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HomePosts Tagged "MoU"
Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Live Stock, Plant-Based Meat

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines that the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will research early cell line development

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute of India has joined forces with Neat Meatt Biotech to create high-value marine fish in bioreactors. The institute is taking on the challenge of lab-grown fish for the first time in India to tackle the increasing demand for seafood and ease the strain on wild fish stocks. To create cultivated or lab-grown fish, scientists isolate specific cells from the fish and grow them in a laboratory setting using animal component-free media.

The final goal is to have a product that mimics the flavour, texture, and nutritional benefits of traditionally raised fish. Initially, the focus will be on developing cell-based high-value marine fish species, such as kingfish, pomfret, and seer. To launch this initiative in a public-private partnership mode, CMFRI has partnered with Neat Meatt Biotech, a start-up dedicated to developing cultivated meat. Dr A Gopalakrishnan, CMFRI director, and Dr Sandeep Sharma, co-founder, and CEO of Neat Meatt Biotech, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the newly formed partnership.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines that the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will research early cell line development. This process involves isolating and cultivating fish cells for further study and analysis. In addition, the CMFRI will be responsible for carrying out genetic, biochemical, and analytical work associated with the project. The institute is equipped with a cell culture laboratory that provides essential facilities for research in cellular biology.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines that

Company News, Packaging & Labelling, Supply Chain, World

The MoU with Tetra Pak to maximise efficiency without compromising on quality or food safety

IFFCO Group, as part of its ESG-based strategic plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed an MoU with Tetra Pak, the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company, designed to drive the momentum of sustainability initiatives within the group’s manufacturing facilities.

This groundbreaking collaboration between IFFCO, the UAE-based multinational FMCG group, and the renowned multinational entrepreneurial organisation, Tetra Pak, cements a strategic alliance that supports the implementation of global standards in state-of-the-art practices and technologies aimed at minimising the group’s environmental impact.

IFFCO is expanding its operations in Saudi Arabia by building a state-of-the-art factory equipped with the latest technology to locally produce sustainable, high quality and delicious products while adding value to the Saudi Arabian economy and contributing to reducing waste, lowering emissions and prioritising green industry protocols. The factory will initially focus on producing culinary creams and has formalised the MoU with Tetra Pak to maximise efficiency without compromising on quality or food safety.

The MoU with Tetra Pak to maximise

Agro Universities, R&D, Sustainability

The MoU will provide further impetus to agricultural research and expansion activities

Dhanuka Agritech Ltd, India’s leading agri-input company, has signed an MoU with Bikaner-based Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University (SKRAU) to aid and promote soil management, availability of quality seeds, plant protection, better yield of crops and easy transfer of agri innovations’ benefits to the farmers. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by R.G. Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, and Dr Arun Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SKRAU, Bikaner.

Briefing about the development, R. G. Agarwal, Chairman, of Dhanuka Group emphasised that agricultural knowledge, quality seeds, increasing the yield capacity of soil, water conservation in farming, and plant protection are fundamental requirements of farmers today. To enable this, the University and Dhanuka Group will work together. He also proposed to develop an ideal agricultural village through joint efforts and offered to provide scholarships, internships, and employment to the students of the university.   

Dr Prakash Singh Shekhawat, Research Director of SKRU said that the MoU will provide further impetus to agricultural research and expansion activities. Presiding over the function organized in the ‘Vidya’ pavilion of the university, Dr Arun Kumar, Chancellor said that the MoU will not only facilitate knowledge of the right medicines for plant protection but also Dhanuka Agritech will make arrangements for the availability of medicines through an outlet outside the university. 

The MoU will provide further impetus to

Agrotech, Horticulture, India

The partnership will focus on enhancing the mechanisation of fruit harvesting, specifically apples, integrating cutting-edge techniques

CNH signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR-CITH), Srinagar to collaborate on fruit harvesting technology in India.

The partnership will focus on enhancing the mechanisation of fruit harvesting, specifically apples, integrating cutting-edge techniques. It will also foster the development of innovative solutions tailored to India’s unique agricultural challenges.

