Connect with:
Sunday / March 9. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
Home2025January (Page 8)
Agribusiness, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Drones

Phenix will serve as the foundational program for global Corteva crop protection field research scientists to conduct digital assessments.

Corteva Agriscience is committed to advancing agricultural innovation through the use of cutting-edge technologies. That’s why in 2024, the company, through its Corteva Catalyst™ investment platform and in collaboration Purdue Research Foundation, acquired the exclusive global rights to the Phenix™ software developed by Progeny Drone, a platform for precision crop management. The software combines rapid aerial survey mapping from drone technology and high-resolution image analytics to help quantify crop responses to management and the environment.

Phenix will serve as the foundational program for global Corteva crop protection field research scientists to conduct digital assessments. Its advanced features include specific tools for in-field plot mapping and image quantification. The software will be instrumental in:

  • Reducing data processing time at the field edge
  • Quantifying the performance of new product trials in research fields to improve crop health, weed management, and yield
  • The continued development of the Corteva Biologicals business

Corteva’s investment in this tool also aids in reducing infrastructure needs, simplifying workflows, and providing seamless connection to existing data repositories and tools. Corteva plans to first deploy the software for use by crop protection field scientist drone pilots across the globe, followed by integration into Corteva’s agronomic and commercial trial research division.

Phenix will serve as the foundational program

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D, Start ups, Sustainability

By repurposing agricultural waste, the startup offers a solution to stubble burning issue while contributing to developing eco-friendly building materials aligned with global climate goals.

A startup incubated under the Punjab Agri-Business Incubator (PABI) has garnered international acclaim for its pioneering innovation of insulating tiles crafted from agricultural residue. The breakthrough solution was recently featured in El Español, one of Spain’s leading national newspapers, in its innovation-focused Omicrono section.

The startup’s tiles, made from stubble and other agricultural by-products, present a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. These tiles are fire-resistant, waterproof, and highly effective in insulating homes against extreme temperatures, significantly reducing energy consumption. The feature in El Español praised the innovation’s potential to eliminate the need for air conditioning, especially in regions experiencing extreme heat or cold, positioning it as a game-changer in sustainable construction.

This international recognition underscores the global relevance of Indian agritech startups in addressing pressing environmental challenges. By repurposing agricultural waste, the startup offers a solution to stubble burning—a major environmental issue in India—while contributing to developing eco-friendly building materials aligned with global climate goals.

Parminder Singh, the engineer behind this innovation, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Our goal is to turn agricultural residue into a resource rather than waste. Being featured in a reputed international platform like El Español validates our efforts and inspires us to expand globally.”

Dr M S Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, commended the startup’s achievement, emphasizing its dual impact on addressing local and global challenges. He remarked, “This international recognition is a testament to the incredible potential of our startups at PABI. Innovations like this are crucial for advancing sustainable development.” Dr T.S. Riar, Principal Investigator at PABI, highlighted the significance of such initiatives, stating, “This success underscores PABI’s mission to foster innovative solutions in agriculture and allied sectors. Utilising agricultural residues for insulation addresses environmental concerns and demonstrates India’s capacity for groundbreaking solutions with global relevance.”

Dr Poonam Sachdev, Co-Principal Investigator at PABI, emphasised the pivotal role of mentorship and support in the startup’s journey, adding, “At PABI, we ensure startups receive the resources, tools, and networks they need to scale their innovations. This feature in an international platform like El Español is a testament to the success that can come from determination and the right guidance.”

This milestone is an inspiring example of how innovative, sustainability-focused solutions can gain global attention and create lasting impacts. With rising international interest, the startup is well-positioned to scale operations and bring its eco-friendly insulating tiles to markets worldwide, showcasing the power of agritech entrepreneurship in addressing climate change and waste management challenges.

By repurposing agricultural waste, the startup offers

Agro Universities, Cold Storage, India, R&D, Supply Chain

Its mobility allows it to be mounted on various vehicles, including trucks, tractors, small pickups, and even trailers, offering flexibility for efficient transportation.

