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HomePosts Tagged "Maharashtra" (Page 2)
Agrotech, Sustainability

To open 7 new RPTOs, Service centre by Jul’23 to serve a burgeoning market

IoTechWorld Avigation announced that they are in the process of setting up 7 remote pilot training organisations (RPTOs) in 5 states by Jul’23 as it aims to sell 3,000 drones this fiscal, up from 500 in the last fiscal.

Currently, the company has collaborated with several universities and other institutions for RPTOs. The new RPTOs too are being opened in partnership with prominent organisations.

The company set by Deepak Bhardwaj and Anoop Upadhyay is India’s 1st drone manufacturing firm to obtain DGCA Type Certificate (TC) for agri-drone AGRIBOT.

To provide after-sales service and expansion of its network, IoTechWorld will also open a new service centre for agri-drone in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

Last month the company unveiled plans to expand its product line with the launch of a new type of agri-drone. The company has already showcased a more compact version of its famous drone AGRIBOT.

“2 of the upcoming RPTOs will be functional this month. These have come up at in Gharaunda (Haryana) and Jobner (Rajasthan),” said Deepak Bhardwaj, Co-founder & Director.

During the month of Jun 23 – 3 more RPTOs in Gurugram (Haryana), Chikballapur (Karnataka), and Samastipur (Bihar) will begin operation, he said and added the remaining 2 in Rajamundary and Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, will begin operations in Jul’23.

These RPTOs will have an annual capacity to train 360 budding drone pilots per location annually. The company has helped train 400+ pilots to date.        

 IoTechWorld has a presence in 12 states and will be expanding its footprints in newer geographies as well during the current fiscal.

 “We sold over 500 drones in the year 2022-23 and this year’s target is at least 3,000 drones. We have made a comprehensive plan to meet the target and even surpass it,” said Anoop Upadhyay, another Co-founder & Director of IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt Ltd.

Giving further details about the company’s strategy, he said opening 7 new Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) will help IoTechWorld Avigation to train more pilots who can operate the drones safely and efficiently.

“We are excited about our plans and believe that they will strengthen IoTechWorld’s position in the agri-drone market in India. The company remains committed to providing high-quality agri- drones and excellent customer service to its valued customers as well as job opportunities for rural youths, Anoop Upadhyay said.

The company is extensively focusing on creating awareness about the benefits of using drones in agriculture. These agri-drones not only save time and money but also increase farm productivity. Besides, the use of drones in farming activities, like spraying pesticides over crops, has health benefits for farmers.

To open 7 new RPTOs, Service centre

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, Foodgrains, India, Sustainability

Activities to be also undertaken in the states of Andhra and Telangana

India’s leading Agri-drone manufacturer IoTechWorld Avigation and Agro-chemical major Syngenta India have jointly developed a sustainable DaaS business model and will launch the commercial spraying services across 4 major states – Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana In the next season of Kharif & Rabi.

IoTechWorld & Syngenta have already conducted the drone Yatra in 13 states and demonstrated the benefits of agriculture drones to more than 1 lakh farmers in a 17,000 km yatra.

Already, a joint pilot activity using actual agrochemicals has been successfully conducted in Ludhiana, Punjab wherein farmers and agri-entrepreneurs were briefed about the benefits of using drone technology in spraying agrochemicals. 

Providing details about the plan, Co-Founders of IoTechWorld Deepak Bhardwaj & Anoop Upadhyay said, “We have joined hands with Syngenta India to facilitate drone spraying across India. We did a pilot in the state of Punjab and the response has been very encouraging. As a next step, both companies jointly plan to amplify the activities in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal. The idea is to highlight the benefits of spraying using drones to farmers and other stakeholders.”

“Our association is unique in many ways. While our product Agribot is India’s first DGCA-type certified company, Syngenta is the first private company to get approval from the Central Insecticides Board, Government of India to use drones for spraying its Crop Protection products in crops like Paddy, Wheat, Sugarcane, Potato, Hot pepper etc. It is thus natural for consumers including farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to have faith in our joint initiatives,” both co-founders added.  

Providing details on the business model, Saurabh Srivastava, General Manager – Sales of IoTechWorld Avigation, & Mahantesh Chulaki – Lead Operations, Syngenta India, said, the idea of this sustainable cluster-based DaaS business model is liked by many agritech & startups firms as it gives the surety of YOY spray demand from Syngenta which mitigate the risk of capital investment of drone service provider. Even financial institutions like SBI who are providing the capital loan up to 2Cr through the AIF scheme of GOI, are also very confident to disburse the loan as their risk is mitigated through assured business demand offered by Syngenta.

