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Agro Universities, Company News, India

This partnership aligns with Corteva Shiksha CSR program championing exceptional women pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in agriscience, especially those facing financial challenges.

Corteva Agriscience is joining forces with Buddy4Study India Foundation, to empower women pursuing advanced agriscience degrees. This prominent non-Governmental Organization (NGO) hosts India’s largest scholarship platform, connecting scholarship aspirants with financial aid providers.

This partnership aligns with Corteva Shiksha CSR program championing exceptional women pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in agriscience, especially those facing financial challenges. The program provides financial aid and mentorship, fostering inclusivity and elevating women in science, cultivating a vibrant agriscience community.

Through this collaboration Corteva is committed to bridging the gender gap and creating a more inclusive future. Diverse talents and perspectives are the driving forces behind curiosity, creativity, and innovation. By providing financial support to women pursuing careers in STEM, Corteva aims to cultivate a vibrant pool of talent. This talent, in turn, will play a pivotal role in fueling India’s ambition to strengthen its innovation economy.

Buddy4Study India Foundation shares in this enthusiasm, with their spokesperson stating, “We are honoured to partner with Corteva Agriscience in their mission to empower women in science. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our own vision of enabling educational opportunities for deserving individuals. Together, we’re committed to removing barriers and propelling aspiring women scientists to achieve greater success.”

This two-year MoU will strengthen Corteva’s commitment to fostering Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E), an integral part of its corporate culture. This partnership represents a significant advancement in promoting women’s representation and empowerment in the field of agriscience while reinforcing its dedication to sustainable progress and innovation.

This partnership aligns with Corteva Shiksha CSR

Agrotech, IT, North America, Supply Chain

Farm-GPT will fundamentally transform the way farmers approach commodity selection and adopt new farming practices, which will allow them to make more money. 

GrubMarket has announced the launch of Farm-GPT, a groundbreaking new generative artificial intelligence (AI) product designed to empower American farmers and growers with valuable data-driven insights for maximizing profits and optimizing crop selection. Farm-GPT harnesses the power of advanced AI and leverages the latest available pricing data from both the USDA and proprietary sources to assist farmers in making informed decisions about which commodities to cultivate based on market demand and revenue potential.

Investing in generative AI is imperative, given its potential to revolutionize the entire food supply ecosystem. As a leading technology enabler for the food supply chain industry, GrubMarket has charged ahead with developing new AI software solutions that will positively transform the American food supply chain industry. Farm-GPT, developed by GrubMarket, is the first generative AI software product to lead the way in operationalizing the technology to benefit the backbone of food production. Farm-GPT includes key features such as:

Data-Driven Decision Making: Farm-GPT utilizes real-time and historical nationwide pricing data to generate customized recommendations based on commodity revenue potential. This enables farmers to adapt to market fluctuations and make strategic choices to maximize profitability.

Seasonality and Region-Specific Recommendations: Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities presented by different regions and seasons, Farm-GPT tailors its recommendations for the location of the farmer’s fields for the timeframe in question, taking into account variables such as climate and growing conditions. This ensures that farmers receive advice that is relevant and actionable throughout the year.

User-Friendly Interface: The Farm-GPT platform boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to farmers of all backgrounds. The application presents advice in a conversational format, allowing users to easily understand and implement the recommendations provided.

Real-Time Market Intelligence: Keeping pace with the dynamic nature of the agricultural sector, Farm-GPT utilizes machine learning algorithms to continuously learn and adapt to changing market dynamics and expanding datasets. This ensures that Farm-GPT’s responses consistently take into account real-time market trends, staying relevant in the face of shifting economic and environmental factors.

“We are excited about the impact that Farm-GPT will have across the industry. The ability to synthesize massive amounts of wholesale pricing data is crucial to helping farmers generate the greatest possible value for their hard work. Farm-GPT will fundamentally transform the way farmers approach commodity selection and adopt new farming practices, which will allow them to make more money.  With AI comes the next wave of innovation for the American food supply chain industry, and the launch of Farm-GPT cements GrubMarket’s status as a pioneer in deploying new technologies in our space. Moving forward, we will continue to build state-of-the-art AI solutions for stakeholders throughout the supply chain; we are committed to ensuring that our industry benefits from all that AI technology has to offer,” said Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket.

