AgroSpectrum Magazine - May 2023

In this issue

Betting on Biostimulants for Enhanced Yields
Factors such as the growing popularity of organic farming, surging demand for
environmentally friendly agricultural inputs, and official encouragement of the practice, are driving the expansion of the biostimulant market in India, though inadequate production infrastructure may present challenges in distributing products on time and in sufficient numbers. The lack of education, awareness and encouragement of biostimulant use in India's agricultural sector further exacerbates this problem.

Civil Aviation Ministry disburses Rs 30 Cr under PLI Scheme for drones

The Ministry of Civil Aviation disbursed Rs 30 crore to beneficiaries during the fiscal year 202223 under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drones and Drone Components.

1 min

ADAMA posts 16% sales growth in FY2022

ADAMA Ltd., an agrochemical major based in Israel, has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and 12-month period ending December 31, 2022.

1 min

Syngenta AG posts 19% sales growth in FY2022

Syngenta AG, a subsidiary of Syngenta group, has published its financial report for FY 2022.

1 min

BASF Group's prelim figures show 13.4% drop in sales in Ol FY2Zs

Germany-based BASF has released preliminary figures for the first quarter of 2023.

1 min

Zero Cow Factory secures 4M in seed funding

Zero Cow Factory, a biotechnology company that produces India’s first animal-free protein and dairy products using bioengineered microbes and precision fermentation, has announced raising $4 million (Rs 32 crore) in a seed round.

1 min

"Maharashtra fisheries have a wide scope for regional economic development that underlines the need for the Aqua Chamber of Commerce"

Maharashtra is one of the major marine fish producing states in India. It has a 720 kms long coastal line spread all over the 7 maritime districts namely Thane, Palghar, Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The continental shelf area upto 40 fathoms i.e. 55,529 sq kms (50 per cent of the total continental shelf) is being exploited.

7 mins

"Biostimulants are set to become an integral part of India's agriculture system"

Biostadt India, one of the world's largest companies in seaweed-based plant biostimulants, with multiple brands under its umbrella was started in 1987 as Biostadt Agri-sciences under the leadership of Juzar S. Khorakiwala. With a presence in over 20 countries, Biostadt India is a diversified agrochemical organisation with an annual turnover of Rs 1,000 crore. The company has gained a solid reputation in the agrochemical industry, with a focus on developing crop healthcare products that utilise biological means of plant protection and to increase farm productivity. One of their flagship products, Biozyme, is the world's largest selling plant growth stimulant. In an interview with AgroSpectrum Juzar S. Khorakiwala, Chairman & Managing Director, Biostadt India Limited, shared his views about the future prospects of the biostimulant industry in India. Edited excerpts;

3 mins

7 Challenges Of Biostimulants Industry

The Indian biostimulants market is growing slower than expected, due to various challenges and a lack of friendly and enabling conditions. Despite the government's efforts to legalise biostimulants, there are gaps. These considerations would make the promising technology more industry-friendly and enable regulatory conditions to promote the sector in increasing agricultural production and doubling farmer income.

6 mins

Rise of Biostimulants in APAC

The demand for high-quality agricultural products and organic produce is on the rise in Asia Pacific (APAC), particularly in China, India, and Japan, leading to an increased need for biostimulants to improve productivity and yield. These countries have a competitive and growing agriculture sector, and show a high rate of consumption for biostimulants. The biostimulant industry in the APAC region has the potential to grow further with favourable government policies, increased awareness among farmer communities, and most importantly, the availability of better infrastructure and R&D facilities for product manufacturing.

4 mins

Asia's Growing Appetite for Feed Additives

India and China are currently the top feed additives exporters worldwide, while Russia is a relatively new market for Asian feed additive suppliers. However, feed additive exports from Asia to Russia have increased significantly over the past year, as the country is highly dependent on the Asian market due to western sanctions. This trend is expected to continue in the long term, making Asia a permanent feed additives market for Russia if suppliers can consistently meet their demand.

10 mins

Why the world needs regenerative agriculture

India is one of the major players in the global agricultural market. With the unstable food security landscape and the burden of feeding the growing population, the stress on the agricultural systems is increasing. This is leading to the emergence of issues like soil degradation and loss of crops and biodiversity. International scientists and industry reports suggest that at the current pace, only 50 years of harvest remain to feed the world population. In such a scenario, regenerative agriculture that prioritises ecological functions will be effective in building the resilience of agroecosystems.

4 mins

How biomass briquettes can green the cement manufacturing process

India’s cement production capacity is expected to reach 550 MT by 2025. The cement demand is estimated to touch 419.92 MT by FY 2027 driven by the expanding demand of different sectors, i.e., housing, commercial construction, and industrial construction. Given that the cement industry heavily relies on fossil fuels for production, there is an urgent need to transition to sustainable, green, and renewable fuel options, such as biofuels, to transform the cement industry into a low-carbon emitting industry. The use of biofuels in the cement industry can offer a range of benefits for farmers, including additional revenue streams, waste reduction, improved soil health, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

3 mins

Dr YS Parmar University, Rajat IG Biotech partners to market clean planting material

Dr YS Parmar University, based in Himachal Pradesh, has joined forces with Rajat IG Biotech to launch a collaborative project with the goal of producing and marketing clean planting material for the agricultural industry.

1 min

Israeli scientists develop droughtresistant, climate adaptable tomato

Israeli researchers Shai Torgeman and Professor Dani Zamir from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, have made significant strides in developing a new drough-tresistant tomato variety that could help mitigate the destructive impact of climate change.

1 min

ICAR and WB issue Delhi declaration Agricultural Education System on Modernisation of

The Delhi Declaration on Modernisation of Agricultural Education System issued jointly by The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the World Bank (WB) highlights the critical need to incorporate digital resources and tools for effective and accessible teaching and learning in agriculture, in alignment with the National Education Policy.

1 min

ICAR-CIBA signs MoU with VIT Tamil Nadu for transfer of CIBA-Plankton Plus tech

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in Chennai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in Tamil Nadu for the transfer of CIBAPlankton Plus production technology on a non-exclusive basis

1 min

IIT Madras to upcycle paddy waste into making supercapacitors

Researchers from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) are taking a pioneering step towards developing an eco-friendly technology that upcycles paddy waste to manufacture raw materials for industrial applications.

1 min

Coromandel International to venture into Crop Protection Chemicals

Agrochemical major, Coromandel International Ltd, has announced its plans to expand its operations in Crop Protection Chemicals and venture into the Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) business.

1 min

Mahindra launches its new global tractor range, 'OJA'

Mahindra Tractors, part of the Farm Equipment Sector at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), has introduced \"OJA\" as the new brand name for its new range of tractors from its ambitious global tractor programme, K2.

1 min

Astec LifeSciences launches R&D Centre in Maharashtra

Astec LifeSciences Limited, a subsidiary of Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL), has launched its new advanced research and development (R&D) Centre in Rabale, Maharashtra.

1 min

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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.