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Home2024 (Page 11)
Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Biofertilizers, Collaborations, Company News, Fungicides, Herbicides, Investments, Opinions

Completion of the proposed acquisition of NexusBioAg would position MustGrow as a fully integrated provider of biological and regenerative agriculture solutions with a sales, marketing and distribution division in Canada

MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV:MGRO) (OTC:MGROF) (FRA:0C0) (the “Company” or “MustGrow“) is pleased to announce the signing of a non-binding term-sheet (the “Term Sheet“) dated November 27, 2024 with Univar Solutions Canada Ltd. (“Univar Solutions“) for the proposed acquisition of certain assets that represent NexusBioAg (“NexusBioAg“).

This strategic acquisition remains subject to certain conditions including completion of satisfactory due diligence, the negotiation and execution of a definitive asset purchase agreement between MustGrow and Univar Solutions, and the approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV“) and MustGrow’s Board of Directors. The purchase consideration for the proposed acquisition is anticipated to include (i) a deferred cash payment and (ii) contingent payments made in 2025 and 2026, in each case subject to certain adjustments to be agreed to in the definitive transaction documents. The parties are targeting a closing on or about December 31, 2024 for this strategic acquisition. There are no finder fees payable in connection with the proposed acquisition and the parties are acting at arm’s length.

Completion of the proposed acquisition of NexusBioAg would position MustGrow as a fully integrated provider of biological and regenerative agriculture solutions with a sales, marketing and distribution division in Canada. Under MustGrow, this division would market and sell the existing NexusBioAg product line alongside MustGrow’s owned products and technology. It is anticipated the NexusBioAg sales and marketing team would bring extensive experience in the biological and regenerative agriculture sector to MustGrow’s operations, supported by a broad industry network that is uniquely positioned to drive growth and innovation. The NexusBioAg team has well-established relationships with growers, channel partners, and influencers. They are adept in commercialization of new biological and regenerative products, leveraging a proven model that has delivered market success.

As a fully integrated agriculture biologics and regenerative agriculture company, upon closing of the proposed transaction, MustGrow would have access to NexusBioAg’s existing sales with new third party product lines anticipated in 2025 and MustGrow’s proprietary TerraMGTM expected to launch thereafter. Potential synergies are expected, driven by market access for new product development and reduced distribution costs for MustGrow’s owned products.

“This is an exciting opportunity to deliver technology driven, innovative products to farmers in Canada and ultimately the United States,” said Corey Giasson, President & CEO of MustGrow. “This synergistic acquisition would solidify MustGrow’s position as a fully integrated biological and regenerative agriculture company, with an established in-licensed third-party product line, while laying the foundation for the commercialization of MustGrow’s own innovative products.”

Completion of the proposed acquisition of NexusBioAg

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, Collaborations, Company News, Dairy, India, Live Stock, Sustainability

Under the multi-phase, multi-year agreement, the company and CH4 Global will develop a comprehensive roadmap targeting key livestock markets in India, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Agricultural solutions provider UPL Limited announced that company has signed a strategic partnership agreement with CH4 Global to distribute a methane-reducing feed supplement for cattle across major livestock markets. The multi-year collaboration will target India, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, which collectively account for over 40 per cent of the global cattle population.

Methane Tamer, CH4 Globals flagship product innovation, is a stable, formulated cattle feed supplement based on whole Asparagopsis seaweed that has been shown in studies to reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle by up to 90 per cent when used as recommended.

Under the multi-phase, multi-year agreement, the company and CH4 Global will develop a comprehensive roadmap targeting key livestock markets in India, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The collaboration will establish specific business models to distribute CH4 Globals Methane Tamer cattle feed additive in each of these markets.

Jai Shroff, chairman and Group CEO, UPL, said, “Our OpenAg purpose places collaboration at the heart of progress, and through this partnership we aim to mark an important step in showing how agriculture can deliver on overall efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses. Methane is almost thirty times as harmful for global warming than CO2 and recent reports show the highest levels in 800,000 years, so its reduction must be our top priority. This initiative will present a new model for sustainable livestock which can be scaled globally, helping the industry reach net-zero for greenhouse gasses by adopting methane mitigation technologies, and demonstrating agricultures positive impact on the environment.”

