Author: Hithaishi CB

The approved projects, with an overall budget of $24.5 million, involve innovations in the areas of Agrotech, Biotechnology, Electronics, Energy, Foodtech, Healthcare IT, and Life Science The Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has approved $9.6 million in funding for ten new projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. In addition to the grants from BIRD, the projects will access private-sector funding, boosting the total investment in all projects to $24.5 million. The decision was confirmed on late Dec, 2023, at  Washington D.C., and announced lately. The BIRD Foundation promotes collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies in various…

The focus on agriculture is critical for a region as vulnerable to climate change as Asia. Food systems comprise one-third of global anthropogenic emissions, and close to 20 per cent of the global food supply chain is in Asia, making it a critical region for climate-smart agricultural investments. Food security is extremely susceptible to the changing climate, and any effort to address the climate crisis must address the destructive impacts of global food systems. A region like Asia that is vulnerable to climate change should pay close attention to the agriculture focus. Across Asia, climate change is posing a high…

HAN ASIA 2025 to unveil on March 12-14, 2025, at IMPACT, Bangkok, Thailand VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, is lunching HAN ASIA 2025, a trade exhibition dedicated to Horticulture and Agriculture that covers the entire supply chain. With the strategic re-branding of horticultural and agricultural exhibitions in Asia, VNU Exhibitions Europe and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific are positioned as the leading and complete Seed to Food trade hub for Asia Pacific and beyond. With the launch of HAN ASIA, VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific simultaneously introduces regional satellite events in the countries of Vietnam (May 2024) and Indonesia (September 2025), co-locating the…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently reviewed four plants modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they posed an increased plant pest risk relative to non-modified comparators: GDM Seeds, modified soybean for drought tolerance. BioHeuris, modified soybean for herbicide resistance. Michigan State University, modified potato for lowered glucose and fructose in tubers. ZeaKal, modified soybean for increased seed oil and protein. APHIS found these modified plants were unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR…

The joint effort is planned for multiple rice seasons in Laguna, where both organizations maintain research centers for rice BASF and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have entered into a scientific collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from rice production. Running by the name ″OPTIMA Rice″ (Optimizing Management for Reduction of GHG in Rice), the collaboration with IRRI supports BASF’s commitment to enable the reduction of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions by 30% per ton of crop produced by 2030. The joint effort is planned for multiple rice seasons in the Philippines and will take place in Laguna,…

APF Canada has announced the appointment of Laurel West as Vice-President of Operations & Partnerships, effective January 8, 2024. Formerly a senior executive with The Economist Group, Ms. West has been based in Asia for the last three and half decades, first in Japan and then in Hong Kong. A journalist at the Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, and CBC Radio before relocating to Asia, she joined The Economist Group in 1992, working in a number of progressively senior roles on both the editorial and commercial sides of the business. After starting as a country analyst with The Economist Intelligence Unit, covering Southeast…

Natural food colors via fermentation-based technologies are unique and cost-efficient for the food industry Phytolon, a biotechnology company that offers natural food colors via fermentation-based technologies, and Ginkgo Bioworks, which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced the successful completion of the first development milestone of their multi-product collaboration to produce natural food colors and the resulting distribution of an equity milestone to Ginkgo. Ginkgo and Phytolon’s partnership, which began in February 2022, aims to produce vibrant betalain pigments spanning the entire yellow-to-purple spectrum using cell engineering. The successful completion of the project’s first milestone unlocks the commercial…

Lucent BioSciences, a leader in sustainable crop input solutions, announced a groundbreaking innovation with the launch of Nutreos, a non-toxic, plant-based, and biodegradable micronutrient seed coating. This environmentally responsible solution aligns with impending regulatory changes addressing the environmental impact of microplastics in seed treatments, particularly in anticipation of upcoming EU microplastic ban regulations. Nutreos is designed to address the growing concerns surrounding microplastic pollution while evolving advancement in agricultural seed coating. Unlike conventional seed coatings that often contain microplastics, Nutreos offers improved germination, early vigour, and root growth, delivering uniform crop establishment and nutrition without compromising the environment. The inclusion of…

Vertical hydroponic cultivation technology pursue easy and convenient farming AutoPot MD, had touched down Seoul to learn more about the particulars of indoor cultivation in South Korea. Griin Agriculture and AutoPot collaborate featuring Griin’s innovative designs and power-free, zero-waste tech in the South Korea market. Green’s smart farm facilities can be installed without space restrictions, so farming can be practiced anywhere in the country, including open fields, factories, and commercial buildings. With vertical hydroponic cultivation technology, pursue easy and convenient farming that takes into account not only efficiency but also convenience of work. Green farming methods are environmentally friendly because used nutrient…

Scientists led by Moredun Research Institute have been awarded £1.5 million in a bid to develop an oral vaccine for salmon lice in farmed Atlantic salmon. A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by Moredun Research Institute has been awarded £1.5M from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to combat salmon lice in farmed Atlantic salmon through the development of an oral vaccine. This represents a pivotal step towards a sustainable and effective solution to the pervasive challenges posed by sea lice in the aquaculture industry. Many marine-farmed fish species are significantly affected by sea lice, impacting their health,…