Connect with:
Saturday / April 19. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2023October (Page 7)
Agrotech, Company News, Sustainability, World

 By using Syngenta’s Sustainable Outcomes for Agriculture (SOA) standard and Cropwise™ Sustainability mobile application.

Syngenta Canada announced a partnership with the Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) to bring on-farm sustainability insights on potato production using Syngenta’s Sustainable Outcomes for Agriculture (SOA) standard and Cropwise™ Sustainability mobile application.

Recognizing a need to collect and communicate sustainability progress seamlessly, PSA initiated a search for a turnkey solution to bring credible and actionable insights to over 550 potato growers across North America.

Syngenta, a PSA member company, felt that the Cropwise Sustainability app could meet the needs of the PSA Program, given its history and proficiency in developing grower-focused technologies. After a rigorous review by the PSA Program Design Team and staff, PSA’s Board of Directors selected Syngenta and the Cropwise Sustainability app as their on-farm self-assessment tool for the PSA Program.

Since joining forces, Syngenta and PSA have collaborated to tailor Cropwise Sustainability’s interface to support a diverse group of potato growers, processors, and other industry partners in their sustainability journeys – identifying conditions unique to potatoes and adapting application questions accordingly.

Liz Hunt, Head of Sustainable and Responsible Business at Syngenta said, “Our standard is applicable to all crops and farming systems, but every crop has different requirements. Working closely with the PSA team allowed us to customize specific questions and reports to make Cropwise Sustainability the tool of choice for potato growers.”

Understanding that sustainability goals are impossible to achieve alone, the partnership will allow Syngenta and PSA to accomplish the following:

By leveraging collective capabilities and resources, both organizations are positioned to support a diverse set of players at scale and accelerate sustainable progress more quickly.

Provide PSA’s members with insights backed by the SOA standard from Syngenta, which is benchmarked at the Gold Level Equivalent to the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment v.3.0 and supports growers’ confidence in the global credibility and legitimacy of their results.

Through Cropwise Sustainability, participating PSA members and growers now have a standardized approach to collect and assess their progress, enabling seamless communication with stakeholders across the potato value chain.

Natalie Nesburg, Program Manager at PSA commented that our goal is to streamline the data collection and reporting process by using tools that align with our program framework and are already widely used and recognized within the industry.”

“Our Program is designed to meet our members’ sustainability reporting needs, so by collectively adopting and utilizing tools within our program, we can work towards shared objectives while avoiding duplication of efforts in the process.”

Tara McCaughey, Head, Technology Solutions and Sustainable Agriculture, Syngenta Canada said, “We’re thrilled to partner with PSA and the opportunity to offer Canadian potato growers a tool that supports their efforts”

 By using Syngenta’s Sustainable Outcomes for Agriculture

Agri Genomics, Agro Universities, India, R&D

ICAR- NRC Guwahati completes Genome Sequencing of indigenous and exotic breeds of pigs.

Whole genome sequencing of two indigenous breeds of pigs, namely Ghungroo (INDIA_PIG_2100_GHOONGROO_09001) and Mali (INDIA_PIG_1900_MALI_09009), and assembly was successfully completed up to the chromosome level. The research work was carried out at ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati.

Along with the indigenous breeds, genome sequencing of two exotic breeds of pigs (Hampshire and Large White Yorkshire, LWY) upto chromosome level, for which scaffold-level assemblies were only available, was also completed.

The mean size of the genome is about 2.55GB and contains about 40 per cent of repetitive elements, with minor differences between various pig genomes. The analysis of repeated elements in genome shows a distribution among class I retrotransposons (long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs, 17.3 per cent) short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs, 3.3 per cent) and long terminal repeat elements (LTRs, 6.8 per cent). The porcine genome contains about 25000 genes with 1580 common single nucleotide variations in indigenous pig breeds as compared to 4100 in exotic animals.

