https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/rssfeed/r-and-d/agrotech agrotech https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4730/redox-broadens-nitrogen-strategy-with-new-rdx-flex-foliar-formulation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4730/redox-broadens-nitrogen-strategy-with-new-rdx-flex-foliar-formulation.html Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:54:24 +0530 Redox Bio-Nutrients is expanding its patented nitrogen technology platform with RDX-Flex, a new foliar formulation designed to give growers greater flexibility in how they incorporate nitrogen-utilisation technology into crop nutrition programmes. The product follows the company’s RDX-N technology and represents a move from an application strategy centred on planting towards additional opportunities later in the growing season. Redox describes RDX-Flex as a distinct 10 per cent urea nitrogen formulation developed specifically for foliar application. The product uses the same patented botanical-extract technology incorporated in RDX-N, which the company says works within the plant to support natural processes associated with nitrogen assimilation and its conversion into amino acids and other compounds involved in plant growth, yield and crop quality. Extending the nitrogen window The development of RDX-Flex reflects a broader effort to give growers more flexibility in managing nitrogen throughout the crop cycle. RDX-N is applied to the soil at planting, while RDX-Flex is designed for later foliar applications. The two products can therefore occupy different points in a crop’s nitrogen-management programme, allowing growers to use either formulation independently or combine them depending on the crop, fertility strategy and application programme. “RDX-Flex represents the next step in more than a decade of advancement in our nitrogen technology,” said Darin Moon, founder, owner and CEO of Redox Bio-Nutrients. “It gives growers more flexibility in how and when they put this technology to work, creating additional opportunities to support nitrogen utilization, yield and crop quality throughout the season.” The distinction is important in a market where nitrogen management increasingly involves more than determining how much nutrient to apply. Timing, crop demand and the efficiency with which plants assimilate available nitrogen are becoming central to efforts to improve crop performance while managing input costs. Building on RDX-N RDX-Flex does not replace RDX-N but expands the potential application architecture around the technology. According to Redox, both products use the company’s patented botanical-extract technology and are shelf stable, effective at a low use rate and compatible with a broad range of commonly applied crop inputs. RDX-N is positioned for soil application at planting, while RDX-Flex provides a foliar option for later crop stages. The company says growers can select either product or use both as part of an existing fertility programme. That flexibility could allow nitrogen strategies to be adjusted according to crop requirements and the timing of other agronomic interventions rather than relying on a single application window. A broader approach to nitrogen utilisation Redox’s latest product also reflects the shift within crop nutrition towards technologies designed to influence how efficiently plants use applied nutrients. Nitrogen remains one of the most important inputs in modern crop production, but its value depends on how effectively plants assimilate and convert the nutrient into the compounds required for growth and yield. Technologies that support those processes are increasingly being developed alongside conventional fertiliser programmes rather than positioned as standalone replacements. RDX-Flex is being introduced within that framework, with Redox positioning the product as another tool for growers seeking to integrate nitrogen technology into existing fertility programmes. The company’s expansion from RDX-N into a complementary foliar formulation also gives its patented technology a wider application window—from planting through later stages of crop development.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4726/adama-and-zhixing-nano-science-forge-partnership-on-nano-pesticide-technologies.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4726/adama-and-zhixing-nano-science-forge-partnership-on-nano-pesticide-technologies.html Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:11:08 +0530 ADAMA is stepping up its push into next-generation crop protection technologies through a strategic cooperation agreement with Nanjing Zhixing Nano Science Research Institute Co., Ltd., bringing together the global crop-protection company's formulation and manufacturing capabilities with a Chinese research institution specialising in nano-pesticide technologies. The agreement was signed on September 21 at ADAMA China's regional headquarters in Beijing. Cao Zheng, head of ADAMA's China region, and relevant company executives attended the ceremony alongside Zhang Ziyong, president of Zhixing Nano Science Research Institute. The partnership comes as pesticide manufacturers face a more complex innovation challenge: improving the performance and efficiency of crop-protection products while addressing tighter expectations around environmental impact, product safety and resource use. Putting nano technology into the formulation equation ADAMA operates across more than 100 countries and has built its crop-protection business around a broad portfolio of technical materials, proprietary formulation technologies, global product registrations and manufacturing capabilities. Its portfolio spans solutions for weed, insect and disease management. Zhixing Nano Science Research Institute, meanwhile, specialises in the research and industrialisation of nano-pesticide technologies. The institute has developed an industrialisation platform built around independently developed intellectual property, including a nano-pesticide pre-blending technology developed by Professor Zhang Ziyong. The technology has been selected by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as a key technology for promotion, positioning it within the country's broader drive to improve pesticide efficiency while reducing input intensity. The strategic significance of the collaboration lies in combining those two capabilities: scientific development in nano-pesticide technology and the industrial infrastructure required to translate formulation innovations into commercial crop-protection products. From formulation performance to product stability Under the agreement, the two companies will investigate the application of advanced nano crop-protection technologies and pursue iterative improvements to the formulation performance of existing pesticide products. The work will extend beyond simply developing new products. The partners intend to address technical challenges around pesticide stability and metabolite risk management, areas that can influence product performance, regulatory acceptance and the long-term viability of crop-protection solutions. The partnership will also examine opportunities to improve the performance of existing products through nano-enabled formulation approaches. That focus could prove important for an industry increasingly looking to extract greater value from established active ingredients. Improving formulation performance can potentially enhance how products are delivered and used, while allowing manufacturers to work within existing crop-protection portfolios rather than relying exclusively on entirely new active ingredients. Bridging research and industrial scale A central objective of the cooperation is to narrow the distance between laboratory innovation and commercial application. Nano-pesticides have attracted growing research interest because manipulating materials at the nanoscale can potentially influence properties such as dispersion, delivery and formulation behaviour. The challenge, however, is translating scientific advances into products that are stable, manufacturable, registrable and economically viable at scale. ADAMA's global industrial and registration platform gives the partnership a route towards that industrialisation challenge, while Zhixing Nano Science Research Institute contributes specialised research capabilities and intellectual property in nano-pesticide technology. The two organisations also plan to jointly develop interdisciplinary talent in nano-pesticides, signalling that the partnership is intended to build capabilities alongside products. artnership reflects a broader shift in crop protection—from simply developing products that control pests and diseases towards engineering how those products perform, persist and deliver value in the field.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4654/hokkaido-becomes-japans-launchpad-for-ai-powered-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4654/hokkaido-becomes-japans-launchpad-for-ai-powered-agriculture.html Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:20:23 +0530 Japan is turning one of its biggest farming regions into a test bed for the next generation of agricultural automation, with the government designating 19 municipalities in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region, including Obihiro, as national strategic special zones for AI-powered agriculture. The move is significant not simply because it opens the door to more autonomous machinery, but because it tackles one of the less visible barriers to agricultural automation: regulation. Under the special-zone framework, Japan will ease procedures governing the operation of autonomous robot tractors on public roads and the use of drones for pesticide spraying. The objective is to move AI-enabled machinery beyond controlled fields and into the wider operating environment of commercial farms. For Japan, where labour availability is a structural constraint on agriculture, the experiment is also a test of whether regulation can catch up with the technology already emerging on farms. Regulation Moves Closer to the Farm The problem is particularly acute on large farms in Tokachi. Under existing rules, autonomous robot tractors must have a driver when travelling on public roads, including when moving between a warehouse and a field. When several tractors are deployed across large areas, the requirement effectively puts a person on each machine — limiting the labour savings that autonomous systems are designed to deliver. The new special-zone rules will allow driverless autonomous tractors to travel on public roads when operating in a convoy with a crewed truck or other vehicle. The government will also ease regulatory requirements for the communications infrastructure required to support uncrewed operations. That distinction matters. The next phase of agricultural automation is unlikely to be determined solely by whether a machine can operate autonomously in a field. It will depend increasingly on whether farms can integrate those machines into the full logistics chain — from storage and transport to field operations. Tokachi Becomes Japan’s AI Agriculture Test Bed Tokachi is a logical testing ground for that model, given its large-scale farms and the scope of its agricultural operations. Obihiro Mayor Yosuke Ueno said the region’s recognition as a national strategic special zone reflects its suitability as a demonstration site for AI-powered agriculture. A Cabinet Office survey and demonstration project is scheduled to begin later this month, while a symposium is planned in Obihiro in November. The government is also looking beyond the immediate demonstration projects. By creating a regulatory environment specifically designed for AI-enabled farming, it hopes to attract more technology companies into agriculture and accelerate commercial deployment. This is the first national strategic special-zone designation in Japan specifically focused on AI-powered agriculture. From Labour Saving to a New Farm Model Japan has used its national strategic special-zone system before to test agricultural deregulation. In Niigata, for example, an exception was introduced allowing farmers to open restaurants on farmland. But the Tokachi initiative goes further into the technology stack, addressing how machines move, communicate and operate autonomously within the agricultural system. That could make the special zones a useful bridge between agricultural technology development and commercial adoption. The underlying question is no longer whether autonomous tractors and agricultural drones can perform individual tasks. It is whether farms can redesign operations around machines that require fewer people to supervise them. Mitsugi Takenaka, mayor of Kamishihoro and chairman of an association representing municipalities in Tokachi, said the region could use the special-zone framework to establish a new form of agriculture in a short period and ultimately spread it across Japan and internationally. For Japan’s agriculture sector, the experiment is therefore about more than easing a few regulations. It is an attempt to create the conditions in which AI, autonomous machinery and connected farm infrastructure can operate as one system — and to determine whether that model can scale beyond Hokkaido. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4647/tellia-raises-5-mn-to-turn-field-conversations-into-farm-data.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4647/tellia-raises-5-mn-to-turn-field-conversations-into-farm-data.html Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:59:06 +0530 Agriculture has no shortage of data. Its problem is getting that data out of the field. Crop scouts spot disease. Agronomists make recommendations. Farm managers record irrigation decisions. Field crews report what they see while moving from one block to another. But much of that information never makes it into the digital systems used to manage farms because capturing it often means stopping work, opening a screen and filling out forms. Tellia wants to remove that friction. The Paris- and San Francisco-based agtech startup has raised $5 million in pre-seed funding to expand a voice AI platform that allows farmers, agronomists and field teams to capture operational information through phone calls, voice notes, text messages, WhatsApp and email. The round was led by European venture capital firm Revent, with participation from Grey Silo Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Cereal Docks Group, Jeriko, operated by Techmind, and Fund F. The bet is straightforward: if farm workers can talk to agricultural software instead of having to type into it, more of what happens in the field could become usable data. Tellia's system converts spoken and written updates into structured records associated with specific fields, crops, crews and operations. It can then use those records to answer operational and agronomic questions. That makes the company's proposition less about building another farm-management application and more about creating a new interface for the software farms already use. Agriculture's data problem is often a workflow problem Agricultural businesses generate an enormous volume of information every day. The challenge is that much of it is generated by people who spend their working hours outdoors rather than behind a computer. A field worker may notice a disease outbreak, describe crop conditions, report a completed spray operation or flag an irrigation problem. In conventional systems, that observation still needs to be manually entered before it can become part of the farm's digital record. Tellia is attempting to eliminate that intermediate step. A worker can describe an observation in natural language, while the company's AI interprets the interaction and converts it into structured information. Instead of asking field teams to learn another specialised interface, Tellia works through communication channels they already use. The company says the platform can also handle multiple languages and mixed-language conversations, an important consideration for agricultural operations with multilingual workforces. The broader shift is significant. Agricultural technology is moving from software that simply stores information towards AI systems that can interpret farm-specific data and interact with users in more natural ways. The question for startups such as Tellia is whether that technology can solve a practical problem well enough to change behaviour in the field. Early adoption offers a glimpse of the opportunity Tellia launched initially in the US and says it has recorded 80 per cent daily active usage among field teams within two months of onboarding. Its deployments include almond producer Campos Brothers Farms and Duckhorn wineries, according to the company. The startup is now looking to extend that model into Europe, where its customers include the Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin, the Val de Gascogne cooperative and German plant breeder KWS Saat. Tellia was founded in 2024 by Coline Labadie de Faÿ and Vincent Trastour, who met through Entrepreneur First and subsequently built the company between Paris and San Francisco. The early customer traction points to a potentially important distinction in agricultural AI: adoption may depend less on how sophisticated the technology is than on how little it asks users to change their behaviour. For a worker already carrying a phone, talking may be easier than opening an application, navigating a form and entering multiple fields of information. From voice assistant to AI infrastructure Tellia's ambition extends beyond voice-enabled note-taking. The new funding will support development of what the company describes as an agentic AI suite designed to sit between agricultural workers and existing agtech systems. That could make the company a technology layer rather than a destination application. Through an API, agricultural software providers can integrate Tellia's technology without replacing their existing platforms. A field worker could communicate through voice or another familiar channel; Tellia would then capture, structure and interpret the information before passing it into the relevant software system. For agtech companies, that offers a potentially easier route to improving field-data capture without redesigning their entire user interface. Tellia says its first agritech partners are already integrating the technology. “The Ag industry keeps facing the same challenge: the people who spend their days in the field spend their evenings at a keyboard,” said Labadie de Faÿ, Tellia's CEO and co-founder. The problem, she argued, is not necessarily a shortage of agricultural data, but the difficulty of capturing it through software designed largely around office workflows. That distinction could prove important. If AI becomes the interface rather than the application itself, the competitive landscape in farm software could shift from who owns the dashboard to who can capture and interpret the most useful data. Data privacy becomes part of the pitch Tellia's US-Europe operating model also brings data governance into the company's proposition. The startup says it combines US commercial development with European approaches to data protection, security and confidentiality. Its website states that farm observations, reports and field records are not shared with third parties. That will matter as agricultural businesses become increasingly dependent on digital records containing commercially sensitive information—from crop performance and field conditions to input applications and operational decisions. The more deeply AI systems are embedded in farm workflows, the more important questions around data ownership, security and access become. The bigger AI race in agriculture Tellia's funding arrives as investors continue to place bets on AI applications across the agricultural value chain, from crop development and lending to farm management and field operations. But the company's immediate problem is deliberately narrower: how to capture the information that already exists in farmers' heads, phones and field conversations. Its 13-person team plans to expand across the US and Europe as it develops the platform and grows its customer base. The larger opportunity is potentially much bigger than a voice assistant. If Tellia can persuade field workers to routinely communicate with software in the same way they communicate with colleagues, the company could become an interface between agricultural workers and the increasingly complex digital infrastructure behind modern farming.The real test, however, will not be whether AI can understand a farmer.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4646/locus-agriculture-expands-unpac-soil-technology-as-compaction-emerges-as-bigger-crop-performance-challenge.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4646/locus-agriculture-expands-unpac-soil-technology-as-compaction-emerges-as-bigger-crop-performance-challenge.html Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:51:19 +0530 Locus Agriculture is expanding the use of Unpac, its fermentation-derived glycolipid soil conditioner, across row and specialty crop production systems as growers look for new ways to tackle soil compaction and increasingly constrained water availability. Soil compaction is not simply a soil-health issue. For growers, it can become a productivity problem when dense soil restricts root development and prevents crops from fully accessing available water and nutrients. A USDA Economic Research Service analysis found that growers identified soil compaction as a resource concern on 22 per cent of surveyed wheat, soybean, oat and cotton fields. Unpac takes a different approach to the problem. Rather than relying on mechanical soil disturbance, the product is designed to influence the interaction between water and soil. Its glycolipid technology reduces surface tension, allowing water to penetrate and spread more effectively through the soil profile and helping create conditions more conducive to root development. Third-party laboratory testing of Unpac across agricultural soils collected from California’s Central Coast and Central Valley found reduced soil density across a range of moisture levels. The testing also showed improved water penetration through both soil types compared with untreated water. “Compaction is more than a soil problem. It’s a crop performance problem,” said Dave Dyson, lead agronomist at Locus Agriculture. “When roots encounter dense soil, they have a harder time exploring the soil profile for the water and nutrients the crop needs. Unpac gives growers another tool for improving that root-zone environment.” From soil structure to crop economics The significance of soil compaction becomes more apparent in high-value crops, where root-zone conditions can influence crop establishment, development and ultimately yield. In potato production, Unpac can be incorporated into crop programmes through in-furrow application, where it is intended to help create a looser growing environment as roots and tubers develop. Locus says field experience with programmes combining Unpac and its microbial technology has delivered yield increases of 10 per cent to 15 per cent. In California’s strawberry production systems, growers are incorporating Unpac through drip irrigation beneath plastic-covered raised beds, where soil compaction can develop during bed construction. Locus agronomists have observed looser soil conditions and improved root penetration in these systems. The proposition is broader than improving soil structure alone. Growers have already invested heavily in fertiliser, irrigation and crop-protection inputs; the ability of the root system to access those resources ultimately determines how efficiently those investments translate into crop performance. “Growers already have significant investments in fertility, water and crop protection in every acre,” said Jason McGarrh, vice president of Locus Agriculture. “When compaction restricts the root system, the crop can have a harder time accessing those resources. Improving root-zone conditions gives growers another way to protect the productivity of the inputs they have already paid for.” Targeting the soil-water interface Unpac is designed to address compaction through soil-water interactions rather than mechanical disruption. At an application rate of approximately 4 fluid ounces per acre, the product reduces surface tension, helping water move laterally and penetrate more effectively into the soil profile. By facilitating water movement into soil micropores, the technology is intended to improve the root-zone environment and support root penetration and access to available water and nutrients. That positioning could make soil-water management an increasingly important part of crop-management programmes as growers contend simultaneously with compaction, irrigation constraints and the need to extract greater productivity from existing acres. Extending fermentation technology beyond biologicals Unpac also represents a broader expansion of Locus FS’ fermentation-derived technology platform into agriculture. While Locus Agriculture’s microbial products rely on biological activity, glycolipid-based products such as Unpac use functional molecules produced through fermentation to address physical and chemical challenges within crop-production systems. The company is continuing to expand its crop-performance portfolio across biologicals, inoculants, foliar products, soil solutions and adjuvants. Its technology development is focused on challenges spanning root development, nutrient efficiency, soil and water management and spray performance across the crop-production cycle. For growers, the larger opportunity is not necessarily another standalone input, but a more targeted approach to managing the conditions that determine how efficiently crops use the water, nutrients and other resources already available to them. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4636/flyttr-plans-u-s-pest-biosecurity-platform-in-san-antonio.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4636/flyttr-plans-u-s-pest-biosecurity-platform-in-san-antonio.html Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:26:54 +0530 The United States is moving to build greater domestic capacity to respond to biological threats from pests, as Flyttr announced plans for a large-scale pest biosecurity research, development and countermeasures platform in San Antonio, Texas. The facility, which will exceed 130,000 square feet, is designed to give the US and its allies a standing capability to research, develop, manufacture and deploy countermeasures against pests that can threaten agriculture and public health. Flyttr expects the initiative to create more than 50 jobs initially, with employment rising to over 100 as the platform expands. The company, headquartered in Radford, Virginia, is developing the platform with partners including the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The project comes as the US confronts the return of New World screwworm, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country in 1966. Its confirmation in a Texas calf in 2026 marked the first US detection in nearly six decades, renewing attention on the country’s ability to respond rapidly to high-impact agricultural pest threats. Screwworm Puts Domestic Capacity in Focus Flyttr’s first major focus will be New World screwworm through FastFly, an accelerated manufacturing programme intended to increase the supply of American-made sterile flies for the USDA-led national response. The sterile-insect technique has long been used to control livestock and agricultural pests. By producing sterile insects and releasing them into affected areas, programmes can reduce the reproductive capacity of pest populations and support wider eradication efforts. For Flyttr, the screwworm programme also illustrates the strategic value of maintaining domestic production capabilities before an agricultural emergency escalates. “Pest biosecurity is national security. This new pest biosecurity platform in San Antonio, the first of its type, will help the U.S. and its allies respond to a range of growing biosecurity threats,” said Grey Frandsen, Chief Executive Officer of Flyttr. “And unprecedented effort requires strong partnerships. It’s game time.” Building a Broader Pest Defence Platform While screwworm is the immediate priority, Flyttr’s planned platform is intended to address a much wider range of threats. The company said the facility will target pests ranging from disease-carrying mosquitoes, including vectors of dengue and malaria, to livestock parasites and agricultural pests capable of damaging US food production. The ambition is to create an integrated platform spanning detection, research, testing, production and deployment. That could give policymakers and agricultural agencies greater flexibility when dealing with emerging pest threats, particularly where rapid scaling of biological countermeasures becomes critical. The strategy also reflects a broader shift in agricultural biosecurity: preparedness is increasingly being treated as infrastructure rather than an emergency response that can be assembled after a threat emerges. Texas Biomed Partnership Adds Research Capacity Flyttr has partnered with the Texas Biomedical Research Institute to develop, evaluate and advance biological solutions for future pest-elimination efforts. As part of the partnership, Flyttr will use Texas Biomed’s laboratories over the next two years. “Flyttr’s investment in a new San Antonio research and manufacturing facility is an exciting next step forward in our efforts to combat New World screwworm and strengthen our region’s biotech innovation ecosystem,” said Larry Schlesinger, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Biomedical Research Institute. “Texas Biomed is proud to partner with Flyttr to help address this urgent challenge.” The combination of research infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and government partnerships could position San Antonio as an emerging centre for pest-biosecurity innovation.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4605/zenatechs-zenadrone-begins-testing-autonomous-drone-for-precision-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4605/zenatechs-zenadrone-begins-testing-autonomous-drone-for-precision-agriculture.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:40:00 +0530 ZenaTech is taking its autonomous drone business deeper into agriculture, moving a new eight-motor aircraft from prototype development toward field testing as demand grows for faster and more precise ways to spray crops and distribute seed. The Vancouver-based technology company said its ZenaDrone subsidiary has completed the initial Version 1 prototype of the IQ Octo, a medium-sized autonomous drone designed specifically for precision spraying and seeding. The company expects field testing to begin at its Arizona facility in the coming weeks. The move expands ZenaDrone’s IQ Series beyond its existing applications and gives ZenaTech another potential market for its Drone as a Service, or DaaS, model. Rather than relying solely on equipment sales, the company is positioning autonomous drones as an ongoing service for agricultural operators and other commercial users. The opportunity is significant as farmers look for alternatives to conventional machinery for crop treatment and planting. Agricultural drones can operate in wet fields, difficult terrain and standing crops where tractors and other heavy equipment may be less practical. They can also reduce the need for fuel, labour and water while limiting soil compaction and physical crop damage. The IQ Octo is being developed around those operating advantages. Its octocopter configuration uses eight motors and is battery powered, with an expected flight time of approximately 20 to 25 minutes per charge. The Version 1 aircraft is designed to carry as much as 25 kilograms of either liquid or seed. Its agricultural configuration can be adapted for different jobs. For spraying, the aircraft will carry a liquid tank fitted with spray nozzles. For seeding, it will use a hopper and spreader. Once a flight path has been programmed, the drone is designed to fly at low altitude over fields and apply liquid treatments or distribute seed at controlled rates. That ability to deliver inputs in a targeted manner is central to the precision-agriculture proposition. Instead of treating an entire field with heavy machinery, drone-based application can allow farmers to reach specific areas and work around terrain or crop conditions that make conventional equipment difficult to deploy. For ZenaTech, however, agriculture is only part of the longer-term plan for the IQ Octo. The company expects a Version 2 of the aircraft to incorporate additional capabilities, including solar-panel maintenance, autonomous refilling, swarm operations and a folding design. The solar-maintenance application could broaden the addressable market beyond agriculture, particularly as large solar installations create a growing need for inspection and maintenance services. Combining agricultural and energy-related applications could also improve the utilisation of a drone fleet operating under a service-based model. The company is building the IQ Octo around the same broader shift that is reshaping the commercial drone market: moving autonomous aircraft from specialised equipment toward repeatable, service-based operations. For agriculture, that means the value proposition is not simply the drone itself but the ability to carry out planting and crop-treatment work with greater precision and potentially lower operating costs. ZenaTech has cited industry forecasts projecting more than 30% annual growth in the precision-agriculture drone market over the next five years. The company is seeking to position its IQ Series to participate in that expansion while creating recurring revenue opportunities through its DaaS business. The immediate focus, however, remains proving the aircraft in the field. The Version 1 prototype will need to demonstrate that it can safely handle payloads of up to 25 kilograms, maintain stable flight and deliver consistent application rates under real agricultural conditions. The Arizona testing programme will therefore be an important step for ZenaTech as it moves the IQ Octo from engineering development into practical deployment. Results from those trials are expected to shape further development of the aircraft and its planned Version 2 configuration. The company has not yet provided commercial launch timelines or detailed pricing for the agricultural service. For now, the strategy is centred on developing the aircraft, validating its performance and building out a broader autonomous-drone portfolio. The timing reflects a wider change in agriculture. Labour shortages, rising machinery costs, pressure to use farm inputs more efficiently and the need to operate across increasingly challenging field conditions are creating room for autonomous systems that can perform repetitive tasks with less dependence on conventional equipment. If the IQ Octo can translate its prototype specifications into reliable field performance, ZenaTech could have a platform capable of serving more than one market. Agriculture provides an immediate use case in spraying and seeding, while future solar-maintenance capabilities could extend the aircraft into another growing infrastructure market. For now, the next milestone is straightforward: getting the prototype into the field. The results of those tests will determine how quickly ZenaTech can move the IQ Octo toward commercial deployment and whether its DaaS model can turn autonomous agricultural operations into a scalable recurring business. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4170/texas-tech-and-pau-turn-to-ai-to-fast-track-next-gen-climate-resilient-crops.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4170/texas-tech-and-pau-turn-to-ai-to-fast-track-next-gen-climate-resilient-crops.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:33:09 +0530 As climate volatility intensifies pressure on global food systems, scientists are increasingly looking beyond traditional crop breeding methods to accelerate the development of more resilient food crops. A new transcontinental partnership between Texas Tech University and Punjab Agricultural University is betting that artificial intelligence may provide the breakthrough plant breeders have been searching for. The two institutions have launched a major research initiative designed to transform wheat and rice breeding through the integration of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, machine learning and advanced crop analytics. The project, titled AI-enabled high-throughput phenotyping for accelerated breeding in wheat and rice, seeks to dramatically shorten the time required to identify crop varieties capable of thriving under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. Supported by India's Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), the initiative reflects a growing global trend: the convergence of agriculture and artificial intelligence as researchers race to strengthen food security in the face of climate stress, water scarcity and rising temperatures. At the center of the collaboration is the development of an AI-integrated high-throughput phenotyping platform capable of evaluating thousands of crop breeding lines at a scale and speed that would be impossible through conventional field assessments. Using multispectral imaging, thermal sensing technologies, field-based sensors and machine learning algorithms, researchers will be able to capture and analyze critical plant traits with unprecedented precision. For plant breeders, phenotyping—the process of measuring observable plant characteristics such as growth, stress tolerance and yield potential—has traditionally been one of the most time-consuming stages of crop development. The new platform aims to automate much of that process, enabling scientists to identify superior wheat and rice varieties more rapidly while reducing labor-intensive field evaluations. The collaboration combines complementary strengths from both countries. Texas Tech researchers bring expertise in artificial intelligence, drone-based remote sensing, geospatial analytics and crop stress physiology, while Punjab Agricultural University contributes decades of experience in wheat and rice breeding, genetics and crop improvement. Together, the teams are attempting to build a data-driven breeding ecosystem capable of accelerating innovation in two of the world's most important staple crops. The significance of the initiative extends beyond academic research. Wheat and rice collectively provide a substantial share of global caloric intake, making their resilience increasingly critical as climate-related stresses affect agricultural productivity across major growing regions. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and water shortages are forcing breeding programs worldwide to develop crops that can maintain yields under harsher conditions. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool in that effort. By processing massive volumes of field data generated through sensors and imaging systems, machine learning models can identify patterns and predict plant performance far more quickly than traditional evaluation methods. Researchers believe this capability could fundamentally reshape how breeding programs operate in the coming decade. The project also places significant emphasis on capacity building and scientific exchange. Graduate students from Punjab Agricultural University will undertake funded research residencies at Texas Tech, receiving specialized training in AI-enabled phenotyping, drone technologies, geospatial analytics and machine learning applications for agriculture. Meanwhile, Texas Tech researchers will conduct workshops, demonstrations and collaborative field activities in India aimed at helping plant breeders integrate emerging technologies into crop improvement programs. More than 20 scientists and doctoral researchers are expected to receive advanced training through the initiative, creating a new generation of agricultural researchers equipped to work at the intersection of plant science, data analytics and artificial intelligence. Beyond developing new crop varieties, the collaboration is expected to generate a suite of digital agricultural tools, including open-access datasets, AI-powered decision-support systems, prototype phenotyping technologies, scientific publications and training resources that can be shared with breeding programs globally. The project underscores a broader transformation underway in agricultural research. As the challenges facing global food production become increasingly complex, scientific institutions are moving toward multidisciplinary approaches that combine biological sciences with advanced computing, data science and automation. For Texas Tech and Punjab Agricultural University, the partnership represents more than a research collaboration. It is a strategic investment in the future of crop improvement—one that recognizes that feeding a growing global population will depend not only on better genetics, but also on smarter technologies capable of accelerating discovery. As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important tool in agriculture, initiatives such as this signal how the next generation of crop breeding may be defined not by years of manual observation, but by algorithms, sensors and predictive analytics working alongside plant scientists to deliver climate-ready crops faster than ever before.       ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4143/vietnam-and-china-launch-joint-agricultural-research-program-to-deepen-academic-and-rural-development-cooperation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/4143/vietnam-and-china-launch-joint-agricultural-research-program-to-deepen-academic-and-rural-development-cooperation.html Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:00:14 +0530 Vietnam and China have launched two joint agricultural research initiatives aimed at strengthening academic collaboration, advancing rural development research and expanding cross-border cooperation in agricultural education and innovation. The programs—Research on China’s Rural Transformation and National and Regional Studies—were formally introduced following a cooperation agreement between the Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) and the College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA) at China Agricultural University. The launch marks a significant step in the growing partnership between the two institutions, with both sides seeking to enhance research collaboration, faculty and student exchanges, and knowledge sharing on rural development, agricultural modernization and digital transformation. University leaders described the initiatives as a platform for deeper scientific cooperation, providing researchers, academics and students with opportunities to undertake joint studies, exchange expertise and build international research networks. The programs are expected to support collaborative work in areas such as sustainable agriculture, rural revitalization and emerging agricultural technologies. Representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam highlighted the importance of educational and scientific cooperation in strengthening bilateral ties, expressing optimism that the partnership would generate tangible outcomes in talent development, field-based research and agricultural innovation. A key area of focus will be the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in agriculture, reflecting growing interest from both countries in leveraging advanced technologies to improve productivity, sustainability and rural economic development. Officials from both universities said the programs are designed to serve as long-term platforms for academic exchange and collaborative research, while contributing to broader efforts to modernize agriculture and support rural communities in both countries. The initiative underscores the increasing role of international academic partnerships in addressing shared agricultural challenges and fostering innovation-driven growth across Asia’s agricultural sector. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3522/from-estate-to-algorithm-how-canopy-is-turning-coffee-farms-into-climate-ready-intelligence-systems.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3522/from-estate-to-algorithm-how-canopy-is-turning-coffee-farms-into-climate-ready-intelligence-systems.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:15:10 +0530 A second-generation planter and AI researcher explains how lived plantation wisdom, satellite intelligence, and public–private collaboration are reshaping Indian coffee from the ground up In an exclusive interview with Agrospectrum, Sooraj Kandathil Babu, Founder & CEO of NeuBiom Labs and a second-generation coffee planter with a deep research background in AI, explains how lived estate experience shaped Canopy, a satellite- and AI-driven crop intelligence platform built for real plantation decisions. He discusses how Canopy converts traditional field intuition into digital twins that strengthen climate resilience, improve quality consistency, and enable traceability and collective bargaining for growers and FPOs. The conversation also highlights why affordable deep tech, public–private collaboration, and long-term data partnerships are essential to stabilising incomes and future-proofing Indian coffee amid increasing climate volatility. From Estate to Algorithm You are a second-generation coffee planter building a deep-tech platform rooted in satellite intelligence and AI. What specific pain points from your own plantation experience shaped Canopy’s architecture, and how did you translate traditional field intuition into a scalable digital “crop intelligence” model ? Most people experience coffee only as a finished product, something ordered at a café or picked off a supermarket shelf. What remains largely invisible is the one-year crop cycle that shapes that cup. When you spend time on plantations, the contrast becomes stark. I have seen two adjacent estates, with similar soil and climate, produce vastly different outcomes, one yielding 15 bags per acre, the other nearly double. The difference is rarely geography; it is almost always practice. How growers observe their farms, when they intervene, and how consistently they follow scientific cultivation principles. That gap in outcomes was the first pain point that shaped Canopy’s architecture. Traditional plantation wisdom is rich, but it is often unrecorded. We began by digitising this intuition through what we call a plantation journal, a structured cultivation diary that captures day-to-day farm activities. These records are then analysed alongside local weather patterns and satellite-derived plantation health indicators, allowing us to correlate practices with outcomes and provide context-specific advisories rather than generic recommendations. The second challenge is climate resilience. Coffee is a climate-sensitive crop grown predominantly in regions already exposed to significant climate risk. Multiple studies indicate that many current coffee-growing regions could become unsuitable by 2050 if cultivation practices remain unchanged. This makes climate-resilient growing not optional, but essential. Canopy maps how each grower approaches cultivation and aligns those practices with globally recognised sustainable frameworks, translating abstract climate principles into actionable, plot-level guidance. Quality and market value form the third pillar. Our goal is not to turn every grower into a specialty coffee producer overnight, but to enable clusters of growers to achieve uniform, reliable quality over time. Through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), a standardised package of practices can be deployed across hundreds of farms, improving outturn, grading consistency, and ultimately bargaining power in trade. Canopy supports this with transparent, traceable data that builds credibility across the value chain. Finally, there is technology adoption itself. Agriculture has long lagged behind other sectors in leveraging data and digital tools, despite being one of the most foundational industries. We believe technology, when applied sensibly and with a low barrier to entry, can only strengthen farming systems. Data-driven agriculture has proven its value globally; our focus is on adapting it to Indian conditions, starting with coffee, and earning trust gradually as growers see tangible benefits on their land. Canopy is, at its core, an attempt to translate field-level intuition into scalable crop intelligence, bridging the gap between estate wisdom and algorithmic insight, while keeping the grower firmly at the centre of the system. To add to that, both the founders of NeuBiom Labs come from a strong research background in artificial intelligence and user-centered engineering. My co-founder, Dr. Sooraj Krishna, holds a PhD in AI from Sorbonne University in France, and I am in the final stages of completing my PhD in AI at the University of Würzburg in Germany. In many ways, NeuBiom Labs is the outcome of applying rigorous academic research to the foundational problems we encounter every day on the ground, bridging deep science with real-world agricultural challenges. The Digital Twin Question Canopy creates a “digital twin” of each coffee plot. For growers and industry stakeholders, what decisions become materially better with this digital twin, yield forecasting, pest management, climate risk, or input optimisation, and where have you seen the strongest early impact? The real value of a digital twin is not in any single metric, but in how it improves decision-making across the crop cycle. For growers, Canopy’s digital twin functions as a living health report of each plot. It brings together local weather patterns, satellite-derived vegetative indices, soil indicators, and on-ground cultivation practices into a single, coherent view of plantation health. This allows growers to clearly understand what is affecting their crop and where intervention is needed. Based on this, the system recommends context-specific practices and provides short-term weather forecasts that help growers time their operations more effectively. For FPOs and grower collectives, the digital twin operates at a different scale. Instead of managing farms in isolation, FPOs gain a portfolio-level view of member plantations through comparable health and activity scores. This makes it possible to benchmark performance across growers, identify gaps early, and align field activities with organisational goals. For example, an FPO aiming to promote organic or low-input cultivation can push standardised practices across its members and monitor adoption over time. This structured approach significantly improves consistency in quality and outturn, which directly strengthens collective bargaining power in the market. At this stage, our strongest early impact has been in plantation visibility, practice standardisation, and operational planning for growers and FPOs. Coffee’s annual crop cycle means that advanced outcomes such as yield forecasting, early disease detection, and precise input optimisation require longitudinal data. As we complete full-cycle datasets across a growing number of plantations, these capabilities naturally become more robust and predictive. Ultimately, the digital twin evolves from a monitoring tool into a decision-confidence layer, supporting not just growers and FPOs, but also future stakeholders across trade, finance, and compliance, once the system is grounded in real, season-long plantation intelligence. Affordable Deep Tech: The Rs 2,999 Disruption Enterprise-grade crop intelligence globally is often priced far beyond the reach of smallholders. How did NeuBiom Labs engineer a platform that delivers satellite, AI and hyperlocal insights at Rs 2,999 per crop cycle without compromising data accuracy or depth? Affordability was not an afterthought for us; it was a design constraint from day one. If we want meaningful outcomes such as early disease detection or reliable yield forecasting, the system has to achieve wide-scale adoption. That simply isn’t possible if enterprise-grade crop intelligence remains priced beyond the reach of small and mid-sized growers. A large part of how we achieve this is through ecosystem leverage. NeuBiom Labs is incubated at the Atal Incubation Center at the Coffee Board of India, and the Agri Business Incubator at Kerala Agriculture University, and we are also part of the Google for Startups India. These institutions provide critical support in the form of infrastructure, cloud credits, research access, and grants, which allow us to subsidise costs during the adoption phase without compromising on data quality or analytical depth. Equally important is how we’ve engineered the platform itself. We made a conscious decision not to over-engineer the stack. Instead of building complex, expensive systems that look impressive on paper, we focused on crisp, purpose-driven tools that directly serve agronomic decision-making. This keeps compute costs low, workflows efficient, and insights actionable, ensuring the stakeholders pay only for value they can actually use. User-centred engineering is the third pillar. Over the past year, we co-developed Canopy alongside 23 progressive coffee growers, spending extensive time on plantations to understand how decisions are made in real conditions. This helped us strip away unnecessary complexity and design interfaces and insights that align with how growers think and operate, rather than forcing them to adapt to technology. Ultimately, the Rs 2,999 pricing is not about undercutting the market, it’s about building trust and momentum. Once growers experience the tangible benefits of data-driven cultivation, we see compounding impact: better practices, improved quality and yield, richer datasets, and increasingly powerful intelligence across seasons. That virtuous cycle is what allows deep tech to remain both affordable and scalable in Indian agriculture. Climate Volatility and Coffee’s New Risk Curve Indian coffee faces increasing stress from erratic rainfall, temperature spikes and pest outbreaks. How does Canopy move beyond reactive advisories to predictive risk management, and can it realistically stabilise incomes for small and marginal coffee growers? True, climate volatility has fundamentally altered the risk curve for coffee in India. Erratic rainfall, temperature spikes, and shifting pest dynamics are no longer exceptions, they are the new normal. Yet, despite these changes, a large proportion of small and marginal growers continue to rely on traditional calendars and inherited practices that were designed for a far more stable climate. Canopy moves beyond reactive advisories by anchoring decision-making in context. Each plantation is geo-tagged, allowing advisories to be localised rather than regional averages. More importantly, like we discussed before, the system continuously maps the grower’s cultivation practices through a structured plantation journal and correlates these actions with evolving local weather patterns and plantation health indicators. Advisories are generated not just based on “what the weather is,” but on how the grower is farming under those conditions. This is where predictive risk management begins. Instead of responding after damage occurs, growers start to see patterns, how certain practices amplify climate stress, while others buffer against it. Our systems are trained on authenticated and certified coffee cultivation practices relevant to Indian conditions, ensuring that recommendations are agronomically sound and locally applicable. The impact is not instantaneous. Climate resilience is built over a crop cycle, not in a single intervention. But as growers become more aware of ground realities and begin making data-driven decisions, timing operations better, adjusting inputs, and avoiding unnecessary stress on the plant, we see measurable improvements in crop health, consistency, and outturn. Over time, this translates into better quality and more predictable volumes, which directly strengthens growers’ bargaining power. Income stabilisation, especially for smallholders, becomes far more realistic when this approach is adopted at scale, ideally through FPOs or farmer collectives. At the collective level, risk is no longer borne by isolated individuals. Uniform practices, shared intelligence, and aggregated quality enable more stable market positioning, even in volatile climatic conditions. NeuBiom Labs or Canopy does not claim to eliminate climate risk. What it does is convert uncertainty into informed action, helping growers shift from reactive survival to proactive resilience, one crop cycle at a time. From Farm to Federation: Scaling Beyond the Plot Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and boards need aggregated intelligence, not just farm-level dashboards. How does Canopy translate dispersed plot-level data into decision-grade insights for institutions managing thousands of growers across regions? We see this challenge very clearly, and addressing it is central not just to Canopy, but to the broader mission of NeuBiom Labs. If you look at a region like Wayanad alone, there are over 60,000 coffee growers. Yet how they cultivate, the practices they follow, the health of their plantations, and their evolving responses to climate stress remain largely undocumented and fragmented. This makes coordinated intervention at an institutional level extremely difficult. As a side note, this also means, the traditional and indigenous knowledge our seniors developed with their years of experience on the ground are undocumented. These insights exist largely in memory and practice, not in records. If this knowledge is not captured now, an entire generation of experiential wisdom risks being lost. In parallel with building Canopy, we are consciously working to document and structure this lived knowledge, so future growers have a foundation to build on rather than starting from scratch. Canopy is intentionally designed as a layered intelligence stack, not just a farm dashboard. The mobile app and institutional dashboard are only the visible interfaces. Beneath them sits a core AI layer that includes domain-specific GIS inference engines and a language model fine-tuned exclusively for coffee cultivation. This layer synthesises dispersed plot-level data, activities, health indicators, weather exposure, and spatial patterns, into structured, comparable signals. As adoption scales, this enables institutions such as FPOs, cooperatives, and boards to move from anecdotal understanding to evidence-backed decision-making. Instead of asking what is happening, they can ask why it is happening, where intervention will have the highest impact, and which practices consistently produce better outcomes. This allows for region-wise benchmarking, optimisation of input distribution, targeted extension efforts, and early identification of systemic risks affecting quality or yield. More importantly, this intelligence operates upstream. Institutions can intervene at the practice level, well before harvest, by pushing standardised packages, adjusting advisory focus, or aligning growers toward specific quality or sustainability goals. Over time, this can raise average yield per region, improve uniformity of produce, and significantly strengthen market positioning. What Canopy offers today is the foundation, bringing stakeholders into a shared, data-driven framework for farming. The stack is deliberately built to evolve. As datasets mature across full crop cycles and adoption deepens, the intelligence shifts from descriptive to predictive, and from operational support to strategic planning. In that sense, scaling beyond the plot is not an add-on feature; it is the natural outcome of designing agriculture as a system rather than a collection of isolated farms. Traceability as a Trade Weapon With Europe and other premium markets tightening sustainability, deforestation and origin norms, traceability is fast becoming non-negotiable. How does Canopy’s end-to-end tracking position Indian coffee against competitors like Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia in compliance-heavy global markets? India is currently classified as a low-risk origin under emerging regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). However, low risk does not automatically translate into market access, especially in premium and compliance-heavy export markets that are increasingly dominated by large, vertically integrated players. For India’s predominantly smallholder-driven coffee sector, traceability becomes the key enabler to participate on equal footing. Canopy positions traceability not as a post-harvest paperwork exercise, but as a cultivation-first system. Wide adoption of the Canopy stack allows FPOs to standardise coffee cultivation practices across hundreds of small growers, while ensuring farm-level quality control and transparent activity records. This creates verifiable evidence of how coffee is grown, not just where it comes from. From a global trade perspective, this is critical. Competing origins like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia benefit from scale, mechanisation, and consolidated supply chains. India’s strength lies elsewhere, in shade-grown systems, biodiversity-friendly cultivation, and smallholder domination. Canopy translates these inherent advantages into structured, auditable data that buyers and regulators can trust. By maintaining traceable records from plot-level practices through harvest, the platform will soon support compliance with EUDR and other sustainability frameworks, while simultaneously building credibility for certifications and responsible sourcing claims. Over time, this shifts Indian coffee from being viewed as a fragmented supply to a verified, institutionally backed origin, capable of commanding premium pricing rather than competing purely on volume. As the Canopy ecosystem matures, its stakeholders naturally expand, from growers and FPOs to exporters, buyers, financiers, and compliance bodies, each drawing value from the same shared source of truth. In that sense, traceability becomes more than a regulatory requirement; it becomes a strategic trade instrument that allows Indian coffee to compete, differentiate, and negotiate from a position of strength in global markets. Public–Private Synergy in Agri-Tech Canopy’s launch at the CCRI centenary, with backing from the Coffee Board, AIC-CCRI and global ecosystem partners, signals a rare convergence of science, policy and start-ups. What role should public institutions play in accelerating the adoption of crop intelligence platforms at scale? The support we’ve received so far has been exceptional and deeply collaborative. Institutions such as Kerala Startup Mission, the Agri Business Incubator at Kerala Agricultural University, the Atal Incubation Center at the Coffee Board, Google for Startups, Wadhwani Foundation, EarthOn Foundation, our academic institutions, and, most importantly, the growers and FPOs we work with, have all contributed meaningfully to Canopy’s evolution. This convergence of policy, science, and entrepreneurship is exactly what agriculture needs at this moment. At a broader level, public institutions play a pivotal role in accelerating adoption of crop intelligence platforms by acting as trusted intermediaries. For most farmers, especially smallholders, technology adoption is not just a cost decision, it is a trust decision. When awareness and capacity-building programmes are led or endorsed by public institutions, it significantly reduces hesitation and shortens adoption cycles. Messaging around why data-driven cultivation matters, both in the short term for productivity and in the long term for climate resilience and market access, carries far greater credibility when it comes from institutional voices. Beyond awareness, public institutions can act as scale catalysts. Financial support in the form of grants, pilot subsidies, or outcome-linked incentives for using intelligent farming systems can dramatically accelerate adoption without burdening growers. This is particularly important in early phases, where benefits accrue over a crop cycle rather than immediately. Central bodies such as the Coffee Board of India and regional agricultural research centres can also serve as nodal intelligence hubs. By aggregating anonymised, region-level insights from platforms like Canopy, they can monitor ground-level deltas, identify systemic risks, refine extension strategies, and feed real-world data back into policy and research. Ultimately, public institutions don’t need to build technology themselves, but they can create the conditions for it to scale responsibly. By combining trust, standard-setting, financial support, and feedback mechanisms, they can ensure that crop intelligence platforms move from isolated pilots to national agricultural infrastructure. The Long View: Canopy Beyond Coffee Is Canopy a coffee-specific solution, or the foundation of a broader plantation intelligence stack? Over the next five years, how do you envision NeuBiom Labs evolving, across crops, geographies, or even into climate-linked finance and sustainability certification ecosystems? Today, Canopy is intentionally coffee-specific. Coffee is a climate-sensitive, globally traded crop with a long production cycle and complex stakeholder dynamics, which makes it an ideal starting point. But structurally, Canopy is designed as the foundation of a broader plantation intelligence stack, particularly for climate-sensitive cash crops where resilience, quality consistency, and traceability are becoming non-negotiable. For us, technology is not the end goal; it is the accelerator. The real determinant of success lies in operations, how deeply and effectively we work with growers, FPOs, and institutional stakeholders on the ground. Agriculture does not lend itself well to a simple “build-and-sell” software model. Our belief is that meaningful outcomes emerge only when platforms like Canopy are deployed as long-term partnerships, where data, practices, and incentives evolve together over time. Over the next five years, we see NeuBiom Labs expanding along three clear dimensions. First is geographic expansion, moving from regional depth to multi-region intelligence, where patterns and risks can be understood at landscape and corridor levels rather than isolated farms. Second is crop expansion, applying the same intelligence framework to other climate-sensitive plantation crops that share similar characteristics: long gestation periods, smallholder dominance, and exposure to climate and market volatility. The third dimension is ecosystem integration. As datasets mature across crop cycles, Canopy naturally becomes relevant to adjacent systems, climate-linked finance, sustainability certification, compliance reporting, and institutional risk assessment. When cultivation data is reliable, longitudinal, and traceable, it reduces uncertainty not just for growers, but also for buyers, lenders, insurers, and policymakers. In that sense, Canopy’s long view is not about becoming a one-size-fits-all platform, but about enabling a shared, data-driven workflow across agriculture. As stakeholders evolve, the stack evolves with them, ensuring that value is created collectively, and that the benefits of intelligence compound across the entire agricultural ecosystem. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3504/union-budget-2026-expectations.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3504/union-budget-2026-expectations.html Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:40:55 +0530 Resilience, efficiency & prosperity As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils Budget 2026, the nation demands more than routine allocations. Indian agriculture is at a historic inflection point. This Budget is expected to operationalise the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aiming to transform farming from a low-margin, input-heavy, staple-focused sector into a high-productivity, high-value, globally competitive engine. Economists, industry leaders, and multilateral agencies concur: Incremental tweaks have run out of runway, and structural reforms are imperative to bridge productivity gaps, restore soil and water health, and secure farmers’ livelihoods. “Budget 2026 must signal a decisive move from blanket input subsidies to outcome-linked support that rewards water-use efficiency, balanced fertilisation, and low-emission practices at the farm level,” asserts Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), NITI Aayog.  Dr Ashok Gulati, Infosys Chair Professor for Agriculture at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)and former Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), echoes the call for digitally verifiable, efficiency-led support: “Linking direct benefit transfers with soil health cards, precision nutrient management, and diversified cropping will reduce fiscal stress while lifting total factor productivity across both rainfed and irrigated systems.” The imperative is clear: Budget 2026 must transition from fragmented schemes to a coherent, science-led, productivity-centric agricultural strategy — a structural foundation for a globally competitive, climate-smart, and high-income Indian agriculture. The Foundation of 2025: From Intent to Implementation Budget 2025 laid important groundwork, signaling a shift from stop-gap support toward structural measures aimed at productivity and resilience. The launch of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, targeting 100 low-productivity districts, marked the start of district-level agricultural renewal. Coupled with a six-year protein security initiative under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, it created stable procurement for tur, urad, and masoor, reducing India’s import dependence in key pulses. “Budget 2026 must accelerate India’s shift to a climate-resilient, value-enhanced agri-economy by scaling biologicals and unlocking the waste-to-wealth opportunity. Targeted fiscal support for biosolutions, soil health and circularity can boost productivity while reducing chemical dependence. ’’ — Krishna Mohan Puvvada, Regional President, (Middle East, India and Africa), Novonesis Experts argue the next step must embed climate intelligence into farm-level decisions. “Budget 2026 must fund monsoon-contingent nutrition advisories at scale — using rainfall analytics and soil data to dynamically adjust fertiliser recommendations — so farmers can shift from fixed schedules to climate-responsive feeding of crops,” says Dr Manish Singh, AVP–Technical & Marketing, Transworld Furtichem Limited. He proposes a unified Nutrient Efficiency Index (NEI), integrating soil-test data, cropping patterns, water use efficiency, and fertiliser balance. “Budgets and subsidies should be allocated based on NEI improvement, not fertiliser consumption. This drives balanced nutrition and scientific fertiliser use rather than volume-driven demand,” he added. “Budget 2026 must signal a decisive move from blanket input subsidies to outcome-linked support that rewards water use efficiency, balanced fertilisation and low-emission practices at the farm level.”​ — Dr Ramesh Chand, Member (Agriculture), NITI Aayog Budget 2026 also sought to ease liquidity bottlenecks by raising Kisan Credit Card limits from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, supporting smallholders, dairy farmers, fishers, and allied producers. Sectoral reforms — from the National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds and a five-year cotton revitalisation plan to institutions like Bihar’s Makhana Board — aimed to modernise production, while allocations for storage, logistics, and market infrastructure addressed post-harvest losses. “Budget 2026 must prioritise digital infrastructure, credit linkages, and rural capacity building to scale precision agriculture. Agri-drones, IoT and data analytics can boost yields, conserve resources and strengthen climate resilience. Targeted subsidies, public–private partnerships and R&D incentives will accelerate adoption, integrate technology with national agricultural databases, and shift India from subsidy dependence to self-reliant, innovation-led farming.”  – Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace Yet, experts insist these gains must now converge into a coherent resilience architecture. “The next Budget should consolidate irrigation, watershed, soil health, and climate missions into a single ‘National Resilient Farms Mission’ with district-level targets for water productivity and soil organic carbon,” says Dr V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR–Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).  “Linking direct benefit transfers with soil health cards, precision nutrient management and diversified cropping will reduce fiscal stress while lifting total factor productivity across rainfed and irrigated systems.”​ — Dr. Ashok Gulati, Infosys Chair Professor for Agriculture at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and former Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), adds, “Every rupee for irrigation must be co-anchored with micro-irrigation, fertigation-ready soils, and climate-resilient varieties so public investment translates into real resilience on farmers’ fields.” Budget 2026 will ultimately be judged on whether it can convert these incremental foundations into a mission-driven, 2047-ready agricultural architecture that delivers genuine resilience, competitiveness, and prosperity for India’s farmers. Fixing the Foundations: The Budget That Must Rewire Subsidies, Markets and Science As Budget 2026 approaches, it is evident that Indian agriculture stands at a pivotal crossroads. The long-standing promise of doubling farmers’ incomes, once a political mantra, now demands a sober re-examination. Structural pressures—from climate volatility and shrinking margins to global competitiveness and rising nutritional expectations—have made incrementalism insufficient.  “The allocation of the budget should be done across three horizons: the immediate year, the next five years, and the long-term vision through 2047,” asserts Sandeepa Kanitkar, Chairman of BASAI and Managing Director of Kan Biosys, highlighting that India’s agricultural budget—barely 2 per cent of total expenditure—is glaringly inadequate for a sector that contributes 17 per cent of GDP, sustains 55 per cent of the population, and underpins the nutrition of 140 crore citizens. “The next Budget should consolidate irrigation, watershed, soil health and climate missions into a single ‘National Resilient Farms Mission’ with clear district targets for water productivity and soil organic carbon.”​ — Dr V. K. Singh, Director, ICAR–CRIDA The inefficiencies of current spending are stark when viewed through the prism of subsidies. India invests roughly Rs 1.75 – 2 lakh crore annually on fertilisers, electricity, MSP procurement, crop insurance, and other input-linked supports, yet the returns in productivity, soil health, water security, and farmer incomes remain worryingly low.  “Subsidies have historically encouraged consumption rather than efficiency,” Sandeepa notes. Cheap urea drives over-application, subsidised electricity has accelerated groundwater depletion, irrigation grants rarely incentivise precision water use, and MSP procurement entrenches cropping patterns that undermine soil regeneration. For sectoral leaders, Budget 2026 must mark a decisive philosophical pivot—from input-heavy, subsidy-driven policies to a science-led, technology-driven, and outcome-oriented framework.  Every rupee for irrigation must be co-anchored with micro-irrigation, fertigation-ready soils and climate-resilient varieties so that public investment translates into real resilience on farmers’ fields.”​ — Dr Himanshu Pathak, Ex- Director General, ICAR & Secretary, DARE S. Soundararadjane, CEO of HyFarm, points to the potato sector as a model: “India could build the world’s most advanced, predictable, and globally competitive potato ecosystem through a National Potato Innovation Mission. CRISPR-edited varieties, AI-powered breeding, drone-led phenotyping, and mass deployment of True Potato Seeds can transform production while reducing costs and disease risks. Region-specific varieties are not optional anymore—they are strategic imperatives.” “Budget 2026 must reform subsidies by shifting from consumption-based support to science-led, Package of Practice–linked incentives tied to production outcomes. Performance-based support will improve soil health, enhance resource efficiency, and raise farmer incomes. Mechanisation assistance should be delivered via DBT and limited to FMTTI/BIS-approved equipment to ensure quality, effectiveness, and measurable impact on the ground.”  - Ravindra Agrawal, Chairman, KisanKraft Ltd Sandeepa further advocates restructuring through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT). “Subsidies must be given through DBT to farmers and allow them to use this money as per their wish. This has started with Kisan Samman Nidhi but must be extrapolated by diverting subsidies given for insurance, fertilisers, electricity, and water to DBT,” she explains. Such a shift would correct long-standing distortions, empower decision-making, sharply reduce leakages, and create the fiscal headroom necessary to invest in science, innovation, and climate resilience. “To truly raise farm incomes, storage, grading, logistics and digital marketplaces must be treated as core agricultural infrastructure, not peripheral add-ons.”​ — Sanjiv Puri, Managing Director, ITC Ltd “A key priority must be efficiency-driven subsidy reform. We need to shift from consumption-based subsidies to scientifically designed, Package of Practice (PoP)–linked incentives tied directly to production outcomes. Performance-based support improves soil health, enhances resource efficiency, and strengthens farmer incomes. Mechanisation support should be delivered through DBT and restricted strictly to FMTTI/BIS-approved equipment to ensure quality and impact in the field,” says Ravindra Agrawal, Chairman, KisanKraft Ltd, emphasizing that combining DBT with outcome-linked incentives can amplify impact across mechanisation, inputs, and farm management practices. “India’s next big leap will come from shifting towards processed, residue-compliant, traceable and climate-smart agri-exports rather than relying mainly on bulk commodity shipments.”​ — Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA Markets, too, are evolving in ways that demand more sophisticated production systems. The rising domestic and global appetite for residue-free food is already accelerating India’s biopesticide segment. Sandeepa emphasises that a formal residue-free label—jointly administered by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture—could unlock higher farmer incomes through premium market categories. “Blanket reduction on CIB-registered biopesticides must be done at the earliest to 5 per cent,” she cautions, noting that inconsistent GST categorisation is harming both growers and industry participants seeking safer input adoption. “Targeted support for FPOs, agri-startups and interoperable e-market platforms can cut post-harvest losses, stabilise prices and make climate risk more manageable for smallholders.”​ — Dr. Ashok Dalwai, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC); Chairman, Karnataka Agriculture The export ecosystem is entering a decisive phase. “India must position itself as a trusted global supplier,” says Kuchibhotla Srinivas, Partner, Deloitte. Strategic export corridors, residue-free clusters, bilateral agreements, and harmonisation with global standards, he argues, can convert India’s scale into global influence.  “If India wants to lead in exports, supply chains must embed traceability, quality assurance, and sustainable input use,” adds Ankur Aggarwal, Executive Chairman, Crystal Crop Protection. The global opportunity is clear. “India’s next big leap will come from shifting towards processed, residue-compliant, traceable, and climate-smart agri-exports rather than relying mainly on bulk commodity shipments,” says Abhishek Dev, Chairman of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). “The agri sector needs a unified national framework, science-based standards, and simplified licensing to enable innovation in high-value micronutrients and specialty fertilisers. Streamlined regulation will accelerate advanced nutrition technologies, strengthen soil health, and unlock productivity and profitability gains essential for truly transformative agricultural reform.”  — Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, President, IMMA  Value addition must become central to India’s strategy, particularly in crops like sugarcane. “Exports of sugar quota have to be restricted to further increase production of alcohol for oil substitution. Value addition is the key. Targets of 20 per cent plus substitution have to be the new target for easing some oil dollars. The money thus freed up can be used to improve irrigation, research, and perfecting models which are customised for Indian agriculture,” adds Sandeepa. Circularity, too, must become integral. Krishna Mohan Puvvada, Regional President, (Middle East, India and Africa), Novonesis stresses, “Adequate support must be provided for harnessing the waste-to-wealth potential in agriculture, including robust logistics for storage and transportation of agricultural waste feedstocks that can be transformed into fertilizers and bioenergy.” “A direct benefit transfer model for fertilisers—sold at full cost with farmers claiming subsidy via POS authentication—can be a game-changer. It ensures manufacturers receive full value, the government gains full GST, markets maintain adequate supply, leakages and black-marketing are curbed, and subsidy outlay reflects actual use. Budget 2026 should prioritise this transparent, efficient reform.” – Vinod Goyal, CEO, Agricare Corporation Domestic market architecture requires equal attention. Dr Ashok Dalwai, Chairman, Board of Governors of the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and Chairman, Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission, notes, “Targeted support for FPOs, agri-startups, and interoperable e-market platforms can cut post-harvest losses, stabilise prices, and make climate risk more manageable for smallholders.” Institutional strengthening, he stresses, is vital for farmers to remain competitive amid market volatility. Budget 2026, therefore, must reimagine subsidies, shifting from input-centric to outcome-centric frameworks. “Water, soil and climate must be planned as one ecosystem. Budget 2026 should institutionalise watershed-scale irrigation planning, incentivise soil regeneration, and embed climate-risk analytics into district planning. This is not sustainability for compliance; it is sustainability for survival,” says Srinivas.  “Budget 2026 can back a flagship ‘Sulphur- and Potash-Secure India’ initiative that promotes sulphate-based potash and balanced secondary nutrients, improving taste, colour, shelf-life and exportability of fruits, vegetables and plantation crops while reducing import vulnerability.”--Dr. Manish Singh, AVP-Technical & Marketing, Transworld Furtichem Limited “For a water-starved nation like India, drip should be made compulsory. This would conserve soils along with improving the area of irrigation. The river-joining project must have allocation for short, medium, and long term. Bonds must be raised to mobilise domestic and World Bank funds,” adds Sandeepa. Structural gaps in specialised inputs also demand urgent attention. Dr Rahul Mirchandani, President, Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) observes, “India’s agricultural ecosystem is at an inflection point, yet not structurally prepared for large-scale reforms. One major gap lies in the micronutrients and specialty fertilizer industry, which remains outside mainstream policy despite its direct link to soil health, crop quality, and farmer income. Fragmented licensing under FCO, uneven state compliance frameworks, and the absence of a unified national policy slow innovation, restrict ease of doing business, and prevent rapid scale-up of advanced nutrition technologies like chelates, water-soluble fertilizers, and fortified micronutrient blends.”  “Budget 2026 must anchor a long-term Viksit Bharat Kheti Vision 2047 by reforming fertiliser use. Mandating a 25:15:5 co-pack of chemical, organic and biofertilisers—and supporting OF/BF manufacturing through PLI—can strengthen soil health, raise nutrient-use efficiency, expand acreage coverage and build climate-resilient productivity. It is time subsidies drive transformation, not perpetuate inefficiency ” --- Sandeepa Kanitkar, Chairman of BASAI and Managing Director of Kan Biosys Dr Singh underscores the strategic imperative: “Budget 2026 can back a flagship ‘Sulphur- and Potash-Secure India’ initiative that promotes sulphate-based potash and balanced secondary nutrients, improving taste, colour, shelf-life, and exportability of fruits, vegetables, and plantation crops while reducing import vulnerability.” Complementing this, Vinod Goyal, CEO, Agricare Corporation advocates a pragmatic DBT-based reform: “Fertilizers shall be sold on full cost price at dealer shops—farmers register purchases on a Point of Sale (POS) machine at the time of pick-up, and subsidies are directly transferred to their bank accounts.”  “Budget 2026 must treat water, soil and climate as one ecosystem by institutionalizing watershed-scale irrigation, incentivising soil regeneration and embedding climate-risk analytics in district planning. Equally critical is a legally robust Digital Land Ledger, interoperable with crop and credit data, to unlock formal finance, insurance and market access for millions of farmers still excluded from the system ” — Kuchibhotla Srinivas, Partner, Deloitte Sandeepa adds, “Chemical fertilizers should be bundled with organic and biofertilisers—25 kg of CF, 15 kg of OF, and 5 kg of BF per bag. This allows fertilizer to cover 30 per cent more land with improved use efficiency. Organic and biofertilizer industries can be supported through PLI schemes to attract private investment, improve soils, and build climate resilience.” As multiple industry leaders emphasise, this reform will determine whether Indian agriculture can truly align with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat 2047, delivering prosperity, sustainability, and global competitiveness for generations to come. Tech, Traceability, and Transformation: Budget 2026’s Agri-Vision Budget 2026 is not merely a fiscal exercise—it represents a strategic inflection point for Indian agriculture, an opportunity to pivot from incremental measures to transformative, technology-driven reforms.  “Agri-drones are no longer a novelty; they are an important part of the agritech landscape. Subsidies, public-private partnership models, and targeted R&D incentives can accelerate manufacturing and deployment, creating rural employment while increasing productivity. We must also potentially look at integrating drone data with national agricultural databases to enable smarter crop planning, soil monitoring, and weather resilience strategies,” says Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace. “ Fertiliser purchases must be linked to a unified Digital Farm ID, which allows tracking of nutrient use efficiency, preventing over-application and enabling customised advisory. It builds India’s first data-driven nutrient intelligence system’’ --- Yogesh Chandra, VP-Sales & Marketing, Transworld Furtichem Limited Echoing this vision, Soundararadjane, stresses that Budget 2026 should introduce a Digital Farming Acceleration Subsidy—shifting support from traditional inputs to IoT and automation tools such as soil moisture sensors, disease-warning IoT nodes, digital soil intelligence kits, smart irrigation systems, automated grading and sorting units, and low-cost climate stations for cold stores. “A 40–60 per cent capital subsidy will democratise access and unlock predictive, precision farming at scale,” he asserts. Equally critical is the foundation of clear land rights and reliable credit. “When a farmer has clear land ownership and predictable finance, they can finally shift from reactive decisions to planned, technology-led farming,” observes Ankur.  “Budget 2026 must accelerate digital land records and frictionless credit so farmers can plan, invest and adopt modern crop protection responsibly. To compete in global markets, India’s supply chains need embedded traceability, quality assurance and sustainable input use. Strategic public–private collaboration can fast-track safe pesticide practices, surveillance systems and next-generation, environmentally responsible formulations ” — Ankur Aggarwal, Executive Chairman, Crystal Crop Protection Srinivas adds, “The Budget should focus on the two biggest unlocks for farmer prosperity: clean digital land records and frictionless credit. A legally robust Digital Land Ledger, interoperable with crop data and credit scoring, can unlock formal finance, insurance, and market contracts for millions of farmers currently outside the system.” The systemic importance of logistics and digital marketplaces is reinforced by Sanjiv Puri, Managing Director, ITC Ltd: “To truly raise farm incomes, storage, grading, logistics, and digital marketplaces must be treated as core agricultural infrastructure, not peripheral add-ons.”  “Budget 2026 should launch a National Potato Innovation Mission to transform India into a globally competitive processing potato hub. A strong public–private R&D partnership must fast-track CRISPR-based climate-resilient varieties, AI-driven breeding, drone phenotyping, automated trials and True Potato Seeds. This science-led upgrade is essential for predictable supply, higher productivity and world-class processing quality.” – S. Soundararadjane, CEO of HyFarm Nutrient management, too, must be integrated. Yogesh Chandra, VP-Sales & Marketing, Transworld Furtichem Limited, explains, “Fertiliser purchases must be linked to a unified Digital Farm ID, allowing tracking of nutrient use efficiency, preventing over-application and enabling customised advisory. It builds India’s first data-driven nutrient intelligence system.” Budget 2026 must therefore deliver measurable, integrated reforms—embedding science, finance, technology, and policy into a unified, farmer-centric framework. It is the launchpad for the Viksit Bharat Kheti Vision 2047, enabling high-productivity, high-value, climate-smart agriculture and positioning India as a globally competitive agri-economy. ----- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3410/digitizing-sugar-guillermo-medina-llarena-on-new-economics-of-agrobiodiversity-and-trade.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3410/digitizing-sugar-guillermo-medina-llarena-on-new-economics-of-agrobiodiversity-and-trade.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:54:42 +0530 Agrospectrum presents an exclusive interview with Guillermo José Medina Llarena, Chief Digital & Analytics Officer at Pantaleon (PSH) and Lead at Stomata Labs, a division of Findability Sciences. In this wide-ranging conversation, he explains how Pantaleon is navigating tightening U.S. tariff-rate quotas by doubling down on customer relationships and quality-driven value addition rather than reactive market shifts. Medina outlines why proximity to the U.S. premium market remains an advantage even as the company expands strategically into Africa and the Middle East, aiming for 20 per cent export share in emerging demand centers by 2030. He delves into Pantaleon’s transformation into a tech-powered sugar major—moving beyond commodity pricing through AI-enabled diversification, green chemistry, and precision fermentation—while strengthening digital traceability and logistics intelligence amid Panama Canal constraints and freight volatility. Looking ahead to 2030, he envisions Pantaleon as a resilient, low-cost regional champion that leverages sugarcane’s carbon-capture efficiency and deep data insights to thrive in a future of declining sugar consumption but rising trade and climate complexity. A. Trade Strategy & Geopolitical Balancing From a portfolio perspective, how is Pantaleon re-optimizing market exposure as the U.S. tightens tariff-rate quotas and renegotiates regional preferences? From a portfolio perspective, Pantaleon views sugar as a foundational commodity where clear, equitable trade rules are essential for all participants. Rather than reactive re-optimization amid U.S. tariff-rate quota tightenings — we emphasize enduring strategies like deepening customer relationships and enhancing product quality through value-added offerings. This ensures resilience without necessitating major shifts, allowing us to sustain exposure while exploring complementary markets. Does the industry need to hedge against structural over-dependence on the United States — or is proximity to a premium market still a net advantage? The sugar industry operates at the intersection of local efficiencies and global dynamics, where hedging against over-dependence on any single market, including the United States, must be weighed against its advantages. Proximity to this premium market—yielding prices around $500+ per ton versus the global average of $400—remains a net positive for swift delivery and higher margins. Our strategy focuses on low-cost production, superior quality, and composure during periods of turbulence, avoiding drastic directional changes that could disrupt established efficiencies. Which emerging demand centers — Asia, the Middle East, Africa — are realistic diversification targets for Central American supply chains? Emerging demand centers in Africa and the Middle East represent viable diversification targets for Central American supply chains, driven by above-average consumption growth and a preference for high-quality products. These regions, with urbanization fueling demand at 4-5 per cent annually, align well with our capabilities; Pantaleon is already active there and plans measured expansion to capture 20 per cent of our export share by 2030, leveraging reliable logistics and certifications to build long-term partnerships. B. Competitive Edge & Supply Chain Intelligence Pantaleon operates one of the most advanced export supply chains in the region. Is digital traceability now a cost of compliance — or a market differentiator capable of commanding premiums? Digital traceability is transitioning from a mere compliance requirement to an industry norm, potentially evolving toward on-chain transactions for enhanced security and collaborative efficiency. While it may not yield sustained premiums or act as a long-term differentiator, we plan to integrate it seamlessly at minimal cost to support operational smoothness, ensuring it complements rather than burdens our processes. How do port infrastructure risks, Panama Canal constraints, and rising freight volatility reshape your contracting strategy ? Port infrastructure risks, Panama Canal constraints (e.g., transits reduced to 33 per day in 2025 due to droughts), and freight volatility (up 20 per cent year-over-year) underscore the need for data-driven agility in contracting. Greater visibility into logistics variables enables superior competitiveness; our approach prioritizes optimizing known factors over predicting unpredictable geopolitical or climatic events, fostering consistent, assertive decisions with a long-term mindset to outperform peers. C. Market Power & Pricing Architecture The global sugar trade is still largely commodity-priced. What is Pantaleon’s strategy to escape the commodity trap through segmentation — such as low-carbon sugar, specialty sweeteners, or identity-preserved lots? To escape the commodity trap, we recognize sugarcane's potential as an efficient energy crop and are advancing diversification through AI-enabled innovations, green chemicals, materials & supplies, and precision fermentation. This positions us to command premiums for segmented products, transforming traditional trade into value-driven opportunities. With volatility accelerating, do you foresee greater mill-consolidation and regional champions emerging to counterbalance Brazil’s dominance? Accelerating volatility is likely to spur greater mill consolidation, as seen in past agricultural trends, while emerging technologies could balance this with tokenization for broader investor alignment. Regional champions may emerge to counterbalance Brazil's 44 million ton dominance, fostering more inclusive and scalable structures in the industry. D. Digital Transformation as Trade Armor Where does AI-driven risk management make the strongest business case today — crop yields, mill efficiency, or market intelligence? AI-driven risk management delivers the strongest business case through holistic value chain optimization—from enhancing crop yields and mill efficiency to securing margins—ensuring comprehensive risk mitigation in volatile environments. E. Security of Supply & Climate Risk The Gulf of Mexico and Central American corridor is increasingly disaster-prone. Could water scarcity force a regional pivot in planting zones — shifting the competitive map of cane production by 2035? In disaster-prone regions like the Gulf of Mexico and Central America, water scarcity (projected to rise by 2050) could necessitate pivots in planting zones by 2035. Enhanced anticipation capabilities will reveal optimal decisions, determining sustained competitiveness in a shifting production landscape. Climate is a non-controllable aspect of farming; thus we focus more in making the best optimization decisions with the given climatic conditions. Closing Vision What does Pantaleon 2030 look like in a world where sugar consumption is falling but trade complexity and technology intensity are rising? Pantaleon in 2030 envisions a resilient leader preserving core competencies in cane production, harvesting, sugar recovery, and logistics while embracing technology-driven diversification into AI, new chemistry, materials, and food innovations. In a world of declining sugar consumption but rising trade complexity, sugarcane's inherent carbon-capture efficiency will remain a planetary advantage, enabling harmony and efficacy in sustainable operations. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3263/billion-dollar-microbe-market-transforming-global-vegetable-supply-chains.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3263/billion-dollar-microbe-market-transforming-global-vegetable-supply-chains.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 11:27:31 +0530 For over fifty years, synthetic fertilisers powered global food production but caused soil degradation, water contamination, and greenhouse-gas emissions, prompting a shift toward sustainable alternatives. Biofertilisers—live microbial products—are emerging as a mainstream solution, improving nutrient uptake, plant resilience, and produce quality while integrating with precision agriculture systems. Policy support, particularly in India, the EU, and Denmark, is accelerating adoption through subsidies, regulatory compliance, and carbon-credit incentives. Regional case studies demonstrate that microbial inputs, when combined with sensor-guided fertigation and AI-driven management, can reduce synthetic nitrogen use by 15–35 per cent , boost yields, and enhance market value. The global takeaway: biofertilisers are not just environmentally necessary but a strategic enabler of profitable, precision-driven vegetable farming. For decades, synthetic nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers were the workhorses of the Green Revolution — turbocharging yields, slashing food prices, and feeding billions. But that victory came with a steep bill: degraded soils, polluted water, rising greenhouse gases, and dependence on inputs whose prices swing with global markets. The rules of fertilisation are now being rewritten. In high-value vegetable farming, the shift is unmistakable. Sustainability mandates, precision agtech, and microbial breakthroughs are pushing growers toward a new playbook. Biofertilisers — living microbes that boost nutrient uptake, soil health, and crop resilience — are stepping out of the margins and into the heart of production. They don’t just cut the fertiliser bill; they raise produce quality, strengthen plants against stress, and slot neatly into sensor-driven, fertigation-ready systems from India to Denmark. The question is no longer if they work — but how fast they can scale and reshape the economics of vegetable farming. From Idea to Instrument: The Biofertiliser Opportunity The science behind biofertilisers is solid. Symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilising microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi unlock bound nutrients, fix atmospheric nitrogen, and boost water-use efficiency. Meta-analyses show that, under proper management, biofertilisers can replace 20–30 per cent of synthetic N/P in vegetables without sacrificing yield — while improving firmness, vitamin levels, and shelf life. The market is catching up fast. IMARC Group projects the global biofertiliser sector to hit $2.5 billion in 2024, growing at over 11 per cent CAGR through 2030 — faster than most ag inputs. In high-value vegetable farming, where residue limits and sustainability standards are strict, adoption already tops 20 per cent. But scaling isn’t frictionless. Microbes are living products — they need cold chains, soil-specific tailoring, and precise timing. Farmers used to the consistency of synthetics can face uneven results if biofertilisers meet the wrong soil pH, moisture, or temperature. Policy Landscape: Aligning Incentives, Compliance, and Adoption Government policy is now the biggest accelerator — or brake — on biofertiliser adoption. In India, programmes like PKVY and NMSA are subsidising bio-inputs, funding farmer training, and running demo plots to de-risk adoption for both smallholders and commercial hubs. Fertiliser control rules and mandatory nutrient-use efficiency reporting are nudging growers toward balanced nutrition. States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu add extra firepower with cold-chain support, certification, and advisory services — lowering the operational barriers to microbial use. ” With over a century of microbial expertise, now renewed by the merger of Novozymes and Christian Hansen, we are working to redefine how crops are nourished, protected and optimized. We work not only to replace chemical inputs, but also harness nature’s own solutions for improved and more resilient cropping systems, all while allowing growers to unlock additional yields from every acre. Our philosophy has always been to integrate our global R&D expertise with local needs. We see this in action in different ways. At the business level, as a deeply innovation driven company, we invest roughly 10 per cent of our turnover in R&D, a very significant proportion of our revenue ” — Kate Brandon Sutton, Head of Plant Biosolutions Applied R&D, Novonesis Precision agriculture is the force multiplier. Sensor-guided fertigation, drones, and AI agronomy platforms sync microbial application with crop growth stages, maximising yield response. But, as Katie Whittiker of Novonesis points out, India’s smallholder-heavy farm structure makes scaling a challenge. Subscription-based digital agronomy and shared drone services are emerging as cost-efficient solutions to bridge the gap. “Protected cultivation adds another layer of opportunity, particularly around urban consumption centres where quality, consistency, and residue compliance are non-negotiable. Here, biofertilisers and biostimulants can be precisely delivered through drip systems, aligning with the closed-loop, resource-efficient nature of greenhouses and shade-net operations”, opined Kattie. “Companies like Novonesis, which collaborate with cooperatives and input distributors, play a crucial role in bridging research-led innovation with last-mile farmer adoption — ensuring that advanced microbial solutions reach growers with proper guidance and compliance support “, she added. “Our long term partnerships with platforms like Benchling underscores our investment in cutting-edge R&D innovation and development of next-gen Biosolutions for emerging agricultural segments. We aim to do this in precision farming and protected agriculture segments by – Expanding the suite of microbe-based inputs tailored for high-value crops; Collaborating with organizations and cooperatives to enable data-driven decision making at the level of the farm and the field, and Supporting growers with robust stewardship programs that facilitate seamless adoption, and help maximize returns on investment " — Katie Whittiker, Head of Plant BioYield Business Unit, Novonesis Globally, regulation is uneven but decisive. The EU’s Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR 2019/1009) sets strict efficacy, safety, and traceability standards — critical for exporters facing tight nitrate and residue limits. In the Middle East and Africa, policy levers are tied to EU compliance: Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt are rapidly adopting microbial fertilisers to secure greenhouse exports, while Sub-Saharan rules remain patchy — a hurdle and opportunity for new entrants. Denmark offers a glimpse of the future: subsidies tied to nitrogen cuts, public-private R&D under the IBIS platform, and carbon-credit monetisation create a strong business case for biofertiliser use. Policy isn’t just compliance — it rewires market economics. Where governments integrate incentives, adoption rises faster, microbial performance is more consistent, and ROI for suppliers and growers improves. Precision Vegetable Farming Meets Biological Inputs Digital agriculture and microbial biosolutions are redefining performance standards in high-value vegetable farming. In both CEA and irrigated fields, blanket fertiliser applications are giving way to real-time, demand-driven nutrition. IoT soil sensors, AI-powered fertigation, and multispectral imaging now work in sync to deliver the right nutrients at the right moment — maximising efficiency and yield. ” Extensive global and regional trials on vegetable crops — including tomatoes, chilies, and leafy greens — consistently reveal that India’s average yields remain well below global benchmarks. This productivity gap underscores a significant opportunity for bio-inputs such as biofertilisers and biostimulants to drive both yield gains and sustainability outcomes. When integrated with optimised agronomic practices, biological solutions have delivered yield improvements exceeding 10 per cent compared with conventional methods. In India, fertigation-based trials have recorded yield increases of up to 18 per cent in tomatoes and chilies, while greenhouse experiments in Vietnam have demonstrated markedly improved nutrient uptake and superior quality in leafy vegetables. Validated through close collaboration with growers and research institutions, these results confirm the reliability of microbial inputs under real-world conditions " — Shanmugam Sambanthan, Commercial Head, Agriculture ,South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Novonesis Globally, the impact is striking. Israeli drip-irrigation pioneers like Netafim and Rivulis inject biofertilisers directly into root zones, boosting microbial colonisation and cutting synthetic nitrogen use 20–30 per cent without hurting yields. In Europe, greenhouse tomato growers combine microbial consortia with precision nutrients to hit nitrate-residue targets while sustaining export-grade productivity. A 2023 Wageningen study found 12–15 per cent yield gains and up to 40 per cent nitrate reductions when biofertilisers were paired with variable-rate fertigation. India is steadily moving toward this model, though adoption is concentrated in progressive clusters. Agritech start-ups are embedding microbial inputs into AI-driven agronomy platforms, giving smallholders access to tools once reserved for corporates. Subscription services for drones, sensors, and fertigation-as-a-service are lowering financial barriers. Early pilots in Nashik report tomato yield gains of 10–18 per cent and synthetic nitrogen savings of up to 35 kg/ha through precision-linked biofertilisers. Protected cultivation is another growth lever. Greenhouses and shade-net houses near urban centres enable year-round, residue-free, premium vegetables with lower post-harvest losses. Novonesis’ biofertiliser and biostimulant range, tailored for drip-irrigated systems, has delivered firmer bell peppers and cucumbers, higher marketable yields, and 12–15 per cent better nutrient-use efficiency, boosting grower margins. The benefits are clear: lower synthetic fertiliser costs, improved water efficiency, and premiums for low-residue produce. But scaling is local — what works for a protected cucumber farm in Bengaluru may not suit an open-field tomato grower in Rajasthan. Precision tools plus biological inputs aren’t just incremental; they mark a structural shift toward climate-resilient, resource-efficient farming. For policymakers, they advance fertiliser-reduction and soil-health goals. For growers, they boost per-hectare profitability while cutting input volatility. For investors, they signal a decade of data-driven, biology-led, sustainability-aligned growth. Across the globe, this integration is gaining traction. Israeli drip-irrigation firms inject biofertilisers into root zones to optimise colonisation. European greenhouse tomato growers pair microbial consortia with precision nutrients to meet yield and nitrate-residue standards. In India, agritech start-ups are embedding microbial inputs into AI-powered agronomy platforms, bringing precision farming to smallholders. Benchmarking Regional Pathways: India in Focus Biofertiliser adoption is global but uneven, following three distinct paths: scale-driven South Asia, scarcity-driven Middle East and Africa, and regulation-led Denmark. Each reflects unique market forces, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory pressures, offering lessons on where the microbial transition will accelerate and how businesses can position themselves. India leads South Asia, accounting for over 60 per cent of the region’s $143 million biofertiliser market in 2024, with 11–12 per cent annual growth projected. Policy is a major driver: PKVY and NMSA subsidise bio-inputs, fund training and demo plots, and incentivise adoption among smallholders and commercial vegetable hubs. Fertiliser controls and nutrient-use reporting further nudge farmers toward microbial solutions, especially where synthetic fertiliser costs are volatile. Domestic production adds a cost edge. Local Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilising microbes, and mycorrhizal inoculants are often 20–30 per cent cheaper than imports, while improved quality control builds trust. Smallholder economics are increasingly compelling: ICAR trials show integrated biofertiliser regimes in tomatoes, brinjal, and capsicum can boost yields 10–18 per cent, improve nutrient-use efficiency up to 25 per cent, and cut synthetic nitrogen by 35 kg/ha under fertigation. These results are reshaping the investment calculus for farmers, distributors, and downstream buyers alike. Shanmugam Sambanthan, Commercial Head, Agriculture ,South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Novonesis, expects India’s B2B bio-input market to evolve rapidly, though the highly fragmented agriculture landscape . ” Currently, bio-inputs are still a small fraction of overall inputs used by farmers. The fragmentation across farmlands provides can be a significant challenges to the adoption of Bio-inputs, particularly when it comes to reaching farmers through the direct trade, and most importantly in providing meaningful services to farmers. Along similar lines, companies including startups in the bio-input space struggle to scale due to the high investment and resource requirements needed for wide market reach “, Sambanthan opined. Novonesis has carved a distinct niche in India’s bio-inputs market as a B2B innovator, focusing on cutting-edge R&D rather than direct-to-farmer sales. Its strength lies in developing advanced microbial and biostimulant solutions while partners handle market reach, distribution, and farmer engagement — a win–win that accelerates adoption without diluting focus on innovation, quality, or regulatory compliance. A collaboration with KRIBHCO illustrates this model. By combining Novonesis’ next-generation biosolutions with KRIBHCO’s distribution network and agricultural expertise, the partnership scales access, ensures reliable supply, and co-invests in farmer awareness programs and demonstration plots across diverse crops and agro-climatic zones. The results are tangible: Irrigated vegetable hubs like Nashik (Maharashtra) and Kolar (Karnataka) report 30–40 per cent integration for high-value crops such as tomato and capsicum. Adoption lags in rainfed eastern and central regions ( ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3048/the-great-agri-reset-climate-smart-tech-driven-farmer-first.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3048/the-great-agri-reset-climate-smart-tech-driven-farmer-first.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:05:31 +0530 India’s farmlands are undergoing a quiet revolution—powered by tech, backed by policy, and driven by purpose. With agriculture employing 45 per cent of the workforce and contributing 18 per cent to GDP, the rise of agritech could unlock a $95 billion GDP boost through smarter yields, lower costs, and climate resilience. From drone-powered soil checks to AI-driven advisories, platforms like AgriStack and eNAM are turning farming into a precision, data-led industry. Over $2.6 billion in startup funding since FY22 signals that agritech isn’t just innovation—it’s India’s next growth engine. With the right investments and inclusive digital tools, India can lead the world in climate-smart, tech-forward farming. India’s rich agro-ecological diversity has long established it as a global agricultural leader. Agriculture continues to be a vital pillar of the Indian economy, contributing nearly 18 per cent to GDP and employing about 45 per cent of the country’s workforce, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants. Even during the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, agriculture stood out as a pillar of stability and resilience. This was largely enabled by targeted government interventions, including strong support for farmer producer organisations (FPOs), promotion of crop diversification, improvements in agricultural productivity, encouragement of mechanisation, and enhanced financial support mechanisms. A key milestone in this effort was the launch of the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, designed to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve post-harvest logistics, and build a more resilient agri-economy. Despite its agricultural output, India ranks only eighth globally in agricultural exports, holding a 2.33 per cent share of the global market. However, with the rise of agritech innovations, the sector is on the brink of a major shift.  A recent Ernst & Young report estimates that India’s agritech market holds a $24 billion opportunity, yet current penetration remains low at just 1.5 per cent. If fully developed, the agritech ecosystem could increase farmers’ incomes by 25 per cent to 35 per cent, contributing up to $95 billion to GDP through enhanced productivity, reduced input costs, improved market access, and diversified income streams. In response, the integration of climate-resilient practices with agricultural innovation has emerged as a critical strategy to safeguard both food and energy security. India’s agricultural future hinges on its ability to adapt and innovate. By merging traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technologies and fostering an ecosystem that supports resilience, India can not only protect its farmers but also lead the way in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. With the right investments and policies, the country can build a farming system that is productive, equitable, and climate-ready, securing food and fuel for generations to come. India’s agritech sector is undergoing a seismic shift. Powered by digital innovation and growing investor interest, it’s reshaping the future of farming—from the ground up. Since FY22, the sector has pulled in over $2.6 billion across 340 deals, with nearly 70 per cent of funding flowing into B2B/B2C market linkages and full-stack platforms. The message from investors is clear: Agritech is no longer a niche—it’s a commercial opportunity with national impact. India is making significant strides in reshaping its agricultural landscape by integrating digital innovation and sustainability into the heart of farming. Initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission, with an allocation of Rs 2817 crore, are equipping farmers with real-time data and decision-making tools that improve productivity and resource efficiency. The Centre has allocated Rs 1,261 crore for the Namo Drone Didi scheme for 2023-26, bringing a much-needed gender lens to agriculture by empowering women through self-help groups, turning them into active participants and entrepreneurs in the supply chain. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) further strengthens the ecosystem by promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. To bolster domestic manufacturing of drones and related components, the government is planning the PLI Scheme 2.0 worth Rs 1000 crore. Together, these initiatives are laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector—one that is better equipped to tackle both current pressures and future demands. Centralised digital platforms can help streamline stakeholder coordination and enhance service delivery. At the same time, innovative financing models, such as micro-credit schemes and blended finance, are essential to unlock investments in agri-tech solutions. Just as crucial is the need for training and capacity building, ensuring that farmers not only have access to technology but also the confidence and skills to use it effectively. Agri-tech holds the key to revitalising Indian agriculture, offering solutions that increase yields, reduce environmental impact, and improve livelihoods, especially in the face of mounting climate risks. By embracing innovation at scale, India can make meaningful progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its national commitments under global climate agreements. With the right vision and collective effort, India can not only transform its agricultural sector but also emerge as a global leader in climate-smart farming, demonstrating how technology and inclusive growth can shape a sustainable future. Where Technology Meets the TillerA quiet revolution is reshaping India’s farmlands — and technology is leading the charge. Across the country, agritech startups are blooming, tackling age-old farming challenges with modern solutions. Driving this growth is strong government support. Initiatives like Startup India have created a fertile environment for innovation, giving entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to break new ground in the agritech space. Agritech is doing more than just streamlining farm operations — it's reshaping the entire agricultural value chain. By harnessing tools like AI, machine learning, data analytics, and SaaS platforms, farmers are making better decisions faster. These technologies enable smarter resource use, reduce operational costs, and help maximise yields — all while preparing farms to withstand climate challenges. In short, agritech is turning agriculture into a data-driven, climate-smart industry — and the benefits are just beginning to unfold. Private equity and venture capital firms are pouring capital into the sector, providing startups with the resources they need to refine their operations, boost research and development, and expand into new markets. The outcome: A fresh wave of tech-powered agriculture that’s smarter, more sustainable, and perfectly tuned to the needs of today’s farmers. Policy Meets Precision: India’s AgriTech LeapThe fusion of technology and agriculture is opening up powerful new pathways to tackle the growing risks posed by climate change. In India, the government is playing a proactive role in driving this transformation. A cornerstone of this effort is the Agri-Stack — a digital infrastructure designed to unify agricultural services and data on a single platform. This initiative makes it easier for farmers to access everything from advisories and subsidies to credit and insurance, while also streamlining coordination across the entire agricultural value chain. By improving access to cutting-edge technologies and offering financial and policy support, India is steadily building an agri-tech ecosystem that empowers farmers to boost productivity while embracing sustainable practices. Among the most impactful steps taken by the Indian government to modernise agriculture are initiatives like the Agricultural Accelerator Fund and the creation of Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture. These forward-looking programmes are designed to energise India’s fast-growing AgriTech ecosystem and promote innovation that can withstand future disruptions and challenges. Among the most groundbreaking initiatives by the Indian government in recent years is AgriStack, formally called the India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA). This bold vision seeks to weave together the country’s vast agricultural data into a single, powerful platform, anchored by each farmer’s land records. In a nation where most farmers cultivate small plots with limited resources and little exposure to cutting-edge technology, AgriStack holds the promise of being a true game-changer. This ecosystem integrates an impressive array of digital innovations, transforming the way decisions are made on the ground:First, Drone-powered soil and crop assessments that provide precise insights to optimise pesticide use and promote eco-friendly farming. Second, tailored recommendations crafted for every unique plot of land—offering advice on the best seeds to sow, optimal farming techniques, and smart soil management practicesThird, Instant, real-time updates on weather, crop insurance options, market trends, and government programs, all designed to reduce risks and improve farmers’ livelihoods. By delivering these actionable insights straight to farmers’ fingertips, AgriStack has the potential to revolutionise agriculture across India, empowering millions to make informed, timely decisions that enhance both productivity and resilience. A key pillar of India’s AgriTech transformation is the National Agriculture Market (eNAM)—a comprehensive electronic trading platform that seamlessly integrates existing Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis across the country. By bridging the information gap between buyers and sellers, eNAM introduces much-needed transparency and efficiency into agricultural markets. This digital marketplace unifies national trade, enabling farmers to access fair prices in real time based on actual supply and demand. The outcome? Farmers gain stronger bargaining power, markets operate more smoothly, and consumers benefit from access to high-quality produce. In the 2022-23 Union Budget, the government launched the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, a visionary initiative aimed at energising rural entrepreneurs and startups driving innovation in agriculture. This fund supports the development of affordable, technology-based solutions tailored to overcome persistent challenges faced by farmers. By empowering young “Agri-preneurs” with funding and resources, the initiative is poised to boost productivity and foster a dynamic AgriTech ecosystem nationwide. Supporting these efforts is the plan to establish a Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture—an open-source, interoperable platform designed around six farmer-focused services. These services include crop planning, health management, easier access to inputs, credit and insurance support, market insights, and the promotion of AgriTech startups. A shining example of this vision is the government’s Digital Soil Health Card initiative. By analysing soil quality and composition, the programme promotes precision farming tailored to local conditions. The revamped Soil Health Card portal, accessible via web and mobile app, provides farmers with easy-to-understand reports—complete with emoticons indicating soil health—in 22 languages and five dialects, ensuring broad accessibility and inclusivity. At the same time, the government is turbocharging India’s AgriTech scene by actively backing agri-incubators and start-ups. Programmes like RKVY-RAFTAR and the Agri-Sure Fund are providing crucial funding, expert guidance, and resources to nurture promising early-stage ventures and build a thriving innovation ecosystem. This support is fuelling breakthroughs in precision farming and cutting-edge technologies that boost both productivity and climate resilience. Initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana are pushing efficient irrigation solutions to conserve water, while the use of drones and other smart tools highlights a bold commitment to sustainable, resource-savvy agriculture. Together, these efforts are reshaping Indian farming—making it smarter, greener, and ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. Invest Integrate Innovate To effectively drive agri-tech integration, several strategic actions are essential. First, modernising agri-incubators is crucial. This involves updating their infrastructure and programmes to align with rapidly evolving technologies and changing market demands. Second, establishing state-level, controlled testing grounds where innovators can pilot their technologies in real-world agricultural environments is necessary. These testing sites enable developers to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of their solutions while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Third, the development of an integrated digital platform is key to creating a cohesive agri-tech ecosystem. For farmers, it would offer easy access to timely advisories, best practices for sustainable farming, and direct links to market opportunities, empowering them to make data-driven decisions that improve productivity and income. Fourth, significant investment must be channelled into precision farming and climate-smart technologies. These advanced tools and methods enhance farmers’ ability to respond to environmental challenges such as erratic weather, water scarcity, and soil degradation. Finally, deploying a diverse range of financial instruments is vital to accelerate the growth and adoption of promising agri-tech ventures. This includes fast-track credit facilities to provide startups with quick access to capital, risk-sharing frameworks that encourage investment by mitigating potential losses, and impact investments focused on generating social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns.By implementing these comprehensive measures, the integration of agri-tech can be significantly accelerated, fostering a more sustainable, productive, and resilient agricultural sector that benefits all stakeholders involved. India stands at the threshold of a new agricultural era—one where sustainable growth and climate resilience go hand in hand. By embracing agri-tech innovations, the country can make significant strides toward achieving global environmental goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding farmers from climate uncertainties. ------- Suchetana Choudhury ( suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com ) ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3014/beewise-lands-50m-to-take-smart-beehive-tech-to-the-next-level.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3014/beewise-lands-50m-to-take-smart-beehive-tech-to-the-next-level.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:54:51 +0530 New and existing investors back Beewise’s AI- and robotics-powered BeeHome as the company scales its precision pollination technology. Beewise, the climate tech innovator behind the AI-powered BeeHome, has raised $50 million in Series D funding, bringing its total capital to nearly $170 million. The round includes continued support from Fortissimo Capital, Insight Partners, APG Asset Management, lool Ventures, Badiya Capital, Marav Mazon Group, and Austin Hearst (Tom Horne). This latest funding will accelerate technological innovation, geographic expansion, and research and development, all in service of Beewise’s mission to save bees and secure global food supplies. Beewise’s flagship product, the BeeHome, is the world’s first autonomous beekeeping system. Unlike traditional hive sensors that only offer passive monitoring, the BeeHome delivers real-time, AI-driven care using solar-powered robotics. These hives provide autonomous responses to hive threats and environmental stressors—significantly improving colony survival and pollination effectiveness. Today, 1,240 BeeHomes are operational, covering over 300,000 acres annually and serving major growers including Nuveen Natural Capital (TIAA), Agriland, and Olam Food Ingredients. Each unit uses machine learning models and remote capabilities to continuously assess hive health. Beekeepers can step in remotely via Beewise’s proprietary software, balancing automation with human oversight. "We are very pleased with the results of our fundraising efforts," said Saar Safra, Co-founder and CEO of Beewise. "This round validates our leadership in using AI to address the global collapse of bee colonies—one of humanity’s most pressing environmental challenges." Yoav Hineman, Partner at Fortissimo Capital and board member, added that Beewise’s progress—from bold vision to global market leadership—reinforces their confidence in the team and the transformative power of the technology. Daniel Aronovitz, Managing Director at Insight Partners and fellow board member, noted that what Beewise is building has global implications for the environment, the food chain, and beyond, and that Insight is proud to continue supporting the company on this journey. Since its 2022 Series C round, Beewise has launched the fourth-generation BeeHome™ 4, featuring proprietary Beewise Heat Chamber Technology, which eliminates 99 per cent of lethal Varroa mites without chemicals. The company has also deployed AI agents to mitigate climate risk in agriculture through adaptive, autonomous systems, demonstrated the real-world performance of an autonomous robot delivering round-the-clock beekeeping care, and built a world-class AI team applying RNNs, machine learning, and reinforcement learning to enable the first truly autonomous beekeeper. With pollinator loss threatening global food security—over 62 per cent of U.S. colonies died last year—Beewise offers a proven, scalable solution that restores pollination, improves crop yields, and enhances biodiversity. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3009/mapa-regulation-fuels-surge-in-brazils-agri-drone-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/3009/mapa-regulation-fuels-surge-in-brazils-agri-drone-industry.html Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:29:52 +0530 The agricultural drone sector in Brazil, primarily used for aerial spraying, saw a major breakthrough in 2021 following the publication of Ordinance No. 298 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), which officially regulated their use. That year, sales were estimated at 3,000 units. Fast forward to today, and the number has soared to an estimated 35,000 drones in operation—a clear sign of how regulatory clarity can unlock rapid technological adoption in agriculture Brazil’s agricultural drone market is experiencing rapid expansion, driven in large part by regulatory clarity introduced through MAPA’s Ordinance No. 298 in 2021, which legalized and structured the commercial use of drones for aerial spraying. Since then, the market has taken off—from an estimated 3,000 drones in 2021 to around 35,000 units in operation today. This data was presented by consultant Eugênio Schroder during Droneshow, a key agri-tech trade fair held at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, focused on agricultural drone service providers. At the same event, MAPA announced that new regulatory updates are on the way, including a new decree and ordinance aimed at modernizing legislation to match technological advancements. “Drones have evolved, and the legislation needs to keep up,” said Uéllen Colatto, head of the ministry’s Agricultural Aviation Division. Two public hearings have already been held, and the proposed decree is being sent to the Civil House. Once signed by the President, MAPA will publish new ordinances with more specific and updated rules. Among the upcoming changes is the transition from the Sipeagro system to SDA Digital—a modern platform that will streamline the accreditation of training institutions and the certification of technical personnel in agricultural aviation. Despite the boom, challenges remain. A key issue is the use of unregistered drones. While Ordinance 298 mandates registration and training for drone operators, only 2,618 drones have been officially registered for spraying so far, highlighting a gap in enforcement and compliance. Schroder emphasized the accessibility of drones, describing them as “democratic” tools that are viable for farms of all sizes. Service provider André Veiga underlined the market’s untapped potential, estimating that 50,000 drones would be needed to meet demand across all Brazilian crops. He also advised new entrants to keep backup equipment and batteries, noting, “If you have one, you don’t have any.” The event also featured key figures from MAPA, including Estanislau Steck, the ministry’s superintendent in São Paulo, and Lucas Fernandes de Souza, an agricultural engineer who discussed regulatory developments in agricultural aviation. As Brazil moves forward, the combination of strong demand, advancing technology, and updated policy is setting the stage for a more structured and expansive agricultural drone ecosystem. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2829/twist-bioscience-and-curio-genomics-collaborate-to-accelerate-and-streamline-ngs-adoption-in-agrigenomics.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2829/twist-bioscience-and-curio-genomics-collaborate-to-accelerate-and-streamline-ngs-adoption-in-agrigenomics.html Wed, 02 Apr 2025 13:12:42 +0530 Collaboration to enable cost-effective end-to-end genotyping across large animal and plant populations Twist Bioscience Corporation, a core mid-cap growth and value equity company in the life sciences segment of the health care sector, and Curio Genomics, a pioneer in genomics software, announced a collaboration to accelerate the adoption of NGS workflows in agricultural genomics (agrigenomics) by offering Twist’s FlexPrep™ Ultra-High Throughput (UHT) Library Preparation Kit with Curio’s bioinformatics software and data platform. Despite the flexibility and depth of genomic data provided by NGS workflows compared to microarrays, adoption of NGS in agrigenomics has lagged due to the low cost and familiarity of microarray workflows. Pairing the Twist FlexPrep UHT Library Prep Kit and the CURIO™ platform creates a sequencer agnostic end-to-end solution from library prep through data analysis to provide agrigenomics customers with tools that overcome these challenges and simplify NGS adoption. Specifically, the Twist FlexPrep UHT Library Prep Kit provides researchers with a tool to support a streamlined workflow with favorable economics, while scaling up assay throughput to thousands of samples with high flexibility. FlexPrep enables researchers to expand the depth and breadth of their data beyond just SNPs to generate high complexity libraries for low pass whole genome sequencing with high concordance to arrays. The CURIO bioinformatics software and data platform offers all-in-one genotyping, marker discovery and fine mapping in an intuitive interface. Rapidly delivering analysis results due to its uniquely scalable architecture, CURIO allows agrigenomics researchers to quickly interpret NGS data generated with Twist’s FlexPrep UHT Library Prep Kit alongside historical data from microarrays. This enables them to make decisions faster, while maintaining insights even after changing their workflows. “Our FlexPrep UHT Library Prep Kit eliminates many of the traditional barriers that have slowed NGS adoption in agrigenomics – making high throughput genotyping faster, easier, and more accessible than ever,” said Emily M. Leproust, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. “By collaborating with Curio, we can now pair our FlexPrep UHT Kit with a robust easy-to-use, cost-effective software platform to conduct high-volume data analysis across array and NGS data from any animal or plant species. From library prep to data analytics, we believe this streamlined offering will facilitate a shift from microarray to next-generation sequencing.” “With our CURIO platform, we can provide researchers with a scalable, approachable way to analyze their data across species type and depth of coverage, enabling them to transition quickly from data generation to actionable insights,” said Shawn Quinn, CTO & cofounder of Curio Genomics. “By offering our platform with Twist’s FlexPrep UHT Library Prep Kit technology, we are making it easier for researchers to bridge historical microarray and new NGS data, analyze diverse species, and accelerate breakthroughs in agricultural genomics.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2554/global-agri-food-advancement-partnership-gaap-invests-in-ergo-a-startup-developing-plant-based-proteins.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2554/global-agri-food-advancement-partnership-gaap-invests-in-ergo-a-startup-developing-plant-based-proteins.html Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:04:48 +0530 GAAP is a partnership between Ag-West Bio, the Global Institute for Food Security, and Innovation Saskatchewan. Global Agri-Food Advancement Partnership (GAAP) has closed an undisclosed investment fund with an Argentina-based biotech startup Ergo Bioscience (ERGO) that produces complex animal proteins through plant cell cultivation for use in plant-based meat and dairy products. ERGO’s precision fermentation technology can produce high-value compounds, using less land, water, and other resources than traditional agriculture systems. This investment will support the expansion of the company’s operations into North America, with GAAP housing ERGO in its Saskatoon labs in the coming months. will give Saskatchewan a leading edge in the precision fermentation sector. Kari Harvey, CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan, says “Enticing ERGO to Saskatchewan is particularly exciting, as it leverages the province's robust infrastructure and significant investments. Saskatchewan is already a global leader in agriculture, and our growing agri-food sector stands as a testament to that leadership and innovation.” CEO of GAAP, Jay Robinson, says "ERGO is a great example of how GAAP's programming and offerings serve as an effective foreign direct investment vehicle, harnessing the strengths of Saskatchewan and Canada and matching them with GAAP’s sector specific expertise and experience. GAAP was excited to host ERGO in 2023 as a participant in Navigate and we are now thrilled to officially welcome them to the GAAP portfolio as they expand in Saskatchewan through our incubator.” Robinson notes that this investment underscores GAAP’s commitment to advancing food technology and sustainability. “This funding will empower ERGO to innovate further, enhancing their solutions, and ultimately supporting food producers in meeting the growing global demand for food. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, GAAP aims to transform the food landscape and drive positive change for both producers and consumers alike.” Barbarini says, “This investment marks the opening of our offices and R&D capabilities in Canada. Being equipped with state-of-the-art technology for the development of cell lines will allow us to accelerate project execution times and significantly expand our capabilities. The vision and expertise of the GAAP management team were instrumental in our strategic decision." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2455/braskem-expands-global-footprints-by-unveiling-new-renewable-innovation-center-in-lexington-massachusetts.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2455/braskem-expands-global-footprints-by-unveiling-new-renewable-innovation-center-in-lexington-massachusetts.html Wed, 18 Sep 2024 15:33:07 +0530 Prime focus to conversion of biomass-based feedstocks, including sugars, cellulose, plant oils, and lignin, to sustainable chemicals and materials. Braskem the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, as well as a market leader and pioneer producer of biopolymers on an industrial scale, announced the opening of its Renewable Innovation Center at Lexington, Mass. Braskem’s new 35,000-square-foot innovation center will accelerate innovation in renewable chemicals and materials. This innovation center is the latest expansion of Braskem’s global Innovation & Technology footprint. Capabilities at the new center will expand Braskem’s competencies in biotechnology, catalysis, and process engineering. A particular focus will be given to early-stage science and engineering related to the conversion of biomass-based feedstocks, including sugars, cellulose, plant oils, and lignin, to sustainable chemicals and materials. This will enhance Braskem’s resources focused on the discovery of technologies that will drive new growth-oriented offerings centered around combating climate change. Mark Nikolich, CEO of Braskem America, stated, “This is a great moment for Braskem and the bio-based industry as we continue to lead the change to a sustainable future. Braskem has a strong ambition to be a key player in carbon capturing through the production of materials with renewable raw materials. This innovation center even better positions Braskem to forge solutions that meet the needs of today and the future.” The new center is strategically based in Greater Boston’s world-class biotechnology and innovation ecosystem, located within a one-hour drive of more than 60 universities and colleges. Work in the Renewable Innovation Center will complement Braskem’s global research and development work currently being conducted in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, and Germany. From promoting plastic circularity to driving the bio-based materials revolution, Braskem is committed to diminishing the dependency on finite resources and reducing carbon emissions while generating a positive impact for a better society. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2383/fonterra-and-superbrewed-food-collaborate-to-advance-biomass-protein-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/2383/fonterra-and-superbrewed-food-collaborate-to-advance-biomass-protein-technology.html Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:19:34 +0530 The collaboration builds upon Superbrewed’s commercial launch of their patented biomass protein, called Postbiotic Cultured Protein Global dairy co-operative Fonterra and natural ingredient manufacturer Superbrewed Food have teamed up to boost sustainable food production. The partnership combines Superbrewed’s biomass protein platform with Fonterra’s dairy processing, ingredients, and applications expertise to develop additional nutrient-rich, functional biomass protein. The collaboration addresses the rising global demand for protein, reflecting on commitment to delivering sustainably sourced, functional proteins that meet customer and consumer needs worldwide. The collaboration builds upon Superbrewed’s commercial launch of their patented biomass protein, called Postbiotic Cultured Protein. Postbiotic Cultured Protein is a non-GMO, allergen-free, nutrient-dense bacteria biomass protein that recently received US market green light from the FDA. In ingredient evaluations, Fonterra determined that the excellent function and nutrition of Postbiotic Cultured Protein complement dairy ingredients in food applications with growing consumer demand. Additionally, Superbrewed demonstrated that its non-GMO, fermentation platform could be adapted to ferment other inputs. Thus, the multi-year joint effort seeks to develop new biomass protein solutions based on the fermentation of multi-feedstocks, including Fonterra’s lactose permeate, which is produced during dairy processing. The objective is to add value to Fonterra's lactose by converting it into high-quality, sustainable protein with Superbrewed's technology. Chris Ireland, GM Innovation Partnerships commented, "Superbrewed Foods cutting-edge technology aligns with our mission to provide sustainable nutritional solutions to the world and respond to the global demand for protein solutions thereby creating more value from milk for our farmers." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1873/australias-apal-lunches-new-commercial-entity-for-fresh-produce-brands-internationally.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1873/australias-apal-lunches-new-commercial-entity-for-fresh-produce-brands-internationally.html Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:51:12 +0530 Introducing Twenty Degrees, an evolution of Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) commercial business The Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) Board and senior management has developed new commercial entity "Twenty Degrees" enabling APAL to enlarge its commercial operations while focusing its efforts and commitment to Australian industry activities and services. Twenty Degrees draws on the strengths and expertise of the Coregeo business – a wholly owned subsidiary of APAL – with APAL’s unique skillset in managing global produce brands. Coregeo also serves as the master licensee for Pink Lady® in the UK and offers marketing and promotional services for various other fresh produce brands, including global kiwifruit brand Zespri™, long-stemmed broccoli brands Tenderstem® and Bimi® in the UK and Europe.  Harnessing the unique talents of these two businesses, Twenty Degrees will be a global entity for the commercial development of fresh produce brands internationally. It will bring together expertise and capability in IP protection and management, strategic marketing and brand management, quality assurance and compliance, territory management and licensing.   This strategic move aims to promote commercial success for Twenty Degrees and safeguard funding for industry services while allowing the APAL Board to concentrate on the Australian industry and the interests of growers, with a priority on industry services, growth and development.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1871/australia-grants-two-rounds-funding-worth-54-m-for-climate-smart-agriculture-program.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1871/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/80/1826/new-data-driven-standard-integrity-grown-setting-high-bar-for-regenerative-cotton.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1826/new-data-driven-standard-integrity-grown-setting-high-bar-for-regenerative-cotton.html Tue, 13 Feb 2024 10:24:06 +0530 A new launch from AEA and Citizens of Humanity Group Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), a company empowering growers to implement scalable regenerative agriculture solutions that create extraordinary results, has launched a data-driven standard for growing regenerative cotton called Integrity Grown™. This new standard sets a high bar for regenerative cotton growing practices that increase yields, lower chemical inputs and water usage, and improve soil health. “Many growers today are caught up in contemporary agriculture's cycle and myth that using more chemicals and water is required to increase yields,” said Chief Vision Officer for AEA, John Kempf. “This is particularly true with cotton, a crop heavily sprayed with chemicals, depleting all soil nutrition and life. There is another tested, proven way to effectively grow cotton using regenerative agriculture. This way of farming offers a hopeful vision and an exciting path forward for farmers.” Integrity Grown™ is a critical step forward in the regenerative cotton growing program AEA and premium denim company, Citizens of Humanity Group, started in 2022. The program’s purpose is to empower and attract more cotton growers to transition to regenerative practices. So far, more than three million pounds of regenerative cotton have been sourced through the initiative. “We can now show how effective cotton growers can be by employing regenerative practices, selling this cotton through high-value markets for products such as Citizens of Humanity Group's premium denim,” Kempf said. The standard, which includes rigorous measurement and data collection by AEA, will create more accountability and consistency. “The Integrity Grown™ standard creates a deeper level of transparency for consumers into the cotton growing practices of the regenerative farmers who are supplying us,” said Chief Executive Officer for Citizens of Humanity Group, Amy Williams. “We'll now be able to more deeply understand the impact of our regenerative cotton supply, with the goal to improve one of the most chemical intensive and soil degrading systems of agriculture – growing cotton.” How Integrity Grown™ Standards Work AEA will provide in-field support for growers throughout their three-year transition period and beyond. On-site visits and testing will be conducted throughout the growing season by AEA’s regional teams of certified agronomists and field consultants specializing in regenerative practices, technology and products. They will use testing, such as plant sap analysis, soil testing and in the near future soil DNA sequencing, to measure criteria required to meet the Integrity Grown™ standard. Technologies employed will allow for on-going data collection and analysis to measure exactly how well regenerative practices are working for plant and soil health, and maximizing yields for the grower. Growers who achieve AEA's Integrity Grown™ standards receive either a bronze, silver or gold status for their regenerative practices. Status is determined through measurement of the following key data points: reduction/elimination of synthetic fertilizers such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and plant growth regulators; tillage events; cover crop use; non-GMO seed use; use of beneficial biology; nitrogen efficiency; compost use; livestock grazing; soil carbon testing; soil biology testing; and pesticide residue testing. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1917/australia-to-build-agri-workforce-through-added-grants-and-schemes-for-2024.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1917/australia-to-build-agri-workforce-through-added-grants-and-schemes-for-2024.html Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:01:00 +0530 Aims to support agriculture careers through the Agriculture Workforce Working Group (AWWG), fee-free TAFE places, improving the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme Agriculture sector is a vital source of employment in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia employing around 262,000 people. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said since the Jobs and Skills Summit in 2022, the Government has been working closely with the agriculture industry to find solutions that address workforce issues that had been ongoing for years. “The Government has successfully worked with industry to identify opportunities to support ag careers through the Agriculture Workforce Working Group (AWWG), fee-free TAFE places, improving the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, and more,” Minister Watt said. “The AWWG achieved agreement on principles that underpin labour hire licensing and contributed to key government processes including the Employment White Paper and Migration Review. It has also been pivotal in securing agreement to undertake a Food and Supply Chain Capacity Study that will help inform Australia’s training, higher education, and migration systems to best meet industry needs. Training Australians is key to building the agricultural workforce, which is why we have provided funding for more than 13,000 fee-free TAFE places for agriculture courses with more than 11,950 enrolments in 2023. Our Cultivating the Next Generation project, done in partnership with AgriFutures, has investigated ways to encourage young people to consider how agriculture can provide a rewarding career beyond the classroom. Whether it’s at the cutting edge of technology or driving sustainability, working on the land, in a lab or from an office, agriculture has something for everyone ” explains Minister Watt. The PALM scheme Government has also worked to further to expand and improve the PALM scheme. The PALM scheme is a temporary labour migration program between Australia and the Pacific and Timor-Leste. “We are responsibly growing the scheme, with better support for our Pacific neighbours and employers to participate in the scheme and improved conditions for workers. In 2023, we reached record numbers of PALM workers demonstrating the importance of this program to Australia’s ag industry. There are more than 38,145 PALM workers in Australia, with the majority working in agriculture (25,889 workers) and the meat processing (10,041) sectors. Expanding and improving the PALM scheme continues to help employers across Australia engage the right workers where and when they need them. A sign of the of the continued success of the program is that the fact that more and more employers continue to sign up to participate. I am excited about the future of agriculture and as we go into 2024, I look forward to building on last year’s momentum and seeing what new ideas the newly established Agricultural Workforce Forum can uncover” explains Minister Watt. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1618/uae-and-korean-consortium-to-pilot-ai-powered-smart-farming-solution.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1618/uae-and-korean-consortium-to-pilot-ai-powered-smart-farming-solution.html Fri, 15 Dec 2023 07:02:48 +0530 Pure Harvest Smart Farms (UAE), Al Dahra Agriculture (UAE), and PlanTFarm (Korea) partner to forge an innovative, low-cost vertical farming solution to produce animal feed anywhere Pure Harvest Smart Farms (Pure Harvest), a leading sustainable technology-enabled agribusiness headquartered in the UAE, announced a new partnership with Al Dahra, a diversified global agribusiness that is a leader in the cultivation and production of animal feed, and PlanTFarm, a smart farming solutions provider, for a commercial-scale pilot scheme to bring the benefits of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) to the animal feed industry, utilising a proprietary, fit-for-purpose, low-cost indoor farming solution. The innovative smart farm utilises PlanTFarm’s cutting-edge, AI-powered vertical farm technology, engineered to reduce the capital intensity and energy consumption of the growing system to farm fresh, nutritious animal feed. The facility will be co-located within livestock farms to localize animal feed in Al Ain, UAE, using 95 per cent less water per kilogram versus traditional farming means. The collaboration aims to reduce the UAE’s import dependency by offering an economic, sustainable, and scalable localized farming solution. The pilot solution and commercial partnership have been under development since early 2022, and preliminary results show promise. Sky Kurtz, CEO of Pure Harvest, commented: “Our region imports the lion’s share of its animal feed requirements to protect its endangered water resources – coming at a cost to food security, feed price volatility, and nutrition quality. Put simply, we don’t believe our region’s farmers should have to choose… and if we’re right, this solution is scalable to other water-scarce parts of the world.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1561/pepsico-announces-agriculture-accelerator-projects-to-accelerate-regenerative-agriculture-globally.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1561/pepsico-announces-agriculture-accelerator-projects-to-accelerate-regenerative-agriculture-globally.html Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:13:59 +0530 PepsiCo announced the third year of its global agriculture program, the Positive Agriculture Outcomes (PAO) Accelerator, by backing eight new innovation projects across nine countries. PepsiCo's continued investment aims to address some of the most urgent challenges facing agriculture today, while moving the company's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) agenda forward. PepsiCo's PAO Accelerator offers local farming communities co-investment to accelerate diverse and results-driven Positive Agriculture projects, as well as funding for ag-tech start-ups that offer proven products or technology with the potential to scale. This year's innovations will build resiliency through climate related analysis, improve soil health, and strengthen farms' climate resilience – engaging farmers in Australia, Colombia, Egypt, India, Iraq, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom. "We can't motivate systemic change on our own, and our PAO Accelerator continues to provide a forum for farming communities to bring forth ideas and opportunities, and receive the funding needed to get promising innovation off the ground," said Margaret Henry, Vice President, Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at PepsiCo. "With this latest round of projects, we're not only fostering this powerful network of innovators across global farmland, but growing closer to achieving a more regenerative future, with farmers' insight at the forefront." Among the roster of 2023 projects, will be a project with Australian grain growers to test and validate soil health management practices to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions on-farm. In Colombia, funding will support increasing potato crop quality and yield by installing sprinkler irrigation systems that will also reduce water use. And, in collaboration with 3Keel, a UK-based landscape innovation firm, funding will help connect Europe-based organizations interested in supporting regenerative solutions with local farmland managers who can deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes. "Investing in pioneering agriculture projects is a key action in combatting the evolving climate crisis and setting farmers around the world, up for long-term success," shared Tom Curtis, Director, 3Keel Group Ltd. "Support from PepsiCo's PAO Accelerator will powerfully enable our team to work with local farmers across Europe to further broker the partnerships needed to accelerate climate action on the ground to strengthen agricultural supply chains for the long-term." Since its launch in 2021, the PAO Accelerator has supported diverse projects – from adopting efficient irrigation systems in response to increased drought, developing kilns to turn agricultural waste into fertilizer, improving soil health, and more. "Speaking from experience, prioritizing and investing in climate-smart innovation can uncover solutions for our entire global agricultural supply chain," said Chris Seymour, Seymour Farms, Canada, and 2022 PAO Accelerator funding recipient. "With support from PepsiCo's PAO Accelerator, my team gained new insights that helped improved soil health and profitability for my business, even as weather conditions became more unpredictable over time." As part of its pep+ transformation, PepsiCo's Positive Agriculture agenda prioritizes investment, innovation, and robust collaboration with our farming partners to deliver impact around the world. The scalable outcomes and ongoing investments in agricultural innovation via PepsiCo's PAO Accelerator continue to support the company's goal to spread the adoption of regenerative farming practices across 7 million acres by 2030, improve the livelihoods of more than 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain, and sustainably source 100% of its key ingredients. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1219/chinese-scientists-restore-black-soil-in-northeast-china.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1219/chinese-scientists-restore-black-soil-in-northeast-china.html Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:43:21 +0530 To curb the worsening situation, China has launched a campaign to protect the black soil, including passing a law on black soil conservation in June 2022 China has progressed rapidly and achieved remarkable results in the protection and utilisation of black soil. From 2020 to 2022 the area of ​​black soil conservation tillage in Northeast China has increased from 46 million mu to 83 million mu (approximately 33 million to 55 million hectors). Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Changchun has released a ‘Report on the Protection and Utilisation of Black Land in Northeast China (2022)’. To curb the worsening situation, China has launched a campaign to protect the black soil, including passing a law on black soil conservation in June 2022 and using scientific approaches. Scientists have used comprehensive methods like new machines and databases to sustainably increase the production of crops like soybean and protect the soil. Twenty-two key technologies have been formed to balance crop production needs and reverse the degradation of the black soil. The report shows that in 2022, the areas under conservation tillage in Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province, Liaoning Province, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will reach 25.5 million mu (16 laks hectares), 32.83 million mu (21 lakh hectares), 10 million mu (6 lakh hectares), and 14.4 million mu (9 lakh hectares), respectively. In 2022, a total of 56 overall promotion counties and 712 county-level and township-level high-standard application conservation tillage bases have been established in Northeast China and 25 counties have implemented an area of ​​more than 1 million mu (66,000 hectares). According to CAS, China's black soil is largely distributed in the country's northeast, covering the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning, and a part of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and has greatly contributed to agricultural production and protecting the respective ecosystems. The report selected and summarised 17 common key technologies for black soil protection and utilisation in 5 categories, including conservation tillage, soil fertility cultivation, soil degradation prevention and control, green and efficient crop cultivation, and cutting-edge technologies in Northeast China. These technologies have achieved remarkable results in black soil protection and high and stable crop yields in Northeast China. The report shows that since the beginning of the 20th century, more than 120 countries and regions around the world have participated in research on the theory of black soil. Currently, these studies focus on the occurrence and evolution of black soil, black soil conservation tillage, black soil crop planting, black soil carbon sequestration and climate change, black soil health and conservation, and soil environmental restoration. Liao Xiaoyong, a researcher at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, interpreted the report. Liao Xiaoyong said that the protective cultivation of black land in Northeast China has been spread from point to area and step by step, and the comprehensive agricultural economic and ecological effects brought by protective cultivation are gradually emerging. Shraddha Warde shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1163/lucent-bio-secures-patent-for-innovative-biodegradable-crop-nutrient-delivery-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1163/lucent-bio-secures-patent-for-innovative-biodegradable-crop-nutrient-delivery-technology.html Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:57:00 +0530 Water-insoluble biopolymers to provide a next-generation alternative for crop nutrition and signals a new era in agriculture, advancing global practices and innovations at fertilizer industry Lucent Bio, an industry leader in sustainable crop nutrition, has been granted a patent for its innovative biodegradable nutrient delivery technology (US Patent No. 11,691,928).  Transformative technologies like this signal a new era in agriculture, advancing global practices and creating opportunities for investments in the future. Lucent Bio is actively fostering fertilizer innovation with new biopolymer-based seed coatings and controlled-release NPK coatings under development that are plastic-free and biodegradable.  The patented technology fundamentally reimagines the delivery of nutrients, using water-insoluble biopolymers to provide a next-generation alternative for crop nutrition. This technological breakthrough is backed by rigorous scientific research and validation, marking a pioneering stride in the agri-tech industry.  The patented technology will be harnessed through AGT Soileos in Western Canada, a joint venture between Lucent Bio and AGT Foods, leveraging the collective expertise to support farmers in enhancing crop performance while prioritizing the long-term stewardship of natural resources. Peter Gross, Chief Technical Officer at Lucent Bio, says, "This patented technology redefines the concept of sustainable farming, by providing a fertilizer solution that is more efficient, environmentally responsible, and providing a better ROI for the farmer. The milestone places Lucent Bio at the forefront of agri-tech fertilizer innovation."  Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods shared that, with the completion of its Saskatchewan manufacturing facility, the company will be able to bring these smart fertilization solutions to local farmers. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1153/powerbridge-announces-joint-venture-in-fintech-for-chinas-agri-sector.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1153/powerbridge-announces-joint-venture-in-fintech-for-chinas-agri-sector.html Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:14:40 +0530 The Company aims to create a robust digital financial ecosystem that drives value creation and leverages China's Rural Revitalisation Initiative. Powerbridge Technologies, a provider of multi-industry technology solutions, has announced a strategic joint venture to establish Agro Digital Fintech Co., Ltd., a fintech and asset digitisation company focused on the agriculture and livestock farming industries. The Company aims to create a robust digital financial ecosystem that drives value creation and leverages China's Rural Revitalisation Initiative. The Initiative is a long-term development plan aimed at promoting economic growth, improving living standards, and addressing the challenges faced by rural areas in the country, including poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation, rural entrepreneurship, and improvement of social services. The Initiative is focused on bridging the economic and social gap between rural and urban areas, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing the overall well-being of rural communities. The market size brought by the Initiative is expected to reach approximately $4.5 Trillion by 2025. Agro Digital utilises advanced technologies such as IoT, blockchain, AI, and big data to build an innovative fintech platform that helps drive the digital transformation of the agriculture and livestock industries, enabling the digital encapsulation of production and transaction processes. By leveraging digital data, the Company assists customers in enhancing financial profiles and improving their access to credit and financial services. The platform also allows financial institutions and funders to gain a comprehensive understanding of customers' businesses, leading to more accurate risk assessments and tailored financial services solutions. Stewart Lor, CEO of Powerbridge Technologies commented, "We are delighted to launch Agro Digital to leverage on the huge market opportunities by the Initiative in the next few years. By utilising cutting-edge technologies and fostering financial inclusion, the Company can help empower rural communities and promote sustainable agricultural practices. We believe Agro Digital will contribute to our overall growth and bring value to our partners and investors." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1135/singapore-finc-announces-construction-of-edible-fungus-smart-factory-in-us.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1135/singapore-finc-announces-construction-of-edible-fungus-smart-factory-in-us.html Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:11:58 +0530 The Company aim for full production a year after construction commences Singapore Finc and Huayuan Food Group jointly announce the construction of the first U.S.-based edible fungus smart factory. Located in Houston, Texas, the joint venture will result in the daily production of 50 tons of American Enoki mushrooms to help ease the United States' long-term dependence on mushroom imports as the demand for healthy edible fungi grows with healthier eating habits. The smart factory will leverage advanced technical operations for the sustainable development of edible fungus, with operations focused on soilless, chemical-free, and environmentally-friendly practices. Singapore Finc is a subsidiary of Shanghai Finc Biotechnology Co., LTD, and Huayuan Food Group is one of the largest Chinese brand operators in the U.S. Asian food market. The collaboration for the Houston-based smart factory demonstrates support for the surging mushroom industry and an open attitude to expanding production internationally.  The factory is planning to be fully operational one year after construction begins. In addition to the smart factory, Finc will continue to expand its Freshmore brand's growing influence and build a plan for brand globalisation. Freshmore is a high-quality mushroom grown in China that has been exported to 57 countries and is considered to be China's leading enterprise of edible fungi industrialisation. Edible fungi are the third type of organism, after plants and animals, that contain various nutrients that play a vital role in the human body. In recent years, biotechnology studies have shown that mushrooms have great potential to block bitterness, inhibit sugar absorption, and produce high-quality protein. Edible fungi emerged as a healthy food with high protein and low calories. Despite being one of the largest consumer markets in the world with a growing edible mushroom trend, the U.S. lacks the production technology to grow edible fungi—hence the country's reliance on mushroom imports which elevates the price. Finc's new Houston smart factory will alleviate this issue for the U.S., bringing production to the country and lowering prices. After 20 years of development, Finc is considered the pioneer of factory cultivation of the white jade mushroom and crab mushroom in China. The company has applied for more than 190 invention and utility model patents. The white jade mushroom and crab mushroom produced by Finc is among the best-selling fresh mushrooms in China, and its international brand Freshmore has been world-renown for more than 10 years. Finc plans to continue its global expansion by further deepening cooperation between enterprises, universities and scientific research institutions, and working together to support the world's edible fungi industry. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1115/bedrock-announces-new-vertical-farming-infrastructure-in-detroit.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1115/bedrock-announces-new-vertical-farming-infrastructure-in-detroit.html Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:26:03 +0530 An estimated 2.2 million pounds of fresh vegetables, including Lettuces, Petite Greens, Microgreens and Herbs would be produced year-round Bedrock, based in Detroit and Vertical Harvest, a community-oriented indoor farming company, announced plans to explore the development of Vertical Harvest Detroit. Situated within Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighbourhood, the proposed 60,000 square-foot structure would stand 74 feet tall and feature a 205,000 square-foot growing canopy that utilises hydroponic, vertical and controlled environmental agricultural practices. An estimated 2.2 million pounds of fresh vegetables, including Lettuces, Petite Greens, Microgreens and Herbs would be produced year-round. With its feed locals’ first philosophy, Vertical Harvest would commit more than 70 per cent of the food grown at its proposed Detroit location within 100 miles of the city. This will essentially eliminate long-distance transportation issues and offer preference to local and regional distributors, as well as community institutions. "Food insecurity is one of the most pressing urban problems nationally," said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock. "In Detroit, a significant portion of the population does not have easy access to fresh produce. Most importantly, Vertical Harvest products will be made accessible to civic institutions for quick and efficient delivery to our neighbourhoods. The partnership with Vertical Harvest is another way that Bedrock will continue to extend our positive impact beyond the downtown core." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1111/chinas-seawater-rice-technology-continues-to-make-new-breakthroughs.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1111/chinas-seawater-rice-technology-continues-to-make-new-breakthroughs.html Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:28:18 +0530 The cultivation of a new salt-tolerant hybrid rice variety, 'ingjing', which is first-class high-quality, resistant to bacterial blight and yields more than 400 kg per 650 square meters under a salinity of 3 per cent China's saline-alkali-tolerant rice technology has continuously made new breakthroughs. China’s Hainan province harvested the first batch of Salt-Alkali-Resistant Rice. The output of a new variety of saline-alkali-resistant rice is 540.49 kilograms per 650 square meters. For the first time, Hainan province cultivated saline-alkali-resistant rice or seawater rice. China’s National Salt-Alkali-Tolerant Rice Technology Innovation Centre has developed a few varieties of salt-alkali tolerance of rice and the centre is developing more varieties of seawater rice. China is taking the initiative for the food security of the country which has been threatened by rising sea levels. According to the government media, in recent years National Salt-Alkali-Tolerant Rice Technology Innovation Centre continued to make breakthroughs in salt-tolerant rice output, with yield in 2019 reaching 295 kilograms per 650 square meters.  In 2021 it increased to 590 kilograms per 650 square meters and in 2022 maximum yield reached 691 kilograms per square meter.   In a span of the last 10 years, China’s seawater rice harvesting area has increased. In 2022 it has reached over 66,000 hectares, by the end of 2021 the planting area was 40,000 hectares. 10 provinces in China such as the northeast’s Heilongjiang, Shangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the east, Northwest China's Xinjiang region, and North China's Inner Mongolia region are cultivating seawater rice. Tang Wenbang, director of the National Saline-Alkali-Tolerance Rice Technology Innovation Centre informed about the progress of research in saline-alkali-alkali-tolerant rice. He said, “These achievements include more research of the key gene STRK1 has significantly improved the salt-alkali tolerance of rice. The cultivation of a new salt-tolerant hybrid rice variety, 'ingjing', which is first-class high-quality, resistant to bacterial blight and yields more than 400 kg per 650 square meters under a salinity of 3 per cent. Another variety Liangyou 326 has entered the national production test, which can meet the demand for varieties developed and utilised in coastal saline-alkali lands in southeast and southern China. The use of the third-generation hybrid species of indica and japonica yields more than 300 kg per 650 square meters under 6 per cent salinity. A new combination of salt-tolerant hybrid rice Sanyou 9; a special fertiliser for salt-resistant rice Jinkuizi compound microbial fertiliser was developed and the average yield increased by 19.6 per cent compared with the control in 11 experimental demonstration sites for two consecutive years. Saline-alkali-tolerant rice has strong adaptability. It is not only resistant to saline-alkali, but also resistant to wind, waterlogging, and pests and diseases. In the future, it can turn more barren beaches into fertile fields and better protect national food security. Compared with ordinary rice fields, the yield of rice in saline-alkali fields is lower, but the taste of rice is better than that of ordinary rice fields, the nutritional value of saline-alkali-tolerant rice is extremely high, and the content of trace elements such as calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium is higher than that of ordinary rice fields. White rice is 2 to 3 times higher, and its sugar conversion rate is relatively low in the human body, which is very suitable for people with diabetes and high blood sugar. China has over 6 lakh hectares of saline-alkali land with rice planting potential, which is an important strategic reserve of cultivated land. The cultivation and application of saline-alkali-tolerant rice varieties and supporting key technologies, based on the output of 300 kg 650 square meters, 6 lakh hectares of saline-alkali land can increase the annual production of rice by 30 billion kg, feed an additional 80 million people. This can fulfil the Chinese rice bowl and comprehensively utilising saline-alkali land is an important way to implement the strategy of storing grain in the land. Shraddha Warde shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1104/cp-foodss-chicken-gets-ready-for-the-space-mission-improving-food-safety-standards-for-astronauts.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1104/cp-foodss-chicken-gets-ready-for-the-space-mission-improving-food-safety-standards-for-astronauts.html Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:28:58 +0530 The company is collaborating with Nanoracks LLC and Mu Space and Advanced Technology Co., Ltd. Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) is embarking on a stellar new venture: sending the chicken into space as part of the Thai Food – Mission to Space program. The company is collaborating with two global partners, Nanoracks LLC, the US leading provider of space innovation, and mu Space and Advanced Technology Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of space technology solutions in Southeast Asia, to send chicken to space. This spearheads a unique initiative to elevate Thai chicken's safety standards to those required for space-grade food - some of the strictest known to mankind. The chicken products associated with the project will be subjected to rigorous certification processes to ensure compliance with stringent space safety standards, thus making them astronaut-friendly. The realisation of this endeavour will be an important milestone for CP Foods, solidifying the global recognition and compliance of their chicken's safety standards with the demanding Space Food Safety Standards. This aligns with NASA's uncompromising food safety requirements, boosting Thailand's national pride for adhering to the most elevated safety standards worldwide. Alongside this revolutionary initiative, CP Foods will host a forum titled ‘Thai Food - Mission to Space,’ which will bring together international experts to discuss the elevation of Thai food to space-level safety standards. This forum will examine the significance of meeting space standards for Thai food, the innovations transforming the Thai livestock industry, and the sector's future implications. The forum's speakers include former NASA astronaut Michael Massimino, former NASA food scientist Vickie Kloeris, and several highly respected individuals from the scientific, medical, and livestock development sectors.  Prasit Boondoungprasert, CEO of CP Foods, asserted that this groundbreaking initiative showcases the company's commitment to the safety of its chicken meat, positioning it among the world's most trusted meat brands. The quest to achieve Space Food Safety Standards is anticipated to bring immense national pride to Thailand. "At CP Foods, our top priority is food safety and quality. Our collaborations with experts like NANORACKS LLC and MU Space have cemented our readiness to demonstrate that Thai chicken adheres to space-level safety standards. Our chickens will be subjected to rigorous safety and quality standards checks, including exhaustive inspections for residues and contaminants as per NASA's requirements," said CEO Prasit. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1091/corteva-opens-first-regional-integrated-rd-centre-in-germany.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1091/corteva-opens-first-regional-integrated-rd-centre-in-germany.html Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:26:00 +0530 With almost €6m of investment, the expansion of the R&D site in Eschbach, Germany, enables Corteva Agriscience to conduct state-of-the-art crop protection studies Corteva Agriscience has opened its first combined crop protection and seed research laboratory in EMEA, helping drive innovation and deliver sustainable solutions for farmers. With almost €6m of investment, the expansion of the R&D site in Eschbach, Germany, enables Corteva Agriscience to conduct state-of-the-art crop protection studies to help develop solutions which protect crops from pests and diseases. In addition, the research centre is energy-efficient with zero emissions from wastewater in line with Corteva Agriscience’s sustainability commitment. The integrated site accommodates three R&D functions focused on seed product development to create more stress-tolerant and climate change-resilient crops; molecular biology with a genotyping lab supporting seed purity testing; and crop protection discovery and development to meet sustainability objectives. Bringing plant breeding and Crop Protection Field Sciences together also facilitates the development of new methods, such as digital trial evaluation with drones, remote sensing and the use of molecular biology to understand the susceptibility of plant diseases to new mode-of-actions. Located in southwestern Germany at the border of France and Switzerland, the site is a key R&D location for the entire EMEA region and provides an excellent base to conduct field trials in almost all relevant European crops. It is fully incorporated into Corteva’s global lab network and is complementary to other laboratories in the U.S. The Eschbach facility will also provide a boost for the local economy, not only through the move of European research programs to the site but also by employing more than 30 scientists and support staff, including experts for pest, disease and weed management. Elliot Heffner, Corteva Agriscience Plant Breeding Leader, Europe, said, “Our investment in the new Eschbach R&D centre reflects our commitment to deliver innovative solutions to farmers that improve productivity and contribute to a resilient and sustainable global food system “In keeping with our sustainability vision, we remain unwavering in our commitment to develop and deploy innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions for the greater good of our customers, consumers and the communities we serve.” Andreas Huber, Corteva Agriscience Field Sciences Leader, EMEA, added, “This new site will enable us to continue innovating, supporting farmers as they move to more sustainable practices. “Corteva Agriscience is committed to protecting the environment while providing farmers with the products they need to protect their crops. With consumer demand growing for crop protection products of natural origin, Eschbach will also focus on biologicals and their efficacy against European pests and diseases.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1075/cult-food-science-announces-ai-partnership-for-taste-optimisation-in-cultivated-foods.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1075/cult-food-science-announces-ai-partnership-for-taste-optimisation-in-cultivated-foods.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:42:15 +0530 A new partnership with Alcheme Bio leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate cellular agriculture products to market CULT Food Science Corp. announced a partnership with Alcheme Bio to utilise a flavour optimisation platform to accelerate the development of cellular agriculture products for the Company and its portfolio companies. Alcheme Bio's proprietary approach utilises artificial intelligence and machine learning to revolutionise how cultured product companies optimise for flavour and nutrition. Experience targets are determined early in development which significantly reduces R&D time and costs while machine learning is utilised to design the best taste experiences and determine how those tastes should be implemented in development. The outcome is products that consumers love to eat which is vital in ensuring the adoption of cultivated meats, dairies and other cell-cultivated foods. "When it comes to food, taste and cost are king. Regardless of how sustainable a product may be, something that tastes amazing is key for cultivated foods to be adopted. The production process is multistage, and continuous improvement is a pivotal part of high-quality manufacturing and that's why we're a big supporter of what Alcheme Bio is doing" said Lejjy Gafour, CEO of CULT. "Flavoring is an afterthought for most cultivated companies right now because of the limitations of today's flavouring approaches. Alcheme Bio is pioneering a unique approach to flavouring that reduces R&D costs instead of increasing them. We're excited to be building out our platform in partnership with CULT." said Vanessa Small, CEO at Alcheme Bio. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1068/mindanao-coffee-project-sets-to-roll-out-in-support-of-robusta-growers.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1068/mindanao-coffee-project-sets-to-roll-out-in-support-of-robusta-growers.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:23:37 +0530 The project will directly benefit Mindanao coffee growers who produce coffee as a single crop Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) and Nestle Philippines inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to jointly establish and implement the DA x Nestle Mindanao Robusta Coffee Project, which will allow farmers to gain access to various farm inputs, training, and marketing opportunities. The project will directly benefit Mindanao coffee growers who produce coffee as a single crop or intercrop it with coconut and other suitable high-value commodities. Through the collaboration of DA and Nestle, an improvement in coffee farm management and farmer’s entrepreneurial methods is expected. Initiatives towards the advancement of regenerative agricultural approaches will also be undertaken to ultimately enhance the production and yield of green beans, and increase farmers’ income. Under the MOA, DA through its High-Value Crops Development Program will provide support to ensure the productivity and income of the Robusta coffee growers of Mindanao. These include the provision of various farm inputs such as fertilizer, equipment for tree rehabilitation, postharvest facilities, capacity-building initiatives and training. Under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, DA will provide market support, hauling and transport, and will facilitate business development services. The Department will also establish an Integrated Coffee Centre in Sultan Kudarat to serve as a venue for upskilling. Equipped with processing and value-adding facilities, the Centre will serve as a hub for quality excellence and ensure the sustainable implementation of the project. For its part, Nestle will pool a group of agronomists and technicians who will serve as resource persons in the series of capacity-building training sessions for agricultural extension workers. This will ensure that the farmers will meet and comply with the applicable quality standards for coffee products. The project is composed of four parts namely: Integrated Coffee Nutrient Management Research for Development; Coffee Productivity (fertiliser support); Capacity-building; and Establishment of Integrated Coffee Centre. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1065/australias-new-soil-practitioner-accreditation-hits-the-ground-running.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1065/australias-new-soil-practitioner-accreditation-hits-the-ground-running.