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Agrotech, Company News, India, IT, Seeds

The ‘SeedSure’ app helps deal with critical operations such as data collection and crop assessment during different stages of the crop life cycle.

Rallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri inputs industry announced the roll out of a mobile application, ‘SeedSure’, for monitoring and managing its Hybrid Seed Production (HSP) program. The ‘SeedSure’ app helps deal with critical operations such as data collection and crop assessment during different stages of the crop life cycle. Seedsure is developed with the help of TCS.

Management of Hyrbrid Seed Production is a complex task for many organisations and inefficient seed production monitoring leads to problems like measurable reduction in crop yield or unanticipated yield drops.

Commenting on the introduction of ‘SeedSure’, Sanjiv Lal, MD & CEO of Rallis India Limited, said, “This hybrid seed production monitoring app marks a significant milestone in our journey towards efficient operations. At Rallis India, we recognise the critical role that technology plays in addressing the challenges of the complex seed production process. ‘SeedSure’ is a testament to our unwavering commitment to leveraging innovation and technology to solve these complex challenges”.

Commenting on the diverse merits of ‘SeedSure’, S Nagarajan, Chief Operating Officer of Rallis India Limited, said, “In today’s times, interventions such as ‘SeedSure’ are important for agri input players as they help seamless data collection, monitoring and management of the Hybrid seed Production program. The robust data collected will help in improving production quality, apart from providing early signals of any production challenges. In future, we aim to integrate it with remotely sensed weather and crop data to support AI/ML based predictions on crop yields at a plot level. It is a robust, data-driven and an at-scale approach towards seed management, which paves the way for improved & predictable yields and quality.”

The ‘SeedSure’ app helps deal with critical

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India

The government takes a series of steps for price stabilisation

Prices of essential food commodities remain stable in festival season, as the government has taken a series of steps for price stabilisation, said Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

To ensure sufficient availability of sugar for domestic consumers at reasonable prices throughout the year, the Government of India has continued ‘restriction’ of sugar exports till further orders. This would also ensure healthy stocks of sugar in the country and maintenance of consistency in India’s efforts towards greener fuel under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme.

With this policy, the Government has again shown its commitment towards prioritising the interest of 140 crore domestic consumers while ensuring no constraints in sugar availability to them. It is noteworthy that despite international sugar prices being at 12 years high, sugar in India is among the cheapest in the world and there is only a nominal increase in retail sugar prices in the country, which is in tune with an increase in FRP of sugarcane for farmers. In the last 10 years, the average inflation in retail sugar prices has been about 2 per cent per annum.

In addition, the Government is monitoring the monthly dispatches of sugar mills to ensure sufficient availability of sugar in the domestic market. Further, all the Traders/Wholesalers, retailers, Big Chain retailers and Processors of Sugar have been directed to disclose their sugar stock positions on the portal enabling the government to monitor sugar stock across the country. These measures are intended to ensure better monitoring of the sugar sector and facilitate a sufficient supply of sugar in the market.

This sugar export policy would also ensure consistency towards the production of ethanol from sugar-based feedstocks. In ESY 2022-23, India has diverted about 43 LMT of sugar towards ethanol, which is expected to generate revenue of about ₹ 24,000 crores to sugar-based distilleries. This revenue has helped the sugar industry in clearing cane dues of farmers in time and making the sugar sector self-sufficient.

Appropriate Government policies on sugarcane and sugar have ensured that sugar mills have made payments of about ₹ 1.09 lakh crores and thus, cleared more than 95 per cent of cane dues of Sugar Season 2022-23 while 99.9% of cane dues of earlier seasons have been cleared. Thus, cane dues are at an all-time low level and efforts are being made to clear the balance dues also at the earliest.

The Government, in order to check the domestic prices and to ensure domestic food security, has taken several pre-emptive measures to restrict the export of rice from India. The export of broken rice was prohibited and an export duty of 20 per cent was imposed on non-basmati white rice on 9th September 2022. Subsequently, the export of non-basmati white rice was also prohibited on 20th July 2023.

