Connect with:
Tuesday / October 22. 2024

logo
mobile-logo
Home2024July (Page 6)
Agribusiness, Company News, Seeds, World

Trusource wheat will be available to food companies to trial in product development and evaluation in late 2024.

Corteva Agriscience announced its new brand, Trusource™ wheat, a high fiber durum that can help meet consumers’ needs for increased dietary fiber through use in high-volume foods such as pasta. Trusource wheat will be available to food companies to trial in product development and evaluation in late 2024, with North American commercialization plans for farmers to be announced in the coming years.

“We have used traditional breeding techniques to enable the taste and texture of Trusource wheat to better match the traditional sensory experience consumers want in pasta and baked goods while increasing their fiber intake with high fiber Trusource wheat,” said Michael Reimer, Innovation Manager – Value-Added Ingredients, Corteva Agriscience.

Trusource wheat is an exciting addition to the new Value-Added Ingredients category from Corteva, which includes existing high stability Omega-9 Canola Oil and Plenish® high oleic soybean oil as well as a robust innovation pipeline. High stability oils are readily available through most major oil producers.  Produced from Corteva seeds, these innovative food ingredients deliver the great taste and improved nutrition consumers demand and are easily integrated into food industry applications.

“Consumers are increasingly asking for improved ingredients, and agriculture innovation is helping the food industry meet that demand,” said Tyler Groeneveld, North American Director – Value-Added Ingredients, Corteva Agriscience. “This collaboration adds value for our farmers, the food industry and, ultimately, the consumer.”

Crops for Value-Added Ingredients are grown under an identity preservation (IP) system, supporting traceability and sustainability programs, and carry the strong agronomic traits farmers seek.

Trusource wheat will be available to food

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, India

This will help the company expand its product offerings by adding the Ethoxylation technology to its portfolio of process and batch technologies.

Godrej Industries’ Chemicals Business announced the signing of a business transfer agreement with Shree Vallabh Chemicals Unit II (Kheda), with the intention to acquire their Ethoxylation Unit II. As a leading player in Oleochemicals, Surfactants, Specialities and Biotech, this transaction will help the company expand its product offerings by adding the Ethoxylation technology to its portfolio of process and batch technologies.

Located at Kheda, Gujarat, the Shree Vallabh Ethoxylation unit II has a manufacturing capacity of 24,000 MTPA of finished products.

Vishal Sharma, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Industries (Chemicals) said, “Aligned with our commitment to growth and innovation, the proposed acquisition of the unit will aid us in expanding our offerings and also cater to new applications for our customers. By enabling us to accelerate the investment timeline, we are confident that it will also provide us with various cost synergies.”

Company drives business through sustainability, customer centricity, and renewable resources-focused chemistries, with a global presence in more than 80 countries. With two manufacturing locations (Maharashtra & Gujarat) and a state-of-the-art R&D Center in India, company specialise in delivering tailored solutions to meet specific applications and performance requirements.

This will help the company expand its

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Transportation

It reflects a 4.78 per cent growth compared to the 39.25 MMT achieved during the same period in the previous fiscal year, FY 2023-24.

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) has marked a momentous achievement in its operational history, clocking an unprecedented 41.12 million Metric Tons (MMT) cargo handling within the first 100 days of the fiscal year 2024-25. This outstanding performance sets a new record for the port, reflecting a 4.78 per cent growth compared to the 39.25 MMT achieved during the same period in the previous fiscal year, FY 2023-24.

This significant accomplishment underscores the port’s critical role in bolstering India’s maritime infrastructure and its unwavering commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and capacity. Under the dynamic leadership and visionary guidance of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, PPA has surpassed its previous benchmarks, showcasing notable growth and efficiency in its operations.

PPA Chairman, P.L. Haranadh, expressed his deep gratitude to the Minister, attributing this monumental success to his unwavering support and strategic direction.

This achievement highlights Paradip Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to setting new benchmarks in cargo handling and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth. As PPA continues to expand its capabilities and improve its services, it remains dedicated to supporting India’s maritime infrastructure and fostering economic development.

It reflects a 4.78 per cent growth

Agribusiness, Environment, India, Nature, Sustainability

The Woods@Shamshabad in Hyderabad, is the world’s largest Miyawaki forest created in a residential daily living space, is a three-year-old forest.

