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Discussions were based on critical aspects and way forward in sustainability practices, export competitiveness, infrastructure gaps, and livelihood challenges facing India’s inland fisheries industry.

NITI Aayog in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, successfully organised a two-day National Workshop on “Harnessing Potential of Fisheries in Inland States” in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is a collaborative effort aimed at maximising the potential of fisheries in India’s inland states. The workshop, held on the 15th and 16th of February 2024, drew participation from key stakeholders including central and state government officials, researchers, industry representatives, practitioners and Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (FFPO).

The workshop in its various technical sessions focused on critical aspects such as sustainability practices, export competitiveness, infrastructure gaps, and livelihood challenges facing India’s inland fisheries industry. Minister Parshotam Rupala emphasised the need for active handholding and skill development of traditional fishermen to enhance their competitiveness. He also addressed the concept of connecting each Amrit Sarovar to create opportunities for generating livelihoods through inland fisheries. He suggested that the fish market should adopt a marketing approach similar to that of a “fish mall,” fostering a culture akin to shopping malls in metropolitan cities. He highlighted the government’s emphasis on fisheries, including initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Blue Revolution, FIDH, and other insurance related schemes.

A total of 13 states showcased their accomplishments, potential, challenges, and best practices during the workshop. The workshop concluded with a convergence on actionable recommendations and a future roadmap, emphasising the importance of inter-state and centre-state cooperation in realising the immense growth potential of India’s inland fisheries sector. The relationships forged and next steps identified during the event would lay a strong foundation for the sector’s significant growth opportunities in the future.

Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, highlighted the achievements of Andhra Pradesh in the fisheries sector and stressed the importance of addressing regional disparities in production and productivity.

The second day of the workshop featured technical sessions on “Sustainability in Inland Fisheries: FFPOs/Cooperatives Led Development Models” and “Issues and Challenges in Inland Fisheries Industry in India.” These sessions facilitated discussions among policymakers, industry players, and fisheries startups, identifying actionable recommendations and future roadmaps for the sector’s growth.

Discussions were based on critical aspects and

A consignment of 20 MT (1540 boxes) of bananas was flagged off under the banner of M/s. Gurukrupa Corporation Pvt., Ltd, the women entrepreneurship which is registered exporter of APEDA.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry facilitated the export of bananas from India to Russia via Sea by M/s. Gurukrupa Corporation Pvt. Ltd. a Mumbai-based exporter of fruits and vegetables regularly exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the EU and the Middle East.

A consignment of 20 MT (1540 boxes) of bananas was flagged off on 17th February 2024 from Maharashtra by Chairman, APEDA, Abhishek Dev in a collaborative effort with the Central Institute of Sub-tropical Horticulture (CISH). APEDA highlighted the development of sea protocol employed for this shipment by CISH for maintaining the quality of fruit in transit.

Chairman APEDA encouraged more exporters to employ novel methods in shipping new products to new destinations, with APEDA supporting and facilitating these endeavors. He highlighted APEDA’s financial assistance scheme, which now is putting special emphasis on supporting women entrepreneurs. He applauded the contribution of CISH in the development of the sea protocols and congratulated all personnel for a successful flag-off. 

Recently, Russia has shown keen interest in the procurement of tropical fruits from India with bananas being one of them, which significantly is a major Agri import of Russia, which was presently, primarily being imported from Ecquador, in Latin America.

The major export destinations for Indian bananas include Iran, Iraq, UAE, Oman, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and the Maldives. Additionally, the USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, China, the Netherlands, the UK, and France present India with abundant export opportunities.

The consignment was flagged off under the banner of M/s. Gurukrupa Corporation Pvt., Ltd, the women entrepreneurship is a prolific registered exporter of APEDA. M/s. Gurukrupa Corporation procured bananas directly from farmers of Andhra Pradesh. After harvesting, banana was brought to an APEDA approved packhouse in Maharashtra where it was graded, sorted, packed, boxed and stuffed in containers. The container was transported to JNPT for further voyage to Novorossiysk port, Russia for the final destination at Moscow Russia.