Farm-GPT solidifies GrubMarket’s position as one of the food industry’s most influential digital transformers and technology enablers. By providing farmers with AI tools to enhance their decision-making processes, GrubMarket has also laid the foundation to become the go-to enterprise AI provider for the American food supply chain industry. 

Farm-GPT will fundamentally transform the way farmers

Floriculture, Industry Reports / Analysis, World

The Statistics Yearbook provides production data from countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, with detailed breakdowns, product comparisons, market data and prices and global import and export data

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), in association with Union Fleurs, the International Flower Trade Association, announces the 71st version of International Statistics – Flowers and Plants 2023.

The International Statistics Flowers and Plants Yearbook has the most comprehensive production and trade data collection for the ornamental plants and flower industry. It is now available to purchase and instantly download from www.aiph.org.

This annual publication on the ornamental horticultural industry is invaluable to trade organisations, policymakers, marketers, producers, traders, libraries, and universities. In its 71st year, the contents result from extensive research and data compiled by the Centre for Business Management in Horticulture and Applied Research at the University of Hohenheim, Germany.

The Statistics Yearbook provides production data from countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, with detailed breakdowns, product comparisons, market data and prices and global import and export data. This edition also features additional survey responses, carried out in Spring 2023, from member organisations of AIPH and Union Fleurs about the Economic development of ornamental horticulture in 2022.

For the first time, this edition also includes statistics about licensing from the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) in Angers, France.

The 2023 Yearbook is published as a digital document with 238 pages featuring illustrations, tables, diagrams, and maps of crucial production data.

The Statistics Yearbook provides production data from

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, Interaction

Agrovision attracts a diverse range of participants, including Corporates, Central and State Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, NGOs, R&D Organisations, Educational Institutes, Financial Institutes, MSMEs, and Self-Help Groups.

Central India’s largest agricultural exhibition, Agrovision – 2023, an important vehicle for agricultural transformation in Vidarbha, is being organised from November 24 to 27 at PDKV Ground, Dabha, Nagpur. The inauguration of four-day expo will be held at the hands of Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, Parshottam Rupala – Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister for Revenue and Animal Husbandry, Government of Maharashtra, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, National Dairy Development Board, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Tukaram Mundhe, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Government of Maharashtra, Sudhir Mungantiwar – Minister for Forests, Cultural Affairs and Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, and others.

Agrovision, the illustrious 4-day annual event is held in Nagpur, stands out as an exceptional platform for farmers from across India to exchange knowledge and expertise. Pioneered 13 years ago under the distinguished leadership of Chief Patron Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highway, Agrovision has continuously elevated its significance and influence with every subsequent edition. This momentous movement aspires to educate, encourage, and empower farmers by introducing them to cutting-edge farming technologies and allied agribusinesses that amplify their income and ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its unparalleled success and significance make it the most highly anticipated agri-festival in central India, attended by the cream of the agricultural community.

The Mega Exhibition at Agrovision is a major highlight that attracts a diverse range of participants, including Corporates, Central and State Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, NGOs, R&D Organisations, Educational Institutes, Financial Institutes, MSMEs, and Self-Help Groups. This national expo, which blends the latest technology, expertise, experience, and business, draws lakhs of farmers every year, and its popularity continues to skyrocket with each edition. As the esteemed national expo, Agrovision seamlessly blends the latest technology, expertise, experience, and business to keep agriculturists across the country updated and empowered. Beyond its role in updating agriculturists throughout the country, the expo offers tremendous business opportunities that cannot be overlooked.

Agrovision attracts a diverse range of participants,

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Finance, Inputs, Seeds, World

Sales of the Group for the third quarter were $6.8 billion, down 13 percent (-13% CER) and EBITDA was $0.3 billion, down 68 percent from prior year.

