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Agribusiness, Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy

It is critical to address the inequality and competitiveness challenges caused by Chinese imports by ensuring a complete GST refund for MSME agri-input manufacturers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman all set to present the Union Budget on February 1, agri – economists and agriculture industry experts are hoping for a slew of reforms that would help boost agriculture, MSMEs and other sectors, while prioritising fiscal prudence.

While sharing the expectations from Union Budget 2025 Dr Suhas Buddhe, Adviser, Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association said,“We expect Budget 2025 to focus on enhanced funding and support for research and development towards the import substitution of advanced agricultural inputs. It is critical to address the inequality and competitiveness challenges caused by Chinese imports by ensuring a complete GST refund for MSME agri-input manufacturers. Currently, they purchase raw materials and machinery at 18 per cent GST and sell their products at 5 per cent, resulting in a 13 per cent GST differential that blocks significant working capital on every unit produced. This GST blockage forces many to borrow funds just to pay GST, limiting their growth potential.

Additionally, we hope for a budgetary provision to establish farm schools to educate and train marginal farmers in modern farming techniques. There is also a pressing need for allocating funds to promote residue-free farming alongside organic farming, encouraging sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.”

It is critical to address the inequality

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, India, Sustainable Energy

With an investment of Rs 4 crore, the 1MW floating solar plant is expected to meet 5 per cent of Matix’s energy needs.

Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals announced that company has commissioned a 1 MW floating solar power plant at its Panagarh facility in West Bengal with an investment of Rs 4 crore. The funding for the project was through internal accruals, the company added.

Located within Matix’s premises, this investment represents a significant move towards energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Solar power is a key priority in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s energy strategy for India which aims to reduce carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. This 1MW floating solar plant, expected to meet 5 per cent of Matix’s energy needs, is Phase 1 of a gradual transition that is meant to be implemented over the next few years. It will not only help in reducing Matix’s carbon footprint but also will additionally minimise evaporation from the water body thus aiding water conservation. Water is a crucial input for the plant’s steam production processes which in turn powers it’s turbines for power generation. This dual-purpose solution highlights how innovative technology can address both energy and resource challenges.

“This floating solar plant is another step in our continued commitment to integrating sustainability into our operations. We have already taken big strides in water conservation, greening and energy efficiency. By leveraging renewable energy, we aim not only to reduce our carbon footprint but also contribute meaningfully to Bharat’s environmental goals,” Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Chairman Nishant Kanodia said in a statement.

With an investment of Rs 4 crore,

AgroPolicy, Cold Storage, India, Supply Chain, Transportation, Warehousing

Spanning 27 acres within the port complex, this facility is set to transform the processing, storage, and transportation of agricultural commodities.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, launched multiple projects worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore to expand capacity at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai, according to the release.

Sonowal also launched the development of a state-of-the-art agro processing facility at JNPA. This pioneering initiative, with an investment of Rs 284 crore, marks a significant milestone in bolstering India’s agricultural trade infrastructure. Spanning 27 acres within the port complex, this one-of-its-kind facility is set to transform the processing, storage, and transportation of agricultural commodities. “Designed to handle approximately 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, the facility will offer comprehensive services including processing, sorting, packing, and laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and trade regulations.

 Another MoU was signed for setting up a warehousing facility in the port area under JNPA’s initiative to monetise vacant land parcels along with capacity development. An investment of Rs 300 crore is being fixed for the development of these ambient and temperature-controlled warehousing and CFS facilities, the release mentioned.

The MoU between VPPL and Dr Balasaheb Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli was also signed for the development and implementation of an integrated agricultural and horticultural plan for short-listed villages in Dahanu and Palghar in and around Vadhavan.

