Connect with:
Thursday / March 28. 2024
HomePosts Tagged "agriculture" (Page 6)

Global germplasm will be used in the Indian breeding programmes

The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha on March 15, 2022, has announced that the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) has enabled access to global germplasm for use in the Indian breeding programmes. Ten high yielding varieties of Lentil, Chickpea and Barley have been released by ICARDA along with ICAR for commercial cultivation in India during the last three years. Of these, six were released in 2019, three in 2020 and one in 2021.

The ICARDA is engaged in the research and development of improved varieties of food crops (Wheat and Barley) and nutritionally rich pulses. Besides, ICARDA also works on different natural management systems like cropping systems, water productivity modelling, conservation agriculture technology, fodder cactus, etc. in association with the ICAR institutions, the State/Central Agricultural Universities and the Central and State Departments.

Global germplasm will be used in the

 The Andersons will act as counterparty to Indigo’s remaining legacy grain contracts, helping to complete Indigo’s evolution from a digital merchant to digital merchandising application provider.

 Indigo Agriculture, the ag industry’s independent technology platform provider, and The Andersons, Inc., a diversified company leveraging enduring relationships and deep market expertise to add value across the ag supply chain, announced that The Andersons will act as counterparty to Indigo’s remaining legacy grain contracts, helping to complete Indigo’s evolution from a digital merchant to digital merchandising application provider.

Beginning with the launch of direct-to-buyer contracts as a cornerstone feature of its Market+ offer last year, Indigo has continued to demonstrate its commitment to serve as a neutral and independent partner of choice for the industry with milestones including the recently announced launch of new technology enhancements and integrated ag industry partnerships. Now, by securing The Andersons’ support for its remaining legacy grain contracts, Indigo is removing itself from the transaction flow, enabling the continued expansion of Market+ to directly connect a wider set of stakeholders across the agricultural supply chain.

“The sustainability mega-trend is driving an economic and structural transformation of all industries. Agriculture can harness these transformative forces to meaningfully improve profitability and efficiency for farmers and the rest of the supply chain – and we hope to be the neutral, independent, and quality-driven partner to help navigate this transition,” said Ron Hovsepian, CEO of Indigo Ag. “By removing itself from the business of buying grain, Indigo is proud to operate as an agnostic enabler, leveraging science and digital innovation to unlock new value for the mutual benefit of farmers and agribusiness.”

“The Andersons has a 75-year legacy working with farmers with services that go beyond marketing grain to deliver value. We are excited for the opportunity to broaden our footprint by working with these growers,” said Patrick Bowe, President and CEO of The Andersons.

 The Andersons will act as counterparty to

The state-of-the-art integrated plant will produce both, liquid as well as powder formulations

Atul Limited, one of the leading producers of sulphur black in the world, has recently completed the expansion of its sulphur black manufacturing facility from 9,800 tonnes per annum to 26,000 tonnes per annum.

The state-of-the-art integrated plant will produce both, liquid as well as powder formulations. The automated packing and stacking system with zero manual intervention will further increase production efficiency. The plant will be equipped with a zero liquid discharge facility in line with the commitment of the Company towards sustainability. The products are GOTS approved and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 compliant.

The first Sulphur Black plant of the company was commissioned in 1952 and had a production capacity of 2,500 tonnes per annum. Sulphur Black production capacity has steadily grown in the last seven decades, catering to the Textile, Paper and Leather industries.

The state-of-the-art integrated plant will produce both,

Bayer will fund the university education of sixteen AUW students through the Bayer Scholarship Programme

Asian University for Women (AUW) and Bayer AG have announced that Bayer will fund the university education of sixteen AUW students through the Bayer Scholarship Programme. Bayer is pledging $675,000 to the programme. The scholarships will cover two years of precollegiate study and the first year of AUW’s three-year undergraduate degree programme and will run from August 2022 – to July 2025. Bayer will also provide internships to sixteen AUW students who hold an interest in agribusiness. 

Nine of the sixteen Bayer Scholars will be selected by AUW from the rural farming communities of Bangladesh, and seven will be selected from other smallholder farming communities in South and Southeast Asia. Bayer will amplify the scholarship programme and actively promote this education opportunity through its field force network in South Asia, which serves as a trusted partner to many rural farming families. Recipients of this scholarship are selected from rural farming communities based on their academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, outrage at injustice, and drive to create change in their communities and beyond. 

Monika Lessl, Senior Vice President Corporate R&D and Social Innovation and Executive Director of Bayer Foundation: “At Bayer, we are constantly working towards creating a world where everyone has access to essential services – be it health, nutrition or education. A key step in achieving this goal, is to bridge the gender gap in education. Hence, we are delighted to support women students pursuing higher education at the Asian University for women through our scholarship program and hope that these women students will not only transform their lives through education but also serve as a beacon of hope to other women students in their communities.” 

With limited social networks and other services, as well as an absence of economic empowerment opportunities, the cycle of entrapment in traditional mores becomes inescapable. It is this cycle that Bayer and AUW would like to break through their ground breaking partnership. The Bayer Scholarship Programme will foster women’s empowerment among marginalised, rural agricultural communities in Bangladesh and across Asia.  

Bayer will fund the university education of

This marks a significant milestone for DSM, paving the way for Bovaer to revolutionise the dairy market

Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, has announced that European Union (EU) member states have approved the marketing of the methane-reducing feed additive for dairy cows, Bovaer, in the EU. After inclusion in the EU registry, expected in the coming weeks, it is the first time a feed additive authorised in the EU for environmental benefits can be marketed. This marks a significant milestone for DSM, paving the way for Bovaer to revolutionise the dairy market.

Bovaer will contribute to the greening of the EU’s agriculture, and to the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy.  As stated in the European Commission’s confirmation of approval, the innovative feed additive is safe for use without impacting the quality of dairy products and is the first of its kind to be available within the EU which can reduce methane emissions.

DSM’s ruminant feed additive Bovaer consistently reduces these methane emissions by around 30 per cent. EU market authorisation, therefore, represents a ground-breaking step toward more sustainable milk production, giving farmers, dairy companies and retailers a trusted and safe product with proven efficacy that will substantially lower dairy’s carbon footprint.

Bovaer is the result of a decade of scientific research, including more than 50 peer-reviewed studies published in independent scientific journals and 48 on-farm trials in 14 countries across 4 continents. DSM has entered into partnerships with several major dairy companies to prepare for the implementation of Bovaer at a large scale. DSM has also already begun engineering works for a large-scale Bovaer plant at DSM’s manufacturing site in Dairy, Scotland.

This marks a significant milestone for DSM,

The PM emphasises various measures adopted by the government for the agri sector

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a webinar on the positive impact of Union Budget 2022 in the agriculture sector. He discussed how the Budget will contribute to strengthening the sector. The webinar was focussed on ‘Smart Agriculture’- Strategies for implementation. Concerned Union Ministers, representatives of state governments, representatives from industry and academia and farmers through various Krishi Vigyan Kendras were present on the occasion.

At the outset, the Prime Minister noted the third anniversary of the launch of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. “This scheme has become a strong support for the small farmers of the country. Under the scheme, almost Rs 1.75 lakh crore has been given to 11 crore farmers,” he said. The Prime Minister talked about many new systems spanning from seed to market and also about the reforms in the old systems in the agriculture sector. 

“In just six years agriculture budget has been increased manifold. Agriculture loans for farmers were also increased by two and half times in the last seven years”, he added. He pointed out that during the difficult period of the pandemic, three crore farmers were given Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) as part of the special drive and the facility of KCC was extended to farmers engaged in animal husbandry and fisheries. Micro-irrigation network has also been strengthened to the great benefit of the small farmers,” he said.

The Prime Minister elaborated on the seven ways in which the Budget proposes to make agriculture modern and smart. Firstly, The target is to undertake natural farming on mission mode within five kilometres on both the banks of the Ganges. Secondly, modern technology in agriculture and horticulture will be made available to the farmers. Thirdly, emphasis has been laid on strengthening Mission Oil Palm to reduce the import of edible oil. Fourthly, new logistics arrangements will be made through PM Gati-Shakti’s plan for the transportation of agricultural products. The fifth solution in the Budget is better organisation of agri-waste management and increasing farmers’ income through waste to energy solutions. Sixthly, more than 1.5 lakh post offices will provide services like regular banking so that farmers are not troubled. Seventh, Agri research and education syllabus will be changed as per demands of modern times about skill development and human resource development.

The Prime Minister noted the year 2023 is recognised as the International Year of Millets and called upon the corporate world to come forward in branding and promoting Indian millets. He also asked major Indian missions abroad to organise seminars and other promotional activities to popularise the quality and benefits of Indian millets. The Prime Minister also asked for leveraging increasing awareness for environmental-friendly lifestyle and resulting market for natural and organic products. He exhorted the KVKs to create awareness for natural farming by adopting a village each for the promotion of natural farming.