In FY 2022-23, India exported 17.8 million tonnes of non-basmati rice and 4.6 million tonnes of basmati rice. Out of the non-basmati rice exports, around 7.8-8 million tonnes was parboiled rice. W.e.f. 25th August 2023, the export duty of 20 per cent has been imposed on the export of parboiled rice. The duty was initially imposed till October 15, 2023, which has now been extended to 31st March 2024. The purpose of extending the duty regime on parboiled rice is to keep a check on the price rise of this crucial staple and maintain adequate availability in the domestic market. This measure taken by the Government in August of this year has seemed to have the intended effect, as there has been a decline of 65.50 per cent in quantity terms and 56.29 per cent in value terms in the case of Parboiled rice. Further, Customs authorities have been given directions for stricter essential checks so that no other variety of rice can be exported in the guise of parboiled rice.

In spite of the prohibition on Non-Basmati White Rice, India has decided to relax restrictions on the export of specific quantities of non-basmati white rice to specific countries. The countries eligible for these rice exports include Nepal (95,000 MT), Cameroon (1,90,000 MT), Malaysia (1,70,000 MT), Philippines (2,95,000 MT), Seychelles (800 MT), Core d’Ivoire (1,42,000 MT), and the Republic of Guinea (1,42,000 MT), UAE (75,000 MT), Bhutan (79,000 MT), Singapore (50,000 MT) and Mauritius (14,000 MT).

The government takes a series of steps

Company News, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Water

The pumps feature a superior Cathodic electro-deposited (CED) coating, ensuring unmatched corrosion resistance and durability, making them reliable in challenging environments

Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), a pioneer in fluid management solutions announces the launch of its latest innovation, the ANIIKA-I and ANISA-I, I HP mini-series pumps. These state-of-the-art pumps mark a significant advancement in fluid handling technology, catering to the diverse needs of industries and households alike.

The ANNIKA-I and ANISA-I pumps from KBL offer a host of key features that set them apart in the fluid management landscape. With a superior Cathodic electro-deposited (CED) coating, these pumps ensure unmatched corrosion resistance and durability in challenging environments. Operating seamlessly across a wide voltage range, they guarantee consistent performance, even in areas with fluctuating power supply. Safety is prioritized through the integration of a Thermal Overload Protector, preventing overheating and ensuring long-lasting durability. Additionally, these pumps prioritize safety with robust casing and secure fittings, providing user and infrastructure protection. Beyond their key features, the ANIIKA-I and ANISA-I pumps are designed for versatile applications, catering to domestic water supply for households, facilitating efficient irrigation in agriculture with their powerful I HP capacity, and proving to be ideal for various industrial processes requiring reliable fluid handling.

Apart from these features, what sets these pumps apart is their capacity to function with comparatively lower noise levels.

Rama Kirloskar, Joint Managing Director at KBL, expressed her enthusiasm about the new product launch, stating, “Kirloskar Brothers Limited has always been at the forefront for using its cutting-edge technology for manufacturing high-end pumps. As part of another progressive step, we have launched ANNIKA – I and ANISA – I, highly efficient pumps for domestic, agriculture and industrial use. They have the most advanced design, which is compact and lightweight, with enhanced safety features.

Kirloskar also informed that ANNIKA and ANISA pumps are being built to stand the test of time, thus ensuring the buyer of its long-lasting dependable operation. These mini pumps are available in the I.0 hp variant.

The pumps feature a superior Cathodic electro-deposited

Animal Health, Company News, World

The agreement combines Tyson Foods’ global scale, experience and network with Protix’s technology and market leadership to meet current market demand and scale production of insect ingredients

Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest food companies, has reached an agreement for a two-fold investment with Protix, the leading global insect ingredients company. The strategic investment will support the growth of the emerging insect ingredient industry and expand the use of insect ingredient solutions to create more efficient sustainable proteins and lipids for use in the global food system. The agreement combines Tyson Foods’ global scale, experience and network with Protix’s technology and market leadership to meet current market demand and scale production of insect ingredients.

