Author: Hithaishi CB

Findings are the first, peer-reviewed evidence of gene-edited microbes supplying a material proportion of corn farmers’ nitrogen in commercial production Peer-reviewed research published in Scientific Reports describes a new technology that could revolutionize a century-old approach to providing nitrogen to crops. The study, a collaboration of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University, and Pivot Bio, a leading sustainable agriculture company, presented first-of-its-kind evidence showing how gene-editing enhances microbes’ ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and transfer it to cereal crops. Using isotopically labeled nitrogen, researchers traced nitrogen in the air to chlorophyll of corn leaves, providing evidence that it was fixed from the air…

Supplying 34 different products across Singapore Dutch indoor farming company Growy has successfully opened its new farm in Singapore and transitioned from a research and development growing phase to commercial operations. This new facility represents Growy’s commitment to providing tasty, healthy, and affordable greens for Singapore, contributing to the nation’s food resilience goals. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr. Koh Poh Koon, Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Mr. Lim Wey-Len, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Food Agency Mr. Damian Chan, Director of Growy, Ard van de Kreeke, and Deputy Head of Mission…

Japan is a major importer of Hass avocados, with imports valued at $160 million (61,000 metric tons) in 2023 with Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States as key suppliers The Philippines has successfully expanded its access to Japan’s lucrative food market with the approval to export Hass avocados, a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural export growth and highlights the quality of local produce. “This is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to expanding its agricultural exports and the high quality of our farm produce. We are optimistic that this access granted by Japan will lead to…

IPO to Enhance Operations and Customer Service Capability in Malaysia’s Fertiliser Industry Cropmate Berhad, a key player in the conventional and specialty fertiliser manufacturing industry in Malaysia, has launched its prospectus for the upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“Bursa Securities”). The IPO aims to raise RM42.0 million through the issuance of 210.0 million new shares at a retail price of RM0.20 per share. The proceeds from the IPO will be allocated as follows: RM17.1 million for working capital to support Cropmate’s growing operations. RM16.7 million to part finance the purchase considerations…

Total agricultural R&D funding has continued to increase gradually, from $2.91 billion in 2022-23 to $2.98 billion in 2023-24. Australia’s investment in agricultural research and development has reached almost $3 billion in 2023-24, the latest Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) release has shown. This long-term commitment will lead to improvements in agricultural productivity, sustainability and modernisation. The private sector accounts for the largest growth in investment in the sector, with a nearly 5% annual growth rate from 2005-06. ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville, said ABARES’s latest data, Agricultural research and development (R&D) investment in Australia – 2023-24 update,…

Aims to scale up Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies to ensure sustainable agricultural growth and food security across the SAARC region A two-day High-Level Policy Forum on South Asia’s Agricultural Future: Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices for Sustainable Growth was held on November 14 and 15 in the Maldives, following the 2nd Project Steering Committee meeting on November 13. The workshop brought together researchers, technical experts, agriculture and extension officers, policymakers and farmers from SAARC member states, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The forum’s key objective is to support the scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies to ensure…

Launches Landmark Young Researchers Awards with $70,000 Prize fund to reward innovation and research  As part of Saudi Arabia’s incoming UNCCD COP16 Presidency, the Kingdom has launched the Young Researchers Award at the COP16 Science Pavillion. The prestigious competition, with a total prize pool of $70,000, aims to accelerate groundbreaking research and innovative solutions addressing land degradation, drought and desertification and is open to students and young researchers from across the world. A total of seven awards of $10,000 each will be given to early-career researchers (up to age 35) who can demonstrate impactful contributions to key areas including sustainable land management, drought resilience, and land restoration. The seven award categories…

Eleven startups are currently taking part in a groundbreaking programme that aims to enhance the development of a range of blue carbon initiatives A Blue Carbon Innovation Studio organized by Idemitsu and Hatch Blue in Singapore brought together some of the industry’s brightest entrepreneurs. “All biologically driven carbon fluxes and storage in marine systems that are amenable to management can be considered as blue carbon. Alongside other ocean and aquatic carbon dioxide removal pathways, blue carbon forms part of a suite of high potential, greenhouse gas significant solutions to combat climate change and regenerate/protect degraded ecosystems. This programme brings together…

New, state-of-the-art laboratory building and the renovation and expansion of existing facilities to strengthen R&D capacities Syngenta is investing around ₣40 million Swiss francs ($45 million ) in the expansion and modernization of its site in Münchwilen in the canton of Aargau as part of an expansion project. By 2027, the investment will include the construction of a new, state-of-the-art laboratory building and the renovation and expansion of existing facilities in order to sustainably strengthen research and development capacities and promote innovation at the home site. The Basel-based agricultural technology company Syngenta, which researches, produces and has its headquarters in…

Ammonia plant of Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM), a subsidiary of Pupuk Indonesia, located in Aceh PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), one of the major fertilizer producers in Asia is reinforcing Indonesia’s position in the global green energy transition through the GAIA Project (Green Ammonia Initiative from Aceh), to be the world’s first hybrid green ammonia facility. This groundbreaking project leverages the ammonia plant of Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM), a subsidiary of Pupuk Indonesia, located in Aceh. In addition to producing ammonia using natural gas, the plant will also generate green ammonia from hydrogen produced through water electrolysis. Rahmad Pribadi, President Director…