Kenya kickstarts avocado export to India

Kenya High Commission and ASSOCHAM jointly organised the launch event of Kenyan Avocado.

Crystal Crop acquires Sadanand Cotton Seeds business from Kohinoor Seeds

Crystal Crop Protection Limited, one of the fast-growing R&D-based crop protection manufacturing and marketing companies in India, has strengthened its cotton seeds portfolio with the strategic acquisition of Sadanand Cotton Seeds business from Kohinoor Seeds.

ICAR-NRC on Equines produces first horse foal using frozen semen and Embryo transfer tech

Scientists at Equine Production Campus, Regional Station, ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Bikaner, Rajasthan for the first time in the country have produced a horse foal using an admixture of two technologies, namely frozen semen technology and Embryo transfer technology.

ICRISAT wins UNDP Mahatma Award for Biodiversity

The International Crops Research Institute for the SemiArid Tropics (ICRISAT) has clinched the ‘UNDP Mahatma Award for Biodiversity’ for its remarkable contributions to humanity, its unwavering commitment to positive change, and its transformative impact on society.

Impact of Banning Export of Agri Commodities on the International Market

India, one of the biggest producers of wheat and wheat flour, prohibited wheat exports last year due to a rapid and unexpected decline in output caused by a sharp increase in temperatures during the Rabi season. This move occurred despite a surge in export demand for Indian wheat, driven by already tight global supplies resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"The launch of SAATHI is step towards significant addressing in the seed industry" critical challenges

Initially, the company focused on contract seed production for exports but later ventured into breeding programmes to develop hybrid crops tailored for the Indian market. Their hybrid seeds have propelled them to a leadership position in India's vegetable seed sector. With 500 commercialised hybrids across 2,00,000 hectares of open fields, greenhouses, and net houses catered by a network of 1500+ distributors, globally, today, the company has become an established name in the contract production market. All this is credited to its expertise and world-class IP protection stemming from over three decades of business built on trust and strong ethical practices. With a strong brand heritage, substantial investments in R&D, an extensive distribution network, and a diverse product portfolio, Namdhari Seeds is the preferred partner for numerous global seed players. Sameer Manohar Sawant, President, Namdhari Seeds shares his views on the status of the seed industry in India. Edited excerpts:

Why India's Seed Industry is a Blueprint for Growth

Seed is the first and the best hope a farmer has and it is the foundation of “Socio-Economic Empowerment and Development”.

Celebrating Dr M S Swaminathan's Peerless Contribution to Agriculture

India has lost the main architect and global leader of the green revolution, Dr Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan. A visionary who played a key role in introducing and further developing highyielding varieties of wheat and rice and strived to deliver innovations in agriculture.

SEEDS of CHANGE

According to TechSci Research, the Indian seed market is valued at $3,914.36 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.41 per cent by 2029. The seed industry has recently gained the attention of investors and Indian investors are eager to see Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) from the seed industry.

Syngenta deploys 100 drones to spray new crop protection solution across Punjab & Haryana

In a demonstration of the significance of drones in agriculture, Syngenta India launched an awareness drive by simultaneously using 100 drones across Punjab and Haryana to spray Incipio, its new crop protection solution

BLR Airport records 124% rise in Mango export in 2023

As the mango season has drawn to a close, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB/BLR Airport) has recorded a remarkable surge in mango exports setting a new benchmark when compared to the previous year

New Mega-Container Terminal to transform Kutch

A concession agreement was signed between Deendayal Port Authority and DP World in the presence of Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World; Rizwan Soomar, DP World, CEO & MD, Middle East, North Africa and India in New Delhi.

Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch to take charge as President, Bayer South Asia

Bayer has announced, that after more than 25 years of service, D Narain, the current President of Bayer South Asia; Vice Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Bayer CropScience Limited (BCSL) and the Global Head of Smallholder Farming for Bayer, will retire by end of November 2023

ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru inaugurates HAL-ICAR-IIHR Seed Production Centre

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICARIIHR), Bengaluru, witnessed the inauguration of several new buildings and facilities

World Spice Congress 2023

\"Achieving $10 billion in spices export by 2030\"

How Al is Revolutionising Agri Supply Chain Industry

In today's rapidly evolving world, the agriculture industry stands at a critical crossroad. As global population growth and environmental concerns continue to mount, farmers and stakeholders are grappling with the need for innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for food while minimising the impact on our planet. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence Al) has emerged as a powerful tool that holds the potential to reshape the future of agriculture, enabling farmers to optimise their practices, reduce waste, and increase productivity in ways never before imaginable.

