Connect with:
Sunday / February 23. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2023 (Page 53)
Foodgrains, Sustainability, World

Production growth to slow in step with population, while geopolitical tensions, climate change, animal and plant diseases and price volatility pose long-term uncertainty

Global agricultural and food production is projected to continue to increase over the next ten years but at a slower pace of growth than the previous decade due to demographic trends, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032 is the critical global reference for medium-term prospects for agricultural commodity markets. While uncertainty has risen due to geopolitical tensions, adverse climate trends, animal and plant diseases and increased price volatility for key agrarian inputs, global production of crops, livestock products and fish are projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.1 per cent during the period, half the pace recorded in the decade ending in 2015. Total food consumption is expected to rise by 1.3 per cent per annum to 2032, indicating an increase in the share of agricultural commodities used as food.

These projections assume a fast recovery from recent inflationary pressures, normal weather conditions, no major policy changes and on-trend evolution in consumer preferences. The possibility is that persistent inflationary pressures pose downside risks to global food demand and production.

In a special assessment of key farming input prices, which have risen significantly in the past two years, Outlook calculates that every 10 per cent increase in fertiliser prices leads to a 2 per cent increase in food costs, with the burden falling hardest on the poor, who spend a larger share of their budget on food. The Outlook highlights the importance of policies to ensure greater efficiency and resilience.

“The broad trends outlined in this report are heading in the right direction but need to be accelerated,” QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General said. “Promoting a faster shift to sustainable agrifood systems will bring many benefits and help usher in better lives for all, leaving no one behind.”


“Surges in agricultural input prices experienced over the last two years have raised concerns about global food security,” Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General said. “Investments in innovation, further productivity gains and reductions in the carbon intensity of production are needed to lay the foundation for long-term food security, affordability and sustainability.”


The Outlook offers decadal projections for cereals, vegetable oils, dairy products, meat, sugar, and fish, as well as cotton, tropical fruits, pulses and agricultural output used for biofuels. It also includes projections for expected regional trends in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and incorporates first-time preliminary analyses of the role of food loss and waste.  

Production growth to slow in step with

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

The logo and official website of the India-Africa International Millet Conference unveiled during the event

To celebrate the International Year of Millets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare, Government of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Kenya will be co-hosting the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ in Kenya with support of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The international conference scheduled for 30-31 August 2023, will witness participation from government leaders, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs and industry associations etc, from around the globe.

The official curtain raiser for the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ was held in Nairobi, Kenya, giving the audience a glimpse of what to expect.

The event was graced by the High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Joint Secretary (Crops), Government of India, Principal Secretary, Government of Kenya and Director General, ICRISAT. Officials from the agricultural sector of Kenya, members of the diplomatic community, international agricultural research leaders, farmers and representatives from the private sector also attended.

Through the international conference, the Governments of India and Kenya aim to raise public awareness about millet as the ‘world’s emerging smart food. Additionally, the global event would also help highlight the South-South exchange and collaboration opportunities within the realm of millets.

With high levels of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc and other vital nutrients, Millets are a treasure trove of health benefits. Additionally, they are also drought-resistant, pest-resilient, climate-friendly crops that can boost income opportunities and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

One of the key highlights of the Curtain Raiser event was the unveiling of the logo and website of the India-Africa International Millet Conference. The website will enable participants to register for the conference and learn more about the global event and Millets in general.

The Curtain Raiser event commenced with Dr Jacqueline Hughes, DG ICRISAT, briefing the audience about the agenda of the event. While enumerating the multiple benefits of millets, she spoke about the growing discourse around mechanization, seed systems, digital agriculture and value addition in millets. “We need to strengthen the value chains of millets to ensure consumer demand which will then assure farmers of profitable markets”, Dr Hughes noted.

The logo and official website of the

Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Company News, Europe

Essen’ciel will be distributed within the portfolio of BioSolutions by BASF in Spain and Italy.

BASF and Vivagro, an innovative French company focused on agroecological solutions, signed a distribution agreement for the product Essen’ciel for the Italian and Spanish market. Essen’ciel is a natural fungicide, insecticide and acaricide based on sweet orange essential oil. It is approved for organic uses, including vine grapes, vegetable crops, berries, ornamental crops, industrial crops and arboriculture. Especially for pip fruits such as apples, pears, and quinces, Essen’ciel represents an alternative biocontrol product in light of scarcity of insecticide solutions.