 Various classes of variants were identified through a genome-level comparison of Ghungroo, Hampshire, Mali and LWY genomes with the reference assembly Sscrofa11.1. Analysis revealed more than 100800 structural variants in the genomes of four breeds, with 46687 deletions, 352 duplications, and 53825 insertions. Unique variants of heat shock protein genes identified in indigenous Mali and Ghungroo genome provides insights into adaptability of indigenous animals. The assembled genome will serve as a resource for further understanding the porcine genome and promote application in functional genomics.

ICAR- NRC Guwahati completes Genome Sequencing of

Agrotech, Animal Health, Company News, World

The Feed Mill Biosecurity Audit app enables mill managers and quality teams to establish a baseline for biosecurity standards by identifying areas of concern, implementing sound manufacturing practices and adhering to regulatory biosecurity requirements

Feed pathogen control specialist, Anitox has launched the first free app to collect and present feed mill biosecurity audit records for all geographies and regulatory bodies.

Dr Enrique Montiel, Anitox’s Global Director of Nutrition and Live Production, explains: “Auditing feed mills and amassing the evidence and data needed to produce meaningful biosecurity programs can be a headache. For years our feed mill technologists have been walking facilities with customers, collecting evidence and preparing reports for regulatory and compliance bodies across the globe. That has become significantly easier, thanks to the new feed mill biosecurity audit app.”

The Feed Mill Biosecurity Audit app enables mill managers and quality teams to establish a baseline for biosecurity standards by identifying areas of concern, implementing sound manufacturing practices and adhering to regulatory biosecurity requirements.

Anitox is uniquely placed to produce the audit app, having a longstanding relationship with one of Europe’s leading independent feed microbial quality auditors.

“Our team of feed milling technologists and technical specialists solve Salmonella, virus and other feed pathogen-related challenges on a daily basis; now that knowledge has been put the good use for the wider community. Having proven the technology with our loyal customers, we’ve decided it’s too useful to keep to ourselves.”

App users can be confident their data is protected and private. Anitox has given up the right to track user-given audit data to make it the most secure and private offering available.

Available for free in iOs and Google Play Stores, the Feed Mill Biosecurity Audit app allows mill managers and their teams to save past audits and access a Feed Mill Technologist with just the touch of a button.

The Feed Mill Biosecurity Audit app enables

AgroPolicy, India, Sustainability

Murmu said that making our agri-food systems more just, inclusive and equitable is not only desirable but also crucial for the well-being of the planet and humankind

Droupadi Murmu, President of India, inaugurated an International Research Conference on ‘From research to impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems’, being hosted by CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in New Delhi.

The President said that at the global level, we have seen that women have been kept outside the agri-food systems for long. She added that they form the bulk of the lowest pyramid of the agriculture structure, but they are denied the opportunity to climb the ladder to assume the role of decision-makers. She said that across the world, they are held back and stopped by discriminatory social norms and barriers to knowledge, ownership, assets, resources and social networks. She further said that their contribution is not recognised, their role is marginalised and their agency is denied in the whole chain of the agri-food systems and this story needs to change. She stated that in India, we have been witnessing those changes with women getting more empowered through legislative and governmental interventions.

The President said that modern women are not abla but sabla, that is, not helpless but powerful. She added that we need not only women’s development but women-led development. She said that making our agri-food systems more just, inclusive and equitable is not only desirable but also crucial for the well-being of the planet and humankind.

The President said that climate change is an existential threat and we need to act now, act fast and act swiftly. She said that climate change, global warming, melting ice caps and extinction of species are disrupting food production and the agri-food cycle is also not sustainable and eco-friendly. It is hindering climate action and causing an increase in greenhouse gases. She highlighted that our agri-food systems are stuck in a vicious cycle and we need to break this “chakravyuh”. She also emphasised the need to increase biodiversity and restore ecosystems so that food and nutritional security can be assured through the agri-food systems along with a more prosperous and equitable future for all.

The President said that for ecologically sustainable, ethically desirable, economically affordable and socially justifiable production, we need research which can enable conditions to reach these goals. She added that we need a systematic understanding of how to transform the agri-food systems. She said that the agri-food systems should be resilient and agile so that they can withstand shocks and disruptions to make nutritious and healthy diets more accessible, available and affordable for all and they should be more just, equitable and sustainable. She expressed confidence that during the next four days, the conference will consider all the issues and will pave the way for a positive transformation of the agri-food systems.

