Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
Brazilian authorities say the system modernises administrative workflows without altering the country’s scientific approval criteria for pesticides Brazil has unveiled a new unified digital platform aimed at modernising and integrating the country’s pesticide registration process, marking a significant regulatory shift within one of the world’s largest agricultural markets. The platform, known as SISPA — the Unified Information, Petition and Electronic Evaluation System — has been jointly introduced by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The initiative is designed to replace Brazil’s previously fragmented approval structure, under which pesticide manufacturers were required to submit…
Fulcrum platform includes proprietary editing tools, enzymes, and trait libraries designed for precise crop genetic modification Netherlands-based plant biotechnology company Hudson River Biotechnology (HRB) has entered into a licensing agreement with US gene-editing specialist Pairwise, gaining access to the Fulcrum plant gene editing platform in a move aimed at strengthening its crop improvement and breeding capabilities across multiple agricultural segments. Under the agreement, Hudson River will incorporate Fulcrum tools into its genome editing services for customers working in vegetables, soft fruits, and other crop species. The partnership is expected to broaden the company’s technical offering by complementing its existing BioMaas…
Environmental impact assessment for the 750-tonne project has entered public consultation stage in Hebi Baoshan Economic and Technological Development Zone Chinese agrochemical manufacturer Hebi Quanfeng Biotech has moved to strengthen its position in the plant growth regulator segment with plans to establish a new annual 750-tonne production facility focused on key active ingredients including prohexadione calcium, trinexapac-ethyl, and uniconazole. The proposal has now entered the public consultation stage following the release of the project’s environmental impact assessment documentation. The planned technical renovation project will be located within the Hebi Baoshan Economic and Technological Development Zone and is designed to significantly…
Landmark legislation signed by Governor Phil Scott makes Vermont the first US state to prohibit paraquat, a herbicide linked in studies to elevated Parkinson’s disease risk Vermont has etched itself into American environmental policy history by becoming the first state in the United States to ban paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide widely associated with severe health risks, including Parkinson’s disease. The landmark legislation, signed into law by Governor Phil Scott, reflects an escalating policy consensus that certain agrochemicals may simply be too hazardous for continued use, even within regulated agricultural systems. The decision has been hailed as a significant victory…
Vertically integrated production and multi-region registrations bolster Heben’s competitiveness in global agrochemical supply chains Jiangsu Heben Biochem Co. Ltd. has secured self-owned registration for its Difenoconazole Technical in Brazil, marking a significant expansion of its regulatory and commercial presence in one of the world’s most strategically important agrochemical markets. The approval, granted by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), carries registration number TC12626 under the trade name Difenoconazole Técnico Heben, and further consolidates the company’s position in the global triazole fungicide segment. The development comes on the heels of the company’s earlier achievement of EU equivalence registration for…
Netafim’s Shahar Dayan discusses how drip irrigation, digital agronomy and resource-efficient farming could reshape the future of coffee production worldwide In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Shahar Dayan, Senior Agronomist – Head of Strategic Crops and Sustainability at Netafim, argues that precision irrigation is rapidly evolving from a sustainability initiative into a strategic necessity for the global coffee industry amid escalating climate volatility. Drawing on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-backed evidence from Vietnam and broader global field experience, Dayan explains how drip irrigation is delivering measurable gains in yield stability, water efficiency and input optimisation across major coffee-growing regions. He emphasises…
Acquisition brings Breatheway system into Chiquita-backed supply chain platform TransFRESH Corporation, a subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited, has acquired freshness-technology innovator Hazel Technologies in a move aimed at strengthening its position in post-harvest preservation and extending shelf life across the global fresh produce supply chain. The deal integrates Hazel Technologies’ proprietary Breatheway system and its scientific capabilities into TransFRESH’s operations, enhancing the company’s existing Tectrol pallet bag solutions with advanced modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology. The acquisition comes as produce suppliers face growing pressure to reduce food waste, improve cold-chain efficiency, and maintain quality across increasingly complex global logistics networks.…
Pivoting from market entry to full-service localization, the new hub positions Zoomlion to deepen its agricultural machinery footprint across Latin America China’s construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer Zoomlion has opened a new Latin America Agri-Machinery Hub in Aguascalientes, marking a deeper push into localized operations across one of the company’s fastest-growing overseas markets. The facility integrates product exhibition, technical training, after-sales service, maintenance, spare parts management, and customer experience functions under one roof—positioning it as a regional service and support center for agricultural machinery customers across Latin America. Company officials described the hub as a step beyond traditional market entry,…
Machine learning systems improve ammonia plant efficiency, reducing natural gas consumption EuroChem has reported that its ongoing digital transformation strategy, driven largely by artificial intelligence (AI) applications across its industrial operations, has delivered economic benefits exceeding 4 billion rubles (approximately $50.8 million), underscoring the growing role of advanced analytics in modern fertiliser production. The results were presented at the CIPR-2026 conference during a session focused on the expanding integration of AI in heavy industry. The discussion brought together representatives from major Russian industrial companies, including Severstal, SIBUR, Norilsk Nickel, and CROC, highlighting broader sector-wide adoption of digital technologies. According to…
Breakdowns in fertiliser and sulphur supply chains reveal deeper vulnerabilities in modern agricultural production systems The ongoing conflict involving Iran is generating a multi-layered shock to global commodity systems, extending well beyond hydrocarbons into fertiliser markets and the broader architecture of global food production, according to sector analysis of trade flows and supply chain dependencies. At the centre of the disruption is the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor through which a significant share of global energy and fertiliser-related commodities is transported. While traditionally framed as an oil and liquefied natural gas chokepoint, the strait is also a critical…