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AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Trade

The fig juice, produced by Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd. garnered significant attention in the international market.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from GI-tagged Purandar Figs to Poland. This milestone shipment, flagged off by Chairman APEDA, Abhishek Dev in the presence of all stakeholders, departed on August 1, 2024, via Hamburg port in Germany. This event marks a significant achievement in promoting India’s unique agro-products on the global stage.

The journey of this innovative fig juice began at the APEDA Pavilion during the SIAL 2023 held in Greater Noida, New Delhi. The international trade showcase provided a platform for the product’s initial introduction to the global market. The fig juice, produced by Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd. garnered significant attention and won an award at the event, highlighting its potential in the international market.

APEDA’s continuous support and assistance have been instrumental in the development and export of this product. Since the first export of fresh GI-tagged Purandar Figs to Hamburg in 2022, APEDA has worked closely with smallholder farmers. The product, which has been granted a provisional patent, represents a significant innovation in the agricultural sector.

The fig juice was also showcased at Macfrut 2024 in Rimini, Italy, with the support of APEDA, further expanding its global reach. The event saw a positive response from buyers, including an inquiry from MG Sales SP in Wroclaw, Poland, which led to this landmark export.

This achievement not only showcases the potential of Indian agro-products but also underscores the importance of research and development in enhancing the value of agricultural exports. This achievement highlights the potential of Indian agro-products and the crucial role of FPCs in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and exports.

The fig juice, produced by Purandar Highlands

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, India

 The system comprises a user-friendly mobile app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers

Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister inaugurated the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) in New Delhi. This digital initiative by Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare utilises cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to offer timely and precise pest management advisories. The system comprises a user-friendly mobile app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers. By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, NPSS enables accurate pest identification, monitoring, management.

Farmers will greatly benefit from NPSS as it provides quick solutions to pest attacks and crop diseases, reducing crop losses and thus improving productivity. The system’s comprehensive pest incidence data and automated advisories will empower farmers with actionable insights, helping them make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect their crops.

The launch of NPSS marks a significant step forward in modernising agriculture in India, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable farming practices. This initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to leveraging technology for the welfare of farmers and the advancement of the agricultural sector.

Chauhan highlighted that through NPPS, the farmers will be able to know different types of insecticides and pesticides and save their crops from their harmful effect. On the occasion, Chauhan also interacted with many farmers who are the beneficiaries of the various schemes being implemented by the Central Government. Around Five Hundred farmers were present in the event.

 The system comprises a user-friendly mobile app

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Finance, Funding, India

Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather stations, drone applications, and machine learning-based decision support systems will be showcased on the new demo farm.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has secured a grant of Rs 1.25 crore from Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a ‘Digital Technology Park’ was signed in the presence of Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, PAU Vice-Chancellor, and Swarup Kumar Saha, MD and CEO of PSB. The initiative under the project titled “Futuristic Farming: Demonstrating Cutting-Edge Agri-Techniques for Resource Conservation,” is a major step forward in advancing agricultural practices through innovation.

Discussing PAU’s evolution, Dr S.S. Gosal emphasized the university’s regional impact. About the pact, he affirmed, “This initiative marks a significant step in our mission to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability. By integrating precision farming technologies, we aim to conserve essential resources and reduce environmental impacts. Our collaboration with Punjab & Sind Bank reflects the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing agriculture.” Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather stations, drone applications, and machine learning-based decision support systems will be showcased on the new demo farm, he added.

S.K. Saha lauded Punjab Agricultural University for shaping the nation’s agricultural landscape and inspiring farmers to embrace technology-driven innovations. He expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it mirrors Punjab & Sind Bank’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development. Saha emphasized that the bank’s investment aims to enhance both farmers’ welfare and environmental conservation. He believed the innovative techniques being implemented would set a new standard for agriculture in India and beyond. Mr. Chaman Lal Shienhmar, PSB’s Field General Manager, Chandigarh, called the initiative a way of giving back to the region’s farmers.

Dr. S.S. Chahal and Dr. N.S. Malhi commended the innovative project, mentioning that it would align agricultural education with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). They remarked that the project’s comprehensive approach and advanced technologies would create a paradigm shift in agricultural practices. Dr. M.I.S. Gill, PAU Registrar, observed that integrating cutting-edge technologies in farming goes beyond immediate benefits. He opined that the project would serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, demonstrating the potential of technology to transform agriculture sustainably.

