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Agrotech, Company News, Sustainability

The B Corp movement is a global movement of people using business as a force for good

Cropin Technology, the global Agtech leader enabling intelligent agriculture announced that it has become a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) for its unwavering commitment to social and environmental progress and redefining sustainable food systems worldwide. The certification is the result of a meticulous assessment of Cropin’s decade-long impact on transforming the agriculture landscape, empowering farmers, and reshaping agribusiness models through its cutting-edge Agtech solutions. The B Corp movement is a global movement of people using business as a Force for Good.

As a prominent B Corp in the Agtech industry, Cropin stands among businesses at the forefront of a global shift for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. The B Corp certification highlights its commitment to excellence across a spectrum of vital areas – governance, employee well-being, community/customer empowerment, environmental impact and a legal commitment to stakeholder governance. It reaffirms Cropin’s substantial strides in making agriculture predictable, traceable, and inherently sustainable, bringing value to all stakeholders in the food systems. This encompasses the empowerment of farmers, contributing to substantial progress in the lives of underserved communities. This certification further underscores Cropin’s significant role in leading the global ‘Ag-intelligence’ movement by;

●      Cropin positively impacts millions worldwide, including women farmers in emerging markets

●      Agri-climate tech solutions deployed  across 103 countries

●      Introduced the world’s first industry cloud for agriculture, driven by a Crop Knowledge Graph encompassing 500 crops and 10,000 crop varieties

●      Built intelligence over 200 million acres of farmland

●      Reimagining agriculture through digitalisation, data, and intelligence for agribusinesses, development agencies, and government stakeholders

The B Corp movement is a global

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

Company News, Finance, Organic, World

Farmland LP currently manages over 16,000 acres with approximately $250 million in assets under management (AUM)

Farmland LP, a preeminent fund manager specialising in organic farmland, announced the launch of its $250 million Vital Farmland III (Fund III), its third and largest fund to date. Fund III will extend Farmland LP’s mission of transforming conventional farms into dynamic, sustainable, and organic operations, catering to the surging consumer demand for food products derived from organic and regeneratively farmed sources.

Farmland LP currently manages over 16,000 acres with approximately $250 million in assets under management (AUM). Fund III will allow investors to align compelling financial returns with measurable, positive environmental impact. The firm’s previous funds have delivered strong performances; notably, Vital Farmland LP (Fund I) has since inception generated a net average after-tax return to original investors of 113 per cent.

“Farmland LP’s strategy is grounded in simplicity and effectiveness. We acquire conventional, chemical-dependent farms and reengineer them as models of organic and regenerative agriculture, thereby boosting cash flows and land values,” said Craig Wichner, CEO of Farmland LP. “With our proven 14-year track record, we have demonstrated that converting low-margin, high-volume farmland into higher-margin organic alternatives generates substantial financial benefits while simultaneously promoting environmental stewardship.”

“Driven by robust investor interest in high-performing, sustainability-focused farmland investments, Farmland LP continues to experience accelerated growth,” remarked Tom Sullivan, Managing Director of Capital Markets and Investor Relations for Farmland LP. “Our new fund provides a unique opportunity for institutional and accredited individual investors to tap into this high-potential asset class, fostering regenerative farming practices that benefit our planet.”

With greenwashing a growing concern in the farmland investment sector, Wichner added: “Investors are increasingly seeking verifiable claims of sustainability. Our commitment to Certified Organic standards and regenerative farming practices focused on soil health assures our investors that their capital is truly advancing sustainable agriculture.”

Farmland LP currently manages over 16,000 acres

Company News, Finance, World

This is Corteva’s third dividend increase since its 2019 spin-off and a result of the Company’s firm focus on driving margin expansion

Corteva announced Board of Directors has authorised a common stock dividend of $0.16 cents per share, representing an annualised increase of approximately 7 per cent over the Company’s previous quarterly dividend and payable September 15, 2023, to the Company’s shareholders of record on September 1, 2023. This is Corteva’s third dividend increase since its 2019 spin-off and a result of the Company’s firm focus on driving margin expansion and sustainable long-term growth through industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement, together with disciplined operational execution. This announcement reflects the Company’s continued focus on returning capital to shareholders.

This is Corteva’s third dividend increase since

Agrotech, Company News, Organic, Sustainability, World

Growing high-nutrient, clean, sustainable fruits and vegetables all year-round is the target

US based company Advanced Container Technologies which is in the business of selling and distributing self-contained, automated, indoor “micro-farms”,  announces the launch of GrowPods, the company’s unique Controlled Environment Farms, which can help provide new income streams for farmers, along with a host of other significant benefits.

