From climate-resilient rice and biological crop protection to large-scale irrigation, renewable energy and agricultural technology, today’s edition highlights key developments shaping the agriculture and agritech ecosystem. Research partnerships are advancing heat-resilient rice, while companies are investing in next-generation biologicals, genome-edited solutions and AI-led agricultural innovation across global markets.
In India, major developments include new crop protection technologies, expanded irrigation infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh and a large rooftop solar deployment across Telangana’s government schools. Internationally, fertilizer capacity expansion in China and new biological agriculture operations in Africa reflect continued investment in agricultural productivity, sustainability and resilience.
These developments underline the growing convergence of science, technology, infrastructure and sustainable solutions across the agriculture value chain.
Let’s start…
IRRI and Nottingham Scientists Partner to Develop Heat-Resilient Rice Varieties
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the University of Nottingham have launched a research partnership to develop rice varieties capable of maintaining productivity under rising temperatures. Supported by UKRI-BBSRC, the “Temp-Resist Rice” project will identify traits linked to heat tolerance using traditional rice varieties and wild relatives.
Researchers will focus particularly on heat stress during flowering, when high temperatures can reduce pollen fertility and grain formation. IRRI will contribute its expertise in rice breeding, genetic resources and field evaluation, while Nottingham scientists will use controlled environments to study plant responses to heat stress.
Advanced facilities including IRRI’s Phytotron, speed breeding facility and genotyping laboratory will support the research and trait identification process. Promising rice materials will be evaluated through field-testing networks across Asia to assess their performance under real farming conditions.
The project aims to accelerate the development of climate-resilient rice varieties and help protect productivity and food security as temperatures continue to rise.
Hosachiguru Partners with BlueDot and Plastic Fischer for Madiwala Lake Cleanup Plogathon
Hosachiguru, BlueDot and Plastic Fischer partnered to organise a community-led Plogathon at Madiwala Lake in Bengaluru, bringing together around 700 citizens, students, corporate teams and volunteers. The initiative focused on cleaning the lake surroundings and raising awareness about waste management and urban environmental conservation.
Participants collectively removed approximately 1.6 tonnes of waste, including plastic and legacy waste, from the area. The cleanup highlighted the role of community participation and collaboration among businesses, civic stakeholders and citizens in restoring urban ecosystems.
The initiative also saw participation from public and civic representatives, including Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao M. and Hosachiguru Managing Director Sriram Chitlur. Following the cleanup, participants took part in a community music programme organised by UnboxingBLR featuring performances by several artists.
The collaboration aims to encourage greater citizen ownership of public spaces and strengthen community-led efforts toward cleaner and healthier urban environments.
Nitro Invests BRL 10 Million in Next-Generation Bionematicide for Brazil
Brazilian agricultural inputs company Nitro has launched Elmo Max, a biological nematicide developed through a BRL 10 million investment in research and development to address nematode damage in crops. The product combines five Bacillus strains with complementary biological functions, including root colonisation, biofilm formation, antibiosis and stimulation of plant defence mechanisms.
Elmo Max is designed to establish a protective biological barrier around plant roots while targeting nematodes through multiple modes of action. Registered in Brazil as a biological nematicide, the formulation contains 1×10⁸ CFU/mL and has an 18-month shelf life. Nitro is positioning the product for use across crops including soybean, corn, cotton, coffee, sugarcane, citrus, beans and horticultural crops.
The multi-strain approach aims to deliver more consistent root protection across diverse soil and production conditions. The launch reflects Nitro’s broader investment in biological crop protection and the growing role of microbial consortia in integrated nematode management.
Symbiomics and Valeouro Partner to Develop Genome-Edited Biologicals for Brazil
Symbiomics and Valeouro Biotec have partnered to develop a new generation of genome-edited biological crop protection products for Brazil, with the first solutions targeted for commercialisation within two to three years.
Symbiomics will contribute its microorganism discovery, microbiome analysis, genomic sequencing, machine learning and genome-editing technologies, while Valeouro will provide expertise in Brazilian agriculture, market access and industrial infrastructure.
The partnership aims to identify and enhance microorganisms with characteristics such as greater robustness, efficiency, stability and consistent field performance. The collaboration comes as Brazil’s biologicals market continues to expand, with biological products generating R$6.2 billion in 2025, according to data cited from CropLife Brasil.
Disease management will be the initial focus, targeting major agricultural systems in the country. By combining discovery and genome editing with manufacturing and commercial capabilities, the companies aim to shorten the path from promising microorganisms to scalable biological crop protection products.
Anyang Indorama Gases Secures RMB 2.4 Billion Financing for Fertilizer Capacity Expansion in China
Anyang Indorama Gases, a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Indorama Corporation, has secured an RMB 2.4 billion (approximately US$358 million) long-term loan facility to finance its Phase II fertilizer capacity expansion in Anyang, Henan Province, China.
The financing was provided by a consortium of five banks and will partially fund the development and construction of the expansion project. The brownfield expansion is expected to double the company’s urea production capacity, starting from syngas and ammonia, to approximately 2 million tonnes per year by 2029.
The project follows Indorama’s acquisition of the Anyang nitrogen fertilizer business earlier this year. The expansion will focus on more energy-efficient production processes while strengthening domestic fertilizer availability.The investment is also expected to support regional industrial development and contribute to fertilizer supply and food security in China.
