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AgroPolicy, Agrotech, E-commerce, India

Credit Guarantee issued to 1,101 FPOs worth guaranted coverage of Rs 246.0 crore covering more than 10.2 lakh farmers.

Almost 5 thousand out of 8,000 registered Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been registered on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) portal for selling the produce online to consumers across the country. The onboarding of FPOs on ONDC to reach out to their buyers in any part of the country is in line with the Central government objective of providing growers with better market access. The move aims to empower FPOs with direct access to digital marketing, online payment, business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions.  Over 8,000 FPOs have been registered against government target of 10,000 under a new Central Sector Scheme titled “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs)” launched in 2020 with budgetary provision of Rs 6,865 crore. Aggregation of small, marginal and landless farmers into FPOs help enhance economic strength & market linkages of farmers for enhancing their income. FPOs facilitate farmers with access to improved technology, credit, better input and more markets to incentivize them to produce better quality commodity.

FPOs are provided financial assistance up to Rs 18.00 lakh per FPO for a period of 3 years. In addition to this, provision has been made for matching equity grant up to Rs. 2,000 per farmer member of FPO with a limit of Rs 15.00 lakh per FPO and a credit guarantee facility up to Rs. 2 crore of project loan per FPO from eligible lending institution to ensure institutional credit accessibility to FPOs. So far, Credit Guarantee has been issued to 1,101 FPOs worth guaranted coverage of Rs 246.0 crore covering more than 10.2 lakh farmers.  Matching equity grant amounting to Rs 145.1 crore has been transferred directly to the bank account of the eligible 3,187 FPOs.

Formation & promotion of FPOs is the first step for converting Krishi into Atmanirbhar Krishi. The initiative enhances cost effective production and productivity and higher net incomes to the member of the FPO. It also improves rural economy and create job opportunities for rural youths in villages itself. This was the major step towards improving farmers’ income substantially.

FPOs are to be developed in produce clusters, wherein agricultural and horticultural produces are grown / cultivated for leveraging economies of scale and improving market access for members. “One District One Product” cluster to promote specialization and better processing, marketing, branding & export.  Further Agriculture value chain organizations forming FPOs and facilitating 60% of market linkages for members produce.

The key objectives of the scheme are:

To provide holistic and broad-based supportive ecosystem to form new 10,000 FPOs to facilitate development of and sustainable income-oriented farming and for overall socio-economic development and wellbeing of agrarian communities.

To enhance productivity through efficient, cost-effective and sustainable resource use and realize higher returns through better liquidity and market linkages for their produce and become sustainable through collective action.

To provide handholding and support to new FPOs up to 5 years from the year of creation in all aspects of management of FPO, inputs, production, processing and value addition, market linkages, credit linkages and use of technology etc.

To provide effective capacity building to FPOs to develop agriculture-entrepreneurship skills to become economically viable and self-sustaining beyond the period of support from government.

FPOs can be registered either under Part IXA of Companies Act or under Co-operative Societies.

Credit Guarantee issued to 1,101 FPOs worth

Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, India

Barauni unit with an estimated investment of Rs. 9512 crores will have the urea production capacity of 12.7 LMTPA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the nation the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) fertilizer plant in Barauni. “This is a huge achievement for the farmers of the country including those from Bihar. The plants of Gorakhpur, Ramagundam and Sindri were shut down but now they are becoming the mainstay of India’s self-reliance in urea”, PM said.

Prime Minister underlining the government’s priority areas to boost employment and employment opportunities said, “Energy, fertilizers and connectivity are the basis of development. Be it agriculture or industry, everything depends on them”.

Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) fertilizer plant in Barauni developed at more than Rs 9500 crore, the plant will provide affordable urea to farmers and lead to an increase in their productivity and financial stability. This will be the fourth fertilizer plant to be revived in the country.

Barauni Fertilizer Plant of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) started urea production in Oct 2022. The state-of-the-art gas based Barauni Plant is part of the initiative taken by the Government to revive the closed urea units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Ltd (HFCL) in order to achieve self-sufficiency in urea sector. Revival of closed units of FCIL and HFCL had been the top priority agenda of the present Government to augment the availability of domestically produced urea. Government mandated Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) to revive Barauni unit with an estimated investment of Rs. 9512 crores with urea production capacity of 12.7 LMTPA.