Modi emphasised the need for increased soil testing culture in India. Highlighting the government’s focus on the Soil Health Cards, he called upon the startups to come forwards to facilitate the practice of soil testing at regular intervals.

Emphasising innovations in the irrigation field, the Prime Minister underlined the government’s focus on ‘per drop, more crop’. He said there are many possibilities for the corporate world in this too. He also mentioned the transformation that will be brought about by the Ken- Betwa link Pariyojana in the Bundelkhand region. He also reiterated the need to quickly complete the pending irrigation projects.

The Prime Minister stressed that artificial intelligence is going to completely change the trend related to agriculture and farming in the 21st century. The increasing use of drones in farming is part of this change. “Drone technology will be available on a scale only when we promote agri-startups. In the last three to four years, more than 700 agri startups have been created in the country”, he added.

He said that the government has been trying to increase the scope of processed food and ensure international standards of quality. 

The Prime Minister emphasised the management of agri-residue (parali). “For this, some new measures have been taken in this budget, due to which carbon emission will be reduced and farmers will also get income,” he said. He also asked to explore ways of using agri-waste for packaging.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the potential in the field of ethanol where the government is moving ahead with a goal of 20 per cent blending. The blending has reached near 8 per cent compared to 1-2 per cent in 2014, he informed.

The webinar was attended by Union Minister for Agriculture and Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textile, Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras, Minister of State for Agriculture, Kailash Chaudhary, Minister of State for Cooperation BL Verma, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan and other ministers, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Prof. Rajiv Kumar and Secretaries of concerned Departments, KVKs, ICAR Institutes, ATMA and farmers of the country.

 The webinar had an open discussion on five breakout sessions namely Natural Farming and its outreach, Emerging High-Tech and Digital Agri Ecosystem, Bringing Back Glory of Millets; Moving Towards Aatmanirbharta in Edible Oil, Sahkarita Se Samridhi, Financing Investment In Value Chain Infrastructure in Agriculture & Allied Sector with Stakeholders of respective fields. 

The PM emphasises various measures adopted by

Growers in Europe will now have access to a novel, sustainable option for enhancing plant health and crop quality

Under a new agreement between Corteva Agriscience and Pro Farm Technologies, a subsidiary of Marrone Bio Innovations, Corteva will become the exclusive European distributor for Kinsidro Grow, a novel, foliar bio-nutrient that delivers key nutrients resulting in increased plant vigour. Growers in Europe will now have access to a novel, sustainable option for enhancing plant health and crop quality through this agreement.

“Corteva Agriscience continues to bring new and innovative solutions to market by offering natural-origin products that improve crop performance and resilience, and that work complementarily with our conventional crop protection solutions,” said Susanne Wasson, President, Crop Protection Business Platform, Corteva Agriscience.

Kinsidro Grow is a proprietary product developed by Pro Farm Technologies that optimises nutrient conditions in plants resulting in improved plant health and crop quality. Through foliar application on crops during the vegetative growth stage, the bio-nutrient delivers better yields and more favourable returns on investment. Kinsidro Grow is also easy to use and compatible with a grower’s current agronomic practices.

This collaboration represents another step forward for Corteva’s expanding global biologicals portfolio, which is dedicated to developing biostimulants, biofertilisers, bio-nutrients, biocontrol and pheromone products with proven, predictable performance. Kinsidro Grow will provide value through enhanced crop vitality and enhancing yield potential and sustainability, in line with the Corteva Agriscience 2030 Sustainability Goals.

The multi-year agreement, which goes into immediate effect, applies to row crops in Europe such as corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton.

Growers in Europe will now have access

The deadline to apply for this grant cycle is March 30, 2022, at 5 pm EDT

The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation with the vision to prevent and relieve hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has announced the launch of its new grant application cycle on the theme of “Climate Action Within the Context of Agriculture” for non-profit organisations with grant proposals between $20,000 – $300,000 and located anywhere across the globe.

In alignment with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) on “Climate Action” and AGCO’s purpose to deliver “farmer-focused solutions to sustainably feed our world,” the Foundation is accepting grant applications on climate action in agriculture. The AAF grant application platform, through its community investment software partner, Benevity, is running the application cycle from February 21 to March 30. This programme strengthens AAF commitment to its strategic focus areas and AGCO’s Farmer-First strategy while addressing global trends on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Foundation’s first grant application cycle for 2022 seeks new project proposals from non-profits that combine various sustainable methods to tackle the specific climate change-related challenges of today’s farming communities. 

Grant eligible non-profit organisations must focus on climate action in the agricultural context that also aligns with any of the AAF thematic focus areas such as Nutrition & Sustainable Food Systems, Agricultural Education, Research and Innovation, and Farmer Community Development. The aim is to implement projects that promote sustainable climate solutions for farmers and the agricultural sector to benefit economies while also strengthening community development. 

The deadline to apply for this grant cycle is March 30, 2022, at 5 pm EDT. 

The deadline to apply for this grant

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi has invited the start-ups and FPOs to submit their proposals

As part of India’s efforts to showcase the country’s investment-friendly policies and growth opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors at EXPO2020 Dubai, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has invited the start-ups and FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) to submit their proposals to the ministry, and assured them that they would be considered for providing equity grants, management costs, and other available support measures. Dr Likhi suggested this at the inauguration of ‘Food, Agriculture and livelihood’ fortnight at the India Pavilion in EXPO2020 Dubai.

Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops & Oil Seeds), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, T R Kesavan Group President (Corporate Relations & Alliances) Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE), Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Partner, KPMG, among other officials from the ministry also attended the event.

The ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ fortnight (February 17th – March 2nd) will comprise various sessions which will be presided over by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Cooperation.

On the theme for the first week of the fortnight, that is, millets, Shubha Thakur said, “Millets is an important area for us, and we would like to utilise this global platform to learn about the health and nutritional aspects of millets and bring back the glory of millets.”

India produces all the nine commonly known millets and is the largest producer and second-largest exporter of millets globally.

During the launch of the ‘Millet’ theme as part of the ‘Food, Agriculture and Livelihood’ fortnight at the sector floor at the India Pavilion, the delegation led by Dr Likhi unveiled the Millet Book comprising nutritious and delightful recipes made using millets. The delegation also launched the first ‘Millet food festival’, during which the visitors will get to relish the healthy and nutritious delicacies prepared using the millets.

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi has invited the start-ups

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’ has been launched virtually on February 9, 2022

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched an agroecology-based programme JIVA on February 9, 2022, that will promote natural farming under its existing watershed and wadi programmes in 11 states.

In order to stimulate a long-term wider scale transformation of food and agriculture systems in these areas and for ensuring sustainability of interventions made so far, it is proposed to introduce agroecological approaches in Natural Resource Management (NRM) portfolio of NABARD.

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’ (meaning “a living being or entity imbued with a life force”) has been launched virtually between 3 PM to 4 PM on February 9, 2022. The event will be graced by Dr G R Chintala, Chairman, NABARD. P V S Suryakumar, DMD, NABARD, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, MoA&FW, Dr S K Chaudhari, DDG (NRM), ICAR, Heads/representatives of GiZ and KfW in the country will be sharing their thoughts.

“We will invest Rs 50,000 per hectare under this programme,” NABARD Chairman G R Chintala said in the virtual launching event.

“While the best practices will be implemented on 200 hectares in each project, these 200 hectares will be a learning and proselytising platform to the whole village,” he added.

The new programme christened as ‘JIVA’

The order aims at regulating storage and distribution of edible oils and oilseeds besides, keeping check over hoarding in the country

Centre has chaired a meeting with States/UTs to implement Stock Limit Order of edible oils and oilseeds. The Government of India has notified an order on February 3, 2022, specifying the stock limit quantities on edible oils and oilseeds upto June 30, 2022 with a view to provide impetus to the various steps taken by the Government to cool the prices of edible oil in the country.

The Stock Limit Order empowers the Union Government and all States/UTs to regulate storage and distribution of edible oils and oilseeds. This would also help the Government in checking hoarding of edible oils and oilseeds in the country. A Meeting was held by the Department of Food & Public Distribution on February 8, 2022, with all States/UTs for discussing the implementation plan of the above order dated 3rd February, 2022.

During the meeting it was emphasised that States/UTs authorities may enforce Stock Limit Quantities Order without causing any disruption in the supply chain and also any undue hardship to bonafide trade.

For edible oils, the stock limit specified is 30 quintals for retailers, 500 quintals for wholesalers, 30 quintals for retail outlets of bulk consumers i.e., big chain retailers and shops and 1000 quintals for its depots. Processors of edible oils would be able to stock 90 days of their storage capacities.