Steve Meller, President and CEO of CH4 Global, said, “We are thrilled to join forces with a market leader like UPL to accelerate the global adoption of Methane Tamer. UPLs vast footprint across the key markets and its trusted relationships with farmers make them an ideal partner as we scale up to meet the massive need for enteric methane reduction solutions.”

Under the multi-phase, multi-year agreement, the company

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Dairy, India, Live Stock, Poultry

The total Egg production in the country is estimated as 142.77 billion nos. during 2023-24 and the production has increased annually by 3.18 per cent during 2023-24 over 2022-23.

Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh released the annual publication of ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024’ of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on the occasion of National Milk Day celebrated in New Delhi.

Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS)- 2024, that was released is a vital document that offers valuable insights into livestock and dairy sector trends. The BAHS – 2024 is based on the outcomes of the Integrated Sample Survey conducted for the period from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024. This survey, unique in the country, generates crucial data on the production estimates of Major Livestock Products (MLPs) such as Milk, Eggs, Meat, and Wool, which plays a pivotal role in policy formulation in the livestock sector.

 Milk, Egg, Meat and Wool Production 2023-24:

‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS)’ releases the estimation of production of Milk, Egg, Meat and wool in the country annually based on the results of Integrated Sample Survey (ISS) which is conducted across the country in three seasons i.e., Summer (March-June), Rainy (July-October) and Winter (November-February). India is leading in milk production globally whereas 2nd in Egg production.

The estimates of milk, egg, meat and wool for the year 2023-24 have been brought out and the outcomes of this survey are summarised below:

Milk Production:

As released in BAHS 2024, the total Milk production in the country is estimated as 239.30 million tonnes during 2023-24 registered a growth of 5.62 per cent over the past 10 years which was 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15. Further, the production has increased by 3.78 per cent during 2023-24 over the estimates of 2022-23.

The top five milk producing States during 2023-24 was Uttar Pradesh with a share of 16.21 per cent of total milk production followed by Rajasthan (14.51 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (8.91 per cent), Gujarat (7.65 per cent), and Maharashtra (6.71 per cent). In terms of annual growth rate (AGR), the highest AGR recorded by West Bengal (9.76 per cent) followed by Jharkhand (9.04 per cent), Chhattisgarh (8.62%) and Assam (8.53 per cent) over the previous year.

Egg Production:

The total Egg production in the country is estimated as 142.77 billion nos. during 2023-24 and registered a growth of 6.8 per cent growth over the past 10 years as compared to the estimates of 78.48 billion numbers during 2014-15. Further, the production has increased annually by 3.18% during 2023-24 over 2022-23.

The major contribution in the total Egg production comes from Andhra Pradesh with a share of 17.85 per cent of total Egg production followed by Tamil Nadu (15.64 %), Telangana (12.88%), West Bengal (11.37 per cent) and Karnataka (6.63 per cent). In terms of AGR, the highest growth rate was recorded by Ladakh (75.88 per cent) and followed by Manipur (33.84 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (29.88 per cent).

The total Egg production in the country

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, Digital Technologies, Fruits, Vegetables, World

Starting with synergetic digital offerings for horticulture, the two companies aim to combine strengths in agronomy, irrigation, digital platforms and data modelling to benefit growers.

 Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business Netafim and Bayer announced an expansion of their strategic collaboration, starting with new digital farming solutions for fruit and vegetable growers. By simplifying primary data collection and delivering a system that can generate tailored recommendations from that data, the new solutions aim to help growers maximise crop production and optimise their use of resources, thus minimizing the impact on the environment.

While adoption of digital tools has increased in recent years, those currently available in horticulture are not addressing growers’ needs holistically. Many vegetable and fruit growers experience challenges when switching between multiple software applications, and the siloed nature of today’s solutions are adding complexity to daily activities, rather than simplifying them. As part of the companies’ expanded collaboration, Bayer has developed a new digital platform called HortiView to simplify primary data collection and sharing for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, enabling growers to benefit from an ecosystem of connected agronomic services that support data-driven decisions and market access.

At the same time, Orbia Netafim has developed irrigation insights to be available through HortiView’s platform. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, these tailored irrigation recommendations are generated uniquely for each grower, based on the primary data they provide in HortiView. The collaboration will also expand to include connectivity to GrowSphere™, Orbia Netafim’s all-in-one irrigation operating system, which features optimized irrigation, crop protection, and fertigation applications.

