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Agribusiness, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain, Trade, Vegetables

This strategic export has helped three FPOs achieve 30-40 per cent increased price realisation boosting income and economic stability for farming communities.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Odisha is promoting cultivation of vegetables in cluster-mode across Odisha. Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment together with APEDA, ORMAS and NABARD, has opened doors for Odisha’s farmers to global markets by enabling export of fresh vegetables produce.

Once known to be part of remote KBK region, today three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Titlagarh and Loisingha blocks of Balangir district namely Jaden Farmer Producer Company, Krushak Unnayan Sangathan Farmer Producer Company, and Undher Farmer Producer Company have exported 800 kilograms of high-quality fresh vegetables including Pointed Gourd, Okra, Bitter Gourd, and Ivy Gourd to Dubai.

“Today is a proud day for Balangir district, as fresh vegetables from this district is being exported to Dubai. This has been possible because of the handholding support and constant encouragement of PSFPO team from Palladium. I would like to thank the local farmers, FPOs, local NGO, NABARD, ORMAS and district horticultural officers because of whose support and cooperation this was possible. I hope that this initiative continues” said, Prafulla Kumar Bhanja, Deputy Director Horticulture, Balangir.

“It is for the first time that fresh vegetables from the district have reached the international market through export. I want to thank local NGO ASSA, ORMAS, NABARD, District agriculture and horticulture officials, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ empowerment and special thanks to Palladium for providing end-to end support under the PSFPO project for facilitating the export. As a result of this initiative, 4 FPOs in the district will now be able to supply fresh vegetables to Dubai for the upcoming 12 weeks”. Kamalendu Paul, Joint CEO, ORMAS, Balangir.

“The export will benefit the members of FPO as the farmer will get nearly 25 per cent more than the farm gate and the FPO will also earn a profit of 25 per cent, which excludes transportation and other expenses that will be borne by the exporter. NABARD, Odisha RO as a pilot, has selected three Northern Odisha districts i.e Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore for cultivation of three vegetables such as okra, bitter gourd and long beans through NABARD promoted FPOs for export to Dubai. Accordingly, one-day sensitization workshop involving APEDA, Directorate of Horticulture, NABARD, FPO members & CBBO/POPI representatives of respective FPOs was conducted on 18 July 2024 at Baripada, Mayurbhanj district.” Dr. Sudhanshu K. K. Mishra, Chief General Manager, NABARD.

Palladium’s marketing and capacity building support has opened global markets for these FPOs, enabling them to supply fresh vegetables to international markets year-round. This strategic export has helped three FPOs – one of which is an all women FPO, achieve 30-40 per cent increased price realization boosting income and economic stability for farming communities.

“By enabling small holder farmers including women farmers to access international markets, we are not only ensuring higher price realizations but also setting the stage for a new revolution in agriculture. Women farmers, when given the right opportunities, can drive significant economic and social change. By focusing on women-led FPOs, Palladium wants to tap into the power of inclusivity and empowerment in driving sustainable development.” adds Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium.

This strategic export has helped three FPOs

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Company News, Herbicides, India

Company has received registration for Isoflex® active in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and Great Britain.

FMC, a leading global agricultural sciences company, has received registration in India for Isoflex® active and Ambriva® herbicide for use in wheat. Ambriva® herbicide, powered by Isoflex® active, presents a novel mode of action in wheat. Isoflex® active is classified by the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) as a group 13 herbicide.

“At FMC, we’re committed to serving farmers with innovative crop solutions that help them protect their crops and optimize yields,” said Ravi Annavarapu, FMC India, and South-West Asia President. “In the last few years, we have rigorously tested Ambriva® herbicide in wheat over multiple seasons, observing consistent performance against Phalaris minor. We believe that Ambriva® herbicide will contribute to a healthy crop by providing growers with a new and effective tool to control Phalaris minor, which has become resistant to other herbicides.”  