“This strategic partnership seeks to pioneer groundbreaking innovation within horticulture. Together with ICAR – CITH, we look forward to combining our knowledge and expertise to deliver a step change in agricultural efficiency and productivity, benefiting the farmers and the wider agriculture community,” said Dr Garv Modwel, Group Leader, Advanced Technology and Innovation, CNH India Technology Center.

According to the MOU, CNH will oversee the design and development process of harvesting. The company will supply prototypes for field tests and make improvements based on the trial outcomes.

Dr M.K Verma, Director, ICAR – CITH Srinagar, said, “We look forward to collaborating with CNH to bring technological advancement to the Indian horticultural sector. The project offers an opportunity for our experts to apply their experience and understanding in developing solutions that will help reshape the future of fruit harvesting in India.”

ICAR-CITH will support image collection, logistics and operational aspects. The institute will analyse field test data such as picking efficiency, post-harvest losses, and the impact on fruit quality.

The partnership will focus on enhancing the

Horticulture, India, R&D

The Association of People with Disability, Bosch and the Department of Women and Child Development, Govt of Karnataka have jointly collaborated on the project

An Inclusive Sustainable Horticulture Centre was inaugurated for the residents of the Correctional Institutions Complex, Bengaluru. A facility that houses individuals with diverse abandonment, forced labour, and similar unfortunate circumstances, the Correctional Institutions Complex has seven homes in total and over 400 residents.

The horticulture project is the result of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between The Association of People with Disability (APD), the Department of Women and Child Development, the Government of Karnataka and Bosch Global Software Technologies in March this year. Situated inside the Government Institutions Complex, Dept. of Women and Child Development, near KIDWAI Hospital, the centre aims to provide a holistic multidimensional program through the project that includes setting up of an inclusive and sustainable horticulture centre which would assist in providing skill training, therapy, environmental education and wet waste management services to all residents.

As a strategic partner and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donor for the co-creation of the Inclusive Sustainable Horticulture Centre, Bosch provided inputs for the expansion of the project scope to include eco-therapy services for People with Intellectual Disabilities, an environmental education program for children and an in-campus wet-waste management

The Association of People with Disability will execute the initiative, providing essential professional skills, personnel, technical resources and expertise on the ground.

The Association of People with Disability, Bosch

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains

Through this, Shree Anna-based food can be introduced to the plates of more and more people

Eat Right Summit 2023 was organised at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi under the aegis of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The theme of this summit was ‘Shri Anna’ in view of the ongoing International Year of Millets 2023. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Chairman, FSSAI and G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI and many health and nutrition experts participated and expressed their valuable views in the day-long summit.

During his keynote address at the inaugural session of the summit, Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Chairperson, FSSAI, said that there is a need to emphasise preventive health care in the country and for this, necessary changes in the diet should be made is most essential. Pant described Sri Anna as a good alternative. He advised that it would be a good initiative to have some shops offering Shree Anna-based dishes in the healthy and hygienic food streets which are being upgraded across the country by the MoHFW. Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, MoHFW and Chairperson, FSSAI, termed the growing awareness about Shri Anna in the country as the Shri Anna revolution and called upon everyone to make their contribution to this revolution.

Mentioning the MoU signed between the FSSAI and the Ministry of Defense, Pant said that just as healthy recipes have been prepared for the brave soldiers protecting the country, similarly, MoU may be signed with other ministries and Central Armed Police Forces. Through this, Shree Anna-based food can be introduced to the plates of more and more people. He said that people can be made aware of the health and nutritional benefits of Shree Anna through other means.

Through this, Shree Anna-based food can be

AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The MoU aims to increase goat productivity, providing advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices and fostering sustainability throughout the goat value chain

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research — Central Institute for Research on Goats (ICAR-CIRG) signed a memorandum of understanding with Heifer India, according to a press release. The MoU aims to increase goat productivity, providing advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices and fostering sustainability throughout the goat value chain.

According to the press release, the collective mission is not only to increase productivity but also to create jobs and combat poverty in India’s rural areas. Both organisations pledged to provide specialised training, unwavering support, and essential resources to smallholder farmers and community agro-veterinary entrepreneurs.

