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Carbon Farming, Collaborations, Company News, Finance, India

This project ensures the continued care of trees beyond the support period of the BHGY project by aiding smallholder farmers in securing additional financial support from carbon markets.

Transform Rural India (TRI), in collaboration with Intellecap and ACORN (Rabobank), launched a pioneering Carbon Credit Finance Project benefiting over 100,000 farmers in Jharkhand.

This initiative targets all farmers in the state who have received support under the Birsa Harit Gram Yojana since 2018, facilitating their integration into the Rabobank ACORN platform. Predominantly women, these farmers have cultivated fruit orchards and local timber trees plantations across 100,000+ acres of rural land, with backing from the Government of Jharkhand under the Birsa Harit Gram Yojna (BHGY) of MGNREGA. These farmers will receive benefits for carbon removal over the next 15-20 years.

This project ensures the continued care of trees beyond the support period of the BHGY project by aiding smallholder farmers in securing additional financial support from carbon markets. Remarkably, this comes with no risk to the farmers or any required investment from them or the government. The project’s design inception began in December 2022, with the collaboration of implementation partners in support of the Jharkhand government.

Santosh K. Singh, Managing Director- Agri and Climate, Intellecap said, “We are committed to increasing smallholder farmers’ income and transitioning them to climate smart agriculture. By supporting Climate finance, specifically carbon finance, the project enables this transition to profitable and climate resilient agriculture practices. We also are looking at the ecosystem that is needed for achieving this and the platform works with government agencies, investors and corporates to help smallholder farmers.”

The project is founded on the principle of fair payment to farmers, wherein 80 per cent of the generated carbon credit revenue will be directly transferred to the farmers’ accounts. In addition to carbon credits, the partners will explore avenues to provide additional benefits to farmers through the Government of India Green Credit platform and other global biodiversity platforms. The project aims to ensure the proper maintenance of plantations, boost the income of smallholder farmers, and create local employment opportunities. Data collection and onboarding of BHGY farmers have already commenced, with over 150 farmers from the Bero and Angara blocks of the Ranchi district is under onboarding process. This project has got support from the Government of Jharkhand & Rural Development Department (GoJ).

Ashok Kumar, Director, Farm Prosperity, Transforming Rural India Foundation said, “At TRIF we are excited about this pioneering Carbon Credit Finance Project with ACORN and Intellecap to support over 1 Lakh women smallholder farmers with support from the Jharkhand Govt. This will ensure an increase in income of smallholder farmers as well as support the state’s active role in developing a climate action plan and taking necessary steps to tackle climate change. This project aims to be the guide and champion of smallholder farmers from Jharkhand for climate/ carbon finance.”

Earlier this year in January, Intellecap and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF) had developed the climate action platform to increase farmers’ income and build the resilience of their agricultural practices against the different aspects of climate change.

This project ensures the continued care of

Agro Universities, Agrotech, R&D

The course highlights the use of space technology applications in the agricultural sector like Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing applications.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has organised an innovative ‘Train the Trainers’ short-term program in the use of space technologies in the agriculture sector. The 5-day course on ‘Using Space Technology for the Agriculture Sector’ has been designed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Meerut Institute of Technology (MIT), various Non-Government Entities (NGEs), and academia.

Dr Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe said, “The new course is an important step towards realizing the transformative potential of space technology in boosting the agriculture sector. It aims to equip individuals with both theoretical and practical knowledge of space technologies in the agriculture sector. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of benefiting the common man, embodying the spirit of (Antyodaya) as well as our commitment to using advanced technology for the betterment of its agricultural practices and ultimately, for ensuring food security and sustainability”

The Short-Term course on Using Space Technology for the Agriculture sector covers a comprehensive curriculum designed to leverage space technology in agricultural practices. The use of space technology can revolutionise precision farming and leverage satellite data and space-based assets to empower farmers with the power of information to optimize their agricultural practices with unprecedented precision. By analysis of climate data and weather forecasting, it will help to safeguard crops against unpredictable weather patterns.

The course includes modules on Agriculture Land Monitoring, Pest/Disease Detection & Incidence Forecast, Crop Area Estimation & Production Forecast, Cropping Systems Analysis, Soil Mapping & Monitoring, and Agriculture Drought Assessment & Monitoring. Additionally, there are sessions on Horticulture Crop Area Estimation & Monitoring and Command Area & Water Resource Monitoring.

