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AgroPolicy, Finance, India

 Total area coverage of all oilseeds has increased from 25.60 million hectares in 2014-15 to 30.08 million hectares in 2023-24 registering 17.5 growth.

Economic Survey 2023-24 presented in the Parliament today by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Economic Survey says that smallholder farmers need to move to high-value agriculture. The Survey says once the incomes of smallholders increase, they will demand manufactured goods, spurring a manufacturing revolution.

Economic Survey says that the Indian agriculture sector provides livelihood support to about 42.3 per cent of the population and has a share of 18.2 per cent in the country’s GDP at current prices. The sector has been buoyant, which is evident from the fact that it has registered an average annual growth rate of 4.18 per cent at constant prices over the last five years and as per provisional estimates for 2023-24, the growth rate of the agriculture sector stood at 1.4 percent.

Economic Survey states that the Investment in agriculture research and support of enabling policies have contributed substantially to food security. It is estimated that for every rupee invested in agricultural research (including education), there is a payoff of Rs 13.85. In 2022-23, Rs 19.65 thousand Crore was spent on agriculture research.

Economic Survey calls for enhancing private sector investment in agriculture saying it is vital to provide impetus to the agriculture sector. Investment in technology, production methods, marketing infrastructure, and reduction in post-harvest losses need to be scaled up. A greater focus on post-harvest infrastructure and the development of the food processing sector can reduce wastage/loss and increase the length of storage, ensuring better prices for the farmers.

Economic Survey says that in 2022-23, foodgrain production hit an all-time high of 329.7 million tonnes, and oilseeds production reached 41.4 million tonnes. In 2023-24, food grain production is slightly lower at 328.8 million tonnes, primarily because of poor and delayed monsoons. The domestic availability of edible oil has risen from 86.30 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to 121.33 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. The total area coverage of all oilseeds has increased from 25.60 million hectares in 2014-15 to 30.08 million hectares in 2023-24(17.5 percent growth). This has reduced the percentage share of imported edible oil, from 63.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 57.3 per cent in 2022-23, despite rising domestic demand and consumption patterns.

Economic Survey suggests that to promote efficiency in agriculture marketing, and improve price discovery, the government implemented the e-NAM Scheme and as of 14th March 2024, more than 1.77 Crore farmers and 2.56 Lakh traders have been registered on the e-NAM portal. The Government of India launched the scheme to form and promote 10,000 FPOs in 2020 with a budget outlay of Rs 6.86 thousand crore till 2027-28. As of 29 February 2024, 8,195 FPOs have registered under the new FPO scheme, and equity grants of Rs 157.4 crore were released to 3,325 FPOs. Credit guarantees cover worth ₹278.2 crore was issued to 1,185 FPOs.

Economic Survey states that the Agricultural price support assures farmers of remunerative returns, increasing income and allows the Government to ensure a stable supply of staples at reasonable prices. Accordingly, the Government has been increasing the MSP for all Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops with a margin of at least 50 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production since the agricultural year 2018-19.

Economic Survey shows that to provide social security to the most vulnerable farmer families, the Government implements Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PMKMY). The scheme offers a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to the enrolled farmers on the attainment of 60 years of age, based on a nominal premium between Rs 55 to Rs 200 per month paid by the applicant (in the age group 18 to 40 years) subject to exclusion criteria. As of 07 July 2024, 23.41 lakh farmers have enrolled under the scheme.

Economic Survey, on focusing to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer, states that the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) initiative incentivises states to reduce chemical fertiliser use. It promotes sustainable methods such as the use of alternative fertilisers, viz. Nano Urea, Nano DAP, and organic fertiliser.

 Total area coverage of all oilseeds has

Agro Universities, Animal Health, India, R&D

 The novel method of blood collection will be helpful for research purposes.

ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been granted a patent for an invention entitled ‘A new and safe method of blood collection from farm Pigs’.

