Author: Hithaishi CB

Estimated USD 215 million to be unvested in Public-Private Partnership (SPC) projects The South Korean government is set to fully accelerate the transformation of agriculture into an AI-leading industry by establishing the “National Agricultural AX (AI Transformation) Platform,” which integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics. At the Meeting of Ministers on Economic Affairs presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol, the government discussed the plan to promote this national platform. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced that it will enhance agricultural competitiveness through this platform, which combines AI and data-based farming…

Philippines Collaborates with Asian Institute of Technology Tackling Climate Variability Resource Constraints Through Research Training Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Development The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Bangkok, Thailand, to advance innovation and strengthen the agricultural workforce. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the partnership as a critical step toward achieving food security and sustainability amid challenges such as climate variability, resource limitations, and pest and disease pressures. “This collaboration will empower the next generation of agricultural leaders, enhance scientific and academic communities, and…

iTerra is developing a non-chemical alternative to herbicides I-Pulse Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Robert Friedland, I-Pulse Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Laurent Frescaline, and iTerra CEO, Romain Leray, are pleased to announce the launch of iTerra, an agricultural technology subsidiary dedicated to non-chemical weed control within I-Pulse, the world leader in pulsed power technologies. “By controlling weeds with our pulsed electrical power, we will reduce reliance on poisonous chemicals that are being used in global agriculture. It maintains soil health so that the food can be organic and regenerative by protecting the water table.” iTerra leverages I-Pulse’s proprietary high pulsed…

Strategic and institutional investors including Yara International back PlasmaLeap to develop Green Fertiliser Technology PlasmaLeap Technologies, the Australian company pioneering zero-emissions production of ammonia and nitric acid, has secured almost A$30 million (US$20 million) in new funding from a group of strategic and institutional investors, which was led by the Gates Foundation, Investible and Yara Growth Ventures, the venture arm of Yara International, a world leading integrated nitrogen fertilisers producer. The Series A round, which closed in January, also included Twynam, GrainCorp Ventures, Uniseed/UniSuper, Artesian, SVG Ventures and Agnition Ventures, part of New Zealand fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown. The proceeds will…

Indonesia leads G-33 efforts to revive WTO agricultural negotiations Indonesia is taking a proactive stance in advocating for agricultural reform discussions ahead of the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, scheduled for March 26–29, 2026, in Cameroon. Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasized that this conference presents a critical opportunity to revive stalled agricultural negotiations within the WTO. As the coordinator of the G-33 group of developing countries, Indonesia is calling for these discussions to remain firmly development-oriented. The focus is on addressing key issues such as food security, the welfare of smallholder farmers, and national development priorities, which must…

Focus on green nano‑fertilizers and plant‑immunity enhancers to improve crop productivity NTU’s School of Biological Sciences (NTU SBS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Golden Agri International (GAI) and the SMART Research Institute (SMARTRI), facilitated by the Singapore Agri‑Food Innovation Lab (SAIL), to explore collaborative research in sustainable agricultural practices. The partnership will focus on green nano‑fertilizers and plant‑immunity enhancers to improve crop productivity; molecular and structural regulation of oil biosynthesis and seed loading for efficient, sustainable vegetable‑oil production; plant–pathogen interactions and VOC‑based early diagnostics for pest and disease management; photosynthetic optimisation and carbon fixation to enhance yields while reducing environmental impact; and functional…

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the initiative for the Paddy Crop Takaful Scheme (STTP) in Jerlun  The government has approved an allocation of RM45.6 million for the development of a rice mill by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) as an initiative to help strengthen the country’s paddy and rice sector. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the mill, which will be built in Megat Dewa, near here, reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a more organised and competitive production chain. “The new mill will ensure that the collection,…

Commercial production is set for Q4 2026, targeting the central Taiwan markets like Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, and Yunlin. YesHealth Group has announced the expansion of its vertical farming operations in Taiwan through a partnership with Taichung-based Seasons Future Farm Co., Ltd. The collaboration will establish a large-scale indoor vertical farm in Xinshe District, Taichung City, to enhance regional food supplies and promote sustainable agriculture. Spanning a 6,000-square-meter site, the farm will offer 15,000 square meters of cultivation space with 13 growing racks, each 11 meters high, for high-density, year-round leafy greens production. Season’s Future Farm will oversee building construction…

New contracts enhance price discovery and risk management for vegetable oils market CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, has introduced four new South Asia edible oil futures contracts, enhancing price discovery and risk management for the region’s market participants. Launched on March 2, 2026, these cash-settled products include two outright contracts—South Asia Soybean Oil (Fastmarkets) Futures and South Asia Crude Palm Oil (Fastmarkets) Futures—and two spread contracts that reference Fastmarkets’ Soyoil CFR India and Crude Palm Oil CFR West Coast India assessments. The contracts provide tools for better hedging and investment strategies in the volatile edible oils market. The…

Global Agriculture Under Pressure as Fertilizer Costs Surge Amid Conflict The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has triggered a surge in fertilizer prices, leaving farmers worldwide scrambling to secure supplies as the critical spring planting season approaches. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, has disrupted the flow of fertilizers and fuel, compounding existing challenges in global agriculture. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East threatens global food security by disrupting the supply of nitrogen fertilizers, which are crucial for producing half the world’s food. The Persian Gulf, a key source of these fertilizers,…