Spanning 27 acres within the port complex,

R&D

Agdia announced the launch of a new product that simplifies and speeds up the sample purification process for RT-qPCR-based detection of Potato Virus Y (PVY). Agdia’s new ImmunoCapture Antibody for PVY represents an innovative step forward for testing laboratories looking to improve both performance and efficiency when testing for this impactful virus

he potato plant (Solanum tuberosum) is a critical crop for global food security, cultivated across temperate and tropical regions. However, it is vulnerable to numerous pathogens with Potato virus Y (PVY) being the most significant, capable of causing up to 80% crop losses in heavily infected fields. PVY affects a wide range of solanaceous crops, including potato, tomato, eggplant, and pepper, as well as ornamental plants and weeds, posing a severe threat to agriculture.

PVY strains are categorized into three phylogroups: O (ordinary), C (common), and N (necrotic), along with recombinant strains like PVYO+C and PVYNTN. Symptoms vary but can include foliar mosaic patterns, necrosis, premature leaf drop, and tuber necrotic ringspots. Transmission occurs via 50+ aphid species, which spread the virus over long distances, in addition to transmission by mechanical means like plant contact caused by wind or human activity. Infected seed tubers are the primary inoculum source for PVY.

Management relies on maintaining certified seed tubers and identifying infected seed by diagnostic workflows, including serological tests like ELISA, ImmunoStrip®, AmplifyRP® and laboratory-based molecular tools such as RT-qPCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). These approaches, coupled with winter grow-out trials, are vital for identifying and mitigating PVY’s impact on potato production.

Although qPCR methods for detection of PVY are highly sensitive and specific, the labor and extraction kit materials required for traditional nucleic acid purification can be cost-prohibitive for certification purposes. Traditional nucleic acid purification materials and reagents can be costly and require multiple steps, each of which is a critical control point that can be subject to errors. Immunocapture simplifies this process by combining pathogen isolation and nucleic acid preparation into a single step.

Incorporating an immunocapture step in qPCR/RT-qPCR combines serological (antibody-based) and molecular (DNA- or RNA-based) detection techniques that can result in gains for both assay performance and method efficiency.

With immunocapture methods, specific antibodies are immobilized on a solid surface (ex: PCR microtiter plates) to bind to target pathogens (in this case, PVY). The binding step effectively concentrates the virus, and a simple washing step separates it from inhibitors commonly found in complex biological samples such as macerated tuber tissue. The captured viral particles are then lysed to release their nucleic acids, which serve as the template for the qPCR method that follows.

Immunocapture not only speeds up the purification process, but also offers more opportunities for high-throughput process automation since it occurs in a simple PCR plate versus the various tubes, filters, etc. which are required in traditional nucleic acid purification.

Traditional nucleic acid extraction methods co-purify all nucleic acids present in a sample extract. With immunocapture purification, only the target antigens (ex: PVY) are bound to the antibodies while all other sample materials are washed away. This leads to fewer chances for inhibiting substances and non-target DNA or RNA to interfere with the downstream qPCR/RT-qPCR protocol.

For a high-throughput PCR lab, Agdia’s ImmunoCapture Antibody for Potato Virus Y streamlines the testing process, reduces costs, and improves both the sensitivity and reliability of detecting PVY. By integrating this innovative reagent, labs can process more samples faster with higher confidence in the results, making it a superior choice over traditional nucleic acid extraction methods for the detection of PVY.

Agdia announced the launch of a new

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Biofertilizers, Fungicides, Herbicides, Sustainability

Soybean growers across the globe face a silent but devastating threat under the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This microscopic pathogen attacks soybean roots, jeopardizing crop yields and causing more than $1.5 billion in annual losses in the United States alone. Despite decades of effort, effective solutions to protect soybeans from SCN remain elusive, as the pathogen is often detected only in later stages because its early symptoms are subtle. However, new research offers hope for a sustainable solution to this agricultural challenge

A recent study published in the journal Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI), led by the graduate student Alexandra Margets and other researchers from the Roger Innes Laboratory at Indiana University Bloomington, in collaboration with the Baum Lab at Iowa State University, has identified and characterized a key protein behind SCN infection. Their findings could revolutionize how farmers protect their crops from this pervasive threat.

