CATEGORIES

AVPL International aims to create 65,000 drone entrepreneurs under mega awareness campaign

AVPL International is on a mission to transform Indian agriculture through the use of advanced drone technology.

Niqo Robotics launches Niqo RoboThinner in North America

Bangalore-headquartered Niqo Robotics, a leading provider of AI robotics for sustainable farming, announced that it is expanding into the North American market with the launch of the Niqo RoboThinner to substantially improve the commercial viability of lettuce farming.

PM launches initiatives worth around Rs 23,300 Cr for animal husbandry and agricultural sector

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched various initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry sector worth around Rs 23,300 crore in Washim, Maharashtra.

MilkLane to supply antibiotic-safe milk to dairy companies

MilkLane, a dairy brand under Swiss-Indian food and technology platform company Innoterra, announced the launch of its dairy procurement services to provide aflatoxin and antibiotic-safe milk to dairy companies, dairy startups and other new entrants in the sector.

B.L. Kamdhenu signs MoU with Sweden's DeLaval with investment close to Rs 1500 Cr

B.L. Kamdhenu Farms Limited, a subsidiary of BL Agro Group, has taken a significant step towards revolutionising India's dairy industry. On day 2 of World Food India 2024, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sweden-based DeLaval.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches 'Rangeen Machhli' App at CIFA

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile app at Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar.

BioPrime closes $6 Mn in Series A round funding to advance development of biologicals

BioPrime, a pioneer in the biologicals space, has raised a $6 million Series A round, led by Edaphon, with equal participation from existing investors Omnivore and Inflexor.

Sahyadri Farms achieves turnover of Rs 15,489 Mn in FY 2023-24

Nashik-based Sahyadri Farms, India's largest fully integrated farmer-producer company, continues to make significant strides in transforming the horticulture sector and scaling its global presence.

Cabinet approves National Mission on Edible Oils Oilseeds for 2024-25 to 2030-31

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving selfreliance in edible oils.

Spices Board partners with Uttarakhand to boost indigenous spices output

Spices Board under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Uttarakhand for promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Uttarakhand in Dehradun.

Punjab commences paddy procurement for Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25

Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution met with Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab to discuss issues related to the ongoing paddy procurement in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 in Punjab.

Contribution of FPOs in Floriculture Export: Unlocking India's Potential

India's export economy has great potential in the floriculture sector, and FPOS are leading the way in harnessing this potential. India's floriculture FPOs can have a significant impact on increasing exports and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women in rural areas, by embracing climate-smart practices, improving infrastructure, and strengthening market connections.

India Steps Up AGRI-EXPORT Resilience

India's agricultural exports touched $48.9 billion in 2023-24, registering an 8 per cent decline from $53.2 billion in 2022-23. The drop in agricultural exports was mainly due to the export ban on wheat, rice, sugar and onions. Meanwhile, out of 24 principal commodities of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) 17 have recorded positive growth during the period, which included fresh fruit, buffalo meat, processed vegetables, basmati rice and banana.

Small farmers are the greatest asset to India's food security: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi centre) along with other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists ICAE) at National Agricultural Science Centre NASC) Complex, in New Delhi on August 3, 2024.

Agri Budgeting Blues

Budgeting blues is a wonderful term to identify what you have and what is necessary to investigate the need. When one deciphers the current Budget specifically for the farm sector blues, there is little Khushi (Happiness) and more Gum (sadness).

Unlocking the Potential of Municipal Solid Waste

The more conventional methods of managing waste, such burning and landfilling, become unsustainable. Landfills, although still in widespread usage, are land-use intensive and provide long-term environmental hazards, such as methane emissions and groundwater contamination. Even while incineration is a good way to reduce trash volume, it is energy-intensive and emits dangerous emissions. Cities are looking for new and creative approaches to manage garbage sustainably as conventional approaches become less practical.

Why Energy Transition Financing is Crucial for India

The whole world is badly hit by the cost of energy, including fuel, due to the ongoing geo-political issues. India’s net oil and gas import bill reportedly stood at 122 billion for 2023-24. The Indian economy is the fastest growing economy and estimated to grow between 6.8 and 7.2 per cent in the coming years. No doubt the need for energy is ever increasing. India’s per capita electricity consumption is at 1200 units as compared to the USA which is 12000 units. Energy is a growth engine for any economy. In such a situation, focusing on Energy Transition is quite crucial, with significantly long term financing for 15-20 years in place.

