India Agri, Food & Health updates - 31 March'2015 !

1.  Indian flour millers have bought between 70,000 and 80,000 tonnes of Australian wheat
for April-May shipment.

2. The unseasonal rains in Gujarat has damaged various crops in about 1.80 lakh hectares of area.

3. The Centre on Monday made it mandatory for domestic urea manufacturers to coat at least 75% ‘neem coating’ of urea mandatory.

4. DS (Dharampal Satyapal) Group’s dairy arm eyes new markets, targets Rs. 350 cr turnover.

5. The share of palm oil in India's growing edible oil imports is expected to drop to the lowest in 9 years since 2005/06 in the current year to October.

6. Pacific Ocean warming suggests 50% chance of El Nino.

7. Mother Dairy aims Rs 700-crore turnover from horticulture in FY16.

8. According to recent OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, the demand for milk and its products in the region will reach almost 320 MT by 2021.

9. CG Foods eyes Rs 10,000-crore sales for Wai Wai noodles in India.

10. Met reported widespread rain in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi in the 24 hours impacting 20 Lakh hectares.

11. With global population set to top 9 billion by 2050, growing demand for food can cause perhaps the biggest threat to Earth's atmosphere.

12. Ethnic lifestyle retailer Fabindia, known for its apparel and furniture, is now preparing to sell organic fruits and vegetables online.

Global Agri, Food & Health updates - 31March'15 !

1. The UK development finance institution (CDC commits $15m to Sierra Leone forestry project) has joined Finnfund in committing to Miro Forestry, a West Africa-focused timber investment company operating in Sierra Leone and Ghana.

2. The German nutrition company Dextro Energy is to take the European Commission to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg over five banned glucose health claims.

3. Nestlé Spain will boost production of Nescafé soluble coffee at its factory in Girona by 30%, with an investment of €102m ($110m) on an energy efficient line.

4. Demand for organic in the U.S. is soaring with more than 80% of families buying some organic products, pushing sales up to an expected $40 billion last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.

5. USDA easement programs have been a critical tool in recent years for advancing landscape-scale private lands conservation. Last year, NRCS used $328 million in ACEP funding to enroll an estimated 145,000 acres of farmland, grassland, and wetlands through 485 new easements.

Global Agri, Food & Health News - 30March'15 !

1. European fishing industries will have great difficulty complying with new EU rules that ban the throwing away of unwanted fish, say researchers.

2. Heat-resistant beans are 'front-line defence' to global warming.Thirty varieties of heat resistant beans will be able to survive rising temperatures and keep feeding millions, say scientists.

3. Heinz and Kraft Foods will merge to create the world’s fifth largest food and drink company, after Heinz owners 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway agreed to acquire Kraft.

4. European food companies are illegally grabbing land from smallhold farmers in Africa as part of the G8's New Alliance project, says an Action Aid report published this month.

5. Al Ain Dairy, the largest dairy processor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched what it claims are the world's first camel milk ice cream and milk powder products available on the mass market.

6. Petro-Canada Lubricants, whose clients include Mondelēz International, Nestlé and Danish Crown, is developing its next generation of food grade lubricants to extend the longevity of synthetic oils, to be launched in 2016.

7. Nestlé Spain will boost production of Nescafé soluble coffee at its factory in Girona by 30%, with an investment of €102m ($110m) on an energy efficient line.

8. Demand for organic in the U.S. is soaring with more than 80% of families buying some organic products, pushing sales up to an expected $40 billion last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.

9. While the health benefits of following a Mediterranean-style diet are well-known, new research has also suggested that the dietary pattern also leaves less of a carbon footprint than other options.

India Agri & Food updates - 30March'15 !

1. The turmeric markets in ERODE (Tamilnadu), one of the biggest in India, will remain closed for nine days from March 28 to April 5 for the local Periya Mariamman and Chinna Mariamman festivals.

2.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Pattiseema lift irrigation project on Sunday. The Pattiseema irrigation project is aimed at solving the water woes of the parched Rayalaseema region, bringing respite to the farmers.

3.Agriculture credit is not reaching small farm holders in India, resulting in high level of indebtedness, ASSOCHAM said today. The industry body, in its latest study, has also pitched for consolidation of tiny farm lands for cooperative or corporate farming.

4. Thundershowers have returned to the hills and plains, with Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Maharashtra and north interior Karnataka being affected during the 24 hours ending Friday morning.

5. Indian dairy exporters are likely to be tested with the abolition of the milk quota regime in the European Union (EU) on March 31, with increasing competition within the block given the variance in production costs between the member States.

6. Ample demand from China and India for US pears is expected to keep pear growers in America’s Pacific Northwest happy, despite the small crop of 2014, down from the 2013 season’s record.

7. The Cotton Association of India has urged the Cotton Corporation of India, which procures cotton as part of the Government’s Minimum Support Price programme, to formulate a policy to offload the stock in the market.

8. Unseasonal rains and ban clamped by EU in March may hit mango output by 25-30%; price already 50% costlier than last year.

9. Over 2,000 farmer organisations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be incubated to grow into a cooperative society, trust and ultimately, a company, as part of the plan being implemented by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the country's largest development lender, with a Rs.200 Crore Fund.

Over 2,000 farmer organisations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will be incubated to grow into a cooperative society, trust and ultimately, a company, as part of the plan being implemented by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, the country's largest development lender.

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46739903.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cp

India Agri & Food Updates - March'2015 !