Through a direct equity investment, Tyson Foods will acquire a minority stake in Protix to help fund its global expansion. In addition, Tyson Foods and Protix have entered a joint venture for the operation and construction of an insect ingredient facility in the continental United States. Upon completion, it will be the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts into high-quality insect proteins and lipids which will primarily be used in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.

“Our partnership with Protix represents the latest strategic investment by Tyson Foods in groundbreaking solutions that drive added value to Tyson Foods’ business,” said John R. Tyson, chief financial officer of Tyson Foods. “The insect lifecycle provides the opportunity for full circularity within our value chain, strengthening our commitment to building a more sustainable food system for the future.”

Kees Aarts, CEO of Protix, says: “We are very excited to announce the next step in our international growth strategy. Tyson Foods’ and Protix’s strategic partnership advances our joint work towards creating high-quality, more sustainable protein using innovative technology and solutions. Moreover, we can immediately use their existing byproducts as feedstock for our insects. This agreement is a major milestone for Protix and significantly accelerates our ambition to grow through international partnerships.”   

The to-be-built facility in the U.S. will house an enclosed system to support all aspects of insect protein production including the breeding, incubating, and hatching of insect larvae. In addition to ingredients for the aquaculture and pet food industries, processed larvae may also be used as ingredients within livestock and plant feed.

Protix is a fully integrated insect ingredients company, producing and processing 14,000 metric tons LLE annually in its Netherlands facility which has been in operation since 2019. It serves major global companies in the pet food, aquaculture feed, livestock feed and organic fertiliser industries as the demand for insect ingredients continues to grow.

The agreement combines Tyson Foods’ global scale,

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Horticulture, R&D

This innovative plant, which is yet to be named, is built upon the success of previous projects such as the ‘Pomato’ and ‘Brimato’ plants

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) in Varanasi has embarked on a groundbreaking project to develop a new plant that can produce three vegetables simultaneously: brinjal, tomato, and chilli. This innovative plant, which is yet to be named, is built upon the success of previous projects such as the ‘Pomato’ and ‘Brimato’ plants. The scientists at IIVR are at the forefront of this effort to create a plant that can increase agricultural productivity and provide a more diverse range of vegetables to consumers.

Through the use of grafting techniques, a breakthrough was made with the creation of ‘Pomato’. The process involved germinating potato tubers, followed by grafting tomato plants onto the germinated potato tubers. The resulting plant grew successfully, with tomatoes growing above ground and potatoes developing below the surface. On average, a single ‘Pomato’ plant yielded approximately 3 kilograms of tomatoes and 1.25 kilograms of potatoes.

The ICAR-IIVR in Varanasi has demonstrated the dedication and ingenuity of its scientists through the successful development of the ‘Pomato’ and ‘Brimato’ plants, and their ongoing efforts to create a new triple vegetable plant using grafting techniques. These researchers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in maximising crop yields and providing innovative solutions for sustainable food production.

This innovative plant, which is yet to

AgroPolicy, Finance, Foodgrains, India, Oilseeds, Pulses

The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (masur) at Rs 425 per quintal followed by rapeseed & mustard at Rs 200 per quintal.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25.

Government has increased the MSP of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (masur) at Rs.425 per quintal followed by rapeseed & mustard at Rs.200 per quintal. For wheat and safflower, an increase of Rs.150 per quintal each has been approved. For barley and gram an increase of Rs.115 per quintal and Rs.105 per quintal respectively, has been approved.

The increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25 is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of the All-India weighted average Cost of Production.  The expected margin over All-India weighted average Cost of Production is 102 percent for wheat, followed by 98 percent for rapeseed & mustard; 89 per cent for lentil; 60 per cent for gram; 60 percent for barley; and 52 percent for safflower. This increased MSP of rabi crops will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers and incentivise crop diversification.