Syngenta Group announced financial results for the first nine months and third quarter of 2023. Group sales for the first nine months of 2023 were $24.3 billion, down 6 percent year-on-year (-3% CER) and EBITDA was 22 per cent lower (-20 per cent CER) when compared to an exceptionally strong 2022.

In the first nine months of 2023, the industry-wide channel destocking continued as distributors and retailers further reduced inventories, they built up in response to the supply chain disruptions of 2022. Overall farmer income and use of agricultural products, solutions and services remain robust. However, high working capital costs for customers due to sustained higher interest rates prompted many channel partners and farmers to order closer to application. These factors weighed on the comparison with the same period last year, when the Group achieved record sales and profits.

Sales of the Group for the third quarter were $6.8 billion, down 13 percent (-13% CER) and EBITDA was $0.3 billion, down 68 percent from prior year. The EBITDA was significantly impacted by a softer market in Brazil versus a record high in 2022 and a one-time seed inventory correction in Brazil, in addition to the timing of a royalty receipt, which was advanced to Q2 as noted in the H1 earnings release.

Sales of Syngenta Crop Protection and ADAMA were lower compared to the exceptionally strong first three quarters of the prior year. Crop Protection in China continued to see strong growth in the first nine months of 2023, with sales up 16 percent year-on-year, benefiting from launch of new technologies. Syngenta Group’s biological solutions grew 14 percent in sales compared to the first nine months of the previous year.

The Seeds business grew 3 percent to $3.3 billion sales in the first nine of months of 2023. Year-on-year comparison of Q3 was distorted by an earlier phasing of royalty income, realized in Q2 this year, while being recorded in Q3 last year. The Seeds business in Latin America saw lower sales and profit due to a one-time inventory adjustment.

Syngenta Group China grew by 9 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with total sales of $7.7 billion. MAP, Syngenta Group’s Modern Agriculture Platform grew in the same period by 25 percent to $3.3 billion, while the number of MAP centers further increased by 162 to a total of 727.

Syngenta Group continued its productivity improvements, cost containment and, where applicable, price adjustments to help mitigate the impact of higher cost incurred in 2022. Syngenta Group’s EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2023 was 14.6 percent, which is lower than the record high EBITDA during the same period last year.

Sales of Syngenta Crop Protection and ADAMA were lower compared to the exceptionally strong first three quarters of the prior year. Crop Protection in China continued to see strong growth in the first nine months of 2023, with sales up 16 percent year-on-year, benefiting from launch of new technologies. Syngenta Group’s biological solutions grew 14 percent in sales compared to the first nine months of the previous year.

The Seeds business grew 3 percent to $3.3 billion sales in the first nine of months of 2023. Year-on-year comparison of Q3 was distorted by an earlier phasing of royalty income, realized in Q2 this year, while being recorded in Q3 last year. The Seeds business in Latin America saw lower sales and profit due to a one-time inventory adjustment.

Syngenta Group China grew by 9 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with total sales of $7.7 billion. MAP, Syngenta Group’s Modern Agriculture Platform grew in the same period by 25 percent to $3.3 billion, while the number of MAP centers further increased by 162 to a total of 727.

Syngenta Group continued its productivity improvements, cost containment and, where applicable, price adjustments to help mitigate the impact of higher cost incurred in 2022. Syngenta Group’s EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2023 was 14.6 percent, which is lower than the record high EBITDA during the same period last year.

Sales of the Group for the third

Agrotech, Company News, Europe, IT

Industry platform Microsoft Azure Data Manager expands as more companies bring solutions: Leaf Agriculture further enhances useability of farm machinery data.

 Bayer has announced at Agritechnica, the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, an update on the strategic collaboration with Microsoft: New data connectors allow secure, compliant exchange of farm data between Bayer’s flagship digital farming product Climate FieldView™ and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through the industry platform Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture. Following the preview launch of Bayer AgPowered Services on the platform earlier this year, Leaf Agriculture is now bringing a solution to further enhance accessibility of farm machinery data, and OneSoil is delivering new solutions for in-season crop identification.

