Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

Fulcrum platform to be used for developing improved ornamental plant varieties In a strategic move that broadens the scope of genome editing beyond food crops, Pairwise, a global innovator in agricultural biotechnology, has entered into a licensing agreement with Ball Horticultural Company, one of the world’s foremost breeders and distributors of ornamental plants. The partnership grants Ball access to Pairwise’s Fulcrum genome editing platform, marking its first application in ornamental horticulture. The agreement includes a commercial option, enabling Ball to develop and potentially bring gene-edited ornamental varieties to global markets. By integrating Fulcrum tools into its research and development pipeline,…

Officials warn intensity could be severe, prompting urgent agricultural preparedness measures The Philippines is intensifying its preparedness measures amid growing concerns over a potential “super” El Niño event later this year, even as rising fuel prices continue to push up farm input and production costs. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has sounded a note of caution, underscoring that while the return of El Niño conditions appears increasingly likely, the key uncertainty lies in its severity and impact on the country’s already vulnerable farm sector. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasised that the nation must prepare for a range of…

Revised MAV rules aim to stabilise food supply, ensure fair allocation, and address global input price pressures In a calibrated policy response to mounting global uncertainties, the Philippine government has introduced a revised framework for the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) mechanism, aimed at enhancing transparency, ensuring equitable stakeholder participation, and safeguarding domestic food security. The move comes against the backdrop of rising input costs linked to geopolitical tensions, prompting a reassessment of import allocation strategies across key agricultural commodities. Through Joint Department Circular 1—signed by six key government agencies—the revised guidelines mandate the cancellation of all existing MAV allocations and…

Mark Titus shares how Nippon Paint India is turning coatings expertise into a tool for ecological and economic impact In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Mark Titus, President – Decorative Coatings Business at Nippon Paint India, shares how the company’s foray into apiculture goes beyond diversification to reflect a purpose-driven, ESG-led innovation strategy. He highlights how eco-friendly, GreenPro-certified coatings are being adapted to ensure hive durability while safeguarding bee health—an uncommon intersection of material science and biodiversity. Emphasizing measurable impact, Titus points to metrics like colony health, hive longevity, and farmer income uplift as key indicators of success. He underscores that…

Industry builds on $2.2 billion exports in 2025, supported by fleet expansion and global outreach Türkiye is targeting $2.5 billion in seafood exports by 2026, signaling an ambitious next phase for one of its fastest-growing agri-food sectors. The goal builds on strong momentum in 2025, when exports surpassed $2.2 billion, marking an 11 per cent year-on-year increase and reinforcing the country’s position as a rising force in global seafood trade. Industry leaders point to early 2026 performance and improving market access as key drivers behind the outlook. The reopening of the Chinese market in late 2025 is expected to significantly…

Strategic push aligns biodiversity advantages with green economy goals and international collaboration Lai Châu Province is moving to accelerate its transition toward a green agricultural economy, convening policymakers, scientists, and businesses at a two-day conference focused on commodity agriculture and medicinal plant development. The event, scheduled for April 23–24, signals a broader strategic push to transform the north-western region’s fragmented production systems into scalable, high-value supply chains aligned with sustainability goals. Set against the backdrop of rising demand for environmentally responsible agriculture, the conference is designed as both a policy forum and a marketplace connector. It brings together 250–300 in-person…

Partnership prioritizes legal frameworks, technology transfer, and integrated data systems to protect marine ecosystems Viet Nam is stepping up its collaboration with Germany’s development agency GIZ to address marine plastic pollution and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable blue economy, signaling a more integrated approach to ocean governance and economic development. The renewed partnership, outlined during high-level discussions between the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) and GIZ, sets priorities for 2026 and a longer-term framework through 2030. At the center of the cooperation is a dual focus on strengthening regulatory systems and deploying practical, scalable solutions to…

Bilateral meetings highlight shift toward resilience and low-emission production systems Viet Nam is accelerating its role as a regional agricultural powerbroker, advancing strategic cooperation with the Philippines and Japan through a series of high-level bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC 38) in Brunei. The discussions reflect a coordinated effort to strengthen agricultural trade, enhance sustainability, and build more resilient food systems across the Asia-Pacific region. In talks with the Philippines, both sides placed rice trade at the center of their agenda, signaling a potential shift toward long-term export agreements…

Proposed hub at Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park targets regional and global research networks Pinnacle Food Group Limited is positioning itself at the forefront of Asia’s rapidly expanding synthetic biology sector, announcing a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the development of an Open Yeast Platform hub in Hong Kong. The initiative, led through its subsidiary Pinnacle Food AgTech HK Limited (PFHK), reflects a broader strategy to integrate bio-engineering capabilities with scalable commercial applications, particularly in precision fermentation and high-value biological production. The proposed hub, to be located within the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, is designed…

Feed additive trial delivers significant environmental gains alongside improved livestock productivity Minerva Foods, South America’s leading beef exporter, and Rumin8, an Australian climate technology company, have announced the results of a collaborative study demonstrating significant reductions in methane emissions from cattle alongside measurable improvements in feed efficiency. The research was conducted in partnership with the University of São Paulo’s Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP) and evaluated the impact of Rumin8’s feed additive on enteric methane emissions and productive performance in Nellore cattle under conditions simulating commercial Brazilian feedlot operations. Over the 120-day study period, cattle receiving the feed…