Banana is a major horticultural produce with Andhra Pradesh being the largest banana-producing state in India, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. These five states collectively contribute around 67 per cent to India’s banana production in the fiscal year 2022-23.

Despite being the largest global producer of bananas, India’s exports do not reflect this quantitative evaluation. India’s export share in the global market is only 1 per cent even though the country accounts for 26.45 percent of the world’s banana production (35.36 million Metric Ton). In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported bananas worth USD 176 million, equivalent to 0.36 MMT.

Within the next five years, Banana exports from India are expected to achieve the target of 1 billion USD. This achievement will ensure an increase in farmers’ income and improve the livelihood of more than 25,000 farmers and is estimated to generate employment for more than 50,000 aggregators directly or indirectly linked to the supply chain. 

A consignment of 20 MT (1540 boxes)

Under this, the project identified and selected a total of 226 farmer beneficiaries, for the distribution of Boom Sprayers across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

In a pioneering collaboration, Roots Foundation and PI Industries jointly initiated Project Sahyog. bringing about an awareness of various agricultural methodologies amongst the farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh; with a core focus on environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and entrepreneurial development.

In the agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana, the foundations of the entire farming ecosystem have been deeply rooted in chemical farming practices, setting these regions apart from the agricultural patterns prevalent in other parts of India. The paradigm shift brought about by the Green Revolution created a dependency on chemical-intensive agriculture, and this also highlights the critical need for prudent utilization of agrochemicals.

Against this backdrop, the key objective of Project Sahyog is to provide advocacy and hold awareness programs to educate farmers on the advantages of proper agrochemical application for sustainable farming; developing entrepreneurship capabilities amongst new-age farmers, by leasing out equipment and sharing knowledge within their communities; providing farmers with state-of-the-art and efficient spraying equipment to enhance productivity and crop yield; training to ensure farmers use the spraying equipment correctly, fostering a behavioural change towards sustainable practices and minimizing farmers’ dependency on manual labor for spraying activities.

Under this, the project identified and selected a total of 226 farmer beneficiaries, for the distribution of Boom Sprayers across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

All beneficiaries have undergone training sessions on the proper operation of the Boom Sprayer, complemented by practical on-field demonstrations. Under the project, farmers were also taught about the agricultural best practices, benefits of boom sprayers, crop protection strategies, safe and responsible pesticide use, proper disposal of chemical containers, and advantages of farm machinery.

Following persistent efforts, farmers in Punjab and Haryana have experienced tangible benefits, witnessing a reduction in health risks while parallelly saving time and resources.

Roots Foundation and PI Industries have been at the forefront of this journey, actively involved in the states of Punjab and Haryana for the past six years. Gradually, the impact has expanded to encompass Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh too, creating a bridge between service providers and farmers. Project Sahyog continues to forge a positive and enduring impact on sustainable agriculture practices, ensuring the prosperity of farmers in the region, through optimal usage of boom sprayer machinery.

Under this, the project identified and selected

The joint collaboration has focused on identifying novel sources of genetic resistance to Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), the leading cause of crop losses in Brazil and other soy-producing countries.

2Blades announces that it has successfully delivered on goals in a project launched in 2018 and extended in 2023 with Bayer Crop Science to identify resistance genes against Asian Soybean Rust (ASR). The project also involved partners at The Sainsbury Laboratory (Norwich, UK) and the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil). This achievement marks the successful completion of the collaboration, paving the way for Bayer to advance new targeted strategies for controlling and combatting this destructive disease.

“Asian soybean rust is one of the most significant threats to soybean production globally,” said Ty Vaughn, Head of Plant Biotechnology for Bayer Crop Science. “The successful work that we’ve been able to accomplish with 2Blades will allow us to bring the solutions that growers need to farm more quickly.”

Asian soybean rust is a fast-moving disease caused by the airborne fungus, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, that can cause rapid crop losses of up to 90 per cent within just 3 weeks of initial infection. ASR thrives in tropical regions and is the leading cause of soybean disease across the large soy production areas of Brazil, causing crop losses of more than US$ 10 billion since 2001. While fungicides have historically been used to combat P. pachyrhizi, the pathogen is rapidly adapting and building tolerance to these chemical controls.

