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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

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agrotech, Company News, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, World

John Deere Operations Center™ and Yara’s Atfarm digital platform will provide farmers with tailored crop nutrition recommendations rooted in agronomic precision to ensure crops receive the right amount of nutrients.

 John Deere and Yara have joined forces to launch a partnership that will combine Yara’s agronomic expertise with John Deere’s precision technology and advanced machinery. The partnership will enable farmers to increase yields and optimize fertilizer use, helping them contribute to the ambition of the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy.

To be able to produce more efficiently and sustainably, farmers need high-quality, actionable data and the technology to put these insights into practice. This is where digital farming will play a big role in helping farmers optimize the productivity of their fields. To further this vision, the advanced connectivity between the John Deere Operations Center™ and Yara’s Atfarm digital platform will provide farmers with tailored crop nutrition recommendations rooted in agronomic precision to ensure crops receive the right amount of nutrients where and when needed.

Partnering to make every nutrient count

The Atfarm platform uses Yara’s proprietary optimized index, which enables farmers to monitor the biomass development of their crops and nitrogen uptake throughout the season and access field specific variable rate application maps. This data can be seamlessly shared as a WorkPlan with the John Deere Operations Center™. Farmers can add operational details and wirelessly synchronize the plans, including prescriptions, to any machine featuring the John Deere Gen4 or G5 Display.

As executing variable rate maps is often perceived as complicated, this John Deere Yara solution makes it much easier, supporting farmers in producing more yield with less input. Through Yara’s agronomic advice, trials show that farmers can achieve up to seven percent yield increase while securing up to 14 percent Nitrogen savings in fertilizer use.

The new connectivity will be piloted from spring 2024 to a group of farmers in Germany, France, and the UK. In addition, Yara and John Deere will continue to collaborate on additional opportunities to further improve nutrient use efficiency for farmers.

Unique combination of expertise

“Achieving the ambitious goal of the Farm to Fork Strategy to reduce nutrient losses by 50% in 2030 requires the industry to work together. Through partnering with John Deere, farmers will be able to use our recommendations in an easy, practical way. This contributes to more sustainable food production without adding complexity for farmers,” says James Craske, VP Digital Solutions Europe at Yara International.

Katharina Nies, Marketing Manager Precision Ag at John Deere highlights: “For Small Grain Producers, crop nutrition is one of the largest opportunities for optimization. We are excited to partner with Yara, as this is a unique combination of science-based fertilization recommendations together with John Deere’s connected, highly precise & intelligent machines. With that farmers can achieve highest levels of nutrient use efficiency.”

John Deere Operations Center™ and Yara’s Atfarm

AgroPolicy, Dairy, Live Stock, R&D

Yak Churpi, a naturally fermented milk product made from yak milk

Churpi is prepared from the milk of Arunachali yak, which is a unique yak breed found in the West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Yak Churpi, a naturally fermented milk product made from yak milk, has been given recognition as a Geographical Indication (GI) of Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr Mihir Sarkar, Director, ICAR- National Research Centre on Yak said it is a major boost to the pastoral production systems and yak rearing in the country.

Churpi is an excellent source of proteins and is frequently used as a substitute for vegetables by tribal yak herders in the vegetation-starved cold and hilly mountainous regions of the state. It is also mixed in vegetable or meat curry and is eaten with rice as a staple food in tribal households. It is considered an integral part of the tangible cultural and tribal heritage of Arunachal Pradesh- says Sarkar.  

Arunachali yak breed is reared by tribal yak pastoralists known as Brokpas who migrate along with their yaks to higher reaches (at an altitude of 10,000 ft and higher) during summers and descent to mid-altitude mountainous regions during winters. Since the product is prepared at such a high altitude, it is also expected to provide benefits to the tribal herders against cold and hypoxia besides providing enriched nutrition, Dr Vijay Paul, Principal Scientist of NRC-Yak who was associated with the GI application process informed.

ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang applied for registration of this unique yak product.  The institute is closely working with the Brokpas rearing Arunachali yaks and is helping them through research and extension support. The services rendered by the institute assume greater significance in light of the fact that the yak population throughout the country has been declining at a fast pace due to enormous hardships and dwindling gains associated with pastoral yak rearing. The registration of yak Churpi of Arunachal Pradesh as a GI is going to serve the cause of yak conservation and yak pastoralists’ socio-economic upliftment.

Yak Churpi, a naturally fermented milk product

Company News, World

The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) assesses the 2,000 most influential companies across industries on their performance and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

FMC Corporation has been recognised as a leader in the World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2023 Nature Benchmark. The company ranked 23rd out of 350 companies in the food and agriculture sector and 6th in the agricultural inputs segment.

