fishery and identification of the origin of catch for monitoring clandestine trade and tracking the movement of this enigmatic fish.

Supports climate study

Small pelagic fishes like the Indian oil sardines can be considered as model organisms to study the climatic as well as fishing impacts on the Indian Ocean resources, as they respond to variations in environmental and oceanographic parameters. The sardines are ecologically important part of the marine ecosystem, as they form an intermediate link in the food web and serve as prey for larger predators. The genome assembly of the sardines is a valuable tool for studying how fish adapt to climate change. Genetic and genomic investigations found that Indian oil sardines exist in two highly distinct stocks, one in the Indian waters and another in the Gulf of Oman. Understanding these genetic differences could help researchers comprehend how environmental and oceanographic conditions impact this species in different regions of the Northern Indian Ocean.

Beneficial to nutritional research

The researchers have also identified the genes involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the oil sardine, offering insights into the genomic mechanisms behind the high nutritional quality of these sardines. Oil sardines are a good source of these fatty acids, which play a crucial role in maintaining human health. The researchers behind the achievement are of the view that their findings could support scientists in finding critical leads in nutritional research and developing new dietary supplements or fortified foods that are high in PUFAs. Further, it supports studies on synthesizing PUFAs through transgenesis or gene editing techniques in organisms of choice to improve nutritional quality.

 This critical genome data could be used

Company News, Europe, Horticulture, Trade

Focus on large-scale professional strawberry growers to meet growing consumer and retail demand..

Bayer has announced the expansion of its leading Fruits and Vegetables business to strawberries. With the acquisition of the strawberry assets of UK-based NIAB, Bayer will expand its focus on professional protected culture growers to meet the growing consumer and retail demand for year-round, high-quality strawberries and will also have varieties available for open field conditions. This agreement allows the company’s Crop Science Division to provide a broader range of solutions for growers in the expanding protected strawberry market. The strawberry varieties are complemented by Bayer’s biological and chemical crop protection products. The acquisition is expected to close by January 1, 2024.

“Strawberries are the fastest growing fruit crop, with year-round demand exceeding supply. In fact, strawberries are the category leaders in the produce aisle, accounting for more than 23 percent of fresh fruit sales,” said Inci Dannenberg, Head of Bayer’s Vegetables business. “With Bayer entering the strawberry market, we will offer growers premium genetics combined with innovative crop protection products and digital solutions. The addition of strawberries to Bayer’s portfolio is a natural progression that many of our customers are making as well.”

NIAB’s Strawberry Breeding Programme has been operating for more than 40 years from its roots at East Malling Research Station which is located in Kent County, UK, and which has long been associated with excellence in horticulture innovation.

“NIAB at East Malling has built a strong foundation in strawberries, supported by more than a century of world-class horticulture research at our Kent site, and we’re proud that it will continue with Bayer,” said Mario Caccamo, CEO of NIAB. “As well as bringing accelerated innovation to UK growers, Bayer will also make these great tasting strawberries available to more growers and consumers around the world.”

By moving to protected cropping, strawberry growers have more control over their environment, crop management, pests and disease, and in turn will see clear benefits in fruit quality, harvest security and consistency. Additionally, plants grown under protection use less water than open field crops and have the potential for increased retail shelf life as they can be grown closer to the consumer.

With its advanced breeding technologies, Bayer will continue to deliver the advancements consumers, retailers and growers need. “We have built a strong foundation in precision breeding capabilities and look forward to bringing these approaches into strawberries,” said JD Rossouw, Head of Vegetables Research & Development at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “Using these techniques will enable us to continue to advance on the foundation set by NIAB and deliver superior strawberries to our growers and the value chain.”

With more than 20 different crops and thousands of vegetable seed selections, Bayer’s Vegetable Seeds business supports a diverse range of growers with seed varieties tailored to the tastes and preferences of consumers around the globe. Key crops are Tomato, Cucumber, Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melon, Onion, Pepper, Spinach, Sweet corn and Watermelon. Sales of the business unit reached 717 million euros in 2022.