The team of researchers identified an effector protein called CPR1 (″cysteine protease 1″), which SCN secretes into soybean roots during infection. CPR1 disrupts the plant’s immune system, paving the way for the pathogen to establish itself. Using a cutting-edge technique called ″proximity labeling,” the team identified a soybean protein, GmBCAT1 (branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase), as a target of CPR1. Further experiments revealed that CPR1 prevents the accumulation of GmBCAT1, suggesting cleavage. This discovery could enable the team to engineer ″decoy” proteins that trick SCN effectors into cleaving them, thereby triggering a robust plant immune response that prevents further infection.

″This work has broad impacts on our understanding of SCN parasitism and the development of a novel resistance strategy. If shown to be successful, we can develop plants that are resistant to SCN and deliver a new solution for soybean farmers to use in their fields,” said Roger Innes, head of the Innes Lab. ″If this technology works for SCN resistance in soybeans, it will almost certainly work for other crop plants and respective plant diseases.”

These insights could have far-reaching implications for global agriculture. By developing SCN-resistant soybeans, this research aims to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, lowering agriculture’s environmental impact while increasing crop yields. The complementary expertise of the Innes Lab in decoy protein engineering and the Baum Lab in soybean and nematode biology underscores the potential for transformative advancements in sustainable farming. Both labs hope this research will benefit farmers and promote sustainable agriculture by developing a new generation of SCN-resistant soybeans.

Soybean growers across the globe face a

Agribusiness, Start ups

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration, mentorship, and support for startups in the region

The signing took place during “Jammu Kashmir Konnect,” a special startup-focused program organized at JKEDI’s Baribrahamna campus, where startups, incubators, and key-way stakeholders gathered to discuss innovation and growth opportunities. DPIIT and JKEDI formally signed the MoU marking a significant step toward strengthening startup support systems in J&K.

The MoU between DPIIT and JKEDI paves the way for greater branding, outreach, and accessibility to Startup India’s ecosystem, fostering mentorship, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure support. It also focuses on market linkages, funding networks, and international expansion opportunities, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

During the program, Director DPIIT and Director JKEDI held one-on-one interactions with all incubators, discussing their challenges, needs, and future plans. The session provided a unique platform for incubators to share insights, suggest improvements, and seek policy-level support for enhancing the startup ecosystem.

During the event, Shri Rajinder Kumar Sharma, JKAS, Director JKEDI highlighted the impact of the JK Startup Policy, launched in March 2024, which has led to over 250 new startup registrations on the DPIIT portal taken the total to 988 in a short span. He also emphasized the significant outreach efforts undertaken by JKEDI, stating that during the current financial year, the institute has successfully conducted 601 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs (EAPs) across Universities, Colleges, Higher Secondary Schools, and IITs in 20 districts of J&K—without incurring any expenses.

The “Jammu Kashmir Konnect” program, coupled with the signing of the MoU, marks a major milestone in J&K’s startup ecosystem, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs receive the mentorship, funding opportunities, and ecosystem support needed to thrive.

The Head of the Incubators from IIT- Jammu, IIM-Jammu, Jammu University, SKUAST-Jammu, Cluster University and CIIIT Jammu along with the FICCI Flo attended the event physically. Incubators from NIT- Srinagar, IUST University, SKUAST – Kashmir and CIIIT Baramulla joined virtually.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal

Award

Dr Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been conferred with the “IAHS-Girdhari Lal Chadha Award 2024” by the Indian Academy of Horticultural Society (IAHS), the oldest professional society of India established in 1942 and comprising 2,400 members, for his outstanding contributions to fruit science

The award, consisting of a Gold Medal and citation, was awarded to Dr Gill during the Inaugural Session of the National Conference on “Digital Technologies for Transforming the Horticulture Sector,” held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on January 28. The Girdhari Lal Chadha Award in Fruit Science was instituted in 1992 with a corpus money donated by Padma Shri Dr KL Chadha, former Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR in Fruit Science Research and Development (R&D).