The course also examines topics such as the study of plant nutrient deficiency symptoms, advances in sensing and analytics for precision agriculture, and the fundamental applications of phytotron technology. There’s a focus on the practical aspects of agriculture, including soil sampling, soil processing, drone and robot demonstrations, and methods of soil analysis. Other practical aspects include preparation of growing media, testing of seed germination, measurement and handling of humidity, and the qualitative and quantitative exposure of light.

The course highlights the use of space technology applications in the agricultural sector, introducing participants to the basics of Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing applications in agriculture. Sessions on Crop Inventory and Health using optical methods, Earth Observation (EO) based Digital Agriculture and Global crop monitoring systems, and microwave remote sensing for crop inventory with hands-on training round off the course. Participants are also introduced to various ISRO portals like Bhoonidhi, BHUVAN, VEDAS, and MOSDAC, integrating space technology with AI and ML for comprehensive farm management.

The course highlights the use of space

Agrotech, Company News, India, Start ups

With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims to incorporate inclusive business practices and expand its reach and mission in the states of Telangana and Haryana.

 BharatRohan, a pioneer in providing drone services in the agricultural sector, has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This collaboration is primarily focused on transforming agricultural methods in Telangana and Haryana, two states poised to promote sustainable crops, and is part of the “Regional Inclusive Business Models in Agriculture and Food Systems” initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

BharatRohan’s mission is diverse, to empower smallholder farmers, improve export opportunities, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims to incorporate inclusive business practices and expand its reach and mission in the states of Telangana and Haryana.

The adoption of an inclusive business model by BharatRohan underlines its commitment to sustainable and equitable growth in agriculture. This model goes beyond the simple pursuit of profits and emphasizes value creation for all stakeholders, especially those at the base of the economy. By focusing its work on small farmers, BharatRohan not only addresses their challenges in accessing resources and markets but also ensures their active participation and autonomy in the value chain.

Furthermore, a significant commitment of this project is to involve women farmers in value chain activities actively. This ensures their active participation in the production process and promotes gender-inclusive agricultural practices. BharatRohan has also demonstrated its commitment towards inclusive business by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Endeva and Ecociate to receive coaching services as part of the ESCAP-supported inclusive business program.

Amandeep Panwar the CEO of BharatRohan said, “I am thrilled about our partnership with ESCAP. Our mission is to empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in Telangana and Haryana. We’re leveraging advanced hyperspectral technology to provide farmers with precise insights, reducing costs, and ensuring top-quality, residue-free yields. Our dedication to inclusivity extends to gender- inclusive practices, actively involving female farmers in value chain activities to create additional income opportunities. This partnership is not just about innovation; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of farmers and fostering a sustainable future for agriculture.”

“We are delighted to welcome BharatRohan as a valued member of the Cohort participating in the Inclusive Business Coaching program supported by ESCAP. BharatRohan’s technology-driven solutions hold great significance for smallholder farmers, aiding them in crop monitoring and optimizing input usage effectively. Moreover, their drone-based services have the potential not only to generate employment opportunities for local youth but also to provide essential last-mile services to farmers in a sustainable fashion. Ecociate and Endeva look forward to working with Bharat Rohan on their path towards incorporating inclusive business practices ” Santosh Gupta, Director, Ecociate Consultant.

ESCAP is supporting BharatRohan by providing inclusive business coaching services that will be key in identifying critical resources and expert connections, which will ensure the successful implementation of the comprehensive strategic plan for the transformative project.

BharatRohan will enhance its expertise with the support of ESCAP to address regulatory challenges, enter international markets and provide essential training services to farmers. A key element of the strategic plan is the integration of technology solutions, such as drone crop monitoring services. Periodic training sessions, with the support of ESCAP, will be organized to promote effective communication with farmers, guiding them to adopt advanced agricultural practices.

With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims

Agrotech, Company News, Dairy, India, Live Stock

Move aimed at supporting pioneering of smallholder dairy farming transformation.

 Sid’s Farm, a premium dairy brand based in Telangana, announced its selection as a participant in the prestigious Inclusive Business Program by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This milestone was reached with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ecociate, Endeva (Coach), and Sid’s Farm (Coachee), further cementing their commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable business practices.

Under the Inclusive Business Program, Sid’s Farm will embark on an ambitious project titled “Improving Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Milk Productivity by 1.2x Annually.” This project aims to generate meaningful social impact for smallholder farmers and individuals at the base of the economic pyramid, all while ensuring economic viability.

According to Santosh Gupta, Director, Sustainable Agriculture at Ecociate, “We are excited about the potential this coaching program holds for an inclusive business journey and are keen to start working with Sid’s Farm. Their commitment to inclusive business marks a significant step forward in our collaboration. Together we can bring about lasting changes in the realm of sustainable agricultural practices in India.”