1. Bhoomiputra  Program in MaaTV on 28th Mar ( Saturday) at 8.00 am IST. MaaTV will broadcast my Natural Farm.

2. The Bangalore Report, the latest FAO assessment of the DIAAS protein quality measurement method, is a “very positive step” towards replacing PDCAAS.

3. With an investment of $500 million, Five star chicken prepares Rs 3,100-crore bucket to take on KFC, McDonald's expanding all three units: shrimp, poultry and food.

4. As per NDDB, Small-holder dairying has proved to be an effective tool for increasing rural prosperity in parts of Asia.

5. Online tea retailer Teabox has raised about Rs 40 crore ($6 million) in Series A funding from a clutch of venture capital firms, including JAFCO Asia, Keystone Group and Dragoneer Investment.
Teabox sources tea from over 200 plantations in the country for its customers in 75 countries.

6. According to recent OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, the demand for milk and its products in Asia region will reach almost will reach almost 320 Million Tonnes in 6 Years.

7. Hyderabad will host the third edition of Agritex 2015, an international agriculture trade fair, from March 30 to April 1 at the HITEX facility at Madhapur.

8. Nearly 500 containers of Indian groundnut shipments have been stranded at Haiphong port in Vietnam following the detection of groundnut seed beetle (Caryedon serratus) in the consignments.

9. The Agriculture Ministry has lowered its estimates of Rabi crop damage due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms through the first half of March to 106.73 lakh hectares (lh).

Global Agri, Food & Health News: 23-27March'15 !

1. There’s news on Monsanto and cancer. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) panel of cancer experts published its latest review of the cancer risks of glyphosate (the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup) and concluded that the herbicide is probably causing cancer in humans.

2. UPM Raflatac has been awarded ISO 22000:2005 food safety certification for factories in Finland (Tampere), the UK (Scarborough) and Poland (Wroclaw and Nowa Wies).

3. Nestlé has enlisted the help of BJM Pumps to dispose its caustic and acidic wastewater, laden with solids, fibers and fats from a factory in North America.

4. BioMérieux‘s Tempo methodology for food safety testing has been added to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG 3.02).

5. Ready-to-eat popcorn sales surged 60% to $750m between 2012 and 2014, while microwave popcorn sales dropped 8% to $830m.

6. The drop in corporation tax, promise of increased investment funding and support for British farmers in the 2015 UK budget were largely supported by British food and drink manufacturers.

7. NGO Advocacy groups in US are calling on companies using nanomaterials to take steps to avoid or reduce the risks in food products and packaging.

8. Ahlstrom, fiber-based materials company, has announced a 7% price increase on its masking tape materials produced by the Food and Medical business area.

9. European food companies are illegally grabbing land from smallhold farmers in Africa as part of the G8's New Alliance project, says an Action Aid report published this month.

10. According to Chicago-based market research firm SPINS, US retail (dollar) sales of foods & beverages rose 1.7% in 2014, while unit sales declined by 0.4%. By contrast, sales of natural and organic brands grew nearly 12%.

11. Strong winds, heavy rains and floods in the wake of severe tropical cyclone Pam have caused extensive damage to agriculture across Vanuatu, including its main food and export crops, livestock and fisheries infrastructure, the Food and Agriculture Office of the United Nations has warned.

12. The University of Otago has received around NZD$320,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to determine the disease burden of typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella.

13. Belgium has become the latest country to be dragged into the nuts and spices contamination issue (traces of peanut protien in herbs and spices).

14. FoodChain Europe has said its system can identify vulnerable ‘hotspots’ in the food supply chain to meet requirements of BRC Version 7.

15. The European Commission has proposed cutting down up to 11 million Italian olive oil trees to halt the spread of Xylella fastidiosa – but opponents say the measure would be a great mistake.

16. WPO (World Packaging Organization) will have its first meeting of 2015 during IPACK-IMA – Packaging & Processing Exhibition (May 19-21), in Milan, Italy, coinciding with World Expo.

17. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says two high-profile genetically engineered foods (GMO) - Simplot's low acrylamide 'Innate' potatoes, and Okanagan Specialty Fruit's non-browning 'Arctic' apples – are “as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts”.

18. Burton’s Biscuit Company is targeting almost £70M in sales through a new US distribution partnership with International Food Associates (IFA).

19. Korea has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE to develop its Halal food industry, with the aim of almost doubling its current US$680m Halal food exports to US$1.23bn by 2017.

20. A surge in cheese exports powered dairy exports to reach a record high of £1.4bn last year, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

21.  USDA awarded $9 million in grants to develop childhood obesity intervention programs through colleges and universities in 12 states and Puerto Rico. The grants are funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the flagship competitive grant program authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill.

Five Facts to Know about U.S. Family Farms

1. Food equals family – 97 percent of the 2.1 million farms in the United States are family-owned operations.

2. Small business matters – 88 percent of all U.S. farms are small family farms.

3. Local connections come in small packages – 58 percent of all direct farm sales to consumers come from small family farms.

4. Big business matters too – 64 percent of all vegetable sales and 66 percent of all dairy sales come from the 3 percent of farms that are large or very large family farms.

5. Farming provides new beginnings – 18 percent of principal operators on family farms in the U.S. started within the last 10 years.

Global Agri & Food Updates - 21March'15 !

1. The agriculture sector absorbs 22% of the economic impact of natural disasters and hazards, according a new report from FAO.

2. Vietnam becomes Australia’s second biggest meat and livestock export market.

3. CBI (Climate Bonds Initiative) would launch Agri & forestry climate bonds in the next six months.

4. VC firm Green Rock Ventures is raising $10m for greenhouse projects in India and offering foreign investors a rare opportunity to own Agri land, otherwise prohibited.