Dr Ajmer Singh Brar, the PAU scientist who prepared the proposal, spotlighted the practical benefits of these technologies. A decision support system integrating machine learning algorithms will further enhance the project’s impact. The data and recommendations regarding sensor-based automated irrigation will be accessible to farmers through a cloud-based application, empowering them to make informed choices and improve productivity.

The collaboration between PAU and PSB signifies a shared vision of a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future. The event was coordinated by Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institution Relations), PAU.

Technologies such as sensor-based irrigation, automated weather

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Digital Technologies

Krishi-DSS, was unveiled as a powerful tool to empower stakeholders with real-time data-driven insights on weather patterns, soil conditions, crop health, crop acreage and advisories.

Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare organised a conference on “Space-Driven Solutions for Agricultural Transformation in India” the pivotal role of space technology in propelling India’s agricultural sector towards unprecedented growth and development. The conference also marked the launch of the digital geo-spatial platform, Krishi-Decision Support System, a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural innovation landscape by Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary in the presence of Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Dr Devesh Chaturvedi.

Krishi-DSS is a first-of-its-kind geospatial platform specifically designed for Indian agriculture. The platform provides seamless access to comprehensive data including satellite images, weather information, reservoir storage, groundwater levels and soil health information, which can be easily accessed from anywhere at any time.

Krishi-DSS includes several advanced modules designed to support comprehensive agricultural management. From the vast expanse of fields to the smallest soil particle, Krishi-DSS has it covered.

With crop mapping and monitoring, we will be able to understand cropping patterns by analysing parcel-level crop maps over the different years. This information helps in understanding crop rotation practices and promotes sustainable agriculture by encouraging the cultivation of diverse crops.

Drought monitoring will help to stay ahead of the drought, which gives near real-time information on various indicators i.e. soil moisture, water storages, crop condition, dry spells etc, while crop weather watch will keep us informed about how weather is impacting the crops, crop harvest status, crop residue burning etc.

With Field parcel segmentation, we will be able to accurate field parcel units which will help in understanding each parcels unique needs, cropping patterns for targeted interventions.

One nation-one soil information system gives a comprehensive soil data at your fingertips i.e soil type, soil pH, soil health etc. Soil data will help us in assessing crop suitability and land capability for implementing soil water conservation measures.

Ground truth data library of Krishi-DSS will foster innovation by providing essential resources like ground truth data and spectral libraries for different crops to the researchers and industry.

From flood impact assessment to Crop insurance solutions and many more, Krishi-DSS is a holistic solution. It’s about empowering our farmers, informing our policies, and nourishing our nation.

By integrating various data sources available on the Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), various farmer-centric solutions can be developed such as right individual advisories to farmers, early disaster warning like Pest attack, Heavy rain, Hailstorm etc.

Krishi-DSS, was unveiled as a powerful tool

AgroPolicy, India, Opinions, Seeds

  FSII emphasises the urgent need for a comprehensive, balanced, and forward-looking national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops, as recommended by the Supreme Court.

The recent launch of 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified crop varieties by Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicates a significant advancement in Indian agriculture. These innovative crops, engineered to thrive even under challenging climatic conditions such as droughts, are poised to significantly boost farmers’ productivity within the next three years, thereby strengthening the nation’s food and nutrition security.

 While commenting on release of high-yielding seed varieties by Government, Ajai Rana, Chairman, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and CEO & MD, Savannah Seeds said, “The seed industry enthusiastically applauds this initiative and emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive, balanced, and forward-looking national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops, as recommended by the Honourable Supreme Court. Such a policy is crucial for fully realizing the transformative potential of biotechnology in agriculture, ensuring that Indian farmers can harness these innovations for sustainable growth and enhanced food security. The time has come for a unified national GM policy to streamline regulatory processes, encourage innovation, and drive progress in agricultural biotechnology for the greater good of the nation.”

  FSII emphasises the urgent need for a

Agro Universities, AgroPolicy, India

Starting from the academic year 2024-25, a total of 50 fellowships (10 per year) will be awarded to students from ASEAN member countries for a master’s degree in agriculture and allied sciences.

The ASEAN-India Fellowship for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Science was launched by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the presence of Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur in ICAR, PUSA, New Delhi.