Absolute’s INERA Begins Commercial Operations in Kenya, Expanding AI-Led Biologicals into Africa
Absolute has begun commercial operations in Kenya through its agricultural biologicals arm, INERA, marking its entry into the African market. INERA has partnered with a Kenyan agricultural company to distribute six biological products targeting biological nutrition management and plant physiology and climate resilience.
The portfolio includes BioMorphX, Phycorise, Baco L, Baco G and the Phyro series, designed to support nutrient utilisation, root function, plant performance and resilience to environmental stress. The company is leveraging Absolute’s Nature Intelligence Platform (NIP™) and Nature+™ AI platform to discover and develop biological solutions from microbes, biomolecules and other natural resources.
Kenya will serve as a base for INERA’s planned expansion into additional East and West African markets through 2026 and 2027. The company is initially targeting opportunities across Kenya’s smallholder agriculture and high-value horticulture sectors, including crops serving export markets.
INERA also plans to expand its commercial presence in the US and Southeast Asia while developing future microbial, peptide and RNAi-based crop protection technologies.
PI Industries Achieves Registration of Pioxaniliprole, India’s First Discovered Insecticide Active Ingredient
PI Industries has achieved the registration of Pioxaniliprole in India, covering both the technical material and formulation and marking a major milestone in the company’s proprietary crop protection innovation journey. The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) recognised Pioxaniliprole as the first insecticide active ingredient discovered in India.
The 20% w/v SC formulation, marketed as Pioxazon, has been approved for use in rice, chilli, tomato and Bengal gram against key pests including stem borers, leaf folders, fall armyworm, fruit borers and pod borers. The registration was granted during the 476th meeting of the Registration Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The milestone reflects more than a decade of research, investment and collaboration by PI Industries to develop proprietary agricultural science in India. With Pioxaniliprole, the company aims to take its indigenous innovation from discovery and commercialisation in India toward farmers globally.
Dhanuka Agritech Launches POLIN Fungicide in India
Dhanuka Agritech has launched POLIN, a new-generation fungicide developed in collaboration with Japan-based Nippon-Soda for the Indian market. POLIN (20% SC) uses a novel DHODHI mode of action, classified under FRAC 52, to provide preventive protection against leaf and neck blast.
The fungicide offers both translaminar and systemic action, supporting longer-lasting protection compared with conventional fungicide solutions. The collaboration combines Dhanuka Agritech’s domestic market expertise with Nippon-Soda’s research capabilities to introduce a new chemical class for crop protection.
POLIN is aimed at addressing challenges associated with fungal pathogens and resistance management. The launch strengthens Dhanuka Agritech’s portfolio of innovative crop protection products for Indian agriculture.
ADAMA to Launch Actagon Herbicide for Wheat Growers in India
ADAMA is set to launch Actagon, a pre-emergence herbicide designed to help Indian wheat growers manage herbicide-resistant Phalaris minor and other grass and broadleaf weeds. The ready-mix formulation combines pyroxasulfone and metribuzin with two modes of action to support effective weed control and resistance management.
Designed for a single pre-emergence application, Actagon can reduce the need for multiple herbicide treatments and eliminate on-farm tank mixing. The product is registered in India and is scheduled for launch in September 2026. ADAMA is initially focusing on Punjab and Haryana, where resistant Phalaris minor has become an increasing challenge in wheat production.
Field trials across major wheat-growing regions reportedly demonstrated strong residual weed control and improved crop performance under high weed pressure.
Oswal Pumps Wins Rs 273.19 Crore Telangana Rooftop Solar Order for 9,937 Government Schools
Oswal Pumps Limited has secured a Rs 273.19 crore order from Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO) to design, supply, install and commission rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across 9,937 government schools in Telangana.
The project will have an aggregate capacity of 46.7 MW and cover government schools across all 33 districts of the state. Under the contract, Oswal Pumps will install 2 kW, 5 kW and 10 kW on-grid rooftop solar systems based on individual school requirements. The scope includes Mono PERC/TOPCon solar modules, mounting structures, remote monitoring systems and five years of comprehensive maintenance.
The project marks Oswal Pumps’ first major order from Telangana and expands its presence in the distributed renewable-energy sector. The large-scale deployment is expected to strengthen solar infrastructure across public institutions while supporting Telangana’s clean-energy goals.
For Oswal Pumps, the project will involve coordinating thousands of installations and long-term maintenance across the state.
India’s MP Cabinet Approves ₹4,967 Crore Irrigation Projects to Expand Water Access Across 88,000 Hectares
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, has approved three major irrigation projects in Neemuch and Rajgarh with a combined investment of about ₹4,967 crore. The projects are expected to increase irrigation capacity across more than 88,000 hectares over the next five years.
The Jawad-Neemuch Pressurised Micro Irrigation Project has received ₹4,197.58 crore for implementation from April 2026 to March 2031. The project will use pressurised micro-irrigation systems to improve water efficiency and deliver irrigation water directly to farmers’ fields.
In Rajgarh, the Suthaliya Irrigation Project has been allocated ₹262.63 crore to enhance irrigation capacity across 40,000 hectares. The Parvati Rinsi Irrigation Project has received ₹507.23 crore and aims to create irrigation capacity for another 48,000 hectares through dam construction.
Together, the Rajgarh projects are targeted at improving water availability across 88,000 hectares, supporting agricultural productivity and more efficient irrigation in the region.