A team from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela developed a low-cost, zero-energy cooling chamber for transporting tomatoes. It is designed for the efficient storage and transportation of tomato. The cooling chamber, which was developed at a cost of Rs 1.4 lakh, can hold 750-1,000 kg of produce at temperatures ranging from 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Developed at a cost of Rs 1.4 lakh, the chamber can hold up to 750–1,000 kg of produce and is ideal for preserving perishable goods. Its mobility allows it to be mounted on various vehicles, including trucks, tractors, small pickups, and even trailers, offering flexibility for efficient transportation.

One of the special features of this cooling chember is its energy efficiency, as it doesn’t require any external power supply. By utilising wet pads to facilitate evaporative cooling, the chamber naturally reduces temperature and maintains the necessary humidity levels for fresh produce.

The unit is also available in portable versions, catering to small-scale users like vegetable sellers and distributors. Professor Madhuresh Dwivedi, a member of the project, highlighted its potential to revolutionise the transportation of perishables while providing an eco-friendly solution.

The team, which included several professors, researchers, and PhD scholars, presented their innovation at the “Tomato Grand Challenge” during the National Consumer Day event in New Delhi on December 24. Their work is expected to significantly benefit farmers and traders, ensuring better storage and reduced wastage of agricultural produce.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education had initiated a hackathon titled Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC) by inviting innovative ideas at various levels of the tomato value chain.

Its mobility allows it to be mounted

Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Drones, India

 The company has already garnered recognition through the DGCA-type certification for its agricultural spraying drones, including the flagship SYENA series.

THANOS Technologies, a pioneer in agricultural drone technology, announced its achievement of the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for its Quality Management System. Awarded by TÜV SÜD, a global leader in safety, security, and sustainability solutions, the certification acknowledges THANOS’s excellence in the design, manufacturing, supply, and servicing of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)/drones, batteries, and unmanned boats.

This certification underscores THANOS’s commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and sustainable solutions to farmers and businesses across India. The company has already garnered recognition through the DGCA-type certification for its agricultural spraying drones, including the flagship SYENA series, which features advanced technologies like autonomous flight, GPS navigation, and obstacle avoidance.

Commenting on the milestone, Pradeep Palelli, CEO & Co-founder of THANOS Technologies, said, “Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. It reaffirms our mission to empower Indian agriculture with advanced drone solutions, ensuring our farmers and clients receive the most reliable and efficient technology. As we scale operations and expand our reach, this certification will serve as a cornerstone of our growth strategy.”

The certification comes at a critical time for THANOS Technologies, as the company scales its operations with a state-of-the-art production facility capable of manufacturing 3,000 drones annually. With a revenue target of Rs 100 Crore by 2025-26, THANOS is expanding its service network across India to provide seamless post-sales support, ensuring stronger relationships with its growing customer base.

Furthermore, THANOS’s drones play a key role in environmental sustainability, achieving up to 95 per cent water conservation compared to traditional farming practices. This aligns perfectly with the company’s vision of transforming agriculture through eco-friendly and innovative solutions, empowering farmers to boost productivity while safeguarding natural resources. With the ISO certification, THANOS solidifies its position as a trusted leader in agricultural drone technology, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future in Indian farming.

 The company has already garnered recognition through

Agbiologicals, Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Europe

The NemaGen™ range integrates seamlessly with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pests sustainably.

UK based Bionema Group, a leading developer of biocontrol technologies for crop protection and plant health management, announced the launch of NemaGen™, a next-generation range of native beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes, at the British Turf Management Exhibition (BTME). The NemaGen™ product line includes offerings such as NemaGen™-CG and NemaGen™-LJ for chafer grubs and leatherjacket control I sport field, which feature native species like Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. These products are designed for superior adaptability and efficacy, specifically tailored to enhance local ecosystems such as low soil temperature. This innovative technology effectively tackles critical pest challenges in agriculture, horticulture, sports turf, and forestry, achieving an impressive 20-30 per cent improvement in pest control compared to conventional bioinsecticides and biopesticides while significantly reducing environmental impact.

NemaGen™ is a groundbreaking solution for biological pest control,” said Stephen Ford, CTO of Bionema Group. “By utilising native beneficial nematode strains, we provide highly effective solutions adaptable to our customers’ environmental conditions. This innovation underscores our commitment to sustainable practices that protect ecosystems while enhancing productivity in the industry.”

“Our NemaGen™ products go beyond pest control,” added Dr Ansari. “They empower growers, farmers, turf professionals, and foresters with sustainable tools to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides while safeguarding essential non-target species like pollinators and earthworms, vital for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem balance. This aligns with global efforts toward sustainable agriculture and food security.”

