Author: Hithaishi CB

Reinforcing Sustainable Agriculture Practices by leveraging Spire’s reflectometry data  Spire Global, a global provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, was selected by LatConnect60, a data and analytics company that generates vital insights from Earth Observation data, to provide Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data and Soil Moisture Insights. The World Bank reports that investments in climate-resilient agriculture can yield returns of three to eight times the costs, making accurate environmental data essential for today’s farmers. LatConnect60 will integrate Spire’s Soil Moisture Insights and GNSS-R data into its web-based platforms, delivering actionable intelligence for water management, usage efficiency, and…

Synergetic digital offerings for horticulture, the two companies aim to combine strengths in agronomy, irrigation, digital platforms and data modeling Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business Netafim and Bayer have expanded their strategic collaboration, starting with new digital farming solutions for fruit and vegetable growers. By simplifying primary data collection and delivering a system that can generate tailored recommendations from that data, the new solutions aim to help growers maximize crop production and optimize their use of resources, thus minimizing the impact on the environment. While adoption of digital tools has increased in recent years, those currently available in horticulture are not…

MoU with PT PLN (Persero) and KfW (Germany) to develop Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant (PLTA) and Transmission The Indonesian Government, through Special Presidential Envoy of the Republic of Indonesia Hashim Djojohadikusumo, announced EUR 1.2 billion in green funding for the Indonesian power sector from German state development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) at the COP29 World Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The agreement was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT PLN (Persero) and KfW to support Indonesia’s energy transition towards self-sufficiency with the development of various green power and clean energy projects, centered on…

New Era of Sustainable Irrigation CropX, a global leader of digital agricultural solutions, is launching throughout the Australasia region a first-of-its-kind sensor for monitoring the real-time plant water use in a field through evapotranspiration (ET). This new, above-canopy sensor connects to the CropX agronomic farm management system to give its users an unprecedented knowledge of crop water use and needs, allowing for data-driven irrigation scheduling and remote management that maximizes water efficiency. CropX’s Actual ET sensor vastly increases the knowledge of water use at the soil and plant level so that farmers can make well-informed agronomic decisions. Users of the…

Underscore the urgency of addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity degradation The 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, focusing on climate financing to support developing nations in their transition to net-zero emissions. At COP29 Blue Zone, Taiwan’s National Taiwan University Experimental Forest (NTUEF), led by Professor Ming-Jer Tsai and Professor Chun-Han Ko, hosted a landmark announcement on the “Coalition for Rainforest Nations” stage at the World Climate Foundation (WCF). The Asian Biodiversity Credit Scheme – BioPlus reaffirmed its leadership in biodiversity conservation and innovative financing at…

Cooperation focuses on green transformation, reducing product carbon footprint BASF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shenergy Group (“Shenergy”) through its subsidiaries Shanghai Gas Co., Ltd (“Shanghai Gas”) and Shanghai Shenji Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shenji”). This strategic partnership aims to foster long-term collaboration among the three parties in the commercialization and international certification of biomethane, promoting the development of sustainable solutions and accelerating circular economy. This collaboration signifies the inauguration of BASF’s ISCC+ certified biomethane partnership through gas grid in China, highlighting the high-value utilization of bio-based raw materials in the chemical industry. It also establishes a strong…

Covalent Organic Framework (COF) sensors integrated within silk fibroin (SF) microneedles capable of detecting pH changes in plant xylem tissues Singapore’s SMART researchers have pioneered the first Covalent Organic Framework (COF) sensors integrated within silk fibroin (SF) microneedles capable of detecting pH changes in plant xylem tissues. These pH changes provide an early indication of drought stress in plants, which, if unmitigated, can lead to reduced plant growth and yield, and eventual death. The technology enables farmers to detect drought stress in plants up to 48 hours before visible physical symptoms manifest, enabling early intervention before irreversible damage occurs and…

AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) bionutrients produced at cutting edge manufacturing facility in Delhi, India Enhanced Nature (EN), a newly formed US company, today announced that it has begun operations to supply AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) bionutrients to partners worldwide from its cutting edge manufacturing facility in Delhi, India. EN’s founding partner Symbiotic Sciences has been manufacturing the highest quality concentrated AMF for over 15 years, and these AMF bionutrients are now available to partners exclusively through EN. Other founding partners include Aditya Malhotra (CEO) and Tom Laurita (Board Chair). Rob Gibson has joined Enhanced Nature as VP Business Development and…

Investments are the latest in an ongoing commitment to help Rutgers University and Oregon State University programs to develop methods for growers increasing hazelnut productivity and sustainability Ferrero Hazelnut Company (Ferrero HCo), a division of global sweet-packaged food company the Ferrero Group, today expanded its investment in U.S.-grown hazelnuts with $340,000 in research grants: $180,000 to Oregon State University and $160,000 to Rutgers University. The grants, a part of Ferrero’s commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients, will support the universities’ collaborative efforts with local farmers, producers, and distributors, to advance sustainability and efficiency in the industry. Hazelnuts are an essential ingredient for Ferrero’s well-loved brands like Ferrero Rocher®, the…

LIC farmers are set to benefit from a genetics collaboration with US company, Sexing Technologies (ST) The LIC, a New Zealand agri-tech and herd improvement cooperative, has teamed up with a US genetics company, Sexing Technologies (ST) to empowers livestock farmers through the delivery of superior genetics and technology. The collaboration is focused on breeding the best cows to improve the national herd. Richard Spelman, LIC Chief Scientist said “Collaborating with ST to access their genetics means that we’ll be bringing in genetic diversity and traits of interest, such as improved udder conformation. The genetics will be available for New…