Ambriva® herbicide powered by Isoflex® active and metribuzin will support wheat farmers, especially in the northwestern regions of the Indo-Gangetic plains, where Phalaris minor poses a significant challenge to crop yield potential. Studies have shown that Ambriva® herbicide demonstrates residual control against Phalaris minor and early post-emergence knock-down activity, protecting wheat during the critical crop-weed competition period as a one-shot solution.

The registration and imminent introduction of Ambriva® herbicide in India marks a critical milestone for FMC. It demonstrates the strength of FMC’s robust pipeline and the ability to address grower challenges through new innovative solutions that enhance the productivity and resilience of their crops. Isoflex® active is registered in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China and Great Britain.

Company has received registration for Isoflex® active

Agribusiness, Company News, Finance, India, Microfinance

The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems and other sustainable farming solutions.

Caspian Debt has announced the launch of new loan product to help Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) fund climate-adaptive agricultural products. The credit facility aims to boost farmer resilience against climate change. The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems and other sustainable farming solutions. Caspian Debt expects this to improve food security and farmer income.

Caspian Debt MD & CEO Avishek Gupta said the loan product will accelerate adoption of climate-resilient technologies. The company plans to partner with MFIs and technology providers. The loan product builds on work by Sustain Plus Energy Foundation, GIZ, and Sa Dhan. GIZ and NABARD partnered with these organizations to promote climate-resilient agricultural technologies. Financial intermediaries have started lending to farmers for these products.

GIZ Director Shailendra Dwivedi called the partnership a milestone for climate adaptation financing. Jiji Mammen, Sa-Dhan CEO, said the loan product will boost their climate-resilient agriculture initiative. Sustain Plus Energy Foundation Director Ganesh Neelam said the loan product will help financing institutions lend for energy and agriculture technologies.

Sustain Plus has tested climate-adaptive products and demonstrated their benefits. GIZ mapped out the framework and coordinated with financial institutions. Sa Dhan mobilized MFIs to offer loans. GIZ also promotes decentralized renewable energy technologies, which are part of the loan product’s focus.

The initiative supports financing for irrigation systems

Agribusiness, Company News, India

ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up its Value-Added Agricultural Products portfolio which includes Spices, Coffee, Frozen Marine Products, Processed Fruits, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Extracts, among others.

In the Company’s 113th AGM address Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC Ltd, shared his vision on ITC: Stakeholder Value through Purposeful Performance. Relevant Excerpts from the speech are below:

Enabling farmers to enhance their range of remunerative crops for both domestic and international markets, the ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up its Value-Added Agricultural Products portfolio. This includes Spices, Coffee, Frozen Marine Products, Processed Fruits, Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Extracts, among others. The state-of-the-art Spices processing facility in Andhra Pradesh leverages ITC’s strong backward integration, identity-preserved sourcing, Organic and Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programmes, as well as custody of supply chain. ITC takes pride in being a farmer-centric organisation that contributes significantly to rural empowerment. I am confident that ITC’s impactful initiatives will continue to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of India’s agri sector.  

The ITC Next strategy leverages the Company’s century-long relationship with farmers to promote value-added agriculture, accelerate digital adoption and build climate resilience. ITC’s world-class brands anchor demand-responsive agri-value chains that ‘produce the buy’, providing its businesses with unique competitive advantages. As one of the largest procurers of agri-commodities, ITC supports 20 agri-value chains, sourcing over 3 million tonnes from 200 districts in 22 States. This enables ITC to derive unique sourcing efficiencies apart from offering identity-preserved, attribute-specific, traceable agri-commodities to discerning customers in India and overseas. ITC exports agri-commodities to over 85 countries, linking farmers to global value chains.