Activities to be also undertaken in the

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Environment, India, People, Sustainability

The main objectives of Sagar Parikrama are to disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the government

Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, starts the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat, and proceeds towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama will end at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.

The main objectives of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ are to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government; demonstrate solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, to promote responsible fisheries with focus on the sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and protection of marine ecosystems.

The journey of Sagar Parikrama focuses on the sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for the food security of the nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and the protection of marine ecosystems, to bridge the gaps of fisher communities, and their expectations, development of fishing villages, upgradation and creation of infrastructure such as fishing harbours & landing centres to ensure sustainable and responsible development through an ecosystem approach.

The Sagar Parikrama program is celebrated in all coastal States/UTs through a pre-decided sea route down right from Gujarat, Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands to have interaction program with fishermen, fisher communities and stakeholders in these locations to know the problems of Coastal Fisher folk. A holistic approach has been adopted to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of fishers and fishermen in rural areas and create more livelihood opportunities.

The main objectives of Sagar Parikrama are

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Horticulture, India, Logistics, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Transportation, Vegetables

During the current year, Railways have disbursed Rs 4 crores as a subsidy.

Indian Railways have operated around 2,359 Kisan Rail services till January 2023. Kisan railway transported approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of agricultural goods from one state to another. The Kisan railway was launched in August 2020 from Devlali Maharashtra to Danapur Bihar.  

This information was given by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

The railways have operated 116 Kisan Rail services in Andhra Pradesh, 62 in Gujarat, 46 in Karnataka, 1,838 in Maharashtra, 74 in Madhya Pradesh, 15 in Punjab, 5 in Rajasthan, 76 in Uttar Pradesh, 59 in West Bengal, and 66 in Telangana. The national transporter has operated one Kisan Rail train in Assam and Tripura.

Railways have been continuing with the subsidy, at a rate of Rs45 per cent and this subsidy is applicable till 31 March 23. Up to 31 March 2022, a 50 per cent subsidy in freight was granted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for the transportation of fruits and vegetables by Kisan rail, which was not continued further. During 2020-21, Railways disbursed Rs27.79 crores as a subsidy which MoFPI reimbursed.  During 2021-22, Railways disbursed Rs121.86 crores as a subsidy, out of which MoFPI reimbursed only Rs50 crores.  During the current year, Railways have disbursed Rs4 crores as a subsidy.

During the current year, Railways have disbursed

India, People, Sustainability

Mushroom samples were distributed to the villagers.

On the occasion of National Farmers Day, SVKM’s NMIMS School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST) organised a Scientist-Farmer Interface at Balde village, Shirpur, Taluka, Dhule district, Maharashtra. Jitendra Kuwar (Former ZP Member & former Sarpanch), Nimba Dada Patil (Deputy Sarpanch), Cooperative Society Chairman, and Vitthal Patil (Police Patil) graced the occasion.

Faculty members of SAST, Dr. Krishna Chaitanya, Dr. K.V. Patil, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Dr Nitin Misal; RAWE students of SAST; and several Farmers participated in the event.

    Dr. K. V. Patil, (RAWE Co-ordinator) explained the significance of National Farmers’ Day and the role of the farming community in addressing the food and nutritional security of the country and contributing to the nation’s economy. He also briefed about the Rural Agricultural Work Experience program which is going on in Balde and adjoining villages. He gave details about the student activities and their role as a bridge between the farmers and the scientists in the transfer of innovative techniques.

Further Dr. Mohammed Faisal (Plant Pathologist) demonstrated different Mushroom species, seed (spawn) and packing for cultivation. He shared multiple ways of processing and utilisation of mushroom products in the Indian market and also highlighted the economic benefits for the villagers. Mushroom samples were distributed to the villagers. He announced that mushroom seeds and produce were readily available at SAST, NMIMS, Shirpur Campus.

Dr. Nitin Misal (Soil Scientist) explained the importance of soil health and damage to soil health due to irrational fertiliser applications and irrigation water management practices. He also discussed the advantages of soil testing and urged farmers of the village to submit soil samples of their farm field at least once before sowing any crop.

Later on, an interactive session was held by Dr. K.V. Patil and RAWE students, where the farmers expressed their general issues and needs. They also discussed specific issues in various crops cultivated by them and with reference to pests and diseases.

