Author: Hithaishi CB

The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking to double its palay procurement budget to P18 billion for 2026 Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) will urge the new Congress, which convenes in late July, to restore key powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) in a bid to revitalize its financial and logistical capabilities and help improve rice farmers’ profitability. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., in a recent dialogue with rice farmers in Mindoro, said that allowing the NFA to sell even its non-aging rice inventory would give the agency greater financial flexibility and free up warehouse space—enabling it…

Aims to solve pre-harvest to post-harvest stage challenges and impact the marketability and nutritional value of the produce Agriculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and nutrition worldwide. Crop quality traits are essential for their marketability, consumer acceptance, and overall nutritional value. Ensuring high-quality crops in agriculture, particularly fruits, vegetables, and potatoes, involves overcoming several challenges. These challenges span from pre-harvest to post-harvest stages and can significantly impact the marketability and nutritional value of the produce.  Rovensa Next has launched Biostimulation 360º that can offer growers to overcome challenges and enhance the quality and, thus, profitability of their crops to overcome these challenges. Several physical,…

BASF and Yuntianhua successfully verify and register greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the use of stabilized urea fertilizer  BASF and Yunnan Yuntianhua Co., Ltd., a China-based fertilizer manufacturer, launched a pilot project in China in 2023 to verify the reduction of CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e) from the use of Yuntianhua’s stabilized urea fertilizer containing BASF’s urease inhibitor Limus®. The pilot verified that Yuntianhua reduced roughly 46,584 tons of CO2e emissions by using Limus-treated fertilizer versus untreated fertilizer. This estimate is based on Yuntianhua’s sales of Limus-stabilized urea during the pilot. These results not only contribute to climate-smart agriculture initiatives in China.,…

PRINCIPLE WP proves highly effective when used as part of an integrated crop protection strategy BioWorks’ newest biopesticide, PRINCIPLE WP, offers growers a powerful solution for controlling the most stubborn insect pests. Specially formulated to control thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and more, PRINCIPLE WP delivers reliable performance when it’s needed most.  A Cutting-Edge New Solution : PRINCIPLE WP isn’t just another pest control product. Powered by Beauveria bassiana fungal strain BW 149, this newly formulated biopesticide will most certainly improve your pest management program.   “PRINCIPLE WP is a brand-new mycoinsecticide solution for the industry,” says Julie Graesch, BioWorks technical services manager. “It provides growers…

Considering major projects in agro-processing, cold storage systems, and agricultural machinery hubs South Korea’s leading investment firm, MakeGroup, is setting its sights on Liberia’s agriculture sector, expressing a strong interest in forging a transformative partnership with the country. The initiative is a major step toward strengthening international cooperation in support of Liberia’s agricultural and economic growth. During a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture in Monrovia, MakeGroup’s Chairman, James Juhee Han, led a nine-member delegation and outlined the company’s vision for investment in Liberia. The group is considering major projects in agro-processing, cold storage systems, and agricultural machinery hubs,…

The forum calls for action to deepen collaboration to delivers field-ready outcomes for farmers Singapore’s Grow Asia convened biannual Joint Council Meeting in Bangkok, bringing together eighty leaders from across government, business, civil society, and philanthropy to celebrate decade of shared impact and co-create the path forward for more inclusive, resilient, and regenerative food systems in Southeast Asia. “As the region continues to face climate disruptions and trade volatility, the need for partnerships and scalable finance solutions has never been more urgent. The meeting served as both a moment of reflection and a call to action to deepen collaboration that delivers field-ready…

Queensland is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AgriTech The Australian state of Queensland is well known for its ancient, natural wonders including the Great Barrier Reef.  Queensland is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AgriTech, harnessing cutting-edge technology to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture. With a $22.66 billion production value, the state’s agricultural sector is undergoing a transformation fueled by innovation, investment, and collaboration. Several AgriTech innovations from Queensland are gaining global recognition. Advancing biosecurity in aquaculture Queensland company, Genics, exports its biosecurity solutions to shrimp farms worldwide, helping aquaculture industries improve disease prevention. The…

Partnership to the develop and market high-quality, clinically supported herbal ingredients In a significant move to advance natural, evidence-based health solutions in Japan, Biotropics Malaysia Berhad has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ASK Intercity Co., Ltd. for the sales and distribution of Physta® Tongkat Ali, Biotropics’ proprietary standardized extract, in the Japanese market. The MOU signing took place at the Malaysian Pavillion of the World Expo Osaka 2025, during the opening of ‘Sustainable Agriculture Week’ witnessed by The Honorable Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. This partnership unites two companies with a shared…

Financing small- and medium-sized farmers in Brazil Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting Brazilian digital bank Agrolend which has raised $3 million in a Series C extension, bringing the round’s total to $56 million. The additional funding comes from JICA, supports economic growth in developing countries with long-term, low-interest loans and access to partnerships with private-sector companies, among other things. Agrolend’s platform offers farmers credit for purchase of agricultural inputs (e.g., seeds, crop protection products), formalizing these loans via the issuance of a Cédula de Produto Rural Financeira (CPR-F), a common financial instrument in Brazilian agribusiness. The idea is to help small- and medium-sized…

A Global Push for Sustainability with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” resonating across nations World Environment Day, observed every year on June 5, serves as a global platform to raise awareness and inspire action for environmental protection. In 2025, the event took on a renewed sense of urgency, with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” resonating across nations, industries, and communities. This year’s celebration emphasized the need for immediate and collective action to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The Significance of World Environment Day Since its inception in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly,…