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Ag Radar, Secunderabad (2026)

03/06/2016

Guang’an Lier Chemical breaking ground 10,000-ton glufosinate and 26,000-ton fine chemicals

The 10,000-ton glufosinate project of Guang’an Lier Chemical Ltd with a total investment of Yuan 980 million began construction this March. In consideration of the market trend and good investment climate of Guang’an, Lier Chemical decided to make an additional investment of Yuan 200 million on a 26,000-ton pesticide and fine chemicals production facility in Guang’an.
After the readjustment of investments and subject to EIA proceeding, construction work is schedule to start by the end of the year. The project is divided into 3 phases, upon completion the project will bring about Yuan 3 - 4 billion annual production value.

Luo Rongzhen, the assistant to general manager of Lier Chemical Ltd said that “paraquat AS is banned as of 1st July this year, which leaves great market space for herbicide . Glufosinate is going to be a best substitute due to its high efficiency, low toxicity and low residues. Our company started development of glufosinate since 2008, we have become the 2nd largest glufosinate vendor in the world.”

Luo Rongzhen explained that China’s glufosinate market demand is around 20,000 tons. The company’s Mianyang Manufacture Base produced only 3,600 tons last year. “To commission the Guang’an glufosinate production line soonest will enable us to capture more market share”, said Luo Rongzhen.

Lier Chemical Ltd is a high-tech enterprise engaged in research, production and marketing of high-efficient, safe and residue-free chloropyridine pesticide technical and formulations. Lier Chemical is launching a 26,000-ton pesticide and other fine chemicals production facility including chloropyridine intermediates in Guang’an. “At present time, the project EIA is under the way. The construction of the production line is expected to begin by the end of the year, to be brought on stream next year”, said Luo Rongzhen.

04/03/2016

Rallis Plan to acquire Metahelix completely

Rallis India Limited has informed the Exchange that the Board of Directors of the Company, at the their Meeting held on February 05, 2016, has approved increase of the Company's stake in Metahelix Life Sciences Ltd. (Metahelix), subsidiary of the Company, from 80.51% to 100%. Consequently Metahelix will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, on completion of the acquisition of the balance shares in Metahelix.

03/03/2016

Good Read:

GM animus dooms Indian farmers: Innovation is the answer to affordable Bt cotton technology

The writer is Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon
By Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

The biggest threat to cotton farmers is the bollworm, because of its ability to cause extraordinary damage to crops and livelihoods. In the 1990s, pesticides were the only weapon farmers had against the bollworm. Half of all the pesticide consumption in India was accounted for by just one crop - cotton.

Yet, the ability of the bollworm to develop pesticide resistance meant that millions of small cotton farmers in India were being pushed into poverty. The situation changed only after the Indian government, having conducted extensive and stringent bio-
safety tests, allowed farmers to switch to using genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton seeds in 2002.

Bt cotton contains genes from the naturally-occurring soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). GM technology is used to introduce the Bt gene into cotton seeds, which then produce a protein that effectively tackles insects like the bollworm. GM technology thus offers the cheapest and most efficient method of protecting the cotton crop from this belligerent pest.

Resulting higher yields and lower costs of cultivation have enabled Indian farmers to realise higher profits on their produce over the past decade. It has also averted a potential environmental crisis from excessive pesticide use.

The only GM product allowed for commercial cultivation in the country, Bt cotton has made India the largest cotton producer in the world and converted the country from a net importer to a net exporter of this important cash crop.

Over 90 per cent of the country's cotton growing areas today grow Bt cotton, which has resulted in the doubling of cotton yields over the last decade.

Bt cotton amply demonstrates that responsible introduction of GM crops can be one of the most potent ways of increasing productivity of crops in this country. Yet, fear mongering by activists over the bio-safety and environmental safety of GM crops has led to a hostile policy regime and resulted in a moratorium on transgenic crop trials.