The invention describes an innovative technique of blood collection in which blood is collected from a different anatomical site of farm pigs which has not been described earlier in patented and non-patented literature. The invention does not require any premedication before the collection of blood and at least 20-30 ml of blood can be collected at a time from an animal. This technique is applicable to pigs of any age group and blood can be collected multiple times a day. In the present investigation, blood can be collected without any discomfort to the animals, does not require any special care after collection of blood and animals can be returned immediately to their respective pens.  Thus, the novel method of blood collection will be helpful for research purposes.

This technology was invented by a team of scientists comprising Dr. Arun Kumar De, Dr. Perumal P, Dr. Jai Sunder, Dr T. Sujatha, Dr. D. Bhattacharya, Dr. P.A. Bala and Dr. E.B. Chakurkar

 The novel method of blood collection will

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Biostimulants, Middle East countries, R&D

More than one dozen novel microbes identified for row crops suffering from extreme weather conditions.

 Israel based ICL, a leading global specialty minerals company, and Lavie Bio Ltd., a leading ag-biologicals company and subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. announced a significant milestone in their collaboration to develop bio-stimulant solutions for key row crops facing various abiotic stresses. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), Lavie Bio has computationally identified more than a dozen novel microbial candidates believed to have commercial viability as bio-stimulants for crops grown under extreme weather conditions, including drought.  While this process can normally take several years, the collaboration achieved success within its first 12 months – thanks to Lavie Bio’s proprietary Biology Driven Design (BDD) technology platform.

The ambitious AI-driven program, jointly developed by ICL and Lavie Bio, has identified novel microbe-based biological solutions that, when combined with fertilizers, are expected to be a game changer in overcoming various abiotic stresses under different weather conditions. By focusing on bio-stimulants that enhance crop resilience to such conditions, the collaboration has aimed to deliver tangible benefits to farmers, including a 5% to 10% increase in yield, on average.

As part of this AI-driven achievement, more than a dozen novel microbe candidates, which met the product requirements for efficacy, stability, shelf life and fertilizer compatibility, were computationally identified and verified in multiple greenhouse trials. The microbes were discovered and validated using Lavie Bio’s BDD technology platform, powered by Evogene’s MicroBoost AI tech-engine, and achieved a remarkable prediction rate from computer modelling to greenhouse validation – a rate ten times higher than the industry standard, according to company estimates.

This success paves the way for field trials in both the U.S. and Brazil in the second half of 2024, with results available by year-end. Lavie Bio will continue to leverage AI to drive product development and optimization, while ICL will guide the development and lead the way to product commercialization. The parties aim to start the regulatory process in 2026, just three years from program initiation.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Lavie Bio in the search for a novel solution to address a significant and proven market need in regions strategic to ICL,” said Dr. Elinor Erez, vice president of R&D for ICL Growing Solutions. “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to pioneering advanced and unique biostimulant solutions for our customers, which aligns with our strategic vision to lead in agricultural innovation and sustainability and ensuring food security. The discovery process yielded candidate microbes that were validated in the green house, thanks to Lavie Bio’s exceptional capabilities and their structured and efficient discovery platform. We are excited to move forward to field trials and are confident any future novel product will revolutionize how the agricultural community approaches plant resilience and productivity.”      

“We are very proud of the collaborations’ significant progress, which was achieved by leveraging artificial intelligence to drive rapid advancements in our research,” said Amit Noam, CEO of Lavie Bio. “Using ICL’s deep agricultural expertise has been essential in focusing Lavie Bio’s discovery efforts and has enabled us to advance to field trials in multiple target geographies quickly. Our team did a remarkable job of pushing our discovery process and platform to new heights, continuously improving computational accuracy and reducing both the time and cost to market for our novel products.”

More than one dozen novel microbes identified

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, Europe, Sustainability

The partnership that helps drive the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices will include approximately 1,000 farms, covering a total of around 128,000 hectares across the EU and the UK.

PepsiCo Europe and Yara announced today a long-term partnership in Europe aimed at providing farmers with crop nutrition programs to help decarbonize the food value chain.

