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Home2023 (Page 45)
AgroPolicy, India, Oilseeds, Schemes - Govt

State Governments along with Oil Palm processing companies are participating in Mega Plantation Drive for Oil Palm Cultivation to cover an area of roughly 7750 hectares

To increase the oil palm production area to 10 lakh hectares and boost the Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26, the Government of India launched National Mission for Edible Oils- Oil Palm in August 2021. In addition to the marked growth in the production of edible oils, the Mission is also successfully leading India towards an ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ by reducing the import burden. Under the Mission, the State Governments along with Oil Palm processing companies have initiated a Mega Oil Palm Plantation drive from 25th July 2023 to further increase oil palm cultivation in the country. Three major oil palm processing companies, namely, Patanjali Food Pvt. Ltd., Godrej Agrovet, and 3F are actively promoting and participating with the farmers in their respective states for record area expansion.

The Mega plantation drive commenced on 25th July 2023 and will continue till 12th August 2023. The major oil palm growing states, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh will be participating in this initiative.

The drive started on the 25th of July 2023 in the Rest of India (RoI) states i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Odisha, Goa and Karnataka, and will continue till the 08th of August and will cover an area of almost 7000 hectares area out of which more than 6500 hectares is targeted to be covered by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

State Governments along with Oil Palm processing

Company News, Europe, Finance

The decline in volumes attributes to higher channel inventories in individual core markets as well as lower agricultural commodity prices.

In a tough market environment, BASF Group sales in the second quarter of 2023 declined by 24.7 percent compared with the prior-year period to €17.3 billion. ″We faced low demand from our key customer industries, except for automotive, ″ said Dr Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, when presenting the results together with Chief Financial Officer Dr Dirk Elvermann.

In the Agricultural Solutions segment, sales of €2.2 billion were 9.3 percent below the level of the prior-year quarter. The main reason for this was the decline in volumes due to higher channel inventories in individual core markets as well as lower agricultural commodity prices. At €213 million, EBIT before special items was 4.3 percent below the prior-year quarter, especially due to lower volumes.  Sales performance was also weighed down by currency effects. Significant increases in prices in all regions and indications had a positive effect.

A slight sales increase in Europe was mainly driven by considerably higher prices compared with the prior-year quarter. This more than compensated for lower volumes, primarily in fungicides, and negative currency effects, in particular in Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.

In North America, sales were considerably below the level of the prior-year quarter due to lower volumes, especially of herbicides, and negative currency effects, mainly from the Canadian dollar.

Sales in Asia declined considerably, primarily due to lower volumes of herbicides and fungicides. Currency effects, particularly in China and India, also had a negative impact on sales performance. Prices, on the other hand, were increased considerably.

Sales declined significantly in the region South America, Africa, Middle East. This was mainly driven by lower volumes, particularly in fungicides in Brazil, as well as negative currency effects, especially in Argentina. This could only be partially offset by considerably higher prices.

The decline in volumes attributes to higher

Agro Universities, India, R&D, Seeds

New variety has an average on-farm yield of approximately 2.0 to 2.2 tons per hectare, boasting a shelling outturn of 65-70 per cent.

A superior groundnut variety, developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), is now available in the country for cultivation for the upcoming post-rainy season, bolstering economic opportunities for farmers. This improved variety is more resistant to diseases and has been designed to meet the needs of food processing industries.

After successful testing in Bangladesh, the new groundnut variety BARI Chinabadam-12 (ICGV 07219), which has tan-colored kernels and exhibits desirable market traits has been approved for commercial cultivation.

Dr Manjurul Khadir, Principal Scientific Officer at BARI’s Regional Agricultural Research Station, emphasized the need to enhance domestic groundnut production in response to the increasing demand from food processing industries.

“This new variety presents a valuable opportunity for expanding groundnut cultivation in areas typically submerged during the rainy season, such as the ‘Char regions’ (newly-formed landmasses in a river or estuary) or locations adjacent to rivers with sandy-loam soil,” said Dr Khadir.

Compared to the popular and previous variety grown in the country (BARI Chinabadam-9), the new variety has superior attributes. It has an average on-farm yield of approximately 2.0 to 2.2 tons per hectare, boasting a shelling outturn of 65-70 per cent.

It demonstrates greater resistance to foliar fungal diseases and matures four days earlier than its counterpart. Additionally, the variety features desirable seed size, with kernels weighing 44-48 grams per 100 kernels, showing a sizeable increase of 4-8 grams compared to the check variety.