Murmu said that making our agri-food

AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The MoU aims to increase goat productivity, providing advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices and fostering sustainability throughout the goat value chain

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research — Central Institute for Research on Goats (ICAR-CIRG) signed a memorandum of understanding with Heifer India, according to a press release. The MoU aims to increase goat productivity, providing advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices and fostering sustainability throughout the goat value chain.

According to the press release, the collective mission is not only to increase productivity but also to create jobs and combat poverty in India’s rural areas. Both organisations pledged to provide specialised training, unwavering support, and essential resources to smallholder farmers and community agro-veterinary entrepreneurs.

“We are dedicated to co-creating lasting impact in smallholder farmer communities by offering capacity strengthening to bolster autonomous action. Moreover, we actively facilitate linkages with private sector value chain partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of community farming enterprises,” Rina Soni, country director, of Heifer India said in the statement. 

The institute and the organisation share a common purpose — to enhance the lives of smallholder farmers and advance the goat farming sector in India, said Manish Kumar Chatli, director, of ICAR-CIRG. “Together, we will forge a brighter future for all, transforming not only the goat value chain but also the destiny of our dedicated farmers, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Indian agriculture,” he said.

Both organisations pledged to provide specialised training, unwavering support and essential resources to smallholder farmers and Community Agro-Veterinary Entrepreneurs (CAVEs). Their focus areas include elevating goat productivity, imparting advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices, and fostering sustainability within the goat value chain.

The MoU aims to increase goat productivity,

Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, India

In 2023, SWAL plans to utilise Ferio Flash on 10K acres of Indian tea estates.

Agro-chemical company SWAL Corporation has announced the launch of an eco-friendly solution Ferio Flash for weed management in tea estates.

Ferio Flash swiftly enters into weed leaves, causing rapid withering and complete elimination within a mere four hours of application. Beyond its immediate weed eradication prowess, Ferio Flash acts as a potent inhibitor of weed seed germination, SWAL, a subsidiary of UPL SAS, said in a statement.

In 2023, SWAL’s goal is to utilize Ferio Flash on 10K acres of Indian tea estates, showcasing our commitment to fostering growth in the tea industry through ground-breaking solutions, the company mentioned.

“With the introduction of Ferio Flash, we are confident in providing eco-friendly weed control solutions tailored for tea plantations. This represents yet another step in our dedication to equipping farmers with tools that boost productivity, foster sustainability, and yield outstanding returns on investment, all the while upholding our commitment to environmental harmony,” SWAL Business Head Pankaj Joshi informed.

In 2023, SWAL plans to utilise Ferio

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, World

The new infrastructure is being inaugurated together with local logistics partner Tanktransport Peeters

Evonik has modernised the infrastructure of its Antwerp site to strengthen its business with AgraLi and blueSulfate, two by-products of methionine production that are mainly used as fertilisers. Along with two new storage tanks, a new, fully automated loading station for tank trucks will increase the safety and efficiency of the loading process to ensure seamless customer service. The new infrastructure is being inaugurated together with local logistics partner Tanktransport Peeters.

“The fact that we can return nutrient-containing by-products from our methionine production to the natural material cycle fits perfectly into our sustainability strategy,” says Dr. Gaetano Blanda, head of the Animal Nutrition business line. “Since AgraLi and blueSulfate are produced continuously, year-round, yet marketed seasonally, we had to make sure we had sufficiently large storage capacity.”

For the necessary modernisation of the infrastructure, Evonik opted for a leasing model with Tanktransport Peeters as its partner. Evonik in Antwerp has been working with the freight forwarding company, which has regularly transported AgraLi and blueSulfate, for 40 years.

“The Evonik team and Tanktransport Peeters were the ideal combination to realize this ambitious project,” says Ivan Pelgrims, managing director of Evonik Antwerp NV. “Our partnership in this project shows our appreciation for Tanktransport Peeters and our trust in their know-how and experience.”