HURL, incorporated on 15th June, 2016 is a Joint Venture Company by Coal India Limited (CIL), NTPC Limited (NTPC), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and FCIL/HFCL mandated to revive Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni units with an estimated investment of Rs. 25,000 crores. The start of all the three plants of HURL will add 38.1 LMTPA indigenous urea production in the country.The Project will not only improve the availability of fertilizer to farmers but also give a boost to the economy in the region including development of infrastructure like roads, railways, ancillary industry etc. besides ensuring food security to the nation.

Barauni unit with an estimated investment of

Agribusiness, India, Interaction, Water

In conversation with AgroSpectrum, Pragya Kalia, Managing Director of Plasma Water Solutions India Pvt Ltd delves into how the company aims to catalyse growth in the agriculture sector by leveraging innovative technologies. Here are some edited excerpts:

Plasma Water Solutions India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Plasma Water Solutions Inc, USA, has established a robust service network through authorised partners. Currently, validation demo sites are operational in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, with plans for expansion into other regions. In conversation with AgroSpectrum, Pragya Kalia, Managing Director of Plasma Water Solutions India Pvt Ltd delves into how the company aims to catalyse growth in the agriculture sector by leveraging innovative technologies. Here are some edited excerpts:

Since starting in September 2022, what has been your experience in terms of challenges and opportunities in India in the past year?

As one of the largest agrarian economies and a rapidly emerging agricultural exporter, India presents vast opportunities for driving growth through innovative technologies like ours to enhance productivity. If productivity and quality can be enhanced, India has the potential to feed the world. Our technology achieves both objectives, in the most natural and sustainable manner. However, our journey of making our solution available to smallholder farmers through an aggregator business model, and then driving tech adoption through them, will be a challenging one.

Over the past 12 months, your company has entered into MoUs with several organisations including ICAR, ICRISAT, Uttar Pradesh Diversified Support Programme (UPDASP), UP Horticulture Department of Agriculture (government of Uttar Pradesh), and Samunnati. How do you anticipate these MoUs will assist in expanding your operations within the country?

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, collaboration is crucial for our journey. Many like-minded partners have joined forces, offering their support as we strive steadfastly towards our goals. Any new technology requires demonstration, validation by third parties, experts and endorsement by credible users to establish trust. That’s what our objective is. Through scientific validation, we continuously refine our technology and share results with key stakeholders, facilitating faster adoption and adding value to the scientific community. Field demonstrations allow us to showcase our technology in action, empowering end-users and encouraging them to reuse and share their positive experience within their networks, thus fostering adoption and word-of-mouth promotion.

What are the unique selling points (USPs) of Plasma-ised Water technology for the agriculture sector, and how do you plan to popularise it in a vast country like India at an affordable price? The USP of Plasma-ised Water lies in its ability to enhance yield quality and productivity in the most natural manner, without the use of chemicals. The best way to make it popular is to place the technology directly into the hands of end-users. Farmers, seed companies, large agri enterprises, and government bodies are actively participating in our Technology Validation Demos across the country.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

In conversation with AgroSpectrum, Pragya Kalia, Managing

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

Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director, Agriculture Business – CNH Industrial India & SAARC, shares insights on India’s farm mechanisation industry with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts;

With renowned brands like Case IH and New Holland, CNH Industrial, a global leader in equipment and services, provides comprehensive agriculture solutions, including machinery, implements, and digital technologies. CNH has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge technology to farmers nationwide. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, CNH recently showcased agricultural machinery, including balers, combine harvesters, and tractors, at its Greater Noida facility. Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director, Agriculture Business – CNH Industrial India & SAARC, shares insights on India’s farm mechanisation industry with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts;

How do you foresee the tractor and agriculture equipment business evolving in 2024?