Mushroom samples were distributed to the villagers.On

Agrotech, E-commerce, Horticulture, India, Sustainability, Vegetables

Otur collection centre is launched to directly source certified organic produce for customers across in West India to start with.   

In continued focus to empower farmers and offer the trusted, certified organic high-quality fruits and vegetables to its customers, Amazon Retail India has launched its eleventh farmer collection centre in Otur, Pune, Maharashtra.

In Maharashtra alone, Amazon Retail now operates six farmer collection centres at Manchar, Nasik, Wai, Kunjirwadi, Tembhurni and Ratnagiri, working with over 5000 farmers including various Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) sourcing locally grown fresh fruits & vegetables.

Various types of fruits & vegetables like certified organic vegetables, exotic vegetables, seasonal fruits and fresh leafy vegetables are sourced directly from farms across Maharashtra. These collection centres assure farmers of fast payments, fair and transparent pricing, and guidance on various other farming possibilities.

This new facility at Otur will be an addition to the fast-expanding produce value chain network enabling farming community to leverage the digital economy and have their produce reach consumer as fast as possible. Otur collection centre is launched to directly source certified organic produce for customers across in West India to start with.   

Amazon’s farmer collection centre has a robust temperature-controlled supply chain infrastructure that provides the right starting point for high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. After sourcing from farmers, Amazon uses state-of-the-art technologies to inspect and monitor the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables at multiple stages across its supply chain. The fruits and vegetables are sorted, graded, geotagged, and packaged in different sizes in well-aerated sustainable packaging materials at specialised processing centre primarily focused at retaining freshness and quality attributes, which is then trans-shipped to Amazon Fresh fulfilment centres located closer to customers.

Otur collection centre is launched to directly

Allied Industry, Bamboo industry, Country, India, Interaction, Sustainability

To develop multipurpose products at low cost from bamboo lab should be set up in the state.

“Bamboo farmers will become richer than sugarcane farmers, when bamboo will be used in different products. Bamboo crop can be a cash crop in Maharashtra, said Sudhir Munguntiwar, Forest Minister of Maharashtra in a Bamboo conference organized at the 13th Agrovision exhibition. Nitin Gadkari Union minister Road Transport and Highways, Pasha Patel; Farmer leader, Sharad Gadakh Vice Chancellor of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture University, Ravi Boratkar, Organising Secretary of Agrovision and Publisher of AgroSpectrum magazine, C.D. Mayee, Chairman, Advisory committee Agrovision and other delegates were present at the conference. 

Munguntiwar said,” There is a proposal for diesel production from bamboo in the pipeline. If we become successful in using bamboo as a wood, there will be less tree cutting. There is a need of setting up bamboo lab in Maharashtra state to develop multipurpose products at low cost from bamboo. The State Government of Maharashtra has set up Bamboo Research and Training Centre in Chandrapur. This year Bamboo Centre has made rakhis from bamboo and those rakhis were sent to London worth rupees 10 thousand.  State Government also plans to plant bamboo trees alongside Nalha in the Manarega scheme. The Ministry of Forest has planted more than four thousand bamboo trees in the state.

“Bamboo economy can be developed in India like China; China has Rs 50 lakh crores of the bamboo economy. Bamboo can be cultivated on wasteland”, said Nitin Gadkari. In one acre of land 200 tonnes of bamboo can be produced in two years of cultivation. Now ethanol production from bamboo is also possible we should increase bamboo plantations in the state which can create more jobs in the agriculture sector, he added.

Prof. Charu Chandra Korde from IIT Mumbai, Ashis Gharai, architecture Lalit Davate gave presentations on different use of bamboo.

To develop multipurpose products at low cost

Agro chems – Pesticides, Horticulture, India, Seeds

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, visited the Indo-Dutch, Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Vegetables at Baramati, District Pune, Maharashtra and interacted with the farmers. The main objective of setting of the CoE is to establish a demonstration hub for vegetable production and transfer of technologies to the extension workers and farmers in the region through their training and capacity building. These techniques include protected cultivation, hydroponics, improved seeds and quality planting material, fertigation, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), etc.

The CoE facilitates the training of various level of officers, NGOs, private entrepreneurs and paves a way to develop value chain, promote employment generation and market intelligence to maximise income of farmers.

A total of seven Centres of Excellence (CoEs) of Indo-Dutch collaboration have been approved so far in four states.  Out of them, two are completed in the state of Maharashtra and five are at various stages of completion. Beside these seven CoEs, there are three private centres as well.  All these centres are operational in the states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala and Karnataka with a specific focus on horticulture crops, fruits, vegetables, potatoes and flowers.