In search of more effective measures against ASR, 2Blades and Bayer Crop Science sought to identify novel sources of genetic resistance for sustainable and environmentally friendly protection from ASR. In addition to identifying resistance genes, 2Blades’ scientists achieved major advances in understanding the molecular complexity of P. pachyrhizi, including assembling its complete genome sequence. This knowledge helps to ensure durability of resistance and complements Bayer’s work to provide various modes of action against ASR for effective, sustainable solutions to soybean farmers in the US and Brazil.

The joint collaboration has focused on identifying

The collaboration fosters innovation in the waste-to-energy sector, leveraging unique technologies, research capabilities, and intellectual property from both companies.

Singapore based Blue Planet Environmental Solutions Pte. Ltd. (Blue Planet®), a global leader in sustainable waste management, has finalised the acquisition of Mahindra Waste to Energy Solutions Limited (MWTESL), a subsidiary of Mahindra Group. This strategic collaboration marks a significant advancement in promoting sustainability and circular economy initiatives.

MWTESL specialises in converting municipal wet waste into Bio-CNG through Bio-Methanation, complementing Blue Planet’s expertise in carbon capture and utilisation technologies. This partnership enables the integration of these capabilities to develop comprehensive waste-to-energy solutions that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.

The collaboration fosters innovation in the waste-to-energy sector, leveraging unique technologies, research capabilities, and intellectual property from both companies. Joint efforts in research and development aim to drive breakthroughs in sustainable energy production and waste management, contributing to a circular economy.

Blue Planet’s Co-Founder & CEO, Prashant Singh, commented, “This collaboration unlocks new markets and opportunities. Together, we will penetrate new regions and deliver integrated waste management and renewable energy solutions. This partnership undoubtedly strengthens our capabilities and impact in the region.”

Founded in 2017, Blue Planet is a Singapore headquartered company driving regional sustainability through technology-driven and IP-based end-to-end solutions for waste management and upcycling. The company has created a carefully designed platform for end-to-end waste management solutions. The goal is to apply these technologies across various stages of the waste life cycle to be able to close the loop, provide circular economy solutions and achieve the vision of zero waste to landfill.

The collaboration fosters innovation in the waste-to-energy

The company plans to utilise the investment to enhance its technological capabilities and extend its operations nationwide.

Ayekart, a leading agrifood fintech platform, has raised USD 6.5 Million (Rs 53 Crore) in a Series A round led by Omnivore, Siana Capital and Unleash Capital. With this capital infusion, Ayekart aims to expand its operations nationwide and cater to a larger audience of FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Founded in December 2020, Ayekart launched its commercial operations in September 2021 with a team of six and has since expanded into a team of over 150 members across six locations. The startup provides fintech and supply chain solutions for traditional businesses in the agrifood value chain, boosting efficiency and convenience while preserving trust within the ecosystem. Ayekart today operates in 18 states, has over 9,000 active merchants on its platform, and has successfully facilitated more than 2.5 lakh transactions with over INR 21 billion lifetime GTV (Gross Traded Value). Moreover, Ayekart has been consistently profitable since inception, setting it apart from other agritech companies.

Debarshi Dutta, Co-Founder & CEO of Ayekart, stated, “Since the inception, our unwavering commitment to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and agrifood MSMEs across India has been the cornerstone of our journey. We understand the critical pain points that agrifood MSMEs face- the need for market linkages, access to finance, and an efficient technology ecosystem to enhance their businesses. To address these challenges, we have developed innovative fintech solutions tailored to empower FPOs and agrifood MSMEs. Ayekart is not just addressing gaps in the value chain but also driving meaningful change that empowers agrifood MSMEs and fosters sustainable growth across the value chain.”

Commenting on the round, Jinesh Shah, Managing Partner at Omnivore, said, “We are pleased to support Ayekart’s efforts in improving farmers’ lives and providing financial stability. Ayekart’s focus on empowering agrifood MSMEs with its cutting-edge technological approach resonates deeply with our investment philosophy. We are confident that this capital infusion will propel Ayekart’s advancement, stimulating noteworthy progress in both the agricultural and supply chain spheres.”

