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The primary objective of the workshop was to formulate a comprehensive roadmap or guideline document for assessing the pivotal role of forestry and agroforestry-based strategies in supporting national Net Zero Goals

The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of BITS Pilani Goa, in partnership with the IUCN CEM Forest Specialist Group, CEM South Asia, the Goa State Biodiversity Board, and CEEW, New Delhi has successfully hosted a One-day International Consultative Workshop titled ” ‘Role Of Forestry, Agroforestry, And Land Restoration in Achieving Net Zero in the Asian Region’.

The primary objective of the workshop was to formulate a comprehensive roadmap or guideline document for assessing the pivotal role of forestry and agroforestry-based strategies in supporting national Net Zero Goals. Furthermore, the workshop aimed to identify challenges, hurdles, and roadblocks hindering the realisation of mitigation potential from these sectors. It also sought to foster collaboration and partnerships among various organizations in Asia dedicated to these sectors.

The event saw participation from distinguished guests like Professor Mohan Kumar B, Former Vice Chancellor of Arunachal University and one of the authors of the National Agroforestry Policy, and Prof. Amit Garg, Professor, of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. The event also witnessed the participation of Namgyel Wangdi, Senior Programme Officer of Bhutan Ecological Society, as a speaker. Wangdi shared insightful perspectives on Bhutan’s remarkable success in attaining the Net Zero goal, emphasizing the significant contribution of the forest sector. The workshop welcomed the Chief Wildlife warden of the State of Goa Umakant and Dr Pradip V Sarmokdam, Nodal Officer, Climate Change, State of Goa. Additionally, the workshop welcomed Anindya Bhattacharya, Celestial Earth, the agency entrusted with formulating the Net Zero Strategy for the state of Goa.

The primary objective of the workshop was

Develops a tech-based prototype model for millet revival and helps establish market linkages

Lenovo, the global technology powerhouse, announced the successful culmination of its Work for Humankind Initiative, with six millet varieties making a comeback in Kanthalloor, Kerala.  Branded Kanthalloor Millets, these six varieties will make their way to the kitchens and tables of local homestays and Anganwadi schools, as a result of Lenovo’s tech-based prototype model to revive millet cultivation, ease millet production processes and create market linkages.

An important milestone for the initiative was the setting up of the Lenovo Digital Centre for Kanthalloor Millets at the IHRD College for Applied Sciences, Kanthalloor, to ensure that the community had access to technology tools to succeed in the Project. The Centre has enabled digital access to the farming community and has emerged as the hub for important information relating to government schemes like state crop insurance, crop diversification schemes, subsidies, peer learning, and sharing insights on millet cultivation methods. Farmers in Kanthalloor today, use smartphones to access information and stay connected with the digital centre, volunteers, as well as the community. 

Lenovo also announced a partnership with Samudra Network and Agri App, to digitize the agricultural value chain specific to millet farming in Kanthalloor. This includes crop detail tracking, digitisation of processing operations for quality control, and market catalogue creation.

Develops a tech-based prototype model for millet

The collaboration aims to use digitalisation to enhance the capacity and expedite the expansion of the insect industry

During COP 28, Siemens and Nasekomo announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on the digitalisation of insect biotransformation. The collaboration aims to use digitalisation to enhance the capacity and expedite the expansion of the insect industry.

Nasekomo, a biotech start-up, has partnered with Siemens Bulgaria to collaborate on digitalising insect biotransformation, an industry with sustainable development potential.

Siemens and Nasekomo have announced a new partnership during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) to establish an intelligent insect industry 4.0. The collaboration aims to meet the increasing demand for protein in both quality and quantity by leveraging digitalization to enhance capacity. The insect industry is set to expand rapidly with built-in industrial cyber security measures to ensure safety. The signing ceremony was attended by the Bulgarian Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoicheva, and the Minister of Environment and Water, Julian Popov. The document of strategic cooperation was signed by Virak Chhuor, Vice President of Engineering and Production at Nasekomo and Dr Eng. Boryana Manolova, CEO of Siemens for Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Ukraine.

The collaboration aims to use digitalisation to

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme will intensify efforts to improve food and nutrition security in partner countries

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the government of Norway announced a new five-year phase of the EAF-Nansen Programme at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Programme is a partnership between FAOthe Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway, regional fisheries organizations and 32 partner countries in Africa and the Bay of Bengal, dating back to 1975.

Norway will fund a budget of 1 billion NOK ($94 million) for the new period.

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme will intensify efforts to improve food and nutrition security in partner countries, placing a stronger focus on strengthening fisheries management in response to the impacts of climate change.