The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) assesses the 2,000 most influential companies across industries on their performance and contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 Nature Benchmark ranked companies’ efforts to protect the environment and its biodiversity, including the protection and restoration of vital ecosystems.

“At FMC, we see our efforts to protect biodiversity and the environment as mission critical,” said Julie DiNatale, vice president and chief sustainability officer. “We are excited that our ranking by WBA reflects our hard work in this space and we will continue to partner with farmers and across the food and agriculture value chain to drive improvements that benefit generations to come.”

FMC continues to make strong progress on its net-zero and waste-to-beneficial reuse goals. Material circularity is a key priority for the company’s operating sites around the globe, which has collectively increased the company’s waste-to-waste-to-beneficial by nearly 70 per cent in 2023. FMC was also recognised for its strong governance around sustainability, notably its inclusion of key sustainability targets in executive compensation.

The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) assesses the 2,000

Agrotech, India, Nature, R&D, Water

This pioneering technology harnesses the power of nature to produce Plasma-sized WaterTM using water and electricity, offering a multitude of benefits to the agricultural sector.

Plasma Water Solutions (I) Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plasma Water Solutions Inc., USA, announced a momentous partnership aimed at transforming agriculture in Uttar Pradesh. In collaboration with UPDASP (Uttar Pradesh Diversified Support Program) and UP Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Plasma Waters unveiled a ground-breaking Plasma-ized  Water Technology Demonstration. This pioneering technology harnesses the power of nature to produce Plasma-ized  WaterTM using water and electricity, offering a multitude of benefits to the agricultural sector. The solution is aimed at productivity enhancement and considerable reduction of chemical usage through technology and innovation.

The official inauguration of this technology happened today, at Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. The event was graced by Chief Guest  Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, and Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with his esteemed team comprising the UP DASP Technical Coordinator, UP Horticulture Director, and the global and Indian teams from Plasma Waters.

Plasma-ized WaterTM represents a significant advancement in agricultural practices, as it signals the genetic pathways and circuits in all crop plants, leading to faster and more efficient germination accelerating growth, preventing the transmission of pathogens and enhancing stress tolerance ultimately leading to increased productivity and higher crop quality. It is a game-changing natural solution for plant health drastically reducing the dependence on chemicals, fostering sustainable farming practices. This sustainable and nature-inspired approach to farming aligns perfectly with the vision of Uttar Pradesh for its farmers.

 Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, said, “This partnership signifies a major milestone and a strong commitment within our community to drive growth, spur innovation, and encourage collaboration throughout the region.”

“Our purpose is enabling food security in the era of climate change which requires the collective efforts of agtech companies like ours, Government, farmers & other key stakeholders of the Ag ecosystem. India being one of the largest global agrarian economies and UP being its largest state, are of vital importance for us to achieve our vision”, said, Jerry Zuchowicki, CRO, Plasma Water Solutions Inc. USA.

Adding to that Pragya Kalia, Managing Director of Plasma Water Solutions (I) Pvt. Ltd, India, commented, “We are honored to introduce Plasma-ized WaterTM technology to the agricultural community in Uttar Pradesh. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize farming practices, aligning perfectly with the state’s vision for sustainable and productive agriculture.”

This pioneering technology harnesses the power of

Company News, India, Oilseeds, Sustainability

The company has already acquired 75 acres of land in Nallajerla Mandal for setting up its greenfield integrated Oil Palm Processing complex.

3F Oil Palm, one of India’s leading oil palm companies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) for the sustainable development of farmers in the state with a significant investment of Rs 550 Crores in Oil Palm cultivation. The MoU was signed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, of 3F Oil Palm.

This landmark investment reaffirms 3F Oil Palm’s commitment to fostering economic growth, empowering local communities, and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices in the Oil Palm industry.

During the MoU signing, Kakani Govardhan Reddy, State Agriculture Minister, and Gudivada Amarnath, Minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment, and Information Technology, were also present.

3F Oil Palm was the first company to commence operations in the state and has since developed more than 25,000 hectares of plantations, bringing together more than 50,000 farming families. 

The strategic partnership is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the region as it will help empower existing Oil Palm farmers as well as bring in new prospective farmers into the fold of Oil Palm cultivation. 3F Oil Palm will invest in nursery activities, area expansion, crop maintenance, farmer services, fresh fruit bunches (FFB) collection and handling, R&D facilities, and a green field integrated palm oil processing complex in Ayyavaram village, Nallajerla Mandal, East Godavari.