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:23:20 +0530 The Registered Soil Practitioner (RSP) accreditation, which was developed by Soil Science Australia in collaboration with soil scientists, industry, government Australia’s Farmers and land managers can have more confidence in soil practitioner knowledge thanks to a new $1 million accreditation funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Registered Soil Practitioner (RSP) accreditation, which was developed by Soil Science Australia in collaboration with soil scientists, industry, government and land and natural resource managers, opened for applications on 22 May. The RSP accreditation recognises the expertise of soil practitioners like agronomists, national resource management (Landcare) officers, consultants and others working in the soil space. It gives farmers and land managers confidence in the competence, ability and integrity of the practitioner they have engaged. Nick Blong, First Assistant Secretary of the Sustainability, Climate and Strategy Division, said the accreditation would help soil professionals enhance and standardise their expertise across Australia. “RSP accreditation can be achieved through training, mentoring, workforce experience or recognition for prior learning,” he said. “For those working in soil-related industries, the accreditation will build knowledge, enhance career pathways, and ensure professionals can provide practical and scientifically valid advice to farmers and other land managers. “It helps address a gap in accreditation and training between university-educated soil scientists and those who have developed their soil expertise through practical, hands-on knowledge of soil.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1064/ams-osram-unveils-enhanced-oslon-optimal-horticultural-led-series.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1064/ams-osram-unveils-enhanced-oslon-optimal-horticultural-led-series.html Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:23:09 +0530 The use of the OSLON Optimal Red helps prevent photobleaching in some plant varieties ams OSRAM has extended its OSLON Optimal family of horticultural lighting LEDs with a new 640 nm Red LED, which enables indoor farmers to produce faster and healthier plant growth.Providing broader coverage of the red portion of the spectrum, the new 640 nm Red LED joins the 660 nm Hyper Red and 730 nm Far Red in the OSLON Optimal family, which also includes a 450 nm Deep Blue LED and a horti white LED. It has been common practice in horticulture to illuminate crops with a mix of 660 nm, 450 nm and 730 nm, or 660 nm and white LEDs for plants that require full-spectrum light. Initial research conducted by Wageningen University on behalf of ams OSRAM shows that a double red peak (640 nm and 660 nm) in combination with horti white increases the dried biomass level in indoor growing environments.In addition, the use of the OSLON Optimal Red helps prevent photobleaching in some plant varieties. Experience shows that it can also prevent the incidence of fungal and bacterial infection in leafy greens such as basil. The new OSLON Optimal Red product can play an important part in raising energy efficiency and reducing the cost of electric power in all horticultural lighting applications, including greenhouse toplighting and interlighting, and vertical farming. Producing 3.53 µmol/J, it achieves a very high wall plug efficiency of 66.3 per cent. The LED’s radiant flux is 485 mW, and photon flux is 2.58 µmol/s. The peak wavelength is 640 nm and the dominant wavelength is 630 nm. Thomas Grebner, Marketing Manager at ams OSRAM, said, ‘The discovery of new recipes that include a double red peak of Hyper Red and Red is helping growers produce more biomass and maintain superior plant health. With the introduction of the OSLON Optimal Red LED, horticultural lighting equipment manufacturers can achieve very high levels of efficiency and reliability.’ ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1070/the-savanna-institute-launches-tree-crop-improvement-program.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1070/the-savanna-institute-launches-tree-crop-improvement-program.html Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:42:00 +0530 $12.7 million in grants will fund tree crop breeding to improve varieties for Midwestern farmers who want to diversify their operations with perennial crops The Savanna Institute, the Grantham Environmental Trust, and the Matthew Zell Family Foundation announced the launch of a Tree Crop Improvement Program to develop varieties of key nut, fruit, and timber crops for farmers and markets. The $12.7 million in grant funding supports the first three years of an expansion in Savanna Institute's efforts to equip farmers with the resilient, productive tree crops needed to increase the number of farms practising agroforestry, which is the integration of trees, crops, and livestock in regenerative systems. "We're working to make tree crops more climate resilient and market viable for farmers who want to adopt agroforestry," said Keefe Keeley, Executive Director of the Savanna Institute, a nonprofit based in Wisconsin and Illinois. "Our partnership with these visionary foundations begins to level the playing field for farmers who want to grow tree crops for the betterment of their farms, of our communities, and of the climate."  The funding allows the Savanna Institute to establish one-of-a-kind breeding populations for key nut, fruit and timber crops, and apply cutting-edge plant breeding techniques to develop improved varieties. Seven perennial crops were selected based on their ecological resilience, economic viability, and scalability for US markets: chestnuts, hazelnuts, elderberry, black currants, black locust, persimmon, and mulberry. Chestnuts and hazelnuts are high-value nut crops with a growing demand that outstrips the current domestic supply. Elderberry and black currants are nutritious small fruit crops that mature relatively quickly compared to other perennial crops, allowing for faster returns on investment. Black locust, persimmon, and mulberry are all trees that grow calorie-dense livestock fodder, making them ideal for silvopasture systems, which are animal pastures that incorporate trees. Farmers use agroforestry to diversify their operations in multiple ways: planting trees and shrubs along field edges as windbreaks, integrating trees in managed pastures for forage, or planting trees in widely spaced rows between alleys of annual crops, which allows farms to benefit from both annual and perennial crop production. The Savanna Institute and its funders anticipate that improved tree crop genetics will increase the adoption of these types of beneficial agroforestry practices, which scientists consistently rank among the most viable and efficient climate solutions available in the US. Learn more about agroforestry at www.savannainstitute.org. "Agroforestry systems have major untapped potential to not only sequester significant amounts of carbon, but also provide numerous other climate, food security, and conservation benefits to our agricultural systems. We are excited to support Savanna Institute's leadership in agroforestry as they boost the possibilities for tree crops," said Maki Tazawa, Program Officer for the Grantham Foundation. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1039/philippines-researchers-drives-technology-to-preserve-fruit-freshness.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1039/philippines-researchers-drives-technology-to-preserve-fruit-freshness.html Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:20:00 +0530 The novel technology Fruitect® consists of edible coating formulations that delay the ripening of mangoes and bananas University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-based inventors founded HS InnoTech, Inc. (HSII) to manufacture products that make fresh fruit last longer. The technology named Fruitect® consists of edible coating formulations that delay the ripening of mangoes and bananas. Unlike petroleum wax coatings, Fruitect® is biodegradable because it is made from agricultural waste such as peels and leaves. Carabao mangoes stored at room temperature (28°C–31°C) turn ripe and sweet five to six days after harvesting, but when mangoes are coated with Fruitect®, the fruits ripen after 10 or more days. At cooler storage temperatures, the Fruitect®-coated fruits ripen after 20 days. On the other hand, Lakatan bananas stored at room temperature turn ripe and ready to eat six or more days after harvesting, while bananas coated with Fruitect® start to ripen after 20 days. The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) awarded HSII the Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) in 2022 to start the operation of its pilot plant located in UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna. The grant enabled the fabrication of support structures and test runs to produce Fruitect® up to 300 liters. Dr. Veronica Sabularse and Dr. Hidelisa Hernandez, inventors of Fruitect®, cite their technology as a solution to two common problems of agriculture: post-harvest life extension and agricultural waste utilization. “By preserving the freshness of fruits sold to consumers, the technology promises better earnings and improved livelihood of our local farmers,” they explained. The new pilot plant will be producing Fruitect® in liquid form, which is ready to apply to whole fresh fruits. Moreover, Fruitect® will also be available as a wettable powder for easier packaging, distribution, and longer shelf life. HSII is now exploring ways on how to cut production costs. SEARCA Director Glenn Gregorio shared the impact of Fruitect®’s technology. “This nature-based coating technology significantly contributes to reducing food wastage and preserving fruit exports.” The development of Fruitect® was initially funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) to apply nanotechnology in creating new materials for commercialization. HSII reported that it is now ready to sell its Fruitect® formulation for Carabao mangoes. Groceries, fruit processors, retailers, and consumers will soon have a greener way of keeping produce fresh longer. Fruitect® for Lakatan banana will also be for sale soon ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1040/mustgrow-bio-ag-product-strategies-collaborates-to-develop-soil-amendment-biofertility-technologies.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1040/mustgrow-bio-ag-product-strategies-collaborates-to-develop-soil-amendment-biofertility-technologies.html Thu, 08 Jun 2023 11:16:45 +0530 Initially, the development work is anticipated to progress in Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona, before expanding nationwide across the United States. Canada based MustGrow Biologics Corp. has announced the signing of a Contract Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Oregon-based Bio Ag Product Strategies to develop and commercialize MustGrow’s soil amendment and biofertility technologies, including TerraSanteTM. The Agreement is a non-exclusive contract, leaving MustGrow the ability to seek commercial collaborations and funding partnerships. MustGrow recently outlined its soil amendment (“Soil Amendment) and biofertility (“Biofertility”) development programs, and working with Bio Ag Product Strategies to develop and commercialize these technologies demonstrates the Company’s positive progression in those areas.  Bio Ag Product Strategies has tremendous knowledge and a great track record of working with organizations to help develop, market, and target key retailers and farmers.  MustGrow’s Soil Amendment and Biofertility development programs will focus on soil and soil microbiome health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields.  Initially, the development work is anticipated to progress in Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona, before expanding nationwide across the United States. Tim Lichatowich, Bio Ag Product Strategies owner, “Our industry needs new innovations that can support food production in both conventional and organic agriculture and I believe that MustGrow’s technologies can add a lot of value.  The main fruit and vegetable regions of the U.S. are under constant pressure to ban and/or reduce the use of synthetic products, and being able to work with a natural product is promising for commercial-scale adoption.” Throughout 2022, MustGrow engaged in market research, formulation activities, and prospective partnership discussions, and has added Soil Amendment and Biofertility programs to its growing global intellectual property portfolio which now covers: preplant biocontrol, postharvest food preservation and now Soil Amendment and Biofertility applications. MustGrow believes this Soil Amendment and Biofertility initiative will concurrently be developed alongside its other programs in biocontrol, which include preplant soil fumigation, postharvest food preservation, and bioherbicide, which are currently under development with four global partners: Janssen PMP, Bayer, Sumitomo Corporation, and NexusBioAg. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1023/china-embraces-big-data-based-unmanned-farms-to-reduce-costs-and-enhance-agri-land-use.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/1023/china-embraces-big-data-based-unmanned-farms-to-reduce-costs-and-enhance-agri-land-use.html Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:55:43 +0530 The application of Beidou’s big data in the field of agricultural production continues to advance In China, unmanned farms based on Beidou’s big data technology were developed rapidly in 2022. The China Satellite Navigation and Positioning Association recently released the 2023 'White Paper on the Development of China's Satellite Navigation and Location Service Industry’ in Beijing. The service scope and service forms of Beidou's big data in the agricultural field will continue to expand, as per the white paper. 13 provinces across the country have started the construction of 26 unmanned farms, with significant cost savings and efficiency gains, an average increase of 30 per cent for every 60 square metres, a 60 per cent reduction in labour costs, a 50 per cent increase in agricultural machinery operation efficiency and energy saving 50 per cent, effectively improving the efficiency of agricultural production and the level of information, modernisation and intelligence.  In 2022, domestic agricultural machinery equipped with Beidou terminals played an important role in grain production throughout the year. During the summer harvest season and the autumn grain harvest stage, more than 50,000 and 12,000 Beidou-based harvesters operated across regions, covering Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Anhui and other major wheat, rice and corn crops. In production areas, the 2,000 trillion pieces of Beidou agricultural machinery big data have strongly supported the smooth implementation of cross-regional operations and significantly improved agricultural production efficiency. By the end of 2022, Hebei, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Xinjiang and other regions had promoted and applied about 300,000 Beidou terminals in the agricultural field. Among them, the  Beidou self-driving tractors t sowed cotton in Xinjiang,  operating on more than 600 acres per day, improving land use efficiency by 10 per cent and raising the cotton harvesting rate in Xinjiang to 80 per cent. In the fourth quarter of 2022, nearly 1.6 million Beidou terminals of various types were promoted and applied in the agricultural field and the annual operating area has reached more than 60 million mu. Among them, more than 170,000 units/sets of automatic driving systems for agricultural machinery were applied, more than 1.33 million units/sets of remote maintenance and positioning terminals were applied, and more than 90,000 units/sets of onboard terminal equipment for fishing boats were applied. Beidou is China's largest civilian satellite system and one of four global navigation networks, along with the United States GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo. Since 2000, 60 Beidou satellites, including the first four experimental ones, were launched on 45 Long March 3 series rockets from Xichang, in Sichuan province. In July 2020, the system began providing full-scale global services. Currently, there are 46 Beidou satellites in active service.  A decline in the enthusiasm of farmers for growing grain, low income in agriculture and the ageing population of rural areas were serious issues mentioned in China Agricultural and Rural Development Report 2020. Agricultural experts in China suggested that unmanned farms can solve these problems by helping reduce labour and improving agricultural production efficiency. With the rapid development of agricultural science technology, the concept of unmanned farms has become important. In China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021- 2025) policymakers decided to develop 13 high-quality urban agriculture development pilot zones. Compared with traditional agricultural operations, agricultural machinery with unmanned driving systems saves more than two kilograms of seeds per 60 square meters, increases production by about 10 kilograms per 60 square meters and reduces fuel costs by over 50 per cent. The labour costs were reduced by more than 65 per cent, and the land utilisation rate increased by 0.5 to one per cent. Shraddha Warde shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/995/global-horticulture-suppliers-greenv-acquires-green-simplicity.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/995/global-horticulture-suppliers-greenv-acquires-green-simplicity.html Mon, 29 May 2023 10:06:44 +0530 Group takes major stride forward by adding in-house knowledge and technology for crop-specific research and daylight-free cultivation. GreenV, the internationally operating group of horticulture suppliers, will acquire a 100% stake in Green Simplicity, a Netherlands-based relatively young knowledge and technology company founded in 2014. Green Simplicity Research offers research systems that enable clients to determine the ideal growth conditions for crop cultivation in a fully controlled environment. The primary focus of Green Simplicity Concepts is on the development of concepts and the implementation of large-scale controlled daylight-free agricultural systems. Green Simplicity Research's research systems let growers and breeders test the performance of their own crops in a (fully) controlled environment with a variety of variables, like LED lighting, humidity, irrigation, CO2 and temperature. Using a single variable such as dehumidification or lighting, or a fully controlled environment in an automated multi-layered cultivation system without daylight, Green Simplicity Concepts can offer a suitable solution for production upscaling. The acquisition will enable GreenV to acquire a comprehensive set of knowledge and technology which it will use in the development of new cultivation concepts aimed at maximizing crop yields by utilizing a variety of innovations in automation, climate control, lighting and software. These innovations will accelerate crop growth and yield in both environments with and without daylight (conventional greenhouses and indoor farms). A new innovative 'hub' within GreenV, Green Simplicity will collaborate closely with the indoor farming activities, as well as other group companies: Prins Group and Prins USA (greenhouse construction), Stolze (installation engineering), HT Verboom (internal transport systems), Voshol Warmte- en Elektrotechniek and JV Energy Solutions (climate and installation engineering). Wessel van Paassen, founder and director of Green Simplicity, said "Collaboration with these companies opens up unprecedented opportunities for the future. In the past, we have worked with HT Verboom on several projects, so we were already familiar with GreenV. Currently, we are a small knowledge, data, and technology company. By joining GreenV, we not only gain access to a wide range of relationships and potential clients, but also are able to deliver and scale up our concepts and test environments on site for clients". ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/986/new-crispr-technology-creates-enterprise-scale-gene-editing-tools-for-agri-biotechnology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/986/new-crispr-technology-creates-enterprise-scale-gene-editing-tools-for-agri-biotechnology.html Thu, 25 May 2023 11:49:00 +0530 Pairwise’s Fulcrum™ Platform creates custom gene editing tools will help accelerate innovation in agricultural product portfolios, supply chains, and production systems. Pairwise, a health-focused food and agriculture company, launched its FulcrumTM Platform today. Using proprietary CRISPR technology along with custom gene editing tools, Pairwise will be able to make complex changes to plant genetics quickly and successfully, leading to innovative enterprise-scale applications. With this game-changing platform approach, Pairwise applies it to both its own ConsciousTM Foods brand and to the products of its business partners. Pairwise is among the first companies in the world to commercialize food developed using CRISPR gene editing technology. “With the Fulcrum platform, we can make small genetic changes that deliver big product impacts. We call this approach the Seismic Tweak,” said Ian Miller, Chief Development Officer at Pairwise.  In May 2023, Pairwise launched its first branded product, Conscious™ Greens, in the food service channel through a partnership with Performance Food Group. Additionally, via a five-year partnership with Bayer, Pairwise used the Fulcrum platform to identify nearly 200 unique gene sequences that can be changed to improve productivity and disease resistance across a variety of row crops, including a unique target in corn that has increased kernel rows by up to 20%.  Pairwise unique CRISPR intellectual property (IP), enables the company to edit genes more effectively than other companies in the market, helping it evolve to become an industry-leading tool. Novel Pairwise-developed technologies that underpin the Fulcrum platform include REDRAW™, or RNA-encoded DNA replacement of alleles with CRISPR, a precise templated editing toolbox that can make any type of small edit at CRISPR-targeted sites. Another tool is SHARC™, a proprietary enzyme that works well for cutting, base editing, and REDRAW editing. This is a combination that’s created a foundational, game-changing genome editing toolkit. SHARC, REDRAW, and Pairwise’s other proprietary base-editing tools allow for precise changes at virtually any location in a genome, an approach that holds huge potential not only in agriculture but in other fields as well, such as medicine. Anchored by the Fulcrum Platform and the company’s deep technical and agronomic expertise in over 60 crops, Pairwise is leading the way in genetics-based innovation in plants and plant-based systems. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/968/indias-iotechworld-avigation-expands-operations-aimed-at-delivering-agri-drones.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/968/indias-iotechworld-avigation-expands-operations-aimed-at-delivering-agri-drones.html Mon, 22 May 2023 16:33:57 +0530 Aims to launch 7 new remote pilot training organisations (RPTOs) in 5 states; Regional Training and Service center to be launched by July 2023 to serve burgeoning agri-drones market IoTechWorld Avigation, India’s leading agri-drone manufacturer, are setting up 7 remote pilot training organisations (RPTOs) in 5 states by 23 July forecasting a sale of 3,000 drones in FY'23-24, up from 500 in the last fiscal. IoTechWorld Avigation is India’s 1st drone manufacturing firm to obtain DGCA Type Certificate (TC) for agri-drone AGRIBOT. Recently, company unveiled its plans to expand product line with the launch of a new type of agri-drone. The company has already showcased a more compact version of its famous drone AGRIBOT. The company has collaboration with several universities and other institutions for RPTOs. The new RPTOs are expected to collaborate with prominent organisations. To provide after-sales service and expansion of its network, IoTechWorld will also open a new service center for agri-drone in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Deepak Bhardwaj, Co-founder & Director said, “During the June month three more RPTOs in Gurugram (Haryana), Chikballapur (Karnataka), and Samastipur (Bihar) will begin operation. Remaining two in Rajamundary and Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, will begin operations in July 2023. For the operations at Gharaunda (Haryana) and Jobner (Rajasthan), Two of the upcoming RPTOs will be functional in May month". IoTechWorld has a presence in 12 states and will be expanding its footprints in newer geographies as well during the current fiscal. These RPTOs will have an annual capacity to train 360 budding drone pilots per location annually. The company has helped train 400+ pilots to date. In addition, IoTechWorld's drones soon to have more than 70 percent local components" he added.  Sharing about the manufacturing can distribution capacity, Anoop Upadhyay, Co-founder & Director of IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt Ltd said "We sold over 500 drones in the year 2022-23 and this year’s target is at least 3,000 drones. We have made a comprehensive plan to meet the target and even surpass it. Opening 7 new Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) will help IoTechWorld Avigation to train more pilots who can operate the drones safely and efficiently". "We are aiming to strengthen IoTechWorld position in the agri-drone market in India while providing job opportunities for rural youths. We remains committed to providing high-quality agri- drones. By having more service centers, we target better customer service with reduce downtime for repairs or maintenance" explains Anoop Upadhyay. A large part of the company's strategy is to raise awareness about the benefits of using drones in agriculture. Agri-drones not only save time and money but also increase farm productivity. Drones can also be used in farming activities, such as spraying pesticides over crops, to benefit farmers' health. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/957/basf-kubota-and-zen-noh-collaborates-to-help-optimise-japans-rice-production.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/957/basf-kubota-and-zen-noh-collaborates-to-help-optimise-japans-rice-production.html Thu, 18 May 2023 11:44:18 +0530 It is anticipated that full integration between xarvio FIELD MANAGER and Kubota’s KSAS platform will be commercially available in Japan from spring 2024. BASF, Kubota and ZEN-NOH will collaborate to help improve and optimize rice production in Japan. The collaboration consists of two phases, beginning with the integration of BASF’s advanced xarvio® FIELD MANAGER crop optimization platform with Kubota’s state-of-the art KSAS operating platform to assess operability. By connecting xarvio FIELD MANAGER with Kubota’s powerful KSAS farming and service support system, the seamless transfer and use of xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s variable application maps for fertilization by KSAS compatible rice transplanters is realised, without the need for an added device for data transfer. It is anticipated that full integration between xarvio FIELD MANAGER and Kubota’s KSAS platform will be commercially available in Japan from spring 2024. The main aim of platform integration is to deliver greater convenience, increase yield, optimize fertilizer use, and provide a higher return on investment for farmers. This outcome would tackle many of the challenges affecting rice production in Japan, including an ageing workforce, labor shortages, and the consolidation of farmland. It would also help farmers become more sustainable, globally competitive and meet established fertilizer reduction targets listed in the country’s MeaDRI strategy for sustainable food systems. Phase two of the collaboration will test the performance of platform integration through field trials in rice crops, which will be managed by ZEN-NOH. The field trials will be held during the 2023 growing season and involve farmers experienced with using xarvio FIELD MANAGER, Kubota’s KSAS platform and its machinery. Here farmers will use the KSAS platform and Kubota rice transplanters to implement field-specific, xarvio FIELD MANAGER variable application maps for fertilization. The results of these new field trials will complement those achieved in more than 100 field trials conducted in rice crops last year by ZEN-NOH and BASF. In last year’s field trials, xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s variable application maps for fertilization were used and compared to standard fertilization application practices. By using xarvio FIELD MANAGER’s variable application maps, yield increases of between 15% to 20% were achieved, with an average fertilizer input reduction of 10% recorded. In some cases, depending on field conditions, fertilizer use was reduced by up to 50%. Konstantin Kretschun, Global Head of BASF Digital Farming, comments: “Rice farmers in Japan recognize the need to become more sustainable and globally competitive, while reducing environment impacts and meeting MeaDRI strategy targets. Climate smart farming technology provides a proven, effective and available solution to help them achieve these goals. By working closely with Kubota and our valued partner in ZEN-NOH to connect offerings, we can together deliver even greater value to farmers and positively transform rice production in Japan.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/953/ai-to-reduce-production-costs-and-shorten-time-to-market-for-cultivated-meat.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/953/ai-to-reduce-production-costs-and-shorten-time-to-market-for-cultivated-meat.html Thu, 18 May 2023 09:15:53 +0530 Israeli firms Aleph Farms and Enzymit are co-developing novel insulin substituents in microorganisms that can fulfill the function of proteins found naturally in animals Enzymit, a bioproduction platform company developing enzymatic manufacturing technology, has successfully developed insulin substitutes, in partnership with food technology company Aleph Farms, that can reduce the cost and development time for producing cultivated meat at scale. One of the most prohibitive expenses in scaling up cultivated meat production is developing non-animal-derived serum protein mimetics that promote and support cell growth. Such proteins are not widely available in the current market at the quantity, quality and cost necessary for large-scale production. Israeli firms Aleph Farms and Enzymit are co-developing novel insulin substituents in microorganisms that can fulfill the function of proteins found naturally in animals and do so with greater desired activity per molecule. "This innovation, combining Enzymit's outstanding protein design and experimental capabilities with our team's expertise in cellular agriculture, is helping to build the foundations for our sector to achieve cost-efficiency and long-term impact. Developing more suitable processing aids for the production of cultivated meat is imperative for driving economies of scale and taking cultivated meat mainstream" says Neta Lavon, PhD, CTO of Aleph Farms. The success of this collaboration opens the door to additional benefits, far beyond the cultivation of cow cells. As insulin is a highly conserved protein across mammals and other species, it has the potential to similarly influence the production of other cultivated meat types, such as porcine, ovine and poultry. "Aleph Farms has been an invaluable partner for this initiative, which can pave the way for more cost-efficient production of cultivated meat," said Gideon Lapidoth, PhD, CEO of Enzymit. "With recombinant proteins currently accounting for the overwhelming majority of cell culture costs, creating highly stable and more active insulin substituents can markedly reduce the cost of growth media and increase efficiency in producing cultivated meat at scale." Utilizing its proprietary computational design algorithms and high-throughput testing capabilities, Enzymit was able to quickly develop a variety of insulin substituents and experimentally assess their functionality. All those selected were soluble proteins expressed in E. coli and purified without requiring refolding, complex purification steps, or other treatments. Further screening resulted in several leading candidates exhibiting superior results in activity for cell culturing and requiring minimal concentration for activation. These new proteins, which demand notably fewer downstream purification and maturation processes, dramatically reduce production time and costs. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/949/start-up-nation-central-partners-with-microsoft-to-promote-israeli-agrifood-tech-startups.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/949/start-up-nation-central-partners-with-microsoft-to-promote-israeli-agrifood-tech-startups.html Thu, 18 May 2023 07:39:00 +0530 Collaboration aims to integrate innovative agricultural data companies with core technologies of AI, Cloud & Machine Learning with Microsoft's AI tools to develop models for optimal, sustainable agriculture across the value chain Start-Up Nation Central has collaborated with Microsoft to promote Israeli AgriFood Tech startups in the international marketplace. The collaboration focuses on connecting AI, data, cloud, and machine learning technologies from agricultural information to Microsoft's AI tools. In the first phase of the collaboration, Start-Up Nation Central and Microsoft will promote a series of tech challenges to propel mapping Israeli startups and relevant technologies within the AgriFood Tech sector. Together, Start-Up Nation Central and Microsoft will work to identify global AgriFood Tech challenges, with an emphasis on connecting AI technologies that can help develop durable models for optimal and sustainable agriculture across the entire value chain. Led by Microsoft AgriFood CTO Ranveer Chandra, the collaboration will identify relevant innovative companies in Israel that are using agricultural data for cutting edge applications. It will also examine how these technologies can be integrated into Microsoft's cloud-based agriculture-focused business tools. Israeli AgriFood Tech entrepreneurs will benefit from exposure to global opportunities through Microsoft's network of connections. Potential opportunities include collaborations with strategic partners, access to new markets, and showcasing market-ready technologies on a global scale. Start-Up Nation Central CEO, Avi Hasson said "Israel boasts over 250 leading cloud agriculture startups that offer fertile ground for innovation in this rapidly developing sector. The Israeli AgriFood Tech industry is well advanced in data, software, and connectivity, and offers incredible potential for Microsoft in the growing field of data-driven agriculture". The first two tech challenges are already underway with a focus on water management and sustainable agriculture. As part of these challenges, over 40 relevant Israeli startups were mapped, and two Israeli AgriFood-Tech companies– Projini (developers of innovative pesticide solutions) and Saturas (developers of a breakthrough sensor-based precision system for optimized irrigation) – were selected to collaborate with Microsoft at this event and have the opportunity to collaborate with Microsoft's global technology and investment teams. Start-Up Nation Central is a non-profit organization that connects Israeli innovation to the world in order to help international entities solve global challenges. Supported by the Israeli technology ecosystem, the organization provides a platform that nurtures business growth and generates partnerships with corporations, governments, investors, and NGOs to strengthen Israel's economy and society. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/946/oceanfarmr-coast-4c-to-develop-mobile-app-for-seaweed-farming.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/946/oceanfarmr-coast-4c-to-develop-mobile-app-for-seaweed-farming.html Tue, 16 May 2023 12:44:46 +0530 The first phase of the collaboration includes capturing and verifying seaweed conditions through the development of scoring methodologies based on photos Oceanfarmr and Coast 4C have announced a collaboration to develop mobile technologies to help improve the livelihoods of small-scale seaweed producers in Southeast Asia. The collaboration between tech startup Oceanfarmr and Coast 4C will centre on developing mobile technologies to accelerate the development of improved farm operations performance, finance, and ESG monetisation for seaweed farmers. The first phase of the collaboration includes capturing and verifying seaweed conditions through the development of scoring methodologies based on photos and manager reviews. This will enable future AI scoring and allow the more efficient and rapid collection of data on Coast 4C's R&D program on seaweed strains and methods. As part of the collaboration, Oceanfarmr will scope and develop a scoring methodology for encoding seaweed conditions within a farmer app, which will be used as the basis of an AI algorithm to be incorporated in the Oceanfarmr automated farm management app in future phases. The company will also scope, develop, test, and maintain the customisation and configuration to enable the methodology and test sensor data to aid quantity and quality analysis. Coast 4C will manage and maintain nurseries and field sites, provide prompt input to develop seaweed condition scoring, and source seed stock of known haplotypes and farming equipment and methods. The enterprise will also provide training for nursery managers, oversee implementation, report back learnings from field tests and perform basic carrageenan analysis and data analysis. Both Coast 4C and Oceanfarmr will review the requirements for a farmer app moving towards improved farm operations performance, farm finance, and ESG monetisation at the completion of each phase. The parties may also review the planned and achieved outcomes of the previous phase and scope out the next steps between the parties, which may include an incorporated joint venture. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/936/wmbt-holdings-triggers-digital-agriculture-revolution-promoting-transparent-investment-opportunities.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/936/wmbt-holdings-triggers-digital-agriculture-revolution-promoting-transparent-investment-opportunities.html Mon, 15 May 2023 10:54:37 +0530 A collaborative effort in Europe region is ensuring supply chain transparency and traceability to assist farmers, investors, and consumers by combining traditional agricultural expertise with digital technology Poland's Sandomierz City Government has collaborated with Swiss based WMBT International Investment Group through its Sad Sandomierski to pioneer a new era of digital agriculture. The collaboration aims to lead the Digital Agriculture Revolution to provide investors with transparent and sustainable investment opportunities in agriculture arena. WMBT Holdings and Poland's Sad Sandomierski have signed a cooperation agreement to list and finance the digital agriculture project on the GDE exchange. The collaborative effort not only ensures supply chain transparency and traceability. Farmers, investors, and consumers looking for environmentally friendly and responsible options will benefit from the digital agriculture project's alignment with sustainable agricultural practices and functional food products. Using digital technology and traditional agriculture expertise, the project democratizes access to agricultural investments and enables investors to actively contribute to sustainable agriculture. As one of the world's largest apple producers, Poland holds a 10% share of the global market due to its favorable climate, fertile soil, and extensive experience in apple farming. Using digital agriculture revolution as a platform, WMBT Holdings and the government of Sandomierz aim to change the apple industry in Poland and set new benchmarks for investment agriculture worldwide. Digital agriculture project aims to digitize 10 million apple trees in Sandomierz and create a digital investment platform. Investors can acquire part of the production of apple trees, including apple wine, apple chips, functional juices, etc., over a 10-year period. By purchasing bundles of digital assets, they will also be able to obtain carbon credits for thousands of hectares of orchards. The packages will be able to link a Polish (EU) citizen's digital identity, providing further benefits and opportunities. Sandomierz city government and WMBT Holdings have worked together to advance digital agriculture. Digital assets can facilitate sustainable development, improve investment transparency, and drive economic growth. Investing in digital agriculture will revolutionize the apple industry in Poland by setting a new standard for agricultural investments worldwide. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/935/china-emphasizes-investment-and-development-in-agricultural-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/935/china-emphasizes-investment-and-development-in-agricultural-technology.html Mon, 15 May 2023 09:51:43 +0530 Finds pooling resources for technological innovation, cultivate talent, and coordinate production, education, and research essential China is retrospecting its efforts to boost self-reliance and accelerate breakthroughs in agricultural technology to ensure National food security. In an inspection tour of east China's Jiangsu Province, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong said that Agricultural technologies need to meet the diversified demand for development across all agricultural sectors. Liu stressed that technological innovation plays a critical role in agricultural modernization, and the country must take steps to remove bottlenecks in agricultural technology development. According to Liu, the country should pool resources for technological innovation, cultivate talent, and coordinate production, education, and research. The development of agricultural technology must be industry-oriented and help ensure the adequate supply of grain and major farm products, said the vice premier. During his tour, Liu was briefed on the growth of winter wheat and called for solid efforts to secure a bumper summer harvest. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/930/china-approves-worlds-first-gene-editing-breeding-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/930/china-approves-worlds-first-gene-editing-breeding-technology.html Sun, 14 May 2023 10:30:18 +0530 Shunfeng Biotech obtained the country's first gene editing safety certificate for genetically engineered soybeans with high-oleic acid The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China has approved the country's first plant gene editing safety certificate. Shunfeng Bio, a leading domestic gene editing company has obtained the certification during the release of "2023 Agricultural Gene Editing Biosafety Certificate Approval List". With this China reaffirms its commitment to strengthening biological breeding and safeguarding seed safety. China has granted approval to produce genetically engineered soybeans with high-oleic acid. This is the country's first global standard biotechnology project fully supported by the Jinan Science and Technology Bureau, Jinan Finance Bureau, and Jinan High-tech Zone.  Foods processed with high oleic acid oil can effectively reduce the content of trans fatty acids, thereby lowering cholesterol, lowering blood lipids and preventing cardiovascular diseases. Following the certification approval for gene-editing in plant breeding, Shunfeng Biotechnology has increased the oleic acid content of ordinary soybeans by 4 times, up to more than 80%. This soybean product is labeled "nutrition and health", "high cost performance", and "high added value". The approval of the high oleic soybean safety certificate has greatly accelerated the industrialization process of Shunfeng Biology. In addition to soybeans, Shunfeng Biology has systematically deployed four major product R&D pipelines around gene editing technology, high-yield rice, wheat, corn, herbicide-resistant rice and soybeans, high straight/amylopectin corn suitable for industrial processing, Rice, high GABA tomato, high vitamin C lettuce and other nutritious and healthy new varieties are ready for commercialization. In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the "Guidelines for the Safety Evaluation of Gene Edited Plants for Agricultural Use (Trial)", promulgating relevant policies and management measures for agricultural gene editing technology for the first time, and based on the fact that gene editing products do not contain foreign genes Scientific attributes, clearly distinguish gene editing products from the management of genetically modified crops. In April 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the "Regulations for the Review of Gene-Edited Plants for Agricultural Use (Trial)", which further clarified the classification standards of gene-edited plants and simplified the review rules, further enhancing the operability of the Guidelines. China has built strong platform for gene technology with high-tech enterprises, national intellectual property advantages enterprises, new research and development institutions in Shandong Province, Jinan City Gene Editing Key Laboratory and many other honors; the first batch of gene editing products entered the commercialization stage, and reached a consensus on industrialization promotion with a number of partners. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed to speed up the construction of a strong agricultural country, in which improved varieties are the chassis and a necessary means to vigorously promote biological breeding. The issuance of the country's first safety certification marks that my country's gene editing has officially entered the fast lane of industrialization. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/929/urban-medical-cannabis-cultivation-with-its-led-solutions-to-hit-global-market.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/929/urban-medical-cannabis-cultivation-with-its-led-solutions-to-hit-global-market.html Sun, 14 May 2023 08:14:00 +0530 Fluence's partnership with Israel-based Trichome demonstrates efficient and standardized vertical cultivation model Fluence, a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and food production, has successfully cultivated premium quality medicinal cannabis in association with Israeli firm Trichome. The innovative facility grows world-class medicinal cannabis using two-tier vertical farming in an urban center. To successfully launch an urban vertical growing facility in Qiryat Gat, Israel, Trichome is collaborating with the right solution partners to maximize space and optimize quality and automation. For designing the compact, intricate indoor environment and tiered growing systems in accordance with the complexities involved, Trichome turned to Fluence for its market-leading LED lighting solutions, local service capabilities through Fluence’s Israeli distribution partner, REMY, and in-house horticultural experts to assist with planning, installing and managing the deployment of integrated lighting technology. Trichome has installed Fluence lighting throughout its fully standardized medicinal cannabis facility. REMY, Levi, and the Trichome team worked closely with Fluence to understand the facility's constraints as a result of a reduction in space between crops and artificial lighting. Fluence designed a bespoke system comprising its SPYDR 2i, SPYDR 2x and RAZR Modular series for Trichome. Trichome has completed 17 full crop growing cycles, all with superior to expected results using Fluence lighting—including above average yields, higher than expected terpene levels, and high cannabinoid content. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/909/singapore-invents-worlds-smallest-led-holographic-microscope-for-botanical-studies.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/909/singapore-invents-worlds-smallest-led-holographic-microscope-for-botanical-studies.html Wed, 10 May 2023 07:29:00 +0530 SMART researchers create world’s smallest LED and holographic microscope that enable conversion of existing mobile phone cameras into high-resolution microscopes Singapore researchers at SMART have developed the world’s smallest silicon (Si) light-emitting diode (LED) coupled with state-of-the-art Si LEDs and with multiple potential applications. The invention enables to reconstruct objects measured by this microscope, including plant seeds and tissue samples - enabling enhanced microscopic examination of a wide range of objects that has been impossible previously, as well as the detection of plant disease and aberrant plant tissues. Researchers from the e Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) and the Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore. The new world’s smallest LED (light emitting diode) enables the conversion of existing mobile phone cameras into high-resolution microscopes. Smaller than the wavelength of light, the revolutionary LED was used to build the world’s smallest holographic microscope, paving the way for existing cameras in everyday devices such as mobile phones to be converted into microscopes via only modifications to the silicon chip and software. This technology also represents a significant step forward in the miniaturization of diagnostics for indoor farmers and sustainable agriculture. This breakthrough was supplemented by the researchers’ development of a revolutionary neural networking algorithm that reconstructs objects measured by the holographic microscope. This enables enhanced examination of microscopic objects such as cells and bacteria without bulky conventional microscopes or additional optics. The research also paved the way for a major advancement in photonics - the building of a powerful on-chip emitter smaller than a micrometer, which has long been a challenge in the field. The novel LED developed by SMART researchers is a CMOS-integrated sub-wavelength scale LED at room temperature exhibiting high spatial intensity (102 ± 48 mW/cm2) and possessing the smallest emission area (0.09 ± 0.04 μm2) among all known Si emitters in scientific literature. In order to demonstrate a potential practical application, the researchers incorporated this LED into an in-line, centimeter-scale, all-silicon holographic microscope requiring no lens or pinhole, integral to a field known as lensless holography.  The research team also developed a deep neural network architecture to improve the quality of image reconstruction. The researchers envision that this synergetic combination of CMOS micro-LEDs and the neural network can be used in other computational imaging applications, such as a compact microscope for live-cell tracking or spectroscopic imaging of biological tissues such as living plants. This work also demonstrates the feasibility of next-generation on-chip imaging systems. Already, in-line holography microscopes have been employed for a variety of applications, including particle tracking, environmental monitoring, biological sample imaging, and metrology. Further applications include arraying these LEDs in CMOS to generate programmable coherent illumination for more complex systems in the future. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/908/bayer-partners-with-superplum-to-build-a-sustainable-crop-protection-model.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/908/bayer-partners-with-superplum-to-build-a-sustainable-crop-protection-model.html Wed, 10 May 2023 07:16:00 +0530 Partners with Superplum to deploy a proprietary multi-faceted IoT-driven Fresherator approach to enhance fruit growers' profitability and to boost sustainable supply chain Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in agriculture and healthcare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Superplum, an agri-tech start-up building a digitised farm-to-customer traceable supply chain. Over three years, the program aims to benefit 15 thousand smallholder farmers in India by delivering definable economic benefits to all stakeholders. A fully traceable, MRL-tested alternative has been developed to offer consumers better fresh produce choices. Providing full traceability to consumers backed by a modern supply chain and a technology-first approach will ensure full transparency for consumers and farmers. By improving post-harvest technology and managing the supply chain digitally, farmers will reduce wastage and increase their incomes. The collaboration aims to build and implement a sustainable crop protection model for fruit growers based in the Indian states of UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The program will be expanded to other states as the seasons progress.   The partnership will focus on guiding partner farmers toward better fruit quality and advisory to increase productivity. Additionally, they will ensure that Bayer's crop protection management practices are implemented properly. Superplum's proprietary multi-faceted approach increases the shelf life of a range of fruits. IoT-driven Fresherator, a cold-chain transport system that carries fruit remotely monitored and controlled, helps reduce wastage and increases shelf life without requiring expensive temperature-controlled transportation. As part of the collaboration, Bayer will provide support for domestic and export compliance, and implementation of a product schedule to ensure improvement in the quality and productivity of the produce, helping in achieving incremental growth in farmer income. Bayer will also focus on developing crop protection packages for fruit crops and training farmers in the implementation of these practices. To make it easier to track farmer progress, they will be provided with a passport, to record crop management practices being implemented. Superplum provides consumers with full traceability through its scannable QR code and will incorporate farmers' information into its own supply chain. D Narain, President, South Asia, and Global Head of Smallholder Farming for Bayer, said, "Nutritional security along with food security is a critical national and global imperative for the growing population. To this effect, Bayer has launched a global 'Nutrient Gap Initiative' that aims to expand access to essential nutrients to 50 million people in underserved communities by 2030. However, we do recognize that to achieve this at scale a collaborative ecosystem is required and to further this critical agenda we have partnered with Superplum to create a holistic ecosystem that will help improve fruit growers' incomes by sustainably enhancing market linkages and ensuring healthy produce for the end consumers." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/896/singapore-develop-plant-based-cell-culture-scaffold-meat-which-can-be-3d-printed.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/896/singapore-develop-plant-based-cell-culture-scaffold-meat-which-can-be-3d-printed.html Fri, 05 May 2023 11:03:12 +0530 Besides speeding up the process for cheaper, more sustainable lab-based meat cultivation, these edible scaffolds can be 3D-printed using widely available plant prolamins A research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has successfully used common plant proteins to 3D-print an edible cell culture scaffold, allowing more affordable and sustainable lab-grown meat to be served on the table. The research team has successfully cultured meat that is similar in texture and overall appearance to real animal meat. Lab-grown meat has become an increasingly popular source of dietary protein, as consumers become more conscious of the environmental and ethical ramifications of their protein source. Cultured meat or cell-based meat is produced by taking skeletal muscle cells from animals and growing them on three-dimensional constructs called scaffolds, which provide structural support as the cells multiply and develop into tissues. “Scaffolds made from plant proteins are edible and have diverse and variable peptide sequences that can facilitate cell attachment, induce differentiation, and speed up the growth of meat. In contrast, synthetic scaffolds such as plastic beads used for cultured meat have no functional group which makes it difficult for animal cells to attach and proliferate. In addition, synthetic scaffolds are not edible and extra steps are required to separate the scaffolds from the meat culture,” elaborated Prof Huang. However, cell culture scaffolds are typically made from synthetic or animal-based materials, which are either too expensive or inedible. In search of an alternative, the team led by Professor Huang Dejian, Deputy Head of the NUS Department of Food Science and Technology, turned to plant proteins. These proteins are biodegradable and biocompatible with animal cells. Crucially, plant proteins also satisfy common food consumption requirements, making the resulting scaffold suitable for culturing meat. The researchers used mixtures of prolamins derived from corn, barley and rye flour, also known as zeins, hordeins and secalins, respectively. These mixtures then acted as the ink for electrohydrodynamic printing, a high-precision 3D printing technology commonly employed in biomedical applications. “By using readily available cereal prolamins as biomaterials for high-precision 3D printing technology, we open up a new method for manufacturing edible and structured scaffolds to produce cultured muscle meat slices with fibrous qualities,” said Prof Huang. For scaffolds to be of any use in cultivating meat, they need to be biocompatible with muscle cells from agricultural animals, meaning that they need to be able to accommodate these cells and support their growth and development. Researchers found that the cells divided extensively on the scaffolds, when seeded the prolamin constructs with stem cells from pig skeletal muscle, reaching a maximum count 11 days after they were inoculated. The stem cells grew comparably well in both zein/hordein and zein/secalin scaffolds. Of significance, when compared against a standard polycaprolactone scaffold, a common tool in tissue engineering, pig cells seeded onto the prolamin constructs proliferated much faster, demonstrating that the plant protein-based scaffold was more feasible for cultured meat production than standard synthetic polymers. These results further verify the potential of the proposed prolamin-based scaffolds in cultivated meat production. Prof Huang and his team are actively working on refining the plant protein-based technology ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/893/novel-technology-can-monitor-plant-nutrition-and-crop-protection.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/893/novel-technology-can-monitor-plant-nutrition-and-crop-protection.html Fri, 05 May 2023 08:30:55 +0530 Tidal Grow novel technologies to deliver effective plant nutrition and crop protection tools along with solutions for labor, nutrient runoff, weather, and regulations Tidal Grow® AgriScience has launched a technology-driven portfolio of solutions to tackle agriculture challenges including labor, nutrient runoff, weather, and regulations to provide impressive ROI for growers. A powerful pipeline leverages novel technologies to deliver enhanced levels of effectiveness in plant nutrition and crop protection. "Our core goal is to help farmers and growers maximize profits, increase yields, and protect their valuable production resources, all while reducing their environmental footprint," said Kevin Hammill, CEO of Tidal Grow AgriScience. "We meet them exactly where they are, integrating seamlessly into their existing production practices, resulting in improved performance and less traditional crop inputs. We bring our products to the market and be a catalyst for a healthier population and planet" adds CEO Kevin. Critical Ag-tech Targets the Core of Grower's Needs Tidal Grow® Integra Technology is positioned to scale and significantly impact the $100B+ crop protection and fertilizer markets. With this technology, they engineer how fertilizer, such as nitrogen, and crop protection products are delivered to the crop or target pathogen. This technology works by maximizing the potential of one of earth's most powerful biomolecules and deploying it to target grower's greatest challenges. This integration of biology and chemistry fundamentally changes the future of agriculture by making cropping inputs more effective. The first fertilizer built on this technology, alignN™, delivers nitrogen to the crop more effectively. The result is a higher yield per unit of fertilizer and a lower carbon footprint for the industry. Construction on a commercial production facility for alignN™ will begin this year while significant field trials are being conducted across the USA.   Additionally, the Tidal Grow® Bioactive portfolio offers significant contributions to regenerative practices with Tidal Grow® Spectra, a new offering in crop protection, and Pacific Gro® Oceanic and Sea Phos®, OMRI-listed organic carbon-based fertilizers. "Our Crop Production Input (CPI) Equation establishes a new standard of crop nutrient effectiveness," said Hammill. "Defined in mathematical terms, our solutions apply to both crop protection and nutrition and are measured in yield per input. Our approach is working. This year, more than 1 million acres will be under the positive influence of our products." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/888/asia-africa-us-promotes-visionary-framework-for-south-south-cooperation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/888/asia-africa-us-promotes-visionary-framework-for-south-south-cooperation.html Thu, 04 May 2023 09:00:00 +0530 Ministerial-level multinational inter-regional roundtable agreed on many important contents to promote the food and food system through South-South cooperation Agriculture and Food Ministers from Vietnam, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines joined the Ministerial Roundtable to Promote Sustainable Investment and Innovation, digital transformation, opportunities for gender mainstreaming in the food and food system through South-South cooperation. South-South cooperation is a form of cooperation to promote effective development through learning and sharing experiences, practices, and technologies among developing countries. The international community agrees that South-South cooperation plays a crucial role in the global partnership for development in general and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. South-South cooperation provides specific solutions to common global development challenges; share best practices, finance pilot projects, provide funding for scaling up successful projects, deliver public sector goods, and develop and adopt appropriate technologies turmeric. Over the past few years, Vietnam has actively strengthened and expanded bilateral and multilateral cooperation with developing countries, especially countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Vietnam has close cooperation ties with many African countries in areas such as agriculture, poverty reduction, food security, and environmental protection. The majority of Vietnam's partnerships with these countries involve experience sharing and knowledge transfer, especially through the sending of experts to train and transfer technology. Additionally, Vietnam has promoted bilateral cooperation with Angola, Mozambique, Egypt, Libya in rice export, rubber tree development, coffee, cashew, vegetables, and aquaculture. Vietnam's Minister Le Minh Hoan said "Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development responded to the World Economic Forum initiative and established the Food Innovation Network (FIH) for the East region. South Asia in Vietnam within the framework of the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Partnership (PSAV) - a highly successful Public Private Partnership initiative between MARD and more than 130 partners from various regions in the region. agricultural industry". Furthur, within the framework of FIH and PSAV, many innovative programs, initiatives and projects in the field of LTTP have been successfully implemented and have the potential to be further replicated such as the coffee chain linkage model; initiative to apply drone technology in the use and management of pesticides; low emission rice production model; building and transferring technology of cold storage of agricultural products associated with raw material areas for export… Vietnam is always ready to cooperate and share. As Minister Le Minh Hoan expressed, the presence of ministers from many Asian, African and Latin American nations, as well as representatives of many countries and donor organizations, will provide a great opportunity for us to exchange, share experiences, and develop technical assistance projects, toward building a world free of poverty, protecting and developing the green planet together. The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Grow Asia and the Food Action Alliance (FAA) on the sidelines of the 4th Global Conference on Sustainable Food Systems Program. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/885/milken-institute-motsepe-foundation-announce-winners-of-the-milken-motsepe-prize-in-agritech.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/885/milken-institute-motsepe-foundation-announce-winners-of-the-milken-motsepe-prize-in-agritech.html Wed, 03 May 2023 11:55:13 +0530 The biotech company takes home $1 million Grand Prize for the advancement of AgriTech in Africa; second and third-place winners receive cash prizes of $300,000 and $150,000 The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation announced the winners of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech, the first of a series of multiyear, multimillion-dollar innovation competitions and programs to advance technological progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prizes were awarded at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, California. NovFeed, a biotech company based in Tanzania, was awarded the $1 million grand prize for its proprietary technology to upcycle organic waste into nutritious, sustainable and traceable plant-based protein ingredients and concentrated natural biofertilisers for the food system. The $300,000 award for second place was presented to Karpolax, an Uganda-based company, for its nanotechnology solution that helps fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer without losing nutritional value. The $150,000 award for third place was presented to IRRI-AfricaRice for its biotech innovation to help rice farmers protect their crops from flooding, one of the most damaging effects of climate change. Bonus prizes of $100,000 each were also announced. Kuronga, based in South Africa, took the bonus prize for the most creative use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies for its machine learning and machine vision mobile app, using AI to connect farmers with buyers and making it easier to validate the quality of crops. COOL LION, a Côte d'Ivoire-based startup that provides cooling-as-a-service solutions for different industries (agriculture, fisheries, etc.) and powered by renewable energy, took home the People’s Choice bonus prize for the most transformative idea according to the public. “Varied solutions were considered during the competition, and this contributes to current and future efforts to understand and resolve challenges facing agriculture,” said Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, co-founder and CEO of the Motsepe Foundation. “Making progress towards the SDGs is crucial. We are truly impressed by the participants’ ideas and thank each of them for their dedication to finding viable and scalable solutions.” “The winners exemplify the fact that bold, scalable, transformative ideas can come from anywhere,” said Dr Emily Musil Church, senior director at the Milken Institute Centre for Strategic Philanthropy. “Bringing talent to the fore and supporting entrepreneurs is an intentional goal of the competition. It doesn't end there. The expanded network of investors and stakeholders built into the program offers the winning teams continued opportunities to innovate and thrive." After launching the competition in April 2021, more than 3,300 people from 105 countries across six continents registered for the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AgriTech. An independent panel of expert judges carefully selected 25 finalist teams to receive $10,000 to develop and test their innovations to improve economic value for small and medium-sized farms in Africa. Each of the teams took part in a rigorous, independent judging process, which assessed their innovation’s potential to increase farm productivity and/or decrease post-harvest loss. Teams also received a variety of special benefits, including participation in a tuition-free, experiential learning program offered by Global Innovation Catalyst in collaboration with Stanford Online, where they received mentoring from industry experts, pitch coaching, and feedback sessions. The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program has continued to grow, launching a second competition, the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy in November 2022. The Prize in Green Energy is a $2 million innovation competition to reward entrepreneurs and innovators who expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity in Africa. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/884/bunge-launches-program-to-drive-regenerative-agriculture-in-brazil.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/884/bunge-launches-program-to-drive-regenerative-agriculture-in-brazil.html Wed, 03 May 2023 11:03:24 +0530 The program, which will be offered at no cost for farmers, promotes growth in productivity and reduction of costs through the application of cultivation best practices Bunge announced the creation of a regenerative agriculture program to support Brazilian farmers in the transition to low-carbon agriculture, offering technical support, tools, products, and services, while supporting global efforts to minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The program, which will be offered at no cost for farmers, promotes growth in productivity and reduction of costs through the application of cultivation best practices that improve soil fertility and health, increase CO2 storage in the ground, promote biological diversity, improve water retention and infiltration in the soil, and enhance the management of energy consumption and agricultural inputs. The program consists of three steps which are customised according to the characteristics of each property. Diagnosis of the farm’s current regenerative agriculture practices. Development of a customised action plan according to each diagnosis, indicating the most effective regenerative practices that can be implemented and/or improved, including offering technical assistance to the transition to sustainable agriculture. Connection to the marketplace - Bunge will connect participating farmers to supply chain partners who seek sustainable products. “The demand for sustainably produced agriculture products continues to increase, and our goal is to provide reliable and specific data so farmers can assess the need to implement additional, corrective or improvement measures that support them on their regenerative agriculture journey,” says Pamela Moreira, responsible for Sustainability in South America, Bunge. The regenerative agriculture program already has dozens of large-scale farmers signed up, covering roughly 250,000 hectares (~615,000 acres) of land in the Brazilian States of Bahia, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Paraná, Piauí, and Tocantins. To implement the program, Bunge has convened a team of partners who share tools and expertise with participants to support the adoption of regenerative practices in their operations, with a focus on monitoring and measuring progress and monetising sustainable agriculture. Orígeo, a joint venture between Bunge and UPL, is a key partner and will be working alongside the farmers by providing information and technological tools to digitise crop data, ensuring the production of high-quality, low-carbon grain, using fewer inputs and less fuel. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/880/exosomm-introduces-new-bioactive-ingredient-for-medical-food-space.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/880/exosomm-introduces-new-bioactive-ingredient-for-medical-food-space.html Wed, 03 May 2023 09:03:32 +0530 EXOSOMM introduces proprietary immune supportive natural exosomes from upcycled whey Jerusalem headquartered, Israeli BioFoodTech start-up EXOSOMM, Ltd., has explored the natural mechanisms inherent in human breastmilk to create a novel bioactive ingredient that can potentially support millions of adults with inflammatory disorders. Based on its scientific findings EXOSOMM developed an innovative technology that isolates exosomes—natural particles in maternal milk that play an important role in the healthy development of the immune system. EXOSOMM upcycles byproducts of the traditional cheese making process to create this potent functional ingredient. While still a young start-up, it has already reached commercial production capacity of its patent-protected exosomes for the medical food space. “Exosomm’s technology is based on cutting-edge scientific discoveries and is inspired by the virtues of mother’s milk and its unique health properties,” enthuses Reif. “We believe adults, can benefit from exosomes as a valuable nutrient to help better manage chronic metabolic inflammatory disorders and to boost overall well-being. Further clinical research is in the pipeline, and we currently are focusing our studies on the role of exosomes in managing IBD conditions, such as Crohn’s and Colitis.” Maternal milk is recognized as the key vital resource for infants to provide them with the essential elementary nutrients needed to promote optimal growth and wellbeing. It has been linked to protection against various diseases, such as infections, inflammation, and obesity, and plays a crucial role in developing the immune system. Scientific inquiry attributes these benefits predominantly to the presence of exosomes. Exosomes are small nanoparticles produced by the body’s cells that naturally accumulate at high concentrations in mother’s milk. They contain beneficial microRNAs: small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules shown in studies to have a significant impact on early child development and also on the infant’s future health. The Exosomm research team were astonished to find that different mammals (human, cow, or sheep) share similar exosome composition, indicating the evolutionary importance of exosomes in offspring. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/879/bosch-basf-reinforces-smart-farming-values-novel-brand-for-herbicide-and-weedicide.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/879/bosch-basf-reinforces-smart-farming-values-novel-brand-for-herbicide-and-weedicide.html Wed, 03 May 2023 08:50:04 +0530 Partnership lunches a new brand ONE SMART SPRAY for value creation to farmers and manufacturers and commercialization activities As a joint venture between Bosch and BASF Digital Farming, Bosch BASF Smart Farming has launched its new brand name: ONE SMART SPRAY. This distinctive new brand name also applies to its product, which was previously referred to as the Smart Spraying Solution. With the change in name, a new logo, visual identity, and messaging will be introduced in all markets worldwide. The singular ONE SMART SPRAY brand was developed based on farmer feedback gathered in North America, South America, and Europe throughout the last 12 months, as field trials progressed towards full commercialization of the product. “ONE SMART SPRAY as a brand brings together the value we create and our purpose, which is to offer one integrated, convenient, and reliable solution to make herbicide spraying precise and smart. The new brand supports our commercialization activities. Our new tagline ‘Precision Made Smart’ brings our purpose to life: to take weed control to the next level by integrating precision, digital and agronomic intelligence into ONE solution” says Jorge von Kostrisch, Global Marketing & Communications Manager at ONE SMART SPRAY. Florian Gwosdz, Co-Managing Director of ONE SMART SPRAY, “Back in 2021, Bosch BASF Smart Farming joined Bosch's hardware, software, and connectivity capabilities with BASF's digital and agronomic expertise. The new brand is our next step to scaling up in the market.” Konstantin Kretschun, Co-Managing Director of ONE SMART SPRAY, adds: “ONE SMART SPRAY is a camera-based system developed by Bosch that detects weeds in milliseconds and precisely sprays only where necessary and only as much as needed. Using field-specific data in a digital platform by Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions, ONE SMART SPRAY also offers customized agronomic recommendations, intelligent sensitivity levels, high-precision agronomic maps, automated documentation, and further features in ONE solution. This is truly smart weed control, which supports maximum input efficiency and sustainable farming practices.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/883/world-food-forum-2023-unveiled-agrifood-systems-transformation-to-accelerate-climate-action.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/883/world-food-forum-2023-unveiled-agrifood-systems-transformation-to-accelerate-climate-action.html Wed, 03 May 2023 08:39:00 +0530 The World Food Forum today officially unveiled its theme for 2023: “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action” and launched its activities for the year culminating in a series of global events, competitions  and actions taking place from 16-20 October at the Rome headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  The announcements were made at a side-event organized on the sidelines of the 172nd Session of the FAO Council, and in the support of the UN’s concurrent Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, sub-titled: “Youth Leadership: agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action”. “Last year, one in ten people went to bed hungry, while nearly 3.1 billion people survived on starchy staples because they could not afford fruits and vegetables. Two in three children do not have enough nutrition to grow to their full potential. Countries can take concerted action to reverse these grim trends by transforming their agrifood systems harnessing its immense potential for positive impact reducing poverty, hunger and inequalities. At the same time they can choose pathways of transformation of their agrifood systems that minimize the trade-offs to our environment, biodiversity and climate,” said Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist and Chair of the FAO Youth Committee, in his opening remarks. He emphasized that transforming agrifood systems is a central part of the global climate solution, and young people are the heart of it as they act “as the inheritors of these challenges, but also as innovators and advocates for change.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/872/japanese-firms-to-establish-revolutionary-sugar-manufacturing-technology-in-thailand.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/872/japanese-firms-to-establish-revolutionary-sugar-manufacturing-technology-in-thailand.html Tue, 02 May 2023 08:47:18 +0530 Toray and Mitsui DM Sugar inedible Biomass-Based pave way to sustainable Fibers, Resins, and Films Japanese firms Toray Industries, Inc., and Mitsui DM Sugar Co., Ltd., have jointly demonstrated and established a basic technology to manufacture sugar derived from inedible biomass which is a common raw material in fiber and resin production. The biomass includes surplus bagasse, a pulpy residue from sugarcane processing, and pulp that results from squeezing cassava in starch factories. Combining this technology with Toray's revolutionary technology to make monomers from sugars will facilitate the integration of biomass-sourced polymers for fibers, films, resins, and other products produced from biomass-derived polymers that contribute to a circular economy. Toray looks to set up a structure to supply cellulosic sugar in collaboration with Thailand's sugar refineries and starch manufacturers and other companies using biomass resources. Toray proved the separation, purification, and concentration of cellulose-derived sugars in inedible biomass as part of this demonstration project. It leveraged a membrane-based bioprocess that combines the company’s water treatment membrane technology and enzymes that employ biotechnology. Toray undertook this effort at a demonstration facility in Thailand as part of a project the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) supports. Compared to conventional processes that concentrate sugar solutions by evaporating water, this process emits less than half the carbon dioxide. The breakthrough demonstration is a first step toward creating a technology to make cellulosic sugar from biomass, putting it on track to mass production. Earlier in 2022, Toray developed 100% bio-based adipic acid, a raw material for polyamide 66 (nylon 66), from sugars derived from inedible biomass. To achieve this, Toray used a proprietary synthesis technique combining the company’s microbial fermentation technology and chemical purification technology that harnesses separation membranes. The company is now looking to establish an integrated technology to manufacture fiber and resin from abundant agricultural residues, avoiding competition with the food chain. It will endeavor to upscale technology from an effort under development to produce adipic acid from cellulosic sugar. In providing cellulosic sugars to chemical companies around the globe, Toray seeks to help materialize a circular economy by replacing petroleum-based chemicals with plant-derived offerings that are not part of the food chain.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/873/philippines-and-knu-sign-mou-for-farm-modernisation-mechanisation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/873/philippines-and-knu-sign-mou-for-farm-modernisation-mechanisation.html Tue, 02 May 2023 08:38:03 +0530 MoU aims to promote the exchange of scientific and technical resources related to agriculture The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Kyungpook National University (KNU) of the Republic of Korea signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agriculture and Fishery Development Cooperation in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The MOU, signed by Domingo Panganiban DA Senior Undersecretary, Joel Lales DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Director and KNU, Daegu Gyeongbuk International Development Cooperation Centre Director. MoU aims to promote the exchange of scientific and technical resources related to agriculture and rural development. In his speech, President Marcos shared that there are now many local manufacturers of farm machines as he stressed the need to strengthen and expand the local agri-fishery manufacturing industry, so the sector would not rely on imported machinery and equipment. The centre is expected to accelerate the mechanisation of the agricultural sector by enhancing local technological capacity to design, develop, and manufacture agricultural machinery. Through the DA-KNU MOU, cooperative activities applying the principles of clustering and consolidation and professionalisation of human resources and clientele will also be conducted. The activities will include the organisation of professional education and staff development programs, through training courses, symposia, and conferences training on digital or smart agriculture, data science for agriculture, and advanced agricultural technology, among others. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/871/israel-approves-animal-free-milk-protein-products.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/871/israel-approves-animal-free-milk-protein-products.html Tue, 02 May 2023 08:18:46 +0530 Remilk secures first-of-its-kind regulatory approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH) for the marketing and sale of non-animal milk products and boosts alternative protein industry Israel has become one of the first countries in the world to offer real dairy products made without cows and free of lactose, cholesterol, antibiotics, and growth hormones.  Remilk, a global leader in the development and production of animal-free dairy protein has received a first-of-its-kind approval from the Israeli Ministry of Health (MOH). This historic regulatory event clears a path for the marketing and sale of non-animal dairy products made with Remilk for Israeli consumers. "Israel becomes on of the first in the world to recognize the significance of precision fermentation in global alternative protein industry" said Aviv Wolff, CEO and co-founder of Remilk. Remilk is a world leader in the development of animal-free milk proteins produced through a proprietary fermentation process. The Ministry of Health approval follows Remilk's receipt of an FDA "No Questions Letter," confirming FDA acceptance of an expert panel's conclusion that Remilk's animal-free protein can be safely used in food products under its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) standards, as well as a recent regulatory clearance from the Singapore Food Authority. Remilk has raised more than $130M to date and signed deals with leading players in the global food industry. Last year, Remilk, which is already producing its protein at industrial volumes in facilities around the world, announced a large-scale commercial agreement with the Central Bottling Company (CBC Group), the exclusive Israeli franchisee of Coca-Cola, and one of the largest food companies in Israel, to launch a line of dairy products made with Remilk's protein, for the Israeli market. The product launch planned with the Central Bottling Company is on the horizon of Remilk. "Remilk non-animal milk protein is thoroughly tested by MOH and found to be safe, of high-quality, and identical to its cow-derived counterpart," said Dr. Ori Cohavi, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and co-founder of Remilk. "The opening of the Israeli market to real, animal-free dairy products will place Israel not only at the forefront of global food-tech research and development, but also as a leading market in the world for new food consumption. It opens the door for the introduction of high-quality and nutritious animal-free dairy products" he added. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/852/australia-boost-livestock-diseases-biosecurity-in-indonesia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/852/australia-boost-livestock-diseases-biosecurity-in-indonesia.html Tue, 02 May 2023 07:20:00 +0530 Australia is investing around $770,000 on a international training program in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste to prevent spread of FMD and LSD disease Australia is investing around $770,000 in an international training program to boost farmers' biosecurity capabilities in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. Aiming to protect neighboring countries from incursions of exotic diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD), Australia is partnering with disease-prone zones. Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is funding Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste with $5 million worth technical expertise to help them combat livestock diseases. This includes personnel and logistic support for vaccine distribution, along with testing and epidemiological work. This funding has also helped fund the Biosecurity Training Centre. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said, “Australia has a long history of biosecurity collaboration with Indonesia and Timor-Leste, and we have ramped up our work together since May 2022 following the detection of FMD in Indonesia. This program will provide vital support to Indonesia’s efforts to control the FMD and LSD outbreaks there while assisting Timor-Leste’s to prevent and prepare for an incursion". The funding will create and deliver country-specific ‘train the trainer’ programs for Indonesia and Timor-Leste and is part of a $14 million package announced by the Government last year. The program will be run by the Charles Sturt University through Australia’s Biosecurity Training Centre (BTC) from April 2023. Initiatives to support Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste for FMD and LSD preparedness Indonesia and Papua New Guinea: The Australian government has committed more than $17 million to directly support Indonesia’s efforts to control outbreaks of FMD and LSD. As a initial funding aid Australia has granted 4 million doses of FMD vaccines and 435,000 doses of LSD vaccines to the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. Further, Australian Government commits to provide 1 million doses of LSD vaccine to aid in the control of the disease. In addition, an on-going vaccinator training program delivered to Indonesian vets and paravets to assist in building their technical capabilities in FMD and LSD control and eradication. This will support the development and implementation of long-term communication strategies about FMD and LSD in Indonesia. Australia has supplied expertise to support Indonesia’s planning to establish domestic FMD vaccine production. FMD is considered endemic in Indonesia. Indonesian participants will be receiving training in international best practice approaches to biosecurity. Areas covered will include import risk analysis, border clearance processes, on shore management, disinfection treatments, and specific risk management associated with high priority transboundary plant pests and animal diseases including FMD and LSD among others.   Timor-Leste: Similarly, Australia is providing technical assistance to Timor-Leste to support FMD and LSD preparedness, capacity building including diagnostics, support for delivery of animal health surveys and awareness materials and provision of equipment. An example includes an LSD and FMD awareness and surveillance campaign that is currently being delivered in the municipalities of Timor-Leste that border West Timor, Indonesia. There is currently no FMD or LSD in Timor-Leste. In addition, Australia has delivered support for Timor-Leste’s African swine fever response and recovery arrangements. The Department funds the delivery of joint annual plant health surveys in Timor-Leste in partnership with Timor-Leste’s biosecurity agencies. According to the schedule, Biosecurity Development Program will be delivered in Timor-Leste between April 2023 and June 2026. The program is currently in the design phase and will complement and build on the training program occurring currently at the Biosecurity Training Centre.  Charles Sturt University and the department have been working closely with animal and plant quarantine colleagues in Timor-Leste and Indonesia to determine gaps in their capacity to detect and mitigate the risk of exotic disease entering through regulated pathways. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/866/israels-pluri-launches-plurimatrix-to-empower-cellular-food-tech-agri-tech-operations.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/866/israels-pluri-launches-plurimatrix-to-empower-cellular-food-tech-agri-tech-operations.html Tue, 02 May 2023 07:01:00 +0530 Cell manufacturing pioneer from Israel, Pluri unveils a breakthrough system foindustrial scale cell production to power a broad range of cell-based products for industries including pharma, biologics, foodtech and cellular agri-tech Pluri Inc., a leading biotech company that transforms cells into solutions that promote wellbeing and sustainability, has unveiled a breakthrough in cell manufacturing that potentially solves one of the biggest hurdles facing cell-based industries: cost-effective, industrial scale cell manufacturing. PluriMatrix, built upon Pluri’s platform 3D cell expansion technology, significantly scales high-quality cell production, potentially having a catalytic impact across numerous industries that require mass-scale cell production including pharma, biologics, foodtech, agri-tech, and beyond. The patented technology offers Pluri and its subsidiaries unparalleled advantages in developing and producing cell-based products. PluriMatrix draws on the unique expertise in cell-based manufacturing that Pluri has developed over the last two decades. It enables industrial scale production of cell-based products by using a packed-bed system design in which cells expand as tissue on scaffolds, increasing surface area and providing a uniquely effective growth environment. Cells can either be harvested as single cells or used along with the scaffolds as completed tissue. The system also enables the simultaneous expansion of various cell types within the same platform, giving each cell type its own growth space. PluriMatrix’ state-of-the-art mass scale, highly scalable, modular cell production system enables a smaller infrastructure by reducing the size of the manufacturing facility compared to other existing methods, significantly reducing cost and ecological footprint. Pluri’s majority-owned subsidiary Ever After Foods, a joint venture with Tnuva Group, Israel’s largest food producer, is using PluriMatrix to produce cultivated meat and expects a 700% increase in productivity over other cultivated meat technology platforms. Pluri CEO and President, Yaky Yanay says “We’ve evolved our original healthcare-focused technology to potentially serve a multitude of other industries where efficient, cost-effective, industrial-scale cell production will be a core competitive advantage. PluriMatrix unlockes tremendous value and expect to capitalize on it in conjunction with industry-specific subsidiaries and strategic partners.”   