“A large number of the global population live by and off the ocean. For people to continue to do so, we need to manage the marine environment and life sustainably. The Nansen Programme plays a key role in collecting and sharing ocean knowledge. This effort is crucial in fighting climate change and ensuring food security also for future generations,” said Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, the Norwegian Minister of International Development.

“This unique Programme generates essential data, research and science needed for countries to make informed decisions that support sustainable fisheries management. FAO welcomes the announcement for this new phrase to build a sustainable and resilient future for our oceans, working together to promote responsible fishing practices, combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and address the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems,” said Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General.

From 2024 to 2028, the EAF-Nansen Programme

Centre directs NCCF and NAFED to procure 7 lakh tonnes of onion for the buffer from farmers

The export of onion has been put under prohibition w.e.f. 8th December 2023 till 31st March 2024 to ensure the availability of onion to domestic consumers at affordable prices. The Government took the decision taking into account the delay in Kharif’s arrival, the quantity of onion exported and the global situation such as trade and non-trade restrictions imposed by major suppliers such as Turkey, Egypt and Iran. To ensure that farmers are not adversely affected, the government is continuously procuring onions from the farmers under the Price Stabilisation Fund.

In the current year, the Government had directed NCCF and NAFED to procure 7 lakh tonnes of onion for the buffer. To date, about 5.10 lakh tonnes have been procured, and procurement of the remaining quantity is ongoing. Onions procured by the government are continuously disposed of in high-price markets through open-market sales and direct retail sales to consumers. Out of 2.73 lakh tonnes of onion disposed of the buffer, nearly 20,700 MT has been sold to retail consumers in 213 cities through 2,139 retail points. Due to these multi-pronged interventions, the all-India average retail price for onion has been brought down from Rs.59.9 per kg on 17 November to Rs.56.8 per kg on 8th December.

It may be recalled that on 29th October, the Government imposed a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 800 per ton for onion exports and simultaneously disposed of onion buffer stock. While the MEP had been effective in reducing the quantum of onion exports, sizable quantities continued to be exported due to the global situation and the delayed arrival of the Kharif crop.

The Government is keeping a close watch on the onion crop availability and prices to take necessary measures in the interest of both the consumers and the farmers. The procurement of onions from farmers under the Price Stabilisation will continue to ensure remunerative prices to farmers and both wholesale and retail interventions will continue in high-price markets to make onions available to consumers at affordable prices.

Centre directs NCCF and NAFED to procure

MustGrow to receive upfront license fees and milestone payments, royalties and manufacturing sales linked to development and commercial achievements

MustGrow Biologics Corp announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Bayer AG covering soil applications of MustGrow’s mustard-based biocontrol technologies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, excluding home and garden, turf and ornamental applications.

Under the terms of the Agreement, MustGrow will receive an initial upfront payment as well as additional payments linked to the achievement of certain business milestones. Upon the commencement of commercial sales, MustGrow will also be entitled to fees from royalties and manufacturing sales. Additionally, Bayer will be responsible for regulatory and market development work in the respective field of use necessary to commercialize MustGrow’s mustard-based biocontrol technologies, including the development of the formulated product, conducting relevant regulatory data studies for regulatory submissions, filing regulatory submissions, registration with relevant regulatory authorities, and support, marketing, and commercial sales activities. MustGrow anticipates that the value of the upfront, milestone payments and Development Work could approximate $35 to $40 million over the next several years (not including additional fees from royalties and manufacturing sales).

“Biologicals are part of an exciting frontier that offers new solutions for the challenges that growers face across the world,” said Benoit Hartmann, Head of Biologics for Bayer. “We’re committed to working with leading innovators like MustGrow to accelerate the development of innovative biological solutions that provide safe, sustainable options for farmers and are looking forward to continuing our work together.”

Under the Agreement, Bayer has also been granted a right-of-first-negotiation for a license to use MustGrow’s mustard-based biocontrol technologies for use in bananas in particular applications, excluding postharvest applications. MustGrow expects to continue collaborating with Bayer to consider other potential applications of MustGrow’s mustard-based biocontrol technologies, including potential testing in regions not currently covered by the Agreement.

MustGrow to receive upfront license fees and

The program aims to acknowledge the role of sustainable agricultural practices and recognizes farmers who successfully advocate and embrace eco-friendly practices

Corteva Agriscience, a global pioneer in agricultural solutions, announced the India winner for its Climate Positive Leaders Program. The recipients are early adopter producers who are successfully implementing, scaling, and sharing climate-positive practices. Ravichandran Vanchinatha Iyer, an accomplished Indian farmer from Tamil Nadu, India is the recipient of this recognition.

