Connect with:
Thursday / April 24. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
HomeStandard Blog Whole Post (Page 614)
AgroPolicy

Two days brainstorming session on technological innovations and strategies for farmers’ prosperity

Urging every farmer of the country to be a progressive farmer Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that farmers should adopt new technologies and advancements in the field and must have frequent engagements with ascientists and local Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Inaugurating the two day ‘Brainstorming Session on Technological Innovations and Strategies for Farmers’ Prosperity in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh’ in the presence of the Ministers of State Parshottam Rupala and Kailash Choudhary in New Delhi, the Minister emphasized that ‘Gaon, Garib, Kisan’ is always at the centre of Prime Minister’s thoughts and actions and all these initiatives are aimed at fulfilling the vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

The Minister said that being an important sector Agriculture should play a stabilising role in the economy and for this modernisation and technological advancements are required in the field to which the ICAR can contribute immensely. The Minister added that this series of discussions with Farmers that started with Rajasthan in July should continue with every other state as this initiative will definitely help in the prosperity of the farming community. Calling on the farmers to adopt modern technologies, the Minister said that the discussions and learning from the two day session shall be taken forward to practising in the agricultural fields.

Enumerating the major challenges in the Agriculture sector such as providing market connectivity and promoting agricultural exports, Tomar said that amongst these one major challenge is farmers not getting proper value for their produce. For this he called for better coordination between the farmers and researchers in the field for improvement of agricultural produce. Indian products should be able to compete with products from across the world and thereby fetch best market value. Although farmers get subsidy and Government support, their aim should be not to solely rely on Government support but to take initiatives on their own to improve productivity.  Highlighting the importance of integrated and organic farming, the Minister said that the thought of farming as just growing grains should be changed to adoption of integrated farming wherein fisheries, poultry, animal husbandry and bee keeping etc. become part of farming. If every farmer starts doing this, the GDP share of agriculture shall increase.

Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, (DAC&FW) Ministry of Agriculture said that it is for the first time that Central Government is holding State specific discussions and that too directly with the farmers. The Secretary also said that the banking formalities have now been reduced and farmers can easily open accounts. Asking farmers to join for the new Farmers Pension scheme- PM Maan Dhan Yojana, the Secretary said that those farmers who have already registered for PM Kisan scheme will now start getting all information on their registered mobile phones.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) stressed on the adoption of the newer and advanced technologies that will help in achieving the targeted goal of doubling the farmers’ income by the Year – 2022. Outlining few issues in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Dr. Mohapatra said that discussions shall be on how proper value for product can be ensured, market intervention through FPOs, role of Scientists & Institutes and how crop diversification can be made possible in these States.

The Minister also launched diagnostic kits, vaccines developed by different ICAR institutes and 8 ICAR mobile Apps during the occasion. More than 300 farmers from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, students, entrepreneurs, Vice Chancellors, Institute Directors are attending the two day brainstorming session.

Two days brainstorming session on technological innovations

Start ups

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University will inaugurate the event

TiE Kerala is organising a state agriculture sector focused programme called ‘Agripreneur 2019’ at Hotel Windsor Castle, Kottayam on August 31.

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University will inaugurate the event.

MSA Kumar, President TiE Kerala said, “The conference would deal with current state of agriculture sector in the State faces today and solutions that could propel its growth.”

The summit will bring together experts and innovators to give latest updates on technically competent and futuristic ideas to steer the state’s agri-business chain both upstream (filed activities) and downstream (marketing and food processing).

“Establishment of new agri models, profitable farming, identifying new markets, evolving new trade systems and ensuring rapid growth and sustainable success are the key areas of panel discussions,” Kumar said.

Jojo George, Programme Chair said that “the focus is on how to approach farming as a well-integrated enterprise incorporating, not just adopting latest technologies but all aspects of an enterprise, which would mean management of costs, human resources, finance, marketing and communications.”

The programme would also discuss success stories in agriculture, future of farming, new technologies, allied activities, agri startups, best practices and agricultural clusters.

R Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural

Start ups

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs and startups to deliver new food innovations and businesses across Europe within its different programs

Recently EIT Food has informed that, 14 agrifood startups from 10 different countries that they had been accepted into the 3rd cohort of the EIT Food RisingFoodStars community.

“This next phase of expansion to our scaleup association strengthens our commitment to transforming the food system by scaling agrifood companies in an international context who are actively driving the innovations of the future,”EIT said in statement.

