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Far Eastern Agriculture

In The Spotlight

Indonesia boosts dairy industry through cow imports.

Cattle

Indonesia has increased its efforts to strengthen domestic milk production by importing 1,383 additional dairy cows from Australia, according to agriculture officials.

The move forms part of a long term plan valued at US$3 bn aimed at dramatically expanding the country’s dairy sector and reducing reliance on imports.

The initiative focuses on encouraging small scale farmers to become key contributors to national milk output. Officials hope the strategy will help Indonesia quadruple its current production capacity while supporting rural livelihoods and improving food security.

Facing budget constraints, the government has taken an unconventional approach by urging private companies to finance livestock purchases. This policy has sparked debate within the business community, particularly as Indonesia continues to balance economic growth with investor confidence.

 Agung Suganda, the ministry's director general of livestock and animal health, said,"These cattle are not only an addition to the population. They are a strategic investment to strengthen the foundation of national milk production from smallholder farms."

The dairy expansion programme plays a central role in Indonesia’s free meals scheme, which aims to provide nutrition to 83 million children and expectant mothers. To meet rising demand, the plan calls for the import of one million dairy cows over five years, a significant increase from the current population of around 220,000.

The agriculture ministry explained that the cattle imports involve joint shipments and breeding partnerships between cooperatives and farmers. Since last year, this collaborative model has been designed to ensure that milk produced by smallholders feeds directly into the processing industry, offering stability and predictable supply.

The latest shipment arrived at the port city of Cilacap in Central Java and is now undergoing strict health protocols. "To ensure safety, a 14-day quarantine period will be ... followed by sample collection to detect diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth disease," said Hendra Wibawa, an animal health official at the ministry.

Private firm Lunar Chemplast imported 1,094 cows, while Mazaraat Lokanatura Indonesia purchased the remaining animals. The ministry also revealed that Indonesia imported 33,955 cows in 2025, with 13,544 designated for dairy production and the rest for beef.

The government believes the programme will reshape Indonesia’s dairy industry and strengthen long term food resilience.

The global decline of livestock antibiotic use: a paradox

Agriculture

A groundbreaking UCL study reveals a paradox at the heart of global agriculture: whilst antimicrobial use in livestock has plummeted by nearly a third since 2013, wealthy nations are quietly shifting the burden overseas through strategic imports.

The research, published in Nature Sustainability, tracked antimicrobial consumption patterns across a decade, painting the most comprehensive picture yet of how these critical medicines flow through our interconnected food systems. The findings tell two contrasting stories about progress and persistent problems.

Global antimicrobial usage peaked dramatically at 118,600 tonnes in 2013 before dropping to 84,000 tonnes by 2020. This remarkable decline accelerated following the landmark 2016 UN meeting on antimicrobial resistance, which catalysed stricter regulations across numerous countries. Per capita consumption fell from 15.6 grams to 10.6 grams during this period.

China and the United States, commanding roughly 60% of worldwide usage, drove this positive shift with reductions of 29% and 28% respectively. These numbers represent genuine progress in combating a threat that currently claims 700,000 lives annually through drug resistant bacteria.

However, beneath these encouraging statistics lies a troubling pattern. Developed nations have effectively exported their antimicrobial footprint by importing products from emerging economies where livestock farming practices remain antimicrobial intensive. Between 2010 and 2020, internationally traded goods' share of antimicrobial use climbed from 16% to 20%.

Perhaps most surprising: half this footprint stems from non food products like clothing, chemicals, and electronics containing animal derived materials. Meanwhile, nations like India and Indonesia face rising antimicrobial consumption, partly fuelled by export demands. India's footprint expanded by 16% across the decade.

"The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock is a serious health concern, posing a potential global health threat. The decline in use in recent years is promising, and shows that government regulation and intervention can be effective. Our research can help inform future guidance for their usage," said Heran Zheng (UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction).

This study underscores a critical reality: reducing antimicrobial resistance requires coordinated global action, not just shifting production to countries with looser regulations. True progress means addressing consumption patterns and supporting sustainable farming practices worldwide.

Several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia.(Image credit: WHO)

Livestock

The recent confirmation of Nipah virus cases in eastern India has brought renewed attention to one of the world’s most dangerous zoonotic diseases.

Although health officials have confirmed that the outbreak is limited and under control, anxiety is growing among farmers and livestock owners who depend on healthy animals for their livelihoods. A key concern is whether Nipah virus can affect farm animals such as cows and buffalo, and whether agriculture could face indirect losses.

Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus family and was first identified during the 1998–99 outbreak in Malaysia. That event highlighted how animal to human transmission can accelerate infections, particularly when livestock are involved. Since then, several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia, including India, often with severe consequences for human health.

Fruit bats of the Pteropus species are known to be the natural hosts of the virus. These bats do not show symptoms but shed the virus through saliva, urine and droppings. Humans may become infected by consuming contaminated food, coming into contact with infected animals or through close contact with infected people. In humans, illness can range from mild fever to severe respiratory distress and encephalitis, with fatality rates reported between 40 and 75 percent.