3 pounds of toxic chemicals are sprayed on food, per person, every year, many fruits and vegetables contain 90 percent fewer nutrients than at the start of this century. 

“Our food system is in peril and we can no longer keep going on as if everything is fine,”. “It’s time for farmers to look to new ways of growing crops that don’t depend on soil, and don’t require chemicals or pesticides.” Doug Heldoorn, CEO of ACTX, said.

GrowPods are hydroponic controlled environment farms that can grow about an acre of food with about a third of the water used in traditional farming. With state-of-the-art automation, GrowPods provide farmers, businesses, organisations, and individuals the ability to grow ultra-clean food which is even better than organic.

Heldoorn summarised saying “Our nation’s farmers need new tools and techniques to survive,” he said. “GrowPods offer a pathway forward to a more sustainable future.”

Growing high-nutrient, clean, sustainable fruits and vegetables

Company News, Environment

The addition of the new facility in central Georgia fortifies Local Bounti’s distribution with the ability to directly service 19 retail distribution centres within an approximate 400-mile radius of the facility

Local Bounti Corporation, a breakthrough US indoor agriculture company combining the best aspects of vertical and greenhouse growing technologies, has recently announced the commencement of farming operations at its new innovative controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility in Byron, Georgia.

“We are cementing our presence in the East Coast market with our new Georgia facility, providing Local Bounti with a bi-coastal presence that is able to service the growing demand for our products,” said Craig Hurlbert, Co-CEO of Local Bounti.

The addition of the new facility in central Georgia fortifies Local Bounti’s distribution with the ability to directly service 19 retail distribution centres within an approximate 400-mile radius of the facility. The East Coast presence enhances service to the Company’s customers and the approximately 10,000 retail locations that they operate across 35 US states and Canadian provinces. Further, the facility will provide additional capacity to meet existing demand from the Company’s direct relationships with blue-chip retail customers, including Albertsons, Kroger, Target, and Walmart, as well as Whole Foods and AmazonFresh.

Local Bounti plans to install its innovative Stack & Flow Technology at all of its facilities, and is in the process of initial planning to install Stack & Flow at its Georgia facility, which was acquired in the previously announced transaction with Pete’s, to further expand revenue generating capacity.

The Company has started the expansion of the 3-acre facility, which will double the facility capacity to 6-acres and has the opportunity to expand to 24 acres to execute growth initiatives and broaden its product offering.

The addition of the new facility in

Agro Universities, Sustainability

The MoU aims to facilitate research and development in mutually agreed areas and jointly work in the area of product stewardship by providing safe use trainings

UPL Limited, a global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions, has recently announced collaboration with GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology for developing sustainable solutions for the farmers. Keeping ‘Farmer First’ approach, UPL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University to develop sustainable solutions for farmers.

The MoU aims to facilitate research and development in mutually agreed areas and jointly work in the area of product stewardship by providing safe use trainings. UPL will collaborate with the university on developing drone technologies and will also bestow scholarship to university students. GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, the first Agricultural University of India has championed work in the field of biologicals.

Dr Nain from GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology said, “We are ecstatic that the two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. We believe that the relationship will benefit farmers immensely by providing newer technologies and solutions. We also like to express our gratitude for UPL’s interest to provide stewardship training and support students with scholarship.”

The MoU aims to facilitate research and

Sustainability

The Minister also mentioned the recent initiatives taken by the Ministry of Agriculture for increasing the use of digital technologies in agriculture

The 12th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting was recently held virtually on June 9, 2022. The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Agriculture of China, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and India.

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, participated in the meeting.  The Minister highlighted various steps and initiatives undertaken by the Government of India in the field of agriculture and for welfare of the farmers viz. PM KISAN, PM FASAL BIMA YOJANA, Soil Health Cards, Natural Farming, formation and promotion of FPOs etc. 

Shobha Karandlaje emphasised on India’s resolve to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals of ending hunger and step up production and productivity of agriculture through sustainable use of natural resources.

The Minister mentioned the recent initiatives taken by the Ministry of Agriculture for increasing the use of digital technologies in agriculture like Agri-stack and India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture (IDEA).

The Minister highlighted the National Mission on Food & Nutrition with focus on development of nutri-cereals and bio-fortified varieties of crops and also highlighted importance of millets in food and nutrition security and climate resilience.

The Minister also mentioned the recent initiatives

Company News, Sustainability

Corteva is working as a partner to help Egypt pursue a sustainable and resilient future in its agriculture sector

The US GreenTech Business Delegation has toured Corteva Agriscience’s Met Bera seed production facility and viewed the business’ latest agricultural advancements first-hand, including the company’s industry-leading silage and grain hybrid solutions.