The RisingFoodStars Association is an umbrella organisation for high potential, game-changing mature agrifood startups and early scaleups, enabling its members to participate as Partners in all EIT Food activities. EIT’s 3rd cohort of startups to the Association are:

Amai Proteins (IL) – produces healthy, tasty and cost-effective proteins for the mass food market

Urban Crop Solutions (BE) – provides total solutions for indoor vertical farming

Trellis AI (IL) – a food system intelligence platform with real time data management and market intelligence over the entire food chain

Team30MHz (NL) – a digital platform for all indoor farming with wireless sensors allowing real-time remote crop monitoring on any device

Fruitsapp (IT) – a B2B Marketplace for the fresh produce industry, connecting companies based on their complementary needs

Connecting Food (FR) – allows digital B2B food auditing in real time from farm to fork and demonstrates to consumers proof that brands respect commitments and fair-trade practices

Wasteless Ltd (IL) – real-time dynamic pricing engine for fresh food that allows supermarkets to promote products with a shorter expiration date on the shelves

Mimica (UK) – focuses on food expiry labelling, Mimica Touch shows food freshness and spoilage in real time, by change in texture.

SIA Agroplatforma (LV) – develops a grain trading platform connecting farmers with buyers and the stock market

Natufia Labs (EE) – focuses on vertical farming in-house, with a device that allows growing any plants and herbs automatically

Innovopro Ltd (IL) – produces unique chickpea protein ingredients in order to create nutritious, tasty, safe, and sustainable food products

Thorice (IS) – controlled chilling technology for the poultry industry

Novolyze SAS (FR) – a food safety company ensuring strong compliance with international Food Safety & Quality standards

Fazla Gida (TR) – a holistic tech platform to manage food waste according to the Lansink ladder.

Welcoming our new members, Annick Verween, our RisingFoodStars Manager, said: “With every cohort we add new impactful members to our community who we know will leave a positive mark on society. I am delighted to welcome our new RisingFoodStars and am looking forward to making them an active part of our EIT Food family.”

5 reasons to join the EIT Food RisingFoodStars:

Access to an unparalleled network – access to, and collaboration with, our expert network of industrial and academic Partners in EIT projects, as well as potential customers and distribution channels

Enhanced European reach – we have a presence in every country in Europe and beyond, helping your business reach new markets and develop internationally

Backing from a powerful brand – as the designated EU body to transform Europe’s food system, you will benefit from our powerful EIT Food RisingFoodStars brand, making your business more attractive to investors and customers

Increased visibility – access to and possibility to host a booth at best-in-class agrifood and entrepreneurship events, both in Europe and globally

Long term support – business support and professional development in scaling up, investments and the typical pains of a scaleup during your membership.

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs and startups to deliver new food innovations and businesses across Europe within its different programs. These programs are open to all agrifood companies. Within RisingFoodStars, we select only those companies who will drive the disruption of the food system and thereby help tackle our strategic objectives.

EIT Food supports innovative impactful agrifood entrepreneurs

AgroPolicy

Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR & MSME to Promote & Develop Agro and Rural Enterprises

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research organized the “Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR & MSME to Promote & Develop Agro and Rural Enterprises” at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex.

The Chief Guest, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries emphasized on agricultural mechanization for enhancing the famers’ income. The Minister stressed on making the farmers well-versed with the modern technologies of agriculture and farming.

Sarangi urged the farmers to adopt the new innovations in the agricultural technologies developed by scientists. He also encouraged the scientists and the farmers to follow the path of “Let’s think, work and live together”. The Minister adjured the farmers to adopt organic farming.

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) briefed about the partnership between the ICAR & MSME to promote & develop the Agro and Rural Enterprises. The Director General emphasized that the farm mechanization will help in doubling the farmers’ income as it reduces the cost, time and labor, thereby, enhancing the agricultural productivity. He said that the ICAR has been committed to work towards the farm mechanization.

Dr. Mohapatra said that this venture will provide a platform for their field establishments to enter the MoUs at the local level for the promotion & development of Agro & Rural Enterprises by leveraging upon the strength and expertise of the respective Institutes.

The Director General emphasized that the ICAR & MSME will collaborate with each other in the research, education, training & capacity building, development of farm implements and other specified areas.

Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, MSME opined for adopting the strategies that could help to disseminate the latest agricultural technologies to the real users – the farmers. Dr. Panda citied the examples of success in the fields of agri-processing technologies and Cluster Development Programmes of MSME.