“We are dedicated to co-creating lasting impact in smallholder farmer communities by offering capacity strengthening to bolster autonomous action. Moreover, we actively facilitate linkages with private sector value chain partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of community farming enterprises,” Rina Soni, country director, of Heifer India said in the statement. 

The institute and the organisation share a common purpose — to enhance the lives of smallholder farmers and advance the goat farming sector in India, said Manish Kumar Chatli, director, of ICAR-CIRG. “Together, we will forge a brighter future for all, transforming not only the goat value chain but also the destiny of our dedicated farmers, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Indian agriculture,” he said.

Both organisations pledged to provide specialised training, unwavering support and essential resources to smallholder farmers and Community Agro-Veterinary Entrepreneurs (CAVEs). Their focus areas include elevating goat productivity, imparting advanced training in breeding and healthcare practices, and fostering sustainability within the goat value chain.

The MoU aims to increase goat productivity,

Company News, India, Oilseeds, Sustainability

The company has already acquired 75 acres of land in Nallajerla Mandal for setting up its greenfield integrated Oil Palm Processing complex.

3F Oil Palm, one of India’s leading oil palm companies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) for the sustainable development of farmers in the state with a significant investment of Rs 550 Crores in Oil Palm cultivation. The MoU was signed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, of 3F Oil Palm.

This landmark investment reaffirms 3F Oil Palm’s commitment to fostering economic growth, empowering local communities, and promoting environmentally responsible agricultural practices in the Oil Palm industry.

During the MoU signing, Kakani Govardhan Reddy, State Agriculture Minister, and Gudivada Amarnath, Minister for Industries, Infrastructure, Investment, and Information Technology, were also present.

3F Oil Palm was the first company to commence operations in the state and has since developed more than 25,000 hectares of plantations, bringing together more than 50,000 farming families. 

The strategic partnership is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the region as it will help empower existing Oil Palm farmers as well as bring in new prospective farmers into the fold of Oil Palm cultivation. 3F Oil Palm will invest in nursery activities, area expansion, crop maintenance, farmer services, fresh fruit bunches (FFB) collection and handling, R&D facilities, and a green field integrated palm oil processing complex in Ayyavaram village, Nallajerla Mandal, East Godavari.

Due to 3F Oil Palm’s continued investment in the Oil Palm plantation space, the company has been allotted an additional 24 zones in the five districts of Tirupati, Chittoor, Guntur, Nandyal and Krishna with a potential area of over 1,00,000 Ha.

A senior state government official, said: “Palm oil cultivation in Andhra Pradesh stands as a beacon of economic empowerment, contributing over 85 per cent of India’s production. It is a vital engine of growth, helps in reducing import dependency, creating jobs, and fostering prosperity in rural communities. This sector not only fuels GDP but also elevates the lives of farmers by way of increased farmer income. We are positive that this groundbreaking project will revolutionise the oil palm cultivation landscape of the state.”

Sanjay Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, 3F Oil Palm, said, “We are enthusiastic to embark on this transformative journey with the farmers of Andhra Pradesh. Our milestone investment of Rs. 550 crore not only signifies our confidence in the potential of the region but also our commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Together, we aim to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. We are particularly elated as this MoU reaffirms the state government’s trust in our ability to deliver on our promise, to empower our farmers to make India self-reliant in Edible Oils.”

3F Oil Palm currently operates in the states of Karnataka, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, other than Andhra Pradesh, with a cultivation area spread over more than 55,000 hectares and five processing units.

The company has already acquired 75 acres

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, IT, R&D

Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its expertise in open innovations, data collaboratives, data science approaches and global know-how to support NABARD’s agenda of embedding data-driven decision-making in agriculture investments.  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-create data-driven innovations in agriculture and food systems to support smallholder farmers. Under this MoU, both organisations will work to improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by sharing open-source data for product development, transfer of technology and supporting the framing of agrarian policies.   

The MoU was signed by Chief General Manager of NABARD, Sanjeev Rohilla, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Isabelle Tschan. Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its expertise in open innovations, data collaboratives, data science approaches and global know-how to support NABARD’s agenda of embedding data-driven decision-making in agriculture investments.  

