Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

Landmark partnership to strengthen dairy productivity, technical capacity, and value chain modernization The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development of Nigeria and Nestlé Nigeria Plc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Abuja, marking a strategic step toward strengthening the country’s dairy sector through structured capacity building, technology transfer, and value chain development The initiative is designed to enhance technical competencies across Nigeria’s dairy ecosystem, improve on-farm productivity, and support the long-term transformation of the livestock sector through practical, skills-based training and demonstration-led learning models. The planned centre will be hosted at…

Adjusted EBITDA reaches $85.8 million, supported by structural margin expansion across core businesses Adecoagro S.A. reported a robust start to FY26, with Adjusted EBITDA rising to $85.8 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, driven by record industrial performance in its Sugar, Ethanol & Energy operations and a significant earnings uplift from its newly integrated Fertilizers segment. The results reflect a marked improvement in operational efficiency, favorable pricing dynamics across key commodities, and a strategic portfolio shift following the full integration of Profertil S.A. The company noted that higher urea, ethanol, and energy prices more than offset softness…

Multimodal AI, robotics, and precision analytics converge to transform China’s largest hog farming sector into an intelligent, real-time managed ecosystem At the Changling Smart Farming Base operated by COFCO Joycome in Jilin province, Chinese artificial intelligence company iFlytek is deploying large AI models to re-engineer traditional pig farming into a fully data-driven and intelligent livestock management system. The initiative marks a significant step in the digitisation of China’s livestock sector, which remains the world’s largest in both production and consumption scale. In 2025 alone, national hog slaughter volume reached 719.73 million heads, according to official data, underscoring the systemic importance…

Reform framework aims to strengthen input quality control, accelerate green transition, and boost global competitiveness of agricultural exports In a significant recalibration of agricultural governance, the Plant Production and Protection Department (PPPD) under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has formalised cooperation agreements with three major industry associations representing the seed, fertilizer, and pesticide sectors. The move signals a deliberate shift toward a more consultative, data-driven governance model aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Vietnamese crop exports. The agreements were signed in Hanoi on May 10, marking what officials described as a structural evolution in state management—from administrative…

Pilot programme to prioritise durian and key export fruits as province builds digital backbone for agriculture from 2026–2030 Dong Thap has moved to fast-track a comprehensive agricultural traceability framework aimed at reshaping how the province’s farm produce is tracked, certified, and integrated into global value chains. Under a newly issued provincial plan, the initiative will span agriculture, forestry, and fisheries products over the 2026–2030 period, with a longer-term vision extending to 2035. The programme marks a structural shift in the province’s agricultural governance model, positioning traceability not merely as a compliance requirement, but as a core infrastructure for export competitiveness,…

Life Cycle Assessment study conducted in Vietnam shows drip irrigation lowers environmental impact of coffee cultivation by 60 per cent Orbia Advance Corporation’s Precision Agriculture business group, the global leader in precision irrigation solutions, announced today the results of a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study showing that coffee grown with drip irrigation demonstrates significant environmental benefits, particularly in reducing Global Warming Potential (GWP). The findings highlight higher yields and significant reductions in water use, energy consumption and overall carbon footprint compared with traditional overhead irrigation. The study, conducted in coffee plantations in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, one of the…

Soybean and corn seed gains lift Crop Science performance; dicamba reinstatement in US supports key row crop segments Bayer Crop Science has begun 2026 on a firm note, reporting broad-based growth in its seed and traits Bayer Crop Science has reported a strong start to 2026, with solid performance across its Crop Science division driven primarily by growth in Soybean Seed & Traits and Corn Seed & Traits. The company recorded currency- and portfolio-adjusted sales growth of 6.8 percent in Crop Science, supported by robust seasonal demand and improved commercial execution across key agricultural markets. At group level, Bayer posted…

Ludwigshafen fermentation plant strengthens BASF’s biotechnology capabilities, supply chain resilience and sustainable agriculture ambitions BASF Agricultural Solutions has officially commissioned its new BioHub fermentation facility at its Ludwigshafen site, marking a significant expansion of the company’s industrial biotechnology capabilities and reinforcing its long-term focus on biological and biotechnology-based crop protection solutions. Built with an investment in the high double-digit million-euro range, the newly operational plant represents a strategic addition to BASF’s growing BioSolutions portfolio and reflects the accelerating global shift toward sustainable, integrated crop protection systems. The facility will manufacture biological fungicides and seed treatment solutions using advanced fermentation processes,…

€10 million investment powers integrated breeding software designed to unify data, workflows and decision-making across global seed and research organisations Doriane SAS has officially launched Bloomeo Breeding, its next-generation software platform designed to redefine how plant breeding programmes are managed, integrated and accelerated in an increasingly data-intensive agricultural landscape. The launch marks a significant expansion of the company’s broader Bloomeo ecosystem following successful deployment across agronomy testing and variety development programmes. With the new platform now commercially available, Doriane is positioning the solution as a central operating layer for breeding organisations ranging from global seed companies to research institutions and…

New pesticide formulation plant signals strategic transition from export-led trade to localized production, technology integration and long-term agricultural partnerships across Africa Lagos, Nigeria, May 12, 2026: Against the backdrop of Africa’s rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, Essence Group has formally inaugurated Essence Crop Science Nigeria FZE, its first overseas pesticide manufacturing facility, marking a decisive new chapter in the company’s global expansion journey. Set within the industrial corridor of the Lekki Free Zone, the commissioning of the facility reflects more than a manufacturing milestone. It represents a strategic recalibration of how agricultural companies engage with emerging markets — shifting from distant…