The inaugural session was graced by the agricultural stalwarts including Prof Ramesh Chand, member of NITI Aayog, New Delhi; Dr T Mohapatra, former Director General, ICAR and Chairperson PPV&FRA; Dr SK Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture), ICAR; and Dr Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary DA&FW, Government of India, New Delhi.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; and Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, congratulated Dr Gill for winning this prestigious award and making significant contributions as well as displaying leadership in R&D in fruit science.

Dr Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dean, Post

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Biofuel industry, Company News, Digital Technologies, India

 The app helps to track real-time inflow of raw materials and outflow of finished products parameters for the alert to maintain an appropriate level of stock.

Buyofuel, India’s top biofuel marketplace, announced the launch of the Buyo Inventory App to transform biofuel inventory management. Biofuel manufacturers, suppliers, and traders face enormous challenges in managing raw material inflow, finished product outflow, production schedule, and machinery maintenance in an increasingly competitive market. Gallery Buyo Inventory App Solution minimizes such pain areas and provides a more efficient, scalable, and sustainable solution for smooth inventory management. Inventory management has been a longstanding issue in the biofuel industry, given cost and timing issues, like stock mismanagement or overproduction of biofuels, material wastage from production processes such as fermentation, and unplanned downtime of machinery. To address these challenges, Buyofuel introduces the Buyo Inventory App to optimise operations and improve inventory management within the biofuel industry. The Buyo Inventory App is available for download across leading app stores and can be easily integrated into operating processes.

The Buyo Inventory App comes with numerous features that are specifically designed for biofuel distributors and producers. It helps to Track Real-time inflow of raw materials and outflow of finished products parameters for the alert to maintain an appropriate level of stock. This feature assists in minimizing overstocking or shortages to maintain smooth operations. Furthermore, the app integrates into machinery maintenance schedules and production capacity, helping ensure parts are available when needed, and minimizing downtime. It’s easy-to-navigate interface leads to rapid adoption of the platform across teams, even if they are at different operational levels. Its versatility in different kinds of businesses supports active adaptation to different biofuel processes. With vast experience in the biofuel business, Buyofuel developed the Buyo Inventory App to provide added value to bio fuel producers and suppliers.

Building this app after learning about the challenges of trying to improve things in the industry, the app works with the other Buyofuel tools to provide a single dashboard that can run everything. It can also be adapted to all types of biofuels processes as it can use rice husks, bagasse, groundnut shells, and other biomass feedstocks. Benefits such as cost efficiency also fall into this category, as the ability to optimize for machines and spare parts helps reduce waste and make production more productive by minimizing downtime. Moreover, it encourages sustainability by optimizing inventory management and minimizing the carbon footprint.

 Kishan Karunakaran, Founder & CEO of Buyofuel said, “The Buyo Inventory App is a key milestone for the biofuel sector. It is intended to streamline inventory management and enable biofuel companies to run more cost-efficiently. Its powerful features and intuitive interface help users streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve overall profitability.” The app can be adapted immediately by biofuel manufacturers and suppliers to reap the benefits of more robust inventory control and improved operational productivity. The new solution is the latest step in Buyofuel’s emphasis on innovation and sustainability that enables the biofuel sector to implement intelligent technologies that drive growth and help deliver a greener tomorrow. Technology reviews Buyofuel is a leading platform dedicated to transforming the biofuel industry through innovative solutions. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, Buyofuel connects biofuel producers, suppliers, and consumers to create a seamless ecosystem for biofuel trade and management.”

 The app helps to track real-time inflow

Company News, Packaging & Labelling

Blending Tradition with Innovation to Empower Every Purchase with Transparency and Quality

KRBL Limited, a global leader in the food industry and parent to the World’s No.1 India Gate Basmati Rice, proudly announces the launch of its new packaging. Designed
with a consumer-first approach, the revamped packaging aims to educate and empower consumers, enabling them to make informed choices based on their unique preferences and requirements. The journey to this milestone began with a deep dive into consumer behavior, aiming to address significant gaps in the category. Research highlighted key challenges: lack of detailed product knowledge and price-driven decision-making. These insights laid the foundation for the new packaging, designed to simplify choices, provide transparency, and strengthen consumer trust.

