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AgroPolicy, Horticulture, India, Logistics, Supply Chain, Trade, Transportation

India registers 19% growth in mango export to USA in 2023-24 over last year.

With the continued efforts of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India has registered a significant growth in the export of mangoes in the first five months of the current fiscal (2023-24) by exporting mangoes to the tune of USD 47.98 million, which is 19 percent higher than the previous years’ value of USD 40.33 million in the same period.

With the collaboration of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and APEDA, India exported 22,963.78 MT of mangoes worth USD 48.53 million in 2022-23, while in the current year 2023-24 (April-August), India has exported 27,330.02 MT of mangoes worth USD 47.98 million. As a part of its initiative to promote export of mangoes in the season 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and APEDA invited the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspector for preclearance of mangoes at irradiation facilities at Vashi, Nashik, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

India has achieved grand success in the export of Indian mangoes to the USA by registering a growth of 19 percent in comparison to the previous fiscal year. India has exported 2043.60MT of Indian mangoes to the USA in the first five months of the current fiscal.

Besides the USA, with continuous efforts of the concerned authorities, India has exported 43.08 MT of mangoes to Japan, 110.99 MT of mangoes to New Zealand, 58.42MT of mangoes to Australia and 4.44MT of mangoes to South Africa – a new destination.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and APEDA jointly invited inspectors from South Korea for preclearance of mangoes for exports there. This has allowed India to export 18.43 MT of mangoes after being treated at the authorized Vapour Heat Treatment facility under the joint supervision of the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine, and Storage (DPPQS), India and Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), South Korea.

There has been a significant increase in the export of mangoes in 2022-23. In the season 2023, India has exported mangoes to 41 countries by exploring new destinations such as Iran, Mauritius, Czech Republic and Nigeria.

APEDA has also participated in Seoul Food & Hotel Show to showcase Indian mangoes to promote its export. In order to commemorate the 75 years of Independence of India (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav), APEDA facilitated the export of 75 eastern varieties of mangoes to Bahrain. The consignment included 5 GI-tagged varieties from the eastern region of India.

Additionally, APEDA organized a mango promotion programme or festival in active collaboration with the Missions of India of the respective countries to promote and increase the export of Indian mangoes.

Further, APEDA took various initiatives in 2023 to promote the export of Indian mangoes to different international markets. A mango promotion programme was organized in Malaysia by APEDA in collaboration with High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur, wherein Kesar and Banaganapalli varieties of mangoes were showcased.

India registers 19% growth in mango export

AgroPolicy, Finance, India, Trade, Vegetables

Government has also announced the procurement of additional 2 lakh tons of onion for the buffer, over and above the 5 lakh tons already procured.

The Government on October 28, 2023, notified Minimum Export Price (MEP) of US$ 800 per Metric Ton, Free on Board (FOB) basis, on onion export with effect from October 29, 2023, till December 31, 2023. The measure has been taken to maintain sufficient availability of onion to domestic consumers at affordable prices as the quantity of stored rabi 2023 onion is declining by curbing the quantity of onion exports. The MEP of US$ 800 per MT translates into about Rs 67 per kg.

Along with the decision to impose MEP on onion exports, the Government has also announced the procurement of additional 2 lakh tons of onion for the buffer, over and above the 5 lakh tons already procured. Onion from the buffer has been disposed continuously from the second week of August in major consumption centres all over the country, and also supplied to retail consumers at Rs.25 per kg through mobile vans operated by National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED). Till date about 1.70 lakh Metric Tons of onion has been disposed from the buffer.

The decision to impose the MEP of US$ 800 per MT shows the determination of the Government to keep onion affordable to the domestic consumers.

Government has also announced the procurement of

Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, India, Live Stock

Move aimed at supporting pioneering of smallholder dairy farming transformation.

 Sid’s Farm, a premium dairy brand based in Telangana, announced its selection as a participant in the prestigious Inclusive Business Program by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This milestone was reached with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ecociate, Endeva (Coach), and Sid’s Farm (Coachee), further cementing their commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable business practices.

