India Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 1stSept'15 !

1. In Madanapalle (Chittoor District, A.P), Bulk sellers are selling average grade Pomegranate at Rs.50 per Kg in Retail through mobile Vans.

2. To circumvent the current and future Oninon supply shortage, Dehydrated onions seems to be an appropriate solution for both Home-makers and Food-Industry.

3. With a plan to invest Rs.25,000 crores in the next few years in Food Sector, ITC is entering into Dairy sector with GHEE (Clarified Butter) first and with all other dairy products into the market later.

4. The Teja type of Mirchi (Chilli) is fetching Rs.10,900 per quintal in Guntur and Rs.9,800 in Warangal Markets of A.P & Telangana states respectively.

5. Wholesale onion prices cool down to Rs 45/kg in Lasalgaon, due to an increase in arrivals after the government restricted exports.

6. Tamil Nadu Agri University to develop indegenous BT cotton in collaboraton with CICR (Central Institute for Cotton Research).

7. Maharashtra government may consider disallowing cultivation and crushing of sugarcane this year owing to severe water crisis in the state.

8. For Pesticide free crop management of Fruits and Vegetables by Govt.Of.India, please visit National Institute of Plant Health Management website (http://niphm.gov.in/).

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 1stSept'15 !

1. In line with it's Agri strategy, Stafford Capital Partners will invest in dairy, beef and row crops, and is splitting its commitments between primaries, secondaries and co-investments.

2. Middleland Capital, an agriculture-focused venture capital firm, with co-investors Mercury Fund, Prelude Ventures, Cultivation Capital and Tech Accel invests in Benson Hill Biosystems.

3. Reflecting bumper harvests, higher dairy and hog production US farmland incomes are set to fall to lowest level in nine years according to U.S.Department of Agriculture.

4. 67 Africa focussed Private equity funds are raising $15.9bn for Agribusiness and natural resources for Africa.

5. With sales of traditional pasta falling across Europe, homemade 'spiralised' vegetables are an increasingly popular alternative – but analysts say there is potential for food manufacturers too.

6. Lagging Chinese demand and the impact of the Russian embargo are likely to put "considerable pressure" on FrieslandCampina's sales in the second half of 2015.

7. Nestlé plans to source only sustainable cocoa for its global KitKat brand in order to strengthen consumer trust.

8. Leading convenience retailers in Asia generated more than US$130bn in sales in 2014, through a combination of higher sales from existing stores, as well as significant new-store expansion, according to research carried out by UK-based IGD Retail Analysis.

9. Asia - Vietnam toughening stance of food safety violations; Singaporeans getting more responsive to healthier food options; Philippines releases dietary guidelines.

10. The Finnish food safety authority (ENVIRA) has recalled a libido-boosting dietary supplement after it discovered it contained an undeclared drug similar to Viagra.

Industry/Field Visit -3: A day at 'Prakruthivanam' on 30Aug'15 !

1. 'Prakruthivanam' is a total Organic crop grower and maker/seller of diverse food & cosmetic products with approx. 30 h.a (75 acres) of farmland. Ayush and FSSAI  certifications have been obtained by Prakruthivanam (http://prakruthivanam.com/) for their products.

2. AgriSolve helped define the IT Strategy & web presence of Prakruthivanam and also provided suggestions to improve upon Product line changes, Sales and Marketing optimizations.

3. During Field visit on 30Aug'15, AgriSolve provided below suggestions/solutions to Prakruthivanam !

a. 1 or 2 Rs. Sachets for Shampoos along with bottled versions. To invest in Sachets/Packets Machine.

b. Visit Cards of company personnel to reflect the website URL.

c. Every product on the store shelf to find a place in the website with Composition and Nutrient Profile.

d. Youtube, Video widgets in website on the Right Vertical Nav bar, similar to that shown in AgriSolve website.

e. Twitter/FaceBook Icons to link to AgriSolve Twitter/FB pages for daily Global & National Agri news.

f. Exclusive Organic store in Town completely by Prakruthivanam or through Tie-up with AgriSolve.

g. Scan of Certifications to be put on the website, with a Certifications link.

h. A collection of Agriculture periodicals (Annadaata, Raithu Nestam, AgriInvestor, BhoomiPutra etc to be maintained in office.

I. Prakruthivanam to be listed in India Mart.

J. India Mart to be visited for Bulk Procurement and Sales of raw material (Grains, Pulses etc) & finished products.

K. Email Address of company personnel to reflect prakrutivanam domain instead of personal mails i.e. @prakrutivanam.com

L. 1 or 2 Ethylene rooms for storage of Vegetables & Fruits.

 

India Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 29Aug'15 !

1. The Maharashtra government is considering to introduce sustainable water and irrigation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated sewage water for peri-urban agriculture.

2. Onion farmers and consumers in the country suffer as traders sit on stocks.
3. Onion supplies from Afghanistan have surged in the past few days with about 1,000 tonnes of kitchen staple coming per day to India.
4. Monsanto's abandonment of Syngenta may turn out to be the best thing for both sides. The world's largest seed maker has given up its $46 billion pursuit of the Swiss agricultural chemical group.
5. The worst olive harvest in years across Spain and Italy, the world’s two largest olive oil producing nations keeps Indian importers edgy.
6. Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd (GTFL), joint venture between Godrej Agrovet and US-based Tyson Foods, that manufactures poultry and vegetarian products, is on a mission to address the country’s nutritional security by making affordable protein products.
7. To purchase Onions in Raithu Bazaar's of Madanapalle, Ration Card is a must as per Assistant Collector of the town. 17 Tonnes of Onions have been recieved from Maharashtra and will be sold at Rs.20 per Kg in 6 counters.
8.The state govt of A.P plans to plant 15 Crore samplings as a part of Neeru-Chettu programme (Water/Tree), leveraging schools students.
9. An agriculture scientist from A.P Mr. Vijay Gupta has recieved the prestigious Sun Hawk peace award (Rs.3.3 crores).

 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 29Aug'15 !

1. A law that would have forced French supermarkets to donate unsold food to charity has been scrapped on a legal technicality – but supermarkets are being urged to adopt it voluntarily and some have already pledged to do so.

2. Perilous working conditions for sugarcane growers in Central America have claimed around 20,000 lives in the past decade and supply chain advisor Solidaridad says the food and drink industry can no longer ignore the epidemic.

3. Major investment in Russian venison production is being made in Kamchatka Oblast by local venture Revival of Reindeer Breeding Development.

4. Corn yields are expected to rise again, seeing record highs in many Midwestern states, for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

5. The Finnish food safety authority (ENVIRA) has recalled a libido-boosting dietary supplement after it discovered it contained an undeclared drug similar to Viagra.

6. The US Department of Justice has reached a $200k settlement with Nebraska Beef, meat processing and packaging company, based in Omaha, Nebraska, for unfair employment practices.

7. German scientists say they may be able to improve chocolate’s mouthfeel after researching the molecular interactions with lecithin during conching.

India Agriculture & Food updates - 28Aug'15!

1. Stating that agriculture in India has tremendous potential of being transformed into a vibrant sector, a delegation of US companies, which recently visited New Delhi, has called for necessary policy reforms to enhance foreign direct investment in the food processing sector.
2. The government, under pressure to check retail onion prices that have shot up to Rs 80 per kg across the country, today approved bids for import of 1,000 tonnes of onion at Rs 45 per kg and has decided to buy more from overseas markets to boost domestic supply.
3. While in retail the oinion prices are roaring at Rs.70 to 80 per Kg, growers and farmers are not even fetching 25 to 30 Rs per Kg, with middle men making a merry of the demand surge and supply shortage.
4. Mediterranian diet comprising of high levels of Omeg-3 fatty acids would help in prevention of Obesity and Heart diseases by burning calories as per scientists of Liverpool University and Saint Lukes Mid America Heart Institute.
5. Hybrid seed producers under the banner of National Seed Association of India (NSAI) have sought the government's intervention to resolve the tussle with global hybrid seed giant Mahyco Monsanto on royalty payments on BT cotton technology.
6. The Agriculture Ministry has moved a cabinet note on a new crop insurance scheme under which farmers will pay less premium of up to three per cent.


 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 28Aug'15 !

1. Farmland incomes are forecast to fall to their lowest level in nearly a decade, the US Department of Agriculture said, reflecting bumper harvests and higher dairy and hog production.

2. Canadian private real estate firm Osmington has invested in Farmers Edge, which develops precision agriculture and data management tools for global agribusiness.

3. The new Craigmore fund, focused on the New Zealand dairy market, is targeting NZ$350m, with a final close set to take place in Q1 2016.

4. Cultivian Sandbox Ventures leads $23m Agrivida Series D round.

5. Huge proportions of the US population are consuming sub-optimal levels of vitamin E, according to a new study from DSM Nutritional Products and Cornell University which raises questions about potential detrimental health effects.

6. More Britons are cutting back on booze, reveals new research from Mintel, as warnings about the dangers of even moderate alcohol consumption rise.

7. The global insulated packaging market saw a rapid growth from 2013, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.12% from 2015 to 2020, to $14.2bn by 2020, according to market research company MarketsandMarkets (M&M).

8. The recall of chocolate bar products possibly contaminated with Salmonella has expanded to more than 20 countries.

India Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 26Aug'15 !

1. With measures of Export restrictions, Price Control and firm actions on Illegal Excess stock, Onion prices in the country have come down sharply by 5 to 10 Rs per kilogram.

2. After 130 years, a rare plant & flower species of Diplocentrin Recurvum has been spotted in Horeley Hills of Madanapalle area by Sri Venkateswara University researchers.

3. Commerce Ministry has hiked the minimum export price of onions by $275 per tonne to $700 per tonne to ensure adequate domestic supply.

4. The Maharashtra government, for the first time, will use two drones in the drought-hit Osmanabad district to survey crop losses.

5. The state Food and Supplies department has proposed to impose stock holding limit of 50 quintals of onion for wholesaler and 20 quintals for retailer.

6. As per APEC Climate Centre based in Busan, South Korea, a deficient August is likely to be followed by a forgettable September to round off this year’s South-West monsoon when it retreats fully from mainland India in another 35 days.

7. Members of green army in Kerala are given basic training in organic farm cultivation through cooperative societies controlled by the CPI(M).

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 26Aug'15 !

1. Agribusinesses need equity to fund their growth and take advantage of promising market conditions.

2. Aqua Capital, the Brazilian agribusiness private equity firm, has acquired tilapia producer GeneSeas, its fourth deal this year.

3. Australia's First State Super buys 4,000 hectares of almond land.

4. The Gates Foundation and Syngenta back $34.5m round in AgBiome.

5. Ardagh Glass will pay a $103,440 penalty and fund three environmental projects costing about $121,700 to settle claims it was discharging wastewater in violation of its permits
.
6. South African researchers have created new beta carotene- rich sweet potatoes that could offer a solution to rampant vitamin A deficiency.

7. At least 14 countries and numerous brands have been affected by possible Salmonella in chocolate products.

8. Dairy and vegetable oil price drops Globally have led the FAO Food Price Index to its lowest level in six years.

9. More than half of the world’s organic agricultural land is found in Australia, and the company responsible for certifying producers there sees demand soaring as organic food prices increase.

10. UK consumers are increasingly choosing popcorn over potato chips for the improved nutritional value, according to a report from Key Note.

11. Germany has begun moves to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops under new European Union rules, according to official documents.                  

India Agriculture & Food updates - 23Aug'15 !

1. The Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF), the impact investment fund manager with investments in over 33 countries, is gearing up to launch a new $100m India-focused agri fund.

2. With onion prices continuing to be a worry for consumers, Govt hikes onion minimum export price to $700/tonne to check prices.

3. Pink onions, which are considered as one of the best, today sold at Rs 6,326 per quintal at the Lasalgaon market, Asia's largest wholesale onion market.

4. Drought-hit Andhra Pradesh farmers spray crops with banned animal hormone 'oxytocin'. Widely used by farmers to artificially promote growth in fruits and vegetables, oxytocin is banned for use in agriculture.

5.  Skymet, the nation's sole private weather forecaster, has started a social media campaign called #HelpTheFarmer, asking social media users to spread monsoon forecast to farmers who may not have access to the internet.

6. The staple kitchen item Onion's prices threaten to cross Rs 100 a kg in Delhi as stockists make a killing.

7. Coconut industry opting dwarf palms due to shortage of climbers & rising demand for packaged water.

8. The Reserve Bank today gave the farming community much to cheer about when it said banks can extend loan repayment period up to 5 years in case 50 per cent crop is damaged due to natural calamities like drought and flood. If crop damage is 33 per cent, the loan repayment period can be extended up to 2 years, including one year of moratorium.
 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 23Aug'15 !

1. First State Super, the A$53bn Australian superannuation fund, has bought more than 4,000 hectares of almond orchards and land across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

2. The Gates Foundation and Syngenta back $34.5m round in AgBiome, a North Carolina-based agtech company to launch its first biological fungicide product, Howler.

3. Agri land prices in Russia set to rise after $26m China deal.

4. Integrated Ag targets $250m for distressed farmland.

5. Farmland Partners raises $35m in equity offering. 

6. Foodborne pathogens were found in 5% of items entering Germany, according to a study which looked at illegally introduced and confiscated products from two airports.

7. Global Insulated packaging market to reach $14.2bn by 2020.

8. Food security is not just about hunger and poverty – it must move into the mainstream as the challenge of feeding nine billion people comes into sharper focus, according to the European Commission.

9. Norwegian strategies to up organic consumption are failing, say researchers.

News coverage from field visits of AgriSolve's Founder Director - Part 2 !

1.  Diary - There are several Milk Storage & Chilling centres (Heritage etc) in Industrial Belt of Valasapalle, Punganur Road, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

2. Numerous Nurseries for all kinds of plant samples (Vegetables) are available in Industrial Belt of Valasapalle, Punganur Road, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

3. Quite a few Granite cutting and Sales units are present in Industrial Park, Valasapalle, Madanapalle,Chittoor District, A.P.

4. Visited the A.P. Sericulture Department on Punganur Road, near Industrial Estate, Valasapalle, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

5. The coveted fruit storage, processing & juice manufacturing unit 'Clean Foods Corporation of India' on Punganur Road, Madanapalle is expected to be functioning back again from January'2016, much to the delight of various farmers, fruit vendors, consumers and citizens of Madanapalle Town.

News coverage from Industrial Visits of AgriSolve's Founder Director - Part 1 !

1. There are 4 Ethylene rooms available for Storage, Preservation and Ripening of Fruits & Vegetables in Industrial Park, Valasapalle, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

Contact: Mr.V.V.Sidda Reddy - Ph:9885921600

2. Market renowed, GREEN ALOE range of Aleo Vera products (Juice, GEL, Shampoo, Soap) are available at discount prices (20% for consumers & 35% for Retailers/Dealers) directly from the production unit of 'VS Bio Products' in Industrial Park, Valasapalle, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

Contact: Ramana Reddy/Krishna Reddy - 9966303434

3. Complete Organic range of Vegetables, Pulses, Grains and Foods are available directly from the fields of 'Prakruthivanam', Gudisivaripalle, Madanapalle, Chittor District, A.P.

Contact: M.C.V.Prasad - 09440168816, Gunasekhar - 9676245533

4. Cold Storage design for multiple purposes i.e. Prawns, Air conditioning Rooms etc is being done at Indus Refrigiration, Industrial Park, Valasapalle, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

Contact: D.Vardaraja Kumar - 09840099219.

5. Tray Box Manufacturing & Sales unit for transport storing of Fruits & Vegetables is at SAMRUDDHI INDUSTRIES LIMITED, Industrial Park, Valasapalle, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, A.P.

Contact: Mr.N.Jayprakash - Phone: 7702201372 and B.Hemant Kumar - Phone: 7702201382

6.  Indian Broad Beans/Kidney Beans (Chikkudu Kaayi) & Flat/Field/Hyacinth/Indian Lilva Beans (Anapakai or Avarekai) is available fresh from the fields of AgriSolve.

Contact: Mr.R.Naga Vamshidhar - Phone: 9491451957.

India Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 21Aug'15 !

1. Skimmed Milk can be produced in 1 hour by using Cream Seperator, by extracting butter from 165 litres of milk.

2. People who consume more of Tomatoes can develop a tendency for GOUT disease because of increased Uric acid proportions, Otago university professors in Newzealand has confirmed in this regard.

3. Instant coffee demand seen boosting exports, with drop in Arabicas offset by robusta and soluble varieties.

4. Grain millers in the country have asked the Centre to set up an agency to grade and certification of Grains.

5. Palm Oil seems to have emerged as a preferred cooking medium as an alternate to Coconut Oil among Kerala consumers, thanks to its low price and large supplies.

6. Wholesale bulb (Onion) price hit 2-year high at Rs 4,900 per quintal, after it shot up by Rs 400 at the country's largest bulb market in Lasalgaon.

7. The central government today announced a Rs 300-crore package for increasing seed production in poll-bound Bihar.


 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 21Aug'15 !

1. Integrated Ag targets $250m and the firm will invest in distressed and underutilised farm properties and underlying farm businesses in states like Arizona and Nevada.
2. The huge reduction in China's hog herd (pigs) over the last 18 months puts the European Union, the US and Canada in the frame for the predicted increase in imports.
3. Stafford launches agri investment strategy.
4. Asian investors go big on New Zealand dairy.
5. A ban on genetically modified (GM) crops in Scotland would seriously undermine the nation’s food and drink industry, warn nearly 30 leading organisations.
6. Israel’s Health Ministry has ruled that Heinz Ketchup can no longer be called ketchup in Israel after local brand Osem argued it doesn’t contain enough tomato paste, according to Israeli news service Ynet.
7. Taking lutein at 13 months of age does not benefit the child’s cardiometabolic health at six, say researchers.
8. A recent FDA warning letter reminds food and beverage manufacturers that whole stevia leaf is not generally recognized as safe for conventional foods, even though many extracts of the plant are.

India Agriculture & Food updates - 20Aug'15 !

1. The deficient monsoon in Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh is set to impact output of key kharif crops including jowar, soyabean, tur, maize and cotton.

2. Dehydrated onions and Onion powder can beat price fluctuations.

3. Due to scarcity of rainfall prevailing in the 13 districts of A.P state, only 8.54 lakhs hectares of Paddy is being cultivated out of a total of 16.75 Lakhs hectares.

4. The combined High Court of A.P & Telangana expressed serious concerns on the usage of Calcium Carbide for early ripening of fruits. Notices are being issued for such fruit business entitites.

5. Weak rains pose a risk to tur crop, while imports from Africa may soften prices.

6. The government has asked public sector undertaking MMTC to import 10,000 tonnes of onions from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt and China to increase availability of the commodity and tame rising prices, which touched Rs 80 a kg in the national capital.


 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 20Aug'15 !

1. Stafford Capital Partners, which invests in timberland through funds of funds, has added global agriculture to its investment strategies, saying it intends to replicate its timberland model.

2. Agribusiness attracted approximately 11 percent of total investment in New Zealand, mostly in dairy and milk processing.

3. Cargill to buy fish feed producer from Bain Capital and Altor.

4.  According to Nutrition Capital Network, investors are driving up deal flow in biotech & agtech and food.

5. French grain co-operative Limagrain is using the latest gene selection techniques and advanced computer technology to speed up the development of wheat and maize varieties with characteristics that provide benefits to both cereal farmers and manufacturers that use the flour milled from them.

6. At least five premium chocolate makers(Mondelez International, Chocolat Stella, Zotter, Nestle, Campco) are looking to build up India’s cocoa sector to produce single origin Indian chocolate.

7. The Norwegian national investment fund has cut ties with four major Asian companies, citing the risk of ‘severe environmental damage’ as a result of palm oil plantations.

8. Global grain giant Cargill is seeking to cash in on growing demand for seafood with its £0.95bn (€ 1.35bn) acquisition of leading fish feed supplier Norwegian firm EWOS.

9. A recent FDA warning letter reminds food and beverage manufacturers that whole stevia leaf is not generally recognized as safe for conventional foods, even though many extracts of the plant are. 

10. Tyson Foods has closed a plant in Iowa with the loss of 400 jobs because there is too much beef production capacity in the region.

11. A study of the price irrigators are willing to pay in the world’s most established water market could help establish new markets across the globe.

12. Antioxidant- and fiber-rich baobab is on the verge of stealing the crown from acai, goji berries and pomegranate as the “queen of superfruits.    

India Agriculture, Food & Nutrition news - 19Aug'15 !

1. The Bombay high court has ruled that the chief executive of India’s food regulator, the FSSAI, had “acted in an emergent, drastic and arbitrary” fashion in ordering Nestlé to withdraw its popular Maggi noodles from the shelves in June.

2. Mondelēz did not breach competition rules following a complaint from a distributor it was placing unfair terms on rural stockists, rule Indian authorities.

3. Indian nutraceuticals market to touch $6bn by 2020.

4. Despite efforts by Indian government agencies to protect consumer rights in case of food products, existing legal provisions show how consumers are at the mercy of retailers and state agencies if they suspect a product is unsafe.

5. Undaunted by the Maggi affair, the worlds biggest cereal maker Kellogs has announced that it will open a reasearch center and its third manufacturing facility at Pune. The 2nd Manufacturing facility was setup in A.P

6. Government feels onion heat, asks MMTC to import 10,000 tonnes.

7. Industry body SOPA has requested the Government to increase the customs duty on crude and refined edible oils by another 30%.

8. With onion prices going through the roof, traders from Punjab have started importing the crop from Afghanistan. 

Global Agricultural, Food & Nutrition updates - 19Aug'15 !

1. The food and agri giant Cargill is set to acquire EWOS, a supplier of feed and nutrition for the aquaculture industry, from Altor Fund III and Bain Capital Europe III.
2. PE-backed Findus sold to Nomad and the £500m deal includes a £400m cash portion, which will be funded through a combination of cash and debt.
3. Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for Cargill’s feed mills in Central America underlines the continued importance of the region to Cargill’s aquafeed business. However, it is the fast-growing Asian region that offers the greatest potential.
4. Facing limited financial resources and rigid market conditions food market players got together to address quality management systems and food safety at a two day event in Russia.
5. An outbreak investigation into spices which has sickened 178 people in Sweden has revealed a risk of contaminated products on the market in other countries.
6. Italian politicians have submitted two resolutions to parliament defending palm oil in the face of anti-palm oil campaigns, calling it a raw material of fundamental importance for Italian industry.
7. A high energy intake from total fat, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat in middle and older age increases the risk of malnutrition ten years later, say Swedish researchers.
8. South African researchers have created new beta carotene- rich sweet potatoes that could offer a solution to rampant vitamin A deficiency.

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 18Aug'15 !

1. The global insulated packaging market saw a rapid growth from 2013, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.12% from 2015 to 2020, to $14.2bn by 2020, according to market research company MarketsandMarkets (M&M).

2. The American Botanical Council has taken another major step in its Botanical Adulterants Program with the release of a Laboratory Guidance Document on bilberry.

3. In the year 2020: Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn; 7% annual growth forecast.

4. Two Dutch vinegar firms have been fined over €6m for cartel arrangements lasting over a decade.

5. Calls from the French National Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (FNCL) to stop imports of foreign dairy products are contrary to EU single market principles, Dutch groups have complained to the European Commission.

6. Food companies need to better safeguard their supply chains against climate shocks, according to an independent report for the Global Food Security programme.

7. Foodborne pathogens were found in 5% of items entering Germany, according to a study which looked at illegally introduced and confiscated products from two airports.

8. A high-protein breakfast could help prevent further gains in body fat and might also reduce calorie intakes and improve blood sugar management, according to research in overweight teenagers.
 

India Agriculture & Food updates - 18 Aug'15 !

1. To ripen 1kg banana fruit it just costs Rs.1. Instead Carbide is being used causing health disorders. The suggested approach is to preserve them in Ethylyne rooms.

2. In 167 Mandals out of a total of 670 in A.P. State, serious scarcity of rainfall condition prevails raising crop yeild fears in the minds of farmers.

3. Coffee Day Enterprises, which runs the country’s biggest coffee chain Cafe Coffee Day, has received SEBI nod for Rs.1,150-cr IPO.

4. Agri-infrastructure player National Collateral Management Services (NCML) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), part of the Adani Group, have entered into a strategic partnership. .

5. India’s foodgrain production is estimated to have declined 4.66 per cent to 252.68 million tonnes (m.t.) in 2014-15 crop year due to poor monsoon and unseasonal rains in February-March.

6. Onion prices go through the roof in the country, retail at Rs 50-80/kg in different parts while being procured and sold by Govt (Raithu Bazaars etc) for Rs.20-30/kg.

7. The domestic seed industry, currently valued at $3.2 billion will continue to grow at double-digit rate over the medium term on improvement in seed replacement ratio (SRR) and farmers opting for improved varieties of hybrid seeds, as per ICRA (Indian Crop Research Agency).

 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 16Aug'15 !

1. Saudi Arabia remains the most attractive food and beverage market ahead of Egypt, with food consumption growth of 7.6% this year, says a new BMI report.

2. Consumers around the world are more label-conscious than ever before, according to new research from global colouring foods firm GNT.

3. Saturated fats are not associated with an increased risk of death, heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes, says a new study published in the BMJ.

4. Nomad Foods has confirmed it will acquire the European operations of Findus Group for €702 million (£500m), adding further scale to its frozen-food business just months after a 2.6bn deal for Iglo Group.

5. Food waste reduction by manufacturers and households needs to be the focus of attention since they are the biggest culprits, rather than supermarkets, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) director of food policy has argued.

6. Scottish food and drink exports to the Middle East grew 20% year-on-year in 2014 to US$350m, and have nearly doubled since 2007, with fish and seafood leading the growth.

7. A large consumer study from market researcher Health Focus International spanning 16 major consumer markets says that 87% of consumers globally think non-GMO foods are ‘somewhat’, or ‘a lot’ healthie.

8. According to Finnish Researchers, the worse the diet quality of children, the worse they score on cognitive tests - especially boys.

9. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest an additional $5 million to help Ohio, Michigan and Indiana improve water quality in the western Lake Erie basin.

10. New Zealand red meat farmers are among the highest earners in all farming sectors, but the industry must overcome significant barriers to fuel economic growth, according to the latest research.
11. The world’s biggest infant formula maker Nestlé has backed a World Health Organisation (WHO) statement supporting exclusive breastfeeding of infants until the age of six months.
12. Eight years after the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) came into force the question of how to win a health claim is still not satisfactorily answered in the eyes of many food operators.
13. Kellogg and General Mills’ pledges to remove artificial ingredients from their cereals in the coming years will not be enough to help cereal rebound but could spark an R&D trend.

India Agriculture & Rainfall inforamtion - 16Aug'15 !

1. The seven decade-old India's Agriculture Ministry will be renamed as the Ministry for ‘Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare'.
2. Faced with fierce global competition, Onion dehydration units now chase domestic consumers.
3. It’s a tough contest between the State-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) and private operator SkyMet, on who will get the right forecast on the South-West Monsoon. IMD operated by Earth Systems Science Organization (ESSO) had, in June, predicted 88 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a ±4 per cent model error (which sounded alarm bells for agriculture) while SkyMet put it at 102 per cent (a good monsoon season).
4. Two global forecasters — Tokyo-based Applications Laboratory of the Japanese Jamstec and Busan, and South Korea-based Asia Pacific Climate Centre — have forecast less-than-normal rainfall for August.

5. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts suggests that the token monsoon activity now taking place in the worst-hit South Peninsula may cease as super typhoons re-emerge over the Pacific, one after the other, next week.
6. The Grameen Krishi Seva Scheme of the IMD has been providing crop-specific advisories to farmers at the district/agro-climatic zone level twice weekly through different media.

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 16Aug'15 !

1. Saudi Arabia remains the most attractive food and beverage market ahead of Egypt, with food consumption growth of 7.6% this year, says a new BMI report.

2. Consumers around the world are more label-conscious than ever before, according to new research from global colouring foods firm GNT.

3. Saturated fats are not associated with an increased risk of death, heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes, says a new study published in the BMJ.

4. Nomad Foods has confirmed it will acquire the European operations of Findus Group for €702 million (£500m), adding further scale to its frozen-food business just months after a 2.6bn deal for Iglo Group.

5. Food waste reduction by manufacturers and households needs to be the focus of attention since they are the biggest culprits, rather than supermarkets, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) director of food policy has argued.

6. Scottish food and drink exports to the Middle East grew 20% year-on-year in 2014 to US$350m, and have nearly doubled since 2007, with fish and seafood leading the growth.

7. A large consumer study from market researcher Health Focus International spanning 16 major consumer markets says that 87% of consumers globally think non-GMO foods are ‘somewhat’, or ‘a lot’ healthie.

8. According to Finnish Researchers, the worse the diet quality of children, the worse they score on cognitive tests - especially boys.

9. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest an additional $5 million to help Ohio, Michigan and Indiana improve water quality in the western Lake Erie basin.

10. New Zealand red meat farmers are among the highest earners in all farming sectors, but the industry must overcome significant barriers to fuel economic growth, according to the latest research
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11. The world’s biggest infant formula maker Nestlé has backed a World Health Organisation (WHO) statement supporting exclusive breastfeeding of infants until the age of six months.

12. Eight years after the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) came into force the question of how to win a health claim is still not satisfactorily answered in the eyes of many food operators.

13. Kellogg and General Mills’ pledges to remove artificial ingredients from their cereals in the coming years will not be enough to help cereal rebound but could spark an R&D trend.

Organic Mela in Vijayawada on 23rdAug'15 !

An Organic Mela will be conducted in PWD Grounds, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA for Farmers & Consumers on 23rd August'2015.

 

India Agriculture & Food updates - 14Aug'15 !

1. The ban on Maggi noodles has been lifted by an Indian court (Mumbai) but more testing must be done before it is allowed to return to the market.The Bombay high court has ruled that the chief executive of India’s food regulator, the FSSAI, had “acted in an emergent, drastic and arbitrary” fashion in ordering Nestlé to withdraw its popular Maggi noodles from the shelves in June.

2. Nestlé India has voiced its disappointment at the “unprecedented step” by the Indian government of going to the courts to seek nearly US$100m in damages for “unfair trade practices” in the wake of the Maggi noodles affair.

3. RBI hass announced that for the year 2015-16, on short term crop loans to be sanctioned by banks, the interest rates would be decreased by 2% and it would be additional 3% reduction for those farmers who does the repayments on schedule, thereby keeping the interest rate at just 4%.

4. Faced with fierce global competition, the onion dehydration units that convert the bulb into dry flakes and powder are now looking at the domestic market to sustain and expand their business.

5. Indian Met department forecasts a likely heavy rain over parts of peninsula, central India while the deficit is still at 9%.

6. Several large Indian hybrid seed makers, who had agreements with Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (MMB) for Bollgard technology (BT) cotton, have sought to amend royalty amounts trait value, citing price caps being fixed by various state governments.


 

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 14Aug'15 !

1. New York-based Blue Road Capital, which is currently raising its debut fund, is helping Vanguard International to grow its fruit and vegetable business by investing $250 million.

2. Defying predictions, the decade-long increase in US farmland prices had been tipped to come to an end.

3. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says rising obesity rates among mothers and ready availability and attractiveness of formula has left Europe with the world’s lowest breastfeeding rates.

4. Around 80% of the 22 million tonnes of food wasted in the European Union is ‘avoidable’, according to new research that puts the UK bottom of the food waste league.

5. Denmark’s pig meat industry is trying to promote pork as a nutritious alternative to chicken, which can be even healthier if the right cuts are consumed, an industry expert said.

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition updates - 13Aug'15 !

1. Experts from more than 90 countries have met in Paris to discuss how to minimise the threat of infectious animal diseases escaping from laboratories.

2. Richer people eat more organic foods and buy them because they perceive them to be healthier than conventional foodstuffs, a Danish study has found.

3. Around 80% of the 22 million tonnes of food wasted in the European Union is ‘avoidable’, according to new research that puts the UK bottom of the food waste league.

4.Calls from the French National Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (FNCL) to stop imports of foreign dairy products are contrary to EU single market principles, Dutch groups have complained to the European Commission.

5. Saudi Arabia remains the most attractive food and beverage market ahead of Egypt, with food consumption growth of 7.6% this year, says a new BMI report.

6. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says rising obesity rates among mothers and ready availability and attractiveness of formula has left Europe with the world’s lowest breastfeeding rates.

7. The Swedish Food Authority (NFA) will look at what 3,000 children eat and drink over two days as part of a study into the diets of the country's youth.

8. Syria’s food industry is still deteriorating, with bread prices up 87% since 2014, and 9.8 million people now classed as food-insecure, according to the FAO and WFP.

9. USDA would announce $4.9 million in new funding for projects that will protect public safety and health, improve water and wastewater infrastructure and create expanded economic opportunities in rural Alabama.

10. Chia is an oleaginous seed that differs from similar family plants in its fat content: 63 % of total fatty acids in chia seed are Omega-3 essential fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Chia also contains antioxidants, proteins and key minerals.

11. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says rising obesity rates among mothers and ready availability and attractiveness of formula has left Europe with the world’s lowest breastfeeding rates.

India Agriculture & Food updates - 12Aug'15 !

1. The Central Govt has filed a case on Nestle for Rs.640 crores with NCDRC(National Consumer Disputes Redressaal Commisssion) under CPA (Consumer Protection Act).

2. The Cabinet Committe on Economic Affairs (CCEA) might consider providing 50% subsidy on deisel purchased by Farmers.

The Central and State Govts would bear the subsidy burden equally.

3. Key milk co-operatives, unions, producer companies and National Dairy Development Board met with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s new chief to chart out future course of action for enhancing safety, milk and milk products quality, as well as strengthening consumer confidence in co-operative products

4. The country received Rs 37.64 crore foreign direct investment (FDI) in agriculture services in the April-May period of this fiscal year.
 

Global Agriculture & Food updates - 12Aug'15 !

1. Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund II eyes $250m close – exclusive.

2. Integrated Ag has created Integrated Ag Labs, a programme designed to innovate and test new agtech and advanced farm practices in order to boost water and energy efficiency.

3. USDA's REAP invests $63m in rural renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across US.

4. Public health officials have been praised for their reaction to an outbreak of Salmonella which sickened 133 people in the Czech Republic.

5. The Hershey Company reported a net loss of almost $100m for the second quarter of 2015 - a result "adversely impacted" by its performance in China.

6. Scottish food and drink exports to the Middle East grew 20% year-on-year in 2014 to US$350m, and have nearly doubled since 2007, with fish and seafood leading the growth.

7. Activist-investor William Ackman’s 7.5% stake in Mondelēz International should inject life into a sweet and snack major that has been struggling for the past two years.

8. China’s State Council has unveiled guidelines to increase agricultural production by looking at more creative ways to promote more secure food supplies as the country modernises its agriculture system.

9. A group of international researchers have discovered two new genes in the barley plant that will shed light on the history of agriculture and also bring new capabilities to barley breeding programs...

India Agriculture & Food news - 11Aug'15 !

1.  Wagh Bakri Tea Group (The tea consumed by Mahatma Gandhi) plans to buy up to 10 tea plantations in Assam.

2. Buoyed by reports of Centre stepping in to promote exports of surplus sugar stocks, prices of the sweetener are seen rebounding from ten-year lows over past few days.

3. The Government has allowed export of rice bran oil in bulk and other edible oil in branded consumer packs of up to five kg with a minimum export price of $900 (₹57,363) a tonne.

4. Sree Murali Mohana Boiled and Raw Rice Mill Pvt Ltd., of East Godavari,  a leading rice exporter and domestic merchant, released Bell brown rice and Bell idly ravva under its Bell brand on Sunday.

5. After years of exporting Amul products to the US market to feed the Indian diaspora, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, or Amul, has begun making some of its products at a facility in New Jersey a few months ago and expects to breach the Rs.100 crore revenue mark.

6. To control onion prices, Delhi government begins sale at Rs.40 per kg through FPS (Fair Price Shops).

7. The government mposed an import duty of 10 per cent on wheat until March 31 next year, a measure aimed at helping the Food Corporation of India offload wheat of poor quality and making cheaper wheat from France, Russia and Australia unviable.

Global Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Updates - 11thAugust'15 !

1. Spruce Capital's Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund II has recently started investing in agtech, more precisely in biogreentech companies.

2. USDA (U.S.Department of Agriculture) backed Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners invested $7m in Pacific Ag, which harvests and sells crop waste.

3. China's agriculture industry has been challenged by lack of economies of scale, low tech farming techniques, broken value chains. But even more fundamental issue of drying soil threatens China's future crops.

4. Russia marked the one year anniversary of its import ban on Western food by defying a storm of criticism from within and launching a controversial campaign to destroy tonnes of smuggled food.

5. Genetically modified (GM) crops will not be allowed in Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced.

6. In the year 2020, Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn with an estimated 7% annual growth forecast.

7. India’s food processing minister has said her department was doing a “good job” as she reacted to a report that claimed that almost Rs1tn (US$15.7bn) worth of farm commodities is wasted every year.

Revolutions in Agriculture !

1. Ever Green Revolution - Total or Complete Agriculture Development

2. Pink Revolution - Onions, Medicinal Plants & Shrimp production.

3. Blue Revolution - Fisheries development

4. Blue Revolution - Petroleum products

5. Round Revolution - To increase Potato yield

6. Red Revolution - Tomatoes, Red Meat

7. Silver Fibre Revolution - Cotton

8. Golden Revolution - Honey, Fruits, Gardens Development

9. Yellow Revolution - Oil & Oleganeous Seeds

10. Grey Revolution - Fertilizers & Industries Development

11. Silver Revolution - Egg & Poultry Development

12. White Revolution - Milk & Dairy Sector

13. Brown Revolution - Skin & Natural Gas Development

14. Golden Fibre Revolution - Jute Production

15. Green Revolution - Paddy, Wheat and other Food Grain Yields

Global Agri, Food & Nutrition updates for the week of 08/08/15 !

1. Toyota JV invests in Zambia irrigation system, to build an irrigation dam in Mumbwa District in Zambia.

2. Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners invested $7m in Pacific Ag, which harvests and sells crop waste.

3. China's agri industry has struggled with lack of economies of scale, low-tech techniques and broken value chains – but an even more fundamental issue of drying soil is on the horizon.

4. The price of olive oil has risen 10% this year as European supplies continue to be affected by the Xylella fastidiosa disease in Italy and a drought in Spain.

5. California in U.S. provides 83% of the world’s almonds, but drought is affecting supply.

6. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are two of the services to receive funding in the FY2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill in Washington, US.

7. Standard and Poor's has agreed to pay Parmalat €14.5m ($16m) to settle a dispute over ratings it issued before the Italian dairy's 2003 collapse.

8. Talks are being held between Russia, WTO and India to agree a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union.

9. Nestlé India’s net sales plummeted 20.1% in the second quarter largely due to the Maggi noodles scare.

10. A high wholegrain intake may lower the mortality rate regardless of wholegrain type or cause of death, say researchers in a 120,000-strong Scandinavian cohort study.

11. More than 350 people in 26 states have been sickened by cyclospora, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

12. The European Commission has announced extended support measures for dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors hit by Russia’s ban on food imports from Europe.

13. Poultry and egg producers are rebuilding stocks hard hit by avian influenza with the help of $700 million in federal assistance, according to a report in US newspaper Cedar Rapids Gazette.

14. Fonterra has been fined NZ$192,000 (US$127,000, €115,000) by a court in New Zealand for its part in what has been dubbed the Eltham buttermilk stink.

15. The Ecuadorian government hopes to industrialize its fine flavor cocoa sector with large scale cluster plantations producing novel varieties of cacao.

16. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a food safety alert for Salmonella that may be associated with whole pigs used as pig roasts.

 

India Agriculture & Food Updates for week of 08/08/15

1. While the per Kilogram retail rate of Tomatoes during August is anywhere between Rs.40 to Rs.80 in places like Delhi, Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra and Mysore, the farmers are getting only Rs.4 per kg in Madanapalle Market yard, while the transportation cost might sum up to a maximum of Rs.5 per kg.

2. The A.P.Govt has waived farm loans worth Rs.880 crores benefitting 2.73 lakh farmers in the 3rd phase.

3. With Ripening Groups forming a syndicate and compromising the interests of farmers, the Banana farmers are fetching a maximum of Rs.7 per kg.

4. The top growing states for Onion in India are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhyapradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Telugu states of A.P & Telangana. While Govt has mandated that there should not be more than Rs.4 commission to be charged per 100 onions, the market yard agent seems to be collected any where from Rs.6 to Rs.11.

5. In a move intended to prevent foreign wheat from flooding the domestic market, the Centre imposed a 10 per cent import duty on wheat.

6. Oilmeal exports dipped 86 per cent to 18,410 tonnes in July compared to 1.32 lakh tonnes (lt) in the same period last year.

7. A whopping 50 million kg (mkg) loss in production in Kenya due to drought in the first half of current calendar has thrown open a fresh opportunity for exports of Indian tea.

8. Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) imports declined during the first quarter of the current fiscal due to rise in prices in the West African growing countries.

9. In an attempt to check the depletion of marine fishes, the Kerala Government has, for the first time in the country, banned the catch of juveniles of 14 varieties of fish off the State’s coast for 5 years.

10. Arguing that expenses related to food constitute a sizeable portion of lower-income households, PHD Chamber today said that agriculture and agri-produce including food processing industry should be kept out of GST (Goods & Service Tax).