The partnership includes enhancing and disseminating collaborative digital public goods like DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture). DiCRA is a collaborative digital public good which provides open access to key geospatial datasets pertinent to climate-resilient agriculture. DiCRA, which is curated by UNDP and partner organisations to inform public investments in agriculture, already provides intelligence on climate resilience for 50 million hectares of farmland across India. By partnering to enhance and scale its use, NABARD will host and maintain the DiCRA platform and use its key geospatial datasets for policy making, research and development activities, with UNDP’s technical support.   

This five-year technical cooperation is envisaged to foster collective climate action and create innovative platforms and new product offerings to enhance economic empowerment in rural India. Speaking on the occasion, Shaji KV, Chairman of NABARD, said, “NABARD is extremely excited about this collaboration with UNDP. This opens a sea of opportunities for the two organizations to leverage data and present it as a digital public infrastructure for the vast rural Indian community of farmers. We are looking forward to deeper ties with UNDP as we progress, and this MoU is a step towards this direction.” 

Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment, Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative said, “Agriculture is the largest source of livelihoods in India employing 80 per cent of rural women who are more vulnerable to climate change. DiCRA uses cutting-edge data science and machine learning to identify farms that are resilient to climate change and those that are highly vulnerable. Such open data innovations can highlight best practices, optimize agriculture investments and shelter populations from risk. The collaboration with NABARD will strengthen our support to build sustainable agricultural practices and secure livelihoods reducing the vulnerability of small farm holders, especially women.”

Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Animal Health, Live Stock

The collaboration aims to address critical environmental challenges and improve the quality of aquaculture products by focusing on the production and testing processes of protein-rich fish meals derived from non-fish raw materials

The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Meridian Biotech, a leading industrial biotechnology company based in Texas. The collaboration aims to address critical environmental challenges and improve the quality of aquaculture products by focusing on the production and testing processes of protein-rich fish meals derived from non-fish raw materials.

Meridian Biotech specialises in the production of high-value single-cell proteins for the pet food and aquaculture markets, and together with KUFOS, they plan to implement industrial production of fish meals based on single-cell proteins. This will make them available at affordable costs to aqua farmers and overcome the unsustainable practice of juvenile fish catch. By reducing the rejection rate of Indian shrimp by the US and the European Union through the availability of protein-rich fish meals, KUFOS Vice-Chancellor T Pradeepkumar sees a positive impact on marine biodiversity.

The collaboration aims to address critical environmental

AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Sustainability

The meeting between Shobha Karandlaje MoS (Agriculture) and Vladimir Bolea Deputy PM and Minister for Agriculture & Food Industries of Moldova held in Delhi

A meeting between Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Food Industries of Moldova was held at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

Both Ministers emphasised the potential for increasing bilateral trade in agricultural commodities and for strengthening bilateral agricultural cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and technology.

Vladimir Bolea congratulated India on becoming the 5th largest economy and also for India’s G20 Presidency. He proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the two countries in the field of Agriculture which would provide an institutional mechanism for cooperation between the two countries.

Bolea also expressed Moldova’s interest in exporting vegetable oils to India and importing fertilisers and pesticides from India. He expressed Moldova’s support to India for its membership of the UN Security Council in 2027 and informed that Moldova is a candidate to become an EU member and follows the EU standards and therefore their products are safe to consume.  He highlighted the Moldovan culture of producing wine and apples as a way of life and expressed their interest in exporting these products to India.

MoS agreed to the proposal of the signing of an MoU and proposed that India will soon share a draft MoU with them. She also requested the Moldovan side to send a proposal for cooperation in exchange for technology.

The meeting between Shobha Karandlaje MoS (Agriculture)

Agrotech, Company News, India, Sustainability

The partnership will promote innovation and digitalisation of PMFBY and strengthen risk financing for a resilient farm sector in India

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Absolute Foods, a leading bioscience company specialising in agri-tech, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the government of India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and enhance the resilience of the farmers.

