Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

Talks focus on market access, disease control and ODA-Backed sector development South Korea and Vietnam have moved to deepen their strategic agricultural partnership, with both sides agreeing to expand trade engagement, strengthen development cooperation and explore collaboration in emerging areas such as smart farming and agri-processing. The discussions took place during a bilateral meeting between Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of South Korea, and Trinh Viet Hung, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, where both leaders emphasised the need to build a more robust and mutually beneficial agri-food trade ecosystem. South Korea sought an extension of…

Approval reinforces quality standards, boosts Thailand’s ambition as global seed hub Bayer Thailand has received certification under the Quality Controlled Seed Collection Project (Q Factory) for its seed production facilities in Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to strengthen high-quality seed production for domestic and export markets. The recognition was conferred by the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which awarded a certificate of compliance and a plaque of honour to the company, underscoring its adherence to stringent standards in seed collection, inspection and production. The Q Factory certification is granted to facilities…

CP Group, Mitr Phol, Nestlé among signatories; traceability push targets PM2.5 crisis Thailand’s leading corporates and public institutions have come together in a landmark sustainability initiative, with over 100 organisations signing a declaration to eliminate agricultural burning and strengthen supply chain transparency. The move, announced on Earth Day, aims to address the country’s persistent PM2.5 pollution crisis, widely linked to open burning in the farm sector. The initiative, led by the Thai Chamber of Commerce and backed by major conglomerates such as CP Group, Mitr Phol and Nestlé, marks a coordinated shift towards sustainable agricultural sourcing. Participating entities span private…

Partnership to Leverage Space Technology for agriculture, research and education The Philippine Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences to strengthen collaboration in agricultural research, education and technology development, marking a step forward in integrating space science with farming and environmental monitoring. The agreement, formalised on April 20, was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez and MATE Rector Csaba Gyuricza, and focuses on advancing the application of space science and technology in agriculture. The partnership aims to facilitate the exchange of students, researchers and…

Rs 108 crore investment targets rural mobility, agri efficiency The Department of Agriculture has approved a major infrastructure project worth Rs 108 crore (₱727 million) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), aimed at improving connectivity to upland agricultural communities in Zambales. Cleared by the Central Luzon Project Advisory Board, the 26-kilometre farm-to-market road (FMR) linking Barangay Baloganon to Sitio Coto in Barangay Taltal is being positioned as a transformative intervention to unlock agricultural growth in the region. The project, which includes the construction of 11 bridges, will be the longest and most capital-intensive subproject under the World Bank-supported PRDP…

Industry leaders at FHA 2026 highlighted the transition from experimental technologies to scalable, commercially viable agrofood solutions across Asia-Pacific Agrofoodtech innovation in Asia is entering a new phase, shifting from experimentation, toward more cost-efficient, scalable, and real-world adoptable solutions – a transition underscored by discussions at FHA 2026. While technological breakthroughs emerge across the sector, industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on how to make these innovations commercially viable. Speakers highlighted that the current wave of innovation is no longer centred on capability alone, but on reducing costs, improving margins, and achieving sustainable profitability. This shift reflects a maturation of the agrofoodtech ecosystem, where…

The global specialty fertilizer market is entering a new phase of technological convergence, moving beyond conventional nutrient formulations toward integrated performance systems, according to insights shared by Vatren Jurin, Chief Technology Officer and Partner at DunhamTrimmer. Jurin is set to present “Market Trends for Specialty Fertilizers” at the NewAG International Conference & Exhibition 2026, scheduled for April 28–29 in Madrid. Drawing on a synthesis of global patent activity, academic research trends, and proprietary market intelligence, Jurin’s analysis points to a structural transformation in how innovation is defined within the fertilizer industry. Rather than focusing on nutrient composition alone, companies are…

Two local currency loans of $500,000 each from the Food Systems Innovation Finance Facility to Omia Agribusiness in Uganda and SokoFresh in Kenya / Omia to expand services and market access for 75,000+ smallholder farmers / SokoFresh to reduce food loss and increase farmer incomes through expanded cold storage and market linkages in Kenya / Innovative financing model combines philanthropic capital from Bayer Foundation with UNCDF’s mandate as dedicated investment partner for underserved markets As part of a strategic partnership, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Bayer Foundation today announced the first investments under the Food Systems Innovation…

Vibrance Premium targets key fungal threats as regulators speed up product clearances New Zealand has approved a new fungicide designed to protect potato crops from a wide range of damaging diseases, providing a boost to one of the country’s most valuable horticultural sectors. The decision by New Zealand Food Safety clears Vibrance Premium for use on potato seed tubers, targeting multiple fungal threats including black scurf, silver scurf, black dot, gangrene and fusarium dry rot, while also suppressing common scab. Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle said the approval comes at a critical time for the country’s potato industry, which is valued…

Laminarin product targets hard-to-control diseases while supporting stricter environmental standards A new generation of crop protection is nearing a key regulatory milestone in China, as a seaweed-based biopesticide moves closer to market approval. France-based GOËMAR S.A.S announced that its Laminarin-based product has been included in the latest list of proposed pesticide registrations released by the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The listing signals that the product has successfully passed technical evaluation and is expected to receive final registration following a public notice period. Derived from Laminaria japonica polysaccharides, Laminarin represents a shift from…