ICRISAT scientist Dr Sean Mayes, Research Program Director – Accelerated Crop Improvement, recently visited Bangladesh and met with leaders at BARI and other institutes.

“ICRISAT and BARI have a long history of collaboration to serve the farmers of Bangladesh, and this new variety is another milestone in that joint work. I look forward to further releases, and it is great that BARI is currently testing high oleic acid groundnut varieties to meet the industry’s demands,” said Dr Mayes.

ICRISAT and BARI have, over the last two decades, developed several new groundnut varieties. Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director-General of ICRISAT, expressed gratitude for the support received from various organizations for the breakthrough, especially the Asian Development Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OPEC Fund for International Development, and USAID-IKP Knowledge Park.

“This achievement in groundnut development underscores the transformative impact that strong partnerships can have in shaping a sustainable and prosperous agricultural landscape where persistent challenges have remained,” said Dr Hughes.

New variety has an average on-farm yield

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Horticulture, India, R&D, Seeds

Grape seed oil from Manjri Medika variety has a strong potential for utilisation in high value functional food and nutraceutical industries.

ICAR-NRC Grapes has introduced a grape seed oil with high nutraceutical properties from Manjari Medika, a unique, made in India grape variety. This technology was recently chosen as one of the five best entries of the Horticulture Division of ICAR, New Delhi. Dr Kaushik Banerjee, the Lead Developer and the Director of the institute received this recognition from the Union Ministers of Government of India, Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Chaudhary, in presence of Dr Himanshu Pathak, the Director General, ICAR, on the occasion of ICAR Foundation and Technology Day celebration at NASC auditorium in New Delhi.

Dr Banerjee mentioned that this grape seed oil from Manjri Medika variety has a strong potential for utilization in high value functional food and nutraceutical industries. It is also possible to utilise it as a constituent in cosmetics and diverse personal care products. He further requested the food, feed and health care industries to consider utilizing this unique grape seed oil for commercialisation, or value addition to their existing products.

This oil is rich in vitamin E (1500 mg/kg) and beneficial fatty acids. It is also rich in gamma-tocotrienol content (1100 mg/kg), which protects human body from exposure to atmospheric radiation. The oil has proven to be beneficial for the treatment of hepatic inflammation related disorders in animal bodies. The polyphenolic constituents provide antioxidant properties on oral ingestion or dermal supplementation. After the oil extraction, the remaining solid (grape seed cake) is also useful as an animal feed, containing high proportions of polyphenolic antioxidants and dietary fiber. This highlights the ‘zero waste” nature of this innovative technology. All these have been published by Dr Banerjee and his team in leading scientific journals, viz. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, and Journal of Inflammation Research.

Grape seed oil from Manjri Medika variety

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

Marut’s seedcopters aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030 through its seeding campaign ‘Hara Bahara’.

In a novel attempt to make barren patches green, India’s leading drone manufacturer and service provider Marut Drones launched drone seeding for lands in and around Agra and Ferozabad districts. The ongoing massive afforestation activities under the ‘Hara Bahara’ campaign in these districts spans over 10 acres of forest land. Minister of Forest, Uttar Pradesh – Shri Dara Singh Chauhan, PCCF, UP; HOD of Forest of UP, other government officials, and environmental experts were present during the drone seeding session.

Marut’s Seedcopter is India’s only ‘Type Approved Drone’. Type approval is essential to generate UIN, akin to the engine chassis number, without which no drone weighing more than 250 grams can fly in Indian airspace. In pursuance of the state government’s ‘Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan’ Marut Drone’s corporate social campaign ‘Hara Bahara’ is providing the technical expertise for dropping seed balls using drones. By aiding pollination and navigating at a micro level, Marut’s seedcopters will save operations time.

With a vision to use technology for a purpose, Marut drones has been working to create innovative drone solutions for healthcare, environment, afforestation, and agriculture in Telangana and Arunachal Pradesh. Marut aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030, and for forest regeneration, has joined hands as a Technical Partner with the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh under the ‘Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan 2023’.  This is especially in time, when India is focusing on afforestation and sustainability as a key goal.  Marut’s seed copter activity is aimed at regenerating forests rather than profit-making.

Speaking on the noble initiative, Minister of Forest, Uttar Pradesh, Dara Singh Chauhan said, “We have harnessed drone technology to disperse seeds across 10 acres of land in and around Agra and Firozabad districts. Through campaigns of such scale, we are setting another record today, we hope to amplify the state’s vegetation cover, combat desertification, and cultivate local trees and wild plants.”

