Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

New tree-by-tree soil moisture technology combines robotics, sensors, and data analytics to help growers optimize irrigation, conserve water, and improve crop productivity amid mounting drought pressures As water scarcity intensifies across major agricultural regions, researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have developed an advanced precision irrigation system capable of mapping soil moisture on a tree-by-tree basis, offering growers a powerful new tool to reduce water waste while sustaining productivity. The technology, detailed in the journal Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, represents a significant step forward in precision agriculture by enabling farmers to identify exactly where irrigation is needed…

India-Oman fertilizer venture plans Sharia-compliant listing of 25 per cent stake, spotlighting strong earnings, robust dividends, and strategic importance in global nitrogen supply chains Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), one of the Gulf region’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers and a flagship India-Oman industrial partnership, is preparing to launch what could become Oman’s first initial public offering (IPO) of 2026, seeking a valuation of at least $ 2.5 billion. The company plans to list 25 per cent of its equity on the Muscat Stock Exchange through a Sharia-compliant public offering expected to open in June, subject to regulatory approvals, with trading…

New coordination framework, nationwide inspections and integrated reporting systems aim to reinforce compliance efforts ahead of European Commission review Vietnam has intensified its campaign against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by strengthening inter-agency coordination, advancing digital governance and introducing more transparent monitoring mechanisms as the country seeks to reinforce its fisheries compliance framework ahead of future engagements with the European Commission (EC). The renewed effort was underscored during the first meeting of the Inter-agency Working Group on Combating IUU Fishing, chaired by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Hung, who also serves as Deputy Head of the…

Building on strong progress made against its 2025 Sustainability Goals, AB InBev’s 2030 Goals focus on three areas: Agriculture, Water, and Energy and Emissions. “Beer is made from natural ingredients, and our ability to grow depends on reliable access to quality crops, water, and energy,” says Ingrid de Ryck, Chief Sustainability Officer. “Our 2030 Sustainability Goals build on what we achieved between 2018 and 2025, scaling best practices that work and focusing our efforts where we can deliver the most impact for our business, communities, and the environment.” Since launching its 2025 Sustainability Goals in 2018, AB InBev has made…

New high-resolution hop genome map equips breeders to develop climate-resilient varieties, safeguarding beer production against rising temperatures, droughts, and volatile weather patterns As climate change intensifies pressure on global agriculture, the brewing industry is confronting a growing challenge: securing reliable supplies of high-quality hops, the essential ingredient responsible for beer’s distinctive aroma and bitterness. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasingly erratic weather patterns are already affecting hop yields and quality in major cultivation regions worldwide. In response, the Carlsberg Research Laboratory (CRL) has unveiled a significant scientific breakthrough that could reshape the future of hop breeding and sustainable brewing. Researchers…

Antimicrobial growth promoters may offer short-term productivity gains, but the long-term economic costs of rising antimicrobial resistance are far higher Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant long-term threat to food security, livestock production, economic welfare and human health, making it imperative to realign incentives in the global livestock sector before the costs of inaction become much harder to reverse, according to a new scenario-based economic assessment from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Under current trends, driven by growing demand for animal source foods and continued production intensification, global antimicrobial use in livestock is projected to…

Five-year project will strengthen climate adaptation, restore vulnerable ecosystems and develop resilient agricultural value chains through innovative financing and nature-based solutions Hue City has launched an ambitious $10 million climate adaptation and resilience programme, marking a significant step in Vietnam’s efforts to strengthen climate preparedness and safeguard vulnerable agricultural and environmental systems against escalating climate risks. The initiative, formally known as the VIE/301 Climate Adaptation and Resilience Finance Project, is being funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Government of Luxembourg, with implementation support from the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (LuxDev). Scheduled to run from 2025 to 2029,…

Agriculture Secretary says EO 116 remains a critical safeguard against potential supply shocks, rising pork prices and food inflation amid renewed disease threats and global market uncertainty The Department of Agriculture (DA) has defended the relevance of Executive Order (EO) 116, arguing that the proposed increase in pork import allocations remains an important food security measure as the Philippines faces renewed risks from African Swine Fever (ASF) and mounting inflationary pressures linked to global geopolitical developments. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday rejected suggestions that the measure had become outdated, emphasizing that the circumstances which originally prompted…

First commercial shipment of fresh Carabao mangoes to Canada marks another milestone in the Marcos administration’s strategy to diversify agricultural export markets and elevate Filipino produce on the global stage The Philippines has achieved another significant milestone in its agricultural export journey with the successful dispatch of its first commercial shipment of fresh Carabao mangoes to Toronto, Canada, reinforcing the government’s broader strategy of expanding market access for high-value farm products beyond traditional destinations. The landmark shipment, officially flagged off on June 3 at the Philippine Airlines cargo terminal in Pasay City, underscores the Marcos administration’s efforts to strengthen the…

Exclusive AgroSpectrum interview explores how geopolitical tensions are accelerating procurement diversification across Asia, Africa and Latin America In this interview, Siddharth Gupta, Co-Founder of Atomgrid, argues that the ongoing Hormuz crisis is accelerating a global realignment of agrochemical supply chains, with buyers increasingly prioritising reliability over lowest-cost sourcing. He notes that while India is steadily advancing towards greater domestic manufacturing of active ingredients, deep dependencies on Chinese technicals and intermediates remain a long-term challenge rather than a short-term fix. Gupta highlights emerging opportunities for Indian agrochemical exporters in markets such as Vietnam and Latin America, where concerns over supply disruptions…