The NemaGen™ range integrates seamlessly with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, which combine biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods to manage pests sustainably. With its selective action against harmful insect pests, NemaGen™ minimises impact on non-target species and ecosystems, making it an environmentally friendly and practical solution for pest management.

Field trials conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 across several UK golf courses, soft fruits, forestry, and agriculture demonstrated over 90 per cent control of leatherjackets and chafer grubs, supplemented by enhanced turf health with RootVita® biostimulants. These trials provided a practical programme for turf professionals.

The NemaGen™ range integrates seamlessly with Integrated

Allied Industry, Environment, R&D, Vegetables

In the Sikkim Himalaya, the Lepcha tribes practice traditional organic vegetable farming for subsistence, using mixed cropping mainly for home consumption

While organic nutrient supplements help achieve good crop yields, pest management options are scarce and often ineffective for resource-poor farmers. High rainfall and humid conditions lead to significant pest infestations, especially the brinjal shoot and fruit borer, causing major yield losses. Farmers’ reluctance to adopt modern plant protection methods, combined with the limited availability of organic solutions, adds to the challenges. The use of pest-resistant cultivars offers a promising solution to mitigate pathogen growth and improve yields in this high-altitude region.

The brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) posed a major challenge for organic brinjal cultivation in the Sikkim Himalaya, causing up to 80% yield loss during the rainy season. Since 2022, ICAR NEH Sikkim initiated a field demonstration on organic brinjal cultivation in the tribal Lepcha villages of the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve. A total of 136 farmers adopted open-pollinated, moderately tolerant varieties like Pusa Purple Long (for fruit and shoot borer resistance) and Pusa Purple Cluster (for bacterial wilt). Farmers applied vermicompost (0.6-0.8 tons per acre) during transplanting and used mulching to reduce weeds and labor costs, along with a seaweed extract for growth promotion. The brinjal was ready for harvesting in 75-90 days, with 4-7 pickings until mid-October, selling at Rs. 50-60 per kg.

Organic brinjal cultivation in Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim, proved highly profitable for the tribal Lepcha farmers. With minimal plant protection costs and negligible plant mortality, marketable yields ranged from 20.6 to 30.4 tons per hectare during the kharif season. The benefit-cost ratio for all growers was between 1.25 and 1.97. Both Pusa Purple Long and Pusa Purple Cluster varieties demonstrated yield advantages of 18.6%-28.9% due to their resistance to fruit and shoot borer and bacterial wilt. Farmers like Smt Mayalmit and Smt Tshering Ongkit harvested up to 446 kg and 376 kg of brinjal, respectively, from small plots, supplying produce to the Mangan market and other outlets like the Lachen Indian Army camp. This success led to the expansion of organic brinjal farming, improving livelihoods under the TSP programme.

In the Sikkim Himalaya, the Lepcha tribes

AgroPolicy, Allied Industry, Finance, Schemes - Govt, Sugar industry

The government of Uttar Pradesh is considering raising the price of sugarcane this year. The state’s Advisory Committee has given its approval for a potential increase, which is likely to be between Rs 10 and Rs 15 per quintal. A definitive conclusion on this matter will be reached shortly by the state cabinet, as reported by Navbharat Times

In January 2024, the Uttar Pradesh government increased the State Advisory Price (SAP) for all types of sugarcane by Rs 20 per quintal. The SAP for early maturing varieties rose from Rs 350 to Rs 370 per quintal, for common varieties from Rs 340 to Rs 360, and for late maturing varieties from Rs 335 to Rs 355 per quintal.

Farmer groups have shown frustration with the relatively modest price increases over the past few years. Although the government raised the price by Rs 20 per quintal for the 2023-24 period, farmers contend that such increments are inadequate and should be implemented each year to reflect growing production expenses.

Conversely, sugar mill operators have opposed any price increases. They claim that despite making regular payments and running their mills for the entire season, this year has seen a lower recovery rate of sugar from the cane. Mill owners caution that rising costs could hinder their ability to make prompt payments and emphasize that sustaining mill operations under these conditions will become progressively more difficult.

