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The objective is to increase the value addition from sustainable cotton production in India by focusing on sustainable cotton, and strengthening of downstream processing

As part of the Indo German Development cooperation framework, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has collaborated with the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW). An MoU was signed between Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India on Implementation Agreement of Indo German Technical Cooperation Project on ‘Sustainability and Value Added in the Cotton Economy’ in New Delhi. 

 

The objective of the project is `to increase the value addition from sustainable cotton production in India by focusing on sustainable cotton, and strengthening of downstream processing’. It is focussing on four majorly cotton-producing states- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and will work closely with them and the related agencies. 

 

The MoU was signed by Sanjay Sharan, Joint Secretary on behalf of the Ministry of Textiles and Mohd -El-Khawab, Programme Coordinator GIZ India and Dr Rossitza Krueger, Programme Head, Sustainable Cotton Project, GIZ, in the presence of Minister of State for Textiles, Darshna Vikram Jardosh, who presided over the event and UP Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.

The objective is to increase the value

NDLM aims to create a farmer-centric, technology-enabled ecosystem where the farmers are able to realise better income through livestock activities

Dr Sanjeev Balyan, Union Minister of State Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying unveiled the National Digital Livestock Mission Blueprint at NDDB, at Anand, Gujarat. The livestock sector is poised for a major leap after the implementation of NDLM, a digital platform being developed jointly by DAHD and NDDB on the foundation of the existing Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH). The aim is to create a farmer-centric, technology-enabled ecosystem where the farmers are able to realise better income through livestock activities with the right information.

The farmers will be able to effortlessly access the markets, irrespective of their location or holdings through this digital platform as a wide range of stakeholders will be connected in this ecosystem. The system will also include robust animal breeding systems, nutrition, disease surveillance, disease control programmes and a traceability mechanism for animals and animal products.

Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (C&DD), DAHD, Govt of India, Upamanyu Basu, Joint Secretary (LH), DAHD, Govt of India, Dr Sindura Ganapathi, Visiting PSA Fellow, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt of India, Dr RS Sodhi, MD, GCMMF, managing directors of various milk unions from Gujarat, senior officials of NDDB and its subsidiaries, senior officials of TCS and Ernest & Young were present.

Dr Balyan also visited NDDB’s manure management initiative at Anand’s Zakariyapura village. While interacting with the farmers of Zakariyapura village he appreciated them for accepting the new technology of biogas plants. The bio-slurry produced is primarily used by the farmers in their own field and surplus bio-slurry gets sold to other farmers or converted into organic fertilisers. He observed the slurry processing facility at Vasna, Borsad. NDDB’s Sudhan trademark also helps them in creating a brand identity ensuring the quality of products. Moreover, all the women biogas users have reported a reduction in drudgery in bringing and burning fuelwood, and related health hazards.

The minister visited NDDB’s modern Ovum Pick Up & In Vitro Embryo Production (OPU-IVEP) facility.

NDLM aims to create a farmer-centric, technology-enabled

The minister stresses on to strengthen the local community for conservation of biodiversity

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav recently inaugurated a workshop on forests, biodiversity and climate change-‘Sharing Knowledge and Actions’ at SKICC in Srinagar.

The minister said that biodiversity will be conserved only when we strengthen the local community emphasising that conservation of forests and local community are deeply interconnected and therefore it is important to strengthen the local community for conservation of biodiversity. 

 

The minister appreciated the role of forest and sister departments and advised them to involve the last person in delivering the mechanism so that the participation of the most deprived is ensured for the success of biodiversity conservation. He lauded the efforts of the Forest Department for constituting the biodiversity management committees and linking them with the village panchayats.

 

While referring to the workshop on forests, biodiversity and climate change, Yadav highlighted the achievements of India towards meeting nationally determined contributions, and achievements in renewable energy. He advised the delegates of the workshop, experts as well as participants from research institutes and the field to work towards innovative solutions so that the balance between development and conservation is always maintained.