Commenting on the inclusion, Dr Kishore Indukuri, Founder, Sid’s Farm said “We are honoured to have received this opportunity. We have been working tirelessly for years now towards the creation of ethical and sustainable dairy farming practices within our ever-growing network of farmers, and it is truly humbling when you are among the chosen few for a prestigious and impactful ESCAP programme as recognition of your efforts.”

The program will target 500 small-scale producers, with a special focus on empowering women in agriculture, with 300 female smallholder dairy farmers. By June 2024, a comprehensive comparison will be made between the progress reports submitted by Sid’s Farm in October 2023 and the projected results. Sid’s Farm aims to achieve a remarkable 20% increase in milk productivity among these farmers, directly or indirectly benefitting a network of 2,200 individuals.

ESCAP’s decision to select Sid’s Farm for its coaching services is a testament to the company’s dedication to fostering positive social and economic change at the grassroots level. In-depth discussions took place during a physical session involving Sid’s Farm’s team members, leading to this exciting partnership.

Furthermore, as a participant in the ESCAP Inclusive Business Program, Sid’s Farm is honoured to be invited to join the prestigious investment dialogue in India and participate in various other activities that align with the program’s objectives. These activities are being facilitated by ESCAP with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Sid’s Farm is committed to making a significant difference in the lives of smallholder dairy farmers and the communities at the base of the economic pyramid. This partnership with ESCAP, Ecociate, and Endeva is a significant step towards a brighter and more sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.

Move aimed at supporting pioneering of smallholder

Agrotech, India, People, Seeds

FSII ropes in Ajai Rana, CEO, Savannah Seeds as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Shirish Barwale, Director, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company as Vice Chairman.

Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), the prominent industry association of R&D based seed companies in India, is delighted to announce the successful leadership transition with Ajai Rana, CEO, Savannah Seeds Private Limited, assuming the role of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. FSII held its Annual General Meeting on 25 Sep 2023, which marked the occasion of the new leadership team formally taking over the mantle.

 Rajvir Rathi, Head – Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability IBSL and Lead – Traits Licensing Business, Bayer CropScience Limited and Shirish Barwale, Director, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Private Limited, assumed the roles of Vice Chairmen. Dr Venkatram Vasantavada, MD & CEO, SeedWorks International Private Limited, took charge as the Finance Director. 

The new leadership team expressed their profound gratitude for the dedicated efforts of the founding and former Board members who, since its inception, have been instrumental in shaping FSII into a respected industry association at the forefront of India’s seed sector.

FSII’s rich legacy, built upon the vision and relentless dedication of these early pioneers, has led to its establishment as a pioneering industry association for the Indian seed sector. Over the years, FSII has achieved remarkable growth, recognition, and respect within the industry, primarily due to the tireless commitment of those who have steered its course.

Under the guidance of the newly appointed leadership, FSII is now poised to take its mission to the next level. With a renewed focus on becoming a ‘knowledge-driven’ federation of research-based seed companies in India, FSII aims to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the Indian seed sector. The organization envisions a future where innovative research, sustainable practices, and knowledge-sharing will drive the industry to new heights.

“On behalf of the new leadership team, we acknowledge the great efforts of our founding and former leadership who have brought FSII to what it is today as the voice of Indian seed sector. FSII is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future, leading the way towards a knowledge-driven and prosperous Indian seed sector. Our commitment is unwavering, and we are determined to build upon the strong foundation laid by our predecessors. As we embark on this exciting journey of leadership continuity and renewed focus, we invite all the industry stakeholders, partners, and collaborators to join hands with us in shaping the future of the Indian seed sector. Together, we can collectively contribute to the growth, sustainability, and prosperity of this most important industry.” said Ajai Rana on the occasion.

FSII’s leadership transition represents a vital step on the continuum of progress, ensuring that the organization remains relevant, dynamic, and influential in the years to come. The new team is dedicated to preserving the values and vision of FSII while simultaneously adapting to the evolving needs of the industry.

Focusing on strategic stakeholder engagement and targeted policy advocacy, FSII is all set to bolster its collaboration with Central and State governments, various Ministries, departments, and statutory bodies to ensure that policy and regulatory frameworks are holistic and conducive to the growth of the seed industry and aligned with nation’s Amrit Kaal aspirations.

This leadership transition not only ensures that FSII remains agile and expands its sphere of influence in the ever-evolving Indian seed industry but also places a strong emphasis on fostering enhanced collaboration and communication with key stakeholders.

