https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/rssfeed/r-and-d/agro-ecology agro-ecology https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3978/vietnams-lam-dong-eyes-major-gains-from-forest-carbon-market-participation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3978/vietnams-lam-dong-eyes-major-gains-from-forest-carbon-market-participation.html Thu, 28 May 2026 13:52:10 +0530 Province advances REDD+, ERPA program, and digital MRV systems to monetize forest carbon absorption potential The province of Lam Dong is advancing preparations to actively participate in the commercialization of forest carbon credits, positioning its extensive forest resources as a key driver of sustainable green finance and long-term environmental economic development. With more than 1.1 million hectares of forest, including nearly 1 million hectares of natural forest, Lam Dong is considered one of Viet Nam’s most significant forested provinces, offering substantial potential for carbon absorption and storage services. Local authorities have identified forest carbon credits as a strategic opportunity to generate new financial resources while contributing to national Net Zero commitments by 2050. According to provincial officials, the Department of Agriculture and Environment has been actively advising the provincial government on mechanisms to access both domestic and international carbon markets. Domestically, Lam Dong is coordinating with relevant ministries to implement the legal and operational framework under Decree No. 29/2026/ND-CP, which supports the development of a national carbon trading platform. In parallel, Decree No. 180/2026/ND-CP provides additional regulatory foundations for forest carbon absorption and storage services. On the international front, Lam Dong is among five provinces participating in the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) program with the Emergent Forest Finance Accelerator, under the ART-TREES standard. The initiative is expected to facilitate the transfer of approximately 5.15 million tons of CO₂ between 2021 and 2025, with negotiated prices ranging from USD 10–15 per tCO₂e, potentially generating VND 300–500 billion in local revenue. Since 2021, the province has also been preparing for REDD+ implementation, with forest monitoring data, emissions tracking, and carbon sequestration information integrated into the national Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. These efforts have enabled initial recognition of emission reduction results under international standards, although revenue disbursement has yet to begin due to ongoing negotiation phases and institutional limitations. Provincial authorities acknowledge that challenges remain, including reliance on central-level MRV systems, limited local technical capacity, and the need for clearly defined benefit-sharing mechanisms among stakeholders. However, continued reforms are underway to address these gaps. To transform potential into practical outcomes, Lam Dong is pursuing a series of strategic measures, including accelerating ERPA implementation, strengthening forest databases, and applying advanced technologies such as remote sensing, digital mapping, and data analytics to improve MRV accuracy and transparency. The province is also conducting detailed assessments of high-carbon forest areas, prioritizing natural forests, watershed zones, and biodiversity-rich ecosystems. Carbon credit development is being integrated with existing programs such as REDD+, Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES), sustainable forest management, forest restoration, and climate-resilient agricultural models. In addition, Lam Dong is preparing local-level carbon projects in accordance with national regulations, while ensuring alignment with Viet Nam’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and avoiding double counting of emissions reductions. Efforts are also being made to design equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms among the state, forest owners, and local communities. Capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and international cooperation are being expanded to strengthen technical expertise and attract financial and technical support from climate finance institutions and global partners. Authorities emphasize that the province’s approach to carbon market development will remain guided by the principles of caution, transparency, effectiveness, and sustainability, prioritizing strong institutional foundations over rapid commercialization. Ultimately, Lam Dong aims to establish a stable and long-term green finance ecosystem that enhances forest protection livelihoods, supports circular economy development, and maximizes the multi-functional value of its forest resources. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3479/korea-creates-an-innovative-ecosystem-for-the-green-bio-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3479/korea-creates-an-innovative-ecosystem-for-the-green-bio-industry.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:40:15 +0530 Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) designated seven provinces—Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do—as the first-ever “Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones” in accordance with Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of the Green Bio Industry. The Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone system, introduced for the first time this year, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for business support led by local governments, on the base of provincial hubs where green bio companies, universities, research institutions, and an infrastructure for technology verification and certification are clustered. The zones were evaluated and selected, based on the following criteria: industrial growth potential, implementation capacity, policy relevance, and feasibility. The green-bio industry—encompassing six major sectors such as microorganisms, natural products, food materials, insects, seeds, and veterinary medical products—is an emerging next-generation industry. With the designation of the Green Bio Industry Development Zones, collaboration networks across provinces are expected to be strengthened, while verification, evaluation, certification, and commercialization for technologies and products will be accelerated. This will contribute to creating an innovative ecosystem for the green-bio industry. The MAFRA plans to grant the designated provinces an eligibility to participate in government-funded infrastructure building projects such as the Green Bio Venture Campus and biofoundries, while providing policy incentives to companies operating in the zones. The MAFRA will also receive quarterly performance reports from local governments of the designated zones and evaluate their annual performance results to regularly monitor their implementation progress. The evaluation results will be reflected in the following year’s policies. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3276/reishi-cordyceps-and-future-of-mycology-exclusive-with-dr-oli-genn-bash-on-smallholder-innovation-and-global-mushroom-markets.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3276/reishi-cordyceps-and-future-of-mycology-exclusive-with-dr-oli-genn-bash-on-smallholder-innovation-and-global-mushroom-markets.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:20:11 +0530 In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Oli Genn-Bash, Founder of The Fungi Consultant and co-founder of the UKC Psychedelics Society, explored the rising wave of functional mushrooms as a high-value agricultural and wellness opportunity. He highlighted the potential for smallholder cultivation models, noting that with training, local spawn, and market access, species like Reishi and Cordyceps could thrive in Europe and Africa, particularly through circular substrate systems using agro-waste. Genn-Bash emphasized that quality control, traceability, and provenance labeling are becoming critical in premium European markets, while technology innovations such as solar-powered polyhouses could democratize cultivation in climate-stressed regions. On the consumer side, he traced the mushroom coffee phenomenon to post-pandemic health awareness, influencer culture, and functional beverage trends, forecasting consolidation by major FMCG players and growth in extracts, personalized supplements, and functional food products. Beyond consumption, he sees mushrooms as a bridge between cultural re-enchantment with nature and future innovations in myco-materials, adaptogen blends, and clinical applications, signaling a transformative horizon for fungal science. Medicinal Mushrooms from an Agricultural Point of View Mini Case Study Prompt: In India, several farmer cooperatives in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are piloting Reishi and Cordyceps cultivation as a high-value crop, with margins reported at 2–3x those of traditional horticulture. How do you see this kind of smallholder model evolving in Europe or Africa? There's an opportunity for smallholder mushroom cultivation projects to scale where there’s a balance between suitable microclimates, reliable substrates, and access to training & markets, as well as furthering education to help prospective customers understand the benefits of these mushrooms. The key enablers would be low-cost spawn and training, potential for cooperatives to be set up, simple quality-control protocols, and tailored strains for local conditionsIn Europe the model would likely focus on supply chains and the quality of the final product (e.g. organic, dual extraction depending on the type of mushroom, lab testing to show bioactive compounds) sold to premium wellness and herbal markets. In Africa, the biggest upside is circularity and diversification: mushrooms can become an income layer on top of other commodities such as coffee, cocoa, or fruit and reduce seasonality risk. Mini Case Study Prompt: In Kenya, a social enterprise has partnered with coffee growers to use spent coffee grounds as substrate for Oyster and Reishi mushrooms, creating additional income for farmers and reducing waste. Could similar circular models be scaled globally? Circular substrate models create more sustainability and affordability for cultivation. Spent coffee has good nutrients and is often free; pairing it with agricultural waste (straw, sawdust) improves yields. Globally, scale depends on logistics: Collection systems, local inoculation units (so spawn doesn’t travel far), and end-market demand. Social enterprises can add community benefit layers (waste reduction, new income). Using spent coffee alone can be difficult due to how long it keeps for, so it’s ideal to combine with agricultural waste for prolonged use. This could be scaled strategically with local cultivation hubs and partnerships with hospitality/coffee chains for regular supply. Certification for food safety might be required to scale this on a global level Mini Case Study Prompt: China’s Fujian province has government-backed spawn labs that provide training, low-cost inoculum, and buyback guarantees to farmers. Could this “extension plus guaranteed market” model work in the UK or EU ? This could work but with some adaptation. The “extension + guaranteed market” model addresses two huge blockers: technical capacity and market risk. In the UK/EU, the model could be run by regional agricultural colleges, social enterprises, or cooperatives with public or philanthropic seed funding. The differences in the UK or EU would be that labour costs are higher, with stricter regulations on food safety and medical claims, as well as more restrictions regarding use of land in places like the UK. You would need to implement transparent quality standards, commercial-scale processing or extract partners to absorb volumes, and a hybrid funding model (public grants + small price differential for technical services). A buyback guarantee could focus initially on processed goods (dried mushrooms or extracts) where there is more scope to understand traceability and certify the quality standard. Mini Case Study Prompt: Researchers in Thailand have developed low-cost, solar-powered polyhouses for Cordyceps militaris cultivation, making it a viable option even in hotter climates. Could similar tech democratize medicinal mushroom farming in climate-stressed regions? Yes this could democratise it, as it opens the door to cultivating species which might otherwise be restricted by the local climate. The important thing to note is that conditions must be repeatable and consistent training should be implemented to maintain the quality of the end product. Mini Case Study Prompt: Vietnam has started branding its lingzhi (reishi) exports with provincial origin labels and blockchain traceability. Could Europe do something similar for small-scale growers? The consumers in Europe are increasingly paying more attention to traceability to know where the product has originated, and the level of quality. Provincial branding combined with simple digital traceability (QR codes showing grower, substrate, harvest date, lab test results) would allow cultivators to build trust and open themselves up to wider markets. Blockchain might be overcomplicating things when you can implement traceability into existing systems. The challenge might be how much this costs for small-scale cultivators to adopt. The Mushroom Coffee Phenomenon Beyond the Buzzword: Mushroom coffee has moved from hipster cafés to mainstream supermarket shelves. What, in your view, has