5. Biological flavouring and fragrance Agtech firm , Ginkgo Bioworks raised $9m Series A funding from a group of venture capital firms.

6. Star Crop has partnered with local operator MSU to launch an agricultural development project in Colombia’s Eastern Plains and seeks $50m funding.

7. The private equity firm CapAleph, is raising Rs1.25 billion ($20 million; €18.7 million) for a food and agri PE fund.

8. Animal vaccine company Prevtec Microbia raised raises $4.7m capital from existing investors and from Canadian animal health-focused venture capital firm VVC, which committed $3m.

9. SWF (Sovereign Wealth Fund)'s investment in Agri grows to $11bn.

10. The European Union is a major consumer of food commodities sourced from illegally deforested land, according to a new report from Brussels-based NGO.

11. Rabobank has highlighted three ways The European Food & Agribusiness (F&A) can recuperate €60bn in losses from food waste by; Harvesting and handling crops, Packaging food; and Monitoring fresh produce.

12. Cargill is “all in on stevia, and at the forefront of this commitment is the company’s Viatech stevia technology, which analyzes the various stevia components separately and reassembles them in higher performing blends.

13. Glanbia Ingredients has pumped more than €200M (1,600 jobs) into its dairy processing capabilities across Ireland in preparation for the abolition of milk quotas at the end of this month (March).

14. Market demand for stevia last year increased PureCircle’s half-year sales by 24%, the company has said.

15. Lawmakers in Haryana (INDIA) have followed their colleagues in Maharashtra to vote in a bill that outlaws the slaughter of cows in the state. Suspected violators will not be allowed bail on their arrest, and face up to 10 years of hard labour and a fine if convicted.

16. Fonterra has acquired an 18.8% stake in its Chinese infant formula partner Beingmate for around US$550m.

17. Kraft is recalling 242,000 cases of selected Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner after eight consumer complaints due to boxes containing metal.

18. EU grain yields are anticipated to drop by 8% because farmers have over-cautiously reduced planting areas for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

19. Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) revenue increased nearly 30% in 2014 - a feat the US cooperative has attributed to higher milk prices.

20. Tetra Recart has seen success in Sweden with 57% of the market share of beans sold in one of its carton packages.

21. According to recent Euromonitor data, the global meat market grew 3% in volumes in 2014, driven by growth in emerging markets. However, Western meat consumption is being affected by the popularity of alternative diets.

India Agri & Food updates - 21March'15 !

1. The Agriculture Ministry has assigned officials to different States for assessing the damage to crops due to hailstorm and heavy rains, an official release said.

2. The area under rice in the Rabi season has dropped some 10 per cent to 38.27 lakh hectares.

3. A sharp decline in crude oil price coupled with a fall in currency in the violence-hit Nigeria has made the Indian non-basmati rice exporters turn cautious. As a result, shipments to the African nation have slowed in the recent past.

4. In faraway Malawi, Africa, Indian agriculture expertise is slowly growing its presence and reaching out to help local farm communities.

5. India, a major importer of lentils from East Africa is also reaping benefits. A limited quantity of lentils is being imported currently from Malawi.

6. Exports of buffalo meat and agricultural items from India to Russia are yet to pick up despite the removal of import restrictions early this year as the country has not relaxed its quarantine laws.

7. Rice exports up 6 pc at 8.44 million ton in Apr-Dec 2014.

8. Overproduction of potatoes in West Bengal is threatening to snowball into a major crisis with some farmers threatening to go on hunger strike.

9. Government launches Rs 200 crore scheme for innovation in agro-industry.

Global Agri, Food & Health Updates - 17March'15 !

1. The Swiss investment management firm Quantum is hiring to handle a mandate from the $5 billion Angola sovereign wealth fund, which includes timber and agriculture.

2. Zambian Agri project (Armarium) is raising $10m in capital to launch fruit and nut nurseries, an agro-processing park and to start producing fast-growing food crops.

3. Colombian investment into agri sector falls to lowest in 16 years, as Plantings of semi-annual commodities such as corn, rice, sorghum and soybean fell as producers struggled with strong currency and falling commodities.

4. Empowering women in small-hold agriculture is essential to boosting productivity, creating new product launches and generating business - and companies are starting to realise this, says a Fairtrade Foundation report.

5. The Irish agri-business Aurivo Co-operative Society has acquired London-based sports nutrition company My Goodness Ltd in an attempt to gain access to the protein drinks market.

6. Chemical analysis of food fingerprints is an emerging approach in authentication testing, according to The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Germany.

7. LGC has developed six meat mixture reference materials to help protect consumers from food fraud.

8. India has acknowledged the scale of its food adulteration epidemic and has pledged to take steps to stamp it out.

9. announced the availability of $96.8 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to support specialty crop producers, local food entrepreneurs, and farm to school efforts, which in turn will increase access to healthy, nutritious food for American families and children.

India Agri & Food News - 17 March'15 !

1. In parts of Northern and Western India, Vegetable prices of crops like bitter gourd, turai (sponge gourd), turnip, etc. rise as rain hits crops.

2. Assam government has launched an ambitious scheme ' 'Momai Tamuli Barbaruah Krishak Bondhu Scheme' to increase agricultural production by providing facilities and assistance to farmers for double cropping in their lands.

3. Government to stock up on onion, potato to tame price rise.

4. Machines drive 90% of power in farming (tractors and power tillers provide the bulk, 47%; electric motors 27% and Diesel engines 16%), humans' share drops to 5%.