Ram Mohan Mishra, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, MSME outlined the important aspects that both the organizations will work on together.

Earlier, Dr. K. Alagusundaram, Deputy Director General, Agricultural Engineering, ICAR, New Delhi and R.K. Rai, Director, MSME briefed about their respective organizations and their roles in the collaboration.

Sushil Kumar, Additional Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR); Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural & Crop Science), ICAR along with several other Senior Officials of ICAR and Ministry of MSME were also present during the occasion.

Workshop on Joint Working of ICAR &

Agrotech

Company also announced updates and expansion at their US Headquarters in Huron, Ohio

Mucci Farms announces that it has acquired controlling interest of Leamington, Ontario based Orangeline Farms, including its existing greenhouse and warehouse facilities, and additional land with plans for expansion.  Subsequently, the company also announced additional expansion plans in Canada and the United States

“It’s an exciting time for the company as we continue our aggressive expansion plans to increase our local and regional production,” says Bert Mucci, CEO.  “The Orangeline acquisition comes with a 32-acre greenhouse and a warehouse with additional land totalling 100 acres.  Consumers are demanding more local production, and we’re listening.  We also have plans in place to build on the additional land that was received as part of the agreement.”

In addition to Orangeline Farms, the company also announced updates and expansion at their US Headquarters in Huron, Ohio. Originally a 60-acre project, the company has acquired additional land adjacent to the current property to increase the totality of the enterprise to 75-acres. “The first 24-acre phase is in its second season of harvesting, and we’ll be building two more identical ranges. Phase two construction is already underway,” remarked Bert Mucci. “The Ohio program has gotten off to a great start and we’re looking forward to growing our presence in the community and the regional market.”

Mucci Farms is a vertically integrated fruit and vegetable grower that owns and operates 250-acres of tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce and strawberry greenhouses in Canada and the United States, with a partner-grower network of 1500 acres across North America.  Committed to maximizing efficiencies, the organization makes sizeable investments in automation and technology to provide consumers with the most flavourful fruits and vegetables in the market.  In addition to harvesting and packing equipment, these investments include a significant acreage of grow lights that allow the company to grow locally 365 days per year, with an end goal of equipping 100% of their hi-tech glass facilities with High Pressure Sodium and/or LED lights

Company also announced updates and expansion at

Acquaculture

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity to meet the food demand and supply

Global Fish Farming Market by Environment & Fish Type – Forecast to 2025, A $376+ Billion Opportunity

Key Findings

  • Asia-Pacific is expected to lead the global fish farming market, growing at the highest CAGR of 4.89%, in terms of revenue, from 2018 to 2025.
  • Based on environment, the fresh water segment occupied around 61.8% of fish farming market share of the total market in 2017.
  • By fish type, the others segment that includes craps mackerels, sea bream, and trout occupied a major share of the global market in 2017, in terms of revenue, followed by salmon.
  • China is the largest country, in terms of revenue generation, in the global fish farming market, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.31% from 2018 to 2025.
  • The tilapia fish segment is expected to witness significant growth of 4.62%, in terms of revenue, during the fish farming market forecast period.

 

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity to meet the food demand and supply. This industry provides high-quality and disease-free fishes by rearing fishes in an environment that meets the hygiene standards. In addition, fish farming activity is utilized to conserve the species on the verge of extinction.

The global fish farming market is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to increased health awareness among consumers about the intake of balanced nutrient quantities. In addition, rise in government rules and regulations in different countries that promote fish farming to meet the growth in demand to cope with food insecurities is expected to boost the fish farming market size.

However, increase in water pollution and changes in climatic conditions hamper the fish farming market growth. Moreover, fish farming production is vulnerable to adverse impacts of diseases such as koi herpesvirus a viral disease that hamper the fish production. Disease outbreaks in recent years have affected farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile, and in several countries in Asia, South America, and Africa, resulting in partial or total loss of production, which restrained the of market growth.

Freshwater was the highest revenue generator, and is expected to witness highest CAGR of 4.74% during the forecast period, followed by marine water segment at 4.89%.

LAMEA was the second largest market in terms of revenue generation, with almost one-fourth share in 2017, and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.55% during the forecast period. In North America, fish farming has ceased expanding in recent years, however, in South America it has shown strong and continuous growth, particularly in Brazil and Peru.