ITCMAARS Digitised 6 million Acres Covering 1,000 FPOs

At the core of ITC’s interventions is ITCMAARS – the ‘phygital’ eco-system that enables wider agri-tech adoption, enhances efficiencies and access to markets as well as financial services. Leveraging the power of collectives, the ITCMAARS ecosystem now constitutes over 1,650 FPOs covering more than 1.5 million farmers. By 2030, we aspire to connect over 10 million farmers. The predictive, hyperlocal & dynamic advisories coupled with an input marketplace have enhanced net farmer returns up to 30 per cent in a short span of time. Over 10,000+ soil tests, with personalized crop nutrition recommendations based on sophisticated AI-based algorithms, have been facilitated resulting in 10-15 per cent reduction in fertiliser usage and 15-20 per cent improvement in crop yields. Agri-tech solutions are also being progressed across multiple value chains including drone usage, which focuses on nano nutrients and crop protection. Through remote sensing, ITCMAARS has digitized 6 million acres covering 1,000 FPOs to help deliver contextual and crop stage-specific personalised advisories. Recently, ITCMAARS launched the world’s first GenAI-based regional voice chatbot for farmers called ‘KrishiMitra’ that has been co-developed with Microsoft. 

ITC’s PPPs with NITI Aayog

ITCMAARS also harnesses the collective knowledge garnered over decades to provide farmers best-in-class services. This includes the experience gained from ITC’s Baareh Mahine Hariyali programme, which enabled substantial increase in farmer incomes. The expertise gained has also enabled us to implement such best practices in 45 Aspirational Districts. Exclusive PPPs with NITI Aayog in 27 such districts have improved yields up to 30 per cent, reduced cultivation costs by nearly 15 per cent, thereby boosting farmer incomes up to 60 per cent.  In addition, over 5 lakh farmers are trained annually in best practices through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration farms organised by ITC.

ITC Next strategy has substantially scaled up

AgroPolicy, Cold Storage, India, Supply Chain

As on 30th June 2024, Ministry has approved 41 Mega Food Parks, 588 Food Processing Units, 61 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 52 Operation Green projects under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.

It is observed that the Food Processing Industries have emerged as an important part of the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, exports etc. During the last eight years ending 2022-23, Food Processing sector has been growing at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of around 5.35%. Gross Value Added (GVA) in Food Processing sector has also increased from 1.61 lakh crore in 2015-16 to 1.92 lakh crore in 2022-23 (as per First Revised Estimates of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation). The employment in Food Processing Industries has increased from 17.73 lakh in 2014-15 to 20.68 lakh in 2021-22 as per the latest Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) report. Moreover, the percentage share of processed food export in agri-food export has gone up to 23.4 per cent in 2023-24 from 13.7 per cent in 2014-15.

In order to ensure the overall development of Food Processing Sector and to help it to overcome various challenges, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme viz Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme PM Formalization of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME).

MoFPI through implementation of PMKSY across the country helps in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet for promotion, overall development and growth of Food Processing Industries, through creation of employment opportunities, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level and enhancing export of the processed foods. MoFPI provides financial assistance as capital subsidy in the form of grants-in-aid (GIA) under various component schemes of PMKSY for setting up of new food processing industries/units/projects and also expanding the existing ones. As on 30th June, 2024, Ministry has approved 41 Mega Food Parks, 399 Cold Chain projects, 76 Agro-processing Clusters, 588 Food Processing Units, 61 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 52 Operation Green projects under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.

MoFPI also provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises under PMFME scheme. The scheme is operational for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with total outlay of Rs 10,000 Crore. A total of 92,549 micro food processing enterprises have been approved for assistance under PMFME as on 30th June, 2024.

PLISFPI is, inter alia, intended to support creation of global food manufacturing champions, branding and marketing abroad and support Indian brands of food products in international market. The Scheme is being implemented over a six-year period from 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore and a total of 172 food processing companies have been approved for assistance under various categories of the scheme as on 30th June 2024.

As on 30th June 2024, Ministry has

Agro Universities, R&D

 The findings of the study offer valuable insights for advancing hydroponic systems and soil-less agriculture.

 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have developed a portable, cost-effective microfluidic system designed to replicate soil-like conditions. This system has demonstrated that optimising nutrient flow can improve root growth and nitrogen uptake, leading to enhanced crop yields.

Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and an associate faculty in the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, and his team leveraged microfluidics to gain insights into how the primary root emerging from a seed absorbs nutrients from the soil. Their innovative use of microfluidic technology to analyse root behaviour holds the potential to significantly enhance crop management and boost agricultural yields by optimising nutrient delivery and root development in practical farming applications. Their research work has been supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB/ANRF), Govt. of India.

The primary root of a germinating seed serves as the plant’s anchor, crucial for absorbing water and nutrients. This root must navigate various soil conditions during early growth, a critical phase for plant survival. Factors such as nutrient supply, pH levels, soil composition, aeration, and temperature significantly influence root development. However, studying root dynamics has been challenging due to the limitations of traditional experimental setups, which often require large containers and complex handling.

Microfluidics—the study of fluid flow in micrometer-sized structures—has revolutionized research in cell studies by enabling precise control and characterization of fluid dynamics at small scales. Existing microdevices primarily focus on phenomena like root-bacteria interactions, hormonal signaling, and pollen tube growth, with limited exploration into real-time plant root dynamics. Specifically, the impact of mechanical stimuli from nutrient flow on root growth and thigmomorphogenesis (the response of plants to mechanical stress) has not been extensively studied.

To address these challenges, Prof. Mondal and his team investigated the high-yielding mustard variety, Pusa Jai Kisan, known for its effective root diameter in the micrometer range. Their goal was to understand how different nutrient flow conditions influence root growth and nitrogen uptake during the critical post-germination stages.

Speaking about the research, Dr. Pranab K. Mondal said, “Our study provides new insights into plant root dynamics through the use of microfluidic devices. We validated our setup’s design and findings by simulating nutrient flow, measuring nitrogen uptake, and analyzing the effects of nutrient uptake and fluid pressure on root cells. This research enhances our understanding of how mechanical stimuli and nutrient uptake interact, with practical implications for agriculture.”

The researchers found that increasing the flow rate of the nutrient medium enhanced root length and nitrogen uptake up to an optimal rate. Beyond this point, excessive flow-induced stress reduced root length. Notably, roots exposed to flow conditions consistently performed better than those in no-flow conditions due to superior nitrogen uptake. This research highlights that carefully managed nutrient flow induces significant morphological changes in the root, promoting plant growth.

Looking ahead, the team plans to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying flow-induced changes in root growth. Understanding these cellular and molecular processes could lead to the development of more resilient hydroponic systems and support soil-less crop production.

 The findings of the study offer valuable

Agribusiness, Finance, Foodgrains, North America, Trade

The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports AGCO’s strategic transformation, recently accelerated by the PTx Trimble joint venture, which closed in April 2024.

AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the majority of its Grain & Protein business to American Industrial Partners (“AIP”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $700 million, subject to working capital and other customary closing adjustments.

“The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports AGCO’s strategic transformation, recently accelerated by the PTx Trimble joint venture, which closed in April 2024,” said Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Divesting this business allows us to streamline and sharpen our focus on AGCO’s portfolio of award-winning agricultural machinery and precision ag technology products, which underpins a long-term focus on high growth, high margin and high free cash flow generating businesses.”

“AIP has extensive experience in the industrial sector and vast carve-out expertise, which we believe will unlock new potential for the Grain & Protein business. We believe the move will help ensure its brands continue to lead the market in grain, seed and protein production equipment and remain well-positioned to deliver for farmers,” added Hansotia.

AGCO expects to use the net proceeds from the transaction consistent with its stated capital allocation priorities, including debt repayment, disciplined investment in technology and organic growth initiatives and return of capital to shareholders.

The transaction perimeter to be sold includes the five primary Grain & Protein brands – GSI®, Automated Production® (AP), Cumberland®, Cimbria® and Tecno®. The transaction perimeter to be sold excludes AGCO’s Grain & Protein business in China.