As field trials are the first step towards cultivation of GM crops in India, this ban prevents biotech researchers from introducing indigenously developed GM technologies in the market. This has created a "technological monopoly" for Monsanto's Bt cotton seeds.

Indian seed companies have to pay a licence fee for using Monsanto's proprietary Bollgard technology that was approved for use in the country over a decade ago. The failure of successive Indian governments to stand up to anti-GMO activists has led to this monopoly-like situation.

The current government now wants to tackle what it perceives as "high Bt Cotton seed prices" through price controls. To this end, it has recently passed the Cotton Seed Price (Control) Order (CSPCO) 2015 to fix a uniform maximum sale price for Bt Cotton from March 2016. But two wrongs seldom make a right. Price controls will create more market distortions by further disincentivising the development of alternative Bt cotton technology

Price controls on cotton seeds through state and central government orders are the latest example of India's schizophrenic approach to innovation. On one hand we are asking foreign companies to come and 'innovate in India', but on the other we have tied the hands of Indian innovators with regulations and prevented them from bringing indigenous technologies to farmers.

Advances in agri-biotechnology have led to the development of transgenic varieties of rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, cotton, brinjal, mustard, potato, sugarcane and chickpea. Apart from this, agricultural scientists are everaging molecular markers in crop breeding for the selective propagation of genes hat improve yields and resist disease.

If the government is serious about ensuring better affordability for farmers, it will have to first put in place a clearly articulated policy on agri-biotechnology with enough checks and balances to ensure bio-safety. This will pave the way for responsible ntroduction of GM crops, leading to higher competition and eventually lower prices.

Recently, eminent agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan made a strong case against the moratorium and in favour of a smooth approval process towards field rials for GM crops, saying that they are "absolutely essential to assess risks and benefits". He even suggested that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) should organise an All India Coordinated Project for the field testing of GM crops in he farms of agriculture universities.

The government should certainly pay heed to Swaminathan's suggestion as GM crops not only have the potential to bring succour to millions of needy in this country but also ensure food security for the entire nation. While the government understands he importance of food security, it needs to ranslate this understanding into action.

The constitution of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) as an independent regulatory body is thus critical to the country's progress in bio echnology. BRAI is proposed as the final authority on issues related to biotechnology with the mandate to take science-based decisions after due discussions and safety rials on GM products. But the BRAI Bill has been hanging fire for several years now because of the hostile public view propagated by a few, on GM crops. This has resulted in a Catch-22 situation.

It is of paramount national interest for he government to unshackle agri-biotechnology, which can provide powerful soluions to irrigation and arable land challenges in a country that has only 2.3 per cent of the world's land area but must ensure food security for 17.5 per cent of the world population.

03/03/2016

Despite adverse weather condition, Bengal mango belt expecting high level of crop

SILIGURI: Unprecedented low level of rainfall in Eastern India might have added many wrinkles on the forehead of all in the agri arena there. But Mango farmers are finding it as highly favourable and expecting high output in 2016, the year earlier expected to be a low yielding one, traditionally known as 'Off year.'

As per Indian meteorological record, Entire Eastern zone comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal or NE region has witnessed 20% to 59% lower than normal rainfall During 1st Jan to 24th Feb period. For sub Himalayan West Bengal region, the downfall recorded even lower at 60%- 90%. Relative humidity has also dipped even lower than 45% at some places.

"It may be bad for other crops. But we find it favourable for Mango," said Mr. U. Saha, President Maldaha Mango Merchants Association. Maldaha and adjoining districts in West Bengal form one of the largest mango yielding regions of the country producing around 5 lakh metric ton or near 5% of
India's national yield. Eventually, local economy of the whole industrially deprived region is highly dependent on Mango.

"Flowering of mango takes place till first week of March and low rainfall during this period is good for the soft flowers to remain attached to inflorescence," said Prof. A. Chaudhury, DEAN, North Bengal Agriculture University. In addition, "Low humidity at this season has also kept attack of common disease like Anthracnose under controllable limit," said experts.