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/867/chinas-first-shandong-liaocheng-green-expo-showcases-vegetable-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/867/chinas-first-shandong-liaocheng-green-expo-showcases-vegetable-industry.html Mon, 01 May 2023 13:18:01 +0530 The expo consists of six segments Digital Agriculture, Intelligent E-commerce and Green Agricultural Capital The first Shandong Liaocheng Green Vegetable Expo was held in Shenxian County of China. With a theme of ‘Green, Technology, Health and Sharing’, the expo has highlighted the achievement transformation, promotion and application of agricultural science and technology, with an aim to fully show the evolution and achievements of Shenxian County's vegetable industry. The influence of Shenxian County keeps rising as the ‘No. 1 county of vegetables in China’, while the brand awareness of ‘Shenxian County's vegetables’ keeps growing. The expo this year consists of six segments such as Digital Agriculture, Intelligent E-commerce and Green Agricultural Capital, attended by 350-plus enterprises, showcasing more than 2,000 types of products of over 800 brands, which has set a new record in the scale of the exhibition. In order to enhance the exhibition visiting experience to the largest extent, the expo organiser has elaborately set up the two exhibition areas of an indoor exhibition of selected products and an outdoor comprehensive exhibition and created the nation's first outdoor physical exhibition hall of practical agricultural facilities and greenhouses. Meanwhile, there would also be other activities such as China (Shenxian County) Summit Forum on the High-quality Development of Green Vegetables, an e-commerce live-streaming competition, a promotion event of quality products exhibited by Western Shandong, a Special Gourmet Festival and a competition fair of muskmelons so that the visitors could have a wonderful experience from different perspectives. As an important window to showcase the development of Shenxian County's agriculture, the expo has been renamed as the first Shandong Liaocheng (Shenxian County) Green Vegetable Expo with the approval from the People's Government of Shandong in 2023, after it was held for ten times. The rank and scale of the expo this year have been raised greatly, which is playing an increasingly important role in such aspects as the achievement of transformation of agricultural science and technology, the demonstration of advanced production modes, the promotion of practical technologies, the trading of famous, quality, innovative and special products and the exchange and cooperation at home and abroad and is becoming an influential agricultural event in China, according to News Office of the People's Government of Shenxian County. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/868/clinical-study-discovers-powerful-anti-aging-benefits-in-four-botanical-blend.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/868/clinical-study-discovers-powerful-anti-aging-benefits-in-four-botanical-blend.html Mon, 01 May 2023 12:19:00 +0530 Polyphenol-rich blend of botanicals from Suanfarma, shown to preserve telomeres:- the body’s primary skin rejuvenator Madrid - A new clinical study supports powerful anti-aging skin benefits of Eternalyoung®, a blend of four botanical ingredients from Monteloeder, S. L., a subsidiary of Suanfarma. Eternalyoung is the result of extensive research and contains several polyphenols that work synergistically to provide anti-aging benefits for the skin. Suitable for beauty-from-within supplements, the formula combines pomegranate (Punica granatum), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), desert ginseng (f. Cistanche), and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) which, together, demonstrate abilities to promote better skin moisturization, radiance, and elasticity. The research, led by Dr. Vincenzo Nobile, at the Complife Italia Srl in Pavia, Italy was a 12 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 women aged 35 to 69, all of whom exhibited signs of both sun-induced and chronological skin aging, specifically mild to moderate wrinkles and dark spots. The study analyzed several parameters of skin health via various measurement methods. The botanical blend intervention visibly and structurally improved the skin and reduced signs of aging, without side effects. Statistically significant improvements in wrinkle depth, elasticity, firmness, skin thickness, skin moisturization, epidermal water loss, and dark spots pigmentation were observed as early as four weeks. Subjectively, subjects who consumed the botanical blend reported improvement in skin condition reduction in stress and fatigue, suggesting the blend’s potential. Miguel Poza, Nutra Division Director of Monteloeder “Unique botanical blend designed to synergistically target the underlying mechanisms of skin aging and enhance beauty from within. The Eternalyoung blend is the result of extensive research and experimentation on numerous botanical actives for their antioxidant and melanin-inhibition activity, as well as their ability to boost skin cell proliferation. Another goal was tofind the right combination of ingredients that could reduce telomere shortening while activate telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain telomere length and in turn, stimulate rejuvenation.” According to previous studies, the consumption of specific phenolic compounds native to the Eternalyoung blend—specifically punicalagins, flavones, phenylpropanoids, and triterpenes—benefit skin due to both antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties that modulate or reduce different cellular pathways involved in the skin aging process. The clinical study was a follow-up to a previous in vitro study in a cell line of human dermal fibroblasts that demonstrated the patent-pending, four-extract botanical blend could counteract key mechanisms involved in the skin aging process, including slowing down telomere shortening rates and reducing the percentage of critically short telomeres. Telomeres have been found to play a central role in longevity. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/860/indias-absolute-xenesis-institute-excels-in-bio-agriculture-biomaterials-and-biocare-rd.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/860/indias-absolute-xenesis-institute-excels-in-bio-agriculture-biomaterials-and-biocare-rd.html Fri, 28 Apr 2023 10:16:09 +0530 Xenesis' Nature Intelligence PlatformTM (NIPTM) is one of the world's largest databases of microorganisms, secondary metabolites, signaling molecules, and other biomolecules. An Indian bioscience company, Absolute, is developing powerful and safe bioengineered agricultural inputs through its R&D arm Xenesis Institute. The research team is working on groundbreaking research on renewable and sustainable biomaterials. Xenesis pioneers bio-enabled agriculture in order to improve access to clean and nutritious food. In addition to biomaterials and biocare research at Xenesis, the company's pioneering agriculture research is channeled through the Ag Frontier group. Over 5 million square feet of product development and testing space are available at Xenesis, including state-of-the-art research laboratories headquartered in New Delhi with further expansion in Pune. The team at Xenesis comprises 150+ leading scientists many of whom have returned from Israel, the US, South Korea, and Africa. Xenesis scientists include experts in plant biology, microbiology, molecular biology, transcriptomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, strain engineering, biomaterial development, and bioprocess engineering. Since its inception in 2015, Xenesis has developed a gamut of proprietary platforms for discovery and technology. Xenesis' Nature Intelligence PlatformTM (NIPTM) is one of the world's largest databases of microorganisms, secondary metabolites, signaling molecules, and other biomolecules. Additionally, the AgFrontier group at Xenesis has developed a new technology called Signal Triggered Regenerative Activity Complex (STREAC), which provides farm biologicals with superior stability, extended shelf life, and beneficial effects on target crops. Biocare at Xenesis has introduced XenDHA, a novel approach to addressing quality, yield, and contamination challenges in Omega-3 fatty acids supplements. XenDHA is capable of producing high-quality DHA for human consumption. Bio-Cat Insta TechnologyTM (BCITTM) is a proprietary technology developed by Xenesis that enables the company to utilize novel microbial strains to produce biocatalysts with incredible endurance. Enhance biocatalysts have industrial applications – baking, brewing, detergents, fermented products, biofuels pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Xenesis Observatory (XenO), another new tool developed at Xenesis using Absolute's proprietary agri data stack, provides detailed insights into smart farms connected to Absolute's network. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/857/bangkok-to-host-agriconnect-conference-exhibition2023.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/857/bangkok-to-host-agriconnect-conference-exhibition2023.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:17:01 +0530 Address Southeast Asia's agriculture industry challenges with smart farming innovations ; On May 24/25, at True Digital Park in Bangkok, Thailand The AGRICONNECT Conference & Exhibition 2023, organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG) and VNU Asia Pacific with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as official co-host, is set to address the challenges facing Southeast Asia's agriculture industry. The conference and exhibition will take place on May 24, 2023, at True Digital Park in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will convene over 300 participants from various sectors to discuss sustainable agriculture practices and farm visit options on May 25, 2023. The theme of this transformative event is "Eco-efficiency: Solutions for Environmental Farming Business." Eco-efficiency combines cross-cutting topics to integrate sustainable farming practices that benefit the environment, the economy, and society. The AGRICONNECT Conference & Exhibition 2023 is powered by AGRITECHNICA ASIA and HORTI ASIA, Southeast Asia's leading exhibitions in agriculture. The event will feature more than 30 speakers from nine countries and innovative sponsors. In addition, keynote speakers and representatives from international organizations, such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will share their best practices and solutions in more than 15 sessions. On May 24, 2023, the exhibitors will showcase their latest agriculture-related services and products. In addition, the AGRICONNECT Conference & Exhibition 2023 offers a diverse range of sessions and speakers covering various topics relevant to sustainable agriculture. Some of the highlights include:Environmental Protection: Narapat Kaeothong, Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who will provide an overview of the ministry’s initiatives on environmental protection.; Takayuki Hagiwara, Regional Programme Leader of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will discuss the graduation process from farmer to entrepreneur. Innovations in Smart Farming: Matthew McDonald, APAC Precision Technology Product Manager at CNH Industrial will speak on Pivotal role of technology in securing a prosperous future for Southeast Asia; Stewart Andrews, CEO of BioSci(Thailand), Ltd., will expound on his experiences in implementing actionable data insights and intelligent farming.; Tobias Fausch, CIO of BayWa AG will explain Sustainable food security and digital Twin German-Thai Cooperation Project for Clusterfarms, the Department of Agricultural Extension and the Thai Society of Agricultural Engineering will discuss views on the achievements, challenges and opportunities of adopting Smart Farming technologies in Thailand. Dr. Bjöern Ole Sander, Country Representative of Vietnam for the International Rice Research Institute will discuss Carbon market regulations in Southeast Asia agricultural sector. A exclusive panel discussion on vertical farming will discuss characteristics of successful business models in vertical farming. Panel features Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Chairwoman and Co-Founder of the Association for Vertical Farming, Ralph Becker, CEO/Founder of Urban Greens Hydroponics Systems, Inc., and Sansin Sriphiromrak, CEO of Distar Fresh. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions and roundtable discussions. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany (BMEL) will offer an in-depth exploration of the challenges related to sustainable production in Southeast Asian agriculture, providing valuable insights into opportunities for German agribusiness companies. Similarly, the Sino-Thai Agricultural Young Farmers Exchange Conference will conduct an interactive workshop on "Future Farmer: Strategies for Success in Sustainable and entrepreneurial agriculture by Young Chinese and Thai Farmers," featuring the perspectives of young farmers from China and Thailand. May 25, 2023, will involve farm visits. Participants can visit the Choncharoen Farm in Kanchanaburi, run by Chia Tai x True Digital Solutions to witness technologies surrounding irrigation systems, weather stations, drones, and robotics, are integrated into sustainable farming practices. Alternatively, participants can visit DiStar Fresh Farm, Thailand's largest indoor vertical farming facility. Participants can see how soilless growing using Perlite and Vermiculite provides protection from pests and pathogens while maintaining optimal water usage and an ideal environment for crops. All this is accomplished while controlling LEDs, AC, nutrients, and CO2 levels for an ideal balance of light, atmosphere, and nutrients. AGRICONNECT Conference & Exhibition 2023 will bring experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders in the agriculture sector to discuss and showcase sustainable agriculture practices, innovative technologies, and best practices for achieving eco-efficient farming. The event promises to provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and new business collaborations for participants from various sectors, including agribusiness, the food industry, and agriculture. To register for the AGRICONNECT Conference & Exhibition 2023 visit www.agritechnica.com/agriconnect/ ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/850/researchers-produce-purple-tomatoes-with-healthy-antioxidants.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/850/researchers-produce-purple-tomatoes-with-healthy-antioxidants.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 10:54:38 +0530 OSU breeding program followed non-GMO traditional cross pollination and cultivated methods over a decade to produce antioxidant rich breed variety Oregon State University, situated in Corvallis, United States has undertaken a crucial research project on vegetable breeding which has grown the world's first Indigo Rose (purple) tomato containing the same healthy compound found in blueberries. None of the tomatoes was produced using genetically modified genes. Prof Myers, OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, and his team took 10 years to develop. A novel breed has exclusive antioxidants called anthocyanins giving it a unique color. In addition, the team has generated four other purple tomatoes to add to the mix: Indigo Cherry Drops, a cherry tomato with better flavor and yield than Indigo Rose; Indigo Pear Drops, a sweet, pear-shaped fruit; and Indigo Kiwi, with improved growth habit, flavor and resistance to leaf curl. Now, there are 50 progenies from Indigo Rose, five from OSU, and the rest from private breeders using Myers’s germplasm, which are the cells that transfer characteristics from generation to generation. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/849/biomar-and-agronutris-partners-on-the-next-generation-insect-meal.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/849/biomar-and-agronutris-partners-on-the-next-generation-insect-meal.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:56:31 +0530 A scalable, viable model for producing black soldier fly meals for aquaculture as an effective source of aqua nutrition Vietnam-headquartered global aqua feed company, BioMar and French animal nutrition Biotech company Agronutris have signed a long-term partnership to develop the next generation of black soldier fly meals specifically designed for the needs of the aquaculture industry. A wide portfolio of insect meals designed for aquaculture are entering the market following years of research and development. “Black soldier fly meal has always been a promising prospect that could be well suited to aquafeeds. Agronutris has developed a scalable model for black soldier fly able to meet the nutritional and sustainability profile required by the industry" said Fernando Norambuena, Global Category Manager, Novel Raw Materials at BioMar. With extensive attention to feedstock sourcing, 12 years of R&D achievements, and significant industrial investment, the Agronutris solution aims to deliver a stable, high-quality product demonstrating high sustainability performance. Using a circular economy approach, Agronutris has taken a step towards developing an ingredient that significantly impacts the aquaculture industry by moving beyond novel protein sources. "For insect meal to successfully enter aqua feeding, it must demonstrate high nutritional value and support healthy growth for fish and shrimp. Agronutris' innovative products have an excellent nutritional profile suited to the aquaculture industry. We aim to create the ideal product that meets BioMar's ambitious sustainability parameters”, said Chris Haacke, Director of Business Development at Agronutris. “A truly sustainable insect meal should be decoupled from the human food supply chain and fed off a substrate based on waste foods and by-products. With Agronutris, we see a viable, scalable model for producing black soldier fly meals. This could see this product become an effective source of nutrition in aquaculture”, said Vidar Gundersen, Global Sustainability Director at BioMar. BioMar's strategy of supplying low environmental impact alternatives aligns well with Agronutris' mission of providing low environmental impact alternatives. By 2030, 50% of its ingredients will be sourced from a circular and restorative economy and its feed carbon footprint will be lowered by 1/3. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/848/ifarm-to-construct-the-worlds-largest-high-tech-vertical-farm-in-mexico.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/848/ifarm-to-construct-the-worlds-largest-high-tech-vertical-farm-in-mexico.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:32:14 +0530 Around 38.500 square meter cultivation area built with cutting-edge technology to grow over 35 types of leafy greens and microgreens with a hydroponics vertical farming system. In Oaxaca, Mexico, the vertical agriculture technology provider iFarm has partnered with the Opus 2G Group to build a massive automated high-tech vertical farm in the Smart City of Tehuantepec. With its 38.500 square meter cultivation area, the farm will be the world's largest vertical farm and built with cutting-edge technology. A Smart City of Tehuantepec will be built by Opus 2G Group as part of The Smart Industrial Corridor Benito Juarez (CIINT) project. The initiative forms part of Tehuantepec Isthmus Interoceanic Corridor, a governmental initiative. In order to boost economic growth in Mexico's Southeast states, it connects the port of Salina Cruz in Oaxaca with Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz. Opus 2G Group's initiative is supported by the state government of Oaxaca. As part of its initial phase, the CIINT Benito Juárez will create approximately 75,000 jobs in heavy industries such as chemicals, energy, and agriculture. In the Smart City of Tehuantepec, iFarm will build an automated vertical farm based on cutting-edge iFarm StackGrow technology. The largest automated vertical farm in the world will have a total cultivation area of 38.500 square meters to grow over 35 types of leafy greens and microgreens with a hydroponics vertical farming system. Each month, the farm will produce over 288 tons of high-quality crops. In 2024, the Smart City of Tehuantepec will launch its pilot farm. By 2028, Opus 2G Group and iFarm plan to build 22 automated vertical farms in the smart city. A wide variety of crops will be grown in the future, including berries, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medical plants. A joint investigation between iFarm and Opus 2G Group is also underway to develop an indoor farming system to grow coffee and cocoa beans. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/841/steakholder-foods-creates-worlds-first-3d-printed-fish-fillet.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/841/steakholder-foods-creates-worlds-first-3d-printed-fish-fillet.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:11:00 +0530 Partner with Singapore's Umami Meats to create a scalable process for producing structured cultivated fish products using proprietary 3D bio-printing technology and customized bio-inks Steakholder Foods has achieved a milestone by using its 3D bio-printer to create the world’s first cultivated fish fillet in partnership with Singapore-based cell-based seafood company Umami Meats. The successful printing of the grouper fillet is a significant step towards commercializing the bioprinter and developing sustainable solutions for the food industry. The Steakholders’ unique technology allows the fillet to be ready for cooking immediately after printing, mimicking the texture of cooked fish.  In partnership with Singapore-based cell-based seafood company Umami Meats, Steakholder Foods has developed this propriety product. Using grouper cells provided by Umami Meats, Steakholder Foods customized its bio-inks to print the cultivated grouper product. The partnership’s goal is to create a scalable process for producing structured cultivated fish products using Steakholder Foods’ proprietary 3D bio-printing technology and customized bio-inks. The success of the 3D printing of the grouper fillet represents a significant step towards the commercialization of the bioprinter. Unlike other cultivated meat products, the grouper fish fillet is ready to cook after printing, Steakholder Foods’ unique technology allows the mimicking of the flaky texture of cooked fish. The seafood and fish market is a long-term part of Steakholder Foods’ vision to introduce sustainable solutions that increase food security. With an estimated size of $110 billion and projected growth of 3-4% annually, the company anticipates expanding its collaborations to a greater variety of species with additional partners. Steakholder Foods is developing a slaughter-free solution for producing a variety of beef and seafood products as an alternative to industrialized farming and fishing. The achievement by Steakholder Foods represents a significant milestone in the development of 3D bio-printing technology for the food industry. The successful customization of bio-inks to an external cell line opens the door to a wide variety of potential collaborations along the path to commercializing the 3D bio-printer. In the future, other structured cultivated products, including beef and seafood, will likely be developed as a result of the significant progress in developing sustainable solutions for the food industry. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/843/cargill-invests-50-m-to-upgrade-oilseed-crushing-facilities-in-australia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/843/cargill-invests-50-m-to-upgrade-oilseed-crushing-facilities-in-australia.html Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:02:00 +0530 Expands crush capacity to strengthen Australian canola and cottonseed oil industry to further export to exported to China, Vietnam, and New Zealand. Cargill, a global food corporation has invested $50 million (A$73m) to upgrade and expand its Newcastle, Narrabri, and Footscray oilseed crushing facilities. Investing in canola and cottonseed products will help Cargill meet the growing demand. In addition, it will open up global markets for Australian farmers. Canola oil is exported to China, Vietnam, and New Zealand. The use of Australian canola in food products, biodiesel, and as a feedstock is in high demand around the world. Increasing canola production has prompted Cargill to expand its crush capacity and increase production of canola oil and meal, as well as cottonseed oil and meal. Cargill is a key supplier of high-grade canola oil to Australia and Asia. The project includes upgrading and restarting Cargill's Narrabri plant, which has been modified into a cottonseed dehulling facility. In addition to providing feedstock for domestic markets, Narrabri hulls will also be used to process cottonseed meat into oil and meal in Newcastle. The Cargill plant in Newcastle, New South Wales, is also being upgraded to crush cotton seed alongside canola seed. This will significantly increase the plant's crushing capacity. Additionally, the plant upgraded its oil seed processing equipment to meet increased demand for cottonseed meals. It also improved its transport efficiency and farmer delivery experience. Cargill's Footscray plant will also see an increase in canola crushing capacity with upgrades to processing equipment. In addition, it will see modifications to improve logistics and customer service. "Cargill connects farmers and customers to the food and ingredients they need. This investment in increasing our crushing capacity will help Cargill better serve the growing demand for canola and cottonseed products from customers in Australia and across Asia. It will also connect Australian farmers to international markets, creating more demand for locally grown canola," said Zsolt Kocza, Managing Director of Cargill in Australia. Since 1967, Cargill has been investing and growing in the Australian agriculture and food industry. In addition to cotton seed hulls and oil, Cargill expects to supply new domestic customers with this investment across its three facilities. Cargill markets Australian grain and oilseeds to the food processing, animal feed, and meat industries in addition to our crushing plants. Cargill Australia processes canola at its crush plants in Australia to produce protein meal and vegetable oils. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/844/saudis-sabic-solutions-win-5-edison-awards-for-innovations.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/844/saudis-sabic-solutions-win-5-edison-awards-for-innovations.html Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:48:40 +0530 For the third year in a row, SABIC has been recognised for its innovations Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Solutions has been awarded five of the prestigious Edison Awards 2023 for its innovative solutions, designed to meet the needs of its customers and the broader value chain, and as well aligned with SAUDI Vision 2030. This is the third year in a row SABIC's solutions have been recognised by Edison Awards, which honour the world's most innovative new products, services, and business leaders, and this is the second year in a row that SABIC received at least five Edison awards.  SABIC won 3 gold and 2 bronze awards across three separate areas for its new products and solutions. These areas include ‘Food and Agriculture’, ‘Material Science’ and ‘Sustainability.’  These awards reflect SABIC's commitment to pushing the limits of science, technology and innovation and defining the future of chemistry that allows SABIC and its customers to address some of the world's biggest challenges. "SABIC is proud to be recognised for the third consecutive year by Edison Awards, demonstrating our continued leadership in new technology and innovation advancements. These are key elements of our continued business growth on our journey to be the preferred world leader in chemicals and provide innovative solutions for the future that create a more sustainable world," said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO at SABIC. Notably, for its sustainability contribution, the Edison Awards recognised SABIC's collaboration in the innovative development of a frozen food packaging solution that uses recycled ocean-bound plastic.  Recognised as a gold award winner within the ‘Green Remediation’ category, the solution uses SABIC's TRUCIRCLE-certified circular polyethene from feedstock sourced from post-consumer plastic waste recovered from ocean feeding areas and rivers. The solution was designed in collaboration with the manufacturer of flexible film products, Polivouga and the brand owner Nueva Pescanova Group, who specialise in products like frozen seafood, making it a genuinely circular product. In the ‘Food and Agriculture Advancements’ category, SABIC was recognised as a gold award winner for its Blue Urea solution, a sustainable, low-carbon nitrogen fertiliser. SABIC Agri-Nutrients produced the product using ammonia that has a zero-carbon footprint and recently achieved the world's first independent certification for blue ammonia production. The third-party certification was made by TÜV Rheinland, a leading independent testing, inspection, and certification agency. To be certified as ‘blue’, a significant part of the CO2 associated with the manufacturing process needs to be captured and utilised in downstream applications.  Also, in the food and agriculture area, the Edison Awards bestowed a bronze award on SABIC's Next Generation Fertiliser which increases crop yield while reducing the need for large amounts of fertiliser. The unique multi-nutrient foliar fertiliser was developed with crop yield-building and protecting components in a single formula to provide nutrition and stress protection to plants. SABIC studies on the formulation have shown an improvement of up to 17 per cent in yield with up to 25 per cent reduction in fertiliser use. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/837/chinas-grain-output-to-reach-694mn-tonnes-in-2023.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/837/chinas-grain-output-to-reach-694mn-tonnes-in-2023.html Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:40:42 +0530 Agricultural technology to boost China's crop yield report said Agricultural science and technology will help China increase crop yield in the next decade, according to a report on the country's agriculture prospects by the Market Early Warning Expert Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.  The China Agricultural Outlook Report (2023-2032), released at the 2023 China Agricultural Outlook Conference held at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, reviewed the market situation of China's major agricultural products in 2022, and projected the production, consumption, trade, and price trends of these products in the next decade.  China's total grain output set a new record in 2022, reaching 687 million tonnes, an increase of 0.5 per cent over the previous year, and remained above 650 million tonnes for eight consecutive years, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The supply security foundation of grain and primary agricultural products continued to be stable, said the report.  The report said China's grain output would likely reach 694 million tonnes in 2023, up 1.1 per cent from the previous year. In the next decade, China will continue to build a diversified food supply system, improve the modernisation level of agriculture in rural areas, enhance the ability to ensure the supply of agricultural products, and strengthen the competitiveness of agriculture, the report said.  The foundation of China's food security will continue to consolidate in the next decade, said the report, noting that all 103 million hectares of permanent farmland will be built into high-standard farmland.  The effect of agricultural science and technology on increasing crop yield is remarkable. China's grain output will likely increase by 1.2 per cent annually in the next decade. Comprehensive agricultural production capacity will significantly enhance, and the channels of multiple food sources will broaden further, said the report.  The report shows that with the continuous improvement of Chinese residents' income, the consumption of agricultural products has been upgraded, and the demand for diversified, high-quality, and nutritious consumption has increased. Optimised dietary structures among locals accelerated the transformation of agricultural-product consumption from grain and vegetables to diversified products.  According to the report, China's per capita grain-ration consumption will decline, while the consumption of feed, soybean, dairy, fruit, and aquatic products will increase.  The import channels of agricultural products will be more diversified, while the trade structure will significantly improve, with grain imports falling by 19.7 per cent in the next decade.  According to the report, rice export, the major part of China's grain export, is expected to grow by 24 per cent in the next decade. The export of vegetables, fruits, and aquatic products, which have competitive advantages in the international market, is expected to grow rapidly.  The report also noted that China would see increasing trading partners for agricultural products and rising agricultural product trade with Southeast Asian countries, South American countries, and the Black Sea region.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/835/lypid-launches-worlds-first-plant-based-pork-belly-product-in-taiwan.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/835/lypid-launches-worlds-first-plant-based-pork-belly-product-in-taiwan.html Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:10:51 +0530 Lypid pioneers fat encapsulation technology to make plant-based vegan pork belly taste like the real thing using PhytoFat Taiwan-based innovative food technology start-up, Lypid has launched its plant-based, vegan pork belly product, supporting cruelty-free and eco-friendly food products. Made from 100% plant-based ingredients and patented PhytoFat technology (special encapsulated technology for canola or olive oil), Lypid’s pork belly has a juicy, smoky flavor simulating real meat. In addition to taste and texture, it is high in protein and free of antibiotics. To make plant-based meat tastier, Lypid uses PhytoFat. Lypid targets a growing food segment that identifies itself as vegetarian, or flexitarian with a preference for plant-based food. Lypid unveiled its newest innovation, serving as a major ingredient in vegan macaroni and cheese, as well as a pizza topping. Pork belly from Lypid offers a wide range of possibilities to fill the gap in the alternative meat market. Furthermore, compared to traditional pork bacon, the derivates have been proven to be lower in cholesterol, 85% lower in saturated fat, 39% lower in calories, and 69% lower in sodium. Lypid's pork belly cooks and sizzles just like traditional pork, making it a perfect substitute for a variety of recipes and cooking scenarios. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/829/syngenta-to-leverage-biotalys-insecticide-biocontrol-pipeline.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/829/syngenta-to-leverage-biotalys-insecticide-biocontrol-pipeline.html Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:57:49 +0530 Syngenta and Biotalys partners to advance AGROBODY™ technology platform to expand biological innovations for sustainable agriculture Syngenta Crop Protection and Biotalys (Euronext – BTLS) has announced a collaboration to research, develop and commercialize new biocontrol solutions to manage key pests in a broad variety of crops. The new solution will be based on Biotalys’ AGROBODY™ technology and will offer a new mode of action to broaden farmers’ access to novel technologies that counter the threat of pest resistance and advance sustainable agriculture. This new partnership allows Biotalys to accelerate the development and global commercialization of innovative crop protection solutions and cement its biocontrol innovation leadership by leveraging the expansive network and capabilities of a global agriculture business. Under the terms of this partnership, Syngenta will collaborate on a research program with Biotalys, an agricultural technology company focused on protein-based biocontrol solutions, to leverage its AGROBODY™ technology platform for Syngenta’s specific insect targets. Camilla Corsi, Head of Crop Protection Research at Syngenta Crop Protection said “by combining our proven research and development capabilities with the breakthrough protein-based innovations of the Biotalys AGROBODY™ platform, we are determined to play a pivotal role in addressing critical farmer needs around the globe.” With resistance development and increasing regulatory and environmental pressures, growers are eager to explore innovative and effective biological solutions that limit the impact on the environment and biodiversity. Biotalys has demonstrated the potential of its protein-based biocontrols to deliver novel modes of actions for effective and safe application in food and agriculture. “Syngenta, a world-leading agricultural company, on one of the most pressing industry challenges – the development of innovative and effective pest control solutions – by delivering on the promise of our AGROBODY™ technology,” said Patrice Sellès, Chief Executive Officer at Biotalys. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/826/agrofresh-partner-with-strella-to-launch-real-time-monitoring-tool-in-horticulture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/826/agrofresh-partner-with-strella-to-launch-real-time-monitoring-tool-in-horticulture.html Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:18:09 +0530 New innovative sensor technology enhances real-time monitoring of apple and pear ripening process; offers packers an eye into their storage rooms as part of post-harvest solution The leader in post-harvest freshness solutions, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. announced a partnership with Strella, a startup and developer of proprietary sensor technology, as part of its commitment to reducing food loss and promoting sustainable agriculture. The global exclusive distribution agreement will launch immediately for the northern hemisphere’s apple and pear seasons and leverage AgroFresh’s relationships with more than 3,700 customers worldwide. “We expand the reach for this innovative technology in association with Strella and provide our customers with the data and insights they need to reduce food waste and maintain the quality and freshness of apples and pears as they move through the supply chain,” said Clint Lewis, Chief Executive Officer for AgroFresh “Our partnership with Strella expands our comprehensive portfolio of post-harvest solutions and further supports our customers in their efforts to grow and distribute an abundant supply of sustainable fresh produce around the world.” added CEO, Clint Lewis. Strella’s proprietary sensors collect real-time perishability data on apples and pears while they are in storage, allowing customers to make data-driven inventory decisions to maintain freshness and protect the value of their produce in storage to yield a higher quality pack out with limited disruptions in supply to the market. This technology will complement AgroFresh’s FreshCloud™ platform. FreshCloud™ is an integrated digital platform that provides end-to-end data visibility and monitoring of product quality at all points along the value chain and moves the quality control (QC) inspection process into the digital age. Katherine Sizov, Chief Executive Officer for Strella. “Our focus is to use technology and data to enable smarter decisions across the supply chain. Addressing inefficiencies in fruit storage is a critical step in building a more resilient food supply chain." The new agreement allows AgroFresh to build on the company’s full portfolio of integrated post-harvest products, services and digital solutions designed to maintain fresh produce quality and extend shelf life. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/825/cepc-green-corridor-focuses-on-agricultural-environment-and-food-security.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/825/cepc-green-corridor-focuses-on-agricultural-environment-and-food-security.html Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:08:15 +0530 In 2023, CEPC Green Corridor is focusing on improving land cultivation area, water management and better access to seeds, fertilisers, farm mechanisation, credit, irrigation China-Pakistan Green Corridor (CPGC) in the year 2022 recorded growth of 4.4 per cent, a target was decided at 3.5 per cent. In 2021 growth was recorded at 3.48 per cent. China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation has deepened in 2022 and has reached $730 million with a year-on-year increase of 28.59 per cent. Export under the project is expected to reach $1 billion in 2023. In 2023, CEPC Green Corridor is focusing on improving land cultivation area, water management and better access to seeds, fertilisers, farm mechanisation, credit, irrigation and improvement in infrastructure and cold storage facilities.  CEPC Green Corridor focuses on the agricultural environment and food security and speaks volumes about the significance of agricultural cooperation in CPEC. China and Pakistan have decided to promote modern agricultural cooperation. Both countries have recently signed a framework agreement on Belt and Road agriculture cooperation. The framework was signed at the China-Pakistan Symposium held at Northwest A&F University, China recently. The agreement was signed by the Northwest A&F University, China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH), and the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission, Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee. According to the agreement, the three sides will work together under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for promoting international agriculture technology cooperation, training in agriculture, building overseas agriculture parks and enhancing the agriculture industrial chain of BRI countries. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was launched in 2013, the corridor links Pakistan’s Gwadar port with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The initial phase highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation. The latest phase includes agricultural cooperation. Sichuan Litong Food Group and China Machinery Engineering Corp established a company in 2021 to carry out a red chilli farming project in Multan. Under the chilli farming project, the company is implementing 1000-acre chilli cultivation in Multan during 2022 – 2023. China’s pepper technician is training Pakistani farmers to grow pepper seedlings in a greenhouse. The company also plans to build two pepper processing plants in Lahore and Multan. CPGC’s Long Term Plan (LTP) aims for development in the agriculture sector in Pakistan, which has a huge potential for enhancing agri export to the world.  BRI agricultural cooperation focuses on increasing the use of modern machinery and synthetic fertilisers to enhance crop cultivation, under this cooperation warehouses and food processing plants also would be constructed to mitigate post-harvest losses. Cold storage plants and meat processing units would be constructed.  According to the Pakistan Observer, China is planning to outsource agricultural supplies in the form of joint ventures by investing in and developing processing zones, warehouses, dairy farming and cold storage stations in Pakistan. China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation gained manifold traction during the last year. China has developed maize-soybean cultivation projects in 65 sites in Pakistan’s Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions.  The production of maize and soybeans at these sites reached 8,490 kg and 889 kg per hectare respectively. China is also developing the strip intercropping systems of maize-peanut, maize-pea, sugarcane-soybean, sugarcane-mustard, wheat-mustard, wheat-soybean, wheat-chickpea, potato-maize and canola-pea. In June 2022 a new centre was established at Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (AAUR), the CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation Centre (ACC), announced to perform policy research, assist Chinese businesses in working in the agriculture sector, and foster institutional cooperation. Pakistan is also looking forward to enhancing banana production with Chinese cooperation. Cotton germplasm is another important segment in Pak-China agricultural cooperation. China and Pakistan have cooperated in the field of gathering and identifying cotton germplasm resources. For the research of cotton germplasm Institute of Cotton Research (ICR) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), collaborated with the Cotton Research Institute (CRI), Multan, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), and other universities and scientific research institutions. In July 2022, Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College (TMVTC), China and MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM) signed an online agreement for an agricultural machinery training program of Luban Workshop in Pakistan. The two institutions will jointly promote the sci-tech exchanges and cooperation on agricultural machinery, germplasm resources and the agricultural environment. Pakistan is also working to grow sorghum crops as, along with the three main basic foods of the globe, sorghum is a crop that has increasingly gained acceptance around the world. Therefore, Pakistan’s cooperation under CPEC has huge potential to gain new agri-technology from China and revolutionise its agricultural sector. Shraddha Warde ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/824/saudis-red-sea-farms-announces-18-5-mn-strategic-fundraising.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/824/saudis-red-sea-farms-announces-18-5-mn-strategic-fundraising.html Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:46:04 +0530 The fundraising was co-led by Wa’ed – the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco and the Savola Group Red Sea Farms, Saudi Arabia and UAE AgTech business whose one-of-a-kind technology enables commercial farming using low energy, zero freshwater sustainable climate control, announces an $18.5 million strategic fundraising.  The fundraising was co-led by Wa’ed – the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco and the Savola Group – the leading strategic investment holding group in MENA food and retail, through their corporate venture capital program. KAUST Innovation Fund, one of Red Sea Farms’ original investors, is also participating, along with OlsonUbben LLC, an investment entity owned by Tony Olson and Jeffrey Ubben. Tony Olson is the CEO of SPINS, a leading wellness-focused data company and advocates for the Natural Product Industry, and Jeffrey Ubben is the Founder and Managing Partner at Inclusive Capital Partners and a pioneer in impact investing.   Proceeds will support Red Sea Farms’ global and regional expansion plans – including expansion of the fresh produce business in the GCC.  Global expansion is focused on technology development, and productisation – with first-generation product sales expected by Q4 2022.  Red Sea Farms also announces the appointment of a new global COO and regional CEO for the Middle East, Simon Roopchand. The company will leverage Roopchand’s previous CEO experience with Lorne Stewart and proven track record in leading strategic growth to capitalise on the vast opportunities in the Middle East region. Operationally, Red Sea Farms has been very active and announced its expansion into the USA in January 2022. It has also completed a new commercial-scale 6-hectare technology retrofit site near Riyadh and an R&D facility at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal – where technologies are delivering results ahead of expectations. Ryan Lefers, CEO of Red Sea Farms, said, “We are delighted to complete this $18.5 million fundraise and build on our impressive start to 2022. To have such esteemed investors believe in our vision is hugely validating and a testament to our business model and strategy. We’re excited to continue on our mission to address the reliance on freshwater consumption in food production and improve food security with their support and guidance. The appointment of Simon Roopchand as COO and regional CEO for the Middle East is another key milestone cementing our position as an innovative market leader and maximising our impact across the region.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/818/israeli-prime-minister-visits-steakholder-foods-to-experience-cutting-edge-3d-printing-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/818/israeli-prime-minister-visits-steakholder-foods-to-experience-cutting-edge-3d-printing-technology.html Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:15:10 +0530 Became the first Prime Minister to ever taste 3D-printed cultivated fish Steakholder Foods Ltd, an international deep-tech food company at the forefront of the cultivated meat industry, announced that it was proud to host Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, who explored the latest advancements in cultivated meat and 3D bio-printing and tasted 3D-printed cultivated fish and meat products at the cutting edge of food tech. During his visit, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to tour the company's facilities, see firsthand how Steakholder Foods' industrial-scale 3D bio-printer works, and learn about its potential to print tons of cultivated meat per day. He said that there is a global revolution in how humanity is producing food, and emphasised that his government is working to help companies move forward in order to maintain a technological lead. He then tasted a 3D-printed cultivated fish fillet, printed with Steakholder Foods' customised bio-inks using Umami Meats' fish cells. The tasting also included Steakholder Foods' beef product grown with ethically harvested cells in the Company's facilities. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/816/fbn-launches-novel-chatgpt-empowered-agronomic-advisor.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/816/fbn-launches-novel-chatgpt-empowered-agronomic-advisor.html Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:34:00 +0530 With AI and Norm, the possibilities are endless when it comes to increasing farmer profitability FBN®, an AgTech platform and farmer-to-farmer network, has launched first AI-powered agronomic advisor, NormSM, to provide farmers with a wide range of agronomic information. FBN is inviting its members to experiment with Norm, helping refine the feedback it provides. With AI and Norm, the possibilities are endless when it comes to increasing farmer profitability. Norm is built on OpenAI's Chatbot GPT-3.5 and uses public data such as weather insights, soil monitoring, application rates, product labels, current events, university research, and grower commentary. Using FBN's proprietary data feeds, growers can query agronomic, farm business, animal health, and product use questions."Farmers have to make hundreds of decisions each season, on topics as diverse as soil chemistry, plant genetics and diseases, chemical applications, equipment repair, and commodity price hedging. It's difficult to be an expert in all of those areas. We envision a future where Norm can serve as a first-line advisor to our members across dozens of topics," said Kit Barron, Head of Data Science at Farmers Business Network. Norm's benefits to farmers include:Chemical Intelligence: Norm can recommend generic alternatives, application rates, pest and disease targets, tank mix and nozzles.Input Guidance: Norm can provide guidance on seed varieties based on soil type, climate, and even real-time market demand, as well as herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide that are most effective.Pest and Disease Strategies: Incorporating practice management with specific products, Norm can help farmers deal with common pest and disease issues.General Agronomic Advice: From irrigation to fertilization to crop rotation, Norm can provide tailored advice to farmers based on their unique circumstances.Livestock & Animal Health: Norm understands diseases and pharmaceuticals, especially for cattle. The name Norm is a tribute to Dr. Norman Borlaug, an agronomist who was considered the Father of the Green Revolution. Agronomic work earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Peace Prize. Last month would have marked his 109th birthday. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/813/philippines-moves-towards-modernised-agri-under-s-koreas-oda.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/813/philippines-moves-towards-modernised-agri-under-s-koreas-oda.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:19:36 +0530 The ODA from South Korea is in line with the Philippines’ three-year Agriculture Development Program The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) will be undertaking a three-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) program that seeks to provide guidance to the ten selected machinery manufacturers and fabricators in the country. Under ODA, the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) will be carried out to aid local Filipino companies in resolving onsite technical difficulties of machinery and other farm facilities. The initiative is led by the Korea Association of Machinery Industry (KOAMI) with Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) and DA’s-Philippine Centre for Postharvest Development and Mechanisation (PhilMech) as implementing partners. Through TASK, beneficiaries will be upskilled through the technical know-how and experiences of experts from KOAMI, KAMICO and PhilMech. “This undertaking will foster cooperation and collaboration among all players that will ultimately result in a mechanised and modernised Philippine agriculture.” The ODA from South Korea is in line with the Philippines’ three-year Agriculture Development Program as DA continues to push for the mechanisation of Philippine agriculture to address the gaps in the sector. During his first State of the Nation Address in July 2022, President Marcos committed to giving priority to the improvement and advancement of the agriculture and fishery industries by modernising food production. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/810/origin-agritech-to-expand-nec-corn-production-and-processing-facility-in-xinjiang-china.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/810/origin-agritech-to-expand-nec-corn-production-and-processing-facility-in-xinjiang-china.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:17:22 +0530 Origin expects that this deal will add $8 million to revenue in 2023 increasing to $55 million in 2024. Origin Agritech Ltd. , announced that its majority owned joint venture has signed a deal with Shihezi city in Xinjiang, under which the JV will be granted 200,000 mu (roughly 33,000 acre) of farm land for growing NEC corn. Origin's minority partner in the JV is a regional farming and feedstock company. The JV partner is responsible for financing, both with its own funds and with bank financing, the contract growing of NEC corn and for the construction of a grain processing facility that will dry and silo the corn. The JV partner has signed offtake agreements for the purchase of the NEC corn grown by the JV. Origin Agritech will sell the NEC corn seed to the joint venture and will provide planting support services. The JV has planted 30,000 mu for this season and plans to expand planting to the whole 200,000 mu for the 2024 season. An engineering firm that builds grain processing facilities has been retained and is designing the facility and preparing the project plan for construction. Shehezi government officials cited the superior nutritional yield of Origin's NEC corn, allowing hogs to thrive without the expensive soybean meal supplementation needed with every other corn variety, as a major reason for wanting to work with Origin. Origin expects that this deal will add $8 million to revenue in 2023 increasing to $55 million in 2024 as the growing area is expanded to the full 200,000 mu. Since Origin is not responsible for any of the capital costs of the project, neither financing the contract growing, nor funding the construction of the grain processing facility, the Company will not need to raise capital to fund this growth. "We are thrilled to help ensure food security for Xinjiang by expanding production of our revolutionary NEC corn in the region," said Origin Agritech's Chairman Gangchen Han. "In 2022 extreme covid lockdowns in the regions where we were looking to expand NEC production forced us to postpone our expansion. As is evident by this new deal, that growth was delayed but did not disappear. Every feedstock company that we have sent samples of NEC corn to has independently verified the superior nutritional content and is very interested in buying it from us. Now it is just about logistics and execution of expansion of production with deals like this one." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/808/the-fao-pledges-support-for-the-pacific-strategic-plan-for-agricultural-and-fisheries-statistics.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/808/the-fao-pledges-support-for-the-pacific-strategic-plan-for-agricultural-and-fisheries-statistics.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 10:57:24 +0530 Collaborate on a ten-year Asia Pacific Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Fisheries Statistics (P-SPAFS) to stabilize the statistical data around food security, agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC) have pledged to collaborate on a ten-year plan, the Pacific Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Fisheries Statistics (P-SPAFS) which aims at strengthening the collection and dissemination of statistics related to food security, agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources to support policy formulation and sector decision making. The P-SPAFS framework was created in recognition of the need for timely, accurate, and comprehensive data to support the national Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) action plans of Pacific Island countries and territories. Accurately measuring these SDG indicators at a national level is vitally important as an indication of the success of development interventions and the sustainable development of countries and the Pacific region as a whole. "Accurate and comprehensive data is vital for informed decision-making in agriculture and fisheries. Through our collaboration with SPC and the implementation of P-SPAFS, we aim to strengthen the collection and dissemination of statistics to support sustainable development in the Pacific region," noted FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Xiangjun Yao. As part of FAO’s ongoing support to P-SPAFS, a regional workshop was held, bringing together representatives from the Pacific Island countries and territories. The workshop aimed to share potential and priority activities identified from previous projects and gather feedback on the priority, feasibility and desirability of potential activities for immediate implementation. Based on the findings of the workshop and follow-up discussions with individual countries, specific recommendations and requests for technical assistance were made to FAO, which will be addressed through this Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). Targeted countries include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/800/taiwans-delta-cooperates-to-breed-heat-tolerant-coral.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/800/taiwans-delta-cooperates-to-breed-heat-tolerant-coral.html Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:56:00 +0530 Collaborates with National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium to adopt novel coral breeding technology for corals restoration Taiwan's Delta Electronics collaborated with country's National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium from to proactively protect biodiversity by restoring coral. During the coral breeding season, volunteers and researchers collected coral sperm and eggs and conducted artificial insemination and incubation in the laboratory to increase coral colonization success. Leveraging its expertise in industrial automation, Delta has developed a customized coral incubator and vertical coral breeding system based on the Delta Plant Factory. The breeding system adopts an LED light system with a special spectrum to accelerate coral growth with programmable logic controllers that regularly feed and change water. Delta is assisting the museum in breeding heat-tolerant coral to cope with increasingly frequent marine heatwaves, fulfilling its "Climate Change" and "Life Below Water" sustainable development goals. "In the past, it was difficult to break through the traditional environment bottlenecks. With the assistance of Delta's technology and equipment, we expect to complete the collection and incubation of 10 types of coral in southern Taiwan in the first stage. We will build on the research on coral symbiosis and the breeding of heat-tolerant coral to conduct research on culturing heat-tolerant phycobionts to reduce coral bleaching", said the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium Director Chii-Shiarng Chen. Wim Chang, CEO of the Delta Electronics Foundation, said, "Climate models project increases in the frequency of marine heatwaves by 2081-2100 by approximately 50 times relative to the period of 1850-1900. This may result in severe coral bleaching. Delta's volunteers have received two years of training from the museum's researchers. In addition to obtaining CoralNet certification and with the guidance of researchers, they have marked spawning coral and set up collection nets for the first time this year, to contribute to the research of heat-tolerant coral. Delta's technology, along with microcomputer tomography equipment, will further accelerate the progress of breeding heat-tolerant coral in the lab. The foundation will also continue to work with research institutions and restoration groups to expand the restoration endeavours and move toward international biodiversity goals." April is the coral breeding season in southern Taiwan. Besides attracting recreational divers, the spectacular mass coral spawning in the Kenting waters also offers a critical time of the year for coral research. The heat-tolerant coral currently selected by the museum for restoration is Pocillopora acuta. Delta's volunteers assist with the collection of sperm and eggs, participate in in-depth transplantation research, and regularly monitor the process in the sea.  The coral vertical breeding system developed by Delta has research parameters that can be adjusted to simulate warming environments for different types of coral to explore their heat tolerance. Delta's microcomputer tomography equipment was also adopted to analyze factors such as coral bone density, soft tissue, and the composition of phycobionts to identify the optimal coral breeding conditions. In addition, Delta is paying close attention to climate change, protect biodiversity, and assist domestic indicative research institutions in overcoming their existing laboratories' traditional breeding environment and technology challenges. These efforts are improving the institutions' research results and allowing them to catch up with their international counterparts, as they preserve coral species by making them resilient enough to withstand marine heatwaves and extreme climate change. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/793/xag-drone-eyes-widespread-use-in-vietnams-banana-and-durian-farming.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/793/xag-drone-eyes-widespread-use-in-vietnams-banana-and-durian-farming.html Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:40:00 +0530 Advanced drone technology can address agricultural inputs and labor shortages, especially among fruit farmers. Farmers in Vietnam are adopting a novel XAG P100 Agricultural Drone to cut costs and reap higher benefits in the cultivation of high-value crops, like bananas and durians. With the fully autonomous and precise operation, XAG drones thrive in Vietnam's agricultural drone market. Advanced drone technology can address agricultural inputs and labor shortages, especially among fruit farmers. XAG, the leading agri-tech company, has highlighted aims to support Vietnam's fruit industry amid the shrinking agricultural workforce. Vietnam's economy relies heavily on tropical fruit exports, particularly durian, and banana. Durian exports grew 137% from the same period last year to $421 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Banana exports also grew 34.5% last year, reaching $311 million. However, bananas and durians are usually planted in a hot and humid climate, prone to pests and diseases. Throughout the growth cycle, multiple sprayings and fertilizations are required, and the investment is heavy. Despite the relatively high-profit margin of fruit crops, Vietnamese farmers are faced with increasing pressures. Most banana plantations in Vietnam are managed by manual labor. When the farm reaches 1 hectare and more, they must hire workers to water, fertilize, and control pests. Growth requires a lot of foliar fertilizer. Additionally, pesticide spraying is necessary to prevent aphids, mites, powdery mildew, and black rot. XAG P100 agricultural drone pilot sets parameters and plans flight route on the app, XAG P100 follows pre-set path autonomously. Each day, it can spray 20-30 hectares of banana fields, equivalent to 20 workers working simultaneously. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/796/ginkgos-cell-programming-capabilities-to-support-syngentas-ongoing-seeds-rd-pipeline-efforts.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/796/ginkgos-cell-programming-capabilities-to-support-syngentas-ongoing-seeds-rd-pipeline-efforts.html Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:52:26 +0530 Ginkgo’s cell programming capabilities to support Syngenta’s ongoing seeds R&D pipeline efforts Syngenta Seeds (Syngenta), global agri-tech company and Ginkgo Bioworks have partnered to screen a targeted genetic library for novel trait discovery. The results of this research are intended to inform future seed trait development so that farmers can grow healthier and more resilient crops. Ginkgo Bioworks is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, Syngenta will leverage Ginkgo’s extensive protein engineering capabilities and proprietary ultra high-throughput screening technologies to complement and accelerate Syngenta’s efforts to design and develop innovative plant traits. Ginkgo will leverage proprietary ultra high-throughput single-cell encapsulation and screening platform to support Syngenta’s development efforts to bring the next generation of innovative products to farmers. The partnership aims to tackle pressing challenges at global agriculture ecosystem. Innovative research partnerships in agriculture understanding the value of cross-pollinating expertise and capabilities across diverse industries is crucial. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/794/crop-seeds-return-from-space-in-iaea-fao-project-to-develop-resilient-crops.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/794/crop-seeds-return-from-space-in-iaea-fao-project-to-develop-resilient-crops.html Tue, 18 Apr 2023 11:20:00 +0530 The experiment aims to develop resilient crops that can help provide sufficient food amid a climate crisis Seeds sent into space last year have returned to Earth in a new milestone for joint efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to develop resilient crops that can help provide sufficient food as the planet heats up. Plants naturally evolve to thrive in their surroundings, but crops have been struggling to keep up with the current pace of climate change. The world is warmer and the global population is increasing, causing farmers around the world to struggle to meet food demand. To support these farmers and improve global food security, the IAEA and FAO, through their Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, sent seeds into space to explore the effects of cosmic radiation on speeding up natural, genetic adaptation of much-needed crops. Their return to Earth paves the way for scientists to start analysing the results. Launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, USA on 7 November 2022 and having spent around 5 months at the International Space Station (ISS), Arabidopsis and Sorghum seeds — chosen because there is already a large bank of scientific data available for comparison — were released from the ISS in the SpaceX CRS-27 cargo craft at 17:05 CEST on 15 April and made a parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Florida, CA, USA at 22:58 CEST. They will now begin their journey back to the laboratories of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in Seibersdorf, Austria, where they will be screened and analysed for desirable traits.  “The cosmic crops project is a very special one. This is a science that could have a real impact on people’s lives in the not-too-distant future, by helping us grow stronger crops and feed more people,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General. “IAEA and FAO scientists may have already been mutating seeds for 60 years and creating thousands of stronger crops for the world to use, but this is the first time we have experimented with such an exciting field as astrobiology.” “Now that the seeds are back on Earth, we can see the effects of cosmic radiation, microgravity and extreme temperatures and compare them with those induced in our joint laboratories. This ground-breaking experiment can help develop crops that are able to adapt to climate change and boost global food security,” said QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General. The seeds will undergo a phytosanitary import process which is a standard requirement for the transport of plant material across country borders to minimise the risk of introducing new pests, before final arrival at the laboratories. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/789/azelis-opens-agricultural-environmental-solutions-application-lab-in-india.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/789/azelis-opens-agricultural-environmental-solutions-application-lab-in-india.html Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:28:25 +0530 The laboratory focuses on formulation support for crop protection, seed treatment and micronutrient formulations that align with international methods and standards for formulations. Azelis, a leading innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, has launched a novel laboratory for the Agricultural & Environmental Solutions (A&ES) industry in India. A team of highly skilled and experienced agricultural technical specialists staffs the new laboratory, which is equipped with the latest equipment. The laboratory focuses on formulation support for crop protection, seed treatment and micronutrient formulations that align with international methods and standards for formulations. With the opening of this A&ES laboratory in India, in addition to Azelis' Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Personal Care, Food & Nutrition, and Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers (CASE) laboratories, Azelis India is able to provide high-quality technical solutions across a wide range of industries to its customers and principals. The advanced facility represents a key milestone in the group's commitment to innovation and formulation services. Aparna Khurana, Azelis India Managing Director said, "The newly opened laboratory expands our agrochemical capabilities to better serve our customers and principals. By offering support across all stages of the formulation development process, we demonstrate how Azelis provides value-adding services in addition to our extensive portfolio of products. Our commitment to innovation has always been at the core of our business. This new laboratory demonstrates our commitment to continuously invest in innovation capabilities.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/777/carbon-robotics-on-a-mission-to-scale-ai-powered-weed-control-platform.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/777/carbon-robotics-on-a-mission-to-scale-ai-powered-weed-control-platform.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:23:36 +0530 Secures $30M in funding to develop cost-effective and efficient precision ag-tech tool LaserWeeder™ platform for a targeted weed elimination in farms Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered robotics, has secured $30 million to develop LaserWeeder™ platform for effortless weed control in agricultural farms. The LaserWeeder™ identifies weeds and targets them for elimination. The platform implement’s 30 high-powered CO2 lasers using thermal energy to destroy the meristem of the weed with millimeter accuracy, without damaging nearby crops or disturbing the soil. The Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures is coupled with existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital. The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets. This latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million. “Carbon Robotics' elegant use of AI, computer vision, robotics and lasers enables farmers to reduce their most expensive line item - weed control - without damaging plants or the soil. The breakthrough innovation boosts farmers’ profitability across conventional, organic and no-till practices” said Rob Freelen, managing director of Sozo Ventures. “Traditional weeding methods, including hand weeding and herbicides, are expensive, unreliable and damage soil health. The LaserWeeder uniquely addresses all of these challenges. This financing round further supports our mission to provide cost-effective and efficient precision ag-tech tools to growers,” said Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics. To date, Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeders have successfully eliminated more than 500 million weeds across 40 different crops. The LaserWeeder™ has extended its reach to farms across 17 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada. Most recently, Carbon Robotics expanded the features of the LaserWeeder with the industry’s first LaserThinning capability, targeting areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth and yield. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/775/grdc-injects-3-5m-to-boost-soil-organic-matter-in-australia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/775/grdc-injects-3-5m-to-boost-soil-organic-matter-in-australia.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:38:12 +0530 A five-year research project into soil microbial ecosystems aims to improve nutrient management in agriculture by boosting soil organic matter Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is investing $3.5 million in an innovative farming system project to explore ways Australian grain growers to increase soil organic matter and return carbon to the soil. The five-year investment by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) in partnership with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and industry partners Kalyx Australia and Delta Agribusiness, is expected to generate international interest with its focus on improving soil organic matter through effective nutrient management using a whole-system approach to increase soil microbes. This investment builds on GRDC’s commitment to support grain growers to understand and incorporate sustainable farming practices through research, development and extension (RD&E). A 2022 independent assessment of GRDC’s RD&E portfolio determined that more than a quarter of projects worth approximately $200M were supporting the grains industry to adopt improved practices or technologies with direct environment benefits. Looking forward, GRDC is finalising a new RDE Plan 2023-28 within which one of the four proposed pillars is ‘Thrive For Future Generations: Australia’s grains industry remains a global leader in sustainability, for people, the planet & our long-term ability to farm’. This CSIRO-led project will identify the most effective ways to increase soil organic matter from crop residues in a dryland cropping systems and detail the cost-benefit analysis of a range of nutrient and residue management strategies for grain growers. The project will also conduct a lifecycle assessment of inputs for carbon accounting purposes. Soil organic matter contributes to a range of biological, chemical and physical properties of soil and is essential for supplying nutrients to crops, preserving soil structure and maintaining water infiltration. Lower organic matter levels reduce soil resilience and function. Good soil organic matter levels support higher grain yield and quality, but Australian soil organic matter levels are declining under continuous cropping cycles. Although plant residues are very high in carbon, nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur are required to break it down to build healthy soils with high levels of humus. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/774/cafu-unveils-first-of-its-kind-technology-for-planting-ghaf-seeds.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/774/cafu-unveils-first-of-its-kind-technology-for-planting-ghaf-seeds.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:02:25 +0530 The development of the new autonomous and unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology will accelerate CAFU’s goal to plant one million Ghaf tree seeds CAFU, the Dubai-based leader in technology and car services, has announced the latest development in furthering its commitment to planting one million trees as a part of its Ghaf Tree Project. The development of the new autonomous and unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology will accelerate CAFU’s goal to plant one million Ghaf tree seeds in the UAE. Equipped with custom speedball planting technology and tracks designed specifically to operate in desert conditions, this first-of-its-kind planting technology will help CAFU’s ambitions to address the global challenge of climate change and support the UAE’s goal to become net-zero by 2050. In 2021, CAFU launched the ‘Ghaf Tree Project’ – a bold initiative to re-green barren ecosystems across the Emirates by planting one million Ghaf seeds. Through an extensive R&D phase that focused on seed optimisation and viability and with a goal to find the best solution to plant trees more quickly in arid conditions, CAFU pivoted its initial ariel tech to robotic solutions to solve this issue. The improved technology has the ability to penetrate deeper into the ground and distribute seeds more effectively, leading to more successful trees being planted. The innovative technology not only speeds up the planting process but also guarantees the survival of the Ghaf trees. The collaboration with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) which focused on R&D for seed optimisation and viability and CAFU’s new UGV technology, marks a significant milestone in the project's development. Launched at CAFU’s labs in Sharjah, as the first-of-its-kind in the MENA region, the technology is expected to quadruple the number of seeds planted, strengthening the company's commitment to a greener future and supporting the UAE's ecosystem.   “We believe that technology is a force for good, not just for services, but for the community and the world in which we live,” said Nabra Al Busaidi, Community and Sustainability Manager at CAFU. “This is why we're proud to introduce and use our cutting-edge technology to support the UAE's commitment to building a cleaner and greener future. Over the past year, we have significantly re-engineered our processes.” With the remarkable ability to survive and prosper in some of the harshest environmental conditions, the Ghaf tree stands tall as a symbol of hope, inspiring ground-breaking work to revolutionize farming methods across the Emirates and can survive on very little water while also sustaining other plants and animal life. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/771/wakao-foods-is-all-set-to-go-global-with-its-foray-into-singapore.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/771/wakao-foods-is-all-set-to-go-global-with-its-foray-into-singapore.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:23:32 +0530   Wakao Foods is entering the Singaporean market with Seven plant-based products. Wakao Foods, a leading plant-based food brand, is pleased to announce its foray into the Singaporean market. The company will launch seven popular products, including Butter Jack, BBQ jack, Raw Jack, Continental Burger Patty, Jack Supreme Burger Patty, Hot & Spicy Sausages, and American Herbs Sausages, in the Singapore market. These products will be available at retail stores such as Everyday Vegan Grocer and HoReCa and online on popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, Amazon Singapore, and Redmart. In addition to retail stores and e-commerce platforms, Palate Sensations, a culinary school in Singapore, will also use Wakao Foods' products. The school is known for its innovative and sustainable approach to cooking, and Wakao Foods' products are a natural fit for its philosophy. Wakao Foods has a reputation for creating plant-based foods that are both delicious and nutritious, and their foray into the Singapore market is an exciting milestone for the company. Wakao Foods' plant-based products are a perfect fit for the Singaporean market, which has seen a surge in demand for plant-based foods in recent years. "We are thrilled to be bringing our range of delicious and healthy plant-based products to Singapore," said Sairaj Dhond, Founder and CEO of Wakao Foods. "Our products have high-quality ingredients, and we believe they will be well-received by the Singaporean market. We are excited to be partnering with Everyday Vegan Grocer, HoReCa, and various e-commerce platforms to make our products easily accessible to consumers across the country." VK Vidyarthi, General Manager of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said that the vegan sector can benefit small farmers by using jackfruit for companies like Wakao Foods to reduce wastage and create employment. APEDA supports plant-based firms like Wakao through its National Programme on Vegan Products. Sanjay Sethi, Exec Dir, Plant Based Foods Industry Association said India has potential to lead in plant-based foods. Success of companies like Wakao Foods is a testament. PBFIA supports members such as Wakao Foods as they expand and make plant-based foods more accessible globally. Their foray into Singapore is an example of how Indian brands can leverage export opportunity to promote growth. We look forward to continuing our support for the entire plant-based foods industry for a sustainable and healthier future. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/767/plant-based-dairy-alternatives-to-hit-the-us-market-using-ai-and-data-science.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/767/plant-based-dairy-alternatives-to-hit-the-us-market-using-ai-and-data-science.html Thu, 13 Apr 2023 11:09:00 +0530 Climax Foods and Bel Group partners to leverage AI and data science to empower new generation of plant-derived cheese mimicking traditional dairy products Climax Foods Inc., a US-based biotech start-up with innovative plant-based dairy alternatives and Bel Group, a global leader in cheese production, have partnered to develop a new generation of plant-derived cheese with the goal to tackle key challenges of the food transition such as taste, nutrition and indistinguishable from dairy cheeses while reducing carbon footprint. The two companies will collaborate to create plant-based cheese versions under the brand names Laughing Cow®, Kiri®, Boursin®, Babybel®, and Nurishh® using data science and artificial intelligence (AI). Bel acquired an equity stake in Climax to support its disruptive solution development. The partnership between Bel and Climax Foods will utilize AI and data to help change the game and meet the challenge of scaling up quickly and effectively. Climax's team of food scientists have already succeeded in creating various prototypes with all the characteristics of specialty cheeses, including blue, brie, feta, and goat varieties. Bel aims to launch these new plant-based products in the U.S. and Europe by the end of 2024. This will contribute to achieving the Bel Group objective to balance its portfolio with 50 percent of dairy products and 50 percent of plant-based/fruits products. "Bel, have a strong determination to explore new territories and develop innovative solutions that will define the future of food, for all. The products we will develop can meet the three-fold challenge of being sustainable, nutritious, and accessible. This collaboration epitomizes our co-innovation strategy by combining their distinctive technological data science and AI platforms and expertise with Bel's pioneering and historical knowledge," said Cécile Béliot, CEO of the Bel Group. Dr. Oliver Zahn, CEO and founder of Climax Foods Inc., adds, "AI and data can be game changers in food in terms of delivering optimal taste and texture while making it affordable and sustainable. We must accelerate food evolution due to climate change and consumer preferences." Climax Foods' predictive analytics and AI enable a deep understanding of animal-derived foods at the molecular level. Climax leverages this knowledge to replicate animal-derived products with plant-based versions that match their texture, flavor, and nutrition density. Climax Foods' AI-powered product development significantly reduces the time required to create plant-based recipes that harness more from the vast plant kingdom. Bel brings together deep expertise and innovation capabilities, both in dairy cheese and non-dairy alternatives, to make new generation of cheese accessible. As part of Bel Group's pioneering strategy towards feeding 10 billion people by 2050, this new partnership combines the best of both plant and animal worlds. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/765/japans-nedo-commits-400m-as-a-green-innovation-fund-to-aid-chitose.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/765/japans-nedo-commits-400m-as-a-green-innovation-fund-to-aid-chitose.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:02:14 +0530 CHITOSE Group obtains funding from Japanese Government-affiliated NEDO to promote Carbon Recycling from Biomanufacturing Technology at microalgae plants The CHITOSE Group's core company's Chitose Laboratory Corp., has won funding from the Japanese government for a project titled "Building a global industry originating in Japan that utilizes CO2 directly through photosynthesis" as part of the "Green Innovation Fund Project (GI Fund). The project aims to promote Carbon Recycling Using CO2 from Biomanufacturing Technology as a Direct Raw Material. The project uses microalgae, with sunlight as an energy source and CO2 as a direct feedstock, for commercial production of chemicals such as bioplastics and functional materials, fuels, foods and feeds, with the aim of realizing zero carbon emissions by 2050. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has selected CHITOSE to implement this theme. The total project cost is approximately $400 million, and the implementation period is scheduled for FY2023 to FY2030. CHITOSE is collaborating with other companies/organizations in various positions and industries through the "MATSURI" (meaning "festival" in Japanese) project to build a new algae-based industry to replace the petroleum-based industry. CHITOSE is working on the development of bio-products, the construction of the world's largest 5-hectare microalgae production facility and the demonstration of long-term large-scale production in Malaysia. MATSURI aims to establish an advanced microalgae-based industry. The MATSURI project, in collaboration with Japanese progressive enterprises, is led by CHITOSE, an expert in large-scale microalgae production technologies. Under the GI Fund project theme, for which CHITOSE has been selected as a prospective implementing agency, it will develop algae production technology on a 100 ha production scale with a focus on both economic rationality and environmental sustainability. The use of microalgal biomass as a raw material in chemicals, toiletries, fuels, feeds, and foods will allow for the development of a range of applications, including chemicals, toiletries, fuels, feeds, and foods. CHITOSE will develop these business activities in order to establish a global algae-based industry originating from Japan, and help the Japanese government achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. This project will involve 34 partner companies of the MATSURI project operated by CHITOSE, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Hiroshima University, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagoya University, and Institute of Microalgal Technology, Japan (IMAT). As part of this project, CHITOSE will raise private funds through the GI Fund in order to accelerate its progress. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/763/new-zeelands-first-ever-solar-powered-stratospheric-aircraft-takes-a-plunge.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/763/new-zeelands-first-ever-solar-powered-stratospheric-aircraft-takes-a-plunge.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:32 +0530 Kea Aerospace launches Solar-Powered Stratospheric Aircraft Using Audi EV to aid precision agriculture New Zealand's first solar-powered stratospheric aircraft will be a game-changer for collecting high-resolution aerial data for extreme weather events, environmental monitoring, and precision agriculture. The "Kea Atmos Mk 1" uncrewed aircraft has been designed to be used for stratospheric flight testing. It has a wingspan of 12.5 metres, weighs under 40 kilograms and will fly at altitudes higher than commercial airliners, up to 50,000 feet. The electric launch vehicle being used is an Audi e-tron Sportback. "It's an exhilarating year for the company as we undertake a range of challenging flight tests on our journey to the stratosphere.  It was an absolute thrill to show the Kea Atmos Mk1 aircraft to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pamela Melroy last month and we look forward to working with a wide range of international aerospace participants", CEO of Kea Aerospace, Mark Rocket says. Kea Aerospace has been building and flying a range of electric-powered aircraft and high-altitude balloons as part of its program to build a global fleet of solar-powered uncrewed aircraft that will fly in the stratosphere for months at a time. Their X10 aircraft flew in February 2022 for 36 hours non-stop and proved perpetual flight capability at low altitudes. Each aircraft will carry a suite of aerial imagery equipment offering game-changing advances for many industries, vastly improving the data available for activities including environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, disaster management and maritime awareness. "The Kea Atmos is the first solar-powered stratospheric aircraft designed and built in the Southern Hemisphere. It's an incredible challenge to make the aircraft as lightweight as possible to fly in less than 10% of the air density we have at sea level, but at the same time it has to be tough enough to handle flying through the fast jet streams", Mark Rocket says. Kea Aerospace is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. High altitude flights are planned this year to take-off from Tāwhaki, on the Kaitorete Spit, located around 50 kilometres south of Christchurch. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/762/agri-genomics-startup-singrow-opens-indoor-rd-farm-in-singapore.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/762/agri-genomics-startup-singrow-opens-indoor-rd-farm-in-singapore.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:53:34 +0530 Signs MoU for expansion for plots to Malaysia and Thailand Singapore's Agri-genomics startup Singrow has opened a new indoor farm in Singapore to serve as its main R&D hub. The R&D hub will develop novel crop varieties using Singrow’s proprietary genomics technology. Singrow signed agreements with its new franchise farm partners: TreeGrow in Malaysia and PREINO Co. in Thailand. These collaborations will make Singrow’s technology and strawberries available to more farmers, particularly in regions heavily impacted by climate change. The company’s crop list will expand as well, with Shengjie highlighting rice, corn, sustainable palm oil, and “other staple vegetables. Singrow’s holistic approach to controlled environment agriculture handles every step of the grow process from seed breeding to harvesting. In contrary, most conventional indoor farms use either off-the-shelf technology or build software and hardware that only services a part of the operation, such as seeding or harvesting. Singrow’s approach enables the company to breed crops suited to certain environments (e.g. drought) and automate much of the growing and harvesting tasks later on in the process. The company made headlines earlier this year for its “climate-resilient strawberries” designed to be grown in tropical climates such as Singapore. The Singapore-based company will also expand to Malaysia and Thailand via franchise farm partnerships with TreeGrow Sdn Bhd and PREINO Co, respectively. The partnerships will expand availability of Singrow’s technology as well as its climate-resilient strawberries to climate-impacted regions. Singrow is tackling the challenges of growing food in an age of limited resources and natural disasters (drought, fire, etc.) brought on by climate change. This is especially true in Singapore, where just 1% of the city-state’s land mass is available for farming, and bolstering food security is a major part of the national agenda. Shengjie said that with the new R&D hub, Singrow will be able apply its agri-genomics technology — which leverages genome sequencing and annotation, and gene adaptation and application — to other crops. Farmers around the world would then be able to produce more climate-resilient crops, thus strengthening food security and their own livelihoods. “Our proprietary genomics-based farming protocols further allow for these crops to be grown more efficiently. In fact, our indoor farming technology is at least 40% more energy-efficient than other indoor farms, allowing us to produce crops in a more sustainable and cost-effective manner” said Singrow founder, CEO and chief scientist Dr. Bao Shengjie. “Our ultimate goal is to bring our technology and crop varieties to more farmers and communities worldwide, particularly in regions where agricultural challenges have been exacerbated by climate changes and natural disasters,” he added. Singrow will also expand into China — a leading strawberry producer — in the near future. The company joined a key tech hub, the China-Singapore Smart Park in Guangzhou, this year and plans to have a seedling production facility at Guangzhou Knowledge City by 2024. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/760/chinas-national-demo-plot-fosters-gmo-corn-variety-from-origin-agritech.