This initiative will expose students to cutting-edge research offered by Indian agricultural universities in their master’s programmes, preparing them for future innovations. Additionally, long-term degree courses in India can help researchers from both regions stay connected for a long time and better understand agriculture-related issues in ASEAN and India.

Starting from the academic year 2024-25, a total of 50 fellowships (10 per year) will be awarded to students from ASEAN member countries for a master’s degree in agriculture and allied sciences. This project has been approved for funding under the ASEAN-India Fund for five years, covering fellowships, admission fees, living expenses, and incidental expenses for the students. It will also help students from ASEAN member countries receive quality research-based education, bringing India and the ASEAN community closer together and providing a platform for intercultural and international exchange of knowledge among students from ASEAN countries.

Chouhan applauded that the ICAR has been at the forefront of shaping and ensuring the quality of agricultural education in India. It sets the rules, policies, and standards to ensure that agrarian education thrives across the country and contributes to sustainable development in this sector. Currently, around 135 international students are pursuing their degrees at various agricultural universities. India has maintained a strong partnership with ASEAN member countries since the establishment of ASEAN. ASEAN is the cornerstone of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and the ‘Indo-Pacific Vision’ built upon it. India fully supports ASEAN unity, ASEAN centrality, and ASEAN’s outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The agriculture minister stated that the ASEAN-India fellowship aims to support postgraduate studies in various emerging fields of agriculture and allied sciences. Participating Indian faculty members will be facilitated with introductory visits to ASEAN member countries to aid ASEAN capacity-building which will promote the development of a pool of expert human resources in ASEAN for the growth of agriculture and allied sciences, he added. He emphasised that the long-term degree courses in India can help researchers from both regions stay connected for a long time and better understand agriculture-related issues in ASEAN countries and India. Josel F Ignacio, Ambassador of Philippines to India and also India’s (ASEAN) Country Coordinator, emphasised that the programme will promote the development of a pool of expert human resources in ASEAN for the growth of agriculture and allied sciences. He also highlighted the spirit of collaboration and mutual growth that this ASEAN-India Fellowship Programme embodies

Starting from the academic year 2024-25, a

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Finance, India

Company posted Profit After Tax of Rs 21.3 Crore in Q1FY25.

Best Agrolife Limited, amongst India’s leading agrochemicals manufacturers, announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30th, 2024. Company reported Rs 519.3 Cr revenue from operations in Q1 FY25. Company’s EBITDA (excluding other income) stood at 54.6 crore. Company posted Profit After Tax of Rs 21.3 Crore in Q1FY25.

Inventory de-stocking issues should improve with the good monsoon, as higher demand and improved volumes have helped companies liquidate excess inventory in Q1 FY25.

During the quarter, Best Agrolife achieved key milestones by launching four patented products. The Company launched a patented rice herbicide under the brand name “Orisulam,” which is a broad-spectrum pre-emergence, early post-emergence and post-emergence herbicide. This patented triple combination herbicide controls a wide variety of weeds, grasses and sedges.

Best Agrolife also introduced another new patented product under the brand name of “Nemagen”. This is an innovative broad-spectrum insecticide with three potent technicals of CTPR, Novaluron, and Emamectin. This product combats the developing pest resistance. This product is an excellent solution for farmers for crops such as cotton, paddy, maize, pulses and vegetables.

The Company also introduced a patented soybean seed treatment and insecticide under the brand name “Warden Extra”. India ranks 5th in the world for soybean production and this product has an excellent scope for the years to come.

And the fourth patented product is a unique product – “Defender”. This unique insecticide plus fungicide combination is an excellent paddy product with effectiveness against fungal diseases such as blight as well as for eradicating the major paddy pest of BPH. This combination will control the major threats to paddy crops, thus improving yields and crop resilience. With the expectation of good rains and a good paddy crop, this will be another good product for the years to come.

Additionally, the Company secured a patent for a Stable Synergistic Pesticidal Composition, highlighting its commitment to innovation and sustainability. These advancements demonstrate the Company’s dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions and supporting farmers with reliable products.

Company posted Profit After Tax of Rs

Agribusiness, Company News, Farm Mechanisation, Finance, India

This success is attributed to the company’s extensive product lineup, which ranges from tractors with 20 to 120 horsepower and incorporates advanced features.