In its first year in India, the program aims to honour the farmers who have made a measurable impact in advancing climate-positive agriculture and share their stories for the benefit of farmers and all food system stakeholders around the world. In the face of mounting concerns over climate change and the imperative for sustainable solutions, Corteva remains at the forefront of advocating and facilitating innovative practices that bridge agricultural productivity with environmental conservation.

Ravichandran farms in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India, where he produces crops like rice, cotton, pulses and sugarcane. Leveraging the guidance of agriculture scientists, public and private research institutes, universities, private-sector researchers, and fellow farmers, he has focused much of his efforts on growing eco-friendly rice through better irrigation management. By adopting good agronomic practices with more emphasis on drip irrigation methods, improved use of fertilisers, intercropping, and strategic selection of rice varietals, he has demonstrated a 50 per cent reduction in water consumption, as well as reducing methane emissions and lessening his carbon footprint. Furthermore, he employs a zero-plastic waste/zero pollution strategy in his farming approach. He converts vegetative waste into mulch, enriching the soil with organic carbon and reducing urea use.

The program aims to acknowledge the role

Ladakh has built 1,875 eco-friendly greenhouses with a total cost of Rs 43.78 crore

The Union Territory of Ladakh has built 1,875 eco-friendly greenhouses with a total cost of Rs 43.78 crore. These greenhouses are designed to help farmers grow vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, and various types of green leafy vegetables even during the harsh winter months. This information was shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with Rajya Sabha.

Ladakh has introduced a new technology called “Ladakh Green House” to grow vegetables in a limited quantity and in a controlled environment throughout the year.

Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home, provided a written response to a question posed by a parliamentarian regarding the Union Territory of Ladakh. The parliamentarian asked whether Ladakh, an area known for its extremely harsh winters and short crop growing season of approximately five months, has implemented any new techniques to address this issue.

According to the Minister, “Ladakh is a cold region, which makes it difficult to cultivate crops and vegetables during the winter season as the temperature often drops below -20 degrees Celsius. However, the Minister replied that farmers in the region can now grow vegetables even during the peak winter season when the temperature plummets below -30 degrees Celsius, thanks to the introduction of new technology.”

Ladakh has built 1,875 eco-friendly greenhouses with

Partnership could help Agrivalle enhance the breadth and efficacy of their novel biological products and enable them to sell and license products to major players in agriculture across the globe.

Agrivalle, a leading Brazilian agricultural biologicals company, announced a new partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks, which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity. Together, the companies will collaborate on building cutting edge technologies to advance Agrivalle’s biological products, including next-gen fertilizers and biocontrol agents.

Ginkgo is bringing its suite of advanced biology tools to the partnership with Agrivalle. Ginkgo will leverage its Strain Optimization Services to improve the efficacy of Agrivalle’s biocontrol products. In planned future projects, Ginkgo intends to work with Agrivalle to discover and optimize plant-compatible microbes that can provide crop nutrition, and to engineer organisms that can make compounds to specifically target certain pests. This, in turn, could help Agrivalle enhance the breadth and efficacy of their novel biological products and enable them to sell and license products to major players in agriculture across the globe.

Growers continue to have an increased need for effective and sustainable alternatives to pest control products. Brazil has been home to massive growth in biologicals, thanks in part to regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation in the development of biologicals for sustainable agriculture. The Brazilian government has also made it easier for startups to finance manufacturing plants and to register biological products. This has led the country to become the largest biologicals market for agriculture, growing over 30 per cent a year.

“We are so excited to partner with Agrivalle on getting groundbreaking biological products into the hands of growers,” said Jason Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks. “Agrivalle is a vanguard of innovation in Brazil with proven R&D, manufacturing, and sales prowess, and we’re thrilled to help them optimize and advance their products as they seek to expand globally.”

“Choosing Ginkgo as a strategic partner will enable Agrivalle products to be at the forefront of agricultural excellence,” said André Kraide, CEO of Agrivalle. “Having access to Ginkgo’s demonstrated technical capabilities and expertise in biologicals R&D will help us take our products to the next level and support growers who seek superior bio-based technology.”

Partnership could help Agrivalle enhance the breadth

NAYAZINC™ is suitable for a wide range of crops; Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Sugarcane, Pulses, Oilseed, Vegetables, Cotton, Sorghum, Mustard; Groundnut, and Soybean.

Rallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri inputs industry, is strengthening farming practices with NAYAZINC™, a unique, patented zinc fertiliser designed for soil application. This innovation is transforming agricultural practices across various crops, soils, and agro-climatic conditions, providing farmers a highly efficient alternative to Zinc Sulphate.