The Government is promoting crop diversification towards oilseeds, pulses and shree anna/millets to enhance food security, increase farmers’ income, and reduce dependence on imports. Besides the Price Policy, the Government has undertaken various initiatives such as the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) with the objective to provide financial support, quality seeds to encourage farmers to cultivate oilseeds and pulses.

Moreover, to extend the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme to every farmer across the nation, Government has launched the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), KCC Ghar Ghar Abhiyaan, and Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) with the aim to provide timely and accurate weather information to empower farmers in making timely decisions regarding their crops. These initiatives aim to revolutionize agriculture, enhance financial inclusion, optimize data utilization, and improve the lives of farmers across the nation.

The absolute highest increase in MSP has

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Company News, World

Strengthening the portfolio of biological and biotechnology-based crop protection products.

BASF invests a high double-digit million euro amount in a new fermentation plant for biological and biotechnology-based crop protection products at its Ludwigshafen site. The plant will manufacture products that bring value to farmers including biological fungicides and biological seed treatment. BASF also plans to utilize the plant to produce the main building block of Inscalis®, a novel insecticide derived from a fungal strain. Commissioning is planned for the second half of 2025. The plant will employ 30 people in production, logistics, engineering and maintenance.

The plant will use microorganisms to convert renewable raw materials such as glucose into the desired products – a process known as fermentation.

“We see a growing demand for biological crop protection products. This investment is an important step in building an even stronger and more competitive portfolio in this area,” said Marko Grozdanovic, Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “In addition, fermentation is a very flexible technology that will allow us to bring more innovative biotechnology-derived products to the market in the future.”

“For production at our Ludwigshafen site, this development is another step in the transition to innovative manufacturing processes with lower energy intensity based on renewable raw materials,” said Christian Aucoin, Senior Vice President, Global Operations at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “The site offers excellent synergies due to its good infrastructure, the integration into an existing high-performance production organization and the proximity of research units such as White Biotechnology.”

Strengthening the portfolio of biological and biotechnology-based

Agrotech, Company News, Finance, India, Start ups, Supply Chain, Warehousing

Arya.ag’s ledger has 3.2 million metric tons of commodities stored across 894 warehouses on the blockchain network.

Arya.ag, India’s largest and only profitable grain commerce platform, has launched agri loans on the blockchain. Warehouse receipt loans disbursed on its fintech arm and NBFC, Aryadhan, shall be processed on its blockchain to offer users absolute trust and transparency.

Arya.ag has tokenised commodities stored in its warehouses, and this development now enables it to board its disbursements on the blockchain. Arya.ag collaborated with Newrl, a decentralised trust network blockchain to develop this infrastructure.  For now, Arya.ag’s ledger has 3.2 million metric tons of commodities stored across 894 warehouses on the blockchain network. Through this initiative, Arya.ag is creating a world of faster, safer transactions not just for big business but, importantly, for smallholder farmers, too. This technology levels the playing field, giving them quicker, more secure access to the funds they need to thrive.

“Trust and transparency are key values for us at Arya.ag. Porting all disbursements on the blockchain while making payments in under five minutes will mark a significant leap in the efficiency of agri-lending services. The blockchain will ensure unprecedented visibility and assurance to control all physical risks in commodity storage and finance,” said Prasanna Rao, CEO of Arya.ag.

Partnering with 35 financial institutions, including banks and NBFCs, Arya.ag has emerged as a key player, managing 7.6 million tonnes of commodities with an AUM of 3 billion USD in the last financial year. “We look at collaborating with other lenders to move commodity-based warehouse-receipt financing onto the blockchain and improve the overall transparency, speed, and reliability of these transactions,” said Rao.

Navigating the agricultural lending landscape presents a fundamental challenge of establishing trust between the lender and borrower. Arya.ag solves for this through its blockchain. Arya.ag stands as the trusted custodian for every token generated, safeguarding against duplicate pledges and ownership conflicts. Upon a pledge, a smart contract initiates, allowing banks to assign a distinct identifier for the token lien. This procedure guarantees the exclusivity of each pledge while offering banks a consolidated view on all pledged commodities.