Dr Likhi also visited the Dutch Green house at CoE, KVK Baramati which aims to maximise the crop production from less resources like water, pesticides, manpower etc., which not only adds value to the entrepreneurs but also increases the quality of the produce being residue free. The main focus of this green-house is on demonstrating technologies under protected cultivation. The additional secretary also reviewed the activities of the centre at Baramati wherein detailed presentations were made by the ten centres and agri start-ups working in the region. It focused on innovations and technologies being used by them to cut down the transaction costs and create better market linkages for farmers growing fruits and vegetables. Dr. Likhi directed all the stakeholders to ensure that the technological demonstrations being practiced in the seven CoEs should be widely disseminated in the villages surrounding the centres to extend its benefits to the small and marginal farmers for practicing profitable agriculture

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of

Agro Universities, Agrotech

The MoA will aid in tech transfer for the production of acid lime nutri-jelly

The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Ashok Agro, Nagpur as an Incubatee for the Production of Acid Lime Nutri-Jelly under the National Agricultural Innovation Project of ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur stated that the Agreement will promote the viable agriculture-based enterprises and generate employment opportunities for the Incubatees trained in its ABI Centre. He underlined that the Incubatee – Sumit Gulabrao Tate, a BPL and Divyang Registered with DIPP / MSME is a Start-Up Entrepreneur.

The technology developed by Shri Venkatraman Bansode, Scientist (Food Technology) and Dr Dinesh Kumar, Principal Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur can prove to be a source of secondary income to the farmers and Start-Ups as they can set a micro-industry using the technology.

The MoA is aimed to facilitate close cooperation between both parties and create a small platform for uplifting the weaker sections of the society.

The MoA will aid in tech transfer

Agro chems – Chemicals, Biofuel industry

Holds Bhoomi Poojan for Sakarwadi manufacturing facility

Manufacturer of ethanol-based chemicals Godavari Biorefineries Ltd (GBL) held a Bhoomi Poojan ceremony for its Sakarwadi manufacturing facility at Sakarwadi in Maharashtra. GBL also inaugurated a research laboratory for bio-chemical research and new product development. Subhash Desai, Cabinet Minister of Industries, Maharashtra, presided at the bhoomi poojan while unveiling the research laboratory to augment its pioneering work in biochemical research.

Desai, said, “The advancement in research in bio-chemicals and introductions of new green products will propel the Indian chemical industry to become a global manufacturing hub.”

Samir Somaiya, CMD, GBL said, “We are delighted that the specialty chemicals facility and our ramped up research laboratory will enable us to expand the bio-chemical industry. Our vision is to make green chemicals that reduce the impact on the environment, focus on bio-diversity and the prudent use of scarce resources. Our investments in research and development have been instrumental in our growth and are aimed at creating value as well as optimising resources and processes.”

The manufacturing facility utilises ethanol and rectified spirits and can use ethanol and rectified spirits manufactured by them to manufacture speciality chemicals including bio-ethyl acetate, MPO, 1,3 butylene glycol, crotonaldehyde and paraldehyde and commodity chemical ethyl acetate. The company is in the process of expanding its plant to expand its capacity for existing products and introduce additional ethanol based chemicals.

Holds Bhoomi Poojan for Sakarwadi manufacturing facilityManufacturer

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Dairy

Kedar was speaking at India International Dairy Expo in Mumbai

Sunil Chhatrapal Kedar, Cabinet minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Sports & Youth Welfare, Maharashtra recently inaugurated the Koelnmesse India organised special edition of India International Dairy Expo (IIDE). IIDE was a trade fair on dairy and dairy technology, for dairy farming, processing, packaging, distribution and products.

Kedar said, “The significance of the dairy sector to the Indian economy cannot be underestimated. It is a subtle indicator of a healthy economy. Looking at the perishability of dairy products, the dairy industry must always embrace change and constantly adapt itself to the changing technologies as well because it’s only then that we’ll be able to achieve the desired result. I too come from the industry, and I know that we all were faced with a series of challenges during the last two years of the pandemic including that of labour, another critical resource. Therefore, the industry needs to nurture its talent by facilitating their access to the right opportunities for development.”