The visit formed part of an official countrywide mission initiated by the US Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with AmCham Egypt, comprising representatives from the US Departments of State, Commerce and Energy, and US companies across finance, healthcare, construction, agriculture, digital and aviation, amongst others. This initiative further demonstrates the United States’ ongoing support of Egypt’s green growth and climate adaptation and resilience priorities, ahead of COP27, which is set to be held in in Sharm El-Sheikh during November this year.

“The agricultural sector is critical to Egypt, as it accounts for approximately 15 per cent of Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP) and is responsible for 28 per cent of the country’s employment,” says Tarek El Azab, Middle East North Africa Business Unit Leader, Corteva Agriscience.

“In our visit to Corteva’s seed plant, we saw first-hand a leading American company that is making a major positive impact for both Egyptian family farmers and the country’s economy and food security,” said Steve Lutes, Vice President of Middle East Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. “By bringing its innovation and best practices to Egypt, Corteva is working as a partner to help Egypt pursue a sustainable and resilient future in its agriculture sector.”

Corteva is working as a partner to

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Agrotech, Nature, Sustainability

The purpose of the awards is to address the pressing need to develop alternatives to chemical crop protection in sustainable food production

The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) hosted the 2nd Annual World BioProtection Summit and Awards 2022 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham (UK), to address the pressing need to develop alternatives to chemical crop protection in sustainable food production.

The winners are:

  • Best Bioinsecticide Product – Cearitis for PIRA, an autonomous device that diffuses a natural attractant to trap fruit flies outside of olive orchards.
  • Best Biofungicide Product – Biotalys for Evoca, and Oro Agri for PREV-AM®.
  • Best Biochemical Product – STK Bio-Ag Technologies for REGEV, the first ‘hybrid’ foliar fungicide.
  • Best Biostimulant Product – FMC Corporation for Accudo, a versatile microbial biostimulant, and Sri Bio for IndiRoots, a unique granular formulation of multi-microbial plant stimulants.
  • Best Biofertiliser Product – Tradecorp, for Phós’UP, a new biofertiliser coming to the market this year.
  • Best Innovative Research Project of the Year –International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for Aflasafe, a solution to the problem of aflatoxin contamination in agricultural produce.
  • Industry Collaboration of the Year – UPL and Zespri Kiwifruit who worked together on a new product called Aureo Gold.
  • Biotech Start-up Business of The Year – Botanical Solutions Inc (BSI).
  • Best Young Entrepreneur Award – Dr Fatma Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Pheronym.
  • Outstanding Achievement Award – Dr Willem Ravensberg, Corporate Sr Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Manager, Koppert Biological Systems.

The purpose of the awards is to

AgroPolicy, Sustainability

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session on global opportunities for India

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, recently launched the Asia Bio Ag Forum, a two-day conclave held by the Agriculture Today Group at National Agriculture Science Centre (NASC), New Delhi. The objective of the forum was to promote and boost the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and ensure food and nutritional security, as well as farmer prosperity, across Asia.

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session on global opportunities for India. On the Chair and Co-Chair was Dr William Dar, Agriculture Minister – Philippines; and Dr Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General, AARDO. Other dignitaries that were present for the event included Dr Rattan Lal, Renowned Soil Health Scientist and World Food Prize Laureate; Dr Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA; Dr MJ Saxena, Managing Director, Ayurvet; Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, Plant-Based Foods Industry Association; and Dr Neelam Patel, Senior Advisor Agriculture, NITI Aayog.

Tomar said, “The government’s intent hereon is to eliminate the practice of middlemen in the agriculture value chain so that the farmers get a fair price for their products and do not face discrimination in any manner. I assure you that we are also taking efforts to make agriculture and farmers connected with the latest technology.”

Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, PBFIA, highlighted three trends shaping the plant-based food sector- a) sustainability, b) the tsunami of entrepreneurs and consumer focus on health c) the treatment of food and diet as a means of medicine.

Sethi added, “Plenty of young entrepreneurs are entering the plant-based food sector, and they need guidance concerning the preparation of safe foods as per the regulations laid by the regulatory authorities. Therefore, optimum training, handholding and mentoring support become essential. A joint task can provide valuable support to not just institutes like NIFTEM but to hundreds of other institutes breeding young scientists and entrepreneurs. The other potential opportunity can come from pea production and processing amidst the geo-political changes caused by Ukraine- Russia war. The demand for pea protein to formulate value-added products is witnessing a tremendous rise globally. Additionally, there is a need to bring a component of technology into the food production system. Wherein we can save soil, water bodies and reduce air pollution. Including mention of the carbon footprint of food choices as a labelling requirement”.