Sonalika Tractors announced that the company has reached a huge milestone through sales of 51,268 units from April to July 2024. This impressive feat underscores Sonalika’s dominant position in India’s competitive tractor market, illustrating its ability to capture substantial market share.

This success is attributed to the company’s extensive product lineup, which ranges from tractors with 20 to 120 horsepower and incorporates advanced features such as Heavy-Duty Mileage (HDM) and Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDS) engines. As the Indian tractor industry approaches its peak season, Sonalika’s growth is notably significant.

Raman Mittal, Joint Managing Director of International Tractors Ltd, said, “The company’s performance and in-house production capabilities, expressing optimism about the impact of the 2024 budget on farm mechanisation. With increased industry activity expected Sonalika’s early FY25 results could signal broader trends in the agricultural machinery sector.”

The Indian government’s recent allocation of Rs 1.52 lakh crore to the agricultural sector is anticipated to drive demand for modern farming machinery, further fuelling industry expansion.

This success is attributed to the company’s

Company News, India, People, Speciality Chemicals

Chandrashekhar has over three decades of experience in managing profit center operations, international marketing, and sales and portfolio management.

 Specialty chemicals major Safex Chemicals announced the appointment of Chandrashekhar Shukla as its new president for sales and marketing. Chandrashekhar has over three decades of experience in managing profit center operations, international marketing, and sales and portfolio management in various companies.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shukla to the Safex family. His vast experience aligns perfectly with our mission to drive growth and innovation throughout the chemical industry. We are confident that his leadership will significantly contribute to our ongoing success and expansion”, S.K. Chaudhary, founder director, Safex Chemicals Group, said.

Prior to this new role, Chandrashekhar served in leadership roles in Bayer, BASF, DCM Shriram Ltd. and Crystal Crop Protection Ltd. Reportedly, his strategic expertise spans managing P&L responsibilities in pesticides, seeds, and farm equipment across India, Thailand, and East Africa. Most recently, he served as the Head of International Business Development at Crystal Crop Protection Limited.

“I am honoured to join Safex Chemicals, a company renowned for its commitment to excellence across the chemical industry. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Safex, engaging with our diverse customer base and partners, and driving forward our mission to innovate and provide high-quality chemical solutions for various sectors.” Chandrashekhar said.

Chandrashekhar has over three decades of experience

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, Europe, Water

This partnership is committed to fostering sustainable agriculture and equipping farmers to meet the challenges posed by changing climate conditions.

McCain Foods is partnering with Orbia Netafim to implement drip irrigation in potato cultivation. Field trials have demonstrated that drip not only reduces water usage by 20 per cent but also boosts crop yields by 4 per cent to 23 per cent, depending on yearly rainfall conditions.

Drip irrigation meets the specific needs of the plant by delivering water and nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone, in the right amounts, at the right time, and adapted to its growth stage. This targeted approach minimises waste due to evapotranspiration and runoff, ensuring optimal plant growth with minimal environmental impact.

Guillaume Callens, a participating farmer in the comparative trials, reports significant benefits: “Drip irrigation has improved water efficiency during heatwaves and reduced the time I spend on irrigation during dry periods. Fertigation has also allowed for more precise nitrogen application, making it a resilient system for both the environment and soil health.”

In collaboration with Verhaeghe, McCain Foods’ exclusive producers will enjoy special terms to facilitate the adoption of drip irrigation systems for potatoes. This partnership is committed to fostering sustainable agriculture and equipping farmers to meet the challenges posed by changing climate conditions.

This partnership is committed to fostering sustainable

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, India, Start ups

 Company projects an additional Rs 16 crore in revenue from drone spraying services and input sales during the upcoming Kharif season.

Salam Kisan, a pioneering agri-tech platform, has recorded a remarkable 11X growth in revenue for the fiscal year 2023-2024, reaching an impressive total of Rs 23.61 crore. This exponential growth showcases the company’s success in leveraging its operational efficiency in drones and technological capabilities to boost overall sales and profitability.

Salam Kisan projects an additional Rs 16 crore in revenue from drone spraying services and input sales during the upcoming Kharif season, driven by farmers’ increasing adoption of its application. The company has been bootstrapped with positive EBITDA since its inception, and Salam Kisan is expecting to raise its first round of investment to expand its business with drones and increase market penetration.

