Author: Suchetana Choudhuri

MoF, KOICA, and GGGI launch strategic platform to mobilise investment, accelerate innovation, and power Vietnam’s net-zero future In a decisive step toward shaping the future of sustainable innovation, Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance (MoF), in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), has unveiled a landmark initiative aimed at mobilising capital and accelerating the growth of climate-tech startups and small businesses. Designed as a multi-dimensional platform bridging Vietnam, South Korea, and global markets, the project reflects a bold vision to transform Vietnam into a dynamic hub for climate innovation while reinforcing its pathway…

Tripartite initiative sets benchmark for sustainable agrifood system development The successful completion of Phase III of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-China-Uganda South-South Cooperation project marks a significant milestone in advancing agricultural transformation through collaborative partnerships among Global South countries. The initiative has played a pivotal role in enhancing Uganda’s agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and supporting the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence to commercial farming systems. Launched in 2012, the tripartite cooperation framework between FAO, China, and Uganda has facilitated the deployment of more than 60 Chinese agricultural experts to Uganda. These experts have worked closely with local…

Strategic expansion reinforces global leadership in vegetable seeds and sustainability goals BASF’s vegetable seeds business, Nunhems, has announced a €40 million investment to modernize and expand its seed processing facilities at its headquarters in Nunhem, the Netherlands. The move signals the company’s long-term growth strategy and reinforces its ambition to strengthen its position as a global leader in the vegetable seed industry. Construction of the upgraded, next-generation facilities is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for the end of 2028, enabling the company to better serve growers worldwide with high-quality seed solutions. The expansion…

Improved market access and lower barriers expected to boost exports and industry investment In an interview with MK Dhanuka, Chairman of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, India’s agrochemical exports are highlighted as a key pillar of global competitiveness, with the United States remaining the top destination amid steady demand for technicals and formulations. In 2023–24, global exports stood at $ 5.5 billion, while in 2024–25 they reached $ 3.3 billion, supported by consistent shipments of key molecules such as 2,4-D, Mancozeb, and Cypermethrin. He notes that recent India–US trade easing is expected to further enhance export potential by improving market access, encouraging…

Gene-to-trait mapping and predictive breeding are accelerating the path to high-yield, climate-resilient castor varieties AgroSpectrum interview, Ofer Haviv, CEO Casterra ( subsidiary of Evogene ), outlines how castor oil is poised to transition from a niche industrial input to a scalable biofuel feedstock through advances in genetics, mechanization, and precision agronomy. He argues that aligning cost structures with major crops like soybean and palm—while avoiding food-versus-fuel conflicts—positions castor as a strategic alternative in a tightening regulatory landscape. Haviv emphasizes Brazil’s pivotal role, where castor can function as a second crop alongside soy, improving land efficiency without displacing food production. Looking…

Artificial intelligence is rapidly shedding its identity as a tool exclusive to the tech industry and emerging as a strategic asset in agribusiness. From document management to the automation of administrative and operational processes, AI is advancing across the entire agri-food value chain. According to Rodny A. Coronel, Regional Manager at ELO Digital Office España, the sector is now entering a critical phase: the “Second Wave” of AI. “Agribusiness can no longer approach AI as an isolated experiment. Competitive advantage will depend on how effectively it is integrated into core business processes,” Coronel said in an interview ahead of ELO…

Neju George Abraham shares how Industree Foundation is building globally competitive, climate-positive supply chains In an exclusive interaction with AgroSpectrum, Neju George Abraham, CEO of Industree Foundation, outlines a bold vision for scaling women-led, climate-resilient livelihoods through nature-based value chains. He emphasizes that women are not beneficiaries but central economic actors, driving both sustainability and commercial viability in sectors such as bamboo and natural fibres. Drawing on two decades of experience, Abraham highlights how structured, traceable supply chains and producer-owned enterprises are unlocking market access while delivering measurable environmental and social impact. He also underscores persistent gaps in climate finance,…

Breakthrough study uncovers how photocatalytic and photothermal processes work together, setting the stage for next-generation carbon recycling technologies As global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions continue to rise, scientists are intensifying efforts to develop technologies that can transform greenhouse gases into useful fuels. Researchers at Chiba University have now reported a significant advance by uncovering how light-driven and heat-driven processes interact to dramatically improve the conversion of CO₂ into methane (CH₄), a key step toward sustainable energy systems. In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, a team led by Yasuo Izumi achieved one of the highest…

India’s fertiliser sector is central to food security, farmer livelihoods, fiscal stability, and industrial growth. Yet, despite its strategic importance, it remains one of the most tightly regulated and policy-constrained industries—a paradox in an era where Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) drives economic reform. While India has advanced digitisation, tax rationalisation, and regulatory simplification, fertilisers remain encumbered by legacy laws, price controls, fragmented licensing, and onerous compliance. The sector thus struggles to balance food security imperatives with outdated regulation. This analysis examines India’s fertiliser ecosystem through the prism of EoDB, identifies structural and regulatory bottlenecks and situates these challenges within…

In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Carlo Boutton highlights how AGROBODY technology is addressing resistance, scalability, and sustainability challenges in modern agriculture with support from Syngenta Carlo Boutton, interim CEO of Biotalys, highlights that transitioning from lab to field remains a key hurdle, particularly in scaling protein-based crop protection solutions while maintaining efficacy, safety, and cost efficiency. He notes that the company’s AGROBODY platform, developed in collaboration with Syngenta, reflects a broader industry shift toward integrating biologicals as a core pillar of future crop protection strategies rather than niche alternatives. Boutton emphasizes that while protein-based biocontrols offer novel modes of action…