“Digital technology offers tremendous value in horticulture, but those digital tools rarely work together, and it’s been extremely difficult for growers to use their own data in data models that can help them optimize crop production use,” said Chris Pienaar, Fruit & Vegetable Digital New Value Lead for Bayer’s Crop Science division. “Bayer and Orbia Netafim can address these pain points and provide growers with a platform that can generate tailored recommendations specific to their unique environments, cultivation practices, and crops.”

A small group of grower advisors are currently using the new solutions and providing feedback to inform broader availability in the future. By combining their respective strengths, Orbia Netafim and Bayer aim to benefit horticultural customers with insights powered by primary data, helping them optimize decision-making, maximize crop production, save on agricultural inputs, and drive operational efficiency.

The expanded collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Orbia Netafim and Bayer, with a history of successful collaboration on various activities including the Better Life Farming initiative, a crop protection solution for U.S. almond growers and joint projects to support the EU’s Farm2Fork initiative.

On top of their long history and most recent efforts to serve fruit and vegetable growers through digital solutions, Bayer and Orbia Netafim will continue to explore how they can work together to drive better digital connectivity across all types of agriculture and connected value chains.

Ofer Oveed, SVP Technology and Crops, Orbia Precision Agriculture (Netafim) added: “Acting at the forefront of our respective agricultural fields in irrigation, crop protection, agronomy, and digital platforms, we’re delighted to be collaborating with Bayer on combining our agronomic and technological expertise to maximize efforts and help farmers globally tackle today’s challenges, from climate change to rising input costs. By leading the digital farming revolution together, we can deliver food security through sustainable agriculture.”

Starting with synergetic digital offerings for horticulture,

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Award, Company News, People

 ICA President Ariel Guarco presented the award to Dr Awasthi during a special ceremony at the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India, on 25 November.

The 2024 Rochdale Pioneers Award of ICA presented to Dr Awasthi, Managing Director of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO). Dr Awasthi is the second Indian citizen to receive the Award, after Dr Verghese Kurien, the recipient of the 2001 Award. Established in 2000, the Rochdale Pioneers Award is the highest honour the ICA bestows. It aims to recognise, in the spirit of the Rochdale Pioneers, a person or, under special circumstances, a cooperative organisation, having contributed to innovative and financially sustainable cooperative activities that have significantly benefited their membership.

A chemical engineer, he joined IFFCO in 1976. Under his leadership, the cooperative increased its production capacity by 292 per cent and net worth by 688 per cent, under his leadership IFFCO has forayed into various business sphere, diversified its business and successfully innovated and indigenously developed Nano Fertilisers for the farmers of India.

ICA President Ariel Guarco presented the award to Dr Awasthi during a special ceremony at the ICA Global Conference in New Delhi, India, on 25 November. IFFCO Ltd. is hosting the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in partnership with the International Cooperative Alliance and the Union Ministry of Cooperation. The event is being held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi and will conclude on 30th November 2024.

Dr Awasthi said that, “I am humbled and honoured to receive this prestigious award of ICA. This award embodies the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” and highlights IFFCO’s exceptional efforts under the guidance & dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah. We remain dedicated to advancing their vision of elevating India’s cooperative movement on the global stage. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the International Cooperative Alliance and global cooperative fraternity for this recognition, that inspires us to uphold and advance the cooperative spirit globally.”

Dr Awasthi further said that; IFFCO championed sustainable agriculture through Nano fertilizers like Nano DAP and Nano Urea Liquid, transforming farming practices and meeting the demand for eco-friendly solutions. Locally produced Nano fertilizers tackled logistical issues, reduced import reliance, and replaced bulky packaging with compact bottles. These innovations improved soil health, boosted farmer profitability, and promoted environmentally responsible farming”. IFFCO’s new indigenously developed products Nano Urea and Nano DAP is being used by farmers happily across the nation now and the acceptance of these products are widely being accepted by farmers in each and every corner of India and some other foreign countries specially neighbouring countries and IFFCO is being approached by other foreign countries also for the supply of Nano Fertilisers and we are planning to export the Nano fertiliser to 25 more foreign countries in upcoming future.

 ICA President Ariel Guarco presented the award

Agribusiness, Agrotech, India, Live Stock, Poultry, R&D

This represents a breakthrough in vaccine engineering and is recommended for in-ovo vaccination of chickens to protect against the virulent Marek’s disease.

