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HomePosts Tagged "fertiliser"
Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, India

The Union Minister also inaugurated an exhibition where a total of 56 exhibitors from India and abroad showcased their products and services provided to fertiliser and agriculture sectors

The Indian Fertiliser Sector has achieved the twin objectives of supporting our 14 crore farming families by providing timely fertilisers, driving agronomic services, and emerging as a strong force in the fertilisers sector by playing a significant role in shaping up the global market. This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers and Health and Family Welfare during his inaugural address to the 59th Fertiliser Association of India Annual Seminar 2023. The theme of the seminar was “Innovations in Fertiliser and Agriculture Sectors”.

During the function, various awards were distributed by the Union Minister to companies, scientists and other individuals to recognize excellence in production, environment performance, safety, marketing and promotion of micronutrients, bio-fertilisers, etc. and for their contribution to research and development towards improving agricultural productivity. Three publications issued by the Fertiliser Association of India were also launched on the occasion, namely, The Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order 1985; Fertiliser Statistics 2022-23; and Specialty Fertiliser and Micronutrient Statistics 2022-23.

The Union Minister also inaugurated an exhibition where a total of 56 exhibitors from India and abroad showcased their products and services provided to fertiliser and agriculture sectors.

The Union Minister also inaugurated an exhibition

Company News, Sustainability, World

The pilot program sets the company on the path to the goal of 120,000 regenerative agriculture hectares in Brazil by 2027

ADM, a leader in sustainable agriculture supply chains, announced an important expansion of its global regenerative agriculture efforts with the launch of its program in Brazil. The Brazil program aims to promote and support sustainable agricultural production with a focus on soil health, biodiversity protection, improved soil fertility and resilience, and increased farm productivity. In the initial stages of the program, ADM will focus on three practices:

Fertiliser uses efficiency and increased use of biological inputs, reducing chemical inputs and substituting traditional nitrogen products with more technological alternatives to result in reduced carbon emissions in planting, coupled with increased productivity due to improved soil health.

No-till farming, with technical assistance guidance for the refinement and intensification of this widely used practice in the field.

They covered soil/cover crops, using a mix of cover crops to improve soil health, especially during off-season windows, to positively impact water absorption, structure, biodiversity and soil fertility.

 “The basic principle is to support farmers in their efforts to do more with less, meaning higher productivity with less use of inputs, less water use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, lower risk of soil degradation, and less use of fuels and energy. We know that customers are looking for lower-carbon intensity products with increased transparency in supply chains, and we’re committed to continuing to expand our efforts to help them meet their sustainability goals and consumer needs,” said Luciano Souza, ADM’s grains director for South America.

The pilot program sets the company on

Agrotech, Company News, World

NanoCote Core is the first product engineered to complement existing fertilisers, elevating the performance of the granular fertiliser industry to new heights

Nano-Yield proudly unveils the NanoCote brand, a groundbreaking nanotechnology-based granular fertiliser coating. NanoCote Core is the first product engineered to complement existing fertilisers, elevating the performance of the granular fertiliser industry to new heights. 

Mark Slavens Nano-Yield President and COO highlighted the ease of use and benefits of this technology, saying, “Our team is proud to have engineered this technology in a way that is seamless for blending operations. You can spray it on any type of dry granular fertiliser. It dries very quickly without heat or any other specialised equipment.” Director of Research & Development, Garrett Olsen, explains that the nanoparticles serve as a delivery mechanism, with a primary focus on increasing nutrient uptake by plants. “Our goal was to create a user-friendly formulation that maximises plant nutrition. Every component in NanoCote products serves a purpose and drives the entire formulation.”

NanoCote Core brings substantial benefits to farmers and blenders, along with positive impacts on soils and the environment. Brooke Rosqvist, NanoCote Brand Manager, emphasised these outcomes, stating, “NanoCote Core reduces dust, cleans machinery, and minimises wear and tear on equipment, benefiting both farmers and blenders. Moreover, it boasts impressive sustainability credentials by being biodegradable, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly granular applications. This will especially be appealing to those interested in regenerative ag practices.” 

NanoCote Core is the first product engineered

Institutions, World

The cooperative sector employs more than a 100 million strong workforce

Leading cooperative sector experts have come together to form the World Cooperative Economic Forum (WCopEF) to give voice to over 3 million cooperatives spread across the globe, employing 10 per cent of the total workforce worldwide.

The WCopEF will endeavour to promote cooperative thinking and cooperative movement, in addition to raising issues and concerns of the sector with the governments and other stakeholders around the globe.