 

Earlier, the Union Minister visited the stalls established by the forest department. He encouraged the young volunteers of the NGOs as well as the researchers to actively work towards finding innovative solutions to protect the unique biodiversity of Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, the minister also planted a Chinar sapling in the lawns of SKICC.

The minister stresses on to strengthen the

The society so far has covered four states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya

North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS), a registered society under the aegis of the North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, has adopted a holistic approach to development in the region. The two broad focus areas i.e. (i) social mobilisation, organisation and capacity building to tap and realise the great latent potential of the communities by employing time tested their traditional value systems and culture, and (ii) Intervene with the economic and social activities and infrastructure with predominant thrust on income-generating activities to achieve economic transformation.

 

The society is dedicated to the transformation of far-flung rural areas of the North Eastern Region (NER) of India through different livelihood initiatives. The society so far has covered four states of NER viz. Arunachal Pradesh (Changlang, Tirap and Longding districts), Assam (Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts), Manipur (Ukhrul, Senapati, Churachandpur and Chandel districts ) and Meghalaya (West Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts). The society, since 1999, has formed 8,403 SHGs (Self Help Groups) and 2,889 NaRMGs (Natural Resource Management Groups) in 2,532 villages benefiting 1,18,843 households through its project- North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP).

 

The strategy adopted to achieve the goals are:

  • Capacity building of communities and participating agencies: Institutional strengthening of community-based organisations (CBOs) and strengthening the capacity of participating agencies viz. NGOs, line departments etc. on participatory planning, organisational and financial management, technical training on the farm and non-farm activities, monitoring etc.
  • Economic and livelihood activities: Promote viable income generation activities (IGAs) for poor households through the production of field crops, horticulture, forestry, livestock, fisheries, and non-farm activities using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Also to support communities with the introduction of new technologies, credit/revolving funds to CBOs for internal lending etc. 
  • Community-based biodiversity conservation and communication: The specific objective is to protect and preserve the unique natural resources and rich biodiversity of the region. The sub-components to achieve this objective were: (i) biodiversity conservation and research aimed at promoting community conserved areas (CCAs) as sacred groves, protected catchment areas and sanctuaries, (ii) forestry development to promote and demonstrate environmentally sustainable non-timber forest products (NTFP) and forestry production systems, and (iii) communication and knowledge management to facilitate information and knowledge sharing on good practices and production systems between communities.

The society so far has covered four

Visits ICAR- National Research Center on Mithun and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region in Nagaland and interacts with the scientists

The Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu visited ICAR- National Research Center on Mithun in Dimapur, Nagaland and called upon the scientists to come out with innovative research to protect and conserve the rich bio-resources and livestock of the North Eastern Region.

 

Noting that North-Eastern India is an important biodiversity hotspot, Shri Naidu said, “Our scientific institutions should work for the development of location-specific technologies which are sustainable, climate-resilient and culturally in sync with the tribal cultures of the region.”

 

Interacting with the scientists and researchers of ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region during the visit, he urged the scientists to work towards modernising agriculture with the adoption of the latest technologies for the progress and prosperity of the North-Eastern States.

 

On this occasion, Naidu was shown a promotional video for Mithun farmers on semi-intensive Mithun farming. He lauded the National Research Centre for Mithun for coming out with this alternative system of rearing of Mithun under semi-intensive systems and said the Center has done excellent work in the protection and preservation of the majestic animal.

 

During the visit to Mithun Center, Shri Naidu also visited Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) Laboratory where diseases and diagnostics relating to this unique animal were explained to him. Noting that the Research Centre has done full genome sequencing of Mithun to understand its evolutionary history across the distinct geographical locations, Shri Naidu said “Equally praiseworthy are your efforts in providing healthcare services to Mithun farms in the area and development of a Mithun mitra mobile app for the farmers.

 

Stating that the state animal holds immense significance economically, socially and emotionally for the people of Nagaland, the VP suggested that educated youth should be attracted towards the conservation of the animal.

 

Visits ICAR- National Research Center on Mithun

The institute’s CSR GROW-SURE Technology is a unique bio-stimulant developed using highly efficient salt-tolerant bacteria strains

The ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mittan Agritech, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for the transfer of the CSR GROW-SURE Technology on a non-exclusive basis through Agrinnovate India (AgIn) recently.