This is attributed to technological developments in South America. Moreover, rapid development in the Middle East, in terms of infrastructure and technology, drives the growth of the LAMEA fish farming market. However, weak economies in Africa hamper the spending of consumers, which in turn limits the growth of the market.

 

Currently, fish farming is an absolute necessity

Agrotech

Partnership looks to modernize global food and agriculture system through new technologies

University of Illinois students focused on solving some of the world’s greatest challenges across the global food and agriculture systems will soon have a new space to test their work thanks to a partnership with Cargill.

The Research Park at the Urbana-Champaign campus will be the home of the newest Cargill Innovation Lab, the company announced recently.

Led by Cargill’s digital labs team of data scientists, Innovation Lab students and staff will work directly with Cargill business leaders, operations teams and customers to help move digital ideas – in weeks, not months – to test mode.

Robert J. Jones, chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign said, “Cargill’s commitment to engaging our students in its innovation process will add a new dimension to their educational experiences at Illinois. I had the good fortune to visit Cargill’s headquarters and engage with their leadership in this process. I am excited that Cargill has decided to join the dynamic environment in our Research Park.”

In turn, the Innovation Lab provides Cargill with a pipeline of talented software engineering and data science students and graduates ready to modernize agricultural supply chains and food systems across the globe.

Keith Narr, vice president, Cargill’s digital labs team said, “We are on a constant search for new innovations and new talent, whose fresh thinking can help us bring new technologies to life. With an impressive engineering and computer science program, the University of Illinois is an ideal partner to spur the growth and innovation in our digital business.”

“We know our students are motivated by making an impact in their communities. There are few greater ways to do so than by helping Cargill fulfill its purpose of feeding the world”, said Jones

The Cargill Innovation Lab formally opens its doors this fall, following a successful first phase of the partnership, including a 12-week internship program.

 

Partnership looks to modernize global food and

Seeds

Founder Flagship Pioneering was joined in the current round by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) and global Asian-based investor EDBI, among others

Inari, the next-generation seed company, announced the closing of its $89 million series C financing, bringing the company’s total funding to date to $144 million. Flagship Pioneering, which founded Inari in 2016 to challenge the economic and environmental realities of modern agriculture, was joined in the funding round by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), global Asian-based investor EDBI and Acre Venture Partners as well as other investors. 

“Stagnating innovation in the seed industry has led to industry consolidation and more limited choice for growers,’’ said Robert Berendes, Ph.D., executive partner at Flagship Pioneering. “This makes it ripe for disruption from both a technology and business standpoint.” 

“Inari is at the forefront of a new wave of innovation that has the potential to completely reshape agriculture. The company has developed leading-edge technologies and a fresh approach to plant breeding. Its products will substantially improve crop productivity, reduce environmental impact and make farming more profitable for everyone in the value chain.”

Inari CEO Ponsi Trivisvavet said the key to creating breakthrough solutions for agriculture lies in the breadth and uniqueness of Inari’s technology, which enables the company to uncover the enormous — and largely untapped — potential of the natural diversity stored in seeds.

“We have the ability to rapidly enhance nature’s genetic diversity and provide ways to increase yields, save water and reduce agriculture’s impact on our land and climate,” said Trivisvavet. “Our technologies address not only the needs of growers, but those of the environment as well.” 

The Series C funding will expand investment in Inari’s unique computational and genomic tools, which allow plant scientists to identify and develop deep knowledge of a seed’s potential to achieve top field performance. In addition, funds will be used to accelerate the commercial introduction of the company’s high-performance corn and soybean seeds in the U.S. market. Inari directly partners with independent seed producers to introduce plant varieties that address local farming challenges. These relationships assist the company in understanding farmers’ needs while offering seed companies and growers an opportunity to help shape the innovation. 

“ICD looks for companies with unmatched potential to change their industries,” said H.E. Mohammed I. Al Shaibani, executive director and CEO. “We believe that with its breakthrough technology and innovative business model, Inari is best positioned to disrupt the status quo and become one of the key seed players of the future.” Chu Swee Yeok, EDBI CEO and president, said Inari captured their interest because of its unique potential to revolutionize global agriculture.

“Their cutting-edge technology in gene editing for a variety of common agricultural crops could yield high-productivity crops in Singapore, across Asia and worldwide. EDBI looks forward to helping Inari harness their technology to capture opportunities in Asia.”

