Author: Hithaishi CB

China will expand the scope of subsidies for replacing old and worn-out agricultural machinery and raise subsidy levels in 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Tuesday. The existing nine types of agricultural machinery will be joined by six new categories in the subsidy program, namely, rice seedling-throwing machines, farmland monitoring terminals, plant protection drones, grain dryers (drying machines), color sorters and flour mills, the ministry said in a statement on its website. China will continue to increase the subsidy standards for certain agricultural machinery this year. For example, the maximum subsidy for replacing a cotton picker will…

Pivot Bio’s latest technology is now accessible to growers and partners across the U.S. Cotton Belt. A new synthetic cotton crop product has been commercially launched in the United States by Pivot Bio, one of the world’s leading innovators in the agtech sector. Initially, Pivot Bio will make the product available through its distribution partners to a select group of growers in this season, with a full commercial launch planned for 2026. CERT-N™ will join other Pivot Bio products including PROVEN® and RETURN®, and a soon-to-be-launched next generation product in corn for the 2026 season. Pivot Bio’s patent-protected technology provides…

The projects will bolster Australia’s future timber supply Australia has announced grants of over $10.4 million for 14 new plantation projects through round 3 of the Support Plantation Establishment program. The program is playing an important role in stimulating investment and growth in Australia’s wood supply. The 14 projects will establish hardwood and softwood plantations ranging in size from 21 to 1928 hectares, to a total of approximately 5,500 hectares, in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The projects will bolster Australia’s future timber supply while contributing to meeting Australia’s carbon emissions targets. Australia is strongly…

To enhance the economic viability, efficiency, and reliability of renewable energy storage systems (ESS) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Trinasolar, a global smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions provider, are collaborating to develop smart energy storage systems (ESS) to enhance efficiency, reliability, and economic viability in renewable energy applications. As solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sources expand globally, energy storage technologies will play a critical role in ensuring power grid stability and optimising energy use. Led by the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), the collaboration aims to develop AI-driven tools that can improve investment decisions, enhance system stability through…

Hedgepoint Global Markets analysis predicts dynamics in major Asian coffee markets The global coffee market is facing increasing uncertainties as climate conditions and economic factors continue to impact production and pricing. In Asia, Indonesia anticipates a recovery in its 2024/25 crop, while Vietnam continues to experience supply constraints, prompting producers to hold back sales in anticipation of higher prices. The statement comes from Hedgepoint Global Markets, a company that specializes in risk management, market intelligence and hedge execution for the global commodities value chain, for agricultural and energy commodities. Hedgepoint predicts that, Indonesia is expected to show a recovery in the…

The “Honghe Blueberry” regional public brand officially launched The 2025 Yunnan Blueberry Conference kicked off on February 27 in Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. On the same day, the Honghe Blueberry Brand Strategy was officially launched, aiming to enhance the brand value of Honghe Blueberries and promote the industry’s development. The unveiling of the “Honghe Blueberry” regional public brand marks a significant step toward brand-oriented growth in Honghe’s blueberry industry. As one of the world’s most suitable regions for blueberry cultivation, Honghe boasts vast territory, diverse microclimates, significant temperature differences between day and…

Aims to foster better data collection and climate-resilient agriculture The Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification (CCMRV) Hub have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering better data collection and climate-resilient agriculture. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Daniel Lee, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia, and Michael Gillenwater, Interim Director of the Caribbean Cooperative Measurement, Reporting and Verification (CCMRV) Hub, and witnessed by H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, and Alfred Prospere, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development.…

Marine fuel will be available at competitive prices worldwide through the new joint venture Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business and leading tanker shipping company, Hafnia, have joined forces to launch Seascale Energy, a joint venture, combining Cargill’s existing bunker business Pure Marine Fuels and Hafnia’s Bunker Alliance. By combining the strengths of two global players, Seascale Energy aims to set a new standard for marine fuel procurement by delivering considerable cost efficiencies, transparency, and access to sustainable fuel innovations. By consolidating bunker purchasing volumes, the venture will secure even more competitive pricing and terms while providing tailored procurement solutions to meet…

VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD+H5 is a new trivalent vaccine for poultry that offers protection against Marek’s disease, Infectious Bursal Disease and H5 avian influenza in just one shot With VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD+H5, Boehringer Ingelheim is expanding its proven VAXXITEK® range with a new vaccine that protects against three severe poultry diseases: Marek’s disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, and H5 avian influenza. Leveraging extensive expertise in avian influenza protection, this innovative vaccine will first launch in Egypt in February 2025. VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD+H5 is manufactured in the U.S. where it has been licensed since 2023; however, avian influenza vaccination is currently not permitted in the U.S. Marek’s disease…

Thales , a global leader in high-tech, and Cubic , a leading global provider of Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) solutions , announce a collaboration to drive innovation and simplify connectivity management. Leveraging Thales’ eSIM management platform , Cubic will be compliant with the latest GSMA standards and will be able to ensure seamless global connectivity for mass IoT sectors such as automotive, transportation and agriculture. Cubic’s multi-network connectivity management ecosystem integrates Thales’ eSIM management platform – compliant with GSMA SGP.32. This standard outlines several requirements for eSIM management in IoT, including enhanced security, interoperability between devices and network operators, and…