FSII will actively seek collaboration and partnerships with industry players, research institutions, academia, scientific fraternity, and other stakeholders to drive innovation and knowledge exchange within the sector. FSII committed to disseminating industry insights and promoting best practices among its members and stakeholders.

FSII ropes in Ajai Rana, CEO, Savannah

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Live Stock

Conclave to develop global guidelines for climate-resilient marine fisheries management 

Leading marine scientists, policymakers and high-ranking government officials from 16 regional fisheries bodies in the Indo-Pacific region covering 80 countries will gather in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu to discuss climate change in marine fisheries. The Three-day International Conclave on Mainstreaming Climate Change into International Fisheries Governance will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of Fisheries Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday at Welccomehotel, Kences Palm Beach, Mahabalipuram. 

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India, and the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the conclave seeks to develop guidelines for climate-resilient fisheries management and formulate strategies for the integration of climate change into international fisheries governance.

Dr L Murugan, Union Minister of State will deliver a special address and Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries will deliver the keynote address. India’s developmental, research and policy initiatives for climate-resilient marine fisheries will be presented during the inauguration of the conclave.  
The conclave will also feature a workshop exclusively to discuss India’s preparedness for adapting to climate change in marine fisheries. This workshop will encompass discussions on the current status of climate change impacts on marine fisheries in India, steps taken to address these impacts, gaps and limitations in knowledge and techniques, and actions needed in the short and long term. In addition, it will also feature presentations on cutting-edge research advancements in building climate resilience in the fisheries sector, preparedness of coastal communities, and knowledge sharing and capacity development for climate-proofing marine fisheries in the BOB region. 

“The Indo-Pacific Region comprises nearly half of the global oceanic area and accounts for about 70 per cent of global marine fisheries production. Fisheries in this region are small-scale in nature. This international conclave will help fishery experts in this region to develop strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change and build more resilient marine fisheries”, said Dr P Krishnan, Director, BOBP-IGO. 

 “The Indo-Pacific region is highly vulnerable to climate change, leading to adverse impacts on marine fisheries. These effects range from the increased frequency of extreme weather events to the threats of flooding, erosion, and sea-level rise. By fostering and executing strategies to adapt to climate change, this region can effectively safeguard the sustainable management of marine fisheries and the livelihoods of the millions of individuals who depend on them, Dr Krishnan said. 

Conclave to develop global guidelines for climate-resilient

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, Live Stock, R&D

The MoU focused on facilitating visits for solving taxonomic ambiguities/enigmatic aquatic species through morphological and molecular approaches for their taxonomic resolutions.

ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, organised a “Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony” between ICAR-NBFGR and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) on at ICAR-NBFGR.

The MoU focused on sharing expertise and facilitating visits for solving taxonomic ambiguities/enigmatic aquatic species through morphological and molecular approaches for their taxonomic resolutions, facilitating knowledge exchange using the databases, studies on population genetics for critically endangered aquatic species, and barcoding of ‘State-fishes’ and fishes of Ramsar sites, etc. in aligning with national priorities, keeping the Sustainable Development Goals into account.

On this occasion, Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI inaugurated the ZSI section in the ICAR-NBFGR’s National Fish Museum & Repository and released fish seeds into the pond.

Dr Banerjee highlighted the need for the formation of a working group for the documentation and vulnerability assessment of fishes in the country. Dr. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, Director, ICAR-NBFGR, emphasised on the association of scientific research for understanding the life below waters.

Dr. C. Raghunathan, Additional Director, ZSI and Scientists from both organisations participated in the programme.

The MoU focused on facilitating visits for

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Bee keeping, Company News, India

To encourage women farmers towards entrepreneurship and generate sustainable income through bee keeping.

To enhance the ecosystem of beekeeping in Uttarakhand, FMC India, a leading global agricultural sciences company, in collaboration with GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (GBPUAT) organized a day long workshop to observe World Bee Day. The initiative was part of FMC’s flagship program, Project Madhushakti which was launched in 2022. The objective is to encourage women farmers towards entrepreneurship, generate sustainable income and raise the living standards of the rural families in Uttarakhand, while simultaneously support biodiversity and higher crop productivity.

The workshop was hosted by Department of Entomology and Honeybee Research & Training Centre of the university. It witnessed participation from bee rearing agents across the state of Uttarakhand, followed by their felicitation along with students and department research heads. Scientists and industry experts addressed students to help them inculcate knowledge and skill around apiculture. The collaborative workshop hosted at the university was attended by dignitaries like Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, GBPUAT, Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India, Dr AS Nain, Director of Research, GBPUAT, Dr. Renu and Dr. Pramod Mall, Head, Department of Entomology, GBPUAT.