Essen’ciel will be distributed within the portfolio of BioSolutions by BASF in Spain and Italy. “Biological crop protection is an important step forward to further support sustainable agriculture,” said Marco Moorfeld, Vice President Market Management Europe at BASF Agricultural Solutions. “New partnerships are crucial to meet the growing demand for biologicals, driven by the need to reduce the impact of farming on the environment and benefit from R&D advances in biology and production. Our collaboration with Vivagro strengthens our biological portfolio for farmers.”

Essen’ciel is one of Vivagro’s core products. It is a contact curative treatment with a unique mode of action: it desiccates soft-bodied insects and the aerial organs of pathological fungi. Furthermore, it is a fundamental tool for integrated pest management (IPM), to complete spray programs as it takes into account waste management without neglecting efficiency. “We are proud of our biological innovations. Bringing these to the market with the support of BASF is an important milestone to further expand our business, and meet the expectations of farmers and agricultural industries”, explained Alain Petersen, Export Manager from Vivagro.

BASF and Vivagro foresee a growing market development and expect to further expand their partnership in the future.

Essen’ciel will be distributed within the portfolio

Agrotech, Biostimulants, Company News, World

Biovert has a wide arrangement of great items including green growth removes, an area of vital interest for our business, and broad information in the biostimulant area

Biovert, which operates under the Manvert brand and specialises in biostimulants, biocontrol, and plant nutrition, has been acquired by Sustainable Agro Solutions (SAS).

Eduard Vallverd Vidal, CEO of SAS, stated in a LinkedIn statement that the acquisition had been completed and that Biovert was a company that was culturally and geographically close to SAS. Spain is home to both businesses.

“Biovert has a wide arrangement of great items including green growth removes, an area of vital interest for our business, and broad information in the biostimulant area,” proceeded Vallverdú Vidal.

Additionally, they are at the forefront of organic solutions. Biovert has a strong management team with a lot of experience, a clear strategic vision, and a work environment that values innovation and excellence.

Biovert has a wide arrangement of great

Animal Health, Company News, World

Joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems aims for Allix to be one of the most used formulation software in the area in the coming years.

A-Systems, a market-leading provider of animal nutrition software, announced its partnership with Dr Amit Das to strengthen its position in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka).

For the last 20 years, A-Systems has developed the Allix feed formulation software, KAllix quality control software and Ruminix Ruminant Ration Balancer. These solutions are some of the most used solutions in some parts of the world. So by joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems aims for Allix to be one of the most used formulation software in the area in the coming years.

Dr Amit Das is a well-known reference in the animal nutrition industry. He started his career in V.H Group (Uttara Feeds) as Animal Nutritionist and then worked as Head of Animal Nutrition and R&D at ACI-Godrej Agrovet and Business Head at Amrit Global BD Ltd. In addition, for many years, he has been providing consultancy to key players in India, Bangladesh, Nepal & some countries in Africa.  Dr Das has a deep knowledge of the existing feed formulation software market available in India. He is very confident in Allix3 formulation software, and he feels that this software will add a lot of value to the feed industry. This is a very powerful formulation tool and is very user-friendly.

“I have been very impressed by the quality of the solutions and services provided by A-Systems’; having more than 20 years of experience in feed formulation, I have never experienced such great software. I am truly confident Allix3 users have a lot to gain from this modern solution,” said Dr Amit Das.

This new partnership enables A-Systems to rely on a local and trusted consultant providing high-quality advice and support. “A-Systems is very excited to start marketing in this key market collaborating with Dr Das. His long experience in the animal nutrition industry and his choice to collaborate with A-Systems to provide a better service to his customers in the South Asia market gives a good reason to South Asian feed mills to give it a try Allix3,” said Benoit Chesnais in charge of the Asian development of A-Systems.

Joining hands with Dr Amit Das, A-Systems

India, Supply Chain, Trade, Vegetables

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green chilli each entered the land port

After a five-day Eid-ul-Azha break, trade between India and Bangladesh resumed through the land port of Bhomra in Satkhira with the arrival of 60 tonnes of green chilli, according to local media of Bangladesh.

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green chilli each entered the land port. The import would reduce the cost of green chilli on the local market.

A number of trucks carrying green chilli from India are currently travelling to Bangladesh and will arrive at the land port.

The government authorised the importation of 36,830 tonnes of green chilli, which resulted in the arrival of approximately 93 tons of the essential kitchen ingredient in Bangladesh within a week.

