24-May-2023: FMC India, Agam Khare, Coffee Exports, India's Marine Fish Landings Gains 15% in 2022, Biodiversity Register

24 May 2023

• FMC India, GBPUAT Commemorate World Bee Day with Productive Beekeeping Workshop under Project Madhushakti

  FMC India, a leading global agricultural sciences company, hosted a full-day workshop in partnership with the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) to celebrate World Bee Day. Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor of the University and a renowned scientist in animal biotechnology inaugurated the day-long program in the presence of Dr AS Nain, Director for Research, GBPUAT, Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India and many other senior dignitaries from the university. In his address, Dr Singh highlighted the immense importance of honeybees, not only for their production of high-quality honey but also for valuable byproducts such as propolis, royal jelly, venom, and wax.

• India’s India’s Agam Khare Joins Scientific Advisory Council for Tata Transformation Prize run by New York Academy of Sciences, Tata Sons Joins Scientific Advisory Council for Tata Transformation Prize run by New York Academy of Sciences, Tata Sons

  The renowned New York Academy of Sciences, NYAS’ Scientific Advisory Council of the Tata Transformation Prize which is also run by Tata Sons has chosen Agam Khare, the Founder and CEO of 'Absolute', a bioscience company, to join the coveted council. A handful of selected gems from all across the world manage to make it to the jury list of the Tata Transformation Prize. The New York Academy of Sciences has been enhancing scientific cognition through the progression of scientific investigation and understanding, bolstering scientific literacy, and advocating science-driven resolutions for global challenges. The who’s who from the world of science have been associated with the New York Academy of Sciences in the past, including Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla.

• India's coffee exports to grow by 2% in 2023-24 on rising demand: USDA forecast

  According to the United States Department of Agriculture's local office in India, coffee exports from India are anticipated to increase by 2% in the marketing year 2023-24, which starts in October. This growth is expected to result in a total of 6.3 million bags of 60 kg each (equivalent to about 3.8 lakh tonnes). The USDA India Post's latest projection suggested that the demand for Indian coffees in the export market will remain strong throughout 2023-24. However, trade sources indicate that the current prices are discouraging international buyers from placing large orders. Ramesh Rajah, President of Coffee Exporters Association stated that the strong demand for Indian Robustas, especially the Robustas cherry is seen operating the projected growth.

• India's Marine Fish Landings Gains 15% in 2022, Reaching 3.49 Million Tonnes

  In 2022, India witnessed a notable 15 per cent increase in marine fish landing, reaching 3.49 million tonnes, as compared to the previous year's figure, according to an English daily. Furthermore, there was a significant 28 per cent rise in fish landing in 2022 compared to 2020, when the pandemic hit the world. Tamil Nadu regained its place as the top state in terms of fish landings, contributing 7.22 lakh tonnes, which accounted for 21 per cent of the total followed by Karnataka (6.95 lakh tonnes) and Kerala (6.87 lakh tonnes). Gujarat, which had previously held the top two spots in recent years, ranked fourth in fish landings with 5.03 lakh tonnes. This represented nearly a 13 per cent decrease compared to the 2021 landings, primarily due to reduced fishing efforts and trade-related challenges.

• Biodiversity Register to be Updated in Goa, National Campaign Launched

  The National Campaign for Updating and Verifying the People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) was launched in Goa, India, in collaboration with various government entities and attended by notable dignitaries. This campaign aims to document and preserve India's diverse biological resources. The event was hosted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change and included the participation of the Goa State Biodiversity Board, the National Biodiversity Authority, and the Government of Goa. Distinguished guests, such as Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, were present at the launch.