Boehringer Ingelheim announced the launch of the latest advancement in Marek’s disease vaccines in India. This next generation vaccine offers enhanced protection through an innovative controlled attenuation process, delivering the right balance between safety and efficacy.

Marek’s disease remains a significant challenge in Indian poultry, with outbreaks continuing despite widespread vaccination efforts. The vaccine addresses this gap with a groundbreaking serotype-1 construct vaccine, offering an ideal balance of safety and efficacy against the most virulent strains.

Dr Vinod Gopal, Country Head-Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim India said, “Marek’s Disease presents a considerable risk, resulting in significant financial impact for poultry farmers, particularly affecting young chickens with immature immune systems. As India’s poultry industry expands, our vaccine is designed to aid farmers by reducing disease outbreaks, promoting flock health, and enhancing productivity. This innovative vaccine not only provides effective, early, and long-lasting immunity—supported by extensive trials across multiple regions—but also plays a crucial role in supporting food security and safety. It offers a cost-effective solution for poultry owners, helping to protect their livelihood while meeting the increasing demand for high-quality poultry products in India.”

Dr N.K Mahajan, Retired Professor and Head of Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, LUVAS, Hisar, said “Marek’s disease continues to be a significant challenge for poultry farmers due to the increasing virulence of the virus strains. Even in the absence of clinical signs, Marek’s Disease virus can significantly damage chickens’ immune system as the virus attacks T lymphocytes. The resulting immunosuppression causes poor growth and performance, significantly affecting production and economics in the poultry industry. Birds are more prone to secondary infections and less responsive to other vaccines, leading to increased medication costs. The ability to provide early immunity and protection against the more aggressive forms of the virus is essential in reducing the impact of this disease on poultry farming operations in India.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4.1 billion euros in 2020 and presence in more than 150 countries.

This represents a breakthrough in vaccine engineering

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, India

With this acquisition, Dhanuka plans to expand its footprint in more than 20 countries, including the regions of LATAM, EMEA and Asia including India.

Dhanuka Agritech Limited, one of India’s leading agri input companies, has signed an agreement to acquire international rights to the active ingredients Iprovalicarb and Triadimenol. With this acquisition, Dhanuka plans to expand its footprint in more than 20 countries, including the regions of LATAM, EMEA and Asia including India. These products were invented by Bayer AG, a global leader in agriculture input solutions and farming innovations. This acquisition will enable Dhanuka to embark on a journey of global market expansion.

Under this acquisition, Dhanuka Agritech Limited will get all the rights for manufacturing and sale of Iprovalicarb and Triadimenol in more than 20 countries.  In this transaction, Dhanuka will acquire the global rights to the associated brand Melody (for Iprovalicarb) with sub-brands like Melody Duo, Melody Compact, Melodika and others. As part of the Agreement, the companies have agreed on a transition plan that allows Dhanuka to provide seamless service, ensuring no disruption for growers and customers globally. Further, Dhanuka will be shifting the manufacturing of at least one of the products to India, leveraging the capabilities of its manufacturing unit at Dahej, Gujarat. The agreement will strengthen Dhanuka’s market position by providing a jump to both the topline and bottom-line by selling its products in India and global markets.

Iprovalicarb is a fungicide from the Carboxylic Acid Amines (CAA) class, used for disease management caused by Oomycetes species in Horticulture crops.Triadimenol is a well-established product used in seed treatment for cereals and cotton as a solo formulation and as a part of multiple treatment seasonal program in coffee as a pre-mix. Triadimenol is a SBI class 1, DMI triazole fungicide to control various diseases.

“Dhanuka is excited to embark on this journey with Bayer AG, as we expand our footprint in these key markets. This agreement not only strengthens our market presence but also reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional products and services to customers worldwide” said Harsh Dhanuka, Executive Director – Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.

This agreement highlights Dhanuka’s continued focus on strategic growth and commitment to maintaining strong relationships with customers and stakeholders. Dhanuka is confident that this will provide value to growers across the globe.

With this acquisition, Dhanuka plans to expand

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, India, Start ups

The company plans to train 500 drone pilots and create 1000 job opportunities across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh.

 Salam Kisan, a leading agri-tech platform, has successfully backed the tender from the Government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Agro-Industries Development Corporation (MAIDC) for drone spraying services. This milestone marks a pivotal step in the company’s mission to revolutionise Indian agriculture by introducing drone-as-a-service as a scalable solution for precision farming across the state. The collaboration with IFFCO and FMC further strengthens Salam Kisan’s role in transforming agricultural practices, making advanced farming solutions more accessible and sustainable.

