Agriculture

OptiDry Compact X integrated at Triflor (tulip). (Image source: Bosman Van Zaal)

Bosman Van Zaal has been realising customised dehumidification solutions for customers since 2015, with their R&D department managing to translate these customised solutions into a series of dehumidifiers that are plug-and-play applicable for a wide range of crops and growing systems

Whether in high-tech climate chambers, growing potted plants or fruiting vegetable crops, the innovative OptiDry dehumidifiers can be implemented seamlessly in any cultivation system. The dehumidifiers used in horticulture typically operate with synthetic refrigerants that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to their high GWP (Global Warming Potential), with their sale within Europe planned to be phased out between 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2030.

Low-GWP refrigerants are also currently under fire in Europe due to the fact that these refrigerants contain PFAS. As a result, really only natural refrigerants are future-proof. That leaves only 3 applications: CO2, ammonia and propane. Bosman Van Zaal sees R290 (propane) as the best and most sustainable solution.

The OptiDry series consists of two basic type dehumidifiers:

• The OptiDry Compact X: Designed to dry air very efficiently and can be easily connected to an existing or new chilled water or freecooling circuit by drycooling or basin water. The X stands for cross flow heat exchanger, which is integrated into the unit. Using this additional heat exchanger saves 30-50% on cooling capacity. It is connected to an outdoor unit (chiller or buffer) and is available in two different versions to suit every growing situation.

• The OptiDry Advanced DX: As one of the first dehumidifiers to use natural refrigerant R290 (propane), the Optidry Advanced DX offers lower energy consumption compared to synthetic refrigerant models. R290 (propane) is therefore not only highly efficient and environmentally friendly, but also future-proof in contrast to synthetic refrigerants. These units can be easily installed in greenhouses or added to existing plant growth chambers for improved dehumidification.

Some of the notable features of the OptiDry range include compact design, lightweight models, high-efficiency dehumidification capacity, presence of the environmentally friendly and future-proof refrigerant R-290 (propane), availability of airsock, and easy integration and connection to new  or existing chilled water systems.

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030. (Image source: Bayer)

Bayer Foundation and the Pula Foundation today announced at World Economic Forum that they are planning to provide insurance coverage for 10 million smallholder farmers by 2030

The collaboration aims to enhance climate resilience among smallholder farmers, protecting them against the growing impacts of droughts and floods, which threaten harvests, livelihoods, and global food security. It will help build private-public collaborations and shape the insurance market for agriculture in Africa and Asia.

The Pula Foundation has developed scalable and data-driven agricultural insurance solutions designed to safeguard smallholder farmers' investments in their farms. By mitigating risks associated with extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, the Pula Foundation ensures that farmers receive financial compensation for yield losses, enabling them to recover, reinvest, and build long-term resilience in the face of climate uncertainty. 

By 2030, Bayer Foundation’s grant for insurance premium support in the amount of 10 million euros – supported by a donation from Bayer’s Crop Science Division – will unlock a potential insurance coverage of 127 million US dollars for 10 million farmers working with national governments in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Mali. The grant originates from Bayer Foundation’s Social Innovation Ecosystem Fund which targets mature and high-impact solutions for underserved communities.

Bayer aims to support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030 by improving their access to agricultural products and services. This also includes collaborations with partners. To achieve this, Bayer strives to create market models that generate benefits and reduce business risks for all partners in the value chain, including smallholder farmers.

Philippines’ agri attachés boost exports, secure market access, and strengthen international partnerships in key Asian markets. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) achieved significant milestones, thanks to the efforts of agricultural attachés stationed in key markets across Asia

Their work has played a critical role in boosting the Philippines’ agricultural exports and fostering international partnerships

“By securing tens of billions of pesos in export sales, these accomplishments support our agriculture and fisheries sector and contribute to narrowing the trade deficit. Our attachés also fortified bilateral and multilateral ties, benefiting millions of Filipino farmers and fishers,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.

In China, DA Counsellor Jerome Bunyi was instrumental in the Philippines' successful participation at the China International Import Expo, where 17 exhibitors generated an estimated USD 1.6 billion in sales and sales pledges. Popular Filipino products like bananas, durian, pineapples, and coconuts saw strong demand, underscoring the growing interest in Philippine agricultural products.

In Japan, DA attaché Maria Alilia Maghirang successfully secured market access for Philippine Hass avocados and facilitated access for other products like bananas, pineapples, and mangoes. She also led Philippine promotional activities at FOODEX Japan 2024 and the International Seafood Show Tokyo 2024, generating over P361 million in sales.

In South Korea, DA attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal was crucial in the establishment of the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industrial Complex in Cabanatuan, aimed at boosting local agricultural productivity. At Seoul Food 2024, he also facilitated sales worth P297.27 million.

In Vietnam, DA attaché Annalyn Lopez helped secure market access for four Philippine fishery establishments, expanded durian markets in Malaysia, and facilitated the Philippines' participation in the Thaifex ANUGA 2024 trade show, which generated over P5 billion in sales.

The development of fertiliser using geothermal by-products aims to help the region combat fertiliser shortages in a sustainable manner. (Image Source: Canva Pro)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has entered into a new era in its efforts to develop business outside of electricity through the utilisation of geothermal by-products

The PGE board of commissioners and directors alongside local farmers carried out initial spray tests of fertiliser made from the by-products (namely Katrili Booster Fertiliser) on rice plants in the Lao-Lao Geothermal Park area in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Katrili Booster, a result of a joint venture between PGE Area Lahendong and the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), utilises silica produced from geothermal processes. Silica deposits from geothermal fluids are processed using nanotechnology, producing environmentally friendly and economical liquid fertiliser with the aim of helping farmers around PGE’s operational area provide a solution to the challenge of fertiliser scarcity in the region.

General manager of PGE Area Lahenong, Novi Purwono, said, “This initiative confirms PGE’s commitment to creating sustainable positive impacts through collaboration and community empowerment. We are optimistic that this step can make a significant contribution to national food security and local agricultural development.”

PGE president director, Julfi Hadi, added that the benefits of geothermal are not limited to providing electricity as a clean alternative, but also have potential in supporting other sectors.

“The use of Katrili Booster Fertiliser is concrete evidence that geothermal energy can contribute not only to energy self-sufficiency efforts, but also to strengthen national food security. This is an innovative step that is in line with our commitment to create added value from geothermal energy to support more sustainable and inclusive development in Indonesia.”