To bring this vision to life, KRBL partnered with renowned brand consulting and design firm Landor Associates. This collaboration brought global expertise to address complex challenges, such as the integration of modern design elements with India Gate’s rich legacy and ensuring that the packaging resonates with diverse consumer mindsets. Through extensive research and validation, the new packaging emerged as a solution that blends tradition with innovation, empowering consumers with detailed product information, consumer-forward illustrations and interactive features like QR codes. By segmenting the portfolio based on mindsets—such as The Perfectionist, The Quality-Seeker, The Taste Champion, The Smart Shopper—KRBL ensures a tailored experience for every consumer.

“The new packaging represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower consumers,” said Ayush Gupta, India Business Head, KRBL Limited. “By addressing long-standing consumer challenges, we aim to redefine how consumers interact with basmati rice. Every detail, from AR- enabled QR codes to variant-specific prefixes, is designed to make their journey easier and more rewarding. This is packaging with a purpose—intelligent, engaging, and deeply rooted in our values. This initiative not only reflects our dedication to quality and innovation but also strengthens our legacy as a trusted leader in the industry.”

The revamped packaging is just the beginning of a multi-phase campaign that is being launched on 29th January 2025 at PVR Director’s Cut, Vasant Kunj, with the unveiling kicking off with a grand premiere at PVR Director’s Cut, marking a bold step in redefining consumer engagement in an otherwise low-engagement category.

Blending Tradition with Innovation to Empower Every

Acquaculture, Agribusiness, Agro Universities, Animal Health, Company News, India, Live Stock, R&D

 Argo Rid, helps in healing of lesions due to parasitic attachment (Argulus Spot) on the fishes in addition to boosting their immune system.

Godrej Agrovet Limited announced that the company has launched Argo Rid, a fish lice controller. Developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), the product helps in healing of lesions due to parasitic attachment (Argulus Spot) on the fishes in addition to boosting their immune system thereby aiding enabling aqua farmers take better care of their fish’s health.

Argulus infections have long plagued the Aquaculture industry, affected nearly 48 percent of Indian aquaculture ponds and caused an estimated annual loss of USD 62.5 million. ArgoRid addresses this challenge through its farmer-friendly, easy-to-use formulation, making it accessible to both small-scale and large commercial fish farmers who can seamlessly integrate it into their existing feeding practices.

Commenting on the launch, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet said, “At Godrej Agrovet, we are committed to offering research-driven solutions that enhance farm efficiency and uplift farming families while maintaining sustainability. Hence in our quest to contribute to nation’s Blue Revolution, we delighted to empower fish farmers with a reliable, easy-to-use, and effective tool to combat one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Leveraging the technical expertise of ICAR-CIFE and our distribution reach, we certainly believe that such public-private partnerships will play a critical role in driving meaningful advancements in the industry and strengthen the position of our country’s Fisheries sector on the global map.”

Dr. Mohammad Aklakur, Scientist, ICAR-CIFE also shared his views on the product. “The introduction of ArgoRid is a breakthrough from a scientific perspective because it proves that nutraceuticals can be effective treatments in controlling fish lice infestations. Its formulation not only eliminates fish lice but also enhances immunity, promotes wound healing, and improves overall fish health. Developed through extensive research at ICAR-CIFE, ArgoRid provides a scalable and effective solution to one of the industry’s major challenges.”

 Argo Rid, helps in healing of lesions

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Start ups, World

New cohort to explore innovations focused on meeting customers’ needs.

Deere & Company announced the names of 6 companies chosen for its 2025 Startup Collaborator program. The John Deere Startup Collaborator program was launched in 2019 to enhance and deepen the company’s interaction with startup companies whose technology could add value for agriculture and construction customers.

“The John Deere Startup Collaborator Program represents our ongoing dedication to innovation and customer-centric solutions,” said Jahmy Hindman, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer. “By collaborating with forward-thinking startups, we aim to explore new technologies that can bring significant value to our customers in agriculture and construction. We look forward to working closely with these startups to learn, grow, and drive the future of productive, sustainable, and efficient farming and construction practices.”