 

Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management & Agricultural Engineering), ICAR exchanged the MoU with Harshit Pandey, Director, Mittan Agritech Pvt Ltd during the occasion.

 

The institute’s CSR GROW-SURE Technology is a unique bio-stimulant developed using the highly efficient salt-tolerant bacteria strains – CSR-M-16 (Bacillus licheniformis), CSR-A-11 (Lysnibacillus fusiformis) and CSR-A-16 (Lysnibacillus sphaericus) obtained from the high-stress rhizosphere. 

 

The bacterial consortium, cultured on a unique patented media, resulted in 10 per cent higher efficacy over the previously available CSRBIO technology and provided enhanced yield in Tomato, Banana and Rice at the different location trials. It is highly recommended for vegetables like tomato, chillies, potato, brinjal and fruits like banana, mango, etc.

The institute’s CSR GROW-SURE Technology is a

The biostimulant is obtained from an exclusive plant fermentation process

Tradecorp has launched biostimulant Biimore in the Indian market. The ultra-efficient bacterial extract derived from an exclusive and sustainable plant fermentation process was initially developed for the dynamic Brazilian market. 

 

“Biimore is an ultra-efficient new generation biostimulant obtained from an exclusive plant fermentation process. The result is a liquid bacterial extract, this means that the product is composed of the liquids produced by the bacteria during fermentation but does not contain living bacteria. The ultra-efficient Biostimulant is obtained by using a unique bacterial strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum grown using a natural source under strictly controlled conditions,” affirms Lydia Ugena, R&D Specialist, Tradecorp.

 

The ultra-efficient Biostimulant is used at 10 to 40 times lower doses than many other biostimulants available in the market. Mixed in normal spraying volumes in the application tank, it can be applied to the crops at the beginning middle to end of the fruit swell and development stages.

 

The company recently participated in a seminar specialised in table grape organised by Maharashtra Rajya Draksha Bagaitdar Sangh (MRDBS) in Pune where the benefits of Biimore were put forth.

The biostimulant is obtained from an exclusive

The Nutrena Naturewise poultry feed will lead to maximised egg production

Cargill has added essential oils to its Nutrena Naturewise poultry feeds. The natural essential oils contribute to the promotion of egg weight, size and production, enhanced palatability and a fresh aroma direct from the bag.

 

“We listened to what poultry owners and soon-to-become owners want most and expect from their poultry feed,” said Stephanie Poupart, poultry strategic marketing manager in Cargill’s animal nutrition business.

 

In addition to the egg weight, size improvements and feed palatability enhancements NatureWise feeds offers: FlockShield proprietary ingredient mix helps maintain a healthy gut and strengthens the immune system; Prebiotics, probiotics and yeast culture to support optimum digestion and nutrient absorption; Vitamin D3 to promote calcium absorption and strong eggshells; plant extracts to support healthy bird growth and bone formation, and Yucca schidigera extract to aid in the control of manure odour.

 

“These advancements further affirm Cargill’s commitment to enabling and ensuring the optimum well-being of backyard flocks across the US and the success of their owners,” said Poupart.

 

Now available nationwide, the NatureWise lineup includes Layer 16 per cent Pellet, Layer 16 per cent Crumble, Hearty Hen Soy-Free, Free-Range Egg Producer, Feather Fixer, All Flock Pellet, All Flock Crumble, Meatbird, and Chick Starter Grower. 

The Nutrena Naturewise poultry feed will lead

The mentorship programme consis of three eight-month cohorts that seek to connect industry leaders to Israeli and Indian startups

Israeli not-for-profit start-Up Nation Central signed a historic MoU with TiE (The IndUS Entrepreneurs), one of the world’s largest networks of entrepreneurs. The MoU aims to achieve full implementation of sustainable Israeli and Indian technologies in the food-tech sector, particularly in the fields of novel foods, post-harvest solutions, alternative protein, food safety, and packaging.