As part of the partnership, which spans multiple countries, participating PepsiCo Europe farmers will be equipped with best-in-class crop nutrition products and advice as well as precision farming digital tools. This will allow them to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE), boost yields and reduce the carbon footprint of their crops. Yara, the leading crop nutrition company in Europe, will supply PepsiCo with the products and services.

The partnership, which will help drive the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, will include approximately 1,000 farms, covering a total of around 128,000 hectares across the European Union and the UK. Efforts will initially focus on potatoes, a key crop for PepsiCo, and then expand to other crops such as oats and corn. Fertilizers are the biggest opportunity to reduce emissions as fertilizer production and in-field emissions account for half of PepsiCo’s average potato carbon footprint in Europe.

This partnership will also further scale up sustainable nutrient management practices across the PepsiCo farmer groups. This will include full season crop and soil data capture and monitoring using PepsiCo’s CropTrak and ML Analytics tool, and will be complemented by Yara’s digital solutions offering, for example digital satellite imagery via the AtFarm platform and the MegaLab soil analysis.

Yara will deliver up to 165,000 tons of fertilizer per year to PepsiCo, covering around 25 per cent of their crop fertilizer needs in Europe by 2030. These fertilizers will be mostly Yara Climate Choice fertilizers, which include low-carbon footprint fertilizers produced from either renewable ammonia (Herøya, Norway) or low-carbon ammonia via carbon capture and storage (CCS), currently under construction in Yara Sluiskil. The mix will also include Yara’s standard premium nitrate-based mineral fertilizers produced using natural gas, which have a carbon footprint that is around 50% lower than most non-EU fertilizers thanks to the use of catalyst technology. The aim of the partnership is to upgrade to Yara Climate Choice fertilizers over time as production scales up and technologies mature so that all of the 165,000 p.a. tons are Yara Climate Choice fertilizers by 2030.

The collaboration underlines the companies’ shared commitment to building a more sustainable food system in line with the European Union’s climate targets. At the same time, it will support farmers through transition costs to ensure their livelihoods are not adversely impacted.

“This partnership with Yara aligns with our end-to-end transformation known as PepsiCo Positive (pep+) and will be critical as we transition towards the net-zero food system of the future. Targeting Scope 3 emissions is central to our pep+ agenda, but it can be one of the most challenging areas to directly influence. Providing our farmers with fertilizers that have a lower carbon footprint and supporting them to improve crop nutrition end-to-end will allow us to make a significant step towards our target of achieving net zero by 2040,” said Archana Jagannathan, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo Europe.

“To grow a nature-positive food future and transform our food system, we need to collaborate across the food value chain. We’re excited to work with first movers like PepsiCo to help make this a reality. Decarbonizing food production will be critical to delivering on the Paris Agreement – and farmers will play a key role in helping us get there,” said Mónica Andrés Enríquez, Executive Vice President for Europe at Yara.

The partnership that helps drive the adoption

Agro Universities, Company News, R&D

The scholarship embodies joint commitment of CIMMYT and DCM Shriram to nurture next generation of researchers and foster innovation in agricultural sciences.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) unveiled the bust of Dr Sanjaya Rajaram – One of world’s most influential wheat breeders and World Food Prize Laureate and– at the DialogueNEXT conference, held at CIMMYT, Mexico on 10-11 July 2024. This momentous event featured the launch of the ‘Rajaram-DCM Shriram Scholarship,’ aimed at fostering the next generation of agricultural scientists while honouring Dr. Rajaram’s legacy.

‘Rajaram-DCM Shriram Scholarship’ is a result of a long and fruitful association between CIMMYT and DCM Shriram Ltd reflecting their shared vision to help farmers achieve higher productivity in wheat. The scholarship embodies their joint commitment to nurture next generation of researchers and foster innovation in agricultural sciences. The unveiling of Dr Rajaram’s bust is a tribute to his enduring influence in agriculture and lifelong dedication to improving global food systems.

Sanjay Chhabra, Executive Director and Business Head, states, “All of us, at DCM Shriram, are proud of our fruitful association with CIMMYT and with Dr Rajaram. The Wheat Seed Development Program at DCM Shriram is driven by Dr Rajaram’s passion and it continues to deliver superior wheat varieties to the Indian farmers.”