Bangladesh has already received over 138,000 tonnes of onion, despite the government’s authorisation to import 918,000 tonnes.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture granted permission for the importation of green chilli as a result of the rising cost of green chilli in the local market.

Six trucks carrying 10 tonnes of green

Agrotech, R&D, Trade

The collaboration aims to provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity-building, allowing tech and agricultural companies in the RAKEZ business community

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting mutual growth and development in the food and agriculture sector of the UAE and India.

The agreement, signed by Ramy Jallad RAKEZ Group CEO and Dr MJ Khan ICFA Chairman, is intended to strengthen the strategic collaboration between the two countries. The partnership also aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, trade promotion, investment, and research and development collaboration.

On the development, Jallad expressed the significance of the MoU, emphasising the commitment to strengthen relationships with international organisations like ICFA and recognising India’s role as a strategic trade and investment partner for the UAE.

India, being one of the UAE’s largest trading partners, brings valuable innovation and expertise in the food and agriculture sectors, particularly in sustainable farming and food processing technologies.

The collaboration aims to provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity-building, allowing tech and agricultural companies in the RAKEZ business community to enhance their methods and share innovative, sustainable farming techniques with major Indian companies.

Khan highlighted the importance of this collaboration for ICFA, stating that it marks a pivotal moment in their history. The partnership with RAKEZ will enable Indian agri-businesses to explore profitable opportunities in the MENA region through Ras Al Khaimah.

Additionally, joint research and development projects are expected to stimulate agricultural innovation and contribute significantly to the advancement of the sector in both India and the UAE.

The MoU will facilitate promotional activities for trade, market access, and business matchmaking between Indian food and agriculture companies and businesses within the RAKEZ ecosystem.

The collaboration aims to provide opportunities for

AgroPolicy, India

The terminal will augment economic growth by facilitating movement of tourists & cargo towards Upper Assam region, Arunachal Pradesh & Nagaland through Brahmaputra.

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) terminal to be developed at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh, by the bank of the river Brahmaputra (National Waterways 2) in Dibrugarh, Assam. The tourist-cum-cargo IWT terminal will be developed at a cost of Rs 46.60 crores and is scheduled to be completed by February, 2024. Once developed, this terminal is likely to play a pivotal role in rejuvenating inland waterways transportation in the region for both cargo and passenger movement, paving the way for growth of trade & commerce. The terminal will augment economic growth by facilitating movement of tourists & cargo towards Upper Assam region, Arunachal Pradesh & Nagaland through Brahmaputra.

Considering the growing popularity of inland waterways as an economical & efficient mode of transportation, other new industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals, cement etc may come up in the region while further improving the economies of scale for existing major trade like tea, polymer, coal, fertiliser etc. The modern terminal is also likely to play a crucial role as a harbinger of growth for the tourism sector with major destinations like Sibsagar, Majuli, Itanagar, Ziro Valley, Pasighat, Roing, Tawang valley etc.

The IWT terminal, under the aegis of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for inland waterways of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), will have many modern features. The executing agency of the terminal is being done by Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Construction Limited. Some major features include cargo & passenger berths, approach & other internal roads, transit shed, open storage area, truck parking area, passenger waiting area among others. The development of the terminal will play a crucial role in the development of upper Assam and nearby states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland in terms of cargo as well as passenger transportation. It will also lead to increase in eco-tourism, and easing the movement of EXIM cargo with comparatively lower transportation cost vis-a-vis others.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is a momentous day for the people of Assam as we move towards rejuvenating inland waterways transport in the region by further bolstering the capital infrastructure at Bogibeel. Given the historic role that Dibrugarh played as the hub of inland waterways in the past, I believe that this modern terminal at Bogibeel will act as a catalyst towards reclaiming the lost glory of Dibrugarh as a major commercial hub & become harbinger of growth for upper Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in the days to come.”

The terminal will augment economic growth by

Agrotech, Company News, Foodgrains, India, Start ups, Sustainability

Six districts of Western UP, Amroha, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bulandshahr, Rampur & Sambhal to benefit from this strategic partnership.

Gurugram based Gram Unnati, India’s fast-growing full-stack agricultural value chain services company, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bayer, to promote the cultivation of spring maize in six districts of western Uttar Pradesh.

The six districts covered by the MoU are Amroha, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Moradabad, Rampur, and Sambhal. More than 100,000 farmers across these districts will benefit from the partnership between Gram Unnati and Bayer CropScience.