The companies participating in the 2025 Startup Collaborator include:

Array Labs – A space technology company building the first constellation designed for frequent, high-quality 3D imaging of Earth’s entire surface

Landscan – A digital twin company fusing proprietary soil and remote sensing signals to generate unique analytical insights for the optimization and management of land and its resources

LIDWAVE – A pioneering 4D LiDAR-on-a-chip developer, providing unprecedented sensing for advanced automation, mapping, and inspection applications

Presien – A physical AI company partnering with OEMs to deliver plug-and-play, on-machine solutions that transform worksite safety and productivity

ReSim – An embodied AI testing company that automates hardware, simulation and replay evaluations, unlocking safer, faster development for autonomy

Witricity – A trailblazer in wireless charging technology for commercial and passenger vehicles, eliminating the hassle of plug-in charging and setting the stage for future autonomy

“We’re thrilled to welcome the 7th cohort of startups to our John Deere Startup Collaborator Program. This program is all about fostering innovation and collaboration. Each startup in this cohort brings unique technologies aimed at tackling real challenges in agriculture and construction. By working together and learning from one another, we will explore new technologies that can benefit our customers.” – Colton Salyards, Principal Corporate Development, John Deere. 

New cohort to explore innovations focused on

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Fruits, Horticulture

In order to promote the horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has made an appeal to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to include special assistance in the 2025–2026 budget. With more than 700,000 families directly or indirectly reliant on the fruit business, the union, which represents fruit producers’ associations throughout the Valley, has emphasized the industry’s critical role in the local economy

The union proposed in its pitch that the government should design a crop insurance program for horticulture that is equivalent to the one that is offered to the agricultural industry. Despite previous announcements of such a program, it has not yet been put into action, leaving fruit growers exposed to losses from natural disasters. The union has emphasized that growers will greatly benefit from the budgetary provisions for this program in the next budget, especially during periods of severe weather.

Reintroducing the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is another important demand made by the union. The organization noted that “Grade C” and fallen apples make up around 40% of the yearly apple harvest, frequently causing growers to suffer financial losses. To help farmers lessen their losses, the government previously implemented the MIS, which allowed the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department to purchase these inferior apples at set prices. But the program was abandoned a number of years ago. The union has asked for its reintroduction, claiming that it will give fruit growers the crucial financial stability they need.

In keeping with the current industrial estates in Jammu and Kashmir, the union has also suggested creating a horticultural estate specifically for this purpose. For the advantage of fruit producers and dealers, such an estate would offer state-of-the-art facilities under a single window system, such as juice plants, canning factories, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, and other related units. The union has asked that money be set aside in the next budget to support the construction of this infrastructure.

There have also been complaints about the exorbitant price of agricultural inputs and packaging. The government is now imposing a 12 percent GST on necessities like cardboard cartons, plastic trays, baskets, waste paper, insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The union has asked the government to either exempt or lower this tax. It has been stated that fruit producers’ production costs have increased dramatically due to the rising costs of these resources, making it difficult for them to stay competitive.

The union has also demanded that testing facilities be established in each Valley district, that tree spray oil be recognized as an agricultural product, and that funding be allocated for the restoration of damaged orchards. Given the frequent unfavorable weather conditions that impact fruit production in the area, the plea also requests a specific budgetary provision for financial help in the event of natural disasters.

The exclusion of small-scale fruit growers’ Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans is another important demand. According to the organization, a number of these growers have been unable to pay back their loans because of things like political upheaval, the terrible floods in 2014, the COVID-19 pandemic, droughts, and unusual snowfall that was followed by a lot of rain and wind. Given the financial difficulties growers have endured over the years, it has encouraged the government to forgive these loans.

Last but not least, the union has urged the growth of pomegranate, grape, and kiwi orchards in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that the area is now experiencing a scarcity of these fruits. In order to encourage their production and guarantee the diversification of horticulture in the Valley, it has asked the government to include money in the budget.