Moving the lending process to a blockchain would not only expedite transactions but also significantly enhance security and trust among participants. The decentralised nature of blockchain ensures immutable record-keeping, making the data transparent yet secure and virtually tamper-proof, thereby reducing fraud and errors. Additionally, such a move would standardise procedures and documentation, facilitating smoother interactions among various stakeholders in the commodity trading and financing sectors.

Arya.ag’s ledger has 3.2 million metric tons

Award, Dairy, Live Stock, People

Shreeja receives global recognition for Innovation in Women Empowerment in the Dairy Sector .

Shreeja, an Indian Women Dairy Organisation at the foothills of Lord Balaji temple Tirupati, received the award for Innovation in Women Empowerment in the Dairy Sector at a grand ceremony in Chicago, the United States last night.

Receiving the award on behalf of an impressive over 120,000 women dairy farmers, Chief Executive Officer of Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Company (SMMPCL) Jayatheertha Chary said, “It is the proudest movement for women dairy farmers of the country and the organisation to get the honour on a global platform for the empowerment of women dairy farmers. It behooves the world’s largest women base in the dairy industry for implementing several initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing women’s leadership and empowering them within the dairy sector”.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary (AHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying was present on the occasion. Expressing her happiness on the award, she congratulated NDDB, NDDB Dairy Services and Shreeja Milk for the achievement and encouraged them to continue with the pathbreaking efforts.

Chairman NDDB & NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) Dr Meenesh Shah who was elected to the Board of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) as a delegate of the General Assembly, said “Women have played an integral part in the success of dairying in India and it was only a matter of time before their contributions get acknowledged in the global stage. This year, IDF released its first Women in Dairy report which features 15 case studies from across the globe, of which 4 case studies are of Shreeja, Sakhi, Asha and Paayas, the producer organizations technically supported by us.”

NDS has helped facilitate the formation of 22 Milk Producers’ Organisations, including Shreeja, with a focus on women empowerment in the dairy sector with an infusion of the latest technology, online payment mechanism and enhancing the productivity of indigenous breeds of milch animals.”

An exuberant K Sreedevi, Shreeja Chairperson said, “This global recognition and award at the international stage is enthusing and humbling for each of over 1.20 lakh women dairy farmer members and their families and we owe it also to the support provided by the NDS for taking us where we are today. This will spur us to work harder and expand aggressively in the states where we are operating from.”

Currently, the company, spread across 11 districts of 3 states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Tamil Nadu) with an average milk procurement of 5.5 LLPD and hoping to touch a turnover of Rs1,000 crore this fiscal, he said. SMMPCL is eying at women membership of 1.5 lakh, milk procurement of 6.5 LLPD and joining the ‘Unicorn’ club shortly, Chary said.

Shreeja receives global recognition for Innovation in

Company News, Sustainability, World

The collaboration will seek to support farmers in practices that aim to improve soil health, water quality and carbon sequestration across their shared value chain

General Mills, Walmart and Sam’s Club announced a collaboration to help accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture on 600,000 acres in the U.S. by 2030. This represents the approximate number of acres General Mills engages to source key ingredients for its products sold through Walmart and Sam’s Club. Initial projects will be supported through grants administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and seek to advance regenerative agriculture outcomes across a variety of crops, including wheat, in the Northern and Southern Great Plains. 

“Through this partnership, we will work hand-in-hand with Walmart and Sam’s Club to help regenerate the acres of land in the key regions where we source ingredients for our shared business,” said Jon Nudi, Group President, North America Retail at General Mills. “We are excited by the opportunity to bring our products, including Pillsbury refrigerated dough and Blue Buffalo pet food and treats, to Walmart shelves more sustainably, with the help of our merchants and farmer partners.” 

General Mills, Walmart and Sam’s Club share a belief that regenerative agriculture can help address climate change and create positive outcomes for both people and our planet. Recognizing their shared footprint within the industry, this collaboration exemplifies both companies’ intention to build on organizational commitments and leverage collaboration to help spur industry-wide change. Efforts will target seven U.S. states in the Northern and Southern Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Minnesota, home of General Mills’ global headquarters.

