Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

Regulatory approvals in Japan and Brazil unlock a new era of freshness, sustainability, and food security In a defining moment for agri-biotechnology, Tropic Biosciences has secured regulatory approval for its world-first non-browning banana in Japan and Brazil—two of the most influential fresh-produce markets globally. The decision paves the way for import, sale, and consumption in both nations, while also enabling cultivation in Brazil, opening vast new commercial and sustainability opportunities. Redefining Freshness in Premium Markets Known for its uncompromising standards of quality and consistency, Japan represents a critical import destination where Tropic’s innovation aligns seamlessly with consumer expectations. Meanwhile, in…

Next-generation fungicide moves closer to approval, redefining sustainable crop protection In a significant stride toward sustainable agriculture, Koppert has introduced KC2404, an advanced biological fungicide poised for regulatory approval in the third quarter of 2026. First showcased at the prestigious Crop Health Days hosted at the World Horti Center, the product offers growers an early glimpse into a powerful new solution for combating powdery mildew and a spectrum of fungal diseases across high-value crops. From Thermal Waters to Targeted Protection At the core of KC2404 lies a unique scientific foundation—a lysate derived from Willaertia, a single-celled amoeba sourced from thermal…

Subsidized loans unlock affordable fertilizer access and accelerate sustainable agriculture In a decisive move to shield its agricultural backbone from rising input costs, Thailand has unveiled a sweeping 30 billion baht ($820 million) subsidized loan programme aimed at improving farmers’ access to fertilizers and other essential inputs. The initiative reflects a broader national strategy to stabilize farm economics while strengthening long-term productivity in the face of volatile global prices. Implemented through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the scheme allows eligible farmers to borrow up to 100,000 baht (approximately $2,700) at a preferential interest rate of just 3…

World’s first registered bacterial solution challenges chemical dominance In a landmark moment for sustainable agriculture, Sichuan Lomon Bio Technology Co., Ltd. has officially launched BIMIE, the world’s first fully registered bacterial acaricide. The unveiling, held during a high-profile virtual conference that drew over 10,000 viewers, marks the company’s strategic expansion from plant growth regulators into advanced biopesticide innovation—underscoring its ambition to lead the global biologicals revolution. At the heart of BIMIE lies its pioneering active ingredient, Bacillus velezensis LM-W2, formulated at 1 billion CFU/ml. Granted full regulatory registration in 2026, the product stands alone globally in its category. Developed from…

Export curbs, Middle East disruptions, and soaring input costs trigger a cascading crisis across agriculture, metals, and chemicals In a dramatic convergence of geopolitics and policy, global sulfuric acid markets have been thrust into turmoil. Escalating tensions in the Middle East—particularly around Iran—have choked key shipping arteries such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly half of seaborne sulfur trade flows. Simultaneously, production setbacks in Qatar and extended export restrictions from Russia have tightened global sulfur supply, sending prices soaring by over 65 per cent in a matter of weeks. In a decisive pivot, China—the world’s largest sulfuric acid…

New global campaign blends science, farm trials, and specialty feed solutions as climate volatility pushes animal agriculture deeper into productivity risk As rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns intensify pressure on livestock systems worldwide, animal nutrition company CCPA has launched a new global initiative aimed at tackling one of agriculture’s most persistent and costly challenges: heat stress. Unveiled on 13 April 2026, the company’s “Heat Stress 2026” campaign positions climate stress not as a single disruption event, but as a cascading biological chain reaction—what CCPA calls the “domino effect”—that quietly erodes productivity, reproduction, and long-term herd performance. At its core,…

A surge in fertiliser prices driven by conflict in the Middle East is accelerating investor appetite for technologies that could localise and decarbonise agricultural inputs, as Australian startup PlasmaLeap Technologies secures A$30 million in Series A funding. The round drew a coalition of agribusiness heavyweights and climate-focused investors, including the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Hort Innovation, GrainCorp’s venture arm, New Zealand’s Agnition Ventures (Ravensdown’s corporate VC), the Gates Foundation, Investible, Yara Growth Ventures, UniSuper and Twynam. Founded as a spin-out from the University of Sydney, PlasmaLeap is developing a reactor that produces ammonia and nitric acid—core ingredients in…

“Broccoli Super Sprouts” sales double year-on-year, signaling rising demand for functional foods in Asia Murakami Farm Co. Ltd. is advancing its international growth strategy as its licensed sprout business in Taiwan records a sharp surge in demand, with sales of its flagship “Broccoli Super Sprouts” doubling year-on-year in FY2025. The milestone underscores the rapid traction of the company’s first overseas licensing initiative and highlights growing consumer appetite for functional, health-focused foods across Asia. As Japan’s leading sprout producer, Murakami Farm entered the Taiwan market through a licensing agreement with local partner Greenvines in 2021, with commercial shipments commencing in 2022.…

State grid’s tailored energy solutions enable high-yield tomato farming and accelerate rural revitalization In the heart of Ningxia’s Hongsibu District, a new model of precision agriculture is taking root—powered as much by data and automation as by a stable and intelligent energy backbone. Inside the sprawling 22,464-square-meter glass greenhouses of the Modern Agricultural Industrial Park, rows of vibrant cherry tomatoes flourish under meticulously controlled conditions, signaling a shift from traditional farming to high-efficiency, technology-driven cultivation. At the center of this transformation is the seamless integration of advanced greenhouse systems with reliable, round-the-clock power supply. Equipped with a Dutch Knight fully…

Autonomous air mobility meets high-speed rail to enable 24-Hour farm-to-city supply chains In a breakthrough for next-generation logistics, AutoFlight has successfully completed China’s first 2-ton-class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) transport trial dedicated to fresh tea delivery, marking a pivotal step toward integrating autonomous aviation into agricultural supply chains. The milestone operation, conducted in Guizhou province, demonstrated how advanced air mobility solutions can overcome geographic constraints and dramatically compress delivery timelines for high-value perishables. The trial utilized AutoFlight’s CarryAll (V2000CG), a fully autonomous unmanned cargo eVTOL aircraft, to transport freshly harvested spring tea across a 120-kilometer mountainous route between…