“Agricultural data is nothing new, but technology has evolved tremendously, and so should the ways farmers be able to collect, share, and benefit from the data they generate on the farm,” said Jeremy Williams, Head of Climate LLC and Digital Farming for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “Our industry can now rally around an infrastructure, data connectors, and readymade capabilities that can further deliver on the potential of digital farming solutions and the value we can bring to customers, such as the ability to tie into sustainability programs through better connectivity and data interoperability.”

Once initiated by a farmer, enterprise customers from across the agri-food value chain, such as retailers, financial institutions, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies can now connect and auto sync planting, application, and harvest activity files from FieldView, enabling the exchange of data between solutions built on Azure Data Manager.

One of agriculture’s biggest technology challenges is a lack of data interoperability. Farmers have seen advancements in the ability to connect data between on-farm platforms, but solutions allowing them to connect to services and opportunities beyond the farm have been largely unavailable. Companies and organizations supporting agriculture and related industries have also lacked the infrastructure and capabilities needed to best serve their customers.

Bayer data connectors for OEMs further improve farmer and industry connectivity

In addition to FieldView connectivity and enabled by Sonata Software – a leading modernization engineering company and agtech system integrator – Bayer is also developing new AgPowered Services allowing for machine data connectivity with leading OEMs, including Stara, Topcon, and Trimble. Enterprise users of Azure Data Manager will have an integrated, one-stop solution to connect securely and compliantly to key data sources for farm machinery data in the industry, thus bringing down the cost of technical investment that companies are facing today.

Furthermore, organizations can rely on the same system to connect to additional data sources, such as weather and imagery, and incorporate data-driven insights and recommendations from the suite of AgPowered Services into their customer-facing solutions. Azure Data Manager provides companies one place to connect to farm machinery data, weather, imagery, and insights from AgPowered Services.

More companies are bringing solutions to the industry platform

Along with FieldView and OEM connectivity, a new AgPowered Service further enhances the accessibility of farm machinery data. Bayer Farm Machinery Decoder powered by Leaf Agriculture can translate machine data from many different OEMs and platforms. This can accelerate innovation and improve solution delivery to farmers by making it easier to build with consistent data from multiple sources.

“Farm data is stored in hundreds of different formats, which is a major challenge for anyone who wants to be able to work with data from more than just one provider,” said Leaf CEO G. Bailey Stockdale. “By making it easy to work with consistent data in a single format, we help companies unlock new value from their existing data. Offering this Leaf service as an AgPowered Service helps bring this technology to more companies faster and further accelerate the pace of innovation in food and agriculture.”

Another new capability, Bayer In-Season Crop Identification powered by OneSoil, provides remote sensing capabilities (satellite imagery) allowing for in-season detection of key cash crops such as corn and soybean, alongside an additional ten crops, across North America, South America, and Europe. This groundbreaking service opens the door to a multitude of valuable applications throughout the agricultural value chain. From verification for carbon platforms or government subsidy programs for sustainable farming practices, to capacity planning and optimization for crop processing companies to enhancing insurance assessments for accurate risk management, these examples provide a glimpse into the vast potential this technology holds.

“Contributing to the platform’s AgPowered Services right from the start is truly exciting. OneSoil’s cutting-edge crop detection models, fueled by AI and remote sensing, showcase our commitment to revolutionizing the agricultural industry on a global level,” said OneSoil CEO Morten Schmidt. “Collaborating with Bayer opens doors to introduce our technology to customers around the world, marking a significant step up in modern agriculture.”

Industry platform Microsoft Azure Data Manager expands

Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Supply Chain, Trade

The success of this trial shipment promises to unlock fresh prospects for Indian banana farmers in a market as quality conscious as Europe.