Focus on large-scale professional strawberry growers to

Agro Universities, Award, R&D, Seeds

Dr Swati is honoured for her pivotal role in engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) scientist Dr Swati Nayak – a highly accomplished researcher known for her pivotal role in engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties – has been honored as the recipient of the 2023 Borlaug Field Award by the esteemed selection jury of the World Food Prize.

Endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Borlaug Field Award, named in honor of the renowned agricultural scientist and Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, is presented annually to individuals under the age of 40 whose pioneering and exceptional science-based work have significantly advanced the world’s food production and helped alleviate hunger and malnutrition. The recipient is awarded USD10,000 and an award diploma.

Nayak’s illustrious career, spanning over 13 years, has been characterized by outstanding contributions, unwavering perseverance, and a profound commitment to bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practical applications. Apart from being the South Asia Lead for Seed Systems at IRRI, Nayak also has been serving as the lead for cereal seed system group under the key initiative SeedEqual of CGIAR.

Throughout her career, Nayak has organized more than 10,000 on-farm and comparative testings and participatory evaluations for more than 500 rice varieties and disseminated more than 20 critical path-breaking varieties that are climate resilient, high-yielding, bio-fortified, and healthier through seed systems and scaling channels in many countries.

One of her critical accomplishments include her role in positioning and creating early entry points for many potential drought-tolerant varieties in India. Nayak and her team formulated a strategy for introducing the drought-tolerant rice variety Shahabhagi Dhan in Mayurbhanj, one of the most populous, mostly tribal, districts in Odisha, India. Eight years after Nayak’s initial intervention, Sahabhagi Dhan remains one of the most in-demand products in Odisha and the rest of India.

She expressed deep gratitude for receiving this prestigious award, stating, “I am deeply grateful to the World Food Prize Foundation for this honor which echoes our joint pledge to build a resilient food system and a better world for all. As a proud IRRI-CGIAR Scientist and having the opportunity to work with several eminent researchers, I dedicate this award to thousands of agriculture extensionists, change agents, and scaling and innovation experts specifically to all the young women professionals who are directly working with the farmers.”

“This moment is a new beginning and a great opportunity to further strengthen my efforts, voice, and impact as a field scientist. I look forward to working relentlessly, and ensuring that novel technologies, knowledge, and resources reach the farmers faster while ensuring equity and inclusivity,” she added.

The award was officially announced on 19 September 2023 during a CGIAR-hosted event at the New York City Climate Week. Dr. Swati Nayak is set to formally receive the award during the Borlaug Dialogue scheduled to take place on 24 October 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dr Swati is honoured for her pivotal

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

From left to right – Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ and Dr KG Jagadeesha, CEO and Secretary, Coffee Board of India showcasing the preparedness of 5th World Coffee Conference 2023 at Bangalore Palace.

The event will feature engaging sessions, coffee tastings, competitions, panel discussions, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge coffee products and services.

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India will inaugurate the four-day 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) 2023 organised by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Government of Karnataka, and the coffee industry on September 25, 2023, at the iconic Bangalore Palace, Bengaluru.

Speaking to media as a preview of the preparations for the upcoming 5th World Coffee Conference 2023 Dr K.G. Jagadeesha, CEO & Secretary of the Coffee Board of India, said “This prestigious occasion will unfold in the renowned Bangalore Palace, covering an impressive 30,000 sqm area. It is poised to be a global rendezvous for coffee enthusiasts, industry leaders, experts, and aficionados.”

He further said “the World Coffee Conference 2023 is expected to draw participants from over 80 countries, including 2400+ Delegates, 117 Speakers, 208 Exhibitors, 10,000+ visitors, and 300+ B2B meetings. The participants profile includes ICO Member Country Representatives, Coffee Growers, Coffee Roasters, Coffee Curers, Farm to Cup Coffee Industry, HORECA, Café Owners, Coffee Nations, Policy Makers, Start-Ups, R&D, and students.”