AGCO will begin reporting Grain & Protein as held for sale in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of 2024 through the closing date. The company expects to incur a loss on the sale of the business in the range of $450 million to $475 million.

The transaction purchase price implies a transaction multiple of approximately 8.3x based on Grain & Protein’s trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA as of March 31, 2024.

The transaction is anticipated to close before the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Rabo Securities USA, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to AGCO. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to AGCO. Santander Corporate & Investment Banking is acting as financial advisor to AIP and is leading the fully committed debt financing. Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal counsel to AIP.

The divestiture of Grain & Protein supports

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, AgroPolicy, India

  Fruits and leafy vegetables bear the risk of rejection in international trade on account of off-label use of the agrochemical and the absence of country MRLs.

CropLife India, an association of 17 R&D driven crop science companies, and the leading voice of the plant science industry in India, conducted a Workshop on “Crop Grouping principles for establishment of National MRLs”. The absence of label claims for spices, fruits, leafy vegetables etc. leave farmers with limited pest management options. In addition, they bear the risk of rejection in international trade on account of off-label use of the agrochemical and the absence of country MRLs. This workshop will be a milestone in urging the Government of India to discourage off-label use of agrochemicals through implementation of crop grouping scheme.

As per an estimate, out of 554 crops grown in India, more than 85 per cent of crops, due to less acreage or commercial value, don’t have the label claim of Crop Protection Products (PP” s); which leads to off-label use. The implementation of Crop Grouping Principles is the need of the hour, which is part of globally accepted norms. In various countries like USA, EU, Japan and Australia, Crop Grouping Principles were implemented long back which has provided huge benefits to the farmers of those countries. It was a request from the crop protection industry for a long time and a lot of deliberation has been held with the technical experts on the same.

Dr P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner & Chairman – Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare highlighted, “The challenges and opportunities in implementing crop grouping principles in India, is the complexity of India’s diverse climatic conditions; from tropical to temperate, varying rainfall, different soils, and a variety of crops and inter-crops; which makes it crucial to adopt a holistic approach.”

Dr. Singh emphasised the importance of concrete outcomes from the workshop, noting, “We have accomplished a lot in this direction, and I hope the concrete deliberations and proceedings from this workshop will help finalize the pointers for the Crop Grouping Government Committee. It is high time we adopt the proceedings of the crop grouping committee. We need to come to a consensus and create plans to ensure no more time or investment is wasted on these studies.”

Dr. Singh even addressed the legal adoption of these principles, mentioning the role of FSSAI, “FSSAI has to adopt the commitments being made regarding MRLs. The future shall hold a smoother process, including the issuance of certificates.”

Dr. J. P. Singh, Plant Protection Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare highlighted the pressing need to address the challenges of bio-efficacy and safety residues in agriculture. “Considering the scientific principles of bio-efficacy and safety residues, it is high time to extrapolate and expand scientific data to tackle the challenges posed by off-label pesticide use, which is prevalent in many districts.”

Dr. Singh emphasised the need for collaboration and fine-tuning data parameters, “Industry, regulators, and policymakers must work hard to narrow down the gaps in MRL standards at both national and international levels and harmonize these discrepancies to ensure scientific and technical accuracy. We face numerous challenges from climate change and invasive pests. It is crucial to expedite the registration process and reduce off-label pesticide use to provide relief to farmers and the trade. Our ultimate aim is to bring relief to farmers and the trade. We will always support this endeavour, ensuring that no more time or investment is wasted.”

Dr. Archana Sinha, Secretary, Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, stressed on the significance of crop grouping, “Crop grouping will address the issue of off-label pesticides that India faces and expedite MRL fixation for minor crops. It should not be a one-time process; it must be dynamic. Over time, the impact of adopting crop grouping should be assessed to add or delete elements in the MRL fixation process. Monitoring MRLs and keeping moralities in mind during data generation is crucial to understand where we’re headed.”