The MoU between Gram Unnati and Bayer is a significant step towards promoting sustainable agriculture in India. The partnership will help to improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers in western UP and will also help to conserve natural resources.

As part of the MoU, Indian farmers will be able to access timely crop advisory, transfer of good agricultural practices and access to premium products through Bayer along with support needed to set up model farms. Gram Unnati will facilitate farmer mobilization and ensure market linkages. The MOU aims to replicate the success Gram Unnati and Bayer have achieved by successfully promoting spring maize production in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand in the past. The project helped farmers significantly improve their incomes and save thousands of litres of water.

“We are excited to work together with Bayer to deliver greater value to small-holder farmers in western UP by offering them a level playing field.” said Aneesh Jain, Founder & CEO, Gram Unnati. “This partnership will empower small-holder farmers by providing them access to advisory, quality inputs, credit, technologies, and market linkage. Gram Unnati has deep rooted connections in these six districts and is already working with IFC & Government of UP to help convert 20,000 acres from summer paddy to spring maize. This partnership allows Gram Unnati to mobilise larger number of farmers and help them get the right technical & product guidance from Bayer CropScience.”         

“At Bayer, we want to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across India. Enhancement in livelihood entails adopting timely advisory and good agricultural practices so that they get can get the right remunerative prices for their produce. However, no company can achieve this ‘access to solutions’ challenge alone as it requires building up a larger ecosystem and meaningful collaborations along the agri-value chain. With Gram Unnati, we aim to enhance our reach to smallholder farmers and offer personalized solutions, enabling them to achieve better harvests more sustainably,” said Ajeet Chahal, Head of Commercial Key Accounts and Alternate Business Models, Bayer.

Six districts of Western UP, Amroha, Bareilly,

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, World

Tony Will and Jeanne Johns have been announced as new Chair and new Vice Chair of International Fertilizer Association.

Paris based the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) has announced that Tony Will has been elected its new Chair of the Association. Will is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CF Industries, a global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products for fertilizer, clean energy, emissions abatement and other industrial applications.

“I am honoured to serve as Chair of IFA and help advance this vital organization’s mission to promote the efficient and responsible production, distribution and use of plant nutrients,” Will said. “Our industry is at the forefront of some of the world’s most important challenges, from food security to climate change. I look forward to working with our members and the IFA team to continue our leadership role in addressing these global priorities, collaborating not just within our own industry but with government and other stakeholders as well.”

Jeanne Johns, Managing Director and CEO, Incitec Pivot Ltd., is the new Vice Chair of the Association. Both Will and Johns serve on the Executive Board of the Association, which welcomed two new appointments: Ahmed El Hoshy, CEO of OCI Global and Fertiglobe and Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, CEO of SABIC Agri-Nutrients.

Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO of Yara, Norway, remains on the Executive Board as Immediate Past Chair, along with Raviv Zoller, President and CEO, ICL Group and Alzbeta Klein, Director General, IFA.

IFA also welcomes five new Board Directors elected by the membership:

Robert Wilt, CEO, Ma’aden

Maen Nsour, President and CEO, Arab Potash

Julian Palliam, President and CEO, Foskor

Yasser Alabassi, President, GPIC

Wang Bei, General Manager, CNAMPGC Holding Ltd Co.

IFA members also re-elected to the Board of Directors David Delaney, Itafos and Suresh Krishnan, Adventz.

“Helping to feed the world sustainably is at the core of what we do, and IFA is fortunate to have such seasoned executives on our Board,” Klein said.

Tony Will and Jeanne Johns have been

Agrotech, Company News, India, Inputs

Company plans to train at least 1000 Certified Spray Men, conduct safe use training for 5000 farmers, cover 500 villages by deploying public awareness van in next one year.

Syngenta India, a leading agri input company, launched its 7th edition of I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmers Empowerment) program in Yavatmal in the presence of Sanjay Rathod, Hon’ble Minister of Food and Drug Administration, Government of Maharashtra and District Collector, Yavatmal, Amol Yedge.

Under the I-SAFE initiative, Syngenta India in next one year now plans to train at least 1000 Certified Spray Men, conduct safe use training for 5000 farmers, cover 500 villages by deploying public awareness van and conduct training for at least 100 doctors on Recognition and Treatment for accidental pesticide exposure. So far 62,000 farmers have been trained under the I-SAFE program at Yavatmal.  A well-equipped Mobile Health Van to provide primary healthcare facilities was also flagged-off. The farmers were supported with PPE kits and certificates for spray-men entrepreneurs were also distributed.