The 300 largest cooperatives in the world, it may be mentioned, generate over $ 2.1 trillion in revenue, providing many essential goods and services. In many countries, cooperatives make significant contributions to the national economy by addressing market failures, empowering marginalised people, creating employment opportunities, and supporting sustainable development.

“WCopEF journey is starting at the juncture of ideation of an equitable economy, tempered by pragmatism. We are transitioning to a new engagement with the international cooperative economic order. Several challenges have emerged, invoking the need for an independent forum that would critically examine the problems facing the sector and help develop coherent policy responses,” said Dileep Bhai Shanghai, one of the founder members of the Forum.

Shanghai, Chairman of the fertiliser major IFFCO and President of the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), had also earlier served as a member of parliament and a Minister in the Government of Gujarat.

Binod Anand, other founder members of the WCEF are members MSP Committee on Agriculture Reforms, Dr. Rakesh Arrawatia, Professor Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and Ashish Anand, Founder Whrrl (www.WHR.loans).

“WCopEF will bring together, for the first time, co-operators, social scientists, cooperative economists and policymakers and myriad other stakeholders to brainstorm about the Social and Solidarity economy,” said Binod Anand.

The cooperative sector employs more than a

Agrotech, Company News, Sustainability, World

The funding will support Biodel AG’s commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of novel solutions aimed at enhancing soil health, optimising water utilisation, improving nutrient efficiency, and sequestering carbon emissions from the atmosphere

Biodel Ag, Inc., a regenerative agriculture company, announced closing its Series A financing round led by Pangaea Ventures Ltd, a renowned venture capital firm with a focus on advanced materials and clean technology. The funding will support Biodel AG’s commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of novel solutions aimed at enhancing soil health, optimising water utilisation, improving nutrient efficiency, and sequestering carbon emissions from the atmosphere. As part of this financing, Janelle Goulard, a respected partner at Pangaea Ventures, has joined Biodel AG’s board of directors.

Ben Cloud, CEO of Biodel AG, stated, “This strategic investment by Pangaea Ventures solidifies Biodel AG’s position as a leader in regenerative agriculture and underscores our unwavering dedication to addressing the urgent challenges of our time. Pangaea’s investment not only validates our vision but also equips us with the resources needed to expedite our commercial progress. We firmly believe that our biological agriculture products represent the most compelling and cost-effective solution for sequestering substantial volumes of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses from our atmosphere while revitalising depleted soils.”

The agricultural practices of the 20th century have had detrimental effects on our soil, transforming it into mere dirt, depleting crucial soil microbes and carbon content, and impeding the capacity of plants to absorb water and nutrients due to salt accumulation. Vibrant, healthy soils require less water, and reduced fertiliser inputs, promote a sustainable food supply, and play a pivotal role in capturing atmospheric carbon. Biodel AG is dedicated to reestablishing sustainability within our food supply chain while enabling the sequestration of greenhouse gasses through cutting-edge biological products, ultimately revitalising soil health and functionality, and bolstering plant vitality.

“We recognise the immense value of Biodel AG’s innovative regenerative agriculture solutions, which promise to rebuild the earth’s depleted soil and its biodiversity in order to reverse climate change,” said Janelle Goulard, Pangaea Ventures partner. “Funding will enable Biodel AG to accelerate its transformative work, further solidifying the company’s role in building a sustainable future.”

The funding will support Biodel AG's commitment

Acts & Schemes – Centre, AgroPolicy, Schemes - Govt, Sustainability

CCEA approves continuation of Urea Subsidy Scheme; Rs. 3,68,676.7 Crore committed for urea subsidy for 3 years

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a unique package of innovative schemes for farmers with a total outlay of Rs.3,70,128.7 crore. The bouquet of schemes is focused on the overall well-being and economic betterment of farmers by promoting sustainable agriculture. The initiatives will boost farmers’ income, strengthen natural/organic farming, rejuvenate soil productivity, and ensure food security.

The CCEA approved the continuation of the Urea Subsidy Scheme to ensure constant availability of urea to the farmers at the same price of Rs 242/ 45 kg bag excluding taxes and neam coating charges.  Out of the above-approved package, Rs. 3,68,676.7 Crore have been committed for urea subsidy for three years (2022-23 to 2024-25). This is apart from the recently approved Nutrient Based Subsidy of Rs 38,000 Crore for the Kharif season for 2023-24. The farmers need not spend extra for the purchase of urea, and this will help moderate their input costs. At present, the MRP of urea is Rs.242 per 45 kg bag of urea (exclusive of charges towards neem coating and taxes as applicable), whereas the actual cost of the bag comes to around Rs. 2200.  The Scheme is wholly financed by the Government of India through budgetary support. The continuation of the Urea Subsidy scheme will also maximise indigenous production of Urea to reach self-sufficiency levels.