In order to ensure the expansion and sustainability of the horticulture industry, which continues to be a vital pillar of the local economy, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has expressed optimism that the government will give careful thought to these concerns while drafting the budget for 2025–2026.

In order to promote the horticulture sector

AgroPolicy, Collaborations

As India intensifies efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition, the Tata-Cornell Institute (TCI) and ICRISAT are helping policymakers with evidence-based strategies to include millet in the Public Distribution System (PDS) which provides food subsidies to low-income families

Known as “Smart Foods,” millets are globally celebrated for being nutrient-rich and climate-resilient.

Alongside staples like rice and wheat, they provide important benefits for food security and nutrition, yet their inclusion in the PDS remains largely underutilized. To advance solutions, a TCI forum on ‘Promoting Millets in the PDS’ was hosted at ICRISAT’s Hyderabad campus, bringing together key participants from across the country.

The event featured an opening address by Dr Prabhu Pingali, ICRISAT Board Chair and Director of the Tata-Cornell Institute. Professor Prabhu Pingali said that novel insights were leading to reforms, helping to pave the way for a more effective and future-ready Public Distribution System in India. “With the potential of cash-based vouchers, families can gain the freedom to choose the nutritious foods they need, such as millet, rather than being limited to fixed staples, increasing demand for these nutritious grains and sending a strong price signal to millet producers to increase supply,” said Dr Pingali.

Through its project on the true cost of food subsidies in India, TCI has estimated the hidden costs associated with the PDS.

In a study published in Environmental Research Letters, researchers show that the true cost of the PDS in 2021-22 was $45.3 billion when the economic and environmental impacts of rice and wheat production were considered, compared with $16.5 billion budgeted by the federal government. They further demonstrated that replacing 1 kilogram of rice with millets for 200 million PDS beneficiaries would shrink the program’s true cost by $1.37 billion each year. Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim, ICRISAT, emphasized the need to build on the momentum created by the International Year of Millets-2023 and ICRISAT’s Smart Food campaign. “This discussion is crucial for integrating millets into the Public Distribution System and avoiding the exclusivity that occurred with quinoa,’ said Dr. Blade.

Mr Manoj Kumar, CEO of the Naandi Foundation, moderated the session. Dr Raghav Puri, a Research Associate at the Tata-Cornell Institute, shared statistics on millet production and consumption in India, highlighting the potential to revive millet cultivation in traditional growing regions where it has declined. Ms Priya Rampal (Oxford Policy Management), Ms Bhagya Laxmi (WASSAN NGO), and Mr Dinesh Balam (Odisha Millet Mission) discussed challenges and opportunities in millet procurement and distribution in Karnataka, Telangana, and Odisha. Active participation by ICRISAT scientists provided valuable insights from the field.

As India intensifies efforts to fight hunger

Agro Universities, Environment, India, R&D, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

PAU’s Department of Renewable Energy Engineering has achieved the landmark of 51 commercialisation agreements for various biogas related technologies till date.

Providing relevant solutions to address energy security issues, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) signed an agreement for Paddy Straw based Biogas Plant with Atmos Power Private Limited, a company hailing from Gujarat. Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, signed the MoA with the representative of the company. Dr Mahesh Kumar, Additional Director of Research (Agricultural Engineer); Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; and Dr Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director of Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, were also present at the MoA signing ceremony.

Dr Dharni stated that PAU was disseminating its technologies to the masses through technology transfer agreements with various companies and entrepreneurs. He added that PAU developed Paddy Straw based Biogas Technology was popular throughout the country, he said.

Dr Sooch said that paddy straw could be digested by anaerobic means for the production of biogas as a fuel for the kitchen as well as for power generation. The latest method of anaerobic digestion, i.e., dry fermentation of organic wastes could be carried out with little labour and produced biogas for a period of three months. The digested material from such anaerobic digestion was quality manure ready for use in fields, he added.

Dr Dhatt congratulated Dr Sarbjit Singh Sooch, Head-cum-Principal Scientist, Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, for achieving the landmark of 51 commercialization agreements for various biogas related technologies.

PAU’s Department of Renewable Energy Engineering has