Anand Shriram, Senior Vice President, adds, “We, at DCM Shriram, are extremely delighted to have contributed to building this memorial bust of Dr Rajaram and in setting up the “Rajaram – DCM Shriram Scholarship” to help young scientists upgrade their skills. It will not only offer financial support to outstanding students focused on research and innovation in crop improvement but also inspire aspiring scientists through the profound legacy of Dr Rajaram.”

The scholarship embodies joint commitment of CIMMYT

Agribusiness, Farm Mechanisation, Finance, India, Machinery - Pre-harvesting, Machinery – Post-harvesting

The plant produces approximately 2,000 tractor variants, ranging from 35 to 120 horsepower across the two brands.

CNH, a global leader in agriculture with its New Holland and Case IH brands –marks the production milestone of 700,000 tractors at its manufacturing site in Greater Noida. The plant produces approximately 2,000 tractor variants, ranging from 35 to 120 horsepower across the two brands. Gerrit Marx, the new CEO of CNH attended the milestone ceremony during his recent visit to India – affirming the Company’s commitment to this market and its continued growth.

Since commencing production in 1999, the site has expanded its capacity to produce 60,000 tractors annually. Currently, the Greater Noida plant manufactures tractors, engines, Power Take Offs (PTOs), and axles for the domestic market and exports to over 75 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and North America.

“I’m delighted to celebrate the milestone of manufacturing 700,000 tractors together with our CEO and the India team. This accomplishment underscores our dedication to ‘Made in India’ and advancing agricultural development in the country,” commented Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director, CNH India & SAARC. “It is a result of our team’s hard work and reaffirms our customers’ trust in our products. India holds a significant position on the international stage, offering immense opportunities and scale. Our focus on technology and innovation will continue to drive our success here.”

Spread over 60 acres, the Greater Noida plant is one of the most advanced tractor manufacturing sites in the country with some 1,200 employees. The facility prides itself on promoting sustainability, using energy from solar panels installed on its roof, and its ongoing afforestation project that adopts the Miyawaki Project Methodology – namely densely planting a range of native woodland plants.

CNH India operates in the country through its Case IH, New Holland, and CASE Construction Equipment brands, delivering for over 25 years on its promise to provide world-class products from its ‘Made in India’ operations. In 2018, the company launched its financing arm CNH Capital India to offer financing solutions across its portfolio.

The plant produces approximately 2,000 tractor variants,

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Foodgrains, India, Oilseeds

By measuring moisture levels, farmers and traders can ensure better preservation, reduce risks of spoilage, and maintain optimal conditions for storage and transportation.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India organized a meeting with all stakeholders to discuss the draft rules for moisture meters used for measuring moisture level in cereal grains and oilseeds. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs chaired the meeting.

The amendment aims to incorporate specifications for the moisture meters in measuring moisture levels in cereal grains and oilseeds.  Rules will specify the metrological and technical requirements, test methods and maximum permissible errors for the type approval of grain moisture meters used in commercial transactions of cereal grains and oilseeds. Various manufacturers, users, scientific institutions, laboratories, State Government Legal Metrology Departments and VCOs participated in the meeting.

A moisture meter is a specialized device used to measure the moisture content in various substances, particularly cereal grains and oilseeds in agriculture. It provides accurate readings that are crucial for determining the quality and storage suitability of these commodities. By measuring moisture levels, farmers and traders can ensure better preservation, reduce risks of spoilage, and maintain optimal conditions for storage and transportation. The proposed inclusion of moisture meters in the Legal Metrology Rules aims to standardize and regulate their accuracy, enhancing fairness and transparency in agricultural trade practices.

The draft rules pertaining to moisture meters were made available for public feedback on May 30, 2024, inviting comments from all stakeholders, by the end of June, 2024.  All the comments received on the draft rules were discussed in detail during the meeting.