Founder Flagship Pioneering was joined in the

Live Stock

This is CoveMark’s second investment in the agriculture space

CoveMark, the Dallas-based private equity firm, is partnering with Capra Foods to scale their operations to meet existing customer demand. This is CoveMark’s second investment in the agriculture space, expanding operations to capitalize on the significant opportunities therein. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Capra team and help scale their operations and meet existing customer demand,” said CoveMark CEO, Aaron Cook.  “The Capra team’s commitment to animal welfare and ethical protein production as well as the land along with their long standing relationships with key retailers such as Whole Foods are just a few reasons why we wanted to invest.” 

Capra is an example of CoveMark’s commitment to building a diverse portfolio of investments, across industries and asset types. CoveMark offers a variety of investments across various sectors, focusing on those that they believe to be most profitable in the current macroeconomic environment. The firm ensures they are industry agnostic, allowing for observation of market cycles and the ability to capitalize on a broad range of opportunities. 

“At Capra, we are committed to bringing grass-fed, premium dorper lamb to the market and to the dinner table,” said Craig Jones, Capra CEO. “More importantly, we are focused on meeting and exceeding the highest standards and, along with our more than 120 ranchers, nurturing the animals as well the land.” 

Capra Foods is an industry leader in the lamb proteins market, priding itself in the belief that real food starts with real ranchers. Located in the historic ranching community of Goldthwaite, TX, Capra is operated by long time agriculture professionals with deep roots in the Texas ranching and farming industries. Capra’s lamb is currently sold throughout the U.S., primarily through respected, targeted retailers of high quality, health oriented food products.

Capra is committed to humane handling of its livestock which are 100% pasture raised and domestically produced, 100% Vegetarian grass-fed antibiotic-free diet, and are non GMO, without any antibiotics or growth hormones.

CoveMark’s client-first focus is threefold: Preserve investor capital, provide cash flow to investors and generate high risk-adjusted returns. The firm leverages established relationships with industry experts to provide its’ clients access to exclusive investment opportunities typically only available to investors with significant capital contributions. The CoveMark mission is to offer institutional quality investments to everyday investors.

 

This is CoveMark’s second investment in the

R&D

Through this agreement, Front Range Biosciences (“FRB”) will accelerate its marker-assisted breeding program and develop new traits and varieties to bring continued innovation to the cannabis and hemp industry

Front Range Biosciences (“FRB”), is a US based agricultural biotech company that specializes in tissue culture propagation breeding of high-value crops at industrial scale to improve consistency and efficiency for clone and seed production. The company provides hemp, coffee, and high-value crop producers with high-performing Clean Stock® plants and seed by combining the best practices in agriculture with innovative technologies, has entered into a collaborative licensing agreement with Steep Hill and is acquiring the Steep Hill Genomics Research & Development team.

Through this agreement, FRB will accelerate its marker-assisted breeding program and develop new traits and varieties to bring continued innovation to the cannabis and hemp industry. Steep Hill has developed important markers for cannabinoid and terpene production related pathways, advancing FRB’s breeding platform for both seed and vegetatively propagated or cloned varieties.

These markers will also complement the work currently underway in FRB’s breeding program and the results will greatly expand the library of commercially valuable agronomic traits for dependable crop yields in different climates and regions around the world. In addition, FRB will be collaborating with Steep Hill on the development of improved genomics-based tests for commercial cannabis, benefitting the industry by providing more advanced standards and certifications.

“The Steep Hill R&D team is among the top three cannabis genomics groups in the world, and we are very excited to welcome them to FRB,” said Dr. Jonathan Vaught, CEO and Co-Founder of FRB. “This acquisition is a major value inflection point for FRB, as the intellectual property we acquired significantly expands the value of our current portfolio and provides a multi-year leap in the speed of our IP filings. We look forward to strengthening the viability of the cannabis industry with such a monumental collaboration between leaders of agricultural sustainability through science.”

Led by former president of Steep Hill, Dr. Reggie Gaudino, the ten-person genomics team brings nearly four years of data and intellectual property on cannabis genetics to FRB, adding to its existing IP portfolio and patent filings. By joining the groups, FRB’s breeding program will advance significantly, resulting in additional unique and advantaged cannabis and hemp varieties for FRB’s customers.

Joining Dr. Gaudino will be his entire team, which includes four additional PhD’s. Dr. Gaudino will remain as the Head of the Scientific Advisory Board for Steep Hill and lead the collaboration between the two companies.

