Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
The United States Patent and Trademark Office recognises Nutifood’s proprietary digestive and immunity-support formula, reinforcing Vietnam’s growing presence in global nutrition science and functional dairy innovation. Vietnamese nutrition and dairy company Nutifood has secured a significant international intellectual property milestone after the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted a patent for its proprietary Foundation of Digestion & Immunity (FDI) Formula, a clinically evaluated nutritional formulation designed to support digestive and immune health in children. The patent recognition marks a notable advancement not only for Nutifood but also for Vietnam’s broader dairy and nutritional-science ecosystem, positioning the country more…
QU Dongyu praises the Indian leader’s efforts to prioritize agrifood systems and rural development The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India with the FAO Agricola Medal, the Organization’s highest award, in a ceremony held in the historic Plenary Hall at FAO’s Rome headquarters. Qu warmly congratulated the Prime Minster and said: “It is an honour to award the FAO Agricola Medal, the Organization’s highest award, to His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, in recognition of his invaluable contribution and long commitment to…
Integrated poultry major benefits from resilient regional demand and lower feed costs, as disciplined operations lift margins and strengthen balance sheet Leong Hup International Bhd, one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated poultry producers, delivered a resilient financial performance for FY2025, reporting a 16.3 per cent increase in net profit to RM501 million ($107 million) despite a moderation in revenue to RM8.82 billion ($1.88 billion) from RM9.30 billion a year earlier, underscoring the group’s ability to preserve earnings momentum amid currency volatility and mixed livestock market conditions. The company said sustained regional demand for poultry—widely regarded as the most affordable and…
Decision follows confirmation of effective ASF containment and veterinary oversight in Spain The Philippines has lifted its temporary ban on pork and swine product imports from Spain following a comprehensive review of African Swine Fever (ASF) controls, marking a move expected to strengthen meat supply stability and ease pressure on domestic pork prices. The Department of Agriculture (DA), through a newly issued circular, formally recognised Spain’s ASF regionalization system, allowing the resumption of imports of pork meat, pig skin, and other swine by-products from designated low-risk zones under strict sanitary and quarantine conditions. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.…
PSAT initiative introduces outcome-based funding to transform productivity and resilience The Philippines has unveiled an ambitious $1 billion agricultural transformation initiative in partnership with the World Bank and the United Kingdom, marking a major shift toward results-based development financing designed to modernise farming systems, strengthen food security, and improve rural livelihoods. The programme, officially launched by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (PSAT) initiative, represents the country’s first engagement under the World Bank’s Program-for-Results (PforR) framework, which disburses funds only after predefined performance targets are met. Officials say the approach signals a transition away from…
Crop science major integrates early-stage bee toxicity screening into R&D pipeline while defending the continued role of neonicotinoids in global agriculture As regulatory scrutiny around neonicotinoid insecticides continues to intensify across global markets, Bayer is doubling down on pollinator safety, stewardship protocols, and next-generation risk management systems while reaffirming the strategic role of neonicotinoids in modern agriculture. In the sixth edition of its report, Neonicotinoids: Bayer’s Systematic Risk Management & Portfolio Evolution, the company outlined a significantly expanded approach to pollinator protection, including the integration of bee-toxicity screening much earlier in its product-development pipeline. The report arrives at a pivotal…
Agri-biotech firm advances herbicide-tolerant rice programme across Latin America while regulatory tailwinds strengthen for next-generation genomic technologies. Agricultural technology company Cibus Inc. is accelerating commercial and regulatory momentum across its gene-edited crop portfolio, with its flagship herbicide-tolerant rice programme moving closer to a targeted 2027 launch in Latin America amid a rapidly evolving global policy environment for precision breeding technologies. Reporting first-quarter 2026 results, the Nasdaq-listed company said it continues to deepen partnerships with global seed companies while expanding the commercial pathway for its proprietary Rice herbicide tolerance (HT) platform. The company also highlighted growing international regulatory acceptance of New…
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released the new eLocust4 tool, designed to help national Survey and Control Officers, in locust-affected countries, collect and transmit data from the field to their national locust centres in near real time via satellite eLocust4 is being deployed in 18 locust-affected countries. Each country receives some units consisting of a rugged tablet and a satellite antenna. The distribution covers CLCPRO Member Nations: Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger and Tunisia; CRC Member Nations: Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen; and SWAC Member Nations: India, Iran and Pakistan. The…
With Hengning Biotech emerging as a core growth platform, Hailir deepens its push into proprietary technicals and value-added formulations Chinese agrochemical manufacturer Hailir Pesticides and Chemicals Group Co., Ltd. is accelerating its long-term strategy of technical material (TC) and formulation integration, as its flagship Qingdao Hengning Biotech Phase II project moves steadily toward commercial scale. During its earnings presentation on May 8, Hailir addressed investor questions surrounding the progress of Hengning Phase II, profitability trends within its TC business, first-quarter performance fluctuations, and the company’s broader growth roadmap. The message from management was clear: Hailir is doubling down on a…
Deepens the Group’s Commitment to furthering local and global water stewardship Suntory Group today announced the launch of a new water replenishment initiative in the Brisbane River catchment, Queensland, Australia, to restore local waterways and support future generations’ access to water. Building on the 2025 launch of Suntory Mizuiku — education programme for nature and water in Australia, the Group is deepening its long-term commitment to water stewardship and sustainability in the region. In addition, the Group has partnered with locally-based Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute (ARI) to support research on the impact of climate change on water quantity and quality. “Suntory…