Salam Kisan has won the technical bid for the MAIDC tender, which will see drones deployed in every taluka of Maharashtra. This initiative is part of the Government of Maharashtra’s larger effort to explore the deployment of agricultural drones across the state, helping to increase efficiency in farming practices. As part of this initiative, the government plans to train SC/ST, marginalized women, and rural youth, empowering them to become rural entrepreneurs, known as Drone Didis or Lakhpati Didis. The government will also provide a subsidy of up to Rs 5 lakh for the purchase of drones, making this technology more affordable for farmers.

As part of Salam Kisan’s collaboration with IFFCO, the world’s largest fertiliser cooperative, the company will deploy drones in Maharashtra’s water-scarce regions of Sanagali and Kolhapur to conserve resources and boost productivity. Salam Kisan’s association with FMC, a global leader in agricultural sciences, will focus on precision farming in the Wardha, Amravati, and Yavatmal regions. These larger farming areas will benefit from drones that cover extensive fields quickly and efficiently, improving day-to-day farming operations.

In addition to the technical deployment, Salam Kisan aims to train 500 drone pilots and create 1,000 job opportunities across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The company is setting up a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) to provide comprehensive training programs for aspiring drone operators. This effort will not only build the capacity of rural entrepreneurs but will also promote sustainable farming practices across the nation.

Dhanashree Mandhani, Founder and CEO of Salam Kisan, said, “Our collaboration with MAIDC, IFFCO, and FMC represents a transformative shift in Indian agriculture. By integrating drones as a service, we are enhancing crop yields, reducing costs, conserving water, and empowering rural youth and women. Our goal is to create 1,000 job opportunities, train over 500 drone pilots, and help farmers cover over 1 million acres of farmland in our first year. With the support of the government and our industry partners, we are enabling farmers to embrace modern farming solutions and become more resilient in the face of climate change. With this comprehensive initiative, Salam Kisan is well on its way to revolutionizing Indian agriculture through sustainable, technology-driven farming practices. The deployment of drones across Maharashtra, combined with the strategic partnerships with IFFCO and FMC, is poised to create significant impacts in rural communities and strengthen the agricultural ecosystem”.

The company plans to train 500 drone

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, Finance, India, Schemes - Banks, Supply Chain, Warehousing

This partnership will allow farmers and Agri-fraternity working with SLCM to get credit against their crops from the vast network of Bank of Baroda, present across the country.

 Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM), India’s one of India’s largest post-harvest logistics and Agri-solutions Companies, has entered into a strategic partnership with Bank of Baroda to provide comprehensive Collateral Management Solutions. This partnership will allow farmers and Agri-fraternity working with SLCM to get credit against their crops from the vast network of Bank of Baroda, present across the country.

Through this partnership, SLCM will offer enhanced access to post-harvest credit at competitive rates, while also providing secure storage and risk management solutions. Leveraging its patented and industry-proven technology platform, Agri Reach, SLCM aims to simplify the collateral management process and create greater financial inclusivity for farmers, agribusinesses, and allied stakeholders across the country.

Commenting on the significant achievement Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO of SLCM, expressed “FY24 has been a remarkable year for our collateral management business, bolstered by four pivotal partnerships with major banks, including our latest tie-up with Bank of Baroda. Sustaining our market leadership with 15+ years, our vision has always been to ensure that every farmer, regardless of location or crops, has the opportunity to thrive in a conventional and digitized agricultural eco-system.

By leveraging our Phygital infrastructure and cutting-edge Agri Reach technology, we are enabling our banking partners to provide farmers with efficient and secure loans, minimizing the default risk and ensuring better financial access for the entire agricultural ecosystem. This not only speaks to the industry’s confidence in SLCM’s capabilities but also showcases the substantial growth every year in our Assets Under Management (AUM)”.

Currently, the company has expansive partnerships with 20+ leading financial institutions in India and Myanmar, further expanding SLCM’s banking portfolio and market reach.

As SLCM’s AUM increased by an outstanding 73% to INR 11,952 crs in the first half of the current fiscal year from INR 6,911 crs in the same period during the previous financial year (FY 2023-24), these collaborations have also emerged as one of the primary drivers of growth for the company.