Looking back at 2023, the tractor market experienced fluctuations, with growth in the first half followed by a softening of demand in the latter half of the year. In key regions like Maharashtra, and parts of Karnataka, particularly in the sugarcane farming belt, demand was lower. However, as we look ahead to 2024, the performance outlook is positive. Although the year may not witness a peak in growth, it is not expected to decline either. We anticipate growth to resume from the second half of 2024.

The agriculture sector plays a pivotal role in the overall economic growth. The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives, including the ambitious goal of doubling the income of farmers. This will not only help farmers achieve a better standard of living but also motivate them to contribute actively to their work. The agriculture sector is projected to contribute $600 billion to India’s GDP by 2030.

You have recently developed an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that enables tractor and agriculture equipment operators to work remotely. Do you believe that such technologies will revolutionise the Indian agriculture sector?

The adaptable Sense & Act application, developed by Augmenta and recently acquired by CNH, represents a significant advancement in AI technology. Initially integrated into intelligent sprayers, this is one example of the company’s AI technology that is built for after-market flexibility. It uses real-time sensors, camera vision, and AI capabilities to autonomously control precise application rates.

The ability for tractor and agricultural equipment operators to remotely conduct operations is undoubtedly a game-changer. It has the potential to significantly enhance productivity, reduce resource wastage, and propel mechanisation in Indian farming practices. While the technology is already primed for the global market, its integration into machines tailored for the Indian market may require some time. Various factors such as cost, infrastructure and the specific needs of farmers, must align to create a viable market. Nevertheless, the prospect of introducing such advanced and adaptable solutions holds immense promise for ushering in a new era of efficiency and sustainability in Indian agriculture.

Recently, there has been a surge in sales of balers in both small and large sizes. What factors are driving this increase, and do you have plans to commence manufacturing these balers in India?

While there is always an increase in demand for balers during the harvesting season, this year has seen a notable uptick, particularly in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. This heightened demand can be attributed to the concerted efforts of both the government and the farming community to mitigate crop stubble burning, particularly during the critical harvesting months of October and November. The Centre has allocated Rs 600 crore to states for managing paddy straws. This includes its new initiative on ex-situ supply chain management ahead of the stubble burning season this year with a special emphasis on Punjab and Haryana. As a result, balers are experiencing increased adoption in these areas.

New Holland manufactures small balers at our Pune plant, with some of its components imported from the United States. We aim to achieve complete localisation of our baler production by the middle of this year.

What are your expansion plans for 2024, and how do you intend to implement them?

In 2024, our primary objective is to maximise the production capacity of our existing facilities. Our engine plant in Greater Noida in particular, has commenced pilot production, with full-fledged production of engines compliant with new emission norms set to begin by the end of the year.

Furthermore, we are ramping up production at our Pune facility to cater to the need for diverse agricultural gear across India. This expansion includes the launch of tractor assemblies for the 35–42 HP range, with an expected production of 10,000 units in the coming year. Additionally, we are bringing our small square baler production in-house at our Pune facility to boost productivity and meet the unique demands of the Indian market.

To further enrich our product portfolio, our Pune facility will focus on manufacturing Case IH sugarcane harvesters and New Holland combine harvesters. At the same time, our global technology centre in India, operational since March 2021, and spanning 680,000 square feet, is equipped with state-of-the-art features such as an invention centre, vehicle simulation capabilities, and a cutting-edge Extended and Virtual Reality (XR/VR) lab. With over 700 engineers dedicated to advancing precision technology, supported by satellite offices in Bangalore and Pune, we’re committed to driving innovation in the farm machinery industry.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director,

Agribusiness, Interaction

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, in the coming pages AgroSpectrum presents the insights of women leaders from the agri-industry on the ‘Opportunities for women entrepreneurs in agribusiness in 2024,’ showcasing the transformative potential of women in shaping the future of agriculture.  

Women have taken remarkable strides in agriculture in India, ranging from agritech startups, agribusinesses, and R&D to academia. Their presence has become increasingly prominent, shaping India’s agrarian landscape. The Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Shobha Karandlaje, highlighted the significant role of women in academia, where over 50 per cent of students in agricultural universities are female, during the Women Agricultural Entrepreneurship Sector Conference 2024’ in Thrissur, Kerala.

