From new crop-protection solutions and climate-resilient varieties to biological inputs, plant-based food systems, agtech funding and stronger farm-to-industry linkages, today’s edition highlights how agriculture is evolving across markets.
China has registered a new metconazole-based mixture for wheat disease management, while Australia’s latest APH wheat varieties target greater planting and agronomic flexibility. In Europe, the Netherlands is pushing a €65 million annual fund to accelerate its plant-based food transition, alongside new investment in chemical-free seed technology.
India’s agri-input sector is also seeing strategic shifts, with SML evaluating an IPO to fund proprietary molecules and BIPA calling for greater integration of biological inputs.
From Assam’s effort to build a local potato supply chain for PepsiCo to drought-tolerant moth bean varieties for Rajasthan, the stories underline a common theme: innovation, resilience and stronger value chains are increasingly shaping the future of agriculture.
Let’s start…
China Registers First Metconazole Mixture for Wheat Fusarium Head Blight Control
China has registered its first metconazole-based mixture product for controlling wheat Fusarium head blight (FHB), marking a new development in agrochemical solutions for cereal disease management. Developed by Nanjing Nannong Pesticide Tech Development Co., Ltd., the product combines 20% validamycin A and metconazole in a suspension concentrate formulation.
The combination brings together metconazole’s systemic and long-lasting fungicidal activity with validamycin A’s ability to interfere with Fusarium toxin production and potentially reduce DON levels. The registration adds to a growing range of “antibiotic + triazole” mixtures being developed for improved disease control and mycotoxin management.
The formulation technology was supported by an invention patent filed in 2018 to address stability and processing challenges associated with the two active ingredients. Field trials reportedly showed improved FHB control and better wheat growth 10 days after application.
The new registration provides Chinese wheat growers with another option for managing a major disease while highlighting advances in challenging agrochemical mixture formulation.
AGT Launches Two New APH Wheat Varieties for Northern Australian Growers
Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) has launched two new Australian Premium Hard (APH) wheat varieties, AGT-Agile and AGT-Glamour CL Plus, for growers in New South Wales and Queensland. The varieties are designed to address key challenges including planting-window management, disease pressure and herbicide residue constraints while maintaining premium grain quality.
AGT-Agile is a very slow-maturing variety suited to mid-to-late April planting, offering improved grain size, strong rust resistance and good lodging tolerance. AGT-Glamour CL Plus is a slow-maturing APH-quality Clearfield-tolerant wheat developed for earlier planting and greater flexibility following crops treated with certain herbicides.
It combines high and stable yields, low screenings, strong test weights and resistance to root lesion nematode. AGT says both varieties fill important gaps in northern wheat production systems by giving growers greater flexibility in variety selection and crop planning.
Together, the launches aim to help growers manage agronomic risks, capture earlier planting opportunities and improve productivity and profitability.
Dutch Agrifood Coalition Pushes for €65M Annual Fund to Accelerate Plant-Based Food Transition
A coalition of 46 agrifood organisations has urged the Dutch government to launch a national action plan and €65 million annual fund to accelerate plant-based food production and consumption. The proposal aims to help the Netherlands reach its target of at least 50% plant-protein consumption by 2030.
The five-pillar strategy focuses on boosting consumer demand, supporting farmers and value chains, expanding plant-based public procurement, funding research and innovation, and strengthening exports. The proposed fund would support the entire value chain, from cultivation and processing to product development and consumer adoption.
One-third of the funding would be directed toward organic plant-based farming, aligning with the Netherlands’ goal of 15% organic farmland by 2030. The initiative draws inspiration from Denmark’s national plant-based action plan and seeks to turn the Netherlands’ protein-transition ambitions into measurable action.
SML Ltd Evaluates IPO as It Builds New Chemical Entity Pipeline
Indian agri-inputs company SML Ltd is evaluating a potential stock market listing within the next two to three years to support investments in new chemical entities (NCEs). Formerly known as Sulphur India Limited, the debt-free company is developing proprietary new molecules rather than relying solely on generic formulations.
SML says it has been working on NCE development for the past three years, with one new molecule expected to reach the market soon and additional candidates in its pipeline. Managing Director Bimal Shah said developing an individual NCE can require an investment of around $70–80 million, with the company so far funding its research internally.
The significant capital requirements of proprietary molecule development could eventually make an IPO an attractive financing option. However, SML has not made a final decision and expects greater clarity on the potential listing over the next one to two years.
The move could strengthen SML’s ability to invest in its proprietary agrochemical pipeline and expand its position in India’s agri-input innovation sector.