Durgesh Chandra, Secretary General, CropLife India shared, “It is indeed a proud moment that the transparent deliberations within the Department of Agriculture, Central Insecticide Board and industry experts have resulted in the pragmatic Crop Grouping principles. It has always been our endeavour to provide global practices based on sound scientific principles; for the growth of Indian agriculture.”

  Fruits and leafy vegetables bear the risk

Company News, Environment, India, Nature

Under this project, IIL Foundation will develop and maintain the mini forest with about 4000 plants.

IIL Foundation, the CSR wing of leading crop protection & nutrition company Insecticides India Limited (IIL) has taken a CSR project with RIICO to develop a mini forest in the RIICO Park allotted by Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO). Under this project focussed on environment protection, IIL Foundation will develop and maintain the mini forest with about 4000 plants which will act as the oxygen bank for the local public by large. RICCO has approved this project for a period of three years under specific conditions outlined in their official communication. This was inaugurated by Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director of Insecticides (India) Limited and District Magistrate of Khairthal-Tijara Artika Shukla, along with other delegates from the company and the government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Aggarwal stated, “We are honoured to be part of this project and we thank the RIICO authorities for this opportunity. We will make sure to do our best for the same as we are committed to environmental stewardship and community development under our foundation. By transforming this open space into an oxygen bank, we aim to create a sustainable and beautiful environment that will benefit the local community and promote biodiversity. Our efforts here reflect our dedication to enhancing both the ecological and social aspects of the regions we operate in.”

Dr Mukesh Kumar, VP – IIL and other company representatives were present on the occasion who will lead the foundation’s efforts in mentoring this project.

IIL Foundation will also manage rainwater harvesting and other project requirements. This project marks a significant step towards enhancing the environmental and aesthetic appeal of the Chopanki industrial area, aligning with IIL’s broader vision of sustainable development and community welfare.

Under this project, IIL Foundation will develop

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

Airbots Aerospace Private Limited is set to spray over 2 lakh acres of agricultural land using the innovative Surya Shakti 15L drone technology in 122 districts and in 4 states

Agritech startup Airbots Aerospace has announce a groundbreaking collaboration with IFFCO which aimed at revolutionising agricultural practices across India.  Airbots Aerospace Private Limited is set to spray over 2 lakh acres of agricultural land using the innovative Surya Shakti 15L drone technology in 122 districts, in four different states namely Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture through cutting-edge technology. By leveraging Airbots’ state-of-the-art drones equipped with the Surya Shakti 15L, we aim to enhance efficiency, precision, and environmental sustainability in crop protection and management, said Airbots Aerospace Private Limited in a statement.

IFFCO mentioned that through this collaboration, IFFCO continues its legacy of fostering innovation in agriculture and supporting farmers with transformative solutions. We are dedicated to harnessing technology to address the evolving challenges in agriculture, ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

AirBots Aerospace is Indian Agri-tech startup aimed at developing equipment and providing services for intelligent agriculture across the country. It has successfully produced state-of-the-art, reliable, and rugged drones for providing spraying services of insecticides, pesticides & nutrients to the farmlands.

Airbots Aerospace Private Limited is set to

AgroPolicy, India, Supply Chain, Trade, Transportation

 Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways approves Rs 284.19 Crore PPP Project to revolutionise agri-logistics and reduce wastage.

In a significant move to bolster India’s agricultural export and import capabilities, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal approves the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)’s project of ‘Development of Export-Import cum Domestic Agricultural Commodity-Based Processing & Storage Facility at JNPA on PPP Mode’ worth Rs. 284.19 Crore.

The JNPA is set to establish an all-in-one state-of-the-art agricultural facility at the port, spanning 67,422 square meters. This pioneering facility will address inefficiencies in logistics, reduce multiple handlings, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products. Expected benefits include better prices for agricultural goods, job creation, and overall growth in the agricultural sector. It will empower farmers and exporters, stimulate demand, and foster rural development.