All the stakeholders supported the proposed amendment for inclusion of moisture meters used for measuring moisture level in cereal grains and oilseeds. They emphasized the importance of implementing these rules in the best interest of farmers and other stakeholders involved in the agriculture sector.

By measuring moisture levels, farmers and traders

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, R&D, Sustainability, World

It offers an effective value-in-use solution for agricultural plastics exposed to intense UV radiation, thermal stress, and inorganic chemicals commonly used in crop management and disinfection.

BASF launched Tinuvin® NOR® 211 AR to support film producers and converters globally in navigating the challenging landscape of plasticulture – the use of plastic materials in agricultural applications. This new high-performance heat and light stabilizer protects and prolongs the lifespan of agricultural plastics that require resistance to high levels of inorganic chemicals like sulfur and chlorine. Tinuvin NOR 211 AR offers an effective value-in-use solution for agricultural plastics exposed to intense UV radiation, thermal stress, and inorganic chemicals commonly used in crop management and disinfection.

The advancements in plasticulture, heavily influenced by polyethylene (PE) grades, have led to a growing trend in downgauging and a greater emphasis on the use of plastic materials. Downgauging involves reducing the thickness of plastic films while maintaining their performance, made possible by incorporating new polymer grades to enhance the mechanical properties of PE materials. At the same time, converters are investing in new equipment to increase the number of layers in their films thereby improving performance and durability. This transition to thinner and more durable films is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural plastics as it helps to reduce plastic waste, enhances production efficiency and facilitates practices like recycling and upcycling.

Tinuvin NOR 211 AR is a unique stabilization system that can be used in plasticulture, even in intensive horticulture, regardless of the application region’s severity of UV radiation, heat, and chemicals that are present. This new product solution is the best option when downgauging is required, especially in the presence of high levels of sulfur and chlorine. With the increasing use of inorganic chemicals in agriculture due to the adoption of “Integrated Pest Management” and “Organic Farming” practices, the need for effective stabilization of agricultural films is crucial.

“Tinuvin NOR 211 AR additive solution addresses a broad variety of challenges for agricultural plastics, including sustainability requirements, increased chemical exposure, longer use durations and downgauging trends,” said Dr. Bettina Sobotka, Head of Global Marketing and Development for Plastic Additives at BASF. “BASF’s NOR HALS solutions improve stabilization by moving beyond solutions based on secondary and methylated HALS. Through collaboration with agricultural plastic producers as well as farmers, we facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, creating solutions that will ultimately lead to improved crop yield.”

BASF’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is reflected in the expansion of its NOR® platform. Tinuvin NOR 211 AR, part of the VALERAS® portfolio, utilizes renewable electricity in production and optimizes product form to reduce energy consumption and emissions. It also improves material dosing precision, minimizes dust exposure, and promotes water and aquatic organism protection, leading to a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly workflow. 

It offers an effective value-in-use solution for

Agro Universities, India, People, Soil Health

Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), the first regional network established within Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN), has set a precedent for other regions by grouping soil laboratories into regional networks.

The 8th Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET) meeting, held in the Philippines from 15-19 July, brought together distinguished dignitaries, scientists, and SEALNET members from across the globe. Virtual participants from different geographies also attended the event. ICRISAT Scientist Dr Pushpajeet Lokpal Choudhari, Chair of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network, had the honour of delivering the opening address.

SEALNET, the first regional network established within Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN), has set a precedent for other regions by grouping soil laboratories into regional networks. The initiative aims to harmonize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), foster connections among Asian soil laboratories, and advance collective efforts towards sustainable soil health.

Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, commended SEALNET’s initiative and their commitment to continue working together, inspiring one another, and making significant strides towards a sustainable and healthy future for our soils.

Currently, SEALNET connects approximately 150 registered laboratories, a testament to the commitment of its members and the dedicated efforts of the SEALNET Steering Committee over the years.

At the inaugural session held on 15 July 2024, Mr Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie, FAO Representative in the Philippines, and Mr Lifeng Li, Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, were the guest speakers. The keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Francisco P Tiu-Laurel Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines.