Under the Inclusive Business Program, Sid’s Farm will embark on an ambitious project titled “Improving Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Milk Productivity by 1.2x Annually.” This project aims to generate meaningful social impact for smallholder farmers and individuals at the base of the economic pyramid, all while ensuring economic viability.

According to Santosh Gupta, Director, Sustainable Agriculture at Ecociate, “We are excited about the potential this coaching program holds for an inclusive business journey and are keen to start working with Sid’s Farm. Their commitment to inclusive business marks a significant step forward in our collaboration. Together we can bring about lasting changes in the realm of sustainable agricultural practices in India.”

Commenting on the inclusion, Dr Kishore Indukuri, Founder, Sid’s Farm said “We are honoured to have received this opportunity. We have been working tirelessly for years now towards the creation of ethical and sustainable dairy farming practices within our ever-growing network of farmers, and it is truly humbling when you are among the chosen few for a prestigious and impactful ESCAP programme as recognition of your efforts.”

The program will target 500 small-scale producers, with a special focus on empowering women in agriculture, with 300 female smallholder dairy farmers. By June 2024, a comprehensive comparison will be made between the progress reports submitted by Sid’s Farm in October 2023 and the projected results. Sid’s Farm aims to achieve a remarkable 20% increase in milk productivity among these farmers, directly or indirectly benefitting a network of 2,200 individuals.

ESCAP’s decision to select Sid’s Farm for its coaching services is a testament to the company’s dedication to fostering positive social and economic change at the grassroots level. In-depth discussions took place during a physical session involving Sid’s Farm’s team members, leading to this exciting partnership.

Furthermore, as a participant in the ESCAP Inclusive Business Program, Sid’s Farm is honoured to be invited to join the prestigious investment dialogue in India and participate in various other activities that align with the program’s objectives. These activities are being facilitated by ESCAP with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sid’s Farm is committed to making a significant difference in the lives of smallholder dairy farmers and the communities at the base of the economic pyramid. This partnership with ESCAP, Ecociate, and Endeva is a significant step towards a brighter and more sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.

Move aimed at supporting pioneering of smallholder

Agrotech, Company News, India, Water

Company aims to cover 25,000 ha of land and reach 35,000 farmers across India by 2025.

Netafim India, a leading smart-irrigation solution provider, has launched its groundbreaking product, Toofan, an innovative irrigation technology that promises to transform farming for growers of all scales. Through this product, the company aims to cover 25,000 ha of land and reach 35,000 farmers by 2025 across India to revolutionize sustainable farming. The innovative system with best-in-category anti-clogging technology ensures optimal delivery of water and nutrients. The drip line is 40 per cent stronger with greater tensile strength. Toofan by Netafim India is 20 per cent more affordable than the existing and available thin wall, non-pressure-compensated (NPC) drip lines in the Indian market.

Toofan by Netafim India not only makes modern, efficient irrigation accessible to all but also offers a simplified buying process that transcends subsidy limitations. The cost-effective drip technology is now available to farmers of all scales, from large to small holdings, regardless of subsidy eligibility. The drip line is engineered for swift deployment, allowing farmers to cover up to 10 acres in a single day. This revolutionary feature saves both time and resources.

The digital launch concluded on the social media platforms of Netafim India and witnessed the interest of 10 Lakh farmers and dealers. Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director, Netafim India and Senior Vice President, Netafim Ltd., unveiled the product during the virtual launch. Toofan by Netafim India is an economical choice engineered with revolutionary TurboNext™ technology and offers unparalleled durability, thus helping farmers achieve better crop yields. The technology is available for any row crops on flat topographies.