The MoU entails a special mentorship programme consisting of three eight-month cohorts that seek to connect industry leaders to Israeli and Indian startups, in an effort to support their market entry process into India through matching, mentoring, connections, and onboarding strategic stakeholders. The end goal of the programme is to reach commercial agreements, which is what differentiates this initiative from previous comparable programmes.

TiE President Manohar Reddy and Start-Up Nation Central CEO Avi Hasson signed the MoU during the TiE Sustainability Summit (TSS 2021) held in Hyderabad. After the signing, the following four applicants pitched their solutions in order to be selected for the mentorship programme. The selection process concludes on October 15; in total, six companies will be participating in the programme.

Adv Anat Bernstein-Reich, the Founding President of the Israeli branch of TiE said, “The programme will allow Israeli companies to learn first-hand how to work in the Indian market. The Indian market is deceptive. People may speak English, but the business codes are different, the market structure is different, and working assumptions made by Israeli companies do not stand the test of India’s reality. The joint programme will make the market accessible to Israelis and make it easier for them to enter this important market.”

The mentorship programme consis of three eight-month

Discussions were held on to enhance the income sustainably of farmers in the eastern part of the country

The ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar recently organised a three-day National Conference on ’Integrated Farming Systems: A Tool for Enhancing Income and Nutritional Security.’

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr BS Mahapatra, Vice-Chancellor, BCKV, Kalyani, West Bengal outlined the importance of the integrated farming system and emphasised decreasing the cost of cultivation. Dr Mahapatra regarded the IFS as a climate-resilient practice that increases the farmers’ agricultural income by the integration of the different components – crops, livestock, horticulture and fisheries, etc.

The Guest of Honour, Dr AS Panwar, Director, ICAR- Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh highlighted the importance of nutritional security for all along with food security. He also stressed on to develop location-specific farming system models for the various agro-ecological conditions.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Ujjwal Kumar, Director, ICAR-RCER, Patna stressed the need for adoption of the IFS for the small and marginal farmers of the Eastern region to enhance their income sustainably.

The conference saw participation from 500 participants.

Discussions were held on to enhance the

Takes part in seed distribution programme

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare recently visited the ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone – VI, Guwahati, Assam at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kamrup. Tomar was addressing the ’Interaction-cum-Seed Distribution Programme.’

The minister distributed packets of seeds to the farmers during the occasion. The seeds were made available under the North-Eastern Hills Component of ICAR-IARI, New Delhi; ICAR-IARI, Assam; ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, Uttarakhand; ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi; ICAR-DCR, Puttur and ICAR-CISH, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Atul Bora, Minister of Agriculture & Animal Science, Government of Assam; Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India; Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR and Dr PK Pathak, Vice-Chancellor & Director of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam were also present on the occasion.

More than 200 farmers, farm women and rural youth participated in the programme.

Takes part in seed distribution programmeNarendra Singh

Agritech has enabled the promotion of sustainable farming practices, reduction of crop wastages etc besides promoting farmer income

The opportunities that agritech presents before the farming community in the country today are revolutionary in more ways than one. As the Indian farming system undergoes a tremendous shift in the way fresh produce is farmed and reaches the consumer, it is the farmer who stands to be empowered.  

 

Agriculture in India is at the crossroads of an important change. It is witness to a transformation that involves agritech which has enabled the promotion of sustainable farming practices, reduction of crop wastages and crop protection, strengthening connections of the domestic and international market besides importantly improving farmer income.

 

Rural push

 

Maintaining sync with its increased globalised position, India has realised the importance that modernising agriculture holds, right from handling growing demand to keeping up with other markets internationally. Access to information on what to produce and when modern agricultural techniques and technology have led to the creation of an e-commerce marketplace for clean and healthy farm produce. 

 

Several steps towards innovation in agriculture have managed to arrest a decline in last-mile delivery to farmers that was putting pressure on the system. It is this transformation led by agritech that has given a push to clean rural cultivation and brought in successful concepts like farm-to-mill, farm-to-fork, and farm-to-warehouse, etc. Over time these models have been able to efficiently link farmers to the marketplaces and thus consumers leading to an urban sustainable farming revolution unfolding. 