After years of virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person gathering marked a significant opportunity to strengthen relationships among laboratories and countries and to define a sustainable work plan for the coming years. All focal points were called on to encourage regional laboratories to join SEALNET and participate in regional proficiency testing.

“By joining this initiative, members will contribute to collective goals and benefit from shared resources, expertise, and collaborative opportunities. Together, we can generate quality data to amplify our impact and drive meaningful change in soil health management,” said Dr Pushpajeet Choudhari.

Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), the first

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

 In Q1 FY24 company posted Profit after tax was Rs 48 Cr, as compared to Rs 63 Cr of Q1 FY24. Crop care delivered strong volume led revenue growth of 8 per cent.

Rallis India Limited (A TATA Enterprise) is a leading player in the Indian agri inputs industry announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Announcing the results, Dr Gyanendra Shukla, Managing Director & CEO, Rallis India Limited, said, “The agrochemical Industry continues to face growth challenges due to muted price arising from oversupplies. Domestic demand is looking positive with monsoon arrival and pickup.

Our revenue for Q1 FY25 was at Rs 783 Cr at par with Rs 782 Cr of Q1 FY24, Profit after tax was Rs 48 Cr, as compared to Rs 63 Cr of Q1 PY. Crop care delivered strong volume led revenue growth of 8 per cent. Seeds revenue was down by 16 per cent vs PY largely due to supply constraints. Despite market challenges, concerted actions were taken to drive margins through better product mix and dynamic pricing. We are pleased with the progress of our new launch of “Clasto” in Crop Protection and “Diggaz” in Cotton Seeds. Water Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) plant was commissioned during the quarter to support the Crop Nutrition Business.

We remain cautious about the export market and expect a gradual recovery during the year. Sentiments for the domestic market are positive with the recent monsoon pick-up. On a long-term basis, Customer Centricity will remain a key thrust and we will continue to offer differentiated solutions to solve varying farmer needs. We will further intensify our efforts to build capabilities in Manufacturing, Digitalization and leverage Collaborations and Alliances”.

Key Developments: Q1 FY25

Successful Key New Products launches:

  • Crop Protection- Mark Plus (Diclosulam 0.9% + Pendimethalin 35% SE), 9(3) Herbicide for Soybean and Groundnut
  • Clifton (Mesotrione 2.27%+Atrazine 22.7% SC), Herbicide for Maize and Sugarcane
  • Kevat (Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 % EC), Herbicide for Cotton
  • Blend (Bifenthrin 10% + Thiamethoxam 5% SE), Insecticide for multiple crops
  • Crop Nutrition: Aquafert Pomegranate Grade Water Soluble Fertiliser
  • Seeds: 14 products across field and vegetable crops
  • “Dhaan ka power play” campaign launched to educate farmers of Punjab and Haryana about key Paddy products.

 In Q1 FY24 company posted Profit after

AgroPolicy, Fruits, Horticulture, India, Supply Chain, Trade, Vegetables

The workshop focused on educating FPOs about the processes and opportunities in the export market.

NABARD, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Palladium organized a strategy workshop in Mayurbhanj of Odisha for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on exporting fresh vegetables from Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Balasore districts in north zone of the state. Facilitated by Palladium as Technical Support Unit (TSU) to the Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, the event aimed to enhance the export potential of fresh vegetables from the region.

The workshop focused on educating FPOs about the processes and opportunities in the export market, with a specific goal of exporting okra, bitter gourd, and long beans to Dubai within the next six months, as per the demand. In last three months, for the first time, eight FPOs exported over 86 quintals of mangoes and fresh vegetables to seven countries in the Middle East and Europe – United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Qatar and UAE.

Many esteemed speakers, including exporters, representatives from NABARD, APEDA, State and district officials from the department and Palladium graced the event. The inaugural session included opening remarks and special addresses from dignitaries, followed by informative sessions led by Dr. Sudhanshu K.K. Mishra (CGM NABARD), APEDA’s Regional Head, Sitakanta Mandal, Palladium’s Associate Director, Biswajit Behera and representatives from export houses. The workshop saw an active interaction of representatives from FPOs with other stakeholders.  Mahila Pragati Farmer Producer Company Limited, a successful FPO from Rayagada, presented its success story and the plan for diversifying into other commodities for export. The all women FPO with over 1900 members has recently been exporting mangoes and fresh vegetables.