Recently, as the anticipated rise in the State Advised Price (SAP) for the 2024-25 season approaches, the UP Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA) has voiced worries about a decrease in sugar recovery, which will result in higher production expenses. In a letter addressed to UP Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, the association pointed out the reduction in recovery. The decline in sugar recovery compared to last year has risen notably to around 0.84%, which has considerably increased production costs.

Mill operators are also appealing to the government to raise the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar. The MSP for sugar, maintained at Rs 31 per kg since February 2019, has not been adjusted. Nonetheless, industry organizations have requested a hike due to escalating production expenses and the financial strain on sugar mills.

The government of Uttar Pradesh is considering

Agribusiness, Agro Universities, Environment, India, R&D, Sustainability

The project explores using Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and rice straw removal from fields to achieve carbon neutrality without risking food security.

The rice sector is vital in achieving food security. Yet, it significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which harm the environment by trapping heat from the sun and worsening climate change. To address this, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has partnered with Kubota Corporation to explore effective strategies for managing rice crops while reducing GHG emissions.

Studies show that water and straw management practices in rice cultivation majorly contribute to GHG emissions.  Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is a water management practice that allows irrigation water to recede until a specific water depth or soil moisture level is reached before irrigation occurs. This method can help reduce GHG emissions. Additionally, removing rice straw from fields can also contribute to a reduction in GHG emissions (Romasanta et al., 2017). A field experiment is underway through the IRRI-Kubota project. This aims to measure the reduction in GHG emissions when combining AWD and rice straw removal. The project will also evaluate the combined effects of these practices on rice growth, yield, and quality.

The project aligns with the “Development of Rice Cropping Systems Toward Carbon Neutrality and Food Security in ASEAN Countries project,” which is being implemented by IRRI and funded by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). “The MAFF Japan-IRRI Project contributes to the ASEAN – CGIAR Innovate for Food Regional Program activities for Intervention Package 2: Climate Neutrality and Circular Agriculture. Through this project, we hope to achieve our twin goals of food security and carbon neutrality by co-developing integrated low-carbon practices for rice in collaboration with partners like Kubota Corporation who can help scale these solutions. This approach will increase the chances of widespread adoption,” said Dr Kazuki Saito, IRRI Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator of the MAFF Japan-IRRI Project and Kubota-IRRI Project Management Lead. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Kubota Corporation. By combining our expertise, we can advance sustainable rice farming practices,” added Dr Kazuki Saito.

“Kubota is committed to mechanizing agriculture in alignment with food security goals. We envision carbon-neutral farming by developing technologies that can reduce GHG emissions. We believe in learning from our partners and collaborating to identify key challenges and find solutions,” said Yodo Kawase, Kubota Philippines President.

The project explores using Alternate Wetting and

Agribusiness, Allied Industry, Collaborations, Horticulture

Anita Praveen emphasizes the crucial importance of research and development in the advancement of the food processing industry in India during the FICCI event. She points out that implementing waste management techniques, fostering collaboration between farmers and the industry, and ensuring quality control are essential for increasing exports

Anita Praveen, the secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing, underscored the essential importance of research and development (R&D) in advancing the Indian food processing industry. During her address at the FICCI Scientific Symposium on ‘Processed Foods for Purpose’, Praveen pointed out the considerable growth potential within the sector and its classification as a vital area in India’s agricultural framework. Praveen remarked, “The Indian agriculture sector is experiencing strong growth with unprecedented production levels, and the Food Processing sector has emerged as a key area for development.” She further noted, “We have already achieved substantial growth with the resources at our disposal. Now, it is crucial for the food processing sector to concentrate on R&D in order to elevate the industry to the next stage.”

“The food processing sector is a significant generator of investments, especially for the micro and small enterprises, and has the capacity to attract more private funding,” noted Praveen. The Secretary highlighted the strategic benefits of the food processing industry, pointing to the plentiful availability of raw materials at competitive prices and the rising consumer demand both locally and globally. “This sector benefits from a high availability of raw materials at lower costs and strong consumer demand in both domestic and international markets. Now is the moment to enhance support for the food processing industry,” Praveen remarked. She emphasized the need for direct collaboration among industry stakeholders, farmers, and micro-level processing units to improve efficiency and reduce waste. “Now is the perfect opportunity to connect these micro units with larger industries. This downward linkage strategy will help larger firms manage quality, uphold standards, and ensure a stable supply chain,” she stated. “The industry should prioritize consumer education, and we need to take a well-rounded approach to this educational effort. It is crucial for consumers to understand what they are consuming, and ensuring the quality of food production lies within the industry’s responsibility,” she continued. To enhance exports, Praveen called for greater cooperation between large businesses and smaller units, stressing the significance of quality control and maintaining strong supply chains.

