Author: Hithaishi CB

Amazon’s New Zealand Infrastructure Region to Drive Agricultural Innovation and Digital Transformation Amazon has launched the AWS Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region, a significant infrastructure investment aimed at bolstering the country’s digital capabilities and supporting its agricultural sector through advanced cloud technologies along with other prime sectors. This initiative aligns with Amazon’s broader commitment to sustainability and innovation, particularly in addressing challenges faced by the agriculture industry. The new AWS Region will enable secure data storage locally, reduce latency, and access cutting-edge technologies such as including analytics, compute, content delivery, database, generative AI (Gen AI), machine learning, networking and storage,…

Commercial operations are scheduled to begin from the second half of 2026. Square Roots Japan Co., Ltd. is set to open its first state-of-the-art modular indoor farm, “Agri Tech Lab Tokyo,” in January 2026, transforming part of a warehouse under the JR Keiyo Line near Shinkiba Station into a hub for agricultural innovation. The cutting-edge facility will merge Japan’s rich agricultural heritage with advanced technology to address pressing global and domestic challenges, including climate-driven supply risks, food crises, aging farmers, labor shortages, and declining food self-sufficiency. Agri Tech Lab Tokyo aims to pioneer a sustainable agricultural model for future generations.…

The National Geographic Society and PepsiCo launch the new Food for Tomorrow Program National Geographic Society and PepsiCo announced their collaboration to harness the power of science, storytelling, and education to inspire positive change across the global food system, with a focus on regenerative agriculture. The Food for Tomorrow program  will support National Geographic Explorer stories and scientists delving into the future of food through powerful imagery, poignant narratives, applied science-based projects, and data visualization maps. The global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, and according to UNESCO reports, if current trends continue, nearly 90% of the planet’s land  could be…

Floral Industry Innovation Center to modernize Taiwan’s Floriculture industry and strengthen global competitiveness Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has launched the Floral Industry Innovation Center (FIIC) in Tainan’s Houbi District, marking a significant step toward modernizing Taiwan’s floriculture industry. The initiative aims to enhance industrial transformation and bolster the country’s competitiveness in the global floral market. The FIIC integrates resources from the Taiwan Orchid Plantation and the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute’s Floricultural Experiment Branch. It will serve as a hub for industry services, research and development, and technology verification, focusing on breeding, production, cold-chain logistics, and marketing. Agriculture Minister Chen…

Focuses on bilateral trade cooperation with several potential export commodities beyond palm oil and coconut oil, including machinery and other manufactured goods The Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), Anindya Novyan Bakrie, met Ambassador of Brazil to Indonesia, George Monteiro Prata, at The Convergence Indonesia, Rasuna Epicentrum, and discussed the growing economic ties between Indonesia and Brazil, with a particular focus on collaboration in energy transition and agriculture. President Prabowo Subianto met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his recent state visit to Brazil in July. Anindya emphasized the importance of strengthening…

China and Uzbekistan strengthen ties through sustainable agriculture In Uzbekistan, cotton is more than just a crop—it’s a symbol of national wealth and scientific collaboration. Referred to as “white gold,” cotton fields in the suburbs of Tashkent are now at the heart of a groundbreaking initiative that showcases the power of international cooperation. A demonstration site for water-saving drip irrigation technology, established in 2012 through a partnership between the China’s Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and a local Uzbek research institution, has revolutionized cotton farming. The technology uses plastic sheets and strategically placed hoses to deliver water directly to…

Business alliance promotes stable food production to revitalize regional farming practices by reinforcing human resource Seibu Kaihatsu Nosan Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, and Sumitomo Corporation Tohoku Co., Ltd. have entered into a business alliance agreement to promote sustainable agricultural production and regional development in Japan’s Tohoku region. The three companies will advance joint projects with local producers and agricultural companies focused on realizing sustainable agriculture by: (1) enhancing work efficiency and stabilizing food production through smart farming technologies, (2) revitalizing regional production via human resource development and distribution support and (3) promoting the adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural inputs and…

The landmark project to attract up to RM500 million in investments strengthening Johor’s position as a leader in modern agriculture Southern Catalyst Sdn Bhd (SOCAT), a Ministry of Finance Inc. company, has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore-founded agritech firm Archisen to establish a modern Agropolis in Ladang Air Manis, Sedenak, Johor. The 80.9-hectare development, located within SOCAT’s 1,189.8-hectare master-planned site in Sedenak, is expected to attract up to RM500 million in investments. SOCAT said the Agropolis will feature a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at drawing farm owners while unlocking new revenue streams across the farming value chain. It…

Preliminary agreements were reached to expand market access for agricultural products and strengthen trade cooperation. Taiwan and Indonesia recently concluded the 5th Taiwan-Indonesia Agricultural Cooperation Consultation Meeting in Taipei, reinforcing their agricultural partnership under the 2016 Taiwan-Indonesia Agricultural Cooperation Agreement. The meeting focused on agricultural policy, market access, and broader cooperation, with a particular emphasis on addressing food security challenges intensified by climate change. Both nations agreed to enhance agricultural resilience through technological collaboration and talent development, aiming to ensure stable food supplies. An Indonesian agricultural delegation toured food industry operations in Changhua and Yilan from August 29 to 30,…

Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director for Specialty Rice Ingredients at BENEO 1. How does Vietnam’s reliance on rice exports impact its economic stability and food security? What challenges does the industry face in terms of sustainability and environmental impact? Vietnam is one of the world’s largest rice exporters and relies heavily on rice cultivation for rural employment, food security, and foreign exchange earnings. However, intensive rice production practices—designed to meet global demand—have led to growing environmental challenges that directly threaten the sector’s long-term viability. These include inefficient water use, excessive fertiliser and pesticide application, and the widespread burning of rice…