5. The ‘Allow Golden Rice Now’ campaign led by former Greenpeace member Patrick Moore said that it is a completely humanitarian effort to promote ‘golden rice’, a genetically-modified variant containing beta-carotene, that the technology’s proponents claim will address the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in the developing world.The public research being funded by donor organisations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Helen Keller Foundation and USAID, among others.

6. Gujarat State Fertilisers Company introduces Sardar Package scheme in 19 districts,which brings water directly to the roots of plants and needs half to a quarter water compared to other systems.

7. Nestle personalises food supply for pilots of solar-powered aircraft Impulse 2 i.e. small and frequent meals that is recommended for high altitude conditions.

8. Japanese companies explore joint ventures for processing and importing poultry products from India.

Global Agri, Food & Health updates - 15March'15 !

1. Hello Tractor (Uber for Tractors) is raising $500,000 capital to expand its smart tractor production, distribution and leasing business across Africa.

2. Almost 3.2m Australians eat a packaged dairy dessert such as a custard, mousse, chocolate pudding, creamy rice or fruity whip each month.

3. The relevance of a lower glycaemic diet is strongly gaining traction among public health experts and informed consumers alike. With low glycemic foods, our metabolism can be driven in the right direction; lower insulin levels will lead to an increase in fat burning for energy supply, supporting a healthy lifestyle.

4. Pesticide residues in raw and processed foods clearly exceeded legal limits in 1.5% of European foods in 2013, according to a new assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

5. High intakes of dietary sodium may be causing harm to vital body organs even in cases where it does not cause high blood pressure, say researchers.

6. British firm R&R Ice Cream has agreed to acquire Nestlé South Africa's ice cream business, which it hopes will be a "springboard" for growth on the African continent.

7. Mars plans $160m plant in ‘high priority’ Indian market (Pune), to produce snickers and galaxy

8. Autorité de la Concurrence (the French Competition Authority) has slapped members of a private label dairy cartel with fines totalling €192.7m (US$205m).

9. The World Health Organisation has said that companies need to reduce the marketing of sugar-rich products if consumers are to slash their intake to 10% of daily calories.

10. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) is to begin a campaign to educate parents and schools on the dangers of energy drink consumption for children.

11. The Russian ban on Western food imports knocked approximately €80m (US$84m) off FrieslandCampina's 2014 operating profit, the Dutch dairy giant has estimated.

India Agri & Food Updates - 15March'14 !

1. With various innovative techniques, farmers in Jharkhand have transformed their lives and some of them have even managed to double their yield. From incorporating Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems to learning to prepare vermi-compost at home.

2. A.P. Agriculture Minister Pulla Rao presents and exculsive Rs. 14,184 cr. agriculture budget  for 2015-16, which also includes Rs. 3000 cr for power subsidy to farmers.

3. MaHyCo (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company), growing between 12-15 per cent per annum plans to expand in Africa and South East Asia.

4.  A.P.  Government is keen on spending Rs 300 crore for solid-waste management and bio-fuel production. 

5. A campaign is set to be launched on March 16 in India to allow golden rice for tackling Vitamin A deficiency in children.

6. Poor demand in India, hits sales of microwave ovens. Sales by volume have fallen sharply in the last three years by 10 to 15%.

7. As an alternate to it's Cigar's business ITC is now using its agri-sourcing capabilities and hotels to build a strong portfolio in beverages based on the B-Natural brand, which it has just re-launched. 

India Agri & Food Updates - 13March'15 !

1. Global scientists from US, Japan & Europe predict normal monsoon rainfall in India this year with a 50-60% chance for the El Niño phenomenon to emerge during summer.

2. India's sugar output could rise nearly 2 per cent from previous forecast.

3. HUL to launch Knorr (currently in Soups) instant noodles,  to take on Maggi.

4. Farmers’ body demands Rs.60,000/tonne MSP for castorseed.

5. Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Ministry will present an exclusive Budget for Agriculture and allied sectors for the State today.

Global Food, Agri & Health Updates - 13March'15 !

1. Rural Funds Group, the ASX-listed farmland REIT, raised the capital through a placement with new and existing investors. It also launched a $7.5m entitlement offer for existing investors.

2. The Shariyah Review Board has recently researched the agriculture fund market and its openness to sharia compliance and finance's $13bn agri fund opportunity.

3. Recently falling food prices are not here to stay, according to Jane Harrigan, Professor of Economics at SOAS. But food-importing countries should be careful with their food security strategies.

4. Gladstone to invest $4.5m in organic farm (Wish Farms) in Florida.

5. Nestlé has developed high-tech airline food to fuel the pilots in their record-breaking attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a solar powered aircraft.

6. Problems with food security have previously been linked to climate change – but it may also affect food safety and the incidence of foodborne illness, according to a new study.

7. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established vitamin A population reference intakes (PRIs) in the EU, recommending 750 μg for men and 650 μg for women.

8. Children aged 6 to 8 may already be at increased risk of cardiometabolic disease if they eat a lot of low-fat margarine, red meat and sugary drinks and little vegetable oil, according to Finnish research.

9. According to Chicago-based market research firm SPINS, US retail (dollar) sales of foods & beverages rose 1.7% in 2014, while unit sales declined by 0.4%. By contrast, sales of natural and organic brands grew nearly 12%.

10. The Irish agri-business Aurivo Co-operative Society has acquired London-based sports nutrition company My Goodness Ltd in an attempt to gain access to the protein drinks market.

Global Agri, Food & Health News - 11March'15 !