driven its adoption — health science, influencer culture, or pandemic-era biohacking trends? People have been more concerned with their health since the Covid pandemic, and our lives have become more busy and possibly more stressful during this time. Mushroom coffee has provided an opportunity for people to engage with fungi in a familiar morning routine, whilst being a convenient way to obtain the benefits of the mushrooms. Certain health narratives such as the need to improve cognitive performance, reduce stress levels, or increase energy are just a few examples of what has been driving the trend, as well as the ritual of coffee and the rise of influencers and wider distribution markets opening up. Cultivation & Supply Chain Insights From Forest to Farm: Cultivating medicinal mushrooms is notoriously tricky — requiring sterile environments, controlled substrates, and patient timing. Can you walk us through what “good cultivation practice” looks like in this space? Successful cultivation of medicinal mushrooms begins with selecting good genetics and establishing clean, scalable spawn production. Maintaining sterility, implementing basic quality control, and ensuring that batches are fully traceable are essential steps in this phase. The next critical focus is on the substrate. Each mushroom species requires a specific substrate, and careful attention must be paid to moisture levels as well as proper pasteurization or sterilization techniques to optimize growth. Creating a controlled environment for fruiting is equally important. Consistency in humidity, temperature, air exchange, and lighting ensures predictable and high-quality yields. Alongside this, strict pest control and staff hygiene must be enforced, with daily logging of waste disposal to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination. Post-harvest handling is another crucial step. Mushrooms must be dried properly, moisture content checked, and packaging completed quickly to preserve bioactive compounds. Regular testing and traceability are also vital, including lab analyses for identity, heavy metals, and microbes, and maintaining batch IDs from spawn through to harvest. Where feasible, lab testing of bioactive compounds adds an extra layer of quality assurance. Finally, keeping simple yet thorough records—tracking yields, failure modes, and environmental conditions—supports continuous improvement, scalability, and compliance with quality standards.Global Sourcing: China remains a dominant supplier for many medicinal mushroom ingredients. How do you see Europe and the UK building resilient, traceable, and possibly regenerative mushroom cultivation systems locally? We need to invest in more education in places like the UK where we can open up training for early career mycologists. We might see the creation of regional spawn hubs, the introduction of training programmes at agricultural colleges, incentives for regenerative substrate sourcing (using agro-waste), and a marketplace that rewards traceability and high quality products. It would be great to see public funding or a combination of public/private funding in places like the UK or EU to limit the risk for early career cultivators. Market & Investment Outlook Functional Beverages 2.0: Kombucha and matcha once had their heyday — now mushroom coffee is on the rise. Where do you see this category going in the next 5–10 years? Could we see major FMCG players acquiring or building mushroom coffee brands? It seems like we might be seeing market consolidation, where big FMCG players could either acquire successful independent brands or build in-house product lines because the category fits into mainstream tea/coffee/functional beverage portfolios. We’ll also see more of a focus on the creation of premium products, and more focus on the functional sub-categories such as sleep, focus, or relaxation. Regulation plays a big role in how these products can be marketed, so we should expect to see more neutral language talking about ‘support’ rather than making any kind of health claims. Investment appetite will favor vertically integrated players who control spawn → processing → branded distribution, where products such as extracts provide more value than just dried fungi. Intersection with Psychedelics & Culture Mindful Consumption: You’ve been involved in the psychedelic education space. Do you think the functional mushroom boom is quietly priming the public for a broader conversation about psychoactive fungi and mental health therapies? I actually think in places like the UK or USA, the opposite is occurring - people have been consuming magic mushrooms for many decades, but the functional mushroom boom is quite new. I think that psychoactive fungi have opened up people to the potential for many different types of fungi to heal us on the functional level. The use of psychoactive fungi in therapeutic settings precedes the rise in popularity of functional mushroom supplements, however it certainly makes it easier to talk about the benefit of psychoactive fungi now that everyone is talking about mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, or Cordyceps. The issue is how the conversation surrounding these therapies relates to the mushrooms themselves, and whether or not we’ll see a dominance in synthetic compounds to achieve specific aims, rather than utilising the power of the whole organism. Cultural Capital: Mushrooms have been spiritual symbols for centuries — from Siberian shamans to Mesoamerican rituals. Are we seeing a modern re-enchantment of fungi as part of a cultural shift toward reconnecting with nature? Yes, I believe that consumption of mushrooms allows us to relate more to Animist worldviews, where we can exist with nature in an interrelationship, rather than viewing fungi as simple commodities for our benefit. We can ascribe some sense of agency to the mushrooms, where they are assisting us with their energy and wisdom to exist more comfortably with the natural world. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that mushrooms are becoming more popular as we cause more destruction to the natural environment - they are clearly showing up at a time when we need them the most! Future of Mycology & Fungal Innovation Beyond Coffee: If mushroom coffee is the gateway, what’s the next frontier for medicinal mushrooms — mycelium-based supplements, adaptogen blends, or even functional food tech innovations like mycoprotein ? The next frontier for medicinal mushrooms is expected to see a rise in high-bioavailability extracts. Advanced techniques such as liposomal technology and ultrasound-assisted extraction, combined with carriers like vegetable glycerin, will allow better delivery of key compounds. There will likely be a shift in focus from traditional beta-glucans toward terpenes and other bioactive molecules, alongside the development of clinically-backed blends. Personalized fungal supplements are also emerging, with small-batch, carefully analyzed formulations targeting specific needs such as sleep, cognition, and inflammation. This tailored approach enables consumers to select products that align closely with their health goals. Functional food technologies represent another growth avenue. Mycoprotein and hybrid foods are expanding beyond meat substitutes into functional snacks and cognitive bars, integrating mushrooms into everyday diets in innovative ways. Beyond nutrition, myco-materials are gaining traction in industrial applications, including packaging and leather alternatives. These cross-industry uses are attracting investment and advancing fungal science in sustainability-focused sectors. Finally, clinical translation remains a key opportunity. Research on functional mushrooms is increasingly being integrated into treatment plans, providing a pathway for evidence-based health interventions and bridging the gap between wellness products and medical applications. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3248/fao-and-cbd-launch-partnership-to-accelerate-monitoring-of-ecosystem-restoration-in-asia-pacific-and-beyond.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/3248/fao-and-cbd-launch-partnership-to-accelerate-monitoring-of-ecosystem-restoration-in-asia-pacific-and-beyond.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:50:47 +0530 Mobilizes ten regional technical and scientific cooperation support centres worldwide to boost countries’ capacity for monitoring and reporting on Target 2 of the CBD’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) launched a new global partnership to help countries monitor and report on ecosystem restoration, including in Asia-Pacific, one of the most biodiverse yet ecologically threatened regions of the world.Announced during the "Subregional dialogue on biodiversity monitoring and reporting with a focus on ecosystem restoration" in Bangkok, the new partnership will mobilize ten regional technical and scientific cooperation support centres worldwide to boost countries’ capacity for monitoring and reporting on Target 2 of the CBD’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Target 2 commits countries to ensure that at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine ecosystems are under effective restoration by 2030. The ten cooperation support centres will provide training, guidance and data validation as well as sharing lessons, good practices and innovations across countries and regions.“Target 2 challenges us to bring degraded ecosystems back to life at a scale never attempted before, but without robust monitoring, we cannot know if we are on track,” said FAO Senior Forestry Officer Julian Fox. “By partnering with regional centres, starting here in Asia-Pacific, we help ensure that every country has the tools and support needed to measure progress, report it transparently, and learn from others.”ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity to drive subregional cooperationAsia-Pacific is home to critical ecosystems from tropical forests and coral reefs to high mountain grasslands. Countries in the region are already advancing ambitious restoration plans but face gaps in monitoring, technical expertise and funding. Robust monitoring systems remain essential for tracking progress, ensuring accountability and guiding investments and policy decisions.In the Asia-Pacific region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Biodiversity has been selected to act as a hub for subregional cooperation. The Centre will coordinate closely with national focal points, research institutions and indigenous and local community networks to ensure that restoration monitoring reflects regional priorities, diverse ecosystems and the knowledge of local actors.A dedicated Target 2 Helpdesk will also be established, ensuring continuous technical support to centres and countries. In the Asia-Pacific region, this will include tailored guidance on restoration monitoring in tropical forests, mangroves, coral reefs and other ecosystems central to regional livelihoods and climate resilience.Support for national reportingThe Subregional dialogue on biodiversity monitoring and reporting with a focus on ecosystem restoration, held in Bangkok from 2 to 5 September 2025, brought together senior government officials, biodiversity focal points, technical experts, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, women and youth representatives, civil society actors, academia and development partners from across Asia and Oceania. The global series of dialogues were organized in the run-up to the submission of countries’ Seventh National Reports under the CBD, which are due by February 2026. The dialogue was jointly convened by FAO, the CBD Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, with financial support from the United Kingdom through the AIM4NatuRe (Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Nature Restoration) initiative and from the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative.Following Bangkok, regional workshops will be held in Latin America and Africa, culminating in a global stock take of ecosystem restoration progress at the 17th meeting to the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the CBD in 2026.FAO serves as custodian agency for the headline indicator of Target 2 of the Global Biodiversity Framework – “area under restoration”. This role builds on FAO’s technical expertise in land monitoring, forest restoration, geospatial data and the development of global reporting platforms including the Framework for Ecosystem Monitoring (FERM), which tracks and accelerates the progress of global ecosystem restoration efforts. FAO also co-leads the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration together with the UN Environment Programme. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2722/new-zealands-agrecovery-introduces-a-unique-opportunity-to-recycle-agri-plastics.