Author: Suchetana Choudhuri
Government-backed deal covers 20 per cent of seasonal fertiliser shortfall amid global supply strains Australia has secured a critical boost to its fertiliser supply, with a new agreement set to deliver 250,000 tonnes of urea from Indonesia amid tightening global markets and ongoing geopolitical disruptions. The deal between Incitec Pivot Limited and PT Pupuk Indonesia will supply agricultural-grade urea between May and December, covering roughly 20 per cent of the country’s remaining fertiliser requirements for the current season. The agreement comes as Australia faces reduced shipments from the Middle East—traditionally the source of around 60 per cent of its urea…
Council of Mayors South East Queensland backs coordinated approach to strengthen supply chains Australia is being urged to rethink how it produces and distributes food, as a new strategy warns that fragmented planning will not be enough to withstand mounting pressures from climate change, population growth and global supply disruptions. In a report released on April 21, CSIRO laid out a coordinated blueprint to secure the country’s food future, using South East Queensland (SEQ) as a test case for a broader national model. Developed with the Council of Mayors South East Queensland and local stakeholders, the strategy calls for a…
Ministerial talks spotlight growing appetite for K-food and expanded agricultural partnership South Korea is stepping up efforts to expand its agricultural footprint in Southeast Asia, with a renewed push to grow K-food exports to Vietnam following high-level talks between the two countries. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung met her Vietnamese counterpart, Trinh Viet Hung, in Hanoi on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation across the farm sector. A key focus of the meeting was boosting Korean fruit exports. Song requested that Vietnam extend its current import window for Korean melons by…
Government targets year-end groundbreaking to shield farmers from volatile global prices The Department of Agriculture is moving closer to a long-anticipated milestone: breaking ground on the country’s first domestic fertilizer manufacturing plant before the end of the year, a strategic response to volatile global supply and rising input costs. At a press briefing, Undersecretary Roger Navarro confirmed that the initiative has secured high-level backing from Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. The project, still subject to feasibility validation, is positioned as a cornerstone of the government’s long-term food security strategy. If preparatory studies conclude on schedule by…
Partnership progresses to next phase following successful in vitro validation of bioactive ingredients Biotalys, an AgTech company focused on protein-based biocontrol solutions, today announced it has achieved the first research milestone in its ongoing partnership with Syngenta to develop a novel bioinsecticide targeting key crop pests. Initial laboratory testing has delivered encouraging in vitro results, demonstrating the effectiveness of newly developed bioactive compounds created using Biotalys’ proprietary AGROBODY technology. These compounds have shown activity against specific insect molecular targets, supporting the potential of this approach in next-generation pest control. “Biotalys is committed to advancing crop protection solutions that combine the…
Initiative equips teams to deliver more tailored, data-driven biosolutions across global markets Rovensa Next, a global leader in biosolutions for agriculture, today announced the launch of a comprehensive, AI-driven capability-building initiative designed to strengthen support for distribution partners and growers worldwide. The initiative combines an AI-powered knowledge platform with a global Training Academy, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its “Biosolutionize Agriculture” strategy—delivering more practical, connected, and evidence-based biosolutions tailored to local agronomic needs. At the core of the initiative is a proprietary AI platform that consolidates more than 10,000 internal articles and insights from over 4,000 field trials. Organized by…
New solution leverages Soil Mobile Technology to improve consistency, efficiency, and crop performance Vive Crop Protection today announced the launch of Averland SM, a next-generation in-season nematicide designed to provide growers with a more flexible and effective solution for managing nematodes in potatoes, onions, and other high-value crops. Powered by Vive’s proprietary Soil Mobile Technology platform, Averland SM enables the active ingredient, abamectin, to move deeper into the soil profile, creating an expanded zone of protection where nematodes are most active. This approach delivers more consistent control compared to traditional surface-applied treatments. “Averland SM gives growers the flexibility to respond…
Strategic expansion aligns with regulatory shift, accelerating the rise of drone-based crop protection In a calculated move that mirrors the changing contours of global agriculture, Agri Spray Drones has announced its expansion into Canada, positioning drone-based spraying as a scalable, next-generation solution for crop protection. The entry comes at a pivotal moment, as Canada’s agricultural landscape evolves under new regulatory philosophies and operational demands. Regulation as an Enabler, Not a Constraint Canada’s shift towards outcome-based pesticide regulation—prioritising performance, safety, and environmental impact over rigid application methods—is creating fertile ground for innovation. This progressive framework is enabling technologies such as drone…
State-of-the-art centre to accelerate breeding, strengthen R&D, and power the next generation of resilient crops In a decisive step towards advancing global agricultural innovation, Elsoms Seeds has announced a major investment in a cutting-edge Innovation Centre, designed to significantly expand its research and development capabilities. As one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent seed businesses with a growing global footprint, the company is reinforcing its commitment to plant science, improved varieties, and sustainable food production. Scaling Research, Accelerating Results The new facility will markedly increase R&D capacity, enabling faster development of high-performing, resilient crop varieties tailored to evolving agricultural challenges.…
AI-driven hydroponics unlock export-ready yields in Uzbekistan’s revitalised greenhouse economy In a striking example of technology-led agricultural renewal, a state-of-the-art smart greenhouse has been launched in the Yukorichirchik district of Uzbekistan, converting previously idle infrastructure into a high-performance strawberry production hub. Developed by a Korean smart farm company, the 1.5-hectare facility reflects a strategic effort to modernise underutilised assets while minimising capital expenditure and accelerating deployment. At the heart of the project lies the Korean-bred “1943 Firmmit” strawberry variety, with approximately 75,000 plants cultivated for export-focused production targeting Russia and Kazakhstan. Selected for its firmness, uniform fruit size, and suitability…