According to a McKinsey study, rural women entrepreneurs could contribute $1 trillion to the Indian economy, underscoring the potential economic impact of leveling the playing field for women. With 432 million working-age women and 13.5-15.7 million women-owned businesses, providing direct employment to 22-27 million people, the empowerment of women in agribusiness holds immense promise for India’s economic growth.

While presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25 in Parliament on February 1, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, said that the empowerment of women through entrepreneurship, ease of living, and dignity for them has gained momentum in the last ten years.

She said that thirty crore Mudra Yojana loans have been given to women entrepreneurs. Female enrolment in higher education has gone up by twenty-eight per cent in ten years. In STEM courses, girls and women constitute forty-three per cent of enrolment – one of the highest in the world. All these measures are getting reflected in the increasing participation of women in the workforce.

The pivotal role of women in agriculture is increasingly being recognised as the driving force behind India’s agrarian economy. As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2021-2022, agriculture boasts the highest estimated female labour force participation of 62.9 per cent. This numerical prominence underscores the indispensable contribution of women to the entire agricultural value chain.

In a groundbreaking initiative to promote drone technology in rural agriculture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the NAMO Drone Didi scheme on November 30, 2023. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) between 2023-24 and 2025-2026, enabling them to offer rental services to farmers for agriculture purposes. By equipping rural women with cutting-edge technology, this scheme not only modernises agricultural practices but also empowers women to become key players in the agricultural revolution. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1261 crore for the period 2024-25 to 2025-26, emphasising the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment in agriculture.

To read more click on :https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

On the occasion of International Women’s Day,

Carbon Farming, India, Industry Reports / Analysis

The voluntary carbon credit market in India’s agriculture sector is gradually gaining momentum, although it remains relatively nascent compared to other industries. This makes it an exciting field with substantial opportunities for growth. The value and recognition of agricultural projects within the carbon market, like those in other sectors, vary based on factors such as project scale, certification standards, associated co-benefits and market demand. The government recently launched the ‘Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in the agriculture sector.’ This framework is expected to simplify the process of entering domestic and international carbon markets for companies and support larger-scale projects.

On January 29, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare launched a framework aimed at promoting the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) within the country’s agricultural sector. The initiative seeks to empower small and medium-sized farmers to benefit from carbon credits.

In recent years, numerous private firms have emerged in India, partnering with local farmers to produce carbon credits. This collaboration comes amidst growing skepticism about the effectiveness of voluntary carbon offsetting in addressing global climate change concerns. These startups engage farmers cultivating resource-intensive crops like rice, cotton, and sugarcane, encouraging them to adopt practices that minimise planet-warming emissions. Noteworthy recent developments in the agriculture carbon credit market have set the stage for significant growth opportunities for companies.

For instance, on December 23, Transform Rural India (TRI), in collaboration with Intellecap and ACORN (Rabobank), launched a pioneering Carbon Credit Finance Project benefiting over 100,000 farmers in Jharkhand. The project is founded on the principle of fair compensation to farmers, with 80 per cent of the generated carbon credit revenue directly transferred to the farmers’ accounts.

On the current status of the voluntary carbon credit market for agriculture, Shailendra Singh Rao, Founder of Creduce, said, “The market for agricultural carbon credits in India is still nascent but expanding at an accelerated rate. At present, approximations vary between $1.2 billion and $5 billion, predicated on credit costs and anticipated uptake. It is anticipated that its future potential will reach $7 billion within a decade. Presently centering on rice cultivation and the prevention of field burning, this domain also incorporates a range of other practices such as soil management and agroforestry.”

Rao further said “Increasing global demand and governmental frameworks paint a bright future that may be to the benefit of millions of small and medium-sized producers. Despite obstacles such as project verification and equitable farmer compensation, this market exhibits tremendous potential for promoting climate action and enhancing rural livelihoods in India.”