Due to 3F Oil Palm’s continued investment in the Oil Palm plantation space, the company has been allotted an additional 24 zones in the five districts of Tirupati, Chittoor, Guntur, Nandyal and Krishna with a potential area of over 1,00,000 Ha.

A senior state government official, said: “Palm oil cultivation in Andhra Pradesh stands as a beacon of economic empowerment, contributing over 85 per cent of India’s production. It is a vital engine of growth, helps in reducing import dependency, creating jobs, and fostering prosperity in rural communities. This sector not only fuels GDP but also elevates the lives of farmers by way of increased farmer income. We are positive that this groundbreaking project will revolutionise the oil palm cultivation landscape of the state.”

Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, 3F Oil Palm, said, “We are enthusiastic to embark on this transformative journey with the farmers of Andhra Pradesh. Our milestone investment of Rs. 550 crore not only signifies our confidence in the potential of the region but also our commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Together, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. We are particularly elated as this MoU reaffirms the state government’s trust in our ability to deliver on our promise, to empower our farmers to make India self-reliant in Edible Oils.”

3F Oil Palm currently operates in the states of Karnataka, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, other than Andhra Pradesh, with a cultivation area spread over more than 55,000 hectares and five processing units.

The company has already acquired 75 acres

India, Sustainability

Representatives of women working under Umed from 34 districts across the state attended the event with samples of their produce or farm produce

A state-level ‘Buyer Seller Meet’ was organised at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Navi Mumbai by Umed – Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission. The innovative program ‘Buyer Seller Meet’ implemented by Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission to reach out to big companies and buyers will be a milestone. The meet will provide a sustainable market for women’s agricultural and non-agricultural products of Umed Self Help Group. This innovative initiative has received a great response expressed Eknath Dawle, Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department.

28 agreements were concluded in the presence of representatives of 41 leading chain business companies across the country and representatives of self-help groups and farmers’ women producers’ companies from across the state.

Dawle said, “The Rural Development Department is helping rural women in many ways to become financially independent to make them self-reliant through Umed Abhiyaan. Our women’s products are classy and the best in quality. Now they need to get a permanent market.”

The Principal Secretary appealed to professionals and big companies to come forward and contribute to empowering these women.

Since agriculture is the main occupation of Umed women in rural areas, the main objective of the program was to purchase the agro-based products produced by them in wholesale quantities by different companies or chain traders to get good returns to the farmers. Representatives of women working under Umed from 34 districts across the state attended the event with samples of their produce or farm produce.

In this meet, quality grains and pulses like soybean, chilli, turmeric, tur, gram, maize, millet, ragi, sorghum, spices, jaggery, honey, fruits, herbs, oilseeds etc. products were made available in sample form. Representatives of more than 30 organisations and companies were present as buyers. Buyers’ organisations and representatives of companies showed enthusiasm to sign contracts because of the availability of organic and pure products by women. The interest shown by the buyers in this program will help the women to have a sustainable market in the future.

Representatives of women working under Umed from

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, India, Supply Chain

As a part of Govt of India’s initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of rice, wheat and atta, weekly e-auctions of both wheat and rice are organised

A total of 1.89 LMT wheat and 0.05 LMT rice were sold to 2255 bidders during the 15th e-auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS[D]). A quantity of 2.01 LMT wheat from 481 depots and 4.87 LMT rice from 264 depots were offered from across the country.

As a part of Govt of India’s initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of rice, wheat and atta, weekly e-auctions of both wheat and rice are organised. In the e-auction, 2447 empanelled buyers participated for both wheat and rice.

The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2185.05/qtl for FAQ wheat against the reserve price of Rs. 2150/qtl Pan India whereas the weighted average selling price of URS wheat was Rs. 2193.12/qtl against the reserve price of Rs. 2125/qtl.

The weighted average selling price was Rs. 2932.91/qtl for rice against the reserve price of Rs. 2932.83/qtl Pan India.

In the current tranche of e-auctions, the reduction in retail price is being targeted by offering 10 to 100 tons maximum for a buyer for wheat and 10 to 1000 tons for rice. This decision is to encourage small and marginal end users and to ensure that more participants could come forward and bid for the quantity from their depot of choice.

In order to avoid hoarding of stocks traders were kept out from the ambit of wheat sale under OMSS (D) and regular checks/inspections are being made at the Flour Mills of the processors who have purchased wheat under OMSS (D). Till 04.10.23 1229 checks across the country have been made.

As a part of Govt of India's