Author: Hithaishi CB

UPLB may be designated as a strategic site for planting coconut seedlings The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), led by Administrator and CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted, held a strategic meeting with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) – College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) Dean, Dr. Amado A. Angeles on January 6, 2025, at the PCA Central Office to discuss potential collaborations aimed at bolstering the agency’s massive coconut planting and replanting programs. UPLB was discussed as the country’s national university in promoting initiatives among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to support the PCA’s mission of revitalizing…

MPOB’s research produces oil palm planting materials, including PS1.1 and the Clonal Palm Series, CPS 1, CPS 2 and CPS 3 Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani paid a visit to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) headquarters. Upon arrival, he was greeted by Director General of MPOB Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Hj. Ghulam Kadir. He was accompanied by Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities and Dato’ Hj. Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, Secretary General of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) and senior officials from the ministry. Plantation and commodities minister…

iR Fresh technology reduces mold and spoilage, eventually reducing the pesticide use A research institute in Japan has developed a technology that preserves fruit and vegetables’ freshness by exposing them to near-infrared light for a mere 0.1 second. The initiative is the work of the Shikoku Research Institute, an arm of the Shikoku Electric Power Group, located in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. This technology, called iR Fresh, reduces mold and spoilage, and also helps reduce food waste and pesticide usage through its use of near-infrared light. It is the first technology to be granted a patent. Kazumasa Kakibuchi, a senior researcher…

With global demand surging for sustainable energy alternatives as a clean fuel for various applications, including agriculture and shipping, MENA region emerging as a potential hub H2 Global Energy, in partnership with a consortium of industry leaders, is gearing up to establish a one-million metric ton green ammonia production plant in Aqaba, Jordan. A technical report for the pioneering Green Ammonia Production Facility has been submitted by the partnership, marking a significant step towards the advancement of the green hydrogen and green ammonia sectors, taking advantage of Jordan’s strategic location and potential to produce renewable energy. The push towards green…

DA will impose a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up efforts to make rice more accessible and affordable for Filipinos by expanding the Rice-for-All program, opening additional KADIWA ng Pangulo kiosks in public markets and train stations, and collaborating with local government units (LGUs) nationwide to distribute rice at fair prices, including the P29 rice program for vulnerable sectors. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said these initiatives aim to combat “unreasonably high” rice prices and ensure equitable access, particularly for economically disadvantaged households. “We are ensuring that rice reaches every Filipino…

Bayer and Neste plan to jointly scale winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock for renewable products like biofuels Bayer and Neste, a leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly scale winter canola as a biomass-based feedstock for renewable products like biofuels. Within the collaboration, the companies are going to develop a winter canola ecosystem in the Southern Great Plains of the US, including product development and additional collaborations to enable Bayer to enter this market. Leading up to launch, Bayer will work with Neste, the value chain, and farmers…

Kiwi greenhouse growers will be able to switch to geothermal energy using the tool under development A new web-based tool currently under development will help New Zealand’s greenhouse growers switch to geothermal-sourced heating and reduce their use of fossil fuels. The tool under development will help kiwi greenhouse growers make the switch to geothermal, by translating complex geothermal subsurface data into a user-friendly web-based tool tailored for the covered cropping industry. The tool is expected to be ready by March 2026. The benefit of low temperature geothermal is that it is more widely available and does not need to be…

SPARK Pro, is set to revolutionize wheat cleaning – offering performance, reliability and ease of use to maximize yields Bühler’s latest optical sorter, SPARK Pro, is set to revolutionize cleaning in the milling industry, offering performance, reliability and ease of use to maximize yields in flour mills. SPARK Pro addresses the market need by combining cutting edge technology with user-friendly design to help millers achieve consistent quality yields no matter the changing market conditions. SPARK Pro is Bühler’s new generation optical sorter, combining solid performance, reliability and ease of use. Equipped with newly developed high-definition full colour cameras and a…

Artificial intelligence is speeding up the development of the next generation of biostimulants Syngenta and the pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) company TraitSeq are combining forces to use the full power of AI for the development of innovative, high-performance biostimulants. Syngenta, a world leader in developing the next generation of biologicals products for agricultural use, will use its extensive knowledge of crop biology to complement TraitSeq’s proprietary AI methods to identify highly specific indicators of a plant’s cellular state called biomarkers. When activated, these biomarkers can indicate how well a plant is responding to efforts to boost its health or to…

Rocket 2.0 to revolutionizes agricultural water management and sustainability Full Nature Farms, a global leader in vertical farming and agricultural technology innovation, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Rocket 2.0 Smart Irrigation Platform. Rocket 2.0 in the Sustainability & Energy/Power category, marking a significant milestone in sustainable farming technology and underscoring Full Nature Farms’ commitment to transforming global agricultural practices. Developed through extensive research and real-world application in Full Nature Farms’ successful vertical farming operations, Rocket 2.0 represents a quantum leap in agricultural water management. The platform integrates advanced sensor technology with artificial intelligence to deliver precise, automated irrigation control that…