“Following a comprehensive strategic review, we realized that we had amassed an unsurpassed body of deep learning about cannabis genomics that was ready-made for FRB’s high-value crop development program,” said Andrew Rosenstein, Chief Executive Officer of Steep Hill. “Our new partnership with Front Range Biosciences will unlock the crop development potential of Steep Hill’s IP while positioning our core regulatory cannabis-testing business to benefit from FRB’s best-in-class development infrastructure for years to come.”

Through this agreement, Front Range Biosciences ("FRB")

E-commerce

Namaste to Introduce Seedo’s automated home growing device in European Markets as Part of Seedo’s International expansion

Seedo Corp.- “Seedo”, an agritech company providing automated growing technologies for home and commercial use, is pleased to announce a marketing and distribution agreement with a global marketplace leader in online cannabis and related product sales, Namaste Technologies Inc. Through this agreement, Namaste will introduce Seedo’s home growing device in European markets, including but not limited to, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany. 

Seedo is a global market leader in the hemp and agriculture industries, developing novel automated growing technologies. The Company’s innovative offerings are uniquely positioned to meet consumer needs, and identifying strategic retail branding and distribution partners within Europe is critical.

Namaste is focused on consistently redefining the e-commerce experience by providing consumers with the best possible choices of cannabis products available on the market. Namaste has developed a series of dedicated websites, and operates one of the most comprehensive online marketplaces for cannabis products and accessories in the world. Multiple global warehouses allow products to be shipped swiftly, safely and securely to nearly two million satisfied customers.

“Given their extensive distribution experience and wide-reach within the cannabis space, we are excited to work with Namaste,” said Seedo CEO Zohar Levy. “We are setting our sights on new market segments and successfully expanding around the world. This relationship will introduce European consumers to our automated growing technology, and will give them the capabilities to grow their own plants – hemp, vegetables, fresh herbs, and flowers – at home.”

Seedo recently ramped up retail distribution and branding efforts in the United States, announcing a partnership with leading retail innovation firm OutForm. OutForm will leverage its strategic relationships with the largest retailers across all industries to introduce Seedo with an innovative approach focused on strategic branding to reach U.S. customers.

“This innovative and ground-breaking product is a great addition to Namaste’s marketplace,” said Meni Morim, Interim CEO at Namaste Technologies. “Our goal is to create the most unique and personalized experience for users seeking innovative devices, and Seedo’s home grow unit is ready for European consumers in the hemp space.”

 

Namaste to Introduce Seedo’s automated home growing

Agrotech

The project is being jointly carried out by Farmmi’s subsidiary, Hangzhou Nongyuan Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Nongyuan”), and Tongxiang Yipinlv Family Farm Co., Ltd

Farmmi, a leading agriculture products supplier in China, has announced the launch of the Farmmi Baba Yipinlv Organic Farm Project. The project is being jointly carried out by Farmmi’s subsidiary, Hangzhou Nongyuan Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Nongyuan”), and Tongxiang Yipinlv Family Farm Co., Ltd (“Yipinlv”), which is engaged in the cultivation and sale of vegetables, fruits, food crops, flowers, and the cultivation and sale of aquatic products.  

The Farmmi Baba Yipinlv Organic Farm Project (the “Farm”) covers more than 18 acres and is located in Tongxiang City of Zhejiang Province.  The Farm focuses on enabling domestic and foreign consumers to better experience and enjoy high quality agricultural products.  In addition to consumption, the Farm will serve as a base for the popular immersive entertainment experience called “Agritainment” or farm-based tourism.  This will include family friendly activities, ranging from educational opportunities and vegetable picking to seasonal activities.  The Farm will also boast green, ecological breeding of native chickens, with fresh eggs available for purchase.

Yefang Zhang, Farmmi Chair and CEO, stated, “With so many consumers adopting healthy lifestyles, there is considerable demand for education and immersive experiences starting at the initial farm level.  In order to make this venture successful, the Farm will be hiring organic specialists to provide technical guidance to create a professional, standardized and typical organic farm demonstration base.  Customers will be able to enjoy high-quality agricultural products while directly interacting with the farm and its green, ecological and organic culture. In the next phase, we will actively develop regional cooperations and product marketing strategies, to leverage the Farmmi Liangpin mall’s cross-border, e-commerce platform.  We plan to expand and improve marketing channels, as we concentrate on providing healthier, high-quality, safe agricultural products to Chinese and foreign consumers.  We also plan to make full use of modern information technology and data systems foster the tourism + new e-commerce model.”