1. The International Fair Agrifood, Fiagrop 2015 to be held in Cuba, will host representatives from 26 foreign companies.

2. Aussie almond producer 'Select Harvests', wants expressions of interest from long-term investors to enter into a sale-and-leaseback arrangement on over 5,000 acres of underdeveloped orchards.

3. Nestlé has enlisted the help of BJM Pumps to dispose its caustic and acidic wastewater, laden with solids, fibers and fats from a factory in North America.

4. Jimco, which works with KFC and McDonald’s is launching a disinfection system that minimizes listeria and salmonella microorganisms.

5. A baby bottle which mimics a beer bottle will be launched in the US next month, but alcohol concern organisations warn the bottle could send the wrong message to children.

6.Inadequate logistics facilities in the Middle East are affecting the region’s food supply chain and will cause long-term problems, according to an investment analyst.

7. USDA announced the availability of more than $66.5 million in funding for research and extension activities to address the needs of America's specialty crop industry and solve critical organic agricultural production issues.

8. Kroger’s natural and organics brand Simple Truth notched up sales of $1.2bn in 2014, and continues to generate double digit growth.

9. Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA)-published research has found that Veggie diet can reduce colorectal cancer risk rate.

10. LANFOS technology (Large Food Non-destructive Area Sampler), which uses a space device called Silicon Photomultiplier can help detect radioactive cesium contamination in Food.

India Agri & Food Updates - 11Mar'15 !

1. India’s first triple disease resistant tomato F1 hybrid Arka Rakshak” brings back smile on farmers face.

2. Indian Seafood exports to miss $6 billion target this financial year and will be well below $5.5 billion.

3. The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) will establish small seed centres at the farm level to make quality planting material available to farmers.

4. Edible Copra, coconut prices up due to demand from Bangladesh with market prices of Rs.9800 and Rs.13,300 per quintal respectively.

5. Russia’s response to quality of Indian tea besides its marketing has been encouraging, according to an Indian tea delegation which visited the former Soviet Bloc, under guidance from Tea Board's Moscow office recently.

6. Coffee cultivation is transforming the picturesque Araku valley of A.P, a popular tourist spot in Visakhapatnam district, and bringing about a qualitative change for the better in the lives of tribals.

7. Virginia tobacco auctions begin from Wednesday in A.P in three phases, according to Tobacco Board officials.

8. Wheat output in Punjab, Haryana may fall by 15% due to unseasonal rains.

9. Government to flag off Rs 4000 crore investments  for 17 mega food parks.

10. Maharashtra's beef ban to boost chicken sales, with laws being tightened on slaughter of Livestock.

India Agri & Food Updates - 10March'15 !

1. Maharashtra government plans to use state of art techniques for utilisation of water resources and lend support to farmers by giving them irrigation facilities.

2. About Rs 3,000 crore worth of wheat crop has been damaged in Punjab due to unseasonal rains, hailstorm and high velocity winds this month.

3.  Waterlogged fields due to unseasonal widespread rainfall in India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, may result in yields of the crop declining by over 2%. The output of other winter crops such as mustard, yellow peas, chana, potato and coarse grains may also fall, resulting in maximum crop loss of 5-7%.

4.As a few investment funds (Samridhi Fund) focus on the Agriculture sector, more ‘Agriprenuers’ are likely to emerge.

5. Global food prices fell to a nearly five-year low in February this year on increased supply of key food items and strong US dollar, according to the United Nations food agency Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Food prices averaged at 179.4 points in February, down from 181.2 points in January and 208.6 points in February 2014.

6. India manages to defend raw sugar export subsidies at WTO, claiming that it has not made any payments under the programme.

7. India's biotechnology industry is on the cusp of entering a new era as it already has many of the necessities required to grow its bio economy such as a talented and enthusiastic scientific workforce. 

Global Agri, Food & Health Updates - 10March'15 !

1. Scientists researching the presence of a mycotoxin considered a 'potent renal carcinogen' in US cereals have found levels above EU maximum limits in 8% of oat based cereals tested, and are urging action to reduce consumer risk.

2. The Swedish National Food Agency (NFA) has called on the government for more legislative changes and better support from courts to fight food fraud.

3. Industry insiders are disputing whether the UK medicines regulator went too far – or not far enough – in its recent removal of 107 Saint John’s Wort products from Amazon UK, following a joint investigation by the MHRA and HFMA.

4. A US government scientist who developed a new peanut cultivar high in oleic acid that offers a longer shelf life and heart healthy properties says it has attracted interest from major US confectionery companies.

5. The Food and Drug Administration has reiterated its confidence in the safety of the US milk supply, after veterinary drug residues were found in just 0.78% of tested samples.

6. People following a Mediterranean-style diet could slash their risk of heart disease by up to 47%, according to a new ten-year study.

7. Global food prices have dropped to their lowest level since July 2010, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

8. Unique cultivation methods and upcoming innovative applications help Nutress stand out in the bustling Chlorella vulgaris market, says the Dutch company.

9. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) likely costs the European Union €157bn a year in actual health care expenses and lost earning potential, according to a series of studies.

10. Research showing that 99% of sales growth from packaged food from 2008 to 2012 came from lower calorie foods is inspiring major manufacturers to more aggressively promote and launch healthier options.

11. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will announce the availability of millions of dollars in funding for research and extension activities that will address the needs of America’s specialty crop industry and solve critical organic agricultural production issues.

12. The South Australian government has awarded a A$360,000 grant to the Gather Great Ocean Group to help establish a South Australian seaweed harvesting site at Beachport and a processing plant near Millicent.