Sohil Shah, Founder & Partner at UNLEASH Capital Partners, stated, “We are proud to be part of Ayekart’s Series A funding, helping to leverage technology for enhanced financial solutions in the B2B supply chain. This investment is an important long-term step in helping Ayekart fulfill its mission to strengthen its market position and continue delivering value to its stakeholders and customers.”

Unitus Capital was the exclusive financial advisor to the company for the transaction.

The company plans to utilise the investment

Boehringer Ingelheim will use Veeva Vault CTMS in its Animal Health business unit to manage and monitor trials and Veeva Vault eTMF for real-time inspection preparation, visibility and control.

Veeva Systems announced that Boehringer Ingelheim has selected Veeva Vault Clinical and Veeva Vault RIM applications as the foundation for its technology for the clinical and regulatory management of its Animal Health division. By adopting unified applications on a single platform, Boehringer Ingelheim can streamline clinical execution to accelerate the development of new medicines that help animals live healthier, happier lives.

“The Veeva Vault Clinical and Veeva Vault RIM applications will help us improve operational efficiencies across functions while providing insights for data-driven decision-making. This will allow us to execute and innovate faster to improve the lives of animals”, said Marcus Gravendyck, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance, Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim.  

Boehringer Ingelheim will use Veeva Vault CTMS in its Animal Health business unit to manage and monitor trials and Veeva Vault eTMF for real-time inspection preparation, visibility and control. The company will also use Vault RIM applications, including Veeva Vault Registrations, Veeva Vault Submissions, and Veeva Vault Submissions Archive for advanced regulatory processes. Connecting these applications on a single cloud platform will enable real-time access to data and seamless information exchange.

“Boehringer Ingelheim drives innovation to accelerate the development of new treatments for animals,” said Thomas Reith, corporate vice president for informatics research, development and medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim. By building a centralized, digital foundation with Veeva, we can deliver a better user experience for our teams, as well as lean, end-to-end processes for speed and agility”.

“We are proud to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim in the animal health space to simplify their clinical development and regulatory processes,” said Stefan Jahnecke, vice president of animal health strategy at Veeva. Veeva Vault Clinical and Veeva Vault RIM will help Boehringer Ingelheim improve data integrity and provide the visibility needed to quickly adapt to changing business requirements.

Boehringer Ingelheim will use Veeva Vault CTMS

PMFAI AGCHEM Awards recognises and honours outstanding achievements in Indian Agrochemical Industry and remarkable contributions, which helps Sustainable growth of agriculture.

Insecticides (India) Limited (IIL), a distinguished player on the BSE and NSE and a leading name in India’s crop protection and nutrition sector, has added two prestigious awards to its accolades. The company was honoured with the “Outstanding Innovation in Crop Solutions” and the “Social Responsibility Excellence Award” for large-scale companies at the PMFAI AGCHEM Awards, held in Dubai.

The ceremony, held at the PMFAI Conference, saw Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India) Limited, alongside Sanskar Aggarwal, EVP, and Shrikant Satwe VP – International Business, accepting the awards amidst industry luminaries.

Fourth “PMFAI-SML Agchem Awards 2023” was held on 16 th February 2023 evening at Hyatt Regency & Galleria, Diera, Dubai, UAE. PMFAI-SML Agchem Awards was instituted from 2018 to recognize and honour outstanding achievements in Indian Agrochemical Industry and remarkable contributions, which helps Sustainable growth of agriculture.

In response to the accolades, Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India) Limited, stated, “These recognitions reflect the ongoing endeavor of our team to pioneer solutions in the agriculture sector and staunch dedication to social responsibility. At IIL, we are driven by a purpose that centers around the genuine needs and aspirations of our farmers, guiding our path in innovative product development. Through our CSR arm, IIL Foundation, we actively spearhead initiatives for farmer awareness and education, building impactful partnerships with farmers. Our commitment persists in pushing agricultural progress and nurturing the prosperity of farming communities.”

PMFAI AGCHEM Awards recognises and honours outstanding

The Scheme will help the Dairy Cooperatives to upgrade their processing infrastructure with an updated processing technology.

