Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
India’s farmlands are undergoing a quiet revolution—powered by tech, backed by policy, and driven by purpose. With agriculture employing 45 per cent of the workforce and contributing 18 per cent to GDP, the rise of agritech could unlock a $95 billion GDP boost through smarter yields, lower costs, and climate resilience. From drone-powered soil checks to AI-driven advisories, platforms like AgriStack and eNAM are turning farming into a precision, data-led industry. Over $2.6 billion in startup funding since FY22 signals that agritech isn’t just innovation—it’s India’s next growth engine. With the right investments and inclusive digital tools, India can lead…
India is poised to transform its vast coastline into a seaweed-powered blue economy, with the potential to scale a Rs 10,000 crore industry by 2030. Despite having the capacity to produce 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed annually, India currently harvests just 34,000 tonnes, hindered by fragmented policies, weak infrastructure, and poor market linkages. Startups, global corporations, and fisher communities alike are recognising seaweed’s value—from climate-smart agriculture and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. Lakshadweep’s high-yield pilots and calls for state-specific policies, buy-back systems, and women-led cooperatives highlight a path forward. With the right incentives, legal clarity, and community-driven models, India can…
As the global tomato industry faces the challenge of the highly infectious Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Bayer is leading the charge in developing innovative, long-term solutions to protect crops and ensure profitability for growers. In an exclusive interview, Javier Quintero, Global Lead for Tomato R&D at Bayer’s Crop Science division, shares insights into the company’s groundbreaking work on multi-stacked resistance an advanced strategy designed to outsmart the virus’s rapid mutation rate.Quintero discusses the limitations of first-generation resistant varieties and explains the science behind gene stacking. He also provides details on the results from recent high-pressure virus trials, showcasing…
Côte d’Ivoire halts new permits for initial rubber processing amid oversupply concerns, urging private investment instead in tire manufacturing, molded rubber products, and bioenergy sectors. Officials say current facilities can handle the country’s entire rubber production. Côte d’Ivoire, is aiming to diversify its value-added rubber product offerings amid overcapacity in primary processing. The country’s Rubber and Oil Palm Council has announced it will no longer issue permits for new first-stage rubber processing plants or expand existing ones until further notice. The decision, announced on June 4, is intended to address the imbalance between industrial capacity and raw material supply. The…
Algeria has set an ambitious target to boost its annual date export revenues to $250 million as part of a new national strategy to strengthen the sector. The plan aims to expand Algeria’s export footprint from the current 57 countries to 150, positioning its date industry more prominently in global markets. Key elements of the strategy include improving packaging standards, enhancing cold chain logistics, and curbing smuggling, which has long undermined formal trade. By addressing these structural challenges, the government hopes to unlock the full export potential of Algerian dates—especially the prized Deglet Nour variety—and significantly increase foreign exchange earnings…
Egypt is set to launch a $573 million project aimed at producing phosphoric acid for fertilizer use, with the first phase targeting an annual output of 250,000 tons. Commercial production is expected to begin in 2028. The initiative is designed to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and strengthen Egypt’s position in the global fertilizer market. Egypt is ramping up efforts to strengthen its fertilizer sector with a $573 million investment in a phosphoric acid production facility, slated to begin construction in 2026 in the Abu Tartour region of New Valley Governorate. The project, part of the Abu Tartour for…
World Food Prize Foundation Welcomes 2017 Laureate and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina to Council of Advisors. The World Food Prize Foundation has appointed Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 Laureate and current President of the African Development Bank, to its Council of Advisors. The World Food Prize Foundation has appointed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 Laureate and President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to its Council of Advisors. A globally recognized development economist and agriculture advocate, Adesina will join the council following the completion of his second and final term at AfDB in September. “President Adesina embodies the values and vision of Dr.…
Pairwise has signed a landmark licensing agreement with CIMMYT, granting access to its Fulcrum gene editing platform and cutting-edge SHARC CRISPR enzyme. The collaboration aims to fast-track the creation of improved crop varieties for smallholder farmers across 20 countries where CIMMYT operates integrated R&D programs. In a major step toward transforming agriculture in the Global South, agricultural genetics company Pairwise has licensed its advanced Fulcrum™ gene editing platform to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). The agreement grants CIMMYT and its National Agricultural Research System (NARS) partners access to powerful gene editing tools—including the SHARC CRISPR enzyme—to accelerate…
Machine learning and camera sensing are rapidly transforming agriculture, with AI-driven innovations improving efficiency, cutting input costs, and advancing sustainable farming. CNH’s latest breakthrough integrates real-time crop analysis with automated spraying technology—now embedded across its sprayer lineup under the Case IH, New Holland, and Miller brands. CNH’s smart sprayer precision technology identifies “green-on-brown” — weeds growing on bare soil — and delivers targeted applications of inputs like water, herbicides, and fertilizers. By precisely treating only where needed, it helps reduce chemical use, conserve resources, and improve productivity across each acre. In the latest feature of our A Sustainable Year series,…
The recognition was awarded at the 92nd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in Paris. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection impacting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, often leading to major economic losses and trade restrictions. Brazil has been officially declared free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without the use of vaccination, marking a historic milestone for its livestock industry. The announcement was made during the 92nd General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), held in Paris. The recognition applies to Brazil’s entire territory, solidifying its…