“Our financial investment, together with Evonik’s commitment to digital optimisation, has produced an outstanding result,” said Bob and Jef Peeters, managing directors of Tank Transport Peeters.

In the first stage, the existing tanks were replaced by two externally built steel tanks. The delivery and installation of the giant storage tanks, each weighing 175 metric tons, required months of preparation and went smoothly thanks to the cooperation of the project team members in Hanau and Antwerp.

Most recently, a fully automated loading station with automatic license plate recognition was built. Here, drivers are responsible for loading their own tank truck. This operation is performed at a safe distance and without the need for trucks to drive through the production facility. One of the benefits is that overloading is no longer possible. The new automated procedure and the reduced loading time led to a noticeable increase in both the safety and the efficiency of the loading process.

The loading station for AgraLi and blueSulfate has been accessible for tanker drivers in 20 languages since early summer 2023.

The new infrastructure is being inaugurated together

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

More than 30 FPOs showcased a variety of products including raw millet grains, ready-to-cook (RTC) items, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products

To promote the consumption of millets or ‘Shree Anna’ among the Central Armed Police Personnel, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) hosted a ‘Millets FPO Exhibition for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ on 6 October 2023, at the BSF Camp in Chhawala, New Delhi. More than 30 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) from around the country, showcased a variety of products including raw millet grains, ready-to-cook (RTC) items, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products etc, to approximately 1,000 attendees from various paramilitary forces.

The Exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Additional Secretary, DA&FW, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. He was joined by Maninder Kaur, Additional Secretary, DA&FW and Shubha Thakur, JS (Crops), DA&FW.

In his inaugural speech, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, AS, DA&FW, highlighted how over 75,000 FPOs are working to support small farmers with resources and market connections. He pointed out that 34 millet FPOs from Rajasthan, UP, MP, and Haryana had gathered for the mega event with a dual aim to showcase the variety of millet products in the country and establish direct links with CAPF canteens and departmental stores for future procurement.

Shubha Thakur, JS (Crops), DA&FW, expressed gratitude to the paramilitary forces for their eagerness to embrace millets. She also commended the 34 FPOs for their range of millet products on display & looked forward to a fruitful collaboration between Millet FPOs & paramilitary forces

The exhibition served as an opportunity for the FPOs to interact directly with the armed forces and their families, introducing them to the wide array of home-grown, millet-based products. Additionally, the procurement officers and chefs/cooks also got a chance to witness the diversity of products, ease of millet procurement and linkages with FPOs for future procurement for their respective units during the exhibition.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs took a ground-breaking decision to introduce 30 per cent millet in the meals of personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). In alignment with the celebration of the International Year of Millets, this decision aimed to promote millets as an energy-rich food choice for paramilitary personnel and to support their physically demanding routines, as millets are loaded with fibre, minerals, and essential nutrients. In August 2023, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) also organized a culinary training session for more than 250 chefs and cooks working with paramilitary forces, including the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Security Guard, Sashastra Seema Bal, and various government canteens. The successful training session acquainted participants with a variety of millet-based recipes, ranging from simple snacks to wholesome meals, which they were eager to incorporate into the daily menus of their canteens and mess facilities.

Over 34 Farmer Producer Organisations showcased and sold their unique range of products to Commandants, Second-in-Commands, Quartermasters, Chefs/Cooks, and their families during the exhibition. Notable highlights of the exhibition included ready-to-eat products like Foxtail Millet Khakhra, Bajra Cookies, Jowar Ladoos, Millet Rusk, Ragi Namkeen, Cakes etc. Guests were not only impressed by the remarkable versatility of these ready-to-eat millet-based sweets and savouries, but they also expressed a keen interest in learning more about millet flours and ready-to-cook items, such as Ragi Idli Mix, Millet Upma and Millet noodles, to incorporate into their daily diets.