 AgroStar, one of India’s foremost AgTech start-ups, working on the mission of Helping Farmers Win, is proud to announce a significant milestone achieved by its subsidiary, INI Farms. In an encouraging development for banana farmers in India, the first consignment of INI Farms’ ‘Kimaye’ branded bananas has been shipped to Fresh Del Monte in Europe, opening new horizons for the export of fresh Indian fruits.

The pilot was executed by INI Farms in collaboration with Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), along with support from ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow for technical assistance, Fresh Del Monte for marketing and distribution in Europe, and Maersk for logistics. The export venture was flagged off on 9th November by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev from Baramati, Maharashtra.

Over the years, APEDA-registered INI Farms has earned a reputation for its strong sourcing infrastructure with inbuilt SOPs and enhanced the quality and shelf life of bananas to meet the stringent requirements of the European market.

Sharing her thoughts on the momentous occasion, Purnima Khandelwal, CEO, INI Farms said, “We are delighted to partake in this trial shipment aimed at cementing India’s presence in the banana trade in Europe. The success of this trial shipment promises to unlock fresh prospects for our banana farmers in a market as quality conscious as Europe.

Over the years, our brand ‘Kimaye’ has become a well-known global consumer F&V brand out of India, synonymous with great quality and food safety. We are proud to join hands with thousands of banana farmers across India as we cater to the growing global demand for Indian bananas.”

Shardul Sheth, Co-founder & CEO, AgroStar, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “India is the largest producer of bananas in the world. We see massive opportunities in banana exports and its potential to transform the lives of banana farmers across the country. We are committed to working closely with our farmers and partners and make it the first billion-dollar revenue fruit category from India.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to APEDA, ICAR, and all our cherished partners. Their unwavering support and invaluable contributions have been pivotal in steering us towards this momentous occasion.”

“We are proud to be the first company to market and distribute Indian bananas in Europe and to be a member of the partnership that made this happen,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Opening a new source of bananas to the entire European continent is a huge milestone and we hope this is just the beginning. We see this as a win-win for all parties involved, including consumers and banana growers across India. Thank you to our partners in this endeavour whose expertise in various sectors made this possible.”

The success of this trial shipment promises

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India

At the heart of the partnership is Assam’s goal of boosting the cultivation, production and consumption of three native millet crops: Finger millet (Maruadhan), Foxtail millet (Kauni Dhan), and Proso millet (Cheena Bajra)

The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Government of Assam, India, have joined forces to advance climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission.

At the heart of the partnership is Assam’s goal of boosting the cultivation, production and consumption of three native millet crops: Finger millet (Maruadhan), Foxtail millet (Kauni Dhan), and Proso millet (Cheena Bajra). 

Presently, millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares of land in 15 districts of Assam, including Nagaon, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri, contributing 97 per cent of the State’s millet production. 

Given Assam’s vulnerability to floods and its ancient preference for rice over millets, there’s a growing imperative to transition toward diversified agriculture that incorporates resilient and nutritious millets.

Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT lauded the partnership and hailed the Millet Mission as pioneering, particularly considering the region’s limited history of millet consumption.

“As the world’s largest millet producer and a driving force behind the International Year of Millets 2023, India stands at the forefront of the resurgence of millets.  

“ICRISAT is delighted to contribute its deep expertise in millet research to complement Assam’s visionary approach and ambitious millet value chain targets,” said Dr Hughes.

At the heart of the partnership is

Agrotech, Sustainability, World

ADB will introduce new technologies and best practices, including advanced big data platforms to optimise agricultural production

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million equivalent loan to spur rural green development in Yichang Municipality, Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“The Hubei Yichang Rural Green Development Project will modernise Yichang’s agriculture sector in a smart, green, and sustainable manner,” said Alfredo Baño Leal ADB Senior Energy Specialist. “ADB will introduce new technologies and best practices, including advanced big data platforms to optimise agricultural production, as well as research that will help develop more climate-resilient agricultural products.”