Commenting on the nationwide campaign, Founder of Marut Drones, Prem Kumar Vislawath said, “This can be India’s solution to the emerging climate crisis. The seed balls include some seeds of minor forest produce species including some fruit species, this helps in the survival of forest animals and tribal communities, and other forest dwellers. We are hoping to create a positive impact on the local environment and community in Uttar Pradesh by increasing the green cover and raising carbon sequestration.”

Marut’s seedcopters aims to plant 1 billion

Agrotech, Company News, North America, Sustainability

The collaboration between PepsiCo and Walmart offers a voluntary, flexible approach to regenerative agriculture

PepsiCo and Walmart announced a 7-year collaboration to pursue $120 million worth of investments focused on supporting U.S. and Canadian farmers in their pursuit to improve soil health and water quality. By establishing and scaling financial, agronomic and social programs, it aims to enable and accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices on more than 2 million acres of farmland and deliver approximately 4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and removals by 2030 – roughly equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 778,300 homes for one year1. 

Commenting on the voluntary adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, Jeff Huffman, Owner & Operator of Island Farms LLC in Maxwell, Neb., said, “From my perspective, embracing regenerative agriculture is essential. It’s good for farmers, not only because it’s beneficial to the environment and our food quality, but also for the profitability of our businesses. If you use less fertiliser and you grow a bigger crop, or if you use less water and can still grow the same size of the crop, it strengthens your farm in a way that benefits the bottom line and our environment for generations to come.”

PepsiCo’s and Walmart’s businesses are dependent on farmers to grow ingredients that are used to make delicious products that consumers enjoy every day. With a supply chain for the two companies that stretches across North America and involves a large volume of critical crops – including potatoes, oats, corn, wheat, soybean and rice – sustainability will look different from commodity to commodity, region to region, and even farm to farm. The collaboration between PepsiCo and Walmart offers a voluntary, flexible approach to regenerative agriculture that gives farmers a seat at the table, recognises the diversity of agriculture and that one size does not fit all.

“At Walmart, our sustainability strategy is built to make the everyday choice the sustainable choice for our customers. This collaboration with PepsiCo is a great example of how we are prioritising the expansion of regenerative agricultural practices among farmers across North America so that we can continue to make quality products affordable and accessible for customers. This collaboration aims to help elevate farmer livelihoods, engage them on how to more sustainably manage soil health, increase yields and create a model that others can mimic across other product categories, including encouraging additional investments in regenerative agriculture by other brands,” said Jane Ewing, Senior Vice President for sustainability at Walmart.

The collaboration between PepsiCo and Walmart offers

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Finance, India, Inputs

The company has reported total income of Rs 2333.38 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to Rs 3042.28 crores during the period ended June 30, 2022.

Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited has reported Consolidated financial results for the period ended June 30, 2023.The company has reported total income of Rs. 2333.38 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023 as compared to Rs. 2810.73 crores during the period ended March 31, 2023.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs 110.03 crores for the period ended June 30, 2023 as against net profit / (loss) of Rs. 254.88 crores for the period ended March 31, 2023.

The company has reported EPS of Rs 8.72 for the period ended June 30, 2023 as compared to Rs 20.19 for the period ended March 31, 2023.

The company has reported total income of Rs. 2333.38 crores during the period ended June 30, 2023 as compared to Rs.3042.28 crores during the period ended June 30, 2022.

The company has posted net profit / (loss) of Rs.110.03 crores for the period ended June 30, 2023, as against net profit / (loss) of Rs 433.89 crores for the period ended June 30, 2022.

The company has reported total income of

Agrotech, Company News, Horticulture, India, Inputs, Vegetables, Water

Drip irrigation system by the company helped farmers gain 40 per cent more yield and higher profit.

Netafim, an Orbia business and a global leader in precision agriculture solutions, under Better Life Farming, helping Shivpuri farmers grow more tomatoes with less spending on Agri inputs. Under the initiative, farmers are encouraged to adopt drip irrigation technology. The drip irrigation systems are provided through four Better Life Farming (BLF) Centres present in Khajuri, Kolaras, and Pohari region of Shivpuri district. Netafim has implemented drip irrigation system to cover 1,600 hectares of land in Shivpuri District. The farmers across Shivpuri district have witnessed higher crop yield and higher total income. The drip irrigation technology has helped farmers grow ~30 tonnes tomatoes in one acre and get a total income between INR 1.5 lac to 2.5 Lac compared to the previous 20 tonnes and income of 1 Lakh to 1.2 Lakh, in one acre.