Biobest to Take Full Ownership of Biological Crop Protection Production in Morocco
Biobest, the biological crop protection division of BioFirst Group, has agreed to acquire full ownership of its production entity in Morocco. The company will increase its stake in Biobest Maroc S.A.R.L. from 50% to 100%, subject to approval from Morocco’s competition authority.
Located near Agadir in the Chtouka-Ait Baha region, the facility produces beneficial insects used in biological crop protection. The transaction gives Biobest sole control over its Moroccan production operations while the company’s local commercial entity will continue to operate as usual.
BioFirst Group said the move strengthens its long-standing presence in Morocco and supports further expansion across the wider region. Full ownership is expected to give Biobest greater control over production and the supply of biological solutions to growers.
The deal highlights the company’s continued investment in biological crop protection and the growing importance of sustainable pest management solutions.
Dutch AgTech Gravity Gardens Raises €2.6M to Scale Chemical-Free Seed Activation Technology
Dutch AgTech startup Gravity Gardens has raised €2.6 million in a Seed round to commercialise its dry, chemical-free seed activation technology for European arable and horticultural crops. The Nijmegen-based company has developed a process that aims to improve seed establishment and vigour without using water, chemicals or coatings.
The funding combines equity investment with EFRO regional development support and brings the company’s total funding raised to more than €3 million. Gravity Gardens says its dry approach could overcome the cost and operational limitations of conventional wet seed priming, potentially making seed activation more accessible for field crops.
The technology has undergone seven external trials, including validation work with Vertify, while the company continues research programmes with partners across the Netherlands. The startup plans to use the new capital to develop industrial-scale equipment and expand trials across additional crops.
Gravity Gardens is targeting market readiness in 2027 as it works with Dutch engineering group Demcon on scaling the technology.
Assam Targets 70,000 Tonnes of Local Potatoes to Supply PepsiCo Processing Plant
The Assam government is targeting around 70,000 tonnes of locally grown potatoes to supply PepsiCo’s newly opened processing plant in Nalbari, aiming to reduce dependence on supplies from other states.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged farmers in Nalbari, Kamrup and Darrang to expand potato cultivation to meet the plant’s requirements. The Agriculture Department will work with growers to increase production while addressing crop losses caused by flooding and excessive rainfall.
Potato cultivation is also set to be brought under the Crop Insurance Scheme, enabling farmers to receive compensation for eligible crop damage. Assam, the State Bank of India and PepsiCo are working on an agreement to help farmers purchase seed potatoes through Kisan Credit Cards.
The government is also considering additional support for growers to encourage cultivation and strengthen the local supply chain. The initiative could benefit around 5,000 farming families by creating a stable market for potatoes linked to the processing facility.
ICAR-CAZRI’s Four New Moth Bean Varieties Show Strong Drought Tolerance in Western Rajasthan
Four new moth bean varieties developed by ICAR-CAZRI are showing promising performance under severe drought conditions in western Rajasthan during Kharif 2026. The CAZRI Moth-4, Moth-5, Moth-6 and Moth-7 varieties reportedly maintained good growth and pod development despite facing around 35 days without adequate rainfall.
The crop experienced the prolonged dry spell during flowering, pod formation and grain development, when water stress can significantly affect yields. Western Rajasthan grows moth bean across nearly 1 million hectares, but low and erratic rainfall keeps average productivity at around 350 kg per hectare.
The new varieties have been developed with developmental plasticity, allowing plants to adjust growth and maturity according to available soil moisture. Researchers also highlighted timely sowing, proper plant spacing, weed control and moisture conservation as important factors behind their performance.
With seed multiplication underway, wider adoption of these climate-resilient varieties could help strengthen moth bean productivity and drought resilience across Rajasthan’s arid farming regions.
India’s BIPA Calls for 25% Reduction in Chemical Inputs Through Biological Integration
India’s Bio Agri Input Producers Association (BIPA) has called for a phased 25% reduction in chemical fertiliser and pesticide use through the scientific integration of biological inputs.
The association estimates that the move could potentially save the government around ₹40,000 crore annually while reducing import dependence and farm input costs.
BIPA says biofertilisers, biostimulants and biopesticides should complement, rather than simply replace, chemical inputs within integrated agricultural systems.
The proposal will be a key focus of BIOAGRI 2026, scheduled for October 7–8 in Hyderabad under the theme “Biological Intelligence & Smart Agriculture.” The association also wants a national programme focused on improving soil organic carbon and biological activity to strengthen long-term soil health.
BIPA highlighted the growing importance of pesticide residue management as stricter international MRL standards create challenges for Indian agricultural exports.
Following the summit, BIPA plans to publish a White Paper and push discussions toward a National Policy on Biological Input Integration covering research, regulation and responsible adoption.