Speaking about the launch, Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director Netafim India and Senior Vice President Netafim Ltd., said, “Netafim India aims to provide an affordable, high-performance micro irrigation system that not only ensures consistent and uniform yields but also aids in reducing the operational costs of farmers. As a farmer’s anthropologist, we understand the dynamics of Indian agriculture and continuously work to bring solutions that meet the evolving needs of our growers. We are proud to be a part of India’s agricultural growth story and committed to bring innovations that transform the lives of farmers. We are delighted to set new standards in clog resistance and enhance Agri performance with Toofan driplines. Netafim’s Toofan is set to reshape the agriculture landscape, empowering farmers to embrace modern irrigation practices without subsidy constraints and offering an unprecedented installation speed. Our revolutionary patented technology is a testament to our commitment to support one of the largest sectors contributing to Indian GDP”.

This multi-seasonal system is useful for surface or subsurface (SDI) applications. It promises to usher in a new era of agricultural efficiency and empower Indian farmers for sustainable and quality cultivation. This revolutionary product is available in a convenient 600-meter bundle with a 16 mm diameter and dripper flow rates ranging from 1.0 L/H to 2.2 L/H. With Toofan, farmers will experience a remarkable 40 per cent increase in strength, heightened tensile strength, crack resistance, high elongation properties, and enhanced UV resistance, which extends the product’s lifespan.

Company aims to cover 25,000 ha of

Agrotech, Company News, World

Specialising in cannabis and other indoor and greenhouse crops, AI Grow enables farmers to streamline their operations and create more efficient processes

Boon Greenhouse Consultancy, a long-time provider of agricultural consulting services for major businesses in the horticulture industry, has added automation solutions firm AI Grow to its catalogue of service partners. AI Grow is a technology and horticulture company capable of providing a full suite of automation solutions for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) of all types.

Specialising in cannabis and other indoor and greenhouse crops, AI Grow enables farmers to streamline their operations and create more efficient processes. From automating inputs including lights, water, and nutrients to environmental monitoring and controls, AI Grow boosts yields and bottom lines.

The company’s patent-pending Birdhouse sensors continually monitor light, CO2, temperature, VPD, and humidity to protect crops. Fully customisable fertigation and nutrient dosing allow growers to design their feeding programs while tracking results throughout the crop life cycle.

AI Grow fully customises each project according to client needs. Modular control software allows for full scalability, from craft grows to multi-acre cultivation facilities. An easy-to-use touchscreen interface can be managed on-site or remotely for full operational control, 24/7.

Specialising in cannabis and other indoor and

Biostimulants, Company News, World

This certification process adopted by the E.U. is elevating the standards for products marketed as biostimulants

BioLiNE Gold, an innovative fulvic-based product from BioLiNE Corp. has been approved for CE certification as a biostimulant under the new EU regulations. BioLiNE Gold joins a small handful of biostimulant products that have received this certification. BioLiNE is the first North American humic substance manufacturer to obtain the certification.

These new regulations require efficacy data justifying the product claims for plant biostimulants. BioLiNE Gold has been certified under PFC 6. B (Non-Microbial Plant Biostimulant) for claims of increasing crop yield on all broadacre crops and improving tolerance to abiotic stress on brassica napus L (canola). Plant biostimulants improve nutrient availability, uptake, or use efficiency and tolerance to abiotic stress. They often have similar modes of action across all crops and enhance crop growth, development, quality and/or yield. The CE mark ensures growers that the biostimulants they are using are quality products, effective, and safe for the environment.

“This certification process adopted by the E.U. is elevating the standards for products marketed as biostimulants,” said Mohammad Rahbari, EVP of Innovation & Sustainability at BioLiNE, “I want to thank our wonderful team for their great work and dedication to this endeavour. Attaining the CE Mark is a testament to our R&D team’s hard work, diligence, and pursuit of excellence in generating science-based evidence in support of the crop benefits of our technology.”

This certification process adopted by the E.U.

Animal Health, Company News, World

The joint venture will combine the specific strengths of both partners, including Vland’s market access, regulatory capabilities in China as well and its fast innovation cycles

Evonik China Co., Ltd and Shandong Vland Biotech Co., Ltd agreed to build a joint venture to expand their presence in gut health solutions products for farm animals globally. Evonik will be the majority shareholder in this joint venture with 55 per cent of the shares. The joint venture, called Evonik Vland Biotech (Shandong) Co., Ltd. will have its headquarters in Binzhou, China, and is planned to enter the market in Q1/2024.