Through the program, NFWF will provide financial assistance to local grantee organizations, building out the education and coaching resources needed to help accelerate regenerative agriculture. The objective is twofold: support the transition to regenerative agriculture production in the U.S. through systems change and elevate the potential for more resilient yields for farmers through efforts that will help improve soil health, watersheds, biodiversity, climate change and farmer economic resilience. 

“We’re committing to making the everyday choice the more sustainable choice for consumers,” said John Laney, Executive Vice President of food at Walmart U.S. “This collaboration is an example of how we are working across our value chain on intentional interventions to help advance regenerative agriculture and ensure surety of supply for these essential food products for the long term.”

The collaboration will seek to support farmers

AgroPolicy, India, Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation

PM laid the foundation stone of projects worth more than Rs 23,000 crores that are aligned with the ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ for the Indian maritime blue economy.

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the third edition of Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai via video conferencing today. The Prime Minister also unveiled ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, a blueprint for the Indian maritime blue economy. The blueprint outlines strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing port facilities, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating international collaboration.

In line with this futuristic plan, the Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 23,000 crores that are aligned with the ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ for the Indian maritime blue economy. The summit provides an excellent platform for attracting investment in the country’s maritime sector.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that India’s economy is constantly strengthening in a world dealing with economic crisis, and the day is not far when India will become one of the top 3 economies in the world. Underscoring the role of sea routes in global trade, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for a reliable global supply chain in the post-Corona world.

The summit is the biggest Maritime Event in the country and will witness the participation of Ministers from across the globe representing countries from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia (including central Asia, Middle East and BIMSTEC region). The summit is also to be attended by Global CEOs, Business leaders, Investors, Officials, and other stakeholders worldwide. Further, several Indian states will also be represented at the summit by the Ministers and other dignitaries.

The three-day summit will discuss and deliberate key issues of the maritime sector including ports of the future; decarbonisation; coastal shipping and inland water transportation; shipbuilding; repair and recycling; finance, insurance & arbitration; maritime clusters; innovation & technology; maritime safety and security; and maritime tourism, among others. The summit provides an excellent platform for attracting investment in the country’s maritime sector.

The first Maritime India summit was held in 2016 in Mumbai while the Second Maritime Summit was held virtually in 2021.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Tuna Tekra all-weather deep draft terminal, to be built at a cost of more than Rs 4,500 crores at Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat. This state-of-the-art greenfield terminal will be developed in PPP mode. The terminal, which is likely to emerge as an international trade hub, will handle next-gen vessels exceeding 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and will act as a gateway for Indian trade via the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The Prime Minister also dedicated more than 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth more than 7 lakh crore for global and national partnerships in the maritime sector.

PM laid the foundation stone of projects

Agrotech, Company News, Seeds, World

The new treatment for cereal grains provides powerful protection against early-season seed and seedling diseases.

Corteva, Inc. has announced the commercial launch of Straxan™ fungicide seed treatment in Canada, bringing farmers a new, ready-to-use and easy-to-apply formulation that targets prominent seed and soil-borne cereal diseases.

The latest offering from Corteva Agriscience’s leading cereal protection portfolio, Straxan fungicide seed treatment provides advanced protection against early season diseases – such as Fusarium species, Rhizoctonia, true loose smut and more – to help maximize crop stand establishment and yield potential. This level of protection is a result of Straxan fungicide seed treatment’s high-quality formulation of proven active ingredients.

“Protecting yield potential from persistent diseases will always be a priority for cereal farmers, which is why it was important for us to bring a complete and versatile option like Straxan fungicide seed treatment to the Western Canadian market,” said Kirsten Ratzlaff, Portfolio Manager, Seed Applied Technologies & Biologicals, Corteva Agriscience. “In addition to its strong disease protection, Straxan offers an easy-to-apply formulation that provides flexibility – both through commercial seed treaters and on-farm equipment – and stable application under varying conditions and temperatures.”