Project Madhushakti is a first-of-its-kind innovative sustainable development initiative in India. Spanning three years, the project is planned for the rural areas of Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain range, with abundant source of natural herbs and flora useful for honey production. The project, now in its second year, will train 750 women farmers as beekeepers. More than 8,000 people from over 20 villages are expected to directly benefit via an increase of up to 30 per cent productivity in various fruits and other crops through good pollination.

The day-long program was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, an academic-management leader and a world-renowned scientist in the field of animal biotechnology. Dr Singh underlined the importance of honeybee not only for providing valuable natural super food honey but also products such as propolis, royal jelly, venom and wax. He also informed the audiences that honeybees can support enhancing crop productivity of different cross-pollinated crops ranging from 15 to 200 per cent.

Dr AS Nain, Director for Research, GBPUAT said, “We take pride in our association with FMC India. In a biodiversity rich state like Uttarakhand, the potential of beekeeping remains untapped which is developing with Project Madhushakti. Scientific beekeeping will harness the potential of Uttarakhand hills and generate employment and additional income for poor farmers. We will continue to provide training and learning opportunities in collaboration with FMC to establish bee keeping as a lucrative field for women entrepreneurs.”

Speaking at the occasion, Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India said, “Bee rearing is at the cusp of change in our country with India’s National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. FMC is grateful to be contributing through a project with the scalability and impact of Madhushakti. We will continue to work towards the enhancement of women’s skills. The lecture sessions through our partnership with GB Pant University delivered by highly experienced scientists and bee fostering agents will impart immersive knowledge and training to the women farmers that can be passed within their community. We look forward to expanding our reach and benefiting more farmers through these offerings.”

To encourage women farmers towards entrepreneurship and

Agri Genomics, Agrotech, India, R&D

 By Dr Ratna Kumria, Director, Biotechnology Alliance for Agri Innovation (AAI)

Gene editing offers an accurate, predictable, quick, and economical method for crop improvement. Due to its precision, it offers the opportunity to increase nutrient levels, decrease anti-nutrients, and improve the shelf life of food to preserve quality and nutrition. This technology cannot provide solutions for all farming challenges or plant breeding bottlenecks, but it can certainly streamline the process towards greater efficiency. It provides an opportunity to address hunger and malnutrition regionally using traditional, local crops. It can also enable local solutions to conserve biodiversity and resources, moving towards better agriculture.

Gene editing refers to making changes in the genome of an organism using various nucleases with distinct specificities and modes of action. The nucleases are programmed to target particular sequences for cutting, although the repair mechanisms can either be random or designed with external templates. While traditional nucleases cut both strands of DNA, some have been adapted to cut a single strand and utilise RNA as a template for making alterations. The selection of the appropriate gene editing tool is based on the target’s cost and feasibility. As new nucleases are being discovered and editing tools developed, gene editing is finding diverse applications. Although currently used in therapeutics, it is expected to have far-reaching effects on crop improvement and agriculture.

Humans have been selectively breeding plants and animals for centuries, long before the field of genetics was established. Today’s cultivated crops, whether ornamental or used for food, as well as domesticated animals are very different from their wild counterparts. For example, maize was selected and bred from its ancestor teosinte and likewise the fibrous, blander version of ancient watermelon fruits, as also other food crops were bred for a better flavour and texture that is more palatable to humans. Domesticating plants and animals are a painstaking and repetitive process that has been ongoing for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of years.

Advancements in genetics have accelerated plant breeding and crop improvement over the past century. With the knowledge of genetics, breeders were able to identify variations and select for new genetic combinations that were better suited for cultivation and consumption. In addition to identifying variations, breeders have also been using chemicals or radiation to induce random mutations that result in beneficial genetic modifications. This mutation breeding has led to the creation of over 3000 new varieties of crops across the globe, during the last few decades. As a result of these plant breeding efforts, cereal crop production has tripled during this period, with only a 30 per cent increase in land under cultivation. India’s green revolution, which transformed it from a food-deficient nation to a food-surplus one, owes much of its success to plant breeding efforts.