Dr Jagadeesha, who personally guided members of the media at the venue said “A dome-shaped structure has been designed that has Coffee Museum and showcase of the Western Ghats coffee plantation, serving as an enticing attraction for all the participants, particularly to create awareness of unique feature of shade-grown coffees of India to visiting global participants. This unique structure will illustrate the journey of a coffee bean from its source to the cup, showcasing various coffee varieties from India, utilising the natural plants sourced from this region of India.”

Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Activ, said “The event will feature engaging sessions, coffee tastings, competitions, panel discussions, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge coffee products and services. In line with India’s commitment to the global coffee industry, this event enhances awareness, fosters partnerships, and celebrates the world of coffee.” 

From left to right – Jagdish Patankar,

Agrotech, Company News, Water, World

This 3-year, $3 million partnership will equip farmers, conservation planners, and sustainability experts across North America with innovative tools to enhance drought resilience, improve soil health, and encourage sustainable water use

The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and Cargill are coming together to advance the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices through the promotion of water stewardship within agricultural supply chains. This 3-year, $3 million partnership will equip farmers, conservation planners, and sustainability experts across North America with innovative tools to enhance drought resilience, improve soil health, and encourage sustainable water use.

“Climate change-induced extreme weather events, including drought, heavy precipitation, and elevated temperatures, have dramatically intensified operational risks for farmers and the broader food, fibre, fuel, and beverage sector,” said Wayne Honeycutt, president and CEO of SHI. “Through this partnership, we’re expediting the adoption of regenerative systems by offering stakeholders practical insights to assess improvements in water storage and availability resulting from changes in on-farm practices.”

Recent SHI research has demonstrated that increases in available water holding capacity (AWHC) associated with soil organic carbon gains from soil health practice implementation can lead to twice as much water storage in the topsoil compared to previous estimates. This important finding, currently available as a set of mathematical equations, provides a scientifically robust framework to measure the impact of soil health management on water storage. Continuing efforts supported by this partnership will make this data more accessible to farmers and sustainability experts, enabling farmers to estimate how many more inches of water their soil can capture during the growing season due to improved soil health.

Ashley McKeon, director of regenerative agriculture at Cargill, affirmed, “We strongly believe that regenerative agricultural practices can play a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and water stress on our agricultural systems, which is why we are committed to advancing regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres of agricultural land in North America by 2030. Building on more than five years of partnering with the Soil Health Institute, we are empowering farmers and stakeholders across the agricultural value chain with the tools they need to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.”

This 3-year, $3 million partnership will equip

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

The successful implementation of the OMSS(D) policy has ensured that the prices of wheat are kept under control in the open market

As a part of Govt of India’s initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of wheat and atta, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offering wheat under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)] through weekly e-auction at the reserve price of Rs. 2125/- per qtl which is at par with the current MSP of wheat.

A quantity of 2.00 LMT wheat is being offered in each weekly auction across the country from more than 480 depots and during the year 2023-24, till 21.09.2023 total of 13 e-auctions have been conducted wherein 18.09 LMT wheat has been sold under the scheme.

The weighted average selling price of wheat during August’23 was Rs. 2254.71/qtl which has come down to Rs. 2163.47/qtl in the e-auction dated 20.09.23. The downward trend in the weighted average selling price of wheat suggests that the market prices of wheat have cooled down in the open market. In each weekly e-auction conducted, the quantity sold has not crossed 90 per cent of the qty offered which shows that sufficient stocks of wheat are being offered across the country.

The successful implementation of the OMSS(D) policy has ensured that the prices of wheat are kept under control in the open market and sufficient stock of wheat is available in the central pool for the continuation of OMSS(D) policy for the remaining period of 2023-24.

The successful implementation of the OMSS(D) policy