Offering services across 35 districts in Maharashtra, Salam Kisan covered 41,000 acres in drone spraying that generated a revenue of Rs 2.41 crore. The success of their drone services and real-time crop calendar with agri-input recommendations has boosted Salam Kisan’s agri-input sales, which recorded a significant Rs 5.41 crore. Additionally, the company’s buyback program for farmers using the Salam Kisan platform and services throughout the agricultural cycle offered linkages worth Rs 15.225 crore in FY 23-24. By onboarding over 80 FPOs, Salam Kisan makes their advanced agricultural technology accessible to a wider spectrum of farmers.

Salam Kisan is a multi-stack precision farming platform that helps farmers in making informed decisions. They provide an array of services that leverage technology and data insights to empower modern farming practices. These services include an AI-enabled crop calendar for tailored crop management, precision agriculture guidance, customized fertilizer dosage recommendations, drone rental for fertilizer and seed spraying, farm mapping, input product marketplace, farmers community, government convergence, agriculture news, traceability solutions, and guaranteed output procurement.

Over the past year and Q1 24-25, Salam Kisan, under its parent company PRYM Group, has invested Rs 9.1 crore in developing agricultural drones and precision farming software. These advancements enhance the company’s technological and operational capabilities, enabling farmers to use drones and advanced analytics to optimize crop yield and soil health. This investment significantly boosts farmers’ productivity and profitability. The company deployed over 50 drones and pilots in Maharashtra, saving at least 70 lakh liters of water through optimized drone-based spraying.

Dhanashree Mandhani, Founder & CEO of Salam Kisan, said, “Our exceptional growth and remarkable increase in revenue this fiscal year is a clear indication of our commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through innovation and technology. Our crop calendar, drone services, and precision farming tools have not only improved yields but have also redefined farming practices in India. Farmers using Salam Kisan have seen an incremental revenue of at least Rs 16,000 and a 30% cost saving each season. As we expand into Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, we intend to aid more farmers across India with our advanced agritech solutions.”

 Company projects an additional Rs 16 crore

AgroPolicy, India, R&D, Seeds

The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the Prime Minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 high yielding, climate resilient and biofortified varieties of crops at India Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the Prime Minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops were released.

 Prime Minister also interacted with the farmers and scientists on the occasion. Discussing the importance of these new crop varieties, Prime Minister stressed on the significance of value addition in agriculture. The farmers said that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and also have a positive impact on the environment.

Prime Minister discussed the importance of millets and underlined how people are moving towards nutritious food. He also talked about the benefits of natural farming and the increasing faith of common people towards organic farming, adding that people have started consuming and demanding organic foods. The farmers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the government for promoting natural farming.

The farmers also lauded the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in creating awareness. Prime Minister suggested that KVKs should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed every month to enhance awareness about their benefits.

Prime Minister also lauded the scientists for the development of these new crop varieties. The scientists informed that they have been working in line with the suggestion given by Prime Minister to bring unutilised crops into the mainstream.

The 109 varieties of 61 crops released

AgroPolicy, Fruits, Horticulture, India, Vegetables

Nine world class state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centres, equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs, will be established across India.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. With a substantial investment of Rs 1,765.67 crore, this pioneering initiative is set to revolutionise the horticulture sector in India and expected to set new standards for excellence and sustainability.  Announced earlier in the Budget Speech by the finance minister in February 2023, the CPP represents a major leap forward in enhancing the quality and productivity of fruit crops across the nation.

Key Benefits of the Clean Plant Programme (CPP):

Farmers: The CPP will provide access to virus-free, high-quality planting material, leading to increased crop yields and improved income opportunities.

Nurseries: Streamlined certification processes and infrastructure support will enable nurseries to efficiently propagate clean planting material, fostering growth and sustainability.

Consumers: The initiative will ensure that consumers benefit from superior produce that is free from viruses, enhancing the taste, appearance, and nutritional value of fruits.

Exports: By producing higher-quality, disease-free fruits, India will strengthen its position as a leading global exporter, expanding market opportunities and increasing its share in the international fruit trade.

The Programme will prioritise affordable access to clean plant material for all farmers, regardless of their landholding size or socioeconomic status. The Programme will actively engage women farmers in its planning and implementation, ensuring their access to resources, training and decision-making opportunities. The Programme will address the diverse agro-climatic conditions across India by developing region-specific clean plant varieties and technologies.

