AgroSpectrum Magazine - AgroSpectrum India March 2023

In this issue

Is SMART Farming A Smart Bet for India?
In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture, the dawn of smart farming
technologies heralds a new era of innovation and efficiency. Recently, significant strides have been made in this sector, exemplified by Arya.ag’s, strategic partnership with Crystal Crop Protection Limited. This collaboration introduces a nationwide crop monitoring initiative powered by Arya.ag’s cutting-edge satellite crop monitoring tool, “Prakshep”. Such initiatives underscore India’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices towards greater productivity and sustainability, a commitment further reinforced in India’s Interim Budget 2024.

Centre unveils LMS, Helpline 14447, Krishi Rakshak and SARTHI portals

Arjun Munda, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and Tribal Affairs, inaugurated several initiatives in Delhi aimed at assisting farmers.

1 min

NITI Aayog unveils GROW report and portal for agroforestry, wasteland restoration

Professor Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, unveiled the Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal at NITI Aayog.

1 min

INI Farms and LuLu Group forge direct farm-to-retail alliance

In a significant development for the Indian Fruit and Vegetable (F&V)/horticulture sector, INI Farms, a part of the AgroStar group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LuLu Group International, to establish a direct farm-toretail partnership for the Indian Cavendish Bananas.

1 min

Global fisheries management body prioritises sustainable practices

A newly established global fisheries management body convened its inaugural meeting, addressing key agenda items such as the implementation of best practices for effective fisheries resource management and enhancements to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) methodology for assessing the status and health of marine fish stocks worldwide.

1 min

Is SMART Farming A Smart Bet for India?

In the dynamic landscape of Indian agriculture, the dawn of smart farming technologies heralds a new era of innovation and efficiency. Recently, significant strides have been made in this sector, exemplified by Arya.ag’s, strategic partnership with Crystal Crop Protection Limited. This collaboration introduces a nationwide crop monitoring initiative powered by Arya.ag’s cutting-edge satellite crop monitoring tool, Prakshep”. Such initiatives underscore India’s commitment to advancing agricultural practices towards greater productivity and sustainability, a commitment further reinforced in India’s Interim Budget 2024. Let's look into more aspects related to the smart agriculture market in India.

9 mins

'Nari Shakti' in Limelight

Women have taken remarkable strides in agriculture in India, ranging from agritech startups, agribusinesses, and R&D to academia.

2 mins

Stark disparity in land ownership hampers women's ability to expand and invest in agribusiness ventures

In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in the agricultural landscape of India, with an increasing number of women making their mark in the traditionally male-dominated sector.

2 mins

Empowerment without equal access to vital resources isn't possible

On International Women’s Day, it is pertinent to explore the burgeoning opportunities for women in agribusiness in 2024, a sector pivotal to India’s economy and undergoing a transformative phase of feminisation.

2 mins

Overcoming traditional stereotypes, women are now active in critical aspects of agritech

While there’s a stronger emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in various agribusiness areas, there’s ample room to improve the inclusivity of the women workforce in skill development and adoption of labour-saving technologies for new or modified tool solutions, testing of product prototypes and finalisation of products for the market.

2 mins

Networking platforms for women offer opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and knowledge exchange

In the ever-evolving world of agribusiness, women entrepreneurs are taking charge, driving innovation, and reshaping the sector.

1 min

As women actively participate, their empowerment becomes integral to realising India's agritech evolution

In India's ever-changing agritech landscape, today women are positioned to revolutionise the nation's traditional agricultural practices.

1 min

"The tractor industry's 2024 performance outlook is positive"

With renowned brands like Case IH and New Holland, CNH Industrial, a global leader in equipment and services, provides comprehensive agriculture solutions, including machinery, implements, and digital technologies. CNH has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge technology to farmers nationwide. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, CNH recently showcased agricultural machinery, including balers, combine harvesters, and tractors, at its Greater Noida facility. Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director, Agriculture Business – CNH Industrial India & SAARC, shares insights on India’s farm mechanisation industry with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts;

4 mins

"India presents vast opportunities for driving growth through innovative technologies to enhance productivity"

Plasma Water Solutions India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Plasma Water Solutions Inc, USA, has established a robust service network through authorised partners. Currently, validation demo sites are operational in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, with plans for expansion into other regions. In conversation with AgroSpectrum, Pragya Kalia, Managing Director of Plasma Water Solutions India Pvt Ltd delves into how the company aims to catalyse growth in the agriculture sector by leveraging innovative technologies. Here are some edited excerpts:

1 min

"Future of Indian biostimulants appears promising, offering a sustainable and vibrant agricultural landscape"

In the face of challenging climatic conditions and evolving global markets, 'Combine', the only biostimulant shown to have an ameliorating effect on all enzymatic activities, has been empowering grape farmers across the nation for the past 25 years. This product, from Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), ensures exceptional grape quality, acting as a shield against unfavourable conditions and underscoring its pivotal role in integrated disease management. In an interaction with AgroSpectrum, Rajavelu N.K, CEO of Crop Protection Business at Godrej Agrovet Ltd, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities for biostimulants in India and beyond. Edited excerpts:

4 mins

India's Voluntary Carbon Credit Market Gaining Attention

The voluntary carbon credit market in India’s agriculture sector is gradually gaining momentum, although it remains relatively nascent compared to other industries. This makes it an exciting field with substantial opportunities for growth. The value and recognition of agricultural projects within the carbon market, like those in other sectors, vary based on factors such as project scale, certification standards, associated co-benefits and market demand. The government recently launched the Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in the agriculture sector.’ This framework is expected to simplify the process of entering domestic and international carbon markets for companies and support larger-scale projects.

6 mins

How 'Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market' Will Benefit India?

The country's living environment is being harmed by modern Indian agriculture, which not only releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere but also pollutes the air and depletes water supplies. Moreover, an uneven and overabundance of fertilizer application may lower agricultural output and ultimately jeopardize the nation's food security. Thankfully, carbon farming has the potential to address each of these issues. Given its large agricultural area and ample potential for environmental enhancement, India is expected to emerge as the primary hub for carbon farming credits in the coming years.

7 mins

Rise of Carbon Farming in India

Carbon farming that gives financial incentives is likely to be embraced by farmers in India where a large number of smallholder farmers are low-income earners. If the policy gradually shifts away from the subsidy-anchored posture, the rate of adoption will increase significantly.

5 mins

CIBA launches geospatial mapping project for sustainable aquaculture

The government of Maharashtra has allocated funding for a project titled ‘Geospatial mapping of potential zones for expanding responsible aquaculture in Maharashtra’ led by the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai.

1 min

CSMIA air cargo operations soar 12% YoY in 2023

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) experienced an 87 per cent year-overyear (YoY) surge in e-commerce shipments during the 2023 festive season.

1 min

India climbs to 38th place on World Bank's Logistics Performance Index 2023

According to the World Bank's 'Logistics Performance Index Report (2023): Connecting to Compete 2023,' India has climbed to the 38th position out of 139 countries.

1 min

Read all stories from AgroSpectrum

AgroSpectrum Magazine Description:

Agrospectrum is a B2B digital media platform catering to all sub-sectors and verticals of the agro business – from food grains to inputs, machinery, live-stock, fisheries to agro tourism. It regularly updates on latest news on Agri—business and analytical & informative articles targeted at agro industry and business leadership, key decision makers; R&D, policy makers, academia and farmers’ community leaders. The portal is devoted to agriculture related business and not farming activity. It neither informs nor guides the farmers on direct farming, but handles allied and peripheral areas of agriculture related activity called agriculture business.