Yichang is part of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), one of the three key economic growth engines in the PRC. Inefficient irrigation methods, monoculture crops, and outdated infrastructure have made traditional agriculture severely vulnerable to extreme weather events, including flooding and drought. The municipality has one of the most serious soil erosion problems in the PRC, aggravated by poor land management practices and seasonal high-intensity rainfall.

The project will increase crop productivity in Yichang and optimise the food supply chain through smart green agriculture while building capacity and creating additional skilled jobs. This includes innovative practices such as introducing climate-resilient crop varieties, adopting efficient fertigation systems, reducing food waste, supporting farm-to-market channels on digital platforms, and adding climate adaptation measures to reduce soil erosion and manage floods.

The project will also introduce distributed small-scale renewable energy in many locations to reduce the consumption of grid electricity—which is dominated by coal-fired power generation—and support climate change mitigation efforts. It will install agricultural waste management and water treatment systems and facilities in Yichang. Farmers and workers involved in small-scale agricultural activities will benefit from a cleaner rural environment and improved resilience of rural infrastructures.

ADB will introduce new technologies and best

Nature, Sustainability, World

New FAO GIAHS designations include ones in China, Iran and the Republic of Korea

A pasture system in Andorra, hay milk in Austria, areas growing chestnuts, white ginger and waxberries in China, flood-spreading gardens a walnut cultivating region in Iran and an all-female fishery in the Republic of Korea have become the latest additions to Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

The systems, formally designated during a meeting of the GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group taking place in Rome from November 7 to 10 included the first ones to be approved from Andorra and Austria. Meanwhile, additional sites in China, Iran and the Republic of Korea again highlight the key role played by Asia’s traditional agricultural practices in food security and combating climate change and biodiversity loss.

Under the flagship programme of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the selection criteria stipulate that sites must be of global importance, have value as a public good, support food and livelihood security, agro-biodiversity, sustainable knowledge systems and practices, social values and culture as well as outstanding landscapes. “Now over 20 years strong, GIAHS has proven to be a great model for showcasing longstanding practices to render agrifood systems more resilient to climate change,” said Maria Helena Semedo FAO Deputy Director-General.

With the newest addition to the global agricultural heritage systems list, FAO’s worldwide agricultural heritage network now consists of 86 systems in 26 countries around the globe. 

New FAO GIAHS designations include ones in

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Animal Health, Company News, India, Poultry

Company plans to manufacture this diagnostic ELISA kit using ICAR-NIHSAD technology in India and market the kit worldwide.

HiMedia (M/S HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd) has announced that it has signed a Technology License Agreement with Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal for producing indirect ELISA kit for Avian Influenza virus antibody detection in chicken. The agreement covers all related patents and biological material necessary for manufacturing of the test. ICAR-NIHSAD will provide all know-how and training to HiMedia.

The indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection in chicken is a recombinant nucleoprotein-based ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) that is more sensitive than Agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) & Hemagglutination inhibition (HI), and can be performed in all labs with ease. It is suitable for the screening of large number of chicken serum samples. HiMedia plans to manufacture this diagnostic ELISA kit using ICAR-NIHSAD technology in India and market the kit worldwide.

Dr Rajas Warke, Director (Molecular Biology, HiMedia) stated, “We look forward to continuing this successful cooperation with ICAR-NIHSAD for manufacturing indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection in chicken. Regular serological surveillance of commercial and backyard poultry for avian influenza is essential for control of the disease in India. The indigenously developed indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection is a cheaper alternative to imported kits for regular   sero-surveillance of commercial and backyard chicken and can be performed easily by laboratory personnel.”

Currently, Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) and State Disease Investigation Laboratories import commercial ELISA kits at a high cost to conduct sero-surveillance for avian influenza in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP). The aim of the license is to facilitate rapid manufacture and commercialization of the test worldwide.