Due to ever-changing geopolitical situations and increased raw material prices, Fertiliser prices have been increasing multifold globally over the years. But the Government of India has protected its farmers from steep fertiliser price rises by increasing the fertiliser subsidy. In its endeavour to safeguard our farmers, the Government of India has increased the Fertiliser subsidy from Rs. 73,067 Cr in 2014-15 to Rs. 2,54,799 Cr in 2022-23.

By 2025-26, eight Nano urea plants with a production capacity of 44 Crore bottles equaling 195 LMT of conventional urea will be commissioned. Nano fertiliser releases nutrients in a controlled manner contributing to higher nutrient use efficiency while costing less to the farmers. The application of Nano Urea has demonstrated an increase in crop yield.

Setting up and revival of 6 urea production units at Chambal Ferti Ltd. – Kota Rajasthan, Matix Ltd. Panagarh West Bengal, Ramagundam-Telangana, Gorakhpur-UP, Sindri-Jharkhand and Barauni-Bihar since 2018 is helping to make the country atmanirbhar in terms of urea production and availability. Indigenous production of urea has increased from the level of 225 LMT during 2014-15, to 250 LMT during 2021-22. In 2022-23, production capacity has increased to 284 LMT. These along with Nano Urea Plants will reduce our current import dependency on urea and finally make us self-sufficient by 2025- 26.

CCEA approves continuation of Urea Subsidy Scheme;

Company News, Dairy, India, Live Stock, Sustainability, World

The two companies have agreed to form a joint venture to co-develop and jointly invest in 15 to 20 anaerobic digestion facilities targeting nitrogen-rich feedstocks

Ductor, a leading circular biotechnology company within biogas and organic fertilisers, and TotalEnergies, the global multi-energy company, announce a new commercial and financial partnership with joint development of production facilities and TotalEnergies equity ownership in Ductor.

The two companies have agreed to form a joint venture to co-develop and jointly invest in 15 to 20 anaerobic digestion facilities targeting nitrogen-rich feedstocks and organic waste from the agricultural sector and turning this into sustainable organic fertilizers and renewable natural gas.

The facilities will utilise Ductor’s unique and proprietary circular biotechnology already in use at Ductor’s operational plants in Germany and Mexico, capable of processing highly untapped waste streams from the poultry and aquaculture industries, that will help solve today’s environmental challenges in the agri-food sector. The priority geographies for delivering these joint venture projects are the US and Europe.

“Ductor has identified a significant opportunity pipeline for future biogas and sustainable organic fertiliser plants ready for development and commercialisation, and the partnership with TotalEnergies will allow us to move forward with executing that pipeline and towards the construction of the first integrated fertiliser and biogas project,” said Bernard C. Fenner CEO of Ductor .

In the joint venture, Ductor will be responsible for screening opportunities, securing land, feedstock, engineering, obtaining permits, and conducting feasibility studies. TotalEnergies will actively participate in the development, construction, and operational phase, as well as being the off-taker of all produced renewable natural gas and its associated environmental attributes. Ductor will off-take and market the speciality fertilisers such as liquid nitrogen fertilisers produced at the facilities. The product has been registered for use in organic farming by the CDFA – California Department of Food and Agriculture in October 2021.

“We are pleased to partner with Ductor, a young company with an innovative pre-treatment technology that will enable us to develop new biomethane production projects, using organic waste that is currently not, or only slightly, reused. By accelerating the biogas chain, this technology contributes directly to the energy transition and to TotalEnergies’ ambition of producing 20 TWh of biogas worldwide by 2030,” said Olivier Guerrini, Vice President, of Biogas at TotalEnergies.

The two companies have agreed to form

Finance, Sustainability, World

FAO Investment Centre’s 2022 Annual Review looks at achievements and priorities

Investment and finance solutions play a critical role in transforming our agrifood systems, especially at a time when multiple shocks keep pushing more people into hunger and poverty.

This is an area where “the FAO Investment Centre is leading that charge,” QU Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), wrote in the foreword of the 2022 Annual Review of the Centre, which for nearly 60 years has been helping countries and financing partners make more and better agri-food investments to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition, improve rural livelihoods and protect the environment.