The facility will cater to exports of prominent items like non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onion, and wheat. As JNPA is the dominant gateway for frozen meat products and a major gateway for marine products, the new facility will also support exporters of meat and marine products from areas away from Mumbai. Small exporters, in particular, will benefit from the port-based facility, improving their capabilities in logistics, container booking, cold chain logistics, and export operations. The estimated export capacity increase includes a frozen store of 1800 metric tonnes, a cold store of 5800 metric tonnes, and dry warehouses with a capacity of 12,000 metric tonnes for grains, cereals, and dry cargo.

“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Ministry for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is committed to create a robust infrastructure that not only enhances agricultural export capabilities but also supports farmers and rural communities. The development of this all-in-one agricultural facility at JNPA will streamline logistics, reduce wastages, and provide better prices for agricultural products. This is a significant step towards empowering our farmers and boosting India’s agricultural sector,” stated the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sonowal.

 Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways approves

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Digital Technologies, Sustainability

With the additional capability of the CFT module, growers are equipped with a simple tool to track and communicate their on-farm GHG emissions at a crop level.

Syngenta has announced the integration of Cool Farm Tool (CFT) into the Cropwise™ Sustainability (CWS) application. CFT is a globally recognized carbon quantification tool that enables growers to start their sustainability journey by measuring estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on their farms, which they can now pair with custom recommendations from CWS to reduce their environmental footprint.

In 2021, the Sustainable and Responsible Business Team at Syngenta developed CWS and the Sustainable Outcomes in Agriculture standard with a vision to put actionable insights into the hands of growers. The farmer-first tool tracks and measures progress across six outcomes, including water impact and soil health — enabling growers to quickly identify opportunities for improvement and actionable insights to consider for their operation. Now, with the additional capability of the CFT module, growers are equipped with a simple tool to track and communicate their on-farm GHG emissions at a crop level.

 “The on-farm GHG calculator has been designed to empower growers,” said Richard Profit, CEO of the Cool Farm Alliance, which owns CFT. “It gives growers vital metrics to communicate about sustainability, show benefits of regenerative practices, carbon sequestration, and to report against reduction targets,” he said.

Beyond its use in the farming community, integrating CFT helps fulfil the CWS value proposition to simplify the value chain’s challenges around data collection. As a result, CFT is now used by many of the world’s leading food and beverage companies worldwide to provide greater clarity on the environmental impact of farming practices and communicate their sustainable ingredient sourcing efforts with ease.

CWS was also designed with vital safeguards and data protection in mind. “We developed the application understanding that data privacy was paramount to growers, agribusinesses, and us, as partners in the sustainability journey,” said Jeff Lail, Senior Data Analyst for Digital Ag Solutions at Syngenta. “Growers can be confident that their data is secure and only shared when and where they allow it.”

The CWS application is free for users to download and begin making sustainable progress today.

With the additional capability of the CFT

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News, Water

Rivulis will integrate its cloud-based precision irrigation subsidiary, Manna, into Phytech.

In a pivotal advance for the agricultural technology industry, Rivulis, a global climate and irrigation leader, and Phytech, a pioneer in digital farming solutions, are excited to announce their new strategic partnership. This collaboration represents a major step forward in sustainable farming, combining Rivulis’ global presence and leadership in micro irrigation products and solutions with Phytech’s cutting-edge real-time plant health and hydraulic monitoring and automation technology.

Rivulis, recognized for enhancing irrigation efficiency and boosting productivity across diverse farming environments, will integrate its cloud-based precision irrigation subsidiary, Manna, into Phytech. Phytech’s data driven approach, initially focused on aiding agronomic decision-making through real-time plant/tree health monitoring, has gradually expanded into real time hydraulic monitoring and automation of grower’s irrigation and fertigation infrastructure, providing farmers with a comprehensive view of their entire irrigation and fertigation system and further improving efficiency and sustainability.