She emphasized the obligation of the industry to educate consumers, advocating for clear communication and a balanced method to enhance understanding regarding food quality and safety. Siraj Hussain, who serves as an advisor to the FICCI Food Processing Committee and is a former secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, supported Praveen’s views, stressing the vital role of food processing in maintaining food safety and nutrition. “Food processing functions as an essential connector between farm and fork. It plays a pivotal role in stimulating economic development, creating job opportunities, and fostering innovation within the food sector. The importance of food processing in delivering safe, healthy, and nutritious food has now become a central issue,” Hussain remarked. He highlighted the sector’s capability to drive economic progress and innovation. Sanjay Khajuria, president of CIFTI-FICCI and director of Corporate Affairs at Nestle India Ltd, referred to food processing as a ‘sunrise sector,’ praising its advancements in modernization and sustainable economic development. “The food processing industry is recognized as a sunrise sector and has made significant strides in modernization and sustainable economic growth in recent times,” he stated. Dr. Seema Bathla, a professor at the Centre for the Study of Regional Development at Jawaharlal Nehru University, pointed out four essential components of the Indian agricultural food system: production, consumption, ecology, and environment.

“The food system in Indian agriculture consists of four main components: production, consumption, ecology, and the environment,” she stated.

Forecasts suggest a continuous increase, with the output of India’s food processing industry anticipated to exceed USD 600 billion by the fiscal year 2025-26.

Anita Praveen emphasizes the crucial importance of

Collaborations, R&D

Qi Biodesign, a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation genome editing technologies, announced the completion of its Series A funding round. The company has now raised a total of $75 million across its Seed, Series Pre-A, and Series A stages. The Series A round was led by the Beijing Medical and Health Care Industry Investment Fund (Limited Partnership), with additional investments from Beijing Changping Technology Innodevelop Group, Mingzhe Capital, and returning investor CD Capital. Previous investors also include Apricot Capital, Source Code Capital, Gaorong Ventures, CSSD Capital, Shang Capital, and CASSTAR.

Qi Biodesign was founded in 2021 by leading genome editing scientists Dr. Caixia Gao and Dr. Kevin Zhao (Chief Technology Officer), and industry experts Dr. Bei Zhang (Chief Executive Officer), and Haiquan Yang (Chief Business Officer). Qi Biodesign has established itself as a leader in genomic innovation with its proprietary SEEDIT™ research platform, featuring advanced genome editing tools such as novel RNA-guided nucleases, base editors, plant prime editors, and PrimeRoot™ editors for precise large DNA insertions and manipulations. These technologies enable multiplex gene editing, fine-tuning of gene expression, and high-throughput trait discovery, driving the development of superior biological traits to address global challenges in crop breeding and synthetic biology.

Qi Biodesign has already achieved significant milestones in product development, including receiving two biosafety certificates for gene-edited plants (high oleic acid soybean and powdery mildew disease-resistant wheat) by the China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and securing an exemption for a gene-edited product (high oleic acid soybean) from the US Department of Agriculture. More gene-edited traits including yield enhancements, herbicide tolerance and quality improvements are advancing through regulatory pipelines. Qi Biodesign’s plant breeding innovations advance the application of gene editing in agriculture, contributing to food security and sustainable developments.

The newly secured funding will be used to enhance Qi Biodesign’s R&D capabilities, advance its proprietary SEEDIT™ platform, support its product development and build commercialization platforms to streamline and speed up the transition from research to market.

Qi Biodesign, a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation

Agro Universities, Collaborations, Institutions

The International Rice Research Institute and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) recently held an intensive 5-day workshop on ″Fundamentals of Genomic Predictions and Data-Driven Crop Breeding,″ offering participants an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge techniques in modern plant breeding

Held at the IIRR campus in Hyderabad, India and facilitated by IRRI education and IRRI scientists led by Dr. Waseem Hussain and resource person Dr. Mahender Anumalla, in collaboration with IIRR representatives Director Dr. Raman Sundaram, Dr. C.N. Neeraja, Dr. P. Muthuraman, Dr. Jyothi Badri, and Dr. Kalyani Barbadikar, the workshop attracted researchers, professionals, and scholars seeking to enhance their knowledge in quantitative genetics and statistical genomics.

The workshop consisted of five modules, namely learning R Software and R Markdown, Fundamentals of Quantitative Genetics and Predictive Modeling, G x E Interactions Dissection in Predictive Breeding, Practical Implementation of Genomic Selection in Plant Breeding, and Breeding and Crossing Scheme Optimizations. A hands-on approach was a defining feature of the workshop, allowing participants to work with real-world datasets as they applied theoretical concepts to practical scenarios.

Over 40 attendees explored critical genomic selection strategies, focusing on advanced statistical models, including linear and mixed models, ridge regression, Bayesian methods, and kernel approaches. These tools provided a robust foundation for predictive breeding applications.

″The program’s success reflects a growing demand for knowledge in predictive breeding and genomic technologies, marking a significant step toward advancing agricultural research and innovation,″ said Dr. Hussain. ″We have received incredibly positive feedback from all who attended. Initially I believed this would be a beneficial training session, but it exceeded my every expectation. It’s been a privilege to witness such enthusiastic participation and to see how we’ve made a meaningful impact on the knowledge and skills of the participants.″

The International Rice Research Institute and the

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, India, Live Stock

 Clonclave focus on enhancing vaccination programs, improving livestock health, building resilient supply chains for pandemic preparedness, strengthening pandemic responses and advancing disease surveillance.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in collaboration with Indian Immunologicals Limited and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) organised a “Conclave on Pandemic Preparedness & Vaccine Innovation” in Hyderabad on 10th January 2025.

The conclave was inaugurated by Prof. Dr Vinod K Paul, Member-Health, NITI AAYOG as the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion he emphasised the need to bolster veterinary infrastructure to effectively address future pandemics. This includes enhancing diagnostic facilities to ensure early detection and rapid response to emerging diseases. He also underscored the importance of establishing advanced platforms for the development and production of next-generation animal vaccines, which are crucial for preventing the spillover of zoonotic diseases and safeguarding both animal and human health. He said that strengthening these critical components aligns with the broader goal of building a resilient healthcare framework under the One Health approach.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, stated that the Government needs to spend more on animal health for better productivity and also improve supply chain and cold chain systems to make the last mile delivery effective.

Dr Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, in his address emphasised upon the need to ensure vaccine security and pre-qualifications for animal vaccines.

The Conclave aimed to foster a deeper understanding of various aspects of “One Health,” focusing on enhancing vaccination programs, improving livestock health, building resilient supply chains for pandemic preparedness, strengthening pandemic responses, advancing disease surveillance, and streamlining vaccine testing, fostering artificial intelligence in healthcare, cell and gene therapy vaccines and regulatory pathways for approval.

 Clonclave focus on enhancing vaccination programs, improving

Agrotech, Drones, R&D

Brazilian researchers are applying an innovative methodology that accelerates the selection of corn plants genetically modified to resist drought and reduces operational costs involved in the task

The technique uses drones equipped with RGB cameras to capture images of field experiments, converting them into indexes that assess the health of the plants. With this information, it is possible to quickly identify the most promising specimens and simulate their performance in different climate conditions, making the selection process more efficient and accurate. Researchers from the Center for Genomics Applied to Climate Change (GCCRC), conducted the study in a partnership between Embrapa and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), with support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (Fapesp). The results were published yesterday, January 5, in The Plant Phenome Journal.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, making it essential to develop more resilient cultivars. However, traditional field assessment methods are time-consuming and expensive, making rapid progress difficult.

″With conventional methods, it is necessary to wait for the plant to complete its cycle and take manual measurements, often with expensive equipment and slow processes,″ explained Juliana Yassitepe, a researcher at Embrapa Digital Agriculture and author of the study.

With the new methodology, data collection in the field has been significantly optimized. ″Before, it would take several days to measure grain production, time until flowering, and plant height. Now, we can do this in a few hours, with drone flights and image processing,″ Yassitepe highlighted.

