Hi, NewsWrap for June 27, 2022

27 June 2022: HtBt Cotton, Science Leaders Scholarship Program, FSSAI, Rice Protein, Bayer Crop Science, ICAR, ITC

27 June 2022

PAU and FMC India Work Together on The Science Leaders Scholarship Program

FMC India, an agricultural sciences company, signed an MOU with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana. The collaboration is part of FMC's multi-year scholarship program for renowned agricultural schools in eight Indian states, with the goal of promoting agricultural talent.
ICAR- IIWBR signs MoU with Banaras Hindu University

ICAR- IIWBR signs MoU with Banaras Hindu University, UP for seed production of latest wheat varieties, and IIWBR karnal receives Best Centre award 2021 from Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director, ICAR, Indian Institute of seed science Mau, UP in quality seed production, under AICRP NSP on the seed.
ITC seizes the market; its sales surpass their pre-pandemic levels

ITC's consumer-centricity, agility in seizing market opportunities, focus on execution excellence and proactive strategic interventions enabled it to post robust growth. Overall for FY 2021-22, gross revenue at Rs 59,101.09 crore increased by 22.7 percent, while EBITDA increased by 22 percent to Rs 18,933.66 crore. Profit before tax at Rs 19,829.53 crore grew by 15.5 percent over the previous year while profit after tax stood at Rs 15,057.83 crore as against the previous year's Rs 13,031.68 crore.
Ambee Partners with VitalFlo to Provide Air Quality Data

Ambee, a global platform for hyperlocal environmental data, has partnered with US-based digital health company VitalFlo, to provide air quality data and respiratory health monitoring solutions. VitalFlo is a digital health company that helps clinical teams measure and monitor the respiratory health of their patients. Commenting on the partnership, Jaideep Singh Bachher, CEO, Ambee, said, “VitalFlo and Ambee have a shared vision to improve the lives of people that are affected by climate change and poor air quality.
FSSAI operationalises standards for fortified rice kernels

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to operationalize standards for fortified rice kernels (FRKs) with immediate effect to strengthen the national-level fortification programme in the country, the food safety authority said that while the draft regulation with regards to standards for FRKs has been framed and notified on May 25, finalizing this amendment regulation after stakeholder consultation will take some more time.
UN-ESCAP and Gates Foundation to jointly support innovative agri-business models

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support innovative business models in agriculture in India and across South Asia. They jointly launched the “Regional Inclusive Business Models in Agriculture and Food Systems” initiative at the Private Sector Roundtable on Promoting Inclusive Business in India.
Cropin and Netherlands-based social enterprise Space4Good

Farmers lose about 37% of their rice produce every year to pests and diseases, leading to substantial income loss. Cropin and Netherlands-based social enterprise Space4Good recently collaborated on CropLens, a potential solution to this common problem. A pilot project was conducted across several districts of Andhra Pradesh, India in which CropLens used Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and AI applications to develop a pest and disease forecast model.
Alliance One subsidiary shares update on partnership with Bayer Crop Science

Alliance One International, LLC has announced the phase two results of the partnership of its Brazilian subsidiary ("Alliance Once Brazil") with Bayer Crop Science, which was formed with the goal of providing quality maize seeds and agronomic support to smallholder tobacco farmers in Brazil Helio Moura global agronomy.
Roquette launches a new rice protein

Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of plant proteins, announced the launch of two rice proteins, a bold move that adds a new botanical origin to its current portfolio. With NUTRALYS rice protein, Roquette offers consumers a familiar, safe and nutritious alternative protein with premium quality and high standards of production.
IOB aims to boost advances to retail, MSME, agri, corporate sector in FY23

State-owned Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) is aiming to boost advances in retail, MSMEs, corporate and agricultural loans during the current fiscal year, as the lender has substantially brought down the stressed assets on its balance sheet through sustained and targeted efforts. The outlook of the Indian banking sector is seen to be improving on the back of better credit demand and strong balance sheets, IOB said in its FY21-22 annual report.
FMC launches pre-emergent herbicide

FMC India, an agricultural sciences company, announced the launch of Austral® herbicide, a new pre-emergent herbicide for the sugarcane crop. Austral® herbicide provides a new level of broad-spectrum weed control in the critical growth stage of sugarcane, ensuring the strong establishment of the crop for a better yield. FMC India President Ravi Annavarapu said, “At FMC, we are driven by a strong R&D pipeline, committed to bring the latest global technologies and introduce novel and sustainable solutions to address Indian farmers’ challenges. The introduction of Austral® herbicide for sugarcane farmers is a testimony to our commitment to enabling better yield through technology-driven, scientific solutions. We are confident that Austral® herbicide will help sugarcane farmers improve their income through effective weed protection for a superior harvest”.
Bayer launches Arize hybrid rice seed in Bangladesh

Bayer Crop Science, a leading agriculture company launched ‘INH 16019’, a first-of-its-kind hybrid rice seed with strong inbuilt tolerance to Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) and Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB). Launched for the Aman season, INH 16019 will provide higher yields of superior quality rice, resulting in higher incomes for the farmers in Bangladesh. Md. Benojir Alam, Director General, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), formally launched the seed in a ceremony while as special guests from the DAE and Bayer Officials from the country and abroad were present. Zahidul Islam, Managing Director for Bayer Crop Science Limited, Bangladesh Bayer” said remains committed to providing new & technology-smart solutions to meet the farmer and customer demands. The introduction of ‘Arize INH 16019’ is another step forward in improving rice productivity in Bangladesh.
Paushak Super Star Launched Successfully at Rajkot, Gujarat

Krishi Rasayan Group launched their first patented, CIB-approved yield enhancer Paushak Super Star at business meeting of Agrochemical Exports which was organized in Rajkot, Gujarat. Paushak Super Star is CIB approved yield enhancer that helps in accelerating growth function, stimulates auxin synthesis, reduces transplanting shock, and anti-senescence, induces flowering, and improves the strength of fluorescence and floral structures.
Mayank Singhal honored as India’s BEST CEO in the Agriculture & Allied sector

PI Industries founder Mayank Singhal was honored as India’s BEST CEO in the Agriculture & Allied sector at the 10th edition of the BT-Mindrush event at The Oberoi, New Delhi. The award was presented to Singhal by the Minister Piyush Goyal (Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Govt. of India), in the august presence of Narayana Murthy (Infosys), R C Bhargava (Maruti Suzuki India), T. V. Narendran (Tata Steel), S. N. Subrahmanyan (Larsen & Toubro) and several other industry leaders.
GFresh Agrotech Co-Founder awarded by MSME Business Forum India

GFresh Agrotech Co-Founder & CEO Naman G Dungarwal has been awarded by MSME Business Forum India, MSME & Startups Forum - Bharat and Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd under the ‘NextGen Icon category’.