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/760/chinas-national-demo-plot-fosters-gmo-corn-variety-from-origin-agritech.html Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:50:43 +0530 The Beijing-based Origin Agritech Company secures a plot for its triple-stacked GMO corn trait with an anticipation for commercial launch this summer Chinese agricultural technology company, Origin Agritech Limited, (HQ: Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park, Beijing) has achieved recognition by securing significant ground in the 'National Demo plot', the plots cultivated by leading farmers in China's agriculture sector. Origin Agritech's genetically modified (GMO) corn is the only triple-stacked trait corn selected for the national demo plot and is currently grown in the plot. The hybrid variant anticipates commercial launch later this year. In crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. The hybrid has the approved triple stack trait BFL4-2, which is comprised of two different insect resistance genes, making it resistant to all the major corn pests, as well as an herbicide resistance gene. BFL4-2 is considered by many in the industry to be the 'crown jewel' of current seed traits in China as it is the only approved triple stack trait. Using its proprietary germplasm and transgenic technology, Origin collaborated on the development program for BFL4-2 and is the only company to have the stacked traits integrated into hybrid corn, giving it a several-year head start over potential competition. The approval procedure is in progress for four different varieties containing BFL4-2, including the Company's NEC corn. With dramatically increased yields, this highly sought after variety offers greater benefits. Commercial launch of these varieties is expected in summer 2023. "Having the triple stacked trait integrated into four of our hybrid corn, along with our other traits in the approval process including our drought resistance gene, really puts us in pole position in the race to commercialize GMO corn in China. MOA has recognized the importance of our revolutionary new GMO corn varieties by including them in the demo plot. We are best positioned to capitalize on this multi-billion-dollar market opportunity" said Origin Agritech's Chairman Gangchen Han. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/755/china-collects-124000-new-agricultural-germplasm-resources.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/755/china-collects-124000-new-agricultural-germplasm-resources.html Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:59:29 +0530 It will provide scientific suggestions for strengthening the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. China collected 124,000 new agricultural germplasm resources during the country's third census. Collection work on these resources started in 2015, said a conference on the seed industry held in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. Many of these newly collected resources are unique or specific, regarding their significance not only in scientific research but also in the study of local culture and special functions in food and health care, Liu Xu, an academic of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said during the ongoing 2023 China Seed Congress and Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Forum. "We'll write and publish the work report of the census work for the next step, analysing the current situation and development trend of agricultural germplasm resources in China and providing scientific suggestions for strengthening the protection and utilization of germplasm resources," said Liu. China has accelerated the cataloguing and storage of germplasm resources in recent years. World-class national crop and marine fishery biological germplasm resource banks have been built in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/754/vietnam-attracts-resources-from-korea-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-sector.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/754/vietnam-attracts-resources-from-korea-for-agriculture-and-rural-development-sector.html Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:30:04 +0530 For the period 2022-2030, Vietnam seeks Korea's resources and technical assistance in agriculture and rural development. Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held discussion with with Lee Byung Ho, Chairman of Korea Rural Development Corporation (KRC) on cooperation in the field of agricultural sector in the region. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Lee Byung Ho discussed the Medium and Long-term Vision Report on cooperation between Vietnam and Korea in the field of Agriculture and Rural Development period 2022-2030. The crucial report, identifies potential areas of cooperation to maximize the comparative advantages of the two countries, diversifying types of cooperation and investment to improve efficiency and ensure sustainability. As the agency that manages and uses international grants, KRC Group has been supporting the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in implementing a number of projects in the fields of: vegetable production, capacity building for diagnosis. veterinary medicine, building new rural areas, building high-tech agricultural models, smart agriculture, etc. The non-refundable ODA projects that KRC has implemented with Vietnam's agricultural sector include the Capacity Building project of the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center” (2014-2018); “Supporting establishments for preliminary processing and preservation of agricultural products in Vietnam” (2019-2021); “Application of Korean technology to produce disease-free potato varieties and develop sustainable potato value chains in Vietnam” (2020-2025); “Improving the rice value chain in the Red River Delta” (2021-2025); and “Strengthening the capacity of the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center” (phase 2, 2022-2025). These projects have been implemented effectively and many localities have made new proposals on replicating project/model results. As part of its commitment to further promote Vietnam's role in agriculture, KRC Group is motivated to support Vietnam's agricultural industry in areas where the Korean industry has strengths and to strengthen its cooperation and effective management of ODA projects. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/752/new-csiro-project-to-crack-the-codes-of-australias-most-invasive-species.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/752/new-csiro-project-to-crack-the-codes-of-australias-most-invasive-species.html Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:17:24 +0530 CSIRO’s Australian Pest Genome Partnership (APGP) is producing genetic data for Australia’s top pests and weeds to inform research and decisions on how to manage them. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has embarked on an ambitious new project to unravel the genetic blueprints of Australia’s top pest and invasive species to better enable their management or eradication. The Australian Pest Genome Partnership (APGP) will generate the genomic data of hundreds of pests and weeds and make it freely available, along with digital solutions to help analyse the data. The data will assist researchers working on pest and weed species and underpin next generation species-specific solutions. Invasive species have cost Australia $390 billion over the past six decades, with weeds costing the agriculture sector at least $5 billion a year. This presents a significant burden to Australia’s agriculture and livestock industries, as well as the significant and ongoing environmental impacts created by these invasive species. APGP has now prepared its first 28 genomic datasets, and this year, with its collaborators, will make public genomic data assets for some of Australia’s top pest and invasive species such as mosquitoes, khapra beetle, cane toad, fall armyworm, fox, feral pig and cat as well as weeds such as wild radish, rye and rat’s tail grasses. CSIRO principal research scientist Tom Walsh said data is easy but analysis is hard. APGP intends to make genomic data more easily accessible and usable to support industry, government and the scientific community in managing pests. “This project has the potential to drive new science and digital innovations to safeguard Australia’s environment and biosecurity from existing and growing threats posed by invasive and pest species,” Dr Walsh said. CSIRO senior research consultant Rahul Rane said the fit-for-purpose genomics database being delivered through APGP will be a game-changer in invasive species control and management. “Genomes and genetic diversity data can tell us all manner of things including where a particular pest species has travelled from, what environments it may thrive in, and whether it has developed resistance to chemicals and pesticides,” Dr Rane said.  Dr Rane also added that the more we know about the genetic characteristics of a pest, the better our ability to make informed decisions to effectively control or eliminate them safely. Ultimately research based on these new datasets will benefit all Australians by reducing public health risks and the impact of these pest species on our environment and agricultural production. Hundreds more pests are being sequenced this year, including jellyfish, invasive ants and beetles, termites, African boxthorn, crown of thorns starfish, ticks and head lice. APGP is looking to partner with companies, government departments and other research organisations to continue sequencing and collating the genome of pests impacting Australia’s biosecurity. The project received investment from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) and has received co-investment from Australian BioCommons and Australian National University. Genomic datasets were developed in collaboration with Macquarie University, University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and South Australian Research and Development Institute. The ARDC and Australian BioCommons (Bioplatforms Australia) are funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/748/china-launches-big-data-platform-for-rice-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/748/china-launches-big-data-platform-for-rice-industry.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:31:32 +0530 The China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) led the establishment of this platform that focuses on data generation, collection, storage, processing and analysis China has launched a big data platform for the entire rice industry chain, which is expected to promote the digitalisation and informatisation of the country's rice industry, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) led the establishment of this platform that focuses on data generation, collection, storage, processing, analysis and services concerning the rice industry, and covers the whole industrial chain involving rice production, storage, market, trade, consumption and science and technology, according to the 2023 China Seed Congress and Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Forum, currently underway in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.  "The platform will regularly publish authoritative rice-related index reports to improve the overall industrial service level and capability. It can accurately link terminal users, and provide services such as intelligent identification of rice seed production, insect pests and diseases, remote guidance and data retrieval and analysis," said Xu Chunchun, deputy director of the Science and technology information centre of the CNRRI.  "In the future, the platform will be upgraded from a data platform to a service platform to create a digital ecosystem of the rice industry with full coverage of digital production and docking of service networks," Xu added.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/745/agco-and-bosch-basf-smart-farming-to-commercialize-smart-spraying-capabilities.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/745/agco-and-bosch-basf-smart-farming-to-commercialize-smart-spraying-capabilities.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:57:43 +0530 Innovative smart spray solution aims at optimal herbicide savings without compromising weed control and will enable targeted spraying during the day and night. AGCO Corporation (HQ: Georgia), the American agricultural machinery manufacturer has collaborated with Bosch BASF Smart Farming, to commercialize Smart Spraying technology into Fendt Rogator sprayers and jointly develop additional new features. In May 2021, AGCO and Bosch BASF Smart Farming started the first trials of the innovative smart spray solution from Bosch BASF Smart Farming, which will offer optimal herbicide savings without compromising weed control and will enable targeted spraying during the day and night. In addition to selective spraying, the system will offer integrated digital tools to turn application data into actionable information and improve farmer performance and efficiency.  Herbicide savings are achieved through sophisticated detection, automated sensitivity thresholds, access to Bosch BASF Smart Farming's pest identification technology, and use of Fendt Rogator's robust application platform. AGCO will offer the system in the Americas and Europe from 2024. Farmers will also be able to benefit from personalized agronomic recommendations and reliable documentation within the same solution. The system will offer a comprehensive user experience through built-in and external controls from AGCO and the integrated digital platform of Bosch BASF Smart Farming from xarvio® Digital Farming Solutions, with information about the data collected during the application. Currently, the supported crops are corn, soybeans, cotton, rapeseed, sunflower and sugar beet, with other crops, such as small grains, being added over time. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/744/pepsico-launches-crop-intelligence-model-for-india.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/744/pepsico-launches-crop-intelligence-model-for-india.html Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:44:01 +0530 In collaboration with Cropin, develops user-friendly mobile apps to provide farmers with insights on their crop health including a disease early warning system PepsiCo India, through its brand “Lay’s”, announced a crop & plot-level predictive intelligence model to help farmers maximize potato yields coupled with quality via functional dashboards on user-friendly mobile apps. Launched in collaboration with Cropin, a leading global agri-tech company known for creating the first industry cloud for agriculture, this initiative is a part of PepsiCo’s ‘Precision Agriculture’ model for India and is being implemented as a pilot project in demo farms at Indian states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Most farmers in India own less than one hectare of farmland and face constant challenges due to lack of means to evaluate the optimum consumption of agri-inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides as well as actionable weather data. For example, potato yield losses caused through the blight crop disease can go up to 80% if not forecasted early. Significant yield loss caused due to ground frost is another serious issue for potato farmers especially in the northern parts of the country. The new initiative under the PepsiCo-owned brand “Lay’s” has the potential to address these challenges by using satellite imagery correlated with remote sensing data to provide insights. The system can generate a forecast up to 10 days in advance which can assist farmers in identifying different crop stages, and close monitoring of crop health, including a disease warning system that relies on weather forecasts and historical data. In India, PepsiCo works directly and indirectly with over 27,000 farmers across 14 states and 100% of the potatoes for its “Lay’s” brand are sourced from farmers within the country. In its pilot stage, the necessary training and handholding to the farmers is being provided through field agronomists who are helping them understand the dashboard and leverage the insights. Currently, the model covers 62 farms as a trial: 51 in Gujarat and 11 in Madhya Pradesh. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/741/svg-venturesthrive-join-forces-with-intel-and-texas-am-agrilife-to-tackle-nutrition-security.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/741/svg-venturesthrive-join-forces-with-intel-and-texas-am-agrilife-to-tackle-nutrition-security.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 14:07:02 +0530 This collaboration was developed when the organisations identified a unique opportunity to create significant value by applying technology SVG Ventures|THRIVE announced that they have partnered with Intel Corporation and Texas A&M AgriLife to launch a new collaboration. The three organisations will join forces in creating an ecosystem and laying the groundwork to address food and nutrition security by accelerating controlled environment agriculture (CEA) innovations. In recent years, food security concerns have been exacerbated worldwide, driven by macro trends such as the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and climate change, as well as local factors such as labour dynamics and regional weather events. In Texas, food security challenges in urban food deserts have been amplified by recent and unprecedented storms in the region. This collaboration was developed when the organisations identified a unique opportunity to create significant value by applying technology, and innovation, and leveraging the Intel, Texas A&M AgriLife, and THRIVE ecosystems to improve nutrition security in Texas with CEA solutions. In this collaboration, Intel will leverage its extensive resource base to help advance CEA technologies. Texas A&M AgriLife — encompassing a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System -- is uniquely positioned to bring value to the collaboration, aiming to improve lives, environments and the local economy through education and research. Fueled by THRIVE's startup, scaleup, and corporate partner ecosystem and award-winning innovation programming, Intel's resources and solution development capabilities, and Texas A&M's expertise and infrastructure, the collaboration creates a platform for advancing nutrition security in the Texas ecosystem and beyond. A working team will map the innovation landscape in urban nutrition security, identify key challenges and opportunities for innovation, develop the local ecosystem, and identify and scale economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable solutions to address nutrition security objectives. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/740/kingfish-maine-to-harvest-first-batch-of-dutch-yellowtail.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/740/kingfish-maine-to-harvest-first-batch-of-dutch-yellowtail.html Fri, 07 Apr 2023 13:52:18 +0530 The Kingfish Company currently produces 1,500 tons of high-quality, high-value Dutch Yellowtail at its Kingfish Zeeland facility Kingfish Maine is harvesting its first Dutch Yellowtail from Maine, with a limited release of the first sustainable Dutch Yellowtail to be produced in the US. As part of the Kingfish Company [Euronext: KING], Kingfish Maine is currently operating at the Centre for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) in Franklin as it prepares for construction on a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in Jonesport, Maine. “We have worked three long years to arrive at this point - harvesting our first Dutch Yellowtail from Maine and completing all our permits for our land-based Jonesport facility,” said Megan Sorby, Kingfish Maine Operations Manager. “This would not be possible without the collaborative work with our team at Kingfish Zeeland and our crew here at CCAR.” Beginning in 2020, Kingfish Maine deployed the same advanced RAS technology at CCAR to raise fingerlings from its sister company in the Netherlands. This small batch, limited release of Dutch Yellowtail from Maine will be distributed and served at restaurants in Maine, Boston, DC and California over the next two months. The Dutch Yellowtail harvest is a true Maine collaborative venture. Bristol Seafood, which recently announced its B Corp. certification, is processing the limited reserve batch at its Portland facility. “As a certified B Corp, Bristol collaborates with other companies which meet our standards of sustainability and environmental impact,” said Peter Handy, Bristol Seafood President & CEO. “We are proud that the Kingfish team is entrusting us with processing and packaging its first Maine harvest of sustainably-raised Dutch yellowtail. We look forward to supporting Kingfish Maine as the company fully develops its facility in Jonesport.” “Our first Maine harvest is a milestone for the Kingfish Company,” said Vincent Erenst, Kingfish Company CEO. “Our US facility will mirror the operational excellence proven in the Netherlands. Kingfish Maine will be the largest producer of Yellowtail Kingfish in the US, providing local and sustainable Yellowtail to expanding markets.” The Kingfish Company currently produces 1,500 tons of high-quality, high-value Dutch Yellowtail at its Kingfish Zeeland facility. Expansion is currently underway and capacity in the Netherlands will reach 3,500 tons in 2023. Once the Jonesport Maine facility is fully operational, Kingfish Maine is projected to produce 8,500 metric tons of yellowtail. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/736/bayer-to-invest-60-mn-euros-in-corn-seed-production-facility-in-ukrain.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/736/bayer-to-invest-60-mn-euros-in-corn-seed-production-facility-in-ukrain.html Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:31:06 +0530 This investment includes a new seed dryer, state-of-the-art agricultural field equipment, storage facilities. Bayer has revealed an investment of overall 60 million euros from 2023 onwards in its corn seed production facility Pochuiky, Ukraine. With this the life sciences company emphasizes its commitment to Ukraine and strengthens its Crop Science business in the country, contributing to rebuilding the economy. This investment includes a new seed dryer, state-of-the-art agricultural field equipment, storage facilities and the construction of two bomb shelters to ensure the safety of the Ukrainian colleagues who have been operating the facility and executing this investment project under very difficult circumstances. Bayer’s Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability Matthias Berninger said, "Our investment underscores our commitment which is in full alignment with our vision of ‘Health for all, hunger for none’ and reflects the critical importance of the country in the global food supply chain. We will do our part to support the rebuilding plan for Ukraine and protecting food security for the region and for the world." Berninger attended a small business delegation on a visit to Ukraine led by Robert Habeck, German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The delegation which also included Oliver Gierlichs, Managing Director of Bayer Ukraine, discussed Germany’s commitment to the country and its people as well as the possibilities of an economic partnership. It was the first business delegation of the German government in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Prior to the war, the company made a significant investment of close to 200 million euros to establish corn seed production through a network of skilled Ukrainian farmers and the greenfield seed processing site in Pochuiky. The plant was inaugurated in 2018 and operates with around 100 on-site employees and about 250 to 300 seasonal workers. Bayer, with its plant, is one of the biggest investors in the region. Its taxes comprise about 25 per cent of the local community budget. Bayer is actively involved in solving social issues of the local community in the Pochuiky village by investing in the construction of a new road and the local hospital, as well as continuously supporting the local school, kindergarten and library.  Pochuiky site investment in line with overall efforts of Bayer to support Ukraine. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/731/israeli-scientists-develop-drought-resistant-tomato-variety.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/731/israeli-scientists-develop-drought-resistant-tomato-variety.html Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:36:39 +0530  Scientists identified interactions between two areas of the tomato's genome that lead to increased yield and resistance to dry conditions. Israeli researchers Shai Torgeman and Professor Dani Zamir from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new tomato variety that is more resistant to drought conditions and could help with the destructive impact of climate change. The scientists crossbred two species of tomatoes, a wild variety from the deserts of western Peru, with a common commercial cultivar that is widely available. They identified interactions between two areas of the tomato's genome that lead to increased yield and resistance to dry conditions. The study found that these specific areas in the plant's genome led to a 20 per cent-50 per cent increase in the overall yield in both regular and dry conditions. The scientists also observed that plant size improved. According to the researchers, their findings show that using wild species is an effective way to enhance agricultural output. They could also prove to be widely applicable to other plants in the future. “The new tomato breed being developed in Israel could help soften the blow. It is expected to hit supermarket shelves in the near future and likely will be used as a processing tomato in the production of ketchups and sauces”, Torgeman said.  Torgeman also added that we’re now in the stage of cultivating the first crossbred species for commercial purposes and I believe that this will be available on the market in the next 2-3 years. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/730/dsm-launches-digital-salmofan-color-measurement-tool.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/730/dsm-launches-digital-salmofan-color-measurement-tool.html Thu, 06 Apr 2023 11:17:16 +0530 The new technology, Digital SalmoFan™ accurately measures fillet fish color throughout the entire value chain to optimally recognize the nutritional values using credible color gradient reference points Royal DSM, a global purpose-led science-based company, launches new technology, Digital SalmoFan™, to accurately measure fillet color throughout the entire value chain. The Digital SalmoFan™ is a portable and user-friendly device measuring the color of salmon fillet according to a numeric scoring system. This innovation builds upon the DSM SalmoFan™ and SalmoFan™ Lineal –used today throughout the global salmon industry to measure fillet color— and brings globally accepted standard color metrics into the digital era. The Digital SalmoFan™, which will be available to companies globally across the salmon industry value chain, from feed producers, farmers, to processors, and retailers, further highlights DSM commitment as the industry leader in color measurement tools. Innovative features of the Digital SalmoFan™ include: Portable, compact and easy to use. Fillet color can be measured consistently anywhere, without any light interference. Objective and accurate: measurements strongly correlated to, and expressed as, a SalmoFan™ score - the globally accepted standard color metric. Once connected with smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth, the Digital SalmoFan™ is simply placed on a sample fillet and ready to scan. A SalmoFan™ score appears on the screen. The Digital SalmoFan™ app is an efficient way to gather, store and share the data collected from color measurements. Data are captured in standard spreadsheets for easy export into larger databases. Fabio Cervellione Director Nutrition & Health Solutions Aqua Global at G.O. Johnsen, notes that: “By introducing Digital SalmoFan™, DSM enables the entire value chain to measure fillet color (at scale) accurately and objectively. Farmers, feed producers, processors and retailers can now move their pigmentation programs into the digital era, optimizing color management and being able to capture greater value from fillet color. One language of color, any-time, any-place”. Benedict Standen, Head of Global Aqua Marketing at DSM adds: “In DSM, we are committed to unleashing the power of aquaculture by delivering innovative science-backed solutions for optimum nutrition and health. The Digital SalmoFan™ enables the industry to maximize the value of color providing a credible, reliable and consistent reference point across the value chain”. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/725/australias-golden-grove-nursery-embraces-data-driven-analytics-for-sustainable-water-management.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/725/australias-golden-grove-nursery-embraces-data-driven-analytics-for-sustainable-water-management.html Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:45:33 +0530 Real-time monitoring and analytics capabilities ensure efficient irrigation and fertigation, reduce nutrient runoff while enabling higher quality citrus nursery trees Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), and Golden Grove Nursery, the dominant supplier of citrus nursery trees to the Queensland citrus industry (Australia), have applied artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics and sensor technology to inform data-driven irrigation water management practices for sustainable, environmentally friendly food production. Golden Grove has installed an innovative combination of weight scales, soil moisture sensors, and analytics developed for horticulture use by Hitachi Vantara, Greenlife Industry Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, and ICT International. This solution measures and assesses moisture content in the growing media of pots, as well as crop water use, to provide insights that inform practices such as irrigation and fertilization decisions. The implementation includes a free-standing weather station to monitor the microclimate and a range of pH, temperature, soil moisture, weight, and electrical conductivity sensors to monitor water quality and leachate. Golden Grove Nursery Director Wayne Parr said "With this project we are using the power of data to improve our irrigation management processes which will, in turn, reduce the overheads of water usage, improve environmental outcomes, and ensure we maintain compliance with regulatory requirements." As an alternative to the manual process Golden Grove can automatically test the water every 15 minutes. Real-time data is uploaded to the cloud and presented on one screen – the Hitachi Supply Chain Control Tower, modified to holistically measure production nursery productivity and environmental stewardship by integrating sensor data, weather forecasts, and biophysical models. Using Hitachi's Lumada Manufacturing Insights, nursery personnel can view predictive analytics like irrigation requirements. This digital smart farm project is part of a broader sustainable horticulture program supported by funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program as well as Hort Innovation, with co-investment from Applied Horticultural Research, Greenlife Industry Australia, AusVeg, Freshcare, Growcom, Australian Banana Growers Council, Hitachi Australia Pty Ltd and Hitachi Vantara LLC. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/719/bayer-ag-establishes-bioethics-council-for-guidance-on-current-bioethical-questions.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/719/bayer-ag-establishes-bioethics-council-for-guidance-on-current-bioethical-questions.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:52:11 +0530  Bioethics Council aims to focus on the development of new biotechnological and artificial intelligence-based solutions. Bayer AG has established a Bioethics Council consisting of internationally renowned experts, to provide broad independent perspective and guidance on current bioethical questions, particularly with regard to the development of new biotechnological and artificial intelligence-based solutions. Bayer is committed to using emerging technologies in an ethically responsible way as part of its business and R&D activities across all its divisions. The Bioethics Council will maintain regular dialogue with Bayer leadership on the implementation and long-term development of Bayer’s Bioethics Policy. To this end, the Bioethics Council focuses, among others, on the further development and implementation of Bayer’s Bioethics Policy. This policy represents a company-wide ethical framework for decisions relevant to R&D innovations in the life sciences. It covers medical topics, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. The Bioethics Policy specifically gives guidance on issues related to the discovery, development, production and application of treatments and therapies to promote human health, and in agricultural products and services. Dr Monika Lessl, Head of Corporate R&D and Social Innovation at Bayer AG. said, "We are aware of our responsibility as a research company and therefore want to actively participate in the further development of bioethical standards in dialogue with society. Exchange with external experts is essential for this," she emphasized. Dr. Axel Trautwein, Head of Regulatory Science at Bayer Crop Science, added: "Developing innovations in the life sciences, particularly in biotechnology, inevitably requires a thorough assessment of the ethical implications for people and the environment. Bayer wants to raise and uphold high bioethical standards throughout its operations – with the help of the Bioethics Council. Being transparent about our approach and our progress in this process is the cornerstone of all our efforts in building a solid ethical framework for our business." The Bioethics Council convenes twice a year. In addition, the experts offer support on specific questions, either individually or in small teams. The Council is designed in several ways to safeguard the independence of its members. The experts provide external independent advice and do not represent Bayer or its operations. The Council currently has ten members. Bayer will regularly report on its work.Members of the Bayer Bioethics Council are: Carolina Aguerre, Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences, Universidad Católica del Uruguay I. Glenn Cohen, Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology & Bioethics, Harvard Law School Gry Hasselbalch, PhD, Independent scholar Insoo Hyun, Director of the Center for Life Sciences and Public Learning, Boston Museum of Science Andreas Kurtz, Head of the Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Registry (hPSCreg, former European Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry) Sir Jonathan Montgomery, Professor of Health Care Law, University College London Jonathan D. Moreno, Professor of Medical Ethics & Health Policy and of the History & Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania Anne Muigai, Professor of Genetics and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Research at the National Defence University-Kenya Sonny Ramaswamy, President of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in Redmond, WA, USA Julian Savulescu, Chen Su Lan Professor in Medical Ethics at the National University of Singapore ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/717/australias-agricultural-rd-investment-on-the-rise.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/717/australias-agricultural-rd-investment-on-the-rise.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:16:54 +0530 Latest estimates indicate that $1 of R&D investment generates a return of around $8 in agricultural gross value added The Australian agriculture sector has increased its investment in research and development (R&D) over the past ten years, contributing to growth in the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of Australian farms. Dr Jared Greenville, Executive Director of ABARES said the rise in funding was a welcome sign for the agricultural sector. “R&D continues to be a good investment, with our latest estimates indicating that $1 of R&D investment generates a return of around $8 in agricultural gross value added,” Dr Greenville said. “Total agricultural R&D funding in 2020-21 was $2.20 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 4.35 per cent from 2011-12 to 2020-21,” Dr Greenville said. According to Dr Greenville, private-sector funding has been growing at a faster rate than public-sector funding. “Private sector funding has grown at an average annual rate of 5.63 per cent from 2005‑06 to 2021-22, exceeding the 2.02 per cent annual growth rate of public sector investment,” Dr Greenville said. “The private sector has increased its share of total agricultural R&D funding from 29 per cent in 2005-06 to 42 per cent in 2020-21. While this is welcome news, one note of caution is that a lot of private sector investment relies on underpinning, publicly funded R&D. R&D investment enables the delivery of new technology and knowledge into the Australian agricultural system and ABARES has confirmed the importance of R&D to the sector. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/712/rivulis-completes-acquisition-of-iib.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/712/rivulis-completes-acquisition-of-iib.html Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:03:34 +0530 With this acquisition, Rivulis will lead the mass adoption of modern irrigation solutions and digital farming by growers and business partners to create an irrigation and climate leader globally Rivulis Pte. Ltd. (Rivulis) has announced that it has received full regulatory approval for the acquisition of multiple overseas subsidiaries which comprise the International Irrigation Business (IIB) of Jain Irrigation. With this acquisition, Rivulis will lead the mass adoption of modern irrigation solutions and digital farming by growers and business partners to create an irrigation and climate leader globally. The acquisition has been finalised after all government authorisations and the precedent conditions required by the Share Purchase Agreement have been obtained and completed. Rivulis will finance the acquisition with additional investment from Temasek as well as newly issued shares to Jain India; In addition, debt issuances of Jain USA and NaanDanJain will be refinanced immediately post-Closing through a syndicated facility signed with leading banks including HSBC, Rabobank, State Bank of India, ING, Bank Leumi and the First International Bank of Israel. Richard Klapholz, Rivulis CEO, said, "As mentioned during the deal announced last June, we are thrilled to have both companies join forces to build a long-lasting, purpose-led company, spearheading the transformation of agriculture through its focus on accessibility, innovation and sustainability. We will also benefit from the most comprehensive micro irrigation and digital farming offering and most importantly from a fully committed, diverse employee base. I, wholeheartedly, welcome the Jain USA, AVI, IDC and global NaanDanJain teams and am certain that, as one company, we will become a formidable force as we establish ourselves as a global irrigation and climate leader. Together with our two shareholders, Temasek and Jain Irrigation, Rivulis' next chapter will be an exciting one as we realise our GROW BEYOND mission to help growers achieve sustainable livelihoods and to become a global sustainability champion." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/711/china-laos-signs-pact-to-promote-agricultural-tech-cooperation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/711/china-laos-signs-pact-to-promote-agricultural-tech-cooperation.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:06:17 +0530 The MoU aims to accelerate the application of research on the entire tropical agricultural industry chain A Chinese company Yangguang Jiarun Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. and South Subtropical Crops Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, and the Department of Agriculture of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Lao government to promote agricultural cooperation in the Lao capital Vientiane. The MoU is about tropical agricultural science and technology and it will promote a new pattern of international agricultural cooperation between China and Laos, according to the Xinhua news agency. Xie Fei, the general manager of the Yangguang Jiarun, said, “Under the framework of the MoU, all involved parties will collaborate to deepen cooperation on agricultural science and technology, to accelerate the application of research on the entire tropical agricultural industry chain.  The MoU aims to build the Yangguang Jiarun (Laos) Eco-Agricultural Industry Project in southern Laos into a national agricultural demonstration base, a tropical crop germplasm resource library, a tropical agricultural scientific research and experimental project, and an agricultural training centre in Laos.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/708/tel-aviv-university-develops-super-seaweed.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/708/tel-aviv-university-develops-super-seaweed.html Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:01:11 +0530 The findings may serve the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and nutritional supplement industries After developing an innovative technology that enables the growth of seaweed enriched with proteins and minerals such as zinc, iron, iodine, magnesium, and calcium for humans and animals, researchers from Tel Aviv University's School of Zoology at The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) have made a new advancement. Researchers succeeded in significantly increasing the ability of seaweed to produce healthy natural substances, focusing on enhancing the production of bio-active compounds that offer medical benefits to humans, such as antioxidants - the concentration of which was doubled in the seaweed; natural sunscreens - its concentration tripled; and unique protective pigments of great medical value, the concentration of which increased by ten-fold. The study was carried out with the innovative and sustainable approach of integrated aquaculture, which combines seaweed with fish cultivation, upgrading the seaweed while at the same time helping to purify the seawater and minimising negative environmental impacts. According to the researchers, these findings may serve the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and nutritional supplement industries.   The new development was led by Doron Ashkenazi PhD student of Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, under the guidance of Prof. Avigdor Abelson of Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology and Prof. Alvaro Israel of the IOLR in Haifa, in collaboration with other leading researchers from Israel and around the world, including Guy Paz from IOLR; organic chemistry expert Dr Shoshana Ben-Valid; Dr Eitan Salomon from the National Centre for Mariculture in Eilat and Prof. Félix López Figueroa, Julia Vega, Nathalie Korbee, and Marta García-Sánchez from Malaga University in Spain. The article was published in the scientific journal Marine Drugs. Doron Ashkenazi explains that “seaweed, also known as macroalgae, are marine plants that form the basis of the coastal marine ecosystem. The seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the environment. They purify the water and provide food, habitat, and shelter for numerous species of fish and invertebrates. Not many know that seaweed also produce a wide variety of distinct bio-active compounds that are beneficial to humans. The seaweed living in the intertidal zone face extreme stress conditions, which include changes in salinity, temperature, desiccation [loss of moisture] conditions, changes in the availability of nutrients and high exposure to solar radiation, especially in the ultraviolet (UV) range." "Not many know that seaweed also produces a wide variety of distinct bio-active compounds that are beneficial to humans." Doron Ashkenazi To survive, seaweed has developed a unique set of chemical defence mechanisms – natural chemicals that help them cope with these harsh environments. They are highly efficient natural factories that produce valuable substances that may offer significant benefits to humans. In the current study, they sought to examine whether and how it is possible to increase and maximise the seaweed’ production of bio-active compounds, and secondary metabolites, that offer significant health benefits. These substances include antioxidants, protective pigments, and natural UV radiation filters. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/705/chinese-spirits-maker-pledges-sustainable-business-practices-in-recycling-and-smart-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/705/chinese-spirits-maker-pledges-sustainable-business-practices-in-recycling-and-smart-agriculture.html Sun, 02 Apr 2023 21:23:13 +0530 Jiangxiaobai applies ESG philosophy to the entire industrial chain China-based Chongqing Jiangxiaobai Liquor Co., Ltd., a liquor manufacturer has outlined the company's sustainable business practices in recycling and smart agriculture in its recent release of environmental, social and Governance (ESG) for 2022 on 30 March 2023. Jiangxiaobai has taken initiative to integrate sorghum cultivation, technology research and development, brewing, distillation, production and distribution. In addition to its innovations in green manufacturing, the company has achieved several economic and social milestones. Jiangxiaobai has built several infrastructures to ensure its presence in the whole industrial chain, such as the Jiangxiaobai Farm Sorghum Production Facility , the Jiangxiaobai Distillery Brewing Center, and the Jiangxiaobai Central Industrial Park . Earlier this year, Jiangji Distillery was recognized as a National Green Factory by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The Jiangxiaobai Park demonstrates the company's industrial integration through plant cultivation and agricultural knowledge and culture. Now, Jiangxiaobai is committed to integrating agriculture, industry, and services into its business portfolio to minimize the environmental impact in its operations. By deploying energy-efficient equipment, recycling water and improving management, the company has reduced its energy consumption. In 2022, its annual consumption of water, electricity, and natural gas decreased by 7.9%, 5.8%, and 8.4%, respectively. Specifically, the company implemented standardized manufacturing processes, adopted innovative technologies, continuously improved its packaging, and implemented environmentally friendly standards throughout its supply chain. By combining ecologically friendly agriculture with rural tourism, Jiangxiaobai plans to establish a national premium production area for fen-flavored Kaoliang. A model of green ecotourism will also be developed through visits to farms and distilleries by liquor specialists and tourists. A major factor in Jiangxiaobai Farm's circular agriculture development is the cultivation and planting of sorghum, becoming a local example of planting raw materials for wine making. Having established a 40,468-hectare sorghum production facility in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province , Jiangxiaobai has further enhanced its ability to supply quality sorghum and produce pure alcohols from cereals. “We will continue to practice our ESG philosophy while further addressing CSR needs and broadening the strategy across the entire supply chain, with a mission to become an eco-friendly company that advances technological innovation,” said Tao Shiquan, the founder of Jiangxiaobai. “With an emphasis on a green and environmentally friendly mindset, we plan to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through energy conservation and emission reduction, environmental protection , reducing costs as well as improving efficiency as well as improving efficiency and maximizing the use of energy, with the ultimate goal of creating a world-class green factory". ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/697/israels-start-up-nation-embraces-innovative-agrifood-tech-initiatives-to-advance-commercialization.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/697/israels-start-up-nation-embraces-innovative-agrifood-tech-initiatives-to-advance-commercialization.html Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:17:00 +0530 Start-Up Nation Central and SVG would collaborate on long-term programs in Israel and the USA to build closer links among the two agrifood innovation ecosystems through co-marketing efforts, events, ecosystem access, and business opportunities. Leading AgriFood innovation and investment platform SVG Ventures|THRIVE will collaborate with Tel Aviv-based Start-Up Nation Central to create an Israel – North America bridge to support the mutual growth of both countries’ AgriFood Tech ecosystems and the connections between them.   SVG Ventures|THRIVE, a leading AgriFood Innovation and Investment platform headquartered in Silicon Valley, and Start-Up Nation Central, a nonprofit that promotes the Israeli innovation ecosystem around the world, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a strategic collaboration to connect and support the AgriFood tech sectors in both countries.  The collaboration between Start-Up Nation Central and SVG would include long-term programs in Israel and the USA pursuing opportunities to build closer links between the two agrifood innovation ecosystems using co-marketing initiatives, events, ecosystem access, and business opportunities. Through the collaboration with SVG, Start-Up Nation Central aims to solidify relationships with the global AgriFood tech community, particularly in North America, to help Israeli startups scale faster in international markets and increase access to high-value Israeli innovation technology. Start-Up Nation Central provides a platform that connects Israeli innovation to the world, nurtures business growth, and generates partnerships to strengthen Israel’s economy and society. SVG Ventures|THRIVE is an established leader in the agrifood tech sector and has developed an expansive global ecosystem of startups, corporate partners and a multitude of industry associations, producer co-ops and investment and government partners. Through this collaboration both partners will leverage their platforms to drive innovation and create unparalleled access for entrepreneurs to scale globally to solve the biggest challenges facing the food and agriculture industries.  “Our platform delivers incredible opportunities for startups and we are excited to partner with Start-Up Nation Central to support and accelerate innovative Israeli companies focused on advancing a more sustainable future for the global food and agriculture industries” said John Hartnett, Founder and CEO SVG Ventures|THRIVE Director of Global Partnerships at Start-Up Nation Central, Emma Vardimon: “We are happy to team up with SVG, a leading partner in the AgriFood tech innovation ecosystem, to promote joint initiatives for this sector. This partnership will allow us to expand our global connections for the benefit of Israeli tech and propel deal flow opportunities to the SVG innovation platform. The mutual commitment to promoting the AgriFood ecosystem and finding opportunities will allow us to promote leading Israeli technological solutions to address a common global challenge”.   ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/701/siig-invests-70-million-in-biogas-protein-startup-unibio.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/701/siig-invests-70-million-in-biogas-protein-startup-unibio.html Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:14:30 +0530 The investment in Unibio will be paid in two tranches, the first tranche of approximately $25 million (GBP 21 million) is paid now with the second subject to applicable Foreign Direct Investment approvals Unibio International PLC, the leading sustainable protein company announced that the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) has signed an agreement to invest approximately $70 million (GBP 59 million) in Unibio. The proceeds will be deployed to enable Unibio’s vision of feeding the world’s growing population sustainably. Unibio will use the funds to roll out new global production capacity, expand operating capabilities, and accelerate innovation and commercialisation. Through industrial protein production based on Unibio’s unique fermentation technology – the U-Loop technology – it is possible to improve food security and feed the world’s growing population sustainably without the use of arable land and with low water usage. The fermentation technology mimics a process that occurs in nature daily and uses methane (e.g. natural gas or biogas) as feedstock. The production of Uniprotein is efficient, stable, and independent of weather deviations that impact the production of traditional protein sources. Uniprotein is approved for feed in the European Union and global registrations are in progress. The protein provides nutrition on par with or better than other high-quality proteins, such as fishmeal, and has been tested successfully in various aqua and animal species. Uniprotein is free from pesticides, fully traceable, and non-GMO. It has been launched commercially and Uniprotein is attracting significant global interest from feed compound companies and animal and fish farmers. The production of Unibio’s protein for direct human consumption is under development. “We are delighted to welcome SIIG as a significant investor in Unibio. Their investment will enable us to play a pivotal role in meeting our customers’ need for sustainable protein. Unibio’s technology will improve food security and speed up the process of feeding the world sustainably. We are pleased that SIIG shares our ambition of providing food security for the world’s growing population and helping stop hunger (SDG2). We look forward to working together to make it happen,” David Henstrom, CEO of Unibio said. Abdulrahman S. Alismail, CEO of the Saudi Industrial Investment Group, added, “We are extremely pleased to invest in Unibio and see it as strongly aligned with SIIG’s new strategy to diversify its investments, enter new sectors focused on sustainability and new technologies, and develop partnerships with international companies. Unibio’s focus aligns with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increasing domestic protein production and supporting food security through innovation and technology. We are investing in Unibio for the long-term and believe that by doing so we will contribute to a more diverse and sustainable economy.” The investment in Unibio will be paid in two tranches, the first tranche of approximately $25 million (GBP 21 million) is paid now with the second subject to applicable Foreign Direct Investment approvals.  BofA Securities acted as a placement agent to Unibio in connection with the transaction. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/700/sp-global-commodity-insights-launches-ewindow-for-asian-biofuels-and-feedstock.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/700/sp-global-commodity-insights-launches-ewindow-for-asian-biofuels-and-feedstock.html Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:04:05 +0530 The Platts eWindow communication online data-entry and communications tool brings greater speed, transparency and efficiency to the Platts Market-on-Close (MOC) price assessment processes S&P Global Commodity Insights, the leading independent provider of information, analytics and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, launched the Platts Editorial Window (eWindow) communication tool for assessing the tradable value of physical Asian Biofuels and Feedstock FOB Straits and China. The Platts eWindow communication online data-entry and communications tool brings greater speed, transparency and efficiency to the Platts Market-on-Close (MOC) price assessment processes. Between 2020 and 2022, S&P Global Commodity Insights launched four assessments for ISSC-Certified UCO (Used Cooking Oil) and UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester) in China and the Straits, encompassing terminals beyond Singapore's borders. Against the backdrop of growing liquidity and maturity of the Asian Biofuels and Feedstock industry, S&P Global in collaboration with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) will now launch the Platts Editorial Window (eWindow) communication tool for assessing the tradable value of physical UCO and UCOME cargoes in Asia, allowing market participants to trade with increased confidence. Andrei Agapi, APAC associate pricing director for Agriculture, S&P Global Commodity Insights, said, "The expansion of Platts Editorial Window (eWindow) to support Platts MOC for Asian Biofuels and Feedstock marks a further milestone in the maturity and rapid commoditisation of the market. This latest addition to the Platts Asian biofuels price assessment offering will provide valuable insight into an important energy source and further enhance transparency for the physical cargo market. Market participants can now submit outright and time-spread bids and offer for publication directly through the eWindow communication tool." "With the continued drive towards reducing our carbon footprint in the transportation sector, the world is increasingly exploring the use of second-generation biofuels. This new generation of biofuels increasingly relies on the supply of oils-derived vegetable waste materials such as Used Cooking Oil (UCO) which has seen rapid growth in liquidity over the past three years. According to analytics data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, forecasted biofuels demand will exceed 3.25 million barrels per day by 2025, and much of the growth will be attributed to biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)." Asia is at the heart of the production and export of waste material used in the production of biofuels. The largest export volumes presently come from China, Malaysia and Indonesia and are thereafter imported into Singapore, Europe and the US where Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel capacities are ramping up simultaneously. In addition, Singapore has seen rapid growth in biofuels blending into marine fuels to reduce carbon emissions from the maritime sector. The volume of biofuels such as UCOME supplied in Singapore to oceangoing vessels has reached approximately 70,000 metric tons according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/702/taranis-field-timeline-functionality-enables-better-season-planning-and-enhanced-engagement-with-growers.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/702/taranis-field-timeline-functionality-enables-better-season-planning-and-enhanced-engagement-with-growers.html Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:03:00 +0530 The new Taranis AcreForward™ functionality helps ag advisors build effective field management plans and accelerate in-season decisions. Taranis, the AI-powered crop intelligence leader, is pleased to announce the release of its new Field Timeline. Ag advisors now have access to an innovative tool that helps them better plan and manage their season with a complete timeline of insights and trends. Users can view this data in a single dashboard as the season unfolds, gaining insight into stand counts, weed pressure, disease detection, insect pressure, and field health. The Field Timeline is available directly from the Taranis Insight Dashboard. Users can filter insights to their specific needs and review insights alongside weather and field health scores. They can also toggle between the timeline and map view for easier navigation of the field, and drill down to leaf-level imagery. "The addition of Field Timeline to the powerful set of tools in our AcreForward solution enables advisors to improve planning and increase engagement with growers before, during, and after the season," said Ido Peled, Taranis Chief Product & Marketing Officer. "Since launching the tool, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, and it is quickly becoming our top-used AcreForward functionality." Pablo Bruzzoni, Taranis VP of Customer Success, added, "Field Timeline is a game-changer for advisors and growers, making post-season assessments and pre-season planning much more effective. In conversations with our customers, we see the great potential it has for helping advisors deliver personalized plans and recommendations that optimize yield and profitability." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/696/corteva-agriscience-launches-adavelt-active-new-fungicide.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/696/corteva-agriscience-launches-adavelt-active-new-fungicide.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:54:41 +0530 Novel, Natural-origin disease control product available for commercial sale in Canada, South Korea and Australia Corteva Agriscience announced the commercial launch of Adavelt active, with recent product registrations in three countries – Australia, Canada and South Korea. Adavelt active is a novel fungicide with a new mode of action that protects against a wide range of diseases that can impact crop yields. Zetigo PRM fungicide with Adavelt active, now approved for sale in Canada, will be available for the 2023 growing season for use in lentil crops. Commercial sales of products containing Adavelt active will also begin this year in Australia and in South Korea. Corteva plans to offer Adavelt active in additional countries and pending appropriate crop registrations in the following years, subject to regulatory approvals. "Farmers have a critical need for innovative fungicides to address the challenges they face today. Adavelt actively delivers exactly that – a new, flexible option to protect crops and preserve yield potential," said Robert King, Executive Vice President of, the Crop Protection Business Unit, Corteva Agriscience. "Corteva is investing in R&D to bring farmers differentiated, sustainable solutions like Adavelt active. The commercialisation of Adavelt active is a testament to our strong pipeline." Adavelt active is built on the discovery of Inatreq active, a natural origin fungicide developed by Corteva with proven effectiveness for many crops. Adavelt active (florylpicoxamid/FRAC Group 21) is the first broad-spectrum picolinamide fungicide for use against Ascomycota pathogens in major crops grown worldwide. Adavelt active features a novel target site of action in many crops with no cross-resistance to other modes of action, and it has a strong fit in existing integrated pest management programs as a resistance management tool.  Adavelt active offers preventative properties against a wide range of diseases severely impacting yield, along with curative properties when used in the early stages of infection. By adding Adavelt active to disease management programs, farmers can simplify fungal control efforts and reduce resistance risks, while protecting the yield potential and quality of crops, both now and in future seasons. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/695/jiangxiaobai-applies-esg-philosophy-across-whole-industry-chain.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/695/jiangxiaobai-applies-esg-philosophy-across-whole-industry-chain.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:58:23 +0530 The company reduced energy consumption through the deployment of energy-efficient equipment alongside water recycling and refined management Chongqing Jiangxiaobai Liquor Company, which incorporates sorghum cultivation, technology R&D, brewing, distillation, production and distribution, recently released its 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report outlining the company's sustainable business practices in the area of recycling and smart agriculture, its innovations in green manufacturing as well as several milestones the firm has achieved in promoting economic and social development.    Jiangxiaobai, as a modernisation across the business portfolio incorporating agriculture, industry and services, attaches great importance to the impact of company operations on the environment. The company reduced energy consumption through the deployment of energy-efficient equipment alongside water recycling and refined management, with its annual consumption of water, electricity and natural gas for 2022 dropping by 7.9 per cent, 5.8 per cent and 8.4 per cent, respectively. In particular, the firm implemented standardised manufacturing processes, adopted innovative technologies, continuously improved its product packaging, and applied eco-friendly standards across the supply chain. Jiangxiaobai also plans to create a national premium production area for fen-flavor Kaoliang liquor and enhance the added value of agricultural products by combining eco-friendly farming with rural tourism in addition to creating a green ecotourism model through the combination of farms and distilleries that receive visits from liquor specialists and travellers. In recent years, Jiangxiaobai Farm has vigorously developed circular agriculture with the cultivation and planting of sorghum as the leading factor applied and has become the local demonstration planting of raw materials for winemaking. With the establishment of a 40,468-hectare sorghum production facility in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province, Jiangxiaobai has further expanded its supply channels for quality sorghum and added to its competence in producing pure grain-based spirits. Jiangxiaobai has built several facilities establishing a presence across the whole of the industry chain, including the sorghum production facility at Jiangxiaobai Farm, the brewing centre at Jiangji Distillery and the Jiangxiaobai Central Industry Park. Earlier this year, Jiangji Distillery was recognised as a National Green Factory by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Jiangxiaobai's production facilities directly provided over 1,000 jobs to local inhabitants. The company has also launched an annual hometown employment program that has benefited over 2,000 local residents, with salaries 30 per cent -50 per cent higher than the local average. Based on a model that integrates its businesses and production facilities with the local farming community, the distiller has helped over 2,000 local growers increase revenue, contributing to the further implementation of China's rural revitalisation strategy. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/694/irri-usaid-bayer-launches-global-dsr-initiative-scale-direct-for-asian-and-african-farmers.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/694/irri-usaid-bayer-launches-global-dsr-initiative-scale-direct-for-asian-and-african-farmers.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:49:18 +0530  It aims to establish of a network of institutions and actors to advance seed and varietal development, adaptation, and accelerate the deployment of product concepts.  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Bayer agreed to support and co-invest in a four-year project “Scale Direct” that aims to accelerate the global efforts of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on direct seeded rice (DSR) research and development for smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa. The Project got launched through a ceremonial event hosted at IRRI South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi on 09 March 2023. Underpinned by IRRI’s DSR research flagship, the project titled “Improving the quality of life of smallholder rice farmers in Asia and Africa through introduction, on-farm testing and scaling of improved germplasm and climate smart agronomy” and also named as “ScaleDirect” is a comprehensive integration of breeding specific varieties for DSR establishment methods, on-farm validations, DSR specific agronomic practices, and seed systems and enterprise development activities. The global initiative’s core objectives include the 1) establishment of a network of institutions and actors to advance seed and varietal development, adaptation, and accelerate the deployment of product concepts, product varieties or hybrids, and required DSR market-suited traits, 2) introduction, validation, and scaling of climate-smart agronomic practices and technologies, 3) strengthening formal and informal seed production, delivery, and entrepreneurship for equitable, gender-inclusive access to climate-resilient products, and 4) an evidenced-based learning, feedback, and recommendation mechanism for experts and policymakers. “Smallholder farmers are an integral part of the agriculture system and advancements in farming are key to their growth. We are elated to partner with USAID and IRRI to bring the latest innovation and Agri-focused technology to smallholders across the globe, building a better agriculture system and staying true to Bayer’s vision of ‘Science for better’ in agriculture,” said Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head – Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. USAID General Development Officer, Dr. Jim Gaffney lauds the project for its alignment with the US government’s Feed the Future Initiative to end hunger. He also expressed his optimism for the returns this investment will bring given its strong backing from multiple national agriculture research systems (NARS) partners, among other collaborating sectors. “There is massive opportunity and learning in public, private, and community extension network collaborations. The diverse participation by various stakeholders in this launch is a clear manifestation of true public-private partnership. This collaboration rests upon a shared vision of making our farming systems more responsive to climate change impacts,” said IRRI Rice Breeding Innovations Platform leader, Dr. Hans Bhardwaj. Resulting from co-conceptualization meetings between IRRI, Bayer, and USAID that began in 2022, the project is touted to help improve the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of rice production and lead to widespread adoption of DSR practices among smallholder farmers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique. IRRI Director General, Jean Balié stressed the importance of this synergy as well as the crucial role of the NARES partners in the timely and appropriate scaling of these interventions. “We cannot emphasize enough that we are committed to bringing new innovations to the forefront of rice systems. Furthermore, we are highly committed to ensuring that these technologies provide sustainable economic outcomes for our stakeholders. The shared goal is always to improve the lives of farmers.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/689/japan-establishes-consortium-for-3d-bioprinting-cultured-meat-manufacturing.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/689/japan-establishes-consortium-for-3d-bioprinting-cultured-meat-manufacturing.html Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:12:24 +0530 Osaka University, Shimadzu, Itoham Yonekyu, Toppan, and SIGMAXYZ collaborate to establish “the future creation consortium for cultured meat.”  On March 29, the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University (Osaka University), Shimadzu Corporation (Shimadzu), Itoham Yonekyu Holdings Inc. (Itoham Yonekyu), Toppan Inc. (Toppan), and SIGMAXYZ Inc. (SIGMAXYZ) established “the future creation consortium for cultured meat.” The consortium focuses on "concrete initiatives for practical implementation of the manufacturing technology of edible cultured meat using 3D bioprinting." Through cross-company collaboration, we will carry on "developing 3D bioprinting technology for application", "establishing an integrated value chain from production to logistics", and “contributing to legislation through collaboration with government offices and private companies." By exhibiting at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, Kansai, we will concentrate on "providing information that helps people understand cultured meat," aiming to realize the world's first use of cultured meat. The consortium consists of "operating partners," who develop technologies, negotiate with government offices and related organizations, and provide information to the public; "R&D partners," who engage in joint research in specific technology areas; and "practical implementation partners," who dispatch information to make cultured meat-related technologies and products popular. "Operating Partners" are Osaka University, Shimadzu, Itoham Yonekyu, Toppan, and SIGMAXYZ. For the positions of "R&D partners" and "practical implementation partners," consortium is inviting applications from various fields. The 3D bioprinting technology developed by Osaka University can freely produce muscle tissue structures and is expected to be used in the fields of food, regenerative medicine, and drug design. In August 2021, Osaka University and Toppan published a paper on a technology that produces different kinds of fibrous tissues, such as muscle, fat, and blood vessels using 3D printing and bundles up and integrates them. After the technology was established, Osaka University, Shimadzu, and SIGMAXYZ signed a partnership agreement for the practical implementation of 3D bioprinting technology in March 2022 and began working on its practical implementation. By receiving Itoham Yonekyu as a member, who has extended its knowledge about meat over the years, "the future creation consortium for cultured meat" will further develop collaborations and accelerate technological development. Prior to the establishment of the consortium, Osaka University, Shimadzu, Itoham Yonekyu, Toppan, and SIGMAXYZ signed an agreement for "the practical implementation of cultured meat technology by 3D printing" to build a system for the initiatives. With the establishment of the consortium, Osaka University, Itoham Yonekyu, and Toppan opened a "Joint Research Laboratory for Social Implementation of Cultured Meat" in Suita Campus, Osaka University. The joint research laboratory and "Osaka University Shimadzu Omics Innovation Research Laboratories," which is established in December 2019, will serve as the center for research promotion of the consortium.The five parties are planning co-sponsor the "Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Nest for Reborn" exhibited at the Osaka-Kansai Expo by Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City, and to display an automated cultured meat production system and provide cultured meat produced by 3D bioprinting technology to visitors who wish to eat at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, Kansai, using the event as a place to communicate the initiatives of the consortium to the world. Through the Osaka Expo, we will present the ideal form of cultured meat as one of the "future foods," which will lower the burden on the environment and solve the global protein shortage. This will help people have a better understanding of what cultured meat is about. Through the initiatives of the consortium, the five parties will contribute to solving environmental and food problems, improving people's health, and proposing future foods. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/686/hitachi-vantara-and-golden-grove-nursery-harness-data-driven-analytics-for-water-management.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/686/hitachi-vantara-and-golden-grove-nursery-harness-data-driven-analytics-for-water-management.html Wed, 29 Mar 2023 08:57:53 +0530 Golden Grove has installed an innovative combination of weight scales, soil moisture sensors, and analytics developed for horticulture use by Hitachi Vantara Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd and Golden Grove Nursery, the dominant supplier of citrus nursery trees to the Queensland citrus industry (Australia), have applied artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics and sensor technology to inform data-driven irrigation water management practices for sustainable, environmentally friendly food production. Golden Grove has installed an innovative combination of weight scales, soil moisture sensors, and analytics developed for horticulture use by Hitachi Vantara, Greenlife Industry Australia, Applied Horticulture Research, and ICT International. This solution measures and assesses moisture content in the growing media of pots, as well as crop water use, to provide insights that inform practices such as irrigation and fertilisation decisions. The implementation includes a free-standing weather station to monitor the microclimate and a range of pH, temperature, soil moisture, weight, and electrical conductivity sensors to monitor water quality and leachate. "The best production nurseries have the best water," said Wayne Parr, Golden Grove Nursery Director. "With this project, we are using the power of data to improve our irrigation management processes which will, in turn, reduce the overheads of water usage, improve environmental outcomes, and ensure we maintain compliance with regulatory requirements." With the new implementation, water is automatically sampled and tested every 15 minutes, as opposed to the manual process Golden Grove has been undertaking twice a week for more than 30 years. Sensors have replaced bottles dipped into the dam and fingers poked into a pot. Real-time data is uploaded to the cloud and presented on one screen – the Hitachi Supply Chain Control Tower, modified to holistically measure production nursery productivity and environmental stewardship by integrating sensor data, weather forecasts, and biophysical models. Nursery personnel can easily access depictions of predictive analytics such as irrigation requirements thanks to Hitachi's Lumada Manufacturing Insights. Generations of experience, instinct and know-how are now supplemented with real-time insights that can give Golden Grove Nursery a data-driven edge. Within months of implementation, the nursery improved its irrigation practices by 30 per cent. "It is a privilege to support both sustainability and operational efficiency objectives in tandem, in an industry like agriculture and horticulture that has such a direct impact on society," said Maggie Laird, Hitachi Vantara Senior Vice President of Business Transformation and Sustainability. "We are committed to developing the solutions and analytics that sector-leading innovators like Golden Grove Nursery need to make critical data-driven decisions that solve pressing challenges like modernising to remain competitive whilst protecting the land and surrounding waterways and fostering sustainability in food production practices." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/683/apo-launches-new-center-of-excellence-on-climate-smart-agriculture-in-japan.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/683/apo-launches-new-center-of-excellence-on-climate-smart-agriculture-in-japan.html Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:09:41 +0530 The COE on Climate Smart Agriculture will start its activities from April 2023 which includes implementing climate-change mitigation and adaptation technologies. In efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ profits, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the sector regionwide, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) announced the designation of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) of Japan as its new Center of Excellence on Climate-smart Agriculture (COE on CSA). This is a result of the long-term partnership between the two institutions in disseminating know-how in the focus area of the new COE. The COE on CSA will start its activities from April 2023, including a need and readiness assessment of APO members for implementing climate-change mitigation and adaptation technologies, two international conferences on CSA and other COE focus areas, and pilot projects to apply technologies developed by the COE on CSA starting from 2024 as well as seminars, study missions, workshops, and on-site training for customizing the know-how to meet local needs in APO members. The COE on CSA may provide technical knowledge and skills such as technologies to reduce methane emissions from paddy fields; agricultural weather data systems for rice, wheat, and soybean production; web-based soil carbon sequestration visualization tool for greenhouse gas reduction in various crops such as rice, wheat, and soybean. The APO COE Program showcases excellence in specific productivity fields to promote the adoption of the know-how and best practices of one member by others while adapting them to suit local contexts. The COE on CSA will focus on the deployment of climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies, know-how, and frameworks for low-carbon rice, wheat, and soybean production as staple foods in the Asia-Pacific. Specific focus areas will be sharing technical knowledge and methods to reduce methane emissions from paddy fields; adoption of agricultural weather data systems for rice, wheat, and soybean production; web-based soil carbon sequestration visualization tools for GHG reductions in various crops such as rice, wheat, and soybean; application of biochar and development of carbon credit methodologies; and water management practices in rice cultivation and treatment of livestock waste. The agriculture sector is crucial in most APO members and essential for global food security. However, it is also a significant contributor to GHG emissions and is vulnerable to climate change. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events may cause food scarcity. GHG emissions due agriculture, livestock operations, and land use are estimated to account for 24 per cent of the global total. The introduction of climate-friendly agricultural practices combined with the adoption of smart technologies can bring multiple benefits in the form of higher productivity, increased agricultural and food production, and reduced GHG emissions. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/682/new-rijk-zwaan-varieties-create-more-choice-in-the-leek-market.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/682/new-rijk-zwaan-varieties-create-more-choice-in-the-leek-market.html Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:57:27 +0530 Company wants to be a dependable partner for leek growers and offer a broad and innovative portfolio in order to support their future growth. Since last year, leek growers have had more varieties to choose from. Rijk Zwaan is aiming to play a serious role in this important crop, following an intensive period of development work. It has initially launched four strong new varieties that pave the way for a complete portfolio of hybrid leek varieties, that helps leek growers to address today’s challenges. Here, three key Rijk Zwaan employees discuss the importance of collaboration, their drive to support customers’ future growth, and the company’s ambitions. Dependable partner for leek growers Bert Crins (Breeder), Filip Hermans (Crop Coordinator) and Rik Van Laere (Crop Manager) all played a key role in the launch of the new leek varieties. They are keen to emphasise the importance of teamwork, since they worked together not only with numerous other colleagues, but also with various growers from seven European countries. Van Laere explains why Rijk Zwaan’s decision to invest in the development of leek varieties was a logical one: “As one of the world’s leading vegetable breeding companies, we believe that such an important European crop belongs in our range. We want to be a dependable partner for leek growers and offer a broad and innovative portfolio in order to support their future growth.” Collaboration equals speed According to Crins, the success of this project is thanks to the effective collaboration between the Rijk Zwaan team and the growers: “We breathed new life into our leek breeding programme ten years ago. We started by identifying the market needs; that gave us a clear goal to aim for. We then gradually improved our genetics and worked towards that goal. Over the past five years, we’ve made strong progress thanks to the short lines of communication and a continuous feedback loop between Breeding, Product Development and the market. Growers in all important European leek markets ran trials with high-potential varieties and shared their findings with us. That enabled us to make any necessary changes quickly.” Hermans adds: “We should be proud of that speed because it’s pretty unique. It meant that we could introduce the first four varieties in our range simultaneously. They differ in terms of earliness and shaft length, but they are all aligned with the market needs.” Challenges for leek growers Hermans is happy to explain more about those needs. “Leek growers are looking for labour-friendly varieties, not only because labour accounts for a big share of their costs, but also because employees are in increasingly short supply. Therefore, a leek variety must be easy to clean,” he says. “Harvest reliability is another requirement. Due to ever-tighter restrictions on the use of crop protection agents, resistances are becoming more important in the battle against pests and diseases. Needless to say, we’re focusing heavily on developing varieties with resistances against problems such as thrips and leek rust. The third challenge is climate change. Heat and drought can have a big impact on leek crops due to the long season, which is why we strive to develop robust varieties. Besides that, a leek variety must have good agronomical traits and produce a high yield.” The best four leek varieties The four new varieties meet all of those needs. They clearly emerged from the long selection process as the high-potential varieties, Crins explains: “Floccus RZ, Nebulus RZ, Volutus RZ and Radiatus RZ were selected as the best, including based on growers’ trials.” Hermans sums up the key characteristics: “Floccus is for the earliest cycles. It’s fast and has high tolerance to bolting and thrips. Nebulus follows on from that. It’s a uniform, labour-friendly and versatile variety. Volutus is for the late-autumn/early-winter segment. It remains short, uniform and nicely upright with a blue leaf colour. Last but not least, Radiatus is a prepack type which like Volutus is upright with blue leaves, plus it is strong against thrips.” Paving the way for a complete portfolio There are more new leek varieties in the pipeline. Rijk Zwaan is continuing to expand its portfolio. Hermans: “In the autumn of 2022 we selected several new varieties to complete our portfolio in the other segments. As soon as these varieties become commercial, they will be listed on the websites for the specific production regions. We will continue to work closely with the growers to fine-tune how to optimise cultivating our varieties in practice. Of course, our next generation of varieties will also be focused on even more harvest reliability, labour efficiency and resistances. That’s how we stay relevant in every market segment.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/673/portugals-sparos-launches-innovative-micro-diet-for-turbot-hatcheries.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/673/portugals-sparos-launches-innovative-micro-diet-for-turbot-hatcheries.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:31:23 +0530 The micro diet incorporates a selection of top-quality ingredients that have been thoroughly tested Portugal-based SPAROS announced the launch of its latest product, WIN Max, within the HATCHERY FEEDS range. As a leader in aquaculture nutrition, SPAROS has developed this innovative micro diet to optimise the performance of turbot at marine hatcheries through customised nutrition. WIN Max has been designed in partnership with key customers and R&D institutions and is tailor-made to meet the evolving needs of hatchery managers. This premium weaning micro diet incorporates a selection of top-quality ingredients that have been thoroughly tested and produced by low-shear extrusion, incorporating microencapsulation of water-soluble nutrients. It has been formulated specifically for turbot, ensuring good growth and survival at the early development stages. Additionally, WINMax combines high palatability, digestibility and adjusted physical properties to ensure increased uptake by the fish while lowering the impact on water quality. “We are thrilled to introduce WINMax to our customers and the market at large,” said Luís Conceição co-founder and R&D director from SPAROS. “This product is the result of tireless research, development, and innovation. We are confident that it will outperform our customers’ expectations while offering unparalleled value at turbot hatcheries.” With the launch of WIN Max, SPAROS continues to build a portfolio of premium bespoke products that deliver exceptional results. This new product marks an exciting new chapter in SPAROS’ history. At SPAROS, we have a hands-on approach towards converting customer needs into new solutions. The close contact we have with our customers and R&D institutions allows us to establish strong partnerships that lead to the development of bespoke products. As João Henriques, Product Manager at SPAROS puts it, “Our customers’ success is our success, and we strive to create value for them through innovation and collaboration.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/671/bayer-presents-unprecedented-fungicide-new-business-models-and-seed-innovation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/671/bayer-presents-unprecedented-fungicide-new-business-models-and-seed-innovation.html Mon, 27 Mar 2023 07:08:00 +0530 Invests more than €2.8 billion per year in Research and Development (R&D) for agriculture globaly The 20th edition of Tecnoshow Comigo, a multinational agricultural trade event, will take place between the 27th and 31st of March in the municipality of Rio Verde (GO), the U.S. Participating in the major event, Bayer is presenting its Innovations in seeds, an unprecedented fungicide for soy farming, state-of-the-art digital tools and new business models at the occasion. With global investments of more than €2.8 billion per year in Research and Development (R&D) for agriculture, the multinational will present the most advanced in biotechnologies, crop protection and digital tools for the field, demonstrating directly to farmers of the region how modern solutions can contribute to the growth of agricultural production in a sustainable way. Bayer is introducing Supra , a new systemic fungicide, ideal for use in controlling diseases in soybeans. The formulation demonstrates effectiveness in different stages of the infectious process of diseases such as Asian rust, target spot, brown spot, anthracnose, cercospora and powdery mildew. Similarly, for corn, Bayer is presenting two innovative products, the insecticide Curbix® , which has a highly efficient contact effect against both leafhoppers and bedbugs, helping in the integrated management of pests, and the Verango Prime nematicide , for the effective and long-term control of nematodes in maize, such as root-knot nematode ( Pratylenchus zeae ) and root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne incognita ). To unlock new opportunities to transform agriculture, Bayer portfolio is leveraging digital field innovation solutions and many crop protection solutions. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/665/ecorobotix-introduces-novel-smart-herbicide-biospray-device.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/665/ecorobotix-introduces-novel-smart-herbicide-biospray-device.html Fri, 24 Mar 2023 15:09:00 +0530 UHP-spraying solution is efficient and more cost-effective solution which can be used for both selective and non-selective herbicides Ecorobotix has introduced a UHP-spraying solution for spot-spraying herbicide application, making it more efficient and more cost-effective solution which can be used for both selective and non-selective herbicides. The ARA Precision Sprayer is a revolutionary ultra-high precision sprayer with an ability to treat plant-by-plant with an unprecedented accuracy of 6x6 cm and a breakthrough in targeted herbicide delivery. ARA's technology can accurately detect, classify, and spray only individual weeds (avoiding surrounding soil and crops), thanks to its AI based plant recognition capability and ultra-high precision (UHP). Ecorobotix's UHP-spraying solution is radically different from conventional and spot-spraying herbicide application, making it more efficient and more cost-effective solution which can be used for both selective and non-selective herbicides. Under the Biospray project, ARA proved its potential for Sustainable and Non-Selective Herbicide & Pesticide Use in Agriculture. The EU-funded agROBOfood project has supported the Biospray industrial challenge project to adapt Ecorobotix's ultra-high precision technology to meet the needs of biocontrol applications and to conduct field trials for three types of applications.  The novel Biocontrol are derived from natural ingredients (such as vinegar and geranium) and offer effective crop treatment.  These simpler molecules are assumed to be highly effective herbicides and pesticides, to degrade totally (so don't remain in the soil/environment) and to require less energy to produce (reducing the CO2 footprint). "For example, 'natural' herbicides can be used to treat weeds but can also harm the crops if they were broadly sprayed so they are best delivered by an ultra-high precision sprayer which targets individual plants (spraying only weeds but not crops)", explains Steve Tanner, CTO Ecorobotix. The products can be used both in conventional farming and bio/organic farming.  However, formal homologation of these biocontrol products is still ongoing for use in organic/bio farming. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/666/syngenta-launches-global-platform-to-address-complex-challenges-in-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/666/syngenta-launches-global-platform-to-address-complex-challenges-in-agriculture.html Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:59:24 +0530 “Shoots by Syngenta™” will also include a startup accelerator, providing a supportive ecosystem for early-stage companies developing new agricultural technologies. Syngenta Group announced the launch of “Shoots by Syngenta™,” a global platform designed to help tackle agriculture’s most complex challenges, increase innovation, and advance more sustainable agriculture. Starting with science-based innovation challenges, the platform will connect scientific discovery and creativity, bringing together academics, research institutes, startups, and cross-industry sectors to collaborate with Syngenta’s global network of 5,000+ scientists. “Shoots by Syngenta™” will also include a startup accelerator, providing a supportive ecosystem for early-stage companies developing new agricultural technologies. Cohorts of startups will enter a program connecting them with mentors, resources, and funding to accelerate their growth and impact. “Helping growers sustainably feed a rapidly growing human population requires a strong collaboration focus, not just across agriculture but across industries,” said Gusui Wu, Global Head of Seeds Research. “Collaboration is at the heart of how our scientists approach innovation every day. It’s embedded in our scientific culture, and we are continually seeking out different technologies, solutions and partners to help us better serve farmers.” “Shoots by Syngenta™” will spotlight specific innovation needs from across the Syngenta Crop Protection and Seeds businesses. Science-based innovation challenges will be posted on the website, enabling anyone with a scientific interest to submit proposals in response to the challenges or other areas of focus. Proposals are quickly evaluated, and if there is a mutual fit, they are progressed to a collaboration partnership to take forward the research or technology that might eventually be licensed. “We know that science holds the answer to the challenges we face, so we’re open to sharing and helping others benefit from our world-leading findings and experiences,” says Camilla Corsi, Global Head of Research for Syngenta Crop Protection. “Shoots by Syngenta™ gives us gives access to real, proven data and insight, which can inform and accelerate future science-led breakthroughs.” Additionally, the startup accelerator will provide early-stage companies the opportunity to pilot their technology at Syngenta’s Farm of the Future and select grower farms globally, mentorship and access to industry experts, and an opportunity to present and test ideas with relevant business leaders and investors. Participants will get one-on-one mentoring by Syngenta business leaders that is customized based on each team’s specific requirements. "Our vision is to create an ecosystem that drives innovation and collaboration in the agricultural industry, creating a more sustainable and efficient future for farmers, consumers, and the planet," said Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group. "We believe that the most promising solutions to global food security, sustainability, and productivity will come from bringing together innovative and technology-driven start-ups with growers and industry experts.” Leaders from Syngenta Group will be present at this week’s World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit and the IUPAC International Congress of Crop Protection Chemistry to engage with fellow innovators and share more on “Shoots by Syngenta™.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/659/blue-aqua-international-bstl-mih-announce-partnership-for-aquaculture-project-in-oman-and-singapore.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/659/blue-aqua-international-bstl-mih-announce-partnership-for-aquaculture-project-in-oman-and-singapore.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:08:08 +0530 The partnership aims to create a sustainable model for urban aquaculture and address food security concerns globally Blue Aqua International, Bahwan Services and Trading LLC (BSTL), and Muscat Investment House (MIH) have announced a strategic partnership to develop major aquaculture projects in Singapore and Oman. The partnership aims to support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry and address food security concerns globally. Blue Aqua International will partner with BSTL and MIH on a multi-phase aquaculture development project in Oman. This includes the country’s first state-of-the-art aqua feed mill with a production capacity upwards of 30,000 tonnes of feed, a high-tech trout farm capable of producing 3,000 tonnes and a super-intensive shrimp farm using Blue Aqua’s patented Mixotrophic System (in 8 countries) to produce 1,000 tonnes of shrimp annually. With this partnership, Blue Aqua International, BSTL and MIH aim to support Oman’s Vision 2040 by creating a world-class aquaculture project in the country, which will contribute to the economic diversification and growth of Oman while also addressing the increasing demand for sustainable seafood products globally. “This partnership is a significant step towards the development of Oman’s aquaculture sector and underscores the potential of the country to become a major player in the global seafood market,” said Dr Farshad Shishehchian, CEO of Blue Aqua International. “With our cutting-edge technology and BSTL’s expertise in project management and execution, we are confident that we can create a sustainable and profitable aquaculture project in Oman.” “We are thrilled to announce our new aquaculture project partnership. By combining our expertise and resources, we are poised to make a significant impact on sustainable seafood production. Our shared commitment to responsible aquaculture practices will benefit the environment and provide high-quality, nutritious seafood to consumers in Oman and around the world. We are confident that this partnership will drive innovation and growth, and we look forward to the positive impact we will make together” said Sujit Naha, COO at Bahwan Service & Trading. In addition to Bahwan Service & Trading LLC’s stake in Blue Aqua Singapore Pte. Ltd., MIH owns a 10 per cent stake in the same entity established under Blue Aqua International. Together, these investments will support the development of Singapore’s first high-tech trout farm, expected to produce upward of 3,000 metric tonnes annually in the space of 1.6 hectares using super-intensive technology. The project is expected to be completed in 2024 and will contribute to Singapore’s ’30 by 30′ food security initiatives. Blue Aqua is currently operating The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified super-intensive shrimp farm producing Kuruma Shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus), Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and White Shrimp (Litopeneaus vannamei) using Blue Aqua’s patented aquaculture method, a multi-species, zero waste, super-intensive culture system. The partnership aims to create a sustainable model for urban aquaculture and address food security concerns globally. With this partnership, Blue Aqua International, BSTL, and MIH are committed to contributing to the development of the aquaculture industry and supporting economic diversification in the regions. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/658/bayer-pledges-to-help-tackle-global-water-crisis-with-new-water-strategy.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/658/bayer-pledges-to-help-tackle-global-water-crisis-with-new-water-strategy.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:47:19 +0530 For shaping a water-resilient agriculture system with key contribution in rice.  Bayer is launching its new water strategy at the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York. The company is making water an integral part of its business decisions, investments and selection of suppliers. Bayer's water strategy reflects its position as a key player in the fields of health and agriculture and aims to have an impact that goes beyond the company's own business. "The world is facing a severe water crisis affecting ecosystems, food security and human health," explains Bayer CEO Werner Baumann. "As a leader in health and nutrition we have an intrinsic motivation to address the water crisis and make a valuable contribution. With our global footprint and strong supplier engagements, Bayer will create value and encourage sector-wide action. Our ambition is to play a leading role in promoting corporate water stewardship and rallying other businesses to take action to protect the world’s water resources." Bayer’s commitments go beyond the company’s own operations and are reflecting its ambition to generate impact. The activities will encompass the entire value chain, from Bayer’s own operations to the farmers Bayer serves. Key elements of the water strategy are: Resilient agriculture: On average, 70 per cent of global freshwater withdrawals are in agriculture. Bayer commits to driving positive change in water productivity in water scarce regional cropping systems, starting with rice, which is responsible for up to 43 per cent of the world’s irrigation water withdrawals. The company is committed to improving water use per kilogram of crop by 25 per cent by 2030, by transforming rice-cropping systems for smallholder customers in the relevant regions where Bayer operates. In addition, Bayer’s existing commitment of reducing the environmental impact of its crop protection portfolio by 30 per cent by 2030 also contributes to water quality. Business and investment: Bayer is developing a concept to integrate water quality and quantity into business decisions and processes that will be rolled out from 2024 onwards. The company will develop a methodology to place a value on water and incorporate it into investment processes. Already in 2021, water and wastewater matters represented approx. 10 per cent of Bayer’s total CapEx projects. Suppliers and growers: Bayer evaluates the sustainability performance of all key suppliers and of selected high-sustainability-risk suppliers using a sustainability risk classification that includes water. As an important step forward, Bayer has launched its new Supplier Code of Conduct, with dedicated items to address water and wastewater. At the same time the company will continue to drive improvements in water-use efficiency with growers across seed production. "Until now, the topic of water has been overlooked in the climate debate despite the many interlinkages, but with the UN 2023 Water Conference it is gaining momentum. There are new opportunities to take the right sustainable actions, and we must seize these opportunities now. This is why we make water an integral part of our business and investment decisions across the entire value chain. With these decisions, we will contribute to climate resilience and to more sustainable water usage," says Cristina Alonso Alija, Head of Sustainability, Safety, Health & Environment, and responsible for the water strategy at Bayer. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/655/adq-agtech-park-launches-vertical-farming-project-in-uae.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/655/adq-agtech-park-launches-vertical-farming-project-in-uae.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:12:54 +0530 An indoor multi-purpose vertical farming platform for fresh produce in partnership with ZERO marks the operational phase of ADQ’s AgTech Park ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, announced the operational phase of its cutting-edge AgTech Park ecosystem with the launch of a vertical farming project in partnership with ZERO, a high-impact technology company headquartered in Italy. The ZERO project is the first of several controlled environment agricultural concepts that will be housed in the AgTech Park and will aim to enhance indoor farming locally, as well as explore and push the boundaries of desert-climate farming in the UAE.  The inaugural farming facility is situated in KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group), the UAE's largest operator and developer of fully integrated and specialised economic zones. KEZAD has a well-established ecosystem for food industries across the entire value chain, thereby creating a strong base for growth, both for local producers and the food industry as a whole. Additional sites exploring different technologies will be launched in Al Ain Industrial City within the coming year. Set to strengthen the local production of crops, fruits and vegetables for multiple applications including fresh food, nutraceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, the first joint project between ADQ and ZERO draws on the benefits of growing crops in vertical layers in a controlled environment, which includes higher yield, shorter growing times and lower water usage, in addition to bringing the production of a wider variety of fresh produce geographically closer to the UAE’s consumers. The ZERO project is retrofitted in a 1,000 sqm warehouse and will achieve an initial production volume of approximately 10 tons per year at the proof-of-concept stage. This pilot phase is expected to conclude in the summer of 2023, following which a 40,000 sqm commercial phase of the vertical farm is envisaged to be launched in Al Ain, alongside other projects featuring controlled-environment technologies. At full scale, the 200-hectare AgTech Park will target production volumes of over 40 kilotons of fresh fruits and vegetables annually, which would account for up to 6 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, of the UAE’s total consumption and import of the produce grown within the park. Gil Adotevi, Executive Director of Food and Agriculture at ADQ, said: “As our vision of creating a state-of-the-art AgTech Park takes shape with the support of ZERO, one of our trusted partners, we are harnessing technology to create a controlled environment that advances the UAE’s ability to grow fresh, nutritious and tastier foods year-round. The breakthrough technology utilized in the park for the first time in the UAE explores new solutions to help tackle the challenge of sustainably farming in arid and desert climates, allowing us to contribute to not only shortening but also ‘greening’ the food value chain, which is top of the agenda for policymakers around the world as we progress on our net zero journeys.” Daniele Modesto, Chief Executive Officer, ZERO, said: “Vertical farms respond to the urgent need to rethink agriculture, making it more environmentally friendly and sustainable in a world prioritizing the responsible use of resources. We are exceptionally proud to partner with ADQ as a forward thinker in the local food and agriculture sector to bring our vertical farming capabilities to the UAE. The collaboration allows us to play a role in building one of the most diversified indoor farming facilities in the region that will contribute to realising the nation’s food security strategy.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/653/new-holland-agriculture-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-training-center-in-india.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/653/new-holland-agriculture-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-training-center-in-india.html Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:32:00 +0530 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The facility will focus on training and upskilling dealer staff, employees and customers/operators and the state-of-the-art centre is enabled by a virtual reality space with the latest technology to train new operators​ New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial, has introduced a new training centre in India (Greater Noida) to enhance the technical skills of employees, dealer teams and customers. The facility offers technical and commercial training for tractors, harvesters, and balers. Currently, it has a capacity to train 75 individuals at a time and will be soon increased to 90 trainees in the coming months, for various training programmes.​​The knowledge centre is equipped with a virtual reality (VR) space with the latest technology to train operators, as opposed to more traditional in field training, to provide a safe learning environment especially for new operators.​​Narinder Mittal, Managing Director of CNH Industrial – Agriculture Business, India and SAARC said, “With the establishment of first hi-tech training facility in India we provide solutions to our stakeholders to increase their farm productivity. We are confident that the new training centre will assist our customers, dealer partners, and employees to learn about new technologies. It is also a step towards personalizing our interactions with our customers and better understanding their needs for future product developments.”​Michael Moore, APAC Commercial and Technical Training Manager, CNH Industrial said, “We are delighted to inaugurate our new training center for operations of farm equipment in India. The state-of-the-art facility will help operators across India as well as our employees to understand the new technologies in the industry".​​ The facility offers three different training workshops for live assembly and disassembly on different tractor series. Moreover, offering hands-on training to participants, it also has a crop solutions workshop to handle combine harvesters, square balers and rakes, which makes it a unique facility. Four dedicated trainers for tractors operations and o​ne for crop solution operations will conduct these workshops. They are vastly knowledgeable about the brand’s products available in India.​​ With the evolution of machines in the market, driven by the new emission regulations, New Holland will ensure that the right skills are provided to dealer technicians to keep customers going in the field.​ ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/651/pepsico-to-invest-216m-supporting-regenerative-agriculture-transformation-in-the-us.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/651/pepsico-to-invest-216m-supporting-regenerative-agriculture-transformation-in-the-us.html Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:08:00 +0530 Practical Farmers of Iowa region, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, and the Illinois Corn Growers Association partner with PepsiCo to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and reduce carbon emissions PepsiCo has announced a $216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three of the most well-respected farmer-facing organizations – Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), and the IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) – to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the United States. The combined impact of these three strategic partnerships is expected to support the accelerated uptake of regenerative practices on more than three million acres and deliver approximately three million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and removals by 2030. PepsiCo will work alongside these trusted organizations to establish and scale financial, agronomic, and social programs that enable the transition to regenerative agriculture practices through education, upfront investment in outcomes, peer coaching and networking, and cost-sharing. PepsiCo's strategic, end-to-end business transformation, PepsiCo's strategic investment in PFI, SWOF and ICGA is essential to supporting the U.S. farming community as it makes changes that aim to secure production volumes and mitigate the impacts of climate change, while still cultivating quality, bountiful crops to feed the world's growing population. Through these partnerships, by 2030, PepsiCo will work with PFI to reach approximately 1.5 million acres; SWOF to reach nearly 1 million acres; and the ICGA to reach approximately 600,000 acres. Based on progress to date, these collaborative efforts are expected to deliver more than 500,000 regenerative acres by the end of 2023. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/648/basf-advances-innovation-pipeline-to-accelerate-agricultures-transformation.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/648/basf-advances-innovation-pipeline-to-accelerate-agricultures-transformation.html Wed, 22 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0530 Expanding options for weed management, leveraging chemistry, biotech and data insights with integrated solutions BASF has unraveled the latest advancements in its agricultural innovation pipeline of crop protection, seeds and traits, and digital solutions. Their focus is to provide much-needed solutions for farmers to overcome local and crop system specific pest pressures, climate challenges, changing regulatory requirements and rising consumer expectations. Executing on its strategy in agriculture announced in 2019, the company is directing its innovations to improve outcomes for major regional crops, such as soy in the Americas, fruits and vegetables in Europe and rice in Asia Pacific. The value of the innovation pipeline remains strong, with an estimated peak sales potential of more than €7.5 billion fueled by products launched within the next ten years. “Our goal is to become an ever more integrated provider of agricultural solutions and to expand the options we can offer to farmers. This is why we continue to invest substantially across our broad pipeline of agricultural technologies, with €944 million spent on Research & Development in 2022,” said Dr. Livio Tedeschi, President of BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Farmers can continue to rely on us to innovate and deliver new active ingredients, innovative formulations, and traits to get more value from their production, both economically and environmentally.” “Our pipeline demonstrates that we are not only leveraging our deep expertise in chemistry and environmental sciences, but also matching it with leading biotechnology and digitalization approaches for next generation solutions,” added Dr. Peter Eckes, President R&D and Regulatory of BASF Agricultural Solutions. “BASF’s industry-leading weed-control pipeline is a premier example of how our multidisciplinary approach yields solutions that balance the needs of farmers, society and the environment.” Broad portfolio of solutions to improve outcomes in rice in Asia Pacific Farmers growing rice – the major crop for the main continent of Asia – face growing pressure from resistant weeds, diseases, and pest insects. BASF actively supports farmers to overcome these challenges through a broad portfolio of technologies. Multiple new chemistries and formulations are expected before mid-decade aimed at improving outcomes in rice: A new insecticide mode of action for rice hopper control is under development by BASF in collaboration with industry partners. BASF has accelerated the development of the insecticide to reach farmers in Asia Pacific by mid-decade. BASF’s new Luximo® herbicide belongs to a chemistry class that was the first new mode of action classification update introduced in the last four decades. Luximo will be launched in Indonesia in 2024, with other countries in the Asian market to follow by mid-decade. Kixor® CS is a new herbicide formulation of Kixor® Active that can be applied beyond pre-emergence to early-post, providing growers the flexibility to apply further into the season. The innovative encapsulation of the herbicide provides a physical barrier that increases crop safety while enabling long-lasting residual control of broadleaf weeds. Revysol®-based products will be launched within the next two years to control major diseases in rice such as sheath blight, and dirty panicles. These new formulations will be available to rice farmers in the region under the product names Cevya®, Mibelya®, and Revyrize®. Seltima® Plus is a disease management solution for rice with built in resistance management that will be introduced in the region in the next years. The combination of two fungicides provides yield and seed quality increases over market standards. In 2022, registration was granted in Indonesia with India, China and other countries to follow. The Provisia® rice system and Clearfield® production system for direct seeded rice enable growers to continuously make better use of the limited arable land and are an alternative to wet paddy cultivation. These yield-preserving technologies will debut in India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines in the second half of the decade. Additionally, Provisia will enter the Chinese rice market by 2025. As an introductory step, BASF announced a long-term partnership with Seedworks Philippines to introduce BASF’s non-GM trait for Provisia herbicide-tolerance into the Philippines’ hybrid rice market. This collaboration is one of ten different seed partnerships across five countries in Asia that will launch Clearfield and Provisia herbicide tolerant traits in rice. The decision-making quality of xarvio® FIELD MANAGER is continuously improving to optimize sustainable rice production in Japan. To support more efficient use of pesticides, BASF is updating the platform with new insect pest models expected to be available by 2025. Disease models will also be enhanced to support more precise fungicide timing, dosing, and product selection recommendations. Owing to the accurate, and continuously improving model-based insights, xarvio has evolved into the de facto standard tool for crop protection. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/647/alltech-enters-partnership-to-enhance-dairy-sector-in-thailand.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/647/alltech-enters-partnership-to-enhance-dairy-sector-in-thailand.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 12:51:11 +0530 The collaboration will leverage global expertise and technologies to sustainably expand dairy quality, animal welfare and economic benefits in Thailand’s dairy industry. Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition, and the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) have collaborated to create a model for nutrition innovation and sustainable dairy farming in the country. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at VIV Asia with Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Alltech Asia Pacific, and Peera Chairut, assistant director of DPO. Alltech has established itself in Thailand for over 25 years. The MOU outlines the scope of collaboration, including the development of management and nutrition strategies to solve challenges and improve production efficiency, the establishment of guidelines and procedures to meet project objectives, and the management of ruminant nutrition to solve production issues and promote better efficiency and quality of products. DPO is a government agency which operates under the oversight of the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. It is best known as the manufacturer of the Thai-Denmark brand of dairy products. The collaboration will leverage global expertise and technologies to sustainably expand and develop dairy and beef cattle production in Thailand. The agreement will also include the development of management and nutrition strategies and guidelines to solve challenges and improve production efficiency. Alltech and DPO will work together to help farmers in developing appropriate knowledge and utilising relevant technologies, services and management practices for sustainable dairy and beef cattle production which will improve the performance of dairy cows and the quality and quantity of milk they produce. There are currently around 24,000 dairy farms in Thailand, 162 milk collection centres and 130 processing plants. Commenting on the new partnership, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and chief executive of Alltech, said: “Working with DPO, we can apply our global resources and insights to the Thai market, so the future of dairy farming will deliver high-quality nutrition for the people of Thailand while enabling the country’s farming sector and land to thrive.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/646/tavant-and-bayer-partners-to-transform-sustainable-farming-practices.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/646/tavant-and-bayer-partners-to-transform-sustainable-farming-practices.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 12:25:57 +0530 Provide the growers with the tools and knowledge to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact. Tavant, Silicon Valley's leading digital products and solutions company, announced a strategic partnership with Bayer, a global leader in agriculture solutions, to introduce innovative AgriTech solutions that will empower organizations to drive innovation and growers to optimize crop yields, reduce expenses, and minimize their environmental footprint. “By developing pioneering solutions for transforming the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed, Tavant is poised to drive the agriculture industry forward and provide growers with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving market” "Innovation in digital agriculture is critical for achieving sustainable farming practices and ensuring adequate food supply. Data is often fragmented and challenging to access throughout the supply chain and developing digital solutions from scratch can be costly, but we are arriving at a very exciting moment in modern agriculture,” said Ines Kapphan, VP of Data & Cloud Solutions, Climate and Digital Farming, Bayer's Crop Science Division. "Our work with Tavant provides innovators with readymade capabilities, so they can join Bayer and many other impactful companies in solving some of the world's biggest challenges in agriculture.” “Tavant is a strong proponent of innovation and digitalization in achieving sustainable yields and disrupting the farm to fork value chain. Over the past two decades, Tavant has invested significantly in developing sustainable and efficient farming practices. As a strategic system integrator for Bayer, Tavant is committed to helping growers achieve more with less and providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to grow crops sustainably while enhancing their profitability,” said Vikas Khosla, Chief Revenue Officer, Hitech, Tavant. “By developing pioneering solutions for transforming the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed, Tavant is poised to drive the agriculture industry forward and provide growers with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving market,” continued Khosla. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/644/australia-approves-drought-resilience-grants-for-six-projects-to-rejuvenate-livestock-profitability.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/644/australia-approves-drought-resilience-grants-for-six-projects-to-rejuvenate-livestock-profitability.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:52:34 +0530 Grants for six innovative projects to rejuvenate the Rangelands agriculture landscape and improve livestock profitability Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt has announced drought resilience grants for six innovative projects to rejuvenate the rangelands landscape and improve livestock profitability. The $2 million grants program is backed equally by the Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund and the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund – Resilient Soils and Landscape program. In Southern Rangelands Revitalisation Pilot, various projects were collectively launched to develop pathways to revive rangeland condition, increase livestock profitability and build business resilience. Grant support for pastoralists to enhance landscape condition, capture carbon opportunities and improve their businesses by embracing new technology and management strategies to boost livestock production. Grants can be uses for various upgrading tasks such as installing virtual fencing, trap yards and biodiversity monitors to improve groundcover and biodiversity through regenerative grazing and many more. The grant will also be invested in earthworks and a native seed nursery to improve perennial vegetation and rehabilitate degraded areas. Grant beneficiaries are deploying the funds also in decentralising watering points and to establish a grass nursery, erect exclusion fencing for revegetation, install trap yards and remote water monitoring to reduce grazing pressure and explore the use of lick feeders to aid feed management. A cutting-edge project using ag-tech and data to rehabilitate the landscape and strengthen a Mount Magnet pastoral business is among six recipients to receive inaugural Southern Rangelands Revitalisation Drought Resilience Grants. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/642/rijk-zwaan-builds-a-second-facility-for-seed-treatment-and-storage-in-the-netherlands.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/642/rijk-zwaan-builds-a-second-facility-for-seed-treatment-and-storage-in-the-netherlands.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:54:53 +0530 Activities performed in the new facility will include seed extraction, seed treatments and seed storage. Rijk Zwaan, a Dutch vegetable breeding and seed production company headquartered in De Lier in the province of South Holland builds a second facility for seed treatment and storage in the Netherlands. Construction work is now underway on a new Rijk Zwaan facility for the treatment and storage of vegetable seeds. This marks a further expansion of the vegetable breeding company’s existing facilities in De Lier, the Netherlands. The new building is expected to be fully operational by spring 2025. Activities performed in the new facility will include seed extraction, seed treatments and seed storage. Besides that, the building will house offices and a multifunctional meeting area for use by employees and visitors. Rising demand for vegetable seeds The demand for vegetable seeds is expected to continue to rise, not least due to the growing world population. “By increasing Rijk Zwaan’s capacity for seed treatment and storage, we can continue to meet growers’ needs for high-quality vegetable varieties. At the same time, our new facility will enable us to spread our seed processing and storage activities across multiple locations, thus supporting even better business continuity,” says Hubertien Doldersum, Manager Operations at Rijk Zwaan. Consideration for the community The wants and needs of the local community have been taken into account in the building plans. Parallel to the ‘Kralingerpad’ cycle path, for example, a public footpath and greenery will be created on the new Rijk Zwaan premises. Moreover, the existing watercourse has been widened to 12 metres to significantly improve drainage away from De Lier. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/637/uaes-pure-harvest-achieves-product-of-the-year-endorsement.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/637/uaes-pure-harvest-achieves-product-of-the-year-endorsement.html Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:17:16 +0530 Pure Harvest, known across the region for its fresh tomatoes, leafy greens and strawberries, is the first controlled-environment-agriculture (CEA) business to win the Gulf region’s Product of the Year award. UAE-based Pure Harvest Smart Farms (Pure Harvest), a world-leading, sustainable technology-enabled agribusiness announces receipt of the Gulf region’s ‘Product of the Year Award 2023’. The award is granted by the regional arm of the world’s most respected and comprehensive consumer research survey, conducted by researcher partner Nielsen IQ. Pure Harvest's award of ‘Product of the Year’ accreditation for the entire product range is unprecedented, recognising excellence in twenty-six (26) varieties of tomatoes, four (4) varieties of strawberries and over eight (8) varieties of leafy greens, with several new products soon to hit the market from its newest smart farms, including capsicums, melons, blackberries and raspberries.  Pure Harvest is the first-ever Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) company to receive the Gulf region’s award, and the only fruit and vegetable brand awarded the title in 2023.  Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “As the UAE continues to prioritise food security as a strategic goal, we recognise the vital role of innovative technologies and solutions to address the challenges posed by water scarcity and lack of arable land. We are committed to providing a business-friendly environment that facilitates the operations of food and ag tech companies' operations in the UAE to enhance local production and reduce import dependency. Our longstanding partnership with Pure Harvest Smart Farms is a testament to this commitment, and we applaud them for their achievement in winning the Gulf region's 'Product of the Year Award 2023'. Awards like this drive awareness that the UAE has some of the highest-quality products in the world”. Sky Kurtz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pure Harvest, commented: “We are truly honoured to be awarded this globally recognised award from the Product of the Year organisation. As the first CEA business from the Middle East to receive this award, we also appreciate the huge milestone this represents for our industry’s collective efforts to champion sustainable production and reduced import dependency for the Gulf.” Almost 4,000 consumers across the region participated in this Nielsen IQ panel and voted based on perceived innovation, attractiveness and purchase intention. As a symbol of its achievement and to signal to consumers the uniqueness of its products, Pure Harvest will be permitted to utilize the Product of the Year accredited stamp to support marketing its products for the next twelve (12) months. Consumers can look forward to seeing Pure Harvest’s range of products in leading retailers, hotels and restaurants across the UAE and KSA. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/632/lnc-receives-approval-and-citification-for-organic-farming-in-uae.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/632/lnc-receives-approval-and-citification-for-organic-farming-in-uae.html Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:39:30 +0530 The organic certification validates the effectiveness and safety of LNC as a solution for organic farming Desert Control's Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) receives official approval and certification for organic farming from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technologies (MoIAT), in consultation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This recognition marks a significant milestone for the innovative solution that enables resilient and climate-smart agriculture and desert farming in a drying world. The organic certification validates the effectiveness and safety of LNC as a solution for organic farming. The certification ensures that LNC meets strict standards for the manufacturing process and raw materials, including the absence of synthetic chemicals and harmful substances. "We are honoured and proud to receive official recognition and certification from the UAE Ministry," said Ole Kristian Sivertsen, President and Group CEO of Desert Control. "This certification confirms that LNC also is a safe and effective solution to help farmers grow certified organic crops sustainably and to regenerate green ecosystems for the organic farming sector. Healthy soil leads to a healthy planet growing healthy food that fosters healthy and happy people." The certification of LNC for organic farming is a significant achievement for Desert Control, as it opens up new markets and opportunities for the company. With this certification, Desert Control and its strategic partner Mawarid Desert Control (MDC), can expand its reach to a wider range of farmers seeking sustainable and organic solutions for their farms and agribusinesses. LNC is a nature-based solution of natural minerals and clay that transforms desert sand into fertile soil. It coats each grain of sand with an electrical charge that holds onto water like a magnetic force, creating a soil structure that retains water and nutrients like a sponge. As a result, LNC enables plants to thrive in deserts and arid environments, reduces water consumption, and promotes soil health and biodiversity. LNC enables sustainable desert farming and saves up to 50 per cent on water and energy use while improving nutrient efficiency, crop yields, and food quality. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/629/icrisat-and-iopepc-collaborate-to-boost-indias-oilseed-production-and-export.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/629/icrisat-and-iopepc-collaborate-to-boost-indias-oilseed-production-and-export.html Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:46:04 +0530 Aims to expand cultivated areas, deploying scientific technologies, and collaborating at all levels, and to provide farmers with better quality certified seed and strengthening the supply chain of oilseeds. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 8, 2023, to enhance the production of quality oilseeds in India. The MoU was signed by ICRISAT’s Director General, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, and IOPEPC’s Chairman, Mr Nilesh Vira, with the aim of strengthening long-term cooperation to increase the quantum and quality of oilseeds grown in India. The collaboration will focus on expanding cultivated areas, deploying scientific technologies, and collaborating at all levels, including providing farmers with better quality certified seed and strengthening the supply chain of oilseeds. In addition, the partnership will promote food safety principles, recommend policies and programs to the Government of India and to support the growth of the Indian oilseed sector. During the discussions, Mr Vira stressed the importance of developing climate-resilient oilseed crops, given the unpredictable weather patterns affecting India's agriculture. He cited the challenge faced by farmers in growing aflatoxin-free groundnuts, a crop that is increasingly in demand in the export market. ICRISAT’s Director General, Dr Hughes, highlighted the need to eliminate intermediaries in the export value chain, thereby increasing the profits for smallholder farmers. She also emphasized ICRISAT’s commitment to finding solutions to eliminate aflatoxin in groundnuts, which has detrimental effects on all consumers. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/628/corteva-agriscience-and-bunge-collaborate-to-develop-amino-acid-enhanced-soybeans.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/628/corteva-agriscience-and-bunge-collaborate-to-develop-amino-acid-enhanced-soybeans.html Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:34:18 +0530 Ongoing collaboration to improve the nutritional profile of soybean meal and deliver value to farmers and feed and animal protein producers showing promising results Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA), and Bunge (NYSE: BG) announced today significant advancements in the development of more nutritious soybean meal for the animal feed industry, specifically suited for poultry, swine and aqua feed. The companies have a multi-year collaboration to develop and commercialize soybean varieties that can create a potential new value stream opportunity for soybean farmers while giving feed compounders a new option to reduce their use of synthetic additives, lower costs, and shrink their carbon footprint. Through this collaboration, Corteva is leveraging its expertise in germplasm, gene editing, and traits discovery to develop soybean varieties with greater protein content, optimized amino acid profiles, and lower levels of anti-nutritional factors. Early field trial research has confirmed Corteva’s approach to boosting protein levels and significantly increasing the proportion of the key amino acids methionine and lysine in the soybean while maintaining high field and oil yields. “The future of food production hinges on developing new tools and technology to help farmers sustainably meet their production goals,” said Dr. Tom Greene, VP, Biotechnology, Corteva Agriscience. “Our collaboration with Bunge aligns with our commitment to sustainable innovation while supporting improved animal performance and greater value opportunities for livestock and row crop farmers. Our next step is to bring the higher-protein, enhanced-amino acid profile into a commercial soybean variety that offers the best value for soybean farmers.” Bunge will be the exclusive processor of the oilseed as well as exclusive merchandiser of the high-value meal and oil, leveraging its deep farmer relationships and existing facilities to source the oilseed and deliver incremental value to farmers, feed compounders and animal protein producers. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/627/ceat-partners-with-cnh-industrial-to-supply-accessories-for-agricultural-radial-tires.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/627/ceat-partners-with-cnh-industrial-to-supply-accessories-for-agricultural-radial-tires.html Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:17:45 +0530 CEAT Specialty (a division of CEAT Tires) has entered into an agreement with CNH Industrial to supply agricultural radial tires for its machines being produced in Brazil and Argentina . CEAT has announced that CEAT Farmax radial tires are being fitted to Case IH and New Holland tractors. The deal was reached after several rounds of evaluation and audits by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of CEAT's radial tire factory in Mumbai and after several tests carried out on tires in various parameters. "We've always been confident in the quality of our radial agricultural tires since we introduced them to the world in 2017. We've invested in top-of-the-line technologies and the best people to design our products. This partnership with CNH Industrial lends even more credibility to that. a long-term partner for them and we want to help farmers increase their productivity," said Amit Tolani , CEO of CEAT Specialty. CEAT is one of the leading tire manufacturers in India and CEAT tires are sold in over 115 countries across the world. The brand came to India in 1958 and later became part of the RPG Group. RPG is among India's leading business houses with group revenues of US$3.6 billion. In the specialty segment, CEAT manufactures agricultural, mining and earthmoving, industrial and construction equipment tires, as well as off-road tires for special applications ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/623/vietnam-strengthens-public-private-partnership-in-rice-sector-development.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/623/vietnam-strengthens-public-private-partnership-in-rice-sector-development.html Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:02:46 +0530 The public-private partnership group committed to converting Vietnam’s rice industry from competition on price to compete in quality, nutrition and sustainability Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the decision to set up a group of public-private partnerships (PPP) in Vietnam’s rice sector, and at the same time, discussed with the partner the strategic orientation of this working group in the near future. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agriculture in general, the rice sector in particular, is changing production and trade to become a transparent, responsible and sustainable system, reducing emissions and pushing smart agriculture to adapt to climate change. In particular, the project of 1 million hectares specialising in high-quality rice farming and reducing emissions is under research. The public-private partnership group committed to converting Vietnam’s rice industry from competition on price to compete in quality, nutrition and sustainability; to shift gradually to multi-value integrated agriculture associated with tourism development through strengthening production links with farmers, strengthening the ability to meet the requirements of the market and promote the ability to access to retail distribution channels in different markets. At the seminar, delegates from international organisations discussed cooperation and sharing experiences in emission reduction of rice production; The project of empowering women in rice production models adapting to climate change, applying new farming processes in order to improve the efficiency and quality, increase income for farmers. The establishment of the working group of public-private partnerships is essential and timely to contribute to the implementation of Vietnam’s commitments and improve the added value of rice through the value chain. Along with that, increasing investment attraction and enhancing modernisation of agricultural and food systems through the application of technology and innovation connections to benefit Vietnamese farmers and agriculture ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/622/philippines-south-africa-explores-agri-trade-opportunities.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/622/philippines-south-africa-explores-agri-trade-opportunities.html Thu, 16 Mar 2023 11:44:03 +0530 The MOU seeks to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries on capacity-building, technology advancement, agricultural trade, agribusiness, and knowledge-sharing The Philippines and South Africa have proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Technical Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture. The MOU seeks to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries on capacity-building, technology advancement, agricultural trade, agribusiness, and knowledge-sharing by conducting joint activities, projects, programs, and exchanges. Domingo F. Panganiban, Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary and Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe South African Ambassador to the Philippines discussed potential areas for agricultural cooperation that can help boost the two countries’ food production and economic success. Since establishing diplomatic ties between the Philippines and South Africa in November 1993, the two countries have had a vibrant history of cultural, political and economic relations. In 2021 alone, South Africa ranked 42 among 223 top trading partners and was the largest African trading partner of the Philippines, recording a total trade amount of $ 125.1 million. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the Philippines’ $ 85.5 million worth of export products to South Africa include desiccated coconut, tobacco, coconut oil and its fraction, mucilage and thickeners, carrageenan, preparations suitable for infants and young children, tobacco that were not stemmed-flue-cured, sauces and preparations, coffee extracts, essences and concentrates, and coconut concentrate. On the other hand, the South African government mainly exported onion seeds, dog and cat food, fruit juice mixtures, undenatured ethyl alcohol, grape wine, peaches, a variety of juices, waters including mineral and aerated with added sugar, mandarins, and apple juice amounting to $ 39.6 million. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/620/israels-cropx-connects-to-talgil-precision-irrigation-controllers.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/620/israels-cropx-connects-to-talgil-precision-irrigation-controllers.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:59:41 +0530 This digital connection will allow CropX users to access their Talgil controllers from within the CropX system for remote irrigation applications Israel-based CropX, a global leader in digital solutions for agronomic farm management, announced that it has completed an API integration with Talgil, a global producer of irrigation control systems with customers in over 80 countries. Connecting the CropX agronomic farm management system to Talgil controllers allows users to streamline their irrigation management process without having to handle several different user interfaces. Talgil irrigation controllers can be used on many types of irrigation systems. CropX connects data from the soil to the sky to provide advanced artificial intelligence (AI) agronomic insights and advice on irrigation, disease control, nutrition, leaching, and more through a mobile and desktop app. This digital connection will allow CropX users to access their Talgil controllers from within the CropX system for remote irrigation applications. From one digital platform, the CropX system advises when, where, and how much to irrigate, and Talgil users can schedule that irrigation. As-applied irrigation data can then be imported into the CropX system for record keeping. "Knowledge is power, and CropX makes that power even more potent when it can connect immediately with the irrigation system to put that knowledge into action. This is the latest connection in a broad strategy to connect machine data and activate it for the benefit of the grower," said Matan Rahav, Vice President of Business Development at CropX. "Integrating CropX's decision support system with Talgil Computing & Control irrigation control systems leads to precise and efficient use of water resources, cost savings, and improved sustainability. It empowers farmers with real-time data and predictive analytics to make informed decisions about when and how much to irrigate, optimising crop yields and mitigating environmental impact," said Yosee Ochman, Deputy General Manager at Talgil. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/619/pelemix-announces-acquisition-of-even-ari-green-ltd.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/619/pelemix-announces-acquisition-of-even-ari-green-ltd.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:44:35 +0530 The acquisition of Even-Ari Green is important for Pelemix as it helps deepen its footprint in the Israeli market Pelemix Ltd. announced that it has acquired Israeli-based growing media manufacturer Even-Ari Green Ltd. (EAG). The deal will see EAG's employees joining Pelemix's growing global team. Danny Levinson, founder and CEO of EAG, will be remaining with the new company as CEO of the EAG division, reporting to Tal Brod, Pelemix global CEO. "The acquisition of Even-Ari Green is important for Pelemix as it helps us deepen our footprint in the Israeli market," notes Brod. "It provides us with an opportunity to expand on our ability to serve a variety of customers in both the hobby and professional grower segments. EAG's experience in the hobby and professional horticulture nursery market is a significant strength to add to Pelemix's already strong brand." EAG is a growing media market leader both in terms of quality and manufacturing technology. Pelemix's coir substrates are used worldwide as a growing media for hydroponic crops, plant propagation, fruit and vegetable production, cannabis cultivation, potted plant and bedding plant production and are focused primarily on the professional grower's market. "We're excited for the opportunities that this merger will represent for both brands," stated Levinson. "The opportunity to expand EAG in Israel, using Pelemix's advanced technical knowledge, provides great potential for both brands in the years to come." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/617/bayer-microsoft-collaborates-to-unveil-new-cloud-based-solutions-for-the-agri-food-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/617/bayer-microsoft-collaborates-to-unveil-new-cloud-based-solutions-for-the-agri-food-industry.html Wed, 15 Mar 2023 11:11:01 +0530 Bayer and Microsoft provide ready-to-use capabilities available for businesses and organizations to license and use for their own internal or customer-facing digital solutions. Following a 2021 strategic partnership announcement with Microsoft, Bayer launched new cloud-based solutions for the agri-food industry: AgPowered Services from Bayer in combination with the new Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture provide ready-to-use capabilities available for businesses and organizations from start-ups to global enterprises to license and use for their own internal or customer-facing digital solutions. For example, companies that develop on-farm technologies can build on the new cloud infrastructure and core capabilities from Microsoft (Azure Data Manager for Agriculture) and license additional capabilities from Bayer (Bayer AgPowered Services) to build digital tools that support favorable agronomic outcomes for growers. Similarly, consumer goods companies can use the cloud offerings to build solutions that provide insight into nutrients, sustainability, and production practices to build trust with consumers, stakeholders and investors. Azure Data Manager for Agriculture combines decades of Bayer’s agricultural expertise with Microsoft’s cloud solutions, advancing the industry through readymade capabilities and robust infrastructure that allow innovators to focus on differentiated value. After initial preview starting today allowing for customer exploration of both the Azure Data Manager and AgPowered Services, full commercial availability will be announced at a later date. "Only innovation can ensure global food security while protecting the planet. Modern agriculture and food production generate a tremendous amount of valuable data that can drive productivity and sustainability," said Dr Robert Reiter, Head of R&D for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. "However, this data is often disconnected, not useable throughout the value chain, and the costs to build digital solutions from scratch are high. Our new cloud-based solutions help overcome these challenges. Customers can use the infrastructure and capabilities to build their own digital solutions and products on top of the most robust collection of ag data in the world." These cloud offerings also support an ecosystem that allows for greater transparency along the whole food production value chain. This transparency, enabled through end-to-end interoperability, would make it easier for consumer goods companies to partner with growers based on how crops are raised and help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions based on origin practices. The potential to support sustainable agriculture and food production can ultimately benefit companies, farmers, consumers, and the planet. Solutions built on Azure Data Manager can benefit farmers seeking to track disease, pest and weed pressure, apply precision inputs, identify crop growth and production patterns, measure potential yield, track and capture carbon emissions, and analyze heat stress impact, rainfall, hail and weather data. In addition to bringing the first AgPowered Services to the cloud offering, Bayer is using capabilities from Azure Data Manager to power insights in FieldView. Using these cloud-based enterprise solutions, value chain partners will be able to apply insights into supply projections, sustainable sourcing, and ESG reporting. They will also be able to meet quickly changing consumer preferences for fresh, high-quality ingredients with data driven insights that allow for optimization of harvest, transport, and ripening processes as well as advanced traceability of food ingredients. "This is an important step towards accelerating the impact of big data and agriculture. With high-quality data fueling insights, we expect to see a value chain that is more predictable, more transparent, and importantly, where value is shared all the way back to producers," said Jeremy Williams, Head of Climate and Digital Farming at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/612/singapore-develop-the-worlds-first-microneedle-based-drug-delivery-technique-for-plants.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/612/singapore-develop-the-worlds-first-microneedle-based-drug-delivery-technique-for-plants.html Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:26:10 +0530 Polymeric silk microneedles are used to deliver agrochemicals to a wide variety of plants to implement in plant science research and precision agriculture Singapore researches have developed the first-ever polymeric Silk microneedles by designing a system deliver agrochemicals to a wide variety of plants as an efficient drug delivery system which can be implemented in plant science research and precision agriculture. Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, and their collaborators from Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have developed microneedle-based drug delivery technique for plants which can precisely deliver controlled amounts of agrochemicals to specific plant tissues for research purposes. When applied in the field, it could be used in precision agriculture to improve crop quality and disease management.  Increasing environmental conditions caused by climate change, an ever-growing human population, scarcity of arable land, and limited resources are pressuring the agriculture industry to adopt more sustainable and precise practices that foster more efficient use of resources  (e.g. water, fertilisers, and pesticides) and mitigation of environmental impacts. Developing delivery systems that efficiently deploy agrochemicals such as micronutrients, pesticides, and antibiotics in crops will help ensure high productivity and high produce quality while minimising the waste of resources is crucial.  However, current and standard practices for agrochemical application in plants, such as foliar spray, are inefficient due to off-target application, quick run-off in the rain, and actives’ rapid degradation. These practices also cause significant detrimental environmental side effects, such as water and soil contamination, biodiversity loss and degraded ecosystems; and public health concerns, such as respiratory problems, chemical exposure and food contamination. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/611/australian-agtech-extended-its-distribution-reach-in-the-south-east-asia-market.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/611/australian-agtech-extended-its-distribution-reach-in-the-south-east-asia-market.html Tue, 14 Mar 2023 10:08:46 +0530 RLF AgTech enters South-East Asia market inking AU$8 .8M sales and purchase agreement with TBFI Technology-driven plant nutrition company RLF AgTech (HQ: Australia) has extended its distribution reach in the South-East Asia region, entering the Philippines market with the signing of an Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Taipan Brand Farms, Inc (TBFI), a fully owned subsidiary of Jardine Distribution Inc. (JDI). Furthering RLF AgTech’s wider strategy to play a role in bolstering food production and increasing distribution and sales globally. The exclusive distribution agreement with TBFI allows TBFI to distribute RLF AgTech’s crop nutrition products throughout the Philippines aligned with their vision to be the marketing company of choice in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Region. Executed agreement represents a significant RLF AgTech milestone achievement within an exciting and growing Philippines agriculture market. The agreement outlines an initial sales and purchase target of AU$8.78 million over the next five years with an option to extend by TBFI. The contract contains standard conversion to non-exclusive clauses for mandated non-performance and has a 5-year option for renewal assuming certain conditions are achieved. RLF AgTech focuses on introducing its products into high growth agricultural markets that will benefitfrom a 10% - 30% increase in crop yield, reduced reliance on traditional fertilisers and improvementsin soil resilience and health. Field trials and import registration applications are due to commence including with RLF AgTech’s newly established VeridiumTM Seed Priming Technology. Further the agreement bolsters RLF AgTech’s key post IPO strategy to expand sales into its core South East Asia markets and into new global jurisdictions ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/608/hikvision-protects-endangered-rare-grape-species-with-video-technologies.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/608/hikvision-protects-endangered-rare-grape-species-with-video-technologies.html Mon, 13 Mar 2023 15:11:59 +0530 A Hikvision solar-powered camera automatically takes a snapshot at regular intervals, aside from video recording Hikvision helped scientists at a National Nature Reserve to better understand the growth of a rare grape variety, assisting in the study of this species, and facilitating their protection and cultivation work. In 1984, the first wild Baihuashan grapevine was found in the west of Beijing, China. This remained the only individual grapevine of its species found in the wild until 2016. Up to now, only these two specimens have been found in the wild, making this kind of grape more endangered than the giant panda. In 2020, Vitis baihuashanensis was added to the List of National Key Protected Wild Plants in China, under first-level protection. The list was announced in 2021 with Vitis baihuashanensis included. To breed the population of this grape variety, Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve collaborated with Beijing Forestry University on seed breeding in 2019 in order to artificially cultivate ‘second-generation seedlings’. The seedling project has proven to be a success and now those grapevines are growing in good health. Hikvision joined the protection project concerning the Baihuashan grape in 2021, and since then it has leveraged its video expertise to help monitor the growth of the ‘second-generation seedlings’. A Hikvision solar-powered camera automatically takes a snapshot at regular intervals, aside from video recording. It is important for caretakers to know the status of the seedlings in the different stages of their lives. These images and video footage help staff at the reserve better understand the growth of the grapes, assisting in the study of this species, and facilitating their protection and cultivation work. In addition to the Baihuashan grape, Hikvision has also applied its technology to help monitor Lonicera oblata 24/7 in Songshan National Nature Reserve. Lonicera oblata is a kind of deciduous shrub and have been in danger mostly due to its weak population regeneration ability under natural conditions. In response to the increasing awareness of protecting biodiversity, engineers in Hikvision have developed a number of technologies and solutions excelling at plant monitoring, specific plant phenological identification, and life cycle observation with time-lapse video. These technologies play an effective role in supporting the study, protection, and artificial cultivation of rare plants. In addition to that, researchers are able to see and compare the changes between different growth stages of rare plants effectively, follow their phenological changes, and raise a flag when the change is material. Hikvision is committed to a harmonious and sustainable ecological environment with advanced technologies and innovative solutions. Joining hands with professional organisations and experts globally, it will continue to make a concerted effort to safeguard the biodiversity of the planet. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/606/esri-partner-pollen-systems-to-develop-advanced-agriculture-analytics-tools.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/606/esri-partner-pollen-systems-to-develop-advanced-agriculture-analytics-tools.html Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:43:22 +0530 PrecisionView™ Mobile tool captures and maps aerial images by drones and satellites together with mobile data helping farms deliver better crop yield and quality Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, has partnered with advanced data analytical company Pollen Systems to develop a analytical tool PrecisionView™ Mobile to assist farmer to capture a 360-degree digital twin of their farm. The novel tool by Pollen Systems can arrange drone or satellite aerial data capture anywhere in the world to fuel their PrecisionView™ Platform. Built entirely on, and powered by, Esri’s ArcGIS system, the PrecisionView™ Platform maps out spatially accurate farm blocks and provides precise locations of IoT devices, integrating data from moisture, irrigation, and climate sensors. The tool can also be used in aerial imagery, soil maps, topography, and more. Data and images are managed in Pollen’s PrecisionView™ Platform. Using powerful analytic capabilities, data is segmented and tracked at the individual plant, partial or full row, or block level, highlighting crop vigor and variability, water stress, and pest and disease pressure on any sized farm. Farm Managers receive detailed reports and recommendations to help their farms be as efficient, productive, and profitable as possible. With the addition of PrecisionView™ Mobile powered by the ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift, farm workers equipped with iOS devices can download and use maps offline, address tasks, and provide annotations that synchronize when network access is available. By using drones and satellites to scout issues, Pollen Systems cuts the high labor cost and time for the detection of pests and diseases by up to 90%. For instance, a drone flyover over 100 acres takes less than an hour, while it could take days to inspect by hand. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/605/moroccos-first-manufacturing-plant-will-boost-sustainable-agriculture-in-a-key-agribusiness-hub.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/605/moroccos-first-manufacturing-plant-will-boost-sustainable-agriculture-in-a-key-agribusiness-hub.html Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:41:00 +0530 Orbia’s Precision Agriculture Business Netafim to boost sustainable agriculture in key African Agribusiness Hub Netafim, an Orbia business and a global leader in precision agriculture solutions, unveiled its first manufacturing plant in North Africa to enhance the successful implementation of precision irrigation in Morocco and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector.  Investment in this plant illustrates the company’s long-standing commitment to helping countries in the region achieve food security and combat climate change. “Netafim’s factory is built right in the heart of an agricultural region to enable farmers in Morocco and across North Africa to derive enormous benefit from precision irrigation. Netafim will provide local farmers with our state-of-the-art products and services and share our agronomic and technical expertise for greater yields and long-term sustainable agriculture practices,” said Gal Yarden, Senior Vice President of Netafim’s EMEA division. Netafim’s precision irrigation technologies are ideal for use in arid conditions, maximizing yields while conserving resources. Investment in this new plant contributes to Orbia’s purpose to advance life around the world through scaling clean, smart and efficient solutions that benefit people and the planet.  The manufacturing plant will officially open on March 2, 2023 in the Kenitra region of Morocco. The opening is expected to create 200 jobs.     Morocco is a rapidly expanding agricultural hub in North Africa with its agri-food sector driving economic and social development, contributing 21% the GDP and accounting for almost 39% of national employment. Its prime location in the heart of EMEA and extensive transport infrastructure enable its high-value crops to be easily shipped to European markets. Morocco’s government initiatives include developing a million hectares of agricultural land while conserving water and creating 350,000 jobs for young people as part of the country’s “Green Morocco” and “Green Generation 2020-2030” plans, to support and modernize the agricultural sector.          “Opening this plant is both the culmination of our investment in the region and a gateway to further expansion. We are proud to support the “Green Morocco” and “Green Generation” plans championed by the government” said Gaby Miodownik, Executive Vice President and President of Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business (Netafim).  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/598/agmatix-partners-with-nasa-harvest-to-aid-sustainability-at-global-agricultural.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/598/agmatix-partners-with-nasa-harvest-to-aid-sustainability-at-global-agricultural.html Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:46:30 +0530 Promotes Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture practices by deploying agricultural remote sensing tools to assist onsite farm decisions; Initiates with smallholder farms in India and commercial farms in Brazil, aiming to expand globally Agmatix, a start-up AgTech business specializing in turning agronomic big data into powerful models and insights, has  partnered with NASA Harvest - NASA's global Food Security and Agriculture Consortium. The initiative aims to support sustainable practices for crop production at the field level and mitigate the impact of climate change globally. The collaboration is expected to help even food manufacturers meet consumer expectations for more sustainably sourced products. A combination of ground sampling and remote sensing data will be used to support farmers in their transition toward sustainable agriculture. Through this partnership, farmer efforts will be tracked and guided to assist them in improving sustainability levels along with conservation management. "According to the World Economic Forum, sustainable agriculture practices must triple in order to prevent climate change. Currently, adoption is hindered by a lack of consistent and acceptable measurements at scale. Our collaboration will promote resilient agriculture beginning with smallholder farms in India and commercial farms in Brazil, and lead to further expansion worldwide," comments Ron Baruchi, CEO of Agmatix. "NASA Harvest is excited to partner with Agmatix to advance the use of satellite-based information to help inform on-farm decisions which can ultimately result in increased resilience while reducing waste," comments Inbal Becker-Reshef, NASA Harvest Director. NASA Harvest will provide its expertise on agricultural remote sensing and leverage tools developed by the consortium, which will then be combined with field data from Agmatix and processed using a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm. These data-driven insights can help farmers make field-level decisions that impact sustainability most effectively, such as cover crop selection and fertilizer application. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/596/saudi-startup-redsea-launches-first-desert-greenhouse-facility-in-uae.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/596/saudi-startup-redsea-launches-first-desert-greenhouse-facility-in-uae.html Thu, 09 Mar 2023 13:55:01 +0530 The move will help diversify food product sources and stimulate the region’s agri-food sectors Saudi Arabian agriculture technology startup RedSea has launched operations at its first greenhouse facility in Abu Dhabi. The move will help diversify food product sources and stimulate the region’s agri-food sectors. The one-hectare showcase facility will enable broader adoption of the technologies in the UAE to benefit local growers and significantly impact Abu Dhabi’s agricultural ecosystem.   With climate change and increasing global food shortages, the UAE and the Middle East are leading the way in addressing these huge issues ahead of COP 28. Ryan Lefers, CEO of RedSea, said, “Globally, food production is frequently unsustainable and very vulnerable to climate change. Our technology, which addresses these problems directly, is a solution already being delivered in hot climates worldwide.” RedSea’s technologies include iyris heat-blocking low-cost roofing, a climate-controlled recirculating deep water culture system for the growth of berries, and a saltwater evaporative cooling system functioning without desalination.  In addition, the greenhouse facility is powered by 2,000 square metres of elevated solar panels functioning as agrivoltaics, with protected crops grown under the boards and a heat-blocking net. The facility will showcase a saltwater irrigated fodder plot, a ground-breaking use of salty brine for irrigation of fodder for livestock feed. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/588/agrology-launches-climate-smart-farming-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/588/agrology-launches-climate-smart-farming-technology.html Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:46:01 +0530 Arbiter Carbon Monitoring System is designed to continuously monitor and quantify Soil Carbon Flux Agrology, a global leading Predictive Agriculture company, has launched the Arbiter Carbon Monitoring System, the only available system that continuously monitors and quantifies soil carbon flux for farmers. The Agrology Arbiter System helps growers track and quantify soil carbon, delivering carbon flux data and soil health data to growers on their mobile and desktop devices. With Arbiter, growers receive critical alerts for anomalies and complex challenges like soil carbon flux and soil microbiome health, the pinnacles of regenerative farming. Agrology's Predictive Agriculture Platforms makes it easy to be more regenerative, quantify soil carbon, and stay ahead of threats like drought, pest and disease outbreaks, smoke taint, extreme temperatures, and more. Growers receive critical alerts for anomalies and complex challenges like soil carbon flux and soil microbiome health, the pinnacles of regenerative farming. The Agrology Arbiter Carbon Monitoring System is able to perform the below tasks: Monitors soil carbon flux, soil carbon changes, soil carbon respiration, soil carbon sequestration, and soil conditions. Continuously tracks soil carbon sequestration by evaluating soil carbon flux and then delivers that data to growers in real time. Gathers the highest quality carbon data from an entire project geography, enabling growers to know what is happening ecosystem-wide. Characterizes soil composition changes including soil carbon flux, soil moisture release curves, and soil fertility/salinity. This helps growers understand soil health and carbon content. (As soil carbon increases, soil water and soil nutrient availability improve). Alerts growers of significant soil or atmospheric events that impact carbon levels so they can adjust regenerative practices accordingly. Agrology Arbiter devices gather comprehensive data below and above the ground, and track soil conditions and atmospheric gasses. Once data is gathered, Agrology’s machine learning models synthesize data to monitor complex challenges like soil carbon flux and soil microbiome health. Growers own their data and can pull it anytime from their individually encrypted storage using Agrology’s grower portal and data APIs. With Arbiter, growers can monitor ecosystem-wide activity continuously. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/584/skyports-drone-services-strengthens-presence-in-s-korea.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/584/skyports-drone-services-strengthens-presence-in-s-korea.html Tue, 07 Mar 2023 10:49:45 +0530 Establishes Joint Venture with Korean drone company to enhance maritime shipment operations. Skyports Drone Services (HQ: London) the leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure developer and drone services provider has formed a joint venture (JV) entity between its drone services business and Korean drone technology company, Marine Drone Tech (MDT), under a new name Skyports Drone Services Korea. The recent opening of Skyports' Korea office in late Feb 2023 follows the establishment of its Japan office in October 2022, as the company expands its presence across the Asia-Pacific region. The joint venture will be dedicated to delivering tailored drone solutions that address connectivity, productivity, and safety across a variety of applications in maritime operations. The joint venture aims to set up operations in S. Korea’s Yeosu and Busan regions, with a primary focus on maritime ship-to-shore deliveries. The company will focus on maritime ship-to-shore operations following its expansion in Singapore across delivery and monitoring drone services to Korea, improving transportation service levels, and reducing costs. Skyports Drone Services is a provider and operator of eVTOL drones for cargo drone deliveries, survey and surveillance. Over the past year, the company has steadily expanded its AAM infrastructure projects and drone delivery operations with local Korean partners, businesses, and regulators. Skyports Drone Services has proven capabilities in the operation of long-range and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) autonomous flight for a multitude of use cases, including ship-to-shore and maritime applications, medical and dangerous goods deliveries, and AI-driven surveys for the agriculture and infrastructure sectors.  Skyports Drone Services is elevating business potential, connectivity and access to critical supplies through the application of drone services. Skyports has projects operating across four continents including Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/576/thailand-explores-first-ever-in-house-autonomous-agricultural-drones.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/576/thailand-explores-first-ever-in-house-autonomous-agricultural-drones.html Fri, 03 Mar 2023 13:33:28 +0530 Chinese agri-tech firm XAG partners with Thailand's Chia Tai to launch autonomous agricultural drones to introduce smart agriculture approach in Thailand XAG (HQ:China), a smart agri-tech firm, has collaborated with FarmInno (HQ: Thailand) by Chia Tai Group, Thailand's leading innovative agricultural company, to introduce fully autonomous agricultural drones in Thailand.  XAG focuses on developing drones, robots, and AI technology to advance farming processes with a vision to build a smart agriculture ecosystem for the future. Through the strategic partnership with XAG, FarmInno (Thailand), one of Chia Tai's new businesses, aims to tackle challenges in agriculture industry, including an aging farmer population, a lack of accessible agricultural technology, and poor cultivation knowledge. A smart agriculture approach aims to improve both quality and productivity of Thai agriculture by using advanced cultivation technologies. The collaboration results in the development of fully autonomous agricultural drones controlled by intelligent software. This fully autonomous agricultural drone will help farmers to work faster and more precisely especially in large plantations with efficient spreading and spraying.  "Powered by artificial intelligence, these drones are highly efficient at spreading and spraying precision ingredients. Besides saving time and energy, this will also alleviate labor shortages resulting from the country's aging farming population, where the average farmer is 58.46 years old. Moreover, this technology is in line with Thailand 4.0's goal of transforming traditional agriculture into smart agriculture and enhancing Thailand's global competitiveness" adds Manas Chiaravanond, Chief Executive Officer of Chia Tai Company. Cao Nan, Head of Overseas Business Department, XAG Company Limited says "Our drone applications range from seeding, fertilization to crop spraying, which have helped smallholders and large farms worldwide to grow more with less. With our ambitious plan, we work with strategic partners to expand our high-performance products to other countries, including Thailand, which is one of the leading export countries of high-quality agricultural products in Southeast Asia. Through this partnership, we have seen the potential for growth and development of Thai agriculture which is the mutual ambition to uphold high standards of cultivation and add value to agricultural produce." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/573/india-launches-plasma-technology-for-draught-prevention-in-collaboration-with-icrisat.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/573/india-launches-plasma-technology-for-draught-prevention-in-collaboration-with-icrisat.html Thu, 02 Mar 2023 12:24:44 +0530 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Plasma Waters inks a MoU to advance Plasma-ized Water technology to enable faster growth, deeper root mass, disease resistance & stress tolerance levels in plants The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based at Hyderabad (Southern India) & the US Water Tech Company, Plasma Water Solutions India Pvt Ltd based at Mumbai (India) have signed MoU to initiate genetic studies to address the challenges of dryland farmers. The initiative will be enabled by germplasm and genetic studies with ICRISAT gene bank accessions, and technology trials with different plasma applications to different stages of crop life cycles using the testing capabilities of ICRISAT and real-world field POCs in partnership with farmers and growers. Plasma Water Solutions Inc., a US based water technology company with subsidiaries in India, Germany and Chile addresses the world's most pressing water issues by innovating ground breaking water-based solutions. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a pioneering, international non-profit scientific research for development organization, specializing in improving dryland farming and agri-food systems. ​  Robert Hardt, President & CEO of Plasma Waters along with the Global Management Team, Mr Jerry Zuchowicki, CRO, Dr Roger Pennell, CDO and India MD, Pragya Kalia visited facilities at ICRISAT to discuss various study areas relevant to the region. Plasma Waters technology uses simply air, water & electricity to convert water into Plasma-ized WaterTM ​ ‘in-situ’, in a continuous flow from any source by passing the water into the patented Plasma Chamber. Plasma-ized Water is pathogen free & consists of certain reactive oxygen & nitrogen species which boosts the immunity system in seeds & plants. Through extensive field tests at large scale in the USA, it has been validated that Plasma-ized Water enables better & faster growth, deeper root mass, disease resistance & stress tolerance levels in plants. This results into higher quantity & better quality of yields for farmers with reduction in chemicals usage during the farming process which makes it a very healthy proposition for consumers & much needed sustainable practice for our environment. Results have shown up to 20% increase in agricultural output promising hope for millions of farmers suffering from declining yields across India and sub-Saharan Africa.  Plasma-ized waters application ranges from Seeds Treatment, Crop Protection & Irrigation. Results have been transformative in Sorghum, Millets, High Value crops, Cotton, Melons & Horticulture crops. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/567/indonesia-launches-national-strategy-for-digitizing-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/567/indonesia-launches-national-strategy-for-digitizing-agriculture.html Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:10:50 +0530 Launched the “e-Agriculture National Strategy" aiming to harness data and information resources in agriculture for the benefit of smallholders The Center of Agricultural Data and System Information (CADIS) of the Agriculture Ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has launched an agriculture digitalization strategy called the “e-Agriculture National Strategy.” Aims to harness data and information resources in agriculture for the benefit of smallholders. According to the FAO, Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world and a major producer of agricultural products. With 45 percent of the population living in rural areas, more than 90 percent of people working in the agriculture sector are smallholder farmers. Agricultural farms take up 32 percent of the total land area of the country and farm production accounts for 14 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP). Yet agricultural production faces several major challenges. The cost of agricultural production is quite high, while agriculture remains a highly labor-intensive sector. Smallholder farmers always work the hardest, but acquire the least benefit in the food systems activities. To address those challenges and take advantage of emerging digital opportunities, the MoA, in cooperation with the FAO, has launched the “e-Agriculture National Strategy.” "It is very important to note that the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MoA’s) cooperation with FAO has accelerated agricultural development in the country. The ‘e-Agriculture National Strategy’ can provide instrument facilitation that is urgently needed by the MoA to accelerate our agriculture development in the upstream, on farm, post-harvest, for the farmers to strengthen their position agricultural industry," said secretary general of the ministry, Kasdi Soebagyono, Data on land area under cultivation, productivity, marketing channels, commodity prices, diversification of consumption, and food safety are some examples of data related to agriculture production that are needed by policy makers, he informed. Early Warning System (EWS) data that can reduce the impact of specific disasters is also urgently needed. Among other things, the “e-Agriculture National Strategy” states that by 2027, Indonesia will have an integrated database on farmlands and farmers, provide digital early warning for disasters that threaten agriculture production, and run systems for agriculture data collection, extraction, and analysis. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/562/china-africa-intensifies-cooperation-in-tropical-agricultural-rd-and-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/562/china-africa-intensifies-cooperation-in-tropical-agricultural-rd-and-technology.html Tue, 28 Feb 2023 11:45:55 +0530 China-Africa signed MoU to enhance cooperation in tropical agricultural Science and technology, to safeguard food security in Africa, and to build a shared future for China and Africa. The Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to extend mutual cooperation surrounding Agri-tech during the visit of AAS President Dr. Felix Dapare Dakora to the CATAS at Haikou, Hainan Province in Feb 2023.   MoU aims to intensify cooperation between China and Africa in tropical agricultural science and technology and food security, through new strategic partnerships. A number of areas for cooperation are identified by the both countries, including the selection, breeding, and extension of plant varieties, environmental protection, pest, disease, and weed control, establishment and promotion of a sustainable agriculture system, livestock, agricultural products processing technologies, agricultural machinery research and development, agriculture economy, and human resources. Through personnel exchanges, dispatching experts, training, cooperative research, technology cooperation, and field demonstrations, the two sides agreed to increase tropical agricultural productivity. In During his meeting with AAS President Dakora, CATAS Vice President Liu Guodao explained that the CATAS has been involved in China-Africa agricultural science and technology cooperation for many years, establishing the China-aided Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in the Congo and launching the China-Africa Tropical Agriculture S&T Innovation Alliance. The CATAS is one of the first groups with accredited qualifications for demonstration and training in modern agricultural technology under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and has trained nearly 3,000 agricultural technicians for Africa. CATAS is into its efforts to unveil a large number of new technologies, new products, and new equipment in Africa.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/561/source-ag-empowers-greenhouse-farmers-with-next-gen-ai-farming-tools.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/561/source-ag-empowers-greenhouse-farmers-with-next-gen-ai-farming-tools.html Tue, 28 Feb 2023 10:13:39 +0530 Raises $23M Series A fund to support the fruit and vegetables growers globally Amsterdam (Netherlands) based Source.ag, the leading artificial intelligence (AI) provider for greenhouse growers, has closed $23 million in its Series A funding round, bringing the company’s total funding to $35 million in just under two years.  The Series A funding round is led by Astanor Ventures and includes investments from Acre Venture Partners, and several of the Netherlands’ leading greenhouse operators. Source.ag will use its pioneering AI technology to track and improve cultivations to enable growers to operate at optimized efficiency. After the successful commercial launch and implementation of its first product, Source Track, the company is launching two new products in 2023. The new funds will be used to launch two AI enabled greenhouse technology products. The new-generation tools will drive safe, reliable and climate-resilient food production by assisting greenhouse growers to maximize yields.  The two new tools, “Source Cultivate” and “Source Control” will enable growers to simulate full seasons of crop growth, tailored to specific genes and crop varieties. In addition, the new funding will enable Source.ag to expand its AI capabilities even further. Greenhouse agriculture is a proven solution to sustainable, local, and climate-resilient food production. With the global demand for greenhouse agriculture rising, Source.ag is empowering growers worldwide to accelerate their growth and operate facilities more efficiently.  Source.ag claims that the novel method of Greenhouse agriculture can produce up to 15 times higher yields without the need for arable land and uses up to 20 times less water versus traditional farming methods.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/553/indigo-ag-completes-of-its-second-carbon-crop-with-more-than-110000-agri-carbon-credits.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/553/indigo-ag-completes-of-its-second-carbon-crop-with-more-than-110000-agri-carbon-credits.html Mon, 27 Feb 2023 15:33:46 +0530 For the first and second carbon crops, Carbon by Indigo farmers were paid $30/credit, a 200 per cent increase over the original guaranteed payment rate. US based Indigo Ag, the premier sustainability partner of the agriculture industry, announced the completion of its second carbon crop, consisting of more than 110,000 agricultural carbon credits. Issued by one of the world's most trusted carbon registries, the Climate Action Reserve, Indigo's second crop of credits was produced by U.S. farmers enrolled in its industry-leading carbon farming program, Carbon by Indigo. The second crop of credits represents more than 110,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions sequestered or abated by farmers. The credits were produced by nearly 430 farmers across 22 U.S. states, including existing and new farmers and new fields in their operations. The second carbon crop demonstrated the program's growth and durability, as Indigo's carbon program realized a roughly 5x credit growth from its inaugural crop. Carbon by Indigo farmers produce the highest quality Agricultural Carbon Credits Available on the Voluntary Market. For the first and second carbon crops, Carbon by Indigo farmers were paid $30/credit, a 200 per cent increase over the original guaranteed payment rate. With sustainable agriculture gaining momentum as a vital tool to combat climate change, the need to scale nature-based solutions is at an all-time high. Indigo's first carbon crop - issued in June of 2022 and consisting of more than 20,000 credits - established the company as the first to ever generate verified, registry-issued agricultural carbon credits at market scale. This second carbon crop further demonstrates the repeatability of this process, the potential for exponential growth, and the appeal to both farmers and buyers. It also reinforces the ability of farmers, and the agriculture industry broadly, to have a real, measurable, and durable impact on one of the world's largest carbon sinks. "Our second crop of soil-based carbon credits signifies the enormous growth and potential for farmers to sequester more carbon in the soil while increasing their own profitability, with 75 per cent of the credit revenue going directly back to farmers," said Ron Hovsepian, president & CEO of Indigo Ag. "The verified credits produced by the Carbon by Indigo program represent significant and immediate environmental benefits. We are incredibly excited about the strong demand we are seeing from companies looking to high-quality offsets as part of their climate roadmaps."  