Shivpuri District boasts a net cultivable area of 4 lacs hectares out of the total available land of 10 lacs hectares. It is one of the leading tomato crop producers in Madhya Pradesh. Traditionally, the district farmers produce 2.5 lacs metric tons of tomatoes in a total area of 8,145 hectares. Despite being famous for tomatoes, small farmers in Shivpuri often face challenges to cultivate and harvest tomato crops when the prices are optimum. One of the biggest reasons behind this is flood irrigation in tomato farming. This practice leads to an increase in Agri-input consumption, fertilizer wastage, getting a tomato harvest of uniform size, and the growth of weeds. Tomatoes require a high-water supply, especially in the phase immediately after transplant, to reach their full potential in the production process. It is precisely where irrigation technology comes into play, and Netafim, a global BLF Alliance partner, has taken on this task.

To create a conducive farming environment and replicating the successful model of drip irrigation technology for tomato farm fields across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, Netafim is constantly endeavouring to implement drip irrigation systems across the district. The company offers FlexNet Portable Drip Kit in the Shivpuri district for farmers to benefit from the flexibility and customization for their convenience. The community of farmers is benefiting from cutting-edge micro-irrigation solutions tailored to their farmland. The advanced technology offered by Netafim India has enabled farmers to optimize their farming practices, improve productivity and profitability. Drip Irrigation provides measured doses of water and nutrients at the right time directly to the root level, eventually reducing the input cost by 25 per cent and increasing profitability for farmers.

Speaking about the success, Amit Maheshwari, Head of Business Development, Netafim said, “Access to high-quality Agri inputs, financial and technical assistance are accelerated to tomato growers in Shivpuri through Better Life Farming centres. However, district farmers must focus on the optimum use of Agri inputs and time their tomato harvest. We believe sustainable technologies like adoption of drip irrigation technology will augment tomato farming and make it a lucrative crop. In the coming time, Better Life Farming Centres in conjunction with the expertise of Netafim will serve as catalysts for change in the agricultural landscape and foster a sustainable as well as prosperous farming ecosystem in the district”.

Drip irrigation system by the company helped

Company News, Horticulture, North America

CCA’s strategic priorities include coconut allergen classification, product quality initiatives, sustainability and providing education about coconut and coconut products

The Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA), the non-profit trade association serving the coconut industry, announced the addition of four new members to its roster. Exclusive Foods International and Karinor join at the Ruby Level, African Coconut Group joins at the Bronze level and Harmless Harvest as an associate member.

“The coconut industry is critical to the food and supplement markets,” said Len Monheit, CCA Executive Director. “These new members expand our presence globally and in multiple categories, including coconut water.”

CCA’s strategic priorities include coconut allergen classification, product quality initiatives, sustainability and providing education about coconut and coconut products.

CCA's strategic priorities include coconut allergen classification,

Europe, Horticulture, North America, Supply Chain, Trade

The resurgence of international travel has played a significant role in opening up new markets for durian

Agroforestry Group announced a remarkable surge in business across North America, Europe, and Africa. This growth is propelled by the resurgence of international travel, mounting consumer interest, and businesses seeking innovative selling propositions.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for durian primarily originated from the Asia-Pacific region. Domestically, Malaysia led the way, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. While these countries remain crucial markets for the company, Agroforestry Group has witnessed a surge of inquiries from new markets, indicating a significant expansion in interest.

Paul Martin, Managing Director of Agroforestry Group, stated, “The surge in enquiries from new markets, particularly North America, Europe and Africa, has been staggering. The unexpected volume of interest from these regions was almost non-existent before the pandemic.”

The resurgence of international travel has played a significant role in opening up new markets for durian. Tourists visiting Asia inevitably encounter durian in various forms, as durian products are widely available throughout the region, both in Malaysia and other countries. Notably, The United Nations World Tourism Agency (UNWTO) reports a remarkable 200 per cent year-on-year surge in international tourism, with travel figures reaching 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023.

The post-pandemic shift in consumer and business sentiment in new markets has emerged as a significant driving force. Consumers have become more curious and adventurous, eager to explore diverse products and experiences. In response, businesses are strategically catering to this evolving consumer landscape, offering unique and innovative products. As a result, durian has been gaining traction internationally, with F&B companies introducing it in North America, Europe, and even Africa.