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launched the realigned AHIDF Scheme and released the Radio Jingle on AHIDF at New Delhi. In his address, Rupala informed that the scheme was started during COVID period which was the difficult time for the entire country. He said that the scheme has been realigned and will be implemented for another 3 years. The industry, FPO, Dairy Cooperatives should take benefit of the scheme.

The Cabinet in its meeting approved the realignment of the AHIDF under Infrastructure Development Fund with an outlay of Rs 29610 crore. Now the Total Fund will be of Rs 29610 crores. Instead of Rs 15000 crores. The realigned scheme will be implemented for further period of three years from 31.03.2023 till 2025-26. In the realigned scheme, Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund has been subsumed. Now the Dairy Cooperatives will avail benefit of interest subvention of 3 per cent under AHIDF instead of 2.5 per cent which was received in DIDF. The Dairy Cooperative will also get Credit Guarantee support under the Credit Guarantee Fund of AHIDF. The Scheme will help the Dairy Cooperatives to upgrade their processing infrastructure with an updated processing technology. This will benefit large number of milk producers in the country.

In the inaugural event, Industry associations, NDDB, Dairy Cooperatives, FPO and Officials from the North Eastern States were also present. During the interaction, ABIS Export Private Limited, one of the eligible entities, appreciated the role of the scheme in creating infrastructure in livestock sector and said that they will invest Rs 2000 crore in creating infrastructure. Dishala Livelihood Producer Company Limited, FPO informed that they have set up a dairy processing and value addition project at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh with Capacity of 10000 litres per day under AHIDF in collaboration with Manthan Organization. They have obtained 1.2 lakh interest subvention from the Department. Amba Feed informed that they have set up 120000 MT per annum of Animal Feed plant in Coimbatore under AHIDF.

Under the realigned scheme, the following will be the benefit:

  • Interest Subvention of 3 per cent payable up to 8 years
  • Individuals, FPO, Dairy Cooperatives, Private Companies, Section 8 companies, MSME
  • Credit guarantee cover unto 25 per cent of the term loan.
  • No ceiling on the loan amount
  • Loan up to 90 per cent of the estimated/actual project cost
  • Dovetailing with capital subsidy schemes of other ministries or state level schemes
  • Ease of application process through online portal www.ahidf.udaymimitra.in.

The Scheme will help the Dairy Cooperatives

This approval will allow BioPrime to deliver their new microbial solutions boasting an improvement across eleven key areas, including mineralization, nitrogen fixation, nutrient use efficiency, and soil restoration.

Pune based BioPrime AgriSolutions, a leading innovator in sustainable agriculture, has received a crucial green light from the government to commercialise its high-performance microbial strains from the Bionexus library. This landmark approval unlocks the potential for BioPrime to deliver their new microbial solutions boasting a remarkable 2x performance improvement across eleven key areas, including mineralization, nitrogen fixation, nutrient use efficiency, and soil restoration.

With the government’s collaborative effort, Bioprime has registered these novel strains. This strategic move involves rigorous data generation encompassing safety, toxicology, and stability parameters, underscoring Bioprime’s commitment to ensuring the utmost quality and safety standards for its groundbreaking microbial offerings.

Beyond the approval for existing strains, Bioprime’s visionary approach extends to formulation innovation- a key differentiator in addressing long-standing challenges associated with microbe stability, in-field establishment, and ensuring plant-microbe communication. Previous formulations in the market have consistently fallen short of overcoming these hurdles, limiting the true potential of microbes in agriculture.

Bioprime’s commitment to overcoming historical bottlenecks in microbial activity reflects its dedicated efforts toward formulation innovation. Combining top-tier strains with cutting-edge formulations, Bioprime is poised to redefine the boundaries of microbial efficacy and deliver unparalleled performance.

Speaking on the opportunity, Dr Shekhar Bhosle, Co-Founder & COO of BioPrime AgriSolutions, said, “The government’s approval to introduce our high-performance microbial strains marks a pivotal moment in Bioprime’s journey. This endorsement validates our commitment to agricultural innovation and reinforces our vision for a future where sustainable practices redefine the agricultural landscape.”

