Emerging Trends in Biological Solutions

Driven by factors such as increasing demand for organic and natural products, rising concerns about food safety and security, and a growing focus on sustainable agriculture practices, the growth prospects for biological solutions in the agri-industry look promising in 2024 as well.

Advancing towards Tech-driven, Resilient Agriculture

India’s agricultural sector today is said to be on the verge of a breakthrough technological transformation. The new farm management approach uses Geo Positioning Systems GPS) and Artificial Intelligence-enabled software for precise mapping of farmlands, ensuring that individual fields or crops get precisely the inputs they need for optimum productivity. The technologies such as the Internet of Things loT), Big data, Artificial Intelligence Al), Machine Learning ML) and agribots are helping the farming community by providing granular data on rainfall patterns, water cycles, fertiliser requirements, improving crop production and real-time monitoring, harvesting, processing, and marketing. Despite the array of technology solutions available for farmers and investment flows, the road to transforming agriculture through technology is not without bottlenecks. Agritech solution providers need to consider several actions like training, awareness campaigns, demonstrations of new technologies in 2024 when looking to move toward a more sustainable production and to enhance efficiencies and increase farmers’ income by adopting them.

Agrovision attracts few lakhs of farmers of Central India to increase farmers' income

Ravindra Boratkar, Organising Secretary, Agrovision, and Publisher of AgroSpectrum welcoming the guests including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Tage Taki, Union Minister and Chief Patron of Agrovision Nitin Gadkari and other dignitaries at the valedictory function of 14th edition of Agrovision held in Nagpur on November 27, 2023.

"Farmers are increasingly becoming interested in hydroponics, vertical farming and drone technology"

A distinguished plant protection scientist and epidemiologist, Dr C D Mayee currently holds the esteemed positions of President at the South Asia Biotechnology Centre SABC) in Jodhpur, Vice President at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences NAAS) in New Delhi and Advisor to the Agrovision Foundation in Nagpur. In addition to these roles, he serves as the chairman of AFC India Ltd. At the age of 77, Dr Mayee continues his relentless efforts in developing disease prediction models and identifying disease hotspots, particularly for crops grown in semi-arid regions. At the recently held 14th Agrovision, Dr Mayee spoke at length with AgroSpectrum and delved into the profound impact Agrovision has had over the past 13 years within the farming community. He also shed light on Agrovision’s significant role in uniting all stakeholders of the agricultural industry on a single platform, fostering profitability and sustainability in farming. Edited excerpts:

"Educate, Empower and Encourage Farmers, that's our mission"

Ravindra Boratkar is not only the Publisher of AgroSpectrum and Organising Secretary of Agrovision, but also a practising agriculturist who has been experimenting with new methods on his farm on the outskirts of Nagpur. Since its inception, Agrovision has been run by him as its main organiser. In this interview, he talks about the fundamental concept behind Agrovision, the transformation it has brought about among farmers in the Vidarbha region, and more. Edited excerpts:

"With farmers' engagement in energy generation, we'll be able to produce energy worth Rs 10 lakh crore"

At the 14th Agrovision Summit, India’s Premier Agri Mega Event, held between November 24 and 27, 2023 at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV) Ground, Dabha, Nagpur, AgroSpectrum had the opportunity to interact with the stalwart politician and Chief Patron of Agrovision, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways. Gadkari shared his views and ideas to further the aspirations of India’s farmers and citizens alike. His zeal for the empowerment of farmers, focusing on innovations that can benefit the farmers and the agriculture sector at large has, as always, been profound. Edited excerpts:

Reshaping Agriculture With AI, Drones & Biologicals

The global sustainable agriculture market is on a trajectory to reach over 31.35 billion by 2031, exhibiting a robust compound annual growth rate CAGR) of 10.17 per cent from 2023 to 2031. India has a major role in this transformative journey, where sustainable farming is emerging not just as a necessity but as an economically viable, socially supportive, and ecologically sound approach to crop cultivation. This transformation has been enabled over the past year by a synergy between government support, the complementary development of cutting-edge technologies by industry and a proactive push from the corporate sector. To explore the milestones in the growth of the sustainable agriculture market in India, the theme of the AgroSpectrum cover story is Sustainable Agriculture, which is consistent with the outline set by 14th Agrovision i.e. Sustainable Farming through Skilling and Technology”. In our special Dec 23 issue, AgroSpectrum delves deep into the realm of growing sustainable farming technologies through a series of analytical and informative articles on advancements in sustainable agriculture.