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

The voluntary carbon credit market in India’s

Agrotech, Digital Technologies, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, IT

In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture, the dawn of smart farming technologies heralds a new era of innovation and efficiency. Recently, significant strides have been made in this sector, exemplified by Arya.ag’s, strategic partnership with Crystal Crop Protection Limited. This collaboration introduces a nationwide crop monitoring initiative powered by Arya.ag’s cutting-edge satellite crop monitoring tool, “Prakshep”. Such initiatives underscore India’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices towards greater productivity and sustainability, a commitment further reinforced in India’s Interim Budget 2024. Let’s look into more aspects related to the smart agriculture market in India.

India’s smart agriculture market is poised for remarkable growth, projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.38 per cent and is expected to garner a revenue of $886.21 million by 2028, according to insights from Inkwood Research. This trajectory is fuelled by several factors including the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, advancements in analytics and supportive government initiatives. The segmentation of this market highlights various components and types, such as smart greenhouse systems, precision farming techniques, livestock monitoring solutions, and precision aquaculture methods.

Innovative technological solutions

One of the pivotal contributions of data-driven technologies to agriculture lies in the integration of AI-based sensors and IoT devices with farm machinery. This integration facilitates real-time monitoring and decision-making, empowering farmers with actionable insights to optimise crop yields and resource management. Arya.ag’s partnership with Crystal Crop Protection Limited exemplifies this approach, aiming to equip farmers across key Indian states with data-driven strategies for sustainable farming practices and enhanced yields.

Furthermore, collaborations like the one between Zuari FarmHub and CropX Technologies underscore the industry’s commitment to revolutionising farming practices through real-time monitoring and digital agronomic solutions. These initiatives not only enhance productivity but also underscore a broader commitment to sustainability in agriculture.

Government’s digital agri initiatives

In the Interim Budget 2024, the Indian government reaffirmed its commitment to digital agriculture by allocating Rs 450 crore for the Digital Agriculture Mission and an additional Rs 600 crore for the advancement of technology in the agriculture sector. Such financial support underscores the government’s recognition of the pivotal role that technology plays in transforming Indian agriculture.

Government’s initiatives, such as the “India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture” plan and the National Agriculture Market (eNAM) online trading portal, further bolster the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. These efforts aim to create a more integrated market for agricultural products while leveraging technology to empower farmers and streamline trade processes.

In parallel, strategic partnerships between organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) are instrumental in co-creating data-driven innovations to support smallholder farmers. Initiatives like DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture) offer invaluable insights into climate resilience, guiding public investments and policy frameworks to bolster agricultural sustainability.

To read more click on:https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture,

Agribusiness, Company News, E-commerce, Fruits, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Vegetables

Otipy is making its products available to a wider audience through popular ONDC seller apps like Pincode (by PhonePe) and Paytm apps.

Agritech startup Otipy announced that company has joined Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to sell fruits and vegetables to consumers in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.

This integration ensures its catalogue is visible on various apps, making it easy to discover and enabling smooth transactions on the growing network, Otipy said in a statement.As Otipy onboards ONDC, it is set to expand its customer reach, making its products available to a wider audience through popular ONDC seller apps like Pincode (by PhonePe) and Paytm apps.

This move aims to strengthen the brand’s presence in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, the company mentioned. Otipy will also focus on bulk procurement directly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

“As we join the ONDC Network, it helps us in expanding our reach to varied customer segments. Through the network, we not only plan to enrich buyer choices but also elevate the shopping experience, facilitating inclusivity in a dynamic e-commerce landscape”, said Varun Khurana, Founder and CEO of Otipy.

While commenting on the Otipy’s move T Koshy, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of ONDC said, “With Otipy on the Open Network, it not only stands to benefit from an extensive reach of the network but also reinforces its commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive e-commerce framework. A D2C catalogue of farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and groceries will certainly enhance customer choices that champion direct procurement directly from farmers and FPOs”.

Operated by Crofarm Agriproducts, Otipy was launched in 2020. It seeks to significantly reduce fresh produce waste by making agri produce accessible to consumers from farms to home in 12 hours.