The partnership between UNDP India and Absolute Foods aims to enhance the implementation of the PMFBY and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme by building technical capabilities of the scheme and digitalising service delivery of crop insurance and agricultural credit processes to increase the reach and uptake of the schemes. It will also promote credit profiling of farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs), for accurate crop loss assessment and risk evaluation to mobilise agriculture financing.

UNDP and Absolute Foods will also use advanced technology and data-driven solutions to facilitate farmland identification and enhance farm monitoring, R&D, and analytical capabilities to facilitate data-driven policymaking and fraud analytics, ensuring efficient and transparent delivery of government support to vulnerable farmers.

Speaking on the partnership, Agam Khare, Founder & CEO, of Absolute Foods, says, “There are around 150 million farmers in India. We feel privileged to partner with UNDP India to enhance the risk resilience and protection of the farming community in India. With this collaboration, we are moving one step closer to achieving our goal of empowering farmer communities & making agriculture climate resilient in India.”

UNDP has been working with the Ministry of Agriculture & Family Welfare since 2018. In 2022, UNDP’s technical support unit at the Ministry helped reach out to 1.71 crore farmers through various information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns such as Crop

Insurance Week and organised more than 2.39 lakh Fasal Bima Pathshalas or crop insurance classroom sessions.

“Risk is an inherent part of agriculture and is one of the biggest roadblocks in improving the lives of farmer communities in India. This collaboration is an important step towards strengthening the risk and credit ecosystem for agriculture in India. UNDP India is committed to working with the government and partners to help farmers in India rise with resilience”, says Amit Kumar, Head, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, at UNDP India.

The partnership will promote innovation and digitalisation

AgroPolicy, Foodgrains, Sustainability

Rajnath Singh Raksha Mantri & Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Health Minister unveil a book ‘Healthy Recipes for Defence’

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the use of millet and healthy eating practices among the Armed Forces and ensure the availability of safe & nutritious food was signed in the presence of Rajnath Singh Raksha Mantri and Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Minister of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) in New Delhi. Both Ministers also unveiled a book titled ‘Healthy Recipes for Defence’ to promote the consumption of Shree Anna (millets) and its health benefits.

The MoU was signed by Director General (Supplies and Transport) Lieutenant General Preet Mohinder Singh on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and CEO, of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) G Kamala Vardhana Rao. It aims to create awareness about the nutritional benefits of diet diversity and millet-based food products among the personnel. The MoU will also pave the way for the introduction of millet-based menus in messes, canteens and other food outlets under the MoD.

This collaboration will also ensure the training of food handlers & chefs of mess, canteens of the Armed Forces and other food outlets on food safety and hygiene as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. It signifies a shared commitment to the health and well-being of the Armed Forces to enable them to remain solid & resilient in their service to the nation. The MoU will also encourage the families of the Armed Forces and the community to adopt nutritious diets, make healthy food choices and maintain food safety.

 The book ‘Healthy Recipes for Defence’, developed by FSSAI, includes a range of millet-based dishes. It will be a valuable resource for different canteens and food outlets under the MoD. Given the challenging terrains and varied climatic conditions faced by the defence personnel, the significance of variety in diet assumes great importance. Millets are known for their nutritional value and can contribute to a well-balanced and diverse diet.

Rajnath Singh Raksha Mantri & Dr Mansukh

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, R&D

This MoU is aimed at strengthening Public-private partnerships towards academic, research, and technical collaboration between the two institutions in the field of open water fisheries research, academic and capacity building

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore signs a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Himalayan University, Jollong, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr Kuldeep K Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Himalayan University, Itanagar (State Private University of Arunachal Pradesh) and Dr B. K. Das, Director, ICAR- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

This MoU is aimed at strengthening Public-private partnerships towards academic, research, and technical collaboration between the two institutions in the field of open water fisheries research, academic and capacity building.

Dr Sharma appreciated ICAR-CIFRI’s role in enhancing inland fish production in India over the last several decades through epoch-making technologies. He exhorted that this MoU will enable the university and ICAR-CIFRI to collaborate in research, technical, and academic collaboration which will ultimately help the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr. Das emphasised on long-term collaborations between the two institutions will help in the promotion of faculty and student in both the aspects of the quality post-graduate research front and the academy front.

This MoU is aimed at strengthening Public-private