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2722/new-zealands-agrecovery-introduces-a-unique-opportunity-to-recycle-agri-plastics.html Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:58:53 +0530 The GPSS aims to address the nationwide growing issue of agri-plastics by creating a regulated system that supports farmers and growers in reducing waste. A new pilot programme by Agrecovery offers farmers and growers in the New Zealand's Hurunui District the opportunity to recycle agri-plastics for free. During the period of 19 February to 13 March 2025, this initiative will promote the recovery and recycling of more farm plastic, improve sustainability, and gather insight for a nationwide recycling program. Currently, Agrecovery is operating a number of voluntary Product Stewardship Schemes. Richard Carroll, Head of Commercial, emphasized the importance of providing farmers and growers with easy access to recycling solutions. It is anticipated that most of the plastics collected during the pilot will be processed for recycling ensuring they are repurposed instead of being burned or buried. Carroll said the goal is to build a circular economy where agri-plastics are no longer treated as waste but as valuable resources. Plastic waste on farms is a growing issue and there needs to be practical, sustainable solutions to get buy-in from farmers and growers, and avoid the plastics being burned or buried. As part of the Green-farms Product Stewardship Scheme (GPSS), Agrecovery is trialing this service. The GPSS aims to address the growing issue of agri-plastics by creating a regulated nationwide system that supports farmers and growers in reducing waste. In 2023, Agrecovery ran a pilot program in Southland that recovered over 600 tonnes of farm plastics, primarily bale and silage wrap. Head of Commercial, Richard Carroll says, "A wide range of agri-plastics will be accepted during the pilot, Carroll says. “We anticipate receiving a variety of different agri-plastics. This will help us to gain a better understanding of what is being used by the primary sector and to develop long-term sustainable solutions for the plastic. This pilot is a critical step in testing the design and implementation of this scheme. It allows us to identify what works best for farmers and growers and ensures that future systems are practical, cost-effective, and widely accessible.” “The Southland pilot showed us the potential for large-scale recycling,” said Carroll. “Now, we’re broadening our scope to tackle other diverse plastics on farms.” Nicole Hurinui, Waste and Compliance Support Officer for Hurunui District Council, said the Council was looking forward to supporting Agrecovery on the pilot programme. “Our Hurunui farmers, winegrowers and rural businesses do a great job supporting the Agrecovery programmes for container and small bag recycling, and we’re thrilled this pilot programme is running in the district. It’s a great way to further empower our rural sector to participate in the circular economy through recycling farm plastics into useful products.” Carroll said proper presentation of the plastic by participants would be crucial to the pilot’s success, noting contamination such as dirt, stones, wire, excessive residues, and mixed plastics, can pose health and safety risks, damage processing equipment and prevent the plastic from being recycled. Agrecovery already provides agrichemical container and small bag recycling and agrichemical recovery for New Zealand farmers and growers. The majority of brand owners that distribute agrichemical, animal health and dairy hygiene products pay Agrecovery a voluntary fee to cover programme costs. This enables free access to users. The pilot is funded through the Ministry for the Environment’s Plastics Innovation Fund with additional funding support from Farm Source, Farmlands, PGG Wrightson and Agrecovery. The pilot is supported operationally by Hurunui District Council, Waipara Wines, Amberley Lions Club, JJ International and Plasback. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2599/source-agriculture-corp-makes-strategic-investment-in-ascribe-bioscience-to-advance-sustainable-crop-protection-solutions.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2599/source-agriculture-corp-makes-strategic-investment-in-ascribe-bioscience-to-advance-sustainable-crop-protection-solutions.html Fri, 29 Nov 2024 08:18:58 +0530 Ascribe Bioscience's lead product, Phytalix®, acts like a vaccine for plants by priming their natural defense systems against pathogens Source Agriculture Corp., an innovative agri-tech investments, embarks into strategic investment in Ascribe Bioscience, a cutting-edge company dedicated to developing sustainable crop protection solutions. Ascribe, is focused on discovering natural products derived from the soil microbiome to help farmers achieve more reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible farming practices. Ascribe Bioscience's lead product, Phytalix®, acts like a vaccine for plants by priming their natural defense systems against pathogens. Based on naturally occurring molecules produced by soil organisms, Phytalix® has shown proven efficacy in controlling a broad spectrum of pathogens across multiple crops, including corn, wheat, soy, rice, potatoes, and tomatoes. The product is non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-GMO, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and expensive biological treatments. Phytalix® works by triggering the plant's immune system, allowing crops to respond more rapidly to stressors such as pathogens. Applied as either a seed treatment or foliar spray, the product requires only small amounts of active ingredient per acre, significantly reducing the cost of crop protection while increasing the sustainability of agricultural practices. Ascribe's proprietary platform uses advanced metabolomics to unlock the potential of the soil microbiome, identifying small molecules that enhance plant health and productivity. This discovery process has led to the development of biobased products that are shelf-stable, durable, and more reliable under diverse field conditions compared to traditional live microbes or complex mixtures. "We believe that Ascribe Bioscience's approach represents the future of sustainable crop protection," said Aman Gill, President and CEO of Source Agriculture Corp. "Their innovative platform and commitment to natural, effective solutions align perfectly with Source Agriculture's mission to support technologies that not only improve farming productivity but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Our investment in Ascribe is a testament to our confidence in their ability to deliver impactful, science-driven solutions for farmers around the world." With this strategic investment, Source Agriculture Corp. continues to strengthen its portfolio of companies focused on advancing sustainable, high-tech solutions for agriculture. Ascribe Bioscience's work is poised to help transform how the global agricultural industry approaches crop protection and environmental stewardship, offering an important alternative to toxic chemicals and expensive biological products. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2587/bayer-announces-project-enhanced-s3-enabling-companies-to-maximize-sustainability-benefits-from-carbon-removal-projects.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2587/bayer-announces-project-enhanced-s3-enabling-companies-to-maximize-sustainability-benefits-from-carbon-removal-projects.html Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:08:44 +0530 Sustainability leaders can pioneer the new program by joining the limited pilot launch Bayer announced an expanded approach to its programs that sequester carbon and reduce emissions for companies along the food value chain through regenerative agriculture practices. In addition to helping to reduce these companies’ Scope 3 emissions, “Project Enhanced S3” will include data on benefits from regenerative agriculture practices, such as soil health, more efficient water usage, enhanced biodiversity, and economic support for farmers. Project Enhanced S3 is currently in development, with the goal of helping companies quantify, measure and report the added value of carbon projects taking place on farms in their supply chain, along with a portal to enable them to more easily access insights. With this enhanced focus on co-benefits, Bayer Ecosystem Services, the business unit that is focused solely on developing sustainability solutions for companies with science-based targets, is creating additional opportunities for customers to obtain value from the myriad data required of carbon programs. Historically, the thousands of data points collected from individual farmers enrolled in the Bayer Carbon Program have been used primarily to understand how field-level practice interventions, such as switching to no-till, strip-till, cover crops, or reduced nitrogen, can sequester and reduce carbon. However, much of that same data may also be contributed by farmers for the purpose of generating reports related to the co-benefits associated with those same activities. The project’s goal is to make use of that data without putting additional administrative burden on farmers. “By leveraging digital farming tools and deep agronomic expertise, Bayer’s Project Enhanced S3 is uniquely positioned to support the food and beverage industry in driving more impact. This is yet another way we’re able to measure and quantify the comprehensive benefits for farmers working to reduce global carbon emissions and bringing it to scale with our global reach, local presence, and strong relationships” said Leonardo Bastos, Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Services at Bayer Crop Science. Project Enhanced S3 will focus on giving businesses one more advantage as they build a sustainability strategy. Bayer’s system of solutions is developed using agronomic expertise, scientific innovations, and digital farming technology, including the ForGround by Bayer and Climate FieldViewTM platforms. These tools will help enable sustainability leaders to thoroughly vet potential solutions, demonstrate progress, and report on the results of their climate investments. Participation in Bayer’s Project Enhanced S3 is now available for a limited number of select business customers and sustainability leaders. “By participating, businesses can not only support their own climate goals, but also help drive sustainability solutions across the food supply chain through regenerative agriculture,” said Bastos. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2309/china-advances-carbon-sink-trading-to-accelerate-green-transition.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2309/china-advances-carbon-sink-trading-to-accelerate-green-transition.html Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:01:34 +0530 China aims to achieve its dual carbon goals to enhance forest ecosystem revenue Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, renowned for its rich forest resources, has launched a forestry carbon-sink trading system, as part of the country's broader efforts to achieve its dual carbon goals. A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases, and forests are typically carbon sinks. China has set ambitious goals of achieving a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, taking a prominent role in the global fight against climate change. Initiatives like forestry carbon-sink trading reveal a promising future where the integration of ecological value and economic value becomes apparent, "As the first provincial-level forestry carbon-sink trading system initiated by forestry and grassland authorities, it provides a good reference for forestry carbon-sink trading efforts in other provinces," explains Guo Qingjun, an official of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Heilongjiang boasts a forest area of 20.12 million hectares, accounting for 8.7 percent of China's total and ranking third in the country. The province's local forest ecosystem has a carbon reserve of about 5.7 billion tonnes. In addition to Heilongjiang, provinces such as Fujian, Guangdong and Shandong have also adopted forestry carbon sink practices to promote green transformation. Forestry carbon-sink trading is one of many approaches China is taking to pursue a green path, demonstrating the country's steadfast commitment to ecological priorities and low-carbon development. "The development of forestry carbon-sink projects not only enhances the ecological environment but also increases the supply of ecological products and services, fostering a positive interaction between ecological protection and economic development," said Li Jian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. In line with the dual carbon goals, China has made unwavering efforts to develop its carbon trading market. It has piloted carbon emission trading in multiple regions since 2011 to explore market-based mechanisms to control greenhouse gas emissions. A national carbon emission trading market was officially launched in 2021. As of mid July 2024, the cumulative volume of carbon emission allowances in the national carbon market stood at about 465 million tonnes, with the turnover amounting to nearly 27 billion yuan (about $3.79 billion), according to data. In July, China's tropical island province of Hainan saw the transaction of the country's first-ever carbon-sink trading project located in a national park's tropical rainforest. Three companies have signed a cooperation agreement with the Diaoluo Mountain branch of the Management Office of the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest for the purchase of a total of 350,000 yuan worth of tropical rainforest carbon sinks, according to the provincial forestry department. The carbon sinks traded originate from the Diaoluo Mountain area of the national park, where Merremia boisiana, a vigorous invasive vine harmful to trees, was removed from 667 hectares of forest. The removal of the vines will help accelerate the growth of trees, resulting in an estimated reduction of 109,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years, with the carbon-sink trading value exceeding 10 million yuan. The three companies purchased carbon sinks for 150,000 yuan, 100,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan, respectively, to offset their carbon emissions and contribute to carbon neutrality. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2245/philippines-da-celebrates-126-years-of-nurturing-agri-fishery-sector.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2245/philippines-da-celebrates-126-years-of-nurturing-agri-fishery-sector.html Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:06:11 +0530 Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA), with its vision of achieving Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., continues to implement programs and projects towards food sufficiency and a higher income for farmers and fisherfolk.  This year, DA celebrates its 126th founding anniversary with the theme, “Kagawaran ng Agrikultura, Sama-samang Naglilingkod para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas' which translates to "Department of Agriculture, Working Together for a Prosperous New Philippines" The celebration highlights the initiatives of the Department under the leadership of Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. focused on expanding agri-fisheries for increased production, modernizing agriculture and fishery production systems, and developing and improving post-harvest facilities and infrastructure. Secretary Laurel, during his keynote message during the kick-off ceremony on June 24, 2024, expressed gratitude to the entire staff of the Department for their dedication and commitment to serving farmers and fisherfolk. The agri chief urged the DA family to continue doing their best and support his leadership in implementing various projects, particularly the four-year action plan. “We see and appreciate the things that you do for the Department and for our clients. Thank you for building the foundation for DA’s successful delivery of its programs, projects, services, activities, and services,” Usec. Umali, who chaired the 126th DA Anniversary Committee meeting, addressed all staff and officials of the Department. On June 23, 1898—just 11 days after the proclamation of the Philippine independence—the then Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing became one of the first government agencies that was established under the First Philippine Republic under the administration of President Emilio F. Aguinaldo. After a series of renaming and restructuring throughout its 126 years of existence, the DA solidified itself as the primary government agency for the promotion of agricultural development in the Philippines by formulating, implementing, and evaluating data-driven policy framework, public investments, and support services for both domestic and export-oriented agri-fishery-based businesses ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2232/major-ingredient-players-unite-to-support-sustainable-farming.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2232/major-ingredient-players-unite-to-support-sustainable-farming.html Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:02:00 +0530 Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, BENEO and Puratos collaborate with Belgian farmers to launch joint Climate Farming Project Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, a beet sugar producer, BENEO, a leading manufacturer of functional ingredients, and Puratos, a global leader in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients, have joined forces to launch a pioneering Climate Farming Project. The ambitious initiative supports Belgian farmers in implementing more sustainable farming practices and promotes regenerative agricultural principles that contribute to enhancing soil health and reducing environmental impact. Addressing climate change and ensuring resilient farming practices is crucial to meet the demands of future generations. The project partners recognise that this requires collaboration between the agricultural sector and the food industry. Empowering farmers through training and stimulating the exchange of knowledge are key components of this joint commitment. The project is already underway and will run until 2025, involving 15 pilot farms across Belgium. Together, they will cultivate sugar beet, wheat and chicory according to various regenerative farming methods in an area equivalent to the size of more than 1,100 football fields. Throughout the project, farmers will work on specific farming measures. This includes strategies such as reducing mineral nitrogen fertilization and pesticide use through more organic means and enhancing biodiversity by planting flower strips and hedges next to the fields. Improving the biomass of cover and catch crops that are planted after the main crop harvest will also reduce soil erosion and enhance soil fertility and biodiversity in agroecosystems. In addition, it will aim to reduce the tillage and soil work to different degrees as a measure to combat erosion. These efforts are supported by the localised application of mineral fertilisers, the use of organic fertilisers, biopesticides and the early sowing of multi-species catch crops. At the outset, the Climate Farming Project engaged in a comprehensive diagnostic phase using a farm assessment tool called Greencard. This initial evaluation was crucial in setting measurable objectives and selecting appropriate regenerative agriculture practices, which could then be implemented in subsequent phases. The results can be used to expand these practices to other farmers working with BENEO and Raffinerie Tirlemontoise. Fabrice Flamend, a farmer from Eghezée, Belgium, and member of the Climate Farming Project, shares his perspective: “It is clear that the agricultural sector must move towards a more regenerative approach. While there are many ideas on how to achieve this, involving farmers and their expertise from the field in these discussions is vital. We need to uncover feasible techniques where factors such as soil condition, crops, equipment and profitability can be taken into account. This is why I am excited to be part of the Climate Farming Project. It provides a platform to exchange know-how and experience between farmers, and the companies that process our crops. Through the Climate Farming Project, we can work together on solutions that will future-proof agriculture.” Through this partnership, Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, BENEO and Puratos underscore their shared commitment to sustainable farming practices and the pursuit of innovative solutions, all while respecting the needs of farmers and future generations. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2171/australia-allocates-63-8-m-in-the-2024-25-budget-to-reduce-agriculture-industry-emissions.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2171/australia-allocates-63-8-m-in-the-2024-25-budget-to-reduce-agriculture-industry-emissions.html Wed, 29 May 2024 11:04:54 +0530 Accelerating on farm action, improving emissions accounting and investing in long term research are the latest tool being funded by the Australian Government to help farmers become more profitable in a changing climate Australia has reserved $63.8 million in the 2024-25 Budget to support the reduction of emissions in the agriculture industry and contribute to the whole-of-economy transition to net zero. The funding will help build the capacity of Australian farmers and trusted advisors, improve greenhouse gas accounting at national and farm levels, and drive innovation for emissions reduction and carbon sequestration in the sector. During the recent inaugural Sustainable Agriculture Summit being held in Toowoomba Government allocated the grants and further strives to builds on the $519 million in funding to rejuvenate the Future Drought Fund. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said as supply chains, international markets and the finance sector are increasingly requiring farmers to report on their emissions, providing standardised estimation and reporting frameworks was essential. “Decarbonisation in the agriculture sector will unlock new opportunities for Australian farmers and landowners. The Agriculture and Land Plan presents an opportunity to chart a way forward and will play an important role in achieving our whole-of-economy emissions reduction targets. We will work in close collaboration with the agriculture industry to guide us towards a net-zero future. The funding provided in the Budget will help the agriculture industry to take action and be recognised for that action” explained ” Minister Bowen. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said because the sector manages a large percentage of Australia’s landmass, the agriculture industry has a lot to gain from a sector-wide reduction in emissions. He said that the funding will go towards the continuation of innovative practices, enhanced training, long-term research and on-ground action. The funding includes: $28.7 million over 10 years (inclusive of $0.9 million ongoing from 2028-29) to improve greenhouse gas accounting in the agriculture and land sector at the national through to farm level. $30.8 million over 4 years from 2024-25 to 2027-28 to accelerate on-ground action to reduce agriculture and land emissions. This funding will build on the existing Carbon Farming Outreach Program. $4.4 million over 10 years for DAFF to become a partner to the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). The CRC, to be established on 1 July 2024, will be a major vehicle for long-term research into emission reductions from Australian agriculture. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2159/research-develops-environmental-indicators-for-agroecological-production-in-goias.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/2159/research-develops-environmental-indicators-for-agroecological-production-in-goias.html Mon, 27 May 2024 11:12:04 +0530 Indicators to verify the dynamics, changes and balance of the agroecological-based production system Researchers from Embrapa and the Goiana Agency for Technical Assistance, Rural Extension and Agricultural Research ( Emater Goiás ) developed a method to measure the impacts of family farm activities on the environment. The work proposes indicators to verify the dynamics, changes and balance of the agroecological-based production system, with the aim of generating better results for agriculture and the ecosystem. The work was conducted in partnership with family farmers linked to the Association of Agroecological Producers of Anápolis and Region (Aproar), located in the municipality of Anápolis (GO). All participants carry out activities following agroecological precepts, production linked to the conservation and regeneration of the diversity of plant, insect and animal species and natural resources (water and soil). The work is based on ten environmental indicators aimed at measuring soil quality and another ten to measure crop health. These indicators consist of attributes, characteristics that can be observed, which consider the entire extent of each rural unit and not just the productive activity. For each indicator, there was an evaluation with scores on a scale of zero to ten. For example, in relation to soil quality, notes were applied to measure its compaction, its microbiological activity, the presence of erosion and invertebrate organisms (insects, spiders, earthworms, etc.). In the case of crop health, the issues considered involved the natural vegetation surrounding the crops, the abundance and diversity of natural enemies of pests, the incidence of diseases, among others. According to one of the work coordinators, Embrapa Arroz e Feijão (GO) researcher Agostinho Didonet , the environmental indicators were established considering the farmer's management practices and coexistence with local resources, always bearing in mind the already existing agroecological principles. incorporated by rural properties. Also according to Didonet, the proposition of indicators that express and quantify environmental sustainability was determined, through a participatory methodology that combined technical knowledge with that of farmers, based on the leveling of concepts and in order to measure the management practices that most influence on the quality of crops. The objective was to help farmers recognize the types of management that most influence the quality of their crops and identify the agroecological practices most appropriate to the conditions of the agroecosystem, which can bring improvements in environmental sustainability and production. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1871/australia-grants-two-rounds-funding-worth-54-m-for-climate-smart-agriculture-program.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1871/australia-grants-two-rounds-funding-worth-54-m-for-climate-smart-agriculture-program.html Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:20:53 +0530 Partnerships, Innovations and Capacity Building grants are open-competitive opportunities over 4 years from 2024–25 to 2027–28 Australia is embarking into sustainable agriculture with two new grant rounds worth $54 million under the Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.  The first rounds of the Partnerships and Innovations grants and the Capacity Building grants are open-competitive grant opportunities, with grants up to $5 million and $1 million being available, respectively, over 4 years from 2024–25 to 2027–28. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said “climate-smart practices are central to the Government’s agenda for a profitable, productive and sustainable agriculture sector in the long term. We are working closely with farmers, land managers, industry and rural communities to support the continued transition to a sustainable agriculture sector”. “Improving sustainability will help our sector to respond to the impacts of climate change as well as grow market opportunities by reaffirming our position as a high quality, safe and sustainable producer of food and fibre products in the global trade market.  These grant opportunities also bring an increased focus on First Nations engagement, participation and leadership and will provide opportunities for First Nations agricultural enterprise, embedding traditional knowledge and land management practices in the farming sector” added Minister Watt. The Partnerships and Innovation grants encourage the development of new and innovative tools and on-ground sustainable agriculture practices that are delivered by effective partnerships. This funding will target larger, long-term projects that encourage multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches. The Capacity Building grants will support farmers, community and First Nations groups and the broader agriculture sector to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills about best practice climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices to drive their on-farm adoption. This funding will build on the success of existing sustainable agriculture initiatives, enable farmers to access the latest climate-smart and sustainable agriculture approaches, and inform decisions to strengthen the sustainability of their farming operations. The $302.1 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program is funded through the Natural Heritage Trust, the Australian Government’s key investment platform for achieving its sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and environmental protection outcomes. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1862/arkadiah-technology-sings-mou-with-singapores-nus-centre-for-remote-imaging-sensing-and-processing-crisp.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1862/arkadiah-technology-sings-mou-with-singapores-nus-centre-for-remote-imaging-sensing-and-processing-crisp.html Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:56:36 +0530 Partners for groundbreaking research leveraging satellite data for enhanced carbon estimation for more precise and scalable monitoring, reporting and verifying forest carbon projects. Arkadiah Technology has signed a MoU with Singapore's NUS Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) to collaborate on groundbreaking research leveraging the power of ground-truth and satellite data for enhanced carbon estimation. Arkadiah has implemented and is currently supporting pilots with over 15 projects in Southeast Asia and Australia on pre-feasibility/feasibility studies and carbon stock digital measurements.By combining the expertise in on-ground measurements and CRISP’s capabilities in remote sensing analysis, the partners will work together to develop cutting-edge methodologies for more precise and scalable monitoring, reporting and verifying forest carbon projects. The collaboration to drive innovation and greater climate impact through robust data to accelerate understanding of tropical forest carbon dynamics and to scale nature-based solutions through innovative approach. Arkadiah’s platform to cover the rich biodiversity and landscape of Southeast Asia: Recently, Arkadiah successfuly closed its seed funding round led by Golden Gate Ventures, with the participation from The Radical Fund and Money Forward Venture Partners (HIRAC FUND). Arkadiah revives degraded land through AI-enabled nature restoration. Nature-based climate solutions could provide estimated 30% of the mitigation needed till 2050 to achieve the 1.5℃ target of the Paris Agreement. However, nature restoration projects are currently met with long, cumbersome and manual processes from project development, monitoring, and credit issuance. This hinders much-needed funding, scaling, and speed. Arkadiah’s proprietary platform uses AI, LiDAR, satellite imagery and ground truthing to provide transparent and verifiable data with scientific rigour. Digitising the end-to-end process for project developers, landowners and corporations, the platform streamlines deployment of nature-based climate solutions, such as reforestation and agroforestry for high quality carbon removal and advancing biodiversity-rich ecosystems. Southeast Asia region saw 82% growth in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions between 1990 and 2020, mainly from fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, land use change and forestry. Unchecked growth in emissions could cause the region’s GDP to fall as high as 37% in a severe scenario of 3.2℃ rise in temperature. With 15% of the world’s tropical forests, key biodiversity hotspots, and agriculture-dependent economies, Southeast Asia is strategically primed to have nature-based climate solutions play an outsize role towards meeting the region’s climate ambition. With the new funding, Arkadiah plans to enhance their AI models, expand their product offerings and be in a strong position to scale with project developers, natural climate investors, land owners and corporations. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1837/18th-edition-of-icsce-held-in-dubai-uae-convening-global-agribusiness-leaders.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1837/18th-edition-of-icsce-held-in-dubai-uae-convening-global-agribusiness-leaders.html Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:54:37 +0530 Flagship event of PMFAI’s International Crop Science Conference & Exhibition (ICSCE 2024 Dubai) took place in Dubai on 8-9 February 2024 gathering agrochemicals, agri-biological and allied products industry, to develop strategic and sourcing relationships with international companies ICSCE is a major Agri Input event for Agrochemicals (includes Fungicides, Herbicides, Insecticides), Bioproducts (includes Bio pesticides, Bio Fertilizers, Bio stimulants and all biological products), AI and intermediate ( solvents, Surfactants, intermediates etc.), Fertilizer, Packaging, Seeds, Storage & Logistics, Research Laboratories. PMFAI President Pradip Dave opened the two-day event with a warm welcome address on 8 February 2024. David highlighted the importance of the event which has come a long way since PMFAI's first event in 1997.  The ICSCE is an international trade platform for the agrochemical, agri-biological, and allied industries, designed to develop strategic partnerships with international companies and develop an understanding of current trends in agrochemical, agri-biological, and allied industries. Aside from improving the health of the generic pesticide industry, ICSCE is a global event organized by PMFAI that brings together researchers in agriculture, pesticide manufacturers, agrochemical traders, agricultural biological industries, and allied industries. After organizing its first event in Mumbai, India in 1997, ICSCE has emerged as a premier Agri Inputs event connecting the world of agrochemicals, agri-biology, and agriculture. ICSCE provides opportunities for business expansion by way of joint ventures, bilateral trade, subcontracting / contract manufacturing and distribution and networking opportunities for buyers and sellers to benefit mutually.  ICSCE 2024 Dubai witnessed tremendous response with active participation of delegates from across the globe. Around 91 leading companies showcased their product portfolios during the two days of ICSCE 2024 Dubai. With over 1,200 plus registered delegates participation and over 2,500 footfalls, the event was a great success. The event also hosted PMFAI- SML Annual Agchem Awards ceremony at the gala night to award the contribution by the Industry in various category, witness the ceremony to know emerging global leaders from India. The ICSCE provided great opportunity to stand distinguished amongst more than 1200 delegates to promote the business, and you may choose from various types of Sponsorship’s and exhibiting opportunities. Position yourself and stand out from others. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1825/ntu-singapore-scientists-develop-artificial-worm-gut-to-break-down-plastics.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1825/ntu-singapore-scientists-develop-artificial-worm-gut-to-break-down-plastics.html Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:09:00 +0530 Innovative and scalable method to accelerate plastic biodegradation A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed an artificial ‘worm gut’ to break down plastics, offering hope for a nature-inspired method to tackle the global plastic pollution problem. By feeding worms with plastics and cultivating microbes found in their guts, researchers from NTU’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) have demonstrated a new method to accelerate plastic biodegradation. Previous studies have shown that Zophobas atratus worms – the larvae of the darkling beetle commonly sold as pet food and known as ‘superworms’ for their nutritional value – can survive on a diet of plastic because its gut contains bacteria capable of breaking down common types of plastic. However, their use in plastics processing has been impractical due to the slow rate of feeding and worm maintenance. NTU scientists have now demonstrated a way to overcome these challenges by isolating the worm’s gut bacteria and using them to do the job without the need for large scale worm breeding. University is aiming to fostering innovation and translating research into practical solutions that benefit society under its NTU2025 five-year strategic plan. NTU Associate Professor Cao Bin at the School of CEE and Principal Investigator at SCELSE said, “A single worm can only consume about a couple of milligrams of plastic in its lifetime, so imagine the number of worms that would be needed if we were to rely on them to process our plastic waste. Our method eliminates this need by removing the worm from the equation. We focus on boosting the useful microbes in the worm gut and building an artificial ‘worm gut’ that can efficiently break down plastics.” Developing an artificial worm gut To develop their method, the NTU scientists fed three groups of superworms different plastic diets - High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) - over 30 days. The control group was fed a diet of oatmeal. The NTU scientists selected the plastics as they are among the most common plastics in the world, used in everyday items like food boxes and detergent bottles. HDPE is a type of plastic known for its high-impact resistance, making it difficult to break down. After feeding the worms plastic, scientists extracted the microbiomes from their gut and incubated them in flasks containing synthetic nutrients and different types of plastics, forming an artificial ‘worm gut’. Over six weeks, the microbiomes were left to grow in the flasks at room temperature. Increase in plastic-degrading bacteria The scientists found that compared to the control group, the flasks which contained the gut microbiomes from the plastic-fed worms showed a significant increase in plastic-degrading bacteria. Furthermore, the microbial communities colonising the plastics in the flasks were simpler and more tailored to the specific type of plastic than the microbes found on plastics that had been fed directly to the worms .  When the microbial communities are simpler and targeted to a specific type of plastic, this translates to  potential for more efficient plastic degradation when used in real-life applications. First author of the study Dr Liu Yinan, Research Fellow at the School of CEE and SCELSE, said, “Our study represents the first reported successful attempt to develop plastic-associated bacterial communities from gut microbiomes of plastic-fed worms. Through exposing the gut microbiomes to specific conditions, we were able to boost the abundance of plastic-degrading bacteria present in our artificial ‘worm gut,’ suggesting that our method is stable and replicable at scale.” The researchers say their proof-of-concept lays the foundation for developing biotechnological approaches that use worms' gut microbiomes to process plastic waste. For their next steps, the researchers want to understand how the bacteria in the superworm's gut break down the plastics at the molecular level. Understanding the mechanism will help scientists engineer plastic-degrading bacterial communities to break down plastics efficiently in the future. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1733/novel-dairy-farming-study-demonstrates-microbial-nitrogen-efficacy-to-boosts-silage-tonnage-and-profitability.