The project is being jointly carried out

AgroPolicy

4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana was declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year

Highlighting the considerable reduction in crop residue burning incidents in 2018, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) & Director General, ICAR said that India has demonstrated through coordinated public and private efforts such challenges can be addressed effectively.

While addressing the press in Delhi recently, Dr. Mohapatra said that through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCT of Delhi’ the paddy residue burning events have reduced by 15% and 41% in 2018 as compared to that in 2017 and 2016, respectively in all these States as per the satellite data. The Secretary also added that more than 4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana was declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.

Dr. Mohapatra stated that the Central Sector Scheme was launched with a total outgo of Rs.1151.80 Crores for the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20 by the Government of India to tackle air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. Within one year of its implementation utilizing an amount of Rs. 500 crore, the happy seeder/zero tillage technology was adopted in 8 lakh hectares of land in the North- Western States of India.

Under the scheme, financial assistance @50% of the cost is provided to the farmers for purchase of in-situ crop residue management machines on individual ownership basis. The financial assistance for establishment of Custom Hiring Centres of in-situ crop residue management machinery is @ 80% of the project cost.

During 2018-19, the funds amounting to Rs. 269.38 crores, Rs.137.84 crores and Rs. 148.60 crores have been released to the Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively, for distribution of in-situ crop residue management machinery to the farmers on subsidy, establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) of in-situ crop residue management machinery and undertaking Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for creating awareness among farmers. During 2019-20, funds amounting to Rs. 273.80 crores, Rs.192.06 crores and Rs. 105.29 crores have also been released so far to the Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.

ICAR is implementing the scheme through 60 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Punjab (22), Haryana (14), Delhi (1) and UP (23). In this scheme, awareness campaigns were conducted by organizing 1000s of demonstrations, putting up hoardings, banners and wall paintings all across the States. Almost 700 awareness programs at village levels, 200 Kisan Ghostis and Field days, 86 KPisan Melas and 250 schools and colleges were sensitized in collaboration with State departments and agricultural universities. More than 2 lakh stakeholders were sensitized during one year. More than 400 hands-on training were organized and 18,000 farmers, tractor owner and machine operators were trained.

In addition to the above Scheme, separate funds are being allocated to the States for crop residue management under Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization by the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare. The State Governments have also been directed that Rs. 4000/ Hectare shall be used from the funds available for demonstration of machines under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization for demonstration of straw management machinery at farmers’ fields.

 

4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana was

Seeds

The biological seed treatment stimulates strength in the treated crops and results in enhanced yields. Yielding such crops could push the market to grow over the forecast period

The global biological seed treatment market is likely to witness an astounding growth of 10.2% CAGR between 2017 to 2026, points out an upcoming Transparency Market Research (TMR) report.

The growing trend of sustainable practices in farming is expected to fuel the growth in the global biological seed treatment market over the forecast period. According to the projection, if the market grows at this rate, the market may reach estimated revenue of US$715 Bn by the end of 2026.

The market is segmented into bacteria, fungi, botanical, and others, in terms of treatment types. Among these, the bacteria treatment segment is expected to hold a prominent place in the global biological seed treatment market. In terms of crops, the corn crop segment is expected to proliferate the market. The reason for the same is extensive use of corn in multiple food products.

Increasing Demand for Crop Protection to Bolster Growth

The demand for biological seed treatment is witnessing an upward trend over the past few years. No matter if the farming practices are traditional or organic, biological seed treatment market is expected to grow at a grand rate. This is mainly due to the crop protection and minimal crop loss that the biological seeds offer, thus aiding in the expansion of the market.

Besides, biological seeds enhance the crop pliability against crop stress during unfavorable conditions such as droughts. This might act as a catalyst in the growth of the biological seed treatment market in the upcoming years.

The biological seed treatment stimulates strength in the treated crops and results in enhanced yields. Yielding such crops could push the market to grow over the forecast period.

Further, the biological seed treatment helps in fighting against plant pathogens and reduces the crop stress. The treatment increases the nutrient uptake in the roots of the crops, thus contributing towards the growth of the global biological seed treatment market.

Additionally, biological seed treatment helps in lesser use of insecticides and pesticides, thus resulting in reduction of the environmental impact of such compounds. This is mainly because treatment seeds act as a bio fertilizer and bio pesticide, thus increasing preference for seed treatment processes pushed growth opportunities for the global biological market.

The biological seed treatment stimulates strength in