"Though as per traditional trend, after high yielding 'On Year' 2015, this 2016 was expected to be a low yielding 'Off Year.' But it is likely to break the tradition and become 'On Year' with an output of around 3 lakh Metric Ton from Maldaha alone," said Mr. Saha.

However, "The situation can take a serious negative turn if it does not rain after mid-March. Because too low humidity in soil and air can seriously re**rd transformation of flowers into baby fruits. In addition, this juicy fruit demands high level of water supply for proper growth. The farmers must remain prepared," said Prof. Chaudhury giving a caution.

03/03/2016

Alta Seeds launches DuPont™ Inzen™ herbicide tolerant sorghum G2250ALS in US

Alta Seeds has recently announced to launch DV G2250ALS grain sorghum with the DuPont™ Inzen™ herbicide (nicosulfuron + rimsulfuron) tolerance trait to US growers this season.

DV G2250ALS herbicide tolerant grain sorghum will be distributed for trial use this season. The bronze, medium maturity hybrid is suitable for dryland and irrigated systems and has displayed excellent drought tolerance, seedling vigor and threshability. The plant stands between 42 and 48 inches tall with a mid-bloom of 66 days.

"The top priority of Alta Seeds is to provide innovative traits and genetics that will help improve yields in conditions our growers face year after year," said Brad Holzworth, director of marketing for Advanta Seeds. "We are excited to be the first seed company to offer sorghum with the DuPont™ Inzen™ herbicide tolerance trait and we are taking the steps necessary to ensure its long-term success."

The sorghum hybrid with the Inzen™ herbicide tolerance trait was developed under a joint agreement of Advanta Seeds with DuPont Crop Protection. The hybrid announcement follows recent EPA label approval of the active ingredients nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron for use in an over-the-top herbicide application on sorghum with the tolerance trait.

Annual grass w**ds reduce U.S. sorghum yields by approximately 20 percent, or an average of 13 bushels per acre. The Inzen™ herbicide tolerance trait offers the potential to stem those losses by allowing more effective control of key grass w**ds, including foxtail, barnyardgrass, crabgrass and Texas panicum. The introduction of herbicide tolerant sorghum will enhance grower flexibility in w**d control for potentially improved yield and profitability. DuPont™ Zest™ will be a post emergent grass herbicide for this tolerant trait, but is not yet registered with EPA for use on grain sorghum containing the Inzen™ herbicide tolerance trait.

The new sorghum hybrid developed with non-GMO sorghum genetics is the first of three Inzen™ products in the Alta Seeds pipeline with proven resistance to ALS herbicides. Advanta Seeds and DuPont Crop Protection are working closely with regulatory agencies and local seed and crop protection teams to develop a product stewardship plan for the new seed trait. Stewardship will be critical to maintaining trait sustainability.

Alta Seeds provides growers with the latest technology and advanced genetics in grain and forage sorghum.

03/03/2016

35 new pests were detected in Brazil in the last decade

"At least 35 new pests were detected on crops in the last 10 years and recently three new agricultural pests were detected in the country”. The information is from Claudio Spadotto, member of the Scientific Council for Sustainable Agriculture of Brazil and general-manager of Embrapa Land Management.
"One of them is Helicoverpa punctigera, as aggressive as H. armigera. Identified in Ceará in 2015, the H.punctigera can lead to huge losses in cotton, corn, and soybean crops. Another is Melanagromyza sp., identified in Rio Grande do Sul in July last year. It is an important pest in Australia, where it causes losses of up to 30% of grain production and is also widespread in Asia. This fly is also present in Paraguay and Argentina. Other plague identified in 2015, in Mato Grosso, is the invasive plant careless w**d (maranthus palmeri), well known in the U.S. crops of cotton and soybeans. It is known that the lack of control can lead to losses of 80% or 90% of infested crops.”
According to him, “new pests with potential of generating big damages to Brazilian agriculture are at the imminence of getting to the country and the Ministry of Agriculture has adopted measures to strengthen the control to prevent entrances and establishment of quarantine pests. Actions of enforcement and control at the ports, airport and border check-points at the inspection of agricultural products that characterize risk compose the Contingency Plans, with operational procedures for applying preventing and emergency measure to eradicate focus and plague contention”.
“The understanding and awareness on the threats that the quarantine pests represent are primary. We need to know which pests are to come and where they can enter and establish in our fields. The characterization and detailing of the possible access of pest, along with the locations of crops threatened, are subsidies to the government programs of crop protection, especially in a country with vast and diversified territory, with extensive borders and intense trade relations as Brazil.
“We have to rationalize and optimize the phytosanitary surveillance actions, considering the distribution and dynamics of agriculture in the territory throughout time. The risk management in territorial base is indispensable because it enhances our capacity to anticipate and act proactively. The incorporation of territorial intelligence can supply data and consistent information, which helps to control access, establishment and dissemination of pests, diseases and w**ds, it bring the possibility of unusual views and innovative approaches on crop protection,” explains Spadotto.
The expert cites the example of Embrapa work in the Cerrado region, which defined 141 municipalities that should be prioritized for the monitoring of Helicoverpa armigera. “Another example is a study, also from Embrapa, with Chilo partellus, which is a pest not present in Brazil. This moth presents potential to attack several crops, including corn, sugar and sugarcane. The results show that areas in Roraima (rice), São Paulo (cane), Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul (sugarcane and corn) should be prioritized in phytosanitary surveillance actions,” he adds.
"Other quarantine pest not present in Brazil, but already present in neighboring countries (Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) is Prodiplosis longifila. This fly has caused serious damages in areas with avocado, artichoke, cotton, potatoes, beans, orange, lemon, tangerine and tomato in other countries. The Embrapa study allowed eight municipalities as a priority for surveillance actions on this pest,” he explains.
"Therefore, the geospatial analysis can support the entrance prevention and the establishment of quarantine pests in Brazil, as well as support the planning of containment and control measures using georeferenced data and tolls of the Geographic Information System,” he concludes.

03/03/2016

FMC Corporation names Andrew Sandifer treasurer, Thomas C. Deas, Jr. to retire in April 2016

FMC Corporation recently announced that Andrew Sandifer, vice president of Corporate Transformation and deputy treasurer, has been named vice president and treasurer. He will succeed Thomas C. Deas, Jr., vice president and treasurer, on March 1, 2016.

"Andrew brings strong financial capabilities, business acumen and executive leadership skills to the Treasury role. He will oversee a well established and talented organization responsible for financing, treasury operations, pension and benefits finances, and insurance and risk management," said Paul Graves, executive vice president and CFO. Sandifer will report to Graves.

Deas, who has served as vice president and treasurer since 2001, will retire from the company in April 2016.

"Tom is one of the most respected corporate treasurers in North America," said Graves. "He has chaired several national and international corporate treasurers' associations, including acting as chairman of the National Association of Corporate Treasurers in the U.S. between 2011 and 2013, and the International Group of Treasury Associations from 2012 through 2014, leading 30,000 treasurers in over 30 countries. He has been a vocal and active advocate for sound financial laws and regulations that impact FMC and other companies. During his tenure, Tom played an important role in ensuring FMC maintained its financial strength through various business cycles and was critical in the successful completion of multiple major transactions."

03/03/2016

Senate Committee on Agriculture Votes Against Mandatory GMO Labeling

American companies already label GMO foods overseas.

Want to know if your food contains genetically modified organisms? Hope that food companies feel like telling you.

In a 14-6 vote, the Senate Committee on Agriculture approved a bill that makes GMO labeling voluntary, preempting any state or local initiatives that would have made it mandatory. The legislation will now make its way to the full Senate for consideration.

Proponents for GMO labeling, which includes a vast majority of consumers, argue that people have the right to know what exactly is in their food. Those who are against it argue that it’s expensive. Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says that this legislation solves the issue of state-by-state labeling laws, which he says are “disrupting the interstate flow of agriculture and food products in our nation’s marketplace.” He also pointed to a Senate hearing from last year in which three government agencies—the USDA, EPA, and FDA—declared GMOs to be Former financial and food industry analyst Robyn O’Brien responded to the Senate vote, specifically regarding claims that GMO labeling is too expensive. “Food prices didn’t skyrocket,” O’Brien writes. “Families weren’t priced out of Twinkies, farmers didn’t go over because of the labeled Ding D**g, they simply added a few words.”

She includes a picture of what the label looks like—an unassuming footnote on the back of the packaging—as well as a list of 64 countries in which American companies are required to label their GMO-derived products as such, a market that she estimates to include 60% of the global population.

03/03/2016

MONSANTO Forecast on Herbicide Price Decline

Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed producer, cut its full-year profit forecast as lower prices for its glyphosate herbicide and a devalued Argentine peso add to the pressures from weaker agricultural markets.
The St. Louis-based company now sees profit excluding one-time items of $4.40 to $5.10 a share, it said Wednesday in a statement, compared with a January prediction of $5.10 to $5.60. The shares fell 4.3 percent to $88.48 at 9:31 a.m. in New York.
Weaker currencies are hurting Monsanto’s foreign revenues, while the decline in agricultural commodities such as corn and soybeans has reduced profits for farmers. That in turn has put pressure on prices for crop chemicals such as glyphosate, the most widely used w**dkiller. The company also cited "additional headwinds" from the delay in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in approving dicamba herbicide for use on crops as part of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Xtend system.
“The macro-environment is proving to be even more challenging, yet we still see strong long-term growth opportunities for our business,” Chief Financial Officer Pierre Courduroux said in the statement. Courduroux is due to make a presentation Wednesday at a conference organized by Bank of American Merrill Lynch at 12:45 p.m. New York time.
For the revised forecast, 25 cents to 30 cents a share is accounted for by currency, Monsanto said. Another 30 cents is from "macro factors" weighing on the seeds and genomics business, the company’s largest by revenue.
For the fiscal second quarter, Monsanto now expects earnings per share of $2.35 to $2.45, excluding one-time times. The average of 19 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for $2.84.
The company cut its full-year free cash flow projection to $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion from $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion.
It now sees "relatively flat" full-year gross profit growth from seeds and genomics. Its agricultural productivity business’s gross profit will now be closer to the mid-point of the range of $900 million to $1.1 billion.
Full-year operating expenses, excluding costs related to restructuring and environmental and litigation settlements, are seen down slightly.

02/03/2016

Sakata Seed America announced plans to establish a new research station on land the company has acquired in Woodland of California’s Yolo County.

The investment in land, greenhouses, offices and other facilities to be constructed on the Woodland location reflects Sakata’s commitment to California’s vital agriculture and seed sectors, according to Dave Armstrong, President and CEO of Sakata Seed America.

“Since our founding in San Francisco in 1977, Sakata Seed America has continually expanded its staffing and infrastructure in the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley,” says Armstrong. “This new research station will support our growing business and deepen Sakata’s roots in one of the world’s most dynamic agricultural regions—the Silicon Valley of Seed.”

The new Woodland location will serve an important role in Sakata Seed America’s North American research infrastructure, which includes stations in Mount Vernon, Washington, Salinas, California, Fort Myers, Florida and Sinaloa Mexico, among others. The Woodland site will focus on Sakata Seed America’s rapidly expanding warm season vegetables breeding programs and will host the company’s sales and marketing events in the region. The new station is expected to be fully operational by mid-2017.

Sakata Seed America is a subsidiary of Sakata Seed Corporation, based in Yokohama, Japan, a global leader in the development of vegetable and flower genetics. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA, Sakata Seed America and its affiliate companies, including Sakata Seed de Mexico, conduct research, seed production, distribution and marketing activities across North and Central America.

02/03/2016

Cotton farmers plan march over non-payment of dues

Demanding the clearance of dues owed to them by a ginning factory, around 400 cotton growers from Seloo in Wardha district are planning a march tomorrow to protest against the state government's failure to resolve the issue. The cotton growers said they were hoping that RSS leaders here might be able to help them with the recovery of their dues from the ginning factory owner. The cotton cultivators had planned a march to the RSS headquarters here three days back, but were detained by police.

Afterwards the district guardian minister, Chandashekhar Bawankule, assured them of help in the matter. The farmers, who spent Sunday night in the open, are planning another march tomorrow with black flags to protest against the non-payment of their dues and the failure on the part of the government to resolve the issue. "We were assured on behalf of the Chief Minister that cheques to nearly 400 cotton farmers totalling Rs 8 crore will be handed out," said one of the cotton farmers, Ram Narain Pathak. The cotton growers said they had sold 20,000 quintals of cotton to the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) between November, 2014, and May, 2015, which in turn was acquired by the owner of a ginning and pressing factory who allegedly failed to make payments to the farmers.

01/03/2016

Australia sees agriculture output boost as El Nino

Australia's agriculture production is set to rebound as the strongest El Nino in nearly 20 years that wilted crops and triggered bush fires subsides, the country's official commodity forecaster said.

Production of staples such as wheat, cotton and milk are all expected to rise during the 2016/17 season, according to the Australian Bureau of Agriculture, Resource Economics and Rural Sciences (ABARES), although beef output in the world's third-largest exporter is set to fall due to low supplies.

Australian farmers are expected to sow a near record amount of wheat in the next few months, the bureau said, with global production set to remain at high levels despite benchmark prices falling to a more than 5-1/2 year low last week.

Increased plantings and an expected improvement in seasonal conditions are forecast to produce a crop of 24.5 million tonnes, which would be a three-year high. Australia, the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter, produced 24.2 million tonnes in 2015/16.

"Farmers in Australia have been insulated by the fall in [Australian] dollar, while the depreciation of South American currencies will also incentivise farmers to boost production," said Phin Ziebell, agribusiness economist, National Australia Bank.

The bureau said Australia's wheat crop could top its forecasts if the recent El Nino is followed by a La Nina weather event, bringing higher rainfall to the country's east coast and boosting yields. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology estimates a 50 percent chance of a La Nina materializing.

Elsewhere, Australian canola production is set to rise 11 percent to 3.27 million tonnes in the 2016/17 season, ABARES said.

The increased production will meet firmer European demand, the bureau said, which comes as China is pushing for tougher standards on canola imports from Australia that could curb shipments to that country.

Australian cotton production is set to rise 50 percent to 816,000 tonnes in 2016/17, up from 546,000 tonnes a year earlier when drought deprived farmers of much needed irrigation.

Sugar production is also set to benefit from the improved weather. ABARES pegged output in the world's third largest raw sugar exporter at 5.08 million tonnes in 2016/17, up 6 percent.

Milk production will rise to 9.82 million liters, ABARES said, up from 9.6 million liters in 2015/16.

However, Australian beef production is set to fall to a three-year low as farmers rebuild stocks after the size of national herd fell to at least a two-decade low.

Output surged in the last two years as farmers sent stock for slaughter after drought wilted pasture and dried out dams.

ABARES put beef production at 2.16 million tonnes in 2016/17, down 10 percent from the previous year, heralding what it said could be a prolonged pull-back in supply.

"Assuming seasonal conditions will improve next financial year and beyond, we can expect there will be herd rebuilding activities for the beef cattle industry," said Jammie Penm, the bureau's chief commodity analyst. "It may take several years for the size of cattle herd to increase."

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