However, the haphazard nature of mutation-generation makes selecting the relevant modifications an expensive, time-consuming, and laborious process. Conventional breeding is a lengthy process that depends on the number and duration of growing seasons per year, as well as the time it takes for plants to mature. This process can be even more prolonged when dealing with trees, perennials or assembling multiple traits through multi-stage crossing, selection, and testing. Additionally, the randomness of induced mutagenesis adds another dimension to the selection and testing required for large-scale screening. To make the breeding process more efficient over time, various technological interventions have been introduced, including molecular markers, double haploids, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and other prediction tools.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

 By Dr Ratna Kumria, Director, Biotechnology Alliance

AgroPolicy, Horticulture, India

By Mallika Verma, Director, Government Affairs, Federation of Seed Industry of India

The Horticulture Cluster Development Programme is going to have a big positive impact on Indian agriculture as it would address the long-pending issues of small-land holdings. The government of India’s latest move would help the large fruit-vegetable farming community and other people dependent on agricultural activities for their livelihood. This programme would increase on-farm productivity and production, and, more importantly, enhance the sale of the marketable volumes of agricultural commodities in the specific geographical regions. All this assumes a great significance in the wake of over 86 percent of farmers being small-land holders.

The government of India has been taking a slew of measures to remove the obstacles that marred the growth of the farm sector for years. The cluster development programme will give impetus to the efforts to improve the farm sector, especially, one that seeks to enhance agricultural income. And it sets to become successful as the government has given serious thought to it. It has taken care of proper monitoring of activities under this programme. And the key point of this programme is developing last-mile connectivity, which will ensure horticulture produce is picked up and transported in time. The use of multi-modal transport will optimise the entire process and boost the chances of exports.

This programme will not be restricted to novel experiments. Rather it would touch upon farmers in hilly, remote areas, where access to resources is limited and market forces are not strong enough. Horticulture crops are often regarded as cash crops and have the potential to enhance farm income substantially in a short period of time. What all needed is awareness, dissemination of correct information to farmers, access to good seeds and other crop inputs, and development of required infrastructure. The government of India appears to have taken care of most of the things. However, small-land holdings turned out to be a big hurdle. 

Now the horticulture cluster development programme will bring small farmers together and allow cultivation on a large scale. This will allow higher production of fruit and vegetable crops that are better and uniform in quality. This will certainly attract new buyers, who are ready to pay the higher price. The eNAM can help sell horticulture produce from such horticulture clusters to over 1,200 markets spread across the country. The use of technical solutions including geo-tagging of farm-related infrastructure will help track farm operations and other related activities, allowing the researchers and government officials to carry out effective monitoring under the cluster development programme on a real-time basis.

The setting up of post-harvest and cold-chain infrastructure, use of high-tech tools for monitoring and evaluation, and multimodal transport to ensure last-mile connectivity, will ensure timely harvest and crop collection and its transportation to the destination markets while it is still fresh, allowing farmers to get the best remuneration. At the same time, it will boost the possibility of exports and demand, as well as maintain the potential value of horticulture produce for food processing.

India is the second largest producer of horticulture in the world, with 12 percent share in global production. However, India’s share in the global horticulture export is less than 2 percent. There is a scope for India to increase exports as the diverse climatic conditions facilitate production of a variety of horticulture crops. There are successful examples of horticulture clusters in India. In Uttar Pradesh, such clusters are formed for mango while Tamil Nadu has clusters for bananas, mango and chilli.

The cluster development programme can also use the wisdom generated by the Agriculture Export Zone scheme of central Government implemented through APEDA and help farmers in saving money as well as resolve conflicts. They can have a good irrigation system built by pooling funds. The conflicts over water resource sharing or land boundary or grazing can be resolved as they come together and consider all land parcels in the cluster as one farm. Economies of scale for production and quality improvement can be easily implemented. The government machinery too can work effectively and ensure the best possible help with its entire focus on one entity rather than several small farms. There is a scope for innovations in the field. Overall, the cluster development project has tremendous potential to transform Indian horticulture and the lives of farmers.

By Mallika Verma, Director, Government Affairs, Federation

Agro chems – Chemicals, India, Opinions

 By Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India

India’s agrochemical industry has consistently clocked a double-digit CAGR of 16 per cent over the last five years against the global CAGR of 3 per cent. 2022 was a fruitful year too, clipping a 23 per cent growth, despite the hot summer and delayed monsoons. Factors such as increased crop production, healthy reservoir levels and an improvement in farm income all contributed to industry growth. With farmers learning more about improving their yields exponentially through agrochemicals, the market is set to continue its double-digit growth into 2023. Research firm Crisil predicts a growth rate of 15-17 per cent this year, as the sector is poised to solve two behemoth challenges – food and nutritional security to alleviate hunger and restoration of ecological balance in our lands. Let’s look at some of the factors sustaining the momentum.