13. A newly-implemented free trade agreement between the GCC and Singapore will boost their US$291m food trade, according to Singapore’s international trade body.

India Agri & Food Updates - 09March'15 !

1. Indian Agriculture Minister will participate in the 4th meeting of the 'BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and Agrarian Development' to be held on March 11-13 in Brasilia, Brazil.  The meeting will focus on opportunities and challenges faced in the area of agriculture and food security.

2. An attempt to generate Green Fuel from Material Waste by builiding a Bio-Reactor using an approach called Dark Fermentation is being pursued by IIT Kharagpur and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderbad.

3. Union Food Minister told that his Ministry was in favour of Shanta Kumar-led High Level Committee’s recommendation of direct cash transfer for food subsidies and that pilot projects will be rolled out in Pondicherry and Chandigarh.

4. PMK, a constituent of NDA which has been critical of BJP's Land Acquisition Act, presented its annual 'shadow agriculture budget,' proposing a slew of land-reform measures such as suggesting those whose land had been acquired for private projects to be included in the respective companies' Board of Directors.

5. Coffee export fell by 19 per cent to 49,272 tonne during the January-February period of this year on weak global prices. Total coffee shipments stood at 60,660 tonne in the same period of last year.

6. Heart diseases are  expected to decrease by 38% by daily eating of Groundnuts (PhytoChemicals) as per a studies carried out by Wanderbilt University of USA and Shanghai  Cancer Institute of China.

India Agri & Food Updates - 07March'15 !

1. Nepal’s CG Corp looking to acquire companies in India’s food and beverage sector through M&A route.

2. Pomegranates from India are facing stiff competition in Europe, where better quality and low-priced fruits from countries such as Israel and Peru are seen displacing them from the retail shelves.

3. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) here has developed a precision farming module for bitter gourd cultivation, with the idea to lower pesticide contamination and to ensure more availability of this vegetable.

KVK, under CMFRI, has adopted ‘precision farming’ in which the water soluble nutrients and organic compounds are supplied exactly to the root zone through drip irrigation.

The fertiliser and organic compounds are applied to the plants along with irrigation water in a one-step process called ‘fertigation’ using a device called ‘ventury’. Plastic mulching is used to cover the planting beds, which, in turn, help in conserving the moisture and controlling the weeds.

4. A training programme on rearing sting-less bees (melliponiculture) at the Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) highlighted its potential as an income generating enterprise.

5. The Tamil Nadu Hill Banana Growers' Federation, Dindigul, near here, has won this year's Plant Genome Saviour Community Award. 

Global Agri & Food Updates - 07March'15 !

1. The fund of funds house (WP Global) was awarded $130m in Agri mandates by two European institutions and hopes to have $250m in agri-dedicated AUM by end of 2015.

2. Conterra Asset Management entered into a joint venture with Farmer Mac to provide fee appraisal services for farmland owners (Agri Loans Business) and is targeting a $100m first close of its agribusiness PE fund later this year.

3. The Dutch VC firm (Anterra Capital) has invested $5.6m into LemnaTec, the agricultural data analysis and phenomics company.

4. TNA has acquired Florigo International, in The Netherlands, taking advantage of its vacuum technology which allows manufacturers to cook products at a lower temperature, claiming to reduce the formation of acrylamide by up to 95%.

5. Eleven dairies, including Danone, Nestlé and Lactalis, have been fined nearly €90m for allegedly colluding on the price paid to Spanish farmers for raw milk (unpasteurised milk).

6. According to Chicago-based market research firm IRI, US retail (dollar) sales of foods & beverages rose 2.1% in 2014, while unit sales edged up just 0.9%. By contrast, sales of natural and organic brands grew more than 10%.

7. USDA will be awarding over $30 million in grants to help schools prepare healthy meals for their children. $25 million in grants will help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient, and up to $5.5 million will provide additional training for school food service professionals.

India Agri & Food Updates - 06March'15 !

1. To process 11 lakh applications and to implement NFSA (National Food Security Act), the state of A.P. would have to bear additional 800 Crores.

2.Export of oilmeals dipped 41 per cent in February to 1.81 lakh tonnes against 3.07 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period as competing nations quoted lower prices.

3. Agri-biz institute (National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management - Manage) records 100% placement. A total of 102 offers were made by recruiters across 8 sectors. Major companies included ITC (ABD), Adani Wilmar, Bunge, Spencer’s Retail, Tata Metahelix, National Bulk Handling Corporation, Dow AgroSciences, SAB Miller etc.

4. Focus on the empowerment of cashew growers will be part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association (KCMA).

5. As per US Centre for Climate, un-seasonal rains over north-western parts of India and adjoining central and eastern parts are now expected to last another 10 days, if not more. 

Global Food & Agri News - 06March'15!

1. M&A to drive food and agribusiness consolidation in India as both local and international companies look for partnerships, according to SEAF India Investment Advisors.

2. Romer Labs has introduced a water-based test which will allow food, feed and grain producers to test for Zearalenone without using organic solvents.

3. Academics have welcomed the WHO’s recommendation to slash added sugar intake to 5-10% of calories – but the food industry has said it is misleading and based on weak evidence.

4. The Royal College of Paediatrics has found two-thirds of Britons support banning advertising of food high in fat, sugar and salt on TV before 9pm.

5. Eleven dairies, including Danone, Nestlé and Lactalis, have been fined nearly €90m for allegedly colluding on the price paid to Spanish farmers for raw milk.

6. A total of 31 dairies made it into Copa-Cogenca's list of the top 100 European Union (EU) agricultural cooperatives.

7. Marking National Nutrition Month, USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs would help struggling families gain access to healthy, nutritious food and announces tens of millions of dollars in grants to fund new school kitchen equipment and provide training to school nutrition professionals.

Global Agri & Food Updates - 05March'15 !

1. Globally Agriculture technology companies raised capital worth $2.3bn across 264 deals and with 271 unique investors in a record-breaking year for the sector, according to a new report from AgFunder, the fundraising platform.

2. Amcor Flexibles has won Gold and Silver at the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) Achievement Awards in Florida, US, this month.

3. The European Commission (EC) has dropped an environment programme on waste, incineration and recycling laws because it did not “complete the circle” of creating zero waste in Europe.

4. Nestlé said today it will relaunch fortified adult cereal Fitness in Europe this month, after reformulating the brand to cut sugar levels by 30%.

5. Swiss chocolate consumption has fallen in 2014 and domestic chocolate sales have been hit by rising competition from importers profiting from the strong Swiss Franc, says Chocosuisse.

6. Sales of Valio dairy products in Russia fell €120m (US$133m) to €258m (US$285m) in 2014 - a year it branded its “annus horribilis".

7. People who consume between three to five cups of coffee a day may have a lower risk of coronary artery calcium build-up, which can lead to artery blockages, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

8. Market experts at the Palm Oil Price Outlook 2015 conference organized by Bursa Malaysia, mentioned that Africa may well be the next frontier for palm as the continent presents excellent opportunities, Despite many challenges such as infrastructure and logistics.

India Agri & Food Updates - 05March'15 !

1. About 90 per cent of around 1,000 cashew processing units in Kerala have been shut as their owners resorted to a three-day token strike from Monday to protest against an “unscientific 35% wage hike”.

2. Punjab will setup an organic farming board will be set up in his State to aid and promote chemical-free agricultural practices in the State.

3. A bumper crop, coupled with weak demand from other States, has led to a free-fall in potatoes prices in West Bengal, which also exports 40% of total production to other states.

4. Unseasonal rains turn prospects sour for grape growers.

5. Retail prices of leafy vegetables like spinach and other winter staples like carrot, cauliflower and peas have shot up as much as 67 per cent in the national capital over the last five days due to unseasonal rains.

6. India's oilmeal exports in February fell 41 per cent from a year ago to 181,996 tonnes according to Solvent Extractor's Association of India.

7. Standing crops in over 50 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have been damaged by the recent unseasonal rains.

Global Agri & Food updates - 04March'15 !

1. Water&Soil, a Hungarian agtech firm that has invented a water-retaining solution for soil, is looking for $10m in private capital investment.

2. The real estate division of French insurance giant AXA marked the start of its aim to grow its forestry portfolio by acquiring a large swathe of forest land in Finland for €11.2m.

3. The life sciences venture capital firm Finistere Ventures II is raising $200 million for its second fund that will have a strong focus on agricultural innovation. VC firm AVAC and BayerCrop Science have invested into the fund as partners.

4. The USDA’s Economic Research Services is predicting farm profitability will fall by 32% on 2014, although farm wealth will stay at record levels.

5. While anti-GMO activists warn that the technology behind non-browning ‘Arctic apples’ is untested, unnecessary, and "dangerously imprecise", the grower behind them Neal Carter says he’s confident that the food industry and the American public will come to their own conclusions based on the facts.

6. Fruitapeel Juice is investing £2.3m ($3.5m) in HPP technology, and says the processing technique will help meet consumers’ enthusiasm for natural, nutrient-rich juices and smoothies.

7. PepsiCo Russia has announced it will close its juice factory in Ramenskoe, near Moscow.

8. The retail giant 'Target' will double the size of its 'Made to Matter' range of natural, organic, and sustainable products this year as part of a plan to "reinvent" its grocery offering and "deliver more organic, natural, gluten-free items" to shoppers.

9. People who consume between three to five cups of coffee a day may have a lower risk of coronary artery calcium build-up, which can lead to artery blockages, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

India Agri & Food Updates - 04March'15 !

1. Sugar mills in India produced 194 lakh tonnes (lt) of the sweetener up to February 28, about 23.6 lakh tonnes more than at the same time last season (October-September), as per the estimates released by the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

2. The rabi crop faces a serious weather risk (western disturbance)on the eve of harvesting as five more bursts of unseasonal rain are forecast in the weeks ahead, putting further pressure on farmers as stormy weather in the past few days has damaged crops worth thousands of crores.

3.  The state-run Coffee Board proposes to formulate an action plan to assist bankers recover the overdues from growers in Karnataka, who of late have not shown interest in repaying their loans despite the commodity fetching higher prices.

4. As per Industry body Assocham, Andhra Pradesh needs policy on supply lines for perishable agri-products to leverage the state's established strengths in the food processing sector.

5. Fresh enquiries for bulk exports of coconut oil have revived hopes among traders for the forthcoming harvest season.

6. According to Coconut Development Board officials, exports of virgin coconut oil to the US have shown an unprecedented increase in December, while movement of fresh coconuts to GCC countries and dry coconut to Pakistan are on the rise.

7. Storage losses for agricultural products in India account for approximately 10 per cent of the entire goods. According to a FICCI study conducted on SLCM’s systems and processes “AGRI REACH” (Patent Pending) , using scientific processes for managing storage and agri logistics in existing structures can reduce storage losses to 0.5 per cent, translating into a saving of $13 billion or roughly Rs.80,000 crore every year.