Speaking on the potential of the Bionexus Library Dr Amit Shinde Co-Founder & COO of BioPrime AgriSolutions, said, “This is just the beginning for the Bionexus biologicals. Our library contains several hundred high potential novel strains e.g. 650+ Bacillus strains, 300+ Pseudomonas strains, 250+ endosymbiotic nitrogen fixers, 50+ Trichoderma strains. We are cementing partnerships with global MNCs for these strains commercialisation Besides we are very excited about our discovery of several potent microbial metabolites for antifungals, antibacterials, bioinsecticides and biopesticides.”

This strategic approach positions Bioprime as a frontrunner in sustainable agriculture, offering farmers a comprehensive solution that unlocks the true potential of microbes. This landmark government approval, coupled with BioPrime’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, paves the way for a future where agriculture and environmental health go hand-in-hand.

This approval will allow BioPrime to deliver

With an increase in millet exports from USD 62.95 million in 2021-22 to USD 75.45 million in 2022-23 and with current export of USD 45.46 million from April – November 2023, Millets are gaining popularity in the global market.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated around 500 startups in marketing and exporting millet-based value-added products. A farmer from Sangrur, Dilpreet Singh, has transformed into an exporter, marking his first export consignment of 14.3 metric tonne of millets, and its products valued at USD 45,803. Chairman, APEDA, Abhishek Dev flagged off the consignment.

The shipment includes ready-to-cook millets derived from Kodo millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Browntop millet, and Barnyard millet. Additionally, flours sourced from Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Browntop, Little, and Proso millets were also a part of this unique export endeavour.

With an increase in millet exports from USD 62.95 million in 2021-22 to USD 75.45 million in 2022-23 and with current export of USD 45.46 million from April – November 2023, Millets are gaining popularity in the global market. There is significant increase in the export of cereal preparation including value added millet products registering a growth of 12.4 per cent over the same period last year.

With an increase in millet exports from

 Basf’s dispersions plants in Dahej and Mangalore are the first plants in India capable of producing REDcert2-certified biomass-balanced acrylic dispersions.

BASF India Limited announced that its two dispersions plants in Dahej and Mangalore, India, have each received REDcert2 certification. These plants are the first in India to achieve the REDcert2 standard, an independent third-party audit process, marking a significant milestone in BASF’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This certification enables BASF to supply certified low-carbon-footprint dispersions through the biomass balance (BMB) approach that perform identically to fossil-based dispersions.

Andreas Fechtenkoetter, Senior Vice President, Dispersions Asia Pacific, BASF said, “Achieving REDcert2 certifications for our dispersion plants in India underscores our commitment to driving sustainability and innovation as an industry leader. We have successful customer cases for our REDcert2-certified products in the Asia Pacific region. Customers in countries such as China, Japan, and other ASEAN markets have embraced our biomass balanced solution to reduce their carbon footprint along the value chain. Paint manufacturers and consumer goods producers have adopted our biomass balanced product portfolios and are leveraging its benefits to achieve their sustainability objectives.”

With India’s continued prioritization of CO2 reduction, BASF is seeing a growing demand for sustainable products in the country. The Indian government has committed to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. “With our REDcert2-certified dispersions plants in operation, we are well-positioned to supply biomass-balanced dispersions to our customers in the country and support their sustainability plans,” said Milind Joshi, Business Director, Dispersions (South Asia), BASF. “By adopting our low-carbon-footprint solutions, customers are not only differentiating themselves from competitors but also contributing to the larger goal of combating climate change.”

The two certified dispersion plants in India bring the number of BASF dispersion plants in the Asia Pacific region that have received REDcert2 certification to five. This accomplishment has further strengthened BASF’s ability to meet the growing demand for low-carbon-footprint solutions across various industries.

In BASF’s biomass balance approach, renewable raw materials are used as feedstock in the very first steps of chemical production.  The proportion of renewable raw materials utilized is then allocated to specific sales products using a mass balance method certified by REDcert². The REDcert² certification system confirms that for the biomass balanced product, BASF has replaced relevant quantities of fossil-based resources with renewable feedstock.

 Basf’s dispersions plants in Dahej and Mangalore

NITI Aayog utilised remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India.

Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal was launched by Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog at NITI Aayog. This multi-institutional effort led by NITI Aayog utilised remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India. Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) was developed for national-level prioritization. The report provides state-wise and district-wise analysis, supporting government departments and industries for greening and restoration projects.

The “Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping” portal Bhuvan https://bhuvan-app1.nrsc.gov.in/asi_portal/ allows universal access to state and district-level data. Currently, agroforestry covers 8.65 per cent of India’s total geographical area, totalling about 28.42 million hectares. Current report underscores the potential benefits of converting underutilized areas, especially wastelands, for agroforestry. The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

During the release, Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog shared that there is need for promotion of agroforestry esp. for 3 thing i.e reducing import of wood and wood products, carbon sequestration to combat climate change at global and national level and addressing sub-optimal use of arable land.  It was shared fallow land and culturable wastelands can be converted to productive use through agroforestry. He said that this project will reap long term benefits and promote use of space technology in agriculture.

During the panel discussion, Dr SK Chaudhari shared that the portal will be helpful in different programmes as the Government of India is working to promote agroforestry and sensitizing role of extension. Panellists joining the session to scale-up agroforestry in greening and restoration were Dr A Arunachalam, Director, ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute Jhansi, Dr. R Ravi Babu, GM, FSDD, NABARD, Dr Ravi Prabhu, Director Innovation, Investment and Impact CIFOR-ICRAF and Dr Rajiv Kumar, Group Head, RSA, NRSC, Hyderabad.

Due to the significance of goods and services provided by agroforestry, the Union Budget of Government of India (FY-2022-23) has underlined the promotion of agroforestry and private forestry as a priority. India, the seventh-largest country globally, faces issues like increased build-up areas, degraded land, and imbalanced resources. Approximately 16.96 per cent of the Total Geographical Area (TGA) is wasteland, requiring transformation for productive use. Geospatial technologies and GIS are employed to map and prioritize these wastelands for agroforestry interventions.

NITI Aayog utilised remote sensing and GIS

The event spotlighted various agri-tech solutions for precision farming, real-time crop monitoring, aerial spraying, and comprehensive data analytics.

The Indian Micro Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) concluded its 4th National Crop Nutrition Summit in Mumbai, unveiling a series of agri-tech innovations that echo Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of revolutionising Indian agriculture with drone technology. This landmark event marked the debut of sophisticated AI-driven drones and digital soil scanning technologies by pioneers Aries Agro Limited, Multiplex Drone, and many others, heralding a new dawn for farming efficiency and sustainability in India.

Dr Rahul Mirchandani, President of IMMA, shared, “The technologies showcased at the summit are monumental in advancing toward a future where every farm in India can harness the efficiency and precision of AI and digitisation. These innovations exemplify the transformative potential of agri-tech in enhancing crop yield, minimizing resource waste, and promoting sustainable farming practices.”

The event spotlighted various agri-tech solutions for precision farming, real-time crop monitoring, aerial spraying, and comprehensive data analytics. Meanwhile, Aries Agro introduced a revolutionary soil testing kit, offering instant and accurate soil health assessments to enable informed crop nutrition management.

“The integration of these advanced technologies into everyday farming practices is a testament to India’s readiness for a digital agricultural revolution. Embracing agri-tech is pivotal for the sector’s growth, contributing significantly to national food security and environmental sustainability” stated Sameer Rajan Pathare, Vice President of IMMA.

The summit not only served as a platform for technological unveilings but also fostered critical discussions on ‘ease of doing business’ policies for enabling the innovative products to reach the market. A blockbuster panel of experts including industry, government, legal professionals, and innovators discussed policies that will serve as catalysts for agri-tech adoption, liberalised licensing, export promotion and rural digital infrastructure development. These conversations underscored the necessity of supportive policy frameworks and public-private partnerships in achieving the widespread implementation of agri-tech solutions.

As the 4th National Crop Nutrition Summit concludes, the path forward for Indian agriculture is clear – embracing AI, digitization, and sustainable technologies is crucial for transforming the sector. IMMA remains committed to spearheading this change, advocating for policies that facilitate the adoption of agri-tech innovations, and working towards a future where technology-driven farming is the norm across India.

The event spotlighted various agri-tech solutions for