Uri Rubinstein, MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Corporation, Agriculture Attaché at the Embassy of Israel in India, lauded the Woods-Shamshabad biophilic eco-realty project by Stonecraft Group in Hyderabad.

After touring The Woods@Shamshabad , Uri Rubinstein, said, ” I never witnessed such a project, this is breathtaking, the residents and habitats are lucky to live here, thoroughly a next generation project”. He added, “I am an agriculture person, and these days we are talking a lot about Regenerative Agriculture, this looks similar to regenerative agriculture that improves soil fertility, improves water level and energy management”. He applauded Kirthi for creating a breakthrough forest in the middle of the city.

The Woods@Shamshabad in Hyderabad, is the world’s largest Miyawaki forest created in a residential daily living space, is a three-year-old forest, with fully matured 4,50,000 native self-sustainable Indian trees and over 141 species of migratory and resident birds, the lush green around 60 acres with 110 farm units built to cherish as an heirloom property.

“We are honoured to receive words of appreciation from the Israeli Agricultural Attaché Uri Rubinstein for our project ‘The Woods@Shamshabad’. This acknowledgment, and learnings from his visit reinforces our commitment to sustainable development in eco-realty. We look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration with MASHAV to further our efforts in ecological restoration and community development through a series of Woods Projects in India.” Kirthi Chilukuri, Founder and CEO of Stonecraft Group said.

MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, promotes sustainable development and social equity worldwide. Through its initiatives, MASHAV empowers communities to create sustainable change and transformation within their societies.

The Israeli embassy in India is participating in the ‘Million Miyawaki’ initiative as part of Earth Day goals, aimed at improving air quality in Indian cities through mass afforestation in tight urban spaces. Amongst the many fields in which Israel and India collaborate, agriculture and climate change have always been at the front and center to demonstrate the Israel Agro technology to benefit the Indian farmers under IIAP.

The Woods@Shamshabad in Hyderabad, is the world’s

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, India

Rallis India’s extensive distribution network and farmer connect initiatives ensure widespread accessibility and adoption of such solutions across Punjab and Haryana.

Rallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise and a leading player in the Indian agri-inputs industry is actively raising awareness about crop care in the early stages of paddy cultivation through its farmers’ campaign, “Dhaan ka Powerplay,” across Haryana and Punjab.

Paddy crops significantly contribute to the farmers’ income in these markets. As an organization committed to providing farmers with advanced Agri solutions and to sensitize them about the importance of paddy crop health and nourishment in its early stage, Rallis India initiated the ‘Dhaan ka Powerplay’ campaign. This campaign facilitates direct farmer engagement through field visits, demos, one-on-one farmer meetings across Punjab and Haryana.

“Rallis India’s comprehensive crop care solutions are designed to support the farmers of Punjab and Haryana in maximizing their paddy yields. Through this campaign, we aim to drive deeper awareness and adoption of our innovative granular products such as Zaafu, Ralligold GR, Zygant, and Nayazinc that deliver tangible benefits in the crucial initial stage of the crop cycle. It has been Rallis India’s constant endeavor to ensure that farmers are well-informed about the benefits of its products which are tailored to address the specific needs of the region’s paddy varieties,” said, S Nagarajan, Chief Operating Officer, Rallis India Limited.

The objective of ‘Dhaan ka Powerplay’ is to educate farmers on the advantages of using Zaafu, Ralligold GR, Zygant, and Nayazinc, together which are highly suitable for application up to 30 days from the time of transplanting. These products play a pivotal role in enhancing soil health and plant vigor during the crucial initial growth phase of paddy cultivation. Rallis India’s extensive distribution network and farmer connect initiatives ensure widespread accessibility and adoption of such solutions across Punjab and Haryana.

Rallis India's extensive distribution network and farmer

Agribusiness, India, Interaction, Seeds, Soil Health

Experts had a high-impact brainstorming session on “Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture: A Way Forward” organised by TAAS In collaboration with ICAR, FSII and NSAI.

Public private partnerships could hold the key to address many pressing challenges of agriculture including diffusion of innovation to farmers, scaling -up research and helping farmers get the right market linkages, experts said at a conference in New Delhi.

The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), and the National Seed Association of India (NSAI), organised a high-impact brainstorming session at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Pusa Campus titled “Public-Private Partnership in Agriculture: A Way Forward.”

