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This project represents a successful model of Global South-South and Triangular Collaboration, involving ICBA, ADFD, and local partners in Uzbekistan. (Image source:

Agriculture

ICBA demonstrates transformative agri project in Karakalpakstan

A recent ceremony conducted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed to demonstrate its major multi-year project focused on increasing the productivity of degraded and saline areas of Karakalpakstan

The project 'Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan,' represents a landmark in global cooperation. Since its launch in 2022, with US$5mn in funding from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the project has made substantial progress in addressing the severe environmental challenges in Karakalpakstan, primarily caused by the shrinking of the Aral Sea. 

The project was successful in introducing 25 genotypes of different food and fodder crops at demonstration sites in Nukus, Chimbay, and Muynak, where field trials have shown promising results. The project has also focused on improving irrigation infrastructure across these sites with the installation of advanced systems such as drip irrigation and water storage solutions, greatly enhancing water management.

Various soil amendments were introduced to increase soil fertility, which contributed to the overall sustainability of agricultural systems in the region. Modern agri-aquaculture systems and locally adopted greenhouses are being developed, further showcasing the innovative approaches the project has embraced. More than 200 scientists, extension workers, and farmers have been trained in different aspects of soil, water, and crop management, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and best practices to local communities.

The progress of this project will open doors to scaling up numerous innovations and technologies that have been successfully introduced, with a cornerstore of this project being its focus on empowering women in agriculture. Targeted training programmes and farmer field schools have allowed women to develop the necessary skills and resources to lead sustainable agricultural practices. This empowerment not only boosts their livelihoods, but also strengthens the overall resilience of their communities, ensuring that the benefits of the project are widely felt.

“This project exemplifies the collaborative efforts between ICBA, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and our partners in Uzbekistan, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, the Karakalpakstan Agriculture Research Institute (KARI), and the International Innovation Centre for the Aral Sea Basin (IICAS)," said Director General of ICBA, Dr Tarifa Al Zaabi.

UKRI aims to build knowledge and capability to better detect and disrupt the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, accelerating the development of new vaccines and therapeutics. (Image source: UKRI-Getty Images)

Livestock

Researchers join forces to combat AMR

Over the years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has proceeded to become one of humanity's biggest threats, urging farming researchers to join the global fight against this creeping pandemic

Eight new networks comprising a combination of different research specialisms will support diverse teams of AMR researchers to develop approaches aimed at tackling AMR across various sectors and disciplines. Approximately US6.3mn will be shared from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), awarded as part of its tackling infections strategic theme. Drawing on a dedicated budget of around US$9.2mn, the programme will continue next year with a new opportunity for ambitious new transdisciplinary research programmes.

The networks include:

The AMAST (AMR in Agrifood Systems Transdisciplinary) Network: Led by Matthew Gilmour of the Quadram Institute, this network will coordinate the agri-food trans-disciplinary community engaged in AMR activities covering crop, livestock and aquaculture sectors, while also interactions with industry, trade associations, policy makers, and academia involved in food production.

The Climate Change Impacts on AMR Using a Planetary Health Framework (CLIMAR) Network: Led by William Gaze from the University of Exeter, this network aims to find transdisciplinary solutions to reduce AMR infections while promoting innovations for alternative treatments.

The ARREST-AMR (Accurate, Rapid, Robust and Economical One Health DiagnoSTics for antimicrobial resistance) Network: Led by Mark Bradley from the Queen Mary University of London, this network will focus on diagnostic tools in a One Health context. 

The Fungal One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance Network: Led by Darius Armstrong-James from Imperial College London, this network will cover healthcare, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries as well as key government departments and end users in these settings.

The Futures AMR Network (FAN): Led by Linda Oyama from the Queen's University Belfast, FAN will support early career researchers across a range of disciplines to become future leaders in AMR and tackle it in agri-food health, environment and medicine using approaches in the arts and artificial intelligence, behavioral economics, clinical engineering and discovery.