"Manufacturers need to collaborate with chemical companies and regulatory bodies to develop and approve drone-compatible ULV formulations"

Marut Drones has been awarded the Type Certification approvals from the Director General of Civil Aviation for the multi-utility agricultural drone in the small category less than 25kg) called the AG-365S. This drone has undergone thorough testing and has been developed with a strong build. Only drones that have been issued a UIN number are permitted to operate within Indian airspace, as stated in the UAS Rules-2021. Certification from the DGCA is granted following an exhaustive testing procedure of unmanned aerial vehicles carried out in a number of testing labs that have been granted NABL accreditation. This certification is based on quality checks. This requires the UAV to undergo a battery of material, environmental, and operational testing to ensure that its activities are safe, secure, and reliable. The accreditation makes it possible for the Hyderabadbased company to introduce its agricultural drone technology to users, which has the potential to completely transform agriculture in India. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Prem Kumar Vislawath, Founder, Marut Drones takes us through the scope and scale of agri drone innovation and adoption in Indian agriculture.

"Witnessing the commitment of the government, biofuels and bio-agriculture will be our focus areas"

Denmark-based biotechnology firms Novozymes and Chr. Hansen are merging as a result of the 12.3 billion deal announced a few months back. Although there have been several mega-mergers in the ingredients space in recent years, this latest deal between Novozymes and Chr. Hansen is set to have a huge impact, as it appears to be the largest merger in Danish history. While both companies’ main business is producing enzymes, Chr. Hansen focuses more on enzymes and microbials for the food sector, while Novozymes’ largest business areas include enzymes for household products, food and beverages and biofuels. Following up on this latest development and the company’s future plans, AgroSpectrum spoke to Krishna Mohan Puwvada, Regional President, Middle East, India and Africa MEIA), Novozymes in detail.

"Collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and private sector companies will accelerate growth of biologicals"

IPL Biologicals Limited (formerly known as International Panaacea Limited), specialises in biological solutions for agricultural applications The company's research-based innovations have been focused on inventing indigenous microbial-based solutions since 1994, to cater to the needs of the farmer's fraternity and address the global challenges by improving soil health, yield, and quality of crops while managing pest resistance, and pesticide residue. Recently, IPL Biologicals signed a joint venture agreement with Uzkimyosanoat (UKS), a department of the Government of Uzbekistan for the promotion of investment and development of fertilisers and pesticides and to sell bio-fertilisers in Uzbekistan. Harshvardhan Bhagchandka, President of IPL Biologicals Ltd. shared his views with AgroSpectrum on growing the biologicals market in India and the way forward.

5th World Coffee Conference 2023 "Together, let's nurture a sustainable and thriving coffee industry for generations to come"

Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, called upon the coffee industry leaders and stakeholders, “Together, let’s nurture a sustainable and thriving coffee industry for generations to come

"Enhancing the millet value chain and boosting demand for millet, domestically and internationally, is the best step forward"

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has conceptualised a dedicated Task Force on Millets. The vision of the Task Force is to facilitate impactful partnerships to make the millet value chain more remunerative for farmers, beneficial to consumers, efficient and globally competitive. The Task Force works in tandem with the government's vision of celebrating the International Year of Millets (IYOM) and organising several activities in 2023. Jitendra Joshi Chair, FICCI Millet Task Force shares his thoughts with AgroSpectrum on the background of the IYOM

Millet as India's Pillar of Sustainability

India is the world’s leading producer of millets accounting for over 40 per cent of global production. Andhra Pradesh stood in the first place in the country in millet productivity in 2022, as per the National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) annual report 2022-23

Can Seed Tech Transform Agri Productivity?