For the farming community, the most pressing question is the risk to cattle and buffalo. Current scientific evidence shows that pigs are the only confirmed domestic animals that can amplify and spread Nipah virus. While antibodies have been detected in some animals like goats, horses and pets, there is no confirmed evidence of natural infection or disease in cows or buffalo. Importantly, no human Nipah cases have ever been linked directly to cattle or dairy animals.

However, India’s mixed farming systems mean humans, livestock and wildlife often share the same spaces. Fruit bats may contaminate fodder, grazing land or water sources. Even if cattle do not become ill, they could unintentionally carry contaminated material closer to people.

Experts stress that there is no need for panic. Milk and meat from healthy animals remain safe, and no restrictions have been placed on livestock trade. Simple hygiene, protected feed storage and awareness are key. As environmental change brings people and wildlife closer together, Nipah virus serves as a reminder that animal health and human health are deeply connected.

African Farming

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Buhler to open digitally-smart Mill E3

The development of the self-adjusting mill will be the precursor to the SmartMill. (Image source: Bühler)

Bühler, a plant equipment manufacturer, has announced the opening of Mill E3 — claimed to be one of the most high-tech mills on the market

Mill owner Whitworth Bros Ltd is reaping the benefits of the Mill E3’s technological and digital capabilities. The data generated and analysed at the Whitley Bridge plant will drive the evolution of milling technology from the current data assisted mill into a plant capable of using its own process parameters in a closed loop to optimise production. This development of the self-adjusting mill will be the precursor to the SmartMill.

Roman Sonderegger, head of Business Unit Wheat & Rye at Bühler said, “This is a very significant project for Bühler that allows us, for the first time, to gather so much new data on the milling process. This is also momentous in working towards our corporate target of cutting energy, water, and food wastage by 50% in our customer value chains by 2025.”

The concept of the Mill E3 centres on the idea of using modular ‘plug and play’ installation of milling equipment to cut the installation time by up to 30%. It also cuts building costs by reducing the volume of the mill. 

The Arrius fully integrated grinding system, a key component of the Mill E3, provides lower energy consumption, faster installation, along with the highest food safety standards, reliability, and optimum grinding performance.

“The wheat coming into the mill is first checked by online sensors to establish its key parameters,” explained Andrew Thomson, technical miller for Whitworth Bros. “But then the sensors in the Arrius recheck and control the distribution of the feed, which allows the grinding system to adapt again to the changing characteristics of the wheat at the point of milling. It is this unique usage of sensor technology that ensures optimal grinding parameters are achieved at all times,” he added.

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Crops

Pottinger's V 6520 C. (Image source: Pottinger)

Processing & Storage

For farms bustling with foraging and complex logistics, Pottinger has launched a compact twin rotor rake without chassis, advancing manoeuvrability 

Its simple build keeps crude ash content to a minimum while maintaining high forage quality. 

Known as the Top V 6520 C, the rotor rake is equipped with a headstock that pivots and moves in line with the tractor while taking turns, seamlessly raking central swathes. The innovative headstock stays in place with support from high centring forced mechanical stabiliser. This also keeps the machine from going haywire while driving downhill.

The floating rotor suspension is designed to enable three-dimensional ground tracking. The rake can easily bypass bumpy situations, thanks to the option of a multitask jockey wheel mounted directly on the headstock. It always ensures smooth run even at high speeds, because of the tandem axles tackling uneven ground.

At the headland, the machine is lifted by the tractor linkage and gently moved into the centre position. The high ground clearance of the TOP V 6520 C makes headland turns easier and prevents disruption of the already-formed swaths. The TOP V 6520 C is also compact during transport with its centre of gravity close to the tractor.

The working width can be adjusted mechanically from 5.9 m to 6.5 m and can be adapted to the geometry of each tractor. This produces swath widths between 1 and 1.6 m. This makes the rake capable of handling heavy forage in combination with smaller harvesting machines.

Pottinger has made sure to give the rake a rock-solid design for maximum flexibility and reliability when dealing with the unpredictability of harvesting times. 

Hydronix in-process sensors deliver continuous visibility between those checks, helping manufacturers make better decisions, protect quality and reduce waste.

The global decline of livestock antibiotic use: a paradox

Livestock

Several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia.(Image credit: WHO)

Livestock

The recent confirmation of Nipah virus cases in eastern India has brought renewed attention to one of the world’s most dangerous zoonotic diseases.

Although health officials have confirmed that the outbreak is limited and under control, anxiety is growing among farmers and livestock owners who depend on healthy animals for their livelihoods. A key concern is whether Nipah virus can affect farm animals such as cows and buffalo, and whether agriculture could face indirect losses.

Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus family and was first identified during the 1998–99 outbreak in Malaysia. That event highlighted how animal to human transmission can accelerate infections, particularly when livestock are involved. Since then, several outbreaks have been reported across South and Southeast Asia, including India, often with severe consequences for human health.

Fruit bats of the Pteropus species are known to be the natural hosts of the virus. These bats do not show symptoms but shed the virus through saliva, urine and droppings. Humans may become infected by consuming contaminated food, coming into contact with infected animals or through close contact with infected people. In humans, illness can range from mild fever to severe respiratory distress and encephalitis, with fatality rates reported between 40 and 75 percent.