NAYAZINC™ is a fully FCO-compliant product with high standards of quality and aspires to replace Zinc sulphate as a preferred choice for Indian agriculture. With 16 percent zinc, it provides optimum zinc nutrition to the plants at almost one-tenth of zinc application when compared to Zinc Sulphate. With 9 percent magnesium also in its content, NAYAZINC™ boosts photosynthesis during the early growth phase. NAYAZINC™ offers an innovative solution suitable for a wide range of crops; Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Sugarcane, Pulses, Oilseed, Vegetables, Cotton, Sorghum, Mustard; Groundnut, and Soybean.

Sanjiv Lal, Managing Director of Rallis India Limited, expressed his enthusiasm about NAYAZINC™, stating, NAYAZINC™ is a testament to our dedication towards achieving our Mission – “Serving Farmers Through Science”. More than 45 percent of Indian soils are low in plant-available zinc, NAYAZINC™ is an innovative solution to enhance productivity and improve sustainability. Zinc nutrition in plants has a strong bearing, much like zinc nutrition in human beings, especially infants and babies. Our investments in this product are intended to provide a strong foundation for healthy soil, producing healthy foods for a healthy nation.”

S.Nagarajan, Chief Operating Officer of Rallis India Limited, added, “Built on the principles of Zinc delicately bound in a Polyphosphate chain to prevent it from undesired reactions in soil, this innovative micronutrient fertiliser allows co-application with any crop nutrient source and acts as a slow-release fertiliser to improve use efficiency several times when compared with the traditional Zinc Sulphate. NAYAZINC™ represents a significant step forward in crop nutrient application”.

Rallis India Limited aspires to elevate agricultural practices through its inventive crop nutrition solutions. The company’s steadfast commitment to R&D and business development has yielded promising results in current markets, reinforcing its leadership in the agri-input Industry. The company is confident that NAYAZINC™ will usher in a new era of sustainable farming practices, benefiting both farmers and the environment in the foreseeable future.

NAYAZINC™ is suitable for a wide range

Observance helps highlight the potato’s importance for global agriculture, economic development, food security and nutrition

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed the UN’s decision to designate 30 May as International Day of Potato, an opportunity to raise awareness of a crop regularly consumed by billions of people and global importance for food security and nutrition.

The annual observance was championed by Peru, which submitted a proposal for adoption to the UN General Assembly based on an FAO Conference Resolution of July 7, 2023. The impetus for the Day, which builds upon the International Year of Potato that was observed in 2008, originates from the need to emphasise the significant role of the potato in tackling prevalent global issues, such as food insecurity, poverty and environmental threats.

“This International Day will shed light on the significant value of the potato – nutritional, economic, environmental and cultural.  It will also highlight the contribution of the potato to global food security, poverty reduction and the livelihoods of millions while emphasising the key role of Indigenous Peoples knowledge and practices,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.

The Day “will allow us to draw attention to the importance of this ancestral crop in sustaining efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty; as well as to encourage agricultural development, food security, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions,” Víctor García Toma, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations told the General Assembly.

Observance helps highlight the potato’s importance for

Partnership aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in rice research and development.

A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the IRRI Headquarters to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) fostering collaboration between the two parties. The MOU, titled “Scientific and Technical Collaboration for Promoting and Disseminating High-Yielding, Climate-Smart, and Healthier Rice Varieties” aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in rice research and development. The goal is to advance food and nutrition security while enhancing climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Dr Abdullo Mansurov, Head of the Department of Cereals and Legumes of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture, led the visiting delegation and represented the ministry in the signing. Dr Ajay Kohli, Interim Director-General of IRRI, represented the institute.

This signing follows the recent induction of the Republic of Uzbekistan, through its Rice Research Institute – National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture (RRI-NCKIA), into the Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia (CORRA). CORRA, an IRRI-convened partnership of National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES) agencies across Asia, facilitates information sharing and initiatives to address common issues and challenges in the rice sector.

Rice in Uzbekistan is grown in approximately 149,000 hectares, with an average yield of 4.8 tons per hectare. Most farmers use direct seeding through broadcast methods based on seasons and timelines. The achievements of the country’s Rice Research Institute include the development of over 17 new rice varieties and patented technologies for addressing weeds, diseases, and pests in rice crops. Priorities for the ministry include germplasm exchange, varietal development and testing, and high-yielding varieties for cost-effective production.

