AgroSpectrum Magazine - October 2023

In this issue

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. NABARD has been promoting 22
millet-based farmer producer companies in Andhra Pradesh. These FPCs have nearly 9,970 farmers as members and are engaged in millet-based business activities such as input supply, procurement, providing custom hiring services, and processing and marketing of the millets, among others. In order to provide support to entrepreneurs for recipes and value-added products to promote millet consumption under the International Year of Millet (IYoM) 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture has funded 66 startups with more than Rs 6.25 crore. A remarkable increase in the number of startups in the millet sector has caught the government’s attention to turn the production and promotion of millet into a mass movement in India and abroad. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India has witnessed more than 80 startups in the millet sector in the past year and a half. On the other hand, there are certain challenges such as lack of awareness amongst the consumers, high cost of millet procurement and processing, maintaining smooth supply, and cost of multiple distribution channels, that are hampering the growth of this sector. Let's take
stock of how impactful has the International Year of Millet been in India so far.

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

10+ mins

"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

4 mins

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

4 mins

"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.

5 mins

"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.

4 mins

"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.

3 mins

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.

3 mins

World Spice Congress 2023

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

4 mins

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

1 min

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

1 min

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

1 min

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

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.