The joint venture will combine the specific strengths of both partners, including Vland’s market access, regulatory capabilities in China as well and its fast innovation cycles. In addition, the joint venture will benefit from Evonik’s global sales force and market access, R&D and global regulatory capabilities. Sales of the new joint venture are expected to be in the low double-digit million euro range.

Evonik announced earlier this year that it is developing its speciality nutrition business with system solutions and specialities for poultry, swine and ruminants. The partnership with Vland on gut health solutions is an essential element towards Evonik’s strategy to offer system solutions for its customers in the animal feed industry.

Customised system solutions consisting of products, services and know-how delivering sustainability benefits are part of the strategic core of Evonik’s life science division Nutrition & Care, which includes the Animal Nutrition business line. Biosolutions such as probiotics for animal gut health will strengthen the division’s biotechnology platform.

Evonik Vland Biotech (Shandong) Co., Ltd. will also engage in creating new gut health products. As part of the agreement, Evonik will distribute the joint venture’s portfolio outside of the Greater China Region. The joint venture allows Evonik to expand its gut health solutions by adding broader formulation elements to its global product portfolio.

The joint venture will combine the specific

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, World

After more than 200 trials in recent years in soybean, corn and other crops, Apresa was found to be highly effective against several key weeds including Amaranthus sp., Goosegrass, Sourgrass and many others

ADAMA Ltd, a leading global crop protection company, today announced the wider availability of Apresa, a pre-emergent pre-mix herbicide that delivers broad-spectrum weed control with up to 20 per cent higher efficacy compared to tank mixed solutions.

Containing two complementary modes of action at a high concentration, Apresa eliminates hard-to-control grass and broadleaf weeds while providing a strong residual effect for soybeans and other crops in a simple and safe application for pre-emergence uses.

The product uses ADAMA’s proprietary TOV oil dispersion formulation technology, which maximises the potential of its dual active ingredients.

“Our customers are always looking for ways to streamline their crop protection efforts, and Apresa enables that with its tough, concentrated power in an easy-to-use solution that is excellent for regenerative agriculture,” said Romeu Stanguerlin, SVP of Latin America at ADAMA. “This early season weed control enhances crop yield and quality, and eases harvest due to clean fields. In an innovative formulation, Apresa offers less UV degradation, better straw transposition, synergistic effect and crop safety.” 

After more than 200 trials in recent years in soybean, corn and other crops, Apresa was found to be highly effective against several key weeds including Amaranthus sp., Goosegrass, Sourgrass and many others. Its performance has been recognised by advisors, researchers, and farmers as an excellent tool for Weed Resistance Management (WRM) with a long-lasting effect, often season-long control.

After more than 200 trials in recent

Animal Health, Company News, Live Stock, Poultry, World

The high degree of homology with local strains makes MEFLUVAC™ H5 PLUS 8 the vaccine of choice

Kemin Industries will launch the MEFLUVAC H5 PLUS 8 vaccine in partnership with ilender in Latin America to assist in building immunity against the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Kemin Biologics, the global veterinary vaccine division of Kemin, will debut the new vaccine in Peru at the event and roadshow starting on October 30 in the Peruvian cities of Lima, Trujillo and Chincha. At this event, policy and distribution stakeholders, along with customers from the poultry meat and layer industries, will gather to discuss vaccinology and risk management programs. The industry leaders will focus on the importance of addressing major pathogens that compromise animal performance and food security for the growing population.

“We are excited to introduce our technology and best practices to empower the poultry industry in Peru and Latin America to mitigate the growing threat of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza,” said Dr Ricardo Neto, Technical Service Manager, Kemin Biologics. “The high degree of homology with local strains makes MEFLUVAC™ H5 PLUS 8 the vaccine of choice.”

The high degree of homology with local

Company News, E-commerce, Finance, India, Start ups

The funds will be used to scale up BharatAgri’s e-commerce platform to cater to new geographies and strengthen its last-mile delivery.

BharatAgri, an advisory-led e-commerce platform for farmers, announced that the company has raised Series A funding of Rs 35 crore ($4.3 million) led by Arkam Ventures, an early-stage venture fund dedicated to ‘Middle-India’ startups. The round also saw participation from Capria Ventures, and the existing investors, India Quotient, 021 Capital, and Omnivore.

The funds will be used to scale up BharatAgri’s e-commerce platform to cater to new geographies and strengthen its last-mile delivery. Rahul Chandra, Managing Director of Arkam Ventures, will join the board of BharatAgri.

Founded by IIT-Madras alumni Siddharth Dialani and Sai Gole, BharatAgri uses smart farming advisory to help farmers identify and order the best input specific to their needs. The company has built prediction algorithms that provide advisory customised to crops, region and climatic changes. BharatAgri’s e-commerce platform offers 10,000-plus agricultural products such as fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, insecticides, and farming equipment, among others, and is delivered pan-India across 20,000-plus pin codes.

Dialani said, “In the next three years, 50 million-plus farmers will use the internet for the first time, and we want BharatAgri to be their bridge to the digital era of agri that is now dawning. With 10 lakh-plus unique monthly users, 10,000-plus SKUs, 100-plus marketplace partners, and 20,000-plus serviceable pin codes, BharatAgri is making a significant impact on farmers’ lives. With this investment, BharatAgri aims to further strengthen its rural supply chain, expand the user base and become the largest and the de facto e-commerce platform for farmers.”

 BharatAgri has conducted extensive weather experiments for four years at ICAR, Hyderabad, and collected parameters to build the prediction algorithm to offer personalised and dynamic crop calendars for farmers, satellite-based monitoring, and soil and water testing services, mentioned the company in statement.

Rahul Chandra, MD of Arkam Ventures, said “Agri inputs is a $44-billion market in India and suffers from stockouts, misinformation and non-scientific usage. The Indian farmer is now seeking digital information and concerned with farm yields, crop as well as personal safety and household wealth”

Chandra also added that the rural infrastructure in India is rapidly modernising with the last mile touching more and more villages, and farmers are increasingly trusting digital knowledge sources. The credible advice from BharatAgri helps bridge the trust deficit that accompanies input purchasing and promises to open a digital channel for thousands of new products and brands that farmers seek to buy.

The funds will be used to scale

Company News, R&D, World

This partnership extends the technology beyond healthcare and into agricultural applications

Alveo Technologies, Inc. announced a collaboration with Corteva Agriscience to expand the offering of its novel eco-friendly molecular sensing and disease diagnostics technology to include a first-in-field agricultural disease diagnostic.

Alveo has developed a rapid, handheld, portable medical-grade platform that pairs advanced molecular assays with cloud-enabled data analytics for real-time disease, pathogen analysis, and diagnosis. Using this highly sensitive multiplexed molecular testing platform, Corteva scientists aim to design crop-specific assays to detect pathogens in the field.

“Alveo has developed a game-changing, mobile ‘molecular lab’ that can deliver highly sensitive and specific diagnostic testing where it is needed, which can help solve some of the world’s most complex problems, like pandemics and global food crises,” said Shaun Holt, Alveo CEO. “Our collaboration with Corteva reflects our core focus of taking molecular testing out of the lab and directly to the point of need where it can deliver insight and guidance. This partnership extends the technology beyond healthcare and into agricultural applications.”

“Corteva Agriscience explores the latest technologies as we strive to bring actionable insights and solutions to farmers where and when they need them,” said Gina Zastrow-Hayes, Technical Director, Seed, R&D & Biotechnology, Corteva. “We are pleased to explore this feasibility with Alveo and are excited by the potential that in-field molecular testing platforms hold for the agricultural industry.”