The resurgence of international travel has played

AgroPolicy, India, R&D

The agreement will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects

ICAR – Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa entered into an agreement to collaborate in the area of Academics, Research, and Outreach.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director, ICAR – CIPHET, Ludhiana, and Dr Ambarish Kumar, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering in a ceremony held at RPCAU, Pusa.

The agreement will pave the way for the training and dissertation of the university students, collaborative research projects, and exchange of experts in various outreach programs conducted by both institutions in areas of food processing and other frontiers of mutual interest.

The function was chaired by Dr PS Pandey, Vice Chancellor, RPCAU, Pusa. All the Deans and Directors of the university along with some senior faculty were also present on this occasion.

The agreement will pave the way for

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Climate, R&D

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (ICAR-CMFRI) has developed a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunity related to post-COVID complications, named as CadalminTM Immunalgin.

The product was released by the Chief Guests Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, at a function during the ICAR Foundation and Technology Day.

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology. Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the ICAR-CMFRI led the research works to develop the product.

The product is a synergistic combination of

Foodgrains, Supply Chain, Trade, World

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF’s Chief Economist, cautioned that such restrictions could exacerbate food price volatility worldwide and lead to retaliatory measures

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that India lift restrictions on the export of a particular type of rice, as these restrictions could contribute to global inflation. To keep domestic rice supplies stable during the festive season, the Indian government banned the export of non-basmati white rice on July 20.

This type of rice accounts for about 25 per cent of India’s total rice exports. However, there will be no change in export policy for par-boiled non-basmati rice and basmati rice, which make up the bulk of India’s rice exports. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF’s Chief Economist, cautioned that such restrictions could exacerbate food price volatility worldwide and lead to retaliatory measures.

India’s non-basmati white rice exports totalled $4.2 million in 2022-23, with major destinations including the US, Thailand, Italy, Spain, and Sri Lanka.

The IMF has projected India’s growth rate for fiscal year 2024 to be 6.1 per cent, up slightly from its previous estimate of 5.9 per cent in April. The IMF has also praised India’s world-class digital public infrastructure, which is driving efficiency gains for businesses. The Indian economy has been robust, and the IMF has called for reforms to increase female labour force participation and training opportunities for youth. Despite the challenges, India’s growth rate is expected to remain above average for the region, with inflation projected to be under control.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF's Chief Economist, cautioned that

Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, India, Live Stock

Madurai to New York world’s first virtual farm – your cow, your milk, become a farmer

The advent of technology has permeated all sectors of life, and agriculture is no exception. Leveraging the boundless potentials of the digital sphere, a new business idea has surfaced – Indigenous Virtual Cow Farming. This innovative concept aims to preserve India’s native cattle breeds and optimise dairy production by introducing a well-structured, efficient farming ecosystem that marries technology with tradition.

Jallikattu Inc, a new age entity, forayed into virtual farming, one of its kind and the world’s first virtual farming business, has been launched successfully in NY TIMES SQUARE.

Dilip Chauhan – Deputy Commissioner NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Kathirvel Kumararaja – President DevJee Inc & Chairman FeTNA Tamil Entrepreneur Network, Koshy O Thomas – President world malaiyalee association USA, Thomas k Thomas – Director Jallikattu Inc., John Thomas – Senior Company Secretary.
 

Indigenous Virtual Cow Farming (IVCF) is a novel idea that integrates technology into the traditional realm of dairy farming. At its core, IVCF focuses on utilizing cutting-edge tech platforms to simulate farming scenarios, educate farmers, and facilitate the optimal breeding, nurturing, and management of indigenous cattle breeds.

The idea is not to replace physical farming but rather to create a digital representation of the real-world farm where cattle breeders can interact, learn, plan, and make informed decisions without leaving their homes. These virtual farms serve as an accessible, easy-to-navigate platform that provides a real-time simulation of various farming processes.

Two crucial elements define the core objectives of Indigenous Virtual Cow Farming: preservation and augmentation. Preservation seeks to conserve native cattle breeds that are at risk of being lost due to crossbreeding or unfavourable farming practices. Through IVCF, the genetic traits, unique characteristics, and biodiversity of these breeds can be safeguarded, keeping alive the rich heritage they represent.

The IVCF model offers numerous advantages. Preserving indigenous breeds supports biodiversity and promotes the sustainability of local ecosystems. Its tech-driven approach enhances farmers’ skills, bridging the digital divide and empowering them to thrive in the modern agricultural landscape. Furthermore, it ensures quality and quantity in dairy production, contributing to food security.

Madurai to New York world’s first virtual