Author: Hithaishi CB

Switch Bioworks, a biotechnology company focused on developing low-cost and sustainable fertilizers, has announced significant advancements in its operations. The company has expanded into a new corporate headquarters and R&D facility in San Carlos, California, marking a pivotal step in its mission to revolutionize the fertilizer industry. Switch Bioworks specializes in engineering symbiotic microbes that enhance plant growth by activating fertilizer production at the root level. By leveraging proprietary technology, the company aims to reduce the cost of fertilizers while improving agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. The newly established corporate headquarters and R&D facility in San Carlos, California. triples the…

Expands agricultural drone innovation in Mexico: New Agras models revolutionize precision farming DJI, the global leader in civil drones and creative camera technology, has launched the next generation of DJI Agriculture drones – the Agras T100, Agras T70P, and Agras T25P – in Mexico. The market has been experiencing exponential growth, and this marks an important milestone for growth. Spraying drone sales in Mexico have grown 56-fold since 2019. “By bringing our advanced drone technology to farmers around the world, DJI Agriculture has helped drive economic development by increasing crop yields, conserving resources, and improving worker safety,” said Yuan Zhang,…

Signs MOU for Pilot Project to Guide Farming Operations with Forecasts of Localized Downpours Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation (Toshiba) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s MyDIGITAL Corporation and the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) on exploring the use of Toshiba’s advanced Weather Data Service in Malaysia’s flagship smart farming initiative, Projek Ladang Padi IR4.0. The MoU marks a significant step in Toshiba’s efforts to support climate resilience and agricultural innovation in Malaysia by leveraging its forecasting technology to address the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. Like many other countries, Japan and Malaysia are experiencing an increase in sudden, localized heavy rainstorms that are difficult to predict.…

Strengthen agricultural ties to boost food security and sustainability Indonesia and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic partnership aimed at advancing greenhouse-based horticulture to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture. The collaboration was formalized during a meeting between Indonesian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono and Dutch Deputy Director-General for Agro Guido Landheer in Jakarta. The partnership builds on Indonesia’s goal to accelerate horticultural productivity and food self-sufficiency by leveraging Dutch expertise in agriculture. Sudaryono highlighted the Netherlands’ success in becoming the second-largest agricultural exporter globally, despite having only four million hectares of land, through innovation, technology,…

10th SCO Agriculture Ministers meeting addresses major agriculture development strategies The 10th Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States was held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, under the theme “Robust Policy Exchange for a Closer SCO Family of Agriculture.” The meeting addressed key areas such as rural development, poverty reduction, and scientific and technological exchange. It included a ministerial session, policy dialogue, an exhibition of achievements, and field visits. A Joint Statement was reviewed and adopted, with all parties emphasizing the importance of the meeting and expressing a shared commitment to strengthening the SCO agriculture ministers’ meeting mechanism to promote modern agriculture and rural prosperity through mutual learning. The meeting was chaired by Minister Han Jun of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), who also delivered remarks on behalf of the Chinese delegation. Minister Han highlighted the importance of agricultural cooperation among SCO countries, noting the establishment of the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training…

Revolutionizing Cacao Research with Precision Gene Editing Tools Mars, Incorporated has licensed Pairwise’s Fulcrum® gene editing tools for cacao research and development. This licensing agreement grants Mars access to Pairwise’s CRISPR tools, including the SHARC™ enzyme. The Pairwise Fulcrum™ platform encompasses gene editing tools, enzymes and trait libraries, enabling precise changes that unlock the plant’s inherent potential. This capability significantly accelerates the development of impactful crop traits compared to traditional breeding methods, allowing for the activation or deactivation of characteristics and fine-tuning traits, much like adjusting a dimmer switch to achieve optimal results. Mars aims to develop this advanced plant breeding…

YIELDON™: Revolutionizing Crop Productivity with Innovative Biostimulant Technology Syngenta has introduced YIELDON™, a state-of-the-art biostimulant designed to elevate the productivity and profitability of major crops in Brazil, including soybeans, corn, cotton, and sugarcane. This innovative bioinput activates specific plant genes that regulate metabolism, promoting cell division and expansion while enhancing the transport of sugars, nutrients, and lipids. Its 100% natural formulation, combined with Syngenta’s proprietary GeaPower technology, unlocks the full potential of plant physiology, ensuring higher productivity, superior grain and lint quality, and a rapid return on investment for farmers. Dáfila Fagotti, Biologicals Product Manager at Syngenta, emphasized the role…

Timber Fiber Strategy: A Blueprint for innovation and sustainability in Australia’s forestry industry Australia has unveiled the Timber Fibre Strategy, a comprehensive plan to drive growth and innovation in Australia’s forestry industry. The Strategy outlines 128 ambitious actions aimed at creating a sustainable, globally competitive sector that meets both domestic and international demand for forest products. Developed through extensive consultation with the forestry industry and guided by the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership, the Strategy provides a roadmap for addressing key challenges and opportunities in the sector. It emphasizes the role of forestry in supporting Australia’s housing agenda and…

Chemetall will provide innovative PET recycling washing solutions for Circular Plastics Company’s new plastic recycling plant in Vung Tau, Vietnam, to empower the circular economy in Southeast Asia The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has been selected to supply innovative PET recycling washing solutions for Circular Plastics Company’s new plastic recycling plant in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Chemetall will provide a range of novel technologies tailored for Circular Plastics Company’s facilities, which recycle post-consumer PET plastics into food-grade products in Myanmar and Vietnam. They include Gardoclean® cleaning agents, Gardobond® additives for PET/polyolefin separation and defoaming.…

Each year, the industry exports an average of USD2 billion worth of crude and refined coconut oil, desiccated coconut, copra meal, and coconut water from about 14 to 15 billion nuts. Philippines Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the urgency of the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the amendment of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, saying it is vital for the revitalization of the coconut sector—the country’s top agricultural export earner. Tiu Laurel recommended revising the law in order to direct the trust fund’s resources to the most critical needs–particularly replanting. Coconut trees…