  

Specific targeted corrective action has also become possible with agritech. Optimisation of input, reduction in the use of water, chemicals, and pesticides through this action has led to a reversal of damage caused to the ecosystem.

 

Making it a reality 

 

The emergence of online platforms capable of providing these efficient linkages to farming has proven to be a boon. They are now providing relevant and innovative solutions to the agriculture sector. A mechanism of the agricultural value chain, thanks to the emergence of agritech, these platforms have led the way to innovative ideas and affordable solutions.  

In establishing itself, agritech in India has proved to be the missing link between farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers connecting each of them and providing strong marketing linkages and timely quality produce. In the start-up ecosystem, agritech platforms assume a key role in touching every stage of the agricultural value chain. The revolution in this space is brought about through innovation and providing simpler solutions to existing challenges. 

 

Technology has resulted in earth-friendly agriculture being adopted on a larger scale. The use of land, water, knowledge, and new-age technology has helped in reducing the damaging environmental impact of the past that can make agricultural systems far more efficient by using resources that ensure climate resilience and provide insights of traceability from farm to fork.

 

Revolutionary solution 

 

With no middlemen, produce being chemical and toxic-free produce available, people are happily switching to eco-friendly products after realising its importance. Getting clean and organic produce has become much easier than before with different platforms providing that infrastructure. Besides the commendable efforts of the private sector in agritech through the start-up space, the government too has initiated an action plan to support the efforts of creating an ecosystem for a green future, a green India. 

 

With the best and choicest of clean products being available just a click away, agritech has begun to chart its way forward as an e-commerce marketplace. Having become a ray of hope in Indian agriculture, the emergence of these technology-backed marketplaces or agritech platforms is the way forward today. When it comes to being an enabler providing key solutions and offering different applications or models that offer optimisation or reduction, in cost, wastage, and ways of bettering our tech-powered sustainable farming system, it is agritech that has managed to offer a revolutionary solution to both the farmers and consumers. 

 

Agritech has enabled the promotion of sustainable

The combined harvester market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.6 per cent between 2019 and 2025

Thailand’s Agricultural Machinery Market is expected to cross $1.9 billion by 2025 owing to a surge in demand among farmers and rising financial support.

The report by Ken Research also covers the market share, competitive landscape, and business model of hire purchase and lease, along with the strength and weaknesses of major players. In addition to this, the report also covers the country overview, government regulation, and agricultural overview of Thailand. Land under cultivation, changes in cropping patterns, farm holding structure, and scale of mechanisation are covered in the agricultural overview.

The agricultural tractor market in Thailand is expected to register a CAGR of 3.2 per cent between 2019 and 2025. The two-wheel and four-wheel tractor markets are expected to contribute 23 per cent and 77 per cent respectively by the end of 2025.

Thailand Combine Harvester Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.6 per cent between 2019 and 2025. Combine harvesters with power above 150 HP is expected to contribute more than 40 per cent. Followed by combined harvesters powered 75-105 Hp and 70Hp and below.

The sale of rice transplanters in Thailand is expected to decline in future as farmers have been focusing more on purchasing a used rice transplanter or renting a rice transplanter as it has seasonal usage and can be only used to plant rice.
 

The combined harvester market is expected to

The products have a shelf life of more than one year

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated exports of the first consignment of various value-added and nutri-rich products derived from jackfruit, passion fruit and nutmeg (Jaiphal) sourced from farmers in Thrissur, Kerala, to Melbourne, Australia. The products have a shelf life of more than one year.

Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA and T V Subhash, Director of Agriculture, Kerala, Exporter and Importer along with other officials of APEDA took part in the virtual flag-off ceremony held recently. In the current fast-food era, consumers’ preference is shifting towards healthy food. The gluten-free products prepared from healthy options like jackfruit, passion fruit etc are providing a viable alternative against the consumption of fast food.

The major export destinations of jackfruit are Singapore, Nepal, Qatar, Germany etc.
 

 

The products have a shelf life of