For the farming community, the most pressing question is the risk to cattle and buffalo. Current scientific evidence shows that pigs are the only confirmed domestic animals that can amplify and spread Nipah virus. While antibodies have been detected in some animals like goats, horses and pets, there is no confirmed evidence of natural infection or disease in cows or buffalo. Importantly, no human Nipah cases have ever been linked directly to cattle or dairy animals.

However, India’s mixed farming systems mean humans, livestock and wildlife often share the same spaces. Fruit bats may contaminate fodder, grazing land or water sources. Even if cattle do not become ill, they could unintentionally carry contaminated material closer to people.

Experts stress that there is no need for panic. Milk and meat from healthy animals remain safe, and no restrictions have been placed on livestock trade. Simple hygiene, protected feed storage and awareness are key. As environmental change brings people and wildlife closer together, Nipah virus serves as a reminder that animal health and human health are deeply connected.

The 12th edition of Livestock Malaysia 2027, officially known as the 12th Malaysian International Feed, Livestock & Meat Industry Show, is scheduled to take place from 10–12 August 2027 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Indonesia boosts dairy industry through cow imports.

Equipment

Philippines boosts food supply with Bicol Mega Cold Storage. (Image credit: Business mirror))

Equipment

The Philippines has taken a significant step towards improving its agricultural system with the launch of the Bicol Mega Cold Storage Warehouse.

This major project, backed by an investment of P500 million, reflects a strong effort to modernise food logistics and support farmers across the region.

The facility was officially opened by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alongside Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte. It stands as the first completed project under the Department of Agriculture’s Cold Storage Expansion Program and aligns with the goals of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act.

Designed to address long standing challenges in storage and transport, the warehouse provides reliable temperature controlled spaces for different types of produce. Livestock, fruits, and vegetables are stored under carefully managed conditions to maintain freshness and quality from the farm through to the market. With a capacity of over 200,000 tonnes each year, the facility is expected to benefit a large number of farmers as well as consumers.

“This facility underscores the commitment of the Marcos administration to cut post-harvest losses, raise farmers incomes, stabilize food supply, and ensure lasting rural development,” Tiu Laurel said.

Governor Villafuerte highlighted the wider impact of the project, noting that it will serve not only the Bicol region but also suppliers from other parts of the country. “This is a game changer for Bicolandia, which has long played a key role in feeding the nation, whether directly through food production or as corridor where agricultural products pass through,” he said.

Beyond storage, the site includes rooms for blast freezing, processing, and packaging. These features allow farmers to extend the shelf life of their produce and improve its market value. The timing is especially important as rising fuel costs and ongoing supply challenges have made distribution more difficult.

By linking storage with better transport and logistics, the facility helps farmers avoid losses and sell their goods under better conditions. Alongside this project, the government is also developing more cold chain facilities across the country, building a stronger and more connected food system for the future.

PATS’ data-driven approach is also helping reveal regional and national pest patterns. (Image credit: PATS)

Pioneering greenhouse heating with a 2 MW CO₂ heat pump (Image credit :Hortidaily))

Technology

Aonic expands Global Reach with Fresh Investment in Drone Innovation (Image credit: Aonic)

Technology

Aonic, a drone technology company founded in Malaysia, has secured US$10mn  in Series A funding to support its next stage of growth.

The investment is led by Kairous Capital, with backing from Jelawang Capital through its Emerging Fund Managers Programme. This funding marks a major step in Aonic’s journey to expand beyond Southeast Asia while strengthening its research, development, and production capabilities.

The company has steadily built a strong presence in the region by offering complete drone solutions for agriculture and industry. Its technology is designed to reduce reliance on labour intensive and risky manual work. By introducing drone spraying, Aonic has helped farmers improve efficiency and productivity. Internal data shows that farmers using its drones have seen income rise by 50 per cent, output increase by around 54 per cent, and water usage for spraying drop by about 75 per cent compared to traditional methods.

"Aonic is scaling a proven system," said Cheong Jin Xi, Founder and CEO of Aonic. "We've spent years building the engineering, manufacturing, and operational foundations to support real-world, field-ready operations. This funding enables us to expand globally with the same level of consistency and reliability we've achieved in Southeast Asia."

What sets Aonic apart is its fully integrated ecosystem. The company designs and manufactures its own drones while developing software in house, allowing full control over quality, cost, and future direction. It also supports farmers through training programmes, financing options, and access to agricultural supplies, making it easier for both smallholders and large operators to adopt new technology.

"We have been searching for transformative food and agri-technology for a long time, and Aonic is a rare Malaysia-based company that can deliver across Southeast Asia at scale," said Adrian Hia, Partner at Kairous Capital. "The team pairs deep technical capability with exceptional execution and financial discipline, bringing measurable outcomes for farmers."

With operations in more than 15 countries and a growing support network, Aonic is now preparing to take its Malaysian built innovation to a global stage while continuing to uplift the agriculture sector at home.

ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation.

Orbia Netafim and Amazon India Launch Water Saving Drip Irrigation Projects Across Bengaluru and Hyderabad. (Image credit: Netafirm)

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