IRRI leaders and scientists presented various technologies and initiatives of interest to the ministry, including hybrid rice and direct seeding technologies, online education and capacity building, and nutrient management and postharvest mechanization. The ministry welcomed the proposal for membership in groups such as the Temperate Rice Research Consortium and Seeds Without Borders.

Dr Kohli expressed appreciation for the established collaborative partnership with Uzbekistan, emphasizing the exchange of germplasms and the development of a partnership in Central Asia. Future plans include collaborations with IRRI Education, focusing on scientist exchange and participation in IRRI Education programs, fostering a two-way transfer of knowledge and expertise.

Dr Mansurov expressed gratitude for the collaborative partnership and highlighted the potential for greater engagement and collaboration with neighboring countries in Central Asia, given the similar climatic conditions. He also acknowledged the possibility of additional MOUs with other ministries.

After the meeting, the Uzbekistani delegation toured IRRI facilities, witnessing various IRRI technologies and initiatives, including the Plant Growth Facility, the DSR field, and the International Rice Genebank.

Partnership aims to encourage stronger relationships, knowledge

The total transactional value conducted on Unnati’s platform is on a trajectory to surpass Rs 700 crores this year, marking a 70 per cent growth from the previous fiscal year.

Unnati Agri, an agriculture supply chain and financial services startup, proudly announces a significant milestone with its attainment of break-even status in October 2023, showcasing an impressive 2x growth compared to the previous fiscal year. This accomplishment underscores Unnati Agri’s substantial progress, driven by an expanded business scale and noteworthy enhancements in profit margins.

The company’s extraordinary financial performance in October 2023 is highlighted by its pivotal shift to becoming EBITDA positive, registering 1.1 per cent EBITDA margins. This notable accomplishment is built on 100 per cent growth from the corresponding period in October 2022, underlining Unnati Agri’s unwavering commitment to financial sustainability and operational excellence. The recent introduction of Unnati’s exclusive branded product line, encompassing seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection solutions, has experienced an exponential surge in demand. This product line expansion, now extended across multiple states, has witnessed an impressive 8-9x year-on-year growth, signifying its utility among farmers and trust on Unnati brand.

Furthermore, the total transactional value conducted on Unnati’s platform is on a trajectory to surpass Rs 700 crores this year, marking a 70 per cent growth from the previous fiscal year. Bolstered by a robust network of 60,000 registered retailers across 7 states, Unnati’s consistent growth trajectory has sustained a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 90 per cent in the last three years.

Amit Sinha, Co-Founder of Unnati Agri, expressed satisfaction with the company’s financial performance, stating, “Unnati Agri’s achievement of reaching break-even status in October 2023, while maintaining an impressive 2x growth from the previous fiscal year, stands as a testament to our team execution. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to fostering sustainable growth, empowering our farmers, and contributing to the holistic advancement of the agricultural sector. We persist in our dedication to drive innovation, uphold financial excellence, and revolutionize the agricultural landscape, ensuring accessibility, efficiency, and prosperity for our valued farming community.”

The recent financial success underscores Unnati Agri’s commitment to financial excellence and operational efficiency. These achievements fortify Unnati’s position as a trailblazer in the agricultural technology sector, aligning with the company’s steadfast mission of transforming the agricultural landscape to ensure accessibility, efficiency, and prosperity for farmers.

The total transactional value conducted on Unnati's

Jamun is the largest genome to be sequenced from the world’s largest tree genus, Syzygium

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) Researchers have completed the first-ever genome sequencing of the Jamun tree (Syzygium cumini), an evergreen tree popular in India for its medicinal properties, fruits, and ornamental value.

To understand the genomic and evolutionary basis of the tree’s medicinal values, the research team sequenced the S.cumini genome from the world’s largest tree genus Syzygium using Oxford Nanopore and 10x Genomics sequencing technologies. Jamun is the largest genome to be sequenced from the world’s largest tree genus, Syzygium.

The team, led by Dr Vineet K. Sharma, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, includes Abhishek Chakraborty, Shruti Mahajan, and Manohar Singh Bisht from IISER Bhopal. Their findings have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Plant Science.

Explaining the aim of this research, Dr Vineet K Sharma, Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal, said, “This research aimed to gain new functional and evolutionary insights from the Jamun genome, which could be responsible for the wide range of pharmacological properties of this species conferred by the bioactive compounds that act as nutraceutical agents in modern medicine.” 

Syzygium cumini, often known as Jamun, jambolan, or black plum, is a Myrtaceae plant family tropical tree. Its natural range includes the Indian Subcontinent and South-East Asia. The clove genus, Syzygium, is the world’s biggest tree genus, with 1,193 recognised species, of which Jamun is one. 

Jamun is the largest genome to be