Fresh tea leaves picked in Duyun City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Image source: Information Office of Autonomous Prefecture of Qiannan)

Discover the cultural legacy and economic vitality of Duyun Maojian tea in Guizhou, China – a symbol of tradition and modern agricultural innovation 

The study highlights the potential of microbial nitrogen fertiliser to boost crop yields, while at the same time reducing dependency on synthetic fertilisers. (Image source: Pivot Bio)

A recent study conducted by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment found that using Pivot Bio PROVEN 40 as a replacement for 40 pounds of synthetic nitrogen, significantly increase corn yields, while also reducing reliance on synthetic fertiliser

Fields with cover crop rotations often experience nitrogen deficits. Applying microbial nitrogen in furrows can help bridge this nitrogen gap, thus resulting in higher yields. The nitrogen in this case, is delivered directly to the roots, avoiding competition with cover crop residue.

For the study, corn was planted at a rate of 32,000 seeds per acre under no-till and cover crop conditions with PROVEN 40 applied in furrow, along with additional nitrogen treatments of 140 and 180 pounds per acre. Corn yields were found to be similar across both nitrogen fertiliser rates. However, PROVEN 40 applied in furrow increased corn yields across both nitrogen rates.

Kentucky farmer, Richard Preston who collaborated with the university on the study, stated that PROVEN 40 had stood out as a game-changer on his farm this year, despite the minimal rainfall received during critical stages of growing. “Like all farmers, I care about protecting and preserving our natural resources for generations to come. In addition to no-till and cover crop practices, PROVEN 40 has helped me lower my environmental impact and increase yield — two key factors for meeting my sustainability goals,” Preston said. 

For more information, visit: PivotBio.com

The Vigne Plus System consists of particular accessories and a net designed to improve vineyard management from the get-go. (Image source: Arrigoni)

Leveraging on its experience in the design and production of agrotextiles for farming, agricovering solutions leader, Arrigoni has researched ad hoc forms of vineyard protection, patenting the innovative Vigne Plus System, a solution consisting of a net and accessories which increases the shading factor by between 23% and 25% while driving up production by up to 30

The event reinforced CIAC’s reputation as an annual ‘gathering of the minds’ for Canada-connected individuals in Asia. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Canada-in-Asia Conference 2024 (CIAC2024) which took place from 26–29 February in Singapore, concluded on a successful note

Launched by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) and Universities Canada (UnivCan), the conference which received more than 460 attendees from across Canada and more than 35 cities across the Indo-Pacific region, focused on two thematic areas namely, agri-food and climate solutions. 

Experts, investors, policy-makers, researchers, business leaders, and innovators from across Asia and Canada gathered at the event to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and ideas and to create collaborative partnerships in these two critical sectors. 

Over four days at the Pan Pacific Singapore, CEOs, business leaders, and representatives from Canadian chambers of commerce networked with trade commissioners, investors, leading academics, and policy experts to build partnerships and discuss the most pressing issues in Canada-Asia co-operation, trade, value chains, security, applied science, sustainable development, and investment in the agri-food and climate spaces. The event reinforced CIAC’s reputation as an annual ‘gathering of the minds’ for Canada-connected individuals in Asia.

Moreover, a complementary component of CIAC2024 was the Venture into Sustainability (ViS) programme which was presented by APF Canada in collaboration with Anchor Asia (Anchor Taiwan) and supported by the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy of the Government of Canada. The programme featured a curated delegation of Asia-based and Canada-based investors, select Canadian technology startups, government officials from Canada and Asia, and accelerators/incubators in the region’s innovation ecosystem.

“With the dual themes of food security and climate solutions endorsed by attendees at our inaugural Canada-in-Asia Conference in 2023, CIAC2024 successfully exposed key players in Asia and Canada to each other’s thinking and innovations and their needs and priorities,” said Jeff Nankivell, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. “As we look ahead to CIAC2025 next February in Singapore, our annual Canada-in-Asia Conferences represent a new signature, can’t-miss-event for Canada-connected people from across Asia and Asia-engagers from across Canada to deepen engagement and strengthen collaboration between our two dynamic regions.”

For more information, visit: www.asiapacific.ca; www.univcan.ca and https://www.canada-in-asia.ca