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1733/novel-dairy-farming-study-demonstrates-microbial-nitrogen-efficacy-to-boosts-silage-tonnage-and-profitability.html Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:11:00 +0530 Study indicates farmers who used Pivot Bio’s PROVEN 40 witnessed reduced rate of nitrogen with a 0.91 increase in tonnage per acre, representing a 4.2% advantage over the grower standard An extensive new study conducted in collaboration with over 30 dairy producers during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons demonstrated that replacing up to 40 pounds per acre of synthetic nitrogen with Pivot Bio PROVEN® 40 significantly improved silage tonnage without sacrificing quality. The results, presented at the Dairy Business Association’s Dairy Strong event in Green Bay, Wisconsin, showed that farmers who used PROVEN 40 and a reduced rate of nitrogen saw a 0.91 increase in tonnage per acre, representing a 4.2% advantage over the grower standard. Along with increasing silage production PROVEN 40 also boosted farmer profitability. Replacing synthetic nitrogen with up to 40 pounds of PROVEN 40 led to a 3.4% increase in milk production per acre. While production per acre increased, milk per ton remained consistent, demonstrating that production can increase while maintaining quality. Andy Heath, a Pivot Bio agronomist from Central Wisconsin. “For the second year in a row, our results show that Pivot Bio’s revolutionary microbial nitrogen is a step toward a more prosperous future in corn silage production, optimizing tonnage, maintaining quality, improving environmental outcomes and ultimately driving profitability.” Key findings include: Consistent performance across varied weather conditions: The study, conducted over two years, showcased the consistent advantages of PROVEN 40 in increasing silage yield across diverse weather conditions, soil types and corn silage management systems. Impressive tonnage increase: Dairy producers who replaced up to 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen per acre with PROVEN 40 increased tonnage per acre by 0.91, a 4.2% boost when adjusted to 65% moisture content. Maintaining quality while growing profitability: In addition to increasing corn tonnage, replacing synthetic nitrogen with PROVEN 40 led to no statistical difference in quality metrics, including 30-hour neutral detergent fiber digestibility, starch content, 240-hour undigestible neutral detergent fiber and crude protein. Pivot Bio is a leading sustainable agriculture company delivering farmers patented crop nutrition technologies that harness the power of nature to reliably and productively grow the food the world needs in the face of increasing volatility. Currently available in North America and soon in Brazil, provides climate solutions by delivering nitrogen to plants without the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizer. Pivot Bio is upending the $190 billion nitrogen market. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1736/agritask-partners-with-pessl-instruments-to-enhance-agronomic-data-analytics-with-advanced-weather-data.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1736/agritask-partners-with-pessl-instruments-to-enhance-agronomic-data-analytics-with-advanced-weather-data.html Thu, 18 Jan 2024 07:38:00 +0530 Crop supply data intelligence software company to integrate METOS® weather station data to advance agronomic picture, further mitigating extreme weather risks and optimizing field activities Agritask, a crop supply data intelligence software company, and Pessl Instruments, a leading global developer and provider of smart agriculture technological solutions, jointly announced their partnership to integrate METOS® weather stations into the Agritask platform. In combination with other agronomic data sources, METOS® weather station data, which includes a variety of real-time environmental parameters, will provide a more advanced agronomic picture down to the plot level for food and beverage companies using the Agritask platform. Globally, extreme weather events are becoming routine, making advanced weather data from state-of-the-art stations a critical data source to optimize cultivation activities and mitigate risks,” says Ofir Ardon, CEO of Agritask. “Agritask together with Pessl Instruments are shaping the future of agrifood tech and helping combat some of the industry’s most pressing agronomic and food supply chain issues amid the impacts of climate change.” Through the partnership, Agritask customers will gain a seamless integration of METOS® systems and their data feeds, which will be optimized with all other data sources on the Agritask platform. METOS® weather stations help farmers mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events and climate change shifts. The technology provides insights into soil and crop conditions, enabling resource-efficient practices. Data-driven decision-making helps better plan field activities such as when to seed or sow and when to irrigate, spray, and harvest. The Agritask-METOS® integration will address the diverse needs of Agritask users depending on their crops, farming locations, and associated weather patterns, seasons, and risks. In addition to real-time alerts about weather conditions like rainfall impacting a plot of crops, companies can enhance long-term planning with seasonal weather data and optimize irrigation with insights on soil moisture and evaporation rates. Companies can also protect crops and bolster their pest control mitigation with fewer chemicals and better timing thanks to weather data. With improved irrigation practices and reduced chemicals, robust weather data not only leads to cost savings but also more sustainable practices, ultimately having an overall positive impact on the environment and companies’ bottom lines. As food and beverage companies continue to address climate change issues and ESG commitments, crop supply data intelligence offers two-fold benefits and financial incentives. “All aspects of agricultural production from plant growth and crop yields to insect maturation and disease prevalence hinge on weather.” Says Gottfried Pessl, CEO and founder of Pessl Instruments. “Our METOS® stations provide detailed and comprehensive weather data by monitoring accurate site-specific meteorological parameters. Together with the flexibility and advanced solutions of Agritask, growers can plan for different scenarios, mitigate weather risks, and adjust cultivation activities.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1728/nepals-country-programming-framework-cpf-for-2023-2027-targets-ecosystem-restoration.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1728/nepals-country-programming-framework-cpf-for-2023-2027-targets-ecosystem-restoration.html Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:10:00 +0530 Nepal's first-ever Green Climate Fund (GCF) project aims to increase resilience and targets ecosystem restoration FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and Nepal’s Minister of Forests and Environment of the Federal Democratic Republic, Birendra Prasad Mahato, met during the Director-General’s visit to Kathmandu.  The Director-General noted that, as both a Least Developed Country and a Landlocked Developing Country, Nepal has tremendous geographic diversity that ranges from alluvial plains in the south to high Himalayan Mountains in the north. QU further stated that FAO is willing to support Nepal to achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, and to address the impacts of the climate crisis. The jointly launched Country Programming Framework (CPF) for 2023-2027 reflects Nepal’s key priorities, including sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. The delegates discussed implementation of the country’s first-ever Green Climate Fund (GCF) project for increasing resilience in the Churia Region, considered as a flagship project for the entire Asia-Pacific region. FAO will also supports Nepal with the implementation of the project aimed at ecosystem restoration, with a strong focus on forest ecosystems in the country’s Churia Region. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1883/bionema-group-launches-tender-for-product-marketing-of-innovative-biocontrol-solutions.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1883/bionema-group-launches-tender-for-product-marketing-of-innovative-biocontrol-solutions.html Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:14:00 +0530 Bionema Group, a leading developer of sustainable biocontrol solutions, is excited to announce a tender for the marketing of their innovative range of environmentally friendly biological products. These groundbreaking solutions are designed to address crop protection and plant health management in the Agriculture, Sport Turf Amenity, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Forestry sectors. As public awareness and concerns regarding the impact of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilisers) on human health, biodiversity, soil health and the environment continue to rise, Bionema aims to provide a complete collection of more than 60 biological products and technology that offer effective, eco-friendly alternatives. This strategic move follows Bionema’s transformative deal with Syngenta in 2021, congealing their position as a world-leading biocontrol technology company. Over the past 15 months, Bionema has undergone significant growth to meet the progressing needs of the market. Their different product range now includes Biocontrol, Biostimulants, Biofertiliser and Efficacy Booster customised to agriculture, horticulture, forestry, turf & amenities, and public health. Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group, expressed the company’s vision, said, “Our goal is to be at the forefront of Biological Agriculture technology innovator, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. With changing global trends and increasing demands from consumers, society, and regulators, sustainable alternatives are urgently needed. For instance, consider the EU’s aspiring plan to ban 50% pesticides by 2030 and significantly increase organic farming. Achieving such targets requires innovative solutions like the ones we are introducing”. Bionema’s expanded portfolio significantly enhances their presence in the Biological Agriculture sector, complementing their ongoing R&D, farmer’s training, and additional services focused on advancing biological solutions in different cropping systems. The company’s innovative formulation and delivery platform technology enable the development of products with 20-30% higher efficacy and productivity compared to existing products. Dr Ansari stressed, “While we are pleased to introduce our new products, our commitment to innovation and collaboration remains unwavering. We have achieved significant milestones, but our dedication to progress continues, and we firmly believe that the best is yet to come”. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1690/croplife-europe-commits-e10b-into-innovation-in-precision-and-digital-technologies-by-2030.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1690/croplife-europe-commits-e10b-into-innovation-in-precision-and-digital-technologies-by-2030.html Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:48:41 +0530 Also commits €4 billion into innovation in biopesticides by 2030 "We have established six commitments by 2030 focused on three areas, which are innovation and investment, the circular economy, and protecting people and the environment. Olivier de Matos, Director-General of CropLife Europe, said that the organization is planning to invest €4 billion in "plant bioprotection." " said de Matos. In the are of innovation and investment, the idea is to accelerate farmers' capacities to combat pests and diseases while protecting the environment, he added, noting that another €10 billion will be allocated to "digital agronomy," bringing the total estimated investment to €14 billion for the coming years. Regarding the circular economy, de Matos stressed that a significant challenge lies in plastic waste from pesticide products, as packaging must be collected and treated. "Currently, the rate of recovery of packaging waste from agrochemical products in the European Union (EU) is 66%, and we aim to reach 75% by 2025. We also want to develop and implement a system for collecting plastic waste because not all EU countries have it," he explained. In terms of protecting people and the environment, he highlighted the objective of facilitating access to new technologies. "We are committed to training one million farmers and consultants in good health practices, the use of water and environmental protection," de Matos said, noting the use of Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) technology to further reduce operators' exposure to chemicals. According to de Matos, CropLife Europe is committed to actively encouraging research and innovation to equip European farmers for more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agriculture. To achieve this, the organization will establish six commitments by 2030 focused on three areas, which are innovation and investment, circular economy, and protecting people and the environment. CropLife Europe is a European association composed of 23 companies, both multinationals and SMEs, and 31 national associations, including ANIPLA. It is based in Brussels. CropLife Europe's members support European farmers in protecting their crops through conventional chemical protection, biological control, plant biotechnology and digital agronomy. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1551/song-tingting-harnessing-the-power-of-women-to-improve-ecological-resilience-in-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1551/song-tingting-harnessing-the-power-of-women-to-improve-ecological-resilience-in-agriculture.html Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:25:32 +0530 6th Paris Peace Forum, "Innovative seeds: Women as catalysts for agricultural resilience", On the 6th Paris Peace Forum, "Innovative seeds: Women as catalysts for agricultural resilience", Song Tingting, Vice President of Kuaishou Technology and Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, spoke on the theme “Women and Agriculture: Supporting Women in Strengthening the Resilience of Agriculture in the Context of the Food Crisis ". She delved into the deeper logic of how new-age women are leveraging live short-form video platforms to digitize and bring disconnected sectors online, improving the underlying resilience and recovery capabilities of agriculture . Song Tingting said that, guided by the philosophy of "embracing all kinds of life", Kuaishou aims to bridge the "attention gap" in the digital age. By using digital technology, the platform allows more people to express themselves, be recognized and strengthen connections between people, improving the feeling of success and happiness. Support for women in rural areas is a crucial initiative in this regard. Overall, women's work is an indispensable element of rural communities and village economies. However, their contributions are often underestimated and overlooked. Addressing the challenges faced by women in rural areas will contribute to sustainable and inclusive rural development. To achieve this, Kuaishou launched the "Happy Rural Leader" program in 2018. This program aims to discover outstanding content creators from rural areas who can promote beautiful landscapes and quality agricultural products, exploring innovative models for “using short videos and broadcasting them live to stimulate rural revitalization. » Data shows that in the first half of 2023, 9,000 rural creators participated in Kuaishou's "Happy Village Leader" activities, with many outstanding female creators emerging from rural areas. Overall, women's work is an indispensable part of rural communities and village economies. However, their contributions are often underestimated and overlooked. Addressing the challenges faced by rural women can contribute to sustainable and inclusive rural development. To further discover rural talents and provide more opportunities for rural women to establish personal careers and boost regional development, Kuaishou, together with the China Women's Development Foundation, launched the "She Power Rural Revitalization Assistance Program" in 2022. Through training e-commerce talents, supporting women's employment and entrepreneurship in rural revitalization, the program aims to help rural women increase their income and contribute to local industrial development. “No one should be ignored, especially the voices of rural women,” said Song Tingting, emphasizing the importance of valuing and supporting rural women. Encouraging them to become promoters and builders of rural economic development will inject a unique "feminine" power into rural revitalization, and promote high-quality development of agriculture in the new era ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1498/basfs-yeosu-site-to-become-the-first-production-site-in-korea-to-deliver-biomass-balanced-mdi.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1498/basfs-yeosu-site-to-become-the-first-production-site-in-korea-to-deliver-biomass-balanced-mdi.html Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:06:07 +0530 Paves the way for a sustainable methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) value chain BASF announced that its Yeosu site in Korea has successfully produced the first biomass balanced (BMB) methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). This milestone development underlines BASF’s commitment to building a more sustainable MDI value chain. The biomass balanced MDI produced at the Yeosu site will be supplied to customers in the Asia Pacific region, further supporting BASF's goal of providing sustainable solutions to meet the growing demands of its customers in the region. MDI is a key component in the production of polyurethane, which is widely used in industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics. Traditionally, MDI is produced from fossil-based raw materials. With the increasing global demand for sustainable solutions, BASF has now developed biomass balanced MDI, made with biomass-balanced benzene. At the beginning of the production chain, the renewable feedstock needed to produce the biomass balanced benzene has been fed into the production system. A corresponding share of the renewable feedstock is then attributed to the MDI by means of a certified mass balance method. Certification of BASF’s biomass balanced products is carried out according to recognized standards like REDcert2 or ISCC PLUS*.  Using renewable raw material in the production system helps improve the product carbon footprint (PCF) of our customers along the value chain in comparison to the regular MDI solely based on conventional feedstock. “The biomass balanced MDI is an important step in our journey towards a circular economy. We are developing high-performance products in a more sustainable way” said Claudia Huang, Senior Vice President, Monomers Asia-Pacific, BASF. “At Monomers we are committed to provide a circular or low-PCF options for all our major value chains. We therefore certify our assets globally according to ISCC+ and REDcert2. Yeosu is our first Asian MDI production site where we now can produce certified BMB products”, said Jens Aßmann, Vice President Sustainability at BASF Monomers. Dr. Dschun Song, Managing Director, BASF Company Ltd., also shared his insight: “With the production and supply of BMB MDI to our customers in Asia-Pacific, BASF in Korea further expands its low-PCF product portfolio and is well-positioned to cater the needs of customers in- and outside of Korea.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1449/bayer-embrapa-and-experts-present-scientific-advances-to-boost-low-carbon-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1449/bayer-embrapa-and-experts-present-scientific-advances-to-boost-low-carbon-agriculture.html Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:23:23 +0530 Companies launched version 2.0 of a calculator to measure carbon footprint and predictive model to estimate organic matter stock in the soil In order to advance the construction of an ecosystem for even more sustainable tropical agriculture, combining science and co-creation, Bayer held in Campinas (SP) on 4th October on the occasion of second edition of Carbon Science Talks. The technical event, aimed at academics, companies, consultancies and partners of the PRO Carbono program, was attended by 24 speakers, as well as researchers and regulatory agencies from around the world, to discuss new solutions based on nature, tools and scientific advances linked to to the future of the carbon ecosystem in agriculture. Among the new features are two tools developed from the multinational's partnership with Embrapa. One of them is the evolution of the Footprint PRO Carbono calculator, which had its first version launched in May this year. The solution uses an internationally recognized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to quantify emissions and measure the carbon footprint of soybean crops and, now, corn. In addition to the calculator, those present were able to learn first-hand about the PRO Carbono Predictive Model, which will allow producers to simulate the impact of management interventions in relation to CO2 stocks in the medium and long term. Both the new version of the Footprint PRO Carbono calculator and the PRO Carbono Predictive Model will be made available within the Conecta PRO Carbono platform, responsible for gathering, aggregating and processing data from properties participating in the project with a transparent and friendly interface, grouping georeferenced information, social analysis environmental information, satellite images, land use history and agricultural operations data. In May this year, Bayer, in partnership with Embrapa, ADM and ten producers from the Cerrado and Amazon biomes, launched PRO Carbono Commodities, a program that, for the first time, presented a load of Brazilian soy with a measured, tracked and free from deforestation (DCF – Deforestation and Conversion FREE Soy). The Footprint PRO Carbono calculator was one of the tools that made the program viable, as it processes data to assess the environmental impact related to the commodity's greenhouse gas emissions. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1413/corteva-launches-pilot-projects-in-biodiversity-and-nature-related-financial-disclosures.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1413/corteva-launches-pilot-projects-in-biodiversity-and-nature-related-financial-disclosures.html Mon, 25 Sep 2023 10:04:49 +0530 Corteva focusing on Biodiversity with TNFD LEAP framework in Agriscience  As a first step towards integrating nature-positive financial decision-making into Corteva's core business strategy, the company launched the TNFD pilot project, which highlights both innovative products in its pipeline and partnerships to advance biodiversity and set new standards for corporate governance. Following the announcement of the biodiversity goal in 2022, Corteva has been an active partner in piloting how to report on biodiversity risks and opportunities, including the recently released Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Organizations can report and act on evolving nature-related impacts of their operations using the framework developed for impact management and disclosure. Incorporating nature-positive financial decision-making into Corteva's core business strategies, the pilot TNFD project highlights Corteva’s efforts to advance biodiversity and set new standards for corporate accountability. TNFD LEAP Framework in Agriscience and Corteva’s Biodiversity Focus The pilot project also features the TNFD LEAP framework—a four-stage process designed to help companies understand and manage their nature-related footprint.  The project focuses on the first two stages: "Locate," which identifies high-impact sites, and "Evaluate," which assesses nature-related impacts and dependencies. As part of Pilot, Corteva also has ambitious biodiversity goals, including supporting biodiversity and regenerative agriculture on 25 million acres by 2030. Multi-pronged approaches, including products, productivity, partnerships, and operational improvements, will be used to achieve this. Creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem and higher genetic gain are Corteva's goals. In addition to crop protection and crop health, Corteva has developed products that maintain harmony with beneficial soil organisms.  ReklemelTM, a selective nematicide that targets damaging nematodes without harming beneficial soil organisms, is a nuanced approach to crop protection that ensures that crops are protected from pests without disrupting soil ecosystems. Further, Corteva is working to improve yields across the seed technology spectrum, which includes conventional, genetically modified, and gene-edited breeding techniques.  Using this technology, conservation cropping systems, such as double cropping, can reduce the need for land use changes to grow additional crops. Corteva has helped prevent approximately 240 million hectares from being converted into crop production by optimizing yield per acre through advanced seed genetics and efficient cropping systems. Moreover, by avoiding the emission of over 140 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually, this land-saving strategy has a direct impact on climate change mitigation and it also aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Further, to improve plant and wildlife biodiversity across millions of acres of land in the U.S., Corteva has partnered with conservation non-profits such as Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. In addition to complementing the TNFD pilot project, these collaborations are vital for achieving broader sustainability targets. To support Operational Biodiversity Corteva's "Waialua, Hawaii Parent Seed Farm", has implemented a diverse cover-cropping system and native tree breaks to support a healthy, productive soil system.  A TNFD pilot project was developed based on these four pillars - product innovation, productivity, partnerships, and operational improvement - to better inform Corteva's sustainability strategy and nature-related impact assessment. Corteva reaffirms its commitment to promoting nature-positive impacts within the industry by testing the TNFD framework in its direct operations and sharing insights gained in this case study. Corteva sets a precedent for how agriculture can contribute to a more sustainable and financially resilient world by better understanding how nature impacts biodiversity preservation. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1378/syngenta-launches-agcelerators-campaign-to-promote-collaborative-sustainable-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1378/syngenta-launches-agcelerators-campaign-to-promote-collaborative-sustainable-agriculture.html Mon, 11 Sep 2023 06:26:00 +0530 Syngenta has launched a multi-media campaign called Agcelerators to encourage creativity, collaboration, and impact for sustainable agriculture. In order to promote more sustainable agricultural practices, the campaign will feature people transforming agriculture and run initially in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.  