Otipy is making its products available to

Nature, Soil Health, Sustainability, World

The funds will enable FAO to upscale national and regional capacity building in soil assessment and sustainable soil management worldwide

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed an additional $3 million contribution from PhosAgro, Russia’s leading phosphate-based fertiliser producer, to support the efforts of the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) to help more farmers implement soil-improving management measures and boost the capacities of national soil laboratories in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Near East.

With this top-up, FAO plans to distribute an additional 1 200 Soil Doctor’s Testing Kits – special kits for assessing soil condition – to certified Soil Doctors and trainers. Around 5,000 farmers will then be trained and supported to adopt sustainable soil management practices by 2026.

The three-year project also envisages promoting reliable and accurate soil and fertilizer testing through the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) and the consolidation of the International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilisers (INSOILFER), promoting efficient and environmentally friendly practices consistent with the International Code of Conduct for the Sustainable Use of Management of Fertilizers. Another major activity under the project is the application of ecosystem-based solutions to remediate on-farm soil pollution through the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP).

For the first time, PhosAgro funding will also support the implementation of measures for the recarbonisation of agricultural soils (RECSOIL). This initiative will allow farmers to boost productivity, enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The contribution agreement was recently signed by Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General, and Alexander Sharabaika, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of PhosAgro.

The funds will enable FAO to upscale

Agrotech, Company News, India

Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan drones can support with spraying of fertilisers and pesticides

Focused on positively impacting India’s agriculture sector, Garuda Aerospace continues to expand its market share through partnerships and collaboration. Supporting Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visionary initiative to empower women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs), Garuda Aerospace announces that it has secured an order of a total of 500 Garuda Kisan Drones from 10 leading fertiliser companies under the NaMo Drone Didi scheme.  National Fertilisers Limited (NFL), Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF), The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL), KRIBHCO Fertilisers, Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals (GSFC), Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation (BVFCL), Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals, Paradeep Phosphates (PPL) and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers (MCF) are the 10  companies which have placed an order for Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan drones under the scheme.

Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan drones can support with spraying of fertilisers and pesticides. Given its precision capabilities, Kisan drones can reduce the quantity of pesticides used in addition to eliminating long exposures to harmful chemicals. Kisan drones are equipped with AI, ML and GPS sensors to help farmers with accurate and real-time information about their crops and farms. The drones also reduce the use of water and are equipped to cover large farming areas in a relatively shorter time. Garuda Kisan Drones can help increase crop yield by 60 per cent and reduce loss of crop by 20 per cent.  

Garuda Aerospace’s Kisan drones can support with

Horticulture, Supply Chain, Trade

The container was flagged off by Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA at MSAMB’s Irradiation Facility Center in Vashi

INI Farms, India’s leading F&V exporter flagged off the first container of ‘Kimaye’ pomegranates to the USA. This is a groundbreaking development for Indian F&V exports as it marks the start of fruit exports to the USA via the sea route. Travelling nearly 20,000 km, this is the longest distance travelled by any Indian fruit in the world!

The outcome is the result of more than year-long joint efforts of APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry – GOI, Ministry of Agriculture Govt of Maharashtra, Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), United States Department of Agriculture APHIS (USDA APHIS), NPPO, Pomegranate National Research Center and INI Farms. This encompassed various initiatives from farm registrations, training & monitoring, air shipment trials, development of sea protocol, static trials for shelf life extension and post-harvest treatment.    

The container was flagged off by Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA at MSAMB’s Irradiation Facility Center in Vashi (Navi Mumbai). The event was graced by dignitaries from MSAMB, Regional Plant Quarantine Station (RPQS – MoA&FW), US Consulate and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), APEDA and NRC Solapur. The consignment of 4200 boxes (12.6 tons) of ‘Kimaye’ pomegranates is set to sail to delight customers in the US

Today, India is the world’s largest producer of pomegranates, with over 2,75,500 hectares of land under cultivation. During the fiscal year 2022-23, the country exported over 60,000 metric tonnes of pomegranates to countries like UAE, the Netherlands, Oman, Bahrain and others. The successful export of pomegranates to the USA opens up a new opportunity for Indian pomegranate farmers and exporters and will open doors to other long-distance markets like Australia.

