Agriculture

Innovative horticulture solutions emerging from China's second belt

The greenhouse will feature cultivating nursery plants using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT).

A new greenhouse project in Leping, China, brings together multiple innovative agricultural techniques, spearheaded by Growing Smart Technologies

The project, which spans 6.5 hectares, will serve both the city and the province, demonstrating the potential of various technologies and crops on a commercial scale. The greenhouse will feature strawberries grown on hanging gutters, lettuce cultivated using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and a nursery for young plants.

Roy Peleg of Growing Smart Technologies, said, "Other than being technologically possible, we also want to make sure that it will be feasible economically." He highlights China's growing horticultural industry, particularly in its western regions, which have seen rapid expansion in recent years. "The economic growth has been rapid, and the fascination for safe and quality-grown food is high," Peleg adds, reflecting on his experiences in China since 2003.

The greenhouse is divided into four distinct zones, catering to the high demand for strawberries in China and other crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons. These will be grown under an F-Clean roof, which offers advantages over traditional glasshouses, particularly in the region's harsh winters and humid summers. Peleg explains, "F-clean coverage provides more advantages than a glasshouse, especially if you have to deal with natural ventilation." The project also includes a hydroponic lettuce zone and a nursery to support the local agricultural community.

A significant feature of the project is its alignment with Global GAP guidelines, even though these standards are not yet required in China. Peleg states, "We want this project to be prepared for the future and to teach the staff at the site how to work on common standards in growing."

After completing the greenhouse, Growing Smart Technologies will provide ongoing support for two years, including maintenance and crop management training. The facility will also include a visitor area to showcase the project's techniques without direct access to the greenhouse.

Roy Peleg is confident that this project will help drive the development of China's high-tech horticulture sector forward. "We demonstrate the basic monitoring systems and the various soilless growing systems, including the strawberry gutters," he explains. "Then there's the nursery with the overhead irrigation and gutter booms." With further research on crop varieties and climate strategies, the team aims to prepare the project for long-term success.

Despite China's rapid pace of development, Peleg concludes, "In China, construction projects can be realized rapidly. That's different from horticulture." The goal is to prove that high-tech horticulture can thrive in China, technically and economically.

Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: progresser for rural development

Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana focusses on improving agricultural productivity.

In a significant step towards empowering India’s agricultural sector, the Union Cabinet, under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’

The scheme, set to from 2025-26 financial year, targets 100 selected districts, marking a pioneering initiative aimed solely on agriculture and its allied sectors. It focuses to transform agricultural practices and productivity, especially in regions with underperforming agriculture. These 100 districts will be chosen based on three key factors: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and limited access to agricultural credit. The allocation of each state will depend on the proportion of net cropped area and the number of operational holdings, ensuring that every state and Union Territory is represented by at least one district.

The main agenda of the Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana are to improve agricultural productivity, encourage crop diversification, and promote sustainable farming practices. The scheme will also work to improve irrigation systems, strengthen storage infrastructure at the block and panchayat levels, and facilitate both short-term and long-term credit access for farmers.

A standout feature of the scheme is its convergence approach, which brings together 36 existing initiatives from 11 central departments into a unified framework. This integrated development plan will also involve collaboration with state-level efforts and private sector partnerships.

On the ground, a three-tier committee system will be set up at the district, state, and national levels to ensure effective planning, coordination, and monitoring. At the district level, the District Dhan-Dhaanya Samiti, including progressive farmers, will be tasked with creating localised plans that align with national objectives, such as soil and water conservation, promoting organic farming, and achieving agricultural self-sufficiency.

To guarantee transparency and accountability, the progress of each district will be tracked using 117 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitored through a digital dashboard on a monthly basis. Central Nodal Officers will be appointed for each district to conduct regular assessments, with NITI Aayog playing a key role in guiding and evaluating the implementation at the district level.

This multi-stakeholder approach promises to bring significant improvements to India’s agricultural landscape, making it a comprehensive, integrated effort to foster long-term agricultural growth.

Indonesia's rice land for Palestine's needs

Andi Amran Sulaiman signed an MoU with Palestinian agriculture minister Rezq Basheer-Salimia.

Andi Amran Sulaiman, Indonesia's agriculture minister announced a co-management project of 20 thousand hectares of land between Indonesia and Palestine for rice and horticultural crop cultivation, following a signed MoU with Palestinian agriculture minister Rezq Basheer-Salimia

Sulaiman said,“We are preparing 10 to 20 thousand hectares of land for rice fields and horticulture. This is the concern from President Prabowo Subianto for Palestinians."

Sulaiman detailed plans to prepare land primarily for rice and horticulture. He noted Palestine's expertise in water management and drip irrigation technology will enhance agricultural productivity in Indonesia's South Sumatra and Kalimantan regions. Most of the produce, especially rice, is intended for Palestine to support long-term food security and demonstrate humanitarian solidarity. The partnership aims to produce 200,000 tons of rice annually and horticultural yields like tomatoes and garlic. This initiative will encourage technology transfer and resource collaboration, aligning with the vision of food sovereignty and benefiting both nations. Basheer-Salimia appreciated Indonesia's ongoing support for Palestine, underlining the Memorandum of Understanding's role in improving strategic and humanitarian relations across various agricultural sectors.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Indonesian government. Thank you for supporting Palestine in all aspects, especially for supporting the rights of the Palestinian people" said Basheer-Salimia.

Rockefeller Foundation joined hands with BRAC to empowers farmers

The programme emphasises a community-led approach, ensuring it is culturally relevant and sustainable. (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

BRAC has received a US$300,000 grant from The Rockefeller Foundation to create a programme aimed at helping three million women smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda by 2030

This initiative targets vulnerable communities affected by climate change. It will first launch in Bangladesh's coastal and drought-prone areas, providing farmers with services like agricultural technology, weather forecasts, adaptive insurance, and better market connections.

Deepali Khanna, head of Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation, stated,“Smallholder farmers are on the frontline of so many challenges, including the impact of climate change. Through our support of BRAC, we are empowering smallholder farmers not only to withstand disruptions, but also to advance solutions that can help build the foundation for lasting economic opportunity.”

The programme emphasises a community-led approach, ensuring it is culturally relevant and sustainable. The aim is to equip communities with skills to build resilience against challenges like rising salinity and erratic rainfall. BRAC plans to raise an additional US$300mn for this program, intending to impact around 14 million people positively.

“At BRAC, we believe in equipping people and communities with the skills they need to build their own resilience,” said Asif Saleh, executive director of BRAC. The Rockefeller Foundation’s support takes an important step in showing that locally driven innovation, when scaled up, can unlock pathways for millions of people to do that.”

China, Liberia to modernise agriculture

Liberia, China to mechanise agriculture. (Image source; Adobe Stock)

Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Yin Chengwu, recently met with J Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture of Liberia

Chengwu emphasised the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators stand on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and expressed that China is willing to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, deepening the bilateral relations.

Nuetah said that Liberia is grateful to China for its strong support for Liberia's development and looks forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation with China on agricultural mechanisation and modernisation.

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