With a total of 160 exhibitors from 12 countries, IIDE became a single window of information for the latest industry trends. It provided a platform for all stakeholders of the dairy chain – the milk producers, the milk processors, the milk marketing professionals, the service providers, dairy equipment manufacturers, the technocrats and the policy-makers to create a better future and all-around growth of the dairy industry.

The minister exhorted the dairy industry in general and in Maharashtra particularly to adopt new ideas and the latest technologies and march on the path of grand success. He also asked the industry to hire the best professionals and if needed take the guidance and help from the organisations like NDDB and IDA.

Milind Dixit, MD, Koelnmesse YA Tradefair said, “Despite the COVID-19 challenges, the dairy sector in India continues to be positive on the back of government support, increasing population and per capita consumption. India is self-sufficient in milk production and the world’s top milk producer as well as consumers.”

Other dignitaries present included milk producers, scientists and industry representatives included Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Dr GS Rajorhia, President, IDA, Arun Patil, Chairman, IDA (WZ), Ranjeetsingh Deshmukh, Chairman, Dudh Mahasangh, Vishwas Patil, Chairman, Gokul Dairy, Rajesh Lele, Secretary, IDA (West Zone) and Board of directors of Ajmer Dairy, Rajasthan, Board of Directors of Gokul Dairy among other.

Kedar was speaking at India International Dairy

Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro Universities

The MoU is aimed at carrying out the collaborative research on ‘Efficacy Evaluation of ICAR-CIRCOT Nano-Sulphur as Fertilizer Formulation for different Field Crops’

The ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra.

Dr Prashantkumar Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MPKV, Rahuri and Dr Sujata Saxena, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai signed the MoU on the behalf of the respective organisations.

Dr Patil stressed on the importance of efficient use of fertilisers for the sustainable agriculture. The conduct of the field trials of the different nano-materials by the University was underlined by Dr Patil.

Dr Saxena emphasised on the importance and relevance of the different Nanotechnology Research & Development Activities carried out at the institute. She stated that the MoU is about the nano-sulphur developed at the institute which will be evaluated at the field level in MPKV, Rahuri for the different field crops.

Earlier, Dr BD Bhakare, Head, Department of Soil Science & Agriculture Chemistry, MPKV, Rahuri delivered the welcome address.

The MoU is aimed at carrying out the collaborative research on “Efficacy Evaluation of ICAR-CIRCOT Nano-Sulphur as Fertilizer Formulation for different Field Crops.”

As per the MoU, the collaboration will provide the new insights into the development of fertilisers in the Nano-dimensions and help in the optimal use of sulphur in the different oilseeds and other field crops.

The MoU is aimed at carrying out

Agro Universities

The MoU will aid in the production of disease-free citrus plants

The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur, Maharashtra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pratima Biotech, Raipur, Chattisgarh for production of disease-free quality planting material of citrus today.

Dr Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur stated that the partnership would be a milestone in the area of production of the disease-free quality planting material Citrus in India.

There are five commercial citrus genotypes commonly grown in India, viz., mandarin, sweet orange, acid lime and lemons, pummelo and grapefruit. There is a demand of about 20 million plants of the various commercial citrus cultivars in India for the new plantation and replanting of gaps within an existing orchard. It is well established that the productivity of perennial fruit crops is highly affected by the quality of planting materials.

The ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur standardised a protocol for the containerised nursery production system for Citrus. It seizes the spread of soil-borne and graft transmitted pathogens through the planting material. Due to the long nursery phase, that is, from 18th to 22nd months, it is very difficult to meet the requirements by the institute alone. Therefore, ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur is promoting nursery production through PPP mode.

The MoU will aid in the production

Biofuel industry

The raw material will be supplied by Pune-based Praj Industries

Swaraj Green Power & Fuel (Swaraj)  plans to set up the largest ethanol plant (1100 KLPD) in Maharashtra in two stages, first stage capacity of 500 kilo litres per day (KLPD) and in second stage capacity shall be enhanced to 1100 KLPD based on sugarcane juice and BIOSYRUP.  Necessary permissions have been acquired to enhance the plant capacity up to 1100 KLPD in near future. 

Swaraj and Praj have signed an agreement for expanding up to 500 KLPD capacity that is expected to be operational by the third quarter of FY 2022-23. Praj is responsible for the design, engineering, supply and commissioning of the plant, deploying its advanced sugarcane juice and BIOSYRUP to ethanol technology. Praj’s Innovative solution to process sugarcane juice into a new sustainable feedstock BIOSYRUP will help Swaraj secure round the year ethanol production.

The raw material will be supplied by