The container was flagged off by Rajesh

Company News, People, World

Julio Triana is currently Head of Commercial Operations Region International for Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division

The Supervisory Board of Bayer AG has appointed Julio Triana to Bayer’s Board of Management effective April 1, 2024. He will become President of the Consumer Health Division effective May 1, 2024, and succeed Heiko Schipper, who has asked the Supervisory Board to bring forward the end date of his contract to pursue a career opportunity outside of Bayer. Schipper will leave the company effective April 30, 2024. 

Julio Triana is currently Head of Commercial Operations Region International for Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division, a member of the Division’s Executive Committee as well as the Senior Bayer Representative Japan and President of Bayer Holding, Ltd. Japan. Triana is a very seasoned executive with a dynamic 30-year career in the global healthcare industry. He joined Bayer in 2002 and has held roles of increasing responsibility in Finance, Strategy, Business Development and most recently Commercial Operations, among others. Triana holds an MBA from Universidad Antonio de Nebrija (Madrid, Spain) as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston (Houston, Texas, USA). He has comprehensive experience in leading and transforming large organizations across multiple functions and in different cultural contexts with a strong track record of successful market expansions, sustainable revenue growth and orchestrating complex integrations.

Julio Triana is currently Head of Commercial Operations

Allied Industry, Sustainability, Textile industry

The wound dressing material presents a sustainable solution for wound care and suggests additional uses for the abundant banana plant

An eco-friendly wound dressing material made using banana fibres presents a sustainable solution for wound care.

India, the world’s largest banana-farming country, has an abundance of banana pseudo stems, discarded after harvest.

In a pioneering effort, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have transformed banana pseudo stems, often considered agricultural waste, into an eco-friendly wound dressing material.

Led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury and Prof. (Retd) Rajlakshmi Devi, the research team, including Mridusmita Barman, a research scholar in the IASST-Deakin University Joint PhD programme, has ingeniously combined the banana fibres with biopolymers like chitosan and guar gum to create a multifunctional patch with excellent mechanical strength and antioxidant properties.

Taking it a step further, the researchers loaded the patch with an extract from the Vitex negundo L. plant, demonstrating the capabilities of plant extract-loaded banana fibre-biopolymer composite patch in vitro drug release and as antibacterial agents. All the materials used in creating this innovative dressing material are natural and locally available, making the manufacturing process simple, cost-effective, and non-toxic.

The wound dressing material presents a sustainable solution for wound care and suggests additional uses for the abundant banana plant, which may benefit farmers and minimize environmental impact.

“This investigation opens the door to a new era in wound healing, offering a low-cost, reliable, and environmentally friendly alternative that holds significant potential in biomedical research,” says Prof. Chowdhury. The banana fiber-biopolymer composite dressing could revolutionise wound care with its broad applications and positive impact on health and the environment. Elsevier recently published this work in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

The groundbreaking research has recently been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules by Elsevier, further highlighting its significance in the scientific community.

The wound dressing material presents a sustainable

Agrotech, Company News, World

Two collaborations – with IBM Research and with US biotech Maxygen – brought their respective pioneering approaches in data-based prediction modelling

Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading global agriculture technology companies, announced important collaborations following the launch of its innovation accelerator platform Shoots by Syngenta in 2023. These collaborations, which connect expertise across industries and sectors, are aimed at making possible novel solutions to agricultural challenges more quickly and efficiently.

Two collaborations – with IBM Research and with US biotech Maxygen – brought their respective pioneering approaches in data-based prediction modelling, and in the directed evolution of proteins more commonly leveraged in the pharmaceutical industry, together with Syngenta’s world-leading agricultural research and proprietary data sets.

“Helping growers sustainably feed a rapidly growing human population requires a strong collaboration focus, not just across agriculture but across industries,” said Gusui Wu, Global Head of Seeds Research. “Collaboration is at the heart of how our scientists approach innovation every day. It is embedded in our scientific culture, and we are continually seeking out different technologies, solutions, and partners to help us better serve farmers.”

Two collaborations – with IBM Research and