This partnership extends the technology beyond healthcare

Animal Health, India, R&D

This partnership aims to replace traditional chemical processes in veterinary active ingredient production with a sustainable biological method

Ginkgo Bioworks, which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, and Zenfold Sustainable Technologies, a company focused on developing and manufacturing speciality ingredients using sustainable technologies and precision fermentation, announced a collaboration to leverage Ginkgo Enzyme Services in its effort to discover an enzyme critical to the manufacturing of veterinary products. This partnership aims to replace traditional chemical processes in veterinary active ingredient production with a sustainable biological method.

“This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Zenfold’s mission to bring sustainable manufacturing technology to the veterinary medicine industry,” said Dr. BSV Prasad, CEO and Managing Director of Zenfold Sustainable Technologies. “By utilising Ginkgo’s expertise and innovation, we are well-positioned to develop a sustainable solution that will have a lasting impact on the Indian market and beyond.”

“We are excited to partner with Zenfold, which brings a powerful vision of sustainable biotechnology to veterinary active ingredient development. This collaboration will enable us to apply our state-of-the-art enzyme discovery module to enable more innovation in the veterinary medicine space,” said Jennifer Wipf, SVP, Head of Commercial, Cell Engineering at Ginkgo. “The project involves creating a broad library of cDNA candidates from a metagenomic collection of billions of enzyme sequences. That’s the kind of scale visionary projects like this need, and Ginkgo is committed to scaling up this solution for the betterment of animal health and the environment.”

This partnership aims to replace traditional chemical

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Finance

The IRRI-PhilRice-PCIC tripartite partnership will bring innovative crop insurance products to improve the resilience of Filipino farmers to climatic risks.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) are collaborating on the development of an area-based yield index insurance for rice based on satellite data. This will help improve Filipino farmers’ resilience to climatic risks.

The memorandum of agreement was signed during the 6th International Rice Congress on 19 October 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC), Pasay City, Philippines.

This partnership builds upon an earlier collaboration between IRRI and PhilRice that developed and operationalized a satellite-based rice mapping and monitoring system called PRISM (Philippine Rice Information System). Operational since 2018, PRISM uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images and a smart detection system to map rice planting areas and planting dates. Using crop growth simulation modelling, it provides timely yield forecasts and end-of-season rice yields.

PRISM data will be used in designing and testing an Area-Based Yield (ARBY) index insurance for rice. ARBY is a type of crop insurance that provides coverage based on historical average yield of a specific geographic area, rather than individual farmer’s yields, to determine payouts in the event of crop losses.

“The fusion of satellite technology and advanced modelling is revolutionizing how we can insure rice crops. With timely insights into yield forecasts and end-of-season yields, satellite-based ARBY index insurance for rice can help simplify the much-needed coverage for smallholder farmers, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for agriculture,” said Dr Ajay Kohli, Interim Director-General of IRRI.

The agreement seeks to help make crop insurance products available to some 2.4 million rice farmers in the Philippines who constantly have to face the risks of losing their yields due to calamities such as tropical cyclones, droughts, and floods. On average, the country experiences around 20 cyclones every year, with at least eight making landfalls. Climate change also poses a significant threat as it makes the impact of calamities like floods and droughts more severe.

“This partnership is a step toward making insurance protection available to Filipino farmers at a crucial time when we are facing severe weather challenges such as droughts and floods, intensified by climate change. We welcome this collaboration as it aligns with our mission to improve the well-being of rice-farming communities in the country,” said Dr John de Leon, Executive Director of PhilRice.

“At PCIC, we appreciate these innovative solutions that can bring about greater efficiencies in our operations compared to the traditional indemnity-based crop insurance model which involves manual visits and verifications for each claim. By leveraging modern technologies, we can provide better insurance products and services to farmers,” said Atty. Jovy Bernabe, President of PCIC.

This collaboration is supported by the CGIAR initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR) which aims to transform the climate adaptation capacity and increase the resilience of smallholder production systems to withstand severe climate change effects in six countries including the Philippines.

The IRRI-PhilRice-PCIC tripartite partnership will bring innovative