Salman Ullah Khan, CBO of SLCM expressed, “Our latest tie-up with Bank of Baroda is a testament to their invested faith in our innovative and scientific approach to post-harvest management platform. Our collaboration with financial institutions are part of SLCM’s larger strategy to provide Warehouse Receipt Financing and collateral management services across territories, enabling farmers and agribusinesses to access loans using their stored goods as collateral”.

This collaboration extends SLCM’s services across PAN India, ensuring that farmers, particularly in rural areas, have access to the financial support they need. SLCM’s network spans 19 states, operating over 17000+ warehouses and 36 cold storages, serving 1,080+ commodities as of 31st October 2024. The company’s services are especially beneficial to sectors dealing with cotton, pulses, maize, spices, mentha oil, and other key agricultural products.

This partnership will allow farmers and Agri-fraternity

AgroPolicy, Allied Industry, Oilseeds

Edible oil industry SEA on Monday called on the government to lift a ban on futures trading in key agricultural commodities, including crude palm oil and soyabean, citing significant financial impact on its members

Edible oil industry SEA on Monday called on the government to lift a ban on futures trading in key agricultural commodities, including crude palm oil and soyabean, citing significant financial impact on its members. The ban, first implemented in December 2021 on seven agricultural commodities, has been extended multiple times with the current extension running through December 20, 2024.

The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) has appealed to five ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, arguing that the absence of futures trading has hindered price risk management and market development. “The industry was hopeful that the suspension would be lifted to enable smoother operations, but the continuation of this restriction has further weakened an essential risk mitigation tool,” SEA President Sanjeev Asthana said in a representation made to the ministers.

Edible oil industry SEA on Monday called

Acts & Schemes – Centre, AgroPolicy, Climate, Environment, India, Interaction, Nature, Opinions, Soil Health, Sustainability

The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 2481 Cr till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26)

The Govt of India has launched the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote natural farming in mission mode across the country as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

Rooted in the traditional knowledge inherited from their forefathers, farmers will practise Natural Farming (NF) as a chemical free farming which involves local livestock integrated natural farming methods, diversified crop systems, etc. NF follows local agro-ecological principles rooted in local knowledge, location specific technologies and is evolved as per the local agro-ecology.

NMNF aims at promoting NF practices for providing safe & nutritious food for all. The Mission is designed to support farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency to externally purchased inputs. Natural farming will build & maintain healthy soil ecosystems, promote biodiversity and encourage diverse cropping systems to enhance resilience as suitable to the local agroecology are the benefits of natural farming. NMNF is launched as a shift to scientifically revive and strengthen agriculture practices towards sustainability, climate resilience and healthy food for farmer families and consumers.

In the next two years, NMNF will be implemented in 15,000 clusters in Gram Panchayats, which are willing, & reach 1 crore farmers and initiate Natural Farming (NF) in 7.5 lakh Ha area. Preference will be given to areas having prevalence of practising NF farmers, SRLM / PACS / FPOs, etc. Further, need-based 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) will be set-up to provide easy availability and accessibility to ready-to-use NF inputs for farmers.

Under NMNF, around 2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms shall be established at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Universities (AUs) and farmers’ fields, and shall be supported by experienced and trained Farmer Master Trainers. The willing farmers will be trained in Model Demonstration Farms on the NF package of practices, preparation of NF inputs, etc. near their villages in KVKs, AUs and practising NF farmers’ fields. 18.75 lakh trained willing farmers will prepare inputs like Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, etc. by using their livestock or procure from BRCs. 30,000 Krishi Sakhis/ CRPs will be deployed for awareness generation, mobilisation and handholding of willing farmers in the clusters. Natural Farming practices will help farmers to reduce input cost of cultivation and dependency on externally purchased inputs while rejuvenating soil health, fertility & quality and building resilience to climate risks like waterlogging, flood, drought, etc. These practices also reduce health risks from exposure to fertilisers, pesticides, etc. and provide healthy & nutritious food for the farmers’ family. Further, through Natural Farming, a healthy Mother Earth is bequeathed to the future generations. Through improvement of soil carbon content & water use efficiency, there is an increase in soil microorganisms and biodiversity in NF.

Farmers will be provided with an easy simple certification system and dedicated common branding to provide access to market their natural farming produce. Real time geo-tagged & referenced monitoring of NMNF implementation shall be done through an online portal.