During the 2023 dry season, two experiments were carried out in Campinas (SP), over the course of five months. Twenty-one varieties of corn were grown, 18 with genes that were being tested for drought tolerance and three without genetic alterations, for comparison. The plants were subjected to controlled management conditions, with the difference being in a single variable: irrigation. ″One group received water throughout the cycle, while the other was subjected to drought,″ Yassitepe explained.

The drones flew weekly over the experimental field, capturing images with RGB (conventional) and multispectral cameras (which capture non-visible spectra, such as infrared). The analysis revealed that RGB cameras, which are significantly cheaper than multispectral cameras, produce reliable results, making the technology accessible for large-scale genetic improvement programs.

In addition to reducing operating costs, the methodology allows studies to be carried out in smaller areas, which is especially useful in projects with limited resources. ″This issue of planted area is sometimes a bottleneck in plant genetic improvement studies since the research group does not always have many viable seeds to plant in very large areas,″ Yassitepe explained.

″With lower flights, it is possible to obtain high-resolution images, allowing more corn varieties to be tested in the same area,″ added Helcio Pereira, a postdoctoral researcher at GCCRC and co-author of the study.

This approach also makes it possible to monitor the development of plants throughout the entire growth cycle. ″Continuous temporal analysis was essential to understand how plants respond to water stress,″ Pereira explained.

The detailed data collected by the drones were used to develop predictive models that help select corn varieties adapted to different environmental conditions. ″With these models, we can predict the behavior of plant varieties without the need for frequent manual measurements, making the process faster and more accessible,″ Pereira said.

Brazilian researchers are applying an innovative methodology

Agribiotechnology, Agrotech, India, Seeds

 The event ‘National Symposium on Hybrid Technology for Enhanced Crop Productivity’ brought together about 300 stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, representatives of CGIAR centres, and private sector leaders.

Leading agricultural experts have called for accelerated adoption of hybrid technology to address India’s growing food security challenges, climate change effects, and sustainable development goals. Speaking at the Inaugural Session of National Symposium on Hybrid Technology for Enhanced Crop Productivity, held on January 8, 2025, at the National Agriculture Science Complex (NASC), Pusa Campus, New Delhi, they emphasised the transformative potential of hybrid breeding and seed innovations to boost productivity and resilience in Indian agriculture.

Organised by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR), the symposium brought together  about 300 stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, representatives of CGIAR centres, and private sector leaders. The event was supported by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (MAHYCO), Rasi Seeds, and Bayer Crop Science Limited.

 Dr P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, who inaugurated the symposium, highlighted the urgent need for hybrid technologies to ensure food and nutritional security for the country’s growing population. He highlighted that Hybrid technology has to play a role beyond just increasing yields. It should lead to equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth of economy. It should also lead to transformation of agriculture through increasing farmers’ incomes. Reducing poverty is very important and agriculture has an important role to play.

 He further mentioned that Hybrid research has to produce products that have higher productivity than OP Varieties. Example- Rice, Pulses and Oilseeds need high priority in hybrid research. We need to bring Hybrid Pigeon pea to market and scale it up. This will help in bridging availability gap in pulses. Similarly in oilseeds too we should increase productivity using hybrids. This is a priority for the country. Hybrids have to be affordable to smallholder farmers. If research can make farmers save hybrid seeds from one season to another season without losing heterosis, as they do with OP crops, it would be great scientific contribution to increasing farmers’ incomes.

Dr R.S. Paroda, Chairman, TAAS, stressed the importance of public-private partnerships to drive hybrid adoption. There is a greater importance and urgency for good hybrid technology. He emphasised that to have vertical improvement, hybrid crops do provide great opportunity, access to good quality seed is important, Green Revolution was innovation-led and focus needs to be given on innovations for breeding new hybrids. He stressed on need for a National Mission on Hybrid Development. Also, we need to have a clear policy on GM Crops, seed industry to be incentivised and the GST on sale of seed be exempted.

Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPVFRA, outlined the critical role of research and innovation in scaling hybrid technologies to mitigate climate challenges. Dr Stanford Blade, Director General, ICRISAT stressed on the need for accelerated improvement and public-private partnership in a consortium mode.

 Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII, emphasized the necessity of enabling policies and collaborative frameworks to increase research for hybrid development and deployment of modern science and technology through effective research collaboration and partnership for access and benefit sharing.

 The event ‘National Symposium on Hybrid Technology