Supply chain disruptions

The import/export game is changing tides in the sector. The Chinese government’s environmental clampdown has led to the closure of approximately 35 per cent small agrochemical manufacturing industries. When coupled with the US-China trade war, countries are adopting a ‘de-risk China’ strategy where India emerges as an   alternate and viable global sourcing point for agrochemicals. We can expect exports to remain one of the key contributors with a share of over 50 per cent in the industry’s total revenue in 2023.

Roll out of new crops 

While we are one of the largest producers of agrochemicals in the world, our farmlands use only 340 gms of pesticide per hectare, resulting in a crop loss of Rs 2 lakh crore per annum because of pest attacks. For example, Phalaris minor (gehunsa), a dangerous rabi weed that attacks wheat crops, can lead to 15-40 per cent crop loss if left unattended. With weeds consistently building better resistance against crop solutions, farmers will find it increasingly harder to produce good yields. Often, it’s the financial constraints that restrain our farmers from using pesticides. However, as food prices peak globally, farmers are expected to benefit from the surplus and spend on this heretofore low priority area.

Another aspect that will augur good growth of the sector is the government’s thrust for crop diversification. According to the Economic Survey 2022, our existing cropping pattern is skewed towards growing sugarcane, paddy, or wheat, which has resulted in the depletion of groundwater resources at an alarming rate in many parts of the country. Today, the regions that grow these crops face high to extremely high-water stress levels. With agriculture using 90 per cent of the groundwater table, the water crisis that we face is ushering in the cultivation of new crops. To promote sustainable agriculture, replenish the diminishing groundwater table, reduce import dependency, and help farmers get higher incomes, the government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of pulses, oilseeds, horticulture crops, and millets.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

 By Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

Dr Das, Director, Central Fisheries Research Institute was speaking in the inaugural function of Farmers Science Congress, organised in Nagpur as a part of 108th Indian Science Congress

“The nation has made tremendous progress in food grain production and our farmers’ meticulous efforts have made the biggest contribution to it; However, it is seen that the economic condition of the farmers has not improved much. Hence effective use of modern science and technology is important for the progress of agriculture,” said, Basant Kumar Das, Director, Central Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, Indian Agricultural Research Institute. He asserted that farmers need to be aware of market techniques.

He was speaking in the inaugural function of Farmers Science Congress, organised in Nagpur as a part of 108th Indian Science Congress. Dr Vijayalakshmi Saxena, Chairperson of the Indian Science Congress presided over the function and Padmashree Rahibai Popere, Beej Mata (Mother of seeds), Dr Subhash Chaudhary, Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj University, Dr Ashish Paturkar, Vice Chancellor of Animal and Fisheries Science University were present on this occasion.

Addressing the event, Dr Vijayalakshmi Saxena said that, the condition of farmers is still critical, they are not getting enough income as compared to their hard work. Farm sector is the worst affected due to changing climatic conditions. She informed that, this is for the first time, Farmers’ Science Congress has been organised in ISC to discuss the problems and plights of farmers, and expressed hope that Agri-scientists around the world will thoroughly discuss the issues related to farmers on this platform and it will ultimately be helpful for farmers.

Dr Prakash Kadu gave information regarding the work of Agricultural University (PKV) in Akola. The university has so far developed 176 different crop varieties. Modern agricultural technology has reached up to 11 thousand villages in Vidarbha. Dr Kadu said that the university is continuously working on organic farming.

Chairperson, Dr Vijayalakshmi Saxena on behalf of Indian Science Congress felicitated Padmashri Rahibai Popere, who is known throughout the country as Beej Mata, who was present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Farmers’ Science Congress.

Dr Das, Director, Central Fisheries Research Institute

Agri Genomics, Horticulture, India, Opinions, R&D

By Dr R A Marathe, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Pomegranate (NRCP), Solapur, Maharashtra

Pomegranate is one of the most remunerative fruit crops of semi-arid tropics and India is the global leader in pomegranate cultivation with over 2.88 lakh hectare land producing about 32.71 lakh tonnes of fruits annually. The nutraceutically rich and dollar earning crop is one of the choicest fruit crops for growers and consumers all across the world. The consumer awareness of innumerable health benefits has increased market demand for pomegranate, resulting in handsome monetary returns from this horticulture crop especially in India. 

Pomegranate supports livelihood security of an estimated 2.5 lakh farm families mostly in climatically and edaphically challenged regions. This ‘Superfood’ is registering a steep upward trend in export from India 99,000 metric tonnes (216  per cent growth as compared to 2013-14) earning a foreign revenue equivalent to Rs 688.8 crore in 2020-21. Despite being such a valuable and remunerative fruit crop for all the stakeholders including growers and consumers, very limited genomic resources and molecular information are available to support the accelerated pomegranate improvement programme. The narrow genetic base of this crop also poses a serious challenge for researchers involved in the pomegranate improvement programme. So, with the aim of creating useful molecular information, generating genomic wealth and accelerating pomegranate improvement programmes, the genome sequencing programme was initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Research Centre on Pomegranate (NRCP), in 2015-16.