“We must act together – and quickly – to tackle these global challenges for a healthier, more sustainable future that leaves no one behind. That means transforming the way our agrifood systems work, from how we produce, supply and consume our food to how we reduce food losses and waste in our landfills. Ultimately, the goal is to help countries realise the four betters – better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all,” Qu wrote.

According to the review published, 2022 saw the Centre clock some notable achievements against the backdrop of volatile food, fertiliser and fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, conflict, the climate crisis, humanitarian emergencies and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those include support in the design of 45 public investment projects in 32 countries, worth a total of $8.8 billion in new investments – up 22 per cent from the previous year’s $7.2 billion.

They also include investment policy contributions in 65 countries, along with 52 agricultural strategies, 25 sector studies, 17 policy studies and 6 policy dialogues, as well as 54 new knowledge products – from a high-profile study on carbon neutrality in agrifood systems to investing in youth in Africa, among others.

Of particular note was the first Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, which was held during the 2022 World Food Forum, and matched 20 Hand-in-Hand countries and three regional initiatives with potential investors.

Above all, the Centre entered a transformative period of its own in early 2022 with the launch of its Transformation Plan, the so-called “4+2 solutions,” which seeks to make it even more fit-for-purpose, structured and staffed to respond to the growing and evolving demand from Members and investors.

FAO Investment Centre’s 2022 Annual Review looks

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

IFFCO has commissioned three urea plants in a single year

Amit Shah, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launched IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) in New Delhi. Several dignitaries including the Secretary of, the Ministry of Cooperation, Gyanesh Kumar, and the Chairman, of IFFCO, Dilip Sanghani were present on the occasion.

In his address, Amit Shah said that the launch of the IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) product is an important beginning to making India self-reliant in the field of fertilisers. He said that this effort of IFFCO is an inspiration for all the national cooperatives to research and venture into new areas. The launch of the IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) product will bring a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector of India, it will make farmers prosperous and India self-reliant in the field of production and fertiliser. Shah said that the use of liquid DAP, through spraying on the plant, will help increase both the quality and quantity of production as well as the conservation of the land. This will contribute a lot to restoring the fertility of the land and will reduce the threat to the health of crores of Indians caused by chemical fertilisers.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister Amit Shah appealed to farmers to use more effective liquid Nano Urea and DAP instead of granular urea and DAP. He said that the use of granular urea damages the land as well as the crop and the health of the people. He said that farmers have the maximum capacity to accept any new changes.  The effect of one bottle of 500 ml on the crop is equivalent to that of a 45 kg bag of granular urea.

Amit Shah said that 384 lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser are produced in the country, out of which cooperative societies produced 132 lakh metric tonnes. Out of this 132 Lakh metric tonnes of fertiliser, IFFCO has produced 90 Lakh metric tonnes. He said that cooperative societies like IFFCO and KRIBHCO have a huge contribution to India’s self-reliance in the fields of fertiliser, milk production and marketing. Shah said that instead of mass production, the main mantra of cooperation is mass production by the masses. It was believed that this mantra could not be successful after the decade of 1970-80, but, many cooperative societies like IFFCO and KRIBHCO have followed this mantra. Along with their professionalism in every field of cooperation, research, capacity and capability, they have kept the spirit of co-operative alive and have implemented it on the ground. He said that the biggest example and success story of a cooperative is that if today IFFCO earns Rupee 1, after the deduction of income tax, 80 paise goes directly to the farmers.

In this series, the cooperative society IFFCO has commissioned three urea plants in a single year.

IFFCO has commissioned three urea plants in

India

Inaugurates 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi on October 17. Furthermore, the Prime Minister also launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One Fertiliser. The PM also inaugurated 600 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. 

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition. During the event and launched ‘Indian Edge’, an e-magazine on fertiliser. Modi took a walkthrough of Theme Pavilion of Startup Exhibition and inspected the products on display.

He further elaborated that Kisan Sammelan is a means to make the lives of farmers easier, boost their capability and promote advanced agricultural techniques. He further elaborated that these Kendras are not merely sales centres for fertiliser but a mechanism for establishing a deep bond with the farmers of the country. 

The Pradanmantri Kisan Samrudhi Kendra (PMKSK) will cater to the needs of the farmers in the country and provide agri-inputs (fertilisers, seeds, implements) including testing facilities for soil, seeds and fertilisers. These Kendras will also help create awareness among the farmers.