For edible oilseeds, the stock limit is 100 quintals for retailers, 2000 quintals for wholesalers. Processors of edible oilseeds would be able to stock 90 days production of edible oils as per daily input production capacity. Exporters and importers have been kept outside the purview of this Order with some caveats.

The order aims at regulating storage and

Bayer will present three new bio technologies, crop protection innovations, digital solutions and new business models during the 34th edition of the Rural Coopavel Show

Bayer, a global company focussed on Life sciences has announced that it will present three new biotechnologies, crop protection innovations, digital solutions and new business models during the 34th edition of the Rural Coopavel Show. The event will be the first opportunity to share in person at a fair – since the beginning of the pandemic – the solutions developed to contribute to a more productive and sustainable agriculture, in addition to showing what will be built collaboratively with farmers in the coming years.

According to Fábio Prata, marketing director for Bayer’s clients in Brazil, “One of our missions as an organisation is to support producers to produce more, in the same area and in a more sustainable way. During the Show Rural Coopavel, we will have the opportunity to show up close, albeit with restrictions due to the moment we are going through.”

Between February 7th and 11th, visitors to the event will be able to check out the new digital model that Bayer has developed for its customers through Espaço Bayer, a virtual platform that offers an immersive and fully customised experience based on the needs and peculiarities of the producer. 

“Our priority is to be closer and closer to our customers, regardless of the channel, so that we can understand the producer’s pain and deliver solutions that generate value”, says Bayer’s marketing director. In addition to exploring the benefits of the program, producers will have the opportunity to learn more about exclusive experiences, as well as access services redeemable through their program points, which can be accumulated by purchasing solutions from any of the brands on display.

During the Rural Coopavel Show, visitors will be able to follow this path of digital transformation of the countryside and experience the features of Climate FieldView, Bayer’s digital agriculture platform that already maps more than 22 million hectares in Brazil. 

Bayer will present three new bio technologies,

The minister stated that the planned inter modal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar with Rs 78 crore will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry has said that the Pilot movement of food grains on vessel from Patna (Bihar) to Pandu (Guwahati) will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’. Addressing virtually on the occasion of “Flagging off of vessel” MV Lal Bahadur Shastri carrying food grains from Patna to Pandu and unveiling of foundation stone for terminal at Kalughat (Bihar) on February 5, 2022.

Piyush Goyal said that this 2,350 km voyage will open a new gate to the ‘Gateway of North East’ (Assam) and ensure seamless waterways connectivity to NE Region through Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers. He said that flagging of the vessel named ‘MV Lal Bahadur Shastri’ reminds me of Shastriji’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.

The minister stated that the planned intermodal terminal at Kalughat, Bihar with Rs 78 crore will provide boost to region’s socio-economic development and create multiple job opportunities. This will also help decongest the roads of North Bihar and provide an alternative route for transportation of cargo in this area. He further said that this route from Patna can prove to be a viable alternative to the conventional mode of movement of foodgrains & goods for NE region.

The Minister also mentioned that India-Bangladesh friendship is reaching new heights under Prime Minister Narendra Modi & HE Sheikh Hasina. This event is another milestone and a testament to ever-growing friendship between India and Bangladesh, he said. This first food grain movement will be an integrated IWT movement via National Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Brahmaputra).

The minister stated that the planned inter

The manufacturing capacity of the facility is 18,000 MTPA

Best Agrolife Limited (BAL), one of the leading agrochemicals in India, announced the commencement of production at its fully automated formulation facility Seedling India Private Limited. After the successful commissioning of the formulation facility, the production of high-end formulations has started well in time there. The manufacturing capacity of the facility is 18,000 MTPA.

Seedling India Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Best Agrolife Limited is a technology-savvy integrated research and development centre located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. It will be a one-stop site offering products based on WG, SG, ZC, and EC.

BAL set up this integrated research and development centre to strengthen the farming community. The company will work on in-house developed combinations for effective pest management and crop protection. Equipped with one fully automated WDG plant, one large capacity SC unit, and one modern GR formulation unit, this facility will act as a base for BAL for bringing in more innovative formulations in the form of one-shot solutions for the farming community.  

Set up with an investment of Rs 50 crore, Seedling India is the innovation powerhouse to redefine conventional agriculture models and accelerate the translation of innovative ideas and concepts into sustainable, tangible prototypes and products.

To ensure the security and safety of the products and to accommodate raw materials, packing materials, and finished products separately, this facility also houses 4 fully-equipped warehouses with the best infrastructure.

The manufacturing capacity of the facility is