As per a UNICEF study, it is projected that nearly 55 per cent of Asia's population will reside in urban areas by 2030, raising concerns about food security and nutrition. The Asia-Pacific Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2022 focuses on urban food security and nutrition, highlighting how urbanisation, along with an increase in low-income settlements, accompanied by rising food prices is hindering access to healthy diets. The report reveals that nearly two billion people (1.9 billion individuals, which accounts for 44.5 per cent of the region's population) cannot afford a healthy diet in most countries of Asia and the Pacific. This poses significant challenges for agriculture systems to meet the growing demand for food supply. Agriculture remains the backbone of many Asian economies, employing a substantial workforce and making food security a critical issue.

Striking a delicate balance between corporate interests and small farmers' welfare

In recent years, India's agricultural landscape has witnessed a significant transformation with the rise of corporate farming. Traditionally dominated by small-scale farmers, the sector is experiencing a paradigm shift as larger corporations are increasingly investing in agriculture. This emerging trend brings forth a multitude of opportunities and challenges, paving the way for a dynamic and evolving agricultural sector. We would like to delve into the latest trends shaping corporate farming in India and explore the potential opportunities it presents.

Reducing Post-Harvest Losses can initiate an Agri Revolution

Amid the vast expanse of India's agricultural landscape and its global stature as a key agricultural hub, the country has been grappling with substantial post-harvest losses. Boasting significant contributions to global outputs of jute, pulses, and milk, alongside securing the second spot in cultivating commodities like wheat, rice, and cotton, India's agricultural feats shine bright. However, these accomplishments are cast under a shadow by the notable wastage that unfolds between harvest and consumption. In this era, defined by transformative technology, it's only fitting to explore the potential of innovative strategies to tackle this pressing issue.

"By leveraging expertise, India can tap into a burgeoning market"

Established in 2014, CEF Group, a Delhi-based company specialising in bio-fuels and municipal solid waste/agri-waste management, has recently partnered with Halman-Aldubi Group to convert slaughterhouse waste into protein-rich food for fish. The Israeli company is renowned for its expertise in finance, energy, climate and technology management solutions. In an interaction with AgroSpectrum, Maninder Singh Nayyar, Founder & CEO of CEF Group expressed his insight on converting slaughterhouse waste into fish feed. Edited excerpts:

"CDMOs can play a significant and evolving role in the growth of the agrochemical industry in India"

Insecticides (India) Ltd is India's leading and one of the top ten Indian agrochemicals manufacturing companies. IIL has emerged as a front-line performer in India's crop care market with a top line of Rs 1192 crore in 2018-2019. In 2022, it launched its innovative biological product for improving the health of the soil called Kayakalp, the soil energiser which has received an overwhelming response. The company has state-of-the-art formulation facilities at Chopanki (Rajasthan), Samba & Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir) and Dahej (Gujarat). IIL also has two technical synthesis plants at Chopanki and Dahej to manufacture technical grade chemicals providing the competitive edge by backward integration. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited shares his views on the status of the agrochemical industry in India with AgroSpectrum. Edited excerpts:

Impact of Export duty on Onion

The implementation of 40 per cent export duty on onions is poised to discourage certain farmers from planting onions during the current Kharif season. This decision comes after a period of subdued onion prices over the past 18 months, and the move to limit exports aims to prepare for late Kharif onion cultivation. Nationallevel agricultural challenges, including economic recessions, have resulted in significant delays for major Kharif crops. The ongoing drought conditions cast uncertainty over the future cultivation of Rabi (summer) onions. Consequently, farmers will likely be motivated to grow crops that yield immediate financial gains during this crisis.

India's Soaring Coconut Exports

India is third in the world in terms of coconut planting area but first in terms of production and productivity. According to data from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University Coimbatore, India produced 192.47 million nuts of coconut in 2021-22, making up more than 31 per cent of the world's total and producing 9123 nuts per hectare. Coconuts are grown on 2.10 million hectares of land in the country. The number of coconut-based businesses in India is on the rise, which is good news, translating to more options for consumers and more jobs in the current competitive scenario.

Export demand ramps up for value-added fish products

Fish not only provides a food source but also contains important substances that can be extracted and utilised in various forms of fish products. Some of these valuable products are fish meal, fish oil, dry fish, fish flour, fish silage, fish soluble, Shark fin, fish skin, etc.