Straxan fungicide seed treatment is a highly compatible formulation and can be used with multiple seed treatment products. This includes Lumivia™ CPL insecticide seed treatment, which delivers the broadest cereal seedling insect protection on the market for long-lasting control of wireworms, cutworms and more. When mixed with Straxan fungicide seed treatment, farmers get a complete cereal seed treatment package.

“Seed treatments help crops get off to their best possible start, and Corteva continues to invest in R&D to deliver robust seed treatment offerings to Canadian farmers,” said Ratzlaff. “Straxan fungicide seed treatment fortifies Corteva’s industry-leading cereal protection portfolio, equipping farmers with a tool that will help each seed reach its genetic potential.”

The new treatment for cereal grains provides

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

With the dominant performance, the company has also attained staggering 15.8 per cent market share in September 2023.

India’s leading farm mechanisation manufacturer, Sonalika Tractors has registered a record 78,793 tractor sales in H1 FY24 which is powered by its highest domestic sales growth in the industry. With the dominant performance, the company has also attained staggering 15.8 per cent market share in September 2023.

Sonalika has already carved a niche for itself in the tractor industry by taking revolutionary steps such as manufacturing the widest & heavy-duty tractor range as well as showcasing tractor prices on the official website. Taking its heavy-duty commitment to a new level altogether, Sonalika has recently introduced ‘5-year warranty’ on its tractor range for increased trust as well as assisting every heavy-duty farmer even in the toughest of farming operations.

Commenting on this achievement, Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director at International Tractors, said, “Alongside this sturdy performance, we have recently introduced ‘5 year warranty’ to bring more cheers to the farmers which will enable us to reinforce our bond with them and penetrate new markets”.

As the festive season has already started in India, Sonalika Tractors has already stepped up its commitment for farmers and is decked up across domains – increased production, farmer friendly schemes, financing options.

With the dominant performance, the company has

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

 Dr Jena was addressing Global Climate Conclave on international fisheries governance in Mahabalipuram.

Rising sea surface temperature (SST) is affecting fish distribution patterns in Indian waters, said Dr J K Jena, Deputy Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

He was outlining India’s research initiatives for the climate-resilient marine fisheries at the inauguration of the global conclave on mainstreaming climate change into international fisheries governance in Mahabalipuram on Tuesday.

He pointed out that there is an extended distribution of commercially important fish species such as the Indian oil sardine and mackerel. “These species are now found in regions where they were previously scarce, forming a local fishery which was hitherto unknown from those areas”, he said.

Moreover, the increased SST affects the phenology of fish, leading to premature maturation at smaller sizes, reduced reproductive output, and decreased recruitment to the fishery.

Referring to India’s research initiatives for climate resilient marine fisheries, he said that the country has initiated a research project for the development of species distribution climate models and projections.

“These models are designed to predict alterations in sea temperature, ocean currents, and other climatic elements that influence fish populations. This scientific initiative aims to comprehend long-term patterns and develop appropriate strategies to safeguard the future of Indian fisheries”, Dr Jena said.

The country has also launched climate smart marine fisheries value chain aimed at developing a prototype with critical control points to strengthen the value chain in the marine fisheries sector, he added.

In order to reduce the impact of the climate crisis, Dr Jena suggested mariculture activities of climate-resilient species encouraging the cultivation of fish species that can thrive in changing environmental conditions.  “Use of potential fishing zones, integration of wind and solar energy in fishing vessels, enhancing preparedness of coastal population and sea ranching of depleted commercial species are some of the innovative solutions to address the climate crisis”, he added.

He also said that cutting-edge science and education are required to create awareness among the community on climate adaptation and mitigation. Upscaling skill development programmes for all coastal community particularly women are also important, Dr Ramesh added.

A separate workshop exclusively to discuss India’s preparedness for adapting to climate change in marine fisheries is also being hosted in the conclave.

 Dr Jena was addressing Global Climate Conclave