According to the 2019 World Resources Report: “Creating a Sustainable Food Future”, meeting this challenge will require closing three gaps: A 56 percent “food gap” between what was produced in 2010 and food that will be needed in 2050; A nearly 600 million-hectare “land gap” (an area nearly twice the size of India) between global agricultural land area in 2010 and expected agricultural expansion by 2050 An 11-gigaton “greenhouse gas mitigation gap” between expected emissions from agriculture in 2050 and the level needed to meet the Paris Agreement. Sustainability in agriculture involves balancing the need to increase food production with the need to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and ensure long-term viability of agricultural systems. Agcelerators help accelerate the transformation of agriculture in this regard. Through Agcelerators, Syngenta will highlight its enduring commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and support for farmers, showcasing people, products and services that are making a positive difference. The campaign humanizes the efforts through telling real-life stories, demonstrating the positive and tangible impact being made on the lives of individuals and communities around the world. Alexandra Brand, Regional Director, Syngenta Crop Protection, Europe, Africa and Middle East said, "Agcelerators are champions developing and embracing new ideas and establishing new partnerships and ways of working. They are the driving force behind sustainable farming practices that will have a lasting impact on our planet. It is now time we hear their stories.” Syngenta is addressing critical farming challenges while showcasing cutting-edge technologies and pioneering approaches, Syngenta seeks to catalyze a movement that leverages the collective strength of farmers, stakeholders, and the broader community to shape a new era for agriculture. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1292/chevron-funds-new-soil-carbon-capture-pilot-project-and-blue-carbon-research-project-in-western-australia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1292/chevron-funds-new-soil-carbon-capture-pilot-project-and-blue-carbon-research-project-in-western-australia.html Mon, 14 Aug 2023 11:02:25 +0530 Chevron is a carbon sink leading a pilot project for soil carbon sequestration covering a combined 80,000 hectares of planted and grazing area in Western Australia. Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries Chevron Australia New Energy Pvt Ltd. and Chevron Australia Pvt. announced an investment in Australia's first nature-based carbon offset project. Chevron is a carbon sink leading a pilot project for soil carbon sequestration covering a combined 80,000 hectares of planted and grazing area in Western Australia. (Carbon Sync) . Chevron will also participate in a multi-year research project with Deakin University's Blue Carbon Lab to examine the potential for CO2 sequestration in Western Australia's coastal wetlands. David Fallon, General Manager of Energy Transformation at Chevron Australia, agrees. “The two projects we are participating in Western Australia are just one example of the many pathways on our journey to low carbon. The region has significant potential to meet the demand for the expected Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU).With Blue Carbon Lab collaboration, Western Australia's saltmarshes, mangroves, We are delighted to be able to explore the potential of blue carbon in seagrass environments.” Carbon Think founder and CEO Louise Edmonds said: “a large multinational company, Carbon Sink, has recognized the potential to change the carbon formula in Western Australia’s agriculture and create jobs, and to invest further in the state. Through these pilot projects, we aim to make Western Australia's agricultural sector more sustainable and restore biodiversity." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1133/nestle-health-science-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-through-u-s-dairy-net-zero-initiative.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1133/nestle-health-science-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-through-u-s-dairy-net-zero-initiative.html Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:59:53 +0530 Collaborates with Royal Dairy Farm to demonstrates that Dairy can be a sustainable source of nutrition Nestlé Health Science, a leader in the science of nutrition, is collaborating with Royal Dairy farm in Washington state to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through climate smart farming practices. Together, Royal Dairy and Nestlé Health Science are aligned on four key areas of environmentally-focused innovation—cow feed, manure management, renewable energy, and regenerative agriculture – to show how dairy milk can be a sustainable source of nutrition. To help bring this sustainable source of nutrition to families, Royal Dairy joins Nestlé Health Science's family of dairy suppliers for Carnation Breakfast Essentials® nutritional powder drink mix, which is available at national retailers. Christiane Baker, Director of Sustainability U.S., Nestlé Health Science. "Royal Dairy is pioneering a comprehensive regenerative approach to dairy that helps reduce our carbon footprint while also supporting a more sustainable food system for all. We're proud to help Royal Dairy implement additional sustainable solutions that can better their business and the planet, and we look forward to exploring ways to expand this initiative in the future." U.S. Dairy Net Zero InitiativeThe Nestlé Health Science and Royal Dairy collaboration is a part of the Dairy Scale for Good pilot, which aims to demonstrate practices and technologies that are sustainable, feasible, and economically viable on a commercial dairy farm. This pilot is a key pillar of the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, which advances research, on-farm pilots and new market development, as an essential first phase to make sustainability practices more accessible and affordable to farms of all sizes and accelerate progress toward the industry's 2050 environmental goals. Nestlé is working across its businesses and brands to help create a more sustainable future, a stronger and more responsible society, and a thriving economy. Nestlé Health Science is making progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sourcing ingredients that have significant nutritional value with minimal environmental impact, reducing virgin plastic use, and striving to make all packaging recyclable. In 2022, Carnation Breakfast Essentials® achieved B Corp Certification, showcasing its commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1130/astrazeneca-pledges-400-m-in-reforestation-and-biodiversity-conservation-projects.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1130/astrazeneca-pledges-400-m-in-reforestation-and-biodiversity-conservation-projects.html Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:26:18 +0530 Initiation of new reforestation projects in Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ghana and Rwanda, in addition to existing projects such as Australia and Indonesia AstraZeneca, the global biopharmaceutical company has announced a $400 million investment in its forest program (AZ Forest), committing to plant 200 million trees by 2030 and ensuring that they Can survive for a long time. This investment will be used in new or expanded projects in countries such as Brazil, India, Vietnam, Ghana and Rwanda to help AstraZeneca's climate action, restore natural ecology, promote biodiversity, and enhance ecological and community resilience. Covering more than 100,000 hectares of land worldwide. AstraZeneca's forest plan is an important part of AstraZeneca's core sustainable development strategy - "Ambition Zero Carbon". AstraZeneca is working towards deep decarbonization in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The company is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) including operations and team production by 98%* by 2026 , and halve the carbon footprint of the entire industry chain by 2030, committing to an absolute reduction of 90% emissions and achieve science-based net zero emissions by 2045 Through the plan, AstraZeneca aims to eliminate its residual emissions in the atmosphere from 2030. The AstraZeneca Forest Program is designed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with plantation experts, local communities and governments to restore forests in a natural way and promote agroforestry,  protect and restore endangered species. AstraZeneca Global CEO Pascal Soriot said: "The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are destroying the planet and harming human health. Through the AstraZeneca Forest Programme, we work with local communities and ecological experts , large-scale reforestation and supports biodiversity, ensuring the survival of plants and animals and the sustainable development of people. AstraZeneca's forest plan is based on science and will remove about 30 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in about 30 years." As part of the company's reforestation commitment, AstraZeneca, together with European Forest Institute (EFI) and Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA), has launched the first-ever science-based collaborative framework for sustainable, resilient, locally appropriate regeneration of landscapes. The CBA principles of landform regeneration will enable circular bioeconomy value chains and restore biodiversity. The AstraZeneca Forest Program also contributes to the World Economic Forum's 1t.org initiative, a public-private partnership to protect, restore and plant 1 trillion trees by 2030. In 2020, AstraZeneca proposed the Forest Plan project for the first time and committed to planting and maintaining more than 50 million trees by the end of 2025, demonstrating the solid connection between healthy people and a healthy planet . Subsequently, tree planting efforts have sprung up in Australia, Indonesia, Ghana, the United Kingdom, the United States and France, and more than 300 tree species have now been planted, restoring biodiversity and natural habitats. Building on ongoing projects in Australia, Indonesia, Ghana, the UK, the US and France, the AstraZeneca Forest Program will include new and expanded projects in Africa, Asia and South America: India: AstraZeneca Forest Program has entered into a new 30-year partnership with Earthbanc and local partners in Meghalaya state in northeastern India. The project is expected to plant 64 million trees, mostly a diverse mix of species. The project is expected to be the largest of CBA's Living Labs for Nature, People and Planet, supporting agricultural livelihoods while restoring the region's degraded biodiversity. Vietnam: AstraZeneca has pledged to restore Vietnam's forests and landscapes by planting 22.5 million trees on at least 30,500 hectares. This new investment will help biodiversity thrive, provide sustainable livelihoods for more than 17,000 smallholder farmers, improve diets and nutrition, and protect soil and water resources. Australia: Working with Greening Australia and One Tree Planted, more than 4 million trees were planted (out of a total plan of 25 million, including 260 native tree species), supporting vulnerable and endangered wildlife species. Indonesia: In partnership with One Tree Planted and Trees4Trees, more than 3 million trees have been planted, and more than 13,000 farmers have chosen to pursue agroforestry by 2022. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1003/hong-kongs-agroforestry-group-expands-its-aquilaria-with-a-malaysian-rd-programme.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/82/1003/hong-kongs-agroforestry-group-expands-its-aquilaria-with-a-malaysian-rd-programme.html Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:45:00 +0530 Aims to increase the growth of agarwood by accelerating the yield Hong Kong's Agroforestry Group has announced the expansion of its Aquilaria programme through collaboration with a Malaysian research and development company. The collaboration is driven by renowned scientific advisor Dr Baharuddin Salleh and includes Aquilaria inoculation and post-inoculation product development. In terms of inoculation, it is aimed specifically at increasing the success, speed and yield of agarwood in inoculated trees. Each stage in the inoculation process requires a different mixture of compounds. Agroforestry Group invests heavily in finding an optimal balance between performance enhancement and cost minimization.  Established in 2015, Agroforestry Group have applied their thirty years of private forestry management experience into the establishment and commercial development of durian and agarwood plantations, product distribution and sales. As an asset class, agriculture and forestry have expanded rapidly over the last decade. This is due to interest from risk-averse private investors attracted by the green credentials of the industry and the long-term high returns of agroforestry.  Paul Martin, Managing Director of Agroforestry Group, stated, "This collaboration has enhanced our research and development programme and has marked a significant milestone as we near the end of our inoculation research programme for Aquilaria trees planted in 2018 and 2019. By expanding our programme, we will be able to safeguard our ongoing research and development efforts as well as focus on post-inoculation product development. Aquilaria-based products include tea, fragrances, and other products". Martin further emphasized the immense value of the partnership, by highlighting the decades of experience that renowned Aquilaria expert, Dr. Baharuddin Salleh provides to the company. Dr Baharuddin Salleh, a distinguished researcher and author, formerly served as a Professor of Plant Pathology & Mycology at the University of Sains Malaysia (USM) and boasts an impressive portfolio of over 100 published works. His expertise and contributions will be instrumental in the progress of Agroforestry Group's initiatives in Aquilaria research and development. ]]>