Syngenta has established six cotton model farms in Yavatmal to train the farmers on safe usage of crop protection products.  The company has also implemented other sustainable practices such as soil health analysis – optimum use of fertilisers, pheromone traps for effective pink ball worm management, crop protection protocol, to grow the cotton more sustainably and effectively.

Dr K C Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India, said, “We have been working in Yavatmal for seven years. Since the launch of I-SAFE in October 2017, over 2500 spray men and farm labour counselling sessions have been conducted on safety and safe use practices. Over 800 doctors have been trained and public awareness sessions have been conducted in 1000 villages. Primary healthcare support using Mobile Health vans have reached to 1,25,000 people so far”.  Dr Ravi added that the use of tools like Grower App will determine the course of future farming. “Syngenta India is committed to making Yavatmal farmers future ready. We are also working on ensuring their safety, and sustainability of farming.”

Cropwise Grower App, an AI-powered tool offers swift, simple and effective solution to farmers by identifying pest or disease attack and get instant remedy. It also provides live weather updates, mandi prices, credit finance facilities, insurance services, among others. Using Crop Doctor feature, a farmer needs to do is click a photo and upload on the Cropwise Grower App.

The App is being promoted as part of I-SAFE (Inculcating Safety Awareness for Farmers Empowerment), an initiative of Syngenta India aimed at ensuring total safety of Yavatmal farmers by creating awareness and helping them with tools, techniques and know-how. CropWise Grower App helps farmers with instant information on safe use and storage of agro chemicals, soil health, understanding of crop protocols, knowledge of pest and diseases, pheromone trap installation and much more.

Company plans to train at least 1000

Biofuel industry, Company News, Seeds, World

Casterra will supply the castor seeds in 2023 for the cultivation of castor plants to produce oil for sustainable biofuel

Casterra Ag Ltd. a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. announced an additional $2.2 million of purchase orders to supply castor seeds during 2023, for new African territories. Casterra’s castor seeds, developed with Evogene’s GeneRator AI Tech Engine, will be used to grow Castor to produce oil for sustainable biofuel. Casterra’s high-yield, high-oil castor seed varieties are optimised for biofuel production to support the growing sustainable energy market.

The biodiesel market is estimated at $92 billion in 2021, which is about 9 per cent of the overall global diesel market and is expected to reach $190 billion by 2031. In current industry practice, biodiesel is based on a mix of about 93-95 per cent fossil oil and 5-7 per cent non-fossil oil from plants or other sources. The demand for non-fossil oil for biodiesel could increase either by the growth of the biodiesel segment in the regular diesel market and/or by an increase in the percentage of non-fossil used in the biodiesel mix. Biofuels offer significant advantages over conventional petrochemical fuels, presenting a renewable and biodegradable alternative with substantially lower negative environmental impact.

Casterra, as Evogene’s subsidiary, spearheads the development of proprietary high-yield castor varieties leveraging the company’s cutting-edge computational biology technologies. By utilising Evogene’s GeneRator AI tech engine and incorporating advanced computational AI capabilities and proprietary plant genomic databases.

“We are thrilled to receive additional significant purchase orders for our unique castor seed, which confirms our value proposition for the sustainable biofuel industry,” expressed Eyal Ronen, Chief Executive Officer of Casterra. “As we eagerly hope to secure more orders in the future, this accomplishment reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional, eco-friendly solutions to meet the ever-growing global demand for renewable energy. After more than a decade of hard work and an investment of tens of millions of dollars in developing our unique varieties and underlying technology, we are proud that Casterra is now a trusted and reliable supplier in this growing market.”

Casterra will supply the castor seeds in

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Interaction, Start ups

With the participation of over 600 delegates from 22 countries, Gurugram Shikhar Summit features dynamic discussions, enlightening presentations, and valuable networking opportunities.

The Startup20 Shikhar Summit, organized by the Startup20 Engagement Group under the India G20 Presidency, kicked off in Gurugram. The two-day event represents a significant achievement, celebrating the successful completion of Startup20’s inaugural year and the release of the final Policy Communiqué. The two-day event marks the first major milestone of the Startup20 Engagement group.

Prominent dignitaries, including Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, and Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20, graced the inauguration ceremony.

The Startup20 Gurugram Summit features a diverse and engaging program, including dynamic discussions, enlightening presentations, and valuable networking opportunities. Delegates have the privilege of connecting with industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders, fostering strategic alliances and shaping the trajectory of startups on a global scale.