More than 30 FPOs showcased a variety

Foodgrains, Sustainability, World

Higher world maize and sugar prices offset by lower vegetable oil quotations

The overall measure of international food commodity prices was broadly stable in September, with declines in quotations for vegetable oils, dairy and meat offset by a notable increase in those for sugar and maize, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 121.5 points in September, compared to 121.4 points in August. At this level, the index is 10.7 per cent below its value a year ago and 24.0 per cent below its all-time high reached in March 2022.

The FAO Cereal Price Index rose 1.0 per cent from the previous month, due to a 7.0 per cent increase in international maize prices, driven by strong demand for Brazil’s supplies, slower farmer selling in Argentina and increased barge freight rates due to low water levels on the Mississippi River in the United States of America. International wheat prices fell by 1.6 per cent, underpinned by ample supplies and good production prospects in the Russian Federation, while the FAO All-Rice Price Index dipped by 0.5 per cent amid generally low import demand.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 3.9 per cent from August, with international quotations for palm, sunflower, soy and rapeseed oils all down, driven in part by elevated seasonal production and abundant global export supplies.

The FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 9.8 per cent from August, reaching its highest level since November 2010 amid increasing concerns over a tighter global supply outlook in the upcoming season. Early forecasts point to production declines in Thailand and India, both key producers, associated with the prevailing El Niño event. The large crop currently being harvested in Brazil, amidst favourable weather conditions, limited the month-on-month increase in world sugar prices.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined by 2.3 per cent from August, its ninth drop in a row, impacted by lacklustre global import demand and ample stocks in leading producing regions. The euro’s relative weakness against the United States dollar also weighed on international dairy prices.

The FAO Meat Price Index dipped by 1.0 per cent from the previous month, with a mixture of weak import demand and ample global export availabilities pushing down quotations for pig, poultry, and ovine meats. By contrast, international bovine meat prices rebounded on the back of a strong import demand for lean beef, especially in the United States of America.

Higher world maize and sugar prices offset

Acquaculture, Company News, India, Live Stock, Start ups

The expansion fortifies Aquaconnect’s presence across six major aquaculture production states in India.

 Aquaconnect, a full-stack aquaculture platform with embedded fintech that uses Satellite remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence to enable market linkage for stakeholders in the fish and shrimp farming industry, today announced its strategic expansion into West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh as part of strengthening its domestic presence. Aquaconnect also expanded its AquaPartner network by 4X in the last 15 months.

AquaPartners are rural entrepreneurs who provide last-mile assistance to the farmers such as farm advisory, access to feed and other farm inputs in the farm vicinity. One Aquapartner can assist around 100 aqua farmers.

Aquaconnect’s foray into two new markets – West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, fortifies its presence across six major aquaculture production states including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Gujarat. This move is in line with Aquaconnect’s goal of optimizing its service offerings to enable market access for farmers to purchase innovative farm input brands and growing stronger in the pre-harvest aquaculture value chain by tripling its AquaPartners network by the end of this year. Through this expansion, Aquaconnect aims to amplify its impact across India with a strong ground network. In West Bengal, Aquaconnect’s sphere now extends to nine districts and spans eight districts across Uttar Pradesh.

“West Bengal is the second-largest fish-producing state, contributing approximately 14 per cent to India’s total production and Uttar Pradesh follows closely as the third largest with a 7 per cent contribution. Despite India being a leading seafood exporter, the domestic market is ripe for disruption. Expanding into these states is a strategic move to address this untapped potential. It aligns with our vision of establishing the largest aquaculture platform through our robust phygital distribution network. Combining satellite remote sensing technologies with Artificial Intelligence and amplifying our AquaPartners network, we are committed to bring transparency in the aquaculture value chain and enabling market linkage between stakeholders. By pioneering this transformative approach in these states, we are making a significant stride towards creating a more interconnected and streamlined ecosystem. We aim to promote sustainability and catalyse progress, gradually contributing to the broader growth of aquaculture in India,” said Karthivelan Selvaraj, Chief Operating Officer, Aquaconnect.