Currently, India’s agricultural sector employs over 50 per cent of the country’s workforce and contributes about 17 per cent to the nation’s GDP. However, to sustain and boost this contribution, it is essential to adopt new technologies and practices. The private sector has shown tremendous potential in this regard, especially through advancements in biotechnology and improved seed varieties. By 2022, the adoption of genetically modified Bt Cotton had resulted in a 24 per cent increase in yield and a 50 per cent reduction in pesticide use, showcasing the transformative impact of private partnership.

Over 60 key stakeholders, including scientists, researchers, policy makers, and private sector representatives participated. The focus was on developing a clear Road Map to enhance Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the agriculture sector to scale innovations for impact and benefit to farmers.

Dr RS Paroda, Founder Chairman, TAAS and Former Secretary DARE and DG, ICAR emphasized an urgent need for PPP collaboration, stating, “Indian agriculture is at a crossroads. To meet the increasing demand for food and to address the challenges of climate change, we must leverage the strengths of both public and private sectors. Effective PPPs are essential to upscale and outscale innovations for sustainable agriculture.” He further added “The current public agricultural research investment is grossly insufficient, therefore, there is a need to explore the options to enhance agricultural research investment in a partnership mode. We need to accelerate annual growth in agriculture to at least 4 per cent, thus contributing around USD 1 trillion from agriculture to achieve India’s projected USD 5 trillion economy”

The Chief Guest Dr T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPV&FRA emphasized that public-private partnerships are effective means to address the existing challenges and unlock new opportunities to enhance agricultural growth and development.

Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII, highlighted the critical role of seed industry in transforming agriculture. “The private seed sector has already made significant contributions, especially in the area of genetically modified crops like Bt Cotton. However, there is immense potential for further advancements through strategic PPPs. Our goal is to develop and disseminate high-quality seed varieties that can revolutionize Indian agriculture,” he remarked.

Stakeholders were unanimous in realising considerable strength in both public and private research institutions. However, such potential can effectively be tapped through highly focused PPP Projects of national importance. What urgently effective collaboration in research, access and benefit sharing and the enabling policies.

Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, FSII, added, “Market-driven research and the adoption of advanced technologies such as genome editing are crucial. Through strengthened PPPs, we can ensure that innovations in high priority areas are not only developed but reach our farmers soon for enhancing productivity and profitability.”

Experts had a high-impact brainstorming session on

Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, Digital Technologies, India, Start ups

FPOs can use Ayekrishi for market linkage and to access supplier networks.

Ayekart, a leading agrifood fintech platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Grameen Foundation India. This collaboration aims to extend Ayekart’s Ayekrishi platform (PaaS) along with the market linkage services with embedded finance to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) connected with Grameen Foundation in India, bolstering financial inclusion and enabling marginalized communities, mainly focusing on women. Ayekart, India’s foremost integrated tech platform in the food and agri value chain, is driving a transformation within the segment by unveiling a range of groundbreaking solutions.

Central to this transformation is Ayekrishi, the FPO management tool that is a beacon of efficiency, simplifying business processes and enhancing operational efficacy. FPOs can use Ayekrishi for market linkage and to access supplier networks. The platform includes planning features to aid FPOs in organizing their operations effectively and provides advisory suggestions to support FPOs in decision-making and strategy development.

The primary purpose of the collaboration between Ayekart and the Grameen Foundation in India is to integrate Ayekrishi for the market linkage activities and FPO management promoted by the Grameen. This collaboration will benefit the FPOs significantly, including access to different marketable commodities and support in the procurement & selling of produce based on demand and supply conditions. Grameen supports these efforts, aligning with its mission of linking farmers/FPOs with remunerative markets, the foundation’s involvement will ensure the FPOs have the necessary support and resources to leverage the Ayekrishi platform effectively.

Debarshi Dutta, Co-Founder & CEO of Ayekart, said: “Ayekart’s journey is rooted in our commitment to fuelling progress in the food and agri value chain. We are thrilled to partner with the Grameen Foundation India to extend our Ayekrishi services. This collaboration is a significant step towards enhancing the financial inclusion of the market reach of FPOs/Farmers. Together, we aim to create sustainable livelihoods and empower FPOs/ farmers and the MSMEs by leveraging digital technology.”