An integral part of the summit is the Startup Conclave, where startups showcase their innovative products and services, engage in investor pitches, mentoring sessions, and network with industry professionals. The event also incorporates art and cultural elements, creating an enriching experience for all participants.

The summit underscores the tremendous potential of startups in driving economic prosperity and societal impact. By fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship, the Startup20 Gurugram Summit aims to unleash the full potential of startups, propelling economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

Som Parkash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, expressed his enthusiasm for the summit, emphasizing its role in nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem. He stated, “The Startup20 Gurugram Summit signifies India’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for startups and reinforcing its position as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.”

 Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, emphasized the significance of the Startup20, saying, “The Startup20 Engagement Group marks a milestone in the journey of the global startup ecosystem. The collective wisdom and tireless efforts of the Group, comprising distinguished delegates from G20 nations and invitee countries, have culminated in the final Policy Communiqué, which lays the groundwork for a transformative and the advanced future for our citizens with all our inclusive startup ecosystems across the countries working together; and am sure this group will continue to bring out the strongest commitments from all nations in the upcoming presidencies.”

Dr Chintan Vaishnav, Chair of Startup20, shared his enthusiasm for the impact of the summit, stating, “The Startup20 Shikhar Summit marks the start of a new era for the startup ecosystem. With the participation of over 600 delegates from 22 countries, gathered in Gurugram, we are celebrating the successful first major milestone of startup20 journey and months of collaboration, consultation, and unwavering determination. Together, we will forge a path towards a thriving and sustainable future for startup ecosystem.

He further added that Brazil’s decision to continue its participation in the Startup20 Engagement Group in 2024 further reinforces the global significance of the initiative. The continued commitment of Brazil and all other countries exemplifies their dedication to fostering innovation and supporting the global startup ecosystem.

With the participation of over 600 delegates

Agrotech, Dairy, Live Stock, R&D

Laxmi is from a high genetic merit IVF embryo having the potential for the production of 35-40 kg milk a day.

NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) announced the birth of the first female calf ‘Laxmi’, under the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India’s Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme through IVF Embryo Transplant (ABIP-IVF-ET). The programme targets establishing two lakh pregnancies through the transplant of IVF embryos of high genetic merit to enhance the milk yield for dairy farmers.

The results of nine months of hard ground work which started with the transplant of IVF embryos in September 2022, have started coming in. Since the news of more births only seems to pour in, with 13 healthy female births confirmed to date. Laxmi is the first female calf born from the surrogate transplanted with an IVF embryo at Rajarambapu Patil Cooperative Milk Union Ltd., Islampur (Sangli), in Maharashtra. More than 250 births are expected in due course from cows and buffaloes whose pregnancies through IVF embryo transplants have been confirmed.

“Laxmi is from a high genetic merit IVF embryo having a potential for production of 35-40 kg milk a day, which is nearly double the average of the existing cattle owned by dairy farmers in this area,” said an exuberant Sushil Dilip Khot, the dairy farmer beneficiary who has just expanded his herd with the birth of Laxmi.

Meenesh Shah, NDDB & NDS Chairman, shared that the journey has not been easy. “When we initially started, the success rate with IVF embryo transplant was as low as 9 per cent, which today has reached, in some cases, up to 46 per cent. The success depends on the proper selection of the surrogates & its management, and there is still a lot of work required in the area.”

NDDB’s wholly owned subsidiary, NDS is one of the service providers identified by the DAHD, Government of India, for the execution of the programme. NDS last year kicked off the implementation on September 22 from Islampur in Maharashtra, said a Company spokesperson.

The NDS team have been working relentlessly for over a year and has already scaled the programme to 15 milk unions in six states, i.e. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Punjab, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Since September 2022, the team so far has transferred 1,436 embryos, out of which 1,211 have been examined for pregnancies. During the current financial year, embryo transplant activity will be scaled up, and another 3,000 IVF embryo pregnancies are expected to be established.

The choice of breed of the embryo to be transplanted lies with the farmer, and the gender-sorted IVF embryos of about 6 indigenous cattle and 1 buffalo breed have been used to ensure that 90 per cent of calves born are female. As the calves will have none of the characteristics of the surrogate, the potential of producing milk goes up to 15-20 kgs from Gir and Sahiwal breeds of cows and 20 kgs from the Murrah buffalo breed, the NDS spokesperson said.

Laxmi is from a high genetic merit