Navigating Upstream Challenges in Bioenergy Sector

Bharat is at the cusp of a Green Energy Revolution’; and Bioenergy, including Biofuels, is a vital Energy Engine’ to contribute towards the Net Zero 2070 commitment made by India during COP26. Surely, we will get there with collective efforts and partnerships, as we move into COP29 at Azerbaijan this year and beyond and one is sanguine that Bharat will not only lead the 2nd Industrial Revolution but also initiate and lead the Green Energy Revolution’.

Why Ensuring Adequate Biomass Supply is Fraught with Challenges

In recent years, biomass has emerged as a promising source of bioenergy, offering carbon neutral and sustainable energy. Sourcing and procurement of feedstock in India, however, presents unique challenges due to varying agricultural land, infrastructure constraints and economic conditions. Let's take a closer look.

Leveraging Bioenergy to Revitalise Indian Economy

From the early use of fire and animal power that improved lives, to the present world with use of electricity and cleaner sustainable fuels for a multitude of purposes - energy has been the enabler of development.

Can Bioenergy Adoption End Stubble Burning Practise?

Rice is one of the primary agricultural produces in India and a major source of sustenance.

Compressed BioGas: The New Hope for Energy Independence

The global bioenergy landscape is evolving rapidly, with countries around the world recognising its potential to address climate change, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development. India, with its abundant biomass resources and growing energy demand, is uniquely positioned to lead in the bioenergy sector, particularly in the production and utilisation of Compressed Biogas CBG). Let's delve deep as to how CBG can be a new hope for energy independence for India.

Public-Private Partnership in Bioenergy Sector

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPS) represent a collaborative approach between government entities and private sector companies to achieve goals that neither party could easily achieve alone.

Harnessing Biomass in Achieving.Energy Self-sufficiency

India’s fastest growing economy is fuelled by energy. India’s energy consumption has more than doubled since 2000 and is growing rapidly. Oil and gas account for over 35 per cent of the total energy consumed in the country. Over 87 per cent of oil and around 44 per cent of gas consumed in the country are imported. India is the third largest consumer of oil after the US and China. The successful implementation of National Policy on Biofuel will not only help steadily move towards energy self-reliance but will help boost the rural economy, employment generation, additional income to farmers and create a clean and green environment in the process fulfilling the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Net Zero initiatives.

IFGE: Way towards sustainable energy

Indian Federation of Green Energy IFGE) registered as a not-for-profit industry organisation under section 8 of companies act on October 9, 2014. IFGE functions through its sectoral forums which include Compressed Gas Producers Forum, Biomass Global Associates Forum, Grain Ethanol Distillers Association, Sugar to Bioenergy Forum, Electric Vehicles Forum, Biodiesel Producers Forum, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Forum, Carbon Capture Storage Forum, Solar Power Industry Forum etc. IFGE has more than 300 members and works for more than 10,000 business units in the Green Energy Sector. IFGE has contributed a lot in the Bioenergy Sector and has played a vital role in policy advocacy.

Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage: Key to India's Decarbonisation

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) has an important and critical role to play in decarbonising the industrial and power sector.

Farmers' New Role: From Food Providers to Energy Providers

Bioenergy is a promise for the better future of India and indeed a win-win situation for our country. It has the potential to address several issues being faced by the country- from income to independence, savings to sustainability and employment to entrepreneurship. It has the potential to increase farmers' income, make the nation self sufficient in fuels with oil import substitutes, save the country's huge funds, provide a sustainable alternative in the energy sector, grow employment prospects and provide entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in the MSME sector. Let's explore this further.

Role of Future AgriTech-Microbots

India is one of the world's top producers of food, and its agricultural sector generates more than 20 per cent of its total GDP, highlighting the significance of agriculture to the nation's economy, according to McKinsey. However, there is an increasing awareness that the changing farming situation demands a comprehensive approach. While India continues to play an essential role in global food production, adopting this comprehensive view is critical to ensuring the agricultural sector's longterm survival in the face of changing environmental and economic forces.

"Sustainability is not an option; it is the only way forward"

Agrovision Foundation Round Table Discussion

"Precision agriculture and data-driven technologies such as satellite imagery are key to reducing costs and wastage"

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has developed the Agribusiness and Innovation Platform (AIP), for agricultural and agribusiness industries. AIP offers a nurturing and empowering atmosphere through its network of experienced mentors, investors, and stakeholders. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Dr Dinesh Kumar Chauhan, the recentlyappointed CEO of ICRISAT's Agribusiness and Innovation Platform, discusses recent advancements in the AIP programme and how it can strengthen the agri-ecosystem. Edited excerpts: