https://agrospectrumasia.com/rssfeed/opinion/interviews interviews https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4519/india-now-requires-comprehensive-national-biomass-allocation-and-aggregation-policy.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4519/india-now-requires-comprehensive-national-biomass-allocation-and-aggregation-policy.html Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:05:17 +0530 This interview presents a forward-looking roadmap for strengthening India’s biofuel ecosystem beyond the successful achievement of the E20 blending target. It examines the scientific, economic and policy considerations surrounding higher ethanol blends, flex-fuel vehicles and the need for sustained feedstock availability. The discussion also highlights why CBG project execution continues to lag despite strong policy support, identifying feedstock security, digestate management and technology selection as critical challenges. A key recommendation is the creation of a National Biomass Allocation and Aggregation Policy supported by district-level mapping, organised collection infrastructure and digital traceability. The interview further explores how technological maturity, lower capital costs and carbon markets can help the sector transition from policy dependence towards commercially sustainable growth. It also assesses India’s opportunities in SAF, green methanol and other advanced biofuels as global demand for low-carbon fuels and sustainability certification intensifies. Looking towards 2035, the conversation outlines a vision of India emerging as a leading integrated biofuel economy built on secure biomass supply, efficient resource allocation and stronger circular-economy linkages. India achieved its E20 blending target ahead of schedule and discussions have already begun around E22 and higher blends. What should be the next phase of India's ethanol roadmap, and how can policymakers ensure that higher blending ambitions remain economically and environmentally sustainable? India's successful achievement of the E20 blending target ahead of schedule demonstrates that the country has built a robust ethanol ecosystem. The next phase of the roadmap should focus on scientifically validated higher ethanol blends while simultaneously expanding ethanol production capacity and creating an enabling ecosystem for flex-fuel vehicles. There has been considerable debate in the country regarding India's preparedness for ethanol blends beyond E20. However, this discussion should be guided by evidence rather than perception. Indian Oil, in collaboration with Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), has been at the forefront of evaluating ethanol-gasoline blends across both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Extensive testing has already been completed for E5-E10 and E10-E20 blends under highly structured laboratory and field conditions. These validation exercises included endurance trials exceeding one lakh kilometres, making them among the most comprehensive studies undertaken in India. The findings clearly establish that E20 blends are fully compatible with modern engines from a metallic component perspective. Contrary to widespread misconceptions, E20 does not corrode engine metals or damage critical engine components. In fact, one of the biggest advantages of higher ethanol blending is the significant reduction in emissions. Compared to conventional gasoline, E20 delivers nearly 30 percent lower emissions and around 20 percent lower emissions compared to E10. Another major advantage lies in the higher octane rating of ethanol. Blending ethanol increases the octane number of gasoline to around 95-97, improving combustion efficiency and engine performance. However, one challenge associated with higher ethanol blends is reduced calorific value. Since ethanol contains oxygen, increasing ethanol content lowers the overall energy density of the fuel. On paper, E20 results in approximately a six percent reduction in fuel economy. But improved combustion efficiency resulting from higher octane ratings compensates for nearly half of this loss, bringing the effective mileage reduction closer to three percent. The only significant technical issue identified during testing relates to certain polymeric materials used in fuel system components. Some rubber and polymer parts may experience premature ageing under continuous E20 usage. For instance, a component designed to last approximately 60,000 kilometres on pure gasoline may require replacement after around 20,000 kilometres under E20 usage. Importantly, the replacement cost remains relatively small—typically below Rs 1,000 per vehicle—and policymakers are already evaluating mechanisms to compensate consumers for this additional maintenance expense. Moving beyond E20 requires a phased approach. Before adopting E25 or E30 nationally, extensive compatibility testing must continue to determine how higher ethanol concentrations affect different engine materials and vehicle platforms. Indian Oil has already initiated testing of E25 blends. The country also possesses sufficient production potential to support higher blending. Achieving E20 requires roughly 1,000 crore litres of ethanol annually against India's gasoline consumption of approximately 29.5 million metric tonnes. Current production projections indicate that India could produce nearly 2,000 crore litres of ethanol, creating a comfortable surplus. This expansion has largely been enabled by the National Biofuel Policy, 2018, which fundamentally transformed India's ethanol economy. Traditionally, ethanol production depended almost entirely on sugar industry by-products such as B-heavy and C-heavy molasses. The revised policy introduced assured procurement prices linked to feedstock type, providing investors with long-term confidence. Equally important, the government gradually permitted surplus food grains to be diverted toward ethanol production. Earlier, this was not allowed due to food security concerns. Improved agricultural productivity and favourable monsoons have now generated sufficient grain surpluses, enabling damaged grains, broken rice and other low-value produce—which previously offered poor returns to farmers—to become valuable ethanol feedstocks. Maize has also emerged as an important alternative raw material. Looking ahead, ethanol production alone should not determine blending targets. The next milestone depends equally on expanding India's flex-fuel vehicle ecosystem. Indian Oil is already prepared to supply E85 fuel, but E85 can only be used in specially designed flex-fuel engines capable of operating on fuels ranging from E0 to E85. Several automobile manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, have already introduced flex-fuel vehicles. By 2030, India should aim for a sizeable population of flex-fuel vehicles. Once such a vehicle base exists, higher ethanol blends like E85 become commercially viable. Importantly, E85 could be nearly 25 percent cheaper than conventional gasoline, creating economic incentives alongside environmental benefits. Compressed biogas (CBG) has been positioned as a cornerstone of the circular bioeconomy, yet project execution remains slower than expected. What are the biggest policy bottlenecks holding back the sector, and what immediate interventions are needed to make CBG commercially viable at scale? India's CBG programme has one of the strongest policy frameworks globally, yet implementation has significantly lagged behind targets. Under the SATAT initiative, the government envisioned establishing approximately 5,000 CBG plants capable of producing nearly 15,000 metric tonnes of compressed biogas by 2025. While the policy architecture is attractive, only around 400 plants are currently operational. Several enabling measures have already been introduced. The government established BIS specifications for CBG quality, ensuring standardized gas production. Initially, an assured procurement price of approximately Rs 48 per kilogram was announced. However, policymakers soon recognised that this price was insufficient to ensure project viability. Consequently, procurement prices have now been revised to nearly Rs 70 per kilogram, along with transportation support within a 50-kilometre radius. The government has also classified CBG projects under priority sector lending, allowing entrepreneurs to access affordable financing through public sector banks. Furthermore, developers are not required to independently market their gas. Once a Detailed Project Report is approved under SATAT, public sector oil marketing companies provide Letters of Intent guaranteeing 100 percent offtake for ten years, including logistics support. Despite these strong incentives, project execution remains weak because two critical operational challenges continue to undermine viability. The first is feedstock security. Every successful CBG plant requires not only land for the plant itself but also sufficient storage facilities for maintaining feedstock inventories. More importantly, entrepreneurs must independently secure consistent feedstock supply throughout the year. Without assured biomass availability, plant utilisation declines significantly. The second challenge relates to by-product management. From every kilogram of feedstock, only around 18 percent is converted into methane. The remaining material consists largely of carbon dioxide and digestate. Unless this digestate is evacuated regularly, plant operations become increasingly difficult. Fortunately, digestate represents a valuable resource because it can be converted into high-quality organic manure. Therefore, one of the most important policy interventions required today is mandatory integration of organic manure into India's fertiliser ecosystem. If policymakers mandate that a certain percentage of fertiliser application must consist of certified organic manure, it would immediately create a large market for digestate generated by CBG plants. This additional revenue stream could substantially improve project economics and accelerate sectoral growth. Technology selection also remains a major concern. Many projects continue to adopt technologies that are poorly suited to Indian feedstocks, resulting in lower gas yields and operational inefficiencies. Greater emphasis on technology evaluation and standardisation is therefore essential. Another equally important intervention involves feedstock allocation. If multiple CBG plants compete within the same geographical area, biomass shortages inevitably arise. A rational feedstock allocation mechanism should therefore accompany future project approvals.  Feedstock security is emerging as the defining challenge for both ethanol and CBG. Should India move towards a national biomass strategy with dedicated feedstock mapping, pricing mechanisms and logistics infrastructure? What would such a framework look like? Absolutely. Feedstock security will determine the long-term success of India's biofuel programme. India now requires a comprehensive National Biomass Allocation and Aggregation Policy. The first pillar should be biomass mapping. Every district must have scientifically validated estimates of available agricultural residues, crop waste and other biomass resources. Second, biomass allocation must accompany project approvals. Ideally, only one ethanol or CBG plant should be permitted within approximately a 100-kilometre radius so that feedstock availability remains commercially sustainable. Third, India urgently needs an organised biomass collection ecosystem. Today, most biomass consists of agricultural residues generated during harvest. Farmers often have less than fifteen days before preparing land for the next crop, leaving little time for organised residue collection. Consequently, stubble burning remains the easiest option. Mechanised biomass aggregation systems can eliminate this problem. However, these systems require significant capital investment. Entrepreneurs therefore seek government assistance for biomass collection infrastructure. Existing platforms such as the Dharani portal also require significant modernisation. India should establish a real-time national biomass repository incorporating GIS-based mapping, traceability systems and digital inventory management. Such a repository would guide optimal plant locations, reduce transportation costs and improve feedstock availability. Ultimately, biomass allocation policies, aggregation infrastructure and digital traceability should function together as a single integrated ecosystem. India's biofuel ecosystem still depends heavily on policy support, including assured offtake and administered pricing. How can the sector transition from a subsidy-driven model to a market-led one without jeopardising investor confidence and future capacity additions? The transition towards a market-led ecosystem will primarily depend on technological maturity rather than subsidy withdrawal. Many biofuel technologies currently remain at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 5. Scientific proof exists, but commercial-scale deployment remains limited. India therefore requires stronger public-private partnerships in research and development to accelerate technology maturation. Another major challenge is capital expenditure. For example, second-generation ethanol plants require substantial upfront investment. Indian Oil's 2G ethanol facility in Assam illustrates how high capital costs can delay breakeven even after successful commissioning. Future projects therefore require innovative engineering, value engineering and improved EPC execution models capable of reducing capital costs without compromising efficiency. Carbon markets represent another critical missing component. The government has recently permitted qualifying second-generation ethanol with verified carbon footprints to access export markets. However, domestic carbon trading mechanisms remain under development. Entrepreneurs investing in biofuel projects should be able to monetise carbon credits generated through emissions reductions. A robust carbon credit market would provide an entirely new revenue stream, improving project economics and attracting private investment. The faster India operationalises carbon trading, the sooner private capital will accelerate biofuel investments. As global markets increasingly demand low-carbon fuels with traceable sustainability credentials, how important are carbon accounting, lifecycle emissions standards and sustainability certification for India's biofuel ambitions? Is India moving fast enough on this front? Carbon accounting and lifecycle assessment are rapidly becoming prerequisites for participating in international biofuel markets. Europe, particularly under CBAM-related sustainability frameworks, is likely to become India's largest export opportunity for green fuels. Meeting these requirements will demand rigorous lifecycle emissions assessments and internationally recognised sustainability certification. India has already begun moving in this direction. Projects such as AM Green's upcoming green ammonia facility in Kakinada have already obtained internationally accepted sustainability certifications and lifecycle assessments, positioning them to serve European markets. Nearly five million metric tonnes of green biorefinery capacity are also under planning. While North America's momentum for green fuels has moderated following recent policy changes, Europe continues strengthening sustainability standards. India therefore needs to accelerate development of transparent carbon accounting systems capable of satisfying increasingly stringent international certification requirements.  The conversation around biofuels is increasingly expanding beyond ethanol and biogas to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), green methanol and advanced biofuels. Where should India place its strategic bets over the next decade, and which technologies are closest to commercial scale? Sustainable Aviation Fuel represents India's next major biofuel opportunity. Under ICAO's CORSIA framework, emissions reductions for international aviation become mandatory beginning in 2027. Our recommendations propose initiating SAF blending at one percent in 2027 and gradually increasing to five percent by 2030. Several ASTM-approved pathways exist for SAF production. Currently, the HEFA pathway remains the most commercially mature. Feedstocks include used cooking oil, vegetable fatty acids and non-edible vegetable oils. This route requires minimal additional capital expenditure and could comfortably meet India's initial one percent blending requirement. However, India currently lacks sufficient domestic feedstock and may initially depend on imports. Another promising pathway is Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), which converts ethanol into aviation fuel. This route offers tremendous long-term sustainability benefits because India possesses growing ethanol production capacity. However, ATJ technology has not yet reached commercial maturity, and no commercial-scale facilities currently exist. Another emerging pathway combines captured biogenic carbon dioxide with green hydrogen to produce green methanol, which can subsequently be upgraded into SAF. Although scientifically promising, these technologies remain at demonstration stage. Regardless of production pathway, SAF will initially cost nearly twice as much as conventional aviation fuel. Nevertheless, regulatory mandates beginning next year will drive gradual market adoption. Looking ahead to 2035, what is your vision for India's biofuel sector? What are the three policy decisions that India must take in the next five years if biofuels are to become a durable pillar of the country's energy transition and a meaningful contributor to net-zero ambitions? By 2035, India has the opportunity to become one of the world's leading integrated biofuel economies. Achieving this vision will depend on three transformative policy decisions. First, India must establish a comprehensive National Biomass Repository supported by digital biomass mapping, traceability systems and biomass allocation mechanisms. Feedstock security will remain the single biggest determinant of long-term industry sustainability. Second, policymakers should create an organised biomass allocation framework ensuring optimal geographic distribution of ethanol and CBG plants, preventing unhealthy competition for limited agricultural residues. Third, India should mandate greater integration of organic manure into mainstream agriculture. Requiring a defined proportion of nutrient application to come from certified organic manure would create a stable market for digestate generated by CBG plants, improving project economics while simultaneously reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers. Collectively, these measures would transform biofuels from a policy-supported sector into a commercially self-sustaining pillar of India's energy transition, rural economy and net-zero strategy. —- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/4415/annam-ais-push-for-farm-scale-intelligence.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/4415/annam-ais-push-for-farm-scale-intelligence.html Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:38:12 +0530 Artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation and emerging as a strategic layer for agricultural decision-making. In this exclusive conversation with Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh, Project Director, ANNAM.AI, AgroSpectrum explores how the ANNAM.AI–Syngenta collaboration aims to bridge the persistent gap between promising agri-tech pilots and large-scale farmer adoption. The discussion examines whether AI can deliver measurable improvements in profitability, climate resilience and resource efficiency for India's millions of smallholder farmers while safeguarding data ownership and digital sovereignty. Dr. Singh also outlines his vision of ANNAM.AI as a foundational agricultural intelligence infrastructure capable of integrating satellite data, digital twins, sensors and multilingual advisory systems at national scale. Looking ahead, he explains how AI could gradually evolve from predictive analytics to semi-autonomous farm operations under robust regulatory safeguards. The interview further explores why India's uniquely complex agricultural landscape could become the proving ground for scalable AI solutions across the Global South. As agriculture enters an era where intelligence may become as valuable as seeds, water and fertilizers, this conversation offers an insightful perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping the sector's next transformation. From AI Pilots to Farm-Scale Impact India has seen numerous agri-tech pilots struggle to achieve meaningful scale. What differentiates the ANNAM.AI–Syngenta collaboration from previous digital agriculture initiatives, and how do you plan to translate AI innovation into measurable outcomes for millions of farmers rather than isolated demonstrations? India has run over 400+ digital agriculture pilots, but fewer than 5 per cent reached meaningful scale. ANNAM.AI is built for population‑scale impact from Day 1. We use nation‑scale datasets, Digital Twins, IoT networks, and multilingual advisory systems rather than isolated tools. The platform already processes millions of soil, weather, and pest datapoints. With Syngenta’s reach across 1 million+ farmers, we are designing measurable outcomes, water savings, reduced input costs, and yield stability, rather than demonstration plots. This collaboration is structured for scaling, not showcasing.The Economics of AI in AgricultureAI models can generate sophisticated insights, but adoption ultimately depends on farmer economics. How will this partnership ensure that AI-driven recommendations directly improve profitability, reduce input costs, or mitigate production risks for smallholder farmers? ANNAM.AI focuses on direct economic gains. Field pilots show 20–28 per cent water savings, 15–20 per cent fertilizer reduction, and 30-40 per cent fewer pesticide sprays. Early warnings reduce yield losses by 5–12 per cent. Every advisory is tied to local economics, electricity cost for irrigation, fertilizer price bands, and pest thresholds. AI becomes viable only when it improves net returns, and that is the core design of ANNAM.AI.Building India's Agricultural Intelligence InfrastructureMany countries are investing heavily in digital public infrastructure. Do you view ANNAM.AI as an agricultural equivalent—a foundational intelligence layer for Indian farming—and what would success look like over the next decade? Yes. ANNAM.AI is designed as India’s Agricultural Intelligence Layer, much like how UPI became the backbone of digital payments. It integrates sensors, satellite feeds, crop models, and multilingual advisory. Success over the next decade means 100 million farmers receiving AI‑enabled advisories, nationwide micro‑climate coverage, state‑level Digital Twins, and 20 per cent national reduction in input use. India needs a backbone for agricultural decision‑making. ANNAM.AI aims to be that backbone. Climate Change as an AI ChallengeWith heat stress, pest migration, and extreme weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, can AI realistically stay ahead of climate volatility, or are we reaching the limits of predictive agriculture? How does this partnership intend to address that challenge? Climate unpredictability is rising, Punjab saw 10+ extreme heat days in 2024, and pest migration shifted 200–300 km in several states. AI cannot eliminate uncertainty, but it can reduce reaction time from weeks to hours. ANNAM.AI uses ensemble weather models, computer‑vision pest detection, and Digital Twins to simulate crop response under extreme conditions. The goal is resilience, not perfection, helping farmers act early enough to avoid losses.Data Sovereignty and OwnershipAs AI systems increasingly rely on farm-level data, questions around ownership, governance, and commercialization become critical. Who ultimately owns the data generated through these platforms, and how do you balance innovation with farmer data rights and digital sovereignty? Farmers own their data. ANNAM.AI follows three principles: farmer‑first ownership, state‑level stewardship aligned with AgriStack, and transparent consent logs. Commercial use requires explicit consent and anonymization. Innovation must never compromise farmer rights. ANNAM.AI is designed to be sovereign, secure, and farmer‑centric.Beyond Prediction: Towards Autonomous Decision-Making?Most agricultural AI today focuses on prediction and advisory services. Do you foresee a future where AI systems move toward autonomous decision-making in crop management, and what safeguards would be necessary before reaching that stage? The world is moving toward autonomous irrigation, fertigation, and robotic spraying. India will follow a staged pathway: prediction → recommendation → semi‑autonomous actions → full autonomy. Before autonomy, we need fail‑safe protocols, human override, regulatory standards, and liability frameworks. Autonomy is possible—but only with trust and robust validation.The Next Green Revolution: Biological or Digital?India’s first Green Revolution was driven by genetics, irrigation, and inputs. Could the next agricultural transformation be driven primarily by intelligence—data, AI, and predictive systems—or will digital tools remain complementary to biological innovation? It will be biological + digital. Genetics will continue to drive yield potential, but AI will drive yield realization. Digital tools can reduce input waste by 20–40 per cent, improve yield stability by 10–15 per cent, and enable climate‑smart diversification. The next revolution will be intelligence‑led, not input‑heavy.Measuring Return on InnovationFor a global company like Syngenta, what metrics will determine whether this collaboration has succeeded? Will success be measured through yield gains, climate resilience, farmer adoption, sustainability outcomes, or entirely new indicators of agricultural performance? Key metrics include: Yield stability: +10–15 per cent Input efficiency: 20–40 per cent reduction Farmer profitability: measurable net‑return increase Adoption: millions of weekly active users Climate resilience: reduced losses during extreme events Sustainability: improved soil health, water savings. We also expect new indicators, decision accuracy, risk‑aversion behavior, and digital trust. Global Relevance of the India ModelIndia presents one of the world's most complex agricultural environments, with fragmented landholdings, diverse agro-climatic zones, and over 600 million people dependent on agriculture. If ANNAM.AIsucceeds here, could it become a blueprint for AI-enabled agriculture across the Global South, and what lessons might other countries draw from this model? Absolutely. India has 86 per cent smallholders, 15 agro‑climatic zones, and 600+ million people dependent on agriculture, one of the world’s most complex environments. If ANNAM.AI succeeds here, it will serve as a model for Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The key lesson is that scalable agricultural AI must be affordable, multilingual, offline‑capable, and farmer‑centric. India can lead the world in AI‑enabled smallholder agriculture. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)     ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4373/why-el-nio-is-forcing-cotton-farming-to-rethink-productivity.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4373/why-el-nio-is-forcing-cotton-farming-to-rethink-productivity.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:33:19 +0530 For decades, cotton farming has measured success in tonnes harvested and yields achieved. But as climate extremes become more frequent, that definition is beginning to change. In this exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect, explains why El Niño is more than a weather event—it is exposing structural weaknesses in conventional cotton production, from degraded soils and rising input costs to fragile supply chains. She makes a compelling case that resilience, not just productivity, will determine the future competitiveness of the cotton sector. Backed by evidence from CottonConnect's work with farmers, Alison discusses how regenerative practices are improving profitability while reducing dependence on synthetic inputs and scarce natural resources. She also highlights the growing role of brands, traceability and long-term partnerships in building climate-ready cotton value chains. At a time when agriculture is being forced to adapt faster than ever before, this interview offers an important perspective on what it will take to grow cotton sustainably in an increasingly unpredictable world. The Stress Test for Modern Cotton Farming El Niño events often expose vulnerabilities that remain hidden during normal growing seasons. Why do periods of extreme heat and erratic rainfall tend to reveal the limitations of input-heavy cotton production systems more sharply than other climatic events? El Niño acts as a stress test because it combines multiple pressures at once, extreme heat, delayed rainfall, and sudden shifts in growing conditions. Cotton systems that rely heavily on external inputs such as irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides are typically designed around stable, predictable environments. When those conditions change, their effectiveness becomes less reliable. Over time, the intensive use of chemical inputs can weaken soil biology. That matters because climate resilience is also about whether the farming system itself is strong enough to cope when weather patterns become more volatile. When heavy rainfall follows dry periods, for example, soils with poor structure are more vulnerable to erosion and runoff. El Niño does not create entirely new risks, but it makes existing weaknesses much more visible. This is why we have worked with local partners in regions affected by El Niño to run education sessions for farmers on preventative measures and share government technical advisories with them.  When More Inputs Deliver Diminishing Returns Many cotton-growing regions have responded to climate uncertainty by increasing applications of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation. At what point does this strategy become a form of risk amplification rather than risk management, particularly under El Niño conditions? In many cotton-producing regions, increasing inputs has been seen as a way to manage uncertainty. However, under conditions of extreme heat and water stress, the efficiency of those inputs declines. Fertilisers are less effectively absorbed, pest dynamics become harder to predict, and irrigation becomes both more costly and less reliable. At a certain point, this dynamic shifts from risk management to risk amplification. Farmers are investing more in inputs while outcomes become increasingly unpredictable. This raises the cost base without guaranteeing returns. Evidence from CottonConnect’s programmes shows that reducing reliance on synthetic inputs, through approaches such as improved soil management and biological alternatives, can lower input costs while maintaining or improving yields, leading to stronger overall profitability. Farmers in these programmes have seen a 15.4 per cent reduction in input costs alongside a 7.5 per cent increase in yields, contributing to a near 35 per cent increase in profitability. This suggests that resilience is not necessarily about increasing inputs, but about improving how the system functions. The Water-Energy-Fertilizer Nexus Delayed monsoons and prolonged dry spells frequently coincide with rising irrigation costs and reduced nutrient-use efficiency. How does El Niño challenge the economic logic of production systems that are heavily dependent on external inputs? El Niño intensifies the interdependence between water, energy, and fertiliser use. Delayed rainfall increases reliance on irrigation, which in turn raises energy costs for pumping water. In some areas, delayed monsoons can also contribute to the depletion of underground water tables altogether, making it even harder for farmers to access water for irrigation. At the same time, dry soil conditions reduce nutrient-use efficiency, so fertilisers are less effectively absorbed. Farmers are therefore exposed to rising costs across multiple inputs, while productivity becomes less predictable. Cotton systems in some regions are already highly dependent on irrigation, particularly in areas with low rainfall, where production cannot take place without it. El Niño intensifies this dependency and exposes its economic vulnerability. This is where approaches that reduce synthetic fertiliser use, improve soil health and promote more efficient irrigation practices can help lower water consumption and reduce overall input dependency, improving the economics of production and increasing farmer profitability. CottonConnect’s 2025 Impact Report shows that the REEL Programme recorded reduced input costs, reduced chemical fertiliser and pesticide use, and increased farmer profit compared with control farmers, supporting the case for shifting from input intensity to more resource-efficient farming systems. Resilience Versus Productivity For decades, cotton innovation has largely focused on maximizing yields. Has the industry underestimated resilience as a breeding and management objective, and are El Niño years forcing a rethink of what agricultural success should actually look like? Historically, cotton production has prioritised yield maximisation, often under the assumption of relatively stable growing conditions. This has been shaped by the need to meet rising global demand and ensure consistent supply. El Niño, however, exposes the limits of measuring success through yield alone. Success cannot be simply about meeting demand today, but ensuring cotton can continue to be produced reliably in the years to come. As climate volatility increases, that requires a broader view of agricultural success, one that values resilience alongside productivity. Through CottonConnect's programmes, we encourage farmers to view farming as a holistic business, helping them to consider profitability, risk management and the long-term health of their farms. With our support, many farmers are adopting regenerative practices such as intercropping, biodiversity enhancement and Integrated Pest Management. These approaches help improve productivity, lower input costs, diversify income streams and enable farmers to adapt to a changing climate. Brands also have an important role to play. Building resilience takes time, and farmers are more likely to invest in long-term improvements when they know they have sustained support. By investing in farmer training, water management, farm infrastructure and other resilience-building interventions, brands can help strengthen farming communities while securing a more stable and sustainable cotton supply for the future. Traceability and due diligence systems are equally important, providing the visibility and assurance needed to support long-term sourcing relationships. Soil Health as Climate Infrastructure Many agronomists argue that healthy soils function as a form of natural climate insurance by improving water retention and nutrient cycling. To what extent do El Niño episodes highlight the consequences of neglecting soil biology in favour of input-driven productivity models? Healthy soils play a critical role in buffering crops against climate variability. They improve water retention, support nutrient cycling, and maintain structure during heavy rainfall. Where soils have been degraded, often through overuse of synthetic inputs and limited organic matter, this buffering capacity is reduced. Crops become more vulnerable to both drought and flooding, both of which occur as a result of El Niño, and inputs become less effective. Regenerative agriculture can play an important role in reducing reliance on synthetic inputs and supporting long-term soil stewardship. In 2024-25, CottonConnect's programmes have seen a 127.3 per cent increase in the use of natural pesticides and a 107.6 per cent increase in the use of natural fertilisers, alongside a 15.2 per cent reduction in chemical pesticide use and an 11.8 per cent reduction in chemical fertiliser use. Whilst El Niño holds a magnifying glass up to some of these issues around soil health, it is a conversation that is, and must continue to be, much more widely had in order to scale up regenerative farming practices in all regions and across all industries that rely on agriculture. Rethinking Risk in Cotton Economics When rainfall becomes unpredictable and heat stress intensifies, farmers often face rising input costs alongside declining returns. Does El Niño expose a deeper flaw in how agricultural risk is currently assessed and managed within cotton value chains? El Niño exposes a deeper issue in how risk is assessed within cotton value chains. Traditional approaches have often assumed a relatively predictable relationship between inputs and outputs: if farmers invest more in fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation, they should achieve higher yields and stronger returns. As climate volatility increases, that relationship becomes far less certain. Farmers can face rising costs at the same time as yields become more variable, making it harder to predict whether those investments will pay off. This challenge is compounded by the fact that input costs are rising faster than cotton prices in many markets, placing increasing pressure on profitability. As a result, agricultural risk management must account for both climate volatility and economic pressures, with a greater focus on building farming systems that can withstand both. Ultimately, El Niño highlights a structural imbalance within cotton value chains. Farmers often absorb the immediate impacts of climate and market volatility, while the wider value chain depends on a stable supply of cotton. Responding effectively requires a broader view of risk, extending beyond production to the people and communities that underpin cotton supply chains.At CottonConnect, we take a systematic approach to identifying and addressing these risks through risk mapping, Human Rights Due Diligence interventions, stakeholder engagement, training and a 24/7 grievance mechanism. Building resilience starts with supporting the farmers, workers and partnerships that sustain cotton production over the long term. The Future of Regenerative and Climate-Smart Cotton There is growing interest in regenerative agriculture, biological inputs and diversified farming systems. Are these approaches proving more resilient during El Niño years, or is the evidence still insufficient to justify a large-scale transition away from conventional input-intensive models? Approaches that enhance soil health, reduce synthetic inputs, and improve water management are showing measurable benefits, including reduced input costs, improved yield performance and greater profitability for farmers. CottonConnect's 2024 Life Cycle Assessment also found significant environmental benefits associated with practices such as improved irrigation and reduced fertiliser use. Compared with conventional production, the REEL Cotton Programme demonstrated a 35.4 per cent saving potential in greenhouse gas emissions, a 44 per cent reduction in eutrophication, a 42 per cent reduction in ecotoxicity, and around 35 per cent lower water use per kilogram of fibre. That said, evidence on performance under extreme weather events such as El Niño is still developing, and outcomes can vary by location. So, the case is not for an overnight replacement of existing systems, but for a managed transition towards lower-risk, more resource-efficient production models that can better support farmers and supply chains in a changing climate. Beyond Adaptation: Designing the Cotton System of the Future If climate variability becomes the new normal rather than an occasional disruption, what fundamental changes will be required in cotton production systems, supply chains and agricultural policy to ensure long-term viability in an increasingly volatile climate? As climate variability becomes more persistent, the cotton sector will need to move beyond short-term adaptation and focus on structural change across farming systems and supply chains. At farm level, this means strengthening the natural resilience of production systems. In practice, this includes improving soil organic content through composting and bio-based inputs, adopting intercropping, mulching and reduced tillage techniques, and supporting farmers with continuous training, demonstrations and practical advisory tools. But farm-level change cannot happen in isolation. Farmers need access to knowledge, technical support, markets, finance, local institutions and enabling policy if these practices are to be adopted at scale. This is why partnerships matter: they help connect individual farm practice with the wider systems that shape whether farmers can actually make and sustain change. CottonConnect works with a strong network of local NGO partners with grassroots reach, as well as agricultural science centres, the International Cotton Advisory Committee, Bangladesh’s Cotton Development Board, the Sustainable Agriculture Network, the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council and local government departments. These partnerships support practical interventions such as soil and water conservation, tree plantation and access to government schemes. That makes resilience bigger than any one farm, because it links farmer training with local expertise, public support and supply chain demand. Traceability will also play a critical role. CottonConnect has achieved 100 per cent traceability for REEL Cotton through TraceBale, while the REEL Cotton and REEL Regenerative Codes have evolved into sustainability standards with producer group certification. This visibility and standardisation helps verify how cotton is produced and whether sustainability efforts are translating into real-world outcomes, supporting the wider transition to more resilient and sustainable cotton supply chains.  -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4354/why-resilience-has-become-thailands-biggest-competitive-advantage-in-swine-production.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4354/why-resilience-has-become-thailands-biggest-competitive-advantage-in-swine-production.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:51:30 +0530 As global geopolitical tensions increasingly influence agricultural supply chains, resilience has become as important as productivity in livestock production. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Asst. Prof. Dr. Natthawut Rattanavanichroj, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Thailand, examines how Thailand's swine industry is adapting to rising feed costs, supply chain disruptions and evolving animal health risks. He explains why biosecurity must extend beyond disease prevention to encompass logistics, preventive healthcare and supply chain resilience. The discussion also explores the long-term implications of imported feed dependence, veterinary product sourcing and global freight volatility on the sector's competitiveness. Dr. Rattanavanichroj highlights the growing importance of robust vaccination programmes, renewable energy adoption and domestic feed production in strengthening industry resilience. As recurring global shocks redefine livestock economics, he argues that sustainable profitability will increasingly depend on comprehensive risk management rather than cost optimisation alone. This interview offers valuable insights into the structural changes shaping the future of Thailand's swine industry and the broader animal protein sector. The Strait of Hormuz is traditionally framed as an energy chokepoint. At what point does it become a direct determinant of animal protein systems like Thailand's swine sector through second-order feed and veterinary input inflation? The Strait of Hormuz has become much more than an energy chokepoint—it now directly influences the economics of animal protein production through multiple indirect channels. Regarding Thailand's swine industry, conflicts in the region affect three major cost components. First, although energy itself represents a relatively small share of total production costs, higher fuel prices significantly increase transportation and electricity expenses throughout the supply chain, from feed mills to farms and processing facilities. Second, the biggest impact is on feed ingredients. Feed accounts for approximately 65–70 percent of total swine production costs, making it the single largest cost component. Thailand imports more than 99 percent of its soybean meal requirements, leaving the industry highly exposed to global shipping disruptions and commodity price fluctuations. In addition, around 40 percent of Thailand's fertilizer imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption raises fertilizer prices, increasing the cost of producing domestic feed crops such as corn, thereby creating another layer of inflation in feed production. Finally, inflationary pressures eventually influence labour costs. Sustained increases in the cost of living are likely to push minimum wages higher over time, adding further pressure to production costs. Taken together, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have evolved from being an energy concern into a direct driver of production economics across Thailand's livestock sector. Thailand's swine industry has historically relied on import-efficient feed sourcing. Is that model still viable, or has global grain price volatility permanently broken the assumption of predictable input economics? Thailand currently has little alternative but to continue relying on imported feed ingredients because domestic production remains insufficient to meet industry demand. Soybean is the clearest example. Domestic soybean production is very limited, and most locally produced soybeans are non-GMO varieties, which are generally unsuitable for large-scale industrial feed manufacturing. As a result, imported soybean meal will continue to remain an essential component of feed formulation. While recent geopolitical tensions and commodity market volatility have made feed costs less predictable, the industry's dependence on imports cannot be eliminated in the near term. Instead of expecting stable input prices, producers now need to accept volatility as a structural feature of the business. This means building greater flexibility into procurement strategies, inventory management and financial planning rather than relying on historically predictable feed economics. Beyond cost, what is the most underappreciated operational risk today in swine production—feed availability, veterinary supply continuity, or logistics reliability—and why? In my view, logistics reliability and animal welfare represent the most underappreciated operational risks facing Thailand's swine industry today. From an operational perspective, the livestock transportation system still lacks sufficient energy efficiency, increasing costs while reducing overall supply chain performance. More importantly, transportation poses a significant biosecurity risk because vehicles moving between farms can easily facilitate disease transmission if sanitation protocols are inadequate. Animal welfare during transport is another critical concern. Poor transport conditions—including prolonged heat exposure, overcrowding and excessive handling stress—not only reduce animal welfare but also negatively affect productivity and meat quality. From a veterinary perspective, transport-induced heat stress can suppress the pigs' immune systems, while overcrowding creates ideal conditions for rapid disease transmission. If animals have not received complete and effective vaccination, this weakened immune status makes them particularly susceptible to diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Porcine Circovirus Disease (PCVD). These diseases become even more problematic when they occur simultaneously, reducing daily weight gain, increasing respiratory illness and causing substantial production losses. Hence, preventive health programmes and robust vaccination strategies should be viewed not only as disease control measures but also as essential biological buffers that protect herd productivity throughout the production cycle. How is rising global freight and insurance volatility reshaping the structure of Thailand's livestock supply chain—not in price terms, but in terms of who controls supply access? Thailand has maintained a relatively neutral position in global trade and has not experienced major restrictions in accessing imported feed ingredients or veterinary products. Therefore, supply access itself has remained relatively stable. The primary challenge continues to be price volatility rather than physical shortages. Freight rates, insurance costs and global market conditions influence import prices, but Thailand has generally been able to maintain access to international suppliers. At present, the country's livestock supply chain is shaped more by fluctuations in global commodity and logistics costs than by changes in ownership or control over supply access. Is Thailand's swine health system becoming structurally dependent on a small number of global pharmaceutical and biologics suppliers, and does that concentration now represent a systemic vulnerability? The situation has improved compared with previous years because Thailand now has access to veterinary pharmaceuticals and biologics from a wider range of countries, including China, South Korea and Japan. However, the more fundamental vulnerability lies elsewhere. Thailand currently lacks sufficient domestic production capacity for veterinary pharmaceuticals and biological products. Regulatory complexity, limited economies of scale and the substantial investment required for manufacturing mean that local production remains limited compared with multinational companies. Consequently, Thailand continues to depend heavily on imported veterinary products. Strengthening strategic collaborations with leading global animal health companies therefore plays an important role in expanding access to advanced diagnostics, vaccines and preventive healthcare solutions. Such partnerships help bridge domestic research and development gaps while simultaneously improving national disease surveillance and veterinary capabilities. Has the definition of "biosecurity" in Thailand evolved enough to include economic and supply-chain shocks, or does policy still treat it narrowly as disease containment? At present, biosecurity policy in Thailand remains focused primarily on disease prevention and containment. Even within this traditional framework, implementation still requires significant strengthening, as disease risks continue to pose major challenges for producers. Looking ahead, biosecurity should be viewed through two complementary dimensions. The first is preventing disease introduction onto farms through strict external biosecurity measures. The second is maintaining healthy, resilient animals capable of resisting disease through effective vaccination and preventive healthcare. Diseases such as PCVD and PRRS continue to impose significant economic losses on producers. Advances in vaccine technology now allow both diseases to be addressed through single-injection routine vaccination programmes, reducing animal handling stress while improving herd immunity and overall welfare. Healthier animals also improve farm profitability, enabling producers to maintain stronger biosecurity systems against larger threats such as African Swine Fever (ASF), where biosecurity remains the industry's primary line of defence because no universally accepted commercial vaccine is yet available. Are we seeing early signs that swine production is shifting from a margin-driven agribusiness model to a risk-managed utility-like system under recurring global shocks? Yes. This transformation has become increasingly evident since the outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) and the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, producers focused primarily on maximising profitability. Today, the industry's priorities have shifted towards maintaining stable returns while managing multiple categories of risk simultaneously. Disease outbreaks, environmental uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and input price volatility have fundamentally changed business decision-making. Rather than pursuing maximum short-term margins, producers increasingly prioritise resilience, continuity and long-term sustainability. How do sustained input shocks alter farmer behavior at the ground level—specifically in terms of herd size decisions, vaccination compliance, and preventive health spending? Sustained cost pressures encourage farmers to reduce expenditure wherever possible, but some of these cost-cutting measures may ultimately prove counterproductive. One common response is reducing vaccination programmes or switching to lower-cost products through competitive procurement. From a veterinary standpoint, this represents a significant risk. Reducing immunoprophylaxis against highly contagious diseases may lower short-term veterinary costs, but it weakens herd immunity and allows subclinical infections to circulate within production systems. Although mortality may remain relatively low, chronically infected pigs often experience respiratory disease, slower growth rates and poorer production performance, ultimately reducing profitability. Consequently, compromising preventive healthcare rarely generates sustainable economic benefits. Cost pressures also influence herd size decisions. Smaller farms with weaker financial positions often reduce herd numbers or leave the industry altogether, whereas larger, more efficient operations generally maintain production scale while investing in improved risk management. To what extent is Thailand's competitiveness in regional pork markets now determined less by production efficiency and more by resilience to external input volatility? Both production efficiency and resilience to external shocks have become increasingly important, but production efficiency remains the foundation of long-term competitiveness. Efficient production systems continue to determine productivity and profitability under normal market conditions. However, larger commercial farms are placing much greater emphasis on managing feed price fluctuations, energy costs and other input risks in order to maintain stable financial performance during periods of market disruption. Increasingly, competitiveness depends not only on producing efficiently but also on maintaining operational resilience when external conditions become volatile. If global energy corridors remain unstable, what structural changes would be necessary for Thailand's swine sector to decouple itself from imported inflation without losing export relevance? Reducing long-term exposure to imported inflation will require structural reforms across both the energy and agricultural sectors. On the energy side, greater adoption of renewable energy, particularly biogas generated from livestock waste and on-farm solar power, would improve energy self-sufficiency while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. At the same time, agricultural policy should encourage greater domestic production of feed crops such as corn and soybeans through improved productivity and more diversified cropping systems. Reducing dependence on imported feed ingredients would strengthen supply chain resilience and lessen the industry's exposure to global commodity and freight market volatility. Together, greater energy independence and stronger domestic feed production would improve the long-term competitiveness and resilience of Thailand's swine industry while supporting its continued role in regional export markets. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4335/future-of-rice-protection-lies-beyond-spray-bottle.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4335/future-of-rice-protection-lies-beyond-spray-bottle.html Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:58:57 +0530 India's rice farmers are navigating one of the most significant transitions in modern agriculture. Rising labour costs, unpredictable weather and growing herbicide resistance are forcing a rethink of how weeds are managed, making innovation as much about strategy as chemistry. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Biswajit Borah, Herbicide Portfolio Lead, UPL SAS Ltd, explains why the industry's next breakthrough will come from changing farmer behaviour rather than simply introducing new molecules. He discusses the role of early intervention, integrated crop management and stewardship in building more resilient and profitable rice production systems. The conversation also explores the future of Wet Direct Seeded Rice (Wet DSR), the growing importance of digital agronomy and UPL's long-term vision for sustainable crop protection. Ricebeaux enters a rice herbicide market that is already crowded with post-emergence products. Beyond broad-spectrum weed control, what structural gap in India's weed management ecosystem does this product aim to address, and how does it fundamentally change farmers' weed control strategies? Let me be direct — India's rice herbicide market does not need one more molecule. It needs a paradigm shift from reactive spraying to planned, effective weed management. That is the gap Ricebeaux is built to close. Today's farmer sprays when weeds are visible, then compensates with tank mixes, repeat applications or higher doses — a cycle driven by erratic monsoons, labour scarcity and increasingly tough weeds like Echinochloa crusgalli and Cyperus difformis. Ricebeaux, a pre-mix of Propanil 35.1% + Penoxsulam 0.9% SC, is our answer — application at the 2–3 leaf stage of weeds, broad-spectrum control across grasses, sedges and broadleaf weeds, and uncompromised crop safety. This is not a product story. This is a behavioural shift — from firefighting to foresight. Herbicide resistance is emerging as a growing concern in rice ecosystems worldwide, particularly with repeated use of the same chemistry. Ricebeaux combines two active ingredients with different modes of action. How significant is this approach in delaying resistance, and what stewardship practices will be necessary to preserve its long-term efficacy? Resistance is the single biggest threat to the long-term viability of chemical weed management in Indian rice. Repeated, single-site use of similar mode of action active ingredients like ALS and ACCase has already produced tolerance in Echinochloa spp. and Cyperus difformis across major geographies. Our position is unambiguous: the future belongs to multi-mode chemistry, applied with discipline. Ricebeaux combines Propanil (PS II inhibitor) with Penoxsulam (ALS inhibitor) — two independent biochemical pathways acting together, which actually slows resistance build-up. But chemistry alone is not stewardship. We are institutionalising four non-negotiables with our channel partners and farmers — apply at the correct 2–3 leaf weed stage, restrict use to Transplanted and Wet DSR (not Dry DSR), follow the label dose of 1200 ml/acre, and re-flood the field 24 hours after application for at least 10 days. Climate variability is altering weed emergence patterns, while labour shortages continue to reshape crop management practices. How are these two structural trends influencing herbicide innovation, and do you expect early post-emergence solutions to gradually replace traditional weed management practices in Indian rice cultivation? These are not passing headwinds — they are the new baseline of Indian agriculture, and any herbicide innovation that does not begin here will not survive the next decade. Erratic monsoons are compressing the weed-control window and triggering multiple flushes; labour cost and availability have made manual weeding economically unviable across most of India. That reality is pulling the entire industry towards fewer sprays, wider spectrum, multi mode-of-action pre-mixes and safer early post-emergence chemistry — precisely the space where the segment is growing at ~4 per cent CAGR. My conviction is clear: early post-emergence solutions like Ricebeaux will progressively replace late, multi-spray practices — especially in labour-scarce, high-rainfall belts of South and East India. Wet Direct Seeded Rice (Wet DSR) is gaining policy attention because of its potential to reduce water use and labour requirements. How critical will specialised crop protection solutions be in accelerating DSR adoption, and what role do you see Ricebeaux playing in supporting this transition? Wet DSR will not scale on policy intent alone. It will scale when we solve for the farmer's biggest fear — losing the crop to weeds in the first 25 days after sowing. In Wet DSR, weed pressure peaks at 0–25 DAS with a complex mix of Echinochloa, Cyperus iria, Fimbristylis, Monochoria and Ludwigia spp., and yield losses of 20–40 per cent are the norm when management fails. This is the barrier that has held DSR back for years. Ricebeaux is registered for both Transplanted Rice and Wet DSR, applied at 10–15 DAS at the 2–3 leaf stage of weeds — a single, broad-spectrum, crop-safe intervention purpose-built for this system. In our view, Ricebeaux is one of the tools that will make water-saving, labour-light rice cultivation commercially viable at scale in India. India's rice cultivation is becoming increasingly input-intensive, even as policymakers emphasise sustainable and precision agriculture. How is UPL balancing the need for higher field productivity with the growing expectation for responsible herbicide use, resistance management and environmental stewardship? I do not accept the framing that yield and sustainability are in tension. In a country producing rice on 45+ million hectares, they are the same conversation. UPL's approach rests on three deliberate pillars: Fewer, smarter interventions: Early post-emergence pre-mixes like Ricebeaux replace two or three sprays with one — reducing active ingredient load, spray drift and cost. Resistance-proofing by design: Dual mode of action combined with disciplined rotation across our pre-emergence brands — Saathi, Eros, Eros Gold — builds durability into the portfolio. Non-negotiable application discipline: Saturated soil at application, re-flooding after 24 hours, correct weed stage — enforced through channel training and farmer engagement. This is what sustainable intensification looks like in practice — more yield per acre, per drop, per spray. Farmers increasingly evaluate crop protection products on overall return on investment rather than efficacy alone. Based on your field evaluations, how does Ricebeaux influence yield protection, labour savings and cost efficiency compared with conventional herbicide programmes involving multiple sprays or tank mixes? Farmers are the sharpest ROI analysts I know, and they should be. Our field evaluations across major rice geographies, benchmarked against farmer practices market standards— consistently show Ricebeaux performing on-par to superior on the weeds that actually matter: Echinochloa, Leptochloa chinensis, Fimbristylis, Scirpus and Cyperus difformis. The ROI translates into three tangible gains for the farmer: Yield protected in the critical window: Uncontrolled weeds cost 20–60 per cent of yield in the first 30 DAS. Labour and time reclaimed: application at right time - instead of multiple tank-mix experimentation. Cost efficiency:  no tank-mix errors, no crop shock. Value for money delivered as net yield per rupee spent. Rice remains one of India's most strategically important crops for both domestic food security and exports. As production systems modernise, what are the next major technological gaps in rice crop protection that still require innovation, and where does UPL intend to focus its R&D investments over the next decade? Rice is India's most strategic crop — for food security, farmer incomes and export revenue. The innovation agenda for the next decade must reflect that stakes-level. As I see it, the real technological gaps are: Sustainable cultivation, profitable farmers. The next wave of innovation must make rice cultivation gentler on soil, water and the environment — while ensuring the farmer earns more, not less. Water-saving systems like Wet DSR, resistance-managed chemistry and reduced-load formulations are central to this shift, and Ricebeaux is a clear step in that direction. Integrated pest management, tailored to India's diversity. India is not one rice market — it is many. Weed flora, water availability, labour dynamics and farmer practices vary sharply from Punjab to Chhattisgarh to the Cauvery delta. The real innovation is not one more molecule; it is region-specific IPM programmes that blend chemistry, biologicals and digital advisory into solutions that fit each geography. From sustenance to dominance — more output, fewer resources. India must move beyond producing enough rice to producing better rice — higher yields per acre, per drop of water and per unit of input. That calls for smarter chemistry, precision application, resistance-proof portfolios and season-long crop programmes rather than isolated sprays.  The Indian crop protection industry is rapidly shifting towards integrated solutions that combine chemistry, biologicals and digital advisory platforms. How does Ricebeaux fit into UPL's broader strategy of offering integrated crop management solutions rather thanstandalone products, and how do you see this model evolving for rice farmers in the coming years? Selling standalone products is the industry's past. Selling a crop programme is its future — and that is exactly how we have designed our rice portfolio. Ricebeaux is one node in an integrated, season-long rice solution: Saathi and Eros/Eros Gold at pre-emergence, Ricebeaux at early post-emergence, and Kevuka and Zevigo for stem borer management, Saaf, Tridium of comprehensive disease management & crop excellence, through the vegetative and reproductive stages. Around this chemistry sits our digital and engagement layer — the Farmily platform for retailer and farmer connect via nurture.farm, WhatsApp advisories, farmer training on water management and application discipline, and demonstration-led adoption. The direction is clear- UPL is going to lead that transition, not follow it. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)   ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4303/why-hydroponics-needs-more-than-technology-to-scale.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4303/why-hydroponics-needs-more-than-technology-to-scale.html Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:30:55 +0530 Brio Hydroponics' FOCO (Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated) model represents an ambitious attempt to reimagine commercial agriculture by combining land ownership, technology, infrastructure, and professional farm management within a single operating framework. Under the model, franchise partners invest in hydroponic infrastructure on a minimum 30-acre land parcel, while Brio assumes end-to-end responsibility for cultivation, operations, market access, and supply chain management—transforming farming into a professionally managed, performance-driven enterprise. The most compelling interviews are those that challenge ideas rather than celebrate them. That is the premise of this conversation with Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman of Brio Hydroponics. Instead of accepting hydroponics as the inevitable future of agriculture, the discussion rigorously examines the business model behind it—its economic viability, governance framework, capital intensity, execution risks, and long-term scalability. The questions are designed not to endorse a narrative, but to test its resilience against commercial and operational realities. Patel's responses encourage readers to look beyond the technology and explore a larger shift, where agriculture is increasingly shaped by infrastructure, institutional capital, and disciplined execution. Whether or not one agrees with the proposition, this interview provides a thoughtful framework for understanding how the business of farming is evolving—and what it will take for that evolution to succeed. Asset-Class Innovation or Rebranding Does Brio's FOCO model represent a genuine asset-class innovation in agriculture, or is it primarily a rebranding of managed farmland investment under agritech terminology? The Honest Answer: It Is Both — and Neither Fully The FOCO model occupies a genuinely new structural space in Indian agriculture. It cannot be fairly dismissed as a rebrand of managed farmland, nor can it claim to be an entirely new financial instrument disconnected from its agricultural roots. The honest characterization is that FOCO is a hybrid infrastructure-operations-investment platform that borrows from managed farmland thinking but restructures the economic engine in a fundamentally different way. Here is where FOCO diverges meaningfully from conventional managed farmland investment: What makes it structurally different: The productive asset is not the land — it is the infrastructure built on it. Traditional managed farmland derives value from soil quality, location, water rights, and appreciation. FOCO's value is derived from the climate-controlled hydroponic structures, operational systems, crop planning, and market access built on top of the land. Land in FOCO is the substrate, not the asset. Returns are linked to yield density, not land appreciation. FOCO targets 25–30 per cent net returns through operational productivity — six to eight harvest cycles per year, 28+ premium crop varieties, and integrated supply chain access — not through passive land value appreciation over a holding period. Operations are centralized under a specialist operator. Managed farmland typically involves land management, tenancy, or leasing to farmers. FOCO involves Brio deploying proprietary CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) technology, managing crop calendars, running input procurement, and maintaining buyer relationships as a professional agricultural operator. Investor participation has a defined performance framework. FOCO includes transparent reporting, buyback mechanisms, staged investment structures, and structured yield sharing — closer to an operating partnership than a passive landholding. Where the comparison to managed farmland does hold: Land is still central; a 30-acre owned plot is the precondition for the model Long-duration commitments mean investors are exposed to site-specific constraints Biological production remains the underlying revenue source — there is no technology that fully eliminates agricultural operating variables The Asset-Class Argument For institutional framing purposes, FOCO is best positioned as yield infrastructure — a category closer to operational infrastructure assets (think toll roads, renewable energy parks) than to passive farmland. The return driver is operating performance and asset utilization, not land scarcity or appreciation. As India's hydroponics market grows from $ 263 million in 2024 toward a projected $ 2,227 million by 2035 at a CAGR of 21.43 per cent, the FOCO model is well-positioned to become a legitimate standalone category within India's alternative asset landscape — but only if it consistently demonstrates operational performance over time, not just structural elegance. "Any model that substitutes agritech language for agricultural substance will eventually be exposed by its own yields. FOCO has to be justified by what comes out of those net houses — crop quality, market realization, and investor returns — not by what it is called, " says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics. Sustainability of 25–30 per cent Net Returns How sustainable are projected 25–30 per cent net returns in hydroponic farming when benchmarked against input volatility, energy dependency, and price discovery in fresh produce markets? The Return Thesis: Plausible, Not Guaranteed Projected net returns of 25–30 per cent are grounded in a legitimate operational logic, but their sustainability depends on how well five key variables are managed: crop mix, realized selling prices, energy costs, infrastructure utilization, and execution consistency across production cycles. What Supports the Return Thesis The economics of hydroponics at commercial scale are structurally different from traditional farming in ways that genuinely support elevated returns: Revenue density: Six to eight production cycles per year per acre, versus one to two cycles for most open-field crops, means the same land and infrastructure generates five to six times more crop output annually Crop premium: Leafy greens, exotic herbs, coloured capsicums, cherry tomatoes, and specialty cucumbers command 30–60 per cent premiums over equivalent open-field produce in organized retail and HORECA channels Input efficiency: 90 per cent water savings, reduced pesticide use, and minimized soil amendment costs lower the variable cost base relative to comparable outdoor production Year-round production: Elimination of weather-driven seasonal gaps removes the revenue voids that suppress annual returns in traditional farming . Brio's Unnati park is structured to produce more than 2,000 tonnes of high-value vegetables annually, with Vexotics retail stores targeting 100 outlets by March 2027 providing a direct premium market channel that bypasses intermediary margin erosion. The Honest Range At optimized operations with strong market access, 25–30 per cent net returns are achievable and have been demonstrated in Brio's operational portfolio. At full competitive maturity — when CEA supply in premium urban catchments increases — a more conservative sustainable floor of 18–22 per cent net IRR is the range most consistent with comparable infrastructure asset performance in India. The headline projection is realistic in Year 1–5; returns may compress in Year 6–10 as the sector matures, but should remain significantly above open-field agriculture equivalents on a risk-adjusted basis. "Twenty-five to thirty percent returns are not the outcome of speculation; they are the outcome of crop planning, infrastructure utilization, and disciplined execution. But like any serious business, the return is earned through operational performance, not promised by the model alone ," says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics. Counterparty Risk in Company-Operated Agriculture To what extent does centralized "company-operated" agriculture introduce counterparty risk for investors, particularly in long-duration FOCO land commitments? Counterparty Risk Is Real — and Manageable Centralization is the FOCO model's greatest strength and its primary risk concentration point. By consolidating crop planning, input procurement, operations, buyer relationships, and financial reporting under one operator, the model reduces investor complexity but transfers decision-making authority entirely to the company. In long-duration land commitments, this creates a genuine counterparty dependency. Where Counterparty Risk Accumulates Operational dependence: Investors rely on Brio for feasibility execution, crop calendar discipline, infrastructure maintenance, yield quality, and buyer management. If any of these links weakens, the investor has limited direct ability to intervene. Revenue realization dependence: The investor's return is determined by what Brio sells, at what price, through which channels. Unlike public market investments, there is no daily price discovery or liquidity signal. Long-duration commitment exposure: FOCO requires land commitment for multi-year periods. If the operator underperforms during this window, exit options may be limited, and recovery of capital may depend on operator goodwill and contractual enforcement. Governance gaps: For smaller investors not protected by institutional-grade contracts, the absence of independent board oversight, third-party audit rights, and performance escrow mechanisms can leave them exposed. What Mitigates This Risk Brio's model incorporates several counterparty risk mitigation features that, when properly structured, substantially reduce investor exposure: Transparent reporting: Regular operational and financial updates with crop performance data Buyback mechanisms: Structured exit options for investors on agreed timelines Third-party feasibility: Independent project viability assessment before capital deployment Proven track record: Enterprise clients including Adani Group and Welspun Group, and 11+ years of operational history, provide credibility that reduces execution uncertainty Institutional partnerships: Linkages with IFFCO and Anand Agricultural University add institutional oversight dimensions The Governance Imperative For any investor — retail, family office, or institutional — the FOCO model's counterparty risk is manageable in proportion to the quality of the legal documentation governing the relationship. A robust FOCO agreement should specify: crop performance benchmarks, reporting cadence, audit rights, breach remedies, exit pathways, force majeure provisions, and performance-linked compensation structures. Without this contractual architecture, centralized operations can become the single largest risk in the structure. "FOCO removes day-to-day complexity for the investor, but that also means the operator must earn trust every single day. Counterparty risk is not addressed through marketing language — it is addressed through reporting discipline, contractual clarity, and proven execution on the ground " , says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Electricity Price Resilience Is hydroponics at scale economically resilient enough to withstand fluctuations in electricity pricing, given its heavy reliance on controlled-environment infrastructure? Energy Is the Hidden Variable in CEA Economics Controlled Environment Agriculture systems depend on pumps, fertigation networks, climate management systems (including fans, cooling, and humidity control in Indian conditions), lighting supplements, and monitoring infrastructure. This makes electricity a structurally embedded input cost that cannot be fully avoided, unlike in open-field farming. The economic question is therefore not whether power costs affect returns — they do — but whether the productivity premium of CEA is sufficient to absorb realistic power price variability. The Resilience Case The argument for resilience rests on three structural foundations: Productivity leverage: The revenue-per-unit-of-energy in CEA is significantly higher than in comparable energy applications because every kilowatt is supporting a high-value productive cycle. A premium-crop hydroponic system generating Rs 25–35 lakhs per acre annually can absorb moderate energy cost increases without catastrophic margin damage, provided other cost elements are well managed. Solar integration: Brio's site designs incorporate scope for solar power integration, which can reduce grid energy dependency by 40–60 per cent and substantially insulate operations from utility tariff escalation. For long-duration FOCO commitments, solar PPAs or on-site generation become an essential margin protection tool. Operational scheduling: Unlike open-field farming, CEA systems offer flexibility in scheduling energy-intensive operations during off-peak tariff hours, enabling active energy cost management that traditional farmers cannot access. Where Resilience Has Limits If electricity prices in a given state rise sharply — as has occurred in several Indian states due to fuel cost pass-through and supply constraints — the impact on thin-margin crop categories within a CEA portfolio can be material. Parks with high dependence on temperature control in extreme-heat states like Gujarat and Rajasthan during summer months face peak energy load at exactly the time grid tariffs are highest. The practical answer is that hydroponics at scale is conditionally resilient to electricity fluctuation — resilient when solar integration, energy-efficient infrastructure design, and operational scheduling are embedded from day one, and vulnerable when energy is treated as an afterthought. "Climate control gives us production certainty, but energy discipline gives us margin certainty. A hydroponic park that does not plan its power economics carefully is not building a resilient business; it is building avoidable volatility into its own cost structure , " says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Solving Inefficiencies or Shifting Risk Does the FOCO model fundamentally solve agricultural operational inefficiencies, or does it shift traditional farming risks — climate, market, logistics — into corporate execution risk? Both — and That Is Precisely the Point The FOCO model does solve several of the most damaging structural inefficiencies in Indian agriculture: fragmented expertise, inconsistent crop planning, unpredictable weather exposure, weak post-harvest systems, and disconnected buyer relationships. It addresses these by centralizing them under a professional operator with CEA technology, market tie-ups, and systematized operations. But solving these problems does not eliminate risk — it transforms the nature of risk. The Risk Transformation Thesis The FOCO model is most accurately described as a risk transformer, not a risk eliminator. It converts diffuse, unmanageable risks (monsoon, soil degradation, smallholder fragmentation) into concentrated, manageable risks (operator execution, energy costs, market channel performance). That transformation has genuine value because corporate execution risk is, in principle, more measurable, more governable, and more addressable than weather or smallholder fragmentation. The critical implication for investors is that evaluating a FOCO investment is not primarily about evaluating Indian agricultural risk — it is about evaluating Brio's operational capability, governance standards, track record, and management depth. That is a fundamentally different due diligence question. "FOCO does not pretend that agriculture becomes risk-free. What it does is replace unpredictable risks like weather and fragmented operations with disciplined, measurable execution risk — and that is a far more manageable foundation for building scale, " says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Valuation Logic vs. Farmland and REIT Structures How does the valuation logic of FOCO-managed hydroponic parks compare with traditional farmland appreciation and REIT-like agricultural investment structures? FOCO-managed hydroponic parks should be valued primarily as operating yield assets using a discounted cash flow framework applied to projected produce revenues, factoring in infrastructure capex, operating costs, and the residual value of structures at end of useful life. Key valuation inputs include: Revenue per acre per year: Rs 25–35 lakhs at optimal operations Operating margin: 40–48 per cent at 100-acre industrial scale Capex per acre: Rs 35–65 lakhs depending on scale and specification Infrastructure useful life: 15–20 years with maintenance Exit or residual value: Transferable to next operator, upgradeable, or partially liquidated as scrap infrastructure The FOCO model does not currently offer the liquidity, regulatory oversight, or secondary market pricing of a REIT structure. However, its return profile and asset characteristics make it a natural candidate for aggregation into an Agri-InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust) framework — a pathway that, if executed, would bring FOCO returns under SEBI-regulated governance and open them to pension, insurance, and sovereign wealth capital. "Traditional farmland is valued for what it is. A hydroponic park must be valued for what it can consistently produce. That shift — from static appreciation to operating yield and execution capability — is the foundation of a completely different investment conversation.", says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Water Savings as Economic Advantage Can water savings of up to 90 per cent in hydroponic systems be meaningfully translated into net economic advantage once capital expenditure and maintenance costs are fully factored in? Yes — With Important Conditions Water savings of up to 90 per cent in hydroponic systems compared to traditional open-field cultivation are real and documented. In closed-loop nutrient delivery systems, water is recirculated rather than lost through soil percolation, surface evaporation, and runoff, enabling the same productive output with a fraction of the water volume. The economic question is whether this saving justifies — or contributes meaningfully to offsetting — the elevated capital and maintenance costs of CEA infrastructure. Direct Economic Value of Water Savings The direct saving from reduced water consumption is modest in isolation. In most Indian agricultural contexts, water itself is not the primary cost driver — it is availability, extraction cost, and supply reliability that matter. In water-stressed states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Telangana, however, the economics change materially: Bore well drilling and maintenance costs in depleted aquifer zones are rising sharply Water purchase costs for irrigation in drought years can represent 8–15 per cent of total production cost for some crops Regulatory limits on groundwater extraction are tightening in several states, potentially forcing reductions in open-field irrigated acreage In these contexts, a 90 per cent water saving translates not just into direct cost avoidance but into production continuity that open-field operators cannot guarantee — which is a strategic economic advantage, not merely an efficiency metric. The Broader Economic Argument The stronger economic case for water efficiency is as an enabler, not just a saver: Site viability: Hydroponic parks can operate in regions where traditional farming is water-constrained, expanding the addressable geography for premium crop production Regulatory future-proofing: As India tightens water usage norms, hydroponic operators face less regulatory risk and lower compliance costs ESG premium: Institutional investors, international buyers, and sustainability-aligned capital increasingly value water efficiency as a material factor — unlocking premium market positioning and potentially lower cost of capital The Full Economic Accounting When capital expenditure and maintenance are fully factored in, water savings alone do not justify the FOCO model. Water efficiency becomes economically meaningful as one of several compounding advantages — alongside multi-cycle productivity, premium crop access, and climate resilience — that together justify the capex premium over open-field alternatives. "Ninety percent water saving is not just an environmental number — it is an economic buffer. In regions where water is becoming scarce, unreliable, or expensive, efficiency is no longer a sustainability add-on. It becomes a site selection advantage and a long-term cost moat " , says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Scalability Constraints What are the scalability constraints of high-density hydroponic parks in India, particularly in relation to land aggregation, regulatory frameworks, and urban proximity to markets? Scalability Is Real but Not Frictionless The FOCO model's minimum land requirement of 30 acres for a franchise site, combined with the capital commitment for hydroponic infrastructure development, immediately defines the addressable developer pool. This is not a mass-market entry product — it is designed for landowners, land aggregators, family office investors, and institutional developers who can meet these prerequisites. That narrows the scale pathway compared to a model that can begin with 1–2 acres. Key Scalability Constraints Land aggregation: Assembling 30+ acres of contiguous or near-contiguous land near urban demand centers is challenging in states with fragmented smallholder ownership patterns. In Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana, large contiguous plots near highways and consumption corridors exist but require active aggregation or direct engagement with large landowners. FPO-led aggregation is an emerging mechanism but still early-stage. Urban proximity: Premium fresh produce has a logistics window of four to six hours from harvest to retail shelf for optimal quality. This means hydroponic parks must be located within 50–80 km of significant Tier-1 or large Tier-2 urban centers. This constraint limits viable sites to specific geographic corridors and prevents replication in remote or interior geographies regardless of land availability. Energy infrastructure: Reliable three-phase power supply with sufficient load capacity is essential for CEA operations. In semi-urban and peri-urban locations near demand centers, grid reliability and sanctioned load can be bottlenecks that require upfront investment in dedicated feeder lines or captive solar generation. Skilled labor: CEA operations require trained technical personnel for monitoring, maintenance, and crop management. In areas outside existing training infrastructure — which currently centers on Gujarat — this creates a labor constraint that slows replication speed. Regulatory framework: There is no single unified national regulatory framework for protected cultivation or hydroponic parks. State-level land use classifications, construction permits for large greenhouse structures, water extraction norms, packhouse approvals, and export certification requirements vary significantly across India. Navigating this patchwork adds time, complexity, and legal cost to every new site. The Optimal Replication Strategy Rather than attempting uniform national rollout, the most resilient scaling approach is cluster-based geographic expansion — establishing 10–25-acre nodes within 50–80 km of identified demand centers, scaling up to larger parks as market absorption is proven. Clusters around Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Jaipur represent the first wave of viable expansion corridors. "Hydroponic parks can scale in India, but not everywhere and not in the same way. Success depends on the right combination of land readiness, market proximity, and operational infrastructure. Scale comes from disciplined site selection — not from forcing a template onto every geography " , says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics Financialized Agriculture — Risk or Evolution? Does the FOCO model signal a structural shift toward "financialized agriculture," where crop production becomes secondary to structured yield products for investors? A Legitimate Structural Evolution — With a Warning The FOCO model does represent a move toward more financialized agriculture — and that is not inherently negative. Agriculture has historically been under-served by formal capital markets precisely because it lacked the structural clarity, predictable cash flows, and governance frameworks that investors require. FOCO addresses this by layering investment design, structured return expectations, and professional operations onto agricultural production, making it accessible to capital that could not previously engage with farming on manageable terms. Where Financialization Adds Value Capital mobilization: Structured investment frameworks bring private and institutional capital into agricultural infrastructure at a scale that government schemes and rural banking cannot match alone Operational discipline: Investor expectations of transparent reporting and defined returns impose performance discipline on operations that informal farming models rarely experience Market integration: Financial structuring forces integration with organized buyer channels — retail, export, HORECA — which elevates the entire value chain Risk professionalisation: Centralized operator responsibility creates accountability for agricultural performance that dispersed smallholder systems do not Where Financialization Becomes a Risk The risk emerges when the investment narrative becomes more important than the production reality. If FOCO-style models prioritise investor acquisition over crop performance, if return projections are set to attract capital rather than to reflect agricultural viability, or if the complexity of structured investment products obscures weak operational fundamentals, then financialization has gone too far. India's agri-investment history has cautionary examples — most notably the managed plantation sector of the 1990s and early 2000s, where structured investment products attracted significant retail capital but collapsed when production economics proved unsustainable. The FOCO model must avoid this pattern by maintaining production performance as the non-negotiable foundation of its investor proposition. The Right Balance The healthy version of financialized agriculture is one in which investment structures enable and strengthen agricultural production — providing capital for infrastructure, creating incentives for operational excellence, and connecting farmers and operators to markets they could not access alone. Brio's FOCO model sits closer to this productive end of the spectrum because its return thesis genuinely depends on crop output, buyer realization, and infrastructure utilization. But the risk of drift — toward packaging over substance — is real and must be actively managed. "Investor capital should strengthen agriculture, not distract from it. In our model, finance is the enabler, but production performance is still the foundation. If the crop does not work, the structure does not work — and no amount of financial engineering changes that truth " , says Pravin Patel, Founder & Chairman, Brio Hydroponics. ----- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)           ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4281/syngenta-bets-on-ai-to-become-agricultures-predictive-intelligence-partner.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4281/syngenta-bets-on-ai-to-become-agricultures-predictive-intelligence-partner.html Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:34:37 +0530 Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping agriculture, but its true value lies not in replacing agronomic innovation—it lies in making every farm decision smarter, faster and more precise. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Syngenta, and Kiran Joseph, IT & Digital Enablement Lead – Europe, Syngenta, explain how AI is redefining the company's role from a provider of seeds and crop protection solutions to a trusted predictive intelligence partner for farmers. They discuss the strategic significance of Syngenta's collaboration with ANNAM.AI, India's potential to become a global innovation hub for AI-enabled agriculture, and why data-driven intelligence will be as transformative as the next generation of seeds and biologicals. The conversation also explores how hyperlocal forecasting, multilingual advisory and responsible data governance can help farmers navigate increasing climate volatility while building trust in digital agriculture. As AI moves from pilot projects to large-scale deployment, the executives argue that success will depend on integrating technology seamlessly into farmers' daily decision-making rather than adding complexity. They also share why India's diverse farming systems offer the ideal environment for developing AI solutions that can eventually be replicated across Africa, Southeast Asia and other smallholder markets. The interview provides a forward-looking perspective on how AI could become as indispensable to farming as seeds, fertilizers and irrigation in the decade ahead. Syngenta has traditionally been associated with seeds, crop protection and agronomic innovation. How do you see artificial intelligence transforming Syngenta’s role—from an input provider to a predictive intelligence partner for farmers? Feroz considers AI increasingly helpful in enriching the nature of the relationship Syngenta has with farmers, positioning the brand from being a company that sells products at specific moments in the season to one that’s continuously helping farmers make better decisions. Now, with the kind of data Syngenta has from genomics to field performance to weather and satellite data, the company can use AI to turn all of that into predictive, real-time insights. So instead of just recommending a product, Syngenta now helps a farmer anticipate pest outbreak, optimize planting or spraying windows, or even manage climate risks before they impact yield. This approach is hyper-local, dynamic, and personalized down to the field level. So overall, AI is helping Syngenta strengthen its personal relationships with farmers and bringing to life the vision of ‘breakthroughs for every farmers in every field’. India is home to more than 600 million people whose livelihoods are linked to agriculture. What makes the ANNAM.AI partnership strategically important for Syngenta’s long-term vision in one of the world's most complex agricultural markets? India is a highly diverse ecosystem with millions of smallholder farmers, different agro-climatic zones, and extreme unpredictability in climate volatility. The partnership with  ANNAM.AI will help build the foundation of a national, open, AI-driven agricultural intelligence platform, backed by government, academia, and technology players, designed to deliver hyperlocal, real-time, multilingual advisory at scale. " For Syngenta, being a strategic partner in this ecosystem is significant because it allows us to plug our deep digital and agronomic expertise into an expansive infrastructure. We’re excited to be part of the core intelligence layer that is powering decision-making for millions of Indian farmers", says Kiran. "By contributing through our knowledge base that we’ve built through these years, we are helping build predictive capabilities that can transform the Indian agricultural space. It gives us reach, relevance, and trust, because the platform is designed to provide free, accessible intelligence, meeting farmers where they are, in their language and context ", he added. The future of agriculture is increasingly being shaped by data. In your view, what will create more value for farmers over the next decade: new biological and chemical innovations, or AI-driven decision intelligence? I don’t see this as one or the other or having to choose between the two. Breakthroughs in seeds, crop protection and biologicals will continue to define what’s possible on the farm, but the reality is that most of that potential is still not fully realized in day-to-day farming because external factors are so dynamic and unpredictable. According to Feroz, this is where AI-driven decision intelligence will come in to help farmers make better, more precise choices in real time based on weather, soil, crop stage and risk factors. Many AI initiatives in agriculture generate impressive pilots but struggle to scale. What are the key ingredients required to translate AI research into measurable productivity gains at the farm level? To me, the first ingredient is high-quality, integrated data that is reliable at field level. Next is embedding AI into the actual workflow of farmers and agronomists, not expecting them to adapt to technology, but ensuring the technology fits seamlessly into how decisions are already made in the field. Equally important is moving from insights to action, because farmers eventually benefit from clear, timely recommendations. Another key ingredient is scalability by design, where platforms are built to operate across crops, regions and varying levels of digital maturity rather than being optimized for a single use case. " Finally, success depends on strong integration between digital, R&D and commercial teams, because AI cannot sit in isolation ", states Feroz. When these elements come together, AI stops being a pilot and starts becoming an effective engine to drive agricultural progress. Climate volatility is becoming a defining challenge for global food production. How can AI-powered forecasting and heat-stress intelligence help farmers move from reactive crisis management to proactive risk mitigation? What’s really changing today is how farmers deal with uncertainty. What AI is doing now is helping farmers see risks coming before they become problems. Think of AI-powered forecasting as moving from a general weather report to something that is much more personal to your farm. That makes a huge difference, because timing is everything in agriculture. " Heat stress is a great example. There are certain moments, like flowering in maize or wheat, when heat can really hurt yields. AI can pick up those trends and warn the farmer in advance", Feroz opines. So instead of reacting after the crop shows stress, the farmer can act earlier maybe irrigate a bit sooner, adjust input use, or even change practices to protect the crop. Over time, this starts changing behavior. Farmers begin planning ahead. It builds confidence too, because decisions are backed by evidence, not just experience or instinct. As AI becomes more central to agricultural decision-making, concerns around data ownership, transparency and trust are growing. How does Syngenta envision a responsible framework for managing farmer data while driving innovation? If AI is going to play a bigger role in farming, then trust becomes absolutely non-negotiable. At Syngenta, the way we think about it is quite straightforward that a farmer’s data belongs to the farmer. Any digital system we build must respect that from day one. That means being very clear about what data is being collected, why it’s being collected, and what value the farmer gets in return. There can’t be any ambiguity. Syngenta has strong governance around data privacy - around how data is stored, protected, and potentially shared across the ecosystem. That includes working with partners, governments, and platforms to ensure standards are consistent. " Innovation will only scale if farmers feel safe participating in it ", says Feroz. Syngenta operates across vastly different agricultural systems worldwide. Could India emerge as a global innovation laboratory for AI-enabled agriculture, with solutions developed here being exported to other markets? From a Syngenta perspective, smartphone and internet penetration in India brings a huge opportunity. Diversity in field sizes, complexities in regions and diverse weather conditions mean we need to co-create solutions in India that are not just technically sound, but also practical and usable at scale. And once they’re proven here, many of those learnings can be exported to regions where smallholder systems face similar challenges. " So, I strongly believe India can move from being just a large market to being a true innovation engine for global agriculture, especially in AI-led solutions. The ANNAM.AI partnership is a perfect example - solutions co-created for Indian complexity that can inform our approach in Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond", opines Feroz. You have described ANNAM.AI as an opportunity to build a transformative digital foundation for Indian agriculture. What does that future look like in practical terms, and how close are we to a world where AI becomes as indispensable to farming as seeds, fertilizer or irrigation? The future we’re building with ANNAM.AI is about making AI quietly present in every important farm decision, without making it complicated for the farmer. In practical terms, it could look like a farmer starting their day with a simple app that tells them what matters most today, for example, maybe there’s a heat stress risk in the next few days, maybe pest pressure is building, or maybe it’s the right time to apply a certain input. It’s not overwhelming them with data, it’s guiding them with clarity. Over time, this becomes the way-of-farming for them. The system understands the farm better season after season - the soil, the weather patterns, the crop choices and keeps improving its recommendations. " We’re very close to this ambition. What’s still evolving is scale, accessibility, and trust. Initiatives like ANNAM.AI are important because they bring all of that together - technology, local relevance, and farmer-centric design" , opines Kiran. " If we get it right, AI won’t feel like a separate layer. It will simply become part of a farmer’s routine - and that's when we know we've delivered a real breakthrough", he added. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)   ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4270/climate-adaptation-must-move-from-risk-mitigation-to-investment-opportunity-across-apac.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4270/climate-adaptation-must-move-from-risk-mitigation-to-investment-opportunity-across-apac.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:47:21 +0530 As climate change accelerates, the investment conversation is rapidly shifting from mitigation alone to building resilience against increasingly frequent physical risks. Yet climate adaptation remains one of the most underfinanced segments of sustainable investing, particularly across Asia, where the need for resilient agriculture, infrastructure and water systems is growing more urgent. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Norbert Ling, Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, Asia Pacific, Invesco, explains why adaptation is emerging as a critical consideration in portfolio construction and long-term risk management. He also explores how innovative debt instruments can unlock private capital for adaptation projects while highlighting the barriers that continue to limit large-scale investment. As investors increasingly assess resilience alongside returns, climate adaptation is poised to become an important pillar of future capital allocation strategies. From an investor’s perspective, what are the biggest barriers preventing climate adaptation and resilience from becoming a mainstream asset allocation theme in Asia? Investor approaches to climate adaptation and resilience are evolving, shaped by differences in mandates, risk exposures, investment horizons, geography and data availability. For some investors, adaptation is primarily viewed through the lens of portfolio risk management, with a focus on reducing exposure to climate-vulnerable assets and enhancing portfolio resilience. Others are increasingly identifying opportunities where adaptation investments can generate attractive risk-adjusted returns through improved operational efficiency, enhanced productivity or new sources of revenue. However, several barriers continue to limit climate adaptation from becoming a mainstream investment theme across Asia. One of the biggest challenges is the absence of standardized frameworks to measure adaptation outcomes and financial performance. Unlike climate mitigation, where carbon emissions provide a relatively common metric, adaptation benefits are often location-specific and materialize differently across sectors and geographies. This makes it difficult for investors to compare projects, assess risks consistently and build scalable investment portfolios. Another challenge is that many adaptation solutions are highly context-specific and localized. Whether it involves water-efficient agriculture, resilient infrastructure or coastal protection, each project requires a deep understanding of local climatic, regulatory and socio-economic conditions. Consequently, many opportunities remain relatively small in scale, making them less attractive for institutional investors seeking larger ticket sizes and diversified portfolios. The commercial viability spectrum also varies significantly. Some adaptation projects have clear and predictable cash flows, while others deliver broader social and environmental benefits that are difficult to monetize. This creates a financing gap where concessional or blended finance may be required before private capital can participate at scale. Strengthening project pipelines, improving adaptation-related data and developing investable financial structures will therefore be critical in mobilizing institutional capital across Asia. How can fixed income and debt instruments be structured to support climate adaptation projects, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure? Debt instruments have an important role to play in scaling climate adaptation because they provide a disciplined financing mechanism while ensuring accountability for the deployment of capital. One of the most effective approaches is the use-of-proceeds structure, where funds are earmarked specifically for clearly identifiable climate adaptation and resilience projects, supported by transparent reporting and measurable key performance indicators. These instruments can channel capital directly to project developers or through financial institutions that extend loans to businesses, farmers and infrastructure developers undertaking climate adaptation initiatives. For agriculture, this could include investments in climate-resilient irrigation systems, precision farming technologies, drought-resistant crop varieties or sustainable water management. In infrastructure, financing may support flood-resilient transport networks, climate-proof urban infrastructure, resilient energy systems or nature-based solutions that reduce physical climate risks. Commercial viability remains fundamental because debt financing ultimately depends on the borrower's ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service interest payments and repay principal. This discipline encourages the development of adaptation projects with robust business models while providing investors with greater confidence in the long-term sustainability of the investment. Looking ahead, innovative financing structures such as sustainability-linked bonds, resilience bonds, blended finance mechanisms and credit enhancement facilities could further expand the market by improving risk-return profiles and attracting greater participation from institutional investors. These instruments can help bridge the financing gap between public objectives and private capital while supporting the development of a more mature climate adaptation investment ecosystem. Looking ahead, how do you see climate adaptation becoming integrated into broader portfolio risk management strategies across APAC? Climate adaptation is increasingly becoming an integral component of portfolio risk management rather than a standalone sustainability consideration. Climate risk stress testing is already embedded within our regular portfolio risk review process, helping us assess the potential impact of both acute climate events and long-term physical climate risks across different asset classes and geographies. This enables us to better understand portfolio vulnerabilities and incorporate climate considerations into investment decision-making. Beyond quantitative stress testing, we are placing greater emphasis on evaluating the climate adaptation strategies of sovereigns, companies and financial institutions as part of our broader credit assessment framework. We consider how effectively issuers are preparing for physical climate risks, managing operational resilience and allocating capital toward adaptation measures, as these factors are becoming increasingly financially material over the long term. As climate impacts intensify across the Asia-Pacific region, adaptation will likely become more deeply embedded within investment analysis, sector allocation and capital deployment decisions. Investors will increasingly differentiate between companies that proactively strengthen resilience and those that remain exposed to escalating climate risks. This shift is expected to influence credit quality, valuations and long-term investment performance. At the same time, we see significant investment opportunities emerging from businesses that provide solutions enabling climate adaptation. Companies operating in areas such as resilient agriculture, water management, climate-resilient infrastructure, environmental technologies and digital climate intelligence are well positioned to benefit from increasing public and private investment across APAC. As policy support strengthens and investment frameworks mature, climate adaptation is likely to evolve from being primarily a risk management consideration into an increasingly important source of long-term investment opportunity. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4269/global-market-will-be-won-by-whoever-can-unleash-most-reliable-dairy-decisions-at-lowest-integration-cost-anand-mahurkar-founder-ceo-findability-sciences.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4269/global-market-will-be-won-by-whoever-can-unleash-most-reliable-dairy-decisions-at-lowest-integration-cost-anand-mahurkar-founder-ceo-findability-sciences.html Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:35:12 +0530 Discussing the launch of LactaAI , Mahurkar argues that dairy processors need AI systems capable of translating fragmented plant data into real-time operational actions that improve yield, reduce energy consumption, and accelerate decision-making. He explains how the platform’s proprietary AI Factory architecture and industry-specific intelligence can unlock annual value ranging from Rs 2.35 crore to Rs 28.2 crore per plant, while integrating seamlessly with existing ERP, MES, SCADA, and plant systems. The conversation also explores AI adoption on the factory floor, the future of outcome-based industrial AI, and Findability Sciences’ global ambitions as it takes LactaAI from India to major dairy markets worldwide. Your claim that dairy plants “do not need more dashboards” challenges a crowded industrial analytics space. What fundamentally differentiates LactaAI from existing AI and Industry 4.0 solutions, and why hasn’t this problem been solved effectively until now? Dashboards describe. AI Factories decide. That is the difference, and it sits at the centre of everything LactaAI does.  After fifteen years and meaningful capital, the industrial analytics space has converged on a familiar pattern: collect telemetry, surface it on a dashboard, and leave the plant manager to figure out what to do with it. The result is what the industry now openly calls dashboard fatigue. Operators have more visibility than ever, and exactly the same decisions to make.  LactaAI starts from a different premise. We treat the dairy plant as an AI Factory, an environment that produces decisions the way a power plant produces electricity. Each decision is tied to a specific outcome: a yield gain, an energy unit saved, a quality deviation prevented, a changeover shortened. The platform is closed-loop by design. It ingests operational data, computes a recommendation, routes it to the person who can act, and then measures what actually happened.  Two reasons the problem has not been solved before. The industrial analytics market has been dominated by horizontal Industry 4.0 platforms that are deep in operational technology plumbing but shallow in dairy physics and biochemistry. They digitise signals; they do not understand the difference between fat recovery in a separator and SNF loss in evaporation. The commercial models of legacy vendors reward dashboards over decisions, because a dashboard scales as a license while a decision requires ownership of an outcome. We accept that ownership.  Dairy plants generate massive volumes of data that often go unused. What are the core technical and organizational barriers that prevent this data from translating into decisions, and how does LactaAI overcome both? Two layers of friction sit between data and decisions in dairy. Both are structural, not aspirational.  The technical layer first. Data lives across SCADA, MES, ERP, LIMS, IoT gateways, and laboratory notebooks. Each system has its own schema, its own time signature, and its own owner. Plant historians capture telemetry at one cadence, ERP captures transactions at another, LIMS captures test results at a third. Joining these into a unified picture of a single batch or a single shift is non-trivial. Add legacy PLCs on proprietary protocols, and a meaningful fraction of operational data never reaches a place where a model can reason about it.  The organizational layer is the harder one. Even when data is consolidated, recommendations stall. Operators do not trust outputs they cannot interrogate. Plant managers do not have a closed-loop feedback mechanism to verify whether an AI suggestion actually moved the metric it claimed. Ownership of the outcome remains diffuse between IT, OT, quality, and operations.  LactaAI addresses both. The platform sits on our I-CUPP architecture, which unifies the data layer before any model touches it, so the AI reasons over a coherent operational picture rather than fragments. On top of that, our Business Process Co-Pilot embeds each recommendation into the systems operators already use, with a transparent rationale, an accountable owner, and a measured outcome. The decision and its consequences are bonded.  Industrial environments are notoriously resistant to change. How do you ensure adoption among plant operators and decision-makers who may be skeptical of AI-driven recommendations, especially in high-risk production settings? Operator adoption is earned, not assumed. Three principles guide how we earn it.  First, we deploy as a Co-Pilot, not an autopilot. Every recommendation comes with the reasoning behind it in plain plant language, the variables it considered, and a confidence band. The operator remains the decision-maker. This matters because in a high-risk production setting, the person closest to the asset must retain authority.  Second, we sequence the decisions. We begin with high-confidence, low-risk recommendations where the operator can verify the outcome quickly, such as CIP cycle optimization or boiler load scheduling. Trust accumulates. Only once a track record is established do we move to higher-leverage decisions like composition-aware standardization or fat-recovery setpoints.  Third, we localise. Our interfaces run in the languages operators actually speak. In India that means Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, and Tamil. The recommendation is useless if the operator has to translate it. Training materials and onboarding are built around the working vocabulary of shift supervisors and floor leads, not corporate slide decks.  The result is that operators move from skepticism to ownership within a few weeks of go-live, because they see the platform working with them rather than around them. LactaAI integrates with legacy systems like ERP, MES, and SCADA without requiring replacement. What were the biggest engineering challenges in achieving this interoperability, and how do you handle data inconsistencies across systems? Interoperability with legacy systems is the single hardest engineering problem in industrial AI. Dairy plants run a cocktail of vintages: SAP or Oracle ERP from the 2010s, Wonderware or Siemens SCADA, custom MES, LIMS from a half dozen vendors, and OEM-controlled PLCs that sometimes predate the people running them.  Our approach has three layers. At the bottom, a protocol adapter layer that speaks OPC-UA, Modbus, MQTT, and the vendor-specific protocols that matter in dairy. We read before we write. In the first phase of every deployment, we are a non-intrusive observer; we do not push setpoints back into the control system until governance and trust are in place.  In the middle, the unification layer, which is the U in I-CUPP. This is where data inconsistencies are resolved: entity resolution across systems that use different identifiers for the same batch or SKU, time synchronization across instruments with drift, unit normalization, and semantic harmonization so that what one system calls fat percentage and another calls FAT_PCT become the same field.  At the top, the decision layer, which is where the AI Factory runs. By the time models see the data, it is coherent and reliable.  The biggest engineering challenges were time-series at scale, particularly hot-cold tiering for plants generating millions of tag-seconds per day, and reconciling real-time streams with batch-loaded reference data without compounding errors. We solved them by treating the unification layer as a first-class product, not a connector marketplace.  Dairy processing varies widely—from fluid milk to complex whey derivatives. How scalable is LactaAI across different product categories, and what customization is required for each segment? Dairy looks like one industry from the outside and a dozen sub-industries from the inside. Fluid milk, butter, ghee, paneer, cheese, milk powders, condensed milks, whey derivatives, infant nutrition, ice cream, fermented products. Each has its own process flow, its own quality regime, and its own economic drivers.  What scales across all of them is the I-CUPP architecture. The way we collect, unify, process, and present data is invariant to product category. What customises per category is what sits on top: the process model, the BOM derivation logic, and the decision packs that encode the levers that matter for that product.  We have built a library of pre-configured process models for the major dairy segments. For a fluid milk plant, the high-value decisions cluster around standardization, route optimization, and shelf-life prediction. For a milk powder plant, around evaporator and dryer thermal efficiency, particle size control, and lactose crystallization windows. For cheese and paneer, around culture management, syneresis control, and ageing. For whey, around membrane fouling and protein recovery.  The customization required for a new segment is the process model and the decision pack, not the platform. Typically a new segment takes us six to ten weeks from first engagement to first production decisions.  India is the launchpad, but dairy is a global industry. How do you see LactaAI competing internationally, particularly against established industrial AI players, and what markets are you targeting next? Our near-term international roadmap targets the United States first, where our Chicago go-to-market is engaging the top-25 processors and where the consolidation of the industry into a small number of large producers makes the unit economics attractive. Australia and New Zealand follow, with channel work underway into the Fonterra ecosystem and the broader Oceania industry. Japan is open through our SoftBank relationship, with strong specialty dairy and functional nutrition demand. Latin America is the natural next step from our existing presence in adjacent agri-industrial categories.  The global market will not be won by whoever has the largest platform. It will be won by whoever can produce the most reliable dairy decisions at the lowest cost of integration.   --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)   ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4268/business-case-for-agricultural-drones-is-moving-beyond-spraying.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4268/business-case-for-agricultural-drones-is-moving-beyond-spraying.html Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:19:52 +0530 Every technological revolution begins with a simple question: what changes first—the tool or the system? In Indian agriculture, drones are rapidly moving beyond being flying machines to becoming the intelligence layer that could redefine how food is grown, financed and traded. But will they truly democratise precision farming for millions of smallholders, or simply deepen the technological divide between those who can access data and those who cannot? As policymakers push for an indigenous drone ecosystem, the real contest is no longer about hardware—it is about ownership of agricultural intelligence and the future of farm economics. The answers will shape not just productivity, but India's competitiveness in the global agri-tech race. In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director, Garuda Aerospace, explains why drones are evolving from operational tools into strategic agricultural infrastructure with far-reaching implications for credit, insurance, sustainability and food security. If India's next Green Revolution is intelligence-driven rather than input-driven, this conversation offers an early glimpse into what that future could look like. India's agricultural transformation has historically been driven by breakthroughs in seeds, irrigation and crop protection. Do you see drones emerging as the next foundational agricultural infrastructure, and what economic indicators would convince you that India has crossed that threshold? Every major agricultural transformation has been enabled by infrastructure that helped farmers produce more with fewer resources. I believe drones have the potential to become the next foundational layer of agricultural infrastructure because they bring precision, speed, and data-driven decision-making directly to the farm. Today, drones are helping farmers optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and crop protection products while reducing labour dependency and improving operational efficiency. As agriculture faces few challenges, drones are evolving from a productivity tool into a necessity for sustainable farming. The real tipping point will be when drone services become as commonplace as tractors or irrigation systems. For India, this will largely happen through a Drone-as-a-Service model, making advanced technology accessible even to small and marginal farmers. The economic indicators that would signal India has crossed that threshold include widespread adoption of drone-based spraying and crop monitoring, profitable rural drone service businesses, integration of drone data into crop insurance and agri-credit systems, and drones becoming a standard component of farm operating expenses. When these markers become mainstream, drones will no longer be viewed as an emerging technology; they will be recognized as critical agricultural infrastructure driving India's next phase of agricultural growth and productivity. Much of the conversation around agricultural drones focuses on operational efficiency. But can drones fundamentally alter farm economics by improving decision quality? In your view, what is the long-term value of intelligence generated by drones compared to the immediate value of spraying and surveillance services? While operational efficiency is often the most visible benefit of agricultural drones, I believe their greatest long-term value lies in the intelligence they generate. Spraying and surveillance deliver immediate gains through reduced costs, improved precision, and faster operations. However, data-driven decision-making has the potential to fundamentally reshape farm economics. Drones enable farmers to move from reactive to predictive agriculture. By providing real-time insights on crop health, pest infestations, nutrient deficiencies, water stress, and field variability, they empower farmers to make more informed decisions about when, where, and how to intervene. This not only optimizes input usage but also helps improve yields and enhance overall profitability. Over time, the value of this intelligence will far exceed the value of any single drone operation. Drone-generated data can support precision farming, strengthen crop insurance assessments, improve access to credit, and enable more accurate farm advisory services. As AI and analytics become more integrated into agriculture, drones will serve as the primary data collection layer powering smarter farming ecosystems. In the long run, I see drones evolving from being tools that perform tasks to platforms that enable better decisions. Spraying creates operational efficiency for a season; intelligence creates compounding value over multiple seasons. That is where the true transformation of agriculture will occur. India remains one of the world's most fragmented agricultural markets, dominated by smallholder farmers. Does this structural reality limit the scalability of drone technologies, or could it actually create a unique innovation model that differs from large-scale farming economies such as the United States and Brazil? India's smallholder farming ecosystem is one of the biggest opportunities for drone innovation anywhere in the world. Rather than limiting scalability, it is encouraging the development of business models that are more inclusive, accessible, and suited to the realities of modern agriculture. India's model is increasingly being powered by shared services, FPOs, cooperatives, and rural drone entrepreneurs. This enables even small and marginal farmers to benefit from advanced drone technology without significant upfront investment. What makes this particularly exciting is that India is building a drone ecosystem that prioritizes reach and impact. By leveraging Drone-as-a-Service models, we can bring precision agriculture to millions of farmers, improve productivity, optimize resource usage, and create new livelihood opportunities in rural areas. In many ways, India's agricultural structure is shaping a uniquely Indian blueprint for drone adoption; one that combines technology, entrepreneurship, and accessibility. If successful, it has the potential to become a model for agricultural economies across the developing world. As agricultural drones become increasingly sophisticated, are we witnessing the evolution of a new category of farm machinery, or are drones better understood as data platforms that happen to fly? How should agribusiness leaders think about this distinction? Agricultural drones are evolving beyond the traditional definition of farm machinery. While they perform critical operational tasks such as spraying, monitoring, and surveying, their true value lies in their ability to generate actionable intelligence that enables better decision-making across the agricultural value chain. Agribusiness leaders should view drones as both a productivity tool and a data platform. The operational benefits deliver immediate value through greater efficiency, precision, and resource optimization, while the data collected helps drive smarter decisions around crop health, input management, risk assessment, and yield improvement. As agriculture becomes increasingly technology-driven, the ability to capture and analyze real-time field data will become just as important as the ability to execute farm operations. Drones sit at the intersection of these two capabilities, making them a powerful enabler of modern agriculture. There is a growing policy emphasis on indigenous drone manufacturing. However, true technological sovereignty extends beyond assembly to critical components, software and analytics. Where does India currently stand on that spectrum, and what are the most strategic vulnerabilities that still need to be addressed? India has made remarkable progress in building a domestic drone ecosystem over the last few years. What is particularly encouraging is that the conversation has evolved from simply assembling drones to developing end-to-end capabilities across design, manufacturing, software, and drone applications. However, technological sovereignty is a journey, not a destination. True self-reliance requires strength across the entire value chain; from airframes and flight-control systems to sensors, communication technologies, AI-powered analytics, and advanced components. While India has built strong momentum in indigenous manufacturing and software development, there is still significant opportunity to deepen capabilities in certain high-value and specialized technologies. The focus now should be on accelerating research and development, strengthening component manufacturing, fostering deeper industry-academia collaboration, and nurturing a robust innovation ecosystem that can compete globally. Equally important is building intellectual property within India and creating globally competitive products that are designed, developed, and manufactured domestically. The combination of supportive policies, a vibrant startup ecosystem, growing demand, and strong engineering talent gives us a unique opportunity to emerge as a global hub for drone innovation. The next phase will be about moving from adoption and manufacturing to leadership in core technologies, software, and advanced analytics that define the future of the industry. Agriculture is increasingly being shaped by climate volatility, resource scarcity and input inefficiencies. How do you see drones contributing to the broader transition from input-intensive farming to intelligence-intensive farming, and what evidence are you seeing of that shift already taking place? Agriculture is undergoing a fundamental shift; from relying primarily on higher inputs to relying on better insights. As farmers face increasing challenges from climate variability, resource constraints, and rising production costs, the ability to make precise, data-driven decisions is becoming critical. This is where drones are playing a transformative role. Drones enable farmers to monitor crop health, identify stress factors, assess field conditions, and apply inputs with far greater precision than traditional methods. Instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, farmers can make targeted interventions based on real-time field intelligence, helping optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and crop protection products while improving productivity and sustainability. In the long run, I believe drones will serve as a critical intelligence layer for agriculture. Their greatest contribution will not simply be automating farm operations, but enabling smarter decisions that help farmers become more resilient, productive, and sustainable in an increasingly complex agricultural environment. Precision agriculture promises to optimize every drop of water, gram of fertilizer and millilitre of crop protection product. Yet adoption often lags expectations. Is the primary challenge technological, economic, behavioural or institutional, and how should the industry address it? The challenge is not technological, today's precision agriculture solutions have already demonstrated their ability to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. The real opportunity lies in accelerating adoption through greater awareness, accessibility, and ecosystem collaboration. For many farmers, adopting new technologies requires clear evidence of value and ease of access. This is why demonstration-driven adoption, farmer education, and service-based delivery models are so important. When farmers can see tangible improvements in productivity, input optimization, and cost savings, adoption follows naturally. At the same time, industry, policymakers, agri-institutions, and technology providers must work together to build a supportive ecosystem that simplifies access to precision agriculture solutions. Initiatives focused on skilling, rural entrepreneurship, and last-mile service delivery are already helping bridge this gap. The focus now should be on scaling access and demonstrating impact at the farm level, because when farmers experience the value firsthand, adoption becomes a natural outcome. Many emerging technologies create value not by replacing labour, but by augmenting human decision-making. In the context of Indian agriculture, do you see drones as labour-saving tools, productivity-enhancing tools, or knowledge-enabling tools—and which of these ultimately offers the greatest economic value? I see drones as all three; labour-saving, productivity-enhancing, and knowledge-enabling tools; but their greatest long-term value lies in enabling better decisions. The first wave of drone adoption in agriculture has understandably focused on efficiency. Drones help farmers save time, reduce labour dependency, and apply inputs with greater precision. These benefits deliver immediate economic value and are important for improving farm operations. However, the bigger opportunity lies in the intelligence layer. Drones generate real-time insights on crop health, pest outbreaks, nutrient deficiencies, and field variability, allowing farmers to make more informed and timely decisions. In an environment where climate uncertainty, resource constraints, and input costs are increasing, the quality of decisions can have a greater impact on outcomes than the quantity of inputs used. This is why I believe knowledge-enabling capabilities will ultimately create the greatest economic value. Labour savings and productivity gains are important, but they are often incremental. Better decision-making has a compounding effect; it improves resource efficiency, reduces risk, enhances yields, and strengthens farm profitability over multiple seasons. The future of agriculture will be driven not just by mechanisation, but by intelligence. Drones are uniquely positioned at the intersection of both, making them one of the most transformative technologies for the sector. Agricultural data is rapidly becoming a strategic asset. As drone-generated datasets grow in scale and sophistication, who will ultimately capture the greatest value—the farmer, the technology provider, agri-input companies, insurers, financial institutions, or food companies? The greatest value should; and ultimately will; accrue to the farmer. Drone-generated data has the potential to create value across the entire value chain. Agri-input companies can develop more targeted solutions, insurers can improve risk assessment, financial institutions can make more informed lending decisions, and food companies can strengthen traceability and supply-chain efficiency. What makes drone data particularly powerful is its ability to create a shared intelligence layer across the agricultural ecosystem. When used responsibly, it can align incentives among stakeholders and enable more efficient decision-making from farm to market. Over the long term, I believe the most successful models will be those that treat data as a tool for collaboration rather than ownership. The organizations that create the most value will not necessarily be those that collect the most data, but those that transform data into actionable insights that benefit farmers and strengthen the broader agricultural ecosystem. As agriculture becomes increasingly data-driven, the real opportunity lies in ensuring that intelligence flows back to the farmer, because a more informed farmer ultimately creates value for every participant in the value chain. If India succeeds in deploying drones at scale, what could be the second-order effects on agricultural supply chains, credit access, crop insurance, sustainability reporting and carbon markets? Are we underestimating the broader economic implications of drone adoption? We are only beginning to understand the broader economic impact that drones can have on agriculture. While the current focus is largely on spraying, monitoring, and operational efficiency, large-scale drone adoption has the potential to create far-reaching benefits across the entire agricultural ecosystem. As drones generate high-quality, real-time field data, they can bring greater transparency and visibility to agricultural supply chains. This can improve traceability, strengthen quality assurance, and enable more informed decision-making from farm to market. Drone-generated insights can also support more accurate risk assessment for lenders and insurers, helping improve access to credit and enabling faster, data-driven crop insurance processes. For farmers, this could translate into better financial inclusion and reduced uncertainty. From a sustainability perspective, drones can help measure and optimize the use of water, fertilizers, and crop protection products, creating a stronger foundation for sustainability reporting and environmental compliance. As carbon markets and climate-focused agricultural programs evolve, reliable field-level data will become increasingly important for monitoring outcomes and validating impact. The larger opportunity is that drones can become a digital intelligence layer connecting agriculture, finance, sustainability, and supply chains. When that happens, their value will extend far beyond farm operations and contribute to a more efficient, transparent, and resilient agricultural economy. The global drone industry is increasingly converging with artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems. How should Indian agribusinesses prepare for a future where farm operations are increasingly automated, predictive and data-driven rather than reactive and manual? The future of agriculture will be increasingly defined by intelligence, automation, and predictive decision-making. As drones, AI, robotics, and data analytics converge, agribusinesses will need to evolve from managing farm operations to managing agricultural intelligence. The first step is to view technology not as a standalone tool, but as a strategic capability. Agribusinesses that invest early in digital infrastructure, data-driven processes, and technology adoption will be better positioned to improve productivity, optimize resources, and respond to changing market and environmental conditions. Equally important is building a culture that embraces innovation. The future farm will rely on real-time data, predictive insights, and automated interventions. Organizations must therefore focus on developing digital skills, strengthening partnerships with technology providers, and creating systems that can effectively translate data into action. Farmers, agronomists, and agribusiness leaders will continue to be at the center of decision-making, but they will be supported by technologies that make those decisions faster, more precise, and more informed. Those who begin preparing today for a more connected, automated, and intelligence-driven agricultural ecosystem will not only improve operational efficiency but also gain a significant competitive advantage in the years ahead. The future belongs to organizations that can combine human expertise with technological intelligence to create more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems. Looking ahead a decade, what will distinguish countries that merely use agricultural drones from those that genuinely derive strategic advantage from them? In that future, what role do you envision India—and Garuda Aerospace—playing in the global agricultural technology landscape? Over the next decade, the distinction will not be between countries that have drones and those that do not; it will be between countries that use drones as tools and those that integrate them into a broader agricultural intelligence ecosystem. India is uniquely positioned to be one of those leaders. With one of the world's largest agricultural sectors, a rapidly growing drone ecosystem, supportive policy frameworks, and a strong talent base in technology and engineering, India has the opportunity to create a globally relevant model for precision agriculture at scale. What makes this particularly significant is that India's innovations are being designed for accessibility, affordability, and impact; qualities that are highly relevant to agricultural economies around the world. At Garuda Aerospace, our vision is to contribute to this transformation by building indigenous drone technologies and enabling large-scale adoption of precision agriculture solutions. We see ourselves not just as a drone manufacturer, but as a technology company helping accelerate the transition toward smarter, data-driven farming. As agriculture becomes increasingly intelligence-led, our goal is to help position India as a global hub for agricultural drone innovation; developing solutions that improve farmer outcomes, strengthen food systems, and demonstrate how technology can drive sustainable agricultural growth at scale. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)   ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4235/india-can-become-global-exporter-of-livestock-genetics-ashish-khandelwal-on-indigenous-embryo-transfer-breakthrough.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4235/india-can-become-global-exporter-of-livestock-genetics-ashish-khandelwal-on-indigenous-embryo-transfer-breakthrough.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:15:00 +0530 Leads Genetics' indigenous embryo transfer programme is more than a technological milestone—it signals India's growing ambition to build world-class bovine genetics through domestic capabilities and global scientific collaboration. By combining advanced IVF, genomics and embryo transfer technologies with indigenous breeds such as Gir and Sahiwal, the initiative addresses the long-standing challenge of improving dairy productivity without compromising genetic resilience. The partnership with Brazil's Embrapa also reflects an important shift towards international knowledge exchange in livestock breeding. AgroSpectrum has further explored the significance of this breakthrough through an exclusive interview with Ashish Khandelwal, Director, Leads Genetics, on the programme's scalability, commercial viability and its long-term impact on India's dairy economy. The real measure of success, however, will lie in translating these laboratory breakthroughs into scalable, affordable solutions that improve farmer incomes and strengthen India's dairy value chain. Defining a National Milestone: This is being positioned as India’s first large-scale indigenous embryo transfer programme—what makes this breakthrough structurally different from previous efforts in cattle breeding and genetics? Leads Genetics has break through success in genome technology by setting up an integrated R&D centre for Indigenous Cattle Genetics & Genomics in Bareilly. It is not just a scientific achievement, but as a systemic breakthrough. For long, genome technology or any efforts in embryo transfer were largely government initiatives or were in a very limited scale. For the first time, Leads Genetics has brought three things together, a private-sector-led Centre of Excellence with world-class IVF, Pathology, and Genomics laboratories, a structured programme with success metrics, and a tripartite international collaboration involving Embrapa (Brazil’s state-owned agricultural research institution under MAPA), Fazenda Floresta and Leads Genetics. The results are for everyone to see. In the first phase we have already witnessed successful IVF treatment on 116 cows with a 70 per cent success rate. In the second phase we have expanded this to 160 Gir, Sahiwal, and HF cross cows. What started as a pilot model has become a scalable model. From Pilot to Scale. Achieving a 70 per cent IVF success rate at this scale is significant—what were the key scientific, operational, or infrastructure factors that enabled this level of efficiency? The scale of IVF success is a defining moment for Indian dairy. This was made possible due to advancements in reproductive technologies like IVF and embryo transfer. This will accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in per-cow dairy productivity and livestock genetics. However, there were some key challenges. The first one was donor selection. We ensured high-genetic-merit Gir donors, including superior germplasm imported from Brazil, were only used. This gave us a strong genetic foundation to work with. The second challenge was that of having a world class laboratory infrastructure. For this we created an Integrated R&D Centre right from scratch. It had the state-of-the-art IVF-ET, Pathology, and Genomics capabilities. Also, the equipment and protocols had to meet international standards, not just Indian benchmarks. The third was operational discipline. We have to ensure synchronised protocols across hormone treatments, OPU (Ovum Pick-Up) procedures, fertilisation windows, and embryo transfer timing. Any deviation would have an adverse impact on the success. Economics of Genetic Transformation. How does embryo transfer at scale translate into tangible economic gains for dairy farmers, particularly in terms of yield improvement and return on investment? The economics of this successful program is at two levels. The first one is at an individual farmer level and the second one is at enterprise level. At an individual farmer level, the primary value will be in the form of step-change in milk yield per animal. Farmers can expect 3X increase in milk yield with our breeds. However, the actual outcome would depend on farm management and ecosystem support. A margin of 50 per cent -70 per cent increase in yield would be of great economic importance for farmers. Higher-genetic-merit Gir and Sahiwal cattle are known for their disease resistance and easily adapt to Indian climatic conditions compared to exotic crossbreeds. As a brand we are conscious in making sure that the economics improve not both revenue and cost side as well. We have to democratise access to large farms and as well as small farmer through cooperative models and government partnerships. Indigenous Breeds vs. Crossbreeding Debate. With a strong focus on Gir and other indigenous breeds, how do you see this initiative reshaping the long-standing debate between indigenous genetics and high-yield crossbreeds? Historical data tells us that the crossbreeding route, particularly with Holstein Friesian genetics, has given us short-term productivity but it came at a cost like increasing vulnerability to tropical diseases, heat stress, declining fertility rates, and a gradual erosion of our indigenous breed population. However, we have seen that Gir and Sahiwal, Red Sindhi breeds carry genetic traits that have been shaped by thousands of years of evolution in the Indian subcontinent. This is a valuable asset that cannot be replaced. Our IVF and embryo transfer technology allows us to unlock the productivity potential of indigenous breeds scientifically. There was no doubt on whether our breeds could be productive, it was always about whether we had the technology to realise our potential. Technology as a Force Multiplier. To what extent can IVF and embryo transfer realistically accelerate India’s per-cow productivity, and what are the bottlenecks to scaling this nationwide? There is no doubt that our IVF and embryo transfer will boost India's per-cow productivity is enormous. But we must be mindful of the challenges and the opportunities. Natural breeding produces one calf per cow per year but IVF-based OPU-ET can potentially yield 20–30 embryos per superior donor annually. This a huge opportunity for us. The compounding impact on national herd quality would be transformative. The main challenge is having skilled veterinary manpower, cold chain and logistics infrastructure for embryo transport, and recipient cow management. All these are critical for transfer success and it requires a framework for armer education and last-mile support. At Leads Genetics we see ourselves as change agent not just creating technology but an entire system through training and partnerships. Role of Global Collaboration. This programme involves collaboration with Brazil’s Embrapa—how critical is international scientific cooperation in advancing India’s livestock genetics ecosystem? The scientific knowledge transferred through this collaboration was as valuable as any piece of equipment we installed. India and Brazil share similar agro-climatic conditions and also a common ancestry in Zebu cattle genetics. Being Brazil's state-owned agricultural research institution, Embrapa represents decades of scientific work on Gir and Zebu breeds. This has transformed Brazil from a net importer of genetics to a global exporter. The partnership reflects a strategic significance of India's livestock sector and the credibility we have built. International scientific cooperation of this nature is unprecedented in India. Infrastructure and Replicability. The Centre of Excellence plays a central role—what investments and ecosystem support are required to replicate this model across other dairy clusters in India? The Centre of Excellence in Bareilly is not just a significant investment but reflects our firm commitment towards building physical infrastructure, scientific talent, and building protocols that are suited for Indian conditions. To replicate this across key states like Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, or Maharashtra requires a carefully crafted integration programme. India is a diverse country and different regions have different breed priorities, different agro-climatic conditions, and different dairy ecosystem structures. It cannot be copied it has to adapted. However, what can be done is standardising things like laboratory protocols, training curriculum for veterinary staff and creating a data system for tracking outcomes. Also, one key factor would be government support through National Livestock Mission and Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Long-Term Vision for India's Dairy Sector. Looking ahead, how do you see advanced reproductive technologies shaping India’s position in the global dairy and livestock genetics landscape over the next decade? Our Centre of Excellence can create a paradigm shift in India’s dairy sector. Strangely, we are the world's largest milk producer but still our per-cow productivity ranks among the lowest globally. We have to solve this over the next decade. Advanced reproductive technology is the most powerful lever for us. We have to build a nationally networked livestock genetics infrastructure. Also, India has the potential to become a significant player in the global livestock genetics market. Our indigenous breeds like Gir and Sahiwal are now attracting interests from Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. We are on the right track and India could transition from being an importer of livestock genetics knowledge to being a credible exporter of both genetics and expertise. This is our vision as well. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com)   ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4177/india-and-philippines-can-lead-next-phase-of-agricultural-carbon-markets-ecoguard-global-ceo.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/interviews/86/4177/india-and-philippines-can-lead-next-phase-of-agricultural-carbon-markets-ecoguard-global-ceo.html Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:23:25 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Yashodhan Ramteke argues that the future of agricultural carbon markets will hinge not on uniform farming systems but on robust digital measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), transparent data, and strong farmer aggregation models that can work across diverse geographies such as India and the Philippines. He explains how India’s extensive network of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and the Philippines’ cooperative-led coconut sector offer different but equally scalable pathways for integrating millions of smallholders into global climate finance without compromising local governance structures. Ramteke also cautions that carbon finance must remain a supplementary income stream rather than a replacement for agricultural subsidies or food production, stressing that fair revenue sharing, farmer ownership of data, and transparent benefit distribution will determine the long-term credibility of carbon markets. Drawing parallels between India's diversified agricultural landscape and the Philippines' plantation-based coconut economy, he outlines why both countries can play complementary roles in the evolving global carbon economy despite fundamentally different farming systems. The conversation further examines whether the emerging India–Philippines carbon partnership represents a genuine democratization of climate finance or risks becoming a centralized system of agricultural data and carbon value extraction, underscoring the governance choices that will shape its future. India and the Philippines both have fragmented smallholder agriculture—so what makes you confident this aggregation model will work equally across such different institutional and land-tenure systems? Despite differences in their agricultural structures, both India and the Philippines have something in common: the millions of smallholder farmers cultivating relatively small areas of land. The essential takeaway lesson from the international carbon markets is that you do not need similar land-tenure systems in order to participate effectively-you need well functioning aggregation, transparent data, and reliable MRV systems. The work EcoGuard is doing with the Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines (Confed) highlights the ability of farmer cooperatives and producer organizations to function effectively as aggregators. In India similar networks and systems are already in place through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives and commodity associations. EcoGuard’s work concentrates on building a digital overlay, which ensures a standardized MRV framework independent of the underlying institutional structures. Through dMRV, satellite monitoring, GIS and direct capture of farmer-level data, a common, standardized structure can be established while remaining sensitive to country-level governance and tenure structures. Aggregation works therefore not due to the similarities between India and the Philippines, but due to the strong community based agricultural structures that already exist in both countries and can be linked digitally to carbon markets. In countries like India, procurement and subsidy systems already shape farmer behavior—how do carbon credits avoid becoming just another distorted incentive layer? Agricultural policy or subsidy programs should not be confused with carbon credits, since they perform fundamentally different functions. Subsidies typically aim to boost production, improve income stability, and contribute to food security. Carbon finance focuses on rewarding measurable environmental benefits like carbon sequestration, improvement in soil health, reducing emissions, or ecosystem rehabilitation. The best performing carbon programs focus on those actions that already support long-term farmer viability. For instance, practices that often include soil carbon and other benefits like regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, improved nutrient management and climate smart agriculture fit the bill. EcoGuard believes that the best application of carbon finance for farmers is as a supplemental revenue stream rather than the main incentive. Correctly structured methodologies can assure that carbon credits are only issued when climate benefits have been achieved, rather than generating artificial market impacts. In the Philippines, coconut farming is highly dispersed—what structural advantage does it have over India in building verifiable carbon credit systems? Philippines has an advantage because the agricultural landscape of coconut plantations is a more uniform system. This simplifies the establishment of baselines, measurement of carbon stocks and monitoring compared to agricultural systems with much greater diversity. Through working with Confed we have seen strong farmer organization structures and largely homogenous crop portfolio across extensive areas which is advantageous for the application and verification of methodology. The agriculture system in India, is much more diverse with various cropping patterns, agro-climatic zones, and land use. While complex, the variety offers scale and opportunity for several carbon methodologies. Are we seeing a convergence where both India and the Philippines are being integrated into a global carbon supply chain designed primarily for compliance buyers in developed markets? Certainly, the carbon market is becoming more linked, but it is inaccurate to describe this merely as a supply chain for developed market compliance buyers. What we are observing is a climate finance ecosystem emerging. Demand for climate finance is coming from various avenues; voluntary carbon markets, corporate net-zero targets, Article 6 opportunities, the aviation sector (e.g. CORSIA), and domestic compliance markets increasingly. We are seeing both India moving to establish a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), and also the Philippines seeking international carbon market engagement via both Article 6 and bilateral means. How do you reconcile differences in land records, digitization maturity, and governance capacity between India and the Philippines when designing a unified MRV framework? It is not about a unique MRV governance structure but about common output. At EcoGuard, we distinguish the data collection and the verification processes. Local entities might collect data in different ways, but final carbon accounting data sets should comply to standardized formats. Technology such as satellite imagery, remote sensing, GIS technologies, mobile applications, audit trail with blockchain enable transparency in order to avoid reliance to one specific administrative procedure. Interoperability is sought rather than uniformity; therefore, our systems incorporate local specificities without compromising global standards for transparency and verification. Is the carbon credit model equally viable in India’s diversified cropping systems compared to the Philippines’ plantation-oriented coconut economy—or are we comparing fundamentally different baselines? While the baselines differ, neither suggests one model is less feasible than the other. The opportunities in the Philippine coconut sector include agro-forestry, andbiomass improvement and restoration of the land-base. The opportunities in the Indian agricultural system are broad and include regenerative agriculture, rice methane abatement, agro-forestry, soil carbon enhancement, biochar and land management. Different farming systems require different approaches but both can deliver quantifiable climate benefits. In fact India's heterogeneity may lend itself to a wider portfolio of carbon projects whereas a focus on one crop system may allow for greater standardisation and scalability for the Philippines. Who ultimately captures more value in this architecture—smallholders in India and the Philippines, or the intermediaries structuring verification and credit issuance? This is one of the core issues of the carbon markets face today. EcoGuard strongly feels that enduring market credibility relies on significant value trickling down to the farmers and project beneficiaries. Without farmer value, project durability and community engagement are questionable. Technologies can further enable transparency in revenue flows by implementing digital registries, blockchain based transaction data and trackable payment mechanisms. Sustainable high-integrity carbon markets of the future will be recognized for fair benefit sharing and not for the volume of credits issued. Could aggressive carbon monetization in both countries unintentionally bias land-use decisions away from food security toward carbon-optimized crops? This is an important concern to be managed by all stakeholders involved:  policy makers, project developers and standards bodies. Carbon finance should supplement and not substitute food production. Best quality agricultural carbon projects typically optimize production, resilience, biodiversity and soil health at the same time. For coconut systems in the Philippines and a variety of Indian agroforestry systems, carbon benefits occur in addition to and not instead of food production. Robust methodology safeguards, alongside national policy frameworks are crucial to guarantee that food security will remain the over-arching land-use objective. Is this emerging India–Philippines carbon linkage a genuine climate finance democratization effort—or the creation of a transnational agricultural data and credit extraction system? It depends entirely on how the ecosystem is constructed. If carbons markets are transparently and farmer- owned, equitable revenue share structures are implemented and strong governance is enforced then markets can be transformative vehicles in democratizing climate finance, and channelling investment into rural communities that have been excluded from the global capital flows up until this point. However, if data ownership, benefit sharing and governance is flawed, then value could consolidate into the hands of a few intermediaries. EcoGuard aims to develop trusted digital infrastructure which instils farmer cooperatives, Governments, and buyers with both environmental and financial security; climate finance should empower agricultural communities, not solely extract environmental value from it. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3807/bayer-foundations-kyra-constanze-pauly-on-why-blended-finance-could-reshape-global-food-systems.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3807/bayer-foundations-kyra-constanze-pauly-on-why-blended-finance-could-reshape-global-food-systems.html Mon, 04 May 2026 16:16:48 +0530 Exclusive AgroSpectrum interview with Kyra Constanze Pauly, Managing Director of Bayer Foundation, on catalytic capital, smallholder resilience, and the new Bayer Foundation–UNCDF investment push in African agri-food markets The conversation comes as Bayer Foundation and United Nations Capital Development Fund announced the inaugural investments under the Food Systems Innovation Finance Facility (FSIFF), extending two local currency loans of $500,000 each to Omia Agribusiness in Uganda and SokoFresh in Kenya to expand farmer services, reduce food loss, improve cold storage infrastructure, and strengthen market access for smallholders. Kyra highlighted that the initiative reflects a broader shift beyond traditional grant-based development models toward blended finance structures that combine philanthropic capital with market-compatible instruments to drive long-term agricultural resilience, farmer incomes, and food-system sustainability. As concessional funding declines globally, how does Bayer Foundation justify deploying catalytic capital in ways that may blur the line between philanthropy and market-making?  Effective and inclusive markets are a good thing. When markets work better, they deliver tangible benefits for people on the ground – from more reliable access to nutritious food to stronger livelihoods for smallholder farmers and more resilient local economies.  In many low- and middle‑income countries, particularly in food systems, promising solutions fail to scale because early risks are too high, and traditional funding falls short. This is where we see a clear role for catalytic philanthropic capital. By deploying it thoughtfully, we can help de‑risk early innovation, unlock additional capital, and ensure that limited philanthropic resources achieve greater, longer‑lasting impact.  Working with partners like the United Nations Capital Development Fund, who combine deep development expertise with fair and responsible financial instruments, helps us keep social impact firmly at the center. Finance, for us, is not an end in itself. It is a practical tool to leverage resources, help markets serve people better, and create durable change where purely grant‑based approaches or commercial capital alone are insufficient.  In partnering with United Nations Capital Development Fund, what structural advantage does this model have over traditional grant-based development approaches in actually transforming food systems?  Grant‑based support has an important role and remains essential, especially at very early stages or in fragile contexts. At the same time, on its own, it has often proven insufficient to sustain or scale transformation in food systems over the long term. Social entrepreneurs – who are among the key changemakers we support – need access to the full spectrum of capital, from grants to loans and equity. In low‑ and middle‑income countries, access to capital and opportunity to build equity remains limited, or available only under unfavorable conditions.  Our partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund allows us to address this gap. By combining grants with responsible, market‑compatible financial instruments, we can focus not just on funding individual projects, but on improving how food systems work for smallholder farmers and underserved communities more structurally.  UNCDF’s rigorous approach, strong alignment with the international agreed Sustainable Development Goals, and deep on‑the‑ground expertise help ensure that capital responds to real needs and contributes to lasting, system‑level change. Importantly, UNCDF also brings credibility as a trusted global institution and acts as a convener – mobilizing additional public and private capital beyond our initial contribution. This enables impact to go further than traditional, project‑based grants alone, while strengthening markets and livelihoods in a responsible and inclusive way. The FSIFF aims to “crowd in” private capital – what specific risk-return signals must be proven before institutional investors take these markets seriously?  UNCDF absorbs early-stage risk to incentivize investment and crowd-in private capital into underserved markets and deliver concrete development results for people, small businesses, and vulnerable communities.   Institutional investors will step in, when they see that markets are built on real, everyday value – for farmers, businesses, and food systems. That means solutions genuinely solve problems on the ground, can operate reliably, and continue to deliver benefits over time. For Bayer Foundation, the most important signal is that financial sustainability supports social impact: better incomes for farmers, population food security, less food loss, and stronger food systems resilience. When impact is real and lasting, financial confidence follows.  Investments like Omia and SokoFresh target systemic inefficiencies – how do you ensure these interventions create durable market infrastructure rather than isolated success stories?  We collaborate with UNCDF, whose rigorous due‑diligence process and strong focus on SDG impact help ensure that investments address real systemic gaps rather than short‑term opportunities. Bayer Foundation, UNCDF and its partners in the UN ecosystem support the ventures beyond granting loans through the facility. We facilitate the link of the ventures to other local partners which helps them develop true local ecosystems. This combination helps ensure that investments like Omia and SokoFresh strengthen market infrastructure and create lasting benefits for smallholder farmers and food systems, well beyond a single success story.  How do you rigorously measure impact in complex ecosystems where outcomes are influenced by multiple external variables?  We focus on whether our interventions are contributing to real improvements in farmers’ lives and local food systems. That means tracking practical indicators like income increase and reduced losses over time and grounding these insights in feedback from partners working closely with farming communities. Impact for us is about long‑term resilience, not short‑term attribution.  To measure results with FSIFF, companies report on impact annually as part of portfolio management, including, for example, data points on job creation and earnings of smallholder farmers and changes in market access. A successful project sees a return of capital, which enables recycling of funds into more impactful investments and improved food security and more resilient livelihoods in underserved communities.  To what extent should philanthropic capital tolerate underperformance org. failure in fragile, last-mile economies?  Philanthropic capital bears 100 per cent risk anyway, because its purpose is to be given away for free. So, in principle a higher risk can be tolerated. Still, the FSIFF is thoroughly assessing each venture’s financial health and has return expectations, also to sustain and grow the loan facility over time. Here, the facility’s pipeline coming from the wider UN ecosystem and partner organizations like Bayer Foundation helps to manage risk.   Does the use of concessional finance risk distorting local markets, or is it essential to correcting structural inequities that traditional finance ignores?  Concessional finance plays an important role where markets don’t yet work for everyone. When used thoughtfully, it helps correct structural inequalities and gives smallholder farmers and local enterprises a fair chance to participate. The goal is always to support markets that can eventually function on their own – not to replace them and to encourage commercial investment.  Looking ahead, do you see blended finance vehicles like FSIFF becoming dominant or remaining niche?  Blended finance is an important tool that helps bridge the gap between philanthropy and private investment, especially where risks are high and impact potential is strong. Through the Food Systems Innovation Finance Facility (FSIFF), we use this approach to support solutions that can grow, attract additional capital, and create lasting benefits for smallholder farmers and food systems. Used responsibly, blended finance enables impact‑driven solutions to scale and endure, while keeping social impact clearly at the center. We also see growing momentum in working together with a wide range of partners – from public institutions to private and philanthropic actors – to bring the right kinds of support together and help impact‑driven solutions succeed.  --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3761/where-paint-protects-pollinators.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3761/where-paint-protects-pollinators.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:13:12 +0530 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 the initiative is “impact-first but not impact-only,” with a long-term vision to build a scalable, self-sustaining ecosystem through strong partnerships and rural engagement. This move takes Nippon Paint into apiculture—far outside traditional coatings demand. How do you frame this internally: adjacent market expansion, ESG-led innovation, or a long-term rural strategy bet? We see our association with Humble Bee as a natural adjacency, driven by both purpose and capability. While it sits outside traditional coatings demand, it meaningfully leverages our core strengths in protective and sustainable coatings. For us, this is also an ESG-led innovation with strong long-term potential for rural impact. It’s less about diversification for scale, and more about extending our relevance into ecosystems where durability and sustainability truly matter. Many companies talk sustainability; few quantify it. What hard metrics will define success here - colony health, hive longevity, farmer income uplift, or something else entirely? Sustainability and responsible innovation are deeply embedded in Nippon Paint’s DNA. Guided by our ESG framework, we are committed to developing solutions that not only deliver performance but also create measurable environmental and social value. This initiative is a strong reflection of that approach where businesses, communities, and ecosystems grow together. From an ESG standpoint, success will be defined through clear metrics such as colony health and bee retention rates (Environmental), hive longevity and durability (Environmental), and improvements in honey yield and farmer income (Social). Coatings for beehives introduce a completely different performance benchmark—biological compatibility. What were the toughest technical trade-offs in ensuring durability without compromising bee health? At Nippon Paint India, eco-friendly, low to zero-VOC formulations have always been integral to our portfolio, and we are among the few in the industry to offer GreenPro-certified products - an eco-label awarded by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) that recognises products meeting stringent environmental and sustainability standards across their lifecycle. We have leveraged our existing formulation of paints that are eco-friendly and highly durable to withstand harsh weather conditions - to coat the hives. Its proven durability against extreme climates and moisture make it an ideal solution, while ensuring the highest standards of environmental safety. While traditional coatings are primarily designed for protection, in this case, we also had to ensure zero harmful emissions and no disruption to bee behavior or their habitat - something we were able to achieve seamlessly with our eco-friendly, GreenPro-certified product. Reaching first-generation women farmers and tribal communities is notoriously difficult. Does Nippon Paint plan to build new distribution channels, or will this rely entirely on partners like Humble Bee? At Nippon Paint India, initiatives like NShakti - our pioneering program that empowers women to become professional painters - reflect our strong commitment to enabling self-reliance among women. This shared vision of empowerment makes it even more relevant for us to support such novel initiatives. Enabling sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal women is a natural extension of this commitment.We also recognize that last-mile access is critical, especially when engaging with first-generation women farmers and tribal communities. At this stage, our approach is entirely partnership-led - working closely with organizations like Humble Bee that bring deep community connect and on-ground expertise.The focus is on trust-led adoption, not just reach. We are keen to collaborate with like-minded partners who share our vision, as we collectively work towards building a more sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for livelihoods. Is this initiative designed to become a self-sustaining business line, or will it remain impact-first with limited margin expectations? Where do you draw the line between profitability and purpose? This initiative is impact-first but not impact-only. Our goal is to build a self-sustaining model over time. In the early stages, the priority was on ecosystem building and demonstrating proof of impact and, currently, we are supporting this through a subsidized approach. Over the long term, we expect the model to achieve viability through scale and operational efficiencies. For us, profitability and purpose are not mutually exclusive - they must converge to create sustainable, long-term value. Low-VOC, eco-friendly coatings are not proprietary in isolation. What makes this model defensible—is it the formulation, the ecosystem partnerships, or early-mover advantage in apiculture infrastructure? While low-VOC coatings in themselves are not unique, what is far more difficult to replicate is the ecosystem approach. Our GreenPro certification gives us a clear edge, reinforcing the environmental credibility of our products. Additionally, our partnership-led model, combined with early on-ground learnings, enables us to build deep insights and create a strong first-mover advantage in this space.At its core, this initiative is driven by a shared vision to build a sustainable ecosystem through innovation aligned with Nippon Paint’s core DNA. The new-age beehive model by Humble Bee makes this partnership seamless, enabling a differentiated approach and laying the foundation for long-term impact. Does this signal a broader ambition for Nippon Paint India to move into agri-linked applications—storage, irrigation infrastructure, rural housing—or is apiculture a one-off experiment? This is certainly a strategic learning ground for us, reinforcing how coatings can play a meaningful role in protecting infrastructure beyond urban environments. Our approach remains tightly aligned to the relevance of this initiative. We will scale thoughtfully - guided by proven impact and clear outcomes, rather than pursuing expansion into new areas. For us, this is not about entering a new category; it’s about applying our expertise where it can create the most meaningful and lasting impact. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3707/mk-dhanuka-on-india-us-trade-easing-catalyst-for-agrochemical-growth.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3707/mk-dhanuka-on-india-us-trade-easing-catalyst-for-agrochemical-growth.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:30:31 +0530 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 capacity expansion, and accelerating product registrations. Going forward, increased focus on value-added formulations, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships is likely to strengthen India’s position in advanced agrochemical markets. What was the total agrochemical export from India to US in 2024-25 and 2023-24? Also include latest data till November/December? India continues to strengthen its position as a global supplier of crop-protection solutions, supported by strong manufacturing capabilities and export competitiveness. The United States remains a key destination for Indian agrochemical exports, driven by steady demand for technical active ingredients and generic formulations. This reflects India’s role in global supply chains and its ability to meet quality and regulatory standards of advanced markets, while export performance is influenced by approvals, seasonal demand, and supply-chain dynamics. In 2023–24, India’s overall agrochemical export value (global, all destinations) stood at US$ 5.5 billion, with the US as the top market, followed by Brazil. In 2024–25, total exports were valued at US$ 3.3 billion globally, again with the US remaining the leading destination. In recent months, the US imported technicals in volume, with 3,457.9 tonnes in September 2025 and 5,148.75 tonnes in October 2025. What are the products the industry exporting to the USA? India’s agrochemical exports to the United States are supported by its strong manufacturing base and capabilities in producing technical-grade active ingredients and a wide range of crop-protection solutions. The export basket includes insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, and seed-treatment products supplied as technicals as well as finished formulations. Key molecules exported to the US include 2,4-D, Glufosinate Ammonium, Lambda Cyhalothrin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorpyrifos, Diuron, Triclopyr, Bifenthrin, Prothioconazole, Picoxystrobin, Cymoxanil, Acephate, Cypermethrin, and Mancozeb, reflecting India’s integration into global crop-protection value chains and its ability to serve multiple agricultural applications. Growing regulatory familiarity and supply reliability have supported deeper engagement with advanced markets, while increasing focus on value-added formulations and specialised solutions continues to shape export offerings. How do you see the deal will benefit the agrochemical industry in India? Following the recent India–US trade understanding and tariff easing, the outlook for India’s agrochemical industry appears more positive, as improved market access and reduced trade barriers strengthen export competitiveness in supplying technicals and formulations to regulated markets such as the United States. Greater predictability in trade engagement can support investment in product registrations, partnerships, and innovation, while balanced implementation remains important to ensure that domestic industry and farmers’ interests are protected alongside global opportunities. To leverage this environment, the industry is likely to prioritise exports of high-demand technical molecules such as 2,4-D, Mancozeb, Acephate, and Cypermethrin, while accelerating product registrations in the US to benefit from tariff reductions. Companies may also work towards increasing capacity utilisation by around 20–25 per cent and strengthening partnerships with US formulators to expand market presence. At the same time, the use of export credit and insurance mechanisms can support stable cash flows, and savings from lower tariffs can be reinvested into R&D to develop safer formulations aligned with US EPA compliance, enhancing long-term competitiveness. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3705/ai-is-rewiring-future-of-energy-crops-ofer-haviv-ceo-evogene.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3705/ai-is-rewiring-future-of-energy-crops-ofer-haviv-ceo-evogene.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:07:17 +0530 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 ahead, he sees castor anchoring a broader bio-based economy, extending beyond fuels into chemicals and materials as supply scales and costs decline. From Niche to Scale Castor oil has traditionally been a high-value, niche industrial feedstock—what structural shifts in cost, yield, or demand are necessary to transform it into a globally scalable biofuel solution? Castor oil has historically occupied a niche position as a high-value industrial feedstock, largely due to limited scalability, fragmented cultivation practices, and relatively high production costs. Transitioning castor into a globally viable biofuel solution requires a fundamental structural shift across the value chain. This includes a significant reduction in cost per ton through yield improvement and large-scale adoption of modern agricultural practices. High-performance hybrid seed genetics must be deployed to ensure uniformity, disease resistance, and yield optimization across diverse geographies. Alongside this, tailored mechanization solutions—designed specifically for castor’s unique plant architecture—are critical to reducing dependency on manual labor and increasing operational efficiency. Advanced agronomic expertise, supported by precision agriculture tools and data-driven decision-making, further enhances productivity. Collectively, these shifts can reposition castor from a fragmented specialty crop into a scalable, globally traded commodity suitable for energy markets. Economics of Biofuel Feedstocks Given the historically tight margins in biofuels, how does Casterra’s model ensure that castor oil can compete economically with established feedstocks like soybean, palm, or corn-based inputs? The economic viability of biofuel feedstocks has historically been constrained by tight margins and competition with low-cost, high-volume crops such as soybean, palm, and corn. Casterra’s model addresses this challenge by integrating advanced genetics with optimized cultivation protocols, thereby lowering production costs and improving yield consistency. This approach aims to bring castor oil pricing in line with conventional feedstocks, making it a competitive alternative. Importantly, unlike soybean and corn—which are edible and subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny due to food-versus-fuel concerns—castor is a non-edible crop. Global regulatory trends are increasingly discouraging the use of food crops in biofuel production to safeguard food security and reduce environmental pressures. This regulatory tailwind strengthens castor’s positioning as a sustainable and compliant feedstock, enhancing its long-term economic attractiveness in global biofuel markets. Mechanization Breakthrough Your trials emphasize mechanized farming—how critical is mechanization in unlocking castor’s commercial viability, and what barriers still exist for adoption at scale in emerging markets? Mechanization is a cornerstone in unlocking the commercial viability of castor cultivation at scale. As agricultural labor becomes increasingly scarce and expensive, reliance on manual harvesting and planting methods is no longer sustainable. Mechanization enables uniform planting, efficient harvesting, and reduced operational costs, all of which are essential for transforming castor into a commodity crop. Casterra has proactively addressed this need by forming strategic partnerships with leading agricultural machinery providers to develop and adapt equipment suited for castor farming. However, adoption barriers persist, particularly in emerging markets where capital constraints, lack of technical expertise, and limited access to maintenance infrastructure hinder widespread mechanization. To overcome these challenges, scalable solutions such as cooperative farming models, equipment-sharing systems, and service-based mechanization offerings are being explored. These approaches can democratize access to technology and accelerate adoption across smallholder farming communities. Climate and Land Use Trade-offs As biofuel demand rises, how do you address concerns around land-use competition between energy crops and food production, particularly in regions like Brazil? One of the critical concerns in scaling biofuel crops is the potential competition with food production for arable land, especially in major agricultural regions like Brazil. Castor offers a compelling solution through its ability to function as a complementary crop rather than a competing one. It can be cultivated as a second crop following soybean harvest, utilizing residual soil moisture and the tail end of the rainy season. This dual-cropping system maximizes land productivity without displacing primary food crops. Furthermore, castor has demonstrated agronomic benefits in crop rotation systems, including improved soil health and enhanced soybean yields in subsequent planting cycles. Its relatively low water requirements and adaptability to marginal conditions further reduce pressure on critical resources. As a result, castor not only avoids land-use conflicts but actively contributes to more sustainable and efficient agricultural systems. AI-Driven Agriculture Meets Energy Transition How does Evogene Ltd. leverage its ChemPass AI platform to accelerate not just pharmaceutical discovery, but also the development of next-generation agricultural inputs and energy crops? Evogene Ltd. leverages its proprietary computational platform, ChemPass AI, to accelerate the development of next-generation agricultural inputs and energy crops. This platform enables the precise linkage of genes to desired traits, significantly shortening the breeding cycle and improving the accuracy of trait selection. By utilizing genetic markers and advanced predictive models, Evogene can rapidly develop castor varieties with enhanced yield, stress tolerance, and oil content. This technological edge not only benefits pharmaceutical and chemical discovery but also plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable agriculture and energy solutions. The integration of AI into crop development represents a paradigm shift, allowing for faster innovation cycles and more resilient crop systems tailored to evolving environmental and market demands. Resilience vs. Input Dependency Casterra highlights low-input cultivation—does this position castor as a more resilient crop in an era of volatile fertilizer and energy prices, and could that become its defining competitive advantage? Castor’s agronomic profile positions it as a highly resilient crop in an era marked by volatile input costs, including fertilizers, water, and energy. Unlike many conventional crops, castor can achieve stable yields with relatively low input requirements. It thrives across a wide range of climatic conditions and does not demand intensive irrigation or expensive chemical treatments. This low-input dependency not only reduces production costs but also minimizes exposure to market fluctuations in agricultural inputs. As sustainability becomes a central criterion in both agriculture and energy sectors, castor’s resilience and resource efficiency could emerge as its defining competitive advantages. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for cultivation in regions facing climate variability and resource constraints, further supporting its scalability as a biofuel feedstock. Commercialization Strategy With plans to expand in Brazil, what does a successful go-to-market strategy look like—are partnerships with local producers enough, or will vertical integration be necessary to control the value chain? Casterra’s commercialization strategy in Brazil is built on a collaborative ecosystem rather than a vertically integrated model. The company focuses on providing advanced genetics and agronomic know-how while partnering with local farmers and oil crushers to build a robust supply chain. Farmers play a critical role in scaling cultivation, while crushers act as off-takers, ensuring market linkage and processing capacity. This distributed model allows for rapid expansion without the capital intensity associated with full vertical integration. By fostering strong partnerships across the value chain, Casterra can leverage local expertise, infrastructure, and networks to accelerate adoption. The strategy emphasizes scalability, flexibility, and shared value creation, which are essential for establishing a sustainable and competitive castor oil industry in Brazil and beyond. Future of Bio-Based Economies Looking ahead a decade, do you see castor oil primarily as a biofuel feedstock, or as part of a broader shift toward bio-based industrial systems where energy, materials, and chemicals converge? Looking ahead, the role of castor oil is likely to extend far beyond biofuels, becoming a key component in a broader bio-based industrial ecosystem. As production scales and costs decline, castor oil could serve as a versatile feedstock for a wide range of applications, including bio-based chemicals, advanced materials, lubricants, and specialty polymers. This convergence of energy, materials, and chemicals reflects a larger transition toward integrated bio-based economies, where renewable biological resources replace fossil-based inputs across multiple industries. If castor achieves the envisioned scale and cost efficiency, it has the potential to become a foundational crop in this transformation, supporting sustainable industrial growth while reducing environmental impact. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3699/turning-bamboo-into-business-scaling-green-livelihoods-across-india.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3699/turning-bamboo-into-business-scaling-green-livelihoods-across-india.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:39:29 +0530 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, market pricing, and policy implementation that continue to limit the full potential of these enterprises. Looking ahead, he positions women-led, nature-based enterprises as core infrastructure for India’s climate and economic future, rather than a niche sustainability solution. You often speak about building “green livelihoods at scale.” What’s the business case for putting women at the centre of climate-resilient, nature-based value chains - and is the market finally ready to price that value correctly? At Industree, we see women not as beneficiaries but as central economic actors in building climate-resilient, nature-based value chains that respond to a growing global market for sustainable materials. Women already form the backbone of agriculture and forest-based livelihoods across rural India. When they are organised into producer collectives and connected directly to markets, they drive both productivity and long-term sustainability. Over the past two decades, the Industree Foundation ecosystem has demonstrated that inclusive and climate-positive value chains can also be commercially viable. Our work has impacted more than 600,000 lives and enabled nearly $ 60 million in cumulative market access for rural producers. These value chains focus on regenerative materials such as bamboo and other natural fibres that align ecological restoration with stable income generation. The market for nature-based products already exists and continues to grow as industries seek alternatives to carbon-intensive materials like plastic, steel, and conventional timber. The challenge is not demand but building supply chains that connect rural producers to that demand efficiently and fairly. Industree’s approach focuses on creating end-to-end, traceable value chains that link farmers and producers directly to buyers without multiple layers of intermediaries. By organising women into producer collectives and enterprises, and providing support in skills, aggregation, processing, and market access, we help ensure that a greater share of the value flows back to the communities that create it. An example of this model is GreenKraft Producer Company Ltd, a 100 per cent women-owned enterprise incubated by Industree that works with natural fibres such as bamboo, sal/siali and banana bark. By integrating rural producers into formal supply chains and connecting them with national and global markets, such enterprises demonstrate how climate-resilient, nature-based value chains can generate both environmental and economic value. While global markets are increasingly valuing responsibly sourced materials, this recognition has yet to translate into consistent and equitable price premiums for producers, with smallholder farmers and rural enterprises continuing to capture only a limited share of the added value. This underscores the need for stronger market mechanisms that reward sustainability more fairly and reliably. Scaling these models will require sustained investment in traceable supply chains, farmer collectives, and direct market linkages, enabling women producers to capture the full economic value of the growing demand for nature-based products. Climate adaptation is now a boardroom issue. How do you translate abstract climate risk into tangible income security for rural women producers on the ground? Climate adaptation becomes meaningful for rural communities when it delivers stable livelihoods and predictable income, particularly in regions where rainfall-dependent agriculture makes households highly vulnerable to climate shocks, often leading to income loss and migration. Addressing this requires shifting from input-intensive crops to resilient agroforestry systems. At Industree Foundation, this begins with enabling the cultivation of climate-resilient resources like bamboo on degraded or fallow land, restoring ecosystems while creating a long-term, low-input income stream that can last 40–45 years without displacing food crops. To convert this into sustained income, Industree builds structured, market-aligned value chains by aggregating women farmers into producer collectives and equipping them with training, tools, and machinery for primary processing and enterprise management. This is complemented by decentralised processing, adherence to quality and certification standards, and integration with direct market linkages that reduce intermediaries and improve price realisation. Industree also enables smallholder women farmers to acquire international certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification, which serve as a gateway to high-value markets by ensuring that bamboo is sustainably grown, legally compliant, and fully traceable across global supply chains. Through this end-to-end ecosystem spanning cultivation, skilling, processing, certification, and market access, Industree translates climate resilience into dignified, stable jobs, enabling women-led producer enterprises that are economically viable and embedded within regenerative, globally connected value chains. Nature-based enterprises are often seen as artisanal and small-scale. What will it take to make them competitive with industrial supply chains - without compromising ecological integrity? Nature-based enterprises are often perceived as artisanal or small-scale, not because of limited potential but due to fragmented value chains. To compete with industrial supply systems, these enterprises must be structured as end-to-end value chains that integrate production, aggregation, quality assurance, certification, and market access. At Industree Foundation, the focus has been on building traceable and certified supply chains that meet global standards while maintaining ecological integrity. Certification plays a crucial role in enabling access to higher-value markets. Alongside Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for responsibly sourced bamboo, producer enterprises within the Industree ecosystem also align with global compliance frameworks such as SMETA and other international quality and ethical sourcing standards. These certifications help ensure transparency, responsible production practices, and credibility with global buyers. Equally important is the producer organisation. Industree has supported the incubation of 32 producer collectives and 12 farmer-producer organisations, demonstrating that scale becomes possible when rural producers are organised into structured enterprises. Through these institutions, producers are able to aggregate supply, maintain consistent quality, and participate in formal markets. Ultimately, competitiveness comes from combining institutional partnerships, certification, market alignment, and organised producer networks. When these elements are integrated, nature-based enterprises can operate at scale, access global markets, and remain both economically viable and environmentally responsible. Access to capital remains a bottleneck. Why do women-led, climate-positive enterprises still struggle to attract mainstream investment, and what needs to shift in the impact and climate finance ecosystem? Women-led, climate-positive enterprises often operate in sectors with long gestation periods and distributed production systems, which do not align with traditional investment expectations. These models require collective ownership, livelihood security, and ecological outcomes, which are not always captured in conventional financial metrics. At Industree, we work with a mix of public programmes, CSR, and impact capital to enable enterprise growth. There is a need for financial models that recognise blended value with economic, social, and environmental returns. As nature-based industries scale, they must be recognised as viable economic sectors. Unlocking capital will require patient financing, risk-sharing mechanisms, and stronger market linkages. Producer ownership is central to your model. In a world obsessed with hyper-growth and exits, how do you defend collective ownership as a scalable and investable structure? While the broader business ecosystem often prioritises hyper-growth and rapid exits, rural enterprises require a different lens, where sustainable scale is built through strong institutions, organised producer groups, and long-term market linkages. At Industree, the model is rooted in the belief that when women are entrusted with ownership, they build more resilient and enduring enterprises, drawing on their deep knowledge of local resources, production systems, and community networks. Over the past decade, government has invested in collective ownership models. We wish to leverage and build upon these in the rural sector. Collective ownership is central because it ensures that value remains within the community, with women producers transitioning from participants in value chains to owners and decision-makers. Through targeted capacity building, leadership development, and enterprise management training, they are equipped to run and govern their businesses, while external support gradually transitions to community ownership to ensure long-term sustainability. This approach redefines empowerment in economic terms, as women-led enterprises influence how resources are allocated, profits are reinvested, and opportunities are shared, often prioritising stability and collective welfare. Industree’s vision is to build networks of women-led collectives that are both commercially viable and socially transformative, where scale is defined not just by growth, but by deepened ownership, stronger leadership, and greater community resilience. Measurement drives markets. How do you quantify the dual return - economic empowerment for women and measurable environmental outcomes - in a way that resonates with global buyers and investors? At Industree Foundation, impact measurement is embedded within the business model to align social outcomes with market demand and investment. On the economic front, the organisation tracks indicators such as income enhancement, enterprise ownership, and market access, with more than 40,000 women trained and integrated into nature-based value chains. These systems ensure that rural producers are not only participants but also stakeholders in the enterprises they help build. Environmental metrics are equally important. Regenerative value chains such as bamboo cultivation enable measurable outcomes, including carbon sequestration, land restoration, and improved biodiversity. Certification frameworks such as Forest Stewardship Council certification strengthen these efforts by ensuring traceability and responsible sourcing across the supply chain. As global buyers increasingly prioritise transparency and sustainability, such verified systems help link environmental and social impact directly with market access. By aligning measurable outcomes with buyer expectations, nature-based enterprises can unlock stronger market opportunities while demonstrating long term ecological and economic value. Across all three value chains 94 per cent women reported there has been increase in new employment opportunities, 85 per cent reported improved competency and access to productive economic resources, 76 per cent women have reported their increased participation in family decision making. Policy ambition on climate is rising in India. Where do you see the biggest gap between national climate commitments and the lived realities of women working in forest and farm-based economies? India’s climate ambitions are significant, but the key gap lies in translating policy into viable livelihood opportunities for women in forest- and farm-based economies. While access to land and finance remains a challenge, the more critical constraint is the lack of reliable market linkages, which limits their ability to convert climate-positive production into stable income. This is further compounded by the absence of standardised certification and quality assurance systems, restricting access to higher-value domestic and export markets. Climate solutions may be framed at a national level, but their success depends on enabling women producers to participate competitively in markets. Bridging this gap requires stronger convergence between government systems, institutions, and industry players to ensure not just access to resources, but also robust market connect and certification frameworks. This is essential to making climate action both economically viable and truly inclusive. If you look 10 years ahead, do you see women-led, nature-based enterprises as a niche sustainability play, or as core infrastructure for India’s climate and economic future? Yes, over the next 10 years, women-led, nature-based enterprises will become core infrastructure for India’s climate and economic future, not a niche sustainability play. Industree’s work over the past two decades has consistently shown that these enterprises are inherently women-led, because they are rooted in locally available natural resources like bamboo and other fibres, and built on generations of knowledge that women already possess. What women need is structured early-stage support; with the right hand-holding through training, institution-building, and market access, they are able to take ownership, scale operations, and build stable, long-term income streams.bamboo and bana, and other Industree has demonstrated the scalability of this model by training over 40,000 women and integrating them into organised, market-linked value chains, where they transition from workers to enterprise leaders. Its “Lakhpati Didi” vision aligns with national priorities to enable rural women to achieve annual incomes of Rs 1 lakh and above through sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that income growth is both scalable and climate-resilient. Building on this momentum, Industree is partnering with State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) across India to empower one million women farmers across 500 collectives over the next five years, driving bamboo-based livelihoods at scale. As climate risks intensify, the alignment between women’s livelihoods and natural resource-based economies will only strengthen. These value chains not only offer long-term economic resilience, often sustaining incomes for decades, but also contribute to ecological restoration. The shift ahead is therefore structural, with climate action and enterprise development working hand in hand, positioning women-led, nature-based enterprises as a foundational pillar of India’s future growth. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3692/carlo-boutton-on-advancing-precision-biologicals-in-crop-protection.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3692/carlo-boutton-on-advancing-precision-biologicals-in-crop-protection.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:48:51 +0530 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 and strong potential in resistance management, they will complement rather than fully replace chemical solutions within integrated pest management systems. He adds that long-term growth will depend on platform-driven innovation, regulatory support, and advances in scalable production to make sustainable biologicals both effective and affordable for farmers. Early lab success is encouraging, but the real test lies in field performance. What are the biggest scientific or operational hurdles you anticipate as you move from in vitro to in vivo and eventually to commercialization ? Syngenta and Biotalys will now test the novel active ingredients on living organisms and then evaluate results. Moving from in vitro to in vivo and ultimately to field development is always a critical transition point for any new crop protection technology. Operationally, scaling a novel protein-based active ingredient also requires ensuring manufacturing capabilities at commercial scale, while maintaining efficacy and safety. This is why Biotalys follows a staged development approach, combining laboratory screening with progressive in vivo validation and close collaboration with industrial partners that have deep expertise in strain engineering, precision fermentation, field development and commercialisation.  Your collaboration with Syngenta is a strong signal of industry alignment. What does this partnership reveal about how large incumbents are rethinking biologicals within their long-term crop protection strategies? The collaboration between Biotalys and Syngenta reflects a broader strategic shift among large incumbents toward integrating biologicals more deeply into future crop protection portfolios. Rather than viewing biologicals as niche or standalone alternatives, leading players are increasingly looking at platforms that can deliver differentiated modes of action, compatibility with existing practices, and scalability comparable to conventional solutions.  By combining Biotalys’ proprietary AGROBODY technology with Syngenta’s global development and market expertise, the collaboration aims to accelerate the translation of breakthrough biology into solutions that can be deployed at scale. This signals that biologicals are increasingly seen as a strategic pillar in addressing resistance management, regulatory pressure, and sustainability demands across major crop systems.  Biologicals have long struggled to match the consistency of synthetic chemistries. How does AGROBODY meaningfully shift that equation, and where do its limitations still remain? One of the historical challenges for biological crop protection products has been achieving consistency comparable to synthetic chemistries, particularly under variable environmental conditions. The AGROBODY platform of Biotalys is designed to address this by leveraging highly specific, antibody‑derived proteins that bind precisely to their biological targets. That is why we call these “precision biocontrols”, offering a clear and novel mode of action.  At the same time, Biotalys is transparent that protein-based solutions are not a one‑size‑fits‑all replacement for chemistry. Like any technology, AGROBODY‑based products must be optimized for formulation, application timing, and integration into broader spray rotation programs. Today, their greatest value lies in complementing existing tools, particularly where resistance or regulatory constraints limit chemical options, while offering a favourable safety and sustainability profile.  As resistance to conventional insecticides accelerates, do you see protein-based solutions becoming a primary line of defense, or will they remain complementary within integrated pest management systems? As resistance to conventional pesticides continues to accelerate, there is growing interest in protein-based solutions with novel modes of action as part of the resistance management toolbox. Biotalys sees these technologies as an increasingly important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.  In this respect, our first developed AGROBODY biocontrol, EVOCA, has been recognised as having a totally new mode of action by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC), a renown industry panel of scientists in the field. No resistance is known to our mode of action. This shows that our technology is able to develop novel and effective products that fit into the toolbox of growers.  Investors often question whether biologicals can deliver venture-scale returns. What is the commercial model that makes this platform not just viable, but scalable and profitable? Biotalys addresses this through a platform-driven business model rather than single‑product development. The AGROBODY technology enables the generation of multiple product candidates against different targets, allowing Biotalys to build a diversified pipeline and pursue partnerships that share development risk while expanding commercial reach.  Strategic collaborations, such as the one with Syngenta, provide non‑dilutive funding through milestones and potential royalties. Combined with advances in protein production and formulation, this approach is designed to support scalable, capital‑efficient growth. The objective is not only to bring differentiated products to market, but to do so in a way that can sustain long‑term value creation for both partners and investors.  With tightening global regulations on chemical pesticides, are policymakers moving fast enough to enable innovation, or is regulatory friction still a bottleneck for next-generation bioinsecticides? Globally, regulatory frameworks are evolving in response to the need for more sustainable crop protection solutions, but progress remains uneven. In some regions, policymakers are actively seeking to encourage innovation in biologicals, while in others, regulatory processes originally designed for chemical actives still slow down approval pathways for biological products.  Biotalys engages proactively with regulators to help ensure that protein-based biocontrols are assessed in a science‑based and proportionate manner. We are for exploring options for a fast-track procedure for biological products such as our AGROBODY biocontrols. Continued dialogue between innovators, regulators, and policymakers will be critical to unlocking the full potential of sustainable crop protection technologies.  The agri-inputs market is highly price sensitive. How do you plan to bridge the gap between sustainability and affordability without relying on premium positioning alone? Affordability is a central consideration in the agri‑inputs market, and sustainability alone is not sufficient to drive adoption. Biotalys’ strategy focuses on designing products that deliver clear agronomic value, such as efficacy against resistant pests or compatibility with spray rotation programs, while working toward cost‑competitive production at scale. Advances in strain engineering, precision-fermentation, and formulation are key levers in narrowing the cost gap between biologicals and conventional solutions.  Rather than relying solely on premium positioning, Biotalys aims to compete on total value delivered to the grower, including yield protection, resistance management, and regulatory robustness.  Looking ahead, does this milestone mark incremental progress, or are we at the early stages of a structural shift in how crop protection products are discovered, developed, and deployed? This first research milestone with Syngenta represents more than an isolated research success; it points to a broader evolution in how new, safe and effective crop protection products are discovered and developed. Technologies like the AGROBODY platform enable a more targeted approach to biocontrol discovery. That said, I expect the transformation of crop protection to be gradual. Chemistry, biologicals, and good agronomic practices will continue to coexist on the short term and will gradually evolve to a more biologics centered approach over time. Companies like Biotalys that are driving innovation are of critical importance to accelerate shaping the future of a sustainable agriculture.  --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3690/new-farm-engine-runs-on-data-not-diesel.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3690/new-farm-engine-runs-on-data-not-diesel.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:42:49 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Simon Henry outlines how aerial intelligence is cutting inputs, boosting yields, and driving ESG outcomes Simon Henry, Vice President of Business Development – EMEA / Ireland at ZenaTech, outlines how precision agriculture is rapidly shifting from a niche innovation to a necessity across EMEA, driven by regulatory pressure, rising costs, and climate volatility. He emphasizes that ZenaTech’s Drone-as-a-Service model is breaking down cost and complexity barriers, making advanced aerial intelligence accessible to farms of all sizes. The company is tackling one of the sector’s biggest challenges—turning complex data into actionable insights—by embedding AI-driven analytics that deliver real-time, field-level decisions. Henry highlights how drone-led automation can significantly cut input waste, improve water efficiency, and boost profitability while aligning with sustainability and ESG goals. Looking ahead, he envisions a digitally integrated farming ecosystem powered by AI, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies, positioning drones as a critical support system rather than a replacement for farmers. Precision Agriculture at Scale ZenaTech’s drone solutions enable plant health monitoring, crop mapping, and early stress detection using multispectral imaging. How do you see precision agriculture evolving from a niche technology to a mainstream farming necessity across EMEA markets? In the EMEA region, precision agriculture is already considered a structural necessity, rather than a luxury, in many regions. This has been driven by increasingly rigorous EU mandates, rising input costs, and fluctuating supply markets. The reason this may not be illustrated in practice is because mainstream adoption has been hindered by the high cost of entry and technical complexity required by many solutions currently on the market.  ZenaTech is bridging this gap through our Drone as a Service (DaaS) model. By building precision agriculture as a scalable utility, we enable farmers to meet strict targets and maximise their inputs without the burden of hardware ownership. As climate volatility increases, our real-time multispectral insights will provide the essential resilience needed to transform localized data into a universal standard for sustainable, high-yield farming. Harnessing this resilience will become crucial to safeguarding yields throughout the coming decades, as farms of all sizes and specialisms worldwide grapple with intensifying climate volatility. From Data to Decisions Your platforms generate high-resolution, real-time agricultural data. What are the biggest barriers farmers face in translating this data into actionable decisions, and how is ZenaTech addressing this gap? For most farmers, the primary barrier is the challenge of translating complex multispectral maps into practical field-level actions. Most platforms provide data that requires manual interpretation, creating a technical gap that stalls decision-making and in doing so, lessens impact. ZenaTech is focused on addressing this by integrating AI-powered analytics directly into our ZenaDrone ecosystem. Our software processes raw data into prescription maps that identify specific issues like nitrogen deficiency or pest outbreaks in real-time, cutting out the middleman entirely. By providing actionable insights and ensuring our software platform integrates with existing farm management systems, we turn aerial intelligence into a practical tool for increasing crop yields and operational efficiency. This allows farmers to make better, faster decisions with confidence,  based on our data-based insights. Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) vs Ownership Models ZenaTech’s DaaS model removes the need for upfront drone investment. How disruptive is this model for traditional agri-tech adoption, especially among small and mid-sized farms? DaaS model is cutting-edge in innovating legacy and low-tech processes. Historically, precision agriculture required six-figure investments in hardware, specialized pilot training, and complex regulatory compliance. As a result, the largest industrial farms could avail of this technology. By removing the capital expenditure wall and supporting users with a skilled DaaS consultant who provides in-person setup and ongoing customer support tailored to clients' needs, we have democratized access through our drone technology. Small and mid-sized farmers can now access advanced multispectral imaging and precision spraying through a manageable, predictable operational expense. We also manage the technical overhead, including AI data processing and flight certifications, to ensure farmers are provided with actionable insights without the need for deep technical knowledge on their end. This pay-per-use flexibility ensures that cutting-edge aerial intelligence is no longer a luxury but an accessible tool for increasing profit and enhancing sustainability across the entire agricultural spectrum. AI, Automation & Farm Economics With AI-driven plant counting, disease detection, and yield optimization, how significantly can drone-led automation reduce input costs and improve farm profitability in real terms? Crucially, our drone technology has the capacity to eliminate the need to "blanket spray” fertilizer, which is a traditional approach that wastes a substantial amount of chemical input for the average farmer annually, while also stifling their ability to meet key sustainable targets. Instead, our multispectral drone imaging enables precise, variable-rate application, reducing fertilizer and pesticide costs. By moving operations to the air, we also have the capacity to eliminate soil compaction caused by heavy machinery, which can improve yields significantly. Meanwhile, our disease and pest detection software helps to mitigate unforeseen risks, ensuring farmers can maximise yield from their inputs. Ultimately, Zenatech’s Drone as a Service model replaces high-risk investments with a “pay-per-use” service that slashes labour, input waste, and mitigates profit lost through avoidable risks, ensuring precision agriculture is the most profitable path for any modern farm. Water & Climate Intelligence Given increasing climate stress and water scarcity, how can drone-based 3D mapping and irrigation analytics reshape water-use efficiency in agriculture? We tackle this in a similar way to how we effectively manage fertilizer use; through the insights provided by our drone-based 3D mapping, we replace broad irrigation tactics with 3D-driven precision irrigation. Through our ZenaDrone technology, we create high-resolution topographic maps that reveal exactly how water moves across a field, identifying drainage issues and high-risk drought zones. Complementing this, our multispectral and thermal sensors detect crop water stress in real time, allowing for localized, variable-rate irrigation. By targeting only the areas in need, farmers can significantly reduce water (and energy waste) while maintaining optimal plant hydration. Through our DaaS model, this high-level irrigation intelligence becomes an affordable necessity for every kind of farm navigating the challenges of global water scarcity. Integration with Broader Agri-Tech Ecosystems How does ZenaTech envision integrating drone data with farm management systems, satellite analytics, and IoT platforms to create a unified “digital farm” ecosystem? In ZenaTech’s vision for a unified “digital farm” ecosystem, ZenaDrone serves as the primary engine for real-time intelligence. We integrate aerial data with IoT ground sensors and satellite analytics via our Enterprise SaaS platform, creating a single source of truth for farmers to refer to. By using open APIs, our AI-driven insights flow directly into existing farm management systems and smart machinery, enabling automated, variable-rate applications. This seamless integration (supported by our upcoming quantum-enhanced processing) transforms fragmented data points into a cohesive, predictive toolset, allowing farmers to optimize every acre with unprecedented speed and precision. Regulatory & Airspace Challenges in EMEA Drone deployment in agriculture is often constrained by regulatory frameworks. What are the key policy bottlenecks across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and how can they be streamlined to unlock scale? As with any set of tech-focused regulatory frameworks, this is an ongoing conversation across many jurisdictions. Specifically, governments around the world have placed a focus on developing regulatory frameworks for the new world of drones for a number of years already, with the aim of opening airspace to enable businesses to use this technology. The good news is that ZenaTech’s DaaS model is specifically designed to manage these considerations on behalf of the end-user. Rather than forcing farmers to carry the regulatory burden, we can offer Drone as a Service as an end-to-end solution, controlling all aspects of the drone analytics process from hardware, software, and AI-driven analytics to operational flight services. This gives farmers peace of mind that the regulatory aspect of our operation is compliant within the areas we service. Sustainability & ESG Alignment With increasing focus on carbon footprint and sustainable farming, how can drone-enabled agriculture contribute to measurable ESG outcomes for farmers, agribusinesses, and investors? On the environmental side, our ZenaDrone technology enables a significant reduction in chemical inputs through precision variable-rate spraying, which directly lowers nitrous oxide emissions and prevents nitrogen run-off. By replacing heavy, diesel-burning tractors with autonomous aerial systems, we also eliminate soil compaction, which restores soil health and improves carbon sequestration, while reducing the farm’s overall footprint. From a monitoring and governance perspective, our integrated Enterprise SaaS platform provides an automated, immutable audit trail for every field action. This high-level transparency provides the comprehensive proof required for agribusinesses to validate sustainable practices, comply with the EU Green Deal, and secure green financing from ESG-focused investors. The Future: Autonomous Farming Systems Looking ahead to 2030, do you see agriculture moving toward fully autonomous, drone-led farm management systems? What role will AI, predictive analytics, and possibly quantum computing play in that transition? Our Drone-as-a-Service model is not engineered to realize a fully autonomous, drone-led farm management system but to permanently alleviate the time, environmental, and safety burdens associated with traditional management systems from farmers, while boosting their confidence to make more informed strategic decisions. We recognize the many plates that the modern farmer has to spin, from business strategy to supply chain management to everyday risk management and execution. We want to position ourselves as supporting staff, easing the day-to-day burden for farmers by providing them with detailed, actionable insights, specific to their operation, thereby enhancing their decision-making, without requiring extra elbow work. By 2030, we want to be facilitating as many farmers as possible to leverage the benefits of AI, predictive analytics, and quantum computing in their everyday practice to enhance sustainability, mitigate risk, reduce costs, and increase yield, while lessening their workload. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3686/ai-based-tools-can-help-farmers-and-policymakers-interpret-uncertainty-and-environmental-variability-more-effectively-microsoft.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3686/ai-based-tools-can-help-farmers-and-policymakers-interpret-uncertainty-and-environmental-variability-more-effectively-microsoft.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:25:35 +0530 Human oversight and contextual intelligence key to scaling AI in agriculture In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Maj Sapna Nauhria, Industry Director, Public Sector, Asia, Microsoft, highlights that AI’s real value in agriculture lies in bridging policy intent with field realities by enabling data-driven, context-specific decisions while respecting ecological limits. She emphasises that for initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission to succeed, advisories must be localised, transparent, and directly linked to on-ground factors such as water availability and infrastructure. The discussion underscores that AI should complement—not replace—farmer judgment, with trust built through explainable recommendations, human oversight, and integration of local knowledge systems. Looking ahead to 2026, she notes that success will be reflected in behavioural shifts such as condition-based farming, reduced risk, and improved input efficiency, rather than just an increase in digital advisories or policy outputs. Spending vs. Soil Reality India’s agri budgets have expanded significantly, yet agriculture ultimately responds to soil health, water availability, and climate variability. Where can AI genuinely bridge the gap between fiscal intent and biological constraints—and where can it not ? AI as an Enabler Within Ecological Realities India’s expanding agricultural budgets reflect strong fiscal commitment, and agricultural outcomes are dependent on combination of  technological tools and natural factors such as soil health, water availability, and climate variability.  AI‑enabled tools can help support more informed decisions related to timing, targeting, and resource use. By integrating weather forecasts, soil information, and crop growth models, AI based systems may generate indicative insights such as potential input needs, irrigation timing considerations, or early signals of pest or crop stage conditions. AI generated insights may help identify situations where adjusting input use could be beneficial and may help institutions better understand regional variability in climate related risks. In this way, AI can serve as an information layer that helps relate policy objectives to observed field conditions.‑based systems may generate indicative insights such as potential input needs, irrigation timing considerations, or early signals of pest or crop‑stage conditions‑generated insights may help identify situations where adjusting input use could be beneficial and may help institutions better understand regional variability in climate‑related risks. AI based tools can support more frequent monitoring of crop conditions and soil variability. Continuous monitoring of crop response, soil moisture, and variability across regions can help institutions understand which interventions are working and where natural constraints are limiting the progress. These insights may help institutions consider adjustments during the season based on observed patterns.‑based tools can support more frequent monitoring of crop conditions and soil variability Ongoing efforts to enhance soil health and address challenges related to cropping decisions remain essential. AI‑based tools can help farmers and policymakers interpret uncertainty and environmental variability more effectively. The value of AI based tools lies in helping ensure that decisions are informed by local ecological and contextual factors. When used within natural constraints, these tools can help support decision making in ways that align with field realities. ‑based tools lies in helping ensure that decisions are informed by local ecological and contextual factors. When used within natural constraints, these tools can help support decision‑making in ways that align with field realities Digital Agriculture Mission and the Farm Itself The Digital Agriculture Mission promises registries, advisories, and digital execution. From a farmer’s standpoint, what must change on the ground for this to move from dashboards to day-to-day agronomic decisions ? India’s Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) aims to provide digital infrastructure that can help support more informed agronomic decision making. From a farmer standpoint, the expected changes on ground are:‑making. First, consideration is ensuring advisories are timely, locally relevant, and practical for farmers to use.Farmers may benefit from advisories that reflect localized factors—such as indicative sowing windows, potential irrigation considerations based on weather forecasts, or signals related to crop stages. A digital system gains significance only when it is grounded in data relevant to specific farm and a farmer can authenticate and engage with it. Without such contextual detail, digital systems may primarily support administrative processes rather than day‑to‑day agronomic decision‑making. Second, farmer data must translate into tangible benefits: Farmers share information about their land and crops, and ensuring that this information connects to clear and understandable insights may help strengthen the practical value of digital agriculture tools. For digital agriculture to influence decisions, farmers must see practical benefits, such as greater clarity on changing conditions or potential risks. In agriculture, transparency is critical, advisories should be simple, in native language and explain why a recommendation has changed and which risk it aims to mitigate. Trust grows when farmers can connect their data to practical outcomes. Third, Phygital systems grounded in physical realities, especially water. Farmers may benefit from advisories if they are closely linked with the on-ground resources and infrastructure, such as irrigation schedules, canal releases, and electricity supply. Advisories tend to be more relevant when they consider the on ground context—such as water availability or local infrastructure—along with technological inputs.‑ground context—such as water availability or local infrastructure—along with technological inputs. Digital agriculture efforts might be most valuable when information is simple, clear, and tailored to farmers’ local needs. Climate Volatility as an Agronomic ProblemClimate risk is often framed in financial or insurance terms. How can AI help farmers make better in-season agronomic choices—crop selection, planting windows, irrigation, and input timing—under rising climate uncertainty ? Rising climate variability—such as shifts in rainfall, temperature, and pest pressures—can require farmers to make more frequent in season decisions.AI based tools may support this shift by offering data informed insights that complement traditional knowledge and assist with more adaptive planning.‑season decisions.‑based tools may support this shift by offering data‑informed insights that complement traditional knowledge and assist with more adaptive planning. For crop and variety considerations, AI based systems can use weather outlooks, soil information, and historical patterns to present scenarios or options that reflect different levels of potential risk. These scenarios may help farmers weigh different considerations under uncertain seasonal conditions.‑based systems can use weather outlooks, soil information, and historical patterns to present scenarios or options that reflect different levels of potential risk. In planting decisions, AI supported tools may highlight short time windows that align with factors such as soil moisture or forecasted conditions. By considering factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and short term rainfall forecasts, these tools can provide farmers with information relevant to sowing decisions, which are often sensitive to climatic shifts‑supported tools may highlight short time‑windows that align with factors such as soil moisture or forecasted conditions.‑term rainfall forecasts, these tools can provide farmers with information relevant to sowing decisions, which are often sensitive to climatic shifts For irrigation, AI enabled models may help identify conditions associated with potential water stress by using inputs such as weather forecasts and evapotranspiration estimates. These insights may support farmers in considering irrigation timing within their local context and available resources.‑enabled models may In input and crop protection timing, AI based tools may provide information on how evolving conditions could influence timing considerations. These advisories may highlight situations where certain conditions could influence decisions about input timing.‑protection timing‑based tools may provide information on how evolving conditions could influence timing considerations. Crucially, AI does not replace farmer judgment. Its value lies in updating recommendations as conditions shift, communicating risks transparently, and supporting informed human decisions. AI supported tools can serve as one source of information as farmers navigate uncertainty during the season.‑supported tools can serve as one source of information as farmers navigate uncertainty during the season Precision Without ExclusionAdvanced AI performs best where data density is high, yet most Indian farms operate with sparse digital inputs. How can AI systems deliver agronomic precision without marginalising smallholders or rain-fed regions ? If AI tools are designed only for highly instrumented environments, they may be less applicable across diverse agricultural settings. Supporting broader applicability may involve designing AI systems that can work with low signal, high‑signal, highvariability‑variability environments. One approach involves moving from precision dependent on dense datasets toward approaches that use inference. Data sources such as satellite imagery, local weather information, soil reports, and general crop patterns—combined with local ground truthing—can help generate context relevant insights, even where long term sensor datasets are limited.‑truthing—can help generate context‑relevant insights, even where long‑term sensor datasets are limited. Another consideration is the value of presenting ranges of potential outcomes rather than single point predictions. For smallholders managing climate variability, guidance that illustrates relative scenarios may be more relatable in uncertain conditions. Presenting confidence ranges, trade offs, or scenario based options may help farmers understand how advice relates to their own resources and conditions‑point predictions.‑offs, or scenario‑based options may help farmers understand how advice relates to their own resources and conditions Further, Human and community knowledge can serve as valuable complementary inputs alongside digital data. Farmer observations, extension workers’ insights, and local cropping practices may provide useful context signals for AI models, particularly in rainfed or ‑fed or mixed‑cropping systems with diverse patterns. Incorporating lightweight feedback mechanisms may help adjust model outputs to better reflect local conditions. Developing AI systems that account for variability, data gaps, and uncertainty—and that remain adaptable—may help support more inclusive use across diverse farm environments. When AI systems are designed to work with sparse signals and incorporate human context, they may support decision making‑making across both irrigated and rainfed areas‑fed areas. Trust at the Farm GateFarmers remain wary of AI recommendations that are statistically sound but agronomically implausible for their fields. What design principles are essential for AI systems to earn trust in high-stakes decisions like fertiliser application or irrigation scheduling ? Experience in many settings suggests that farmers may take time to adopt new technologies. Adoption may depend on factors such as confidence in the technology and the presence of locally validated examples that feel relevant to farmers. The following considerations may help support farmer confidence in AI based tools:‑based tools Recommendations may be more meaningful when they reflect local agronomic context alongside statistical analysis. AI enabled‑enabled tools may be more useful when they incorporate information such as crop stage, soil conditions, water availability, and micro‑climate patterns. Models that do not align with on ground‑ground realities may be perceived as less relevant by some farmers. Communicating ranges, potential risks, and the reasoning behind recommendations may help farmers interpret the information in context. Explaining the uncertainty behind a recommendation may help farmers better understand the information being provided. Some systems may use approaches such as risk levels, confidence ranges, or trade-offs to illustrate potential scenarios. This type of framing may help farmers interpret recommendations in the context of their own constraints.‑offs to illustrate potential scenarios Human and community insights can serve as valuable contextual inputs for AI supported tools. Extension officers, FPO leaders, and experienced farmers may help interpret local conditions that complement model outputs. Incorporating such feedback into the models may help align model outputs more closely with local context.‑supported tools Transparency about the basis for a recommendation may help support user understanding. Providing a clear rationale—for example, indicating which signals informed a recommendation—may help farmers understand why advice has changed. This reduces the perception of AI as a “black box” and supports better judgment.  AI supported tools can assist with information, but they do not replace farmer judgment or address underlying constraints such as water availability or long-term soil and climate conditions.‑based tools is also important‑supported tools can assist with information, but they do not replace farmer judgment or address underlying constraints such as water availability or long‑term soil and climate conditions. When AI supported tools incorporate transparency, local context, and practical considerations, they may better support informed decision-making. Trust may develop over time when systems provide information that aligns with farmers’ practical realities.‑supported tools incorporate transparency, local context, and practical considerations, they may better support informed decision‑making. Microsoft’s Role in Agricultural InnovationMicrosoft has invested in cloud, AI, satellite analytics, and digital public infrastructure globally. Which Microsoft innovations or architectural approaches are proving most impactful in agriculture today—and what lessons have emerged from deploying them in complex, smallholder-dominated systems like India ? Microsoft works across cloud, AI, satellite analytics, and digital public infrastructure, and this digital foundation can support partners who are developing agriculture focused tools. In smallholder dominated environments, where diversity, data variability, and field level complexity are common, several approaches have been used by ecosystem participants, and a number of learnings have emerged.‑focused tools. In smallholder‑dominated environments, where diversity, data variability, and field‑level complexity are common, several approaches have been used by ecosystem participants, and a number of learnings have emerged Democratising AI through local language, accessible interfaces: Ecosystem partners use Microsoft’s cloud and AI tools to develop solutions that operate in regional languages and through familiar channels—such as mobile phones, messaging based assistants, or simple voice interfaces. These approaches may help make digital tools more accessible for farmers who prefer straightforward, commonly used formats.‑language, accessible interfaces‑based assistants, or simple voice interfaces. These approaches may help make digital tools more accessible for farmers who prefer straightforward, commonly used formats. Lesson: Solutions that align with familiar usage patterns may be easier for farmers to adopt Open, modular AI components that innovators can adapt: Publicly available components—such as models for weather, imagery processing, soil insights, or field level classification—can be adapted by startups, research institutions, and government organizations to address local crop, soil, and climate conditions. This type of modularity may help partners tailor tools to regional needs.‑level classification—can be adapted by startups, research institutions, and government organizations to address local crop, soil, and climate conditions. This type of modularity may help partners tailor tools to regional needs. Lesson: Local datasets and context specific adjustments may be important for AI tools designed for smallholder environments.‑specific adjustments may be important for AI tools designed for smallholder environments. Data platforms that integrate diverse agricultural signals: Agriculture involves multiple sources of information, including imagery, weather, soil data, farm records, markets, and community feedback. Microsoft’s data platforms can help partners integrate these streams, which they may use to build more context aware digital tools. This approach allows innovators to focus more on solution design and less on handling disparate data sources‑aware digital tools. This approach allows innovators to focus more on solution design and less on handling disparate data sources Lesson: Integrated datasets may be more useful for inclusive agritech solutions than simply increasing data volume. Partnerships grounded in local expertise: Solutions can benefit when digital infrastructure is combined with institutions that understand agronomy, local water systems, and community engagement—such as agricultural universities, extension networks, cooperatives, and FPOs. These partnerships may help ensure that digital systems are grounded in practical realities and aligned with local field conditions. Lesson: Human expertise can play an important role in supporting interpretation and credibility for AI‑supported tools. What these deployments have illustrated Across diverse smallholder settings, several observations have emerged: Use of familiar devices may support adoption. Simple, accessible channels can make digital advisories easier for farmers to engage with. Human capacity building remains important. Strengthening the skills of extension officers, FPO leaders, and intermediaries can complement technical development. ‑building remains important. Models may need to reflect local variability. Soil, water, and cropping diversity across India often requires region-specific data inputs ‑specific data inputs Alignment with public programs may support scale. Digital tools that complement existing government or ecosystem programs can reach more users. Feedback loops can help refine tools. Farmer observations and field level exceptions may help partners improve system relevance over time.‑level exceptions may help partners improve system relevance over time. In summary, Microsoft’s contribution to agriculture reflects an ecosystem oriented approach—providing cloud, AI, data, and interoperability foundations that partners, researchers, and institutions can use to create locally grounded solutions. Experience from India suggests that solutions can be more useful when they reflect field complexity, incorporate local knowledge, and remain adaptable to smallholder realities.‑oriented approach—providing cloud, AI, data, and interoperability foundations that partners, researchers, and institutions can use to create locally grounded solutions. Experience from India suggests that solutions can be more useful when they reflect field complexity, incorporate local knowledge, and remain adaptable to smallholder realities. From Advisory to AccountabilityAs AI increasingly informs advisories, subsidies, and even credit eligibility, where should human agronomic judgment remain non-negotiable—and how should accountability be structured when AI-guided decisions fall short ? Human judgment remains indispensable wherever biological variability, local feasibility, or livelihood risk is involved. AI can provide timely insights, highlight risks, and improve efficiency—but must remain a supporting tool, not the decision-maker. Accountability, meanwhile, should rest with the institutions deploying AI, backed by transparent explanations and human review pathways. When these safeguards are in place, AI can enhance trust, fairness, and resilience across India’s smallholder agriculture systems. The 2026 Reality CheckBy 2026, what visible changes at the field level would signal that AI, policy, and capital are finally aligned in Indian agriculture—and what would indicate the system is still optimising for policy optics rather than farm outcomes ? By 2026, alignment between AI, policy, and capital in Indian agriculture should be visible  in everyday field behaviour and reduced farmer risk. What alignment looks like on the ground Farmers move from calendar-based to condition-based decisions: Sowing will align with soil moisture and short-term forecasts, not fixed dates. Irrigation will target crop stress instead of set rotations. Input use, especially fertilisers and chemicals, will be more restrained, with farmers better informed about when and where not to apply them based on clear risk–benefit analyses. Farmers focus on avoiding losses, not just increasing yield: Farmers act early to reduce mid-season losses. In risky areas, they choose more diverse crops and faster-growing varieties, aiming for resilience instead of just higher productivity. Farmers trust advice and know the reason behind it. They understand why a suggestion changed during the season and what risk it helps avoids. When extension workers, cooperatives, and digital tools give the same message, it shows that AI, field teams, and policies are working as one. What misalignment looks like High volumes of advisories with low behavioural change: If advisory frequency rises but water use, input efficiency, or loss patterns look the same as before, the system is likely prioritising digital output rather than agronomic outcomes. Dashboards may appear successful even as farmers quietly revert to traditional instincts because the guidance is not grounded in feasibility. Uniformity where diversity should exist: If cropping recommendations and risk alerts look identical across districts with very different soils, rainfall, and water access, it suggests the system is optimising for administrative convenience—not biological reality. Similarly, if farmer feedback is collected but not reflected in subsequent advisory adjustments, digital participation becomes extractive rather than empowering. Expecting AI to compensate for structural constraints: If technology is positioned as a workaround for depleted aquifers, degraded soils, delayed irrigation releases, or weak extension systems, the gap between digital claims and field realities will widen. When AI is asked to solve challenges that are fundamentally ecological or infrastructural, trust inevitably erodes. To conclude, By 2026, true alignment will be visible when AI quietly enables farmers to make less risky decisions, more often, even in difficult seasons. Success will be measured in avoided losses, adaptive behaviour, and farmer confidence. If those behavioural signals emerge, it means AI, policy, and capital are  reinforcing each other. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3685/75-of-marine-protected-areas-hit-by-pollution-wake-up-call-for-global-conservation.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3685/75-of-marine-protected-areas-hit-by-pollution-wake-up-call-for-global-conservation.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:12:19 +0530 Photo Credit: Michelangelo Pignani/FFI In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Dr. Amelia Wenger warns that global conservation efforts risk falling short as sewage pollution remains critically underfunded and poorly integrated into marine protection strategies In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Dr. Amelia Wenger, Water Pollution Program Lead at the Wildlife Conservation Society and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, highlighted that nearly 75 per cent of marine protected areas are impacted by sewage pollution, exposing a critical flaw in global ocean conservation strategies that overemphasize protection without addressing pollution. She stressed that while the “30 by 30” target is important, it risks prioritizing area coverage over actual biodiversity outcomes, especially as only a small fraction of ocean funding is directed toward pollution mitigation. Dr. Wenger explained that higher pollution levels within protected areas often stem from their proximity to densely populated, high-pressure zones, revealing gaps in integrated land-sea planning. The study underscores severe long-term ecological risks in tropical ecosystems, where wastewater pollution weakens coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves while amplifying climate change impacts. She emphasized that effective conservation requires coordinated governance, increased investment in sanitation, and the use of advanced data and monitoring tools to tackle pollution alongside marine protection. Your study reveals that nearly 75 per cent of marine protected areas are affected by sewage pollution. What does this say about the current global approach to ocean conservation, and where is it fundamentally falling short? We can’t achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework without holistically addressing all the targets. That means that our push for “30 x 30” needs to be paired with tackling the threats that cannot be mitigated with protected areas, like pollution. Yet, according to a funding landscape report from Our Shared Seas, between 2015-2024, only 2.36 per cent of the global ocean funding went towards pollution. This means that we have a global threat to biodiversity – pollution – and we are significantly under resourcing our efforts to address it, which ultimately undermines our ability to achieve our marine biodiversity goals. One of the most striking findings is that pollution levels inside protected areas can be up to ten times higher than outside. How do you explain this paradox, and what systemic gaps does it expose? I think it highlights that in many cases, MPAs have been put in places where there were threats from fishing. And we know that the closer coral reefs are to populated areas, the more fishing pressure they experience. Our results reveal that these places are also experiencing greater pollution pressure too. We should still implement MPAs in places experiencing pollution, but we need our management activities to extend to efforts to reduce pollution too. I think our results expose that we are not systematically incorporating information about pollution into marine spatial planning or implementing integrated land-sea management.  The research highlights particularly severe impacts in coral reef and tropical regions. What are the long-term ecological consequences if wastewater pollution in these hotspots remains unaddressed? It has been demonstrated in multiple coral reef regions that wastewater pollution reduces coral growth rates and coral reproduction, while also making them more vulnerable to coral disease. It limits photosynthetic activity in seagrass meadows, and it makes mangrove forests more vulnerable to erosion. Most concerningly though is that it aggravates the impacts of climate change that they are already experiencing. Chronic nutrient loading heightens coral vulnerability to bleaching events and slows post-disturbance recovery. Mangroves also become more likely to die under nutrient enrichment conditions when facing drought caused by climate change. Altogether, these impacts undermine the structure, function, and long-term persistence of tropical coastal ecosystems, threatening their associated biodiversity and essential ecosystem services on which millions of people rely. And they will only get worse as climate change worsens. But this also means that we have a really important tool in our toolbox to increase the climate resilience of these ecosystems – pollution management! You’ve emphasized that marine protection alone cannot solve what is essentially a land-based problem. How should governments rethink the integration of land-use planning and ocean conservation policies? The land and sea are connected and yet, more often than not, the government departments that management sanitation, land-use planning, urban development, housing, and the environment are siloed. This means that it is very difficult to have cohesive and consistent policies to address this threat. Governments should: Utilize high-level coordinating mechanisms such as councils or committees within the centre of government or a government authority with policy coherence leadership. Establish clear mandates and responsibilities for departments in charge of sanitation services provision, environmental protection, and coordination with other institutions or the private sector. Encourage formal governance arrangements and informal mechanisms that facilitate communication and collaboration between government authorities and other governmental and non-governmental institutions. With the global “30 by 30” target gaining momentum, do you believe current commitments risk prioritizing quantity over quality when it comes to protected areas? Yes, I do. 30 x 30 is a mechanism to help deliver on biodiversity conservation, and a very important one. But there have been multiple studies that have demonstrated that MPAs are not effective when exposed to pollution.  So, I think we have gotten too focused on the 30 x 30 target and have lost sight of needing to also deliver on all the other targets in parallel to achieve our biodiversity conservation goals. The goal is biodiversity conservation, not MPA coverage, and I think that gets lost sometimes. The trends on where ocean funding has gone also demonstrate this – with protected areas and habitat protection receiving nearly a quarter of ocean funding between 2015-2024. From a policy and funding perspective, what are the biggest barriers to incorporating wastewater management into marine conservation strategies at scale? One is the siloed nature of government departments and policies, as I mentioned above, which means that the people who make policy decisions about sanitation are not the same as the people making policy decisions about marine conservation. The second is that delivering sanitation services is expensive and the sanitation sector faces major funding shortfalls. Because it is so expensive, there is often not the political will to invest in sanitation. But being able to link sanitation and marine conservation brings a new set of stakeholders like the tourism industry, fishers, recreational users of the ocean, who can all be champions and advocates for change and investment. The sewage crisis in the UK is a really interesting example of this.   Your study uses geospatial modeling to track nitrogen pollution. How can advancements in data and monitoring technologies improve accountability and decision-making for protected areas? Water quality monitoring can be complicated, and you need a lot of data to give you a realistic sense of what the levels of pollution are in a protected area. The more we can harness models and remote sensing and use those outputs in marine spatial planning exercises, the more we can assess the levels and impact of pollution on an MPA, and track improvements in pollution levels as we implement management actions on land. Beyond environmental damage, wastewater pollution has major public health and economic implications. How can policymakers better communicate these cross-sectoral risks to drive urgent action? I think it’s about selling the co-benefits that can come from addressing wastewater pollution and articulating how investment into sanitation improvements would compare to dealing with the public health, economic, and environmental issues separately. It’s also about knowing your audience and having tailored messaging about the myriad impacts that will resonate best with different audiences. If you had to identify one immediate, high-impact intervention that governments or global institutions could implement, what would it be to ensure marine protected areas actually deliver on their promise? Be clear on what is the biodiversity being protected in an MPA, identify the other threats facing it that will not be fixed with an MPA, and develop and implement strategies to address them. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3683/fueling-future-suhas-baxi-on-making-indias-bioenergy-model-economically-viable.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3683/fueling-future-suhas-baxi-on-making-indias-bioenergy-model-economically-viable.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:52:19 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, BiofuelCircle’s Co-Founder and Group CEO outlines how scalable biomass supply chains, rural enterprises, and fuel substitution can transform agricultural waste into a sustainable energy solution without long-term subsidy dependence. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Suhas Baxi, Co-Founder and Group CEO of BiofuelCircle, unpacks the real economics behind the “farm to fuel to soil” model and its path to self-sustainability. He highlights how scalable bioenergy systems can move beyond subsidy dependence by building efficient biomass supply chains and competitive pricing. The conversation dives into the rise of rural micro-entrepreneurship, revealing early profitability trends across biomass banks and their growing impact on local economies. Baxi also addresses critical risks, from feedstock volatility to environmental trade-offs, while explaining how digital marketplaces and data-led planning are reshaping the sector. Ultimately, he positions fuel substitution as the single most powerful metric proving that bioenergy can play a meaningful role in India’s energy transition. The “farm to fuel to soil” model promises a closed loop system where agricultural waste becomes energy and bio residue returns to farmland. Is this economically self sustaining at scale, or does it remain subsidy dependent in most markets? The farm to fuel to soil approach can achieve economic self-sufficiency when scaled effectively. Incentives and subsidies should ideally act as catalysts to accelerate adoption rather than long-term dependencies. As with most infrastructure-led sectors, bioenergy ventures typically operate on a three-to-five-year payback cycle, where early policy support helps unlock capital and drive momentum. However, reliance on continuous subsidies signals an inherent weakness in the model. Our focus is on developing supply chains and operational efficiencies that enable bioenergy products to compete with conventional fuels on price. This ensures long-term viability independent of policy support. A key enabler is building dependable biomass aggregation and logistics networks, ensuring consistent feedstock availability at stable and predictable costs for both producers and end users. You describe the model as a catalyst for rural micro entrepreneurship. How many of these enterprises are truly profitable without grant capital and what does survival data tell us about long term viability? At BiofuelCircle, each biomass bank is structured as a standalone rural enterprise operating on sound commercial fundamentals. Typically, these units require an investment of around Rs 3 crore and generate annual revenues of approximately Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore. Over the past three years, we have established close to 70 such biomass banks, forming a robust rural enterprise network within the biomass value chain. The earliest batch of around ten units has already reached profitability, while the next set of about twenty-five is steadily moving in that direction. Current trends indicate that most units turn EBITDA positive within 12 to 18 months and recover capital investment within three to four years. While none have yet completed a full lifecycle, early performance signals are encouraging, pointing to a viable and scalable rural enterprise model. In addition to financial returns, these ventures generate employment and formalise markets for agricultural residues. From an energy security perspective, can decentralized bioenergy realistically de risk national supply chains, or is its contribution still marginal compared to fossil infrastructure? Decentralised bioenergy should be seen as a complementary pillar within the broader energy mix, rather than a replacement for fossil fuels. Even with optimal utilisation of biomass resources, it is likely to meet around 10 to 12 percent of national energy demand in the medium term, particularly as overall consumption continues to grow. That said, its role in strengthening energy security is significant. By reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and diversifying energy sources, bioenergy contributes to greater resilience. When combined with renewables like solar and wind, it enhances supply stability. In India, this shift is already underway, with initiatives such as ethanol blending and increasing adoption of compressed biogas across mobility and industrial sectors. Feedstock aggregation is often the weakest link in bio circular systems. How do you prevent supply fragmentation, seasonal volatility and price distortions in agricultural residue markets? The challenge of fragmentation can be addressed by treating biomass as part of an organised, nationwide market rather than isolated local supply chains. Strong supply systems require visibility into demand and supply, transparent pricing mechanisms, stable market signals and clearly defined quality benchmarks. At BiofuelCircle, we are building this ecosystem through a digital biomass marketplace that connects farmers, aggregators and industrial buyers on a unified platform. This enables transparent price discovery, structured transactions and data-led supply planning, which together help reduce volatility and improve reliability. Additionally, we leverage GIS and GPS based intelligence to map crop patterns, farmland and residue availability, enabling more efficient planning of aggregation and logistics infrastructure. Carbon credits and sustainability premiums are often cited as revenue boosters. If carbon markets soften or compliance rules tighten, does the circular model still hold up financially? Carbon credits and sustainability incentives should be viewed as supplementary gains rather than the core foundation of the business. Overdependence on such mechanisms introduces uncertainty and weakens the economic structure. Our approach is to ensure that bioenergy products are cost competitive with traditional fuels through efficient supply chains and operations. When this baseline is achieved, the business remains financially sound on its own merit. Carbon credits and similar incentives then serve as an added advantage, rewarding environmental impact, but not determining viability. The primary focus remains on building a resilient and efficient biomass ecosystem that supports large-scale adoption. What are the hidden risks such as methane leakage, soil nutrient imbalance, or over extraction of biomass that could undermine the environmental case for a closed loop system? The sustainability of the circular model depends on staying aligned with its core principle, which is utilising agricultural residue and waste rather than cultivating dedicated energy crops. When biomass is sourced from existing waste streams, the environmental benefits remain intact, as it prevents open burning and adds value to otherwise unused material. However, shifting toward purpose-grown energy crops could alter this balance by diverting land, water and other resources away from food production. Maintaining a clear distinction between waste utilisation and crop cultivation is therefore essential to preserving environmental integrity and ensuring that bioenergy remains a responsible waste-to-energy solution. Institutionally, who owns the value chain: farmers, cooperatives, private processors, or energy majors? And how does governance determine whether wealth is retained locally or extracted upward? The bioenergy value chain is inherently collaborative, involving multiple stakeholders rather than being controlled by a single entity. Farmers provide the raw biomass, local enterprises handle aggregation and processing, technology players enable conversion, and industries consume the final energy output. Ownership structures can differ across segments, ranging from cooperatives to private companies and large industrial players. What matters most is building an ecosystem where value creation and distribution are balanced across participants. Farmers play a foundational role, but the system also depends on investments in infrastructure, logistics and technology. Much like other large industries, such as pharmaceuticals or energy, effective coordination across the supply chain is key to ensuring both efficiency and equitable value distribution. If you had to choose one metric to prove the model works, income uplift, emission reduction, fuel substitution, or soil health, what would it be? The most definitive measure of success is the extent to which bioenergy replaces fossil fuels. Large-scale fuel substitution indicates that the system is functioning efficiently and delivering real impact. As bioenergy displaces conventional fuels, it naturally leads to multiple positive outcomes, including lower emissions, higher farmer incomes through residue monetisation and improved waste management practices. In that sense, fuel substitution serves as the central indicator, with other benefits emerging as natural outcomes of a well-established ecosystem. It also reflects the sector’s contribution to the broader energy transition, supported by developments such as ethanol blending and increased use of compressed biogas across industries and transport. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3671/from-ocean-to-acre-kelp-blues-big-bet-on-seaweed-powered-agriculture.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3671/from-ocean-to-acre-kelp-blues-big-bet-on-seaweed-powered-agriculture.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:40:35 +0530 Kishan Kaujalgi and Anouk Bosman discuss scaling offshore kelp farming, driving farmer ROI, and building a resilient, sustainable input ecosystem In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Kishan Kaujalgi, India Lead, and Anouk Bosman, Head of Marketing at Kelp Blue, reveal how the company is pioneering large-scale offshore cultivation of Macrocystis pyrifera to solve one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: consistent, sustainable raw material supply. They highlight how ocean farming mirrors land agriculture in complexity—navigating storms, pests, and yield optimization—while eliminating the need for irrigation and chemical inputs. At the core of their model is a sustainability-first approach, harvesting just 10 per cent of kelp biomass to preserve biodiversity and enable carbon sequestration, while still ensuring commercial scalability. Their flagship biostimulant, StimBlue+, stands out for its cultivated origin, consistent performance, and strong ROI, delivering higher yields at lower application rates across diverse crops. Looking ahead, they position ocean-based agriculture as a transformative pillar of the global food system—unlocking scalable, carbon-negative solutions without competing for land or freshwater. Scaling Ocean-Based Agriculture  Kelp Blue operates large-scale offshore cultivation systems—what were the key technological and ecological challenges in scaling seaweed farming in open ocean conditions?  A major barrier to scaling the seaweed industry globally is the lack of a reliable and consistent supply of raw material. At Kelp Blue, this is precisely the challenge we are addressing through the development of a stable, offshore cultivation system. We cultivate Macrocystis pyrifera - Giant Kelp - on large-scale, offshore structures. Because this type of farming had never been implemented at this scale in open ocean conditions, it required significant engineering innovation.   Kelp Blue champions organic and sustainable agriculture through a unique “farmers-to-farmers” philosophy – connecting ocean farmers with land farmers. Our products are derived from kelp cultivated in the ocean, creating a natural bridge between marine and terrestrial agriculture.  In essence, farming in the ocean shares the same fundamental principles as farming on land: nurturing a crop under variable conditions, protecting it from natural stressors, and maximizing sustainable yield. The main difference is that ocean farming doesn’t require irrigation or chemical inputs, we let the kelp grow naturally, simply monitoring the farms regularly to ensure healthy development, and our “field” is the open ocean, which adds layers of engineering complexity but doesn’t change the core challenges of agriculture.  Sustainability as a Core Business Model  Harvesting only 10 per cent of the biomass is a deliberate choice—how do you balance ecological preservation with commercial viability at scale?  Our underwater kelp forests are about 15 meters tall. In our harvesting approach, we deliberately trim only the top 10 per cent of the kelp - essentially the young, nutrient-rich shoots that are most effective for biostimulants. The majority of the biomass remains in the water, supporting marine biodiversity (+800 species detected through eDNA technology) and carbon sequestration.  This approach allows us to balance ecological preservation with commercial viability. By leaving most of the kelp (biomass) intact, we maintain healthy, resilient ecosystems, while the carefully managed harvest ensures a stable, traceable supply for our customers. With licensed cultivation areas exceeding 6,000 hectares, we ensure a stable and traceable supply for our customers with controlled margin inflation.   Differentiation in the Biostimulant Market  With increasing competition in biological inputs, what makes StimBlue+ structurally different in terms of efficacy, consistency, and scalability?  With the rapid growth of Biostimulants in India, farmers today are more conscious about performance, consistency, and return on investment. StimBlue+ is built on a simple and practical principle: delivering visible results and a clear return on investment for the Indian farmers.   A fundamental point of differentiation is that StimBlue+ is based on cultivated Macrocystis pyrifera, rather than wild-harvested seaweed. This allows us to offer a consistent, traceable, and scalable raw material supply, independent of seasonal or environmental variability. The result is a product with stable composition and performance, which is critical for Asian farmers making input decisions.  In terms of efficacy, StimBlue+ supports a well-regulated transition between vegetative and generative growth phases, integrating seamlessly into existing farming programs. While many seaweed-based biostimulants are positioned around specific use cases - such as root development (commonly associated with Ecklonia) or abiotic stress management (often linked to Ascophyllum) - StimBlue+ delivers performance across multiple stages of the crop cycle, making it suitable for a wide range of crops grown in India & Asia.   It is also highly concentrated, consistently demonstrating strong results at lower application rates. In third-party trials, StimBlue+ has outperformed comparable seaweed-based biostimulants at half the dosage (0.4L/acre versus 0.8L/acre), directly improving per acre profitability which is a key differentiating-factor for Indian growers.  Finally, our mechanical extraction process ensures high miscibility, allowing StimBlue+ to mix easily with other inputs in standard farming programs. This contrasts with more traditional alkaline extraction methods, which can limit compatibility and create additional complexity or cost for farmers.  Together, these elements : cultivated origin, consistent quality, strong efficacy at low dosage, and ease of integration, makes StimBlue+ stand out as a reliable and farmer friendly solution in India’s evolving Biostimulant market.  Science and Mode of Action  Macrocystis pyrifera is rich in bioactive compounds—how do you translate this biological complexity into predictable, measurable outcomes for farmers?  Each crop is extensively trialled against key performance indicators such as yield and quality, under clearly defined conditions - including soil type, season, weather, and application parameters. This ensures that the results we communicate are not only scientifically grounded but also directly relevant and reproducible for farmers.  In parallel, we run an Ambassador Farm Program, working with influential farmers across different regions who trial and use our biostimulants under real commercial conditions. This allows us to complement controlled trials with practical, farmer-led insights, creating a robust body of evidence that reflects real-world performance.  By combining scientific trials with on-farm validation, we turn the natural complexity of Macrocystis pyrifera into clear, reliable, and actionable outcomes that farmers can trust.   Carbon Neutrality and Climate Positioning  You position the product as carbon-neutral—how do you quantify and validate this claim, and what role does carbon accounting play in your business model?  As our kelp grows in the ocean, it naturally absorbs CO2 from the surrounding waters through photosynethsis. Some of this carbon is exported to the deep ocean, where it remains sequestered for long time periods.   As we only harvest the canopy of the underwater kelp forests (which is more or less the top 1m that re-grows quickly) to produce our biostimulant StimBlue+. The rest of the kelp individual continues to grow and contribute to carbon sequestration.  Independent measurement and verification of our 2024 operations validated that the carbon sequestered by our kelp farm exceeds the total CO2 emissions associated with producing our biostimulant. So, producing our products, results in more carbon being removed from the atmosphere than is emitted.  Our 2024 performance was measured by atdepth, a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) provider specialised in ocean carbon measurement. Our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and relevant reports were verified by independent parties including Boundless Impact and EcoEngineers. This was part of our participation as a Top 20 Finalist in the XPRIZE for Carbon Removal.   Farmer Adoption and ROI  Biostimulants often face adoption barriers—how do you demonstrate clear economic returns to growers across diverse crops and geographies?  Adoption of biostimulants ultimately comes down to one question for farmers: does it deliver a clear and reliable return on investment? At Kelp Blue, we address this by grounding every claim in robust, science-backed evidence.  We invest heavily in independent, third-party trials conducted by contract research organizations (CROs) across different crops, geographies, and growing conditions. These trials don’t just measure agronomic performance such as yield and quality—they also quantify the economic return per hectare, based on real farm gate prices at the time of harvest. Importantly, these calculations are fully transparent and shared with our partners and customers.  The results consistently demonstrate strong economic value. For example, in berries, applications at 0.8L/acre have shown average yield increases of 17 per cent, translating into approximately $2,710 in additional revenue per hectare. In vineyards, we see average yield increases of 13 per cent, corresponding to around $5,190 per hectare. In vegetables, average yield improvements of 12 per cent result in roughly $4,125 additional revenue per hectare.  Another thing, is product range offering choice to farmers. In Indian context, we offer StimBlue+ Amino, Humic, Nutritional; also Seed treatment, Drip & Foliar grades. In addition, specific extracts with Alginic acid & Mannitol derived from seaweeds having wide application across multiple crops in Asia. To be noted, some of these grades also fall under the local regulations.   Integration with Conventional Agriculture  Do you see products like StimBlue+ as complementary to traditional agrochemicals, or is the long-term vision to replace them entirely?  StimBlue+ is designed to complement , not replace, traditional agrochemicals. It does not substitute nutrient fertilizers, but works alongside them to improve their overall efficiency. By enhancing nutrient uptake and utilization, it helps ensure that the inputs farmers are already applying are more effectively absorbed by the plant.  This has two key benefits: it reduces input waste and increases the return on existing investments, translating into both financial and operational gains for growers. Rather than requiring a complete shift in farming practices, StimBlue+ integrates seamlessly into current programs, making adoption straightforward and low-risk.  Over the long term, we see biostimulants playing an increasingly important role in optimizing input use and improving sustainability in agriculture. The goal is not necessarily full replacement, but smarter, more efficient systems where conventional inputs are used more effectively and, where possible, in reduced quantities.  Global Expansion and Ocean Economy Potential  Looking ahead, how do you see ocean-based biomass platforms shaping the future of agriculture and sustainable inputs on a global scale?  The ocean offers a vast, underutilized resource that can be harnessed without competing for arable land, freshwater, or traditional inputs.  Our vision is to establish large-scale kelp farms across multiple continents – where cold, nutrient-rich waters allow for optimal growth. This localized approach enables us to produce biomass close to end markets, reducing supply chain complexity and environmental impact, while ensuring reliable and scalable supply.  At the same time, these kelp farms contribute to the regeneration of marine ecosystems. Kelp acts as an ecosystem engineer, creating habitats, supporting biodiversity, and capturing carbon. By combining production with restoration, ocean-based agriculture has the potential to deliver both economic value and environmental impact at scale.  Ultimately, we believe this model can become a cornerstone of the emerging ocean economy, providing a new, sustainable pathway for producing the inputs needed to feed a growing global population.  --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3665/hormuz-effect-when-energy-fertilizer-and-food-collide.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3665/hormuz-effect-when-energy-fertilizer-and-food-collide.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:39:54 +0530 FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero warns of cascading impacts on energy, fertilizer supply, and global food systems as tanker traffic collapses and shipping risks surge The ongoing disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major shock to global commodity flows, with implications for energy, agriculture, and food security. According to Máximo Torero of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, tanker traffic through the corridor has dropped by more than 90 percent within days of the escalation. The strait typically carries around 20 million barrels of oil per day—about 35 percent of global crude flows—along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers. Speaking at a United Nations briefing, Torero described the situation as a systemic shock affecting global food systems, not just energy markets. He highlighted the Gulf region’s role in supplying nearly half of global sulfur, a key input in phosphate fertilizer production. Disruptions to sulfur flows could impact fertilizer output worldwide, including in major agricultural economies. Shipping challenges have intensified due to surging war-risk insurance premiums, with recovery expected to take months even if tensions ease. Systemic Shock Transmission To what extent does the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz represent a new class of systemic risk, where energy, fertilizer, and food supply chains converge into a single point of failure? The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most concentrated chokepoint for simultaneously disrupting energy, fertilizer, sulfur, and agrifood systems. Under normal conditions, it carries roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day (one‑quarter of global seaborne oil), one‑fifth of global LNG, and up to 30 percent of internationally traded fertilizers. The current conflict has collapsed tanker traffic by more than 90 percent within days, stalling an estimated 3–4 million tonnes of fertilizer trade per month. What makes this a new class of systemic risk is the convergence of three interdependent chains: Energy – oil and gas prices spiked 20–35 percent (Brent) and 50–75 percent (European gas). Fertilizer – no strategic reserves exist; urea prices rose 19 percent in one week. Sulfur – essential to produce phosphate fertilizer. Food – Gulf countries import 70–90 percent of their food, and import‑dependent nations face immediate yield threats. Because natural gas is the feedstock for nitrogen fertilizers, and sulfur (half of global trade passes through Hormuz) is essential for phosphate processing, a single disruption simultaneously raises fuel costs, fertilizer prices, and transport expenses. The FAO notes that “there are no large strategic fertilizer reserves comparable to oil stocks,” so any sustained interruption quickly elevates global food inflation. This convergence turns a maritime chokepoint into a single point of failure for the entire agrifood value chain. Fragility vs. Resilience of Globalization Does this crisis fundamentally challenge the assumption that globalized agricultural supply chains are efficiency‑maximizing, but structurally fragile in the face of geopolitical shocks? Global supply chains are needed to assure all countries have access to the diversity of food that is required and to use our natural resources optimally. Although it is true that on the inputs there are shock points  that increase the risks for global supply chains but will be the same for local supply chains. The FAO analysis shows that the current globalized system delivered low costs and just‑in‑time efficiency in peacetime, but the Hormuz disruption exposes its structural fragility. Within days, a conflict in one region removed a quarter of global oil trade, one‑third of fertilizer trade, and a major share of food demand from the Gulf. The document highlights that the Gulf States’ high import dependency (70–90 percent for staples) was sustainable only when trade routes were open. Once the strait closed, their strategic grain reserves (4–6 months) became a finite buffer, not a solution. Similarly, fertilizer‑importing countries like Bangladesh (53 percent Gulf dependency) and Kenya ( 40 percent ) face immediate shortages with no alternative supply chain ready. The FAO’s modeling of a “policy inaction baseline” shows that without coordinated intervention, real household income in Gulf countries could decline 14–18 percent, and global cereal producer income could drop nearly 5 percent. This is not a temporary inefficiency; it is a structural vulnerability built into efficiency‑maximized, highly concentrated supply chains. The crisis therefore challenges the assumption that globalization’s benefits automatically outweigh its geopolitical risks. Fertilizer Dependency Trap Given the heavy reliance on energy‑linked fertilizers, are we approaching a structural ceiling in yield growth, where input dependency itself becomes the primary constraint on global food security? The evidence points toward a growing constraint, not yet a hard ceiling, but dangerously close in many regions. Nitrogen fertilizers are produced from natural gas, and the Persian Gulf is a low‑cost producer. When energy prices spike, fertilizer prices follow directly. The FAO estimates that if the crisis continues, global fertilizer prices could average 15–20 percent higher in the first half of 2026. The “dependency trap” operates through three mechanisms: Cost‑driven reduction – Farmers facing high prices apply less fertilizer, reducing yields. No strategic reserves – Unlike oil, there is no global fertilizer stockpile to smooth shocks. Nonlinear yield response – In low‑input systems (e.g., sub‑Saharan Africa at ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3649/why-india-why-now-global-spotlight-on-sugarcane-transformation.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3649/why-india-why-now-global-spotlight-on-sugarcane-transformation.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:22:31 +0530 Exclusive AgroSpectrum interview with Manisha Majumdar, on why India is reshaping the global sugarcane narrative In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Manisha Majumdar, Head APAC, Bonsucro, explains why India’s scale as the world’s second-largest sugar producer, combined with its rapid shift toward ethanol and bio-based industries, makes this a pivotal moment to spotlight the country globally. She highlights how regions like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are not only production hubs but also emerging centers of sustainability innovation, supporting millions of smallholder farmers. Manisha emphasizes that India must transition from a volume-driven sugar economy to a climate-resilient, sustainability-led value chain through diversification, water efficiency, and regenerative agriculture. She underscores that credible certification systems such as Bonsucro are becoming strategic tools to ensure traceability, meet global ESG norms, and unlock premium markets while strengthening India’s climate narrative amid ethanol expansion. Looking ahead to 2030, she concludes that aligning policy, finance, and global buyer commitments will be critical to positioning India as a model for climate-smart, inclusive, and competitive sugarcane production. Why India, Why Now? India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer. What makes this the right moment for Bonsucro to spotlight India on the global stage, and what signal does choosing New Delhi in the future send to international markets? Sugarcane production supports the livelihoods of around 50 million farmers in India including a large number of smallholders, making it critical to rural development, food security and climate resilience across the key producing regions of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. For Bonsucro, India is an important region, and our footprint has grown steadily over the years. Many members stand out for their pioneering activities like investments in regenerative agriculture, strengthening youth and women leadership and championing practices that reduce water use among others. As well as scale, India is emerging as a leader in innovation and transformation, with many of its 500+ sugar mills evolving beyond traditional sugar production, to process ethanol for biofuels, putting India on the stage as a key player helping to shape the future of sugarcane and bio-based industries. From Output to Outcomes India has traditionally been a volume-driven sugar economy. What structural shifts are needed to reposition sugarcane from a production-centric crop to a sustainability-led, climate-resilient value chain? The sugar economy in India has long been volume driven. For the sector to operate more sustainably, shifts that focus on aligning policy, markets, technology and sustainability standards that demonstrate environmental and social performance are essential. For example, diversification of income streams through ethanol, bioenergy or sustainable aviation fuels would enable mills to optimise the whole sugarcane value chain rather than focusing on sugar output alone, and leading to less waste, more resource efficiency and emissions reductions. When it comes to natural resources, sugarcane is a water-intensive crop, which is a strain on the environment. Changes like scaling drip irrigation or incentivising soil health and regenerative agriculture practices can make production more efficient. Bonsucro member EID Parry recently launched a project in Southern India supported by the Bonsucro Impact Fund to train a network of rural entrepreneurs to help farmers rebuild their soils. The project combines technology, using a mobile app to monitor soil health, with regenerative practices that test the use of crop residues, press mud and green manure to boost soil carbon, cut fertiliser use and improve yields, with ambitious but achievable expected outcomes that can be scaled to reach more farmers. Supply chain traceability and credible certification systems like Bonsucro are central to supporting alignment with emerging ESG and due diligence requirements in global markets with certified mills and producers being able to better access international markets and prove their compliance. Standards as Strategic Tools to Access Premium Buyers and Align with ESG Protocols How can sustainability standards and certification frameworks move beyond compliance to become competitive tools that enhance market access, price realization, and global credibility for Indian sugar exports? In order to move beyond compliance, sustainability standards and certification frameworks need to demonstrate impact and value. They must strengthen traceability, provide verified sustainability data, as well as enable credible impact and due diligence claims that align with global frameworks and ultimately build trust with international markets and buyers. As a metric standard, the Bonsucro Production Standard and its suite of climate tools support sugarcane producers in demonstrating their social and environmental performance and provide buyers with the assurance that the products they purchase meet their needs. Ethanol Expansion & Climate Credentials With India rapidly scaling ethanol blending, how critical is credible sustainability certification in ensuring that biofuel expansion strengthens — rather than weakens — India’s climate narrative? India’s expansion of ethanol blending presents a significant opportunity to support energy security and climate goals, but it’s essential that the growth is coupled with strong guardrails that ensure the ethanol comes from sustainably produced sources. India has successfully achieved its target of blending 20 per cent ethanol with petrol (E20) five years ahead of schedule and the country's ongoing biofuel blending efforts have contributed significantly to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving financial resources. Nonetheless, concerns remain regarding the diversion of food crops, prompting discussions about the issue of "food versus fuel." Therefore, to maintain domestic and international confidence, the programme is now focusing on its sustainability credentials, addressing concerns regarding water consumption, food security, and technical compatibility. Certification serves as a key mechanism for demonstrating that production processes yield genuine climate benefits and prevent unintended environmental or social consequences. Standards such as Bonsucro’s EU RED-recognised certification provide a practical pathway for producers to verify emissions performance, traceability, and responsible production practices. When implemented, this certification supports compliance for exports to the EU and strengthens confidence among international buyers and investors, which ultimately reinforces India’s climate narrative by demonstrating its ethanol production is aligned with global sustainability expectations. Water, Carbon & Traceability Sugarcane is often criticised for its water footprint. How can measurement, data transparency, and traceability systems help India demonstrate real improvements in water efficiency and carbon performance? Bonsucro is leveraging digital tools, satellite monitoring, and farm-level data systems to enable sugarcane producers to track water use and carbon performance with increasing precision, often in near-real-time. These technological advancements facilitate the monitoring of environmental, social, and economic sustainability across the sugarcane supply chain. Being able to understand and measure water and other resource use is essential to show what concrete improvements are happening and for highlighting where changes need to be made. Linking this data to traceable supply chains helps demonstrate measurable progress over time. Certification systems like Bonsucro provide a framework for verifying this data and translating it into credible sustainability claims. The latest data shows that Bonsucro certified farms reduce water us by 31 per cent on average over five years of certification. Satellite data is used to map sugarcane fields and monitor growth. This helps estimate water requirements, identify water logging or drought, and monitor biomass, which is used for carbon calculations. The use of these digital tools helps farmers shift towards practices that manage water scarcity and reduce carbon emissions in India, a critical step considering that sugarcane is a major water user in states like Maharashtra. Smallholder Inclusion India’s sugar economy is dominated by millions of smallholder farmers. What models has Bonsucro seen globally that successfully integrate smallholders into certified supply chains without imposing prohibitive compliance costs? India already stands out globally for the sheer scale of its certified farming base, with a large and diverse network of growers engaged in sustainability standards across the sugarcane sector. This matters in a country where production is dominated by smallholders, for whom certification can otherwise feel complex and costly. Group certification models have proven particularly effective in this context. By enabling sugar mills to support and coordinate networks of farmers under a single certification framework, these models reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for individual smallholders. Mills play a central role in providing training, data collection and technical assistance, while farmers benefit from shared systems and collective progress. This approach can accelerate certification uptake and strengthens long term relationships between mills and farming communities, making sustainability more accessible and scalable across India’s sugarcane landscape. Bonsucro takes two approaches: we introduced our first Production Standard for Smallholder Farmers in 2018, adapting the original Bonsucro Production Standard to facilitate collecting data on a smaller scale and thereby reducing implementation costs and making certification more accessible. Context can vary between regions which is why it’s important to tailor the approach and develop collective efforts from the whole supply chain. Bonsucro is currently in the process of revising its Production Standard for Smallholder Farmers and the draft standard is open for public consultation. Through the Bonsucro Impact Fund we also invest in initiatives on the ground to support smallholders on their sustainability journey. Trade & Carbon Border Mechanisms As global markets move toward carbon border adjustments and stricter ESG-linked import norms, how exposed is India’s sugar sector — and how can proactive certification future-proof exports? India’s sugar sector is becoming increasingly exposed to evolving global trade rules that link market access to climate and sustainability performance. While sugar itself is not currently a priority commodity under the EU Deforestation Regulation, the introduction of EUDR sends a clear signal about the direction of travel for agricultural supply chains more broadly. Alongside expanding ESG disclosure and due diligence requirements in major markets, expectations around traceability, land use transparency and carbon reporting are rising rapidly. Together, these trends are reshaping how sustainability performance is assessed and communicated, increasing the strategic importance for sugar producing countries like India to demonstrate credible, verifiable progress across environmental and social dimensions. In this context, proactive certification can play an important future-proofing role. Standards such as Bonsucro provide verified data on emissions, land use, and supply chain traceability, helping producers demonstrate alignment with emerging sustainability requirements and meet the expectations of international buyers and regulators. By adopting credible certification and transparent data systems early, India’s sugar sector can position itself ahead of regulatory shifts, protecting export competitiveness while strengthening its reputation as a responsible and climate-aligned supplier in global markets. Financing the Transition Can sustainability certification unlock preferential finance, green bonds, or blended capital for Indian mills and farmer cooperatives? Are lenders beginning to price climate performance into sugar value chains? Yes, we have seen that certification can unlock sustainable finance in various markets. As lenders and investors place greater emphasis on ESG performance, they are looking for credible and verifiable data on emissions, resource use, and supply chain practices. Certification systems like Bonsucro provide exactly that - independent verification that mills and farmer groups meet recognised sustainability benchmarks. This can support access to preferential finance mechanisms, including sustainability-linked loans, green bonds, and blended finance facilities, where terms are linked to environmental performance indicators such as emissions reductions or water efficiency. Development banks and private lenders are increasingly exploring these models in agriculture, particularly where certification provides trusted performance metrics. Bonsucro certification can support certified mills in India with this, but the vast majority currently operate without being able to independently prove sustainability performance. The 2030 Vision Looking ahead to 2030, what would define success for India’s sugarcane transition — and what must industry, policymakers, and global buyers do today to ensure sugarcane becomes a model for climate-smart agriculture? By 2030, success for India’s sugarcane transition would mean moving beyond a production-driven model to one where productivity, climate resilience, and sustainability performance go hand in hand. This would include measurable reductions in water intensity, verified lower carbon emissions per tonne of cane, and a growing share of mills participating in traceable and certified supply chains. It would also mean a more diversified value chain, where sugarcane supports not only sugar production but also ethanol, bioenergy, and other bio-based products, helping strengthen India’s energy transition while improving the overall economics of the crop. We are already seeing this through Bonsucro’s members, with many of India’s 524 sugar mills already evolving beyond the traditional sugar production. Achieving this will require coordinated action, with industry investment in climate-smart farming practices and efficient irrigation amongst other things, policymakers aligning incentives with resource efficiency and low-carbon production, and global buyers recognising and rewarding sustainability performance through long-term sourcing commitments and support for standards such as Bonsucro. If these pieces come together, sugarcane could become a strong example of how a major commodity sector can combine farmer livelihoods, climate action, and global market competitiveness. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agropsectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3648/regulatory-win-positions-bioprime-for-scale.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3648/regulatory-win-positions-bioprime-for-scale.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:36:56 +0530 Renuka Diwan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, BioPrime AgriSolutions, says full portfolio approval marks a shift from regulatory clearance to scalable growth and stronger market credibility In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Renuka Diwan, highlights that securing regulatory approval for its entire biostimulant portfolio marks a major strategic milestone for the company. She emphasizes that this achievement validates BioPrime’s strong scientific foundation and positions it ahead in an increasingly regulated and competitive biologicals market. The company differentiates itself through proprietary bioactive compounds and a science-led approach, avoiding commoditization. With approvals in place, BioPrime is now focused on expanding in India while building global partnerships and demonstrating clear return on investment for farmers. Looking ahead, the company aims to drive innovation in next-generation biologicals, including biofungicides and climate-resilient agricultural solutions. Regulatory Breakthrough as Strategic Inflection Your full portfolio has now secured regulatory approval across biostimulant categories. Beyond compliance, how does this milestone fundamentally change BioPrime’s competitive positioning in India’s fast-evolving biologicals market? India has established a substantial and evolving agriculture regulatory ecosystem, characterized by a mix of long-standing, tradition-based regulations, modern digital initiatives and specialized agencies aimed at ensuring food security, safety, sustainability and technology adoption. For BioPrime to secure approvals for our biostimulant portfolio in this stringent and robust regulatory environment, is more than just compliance – it is a strategic validation of the science behind our innovations. The fact that our entire portfolio has secured the requisite approvals demonstrates that our products meet the desired standards for characterization, efficacy and safety. This milestone creates a clear differentiation. While the market has historically witnessed a large number of loosely defined products, the new regulatory ecosystem favours companies that have invested in scientific rigour and product validation. BioPrime’s portfolio of biostimulants are based on new active ingredients with novel modes of action and are IP protected. Consequently, this approval grants BioPrime the capacity to scale with assurance, cultivate deeper alliances with premier agri-input companies and strategically enter new markets supported by comprehensive compliance and defensibility. From Lab to Licensed Product India’s regulatory regime for biostimulants has tightened considerably in recent years. What were the most complex scientific or compliance hurdles you had to overcome, and what does this approval signal about the maturity of India’s biologicals ecosystem? The journey from laboratory discovery to regulatory approval is complex, particularly in biologicals. One of the key challenges has been the need to characterize bioactive compounds precisely while maintaining the complexity inherent to biological extracts. India also has strict residue – heavy metal, insecticide pesticide limits and requires extremely strict adherence to these requirements. For us at BioPrime, the most demanding aspect was aligning advanced scientific discovery—such as secondary metabolite profiling and plant response validation—with regulatory documentation requirements under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) framework. This process required extensive field validation, analytical characterization and standardization of manufacturing processes. The successful approvals signal the broader maturation of India’s biologicals ecosystem. This progress should aid the sector move away from loosely defined inputs and towards scientifically validated products that deliver consistent performance at scale. Science vs. Commodity Play The biostimulants market often risks commoditization. With over 20 differentiated products featuring proprietary active ingredients, how do you ensure BioPrime remains science-led rather than competing on price alone? The risk of commoditization in biostimulants is real, especially in segments dominated by generic seaweed or humic products. BioPrime has thus made a deliberate choice to follow a distinct path. Our approach is centered on discovering and developing specific secondary metabolites that trigger defined physiological responses in plants—whether related to stress tolerance, nutrient efficiency or reproductive performance. This science-led development allows us to build products with clear modes of action and differentiated outcomes. With proprietary active ingredients, our strategy is to build strong IP barriers .Farmers and institutional partners ultimately value predictable outcomes and that is where science-driven innovation creates long-term differentiation. Defensible Innovation and IP You’ve emphasized developing novel active ingredients from unconventional raw materials. How critical is intellectual property and defensible science in building long-term enterprise value in biologicals? In biologicals, defensible innovation is essential for building long-term enterprise value. Many products in the market rely on broadly available raw materials, which makes differentiation difficult. At BioPrime, we focus on identifying novel bioactive compounds from unconventional natural sources and translating them into functional agricultural solutions. Protecting these discoveries through Intellectual Property (IP)—combined with proprietary extraction and formulation processes creates a defensible moat. IP, however, is only one component. True defensibility comes from integrating scientific discovery, regulatory approval, manufacturing capability and field validation. When these elements come together, the result is a platform that can continuously generate differentiated product. Market Expansion Strategy With regulatory clearance in place, what is your immediate commercial roadmap? Are you prioritizing deeper domestic penetration, export markets, or strategic partnerships with larger agri-input companies? With regulatory approvals in place, BioPrime’s focus now is on scaling adoption through a combination of domestic expansion and strategic partnerships. India remains a key market for us, given the increasing farmer interest in biological solutions and the strong distribution networks of agri-input companies. At the same time, we are actively expanding collaborations with global agribusiness partners who are looking to incorporate biological technologies into their portfolios. BioPrime’s strategy is therefore two- fold: deepen penetration in key domestic crop segments while leveraging partnerships to accelerate global market access. Biologicals in the Era of Regenerative Agriculture As sustainability transitions from aspiration to operational necessity, where do you see biostimulants fitting within regenerative agriculture frameworks? Can biological inputs meaningfully reduce dependence on conventional agrochemicals at scale? Biostimulants play a critical role in enabling regenerative agriculture by improving plant resilience, nutrient use efficiency and soil health interactions. Rather than replacing conventional inputs entirely, biologicals can complement them by making nutrient delivery more efficient and helping plants withstand environmental stress. This integration reduces input intensity while maintaining productivity. As agriculture moves towards sustainability-driven models, biological solutions will increasingly become part of integrated crop management systems that combine nutrition, crop protection and soil regeneration. Farmer Economics and ROI In a market where farmer margins remain tight, how do you communicate measurable return on investment? What data points or field outcomes best demonstrate the economic case for adopting differentiated biostimulants? Ultimately, adoption is driven by economics. Farmers need to see clear and consistent return on investments. At BioPrime, we focus on outcomes that directly translate into economic value —improved crop vigour, higher flower-to-fruit conversion, better yield realizations and enhanced quality parameters.One often ignored aspect is reduction in crop/ yield loss due to climatic fluctuations. This is a tricky parameter as loss is always not apparent and visible. BioPrime’s field validations across multiple crops helps generate the data needed to demonstrate these benefits. Equally important is communicating these results in a simple and practical way through field demonstrations, institutional trials, and partnerships with agribusiness companies. When farmers see the impact in their own fields, adoption follows naturally. The Next Frontier Now that the regulatory foundation is secured, what is the next frontier for BioPrime —next-generation bioactives, carbon-linked agriculture solutions, precision biological delivery, or global expansion? With regulatory foundations now in place, BioPrime’s focus is on advancing the next generation of biological innovation. This includes discovering new bioactive molecules through our research platforms, exploring opportunities in areas such as climate resilience and carbon-linked agricultural solutions. We have a very strong pipeline in biocontrol segment and will soon we launching several Biofungicides. At a broader level, BioPrime has evolved from being just a product-focused company into a science platform for agricultural biologicals, capable of delivering differentiated solutions for farmers and partners across global markets. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3644/farming-desert-seas-how-technology-is-rewriting-future-of-aquaculture.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3644/farming-desert-seas-how-technology-is-rewriting-future-of-aquaculture.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:34:19 +0530 In an exclusive interaction with AgroSpectrum, Marcel Verbrugge, Aquaculture engineer, Dahui aquaculture limited outlines how desert aquaculture is emerging as a scalable solution for food security, water efficiency, and climate resilience As climate stress and resource scarcity redefine global food systems, aquaculture is rapidly breaking free from its coastal roots—moving into some of the world’s most extreme environments. Along the edges of the Taklamakan Desert, cutting-edge innovations in water chemistry, microbial engineering, and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are turning inhospitable terrain into high-efficiency seafood production hubs. This shift is gaining momentum in regions like Saudi Arabia, where food security imperatives and policy backing are accelerating investment in desert-based farming. What was once experimental is now emerging as a scalable, technology-driven blueprint for resilient, localized protein production. Against this backdrop, several companies are pushing the technological frontier—integrating RAS, artificial seawater systems, and climate-controlled infrastructure to unlock new production ecosystems. The model also aligns with broader shifts toward circular resource use, digital monitoring, and precision farming. This interview with Marcel Verbrugge explores how these innovations are converging, what it takes to scale them sustainably, and whether desert aquaculture could redefine the future of global food production in an era of climate stress and resource constraints. Transforming the fringes of the Taklamakan Desert into productive aquaculture farms represents a striking reimagining of landscape and resource use. What technological and ecological breakthroughs made it possible to cultivate fish and shrimp in such an extreme environment? The single most critical challenge—and indeed the defining breakthrough—has been water engineering: the ability to convert chemically hostile saline-alkali groundwater into a stable, biologically productive aquaculture medium. In regions such as the Taklamakan Desert, groundwater is not scarce, but it is inherently unsuitable for aquaculture due to high salinity and extreme alkalinity. The innovation lies in systematically transforming this constraint into a controlled aquatic ecosystem through a multi-stage process often described as “salt-alkali water seawater restoration.” The first stage is baseline utilization. Farmers tap into shallow aquifers—often just two meters below the surface—where naturally saline groundwater can reach salinity levels of up to 8 parts per thousand. While this salinity is lower than seawater, it provides a foundational mineral profile that can be engineered further, reducing the need to build water chemistry from scratch. The second stage involves precise chemical balancing. The native groundwater is typically highly alkaline, with pH levels ranging from 9.5 to as high as 11—far beyond the tolerance range of most aquatic species. Through a combination of desalination and dealkalization techniques—primarily by blending with freshwater and applying buffering agents—the water is carefully adjusted to a pH range of 7.5 to 8.5. This calibrated environment closely mimics marine conditions found in bodies such as the South China Sea, creating a chemically stable foundation for aquaculture. The most sophisticated layer of this transformation is microbial mimicry. Proprietary microbial consortia and beneficial bacterial communities are introduced not merely to purify the water, but to actively regulate and stabilize its biochemical dynamics. These microbes facilitate nutrient cycling, control ammonia and nitrite levels, and gradually establish a living, self-regulating system that behaves like a natural seawater ecosystem. This step is critical in enabling the successful cultivation of marine species such as shrimp and seabass in a completely artificial inland environment. Beyond water chemistry, controlled-environment infrastructure plays a complementary role. In countries like Saudi Arabia, desert aquaculture is increasingly integrated with greenhouse-based systems and hybrid water models that combine saline and freshwater inputs. These enclosed or semi-enclosed systems buffer extreme temperature fluctuations, reduce evaporation losses, and allow year-round production under tightly regulated conditions. Taken together, these breakthroughs—hydrochemical engineering, microbial ecosystem design, and climate-controlled infrastructure—represent a fundamental shift in how aquaculture environments are created. Rather than relying on naturally suitable ecosystems, producers are now able to design and replicate optimal aquatic conditions in some of the harshest landscapes on earth. Desert aquaculture relies on saline groundwater, engineered ponds, and tightly monitored production systems. From a sustainability perspective, how viable is this model over the long term, particularly with regard to water management, soil salinity, and ecosystem balance? Long-term sustainability in desert aquaculture hinges on how effectively operations transition from resource extraction to closed-loop, circular production systems. Given the fragility of arid ecosystems, the model’s viability is being defined by innovations that simultaneously address water efficiency, soil protection, and ecosystem balance. At the core is advanced water stewardship. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have fundamentally redefined water use efficiency, enabling up to 99 percent recycling within production units. This dramatically reduces dependence on freshwater inputs—an essential advantage in desert regions where water scarcity is the primary constraint. In parallel, Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture Systems (iAVs) extend this efficiency by channeling nutrient-rich aquaculture effluents into agriculture. Instead of being discharged as waste, this water is repurposed to irrigate salt-tolerant crops such as halophytes or fodder, effectively converting a liability into a productive input stream. Equally important is the management of soil salinity and environmental leakage. The use of lined ponds and engineered containment systems prevents seepage of saline water into surrounding soils, mitigating long-term land degradation risks. Increasingly, farms are adopting zero-discharge systems, where all process water is treated, recirculated, and reused within the facility. This not only minimizes ecological impact but also enhances regulatory compliance and operational predictability. The model is further strengthened through circular economy integration. Organic waste from aquaculture—such as sludge and residual biomass—is being processed through anaerobic digestion systems to generate biogas, which can partially offset the high energy demands of intensive aquaculture. This is particularly relevant in desert environments, where energy-water trade-offs are critical. Complementing this, the integration of solar power is emerging as a natural fit, leveraging abundant sunlight to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources and improve the overall carbon footprint of operations. Technological sophistication is another defining pillar. Modular RAS designs allow for scalable, compartmentalized production with minimal environmental interaction, reducing biosecurity risks and enabling precise control over farming conditions. On top of this, AI- and IoT-enabled monitoring systems are transforming operational management. Real-time data on water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, and feed efficiency allows for predictive interventions, optimizing both productivity and resource use while minimizing waste and system stress. Finally, the strategic use of brackish groundwater—often unsuitable for agriculture or human consumption—adds an important sustainability dimension. By utilizing this otherwise underutilized resource, desert aquaculture avoids competing with critical freshwater needs, reinforcing its role as a complementary, rather than extractive, food production system. Taken together, these innovations position desert aquaculture not merely as viable, but as a highly engineered, resource-efficient model capable of sustaining long-term production in some of the world’s most water-constrained environments. One of the arguments for inland aquaculture in desert regions is logistical efficiency—bringing seafood production closer to major inland markets. How significant are the economic advantages of reduced transport time and supply-chain costs compared with traditional coastal aquaculture? Inland aquaculture, particularly in desert regions, is increasingly being recognized not just as a technological breakthrough but as a structural shift in supply chain economics. By relocating production closer to consumption centers, the model fundamentally redefines how seafood moves from farm to fork, unlocking efficiencies that extend well beyond simple logistics. The most immediate advantage lies in reduced transport time and cost. Traditional seafood supply chains often depend on long-distance movement from coastal farms to inland consumption hubs, requiring cold-chain infrastructure, multiple handling points, and, in many cases, freezing to preserve shelf life. Inland aquaculture eliminates much of this complexity. Producers situated near major population centers can deliver fresh, never-frozen products within hours rather than days, significantly lowering freight costs while also capturing premium pricing in urban markets where freshness is a key differentiator. This compression of the supply chain also translates into a measurable reduction in carbon emissions. Long-haul transportation—whether by refrigerated trucks, air freight, or shipping—carries a substantial environmental footprint. By shortening these routes, inland systems reduce fuel consumption and emissions intensity per unit of output. In a global context where food systems are under increasing scrutiny for their climate impact, this becomes a strategic advantage, particularly for markets with tightening sustainability regulations. Equally important is the resilience dimension. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of globally dispersed food supply chains, where disruptions in logistics, port operations, or trade flows can quickly translate into shortages and price volatility. Inland aquaculture offers a more localized and decentralized production model, insulating regions from external shocks and enhancing food security. This localization also has multiplier effects for regional economies—supporting jobs, stimulating ancillary industries, and reducing dependence on imports. Beyond these core benefits, proximity to markets enables greater demand responsiveness. Producers can better align output with consumption patterns, reduce inventory losses, and adapt more quickly to shifts in consumer preferences. This agility is particularly valuable for high-value, perishable commodities like seafood, where timing and quality directly influence margins. Taken together, inland aquaculture is not merely about geographic relocation—it represents a reconfiguration of the seafood value chain, where efficiency, sustainability, and resilience converge to create a more robust and economically viable production model. China’s desert aquaculture experiments are often framed as a new agricultural frontier. Could this model realistically be replicated in other arid regions of the world, such as the Middle East, Central Asia, or parts of Africa, and what prerequisites would be essential for success? The shift toward desert aquaculture is no longer confined to experimental projects—it is actively expanding across regions, demonstrating that the model is both adaptable and scalable under very different economic and environmental conditions. What is emerging globally is not a single approach, but a spectrum of models ranging from high-tech industrial systems to community-driven solutions, all built on the same core principle: decoupling aquaculture from natural water bodies. In Saudi Arabia, aquaculture is being positioned as a strategic pillar of food security. While coastal net-pen farming continues along the Red Sea, the real acceleration is in land-based systems, particularly Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). These systems allow for controlled, year-round production in desert environments using minimal water. Private players, including startups such as Mustadem, are developing desert-optimized RAS facilities focused on high-value species like sobaity seabream. The objective is clear: reduce import dependence while building a stable, domestic supply of premium seafood tailored to local consumption patterns. The United Arab Emirates is taking a similarly ambitious but more capital-intensive route, emphasizing scale and technological sophistication. Large infrastructure projects—such as a planned 3,000-tonne-per-year RAS facility developed through partnerships between Abu Dhabi-based investment entities and international technology providers—highlight the country’s push toward self-sufficiency. By farming species like rainbow trout in fully controlled desert environments, the UAE is demonstrating how advanced aquaculture can overcome climatic limitations while ensuring consistent quality and output. In contrast, South Africa illustrates a different, equally important pathway. In the Kalahari Desert, initiatives led by INMED South Africa have focused on low-cost, community-based aquaponics systems. These integrated models combine fish farming with vegetable cultivation, dramatically improving resource efficiency—using up to 90 percent less water than traditional agriculture—while delivering tangible social impact. In some cases, vegetable production has increased by 300 percent, with systems becoming a primary source of fresh food for local schools and communities. This underscores that desert aquaculture is not exclusively a high-tech solution; it can also be a tool for grassroots food security and rural development. Bridging these different models are technology providers such as Dahui Aquaculture Limited, which are deploying modular, scalable RAS solutions across regions like Kuwait and the broader GCC. These systems integrate advanced water treatment, climate control, and biosecurity protocols, enabling consistent production even under extreme environmental conditions. Their modular design allows for phased expansion, reducing upfront risk while accelerating adoption in emerging markets. Whether through high-investment, technology-driven systems in the Gulf or community-oriented aquaponics in Africa, the underlying innovation—efficient water use, controlled environments, and system integration—remains constant. This flexibility is precisely what makes desert aquaculture a compelling solution for the future of food production in water-constrained regions. Beyond the novelty of farming seafood in the desert, what broader lessons does this experiment offer about the future of food production—particularly in a world facing climate stress, land degradation, and growing demand for protein? The deeper significance of desert aquaculture lies in its philosophical shift. It challenges the traditional assumption that food production must be tied to naturally fertile environments. Instead, it demonstrates that with the right combination of technology and ecological understanding, production can be decoupled from geography. This model embodies the future of food systems: resilient rather than vulnerable, circular rather than extractive, and precise rather than wasteful. It shows that degraded or extreme landscapes can be repurposed into productive ecosystems, reducing pressure on already stressed natural resources. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a scalable framework for addressing global protein demand without exacerbating deforestation, overfishing, or freshwater depletion. Saudi Arabia’s push toward Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) reflects a strategic response to water scarcity and food security challenges. How transformative is this technology for a desert nation seeking to produce more of its own protein domestically? For a desert nation like Saudi Arabia, the adoption of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) represents not just a technological upgrade, but a fundamental restructuring of how food can be produced under extreme resource constraints. It directly addresses the Kingdom’s two most binding limitations—acute water scarcity and harsh climatic conditions—while aligning closely with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance food security and reduce import dependence. Conventional aquaculture is inherently water-intensive and geographically dependent on coastal or freshwater ecosystems. RAS breaks both constraints. By operating as a closed-loop system, it continuously filters, treats, and recirculates water within the production unit, achieving recycling efficiencies of up to 99 percent. This dramatically reduces the need for freshwater withdrawals, making it possible to sustain high-density fish production even in the middle of arid desert landscapes. A critical advantage of RAS in the Saudi context is its ability to utilize non-potable water sources. Systems can be designed to operate on saline or brackish groundwater—resources that are otherwise unsuitable for agriculture or human consumption. This ensures that aquaculture does not compete with already limited freshwater supplies, preserving them for domestic and municipal use while still enabling large-scale protein production. Equally transformative is the level of environmental control these systems provide. Modern RAS facilities are typically housed in climate-controlled, prefab structures equipped with automated heating, cooling, and aeration systems. This allows producers to maintain optimal growth conditions regardless of external temperatures, which can fluctuate dramatically in desert environments. As a result, a wide range of species—from freshwater fish to marine species grown in artificial seawater—can be cultivated with high consistency and predictability. This controlled environment also significantly enhances biosecurity. By isolating production from external ecosystems, RAS minimizes exposure to pathogens, pollutants, and environmental variability. This leads to lower mortality rates, reduced reliance on antibiotics, and more stable production cycles—critical factors for building a reliable domestic aquaculture industry. Beyond production efficiency, the technology enables year-round, location-independent farming, effectively decoupling aquaculture from geography. This opens the door for distributed production models closer to consumption centers, further strengthening supply chains. In essence, RAS transforms aquaculture from a resource-dependent activity into a precision-controlled, infrastructure-driven system. For Saudi Arabia, this is not merely about producing fish—it is about building a resilient, self-sufficient protein ecosystem that can operate sustainably within one of the world’s most water-constrained environments. RAS systems can reduce water use by up to 99 percent compared with conventional aquaculture. From an economic and environmental standpoint, how sustainable is this model at scale, particularly in a region where water and energy costs are critical considerations? While Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are often described as near–closed-loop systems, the operational reality—particularly in desert climates—is more nuanced. Water efficiency remains exceptionally high, but not absolute, and understanding these dynamics is critical to assessing long-term economic and environmental sustainability. In arid regions such as Saudi Arabia, evaporation is the primary source of water loss. High ambient temperatures, combined with aeration and system circulation, typically result in daily water loss of around 5 percent. In addition, a further 2–3 percent of water is discharged through filtration processes—such as mechanical filters, protein skimmers, and sludge removal systems—which are essential to maintaining water quality and system stability. However, what distinguishes advanced RAS operations is how this “lost” water is managed. Rather than being treated as waste, discharge streams are increasingly captured, treated, and repurposed. Nutrient-rich effluent—containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter—can be reused for agricultural applications, including irrigation of date palms, fodder crops, or other desert-adapted agriculture. This creates a linked aquaculture-agriculture system, where outputs from one process become inputs for another, significantly improving overall resource efficiency. From an economic standpoint, these partial losses are offset by the system’s overall efficiency and the broader operating environment. In many Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, energy costs are relatively low compared to Europe, often supported by government subsidies or favorable industrial tariffs. This is particularly important because RAS systems are energy-intensive, requiring continuous pumping, filtration, aeration, and temperature control. Moreover, government support plays a pivotal role in enhancing viability. Subsidies, infrastructure investment, and policy backing under frameworks such as Saudi Vision 2030 reduce capital and operational barriers, accelerating adoption at scale. This supportive ecosystem allows producers to absorb higher energy usage while still maintaining competitive production costs. Importantly, ongoing integration of renewable energy—particularly solar—has the potential to further rebalance the water-energy equation. As these systems evolve, the combination of high water reuse, byproduct utilization, and improving energy efficiency is steadily strengthening the sustainability profile of RAS in desert environments. In essence, while RAS is not entirely lossless, it represents a highly optimized system where even inefficiencies are captured and repurposed, making it one of the most viable models for aquaculture in water-constrained regions. Saudi Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on food security and economic diversification. What role do you see advanced aquaculture playing in strengthening the Kingdom’s domestic food supply chains and reducing reliance on seafood imports? To build a more resilient and diversified food supply chain, Saudi Arabia is moving decisively beyond traditional aquaculture staples toward a broader, higher-value species portfolio. While tilapia continues to anchor domestic production—accounting for roughly a third of output—the strategic focus is now on expanding species diversity to enhance nutritional value, market competitiveness, and consumer preference alignment. A key dimension of this shift is the successful introduction of new, high-value species through advanced technologies like Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). One notable breakthrough has been the cultivation of trout in controlled desert environments—an achievement that would have been unthinkable under conventional aquaculture conditions. This not only expands the domestic availability of premium, omega-3-rich protein but also demonstrates the flexibility of RAS to support species traditionally limited to cooler climates. At the same time, there is a strong emphasis on cultivating native and regionally adapted species. Institutions such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are playing a pivotal role in developing breeding and hatchery programs for species like sobaity seabream, snubnose pompano, and orange-spotted grouper. These species are naturally suited to the Red Sea ecosystem and are highly valued in local markets, making them commercially viable while reducing biological risk. The impact of these efforts is already visible in production data. Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture sector has experienced rapid expansion, with output increasing by more than 55 percent in 2023 to exceed 140,000 tonnes. This growth trajectory is aligned with ambitious national targets to scale production to 600,000 tonnes annually by 2030—a transformation that would significantly rebalance the country’s seafood supply-demand equation. The implications for food security are substantial. By increasing domestic production capacity, the Kingdom can reduce its reliance on seafood imports—currently estimated at around 200,000 tonnes annually—while also stabilizing local markets against global price volatility and supply chain disruptions. This localization of production enhances not only availability but also price predictability and quality control. Crucially, this expansion is not being pursued at the expense of sustainability. The integration of advanced aquaculture technologies, combined with a focus on resource efficiency and environmental management, ensures that growth is aligned with long-term ecological constraints. Under the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030, aquaculture is evolving from a niche sector into a strategic pillar of national food security and economic diversification. In effect, Saudi Arabia is not just increasing output—it is reengineering its seafood value chain, building a system that is more diverse, technologically advanced, and resilient to external shocks. Looking ahead, could Saudi Arabia emerge as a global leader in desert-based aquaculture innovation? What lessons might other water-scarce regions learn from the Kingdom’s approach to combining sustainability, technology, and food production? Saudi Arabia is already positioning itself as a leader in this space. The combination of strong government backing, access to capital, and a clear strategic imperative has accelerated innovation and deployment at scale. Other water-scarce regions—including Oman, Qatar, and Iraq—are beginning to pivot away from traditional open-pond aquaculture toward recirculating systems, recognizing the limitations imposed by water scarcity. The key lesson is that sustainability and productivity are no longer mutually exclusive. By integrating advanced technology, policy support, and circular resource management, it is possible to build food systems that are both efficient and resilient. Desert aquaculture, once considered improbable, is fast becoming a blueprint for the future of food production in a resource-constrained world. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3639/humanitys-backup-plan-arctic-seed-deposits-safeguard-global-food-and-knowledge.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3639/humanitys-backup-plan-arctic-seed-deposits-safeguard-global-food-and-knowledge.html Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:59:33 +0530 Dr. Kent Nnadozie, Secretary, FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, calls the Svalbard and Arctic World Archive deposits a historic step for food security and international cooperation The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture marked a historic week with new deposits at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and the Arctic World Archive. For the first time, olive genetic resources were secured in Svalbard, with 5,000 seeds from 59 accessions deposited by the International Olive Council. The nearby Arctic World Archive now houses digital records, legal texts, and knowledge that underpin global stewardship of these resources. Storting representative Geir Pollestad has nominated the Seed Vault and key partners—including NordGen, Crop Trust, CGIAR, and the FAO—for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the link between food security and global peace. The milestones underscore the strategic importance of crop genetic diversity as global infrastructure, while emphasizing the need for long-term funding, equitable access, and cooperation in the face of climate challenges. This exclusive interview with Agrospectrum, explores the recent milestones achieved by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, including the dual deposits at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and the Arctic World Archive. It examines the strategic importance of crop genetic diversity as global infrastructure, the evolving role of commodity organizations in biodiversity governance, and the challenges of financing, cooperation, and digital sequence information in securing the world’s food systems. The discussion also looks ahead to the Treaty’s vision for 2035, focusing on strengthening political, operational, and financial frameworks to ensure resilience, equitable access, and the active use of plant genetic resources in a rapidly changing climate. The Dual Arctic Milestone The International Treaty has now secured both genetic material in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and institutional knowledge in the Arctic World Archive. How do you see this dual protection strategy reshaping the global architecture of food security and multilateral cooperation? This dual milestone reflects a fuller understanding of what resilience requires. Food security does not rest only on conserving seeds. It also depends on preserving the legal frameworks, institutional memory and shared knowledge that allow countries to cooperate in conserving and using those seeds over time. By securing crop diversity in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and preserving key records in the Arctic World Archive, we are protecting both the biological foundation of agriculture and the governance architecture that sustains it. One safeguards the material basis of adaptation. The other safeguards the continuity of cooperation. In an era of accelerating climate risk and geopolitical uncertainty, that matters greatly. It signals that resilience is not only about storing resources, but also about protecting the systems of trust, law and collaboration that make those resources available for the common good. A useful way to put it is this: seeds preserve options for the future, and institutions preserve our ability to act on them together. Crop Diversity as Strategic Infrastructure As climate volatility intensifies, should crop genetic diversity now be considered critical global infrastructure, on par with energy grids or digital networks? What policy shifts are needed to elevate it to that level? Yes, crop genetic diversity should increasingly be treated as strategic infrastructure. It is less visible than roads, power grids or digital cables, but it is just as foundational. Without genetic diversity, there is no durable pathway to crop adaptation, no sustained breeding progress, and no real resilience in food systems. Every time a breeder develops a variety that tolerates heat, drought, salinity or emerging pests, that progress depends on access to diverse genetic material. In that sense, crop diversity is not a peripheral environmental concern. It is core productive infrastructure for humanity. It is truly an existential issue. To elevate it to that level, several policy shifts are needed. First, conservation systems such as genebanks, community seed systems and in situ conservation efforts must be funded as long-term public infrastructure, not as short-cycle projects. Second, plant genetic resources need to be integrated more explicitly into national climate adaptation, food security and development planning. Third, international exchange systems must remain functional, predictable and trusted, because no country is self-sufficient in the diversity it will need. We would never leave an electricity grid to chance. We should not treat the biological infrastructure of food security any less seriously. From Conservation to Utilisation Safeguarding seeds is essential, but ensuring their active use is equally critical. How is the Treaty strengthening the link between conservation, farmer access and innovation pipelines, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions? That is exactly the right framing. Conservation is indispensable, but conservation alone is not enough. Diversity must be conserved in ways that keep it accessible, relevant and usable. The International Plant Treaty helps strengthen that link in several ways. Through the Multilateral System, it facilitates access to plant genetic resources for research, breeding and training. That is essential for moving diversity from storage into practical use. Through the Benefit-sharing Fund, it supports projects that connect farmers, local institutions, researchers and national systems in the conservation and sustainable use of crop diversity, often in regions facing high climatic stress. In climate-vulnerable regions, the key is to close the loop between conservation, selection, breeding and farmer use. We need systems in which local varieties and farmer knowledge inform research agendas, and where improved materials and information flow back to farming communities in forms they can use. Innovation should not be seen as something separate from farmers. Farmers are part of the innovation system. The real measure of conservation is not what sits on a shelf or in cold rooms, but what remains alive in farmers’ fields, gets used in breeding programmes and supports our food systems. The Olive Breakthrough The historic olive accession deposit in collaboration with the International Olive Council signals deeper institutional alignment. What does this milestone reveal about the evolving role of commodity bodies within global biodiversity governance? This is a very significant development. It shows that commodity bodies are not only sectoral actors concerned with production and markets. They can also be important stewards of genetic diversity and strategic partners in the broader governance of agrobiodiversity. The olive deposit demonstrates that commodity-specific institutions and multilateral biodiversity frameworks do not operate in separate universes. On the contrary, they can reinforce one another. Such bodies often bring technical expertise, sectoral legitimacy and close connections to producer communities. When those strengths are aligned with wider international frameworks such as the Treaty, the result can be more coherent and more effective conservation action. It also reflects an important evolution in thinking. Crop diversity is no longer seen only as the domain of genebanks or environmental institutions. It is increasingly recognized as a strategic asset for entire value chains and production systems. That creates new opportunities for collaboration. What this milestone shows is that biodiversity governance becomes stronger when specialized institutions see genetic diversity not as a side issue, but as part of their core mandate. Financing the Future of Diversity The Benefit-sharing Fund has supported smallholder-driven conservation in the Sahel, Guatemala and beyond. Is the current global financing model sufficient to sustain long-term crop diversity protection, or is a new funding paradigm required? The honest answer is that while current financing remains important, but it is not yet sufficient. There is no question that the Benefit-sharing Fund has demonstrated real value. It has supported practical, locally grounded work that strengthens conservation, supports farmers and reinforces resilience in vulnerable settings. But the scale of the challenge is growing faster than the scale of available finance. Crop diversity underpins global food security, climate adaptation and agricultural innovation. Yet financing for its conservation and sustainable use remains fragmented, often short-term and still below what is required. A stronger and more durable funding paradigm is needed, one that treats plant genetic resources as a global strategic asset worthy of sustained public and collective investment. That means broadening the funding base, increasing predictability, and making a stronger case to climate, biodiversity and development finance communities that crop diversity is not a niche concern. It is an enabling condition for long-term resilience. Geopolitics and Seed Sovereignty In an era of rising geopolitical fragmentation, how resilient is the Treaty’s Multilateral System? Are nations strengthening cooperation around plant genetic resources, or becoming more protective? Both dynamics are present, and that is precisely why the Multilateral System matters. There is clearly a stronger language of sovereignty in many policy arenas, including around genetic resources and data. Countries want assurance that their resources will not simply flow outward without fairness, recognition or benefit-sharing. That concern is understandable. At the same time, the reality is that no country can secure its food future in isolation. Agriculture everywhere depends on crops and traits that have travelled across borders over centuries. Climate change is making that interdependence even more pronounced. So while there may be greater caution and greater political sensitivity, there is also a growing recognition that cooperation is not optional. The resilience of the Multilateral System lies in the fact that it offers a rules-based way to manage this interdependence. It does not erase sovereignty. It operationalizes cooperation within an agreed framework. The challenge now is to ensure that the system remains credible, balanced and sufficiently responsive to contemporary expectations of fairness. Seed sovereignty and international cooperation should not be framed as opposites. In practice, durable sovereignty increasingly depends on effective cooperation. Digital Sequence Information (DSI) The debate around digital genetic data is intensifying globally. How is the Treaty positioning itself to ensure equitable access and benefit-sharing in a world where crop genomes can be transmitted digitally across borders? This is one of the most important governance questions now facing the international system. Scientific and technological change has made it possible to derive value from genetic resources through digital information flows that do not always involve physical transfer of material in the traditional sense. That creates clear opportunities for research and innovation, but it also raises legitimate concerns about equity, benefit-sharing and the future integrity of existing multilateral arrangements. The Treaty has to engage this issue with seriousness and pragmatism. The objective should not be to impede science. It should be to ensure that scientific progress remains anchored in fairness, trust and international cooperation. If the governance system does not adapt, there is a risk that confidence in multilateral exchange arrangements will erode. Positioning the Treaty well in this area means contributing constructively to international discussions, clarifying how digital developments affect access and benefit-sharing, and exploring approaches that preserve both openness in research and equity in outcomes. The central principle must remain that the benefits arising from the use of plant genetic resources, whether physical or digital, should support the collective system that makes innovation possible in the first place. The question is not whether science will move into the digital domain. It already has. The question is whether governance will evolve quickly enough to keep cooperation fair and credible. The Next Decade: A Strategic Vision Looking ahead to 2035, what structural reforms or innovations must occur within the International Treaty framework to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a hotter, more uncertain world? By 2035, the Treaty will need to be stronger in three respects: politically, operationally and financially. Politically, it will need to maintain broad confidence that multilateral cooperation on plant genetic resources remains fair, relevant and responsive to present-day realities, including new technologies and heightened concern about equity. Operationally, it will need stronger links between conservation, use, farmer engagement, data systems and innovation pathways, so that the system is not only preserving diversity but actively mobilizing it for resilience. Financially, it will need a more robust and predictable support base for benefit-sharing, capacity development and long-term conservation. There is also a deeper strategic shift required. Crop diversity can no longer be treated as a specialized issue sitting at the margins of agriculture policy. It has to be recognized as central to climate adaptation, food security, nutrition, resilience and peace. The Treaty is well placed to help make that case, but it must continue to evolve institutionally and programmatically to match the scale of the challenge. The Treaty must remain not only a guardian of inherited diversity, but a platform for future resilience. That is the task for the coming decade. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3638/only-35-of-worlds-land-has-documented-ownership-growing-global-concern.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3638/only-35-of-worlds-land-has-documented-ownership-growing-global-concern.html Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:18:02 +0530 Dr Ward Anseeuw, Senior Land Tenure Officer, FAO shares insights with AgroSpectrum on land tenure insecurity, inequality in land distribution, and the need for stronger governance reforms. A new global report on land tenure and governance has highlighted slow progress in securing land rights worldwide, revealing that only about 35 percent of the world’s land has formally documented ownership. The findings underscore growing concerns over land tenure insecurity, with nearly 1.1 billion people fearing they could lose their land or housing within the next five years, posing risks to food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience. In this context, AgroSpectrum conducted an exclusive interview with Dr Ward Anseeuw, Senior Land Tenure Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In the interview, Dr Anseeuw discusses the key findings of the report, including stark inequalities in land ownership, the challenges surrounding customary land rights, and the implications for sustainable agriculture and rural development. He also outlines the urgent need for stronger political commitment, inclusive land governance frameworks, and improved documentation systems to enhance tenure security globally. The Big Picture Only 35 percent of the world’s land is formally documented. After two decades of global policy frameworks, why has progress on tenure security remained so structurally slow? Progress on strengthening tenure security has remained structurally slow since many legal systems still fail to recognize the legitimacy of existing practices, particularly the ownership and management rights of customary and Indigenous communities who, in reality, govern large territories. Where formalization is possible, the high cost and complexity of surveying, registration, and documentation create significant barriers, especially since most systems were never designed to accommodate overlapping or collective rights at scale. At the same time, limited baseline data and incomplete records generate overlapping claims, such as customary use versus statutory ownership or unclear boundaries, which in turn fuel disputes and make it even harder to build reliable, trusted land information systems. Rising InsecurityThe report finds that 1.1 billion people fear losing their land within five years — a figure that is rising. What structural forces are driving this acceleration of land insecurity now? The report finds that roughly 1.1 billion adults, around one in four, fear they could lose rights to some or all of their land or housing within five years, a share that has risen in since 2020. This acceleration is driven by a convergence of structural pressures on land, particularly where rights remain undocumented or legally ambiguous. Intensifying competition from mainstream development, including rapid urban expansion, as well as large-scale industrial agriculture and extractive industries, generate heightened conflict risks and displacement. An additional layer of pressure comes in recent years from the paradoxical “green squeeze,” where climate‑oriented initiatives such as renewable energy installations, biofuel production, conservation programs, and carbon offset project can end up harming areas with existing tenure practices that lack formal protections. All of this unfolds in the broader context of weak tenure documentation globally: with only 35 percent of global land formally recorded and many customary systems remaining in legal limbo, communities face heightened vulnerability precisely when land values and external demand are surging. Climate & Carbon StakesWith Indigenous and customary lands holding an estimated 45 gigatons of irrecoverable carbon, how does insecure tenure undermine global climate commitments, including net-zero pledges? Mapped customary territories hold an estimated 45 gigatons of irrecoverable carbon, which is approximately 37 percent of the global total, and insecure tenure within these communities places these critical carbon reserves at heightened risk. Without recognized and enforceable rights, communities are more vulnerable to pressures that drive deforestation and ecosystem conversion, threatening carbon stocks that cannot be restored on climate‑relevant timescales. The report highlights that Indigenous Peoples, and other customary rights‑holders, occupy roughly 42 percent of the world’s land area but have legally recognized ownership over only about 8 percent, leaving vast high‑carbon landscapes in a state of legal uncertainty. This weakens long‑term stewardship and exposes forests to degradation, undermining the durability required for credible climate action. It also compromises the integrity of net‑zero strategies: land‑based mitigation, offsets, and carbon removal initiatives depend on secure, stable tenure. Without that, the risks of reversals, project failure, and conflict rise, directly jeopardizing the credibility and permanence of national and corporate climate commitments. Inequality & ConcentrationThe top 10 percent of landholders operate 89 percent of agricultural land. Does this concentration represent a productivity reality — or a governance failure? Land concentration can be an outcome of structural transformation in countries where productivity growth led by technological modernization displaces less efficient farms and increases farm sizes while non-farm employment generation absorbs agricultural labor surplus. However, the report notes that “ Evidence shows that having sufficient and equitable access to agricultural land is one of the determinants in achieving poverty reduction and food and nutrition security. Furthermore, equitable agrarian structures support the capital accumulation needed for inclusive growth and structural transformation, particularly at low levels of development and in the long term”. It notes that “Current patterns of structural change show the growth of low-income and informal jobs in the service sector, alongside deindustrialization or insufficient industrialization. The persistence of rural poverty at the lower end of the farm size distribution, when combined with the patterns above, calls  attention to the role of expanded access to land. In countries with both private and public land availability, a range of policy measures, including redistributive approaches where contextually appropriate, remain possible options to reduce rural poverty, enhance food security, mitigate social and political tensions and revitalize rural economies. Where redistribution is not on the agenda due to land scarcity or political sensitivities, other policies, including rent and tenancy control, as well as regulations against land concentration, can be deployed. Customary Systems vs. State ControlIn regions like sub-Saharan Africa, most land is under customary tenure but remains legally undocumented. What political and institutional barriers prevent formal recognition? In sub‑Saharan Africa, while roughly 73 percent of land is held under customary tenure, only about 1 percent is formally recognized and documented, leaving most customary areas with more limited designated use rights, often with documentation, or simply unrecognized by governments and classified as state land. This structural imbalance reflects deep political and institutional barriers. Not all countries legally recognize the longstanding and widely prevalent customary tenure practices, leading to a complete incongruence between customary and statutory systems that does not recognize the reality on the ground. Even where policy commitments exist, translation into practice remains slow, constrained by weak implementation capacity, fragmented institutional mandates, and limited incentives for coordination. These challenges are compounded by the rising economic and political stakes of land, driven by infrastructure expansion, agribusiness, extractive projects, and emerging climate‑related investments, which may make institutions reluctant to pursue reforms that reduce control over valuable land assets. Gender & Generational GapsThe gender gap in land rights exceeds 20 percentage points in nearly half of reporting countries. What policy levers have proven effective in closing this divide — and why are they not scaling faster? The report reveals that in nearly all 49 countries with data on SDG 5.a.1, men are more likely than women to own or hold secure rights to agricultural land, with gender gaps of more than 20 percentage points in almost half of reporting countries. Evidence from long‑standing tenure governance practice points to a set of effective policy levers: joint titling and spousal co‑ownership defaults, strengthened inheritance laws and enforcement, gender‑responsive land administration systems that ensure women’s names appear on documents, low‑cost registration and legal aid, as well as quotas that guarantee women’s representation in local land governance and dispute resolution bodies. Robust gender‑disaggregated data and monitoring also create political incentives for action. Yet despite their demonstrated effectiveness, these approaches remain underutilized. In practice, such reforms can challenge entrenched household and institutional power structures, while many land administration systems remain ill‑equipped to deliver accessible, gender‑responsive services at scale. A significant factor behind weak legal protection is that women’s land rights are deeply interconnected with longstanding religious beliefs, cultural practices, and social norms. Changing such beliefs, practices, and norms is difficult. Together with gender, these intersectional factors shape how land tenure insecurity is experienced. In particular, young women, women from Indigenous Peoples, and other groups living in conditions of marginalization, often face overlapping and mutually reinforcing barriers. However, data on these intersections remain sparse, highlighting a critical area for future research and policy attention. Climate Finance & Land RushThe report suggests that net-zero strategies could require up to 1.2 billion hectares for land-based carbon removal. How do we prevent climate finance from triggering a new wave of land dispossession? The report warns that achieving global net‑zero targets could require land‑based carbon removals on nearly 1.2 billion hectares, raising serious risks of large‑scale land capture. It also notes that environmental and climate concerns are already driving new land acquisitions, including those backed by institutional investors such as pension funds. Preventing dispossession under expanding climate finance requires safeguards commensurate with these risks. First,  climate‑related investments should not proceed without rigorous tenure due diligence showing that rights, especially customary and collective rights, are legally recognized, documented, and supported by accessible grievance mechanisms. Second, more broadly at country level, legal recognition of customary lands must be prioritized before scaling offsets or carbon‑removal projects, since pressures intensify precisely where rights lack formal protection. Finally, climate strategies should favor interventions that do not require dispossession or consolidation of land, such as restoring degraded areas under community stewardship, and ensure that any project with a land footprint is grounded in benefit‑sharing, free, prior and informed consent, and inclusive governance. Accountability & SDGsOnly 12 countries report comprehensively on land-related SDG indicators. Should land tenure security become a more enforceable metric within global development financing frameworks? Given that secure tenure is intrinsically linked with food security, climate action, and biodiversity protection, a strong case can be made that tenure security should be treated as a more enforceable performance condition in development financing, especially where finance is directly land-linked (agriculture transformation, nature-based climate, conservation, infrastructure).  We already do see more emphasis on tenure security in other global frameworks such as the UNCCD and CBD, and aspects of secure tenure rights, such as Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) being embedded in the standards for projects financed by the GEF and GCF. In FAO projects, environmental and social safeguards increasingly require tenure-risk screening a necessity, so progress is being made on that front, although more enforceable requirements in the future could further facilitate accountability. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3623/new-global-standard-for-farm-data-inside-faos-wca-2030-programme.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3623/new-global-standard-for-farm-data-inside-faos-wca-2030-programme.html Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:15:25 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Jairo Castano of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations explains how the World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2030 will modernize agricultural censuses, strengthen data-driven policymaking, and support progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Jairo Castano, Senior Statistician and Leader of the Agricultural Censuses Team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), discusses the global significance of the newly endorsed World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2030 (WCA 2030) guidelines. Endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission, the programme establishes a new international statistical standard aimed at strengthening agricultural data governance and supporting evidence-based policymaking worldwide. Castano highlights how emerging technologies such as geospatial tools, online data systems, and artificial intelligence will transform the way agricultural census data is collected, validated, and used. He also explains how FAO is supporting countries—particularly developing economies—in building capacity to implement the programme while ensuring data quality and global comparability. Looking ahead, Castano emphasizes that WCA 2030 will play a crucial role in tracking agricultural transformation and monitoring progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The WCA 2030 guidelines have now been endorsed as an international statistical standard. What strategic shift does this represent for global agricultural data governance and policymaking over the next decade? The UNSC’s endorsement of the WCA 2030 guidelines as an international statistical standard marks a strategic shift from agriculture being treated as a sectoral data domain to being governed as a core component of the global statistical system, with agreed norms on concepts, methods, and comparability. It signals a move toward integrated, policy‑driven data governance in which agricultural censuses are embedded within national statistical systems, and explicitly linked to benchmarking, accountability, and evidence‑based policymaking. Over the next decade (2026–2035), this positions structural agricultural data as a global public good, strengthening FAO’s stewardship role and enabling more coherent national and international decisions on food security, rural development, and agricultural transformation. The new programme emphasizes innovative technologies such as geospatial tools, online data collection, and artificial intelligence. How will these technologies transform the way agricultural census data is collected, validated, and utilized? By promoting the use of geospatial tools, online data collection, and artificial intelligence, WCA 2030 shifts agricultural censuses from slow, paper‑based operations to more timely, spatially explicit, and data‑integrated systems. Georeferencing and Earth observation improve coverage and consistency checks, online and mobile tools accelerate data capture and reduce respondent burden, and AI‑supported processes strengthen training, data validation, editing, and linkage with administrative and survey data. Together, these technologies enable faster production of higher‑quality, interoperable census data that can be more easily reused for policy analysis, monitoring, and targeting, rather than remaining static decennial snapshots. Many developing countries face capacity and infrastructure constraints when conducting large-scale agricultural censuses. How is FAO supporting Member countries to implement WCA 2030 effectively while ensuring data quality and comparability? FAO is supporting Member countries to implement WCA 2030 by combining normative guidance with hands‑on capacity development, tailored to different national contexts. This includes disseminating harmonized methodological guidelines, providing country‑level technical assistance for census planning and implementation, and organizing regional and national training workshops to strengthen skills in modern census methods, quality assurance, and the use of innovative technologies. By anchoring support in internationally agreed standards while allowing flexible adaptation to country capacities, FAO helps reduce implementation costs, improve data quality, and ensure that census results remain internationally comparable and policy‑relevant. The guidelines highlight the growing role of women farmers, aquaculture activities, and diversified farming systems. How will WCA 2030 help governments better capture these emerging dynamics in agriculture? WCA 2030 helps governments capture these emerging agricultural dynamics by updating concepts, definitions, and census content to better reflect the realities of modern farming systems. The guidelines strengthen the measurement of women’s roles by reinforcing the identification of agricultural holders and managers, enable the systematic inclusion or combination of aquaculture and forestry activities with agricultural censuses, and recognize increasingly diversified and mixed production systems within a single holding. By embedding these elements within internationally agreed standards and modular census designs, WCA 2030 allows countries to produce more nuanced, comparable structural data that reveal who farms, what activities are combined, and how agriculture is evolving beyond traditional crop‑based models. Agricultural census data increasingly underpins national strategies on food security, climate adaptation, and rural development. How can WCA 2030 strengthen evidence-based policymaking in these areas? WCA 2030 strengthens evidence‑based policymaking by providing high‑quality, internationally comparable structural data that serve as a stable foundation for food security, climate adaptation, and rural development strategies. By standardizing information on farm structures, land use, production systems, and labour, and by integrating agricultural censuses within national statistical systems, WCA 2030 enables governments to better target vulnerable areas and populations, design climate‑resilient interventions, and monitor structural change over time. The use of census data as a frame for follow‑up surveys further allows countries to link long‑term structural trends with faster‑changing policy variables, improving the coherence and credibility of policy decisions. With the introduction of anonymized microdata and interactive data dissemination tools, how does FAO envision expanding access to agricultural data for researchers, agribusinesses, and investors? Under WCA 2030, FAO envisages expanding access to agricultural data by promoting safe access to anonymized census microdata alongside modern, interactive dissemination tools that go beyond traditional tabulations. By encouraging countries to release anonymized microdata and by disseminating standardized structural census data through platforms such as FAOSTAT and microdata catalogues, FAO enables researchers, agribusinesses, and investors to conduct deeper, customized analyses while safeguarding confidentiality. Interactive web‑based tables, maps, and visualization tools further lower access barriers, allowing a wider range of users to explore agricultural structures, identify investment opportunities, and support innovation‑driven decision‑making based on official, high‑quality data. The WCA 2030 outlines 27 essential data items for all countries. How were these core indicators selected, and how do they reflect the evolving priorities of modern agriculture and food systems? The 27 essential data items in WCA 2030 were selected through extensive review of country experiences, expert consultations, and global user needs to define a minimum, universally relevant core dataset that all countries can collect through complete enumeration. These indicators focus on the fundamental structural characteristics of agricultural holdings—such as land, production activities, labour, and management—ensuring international comparability while remaining operationally feasible. At the same time, their composition reflects evolving priorities of modern agriculture by strengthening attention to gender roles, diversified production systems, and the integration of agriculture with forestry and aquaculture, positioning the census as a foundation for understanding structural transformation in contemporary food systems. Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, what role do you see agricultural census data playing in tracking progress toward global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals and climate targets? Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, agricultural census data under WCA 2030 will serve as a structural backbone for tracking progress toward the SDGs and climate commitments by providing consistent, comparable baselines on farm structures, land use, labour, and production systems. The census of agriculture supports the statistical system that monitors agricultural-related SDGs and provides the sampling frame for the agricultural survey programme and a benchmark for the national agricultural statistical system. Altogether allow countries to identify who is at risk of being left behind, monitor long‑term structural change relevant to food security and rural livelihoods, and anchor climate‑related indicators—such as exposure, adaptive capacity, and land management—within national statistical systems. By linking decennial census benchmarks with inter‑censal surveys and other data sources, WCA 2030 enables more credible monitoring of transformation pathways rather than one‑off reporting against global targets. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3622/digitizing-farm-balance-sheet-rwas-and-future-of-agri-finance.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3622/digitizing-farm-balance-sheet-rwas-and-future-of-agri-finance.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:18:57 +0530 In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Dimitra Founder & CEO Jon Trask explains why tokenized real-world assets, blockchain-backed MRV and carbon markets could reshape global agricultural finance Jon Trask discusses how tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are transitioning from speculative blockchain experiments into institutional-grade financial infrastructure for agriculture. Drawing from Dimitra’s work across emerging markets and its collaboration with MANTRA, Trask highlights how verified farm data, MRV frameworks, and blockchain technology can convert agricultural production, carbon credits, and supply-chain outputs into investable digital assets. He explains that tokenization can address agriculture’s historic paradox of being asset-rich but liquidity-poor, enabling farmers and cooperatives to access new capital pools while improving transparency for investors. The interview also explores the operational realities of scaling agricultural RWAs—from satellite monitoring and IoT-driven data validation to governance structures required for institutional compliance. Looking ahead, Trask argues that tokenized agriculture will likely become part of the core financial infrastructure of global food systems, enabling climate-aligned capital and more efficient, data-driven agricultural markets. At Consensus Hong Kong, industry heavyweights signaled that tokenized real-world assets have crossed from speculation into structural utility. From your vantage point in agriculture, what evidence convinces you that RWAs are entering a long-term institutional cycle rather than a hype-driven one?  The clearest signal we see is the replacement of speculative interest with structural pressure, but in agriculture that pressure is now tied to a very specific outcome: turning physical production into an investable, financeable digital asset. Traceability and MRV can exist without an RWA, but an RWA becomes the bridge between “proof” and “capital” by packaging verified production, performance, and delivery rights into a standardized instrument that institutions can underwrite. Tokenized agricultural RWAs backed by verifiable data help in three concrete ways. First, they make financing underwritable: when the asset is linked to auditable farm and supply-chain records, investors can price risk and deploy capital against real collateral or forward flows (inventory, receivables, offtake agreements), rather than relying on informal guarantees. Second, they improve enforceability and transparency: the same data that supports traceability becomes the evidence layer for covenants, performance triggers, and monitoring, reducing fraud risk and transaction costs for lenders and development finance. Third, they broaden access: producers and cooperatives can use standardized, data-backed RWAs to reach new pools of capital like institutions, development banks, and corporates seeking measurable climate and supply-chain outcomes, without requiring each financier to rebuild due diligence from scratch. Conversations in this space have also shifted. Now, instead of focusing solely on token mechanics, investors want to know about MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) standards, risk frameworks, legal enforceability, and alignment with emerging carbon and sustainability regulations, because those are the prerequisites for financing at scale. This shift tells us the market is maturing: less about short-term trading incentives, and more about building the infrastructure that converts verified agricultural activity into long-term institutional-grade investment products. Agriculture has always been asset-rich but liquidity-poor. How does bringing farmland, inputs, harvests, and carbon credits on-chain fundamentally alter capital formation for producers—especially in emerging markets?  Agriculture has historically been asset-rich but liquidity-poor because the real economic value of land, inputs, outputs, and ecosystem services is difficult to quantify, verify, and transact, especially for smallholder farmers operating under strained and unpredictable conditions. By bringing agricultural assets on-chain, we can capture, verify, and mobilize that value in ways traditional systems have struggled to do, particularly for farmers. When farmland, inputs, harvests, and carbon credits are recorded on-chain, they become trusted and verifiable digital assets that can be tokenized, used as collateral, traded, or tied to performance-based financing. This on-chain asset representation enables farmers to monetize not only what they grow, but how they grow it, unlocking new pathways to climate finance and scalable capital formation. This is particularly true in emerging markets, where producers often lack formal credit histories.  It also moves agriculture beyond a financing model tied only to yield and land value. For instance, carbon credits become liquid climate assets. This, in itself, allows producers to diversify their financing. So, while investors are presented with the opportunity to fund climate-positive agriculture, producers are rewarded for adopting sustainable practices that generate verified, tradeable value. Your partnership with MANTRA aimed to verify carbon credits and tokenize agricultural assets across South America. What did that initiative reveal about institutional appetite for on-chain agricultural RWAs—and the operational hurdles of executing at regional scale?  The partnership with MANTRA revealed that institutional appetite for on-chain agricultural RWAs is real, but highly conditional—and it is becoming more real as projects move from pilots into execution. Investors engage when assets are backed by verifiable data, clear governance, and measurable outcomes, particularly around carbon integrity and sustainability metrics. The conversation is no longer about tokenization as a concept; it is about whether the underlying infrastructure and the legal/financial structure are credible enough to support real-world adoption at scale. It also made clear that, beyond technology, we must offer an opportunity where investors are willing to assume the risk in a way that fits their mandate. In practice, that means structuring investable products with clear risk allocation, enforceable rights, and monitoring-based controls, often combining traceability, MRV, and real cash-flow or collateral mechanisms. This takes time, and institutions typically require iteration on the structure, documentation, and governance as the project advances, and adjustments are often needed along the process as field realities, regulatory requirements, and data maturity become clearer. Executing at regional scale highlighted how operationally complex agriculture still is. Across South America, producers operate under different regulatory environments, data standards, and levels of digital maturity. Verifying carbon credits or tokenizing agricultural assets requires strong MRV frameworks, consistent data collection methodologies, and ground-level partnerships. Technology is only one part of the equation; alignment between farmers, cooperatives, regulators, and other stakeholders, plus the patience to refine the structure over time, is what turns on-chain RWAs into scalable, institutional-grade deployments. Tokenization promises transparency and efficiency—but agriculture is fragmented and analog. What infrastructure layers (data validation, satellite monitoring, IoT, local governance) are essential before RWAs in farming can meet institutional compliance standards?  The crucial piece of this puzzle precedes tokenization. Before real-world agricultural assets can meet institutional compliance standards, the underlying data infrastructure must be robust, verifiable, and transparent. Without reliable ground-truth data, on-chain representation can not withstand institutional scrutiny. The next critical layer is multi-source validation. Satellite monitoring provides independent verification of land use, crop health, and deforestation risk. IoT devices and mobile agronomic tools contribute real-time insights into inputs, yields, and environmental performance. These data streams must be cross-referenced and time-stamped to create an auditable trail. Institutions require defensible MRV frameworks, meaning data must be consistent, tamper-evident, and aligned with emerging regulatory standards for carbon, sustainability, and supply chain traceability.  Finally, local governance and regulatory compliance are essential. Institutional adoption depends not only on technical integrity but also on legal certainty and local stakeholder alignment. With these three factors in place, agricultural RWAs become credible digital representations of real-world activity that can meet compliance expectations and operate at scale. Carbon markets have faced credibility challenges. How does blockchain-based verification improve integrity, and can tokenized agricultural carbon credits realistically meet the scrutiny of global regulators and institutional buyers?  Blockchain-based verification improves integrity by ensuring that once key events and evidence are recorded, they cannot be altered retroactively. That immutability is essential, but on its own it does not solve the credibility problem. The real integrity comes from robust MRV made up of sound methodologies, high-quality field data, third-party auditability, and consistent monitoring. In that context, blockchain is the final credibility layer: it anchors MRV evidence, custody, and credit lifecycle events in a tamper-resistant record, reducing disputes and making reviews faster and more defensible. At Dimitra, we build on that foundation by combining blockchain with AI, IoT, and satellite-based MRV systems so data is captured and validated as close to the source as possible and then permanently attested on-chain. This creates field-level traceability and a practical verification trail that allows institutional buyers and regulators to interrogate the methodology, monitoring outputs, audit logs, issuance, transfers, and retirement records without relying on opaque, manually curated files.  Tokenized agricultural carbon credits can meet global scrutiny, but only when they are issued under recognized standards, backed by rigorous MRV and governance, and structured to support independent auditing and regulatory reporting. In other words, blockchain is not the goal. It is the mechanism that makes strong MRV harder to tamper with and easier to trust at scale. Institutional investors are now seeking yield tied to real economic activity. How does agricultural RWA tokenization compare—on risk, volatility, and return profile—to traditional agri-finance instruments?  For investors, agriculture has always offered yield anchored in productive, real-world activity. However, traditional agri-finance instruments have historically relied on fragmented reporting, periodic audits, and opaque risk assessment. In comparison, Tokenized RWAs, when built on verified field data, satellite monitoring, and blockchain technology, allow risk to be measured continuously. While this doesn’t mitigate the risks inherent to agricultural output (i.e., weather, disease, geopolitical tension), it facilitates greater transparency, which can reduce fraud risk and enable more dynamic risk pricing. Especially in emerging markets, where perceived risk is often inflated due to limited data, structured digital verification can narrow the risk premium and create more accurate return expectations. Ultimately, tokenization connects stakeholders more directly to real agricultural performance, improving visibility into how value is created and how risk is mitigated over time. Smallholder inclusion remains a central narrative. How do you ensure that tokenization empowers farmers with cheaper capital and better market access—rather than concentrating value among platforms and global investors?  Smallholder inclusion is not a narrative at Dimitra; it’s fundamental to our architecture, and one of the hardest parts is simply reaching farmers and sustaining participation at scale. That’s why we don’t try to “onboard farmers” in isolation. We structure projects through cooperatives, NGOs, and local organizations that farmers already trust and interact with, because those partners are essential for field operations, adoption, training, and ongoing data quality. Our approach is designed to make the value farmers already create visible, verifiable, and measurable. It starts with farmer-owned data captured at the field level and transparent value attribution, so any tokenized asset, whether tied to harvests, receivables, or carbon outcomes, originates from and is traceable to the producer, with clear rules on how value is shared. Tokenization only makes sense if it is linked to real benefits, like cheaper capital through underwritable evidence and risk reduction, and better market access by enabling compliance and buyer-ready traceability. By creating verifiable digital records at the farm level, we give farmers a structured way to document how they operate and what they produce, which lowers due diligence costs for lenders and buyers and reduces the information asymmetry that drives high financing costs. We also design governance and distribution so value doesn’t concentrate at the platform level through transparent fee structures, farmer-level attribution, and mechanisms that scale farmer upside as participation grows. The goal is a system where capital and market premiums flow back to farmers because their data and outcomes make the asset investable, not a system where tokenization becomes an extractive layer on top of their work. Regulatory clarity around digital assets is still evolving. What jurisdictions are best positioned to lead in agricultural RWAs, and how critical is harmonized global policy for scaling cross-border tokenized commodity markets?  In order to achieve impactful adoption and scale effectively, we believe in evaluating each jurisdiction on an individual basis. This means taking the social, legal, political, geographical, and cultural context of each individual jurisdiction into careful, specific consideration, as opposed to broadly cross-comparing landscapes.  While we also appreciate that full global harmonization of policy would accelerate adoption, we are not naive to the fact that the probability of this in the short term is low and will probably take many years to achieve. In the interim, we must accept the current reality with patience and work within the confines of each country’s legislative and regulatory boundaries. Looking ahead five to ten years, do you see tokenized agriculture becoming core infrastructure for global food systems finance —or a parallel alternative market serving climate-aligned capital pools?   I believe that tokenized agriculture will become part of the core infrastructure rather than a parallel alternative market. Agricultural systems are already moving towards greater transparency, traceability, and data-driven compliance. Tokenization is a practical way to make those systems more interoperable and verifiable. It won’t replace existing markets overnight, but it will increasingly sit alongside them as a digital layer that improves how agricultural activity is recorded, verified, and exchanged across global supply chains. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3621/safety-science-behind-cultivated-meat.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3621/safety-science-behind-cultivated-meat.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:44:03 +0530 Dr. William Chen discusses NAMs, AI, and the future of risk assessment for cell-based foods With cultivated meat emerging as one of the most promising innovations in alternative proteins, regulators and scientists worldwide are working to establish robust safety frameworks for these novel foods. Unlike conventional meat, cultivated meat is produced through cell culture and advanced bioprocessing technologies, raising new questions around safety assessment, regulatory oversight, and long-term consumer exposure. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Dr. William Chen, Michael Fam Endowed Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, explains that existing regulatory systems largely focus on hazard identification within production processes, but may not fully capture the complexities of cell-based foods. He advocates for the adoption of food-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)—combined with AI-driven predictive toxicology and systems biology—to enable more comprehensive risk assessment while supporting innovation and global regulatory harmonization. Cultivated meat challenges decades of conventional food safety doctrine. Are existing risk assessment frameworks fundamentally fit for purpose—or do they require a regulatory reset built specifically for cell-based systems? The main challenge for cultivated meat industry is to scale up. The scale up is not just about producing more animal cells (these are not muscle cells like in the meat) in the bioreactor, but to produce large amount of differentiated muscle cells that function like meat. Current application dossier for regulatory approval generally focuses more on the production system (bioreactor), including contaminations in culture medium from the environment (microbes) or new components from replacement of animal serum by various substances. My sense is that this is important but it remains as providing a list of potential hazards without any proper risk assessment (importantly: Hazard May Not Be Risk). The listing of the potential hazards is currently followed by searching what has been known about their risk profile from the existing publications, rather than assessing their risk by proper technology (see NAMs in the later part of my comments). More attention should be placed in the safety assessment of differentiated muscle cells, starting with the emerging New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). This is an animal-free in vitro testing system developed for risk assessment of cosmetics and environment pollutants. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are gaining traction in pharmaceuticals and toxicology. How can NAMs—such as in vitro assays, computational modeling, and omics-based profiling—be credibly adapted for cultivated meat safety validation? Many are trying to simply apply such NAMs (including in vitro assays, computational modeling, and omics-based profiling) to food safety risk assessment. However, there are two fundamental differences between food and cosmetics/environment pollutants: mixture (foods seldom exist as one ingredient) and digestion (enzymes in the digestive system break down food through hydrolysis which change the potential toxicity and allergenicity in foods). For reference, risk assessment of cosmetics and environment pollutants usually deals with single molecules which do not go through our digestive system. These two differences need to be reflected in the food-relevant NAMs for the data interpretation of food safety risk assessment to be useful and meaningful. The production process is the product. In cultivated meat, where bioprocessing conditions shape final composition, how should regulators evaluate variability across cell lines, growth media, and scaffold materials? Proper application of food-relevant NAMs should generate differential risk assessment data based on the conditions of cultivated meat product (cell lines, growth media, and scaffold materials). Again, most of current literature and published papers on cultivated meat stays at the stage of Hazard Identification, which is the first step of flow risk assessment. NAMs application is moving the needle as we are now talking about Hazard Characterization. There are 2 other important components involving consumers for the proper food safety assessment: Exposure Assessment and Risk Characterization. But food-relevant NAMs represents an important step forward to cultivated meat safety risk assessment. Transparency versus proprietary protection remains a tension. How can companies safeguard intellectual property while providing regulators with sufficient data for rigorous, science-based risk assessment? Companies may provide cultivated meat product for NAMs analysis through a neutral party (for example, Singapore Future-Ready Food Safety Hub – FRESH). Regulatory approval would now shift to analysing the risk assessment data generated from the NAMs, rather then scrutinizing the list of components in the respective cultivated meat production, as such list is still the hazard identification but means little to the safety risk assessment. This shift would then help company protect their IP to a large extent.   Global regulatory divergence is emerging. With Singapore among the first movers in approving cultivated meat, what lessons can other jurisdictions draw from its science-driven framework—and where are harmonization gaps widening? Working with global organizations (FAO, WHO among others) would help us bridge the gap in global regulatory divergence. One example is the Joint Action Plan between WHO and NTU Singapore on NAMs application in novel foods. Through the joint action  plan, there would be greater communications on work done in Singapore and provide greater transparency for discussion and collaboration among regulatory agencies. This would then contribute to the harmonization of the food safety risk assessment  across different countries. Public trust is as critical as scientific validation. What role should independent academic labs and open-data consortia play in stress-testing safety claims and avoiding regulatory capture? Having a neutral and trusted party such as FRESH involved in the food safety risk assessment, trusted with its technology innovations and partnerships with stakeholders in both public and private sectors, would enhance public trust. Long-term exposure data for novel proteins is inherently limited. How can predictive toxicology, AI-driven modeling, and systems biology reduce uncertainty without delaying innovation? While food-relevant NAMs is a huge step forward to food safety risk assessment, it is not the holy grail for the novel food safety assurance. What NAMs does is more or less like a first round of fast and cost-effective profiling of potential risks in an in vitro setting.  As it is animal-free, exposure studies in consumers are needed to validate the NAMs data but much less in sample size. Once in the consumer setting, variability in consumer profile (genetic makeup, composition of gut microbiome) and the resulting data would increase dramatically. Here machine learning tools combined with systems biology approach would be extremely important for the predictive toxicology. Looking a decade ahead, do you foresee cultivated meat safety assessments becoming more dynamic and real-time—embedded within digital bioprocess monitoring systems—rather than relying solely on static pre-market approvals? Certainly. Current pre-market approval process are also evolving with the advances in technology. Through the ongoing collaboration between the Singapore Food Agency and FRESH, I see a huge potential in moving the cultivated meat safety risk assessment from the current way of hazard identification (list of potential hazards and evaluate their potential risk based on what others have done in a different context, e.g. most likely environmental pollutants) to food-relevant characterization (NAMs) to exposure assessment. More importantly, proper risk assessment of cultivated meat product should be expanded in hybrid food products where cultivated meat is an ingredient. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agropsectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3616/ai-at-root-zone-netafims-bold-leap-with-dosing-5g.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3616/ai-at-root-zone-netafims-bold-leap-with-dosing-5g.html Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:56:00 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Abed Masarwa, VP Products at Netafim, Israel, says the new platform marks a shift from programmable dosing to self-learning nutrient management. Abed Masarwa, describes Dosing 5G as both a major technology leap and a strategic pivot toward AI-driven autonomous fertigation, moving beyond predefined recipes to real-time adaptive nutrient management. Launched by Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V.’s Precision Agriculture business, the new range—FertiKit 5G, FertiOne 5G, NetaJet 5G and NetaFlex 5G—combines advanced EC/pH sensing, auto-adaptive injection, and integration with the GrowSphere digital operating system to create a closed-loop, self-learning system. Building on six decades of agronomic expertise, Dosing 5G is designed to help farmers address rising input costs, resource scarcity, and climate volatility by maximizing yields while reducing fertilizer waste, labor, and environmental impact. Masarwa emphasizes that the long-term vision is a connected, data-driven fertigation infrastructure that balances profitability and sustainability, positioning Netafim not just as an equipment provider but as an intelligent irrigation ecosystem partner. Strategic Differentiation Netafim has led precision agriculture for decades. With Dosing 5G, what is materially different this time — is this a product upgrade, or a strategic shift toward AI-driven autonomous fertigation?Dosing 5G represents both a material technological leap and a strategic shift in how Netafim approaches autonomous fertigation. Materially, the system is built on an upgraded architecture: A next-generation controller – GrowSphere MAX – which is an intuitive and simple-to-use controller, designed to speak the grower’s language. The GrowSphere MAX also manages local and remote devices such as pumps, main valves, field valves, and other hydraulic components. A new operating system and digital workspace under GrowSphere. A new EC/pH measurement technology with faster stabilization and improved accuracy. A new auto adaptive fertilizer injection mechanism that continuously adjusts dosing based on real-time feedback. These upgrades change the way the system measures, reacts, and stabilizes nutrient delivery. Strategically, Dosing 5G flagship products mark the transition from programmable fertigation to adaptive self-learning nutrient management. While previous generations executed predefined recipes,  Dosing 5G analyzes system behavior dynamically — hydraulic performance, EC/pH response, crop stage, and environmental conditions — and adjusts in real time with minimal human intervention. AI Credibility & Data Advantage Many ag-tech firms claim AI capabilities. What proprietary data, agronomic models, or field validation give Dosing 5G a defensible advantage over competitors in automated dosing? Dosing 5G intelligence is grounded in proprietary agronomic and hydraulic data, robust crop models, and field-validated performance. At its core,  Dosing 5G’s AI capability is the combination of real-time hydraulic intelligence and continuous operational behavior learning. Dosing 5G does not rely solely on agronomic assumptions. It continuously analyzes how the irrigation and fertigation system is actually performing — pressure behavior, flow stability, injection response time, EC/pH dynamics, and valve activity. This real-time hydraulic data creates a live performance map of the system. This operational learning enables the system to adapt dosing logic dynamically, rather than simply executing pre-programmed recipes. Stabilization becomes faster, drift is reduced, and correction cycles become more precise. The result is a “closed loop” system that not only monitors performance in real time but continuously improves its response accuracy. In addition, using GrowSphere workspace enables farmers with agronomic crop modeling based ondeep agronomic expertise, real climate and soil data, and historical performance and real field feedback. These models run daily to update recommendations based on current conditions, effectively tailoring dosing to each crop’s growth stage and environment. ROI in a Cost-Pressured Market Farmers are facing rising input costs and tightening margins. What measurable return on investment can growers expect from Dosing 5G, and over what time horizon? Dosing 5G delivers ROI in 4 measurable areas: Input cost reduction Precision fertigation enables accurate, stabilized nutrient delivery directly to the root zone. By preventing over- or under-dosing and continuously optimizing application rates, growers can typically reduce fertilizer use to the desired amount. Yield & quality optimization By maintaining stable nutrient availability throughout each growth stage, Dosing 5G supports: Higher yield consistency. Improved crop uniformity. Better market-grade quality. Reduced leaching & losses Minimizing nutrient leaching and runoff means growers are not paying for fertilizer that never reaches the plant. Avoiding groundwater contamination also reduces regulatory exposure and potential compliance costs — an increasingly relevant factor in Europe and North America. Labor & Maintenance Efficiency Automation and remote control reduce manual calibration, monitoring, and troubleshooting. This lowers dependency on skilled labor and decreases system downtime. Sustainability vs. Profitability Dosing 5G promises reduced nutrient leaching and groundwater pollution. How do you quantify the environmental impact — and can sustainability gains translate into direct financial incentives for growers? As mentioned above, reduced nutrient leaching — through more direct fertilizer delivery — provides financial incentives as growers save money on fertilizer costs with lower dosage requirements. And, with reduced groundwater pollution, growers face lower regulatory exposure and compliance costs. Integration with Digital Farming How critical is integration with GrowSphere to the Dosing 5G value proposition? Is this primarily a hardware innovation, or is the long-term play software, data services, and recurring revenue? Integration with the full GrowSphere Operating System is fundamental to the Dosing 5G value proposition — it is not an optional add-on. While Dosing 5G hardware delivers precision injection and stabilization, connecting the hardware to the GrowSphere OS transforms it into a fully integrated irrigation and fertigation ecosystem that connects hydraulic control, agronomic intelligence, operational management, and data analytics in one environment The GrowSphere OS provides: A unified workspace for irrigation and fertigation planning, execution, and validation. Real-time monitoring of soil, crop, climate, and hydraulic performance. Agronomic recommendations through embedded crop models. Alerting, traceability, and season-over-season reporting. Remote access and multi-site farm management. Dosing 5G introduces new controller technology, advanced EC/pH measurement, and injection technology with the GrowSphere OS. Together, this enables: Continuous optimization based on real-time data. Cross-system learning across seasons and sites. Software-enabled service layers. Scalable digital offerings beyond hardware sales. The broader strategy is clearly platform-driven. The operating system allows Netafim to move froman equipment provider to an intelligent irrigation ecosystem partner, where data, software, and agronomic services become increasingly central to long-term value creation. Scalability Across Markets From open fields in emerging markets to high-tech greenhouses in Europe and North America, how adaptable is the Dosing 5G range across vastly different regulatory, climate, and infrastructure conditions? Dosing 5G was intentionally designed as a modular, scalable portfolio. The portfolio structure enables scalability by configuration: FertiOne 5G – A simple, cost-effective single-channel solution for bulk fertigation in open fields, pivots, and orchards. FertiKit 5G – A flexible, multi-channel open-field system (up to 6 channels) that can be tailored to farm size and complexity. NetaJet 5G – High-precision EC/pH stabilization (up to 8 channels), ideal for sensitive crops and short irrigation cycles in soil and soilless greenhouses. NetaFlex 5G – Advanced, highly uniform greenhouse mixing technology (up to 6 channels) for operations requiring very high precision. Scalability is also achieved through configuration and modularity flexibility for each product.  Also in the pipeline is The GrowSphere Flex — a FertiOne 5G soulution with a specifically designed controller tailor-made for small farmers and their real needs. Climate Volatility & Risk Management With unpredictable weather patterns intensifying, how does AI-automated dosing help farmers mitigate risk in real time — and does the system learn differently across crop types and geographies? Dosing 5G, when integrated with the GrowSphere OS and its embedded Crop Advisor capabilities, enables reactions to climate volatility. What’s more, the GrowSphere Crop Advisor leverages advanced crop models built on decades of Netafim agronomic expertise and global field validation. It combines real-time weather data, soil moisture information, hydraulic system performance, and crop growth stage modeling which allow the system to generate daily, crop-specific irrigation, and fertigation recommendations based on actual and forecasted conditions. In periods of climate stress, this translates into: Anticipating heat-driven evapotranspiration spikes and adjusting irrigation and nutrient concentration accordingly. Preventing water stress during irregular irrigation windows. Adjusting irrigation and fertigation strategies based on crop stage sensitivity. Adjusting irrigation during extreme weather events. The Competitive Landscape & Future Vision Where do you see precision fertigation heading over the next five years? Will we move toward fully autonomous nutrient management systems, and how central is Dosing 5G to Orbia Netafim’s broader AI roadmap? In the coming years, the evolution will be driven as much by software as by hardware. The continued development of the GrowSphere Workspace will expand its role from a monitoring and control interface into a comprehensive operational environment. Planning, execution, validation, reporting, and agronomic recommendations will increasingly operate in a unified digital layer. The system will not only execute fertigation strategies but support growers in designing, benchmarking, and continuously improving them. At the same time, innovation will not be limited to large high-tech operations. A major part of Netafim’s future vision is to extend advanced automated fertigation capabilities to small and medium-sized farms. By modularizing system architecture and maintaining configuration flexibility, Dosing 5G can scale in both directions — offering high and low-injection flows and high-precision greenhouse solutions while also delivering accessible, cost-effective configurations for open-field growers. The goal is to democratize intelligent fertigation rather than restrict it to premium segments. From a technical standpoint, future development will focus on increasing injection flow capacities to support larger irrigation blocks and expanding the number of dosing elements that can operate simultaneously. As farms grow in scale and nutrient programs become more sophisticated, systems must handle higher volumes and more complex fertilizer combinations without compromising stabilization speed or accuracy. The long-term vision is clear: a connected, high-capacity, data-driven fertigation infrastructure that continuously balances productivity, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility across farm sizes and geographies. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3612/ai-enabled-agronomy-can-further-accelerate-impact-to-optimise-irrigation-and-risk-management-dr-mo-segad-2025-world-food-prize-top-agri-food-pioneer.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3612/ai-enabled-agronomy-can-further-accelerate-impact-to-optimise-irrigation-and-risk-management-dr-mo-segad-2025-world-food-prize-top-agri-food-pioneer.html Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:46:48 +0530 2025 World Food Prize – Top Agri-Food pioneer calls for nature-based, AI-enabled transformation of drylands Dr Mo Segad, a Swedish and American soil scientist and inventor, was officially recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation as one of the 39 recipients in the 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP) cohort. He is a distinguished professor, UNCCD-accredited expert, and globally recognised inventor whose work is redefining climate-smart and resilient desert agriculture. As founder of 3N BioTech, Pure Green AI, and a UN-accredited forestry organisation, and as a distinguished council member of the World Agriculture Forum, Dr Segad integrates AI, soil science, and regenerative practices to deliver scalable, verifiable solutions aligned with COP outcomes, NDCs, UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality, and FAO food security mandates. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Dr Mo Segad highlights how pioneering nano/bio soil technologies and nature-based innovations are transforming arid and degraded lands into productive, climate-resilient farms that boost food security while reducing water use, agrochemicals, and carbon emissions and use of technology such as AI in maintaining soil health. As a 2025 World Food Prize – Top Agri-Food Pioneer, how does your innovative work directly support agricultural and sustainable practices to boost national and global food security? Standing on the World Food Prize stage was a profound honor, yet a clear reminder that awards are not the measure of our work; impact is. My mission is to treat nature with nature so farmers, local communities, and Indigenous peoples can grow more organic food with less water and no agrochemicals, while restoring drylands/soils and reducing carbon emissions. From first-generation, custom-made Liquid Clays to next-generation, custom-formulated 3N BioTech, I have focused on innovative eco-engineering that delivers cost-effective, scalable, nature-based technologies to transform arid and semi-arid lands, combat water scarcity, and tackle soil salinisation in a time of climate crisis. By transforming sandy and degraded soils into living, productive lands, we can increase yields while cutting irrigation and fertiliser use, reverse desertification, and enhance soil carbon. This enables countries to expand climate-resilient organic farming without encroaching on high-biodiversity or high-emissions frontiers.  Recognition such as “Innovator of the Future” further encourages me to continue promoting credible innovation that aligns directly with COP outcomes and national commitments, advancing NDCs (emissions reductions via soil carbon and input efficiency), NAPs (adaptation through drought-resilient agriculture), UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality, and the SDGs / CGIAR / ICARDA priorities. In short, innovation and science-led soil solutions are not an adjunct to food security; they are its foundation. How can climate-resilient desert agriculture be promoted and scaled further? We must reposition innovative desert agriculture as core adaptation, not a niche. The fastest path to scale is to treat nature with nature by deploying innovative, cost-effective, custom-made, nature-based soil and water technologies with verifiable outcomes. When arid and semi-arid lands become productive without depleting freshwater or aquifers and without expanding emissions, adaptation and food security advance together. To get there, countries should embed desert agriculture in national adaptation plans and food security strategies with clear targets to implement and deploy innovation, so that millions of hectares can be restored, water saved, salinity reduced, and farmer incomes stabilised. After decades of heavy mechanisation and agrochemical intensity, it is time to pivot to innovative, custom-formulated desert Ag solutions paired with outcome-based incentives. AI-enabled agronomy can further accelerate impact i.e. integrating AI with nature-based technologies to optimise irrigation and risk management for both smallholders and large estates. In sum: innovative nature-based AgTech, policy alignment, local production, outcome incentives, AI-enabled advisory, and catalytic finance—this is how we make desert agriculture and drylands a pillar of adaptation at national and continental scale. What is a climate solution that isn’t getting the attention or funding it deserves? Salinity reversal in drylands, along with sand-to-productive-farm transformation, is an underfunded powerhouse. Salinisation silently removes millions of hectares from production. This is why I have invented and developed custom-formulated, nature-based Ag-solutions to enhance soil structure, improve water-holding capacity, and restore biological function, addressing salinity and barren lands at their roots.  Integrated with regenerative practices (no-tillage, ground cover, and salt-tolerant rotations), these solutions rapidly restore farm productivity, save water, reduce agrochemical dependency, and unlock resilient yields—while reversing desertification and increasing soil carbon. Because these benefits cut across adaptation, mitigation, livelihoods, and water security, salinity reversal and sand-to-soil solutions deserve a central place in UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality portfolios and climate-finance windows. How do you see integrating soil nano / biotechnology and water-retention strategies into national food security programmes while reducing dependency on unsustainable irrigation systems? Adopt and accelerate science-backed innovations and proven emerging technologies that scale what works by setting national performance standards for minimum water savings, salinity reduction, and soil organic carbon gains while keeping technology pathways open to spur innovation. Prioritise arid and semi-arid regions and saline soils, where returns on water and soil interventions are highest, and integrate custom-made nano- and bio-AgTech with drip and sensor-guided irrigation to reduce demand and stabilise yields. Practice aquifer stewardship by linking on-farm water savings to basin-level caps, recharge programmes, and equitable allocation frameworks so that efficiency gains translate into aquifer recovery rather than rebound extraction. This approach embeds high-integrity soil and water outcomes into national food security strategies, reduces dependence on unsustainable irrigation, and builds resilience where it is needed most. At recent COP and FAO forums, fertiliser sustainability has emerged as both a climate and geopolitical issue. How do nano-based and bio-enabled fertiliser systems contribute to reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and strengthening fertiliser security for importing nations? Recently, I was globally recognised by the World Food Prize Foundation for two decades of pioneering work in soil nanotechnology. Treating nature with nature is central to our transition pathway. Nano- and bio-enabled systems deliver nutrients more precisely and rebuild soil function—while reducing costs and risk.  Importantly, nano-fertilisers and nano-formulations synchronise nutrient release with plant demand and root uptake, cutting runoff, leaching, and GHG emissions from over-application. Demand is rising for organic nano-fertilisers compatible with regenerative agriculture, and for bio-enabled inputs (microbial consortia, biostimulants) that offer soil-health co-benefits while reducing embedded emissions from production and long-haul transport. Bottom line: this is more than “greener fertiliser.” It is a resilience strategy that aligns food security, climate targets, farm profitability, and national sovereignty over critical inputs, accelerating the transition to climate-smart, soil-healthy, and supply-secure agriculture.As soil carbon sequestration gains traction in voluntary and compliance markets, what safeguards, measurement standards, and governance are needed to ensure integrity, prevent greenwashing, and protect smallholders—and what financing mechanisms can rapidly scale land restoration and climate-smart agriculture?My approach is simple: innovation, foresight, transparency, and accountability ... or nothing. That’s why we’re launching Pure Green AI: a human-in-the-loop, blockchain-powered foresight, peer-review, and validation platform that predicts environmental risks, verifies soil and ecosystem outcomes, and eliminates greenwashing by anchoring projects to globally recognised standards.  Pure Green AI combines predictive, standardised AI tools with immutable audit trails to guide science-backed interventions across soil carbon, climate-smart farming, mangrove, forestry, and biodiversity projects. With tokenised, results-based finance, we unlock funding only after verified impact, scaling innovative, nature-based solutions with integrity; transforming degraded soils into fertile farmland; accelerating transparent eco-restoration; and building resilient landscapes and smart cities. In short: Blended and green finance should fund scale-up, de-risking early adoption, expanding local production capacity, and financing tree-planting and eco-restoration projects that recharge water cycles and build climate resilience. Pure Green AI is a credible end-to-end operating system and smart oracle for measurable, financeable, and fraud-resistant eco-restoration—where projects, people, and nature thrive together. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3590/is-snap-built-to-overspend-cato-says-yes.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3590/is-snap-built-to-overspend-cato-says-yes.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:59:31 +0530 Why Cato believes reforms from the Republican Study Committee stop short of true fiscal reform The Republican Study Committee has advanced a slate of SNAP reforms—tightening eligibility, eliminating broad-based categorical eligibility, barring noncitizens, strengthening quality controls, and expanding interstate data matching—to curb waste and rein in federal spending. While these measures promise meaningful savings, they largely refine compliance mechanisms without confronting the program’s deeper structural imbalance: states administer benefits that federal taxpayers overwhelmingly finance. This misalignment of authority and fiscal responsibility, critics argue, perpetuates weak incentives to aggressively prevent fraud and control long-term cost growth. A more durable solution would realign funding with governance—through block grants or full devolution—placing accountability squarely with the entities that design and operate the program. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute, weighs in on the Republican Study Committee framework proposing tighter SNAP eligibility, elimination of broad-based categorical eligibility, stricter quality controls, and expanded data matching to curb waste. While she acknowledges these reforms could generate significant savings—potentially hundreds of billions over a decade—Romina argues they stop short of addressing SNAP’s core structural flaw: a federal–state financing model that divorces spending authority from fiscal responsibility. The Republican Study Committee argues that tightening eligibility and verification will curb waste in SNAP. From Cato’s perspective, are these reforms meaningful structural fixes—or incremental guardrails around a fundamentally flawed program design?  The GOP’s SNAP reforms are a step in the right direction, but they only treat the symptoms of the problem. Tightening eligibility and verification may reduce improper payments at the margin, but it doesn’t fix SNAP’s core incentive problem. The federal government pays for benefits while states administer the program, meaning states have weak incentives to control costs. Structural reform would align program management with fiscal responsibility, whether through block grants or full devolution.  The RSC estimates that eliminating broad-based categorical eligibility could save $100 billion over 10 years. Do you view BBCE as a loophole that undermines statutory intent, or as a necessary flexibility tool for states managing poverty in high-cost regions?  Broad-based categorical eligibility allows states to bypass SNAP’s statutory income and asset limits, effectively expanding eligibility beyond what Congress intended. Because the federal government finances the benefits, states can broaden access without bearing the fiscal consequences. If states want greater discretion over eligibility, they should also assume greater financial responsibility. A major pillar of the proposal would bar noncitizens from SNAP entirely. Does this approach meaningfully reduce long-term fiscal exposure, or does it risk unintended labor market and integration consequences that could increase state-level burdens?  Limiting noncitizen access to SNAP reduces federal spending. As an added political benefit, it reassures Americans that immigrants are coming to work—not to take advantage of American taxpayers. Building a wall around the welfare state, rather than around the country, can sustain public support for legal immigration that benefits Americans. The framework introduces a zero-tolerance quality control threshold for payment errors. Is stricter auditing the right lever to pull—or does it risk penalizing administrative mistakes while failing to address deeper incentive misalignments?  Eliminating the QC threshold would increase program transparency by providing a more accurate measure of how much federal taxpayer money is lost to improper payments in SNAP and tighten enforcement. But stricter auditing alone doesn’t fix SNAP’s core incentive problem. As long as federal taxpayers finance benefits, states face limited fiscal consequences for errors. Greater accountability will come from aligning program authority with funding responsibilities. You argue that states lack incentive to prevent improper payments because they do not finance SNAP benefits directly. Would converting SNAP into a block grant with state cost-sharing meaningfully reduce fraud—or simply shift fiscal risk during economic downturns?  Block-granting SNAP would give states a stronger incentive to reduce fraud, as they would no longer be able to rely on additional federal funding to finance benefit expansions or make up for improper payments resulting from lax oversight. Every dollar lost to waste would be a dollar unavailable for legitimate beneficiaries.  Under a block grant model, Congress could also allow states to carry over unspent funds and build reserves during economically strong periods—so-called rainy day funds—which they can draw from to help fund benefits during economic downturns, as is the case for the TANF block grant. However, as long as states are spending federal dollars—even with cost-sharing—some incentive distortions remain. Examples include states like California, which have resorted to using budget gimmicks to draw more federal dollars in Medicaid. Ending federal financing of SNAP benefits altogether could save over $400 billion over a decade, according to your analysis. Politically and economically, is that a realistic path forward—or a theoretical benchmark to frame the debate?  The 1996 welfare reforms demonstrated both the political viability and positive outcomes of placing greater responsibility for anti-poverty programs on the states. Full devolution is the next step and builds on that precedent. The Biden administration’s 2021 Thrifty Food Plan reevaluation increased SNAP benefits by more than 20 percent. Should Congress rescind that increase on constitutional or fiscal grounds—or would doing so risk destabilizing food security for low-income households?  Congress should rescind it on both constitutional and fiscal grounds. The Biden administration circumvented congressional spending authority and set a dangerous precedent for future unilateral executive benefit expansions. Rescinding the TFP expansion would also save taxpayers almost $300 billion over the next ten years—more than any of the SNAP-specific reforms proposed by the RSC. If Congress implements tighter eligibility rules without reforming the federal–state financing structure, will fraud and improper payments materially decline—or will states simply find new administrative workarounds within the existing incentive framework?  It might reduce payment errors by catching them more quickly, but states will still have little reason to be proactive in combating fraud because any money wasted doesn’t come out of their own coffers. Moreover, stricter verification protocols risk incentivizing states to hide improper payments to avoid financial sanctions. We saw this in 2015, when the USDA reported that 42 of 53 state SNAP agencies weakened their quality control processes to artificially lower reported payment errors. We still see this today, with states like California abusing discretionary waivers to cover up erroneously awarded benefits paid to able-bodied adults that do not meet the program’s work requirements.  --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3578/india-should-move-toward-productivity-linked-livestock-insurance-but-only-through-phased-data-anchored-evolution-ritesh-chauhan-secretary-of-animal-husbandry-govt-of-himachal-pradesh.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3578/india-should-move-toward-productivity-linked-livestock-insurance-but-only-through-phased-data-anchored-evolution-ritesh-chauhan-secretary-of-animal-husbandry-govt-of-himachal-pradesh.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:14:35 +0530 Why India must move from ad-hoc compensation to a technology-enabled, trust-driven livestock protection framework that stabilises incomes and safeguards productive assets As livestock becomes an increasingly critical pillar of rural incomes amid climate and market uncertainties, the lack of effective risk protection remains a major gap in India’s agricultural policy landscape. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ritesh Chauhan, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Government of Himachal Pradesh, explains why advances in digital identification, veterinary networks, cooperatives, and fintech now make a scalable livestock insurance framework both viable and essential. Drawing from Himachal Pradesh’s on-ground experience, he shares practical insights on building trust, improving claim settlement, and strengthening insurer participation. Edited excerpts: Why is this the right moment for India to scale up a National Livestock Insurance Scheme? India’s agricultural economy is undergoing a quiet but consequential shift—and livestock sits at the centre of this transition. As crop agriculture faces yield volatility, land fragmentation, and climate stress, livestock has emerged as the most stable and fastest-growing contributor to agri-GVA. Today, dairying, poultry, and small ruminants together account for nearly one-third of agricultural value added, growing faster than cereals or horticulture. This is not accidental: livestock offers daily cash flow, higher labour absorption, and risk diversification for smallholders in ways that seasonal cropping cannot. Yet this very backbone of rural resilience remains dangerously under-insured. Climate stress is reshaping livestock risk profiles - Heat stress is reducing milk yields, fertility, and animal longevity. Erratic monsoons and droughts are tightening fodder availability, pushing up feed costs and forcing distress sales of animals. Floods and cyclones increasingly wipe out entire herds in coastal and riverine regions. Unlike crops, livestock losses are not confined to one season; they permanently erode household productive assets and future income streams. Disease outbreaks are becoming systemic economic shocks - The spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) across multiple states since 2022 has exposed how vulnerable India’s livestock economy is to transboundary and climate-linked diseases. For households owning one or two cattle—the majority of India’s livestock keepers—the death or productivity loss of even a single animal can mean the collapse of daily income, nutrition security, and repayment capacity for micro-loans. Yet compensation remains uneven, delayed, and fiscally reactive, varying widely by state and fiscal headroom.   The success of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in crops and Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), in health shows that large-scale, publicly backed, technology-enabled risk pooling is feasible—even in a country with fragmented landholdings and informal livelihoods.  Digital animal identification, Aadhaar-linked beneficiary databases, mobile veterinary records, satellite fodder mapping, and AI-based disease surveillance are finally converging. This makes it possible to design livestock protection systems that are actuarially sound, fraud-resistant, and low-touch for farmers. Waiting longer only raises fiscal exposure, as climate and disease risks compound. Moving now enables a paradigm shift—from relief to resilience - Without structured livestock risk protection, governments will continue to rely on ad-hoc compensation after disasters and outbreaks—often delayed, politically negotiated, and fiscally inefficient. A national or federated livestock insurance and protection framework would instead stabilise rural incomes, protect productive assets, and crowd in private insurers, agri-fintech and veterinary networks. At this inflection point, livestock is no longer a peripheral subsector—it is core economic infrastructure. If India is serious about building climate-resilient agriculture and doubling real farm incomes, integrating livestock into its formal risk-management architecture is not optional. It is the logical next step in the evolution of India’s welfare and productivity state. How can a formal insurance architecture strengthen rural financial resilience? In the absence of formal risk protection, livestock-owning households fall back on informal coping mechanisms—moneylenders, distress sale of animals, or emergency borrowing through SHGs. These options are slow, costly, and often value-destructive. High interest rates, delayed access to funds, and forced liquidation of productive animals turn a temporary shock into a long-term income loss. Once an animal is sold or dies without compensation, rebuilding the herd can take years, pushing families deeper into debt and vulnerability. Formal livestock insurance fundamentally alters this equation. By protecting the household balance sheet, it enables faster replacement of lost animals and prevents irreversible erosion of productive assets. Timely payouts ensure continuity of milk production, which for millions of families functions as daily cashflow—covering food, school expenses, and loan repayments. This income stability is critical in cushioning households against climate and disease shocks. Equally important, insured livestock becomes bankable collateral. When animals are formally insured and tagged, banks and MFIs are more willing to extend working capital and productivity loans, crowding in institutional credit and reducing dependence on informal lenders. In this way, livestock insurance is not merely a safety net—it is an enabler of rural financial inclusion, resilience, and growth. Which success elements should be adapted for livestock? Three design elements from India’s existing risk-protection programmes are clearly transferable to livestock—provided they are adapted to biological and market realities rather than copied mechanically. First, cluster-based tendering enables better risk pooling and pricing. Instead of fragmented, district-by-district coverage, clustering animals by agro-climatic zones, disease risk profiles, and production systems allows insurers to diversify exposure and price risk more accurately. Larger, well-defined pools reduce adverse selection, lower premiums, and make participation commercially viable for insurers while keeping subsidies fiscally efficient for governments. Second, a unified national digital platform is essential. A single backbone integrating animal identification, owner KYC, enrolment, premium subsidy flow, veterinary records, and claims processing can dramatically reduce friction and fraud. Mobile-based reporting, geo-tagged mortality verification, and integration with state animal husbandry databases would enable faster, more transparent settlements—critical for households dependent on daily milk income. Third, enforceable service-level agreements create trust and accountability. Clear timelines for enrolment, disease reporting, claim verification, and payout—backed by penalties for non-performance—are non-negotiable. Without strong SLAs, insurance degenerates into delayed relief. With them, livestock protection becomes a predictable, farmer-centric instrument. Together, these elements form a scalable blueprint—one that respects livestock’s unique risks while leveraging India’s hard-won institutional learning. How ready is India for RFID, biometrics, or muzzle‑printing? India is no longer starting from scratch on livestock identification. Ear-tagging and RFID are already deployed at scale under national and state programmes, while pilots on advanced biometrics—such as muzzle-printing and image-based identification—are steadily improving accuracy and field viability. The immediate priority is not inventing new technology, but establishing a tamper-resistant, unique animal ID that can serve as the backbone of the livestock ecosystem. This ID must be seamlessly integrated with AgriStack, the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), vaccination and disease surveillance databases, and formal credit systems. When an animal’s identity, health history, ownership, and insurance status sit on a common digital rail, risk assessment, claims verification, and credit underwriting become faster, cheaper, and more credible. Equally critical is the human interface. Para-veterinarians, cooperative staff, and extension workers are the system’s frontline. They need simple, offline-capable, field-friendly tools to record vaccinations, disease events, mortality, and distress sales—triggering claims or alerts in real time without paperwork or discretion. In this context, technology is an enabler, not the solution. The real challenge is ecosystem design: aligning incentives across farmers, vets, insurers, banks, and states so that data capture is trusted, participation is rewarded, and protection becomes automatic rather than exceptional. How can digital workflows transform credibility? Rebuilding trust in livestock protection hinges less on promises and more on verifiable system behaviour. Four operational levers are critical. First, geo-tagged, time-stamped enrolment and event capture. Photographic proof at enrolment—linked to animal ID, owner KYC, and location—creates a clear baseline and sharply reduces disputes. Similar capture at vaccination, illness, or mortality ensures objective evidence from the field, not post-fact claims. Second, rule-based and transparent claim algorithms. Claims must be processed through clearly defined, publicly disclosed logic—triggered by verified events, disease status, and coverage rules. Removing discretion shortens settlement cycles and eliminates perceptions of bias or arbitrariness. Third, visible and time-bound processing stages. Every step—intimation, verification, approval, and payout—should be trackable by farmers through SMS or WhatsApp in local languages, with automatic escalation if timelines are breached. Visibility is as important as speed. Fourth, independent audits and public dashboards. Regular third-party audits and anonymised dashboards showing claim ratios, settlement times, and district-level performance create accountability for insurers and implementing agencies alike. When farmers’ lived experience consistently matches system timelines, trust shifts from rhetoric to reality—and participation follows. What innovations can serve as national templates? Himachal Pradesh offers a practical, ground-tested template for how livestock risk protection can be operationalised at scale. The state’s cooperative-led outreach model, anchored in milk unions and village-level institutions, allows insurance and animal health services to piggyback on trusted, everyday touchpoints rather than stand-alone enrolment drives. This significantly lowers awareness gaps and improves uptake. Equally important is Himachal’s dense para-veterinary and extension network, which functions as the first responder for disease reporting, vaccinations, and mortality verification. When para-vets are digitally enabled and institutionally aligned, claims move faster and data quality improves—reducing both farmer frustration and insurer leakage. The state’s ongoing digitalisation of animal health records, breeding, and service delivery creates continuity across the animal lifecycle, enabling risk assessment and policy servicing without repetitive paperwork. This integrated data flow is critical for actuarial credibility and faster settlements. Two financing innovations stand out. Bundling insurance with milk procurement channels sharply reduces customer acquisition costs and premium collection friction, as deductions can be seamlessly aligned with milk payments. Additionally, the use of Milk Cess as a co-funding mechanism for premiums demonstrates how sectoral levies can be recycled to de-risk producers themselves. Together, these elements show how institutional design—not subsidies alone—can make livestock insurance viable, trusted, and scalable. Should India introduce productivity‑linked insurance? India should move toward productivity-linked livestock insurance—but only through a phased, data-anchored evolution, not a leap. Mortality coverage must remain the foundation. It addresses the most catastrophic risk, is easiest to verify, and builds early trust among farmers, insurers, and states. Without a robust mortality layer, more complex covers will lack credibility and fiscal discipline. That said, productivity losses are economically larger and more frequent than deaths. Heat stress–induced milk yield dips, infertility, disease-related work-loss, and prolonged recovery periods quietly erode household incomes, often without triggering any formal support. Ignoring these losses limits the real stabilisation potential of livestock insurance. The constraint is not concept, but measurement. Productivity-linked insurance requires reliable baseline data at the animal or herd level, regular digital milk recording, and credible attribution mechanisms to distinguish normal variability from insurable shocks. Parametric or index-based triggers—such as temperature-humidity indices, disease outbreak thresholds, or verified yield deviation bands—offer a practical pathway, but only once data density improves. India should therefore evolve stepwise: begin with universal mortality cover, pilot productivity-linked add-ons in organised milk sheds and cooperatives, refine triggers and payout logic, and scale gradually. Done right, this progression can transform livestock insurance from a safety net into a true income-stabilisation instrument. What would a unified livestock digital ecosystem look like? By 2030, India’s livestock sector should be anchored in a unified digital ecosystem built around a single, tamper-resistant animal ID linked to a verified farmer ID. This core identity layer would serve as the common reference point across institutions, eliminating today’s silos between animal husbandry, insurance, banking, and markets. On this foundation would sit multiple interoperable layers. The health and disease layer would record vaccinations, treatments, outbreak exposure, and biosecurity status in real time through para-vets and veterinary networks. The insurance and risk layer would track coverage, claims history, and risk scores, enabling faster payouts and actuarially sound pricing. A breeding and productivity layer would capture genetics, fertility, lactation cycles, and yield trends—starting with organised milk sheds and expanding over time. Above this, a financial services layer would allow banks and MFIs to treat insured, traceable livestock as bankable assets—unlocking credit, working capital, and embedded insurance. Finally, an advisory and market access layer would deliver personalised alerts on nutrition, heat stress, disease risk, and price signals, while linking farmers seamlessly to milk procurement, input suppliers, and buyers. For the farmer, this complexity must be invisible. The system should feel like one trusted interface—one that protects assets, stabilises income, rewards good practices, and connects livestock keepers to markets and finance with dignity and predictability. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3577/can-seafood-industry-police-itself-fao-weighs-in.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3577/can-seafood-industry-police-itself-fao-weighs-in.html Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:39:03 +0530 Esther Garrido of FAO urges processors, retailers and foodservice operators to integrate authenticity testing and supplier verification into core business risk management In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Esther Garrido, Fisheries Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, explains why establishing a reliable global baseline for fish fraud remains elusive due to fragmented data, inconsistent methodologies and systemic underreporting. She highlights that strong economic incentives, coupled with weak enforcement, continue to drive species substitution, mislabelling and other deceptive practices that threaten consumer trust, public health and marine sustainability. Esther underscores that fraud detection must be integrated into routine food safety and fisheries governance systems, supported by harmonised traceability standards and smarter use of analytical technologies. She stresses that meaningful progress will require coordinated international action, stronger regulatory frameworks, private sector accountability and sustained capacity building to protect biodiversity, food security and market integrity. Scope and Scale : Why is it so hard to establish a reliable global baseline for fish fraud, and what would it take to produce one? Despite frequent references to figures, the fisheries and aquaculture sector lacks a reliable global baseline because data are fragmented, methods are inconsistent, and fraud is systematically underreported. Different studies use different definitions of fraud, sampling strategies, and analytical tools, making results difficult to compare across regions or species. Institutionally, establishing a baseline it would require coordinated reporting mechanisms, stronger data sharing between countries, and clear mandates for competent authorities to monitor fraud systematically, not just incidentally. FAO’s report makes clear that without global coordination, estimates will remain indicative rather than definitive. Economic Incentives vs. Enforcement : How important are economic incentives compared to weak enforcement in driving fish fraud? Economic incentives are the primary driver of fish fraud, but weak enforcement determines whether it is worth taking the risk. Large price differentials between species that look similar, between fish production methods (wild vs. farmed), or between origins create strong motivation for species substitution, misbranding, or mislabelling. In regions with limited inspection capacity or weak regulatory frameworks or weak penalties, the economic reward far outweighs the risk. FAO emphasizes that fraud is not simply a market issue; it is a governance issue, where incentives and enforcement failures reinforce each other. Consumer and Public Health Risk: Which forms of fish fraud pose the greatest risks to human health, and are current frameworks sufficient? All forms of fraud can have food safety implications. The risks have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. I can think about high-risk situations when fraud leads to species substitution involving toxic species, undeclared allergens, or the addition of adulterants that can harm consumers, but there might be other circumstances that may imply the same level of risk. While food safety systems are generally designed to detect unintentional food safety issues, they are less well equipped to detect deliberate deception. FAO highlights that food fraud often falls between food safety, quality control, and fisheries management mandates. Without integrating fraud detection into routine controls, health risks linked to intentional misrepresentation can remain invisible. Biodiversity and Sustainability Impact: How does fish fraud undermine fisheries management and sustainability claims? Fish fraud can undermine fisheries management by distorting catch data and masking overfishing. When species or origins are misreported, managers lose the ability to accurately track exploitation levels or enforce conservation measures. This can threaten biodiversity and also food security in the long-term, a key concern for FAO. Technology and Accessibility Gap: How can regulators bridge the gap between advanced detection tools and real-world accessibility? Analytical tools such as DNA barcoding or isotope analysis are useful, but FAO stresses that technology alone is not enough. Bridging the gap requires tiered monitoring systems, where low-cost screening tools are used routinely and analytical methods are reserved for targeted investigations. Traceability and Labelling Standards: What prevents global alignment on seafood traceability and labelling standards? Traceability requirements and labelling standards for food have been developed by the Codex Alimentarius, and they provide clear information and are a benchmark for food safety, but the aquatic sector presents unique challenges due to the complexity of the sector and increasing international trade of fisheries and aquaculture products. Logistically, small-scale fisheries and complex trans-shipment chains pose challenges. FAO’s report highlights that while scientific naming and traceability are widely recognized as essential, global alignment requires political will, regulatory coherence, and support mechanisms to ensure smaller actors are not excluded. Role of the Private Sector: What responsibilities should the private sector assume, and how can proactive compliance be encouraged? Processors of aquatic products, retailers, and foodservice companies play a central role, as they often control the technical specifications of the products they buy and select their suppliers. Businesses should implement due diligence, supplier verification, traceability systems, and routine authenticity testing as part of normal operations. Fraud prevention works best when it is integrated into business risk management, not treated as an external enforcement issue. Path Forward: What combination of actions is most likely to reduce fish fraud over the next decade? No single solution will suffice. The most effective path forward combines robust regulatory frameworks, stronger enforcement, international cooperation and data sharing, risk-based use of analytical technologies, harmonized labelling and traceability requirements also for aquatic products, capacity building in developing regions, and greater consumer awareness and transparency. This is the way forward. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3574/from-domestic-strength-to-global-influence-brazils-bioinput-playbook.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3574/from-domestic-strength-to-global-influence-brazils-bioinput-playbook.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:12:41 +0530 Mauro Heringer tells Agrospectrum how regulatory coordination, tropical biotech and sovereign innovation are positioning Brazil at the center of regenerative agriculture In an exclusive interview with Agrospectrum, Mauro Heringer, Director of International Relations at ABINBIO and Member of the National Bioinputs Export Committee (ApexBrasil), outlined how Brazil’s dominance in tropical bioinputs is reshaping global agricultural markets. He emphasized that Brazil’s competitive edge lies in its “Proof of Tropical Resilience,” with biological solutions tested across six biomes under extreme climatic and pest pressures—conditions that validate their robustness for global deployment. Heringer highlighted regulatory harmonization, living logistics, and institutional coordination under Law 15,070/2024 as central to accelerating exports while positioning Brazil as a benchmark for sustainable agricultural biotechnology. Framing bioinputs as a matter of national security and technological sovereignty, he asserted that Brazil’s ambition extends beyond exports to leading a global transition toward high-performance regenerative agriculture. From Domestic Success to Export Strategy Brazil has built a large and sophisticated domestic bio-inputs market. What specific capabilities or lessons from domestic adoption give Brazilian companies a competitive edge when entering highly regulated international markets? Brazil’s success in the bioinputs sector is not merely a function of sales volume—it reflects deep biotechnological and institutional maturity that has given rise to a true “tropical innovation ecosystem.” The country’s competitive advantage rests on what can be called the Proof of Tropical Resilience. Unlike competitors operating in temperate climates, Brazilian companies develop bioinputs for an environment defined by six distinct biomes within a single territory, continuous year-round cultivation cycles, intense pest pressure and high temperatures. These are among the most challenging agricultural conditions in the world—and Brazil has learned to innovate within them. This is where the real advantage lies: the tropicalization of biotechnology. Brazil does not simply “sell the bottle.” It exports the expertise required to replace or complement synthetic chemistry in highly productive agricultural systems under extreme biological stress. As a result, Brazilian companies are not commodity suppliers. They are holders of strategic intellectual property essential to advancing sustainable global food security. The lesson is straightforward: if a biological solution performs consistently across Brazilian biomes—particularly in the Cerrado—it possesses more than enough robustness for virtually any other agricultural region in the world. Brazil exports resilience, not just microorganisms. Regulatory Asymmetry Across Markets How does the export committee plan to navigate starkly different regulatory regimes for biological inputs in the EU, the United States, and Latin America, and where do you see the greatest bottlenecks to market access? I will start from the end of the question. In my view, the biggest bottlenecks are regulatory alignment and what I call “Living Logistics.” Exporting chemicals is relatively straightforward. Exporting living organisms—bacteria and fungi—is fundamentally different. It requires cold-chain infrastructure, precision logistics and strict control over viability and shelf-life throughout transit. Maintaining biological stability over long international distances remains the most significant technical and commercial challenge. On the regulatory front, asymmetries between countries create additional complexity. Rules, compliance standards and legal frameworks vary widely, making harmonization a strategic priority. To address this, a formal partnership was established in mid-2025 between ApexBrasil and CropLife Brasil, which recently welcomed ABINBIO (Brazilian Association of Bioinput Industries). Together, they formed the National Bioinputs Export Committee, a platform designed to coordinate international expansion and regulatory strategy. Navigating global markets requires differentiated approaches, as regulatory cultures are not uniform. In the European Union, the framework is guided by the Precautionary Principle, which emphasizes intrinsic hazard. There, our strategy is centered almost entirely on demonstrating toxicological safety, purity and the absence of contaminants. We do not sell “productivity” to Europe—we sell food safety and the elimination of chemical residues. The positioning should resemble an “Intel Inside” for agriculture: if it carries Brazilian bio-technology, it represents sustainability and safety. In the United States, the regulatory philosophy—led by the EPA—is pragmatic and risk-based. The focus must therefore be on agronomic efficacy. Our dossiers emphasize large-scale performance data generated across millions of Brazilian hectares under tropical conditions. This industrial-scale validation offers something that controlled laboratory trials alone cannot replicate. In Latin America, the priority should be regional harmonization. Here, the challenge is largely political and institutional. Alignment within Mercosur is essential, with Brazil’s regulatory approval—already subject to rigorous scrutiny by MAPA, ANVISA and IBAMA, under one of the world’s most advanced bioinput frameworks—serving as a regional quality benchmark. The objective is mutual recognition: if a product has been approved by the tropical leader, Brazil, it should qualify for fast-track registration in neighboring markets such as Paraguay, Colombia and Bolivia. In short, the pathway to global expansion requires regulatory intelligence, logistical innovation and geopolitical coordination—not just technological excellence. Branding “Brazil” in Sustainability-Driven Markets The project emphasizes brand positioning around sustainability and bioeconomy. How do you reconcile Brazil’s leadership in bio-inputs with ongoing international scrutiny of its broader environmental record, particularly in land use and deforestation? This is a fundamental question. First, it is important to adjust the premise of the question with data. Often, the narrative imposed on the sustainability issue is a distorted and uninformed view. Brazil is an agro-environmental powerhouse: we preserve more than 60 per cent of our territory with native vegetation and possess the most rigorous environmental legislation in the world (the Forest Code) and, now, modern Bioinput legislation. No other major food producer delivers these numbers.Our leadership in Bioinputs is not an attempt to "compensate" for a problem, but rather the natural evolution of this preservationist mindset. Thanks to our tropical biotechnology (such as Biological Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fixation and no-till farming), we have managed to increase production by 400 per cent in recent decades while expanding the land area by only 40 per cent.Therefore, Brazil needs to be emulated. By exporting bioinputs, we are offering the world the same technology that allows us to be the only country feeding 1 billion people while preserving the majority of its forests. Innovation vs. Standardization Tension Biological inputs often require localized formulations and application protocols. How does Brazil balance the need for market-specific adaptation with the efficiencies required for scalable global exports? We solve this dilemma through a "Platform Biology" strategy. The common mistake is thinking that one exports a "ready-to-use final product" just like a chemical pesticide. Brazil has learned to export the Base Technology and Application Know-How.In Industry Standardization (Upstream): Brazil has achieved global excellence in industrial development. Our factories produce spores and metabolites with very high concentration and purity and extended shelf-life. This is standardizable and scalable worldwide. It is the biological "hardware."In Field Adaptation (Downstream): The "software" (how to use it) is adaptable. Our companies don’t just sell the jug; they sell the agronomic protocol. We have formulation technology that allows the same tested robust strain to be activated or applied differently depending on Indian or American soil. Thus, efficiency comes from the industrial scale of our fermentation; adaptation comes from the robustness of our tropical strains. If a bacterium survives the stress of Brazilian soil, it performs easily in less hostile environments.Brazil does not export a "medicine," but rather a "treatment system." By separating the biological asset (standardized) from the application intelligence (localized), companies achieve the benefits of mass production without the risk of inefficacy in foreign soils. Domestic Ownership as Strategic Advantage With over 80 per cent of bio-input companies being Brazilian-owned, how does domestic ownership shape innovation, capital formation, and long-term export competitiveness compared to multinational-dominated ag-input sectors? The fact that Brazil’s bioinput sector is predominantly national in capital structure—historically over 80 per cent —is a positive anomaly within Brazilian agribusiness, which has traditionally been dependent on multinational chemical and seed companies. This domestic foundation has fostered a form of biotechnological sovereignty that significantly reshapes Brazil’s export competitiveness. However, intellectual honesty requires a distinction between the sector’s historical structure and its current market dynamics. The premise that the sector remains mostly national is still statistically defensible when measured by number of companies. Brazil has hundreds of registered bioinput firms—many of them small and medium-sized regional agritechs. If one counts by tax ID (CNPJ), the majority are indeed Brazilian-owned. But when the metric shifts from number of companies to revenue concentration and market share, the picture is evolving rapidly. Multinational giants such as Bayer, Syngenta, Corteva and UPL—as well as foreign investment groups—have accelerated acquisitions of leading Brazilian bioinput firms. Once a Brazilian company is acquired, it continues operating locally, but capital allocation decisions and long-term strategic direction shift to a global headquarters. Why is this happening? Because the Brazilian bioinput sector has become one of the most profitable and dynamic segments in agribusiness, turning it into a primary target for mergers and acquisitions. Many companies that began with 100 per cent national capital were acquired precisely because multinationals struggled to replicate the speed of Brazilian innovation or navigate Brazil’s complex regulatory and agronomic landscape as effectively as local players. This creates a strategic paradox. Brazil risks becoming an exceptional “nursery of biological startups”—a global laboratory for innovation—whose most successful companies are absorbed by foreign capital once they achieve maturity and export scale. At the same time, the very factors that attract multinational interest explain Brazil’s competitive edge. In global chemical conglomerates, biological products are often treated as complementary or defensive tools—designed to protect or extend the lifecycle of synthetic molecules. In contrast, for national Brazilian companies, bioinputs are not an add-on; they are the core business. That structural difference matters. When biology is the central strategy, 100 per cent of R&D investment is directed toward biological performance. There is no internal conflict of interest, such as the risk of cannibalizing sales of high-margin synthetic fungicides. In large chemical corporations, a disruptive biological innovation can threaten existing revenue streams. In Brazilian bioinput companies, disruption is the objective. The result is faster innovation cycles, greater technological boldness and a development pipeline focused purely on biological efficiency under tropical conditions. This strategic clarity—biology as mission, not supplement—is what transformed Brazil into a global reference in bioinputs. The challenge now is ensuring that this innovative sovereignty is not diluted as consolidation accelerates. Competition with Established Multinationals As global agrochemical and biotech firms rapidly expand their biological portfolios, where does Brazil see its most defensible competitive moat—cost, performance in tropical systems, speed of innovation, or something else? Our defensive moat is, without a doubt, Proven Performance in Tropical Systems. While multinationals compete by buying startups to build a portfolio, Brazil has an advantage that cannot be bought: decades of natural selection in the field.The 'Tropicalization' Factor: Biology is context-dependent. A fungus developed in a laboratory in Europe might die in two hours under the sun in Mato Grosso (or Maharashtra). Our strains were isolated and selected under extreme thermal and water stress. They are "elite athletes" of survival.Real Scale vs. Greenhouse: Multinationals test in controlled greenhouses. Brazil tests on 40 million hectares of commercial crops. We have the world’s largest database on how bioinputs interact with the real environment.Cost-Benefit: Since we master large-scale fermentation (on-farm and industrial), we can deliver this elite biology at a cost that makes its use viable in commodities (soybeans, corn, cotton, sugarcane, etc.), not just in expensive fruits.Application Science and Coexistence (Compatibility): Foreign multinationals usually sell the "bottle." Brazilian companies sell the management. Brazil has learned to mix biologicals with chemicals in the same spray tank without inactivating the microorganism. This knowledge regarding formulation stability and chemical compatibility is what global producers want most today to reduce costs.The Brazilian "Pipeline": Brazil possesses the greatest microbial biodiversity in the world. The ability to isolate, test, and register new assets with agility creates an innovation cycle that multinationals, with their global bureaucratic structures, struggle to match. Institutional Coordination and Governance What concrete mechanisms will ensure that the export committee translates coordination into measurable outcomes—such as export growth or regulatory approvals—rather than remaining a symbolic platform? The Committee began its work at the end of 2025. To ensure the export committee does not become a "symbolic platform" without practical delivery, the governance of the bioinput sector in Brazil is being structured on technical execution mechanisms and commercial diplomacy.Law No. 15,070/2024 provides the legal basis, but the translation into measurable results depends on three pillars of institutional coordination. The committee does not act only in commercial promotion, but in the convergence of standards. The concrete mechanism is the creation of joint working groups with bodies such as EFSA (Europe) and the EPA (USA), aiming to reduce registration time abroad through the acceptance of data generated in Brazil (mutual recognition).The committee utilizes the rigor of the new legal framework to advocate that biological efficacy dossiers approved by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture) be accepted as technical proof in other countries, eliminating the need to repeat field tests that last years.Institutional coordination involves ApexBrasil, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply in a market segmentation program. Examples such as the creation of an export "Bio-Pipeline" can be cited. The committee identifies biotechnological bottlenecks in partner countries and can directly connect Brazilian companies that have the specific solution through diplomatic missions, trade fairs, events, and through agricultural attachés at Brazilian embassies in key countries.Another aspect to prevent Brazilian products from being blocked by subjective sustainability issues is the implementation of Certification and Traceability Support within a Bioinput Conformity Seal system. Audits will ensure that the exported input meets bioeconomy and low carbon emission requirements, integrating them into the national bioinput program. Long-Term Market Transformation Do you view Brazil’s push into biological inputs primarily as an export opportunity, or as part of a broader effort to reshape global crop protection and fertility markets away from synthetic inputs—and how does that ambition influence policy and investment priorities? This is the question that defines the "endgame" for Brazil. The strategic answer is that export is merely the vehicle, but the global paradigm shift is the destination. Brazil doesn’t just want to be the largest exporter of bioinputs; it intends to be the architect of the new era of world agriculture.This is, undoubtedly, a global paradigm shift. Export is just the economic consequence; the cause is the survival necessity of modern agriculture. Brazil doesn’t just want to sell a substitute for chemicals; we want to lead the transition to the Era of High-Performance Regenerative Agriculture.We are positioning ourselves to be the "Saudi Arabia of Green Chemistry." Just as the Middle East was indispensable in the oil era, Brazil will be indispensable in the bioeconomy era. We are not just "moving away" from synthetics; we are integrating biological tools to create a smarter and more resilient system.This vision changes everything. Our investment priorities have shifted from the logic of "technology importation" to "technological sovereignty." The National Bioinput Plan and the APEX Brasil Bioinput Export Committee Project are proof that the Brazilian State has decided that biotechnology is strategic for national and global security.The Brazilian offensive aims to reposition synthetic inputs (especially fossil-based nitrogen fertilizers and high-toxicity pesticides) as high-risk assets with high environmental costs. The vulnerability revealed by global crises (such as the fertilizer shortage in 2022) accelerated the National Fertilizer Plan and the Bioinput Legal Framework (Law 15,070/2024). Brazil treats bioinputs as a matter of national security. The ambition is to reduce external dependence on mineral fertilizers by up to 50 per cent in the coming decades.By proving this is possible on a continental scale, Brazil creates a "demonstration effect" for the rest of the world, leading a movement for biotechnological food sovereignty. We are redesigning the architecture of food production. The future is biological, and Brazil is the laboratory where this future has already begun.I invite India to join us on this journey. Together, as leaders of the Global South, we have the responsibility and the capacity to define how the world will feed itself over the next 50 years: with more biology, more biotechnology, and more respect for our tropical soils and the people who are here and their future generations. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3573/gross-wen-technologies-martin-gross-on-algae-based-wastewater-as-next-frontier-of-resilient-infrastructure.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3573/gross-wen-technologies-martin-gross-on-algae-based-wastewater-as-next-frontier-of-resilient-infrastructure.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:48:51 +0530 In an exclusive with AgroSpectrum, the Founder & CEO explains how Global Cleantech 100 recognition validates economic durability, circular value creation, and the future of wastewater as a strategic asset AgroSpectrum spoke with Martin Gross, Founder & CEO of Gross-Wen Technologies, following the company’s inclusion in the 2026 Global Cleantech 100. He highlighted how the recognition validates algae-based wastewater treatment as a mature, infrastructure-ready solution for both municipal and industrial users, delivering regulatory compliance alongside energy savings and usable biomass. Gross emphasized Gross-Wen’s focus on economic durability—reducing operating costs, emissions, and chemical dependence while enabling circular value creation through nutrient and carbon recovery. Looking ahead, he positioned wastewater as a strategic asset, with Gross-Wen helping cities and industries build resilient, low-carbon water infrastructure amid tightening capital and climate constraints. Recognition & Strategic Validation Gross-Wen Technologies has been named to the 2026 Global Cleantech 100 at a time when the market is becoming more disciplined and competitive. What does this recognition signal to you about the maturity of algae-based wastewater treatment and its role in the future of critical infrastructure? Being named to the 2026 Global Cleantech 100 signals that algae-based wastewater treatment has reached infrastructure maturity across both municipal and industrial applications. For cities and food and beverage manufacturers alike, it validates that biological systems can deliver reliable compliance while producing a usable algae biomass. This recognition underscores algae’s growing role in resilient, next-generation water infrastructure. Economic Durability as the New Cleantech Mandate Cleantech Group highlights a shift from efficiency-driven innovation to durability-driven systems. How does Gross-Wen’s technology embody economic durability, particularly for municipalities and industrial customers operating under tighter capital and regulatory constraints? Gross-Wen’s technology delivers economic durability by reducing energy use, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing chemical and sludge costs for municipalities and industrial operators, including food and beverage facilities. The treatment process also produces algae biomass as a viable byproduct, creating opportunities to offset operating costs. This combination supports long-term affordability under increasing regulatory and capital constraints. Water, Climate, and National Resilience Water security is increasingly intersecting with climate resilience and national security. How do you see algae-based wastewater treatment contributing to long-term water independence and resource security in the U.S. and globally? Algae-based wastewater treatment reduces reliance on energy-intensive processes while enabling nutrient recovery and water reuse at both municipal plants and industrial facilities. For food and beverage producers, this supports compliance and operational resilience while lowering emissions. At a broader level, it strengthens water independence and resource security in the face of climate volatility. Scalability in a Competitive Market With investment and attention concentrating in select “grow” sectors like AI and critical minerals, how has Gross-Wen positioned itself to scale in a market where capital efficiency, predictability, and proven deployment matter more than ever? We’ve positioned Gross-Wen to scale by focusing on standardized, capital-efficient systems with predictable performance for both municipal utilities and industrial customers. In sectors like food and beverage, proven energy savings, emissions reductions, and consistent biomass production are more important than speculative innovation. Repeat deployments and operating data have been central to our growth. Carbon, Nutrients, and Circular Value Creation Gross-Wen’s system not only treats wastewater but captures carbon and recovers nutrients for reuse. How important is this circular value proposition in helping customers justify adoption—and how do you see markets evolving for recovered nutrients and algae-derived products? The circular value proposition is critical because nutrients and carbon are captured into algae biomass during treatment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing a usable product. This helps both municipalities and industrial users justify investment beyond compliance alone. We see growing demand for recovered nutrients and algae-derived products as sustainability and cost pressures continue to align. From Pilot Projects to Infrastructure Mainstay Many climate technologies struggle to move from pilots to widespread infrastructure adoption. What have been the key lessons Gross-Wen has learned in bridging that gap, and what policy or procurement changes would most accelerate deployment? The key lesson has been designing systems that integrate seamlessly into existing municipal plants and food and beverage operations. Demonstrating consistent performance alongside energy, emissions, and biomass benefits in real-world facilities builds trust. Procurement policies that prioritize lifecycle value over lowest upfront cost would significantly accelerate deployment. Innovation Philosophy in a Pressure-Cooker Environment The cleantech ecosystem is described as a “pressure cooking” environment, with fewer technologies breaking out. How do you maintain innovation velocity while ensuring reliability and predictability for customers who depend on mission-critical water systems? We maintain innovation velocity by tightly linking biological advances to operational reliability for both municipal and industrial users. Every improvement must reduce energy use, lower emissions, or improve biomass outcomes without increasing complexity. That discipline ensures innovation strengthens, rather than destabilizes, mission-critical systems. Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years As AI-driven demand, climate volatility, and resource constraints intensify, what role do you envision Gross-Wen Technologies playing in reshaping how cities and industries think about wastewater—not as a liability, but as a strategic asset? Over the next five years, we see municipalities and food and beverage companies increasingly treating wastewater as a strategic resource. Gross-Wen will help transform treatment systems into platforms that deliver clean water, reduced emissions, and valuable biomass—reshaping wastewater infrastructure for long-term resilience and value creation. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3572/irrigation-is-no-longer-about-yield-alone-frank-yan-country-manager-china-komet-irrigation.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3572/irrigation-is-no-longer-about-yield-alone-frank-yan-country-manager-china-komet-irrigation.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:43:48 +0530 Komet positions its low-pressure sprinklers to support water-saving KPIs, data verification, and climate-resilient farming In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Frank Yan, Country Manager China at Komet Irrigation, says Asia—particularly China and India—is central to Komet’s 2026 growth strategy because it sits at the intersection of acute water stress, food security pressure, and large-scale irrigation potential. China remains the most urgent market commercially and environmentally, where government-led water-saving policies, performance-based subsidies, and a mature pivot OEM ecosystem create strong demand for Komet’s low-pressure, high-uniformity sprinklers, while India is viewed as a longer-term scale test case constrained by infrastructure, farm size, and farmer financing. Yan emphasizes that the biggest gap today is not technology but market proof—calling for field demonstrations and data-driven evidence to clearly show farmers how efficient irrigation stabilizes yields, reduces energy costs, and manages climate risk. By 2026, Komet’s success in Asia will be defined less by short-term sales and more by brand leadership—measured by widespread OEM adoption, farmer trust, and its systems becoming the default choice for water-efficient mechanized irrigation. Asia’s Water Stress Moment Asia is entering a critical decade for water security, with agriculture at the center of the challenge. How does Komet view Asia’s role in its global growth strategy for 2026, and which markets are most urgent—both commercially and from a water-stress perspective? Asia has more than half the world’s population but less freshwater per capita than almost any other continent. Water stress is driven by population growth, urbanization, climate change, and poor governance — not just natural scarcity. China's water problem is worse than most of the other Asian countries simply because of the high population pressure and extremely uneven distribution of the water recourses in the country. India is another country that has a huge pressure from the point of view of water crisis and the need for agricultural production. Komet's products are almost exclusively serving the pivot irrigation market, which requires many conditions be sufficient to support the market growth. Pivot irrigation can only be used when the farm size is big enough; the right infrastructure exists (water source, power supply) and enough money for the initial investment. China has all of these essential elements for pivot irrigation except for the farm size which is relatively small for pivot irrigation. However, the Chinese government spent billions of dollars during the 2010's in promoting the pivot irrigation in the northern part of the country resulting in over 100 thousand pivots installed in less than a decade. There were over 100 pivot companies in China during the peak time of Water Saving irrigation Campaign from 2012-2018. The focus has shifted to drip irrigation in recent years because they found out that drip irrigation saves even more water. The number of pivot manufacturers has dropped from over 100 to merely 11 today. With the fast development of the supply chain in almost all the industrial sectors in China, the pivot manufacturing has been greatly improved, the quality and functionality of the pivot products are at par with the western companies like Valmont and Lindsay. Their focus has been selling into the international markets in the last ten years due to their large production capacity and the decreasing demand in the domestic market . India as a Scale Test Case India represents one of the world’s largest irrigation markets, yet adoption remains uneven across regions and farm sizes. What structural barriers—economic, behavioral, or policy-related—does Komet see as the biggest constraints to scaling efficient irrigation in India? India has a great potential from the population and food security points of view, but the pivot market won't have substantial growth until the basic infrastructure such as water and power supply has been developed in the major agricultural area. The other limiting factor in Indian is the farm size. Pivot irrigation is more efficient when the size of the field reaches over 30 hectares while 86 per cent of the farms in India are smaller than 2 Ha. Hose reel market in India has a great potential for growth because it covers smaller field and its relatively easier to setup and initial investment is low. Komet's big gun products should fit the hose reel market in India well. However, the biggest constraint in this market is the investment. It has to come from the government at the beginning since the farmers have no money to invest. China's experiences shows that only government can start the irrigation market development in developing countries.  From Subsidies to Sustainability Public subsidies have historically shaped irrigation adoption across Asia. How is Komet positioning its solutions in a policy environment that is gradually shifting from input subsidies toward water-use efficiency, climate resilience, and outcomes-based agriculture? Since the early 2010s, China’s central and provincial governments have included sprinkler irrigation machines (including center pivots and hose reels) in the national agricultural machinery purchase subsidy program. By 2023–2025, subsidies covered 30–50 per cent of equipment costs, with some regions offering additional local top-ups. In key grain-producing provinces like Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Inner Mongolia, thousands of pivots and hose-reel units were deployed under subsidized programs. Infrastructure Integration Investments went beyond equipment to include water source development (wells, reservoirs), pressurized pipe networks, and smart control systems, enabling efficient operation of mechanized irrigation. Since 2011, China has prioritized “high-standard farmland” construction, targeting 1 billion mu (~67 million hectares) by 2030. This includes installing modern irrigation systems like center pivots and hose reels, especially in arid regions (e.g., Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang). China launched the “Red Line” water policy, capping national water use at 670 billion m³/year by 2030. Provinces must meet water-use efficiency KPIs, driving adoption of precision irrigation. Starting around 2020–2022, China began transitioning from pure input-based subsidies (e.g., “buy a machine, get cash”) toward performance- or output-based incentives: Linking subsidies to water savings, crop yield improvements, or fertilizer reduction (part of the national “fertilizer and pesticide zero-growth” and “water-saving agriculture” strategies). Promoting water rights trading pilots and quota-based allocation in arid regions (e.g., Northwest China). Since 2019, provinces like Gansu and Ningxia have piloted “water-saving performance payments”, where farmers receive bonuses based on verified water savings or yield per unit of water, not just equipment ownership. National projects integrate IoT sensors, remote control, and water metering with pivot/hose-reel systems to enable data-driven water allocation and subsidy verification. As an upstream supplier of high-efficiency sprinklers products for pivots and hose reels, Komet can contribute to China’s policy evolution in the following ways: Enable Precision Water Application: Komet’s low-pressure, uniform distribution sprinklers reduce evaporation and runoff, directly improving crop per drop metrics required under China’s water caps. Support Verification of Water Savings: By integrating Komet sprinklers with flow meters and telemetry (common in Chinese smart irrigation projects), actual water use can be monitored—enabling performance-based subsidies rather than mere equipment purchase rewards. Align with China’s “Green Agriculture” Standards: Komet’s CE-certified, energy-efficient designs help Chinese integrators qualify for green procurement lists and provincial eco-subsidies tied to ISO 14046 (water footprint). Smallholders vs. Commercial Farms Asia’s irrigation demand spans smallholder farmers, plantation crops, and large commercial operations. In 2026, how is Komet balancing product design and go-to-market strategies across these vastly different customer segments without diluting impact or margins?  Komet's product lines are limited and so are the focus of the company's efforts in marketing and sales. Small holders in any market are unlikely to be using pivot irrigation therefore not in client group for Komet. Big guns and sprinklers are the main focus of Komet's business; the focus of the company should be on marketing its unique design around low pressure/energy requirement and its superior uniformity of its products. Technology vs. Adoption Gap Efficient irrigation technology is increasingly available, yet on-ground adoption lags potential. From Komet’s experience, is the bigger gap today technological capability, affordability, farmer trust, or last-mile execution—and how is your Asia strategy addressing that gap? The technology is available and Komet's advantage has been proven, however, that advantage has not been shown clearly to the customers. I believe that demonstration of Komet's product advantage needs to be conducted in the market. Climate Variability and System Design With rainfall patterns becoming more erratic, irrigation is no longer just about yield but risk management. How is climate volatility reshaping demand for Komet’s solutions in Asia, and what changes are you making to system design, data use, or service models in response? Irrigation in its core should be about ensuring agricultural production rather than simply water-saving. However, that message has not been clearly and completely crossed to the farmers. Helping farmers understand the core value of efficient irrigation and the key role of best designed sprinkler systems is the key. We need to let the data and fact tell the true story Localization and Partnerships Water management is deeply local—driven by soil, crops, aquifers, and regulation. How important are local partnerships, manufacturing, and service networks to Komet’s Asia and India expansion, and where do you draw the line between global standardization and local customization? With today's manufacturing capability and the nature of the Komet's products (smaller size and bigger value), localization of manufacturing is not necessary. Marketing and selling Komets products, however, requires well developed dealer network and mutually beneficial partnerships with our OEMS and distributors. For China, the existing pivot OEMs are working very aggressively in developing international markets especially in areas that irrigation market is fast developing. We need to work very closely with them in building Komet's product and technology into their overall value system. The fact that most of the developing markets are underdeveloped in terms of water and power supply demands superior products like KPT sprinklers where low pressure/energy is needed to operate. We should focus on marketing this distinguished technological advantage; the lower energy means more profits for the farmers.  Defining Success Beyond Sales By the end of 2026, what would success look like for Komet in Asia and India—not just in terms of revenue or hectares irrigated, but in measurable outcomes such as water savings, farmer income stability, or climate resilience? The best success for Komet would be an improved brand image. It would be a great success in the China market if 8 out of 10 pivot customers use Komet products and all OEMs use more Komet products than last year!  --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3566/fao-on-balancing-climate-urgency-and-food-safety-in-emerging-agrifood-technologies.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3566/fao-on-balancing-climate-urgency-and-food-safety-in-emerging-agrifood-technologies.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:17:22 +0530 FAO outlines a pragmatic, trust-first pathway for deploying environmental inhibitors at scale In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Vittorio Fattori, Food Safety Officer at the FAO, explains how governments can urgently deploy environmental inhibitors to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions while upholding rigorous food safety standards. He emphasizes a stepwise, proportionate risk assessment approach, allowing rapid scale-up when residues are not detectable, and targeted human risk assessment when they are plausible—ensuring climate action does not undermine consumer trust. Fattori highlights the importance of harmonized Codex standards to reduce regulatory fragmentation, prevent trade disruptions, and provide predictability for innovators and producers globally. Addressing equity, he underscores FAO’s focus on feasible pathways for low- and middle-income countries, including reliance on international scientific evaluations and proportionate controls aligned with national capacities. Framing environmental inhibitors as part of a broader mitigation toolbox—sometimes transitional, sometimes structural—he stresses that transparent communication and continuous reassessment are essential to sustaining public confidence while advancing lower-emission agrifood systems. Balancing Climate Urgency and Food Safety Rigor Given the urgency to reduce agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions, how does FAO recommend balancing accelerated deployment of environmental inhibitors with the inherently cautious timelines of food safety risk assessment, without undermining public trust? While recognizing the urgency to cut methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agrifood systems, we also emphasize that ensuring food safety is essential when introducing new practices and technologies. The urgency to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions together with the need to maintain food safety, are some the multiple factors (including also for example animal health and welfare, environmental benefits and more) that decision makers will need to balance in their decision-making process. We believe that by considering food safety at the outset, we can ensure that efforts to reduce environmental impacts are effective, trusted, and well understood. In the case of environmental inhibitors, if no residues are detectable in foods with sensitive methods under proposed use conditions, risk concerns are minimal and scale‑up can proceed with routine verification. If residues are plausible, a proportionate human risk assessment (hazard + exposure) should be completed before widespread use. This staged approach allows mitigation benefits to begin promptly while ensuring consumer protection remains at the core of any proposed intervention. Evidence Thresholds and Precaution What level and type of residue evidence does FAO consider sufficient to move from experimental or pilot use of environmental inhibitors to widespread commercial adoption, especially in contexts where long-term dietary exposure data may be limited? The minimum evidence threshold is to determine whether residues of the parent compound and/or relevant metabolites are present in foods of animal or plant origin under realistic use (i.e. following good agricultural/animal husbandry practice). When robust residue studies show no detectable residues, further studies may be unnecessary. If residues are found, it will be important to follow these steps: Hazard characterization (toxicology of parent + metabolites, using established FAO/WHO principles) to derive health-based guidance values where needed Dietary Exposure assessment Risk characterization that can support risk management measures such as Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) When data are limited and there is scientific uncertainty, it could be considered to conduct  human exposure assessment(s) according to the Codex Alimentarius “Guidelines for rapid risk analysis following instances of detection of contaminants in food where there is no regulatory level”, possibly followed by a full risk assessment specific to human health if the residues in question meet the exclusion criteria of the guidelines. In this regard it is important to recognize that substances already regulated as pesticides or veterinary drugs typically follow their full premarket pathways. Regulatory Fragmentation and Global Trade With environmental inhibitors classified differently across jurisdictions—as veterinary drugs, feed additives, or soil amendments—how does FAO see harmonized Codex standards reducing the risk of trade disruptions and regulatory arbitrage? Today, environmental inhibitors (EIs) can be classified according to national regulations as either as veterinary drugs, feed additives, fertilizer components, or pesticides, which can lead to different data packages and approval routes across markets; this can create a risk of trade friction when residues are handled inconsistently. FAO supports harmonization via Codex. In this context, FAO/WHO expert bodies - e.g. the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) - provide independent scientific advice to underpin Codex standards, including Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) where appropriate. Converging on common data requirements, residue definitions, and risk assessment principles reduces regulatory arbitrage, improves predictability for innovators and producers, and protects consumers while facilitating trade. Cumulative and Systemic Risk Assessment How does FAO propose assessing cumulative food safety risks when environmental inhibitors are used alongside other inputs such as pesticides, veterinary drugs, and feed additives, particularly in intensive production systems? It is important to begin with the foundational EIs assessment (residues → hazard→ exposure) and, where residues are expected, considering aggregate dietary exposure from food and water consistent with existing pesticide/veterinary drug paradigms. When an EI shares toxicological endpoints with other regulated inputs (e.g., similar modes of action or common target organs), assessors would consider cumulative risk assessment considerations aligned with established Codex/Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)/Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) practices. Practically, this means define the residue of concern (parent/metabolites), ensure analytical methods across relevant matrices, and evaluate whether use patterns in intensive systems plausibly raise combined exposure near health-based guidance values. Equity and Adoption in Low- and Middle-Income Countries What considerations is FAO giving to the food safety assessment and regulatory capacity challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries, where monitoring EI residues in food may be technically or financially constrained? We are attentive to capacity constraints in  Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) — notably the cost and technical demands of residue methods, surveillance, and regulatory review. Our guidance therefore stresses stepwise, feasible pathways: begin with plausibility screening of residue transfer, leverage validated methods and internationally available scientific opinions (e.g. from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)/Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) practices), and apply proportionate controls (label conditions, use restrictions) that match national laboratory capacities. Through the Food Safety work, FAO provides tools, training, and normative guidance that Member countries can adapt, helping them adopt mitigation technologies without compromising consumer protection or market access. Managing Uncertainty in Novel Agrifood Technologies In cases where scientific uncertainty remains—especially regarding chronic exposure or indirect food chain transfer—how does FAO advise policymakers to apply the precautionary principle without stalling climate mitigation innovations? When uncertainty remains — especially about chronic exposure or indirect transfer along the food chain — it can be important to use conservative exposure assumptions and interim risk management measures (e.g., restricted use conditions, defined withdrawal intervals, targeted monitoring) while additional data are generated. As mentioned, existing guidelines like Codex Guidelines for rapid risk analysis following instances of detection of contaminants in food where there is no regulatory level (CXG 92-2019), can prove to be useful in specific circumstances without substituting for full premarket evaluation required for pesticides or veterinary drugs. This approach protects consumers without stalling climate mitigation innovation when that shows clear efficacy and a low likelihood of significant human dietary exposure. Public Perception and Consumer Confidence How important is transparent communication about food safety risk assessments for environmental inhibitors in maintaining consumer confidence, and what role should FAO play in shaping that global narrative? Transparent communication is essential. With this work we wanted to bring some clarity on what environmental inhibitors are, why they are used, and how food safety is assessed. We also wanted to explain in accessible terms what residue testing shows and how standards are set internationally. Our new report and technical brief were designed to explain the science and outline a clear, stepwise safety pathway. In this respect, we support our members by generate and sharing timely, actionable insights on food safety, as well as by providing proactive and strategic guidance on emerging food safety issues. Long-Term Agrifood System Transformation Do you see environmental inhibitors as a transitional solution toward lower-emission agrifood systems, or as a long-term structural component—and how does that distinction influence FAO’s approach to food safety foresight and regulatory guidance? Environmental inhibitors are some of the tools available within a portfolio of measures to lower agrifood systems’ emissions. In some production contexts, EIs may be transitional — bridging to system redesigns (e.g., breeding, feed system changes, nitrogen management). In others, certain inhibitors could become more structural components, provided they consistently demonstrate safety, efficacy, and practicality. This framing shapes the notion of establishing durable, harmonized safety frameworks (including, where needed, Codex MRLs), maintaining surveillance and periodic reassessment as science evolves, and considering the integration of EIs into broader mitigation strategies rather than viewing them in isolation. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3564/why-ingredients-are-new-brand-currency-in-asias-food-markets.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3564/why-ingredients-are-new-brand-currency-in-asias-food-markets.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:50:22 +0530 Cargill’s Yuchu Zhang on trust, texture, sweeteners, and how ingredient intelligence is reshaping pricing power and innovation across APAC In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Yuchu Zhang, Vice President – R&D, Cargill Food APAC, explains how ingredient perception has become central to brand trust, premiumisation, and competitive advantage in Asia’s rapidly evolving food markets. Drawing on insights from IngredienTracker, she highlights a structural shift where consumers scrutinise labels, reward familiar and natural-sounding ingredients, and are willing to pay selectively for quality, sustainability, and functionality. Yuchu discusses how manufacturers must balance advanced food science with cultural familiarity—across sweeteners, fats and oils, cocoa, and texture innovation—to drive differentiation without sacrificing affordability. Looking ahead, she underscores ingredient intelligence as a critical innovation engine, separating companies that anticipate consumer expectations from those that merely react to them. Ingredient perception has moved from the margins to the center of purchase decisions in Asia. Your data shows over 70 per cent of consumers now check ingredient labels, and more than half actively share ingredient knowledge. From Cargill’s vantage point, is this merely a transparency trend—or does it mark a deeper structural shift in how brand trust and pricing power are built in Asian food markets ? We don’t see this as a short-term transparency trend. It is a structural shift in how brand trust and pricing power are built in Asia. When over 70 per cent of consumers are checking labels and more than half are actively sharing ingredient knowledge, ingredients stop being a compliance or back-of-the-pack issue and become a front-of-mind brand asset. Trust now goes beyond the brand – it is also going into the finer print. Historically in many Asian markets, brand heritage, scale, or price were enough to secure trust. Today, consumers increasingly ‘audit’ products through ingredients before deciding if they want to consume it. Secondly, our data shows that more than 58 per cent of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products with higher-quality, sustainable, or fortified ingredients, and they convince their peers to do the same. High quality and healthy ingredients signal value. Pricing power increasingly comes from these ingredient choices that consumers are seeking and can recommend to their family and friends. For manufacturers, this means ingredient strategy is no longer just an R&D decision; it’s a core commercial and brand strategy lever. The study reveals a sharp polarity: “natural-sounding” ingredients are increasingly rewarded, while scientific or unfamiliar names face stronger backlash than in earlier waves. How should food manufacturers reconcile this consumer psychology with the growing reliance on advanced food science, functional fortification, and precision formulation—especially in categories like beverages, infant nutrition, and ready meals ? While it seems that unfamiliar or scientific names are facing stronger backlash than in previous waves, this does not reflect a rejection of food science, but rather how consumers process trust and familiarity.Asian consumers respond to the ‘naming’ of an ingredient. Its nomenclature, framing, familiarity besides the brand credibility all matter more than scientific complexity. Our experience shows that advanced functionality can be accepted when positioned through recognizable sources, everyday benefits, and consistent brand trust, rather than technical explanations. Manufacturers should not retreat from advanced food science but instead translate it into benefits consumers understand. Lead with clear health outcomes, anchor formulations in familiar sources such as plants or fermentation and simplify or localise product ingredient language to build trust and acceptance. Willingness to pay is rising—but selectively. With 58 per cent of consumers willing to pay a 10 per cent premium for higher-quality, sustainable, or nutrient-fortified ingredients, how should companies decide where to invest in premiumisation without overengineering products or eroding mass affordability in Asia’s price-sensitive markets ? According to a report by Bain, consumers in fast growing markets like China, Indonesia are more conscious of environmental and social factors than those in mature markets like Australia and Singapore, which triggers sustainable purchasing in those markets. Consumers in emerging Southeast Asian markets are prioritizing affordability and value but despite that still seek sustainability and wellness-based products. Hence, in my opinion, successful manufacturers will have to adopt a segmented premiumisation strategy. Companies should focus premium investment on key categories and ingredients that deliver maximum health/ nutrition impact, rather than on entire portfolios. Chocolate and cocoa are emerging as both indulgence and ethics categories. IngredienTracker highlights rising expectations around local sourcing, sustainability, and authenticity alongside flavor and texture innovation. Do you see cocoa in APAC evolving into a provenance-driven category—similar to coffee or wine—or will indulgence always outweigh origin storytelling ? Chocolate consumption has increased over the last several years and is projected to continue to increase.There are many factors driving the increase in chocolate consumption including experiential consumption, i.e. consumers looking for an indulgent experience rather than just a snack, and the growing availability of different varieties – provenance, low sugar, zero sugar, dark chocolate, sustainable chocolate etc. While expectations around sustainability, ethical sourcing, and local production are rising, this does not indicate a full shift toward a provenance-led category. Instead, origin and authenticity act as optional value enhancers. A large part of chocolate consumption remains driven by nostalgia. While multi-sensory experiences are driving an increase in consumption, many consumers are also choosing the brands and products they know and have grown up with. In sweeteners, “less sugar” is no longer enough—functionality now matters. With additive sweetener use in beverages rising sharply and consumers gravitating toward monk fruit, brown sugar, and cane sugar, how do you see the next phase of sweetener innovation unfolding: reformulation, metabolic health positioning, or ingredient blending strategies that balance taste, trust, and regulation ? IngredienTracker APAC 2025 shows that sugar-free and low-sugar claims are rising, with additive sweeteners in beverages increasing from 18 per cent to 29 per cent of launches across APAC. The next phase of innovation will center on ingredient blending strategies that balance taste, texture and health impact, while ensuring brand trust as well as regulatory compliance. Brands are likely to combine natural sweeteners like monk fruit or brown sugar with functional additives targeting metabolism, gut health, or immunity. Texture has become a premium signal, not just a formulation choice. Asian textures like mochi and boba are now global, and plant-based texturizers are gaining acceptance. How strategically important is texture innovation in differentiating brands today—and do you see texture becoming a stronger driver of value than flavor in certain categories ? While flavor remains the primary driver of consumption, texture has emerged as a strategic lever for differentiation. Asian-inspired textures like mochi and boba enhance the multisensory experience, creating memorable, emotionally engaging products that complement taste rather than replace it. These drives repeat purchase and premium positioning. In categories like beverages, desserts, and snacks, where flavor alone is easily replicated, thoughtful textural innovation can reinforce brand identity, encourage repeat purchase, and deepen consumer loyalty, making it a valuable tool alongside compelling flavor profiles. This strengthens brand equity, supports premium pricing, and makes products harder to replicate, translating sensory innovation directly into measurable commercial advantage. Texture also supports novelty and social sharing, generating buzz and trial. Fats and oils are being re-rated through a health and sustainability lens. As consumers scrutinize oils for cardiovascular, immunity, and clean-label benefits, how should manufacturers rethink legacy formulations—particularly in snacks and ready meals—without compromising shelf life, cost, or taste? The shift towards health and sustainability in our food is reshaping product development across food manufacturers, particularly in snacks and ready meal categories. Cargill’s category professionals not only decipher market trends that shift ingredient choices in mass consumers, but also work closely with industry category leaders to understand the trade offs of new ingredients to legacy formulas to specific consumer segments, and to provide innovative solutions to meet these consumers’ unmet needs. Cargill has a diverse fats and oil portfolio that can support the health and sustainable needs of our consumers. We have stable and heart healthy high oleic oils, blended oils that combine cost effectiveness and nutrition, specialty fats and oil fractions with enhanced performance, and nature powered oil solutions that preserve shelf life instead of synthetic preservatives. Examples include: Low-saturation frying oils (blended oils with high oleic acid), which have over 50 per cent lower saturated acid content compared to traditional frying oils without compromising stability Sunflower seed oil with zero trans fatty acids and corn oil rich in phytosterols Low-contaminant palm oil developed through process optimization and formula upgrades, and meeting EU standards Low-saturation tea beverage oils, which, compared to traditional milk fats and palm oils, are not only lower in saturated acid but also offer better value and enhance the aroma of milk tea Replacement solutions for partially hydrogenated oils, which is the primary source of industrial trans fats, that deliver comparable quality, texture, stability, and shelf life Cargill uses sensory and performance testing on fats and oils in formulas to validate the robustness of the new formulas, and develops new functional oils and delivery systems, to tailor taste, texture in application and storage. We have also invested in technology upgrades at our edible oils facilities to produce better-functioning products Our portfolio, production and category expertise provide category players in the market with taste, shelf life and cost, while addressing consumers’ evolving demand for healthy and sustainable foods IngredienTracker positions insight as an innovation engine, not just a research output. Looking ahead five years, how do you expect ingredient intelligence to reshape the competitive advantage of global ingredient suppliers—and what capabilities will separate companies that lead Asian food innovation from those that merely follow consumer sentiment ? Over the next five years, leading food brands in Asia will be those that anticipate shifts in ingredient perceptions and embed consumer intelligence directly into R&D, rather than treating it as a downstream input. Consumer sentiment and market demand are inseparable from innovation decisions. By introducing scientifically advanced ingredients through familiar, culturally relevant and trustworthy nutrition led narratives, suppliers can help customers cater to emerging consumer demands and unlock new market potential. ----- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3558/inside-cloovers-plan-to-become-shopify-of-energy.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3558/inside-cloovers-plan-to-become-shopify-of-energy.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:17:49 +0530 Jodok Betschart on why execution, ecosystems and capital will define the next decade of clean power In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Jodok Betschart, Co-Founder & CEO of Cloover GmbH, explains why Europe has reached a critical inflection point for decentralized energy as AI-driven demand, electrification and grid instability converge. He outlines how Cloover is positioning itself as the operating system for energy independence by solving the sector’s biggest bottleneck—financing—through embedded, asset-first credit and AI-led risk assessment. Betschart also highlights the significance of Cloover’s $1.2 billion institutional financing commitment as validation of distributed energy as a new infrastructure asset class. Looking ahead, he details the company’s installer-centric ecosystem strategy and its ambition to become the global backbone for decentralized energy over the next decade. The Infrastructure Moment You describe Cloover as building the operating system for energy independence. Why is this moment—marked by AI-driven demand growth, grid instability, and electrification—the inflection point for such a platform? The current moment represents a critical inflection point for the European energy sector. Several converging megatrends are creating this “infrastructure moment”: Rising Energy Demand and Grid Instability: The European energy landscape is entering a “defining decade”. Demand is surging, driven by increasing electrification and new, energy-intensive technologies like AI data centers. Simultaneously, centralized power grids are struggling to keep pace, leading to instability and uncertainty Accelerated Electrification: The rapid adoption of electric mobility is exposing deep structural weaknesses in the existing infrastructure. Households and businesses are seeking ways to secure their energy supply and control costs, driving exponential interest in decentralized solutions like solar, batteries, and heat pumps The “Missing Link”: While demand is exploding, the scalable infrastructure to deploy these technologies efficiently is absent . Cloover is this “missing link”—an operating system that connects all stakeholders on a single platform . It is built on the core principles of being asset-first and using automation to replace manual processes, creating a financial and procedural infrastructure that enables the transition to a resilient, independent energy grid. Financing as the Bottleneck Your thesis is that financing, not technology adoption, is the biggest constraint in residential energy. What structural failures in traditional banking does Cloover’s embedded finance model address? The thesis that financing is the primary bottleneck is based on the insight that technology adoption is hindered by structural weaknesses in the traditional financial system. Our model addresses these shortcomings: Fragmentation and Lack of Specialization: Unlike mature markets like automotive, the decentralized energy asset class has few specialized lenders. Traditional banks are often ill-equipped to underwrite loans at the required speed and granularity High Upfront Costs: The significant initial investment for solar, heat pumps, or batteries is a major hurdle for many households, with long payback periods deterring adoption Outdated Credit Metrics: Banks rely on traditional credit scores. Our model, in contrast, is asset-first, focusing on the project’s future energy savings as a key evaluation factor, which allows us to serve customers who might not otherwise qualify Installer Cash Flow Constraints: Small and medium-sized installers suffer from severe cash flow problems, having to purchase expensive equipment upfront. Our principle of embedded financing solves this by integrating working capital and financing directly into their workflow, transforming it from a hurdle into a seamless feature. AI in Credit and Risk Assessment Cloover uses AI-powered underwriting focused on long-term energy savings rather than traditional credit metrics. How do you balance innovation in credit models with risk management and regulatory expectations? Balancing innovation with robust risk management is at the core of our strategy. Our philosophy is that AI’s role is to reduce friction, not to replace human judgment. This balance is achieved through a multi-layered approach: Augmented, Not Automated, Judgment: We use AI to structure complex data, automate repetitive tasks, and provide data-driven recommendations. This augments the expertise of our team, allowing for faster, better-informed decisions while maintaining human oversight. For example, our AI-powered underwriting supplements, rather than replaces, traditional credit metrics Streamlining Point-of-Sale Processes: AI automates standard checks during the application process. This allows installers to manage higher demand and provide immediate, reliable feedback to customers at the point of sale, a critical step in reducing friction Data-Driven Risk Analysis: Our platform continuously collects and analyzes real-time performance data from installed assets. This allows for dynamic risk monitoring and proactive management, enabling us to detect and address potential issues early Asset-Backed Security: The financed energy assets are real, tangible assets, providing an additional layer of security beyond the borrower’s credit profile. This positions them as a transparent, “impact-aligned infrastructure asset class” for investors Partnerships with Regulated Institutions: Our model is validated and backed by a $1.2 billion debt facility from a major European bank and a guarantee from the European Investment Fund (EIF), ensuring adherence to the highest regulatory and risk management standards. The $1.2 Billion Commitment The scale of this financing commitment is unusual for a company at this stage. What does this signal about institutional appetite for distributed energy as an infrastructure asset class? The financing commitment of over $1.2 billion is exceptional and sends several powerful signals: Validation of Distributed Energy as an Asset Class: It confirms that institutional capital now views distributed energy systems not as a niche product, but as a scalable, stable, and attractive infrastructure asset class. Confidence in the Platform Model: Investors are backing the “operating system” that makes this asset class legible and investable. Our platform provides the transparency, performance data, and risk management needed to deploy capital at scale into thousands of decentralized projects. Shift to Infrastructure Capital: The deal structure, combining venture equity with a massive debt facility, is typical of mature infrastructure companies. It signals that Cloover has successfully bridged the gap between the tech world and the capital-intensive world of infrastructure finance. A Precedent for the Industry: This deal sets a new benchmark for the industry, proving that it is possible to mobilize the capital required to meet Europe’s ambitious climate goals. The Installer-Centric Growth Model Cloover positions itself as an enabler—not a competitor—to installers. How critical is this alignment to scaling decentralized energy, and what lessons have you learned from working with thousands of SMEs? Aligning with installers as an enabler is the single most critical factor for scaling decentralized energy. The energy transition rests on the shoulders of tens of thousands of small and medium-sized installation businesses. A model that empowers them leverages the industry’s greatest resource. The crucial lesson is that scaling is an ecosystem problem. Success depends on equipping these key players with the right tools. Our platform was designed to solve their core frustrations: fragmented software, manual processes, and crippling financing bottlenecks. By providing workflow automation, embedded financing, and working capital, we become an indispensable growth engine for them. This creates a powerful win-win situation: installers grow their revenue by an average of 30 per cent, and Cloover grows with every project enabled on the platform. This symbiotic relationship, built on trust, is the engine for scalable growth. From Software to Ecosystem You’ve compared Cloover to the “Shopify of Energy.” What does ecosystem leadership mean in energy—and how do you ensure interoperability across manufacturers, installers, investors, and households? The “Shopify of Energy” comparison means that Cloover provides the core infrastructure for others to operate on. We do not own the value chain; we enable it. Ecosystem leadership is defined by the distinct roles each participant plays on this shared infrastructure. Interoperability is ensured through our API-first and modular architecture, which allows all players to connect and collaborate efficiently: Installers use the platform to sell and manage their projects Manufacturers connect their hardware and associated data streams Investors access standardized project and asset information for the deployment of capital End Customers receive simple, financed access to clean energy Cloover is the shared, interoperable layer that aligns these diverse players, ensuring they can collaborate to deliver decentralized energy at scale. Economics for End Users Homeowners reportedly see 20–30 per cent energy cost savings, while installers generate 30 per cent incremental revenue. How do you sustain these economics as you scale across markets with different subsidy and regulatory regimes? Sustaining these economics relies on a dynamic, software-driven platform, not static subsidies. The core principle is ensuring the monthly savings for a homeowner exceed the financing costs . We achieve this through: Adaptable Software: Our platform is designed to flexibly integrate different regulatory frameworks and subsidy programs. Our ability to pre-finance public subsidies is a key advantage, reducing complexity and improving the offer for the customer. Economies of Scale: As we grow, we negotiate better procurement terms, passing those savings on to installers and homeowners. AI-Powered Optimization: Post-installation, our Energy Management Systems (EMS) use AI to optimize energy generation, storage, and consumption, maximizing savings for the household over the system’s lifetime. Portfolio Diversification: Expanding across multiple European markets reduces our dependence on any single regulatory environment and diversifies risk . Global Ambition and the Road Ahead With expansion planned across Europe and ambitions beyond, what must Cloover get right over the next 24 months to become the global backbone for decentralized energy ? To set the course for global leadership, we must focus on three core areas: Excellent Execution in Geographic Scaling: This requires meticulously managing our expansion into new markets like France, Italy, and the UK . We must prove our platform can adapt to local regulations and needs while maintaining core efficiency. A “one-size-fits-all” approach will not work. Strategic Deepening of the Platform: We must continue to advance our core AI capabilities in underwriting, risk management, and energy optimization. The “AI Finance Co-Pilot” must become an indispensable tool for every installer . Furthermore, expanding post-installation services like EMS and VPP integration is crucial for maximizing long-term value. Aggressive Expansion of the Ecosystem: This involves deepening partnerships with manufacturers, broadening our base of institutional investors, and relentlessly strengthening the network effects that create a powerful moat against competitors. As our investor from MMC Ventures noted, our success has been defined by “execution” . Maintaining that focus on execution across these three areas will be the key to establishing Cloover as the global backbone for decentralized energy. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3554/fourth-industrial-revolution-at-sea-why-technology-adoption-is-real-test-for-sustainable-fisheries.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3554/fourth-industrial-revolution-at-sea-why-technology-adoption-is-real-test-for-sustainable-fisheries.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:29:27 +0530 SAFET Executive Director Inga Wise explains how proven ocean technologies, if adopted at scale and tailored to local contexts, could mark a tipping point for sustainable ocean management under the UN Ocean Decade At the midpoint of the UN Ocean Decade, progress toward sustainable fisheries remains uneven—not because of a single missing piece, but due to the need for context-specific combinations of technologies, adoption pathways, and incentives, a challenge SAFET addresses through its SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION mapping tool. In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Inga Wise, Executive Director of SAFET, describes the current moment as a “Fourth Industrial Revolution at Sea,” marked by the availability of proven technologies and a critical shift from pilots to real-world adoption. Inga notes that tools such as satellite surveillance, AI-driven behavioral analysis, and in-situ sensors are already demonstrating impact against IUU fishing, though broader deployment is still constrained by structural, economic, and governance barriers. Ultimately, she emphasizes that SAFET’s role is not to dictate priorities or metrics, but to enable informed decision-making by showing how technology can support measurable progress toward established global frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14. At the midpoint of the UN Ocean Decade, progress appears uneven. From SAFET’s vantage point, where is the gap largest today—technology availability, adoption by industry, regulatory alignment, or political will—and what evidence most clearly supports that assessment? From SAFET’s perspective, there is no single gap that, if overcome, will unblock progress. Every context is different, and each situation requires a different solution or combination of technologies to be successful. This is why SAFET’s SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION map exists, to highlight as broad a cross section of solutions in different contexts as possible to enable implementers to find the most relevant parallels to their situation to learn from.  Your report frames this moment as a “Fourth Industrial Revolution at Sea.” What differentiates this technological wave from earlier digitization efforts in fisheries, and why should decision-makers believe this time will deliver systemic change rather than incremental improvements? Whilst the Fourth Industrial Revolution at sea has been building for some time with technologies being developed and tested in various situations, we are now approaching a critical point where there are sufficient proven technologies available and the focus now needs to shift to support regarding adoption. By highlighting where technologies have been most successfully used, SAFET aims to enable faster adoption and reduce the need to reinvent the wheel. Giving potential adopters of solutions examples that relate to their challenges and pathways that relate to their goals enables informed choices that are right for their requirement. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains stubbornly pervasive. Which technologies highlighted in the report have demonstrated the strongest real-world impact against IUU fishing, and what structural barriers still prevent their wider deployment? There are a wide range of technologies now in use that have been proven effective against IUU fishing, including satellite surveillance, AI behavioural analysis, in-situ sensors, and many more. To date, many deployments have been of a pilot nature. We are now seeing a more widespread adoption, which in turn will reduce opportunities for IUU catch to enter the supply chain.  SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION emphasizes real-world case studies over theoretical promise. In reviewing deployments globally, what patterns separate successful implementations from those that underperform or stall—and what lessons should governments and industry leaders draw before investing? One of the main lessons we have seen is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.  Each context and challenge area is different and what worked for a technology deployment in one situation may not work in another. Hence, with our new tool, SEA-TECH-IN-MOTION, we provide filters where the viewer can choose desired outcome, species, geographic location, and more to find projects that relate to their needs.  Consumer trust and traceability are central themes, yet mislabeling rates remain high. Is the challenge primarily technological, economic, or cultural within supply chains—and how realistic is full transparency at scale by 2030? The factors contributing to mislabelling vary across seafood supply chains, which are often complex and fragmented. As a result, the challenge is not confined to a single dimension, but reflects an interaction between technological, economic, and cultural elements.Technology can significantly improve traceability by reducing manual data entry, improving data accuracy, and enabling better data sharing across supply chain segments, but it is not sufficient on its own. Its impact depends on consistent use, data quality, and alignment across diverse actors. At the same time, economic and cultural factors — such as incentives, governance, and standardised data sharing practices — shape how effectively technology is integrated into daily operations. Looking to 2030, full transparency at scale represents an ambitious objective, with progress likely to depend on continued alignment across technological, economic, and cultural factors. Sustainability goals often collide with short-term commercial pressures. How can SAFET’s work help align economic incentives for fishers and seafood companies with long-term ecosystem health, particularly in developing coastal economies? We approach this primarily as an independent, information-sharing role rather than as an implementer. Our work focuses on raising awareness of solutions that contribute to broader sustainability goals and on improving understanding of what tools and approaches are available, how they can be adopted, and where they may be most relevant. By bringing together this information in one place, we aim to make it easier for fisheries, seafood companies, and other industry stakeholders to explore options that align operational needs with sustainability concerns. In many cases, it is already clear that some kind of technology solution is required, but it can be difficult to navigate the various options and understand how a given solution relates to the outcomes required. Our work aims to help clarify those options and outcomes, so those seeking solutions can make informed decisions that fit their local context and commercial realities.   The report highlights more than 10 enabling technologies. If forced to prioritize, which two or three technologies should receive immediate global focus—and which widely discussed solutions do you believe are currently overhyped? As an independent organisation, SAFET’s goal is not to prioritise but to provide the information about where and when these technologies have been successfully deployed to support sustainability initiatives. Given that every situation is different, it is more important that implementers have access to the information we gather to find technologies relevant to their own initiatives and make decisions accordingly.  Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, success will be judged by outcomes, not intent. What specific, measurable changes would convince you that the seafood and fisheries sector has truly crossed a tipping point toward sustainable ocean management? This is a good question, but we would be cautious about defining specific metrics ourselves. Progress toward sustainable ocean management is already framed through established, measurable indicators, particularly those set out under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 14.  The role of SAFET is not to define success, but to highlight how different technologies can contribute to demonstrable progress against these shared frameworks as more implementation examples emerge.  ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3544/agriculture-isnt-just-load-its-grid-infrastructure.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3544/agriculture-isnt-just-load-its-grid-infrastructure.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:21:31 +0530 How agricultural load flexibility can compete with peaker plants, batteries, and grid upgrades—at a fraction of the cost Agricultural flexibility isn’t a temporary workaround—it’s a permanent pillar of the future grid. As renewables increase and variability becomes the norm, the grid needs distributed, dispatchable flexibility everywhere, and farms are uniquely positioned to provide it. Yield’s roadmap expands beyond irrigation into a broader portfolio of farm DERs, orchestrated like a virtual power plant. In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Tyler Nuss, CEO of Yield Energy, explains why farmers aren’t just energy users—they’re infrastructure partners in the energy transition. Agriculture as Grid Infrastructure You describe agriculture as a new class of grid resource. What would need to change in utility planning, market rules, or regulatory frameworks for agricultural load flexibility to be treated on par with traditional infrastructure like peaker plants or batteries? Utilities need to formally recognize flexible load as capacity—not just generation. That means valuing demand-side resources based on performance, predictability, and response speed rather than asset type. Agriculture already represents large, concentrated loads—irrigation alone accounts for roughly 1 per cent of U.S. electricity use. With the right market rules, those loads can deliver grid services faster and at far lower cost than building new infrastructure. What’s changing now is visibility and control. Platforms like Yield Edge DERMS make agricultural flexibility measurable, dispatchable, and verifiable, allowing it to be planned and relied on just like peaker plants or batteries. Reliability vs. Variability Risk Farming operations are inherently seasonal and weather-dependent. How do you ensure the reliability and predictability of agricultural load as a grid resource, particularly during extreme weather events when the grid is most stressed? Reliability comes from program design and automation that respect farm operations. Farmers only enroll in programs that work for their crop, season, and geography, and participation is automated through equipment they already use. The results speak for themselves: across thousands of enrolled devices, Yield has delivered an average of 100 per cent performance in demand response dispatches and demonstrated 67 per cent load-shift potential during peak hours. Extreme weather is exactly when flexible load is most valuable. Our platform coordinates assets so utilities get predictable response, while growers retain full control of which programs they opt-in to. Scalability Beyond California California has unique regulatory incentives and grid conditions. What barriers—technical, regulatory, or economic—do you anticipate when scaling this model nationally or internationally, and how central is policy alignment to your growth strategy? California is a leading market, but the underlying drivers—load growth, electrification, and the need for fast, cost-effective capacity—are global. The biggest barriers are regulatory recognition and program availability, not technology. Yield Edge is hardware-agnostic and built to integrate with existing farm automation systems, which allows us to scale quickly wherever utilities are ready to engage agriculture. Policy alignment accelerates adoption, but our strategy is focused on proving performance. When utilities see consistent results, programs follow. Comparative Economics of Flexibility You position agricultural load flexibility as cheaper and faster than new storage or grid upgrades. How do the economics compare on a per-megawatt basis over time, especially once transaction, integration, and farmer participation costs are fully accounted for? Agricultural flexibility avoids the largest cost drivers of traditional infrastructure: long development timelines and capital-intensive buildouts. Because Yield integrates with equipment farmers already own, deployment costs are low and timelines are measured in months, not years. Utilities gain capacity at a fraction of the cost of new generation or transmission, while growers earn $20–30k annually through demand response or save 10–20 per cent on energy bills through dynamic rates. That combination—low cost, fast deployment, and dual-sided value—is what makes agricultural flexibility economically compelling over time. Farmer Incentives and Risk Allocation How are operational and financial risks shared between Yield Energy, utilities, and growers—particularly if grid dispatch conflicts with critical farm activities or if utility programs change over time? Growers are always in control. Participation is voluntary, program-based, and aligned with operational realities. We don’t enroll farmers in programs that could disrupt their operations. Yield handles program design, enrollment, and performance management, while utilities pay for flexible capacity via our DERMS platform. If a grower needs to opt out due to operational constraints, they can do so. This structure ensures risk is shared appropriately and that growers benefit financially without taking on undue operational risk. Data, Control, and Cybersecurity As you aggregate and control thousands of on-farm devices, how do you address concerns around data ownership, cybersecurity, and operational control—especially for growers wary of external interference in farm systems? We’re very deliberate about this: growers own their data, we don’t sell it, and only the minimum required information is shared for program participation and verification. The platform is built with strong cybersecurity controls, secure integrations with trusted AgTech partners, and continuous monitoring. Most importantly, growers define the operating guardrails and always retain override control—if anything is uncertain, the system defaults back to normal farm operations. Market Design and Equity Do you see a risk that flexibility markets disproportionately reward large, capital-intensive farms while leaving smaller growers behind, and how does Yield Energy design its platform to ensure broad participation across farm sizes? Agriculture’s strength lies in aggregation. Yield enables farms of all sizes to participate by pooling flexible load into unified resources that meet utility thresholds. Because participation leverages existing equipment, smaller growers can access the same programs without new capital investment. Our goal is to make flexibility revenue and savings accessible across the agricultural spectrum—not just to the largest operations. Long-Term Grid Transition Is agricultural flexibility a transitional solution to bridge current grid constraints, or do you see it as a permanent pillar of a decarbonized grid—and how does that vision influence your product roadmap and partnerships? Agricultural flexibility isn’t a stopgap—it’s a permanent pillar of the future grid. As renewables grow and electrification accelerates, the grid needs fast, distributed, dispatchable flexibility everywhere, and agriculture is one of the largest and most controllable load categories that can provide it through VPP-style orchestration without disrupting operations. That belief drives our roadmap to expand beyond irrigation into a broader farm DER portfolio (cold storage, charging, solar, batteries, generation) and to deepen hardware-agnostic partnerships with AgTech automation platforms so growers can participate seamlessly at scale. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3522/from-estate-to-algorithm-how-canopy-is-turning-coffee-farms-into-climate-ready-intelligence-systems.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3522/from-estate-to-algorithm-how-canopy-is-turning-coffee-farms-into-climate-ready-intelligence-systems.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:15:10 +0530 A second-generation planter and AI researcher explains how lived plantation wisdom, satellite intelligence, and public–private collaboration are reshaping Indian coffee from the ground up In an exclusive interview with Agrospectrum, Sooraj Kandathil Babu, Founder & CEO of NeuBiom Labs and a second-generation coffee planter with a deep research background in AI, explains how lived estate experience shaped Canopy, a satellite- and AI-driven crop intelligence platform built for real plantation decisions. He discusses how Canopy converts traditional field intuition into digital twins that strengthen climate resilience, improve quality consistency, and enable traceability and collective bargaining for growers and FPOs. The conversation also highlights why affordable deep tech, public–private collaboration, and long-term data partnerships are essential to stabilising incomes and future-proofing Indian coffee amid increasing climate volatility. From Estate to Algorithm You are a second-generation coffee planter building a deep-tech platform rooted in satellite intelligence and AI. What specific pain points from your own plantation experience shaped Canopy’s architecture, and how did you translate traditional field intuition into a scalable digital “crop intelligence” model ? Most people experience coffee only as a finished product, something ordered at a café or picked off a supermarket shelf. What remains largely invisible is the one-year crop cycle that shapes that cup. When you spend time on plantations, the contrast becomes stark. I have seen two adjacent estates, with similar soil and climate, produce vastly different outcomes, one yielding 15 bags per acre, the other nearly double. The difference is rarely geography; it is almost always practice. How growers observe their farms, when they intervene, and how consistently they follow scientific cultivation principles. That gap in outcomes was the first pain point that shaped Canopy’s architecture. Traditional plantation wisdom is rich, but it is often unrecorded. We began by digitising this intuition through what we call a plantation journal, a structured cultivation diary that captures day-to-day farm activities. These records are then analysed alongside local weather patterns and satellite-derived plantation health indicators, allowing us to correlate practices with outcomes and provide context-specific advisories rather than generic recommendations. The second challenge is climate resilience. Coffee is a climate-sensitive crop grown predominantly in regions already exposed to significant climate risk. Multiple studies indicate that many current coffee-growing regions could become unsuitable by 2050 if cultivation practices remain unchanged. This makes climate-resilient growing not optional, but essential. Canopy maps how each grower approaches cultivation and aligns those practices with globally recognised sustainable frameworks, translating abstract climate principles into actionable, plot-level guidance. Quality and market value form the third pillar. Our goal is not to turn every grower into a specialty coffee producer overnight, but to enable clusters of growers to achieve uniform, reliable quality over time. Through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), a standardised package of practices can be deployed across hundreds of farms, improving outturn, grading consistency, and ultimately bargaining power in trade. Canopy supports this with transparent, traceable data that builds credibility across the value chain. Finally, there is technology adoption itself. Agriculture has long lagged behind other sectors in leveraging data and digital tools, despite being one of the most foundational industries. We believe technology, when applied sensibly and with a low barrier to entry, can only strengthen farming systems. Data-driven agriculture has proven its value globally; our focus is on adapting it to Indian conditions, starting with coffee, and earning trust gradually as growers see tangible benefits on their land. Canopy is, at its core, an attempt to translate field-level intuition into scalable crop intelligence, bridging the gap between estate wisdom and algorithmic insight, while keeping the grower firmly at the centre of the system. To add to that, both the founders of NeuBiom Labs come from a strong research background in artificial intelligence and user-centered engineering. My co-founder, Dr. Sooraj Krishna, holds a PhD in AI from Sorbonne University in France, and I am in the final stages of completing my PhD in AI at the University of Würzburg in Germany. In many ways, NeuBiom Labs is the outcome of applying rigorous academic research to the foundational problems we encounter every day on the ground, bridging deep science with real-world agricultural challenges. The Digital Twin Question Canopy creates a “digital twin” of each coffee plot. For growers and industry stakeholders, what decisions become materially better with this digital twin, yield forecasting, pest management, climate risk, or input optimisation, and where have you seen the strongest early impact? The real value of a digital twin is not in any single metric, but in how it improves decision-making across the crop cycle. For growers, Canopy’s digital twin functions as a living health report of each plot. It brings together local weather patterns, satellite-derived vegetative indices, soil indicators, and on-ground cultivation practices into a single, coherent view of plantation health. This allows growers to clearly understand what is affecting their crop and where intervention is needed. Based on this, the system recommends context-specific practices and provides short-term weather forecasts that help growers time their operations more effectively. For FPOs and grower collectives, the digital twin operates at a different scale. Instead of managing farms in isolation, FPOs gain a portfolio-level view of member plantations through comparable health and activity scores. This makes it possible to benchmark performance across growers, identify gaps early, and align field activities with organisational goals. For example, an FPO aiming to promote organic or low-input cultivation can push standardised practices across its members and monitor adoption over time. This structured approach significantly improves consistency in quality and outturn, which directly strengthens collective bargaining power in the market. At this stage, our strongest early impact has been in plantation visibility, practice standardisation, and operational planning for growers and FPOs. Coffee’s annual crop cycle means that advanced outcomes such as yield forecasting, early disease detection, and precise input optimisation require longitudinal data. As we complete full-cycle datasets across a growing number of plantations, these capabilities naturally become more robust and predictive. Ultimately, the digital twin evolves from a monitoring tool into a decision-confidence layer, supporting not just growers and FPOs, but also future stakeholders across trade, finance, and compliance, once the system is grounded in real, season-long plantation intelligence. Affordable Deep Tech: The Rs 2,999 Disruption Enterprise-grade crop intelligence globally is often priced far beyond the reach of smallholders. How did NeuBiom Labs engineer a platform that delivers satellite, AI and hyperlocal insights at Rs 2,999 per crop cycle without compromising data accuracy or depth? Affordability was not an afterthought for us; it was a design constraint from day one. If we want meaningful outcomes such as early disease detection or reliable yield forecasting, the system has to achieve wide-scale adoption. That simply isn’t possible if enterprise-grade crop intelligence remains priced beyond the reach of small and mid-sized growers. A large part of how we achieve this is through ecosystem leverage. NeuBiom Labs is incubated at the Atal Incubation Center at the Coffee Board of India, and the Agri Business Incubator at Kerala Agriculture University, and we are also part of the Google for Startups India. These institutions provide critical support in the form of infrastructure, cloud credits, research access, and grants, which allow us to subsidise costs during the adoption phase without compromising on data quality or analytical depth. Equally important is how we’ve engineered the platform itself. We made a conscious decision not to over-engineer the stack. Instead of building complex, expensive systems that look impressive on paper, we focused on crisp, purpose-driven tools that directly serve agronomic decision-making. This keeps compute costs low, workflows efficient, and insights actionable, ensuring the stakeholders pay only for value they can actually use. User-centred engineering is the third pillar. Over the past year, we co-developed Canopy alongside 23 progressive coffee growers, spending extensive time on plantations to understand how decisions are made in real conditions. This helped us strip away unnecessary complexity and design interfaces and insights that align with how growers think and operate, rather than forcing them to adapt to technology. Ultimately, the Rs 2,999 pricing is not about undercutting the market, it’s about building trust and momentum. Once growers experience the tangible benefits of data-driven cultivation, we see compounding impact: better practices, improved quality and yield, richer datasets, and increasingly powerful intelligence across seasons. That virtuous cycle is what allows deep tech to remain both affordable and scalable in Indian agriculture. Climate Volatility and Coffee’s New Risk Curve Indian coffee faces increasing stress from erratic rainfall, temperature spikes and pest outbreaks. How does Canopy move beyond reactive advisories to predictive risk management, and can it realistically stabilise incomes for small and marginal coffee growers? True, climate volatility has fundamentally altered the risk curve for coffee in India. Erratic rainfall, temperature spikes, and shifting pest dynamics are no longer exceptions, they are the new normal. Yet, despite these changes, a large proportion of small and marginal growers continue to rely on traditional calendars and inherited practices that were designed for a far more stable climate. Canopy moves beyond reactive advisories by anchoring decision-making in context. Each plantation is geo-tagged, allowing advisories to be localised rather than regional averages. More importantly, like we discussed before, the system continuously maps the grower’s cultivation practices through a structured plantation journal and correlates these actions with evolving local weather patterns and plantation health indicators. Advisories are generated not just based on “what the weather is,” but on how the grower is farming under those conditions. This is where predictive risk management begins. Instead of responding after damage occurs, growers start to see patterns, how certain practices amplify climate stress, while others buffer against it. Our systems are trained on authenticated and certified coffee cultivation practices relevant to Indian conditions, ensuring that recommendations are agronomically sound and locally applicable. The impact is not instantaneous. Climate resilience is built over a crop cycle, not in a single intervention. But as growers become more aware of ground realities and begin making data-driven decisions, timing operations better, adjusting inputs, and avoiding unnecessary stress on the plant, we see measurable improvements in crop health, consistency, and outturn. Over time, this translates into better quality and more predictable volumes, which directly strengthens growers’ bargaining power. Income stabilisation, especially for smallholders, becomes far more realistic when this approach is adopted at scale, ideally through FPOs or farmer collectives. At the collective level, risk is no longer borne by isolated individuals. Uniform practices, shared intelligence, and aggregated quality enable more stable market positioning, even in volatile climatic conditions. NeuBiom Labs or Canopy does not claim to eliminate climate risk. What it does is convert uncertainty into informed action, helping growers shift from reactive survival to proactive resilience, one crop cycle at a time. From Farm to Federation: Scaling Beyond the Plot Farmer Producer Organisations, cooperatives and boards need aggregated intelligence, not just farm-level dashboards. How does Canopy translate dispersed plot-level data into decision-grade insights for institutions managing thousands of growers across regions? We see this challenge very clearly, and addressing it is central not just to Canopy, but to the broader mission of NeuBiom Labs. If you look at a region like Wayanad alone, there are over 60,000 coffee growers. Yet how they cultivate, the practices they follow, the health of their plantations, and their evolving responses to climate stress remain largely undocumented and fragmented. This makes coordinated intervention at an institutional level extremely difficult. As a side note, this also means, the traditional and indigenous knowledge our seniors developed with their years of experience on the ground are undocumented. These insights exist largely in memory and practice, not in records. If this knowledge is not captured now, an entire generation of experiential wisdom risks being lost. In parallel with building Canopy, we are consciously working to document and structure this lived knowledge, so future growers have a foundation to build on rather than starting from scratch. Canopy is intentionally designed as a layered intelligence stack, not just a farm dashboard. The mobile app and institutional dashboard are only the visible interfaces. Beneath them sits a core AI layer that includes domain-specific GIS inference engines and a language model fine-tuned exclusively for coffee cultivation. This layer synthesises dispersed plot-level data, activities, health indicators, weather exposure, and spatial patterns, into structured, comparable signals. As adoption scales, this enables institutions such as FPOs, cooperatives, and boards to move from anecdotal understanding to evidence-backed decision-making. Instead of asking what is happening, they can ask why it is happening, where intervention will have the highest impact, and which practices consistently produce better outcomes. This allows for region-wise benchmarking, optimisation of input distribution, targeted extension efforts, and early identification of systemic risks affecting quality or yield. More importantly, this intelligence operates upstream. Institutions can intervene at the practice level, well before harvest, by pushing standardised packages, adjusting advisory focus, or aligning growers toward specific quality or sustainability goals. Over time, this can raise average yield per region, improve uniformity of produce, and significantly strengthen market positioning. What Canopy offers today is the foundation, bringing stakeholders into a shared, data-driven framework for farming. The stack is deliberately built to evolve. As datasets mature across full crop cycles and adoption deepens, the intelligence shifts from descriptive to predictive, and from operational support to strategic planning. In that sense, scaling beyond the plot is not an add-on feature; it is the natural outcome of designing agriculture as a system rather than a collection of isolated farms. Traceability as a Trade Weapon With Europe and other premium markets tightening sustainability, deforestation and origin norms, traceability is fast becoming non-negotiable. How does Canopy’s end-to-end tracking position Indian coffee against competitors like Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia in compliance-heavy global markets? India is currently classified as a low-risk origin under emerging regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). However, low risk does not automatically translate into market access, especially in premium and compliance-heavy export markets that are increasingly dominated by large, vertically integrated players. For India’s predominantly smallholder-driven coffee sector, traceability becomes the key enabler to participate on equal footing. Canopy positions traceability not as a post-harvest paperwork exercise, but as a cultivation-first system. Wide adoption of the Canopy stack allows FPOs to standardise coffee cultivation practices across hundreds of small growers, while ensuring farm-level quality control and transparent activity records. This creates verifiable evidence of how coffee is grown, not just where it comes from. From a global trade perspective, this is critical. Competing origins like Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia benefit from scale, mechanisation, and consolidated supply chains. India’s strength lies elsewhere, in shade-grown systems, biodiversity-friendly cultivation, and smallholder domination. Canopy translates these inherent advantages into structured, auditable data that buyers and regulators can trust. By maintaining traceable records from plot-level practices through harvest, the platform will soon support compliance with EUDR and other sustainability frameworks, while simultaneously building credibility for certifications and responsible sourcing claims. Over time, this shifts Indian coffee from being viewed as a fragmented supply to a verified, institutionally backed origin, capable of commanding premium pricing rather than competing purely on volume. As the Canopy ecosystem matures, its stakeholders naturally expand, from growers and FPOs to exporters, buyers, financiers, and compliance bodies, each drawing value from the same shared source of truth. In that sense, traceability becomes more than a regulatory requirement; it becomes a strategic trade instrument that allows Indian coffee to compete, differentiate, and negotiate from a position of strength in global markets. Public–Private Synergy in Agri-Tech Canopy’s launch at the CCRI centenary, with backing from the Coffee Board, AIC-CCRI and global ecosystem partners, signals a rare convergence of science, policy and start-ups. What role should public institutions play in accelerating the adoption of crop intelligence platforms at scale? The support we’ve received so far has been exceptional and deeply collaborative. Institutions such as Kerala Startup Mission, the Agri Business Incubator at Kerala Agricultural University, the Atal Incubation Center at the Coffee Board, Google for Startups, Wadhwani Foundation, EarthOn Foundation, our academic institutions, and, most importantly, the growers and FPOs we work with, have all contributed meaningfully to Canopy’s evolution. This convergence of policy, science, and entrepreneurship is exactly what agriculture needs at this moment. At a broader level, public institutions play a pivotal role in accelerating adoption of crop intelligence platforms by acting as trusted intermediaries. For most farmers, especially smallholders, technology adoption is not just a cost decision, it is a trust decision. When awareness and capacity-building programmes are led or endorsed by public institutions, it significantly reduces hesitation and shortens adoption cycles. Messaging around why data-driven cultivation matters, both in the short term for productivity and in the long term for climate resilience and market access, carries far greater credibility when it comes from institutional voices. Beyond awareness, public institutions can act as scale catalysts. Financial support in the form of grants, pilot subsidies, or outcome-linked incentives for using intelligent farming systems can dramatically accelerate adoption without burdening growers. This is particularly important in early phases, where benefits accrue over a crop cycle rather than immediately. Central bodies such as the Coffee Board of India and regional agricultural research centres can also serve as nodal intelligence hubs. By aggregating anonymised, region-level insights from platforms like Canopy, they can monitor ground-level deltas, identify systemic risks, refine extension strategies, and feed real-world data back into policy and research. Ultimately, public institutions don’t need to build technology themselves, but they can create the conditions for it to scale responsibly. By combining trust, standard-setting, financial support, and feedback mechanisms, they can ensure that crop intelligence platforms move from isolated pilots to national agricultural infrastructure. The Long View: Canopy Beyond Coffee Is Canopy a coffee-specific solution, or the foundation of a broader plantation intelligence stack? Over the next five years, how do you envision NeuBiom Labs evolving, across crops, geographies, or even into climate-linked finance and sustainability certification ecosystems? Today, Canopy is intentionally coffee-specific. Coffee is a climate-sensitive, globally traded crop with a long production cycle and complex stakeholder dynamics, which makes it an ideal starting point. But structurally, Canopy is designed as the foundation of a broader plantation intelligence stack, particularly for climate-sensitive cash crops where resilience, quality consistency, and traceability are becoming non-negotiable. For us, technology is not the end goal; it is the accelerator. The real determinant of success lies in operations, how deeply and effectively we work with growers, FPOs, and institutional stakeholders on the ground. Agriculture does not lend itself well to a simple “build-and-sell” software model. Our belief is that meaningful outcomes emerge only when platforms like Canopy are deployed as long-term partnerships, where data, practices, and incentives evolve together over time. Over the next five years, we see NeuBiom Labs expanding along three clear dimensions. First is geographic expansion, moving from regional depth to multi-region intelligence, where patterns and risks can be understood at landscape and corridor levels rather than isolated farms. Second is crop expansion, applying the same intelligence framework to other climate-sensitive plantation crops that share similar characteristics: long gestation periods, smallholder dominance, and exposure to climate and market volatility. The third dimension is ecosystem integration. As datasets mature across crop cycles, Canopy naturally becomes relevant to adjacent systems, climate-linked finance, sustainability certification, compliance reporting, and institutional risk assessment. When cultivation data is reliable, longitudinal, and traceable, it reduces uncertainty not just for growers, but also for buyers, lenders, insurers, and policymakers. In that sense, Canopy’s long view is not about becoming a one-size-fits-all platform, but about enabling a shared, data-driven workflow across agriculture. As stakeholders evolve, the stack evolves with them, ensuring that value is created collectively, and that the benefits of intelligence compound across the entire agricultural ecosystem. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3509/from-additives-to-spices-cac48-redraws-rules-of-global-food-trade.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3509/from-additives-to-spices-cac48-redraws-rules-of-global-food-trade.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:50:16 +0530 Codex and FAO officials detail how updated standards aim to protect consumers without triggering disproportionate trade disruption for export-dependent economies In an exclusive Agrospectrum and NUFFOODS Spectrum interview with global food-standards leaders — Sarah Cahill, Codex Secretary; Lingping Zhang, Food Standards Officer, Codex Secretariat; Markus Lipp, Senior Food Safety Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Gracia Brisco, Food Standards Officer, Codex Secretariat; and Hilde Kruse, Senior Food Standards Officer, Codex Secretariat — CAC48 emerges as a decisive moment for Codex amid rising geopolitical fragmentation. The experts reaffirm Codex’s science-based, consensus-driven mandate, which shaped major reforms including additive reviews, aflatoxin updates, pesticide-residue reference guidelines and new maximum lead levels for spices. They underline how improved Codes of Practice, surveillance support and harmonised quality parameters enable consumer protection while minimising trade disruption for export-reliant economies. Looking ahead, they highlight the Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, which places digital traceability, climate-risk foresight, and advanced analytical technologies at the core of modernising global food safety governance. Edited excerpts; Codex at a Geopolitical Crossroads The 48th Session saw critical standards adopted across additives, contaminants, and fresh-produce quality. At a time when food systems face geopolitical fragmentation, supply-chain shocks, and rising protectionism, how does Codex ensure these standards remain science-led, globally harmonized, and insulated from political pressure? The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is a Member-driven body with its commitment to a science-based approach to standard setting enshrined in its procedures. Its work is guided by its strategic goals, and its core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Codex texts are the benchmark for food safety under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and are relevant to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) where WTO members refer to harmonization with international standards such as the Codex Alimentarius for food-related issues such as labelling. Codex standards play an important role in addressing specific trade concerns or for dispute settlement cases. Wherever you are, whatever you do, safe food is an everyday need. And it is a global commodity. These aspects are integral to every discussion in the Codex Alimentarius Commission. “Together” was also the theme of CAC48, which served to highlight that when it comes to food safety and quality it is only by working together that we can effectively and efficiently ensure food is safe and of good quality.  The GSFA Overhaul: Science, Safety, and Consumer Trust More than 500 food additive provisions were reviewed, leading to revocations and new inclusions. What principles guided the reassessment—particularly for colourants like annatto extracts—and how does FAO ensure regulators and industry transition smoothly to these updated provisions without disrupting product availability or trade flows? All Codex work is conducted following approval by CAC. Thus, the decision for reassessment was taken by Members. In the case of annatto extracts, this decision was based on: The need to align the General standard for food additives with relevant sections of commodity standards. In this case, for example, there was a need to align with the Standard for fermented milks, which does not provide for the addition of annatto extracts in plain milk. Codex texts are developed through consensus by all its Members in a deliberate manner that often spans a timeframe of several years. The national Codex contact points serve as a primary node to disseminate all applicable information to national stakeholders. In addition, FAO provides support when requested by Member Countries to strengthen national Codex structures, thereby enhancing national capabilities in disseminating all relevant Codex texts to national stakeholders. Aflatoxins in Peanuts: New Science, New Responsibilities The revised Code of Practice on aflatoxins integrates updated agronomic science, maturity-stage tables, and roasting effects. How will FAO help producing countries—especially smallholder-dependent economies—translate these best practices into field-level change? Are new surveillance, extension, or capacity-building mechanisms planned? FAO stays ready to support its members needs and will respond to requests by its members for additional capacity building measures correspondingly. FAO and Codex furthermore have published numerous guidance documents, codes of practice and related texts that is publicly available, ready to be used by any other organization that would like to use this information in order to support producers of peanuts. Lead Limits in Spices: Balancing Public Health and Trade facilitation With new maximum levels now set for dried bark (cinnamon) and culinary herbs, exporting nations such as —India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia—face compliance pressure. How does Codex balance the dual mandate of protecting consumers health while ensuring fair practices in trade, in this case, preventing trade disruptions for economies reliant on spice exports? The mandate to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade is the statutory purpose of CAC. This means that, when it comes to food safety standards such as maximum levels for contaminants in foods, CAC will not establish more stringent measures than necessary to protect consumers health so that the measures themselves do not become a technical barrier to trade which may then translate in trade disruption that may impact economic growth and ultimately food security.   Although spices and culinary herbs are consumed in small amounts, as opposed to other foods, it remains important to assess the safety of lead levels in these foods due to the impact of lead toxicity on human health that may include neurodevelopmental effects such as decreases in Intelligence Quota (IQ) and attention span in children, impaired renal function, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, impaired fertility, and adverse pregnancy outcomes and therefore the ALARA continued to apply when CCCF discusses risk management considerations related to health and trade so that while ensuring the safety of the food, this does not imply high rejections rate of lot consignments, at import control point. CCCF does provide support to Codex Members to enable them to comply with MLs, by developing codes of practice, a compendium of risk management measures and practices to assist in reducing food contamination, in this case CAC40 adopted in 2017 the Code of practice for the prevention and reduction of mycotoxins in spices (CXC 78-2017). FAO does have a role to play in assisting countries with the implementation of the CoP, helping them to identify specific risk management measures that may not be included in the CoP, as they are usually overarching texts, that can complement the measures applicable worldwide that are described in these CoPs. The Codex Alimentarius Commission has now adopted MLs for lead in spices and culinary herbs, specifically, dried bark (cinnamon) and dried culinary herbs. The MLs are 2.5 mg/kg for lead in spices, dried bark and 2.0 mg/kg for lead in culinary herbs, dried and will now be added to the General Standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed (CXS 193-1995).  Pesticide Reference Materials: A Quiet but Critical Reform The guidelines allowing extended use of pesticide reference materials beyond labelled expiry dates could significantly reduce laboratory costs and waste. What drove this reform? And how does FAO envision it strengthening residue monitoring systems in low- and middle-income countries where testing infrastructure remains limited? Pesticide residues in food are a subject of particular concern for consumers and in the food trade. To ensure the safety of food, the regulation of pesticide use, and relevant residues, must be enforced and guaranteed. Part of the process of testing for pesticide residues relies on laboratories being able to access what are known as reference materials, or RMs. But these are costly and sold with 2-to-5-year short-term expiry dates, though there is no requirement to find maximum shelf life. This can force laboratories to buy new RMs more frequently than potentially necessary. This leads to additional work and additional costs, and that can hinder how much testing can be done.  The Codex Alimentarius Commission has now adopted guidelines that provide a scientifically sound framework to monitor the purity and stability of reference materials under defined conditions, which, if implemented correctly, may allow continued use of RMs beyond their expiry date - where purity remains within acceptable limits. This reduces recurring costs, minimizes waste, and ensures confidence in the reliability of pesticide residue analysis.  The work on the development of guidelines for monitoring the purity and stability of reference materials of pesticides during prolonged storage commenced at CCPR51 in 2019, when some delegations expressed concerns regarding the limitation of the use of reference materials beyond the expiry date, leading to significant recurring costs for laboratories. As chair of the electronic working group (EWG), India led the work to develop these guidelines. FAO stays ready to support its members needs and will respond to requests by its members for additional capacity building measures correspondingly.  Read more about this work in the 2025 edition of the CODEX magazine   Standard for Fresh Dates: Trade Enablement for Climate-Stressed Regions The new standard comes after a decade of negotiations and is deeply important for date-producing regions across the Middle East and North Africa. How will harmonized quality parameters—size, colour, uniformity, defects—reshape global trade? Can such standards help climate-stressed producers secure better prices in high-value retail markets ? By adopting the new Standard for fresh dates, Codex Members now have an international reference that provides the baseline for international trade of this commodity upon which trading partners can agree on additional quality provisions based on their consumers’ preferences. For producing countries, this opens up trade possibilities across the globe, which, in many cases, will support the livelihoods of small producers, bolster economies and provide a safe, good quality product for consumers worldwide. Castilla Lulo (Naranjilla): Regional Standards as a Strategic Tool This new regional standard reflects the fruit’s cultural importance and emerging trade value in Latin America. What criteria does Codex use to decide when a product merits a regional rather than global standard? And do regional standards serve as testbeds for potential future global adoption? When considering new work proposed by FAO/WHO regional coordinating committees, CAC considers, amongst other things, whether the new work is justified on the grounds that the product in question is significantly traded intraregionally and that there is no significant trade between or within other regions When a commodity for which there is a regional standard, sees increased trade at a global level, the coordinating committee concerned, or a Member, can propose extension of the territorial application of the standard. This involves new work, which has to be approved by CAC. CAC48 approved, for example, new work on converting the Regional standard for laver products (Asia) to a worldwide standard, work that will be carried out by the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP). The Next Frontier: Modernizing Codex for a New Era of Food Risks From AI-driven food systems to precision fermentation, novel ingredients, and climate-linked contaminants, food safety risks are evolving faster than many national regulatory systems. What are FAO’s top priorities for modernizing Codex over the next decade? How will future standards incorporate digital traceability, climate risk modelling, and new analytical technologies? FAO is a parent organization of Codex, together with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, work prioritization in Codex is the remit of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. CAC47 adopted the Codex strategic plan 2026–2031 and CAC48 its monitoring framework. The purpose of the Codex strategic plan and its renewal and renegotiation every five years is to ensure that Codex work is aimed at achieving the most appropriate objectives. FAO has a very long-standing tradition to inform the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies with all relevant information to facilitate forward looking workplanning. FAO continues to offer its support to all its members and the members of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to assist in national capacity building activities to strengthen food control systems, food safety governance and all related aspects. The new strategic plan has as its first Strategic Goal to: Respond to Members’ needs for protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade in an evolving global landscape, by developing science-based standards and related texts 1.1 Foresight and horizon-scanning activities are used to support the identification of issues likely to impact food safety, quality and trade. 1.2 Scientific advice that addresses the needs identified by CAC and its subsidiary bodies is primarily provided by FAO and WHO and their joint scientific advisory bodies, informed by globally representative data and appropriate international expertise and methodology. 1.3 Scientific advice is used by CAC and subsidiary bodies in line with Codex risk analysis principles. 1.4 Codex standards and related texts are developed, reviewed and adopted in a timely, transparent and inclusive manner. Thus, with reference to FAO’s foresight programme ( https://www.fao.org/food-safety/scientific-advice/foresight/en/ ), Codex will aim to keep ahead of emerging trends Codex work is already addressing some of the key emerging issues and adapting based on Members’ priorities: Digital traceability is already a key topic of discussion in the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS), and work is ongoing to develop texts for the digitalization of national food control systems. CAC47 adopted the Codex Committee on Food Labelling’s (CCFL’s) Guidelines on the provision of food information for pre-packaged foods to be offered via e-commerce New food sources and production systems have been discussed extensively in Codex in recent years. In this context several areas of new work are under discussion which will help define how codex addresses this emerging area moving forward. Changing climate is also impacting food safety and this is also impacting the standard setting work of Codex. For example, the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) elaborated and CAC47 adopted the Code of practice for the prevention or reduction of ciguatera poisoning, in response to the evolving nature of this issue, which is related to climate factors. The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene developed and CAC46 adopted Guidelines for the safe use and reuse of water in food production and processing in response to Members concerns about the need to ensure that in the context of water resource challenges, the safety of food was not negatively impacted. There is a continued emphasis, particularly within CCCF, on the issue of mycotoxins, the threat of which is evolving and possibly expanding as climate factors change. —---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3503/higher-regulatory-standards-raise-bar-for-new-antibiotics-but-create-opportunity-for-low-risk-biodegradable-alternatives.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3503/higher-regulatory-standards-raise-bar-for-new-antibiotics-but-create-opportunity-for-low-risk-biodegradable-alternatives.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:44:23 +0530 In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Prof. Paula Hammond, Institute Professor and Executive Vice Provost at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Principal Investigator at SMART AMR; Prof. Mary Chan, NTU Singapore’s School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Principal Investigator at SMART AMR discuss their groundbreaking antimicrobial polymer platform poised to rewrite the rules of dairy health management. Addressing Bovine Mastitis—a $22 billion global challenge—they explain how Oligoimidazolium carbon acids (OIMs) and Polyimidazoliums (PIMs) deliver potent, low-dose, biodegradable protection without contaminating milk or driving antibiotic resistance. Their early farm trials in China, Malaysia, and Singapore exposed a startling technological stagnation in udder hygiene, revealing an urgent need for modern, eco-safe disinfectant solutions. With regulatory pathways complex and market systems fragmented, they outline a hybrid commercial model balancing direct product development with strategic global partnerships for scale. Their message is clear: antimicrobial innovation must now serve One Health—protecting animals, consumers, and the environment in equal measure. Edited excerpts: The Breakthrough and Its Global Context A $22 Billion Problem: Professor Hammond, bovine mastitis is one of the costliest animal health challenges worldwide. What led your team to focus on this long-standing issue, and what scientific insight unlocked the possibility of developing oligoimidazolium carbon acids (OIMs) as a safer antimicrobial alternative? Prof Mary Chan (my close colleague and collaborator at NTU Singapore) and I have always shared a strong interest in the generation of new polymeric materials for health applications, and we have been particularly interested in charged polymers. Through a collaboration launched by a visiting student from the Chan lab, the imidazolium set of polymers was generated and advanced. Prof Mary’s lab continued to develop more active antibiotic versions and discovered a unique mechanism in this family of materials that makes them highly effective for treatment and prevention of infection. As our research team at SMART began to work toward applying these systems for human health applications, leveraging methods developed in my lab, we saw the potential for these compounds to have an immediate impact on agricultural health. An early SMART researcher working within our shared team first began investigating the potential of the system in a small farm trial and, from that point, we have been pursuing ways in which these novel oligoimidazoliums (OIMs) can be used for safe agricultural applications. Beyond Resistance: Antibiotic resistance has often been framed as a human health crisis, but its agricultural dimension is equally alarming. How does your research reposition the conversation—bridging human, animal, and environmental health under the One Health paradigm? We developed a new class of cationic antimicrobial polymers based on carbene chemistry, so that these cationic polymers are a new class by themselves that are potent and effective in a complex environment and yet biodegradable – able to be degraded into smaller fragments. Our compounds are a class of main chain polyimidazoliums (PIMs)/OIMs. By designing compounds that are effective at low doses, biodegradable, and leave negligible residues in milk, we directly address resistance, agricultural food safety concerns and ecological contamination in one stroke. In practice, that means fewer antibiotics entering the food chain, fewer selective pressures for resistance in farm settings, and reduced downstream environmental impact. Science to Scale: From Lab Discovery to Dairy Field Farm Trial Insights: The initial field trials in Malaysia and Singapore showed encouraging results—no udder irritation, no milk contamination, and strong bacterial suppression. What were the most surprising learnings from translating this molecular innovation to real-world dairy operations? Our initial farm trial was completed in China, and our ongoing farm trial is in Malaysia and Singapore. One of the most striking learnings was how little the technology in modern dairy farming has evolved for udder hygiene, especially in regard to the gap between antibiotics and disinfectants. Despite advances in overall farming practices, there aren’t disinfectants that are both safe and quick acting. The teat dips used today, which typically consist of iodine or chlorhexidine, are essentially the same as several decades ago. This revealed a critical gap between the growing sustainability requirements in modern agriculture and the outdated tools currently available, underscoring the urgent need for innovations like degradable PIMs that are effective, safe and environmentally friendly. Scaling Innovation: You mentioned industry interest from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, and New Zealand. What does it take to move from promising lab results to full-scale commercialisation in the heavily regulated animal health industry? Commercialisation requires a coordinated program: scaled Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) systems, larger and geographically diverse field trials, robust safety testing, regulatory dossiers for each target market, and credible industry partnerships for distribution and farmer education. Because animal health regulation is regionally fragmented, a pragmatic pathway is to pair focused pilot commercialisation in receptive markets with licensing or joint ventures for wider rollout. The Business of Biotech and Antimicrobial Innovation Commercialisation Pathway: The research is now transitioning to a spin-off company. What is the envisioned business model—direct product commercialisation, licensing to agribusiness majors, or joint ventures with dairy cooperatives? We envision a flexible, hybrid model. Initially, the spin-off will drive product development and secure key regulatory approvals and pilot customers. For broad, rapid deployment, we expect to pursue strategic partnerships with established agribusiness and animal health companies that already have market reach and customer relationships. Joint development agreements with regional partners will also help customise formulations and application protocols for different farming systems. Policy Catalysts: What regulatory or policy shifts—whether in the U.S., EU, or Asia—would most accelerate the adoption of antibiotic alternatives like OIMs in mainstream agriculture? Concrete regulatory actions are already reshaping antibiotic use in agriculture: the European Union (EU) prohibited the preventive use of antibiotics in groups of animals and tightened veterinary oversight under Regulation EU 2019/6. In China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs banned the use of most antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed in 2020. Specifically in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) phased out growth-promotion uses via Guidance for Industry (GFI) #213; at the same time, GFI #152 requires rigorous microbiological risk assessment for any new antimicrobial in food animals. These higher regulatory standards raise the bar for new antibiotics but create an opportunity for low-risk, biodegradable alternatives like OIMs that do not select for human-relevant resistance. Science, Systems, and Sustainability Rethinking Animal Health: In many ways, bovine mastitis is a microcosm of global food system fragility—overreliance on antibiotics, environmental pollution, and supply chain waste. How can cross-disciplinary R&D, such as SMART AMR’s approach, reshape the future of veterinary science? When scientists, engineers and other experts work together, we get a better understanding of the challenges that we face and the tools that we have available to apply to them, and it is possible to see new ways of addressing decades-old problems. By keeping sustainability and safety as part of the solution requirement, we can evolve our science towards a more holistic approach in which the short and long-term outcomes are considered. Sustainable solutions can be further advanced by bringing scientists together with agricultural and veterinary experts and policy makers to better understand where and how to best focus our cross-disciplinary efforts. The Decade Ahead: As an MIT Institute Professor and a leader in translational science, how do you see the next decade of antimicrobial R&D evolving—especially in balancing synthetic chemistry, bioengineering, and planetary health imperatives? There will be great opportunities in the coming decade to move away from more traditional antimicrobial drugs and towards innovative approaches that address microbes across a multi-spectrum fashion while reducing harm to animal health and the planet. To accomplish this goal, we will need to deploy creative materials chemistry with a deep understanding of biology and ecological considerations. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3502/building-climate-resilience-from-seed-to-shelf-why-agrobiodiversity-is-becoming-strategic-imperative.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3502/building-climate-resilience-from-seed-to-shelf-why-agrobiodiversity-is-becoming-strategic-imperative.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:01:51 +0530 Insights from the AgroSpectrum–GFAiR dialogue reveal how dryland crops, participatory breeding, and value-chain integration can transform biodiversity from a conservation ideal into a scalable strategy for climate-resilient, nutrition-secure food systems At a time when climate volatility, water stress, nutritional insecurity, and biodiversity loss are converging into a systemic food crisis, agrobiodiversity is no longer a peripheral concern—it is rapidly becoming a strategic imperative. This was the central message that emerged from “Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity in Global Value Chains,” an AgroSpectrum webinar organised in partnership with GFAiR – The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, bringing together leading voices from international research, plant breeding, policy, and state-level implementation. The webinar moved deliberately beyond conservation rhetoric to examine how biodiversity can be operationalised across seed systems, breeding pipelines, food processing, and markets. By anchoring global scientific insights alongside grounded implementation experiences, the discussion reframed agrobiodiversity not as a nostalgic return to the past, but as a forward-looking economic and resilience strategy for climate-constrained food systems. Dryland Crops: Not Underutilised, but Underinvested Setting the global analytical frame, Dr Stefania Grando, International Consultant, Agronomist and Plant Breeder, challenged one of the most persistent assumptions in agricultural development—that millets, sorghum, barley, and dryland legumes are marginal crops with limited relevance to modern food systems. Drawing on more than three decades of work across CGIAR systems, she argued that this narrative fundamentally misdiagnoses the problem. The constraint facing dryland crops, she emphasised, is not agronomy or farmer reluctance, but scientific prioritisation—and the investment architecture that flows from it. “Climate change is not a single stress but a moving constellation of uncertainties. While rising temperatures and declining rainfall are globally visible, their local expression is impossible to predict. Breeding, therefore, must target variability itself, not a fixed outcome. Uniform, input-intensive varieties are ill-suited to this reality. Dryland crops, shaped by centuries of stress and uncertainty, already embody the resilience modern breeding systems urgently need—but continue to be systematically underinvested.” --- Dr Stefania Grando, International Consultant, Agronomist and Plant Breeder At a moment when climate change has transformed agriculture into a moving target rather than a predictable system, Dr Stefania Grando noted that breeding for uniformity has become a structural weakness. The global food system remains anchored to a narrow triumvirate—rice, wheat, and maize—optimised for an era of climatic stability and cheap inputs. In contrast, dryland crops evolved under stress, variability, and low external inputs. Yet they receive only a fraction of global research funding and breeding attention. The consequences of this concentration are systemic: accelerated genetic erosion, hollowed-out value chains, rising dependence on water and fertilisers, and the displacement of nutrient-dense traditional diets by calorie-heavy alternatives. In many arid and semi-arid regions, dryland crops now represent the last viable defence against land degradation and desertification. Still, their strategic importance remains largely invisible in mainstream policy and investment decisions. At the centre of this neglect lies a missing link—seed systems. Without functional pathways connecting gene banks, breeders, farmers, processors, and markets, biodiversity remains frozen in collections rather than alive and adaptive in farmers’ fields. Restoring diversity, Dr Stefania Grando argued, requires a decisive shift from conservation to use—building networks of adaptation that make biodiversity economically viable rather than morally symbolic. From Legacy to Leverage: Odisha’s Biodiversity Playbook If Dr Stefania Grando articulated the global diagnosis, Odisha offered a rare example of treatment at scale. Representing the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, Dinesh Balam outlined how the state has deliberately reframed agrobiodiversity from a legacy issue to be preserved into a forward-looking economic and climate resilience strategy. Rather than importing varietal solutions designed elsewhere, Odisha began by taking stock of its own agroecological wealth. Across intervention blocks, the state assembled the full spectrum of available millet diversity—farmer-conserved landraces alongside formally released varieties—and subjected them to participatory varietal trials under real farm conditions. Farmers acted not as technology recipients but as primary evaluators, assessing crops on yield, taste, lodging resistance, pest tolerance, and performance under Odisha’s increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. “Odisha built an institutional bridge between conservation and commerce by redesigning seed systems around farmers. Through ‘crop diversity blocks,’ landraces are evaluated side by side under real farm conditions, selected by farmers, and then purified, multiplied, and scaled through FPO-led seed production. By treating in-situ conservation as a public good and rewarding farmers for it, biodiversity becomes not a legacy to preserve, but a productive, income-generating asset embedded in the state’s agricultural strategy.” --- Dinesh Balam, Representing the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha The outcomes were instructive. In over 80 per cent of cases, farmers preferred local landraces to formally released varieties. Subsequent scientific assessments validated these preferences, revealing that at least 14 traditional varieties outperformed university-bred lines on both yield and resilience traits within local micro-agroclimatic conditions. The bottleneck, as Balam noted, was not performance but institutional recognition. To address this, Odisha built a dedicated seed system for landraces—anchored in crop diversity blocks, scientific purification protocols, and decentralised seed production led by farmer producer organisations (FPOs), with technical backstopping from public research institutions. Conservation was treated as a public good, and farmers were rewarded as custodians and innovators. What began with millets is now expanding to pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables through a formal state scheme on neglected crops and forgotten foods, signalling a shift from pilot interventions to systemic policy adoption. Africa’s Perspective: Diversity Exists, Scaling Does Not Bringing a grounded African perspective to the discussion, Dr Juliana Jepkemoi Cheboi, Vice Chairperson, Plant Breeding Association of Kenya (PBAK), argued that the continent’s central challenge has never been a lack of genetic diversity, but the failure to scale innovation without marginalising smallholders. “Africa’s challenge is not a lack of biodiversity but the failure of seed systems to scale it inclusively. In arid regions like Kenya, maize-centric policies have created a mismatch between crops and climate. Landraces and wild relatives of sorghum, millets, and indigenous vegetables already offer heat tolerance, low water demand, and superior nutrition. Reintegrating them into breeding systems—through participatory selection and community seed banks—can turn biodiversity from rhetoric into climate-resilient livelihoods.”  -- Dr Juliana Jepkemoi Cheboi, Vice Chairperson, Plant Breeding Association of Kenya (PBAK) In countries such as Kenya—where more than 80 per cent of land lies in arid and semi-arid zones—the dominance of maize-centric research and policy has created a structural mismatch between crops and climate. Dr Juliana Cheboi highlighted how landraces and wild relatives of sorghum, finger millet, and indigenous vegetables such as amaranth and spider plant already carry the traits required for heat tolerance, low water use, and nutrient density. Yet they remain largely excluded from formal breeding pipelines. Reintegrating these crops, she stressed, requires participatory varietal selection, stronger links between formal seed systems and community gene banks, and deliberate inclusion of women and youth across value chains. Only by aligning farmer demand, breeding priorities, and policy incentives can biodiversity transition from conservation rhetoric to an engine of inclusive, climate-resilient food systems. Rethinking Staples: Biodiversity From Within Challenging the perceived trade-off between staples and diversity, Dr Natalia Palacios Rojas, Principal Scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), reframed the role of maize and wheat in future food systems. As global agriculture confronts the simultaneous transgression of planetary and health boundaries, she argued that staples must deliver nutrition, sustainability, and economic viability—without sacrificing yield or farmer adoption. “ Nutrition cannot be delivered by genetics alone. At CIMMYT, we are reconnecting breeding with farming systems and food culture—learning from models like the milpa, where maize, legumes, and vegetables are grown together to build productivity, soil health, and resilience. Processing innovations such as whole-kernel use, fermentation, nixtamalization, and blended flours allow staples to carry greater nutritional diversity, showing that yield, health, and market acceptance can reinforce—not compete with each other. ” --- Dr Natalia Palacios Rojas, Principal Scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) At CIMMYT, this has translated into embedding nutritional biodiversity directly into maize and wheat through biofortification for zinc, provitamin A, protein quality, and fibre. Participatory breeding now ensures that nutrition-enhanced varieties reflect farmer and consumer preferences, guiding target product profiles that respond to real-world demand rather than laboratory assumptions. Dr Rojas also emphasised that breeding alone is insufficient. By drawing on traditional farming systems such as Latin America’s milpa, and rethinking food processing through whole-grain use, fermentation, nixtamalization, and blended flours combining staples with sorghum, millets, legumes, and indigenous crops, CIMMYT is reconnecting genetics, diets, and culture—while reducing food loss and waste. From Silos to Systems: The Global Policy Lens Placing these field-level experiences within the wider architecture of global research and governance, Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary, GFAiR – The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, argued that agrobiodiversity remains structurally disadvantaged by fragmented policy frameworks. While biodiversity features prominently in national strategies, most governments continue to operate through siloed mandates—separating nutrition, environment, and commodity support. “Biodiversity will not scale through isolated interventions. It requires whole-of-value-chain alignment—linking seed systems, markets, processing, certification, and consumer demand. Dryland and underutilised crops already deliver a triple dividend for nutrition, the environment, and farmer livelihoods, yet remain locked out by weak incentives. Rebuilding demand from seed to plate, through smarter staples and true co-partnerships, is essential—where farmers are not beneficiaries of innovation, but its co-architects.” --- Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Secretary, GFAiR – The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation For biodiversity-led innovation to scale, Joanna stressed the need for whole-of-value-chain alignment—integrating seed systems, markets, processing, certification, and consumer demand. Dryland crops and underutilised species already embody a triple dividend of nutrition, environmental sustainability, and farmer livelihoods, yet remain excluded due to weak incentives and eroded market infrastructure. Reversing this trajectory, she concluded, requires “smarter staples,” rebuilt demand from seed to plate, and a shift from partnerships to co-partnerships—where farmers are not beneficiaries of innovation, but co-architects of it. From Narrative to Strategy The AgroSpectrum–GFAiR webinar underscored a central truth: Agrobiodiversity does not fail because farmers reject it. It fails when institutions lack the mechanisms to recognise, validate, and reward it. Across geographies—from Odisha to East Africa to global breeding programmes—the science exists, farmer willingness exists, and the climate imperative is unmistakable. What remains is a strategic choice. In a climate-constrained world, resilience will not emerge from uniformity. It will come from diversity—scientifically supported, economically rewarded, and mainstreamed into global value chains. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3484/this-is-not-dumping-this-is-demand-inside-indias-rice-trade-reality-as-u-s-tariffs-surge.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3484/this-is-not-dumping-this-is-demand-inside-indias-rice-trade-reality-as-u-s-tariffs-surge.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:16:45 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Dev Garg, Vice President of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), pushes back against U.S. allegations of dumping as tariffs on Indian rice rise sharply, asserting that India’s exports are fundamentally demand-driven, not subsidy-fueled. Garg explains that Indian basmati and select non-basmati varieties cater to distinct cultural and culinary segments in the U.S., making them non-substitutable by domestically grown American rice. He notes that despite tariffs increasing from 10 per cent to 50 per cent, demand has remained resilient, with higher costs largely absorbed by U.S. consumers due to basmati’s irreplaceable qualities and relatively low household consumption volumes. He highlights India’s structural advantages—varietal depth, ageing practices, and advanced milling infrastructure—which continue to anchor its global competitiveness. Looking ahead, Garg outlines IREF’s strategy of market diversification, value-added exports, and policy support in Budget 2026 to future-proof India’s rice export ecosystem against geopolitical and trade shocks. The U.S. President’s recent comments have brought Indo–U.S. rice trade into global focus. From IREF’s perspective, what are the biggest misconceptions that need correction regarding Indian rice exports to the United States ?The first and most fundamental misconception is the allegation of dumping. Indian rice exports to the United States are entirely demand-driven, not supply-pushed. Exporters ship rice only against confirmed orders from U.S. importers, retailers, and distributors. There is no scenario in which rice is “offloaded” into the U.S. market to suppress prices.The second misconception is that Indian rice competes directly with U.S.-grown rice. That assumption ignores basic market realities. Indian rice—especially basmati and select non-basmati varieties—serves a completely different consumer base, rooted in cultural, ethnic, and culinary preferences. U.S. rice is predominantly medium- and short-grain, designed for entirely different cooking applications. These are not interchangeable products.Finally, the MSP argument is deeply misunderstood. The U.S. has raised concerns around MSP-linked varieties such as PR-106 and IR-64. But Sona Masuri and basmati—India’s principal exports to the U.S.—do not fall under MSP at all. To suggest that MSP is distorting the U.S. market is simply incorrect.Despite tariffs rising sharply from 10 per cent to 50 per cent, Indian rice exports to the U.S. have continued. What explains this sustained demand, and how are U.S. consumers responding to higher retail prices ?The resilience of demand comes down to irreplaceability.Basmati rice is not a commodity; it is a culinary necessity for specific cuisines. The aroma, elongation, texture, and cooking behavior of Indian basmati—particularly for dishes like biryani—cannot be substituted. Even Pakistani basmati, often cited as an alternative, differs significantly in colour palette, taste profile, and ageing characteristics.India also has a strategic advantage in varietal depth. When tariffs rise, exporters can shift demand toward alternative Indian basmati varieties. For example, Pusa Basmati 1121 may be premium-priced, but newer varieties like PB-1718 or PB-1509 allow exporters to offer value options without compromising on authenticity. More recently, PB-21 (II-21) has emerged as a premium export variety, roughly priced around $ 1,000 per metric tonne, giving the market flexibility across price points.Crucially, the entire tariff burden is borne by U.S. consumers, not Indian exporters. But rice consumption volumes in the U.S. are relatively small—typically 5 kg per household annually. Given the high per capita income levels in the U.S., the absolute increase in household food expenditure is marginal. Consumers absorb the price increase without materially altering consumption behavior.Indian basmati and non-basmati rice cater to specific cultural and culinary segments in the U.S. How critical are these segments to long-term demand, and do you foresee any shifts in consumption patterns ?These segments are not niche anymore—they are structural. Indian food has become one of the most popular global cuisines, and the U.S. is no exception. The rise of Indian restaurants, ready-to-cook meal kits, ethnic food aisles in mainstream retail, and cross-cultural adoption of Indian cooking at home is driving sustained growth in basmati demand.From IREF’s perspective, the long-term trajectory is clearly upward. Basmati consumption in the U.S. is increasing not just among the Indian diaspora, but among mainstream consumers who associate it with premium quality, health, and superior taste. This is not a cyclical trend—it is a cultural shift.You mentioned that the tariff burden is largely passed on to U.S. consumers. What impact has this had on Indian exporters, millers, and farmers? Has it affected export realisations or supply-chain planning ? At present, Indian exporters remain largely insulated.There was a window of nearly one month between the announcement and implementation of the higher tariff. During this period, exporters front-loaded shipments into the U.S., ensuring continuity of supply. As a result, there has been no disruption to export flows, no inventory overhang, and no adverse impact on farm-gate prices.From a planning perspective, Indian rice exports are continuing as normal. Milling operations, procurement cycles, and shipping schedules remain intact. There is no evidence of stress transmission from U.S. tariff policy back to Indian farmers or millers at this stage.Given that U.S.-grown rice is not a like-for-like substitute for Indian basmati, how does this quality and culinary differentiation strengthen India’s competitive position globally ?India’s competitive advantage lies in quality, ageing, and processing sophistication.Indian exporters have a long-standing practice of supplying aged rice. Much like wine, rice improves with age—its cooking properties, aroma, and grain integrity enhance over time. This gives Indian rice a superior culinary experience compared to fresher alternatives from competing origins.Additionally, India’s milling infrastructure is significantly more advanced than many competing exporters, including Pakistan. Indian mills deliver consistent grain length, polish, and breakage control at scale. This consistency is critical for global buyers and foodservice chains.As a result, Indian rice is not just prevalent—it is becoming the reference standard in many global markets.Looking ahead, how is IREF working with the Government of India to diversify markets, mitigate tariff-related risks, and ensure stable growth for India’s rice export ecosystem ?Market diversification is a central pillar of IREF’s strategy.We have identified 26 high-potential international markets where competitors currently dominate rice consumption. The cumulative market opportunity across these geographies is estimated at Rs 1.8 lakh crore. These countries already import rice—it is simply sourced from non-Indian origins.Our approach is not generic. Countries like Japan, for example, are extremely particular about food quality. Sushi rice has specific textural requirements. IREF has identified Indian varieties—such as Nagri Dubraj, a GI-tagged rice from Chhattisgarh—that can technically and sensorially replace the rice currently used in sushi preparation.Beyond trade negotiations, large international events and food festivals are increasingly being used as export-promotion platforms. The goal is to demonstrate functional equivalence—or superiority—of Indian varieties in global cuisines.What recommendations would IREF like to see reflected in the Union Budget 2026 ?There are three clear priorities.First, an interest subvention scheme for rice exporters. Export financing costs in India remain high, and easing this burden would immediately improve competitiveness.Second, targeted incentives for setting up modern rice mills, especially those focused on value-added processing, ageing infrastructure, and export-grade packaging.Third, enhancing the existing export incentive framework from 0.9 per cent to around 3 per cent, coupled with a strong focus on export infrastructure—ports, logistics, and quality certification systems.These measures would not only strengthen exports but also future-proof India’s rice ecosystem against geopolitical and tariff-related shocks.Closing ThoughtAs the global trade narrative grows louder, IREF’s message is clear: India’s rice exports are not a distortion—they are a response to demand, culture, and culinary preference. Tariffs may rise, rhetoric may sharpen, but as long as food remains deeply tied to identity and taste, India’s rice will continue to travel the world—grain by grain, market by market. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3483/from-ecological-fit-to-economic-proof-botswanas-safflower-strategy-redefines-dryland-resilience.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3483/from-ecological-fit-to-economic-proof-botswanas-safflower-strategy-redefines-dryland-resilience.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:08:51 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Nnyaladzi Madzikigwa, Author and Director of Saffenergy Initiatives, Botswana, explains why safflower is emerging as a strategic resilience crop rather than a speculative diversification bet. Nnyaladzi argues that safflower’s real advantage lies in income stability, low input dependence, and multi-stream value creation—qualities that make it economically superior to high-yield but volatile dryland staples under climate stress. By rejecting bulk commodity markets and anchoring safflower in cooperative-owned processing, traceability, and ethical origin branding, Botswana is positioning the crop as an identity-based export for nutraceutical, cosmetic, and wellness markets. Crucially, the model integrates biodiversity stewardship, women- and youth-led ownership, and GBV-responsive livelihoods, reframing safflower not merely as an agronomic intervention but as a national strategy for climate resilience, social recovery, and rural economic sovereignty. From Ecological Fit to Economic Proof Botswana’s ecosystems have long demonstrated resilience under climatic stress—but resilience alone does not attract capital. What hard economic evidence (yield stability, cost curves, margin resilience) can demonstrate that safflower is not just climate-compatible, but commercially superior to traditional dryland staples under Botswana’s conditions ? Saffenergy Initiatives frames safflower not as a speculative diversification experiment, but as a deliberately chosen economic resilience instrument suited to Botswana’s dryland realities. Under arid and semi-arid conditions, the crop offers a rare combination of yield stability, low input intensity, and diversified revenue potential. Unlike traditional dryland staples that swing sharply with rainfall variability, safflower delivers predictable output even in stressed seasons. Its modest water, fertiliser, and pesticide requirements reduce production risk and protect farmer margins when climate shocks hit. Crucially, safflower’s value does not rest solely on seed yields: oil, cake, petals, and secondary by-products create multiple income streams. In cooperative pilots where safflower is integrated with poultry and mixed farming systems, household income volatility has fallen sharply. For Saffenergy, this stability—rather than peak agronomic performance—is what makes safflower economically compelling in Botswana’s climate context. Avoiding the Commodity Trap Many climate-resilient crops fail because they enter global markets as low-value commodities. How will Botswana position safflower not as another bulk oilseed, but as a differentiated, biodiversity-anchored product capable of sustaining premium pricing in global nutraceutical, cosmetic, and wellness markets? The strategy, Saffenergy argues, is to refuse participation in bulk oilseed markets altogether. Botswana’s opportunity lies in differentiation, not scale. Safflower is being positioned outside commodity pricing dynamics and anchored instead in biodiversity, climate resilience, and ethical production, including links to GBV recovery and livelihood reintegration programmes. The target markets are nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and wellness—segments where traceability, provenance, and ethical sourcing command premiums. By combining low-input dryland cultivation with cooperative-led traceability, social impact certification, and origin branding tied to ecosystem stewardship, Botswana safflower is repositioned from a price-taking commodity into an identity-based product. In this model, value is protected by trust and narrative, not by volume. Value Addition vs. Value Capture Local processing often creates jobs—but not necessarily wealth—if branding, IP, and market access remain offshore. Which segments of the safflower value chain (processing, formulation, branding, certification, IP) must remain in Botswana to ensure that rural communities capture value rather than merely supply raw inputs ? For communities to capture wealth rather than wages, Saffenergy insists that critical nodes of the value chain must remain in Botswana. These include primary processing such as oil pressing and cake production, downstream formulation for cosmetics, wellness blends, and animal feed, ownership of certification and traceability systems, brand control and storytelling, and intellectual property linked to formulations and indigenous knowledge. At Saffenergy, these functions are cooperative-owned by design. Export partners may handle distribution, but product identity, narrative authority, and margin capture remain local. This approach is not ideological, the organisation argues, but structural: Without control over these nodes, rural economies default to extractive models regardless of crop choice. Cooperatives as Export Vehicles, Not Welfare Structures Cooperatives frequently struggle with governance, quality control, and market discipline.What institutional design—governance rules, professional management, digital traceability, performance incentives—will allow Botswana’s safflower cooperatives to function as export-grade enterprises rather than subsistence collectives? Saffenergy’s answer is to design cooperatives as enterprises first and social instruments second. This means professional management rather than volunteer leadership, performance-linked incentives tied to quality and delivery, digital traceability from field to market, contractually enforced quality protocols, and a clear separation between social and commercial accounting. GBV and psychosocial support programmes operate alongside the cooperative, not within its governance framework, ensuring that empathy does not dilute market discipline. Export markets reward consistency and reliability, Saffenergy notes, and welfare logic cannot substitute for enterprise rigor. Competing in a Crowded Climate-Smart World Countries such as India, Ethiopia, and Kenya are already advancing biodiversity-linked crops into global markets. What is Botswana’s unique competitive moat—ecological, reputational, regulatory, or branding-based—that prevents safflower from becoming a race to the bottom on price? Botswana’s advantage, according to Saffenergy, is credibility rather than scale. The country brings a global reputation for good governance, clean landscapes with low chemical intensity, high trust in regulatory systems, and a compelling ethical production narrative. When these attributes are combined with biodiversity stewardship and GBV-responsive rural development, safflower becomes more than a crop—it becomes a trusted origin. That trust underpins premium pricing and shields producers from the race-to-the-bottom dynamics that have hollowed out many commodity sectors. Scaling Without Ecological Degradation History shows that scaling “green” crops can unintentionally replicate extractive agricultural models.How will Botswana ensure that safflower expansion strengthens soil health, water efficiency, and biodiversity rather than simplifying landscapes and recreating monoculture risks? Scaling, Saffenergy emphasises, does not mean monoculture expansion. Safflower’s resilience allows growth without ecological overreach when embedded within integrated farming systems, crop rotation regimes that regenerate soils, water-efficient dryland irrigation practices, and intercropping and fallow restoration strategies. Because income is diversified across by-products and poultry integration, farmers are not pressured to continuously expand acreage. In this model, ecological health is treated as an economic asset rather than an externality to be managed after the fact. Gender, Youth, and the Political Economy of Rural Jobs Rural agro-enterprises often promise inclusion but deliver uneven outcomes. How will safflower-based rural industries be structured to ensure meaningful participation and income security for women and youth—beyond seasonal labor or informal processing roles? Women and youth inclusion is positioned as central rather than ancillary. Saffenergy’s GBV-focused social programme provides psychosocial support for survivors, reintegration pathways into productive livelihoods, and skills training directly linked to income streams. Women and youth participate as cooperative shareholders, operators of processing units, and entrepreneurs in poultry and by-product enterprises. The emphasis is on continuous, year-round income rather than seasonal labour, with ownership replacing dependency. Economic agency, Saffenergy argues, is among the most effective tools for both GBV prevention and recovery. From Pilot Crop to National Strategy Many promising crops remain trapped in pilot mode due to fragmented policy support. What specific policy levers—procurement incentives, export facilitation, blended finance, certification subsidies—must Botswana activate to move safflower from a niche biodiversity project to a nationally scalable export strategy? To transition safflower from pilot projects to a national strategy, Saffenergy identifies five policy levers: public procurement of safflower oil and by-products, blended finance for rural processing hubs, certification subsidies for cooperatives, export facilitation for niche biodiversity products, and formal recognition of biodiversity crops within national agricultural policy. Above all, safflower must be framed not as a narrow crop intervention, but as a climate resilience, gender inclusion, and rural stability strategy. In Saffenergy’s framing, safflower is ultimately not just about farming—it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding resilience after trauma, and creating rural economies capable of healing both people and land. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3482/abs-reform-is-missing-link-in-indias-plant-based-innovation-story.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3482/abs-reform-is-missing-link-in-indias-plant-based-innovation-story.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 10:15:13 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Sanjaya Mariwala, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of OmniActive Health Technologies, argues that India’s Biodiversity Act is quietly evolving from a policing statute into a potential industrial policy lever for plant-based innovation. He credits the 2023 amendments for easing compliance, aligning approvals with innovation cycles, and legitimising cultivated crops and traditional knowledge—but warns that fragmented state-level ABS practices still deter scale and global investment. Mariwala makes the case for a national ABS code, digital single-window compliance, and reward-linked reductions for companies investing in cultivation and conservation, shifting biodiversity from a cost centre to a competitive advantage. On R&D, he stresses that clarity on Digital Sequence Information, uniform research exemptions, and shared biofoundries are essential if India is to replicate its pharma success in botanicals, nutraceuticals, and functional ingredients. His message is blunt: Without predictable regulation, traceable supply chains, and incentives for value addition, India risks remaining a raw-material supplier even as rivals like Brazil and Thailand race ahead in the global bioeconomy. Biodiversity Act as an Industrial Policy Tool Can the Biodiversity Act evolve from a compliance framework into an enabling policy that accelerates India’s plant-based sectors—nutraceuticals, botanicals, plant proteins, phytopharma, and bio-based materials? What key amendments or guidelines would catalyse this shift? It is already moving in this direction, but the process needs further refinement. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, brought about three important structural changes. First, it began with the removal of punitive measures and their replacement with financial penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. This change reshapes the act from a deterrence perspective to one of compliance. Second, it introduced key exemptions for cultivated crops, for codified traditional knowledge, and for AYUSH practitioners. These exemptions are designed to encourage domestic innovation and legitimise traditional practices without administrative overreach. Third, it aligned the Act with innovation cycles by requiring NBA approval before the grant of IPR, not before filing. This allows Indian entities to file patents without bureaucratic delays, while foreign applicants still require prior approval. However, the real bottleneck is state-level variability. With 8,610 licensed herbal manufacturing units operating across India, differences in interpretation across State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) create regulatory unpredictability, especially where ABS is determined case-by-case or increased for “high economic value” species. To convert the Act into an industrial accelerator, India needs: A national ABS code with fixed, uniform rates A digital single-window platform (the proposed Biodiversity Compliance Exchange) to bring transparency, standard timelines, and predictable costs A reward-linked model where companies investing in cultivation and conservation receive measurable ABS reductions This is how the Act can shift from policing to enabling, but only if stakeholders demand a unified national ABS code, transparent compliance systems, and active reward mechanisms for conservation investments. It is time for industry, government, and researchers to work together and advocate for these changes. De-risking R&D for Plant-Based Innovation India’s botanical R&D pipeline is modest compared to its biodiversity. What national policies—DSI guidelines, standardised approvals, research exemptions, shared biofoundries—could unlock world-scale innovation in plant-based actives and functional ingredients? Three elements matter in R&D: access, clarity, and infrastructure. The 2025 Biological Diversity Regulations recognise Digital Sequence Information (DSI) as a "biological resource", but importantly, they exempt academic research from benefit-sharing, ensuring fundamental science is not disrupted. This clarity is essential because genomic and metabolomic research are the backbone of new plant-derived actives. The Act also provides research exemptions for non-commercial bio surveys and academic studies, but these must be made uniformly applicable across all states to avoid uncertainty for institutions and startups. The next step is shared infrastructure. There is a need for bio-conservatories, seed banks, biosafety labs, shared bio foundries, and pilot-scale bioprocessing facilities. These are critical for SMEs, which often cannot afford large-scale fermentation units or botanical extraction facilities on their own. India’s pharmaceutical capabilities demonstrate what coordinated R&D ecosystems can achieve. India already produces one-third of the world’s pills and over 65 per cent of global vaccines. A similar ecosystem for plant-based actives supported by predictable access, rapid approvals and shared facilities can unlock world-scale innovation. Cultivation Over Extraction: A Policy Turning Point India still depends heavily on wild-sourced plants. What policy levers—contract farming incentives, carbon-linked subsidies, insurance schemes, guaranteed buyback mechanisms—can accelerate the shift to regenerative, large-scale cultivation of medicinal, aromatic, and functional crops? The Act now provides a strong policy foundation. Cultivated biological resources are exempt from ABS, which makes formal cultivation far more attractive than wild collection for industry players. The next step is to incentivise cultivation through: Contract farming for medicinal and aromatic plants Guaranteed buyback arrangements to reduce farmer risk Crop insurance schemes tailored to high-value species Carbon-linked incentives, since sustainable cultivation can generate biodiversity and carbon credits that reduce financing costs It all hinges upon the following completely transformative idea: The provision of a reduction in ABS in accordance with substantiated farming and ex-situ conservation. An enterprise that invests in farming threatened species under section 38 of the Act should be able to reduce its ABS burden. This also applies to any cultivated crop. Every project should be linked to development investment by every enterprise in contract cultivation. This will establish a positive feedback loop where investing in conservation makes economic sense rather than merely being a compliance activity. We already have a proof of concept. The experience of the Kani tribe—where benefit-sharing for the Jeevani formulation ensured local protection of the resource—shows that conservation thrives when incentives align with community and industry interests. Moving cultivation to the centre is not only sound environmental policy but also essential for long-term supply security. Stakeholders must now push for targeted incentives, drive investment in regenerative practices, and ensure that policy reforms prioritise large-scale, sustainable cultivation as the future of India's plant-based industry. ABS Designed for Scale, Not Stasis Non-uniform ABS fees and multi-layer approvals discourage industry investment. Should India adopt a national ABS code with fixed rates and digital processing to make compliance predictable and attractive for plant-based companies? The need for scale arises based on the predictability that comes with it. Currently, there are discrepancies in ABS evaluations across the states, leading to what can be perceived as “regulatory arbitrage” where companies can shift operations based on jurisdictional leniency or clarity. The 2025 Regulations begin with the proper framework in terms of fixed slabs of ABS based on turnover (0.2 per cent to 0.6 per cent in the case of large assessees) and exemptions up to turnover of Rs 5 crore. Although such a framework works well, there needs to be uniformity nationwide. It will remove any scope for subjective interpretation and ensure low-risk compliance by MSMEs. Otherwise, India will continue to demonstrate “world-class” intention but lackadaisical execution. It will continue to confuse the global fraternity as to whether it has the “capability” or “systems” in place. Global Competitiveness: India vs. Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand Competitor nations are aggressively scaling plant-based bioindustries. What policy steps are essential for India to compete in high-growth segments like curcumin, ashwagandha, moringa, plant proteins, and natural colours—beyond raw material exports? Three areas require immediate attention. First, cluster-based development: One model that India can follow to reduce the issues related to domestic manufacture and distribution is the “BCG model” in the Thai market, where there are clusters developed based on the region that specialises in a certain kind of crop or bioindustry. These clusters can include turmeric in Karnataka, ashwagandha in Rajasthan, or moringa in Tamil Nadu. The formation of these clusters requires research on the market potential of each product. This work must be undertaken jointly by the Ministry of AYUSH, the Ministry of Food Processing, and the Ministry of Commerce. Each cluster could have three to four crops and a primary processing industry. Second, value-added exports: It is important that India moves ahead in the global trade from raw botanical supplies to traceable, scientifically attested, and standardised ingredients. The Indian nutraceutical industry already employs over 3 million people and utilises close to a thousand botanical plant species, but most exports are in raw or less-processed form. To incentivise higher value addition, the ABS system should be structured so that basic commodity exporters pay the highest ABS, with the levy decreasing progressively as the level of value addition increases. Third, global compliance readiness: Import rules under the European Union require verification that plant-based goods are deforestation-free and geolocation-tagged to confirm their origin.  If we want to encourage exports, we need to align our local rules to meet the needs of such regulations being formed across major markets. This responsibility again rests with the Ministry of Commerce. Our interests in such a case would be best served if FTAs incorporate provisions that allow negotiation of these regulatory obligations as part of the agreement. The supply chains in India need traceability and GPS-tagged farm data, as well as sustainability certifications, in order to maintain competitiveness in exports. In other words, achieving these three changes will help India shift from being a large raw material provider to becoming an innovation hub in high-value plants. Reimagining Community Participation in Value Creation How can India move beyond transactional ABS payouts to truly participatory models—community-owned plantations, co-operative extraction units, shared IP rights—that make local communities' economic partners in the rise of the plant-based bioeconomy? India’s biodiversity prosperity depends heavily on the communities that live closest to it. Instead of transactional ABS payments, participation should be embedded into value chains. The next step is to incentivise cultivation through: Community-owned plantations and cooperatives,especially for species that require careful stewardship Co-managed extraction units, where communities run primary processing supported by industry partners Shared IP rights, following global models where indigenous communities become co-owners in patents when traditional knowledge is involved Community Protocols, enabling communities to set terms of access for biological resources and knowledge Reverse ABS structure, which imposes higher rates on low value-added exports and lowered or no ABS on higher value exports, should be the regime to be established. Building Trusted, Traceable, Export-Ready Value Chains Global buyers demand traceability, residue-free cultivation, and proof of conservation outcomes. What regulatory upgrades—digital traceability mandates, bioresource certification, ESG-linked incentives—are required for India to secure premium export markets? Traceability has emerged as the need of the hour. The Deforestation Regulation in the European Union makes it mandatory for importers to submit geolocation data regarding all farms in the supply chain, causing a shift in trade equations. India needs three regulatory upgrades: Digital traceability mandates using GPS-tagged farm plots, blockchain-based sourcing logs and integrated systems linked to APEDA export portals. National bioresource certification standards are aligned with global due diligence requirements. ESG-linked incentives reward residue-free cultivation and regenerative agriculture. We already have a strong precedent: India’s pharmaceutical export ecosystem meets stringent global standards. The same level of traceability and compliance needs to follow botanical, nutraceutical, and plant-based ingredients. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3464/states-expand-snap-federal-taxpayers-pay-price-cato-economist-flags-deep-structural-flaws.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3464/states-expand-snap-federal-taxpayers-pay-price-cato-economist-flags-deep-structural-flaws.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:43:10 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute, reinforced the core argument of her recent paper, “The SNAP Loophole That Lets Millionaires Receive Food Stamps”: that Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) has fundamentally eroded SNAP’s policy safeguards by allowing states to sidestep federal income and asset limits. Citing evidence that 43 states and DC have adopted BBCE—most eliminating asset tests entirely—she noted that the loophole now enables millions of households with significant financial resources to qualify for SNAP, including more than 5 million participants whose assets exceed federal thresholds. While sensational cases of millionaire or lottery-winner beneficiaries are statistically rare, Romina stressed that they symbolize a deeper structural problem: states can expand eligibility by linking SNAP to minimal TANF-funded services such as brochures or hotline numbers, yet Washington continues to pay 100 percent of SNAP benefit costs. This misalignment of incentives, she argued, has contributed to long-term caseload expansion, improper payments, and a steady weakening of program integrity. Romina reiterated the article’s call for restoring federal asset limits—an approach supported by 73 percent of U.S. voters—but emphasized that tightening BBCE is only a partial fix. The larger flaw is fiscal: states enjoy the political upside of appearing generous, while federal taxpayers shoulder the financial burden. To realign incentives and ensure that nutritional assistance reaches the truly needy, she advocated for devolving SNAP to the states through block grants and gradually shifting benefit financing to state budgets. According to Romina, think tanks like the Cato Institute play an essential role in exposing systemic inefficiencies in federal programs, quantifying the cost of loopholes such as BBCE—estimated to range from $10 billion to $112 billion over ten years—and advancing market-driven reforms that promote accountability, prudent fiscal management, and genuine economic mobility for vulnerable households. Romina, your research highlights how Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) allows states to bypass federal asset limits, sometimes letting households with substantial wealth—including lottery winners and retirees with significant savings—receive SNAP benefits. How widespread is this issue, and what are the broader implications for program integrity and taxpayer trust?  Millionaires and lottery winners on SNAP are rare, but the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) estimated in 2023 that ~5.4 million SNAP participants were enrolled through BBCE. This means that over 10 percent of SNAP participants did not meet the program’s own statutory income/asset standards, but still received benefits. The millions of people on SNAP through BBCE is one of many factors, including looser state-level eligibility standards, that have contributed to SNAP’s massive caseload expansion since 2000. As a result, over 40 million Americans, or 1 in 8, rely on the federal government to help them pay for their groceries. The BBCE loophole is emblematic of SNAP's lack of accountability. States share administrative costs with the federal government, giving them the incentive to simplify their paperwork with options like BBCE to streamline eligibility checks. However, they have little stake in controlling enrollment growth or enforcing eligibility standards because federal taxpayers, not the states, pay for the benefits that flow to those brought onto SNAP rolls through those looser rules. Estimates suggest up to 4 million SNAP recipients under BBCE have assets above federal thresholds. From a policy standpoint, should the priority be enforcing stricter federal asset limits, or addressing the structural incentives that encourage states to expand eligibility?  Closing the BBCE loophole to enforce SNAP’s eligibility standards is a good start, but it will not solve the problems embedded in SNAP’s financing structure that gave states the incentive to abuse BBCE in the first place. States have little incentive to enforce eligibility standards or cut costs because the federal government pays 100 percent of the program’s benefits. This leaves states insulated from the financial consequences of their policy choices. OBBBA’s matching fund requirements for states with high improper payments were a good start, but the best way to resolve SNAP's incentive problems is to fully devolve SNAP to the states and hold them accountable for their eligibility decisions.   BBCE links SNAP eligibility to participation in programs like TANF, even when TANF thresholds exceed SNAP’s statutory limits. Do you consider this a design flaw in SNAP itself, or a symptom of deeper federal-state misalignment in welfare policy?  BBCE was initially intended to streamline SNAP administration by eliminating duplicative paperwork for caseworkers, but states have used it to make federal taxpayers pay for backdoor benefit expansions. BBCE, however, is a symptom of a structural incentive misalignment in SNAP and the entire federal-state welfare system. When authority and responsibility diverge, this creates a principal-agent problem. States reap the political benefits of appearing generous through broad benefit expansions but bear few of the financial consequences of paying for them. States further lack accountability for the improper payments and waste that result from inadequate program oversight. Devolving SNAP and other welfare programs to the states is the best way to align incentives with program integrity. Fiscal conservatives have argued that devolving SNAP to the states via block grants could better align benefit authority with financial responsibility. How realistic is this approach politically and economically, and what mechanisms could ensure that needy households are not disadvantaged under state discretion?  The 1996 welfare reforms showed that block-granting major assistance programs is not only politically achievable, but, more importantly, an optimal solution to help the economically disadvantaged. TANF’s remarkable success in increasing employment and reducing poverty for low-income families while drastically reducing caseloads proves that giving states the authority to design their programs empowers them to create assistance programs that are more responsive, targeted, and effective in meeting the local needs of their constituents. Given that some states have abolished asset tests entirely under BBCE, what structural reforms would you recommend to prevent high-asset households from receiving SNAP, while maintaining flexibility for genuinely low-income, asset-rich households who might still need temporary support?  States should bear the full cost of their programs. States are abolishing asset tests to expand SNAP eligibility and have little incentive to prevent high-asset households from receiving benefits because Washington is paying for those benefits. The best way to ensure SNAP benefits go to the truly vulnerable and, more importantly, help recipients achieve self-sufficiency, is to give states a financial stake in doing so. States should have the flexibility to experiment with their programs, including setting asset limits, to determine the best way to tailor assistance to meet the needs of individual recipients. But they should be the ones picking up the tab rather than passing the bill to federal taxpayers. Giving states fiscal responsibility for their welfare programs would incentivize them to either scale back their programs to empower private solutions, or design their assistance to help people rise out of poverty, rather than expanding benefits to capture more federal funding. Analysts suggest potential savings from repealing BBCE range from $10 billion to $112 billion over a decade. How should policymakers balance these savings against the potential risk of excluding households on the margin of need, particularly in economically vulnerable populations?  Repealing BBCE to prevent high-asset households from receiving SNAP benefits is a start, but policymakers should focus on getting welfare programs like SNAP out of Washington. When states bear the full fiscal responsibility for their programs, giving benefits to non-needy households to maximize enrollment becomes expensive, while assistance designed to reduce dependency becomes cost-efficient. Devolving SNAP will also give states the incentive to target aid to the truly vulnerable (the elderly, disabled, and low-income families with children), and design assistance for able-bodied adults as a launchpad to economic independence. SNAP’s current structure, where states administer programs while Washington pays, does the opposite. States are incentivized to maximize enrollment and government dependency to draw more federal dollars, but they have little reason to prioritize self-sufficiency. Decentralizing SNAP is the long-term solution to fixing not just BBCE, but the entire broken incentive structure of federal-state welfare policy. The current structure creates an incentive for states to expand benefits while federal taxpayers foot the bill. In your view, what concrete policy reforms could better align state incentives with fiscal responsibility, without compromising SNAP’s goal of supporting the most vulnerable populations?  Congress should convert SNAP from an open-ended entitlement program into a block grant and gradually reduce the federal government’s share of funding the program’s benefits. This will give states both the flexibility and the fiscal responsibility to determine which forms of support best help the most vulnerable. This includes empowering civil society, such as charities, nonprofits, and private organizations, to craft more responsive and effective forms of assistance than taxpayer-funded entitlements. If states opt to run their own nutritional assistance or other welfare programs, they should have the flexibility to tailor services to support recipients' self-sufficiency. The 1996 welfare reforms to TANF, for example, gave states significant discretion to direct funds toward supports beyond cash benefits, such as work and training programs, childcare, and other services they judged most effective at helping low-income families become self-reliant. Policy reforms that break free from one-size-fits-all federal approaches and empower local, community-based solutions are the best way to promote upward mobility and empower individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. Finally, what role do think tanks and independent policy research institutions like Cato play in shaping the national debate on SNAP reform, particularly regarding BBCE, asset verification, and the potential devolution of the program to states?  The Cato Institute provides independent analysis that cuts through political narratives, highlights structural flaws in federal policy, and offers concrete solutions for how to fix them to government decision-makers in Congress and the Executive. We provide data-driven reforms grounded in the power of free markets, individual liberty, fiscal discipline, and constitutional federalism. Shifting authority from the federal government to state and local levels offers a more effective framework for addressing poverty because local communities are better positioned to meet people’s specific needs and deliver more responsive, targeted assistance than federal programs. More importantly, removing government-created barriers to upward mobility and empowering free markets is a far more effective way to promote economic opportunity for low-income individuals than any top-down wealth redistribution program. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3463/dr-markandeya-gorantla-on-how-semiophore-will-make-india-epicenter-of-sustainable-pest-management.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3463/dr-markandeya-gorantla-on-how-semiophore-will-make-india-epicenter-of-sustainable-pest-management.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:34:59 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Chairman & Managing Director of ATGC Biotech, outlines how the newly formed Semiophore JV with Luxembourg Industries marks India’s first global-scale out-licensing of semiochemical IP and positions the country at the forefront of next-generation, residue-free pest management. He explains that the partnership merges ATGC’s decade-long leadership in pheromone biomanufacturing and controlled-release systems with Israel’s formidable regulatory and commercial networks, creating a platform capable of scaling 18 breakthrough technologies across world markets. Dr. Gorantla highlights the JV’s sustainability edge—from ultra-low-dose, zero-water delivery to massive reductions in CO₂e, plastic waste, and insecticide load—supported by rigorous field data and lifecycle metrics. Looking ahead, he notes that Semiophore’s long-term roadmap spans next-generation pheromone chemistry, automated deployment, and climate-smart pest-management platforms, aiming to redefine global crop protection and unlock multi-billion-dollar opportunities for India and Israel. Strategic Vision & Rationale What was the strategic rationale behind forming the Semiophore JV with Luxembourg Industries, and how does this partnership position ATGC Biotech in the global semiochemical and pheromone market ? The formation of Semiophore Ltd. with Luxembourg Industries is a strategic step that aligns ATGC’s scientific leadership with a global commercialization engine capable of taking India’s semiochemical technologies to international markets at scale. ATGC has spent more than a decade building deep capabilities in pheromone biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, and material-science–driven controlled-release systems, areas in which India had no industrial presence prior to our work. Luxembourg Industries, on the other hand, brings more than 50 years of global experience in manufacturing, regulatory operations, and distribution across Israel, Europe, MENA, Latin America, and the United States. The rationale behind Semiophore is to combine India’s innovation strengths with Israel’s proven commercial networks in agriculture, enabling a partnership that neither company could achieve independently. The JV positions ATGC at the forefront of the global pheromone market one of the fastest-growing segments in sustainable agriculture. It allows India not only to compete, but to lead, in an area historically dominated by European and North American players. Semiophore represents India’s first international-scale out-licensing of semiochemical IP, a major milestone in India’s bioeconomy journey and a strong signal of confidence in the scientific quality of Indian innovation. Technology Differentiation Semiophore will deploy 18 advanced semiochemical and pheromone technologies. Could you elaborate on how these technologies differ from conventional chemical pest management methods in terms of efficacy, sustainability, and adoption potential? The 18 technologies being deployed through Semiophore represent a fundamentally different approach to crop protection compared to conventional pesticides. Traditional insecticides operate through chemical toxicity they kill insects through neurotoxic or metabolic disruption and require large quantities, repeated spraying, water usage, and leave behind residues that affect human health, export compliance, and ecosystems. In contrast, ATGC’s pheromone and semiochemical platforms work through behavioral ecology rather than toxicity. By interfering with the mating communication of pests what we describe as “Insect Family Planning” we prevent population buildup without killing beneficial organisms. This is a nature-aligned solution, not a chemical intervention. Our technologies require just 5 grams per acre, compared to hundreds of grams of conventional pesticides. They offer season-long (up to 6 months) protection through advanced controlled-release systems made from mesoporous materials, nano-enabled matrices, and semi-solid emulsion delivery platforms. They require zero water, eliminating the need for spray equipment and mitigating runoff. This combination of ultra-low dose, zero residues, and long-duration control positions the technology as one of the most sustainable pest management systems available worldwide, with adoption potential across smallholder and commercial agriculture. Global Market Deployment: Expected Challenges With regulatory approvals and registrations planned across Israel, Brazil, Australia, and Africa, what are the major scientific, regulatory, or market challenges you anticipate in scaling these technologies internationally? Scaling semiochemical technologies across Israel, Brazil, Australia, and Africa involves navigating scientific, regulatory, and market complexities. Scientifically, pheromone systems are highly pest-specific. Each geography has different climatic conditions temperature, humidity, canopy structure that influence release kinetics and behavioral response. Semiophore will work closely with agricultural universities, entomology departments, and local regulators to optimize dose, spacing, and delivery parameters for each region. From a regulatory standpoint, every country has its own framework for approving biochemical pesticides, which requires field trials, toxicology assessments, environmental impact data, and manufacturing audits. ATGC’s existing regulatory experience in the US, India, and multiple international programs provides a strong foundation for navigating these pathways. Marketwise, the largest challenge is behavioral farmers are accustomed to chemical sprays. Semiophore will address this through demonstration farms, season-long monitoring, and extension partnerships that show the tangible economic benefits of shifting to pheromone-based systems. Despite these challenges, the global shift toward residue-free, climate-positive agriculture creates unprecedented demand for precisely the technologies ATGC has developed. Sustainability Impact & Metrics Semiophore emphasizes residue-free, pollinator-safe, and climate-resilient crop protection. How do you quantify or measure the environmental benefits—such as reduced insecticide use, lower CO₂e, water, and plastic footprint—of these technologies? Semiophore’s technologies are inherently sustainable because they eliminate the externalities associated with conventional chemical pesticides. We quantify these benefits using a combination of field data, lifecycle assessment, and modeling. Insecticide reduction is measured by comparing conventional spray schedules with 8 to 15 sprays totaling hundreds of grams of active ingredient against pheromone technologies that require only 5 grams per acre. CO₂e avoidance is calculated from reductions in chemical synthesis, transportation, storage, and repeated spraying operations. Based on ATGC’s current deployments, we estimate 2.5 million tons of CO₂e could be avoided as the technology scales. Water savings come directly from the zero-water nature of the system; farmers no longer rely on 200–400 liters of water per spray round. Across millions of acres, this results in over 20 billion liters of water saved. Plastic waste reduction is measured through reduced pesticide container usage, eliminating up to 40,000 tons of plastic annually in large-scale programs. Together, these metrics create a compelling climate and ESG case for Semiophore, opening the door to carbon-credit generation, green financing, and sustainability-linked partnerships. Adoption by Farmers What strategies will Semiophore employ to drive adoption among smallholders and large-scale growers, particularly in regions where conventional chemical pest control is entrenched? Adoption depends on demonstrating a clear, tangible difference in farmer outcomes. Semiophore will deploy a multi-layered adoption strategy. For smallholders, the focus will be on simplicity and cost: A 5-gram product that requires no water Season-long control No need for repeated spraying Compatibility with organic and IPM systems These advantages significantly reduce farmer labor, costs, and risk. For large-scale growers, the emphasis is on export compliance and predictability. Pheromone solutions eliminate residues, protect pollinators, and reduce variability in pest pressure critical factors for global markets. Semiophore will also deploy drone-based deployment systems and automation for plantation crops. The JV will work closely with government programs, cooperatives, and agricultural extension networks, supported by strong data dashboards and field teams. Demonstration plots will serve as the anchor of adoption strategy, showing farmers real-season results. Innovation, IP, and R&D Leadership How will ATGC Biotech’s IP, R&D, and technology leadership be leveraged within the JV to ensure continuous innovation and competitive advantage in the global semiochemical space? ATGC contributes a deep technology stack to Semiophore: 26 granted patents, multiple international filings, and some of the world’s most advanced biochemical delivery systems. Our synthetic biology platform enables cost-efficient pheromone biomanufacturing an area where traditional chemical synthesis has historically been expensive. Semiophore will benefit not only from ATGC’s existing innovations but from a continuous pipeline of next-generation technologies: enhanced blends, improved release kinetics, hybrid peptide pheromone solutions, nano-enabled matrices, and drone compatible formats. The JV structure ensures that ATGC retains IP ownership while providing Semiophore with global commercialization rights. This creates a competitive moat that strengthens over time, allowing the JV to lead the semiochemical space with sustained innovation. Commercial & Economic Impact Could you share projections for revenue, market capture, and job creation across India and Israel, and how the JV aims to create measurable socio-economic impact in these regions? The Semiophore JV is expected to catalyze significant economic gains for both India and Israel. In India, it will expand ATGC’s R&D, regulatory, and manufacturing footprint, creating jobs in synthetic biology, analytical chemistry, formulation science, engineering, agronomy, and field operations. The India-based manufacturing and export ecosystem will grow as new markets scale. In Israel, the JV will generate new employment opportunities in manufacturing, quality control, agronomy, regulatory affairs, and distribution. It will also strengthen Israel’s portfolio of sustainable agricultural inputs, opening export channels for green technologies. The global semiochemical market is projected to surpass USD 10–12 billion over the coming decade; Semiophore aims to capture a meaningful share of this through differentiated technologies and strategic international partnerships. Long-term Roadmap & Expansion Beyond the initial 18 products, what is the long-term vision for Semiophore in terms of expanding the portfolio, integrating next-generation delivery systems, and shaping the global landscape of sustainable, behavior-based crop protection? Semiophore’s long-term vision extends far beyond the initial set of 18 products. The JV will progressively expand into: Next-generation pheromone blends Solid and semi-solid delivery systems optimized for varied climates Encapsulated peptides, kairomones, and biological synergists Automated application technologies, including drones and ground rigs End-to-end precision-pest-management platforms Integrated climate-smart solutions aligned with carbon markets The end goal is to build the world’s most advanced behavior-based crop protection platform one that replaces chemical insecticides across millions of acres while enabling nations to meet their sustainability and climate targets. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3455/brazils-biologicals-at-inflection-point-marcelo-de-godoy-oliveiras-vision-for-high-science-high-quality-bioeconomy.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3455/brazils-biologicals-at-inflection-point-marcelo-de-godoy-oliveiras-vision-for-high-science-high-quality-bioeconomy.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:30:33 +0530 In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Marcelo de Godoy Oliveira, President of ABINBIO, explains that Brazil’s more than 30 per cent bioinputs surge is driven by pest pressure, chemical resistance, fertilizer dependence, and rapid scientific advances. He stresses that strict MAPA–industry oversight is essential to prevent a “wild west” of substandard products as the sector scales. Brazil’s biodiversity, combined with strong public–private R&D and emerging IP frameworks in gene editing, positions the country for global leadership. Marcelo highlights that biologicals in Brazil already deliver >90 per cent positive ROI in monitored applications and are fast becoming core to decarbonisation strategies. Looking ahead to 2035, he predicts only companies with deep science, industrial scale, and elite agronomic support will survive in a rapidly maturing market. Market Dynamics & Inflection Point Brazil’s bioinputs market is growing 30 per cent + annually even as global agrichem slows. What is the real inflection point—scientific breakthroughs, fertiliser volatility, climate pressures, or structural shifts in Brazil’s agri-economy ? The growth in bio-input use in Brazil is associated with four fundamental factors. The first factor relates to the significant increase in pest and disease incidence in agricultural systems. Being a tropical climate country, Brazil develops high-intensity agriculture, characterized by so-called "green bridges," which offer constant food supply for the accelerated proliferation of pests. Consequently, there is an increase in the number of pesticide applications in crops. This scenario leads to the second factor: the development of pest and disease resistance to chemical pesticides, resulting from continuous and repeated exposure to these products. Faced with this, rural producers begin seeking complementary management tools, such as biodefensives, to achieve greater efficacy in controlling phytopathogenic agents. The third factor is related to the country's high dependence on fertilizer imports, combined with the high prices charged for these inputs. This situation encourages producers to seek alternatives that increase the utilization of nutrients already present in the soil or enhance the efficiency of applied fertilizers, allowing, in some cases, dose reduction. An example is the use of phosphorus solubilizers to reduce the need for phosphate fertilization. Finally, the fourth and, in my opinion, most important factor refers to the advancement of scientific research and development of microbiological technologies, as well as the modernization of manufacturing facilities dedicated to the sector. Brazilian industries have distinguished themselves through high production capacity, elevated technological level, and experienced professionals in manufacturing both pesticides and other microbiological inputs. The combination of these factors makes Brazil stand out globally in adoption, technological development, and business investment in the bio-inputs segment. Quality, Oversight & “Wild West” Risk With 400+ manufacturers and thousands of on-farm biofactories, how is ABINBIO working with MAPA to ensure enforceable quality standards and avoid a fragmented “wild west” of inconsistent products? Our work with the Federal Government aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining rigorous rules for bio-input production, preventing the entry or manufacture of low-quality products in the country. Brazil is a global reference in the microbiological segment applied to agribusiness, and therefore requires legislation that safeguards product quality and continuously stimulates technological development, guaranteeing effective and safe tools so that our main partner—the rural producer—achieves increasing success in their activity. Additionally, there is a determining factor for company competitiveness in the market: people. Producers will always prioritize technologies that deliver proven results and add intelligence to their operation. Therefore, companies that do not invest in high-performance professionals will hardly remain competitive in the long term, and this investment, while essential, requires resources. Finally, we have reinforced to the Federal Government that the national bio-inputs industry is a true diamond in the making, becoming an important source of income for countless Brazilian families. The sector has been generating a significant number of jobs, contributing directly to the country's social development. R&D Leadership & Microbiome Advantage Brazil’s biodiversity gives it a strong edge in nitrogen-fixing, phosphate-solubilising and pest-suppressive microbes. What R&D platforms, public–private models, or IP frameworks can convert this into true global competitive advantage ? Yes, our biodiversity favors us extraordinarily. Brazil has different biomes that function as true open-air collections, providing numerous discoveries of microbiological actives that stand out in performance when processed through our advanced bioprocesses, formulations, quality standards, and high industrial capacity. Additionally, we have highly qualified public institutions that support the identification and study of these new actives, such as Embrapa, globally recognized as a reference in the bio-inputs segment. Regarding intellectual property protection, we are working together with the government and advancing in the use of gene editing and genetic engineering techniques. When associated with microorganism functions and our formulations, these technologies make products patentable, creating an important level of protection. However, biopiracy is still a reality and will continue to be combated by both industry and Brazilian regulatory agencies. Biologicals vs Chemicals: Real Economics Growers report variable field results. What does the real economic equation look like—yield stability, input substitution and ROI—when biologicals complement or replace synthetics at scale ? We have a rigorous performance monitoring system, advanced quality control, well-defined technical positioning, and differentiated follow-up conducted by our field specialists. As a consequence, more than 90 per cent of our technology applications show positive results. This level of efficiency is reflected in a high repurchase rate, since ultimately, we manage to generate excellent return on investment for the producer. As for the substitution or combined use of chemical and biological products, this depends greatly on the segment. A clear example is the use of biological nematicides, which has been growing for several years and, in many cases, already replaces the use of conventional pesticides. I believe that in the near future, bio-inputs will replace chemicals in other segments as well. However, it is important to understand that our main objective is to support rural producers in their mission to produce more food for the world. And for this, the combination of chemical and biological tools—when well positioned and integrated—makes all the difference. Brazil as a Global Bioinputs Powerhouse Foreign firms are validating products under Brazil’s tropical stress conditions. Can Brazil become a global exporter of biological technologies? What capabilities—regulatory strength, manufacturing, consortium science—must improve ? We are exporting, each year, a greater volume of microbiological technologies to various international markets. I believe that soon Brazil will globally lead this segment, as large foreign companies have been seeking to establish strategic partnerships with us. This movement is only possible thanks to the high quality of our products, the large industrial capacity installed in the country, consistent investments in international registrations, and the development of strong regulatory expertise by our teams, who work closely with regulatory agencies in other countries. I have no doubt that the global bio-inputs market will be largely led by major Brazilian players in the coming years. Fast-Tracking vs Environmental Risk Brazil’s fast regulatory approvals accelerate innovation but raise biosafety concerns. Do rapid pathways risk blind spots, especially for microbial consortia and next-gen metabolic boosters ? The rapid approval of biodefensives in Brazil is only possible due to the excellent work developed by our regulatory agencies (MAPA, Anvisa, and IBAMA). Our legislation is strict and requires, in addition to efficacy tests, various toxicological and ecotoxicological tests, thus generating low environmental risk when the product is approved by these agencies. Soil Carbon, ESG & Bioeconomy Transition With tighter MRL norms and carbon-linked premiums emerging, will biologicals become central to Brazil’s ESG and decarbonisation strategy ? What policy tools could speed this transition ? Undoubtedly, bio-inputs play a critical role in decarbonization mechanisms, as they act directly in reducing GHG emissions associated with the use of energy-intensive inputs and increasing the biogeochemical efficiency of production systems. Growth-promoting microorganisms, solubilizers, biological nitrogen fixers, and biocontrol agents contribute to reducing CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄ emissions, while favoring carbon sequestration processes in soil through increased microbial biomass, enhanced aggregate stability, formation of humic substances, and improved nutrient cycling dynamics. For these impacts to be fully integrated into decarbonization policies, strengthening the regulatory and methodological framework is essential. Priority needs include: Enhancement of MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) protocols Inclusion of specific methodologies to quantify GHG reductions and removals resulting from bio-input application, with standardized parameters according to GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, ISO 14067, and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodologies. Harmonization of certification rules Creation of regulatory flows that enable official recognition of these gains in instruments such as voluntary carbon markets and regulated programs (e.g., methodologies analogous to RenovaBio, REDD+, and Carbon Farming frameworks). Integration with government agencies and technical institutions Establishment of guidelines for credit monetization, including definitions of baseline, additionality, emission factors, permanence, and reversal risks, providing legal certainty to the industrial sector and producers. Official recognition of biotechnological pathways Formalization of emission reduction routes via nutrient solubilization, biological fixation, energy-intensive pest biocontrol, and root biostimulation processes, ensuring eligibility in carbon markets. The consolidation of these elements will allow bio-input use to be robustly incorporated into mitigation policies, increasing national industry competitiveness and positioning Brazil as a scientific, regulatory, and commercial leader in the global carbon market associated with agricultural biotechnology. The 2035 Horizon By 2035, what will separate leaders from laggards in Brazil’s bioinputs industry—strain IP, digital agronomy, consortium formulations, farmer extension networks, or something else? There is no doubt that in the coming years, the national industry will undergo an intense differentiation process, in which only the most structured companies will remain competitive. This movement will be driven by the launch of truly disruptive technologies, the high production capacity of our industries, and the qualification of technical service offered to producers. Increasingly, rural producers will demand highly skilled professionals—well-compensated and up-to-date agronomists who bring not just products, but applied scientific knowledge to all areas of their business. These factors will be decisive in separating the wheat from the chaff, resulting in a competitive market, but one of higher quality and with fewer competitors. Although many wish to enter the bio-inputs sector, few have investment capacity, operational robustness, and technical preparation to maintain and grow, especially given the challenges faced in recent years. In other words, by 2035, only truly strong and technically prepared players will survive. -- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3443/indias-first-geo-referenced-marine-fisheries-census-to-redefine-blue-economy-strategy-union-minister-george-kurian.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3443/indias-first-geo-referenced-marine-fisheries-census-to-redefine-blue-economy-strategy-union-minister-george-kurian.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:41:21 +0530 In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, elaborated on the Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 as a historic shift from estimation-based planning to a new era of evidence-driven, precision governance. He emphasised that the Census—powered by VyAS-BHARAT and VyAS-SUTRA—creates a dynamic, multidimensional, and scientifically validated foundation that will reshape policy design, welfare delivery, sustainability planning, and global market competitiveness. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MFC 2025 becomes the central pillar of India’s marine-sector transformation, aligning governance with the long-term national aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047.  George Kurian highlighted that the Ministry’s initiatives under the guidance of Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Cabinet Minister of Panchayati Raj and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, are already delivering record levels of production and exports while ensuring that technology, sustainability, and inclusivity permeate every intervention. The Census’s unprecedented household-level granularity will enable targeted welfare distribution, fisherwomen-led entrepreneurship, and a scientific roadmap for deep-sea expansion, mariculture growth, and ecosystem-based fisheries management.  Ultimately, MFC 2025 equips India with the consolidated intelligence needed to emerge as a top-3 global seafood power, setting new international benchmarks in transparency, traceability, and responsible ocean stewardship. Edited excerpts: The MFC 2025 is described as a foundational dataset for Indian marine fisheries. How will this census reshape policy planning, coastal livelihood schemes and blue economy development over the next decade ? The MFC 2025 will fundamentally reshape planning by providing a cogent, granular database with a multidimensional focus on the sector for the first time. For Policy: The Census will provide us with real time data. We will have a precise, multi-dimensional understanding of the present condition—financial status, equipment ownership, and infrastructure status—of every single fishing family and village. This becomes the bedrock for rolling out schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Yojana (PMMSY), allowing for highly focused and requirement-based allocation of resources. For Livelihoods: The Census provides a "ringside view" of skill levels within fisher families. This is critical. It allows us to strategically plan alternative livelihood support, such as diversification into deep-sea fishing or targeted development of mariculture avenues, based on the actual skills and capacity present in the community. For the Blue Economy: This database will serve as the scientific and spatial map we need for sustainable expansion. It identifies our present wherewithal, allowing us  to plan the exploration of untapped avenues in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while simultaneously implementing sustainable, ecosystem-based management for our current fisheries. This is the first fully digital and geo-referenced Marine Fisheries Census. What new granularity and decision intelligence will the VYAS–BHARAT & VYAS–SUTRA systems unlock that earlier cycles could not ? The biggest strength of this Census is its digital and real-time nature, powered by the VyAS systems. The key innovation is "household-level granularity." Earlier cycles gave us broadly grouped factors or indicators, with less options for integration with similar databases and spatial assessment; MFC 2025 gives us a georeferenced, real-time, and verified picture of each household. VyAS-BHARAT is designed to capture the complete picture—the household's socio-economic status, craft ownership, and access to coastal infrastructure. This is not just data; it's a status appraisal of our entire coastline. VyAS-SUTRA, its complimentary app, is the quality control mechanism. It uses meta-information to ensure the data being populated is plausible, validated, and purified at the source. This combination unlocks real-time decision intelligence. We can see which specific "pockets" of fisher settlements have been historically left out and bring them into the fold. The digital tracking and validation system makes the data immediately usable and reliable for any analysis, from a district-level scheme to a national policy furthering Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of leveraging data, digitalisation, and technology to design better policies and ensure transparent, evidence-based governance. How will census insights directly support welfare architecture — including insurance coverage, PMMSY benefit targeting, safety-at-sea systems, housing, and fisherwomen entrepreneurship ? The MFC 2025 is the master database for inclusive delivery of welfare schemes. Targeting Benefits: For PMMSY, housing schemes, or financial aid, the Census provides the precise list of beneficiaries. We will know exactly who owns what, what their financial condition is, and where they live. Inclusivity: The Census is designed to include settlements that may not have been covered yet. This exhaustive mapping ensures that welfare benefits can reach all genuine marine fishers. Fisherwomen Entrepreneurship: By cataloguing the specific skills available in households, we can design pointed schemes to support fisherwomen in alternative livelihoods like mariculture or value-addition, moving them from labourers to entrepreneurs. The exclusive details being collected of the Self-Help Groups active in the fishing villages using VyAS-BHARAT will aid in the expansion of women centric entrepreneurship. Insurance & Safety: By creating a detailed, validated picture of all crafts and fishing assets, we can establish a clear baseline for universal insurance coverage and ensure targeted deployment of safety-at-sea systems. How will MFC 2025 enhance India’s competitiveness in EU, US & Japan seafood markets ? International markets like the EU, US, and Japan demand proof of sustainability and traceability. The MFC 2025 provides the foundation for meeting these expectations. This Census is the foundational layer for a sustainable ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) plan. It gives us a complete, scientifically-consolidated assessment of our fleet's health and capacity. When we can speak loudly in the global arena with robust, homogenous national data, we demonstrate that our fisheries are managed responsibly. This Census is the first step in building a national traceability system—linking crafts, households, and landing centres. This data becomes the verifiable backbone that satisfies international queries and solidifies India's position as a responsible, high-quality seafood supplier. How does MFC 2025 align with India’s vision to emerge as a Top-3 global seafood power — both in sustainable capture fisheries and high-value, value-added exports ? Our vision to make India a top-3 global seafood power rests on two pillars: sustainable capture and high-value diversification. The MFC 2025 is the strategic tool for both. Sustainable Capture & Expansion: The Census assesses the professional fitness of our fleets. It provides the data needed to manage our existing resources sustainably while simultaneously identifying the capacity and requirements for diversification into deep-sea fishing and harnessing the full potential of our EEZ. High-Value Diversification: The future lies in high-value products. The Census identifies the skills and resources available for aquaculture and mariculture, enabling us to strategically pivot and scale up these high-value sectors. In short, the MFC 2025 is the consolidated, scientific roadmap that charts our path. It identifies our strengths, highlights key areas for improvement, and illuminates the precise opportunities we must seize to achieve our national goal. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is setting new global standards in data-driven governance and inclusive growth through the Marine Fisheries Census 2025. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3442/sacha-hoffmann-santelices-reveals-engineering-behind-komets-irrigation-edge.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3442/sacha-hoffmann-santelices-reveals-engineering-behind-komets-irrigation-edge.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:22:47 +0530 In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Sacha Hoffmann Santelices, Managing Director, Komet Irrigation, explains how the company rebuilt its manufacturing philosophy by benchmarking against automotive plants rather than agricultural peers. He outlines how precision engineering, tighter tolerances, and operator-led quality have become strategic differentiators that translate directly into field performance and farmer trust. Sacha highlights Komet’s tightly integrated feedback loops across continents, which allow rapid redesigns and testing updates based on real-world agronomic challenges. He also details how lean culture, digitalized flow systems, and carefully balanced automation help the company maintain industry-leading delivery despite global volatility. Looking ahead to Irrigation 2030, Hoffmann describes investments in advanced materials, digital twins, and cutting-edge laboratories that will anchor the next decade of hydraulic innovation. Raising the Bar: From Irrigation to Industry Leading Manufacturing Komet’s Lienz facility has been compared to automotive plants. What cultural, process, and technology shifts have allowed you to build a factory that outperforms the typical agricultural benchmark ? We began with a cultural reset. Instead of comparing ourselves to other agricultural manufacturers, we benchmarked against the best automotive plants. This changed how we design processes, how we hire, and how we use technology. We invested heavily in process engineering, standardization, and eliminating root causes, not symptoms. Today, repeatability, traceability, and defect-prevention are built into every workflow. That is why our factory performs far above typical agri-equipment standards. Precision as Strategy, Not Just Manufacturing Discipline Your components have tolerances much tighter than industry norms. How has precision become a strategic advantage in the field ? Precision is not just a technical choice; it is a strategic differentiator. Tighter tolerances deliver more consistent water distribution, less variability across environments, and better agronomic reliability. Farmers see this immediately in uniformity and yield. Precision becomes trust, and trust becomes market share. By designing every part to tighter tolerances than the industry expects, we turn manufacturing accuracy into better field performance. Quality at the Source: Redesigning the Role of Operators You say quality must be “produced,” not “controlled.” How do you ensure operators act as problem-solvers rather than machine operators waiting for inspection ? We shifted the operator’s role from a “machine runner” to a “process owner,” anchored on three reinforcing pillars. First, our systems are designed to make errors almost impossible—through poka-yoke mechanisms, real-time SPC dashboards, and standardized work that makes any deviation immediately visible. Second, we hire for problem-solving ability and cross-functional flexibility rather than narrow machine skills, ensuring operators can manage multiple tasks and think beyond their stations. Third, our incentives reward quality and ownership instead of sheer output volume, recognizing those who take responsibility and actively contribute to improvements. This transformation is sustained through continuous training: once operators truly understand that they produce quality rather than merely inspect it, the entire quality curve shifts upstream. Closing the Loop: Farmer Feedback Driving Factory Decisions How does feedback from growers in very different regions influence product design or manufacturing ? We have structured feedback channels across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the US. This information is reviewed weekly and directly informs our design and production decisions. For example, when farmers in drought-prone areas report behaviour at extremely low pressure, we adjust our testing protocols and may even redesign geometry or materials. The loop from field to factory is short, and agility is one of our biggest strengths. Agility Under Volatility: Supply Chain and Flow Redesign How do you maintain leading on-time delivery despite volatile demand, raw-material swings, and logistics disruptions ? We moved from a “batch and push” model to a flow-driven, demand-synchronized system. We also built dual sourcing for critical components to reduce risk. On the shop floor, we redesigned lines into flexible U-Lines, like Toyota’s approach, so teams can scale up or down quickly while keeping flow stable. At the same time, we accelerated production digitalization, giving us real-time visibility of lead times and faster decision-making. These structural changes allow us to keep industry-leading delivery performance even in unstable market conditions. Lean as a Cultural Engine, not a Toolkit What has been the hardest lean discipline to embed, and how do you maintain weekly improvement momentum ? The hardest discipline is consistency, following standards every day, on every shift. Tools are simple; culture is not. We built a strong shop-floor management system with daily and weekly routines at all leadership levels. Meetings follow a clear, standard format so communication is aligned and transparent. Problems are solved quickly, directly at the source. Our Komet Lean House provides a long-term roadmap with principles, behaviour, and five-year milestones. It keeps our transformation structured and focused. Lean is not a toolkit for us; it is how we think and operate. Innovating Without Over-Automating How do you balance automation with human craftsmanship when small errors can have large field consequences ? We automate where it adds robustness, not where it replaces craftsmanship. For irrigation components, a sub-millimeter misalignment can change the entire hydraulic profile, so we focus on automation that eliminates variability but keep human expertise where judgment is critical. At the same time, automation plays an important ergonomic role: it removes repetitive, physically demanding tasks and allows our people to work in safer, more sustainable conditions. The balance is intentional, automation for stability and ergonomics, skilled people for precision and sensitivity. Preparing for Irrigation 2030: The Next Capability Leap What new competencies are you developing to stay ahead of future irrigation needs ? We are building capabilities far beyond traditional manufacturing: advanced materials science, integrated testing environments, digital twins, and a workforce with stronger analytical and polyvalent skills. A major step is our new laboratory building in Brazil, one of the most advanced in the irrigation industry. It allows high-resolution testing, simulation of extreme conditions, and faster development cycles. Insights from the lab flow directly into product design, material choices, and manufacturing. This keeps us ahead of agronomic and hydraulic challenges and prepares us for the needs of 2030 and beyond. Our goal is clear: build today the capabilities that will define the next decade of irrigation performance. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3428/can-africa-grow-what-it-eats-irris-dr-ismail-maps-new-blueprint-for-rice-self-sufficiency.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3428/can-africa-grow-what-it-eats-irris-dr-ismail-maps-new-blueprint-for-rice-self-sufficiency.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:04:57 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Dr. Ismail Abdelbagi, Principal Scientist and Regional Representative for Africa at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) lays out a candid assessment of why Africa still imports $8–9 billion of rice annually despite holding the world’s largest reserve of untapped arable land. He argues that the continent’s core bottlenecks—underfunded seed systems, broken value chains, low government investment, and dominance of rainfed, low-productivity systems—must be fixed before any talk of self-sufficiency becomes realistic. Breakthroughs in drought, flood, salinity, and heat-tolerant varieties are finally progressing, but require African-specific breeding pipelines, stronger national programs, and serious funding to reach scale. With consumers shifting toward higher-quality, fortified and convenience rice, Dr. Ismail points to milling modernization, youth-led mechanisation services, and private-sector seed systems as Africa’s next billion-dollar opportunities. Looking ahead to 2035, he says Africa can be food-sovereign and even a net exporter—but only if political stability, modernized policies, and investment-ready ecosystems align to unlock the continent’s true rice potential. Africa’s rice imports have crossed $8–9 billion annually, despite strong policy rhetoric on self-sufficiency. Which structural weaknesses—seed systems, milling capacity, land productivity, or trade dependence—are most urgent to fix, and what would be the fastest win ? Africa has the potential to feed itself and even contribute substantially to global food production and security. The continent holds about 60 to 65 per cent of the global arable lands that has not yet been exploited, with diverse climates suitable for various crops. These vastly underutilized resources position the continent as a future safety valve for global food security. Several general issues are contributing to the inadequate use of these resources such as limited investment in infrastructure including irrigation, modern production and postharvest technologies and marketing platforms.   Several challenges need to be addressed to unlock this potential for the continent to effectively contribute to local and global food security. Governments’ investment in agriculture is still low compared with countries in Asia, mostly less than 1 per cent of their respective GDPs. This is despite the commitment to allocate at least 10 per cent of national GDP to agriculture and rural development, based on Maputo Declaration endorsed by all states in July 2003. Committing to invest in agriculture, including production, postharvest and marketing infrastructure, enabling policy frameworks, providing training and capacity building, and minimizing risks especially for smallholder communities will boost productivity and address food, nutrition and income security, and ensure food sovereignty to avoid dependence on imports in the increasingly becoming less reliable international food market trade. Rice lands and water resources are abundant in Africa, with an estimate of over 300 million ha suitable for rice production, with only about 12 per cent of it currently in use, with low productivity averaging less than half of the world mean production. This is because of dominance of traditional farming approaches, especially in rainfed farming systems that constitutes about 80 per cent of the current rice production areas. Implementing proper policy frameworks that support rapid growth of the rice sector, including adoption of new varieties and modern production practices such as mechanization, effective seed production and delivery systems, access to markets for smallholder farmers (SHFs) to vend their produce at prices that ensures sufficient profits and sustained income, and access to agrochemicals including fertilizers at affordable prices and in time. For this to be realized, rice-based value chains need considerable amendments to reduce intermediaries and provide access of farmers to competitive markets for better choices of prices and to motivate them to produce more. Consolidation of SHF into large fields managed through farmers’ cooperatives and communities will also facilitate implementation of efficient, scale-appropriate technologies to replace the current mostly manual and inefficient production methods being used by smallholders.    Engaging the private sector and other investors is critical for the success of rice-based systems in Africa for effective commercialization of new varieties, development of sustained seed systems and for market access. Intergovernmental arrangements and guidelines are mostly in place but largely not implemented, these agreements can help reduce dependence on import through regional and continental food security and sovereignty. Africa also deserve stronger and binding trade agreements independent of global food and trade instability, although this trade dependence is in part, a result of low production and poor quality of the produce, to meet local requirements. This is further aggravated by political instability and security leading to conflicting investment priorities. Climate shocks are hitting rice hardest in rainfed lowlands, where 80 per cent of Africa’s farmers operate. How close are we to a breakthrough in drought- and heat-resilient varieties that can stabilize yields without costly irrigation infrastructure ? Rainfed rice areas in Africa has not been given sufficient attention for rice production, and farmers still use traditional tools and technologies. This is contrary to the progress made in Asia, where most rainfed areas has been transformed into productive lands, with high and mostly stable yields. The transformation in Asia became feasible after the introduction of varieties that tolerate drought, floods and salt stress, both in coastal and inland areas. This is also coupled with modern production technologies, including water management, proper use of fertilizers, mechanized farming and other suitable cultural practices, with considerable success in increasing and sustaining productivity and income of SHFs in affected areas. Sub-Saharan Africa benefitted little from the stress tolerant varieties developed for South and Southeast Asia, and obviously more efforts need to be devoted to developing and delivering such varieties for Africa to help cope with the vastly worsening climate change adversities. This is only possible through dedicated and well-funded projects to ensure faster progress and impact, especially with the recent scientific developments and use of modern breeding strategies, including molecular tools for genotyping coupled with efficient phenotyping approaches using speed breeding facilities. IRRI started using these technologies in its centralized breeding facilities in Philippines and India, with the products targeting African environment being tested locally in African countries. We are expecting some good progress in the coming few years if resources permit.    IRRI’s Sub1 and salinity-tolerant varieties changed the game in Asia. What are the next frontier traits that Africa needs—especially along the Sahelian dry corridor and coastal deltas facing salinization from sea-level rise? Rice farmers in Africa are facing numerous challenges, including the same issues in Asia – drought, floods and excess salts in soil and water. Besides, other abiotic stresses like iron toxicity in lowlands and nutrient deficiencies due to soil conditions, like phosphorus and zinc deficiencies in uplands, are also serious in some areas. The soils are degraded and deficient in minerals and organic carbon due to continued mining with little replacement. Moreover, the unusual variation in temperatures being experienced, is also leading to considerable reduction in yields, with higher temperatures in some lowland areas and chilling temperatures in highlands. The dominant stains of common rice diseases are sometimes different from those dominating in Asia, making breeding stress tolerant varieties even more challenging.  For these reasons, the stress tolerant varieties released in Asia that made considerable contributions in increasing and sustaining productivity in some countries, like drought, flood and salt tolerant varieties, mostly do not work in Africa, due to variation in other factors, especially diseases and pests and soil conditions. This necessitates transfer of tolerance traits and genes into genetic backgrounds suitable for Africa, and significant efforts and resources need to be devoted to developing such varieties. Due to these and other factors, particularly lack of resources and breeding infrastructure for national breeding programs, our work on developing stress tolerant varieties for Africa has been slow.  The genetic factors responsible for tolerance of drought, floods, salinity and their combinations need to be transferred into varieties suitable for African climate conditions while meeting the consumer and local market requirements and preferences, before they can successfully be commercialized and adopted. This work has been ongoing with some success in releasing few flood-tolerant varieties (with SUB1 gene) in Nigeria and Madagascar, and salt tolerant varieties in Kenya and Tanzania. Some varieties with partial tolerance to drought were released in several countries across SSA. Work is also ongoing to develop varieties that tolerate temperature extremes, where heat waves are becoming common during the season in lowlands and low temperatures in highlands. Ideally, future varieties for Africa should combine tolerance of major abiotic stresses dominating in a particular target region, together with resistance to common diseases. Today’s African consumer is shifting from low-cost staples to quality, fortified, and convenience-driven rice. What innovations in processing, branding, and nutrition could unlock the next billion-dollar opportunity for domestic producers ? Rice is becoming the cereal food of choice in SSA, over the traditional coarse grains like sorghum, millets and teff, because of its palatability, ease of preparation and storage. This shift is driven by several demographic changes, including rapid population growth, with currently over 60 per cent of the population being young, below 25 yrs of age, with shifts in food preferences and conveniences. There is also an exodus of youth to urban areas, seeking better living conditions and opportunities, leaving older generations to deal with farming. This situation can be effectively reversed by providing attractive entrepreneurships through rice farming, such as service provision, especially mechanization, transport and storage, use of IT tools and Apps, seed production and marketing, etc., to make farming more attractive for younger generations. Enabling and supporting such enterprises for young men and women will significantly help in improving productivity and reducing cost of production, while providing employment opportunities for younger generations to stay on farms, reducing pressure on already struggling cities. Similarly, this is opening opportunities for investors and private sector to engage in support provision and even commercial production and marketing. Apparently, all steps along the value chain provide an investment opportunity in most countries. Rice produced locally is not yet competitive with imported rice in most countries, and that is because of many factors, including use of old varieties, poor seed systems to deliver new, improved and high-quality products, poor post-harvest and storage management. Modernizing rice production, including use of quality seeds and sufficient agrochemicals, as well as upgrading the whole value chain, especially postharvest (drying, cleaning, milling, packaging, storage, transport and marketing) will go a long way to make locally produced rice comparable with imported rice, which consumers prefer, especially in urban areas. Subsequently, this will provide good opportunities for investments in Africa. India, for example, could play major roles through bilateral engagements like the existing lines of credit for some countries and through South-South Cooperation and trade agreements. SSA countries can learn a lot from India, through its impressively short journey from being a net importer of rice to the largest exporter in the world within couple of decades. This also provide lots of opportunities for private sector to invest in these value chains, particularly commercial seed production, mechanization and all aspects of post-harvest management. SSA also need to build abilities and investments to adopt climate friendly operations with the expansion of rice industry, and to avoid the issues being experienced in major rice producing countries. The most obvious is the straw and husks burning under intensive rice production systems, involving 2-3 seasons per year, leaving little time to deal with solid wastes. Value addition and processing of these solid wastes can generate more income, e.g. biochar to enrich soil carbon, use in cement industry, mushroom farming, and processed fodder for livestock. Industries involving various products and value addition using rice can also help generate opportunities for commerce and for income. Fragmented national markets raise cost across the value chain. With AfCFTA slowly accelerating, which cross-border rice corridors (e.g., Senegal–Mali, Nigeria–Niger) could emerge as competitive agro-industrial hubs by 2035 ? Most of the intraregional trade in rice and other food commodities in SSA are informal and not well organized to reach their conceivable targets, leading to such fragmented and broken value chains and markets. However, if well-structured and regulated, can play major roles in reducing transaction costs, especially the cost of transport, and could help in resolving issues associated with other non-tariff barriers to encourage and support investments. Several countries in SSA succeeded in substantially increasing their annual rice production and some of them started trading with their neighboring countries. These countries include Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast. These countries are also exporting rice to their neighboring countries through mostly informal means. Countries that already achieved self-sufficiency, like Tanzania will likely contribute substantially to its neighbors like Kenya and Uganda. If AI-based advisories, digital extension, and climate risk insurance can reduce production uncertainty, what would it take to mainstream data-led farming among smallholders—technology subsidies, telco partnerships, or new farmer-business models ? AI-based advisories, extension apps and climate risk insurance models are important tools that can help speed generation of relevant information, reaching to extension personnel and farmers and minimizing farmers risks by providing insurance against disastrous incidents. AI proved to be transformative in making difficult technologies accessible and convenient and is becoming increasingly useful in agriculture and environment research. Yet its fast and predictive power raises concerns over the likely risks of its use to benefit SHFs, despite its power to speed generating scientific knowledge for the public.   AI already proved its effectiveness in managing commercial farms in developed countries, and similarly could be adapted to farmers needs in SSA, to support decision making based on legacy data, which will considerably reduce investments and time to come up with bundles of interventions fitting specific local contexts, including forecast of catastrophic incidences, like droughts and floods, disease and pests outbreaks that are becoming more frequent with climate change progression. Climate risk insurance is also being accessed by farmers in Asia. Both AI and climate insurance has not been implemented to any scale in SSA to benefit SHFs, providing good business opportunities and new models for farming and food production. However, digital tools in the form of Apps provided through smart phones are being used by extension personnel and even farmers for training and access to information, including input and output market intelligence, nutrient and water management and for managing and forecasting yields, disease incidences etc.; and are likely to be mainstreamed faster than other digital farming technologies in SSA. The use of these tools, however, need to be carefully assessed and regulated to avoid any risks to farmers due to lack of awareness and capacity or due to risks associated with the technology. This is mainly because SHFs have very little resources to avert any incurred risks caused by erroneous or biased data used to generate such models. There are several ethical risks associated with these data-led tools, especially with AI, which has not been rigorously tested and regulated in Africa, including risks associated with data accuracy, availability and privacy, potential loss of jobs and displacement, biased access to information leading to unequal benefits, “digital divide” based on accessibility, etc. Strict ethical frameworks and transparency need to be in place to protect SHFs and reduce their vulnerability. Similarly, crop insurance requires strict guidelines and assessment to ensure accuracy of information and credibility of claims, which in most cases will be outside SHF‘s capacity. Government-led programs equipped with proper monitoring and data collection is necessary for the success of these advisory and support tools, for them to be successfully deployed in Africa, to mainstream data-led farming.  Africa also lacks an effective geospatial system for instantaneous generation of information on potential climate-related disasters, an area that will require infrastructure investment and training. This is critical to provide both farmers and governments with early warnings and to guide decisions that help mitigate any negative consequences. Successful use of these ventures will also require substantial investments in infrastructure and support services, which opens considerable opportunities for investors. Looking ahead to 2035: what does a climate-secure and investment-ready African rice ecosystem look like—and what is the single hardest political or economic barrier standing in its way ? Provided resources and stability within the coming ten years, I expect several countries in Africa to accomplish food self-sufficiency, and some become net exporters of various food staples, including rice. This will likely lead to continental food sovereignty and less dependence on the currently fragile international trade markets, especially exposure to price shocks that become inevitably frequent due to several triggers such as weather calamities, conflicts and political unrests, leading to panic hoarding in some cases. I believe reaching self-sufficiency will depend on how fast countries and regions make progress in critical areas that are currently holding them back, including the following: Significant and consistent government’s investment in food production and related infrastructure for processing, storage and transport. This should include provision of insurance and subsidy options to derisk and protect smallholder farmers, and to provide minimum farmgate prices to sustain farmers’ income and profit and keep them in the market. Fixing and strengthening rice value chains: Currently SHFs in Africa are getting less than half of the proceeds their counterparts are getting in Asia. This is mainly because the existing value chains are broken, mostly unregulated and dominated by intermediaries. Political stability is critical for sound progress and development of the rice agri-food systems. Fortunately, most countries are moving in that direction. This will encourage investors to take critical roles in financing to revolutionize the food value chains, including rice where relatively little is available in international trade market, and with increasing global demands.   Adjusting policies and guidelines to match those in other successful countries like India, to streamline the development and deployment of innovations faster. Current policies in most countries are outdated and are hindering progress, especially those related to release and scaling of new varieties, delivery systems for quality inputs and outputs, and for engaging private sector and investors to provide needed capital and capacity. This is probably the hardest political and economic barrier standing in the way of SSA to be investment ready and to assume its proper role as global food provider. Some countries are already making strides in this direction. Implementation of national and regional strategies that support growth of the rice sector: All major rice producing countries and few regional economic communities in SSA developed their national and regional rice development strategies that detailed the way to achieve their intended targets by 2030, these strategies are yet to be effectively implemented. The regional Economic Communities (RECs: EAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, COMESA, SADC) and the Associated Regional Agricultural Research Networks (e.g. CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA) also developed policies that assure and regulate collaboration across borders of neighboring countries, within regions and at the continental scales to allow free adoption of varieties released in a particular country, free cross-border movement of seeds, grains, agrochemicals and knowledge, with no non-tariff barriers. Engaging with countries in Asia through South-South Collaboration (SSC) is also being discussed to enhance learning and exchange, and to facilitate investments for faster growth. An example in this direction is the “Seed Without Borders (SWB) agreement facilitated by IRRI. Most countries in Africa already set policies and guidelines that encourages investments in agriculture and food production, others are on the way. There are dire needs for these investments, especially in upgrading infrastructure, facilitating aggregation of SHFs into commercial entities, provision of modern technologies particularly machinery, agrochemicals and marketing platforms --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3426/future-of-agri-finance-runs-on-mapmycrop-swapnil-jadhav-on-maas-revolution.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3426/future-of-agri-finance-runs-on-mapmycrop-swapnil-jadhav-on-maas-revolution.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:03:09 +0530 In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Swapnil Jadhav, Founder & CEO of MapMyCrop, outlines how Monitoring-as-a-Service (MaaS) is redefining agricultural intelligence by shifting the sector from software-based tools to verified, outcome-driven visibility. He explains how MapMyCrop’s 6.2-million farmer validation network, multi-country crop intelligence, and proprietary AI models are solving agriculture’s long-standing “last-mile truth” problem at scale. Jadhav highlights how the company is emerging as the infrastructure backbone for data-driven agri-credit, parametric insurance, and climate-risk modelling as global finance moves toward intelligence-based lending. Swapnil also details how MaaS is becoming central to India’s state-level policy decisions—optimising water, subsidies, and climate governance—while delivering dramatic on-ground impact, such as 60 per cent input savings and 50 per cent quality gains for orange growers. Looking ahead, he positions MapMyCrop as the regulated verification layer of the future, enabling every farm to be visible, every risk quantifiable, and every sustainability claim credible by 2030. MaaS as a Market Redefinition You call MapMyCrop the world’s first Monitoring-as-a-Service platform. What makes MaaS a true category-creation model rather than a rebranded form of agri-tech SaaS ? Monitoring as a service isn't a rebrand—it's a fundamental shift in how agricultural intelligence is delivered. Traditional agri-tech SaaS used to provide software licenses but we at MapMyCrop provide verified, actionable insights as an on-demand service. What makes this category-defining is our Model-as-a-Service architecture: we deploy satellite imagery, weather analytics, and AI-driven crop models continuously across geographies, delivering real-time monitoring without requiring farmers or enterprises to own infrastructure, manage platforms, or interpret raw data. The customers utilize MapMyCrop’s platform for outcomes—verified crop health, yield forecasts, risk alerts—not for software they need to operationalize themselves. That's the core differentiator, we've industrialized agricultural visibility. The Economics of Visibility Satellite intelligence, IoT, and field-level verification are capital intensive. What is the core lever that makes MaaS financially scalable—data monetisation, automation, or enterprise partnerships? Our financial scalability relies on automation and our farmer validation network—not IoT or ground sensors, which are prohibitively expensive at scale. We leverage freely available satellite data and open weather sources, then apply our proprietary AI models to generate insights. The critical lever is our 6.2 million farmer network, which provides ground-truth validation at near-zero marginal cost. This creates a self-reinforcing loop, with more farmers means better model accuracy and then it leads to higher enterprise value which gives us more revenue per insight delivered. We're not just monetizing data but monetizing validated intelligence. Enterprise partnerships with insurers, banks, FMCGs, and governments—provide recurring revenue because they're buying risk reduction and decision confidence, not dashboards. Cracking the Ground-Truthing Barrier Agriculture’s biggest bottleneck is not data scarcity but data validation. How does Map My Crop solve the “last-mile truth” problem that has historically limited insurers, banks, and food companies from making accurate, real-time decisions? You've identified agriculture's Achilles heel. Satellite data is abundant; trust is scarce. MapMyCrop solves the "last-mile truth" problem through our distributed farmer validation network spanning 6.2 million farmers across diverse geographies and partner ecosystems. These farmers act as our ground sensors validating crop stages, stress events, actual yields feeding real-world observations back into our AI models. This isn't crowdsourcing; it's structured validation infrastructure. Combined with our multi-country deployment, we've built longitudinal datasets that capture how crops actually behave across microclimates, soil types, and farming practices, not how models predict they should behave.For insurers, banks, and food companies, this means they can finally underwrite, lend, and procure based on verified field reality, not proxy indicators or farmer declarations. That's the paradigm shift. Transforming Agri-Credit and Insurance As agri-finance shifts from collateral-based lending to data-based underwriting, how is Map My Crop positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for credit scoring, parametric insurance, and climate-risk modelling ? We're positioning MapMyCrop as the rails for data-driven agri-finance, the infrastructure layer that enables lenders and insurers to move from collateral-based to intelligence-based decision-making. Our platform delivers:Our platform supplies granular credit-scoring inputs by analysing farm-level crop health trajectories, input application patterns, and yield-probability curves. It also strengthens parametric insurance design through verified stress-event data—such as drought, excess rainfall, or pest pressure—captured with precise timestamps and geo-tagged evidence. In addition, we deliver forward-looking climate-risk modeling that integrates evolving weather patterns, soil-moisture trends, and crop-vulnerability indices to help institutions anticipate and manage future exposure.Financial institutions don't need to become agronomy experts; they plug into our MaaS layer and receive decision-ready intelligence. As agriculture financing scales to meet the $500B+ credit gap globally, verified monitoring infrastructure isn't optional—it's foundational. Climate, Carbon, and Compliance With Scope 3 emissions reporting and regenerative agriculture commitments rising globally, how central is carbon MRV and climate monitoring to your product roadmap? Do you foresee MaaS becoming mandatory for global agricultural supply chains? Carbon MRV and climate monitoring are central to our roadmap—not as a feature, but as a core product vertical. With Scope 3 reporting mandates tightening and regenerative agriculture commitments accelerating, food companies and agri-processors need verifiable evidence of on-farm carbon sequestration, sustainable practices, and emissions reductions. Our satellite + AI + farmer validation architecture is purpose-built for this: we can monitor practice adoption, quantify biomass changes, and validate interventions at scale without deploying expensive IoT infrastructure. Do I foresee MaaS becoming mandatory? Yes. Within 5 years, major agricultural supply chains will require continuous monitoring and third-party verification of sustainability claims. MapMyCrop is building that verification backbone today. The companies that don't adopt this infrastructure will face compliance risk, supply chain opacity, and premium loss in ESG-conscious markets. Defensibility in a Crowded Tech Landscape With satellite analytics, crop models, and AI becoming increasingly commoditized, what is Map My Crop’s enduring moat—proprietary datasets, longitudinal crop intelligence, integrated advisory, or ecosystem lock-in ? Our moat is longitudinal, validated crop intelligence across diverse agroecologies—and the farmer + partner ecosystem that continuously strengthens it. Satellite access is commoditized. AI models can be replicated. What cannot be easily replicated is: We bring over six years of ground-validated crop performance data spanning multiple crops, geographies, and climate conditions, backed by a 6.2-million-farmer validation network that provides continuous real-time ground truth. This is reinforced by multi-country operational experience—whether it’s understanding how sugarcane behaves differently in Tamil Nadu compared to Uttar Pradesh, or how the economics of orange cultivation diverge between Nagpur and Madhya Pradesh. Added to this is a network of embedded partnerships with state governments, input companies, and financial institutions, creating strong switching costs and making our ecosystem uniquely resilient and hard to replicate. Our defensibility isn't technological—it's systemic. We've built agricultural intelligence infrastructure that gets smarter with every season and every farmer interaction. Competitors can launch satellite analytics; they can't replicate the depth and breadth of our validated knowledge graph. Incorporating the India Success Stories Roorkee Pilot: From Weather Validation to Policy IntelligenceYour Roorkee deployment helped the Uttarakhand government validate weather data and evaluate evapotranspiration and irrigation models. How do you convert such state-level pilots into long-term, scalable policy intelligence platforms across India? The Uttarakhand government engagement demonstrated that accurate, localized intelligence changes policy decisions. By validating weather data and evaluating ET/irrigation models, we helped them move from assumptions to evidence-based resource planning. Converting pilots into long-term platforms requires demonstrating fiscal and governance impact: water savings, subsidy optimization, crop insurance loss reduction. We're now positioned to scale this across Indian states by: We are focused on standardizing our policy intelligence modules—spanning water management, crop diversification, and input subsidy targeting—so they can be seamlessly deployed across diverse agro-climatic contexts. At the same time, we are integrating these modules with the existing workflows of state agricultural departments to ensure smooth adoption and minimal bureaucratic friction. Ultimately, the goal is to demonstrate clear return on investment through pilot results, showcasing improved policy outcomes, reduced wastage, and measurable gains in farmer welfare. State governments are increasingly data-hungry. We're building the agricultural monitoring infrastructure they need for 21st-century governance. Nagpur & MP Oranges: 60 per cent Input Savings, 50 per cent Quality Gains You helped orange growers reduce input costs by 60 per cent and improve fruit quality by 50 per cent.What exactly were the agronomic interventions and digital workflows behind this transformation—and can this model be replicated across India’s horticulture belts at scale? We used satellite and AI-based monitoring to detect crop stress—whether from water, nutrient, or pest issues—well before any visible symptoms appeared. Based on these early signals, we delivered timely and highly specific advisories through our farmer network and partners, prescribing exactly what intervention was needed, when to apply it, and where. This was reinforced by continuous feedback loops on ground performance, allowing us to validate what worked and refine our recommendations on a weekly basis. The result: farmers stopped blanket-spraying and over-fertilizing. They applied inputs precisely when crops needed them, reducing waste dramatically while improving fruit size, color, and brix levels.This model is scalable and replicable because it's not dependent on expensive infrastructure—it's driven by intelligence delivery. We're now deploying similar approaches across pomegranate belts in Maharashtra, mango regions in AP, and banana clusters in Tamil Nadu. India's horticulture sector is $80B+; precision agronomy at MaaS scale can transform its economics. Sugarcane Across Baramati, UP, MP & Tamil Nadu: AI Across Agro-Climates Sugarcane is grown in dramatically different soil, water, and climatic conditions across these states.What did your AI-powered agronomy engine learn from deploying across such diversity, and how does that knowledge strengthen your national and global product strategy? Deploying across such diverse sugarcane regions taught our AI engine something invaluable: crop performance is hyperlocal, but patterns are learnable. We discovered: Water stress manifests very differently across India’s agro-ecologies—Tamil Nadu’s red soils, for instance, face rapid moisture loss and demand tighter irrigation cycles, whereas Uttar Pradesh’s deep alluvial plains retain water longer but are prone to seasonal saturation. Pest pressure, too, follows distinct regional rhythms, with infestation cycles often varying by four to six weeks between zones due to shifts in temperature, humidity, and cropping intensity. Even harvesting windows are no longer dictated by crop age alone; they are increasingly shaped by hyper-local microclimatic cues that determine sugar accumulation, moisture levels, and overall crop quality.This agroecological diversity strengthened our models exponentially. Our AI doesn't just predict sugarcane yields; it understands which interventions work where and why. This cross-geography learning is now our strategic asset—when we enter new crops or new countries, we're not starting from scratch. We're applying battle-tested intelligence frameworks that adapt to local conditions quickly. The 2030 Bet If you had to define Map My Crop in a single sentence in 2030, what would it be? And what bold strategic bet are you making today that the industry still misunderstands or undervalues? If I had to define Map My Crop in 2030 in one sentence: "Map My Crop is the global infrastructure for verified agricultural intelligence—the layer that makes every farm visible, every risk quantifiable, and every sustainability claim credible." The bold bet we're making today that the industry undervalues: That agricultural monitoring will become regulated infrastructure, like financial audits or food safety inspections. Governments, financial institutions, and supply chains will mandate continuous, third-party-verified crop and land-use monitoring within this decade. We're not building a product; we're building the rails that the future agricultural economy will run on. The industry still thinks this is a "nice-to-have" analytics tool. We know it's tomorrow's compliance requirement and competitive necessity. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3414/inside-saf-ambition-reality-gap-aethers-alyssa-norris-on-tech-feedstocks-and-capital-needed-for-real-scale.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3414/inside-saf-ambition-reality-gap-aethers-alyssa-norris-on-tech-feedstocks-and-capital-needed-for-real-scale.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:15:57 +0530 In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Alyssa Norris, Director of Sustainability at Aether Fuels, dissects the widening ambition–reality gap in the U.S. SAF Grand Challenge, noting that next-generation pathways beyond HEFA — including Aether’s own Aurora technology — will determine whether the 2030 target can still be met. She argues that the real feedstock battleground is shifting toward waste-carbon streams and electrofuels, where sustainability hinges on rigorous chain-of-custody systems that avoid land-use conflict entirely. Alyssa highlights how airlines are experimenting with new financial instruments, venture funds, and consumer-facing incentives to shoulder SAF’s green premium and expand demand in non-mandated markets. On infrastructure, she warns that storage and blending constraints—more than chemistry—are the immediate choke points, making regional clustering only a partial solution to highly localized bottlenecks. Looking ahead to 2040, Alyssa says SAF’s share of U.S. jet fuel will depend on breakthroughs in feedstock flexibility, robust policy support, and private-sector capital flows that can accelerate scale and close the current ambition–reality divide. I. Scene-Setting: Industry Momentum vs Reality Alyssa, the U.S. SAF Grand Challenge targets 3 billion gallons by 2030. From Aether’s vantage point, does the current pipeline of projects support that scale — or is there a widening ambition–reality gap? It’s an ambitious goal at this point – 2030 is coming up quickly, and there’s still a gap we need to address. Projects moving beyond HEFA are what will make scale possible. HEFA simply isn’t a realistic process for scaling SAF to the volumes we need. As new technologies, like Aether Aurora, come online and the first commercial plants prove the technology is efficient, we can expect a catch-up that will happen very swiftly. The deadline is tight, but with the next generation of projects for production, we have a chance to still meet the 3 billion gallons target and close the gap quickly. II. Feedstock Futures: Who Wins the Supply War Lipids dominate SAF today, but availability caps are unavoidable. Where do you see the most scalable alternatives emerging — ethanol, woody biomass, MSW, algae, or CO₂-derived fuels? Yes, lipids dominate SAF today, but there is a lot of potential in waste carbon as feedstock - industrial waste gas, biogas, and in the near future biomass waste with gasification, like agriculture residue, biomass or MSW.  CO2-derived fuels and ethanol are both progressing quickly — LanzaJet is now producing from ethanol, which is driving momentum, and the technology is there for CO2-derived fuels, however hydrogen and renewable energy costs will need to come down in order to be cost-effective. Algae may have potential, but it needs more development before it can be a truly viable and scalable alternative.  Aether is focused on electrofuels and carbon-recycled pathways. How do you ensure feedstock sustainability and avoid land-use conflicts? Our feedstocks come from waste-carbon only, so they don’t compete with food or feed in any way. We avoid land-use conflicts by only using the waste products – not anything that would have any competition with food, feed, or other commercial uses, and following a robust feedstock chain of custody review.  III. Airlines + Corporates: Who Pays for SAF’s Green Premium Airlines currently pay 2–4x the cost of conventional jet fuel. How are they hedging that exposure today — and what innovative financing instruments (book-and-claim, SAF certificates, ESG-linked offtakes) are emerging? Some airlines are investing in SAF in creative ways. JetBlue, one of Aether’s investors, has its own fund for SAF investment, now known as Sky VC , and several other airlines have similar funds to invest in SAF in different ways.  Airlines are also working very hard to partner with commercial clients who are driving SAF adoption in non-mandated markets. Much of this happens through book-and-claim systems or SAF certificates, which can help spread the cost and create more flexible financing.  Airlines are also investing money and time into education to teach their consumers about SAF and encourage support. Could differentiated branding — “climate neutral class,” for instance — unlock a consumer-led SAF market? Yes, there is a real possibility here. For example, some airlines are discussing and testing consumer incentives such as if you pay for a flight fueled by SAF, you can get upgraded to a different boarding class.  If consumers feel like they are getting direct value from sustainable options, they will choose them.  IV. Infrastructure & Deployment We talk a lot about feedstocks and chemistry, but infrastructure may be the real bottleneck. What elements of the U.S. fuel system require the fastest upgrades — blending hubs, pipelines, storage, certification? Is regional clustering — such as Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest hub models — a viable pathway to early scale? Depending on which airport you’re sending SAF to, there are different challenges. Storage is one of the most challenging element right now, as some airports are really tight on storage space and have nowhere to store the fuel. Blending is also a challenge, but as SAF becomes more of a reality, the industry is actively working on addressing these issues.  Regional clustering can be helpful, but most situations and challenges need to be addressed on a local level, depending on each region's specific constraints.  V. Strategic Outlook Looking out to 2040, what percentage of U.S. jet fuel demand do you believe SAF can realistically meet — and what breakthroughs are non-negotiable to get there? It’s hard to say a specific percentage at this time. However, we will need breakthroughs in feedstock flexibility or to further unlock readily abundant feedstock. In order to scale production, we also need the proper infrastructure to scale.  If you had one policy lever and one private-sector lever to pull in 2025, what would they be to close the ambition–reality gap? On the policy side, I would love to see continued support at both the local, regional and federal levels for sustainable fuels, and a stronger focus on energy dependence – which should include fuels like SAF.   For Aether, private-sector investment is crucial, so I hope for continued investment in emerging and scaling technologies from the private-sector. We also need more education for corporations on the benefits of sustainability transparency. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3410/digitizing-sugar-guillermo-medina-llarena-on-new-economics-of-agrobiodiversity-and-trade.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3410/digitizing-sugar-guillermo-medina-llarena-on-new-economics-of-agrobiodiversity-and-trade.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:54:42 +0530 Agrospectrum presents an exclusive interview with Guillermo José Medina Llarena, Chief Digital & Analytics Officer at Pantaleon (PSH) and Lead at Stomata Labs, a division of Findability Sciences. In this wide-ranging conversation, he explains how Pantaleon is navigating tightening U.S. tariff-rate quotas by doubling down on customer relationships and quality-driven value addition rather than reactive market shifts. Medina outlines why proximity to the U.S. premium market remains an advantage even as the company expands strategically into Africa and the Middle East, aiming for 20 per cent export share in emerging demand centers by 2030. He delves into Pantaleon’s transformation into a tech-powered sugar major—moving beyond commodity pricing through AI-enabled diversification, green chemistry, and precision fermentation—while strengthening digital traceability and logistics intelligence amid Panama Canal constraints and freight volatility. Looking ahead to 2030, he envisions Pantaleon as a resilient, low-cost regional champion that leverages sugarcane’s carbon-capture efficiency and deep data insights to thrive in a future of declining sugar consumption but rising trade and climate complexity. A. Trade Strategy & Geopolitical Balancing From a portfolio perspective, how is Pantaleon re-optimizing market exposure as the U.S. tightens tariff-rate quotas and renegotiates regional preferences? From a portfolio perspective, Pantaleon views sugar as a foundational commodity where clear, equitable trade rules are essential for all participants. Rather than reactive re-optimization amid U.S. tariff-rate quota tightenings — we emphasize enduring strategies like deepening customer relationships and enhancing product quality through value-added offerings. This ensures resilience without necessitating major shifts, allowing us to sustain exposure while exploring complementary markets. Does the industry need to hedge against structural over-dependence on the United States — or is proximity to a premium market still a net advantage? The sugar industry operates at the intersection of local efficiencies and global dynamics, where hedging against over-dependence on any single market, including the United States, must be weighed against its advantages. Proximity to this premium market—yielding prices around $500+ per ton versus the global average of $400—remains a net positive for swift delivery and higher margins. Our strategy focuses on low-cost production, superior quality, and composure during periods of turbulence, avoiding drastic directional changes that could disrupt established efficiencies. Which emerging demand centers — Asia, the Middle East, Africa — are realistic diversification targets for Central American supply chains? Emerging demand centers in Africa and the Middle East represent viable diversification targets for Central American supply chains, driven by above-average consumption growth and a preference for high-quality products. These regions, with urbanization fueling demand at 4-5 per cent annually, align well with our capabilities; Pantaleon is already active there and plans measured expansion to capture 20 per cent of our export share by 2030, leveraging reliable logistics and certifications to build long-term partnerships. B. Competitive Edge & Supply Chain Intelligence Pantaleon operates one of the most advanced export supply chains in the region. Is digital traceability now a cost of compliance — or a market differentiator capable of commanding premiums? Digital traceability is transitioning from a mere compliance requirement to an industry norm, potentially evolving toward on-chain transactions for enhanced security and collaborative efficiency. While it may not yield sustained premiums or act as a long-term differentiator, we plan to integrate it seamlessly at minimal cost to support operational smoothness, ensuring it complements rather than burdens our processes. How do port infrastructure risks, Panama Canal constraints, and rising freight volatility reshape your contracting strategy ? Port infrastructure risks, Panama Canal constraints (e.g., transits reduced to 33 per day in 2025 due to droughts), and freight volatility (up 20 per cent year-over-year) underscore the need for data-driven agility in contracting. Greater visibility into logistics variables enables superior competitiveness; our approach prioritizes optimizing known factors over predicting unpredictable geopolitical or climatic events, fostering consistent, assertive decisions with a long-term mindset to outperform peers. C. Market Power & Pricing Architecture The global sugar trade is still largely commodity-priced. What is Pantaleon’s strategy to escape the commodity trap through segmentation — such as low-carbon sugar, specialty sweeteners, or identity-preserved lots? To escape the commodity trap, we recognize sugarcane's potential as an efficient energy crop and are advancing diversification through AI-enabled innovations, green chemicals, materials & supplies, and precision fermentation. This positions us to command premiums for segmented products, transforming traditional trade into value-driven opportunities. With volatility accelerating, do you foresee greater mill-consolidation and regional champions emerging to counterbalance Brazil’s dominance? Accelerating volatility is likely to spur greater mill consolidation, as seen in past agricultural trends, while emerging technologies could balance this with tokenization for broader investor alignment. Regional champions may emerge to counterbalance Brazil's 44 million ton dominance, fostering more inclusive and scalable structures in the industry. D. Digital Transformation as Trade Armor Where does AI-driven risk management make the strongest business case today — crop yields, mill efficiency, or market intelligence? AI-driven risk management delivers the strongest business case through holistic value chain optimization—from enhancing crop yields and mill efficiency to securing margins—ensuring comprehensive risk mitigation in volatile environments. E. Security of Supply & Climate Risk The Gulf of Mexico and Central American corridor is increasingly disaster-prone. Could water scarcity force a regional pivot in planting zones — shifting the competitive map of cane production by 2035? In disaster-prone regions like the Gulf of Mexico and Central America, water scarcity (projected to rise by 2050) could necessitate pivots in planting zones by 2035. Enhanced anticipation capabilities will reveal optimal decisions, determining sustained competitiveness in a shifting production landscape. Climate is a non-controllable aspect of farming; thus we focus more in making the best optimization decisions with the given climatic conditions. Closing Vision What does Pantaleon 2030 look like in a world where sugar consumption is falling but trade complexity and technology intensity are rising? Pantaleon in 2030 envisions a resilient leader preserving core competencies in cane production, harvesting, sugar recovery, and logistics while embracing technology-driven diversification into AI, new chemistry, materials, and food innovations. In a world of declining sugar consumption but rising trade complexity, sugarcane's inherent carbon-capture efficiency will remain a planetary advantage, enabling harmony and efficacy in sustainable operations. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3403/climate-capital-and-control-dr-josephine-adebayo-calls-for-feminist-reboot-of-nigerias-blue-economy.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3403/climate-capital-and-control-dr-josephine-adebayo-calls-for-feminist-reboot-of-nigerias-blue-economy.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:33:11 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Josephine Oluseyi Adebayo, Lecturer in Fish Nutrition and Health Management, lays bare the gendered inequities shaping Nigeria’s blue economy. She explains how structural barriers — from patriarchal norms to skewed financing systems — confine women to low-margin post-harvest roles despite their centrality to coastal livelihoods. Josephine argues that climate adaptation funding, aquaculture innovation, and trade policy must be redesigned with women not just as beneficiaries but as decision-makers and enterprise leaders. She highlights the transformative potential of cluster farming, insect-protein feed systems, digital branding, and gender-intelligent finance to unlock women-led growth at scale. Looking ahead to 2040, she envisions a blue economy where Nigerian women are owners, innovators, and catalysts of economic resilience — provided the country acts boldly today. Nigeria’s blue economy could unlock billions in value — yet most women remain confined to low-margin post-harvest roles. What structural failures are stopping women from capturing value upstream? Nigeria's blue economy is incredibly promising, but women's participation is largely a function of societal and cultural dynamics rather than clear policy constraints. Normative gender expectations and patriarchal order historically relegated women to downstream roles as processors and traders, while men monopolized the more financially lucrative and capital-intensive fields of fishing and logistics. In several coastal settlements, women remain oblivious to upstream prospects, or if they do exist, they lack the resources to systematically pursue them. Transforming this situation necessitates more than just policy design. It requires a robust mix of responsiveness, training, gender aware investment and policy inclusion aimed at empowering women to navigate beyond traditional roles and occupy an equitable place throughout the entire value chain. Climate justice meets gender justice on Nigeria’s coastlines — women face salinity intrusion, fish stock collapse, and unsafe processing conditions first. How should climate adaptation funding be redesigned so women are not just recipients but decision-makers? Climate finance should be inclusive and gender responsive. While Nigeria is progressing through the National Climate Investment Platform, women’s participation in the decision-making processes continues to be minimal. Failure to adequately address the gender dimension on programs is too common as funding committees are often comprised solely of men. Women living and working in the coastal zone have the experience to know best the areas climate impacts hurt most and therefore should be the ones designing, supervising, and allocating climate adaptation funding. Their inclusion in leadership and technical decision-making is crucial to ensure justice is served in the effectiveness of adaptation. Feed cost, disease, and poor logistics keep small-scale aquaculture uncompetitive. Which innovations could enable profitable women-led aquaculture at scale? Feed remains the highest cost in aquaculture, but new innovations are emerging. Research into insect protein, especially in black soldier fly and cricket larvae, combined with aquaponics and circular aquaculture, is lowering costs and reducing environmental impacts related to feed. The University of Ibadan's INCiTiS-Food is leading the way in adopting these innovations. Cluster farming models, like the Eriwe Fish Farmers’ Village in Ogun State and CGE Africa’s Empowered Coastal Fishing Women project, also help women access resources and recover from shocks more quickly. These efforts, along with the training and leadership of Women in Fisheries Fellowship (FUWOLIFF), are not only modernizing aquaculture in Nigeria but also establishing it as a space for women entrepreneurship. Nigeria still imports fish despite being Africa’s top catfish producer. What trade and branding strategies could help women-owned enterprises scale from survival to export? Women-owned enterprises can expand their exports through targeted financing, training, and digital branding. Access to export credit, flexible loans, and mentorship will help women increase their production sustainably. Training in quality standards, certification, and international trade logistics is crucial for meeting global demand. Equally important is that digital literacy, e-commerce platforms, and storytelling help connect women entrepreneurs to regional and international buyers. A gender-sensitive export ecosystem must combine finance, quality assurance, and branding support so that Nigerian women’s aquaculture products can compete globally. Access to capital remains exclusionary — collateral and risk scoring are biased against women. What would a gender-intelligent financing architecture for the blue economy look like? Attention must be given to the fact that a gender-sensitive financing framework must reconfigure financial systems to accommodate the needs of women. This requires crafting products in consideration of women’s needs: adaptive collateral policies, algorithmic risk assessment, and micro-to-meso level lending. This also necessitates including women as leaders in financial institutions, allowing women to influence the creation of products designed for them. Such change requires collaboration between the public and private sectors; women may take the lead, but both must support it. In the end, gender-sensitive finance promotes blue economy growth by harnessing women’s productivity and ingenuity. Data invisibility distorts policymaking — women’s contribution to fisheries GDP remains undervalued. How can Nigeria institutionalize gender-disaggregated data? For Nigeria to integrate gender responsive policies, effective policy, subsidy reforms and investment rely on accurate, reliable and gender disaggregated data. There is a need to involve the National Bureau of Statistics, the ministries of finance and the sector agencies in Nigeria to mainstream integrating gender data within all the economic statistics. There is a need to incorporate gender-responsive reporting within all sector institutions to help identify where women are present, underfunded, and experiencing exclusion. Such data is useful for making subsidy reforms, developing equitable investment incentives, and establishing skill programs to address gender inequalities in fisheries and aquaculture. Once we accurately quantify women's contributions, we will be better able to recognize and scale their impact. When you imagine Nigeria’s blue economy in 2040, what must change now so women become owners and innovators, not passengers? By 2040, Nigerian women must shift from participation to ownership and leadership. This involves creating and managing businesses in emerging areas, such as seaweed farming, fish waste recycling, aquaculture technology, and blue finance. Women should pursue new economic opportunities through innovation, investment, and mentoring others. The bold change begins now with policies that remove barriers, funding that trusts women, and a mindset that sees women not just as beneficiaries but as drivers of Nigeria’s blue prosperity. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3380/europe-leads-asia-accelerates-suzanne-mckenzie-on-global-push-for-recycled-jet-fuel.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3380/europe-leads-asia-accelerates-suzanne-mckenzie-on-global-push-for-recycled-jet-fuel.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 12:16:11 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Suzanne McKenzie, Sales Director, Lifecycle Oils Ltd, UK, explains how Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced from used cooking oil goes through advanced filtration, hydrotreating, and hydrocracking before being blended to meet strict jet specifications—distinctly different from fossil fuels derived via crude oil distillation. She notes that second-generation SAF from waste streams can slash lifecycle emissions by up to 80 per cent versus fossil fuel, without competing with food crops or land. Mandates in the UK, EU and Asia are accelerating adoption, though scaling production and infrastructure remains a major challenge. Suzanne highlights constraints around finite UCO supply, price gaps, and rapidly growing SAF demand—forecast to reach 15 million Mt by 2030 versus ~1 million Mt today. Looking ahead, she sees diversification into algae oils, tall oil, cover crops and Power-to-Liquid e-fuels as essential to achieving aviation’s Net Zero ambitions. I. SAF Production & Environmental Impact From Fryer to Fuel: Could you walk us through the lifecycle of SAF made from used cooking oil, highlighting the key technological and operational steps that differentiate it from conventional jet fuel? First, we collect the used cooking oil (UCO) from across the food industry, including food manufacturers, quick service restaurants and food service providers, as well as from household waste sites around the UK. This is then transported to our processing plant in Wednesbury.We then filter the UCO to remove all contaminants and process it using a unique multi-stage filtration and settling process to turn it into a specification suitable for use as a feedstock for producing SAF, HVO, Biofuels and our patented LF100 biofuel. The pre-treated UCO is then hydrotreated – a process where hydrogen is used to remove the oxygen from the free fatty acids, converting the carbon bonds into long-chain hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are then hydrocracked to break them down into shorter molecules through isomerisation, which is critical for creating a fuel with the right freezing point and combustion properties for use in jet engines. The resulting fuel is then blended with conventional jet fuel to the required level to meet to required specification for SAF. Conventional jet fuel is created by fractional distillation and cracking, where the oil is heated and separated into different fractions, including one that can be used as jet fuel.Sustainability Metrics: How does SAF made from waste streams like used cooking oil perform in terms of carbon intensity, lifecycle emissions reductions, and broader environmental benefits compared to traditional fossil jet fuels? The sustainability credentials of SAF depend heavily on the feedstock used to create it. First-generation SAF – made from virgin crops like palm oil or rapeseed oil – come with inherent trade-offs from a sustainability perspective. Growing feedstock crops for SAF can be carbon-intensive and are associated with deforestation, land conversion, biodiversity loss, and high water consumption. They require agricultural land, which means directly competing with the food chain for resources. Second-generation SAF, like UCO processed by Lifecycle Oils, offers substantial environmental advantages by avoiding these issues entirely. There’s no extra land required, and no additional resources required to grow new crops. It’s repurposing a waste stream, and one we have great access to as we’re partnered with 96% of household recycling centres across the UK. As a result of using previously waste materials, UCO-derived biofuels can slash lifecycle carbon footprints by an estimated 80 per cent when compared to conventional fuels, and 40 per cent when compared to first-generation biofuels.II. Industry Adoption & Market DynamicsAdoption Trends: How quickly are airlines and airports embracing SAF, and what patterns are you seeing in Europe versus other regions? Are current mandates and voluntary targets driving meaningful uptake? There is a clear trend – countries worldwide see SAF as the best way to cut aviation emissions in the mid-term.As a result, airlines and airports worldwide are steadily increasing their SAF use, with the SAF mandates driving much of the uptake – especially in Europe and the UK, where we already have a 2 per cent SAF mandate in place for 2025, which will rise to 6 per cent and 10 per cent respectively by 2030.Across the Asia-Pacific region, we’re also seeing new policies, targets and emerging targets on SAF. Japan is exploring a 10 per cent SAF mandate by 2030 for departing flights, and Singapore is introducing a 1 per cent SAF target for 2026, which could rise to 3-5 per cent by 2030. South Korea and India are both considering a 1 per cent target for 2027. In terms of voluntary uptake, we’re seeing commitments tied to net-zero pledges from airlines, but it’s the mandates that are likely to drive real change.Feasibility & Scalability: SAF adoption faces technical and logistical challenges. From your perspective, what are the main bottlenecks in scaling production, blending, and distribution for commercial aviation? One key challenge is bringing production capacity on board to meet demand! Current forecasts predict that by 2030, global demand for SAF will be around 15 million Mt, and by 2035, this looks set to reach 40 million Mt. In 2024, global SAF production was around 1 million Mt, with current predictions suggesting global capacity will only grow to around 18 million Mt by 2035. There’s a big gap!There are also challenges in developing the blending and depot infrastructure at major airports, so that the SAF can be integrated into existing supply chains.From a UCO perspective, the challenge is supply – UCO is a finite and increasingly in-demand resource for all kinds of biofuels. While there is room to scale, it’s not infinite, and will only ever form part of the SAF mix. The final challenge is price. SAF is currently more expensive than jet fuel – and significantly so! In a fuel-hungry industry where profit margins are tight, and are currently focused on securing the cheapest fuel possible, the market is naturally resistant to more expensive solutions, however much better for the planet. III. Policy & Regulatory LeversGovernment Role: How critical are policy incentives, mandates, and regulatory frameworks in accelerating SAF adoption? What works best: carbon pricing, blending obligations, or subsidies for feedstock collection? Blending mandates are already creating a guaranteed market for SAF and accelerating adoption worldwide. It seems likely these mandates will be the main drivers over the coming decade.Carbon pricing is an interesting prospect that could have a meaningful impact on the price difference between SAF (and especially UCO-derived SAF) and conventional jet fuel, which could make it more appealing to airlines.Tax subsidies definitely make a big difference – the US Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit directly reduces the final cost of SAF, making it more competitive and attractive to airlines. In the UK, there is talk of a revenue certainty mechanism, which could also stabilise costs and attract future investment into the SAF market.Lifecycle Oils collects UCO from takeaways, high-end restaurants, high street chains, industrial facilities and food manufacturers of all shapes and sizes, so naturally we’d love subsidies on collection – but given the rising demand and limits on supply for UCO globally, it seems unlikely that this would be introduced.Cross-Border Policy Alignment: Given aviation’s global nature, how do differing regulatory regimes in the EU, UK, and Asia impact the economics and deployment of SAF produced from recycled oils? The fuel markets are all connected, and there are so many different factors in play (tax credits, mandates, tariffs, lifecycle emissions criteria, etc.) across the globe that the picture becomes very complex regarding market demands and incentives to supply.In terms of the global UCO market, we’re already seeing some impact in terms of reduced overseas supply, as Asian countries increase biofuel blends and consider SAF mandates.Asia is a key source of UCO, but as Asian countries (e.g., Japan, India, Singapore) introduce their own SAF mandates, they will increasingly seek to utilise their domestic UCO supply. This will have a knock-on effect in Europe and potentially drive up prices as supply constraints come into play.IV. Economics & Supply Chain Cost and Competitiveness: SAF is often more expensive than conventional jet fuel. How do supply chain constraints—such as feedstock availability, collection logistics, and refinery scale—affect long-term pricing and commercial viability ?With oil prices depressed, and aviation fuel exempt from tax in many cases, gaining parity with jet fuel prices is a real challenge – especially if the projections are right, and future demand for SAF significantly outstrips supply. There is a chance that future carbon pricing, or the introduction of a jet fuel tax, could close this gap – but the commercial viability of SAF is primarily supported by mandates, and a global desire to decarbonise aviation and achieve ‘Jet Zero.’Investment & Industry Partnerships: What role do corporate offtake agreements, private investment, and airline collaborations play in scaling SAF production sustainably and profitably?Long-term corporate agreements help guarantee demand, which is essential for gaining finance for production projects and for sustainable profitability.Aligning with corporate sustainability objectives, like reducing Scope 3 emissions, can also support scaling SAF production. If decarbonising aviation is a real priority, then SAF is the most realistic and implementable solution we have. ‘Book and claim’ credits or premiums systems can be effective ways of subsidising SAF production, while helping corporates to fulfil sustainability ambitions. Global Potential: Used cooking oil is a finite resource. Beyond this feedstock, what other waste or renewable sources hold the most promise for SAF at scale, and how can Lifecycle Oils help lead that diversification ? At Lifecycle Oils, our focus is on UCO – it’s about utilising a waste product to create sustainable fuels as part of a more circular economy, and our mission is to continue to scale this model by engaging with companies across the food industry and beyond.Ultimately though, the supply is finite – and if we’re going to deliver SAF at scale, it will only be part of the solution, and to meet the mandate, we will need to increase the feedstocks used. In terms of more sustainable solutions, using oilseed cover crops is an option, and there is real potential in oils derived from algae – though this is still in the very early stages of development. Tall Oil is another good source of feedstock to produce fossil-free biofuel. It is crude tall oil (CTO) and a byproduct of the wood pulping process. This demonstrates a pathway for producing SAF from a renewable, forestry-based feedstock, which can reduce lifecycle emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.  Alternative fuel options and SAF alternatives like synthetic Power-to-Liquid (PtL) synthetic e-fuels, or even the introduction of hydrogen flight, could also be part of the long-term solution to decarbonisation. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3377/2030-vision-arya-ag-aims-for-worlds-most-climate-resilient-grain-network.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3377/2030-vision-arya-ag-aims-for-worlds-most-climate-resilient-grain-network.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:58:40 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Shenoy Mathew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Arya.ag, highlights how its SmartAG Award 2025 is more than recognition—it is validation of a climate-resilient grain commerce model already operating at national scale. By embedding sustainability into everyday storage, finance, and trading systems, the company is delivering measurable climate gains and income stability to over 800,000 smallholder farmers across 425+ districts. Women-led Smart Farm Centres and technologies like the AryaQ AI grain quality device are transforming trust, transparency, and decision-making in rural markets. With patient, impact-aligned capital and global adaptation potential, Arya.ag is positioning itself at the nexus of profitability and planetary resilience. Looking ahead to 2030, the company envisions climate risk management and data-backed empowerment as built-in features of every grain transaction—setting a new benchmark for post-harvest systems globally. From Recognition to Scale: Arya.ag has been recognised with the SmartAG Award 2025 for embedding climate resilience into India’s grain commerce. Awards are accolades—but how does this recognition translate into real-world acceleration for farmers, investors, and the broader agri-value chain? The recognition affirms that climate resilience can be built into agricultural systems that already function at scale, without requiring parallel structures or new layers of complexity. What it brings is not just visibility, but validation of a model that integrates profitability, inclusion, and environmental responsibility into the everyday mechanics of post-harvest grain management. Arya.ag has focused on embedding sustainability into existing systems, ensuring that storage, finance, and market access deliver environmental returns as naturally as they deliver economic ones. Over the past year alone, our decentralised network helped avoid post-harvest loss of more than 210,320 metric tonnes of foodgrain. Preserving this grain prevented an estimated 233,603 tonnes of carbon emissions, conserved 91.4 billion litres of water, and eliminated the need for 16,826 tonnes of fertiliser. These outcomes are not incidental, they are a direct result of improving storage and market access for farmers across more than 425 districts. For farmers, this translates into fewer distress sales and greater flexibility in timing their transactions. For investors, it signals a scalable, data-driven model that aligns impact and return. And for the broader agri-value chain, it shows that climate responsiveness does not have to rely on specialised interventions, it can emerge through operational efficiency and deeper participation from the smallest actors in the system. The Smallholder Lens: India’s agricultural backbone remains smallholder farmers, many of them climate-vulnerable. How do Smart Farm Centres bridge the gap between hyperlocal realities—erratic rainfall, fragmented landholdings—and advanced technologies like AI, drones, and real-time weather advisories? Smallholder farming operates within constraints that are both structural and climatic. The Smart Farm Centres were designed to respond to these conditions by creating access to technology and information where they are needed most. Each centre serves as a rural hub that connects farmers to services such as soil testing, drone spraying, and hyperlocal weather forecasting. These services are not standalone activities; they function together to improve decision-making at every stage of the cropping cycle. For Instance In Bundelkhand, farmers have used weather data from these centres to plan their harvest windows and reduce exposure to untimely rainfall. In Sitapur, drone spraying has improved the precision of pesticide application, lowering costs and minimising environmental exposure. In districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, soil testing has helped farmers calibrate their fertiliser use more efficiently. The centres are operated by women from the same communities who are trained to deliver these services, which ensures trust, reliability, and continuity. This model allows climate-relevant tools to become part of everyday practice rather than occasional interventions. Tech as a Trust Builder: AryaQ’s AI-powered grain quality device brings radical transparency to procurement and pricing. In a market often plagued by mistrust and middlemen, how is technology reshaping the farmer–buyer relationship, and do you see this model becoming a new standard across emerging markets? Trust in agricultural markets has historically depended on physical inspection and subjective assessment. AryaQ introduces a data-driven approach to measuring grain quality that makes the process faster, more reliable, and easier to replicate across locations. The device uses computer vision to assess factors such as grain size, breakage, and the presence of fungal elements. The results are available instantly, even in areas without continuous connectivity, which makes it suitable for remote markets. As both sides have access to identical data, there is greater transparency in pricing and fewer disputes. This change strengthens relationships and encourages repeat transactions. Given its adaptability, AryaQ can be calibrated for a range of commodities and geographies, which makes it relevant beyond India’s borders. The Women-led Edge: The Smart Farm Centres are run by women Community Value Chain Resource Persons. Beyond inclusion, what structural advantages does a women-led model bring to grain commerce, and can this approach be scaled without diluting impact? The presence of women as operational leaders within Smart Farm Centres has added a layer of trust and continuity that is essential in rural systems. These women are drawn from the same localities they serve, which gives them a strong understanding of the agricultural calendar, the challenges of smallholder farming, and the patterns of local trade. Their involvement has led to greater participation from farmers and has improved the adoption of services related to quality assessment, sorting, and storage. In Maharashtra, women-led sourcing units have reduced produce rejection rates by almost 30 percent at the collection stage. This improvement directly affects farmer incomes and reduces post-harvest losses. To ensure that the model grows responsibly, Arya.ag invests in training and performance monitoring, with a focus on building long-term professional capacity. As the network expands, the objective is not only to increase numbers but also to preserve the quality and reliability that make this structure effective. Climate and Capital: You’ve positioned Arya.ag at the intersection of climate resilience and economic resilience. What kind of capital—impact, venture, institutional—is best aligned with scaling this model, and how do you balance profitability with sustainability when most agri-tech startups struggle to break even? Capital that understands the cycles and risks of agriculture is most suitable for models such as ours. Arya.ag’s operations are built on commercially viable services that reduce inefficiencies rather than depend on temporary funding. We manage close to seven million tonnes of agricultural produce through our decentralised network across more than 425 districts, which provides both reach and depth in understanding rural markets. The capital that aligns with this vision is patient and impact-oriented but also disciplined about financial performance. Investors such as responsAbility and the US International Development Finance Corporation have supported Arya.ag because they recognise that environmental benefits and economic efficiency emerge together when systems are designed well. The balance between sustainability and profitability is achieved by ensuring that each intervention, whether in storage, finance, or quality assessment creates measurable value for every participant in the value chain. Global Relevance: With 11,000 digitised warehouses and a network spanning 800,000 farmers, Arya.ag is already India’s largest integrated grain commerce platform. How transferable is your Smart Farm Centre model to Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America, where climate shocks and smallholder fragmentation mirror India’s challenges? The fundamental issues faced by smallholders in India are similar to those observed in several other parts of the world. Limited storage near farms, inconsistent quality standards, and poor access to working capital are common constraints. The Smart Farm Centre model is structured to be modular so that it can adapt to different agricultural and climatic contexts. Each component such as soil testing, digital quality assessment, or credit linkage can be introduced independently and scaled based on demand and infrastructure. In collaboration with partners in East Africa, we are exploring ways to adapt this model to local crops and climatic conditions. The ability to train community-based facilitators and the flexibility of tools like AryaQ make replication feasible. However, success depends on tailoring delivery mechanisms to local institutions and farmer networks, rather than exporting the Indian experience directly. The aim is to share knowledge and process design while allowing each geography to build its own form of resilience. The Long View: If we fast-forward to 2030, what does success look like for Arya.ag? Is it about doubling farmer incomes, embedding climate risk management into every transaction, or becoming a blueprint for grain systems transformation globally? By 2030, success for Arya.ag would be defined by the strength and stability of the systems that smallholders rely on after harvest. It would mean that every farmer using our platform can store their produce safely, understand its quality, access credit based on that stored value, and sell it when conditions are favourable. These capabilities lead to income stability and reduced exposure to climate and market shocks. At present, Arya.ag serves more than 800,000 farmers through a network of 11,000 digitised warehouses and over 1,600 Farmer Producer Organisations. Over the next five years, our focus is on deepening these relationships and embedding data-backed transparency across every transaction. The goal is not to create a blueprint for others to copy but to demonstrate that a balanced system, one that values both livelihoods and resources can endure and grow in the face of climate uncertainty. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3374/role-of-mancozeb-in-safeguarding-grapes-global-food-security.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3374/role-of-mancozeb-in-safeguarding-grapes-global-food-security.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:33:57 +0530 The agriculture sector, known for its high-value fruits and significant export potential, is facing a convergence of agronomic, economic, and regulatory pressures. On October 13, a distinguished panel of scientists, industry leaders, and regulatory experts convened virtually to discuss the multifaceted role of Mancozeb in sustainable agriculture, in Agrospectrum webinar titled - The Future of Mancozeb: Science, Stewardship, and Global Food Security. The webinar examined the fungicide’s scientific attributes, its integration into disease management programs, regulatory trends, and its broader implications for farm profitability and food security.  The virtually held discussions underscored that fungicide stewardship is no longer merely a technical matter; it is intricately linked to growers’ livelihoods, market access, and global food stability.  Economic Lessons from Disease Modeling The session commenced with a presentation by Dr Kaushik Banerjee, FRSC, FNAAS, Director of ICAR-NRC for Grapes and Honorary Professor at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Laval, Canada. Dr Banerjee framed the discussion by highlighting the economic and systemic impacts of grape disease outbreaks. Using advanced agronomic modeling, he demonstrated that fungal infections, particularly under high-pressure disease scenarios, can trigger cascading effects on farm profitability, regional supply chains, and even international markets. His analysis emphasised that targeted fungicide programs, including those employing Mancozeb, are not merely preventive measures at the field level but essential tools for stabilising grower income and maintaining global food security. "Every outbreak of grape disease is not just a threat to individual farms—it sends shockwaves through regional supply chains, export markets, and farmer livelihoods. Strategic fungicide programs, including judicious use of Mancozeb, are critical investments. Timely, science-driven interventions safeguard yields, stabilize income, and ensure that agriculture continues to feed both people and economies sustainably." – Dr Kaushik Banerjee, FRSC, FNAAS, Director of ICAR-NRC for Grapes and Honorary Professor at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Laval, Canada Dr Banerjee illustrated that under certain high-incidence conditions, the absence of an effective fungicide program could result in yield losses exceeding 30 to 40 percent, with downstream effects on pricing, processing capacity, and export viability. He stressed that investments in fungicide programs, though an upfront cost, are economically justified when considering the potential revenue losses avoided and the risk mitigation achieved.  Ensuring Safe Access to Mancozeb Worldwide Following Dr Banerjee’s presentation, the discussion shifted to regulatory science and risk assessment. Richard Mills, Global Director of Trade and Government Affairs at UPL, provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving global regulatory landscape for fungicides. Mills articulated the distinction between risk-based and hazard-based regulatory frameworks, emphasising that risk-based assessments evaluate the probability and impact of exposure under realistic use conditions, whereas hazard-based approaches may restrict chemicals based solely on intrinsic properties without contextual application data. He further elaborated on the importance of personal protective equipment compliance, residue monitoring, and data-driven stewardship programs to maintain both domestic and international access to Mancozeb. "Regulatory frameworks are only as effective as the practices behind them. Risk-based assessments let us evaluate real-world exposure, while hazard-based approaches can be overly restrictive. By combining compliance, PPE, residue monitoring, and proactive stewardship, we ensure safe, responsible use of Mancozeb, protecting both public health and growers’ market access across diverse international jurisdictions." –Richard Mills, Global Director of Trade and Government Affairs at UPL Mills highlighted that harmonizing regulatory compliance across countries is essential for exporters, as maximum residue limits (MRLs) vary widely across jurisdictions. He stressed that proactive engagement with regulators, transparent record-keeping, and adherence to recommended application practices are vital to safeguarding market access while ensuring public safety.  How Tech is Revolutionising Disease Control Building upon the regulatory perspective, Sandeep Jagtap, Senior Business Development Manager at Ross LifeScience, addressed the integration of Mancozeb into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and the role of digital agriculture. Jagtap elaborated on how precision tools, including digital disease forecasting models, remote monitoring platforms, and app-based advisory services, allow growers to optimise fungicide use, ensuring applications are timely and necessary, thereby minimizing both economic and environmental costs. He underscored that combining chemical interventions with cultural practices such as canopy management, crop rotation, and resistant varieties enhances the sustainability and effectiveness of disease control programs. "Integrating Mancozeb into IPM isn’t just about spraying—it’s about precision, timing, and sustainability. Digital tools like disease forecasting and remote monitoring help growers apply fungicides only when necessary, reducing costs and environmental impact. When combined with cultural practices like canopy management and resistant varieties, these strategies optimize yield, protect the ecosystem, and make viticulture smarter for every scale of farming." – Sandeep Jagtap, Senior Business Development Manager at Ross LifeScience By demonstrating case studies where digital tools helped reduce fungicide usage without compromising yield, Jagtap highlighted that technology adoption in viticulture can be scaled to support both large commercial growers and smaller farmers, providing actionable insights that translate into improved farm profitability and environmental stewardship.   Collaborative Approaches to Fungicide Stewardship Concluding the speaker presentations, Amiya Kumar Bartia, Strategic Marketing Head at Indofil, shared the industry’s perspective on stewardship and sustainable crop protection strategies. Bartia emphasized that ensuring responsible access to Mancozeb requires multi-level collaboration among growers, industry stakeholders, and regulators. He described initiatives such as educational outreach programs, grower training sessions, and digital monitoring tools that reinforce proper application practices and adherence to safety protocols. "Responsible access to Mancozeb demands collaboration across growers, industry, and regulators. Stewardship isn’t just compliance—it’s a strategic imperative. Through training, outreach, and digital monitoring, we ensure safe, effective application while safeguarding market continuity. By building trust and engagement, we balance crop protection, environmental responsibility, and social accountability, promoting sustainable practices in high-value horticulture." –Amiya Kumar Bartia, Strategic Marketing Head at Indofil Bartia noted that stewardship programs are not merely regulatory obligations but strategic imperatives that secure long-term market continuity and support sustainable agricultural systems. By fostering trust and engagement between stakeholders, the industry aims to balance crop protection needs with environmental and social responsibility, illustrating a pragmatic approach to chemical management in high-value horticulture. Following the formal presentations, the webinar hosted a dynamic Q&A session, providing participants an opportunity to engage directly with the expert panel. Key questions centered on practical challenges, including managing resistance to single-site fungicides, navigating divergent international MRLs, adopting digital forecasting tools, and understanding the cost-benefit dynamics of fungicide programs. In addressing resistance concerns, Dr Banerjee recommended adherence to rotation strategies and integration of multi-site fungicides like Mancozeb into IPM programs. Richard Mills responded to regulatory queries, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining meticulous residue records and proactively engaging with trade authorities to navigate changing international standards. When participants inquired about digital adoption among smallholder farmers, Sandeep Jagtap highlighted the scalability of mobile-based platforms and cloud-supported advisory services that enable data-driven decision-making even for resource-constrained growers. Dr Banerjee quantified the economic benefits of preventive fungicide programs, showing that costs incurred are substantially offset by avoided yield losses, revenue stabilization, and mitigation of downstream market risks. Finally, Bartia discussed the components of effective stewardship, including transparent application practices, grower partnerships, and continuous monitoring, which collectively ensure responsible fungicide use while safeguarding the environment. Several overarching themes emerged from the discussion. First, Mancozeb remains an indispensable tool in grape disease management, particularly in regions facing high disease pressure. Its multi-site activity not only provides immediate disease control but also preserves the efficacy of other fungicides, underpinning the sustainability of crop protection programs. Second, agronomic and economic modeling validates the cost-effectiveness of fungicide interventions, highlighting that upfront expenditure on well-planned programs mitigates larger financial risks from yield losses, quality deterioration, and compromised market access. Third, regulatory vigilance and proactive stewardship are crucial to ensuring safe, compliant access to fungicides in a rapidly evolving global trade environment. Fourth, the integration of digital agriculture and IPM enhances both efficacy and sustainability, enabling precision application, reducing environmental impact, and supporting data-driven farm management. Finally, collaborative industry frameworks, which align growers, regulatory bodies, and companies, are essential for maintaining market continuity, promoting responsible chemical use, and reinforcing sustainable agricultural practices. The webinar also underscored the broader implications of fungicide management beyond the vineyard. By mitigating disease losses and supporting yield stability, effective fungicide programs contribute to food security, particularly in regions dependent on horticultural exports for economic and nutritional resilience. In addition, the discussions highlighted that responsible fungicide stewardship intersects with environmental goals, including reduction of chemical overuse, protection of soil and water quality, and mitigation of pesticide resistance. As the agricultural sector navigates the dual pressures of climate variability and intensifying disease outbreaks, the integrated strategies discussed in this webinar offer a blueprint for sustainable crop protection. Participants and speakers alike noted that the convergence of scientific knowledge, regulatory compliance, economic modeling, and digital innovation is reshaping the landscape of viticulture. Mancozeb’s role, while sometimes viewed through the lens of regulatory scrutiny, remains pivotal in maintaining both productivity and market viability. The insights shared during the webinar demonstrate that strategic, data-driven approaches to fungicide use can yield multifaceted benefits, reinforcing economic resilience for growers, sustaining export markets, and protecting public health and the environment. The dialogue also highlighted the importance of ongoing education, capacity building, and collaboration among all stakeholders, as sustainable crop protection requires continuous adaptation to evolving challenges and opportunities. In conclusion, the Mancozeb stewardship webinar successfully illuminated the complex, interconnected dimensions of modern grape cultivation. The expert panel provided a comprehensive analysis of agronomic strategies, regulatory frameworks, digital innovations, and stewardship initiatives, offering actionable insights for growers, industry participants, and policymakers. The integration of scientific rigor, economic modeling, and regulatory understanding demonstrated that sustainable crop protection is achievable when multi-disciplinary approaches are applied thoughtfully and collaboratively. By emphasizing responsible fungicide use, digital integration, and stakeholder engagement, the webinar charted a pragmatic path forward for safeguarding grape yields, ensuring market access, and contributing to global food security. The discussions reaffirmed that effective disease management is not merely a technical endeavor but a critical component of resilient agricultural systems capable of meeting both economic and nutritional demands in a rapidly changing world. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3368/from-feed-grain-to-functional-food-brazil-turns-sorghum-into-gut-boosting-health-drink.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3368/from-feed-grain-to-functional-food-brazil-turns-sorghum-into-gut-boosting-health-drink.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:46:23 +0530 In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Professor Hercia Stampini Duarte Martino and her research team at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) detailed their pioneering work on sorghum-based synbiotic beverages developed in collaboration with Embrapa and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The innovation combines whole-grain sorghum with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei to deliver metabolic benefits linked to obesity reduction, improved lipid profiles, and enhanced gut microbiota balance. The researchers emphasized strong translational potential for Brazil, noting the product’s alignment with public-health priorities and suitability for vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers. They highlighted commercialization opportunities within the fast-growing global plant-based market, while underscoring the need for broader consumer education and regulatory validation. Looking ahead, the team is advancing larger clinical studies, new probiotic strains, and metagenomic analyses to scale functional sorghum innovation from lab to marketplace. Innovation & Rationale Your team developed extruded whole-grain sorghum beverages with and without Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. What motivated Embrapa to explore non-dairy, plant-based synbiotic products, and how do they address current public health challenges related to obesity and metabolic health in Brazil ? The motivation was to address two strategic demands: first, to expand food alternatives for vegan and lactose-intolerant consumers seeking functional plant-based options; and second, to develop solutions utilizing Brazilian-adapted crops like sorghum, with relevant nutritional potential. The whole-grain sorghum provides dietary fibers, resistant starch, and phenolic compounds that modulate gut microbiota and aid in glycemic control. By combining it with the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, we created a synbiotic product with a combined effect on satiety, insulin sensitivity, and low-grade inflammation. This innovation is aligned with obesity management policies, offering an accessible, sustainable, and culturally appropriate dietary intervention for the Brazilian population. Nutritional & Functional Insights The study highlights high levels of resistant starch, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants in the BRS 305 sorghum beverage. How do these bioactive compounds mechanistically contribute to improvements in visceral fat, lipid profiles, and overall cardiovascular risk markers, such as Castelli index I ? These components act via complementary mechanisms. Resistant Starch reaches the colon, where it is fermented into Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) like butyrate and propionate. These metabolites improve insulin sensitivity, stimulate satiety hormones, reduce inflammation, and decrease visceral fat accumulation. Phenolic compounds and antioxidants protect against oxidative stress and the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol, a key factor in atherogenesis. This combination of actions favors the reduction of total cholesterol and LDL-c and can contribute to increased HDL functionality, resulting in a better total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (Castelli Index I), a direct indicator of lower cardiovascular risk. Probiotic Synergy Could you elaborate on the interplay between the probiotic and the sorghum matrix, particularly how sorghum nutrients enhance probiotic viability and short-chain fatty acid production? Sorghum provides dietary fibers, resistant starch, and micronutrients that function as prebiotic substrates for Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and the resident microbiota. This nutritional environment favors the viability of probiotic during storage and passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The fermentation of these fibers intensifies the production of SCFAs, which potentiate the beneficial intestinal and metabolic effects. The result is a true synbiotic relationship: the sorghum protects and feeds the probiotic, and the probiotic maximizes the beneficial conversion of fermentable compounds naturally presents in the grain matrix. Clinical & Public Health Implications Given that this was a pilot study with 30 overweight and obese adults, how do you envision scaling these findings to broader populations? What role could sorghum-based synbiotic beverages play in national dietary guidelines or obesity prevention programs? The pilot study demonstrated safety and positive outcomes in overweight and obese individuals, although the sample size was limited. We are currently analyzing data from a subsequent study conducted with a larger number of individuals with overweight and obesity in order to validate the pilot findings. The next steps will likely involve larger, multicenter clinical trials that include more diverse population groups and long-term follow-up with robust clinical and metabolic endpoints. If the benefits are confirmed, sorghum-based synbiotic beverages could be incorporated into national healthy eating guidelines and implemented in schools, primary healthcare settings within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), and obesity prevention initiatives, given that this technology is accessible, affordable, and readily scalable throughout Brazil. Market & Consumer Adoption Plant-based, non-dairy probiotics are gaining traction globally. From Embrapa’s perspective, what are the key opportunities and challenges for commercializing these sorghum beverages in Brazil and internationally, especially for vegan and lactose-intolerant populations? Opportunities are clear: the continuous growth of the plant-based market, driven by vegans, lactose-intolerant individuals, and health-conscious consumers. Sorghum adds nutritional value and sustainability. Challenges include ensuring sensory acceptance (taste/texture), achieving probiotic stability in non-dairy matrices, navigating functional claim regulations, and needing educational campaigns, as sorghum is still unfamiliar to many Brazilian consumers. Robust scientific proof and sustainability certifications can facilitate access to the international functional food market. Future Research & Technological Horizons Looking ahead, what are the next steps for Embrapa in optimizing sorghum-based functional foods? Are there plans to explore longer-term interventions, other probiotic strains, or potential impacts on gut microbiota diversity and metabolic health outcomes? Research will advance on several fronts: longer and multi-center clinical studies to assess sustained effects on weight control, lipids, and insulin. We will also explore new probiotic strains and technologies like microencapsulation to maximize bioactive compounds and probiotic viability. The metagenomic and metabolomic analyses will deepen the understanding of how the beverage modulates the gut microbiota diversity and function, including the role of the mycobiota, and its direct relation to the observed metabolic effects. Sustainability & Crop Valorization Sorghum is underutilized in Brazil for human consumption. How does this research contribute to crop valorization, climate-resilient agriculture, and the development of functional foods that are both nutritionally and environmentally sustainable? By developing a high-value product for human consumption, we are valorizing sorghum and creating a new market beyond animal feed, which is crucial for national food security. Sorghum is a drought-resistant and water-efficient crop, strengthening agricultural systems resilient to climate change. The use of whole-grain maximizes the uptake of dietary fibers and micronutrients while reducing the environmental footprint compared to animal-based inputs. This approach aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 15 – Life on Land; linking environmental sustainability, public health, and economic development. Translational Potential Beyond clinical markers, do you see potential for these beverages in sports nutrition, elderly care, or other specialized dietary applications? How might Embrapa collaborate with the private sector to accelerate innovation in plant-based functional foods? The product has potential in sports nutrition, offering gradual-release energy and recovery support via SCFAs, as well as in elderly care, aiding intestinal health and reducing chronic inflammation. It is also applicable in specific clinical diets requiring prebiotics and probiotics. To accelerate innovation in plant-based functional foods, Embrapa seeks private sector partnerships for technology licensing, industrial scale-up, functional certification, and sensory acceptance studies. Collaboration through Research and Development (R&D) consortia and technology transfer agreements is essential to ensure that scientific advances are effectively translated into accessible, commercially viable consumer products. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3361/coral-reefs-vs-climate-chaos-dr-jenni-brandon-on-race-to-save-earths-underwater-cities.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3361/coral-reefs-vs-climate-chaos-dr-jenni-brandon-on-race-to-save-earths-underwater-cities.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:30:22 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Dr. Jenni Brandon, CEO and Sustainability Consultant at Wild Beacon Consulting, reveals how coral reefs marshal an arsenal of biological ingenuity — from genetically diverse lineages to symbiont-swapping survival strategies — to endure the escalating tyranny of warming and acidifying oceans. She argues that restoration must be rooted not in cosmetic transplantation but in evolutionary prudence, selecting morphologies and genotypes most equipped for tomorrow’s oceans and leveraging naturally resilient habitats such as upwelling zones. Dr. Brandon spotlights the reefs’ macroeconomic indispensability: they are coastal sentinels, food-system pillars, and tourism engines whose erosion could destabilize livelihoods and national balance sheets alike. Although reefs are not classical blue-carbon sinks, she underscores their essential role in safeguarding carbon-rich ecosystems — a rationale for scaling blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps that yoke biodiversity protection to investible climate outcomes. With the advent of AI-assisted surveillance, satellite foresight and rapid eDNA diagnostics, she concludes, humanity now possesses the tools to pre-empt catastrophe — so long as governance frameworks unite scientific precision, local stewardship, and uncompromising urgency. I. Reef Resilience and Climate Dynamics Mechanisms of Resilience: With rising sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification, what are the most decisive biological and ecological mechanisms that enable certain coral species or reef systems to withstand climate stress, and how can this inform targeted conservation strategies? More resilient corals have a few ecological commonalities, including living in deeper, colder waters, but also living in more variable waters, where they have become more resilient to changing temperatures than those in stable environments. Biologically, certain genetic strains seem to be more resilient, as well as the corals with more diverse genetic makeup. If you have higher genetic diversity, you are more likely to have some strains survive a bleaching event. Certain morphologies also seem to survive better, like in Papua New Guinea, where big boulder-shaped corals have taken over reefs compared to more fragile branching corals that are more sensitive to ocean acidification. Then there are also the coral-algae symbionts, where corals with more heat-resistant symbiotic algae survive better, and some corals will actually swap out their symbiotic algae for more heat-resistant algae in a warming event. Adaptive Management under Uncertainty: Given the high variability of reef responses across regions, how should policymakers and investors design adaptive, evidence-based interventions that balance short-term protection with long-term ecosystem integrity? Some intervention approaches include replanting coral outcroppings, and this should be done thinking about the morphology, symbiotic algae community, and genetic diversity of those corals. Too many of the same corals replanted will not add to the genetic diversity and could all be wiped out in a marine heat wave. Similarly, replanting corals in areas of upwelling may lead to those corals becoming more resilient and lead to more long-term resiliency. II. Economics, Valuation, and Climate Finance Monetizing Reef Resilience: Coral ecosystems provide critical services—fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. How can we rigorously quantify these benefits in economic terms to attract private investment and integrate reef conservation into ESG portfolios? I'm not an economist, so I can't definitively answer that. But you have to think of the jobs created not just by the fishing vessels themselves, but the seafood processing plants, and the seafood markets and seafood restaurants. The tourism jobs that would disappear if there was no healthy coral reef to visit (hotels, restaurants, SCUBA boats, beach shops, etc). Also, the coastal protections that a coral reef provides, including stopping storm surge, protecting during hurricanes, fighting erosion, being nursery habitat for those fisheries. It goes on and on. Florida values their coral reefs at a value of $8.5 billion, when you start to add all those pieces together. Blue Carbon and Market Mechanisms: What are the methodological and regulatory challenges of incorporating coral reefs into carbon markets or nature-based solutions financing, and how can these frameworks ensure both ecological fidelity and investor confidence? Coral reefs are not direct blue carbon sinks themselves, because the act of calcification releases CO2. But they help protect other blue carbon ecosystems like seagrass from erosion or storm surge, so they are part of the blue carbon ecosystem. But to be part of the carbon market, there would need to be significant research on the MRV, or measurement, reporting, and verification, of exactly where the carbon goes in a reef system and how permanently it is sequestered, if at all. That's not to say that coral reefs aren't a nature-based solution, for all the ecosystem services I mentioned above. They are, and financing coral reef and restoration for those ecosystem services makes a lot of sense for both ecological and economic reasons. III. Cross-Sector Governance and Strategic Collaboration Private-Public Synergy: How should corporations, philanthropic organizations, and governments strategically co-invest in reef resilience to generate measurable climate, biodiversity, and economic impact simultaneously? There are debt instruments like blue bonds that are being created where a government, development bank, or corporation, issues a bond that is specifically designed for projects that benefit the ocean and the blue economy. These can be used for things like coral reef restoration, or preventing water pollution from entering the ocean and polluting reefs, or establishing an MPA, or making a fishery more sustainable. These often include debt-for-nature swaps, where a country's foreign debt is reduced in exchange for investing in conservation projects. These bonds are new but have been incredibly successful both economically and for the climate. IV. Innovation and Forward-Looking Insights Technology-Enabled Monitoring and Intervention: Emerging tools—AI-driven reef health analytics, satellite imaging, and environmental DNA—offer unprecedented monitoring precision. How can these technologies be integrated into decision-making pipelines to optimize intervention timing, prioritize restoration, and de-risk investments in reef resilience? These tools are de-risking some of the decisions about where and when to focus restoration efforts. They are allowing scientists to be more precise in replanting efforts, but also to see a bleaching event coming earlier so they can react quicker. They are taking the guesswork out of some of this research and allowing scientists to not spend so many manhours underwater surveying the reef, but instead have eyes on what's going on nearly 24/7. By allowing scientists to see what's going on at all times, that allows them to make more informed, quicker, restoration and policy decisions. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3354/alexei-beltyukov-on-flexiforming-future-inside-unifuels-mission-to-scale-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3354/alexei-beltyukov-on-flexiforming-future-inside-unifuels-mission-to-scale-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:29:49 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Alexei Beltyukov, CEO and Co-founder of Universal Fuel Technologies (Unifuel), elucidates how the company’s proprietary Flexiforming process transcends the constraints of conventional waste-oil-based biofuels, converting alcohols and low-value refinery byproducts into truly drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By delivering the elusive aromatic fraction required for jet engine performance — something HEFA and Fischer–Tropsch routes cannot independently supply — Unifuel simultaneously augments yield and slashes both energy and hydrogen inputs. Beltyukov underscores that Flexiforming’s modularity and compatibility with existing refineries and ethanol facilities offer a capital-efficient scale-up pathway at a time when the SAF markets are beleaguered by feedstock scarcity and punishing production costs. Policy acceleration toward 100 per cent synthetic SAF approval, coupled with long-term airline offtake agreements, he argues, will unlock the confidence necessary for global deployment. Ultimately, Unifuel positions itself not as a solitary panacea but as a catalytic enabler of a commercially viable, climate-positive aviation future, where complementary pathways collaborate to maximise every molecule of renewable carbon. I. Technology & Production From Waste to Jet Fuel: Can you explain the core technology behind Unifuel’s conversion of waste oils and fats into SAF, and what differentiates it from conventional biofuel pathways? Unifuel doesn't directly convert waste oils and fats into SAF. Rather, our Flexiforming technology complements existing processes that do. We convert alcohols like ethanol and methanol into high-quality SAF, and we upgrade the low-value byproducts—naphtha and LPG—from Hydroprocessed Esthers and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) processes that use waste oils and fats. The key differentiator is our single-step, all-gas phase reaction using a proprietary catalyst. This design reduces energy consumption by 75 per cent and hydrogen requirements by 33 per cent compared to alternative ethanol-to-jet processes, positioning our technology at approximately half the cost. Additionally, we produce aromatic SAF components that HEFA and Fischer-Tropsch cannot, which are essential for jet engine performance and achieving true drop-in capability. Performance and Sustainability: How do Unifuel’s SAF products perform in terms of energy density, combustion efficiency, and lifecycle carbon intensity compared to fossil-based jet fuels? Flexiforming produces SAF that is chemically comparable to conventional jet fuel, containing the 8-25 per cent aromatics that today's aircraft engines require. Our SAF has undergone comprehensive testing at Washington State University's Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab—the world-leading authority on SAF research—and has been accepted into the ASTM D4054 Clearinghouse for qualification. This acceptance demonstrates that our fuel meets strict quality and safety criteria and shows strong potential for completing the ASTM qualification process successfully. In terms of lifecycle carbon intensity, depending on the specific chemical pathway, our energy-efficient process has a carbon intensity 10-31 per cent that of the incoming feedstock—a significant reduction beyond the inherent benefits of using renewable feedstocks. II. Scaling Challenges Feedstock Constraints: Waste oils and fats are finite and geographically dispersed. What strategies is Unifuel pursuing to secure a consistent, scalable feedstock supply, and how do logistics impact production economics? Rather than competing for limited HEFA feedstocks, our strategy is to make the best of what’s available and diversify. For example, for HEFA—indeed, a feed-limited pathway to SAF—Flexiforming can convert their low-value byproduct, naphtha, into the aromatic component of SAF. Apart from making the product a potentially fully synthetic fungible jet fuel (subject to ASTM approvals), this produces 20 per cent more SAF from the same amount of feedstock. Flexiforming works with any alcohol or ether, renewable naphthas, and LPG. This versatility allows plant operators to adapt to feedstock availability and pricing fluctuations. For ethanol specifically, we see significant opportunity. The U.S. already produces billions of gallons of ethanol annually for gasoline blending. As electric vehicles replace gasoline-powered cars, this ethanol can be redirected to jet fuel production without impacting food production or requiring new agricultural investment. Flexiforming offers ethanol plant operators an economically viable ethanol-to-jet pathway, 50 per cent less expensive than existing ETJ options. Refinery and Conversion Economics: What are the key technical and economic bottlenecks in scaling SAF production from laboratory or pilot-scale to commercial refinery operations, and how is Unifuel addressing them ? The primary bottlenecks are cost (SAF currently costs 2 to 4 times more than conventional jet fuel) and feedstock limitations. Our single-reactor design dramatically reduces capital and operational costs. Flexiforming is also designed for scalable deployment at various sizes, from small bolt-on units for Fischer-Tropsch plants to large refinery-scale installations. This flexibility allows producers to match their investment to their specific circumstances rather than requiring massive upfront capital. Critically, we integrate with existing infrastructure, minimizing deployment costs and accelerating time to market. Our successful 2024 five-month pilot campaign demonstrates we've moved beyond laboratory concepts closer to commercially proven, reproducible technology. III. Policy & Market Dynamics Regulatory Alignment: How do government incentives, blending mandates, and carbon credit schemes influence SAF adoption, and where do you see regulatory gaps that need urgent attention to accelerate deployment ? Similar to how EVs initially depended on government incentives before becoming mainstream, SAF needs policy support to offset the current cost premium and give producers confidence to invest.The next step we are awaiting in the regulatory area is the adoption of a standard for 100 per cent drop-in, fully synthetic SAF. Currently, ASTM standards allow most SAF to be blended with conventional jet fuel up to 50 per cent . The industry anticipates approval for 100 per cent synthetic SAF by the end of 2026, but this requires addressing the aromatics requirement—something HEFA and Fischer-Tropsch alone cannot provide. Technologies that can produce aromatic SAF components should receive accelerated regulatory review and support, as they're essential for eliminating the need for continued blending with fossil fuels. Global Market Readiness: With airlines increasingly committing to SAF targets, what is your perspective on the readiness of global supply chains and airport infrastructure to handle large-scale SAF integration? Infrastructure is largely in place to support greater use of SAF, since it is a “drop-in” replacement that works with today’s aircraft. Once the fully synthetic SAF standard is adopted, common-carrier pipelines and all other infrastructure will be accessible to SAF. The real challenge is scaling production to meet growing demand. SAF currently represents less than 1 per cent of global jet fuel consumption, and closing that gap will depend on both technologies that make existing production pathways more efficient and cost-effective, as well as the regulatory approach. A lot of capacity and feedstock that can be used to make SAF are presently targeting renewable diesel. This is a partial result of how the tax incentives are set up, and also of the fact that when making SAF, the producers inevitably make significant quantities of naphtha - a byproduct that, in the absence of Flexiforming, has a relatively low value. Flexiforming helps in exactly that way. By upgrading low-value byproducts such as naphtha and LPG into additional SAF, our technology enables producers to generate more fuel from the same feedstock. This increases total output while improving project economics, which in turn helps airlines and fuel suppliers meet their sustainability commitments more quickly and affordably. IV. Strategic Outlook Investment and Partnership Models: What role do strategic airline partnerships, venture capital, and private equity play in enabling SAF scale-up, and what frameworks have you found most effective for attracting long-term investment? Strategic partnerships are critical, especially between technology providers, fuel producers, and airlines. Airlines’ long-term offtake agreements provide the demand certainty investors look for, while venture and private equity partners can fund early deployment. Unifuel’s model is based on technology licensing rather than direct fuel production, which makes scaling faster and more capital-efficient. Our customers can integrate Flexiforming into their existing plants with relatively low CapEx, creating a more distributed, resilient SAF supply network. This model appeals to investors because it allows them to participate across multiple facilities and feedstocks, reducing risk while accelerating market penetration. Beyond Waste Oils: As SAF demand grows, how is Unifuel preparing for feedstock diversification — for example, algae, municipal waste, or other renewable sources — and what technical or economic hurdles remain in that transition ? Feedstock diversification is at the heart of Flexiforming’s value proposition. We can already process any naphtha, alcohol or ether, so as new pathways to these feeds emerge—from algae, cellulosic sources, or other biomass—we can potentially integrate them. For municipal and agricultural waste, we complement Fischer-Tropsch processing. By upgrading FT's naphtha and LPG byproducts into aromatic SAF, we can increase plant revenue by 10-20 per cent, making waste-to-SAF projects more financially viable. The main challenge is not chemistry, but logistics and preprocessing costs. That’s why our technology can be deployed at different scales, even near the source of biomass or waste conversion. By enabling modular, regional SAF production, Flexiforming helps producers reduce transportation costs and make better use of local renewable resources. Vision for Net-Zero Aviation: Looking ahead 5–10 years, how do you see Unifuel contributing to a commercially viable, climate-positive aviation sector, and what are the key milestones the industry must hit to achieve that vision? We envision three major use cases: bolt-ons to Fischer-Tropsch and HEFA plants processing waste feedstocks; partnerships with ethanol plants transitioning from selling ethanol for gasoline blending to SAF; and retrofitting existing oil refineries for SAF production. The key industry milestones include ASTM approval for 100 per cent drop-in synthetic SAF by end of 2026; achieving economic parity or near-parity with conventional jet fuel through technology improvements and policy support; and successfully diversifying beyond limited HEFA feedstocks. Our goal is for Flexiforming to become a mainstream enabling technology—recognizing that no single pathway will meet 100 per cent of demand, but that complementary technologies working together can maximize resource utilization and make sustainable aviation the norm rather than the exception. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3335/americas-next-frontier-unlocking-africas-3-4t-agribusiness-market.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3335/americas-next-frontier-unlocking-africas-3-4t-agribusiness-market.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:31:04 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Brent Boydston, Founder, Ag Center Solutions outlined how U.S. agribusiness can seize Africa’s $3.4 trillion AfCFTA opportunity. Feed grains, soy, and DDGS are prime entry points, but success hinges on relationship-driven partnerships, not just transactions. He stressed the need for investments in smallholder modernization, mechanization, and digital agtech to boost productivity and resilience. Boydston also called for next-generation trade frameworks that combine IP protection, technology transfer, and carbon-credit access. Africa’s low-input, biodiversity-aligned farming models, he noted, offer critical lessons for sustainable growth. Strategic collaboration, he concluded, can transform Africa into a hub for high-value food production and U.S.–Africa agricultural synergy. I. Market Potential & Geopolitics Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a $3.4 trillion market. From your perspective, what segments of agribusiness—inputs, processing, logistics, retail—are most attractive for U.S. companies to enter first? From my perspective, feed grains such as corn, sorghum, DDGS from ethanol production, soybeans, and soybean meal represent the most attractive first entry points into African markets. Feed demand for the continent’s expanding poultry and livestock industries continues to rise, and population growth will only intensify the need for affordable protein. Market entry will not be without challenges, differing regulatory requirements across the continent will need to be navigated, but these can be addressed through engagement and partnership. The U.S. is late to Africa compared to China, Brazil, and increasingly India. What does America need to do differently to avoid being boxed out of Africa’s agricultural future ? U.S. businesses need to recognize and seize the opportunities emerging in Africa. Companies must understand that African nations and their people want to partner with American firms, but success requires relationship building rather than transactional thinking. Business in Africa is fundamentally relationship-based. U.S. firms must invest in learning the cultures of the countries where they operate, which is entirely achievable with the right guidance. They should also collaborate with established U.S. government entities active in Africa such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) and with cooperators like the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council and the United Soybean Export Council. Both have strong local networks across the continent and can play a key role in facilitating market entry and building lasting partnerships. II. Investment & Capital Flows African agriculture still receives less than 5 per cent of total FDI inflows. Where can U.S. venture capital and private equity make the most immediate impact—financing smallholder resilience, scaling agtech, or building midstream infrastructure? Smallholder resilience, agtech scale-up, and midstream infrastructure are all vital investment avenues, but one area often overlooked is agricultural education paired with modernization. Farming practices in many African regions lag for several reasons, limited access to capital, weak risk-management tools, insufficient training in modern methods, and regulatory systems that are sometimes influenced by outside pressures rather than science. Take genetically modified organisms (GMOs), for example. Since their adoption in the U.S. in the mid-1990s, GMO crops have helped drive a transition from heavy tillage to minimum- or no-till systems, conserving soil and reducing input use. Yet in several African nations, bans on GMO seed cultivation or import prevent farmers from accessing these technologies and the benefits they bring in pest resistance, yield improvement, and soil protection. Investment that supports education, modernization, and science-based regulation would have immediate and lasting impact. III. Supply Chains & Infrastructure Africa faces a paradox: it holds 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land but imports $75 billion in food annually. Where can U.S. companies intervene most effectively—fertiliser supply, mechanisation, grain storage, cold chain? U.S. companies can make an immediate difference by strengthening fertilizer supply chains, investing in farm mechanization services, and developing modern grain-storage and cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses. These interventions not only increase productivity but also improve food security and the profitability of local producers. With the U.S. pushing for “friend-shoring” and resilient supply chains, can Africa realistically become a hub for U.S. agri-commodity processing and re-export into global markets? Africa is uniquely positioned to become an exporter of food and processed agricultural products. Large-scale production for the EU already makes Europe one of Africa’s top export destinations, while trade ties with India and other Asian markets continue to deepen. With a growing egg and broiler industry, African nations have the opportunity to expand value-added food production while importing feed grains from the United States. When paired with education and technology transfer, currently uncultivated lands could be brought into sustainable production allowing Africa to export higher-value commodities to its key markets. IV. Technology & Innovation Digital platforms in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are redefining input distribution and farmer credit. Where can U.S. tech giants and agri-startups collaborate to leapfrog Africa into next-generation farming ecosystems? Technology and innovation go hand in hand, and Africa is poised to lead in digital agriculture. Internet access has expanded rapidly, a 115 per cent increase in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2016 and 2022, and this connectivity creates opportunities for improved efficiency and integration with global market. U.S. agri-tech startups should look to Africa not only as a market but as a collaborative partner for developing scalable digital solutions. Whether in AI-driven crop consulting, digital finance platforms, or precision-farming applications, the continent’s young, tech-savvy population offers fertile ground for next-generation agricultural innovation. V. Policy & Trade Architecture AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) is set to expire in 2025. What kind of next-generation U.S.–Africa trade framework would best unlock agribusiness potential? While it remains uncertain whether the U.S. Congress or Administration will renew or replace AGOA, that uncertainty will likely drive some African nations to pursue bilateral trade agreements with the United States or to pivot toward other markets. Fortunately, a foundation already exists: the U.S. has a full free-trade agreement (FTA) with Morocco; a Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan); and multiple other TIFAs and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) across the continent. These frameworks provide blueprints for deeper engagement between African nations and the United States. They can also help offset the loss of AGOA by encouraging commercial linkages between countries that already have agreements with the U.S. and those that do not. Are tariff concessions and export incentives enough—or do we need more holistic agreements covering knowledge transfer, IP, and carbon credits for regenerative farming? More comprehensive agreements are needed beyond tariff concessions or export incentives. Global integration requires frameworks that protect intellectual property and facilitate technology exchange while ensuring fair access to emerging markets like carbon credits. For example, to receive carbon credits, farmers must conduct soil sampling and meet strict verification requirements, activities that generate valuable data. That data should remain the property of the farmers who create it, reflecting their knowledge and stewardship. At the same time, they need access to improved tools, such as corn seed varieties designed for maximum carbon sequestration. Protecting the intellectual property behind those seeds and precision-agriculture systems is vital. Formal trade agreements can safeguard both farmers’ rights and corporate innovation, maximizing benefits for all parties. VI. Sustainability & Climate Diplomacy What lessons can Africa teach the U.S. about low-input, biodiversity-aligned farming models—and how can that shape bilateral partnerships? Though the U.S. and African farm sectors differ in scale and technology, they share a common goal: producing food sustainably for a growing population. Increasingly, African nations are turning to the United States for guidance on boosting production while conserving natural resources. A good example is the U.S.-based consulting company Sustainable Agricultural Solutions for Africa, which has worked in Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya to transfer U.S. know-how on sustainable practices. These collaborations demonstrate a strong mutual interest in sharing best practices and are critical to shaping future bilateral partnerships. They provide tangible proof that sustainability can be achieved through cooperation and knowledge exchange on both sides of the Atlantic. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3328/turning-tide-for-wildlife-gavin-bruce-on-science-stewardship-and-sustainable-conservation.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3328/turning-tide-for-wildlife-gavin-bruce-on-science-stewardship-and-sustainable-conservation.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:52:50 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Gavin Bruce, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue, (www.internationalanimalrescue.org ) reflects on over two decades of conservation, highlighting the shift from top-down approaches to community-led strategies that empower local people while benefiting biodiversity and climate. On coral reefs, he stresses the need for proactive resilience building, combining restoration, local stewardship, and global climate action to safeguard ecosystems. Gavin emphasizes that habitat protection, rather than just flagship species, ensures long-term wildlife sustainability, with community engagement reducing pressures on natural resources. Successful initiatives, such as mangrove restoration, demonstrate how conservation can boost livelihoods, support female empowerment, and protect ecosystems simultaneously. Looking ahead, Gavin remains cautiously optimistic, calling for immediate action and a nature-positive economy to secure the future of wildlife and coral reefs. Opening Gavin, after more than two decades in conservation and animal rescue, what do you see as the single greatest shift in how the world now approaches wildlife protection? The single greatest shift is the move from top-down conservation to community-led, grassroots strategies. Rather than imposing protection on local people, the focus is increasingly on empowering communities that live alongside wildlife and nature.  By recognising their rights, traditional knowledge, wellbeing, and economic needs as central to sustainable conservation. This shift reframes wildlife protection as a social, economic, and climate solution, not just an ecological one.   By investing in people, we are investing in nature, and delivering positive outcomes for people, biodiversity and climate. Coral Reef Conservation Coral reefs support nearly a quarter of all marine species yet face existential threats from bleaching, acidification, and El Niño. How should conservation priorities adapt to this escalating crisis? Conservation priorities will need to shift from reactive protection to proactive resilience building. We need to build on what is resilient, restore what’s damaged, and reform how we live with the ocean. Climate adaptation: protecting and restoring reefs most likely to survive warming and investing in research to evaluate whether it is possible to increase tolerance through assisted evolution and coral propagation, and whether this can be applied at scale. Integrating local stewardship: empowering coastal communities to manage fisheries, curb pollution, and build sustainable livelihoods that reduce pressure on reefs. Creating protected and connected refuges: establishing and connecting marine protected areas so reefs can recover and repopulate after stress events. Addressing root causes: coupling reef conservation with aggressive global climate action to cut emissions. Technologies like coral gardening and assisted evolution are gaining attention. Are these scalable solutions, or stopgaps until broader climate action takes hold? If the conditions are favourable, corals have the ability to regenerate quickly.  I recall doing some research on the Great Barrier Reef, annually photographing transects on a reef that had been affected by a crown of thorns starfish outbreak.  After just ten years, there was significant settlement of a diverse range of corals.  The water quality was good (clarity, acidity, temperature, pollutants), and the recovery was remarkable. Coral conservation strategies must concentrate on boosting ecosystem resilience by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other drivers of reef degradation. The approach needs to be proactive, such that suitable conditions for coral growth and settlement are embedded into policy and management.  Reactive measures tend to be small-scale and targeted at repairing degradation that has already occurred.  From the research conducted so far, coral restoration can make a small but expensive contribution to the conservation effort. Coastal communities depend heavily on reefs for fisheries and livelihoods. What models best balance ecosystem protection with economic survival? Coastal communities are dependent on both the marine environment and coastal areas for farming; all of this is at threat from the effects of climate change and the breakdown of the natural support systems.  We have seen a tangible impact from working alongside communities on strategies that deliver positive outcomes for people and nature.  The coastal zone often comprises mangroves, seagrass and reefs; each of these ecosystems provides an important function in supporting livelihoods, bolstering biodiversity and mitigating climate.  By implementing community-led mangrove restoration initiatives, we have seen the risk of saltwater intrusion into coastal farms reduce, which supports the economy of coastal villages and reduces the The mangrove ecosystem supports biodiversity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change. They provide important nurseries for fish, which can support sustainable fishing and livelihoods. By engaging communities and giving access to knowledge and education, conservation efforts can be achieved through strong collaboration. Sustainable fishing on coral reefs involves a combination of strategies, such as establishing protected areas, using selective fishing gear, and setting catch limits and size restrictions to protect fish populations and their habitats and limiting fishing during spawning seasons. Wildlife Conservation Strategies Conservation efforts often oscillate between protecting flagship species and entire ecosystems. Where should the focus be to deliver the greatest impact? It’s all about habitats!  If you can protect the habitat, then the flora and fauna can thrive. Of course, flagship species are a useful tool in conservation efforts.  We work with bears, tigers and orangutans, which are all high-profile icon species that represent the ecosystems in which they reside. When habitats are degraded, fragmented, encroached upon, destroyed (due to natural or anthropogenic causes), then the sustainability of viable populations is diminished. This then disrupts the balance of the ecosystem, which causes stress, and reduced resilience.  This then becomes a spiral of decline, which is hard to reverse. The most effective conservation strategies empower local communities. The outcome must be increased health, prosperity and wellbeing for the people, which can then reduce the pressure on nature and be a template for resilient ecosystems. Sustainable Wildlife Management Are there global models—whether in forests, grasslands, or marine zones—that stand out as replicable for other regions? Most pressure on wildlife is as a result of anthropomorphic effects. At the local level, this is often due to a lack of access to healthcare, education, knowledge, skills and finance. This leads to activities that put pressure on wildlife and habitats: logging, hunting, poaching, fires, wildlife trade and encroachment.  By engaging communities in initiatives that improve prosperity and wellbeing, the drivers for more exploitative activities are reduced.  This has a positive impact for both people and nature. It is crucial that this is not a top-down model. While there may be similarities, each situation is different; therefore, to create sustainable change, these programs must be community led and tailored to the specific need. These grass-roots initiatives can then be scaled across different landscapes to create lasting change. A great case study is our community mangrove restoration program.  In low lying coastal farming communities, as a result of climate change - rising sea level and increase frequency of storm surges - that is an increased risk of sea water flooding the farms.  Salt water intrusion has a devastating effect on the crops and forces the community into poverty. Historically, the protective mangrove buffer has been removed, which exposes farming villages to a higher risk.  If crops fail, people are forced to engage in other, often exploitative, activities to generate income; this creates a threat to ecosystem. By working with these communities to restore the mangrove buffer, there is a tangible positive impact. Mangroves will boost biodiversity, mitigate saltwater intrusion, absorb carbon and bolster livelihoods.  In parallel, other activities to support communities are made available, access to education and literacy, healthcare, training to use organic farming techniques to increase yields and income generation.  The mangrove restoration work is often taken on by the women in the community, which generates not only additional income but also female empowerment. These are not large-scale NGO activities; instead, this is a local support structure that empowers communities to help themselves and learn from one another, building resilience and creating lasting change. Closing Reflection Looking ahead 25 years, what gives you optimism that coral reefs and wildlife can survive the climate and biodiversity crises—and what must the world do differently, starting now? Economies have long been built on fossil fuels and consumerism, based on the logic that 'more is good' and that wealth is just about money; however, this is changing.  As we can see from the global geopolitical picture, we are not all on the same page but, it is happening.  Technology is moving fast, and citizens are more engaged. There is a growing expectation that governments and corporations take action, and individuals are starting to take responsibility by thinking more about their own footprint. It is not too late, but the time is now to protect the ecosystems that we have left, build resilience, and move quickly to a more sustainable, nature-positive economy. ----- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3325/african-land-arab-capital-indian-innovation-groupe-mrps-vision-to-redefine-global-agriculture.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3325/african-land-arab-capital-indian-innovation-groupe-mrps-vision-to-redefine-global-agriculture.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:59:51 +0530 In an exclusive interaction, Sumit Govind Sharma, Groupe MRP's Global MD and the President of the Indo-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry outlines Groupe MRP’s transformative vision to establish an agriculture corridor across 78 countries spanning Africa and the Arab world. Anchored in the “LIFE – Longterm Integrated Farming Expertise” model, the initiative seeks to bridge Africa’s vast untapped arable potential with India’s agri-innovation strengths, creating integrated, self-sustaining agribusiness clusters. Each cluster will combine food security, value addition, and climate-smart practices—ranging from solar-powered irrigation and biogas generation to digital farm management tools and hydroponic fodder systems. With 50 per cent of output dedicated to local nutrition and the rest fueling export-oriented processing, the model aims to reduce post-harvest losses and empower smallholders, women, and youth through skill development. By 2030, Sharma envisions a trilateral ecosystem—African land, Arab capital, and Indian technology—driving inclusive growth, resilient supply chains, and food security across continents. Groupe MRP aims to create a transformative agriculture corridor across 78 countries. What is the strategic vision for agriculture, and how does it align with India’s strengths in agri-innovation and Africa/Arab market needs? Our strategic vision is anchored in both opportunity and responsibility. Africa represents a paradox: approximately 80–85 per cent of its arable land remains underdeveloped, yet the continent imports over $70 billion worth of processed food annually. Namibia, for instance, produces high-quality tomatoes, yet without local processing infrastructure, it continues to rely on imports, highlighting a persistent gap between raw production and value addition. Similarly, in East Africa, countries like Kenya and Uganda export raw fruits and vegetables while importing packaged goods—a structural inefficiency we aim to address. Groupe MRP seeks to bridge this gap by creating fully integrated agribusiness clusters.Its flagship initiative, “Longterm Integrated Farming Expertise (LIFE)” is founded on the belief that “Food is LIFE,” representing the core of sustainable development and human well-being. It embodies a holistic approach to agriculture that combines various farming components for sustainability and productivity. This promotes recycling of agricultural by-products and efficient resource utilization. It aims to provide regular income and year-round employment for farmers. ​The model enhances food and nutritional security while conserving natural resources. Within these clusters, 50 per cent of output is earmarked for local food security, ensuring immediate nutritional and economic impact, while the remainder supports commercial processing, investment sustainability, and export-ready value chains. To initiate this vision, the program will begin with the development of 100 hectares of land dedicated to implementing the LIFE model. This pilot phase will serve as a foundation for building scalable, self-sustaining agribusiness clusters that can be replicated across regions, fostering inclusive growth and long-term impact. Infrastructure development is central to this strategy. We are establishing processing units, solar farms, and biogas generation facilities sourced from local cattle populations to create energy- and resource-resilient clusters. Beyond physical assets, human capital is a priority. Farmers receive training in modern agronomy, gender-inclusive skill development programs are implemented, and housing and healthcare support is provided for laborers. Our “Blessings From The Earth” (BFTE) Kit is designed to advance nutritional security through homestead gardening and promote holistic farm management. The initiative encompasses seed distribution, kitchen gardens, mushroom cultivation, fruit and vegetable farming, and the development of neem-based fertilizers and bioinsecticides. By combining India’s technological and agri-innovation expertise with Africa’s vast arable potential, the program aims to build a self-sustaining and scalable agricultural ecosystem that strengthens local livelihoods, food resilience, and global value chains. Sustainability is at the forefront of global agriculture. How is the Division planning to introduce scalable, climate-smart, and resource-efficient practices in partner countries? Our approach is multi-dimensional and intentionally integrated, designed to embed sustainability at every stage of agricultural development. Each cluster is structured around circular resource utilization, where rainwater harvesting, rotational cropping, and small-scale fisheries complement crop cultivation to diversify income streams and strengthen resilience against climatic variability. The integration of biogas systems from livestock waste, solar-powered irrigation, and sustainable nutrient management further minimizes dependence on fossil fuels, lowers emissions, and enhances ecological balance. Every intervention is tailored to local agro-climatic conditions, ensuring replicability and scalability. Our goal is to create low-carbon, climate-resilient clusters that optimize water, energy, and soil resources. By embedding sustainability within productivity, we are demonstrating that environmentally conscious agriculture can be both commercially viable and socially transformative. From hydroponics to digital farm tools, India has a rich agri-tech ecosystem. How will Groupe MRP transfer and localize technology to maximize productivity and profitability across Arab geographies? The Arab region poses unique challenges: arid climates, scarce water resources, and extreme temperatures. Yet it offers significant opportunities in livestock and fodder production. While we are in the early exploration phase, we plan to introduce hydroponic fodder systems, IoT-enabled farm management tools, and precision irrigation models. The key is localization: technology must adapt to local soil, climate, and socio-economic conditions. India’s agri-tech solutions—from water-efficient irrigation systems to digital crop monitoring platforms—will be adapted to maximize yield and profitability while reducing resource intensity. This ensures technology adoption is practical, scalable, and financially rewarding for regional farmers, while supporting broader sustainability objectives. What strategies will the Division employ to strengthen supply chains, improve market access, and reduce post-harvest losses, particularly for smallholder farmers? Integration across the value chain is fundamental. Fifty percent of cluster output is designated for government food security programs, while the remainder feeds commercial processing. We are establishing high-value processing units for mango pulp, cold-pressed juices, tomato paste, and packaged vegetables, directly addressing post-harvest loss, which in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 30–40 per cent for perishable produce. Organic residues are repurposed into cattle feed or bioenergy, creating near-zero loss systems. Cluster-level, pre-cooling units, and GPS-tracked logistics maintain product quality, extend shelf life, and improve market access. These measures stabilize farmer incomes, enhance product compliance for local and export markets, and establish resilient, export-ready supply chains. How will the agriculture DiVision empower local communities, including women and youth, through training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer? Community empowerment is central to our mission. Farmers receive hands-on training in regenerative agriculture, precision farming, and post-harvest management. Gender-sensitive programs ensure women actively participate in all operational levels, while youth gain marketable skills in agri-tech, digital farm management, and renewable energy applications. By embedding knowledge transfer into daily operations, we create communities capable of sustaining high-productivity, climate-smart agriculture independently. Over time, these clusters become centers of skills development, inclusive growth, and social resilience. Will Groupe MRP pursue public–private partnerships, research collaborations, or joint ventures in these regions to accelerate agricultural innovation and adoption? Collaboration is essential for systemic impact. We are partnering with local governments, private landowners, and agri-tech enterprises to co-develop infrastructure, research programs, and financing solutions. Public–private partnerships enable risk sharing and accelerate the adoption of modern, sustainable practices. Research collaborations and joint ventures allow us to localize technology while leveraging India’s agri-innovation ecosystem. The aim is to create scalable, replicable models where knowledge, finance, and technology converge to maximize socio-economic and environmental benefits. Looking ahead, how do you see this trilateral agriculture initiative contributing to food security, rural livelihoods, and India’s strategic role in Africa and the Arab world by 2030? This initiative creates a strategic triad: African land, Arab capital, and Indian technology converge to form productive, resilient clusters. By 2030, fully operational processing units and integrated supply chains will transform local economies, turning surplus produce into high-value exports such as mango pulp, tomato paste, and packaged foods for both African and Indian markets. The model directly strengthens food security, stabilizes rural livelihoods, and reduces Africa’s dependence on imported processed food—currently exceeding $70 billion annually. Strategically, it positions India as a preferred partner, demonstrating technological leadership and the ability to catalyze sustainable, inclusive agribusiness ecosystems. Ultimately, this is about systemic change: climate-smart agriculture, empowered communities, resilient supply chains, and transcontinental trade linkages—all embedded within an economically viable and environmentally sustainable framework. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3318/1-5-billion-mind-brew-how-mushroom-coffee-is-rewriting-hot-drink-paradigm.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3318/1-5-billion-mind-brew-how-mushroom-coffee-is-rewriting-hot-drink-paradigm.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:10:21 +0530 Mushroom coffee and tea are redefining global beverage habits by blending daily rituals with functional wellness benefits. Driven by adaptogenic mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps, these drinks promise focus, calm, and immune resilience without caffeine crashes. The global mushroom beverage market, valued at $4 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $7.4 billion by 2034, signaling strong consumer adoption. Experts from brands like Nuvedo, Maverick & Farmer, and Hi Shroomz™ see this as the “Fourth Wave of Coffee,” where science and sustainability converge. However, success will hinge on extract quality, clinical credibility, and consumer education to distinguish genuine formulations from superficial trends. The global morning ritual is quietly evolving. Gone are the days of coffee drinkers versus tea drinkers — now, functional hot beverages are staking their claim, with mushroom coffee and tea emerging as the rising stars. These drinks blend centuries of ethnobotanical wisdom with modern cravings for mental clarity, immune support, and a smoother, smarter caffeine experience. So why are mushrooms finding their way into functional beverages like coffee and tea? “Mushrooms are the ultimate functional cheat code. Where botanicals need a blend of herbs to deliver multiple effects, a single mushroom like Lion’s Mane can handle brain health, gut balance, and immunity in one go”, says Jashid Hameed, Founder, Nuvedo. “They’re easier to formulate with — no bitter adaptogen aftertaste to mask — and their bioactives hit harder because our bodies recognize them; after all, we share almost half our DNA with fungi. The fact that they grow on agri-waste with a fraction of the footprint of wild-harvested botanicals, and you have a category that’s scientifically potent, scalable, and ESG gold,” he mentioned rightly. “Mushroom coffee epitomizes coffee’s Fourth Wave: after mass-market instant, specialty chains, and artisanal origin brews, the next era emphasizes personalization, functionality, and sustainability. DXN pioneered this shift, and today’s brands scale it for wellness-conscious consumers, transforming the morning ritual into a daily health ritual.” —- Jashid Hameed, Founder, Nuvedo Mushroom coffee is leading the charge. Picture your daily cup — rich, aromatic, and comforting — but engineered for a steady, sustained energy boost without jitters or crashes. “Dismiss mushroom coffee as a wellness gimmick and you’d be wrong. The science is real “, mentioned Ashish D'abreo, Founder, Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters.” Lion’s Mane supports neurogenesis, memory, focus, and gut health. Reishi nicknamed the “mushroom of immortality”—is backed by research for immunity, stress modulation, and metabolic support. Together, these mushrooms elevate coffee into something closer to a therapeutic beverage than a caffeine hit. For consumers increasingly seeking daily rituals that double as health interventions, this is a breakthrough,” he advocated. This is not fluff. This is strategy meeting science in a cup. In words of Oli Genn-Bash, Founder at The Fungi Consultant; Former President, UKC Psychedelics Society,” "The rise in functional mushroom beverages such as teas and coffees has been a useful way for people to experience the benefits of these fungi. Rather than just taking them in a capsule form like other supplements, consumers have the opportunity to integrate different mushrooms into their lives just like a regular tea or coffee, but with extra benefits! The main thing to look out for is the quality of the mushroom which is being used in the tea or coffee, the type of extraction method used for the mushrooms, and ensuring that there's a decent dose per serving of tea or coffee." Market Scale: Niche Today, Poised for Expansion The functional beverage market is massive, generating hundreds of billions globally, yet the hot-drink segment — spanning mushroom teas and coffees, matcha, kombucha, and adaptogens — remains a constellation of high-growth niches. Mushroom beverages are leading this charge, propelled by wellness routines and rising demand for cognitive focus, stress modulation, and immune support. “Mushroom coffee is where the functional beverage category grows up,” Jashid argues. “It’s not just a lifestyle flex; it’s 700-plus peer-reviewed studies in a cup. Erinacines and Hericenones in Lion’s Mane promote cognitive health, Triterpenoids in Reishi help regulate stress, and Cordycepin in Cordyceps boosts energy and stamina. Unlike plant-based or fermented competitors, mushrooms deliver a suite of synergistic bioactives that go far beyond a single functional claim. Unlike matcha or kombucha, it fits into the world’s most ingrained habit — the morning coffee ritual — without asking consumers to change behavior.” The global mushroom drinks market is projected to grow from $4.0 billion in 2024 to $7.4 billion by 2034 at a 6.4 per cent CAGR, led by mushroom coffee (49 per cent share) and powdered formats (65 per cent). Hypermarkets and supermarkets account for most sales, while North America dominates with 47 per cent of the market (~$1.8 billion). Mushroom tea, though smaller, mirrors these growth dynamics across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, driven by DTC subscriptions, premium grocery placement, and café integration. “Reishi for calm, Lion’s Mane for focus, Cordyceps for energy, and Turkey Tail for immunity — what once felt niche is becoming a daily ritual of renewal “, states Dr Anish Hiresha Verma, Founder & CEO, Hi Shroomz™.” Our vision is simple yet bold: to reach a million patients and families in five years, transforming recovery into resilience in a $30 billion functional foods industry ready for reinvention,” he added. “Mushroom coffee is more than a trend—its medicinal extracts are grounded in decades of research. Yet the category remains fragile. To become coffee’s Fourth Wave, delivering daily health benefits, brands must tackle awareness, affordability, and authenticity. The science is solid; now the industry must earn consumer trust.” — Ashish D'abreo, Founder, Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters Matcha has capitalized on ceremonial heritage, antioxidant science, and premiumization trends, reaching $3.67 billion in 2025, with forecasts of $6.22 billion by 2030 at a 6.56 per cent CAGR. Regionally, the Asia Pacific held 45 per cent of 2024 value, while North America posts the fastest growth at 7.74 per cent CAGR. Kombucha, a more mature functional segment, saw the Asia Pacific market at $2.6 billion in 2023, projected to hit $4.94 billion by 2030 at a 9.6 per cent CAGR, driven by probiotic efficacy and social-lifestyle positioning. In emerging markets, India’s mushroom drinks market grew to $121.2 million in 2024, expected to reach $214.3 million by 2030, signaling expanding wellness adoption. Mushroom drinks uniquely combine nootropic and adaptogenic effects, delivering a multi-functional profile unmatched by single-ingredient alternatives. Taken together, the hot functional-drink ecosystem could scale into the low tens of billions within a decade, but growth depends on habit formation, not novelty. While coffee is daily and tea ritualistic, mushroom beverages remain “curiosity purchases.” Scaling will require flavor optimization, functional formulation, packaging innovation, subscriptions, and café integration. Jashid hence, leaves no doubt about the verdict: “Kombucha is a lifestyle statement, Matcha is a premium splurge, but mushroom coffee is the first functional beverage that can actually go mainstream. It’s not a fad — it’s the category’s endgame.” Consumer Appeal, Product Logic, and B2B Distribution Dynamics Mushroom beverages occupy a unique position in the functional hot-drink ecosystem, delivering value to both consumers and B2B partners. Consumer appeal stems from their functional diversity: Lion’s Mane enhances cognitive clarity, focus, and memory; Reishi supports immune health, stress reduction, and restorative sleep; and Chaga provides antioxidant and long-term wellness benefits. This versatility enables multi-occasion consumption: mushroom coffees for a morning cognitive lift, midday blends for focus rituals, and evening teas for relaxation and recovery. “And yet, for all this promise, mushroom coffee remains an afterthought in the functional beverage aisle. Consumer awareness is abysmally low. Ask an average coffee drinker about Reishi or Lion’s Mane, and you’ll likely get a blank stare”, added D’abreo. “Compare this with kombucha or matcha, which have managed to become lifestyle statements, and the gap is obvious. Mushroom coffee, by contrast, is still the preserve of wellness enthusiasts and biohacking circles. The result is a category with great science but almost no mainstream cultural relevance, “ he remarked. “Functional mushroom beverages—teas and coffees—allow consumers to enjoy fungi benefits beyond capsules, integrating them into daily routines like any regular drink. Success depends on mushroom quality, extraction methods, and ensuring a sufficient dose per serving to deliver meaningful health effects.” —- Oli Genn-Bash, Founder at The Fungi Consultant ; Former President, UKC Psychedelics Society For B2B partners — cafés, wellness retailers, subscription platforms, and corporate wellness programs — these touchpoints create opportunities to integrate mushroom beverages across daily routines, generating repeat purchases and cross-selling potential rather than relegating products to niche moments. Formats reinforce this: powders and sachets enable flexible dosing, low shipping costs, and subscription-based revenue; RTDs cater to grab-and-go convenience, albeit with cold-chain considerations; and capsules or wellness shots emphasize clinical validation and precise dosing, appealing to specialty retailers and corporate programs. “ Mushroom Coffee is more than a beverage — it is a movement that combines the richness of premium Arabica coffee with the proven benefits of medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Oyster, Turkey Tail, and Milky. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin D, polysaccharides, and minerals, it delivers sustained energy, mental clarity, and stress relief without the crash of conventional coffee “, mentioned Lalu Thomas, Founder, Chefbae Mushroom Products Pvt Ltd. “By partnering with Kollam Krishi Vigyan Kendra, we directly support over 100 mushroom farmers with assured demand, fair pricing, and technical guidance, turning every cup into a catalyst for rural prosperity, ” he added. Distribution channels closely reflect these formats. Mushroom coffee thrives in specialty grocery aisles, subscription DTC platforms, and e-commerce channels, while mushroom teas are often positioned in premium tea shops, wellness-focused retailers, and experimental café menus. For B2B partners, aligning the product format with the intended consumer occasion is critical: a morning mushroom latte must deliver a coffee-like sensory experience to ensure habitual substitution, while evening teas must evoke relaxation to justify secondary placement or cross-sell opportunities in wellness assortments. Matcha mirrors mushroom coffee in cognitive benefits, offering a “calm-alertness” effect through L-theanine and caffeine, with strong appeal in ceremonial, café, and at-home rituals. Kombucha, by contrast, targets social and lifestyle occasions, leveraging probiotic efficacy, effervescence, and grab-and-go convenience to attract younger, wellness-oriented consumers. In sum, mushroom beverages, matcha, and kombucha combine functional differentiation, sensory appeal, and format versatility, creating opportunities for B2B partners to embed these drinks into multiple daily consumption moments, converting curiosity into habitual use and driving sustainable growth. Pricing, Margins, and Retail Dynamics Mushroom beverages occupy a premium niche in the hot-drink market, with prices reflecting functional potency, novelty, and production complexity. Pricing is shaped by format, ingredient quality, production scale, and consumer perception. Powders and sachets are the margin winners: low shipping weight, long shelf life, and flexible dosing make them cost-efficient to produce. When paired with subscription-based DTC platforms, they stabilize cash flow, boost customer lifetime value, and give B2B partners predictable demand and co-branding opportunities. RTD mushroom coffees and teas target urban convenience but carry higher costs. Cold-chain logistics, short shelf life, and premium packaging compress margins, making retail partnerships and precise inventory management critical. Positioning RTDs as functional café alternatives or wellness grab-and-go beverages enables premium pricing, but scaling requires operational rigor. Café integration is both a revenue driver and brand builder. Mushroom lattes and teas can command higher per-serving prices by merging ritual with health benefit — but flavour fidelity is non-negotiable. A latte must deliver the sensory satisfaction of coffee first, or repeat sales falter. Finally, retail placement is strategy in action. Hybrid positioning — wellness-adjacent but coffee-compatible — maximizes discovery and habitual adoption, turning mushroom beverages from novelty into daily ritual. “Reishi for calm, Lion’s Mane for focus, Cordyceps for energy, and Turkey Tail for immunity — what once felt niche is becoming a daily ritual of renewal. Our vision is simple yet bold: to reach a million patients and families in five years, transforming recovery into resilience in a $30 billion functional foods industry ready for reinvention .” —- Dr Anish Hiresha Verma, Founder & CEO, Hi Shroomz™ Then there’s ingredient economics. “But here’s the twist. High-quality mushroom extracts—dual-extracted and standardized for bioactive content—don’t come cheap”, discussed D’abreo. “That translates into retail prices often double or triple those of regular coffee. For most consumers, mushroom coffee isn’t a daily ritual; it’s a luxury splurge. Unless brands can crack affordability without compromising efficacy, mushroom coffee risks being pigeonholed as yet another elitist wellness trend rather than a true global beverage movement ,’’ he stated. However, the sharpest warning shot comes from the trust front: “The biggest threat to mushroom coffee isn’t competition — it’s credibility,” warns D’abreo. “Too many blends are dusted with trace amounts of mushrooms just to make a label claim. That’s not innovation — that’s marketing theater. The winners will be the ones who go all-in on transparency: standardized extracts, third-party testing, and clear dosing. Fail that test, and mushroom coffee risks becoming the next overhyped superfood that burns bright and dies fast.” “Packed with antioxidants, vitamin D, polysaccharides, minerals, and proteins, Mushroom Coffee boosts overall well-being. Regular intake supports immunity, reduces stress, and enhances mental clarity, focus, and memory. Its low-caffeine formula delivers sustained energy without overstimulation, making it ideal for health-conscious consumers seeking balance, vitality, and mindful daily performance.” —- Lalu Thomas, Founder, Chefbae Mushroom Products Pvt Ltd In sum, mushroom beverages’ pricing architecture balances functional efficacy, production complexity, and consumer expectations. Successful brands optimize across powders for DTC, RTDs for convenience, and café offerings for experience, while employing strategic retail placement. For B2B partners, mastering these dynamics is critical: consistent, scalable delivery of premium, functional beverages underpins profitability and long-term category growth. Bottom Line Mushroom tea and coffee sit at a rare crossroads of ritual, wellness, and functional performance. They are more than beverages—they are daily tools for focus, immunity, and relaxation. The market opportunity is immense, but success is not guaranteed by novelty alone. Winning brands will treat efficacy as precision engineering, supply chains as strategic assets, and sustainability as a core competitive advantage. The real prize lies in habit formation: converting curious first-time sippers into loyal, repeat consumers. Those who master the balance of taste, functional benefit, and convenience will scale from niche experimentation to mainstream beverage culture. Brands that chase trends without scientific validation, operational rigor, or supply certainty risk joining the graveyard of boutique functional drinks that burned bright but disappeared just as fast. The mushroom beverage revolution isn’t coming — it’s already here. The real question is who will win the battle for consumer loyalty in this nascent $1.5 billion category that’s primed for exponential growth. In the words of Jashid, “Mushroom coffee is the Fourth Wave of coffee — not just a better brew, but a smarter one. If the First Wave was about access, the Second Wave about experience, and the Third Wave about craftsmanship, the Fourth Wave is about outcomes. Today’s consumers aren’t just chasing flavor; they want coffee that fuels clarity, strengthens their inner shield, and aligns with a conscious, future-forward lifestyle. DXN planted the seed years ago, but now customers are watching brands scale it into a global wellness movement — we’re not just selling coffee, we’re selling cognitive resilience in a cup.” ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3312/spotify-for-kitchens-daniel-baven-on-future-of-digital-food-hubs.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3312/spotify-for-kitchens-daniel-baven-on-future-of-digital-food-hubs.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:08:23 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum and NUFFOODS Spectrum Asia interview, Daniel Baven, CEO and Co-founder of Noahs, unveils how his company is turning everyday convenience stores into digital food hubs — the new crossroads of food, tech, and community. With its plug-and-play platform, Noahs lets retailers “stream” culinary brands like Spotify streams music, giving chefs global reach and consumers fresh, data-driven dining experiences on demand. The results speak volumes — Q8 stations powered by Noahs saw food sales surge 374 per cent and basket sizes climb 228 per cent. Unlike ghost kitchens or delivery aggregators, Noahs taps into existing retail kitchens, transforming them into profitable, AI-ready food networks overnight. Baven predicts that by 2030, food will replace fuel as the heartbeat of convenience retail — Noahs will be the invisible engine powering that revolution. Section I: Vision & Market Disruption Reimagining C-Stores: What inspired you to launch Noahs, and why is now the inflection point for reinventing convenience retail? The spark for Noahs came from watching how every major content industry—music, film, travel—has gone through its streaming revolution. Food hasn’t. Yet we have millions of kitchens sitting in prime retail locations, underutilized and disconnected from the digital economy. We saw an opportunity to turn those kitchens into digital food hubs. The real inflection point is convergence: consumers expect convenience, platforms demand supply, and retailers need new revenue streams to replace declining categories like tobacco and fuel. Convenience stores are sitting on the infrastructure of the future—they just need the operating system. That’s what Noahs provides. Digital-First Food Revolution: With the C-store market set to surpass $1T by 2029, how do you see technology reshaping the future of food retail? We’re standing on the edge of a complete reset. In five years, most people won’t cook at home the way they do today. It will simply make more sense to tap into a network of nearby retailers streaming great food, made fresh, faster, and cheaper than a home kitchen could ever compete with. Convenience stores and supermarkets are sitting on the most valuable real estate of the future — the crossroads of local communities. When those spaces go digital, they’ll stop being “shops” and start becoming marketplace hubs for food, experiences, and daily life. Technology is the enabler, but the change is cultural. It’s about food creators having a new stage, communities having new choices, and retailers becoming the backbone of the next food economy. Noahs was built exactly for that — to power this transformation and give retailers the tools to move from analogue to intelligent, from transactional to experiential. What’s coming is bigger than food tech. It’s a reinvention of how food exists in society. Section II: The Noahs Model – Technology + Brand + Kitchen Plug-and-Play Platform: Your tech platform can digitize a store with just a Wi-Fi connection. What makes this solution scalable across global chains with different IT maturity levels? The secret is simplicity. Most retailers are trapped in heavy legacy systems that make every new integration a nightmare. We flipped that logic. Noahs runs as a layer on top of existing infrastructure, connecting to what’s already there instead of trying to replace it. That means a store can go live in hours — not months — with zero capex and no new labor. The system plugs into delivery aggregators, POS systems, kitchen screens, and loyalty tools. The moment it connects to Wi-Fi, the store becomes part of a digital network that can sell, operate, and analyze in real time. It’s built for diversity. Whether it’s a gas station in Denmark, a supermarket in Belgium, or a convenience store in the Philippines, the platform automatically adapts to local tech setups and market conditions. That’s why it scales — because it doesn’t force uniformity, it enables it. Noahs is not just a tool; it’s a translator between the analogue world and the digital food economy. It’s what the retailers has been looking for, but it didn’t exist until now. Spotify for Kitchens: You’ve called Noahs’ Brand Platform a “Spotify for Kitchens,” letting retailers stream proven brands and menus directly into their stores. How do you curate the catalogue, and what data drives menu updates? We’re building a world where food moves like music. In the same way streaming opened a global stage for artists, we believe culinary creators will soon reach audiences anywhere — not through physical expansion, but through digital distribution. A chef in Copenhagen could see their tacos sold in Dubai the same week. That’s the future we’re shaping with Noahs. Our brand platform is the foundation for that future. It lets retailers activate proven food concepts directly into their stores, adapting to local tastes and neighborhoods instead of being locked into a single global brand deal. That flexibility is what the industry has been missing — agility, creativity, and cultural relevance. This shift also enables a complete rework of the food supply chain — simplifying how ingredients, inventory, and production flow through the system. It creates a feedback loop between real-time demand and supply, throttling production, reducing waste, and preparing the industry to fully harness AI. We’re still early in this journey, but the vision is clear: menus that evolve like playlists, brands that scale without borders, and a supply chain that finally moves as intelligently as the data behind it. For culinary entrepreneurs, it’s a new way to monetize creativity. For retailers, it’s the chance to become curators of food culture — not just sellers of products. That’s what “Spotify for Kitchens” really means: a living, breathing ecosystem where food, data, and creativity stream together. Modular Smart Kitchens: Your kitchens range from 1 to 20 m². How do you ensure operational efficiency, quality control, and food safety across distributed sites? The next decade will blur the line between retail and hospitality. We believe the world’s biggest food operators won’t be restaurant chains — they’ll be retailers. To make that leap, retailers will recruit from the culinary world, bringing in chefs, kitchen managers, and operational talent who can run hospitality at scale. What used to be a store will evolve into a network of kitchens, each designed for efficiency, consistency, and speed — powered by technology, not tradition. Noahs is the platform that enables this transformation. We don’t operate the kitchens — we power them. Our system acts as the operating layer that keeps every recipe, process, and temperature consistent across hundreds of locations. Retailers become the operators; Noahs becomes their digital backbone. On the hardware side, we’ve developed a full suite of modular kitchens — from compact 1 m² single-brand setups to 20 m² multi-brand environments for service stations, food courts, and supermarket delis. These units are engineered for throughput, safety, and profitability, with built-in monitoring and data loops that ensure every kitchen runs to the same standard. We also anticipate a wave of cross-company innovation in this space — robotics, automated production, drone delivery, and robotaxis changing the future states of the hardware component. Restaurant kitchens, as we know them today, simply can’t compete with that model. A Noahs-powered multi-brand kitchen can serve multiple food concepts with a fraction of the space, labor, and cost — while maintaining higher quality and consistency. That’s the future we see unfolding. Section III: Business Impact & Results Q8 Case Study: The Q8 transformation saw food sales jump 374 per cent and basket size rise 228 per cent. Which parts of the Noahs model (tech, brands, kitchens) drove the biggest lift? Those numbers from Q8 aren’t isolated results — they’re a preview of what happens when retail locations evolve through Noahs’ three-layer model. Every site that connects our technology platform, brand platform, and modular kitchens can experience a similar transformation. The tech layer creates instant digital access and operational visibility. The brand layer adds proven food concepts that attract new customers and expand sales channels. And the kitchen layer converts that demand into consistent, scalable output with an engine fit for the purpose. In the quoted Q8 case, all three layers came together at once — which is why the impact was so dramatic. But in most rollouts, we see a natural progression: first digitalize existing shop catalogues, then layer in easy-to-operate brands suited to the current store format, and finally scale through modular smart-kitchens and more advanced brand concepts. Each layer amplifies the next. What Q8 showed is that this isn’t theory — it’s the future playbook for every retailer. Service stations, supermarkets, and convenience stores can all become high-performing food hubs simply by activating the system step by step. The model works anywhere, because it’s built for the way people live now — connected, on-demand, and expecting quality food wherever they are. ROI & Adoption Curve: How quickly can retailers expect payback when adopting Noahs, and how do you help de-risk the investment decision? The short answer: fast. Because Noahs requires no upfront investment in new labor or capex, most retailers see positive returns within the first few months of activation. The payback curve depends on the depth of adoption — tech alone delivers immediate efficiency and access to new revenue channels, while layering in brands and kitchens compounds the effect. But beyond ROI, what really de-risks adoption is our model itself. We don’t ask retailers to change who they are — we enhance what’s already there. Noahs plugs into existing infrastructure and workflows, building value on top of current systems instead of replacing them. We also start small. A single pilot location can validate the impact before scaling to dozens or hundreds. The data from those first sites creates a clear business case — not projections, but proof. Retailers everywhere are under pressure to reinvent fast, but the risk tolerance is low. Our approach makes innovation incremental, measurable, and cash-positive from day one. That’s why Noahs scales — it rewards courage without demanding blind faith. Section IV: Competitive Landscape & Future of Food-Tech Standing Out in a Crowded Space: How does Noahs differentiate from ghost kitchens, Q-commerce players, and aggregator-led solutions? Ghost kitchens and Q-commerce were great experiments — but they’re built on isolated infrastructure. Each new location means new costs, new staff, and new risk. Aggregators, on the other hand, built digital demand but not digital supply — they own the customers, not the kitchens. Noahs connects the dots. We’re not building more kitchens; we’re activating the millions that already exist inside retailers. Instead of competing with delivery platforms, we empower retailers to integrate directly with them — turning stores into digital food hubs that can sell across every channel instantly. Where ghost kitchens chase scale through real estate, Noahs achieves it through connectivity. Where Q-commerce promises speed, we deliver sustainability — a model that actually works economically for both retailers and creators. Most importantly, we’re not just solving delivery — we’re reinventing food infrastructure. We give retailers the OS, brands, and hardware they need to own their role in the digital food economy. The future of food won’t belong to aggregators or ghost kitchens — it’ll belong to the platforms that make everyone else scalable. That’s where Noahs sits. 2025 Trends: What’s next for food-tech—robotic kitchens, AI menu personalization, functional food boom? Which of these will most affect the C-store ecosystem? The short answer? Noahs. Beyond that, it’s too early to expect any real leapfrogs in robotics. The robotics we see today are impressive, but they’re trapped between eras — built for a world that’s already shifting beneath them. The real step change will come when humanoid robots, like the ones Tesla and Figure are developing, can integrate naturally into existing operations. That’s a 2030 story, not 2025. The real 2025 trend in food will be the convergence of retailers into food — moving away from being simple convenience hubs to becoming food operators in their own right. That shift will ignite the most dramatic transformation the industry has seen in decades. AI will play a major role, but not yet in the way most imagine. Everyone’s talking about AI, but its real power depends on something far more fundamental: digitization. That’s what Noahs is building — the digital foundation that makes the intelligent food economy possible. Section V: Scaling & Strategy Geographic Expansion: Which regions outside Denmark and Thailand are next on your radar—and what makes a market “Noahs-ready”? Officially, we’re now expanding in 4 countries - Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Ireland. Within 2026, we expect to announce at least ten more countries across three continents joining the Noahs platform. We are currently preparing the best we can to meet the increasing demand for our solution. A market becomes “Noahs-ready” when retailers recognize that the old model no longer works — when rising costs, labor shortages, and changing customer behavior force a rethink of what retail really is. Europe is leading that shift. High operational costs and rapid transformation are pushing retailers to act faster than ever, and we’re positioned to help them do it in a scalable, low-risk way. Being Noahs-ready isn’t only about geography and necessity — it’s also about mindset. The retailers who will win this decade are the ones willing to reimagine themselves as food operators. That’s where our platform fits in: as the bridge between today’s analogue retail world and tomorrow’s fast paced food economy. Capital & Investors: Are you seeking growth capital, and if so, what kind of investors (VC, strategic, corporate) best align with your vision? We are currently finalizing our latest seed round and are well-capitalized for the current growth phase. Our next major raise — a Series A — is planned for 2026, and preparations are already underway. Right now, our focus is execution and scale. That said, we’re always open to conversations with investors who see what we see — those who understand that the future of food isn’t about building more restaurants, but about enabling the platforms that connect them. The best fit for us are partners who bring more than capital — those who share the vision of redefining food infrastructure globally and can accelerate that journey through strategic reach, technology, or market access. Vision 2030: Paint us a picture: what does a Noahs-enabled convenience store look like in 2030, and what share of its revenue will come from food vs. fuel? By 2030, the traditional service station will be unrecognizable. The era of fuel as the defining anchor is ending — what comes next will be built around food, experiences, and premium retail. We’re already seeing early signs of that leapfrog. Elon Musk’s new Tesla Diner is a perfect example — a glimpse of how technology, design, and hospitality can fuse into something people actually want to visit. That’s what excites me: not a finished blueprint, but the open canvas ahead. I prefer not to lock in a final vision. The real innovation will come from collaboration — from working with retailers, chefs, designers, and local communities to build places that fit their rhythm. Some will focus on food and digital ordering, others on community spaces or hybrid retail experiences. The beauty is that the platform allows for all of it. What I do know is that the transformation is imminent, and food will be the catalyst that starts it. Once retailers take that step, everything else follows — design, operations, social experiences, even how we define “convenience.” Over time, Noahs will simply become part of that ecosystem — the invisible layer powering whatever comes next. The real story won’t be about us. It’ll be about how retailers use this opportunity to reinvent what it means to serve their communities. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3311/unnati-unleashed-brio-hydroponics-charts-indias-climate-smart-farming-future.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3311/unnati-unleashed-brio-hydroponics-charts-indias-climate-smart-farming-future.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:00:22 +0530 In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Pravin Patel, Founder of Brio Hydroponics, shares how the Unnati project—a 100-acre hydroponics park in Gujarat—is poised to transform Indian agriculture from niche experimentation to mainstream, climate-smart farming. Patel discusses how Brio’s pioneering Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) system combines global technology with local adaptation to deliver year-round, resource-efficient, high-quality produce. He highlights how Unnati not only boosts profitability for investors and farmers but also serves as a training and technology hub, enabling knowledge transfer across the country. The conversation underscores hydroponics’ potential to address climate volatility, water scarcity, and food security while creating scalable, modular solutions for smallholder farmers. Brio’s vision, Patel notes, is to position India as a global leader in sustainable agriculture by 2035, setting new benchmarks for innovation, exports, and farmer-first growth. Redefining Indian Agriculture: From Niche to Mainstream Hydroponics in India is still seen as niche compared to traditional farming. With the launch of Unnati, a 100-acre park, how do you see this project shifting perceptions—and what does it mean for the mainstreaming of soil-less farming in India? Hydroponics in India has traditionally been viewed as an expensive, niche technology primarily suited for urban enthusiasts and high-end commercial ventures. This perception stems from several factors: limited awareness among farmers, high initial capital requirements, and the dominance of traditional soil-based farming practices that have sustained Indian agriculture for millennia. However, this narrative is rapidly changing as water scarcity, climate volatility, and declining soil health create urgent demands for innovative agricultural solutions. Unnati as a Catalyst for Change The launch of Unnati, Brio Hydroponics' 100-acre park in Talod, Sabarkantha district, represents a strategic inflection point in shifting perceptions around soil-less farming. By demonstrating hydroponics at commercial scale rather than experimental plots, Unnati addresses the primary skepticism around scalability and economic viability. The project's scale brings multiple advantages: economies of production, market dominance in premium fresh produce categories, and the ability to showcase consistent, high-quality output regardless of seasonal variations. Pravin Patel, Founder of Brio Hydroponics, emphasizes that "Unnati is not just a park; it's a movement towards climate-smart agriculture. By integrating our CEA system with global best practices, we aim to liberate farmers from weather uncertainties". This positioning transforms hydroponics from a technology solution to a comprehensive agricultural philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, predictability, and profitability. Structural Changes Driving Adoption Several structural factors are accelerating the mainstream adoption of hydroponics in India. First, the increasing urbanization and growing middle-class demand for pesticide-free, fresh produce creates robust market pull. Second, government policy support through initiatives like the National Horticulture Mission and subsidies covering up to 50 per cent of hydroponic capital costs lower entry barriers. Third, the integration of digital technologies—IoT sensors, automated nutrient delivery, and AI-driven monitoring—makes hydroponic systems more accessible to farmers who previously lacked technical expertise. The Indian hydroponics market is projected to grow from $ 263.1 million in 2024 to $ 2,227 million by 2035, reflecting a robust CAGR of 21.43 per cent. This explosive growth trajectory indicates that hydroponics is transitioning from experimental technology to mainstream agricultural practice, driven by both necessity and opportunity. Indian Hydroponics Market Growth Projection (2024-2035) showing explosive growth from $ 263.1 million to $ 2,227 million with 21.43 per cent CAGR From Innovation to Scale: Deploying Breakthrough CEA Technology Brio pioneered the world’s first Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) system. How does Unnati deploy this breakthrough differently, and what scale efficiencies can it unlock for India’s agriculture economy? Brio Hydroponics has pioneered the world's first Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) system, which represents a fundamental breakthrough in precision farming technology. Unlike conventional hydroponics that focuses primarily on soil-less cultivation, Brio's CEA system integrates multiple environmental variables—temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, light spectrum, airflow, and nutrient delivery—into a unified, automated platform that optimizes plant growth at every stage. The CEA system deployed at Unnati differs significantly from traditional greenhouse operations. It incorporates global technologies sourced from France, Israel, and New Zealand, specifically adapted for Indian climatic conditions. These technologies include advanced automated irrigation systems, sophisticated climate control mechanisms, and precision nutrient delivery systems that work in harmony to maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the year, irrespective of external weather fluctuations. Scale Efficiencies and Economic Impact Unnati's 100-acre scale unlocks multiple efficiency advantages that smaller hydroponic operations cannot achieve. The infrastructure supports 100 individual hydroponic structures of one acre each, creating an industrial-grade production ecosystem. This scale enables bulk procurement of inputs, standardized operational procedures, and centralized processing and distribution systems that dramatically reduce per-unit production costs. The economic benefits extend beyond cost reduction to revenue optimization. Unnati's strategic tie-ups with retailers, e-commerce platforms, and export channels ensure that produce reaches premium markets quickly and at optimal pricing. The park's integrated business model projects Internal Rate of Return (IRR) between 18-24 per cent annually, making it attractive for both institutional and retail investors. Scale efficiencies also manifest in technology deployment and maintenance. Centralized monitoring systems can oversee multiple growing units simultaneously, reducing labor requirements while improving precision. Automated systems for irrigation, nutrient dosing, and climate control operate more efficiently when managing larger volumes, creating economies of scale that make the technology economically viable for broader adoption. Technology Transfer and Knowledge Creation Beyond immediate production benefits, Unnati serves as a technology transfer hub that demonstrates how advanced CEA systems can be replicated across different regions and scales. The project's success in its initial 30 acres under cultivation provides concrete evidence of technology viability, yield improvements, and economic returns that can be communicated to potential adopters. Brio's Center of Excellence in Gandhinagar has already trained over 500 agripreneurs, significantly enhancing agricultural skills and creating a knowledge ecosystem around hydroponic farming. This knowledge creation function becomes even more critical at Unnati's scale, where the park can serve as a demonstration site for farmers, investors, and policymakers to observe commercial-scale hydroponic operations. Hydroponics vs Traditional Farming: Key Performance Metrics Comparison showing revolutionary improvements in resource efficiency Investor Confidence in Agri-Tech: Making Hydroponics Profitable and Attractive Your early investors highlight transparency, trust, and strong returns as key drivers. How do you make hydroponics, traditionally a capital-intensive venture, both profitable and attractive for institutional and retail investors in India? Hydroponics has traditionally been perceived as a capital-intensive venture with uncertain returns, creating significant barriers for both institutional and retail investors. Brio Hydroponics addresses this challenge through multiple innovative approaches that transform the investment proposition from high-risk speculation to predictable, asset-backed returns. The company's fintech investment platform, launched in 2024, represents India's first digital fixed-return investment platform specifically tailored for the Controlled Environment Agriculture sector. This platform offers investors fixed, assured returns of up to 18 per cent per annum, exemplified by an investment of Rs 10 lakhs yielding Rs 1.8 lakhs annually. The platform has rapidly gained traction, attracting over 125 investors and demonstrating robust confidence in sustainable agricultural practices. Transparency and Trust Mechanisms Investor confidence in Brio Hydroponics stems from the company's commitment to transparency, professional execution, and proven track record. Rajesh Mehta, an Unnati investor, states: "What I value most is trust and assurance. Brio Hydroponics has consistently delivered both with professionalism, transparency, and a proven track record that gave me complete confidence". This trust is built through several mechanisms: Performance Reporting: Regular performance reports and transparent financial disclosures provide investors with real-time insights into their investments. A dedicated investor dashboard offers continuous visibility into farm operations, yield data, and financial performance, fostering trust and ongoing engagement. Agri-Partnership Model: The alignment of investor returns with farm performance ensures that both parties are motivated to achieve excellence in agricultural productivity. This partnership approach transforms investors from passive capital providers to active stakeholders in agricultural success. Proven Track Record: Brio's successful hydroponics projects for major corporate clients including Welspun Group and Adani Group demonstrate the company's capability to execute large-scale, complex agricultural projects. Risk Mitigation and Return Optimization The Unnati model incorporates several risk mitigation strategies that make hydroponics attractive for institutional and retail investors. The cluster-based farming system managed by seasoned professionals at Brio Hydroponics reduces operational risks while ensuring consistent quality and output. Climate-controlled environments eliminate weather-related crop losses, while integrated pest management systems minimize disease and pest risks. Market risk is addressed through diversified crop portfolios focusing on premium categories such as leafy greens, herbs, and exotic vegetables that command higher prices and have growing demand in urban markets. Strategic partnerships with retailers and export channels provide assured market access and pricing stability. The company's ambitious target to raise Rs 100 crores through its investment platform within the first year demonstrates significant investor appetite for structured agri-tech investments. This capital will support the development of additional hi-tech farming projects across India, creating a scalable model for sustainable agriculture investment. Climate and Food Security: Addressing India's Dual Challenge Climate and Food Security: You’ve often spoken about freeing farmers from weather uncertainty. How can hydroponics-based systems like Unnati address India’s dual challenge of climate volatility and food security—and is there a risk of this becoming a solution only for high-value crops rather than staples? India's agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges from climate volatility, with erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events becoming increasingly common. Traditional farming methods, dependent on monsoon cycles and seasonal patterns, leave farmers highly vulnerable to weather uncertainties that can devastate entire crop cycles and rural livelihoods. Research indicates that approximately 52-55 per cent of Indian farmers have no access to irrigation and depend entirely on rain-fed agriculture. This dependency becomes increasingly problematic as climate change intensifies rainfall variability, with longer dry spells followed by intense flooding periods that disrupt crop growth cycles. The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) study found that 87 per cent of tehsils across India experienced decreased Southwest Monsoon rainfall during crucial Kharif crop sowing months from 1982 to 2022. Hydroponics as Climate Resilience Solution Controlled Environment Agriculture systems like those deployed at Unnati offer a compelling solution to climate-related agricultural risks. By creating fully controlled growing environments, hydroponic systems eliminate dependency on external weather conditions, enabling consistent, year-round production regardless of climatic variability. The technology's water efficiency is particularly crucial for India's water-stressed regions. Hydroponic systems use up to 90 per cent less water compared to traditional farming methods, making them especially valuable in drought-prone areas where water scarcity limits agricultural productivity. This efficiency is achieved through closed-loop systems that recycle nutrient solutions and eliminate water loss through soil percolation and evaporation. Climate-controlled environments also enable precise management of temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels, optimizing plant growth conditions that would be impossible to achieve in open-field agriculture. This precision allows farmers to maintain consistent crop quality and yields even during extreme weather events that would devastate traditional farms. Food Security Implications and Staple Crop Considerations While hydroponic systems excel in producing high-value crops like leafy greens, herbs, and specialty vegetables, questions remain about their applicability to staple crops that form the foundation of Indian food security. Currently, most hydroponic operations focus on premium produce that commands higher market prices and provides better economic returns for the capital invested. However, this limitation may not necessarily represent a systemic failure. Hydroponics can contribute to food security through multiple pathways: Nutritional Enhancement: Premium crops grown hydroponically often have superior nutritional profiles and longer shelf lives, improving overall dietary quality. Market Segmentation: By serving premium market segments, hydroponics frees up traditional agricultural land for staple crop production, potentially improving overall resource allocation. Technology Evolution: As hydroponic technologies mature and costs decrease, applications to staple crops may become economically viable, particularly for crops requiring precise nutrient management. The integration of hydroponics with traditional farming systems creates complementary approaches rather than replacement scenarios. Farmers can use hydroponic systems for high-value cash crops while maintaining traditional cultivation for staple grains, diversifying their income sources and reducing overall risk exposure. Scaling Climate-Smart Solutions Brio's partnerships with institutions like Anand Agricultural University and IFFCO position the company to scale climate-smart agriculture solutions across diverse agricultural contexts. These partnerships enable research and development of hydroponic systems specifically adapted to Indian conditions, crop preferences, and farmer economics. The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) framework emphasizes three key objectives: increasing agricultural productivity, building resilience to climate change, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hydroponic systems align with all three objectives by delivering higher yields per unit area, eliminating weather-related risks, and reducing the need for chemical inputs that contribute to environmental degradation. Global Technologies, Local Impact: Adapting International Solutions Unnati is deploying agri-technologies from France, Israel, and New Zealand. How do you ensure these global systems adapt to India’s local conditions—water availability, smallholder economics, and diverse crop demand? Unnati's deployment of agri-technologies from France, Israel, and New Zealand represents a sophisticated approach to technology transfer that balances global innovation with local adaptation. Rather than implementing foreign technologies wholesale, Brio Hydroponics has developed a localization strategy that adapts these systems to India's specific conditions, including water availability, climate variability, smallholder economics, and diverse crop demands. The partnership with Israeli firm Pic-Plant Ltd exemplifies this approach, introducing patented technologies such as rain protection systems, wire rope configurations, and triple-layer net houses that enable high-yield, superior-quality produce across all seasons. These technologies were specifically modified to address Indian climatic challenges, including high humidity, intense heat, and monsoon conditions that differ significantly from Mediterranean growing environments. French precision agriculture technologies contribute advanced nutrient delivery systems and automated climate control mechanisms that ensure optimal growing conditions. New Zealand's expertise in post-harvest processing, traceability systems, and export quality standards helps establish supply chain excellence that meets international market requirements. Addressing Local Conditions and Constraints India's water scarcity challenges require hydroponic systems to be exceptionally efficient in water usage. The technologies deployed at Unnati incorporate closed-loop water recycling systems that minimize waste and maximize efficiency. Advanced sensors monitor soil moisture, nutrient concentrations, and pH levels in real-time, enabling precise water and nutrient delivery that eliminates overwatering and nutrient runoff. The systems are designed to operate effectively with varying water quality conditions common in Indian agricultural regions. Water treatment and purification systems ensure that even brackish or mineral-heavy water sources can be used effectively, expanding the geographic areas where hydroponic systems can be deployed successfully. Smallholder Economics and Scalability Recognizing that over 86 per cent of Indian farmers operate plots smaller than two hectares, Brio's technology adaptation focuses on scalable solutions that can be economically viable at different scales. The modular design of hydroponic structures allows farmers to start with smaller installations and expand gradually as they gain experience and capital. The company's training programs and technical support systems address the skill requirements that often prevent smallholder farmers from adopting advanced technologies. By providing comprehensive training modules, ongoing technical assistance, and standardized operating procedures, Brio reduces the knowledge barriers that traditionally limit technology adoption among resource-constrained farmers. Diverse Crop Demand and Market Integration India's diverse culinary traditions and regional crop preferences require hydroponic systems to be adaptable to multiple crop types beyond the leafy greens and herbs commonly grown in other countries. Unnati's systems are configured to grow 28 different kinds of leafy greens and various vine crops including colored capsicums, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and French beans. This crop diversity requires sophisticated nutrient management systems that can adjust growing conditions for different plant families and growth stages. The integration of AI-driven monitoring and automated nutrient delivery enables precise management of these diverse crop requirements within the same facility. Technology Integration and Digital Infrastructure The adaptation of global technologies to Indian conditions involves significant integration with digital infrastructure and IoT systems. Unnati incorporates sensors for monitoring electrical conductivity, pH levels, temperature, and humidity, with wireless sensor nodes transmitting data to central control units for real-time monitoring and adjustments. This digital integration aligns with India's Digital Agriculture Mission and AgriStack infrastructure, creating synergies between private sector innovation and public sector digital platforms. The integration enables farmers to access satellite-based weather advisories, market information, and technical support through unified digital interfaces. Blockchain technology is being explored for supply chain transparency and traceability, enabling Unnati's produce to meet international export standards and command premium prices in global markets. This technological sophistication transforms Indian hydroponic produce from local agricultural products to globally competitive commodities. Partnerships as Growth Drivers: Scaling Through Collaboration With alliances like Anand Agricultural University and IFFCO, you’re building strong institutional linkages. What role do you see public–private partnerships playing in scaling hydroponics nationwide, and how do you plan to integrate smallholder farmers into this high-tech ecosystem? Brio Hydroponics' partnerships with Anand Agricultural University, IFFCO, and other institutions represent a strategic approach to scaling hydroponics technology across India's agricultural landscape. These partnerships provide multiple benefits: research and development capabilities, institutional credibility, access to farmer networks, and policy influence that facilitates technology adoption at scale. The collaboration with Anand Agricultural University, located in Gujarat's agricultural heartland, provides research expertise in crop sciences, soil health, and agricultural engineering. This partnership enables the development of region-specific hydroponic solutions that address local crop preferences, growing conditions, and farmer requirements. University research facilities support ongoing innovation in nutrient formulations, crop varieties, and system optimization. IFFCO's involvement brings significant advantages in terms of farmer outreach, input supply chains, and cooperative structure expertise. As one of India's largest fertilizer cooperatives, IFFCO has extensive networks reaching millions of farmers across the country. This partnership enables Brio to leverage existing distribution channels, farmer relationships, and cooperative structures to introduce hydroponic technologies at grassroots levels. Public-Private Partnership Model The public-private partnership approach adopted by Brio creates synergies between government policy objectives and private sector innovation capabilities. Government initiatives like the National Horticulture Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, and subsidies for controlled environment agriculture provide policy support and financial incentives that reduce adoption barriers. These partnerships enable Brio to participate in government programs that provide technical assistance, financial subsidies, and market linkages to farmers adopting advanced agricultural technologies. The alignment with national agricultural policies ensures that Brio's expansion strategy supports broader government objectives of agricultural modernization, water conservation, and climate resilience. The integration with India's Digital Agriculture Mission creates opportunities for Brio's technologies to be incorporated into national digital infrastructure for agriculture. This integration can provide farmers with access to hydroponic technologies through existing government platforms, reducing the complexity and cost of technology adoption. Smallholder Integration Strategy Integrating smallholder farmers into high-tech hydroponic ecosystems requires careful attention to economic constraints, technical capabilities, and risk management preferences. Brio's approach involves multiple strategies designed to make advanced technologies accessible to resource-constrained farmers: Modular Technology Design: Hydroponic systems are designed in modular units that allow farmers to start with small installations and expand gradually. This approach reduces initial capital requirements while enabling farmers to gain experience and build confidence with the technology. Training and Capacity Building: Comprehensive training programs provide farmers with technical skills required for hydroponic operations. Brio's Training & Placement Assistance program offers two-week intensive training followed by ongoing technical support, ensuring farmers have the knowledge needed for successful operations. Financial Support and Risk Sharing: The fintech investment platform and agri-partnership models provide alternative financing mechanisms that reduce financial risks for smallholder farmers. Investors can provide capital while farmers contribute land and labor, sharing both risks and returns. Cooperative Integration: Working with existing farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperative structures enables smallholder farmers to access hydroponic technologies collectively, sharing costs and risks while maintaining individual farming operations. Technology Transfer and Knowledge Dissemination Brio's partnership strategy includes significant emphasis on knowledge transfer and skill development. The Center of Excellence in Gandhinagar has trained over 500 agripreneurs, creating a network of skilled practitioners who can support technology diffusion across agricultural communities. This knowledge dissemination approach creates multiplier effects, where trained farmers become technology advocates and informal advisors for their communities. The demonstration effect of successful hydroponic operations encourages broader adoption while providing peer-to-peer learning opportunities that are often more effective than formal training programs. The partnerships also facilitate technology standardization and quality assurance, ensuring that hydroponic systems deployed across different regions maintain consistent performance standards. This standardization is crucial for scaling technology adoption while maintaining quality and economic viability. Beyond Gujarat: National and Global Expansion Strategy With Unnati now underway, what’s your national and global expansion strategy? Do you envision replicating this park model across states—or building smaller modular units that could integrate into farmer clusters? Brio Hydroponics' expansion strategy beyond Gujarat involves both replicating the large-scale park model and developing smaller, modular units that can integrate into existing farmer clusters. The success of Unnati's initial 30 acres under cultivation provides a proven template that can be adapted to different geographic and economic contexts across India. The company has already acquired land for expansion projects, including 36 acres near Mumbai with potential scaling to 60 acres, demonstrating commitment to geographic diversification. This expansion strategy focuses on proximity to major urban centers where demand for premium, pesticide-free produce is highest and supply chain logistics can be optimized. The expansion approach recognizes that different regions have varying requirements based on climate conditions, water availability, crop preferences, and market dynamics. Rather than implementing identical systems, Brio adapts its core CEA technology platform to local conditions while maintaining standardized operational procedures and quality standards. Modular Integration Strategy Beyond large-scale parks, Brio is developing smaller modular units designed to integrate into existing farmer clusters and cooperative structures. This approach addresses the reality that most Indian farmers operate small plots and may not have the capital or inclination to participate in large-scale commercial operations. Modular systems can be deployed at village levels, serving clusters of 10-20 farmers who collectively invest in hydroponic infrastructure while maintaining individual farming operations. This approach leverages existing social structures and cooperative traditions while introducing advanced agricultural technologies. The modular approach also enables faster deployment and lower per-unit capital requirements, making hydroponic technology accessible to a broader range of farmers and geographic locations. Standardized modules can be manufactured centrally and assembled locally, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining quality standards. International Expansion and Export Focus Brio's international expansion strategy includes both technology export and produce export components. The company has already established operations in the Maldives and is finalizing projects in Mauritius and the Caribbean islands. This international expansion leverages India's growing reputation in agricultural technology and Brio's proven expertise in tropical and subtropical growing conditions. The export strategy focuses on regions where water scarcity, limited arable land, or challenging growing conditions make hydroponic systems particularly valuable. Small island nations, desert regions, and urban areas in developing countries represent priority markets where Brio's technologies can address critical food security challenges. International expansion also creates opportunities for technology transfer partnerships with foreign governments and development organizations. Brio's experience in adapting global technologies to local conditions positions the company as a valuable partner for agricultural development projects in emerging markets. Digital Platform and Franchise Model The expansion strategy includes development of digital platforms that enable remote monitoring, technical support, and market linkages for distributed hydroponic operations. These platforms can support franchise-style expansion where local entrepreneurs operate hydroponic systems under Brio's technical guidance and quality standards. Digital platforms enable centralized monitoring of multiple sites, standardized operating procedures, and quality assurance systems that maintain brand consistency across geographic locations. Remote monitoring capabilities reduce the need for physical presence while ensuring optimal system performance. The franchise model creates opportunities for local entrepreneurship while maintaining technical standards and market access. Local operators benefit from Brio's proven systems, training programs, and market linkages while adapting operations to local conditions and preferences. The 2035 Vision: India's Model for Climate-Smart Agriculture If we project a decade ahead, what does success for Brio Hydroponics look like? Is it thousands of acres of soil-less farming, a farmer-first export powerhouse, or becoming India’s model for climate-smart agriculture? By 2035, Brio Hydroponics envisions a transformational impact on India's agricultural landscape that extends far beyond the current scale of operations. The company's vision encompasses three interconnected dimensions: massive scaling of soil-less farming infrastructure, establishment of India as a farmer-first export powerhouse, and creation of a replicable model for climate-smart agriculture that can be deployed globally. The scaling vision projects thousands of acres under hydroponic cultivation across multiple states, supported by a network of technology centers, training facilities, and processing hubs. This infrastructure would serve both commercial operations and smallholder farmers, creating an integrated ecosystem that supports diverse scales and types of agricultural operations. Market projections support this ambitious vision, with India's hydroponics market expected to reach $ 2,227 million by 2035, representing a 21.43 per cent compound annual growth rate. This explosive growth trajectory indicates that hydroponics will transition from niche technology to mainstream agricultural practice, driven by water scarcity, climate change, and increasing demand for premium produce. Farmer-First Export Powerhouse Model The 2035 vision positions India as a global leader in hydroponic produce exports, with farmer prosperity at the center of the value chain. This farmer-first approach ensures that technology advancement translates into improved livelihoods for agricultural communities rather than simply benefiting large corporate operations. The export powerhouse model leverages India's competitive advantages in agricultural innovation, skilled technical workforce, and growing expertise in controlled environment agriculture. By 2035, Brio envisions Indian hydroponic produces competing successfully in premium international markets, commanding prices that reflect superior quality, traceability, and sustainable production methods. This export focus requires significant investment in post-harvest infrastructure, cold chain logistics, and quality certification systems. The integration of blockchain technology for supply chain transparency and adherence to international organic and sustainability standards will enable Indian hydroponic produce to access the highest-value global markets. Climate-Smart Agriculture Leadership The broader vision positions India as a global model for climate-smart agriculture that other developing countries can emulate. This leadership role involves several components: technology innovation, policy framework development, institutional capacity building, and international cooperation. India's experience in adapting global hydroponic technologies to local conditions, integrating smallholder farmers into high-tech systems, and scaling sustainable agriculture practices provides valuable lessons for other developing countries facing similar challenges. The knowledge and systems developed through projects like Unnati can be transferred to other regions through technical cooperation programs and development partnerships. The climate-smart agriculture model emphasizes three key outcomes: Productivity Enhancement: Hydroponic systems consistently deliver higher yields per unit area while using fewer resources, contributing to food security without expanding agricultural land use. Climate Resilience: Controlled environment agriculture systems eliminate weather-related risks and enable consistent production despite increasing climate variability. Environmental Sustainability: Reduced water usage, elimination of soil degradation, and minimized chemical inputs create agricultural systems that support rather than degrade environmental health. Technology Integration and Digital Agriculture The 2035 vision includes comprehensive integration of hydroponic systems with India's digital agriculture infrastructure, creating seamless connectivity between controlled environment agriculture and broader agricultural support systems. This integration enables farmers to access weather advisories, market information, technical support, and financial services through unified digital platforms. Artificial intelligence and machine learning systems will optimize hydroponic operations by analyzing vast datasets on plant growth, environmental conditions, and market demand to make real-time adjustments that maximize productivity and profitability. These systems will enable predictive management that anticipates and prevents problems before they impact crop production. The digital integration also enables new forms of agricultural finance and insurance that are specifically designed for controlled environment agriculture. Satellite monitoring, IoT sensors, and blockchain verification can provide the data transparency needed for innovative financial products that reduce risks for both farmers and lenders. Institutional and Policy Framework Achieving the 2035 vision requires supportive institutional and policy frameworks that encourage innovation, facilitate technology adoption, and ensure that benefits reach smallholder farmers. Brio's partnerships with agricultural universities, government agencies, and international organizations create a foundation for policy advocacy and institutional development. The vision includes establishment of specialized training institutions, research centers, and extension services focused on controlled environment agriculture. These institutions would provide the technical expertise, research capabilities, and farmer support services needed to sustain rapid expansion of hydroponic systems across India. Policy frameworks need to address regulatory standards for hydroponic produce, quality certification systems, and trade policies that facilitate exports. The integration of hydroponics into existing agricultural support programs, including subsidies, insurance, and market linkages, will ensure that the technology remains accessible to farmers of all scales. A New Era of Agricultural Innovation Brio Hydroponics' Unnati project represents more than an agricultural venture; it embodies a comprehensive transformation of how India approaches food production, climate resilience, and rural prosperity. Through the strategic deployment of controlled environment agriculture at unprecedented scale, Brio is creating a replicable model that addresses India's most pressing agricultural challenges while establishing pathways for global leadership in sustainable farming technologies. The answers to these critical questions reveal that hydroponics in India is transitioning from experimental technology to mainstream agricultural practice, driven by necessity, opportunity, and visionary leadership. The success of Unnati and similar projects will determine whether India can achieve its vision of climate-smart, sustainable agriculture that serves both farmers and consumers while protecting environmental resources for future generations. The convergence of technological innovation, strategic partnerships, supportive policies, and market demand creates unprecedented opportunities for transforming Indian agriculture. Brio Hydroponics' leadership in this transformation positions the company—and India—at the forefront of a global agricultural revolution that promises to redefine how the world produces food in an era of climate change and resource scarcity. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3303/from-soil-to-carbon-credits-why-biochar-could-be-global-souths-climate-advantage.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3303/from-soil-to-carbon-credits-why-biochar-could-be-global-souths-climate-advantage.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 12:34:57 +0530 Exclusive to Agrospectrum, Dr. Nripanka Das, Subject Matter Expert in Carbon Projects (UAE), explains why biochar is emerging as the “engineered permanence” solution in a carbon market searching for credibility, durability, and fair valuation. He highlights biochar’s dual advantage of long-term carbon sequestration and soil regeneration, a combination that delivers stacked financial and agronomic benefits. Scaling beyond pilots, he stresses, will require modular pyrolysis technology, aggregated demand, and blended finance models that de-risk large capital investments. Dr. Das argues that early movers can benefit from current price volatility by building high-quality, premium projects with strong verification systems. He also emphasizes the leadership role of India and Africa, where agricultural residues, traditional knowledge, and policy momentum could turn these regions into global biochar hubs. Looking ahead to 2035, he envisions biochar credits becoming exchange-traded, fully integrated into national carbon inventories, and a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture worldwide. Setting the Context – Carbon Market Inflection Point Carbon markets are undergoing a reset, with debates on credibility, permanence, and fair valuation. Where does biochar sit within this rapidly shifting landscape? Biochar occupies a unique position in the carbon market reset precisely because it addresses the three core concerns driving this transformation: credibility, permanence and fair valuation. Unlike nature- based solutions that face reversibility risks or technological solutions with high energy penalties, biochar offers what I call "engineered permanence" - carbon sequestration that can be measured, verified and guaranteed for centuries. From a credibility standpoint, biochar's carbon accounting is remarkably straightforward compared to forestry projects. We can directly measure the carbon content of the biochar (typically 70-85 per cent by mass), apply well-established permanence factors (0.8-0.95 depending on feedstock and pyrolysis conditions), and calculate net sequestration with minimal uncertainty. The IPCC guidelines provide clear methodologies, and third-party verification is becoming standardized through protocols like Verra's VM0044 and Gold Standard's biochar methodology. The permanence question is where biochar truly differentiates itself. While forest carbon can be released through fires, disease, or land-use change, biochar's aromatic carbon structure resists decomposition for 100-1000+ years in soil. Recent research using radiocarbon dating of ancient biochar deposits confirms this stability. We're not dealing with biological permanence that depends on ecosystem management - we're dealing with chemical permanence based on molecular structure. Unlike forestry or renewable projects, biochar offers both carbon sequestration and soil regeneration. Do you see this duality as its biggest differentiator in carbon finance? Absolutely. This duality creates what economists call "stacked benefits" that fundamentally change the value proposition. Traditional carbon projects generate single revenue streams, but biochar creates multiple value cascades: carbon credits, soil productivity improvements, reduced fertilizer requirements, enhanced water retention and often waste management solutions. From a financial modeling perspective, this changes the entire risk-return profile. A forestry project might generate $10-50 per hectare annually from carbon credits alone. A well-designed biochar project can generate $50-150 per hectare from carbon credits, plus 10-30 per cent yield improvements worth $200-800 per hectare annually, plus reduced input costs of $50-200 per hectare. The total economic value can exceed $1000 per hectare annually in high-value crop systems. This stacking effect also provides revenue diversification that reduces project risk. If carbon prices decline, the agricultural benefits maintain project viability. If crop prices fall, carbon revenues provide a floor. This risk mitigation is crucial for attracting institutional capital at scale. Economics of Biochar – Scaling Beyond Pilots Many biochar projects remain stuck at the pilot or grant stage. What will it take—policy, price signals, or blended finance—to move biochar into commercial scale deployment? The scaling challenge is fundamentally about crossing what I call the "commercial valley of death" - the gap between demonstration-scale projects (1-10 tonnes/year) and commercial-scale operations (1000+ tonnes/year). This requires addressing three critical barriers simultaneously. First, we need production cost reduction through economies of scale. Current small-scale pyrolysis systems produce biochar at $800-1500 per tonne. Commercial-scale continuous pyrolysis systems can achieve $300-600 per tonne, but require $2-10 million capital investments. The key is developing modular, standardized systems that can achieve economies of scale while maintaining deployment flexibility. Second, we need aggregated demand that justifies large-scale production. This means moving beyond individual farm applications to landscape-scale programs. Successful models are emerging in regions like Queensland, Australia, where government programs aggregate demand across thousands of farmers, creating predictable off-take agreements that justify commercial-scale production investments. Third, we need blended finance structures that address the unique risk profile of biochar projects. These projects have high upfront capital requirements, long payback periods, and revenue streams that depend on both carbon markets and agricultural outcomes. Development finance institutions are beginning to structure facilities that combine concessional debt for capital equipment, carbon credit advance purchase agreements, and agricultural insurance products. Policy plays a crucial enabling role, but it's not sufficient alone. We need carbon pricing that reflects biochar's true permanence value, agricultural policies that recognize soil carbon benefits, and waste management policies that create feedstock supply certainty. Current credit prices for biochar vary widely, from $50 to $150 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent. Is this volatility a barrier or an opportunity for early movers? This volatility reflects market immaturity rather than fundamental value uncertainty and it's definitely an opportunity for sophisticated early movers who understand the underlying value drivers. The price variation stems from several factors: different methodologies (some include only sequestration, others include avoided emissions), varying permanence assumptions, different co- benefit valuations, and buyer preferences for specific project types or geographies. Projects using agricultural residues in developing countries might trade at $50-80, while projects using purpose-grown biomass with comprehensive monitoring might command $120-150. Early movers can capitalize on this volatility through several strategies. First, they can develop projects that qualify for premium pricing by investing in robust monitoring, verification, and co-benefit quantification. Second, they can use forward contracting to lock in current high prices for future delivery. Third, they can build portfolios across different project types and geographies to capture price arbitrage opportunities. The volatility will decrease as markets mature and standardization improves, but early movers who establish quality projects now will benefit from both current premium pricing and future volume scaling. Policy, Standards, and Market Integrity The Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM) is pushing for stricter Core Carbon Principles. How ready is biochar to meet these new benchmarks? Biochar is exceptionally well-positioned to meet ICVCM's Core Carbon Principles, arguably better than most nature-based solutions. Let me address each principle specifically: Real and Additional: Biochar projects demonstrate clear additionality because biochar production requires intentional investment in pyrolysis infrastructure. The counterfactual scenario (burning or decomposing biomass) releases carbon, making the additionality calculation straightforward. Quantified and Verified: Biochar's carbon content can be directly measured using established analytical methods (elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis). Unlike forestry projects that rely on growth models and sampling, biochar quantification is based on direct measurement of the final product. Permanent: This is biochar's strongest suit. The aromatic carbon structure provides chemical permanence that doesn't depend on ongoing management or ecosystem stability. Recent studies using advanced analytical techniques confirm minimal decomposition rates over decades. Unique: Biochar credits represent specific, measurable quantities of carbon sequestered in identifiable locations, with clear chain of custody from feedstock to final application. The main challenge is ensuring robust monitoring and verification systems, particularly for smallholder applications. However, emerging technologies like blockchain-based tracking, satellite monitoring, and mobile soil testing are making comprehensive verification increasingly feasible and cost-effective. The EU and U.S. are advancing climate-smart agriculture incentives. Do you see India or Africa building similar policy ecosystems to accelerate biochar adoption? India and Africa are developing policy frameworks, but with different approaches that reflect their unique agricultural and economic contexts. India's approach is emerging through multiple channels. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture includes soil health improvement programs that could incorporate biochar. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana focuses on water use efficiency, where biochar's water retention properties provide clear benefits. Most importantly, India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution includes soil carbon sequestration targets that biochar can help achieve. The key difference is that India is likely to emphasize domestic production using agricultural residues, particularly rice husks and sugarcane bagasse. This addresses both the stubble burning problem in Punjab and Haryana and creates rural employment opportunities. The policy framework will likely combine pollution control mandates with carbon market incentives. Africa's approach varies by region, but several countries are developing innovative frameworks. Kenya's Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy explicitly mentions biochar. Ghana is piloting biochar programs through its Cocoa Board, using cocoa pod husks. South Africa is integrating biochar into its carbon tax framework. The African approach tends to emphasize smallholder aggregation and community-based production models. This reflects the reality of fragmented land holdings but also creates opportunities for more inclusive value distribution. The Farmer and the Field – Ground Realities In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where agriculture is fragmented, how can biochar projects aggregate farmers at scale without losing credibility in monitoring and reporting? Successful aggregation in fragmented agricultural systems requires what I call "nested verification" - combining high-tech monitoring at the landscape scale with simplified protocols at the farm scale. The key is developing hub-and-spoke models where centralized pyrolysis facilities serve multiple farming communities within a 50-100 km radius. This allows for standardized biochar production and quality control while maintaining local feedstock sourcing and application. For monitoring and verification, we're implementing three-tier systems: Tier 1 - Production Monitoring: Centralized facilities use continuous monitoring systems to track feedstock inputs, pyrolysis conditions, and biochar outputs. This provides precise data on carbon content and production volumes. Tier 2 - Distribution Tracking: Blockchain-based systems track biochar from production to farm-level application. Farmers receive QR-coded bags that link to specific production batches and carbon content data. Tier 3 - Application Verification: Satellite monitoring combined with statistical sampling verifies application patterns and soil carbon changes. Mobile soil testing units conduct periodic verification across representative farm plots. This approach maintains credibility while keeping farmer participation costs low. Farmers don't need sophisticated monitoring equipment - they simply document application using mobile apps that integrate with the broader tracking system. Successful examples include the Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project, which aggregates over 60,000 smallholder farmers, and pilot programs in Maharashtra, India, that combine biochar with existing farmer producer organization structures. Global South Leadership & Geopolitics Biochar has deep roots in traditional practices like terra preta in the Amazon and tribal methods in India. Can the Global South position biochar not just as a climate tool, but as a cultural and ecological export to global markets? Absolutely. The Global South has a unique opportunity to position biochar as "indigenous climate technology" - combining traditional knowledge with modern carbon markets to create both economic and cultural value. Terra preta soils in the Amazon demonstrate biochar's effectiveness over centuries, providing scientific validation for traditional practices. Similarly, traditional charcoal-making and soil amendment practices across Africa and Asia offer proven implementation models that can be scaled and modernized. This creates several strategic advantages. First, it positions Global South countries as technology leaders rather than technology recipients. Second, it creates intellectual property opportunities around traditional knowledge systems. Third, it enables premium pricing for "heritage biochar" that combines carbon sequestration with cultural preservation. The key is developing certification systems that recognize and reward traditional knowledge while ensuring modern monitoring and verification standards. Programs like the Indigenous Carbon Credits initiative in Australia provide models for combining traditional practices with contemporary carbon markets. From a market positioning perspective, this could create differentiated product categories: "Amazonian terra preta biochar," "African traditional biochar," or "Indian tribal biochar" that command premium prices based on cultural heritage and proven effectiveness. With China, the EU, and the U.S. racing to secure carbon removal pathways, where do you see India and Africa positioning themselves in the global biochar economy? India and Africa have the potential to become the "Saudi Arabia of biochar" due to abundant biomass resources, low production costs, and growing technical capabilities. However, success requires strategic positioning rather than simply competing on cost. India's strategy should focus on becoming the global hub for biochar technology and services. With strong engineering capabilities, abundant agricultural residues, and growing carbon market expertise, India can develop and export both biochar products and production technologies. The key is moving up the value chain from raw biochar production to engineered biochar products, monitoring systems, and project development services. Africa's opportunity lies in premium biochar production combined with landscape-scale carbon sequestration programs. African biochar can command premium prices due to high-quality feedstocks, traditional production knowledge, and significant co-benefits for soil restoration and food security. The focus should be on developing regional biochar exchanges and certification systems that capture maximum value. Both regions should avoid the "resource curse" trap of simply exporting raw materials. Instead, they should develop integrated value chains that include feedstock production, biochar manufacturing, application services, and carbon credit development. This creates local employment while capturing maximum value from the global carbon economy. The geopolitical dimension is crucial. As developed countries face increasing pressure to achieve net- zero targets, they'll need massive carbon removal capacity. India and Africa can position themselves as essential partners in global climate goals while building domestic green economies. Looking Ahead – The Next Decade If we fast forward to 2035, what would a successful biochar-carbon market ecosystem look like? Widespread farmer adoption? Exchange-traded biochar credits? Integration into national carbon inventories? By 2035, I envision a mature biochar ecosystem with several key characteristics: Standardized Production and Trading: Biochar will be traded as a standardized commodity with established quality grades, similar to how agricultural commodities are traded today. Exchange-traded biochar credits will provide price discovery and risk management tools, with futures markets enabling long-term planning. Integrated Agricultural Systems: Biochar application will be standard practice in regenerative agriculture systems, integrated with precision agriculture technologies. Farmers will receive real-time recommendations on biochar application rates based on soil sensors, satellite data, and AI-driven optimization systems. National Carbon Accounting: Biochar will be fully integrated into national greenhouse gas inventories and carbon accounting systems. Countries will include biochar sequestration in their NDC reporting, with standardized monitoring and verification protocols. Technology Integration: Advanced pyrolysis systems will be integrated with renewable energy infrastructure, waste management systems, and agricultural processing facilities. Mobile pyrolysis units will serve remote agricultural areas, while large-scale facilities will anchor regional biochar production hubs. Financial Market Maturation: Biochar projects will access mainstream capital markets through green bonds, carbon credit securitization, and agricultural investment funds. Insurance products will cover production risks, carbon permanence, and agricultural performance. The successful ecosystem will be characterized by seamless integration across the value chain - from feedstock production through biochar manufacturing, application, monitoring, and carbon credit trading. This integration will create a self-reinforcing cycle where carbon revenues support agricultural productivity improvements, which in turn generate more feedstock for biochar production. Most importantly, biochar will have evolved from a niche climate solution to a fundamental component of sustainable agriculture and carbon management systems worldwide. These responses reflect deep technical understanding while addressing the practical realities of scaling biochar in global carbon markets. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3297/oseleta-reborn-dr-katarina-andersson-on-soul-story-and-future-of-italian-wine.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3297/oseleta-reborn-dr-katarina-andersson-on-soul-story-and-future-of-italian-wine.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:20:21 +0530 In this exclusive conversation with Agrospectrum and NUFFOODS Spectrum, Dr. Katarina Andersson, Founder, WinesOfItaly, relives the transformative moment she first stood in an Oseleta vineyard near Lake Garda — a sunlit afternoon that changed how she saw Valpolicella forever. What began as curiosity about a forgotten grape turned into a revelation about Italy’s evolving wine identity — one rooted in authenticity, resilience, and a return to native traditions. With passion and precision, Dr. Andersson unpacks the renaissance of Oseleta, its role in redefining Valpolicella beyond Amarone, and the bold experiments of pioneers like Eleva Winery. From the new language of terroir storytelling to the reimagining of luxury as meaning and connection rather than price and prestige, she paints a vision of wine’s metamodern future — where rarity, culture, and conscience intertwine. By 2030, Dr. Andersson believes grapes like Oseleta could become the heartbeat of a new generation of wine lovers — making wine not just sophisticated again, but soulful and joyfully human. The Moment of Discovery Take us back to that autumn day near Lake Garda. What was it about standing in an Oseleta vineyard that made you feel “hooked on a feeling”? Was this the moment that reframed your view of Valpolicella beyond Amarone? It was on a beautiful and sunny autumn or winter afternoon back in 2017, that I visited the Bardolino Chiaretto area by Lake Garda as part of a press tour. We had a short walk through the small Oseleta vinyard plot at Villa Cordevigo before we entered the resort to taste through the Bardolino consortium's Chiaretto wines (Consorzio Vini Bardolino DOC). During that period, in 2017, when I visited the Oseleta vineyard, I had been hosting my weekly WinesOfItaly livestreams about smaller to mid-sized, more artisanal wine producers, lesser-known wine regions, and native grapes for a couple of years. I was always curious - I still am - to discover new things about grapes or wine areas. Back in 2017, there were not many writers and bloggers who travelled through Italy in search of a native grape or a lesser-known wine or wine area. Today, everybody is an influencer in search of 'unknown' grapes or wines. Anyway, I recall standing in the Oseleta vineyard with my fellow wine writers, taking photos and videos of the bare vines with their winter leaves, and I was eager to learn more about and taste a monovarietal Oseleta wine. I knew that there is usually a small percentage of Oseleta in the Valpolicella wines, but I had up until then never tasted a wine made with mainly Oseleta. I was hooked in that moment, standing in the winter beauty, with a hint of winter mystique in the late afternoon, thinking of this lesser-known grape so closely linked to Veneto wine history. Luckily, a fellow Canadian wine writer who loves tannic wines asked Franco Cristoforetti, the owner of Villa Cordevigo and the president of the Bardolino Consortium at that time, if it would be possible to taste their monovarietal Oseleta wine. It felt a bit luxurious, as it is a wine that has been aged for a long time, and they produce only a limited number of bottles. When I tasted it, I was even more hooked, because, yes, it is tannic, but it is a grape that gives wine with a great personality. Oseleta is very recognisable in a wine, with its trademark tannins, red and darker fruity notes, herbal, spicy, and floral (violet) characteristics, freshness, and length. A Grape’s Second Act Oseleta was nearly forgotten because of its small berries and low yields. Why do you think it is now re-emerging as a variety of interest? What does its revival say about where the Italian wine industry is heading? We are in a period when there is a big interest in native grapes, artisanal wineries, organic, biodynamic, natural viticulture and winemaking, sustainability, ethical winemaking, etc. I think it was in the late 1990s or the early 2000s, that revival of native grapes and starting to make more monovarietal wines started to get traction. We can take the examples of Nero di Troia in Puglia and Ciliegiolo in Umbria and Tuscany, which before were mainly used as a blending grapes. They are grapes with a strong character, just as Oseleta, that were used to give freshness. elegance, strength, structure, color, aromas, tannins, etc to wines such as Rosso di Canosa for Nero di Troia; Montecucco Doc in Tuscany or Orvietano Rosso Doc in Umbria for Ciliegiolo; and Valpolicella wines and Veronese IGT for Oseleta. I believe the rise of native grapes and monovarietal wines was partly a result of many smaller producers starting to bottle their own wines, mainly in the 1990s, after having mostly sold their wine in bulk or sold the grapes. This contributed to niche producers and niche productions, with a new generation seeking to produce more quality rather than quantity of wine. However, the market started to change, with a growing demand for authentic wines and a shift away from the usual brands, which were often made with international grapes such as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This desire to explore local viticultural history, rare or forgotten grapes, and monovarietal wines would take off even more about 10-15 years ago. The focus on organic and sustainable viticulture has become increasingly important. The natural wine movement had its upswing in that period, too. It has been beautiful because it has drawn attention to the rich viticultural heritage that exists not only in Italy, but also in many countries, such as Eastern Europe, Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia, among others. The future appears uncertain for the moment, given the global turmoil. The big brands have more economic power, and to some extent, things are becoming more streamlined and commercial. On the other hand, there are numerous smaller to mid-sized wine producers who are doing great things, leveraging their local territories. Still, it is not easy for them to stand out in the noise of the wine production and marketing industry. I believe that there is significant potential in changing markets beyond the US, in trying to shift the narrative to reflect today's consumer habits and spending better. The wine world is still entrenched in an old-school mentality regarding how to view wine, how to drink it, and what wine to buy, among other things. It will also be essential to align with healthy habits and moderate drinking practices that are currently being preached. Wine is an alcoholic beverage, though much less so than spirits, RDTs, etc. Wine has a long and important history; in Europe and primarily in the Mediterranean, it has been considered an aliment and an essential part of the diet historically. Viticulture and winemaking are integral to the cultural heritage of many countries. Markets such as India, the Middle East, South America, and Africa will be the future. The geopolitical world view is changing before our eyes right now, and the wine world needs to shift, too. Beyond Amarone: Rewriting the Valpolicella Story Valpolicella is globally synonymous with Amarone. How can Oseleta — and blends like Cercastelle IGT Veronese — help tell a more diverse story of the region? I believe in native grapes and lesser-known wine areas and wines. I think shinig a light on grape varieties such as Oseleta, Raboso (in the Piave area in Veneto), Tai Rosso, Verdiso and Perera (used in Prosecco), etc. can contribute to narrate the history of Veneto and its traditions. It might be a way to help shift the narrative to better suit younger generations. The viticultural history could also be linked to farming, ethics, sustainability, etc. The future is surely to lift up these more rare or forgotten grapes that were always used in blends but never got much attention. Many of them will continue to be a part of blends, but it can be important to highlight their existence and their role in a blend. Their historical value. There is also a recent trend of returning to wines made with field blends, i.e., grape varieties that would have been naturally grown together in a vineyard plot in the past. The two or three varieties grown together would be harvested together and vinified together. Examples include Sangiovese grown alongside Canaiolo and Colorino. Amarone is evolving to some extent, adapting to better align with the changing tastes of consumers and the market, becoming slimmer, fresher, and more elegant. The Amarone wines of producers such as Eleva Winery, Antolini, Valentina Cubi, Massimago, Tedeschi, etc. have or have evolved into a more contemporary style. There is also an initiative in Veneto, I believe, by the Valpolicella Consortium, to raise the value of Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella Superiore DOC wines as those that express the "true" Valpolicella and Veneto territory and tradition. The grapes are generally Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, as in Amarone; however, the wines are made without appassimento, thus giving slimmer, fresher, and more fruit-forward wines with excellent drinkability. The Amarone, considered more prestigious, had somewhat overshadowed this category of wines. When, in reality, they are pleasant wines with a clear expression of the Valpolicella and Veneto terroir. Eleva Winery & the Cercastelle Experiment You’ve spoken highly of Davide Gaeta and Raffaela Veroli’s work at Eleva Winery. What makes their approach to blending Merlot with Oseleta so compelling? How do you see their experiment shaping the conversation about innovation in Valpolicella? I like Professor Davide Gaeta and oenologist Raffaela Veroli at Eleva because they are passionate and have invested their souls into the Eleva project. In the spirit of the founder of the winery, Franca Maculan, they have continued to be very invested in non-profit organizations such as AICCA (for people with congenital heart disease) and Orizzonti Sportizi (supports sport projects for the health of children in Camerun, for example, building basket and volleyball pitches). They are organic, they have built their winery building into an already existing rock on the property, making it like a winery where you almost enter into a cave-like structure. The barrel room is located in the far end of the winery, inside the rock itself thus having natural temperature regulation. They have leveraged what they have on the property and the legacy of Franca Maculan, which I believe is the strong point to make their narrative stand out. Regarding winemaking, they both believe in collaborating with younger consultant oenologists to teach and learn, enhancing the overall winemaking process. They conducted their own research and experiments to find a suitable grape to blend with the small plot of Merlot grapes they have. They discovered that Oseleta was an excellent option. The Cercastelle IGT Veronese wine has become a wine that distinguishes itself from the Valpolicella wines they produce; it has also become a key wine in telling the story of the local territory from a different perspective. As mentioned above, they can leverage their story as it fits what consumers and younger generations are looking for today. Like many wineries, they have to have the courage to take that step to be less safe and traditional, and more daring, or "audacious" and "weird," as American futurist, marketing thought leader, university educator, and author Mark W. Schaefer has said. This will be needed to cut through the noise and rise above mainstream content and AI-generated content. Wine-Making and Vinification Oseleta has unique characteristics — small berries, thick skins, and pronounced tannins. How do winemakers approach fermentation, maceration, and aging to highlight its qualities without overpowering the wine? How do blending decisions with Merlot or other Valpolicella grapes enhance or temper its profile? Are there innovative techniques being explored — such as amphora aging, natural yeasts, or extended lees contact — that you find particularly exciting? If blending the grape with, for example, Merlot or making it as a monovarietal wine, I think it largely depends on the winery's and winemaker's choices. It can also depend on how many Oseleta plants they have access to, if there is enough for a monovarietal wine. I cannot say much about this, though; one would need to look into each winery. Oseleta is still made as a monovarietal wine by very few producers. There are approximately 15 hectares in total planted with Oseleta in Veneto, so it is unlikely to be a significant producer of Oseleta wines. It can be a good niche wine to leverage as a part of the Veneto viticultural heritage. I prefer 100 per cent Oseleta wines to get the whole character and personality of Oseleta. I would like to see more ageing in big casks, or experimenting with maturation in ceramic vessels or amphora. I think barrique is too invasive for Oseleta; I think its varietal essence would come out better with big casks or amphora. I am sure we will see producers trying ageing in such vessels in the future. For now, Eleva is ageing in tonneaux. Villa Cordevigo is producing a 100 per cent Oseleta wine that undergoes appassimento and is aged in tonneaux for an extended period, while Zyme makes its Oz 100 per cent Oseleta, which is also aged in barrique for approximately 6 years. Native Grapes as Cultural Capital You often argue that native grapes are a way of communicating terroir and culture. Why do you believe Oseleta, in particular, carries cultural and emotional weight for the Valpolicella region? As mentioned above, I believe in native grapes and lesser-known wine areas and wines. I think native grapes are cultural capital and an essential part of the viticultural heritage. Together with other lesser-known and rare grapes, in this case in Veneto, I believe Oseleta and other grapes can help to deepen the narrative and go beyond Amarone and Prosecco in Veneto. Some research says that younger generation are looking for the history, the story behind the wines, the culture, ethics, etc. and then grapes as Oseleta can contribute to the storytelling. Other research says that consumers wants a more simple approach, they want to buy a wine without being lectured about the technical factors, the tasting notes, the ratings, they just want a simple story or anecdote about the wine that appeals to them. Then Oseleta and similar grapes can still be the future because they can add a different and fascinating story, it can also be a way to make consumers curious about trying something new. The future is surely to lift up these more rare or forgotten grapes that were always used in blends but never got much attention. Many of them will continue to be a part of blends, but it can be important to highlight their existence and their role in a blend. Their historical value. Terroir Storytelling How do Italian producers leverage micro-terroirs — from Veneto to Sicily — to differentiate wines in an increasingly competitive global market? How important is terroir authenticity in consumer perception today? There are those saying that consumers want simplicity and to buy wine, not to get the heavy info, tasting notes, tech sheets, soil info, etc that is often given by wineries, sommeliers, wine educators, etc. Others say that the younger genertations are interested in the people and its stories at the wineries, the terroir, the sustainability, ethics, etc. I think it might be a way of how you tell these stories. There is a need for a different focus in wine storytelling, different perspectives, formats, media, etc can be used to make the storytelling more interesting. I think that wineries themselves in Italy, so far, are not leveraging their history, tradition, farming perspectives, terroir, etc., enough in their wine communication. Setting up a strategy requires some effort. Not many wineries, not even larger ones, are using newsletters to share their story engagingly and as a means to nurture their subscribers, keeping them interested and excited about the winery. Most wineries send out a newsletter when they have an offer and want their subscribers to make a purchase. So, yes, terroir authenticity is essential today. I think it is vital to find new, fun ways to communicate about terroir, differences in terroir, and how it makes a specific winery, wine region, or area stand out. There is great potential for improvement for wineries and consortia. The New Luxury Code You wrote that “luxury in the metamodern era is more about unique and rare experiences than expensive wines.” How do niche grapes like Oseleta play into this shift? Are we seeing a democratization of luxury in wine? I think wine is in general democratic, at least in the Mediterrean part of Europe where wine has been a part of the cultural heritage since way back in history. It was, and is to a certain extent, a part of the everyday culture. Of course, there is also expensive wines like the hyped up brands sich as Sassicaia or Masseto, or Barolo and Brunello wines. There will always be people who look at wines more like an investment, and who are not really interested in the wine itself, but probably more for the hype/privilege it stands for, or the earnings you hope to make by investing in such wines. This is a small group of people though. I do not really see that as a definition of luxury anymore. There is a decline in global wine consumption revenue (about 3.3 per cent in 2024, compared to 2023, according to OIV; 9 per cent since 2019), as people are drinking less wine. Whether this is due to economic pressure resulting from higher living costs since the pandemic, geopolitical tensions with conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, or democratic instability in the US, for health reasons and temperance movements, or whether younger generations are drinking less wine or differently, remains to be seen. I am not sure. It is likely a combination of several factors. Rich people are getting richer, middle-class and lower-income people are getting poorer. There will always be people who want to spend a significant amount of money on expensive wine as a form of status symbol, similar to purchasing a Rolex or other luxury items. Still, I do not believe that it is considered true luxury anymore. In today's uncertain world, the pursuit of purpose and value becomes increasingly important, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Luxury thus becomes something different; it becomes an experience that fulfils you, that is less common, takes more effort to find. Colleagues in the wine tourism sector have informed me that individuals with disposable income are seeking to experience and learn more about rare grape varieties, lesser-known wine regions, and unique experiences that combine wine with other local and authentic artisans, artisanal products, and specific cultural customs of an area. Travelling "slow" or in a "kinder" way, as a marketing friend of mine has coined it. Here she means "kind" in the sense of travelling with respect for the local territory, its inhabitants and daily life. This is the luxury of the future. "Mass" tourism and buying the usual wine brands, even the ones that are a bit more expensive, will in this sense not be luxury anymore, but more part of a mainstream idea of wine. I think the fact that many categories of people, not only Gen Z, are drinking less and are not interested in the "usual" status symbol wines, is a sign that things are changing and that professionals in the wine world need to change their perspective as well. A shift is underway. And, in this sense, I think lesser-known grapes, such as Oseleta, can play a role in the ongoing change. It can help to tell the story of a territory, its viticultural culture, history, and customs. It can also attract people who are willing to spend on unique or rare wine tourism experiences, helping smaller and more artisanal wineries to establish their profiles. Then, whether to define it as luxury or as "low" or "kind" wine tourism is for others to decide. Climate-Resilient Future With climate change impacting traditional regions, how do you see varieties like Oseleta — with their small, thick-skinned berries — contributing to the resilience of Italian vineyards? Oseleta is said to be resilient to climate change, thanks to its disease resistance, and also resistant to frost. So, it could for sure be a grape for the future. However, it is also true that only 15 hectares in total have been planted in Veneto so far. This grape variety produces tannic wines with character, which is true, but so far, it requires a lot of storytelling to sell. We will see if the future will highlight grapes such as Oseleta or focus more on hybrid grapes. I believe that in the Italian mindset, it is still easier to consider integrating resistant Vitis vinifera grapes, such as the crosses Manzoni Bianco, Müller-Thurgau, and Rebo, than Piwi grapes in DOC and DOCG denominations. Oseleta could perhaps also be an option for the future in this sense. However, in France, they have already begun to incorporate hybrid grapes into denominations such as Bordeaux and Champagne. Looking Ahead What is your dream scenario for Oseleta in 2030? How do you imagine its place in the global wine conversation — on restaurant lists, at tastings, or even in pop culture? In my ideal scenario, native grapes like Oseleta would take their place in the sun and be leveraged to change the narrative about wine. They could be used to tell the story of their original territory and in relation to their historical role in blending grapes. Such rare grapes would have their place on wine lists at restaurants and in wine bars, telling a different story about a territory and an appellation. Such grapes could be used in tastings to attract younger wine drinkers by perhaps shaping the wine tastings differently, not according to the usual tasting notes, but to put Oseleta in a larger regional context with other appellations or wines, other lesser-known grape varieties, or creating a tasting itinerary through local music, images, art, history, or other. For Gen Z, why not create a gaming experience around Oseleta and its history? Or perhaps a cartoon? Create hiking experiences - virtual and IRL - around the soil, climate, and overall terroir where Oseleta thrives. Since birds often like Oseleta, why not create an ornithology seminar about local birds in Veneto? It is just a thought, if there are people interested in that. There are many ways Italian wine could be presented by shifting the perspective and the way we tell stories, the formats we use, and how we approach wine tasting, among other approaches. The important thing is to make wine fun again, without losing depth, structure, and complexity in what we do. We need to go beyond wine scores and presentations where consumers and wine lovers are preached to by wine professionals on how or what they should drink. There is a world filled with fascinating grape varieties, wine regions, and wines to discover. There is no need to drink only wines from a few wine appellations and wineries. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3283/from-finland-to-gulf-how-finnforels-lohi-trout-is-redefining-sustainable-seafood.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3283/from-finland-to-gulf-how-finnforels-lohi-trout-is-redefining-sustainable-seafood.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:15:04 +0530 In this exclusive Agro Spectrum and NUFFOODS Spectrum interview, Finnish aquaculture innovator Finnforel outlines its bold global push, starting with the UAE launch of its LoHi brand in LuLu Hypermarkets. With seafood demand in the Emirates growing 5–6 per cent annually, CEO Nora Hortling positions trout as a sustainable, premium alternative to salmon. Powered by a closed-loop recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), Finnforel avoids antibiotics, vaccines, and microplastics, while converting sidestreams into biogas and pet food. Its urban-focused model produces protein close to consumption hubs, ensuring unmatched freshness with minimal ecological footprint. Looking ahead, Nora aims to replicate its blueprint worldwide as protein demand surges toward 2050. Finnforel has successfully launched its LoHi brand in the UAE, starting with LuLu Hypermarkets. What makes the UAE such a strategic market for your global expansion? We see the UAE as an exceptionally attractive market. Fish consumption here is already at a good level, which means there is strong underlying demand. The overall fish and seafood market in the UAE is expanding at about 5–6 per cent annually, so the trajectory is positive. What also excites us is the consumer base itself. People in the UAE are deeply interested in healthy, protein-rich products, and trout is still relatively new to the market. That gives us the chance to differentiate ourselves and offer something distinct from what’s already on the shelves. LoHi products are marketed as clean, convenient, and sustainable. How does your closed-loop aquaculture technology ensure both ecological responsibility and premium quality for consumers? Our entire system is designed with circularity and responsibility at its core. Even though the waters in the lakes surrounding our factory are exceptionally clean, we go one step further and clean the incoming water once more before it enters the fish tanks. We then recirculate 99 per cent of that water. The small amount of water that leaves the facility is cleaned twice before it returns to nature. Nothing is wasted—sludge is collected and used for biogas production. Our fish are under 24/7 surveillance to ensure their well-being and the highest product quality. We are both ASC and IFS certified, which demonstrates our commitment to sustainable farming and rigorous processing standards. On the consumer side, we provide convenient, ready-packed products that generate no waste at home or in restaurant kitchens. Even the sidestreams are repurposed, for example as raw material for pet food. Owing to our closed environment, we don’t need to use preventive antibiotics or vaccines. Our water is free from microplastics, and the controlled ecosystem ensures that the fish remain healthy without external interventions. All of this guarantees a product that is both premium in quality and responsible in terms of its ecological footprint. Many aquaculture systems face criticism over environmental impact and fish welfare. How does Finnforel’s approach address biodiversity concerns and eliminate the need for antibiotics or parasite treatments? That’s precisely the advantage of a closed-loop system. Traditional aquaculture often struggles with parasites, which leads to chemical or antibiotic interventions that can harm both biodiversity and fish welfare. In our case, parasites simply aren’t an issue because the environment is fully controlled. Maintaining high water quality is our top priority—it directly impacts fish well-being. Healthy fish, in turn, produce better-quality protein. By removing external environmental pressures, we’ve essentially solved the core challenges that conventional aquaculture has been criticized for. The UAE market has its own lifestyle and culinary preferences. How did you adapt LoHi’s product formats and branding to meet local expectations? The reception in the UAE has been extremely encouraging. Consumers have responded very positively to LoHi trout, which we believe has real potential to establish itself as a strong alternative to salmon. Increasingly, shoppers here are looking for sustainably produced fish, and LoHi speaks directly to that demand. During our in-store sampling activities, the feedback was particularly rewarding. People consistently commented on the taste and freshness, with many describing it as unique and even more appealing than other options currently available. That reinforces our confidence that trout can secure a strong position in the market. We didn’t have to change the essence of our product, but the branding emphasis—clean, sustainable, convenient—has clearly resonated with local consumer values. With global protein demand expected to rise significantly by 2050, what role do you see Finnforel playing in shaping the future of sustainable seafood worldwide? We want to fundamentally change how fish comes to our plates. The reality is that our planet cannot withstand an increase in fishing from the seas. Wild stocks are already under immense pressure. At the same time, traditional aquaculture is approaching its limits because of the biodiversity and ecological harm it often creates. Our model provides a solution. By bringing our concept and blueprint close to major cities with large populations, we can produce high-quality, healthy protein near the point of consumption. That means ecological efficiency, minimal transport, and unmatched freshness—all without harming the environment. We see this as the future: sustainable aquaculture that scales responsibly to meet the protein demands of a growing world. Looking ahead, what are your plans for further expansion in the Middle East and beyond? Do you envision establishing local partnerships or production facilities outside Finland? Establishing production facilities globally is absolutely part of our long-term vision. We have already identified several suitable locations. That said, at this stage, our primary focus remains on strengthening our production base in Finland while expanding our sales and presence in export markets like the UAE. Local partnerships will likely play an important role as we move forward, but the overarching goal is clear: to bring Finnforel’s closed-loop aquaculture model closer to consumers worldwide. --- Shraddha Warde (shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3282/turning-climate-risk-into-opportunity-dr-godefroy-grosjean-and-ena-derenoncourt-on-ethiopias-green-finance-revolution.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3282/turning-climate-risk-into-opportunity-dr-godefroy-grosjean-and-ena-derenoncourt-on-ethiopias-green-finance-revolution.html Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:48:27 +0530 In this exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Dr. Godefroy Grosjean, Co-lead of CGIAR’s Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF), and Ena Derenoncourt, Senior Officer at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and ACT-H Project Lead, share how climate-aligned finance is reshaping Ethiopia’s agricultural landscape. They highlight  how the ACT-H initiative, backed by the Gates Foundation, is piloting bundled green loans that combine credit with irrigation, insurance, and training to de-risk horticulture value chains and empower smallholder farmers. Dr. Grosjean and Ena highlight the ImpactSF Analyzer, an AI-enabled tool translating climate data into actionable credit and portfolio metrics for banks, allowing them to move from single-loan transactions to systemic portfolio design. They have discussed the alignment of these efforts with Ethiopia’s ESG regulations, NAFIR 2025–2030, and ACC models, positioning horticulture as a catalytic entry point for climate-smart investment. Ultimately, they envision a financial ecosystem where capital flows to resilient, inclusive, and nature-positive food systems—turning climate risk into a driver of opportunity. Section I: Setting the Context – Vision and Urgency Ethiopia’s agriculture is both the backbone of the economy and deeply vulnerable to climate volatility. What motivated CGIAR’s ImpactSF to engage directly with the country’s financial institutions through ACT-H? Agriculture is vital to Ethiopia’s economy but highly climate-vulnerable. By embedding science-based KPIs and blended finance tools, ImpactSF helps banks design inclusive, climate-smart loans for small-scale producers and agri-SMEs—strengthening resilience and driving systemic change toward inclusive, nature-positive food, land, and water systems. The Government of Ethiopia has built a strong agricultural extension system, complemented by the Agricultural Transformation Institute’s (ATI) flagship initiative—the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC). The ACC model organizes priority commodities and value chain actors into clusters, creating a platform for targeted support and systemic change. Through the ACT-H initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation and in collaboration with ATI and Precise, ImpactSF is introducing green finance products to scale solar-powered irrigation for horticulture. Financing these crops through climate-informed financing, de-risking approaches, and market partnerships strengthen farmer resilience and fosters sustainable growth. In addition, building the capacity of financial institutions to design and deliver climate-linked and gender-sensitive financial products is critical. Tailored solutions ensure that women, youth, and vulnerable households are meaningfully included, reinforcing Ethiopia’s efforts toward inclusive and resilient agricultural transformation. The ACT-H initiative is framed around climate-smart horticulture. Why horticulture, and why now? What makes it a catalytic entry point for climate-aligned finance in Ethiopia? Horticulture is high-value, labor-intensive, and central to many farmer’s livelihoods. Yet it is highly exposed to drought and rainfall shifts, making deployment of climate finance urgent. The ACT-H initiative focuses on solar-powered irrigation and other climate-smart inputs, equipping farmers while catalyzing broader agri-food transformation. Horticulture—particularly banana and avocado within ACCs—offers a catalytic entry point for climate-aligned finance: Horticulture offers significant economic and livelihood benefits, contributing to household incomes, nutrition, and exports, with target crops that are bankable and enjoy strong market demand. However, these crops are highly vulnerable to climate shocks, and without appropriate risk instruments, households often face distress sales and defaults. By combining loans with insurance, climate-smart inputs, and digital repayment options, smallholder farmers—many of whom are too large for microfinance but perceived as too risky by commercial banks—become ideal candidates for innovative climate-aligned investment. Strategically, this approach aligns with national priorities such as NAFIR 2025–2030, the National Agricultural Insurance Strategy, and Digital Ethiopia 2025, while Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACCs) provide a scalable platform for implementation. By targeting horticulture now, ACT-H can demonstrate how climate-aligned finance can de-risk agriculture, attract private capital, and deliver measurable adaptation and livelihood outcomes—setting the stage for replication across other value chains. What unique role does CGIAR—through ImpactSF—play in bridging scientific insights with financial decision-making in such high-stakes, low-margin sectors like smallholder farming? ImpactSF leverages decades of CGIAR science and expertise into practical tools for lenders, with an emphasis on local relevance. Through the AI-informed ImpactSF Analyzer and robust KPI frameworks, we make climate risk visible and financeable. This bridges research with day-to-day lending realities, which is especially important for smallholders and women farmers, who often face significant barriers and challenges to accessing finance. At ImpactSF and within the CGIAR, our work with farmers and farmer organizations gives us key insights into what is needed to create change from the bottom up. Through this role, ImpactSF ensures that financial products are not only bankable but also aligned with climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience priorities, while advancing gender equity, youth inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Its ability to translate rigorous scientific evidence into actionable financial structures makes it uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between global climate finance standards (e.g., GCF, IFC, TCFD/IFRS S2) and the practical realities of Ethiopia’s smallholder systems. Section II: Climate Risk, Lending Challenges & Opportunity Framing Many Ethiopian banks reportedly have the liquidity but not the risk frameworks for agriculture. How is the ImpactSF Analyzer helping change that equation? This is a common challenge, banks across regions have liquidity but lack climate risk frameworks, limiting agri-lending. The ImpactSF Analyzer helps bridge this gap by identifying climate-smart investment opportunities, ensuring funding goes where it is needed. By integrating  scientific, financial and climate data, the Analyzer gives banks the confidence to design viable products that align with farmers’ realities and climate risk. By integrating scientific, financial, and climate data, the ImpactSF Analyzer enables comprehensive climate-smart lending. It supports risk-adjusted product design by aligning loans with seasonal cash flows, climate hazards, and insurance needs. It facilitates capital mobilization by producing risk metrics that attract concessional guarantees or additional liquidity. At the same time, it builds market confidence by tracking loan repayments, insurance uptake, and adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices, making agricultural finance more investable and resilient. The Analyzer ensures systematic, scalable expansion of climate-smart lending across Ethiopia. Could you explain how the tool translates climate data—like rainfall variability or drought hazards—into actionable metrics for credit scoring or portfolio design? The Analyzer takes climate data such as rainfall variability, drought frequency, or heat stress and links it directly to agricultural productivity risk at the crop and location level. Using CGIAR science, AI models and remote sensing, it projects yield impacts over the next 2–3 seasons, while also factoring in farmers’ adaptive capacity (e.g. irrigation, crop diversification). This produces forward-looking risk scores that can be integrated into credit scoring models or portfolio stress tests. For a lender, this means being able to differentiate between clients exposed to high vs. moderate climate risk, adjust loan conditions accordingly, and support anticipating default probabilities. At the portfolio level, the metrics allow banks to design more resilient sector exposures, set concentration limits, and steer capital toward climate-smart practices. Section III: Product Innovation, Tools & Bundled Finance The concept of bundled green finance—credit paired with irrigation, insurance, and training—was a major workshop highlight. What makes this model so promising for both lenders and farmers? Bundled finance reduces risk for both farmers and lenders. Pairing credit with irrigation, insurance, and training ensures farmers can repay loans while banks protect their portfolios. It’s a win-win model for resilience and growth. How are tools like the ImpactSF Analyzer enabling Ethiopian banks to go from a single-loan mindset to systems thinking—where value chains, repayment behavior, and environmental triggers are all interconnected? The Analyzer helps banks see farming systems, not just single loans. It links climate triggers, and value chain dynamics. This shifts lenders toward systemic, climate-smart portfolio design. Section IV: Systems Change, Policy & Inclusion Ethiopia’s regulators are rolling out new ESG reporting requirements. How is ImpactSF helping financial institutions align with this regulatory shift while strengthening climate-smart investment pipelines? The ESG rules present both challenges and opportunities. ImpactSF helps banks comply while building climate-smart pipelines through: ImpactSF supports financial institutions through a combination of capacity building, tools, and pipeline strengthening. It trains banks, MFIs, and insurers to design green finance products, including bundled credit, insurance, and solar-powered irrigation solutions. The ImpactSF Analyzer provides the data and insights needed to meet new ESG reporting requirements while designing stronger, more credible green finance products. Additionally, by applying a value chain lens, ImpactSF helps target priority sectors such as horticulture and livestock, scaling climate-smart products while ensuring measurable outcomes in gender inclusion, resilience, and productivity. ImpactSF turns new reporting requirements into an opportunity: building bankable, climate-smart products that attract concessional capital, reduce risk, and deliver real impact for farmers. What’s CGIAR’s broader vision for inclusive agri-finance in Ethiopia? Are you working to influence national policy, support rural banks, or scale models across other value chains? We work with banks, policymakers, and partners to shape national models. The aim is scalable finance across value chains and regions. This aligns with the CGIAR’s broader work in the region with the Ministry of Agriculture, National and Regional Agricultural Research Institutes, Ethiopian universities and both international and national development partners. There are the greatest number of CGIAR projects, initiatives, and funding in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region, so it is a key area of our work. Section V: Scaling Impact & the Path Forward What’s next for ImpactSF and ACT-H in Ethiopia? Are there plans to pilot bundled loan products with partner institutions or integrate Analyzer insights into real-time lending decisions? Next, Act-H will co-develop bundled green loan products with partner banks and pilot innovative financing solutions in high-priority value chains. Insights from the ImpactSF Analyzer will feed into real-time lending, helping institutions actively manage climate risks. These pilots will lay the foundation for scale. How will success be measured—by hectares transformed, emissions reduced, capital deployed, or increased farmer incomes? Or is it something more systemic? Success means systemic change: capital flowing, risks reduced, and farmers empowered. It will be measured in farmer incomes, women’s access to finance, hectares under irrigation, and resilient lending portfolios. Above all, success means driving transformation toward a climate-smart financial ecosystem—one that helps turn Ethiopia’s climate challenges into investment opportunities. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3276/reishi-cordyceps-and-future-of-mycology-exclusive-with-dr-oli-genn-bash-on-smallholder-innovation-and-global-mushroom-markets.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3276/reishi-cordyceps-and-future-of-mycology-exclusive-with-dr-oli-genn-bash-on-smallholder-innovation-and-global-mushroom-markets.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:20:11 +0530 In an exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Oli Genn-Bash, Founder of The Fungi Consultant and co-founder of the UKC Psychedelics Society, explored the rising wave of functional mushrooms as a high-value agricultural and wellness opportunity. He highlighted the potential for smallholder cultivation models, noting that with training, local spawn, and market access, species like Reishi and Cordyceps could thrive in Europe and Africa, particularly through circular substrate systems using agro-waste. Genn-Bash emphasized that quality control, traceability, and provenance labeling are becoming critical in premium European markets, while technology innovations such as solar-powered polyhouses could democratize cultivation in climate-stressed regions. On the consumer side, he traced the mushroom coffee phenomenon to post-pandemic health awareness, influencer culture, and functional beverage trends, forecasting consolidation by major FMCG players and growth in extracts, personalized supplements, and functional food products. Beyond consumption, he sees mushrooms as a bridge between cultural re-enchantment with nature and future innovations in myco-materials, adaptogen blends, and clinical applications, signaling a transformative horizon for fungal science. Medicinal Mushrooms from an Agricultural Point of View Mini Case Study Prompt: In India, several farmer cooperatives in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are piloting Reishi and Cordyceps cultivation as a high-value crop, with margins reported at 2–3x those of traditional horticulture. How do you see this kind of smallholder model evolving in Europe or Africa? There's an opportunity for smallholder mushroom cultivation projects to scale where there’s a balance between suitable microclimates, reliable substrates, and access to training & markets, as well as furthering education to help prospective customers understand the benefits of these mushrooms. The key enablers would be low-cost spawn and training, potential for cooperatives to be set up, simple quality-control protocols, and tailored strains for local conditionsIn Europe the model would likely focus on supply chains and the quality of the final product (e.g. organic, dual extraction depending on the type of mushroom, lab testing to show bioactive compounds) sold to premium wellness and herbal markets. In Africa, the biggest upside is circularity and diversification: mushrooms can become an income layer on top of other commodities such as coffee, cocoa, or fruit and reduce seasonality risk. Mini Case Study Prompt: In Kenya, a social enterprise has partnered with coffee growers to use spent coffee grounds as substrate for Oyster and Reishi mushrooms, creating additional income for farmers and reducing waste. Could similar circular models be scaled globally? Circular substrate models create more sustainability and affordability for cultivation. Spent coffee has good nutrients and is often free; pairing it with agricultural waste (straw, sawdust) improves yields. Globally, scale depends on logistics: Collection systems, local inoculation units (so spawn doesn’t travel far), and end-market demand. Social enterprises can add community benefit layers (waste reduction, new income). Using spent coffee alone can be difficult due to how long it keeps for, so it’s ideal to combine with agricultural waste for prolonged use. This could be scaled strategically with local cultivation hubs and partnerships with hospitality/coffee chains for regular supply. Certification for food safety might be required to scale this on a global level Mini Case Study Prompt: China’s Fujian province has government-backed spawn labs that provide training, low-cost inoculum, and buyback guarantees to farmers. Could this “extension plus guaranteed market” model work in the UK or EU ? This could work but with some adaptation. The “extension + guaranteed market” model addresses two huge blockers: technical capacity and market risk. In the UK/EU, the model could be run by regional agricultural colleges, social enterprises, or cooperatives with public or philanthropic seed funding. The differences in the UK or EU would be that labour costs are higher, with stricter regulations on food safety and medical claims, as well as more restrictions regarding use of land in places like the UK. You would need to implement transparent quality standards, commercial-scale processing or extract partners to absorb volumes, and a hybrid funding model (public grants + small price differential for technical services). A buyback guarantee could focus initially on processed goods (dried mushrooms or extracts) where there is more scope to understand traceability and certify the quality standard. Mini Case Study Prompt: Researchers in Thailand have developed low-cost, solar-powered polyhouses for Cordyceps militaris cultivation, making it a viable option even in hotter climates. Could similar tech democratize medicinal mushroom farming in climate-stressed regions? Yes this could democratise it, as it opens the door to cultivating species which might otherwise be restricted by the local climate. The important thing to note is that conditions must be repeatable and consistent training should be implemented to maintain the quality of the end product. Mini Case Study Prompt: Vietnam has started branding its lingzhi (reishi) exports with provincial origin labels and blockchain traceability. Could Europe do something similar for small-scale growers? The consumers in Europe are increasingly paying more attention to traceability to know where the product has originated, and the level of quality. Provincial branding combined with simple digital traceability (QR codes showing grower, substrate, harvest date, lab test results) would allow cultivators to build trust and open themselves up to wider markets. Blockchain might be overcomplicating things when you can implement traceability into existing systems. The challenge might be how much this costs for small-scale cultivators to adopt. The Mushroom Coffee Phenomenon Beyond the Buzzword: Mushroom coffee has moved from hipster cafés to mainstream supermarket shelves. What, in your view, has driven its adoption — health science, influencer culture, or pandemic-era biohacking trends? People have been more concerned with their health since the Covid pandemic, and our lives have become more busy and possibly more stressful during this time. Mushroom coffee has provided an opportunity for people to engage with fungi in a familiar morning routine, whilst being a convenient way to obtain the benefits of the mushrooms. Certain health narratives such as the need to improve cognitive performance, reduce stress levels, or increase energy are just a few examples of what has been driving the trend, as well as the ritual of coffee and the rise of influencers and wider distribution markets opening up. Cultivation & Supply Chain Insights From Forest to Farm: Cultivating medicinal mushrooms is notoriously tricky — requiring sterile environments, controlled substrates, and patient timing. Can you walk us through what “good cultivation practice” looks like in this space? Successful cultivation of medicinal mushrooms begins with selecting good genetics and establishing clean, scalable spawn production. Maintaining sterility, implementing basic quality control, and ensuring that batches are fully traceable are essential steps in this phase. The next critical focus is on the substrate. Each mushroom species requires a specific substrate, and careful attention must be paid to moisture levels as well as proper pasteurization or sterilization techniques to optimize growth. Creating a controlled environment for fruiting is equally important. Consistency in humidity, temperature, air exchange, and lighting ensures predictable and high-quality yields. Alongside this, strict pest control and staff hygiene must be enforced, with daily logging of waste disposal to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination. Post-harvest handling is another crucial step. Mushrooms must be dried properly, moisture content checked, and packaging completed quickly to preserve bioactive compounds. Regular testing and traceability are also vital, including lab analyses for identity, heavy metals, and microbes, and maintaining batch IDs from spawn through to harvest. Where feasible, lab testing of bioactive compounds adds an extra layer of quality assurance. Finally, keeping simple yet thorough records—tracking yields, failure modes, and environmental conditions—supports continuous improvement, scalability, and compliance with quality standards.Global Sourcing: China remains a dominant supplier for many medicinal mushroom ingredients. How do you see Europe and the UK building resilient, traceable, and possibly regenerative mushroom cultivation systems locally? We need to invest in more education in places like the UK where we can open up training for early career mycologists. We might see the creation of regional spawn hubs, the introduction of training programmes at agricultural colleges, incentives for regenerative substrate sourcing (using agro-waste), and a marketplace that rewards traceability and high quality products. It would be great to see public funding or a combination of public/private funding in places like the UK or EU to limit the risk for early career cultivators. Market & Investment Outlook Functional Beverages 2.0: Kombucha and matcha once had their heyday — now mushroom coffee is on the rise. Where do you see this category going in the next 5–10 years? Could we see major FMCG players acquiring or building mushroom coffee brands? It seems like we might be seeing market consolidation, where big FMCG players could either acquire successful independent brands or build in-house product lines because the category fits into mainstream tea/coffee/functional beverage portfolios. We’ll also see more of a focus on the creation of premium products, and more focus on the functional sub-categories such as sleep, focus, or relaxation. Regulation plays a big role in how these products can be marketed, so we should expect to see more neutral language talking about ‘support’ rather than making any kind of health claims. Investment appetite will favor vertically integrated players who control spawn → processing → branded distribution, where products such as extracts provide more value than just dried fungi. Intersection with Psychedelics & Culture Mindful Consumption: You’ve been involved in the psychedelic education space. Do you think the functional mushroom boom is quietly priming the public for a broader conversation about psychoactive fungi and mental health therapies? I actually think in places like the UK or USA, the opposite is occurring - people have been consuming magic mushrooms for many decades, but the functional mushroom boom is quite new. I think that psychoactive fungi have opened up people to the potential for many different types of fungi to heal us on the functional level. The use of psychoactive fungi in therapeutic settings precedes the rise in popularity of functional mushroom supplements, however it certainly makes it easier to talk about the benefit of psychoactive fungi now that everyone is talking about mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, or Cordyceps. The issue is how the conversation surrounding these therapies relates to the mushrooms themselves, and whether or not we’ll see a dominance in synthetic compounds to achieve specific aims, rather than utilising the power of the whole organism. Cultural Capital: Mushrooms have been spiritual symbols for centuries — from Siberian shamans to Mesoamerican rituals. Are we seeing a modern re-enchantment of fungi as part of a cultural shift toward reconnecting with nature? Yes, I believe that consumption of mushrooms allows us to relate more to Animist worldviews, where we can exist with nature in an interrelationship, rather than viewing fungi as simple commodities for our benefit. We can ascribe some sense of agency to the mushrooms, where they are assisting us with their energy and wisdom to exist more comfortably with the natural world. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that mushrooms are becoming more popular as we cause more destruction to the natural environment - they are clearly showing up at a time when we need them the most! Future of Mycology & Fungal Innovation Beyond Coffee: If mushroom coffee is the gateway, what’s the next frontier for medicinal mushrooms — mycelium-based supplements, adaptogen blends, or even functional food tech innovations like mycoprotein ? The next frontier for medicinal mushrooms is expected to see a rise in high-bioavailability extracts. Advanced techniques such as liposomal technology and ultrasound-assisted extraction, combined with carriers like vegetable glycerin, will allow better delivery of key compounds. There will likely be a shift in focus from traditional beta-glucans toward terpenes and other bioactive molecules, alongside the development of clinically-backed blends. Personalized fungal supplements are also emerging, with small-batch, carefully analyzed formulations targeting specific needs such as sleep, cognition, and inflammation. This tailored approach enables consumers to select products that align closely with their health goals. Functional food technologies represent another growth avenue. Mycoprotein and hybrid foods are expanding beyond meat substitutes into functional snacks and cognitive bars, integrating mushrooms into everyday diets in innovative ways. Beyond nutrition, myco-materials are gaining traction in industrial applications, including packaging and leather alternatives. These cross-industry uses are attracting investment and advancing fungal science in sustainability-focused sectors. Finally, clinical translation remains a key opportunity. Research on functional mushrooms is increasingly being integrated into treatment plans, providing a pathway for evidence-based health interventions and bridging the gap between wellness products and medical applications. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3275/brazils-drought-resilient-sorghum-powering-diversified-bioenergy-future-alexandre-ferreira-da-silva-embrapa.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3275/brazils-drought-resilient-sorghum-powering-diversified-bioenergy-future-alexandre-ferreira-da-silva-embrapa.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:05:38 +0530 An exclusive Agrospectrum interview, Alexandre Ferreira da Silva, Research Scientist at Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, reveals why sorghum is no longer just a supporting player—it’s becoming a star of Brazil’s bioenergy revolution. With unmatched drought resilience and off-season planting advantages, sorghum acts as climate insurance while supercharging existing corn ethanol plants. High-starch hybrids and valuable co-products like DDG are driving its economic edge, making every hectare count. Silva highlights how RenovaBio’s carbon credit program turns sorghum’s low-carbon profile into a tangible revenue boost. Looking beyond borders, Brazil’s sorghum is poised to hit the global stage, with China emerging as a key export destination, signaling a new era for the crop in energy and trade. Brazil has long been the gold standard in sugarcane ethanol. Why is sorghum now entering the conversation, and does it represent an insurance policy against climate volatility or the next growth frontier? Brazil's bioenergy matrix is widely recognized as a global model of sustainability and efficiency, historically supported by ethanol production from sugarcane. However, the sector has undergone significant diversification in recent years, driven by the quest for greater resilience and the expansion of production into new agricultural frontiers. National biofuel production reached a record volume of almost 46 billion liters of ethanol and biodiesel in 2024, a milestone that reinforces Brazil's leadership role in the global energy transition and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within this context of growth and diversification, corn has emerged as a protagonist, with its ethanol production growing 25 per cent in the 2024/2025 harvest and reaching 7.6 billion liters. In this scenario, sorghum, which has historically been seen as a supporting actor in Brazilian agriculture, is emerging as a promising alternative and a strategic pillar for the continued expansion of the bioenergy matrix. The rise of sorghum is not a simple market fluctuation but rather a structural change, based on its unique ability to serve as "climate insurance" and its industrial synergy with existing ethanol production chains. Sorghum's agronomic resilience, especially under conditions of water stress and high temperatures, provides a direct economic and industrial benefit. Its ability to thrive in regions where sugarcane is not adapted and to maintain productivity even in late plantings reduces the risk of crop failures for producers. For the industry, this predictability in the supply of raw material allows for the extension of ethanol production beyond the sugarcane harvest period, ensuring a stable supply throughout the year. The crop's physical robustness thus translates into a more secure business model that is less susceptible to climate risks. While sorghum’s off-season planting and use of degraded pastures reduce direct competition with corn and food crops, how do factors like climate variability, land-use pressures, or policy incentives impact the long-term sustainability and scalability of sorghum for ethanol in Brazil ? Sorghum is a warm-climate crop with efficient drought tolerance mechanisms, making it ideal for regions with lower water availability. As a C4 plant, sorghum tolerates high levels of solar radiation, responding with high photosynthetic rates and minimizing water loss through its stomata. Although sorghum is resilient, its ideal productivity is achieved at temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 33°C, while temperatures above 38ºC or below 16ºC can limit its plant development. The most significant cultivation strategy for sorghum in Brazil is its positioning in the "off-season," or second crop, typically planted after the soybean harvest. This planting dynamic provides a crucial competitive advantage, as sorghum maintains good productivity even in later plantings, after February, when corn crops usually experience yield drops. This characteristic eliminates direct competition with corn for more favorable planting windows, allowing sorghum to capitalize on existing areas. The increase in sorghum cultivation and processing in Brazil reflects a substantial growth movement in the sector. In the 2024/2025 harvest, sorghum production in the country reached 5.96 million tons, a 34.8 per cent growth compared to the previous cycle. This advance was driven by a 9.6 per cent increase in planted area, which reached 1.59 million hectares, and a 23 per cent improvement in the national average productivity, reaching 3,731 kg/ha. Table 1. Sorghum Production in Brazil: Area, Yield and Production (Conab 2025) Indicator2024/2025 HarvestAnnual GrowthPlanted Area1.59 million hectares+9.6 per centYield3,731 kg/ha+23 per centProduction5.96 million tons+34.8 per cent The expansion of using food crops for biofuel production often raises the global "food vs. fuel" debate. However, the use of sorghum in Brazil minimizes this conflict. As a versatile crop used for both human and animal consumption as well as for biofuel production, sorghum integrates into an agricultural model that, in the Brazilian case, frequently uses the conversion of degraded pasture areas into croplands, reducing direct competition with food production on highly fertile lands. Given that sorghum’s economic competitiveness relies heavily on high starch content and co-product value, how do variations in hybrid performance, growing conditions, or market demand for DDG affect the reliability of these economic advantages ? The yield of grain sorghum in ethanol production is equivalent to or even surpasses that of corn, directly depending on the starch content in the grains. Ethanol production is directly correlated with the starch content of the grains. Therefore, knowing the characteristics of each hybrid and the most effective management strategies can lead to gains in ethanol production yield. Obtaining starch contents above 70 per cent is important for sorghum to be competitive with corn. This correlation between a specific agronomic characteristic (high starch content) and the economic viability of industrial processing is a determining factor. The successful development of high-starch hybrids reduces the cost of the raw material per liter of ethanol produced, serving as a technological and economic driver for sorghum's competitiveness. The co-products generated during processing, such as DDG (Dried Distillers Grains), are of high importance for the economic viability of grain ethanol production. Although the sorghum ethanol production process does not yield oil like corn, sorghum DDG is a valuable protein meal for animal nutrition, generating additional revenue that helps offset production costs and increases the grain's competitiveness. While sorghum is presented as a cost-effective alternative to corn for ethanol, how do fluctuations in sorghum prices or potential supply constraints affect its economic competitiveness, and does this risk offset the advantages of blending it with corn ? The economic competitiveness of sorghum as a raw material for ethanol is based primarily on its lower cost compared to corn. Market analysis indicates that during periods of high corn prices, ethanol production from this cereal can become less economically favorable, which reinforces the need for raw material diversification. Additionally, the industrial synergy between sorghum and corn is a key economic factor. Plants that already process corn require only "a few modifications" to their facilities to also process sorghum. This technological compatibility minimizes the capital investment barrier for production expansion. Many plants indicate their intention to work with blends of corn and sorghum, so that the percentage of sorghum used results in the minimum possible alterations to the production line already established for corn ethanol. In this way, sorghum emerges as an economic strategy to amortize production costs. On the other hand, some plants operate with exclusive lines for the production of ethanol from sorghum. These are being strategically installed in areas suitable for its cultivation, associated with the fostering of producers through the predictability of raw material purchase (futures market). Table 2. Economic Advantage Comparison between Ethanol Raw Materials Raw MaterialRelative Cost of Raw MaterialEthanol Yield (L/ton)Value of Co-productsIndustrial AdaptationSorghumLower than cornSimilar to cornHigh-value DDGRequires few modifications in corn plantsCornHigher than sorghumReference parameterDDG and oilConsolidated industrial facilitiesSugarcaneVaries with sugar priceVaries with harvest and genotypeBagasse, electrical energy, by-productsRequires dedicated facilities The low capital investment barrier is the direct cause of the rapid expansion of sorghum ethanol production. With the minimum investment required to adapt existing units, the industry can quickly integrate sorghum into its supply chain, allowing for decentralized and efficient expansion. This synergy between corn and sorghum plants is the main mechanism that elevates the cereal from a simple alternative to a "protagonist" in the Brazilian bioenergy matrix. Sorghum also contributes to the overall competitiveness of the biofuel sector. Brazil’s RenovaBio has put carbon intensity at the center of ethanol economics. How is sorghum positioned in the CBIO market compared with sugarcane ? The National Biofuels Policy, known as RenovaBio, is a regulatory framework aimed at incentivizing the decarbonization of the Brazilian transport sector. The program is structured into three main axes: decarbonization targets, production certification, and the market for Decarbonization Credits (CBIOs). The central mechanism is the CBIO, in which each credit is equivalent to one ton of avoided carbon emissions. To issue CBIOs, the biofuel producer must obtain an Energy-Environmental Efficiency Note (NEEA), which is a value inversely proportional to the carbon intensity (CI) of their product. The carbon footprint of sorghum ethanol is being quantified by EMBRAPA for registration with the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel. The calculator used to calculate the NEEA and CI, called RenovaCalc, is being updated so that sorghum can be used as one of the raw materials. It is believed that its accreditation will increase the interest of certified plants due to the generation of CBIOs. RenovaBio acts as a powerful mechanism that goes beyond mere incentive, creating a feedback loop that directly influences producers' investment decisions. By monetizing the environmental benefits of a biofuel, the policy makes crops like sorghum more economically attractive, whose sustainable profile translates into an additional revenue stream via CBIOs. In this way, the program not only encourages but financially rewards the adoption of more resilient and lower carbon footprint raw materials, accelerating the diversification and sustainability of the Brazilian bioenergy matrix. With the U.S. and China dominating global sorghum trade, how does Brazil carve out a role as both a sorghum grower and ethanol exporter ? In the global sorghum scenario, the United States is the main exporter, followed by Australia and Argentina. Brazil, which historically exported modest volumes, mainly to South Africa and Spain, is positioned for a significant change. Commercial tensions between the USA and China, which resulted in the imposition of tariffs and the suspension of American sorghum imports due to sanitary concerns, created a market gap that Brazil is in a strategic position to fill. China's urgency in finding an alternative supplier was evidenced by the signing of a "pre-listing" agreement between the two countries. This agreement accelerates the process of qualifying exporters, allowing the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture to certify and qualify companies, streamlining commercial flow and strengthening mutual trust. The first shipments of Brazilian sorghum to China are expected to begin in 2026, with projections that the new market could demand up to 7.9 million tons per year. The emergence of a robust export market to China, while it may initially generate an increase in domestic sorghum prices, serves as a powerful catalyst for the maturation of the Brazilian value chain. The influx of guaranteed revenue and the demand from such a large market incentivize farmers to significantly expand the planted area and invest in productivity improvements. This increase in scale, in turn, attracts more investment in plant breeding and processing infrastructure, creating economies of scale and a more resilient sector. The geopolitical scenario, therefore, transforms a potential risk of price increasing into a long-term opportunity to consolidate the sorghum industry in Brazil, promoting both the export market and the domestic bioenergy value chain. While sorghum is positioned as a strategic pillar for Brazil’s bioenergy resilience, what risks or limitations—such as market volatility, policy changes, or technological bottlenecks—could prevent it from fully realizing this potential ? The analysis demonstrates that sorghum is a vital and growing component of the Brazilian bioenergy matrix. Its rise is driven by a confluence of technical, economic, and political factors that position it not just as an alternative, but as a strategic pillar for the resilience of the sector. Sorghum offers agronomic insurance against climate variability, an industrial complement that optimizes corn ethanol infrastructure, and a sustainability profile that perfectly aligns it with decarbonization policies like RenovaBio. To maximize the crop's potential, continued and intensified investment in research and genetic improvement is recommended. The focus should be on developing hybrids with higher starch contents for grain sorghum. From a political perspective, the continuous integration of sorghum into national bioenergy strategies is suggested, with policies that recognize and reward its specific environmental benefits within programs like RenovaBio. In summary, sorghum is on track to become a fundamental element for a more diversified, resilient, and sustainable Brazilian bioeconomy. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions and to integrate efficiently into existing infrastructure allows the country to meet domestic demand for renewable energy while strengthening its position in the global scenario of food and energy security. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3263/billion-dollar-microbe-market-transforming-global-vegetable-supply-chains.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3263/billion-dollar-microbe-market-transforming-global-vegetable-supply-chains.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 11:27:31 +0530 For over fifty years, synthetic fertilisers powered global food production but caused soil degradation, water contamination, and greenhouse-gas emissions, prompting a shift toward sustainable alternatives. Biofertilisers—live microbial products—are emerging as a mainstream solution, improving nutrient uptake, plant resilience, and produce quality while integrating with precision agriculture systems. Policy support, particularly in India, the EU, and Denmark, is accelerating adoption through subsidies, regulatory compliance, and carbon-credit incentives. Regional case studies demonstrate that microbial inputs, when combined with sensor-guided fertigation and AI-driven management, can reduce synthetic nitrogen use by 15–35 per cent , boost yields, and enhance market value. The global takeaway: biofertilisers are not just environmentally necessary but a strategic enabler of profitable, precision-driven vegetable farming. For decades, synthetic nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers were the workhorses of the Green Revolution — turbocharging yields, slashing food prices, and feeding billions. But that victory came with a steep bill: degraded soils, polluted water, rising greenhouse gases, and dependence on inputs whose prices swing with global markets. The rules of fertilisation are now being rewritten. In high-value vegetable farming, the shift is unmistakable. Sustainability mandates, precision agtech, and microbial breakthroughs are pushing growers toward a new playbook. Biofertilisers — living microbes that boost nutrient uptake, soil health, and crop resilience — are stepping out of the margins and into the heart of production. They don’t just cut the fertiliser bill; they raise produce quality, strengthen plants against stress, and slot neatly into sensor-driven, fertigation-ready systems from India to Denmark. The question is no longer if they work — but how fast they can scale and reshape the economics of vegetable farming. From Idea to Instrument: The Biofertiliser Opportunity The science behind biofertilisers is solid. Symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilising microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi unlock bound nutrients, fix atmospheric nitrogen, and boost water-use efficiency. Meta-analyses show that, under proper management, biofertilisers can replace 20–30 per cent of synthetic N/P in vegetables without sacrificing yield — while improving firmness, vitamin levels, and shelf life. The market is catching up fast. IMARC Group projects the global biofertiliser sector to hit $2.5 billion in 2024, growing at over 11 per cent CAGR through 2030 — faster than most ag inputs. In high-value vegetable farming, where residue limits and sustainability standards are strict, adoption already tops 20 per cent. But scaling isn’t frictionless. Microbes are living products — they need cold chains, soil-specific tailoring, and precise timing. Farmers used to the consistency of synthetics can face uneven results if biofertilisers meet the wrong soil pH, moisture, or temperature. Policy Landscape: Aligning Incentives, Compliance, and Adoption Government policy is now the biggest accelerator — or brake — on biofertiliser adoption. In India, programmes like PKVY and NMSA are subsidising bio-inputs, funding farmer training, and running demo plots to de-risk adoption for both smallholders and commercial hubs. Fertiliser control rules and mandatory nutrient-use efficiency reporting are nudging growers toward balanced nutrition. States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu add extra firepower with cold-chain support, certification, and advisory services — lowering the operational barriers to microbial use. ” With over a century of microbial expertise, now renewed by the merger of Novozymes and Christian Hansen, we are working to redefine how crops are nourished, protected and optimized. We work not only to replace chemical inputs, but also harness nature’s own solutions for improved and more resilient cropping systems, all while allowing growers to unlock additional yields from every acre. Our philosophy has always been to integrate our global R&D expertise with local needs. We see this in action in different ways. At the business level, as a deeply innovation driven company, we invest roughly 10 per cent of our turnover in R&D, a very significant proportion of our revenue ” — Kate Brandon Sutton, Head of Plant Biosolutions Applied R&D, Novonesis Precision agriculture is the force multiplier. Sensor-guided fertigation, drones, and AI agronomy platforms sync microbial application with crop growth stages, maximising yield response. But, as Katie Whittiker of Novonesis points out, India’s smallholder-heavy farm structure makes scaling a challenge. Subscription-based digital agronomy and shared drone services are emerging as cost-efficient solutions to bridge the gap. “Protected cultivation adds another layer of opportunity, particularly around urban consumption centres where quality, consistency, and residue compliance are non-negotiable. Here, biofertilisers and biostimulants can be precisely delivered through drip systems, aligning with the closed-loop, resource-efficient nature of greenhouses and shade-net operations”, opined Kattie. “Companies like Novonesis, which collaborate with cooperatives and input distributors, play a crucial role in bridging research-led innovation with last-mile farmer adoption — ensuring that advanced microbial solutions reach growers with proper guidance and compliance support “, she added. “Our long term partnerships with platforms like Benchling underscores our investment in cutting-edge R&D innovation and development of next-gen Biosolutions for emerging agricultural segments. We aim to do this in precision farming and protected agriculture segments by – Expanding the suite of microbe-based inputs tailored for high-value crops; Collaborating with organizations and cooperatives to enable data-driven decision making at the level of the farm and the field, and Supporting growers with robust stewardship programs that facilitate seamless adoption, and help maximize returns on investment " — Katie Whittiker, Head of Plant BioYield Business Unit, Novonesis Globally, regulation is uneven but decisive. The EU’s Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR 2019/1009) sets strict efficacy, safety, and traceability standards — critical for exporters facing tight nitrate and residue limits. In the Middle East and Africa, policy levers are tied to EU compliance: Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt are rapidly adopting microbial fertilisers to secure greenhouse exports, while Sub-Saharan rules remain patchy — a hurdle and opportunity for new entrants. Denmark offers a glimpse of the future: subsidies tied to nitrogen cuts, public-private R&D under the IBIS platform, and carbon-credit monetisation create a strong business case for biofertiliser use. Policy isn’t just compliance — it rewires market economics. Where governments integrate incentives, adoption rises faster, microbial performance is more consistent, and ROI for suppliers and growers improves. Precision Vegetable Farming Meets Biological Inputs Digital agriculture and microbial biosolutions are redefining performance standards in high-value vegetable farming. In both CEA and irrigated fields, blanket fertiliser applications are giving way to real-time, demand-driven nutrition. IoT soil sensors, AI-powered fertigation, and multispectral imaging now work in sync to deliver the right nutrients at the right moment — maximising efficiency and yield. ” Extensive global and regional trials on vegetable crops — including tomatoes, chilies, and leafy greens — consistently reveal that India’s average yields remain well below global benchmarks. This productivity gap underscores a significant opportunity for bio-inputs such as biofertilisers and biostimulants to drive both yield gains and sustainability outcomes. When integrated with optimised agronomic practices, biological solutions have delivered yield improvements exceeding 10 per cent compared with conventional methods. In India, fertigation-based trials have recorded yield increases of up to 18 per cent in tomatoes and chilies, while greenhouse experiments in Vietnam have demonstrated markedly improved nutrient uptake and superior quality in leafy vegetables. Validated through close collaboration with growers and research institutions, these results confirm the reliability of microbial inputs under real-world conditions " — Shanmugam Sambanthan, Commercial Head, Agriculture ,South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Novonesis Globally, the impact is striking. Israeli drip-irrigation pioneers like Netafim and Rivulis inject biofertilisers directly into root zones, boosting microbial colonisation and cutting synthetic nitrogen use 20–30 per cent without hurting yields. In Europe, greenhouse tomato growers combine microbial consortia with precision nutrients to hit nitrate-residue targets while sustaining export-grade productivity. A 2023 Wageningen study found 12–15 per cent yield gains and up to 40 per cent nitrate reductions when biofertilisers were paired with variable-rate fertigation. India is steadily moving toward this model, though adoption is concentrated in progressive clusters. Agritech start-ups are embedding microbial inputs into AI-driven agronomy platforms, giving smallholders access to tools once reserved for corporates. Subscription services for drones, sensors, and fertigation-as-a-service are lowering financial barriers. Early pilots in Nashik report tomato yield gains of 10–18 per cent and synthetic nitrogen savings of up to 35 kg/ha through precision-linked biofertilisers. Protected cultivation is another growth lever. Greenhouses and shade-net houses near urban centres enable year-round, residue-free, premium vegetables with lower post-harvest losses. Novonesis’ biofertiliser and biostimulant range, tailored for drip-irrigated systems, has delivered firmer bell peppers and cucumbers, higher marketable yields, and 12–15 per cent better nutrient-use efficiency, boosting grower margins. The benefits are clear: lower synthetic fertiliser costs, improved water efficiency, and premiums for low-residue produce. But scaling is local — what works for a protected cucumber farm in Bengaluru may not suit an open-field tomato grower in Rajasthan. Precision tools plus biological inputs aren’t just incremental; they mark a structural shift toward climate-resilient, resource-efficient farming. For policymakers, they advance fertiliser-reduction and soil-health goals. For growers, they boost per-hectare profitability while cutting input volatility. For investors, they signal a decade of data-driven, biology-led, sustainability-aligned growth. Across the globe, this integration is gaining traction. Israeli drip-irrigation firms inject biofertilisers into root zones to optimise colonisation. European greenhouse tomato growers pair microbial consortia with precision nutrients to meet yield and nitrate-residue standards. In India, agritech start-ups are embedding microbial inputs into AI-powered agronomy platforms, bringing precision farming to smallholders. Benchmarking Regional Pathways: India in Focus Biofertiliser adoption is global but uneven, following three distinct paths: scale-driven South Asia, scarcity-driven Middle East and Africa, and regulation-led Denmark. Each reflects unique market forces, infrastructure readiness, and regulatory pressures, offering lessons on where the microbial transition will accelerate and how businesses can position themselves. India leads South Asia, accounting for over 60 per cent of the region’s $143 million biofertiliser market in 2024, with 11–12 per cent annual growth projected. Policy is a major driver: PKVY and NMSA subsidise bio-inputs, fund training and demo plots, and incentivise adoption among smallholders and commercial vegetable hubs. Fertiliser controls and nutrient-use reporting further nudge farmers toward microbial solutions, especially where synthetic fertiliser costs are volatile. Domestic production adds a cost edge. Local Rhizobium, phosphate-solubilising microbes, and mycorrhizal inoculants are often 20–30 per cent cheaper than imports, while improved quality control builds trust. Smallholder economics are increasingly compelling: ICAR trials show integrated biofertiliser regimes in tomatoes, brinjal, and capsicum can boost yields 10–18 per cent, improve nutrient-use efficiency up to 25 per cent, and cut synthetic nitrogen by 35 kg/ha under fertigation. These results are reshaping the investment calculus for farmers, distributors, and downstream buyers alike. Shanmugam Sambanthan, Commercial Head, Agriculture ,South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Novonesis, expects India’s B2B bio-input market to evolve rapidly, though the highly fragmented agriculture landscape . ” Currently, bio-inputs are still a small fraction of overall inputs used by farmers. The fragmentation across farmlands provides can be a significant challenges to the adoption of Bio-inputs, particularly when it comes to reaching farmers through the direct trade, and most importantly in providing meaningful services to farmers. Along similar lines, companies including startups in the bio-input space struggle to scale due to the high investment and resource requirements needed for wide market reach “, Sambanthan opined. Novonesis has carved a distinct niche in India’s bio-inputs market as a B2B innovator, focusing on cutting-edge R&D rather than direct-to-farmer sales. Its strength lies in developing advanced microbial and biostimulant solutions while partners handle market reach, distribution, and farmer engagement — a win–win that accelerates adoption without diluting focus on innovation, quality, or regulatory compliance. A collaboration with KRIBHCO illustrates this model. By combining Novonesis’ next-generation biosolutions with KRIBHCO’s distribution network and agricultural expertise, the partnership scales access, ensures reliable supply, and co-invests in farmer awareness programs and demonstration plots across diverse crops and agro-climatic zones. The results are tangible: Irrigated vegetable hubs like Nashik (Maharashtra) and Kolar (Karnataka) report 30–40 per cent integration for high-value crops such as tomato and capsicum. Adoption lags in rainfed eastern and central regions ( ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3238/japan-leads-way-in-kelp-carbon-credits-brian-takeda-explains-why-world-should-follow.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3238/japan-leads-way-in-kelp-carbon-credits-brian-takeda-explains-why-world-should-follow.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:22:13 +0530 Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda, CEO & Co-Founder of Restorae, Founder, Urchinomics, Secretariat of International Affairs, Japan Blue Economy, Head of Reforestation, Kelp Forest Foundation is a global voice for ocean regeneration, championing kelp forests as vital yet overlooked climate allies. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, he explains how kelp ecosystems deliver biodiversity, food security, coastal resilience, and carbon sequestration—quietly but critically shaping climate futures. As Secretariat of International Affairs at the Japan Blue Economy Association, Takeda highlights Japan’s pioneering role in integrating kelp forests into blue carbon credits and Paris Agreement reporting. He discusses the credibility of kelp-based sequestration, the challenges of MRV, and the high market value of Japan’s J-Blue Credits compared to conventional offsets. Beyond policy and markets, he emphasizes equitable benefit sharing for coastal communities, especially in the Global South, and the need for fair pricing mechanisms. Drawing on his Japanese heritage and global perspective, Takeda envisions kelp forests as central to a just and regenerative blue economy. Section I: Vision & Strategy Brian, you’re at the intersection of reforestation and regeneration—both on land and under water. What led you to champion kelp forests as a cornerstone of climate action in the marine sphere? Kelp forests are perhaps one of the most valuable ecosystems we have on our planet, yet are often overlooked because they thrive underwater, outside of our line of sight. When you quantify the incredible benefits kelp forests quietly deliver to us as “ecosystem services”, we find that they contribute immensely to biodiversity, coastal resilience, food security and climate change. Equally, when kelp forests suffer, they also suffer quietly, outside of our line of sight. So far, we have lost around half of all our kelp forests around the world, and most of us have no idea that this happened. When I learned how much kelp forests contribute, and how little attention it is getting, I felt the need to raise its profile and catalyze various solutions to help restore them. How do you see kelp reforestation fitting into Japan’s broader blue economy roadmap and international climate commitments like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework or the Paris Agreement? Kelp forest restoration and farmed kelp production already contribute to the country´s efforts to decarbonize and improve biodiversity. Japan was the first in the world to recognize wild kelp forests as part of their blue carbon ecosystem, and now includes them as part of their inventory when reporting to the Paris Agreement. The Japan Blue Economy Association, a Ministry of Infrastructure, Land, Transportation and Tourism-approved independent research cooperative, is responsible for Japan´s voluntary blue carbon credits, where both wild kelp forests and farmed kelp are eligible for J-Blue Credits, a blue carbon credit that also incorporates other ecosystem services like biodiversity and community benefits. Unlike terrestrial forests, kelp forests store carbon in biomass for centuries. What makes them a credible, even necessary, part of the blue carbon conversation? In the Japanese context, kelp forest carbon sequestration is calculated based on the biomass and dissolved organic compounds that end up into the ocean´s deep and is sequestered there for centuries or millennia. Terrestrial forests on the other hand often include “above ground” biomass, or the trees themselves, which are prone to deforestation, fires, and other factors that I would say makes them less durable, and do not store it for centuries. Further, the Japanese approach to assessing carbon sequestration through kelps is based on an annual assessment of the biomass and a pragmatic estimation of how much of said biomass sinks into the deep sea. This means that, one needs to show that kelp is growing each year, to then approximate how much of that is deposited into the deep, in order to generate a credit. By making it an annual process, and only issuing credits when we know the kelp has in fact grown, and will inevitably get deposited into the deep sea, I like to believe it is much more robust and credible than current terrestrial MRV approaches. Section II: Science & Carbon Markets There’s growing excitement—but also skepticism—about ocean-based carbon sequestration. What scientific benchmarks or MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification) protocols are being established to validate kelp forests as legitimate carbon sinks? I am keeping a close eye on what the Republic of Korea will be doing in terms of seaweeds, kelps and their NDCs. What I find interesting about state-led initiatives, is that it effectively trumps all 3rd party approaches we have become dependent on, because it is ultimately the state that reports to the Paris and Kunming-Montreal Agreement. So, the moment Japan´s state-led approach is joined by Korea, China and other countries in a similar state-centric way, we will surely see a burst of new interest from around the world. When it is just one country, it is an exception. When it is two, we can draw a line and start thinking about trajectory. When countries like China join the mix, we start to see a meaningful pattern develop. The question then is, what are other kelp-endowed countries like the UK, Norway, Canada, US, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand going to do? They too have robust and valuable kelp forests that contribute not just to carbon sequestration, but a myriad of other co-benefits. Perhaps the developments in the East will trigger Western governments to take a more active role in their kelp forests. Are current voluntary carbon markets structurally ready to accommodate kelp-based credits, or are we still in the proof-of-concept stage? What regulatory bottlenecks or frameworks are you navigating? Voluntary carbon markets in Japan are ready, as the J-Blue Credits generated from kelp restoration has been in existence for many years now, and they are transacting at significantly higher prices than the rest of the world. Average prices of J-Blue Credits are well over $ 400/t, which is more than 10x traditional voluntary carbon credits sold around the world. One of the main reasons why I joined the Japan Blue Economy Association as their Secretariat of International Affairs, was because I realized all these precedent-setting events were not being properly shared and communicated with the rest of the world. The language and culture barrier are likely the biggest hurdles for Japan´s best practices, learnings and experiences from spreading to other kelp-endowed countries, and accelerating their respective development in the space. Can you share insights into ongoing pilot projects, especially those demonstrating the sequestration potential, co-benefits (like biodiversity and fisheries recovery), and economic returns of kelp reforestation ? Here are some tangible examples of projects, both pilot and scaling projects, that are already demonstrating sequestration and co-benefits. In Japan, a suite of progressive pilot and scaling projects is providing robust evidence that kelp reforestation delivers credible carbon sequestration alongside tangible ecological and socio-economic benefits. In Hirono Town (Iwate Prefecture), Sumitomo Corporation and partners restored seaweed beds within the historic Zoshokuko tidal channels—earning the largest issuance yet of J-Blue Credits (3,106.5 t-CO₂), while channeling proceeds into climate action through a local fisheries council. Meanwhile, Urchinomics pioneered a circular restoration model in Kunisaki and Nagato by paying divers to remove overgrazing sea urchins, ranching them into premium seafood, and thereby enabling kelp forest recovery. Their efforts secured the world’s first voluntary blue carbon credits for kelp restoration, with scientifically conservative yet verifiable estimates (approximately 1.5 t-CO₂ per hectare, priced at JPY 78,063/t in 2022). At Mashike in Hokkaido, University of Tokyo researchers conducted a five-year field study using iron fertilization—applying steelmaking slag combined with compost along the shoreline—to stimulate biomass growth in Saccharina japonica, with fertilized plots demonstrating significantly greater seaweed coverage than control sites. Complementing these, municipal initiatives—such as eelgrass and seaweed restoration in Osaka’s Hannan City and Oita Prefecture—have produced J-Blue Credit-certified carbon offsets while reinvesting revenues in community education, aquatic habitat regeneration, and local livelihoods. Together, these diverse projects underline a powerful narrative: kelp forests are not only viable as durable blue carbon sinks but also act as engines for biodiversity recovery, fisheries revival, and coastal economic resilience. Section III: Geopolitics & Ocean Equity Kelp thrives in temperate oceans across East Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Do you see a risk of blue carbon becoming a resource race, especially as high-integrity credits become scarce? That is an interesting question. Firstly, I think your point of geography is quite important. Kelp is quite unique because unlike mangroves and corals, they tend to grow in the countries where emissions and biodiversity loss are highest. This means that high emitting countries can begin reversing this trend within their own Exclusive Economic Zone, as kelps grow 100 per cent within it. So in that sense, I can see how restoring kelp forests can quickly become a “low hanging fruit” for those countries that have them, and can quickly scale up restoration efforts. Secondly, as for your comment about a resource race, I do think that due to the scarcity of high-integrity credits, there will be a massive supply shortage, but that would apply for all types, not just ocean-based ones. However, for those ocean-faring companies that would prefer to inset within their marine supply chain, versus offsetting on terrestrial initiatives, I think the supply would be even more limited, as supply is already incredibly constrained today. This is where I believe well-structured frameworks and markets will play their role. As demand continues to grow for marine solutions, the lack of supply will drive a new cohort of new entrants that will develop new ways to restore marine ecosystems. Markets like Japan that have mechanisms like J-Blue Credits will see more innovative solutions developing, simply because they have a state-approved, predictable framework to work within. This can then lead to exciting collaborations between major corporates, funders on one side, and innovative start-ups and community led initiatives on the other, like we already see today. Governments that do not provide such a framework will make it riskier for corporates and investors to contribute, limiting the market pressures to spur on exciting, and much needed innovation. How can we ensure that coastal communities, particularly in the Global South, are not just carbon custodians but equitable beneficiaries in emerging kelp carbon markets? This is one of the most important points I would like to highlight in this interview. After having met many mangrove restoration practitioners from the Global South and Small Island Developing States and learning about their challenges, I am firmly convinced that equitable benefit sharing must be the cornerstone of future kelp carbon markets. In Japan, where the communities themselves often own and operate the restoration projects, they retain most of the $ 400/t (average) credit value upon selling it to a mission-aligned corporates. However, I have since learned that, even some of the best mangrove projects in Africa are only getting $ 20-30 $/t, of which the initial funders, market makers and brokers, certifying bodies all take their cut, leaving at most, 30 per cent of the credit value for the communities. I would thus like to take this opportunity to address the elephant in the room. Pricing. Europe´s carbon taxes per ton of CO2e released is between 50 to 120 EUR, with the Norwegian government aiming to set it to EUR 170 (2000NOK/ton CO2e) by 2030. The IMO´s penalty fee for exceeding allocated emissions is $ 380/t. Japan´s J-Blue Credits are being traded at an average of over $ 400/t. The Global North is clearly in triple digit territory when it comes to “costing” the release of CO2. However, high-integrity, high-value, co-benefits generating, community-led blue carbon projects in the Global South only achieve $ 30/ton for the same 1t of CO2e sequestered, and the communities that make it all happen only get $ 9/ton of this. Value seems to be disproportionately captured by the emitters and buyers in the North by depressing the purchase prices of the credits generated in the South. I believe there should be a price correcting mechanism, like the indexing of the carbon credit prices to the carbon taxes faced by the buyers in the Global North. By indexing, and ensuring that the indexed premium goes to the communities, we narrow the gap by raising prices closer to the buyer´s cost of releasing CO2, while ensuring that communities properly and equitably benefit. Section IV: Innovation, Investment, and the Future Is there scope to integrate kelp reforestation with other ocean-based climate strategies—such as regenerative aquaculture, artificial reefs, or marine permaculture—for compounded climate and livelihood gains? Absolutely. It may also prove to be one of the fastest, most scalable and cost effective ways to improve marine biodiversity, coastal resilience and carbon sequestration. This is simply because kelps are incredibly resilient and can opportunistically recolonize very fast if we give them the right conditions to do so. And we can do this two ways. We can a) reduce the pressures preventing kelps from recovering and/or b) help kelp forests recover faster using artificial reefs, marine permaculture etc. I think the answer will likely be a combination of everything will be most effective, rather than one or the other. Section V: Personal & Philosophical You’ve spoken about environmental responsibility rooted in cultural and intergenerational wisdom. How does your heritage influence your vision for restoring underwater ecosystems? Perhaps it is the Japanese, collectivist, Buddhist-Shinto part of me, but I do believe our stakeholders are not just those that are present with us today, but also those of our past and future, and beyond the narrow definition of humanity. As temporary inhabitants of this planet, I feel it is our duty to find greater balance between our stakeholders (past, present and future, as well as human and non-human), rather than tip it even more in favor of humanity, today. What gives you hope that kelp forests—often invisible and undervalued—can finally capture the world’s attention as vital climate allies? I think kelp forests will truly gain the attention it deserves when more people understand the incredible power kelps and seaweeds hold, and how kelp forests are interconnected with life in the ocean. And we are seeing a growing awareness shift amongst the general population in some countries. In Norway for example, kelp forests are finally being talked about in the parliament, and how government, private industry and NGOs are now working together to create a holistic plan for kelp forest restoration. We still have a long way to go though, so I will continue to spread the word however I can so that we can build even more momentum to conserve and restore these precious ecosystems we have along our coasts. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3232/autour-du-cacao-inside-mboukems-mission-to-rewire-cocoas-future.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3232/autour-du-cacao-inside-mboukems-mission-to-rewire-cocoas-future.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:21:14 +0530 In an exclusive interview with Agrospectrum, Willy Gabriel Mboukem, President of La Green Factory, outlined how Africa can finally rewrite its role in the $130-billion cocoa economy. Speaking through the lens of Autour du Cacao, his flagship project, Mboukem stressed that the real breakthrough lies not only in local processing but in valorizing by-products—transforming husks, mucilage, and pulp into new industries from cosmetics to bioplastics. He argued that Europe’s new deforestation rules, while challenging, could be a springboard for African producers to lead on traceability and sustainability if backed with the right support. Looking ahead to 2035, he envisions a cocoa sector driven by prosperous farmers, strong cooperatives, and globally recognized African brands. But he warned that without investment, governance reform, and youth engagement, Africa risks remaining a raw bean supplier in a market it should be shaping. The Value Paradox Africa produces most of the world’s cocoa but captures little of the value. Why has this paradox endured, and what levers could finally shift value addition closer to origin? The fact that Africa produces the vast majority of the world’s cocoa while capturing only a tiny fraction of its value is a persistent paradox, deeply rooted in colonial history and global economic structures. Several factors contribute to this. Historically, producing countries have been confined to the role of suppliers of raw beans, with little or no local processing. The value-added stages—roasting, grinding, chocolate manufacturing, and marketing—are predominantly captured by companies in consuming countries. Insufficient investment in infrastructure (roads, energy, logistics) and limited industrial capacity further hinder the development of a competitive local processing industry. The cost of local processing can sometimes exceed that of exporting raw beans and importing finished products. However, Côte d’Ivoire is making tremendous progress on this front by canceling exportation of raw beans from April to October. This effort is designed to allocate beans to processors, with the goal of transforming 50 per cent of production by 2050. African producers also often face difficult access to international markets for processed goods and lack information on consumption trends, quality requirements and export prices, making them dependent on intermediary buyers. In addition, sanitary, phytosanitary, and quality standards imposed by importing markets can be difficult for small producers and emerging processors to meet, requiring costly investments and training. A crucial but often overlooked factor is the low valuation of by-products. The industry focuses almost exclusively on the cocoa bean for chocolate production. However, the cocoa pod, mucilage, husk, and other parts of the fruit hold immense economic and nutritional potential, which often remains untapped. The failure to valorize these by-products represents a significant economic loss and waste of resources. How to Change the Game? The most powerful lever to shift value addition to the origin lies in diversification and valorization of cocoa by-products. It is imperative to move beyond the binary thinking of "cocoa = chocolate and beans." The true wealth of cocoa does not lie solely in the bean. Mucilage can be transformed into juice, vinegar, or alcohol; the husk into biochar, fertilizer, bioplastics, or animal feed ingredients. The pulp can be used for refreshing beverages or jams. These transformations, often less capital-intensive than large-scale chocolate production, can be carried out locally, creating jobs, generating additional income for farmers, and reducing waste. Our initiatives are dedicated precisely to highlighting these innovations and the actors who are exploring new valorization pathways. We interview entrepreneurs, researchers, and farmers who are transforming cocoa beyond the bean, demonstrating the economic and environmental potential of these by-products. It is by investing in research and development of these alternative value chains, training local populations in transformation techniques, and facilitating market access for these new products that Africa can finally capture a fairer share of its cocoa’s value. Europe’s New Rules The EU Deforestation Regulation is poised to redefine cocoa trade. Do you see it primarily as a compliance burden for African farmers or as a chance to accelerate traceability and sustainability? The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) marks a turning point for the cocoa trade. I view it not as a compliance burden but as a rare opportunity to accelerate traceability and sustainability in the cocoa supply chain—so long as it comes with adequate support for producers. A burden or an opportunity? For African farmers, especially smallholders, the regulation will not be easy. Parcel geolocation, proof of non-deforestation, and due diligence bring new layers of complexity and cost. Without technical and financial backing, many could be shut out of the European market, with serious socio-economic consequences. Yet the very stringency of the EUDR forces a transformation the industry has long postponed. Traceability, for decades little more than an aspiration, is now non-negotiable. By requiring precise data on origin, the regulation enables the identification of deforestation-risk areas, ensures cocoa comes from legal and sustainable sources, and strengthens the fight against child labor and other abuses. Compliance will also accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices. Farmers will need to move toward methods that do not drive deforestation, pushing agroforestry, forest restoration, and more responsible land management from theory to practice. The benefits extend beyond the farm. Demonstrating compliance with European standards could help African cocoa shed its reputation as a commodity plagued by sustainability concerns. Producers who meet the bar stand to gain buyer confidence and access to premium markets. And with regulatory clarity, investment in sustainable and traceable supply chains becomes more attractive, offering committed farmers a clearer pathway to long-term resilience. The role of support For this opportunity to outweigh the risks, substantial support is essential. Farmers will need technical assistance in GPS mapping, data management, and sustainable agronomic practices. They will require financial support—credit for equipment, certification, and transition costs. Local institutions must be strengthened so they can guide producers through compliance. And above all, there must be open dialogue between the EU, producing countries, and supply chain actors to ensure the regulation is implemented fairly and effectively. If these conditions are met, the EUDR could do more than reshape trade. It could set the stage for a cocoa industry that is transparent, sustainable, and more equitable—one in which Africa positions itself not at the margins but at the forefront of responsible production. Processing Ambitions Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have set targets to process more of their cocoa locally. In practical terms, what stands in the way of Africa scaling beyond semi-processing into globally competitive chocolate? The ambitions of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to process more of their cocoa locally are both commendable and necessary if Africa is to capture a greater share of value. Yet moving beyond semi-processing into globally competitive chocolate production faces significant hurdles, many of which are deeply structural. The first obstacle lies in the cost of energy and inputs. Chocolate manufacturing is energy-intensive, and high or unstable electricity prices in many African countries drive up production costs. Beyond energy, essential inputs such as sugar, powdered milk, and food-grade packaging often have to be imported, adding both expense and logistical complexity. Technology and expertise present another barrier. Producing high-quality chocolate requires advanced machinery and refined technical skills—whether mastering flavor profiling, conching, or tempering. Such expertise is not yet widely available locally, and access to cutting-edge equipment and training remains limited. Even when production is possible, stringent quality and food safety standards add another layer of difficulty. Competing globally demands rigorous quality control systems and internationally recognized certifications, both of which are costly and complicated to implement. Then comes the challenge of marketing and distribution. The global chocolate market is dominated by entrenched multinationals with vast budgets and global retail networks. African brands struggle to gain visibility, build recognition, and secure access to supermarket shelves or specialty stores abroad. Financing is also a persistent bottleneck: large-scale chocolate processing requires heavy upfront investment, but African entrepreneurs often face limited access to affordable, long-term credit. Finally, there is the question of consumer perception. For decades, chocolate has been synonymous with Europe or North America, and the idea that African chocolate is somehow of lower quality—however unfounded—still lingers. Overcoming this bias requires sustained branding, storytelling, and consumer education to promote the quality and authenticity of African-origin chocolate. By-Product Valorization as a Bridge Given these realities, it may be more pragmatic not to focus exclusively on producing finished chocolate but to diversify value-addition strategies. Valorizing cocoa by-products offers a promising bridge. The mucilage can be transformed into juice or vinegar, non-deodorized cocoa butter can feed cosmetics, and husks can be turned into bioplastics or fertilizers. These pathways are far less capital- and technology-intensive than chocolate manufacturing, yet they can generate substantial revenues. Crucially, they can be pursued locally, creating jobs, developing skills, and enabling African businesses to gain experience with transformation processes, quality standards, and international market dynamics. Over time, these alternative value chains can serve as stepping stones, allowing cocoa-producing countries to build expertise, accumulate capital, and gradually develop their own strong brands. Our podcast “Autour du Cacao” highlights precisely such initiatives, showcasing entrepreneurs who are reimagining cocoa beyond the bean. Their work demonstrates that the future of Africa’s cocoa sector need not be a binary choice between exporting raw beans and competing head-on with chocolate giants. By fully valorizing the fruit in all its forms, Africa can carve a distinctive, resilient, and ultimately more profitable place in the global cocoa economy. Farmer Economics Cocoa farmers remain trapped in poverty despite feeding a $130+ billion chocolate industry. Beyond pricing mechanisms like the Living Income Differential, what structural solutions could transform farmer livelihoods? That cocoa farmers remain trapped in poverty while fueling a chocolate industry worth over $130 billion is a glaring injustice. Mechanisms like the Living Income Differential (LID) are steps in the right direction, but they remain stopgap measures. To truly transform farmer livelihoods, structural solutions must target the root causes of poverty. The first imperative is diversification. Dependence on cocoa alone leaves farmers at the mercy of volatile markets and climate shocks. Integrating food crops, alternative cash crops, or even livestock into farming systems can stabilize incomes and enhance household food security. Agroforestry is particularly promising, allowing cocoa to be cultivated under the shade of fruit and forest trees that generate additional income streams while improving ecological resilience. Equally critical is the valorization of cocoa by-products. The fruit is more than just the bean: mucilage, husk, and pulp all carry economic potential. Small-scale transformation into juices, vinegar, biochar, or animal feed can unlock new revenue sources that were previously wasted. But realizing this potential requires targeted training in processing techniques and the creation of viable market linkages for these new products. Finance is another missing piece. Too often, farmers remain excluded from formal financial systems, with little access to credit, insurance, or savings tools. Expanding access to tailored microfinance, climate-risk insurance, and savings schemes would empower farmers to invest in productivity improvements, weather lean seasons, and withstand unexpected shocks. Collective organization also matters. Strong cooperatives and producer associations can shift the balance of power in farmers’ favor. By pooling resources, they can negotiate better input prices, organize collective marketing, and share services such as training or equipment. This reduces dependence on intermediaries and ensures that more value remains in farmer hands. Training and technology transfer are essential complements. Practical instruction in good agricultural practices, post-harvest handling, and quality improvement can directly raise yields and incomes. At the same time, capacity building in by-product processing equips farmers to diversify income streams in more innovative ways. Finally, rural infrastructure must not be overlooked. Roads, energy, and water systems may seem distant from farm-level economics, but they are in fact central. Better infrastructure reduces transport and transaction costs, improves access to inputs and markets, and makes it easier for farmers to connect with financial and extension services. In short, lifting cocoa farmers out of poverty requires moving beyond short-term pricing fixes. Only by diversifying farm economies, valorizing the full potential of cocoa, expanding financial inclusion, strengthening collective power, and investing in rural infrastructure can the industry close the gap between a multibillion-dollar chocolate market and the smallholders who sustain it. Consumer Shifts in Europe How are European trends—demand for dark chocolate, sugar reduction, ethical sourcing—reshaping the cocoa value chain, and where can African producers plug into these shifts? Consumer trends in Europe—particularly the appetite for dark chocolate, the push for sugar reduction, and the insistence on ethical sourcing—are not passing fads. They are rewiring the cocoa value chain and, crucially, creating new entry points for African producers willing to adapt. The growing demand for dark chocolate is the clearest signal. By emphasizing the intrinsic quality of cocoa and its complex flavor profiles rather than sugar or additives, European consumers are rewarding producers who can deliver beans with distinctive aromas and terroir. For African farmers, this makes investment in fermentation and drying techniques far more than a technical upgrade—it is a passport to direct partnerships with artisan chocolatiers and niche brands that prize origin-specific identity. Sugar reduction amplifies this trend. As consumers gravitate toward richer flavors less masked by sweetness, the aromatic depth of cocoa comes into sharper focus. African beans, with their varied profiles, are well positioned to serve as the backbone of low-sugar chocolates that still feel indulgent. This shift also opens the door to innovation in cocoa-based products that aren’t necessarily confections at all—pure cocoa beverages, extracts, and functional ingredients that lean on authenticity rather than added sugar. The most powerful driver, however, is ethical and sustainable sourcing. European buyers are scrutinizing the origins of cocoa like never before, linking their choices to farmer livelihoods, environmental impact, and traceability. With the EU Deforestation Regulation now transforming ethical sourcing from a consumer preference into a legal requirement, the message is unambiguous: cocoa that cannot prove it is deforestation-free and responsibly grown will struggle to enter the European market. For African producers, this presents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity to differentiate through certifications, agroforestry practices, and fair labor commitments. Seizing this moment requires a multi-pronged strategy. Producers must first shift from bulk cocoa to specialty-grade beans, focusing on quality and differentiation. Building robust traceability systems—complete with parcel geolocation and transparent documentation of farming practices—will be non-negotiable to satisfy both regulators and consumers. Beyond the bean, there lies another frontier: valorization of by-products. Europe’s interest in natural, functional, and sustainable ingredients is growing, and cocoa mucilage, husk, and pulp can be transformed into beverages, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals that speak directly to sugar-conscious, health-oriented consumers. Cocoa juice, rich in antioxidants, is already a candidate for positioning as a healthy, natural drink aligned with Europe’s low-sugar ethos. But meeting these trends is not just about production; it is about narrative. European consumers increasingly want to know the story behind their chocolate—its terroir, its communities, its sustainable practices. Finally, success will require forging strategic partnerships. By aligning with European companies committed to sustainability and innovation, African producers can not only gain access to markets but also benefit from technology transfer, co-branding opportunities, and new product development. In doing so, they cease to be mere suppliers of raw material and instead emerge as co-creators of the future of chocolate. In short, Europe’s shifting consumer landscape is more than a compliance challenge. It is a chance for Africa to rewrite its role in the cocoa economy—by doubling down on quality, embedding traceability, valorizing every part of the fruit, and telling its story with conviction. Africa–Europe Power Balance Historically, Europe has set the rules and Africa has supplied the beans. Do you see the relationship evolving toward a more balanced partnership, or will structural dependency persist? Historically, the relationship between Africa and Europe in the cocoa industry has been one of stark imbalance: Europe set the rules while Africa supplied the beans. Today, however, there are signs of this dynamic shifting toward a more balanced partnership—even if the risk of structural dependence remains unless bolder reforms take root. Signs of Evolution The first indicator of change lies in Africa’s growing ambition to process more cocoa locally. Every ton transformed into paste, butter, or powder within producing countries represents value captured at origin rather than ceded to European processors. While competing with global chocolate giants remains a long-term challenge, the rise of African chocolatiers and the steady growth of domestic grinding capacity signal a meaningful shift. Equally transformative is the valorization of by-products. By extracting value from cocoa mucilage, husk, and pulp, African innovators are building entirely new economic sectors that do not directly compete with Europe’s chocolate industry. Products such as cocoa juice, biochar, and cosmetics diversify income streams and reposition Africa not as a raw material supplier but as a source of innovation. Producer organizations and institutions are also becoming more assertive. Stronger cooperatives, regional blocs such as ECOWAS, and proactive government policies are giving farmers a greater collective voice. At the same time, European consumer demand for ethical, sustainable, and traceable cocoa is granting African producers new leverage. Those who meet these standards can forge more direct, equitable partnerships with buyers and negotiate improved terms. Finally, knowledge and technology transfer partnerships are enabling African actors to climb further up the value chain, from farming to processing to marketing. Risks of Persistent Dependence Yet these advances could stall if structural barriers are not dismantled. Without large-scale investment in infrastructure, energy access, and training, local processing ambitions risk falling short. International regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), may also entrench inequality if imposed as compliance burdens without financial or technical support. Unless producing countries coordinate their approaches to European buyers, fragmented strategies will continue to weaken bargaining power. Outlook In short, the balance is shifting but not guaranteed. Africa’s determination to capture more value, combined with European consumers’ ethical expectations, is laying the groundwork for a new kind of partnership. To consolidate this progress, however, investment, supportive policy frameworks, and cross-border collaboration remain essential. The future of cocoa depends on whether the industry can finally transcend its colonial inheritance and build a relationship defined by shared value rather than structural dependency. Role of Policy and Institutions How effective are current interventions by African governments, regional blocs, and industry alliances in shifting bargaining power? What policy gaps still hold Africa back? The interventions of African governments, regional blocs, and industry alliances are increasingly important in rebalancing negotiating power in the cocoa sector. Yet their effectiveness is uneven, and persistent policy gaps continue to limit Africa’s ability to fully capture value. Effectiveness of Current Interventions National governments have made strides by encouraging local processing through tax incentives and industrial free zones, improving cocoa quality through certification programs and research centers, and supporting farmers with subsidies or guaranteed prices. Regulatory bodies such as Côte d’Ivoire’s Coffee-Cocoa Council and the Ghana Cocoa Board have brought greater organization and a measure of protection to farmers. Regional blocs such as ECOWAS and ECCAS hold potential to integrate regional cocoa markets, harmonize policies, and strengthen Africa’s collective bargaining power with international buyers. Their industrialization and diversification initiatives mark steps in that direction, though they remain works in progress. Industry alliances, notably the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI), have mobilized resources to address deforestation, child labor, and traceability. These programs help align African producers with evolving European sustainability requirements and build credibility in global markets. Persistent Policy Gaps Despite these advances, several gaps blunt the impact of interventions. A lack of coordination—between ministries and among producing countries—often dilutes the effectiveness of national and regional policies. The broader business environment also poses challenges: corruption, bureaucracy, and political instability discourage both local entrepreneurship and foreign investment. Access to long-term, affordable finance remains another weak link. Without credit, insurance, and investment capital, smallholder cooperatives and SMEs struggle to scale processing, adopt innovation, or valorize by-products. Research and development is underfunded, with too few centers of excellence or public–private partnerships driving new varieties, farming practices, or product innovation. Infrastructure deficits—from unreliable energy and poor roads to limited storage—continue to raise costs and erode competitiveness. Finally, policy frameworks rarely extend to by-product valorization. The absence of clear standards and incentives has slowed the commercialization of products like cocoa juice, biochar, or husk-based materials that could open entirely new markets. The Way Forward For Africa to move beyond bean dependency, policies must become more integrated, coordinated, and backed by substantial investment. Governments need to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable value capture across the entire chain—not just at the farm gate. Closing these gaps is the only way to convert current efforts into real bargaining power and position Africa as an equal partner in the global cocoa economy. The Next Decade By 2035, what does a successful African cocoa economy look like in your view? And conversely, what risks could derail progress if current dynamics don’t change? By 2035, a successful African cocoa economy would look radically different from today’s. The continent would no longer be confined to exporting raw beans but would command a diversified, integrated value chain. A significant share of cocoa would be processed locally—not only into paste, butter, and powder, but also into high-quality chocolates sold under internationally recognized African brands. Just as importantly, by-products once discarded would fuel thriving new industries. Companies would be producing cocoa juice, vinegar, cosmetics, bioplastics, organic fertilizers, and even pharmaceutical ingredients, creating new revenue streams and jobs. Farmers themselves would be prosperous and autonomous. Living incomes would be secured through fairer bean prices, diversified earnings from agroforestry and by-product valorization, and far better access to finance and services. Farmers would operate as skilled entrepreneurs, organized into powerful cooperatives that negotiate directly with buyers. Agriculture would also be sustainable by default. Regenerative practices and agroforestry would enhance soils, protect biodiversity, and build climate resilience, while deforestation linked to cocoa would be eliminated through traceable, forest-positive production systems. African leadership would be more visible and more coherent. Governments and regional blocs would back industrialization with consistent policies, R&D investments, and market-access strategies. On the global stage, Africa would speak with one voice, asserting the interests of its producers and processors. Perhaps most importantly, a new generation would see agriculture as a sector of opportunity, not last resort. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, and social recognition, farming would attract youth, with initiatives such as Kids Farming inspiring children to view sustainable agriculture as both purposeful and aspirational. Risks of Derailment But this vision is far from guaranteed. If investments in local processing and by-product valorization stall, Africa could remain stuck as a raw bean supplier, vulnerable to price swings. Failure to support smallholders in complying with new rules like the EUDR could shut farmers out of European markets, deepening poverty and instability. Climate change poses another existential risk: without widespread adoption of resilient farming systems, yields could collapse under droughts, floods, or disease. Equally worrying is the financing gap. Without affordable, long-term investment in infrastructure, innovation, and SMEs, ambitions may wither on paper. The Imperative The next decade will be decisive. Turning Africa’s cocoa economy into a diversified, sustainable, and youth-driven powerhouse requires collective, coordinated action across governments, industry, and civil society. Innovation, diversification, and empowerment of local actors must move from rhetoric to reality. The future of cocoa is in Africa—but only if Africa seizes it on its own terms. ---- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3221/transforming-post-harvest-protection-clearleafs-gotablanca-post-redefines-future-of-zero-residue-crop-innovation.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3221/transforming-post-harvest-protection-clearleafs-gotablanca-post-redefines-future-of-zero-residue-crop-innovation.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:35:13 +0530 In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Lawrence Pratt, President of ClearLeaf (Costa Rica), unveils how the company’s GotaBlanca Post platform is revolutionizing post-harvest crop protection with zero-detectable residues. Using a proprietary copolymer matrix that embeds elemental silver, the technology destroys pathogens through multiple mechanisms while keeping silver levels at natural background thresholds. Pratt highlights that in pineapples and bananas—two of the world’s largest tropical export crops—the product delivers fungicide-level efficacy without worker safety risks or environmental trade-offs. With EU bans tightening and consumers demanding residue-free produce, he sees the non-toxic post-harvest protection market growing exponentially over the next five years. Regulatory trials have already shown ClearLeaf’s formulations beat the strictest MRL limits, opening premium export markets to producers. Looking ahead, Pratt envisions GotaBlanca Post as a game-changer for global fresh produce trade, cutting waste, extending shelf life, and reshaping economics across long-distance supply chains. Transformative Innovation GotaBlanca Post extends a field-proven crop protection platform into post-harvest applications. Can you explain the science behind its ability to deliver uncompromised pathogen control while leaving zero detectable residues? The science lies in our innovative copolymer matrix design. GotaBlanca Post uses elemental silver embedded within a proprietary surface copolymer system that creates a protective microfilm on produce. The elemental silver of our formulation kills pathogens through multiple simultaneous mechanisms – shattering cell walls, disrupting nutrient uptake, damaging DNA, and causing oxidative stress. This multi-point mode of action is incredibly effective yet uses truly tiny amounts of silver. Our trials with Eurofins laboratory consistently show residues below detectable limits because the silver remains at naturally occurring background levels. The copolymer matrix keeps the active ingredient exactly where it needs to be – on the surface fighting pathogens – without interfering with natural processes or entering the food matrix. In comparison to conventional synthetic fungicides, how does GotaBlanca Post redefine the balance between efficacy, safety, and environmental stewardship? We’ve essentially solved the traditional trade-off between effectiveness and safety. In our trials, GotaBlanca Post matched or exceeded the performance of conventional fungicides like fludioxonil against major pathogens, with 95 per cent of treated pineapples showing no mold after 21 days of simulated transoceanic transit. But here’s what’s revolutionary – workers can handle treated produce without protective equipment, there’s zero environmental impact, and the product supports regenerative agriculture by promoting soil microbiome balance. This is a great complement to our field-use products which, unlike synthetics that require the plant to expend energy processing toxic chemicals, protects without the plant even “knowing” it’s there, eliminating metabolic stress entirely. Market Strategy and Global Positioning Among tropical fruits like bananas, pineapples, and papayas, which categories are expected to drive early adoption, and what commercial factors influence this trajectory? Pineapples and bananas are our core opportunity markets, and for compelling commercial reasons. Pineapples face particularly severe pathogen pressure during the 21+ day transoceanic journeys, and Costa Rica exports more than 2 million tonnes of pineapples annually – mostly to Europe and North America where residue standards are strictest. We’re already shipping one container weekly with a major Costa Rican exporter, and we’re in discussions with Southeast Asian exporters moving 10,000 to 40,000 containers annually. Bananas follow close behind due to their massive export volumes and susceptibility to anthracnose. The commercial drivers are clear: longer shelf life, access to premium markets demanding residue-free produce, and elimination of worker safety concerns that plague conventional treatments. Looking ahead, how do you anticipate the global market for non-toxic, post-harvest crop protection evolving over the next five years, and what role will ClearLeaf play in shaping this transformation? We’re witnessing a perfect storm driving this transformation. The EU continues banning conventional fungicides – mancozeb being the latest – while consumer demand for residue-free produce accelerates. Major retailers are already recommending our technology to their suppliers based on trial results. We expect the non-toxic post-harvest market to grow exponentially as exporters realize they can’t afford the regulatory and market access risks of conventional treatments. ClearLeaf is positioned to lead this shift because we’re one of the only companies offering broad-spectrum, non-toxic efficacy that actually works at scale. Our technology platform can be deployed across dozens of crops and geographies – something that biological solutions simply can’t match due to their pathogen-specific limitations. Sustainability, Regulation, and Consumer Confidence Could you share insights from the regulatory registration process in Costa Rica, and your roadmap for securing approvals in major export markets globally? Costa Rica proved our regulatory pathway works. We successfully obtained registration for our pre harvest (in-field) formulation in 2021, followed by Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. The key insight is that elemental silver has a massive safety database – it’s one of the most studied substances on earth. For post-harvest applications, the critical hurdle is meeting Maximum Residue Level requirements in export destinations. Since there’s no specific MRL for silver, the default limit of 0.01 mg/kg applies, which we consistently beat by wide margins. Our trials with European CROs using ISO standard protocols show residues below detectable limits. We’re now targeting Australia, Colombia, Vietnam, and expanding into major export markets where our zero-residue profile eliminates traditional regulatory barriers. How does a zero-residue profile influence brand differentiation, consumer trust, and compliance in an increasingly trade-sensitive and health-conscious marketplace? Zero residues are increasingly non-negotiable for premium markets. Major retailers are demanding residue-free produce, and consumers increasingly view any detectable residues as unacceptable. Our technology transforms compliance from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Exporters using GotaBlanca Post can access the highest-value market segments, command premium prices, and never worry about shipments being rejected at borders due to residue violations. We’re seeing this play out with our commercial partners who report that zero-residue certification opens doors that were previously closed to conventional treatments. It’s not just about meeting standards anymore – it’s about exceeding them so dramatically that it becomes a marketing asset. Strategic Vision and Future Horizons Are there upcoming innovations within the GotaBlanca platform—such as next-generation formulations, delivery systems, or integration with precision agriculture—that could redefine post-harvest protection? Absolutely. We’re developing enhanced formulations optimized for specific transit conditions and crop requirements. The beauty of our platform is its modularity – we can adjust the copolymer matrix and delivery mechanisms while maintaining the core silver technology. The most exciting development is our work on extending the platform to new application methods, including integration with existing packing line equipment to make adoption seamless for large-scale operations. From a global supply chain perspective, how do you envision GotaBlanca Post reshaping economics, quality preservation, and food safety across long-duration shipping and export cycles? This technology fundamentally changes the economics of global fresh produce trade. Currently, exporters lose 20-40 per cent of their product to post-harvest losses, which forces them to overproduce and accept lower prices. GotaBlanca Post enables exporters to ship with confidence, reduce insurance costs, access longer-distance markets, and capture premium pricing for residue-free produce. We’re essentially expanding the geographic reach of fresh produce exports by extending viable shipping windows while ensuring products arrive in premium condition. This creates cascading benefits throughout the supply chain – reduced food waste, more efficient global distribution, and democratized access to premium export markets for producers who previously couldn’t meet strict residue requirements. — Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3207/groundwater-is-new-gold-noa-amsalem-on-israels-blueprint-for-water-security.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3207/groundwater-is-new-gold-noa-amsalem-on-israels-blueprint-for-water-security.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:51:20 +0530 Israel’s water journey offers a powerful playbook for nations grappling with depleting aquifers. In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, Noa Amsalem, Water Attach’e, Embassy of Israel in India describes how Israel moved from groundwater dependence to “manufactured water” through large-scale desalination and recycling over 90 per cent of its municipal wastewater. She cautions that while groundwater may resemble oil in its scarcity, its true value is closer to gold — finite, irreplaceable, and too precious to be used only once. For India, Noa stresses that regulation must go hand in hand with alternatives: treated wastewater, drip irrigation, and locally adapted solutions like managed aquifer recharge. She highlights India–Israel Centers of Excellence as living labs for co-developing technologies ranging from fit-for-purpose reuse to digital monitoring of soil and water. Looking ahead, Noa bets on artificial intelligence as the backbone of groundwater governance, provided it is coupled with farmer training and inclusive adoption. Setting the Stage – The Global Groundwater Reckoning Groundwater has become the hidden engine of global agriculture, yet FAO estimates that nearly 20 per cent of aquifers are already overexploited. From Israel’s lens, do you see groundwater as today’s oil — a finite resource heading toward geo-political contestation? Unlike oil, water is not traded on global markets but tied to specific locations, which makes its overuse both a local hydrological crisis and a political challenge. Moreover, unlike oil, water has no substitute for sustaining life. From Israel’s perspective, groundwater is a finite resource, and excessive pumping leads to salinization, land subsidence, and long-term fragility of water systems. In this sense, the analogy of “groundwater as the new oil” is only partially correct: scarcity will influence geopolitics, but the way forward is not through conflict, but through creating alternatives – desalination of brackish and seawater, wastewater reuse for agriculture, and active demand management. These are “manufactured water” sources, produced through human investment and innovation, which reduce dependence on natural aquifers and seasonal rainfall. Israel’s key achievement has been precisely this shift: moving from reliance on natural water sources (groundwater and surface water) to manufactured water (desalinated seawater and treated wastewater). Strategic decisions in the early 2000s – building large-scale desalination plants and mandating wastewater reuse in agriculture – fundamentally transformed the water system. Today, aquifers are still monitored and protected, but they are no longer the sole backbone of national water security. From this perspective, a dual analogy can be made: like oil, groundwater is a limited resource whose value rises as its reserves shrink. Even more, it is like gold – a finite resource whose price is determined by its scarcity, and whose value for agriculture and sustaining life will only continue to grow. The difference is that water is too precious to be used only once. This lesson is relevant globally: sustainability does not come solely from regulation or restricting natural resources, but from investing in alternative sources that reduce the centrality of natural groundwater and mitigate potential conflicts. Israel’s Playbook – What Works, What Doesn’t Israel turned a desert into an agricultural exporter while reducing dependence on aquifers. Which single policy intervention — pricing, metering, or wastewater reuse — had the most transformative impact, and why? Also, Israel enforces mandatory water accounting and volumetric pricing. In countries like India, free electricity fuels rampant groundwater pumping. Is there a middle path between political feasibility and hydrological sustainability? Most transformative intervention: Wastewater reuse. Today Israel recycles more than 90% of its municipal wastewater – the highest rate worldwide (OECD, 2023). This has allowed agriculture to rely significantly less on groundwater, stabilized supplies, and freed natural freshwater for urban and industrial use. Pricing and metering were important, but wastewater reuse was the real game-changer. In the graph, the green line represents the recharge by rainfall, which would have allowed the population to reach a certain size—much smaller than today. The change is already visible two decades ago, with a significant increase in water availability thanks to wastewater reuse and desalination plants. Balancing sustainability and politics: Over-subsidies (such as free electricity or water) can lead to over-pumping. Israel’s experience suggests a middle path: gradually introducing volumetric pricing while providing clear alternatives – treated wastewater, local desalination, or efficient drip irrigation systems.“Gradually” means starting with low prices and increasing step by step so that farmers and the public adapt without shocks. In Israel, this model is also applied to households: a basic “lifeline” amount of water is cheap, and consumption above that is charged at higher rates. Importance of alternatives: Critical. Regulation without alternatives leads to resistance and non-compliance. In Israel, desalination and wastewater reuse gave regulators credibility – limits were enforced, but real solutions were also available. This “regulation plus alternatives” model can be applied elsewhere, provided it is adapted locally (for example, managed aquifer recharge in India). The Indian context – industrial reuse as a funding engine: A notable example comes from Chennai, where large-scale industrial reuse of water has become a major source of revenue. These funds are reinvested in upgrading water supply infrastructure, improving service for households and farmers alike. This demonstrates that industrial reuse of treated water can play a central role in financing more sustainable water systems. Technology & Innovation – The Next Frontier Drip irrigation is now globally associated with Israel. Beyond drip, what are the next big technologies — AI-driven aquifer mapping, precision fertigation, soil microbiome engineering — that could redefine groundwater use? Beyond drip irrigation, the next frontier in agriculture lies in rethinking the very sources of water that sustain it. Desalination of brackish water has already proven to be a viable solution, providing farmers in arid regions with a reliable supply. However, the most significant transformation will come from advancing the use of treated wastewater in agriculture. The future is not just about recycling water but about fit-for-purpose reuse – tailoring water quality to specific crops or agricultural applications. Leafy vegetables consumed raw may require higher-quality water than wheat or cotton. This allows smarter allocation of resources, lowers treatment costs, and reduces energy consumption. Integrating treated wastewater with digital technologies and real-time monitoring further enhances safety and efficiency. Sensors tracking salinity, nutrient levels, and contaminants can dynamically adjust irrigation practices, supporting both food safety and soil health. Another key opportunity lies in hybrid systems, where treated wastewater is combined with desalinated brackish water. Such combinations help balance salinity, reduce soil degradation risks, and create sustainable long-term agricultural practices. Finally, treated wastewater should no longer be seen as a “secondary” solution but as a cornerstone of circular agriculture. Beyond irrigation, wastewater streams provide nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus for fertilizers, and even energy from sludge – turning a waste challenge into a value-generating cycle. Looking ahead, innovation is not just about new water treatment technologies, but about the integrated cycles of water, energy, and nutrients, where treated wastewater becomes a central driver of sustainable agriculture in the decades to come. Global Cooperation and Looking Ahead How do you see the India–Israel partnership evolving in groundwater — joint pilots, technology incubation hubs, or institutional knowledge-sharing? Water alliances are emerging as a natural response to shared challenges and can strengthen regional resilience. Future cooperation is expected to focus less on maximizing supply and more on security, sustainable management, and regional stability. A concrete example is the network of Centers of Excellence established in India with support from Israel’s MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. These centers operate in areas such as precision irrigation, post-harvest management, and water-use efficiency, serving as hubs for training, demonstration, and joint R&D. Indian and Israeli experts learn from each other, testing solutions on the ground before scaling up. The key lesson is clear: Israel can inspire and accelerate innovation, but solutions must be adapted to local conditions – they cannot simply be “copied and pasted.” If you had to bet on one radical solution — AI, bio-innovations, carbon markets for water efficiency, or desalination-for-agriculture — which will define the groundwater economy of 2050? Artificial Intelligence is expected to become the backbone of water management – from large-scale aquifer mapping to precise fertigation in individual fields. Yet in the Indian context, the human factor is critical: millions of farmers and water professionals need training and empowerment to work with these digital systems. The future is therefore not only AI as the “operating system” of water management, but the combination of advanced technology with India’s vast human capital, creating resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water governance. — Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3206/sipping-dragons-vintage-margot-van-lieshout-koopmans-on-marselan-and-chinas-global-wine-play.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3206/sipping-dragons-vintage-margot-van-lieshout-koopmans-on-marselan-and-chinas-global-wine-play.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:01:56 +0530 Image Source: AI In this exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum and NuFFooDS Spectrum, Wine Brand Strategist and Digital Communications Specialist Margot van Lieshout-Koopmans, DipWSET, shares her reflections on the rapid evolution of Chinese wine. She explores how Marselan has become China’s signature grape, adapting across terroirs from Ningxia to Xinjiang and offering a storytelling opportunity through regional diversity. Margot highlights the emerging sensory identity of boutique Chinese wines—ripe yet fresh, textural, and increasingly expressive of place rather than Bordeaux mimicry. She emphasizes the power of visual storytelling and culturally rooted label design in elevating authenticity and overcoming global scepticism. On commercial strategy, she notes rising curiosity in export markets like France and Switzerland, but stresses that sustained growth will hinge on consistency, identity, and immersive wine tourism. Ultimately, she positions Chinese wine not as an imitator, but as a new voice in the global wine chorus—confident, distinctive, and ready for discovery. Section 1: Sensory Identity & Terroir To what extent does Marselan express regional typicity across China’s diverse terroirs—e.g., Ningxia vs Shandong vs Xinjiang—and how can sommeliers communicate these differences effectively on a wine list? China gave Marselan its own sense of identity. And let me tell you, it’s not just a single identity—it’s a whole passport full of terroir stamps. When you travel through China’s wine map (and believe me, it’s a journey), Marselan starts to behave like that friend who picks up the accent of wherever they visit. Put it in Ningxia, and it becomes elegant and structured, with a mineral backbone and just the right whisper of age-worthiness. Shift it to Xinjiang, and suddenly it’s laid-back, sun-drenched, and fruit-forward—think plush dark cherries and a velvety texture, like it’s been soaking up the sun on a desert rooftop. Then move over to Shandong, and you’ll get more herbal notes, maybe even a hint of coastal brine—thanks to the humidity and maritime influence. Even Yunnan is joining the chat with its high-altitude finesse and lifted acidity—light, bright, and almost ‘Pinot-esque’ in delicacy. So, how do sommeliers capture this symphony of styles without turning their wine list into a dissertation? Easy: turn regionality into storytelling. Instead of listing “Marselan, China,” on the winelist – just be bold and granular. For example, try something like: “Marselan – Ningxia: Structured, Mineral, Elegant” “Marselan – Xinjiang: Plush, Ripe, Fruit-Forward” “Marselan – Shandong: Earthy, Herbaceous, Coastal” This isn’t just about flavours—it’s about narrative. Sommeliers have an incredible opportunity here: to frame Chinese Marselan not as a one-size-fits-all variety, but as a landscape in a glass. Imagine offering a flight of Marselan’ from three provinces—it’s like a fast-track Masterclass on Chinese terroir for your guests. One tip? Skip the Bordeaux comparisons. I know it might be tempting, especially given Marselan’s parentage and how influential Bordeaux has been in shaping China’s initial winemaking ambitions. But the new Chinese generation is here to carve out their own groove. And this grape, more than any other, is allowing that expression to sing. Think of Marselan as China’s acoustic set—stripped back, emotionally honest, and regionally fluent. In the end, sommeliers who can translate Marselan’s regional dialects into compelling wine list language—and maybe offer a few playful flights—will not only invite adventurous drinkers but also contribute to demystifying Chinese wine altogether. Because let’s be honest: Marselan might just be China’s answer to Pinot in Burgundy or Syrah in the Northern Rhône. Only this time, it’s not France—it’s Marselan on the New Silk Road. And it tastes like a journey worth taking. What organoleptic traits consistently define boutique Chinese wines that seek to reflect their origin rather than imitate Bordeaux? Are we beginning to see a Chinese ‘palate signature’ emerge? Before setting foot in Yinchuan, I genuinely had no clue what a “truly Chinese” wine tasted like—let alone what it might feel like in the glass. I wasn’t chasing Bordeaux comparisons; I simply didn’t know what to expect. But after swirling and sipping my way through a whirlwind of (boutique) producers, I can confidently say: something is taking shape. Something deliberately Chinese. Let’s talk organoleptic traits—yes, the sensory stuff. These boutique wines aren’t just technically sound—they’re elegant, textural, and expressive. You get ripe, vivid fruit—think black cherry, plum, even hints of goji berries or dates—but with freshness, not jamminess what you might expect. There’s a velvety mouthfeel, with tannins that are structured but silky, like a firm handshake that doesn’t try to crush your fingers. Acidity? Present and well-integrated, especially in high-altitude wines from Ningxia and Yunnan. Minerality shows up often, whispering through the finish like a dusting of chalk or wet stone. And oak? Understated. You’ll find subtle spice from seasoned barrels, but no vanilla bombs here. The emphasis is clearly on purity and place, rather than too much of everything. Now—are we seeing a Chinese palate signature emerge? Yes, if you ask me, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s regionally textured, youth-driven, and intentionally expressive. These wines aren’t trying to be Bordeaux or Barossa. They’re leaning into their own identity, not imitation. I know I’ve only have tasted the tip of the iceberg, and if this is just the start? Then I’d say the Chinese wine signature is still being written—but the handwriting is already showing. How do cultural taste preferences—e.g., tolerance for high tannins or low acidity—shape Chinese winemaking styles, and how should international sommeliers adjust expectations when tasting? If you’ve ever sipped a young Chinese Cabernet with a local winemaker beside you and winced at the tannins, only to watch them nod in serene approval… welcome to China. There’s a distinct cultural palate at work here—one that still favours structure, power, and presence in red wines. High tannins? Often seen as a marker of seriousness. Low acidity? Preferred in many circles, especially when wine is consumed without food or at banquets where softer textures go down easier. The local market evolved with Bordeaux-style reds for a reason—it matched the idea of luxury, gifting, and “drinking prestige.” But the tide is turning. Younger Chinese drinkers—especially urban millennials and Gen Z—are asking for more freshness, fun, and fruit. That’s where boutique winemakers are tuning their styles: dialing back extraction, embracing shorter maceration, exploring pet-nats, and even producing Blanc de Noirs from Malbec. Styles are getting softer, brighter, and more playful. Which is a good thing, they are on a discovery journey themselves. For international sommeliers, this means one thing: reset your tasting lens. If you’re used to the polished acidity of a Barolo or the delicate tannin of a Burgundy Pinot, don’t expect the same here—yet. Understand that Marselan with 14.5 per cent alcohol, velvet tannins, and a soft acidity might be what resonates locally. So how should you approach Chinese wine? Keep an open mind. Drop the Bordeaux comparisons, it’s long gone. Let it speak its own dialect. Ask about context—Is this meant for gifting? Hotpot pairing? Nightlife? Celebrate the boldness. These wines often aim to make a statement, not whisper in the corner. And in China they sure know how to put the emphasis on that. In short, Chinese winemaking is balancing old-world tannic punch with a new-world smile. And sommeliers who learn to navigate both will find themselves ahead of the curve—and sipping something delightfully different. Section 2: Label Design, Authenticity & Storytelling How important is visual storytelling in Chinese wine for international markets? Can culturally inspired label designs help overcome the “copycat” stigma and elevate perceived authenticity? Visual storytelling in Chinese wine? It’s not just important—it’s all or nothing if you ask me. Personally, I love a good wine label that reflects the cultural aspect, without giving me boredom of authentic names and clean labels. Let’s face it: I think the global wine world still views Chinese bottles with a sceptical eye, especially those that haven’t been proven otherwise. There’s this lingering “copycat” cloud—faux châteaux, Bordeaux-lookalikes, and gold-embossed dragons on labels that scream export cliché. But here’s the twist: the most compelling Chinese wines today aren’t trying to look French—they’re trying to look Chinese. And that shift is winning attention. I like to believe that I am openminded, but even me, I had to taste quite a few wines, to change my point of view, and it did significantly. At the Yinchuan Wine Expo, I saw it firsthand. Side by side on the tasting tables were two Marselans: one with a minimalist black-and-gold label in faux Napa chic, and the other with brushstroke calligraphy, soft crimson tones, and a backstory about harvest rituals in Ningxia. Guess which one we couldn’t stop talking about? Cultural label design isn’t kitsch—it’s credibility if you ask me. It signals that the wine is made not just in China, but of China. International buyers are ready to be intrigued—but they need something authentic to latch onto. Symbolism, regional artwork, poetic names—these don’t alienate; they differentiate. And it goes beyond the shelf. A wine with a visual story gives sommeliers something to talk about, Instagrammers something to post, and drinkers something to remember. In a crowded global market, that’s the difference between being a curiosity and being collected. So yes, label design matters. But only when it stops trying to mimic and starts trying to matter. Because if a picture is worth a thousand words, a great Chinese wine label should whisper: “This is who we are.” Section 3: Commercial Strategy & Trade Readiness China exported $33.2M in wine in 2024, with France, Switzerland, and the U.S. among its fastest-growing markets. What do you believe is driving this international curiosity—and is it sustainable? Let’s be honest—when you hear that France is one of China’s fastest-growing wine export markets, your first reaction is probably: “Wait, what?” Just like I did. But yes, it’s happening. And no, it’s not just a novelty moment. Something deeper is brewing—or should I say, fermenting. This surge in international curiosity comes down to three things: narrative shift, rising quality, and strategic identity. First, the story’s changed. China isn’t pitching itself as the next Bordeaux anymore. It’s leaning into Marselan, regional expression, and boutique flair. Wines from Ningxia or Xinjiang aren’t mimicking—they’re making statements. That differentiation is finally resonating, especially with importers hungry for new origin stories and sommeliers building adventurous wine lists. Second, quality is catching up fast. I’ve tasted Marselans that could hold their own next to top-tier Rhône reds. Yes, quality is still inconsistent—but at the high end, it’s getting really interesting. International competitions like CMB (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles) and Decanter Asia are noticing—and awarding. And third, China’s wine exporters are getting smart. They’re not just pushing volume—they’re targeting niche, prestige-driven markets like Switzerland, boutique retailers in France, and curious younger buyers in U.S. cities who want to try something no one else is drinking yet. Now, is it sustainable? I’d say yes—only if China keeps focusing on distinctiveness over duplication. Export growth won’t come from trying to out-Bordeaux. It’ll come from leaning into terroir, crafting a strong Marselan narrative, and embracing cultural authenticity in packaging and messaging. The real question isn’t whether the curiosity will fade—it’s whether the industry will keep feeding it with substance. Because the world is finally asking: “What does China taste like?” And for the first time, there’s a real answer in the glass. What would be your key considerations before listing a Chinese wine in your restaurant/store portfolio—price-quality ratio, cultural novelty, sustainability credentials, or consumer curiosity? Ah, the age-old question: do I list this wine because it’s good, because it’s different, or because it tells a story? When it comes to Chinese wine, the answer is: all of the above—but not in equal measure. First up, price-quality ratio is essential—but with a caveat. Chinese wines are often priced at a premium (€20–€60 is common in export markets), and that doesn’t always match perceived quality. So, I’m not just looking for “value”—I’m looking for wines that overdeliver relative to their story. If it’s a Marselan from Ningxia with a compelling backstory, solid structure, and for example has a gold medal from CMB? That gets my attention, even at €40. Next, cultural novelty matters. Let’s be honest: for many consumers, Chinese wine is still a curiosity. But if that curiosity is paired with authenticity—calligraphy on the label, “local” grape identity, a winery narrative rooted in region—it shifts from gimmick to conversation piece. And that’s gold on a wine list or shelf. Sustainability credentials are a nice bonus—but not a deal-breaker. The narrative is just beginning to form here, and transparency is still evolving. I do look for minimal intervention practices, lighter packaging, or clear water-use strategies in regions like Ningxia, but it’s not yet the tipping point. And finally, yes—consumer curiosity is real. Especially with younger, globally minded drinkers. If I can offer a Chinese pét-nat at a rooftop wine bar or a Marselan flight in a trendy bistro, I know I’ll spark interest. And repeat orders often follow. So, what’s the bottom line? I’ll list a Chinese wine if it tells a story worth sipping, drinks well, and sparks curiosity—because that’s what modern wine drinkers are really buying. Section 4: Wine Tourism & Experience Economy In what ways could the rise of Chinese domestic wine tourism (festival streets, wine-themed architecture, etc.) help shape global perceptions of Chinese wine culture? Let me tell you—if you think wine tourism in China is all dusty tasting rooms and copycat châteaux, you’re missing the revolution. Wine tourism in China is evolving into something bold, immersive, and unapologetically Chinese. From the festival street in the old town part of Yinchuan, complete with neon-lit wine slogans and giant wooden goblets, to wine-themed villages and cellar doors carved into desert cliffs, China is turning wine into a cultural spectacle—and it’s working. I have witnessed it myself. This matters because for global wine perception, experience shapes credibility. The moment you walk through a winery that blends modern design with traditional Chinese motifs, sip a Marselan under the Helan Mountains, or attend a wine and dumpling pairing at a lantern-lit courtyard—it rewires your expectations. Chinese wine stops being “a knockoff” and becomes something rooted, local, and alive. It’s not just about showcasing terroir. It’s about showing culture: calligraphy on labels, tea ceremony-inspired tastings, architecture that draws from dynastic history. These immersive cues tell the world, “We’re not just making wine—we’re making it ours.” And tourists—both domestic and international—become brand storytellers. They Instagram the wine walls, they post videos from underground cellars, they write reviews comparing Yinchuan to Mendoza. That ripple effect is priceless. So, can wine tourism reshape China’s global wine identity? Absolutely. Because nothing says authenticity like being there—and China is curating experiences that are not just visit-worthy, but worldview-shifting. Wine in China is no longer just something you sip. It’s something you see, feel, and share. And that emotional resonance? That’s what changes perception—and builds markets. How much does immersive tourism—cellar tastings, on-site storytelling, DTC experiences—influence your opinion of a wine’s provenance and place? Could Yinchuan or Ningxia become Asia’s answer to Mendoza or Douro? Immersive wine tourism doesn’t just shape my opinion of a wine—it anchors it somehow. Walking through a dusty vineyard in Ningxia, feeling the dry Gobi wind against my face, and then sipping that same vineyard’s Marselan in a cellar built into the rock? Suddenly, that wine isn’t just fruit and oak—it’s context, story, and soil in a glass. This kind of connection matters. It changes how I assess quality, how I talk about the wine to others, and yes—whether I’d put it on a wine list, if I would be responsible for one. When you’ve been there, you carry the story into every glass you pour. As for Yinchuan or Ningxia becoming Asia’s Mendoza or Douro? It’s not just possible—it’s already in motion. Like Mendoza, Ningxia offers dramatic landscapes, extreme terroir, and a sense of frontier spirit. Like the Douro, it pairs history with innovation and draws in visitors with a deep sense of place. But what sets Ningxia apart is its potential to merge traditional Chinese hospitality with contemporary wine culture. We’re talking rooftop tastings under moonlight, calligraphy-inspired labels, and direct-to-consumer platforms that let you buy the wine on your phone before you leave the cellar. That fusion of heritage and innovation is uniquely Chinese—and incredibly marketable. So yes, immersive tourism is not a sideshow—it’s the main act. It builds emotional equity, brand loyalty, and cultural trust. And if Ningxia keeps investing in visitor experience with the same ambition it’s shown in the vineyard, don’t be surprised if it becomes the next must-visit wine region on every sommelier’s bucket list. Section 5: Market Trends & Sommelier Forecasting What emerging Chinese wine styles (e.g., Blanc de Noir from Malbec, Pet-Nats, Marselan rosé) show the greatest promise for global sommeliers curating fresh, adventurous lists? Pfoe! Good question, I think the ‘new wave’ in Chinese wine is having its glow-up on its own — and it’s not just about bold reds anymore. At the Yinchuan Expo, between the structured Marselans and the Bordeaux look-a-likes, I stumbled on wines that made me pause, raise an eyebrow, and grin. Why? Because they weren’t just good—they were playful. And playfulness is exactly what I believe sommeliers (and winelovers) crave when curating dynamic, trend-forward lists. Let’s start with the Blanc de Noir from Malbec. Yes, you read that right. It’s juicy, crisp, and totally unexpected. Think white stone fruit meets a gentle red berry kiss. Serve it chilled with summer dumplings or grilled seafood, and you’ve got a conversation starter. These wines take a familiar grape and flip the script. Then there’s Marselan rosé—arguably China’s freshest flex. With its pale pink hue and surprisingly savory edge, it bridges the gap between Provence chic and local identity. Add some good acidity, and it’s a dream pairing for spicy Sichuan or cold sesame noodles. But here’s one sommeliers need to watch: a slightly chilled Marselan red. Forget the heavy oak bombs—these are mid-weight, fruit-forward, with smooth tannins and a whisper of spice. Cool it down just a touch, and suddenly it’s a red that works on rooftops, with barbecue skewers or late-night bao. It’s vibrant, chillable, and distinctly modern. And don’t overlook China’s growing flirtation with German Riesling that they have a growing interest in importing, since it pairs well with their own cuisine. But now they are growing their own Riesling and Riesling Italico—particularly from higher-altitude vineyards. They’re amazingly refreshing, aromatic, and often bone dry, with a crisp green apple snap and a jasmine lift. Mindblowing amazing if you ask me. Fantastic with seafood, or simply on their own with a view. The common thread? Identity without rigidity. These wines are confident, culinary, and built for curiosity. If you’re building a list for Gen Z sippers, globe-trotting foodies, or just tired palates looking for what’s next—Chinese wines like these are your secret weapon. Trust me: your guests will thank you for that bottle of Marselan rosé once it hits their glass. And you’ll be the one who saw China coming—before it went global. How do you interpret the rise of Marselan as a ‘signature variety’? Could Marselan-based wines become a calling card for Chinese terroir similar to how Carmenère defines Chile or Malbec defines Argentina? Let me put it this way: if Malbec is Argentina’s party trick and Carmenère is Chile’s comeback kid, Marselan is China’s quiet power move. Originally a French crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, Marselan has gone from afterthought to headliner—especially in China, where it’s thriving across terroirs like Ningxia, Xinjiang, Yunnan, and even coastal Shandong. And no, it’s not just surviving—it’s adapting, performing, and even winning medals. What makes Marselan such a strong candidate for “signature variety” status? Simple: it’s expressive, consistent, and distinctively local. In Ningxia, it’s all minerality and structure. In Xinjiang, it bursts with ripe, round fruit. In Yunnan, you get brightness and lifted aromatics. That regional versatility means Marselan doesn’t just tolerate China’s diverse terroirs—it sings in them. But here’s what seals it: Marselan isn’t trying to be anything. It’s becoming a wine that feels genuinely Chinese—deep in colour, smooth in tannins, high in perfume, and ready to evolve. It aligns with the local palate (silky, bold, approachable) but also intrigues international drinkers looking for something new. And just like Malbec helped Argentina step into its own, Marselan gives China a clear identity on the global stage. The CMB even has a Marselan-specific category now—how’s that for confidence? For importers, it’s a no-brainer gateway grape. For sommeliers, it’s a narrative-rich bottle that makes people lean in. And for Chinese winemakers? It’s a blank canvas they’re just beginning to paint. So yes—Marselan is more than a trend. It’s a flag in the ground. If China is defining its own vinous identity, Marselan is the signature at the bottom of the page. Do you foresee a space for low-alcohol, female-oriented, health-positioned Chinese wine products in Western urban markets, particularly for Gen Z and Millennial drinkers? Absolutely. And not just a space—an opportunity waiting to be uncorked. In the West, we’re watching a generational pivot in real time: Gen Z and Millennials are drinking less wine, when they drink wine, they are simply choosing better, and prioritizing wellness without sacrificing pleasure. They want low-alcohol options that still feel stylish, social, and sensorial. Cue China’s emerging “Fit Girl Routine” wines—yes, that’s seems to be a thing—and then you’ve got a match made in market heaven. What’s brilliant is how these products are being tailored for modern lifestyles: Lower ABV, sometimes subtly sweet, often attractively packaged, and framed as part of a holistic, feel-good ritual. Think rosé spritz in a slim can, or a tea-infused light red designed for chilling. They’re positioned not just as beverages, but as lifestyle companions—and that’s exactly how Gen Z wants to drink. Even better? These wines bring cultural intrigue. A light Chinese rosé with osmanthus notes or a gently sparkling rice-blend hybrid (yes, some are experimenting) offers Western drinkers’ novelty plus narrative. It’s different but not intimidating. And let’s not ignore the “she-economy”. In urban centres from LA to London, women are driving health-conscious consumption trends—and they’re looking for products that align with both their values and aesthetics. Beautiful design, clear messaging, and a “drink without guilt” vibe? That’s winning territory. Of course, it’ll take smart branding and the right distribution partners. But the appetite is there—and growing. So yes, Western markets are ready. The question is whether Chinese producers will own this niche or let others capitalize on the concept first. Because trust me, wellness wine with a Chinese twist could be the next cult category. And I, for one, am here for it. Section 6: Cultural Resonance & Wine Diplomacy Would you consider Chinese wine a future competitor, collaborator, or curiosity in your current market strategy? What would it take to shift that perspective? Right now? Chinese wine still sits in the curiosity box for most international markets. But give it five years—and a few smart moves—and it could very well become a collaborator… and eventually, a competitor. Let’s unpack that. As a wine brand strategist, I don’t see Chinese wine as a threat to Burgundy or Rioja. Yet. But I absolutely see it as an emerging partner in the global wine conversation—especially when it leans into what makes it different, not what makes it “almost Bordeaux.” The wines I tasted in Ningxia weren’t trying to out-French the French. They were expressive, terroir-driven, and emotionally resonant. That’s a foundation for collaboration—through wine tourism, joint ventures, or even cross-border wine flights on curated lists. Imagine a Marselan from Ningxia alongside a Carmenère from Chile. That’s not competition—that’s contextual storytelling. Now, what would it take to move from curiosity to mainstay? I say these three things: Consistency in quality. Right now, it’s a mixed bag. To win global trust, Chinese wine needs to tighten up its technical execution—especially at higher price points. So, quality can be seen as face value with its price, now there is no way in identifying quality based on price, you truly must know your Chinese wines to be able to navigate the offering. Brand clarity. Too many labels still feel lost between two worlds. Own the origin story. To me, ditch faux château aesthetics. Be Chinese—and proud. On-the-ground education. Importers, sommeliers, even curious consumers need access to context. Tastings, pop-ups, immersive content—it all helps shift perception from novelty to necessity. So yes ! I see Chinese wine moving from curiosity to collaborator. And if the stars align—better storytelling, better distribution, and better consistency—it might just become your favourite new rival on the shelf. In a market increasingly shaped by identity rather than imitation, what lessons should global winemakers take from China’s shift from Bordeaux mimicry to self-expression? If there’s one thing China’s wine industry is teaching the world right now, it’s this: imitation might open doors, but identity builds homes. For years, Chinese wineries tried to win prestige by copying Bordeaux—châteaux-style estates, Cabernet-led blends, heavy bottles, and gold-foil everything. It got them attention, but not necessarily the affection. Because imitation, while flattering, rarely builds loyalty. Now? We’re watching a pivot—and it’s electric. Wineries are leaning into Marselan as a local hero, crafting labels with traditional calligraphy and lunar symbolism, dragons, temples and creating wines that taste like where they come from. It’s not just a branding shift—it’s a mindset reset. So, what can global winemakers learn from this evolution? Stop chasing prestige. Start chasing personality. The modern consumer doesn’t care where your grapes rank in Parker points—they care what your wine means. Is it personal? Is it place-specific? Is it different? Trust your terroir—even if no one’s heard of it yet. China believed in Ningxia before anyone else did. That belief created an identity, which is now becoming a brand. You don’t need a legacy—you need conviction. Design with culture, not convention. A sleek label in Helvetica doesn’t say “authentic”—it says “template.” Chinese winemakers who embraced cultural cues—symbols, stories, heritage—built more memorable bottles. That works everywhere. In short, the world doesn’t need more regional wannabes. It needs wines that reflect their roots, their people, their point of view. China’s lesson? Be more yourself. Because the boldest move in wine today isn’t making what sells—it’s making what matters. Final Open-Ended Thought What would be your ideal introduction to Chinese wine? A flight of Marselans from different provinces? A blind tasting of Bordeaux vs Ningxia reds? Or a deep-dive into boutique producers with cultural design narratives? Honestly? I want all three—with a side of dumplings and a good story and I am hooked! But if I had to choose one introduction that captures the soul of Chinese wine today, I’d go with a deep dive into boutique producers with cultural design narratives. Why? Because that’s where the real heartbeat is. A Marselan flight is fantastic for terroir nerds (guilty), and a Bordeaux vs. Ningxia blind tasting is great for busting preconceptions. But it’s the boutique stories—the ones where the winemaker’s grandmother inspired the label, or where the wine is named after a Taoist poem—that linger with you long after the last sip. These wines don’t just say, “Made in China.” They say, “This is what it means to be a winemaker in Ningxia, or Yunnan, or Hebei, right now.” They’re small-scale, soulful, and bursting with identity. And when you pair that with thoughtful design—calligraphy, folklore, symbolism—you’re not just drinking wine. You’re experiencing culture. It’s the perfect intro because it breaks every outdated stereotype. It’s not Bordeaux with chopsticks. It’s a new voice in the global wine chorus—clear, confident, and creatively composed. So yes, give me the Marselan. Give me the terroir contrasts. But start me with a walk through China’s boutique wine scene—labels that make you curious, winemakers who speak from the heart, and bottles that proudly wear their origin on their sleeve. Because that, to me, is the real China: not imitating the world—but inviting it in. —– Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com ) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3164/bernhard-kiep-on-making-agriculture-groundwater-positive-tech-policy-and-mindset-shifts.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3164/bernhard-kiep-on-making-agriculture-groundwater-positive-tech-policy-and-mindset-shifts.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:58:01 +0530 From Punjab to Paraná, aquifers are silently collapsing under the weight of modern agriculture. Yet the world’s food systems remain dangerously dependent on groundwater—a resource long considered infinite, now revealing its limits. As irrigation expands, rainfall becomes erratic, and global trade scrutinizes embedded water footprints, a radical rethink is underway. To unpack this inflection point, Agrospectrum spoke to Bernhard L. Kiep, Managing Director at Bermad Brazil and a key board member across pioneering platforms like Pessl Instruments, MAIZALL+ Abramilho, InLida and InstaAgro. A Business Administrator by training and an agri-innovator by conviction, Kiep offers a panoramic yet grounded take on the future of farming in a water-constrained world. India: Aquifer Stress Meets Agri Ambition India extracts over 250 cubic kilometers of groundwater annually—more than the U.S. and China combined. But its irrigation remains notoriously inefficient. What structural reforms are most urgent? The numbers speak for themselves: nearly 90 per cent of groundwater extracted in India goes to agriculture, and much of it is wasted through unlined canals, flood irrigation, and poor scheduling. India needs a layered approach. First, introduce real-time groundwater monitoring networks—what we in Brazil call the aquifer accounting layer. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Second, decentralize water governance. India’s federal and state coordination on water is still weak. District-level groundwater stewardship councils, composed of hydrologists, farmers, and panchayat leaders, could radically shift behavior. However, most critically—unlock access to technology finance. The best technologies—pressure-compensated drippers, soil-moisture sensors, variable rate fertigation systems—are already available. But a smallholder in Vidarbha or Bundelkhand cannot afford a Rs 75,000 system. The answer lies in government-backed payment guarantees for suppliers and credit lines where repayment is indexed to water saved, not just yields. India has one of the world’s largest drip irrigation coverage areas, yet adoption remains uneven. What are the real barriers to scale? We often conflate installation coverage with active, optimized use. A large portion of India’s drip systems lie underused due to poor after-sales service, lack of agronomic advisory, and power outages that disrupt pressure dynamics. We must move toward closed-loop systems where: Drip irrigation is sensor-controlled based on real evapotranspiration rates; Fertilizer is injected with precision in microdoses (nutrigation); Water use is metered and priced modestly to reflect scarcity. The central problem isn’t technological—it’s behavioral and financial. In Israel, they made hydraulics and fluid mechanics a part of primary education. Every schoolchild understands the math of a leak. In India, we need to create the same water literacy revolution, especially among rural youth. India’s agri-export growth is being questioned for its water footprint. Should the country revise its export priorities based on aquifer stress? To answer this question the first thing that needs to be done is to calculate the value /volume of the water, labor and general efficiency and see if the export revenue makes an economical and sustainable sense. Just calculating the amount of water used per kilogram of food is not the correct answer ! However, we can’t frame this as simply abandoning certain crops. Instead, we must: Diversify the export basket toward crops like millets, oilseeds, and legumes that are less water-intensive; Promote water footprint labelling to help buyers make informed decisions; Shift subsidies from crop-based incentives to resource-use-based incentives. Designing a ‘Groundwater Positive’ District in India- If you could co-create one, what technologies and policies would you deploy? Here’s what I would include: First, hydrological intelligence grid—real-time borewell-level telemetry integrated with rainfall and cropping patterns. Second, zero-leakage infrastructure—all canals lined, community ponds renovated, pressure-managed micro-irrigation promoted. Third, water-linked credit access—loans indexed to water savings, not land size; payments to tech providers guaranteed by public finance instruments Fourth, behavioral nudges—water tariffs (even symbolic) to instil accountability; water budgeting workshops in villages. Fifth, tech cooperatives—shared ownership of fertigation units, digital dashboards, mobile labs—so no farmer is left behind. In short: Make water management aspirational, affordable, and accountable. United States: Farming the Dust Bowl Again? The Ogallala Aquifer—lifeline of the U.S. grain belt—is shrinking. What lessons should the United States draw from its own Dust Bowl history and what it has done since? The story of the Ogallala Aquifer is a study in both ecological overreach and policy reinvention. Stretching beneath eight states—from South Dakota to Texas—the Ogallala once supported nearly 30 per cent of U.S. irrigated agriculture, including America’s wheat, corn, cotton, and beef industries. However, decades of over pumping—especially during the post-World War II agricultural boom—brought the aquifer dangerously close to collapse in several zones. By the 1990s, in states like Kansas and Texas, water tables had dropped by more than 100 feet in some places. The 1930s Dust Bowl was no longer just history—it was a looming sequel. However then came a paradigm shift. Farmers, policymakers, and water managers didn’t wait for federal mandates. They created localized, stakeholder-driven water governance models that offer a blueprint for other countries, including India. Key lessons from the Ogallala experience: First, Decentralized Aquifer Governance:Instead of top-down imposition, states like Kansas established Groundwater Management Districts (GMDs)—democratically elected bodies where farmers had direct control over water policies in their region. These GMDs could set pumping limits, incentivize recharge, and even coordinate collective water-saving efforts. Second, Transparent Monitoring and Enforcement:Over 95 per cent of wells in Nebraska and Kansas are now monitored using flow meters, telemetry, and satellite verification tools. Water rights are digitally tracked, and violations are recorded transparently. Unlike in India, where many borewells are unregistered, Ogallala states treat water as an accountable public asset. Third, Water Allocation Caps and Incentives:In Sheridan County, Kansas, for instance, an innovative pilot known as the Local Enhanced Management Area (LEMA) helped farmers voluntarily reduce water use by 20 per cent over five years—without any drop in yields. How? Through precision irrigation, crop-switching, and rotation-based planning backed by state-verified savings certificates. Fourth, Water as Currency—The Banking Analogy:Ogallala farmers now understand that groundwater is like money in a savings account: withdrawals must be lower than deposits. Some states allow “water banking”—where conserved water in one season can be stored (on paper) and withdrawn in drier years, mimicking fiscal budgeting. Fifth, Civic Engagement, not Bureaucracy:Farmers weren’t just passive implementers—they were co-creators of water policy. Peer-to-peer pressure often proved more effective than fines. The community structure instilled shared responsibility, which India currently lacks due to fragmented jurisdictions. Can such a model work in India? Yes, but with adaptations. India must build community aquifer associations—like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), but with water as the common currency. These groups should: Set local pumping norms; Monitor rainfall-aquifer recharge ratios; Maintain shared water infrastructure; Engage in real-time water budgeting. However, the backbone must be reliable data infrastructure—telemetry wells, flow meters, satellite-aided monitoring systems—integrated into district-level dashboards. India’s National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM) is a start, but it needs farmer-facing digital extensions. With the Inflation Reduction Act unlocking billions for climate-smart farming, is the U.S. beginning to monetise water stewardship like carbon programs? The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, allocated over $20 billion for climate-smart agriculture, including soil moisture conservation, cover cropping, and water-use efficiency. This marks a pivotal moment—water savings are no longer just good practice, they are economic assets. There is growing interest in turning verified water savings into tradable credits—akin to carbon markets. While this market is nascent, it signals a shift from compliance-driven to incentive-driven stewardship. However, caution is needed. If these systems rely solely on subsidies, we risk killing entrepreneurial initiative. Farmers must feel empowered, not dependent. That’s why I believe in the EESG framework—where: Environment protection is integrated with Economics of sustainability, Social equity in rural communities, and Governance via participatory institutions. This is not just a Western template. With tailored execution, India’s sugar belts, Mexico’s maize plains, and Kenya’s tea highlands can all adapt the Ogallala model. In summary: The Ogallala experience shows that groundwater conservation is not a sacrifice—it’s an investment. With local governance, transparent metering, and data-powered feedback loops, aquifers can be stabilized without sacrificing yields. But the first step is to acknowledge that business-as-usual is no longer sustainable. Brazil: Abundant Rain, Emerging Risk Brazil is often viewed as a water-abundant nation. But regions like the Cerrado and Northeast are under growing water stress. Is Brazil prepared for an irrigation-centric future? The illusion of abundance is deceptive. While Brazil holds 12 per cent of global freshwater reserves, water access is highly skewed. The Southeast and Northeast, where much of Brazil’s food and export crops are grown, are increasingly hydrologically fragile. Western Bahia, a booming agricultural frontier, illustrates the looming crisis vividly. Rainfall in the region, once as high as 1,800 mm/year, has been declining steadily since the 1980s, now averaging as low as 950 mm in some parts. Satellite and field data reveal that irrigation withdrawals in Western Bahia surged from ~30 m³/s in 2001 to 76 m³/s in 2020, far outpacing aquifer recharge rates. A major study on the Urucuia Aquifer, one of Brazil’s critical groundwater reserves, shows: Total recharge: 607.8 m³/s; The amount 121.6 m³/s is effectively available; Just 12.4 m³/s is formally granted for use—a mere 10 per cent of what could be sustainable. This gap between hydrological potential and actual governance is Brazil’s Achilles’ heel. At Bermad Brazil, we’ve worked with over 3,000 farmers across +100,000 hectares of irrigated land using: Advanced valve-control systems; Precision fertigation aligned with crop uptake curves; SCADA-linked telemetry for remote water flow optimization. However, nationally, less than 20 per cent of Brazil’s irrigable potential is in use. In Mato Grosso, for example: Out of 10.3 million ha of potential irrigable area, only 178,000 ha are under irrigation (as of 2019). Causes range from lack of tradition, unclear water rights, and external financing bottlenecks. Brazil’s irrigated area is growing by 5,000–6,000 ha per year in Western Bahia alone, and projections suggest: +829,000 ha of expansion in the short-term (Scenario I); +620,000 ha possible in the longer term (Scenario II). However, the question looms: If we measure and understand that some years with more rain, we can irrigate during the following dry season more we will be in harmony with Nature, what we can not do is nothing and not use the watershed to feed the World. Use today’s technology in a smart way to have economical prosperity + sustainability ! How is Brazilian agribusiness approaching irrigation from a resilience—not just yield—perspective? There’s a visible transition underway. High-performing agribusinesses, especially in soy, sugarcane, and cotton, are shifting toward climate-smart irrigation as a competitiveness strategy. These include: Smart Pivot Irrigation with no till practice has improved Organic material in the soil by more than 50 per cent in less than 2-3 years; Drip-to-drone integration: Canopy stress imaging from drones triggers subsoil drip irrigation with surgical precision; Digital twins of irrigation networks: Simulate hydraulic losses and fine-tune runtimes; Nutrient-water synchrony: Fertilizer dosing is guided by real-time crop growth models, not seasonal guessing. Our experience at Bermad shows that in a broad-spectrum when smart irrigation is implemented holistically: Yields rise by +35 per cent; Water use drops by 40 per cent; Energy costs fall by 25 per cent Could Brazil and India collaborate on water governance through BRICS+ channels? Absolutely—and not just in principle. There are already active policy exchanges between Brazil’s ANA (National Water Agency) and Indian think tanks. The recent territorial study visits to Nebraska (2022–2024) by Brazilian stakeholders underscore the appetite for learning from global best practices like the Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) model. Brazil has one clear institutional edge: Faster irrigation financing. A farmer can secure funding for water infrastructure, thanks to: Digitized farm records; Streamlined agri-lending; Fewer bureaucratic layers. India, in contrast, is hampered by delayed credit, fragmented water governance, and slow aquifer data integration. A South-South Water Innovation Platform (India–Brazil–South Africa) could focus on: Aquifer-based irrigation credit models; Joint development of real-time water-use monitoring tools; Blended capital pools for scalable water-tech. By collaborating, nations could shift from being technology takers to becoming innovation architects for groundwater stewardship. —- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3152/decarbonizing-at-scale-how-buyofuel-is-making-green-energy-bankable.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3152/decarbonizing-at-scale-how-buyofuel-is-making-green-energy-bankable.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 10:00:11 +0530 India’s clean energy ambitions hinge on scalable, accountable, and commercially viable biofuel adoption—and Buyofuel is fast emerging as the digital infrastructure powering that shift. In an exclusive conversation with AgroSpectrum, CEO Kishan Karunakaran outlines how the platform is catalyzing India’s decarbonization goals by transforming agri-residues, used cooking oil, and waste streams into certified, traceable low-carbon fuels for industry. More than a marketplace, Buyofuel digitizes and de-risks a fragmented biofuel sector, offering real-time pricing, quality assurance, and logistics support across biomass, biodiesel, and bio-CNG. The platform is already enabling 30–60 per cent emissions reductions for industrial clients and is gearing up for next-gen fuels like ethanol and SAF, while piloting blockchain-based traceability and AI-led demand forecasting. As India targets 20 per cent ethanol blending by 2025 and a 45 per cent emissions cut by 2030, Karunakaran positions Buyofuel not as a peripheral player but as a foundational node in the circular energy economy. With an eye on Southeast Asia and Africa, Buyofuel is also building a blueprint for emerging markets to leapfrog into a clean, inclusive bioenergy future. Let’s begin with the big picture.India has committed to blending 20 per cent ethanol by 2025 and reducing emissions intensity by 45 per cent by 2030. How does Buyofuel’s model directly contribute to these national targets—and where do you see your platform fitting into India’s broader decarbonization architecture ? Buyofuel directly aligns with India’s ethanol blending and emission reduction goals by digitizing the biofuel supply chain. The platform connects fragmented suppliers of used cooking oil, agri-residues, and biomass to industrial buyers and blenders, ensuring reliable, traceable access to low-carbon fuels. By doing so, it addresses two critical bottlenecks-feedstock mobilization and assured offtake-that often slow down India’s blending and decarbonization targets. Beyond ethanol, Buyofuel facilitates adoption of biodiesel, briquettes, and bio-CNG, all of which displace fossil fuel use in industrial and transport sectors. This not only contributes to Scope 1 and Scope 2 reductions for industries but also aggregates national impact in line with India’s 2030 decarbonization roadmap. By embedding traceability and quality assurance into each transaction, the platform ensures every tonne of biofuel traded can be credibly linked to carbon savings. In effect, Buyofuel acts as a digital bridge between India’s ambitious targets and ground-level execution, accelerating both scale and trust. Buyofuel is described as India’s first digital marketplace for biofuels.Is this just a tech-enabled trading platform—or do you see it as a strategic node in India’s circular energy economy? How does the platform solve for scale, speed, and standardization in a fragmented biofuel supply chain? Buyofuel is much more than a tech-enabled marketplace. While it began as a platform to match biofuel buyers and sellers, its real value lies in being a strategic node of India’s circular energy economy. The platform converts waste streams-used cooking oil, crop residues, food waste-into tradable, bankable energy, aligning with both sustainability and energy security goals. To solve for scale, Buyofuel digitizes a highly fragmented supply chain, onboarding small suppliers and aggregators who previously lacked market access. For speed, the platform uses real-time pricing algorithms and logistics support, reducing transaction cycles from weeks to days. For standardization, Buyofuel embeds quality certification, traceability tools like BuyoTrace, and compliance with BIS standards, ensuring consistency across fuels and geographies. By integrating technology, market access, and trust infrastructure, Buyofuel transforms an informal, scattered sector into a structured, scalable marketplace that can support India’s energy transition at pace. It is infrastructure, not just a platform. Let’s talk about industrial decarbonisation.From cement kilns to commercial fleets, how are your clients using Buyofuel to switch to low-carbon fuels—and what kind of real-world emissions reductions are being recorded across sectors? Buyofuel is enabling industrial decarbonization at scale by providing direct access to low-carbon fuels. Cement plants are substituting coal with biomass briquettes, reducing carbon intensity of clinker production. Food processing industries and hotel chains are replacing furnace oil with biodiesel sourced via the platform, lowering Scope 1 emissions. Fleet operators are piloting bio-CNG for logistics, particularly in urban clusters. On average, industries switching to biofuels through Buyofuel are reporting 30-60 per cent reductions in their carbon footprint from fuel use, depending on the sector and feedstock. For instance, every tonne of biomass briquettes displaces nearly 1.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent compared to coal. Similarly, a switch from diesel to biodiesel reduces lifecycle emissions by up to 78 per cent. Buyofuel captures and reports these savings through traceability, giving clients verifiable ESG metrics. By making these reductions measurable and auditable, the platform doesn’t just supply fuel—it enables industries to actively demonstrate and quantify progress toward decarbonization targets. You’re operating at the convergence of waste, energy, and policy.India produces more than 500 million tonnes of agri-residues annually, much of which is burned. How is Buyofuel turning this into a bankable energy stream—and are there policy or logistical bottlenecks still holding back this transition? India generates over 500 million tonnes of agricultural residues annually, much of which is burned, worsening air pollution and wasting energy potential. Buyofuel digitizes this challenge into an opportunity by connecting local aggregators, farmers, and biomass processors to industrial buyers seeking affordable, low-carbon fuels. Through its marketplace, residues like rice husk, bagasse, and cotton stalks are converted into briquettes, pellets, or directly used for bio-CNG feedstock. This creates additional farmer income streams while reducing open-field burning. However, logistical challenges remain-collection, storage, and transport of bulky residues is expensive, and seasonal availability creates supply gaps. Policy bottlenecks include limited minimum support pricing for biomass and uneven state-level incentives. Buyofuel bridges these gaps by pooling demand, supporting logistics partners, and creating assured offtake markets. But scaling this transition fully will require targeted policy support—such as viability gap funding and carbon credit monetization-to make residue-to-energy economically attractive for all stakeholders across India’s agricultural belt. We’re increasingly seeing sustainability move from CSR to CFO.How does Buyofuel enable your industrial customers to meet ESG benchmarks or reduce Scope 1/2 emissions? Are carbon credits or verifiable emission savings part of the platform’s roadmap? Sustainability has moved from boardrooms to balance sheets, and Buyofuel positions itself as a tool for CFOs and sustainability officers alike. By switching to biofuels through the platform, industries directly reduce Scope 1 emissions from combustion and Scope 2 emissions linked to grid electricity, where bio-CNG and biomass replace conventional fuels. The platform also provides auditable data on emissions savings, supporting ESG disclosures and compliance with global reporting frameworks such as GRI and CDP. This transparency allows industrial clients to quantify carbon reductions in annual sustainability reports, strengthening investor confidence. Buyofuel’s roadmap includes enabling carbon credits by linking verified transactions to policy-aligned carbon markets. This will give industries not only fuel cost savings but also a second layer of financial value through credits. In essence, Buyofuel transforms compliance into competitive advantage by embedding decarbonization into daily procurement, making sustainability both measurable and monetizable for Indian industry. Trust is a major concern in digital fuel trading.What mechanisms—pricing algorithms, quality certification, logistics tracking—have you built to ensure industrial buyers are willing to shift fuel procurement online? Trust is the foundation of digital procurement, and Buyofuel has built mechanisms to address quality, pricing, and delivery assurance. The platform integrates transparent pricing algorithms based on live market conditions, reducing buyer skepticism around cost volatility. For quality, every supplier is required to provide certification in line with BIS standards, supported by BuyoTrace, a digital tool that ensures traceability of feedstock origins and production processes. Logistics tracking, through GPS-enabled transport partners, allows buyers to monitor their consignment in real time. In cases of dispute, Buyofuel provides arbitration and escrow-linked payments, ensuring funds are released only upon confirmed delivery. These mechanisms build confidence among large industrial clients, who otherwise face high risk in informal markets. By combining technology with trust infrastructure, Buyofuel creates an environment where industries are willing-and increasingly eager-to shift fuel procurement online, knowing their cost, quality, and sustainability criteria are consistently met. Biofuel adoption often suffers from variability in quality and availability.How do you ensure consistent fuel specs and supply chain reliability across regions, and how are you integrating with local aggregators or processors to close the last-mile gap? Variability in fuel quality and supply has historically slowed biofuel adoption. Buyofuel addresses this challenge by creating an integrated ecosystem of verified suppliers, processors, and logistics partners. The platform standardizes specifications-such as calorific value for briquettes or ester content for biodiesel-against national and international benchmarks, rejecting suppliers who do not comply. To ensure consistency across regions, Buyofuel partners with local aggregators and processors, creating decentralized nodes of supply that can meet demand without long-distance transport bottlenecks. The platform also employs predictive analytics to forecast demand and manage seasonal fluctuations in feedstock availability. Logistics tie-ups ensure last-mile delivery, particularly for smaller MSME buyers. Together, these measures close the reliability gap, ensuring industries have continuous access to compliant, quality-assured fuels. By converting a fragmented, informal supply chain into a digitally integrated network, Buyofuel makes biofuel procurement as predictable and professional as conventional fossil fuel sourcing. Let’s zoom out.As the IEA predicts bioenergy will account for nearly 30 per cent of global renewable energy demand by 2030, what does Buyofuel’s global ambition look like? Is there a blueprint for scaling to other emerging markets? As the International Energy Agency projects bioenergy to contribute 30 per cent of global renewable demand by 2030, Buyofuel sees itself as a scalable model for other emerging economies facing similar challenges of waste, energy access, and decarbonization. Its blueprint rests on three pillars: digitizing fragmented feedstock supply, embedding trust through traceability and certification, and enabling policy-linked adoption at scale. Southeast Asia, with its abundance of palm oil residues and rising industrial energy demand, is a natural next market. Africa, where biomass is already the dominant energy source but lacks formal markets, offers another opportunity. Buyofuel’s model can be adapted through local aggregator partnerships and integration with regional carbon markets. While India remains its home base, the company envisions becoming a pan-emerging-market infrastructure provider for biofuels, enabling developing economies to leapfrog fossil dependence. Global ambition, for Buyofuel, means scaling trust infrastructure across borders while retaining local adaptability. Innovation at the edge: compressed biogas, ethanol, and beyond.What’s the next frontier for Buyofuel—are you venturing into new fuel categories, blockchain traceability, or AI-driven fuel demand forecasting? Buyofuel’s future lies in innovation that integrates fuels, technology, and finance. The platform is expanding beyond biomass, biodiesel, and bio-CNG into newer categories like ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel, preparing for the next wave of demand. On the technology side, blockchain-based traceability is being piloted to provide immutable records of feedstock origin and carbon savings, which will be crucial for carbon credit trading. AI-driven forecasting is another frontier-using machine learning to predict regional demand patterns, optimize logistics, and align suppliers with upcoming industrial needs. These innovations not only improve efficiency but also enhance trust, compliance, and monetization opportunities for stakeholders. By combining fuel diversification with digital intelligence, Buyofuel aims to future-proof its marketplace, ensuring it remains relevant as India’s energy transition evolves from coal replacement today to aviation and hydrogen fuels tomorrow. Innovation at the edge ensures Buyofuel grows with, and ahead of, market needs. Final question: You’re not just selling fuel—you’re shaping infrastructure.In your view, what role will digital marketplaces like Buyofuel play in making India's clean energy transition faster, fairer, and commercially viable? Digital marketplaces like Buyofuel are not just intermediaries; they are enablers of infrastructure. India’s clean energy transition requires not only new fuel technologies but also systems that can mobilize waste, aggregate supply, and guarantee reliable, transparent access to biofuels at scale. Buyofuel provides that infrastructure digitally, bridging the gap between policy ambition and industrial adoption. By lowering transaction costs, ensuring standardization, and embedding trust mechanisms, it accelerates adoption across MSMEs and large industries alike. Equally important, it democratizes participation, enabling small farmers, aggregators, and processors to plug into national decarbonization goals. The result is a faster, fairer, and commercially viable energy transition. In a country where logistics and trust often block sustainable fuel adoption, Buyofuel represents a model for how digital ecosystems can make clean energy accessible, affordable, and accountable. In the broader decarbonization architecture, it is not peripheral-it is foundational. --- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3135/rooted-in-precision-ram-lisaey-on-scaling-israeli-water-tech-for-thirsty-world.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3135/rooted-in-precision-ram-lisaey-on-scaling-israeli-water-tech-for-thirsty-world.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:48:48 +0530 In an era of deepening groundwater crises across Asia and Africa, Israel’s desert-honed innovations offer a compelling blueprint for sustainable farming. At the heart of this transformation is precision irrigation—pioneered by Netafim—which has redefined how crops can thrive with minimal water. But beyond drip systems, Israel’s integrated approach now includes root-zone moisture sensing, AI-driven scheduling, and large-scale treated wastewater reuse. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ram Lisaey, Head of Global Agronomy at Netafim, shares how these technologies are being adapted for high-evapotranspiration regions from Maharashtra to the Sahel. He explains why real-time soil data is more powerful than rainfall averages, and why AI is useful—but not always essential—for farmers. Drawing on decades of field experience, Lisaey offers insights on training models, policy frameworks, and public–private partnerships that have scaled Israeli water-tech in low-income regions. As groundwater depletion accelerates, his message is clear: sustainable irrigation must move from theory to field, one root zone at a time. What are the key Israeli technologies (e.g., precision irrigation, moisture sensors, AI-integrated decision platforms) that directly reduce groundwater extraction in agriculture? Israel’s arid climate and chronic freshwater scarcity have long driven the country to pioneer groundbreaking water-saving technologies. At the forefront is precision irrigation—most notably drip irrigation, a game-changing innovation by Netafim. By delivering water and nutrients directly to the root zone of each plant, this method minimizes evaporation, runoff, and percolation losses, dramatically reducing water use compared to conventional flood or sprinkler systems. Micro-sprinklers, a variant suited for specific soil types and crop patterns, offer similar efficiency gains. Complementing this is a growing ecosystem of root-zone moisture sensors, such as Netafim’s GrowSphere and platforms developed by CropX, which provide farmers with real-time data on soil moisture dynamics. These sensors empower more responsive and accurate irrigation, preventing overwatering and optimizing application timing. Israeli firms are also experimenting with AI-integrated irrigation platforms that combine sensor data, satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and plant physiology models to generate predictive watering schedules. While these systems show promise, their full value proposition—particularly for smallholders—remains under evaluation. Beyond field-level technologies, Israel has made major strides in large-scale wastewater treatment and reuse, recycling nearly 90 per cent of its municipal wastewater for agriculture. This provides a reliable, year-round water source that significantly reduces pressure on freshwater and groundwater reserves. Desalination, led by companies like IDE Technologies, plays a complementary role, supplying potable water to cities and thereby freeing up more natural freshwater for food production. At a systems level, water management software and analytics platforms further enhance efficiency by helping farmers monitor usage, diagnose inefficiencies, and fine-tune irrigation strategies across large-scale operations. How effective are Israeli root-zone moisture sensing systems (e.g., from companies like CropX or Saturas) in improving water-use efficiency at scale? Israeli root-zone sensing systems have ushered in a new era of precision and responsiveness in irrigation management. By delivering real-time, granular data on soil moisture, these tools enable dynamic adjustments to irrigation schedules—far superior to traditional methods based on fixed timers or visual cues, which often result in overwatering. The result is a measurable reduction in water waste, as farmers gain the ability to irrigate only when and where it’s needed, minimizing deep percolation and runoff. Field studies have shown water savings of 20 per cent to 50 per cent without any compromise in yield. Equally important is the impact on nutrient efficiency. Maintaining optimal soil moisture levels enhances nutrient uptake by crops, contributing to better plant health and potentially reducing fertilizer inputs. These systems are also highly scalable—whether used on smallholder plots or across industrial-scale farms. Wireless sensor networks and cloud-based platforms allow for remote monitoring and control, making real-time irrigation optimization possible across diverse geographies. The data collected feeds into broader decision-support tools, enabling continuous refinement of irrigation strategies and giving farmers deeper insight into the precise water needs of different crops and soil profiles. What role is artificial intelligence playing in predictive irrigation scheduling, and how do Israeli platforms like SupPlant or Tal-Ya Water Technologies differentiate themselves? Artificial intelligence is poised to play a transformative role in irrigation management, shifting systems from reactive, sensor-based models to proactive and predictive water scheduling. Israeli platforms are at the forefront of this shift, using machine learning to synthesize a wide array of data sources—including weather forecasts, historical crop performance, satellite imagery, soil profiles, and crop phenology. These AI-driven tools can anticipate a plant’s water needs days or even weeks in advance, optimizing irrigation strategies tailored to specific crops, soils, and microclimates. However, the cost-benefit equation for such systems remains under scrutiny. The technology itself is not prohibitively complex or expensive, but its added value may be marginal for many growers, particularly smallholders who already achieve substantial water savings with simpler sensor-based approaches. In many cases, the hyper-optimization that AI enables does not translate into significant enough gains to justify adoption. Nonetheless, the promise of continuous learning—where algorithms improve over time—and the use of intuitive, user-friendly interfaces make these platforms increasingly accessible. For large-scale operations or regions facing acute water stress, predictive AI scheduling may eventually become an indispensable tool. To what degree are Israeli innovations in treated wastewater reuse (e.g., Shafdan model) helping reduce dependence on groundwater in agriculture? Israeli innovations in treated wastewater reuse have become a global benchmark for reducing agricultural dependence on groundwater. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Shafdan model, a pioneering example of circular water management at scale. Israel currently recycles nearly 90 per cent of its municipal wastewater for agriculture—the highest reuse rate in the world—thanks to decades of policy support, infrastructure investment, and public-private collaboration. At the heart of this system, the Shafdan wastewater treatment facility near Tel Aviv treats urban effluent and recharges it into the coastal aquifer, where it undergoes natural filtration through Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). This dual process not only yields high-quality irrigation water suitable for all crop types, but also helps stabilize aquifer levels and protect against seawater intrusion. As a result, farmers gain a year-round, drought-resilient water source, sharply reducing pressure on Israel’s limited freshwater reserves. This model does more than conserve groundwater—it creates a sustainable water cycle where waste becomes a strategic resource. Over time, the system has also proven economically viable, with reliable infrastructure and water quality standards that make recycled water both safe and attractive for agricultural use. In a water-stressed world, Israel’s wastewater reuse paradigm offers a blueprint for climate-resilient farming. How have Israeli groundwater innovations been localized for high-evapotranspiration regions in Africa or South Asia? Israeli groundwater-saving innovations have been effectively localized for high-evapotranspiration (ET) regions across Africa and South Asia, thanks to a thoughtful blend of technological adaptation and on-the-ground capacity building. Companies like Netafim have played a pivotal role in tailoring drip irrigation systems to meet the needs of smallholder farmers, developing affordable, low-pressure solutions that function without electricity by harnessing gravity and elevation. These systems are often customized to suit local crop varieties—such as rice, cotton, and region-specific vegetables—by adjusting emitter spacing and irrigation schedules. Beyond irrigation hardware, Israeli know-how in water harvesting and storage—including rainwater collection systems, lined farm ponds, and underground reservoirs—has proven critical in areas with seasonal rainfall and erratic monsoons. Equally relevant is Israel’s expertise in saline water management, where practices like selective crop breeding, blending saline groundwater with fresh sources, and small-scale desalination have been adapted to help farmers in brackish or coastal zones. However, technology alone isn’t enough. A major driver of successful localization has been intensive capacity building, including farmer training in precision irrigation and soil moisture monitoring, as well as “training of trainers” programs that equip local extension workers to multiply impact. Demonstration farms serve as real-world testing grounds, building trust by showing how these solutions perform under local agro-climatic conditions. Together, these strategies reflect Israel’s commitment not just to exporting tools, but to co-creating sustainable water management systems in partnership with the Global South. Are there examples of successful transfer models? Two flagship initiatives exemplify how Israeli water-saving agri-tech has been successfully scaled in low-income regions: the India–Israel Centres of Excellence and the MASHAV programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. In India, the Centres of Excellence—jointly established across multiple states—function as innovation hubs where Israeli technologies are demonstrated, adapted, and disseminated. These centers focus on precision irrigation, protected cultivation, fertigation, and integrated water management, all customized to suit India’s diverse agro-climatic zones. Thousands of farmers, extension workers, and agri-entrepreneurs are trained annually, creating a ripple effect of knowledge transfer and adoption. Meanwhile, Israel’s development agency MASHAV has been instrumental across Africa in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and efficient water use. Its programs blend technology transfer with expert training in areas such as drip irrigation, water harvesting, and saline water management. In drought-prone dryland zones, MASHAV initiatives have strengthened food security and water resilience by equipping farmers with practical, low-cost irrigation techniques and conservation strategies tailored to harsh environmental conditions. Together, these programs illustrate Israel’s long-term, partnership-driven approach to agricultural development—rooted not just in exporting technology, but in building local capacity and context-specific solutions. What lessons can be drawn from Israeli partnerships (e.g., MASHAV programs, India-Israel Centres of Excellence) in scaling water-saving agri-tech in low-income regions? Israeli partnerships—particularly through MASHAV programs in Africa and the India–Israel Centres of Excellence—have offered vital lessons in scaling water-saving agri-tech across low-income regions. At the core of their success is a demand-driven approach, ensuring technologies align with the actual needs and priorities of local farmers rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions. Netafim has played a pivotal role in many of these collaborations, not just as a technology provider but as a long-term partner in knowledge transfer and system design. Demonstration farms and field pilots are critical in this context, allowing farmers to see the tangible benefits of precision irrigation and water-efficient practices under real-world conditions. These initiatives succeed not by isolating technology, but by taking a holistic approach—integrating agronomy, post-harvest value chains, and market access to ensure economic viability. Importantly, lasting impact requires long-term engagement, not just short-term interventions. Public-private collaboration—between MASHAV, Netafim, local governments, and farming communities—has proven essential to sustaining innovation and scaling it responsibly. Finally, successful adoption hinges on addressing socio-economic realities, from affordability and access to credit to cultural farming practices, all of which must be factored into design and delivery. What financing or incentive mechanisms (e.g., public-private partnerships, carbon-linked irrigation credits) have proven effective in scaling Israeli water-tech abroad? Scaling Israeli water-tech in global markets, particularly in developing regions, depends on a diverse set of financing and incentive mechanisms designed to reduce risk, encourage adoption, and align commercial and development goals. Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have proven especially effective—combining the innovation and efficiency of Israeli firms like Netafim with the enabling support of host-country governments, which may contribute land, infrastructure, or policy frameworks. These partnerships often act as springboards for broader ecosystem development. Development aid and concessional loans from agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and USAID further expand opportunities. Many MASHAV-backed initiatives leverage these funds to support water infrastructure and agri-tech deployment. Meanwhile, export credit guarantees from Israeli and international agencies help reduce financial risk for companies entering new or unstable markets. Emerging models such as impact investing and blended finance—which merge private capital with public or philanthropic funding—are also gaining traction. These structures appeal to investors seeking both financial returns and measurable social or environmental outcomes, such as improved water efficiency or smallholder resilience. One particularly innovative approach on the horizon is carbon-linked irrigation credits, which recognize that reducing energy-intensive groundwater pumping also reduces emissions. Though still in early stages, such schemes could create new revenue streams for farmers adopting efficient irrigation systems. On the ground, local government subsidies, tax incentives, and “pay-for-performance” models—where financial returns are tied to verified water savings or yield improvements—can further drive adoption. These layered financing strategies are essential to turning Israeli water-tech into globally scalable solutions, especially in resource-constrained regions. Can Israel’s experience with desert agriculture and saline water farming inform long-term strategies to reduce freshwater groundwater dependence globally? Israel’s decades-long journey in overcoming acute water scarcity offers a powerful roadmap for regions seeking to reduce dependence on freshwater groundwater sources. Its experience proves that necessity can drive radical agricultural innovation—from drip irrigation and wastewater reuse to saline water farming. What sets Israel apart is its holistic approach to water management, integrating multiple strategies such as efficient irrigation, desalination, policy enforcement, and treated wastewater reuse into a coherent national framework. One of Israel’s most impactful contributions is its demonstration that saline and non-conventional water sources—once dismissed as unusable—can be leveraged productively for agriculture. Through extensive crop selection and breeding programs, Israeli researchers have developed salt-tolerant and drought-resilient varieties that make farming viable even in brackish or arid environments. This has redefined the potential of desert and coastal regions around the world. Equally important is the economic viability of Israel’s arid-zone agriculture. Far from being subsistence-based, these farming systems are market-oriented, export-ready, and technologically advanced—challenging the long-held assumption that deserts are unproductive by default. Underpinning this success is a robust network of policies and regulatory frameworks governing water pricing, quality standards, and infrastructure development. Finally, Israel’s proven ability to transfer and adapt its technologies across geographies—through partnerships, training programs, and demonstration farms—shows that its model is not only effective, but exportable. For countries in Africa, South Asia, or the MENA region, the Israeli experience serves not just as inspiration, but as a practical template for water-secure, climate-resilient agriculture. What role can Israeli institutions play in building regional groundwater resilience alliances with countries in the MENA, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa?Israeli institutions are uniquely positioned to spearhead regional alliances aimed at strengthening groundwater resilience across MENA, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa—regions facing mounting water stress and climate volatility. With deep expertise housed in universities like Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Technion, as well as national bodies like MASHAV and the Water Authority, Israel can offer critical knowledge in hydrogeology, managed aquifer recharge (MAR), and sustainable groundwater abstraction techniques. This expertise is already being applied domestically and can be adapted through joint R&D initiatives that address the distinct hydrogeological challenges of partner nations. Capacity-building is another critical avenue where Israel can lead—through specialized training programs, workshops, and study tours for water managers, engineers, and policymakers. By grounding theory in practice, pilot projects and demonstration farms showcasing efficient groundwater management—including in transboundary aquifer systems—can foster trust and prove shared benefits. In parallel, Israeli legal and technical experts can offer guidance on establishing policy frameworks, such as abstraction permitting, pollution controls, and water quality standards. Equally important is the role of Israeli institutions in facilitating public–private partnerships, connecting cutting-edge water-tech firms with governments, NGOs, and local enterprises to scale solutions on the ground. On the diplomatic front, Israel’s experience in regional water cooperation equips it to host or mediate multilateral dialogues on shared aquifers, especially critical in geopolitically sensitive zones like the Middle East. Finally, all of this must be embedded within broader climate adaptation strategies, recognizing that changing precipitation patterns and rising temperatures will increasingly shape groundwater recharge dynamics. Through these multiple channels, Israel can act not just as a technology provider, but as a strategic ally in global groundwater resilience. —————- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3105/whats-in-your-beer-carlsbergs-new-brew-puts-regenerative-farming-in-the-spotlight.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3105/whats-in-your-beer-carlsbergs-new-brew-puts-regenerative-farming-in-the-spotlight.html Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:48:46 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum & NUFFOODS Spectrum, Carlsberg Denmark’s Senior Sustainability Manager, Stig Schneider Johnsen, shared how the company is leading the brewing industry’s shift toward regenerative agriculture by committing to 100 per cent regeneratively grown barley malt by 2040. With raw materials accounting for nearly a quarter of Carlsberg’s total emissions, the move is a strategic step to cut CO₂ output and enhance soil health. The company’s regenerative framework—built around crop rotation, soil cover, low inputs, and biodiversity—was developed with agricultural advisors and industry collaborations. By working closely with farmers and maltsters, Carlsberg scaled up regenerative barley production to 14,800 tonnes. The pilot beer Grobund received a strong consumer response, reinforcing the brand’s sustainability-driven innovation. What inspired Carlsberg to take this step toward using 100 per cent regeneratively grown barley malt? Our decision to brew a beer using 100 per cent regeneratively grown barley malt was driven by the urgent need to reduce agricultural emissions and improve soil health—two critical levers in our broader climate strategy. Approximately 24 per cent of our total value chain CO₂ emissions on the Group level stem from raw materials, with malt accounting for about half of that. Transitioning to regenerative practices is, therefore, a strategic imperative to decrease our footprint and support biodiversity. What does regenerative agriculture mean within Carlsberg’s strategy, and how was your definition developed? Regenerative agriculture is central to our ambition of sourcing 100 per cent of our raw materials from regenerative practices by 2040. Recognising the absence of a universal definition, we developed our framework in collaboration with agricultural advisors and inspirations from SAI Platform’s “Regenerating Together” working group. Our definition is grounded in these core principles: crop rotation, year-round soil cover, minimal soil disturbance, minimal input use, and a strict ban on insecticides. These principles are designed to enhance soil health, reduce emissions, and promote biodiversity. We also encourage voluntary practices such as agroforestry, organic matter addition, and precision farming to further strengthen outcomes. What were the key challenges in scaling from 500 to 14,800 tonnes of regenerative barley malt, and how were they addressed? Scaling regenerative barley production from 500 to 14,800 tonnes—equivalent to approximately 100 million liters of beer—required close collaboration across our value chain and with our supply chain partners. Interestingly, the transition has been less challenging than one might expect. The Danish agricultural sector has responded swiftly and constructively to our demand for regeneratively grown barley and found around 50 new farmers who live up to our principles. What role do maltsters like Fuglsang and Viking Malt play in this transformation? Our partners have been agile in supporting our transition to regenerative barley. They responded quickly to our ambitions, enabling us to scale up supply efficiently and without delay. Their ability to deliver high-quality regenerative malt at short notice has been crucial to the success of this initiative. How have consumers responded to Grobund, and is sustainability influencing preferences or loyalty? The initial response to Grobund has been very positive. Launched at Folkemødet and available exclusively at the Home of Carlsberg, the beer has sparked meaningful conversations about the future of agriculture and climate action. While Grobund was produced in limited quantities, it serves as a symbol of what is possible. We are indeed observing a growing segment of consumers who prioritise sustainability in their purchasing decisions, and initiatives like this help reinforce brand trust and loyalty among consumers. What are the next milestones on Carlsberg’s path to 100 per cent regenerative grain by 2040? Looking ahead, our key milestones include reaching 30 per cent regenerative raw material sourcing globally by 2030. We are calling for a common definition of regenerative practices and are also engaging in research to better quantify the environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture, including CO₂ reduction, biodiversity gains, and soil carbon sequestration. Continued collaboration with farmers, suppliers, and policymakers will be essential to scale these practices and ensure their long-term viability. ————- Shraddha Warde (shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3104/building-resilient-harvests-gates-foundation-pushes-for-climate-smart-food-systems-in-apac.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3104/building-resilient-harvests-gates-foundation-pushes-for-climate-smart-food-systems-in-apac.html Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:40:31 +0530 In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Dr. Ana Maria Loboguerrero, Director for Adaptive and Equitable Food Systems at the Gates Foundation, outlines the unique challenges and opportunities facing food systems in APAC. She emphasizes the need for holistic solutions that integrate climate adaptation, gender equity, and nutrition. Loboguerrero highlights the role of digital innovations—from India’s livestock traceability to AI-based weather forecasts—in boosting resilience. She also stresses the importance of regional cooperation and increased adaptation finance for smallholder farmers. Looking ahead, she remains optimistic about APAC’s potential to lead the world in building inclusive, climate-smart food systems. What makes the APAC region unique when it comes to building adaptive and equitable food systems?In APAC—and specifically South Asia—over 80 percent of households rely on smallholder or subsistence farming to make a living. Most of these farms are under two hectares, meaning simply improving productivity does not always translate into more income, keeping many farmers in poverty. This challenge is further exacerbated by climate change. According to the 2024 Asia-Pacific Climate Report, South Asia will require between $102 billion and $431 billion annually for climate adaptation— far more than the $34 billion of adaptation finance mobilized in the region in 2021-2022. Gender inequality adds another layer to the challenge. While women represent the majority of the agriculture labor force—like in India where women represent 67 per cent of workers in agrifood systems— they are often left out of decision-making and lack access to resources. This is why efforts in APAC demand holistic, integrated interventions across nutrition, climate resilience, and women’s access to resources.  How are global and regional trade dynamics affecting local food system equity in APAC?Today, South Asia primarily exports staple crops and processed products around the world—including to the Middle East and North America—missing opportunities to build resilient local ecosystems through collaboration with neighboring countries. Meanwhile, variations in regulations and logistics between countries in South Asia limit progress, meaning intraregional trade remains underdeveloped and fragmented. Harmonizing trade can help to reduce food prices and buffer against climate shocks, while stimulating crop diversification and helping prepare unified response systems for the climate-driven spread of pests.   What promising technologies or digital tools are helping make APAC food systems more adaptive and inclusive?Digital tools and technologies play a key role in helping smallholder farmers reduce food loss and waste, prepare for climate stressors, and connect to the supply chain. Across food systems, we are seeing the adoption of these technologies increase through rural outreach, training and financial services offerings. For example, the Indian National Digital Livestock Mission now tags over 95 per cent of the country’s ~303 million cows with unique IDs—including vaccination records, parentage, and milk yield metrics—unlocking traceability from farm to processor. By reducing losses and helping to maintain quality, this digital infrastructure improves smallholder incomes and allows them to make the most of premium export markets. Meanwhile, the Agriculture Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale), launched in 2024, is deploying AI-based weather forecasting across Asia. Early pilots in India show reduced farmer debt and savings increases of up to 10 percent. How well are national policies in APAC addressing the dual goals of climate adaptation and food equity? Where are the gaps?National policies across South Asia are helping drive the region’s shift toward food self-sufficiency. In India, for example, the government’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is promoting climate-resilient farming, water-use efficiency, and improved soil health. Over the years to come, it will be important to continue strengthening nutrition security across the region. By making nutritious diets more affordable and accessible for everyone, South Asia can further its commitments to food system transformation and healthy lives for all. Meanwhile, across South Asia and beyond, climate-driven extremes continue to devastate yields, further straining food systems, exacerbated by growing populations and water shortages. National adaptation strategies are emerging, however financing is lacking: COP29 discussions noted that less than 1 per cent of public climate finance targets smallholder agriculture, despite these farmers producing up to 80 per cent of the region’s food. Moreover, gender considerations are still largely siloed, rather than woven into core agricultural and climate policies. How can APAC countries collaborate better across borders to build resilient regional food systems?Climate resilience across South Asia depends on cross-border alignment in regulatory standards, joint disease and pest surveillance, synchronized early warning systems, and shared R&D investments in crop, livestock, and climate innovations. The 2024 Asia-Pacific UN meeting highlighted the need for such alignment, urging institutional support for agriculture, fisheries, and nature-based food systems to build resilience. Establishing regional centers to coordinate responses to these challenges is essential to make regional trade more efficient while reducing production and transaction risk and increasing profit. What does a truly adaptive and equitable food system look like in APAC by 2035 or 2050?Such a system would deliver both food and nutrition security, while being climate shock-resilient—able to respond to and bounce back from floods, heatwaves, or disease outbreaks without raising food prices or impacting farmer livelihoods. It would embed climate-smart technologies at scale and center on inclusivity, integrating marginalized groups, including women and smallholders, into governance and markets. By 2050, many APAC low- and middle-income countries would have transitioned towards high-income economies, leveraging inclusive, nutritious and resilient food systems as engines of growth. What are three policy or investment priorities you believe must be urgently addressed to get there?First, the region must dramatically increase adaptation finance directed to smallholder farmers. Second, policymakers should mandate systems-based planning, wherein nutrition, gender equity, and climate resilience are seen through a “growth lens” as core elements of food system transformation. Third, cooperation between countries—across agricultural research, emergency response, and trade policy—must be institutionalized through stable regional frameworks to enable long-term investments in shared climate-resilience infrastructure. What gives you hope or optimism about the future of food systems in APAC?Digital tools and technologies are now underpinning agricultural modernization—from livestock traceability to AI-enhanced weather services—demonstrating that these innovations can meaningfully improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in South Asia. Diet diversification is also increasing: pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and aquaculture sectors are now outstripping the growth rate of staple crops in South Asia. It’s also exciting to see multilateral forums—like the upcoming COP30 in Belém —prioritize climate-resilient food systems at the center of SDG discussions. Despite formidable challenges, the convergence of technology, policy momentum, regional engagement, and innovation offers a credible path toward fair, and nutritious climate-smart food systems. ————- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3022/adapting-to-a-changing-world-the-future-of-animal-health-in-the-face-of-emerging-threats.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3022/adapting-to-a-changing-world-the-future-of-animal-health-in-the-face-of-emerging-threats.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 09:21:00 +0530 Cynderella Carlynda Galimpin, Head of Animal Health, Regional Operating Unit ASEAN, South Korea Australia New Zealand, Boehringer Ingelheim How does the re-emergence of endemic transboundary diseases impact the global community, and what trends are you observing in this context? The link between animal and human health is undeniable, and so are the impacts. Some  60% of known infectious diseases in humans originate from animals – including pets – and 36% of transboundary diseases are associated with livestock, many for human consumption. The social and economic consequences of endemic transboundary disease are vast. They spread rapidly, threaten animal and livestock health, compromise quality and reduce availability of animal products, and inevitably impact human health.  Take Avian Influenza (HPAI) or Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), for example. Together, they affect many of the most consumed animal protein groups globally, and just one infected animal can infect an entire flock or a herd of cattle, pigs, sheep, or goats in hours.  Fuelling this risk is the cycle of demand, production and supply, alongside climate change. As urbanisation spreads, agricultural production and global trade intensify; human contact with animals increases, habitats change, and environmental conditions favour transmission. The consequences are harsh and widely felt: disease spreads, animal wellbeing suffers and production is impacted. Meanwhile, as health emergencies emerge, governments impose trade barriers, and livelihoods and food security are affected too. Given the rapid spread of diseases, how should the animal health industry evolve to meet these challenges? How can different stakeholders–including industry, governments, and researchers–collaborate more effectively to reduce the impact of transboundary diseases? With global forces at the core of this issue, no single organization or sector can solve the challenges at the human-animal-environment interface alone. But as a first step, animal, human and environmental health industries – public and private – can acknowledge the need for a collective response.  A One Health approach is vital if we are to improve the environment in which we raise, transport and treat animals and livestock, protect and support their health, and ours.  Looking at the highly connected ASEAN region – where demand for animal products is high, the risk is amplified, and transboundary risks are a constant consideration – the opportunities for improvement include: Enhancing surveillance for early detection, insight and tracing of emerging threats. This includes more investment in data sharing and research into zoonotic diseases. Strengthening veterinary governance structures and promoting responsible antimicrobial use to curb antimicrobial resistance in animals.  Investing in fit-for-purpose prevention and preparation assets that support targeted vaccination production, advanced diagnostics and rapid outbreak response.  Ensuring access to quality animal health products via streamlined product registration and approval processes, and improved governance requirements for manufacturers.  Encouraging broad public-private partnerships for animal health promotion. The emergence of new avian influenza variants poses significant challenges. What are the implications for scientists, public health authorities, clinicians, and the community at large? The emergence of new HPAI variants poses a significant and persistent challenge across Asia, with cases consistently reported annually in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. The severity of this challenge is twofold: the constant genetic evolution of the virus, and the immense speed and scale at which these outbreaks can devastate poultry populations. This complexity makes a unified response incredibly difficult and leads to devastating real-world impacts. For example, in the Philippines in 2022, the disease led to the culling of 10 million chickens, causing significant economic losses. The situation remains critical even today, with active cases in Tarlac, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija, and 99 other municipalities.  For directly and indirectly impacted communities – farmers, producers, retailers, hospitality industries, and beyond – this can mean hardship. The Philippines outbreak has driven up poultry costs and consumer prices, hurt producer livelihoods, and exacerbated food security and cost-of-living concerns.  The science community, meanwhile, must chase down an ever-evolving threat. Recent outbreaks, like in the Philippines, demonstrate how quickly they evolve. We need greater funding and focus into viral evolution, genetic mutations, and the development of effective vaccines that can keep pace with these changes. Finally, for public health officials, the Philippines case is another reminder to strengthen surveillance and biosecurity standards, policies and practices, and engage proactively with stakeholders – across borders – to coordinate control and tracing efforts. Vaccination is a critical tool in combating threats like avian influenza, African Swine Fever, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease. How would you recommend strengthening vaccination globally, particularly in regions most vulnerable to these diseases? Strict biosecurity measures, disease monitoring and vaccination contribute to preventing or controlling against HPAI, African Swine Fever (ASF) and FMD.  In ASF, diagnostics for early detection and strict biosecurity controls remain the two crucial lines of defence. In HPAI, diagnostics, biosecurity controls and vaccination for clinical protection play a role in early detection, transmission reduction and disease elimination. But preparation is another crucial element.  In FMD, for example, the primary aim of vaccination during an epidemic is not to induce clinical protection, but to reduce transmission and stop the spread.  Effective preparation therefore requires rapid-response capabilities for vaccination en masse. Introducing vaccine antigen banks as a reserve of frozen vaccine antigen concentrate to be quickly formulated and deployed during emergency and outbreak scenarios is one such solution.  But no company can build preparedness capabilities for future transboundary and emerging diseases without collaboration or a reasonable approach to risk sharing. Modelling and planning for these programs to achieve optimal impact necessitates a cohesive, joint approach among health industry, authorities, governments, veterinarians and farmers.  How is Boehringer Ingelheim strategically combating continuously evolving viral strains and designing innovative vaccine solutions to fight avian influenza? We are leveraging advanced R&D to develop vaccines, providing broad-spectrum protection against evolving viral strains. Our poultry vaccines are designed to protect flocks while minimizing production losses, thereby ensuring sustainable farming in Southeast Asia. Through our commitment to R&D, we remain at the forefront of avian influenza prevention. We also know that effective disease control requires strong partnerships to ensure vaccine access. That’s why we work with regulatory bodies to facilitate farmer access to HPAI vaccines, and supply millions of doses across the globe, every year.  In the Philippines, for example, Boehringer Ingelheim has donated HPAI test kits to trade and partner stakeholders to support surveillance efforts. We are also actively working with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to streamline vaccine approvals. Boehringer Ingelheim's new trivalent poultry vaccine protect against Marek's disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, and H5 avian influenza in just one shot. Can you elaborate on the development and impact of this innovative solution? Boehringer Ingelheim has expanded its VAXXITEK® range with the introduction of VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD+H5, the first trivalent poultry vaccine that builds upon the foundation of VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD and now combines protection against Marek's disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, and H5 avian influenza in a single dose. This provides farmers with an efficient method of administering broad protection against these diseases. The advanced COBRA technology ensures cross-clade protection against most prevalent and emerging H5 AI strains, reducing the need for frequent updates. This innovation reduces labour and costs and preserves the immune capabilities of the birds, enhancing animal welfare by minimizing handling stress. What are the main barriers to innovation in the animal health space, and how can the industry overcome them to ensure future growth and resilience? Innovation in animal health faces several challenges, including regulatory complexities, high R&D costs, and limited access to data for emerging diseases. The ASEAN region has its own hurdles, including a lack of skilled professionals and resources, limited technology adoption, and a need for greater harmonization among animal health agencies.  Addressing these challenges requires enhanced collaboration between regulators and industry to improve approval processes and access to necessary medicines. Knowledge sharing, capacity building, and wider adoption of digital solutions will also advance ASEAN’s animal health ecosystem. Perhaps most importantly, however, is broader public understanding and prioritisation of animal health. By promoting prevention via vaccination and timely veterinary support, animal holders across ASEAN, and the broader community, can contribute to better disease control. By changing our individual behaviours, we collectively improve resilience by providing financial stability for those whose livelihoods depend on animals or contribute to food production and security.  Misconceptions about livestock vaccination can hinder progress. How can these misconceptions be addressed through ethical and sustainable international practices, especially when it comes to trade?  There is no single solution to stamping out disease in animals. Optimal animal health practices comprise responsible vaccination and antimicrobial use, alongside robust biosecurity and hygiene standards, data, insights and communication.  Medications complement, not replace, robust biosecurity and hygiene practices. In swine, for example, vaccination can reduce the need for antibiotics by preventing disease, but is most effective when combined with good farm management.  In poultry and HPAI, some suggest vaccines can mask infection or create a false sense of security around disease prevention. But insufficient vaccination practices, biosecurity measures, coverage and monitoring (often seen in developing countries in ASEAN) can be the catalyst for an endemic situation. Vaccination is one component of a comprehensive strategy and must be considered alongside appropriate antimicrobial use.  Perhaps the greatest health threats facing our world is the misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants. Previously effective medicines for animals are being rapidly outpaced by genetic mutations and transfer of resistant traits, creating new, drug-resistant pathogens. Communication is therefore paramount to curb misconceptions. Sharing evidence on vaccine safety and efficacy, acknowledging limitations and concerns about residues or environmental impacts, and raising awareness around antimicrobial use and robust surveillance all help build trust and raise standards.  How do you define Boehringer Ingelheim’s efforts to advocate for animal welfare and health internationally? Boehringer Ingelheim actively engages with regional and international organizations to promote animal welfare and health, with a strong focus on sustainability.  With both human and animal health businesses under one roof, many of our solutions are aimed at solving welfare and wellbeing challenges at the intersection of these two areas.  Our fight to reduce antimicrobial resistance, our STOP Rabies initiative, and our focus on prevention over treatment in livestock and sustainable food production, are just some examples of that effort. This passion and commitment to animal, human and environmental health stems from our company's history and underpins everything we do to protect and support life.  How is Boehringer Ingelheim integrating sustainable practices into its animal health operations, and how will this benefit animals and the environment in the long run? Across ASEAN, as in all regions, we integrate sustainable practices into all our animal health operations. Our Stop Rabies initiative, for example, is driving towards the global Zero by 30 goal to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies infections by 2030.  We are committed to working hand in hand with veterinarians, pet owners, government and non-governmental organizations, health authorities, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, and other stakeholders around the world.  Leveraging our expertise in rabies prevention and management, we actively support elimination efforts in Southeast Asia—particularly in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, by delivering tailored, partnership-driven, and community-led solutions.  Farmers and producers across ASEAN depend on us to safeguard their animal health. That is why we work with partners in the region to expand sustainability initiatives and practices, improving the health of animals, humans, and our planet. In Thailand, for example, we partner with Charoen Pokphand Foods to convert waste from our avian vaccines into renewable Refuse Derived Fuel. By reducing our operational impact, promoting energy efficiency, minimizing waste, and providing sustainable solutions, we are directly supporting ASEAN's farmers in building more resilient and environmentally responsible businesses, contributing to healthier animals, reduced resource consumption, and a more secure food supply for the region. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3064/rethinking-risk-professor-chen-on-the-urgent-need-to-reinvent-food-safety-for-a-fragile-fast-changing-food-system.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3064/rethinking-risk-professor-chen-on-the-urgent-need-to-reinvent-food-safety-for-a-fragile-fast-changing-food-system.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:57:07 +0530 Recognized as one of Asia’s foremost authorities in food innovation, Professor William Chen leads pivotal national efforts including the Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH) and the Singapore Agri-food Innovation Lab (SAIL), while holding the Michael Fam Endowed Professorship at NTU. With a career spanning microbiology, sustainability, and food tech, he is a key architect of green food technologies and urban food solutions. A vocal proponent of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), Professor Chen champions next-gen food safety assessments that account for digestion, exposure, and data-driven risk. In this wide-ranging interview, he reflects on how the Asia-Pacific region is confronting food system fragility driven by climate shocks, geopolitical tensions, and a rapidly evolving innovation landscape. He argues that regulatory science must not only keep pace with innovation, but also adapt to its growing complexity to ensure safety, security, and sustainability. The discussion draws on insights from the recent WHO-NTU Joint Workshop, spotlighting global collaborations to shape resilient, harmonized food safety frameworks for the future. Professor Chen, you've been recognized globally for pioneering innovations in sustainable food systems. From your perspective, how has food safety risk assessment evolved in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region over the last decade?My sense is that in general food tech innovations are always moving faster than food safety risk assessment. This is even more obvious when countries around the world including the Asia-Pacific are feeling the urgent need to tackle the increasingly fragile food supply chain. The fragility is a combined result of- The impact of extremely weather conditions on the farming yield (both crops and livestock); the disruption of supply chain by the CoVID-19 pandemic; the rising geopolitical tensions. Some areas of this global push for greater farming yield and alternative food sources may include deforestation for new farmland, increasing use of fertilisers and pesticides and food circular economy through upcycling and reduction of food waste/side-streams. Food safety risk assessment needs to be enhanced for the push for higher level of food supply. For example, the emergence of new microbes from the deforestation and extreme weather conditions may affect livestock farming (avian flu is a typical example) and proper detection/mitigation measures need to be developed. Likewise, in creating food circular economy through valorization of food processing side-streams, one should bear in mind that hazard substances need to be assessed for their safety risk (for example, residual mycotoxin and pesticides on the husk of grain). One emerging effort across the world is the urban food solutions (plant and fungi based protein, meat grown in bioreactors, and microbial proteins). These novel foods hold great promise to complement foods from the traditional sources but proper food safety risk assessment framework needs to be established. This is because while the foods produced in the urban setting may be resilient to changing weather conditions and free of pesticides/antibiotics, the production systems may need to be monitored for new types of contaminants (microbials or toxins). Given the pace of innovation in urban proteins and alternative foods, what will it take to build globally harmonized food safety standards—and how can public-private partnerships and international cooperation, like the WHO-NTU initiative, bridge the gap between proprietary innovation and public health?My sense is that public private partnership is extremely important to ensure a synergistic cooperation for a harmonized food safety standards to tackle the new challenges in the food system. Many countries are capable of developing new food safety standards of relevance to their respective conditions, and adopted by their own regulatory agencies. While their cross-border recognition and adoption may be challenging, the engagement of international organizations such as the World Health Organization would help to facilitate the process and also standardize the practices. To develop food safety standards for the changing food systems to include the novel foods, industry participation in data sharing is critical but challenging. One example is the formulation of culture medium ingredients for urban protein development. Many innovators and startups have developed creative ways to enhance the yield while reducing the operation cost of these urban foods, but these innovations may be considered proprietary thus not for sharing. This is a challenge as the replacement ingredients may have hazardous substances derived from non-food applications or from side-streams upcycling, and these replacement substances may also alter the properties of the urban food products. Another area of data sharing is around the food supply chain which can be facilitated by Artificial Intelligence. The recently concluded WHO-NTU Joint Workshop in Singapore has provided helpful insights on ways forward to overcome these challenges. Part of the Joint Workshop is to present the progress of the WHO-NTU Joint Action Plan to develop food relevant NAMs for future food safety risk assessment. The Joint Action Plan includes a number of NAMs areas discussed herein such as mixture and digestion aspect of foods, and AI integration. In the context of this new way of partnership, the Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH) which is part of Singapore government’s national food initiative (Singapore Food Agency, A*STAR and NTU Singapore) to enhance the overall food security would be the technology developer for food relevant NAMs, and of particular interest the bioreactor systems for urban food production which allow us to have first-hand data from varying parameters and their impact on the food safety risk assessment framework. Hosted at NTU Singapore, the NAMs developed from FRESH would then be validated with industry partners and Singapore Food Agency therefore achieving the objective of public private partnership. WHO would be the global leader to facilitate the exchange of NAMs across different countries for their standardization and adoption. You’ve been a strong advocate of green food innovations. How do sustainability goals intersect with food safety risk management, especially with the rise of alternative proteins and circular food systems?As I’ve noted, with growing pressure to boost food supply amid climate disruptions, food safety risk assessment must keep pace. New microbial threats—driven by deforestation and extreme weather—are already affecting livestock, with avian flu being a key example. The shift toward a circular food economy is critical, but upcycled side-streams may carry residual mycotoxins or pesticides. These risks must be assessed before reintroducing them into the food chain. Urban food solutions—like fungi-based proteins, cultivated meat, and microbial alternatives—are promising, climate-resilient, and produced without pesticides or antibiotics. But clean production doesn’t guarantee safety. Novel contaminants unique to these systems must be considered. This calls for next-generation food safety frameworks—designed specifically for new food technologies, not adapted from legacy models. We need to assess not just inputs, but how these foods behave through processing, digestion, and consumption. So far, the safety assessment of these novel urban foods has been focused on hazard identification and limited to their production and processing, but not on the foods per se. Bearing in mind that hazard does not equal risk, we now need to move to the next stage which is the hazard characterization . One emerging development is ensure proper transition of the New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into the food safety risk assessment. NAMs have been developed as an alternative to animal-testing in the cosmetics and environmental pollutants. In transitioning NAMs into the space of food safety risk assessment, careful calibrations are needed as foods are mostly not in one ingredient and also they go through our digestive system. One example to illustrate the importance of digestion is that eggs and chicken meat display varying levels of potential allergenicity (one form of food toxicity) before consumption. However, the majority of consumers can safely consume eggs and chicken meat without developing any allergy reactions. Conversely, foods including novel foods which do not show any potential allergenicity before consumption may have a different profile after consumption. As such, we are dealing with a far more complex situation compared to NAMs-based risk assessment of single substances in the cosmetics and pollutants. Lastly, what does the “green revolution” in food systems mean to you, and what’s the next frontier in that journey?Green Revolution is not limited to environment but rather should be seen as an integrated platform extending from environmental sustainability to consumers well-being. The current food system needs to be enhanced, to reduce food loss and food waste while improving the nutrition value for the consumers. The linear correlation between the quantity of food to be produced and the growing world population is overly simplistic. Food loss and food waste take up a significant portion (30 – 50 per cent) of the foods produced and are a waste of resources in producing foods and the disposal of these materials.The Green Revolution is not just about retrieving nutrients from these waste materials, but more importantly reduce them at the source. The food circular economy model is a sustainable solution to the current food system if proper food safety standards can be developed alongside the food tech innovations. An important aspect of an efficient food circular economy is to connect the dots among different parts of the food system with data integration, from production to processing to consumption. The big data for the food circular economy should include basic nutrition requirements for the world population, changing consumers demand and the volume of farm produce needed. The data integration would also lead to reduced food loss and food waste generation, creating a green and sustainable future food system and sustainable environment for the consumers. ------------------- Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3047/blue-green-gold-why-seaweed-is-indias-next-big-bioeconomic-bet.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3047/blue-green-gold-why-seaweed-is-indias-next-big-bioeconomic-bet.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:01:01 +0530 India is poised to transform its vast coastline into a seaweed-powered blue economy, with the potential to scale a Rs 10,000 crore industry by 2030. Despite having the capacity to produce 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed annually, India currently harvests just 34,000 tonnes, hindered by fragmented policies, weak infrastructure, and poor market linkages. Startups, global corporations, and fisher communities alike are recognising seaweed’s value—from climate-smart agriculture and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. Lakshadweep’s high-yield pilots and calls for state-specific policies, buy-back systems, and women-led cooperatives highlight a path forward. With the right incentives, legal clarity, and community-driven models, India can lead the global seaweed surge—balancing sustainability, livelihoods, and innovation. The Indian government is setting its sights on the country's vast maritime assets — an 8,118 km coastline and a sprawling Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over two million square kilometres — to build a thriving, sustainable seaweed mariculture industry. As part of a strategic national framework, the initiative aims to unlock the untapped potential of seaweed farming to drive economic growth, boost food security, and support the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Once a humble coastal resource, seaweed is fast becoming a star ingredient across India’s industrial playbook. Seaweed isn’t just sushi’s best friend—it’s quietly shaping industries all around us. Take alginate, for instance. Extracted from brown seaweeds plucked from the wild, this $ 213 million market plays a behind-the-scenes role in everything from creamy cosmetics to life-saving medical dressings and your favourite sauces. Then there’s agar, a $132 million powerhouse derived from red seaweeds. Not to forget carrageenan—a $ 240 million ingredient hiding in plain sight in ice cream, toothpaste, and dairy products. Sourced from red seaweeds like Irish Moss, it gives your food that smooth, satisfying texture. From your kitchen shelf to lab benches and beauty cabinets, seaweed is the ocean’s quiet achiever—thickening, stabilizing, and shaping the future of sustainable industry. “By 2030, India’s seaweed sector could easily be a Rs 10,000 crore industry—if we do it right. From food, pharma, cosmetics to bio-packaging and organic fertilizers, the applications are vast. We must develop our own MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) frameworks, and set up a Seaweed Carbon Credit Authority, maybe within the Blue Economy Cell. Let fishers get income not just from biomass, but also from “green value,” stated Vikas Motiram Koli, Voice for fisherfolk & blue economy entrepreneur. Household names like Nestlé, Britannia, Amul, Cipla, Zydus Cadila, Hindustan Unilever, The Body Shop, and Tata Chemicals are leveraging seaweed for everything from thickening agents to bioactives. Agri giants like Godrej Agrovet, UPL, and BASF India are tapping into its bio-stimulant potential, while a new wave of startups in packaging, biofuels, and regenerative farming are betting on seaweed as the next frontier. With health, sustainability, and innovation aligning, seaweed is no longer a niche input. It’s a movement. Vast Shores, Limited Yield, and a Market That Can’t WaitIn a move that could redefine India’s coastal economy, the central government has rolled out guidelines to regulate the import of live seaweed varieties with an agenda of sparking seaweed revolution by scaling up domestic cultivation and feeding a growing demand across industries. Despite having a coastline capable of producing a staggering 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed annually, India currently harvests just 34,000 tonnes—a fraction of its potential. By contrast, global seaweed production is cruising at over 35 million tonnes, valued at an estimated $16.5 billion each year. “Despite India’s vast coastline and growing interest in seaweed cultivation, domestic buyers continue to lean heavily on imports. Whether for food-grade applications, pharmaceuticals, or industrial uses, quality assurance is non-negotiable. Currently, Indian seaweed just isn’t making the cut’’, remarked Dr Johnson B, Sr. Scientist, ICAR-CMFRI. “Barriers? No standard pricing. No buy-back system. Limited processing infrastructure. Also too much red tape in permissions-we need clear, decentralized policies and seaweed “zones” similar to agri-export zones’’, added Koli. Unreliable gelling properties, especially in locally sourced agar derived from Gracilaria dura. While some Indian seaweed producers do price their product based on gel strength, variability in growing conditions, harvesting practices, and post-harvest handling leads to uneven quality. In contrast, imports from countries like the Philippines and Indonesia offer stability in both volume and performance. “Fixing the gaps isn’t just a supply chain challenge—it’s an opportunity to unlock the full value of India’s "blue-green" gold. While India possesses an extraordinary potential to emerge as a global leader in seaweed cultivation—with an estimated capacity exceeding one million tonnes—the sector languishes at a meagre 34,000 tonnes annually. This glaring underachievement stems from a set of challenges: the absence of reliable seed infrastructure, tenuous market linkages, insufficient technical literacy—particularly among coastal women—and the looming spectre of climate volatility. Addressing these systemic deficiencies requires more than perfunctory policy interventions; it necessitates a paradigm shift towards inclusive, community-driven models and sustained, holistic ecosystem development’’, said Neelkanth Mishra, CEO, Jaljeevika. A sleeping giant, poised for growth, India contributes less than 1 per cent to global seaweed production. Today, over 40,000 coastal farming families are engaged in seaweed cultivation, spread across states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, Goa, and the island territories of Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. “There are central schemes like PMMSY, and CSIR, ICAR are pushing pilot projects. However, there’s no dedicated National Seaweed Mission yet with strong financial and technical incentives. We need state-specific seaweed policies—Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat must all localize support ensuring that these reach the actual harvesters, not just paper cooperatives’’, advocated Koli. Lakshadweep is beginning to emerge as a standout performer. With its calm lagoons and pristine coastal conditions, the islands offer ideal seasonal windows—up to seven months annually—for high-yield seaweed farming. While average dry yield across the country hovers around a 5X return on seed, certain pilot projects in Lakshadweep have recorded an impressive 15X output, attributed to optimal temperatures and low pollution levels. The industry has seen particular promise in the cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii, a commercially valuable red seaweed used extensively in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Farmers report earnings of Rs16 per kg for fresh seaweed, rising to Rs 70 per kg for dried, turning this once-overlooked marine crop into a source of livelihood security. Beyond economics, seaweed offers a triple win—absorbing carbon, restoring marine biodiversity, and supporting rural livelihoods. Globally, the seaweed market is projected to exceed $ 30 billion by 2030, and India stands at the edge of this wave. The question is no longer if India can lead in seaweed—but how fast it can catch up ! What lies ahead is a rare convergence of economic promise and ecological responsibility and it starts with the tide turning in places like Lakshadweep. Cultivate, Connect, Capitalize “We are demanding the creation of a Coastal Autonomous Body—a council acting as a bridge between the government and the grassroots, ensuring policies are practical, inclusive, and grounded in local realities. Additionally, clarity is urgently needed on insurance coverage, safety liabilities, and property rights farm plots in the sea. Without these protections, sustainable seaweed entrepreneurship cannot flourish’’, recommended Koli. To turn India into a seaweed powerhouse, the government needs to move fast, think big, and bring the right players to the table. Aligning cultivation with market demand makes the entire value chain more resilient and profitable. Next, capital must flow. Fiscal incentives—like tax breaks, subsidies, and low-interest loans—can unlock private investment in processing units and logistics infrastructure. These facilities should be close to farming hotspots to cut post-harvest losses and preserve product quality. A smart, data-led approach is crucial. An interactive portal with geotagged maps of potential and active seaweed sites can guide decision-making, track progress, and drive efficient resource allocation. Seed is the industry’s lifeline—and right now, it's unreliable. “As sea cage farming grows, so does the strain on marine ecosystems. That’s where Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture comes in—by co-cultivating seaweed with finfish and shellfish’’, mentioned Dr Johnson.” We not only reduce environmental impact but also boost biomass and income. Our trials in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh have shown that seaweed isn’t just a buffer—it’s a game-changer for sustainable aquaculture and blue carbon gains,” he added, while discussing innovations in seaweed cultivation. India also needs to fix the policy grey zone around seaweed farming. Legal clarity on land use, pricing, and delivery terms will reduce disputes and build long-term trust. “Based on ground insights, five key pillars can scale seaweed as a women-led coastal enterprise: year-round seed access through decentralized nurseries; women-centric cooperatives for collective farming and value addition; fast-tracked permissions in climate-vulnerable areas; climate-resilient tools like floating dryers, mobile vans, and crop insurance; and strong market linkages with ethical buyers and traceable branding’’, added Mishra. ”With the right support, seaweed can become a lighthouse livelihood—women-led, community-driven, and aligned with both climate resilience and market potential ,’’ he concluded. India must establish rigorous product standards and certification systems across food, pharma, and cosmetics to boost global competitiveness. With the right moves, India can lead the next blue economy boom—anchored in seaweed, powered by policy, and driven by demand. In the words of Dr Megha Shinge, Advisor, Bhoomiputra Foundation,“By 2045, India will stand tall as a beacon of innovation and sustainability—a seaweed powerhouse powered by cutting-edge AI farms, coastal biorefineries across key states, and blue carbon markets that reward those who protect our planet. Women-led enterprises will drive new green industries, while export hubs will showcase India’s leadership in nutraceuticals, bioplastics, and clean fuels. This is not just progress—it’s a promise of a high-tech, inclusive, and climate-resilient future for all.” ------ Suchetana Choudhury ( suchetana.choudhuri@agrospectrumindia.com ) ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3044/bayer-advances-tomato-virus-defense-with-gene-stacked-resistance-strategy.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/3044/bayer-advances-tomato-virus-defense-with-gene-stacked-resistance-strategy.html Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:33:04 +0530 As the global tomato industry faces the challenge of the highly infectious Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), Bayer is leading the charge in developing innovative, long-term solutions to protect crops and ensure profitability for growers. In an exclusive interview, Javier Quintero, Global Lead for Tomato R&D at Bayer's Crop Science division, shares insights into the company's groundbreaking work on multi-stacked resistance an advanced strategy designed to outsmart the virus's rapid mutation rate.Quintero discusses the limitations of first-generation resistant varieties and explains the science behind gene stacking. He also provides details on the results from recent high-pressure virus trials, showcasing how Bayer's latest hybrids combine durable disease resistance with superior fruit quality and yield. Furthermore, he highlights how these innovations are specifically tailored for high-tech glasshouse markets and hints at future applications of the resistance-stacking strategy in other major crops.With new product launches expected in 2025 and strong interest from growers worldwide, Bayer's advancements represent a significant progress in sustainable tomato production and potentially beyond. Could you share what motivated Bayer's focus on developing multi-stacked resistance in tomato varieties? Additionally, could you explain how this approach differs from the first-generation of ToBRFV-resistant tomatoes? This is a very high impact virus, and we did intensive research on plant-virus interactions. The first generation of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) resistant varieties has been useful for immediate solutions to an urgent problem. However, internal and external studies indicated that the virus is actively mutating, and we anticipated for the virus to overcome single gene resistances. For these reasons, several years ago we initiated a horizontal resistance breeding strategy where bringing several genes together provide a good level of resistance that is expected to hold up and be more durable against mutations in the virus. We now have commercial products available with multiple resistant genes, good agronomics, and very nice consumer quality. Furthermore, could you elaborate on the mechanisms by which these multi-stacked resistance genes work to disrupt different stages of the plant-virus interaction? Viruses use host plant replication mechanisms for their multiplication. We have investigated the host-virus interactions in our multiple resistant varieties, and we have found that virus multiplication is significantly slowed down in the new varieties as compared to susceptible varieties. It is our hypothesis that the resistant genes interfere with different steps in the replication process of the virus, and the trials have been supporting this hypothesis. We are also interested in learning more about the key findings from the recent high-pressure virus trials and how these findings validate the durability of these new hybrids. We evaluated the resistance levels of selected candidate tomato varieties through standardized inoculated trials conducted in heated glasshouse conditions. In these trials, plants were inoculated with a Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) suspension 40 days after sowing. Infection was confirmed two weeks later, and symptoms on leaves and fruits were assessed from 25 to 140 days after inoculation using a standardized rating scale. All trials took place in quarantined facilities with the capacity to test approximately 1,000 varieties annually. In a separate study, we tested the performance of four new varieties against a resistance-breaking strain of ToBRFV. Plants were inoculated 15 days after sowing in two parallel trials—one using the standard ToBRFV isolate (St-ToBRFV) and the other using the resistance-breaking mutant strain (RB-ToBRFV). Each trial was conducted in separate glasshouse compartments. Symptom severity was rated at 14 and 21 days post-inoculation using the Gonzáles-Concha (2023) scale, where a score of 1 indicates no visible symptoms and 9 indicates severe symptoms. The susceptible check variety, used as a control, exhibited strong symptoms in both trials—scoring 9 in the St-ToBRFV trial and 5 in the RB-ToBRFV trial—confirming effective inoculation. These results are consistent with findings by Zisi et al. (2024). By contrast, the four Vegetable by Bayer hybrids recorded symptom scores between 1 and 3 across both trials, demonstrating strong and consistent resistance to both the original and mutated virus strains. Could you provide some details on how these new hybrids perform in terms of yield, fruit quality, and shelf life when compared to traditional or earlier resistant varieties? What’s impressive is Bayer products are behaving on par or even better as generations launched before ToBRFV resistance came in. This applies to products we converted ase well as new hybrids, exhibiting durable ToBRFV resistance combined with excellent agronomic features. In others words, no drags are observed linked to ToBRFV resistance within Bayer new launches. We were even able to deliver products with extra specifications and measures of performance that we did not have before. For example, extra resistance to the fungal plant pathogen Passalora fulva, which is absolutely exceptional! This is the type of innovation and benefits that growers appreciate and have been encouraging Bayer to continue developing. With the anticipated launch in 2025, which regions or grower segments are likely to experience the most immediate benefits from these new varieties? Most of the new launches are well adapted to high tech glasshouse growers worldwide. We are currently launching products in major glasshouse market segments (Large Truss, Medium Truss, Beef, Cherries) and are deploying product launches as fast as possible to each market in need of these newly developed solutions. The main challenge we are facing is to supply the high demand for seeds of these new launches, as we need to comply with local regulations. Similarly, we are expecting significant progress in our mid-tech greenhouse program, so stay tuned as additional launches may come soon. We encourage your grower audience to reach out to their local Bayer representatives for the latest information. Finally, looking to the future, does Bayer have plans to apply similar resistance-stacking strategies to other crops that are currently facing threats from fast-mutating viruses? Fast-mutating viruses are a concern across a number of crops, so we’ve established a multi-stack strategy to get and stay ahead of mutation. In tomato, we've already successfully deployed this strategy against TYLCV and TSWV, in addition to ToBRFV, and it’s in development across other solanum crops like peppers and in our cucurbit crops like cucumber, melon and watermelon, to name a few. Shraddha Warde shraddha.warde@mmactiv.com ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/2619/singapore-coffee-associationsca-strives-to-build-coffee-industry-as-the-key-trading-hub.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/2619/singapore-coffee-associationsca-strives-to-build-coffee-industry-as-the-key-trading-hub.html Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:34:55 +0530 President Victor Mah and Vice President Kimberly Yer of the Singapore Coffee Association (SCA) shared SCA’s strategic approaches to strengthening coffee industry businesses in the country with Agrospectrum Asia The Singapore Coffee Association represents Singapore’s coffee industry from all sectors of the coffee industry, from green coffee supply chain providers, international and national roasters to well-known coffee retailers. SCA also aims to position Singapore as the key coffee trading hub in the region and to raise the coffee awareness in the local community. What are SCA’s strategic approaches to strengthening Singapore’s local entities and commercial enterprises specializing in coffee industry businesses? What are the key activities of the association to boost the SME sector? One of the approaches that the Singapore Coffee Association (SCA) takes is working with event organisers to co-host the annual Singapore National Coffee Championships (SNCC). Trade events, such as this year’s Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia (SCTA) held at the first-ever SIGEP Asia in June 2024, serves as a great meeting point for local industry players to showcase their coffee products to a wider audience and learn from one another, fostering growth and strengthening the coffee community and industry in Singapore. What are SCA's efforts to improve the coffee industry through internationalisation by making global strides? Singapore has long been recognised as a coffee-trading hub. SCA works closely with our ASEAN counterparts in the ASEAN Coffee Federation (ACF) to facilitate the exchange of coffee knowledge, promote ASEAN coffee in the global stage to ensure that ASEAN coffee is well represented, and support initiatives to improve the living standards and promote the sustainability initiative efforts of coffee farmers in the ASEAN region. We are constantly making significant strides in internationalisation through trade events like this year’s SCTA, co-located with the first-ever SIGEP Asia, with plans to extend this partnership in 2025 for continued growth and collaboration. Competitions such as the SNCC are also great platforms to elevate the standards of the local coffee industry and provide opportunities for winners to represent Singapore on the global stage. This helps increase the visibility and reputation of Singapore coffee internationally. How have the Singapore National Coffee Championships (SNCC) series evolved over the years? Since the SCA began organising the SNCC, the local talent pool has grown significantly. The latest edition of the SNCC, held at SCTA 2024, saw the participation of 70 competitors and drew crowds of supporters and coffee enthusiasts over the three days. Notably, there has been a rise in female participants reaching the top six in the championships. At the SNCC 2024, females clinched the championship title in all four competition categories. Through the SNCC series, there has been an increase in community awareness on the requirements of being a professional barista. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1576/gyeonggi-government-trade-corporation-to-expand-agricultural-products-to-global-platforms.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1576/gyeonggi-government-trade-corporation-to-expand-agricultural-products-to-global-platforms.html Sun, 28 Apr 2024 11:20:00 +0530 Jangseong Kim, Director of Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation How do you define the significant approaches by Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation to expand agricultural products to global platforms? What are the key sectors emphasised by Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation? We think that they are to establish the distribution channel to enter into the local market and to search for the optimal products to fit in the market. In 2023, we participated in Speciality Food & Drinks Asia 2023 in Singapore, trade shows in Guangzhou, China, Hong Kong, and the United States, as well as the Shanghai Food Expo in China, where we discovered companies aligning with our industry. Our company aims to promote Korean agricultural and processed goods globally, and moving forward, we plan to continue participating in international food expos. Our goal is to conduct tasting events for Korean products at these expos, gauge the response, and export well-received products tailored to the preferences of different countries. The key sectors are Korea Ginseng products and fruits and vegetables. What is Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation's perspective on the globalisation of agricultural products to boost the agricultural sector in Korea? It is to ease the regulations with regard to the agricultural products to apply for the global standard like GATT system. Countries participating in GATT can lower tariffs among member nations to provide competitive prices and facilitate smooth customs clearance for importing countries. This can enhance the efficiency of international trade for Korean agricultural products. Could you brief the collaboration and partnership initiatives at Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation to foster Korea’s footprints in the global agri sector? How are the upcoming investments envisioned? We are focusing on the export of Korean Ginseng, fresh fruits and other agricultural products to be produced in Korea, but looking for a new business to distribute the agricultural products produced by the other countries except Korea. We are making efforts to export the new products to overseas distributors, including health functional food companies, baby food companies, e-commerce etc,. through the testing event by collaborating with the international distribution channel. Our vision for the future of promoting the excellence of Korean food starts with improving the image and perception of Korea among people abroad. Furthermore, we are also working towards setting goals to highlight the competitive advantages of Korean products compared to those of other countries on a global scale. Can you brief Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation’s venture into the "K-Fresh Zone" and association with Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong Agriculture Ministries to expand agricultural product reach? We operate the K-Fresh Zone to promote Korean Ginseng products and high premium fresh fruits. Korean Wave( HanRyu) gives much help to the operation of “K-Fresh Zone”. I welcome the proposal to expand agricultural products with 3 countries. In Korean ginseng, we try to focus on China, Hongkong, Taiwan and the United States of America and in the fresh fruits, to focus on Southeast Asian Countries and in other agricultural products, to focus on the United States of America. Which countries are in the business prospects to export Korea's highest-quality Korean ginseng and high-quality food? In Korean ginseng, we try to focus on China, Hongkong, Taiwan and the United States of America and in the fresh fruits, to focus on Southeast Asian Countries and in other agricultural products, to focus on the United States of America. Korean ginseng is renowned as a precious medicinal herb, cultivated in a climate and soil suitable for ginseng cultivation. It’s popularity abroad can be attributed to it’s title as Korea's top healthy food ingredient. According to research conducted by the UN World Conservation Congress, Korean ginseng has a higher content of ginsenosides compared to products from China and the United States. Furthermore, development efforts in the early 1990s by institutions such as the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology resulted in an immune therapy for cancer. The findings indicated a 35% inhibition of cancer cell growth and a 13-fold increase in the immune proliferation ability of saponin. We export red ginseng processed food made from 6-year-old ginseng, which accounts for 34% of the national ginseng cultivation area in Gyeonggi Province. This product is known for its high ginsenoside content, acknowledged for its anti-cancer effects, prevention of arteriosclerosis and hypertension, promotion of liver function, and alleviation of hangovers. It has gained recognition for its efficacy and excellence. By handling the export sector of the integrated Korean ginseng brand "K-Ginseng", how would you define Gyeonggi Government Trade Corporation’s network-building efforts through an integrated transportation model? There are many brands in Korean ginseng including “K-Ginseng”. It means that the competition is serious, “K-Ginseng” is born in order to increase the value of Korean ginseng and reduce the export cost. We interaged many brands in Gyeonggi Province with one brand  and took the exclusive right to export it on the behalf of the brand. So the export is getting to increase and the cost is getting to reduce. How do you foresee the trends and prospects in the Korean Agri-Food industry landscape? I foresee that the Korean Agri-Food industry will prosper better than expected. With the effect of Korean Wave, many people have concerns about Korean food and consume it more. The progress of the Korean Agri-Food industry can also be influenced by various factors beyond the impact of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Engaging in favorable trade agreements and collaborations with other countries can open up new markets for Korean agricultural products and contribute to the industry's growth on a global scale. Investments in research and development can lead to the development of new agricultural technologies and crop varieties, and transportation, logistics, and distribution improvements can lower costs and ensure the timely delivery of products. A growing interest in healthy and sustainable food options can drive innovation in the agri-food industry. Adequate infrastructure, including storage facilities and processing units, is crucial for the efficient functioning of the agri-food supply chain. When combined with the influence of the Korean Wave, these factors can contribute to the robust development of the Korean Agri-Food industry. The statistics are proving that. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/2084/an-integrated-approach-to-combat-canine-rabies-in-southeast-asia.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/2084/an-integrated-approach-to-combat-canine-rabies-in-southeast-asia.html Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:28:24 +0530 Dr. Armin Wiesler, Regional Managing Director & Head of Animal Health, Regional Operating Unit ASEAN, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Boehringer Ingelheim How is the Southeast Asia region addressing rabies vaccination challenges? Is Southeast Asia on track to achieve the 'Zero by 30' global goal? Rabies is a neglected tropical disease that is endemic in eight of the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States. Challenges such as a large population of free-roaming dogs, low vaccination coverage and cross-border transmission in Southeast Asia are putting more than 600 million people at potential risk of rabies exposure, especially those in marginalized and remote areas. Guided by the ASEAN Rabies Elimination Strategy, the aspiration is to vaccinate at least 70% of the dog population, to achieve herd immunity and control. Yet, this target is not reached in most settings presently. Reaching herd immunity has been a challenge, due to the high volume of free-roaming dogs in the region, a lack of resources and competing health priorities. Multi-disciplinary collaboration across various levels of society is and will be crucial to rabies prevention and the region’s progress towards achieving the joint World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) Zero by 30 global goal. How can Southeast Asian countries mitigate human rabies vaccine shortages, improve treatment affordability, and provide more equitable access to rabies vaccination? Varying country needs and contexts have to be regarded. While ensuring immunization is available and accessible, education and awareness about the disease is equally important. Under-resourced communities are generally more vulnerable to rabies infection because they do not seek timely treatment due to a lack of understanding about the disease. In addition, though post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccine is free of charge in Vietnam for vulnerable communities and in government-run clinics in the Philippines, travel costs to and from the clinics which administer the vaccine is often a hindrance to vaccine access. Nevertheless, vaccinating dogs against rabies must be the primary target to prevent transmission to humans. According to WHO, vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission at its source. The prevention of animal disease benefits human and environmental health too. How should the legislative frameworks shape canine rabies elimination around compliance, resource mobilization and policy enforcement? A holistic rabies control program that involves legislation involvement has seen favorable outcomes, such as in Mexico. Home to an estimated 26 million free-roaming dogs, Mexico became the first country to receive validation from the WHO for eliminating dog-mediated human rabies in November 2019. Besides a One Health approach to guide efforts to control rabies in Mexico, rabies was made a priority in national budgets. In addition, pet animal travel restrictions were enforced to prevent rabies from spreading across borders, and the government maintains a variety of alliances with different actors. Exploring similar legislative techniques could be considered in the region. Thus far, mandatory pet registration or licensing policies have been in place in most Southeast Asian countries for years and the majority of countries across Southeast Asia also have a national strategy for rabies control. Most recently, due to the increasing number of rabies deaths and people undergoing rabies preventive treatment, the Vietnamese government directed to impose tough fines on owners who breach the regulations in raising and managing dogs and cats, including declaring vaccination status and not allowing them to roam freely.   Controlling and preventing rabies is a shared responsibility. Collaboration between health authorities, veterinarians, dog owners and local communities, cross-border cooperation in data sharing, education and mass vaccination, especially in at-risk areas, are also crucial for progress. How can regional response capacities synergize with global stakeholders in an effort to promote international frameworks and multi-sectoral collaborations in Southeast Asia? Given Southeast Asia is a diverse region with varying contexts and capacities, it is essential to customize the approach to rabies elimination by acclimatizing to unique cultural nuances and population sub-groups, to effectively address the regional and local challenges. Global bodies such as the United Against Rabies Forum provide a platform for rabies stakeholders to work together more efficiently, leveraging shared tools, expertise and data in a coordinated manner to advance the collective efforts in achieving Zero by 30.   Building on our experience in rabies prevention and management, Boehringer Ingelheim contributes by sharing our STOP Rabies program’s best practices for dog vaccination campaigns, collaborating with GARC, and involving local rabies community stakeholders across the region. How should be the ideal canine vaccination campaigns to break the transmission cycle? Can partnership-driven and community-led initiatives be an effective and sustainable drive in rabies prevention? Breaking the rabies transmission cycle requires targeted vaccination coverage rate of 70% of dogs in a specified area. For rabies control programs to be sustainable, local communities need to be engaged in the mission to prevent the disease and take ownership of the strategy, besides ensuring ready vaccine supply. In the Philippines, Boehringer Ingelheim consulted with the National Rabies Prevention and Control Committee (NRPCC) to identify a beneficiary at-risk community. Since 2022, we have been supporting the Puerto Galera local government unit’s efforts to vaccinate and neuter dogs in the community, and run responsible pet ownership campaigns, towards a rabies-free declaration.   Likewise in Vietnam’s Long An province, together with key local authorities, university partners and other private sector companies, we have raised the vaccination coverage rate beyond 70%, to more than 6,000 dogs and cats in 11 villages to date, while organizing rabies awareness events to keep people engaged about the disease. What is Boehringer Ingelheim’s integrated approach to combat canine rabies in Southeast Asia? The rise in rabies cases across Southeast Asia calls for regional attention and local action to manage this preventable disease through dog vaccination, education and surveillance solutions. Only when communities are engaged in the mission can we unite to improve the health of humans and animals. With more than 30 years of experience working in rabies prevention and management, Boehringer Ingelheim has a responsibility to contribute to elimination efforts and support communities that are most affected by rabies. Our STOP Rabies program aims to work in partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations, health authorities, veterinarians, people who own or care for dogs, and other interested parties, to deliver on-the-ground solutions across three key pillars – vaccination, education, and surveillance. Through tailored solutions that are partnership-driven and community-led, we can complement and contribute to the important efforts already taking place around the world. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1565/u-s-soybean-export-council-forges-collaborative-approach-to-revive-food-security-in-asean-region.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1565/u-s-soybean-export-council-forges-collaborative-approach-to-revive-food-security-in-asean-region.html Sun, 24 Mar 2024 23:03:00 +0530 Timothy Loh, Regional Director, S.E. Asia and Oceania, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) How does U.S. Soy and the USDA prioritize food security through climate adaptation and proactive government policies? Can innovation and free trade contribute to global food security? U.S. Soy growers are at the forefront of global sustainability standards, emphasizing innovation and ongoing improvement through technology to enhance productivity and resource management. Precision agriculture, for instance, allows for more efficient and environmentally responsible farming practices, optimizing the use of resources such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides. It not only boosts yields but also reduces the environmental footprint of agriculture, contributing to sustainability and food security. These efforts underscore the vital role of innovation and free trade in shaping not only global economic growth but also facilitating agricultural innovation critical for global food security. Open trade policies foster knowledge sharing and technology transfer, further enhancing agricultural advancements essential for global food security. How does USSEC reinforce the importance of international collaboration, sustainability, and innovation in securing the future of global food systems? USSEC supports the global food system through its multifaceted efforts and initiatives. The organization has longstanding partnerships with Southeast Asia, spanning over four decades. USSEC has continued to help develop the region’s agricultural sector by sharing valuable trade and technical knowledge and expertise. USSEC takes a collaborative approach by actively engaging with industry stakeholders as well as engaging in knowledge sharing and networking. USSEC helps to disseminate the latest agricultural trends and practices to stakeholders, thus contributing to the global food system's resilience and sustainability, as demonstrated at events like the Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Da Nang, Vietnam. The U.S. Soy industry promotes sustainable agriculture and sustainable sourcing of food and feed ingredients through consistent innovation to grow and deliver better solutions. This commitment to sustainability extends to USSEC's collaboration with key players in the region’s food and agribusiness sectors. One such partnership is exemplified by Tempe Azaki's new factory in Bogor, West Java, which uses U.S. soybeans to produce frozen fresh tempeh for global markets, including the U.S., contributing to the international trade of sustainable products. Recognized for its eco-friendly practices, Tempe Azaki is a frontrunner in sustainable tempeh production, aligning with USSEC's aim to promote plant-based, sustainable protein sources. In summary, USSEC's active involvement in Vietnam and the region's agricultural sector, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and its efforts to facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders aim to support and promote a more resilient and sustainable global food system. What is the U.S. soy supply outlook for the foreseeable impact on APAC future? What are the key influential aspects of USSEC in Asia? Southeast Asia is anticipated to remain one of the world's fastest growing regions in terms of consumption, fueled by a young workforce, an expanding middle class, and rising incomes which play a significant role in contributing to the region’s economic growth. These dynamics are driving an increased demand for high-quality protein sources, with U.S. soy products being a prime choice. Moreover, the shift towards plant-based dietary preferences further boosts the demand for soy-based products.   U.S. Soy producers and industry are committed to ensuring a consistent supply of top-quality soybeans to meet the region's growing needs for nutritious, reliable, and sustainable U.S. Soy. Can you summarize some of the recent trade and collaborative programs initiated or accomplished by USSEC with APAC countries? USSEC's contribution to the region’s soy value chain is multifaceted. In the animal feed sector, we work in partnership with feed mills to showcase the value and advantages of U.S. Soy products, emphasizing not just price considerations but also superior feed quality. This collaboration supports the growth of the animal feed sector and enhances the overall soy value chain. In the aquaculture sector, we have actively promoted the In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) since 2013. This initiative has led to increased fish production, reduced environmental impact, and lower operating costs in aquaculture, contributing to the sustainability of the soy value chain. We collaborate with local producers to establish IPRS systems and offer ongoing technical support, thus driving further advancements in the sector. When it comes to sustainability, U.S. Soy growers are at the forefront of global sustainability standards, emphasizing innovation and ongoing improvement. Through collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, as seen at the 'Service Conference 2023'. During this event, 200 industry leaders were engaged to explore sustainability trends and the potential for eco-conscious practices within the aviation sector. USSEC takes a collaborative approach by actively engaging with industry stakeholders as well as engaging in knowledge sharing and networking. USSEC helps to disseminate the latest agricultural trends and practices to stakeholders, thus contributing to the global food system's resilience and sustainability, as demonstrated at events like the Agricultural Cooperators Conference in Da Nang, Vietnam. Looking ahead, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USSEC is planning to expand collaborations with key organizations in the region such as the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and The Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD). These partnerships help foster sustainable practices and support the growth of the soy value chain in the region. How are investments and innovations shaping the APAC agri-tech and infrastructure sector? Investments and innovations play a pivotal role in transforming the APAC agri-tech and infrastructure sector, driving agricultural efficiency, mitigating environmental impact, and bolstering food safety and food security across the region. The emphasis on sustainable and technology-driven agricultural practices is paving the way for future advancements in the agricultural sector. This is an incredibly diverse region with markets in various stages of agri-tech and infrastructure development. It’s important to understand that this diversity presents unique challenges and opportunities for implementing innovative solutions suited to each market. How does USSEC perceive the industry's potential and limitations in light of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors? Forging collaborations and partnerships are important to the work that USSEC does in the region. USSEC in itself is a dynamic partnership between public and private sectors, bringing together U.S. soybean producers, processors, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations to build preference for U.S. Soy throughout the world. Partnerships are an important aspect of our investment in innovation. The U.S. Soy industry builds deep partnerships, including support and expert technical assistance in areas like feed milling, poultry, aquaculture and livestock production, oil processing and soy foods. Our partnerships worldwide are essential for innovation and allow us to continue to meet demand. How is USSEC advancing sustainable sourcing of food and feed ingredients to ensure the lowest carbon footprint? A significant focus of USSEC’s sustainability efforts lies in the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) certification, a globally recognized and accredited sustainability verification program, providing certified shipments for sustainably produced U.S. Soy. Adoption of SSAP in Southeast Asia has risen from 19% in FY19 to 80% in FY23, reflecting USSEC's dedication to sustainability amidst growing concerns about sustainability, climate change, and deforestation.  USSEC's proactive approach extends to collaborations, such as the Memorandum of Understanding between Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited (BKP), a subsidiary company of the Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) and USSEC to advance sustainable sourcing and supply chain practices for food and animal feed ingredients in Thailand and globally. Additionally, USSEC is partnering with feed miller and food producers in the region to promote the Sustainable U.S. Soy (SUSS) label. The SUSS logo represents the customer’s commitment to sustainability throughout the value chain. Through these initiatives, USSEC plays a vital role in supporting Southeast Asia’s agricultural sustainability while enhancing the sustainable production and utilization of U.S. Soy in the region. In Southeast Asia, how significant is the recent U.S.-Vietnam relationship as key trading partners reaffirming the commitment to sustainable food value chains? The elevation of the Vietnam-U.S. relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signifies a strong commitment from both countries to deepen their ties to achieve common objectives of growth, prosperity, and sustainable development. This strategic partnership is poised to bring about considerable positive impact on trade in agricultural products, particularly in the soybean and animal feed sectors. Trade between the United States and Vietnam reached $130 billion in the past year, with $10 billion attributed to agriculture, highlighting significant growth potential. In fact, this growth in trade underscores the opportunity for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and agricultural innovation, which can help create a robust and sustainable industry. By aligning economic growth with responsible and sustainable practices, Vietnam can position its agricultural sector as a strong and resilient contributor to the country's economy and the global community, thereby attracting foreign investment and contributing to the nation's long-term growth and prosperity. Looking ahead, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USSEC is planning to expand collaborations with key organizations in Vietnam, such as the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and The Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD). These partnerships help foster sustainable practices and support the growth of the sustainable soy value chain in Vietnam. How do you foresee APAC market prospects for U.S Soy in aquafeed and animal feed Ingredients? In light of the post-COVID recovery and the upward trend in consumption, we anticipate a promising outlook for U.S. Soy in aquafeed and animal feed ingredients across the region. As consumption continues to rise, so is the growth in demand for animal protein, and soy-based protein for aquaculture. U.S. Soy and soybean meal offer superior amino acid digestibility essential for the growth and performance of swine, poultry, fish, and seafood. The U.S. Soy industry remains committed to collaborating with aquaculture and animal producers in the region to meet expanding global nutrition needs. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1595/pivotal-role-of-ai-and-ml-powered-climate-resilience-intelligence-in-regenerative-agribusiness-practices.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1595/pivotal-role-of-ai-and-ml-powered-climate-resilience-intelligence-in-regenerative-agribusiness-practices.html Thu, 08 Feb 2024 10:59:00 +0530 "Enhancing the 3Ps of agriculture Business namely, productivity, predictability, and profitability"_In conversation with Sanjay Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder at FarmERP, India How do you define technology-intensive transformation of agriculture and agribusiness? Technology in agriculture isn't a new idea, but recent advancements have made it more accessible and cost-effective. FarmERP stands out as one of the pioneers in bringing their digital technology into agriculture globally. This technology-driven transformation has notably enhanced the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and predictability of the agricultural industry. At the core of this transformation is artificial intelligence (AI). Precision agriculture, powered by AI, employs GPS, sensors, and drones to oversee crop growth and soil conditions. By gathering and analysing data, it empowers farming businesses and farmers to make informed decisions about planting, fertilization, and irrigation. Early identification of issues also reduces pesticide usage, benefiting both businesses and the environment. Further improving agricultural practices, robotics and farm management software offer increased efficiency and precision. Climate-smart agricultural technologies, encompassing drought-resistant crops, water-conserving irrigation systems, and climate prediction tools, tackle the challenges posed by changing weather patterns. Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) assists in monitoring soil moisture and temperature, offering valuable insights for improved crop management. How can agribusinesses with mid- to large-sized farms benefit from a next generation farm management platform with an end-to-end smart farming and data-driven farming solution? In today's agricultural landscape, where technology intertwines with farming practices, comprehensive ERP software platforms like FarmERP offer a transformative advantage to mid- to large-sized agribusinesses. These platforms optimize operations, ranging from crop management to inventory control and equipment maintenance, minimizing errors and administrative burdens. Additionally, they grant real-time access to vital data, enabling remote accessibility for agribusinesses. Timely alerts and notifications, including reminders for farm tasks and weather advisories, facilitate proactive decision-making. Furthermore, these platforms significantly enhance financial management, automating processes and ensuring precise financial reporting, surpassing traditional tools. Lastly, integration with smart devices such as sensors, drones, and weather stations furnishes invaluable insights, assisting informed decisions concerning soil health, crop conditions, and resource optimization. How do stakeholders achieve profitable and sustainable agribusiness through Digital Agriculture 4.0? What role does AI and machine learning play in climate resilient agribusiness? A scalable, adaptable, and forward-looking software platform assists stakeholders in embracing Digital Agriculture 4.0, enabling profitable and sustainable agribusiness practices. It caters to various sub-industries within agriculture, including plantation farming, contract farming, processors, and exporters. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors have recently revolutionized industries by augmenting human intelligence and processing extensive data sets. Platforms like FarmERP leverage AI and machine learning to offer agribusinesses insights into weather patterns and predictions regarding resource requirements, fostering climate-resilient practices.    How is Farm ERP assisting in accomplishing better farm outputs? FarmERP facilitates enhanced agribusiness operations by integrating sensors, automated irrigation systems, weather stations, and biometric systems. Within our farm management software, the production module simplifies understanding the essential needs related to the three key components - Man, Machines, and Materials - crucial for farm production activities. This module allows farm production operators to comprehend planned tasks, compare them with available inventory, and thereby refine resource planning and management for more productive and profitable farm output. Additionally, FarmERP’s planning module provides comprehensive support for various farming planning endeavors, empowering farming enterprises to elevate their production practices through technology and fortify their business against climatic challenges. How does FarmERP identify stakeholders and resolve value chain constraints? What factors influence stakeholders' potential gains? By harnessing advanced technologies, FarmERP aids businesses in strategizing around farm operations, farmer engagement, procurement, processing, supply chain logistics, and financial data management and analysis. Our farm management platform supports agricultural stakeholders in effectively managing crucial resources such as soil, water, land, and fuel. This powerful and user-friendly farm management software serves stakeholders throughout the value chain, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions for planning, management, accounting, inventory, sales, and more, empowering them to run successful agribusinesses. Additionally, by providing precise insights across various parameters, FarmERP enables data-driven decision-making for agribusiness stakeholders. How does FarmERP perceive global business opportunities and collaborative endeavours? Amid the escalating global discourse on climate technology, we perceive an opportunity to utilize the data within our ERP to offer Greenhouse Gas (GHG) or carbon reporting services. Our strategic trajectory is aimed at progressing in this direction, aiming to aid companies in acquiring carbon credits and exploring sequestration opportunities. Our technology has been implemented at a US-based Agriculture University in Houston, providing technological support. Furthermore, discussions are underway for establishing registered offices in the US and the UAE, aimed at enhancing client service and expanding our business footprint. As part of our pursuit, we're forging partnerships with several specialized companies in soil sensors or drone technology. How do you summarize FarmERP’s global footprint in food safety and sustainability? Through our innovative technology and solutions, FarmERP contributes to ensuring safer agricultural practices, enhanced resource management, and the promotion of sustainable farming methods worldwide. The platform's comprehensive tools aid in monitoring and optimizing various aspects of farming operations, supporting better decision-making for improved food safety standards and sustainable agricultural practices across different regions globally. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1441/saudi-arabias-neom-megaproject-carves-strategic-objectives-next-gen-food-security-solutions.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/1441/saudi-arabias-neom-megaproject-carves-strategic-objectives-next-gen-food-security-solutions.html Tue, 26 Sep 2023 09:27:00 +0530 Focus on five strategic areas: Climate-proof agriculture, regenerative aquaculture, novel foods, personalized nutrition and sustainable food supply" explains Juan Carlos Motamayor Executive Director of NEOM's Food sector and CEO of NEOM’s Food Company An ecosystem for igniting, socializing, integrating, and testing innovation at various levels of technology maturity is being created by the NEOM Food Innovation Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. NEOM pioneers more efficient solutions to food production in water-scarce environments by using the desert as a testbed as climate change accelerates and arable land retreats. NEOM believes a flourishing food sector is dependent on high-quality infrastructure, service facilities, and a sustainable workforce, and is bringing together international experts and leaders to provide the support necessary to turn ground-breaking ideas into reality by establishing Water and Food Innovation Hubs, Aquaculture Innovation Centers, Agriculture and Aquaculture Consortia, and Food Accelerator Programs.  As climate change accelerates globally, NEOM innovation-led model aims to transform Saudi and global food ecosystems by developing, demonstrating, and implementing new sustainable food technologies and services. Global NEOM explorations are now continuing into Asia, and the 'Discover NEOM' tour arrived  in Singapore on 18 September 2023. As NEOM builds synergies with entrepreneurs, industry pioneers, and business partners in Singapore, it focuses on its core principles such as "Climate-Proof Agriculture", "Regenerative Aquaculture'', "Novel Foods", "Personalized Nutrition" and "Sustainable Food Supply & ESG" to promote resilience in a world where innovation and progress are of utmost importance. Juan Carlos Motamayor Executive Director of NEOM’s Food sector and CEO of NEOM’s Food Company discussed further insights on NEOM’s thriving potential and prospects with Agrospectrum Asia in Singapore. What are Saudi Arabia’s strategic objectives to establish a NEOM megaproject? What are the infrastructural marvels and entrepreneurial opportunities the project will entail in the sustainable agriculture sphere? At NEOM we are working to create The Land of the Future—and food rests at the heart of this. Civilization has historically been dependent first and foremost on Food Security. We need to ensure that we can provide food innovatively and efficiently to match sustainable food delivery with demand. This is why we have five focus areas in our strategy: climate-proof agriculture, regenerative aquaculture, novel foods, personalized nutrition and sustainable food supply. These are essential to address the demands not only of today, but of tomorrow as well. Our food production infrastructure focuses on innovation and sustainability, which includes building multiple pilots to validate the cost efficiency of the latest technologies of things including green houses, vertical farms, bioreactors and irrigation, among others. As an example, we’ve recently partnered with Van Der Hoeven to build greenhouses, and this will serve as a commercial scale pilot to optimize technological configurations. How will NEOM revolutionize agriculture and food security by using deserts as test beds? Radical innovation is at the cornerstone of our approach, and we’re committed to nurturing the world’s most exciting ideas and turning them into reality. We help companies and organizations worldwide to capture the many opportunities available in food and agriculture at NEOM, supported by business-friendly regulations, a talented team, health and environmentally conscious consumers and a thriving ecosystem built to support innovation at every level. What are the scalable models NEOM is developing to pioneer efficient solutions to encourage agriculture in water-scarce environments ? We’re applying different approaches to water, namely, employing water-efficient irrigation techniques, such as subsurface drip systems. Besides that, there's a push towards aquaponics and hydroponics systems. We're also focusing on soil amendments innovation to increase soil water retention and utilizing treated graywater for crop irrigation, a strategy that can dramatically reduce freshwater demand. Another critical aspect of water is related to seawater and our aquacultural strategy. However, there’s a perception that aquaculture, which is the most efficient strategy for producing animal protein in terms of the ratio of kilos of protein to liters of water used, negatively impacts on the environment. We’re working on multiple aquacultural approaches that aim to minimize any nutrient discharge into the sea. How is NEOM reconciling sustainability and innovation to establish-climate proof agriculture? New technologies are urgently needed to feed humanity today – and in the decades to come. We are developing and testing technology that can improve food quantity and quality, while reducing the impact of food production on the environment. One example of this is controlled-environment production systems, which can significantly reduce the water required to grow crops. Growing a kilo of tomatoes in an open field requires 60 liters of water, compared to 15 liters required if grown in a hydroponic greenhouse. In a truly controlled-environment production system like the ones we're designing at NEOM, only four liters are needed. We’re also beginning to use state-of-art biotechnology to promote responsible and sustainable aquafarming and, through gene editing, developing varieties adapted to drought. Could you please share your thoughts on climate-resilient breadbaskets? Most grain consumed in the world is produced by few countries such as the USA, Russia, India and Ukraine. However, the world's breadbaskets are failing, and arable land is shrinking worldwide, just as the population that depends on that land continues to soar. Therefore, we must rely on something other than those breadbaskets and traditional supply chains. They are being disrupted by pandemics and global conflicts. And, more importantly, by natural disasters caused by climate change. To hedge against the negative impact of multiple failing breadbaskets, we need to create more in other regions and decentralize food production in a way that’s less prone to extreme weather, while reducing carbon emissions. It is critical that we use less land and water, particularly in the Middle East. Despite the many challenges, we're optimistic about developing game-changing solutions to improve the quantity and quality of food, while protecting the planet. Thereby ensuring safe, nutritious and sustainable food for all via a climate-resilient food industry that could address the world's present and future resource deficits. What are the other sustainable food sources NEOM is exploring to stabilize the food value chain? What measure does NEOM focus on to monitor ESG in the supply chain? A core objective of NEOM Food is reimagining food supply chains to meet the standards of tomorrow through a number of sustainable solutions that will secure their food supply for generations to come – providing food with year-round availability affordable and both safe and healthy. We are looking to commercialize food grown locally, re-export premium goods, and source food products from qualified sustainable suppliers. However, we know that we cannot produce all the food we need, so we are focused on reducing food miles by importing the food we can’t produce locally from neighboring countries.Moreover, NEOM has no legacy infrastructure, which is a key advantage. In other words, NEOM is a greenfield opportunity to develop the technological backbone to fully digitize all operations and supply chains, enabling novel ways to conduct ESG reporting, performance, and risk management. Further, built around the core principles of responsibility and transparency, NEOM’s sustainability-and-assurance system will champion ESG criteria across all operations and the entire supply chain, assuring the highest quality standards and advancing progress towards the UN SDGs. How have been the investor relationships and collaborative endeavors so far? We have found the government-linked partners such as Enterprise Singapore and Temasek highly facilitative, given the complete alignment of our strategic interests. NEOM Food has also had very promising discussions with various organizations throughout our Discover NEOM engagement and will now look to potentially create partnerships to deploy technologies such as proven soil-amendment solutions in NEOM and also offer scale-up support in both Singapore and KSA.   How does NEOM perceive regenerative aquaculture producing high-value seafood while protecting the marine environment? Considering the growing demand for seafood while acknowledging the detrimental effects traditional aquacultural practices pose to the natural environment, NEOM’s trail-blazing philosophy is paving the way for a new paradigm in regenerative aquaculture to produce the highest quality and freshest seafood in the Kingdom. NEOM will be home to a high-tech aquaculture park, including a state-of-the-art hatchery & breeding center; land-based and sea-based production systems using the best technologies of today and tomorrow; novel and more sustainable feed-production infrastructure; and advanced seafood-processing facilities. This project will relieve pressure on our local marine native species environment and support regenerative food security for both NEOM and Saudi Arabia. It will combine marine preservation with a net-positive impact on the Red Sea ecosystem by focusing on native and economically viable local species, ensuring zero-liquid discharge, and increasing biomass and marine biodiversity. Could you share more about the NEOM’s recent collaboration with global agro-food giants in expanding Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture capacity? Collaboration with global partners is critical to resolving global challenges. Accordingly, we recently signed an agreement withThe Arabian Agricultural Services Company (ARASCO), the largest manufacturer of animal feed in the Middle East with three business segments that address food security. We are also partnering with Cargill, one of the world’s leading agribusiness companies, to explore how we can work together to support the sustainable expansion of the Saudi aquacultural sector and its aspiration to achieve self-sufficiency in aquaculture protein demand by 2030 in an environmentally friendly manner.We’ve also signed an MoU with Tabuk Fish Company aimed at expanding local aquaculture production and applying the new generation of aquaculture technologies in the NEOM region. How does NEOM Food approach Food differently from other regions when they look at Food as a sector? We approached the development of food production very pragmatically – and we are currently building modular commercial pilots for Agriculture, Aquaculture and Novel Foods so that the best-in-class technologies and solutions can be tested at scale, to find the best cost-efficiencies and quality. Then scale up the optimal ones within and outside the NEOM region to achieve our food security and export ambitions. Unlike most incubation efforts where tests are only done at lab level or at large commercial scale, we are ideally positioned to fill the gap in between. We are currently working with world-class organizations such as Van Der Hoven and Cargill to develop these assets and are actively identifying world-leading solution providers that can offer the right innovations that can be scaled. In this vein, we are actively looking for technology and solutions that are ready to be commercially tested at a scale that can help us achieve integration together to bring the best results. We have built NEOM Food via an ecosystem approach. We are actively connected to the key organizations in KSA such as other Public Investment Fund-related entities in the supply chain to benefit from the investment synergies; the key ministries and regulators to also co-develop national alignment and are also plugged into the research and innovation pipeline of KSA through many of the Kingdom’s established and prominent research organizations such as KAUST and Estidamah. In short, NEOM Food is intentionally designed to be a gateway into KSA for modern and sustainable food production. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/578/unveiling-global-trends-for-plant-based-nutrition-innovation-in-2023.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/578/unveiling-global-trends-for-plant-based-nutrition-innovation-in-2023.html Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:20:54 +0530 Recent studies have shown that, more than half (52%) of global consumers now consider themselves flexitarians, incorporating both animal-based and plant-based or other alternative proteins into their diet. Within that 52%, nearly two-thirds are defining their eating style as “trying to use more plant-based foods,” leading to more demand for expanded protein options. ADM, a global leader in human/animal nutrition and agricultural origination leveraging technology development and precision technologies to support industries around bio-based products, including alternative protein, in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region. ADM leverages a portfolio of plant-based proteins, in conjunction with science-based ingredient development and functionality, to formulate alternative proteins that are delivered in taste, texture and nutrition. New research based on ADM's far-reaching global network highlights trending focus areas for consumers around the world. Dissecting the intersection of health and well-being, sustainability and food security, ADM has identified eight spaces that detail consumers’ evolving behaviors, attitudes and aspirations. The eight areas serve as anchor points to inspire innovation, ushering in a new wave of products and services for 2023. In a recent cinverstation with AgroSpectrum Asia, Susan Chua, Head of Market and Consumer Insight, Asia-Pacific, ADM shared some of the consumer trends identified by ADM that are powering purposeful design and ingenuity for human, animal and pet nutrition and throughout supply chains. What initiatives have ADM implemented in the alternative protein sphere? What innovations can we expect from here? The alternative protein sector is expected to climb to $125 billion by 2030. As demand grows, brands can look to introduce alternative protein in a variety of flavours, textures and formats. We have a diverse and regionally sourced pantry of alternative proteins and nutrient-dense ingredients to help brands meet evolving consumer needs.  Last year, we announced our joint venture with Temasek’s Nurasa to provide contract development and manufacturing organization services for precision fermentation in food applications. In the same year, ADM and New Culture, a pioneering animal-free dairy company, formed a partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of alternative dairy products. Demand for alternative protein will continue to rise, and as a pioneer in the alternative protein industry, ADM will continue to innovate by delivering on evolving consumer taste and texture expectations over the next decade. Could you briefly summarize the recent ADM report on “global trends for nutrition innovation in 2023”? ADM’s recent global consumer trends for 2023 highlights three enduring consumer trends: Health and Wellbeing, Food Security, Sustainability and eight market growth drivers that are expected to shape the food, beverage, and animal nutrition industries in the year ahead.  These eight market growth drivers outline consumers’ evolving behaviour, attitudes and aspirations that drive their purchasing decisions as well as demands and expectations of brands. The eight growth drivers identified for 2023 are: Balanced Wellness, Proactive Personalisation, Experiential Eating, Expanded Protein Choices, Trust and Traceability, Earth-Friendly Production, Social Impact and Modern Pet Parenting These growth drivers present opportunities for forward-thinking manufacturers to innovate and create products that meet the evolving needs of consumers today. ADM continues to be at the forefront of consumer trends, and brands can leverage our deep pantry of ingredients and solutions, technology, technical experts and scientists to innovate and manufacture products that appeal to today’s consumers. How do you foresee the trends and prospects in the APAC nutraceutical market for the year 2023? How has the 2022 progress been? Globally, consumer sentiments around health and wellness have increased dramatically over the last few years. This is mainly driven by increasing health consciousness in part due to the global pandemic and a rise in global disposable incomes. As we continue to see consumers take proactive steps to improve their health and wellbeing, increasing consumption for dietary supplements and functional products is expected in 2023. How will these trends benefit manufacturing in the nutraceuticals and dietary supplements sector? The Asia-Pacific nutraceuticals market is predicted to continue growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2022 to 2032. Further, the Asia-Pacific population is ageing rapidly, with the number of older persons (over the age of 60) in the region predicted to triple to reach 1.3 billion by 2050. This fuels the demand for nutraceuticals as consumers look for food and beverage products that meet their nutrition needs. 69% of consumers think nutritional supplements have been effective in helping them support their health goals. As this trend grows, developers have the opportunity to support consumers’ wellness goals through dietary supplements that focus on supporting healthy lifestyles and active ageing. ADM responds to this by helping food and beverage brands develop nutrition solutions to meet evolving consumer needs to support healthier living. What is the outlook for investment in the nutraceutical industry in APAC? Could you highlight the sectors which might lead the industry in the coming years?  Globally, 68% of consumers have made changes to their diets and lifestyles in the last twelve months to improve their immunity levels. The nutraceutical industry in Asia-Pacific will see a similar trend in terms of growth, as consumers seek out supplements and functional food and beverage products to support their health and wellbeing. Being much more in tune with their health and wellness needs today, consumers are defining wellness differently and look to purchase “better for me” solutions that support their personal goals. The microbiome has emerged as a key growth area, with 68% of consumers recognizing the link between their immune system and digestive health system. Over 8 in 10 consumers are also more aware of related health ingredients and demonstrate a high awareness level of probiotics products. With this trend predicted to lead the industry in the coming years, ADM supports developers through science-backed microbiome-supporting solutions, including prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.  ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/252/carbon-credits-will-be-a-new-and-flourishing-industry-for-the-next-30-to-40-years.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/252/carbon-credits-will-be-a-new-and-flourishing-industry-for-the-next-30-to-40-years.html Fri, 02 Dec 2022 01:00:51 +0530 - Dhruv Sawhney, COO and Business Head, nurture.farm  Dhruv Sawhney, COO and Business Head, nurture.farm speaks to AgroSpectrum about the impact of the latest amendment in The Energy Conservation Bill, in August 2022, which empowers the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme and future of the carbon farming industry in India. Edited excerpts; How is nurture.farm contributing to the growth of the carbon farming industry in India? Agriculture and forestry are the only two industries that offer viable opportunities to remove carbon from the atmosphere and provide long-term storage in the soil to help sequester it. These two industries contribute significantly to carbon emissions and will assist us in meeting our aspirations of restricting global temperatures to 1.5 degree C above the pre-industrial level.  India is the second largest food producer in the world. Our company is working with Indian farmers and helping them switch to sustainable practices, where they can produce more nutritious food while sequestering more organic carbon in the soil using less water, less energy, and fewer chemicals while producing less GHG emissions. These shifts to sustainable practices are critical in improving farmer resilience against the impacts of climate change. Rice/Paddy cultivation accounts for 2 Gigatons of GHG emissions annually, and India is the second largest rice producer worldwide. nurture.farm is working with paddy farmers to reduce their methane emissions by 50 per cent, water requirements by 15 to 30 per cent  and improve their yields by 5 per cent.  nurture.farm forward sold the first set of agricultural carbon credits in India and compensated the farmers for this shift in practice. Additional income assistance and rewards go a long way in getting farmers to shift toward sustainable farming practices. This success story marks the dawn of sustainable agriculture in India which will bring in substantial revenues to the farmers and help mitigate global temperatures.  The latest amendment to The Energy Conservation Bill, in August 2022, empowers the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. What will be the impact of this amendment on the carbon farming industry in India?  We await more clarity and details on the carbon credit trading scheme. Our hope is that India will learn from the mistakes and shortcomings of other carbon markets such as Europe and China and deliver one of the most robust, transparent and trustworthy platforms on the lines of UPI and AADHAAR, and lead the carbon trading scheme globally. We have the opportunity to become the benchmark for the world and ensure we reward people who are reducing carbon emissions handsomely. What are the challenges in the carbon farming industry in India? Secondly, what inputs are required to grow the carbon farming industry in India? The Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme rolled out by the government in 2008  has not been able to accelerate investments to reduce energy consumption in energy-intensive industries due to the low carbon pricing. Hence India should focus on ensuring that the floor price is attractive and in line with the international trading prices. Secondly, the lack of trust in “quality” credits from Indian projects in the past, led to the collapse of the carbon markets. We hope that stringent monitoring and recording protocols are  implemented to build trust amongst global buyers. There should be a stiff penalty for any carbon developer who does not deliver “Quality” Credits. How do you foresee the future of the carbon farming industry in India and across the world? The Taskforce on Scaling Voluntary Carbon Markets (TSVCM), sponsored by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) with knowledge support from McKinsey, estimates that demand for carbon credits could increase by 15x or more by 2030 and up to 100x by 2050. Overall, the global market for carbon credits could be worth upward of $50 billion in 2030. China grew at a tremendous pace between 1995 and 2015, but it did not pay attention to energy efficiency, and as a result had to build thousands of coal plants to support this inefficient infrastructure. We should learn from this and ensure that we shape this new growth with the most efficient and low-carbon or zero-carbon systems. Carbon credit revenue is essential to finance these cutting-edge technologies. Indian carbon project developers will play a vital role as a supplier of carbon credits to global corporations taking pledges to become carbon neutral. This will be a new and flourishing industry for the next 30 to 40 years. What are the growth strategies and plans of the company for FY 22-23?  nurture.farm will generate more than a million carbon credits in FY 22-23 and help hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers to switch to at least one sustainable agricultural practice. nurture.farm also plans to expand its geographic footprint to Latin America in FY 22-23.                                                                                                                                Dipti Barve                                                                                                            dipti.barve@mmactiv.com ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/74/cpopc-presents-achievements-and-advances-in-the-field-of-palm-oil-production.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/74/cpopc-presents-achievements-and-advances-in-the-field-of-palm-oil-production.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:25:46 +0530 Experts from different backgrounds explained the latest advances proving the commitment of producing countries to sustainable palm oil production The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has organised a webinar ‘Net-Zero Emissions: Achievements and Way Forward in the Palm Oil’s Production’ on January 26, 2022. The webinar presented facts and figures on palm oil industry is well on its way to achieving carbon neutrality. During the opening session, MEP Seán Kelly underlined the need for a partnership between the European Union and producing countries, and reaffirmed that palm oil can be produced sustainably. MP Kelly’s statement assuring progress on sustainability was confirmed by CPOPC Executive Director Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, who insisted that the palm oil industry had started working on carbon neutrality well before other sectors and recalled the crucial role of this oil in the development of producing countries. Experts from different backgrounds explained the latest advances proving the commitment of producing countries to sustainable palm oil production. The scientific data presented during the event, once again demonstrated that the false narratives concerning palm oil, in particular concerning its role in deforestation, must and can be debunked. Dr Rosediana Suharto, Director of the Indonesian NGO Responsible Palm Oil Initiative, clarified that deforestation in Indonesia is constantly decreasing and that the palm oil industry is constantly evolving to operate in a sustainable way, in accordance with the strict measures of the government. She emphasised the crucial role of smallholders as well as their interests in the global palm oil debate. The importance of smallholders was also highlighted by Dr Ruslan Abdullah, Malaysian Palm Oil Council, who gave a comprehensive overview of Malaysia’s performance in reducing CO2 emissions compared to other countries. other countries, outlining national measures to improve palm oil production and reduce GHG emissions. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/73/brio-hydroponics-israel-based-pic-plast-launch-rain-protection-tech-in-india.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/73/brio-hydroponics-israel-based-pic-plast-launch-rain-protection-tech-in-india.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:24:05 +0530 Agritech startup Brio Hydroponics has introduced India’s first three-layer, retractable, patented rain protection technology net house in collaboration with PIC-Plast, Israel, in an attempt to address the climatic challenge of the Indian farming sector. Agritech major Brio Hydroponics aims to address the challenges of traditional farming. Its Patented Rain Protection Technology not only protects the farms from the rage of harsh weather but also helps in the conservation of water through rain harvesting systems while ensuring a consistent supply of water to the farms throughout the year. As the exclusive partner of PIC-Plast in India, Brio Hydroponics will offer solutions that foster a nurturing environment for protected farming, built for climate resilience. The Solarig Net House Kit, patented technology of Pic-Plast, is best suited for net houses and hydroponic farms in the tropical climate typically experienced in India. Farmers will benefit from these retractable rain protection technology net houses as they are ideal for unpredictable climatic conditions; they protect farms from hail, sun, rain, and frost, support rainwater harvesting and enable the production of high-quality yields throughout the year. ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/71/gram-unnati-brings-climate-compatible-agriculture-to-over-5000-acres-of-farmland.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/71/gram-unnati-brings-climate-compatible-agriculture-to-over-5000-acres-of-farmland.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:11:57 +0530 The company plans increase the initiative to 100,000 acres of spring Maize Gram Unnati, India’s first integrated agri-tech solutions company, worked closely with multiple stakeholders to help farmers in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand save 4,000 liters per acre by bringing climate-compatible agriculture to over 5,000 acres of farmland. In what may become a lesson in climate compatible agriculture to millions of Indian farmers, Gram Unnati worked closely with the local district administration, local maize processors, input companies, and lead farmers in a short span of 18 months prompting 2,000 farmers to switch to climate-compatible crops that are commercially viable as well.  Commenting on the success of the project, Aneesh Jain, CEO and Founder, Gram Unnati, said, “The success of the project comes at a time when we are dealing with acute water shortage across the world. According to the United Nations, by 2050 more than five billion people could be affected by water scarcity. India, which constitutes 16 per cent of the total world population, has access to a meagre 4 per cent of the world’s water resources. The success of our pilot project in Uttarakhand will impact other farmers to shift towards climate compatible crops without having an impact on yield and returns.”  “Gram Unnati intends to scale up this intervention to 100,000 acres of Spring Maize in the next five years. Not only would this reduce dependency on groundwater resources, but it will also help in making agriculture more remunerative for the farmers and more sustainable for the environment,” Jain added.  ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/70/upls-openag-symposium-to-reimagine-role-of-agriculture-as-pathway-to-net-zero.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/70/upls-openag-symposium-to-reimagine-role-of-agriculture-as-pathway-to-net-zero.html Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:04:16 +0530 The event united a select group of representatives from academia, policy, finance and the private sector under the theme ‘Food Futures in a Changing Climate: Reimagining the role of agriculture as a pathway to Net Zero’ The second edition of the OpenAg Symposium, hosted by UPL Limited, a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, and the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), Somerville College, University of Oxford, has outlined a series of policy positions, technological interventions, and financial models to transform food systems as positive contributors to global decarbonisation efforts. The event united a select group of representatives from academia, policy, finance and the private sector under the theme ‘Food Futures in a Changing Climate: Reimagining the role of agriculture as a pathway to Net Zero’. Following a keynote by Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, panellists from Brazil, India, the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, and Kenya, proposed a series of policies and interventions to ensure future food systems are efficient, resilient, inclusive and sustainable. Jai Shroff, Global CEO of UPL, commented, “At UPL, we believe that agriculture has a decisive role to play on the path to decarbonisation during this crucial window for action in the fight against climate change. The discussions we’ve heard at this year’s OpenAg Symposium demonstrate the growing appetite for the innovation and cross-sector collaboration required to transform the climate-positive contribution of food systems around the world.” ]]> https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/64/ig-international-palogix-international-to-provide-rental-of-agri-bins-for-fruit-vegetable-nut-market.html https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/86/64/ig-international-palogix-international-to-provide-rental-of-agri-bins-for-fruit-vegetable-nut-market.html Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:24:02 +0530 This collaboration will provide help the industry improve productivity and reduce transportation and processing costs and enhancing sustainability IG International, one of India’s leading fresh fruit importers, has announced its joint venture initiative with Palogix International, a world leader in providing the rental of returnable agri-bins. The new venture, IG Palogix, will cater to the growing demand for agricultural bins in the Indian market, especially in the food and beverage sector. It will be spearheaded by Ajay Jhalani, a plastics expert and the newly appointed business advisor for Palogix International. Founded in 2004, Palogix International offers the rental of plastic bins for the agricultural production sector globally. Palogix primarily services fruit, vegetable, and nut processors, transporters, and retailers. Palogix focuses on providing plastic bulk containers and bins for harvesting and transporting fresh produce from the fields to the packaging or processing facilities where they may be put into cold storage or processed through the facility. Since the fresh produce industry in India currently utilizes a one-way packaging solution, IG Palogix will be providing rental of reusable plastic agricultural bins, improving quality, efficiency, and reducing processing and transportation costs, whilst enhancing eco-friendly sustainability practices through the implementation of this proven circular economy practice. Acclaimed as the leading fresh fruit importer in India, IG International is entrenched with a renowned reputation for more than 50 years in this market segment. The company’s organized and strategic sourcing system, augmented by a seamless supply chain with a well-connected overseas procurement network, enables them to import best-of-breed fruits from 22 different countries. After identifying the increase in one-way packaging in the F&B sector, the company started leasing agricultural bins. Tarun Arora, Director of Finance and Operations of IG International, said, “This venture will assist the Food & Beverage sector in meeting packaging demand while also reducing traditional packaging practices. Using agricultural bins will help cut down on the carbon footprint. With IG Palogix, we also look forward to reducing the overall cost of production and transportation in the F&B industry.”  Robert Liebesman, CEO of Palogix International, said, “We see our partnership and expansion into the large and growing Indian market as a critical part of our strategy where we can continue to bring the huge benefits of plastic bin rentals to fruit, vegetable, and nut markets around the world.”  Ajay Jhalani, Business Advisor for Palogix International, said, “Majorly, our new venture will add value to the supply chain wherever one-way packaging is used. We will alter the one-way packaging model with our agri-bins, which will then be rotated between growers, cold storage facilities, retailers, and us. We also believe that introducing agri-bins in the Indian market will promote sustainability, which is the need of the hour.” ]]>