Core Components of the CPP:

Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Nine world class state-of-the-art CPCs, equipped with advanced diagnostic therapeutics and tissue culture labs, will be established across India. These include Grapes (NRC, Pune), Temperate Fruits – Apple, Almond, Walnuts etc. (CITH, Srinagar &Mukteshwar), Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner), Mango/Guava/Avacado (IIHR, Bangaluru), Mango/Guava/Litchi (CISH, Lucknow), Pomegranate (NRC, Sholapur) and Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits in Eastern India. These centres will play a crucial role in producing and maintaining virus-free planting material meant for larger propagation.

Certification and Legal Framework: A robust certification system will be implemented, supported by a regulatory framework under the Seeds Act 1966, to ensure thorough accountability and traceability in planting material production and sale.

Enhanced Infrastructure: Support will be provided to large-scale nurseries for the development of infrastructure, facilitating the efficient multiplication of clean planting material.

Nine world class state-of-the-art Clean Plant Centres,

Agrotech, Company News, Seeds, World

BioLumic’s technology is being commercialised for inbred and hybrid corn cultivars, with plans underway for light-treated seeds to be available to farmers for the 2025 planting season.

BioLumic, the world’s only company treating seeds with light to activate genetic expression for new crop traits, has achieved a breakthrough in enhancing inbred corn lines. These genetically ‘pure’ parent seeds are crucial for producing the world’s high-performing hybrid seeds favoured by most farmers.

After achieving significant performance milestones in 2023 field trials, BioLumic is partnering with Beck’s Hybrids, Peterson Corn Genetics, Peterson Farms Seed, Breeder Direct and other seed companies to use BioLumic’s Genetic Expression Trait™ light-activated technology on a wide range of inbred and hybrid corn lines aiming to enhance their productivity. The inbred trials specifically target improved germination, emergence, seedling vigor, yield, and hybrid seed quality – all issues often associated when working with inbred seed corn breeding and production.

BioLumic harnesses ultraviolet (UV) light signaling, a scientifically-proven process, to rapidly activate natural genetic expression in plants for improved yield, quality, and plant defense traits without requiring genetic modification or chemical additives. BioLumic’s technology is being commercialized for inbred and hybrid corn cultivars, with plans underway for light-treated seeds to be available to farmers for the 2025 planting season.

“By activating Genetic Expression Traits in corn parent lines and showing the ability to lock in those traits to hybrid corn progeny without any ensuing treatments, our UV light technology is rewriting the playbook for seed production,” said Steve Sibulkin, BioLumic CEO. “It eliminates years of trait identification and breeding work for driving yield, quality and plant health without the multi-year regulatory process associated with genetic modification.”

United States field corn production is dominated by vigorous, high-yielding hybrid cultivars bred from crossing genetically pure inbred seed lines to target specific traits. However, problems experienced with inbreeding depression – including reduced germination, poor seedling emergence and vigor, increased susceptibility to environmental stressors and nutrient deficiency – often result in reduced yields and poor hybrid seed quality during the seed production process.

BioLumic’s light treatments for inbred seed are tailored to solve the problems associated with inbreeding depression. In 2023 trials, treated inbred corn lines with the stand establishment and yield trait package demonstrated a more than 7.3% yield gain without any changes compared to the grower’s standard practice – and the company is targeting double-digit yield gains this year. These substantial improvements in inbred uniformity and yield were driven by enhanced early-season germination and increased seedling vigor, including an average 16% advantage in root biomass. BioLumic’s Genetic Expression Traits can also be stacked together as trait packages to target multiple traits, such as improved stand establishment, yield, and composition (e.g. lipid content).

“Through our partnership with BioLumic, we are integrating this unique technology into our hybrid and inbred corn lines, evaluating BioLumic’s trait performance on some of our most promising germplasm this season,” said Marc Neuman, Director of Sales and Product Development at Breeder Direct. “Our mission is to deliver elite genetics that give our seed company clients improved margin opportunity. BioLumic’s ability to improve the yield potential of germplasm that is already outstanding creates a big opportunity for us and independent seed companies.”

BioLumic is set to commercialise Genetic Expression Traits for both inbred and hybrid corn in partnership with Gro Alliance in Q1 2025. The company is actively collaborating with genetics providers to develop new traits for their cultivars. Additionally, BioLumic is advancing trait development of soybean parent lines, with initial trials commencing this year.

BioLumic’s technology is being commercialised for inbred