Global Food & Agri Updates - 03March'15!

1. Skipping breakfast may typically be associated with obesity but a recent study on young women suggested it could also lead to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

2. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have developed a new peanut with especially high levels of oleic acid that they claim offers a longer shelf life as well as heart healthy properties.

3. According to International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM EU), Europe needs a new flexible system to help keep non-organic ingredients like flavouring in organic products to a minimum.

4. Sales in the energy bar and nutrition market in the UK have been growing at a faster rate than the US tripling in the past five years to reach €137m, while the US market doubled in the same period to €2314m.

5. Food Ingredients China 2015 will move to National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai）from April 1st to 3rd. With 1200 exhibitors, FIC 2015 will still be the biggest and most professional brand show in food ingredients and additives in Asia.

6. New technologies and innovative ingredients are likely to structurally change the food supply chain in the near future, says a report by Rabobank.

7. Saputo-owned Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) has agreed to acquire the "everyday cheese" business of Australian rival Lion Dairy and Drinks (LDD) for AU$137.5m (US$107m, €95m).

8. The threat posed by fresh foods and produce to sales of packaged foods is about to increase exponentially with the launch of a star-studded, national marketing campaign to encourage teenagers to eat more fruits and veggies.

9. USDA announced more than $27 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed help end childhood hunger. The announcement was part of USDA efforts during National Nutrition Month to focus on poverty and food insecurity among children, especially in rural areas. These projects will be tested in Kentucky, Nevada, and Virginia, as well as the Chickasaw and Navajo tribal nations.

10. Powdered preparations of the mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cystidiosus may reduce blood sugar levels after a meal in healthy people, while also impacting insulin levels in diabetics, says a new study.

India Agri&Food Updates - 03March'15 !

1. Wheat, mustard, chana output likely to be hit by unseasonal rain and high velocity winds in Northern India. The overall yield loss is expected to be from 10-20%.

2. The increase in export subsidy for raw sugar announced by INDIA for the current year has come under the scanner of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) with members such as Colombia, Australia and the EU crying foul.

3. United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) today said the plantation industry felt neglected as there was nothing specific in the current budget to help tea and rubber sectors undergoing severe crisis.

4. India's rice exports will struggle to compete with cheaper cargoes from No.1 seller Thailand in 2015 as Bangkok looks to offload grain from its huge state stockpiles, industry officials and traders said.

5. The merger of the Forward Markets Commission with SEBI is expected to strengthen the regulations in the commodity future markets.

6. Under the Agriculture Ministry’s organic farming scheme, “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojan”, hassle-free agriculture credit to small and marginal farmers would be provided to benefit the growth of economy and to ensure growth and development of the country.

7. Wholesale sugar prices today fell by Rs 50 per quintal at local market due to heavy stocks position on persistent supplies by mills against weak demand.

8. Online grocers like Meragrocer.com, BigBasket.com and LocalBanya.com are showcasing food recipes and blogs on their websites and selling all-in-one, do-it-yourself kits to engage the customer. They help the consumer pick the right ingredients at the right quantity at one go, to make their favourite food. 

India 2015-16 Budget Coverage for Agriculture Sector !

1. The government has given exemption from service tax to certain pre-cold storage services for fruits and vegetables, a move aimed at promoting food processing sector and checking price rise of perishable items.

2. The Finance Minister has set a positive tone for growth, balanced with support for Agriculture sector. Focusing on agriculture, the Budget lists a number of schemes that would boost the rural economy.

a.  ₹5,300 crore towards micro-irrigation, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) under Nabard, Long Term Rural Credit Fund, Short Term Co-operative Rural Credit Refinance Fund and Short Term RRB Refinance Fund.

b. The farmers being empowered with the target of ₹8.50 lakh crore agricultural credit during the year.

c. With regard to the Budget 2015, widely expected to be a landmark budget, more stimulus is promised for the agri-biotech industry to enable more productive and long-term gains for the sector.

 d. The creation of a unified national agriculture market, a renewed focus on micro-irrigation, as well as initiatives to improve rural infrastructure and an increase in farm credit  are the highlights.

e. Both the farmers and the agriculture sector have got a bonanza with the Centre announcing a slew of initiatives to make more funds available. The target for agriculture credit for 2015-16 has been set at ₹8.5 lakh crore compared to ₹8 lakh crore during 2014-15.

f. An allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for long term rural credit fund, Rs 45,000 crore for short term cooperative rural credit refinance fund and Rs 15,000 crore for short term RRB (regional rural banks) refinance fund.

g.  While the Budget apportioned nearly Rs. 73,000 crore toward fertiliser subsidies, industry players were disappointed with the lack of urgency displayed by the government with regard to raising urea prices, clearing outstanding subsidy payments while also reducing subsidy allocation for non-urea fertilisers this fiscal.

h. The emphasis on expanding the irrigation coverage in the Budget and promoting water use efficiency is reflected in the quantum jump in allocation for the micro irrigation and watershed development schemes at ₹5,300 crore against ₹1,000 crore provided for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana launched last year.

3. Private sector companies like ITC, Cargill & Adani suggest FCI to invest in new technology  for procurement, storage and movement of grains in north eastern states.

4. The 3 day Indian Science Congress Association's Tirupathi chapter event was successfully held in MITS college, Madanapalle from 27thFeb to 1stMarch'15. The Founder & Director of AgriSolve also presented his views at the coveted event on topics viz. Horseley Hills Case Study, Agri Poetry & Literature, Organic & Natural Farming vs Modern Farming, Maintaining the balance - 7 Point formula.