Dr William Dar, Agriculture Minister of Philippines, Mr Hugo Javier Gobbi, Ambassador of Argentina in India, and Dr Douglas Ry Wagner, Global CEO, AlgaeEnergy, Spain, stressed that cooperation between nations is key to the global adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
The conclave successfully concluded with a brief presentation of BioAg Asia Awards 2022 and a vote of thanks.

The forum hosted an exclusive CEOs session

Environment, Nature, Sustainability

The one-day event felicitated farmers who supported and worked with Agoro Carbon Alliance

Agoro Carbon Alliance recently organised the Agoro Carbon Alliance Kharif Summer Season Launch event at Randoli, Karnal in Haryana. Over 150 farmers including farmers associated with Agoro Carbon took part in the event.

The event was organised to recognise the efforts of the farmers, their families, and channel partners who have worked with Agoro Carbon and have assisted them at every step of the way in promoting sustainable carbon farming.

Anastasia Pavlovic, COO, Agoro Carbon Alliance, Agoro Carbon Alliance Prithviraj Sen Sharma, MD and Country Head of Agoro Carbon Alliance India, Dr Yebin Zhao, Global Agronomist, Agoro Carbon Alliance, Giulia Sartori, Carbon Project Developer Expert, Agoro Carbon Alliance, Shaara Rahim, Strategic Advisor to the CEO, and Dr Sudarshan Dutta, Lead Agronomist, India, Agoro Carbon Alliance took part in the event.

The event witnessed the launch of the Agoro Carbon Mitra programme by Pavlovic. A team from the local Punjab and Haryana-based YCNCs (Yara Crop Nutrition Centres), along with office bearers from Yara Fertilisers, were present at the event.

Pavlovic honoured Saroj Kalra as Agoro Carbon Mahila Kisan, an initiative launched at the event to give women farmers a platform to empower them with knowledge of sustainable and carbon farming practices.

The one-day event felicitated farmers who supported

Sustainability

Summit Carbon Solutions has partnered with 32 ethanol plants across the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, to develop the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world

A new study shows that Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon capture, transportation, and storage project will create jobs, generate new tax revenue for local communities, support local suppliers, and strengthen the Midwest regional economy. Ernst & Young, a global leader in accounting and professional services, conducted the study.

Summit Carbon Solutions has partnered with 32 ethanol plants across the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, to develop the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world. This multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project will have the capacity to capture and permanently store 12 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, while opening critical new markets for ethanol producers and bolstering the bottom line of corn growers.

“From the outset of this project, Summit Carbon Solutions has been committed to driving the future of agriculture by expanding economic opportunities for ethanol producers and by strengthening the marketplace for farmers in the Midwest,” said Jake Ketzner, Summit Carbon Solutions Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “In addition to those benefits, the latest analysis shows the overwhelmingly positive impact of this multi-billion-dollar private investment, including the creation of thousands of new high-quality jobs, the utilisation of local suppliers and main street businesses, and tens of millions of dollars in new tax revenues that will help local communities fund our roads, hospitals, first responders, and more.”

Summit Carbon Solutions will strengthen the corn market and, by extension, positively impact the economy in all of the counties and communities across the Midwest. The report from Ernst & Young also includes county-level data showing the company’s total investment and the forecast for incremental annual property taxes generated.

Summit Carbon Solutions has partnered with 32

Agrotech, Organic, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Vegetables

Showcases progress updates on its food chain partnerships that connect growers to the food value chain

Bayer is presenting the latest innovative and sustainable fruits and vegetable solutions to, on and beyond the farm at Fruit Logistica from April 5 to 7. The company spotlights products for the challenges facing growers, such as the tomato virus, the increasing request for organic and low residue produce and the need to lessen agriculture’s impact on the environment and respond to climate change. An important focus lies in providing growers with what they need to deliver on consumer, regulatory, and ecological demands. Bayer also showcases progress updates on its food chain partnerships that connect growers to the food value chain, as well as updates to the BayG.A.P. Service programmes empower smallholders to grow better crops and increase yields, for a profit.

Bayer is showcasing vegetables and fruits products that reflect the decisions growers need to make to meet the changing demands of consumers. In 2021, Bayer introduced an expansion of products under the new vegetables by Bayer umbrella to offer organically produced seeds. This directly addresses the increased customer need for high-quality organic seeds.

Bayer has introduced BIOLOGICALS by Bayer, a new signet for all biological crop protection products. Bayer’s science-based biological products provide growers with a broader choice for pest and disease management while contributing to Bayer’s goal of reducing the environmental impact of crop protection by 30 per cent by 2030.

Showcases progress updates on its food chain