Even as India has ramped up production in recent years and has been a world leader in pomegranate production with a 50 per cent contribution to global production, India’s domestic capacity as well as export potential has still remained largely unrealised. This has been due to an assortment of reasons including the limited availability of genomic resources and molecular information about this highly remunerative crop. Being a high value crop, until now, due to lack of resistant pomegranate varieties against major pests and diseases, there has been very high dependence on chemical pesticides for managing biotic stresses. However, now that we have managed to sequence the whole genome of this fruit, this will open up incredible avenues for vastly improving yield, growing much better and safer varieties for human nutritional needs, and all this at a much faster rate. The reference-quality genome assembly of pomegranate variety Bhagawa is a publicly accessible genomic resource for pomegranate researchers across the globe and will provide a great impetus to the pomegranate improvement programme across the globe.

ICAR-NRCP has come up with the assembly of a reference-quality genome (346.08 Mb) of pomegranate variety Bhagawa consisting of only 342 scaffolds with an average N50 value of 16.12 Mb. To accomplish this genome sequence, we deployed four advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms such as Illumina, 10X Genomics Chromium, PacBio Sequel followed by BioNano Genomics. This assembly covered more than 98 per cent of the estimated size of Bhagawa genome, 352.54 Mb. The assessment of assembly quality through LTR Assembly Index (LAI =10) and BUSCO completeness score (93.68 per cent) over the 1440 ortholog genes revealed this genome is of reference quality standards with high continuity. Genome annotation revealed a total 29,435 gene models with a mean transcript length of 2954 bp and a mean coding sequence length of 1090 bp. We discovered a total of 1,573 disease resistance protein coding genes, and 1,533 transcription factor (TF) coding genes and 314 MIR ncRNA genes that code for 26 different families of microRNAs, which regulate various genes for growth and development in pomegranate. The ICAR-NRCP scientists have also carried out the chromosome level assembly using HiC- chromosome conformation capture sequencing for the var. Bhagawa genome to assemble the entire genome into eight chromosomes covering about 345 Mb genome and the final curation and integration led to the validated presence of 33003 genes with 41682 mRNAs.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Dr R A Marathe, Director, ICAR-National

Agrotech, E-commerce, India, Opinions

By Tarun Arora, Director, Single Family Office, IG International

Business-to-Business (B2B) is a business model in which the agritech sector obtains goods and/or services from another company. More than any other sector, agribusiness has the most to gain from a B2B business strategy. From the production of agricultural products to their marketing, B2B has revolutionised the industry’s customary internal processes. It has brought technology to the farm, thereby increasing output; it has opened up new markets by going directly to consumers; it has eliminated middlemen, thereby increasing the growers’ profit margin; and it has vastly improved logistics, which was a major concern and a source of loss for the producer.

The B2B model has fit in like a glove, ushering in many advantages into the inner workings of the agritech sector. Using technology, agritech businesses are establishing market connections, including B2B markets and digital agricultural platforms. In recent decades, a substantial portion of the conventional supply chain across several industries has experienced a major setback.

B2B marketplaces have emerged as a solution to this problem  by providing excellent items at affordable pricing and dependable delivery schedules, along with regular credit terms. They are immediately capable of addressing India’s agricultural input concerns.

Due to the multitude of connections on these digital platforms, agricultural enterprises are able to locate new prospects, clients, and suppliers, as well as manage the daily challenges encountered by farmers. Farmers may get the necessary data, procedures, and efficiencies from them for both pre-harvest and post-harvest applications. In addition, B2B marketplaces provide a variety of buying and selling channels.

Precision is power

Precision agriculture is one of the most often used B2B services in the agricultural business. It enables you to maximise the productivity of each work shift by maximising your workforce. The data you get is current, making it more actionable and less static. Additionally, superior GPS technology enables your employees to operate in low-visibility conditions. You need not worry about blind areas since you can follow your agricultural equipment in real time using GPS data.

In addition, it lets the producer enhance and improve the soil, reduce the use of natural resources such as land, and water, and improve productivity by implementing a series of focused key interventions, a feat that may be accomplished with the application of sophisticated technology. In fact, it makes agribusiness a profitable and prosperous profession irrespective of climate change and other catastrophic occurrences.

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

By Tarun Arora, Director, Single Family Office,