India & Brazil should enhance value addition and control post-harvest losses: Rupala

Ravindra Boratkar, Publisher Managing Editor, AgroSpectrum is seen presenting nuFFOODS Spectrum and AgroSpectrum magazines to Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on the sidelines at a seminar on Perspectives and the Future of India-Brazil Relations in the Agribusiness Sector’ in Delhi on November 2.

FROM "SHIP TO MOUTH" TO "SHIP TO THE WORLD"

September 28 is a significant date in history, marked by the demise of Rao Tularam Singh, one of the leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857 against British rule in India.

Insect Protein in Aquaculture- A Gamechanger for Sustainable Fish Farming

Though the cost of producing and processing insect protein is now higher than that of more conventional sources, such as fishmeal, the business is expected to grow and economies of scale could eventually result in lower costs. Efforts are being made to address potential obstacles and hurdles in order to optimize the use of insect protein in aquaculture feeds.

How Hyperspectral Technology is Revolutionising Sustainable Farming

To sustainably boost the country's economic prowess, agriculture in India is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this revolution is hyperspectral technology. Hyperspectral imaging has rapidly become an indispensable tool for modern farming, offering a powerful and precise means to harness data beyond the visible spectrum. This extraordinary capability allows farmers to make data-driven decisions, contributing to sustainable and effective agricultural practices. In this article, we explore the various ways in which hyperspectral technology is reshaping agriculture and promoting sustainability.

"There is a need for an integrated approach for the development of food processing in Vidarbha"

Nitin Gadkari, Chief Patron, Agrovision lighting the lamp to inaugurate a conference on Food Processing on the 2nd day of the 14th Agrovision along with L-R) Ravindra Boratkar, Publisher of AgroSpectrum, Harshdeep Kamble, Industry Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Dr Dipen Agrawal, President, Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade and Dr C D Mayee, Chairman, Advisory committee, Agrovision.

New Mother Dairy Milk Processing Plant in Nagpur to benefit 50k Farmers

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Maharashtra Minister for Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry, Nitin Gadkari, Chief Patron of Agrovision and Union Minister, Dr Meenesh Shah, CMD, NDDB pressing a button to mark laying foundation stone of Mother Dairy's Mega Milk Processing Plant to be set up in Butibori area of Nagpur on November 24. Also seen in picture on left are Dr Nitin Patil, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal Sciences and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur and on right Dr Sharad Gadakh, Vice Chancellor, Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Agriculture University), Nagpur.

Natural farming can be the best solution for farmers and our economy: Acharya Devvrat

Dignitaries present at the inaugural function of the 14th Agrovision Left to Right) Ramesh Mankar, Organising Secretary, Agrovision; Ravindra Boratkar, Organising Secretary, Agrovision and Publisher of AgroSpectrum, Rajnikant Shroff, Chairman, UPL, Dr C D Mayee, Chairman, Advisory committee, Agrovision, Acharya Dewvrat, Governor of Gujarat, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways and Chief Patron, Agrovision, Shrikant Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd IOCL) and Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman Managing Director CMD), National Dairy Development Board NDDB).

Sustainability in the Fertiliser Industry

Effective resource utilisation is essential for ensuring food security, conserving natural resources, and mitigating the environmental impact of agriculture. Therefore, sustainable agriculture is the need of the hour as it strikes a harmonious balance between agricultural productivity and the responsible use of natural resources. This can motivate farmers to adopt more nutrient-responsible approaches, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and efficient agricultural future.

IBCCI seeks govt intervention for import of buffalo meat from India

The India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) has requested the government to allow buffalo meat import from India to meet the growing demand of the country.

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