Bharati Joshi, Interim CEO of Grameen, said, “Joining hands with Ayekart allows us to further our mission of eradicating poverty and hunger by enabling the poor, especially women. We recognize the catalytic role of technology in bridging the gap between farmers and entrepreneurs on the one hand and the market (including technical service providers on the other). We are happy to find an institutional partner like Ayekart which is ready to put purpose before profits. We envisage Ayekrishi’s innovative solutions will help us deepen our impact in agriculture and livelihoods, fostering resilience and sustainable growth in the communities we serve.”

FPOs can use Ayekrishi for market linkage

Agribusiness, Company News, India, People, Supply Chain, Warehousing

Gurinder Singh Sehmbey has been recognised as one of the 50 Most Influential Rural Marketing Leaders.

 Kissandhan Agri Financial Services (Kissandhan), a multi-asset NBFC for farm community and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sohan Lal Commodity Management Pvt. Ltd. (SLCM) announced the appointment of Gurinder Singh Sehmbey as its Chief Executive Officer. This strategic decision marks a pivotal moment in the Kissandhan’s trajectory, propelling it towards growth and success.

With a career spanning nearly three decades and recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Rural Marketing Leaders, Gurinder Singh Sehmbey emerges as a beacon of visionary leadership, bringing his wealth of expertise and strategic insight in business development with hands-on experience in cultural and economic affairs across the NBFCs and sectors. Previously, he held top management positions in large companies such as SV Creditline, Poonawalla Fincorp, Agriwise FinServ, Religare Finvest Ltd, and Magma Fincorp.

A well-known veteran and growth facilitator in the industry, his expertise is in agricultural financial solutions including SME loans, Agri loans, Micro-LAP, auto-lease to name a few. He has been passionate about innovating state-of-the-art products to empower MSMEs and progressive farmers to enhance their income and living conditions. Gurinder has represented various forums on agriculture financing and has been part of FICCI and FIDC committees for NBFCs.

Gurinder Singh Sehmbey as CEO will spearhead Kissandhan towards new heights of excellence by providing ‘Global standards in the Agri financing space’ guided by a commitment to innovation, strategic growth and customized solutions.

On the appointment, SLCM Group CEO, Sandeep Sabharwal expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The entire team at SLCM Group is excited to work towards the next phase of growth with Gurinder Singh Sehmbey as their CEO of Kissandhan. His profound understanding of the SME value chain, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and allied Agri-income sectors will complement Kissandhan’s strategies and help the company maintain its strong growth momentum. We look forward to achieving new milestones under his leadership.”

In response to his appointment, Gurinder Singh Sehmbey commented, “I am deeply honored to join Kissandhan at this transformative juncture in its growth trajectory. The company’s commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable financial solutions resonates deeply with me. Leveraging my experience in SMEs, FPOs, and allied agri-income sectors, I aim to bridge critical gaps in agri-financing and enhance access to credit for those at the grassroots level. Our primary goal is to strengthen the Agri-financing ecosystem, promote gender equality, and encourage farmers across the country to grow their produce with a sustainable approach”.

Gurinder Singh Sehmbey has been recognised as

AgroPolicy, India, Pulses

National Cooperative Consumer’s Federation of India Ltd & National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd have started pre-registration of farmers growing Urad.

The consistent efforts of Department of Consumer Affairs have resulted in softening of Urad prices, the Centre Government’s proactive measures have been pivotal in stabilising prices for consumers while ensuring favourable price realization for farmers.

The anticipation of good rainfall is expected to boost the morale of farmers, leading to the production of a good crop in major Urad producing states such as Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. As on 05th July 2024, the area sown for Urad has reached 5.37 lakh hectares, as compared to 3.67 lakh hectares for corresponding period last year. The 90-day crop is expected to experience a healthy Kharif production this year.

Ahead of the Kharif sowing season, there has been significant momentum in the pre-registration of farmers through government agencies such as NAFED and NCCF. These efforts are part of the government’s strategy to encourage farmers to shift towards pulse production during the Kharif season, aiming for self-sufficiency in this sector.

In Madhya Pradesh alone, a total of 8,487 Urad farmers have already registered through NCCF and NAFED. Meanwhile, other major producing states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh have seen pre-registrations of 2037, 1611, and 1663 farmers respectively, indicating widespread participation in these initiatives.

The procurement of summer Urad under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) by NAFED and NCCF is in progress. As a result of these initiatives, as of 06 July, 2024, wholesale prices of Urad have witnessed a week-on-week decline of 3.12 per cent and 1.08 per cent in Indore and Delhi markets respectively.

In alignment with domestic prices, the landed prices of imported Urad are also on a declining trend. These measures underscore the government’s commitment to balancing market dynamics while supporting both farmers and consumers.

National Cooperative Consumer’s Federation of India Ltd

Collaborations, Fruits, Horticulture, R&D, World

MustGrow is collaborating to bring its uniquely effective technologies to help address the global Fusarium wilt TR4 fungal disease in banana issue.

Canada based MustGrow Biologics Corp. announced that the company has accepted membership into the Global Alliance Against TR4 (https://iica.int/en/global-alliance), an international consortium of world-leading banana players committed to defeat Fusarium wilt TR4 (“TR4”), a fungal disease jeopardising the future of bananas.  MustGrow is collaborating to bring its uniquely effective technologies to help address this global issue, joining international banana leaders, including Bayer, Chiquita, Del Monte, Dole, and Fyffes.

“I celebrate the willingness of MustGrow to join forces in this endeavor to put an end to this hazard and contribute in this manner to the food security and the economy of several families involved in the banana value chain,” Gabriel Rodríguez Marqués, IICA Representative in Paraguay Executive Secretariat of the Global Alliance Against TR4.

The deadly disease pathogen TR4 has been wreaking havoc and ravaging the $25 billion global banana industry – with infected plantations experiencing 100 per cent loss and being quarantined for decades.  A flurry of apocalyptic media accounts is revealing a race to save bananas from extinction after the disease has left a trail of scorched banana plantations in its wake.

MustGrow vs. TR4

Under commercial partnership with Bayer, Bayer has the option to continue to build on MustGrow’s work in treating TR4.  MustGrow’s approach harnesses the natural defense mechanism of the mustard plant to develop organic, safe, and effective biofungicides and biopesticides to treat a variety of pests, fungus, and disease, including TR4.

MustGrow’s previously disclosed work has demonstrated 100 per cent control of TR4 in a laboratory setting of five different plate samples at five different application rates.  All 25 plates showed 100% disease control utilizing MustGrow’s biofungicide technology after a five-day period. In field trial settings, application of MustGrow’s biofungicide demonstrated positive dose response with reduced incidence and severity of TR4 symptoms in banana plants after 21 days. Importantly, even at higher application rates there was no damage or phytotoxic effects to the banana plants, allowing MustGrow to explore treating the banana plants directly, in addition to soil applications.

Sustainable innovations and green technologies are necessary to ensure agricultural production continues to address food safety and security as well as soil health. MustGrow’s rapidly developing solutions are focused on sustainable, safe, and effective, organic plant-based crop protection solutions that harness the mustard seed’s natural defense mechanism to treat diseases, pests and weeds.  MustGrow’s technology has shown consistent efficacy in multiple global regions, in multiple crops, in multiple applications, over multiple years.  The commercial development collaboration between Bayer and MustGrow demonstrates the importance of innovation in sustainable technologies in agricultural regions around the world.

MustGrow is collaborating to bring its uniquely

Agro Universities, Climate, Finance, Funding, R&D

Grant will be used to lead an innovation research initiative called CropSustaiN that is designed to reduce the nitrogen footprint of wheat cultivation.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a grant of up to USD 21.1 million to CIMMYT for a groundbreaking initiative to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture, by developing new wheat varieties that are capable of reducing agriculture’s nitrogen footprint. The CropSustaiN initiative could have sweeping implications for global food security and environmental sustainability.

As the global population approaches the 10 billion mark, the reliance on fertilisers to boost agricultural production has become an essential, yet environmentally challenging, practice. A Century-long dependence on these additives has allowed food production to keep pace with the growth in human population. However, the use of fertilisers across various farming systems is now causing severe ecological stress. The leaching of nitrogen into natural ecosystems, coupled with the release of greenhouse gases, is pushing the Earth’s environmental limits to a critical threshold.

To address this, an ambitious new research initiative aims to shrink the nitrogen footprint of agriculture by developing a breakthrough technology based on nature’s own solutions: a natural process called biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded CIMMYT a grant of up to USD 21.1 million to lead an innovation research initiative called CropSustaiN that is designed to reduce the nitrogen footprint of wheat cultivation.

“Success in this initiative could lead to a major shift in agricultural practices globally, benefiting both the planet and farmers’ livelihoods. In addition to using less fertiliser, cost for the farmer will be minimal because all the components are already in the seed. This initiative could, potentially, be extended from wheat cultivation to include other staple crops like maize and rice,” says Claus Felby, Senior Vice President, Biotech, Novo Nordisk Foundation.

“BNI could be a part of how we revolutionise nitrogen management in agriculture. It represents a genetic mitigation strategy that not only complement existing methods but also has the potential to decrease the need for synthetic fertilisers substantially. The mitigation potential of better nitrogen fertiliser management could be as impactful for the Global South as the Green Revolution,” explains Bram Govaerts, Director General, CIMMYT.

Revolutionary mitigation approach

Rooted in a seed-based genetic strategy, BNI leverages a plant’s innate ability to suppress soil nitrification through the release of natural compounds. This approach potentially promises to curb the use and leaching of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers—a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution—without compromising wheat yield or soil vitality. The BNI-method contrasts with synthetic nitrification inhibitors and could offer a more scalable and cost-effective solution, potentially reducing nitrogen fertiliser usage by 20%, depending on regional farming conditions.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has already laid the groundwork for CropSustaiN by funding related BNI research at CIMMYT, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Aarhus University, the University of Aberdeen, and the University of Copenhagen -thus fostering an ecosystem for research innovation.

Grant will be used to lead an

Agribusiness, Europe, Supply Chain, Warehousing

It will play a key role in Maersk’s logistics footprint in the Nordics, significantly improving the handling of cargoes that arrive to the region by Road, Sea and Air.

 Less than two years ago, Maersk started construction works for its first low greenhouse gas emission warehouse in Denmark, located in Taulov Dry Port in Fredericia. The project is a joint enterprise between Maersk and Taulov Dry Port, owner of the land. The warehouse was built according to BREEAM Excellent standards with zero direct emissions from operations.

This facility is Maersk’s first low-emission warehouse and sets new international standards for the development of low-emission warehouses and logistics facilities, in line with the company’s ambition to achieve net-zero CO2 emission by 2040 throughout its operations. It will also play a key role in Maersk’s logistics footprint in the Nordics, significantly improving the handling of cargoes that arrive to the region by Road, sea and Air.

The new facility complies with high environmental standards. All indoor and outdoor equipment in the warehouse is electrified, with solar panels installed on the entire roof and excess renewable energy produced being fed to the grid. Battery driven trucks will be used for all shunting operations and hydrogen stations are planned within 150 metres from site.

“We are bringing to life a true logistics hub located right in the centre of the Danish Triangle Region. This will be a new centre of gravity, with easy access to the main infrastructure elements – ports, rail and road, but also our air hub in Billund – making it a perfect and tangible example of integrated logistics solutions that are at the heart of Maersk’s strategy. But more importantly, this facility also directly responds to the needs of our customers, many of whom are operating their own distribution centres and production facilities in the area”, said Birna Ödefors, Managing Director Nordics at Maersk.

Rune D. Rasmussen, CEO of ADP A/S, operator of the Port of Fredericia and Taulov Dry Port (in JV partnership with PFA Pension) said, “It is a great honour to hold the inauguration of Maersk’s new warehouse in Taulov Dry Port. Maersk has seen the value in locating their storage facility here, at Denmark’s multimodal transportation hub. Our good collaboration has now entered a new phase, and we look forward to its continuation”.

It will play a key role in

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, World

 The collaboration will boost farmers’ access to a custom selection of Intrinsyx Bio’s proprietary endophyte formulations.

Syngenta Biologicals, a leader in cutting-edge agricultural biological solutions and Intrinsyx Bio, a Silicon Valley biotech company that promotes sustainable agriculture, announced a collaboration to bring a novel biological solution to agricultural markets globally.