This integration enables farmers to optimize plant performance and resource usage with unprecedented accuracy and simplicity, setting a new standard in the ag-tech sector. By merging Phytech’s detailed, sensor-based field data with Manna’s spatial remote sensing capabilities, farmers will gain unparalleled monitoring and insights into their crops, irrigation systems, and fields, alongside actionable irrigation recommendations and closed-loop system automation. The integration of Manna into Phytech also includes the Jain Logic and Observant offerings in the USA and Australia, respectively.

This strategic alliance also solidifies Rivulis’ role as a shareholder in Phytech and expands the reach of Phytech’s advanced solutions across Rivulis’ extensive global retail network and turnkey project channels, aiming to accelerate global agriculture technology adoption. Phytech’s technology can also enable irrigation dealers to enrich their service to growers with a data driven proactive approach. Rivulis will continue to offer additional solutions such as ReelView, the free, cloud-based crop and field monitoring application, in conjunction with its products.

Rivulis’ CEO, Richard Klapholz, stated, “This partnership marks a pivotal moment for us at Rivulis as we join forces with Phytech to drive unprecedented advancements in agricultural technology. The integration of ReelView and Manna within Phytech enables a seamless digital journey for farmers, providing a tiered approach for farmers to integrate increasingly sophisticated ag-tech capabilities into their operations. Together, we are setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in farming practices worldwide.”

Phytech’s CEO, Oren Kind remarked, “Our initial success in encouraging growers to adopt technology stemmed from addressing real needs, such as alleviating the loneliness of agronomic decision-making and enabling growers a real-time problem detection in their hydraulic systems. To make this initial success affect agriculture on a global scale requires us to partner with world leaders. Being chosen by Rivulis, one of the global leaders in the irrigation world, as their technology partner, is a significant milestone that will accelerate our ability to scale globally, helping growers embark on a much-needed digital transformation toward more sustainable and efficient practices”.

Manna’s CEO Hoav Lapidot added, “Joining hands with Phytech allows us to expand our technological capabilities and reach. Our shared vision for a smarter, better way of farming is now significantly closer to widespread adoption.”

Rivulis will integrate its cloud-based precision irrigation

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The GRAS status, governed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sets a high standard for ingredients to be approved for use in both feed and food.

Bangalore based String Bio, a pioneering biotech company announced the self-determined Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status of its innovative microbial protein, PRO-DG™, for use in crustacean feed in the U.S. This landmark achievement was affirmed by an independent panel of experts who rigorously evaluated the body of published data supporting the safety of PRO-DG™ for its intended use.

The GRAS status, governed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sets a high standard for ingredients to be approved for use in both feed and food. String Bio’s PRO-DG™ stands out as it contains approximately 70 per cent protein derived from methanotrophic bacteria, manufactured through the company’s patented String Integrated Methane Platform (SIMP®). This advanced platform ensures an ideal amino acid profile, resulting in high digestibility and performance, as validated in various aqua trials. Notably, the protein’s tolerability by shrimp was evidenced through peer-reviewed publications (Felix et al., 2023; Nederlof et al., 2023). 

With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for sustainable and traceable protein sources is critical. The total aquaculture production is expected to expand to 109 million tonnes by 2030. PRO-DG™ addresses this “protein challenge” by offering a sustainable feed ingredient, essential for the growing aquaculture market while protecting marine ecosystems and resources.

Achieving GRAS status distinguishes String Bio from other players in the alternative protein industry. This milestone, which took over two years of comprehensive scientific documentation and safety studies, validates the company’s commitment to science- based innovation.

Speaking on the announcement, Dr Ezhil Subbian, CEO, String Bio said, “The FDA-regulated GRAS status will enable the commercialization of PRO-DG™ in the United States, opening new markets and opportunities for growth. Many countries look to GRAS status as a strong indication that a feed ingredient has been rigorously tested to meet the highest standard. GRAS status of PRO-DGTM is an important milestone in String’s journey and will boost String Bio’s market presence in the feed sector.”

The GRAS status, governed by the US