Convergence with existing schemes and support structures of Government of India/ State Governments/ National & International Organisations shall be explored for enhancing local livestock population, development of NF Model Demonstration Farms at Central Cattle Breeding Farms/ Regional Fodder Stations, provide market linkages at district/ block/ GP levels through convergence for local farmers’ markets, APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Mandis, Haats, Depots, etc. Additionally, students will be engaged in NMNF through the RAWE program and dedicated Undergraduate, Postgraduate & Diploma courses on NF.

The scheme has a total outlay of

Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Interaction, Live Stock

Yadav was speaking at the inauguration of Central India’s largest agricultural exhibition 15th Agrovision event held at PDKV Ground, Dabha, Nagpur on November 22 2024.

“As a prelude to the establishment of Atmanirbhar Gaushalas and churning profitable business models from cow rearing, production and support farmers and cattle rearers in the milk cooperatives of Vidarbha. Cow rearing has great potential of boosting urban and rural economies”, said Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh at the inauguration of Central India’s largest agricultural exhibition 15th Agrovision event held at PDKV Ground, Dabha, Nagpur on November 22 2024.

Yadav also added that the state of Madhya Pradesh has significant cattle population, securing third rank, according to 2019 Census. Apart from making “cow ambulances” operational in the state, the Government has also undertaken the construction of urban cow shelters across in Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Bhopal and Indore, with a capacity of accommodating 10,000 cows.

“We have started the production of prawns fishes in Nagpur in order to utilise the potential of inland fisheries in Vidarbha. We are planning to export Vidarbha’s prawn fish to UAE, Dubai and Singapore” said Nitin Gadkari Chief patron of Agrovision and Union Minister Road Highways and Transport at the inaugural session of 15th Agrovision.

 The event was graced by dignitaries Dr Sharad Gadakh Vice Chancellor, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, Dr P G Patil, Chancellor of MPKV Rahuri, Dr Nitin Patil, Nagpur ,Vikram Wagh CEO Mahindra Tractors ,Sheikh Abdullah Atique, president, Silal, agritech food company UAE , Deepak Shah, President Crop Care Federation Corporate Relations Aid Alliance ,Dr  T R Kesvan Group President TAFE Tractors , Foundation Dr C. D. Mayee,  President of Agrovision Ravi Bortkar Secretary Agrovision, Ramesh Mankar, member of Agrovision committee  along with MLA Sameer Meghe, Sudhakar Kohle, Charan Singh Thakur, Ashish Deshmukh, Dr Girish Gandhi member of Agrovision committee , Tekchand Savarkar, Nago Ganar were prominently present.

Gadkari further said that Mother Dairy has started a large milk processing plant in Nagpur with an investment of Rs 538 crore. Today Mother Dairy is buying five lakh litres of milk from farmers. The day Mother Dairy collects 50 lakh litres of milk from farmers in Vidarbha and other companies collect a total of one crore litres of milk, surely no farmer in Vidarbha will commit suicide. He advised the dairy farmers of Vidarbha present to use embryo transfer technique along with fodder cultivation to produce more milk yielding cows. We want to make agricultural specialists here and instead of making the farmers specialists, they appealed to make the entire village a specialist.

In his welcome address, Ravindra Boratkar briefed about the journey of Agrovision so far and its role in empowering the farmers. “15th edition of Agrovision will have 40 workshops for farmers on various topics related to allied industry and also 6 special workshops which will mainly focus on dairy, sugarcane, orange production food processing and importance of IT in agriculture. The exhibition will feature, electric tractors CNG and biogas powered tractors. 30 startups related to agriculture have been showcased in Agrovision, which should be taken advantage of by farmers, youth and traders,” he said.

A directory containing the information of all the participants of Agrovision was released on this occasion. Dr C D Mayee proposed the vote of thanks.

Yadav was speaking at the inauguration of

Agbiologicals, Agribiotechnology, Agribusiness, Agrotech, India, Interaction

As the esteemed national expo, Agrovision seamlessly blends the latest technology, expertise, experience, and business to keep agriculturists across the country updated and empowered.

15th edition of India’s premier agriculture 4-day annual event, Agrovision will be held from 22-25 November 2024 at PDKV Ground, Dabha, Nagpur. Agrovision stands out as an exceptional platform for farmers from across India to exchange knowledge and expertise. Pioneered 14 years ago under the distinguished leadership of Chief Patron Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highway, Agrovision has continuously elevated its significance and influence with every subsequent edition.