Overall, the agreement between HiMedia and ICAR-NIHSAD holds the potential to benefit both commercial and backyard poultry, as well as the overall avian health in the country. HiMedia aims to address the needs of the fast-growing global veterinary diagnosis market with innovative solutions and this agreement is another step towards it.

Dr Aniket Sanyal, Director of ICAR-NIHSAD, Dr Rajas Warke, Director (Molecular Biology) of M/S HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., and Dr Praveen Malik, CEO of M/S Agrinnovate India Ltd., were the signatories in this agreement. Dr Niranjan Mishra, Incharge, Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU), played a key role in license documentation & kit procedures for commercialization. Under the leadership of the innovator Dr Sandeep Bhatia, Dr Atul Kumar Pateriya & Dr Naveen Kumar contributed significantly to the development of the kit. The ELISA kit, known for its high sensitivity (99 per cent) and specificity (99 per cent), adheres to international standards.

Company plans to manufacture this diagnostic ELISA

Company News, R&D, World

For the first time, signals produced by a plant’s physiological response to infection will be linked to optimised crop treatments delivered with John Deere See & Spray technology. 

InnerPlant, the seed technology company enabling the earliest possible detection of stress in crops to make farming universally more efficient and sustainable, Syngenta, a global leader in agricultural innovation and crop protection and John Deere, a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, and construction, and forestry equipment, announce a joint effort to develop an integrated solution to fight fungus in soybeans. The first-of-its-kind solution will link together plants that give off early and specific signals when under attack by fungus with optimised crop protection treatments that are delivered with See & Spray technology.

“Fungal diseases are a massive and growing problem facing farmers who already face a great deal of risk in their operations,” explains Shely Aronov, CEO and co-founder of InnerPlant. “A solution that links signals directly from plants’ physiological responses to the individualised, precise delivery of optimised inputs will make farmers’ lives easier by delivering both improved efficacy and efficiency.”

Globally, crops are attacked by fungal diseases that result in substantial yield losses. And the problem is getting worse, according to experts who cite climate change and rising resistance to common fungicides as contributing to fast-rising fungal attacks that threaten the world’s food supply and a “global health catastrophe.”

“The technology from InnerPlant allows the detection of plant diseases at the earliest possible stage identifying plant diseases that otherwise often go undetected or untreated,” says Feroz Sheikh, Syngenta’s Chief Information and Digital Officer. “We are happy to engage in these initial trials with our partners. Integrated, innovative solutions are a critical path forward for managing the growing impact of soybean diseases and ensuring that farmers have the tools they need to feed the world.”

For the first time, signals produced by

Foodgrains, India

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is forecast at 469 million tonnes, a 1.6 per cent contraction from the preceding year

Global cereal production this year is forecast to reach a record 2.81 billion tonnes, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations’ latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief released on Nov. 3.

Of note was higher projected coarse grain production in China and most of West Africa and lower forecasts for the United States and the European Union. Wheat output forecasts were raised for Iraq and the United States and revised downward for the European Union and Kazakhstan. World rice production in 2023-24 is forecast to increase marginally year-on-year. The new revisions include an upgrade to India’s production, more than offsetting various other revisions, particularly a further downgrade of Indonesian production prospects.

World cereal utilisation in 2023-24 is forecast to reach 2.810 million tonnes, with the total utilisation of both wheat and coarse grains set to surpass 2022-23 levels while rice utilisation is expected to stagnate at the previous season’s level.

The world cereals stocks-to-use ratio for 2023-24 is forecast to stand at 30.7 per cent, “a comfortable supply situation from a historical perspective” and marginally above the previous year’s level of 30.5 per cent, according to the FAO.

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is forecast at 469 million tonnes, a 1.6 per cent contraction from the preceding year.

The FAO also noted in a separate report that persisting and intensifying conflicts are aggravating food insecurity, and moderating international food commodity prices are being countered by weak currencies in many low-income countries. A total of 46 countries around the world, including 33 in Africa, are assessed to need external assistance for food, according to the latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, a triannual publication by FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS).

Global trade in cereals in 2023-24 is