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Sudhanshu K.K Mishra, CGM NABARD, said “Three areas are key to boost export in the state – strengthening supply to meet market demand, adherence to international quality standards, and role of packaging. The markets are demanding, and only good quality produce will fetch remunerative prices. NABARD along with APEDA, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Palladium, will focus on the value-chain development in fruits and vegetables to increase export of fresh produce from the state.”

Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium said, “Facilitating export of fresh produce from Odisha is one of the key focus areas of the state government as it is facilitating cold-chain facilities across the state to boost export from the state. Palladium is working closely with the FPOs in the state to make the farmers market-ready and the FPOs supply ready”. He further added, “Palladium is facilitating multiple stakeholder consultations to develop concrete action plans and roadmap for export. Moreover, the team is working with the Government, APEDA, NABARD and exporters to identify and bridge the gaps in exporting fresh produce from the state.”

Sitakanta Mandal, Regional Manager APEDA said, “Production planning, infrastructure support and training and handholding FPOs is crucial for strengthening supply of fresh produce from FPOs to international markets. To achieve this, we need to adopt a collaborative approach with the key stakeholders. Our next focus would be to conduct a state-level export sensitization workshop to provide technical handholding to FPOs in Odisha on export process and potential.”

The workshop focused on educating FPOs about

Agro Universities, India, R&D

 The MoU will provide access to cutting-edge research facilities, specialized expertise, and invaluable data resources to the faculty and students, and take the research to new heights.

UPL University of Sustainable Technology, an initiative by UPL Group, and Space Application Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance research and innovation in chemical sciences. This collaboration is part of UPL’s broader strategy to enhance academic excellence and foster global recognition.

This partnership is set to revolutionise research in chemical applications within materials science and related fields. It would provide access to cutting-edge research facilities, specialized expertise, and invaluable data resources to the faculty and students, and take the research to new heights.

On the international front, partnerships with organizations like Gexcon (based in Norway), reinforce the commitment to advancing safety standards within the chemical industry. Certification courses in plant operation, and postgraduate programs in environmental compliance and sustainability, instrumentation, automation, robotics, process safety, and piping engineering have been significantly enriched by these strong Industry-Academia collaborations.

Speaking about the partnership, Dr Nilesh Desai, Director SAC of ISRO, said, “Our collaboration with UPL University underscores the importance of academic partnerships in advancing scientific research and technology. We look forward to the ground-breaking discoveries that will emerge from this partnership.”

Expressing about the achievement, Vikram Shroff, Vice-Chairman and Co-CEO, UPL Group, said, “UPL University’s partnership with ISRO is a significant step toward fostering a culture of research and development that will benefit both the academic community and the industry at large. With over 170 active MoUs and partnerships, which include industry leaders like Lanxess India Private Limited, Lupin Ltd., Siemens Ltd., and Colourtex Ind. Pvt. Ltd., we are addressing real-world challenges.”

According to Ashok Panjwani, President of UPL University, “We are excited to collaborate with ISRO, which aligns perfectly with our mission to drive innovation and research excellence. This partnership will provide our students and faculty with unique opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research. With this, UPL University remains dedicated to forging new partnerships and collaborations that will further strengthen our position as a leader in academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact.”

 The MoU will provide access to cutting-edge

AgroPolicy, India, Oilseeds

Malaysia request to India to reduce the restrictions placed on the export of certain agricultural products, such as rice and sugar during the meeting.

India and Malaysia have decided to increase cooperation between the two countries in the field of Oil palm and other sectors. This was discussed during the meeting of the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and the Minister of Plantations and Commodities of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The Malaysian Minister is on a visit to India from 16-19 July 2024 and met Shivraj Singh Chouhan today at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi to discuss opportunities to deepen the bilateral agriculture cooperation between India and Malaysia.