The expansion fortifies Aquaconnect’s presence across six

Company News, India, People, Seeds

Ramachandra Kaundinya is an expert in the field of management, especially in the business of agriculture having corporate experience of about 35 years.

Hikal Limited announced that in the 35th Annual General Meeting of the company held on 26th September2023, the shareholders have approved the appointment of Ramachandra Kaundinya Vinnakota as Independent Director of the company for a period of 5 years with effect from October 1st,2023.

Ramachandra Kaundinya is an expert in the field of management, especially in the business of agriculture. He has a total corporate experience of about 35 years at very senior positions followed by consulting experience of 9 years. He is an author, strategic management consultant, teacher and a policy analyst in India. V. Ramachandra Kaundinya has served on the Boards of Axis Bank, Syngenta India and Axis Finance.

 Ramachandra Kaundinya has served as Chairman of the CropLife India and Agricultural Group of the biotech industry association called ABLE and was the Director of the Association of Seed Industry (ASI). He is currently Director General of Federation of Seed Industry of India. He teaches Agri Business Strategy to Agri MBA students at IIMA. He held Chief Executive Officer positions at Advanta Ltd, Emergent Genetics India and Cyanamid Agro. He served as a senior member of the management team of Hoechst India for 13 years.

Commenting on the approval Jai Hire math, Chairman of Hikal, “We are pleased to welcome Ram Kaundinya, a Crop Protection specialist to the Board of Hikal. Ram has in-depth experience across different sectors and are leading experts in their respective professions. His proficiency and knowledge will really strengthen the Hikal Board.”

Ramachandra Kaundinya is an expert in the

Agro Universities, Climate, Foodgrains, India, R&D

The study used digital technology and crop models to re-evaluate the zones, creating a “digital twin” of the pearl millet system.

A new study by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (ICAR-AICRP) suggests a re-evaluation of how and where pearl millet is grown in India due to changing climate conditions. Pearl millet, an essential cornerstone of India’s food security, finds itself at a critical juncture. This research was funded through collaborations between ICAR, ICRISAT, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, and the Crops to End Hunger initiative.

Amidst shifting weather patterns and evolving agricultural priorities, this study urges a timely revision of the classification criteria governing pearl millet cultivation zones, originally established back in 1979. This study, featured in a special issue of the Agronomy Journal, used data from ICRISAT’s District Level Database (DLD) to carefully re-examine the entire system.

Director General of ICRISAT Dr Jacqueline Hughes applauded the study and said that with climate change now a permanent reality, it is imperative to recalibrate the approach towards understanding and nurturing this vital crop for dryland communities. “This new classification system aims to optimize pearl millet production, to effectively assist policymakers, researchers, and farmers make better evidence-based decisions,” said Dr Hughes.

The study used digital technology and crop models to re-evaluate the zones, creating a “digital twin” of the pearl millet system. This digital twin helps design crops and strategies tailored to the current and future climate conditions of each region.

“This collaborative effort with ICRISAT has led to innovative tools that can greatly improve pearl millet farming, including the selection of new testing sites,” said Dr Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research and Project Coordinator of ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet.

Currently, India’s zones are based on rainfall and soil type: A1 for arid regions in Rajasthan, A for semi-arid regions in North and Central India, and B for semi-arid regions with heavy soils in South India.

“The proposed new zones take into account the complexity of the system in response to changing climate conditions. While the existing zoning for the A1 and B zones is generally still applicable, the suggestion is to modify the A zone.

“The existing A zone can be broken down into three distinct subzones: G, AE1, and AE2, covering the states in North and Central India. The G zone encompasses Gujarat, AE1 covers East Rajasthan and Haryana, and AE2 covers Uttar Pradesh,” said Dr Vincent Garin, Post-Doctoral Fellow at ICRISAT.

The new zoning framework identifies ‘AE1’ as the core of India’s pearl millet production, where favorable climate and soil conditions, along with improved pearl millet varieties, have led to significant yield increases.

‘AE2’ shows promising yield progress and better farming practices, offering potential for export-oriented gains. The G zone is experiencing more rainfall due to climate changes, which may lead farmers to shift towards cash crops and limit pearl millet cultivation to the summer season.