Indigo's growing network of global partner companies, including many long-term buyers, have committed to purchasing Indigo's verified agricultural carbon credits in advance of this new carbon crop. Indigo Ag is the only company producing verified, registry-issued soil carbon credits at scale, rewarding farmers for adopting sustainable farming practices that benefit the environment and their operations. The Carbon by Indigo program includes removals and abatement of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The credits are measured, verified and issued under the most rigorous scientific standards, making them the highest quality agricultural carbon credits available on the voluntary market. The program's economic and agronomic incentives for farmers establish long term viability for the program. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/546/swarmfarm-robotics-to-empower-australia-through-integrated-autonomous-agri-tech-platforms.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/546/swarmfarm-robotics-to-empower-australia-through-integrated-autonomous-agri-tech-platforms.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 13:14:43 +0530 Raises AU$12M Series A to forge a farm-centric path by developing specialty robotics solutions to unlock full potentials of the farm-autonomy Queensland based SwarmFarm Robotics is building an Integrated Autonomy technology ecosystem to address the local agricultural issues through a farm-centric approach. The non-disruptive approach leaves the lowest possible footprint on the fields. With a series of specialty robotics solutions SwarmFarm is unlocking the true potentials of the farm-autonomy. SwarmFarm Robotics has now raised AU$12 million Series A ($8.3 million) to develop and grow the Integrated Autonomy niche for agriculture industry. With the versatile SwarmBot platform and an operating system network called SwarmConnect, Australian farmers can now develop their own innovative autonomous platform for farm applications. The company's Series A funding round was majorly led by Emmertech, an AgTech fund from Conexus Venture Capital based in Canada and Tribe Global Ventures and Access Capital.  SwarmFarm Robotics pioneers the use and development of intelligent robotics in Australian agriculture. SwarmFarm facilitates collaboration between farmers and technologists to create specialized tools that can be attached to swarms of small, nimble, autonomous robot platforms to create new farming methods. Further, Integrated Autonomy of SwarmConnect optimizes profitability and sustainability by designing a technology ecosystem prioritizing farmer needs to save time and resources. "Integrating robots and its application into development framework, enables farmers to customize their equipment for their needs. SwarmFarm is unlocking the potential of Integrated Autonomy in agriculture. We believe in revolutionizing a new generation of farmer-technologists" said SwarmFarm CEO Andrew Bate.  Through ‘Integrated Autonomy approach, SwarmFarm equipment have successfully served an area of 1.3 million commercial acres coupled with 64,000 hours of operation on fields. Using autonomous robots, this novel agricultural method reduces pesticide input by an estimated 780 tons per year. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/545/singapore-develops-first-nanotube-sensors-to-detect-and-distinguish-phytohormones.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/545/singapore-develops-first-nanotube-sensors-to-detect-and-distinguish-phytohormones.html Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:02:56 +0530 SMART researchers develop nanosensors which can provide real-time, in vivo monitoring of gibberellins (GAs) levels in plants, a plant growth hormone and a stress indicator A group of researchers from Singapore’s Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) have developed the first ever nanosensor that can detect and distinguish gibberellins (GAs), a class of plant growth hormones. These sensors could prove transformative for agriculture and plant biotechnology by monitoring early-stage plant stress, assisting farmers in precision agriculture and crop management to enhance yields. Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP), a Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) is an MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore. DiSTAP has collaborated with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) to develop nondestructive nanosensors proven viable on living plants.  Gibberellins diterpenoid phytohormones modulate plant growth and developmental processes. The new nanosensors developed by the SMART researchers assists in study of GA dynamics in plants under salinity stress at a very early stage, potentially enabling farmers to make early interventions when eventually applied in the field. This forms the basis of early-stage stress detection. The near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent carbon nanotube sensor is capable of detecting and distinguishing two plant hormones, GA3 and GA4, belonging to a class of plant hormones known as gibberellins (GAs).  Current practiced methods to detect GA3 and GA4 typically require mass spectroscopy-based analysis, a time-consuming and destructive process. In contrast, the new sensors developed by the researchers are highly selective for the respective GAs and offer real-time, in vivo monitoring of changes in GA levels across a broad range of plant species. Further gibberellins studies can yield breakthroughs agricultural innovations and contribute to food security. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/543/elicit-plant-develops-tech-platform-to-improve-crops-endurance-to-drought-resistance.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/543/elicit-plant-develops-tech-platform-to-improve-crops-endurance-to-drought-resistance.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:38:24 +0530 Formulated with phytosterols, the novel platform BEST-a Maize promotes reduced water consumption in field crops France based agri-biotech company, Elicit Plant, has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of its technological platform BEST-a Maize by proving its ability to withstand water stress in field crops.  The endurance solution is based on phytosterols and is dedicated to the ecological transition of agriculture. Phytosterols, a molecule of plant origin, enable plants to better resist water stress by stimulating metabolic responses specific to each species. A 150 field trials carried out in 2022 on an international scale (Europe, North America, South America) by independent operators have highlighted a regular and high performance of the platform solution to reduce the impact of the lack of water on corn crops: 12% productivity gains (+6 quintals per hectare on average). "Trials were conducted in three continents, with different pedoclimatic characteristics. These results confirm Elicit Plant its ability to favor agroecological transition and to plan for the international market " says Jean-François Déchant, President and co-founder of Elicit Plant. Since 2019, Elicit Plant has carried out a total of 500 field trials, with a success rate close to 90%. Over the years, the company has been able to accurately determine the most favorable pedoclimatic, seasonality and formulation parameters for crop profitability. During the next six months, Elicit Plant is expected to receive an additional 10 million euros through R&D programs, supported by the "France 2030" recovery plan. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/542/si-ware-introduces-neospectra-feed-analysis-solutions-to-the-dairy-industry.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/542/si-ware-introduces-neospectra-feed-analysis-solutions-to-the-dairy-industry.html Mon, 20 Feb 2023 11:31:47 +0530 Partners with Cargill Animal Nutrition to adopt precision on-site analysis of forages, feeds, and feed ingredients in dairy farms Si-Ware Systems is collaborating with Cargill Animal Nutrition to provide the NeoSpectra platform to Cargill’s North American dairy teams for use in on-site analysis of forages, feeds, and feed ingredients.  The NeoSpectra platform uses cutting-edge spectroscopy techniques and machine learning technology to quickly and accurately analyze the nutrient content of dairy industry feed and feed ingredients in real-time. Following the agreement, Si-Ware's NeoSpectra platform will be utilized by Cargill's market, research, and technical expertise in dairy farm nutrition to provide accurate and reliable data. By accurately and instantly determining the nutrient content of feeds and feed ingredients, farmers, consultants, and nutritionists can increase yield and efficiency on the farm. "Our near-infrared solutions will be marketed by Cargill and their Dairy Team. Our solutions will help Cargill ensure the nutritional value of their feed products, providing their customers with the information they need to make accurate and informed choices on the spot" said Mostafa Medhat, VP of Product & Customer Happiness at Si-Ware Systems. With NeoSpectra by Si-Ware, businesses can bring their lab to the field with an all-in-one, universal material analysis solution platform built on single chip FT-NIR spectrometers and achieve high returns on investment anywhere. The portable analyzers claims to have unprecedented performance and accuracy. It is also a secure place to discover and download test methods developed by FT-NIR technology. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/536/japans-green-science-alliance-invents-fluorescent-fertilizer-using-qdnf-technology.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/536/japans-green-science-alliance-invents-fluorescent-fertilizer-using-qdnf-technology.html Thu, 16 Feb 2023 13:46:40 +0530 Fluorescent quantum dot nano fertilizer (QDNF) are designed to be pesticide, herbicide, or as an antibacterial residue sensor to absorb nutrients from both the soil and leaves Japan headquartered Green Science Alliance has developed a fluorescent fertilizer using super tiny materials (0.5–9 nm) called fluorescent quantum dot nano fertilizer (QDNF).  QDNF are prepared in any forms such as pesticide, herbicide, or as an antibacterial residue sensor. QDNF can also be a carrier of essential metal ( Zn, Cu, and Fe) into plants. A fluorescent plant (Japanese Musterd Greens) has been grown from seeds using QDNF.  Dr. Ryohei Mori, CEO of Green Science Alliance has synthesized graphene quantum dots with chemical composition comprising the three key fertilizer elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When such plants exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet-light and blue light irradiation, it indicates that QDNF is absorbed in plant system supporting their growth. Currently used commercial fertilizers have higher particle size, resulting in prolonged decomposition and absorption. Studies have reported that at least half of the fertilizers applied on the soil are wasted due to draining out by rain or evaporation. In contrast,  "nano fertilizer" which has particle size in the range of nanometers runs through the path between the cells of plants. Hence, the fertilizers can be absorbed in plants without the assistance of bacterial decomposition. As a result, nano fertilizers result in higher yields than commercial solid or liquid fertilizers. Since nano fertilizers can absorb nutrients from both the soil and leaves, it can also be sprayed using drones. Along with fertilizer components, nano fertilizers contain components of the pesticides, herbicides, and metals required for plant growth. Furthermore, researchers are working towards introducing recombinant genes into plants using nano fertilizers as the gene carrier. In addition, some quantum dots can act as stress sensors because their fluorescent light disappears when they react with stress-induced substances such as H 2 O 2, Ca 2+, and NO. Quantum dots on plant leaves can convert solar light into the light with a wavelength more favorable for plant growth. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/532/philippines-fosters-smart-agriculture-by-launching-first-fully-automated-greenhouse.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/532/philippines-fosters-smart-agriculture-by-launching-first-fully-automated-greenhouse.html Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:52:09 +0530 The Philippine's Department of Science and Technology (DOST 4-A) in Calabarzon collaborates with Bukidamara Agri Farm to automate nutrient solution dosing, climate sensing, and drip irrigation The Philippine's Department of Science and Technology (DOST 4-A) in Calabarzon has launched a fully automated greenhouse technology with PHP3 million funding support by the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of DOST CALABARZON through PSTO-Quezon. The automated greenhouse system provides automatic dosing of nutrient solution and automatic climate sensing for the detection of temperature and lighting, ensuring appropriate and timely irrigation and fertigation management, thereby maintaining a consistent growing environment for the optimum crop growth and quality. Speaking about the impact of DOST SETUP project, Emelita P. Bagsit, Regional Director of DOST CALABARZON, highlighted that the “Adoption of Automated Greenhouse System for the Production of Japanese Musk Melon and Other High-Value Melon Varieties of Bukidamara Agri Farm amounting to PHP3 million will facilitate product quality improvement through automatic dosing of nutrient solution and automatic climate sensing, 169% increase in production capacity per production cycle, 15-20% savings of nutrition solutions run off, and 20% savings from production and labor cost". The greenhouse system adopts a recirculating system for its nutrient solution delivery to the crops. Automated drip irrigation system delivers nutrient solution slowly and directly to the plant root. This will save approx 15 to 20 percent of nutrient solution run-off which will return to the reservoir to be fed to the crops again. The quantity of irrigation, the nutrient concentration, and the proportion of fertigation are adjusted depending on the crop growth stage, the season, and the evapotranspiration rate of the crop to yield high-value melon varieties. Bukidamara Agri Farm is conducting seminars and training to encourage other farmers in Calabarzon to adopt smart agriculture. The new automated greenhouse will also conduct programs to improve the micro, small and medium enterprises' productivity, and competitiveness by providing them a loan payable in three years. In particular, the agency is supporting smart agriculture to boost production of high-end melon varieties such as the Japanese musk melon, Yellow Canary, Persian, Piel de Sapo (Spanish), Israeli, and Galia varieties. Automated greenhouse system will be dedicated mostly for Japanese melon while existing rain shelters and greenhouse systems will be dedicated for other melon varieties ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/528/australia-to-invest-9-3-million-in-soil-technology-to-boost-agricultural-drought-resistance.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/528/australia-to-invest-9-3-million-in-soil-technology-to-boost-agricultural-drought-resistance.html Tue, 14 Feb 2023 13:46:30 +0530 Regional firm Loam Bio receives $5.8 million to develop Carbonbuilder microbial technology that aids plants in storing carbon naturally, thereby enhancing soil's ability to retain moisture Australia is investing $9.3 million in soil technology that could help Australian farmers increase soil carbon in cropping systems, improve soil health and resilience, and diversify farm income. Regional company Loam Bio is developing technology to store carbon in agricultural soils.The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is funding the innovation. The CEFC has already invested $5.8 million in Loam, taking its total investment to $15.1 million. Increased soil carbon helps soil to retain more water and improves plants’ ability to take up nutrients, resulting in better agricultural productivity and resilience. One of the major challenges for soil carbon storage is that carbon naturally reacts with oxygen and water, releasing it back into the atmosphere. Loam’s Carbonbuilder microbial technology works with the root system of crops, enhancing a plant’s natural ability to store carbon in the soil. The technology helps lower emissions and improve soil carbon storage, enabling farmers to participate in valuable carbon markets. Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen said, “Australia is equipping farmers with the tools to combat the climate crisis under extreme and intense weather events. By boosting water retention in soils, the Loam technology has the potential to help Australian farms to become more drought resistant and more sustainable.” Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said, “Government finance will support the development of this crucial soil technology that will support regional jobs and development while benefiting Australian farmers.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/519/rovensa-group-launches-global-biosolutions-business-unit-to-promote-sustainable-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/519/rovensa-group-launches-global-biosolutions-business-unit-to-promote-sustainable-agriculture.html Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:36:32 +0530 Rovensa Next, the business unit will house comprehensive portfolio of agricultural inputs and technologies to shape a sustainable future for agriculture and drive its bio-transformation Berlin based Rovensa Group, the global innovative agriculture solution provider has launched a new business unit, Rovensa Next to drive bio-transformation by shaping a sustainable future for global agriculture field. The flagship project ‘Rovensa Next’ aggregates ten Rovensa Group companies, creating a holistic platform of innovative biosolutions. Ten Rovensa Group companies comprising of "Agrichembio, Agrotecnología, Idai Nature, Microquimica, MIP Agro, OGT, Oro Agri, Rodel, SDP, and Tradecorp" will now form the new global business unit. With the new business unit, Rovensa Group anticipates a turnover of more than EUR 1 billion by 2025. The global transition and local implementation of Rovensa Next will begin from July 2023. The new business unit is expected to combine innate technical knowledge, innovation by  working alongside farmers and distributors to solve sustainability challenges, with the global expertise and leadership of Rovensa Group. Eric van Innis, Rovensa Group CEO, stated: "Farmers and distributors need specialised advisors to help them create a potent strategy that considers their local environment and challenges. Rovensa Next assists in sustainable crop management for better quality and increased yield.” Rovensa Next unites a global network of 30 R&D laboratories, excellence centres, fields, and greenhouses; 14 production plants; more than 84 partnerships with research centres and universities. Equipped with 100 R&D and innovation specialists comprising more than 850 field experts, Ravensa Next aims to lead cutting-edge research to create effective biosolutions. Image Caption: José Alfredo García, Co-COO Rovensa Next, Javier Calleja, incoming CEO Rovensa Group, Eric van Innis, CEO Rovensa Group and Carlos Ledó, Co-COO Rovensa Next ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/518/redsea-reinforces-strategy-with-new-appointments-as-tech-is-deployed-globally.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/518/redsea-reinforces-strategy-with-new-appointments-as-tech-is-deployed-globally.html Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:06:59 +0530 Bruno de Oliveira joins as Chief Agricultural Officer and Branko Lovic as Chief Plant Science Officer Saudi Arabia-based RedSea, the sustainable AgTech business whose pioneering technology enables commercial farming in hot climates globally, announces the appointment of two new divisional heads - Chief Agricultural Officer and Chief Plant Science Officer - reinforcing the company’s strategy to develop world-leading technologies for sustainable agriculture. Bruno de Oliveira joins as Chief Agricultural Officer after most recently consulting with Silal in Abu Dhabi, an ADQ subsidiary with a broad portfolio of agri-food enterprises, where he held the role of Head of Farms Development. Prior to this, Bruno was Agricultural Director of Fresh Produce at Canal Sugar, an integrated Agro-industrial project and the world’s biggest sugar beet processing plant in Egypt. Bruno has vast experience in managing commercial crops – including a diverse host of fruits and vegetables – across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East - managing major private and government farming businesses as well as nurseries in each region. In his new role at RedSea, Bruno will be responsible for overseeing all global agriculture sites, operations, and expansion as well as ensuring alignment with ESG and sustainability goals in agriculture practices. Branko Lovic joins as Chief Plant Science Officer following six years at United Genetics USA and its affiliates in Spain. He held several executive roles in different functions across sales, product development and supply chain.  Branko has significant experience within agriculture and plant science, having previously held the role of Technology Development Lead at Monsanto – the US agricultural biotechnology company acquired by Bayer in 2016 - and Global Seed Production Manager at Syngenta – one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Branko will oversee RedSea’s plant science division and further the development of plant genetics to enable salt, heat, and drought-tolerant crops. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/505/entocycle-secures-5-mn-series-a-to-license-tech-solutions-for-insect-farms.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/505/entocycle-secures-5-mn-series-a-to-license-tech-solutions-for-insect-farms.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:22:17 +0530 The new funding confirms Entocycle as a leading global player in the rapidly-growing insect industry The UK’s leading insect technology company Entocycle has announced a $5 million A Series investment in a funding round led by Climentum Capital, a Climate-Tech Venture Capital firm based out of Copenhagen, Berlin and Stockholm. The new funding confirms Entocycle as a leading global player in the rapidly-growing insect industry as it looks to place its cutting-edge technology at the heart of large-scale insect farms worldwide. The company will use the investment to roll out a suite of products and services to serve established insect companies and new entrants into the insect industry globally. Entocycle will expand the team from its current headcount of 21 as it seeks to commercialise operations and make its products and services more accessible to the market. The company has also developed a turn-key modular fly cage, a highly efficient breeding system and offers a full BSF farm design, commission and build service to new entrants to the insect industry, with growing interest from large-scale food producers looking to secure protein-supply or waste management companies looking to upcycle organic waste into higher-value products such as protein or lipids. The investment is a boost for the climate and natural world as the growth of alternative proteins, such as insects, is considered to be a key driver to reducing environmental issues, including deforestation linked to soy, overfishing and pollution related to agricultural waste disposal into our rivers and seas as well as improving food security. According to a recent study by WWF, the UK could replace 20 per cent of its soy imports with insect protein by 2050. The global insect protein market is showing no signs of slowing down, with demand for insect protein forecast to reach 3 million tonnes and be worth $9.46bn by 2030. According to another recent report, the global black soldier fly market specifically is expected to grow 30.5 per cent CAGR from 2022 to reach $3.96b by 2033. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/504/australian-exports-to-singapore-get-a-digital-boost.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/504/australian-exports-to-singapore-get-a-digital-boost.html Mon, 06 Feb 2023 13:18:51 +0530 Australia and Singapore committed to the Digital Economy Agreement in 2020, collaborating on digital trade to benefit our agricultural and food industries. Australian exporters will see faster export documentation and easier access to Singapore’s markets, as certification between Australia and Singapore moves towards paperless trading. Nicola Hinder Deputy Secretary said Australia and Singapore committed to the Digital Economy Agreement in 2020, collaborating on digital trade to benefit our agricultural and food industries. “Using electronic export certification (eCert) means the relevant information is sent directly to overseas government agencies almost instantly, allowing for quicker clearance times so producers can get their goods to market faster,” Hinder said. “This results in less time waiting on a rubber stamp for paperwork, a reduction in fraudulent behaviour and easier record keeping. “We have just started a process called a parallel exchange. That means we are using the paper certification alongside the eCert for consignments of edible meat exported from Australia. Our government counterparts in Singapore will have both methods of certification during the transition period. “The Digital Economy Agreement delivers a comprehensive framework for bilateral cooperation, to help businesses and consumers make the most of the digital economy. “Together with Singapore we’ve negotiated cutting-edge new rules. We’ve signed up to agreements on areas including e-certification for agricultural exports and imports, data innovation and protection, artificial intelligence, e-invoicing, and digital identity. “Singapore is our largest trading and investment partner in the ASEAN region, and this step is confirmation of the openness, collaboration and trust between our two countries. “Australia is at the forefront of digital trade. We have already moved to a paperless eCert exchange with the EU and we’ve worked with our key trading partner, Singapore, to do the same.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/498/australias-rumin8-enters-new-zealand-with-two-cattle-trials.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/498/australias-rumin8-enters-new-zealand-with-two-cattle-trials.html Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:41:23 +0530 The trials – one on beef cattle and one on dairy cattle – seek to test Rumin8’s product integration in the New Zealand pasture-based systems. Australian climate technology company Rumin8 has commenced two safety and efficacy trials of its methane-reducing feed supplements in New Zealand. The trials – one on beef cattle and one on dairy cattle – seek to test Rumin8’s product integration in the New Zealand pasture-based systems. Rumin8 identifies naturally occurring compounds that have anti-methanogenic properties, but instead of harvesting and extracting them from plants, is able to reproduce them in a highly efficient, low-cost, scalable, and high-quality process to feed to livestock in order to reduce their emissions. The trials will use different measuring methodologies – both recognised and validated in the field. The beef trial utilises a methane measuring facility, which provides continuous measurements over 48 hours, while the dairy trial utilises Greenfeed systems which measure methane emissions throughout the duration of the trial taking short burst measurements throughout the day. The first trial is a dose-response trial run by DairyNZ in Hamilton. Lactating dairy cows on a pasture-based diet will be offered the methane-reducing feed supplement three times per day over 45 to investigate the methane reduction potential in a pasture-based system. As with all our ongoing trials, animal health will be closely monitored to validate the safety of our product. Blood samples are analysed for markers of animal health, behaviour is monitored and feed intake is measured each day. A further range of measurements and analyses will be undertaken, including methane production, methane intensity (methane per kg milk), milk production, milk components, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, and residues in milk and tissue. The beef trial, using dairy-beef heifers, will be conducted by AgResearch at Palmerston North, where the NZ Ruminant Methane Measurement Centre is located. In this trial, four doses will be offered to the cattle to determine the minimum effective dose required. Rumin8’s product will be mixed with a small ration of pellets, while the main diet component will be freshly-cut pasture. At the conclusion of the trial, the beef heifers will spend 48 hours in a methane-measuring facility, where methane production is continuously measured, as well as live weights and samples of blood and tissue will be collected for analysis. David Messina Rumin8 Managing Director said New Zealand “New Zealand farmers have a strong track record of innovation adoption and desire to minimize their environmental footprint.” Rumin8 was required to seek Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines approval prior to the commencement of the trial. Other trials are currently underway in Australia and Brazil. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/491/pif-announces-vertical-farming-jv-with-us-based-aerofarms.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/491/pif-announces-vertical-farming-jv-with-us-based-aerofarms.html Thu, 02 Feb 2023 13:03:07 +0530 The first farm, based in Saudi Arabia, will have a capacity for up to 1.1 million kilograms of crops per year. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed an agreement with US-based Aero Farms to form a joint venture which will build and operate vertical farms across the MENA region. The first farm, based in Saudi Arabia, will have a capacity for up to 1.1 million kilograms of crops per year. The venture is the second Saudi-focused AgTech announcement this week, following the news that UAE-based Pure Harvest, which is also a vertical farming enterprise, is to enter into a partnership with the county’s National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC). Majed Al Assaf, head of consumer goods and retail, MENA investments division, PIF, said the venture will help increase regional reliance on locally produced crops.  “PIF is enabling the growth of the food and agriculture sector and localising technology that can benefit private sector industry participants,” he said. AeroFarms AgX, a wholly owned UAE-based subsidiary of Aero Farms, announced the construction of a 54,000 sq. ft indoor farm in Abu Dhabi in 2021. According to the United States Department of Agriculture report published last year, Saudi Arabia is reliant on imports for up to 75 per cent of its food consumption. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/489/kuwaits-green-life-company-ushers-in-a-new-era-of-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/489/kuwaits-green-life-company-ushers-in-a-new-era-of-agriculture.html Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:13:30 +0530 This initiative aims to bolster food security by using state-of-the-art technology ‘Aeroponic’ Green Life Company officially launched its innovative smart agriculture project utilising Aeroponic technology for air farming in Kuwait. This initiative aims to bolster food security by producing healthy, high-quality agricultural products with minimal water, using state-of-the-art technology ‘Aeroponic’. This revolutionary approach to agriculture will help to ensure a sustainable food source for the country. The official launch and operation of the project were unveiled during a VIP event, under the patronage of the Swiss ambassador Dr Tiziano Balmelli. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, experts, and individuals invested in agricultural and food security matters, as well as members of the media. The ceremony featured a comprehensive explanation of the unique cultivation method and concluded with an invitation to tour the farm located in Abdali. Adel Al Shamali, Chairman of Green Life Company, stated, "The launch of this project is a testament to Green Life Company's commitment to investing in the future. As local investors, we are always looking for opportunities to drive progress within our society." He emphasises the significance of agriculture in achieving two of the government's key strategic goals outlined in the ‘Kuwait 2035’ vision, which are ensuring food security for the country and diversifying income sources for the future. The project's goal is to not only provide ample amounts of healthy and high-quality agricultural products, but also to do so with minimal water usage and labour, and utilising the most advanced technological methods available. Aeroponic technology, a form of aerobic cultivation developed by CleanGreens Solutions SA in partnership with the Green Life Company, has been specifically adapted to suit the harsh conditions of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/488/nadec-and-pure-harvest-smart-farms-announce-strategic-partnership.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/488/nadec-and-pure-harvest-smart-farms-announce-strategic-partnership.html Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:57:20 +0530 Partners aim to deliver over 27 hectares of production, serving KSA consumers a wide variety of locally and sustainably grown, high-quality, fresh produce year-round Saudi Arabia’s National Agricultural Development Company (Nadec) announced a strategic partnership with Pure Harvest Smart Farms (Pure Harvest), the MEASA region’s leading technology-enabled agribusiness, to deliver a large-scale national food security project in the Kingdom, which aims to deliver over 27 hectares of production near-term – with prospects for significant future expansions on Nadec’s lands – serving KSA consumers a wide variety of locally and sustainably grown, high-quality, fresh produce year-round. Pure Harvest will design, construct and operate high-tech, climate-controlled hybrid food production systems that allow year-round production of high-quality, safe and sustainably-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, free of pesticides, offering Saudi consumers a constant availability of high-quality fresh produce that was never before possible due to the Kingdom’s challenging arid climate.  Nadec will utilise its existing infrastructure, far-reaching distribution network, and trusted consumer brands to deliver its partner’s fresh produce to the market.  This strategic alliance is closely aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision for a more self-sufficient and sustainable food system. This innovative project is the first of many that the partners expect to develop together integrating the full value chain of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) production.  Pure Harvest seeks to deploy substantial production capacity over the next five years in KSA, farming a wide range of crops, and Nadec will market these products to its expansive consumer base, hotels, restaurants, and catering partners. The partners share a vision to assist in the transition towards greater food security, water conservation, economic diversification, and sustainability in the Kingdom, as well as the broader GCC region.  By originating large-scale, renewable energy-integrated food production infrastructure in KSA, Nadec and Pure Harvest are together making possible local-for-local high-quality, pesticide-residue free, clean, and healthy fresh fruits and vegetables production that, thanks to Pure Harvest’s pioneering production technology, are always in season – proudly serving the Kingdom’s citizens. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/486/simpliigood-haifa-group-co-pioneer-spirulina-production.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/486/simpliigood-haifa-group-co-pioneer-spirulina-production.html Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:02:55 +0530 The companies have signed a multi-faceted long-term collaboration agreement destined to transform the entire spirulina market. Israel’s International plant nutrition leader, Haifa Group and food-tech innovator, SimpliiGood by AlgaeCore Technologies have joined forces to optimise the SimpliiGood spirulina supply chain while promoting their net zero goals. This partnership delivers benefits to both companies' products and bottom lines in the short term. It also positions them to create a sustainable circular carbon economy within the next several years. SimpliiGood grows and markets, fresh and frozen spirulina, cultivating this nutrient-rich microalga under ideal controlled conditions. This start-up is culturing concentrated functional ingredients and producing a range of nutritious foods that are breaking new ground in the plant-based protein sector.  Under development is the first smoked salmon alternative made nearly entirely from a single ingredient: whole fresh spirulina. The companies have signed a multi-faceted long-term collaboration agreement destined to transform the entire spirulina market. The alliance will enhance sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint of both partners. A cornerstone objective of this partnership is to optimise upstream spirulina operations – perfecting production input for enriched output. "This important milestone demonstrates the maturity and potential of the entire sector, not just of our company," says Baruch Dach, SimpliiGood founder and CTO. "It will boost our supply chain efficiency, reliability and scalability, making our spirulina an even more affordable, resilient and trustworthy food source for the future of food. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/476/philippines-research-institute-sets-a-master-plan-for-rubber-treatment.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/476/philippines-research-institute-sets-a-master-plan-for-rubber-treatment.html Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:02:06 +0530 Under a one-year treatment plan, the rubber trees will undergo mist fogging, drone aerial spraying of fungicide, fertilisation and weed management. The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the allocation of P110 million in additional funds requested by the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) intended to treat infected rubber plantations in the province of Basilan in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The supplemental budget is deemed necessary following the outbreak of Pestalotiopsis disease in more than 800 hectares of plantation in the province, infecting 40-100 per cent of trees. Pestalotiopsis leaf fall disease can cause the gradual falling of leaves. If left untreated, it will cause the tree to become leafless. Leaf fall or defoliation results in a decrease in the number of canopies in the rubber plant which decreases its latex production. The Malaysian Rubber Board, in 2020, reported that the disease poses risk, which may result in defoliation of up to 90 per cent and latex yield reduction of up to 50-80 per cent. Given the degree of infection, PRRI will set out a team of experts to oversee the treatment of the affected plantations. Coordination with the provincial government of Basilan has also been undertaken for the swift execution of control measures. Under a one-year treatment plan, the rubber trees will undergo mist fogging, drone aerial spraying of fungicide, fertilisation and weed management. The fungi Pestalotiopsis sp. which causes leaf fall disease can co-infect other pathogens and may cross-infect other crops, such as mango and palms which are also massively produced in BARMM. The disease has already destroyed rubber plantations in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other rubber-producing Asian countries. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/472/israels-betterseeds-develops-first-cowpea-suitable-plant-for-mechanised-harvesting.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/472/israels-betterseeds-develops-first-cowpea-suitable-plant-for-mechanised-harvesting.html Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:57:49 +0530 The gene edited Cowpea is set to be field tested in the USA in spring 2023. The first Cowpea plant made suitable for mechanised harvesting is being developed by Israel-based BetterSeeds, an Agri-Tech company that genetically enhances agricultural crops by using its proprietary genome editing technology. BetterSeeds is set to plant its enhanced Cowpea seeds in the United States in the spring of 2023, in order to test its potential for mass-scale cultivation. Cowpea, also called Lubia or black-eyed peas, is the most ancient crop known to have been farmed by man. Due to its high protein content, heat tolerance and highly efficient water and fertilizer consumption, Cowpea is an exceedingly sustainable legume with enormous nutritional and agronomic value. Soybean, the most abundantly grown legume, requires large quantities of water and fertilizers and grows well only in a temperate climate, and as such its yield is forecasted to decline by 30 per cent in the upcoming decade due to global warming. Thus, Cowpea, as a sustainable food and plant-based protein source, is a leading legume candidate to fill the gap in Soybean yield due to climate change. Before BetterSeed’s successful gene editing achievement, Cowpea's plant architecture and fruit appearance were not fit for mechanised harvesting and therefore could not be grown at scale. The Cowpea, an indeterminant plant that sprawls on the ground with the gradual appearance of pods, could only be harvested by hand and is grown in developing regions where labour is less expensive. BetterSeeds redesigned Cowpea by targeting the gene which alters the plant's architecture into a determinant and erect plant with simultaneous pod appearance, thus fitting Cowpea for mechanised harvesting by a combine – just like Soybean! With this redesigned Cowpea farmers can both increase their versatility of legume cultivation, utilise their land all year round and also ensure the market of sustainable supply of plant-based protein. Ido Margalit, BetterSeeds CEO said, "If I had to choose one crop to focus on, it’s Cowpea, since we are facing a huge shortfall in the supply of plant-based proteins, namely Soybean, due to climate change. Cowpea has the capability to fill in this gap pending its redesign to make it fit for mass-scale cultivation which is exactly what BetterSeeds is doing. Cowpea will help to feed the world!" ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/457/texas-am-research-project-aims-to-enhance-tomato-yield-in-qatar.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/457/texas-am-research-project-aims-to-enhance-tomato-yield-in-qatar.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:40:38 +0530 The project, ‘Environment and hydroponic strategies to enhance tomato stress tolerance, productivity and quality in Qatar’ A Texas A&M research project is underway to significantly enhance tomato yield in Qatar. The project is jointly undertaken by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University at Qatar, a Qatar Foundation partner university, and Agrico, sponsored by Qatar National Research Fund. The project, ‘Environment and hydroponic strategies to enhance tomato stress tolerance, productivity and quality in Qatar’, is being conducted at the Agrico farms, located near Al Khor. The researchers are assessing various genotypes of tomatoes from around the world to see which ones would thrive in the harsh environmental conditions of Qatar. They are also investigating the impact of grafting, plant density, pest control, and bumblebee-assisted pollination. The project team includes lead principal investigator Dr Daniel Leskovar, professor at the department of horticultural sciences and Centre Director at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Centre at Uvalde, the co-principal investigator Dr Bing Guo, mechanical engineering associate professor at Texas A&M University Qatar and Dr Prosanta Dash, a postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M at Qatar. Leskovar said, “Our hydroponic tomato project is a true academic-stakeholder partnership where we combine plant science knowledge with grower experience, and new crop management strategies within the excellent facilities and constant support provided by Agrico. The synergy of complementary research conducted at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in the area of tomato grafting physiology provides additional results to test in this project in Qatar. Together, we are committed to developing efficient, safe, and resilient food systems that will contribute to enhancing food security.   “As Texas A&M University at Qatar researchers, we strive to provide solutions to real challenges faced by the country,” said Guo. “In recent years there has been a pressing need to make farming more efficient in Qatar. Our preliminary experimental results show a significant increase in tomato yield as compared to the current practice. This is a strong indication that we will reach our goal of improving production efficiency by 25 per cent.” Nasser Al Khalaf, Managing Director at Agrico said, “Agrico is committed to supporting Qatar to attain its food security goals, and through this partnership with Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, we are exploring innovative approaches to improve the product yield at our farms. Research and development in agriculture play a key role in enhancing agricultural practices globally, and we look forward to working with Texas A&M researchers, to produce the best output for our country.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/456/malaysia-and-iran-to-cooperate-in-the-field-of-agri-research.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/456/malaysia-and-iran-to-cooperate-in-the-field-of-agri-research.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 15:55:58 +0530 A cooperation agreement is expected to be signed between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organisation (AREEO). Iran and Malaysia to share their experience and expertise in the field of agricultural research and development as well as the latest technology in crop irrigation and water management systems. Mohamad Sabu Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Ali Asghar Mohammadi Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia discuss the cooperation during a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). According to the local media, the meeting was held to enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, especially in the field of research and development. A cooperation agreement is expected to be signed between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the Tehran-based Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organisation (AREEO) soon. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/454/dmcc-and-bsaf-collaborate-to-boost-agri-commodities-trade-with-south-asia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/454/dmcc-and-bsaf-collaborate-to-boost-agri-commodities-trade-with-south-asia.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 14:59:30 +0530 MoU to focus on FoodTech and AgriTech projects, business opportunities, and knowledge transfer through events. The world’s flagship free zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – and the Bharat Subcontinent Agri Foundation (BSAF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the two entities collaborate to advance the global agricultural (agri) commodities sector between the UAE and South Asia. The agreement was signed by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, and Sudhakar Tomar, Chairman of BSAF, at the inaugural South Asia Agri Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal. Targeting the growth of the global agri commodities sector and solidifying agri trade ties between the UAE and the South Asian subcontinent – which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal – the MoU will see DMCC and BSAF partner in FoodTech and AgriTech projects, share prospective business opportunities and enhance knowledge transfer through exhibitions and conferences. On the signing, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said, “DMCC has a longstanding and proud track record doing business with South Asia. Today, we are home to over 4,250 members from the region covering agri and many other sectors. The timing of this MOU with BSAF is strategically very important as trade has soared between the UAE and South Asia in recent years and will only grow further with the signing of new CEPA agreements and food trade corridors, including the recent UAE-India CEPA.” Sudhakar Tomar, Chairman of BSAF, said, “We are delighted to partner with DMCC in building the next chapter of agri-food trade between South Asia and the UAE. This is a vibrant new partnership which will provide crucial knowledge sharing in the wider efforts to grow South Asia’s connectivity and enhance food security at the regional and global levels.” DMCC has a longstanding history of driving agri trade between South Asia and the UAE. With growing awareness of global food security issues, agri goods occupy an increasingly strategic role in DMCC’s commodities mix, which encompasses tea, coffee, soya, sugar, spices and many other agri commodities. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/452/china-approves-import-of-8-gm-crops.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/452/china-approves-import-of-8-gm-crops.html Mon, 23 Jan 2023 13:17:22 +0530 Bayer CropScience's herbicide-tolerant genetically modified alfalfa received its first approval after waiting as long as ten years.  The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China has approved imports of eight genetically modified (GM) crops, which includes GM alfalfa for the first time. After a decade-long wait, the Chinese agriculture ministry gave approval for five years. At the same time, Beijing pledged to speed up the approval process of genetically modified products and promote the commercialisation of genetically modified products in the market under the first phase of the trade agreement reached with the United States in 2020. This approval not only opens the door for foreign countries to supply and export markets but also paves the way for more genetically modified crops to be planted in China. China is one of the world's largest agricultural markets, but China has so far only allowed the import of genetically modified crops for animal feed and has not approved the cultivation of any major genetically modified food crops. For example, sugarcane, canola, and alfalfa for animal feed and cotton for textiles were approved. The approval process has been slow amid official wariness about GM crops. Therefore, this approval is a positive step in addressing the long-standing challenges faced by biotech developers in obtaining import approvals in China. Among them, Bayer CropScience's herbicide-tolerant genetically modified alfalfa received its first approval after waiting as long as ten years. For alfalfa growers in all continents of the United States, China's approval of the import of genetically modified alfalfa undoubtedly provides them with an opportunity to expand their planting scale and also accelerates the commercialisation process of genetically modified alfalfa in the Chinese market.   China has also approved three domestically produced genetically modified products, including 2 GM corn projects and 1 GM soybean project. The corn project is the insect-resistant and herbicide-resistant corn BFL4-2 with cry1Ab, cry1F and cp4epsps genes jointly developed by Longping High-Tech and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the herbicide-resistant corn CC-2 with the mark ACC gene jointly developed by China Forest Seed Group and Agricultural University. The soybean project is the insect-resistant soybean CAL16 with cry1Ab/vip3Da gene transgenic developed by Hangzhou Ruifeng.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/442/israel-joined-the-united-nations-treaty-for-the-conservation-of-genetic-diversity.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/442/israel-joined-the-united-nations-treaty-for-the-conservation-of-genetic-diversity.html Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:24:14 +0530 The Treaty focuses on steps and actions for the preservation and cultivation of 64 specific plant crops defined as having a special benefit to human health and food security. The State of Israel, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and in collaboration with the Volcani Institute, joined the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). This Treaty is aimed at serving as a platform for global cooperation, in order to preserve genetic sources for plant food crops of special nutritional importance and to encourage the cultivation of a variety of species resistant to extreme climate conditions. This, in order to ensure the continuation of production, improvement and maximisation thereof, is a tool to establish a regular supply of fresh plant-based food even under the reality of an extreme and changing climate. The Treaty focuses on steps and actions for the preservation and cultivation of 64 specific plant crops defined as having a special benefit to human health and food security, such as Wheat, carrots, chickpeas, lentils, oats, etc. As part of the Treaty, the participating countries undertake to act to preserve biodiversity, which helps in cultivating food sources, at two key levels: Preservation within the genetic bank as plants growing in the fields, and preservation outside the site. In this manner, access is provided to those genetic sources for research and cultivation purposes, which allows work to be done towards reducing the continuous erosion of these sources, in conjunction with the expansion of the genetic pool of the crops through gene banks from all over the world, and the promotion of cultivation processes that will minimise the sensitivities of certain crops and genetic dilution (erosion), as a result of climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that the State of Israel's joining this Treaty will first and foremost allow researchers, developers and farmers to gain access to central genetic resources for the development of varieties adapted to climate change, through collaborations between the Israeli Gene Bank and various genetic repositories from all over the world, in parallel to fostering the State of Israel's position as a key actor in globally gearing up for climate change. Yakov Poleg, Senior Deputy Director General of the Centre for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said "The signing of the Treaty is another important milestone in the gearing up on the part of the State of Israel for the climate crisis and it expresses our commitment in the matter of the preservation of the genetic diversity found in the sovereign domains of the State of Israel." Dr Einav Maizlish-Gati, Director of the Israeli Gene Bank at the Volcani Institute, stated, "The signing of the Treaty will allow us, at the national level, access to additional genetic sources in order to increase the range of attributes available to us when we come to deal with climate change and to ensure food security for the residents of the State of Israel. Our joining the Treaty is of additional importance in making the unique biological diversity, that exists in Israel, accessible to our partners in the world in a manner that will allow us to maintain sovereignty over the local genetic sources." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/437/china-to-focus-on-agricultural-sci-tech-innovations-in-2023.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/437/china-to-focus-on-agricultural-sci-tech-innovations-in-2023.html Wed, 18 Jan 2023 12:56:30 +0530 CAAS will focus on six fields including seed research and development, arable land conservation, agricultural machinery and equipment, agricultural bio-security and green agriculture. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) will continue to promote scientific and technological innovation to support the construction of a strong agricultural sector in China, according to Xinhua news agency. According to the CAAS, innovation efforts in 2023 will focus on six fields. These fields are -- seed research and development, arable land conservation, agricultural machinery and equipment, agricultural bio-security, green agriculture, and rural development. Wu Kongming, president of the CAAS, highlighted the role of sci-tech innovation in agricultural development at the CAAS 2023 Working Conference. Wu pointed out that at present, China ranks top in the world in terms of both the number of highly cited papers and the number of invention patent applications in the agricultural field. The contribution rate of agricultural sci-tech progress in China had increased from 54.5 per cent in 2012 to 61.5 per cent in 2021, while the comprehensive mechanisation level of crop cultivation, planting and harvesting, had grown from 57 per cent in 2012 to over 72 per cent in 2021. "This year, we will accelerate the integration of science and education, science and industry, and enhance our overall ability to support the stable and safe supply of food and important agricultural products, and promote rural revitalisation," Wu said. He also said that in 2023, the institute will continue to expand international exchanges and cooperation in agricultural science and technology. CAAS will continue to promote the building of global alliances in agricultural sci-tech innovation. Joint research and technology demonstrations will be carried out in cooperation with neighbouring countries, as well as key countries related to the Belt and Road Initiative, he added. According to Wu, CAAS signed letters of intent for cooperation with 19 international partners in 2022 -- featuring 121 new international cooperation projects -- 1.5 times the number recorded in 2021. The academy is preparing the construction of a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. The construction of joint laboratories in Kazakhstan, Romania and Uruguay is also progressing smoothly. During the annual conference, the academy also unveiled ten major agricultural science advances achieved during the past year, including studies in high-yield genes in rice, genetic diversity in potatoes and genetic variation in tomatoes. One of the major discoveries of Chinese agricultural scientists is a gene in crops which can improve the efficiency of photosynthesis and nitrogen utilisation -- and significantly boost grain yield. Another study by Chinese scientists is the first to reveal the complete process of chitin biosynthesis, providing a new direction for the original innovation of green pesticides. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/436/global-foodtech-challenge-announces-winners-of-2-mn-prize.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/436/global-foodtech-challenge-announces-winners-of-2-mn-prize.html Wed, 18 Jan 2023 12:19:08 +0530 Aquagrain, Orbisk, Revoltech, and Sustainable Planet will receive a combined prize of up to US $2 million to scale up their business models in the UAE. The second edition of the global FoodTech Challenge, which seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations on the cusp of transforming traditional agriculture practices, efficiently and sustainably, announced the competition's four winners at an awards ceremony at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2023. The winners, Aquagrain, Orbisk, Revoltech, and Sustainable Planet, were selected from a pool of 12 finalists chosen from an initial 667 submissions from 79 countries. The finalists, who showcased their high-tech concepts at ADSW, represented a diverse demographic – with 33 per cent led by young CXOs between the ages of 22-35 years old, highlighting the role of the next generation in developing sustainable solutions to food security.  With a pooled prized of up to $2 million, the four winners will be invited to scale up their business models within the UAE and will be supported with a cash award plus R&D, start-up acceleration, commercial incentives, and mentorship from an extensive range of partners, including ASPIRE, Silal, ADQ, Emirates Foundation, Hub71, Ma'an, The Catalyst, ADGM, ADRO, the Competitive Office of Abu Dhabi, and Khalifa Fund. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/423/new-zealands-wool-project-aims-to-put-money-back-in-farmers-pockets.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/423/new-zealands-wool-project-aims-to-put-money-back-in-farmers-pockets.html Fri, 13 Jan 2023 13:19:35 +0530 The project will predominantly focus on working out the right components and blends to create a range of woollen knops for different products. New Zealand’s strong wool could bring a sustainable bounce back into soft upholstery – and woolgrowers’ bank accounts – through a new project seeking an alternative to synthetic fillers. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI's) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund is committing $790,000 over three years to a project led by Wisewool aimed at increasing the market potential of woollen knops – the small, light fluffy balls used as a filler ingredient. "This project has the potential to improve returns to our strong wool producers and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to existing products made from synthetic materials," says Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes. "Wisewool will also conduct research and development of needle punched wool blanketing, which can be used in residential and commercial furniture upholstery, insulation for the apparel industry, bedding, and futon markets." Henry Hansen CEO Wisewool says the project will predominantly focus on working out the right components and blends to create a range of woollen knops for different products. "We’ve discovered that when used in large quantities as a filler ingredient, woollen knops increase the bounce-back and compression resilience of the fibre. "We’ll continue researching and comparing the compression resilience of both wool and synthetic fibres, and will adjust our carding machines to produce various wool knop blends. "We’ll also conduct an environmental impact analysis and in-market testing." Steve Penno says one of the main drivers for funding this project was its potential to provide an alternative, high-value use for New Zealand’s strong wool.  "The project also aligns with the goals of the sector and government Fit for a Better World roadmap, which aims to boost sustainability, productivity, and jobs over 10 years. "Through SFF Futures we’ve invested more than $14.69 million in 15 strong wool projects to date, from strong wool acoustic wall panels to strong wool-based adhesive bandages. "By working together with industry leaders and innovators, and thinking outside the box, we have the opportunity to turn our homegrown wool industry around." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/421/robot-boosts-animal-disease-testing-in-new-zealand.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/421/robot-boosts-animal-disease-testing-in-new-zealand.html Fri, 13 Jan 2023 11:09:07 +0530 The $580,000 new high throughput diagnostic robot is the first in New Zealand. Testing for animal disease is faster and improved with the arrival of a new antibody testing robot now in action at the Biosecurity New Zealand Animal Health Laboratory. The $580,000 new high throughput diagnostic robot is the first in New Zealand and will increase testing accuracy and consistency during future biosecurity responses. "The Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak gave us useful insights into how our laboratory could increase its capacity during a response. In particular, it highlighted the need for automation," says Joseph O’Keefe animal health laboratory manager. "If an exotic disease such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) arrived here, our people could need to test some 3,000 up to 7,000 samples a day. "Automating this process will speed our delivery of results, making the whole process faster for farmers, better for the wellbeing of our people and for the animals involved too." The Explorer G3 workstation was manufactured in Germany and is designed to test up to 7,000 samples per day for antibodies to FMD and other exotic diseases. Dr O’Keefe says the robot doesn’t need frequent attention or intervention, freeing animal health laboratory staff for other testing and providing stability throughout intense response periods. The robot can even run tests overnight without staff present. "Testing delays can affect our economy as antibody testing is essential for maintaining the access and security of product exports to New Zealand’s international markets. If there is an exotic disease outbreak in New Zealand’s animals, automation will allow us to recover faster." The 750kg robot took a week to set up, bringing each part safely into the biosecure containment area. Once it was assembled, the team ran it through stringent testing and calibration to ensure the tests were as accurate as the current manual process. Now that this has been confirmed, the robot has begun day-to-day diagnostic testing. The machine achieves its efficiency through moving test plates around. Each plate can contain approximately 90 samples and the robot manages up to 40 plates at once. Simultaneously it adds samples and different reagents, washes and incubates the test plates. Outside of responses, the robot is used to perform antibody tests for surveillance programmes, and for testing groups of animals for import or export purposes. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/420/ottopia-announces-14-5m-series-funding-round.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/420/ottopia-announces-14-5m-series-funding-round.html Fri, 13 Jan 2023 10:51:09 +0530 Ottopia's mission is to enable autonomy in multiple industries such as agriculture, mobility, logistics, freight, and last-mile delivery. Israel-based Ottopia announced that it has raised $14.5 million in its Series a funding round. It includes participation from ComfortDelGro, one of the world's largest public transport companies, AI Alliance Fund, and existing investors such as MizMaa Ventures, IN Venture and Next Gear Ventures. This marks the largest Series A in the history of teleoperation companies. Ottopia's mission is to enable autonomy in multiple industries such as mobility, logistics, freight, last-mile delivery, agriculture, and construction. Its teleoperation software enables autonomous vehicles and machines to do things they otherwise cannot while allowing their developers to dramatically cut R&D costs, commercialise faster and comply with regulatory requirements for deployment. With Ottopia's product, humans in a remote centre can safely monitor, guide and even directly control vehicles' fleets in a safe and cyber-secure manner. Ottopia's patented technology is built upon numerous innovations in the domains of networking, video, user experience, cybersecurity, and integration with the autonomous ‘brain’. Their software has been tested and deployed in a variety of environments, making it an essential tool for enabling the widespread adoption of autonomous technology. "We've always believed in the potential of Ottopia. The team's unwavering dedication and drive have consistently impressed us, and we've been honoured to support them every step of the way," said Aaron Applbaum, Partner at MizMaa Ventures. "Ottopia's successful Series A is a triumph that showcases their hard work and vision. They are solving for a key missing link in the future of connected, autonomous everything." Cheng Siak Kian, Group CEO of ComfortDelGro said: "This investment in Ottopia is an important cornerstone of our future-proofing plans. Having teleoperation capabilities which will enable us to intervene and operate an AV remotely whenever needed, is critical in our future operational plans." With this new funding, Ottopia plans to accelerate the roll-out of its teleoperation software to fulfil its mission of enabling autonomy in all industries. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/418/lexasure-partners-with-agrion-to-offer-mobile-agri-insurance-to-farmers-in-indonesia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/418/lexasure-partners-with-agrion-to-offer-mobile-agri-insurance-to-farmers-in-indonesia.html Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:14:51 +0530 Flourish, will be integrated with the AgriON app, providing easy access to purchase and manage agricultural insurance. Lexasure Financial Group, a leading reinsurance and insurtech provider in Southeast Asia, has partnered with AgriON: PT iSAN to offer easily accessible, mobile agriculture insurance products to thousands of smaller farmers in Indonesia. AgriON promotes financial inclusion for Indonesia's farmers through a mobile fintech platform that includes a digital bank account, digital loans for seeds, fertilizer, and farming tools, automated payments, and tools to benchmark yield, sales, and productivity. Currently, more than 4,000 farmers are registered with the AgriON platform in Indonesia, which is expected to grow to 20,000 by the end of 2023. Under the strategic partnership, Lexasure's digital insurance offering for farmers, Flourish, will be integrated with the AgriON app, providing easy access to purchase and manage agricultural insurance to provide farmers with greater resiliency against adverse events. The launch of Flourish with the AgriON app is planned for the first quarter of 2023. "AgriON is doing groundbreaking work by bringing a suite of digital banking and management tools to smaller farmers across Indonesia, a sector that has historically been unbanked or underbanked without access to credit or high-quality inputs to drive productivity," said Ian Lim, Founder & CEO of Lexasure Financial Group. "For this reason, they make an ideal channel partner for Lexasure's Flourish digital insurance offering for farmers, enabling producers to achieve resiliency and have a solid foundation for productivity growth and investment. Our shared goal is to leverage digital tools to create scalable, cost-effective fintech products that are adapted to the needs of customers in Southeast Asia and promote food security for the region." Insurance products that will be available on the platform will include crop insurance, livestock & bloodstock (Equine Insurance), and agriculture machinery and equipment insurance, provided through licensed insurers in Indonesia.  In addition to financial solutions, AgriON enables the traceability and sustainability of farmers' products using digital technology, thereby empowering farmers to maximize the yield and value of their products when using sustainable farming practices. "Digital insurers are now fully aware that the digital transformation of the insurance industry is well underway," Lim added. "We will continue to pursue innovative partnerships to help our clients digitize the entire insurance value chain and reach underserved populations across the region." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/406/australias-grower-group-to-develop-water-planning-tools-for-farmers.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/406/australias-grower-group-to-develop-water-planning-tools-for-farmers.html Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:47:19 +0530 The Grower Group Alliance, WaterSmart Dams received $3 million over 3 years in funding from the Future Drought Funds. A significant portion of Australia’s grain harvest is produced in Western Australia's southwest Wheatbelt, despite a drop of more than 20 per cent in annual rainfall since the 1970s. The region’s farmers are among the world's most productive but are working to better understand how their dams can function in dry years. That's where the WaterSmart Dams: Making Dams Work Again project comes in. Led by the Grower Group Alliance, WaterSmart Dams received $3 million over 3 years in funding from the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Innovation Grant program and $1 million from the Western Australian state government. Through the FDF South-West Western Australian Adoption and Innovation Hub, and in partnership with regional grower groups, the project is researching ways to make dams function better in drought. This includes co-designing new farm water planning tools to help farm businesses and regional communities become more water-efficient, resilient and profitable, in even the driest years. ‘The South-West Australian Hub is all about collaboration and getting important projects off the ground,’ Mark Holland hub Director told the 2022 FDF Science to Practice Forum. ‘Our core goals and project focus are exemplified by this project and its sister program WaterSmart Farms, which address farmers’ critical water security needs.’ Project partners include Compass Agricultural Alliance, Southern Dirt, Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group and the Fitzgerald Biosphere Group. Researchers are from The University of Western Australia and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/405/praj-and-esiic-partner-to-accelerate-bioeconomy-in-egypt.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/405/praj-and-esiic-partner-to-accelerate-bioeconomy-in-egypt.html Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:28:19 +0530 Praj and Egypt’s largest sugar sector company ESIIC have come together to set up 1st and 2nd Generation ethanol projects in Egypt. Praj Industries Limited (Praj) has announced that they have entered into an MoU with the Egyptian Sugar and Integrated Industries Company (ESIIC) of Egypt. As a part of this MoU, both parties will drive sustainable climate actions to combat the evils of climate change. India’s most accomplished industrial biotech company Praj and Egypt’s largest sugar sector company ESIIC have come together to set up 1st and 2nd Generation ethanol projects in Egypt. Praj and ESIIC will develop infrastructure, help formulate policy framework, and create awareness etc. to mainstream Bioeconomy. Sugarcane bagasse and rice straw are envisaged to be feedstock for conceiving Egypt’s first 2 nd Generation ethanol project. Low-carbon ethanol produced from these 2G ethanol plants will be supplied as feedstock for the production of speciality chemicals. This sustainable biochemical will reduce dependency on the chemicals derived from fossil routes. Bioethanol supplied as a chemical intermediate is based on the circular bioeconomy principle that will reduce GHG emissions by recycling carbon. Welcoming this collaboration, General Essam El- Din EI-Bedewy, Chairman & Managing Director of ESIIC said, "We are very happy to join hands with Praj, a global leader in industrial biotech. We believe this partnership will help Egypt scale greater heights in the bioeconomy. We endeavour to adopt renewable alternatives to achieve carbon neutrality. Praj’s expertise in 2G ethanol space will definitely benefit Egypt.” Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, Praj Industries, said, “We are delighted to partner with ESIIC who are exploring the use of ethanol beyond transportation application. To combat the evils of climate change, harnessing cleaner greener technologies is imperative as sustainable climate action. I am confident that, this partnership for furthering bioeconomy will accelerate energy transition as well as give a boost to the journey towards carbon neutrality.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/392/fresh-corn-grains-from-liaocheng-china-enter-space.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/392/fresh-corn-grains-from-liaocheng-china-enter-space.html Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:09:15 +0530 The primary purpose of this space experiment is to break the old chain and achieve new recombination by mutagenesis caused by cosmic rays, and microgravity. The Shenzhou XV spacecraft, China's 10th manned spaceflight, entered its designated orbit on Nov 29. Among the passengers aboard the Shenzhou XV were 400 fresh corn grains bred by the Liaocheng, which will be used to carry out science experiments in space. "The 400 fresh corn grains are of the same breed and weigh about 60 grams, and have a rich genetic background and gene types after breeding in the south and the northern areas of the country," said Zhang Guige, director of Modern Breeding Technology Innovation Centre of Liaocheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The primary purpose of this space experiment is to break the old chain and achieve new recombination by mutagenesis caused by cosmic rays, microgravity and high vacuum in space. It is the first time in the 60-year breeding history of the Liaocheng to carry experiments out in space and implement space breeding with a Shenzhou spacecraft. It is also an example of the Liaocheng development of modern biological breeding research and its transformation from the breeding 2.0 era to the breeding 4.0 era. It is reported that the Liaocheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences was established in 1959, and breeding research has always been its strength. The maize variety ‘Liaoyu 18’ created by it has been popularized throughout the country, generating social and economic benefits of 4.94 billion yuan ($707.32 million). Since 2019, the Institute has bred 290 excellent maize inbred lines and 32 new excellent wheat lines through modern biotechnology such as hybridisation, radiation mutagenesis and haploid. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/370/saudi-arabia-approves-plan-to-increase-agricultural-production-in-greenhouses.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/370/saudi-arabia-approves-plan-to-increase-agricultural-production-in-greenhouses.html Mon, 02 Jan 2023 13:39:56 +0530 The approved plan from 2023 to 2025 will contribute to additional productivity estimated at 430,000 tons. Saudi Arabia’s Ministery of Environment, Water and Agriculture has approved the expansion plan in the plant resources sector and greenhouses with a new investment worth SR4 billion until 2025  Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli, Water and Agriculture Eng, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Development Fund has approved the plan.According to the Saudi Gazette, this has been made in cooperation with the relevant authorities and private sector companies, which aim to increase production capacity by encouraging the usage of the latest technologies in the agriculture sector.Eng. Al-Fadhli confirmed that the approved plan from 2023 to 2025 will contribute to additional productivity estimated at 430,000 tons, bringing the total production capacity of the greenhouses to more than 1 million tons annually.About 613.590 thousand tons is the total current production capacity, and it is expected that the rate of increase will be about 70 per cent.This aims to achieve national food security, and increasing the contribution in the local content, and offer job opportunities in accordance with the goals of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, he said.The expansion plan comes as an extension of the unlimited support that the agriculture sector enjoys in the Kingdom from the wise leadership, Eng. Al-Fadhli said.He added that the value of the loan provided by the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) to the productive sectors during 2022 has exceeded about SR5 billion.He said that the greenhouses project is considered one of the main sectors that are financed by ADF.The plan comes out of the ministry’s keenness in raising the efficiency of this vital sector and working towards its development, and sustainability, as it is an important pillar of food security in Saudi Arabia.It is noteworthy that preparations for the expansion plan in the greenhouses with the latest technologies have started earlier, as this type of cultivation in Saudi Arabia has been used for more than 30 years ago.The cultivation in greenhouses has witnessed significant development in all its technical, productive and protective fields, as it helps in producing crops during the off-season, as well as extending its availability.Greenhouses are also considered a key factor for the success of specialized agricultural production, such as organic farming, providing protection from different climatic conditions and their effects.The results of the studies and research conducted by the ministry have revealed that the usage of the latest technologies in the agriculture sector and greenhouses has contributed to saving irrigation water by up to 60 per cent.This is in addition to raising the production capacity, reducing costs, improving quality, and also increasing farmers’ profits.The study also showed that the percentage of investment profits in greenhouses ranged from 15 per cent to 60 per cent, noting that the number of greenhouses in Saudi Arabia reached 73.542 thousand. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/361/himax-unites-with-seeed-studio-to-bring-sensecap-lorawan-vision-ai-sensor-to-smart-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/361/himax-unites-with-seeed-studio-to-bring-sensecap-lorawan-vision-ai-sensor-to-smart-agriculture.html Thu, 29 Dec 2022 17:57:23 +0530 Himax and Seeed Studio will showcase the SenseCAP A1101 sensor which has already been applied to real smart agriculture cases. Himax Technologies, Inc. a leading supplier and fabless manufacturer of display drivers and other semiconductor products, and Seeed Studio, the IoT hardware partner providing services that empower developers to implement their projects and products for digital transformation, announced the joint showcase of the SenseCAP A1101 LoRaWAN Vision AI Sensor, embedded with Himax WiseEye™ smart image sensing solution (WiseEye), at the upcoming CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seeed Studio, with its tinyML Edge AI platform enabling expertise, has created a plug-and-play and easy-to-integrate SenseCAP A1101 vision sensor that runs machine learning in support of a variety of AI models, such as image recognition, people counting, target detection, meter recognition and many others. This industry-leading battery-powered sensor solution incorporates Himax HM0360 CMOS image sensor, supporting up to 60 FPS VGA solution, and WiseEye WE1 AI processor, running at 400MHz local inferencing that facilitates powerful machine learning at extremely low power consumption, as well as a LoRaWAN module, featuring low-power, wide-area (LPWA) networking protocol for long-range networks. At CES, Himax and Seeed Studio will showcase the SenseCAP A1101 sensor which has already been applied to real smart agriculture cases. Powered by Himax’s ultralow power WiseEye technology, the SenseCAP A1101 vision AI sensor can operate for over 9 months while continuously collecting field images and uploading the final data results from local inferencing every minute. The vision AI sensor hardware is designed to adopt high industrial protection grade that supports an operating temperature range of -40 to 85 degrees Celsius and IP66 waterproof rating, making it a good fit for IoT applications placed either in outdoor or indoor argo-ecosystems. The sensor solution also supports rapid configuration of the Bluetooth APP, and fast connection to gateways and cloud servers, with only few clicks setup. “We’re really happy and honored to work with Himax to embed their WiseEye solution to this Vision AI device. To be the most reliable IoT Hardware Partner for global developers, we at Seeed are always looking to integrate advanced technologies into ready-to-deploy hardware solutions for digital transformation in vertical industries,” said Joey Jiang, GM of Industry and Application Group of Seeed Studio. “Working with Himax is yet another step forward in Seeed’s Vision to empower every developer to achieve their digital transformation goals with Vision AI technology. With SenseCAP A1101 LoRaWAN Vision AI Sensor, the developers can combine vision and LPWAN to their IoT solutions to serve various scenarios of smart farming, smart metering and more.” “Seeed Studio is one of the leading AI platforms in the world and our collaboration in the smart agriculture application is a further validation of the suitability of our WiseEye technology to a wide range of markets,” said Jordan Wu, CEO of Himax. “The demand for battery-powered smart devices with AI-enabled smart sensing is rapidly growing providing an opportunity for us to further expand by joining forces with other AI platform partners by offering value-added features for our customers in terms of privacy, security, and superior battery life for diversified endpoint AI devices.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/358/luokung-launches-carbon-peaking-and-carbon-neutrality-data-service.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/358/luokung-launches-carbon-peaking-and-carbon-neutrality-data-service.html Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:40:35 +0530 The project is that over 10 million tons of carbon assets will be traded on the market in the next five years, with revenue of more than $70 million. Luokung Technology Corp., a leading spatial-temporal intelligent big data services company and provider of interactive location-based services (LBS) in China, announced that its operating affiliate, Luokung Remote Sensing Technology Co., Ltd. (Luokung Remote Sensing) has signed agreements with the government of PingYuan county, MeiZhou city in Guangdong province to provide carbon sink project development and carbon emission and carbon neutrality data services covering the entire county, including but not limited to the fields of forestry, agriculture, grasslands, wetlands, clean energy and industry. Luokung's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality (dual carbon) data service model, which includes the PingYuan project, has been replicated in several counties across the country. Forecasting based on existing contracts, we project that over 10 million tons of carbon assets will be traded on the market in the next five years, with revenue of more than $70 million for the company. Facilitated by the multi-source heterogeneous spatial-temporal big data processing capabilities, intelligent real-time remote sensing service technology and advanced self-developed algorithms integrating with dynamic remote sensing data, Luokung has formed its ‘dual carbon’ data service platform with coverage of multi-fields, multi-timelines and multi-space lines, enabling local governments to establish cost-efficient, accurate and effective systems for carbon sink accounting, carbon emission monitoring and natural resources investigation and monitoring, enabling the Company to participate in the carbon assets trading market under the VCS/CCER protocols. The Company expects its new product to meet the needs of local governments to achieve positive outcomes for natural resource conservation and economic development. Xuesong Song, Luokung's Chairman and CEO, stated: "We are pleased to announce that one of Luokung's business sectors, carbon neutrality and natural resources management, has made significant progress. With the active expansion in this area in the last six months, the Company has served many counties across the country as a ‘dual carbon’ data service provider, which we believe is a testament of the market's trust and recognition of Luokung's capabilities in carbon neutrality and natural resource management data services. There are nearly 3,000 counties in China, which represents a tremendous market potential for further expansion. Luokung is prepared to build upon the positive momentum and plans to continue to take an active role in net zero emissions and sustainable development. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/354/pakistan-and-uzbekistan-to-expand-partnership-in-plant-quarantine.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/354/pakistan-and-uzbekistan-to-expand-partnership-in-plant-quarantine.html Wed, 28 Dec 2022 14:50:32 +0530 The measures will help in pest control and mitigating pests’ hazards and damages. Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Agency of the Plant Protection and Quarantine of the Republic of Uzbekistan have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the field of plant quarantine. In this regard, a ceremony was held at the Pakistan ministry. Ibrohim Ergashev, Director General Agency of the Plant Protection and Quarantine of the Republic of Uzbekistan while representing the Uzbek side agreed to improve mechanisms of pest control measures between the two countries. According to the Pakistani media, National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) of both countries will also share experiences through seminars and training, and increase coordination on the export consignments between the two countries. The measures will help in pest control and mitigating pests’ hazards and damages. Under the agreement, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research will work with the Agency of the Plant Protection and Quarantine of the Republic of Uzbekistan to create an enabling environment for enhancing the trade volume of plants and plant products between the countries. During the ceremony, parties expressed their appreciation that Pakistan has granted market access to Uzbek pomegranate, plum, persimmon, fig, grapes, and Uzbekistan has granted market access to Pakistani mango and onion. Moreover, experts from Pakistan will visit Uzbekistan for an on-spot inspection of the phytosanitary system, production sites, processing establishments and packing houses. The ceremony was also attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, Secretary of National Food Security and Research Zafar Hassan and Director Technical Quarantine Department of Plant Protection Muhammad Shahzad Sohail. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/353/agroforestry-group-introduces-new-oud-oil-inoculation-technique.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/353/agroforestry-group-introduces-new-oud-oil-inoculation-technique.html Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:54:08 +0530 It is a large improvement to the old fashioned traditional techniques being used with results immediately visible when compared side to side. Agroforestry Group announced it has successfully completed the review of its new R&D-driven oud oil inoculation technique and will be introducing it across its Aquilaria plantations.  This groundbreaking new technique aims to generate additional profitability through the production of increased agarwood volume as well as higher quality oud oil and woodchips. Agroforestry Group reviewed the yield volume and distribution of oud oil found within trialled inoculated trees, before deciding to implement the new pipe-based technique on a larger scale. The successful results saw an increase in quality and yield of oud per gram within trees. Paul Martin, Agroforestry Group's MD said "We are excited to have begun officially inoculating our trees with this new technique. It is a large improvement to the old fashioned traditional techniques being used with results immediately visible when compared side to side." He added that research & development is crucial to Agroforestry Group and it is a key competitive advantage the company has compared to other growers. Agroforestry Group is always reviewing ways to improve its operations and the introduction of this technique aims to deliver additional profitability for itself and its clients. To the unfamiliar, inoculation is a process that produces highly valuable resinous agarwood within commercial Aquilaria plantations. What takes hundreds of years naturally can be done in just years on commercial plantations using inoculation. Standard techniques used by growers, produce agarwood by drilling holes in a tree's trunk to wound the tree and pouring simulative agents into them. Although standard inoculation techniques have been successful they produce uneven and poorly distributed agarwood within Aquilaria trees. After Agroforestry Group reviewed these practices it decided to find new and improved means of inoculation. The introduction of its new pipe-based inoculation technique produces more agarwood by increasing its volume and distribution throughout the tree. The pipes system it uses wraps around the tree covering more volume and disseminates the simulative agents more efficiently. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/352/xt-com-lists-agn-in-its-main-zone.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/352/xt-com-lists-agn-in-its-main-zone.html Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:29:13 +0530 AGN tokens will provide farmers in both developed and developing countries to sell their products at fair prices directly to end consumers. XT.COM, the world's first socially infused trading platform, announces the listing of AGN on its platform in the Main & Web3 Zones. The AGN/USDT and AGN/ETH trading pairs have opened for trading from 2022-12-26 at 8:00 (UTC). About AGN token AGN is an ERC-20 token deployed on the Ethereum blockchain with a total supply of 3,690,000,000 tokens. The tokens will be used to create an efficient supply chain within the Agrinode agricultural ecosystem. AGN tokens will provide farmers in both developed and developing countries to sell their products at fair prices directly to end consumers while expanding their own financial options without liquidity being locked up by middlemen in traditional supply chains. Consumers will also be able to purchase a monthly subscription of farm produce with AGN tokens and receive full transparency regarding where and how the involved farm products are within the supply chain. AGN tokens will also act as agricultural crop insurance for farmers that need to be financially covered, especially those who have difficulties receiving coverage from traditional banking services due to their rural and financial state. About Agrinode Blockchain Agrinode is a blockchain-based agricultural platform that provides supply chain and business solutions to agricultural and financial challenges found in traditional agricultural practices. The project provides farmers who don't have access to proper banking services or financial support. This removes limitations such as excess waiting periods on loan approval and eliminates intermediaries. Agrinode's Smart contract will also solve payment delay issues arising due to business intermediaries by facilitating auto-payments. Farmers would then be paid immediately upon the delivery of goods received by end consumers. Any potential food contamination can be easily traced with minimal delays that can minimize damage to the public by implementing immediate recalls.  