During the G2G meeting, Minister Johari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan explored important topics in depth. These included: maintaining consistent export policies that benefit Indian buyers; working together to tackle the issue of global food security; India’s ambitious plans to become an edible oil nation independent under the NMEO-OP; the significance of sustainable palm oil plantations; and providing ongoing assistance to fulfil India’s palm oil needs.

 Minister Johari stated, “Malaysia stands ready to provide invaluable support, encouraging the growth of oil palm cultivation,” during a news conference in New Delhi. The significance of India to Malaysia’s oil palm industry is immense. Together with Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, I have planned a cooperative effort that will be mutually beneficial to our two countries. Achieving global food security demands and sustainability goals will also be significantly aided by this alliance.

 When comparing edible oils, palm oil is among the most productive and least land-intensive. Despite accounting for just 8 per cent of the world’s arable land, oil palm trees produce 32 per cent of the world’s major seed oil. Palm oil is in a special position to efficiently satisfy the increasing worldwide demand for edible oils, which is particularly relevant given the growing number of people concerned about climate change and deforestation.

 “Malaysia is deeply committed to sustainable palm oil production, adhering to stringent environmental standards and sustainable practices,” Minister Johari continued, expanding on the significance of sustainable palm oil use and cultivation. Certification under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) programme guarantees that palm oil is made in a way that doesn’t harm local communities, biodiversity, or forests.

Malaysia requests India to reduce rice, sugar, and farm export restrictions

During the meeting, the minister Johrisaid in the statement that Malaysia request to India to reduce the restrictions placed on the export of certain agricultural products, such as rice and sugar.

In 2023, India, which is the world’s largest exporter of rice and onions and the world’s second largest exporter of sugar, implemented export restrictions on these commodities in order to maintain a level of price stability in the domestic market in advance of the general elections that were held in April and May 2020. The country of Malaysia is the second-largest exporter of palm oil to India, after Indonesia. India was a significant source of sugar, rice, and onions for Malaysia.

In light of the fact that rice stocks in the country have reached an all-time high, it is anticipated that New Delhi will reduce the floor price for basmati rice exports and replace the twenty percent export tax on parboiled rice with a fixed charge on overseas shipments, according to sources within the government.

Malaysia request to India to reduce the

Agrotech, Collaborations, Company News, Drones, India

The centre will focus on skill development, employment generation, and empowering the drone ecosystem in India.

Drone Destination and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a state-of-the-art drone training centre at NSIC, New Delhi. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive training on drone technology, repairs and maintenance, data processing and analysis, remote pilot training and new-age sport drone soccer. The centre will focus on skill development, employment generation, and empowering the drone ecosystem in India.

The collaboration between Drone Destination and NSIC is poised to bring significant advancements in the field of drone technology and AI, and develop a future-ready work force to cater to the growing and diversified demands of skilled manpower in the drone sector, especially in digital agriculture, survey & mapping, mining, asset inspection, surveillance & monitoring, disaster management and many more.  

Chirag Sharma, CEO, Drone Destination, said, “This partnership with NSIC marks a significant milestone in our mission to democratize drone technology in India. By providing specialized training and skill development programs, we aim to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge and expertise needed to harness the full potential of drones. We are launching these technical skill enhancing courses in addition to the Pilot Training Certification course already offered by us in 12 locations across India.  This initiative will ensure availability of skilled and specialised workforce in the growing drone eco-system in India.”

Kartikeya Sinha Director, Planning & Marketing, NSIC added, “NSIC is committed to fostering skill development across various sectors, and this MoU with Drone Destination aligns perfectly with our objectives. The establishment of this drone training centre will be a game-changer, particularly for aspiring youth and women in technology. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills, we are paving the way for a more technologically advanced and self-reliant India.”

The training programs at the centre will be progressively introduced at all NSIC Technical Skill Centres, ensuring widespread access to cutting-edge drone technology education. This initiative is set to create numerous opportunities for skill development and employment, driving economic growth and innovation in the drone sector.

The centre will focus on skill development,