IMPACT AMR: a Transdisciplinary Network: Led by Clare Chandler from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, this network will address key policy questions around AMR mitigation strategies, by working with policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise effective interventions that reduce the AMR burden in a feasible, socially acceptable, and economically beneficial manner.

The People AMR Network: Led by Sarah Tonkin-Crine from the University of Oxford, this network will explore ways to help people make decisions about antibiotic use, develop new strategies and tools, and to study these to ensure they target the right people, the right behaviours, and the right settings to have maximum and timely impact at the lowest possible cost.

The Transdisciplinary Antimicrobial Resistance Genomics (TARGet) Network: Led by Willem van Schaik from the University of Birmingham, this network will utilise recent genomic advances to better understand AMR, thereby covering the needs of academia, business, NHS, social care settings and veterinary medicine.

According to head of strategy, Advanced Manufacturing and Clean Growth at UKRI, Dr. Colin Miles, AMR is a large, complex problem with 10 million people expected to lose their lives to it each year by 2050. 

“Rather than taking single-discipline approaches, we need researchers from across disciplines to come together and look at all aspects of the problem – from human behaviour and how we grow crops and rear animals for consumption to how we manage the environment or use technology, clinical management strategies and challenging established cultural norms,” said Dr. Miles. 

Monarch MK-V tractor demonstrating V2G through Borg Warner DCFC and Gridtractor CMS. (Image source: Gridtractor)

Equipment

Monarch Tractor leads V2G revolution in agriculture

Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor, and Borg Warner have achieved a significant milestone by successfully demonstrating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities utilising a Monarch MK-V tractor, a Borg Warner 60 kW DC fast charger, and Gridtractor’s cloud-based charge management system employing the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 

AF10 Combine (Image source: CNH)

Machinery & Equipment

AF series: maximising productivity through matched capacity and built-in technology

Case IH is launching the new AF9 and AF10 combines, redesigned to maximise capacity and crop flow with efficient horsepower, simplified maintenance and built-in connectivity at base

Launched in early 2024, with the AF11–a Class 10+, high-capacity powerhouse, the single-rotor AF9 and AF10 combines complete the new AF series. Featuring three models across Class 9 and 10+, the revolutionary combine series helps farmers cover more acres in less time with power, efficiency and throughput.

The AF9’s 634 horsepower and the AF10’s 775 horsepower provides the power to maximise crop flow while increasing speeds, taxing the machines less. Built upon the legacy of Axial-Flow single-rotor technology, the AFXL rotor of the AF9 and AF10 is 40% longer than the 260 series, offering increased throughput. Grain handling capacity is maximised and matched from header to spreader to harvest more with every engine hour. 

The AF series offers a full suite of precision technology, including dual Pro 1200 displays, Harvest Command combine automation and RowGuide Pro technologies. Additionally, the introduction of Connectivity Included leverages subscription-free connectivity, feeding yield and machine data directly to Case IH FieldOps—providing farmers with a comprehensive management solution across their entire operation. These features are purposefully designed to create a customer experience that delivers peace of mind through a simplified harvest season. 

Case IH is also offering a corn head series that pairs with the AF series and late model Axial-Flow combines for the ultimate harvesting package. The C500 series corn head ensures peak productivity with independent drive lines for row unit and chopper drives. The series offers options to meet nearly any grower’s needs, including sizes from eight to 18 rows, chopping and non-chopping options, and narrow or standard-row configurations that boost grain savings and performance with clean and fast picking, even in downed corn. 

The Case IH harvesting lineup will be on dislay at the 2024 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Oowa. 

Another popular Case IH product: the Axial-Flow 260 series combines will be available for ordering in June 2024 and delivery in early 2025.

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FeedTech Expo 2023

Venue
Pune, India

Venue:

Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre

India

Dates:

27-29 October 2023

Website:

https://west.feedtechexpo.com/