Inaugurates 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi KendrasPrime

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Company News, India

The agreement will reduce Supply and Price volatility and ensure stable long-term supply of Potassic fertiliser to India

India’s fertiliser companies- Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilisers and Indian Potash Limited signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada. The MoU was presented to Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers . Canpotex, Canada is amongst the largest suppliers of Potash globally, exporting around 130 LMT of product annually.

“The MOU will reduce both supply and price volatility and ensure stable long-term supply of Potassic fertiliser to India. Government of India has been encouraging the domestic fertiliser industry for establishing supply linkages through long term partnerships with resource rich nations. Given India’s high dependence on imports of raw material and fertiliser minerals, these partnerships provide secured availability of fertilisers and raw materials over a period of time and also offer price stability in volatile market conditions. This supply partnership is expected to improve the fertiliser availability within the country and reduce supply side and price vulnerabilities”. Said Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. 

Dr Mandaviya stated that “This is a significant initiative as it will improve the availability of MOP for the farming community, uphold their welfare and contribute towards ensuring food security in the country”. 

He added that this MOU will lead to “strengthening of our mutual relationship and furthering bilateral relations between the two countries”.

The agreement will reduce Supply and Price

Agrotech

XAG’s drone technology steps into Ecuador’s cacao gardens to spray timely after rains, protecting cacao fruit from yield loss with trustworthy effect

To facilitate sustainable, local cacao production, XAG agricultural drone is adopted by cacao growers in Ecuador and provides relief to labour shortage during the busy season.

XAG’s drone technology steps into Ecuador’s cacao gardens to spray timely after rains, protecting cacao fruit from yield loss with trustworthy effect. Ecuador is the top spot of high-quality cacao beans, the major ingredient of single-origin chocolates.

XAG’s local partner, Megadrone, dispatched an agricultural service team to manage a 180-hectare cacao farm in Guayaquil, the second largest city of Ecuador. Drone was used as an alternative spraying tool to cope with the increasing labour costs.

During the operation, the XAG P Series Agricultural Drone was equipped with a full tank of foliar fertilisers and fungicides. It took off from the slope and flew over clusters of bushes to precisely spray on the cacao trees.

“What’s more, XAG’s agricultural drone can be easily operated by most people. Before launching the drone, the pilot just plans the flight path and sets up parameters on mobile app. This is convenient to learn even for our elderly workers,” said by the farm owner.

XAG's drone technology steps into Ecuador's cacao gardens to

Biofuel industry, Sustainability

This is a first-of-its-kind novel initiative by two leading CPSEs, to support the country’s commitment to achieving renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse emissions

NTPC RE Limited (NTPC REL) a fully owned subsidiary of the NTPC Limited has recently signed an MoU with National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) to collaborate in the field of renewable energy and green chemicals and mutually explore opportunities for the supply of 90 MW RE-RTC power in phases (30 MW in Phase-1 & 60 MW in Phase-2) and synthesising 50 TPD Green Ammonia for captive use for production of Industrial products by NFL.

This is a first-of-its-kind novel initiative by two leading CPSEs, to support the country’s commitment to achieving renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse emissions.  

This comes in the backdrop of NTPC announcing its Green Hydrogen initiatives and plan to build the country’s first pilot projects for synthesising green Methanol, setting up green hydrogen filling station, green hydrogen blending into PNG and green energy storage project.

This is a first-of-its-kind novel initiative by

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Environment

As part of the agreement, an additional 84 million restricted shares of DUTV were authorised and are being placed into Escrow

Digital Utilities Ventures, Inc (DUTV), has announced the execution of an agreement with Feed Earth Now, LLC, a privately owned limited liability company of Skokie, IL, in which, as part of the agreement, DUTV will become the majority shareholder. Also, as part of the agreement, an additional 84 million restricted shares of DUTV were authorised and are being placed into Escrow.

For the last 10 years, Feed Earth Now, LLC (FEN) have been developing a revolutionary, proprietary soil microbe formula (Terreplenish) from food waste that absorbs plant-available nitrates through absorbing atmospheric N2, and other beneficial microbes that thrive in soils and assist with enhanced plant growth and disease control while releasing tied up legacy phosphorus already in the soil.

This Terreplenish microbe formula in essence pulls 1/3 of the much-needed fertiliser for agricultural crops from the air, versus requiring it to be manufactured in large factories utilising CO2 emitting fossil fuels. The Terreplenish Microbial product has been commercially available in limited quantities to end-use customers for several years. 

Mark Gaalswyk, CEO of Easy Energy Systems, Inc, observed the technology and then developed a factory built Modular System to fully automate the entire process of making the Terreplenish microbe product from green waste material.  

As part of the agreement, an additional