The study used digital technology and crop

Company News, Finance, India, Warehousing

Kissandhan is revolutionising the way farmers, aggregators, traders, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) access financing.

In a major achievement, SLCM has made a profound impact on the lives of over 78,000 small and marginal farmers, along with more than 23,000 women borrowers, through its financial wing, Kissandhan.

Kissandhan empowers farmers and stakeholders to secure loans of up to Rs 5 Crore by pledging their commodity stocks stored in SLCM’s state-of-the-art warehouses. This significant milestone not only highlights SLCM’s dedication to the agricultural community but also represents a game-changing moment for the company.

Kissandhan, with its diverse range of products, including Commodity Based Finance (CBF), Financing FPOs and Business Correspondent (BC), has facilitated cumulative disbursements of Rs 2773 Crores and issued 48,936 warehouse receipts. This remarkable milestone underscores SLCM’s commitment to the agricultural community.

Kissandhan is revolutionizing the way farmers, aggregators, traders, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) access financing. SLCM understands the critical role FPOs play in supporting member and non-member farmers during crucial periods such as the procurement of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as during harvesting. Kissandhan ensures that FPOs receive timely loans, enabling them to extend this support to farmers. As a result, farmers receive instant funds when they need them most, leading to improved livelihoods.

 Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO, SLCM, expressed his pride in achieving this milestone, stating, “Kissandhan initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the well-being of farmers. We are thrilled to have made a positive impact on the lives of over 65,000 small and marginal farmers and more than 23,000 women borrowers. As we move forward, SLCM remains dedicated to introducing more innovative solutions that will empower the agricultural community and drive positive change in the sector.”

SLCM is also fostering Business Correspondent Partnerships for building retail book with Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) through Kissandhan. This initiative provides NBFCs engaged in Agri & Allied activities with loan limits of up to Rs 15 Crores for lending to small and marginal farmers. By doing so, Kissandhan is bridging the gap in rural credit access and empowering marginal farmers in agriculture.

This milestone reflects SLCM’s ongoing efforts to redefine agricultural financing in India. By leveraging technology and a deep understanding of the needs of farmers and FPOs, SLCM through Kissandhan has not only transformed lives but also ensured that the future of agriculture in India is poised for growth and sustainability.

Kissandhan is revolutionising the way farmers, aggregators,

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to offer comprehensive training programs that will prepare young individuals for the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural machinery industry.

The Northern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (NRFMTTI), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India based in Hisar, Haryana, has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of India’s foremost manufacturers of tractors and agricultural machinery Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd., Mumbai. This strategic partnership aims to foster skill development among the youth, equipping them with the necessary expertise for a career in the field of farm mechanization.

The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to offer comprehensive training programs that will prepare young individuals for the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural machinery industry. The primary objective of this partnership is to bridge the gap between industry requirements and the skill sets possessed by the youth, ultimately strengthening the workforce in the farm mechanization sector.

Key Highlights of the MoU:

Skill Development Programs: NRFMTTI and the leading agricultural machinery manufacturer will jointly design and implement skill development programs tailored to the specific needs of the farm machinery industry.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Mahindra will develop world-class training facilities, laboratories, and experienced faculty to ensure high-quality training for the enrolled students.

Industry-Linked Curriculum: The training curriculum will be designed to align closely with industry demands, ensuring that graduates are job-ready upon completion of their training.

Internship and Placement Support: The partnership will facilitate internship opportunities for students within the manufacturing company, providing them with practical exposure to real-world industry operations. Additionally, the manufacturer will actively participate in NRFMTTI’s placement efforts, aiding in job placements for graduates.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, the Director of NRFMTTI, Dr. Mukesh Jain expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership marks a significant step in our mission to prepare the youth for a prosperous future in the agricultural machinery industry. By combining NRFMTTI’s expertise in training and the Mahindra and Mahindra’s industry knowledge, we are confident in our ability to nurture skilled professionals who will contribute to the growth of the sector.”

The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to