“This collaboration reflects Syngenta’s commitment to transforming the future of agriculture, with innovations that improve the sustainability of farming”

The collaboration will boost farmers’ access to a custom selection of Intrinsyx Bio’s proprietary endophyte formulations. Endophytes – small microorganisms that colonize in plants – fix atmospheric nitrogen directly into the plant, increasing the availability and uptake of key nutrients such as phosphorus and micronutrients that are important for plant health. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, offering farmers greater flexibility in their nutrient management strategies while lowering the environmental impact of farming. Formulations will be offered as seed treatment and foliar application in key agricultural crops.

“This collaboration reflects Syngenta’s commitment to transforming the future of agriculture, with innovations that improve the sustainability of farming,” said Jonathan Brown, Global Head of Syngenta Biologicals and Seedcare. “We’re particularly excited to offer a broad range of formulations that will help farmers take the care of young plants to the next level, while protecting the health of their soil.”

“This agreement represents another opportunity to expand the reach of our ‘biology that works.’ Partnering with Syngenta allows farmers around the world to benefit from endophytes proven mode of action and extensive field testing that improves nutrient use efficiency and increases crop yields,” said Greg Thompson, CEO of Intrinsyx Bio.

Syngenta has been investing significantly in strengthening its portfolio of biological solutions for both plant and seed health. Since its acquisition of Valagro in 2020, it has continued to invest heavily in research and development, while expanding its portfolio of cutting-edge biological solutions through various commercial and research collaborations. These efforts also reflect Syngenta’s commitment to helping agriculture achieve higher yields with lower environmental impact – a core pillar of Syngenta Group’s Sustainability Priorities.

 The collaboration will boost farmers’ access to

Agribusiness, Agro Universities, Floriculture, Start ups

Facilitated by Palladium, this collaboration aims to promote scientific research in floriculture, enhancing crop diversity with a focus on economic viability.

 In a significant move poised to transform the floriculture landscape in Odisha, Sabuja Sanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Limited (SSFPCL), the state’s first floriculture-based Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), has signed a MOU with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow. Facilitated by Palladium, this collaboration aims to promote scientific research in floriculture, enhancing crop diversity, understanding plant-environment interactions, and applying biotechnological approaches for plant improvement, with a focus on economic viability. This initiative marks the first instance of an FPO in Odisha incorporating institutional applied research into its operational model to adapt to climate change and boost flower production and marketing, ultimately empowering farmers economically.

Odisha, with its 6,500 hectares dedicated to floriculture, produces approximately 24,800 metric tons of loose flowers and about 5,500 lakh cut flowers annually. However, this production meets only 10 percent of the state’s demand, forcing reliance on major cities like Calcutta, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad for flower supplies. This shortfall presents a lucrative opportunity for local entrepreneurs to delve into floriculture, a sector poised for growth.

Established in 2021 by Palladium as technical support unit and supported under the “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs under CSS scheme” by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), SSFPCL is located in the Jujumura forest area of Sambalpur district. It is the first FPO in Odisha focused on floriculture, making strides in addressing the state’s flower scarcity.

SSFPCL boasts over 1,200 small and marginal farmer members, with nearly 50 percent being women, overall benefitting 3500 farmers. This inclusivity underscores the organization’s commitment to gender equality in rural Odisha. Besides floriculture, SSFPCL sells a diverse range of agricultural products, including mangoes and vegetables such as cabbage, chili, cauliflower, and okra, produced by smallholder farmers.

It became the first FPO in the state to receive the highest matching equity grant from SFAC under the CSS 10,000 scheme in 2022. Recently, the FPO has received credit support from State Bank of India of Rs 10 lakh for business operations. The FPO has established strong linkages between different departments such as the local horti/agri-officials and extension authorities like Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). It has received input and post-harvest management support from the Directorate of Horticulture.

Dr Chandra Sekhar Mohanty, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, said, “Through this initiative, technical and scientific support will be provided to farmers of the farmer producer company. This includes quality planting materials, introduction of new plant varieties, performance evaluation in the local environment, training on agri-horticultural practices, and production of value-added products. These efforts will promote crop diversity and support the sustainable economic growth of the FPO.”

Biswajit, Director, Palladium India, said, “Accelerating inclusive business growth for the FPOs through promotion of climate smart agriculture models has been the key approach of Palladium. When we supported the Sabuja Sanatanpali Farmer producer company limited in 2021, we had set a clear vision – to promote it as one of the models FPOs demonstrating women economic empowerment through farmer collectives.”

Facilitated by Palladium, this collaboration aims to