This will ultimately help prevent food fraud, false labelling, and help manage wastage. Agrinode's transparent supply chain system easily keeps track of perishable goods using on-chain data while calibrating to spontaneous weather conditions, keeping each person within the newly revised supply chain updated in real-time. End users on the consumer side would be able to directly purchase monthly subscriptions from farms without going through business intermediaries which adds unnecessary costs to the base price. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/346/uae-ministry-of-climate-change-organises-first-meeting-of-farmers-council.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/346/uae-ministry-of-climate-change-organises-first-meeting-of-farmers-council.html Mon, 26 Dec 2022 16:50:22 +0530 The Council explored the finance solutions offered by Emirates Development Bank to modern agricultural SMEs and start-ups and highlighted the next steps in developing targeted extension services for farmers. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) hosted the first meeting of the Farmers’ Council, presided over by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. The meeting highlighted the government’s directions to promote sustainable modern farming systems across the UAE to increase the agricultural sector’s productivity and commercial value and enhance food security. The Minister said: “Food security is a strategic priority of the UAE that we seek to achieve through strengthening our agricultural sector and mainstreaming advanced agricultural practices with the support of concerned stakeholders in the country.” She added: “Establishing the Farmers’ Council will drive this priority, as it will highlight the challenges faced by the sector and the best approaches to overcoming them. Through its membership, representing all regions of the country, the Council aims to ensure that farmers’ voices are heard, and raise awareness about relevant government plans and ways to support them among the farming community.” She applauded local farmers for the important role they play in developing the sector through their compliance with related laws and regulations and their shift to modern agriculture that reduces the sector’s impacts on the environment and climate. The meeting agenda featured an overview of the Council’s mandates. These include promoting the adoption of state-of-the-art cultivation practices, developing an annual agricultural plan, identifying applicable agricultural systems, authorising applied agricultural research programmes to be executed at selected farms, organising capacity-building and experience-sharing activities for farmers, and approving annual agricultural production programs and produce marketing plans. Members outlined the Council’s work processes for identifying priority challenges and projects, developing action plans, and assigning tasks and timeframes. They also discussed the pledge signed by government entities at the UAE Annual Government Meeting on November 22, 2023, where they commit to securing 50 per cent of their food-related purchases from local farms by 2023 by boosting local farms' production capacities and encouraging and increasing investment in food sectors to 100 per cent by 2030. Moreover, the Council explored the finance solutions offered by Emirates Development Bank to modern agricultural SMEs and start-ups and highlighted the next steps in developing targeted extension services for farmers. In this context, MOCCAE will update farmers’ databases over the next few weeks. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/344/dana-global-announces-partnership-with-ahc-to-establish-an-innovation-hub.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/344/dana-global-announces-partnership-with-ahc-to-establish-an-innovation-hub.html Mon, 26 Dec 2022 13:43:51 +0530 The new hub’s strategic goal is to boost agrifood and smart water solutions R&D, addressing the technological needs of Agadir’s farmers to improve food security, food quality, and sustainability. DANA Global, the Abu Dhabi-based desert tech venture builder and investment platform, announces its partnership with Agadir Horticultural Complex (CHA) to jointly establish an innovation hub for resilient and eco-efficient agriculture in the Agadir region. The new project’s official opening and partnership signing ceremony in Agadir, Morocco was attended by over 700 participants. Prominent attendees included Mohamed Sadiki, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Piet Adema, Dutch Minister of Agriculture, and Dr Farid Lekjaa, Director of the Agadir Horticultural Complex. DANA was accompanied by a delegation of investors, academics, consultants, and startup founders from the UAE and Israel. The Agadir region forms the heart of Morocco’s agricultural industry and provides 9 per cent of the national GDP while processing 90 per cent of the country’s fresh produce market - and is perfectly suited to scale up DANA’s solutions. The region is also crucial to the government of Morocco’s ‘Génération Green’ strategy to increase the country’s food output. Shirley Shahar, Co-Founder of DANA Global, said, “Our partnership with the Agadir Horticultural Centre aims to bring a new innovation hub and centre of excellence to Morocco, and is a huge step for DANA. Two years ago, we decided to establish our base in Abu Dhabi - which has led the way in progressive food security and sustainability policy and acted as a hub for scaling solutions to the entire MENA region. Complementing our recent partnership with Silal, ADQ’s agrifood arm, we want to contribute to a new R&D hub for agrifood solutions hosted by our partners from CHA and the Institute Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II. Morocco and the UAE share a long heritage of trust and shared values, which provide a solid foundation to cooperate on the pressing issue of food security. The UAE has invested more than $20 billion in Moroccan growth sectors over the past four decades. The new hub’s strategic goal is to boost agrifood and smart water solutions R&D, addressing the technological needs of Agadir’s farmers to improve food security, food quality, and sustainability. Although Morocco is situated between two large bodies of water, the country’s water production infrastructure only produces 20 per cent of its water, missing out on huge potential. To meet growing domestic demand, this capacity will have to increase fast. From an economic perspective, DANA and CHA will contribute directly to a resilient and eco-efficient agrifood infrastructure in MENA, establishing Agadir as a major export market to supply Gulf states with import needs - like the UAE.  DANA will operate an incubation and acceleration program, bringing technological know-how from the region’s leading agritech ecosystems. The venture builder partners with Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, a university based in Agadir specialising in agricultural research. The project’s solutions will benefit the residents of Agadir and help build a desert tech ecosystem in Morocco, bringing high skilled employment opportunities to the rapidly developing economy, led by the values of sustainability, women's empowerment, and regional collaboration. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/333/australia-uses-hts-technology-to-identify-viruses-on-exotic-plant.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/333/australia-uses-hts-technology-to-identify-viruses-on-exotic-plant.html Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:41:36 +0530 HTS is a novel molecular sequencing tool that can detect and identify all plant viruses and viroids from a single sample with unprecedented efficiency. Australia’s Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is rolling out sophisticated new technology to detect and identify exotic plant viruses and viroids at its Post Entry Quarantine Facility (PEQ) at Mickleham, Victoria. Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Officer said that the department was using High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) to improve the efficiency of PEQ testing in imported plants. “HTS is a novel molecular sequencing tool that can detect and identify all plant viruses and viroids from a single sample with unprecedented efficiency,” Dr Vivian-Smith said. “As of December 2022, HTS replaces conventional testing methods like a polymerase chain reaction and biological indexing as the primary screening tools to detect these plant pests in strawberries, stonefruit, almonds, raspberries and blackberries imported into Australia. Just in time for Christmas puddings and cakes! “The department has worked closely with government, universities, and industry stakeholders since 2013 to develop, optimise, validate and implement this technology in a PEQ setting. “Over 200 high-risk plants across more than 46 species were used to validate HTS against existing diagnostic tools.” The rollout of HTS is just one of many diagnostic innovations being championed by the department. “Instead of requiring a lot of costly plant virus tests to screen for biosecurity threats during quarantine, we can now use a single, highly sensitive test to quickly identify viruses and viroids that could threaten our valuable fruit production industries. “We are always looking for ways to strengthen and future-proof our biosecurity capability. As part of our 2030 vision, the $22.27 million Modern Technologies and Diagnostic Tools (MTDT) program will further revolutionise our diagnostic system to be future-ready in response to new biosecurity threats.” DAFF is now considering ways to expand applications of HTS to other imported plant material in PEQ and to support critical national plant health surveillance activities. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/330/israeli-cows-to-get-biometric-id-cards.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/330/israeli-cows-to-get-biometric-id-cards.html Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:09:42 +0530 Real-time monitoring of the cows in the barn will be created out of the need to monitor and document the feeding times and location of each individual cow. A new facial recognition and the biometric system will be introduced in various dairy farms in Israel. It will be used to identify complications of the animal. These data, new studies and a lot of information about the industry will be presented at the annual cattle and sheep science conference which is taking place soon. The conference is organised by the Department of Cattle and the Department of Sheep in the Training and Professional Service (SHAM) with the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation and the Directorate of Agricultural.  Real-time monitoring of the cows in the barn will be created out of the need to monitor and document the feeding times and location of each individual cow. In the precision livestock farming lab at the Volcani Institute Precision Livestock Farming Lab (PLF), Prof. Noam Bergman together with Prof. Yitzhak Itzhaki from Ben Gurion University, and Prof. Ilan Halhami are developing an innovative biometric identification system, Which can use as a unique and fast AI algorithm for facial recognition of cows. Cameras will be installed in barns. Each camera is able to monitor up to eight cows eating at the same time. In this way, the system can break down each video file into individual frames and within each frame identify with great precision the face of each individual cow by itself. In addition, the system is able to identify each cow using biometric characteristics based on its face alone. The system’s unique characteristics offer high precision at maximum speed.Real-time monitoring of the cows in the barn was created out of the need to monitor and document the feeding times and location of each individual cow.  These data can contain insights into the well-being of cows, prediction of distress situations, different eating behaviours, estimates of food consumption and more. Another advantage of the state-of-the-art system is that all the execution of its operations takes place remotely - that is, without any physical means on the cow itself, and in fact without her knowledge at all. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/323/veolia-extends-water-reuse-process-for-qatari-dairy-producer-baladna.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/323/veolia-extends-water-reuse-process-for-qatari-dairy-producer-baladna.html Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:26:07 +0530 The treatment capacity of reusable water on a larger scale reduces freshwater consumption by more than 50 per cent. Qatar’s leading dairy producer Baladna renewed its trust in Veolia Water Technologies to extend the wastewater treatment capacity at its farm in Al Khor, north of Doha. Baladna is home to over 24,000 cows that is spread over 2.6 million square meters, and will now recycle 22,000 m3/day of wastewater. Committed to ecological transformation, Veolia Water Technologies is working with Baladna Food Industries to support its sustainability plan and recycle its wastewater. The partnership started in 2020 with the design and construction of a 6,000 m3/d wastewater treatment plant, allowing for the treated water to be reused for irrigation within the farm and, following further treatment by reverse osmosis, to spray and cool the cows during hot summer months. Based on this successful project, Baladna decided to go further in 2021 by tripling the treatment capacity to 22,000 m3/d. The system includes an initial separation step with a capacity of 22,000 m3/day. 12,000 m3/day will be recirculated for flushing barns, with the remaining 10,000 m3/day further treated in an MBR system followed by a polishing reverse osmosis step to produce water to replace the potable water currently used in the soaking and misting systems of the farm. Piet Hilarides CEO Baladna said, “After a first successful project with Veolia, we strengthened this partnership in line with Baladna’s commitment to sustainable water management. The holistic approach to reusing treated wastewater and the limited environmental impact of open lagoons are key developments. We are enthusiastic to expand the treatment capacity of reusable water on a larger scale, reducing our freshwater consumption by more than 50 per cent. This project marks a major milestone on the sustainability journey of Baladna and will significatively contribute to improving the environment for the surrounding  Al-Khor area.” Thierry Froment, CEO Veolia Water Technologies Middle East said, “This project will reduce the strain on freshwater resources while eliminating the need for huge water treatment lagoons and the visual and odour pollution caused. This collaboration also highlights a significant achievement in the sustainability plan of Baladna and, in line with Veolia’s purpose of ecological transformation, showcases a holistic way to reuse treated wastewater. We are extremely proud of the relationship between Baladna and Veolia in Qatar.”  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/316/australis-centuria-agriculture-fund-acquires-tomato-grower-sundrop-farms.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/316/australis-centuria-agriculture-fund-acquires-tomato-grower-sundrop-farms.html Mon, 19 Dec 2022 11:17:31 +0530 Sundrop Farms is an award-winning, sustainable horticulture operator, capable of producing 17,000 tonne of truss and baby plum tomatoes from four glasshouses, each covering five hectares. Australi’s Sundrop Farms has been acquired by Centuria Agriculture Fund (CAF). The property assets have been acquired for $70 million from the Morrison & Co Growth Infrastructure Fund. Sundrop Farms is an award-winning, sustainable horticulture operator, capable of producing 17,000 tonne of truss and baby plum tomatoes from four glasshouses, each covering five hectares. It has adopted innovative technologies that integrate solar power, freshwater production, electricity generation and hydroponics to deliver a meaningful reduction in water and fossil fuel use. David McKinnon, Investment Director at Morrison & Co, said, “We acquired the business in 2019 recognising its potential to deliver a step-change in the way food is produced.” The business will be sold on behalf of the Morrison & Co Growth Infrastructure Fund (MGIF), which targets gross returns of 13-15 per cent per annum through investing in 'ideas that matter' backed by long-term secular trends such as water scarcity and decarbonisation. The investment has delivered excellent returns that comfortably exceeded these targets. Andrew Tout, Centuria’s Head of Agriculture, said, “This high-quality glasshouse facility was constructed in 2016, incorporating modern renewable energy, heating and irrigation sources, which creates highly sustainable, premium fresh produce. These are strong fundamentals that underpin a well performing agriculture real estate investment.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/313/chinas-harbin-to-become-a-city-of-modern-agriculture.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/313/chinas-harbin-to-become-a-city-of-modern-agriculture.html Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:41:52 +0530 In Wuchang, 25,000 farmers have installed the Smart Agriculture APP on their mobile phones, so they can communicate with agricultural experts anytime. China’s Northeast city Harbin contributes one-fifth to Heilongjiang's total rice production. The black soil in the region is suitable for rice planting. In recent years, Harbin has applied advanced digital technologies in agricultural production. Focusing on rice production as the leading industry, Wuchang in Harbin has built a high-quality national modern agricultural park and launched a number of smart agriculture projects. Wuchang has been world-renowned for its agricultural products including ‘Wuchang Rice’. The application of agricultural helicopters and UAVs has greatly improved work efficiency. All data about the paddies such as water level, oxygen content and water temperature have been monitored all weather in the AI monitor room in the Agricultural IoT Service Centre of Wuchang.   In Wuchang 25,000 farmers have installed the Smart Agriculture; APP on their mobile phones, so that they can communicate with agricultural experts anytime. The centre also has a rice traceability system, social service system, agricultural product electronic information system and government resource system, which are linked with another two platforms of Big Data and Expert Cloud, so as to ensure that consumers can buy authentic Wuchang rice. The Big Data 4.0 Platform developed by the centre also provides farmers with precise data on the price trends and marketing of various crops. In recent years, Harbin has significantly improved its agricultural production automation, precision and intelligence, and realised more efficient management. While labours are reduced, the utilisation rate of water resources, fertilizers and pesticides has significantly increased. With the accelerated transformation of agricultural development mode, a number of replicable and promotable integrated application models of digital agricultural technology have emerged to boost agricultural modernisation. Harbin has seen a bumper harvest of grain for 19 consecutive years. The comprehensive mechanisation rate of planting and harvesting major crops has reached 98.3 per cent, with a stable grain output of more than 12 billion kg. In addition, agricultural product processing is also developing at a faster pace. The per capita disposable income of rural residents achieved a two-fold increase. The sustainable and high-quality development of modern agriculture has laid the solid foundation for Harbin to build a ‘City of Modern Agriculture’. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/307/icba-launches-ai-powered-mobile-app-for-crop-disorders-detection.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/307/icba-launches-ai-powered-mobile-app-for-crop-disorders-detection.html Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:11:32 +0530 The application is designed to aid smallholder farmers and extension specialists in spotting crop disorders at early stages. A new AI-powered mobile application for crop disorders detection was launched by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE. The application is a result of collaboration between the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the University of Barcelona, Spain, under a project titled ‘Developing a user-friendly mobile application for smallholder farmers to detect plant disorders’. The application has been created with the support of local partners in Egypt, Tunisia, and the UAE, the application is designed to aid smallholder farmers and extension specialists in spotting crop disorders at early stages and thus minimizing yield losses and improving incomes. It can identify 18 different common disorders affecting tomatoes, capsicum, and cucumber. These cash crops are considered important for smallholder farmers who practice protected agriculture. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE, said, “This app is a prime example of how we can harness the power of technology to address pressing concerns. In the face of ever-rising challenges, with climate change at the forefront, we believe that technological interventions will optimize agricultural practices, enhance harvest quality and quantity, and notably improve the lives of farmers. We are confident the app will prove to be a game changer for smallholder farmers, providing them with early diagnosis at the click of a button and helping them save their crops.” Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, said: “Smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of food security. They are the backbone of many agricultural economies, yet they often lack access to information about pests and diseases. We have developed this mobile application to help bridge this gap and put knowledge in their hands.” As part of the project, ICBA collected raw data from the three countries for training the AI model which was developed by the University of Barcelona. The application was field-tested, and 414 smallholder farmers and extension specialists were trained and provided their feedback on the beta version from 2020 to 2022. Currently, the application is customized for Egypt, Tunisia, and the UAE. But there are plans to upgrade and roll out the application in other countries in the future. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/297/mowreq-and-yeshealth-to-build-largest-indoor-vertical-farm-in-riyadh.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/297/mowreq-and-yeshealth-to-build-largest-indoor-vertical-farm-in-riyadh.html Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:18:00 +0530 Total investment in the Mowreq and YesHealth Group JV, Vertical Farms Company, is valued at more than 100 million Saudi Arabian Riyals, or approximately $28 million. Agtech companies, Mowreq (Mowreq Specialized Agriculture Co.) and YesHealth Group (YesHealth Agri-Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) have initiated a joint venture to develop a network of indoor vertical farms throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The JV, Vertical Farms Company, will begin by building the Kingdom's largest indoor vertical farm in Riyadh. This first farm is slated to be fully operational by Q4 2023, providing jobs and healthy, sustainable produce to the local community. Mowreq already supplies vertically farmed produce to consumers in Jeddah, under the brand name Janafarm. It employs 15 people, producing healthy and fresh leafy vegetables around the year. In order to deliver on this next step in the Kingdom's agricultural development, Mowreq aims to leverage its experience and know-how in the Saudi Market, combined with the technology and know-how of YesHealth Group. YesHealth Group currently operates a profitable, large-scale indoor vertical farm in Taiwan, and cooperates across several indoor vertical farms in Europe. Its combined operations employ more than 150 people worldwide and produce over 2,500 tons of leafy vegetables, annually. The Riyadh farm will be operated jointly by Mowreq and YesHealth Group during a 3-year technology transfer phase, training local talent to take over the long-term operations. Total investment in the Mowreq and YesHealth Group JV, Vertical Farms Company, is valued at more than 100 million Saudi Arabian Riyals, or approximately $28 million at the current exchange rate. The project is backed by Saudi venture capital and funds. In line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, the partners will create 50 full-time jobs at the Riyadh farm, and they aim to create more jobs over the next five to ten years, leading the development of the controlled environment agriculture industry. Education will be provided to advance talent, giving the youth the skills they need for jobs of the future. Continued development of the industry's infrastructure will further diversify the economy, helping to ensure food security, and promote healthy lifestyles. "We built the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's first indoor vertical farm and now we're building the Kingdom's largest indoor vertical farm," says Modar Hisham Nazer, Co-Founder of Mowreq and Chairman of Vertical Farms Company. "This massive, new farm that we're building in Riyadh, will enable more of our compatriots to benefit from locally-produced Janafarm products, which are always clean, fresh, and free of pesticides." "YesHealth Group has overcome the operational challenges of indoor vertical farming in Subtropical Asia," says Jesper Hansen, CCO of YesHealth Group. "The Middle East is our next challenge. We will guide the Riyadh farm through its initial phase of operation, with the aim of maximizing output and efficiency at the high level we achieve in our Taiwan farm." ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/288/syngenta-and-plantix-launch-ai-farming-tools-for-farmers-in-asia.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/288/syngenta-and-plantix-launch-ai-farming-tools-for-farmers-in-asia.html Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:25:27 +0530 The Cropwise Grower app is now available in India in nine languages and will be progressively rolled out in Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Syngenta and image recognition specialist, Plantix, have launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital farming tools. Which is set to provide access to at least half a million smallholder farmers across the Asia Pacific. The partnership gives Asia’s smallholder farmers access to a global database of over 50 crops and 500 diseases, which will be available through Syngenta’s Cropwise Grower app for farmers. The app uses the power of data to protect crop yields with on-demand advice on agricultural best-practices crop protection solutions. With a rollout covering five countries and 750,000 hectares of farmland, the farming app will widen access to smart farming features for half a million farmers producing staple cash crops such as cotton, rice, corn, wheat and more. Using AI, Cropwise Grower will allow farmers to take a photo of their crop problem, and in real-time, diagnose crop pests and diseases with 93 per cent accuracy. The Plantix algorithms analyse the image to identify the issue and provide a recommendation. The uploaded images are also geo-tagged so that the app is able to alert farmers with early warnings when pest and disease pressures are identified in their surrounding area. Targeting farmers in Asia’s top agriculture economies, the Cropwise Grower app is now available in India in nine languages and will be progressively rolled out in Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. “The emergence of challenges, such as new pests and diseases with climate change, coupled with extreme weather events, have made farming incrementally challenging. By bringing smart solutions closer to farmers, AI and data can help them overcome traditional constraints and information gaps. Our aim is to make digital tools as commonly used by smallholder farmers as the traditional rake here in the Asia Pacific. This partnership taps into our extensive regional networks to make this technology accessible at a large scale,” said Alexander Berkovskiy, APAC Regional Director at Syngenta. Features of the Cropwise Grower app have been designed and tested with rural farmers in mind and include critical elements which are available offline for users in areas with intermittent internet connection. It is tailored to regional crops and diseases and will be available in local languages, including nine local languages across India. Historical diagnoses and recommended solutions can be stored for on-demand offline access by farmers. “As part of our commitment to the communities in which we operate, we are investing heavily in digital and believe that it has the power to help farmers make better decisions, reduce crop losses and increase yields,” explained Chris Chen, APAC Head of Digital Transformation at Syngenta. “Cropwise Grower is the vehicle that allows us a direct connection, at scale, with millions of growers across the Asia Pacific. By ensuring the end-to-end user flow is 100 per cent automated, the partnership with Plantix allows an accurate diagnosis and recommendation to be provided in less than five seconds. This real-time feedback will be critical in driving behavioural change for our smallholder farmers across the region,” he adds. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/284/new-zealand-to-grow-hi-tech-strawberries.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/284/new-zealand-to-grow-hi-tech-strawberries.html Fri, 09 Dec 2022 13:32:40 +0530 26 Seasons is currently using this method to produce microgreens, and while controlled environment growing systems are already being used around the world, this is the first of its kind in New Zealand. In New Zealand Spray free strawberries will be grown in 26 Seasons’ proprietary growing through a hi-tech system with the aim of extending the availability of the fruit in the country. “We’re focussed on innovations that lift the sustainability and productivity of our food and fibre sector and this project moves us along that path,” said Damien O’Connor, New Zealand agriculture minister. “We’re partnering with 26 Seasons through Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures to identify the most cost-effective method to grow high-yielding, seaout-of-seasonies using a controlled environment growing system. “We’re committing more than NZ$920,000 over two years to this project through the Ministry for Primary Industries administered fund. It will enable research to help in scaling up production using 26 Seasons’ proprietary growing system, which the company has tested successfully in a preliminary trial.” 26 Seasons’ indoor hydroponic system recycles water and uses mobile vertical racks and pulsing light, so it doesn’t require the pesticides or herbicides that are usually an essential part of large-scale strawberry production. “26 Seasons is currently using this method to produce microgreens, and while controlled environment growing systems are already being used around the world, this is the first of its kind in New Zealand. We also believe it’s one of the first examples globally of growing strawberries this way,” said O’Connor. O’Connor said 26 Seasons had already successfully conducted a pre-pilot small-scale trial of 1,000 strawberry plants in inner city Wellington, with the help of funding from Callaghan Innovation. “The time is ripe to scale up, and this new pilot project has just undergone a trial of growing up to 8,000 plants in a larger building in Foxton,” O’Connor said. “This will be a stepping-stone to 26 Seasons’ aim of full commercialisation, which would require between 60,000 and 200,000 plants per site.” The project will aim to produce fruit with an equivalent taste, look, and size to peak-season strawberries grown locally and conventionally. “The business is aiming to grow plants that will produce fruit for at least eight months of the year at a commercially viable yield per plant,” O’Connor said. “This project has the potential to benefit the horticulture industry in New Zealand, both environmentally and economically. “The controlled environment farming technology uses 90 per cent less water and 90 per cent less land than traditional horticulture – plus the strawberries can be grown fairly consistently without spraying them with pesticides or herbicides, so the environmental benefits are enormous. “If successful, 26 Seasons will share its technology with growers of other high-value crops by licensing the intellectual property.” ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/279/chinese-scientists-complete-rice-arabidopsis-life-cycle-experiments-in-space.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/279/chinese-scientists-complete-rice-arabidopsis-life-cycle-experiments-in-space.html Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:53:32 +0530 The Chinese research team has completed the full life-cycle growth experiment of rice for the first time in the world. Chinese scientists have completed the life-cycle growth experiments of rice and Arabidopsis in the Chinese space station and successfully obtained their seeds, said the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). With the safe landing of the Shenzhou-14 spaceship's return capsule at the Dongfeng landing site, the seeds of rice and Arabidopsis, which have undergone a 120-day life cycle, were delivered to China's manned space program's space application system along with other samples. According to the CAS website, previously, scientists worldwide have only managed to obtain the seeds of a few crops like Arabidopsis, rape, wheat, and peas in space, except for the major food crop -- rice. The Chinese research team has completed the full life-cycle growth experiment of rice for the first time in the world. It has also systematically studied the effects of microgravity on flowering in space using the model plant Arabidopsis, the CAS said. The experiments, undertaken by the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences under the CAS, were conducted from July 29 to Nov. 25. During this period, the astronauts collected the rice samples at the germination stage on Sept. 21, the Arabidopsis samples at the flowering stage on Oct. 12, and both samples at their seed maturity stage on Nov. 25. The samples were then stored in the cryogenic storage device. According to the CAS, the samples will be transferred to the laboratory in Shanghai for further scientific testing and analysis. Through analyzing images acquired from space, scientists have discovered the effects of space microgravity on a variety of agronomic traits of rice, including plant height, growth rate, water regulation, response to light, etc.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/264/eurofins-agro-announces-launch-of-soil-carbon-check-test.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/264/eurofins-agro-announces-launch-of-soil-carbon-check-test.html Mon, 05 Dec 2022 15:34:58 +0530 The test will provide insights into the levels of carbon storage in fields, which supports the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere To mark World Soil Day (December 5), Eurofins Agro Testing has announced the launch of Soil Carbon Check as part of Soil Health Solutions, a new suite of testing solutions that will support the agricultural sector to transition to more sustainable farming practices. The Soil Carbon Check test will provide insights into the levels of carbon storage in fields, which supports the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere. Through targeted soil management, farmers and growers can sequester increased levels of carbon and contribute to climate protection. Data garnered through the Soil Carbon Check test reports can be used to support sustainability claims and carbon credits, as proof of sustainable farming and as credentials for other partners in the agri-food chain. The '4 per 1,000' initiative launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 (COP21) aims to boost carbon storage in agricultural soils by 0.4% each year to help mitigate climate change and increase food security. The amount of carbon that is stored in soil is as much as three times the amount of carbon sequestered by above-ground biomass (trees or other plants and crops). Increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil will contribute to the reduction of global warming; the more CO2 stored in the soil as organic carbon, the less CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. Soil Carbon Check provides customers with information on how much carbon is sequestered in their soil, how stable their soil carbon is and how it can be improved, and tracks how the carbon content of soil changes over time. In addition to Soil Carbon Check, the suite of tests offered by Soil Health Solutions provide insights into physical soil health (supporting the efficient use of water), potential contaminants in soil, biological soil health (to determine the biodiversity status of soil and effective actions to regenerate it) and chemical soil health (to prevent yield gaps and improve food quality).  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/254/chinas-institute-of-urban-agriculture-unveils-plant-factory-technology-at-qatar.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/254/chinas-institute-of-urban-agriculture-unveils-plant-factory-technology-at-qatar.html Fri, 02 Dec 2022 13:14:16 +0530 The team made the best use of abandoned containers of ocean-going freighters at the deep-water port of Doha as the structure for the plant factories. Chinese plant factory technology was unveiled on the global stage, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. Plant factory technology is one of the Chinese elements marching massively in the feast of football competition. The technology, developed by the Institute of Urban Agriculture (IUA) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, ensures the vegetable supply for the players.   Doha, the capital of Qatar, is located on the Qatar Peninsula in the southwestern Persian Gulf. With a tropical desert climate, the country severely lacks fresh water and arable land. Thus, it relies mainly on imports of vegetables, fruit, and even fresh water. To ensure the vegetable supply for participating teams during the World Cup, Al Fardan Farm, with the support of IUA, set up plant factories with LED lighting for vegetable production.    In 2019, IUA built a team dedicated to the development of a vegetable factory together with relevant research institutes and enterprises, at the request of Qatar. Innovatively, the team made the best use of abandoned containers of ocean-going freighters at the deep-water port of Doha as the structure for the plant factories. Its vegetable cultivation features LED lighting, substrate cultivation, temperature and humidity control, and hydroponics using a nutrient solution containing strontium and selenium. In particular, the team developed a unique “dual cultivation technology” by combining hydroponics and substrate cultivation technology, thus enabling high-quality vegetable production all year round in the deserts of the Middle East.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/248/will-blockchain-transform-the-agri-sector.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/248/will-blockchain-transform-the-agri-sector.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:07:29 +0530 By Dr Shyam Gunnamreddy, Founder & CEO, Samhitha Crop Care Clinics Blockchain technology gained extensive traction because of its vital role in the fintech sector. It has now been seen to have vast applications beyond cryptocurrencies and the agriculture sector is not an exception. Technology has drastically transformed the agriculture sector along with healthcare, real estate, banking, and so on. As per market predictions, blockchain is all set to become a game-changer in India with a whopping $176 billion of business potential by 2050. Considering the capabilities of blockchain, the agriculture sector in India is all set to propel it to a whole new level, continuing its contribution to the $5 trillion economy. There are nearly 150 startups working on the application of blockchain technology in the agriculture sector. Even today, the Indian agriculture sector is undergoing several issues that need immediate resolution for scalability and growth of the sector. The agritech startups leveraging the potential of blockchain technology are helping the agriculture sector in numerous ways. With India being an agrarian economy, agriculture is considered the primary source of livelihood for around 58 per cent of the country’s population. It is one of the most important sectors, and yet a slow adopter of tech-driven solutions and techniques. It was the outbreak of the pandemic that devastated the food supply chain across the world and resulted in the accelerated adoption of technology. In recent years, the agritech startups have introduced technology-based solutions that give a boost to the resilience of the sector. By embedding blockchain technology in agriculture, it has become easier to fortify farming in India through different use cases of blockchain technology. Data generation and processing Agritech startups are embedding IoT sensors and blockchain technologies to consolidate information on multiple steps of farming –from evaluating the quality of seeds, to crop tracking and the journey of crops from the farm to the market. Amidst the extensive farming process, it is imperative yet complex for farmers to keep track of the farming process. With IoT-enabled smart farming systems, it becomes easier to manage the effect of temperature, pH, soil moisture, humidity and light on the crops. These devices generate data and help farmers make well-informed decisions based on data storage. Further, to make the data more insightful, machine learning algorithms are applied to the data gathered from the sensors. This enables predictive models to drive high use cases for crop quality recommendations, crop identification, crop yield and crop demand prediction. With the captured information, farmers are also able to have a sense of control over the irrigation of fields. The advantages Traditionally, the method of storing data on a centralised server has several risks associated with a single point of failure. However, the usage of blockchain technology stores data across every node, which prevents centralisation of authority, making the exchange of data seamless with specific stakeholders and greatly reduces risk. This brings efficiency to the entire crop or food production value chain. Transparency in the food supply chain Bringing food from the farm to the table, it goes through several different players in its journey. Hence, it becomes critical to identify the source of the food in ensuring it is safe to supply and consume. Similarly, in today’s scenario, it becomes challenging for food producers and retailers to confirm its origin. To bring trust and transparency to the food chain, blockchain technology can play a pivotal role in reducing food fraud.  The integration of blockchain technology eliminates the role of middlemen in the agriculture sector. It helps re-establish trust between producers and consumers which reduces unnecessary costs spent in the food chain, making it optimal and efficient.  Blockchain technology dramatically improves security that offers customers a reliable approach to tracking transactions. This brings traceability to the market by helping food companies in recall investigations for low quality or food frauds.  Confrontation with unpredictable weather conditions When growing different types of crops, farmers have to face different weather conditions. If weather prediction and monitoring become possible, the survival rate of crops can be increased. By deploying sensors in the field, farmers can understand the crop’s behaviour and respond accordingly to soil temperature, air temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction, humidity, sun exposure, wind direction and many other conditions.  By analysing weather data, farmers can make informed decisions to reduce crop damage in their fields, making the entire production process affordable and highly efficient.   Crop insurance and finance In the entire food production process, farmers struggle due to a lack of transparency and credit histories. The poor accessibility to financial services can have an adverse impact on crop production and the performance of the agricultural value chain. As a result, producers do not maximise their yields and buyers struggle to ensure efficient supply. This leads to payment of farmers on delivery, forcing them to sell their crops at lower prices.  The use of blockchain in automating the auditing process can prove to be the key to verifying transactions directly via digital ledgers. This can make auditing cost-effective, making it possible to replace external auditors.  What’s in the future? The applications of blockchain in the agriculture sector are growing extensively. It has begun to revolutionise the industry and is yet to disrupt it in the coming years. By enriching and structuring data in farming, agritech startups are playing a crucial role in backing the farmers with the capabilities to grow and innovate.  ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/245/synthetic-biology-changing-the-way-you-grow-and-eat-your-food.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/245/synthetic-biology-changing-the-way-you-grow-and-eat-your-food.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:43:06 +0530 By Suraj Nair, Lead (TechSprouts), Ankur Capital How do we feed 10 billion people worldwide by 2050? Sounds simple enough? Produce more food, right? Sadly, it isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Agriculture is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), uses the largest amount of water sources and is one of the highest polluting activities. Simply growing more food is unsustainable. So, let’s start answering the question by putting things in perspective: There is ample evidence to suggest that we are already growing enough food to feed more than 10 billion people. Despite this, hunger exists. The problem is not so much about food production as it is about a lack of efficiency in agri-food systems across the board. Further, climate change is sending global climatic systems into a state of flux and rapid change. Agriculture is extremely sensitive to shifting weather patterns, droughts, excessive rain and other climatic aberrations, which makes it acutely sensitive to the effects of climate change. Systemic inefficiencies in agri-food systems are associated with various parts of the value chain, ranging from agri-inputs to crop development and final food production. Traditionally, addressing these inefficiencies has involved the use of digital technologies to collect and distribute data and improve the value chain with data-driven decision making. However, the last decade has seen the advent of synthetic biology as a new innovative approach towards improving agri-food systems. Furthermore, synthetic biology can not only address inefficiencies, but also make agriculture more climate-resilient. What is the synthetic biology approach? Vitamin A deficiency is a major health issue across the world, more so in countries limited to rice as their staple food. Two scientists in the 1990s decided to find a disruptive solution to this. They fortified the rice with beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, by genetically engineering the conventional rice crop. Known as the Golden Rice Project, this is a great example of the synthetic biology approach, wherein natural biological systems are engineered to result in certain desired outcomes.  Using advanced techniques in genetic engineering, systems biology and bioengineering, synthetic biology provides disruptive innovative solutions for the most complex problems in the agri-food value chain–developing biological stimulants and pesticides, advanced crop development with climate resistant traits and efficient food production.  While this seemed impossible just a decade ago, synthetic biology has seen a major transformation. DNA sequencing and gene synthesis costs have reduced by more than 100x and faster gene sequencing techniques such as NGS have been developed. All this has led to a significant increase in the data on genomics. This data is being used to develop specific interventions in the agri-food value chain. How are the investments shaping up?  Investments have been on the rise in companies using synthetic biology for disrupting the agri-food systems. According to research from builtwithbiology.com, 2021 saw $4.4 billion invested in these companies which is equivalent to the cumulative funds invested over the last decade. Close to $3.4 billion was invested in startups developing food products including meat analogs and dairy alternatives using synthetic biology. Impossible Foods, a US-headquartered developing plant-based meat burger patties uses synthetic biology to produce heme which gives the burger patties its beef-like flavour. The company raised $500 million in 2021, bringing its total funding to $2 billion. Future Meat Technologies, a cultured meat company from Israel saw one of the largest investments amounting to $347 million. The company has been able to bring down the cost of cultured chicken to less than $17 per kilogram through years of research and development into engineering microbes and optimisation of their production process. CompanyDescriptionLatest Funding amount (in $ Million) (2021)Impossible FoodsPlant-based burger meat, sausage and chicken substitutes500 Future Meat TechnologiesCultured Chicken347 The Every Company (formerly Clara Foods)Chicken free egg proteins175 New CultureCow-free cheese25 ApeelBiological fruit coatings250 Pivot BioNitrogen biofertilisers 430GreenLight BiosciencesRNA Pesticide109  More than $900 million was invested into agri-inputs startups with $430 million in Pivot Bio which has launched its PROVEN 40 OS and RETURN OS, the first microbial nitrogen fertilisers in the market. GreenLight Biosciences is developing the world’s first RNA-based pesticides and has received $109 million in funding in 2021. Both are US firms. Advanced seed development has generally been dominated by large seed companies such as Syngenta. However, a new breed of startups have emerged who are using data and artificial intelligence to speed up the seed development process. Phytoform Labs with offices in the US and the UK recently raised $5.7 million for scaling up its AI based genome editing platform. Similarly, Indian firm Piatrika Biosystems raised $1.2 million for developing its AI/ML agri-genomics platform. What does the future hold? The decade gone by has opened up numerous opportunities for the use of synthetic biology in disrupting the agri-food sector. Several companies in the sector are in the advanced stages of product development and are on the cusp of scaling up and commercialisation. Cultured meat and dairy products are expected to hit the market over the next decade. As more genomic information flows in and newer biochemical pathways are explored, new product lines are expected to emerge as well.  However, there are a few challenges that need to be addressed for the products to become widely available and accepted by the consumers which include reducing the costs, improving the organoleptic properties of the products and scaling up for mass production. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/244/can-the-agritech-sector-benefit-from-the-contemporary-b2b-model.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/244/can-the-agritech-sector-benefit-from-the-contemporary-b2b-model.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:18:06 +0530 By Tarun Arora, Director, Single Family Office, IG International Business-to-Business (B2B) is a business model in which the agritech sector obtains goods and/or services from another company. More than any other sector, agribusiness has the most to gain from a B2B business strategy. From the production of agricultural products to their marketing, B2B has revolutionised the industry’s customary internal processes. It has brought technology to the farm, thereby increasing output; it has opened up new markets by going directly to consumers; it has eliminated middlemen, thereby increasing the growers’ profit margin; and it has vastly improved logistics, which was a major concern and a source of loss for the producer. The B2B model has fit in like a glove, ushering in many advantages into the inner workings of the agritech sector. Using technology, agritech businesses are establishing market connections, including B2B markets and digital agricultural platforms. In recent decades, a substantial portion of the conventional supply chain across several industries has experienced a major setback. B2B marketplaces have emerged as a solution to this problem  by providing excellent items at affordable pricing and dependable delivery schedules, along with regular credit terms. They are immediately capable of addressing India’s agricultural input concerns. Due to the multitude of connections on these digital platforms, agricultural enterprises are able to locate new prospects, clients, and suppliers, as well as manage the daily challenges encountered by farmers. Farmers may get the necessary data, procedures, and efficiencies from them for both pre-harvest and post-harvest applications. In addition, B2B marketplaces provide a variety of buying and selling channels. Precision is power Precision agriculture is one of the most often used B2B services in the agricultural business. It enables you to maximise the productivity of each work shift by maximising your workforce. The data you get is current, making it more actionable and less static. Additionally, superior GPS technology enables your employees to operate in low-visibility conditions. You need not worry about blind areas since you can follow your agricultural equipment in real time using GPS data. In addition, it lets the producer enhance and improve the soil, reduce the use of natural resources such as land, and water, and improve productivity by implementing a series of focused key interventions, a feat that may be accomplished with the application of sophisticated technology. In fact, it makes agribusiness a profitable and prosperous profession irrespective of climate change and other catastrophic occurrences. Entering the e-commerce era  The majority of agricultural goods entered the e-commerce platforms via B2B models. This is because B2B helps connect farmers to retailers through the use of technology at each stage of the value chain. Thanks to the proliferation of online retailers, farmers are now able to sell their goods directly to customers rather than merely through mandis or other intermediaries. E-commerce has enormous potential to alleviate a number of issues afflicting the Indian agriculture industry.  The potential for e-commerce disruption in conventional agricultural value chains, where middlemen eat into farmers' profits, is great. By creating direct connections between farmers and purchasers, agri-e-commerce may help eliminate middlemen. Direct connections with potential customers and good storage facilities can help reduce post-harvest waste, especially for goods that go bad quickly.  Mobile apps boost agri-income Some B2B platforms have developed mobile programs to make the process of buying and selling goods more straightforward. This is in response to the rising stress on the agricultural sector to fulfill the needs of the growing population. Through these platforms, the buyer receives delivery right to their doorstep, while the seller is able to completely avoid stockpiling their products, which contributes to the generation of better margins for the goods. Besides, by using these platforms, the farmer may discover the correct distributor for a given geographic region. It is also helpful in identifying high-potential areas of development, which ultimately leads to an improvement in profit margins. Expand logistics possibilities Logistics is one of the toughest components of the agriculture sector. Due to the product's frequent transference, grain logistics is particularly difficult. Multiple times, the cargo needs to travel thousands of kilometers via many middlemen before reaching the market. Besides safety, the freshness of the produce has to be maintained throughout the journey. With B2B systems that connect shippers and carriers, warehouses, and other services in the most efficient manner, the farmer can extend his market outside his perimeter, resulting in increased income for the agri business. Aggregates all advantages  Today, India is home to more than a hundred agritech businesses. These companies have mostly implemented B2B models on farms. In addition to supplying farmers with technology, these B2B companies are bringing capital investment to the industry, which is vital for modernisation. With the influx of venture capital, traditional agricultural business is seeing a new horizon in terms of how well the product can be sold. This means that the returns are higher and more predictable, and most importantly, the producer is protected from the volatility of traditional markets. Focus on security Additionally, agricultural firms have significant IT requirements. Since there are so many agricultural businesses in rural locations, it is not always necessary to dispatch an IT professional. Today, B2B information technologies allow agricultural businesses to conduct remote IT work. Even agricultural businesses must now consider cybersecurity concerns. Entire data supply chains have been hacked by malware and man-in-the-middle assaults. Since so much of your infrastructure and operations are dependent on this data, it makes sense to hire top-tier protection via B2B channels. In addition, IT specialists can keep your hotspots operational, enhance encryption, and synchronise your devices. The world is one farm In conclusion, B2B facilitates the collaboration of agri producers across geographies. Farms in a faraway area are collaborating with local farmers, exchanging everything from seeds and saplings to technology and growing techniques in order to increase the amount and variety of food to suit the needs of diverse global markets. For instance, an American apple producer produces similar fruits in India for the South Asian market utilising CEA-Controlled Environment Agriculture. Vantage view  The agriculture sector is also benefiting from the use of big data, AI, and machine learning. Advanced data may aid the farmer in forecasting and estimating crop output. The most spectacular return on investment (RoI) may be accomplished by correctly using this relevant information while also helping the farmer spend money more prudently. With so many advantages, it is certain that B2B will continue to exist as a business model in the present and the future. As a result of these technological improvements, it is anticipated that agricultural businesses will continue to improve. Every day, the agribusiness industry changes as farmers find new ways to grow their businesses and make more money. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/243/how-technology-helps-agri-retailers-build-a-competitive-edge.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/243/how-technology-helps-agri-retailers-build-a-competitive-edge.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:05:05 +0530 By Amit Sinha, Co-Founder, Unnati Agriculture, as we all know, is crucial to our sustenance, as it forms the foundation of our lives. Today, we cannot fathom an existence without agriculture, the primary source of our food, and given the growing population, the food requirements are only increasing further. India, a majorly agrarian economy and an emerging market, is among the top four food-producing countries in the world. However, despite over half of the country’s population being involved in agriculture, the sector was one of the slowest in technology adoption compared to others. Today, with technology being an integral part of the agri ecosystem and agritech startups bringing innovative solutions, the agriculture sector has registered impressive growth in a short period. But for agri retailers, the scenario isn’t quite the same since they are plagued with challenges, and as is the case with most issues in the modern world, technology can be a game-changer. Here’s how. The gap in supply chain integration Agri retailers make up a vital cog in the agricultural ecosystem. They are the primary source of supply for farmers in terms of seeds, nutrients, equipment, and crop protection products, among others, so when retailers face challenges, it impacts the entire ecosystem. Today, there is skyrocketing demand for consistently high-quality food, alongside the growing demand for overall food production. However, this poses challenges for supply chain integration, creating inefficiencies. Lack of storage space, improper care and negligent post-harvest management are some of the factors coming into play to create discrepancies in supply chain integration. With technologies like AI, ML, IoT, and Data Analytics, we can automate and digitise processes to make them more efficient and bridge the gaps while ensuring quality control. Increasing competition and gaining a wider reach In recent years, agri retailers have witnessed cut-throat competition in the market from both online and offline players in the segment. Besides, internet proliferation is at an all-time high, especially in non-metros and rural regions, and farmers are now becoming more tech-savvy with increased awareness. They compare products from multiple retailers before purchasing. This means that agri-retailers will have to innovate, increase their reach, and gain more knowledge about complex products to stay ahead and thrive in the competitive market. To help increase their reach and network and solve these challenges at the grassroots level, agri-tech startups are offering innovative, tech-powered solutions. For instance, right from helping retailers take their business online to expanding their network of customers, farmers, and wholesale markets, data-driven analysis and AI-powered tools used by agri-tech startups are offering strong market linkages to agri retailers. Making the most of the agri season Agriculture is a seasonal business for the most part, so the adage “Make hay while the sun shines” applies to agri retailers. With tech-enabled tools and services like weather mapping, and soil quality analysis, agri-tech startups allow agri retailers to gauge how to make the best use of their inventory, drive sales, and increase their profits during the peak season. Besides, agri-tech startups even leverage technology to create awareness about climate change and encourage both retailers and farmers to follow the best practices and continue with their livelihoods in a sustainable manner. The bottomline Technology has almost become an all-encompassing, one-stop solution for agricultural challenges and gaps in the ecosystem. Especially with fintech-powered agriculture platforms, agri retailers can receive end-to-end support and create a holistic ecosystem with data-driven strategies. With startups in the sector working relentlessly to create a robust agriculture ecosystem and boost its contribution to the GDP while facilitating better living standards for farmers and retailers, change for the better is inevitable, and technology is leading that transformation. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/238/sfa-inve-collaborates-to-develop-hatchery-technology-centre.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/238/sfa-inve-collaborates-to-develop-hatchery-technology-centre.html Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:31:30 +0530 SFA and INVE scientists to jointly conduct research to develop advanced hatchery technologies compatible with tropical marine species and environments The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and INVE Aquaculture, a Benchmark Company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly set up SFA-INVE Hatchery Technology Centre at SFA’s Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC). The proposed Centre will bring together SFA’s expertise in hatchery design and production for tropical marine species (e.g., Asian seabass and red snapper), as well as INVE's in-depth knowledge of specialised fish nutrition for early developmental stages, including their patented technologies for live feeds. SFA and INVE scientists will jointly conduct research to develop advanced hatchery technologies (such as automated hatchery system for rotifer and artemia production) compatible with tropical marine species and environments. The Centre will also serve as a training hub for farmers from Singapore and the region for knowledge transfer, to help build up a consistent supply of good quality fish fry for production. This will also contribute to Singapore’s “30 by 30” food security goal, which aims to build the agri-food industry’s capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30 per cent of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030. The MOU was jointly signed by Chan Hian Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Corporate, Industry, and Technology) of SFA and Patrick Waty, Chief Executive Officer of INVE. It demonstrates the shared commitment of SFA and INVE in R&D collaboration, and knowledge exchanges to level up tropical marine hatchery technology to achieve sustainable aquaculture production in Singapore and the region. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/241/syngenta-pakistan-provides-drone-spray-services-on-5000-acres-of-farmland.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/241/syngenta-pakistan-provides-drone-spray-services-on-5000-acres-of-farmland.html Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:49:39 +0530 This is a first-of-its-kind initiative whereby such precision Drone Spray Services have been provided by a crop protection company in Pakistan. Syngenta Pakistan Limited, a leading agriculture innovation and technology company has successfully piloted drone spraying services on approximately 5000 acres of local farmland. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative whereby such precision Drone Spray Services have been provided by a crop protection company in Pakistan.Drone Spraying Services are being used globally for the application of crop protection products as this technology offers precision, uniformity in spray, effective pest and disease control and speed in farm operations. Extending this service to farmers is in line with Syngenta Pakistan’s farmer-centric vision: ″One Team, One Dream, Farmer Future″ to transform the agricultural practices in the country and to catalyze the progress on making Pakistan’s agriculture sector more robust and technology-enabled.The General Manager of Syngenta Pakistan, Zeeshan Haseeb Baig stated that ″Labour availability and correct technique for spraying are contributors to our low yield in Pakistan. Drone Spray technology helps enable farmers to achieve effective pest control and farm-level efficiency. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/224/koat-to-set-up-korea-pavilion-growtech-eurasia-2022.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/224/koat-to-set-up-korea-pavilion-growtech-eurasia-2022.html Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:20:06 +0530 The Korea Pavilion will be attended by a total of eight leading agricultural equipment companies in Korea, including 5 agricultural materials companies, and 2 smart farms companies. The Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT) will organize and operate the Korea Pavilion at the Agricultural Exhibition (Growtech Eurasia 2022) in Antalya, Turkiye. Growtech Eurasia 2022 is an international agricultural exhibition that connects Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, where 510 companies from 25 countries participate and 125 countries and 50,000 visitors visit.KOAT emphasized that it will promote Korean agricultural technology on the Eurasian stage and serve as a driving force for participating companies to emerge in the global market. With the support of KOAT, the Korea Pavilion will be attended by a total of eight leading agricultural equipment companies in Korea, including 5 agricultural materials companies, 2 smart farms companies, and 1 seed company. It is expected that this participation in the Korean Pavilion and marketing activities will serve as priming water for entering the global market in the agricultural sector.It is the 4th time since 2015 that KOAT has participated in Growtech Eurasia and has achieved more than $5 million worth of consultation amount. "The trade circumstances of domestic exporters are difficult due to rising international oil prices, interest rates, and exchange rates, and the opportunity to meet with overseas buyers is very limited," said Ahn Ho-Geun, president of KOAT. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/209/farmx-acquires-mobile-robotics-navigation-software-company-automodality.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/209/farmx-acquires-mobile-robotics-navigation-software-company-automodality.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 16:57:09 +0530 FarmX to offer a lineup of services for autonomous navigation platform created by AutoModality FarmX, Inc. has announced the acquisition of AutoModality, Inc, a mobile robotics navigation software company, based in San Rafael, CA and Syracuse, NY. AutoModality has created a patented, autonomous navigation platform for mobile robotics systems, including drones and ground vehicles. "AutoModality's mobile robotics systems will enable FarmX to offer a lineup of services unmatched by any single AgTech company in the world today. This acquisition enables growers to have a top to bottom view of their field, their crop: the vigor, water, and energy of its canopy, growth and stress within the plant's structure, and the roots' access to water." said Tushar Dave, Chief Executive Officer of FarmX, Inc. AutoModality's robotics solution gives growers a detailed view of their fields, accurate insights and reduces time and labor required to capture difficult to obtain agricultural data. "AutoModality has created a state-of-the-art GPS-denied autonomous navigation platform, Perceptive Navigation®, for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles that will be a perfect complement to FarmX's comprehensive crop-management platform," said Aaron Singer, Chief Executive Officer of AutoModality, Inc. FarmX increases the grower's profits. Using highest resolution imagery and the industry's most innovative sensor suite, we collect the most granular and accurate data of a field, its canopy, soil and stress conditions. FarmX's integrated platform combines image collection using precision navigation, advanced AI/ML, and in-ground sensing to provide an unparalleled solution for growers and is in use on thousands of acres of permanent nut crops, citrus, and grapes throughout the West Coast. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/211/veggitech-commenced-the-saffron-farm.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/211/veggitech-commenced-the-saffron-farm.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:06:39 +0530 Veggitech commenced the Saffron farm project in the summer this year with harvest expected to peak at the end of November. Agritech Company Veggitech inaugurated the first-ever Saffron farm in Sharjah. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and the largest in the Mena region, spread over 165sqm but equivalent to 3.5 hectares of land. Veggitech began the Saffron farm project in the summer this year with harvest expected to peak at the end of November. Saffron is often referred to as ‘red gold’ due to its prestigious value and reputation for being the most expensive spice in the world, mainly because such a small part of the flower is ultimately used and the laborious extraction process. It is expected in the first harvest each bulb will produce 3-4 strands of saffron and next year would expect 12-15 strands.  This will continue to grow over the period. The first saffron vertical farm currently houses approximately 5 tonnes of saffron bulbs, from which would expect 1000kg of the saffron crocus. The Veggitech ‘Red gold’ farm boasts fully smart built-in systems to manage the entire farming process; from temperature control to irrigation systems. Sharjah-based Veggitech Company Working in line with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy for 2051. It is bringing agriculture to new heights through an efficient supply chain and advanced technology with the key aim of boosting the agriculture sector. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/208/aerofarms-qfza-announce-middle-east-expansion-plan.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/208/aerofarms-qfza-announce-middle-east-expansion-plan.html Fri, 18 Nov 2022 13:59:56 +0530 The new commercial indoor vertical farm in Qatar will deploy AeroFarms’ latest generation of proprietary growing technology that achieves up to 390 times greater productivity per square meter annually. AeroFarms, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and Doha Venture Capital (DVC) to build a commercial indoor vertical farm in Qatar Free Zones (QFZ) that offers unparalleled connectivity and access to the region. QFZA and AeroFarms, a US-based Certified B Corporation and leader in indoor vertical farming, announced their plan to expand further in the Middle East with a partnership with QFZA and DVC.  AeroFarms corporate headquarters in Newark, NJ, where leafy greens are grown using proprietary aeroponic technology. As a purpose-driven organization, AeroFarms is both a change-the-world company and an award-winning retail brand leading the way with smart, indoor vertical farming to elevate agriculture with people and the planet in mind. AeroFarms starts by selecting the most flavorful agricultural varietals and then perfects them for optimal quality, colour, nutrition, texture, yield, and taste, setting a new culinary standard with billions of data points while utilizing state-of-the-art technology.   The new commercial indoor vertical farm in Qatar will deploy AeroFarms’ latest generation of the proprietary growing technology that achieves up to 390 times greater productivity per square meter annually, compared to traditional field farming, while using up to 95 per cent less water and zero pesticides.  With the help of AeroFarms’ new technology, local food production is expected to increase, making high-quality food products available locally throughout the year which will reduce imports and increase the country’s self-sufficiency. AeroFarms’ endeavour in Qatar is set to pave the way for more local and international private sector companies in this field to expand their operations in QFZ and capitalize on the innovative technologies in place.        AeroFarms speciality greens are completely pesticide free and are ready to eat without any need to wash, providing a major benefit to customers looking for safety and convenience.  Qatar Free Zones play a key role in the realization of Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy, playing host to many food and agritech companies. The Free Zones offer modern green infrastructure to their investors, and QFZA is committed to sustainability in every aspect of its operations. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/199/china-develops-smart-farming-technology-for-soil-protection.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/199/china-develops-smart-farming-technology-for-soil-protection.html Thu, 17 Nov 2022 12:39:12 +0530 Intelligent farming assisted with smart agricultural machinery and equipment linked with satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground sensors Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed intelligent farming technology for soil testing. A smart tractor or a robot can collect data on the soil and crops during the farming process, including planting and harvesting. Pilot testing with smart equipment is in progress in the Dahewan Demonstration Zone in Hulun Buir, China. The intelligent farming assisted with smart agricultural machinery and equipment linked with satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground sensors are piloted in the Dahewan Demonstration Zone in Hulun Buir. The tractor and several soil testing robots patrol the field, examining the soil substances and sending data to operators. According to Chen Haihua, a senior engineer at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, "Compared with traditional agricultural machinery, the intelligent farming tools are more like a combination of computers, mobile phones, and smart agricultural machinery, adding that the command centre of the intelligent farming system can automatically conduct analysis and modelling based on the collected data, and establish electronic files for the black soil.” The pilot zone of 11,200 hectares mainly cultivates soybeans. It is one of the important black soil areas in China. The black soil, or chernozem soil, found in China's northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning and in some parts of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, produces about a quarter of the country's total grain output, making it crucial to China's food supply. According to the ecological monitoring, the black soil in Dahewan is on the verge of wind and water erosion, with decreasing organic matter imperilling the fertility of the fields. Zhang Yucheng, a senior engineer at the Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the institute launched the "Black Soil Granary" program in July 2021 for black soil conservation and modern agricultural development. "We are developing technology that can protect the soil without reducing the crop yield," he said. According to the program's objectives, in the next five years, the soil quality in 2,000 hectares of the core area in Dahewan will be improved while the comprehensive economic benefit of the field increases by more than 10 per cent. Human labour will be reduced by more than 50 per cent in a 333-hectare area in the demonstration zone. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/195/xag-goes-global-with-its-p100-agricultural-drone.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/195/xag-goes-global-with-its-p100-agricultural-drone.html Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:31:02 +0530 With the payload upgraded to 40 kg, the drone can serve larger fields more effectively to address labor shortage XAG to promote smart agriculture, drones flying above the field to perform farm works have been gradually adopted in many regions. To meet farmer's need for a large-capacity drone, XAG officially makes its P100 Agricultural Drone available for sales globally. This fully autonomous drone has multiple uses around the farm, such as spraying pesticides, spreading fertilisers and broadcasting seeds, to boost yield and lower costs. As one of the fast-growing markets for agricultural drone, Vietnam becomes the first to witness the rising force of XAG P100. With the payload upgraded to 40 kg, the drone can serve larger fields more effectively to address labor shortage. In the meantime, drone pilot is seen as the new favoured career for rural youth, who can harness technology to make a good fortune. Khuong, KPT's co-founder said, "With two XAG P100 agricultural drones, two small teams consisting of only 4 to 6 people can finish the fieldwork much faster and easier. While the drone sprays evenly and penetrate the rice crops more quickly, it can also spread seeds and fertilisers. Our service has helped him reduce labor cost and improve the yields.” The introduction of agricultural drone has changed the tune of young generation on rural development. It provides a decent work opportunity for rural youth who can build a new type of business like the KPT Fly Team or join as a drone pilot. They have become the new rising force to fuel the transformation towards sustainable agriculture. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/193/hi-tech-traps-on-trial-in-fruit-fly-surveillance-programme.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/193/hi-tech-traps-on-trial-in-fruit-fly-surveillance-programme.html Wed, 16 Nov 2022 13:41:07 +0530 Biosecurity New Zealand will monitor traps at 86 high-risk sites during the BMSB season, which runs from November to April. Biosecurity New Zealand’s National Fruit Fly Surveillance programme is trialling 60 state-of-the-art traps, with the aim to bolster the detection of an exotic fruit fly. "We have a world-class biosecurity system, but the growth in global trade and travel increases the opportunity for fruit flies to enter the country,” says Biosecurity New Zealand director of diagnostic & surveillance services Veronica Herrera. "Exotic fruit fly incursions could significantly impact New Zealand’s horticulture industry, so early detection is critical." The fruit fly surveillance programme runs from September to July each year to coincide with the heightened risk of fruit flies entering New Zealand. More than 7,800 traps are currently stationed across the country. Biosecurity New Zealand has found the Queensland fruit fly half a dozen times in surveillance traps and has successfully eradicated it each time. This season, 60 additional RapidAIM traps have been deployed across 11 Auckland suburbs to target the Queensland fruit fly (QFF). The hi-tech traps are on trial by the Australian company RapidAIM. Sensors in the traps evaluate the behaviour of insects entering the unit. An algorithm then predicts whether it is a QFF. If detected, an alert identifies the trap location, enabling a field officer to collect the sample within 48 hours. "The chief benefit of the RapidAIM system is the possibility of an immediate notification of a suspect QFF,” Herrera says. "Biosecurity New Zealand began working with RapidAIM in 2020 to see if the traps were compatible with the New Zealand environment and cellular network. The wider introduction of the traps will be dependent on the success of trials and is some years off. In the meantime, work is ongoing to develop sensors that could detect all economically important exotic fruit flies.   The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) surveillance programme also got underway this month. Like exotic fruit flies, BMSB also poses a threat to the New Zealand horticulture industry.   Biosecurity New Zealand will monitor traps at 86 high-risk sites during the BMSB season, which runs from November to April. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/161/central-coastal-agricultural-research-institute-launches-a-coastal-agricultural-information-system.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/161/central-coastal-agricultural-research-institute-launches-a-coastal-agricultural-information-system.html Thu, 10 Nov 2022 12:00:52 +0530 The function was attended by eight foreign and six national participants from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives and Vietnam The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) has launched a Coastal Agricultural Information System (CAIS) developed by ICAR-CCARI. CAIS launched for the benefit of farmers, scientists and policymakers during the ongoing 5-day international training program on "Diversification of Coastal Agroecosystems for Climate Resilience and Livelihood Security”. The program was organised by ICAR-CCARI in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF). The inaugural function was attended by eight foreign and six national participants from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives and Vietnam. ICAR Director General (natural resource management) Suresh Kumar Chaudhari stressed on the importance of diversification, climate resilience and livelihood in coastal regions as different components of the training program. He also said CAIS will act as a knowledge platform and a way forward for sustainable coastal agriculture benefiting farmers, scientists and policymakers. CIFOR-ICRAF Country Director, Chandrashekhar Biradar stressed that "climate change is a fact and rising sea level, and land degradation, especially in coastal regions which are adversely impacting agriculture." Highlighting the importance of the training programme, CIFOR-ICRAF Asia Director Javed Rizvi urged the participating countries to identify opportunities for mutual collaboration. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/156/isdn-thai-government-launches-smart-greenhouse-centre.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/156/isdn-thai-government-launches-smart-greenhouse-centre.html Wed, 09 Nov 2022 13:57:02 +0530 Smart Greenhouse Centre will be launched across 95 locations in Thailand. Powered by solar energy ISDN Holdings a leading industrial automation firm, today announced that its subsidiary, TDS Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd has launched the Smart Greenhouse and Learning Centre in partnership with the Thailand Government’s Department of Skill Development. The Smart Greenhouse Centre is a 70-million-baht project, and when completed, will have a total of 95 locations across Thailand. The agriculture sector employs over 12.3 million people in Thailand, representing over 30% of the nation’s workforce. It makes up the largest portion of the Thai agri-food sector, accounting for 41% of its total contribution to GDP. ISDN and the Thailand Government have partnered to future-proof this vital economic sector for an advanced industrial future by leveraging on smart technology. The program includes facilities to upskill the agricultural sector, providing programmes and opportunities to help the workforce develop the right digital skills to transform the industry, and become fully integrated agricultural operators. “Thailand’s agricultural sector already contributes more than $53.8 billion to its GDP, and we believe digital transformation has the potential to unlock value in productivity for the sector in the coming years. The Smart Greenhouse and Learning Centre will be able to tap into the extensive farming knowledge of Thailand’s agricultural industry while supporting local farmers’ upskilling efforts with our technology expertise,” said Mr Teo Cher Koon, Managing Director & President, ISDN Holdings Limited. The Smart Greenhouse Centre will be launched across ninety-five locations in Thailand. Powered by solar energy, the Centre uses Industry Internet of Things (IIoT) technology to sustainably automate operations, including water pumps, monitoring sensors, and IP cameras. The Centre will also provide training and resources for those interested in adopting IIoT agriculture technology and renewable energy systems. The Smart Greenhouse Centre will also deploy advanced TV White Space (“TVWS”) networking from ISDN’s Whizpace business to connect smart agriculture devices securely and reliably across all-year weather conditions. Whizpace’s dynamic TVWS technology connects industrial internet of things (IIoT) devices reliably and cost-effectively for up to kilometres of range, providing an ideal solution for digitalising widespread agricultural work fields. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/154/new-version-of-cultivated-chicken-launches-at-u-n-climate-summit.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/154/new-version-of-cultivated-chicken-launches-at-u-n-climate-summit.html Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:20:05 +0530 According to a 2022 UNIPCC report, cultivated meat has the potential to deliver substantial reductions in direct emissions from food production. Good Meat the cultivated meat division of food Technology Company Eat Just, Inc., announced that it will launch a new version of its pioneering cultivated chicken at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP27. A series of historic dining experiences organized in partnership with the Singapore Pavilion will showcase GOOD Meat’s real, high-quality meat made from animal cells for the first time outside of the Southeast Asian city-state where it debuted nearly two years ago. In a first for the fast-growing global cultivated meat industry and for the U.N.’s annual climate summit, food system transformation and sustainable diets will be on the menu – literally and figuratively – in the host city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNIPCC) heralded cultivated meat as a “transformative” approach to mitigating emissions and cited conventional animal agriculture as one of the top causes of greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2022 UNIPCC report, cultivated meat has the potential to deliver substantial reductions in direct emissions from food production. “These technologies have lower land, water and nutrient footprints, and address concerns over animal welfare,” the report stated. Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just said, “Singapore was the first country to allow the sale of meat made without tearing down a single forest or displacing an animal’s habitat, and we look forward to other countries following in their footsteps.” GOOD Meat won regulatory approval for its chicken in Singapore in November 2020 and remains the only cultivated Meat Company in the world with the ability to sell to consumers. Since its launch, the company’s chicken has been featured on menus at local fine dining establishments, roadside hawker stalls and via food panda, Asia's leading food and grocery delivery platform. The latest version of GOOD Meat’s cultivated chicken will become available in Singapore following its debut at COP27. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/140/global-solar-agriculture-sprayer-market-anticipates-growth.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/140/global-solar-agriculture-sprayer-market-anticipates-growth.html Fri, 04 Nov 2022 12:31:15 +0530 The global solar agriculture sprayer market is anticipated to register a robust CAGR in the forecast period, 2023-2027 Factors such as the increased use of advanced agriculture tools and machinery and growing demand for higher-yielding crops are driving the demand for the global solar agriculture sprayer market. Solar-powered sprayers are devices used by farmers to apply pesticides and biofertilizers to agricultural fields. These devices are often solar-powered. During the spraying operation, photovoltaic cells on these sprayers are exposed to sunlight and used to produce electricity. There are typically two operating modes for solar agricultural sprayers: direct mode and indirect mode. Electricity produced by polycrystalline PV modules mounted on the sprayer is used to operate the direct mode. Solar energy is quickly converted into electrical energy, which is then used for agricultural power sprayers. In the indirect mode, the energy produced during exposure is stored in a battery and then used to drive an agricultural sprayer. Also, ongoing research and development activities, innovative product development, and increased awareness about the benefits of using renewable energy sources are further expected to drive market demand in the coming years. Up to 10 litres segment is expected to hold the largest market share in the forecast period, 2023-2027. They are in high demand as they are easier to handle and are widely available in the market. ]]> https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/63/harvesting-farmer-network-raises-4-mn-from-social-capitalefbfbc.html https://www.agrospectrumasia.com/news/80/63/harvesting-farmer-network-raises-4-mn-from-social-capitalefbfbc.html Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:19:34 +0530 Harvesting Farmer Network (HFN), a leading agriculture technology platform in India, has raised $4 million from Social Capital, a Silicon Valley-based technology investment firm managed by Chamath Palihapitiya. This is the first institutional round raised by HFN, which will be used to reach more than 120 million smallholder farmers across India, as well as explore opportunities in India’s rural markets. HFN helps smallholder farmers (defined by the UN as a farmer owning less than 2 hectare of land) in India to increase their income by empowering them with a collective bargaining platform. Through HFN’s platform, farmers are able to buy farm inputs, access financial services such as loans and insurance, as well as sell their crops to national and international customers enabling them to scale and grow their businesses. Founded by Ruchit Garg during COVID-19, HFN was created to reduce the friction between farmers and buyers, initially by enabling them to connect directly on Twitter. Since then, more than $500 million of crops, consisting of over 360 crop varieties, have been listed on HFN’s digital platform from every state across India. These crops have been sold domestically as well as to international markets. A global agricultural powerhouse, India produces more than $275 billion of crops annually. As of August 2022, more than 3.7 million farmers are digitally connected to the HFN platform, witnessing a 2.5X increase in their crop earnings. Recently, many forward-thinking farmers have even launched offline centres known as “HFN Kisan Centres” to help fellow local farmers sell their crops and buy staple inputs such as seeds and fertiliser at affordable prices. Ruchit G Garg, Founder CEO of HFN, said: “At HFN, our goal is to help farmers realise their full potential by reducing the plethora of inefficiencies across the agriculture value chain. Simple and widely-available technologies like WhatsApp and Twitter have allowed us to create massive data-driven farmer co-operatives, which allows farmers to negotiate better rates for farm inputs and more competitive prices for outputs.” Jay Zaveri, Partner at Social Capital, said: “India is one of the bread baskets of the world and we’re excited to partner with HFN to bring a safe, secure, and empowering platform to the more than 120 million smallholder farmers across India. Our goal is to enable Indian households to access high-quality farm produce and for farmers to build a profitable livelihood through HFN.” HFN plans to use the new funding to rapidly expand its footprint across India, and over the next 12 months, it expects to connect farmers in every single one of India’s 708 districts across the country. ]]>