Agrovision, the illustrious 4-day annual event is held in Nagpur, stands out as an exceptional platform for farmers from across India to exchange knowledge and expertise. Pioneered 13 years ago under the distinguished leadership of Chief Patron Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highway, Agrovision has continuously elevated its significance and influence with every subsequent edition. This momentous movement aspires to educate, encourage, and empower farmers by introducing them to cutting-edge farming technologies and allied agribusinesses that amplify their income and ensure a sustainable livelihood. Its unparalleled success and significance make it the most highly anticipated agri-festival in central India, attended by the cream of the agricultural community.

The Mega Exhibition at Agrovision is a major highlight that attracts a diverse range of participants, including Corporates, Central and State Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, NGOs, R&D Organisations, Educational Institutes, Financial Institutes, MSMEs, and Self-Help Groups. This national expo, which blends the latest technology, expertise, experience, and business, draws lakhs of farmers every year, and its popularity continues to skyrocket with each edition. As the esteemed national expo, Agrovision seamlessly blends the latest technology, expertise, experience, and business to keep agriculturists across the country updated and empowered. Beyond its role in updating agriculturists throughout the country, the expo offers tremendous business opportunities that cannot be overlooked. AgroSpectrum is the exclusive media partner for Agrovision 2024.

2024 Edition Highlights:

*400 Exhibitors

*40,000+ Participants in the workshops

*30 Workshops

*60 Workshop Speakers

Special pavilion for MSME & Startups

Conference on Dairy, Inland Fisheries & Sugarcane farming

2,00,000+ Farmers Visited

New Initiatives in 15th Agrovision:

*IT in Agriculture

*Start-Ups in Agriculture

*NSIC Pavilion

*MSME Pavilion

*Livestock Pavilion

As the esteemed national expo, Agrovision seamlessly

Agribusiness, Agro Universities, R&D, Start ups, Sustainability

The collaboration between Salam Kisan and DBSKKV Dapoli is focused on a comprehensive suite of agritech advancements designed to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability

In a transformative step for Indian agriculture, Salam Kisan, a leading agri-tech platform under PRYM Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious state agricultural university Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (DBSKKV Dapoli). This strategic partnership focuses on facilitating a research-backed, tech-driven transformation within the agricultural ecosystem. With this partnership, Salam Kisan strengthens its existing features and creates additional value for the entire agricultural community with the addition of expertise in R&D, field trials, and data analytics to its ecosystem.

The MoU, signed by Dr. Parag Haldankar, Director of Research and Mr. Akshay Khobragade, Chief Operating Officer at Salam Kisan, PRYM Group in the presence of Dr. Sanjay Bhave, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Satish Narkhede, Dean & DI, Dr. P.U. Shahare, Associate Dean from DBSKKV Dapoli, and aims to address critical needs in modern agriculture. Established for a period of five years, the partnership provides a stable foundation for long-term initiatives.

The strategic goals of this partnership include strengthening the crop calendar by utilizing data-driven AI and machine learning solutions to optimize agricultural planning, allowing for more precise planting and harvesting schedules. It also aims to develop drone Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for the safe and effective use of drones in agriculture, addressing a current industry gap as limited such government SoPs exist. Additionally, the collaboration will deliver real-time pest and disease management solutions, offering farmers on-the-ground support to protect their crops. Finally, the partnership will focus on formulating and promoting natural farming practices to encourage sustainable, eco-friendly methods that support environmental health and long-term agricultural resilience.

The partnership will benefit agriculture graduates, researchers, farmers, policymakers, micro-entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders who are vital to building a resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Ms. Dhanashree Mandhani Founder & CEO of Salam Kisan commented “This partnership is critical for the future of sustainable agriculture in India. Known for its excellence in agricultural research, the state agricultural university brings invaluable knowledge to this collaboration. By combining DBSKKV’s rigorous research expertise with Salam Kisan’s advanced technological capabilities, we can deliver impactful, scalable solutions that uplift the agriculture sector as a whole. This alliance represents a meaningful step toward our commitment to transforming agriculture through accessible, sustainable technology. Together, we aim to drive substantial improvements in farming productivity and resilience, enhancing livelihoods and supporting rural entrepreneurship across the nation.”

The collaboration between Salam Kisan and DBSKKV