Author: Hithaishi CB

Protecting Vietnam’s agricultural future Working in partnership with CABI and experts from the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS), a new collaboration allows Vietnam to advance biocontrol research, build national capacity and support farmers in adopting environmentally responsible pest management practices. Agriculture is integral to Vietnam’s economy. In 2024, the sector achieved a record USD 62.4 billion in exports. Rice alone accounted for 9 million tonnes, generating over USD 5.7 billion. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable exports climbed to USD 7.2 billion, with durian accounting for USD 3.4 billion. Coffee, pepper and other crops also contributed significantly, highlighting the sector’s role in national revenue and…

Acquisition is an important milestone for Indorama, supporting fertilizer activities in China—the world’s largest fertilizer market Indorama Investment (Suzhou) Co., Ltd (China), an indirect subsidiary of Indorama Corporation Pte. Ltd, Singapore (Indorama Corporation) has signed definitive documents on 25th December 2025 to acquire 100% shares in Anyang Zhongying Fertilizer Co., Ltd., and Anyang Yingde Gases Co., Ltd. (collectively Anyang Nitrogen Fertilizer) from PAG, a leading Asia-focused alternative investment firm. Anyang Nitrogen Fertilizer is a major fertilizer producer in Henan Province, China. Its primary product is Urea, with by-products of ammonia, automotive urea, and industrial gases. Commenting on the acquisition, Mr.…

Chonnam National University scientists new findings uncover a rapid molecular switch that rewires plant growth under cold stress, opening pathways to climate-resilient crops A research team from Korea have uncovered how plants rapidly activate a hidden genetic “switch” helping them survive in cold environments. They demonstrate that low temperatures induce a rewiring of a hormone signaling pathway, triggering the breakdown of auxin/indole acetic acid repressors, releasing ARF7 and ARF19 to activate the master gene CRF3, helping plants survive the cold. This offers a new path to breeding crops that remain productive even under unpredictable climate conditions. The onset of sudden cold…

Builds on existing partnerships and expands the scale of agricultural initiatives with increased financial support Taiwan’s Representative to Somaliland, Ambassador Allen Lou, has expressed delight in signing the Agricultural Implementing Arrangement for 2026-2030, marking a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and Somaliland. The new agreement signed with Somaliland’s Agriculture Minister Mohamoud builds on existing partnerships and expands the scale of agricultural initiatives with increased financial support. It aligns closely with Somaliland’s Vision 2030, the National Development Plan III, and the National Seed Development Policy, while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Zero Hunger.…

Sings MoU to promote substantive and long-term bilateral agricultural cooperation Viet Nam and Angola are entering a new phase of cooperation in the agricultural sector, focusing on experience transfer, production investment, and human resource development under a South-South cooperation model. A significant milestone in this process is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Viet Nam-South Cooperation Working Group in Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Angola in Luanda. The signing ceremony took place on December 12 (local time), witnessed by Angola’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Isaac Francisco Maria dos Anjos…

The platform drives digital ID transformation, financial inclusion, and sustainable agriculture, supporting Natural Farming initiatives globally and in India. Dinis Guarda and Ztudium Group announce the launch of Citiesabc Impakt, a global Agriculture-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform designed to provide farmers, cooperatives, governments, and agribusinesses with a shared digital infrastructure for identity, intelligence, finance, and sustainability. Built as a system-level platform, Citiesabc Impakt combines artificial intelligence, digital identity, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics to address some of the most persistent challenges in agriculture, including fragmented markets, limited access to finance, climate volatility, and the absence of trusted data. Citiesabc Impakt is powered…

Pioneering disease management solutions, helping farmers across Europe combat resistance and maintain healthy yields ADAMA Ltd., and BASF announced a strategic co-development and commercialization agreement centered on ADAMA’s proprietary fungicide active ingredient, Gilboa® (flumetylsulforim). This partnership will accelerate the delivery of new, pioneering disease management solutions, helping farmers across Europe combat resistance and maintain healthy yields. Under the agreement, BASF will develop and commercialize new formulations based on ADAMA’s Gilboa molecule, alongside ADAMA’s own Gilboa-based products. The collaboration combines ADAMA’s innovation and mixtures expertise with BASF’s strong development capabilities and market access, ensuring that farmers benefit from faster access to next-generation…

Strengthens economic and trade cooperation with Belarus Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Novyan Bakrie (Anin), held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Viktor Karankevich at the Kadin Indonesia Tower on December 16. The meeting focused on strengthening economic and trade cooperation, with discussions on investment opportunities and strategic industries. Anin highlighted several areas of collaboration, including the fertilizer industry, agricultural productivity, and the industrialization of heavy equipment. Belarus, a major supplier of potash to Indonesia, is seen as a key partner in boosting agricultural output through technology and mechanization. Opportunities for…

Five Years of On-Site Joint Research Demonstration Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) in collaboration with its Philippine research partners hosted a symposium at Negros Island in the Republic of the Philippines. The event, held to mark the conclusion of a five-year international collaborative research initiative, brought together key stakeholders, including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ENDO Kazuya and First Secretary AKASAKA Hidenori from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. This gathering underscored the importance of Japan–Philippines cooperation in advancing agricultural and environmental research. The symposium highlighted findings from two major projects: the “Yama-Sato-Umi agroecosystem connectivity” and “Climate…

“Application of Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation in Agriculture.”  Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 2025 Dialogue Conference with Farmers under the theme “Application of Science and Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation in Agriculture.” The conference was jointly organized by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union, the Government Office, and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities, and was connected online to 34 provinces and cities nationwide. The Prime Minister commended the democratic, candid, and substantive dialogue between the Government and farmers. He directed the Government Office, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Farmers’ Union,…