Agroinsurance

USA - Engineered potatoes show 30% growth boost under heatwaves

A team from the University of Illinois has engineered potatoes to be more resilient to global warming, demonstrating a 30% increase in tuber mass under heatwave conditions.

Sri Lanka - Paddy farmers face new crisis as unidentified worm species devastate crops

Sri Lankas paddy farmers, already reeling from a series of crises, including recent heavy rainfall and wildlife intrusions, are now grappling with a new and alarming threat—an outbreak of an unidentified species of worms devastating their crops.

China approves more genetically modified crops to boost yields, ensure food security

China has approved five gene-edited crop varieties and 12 types of genetically modified (GM) soybean, corn and cotton, expanding approvals to boost high-yield crops, reduce import reliance, and ensure food security.

Hot Argentine summer is starting to damage crops, exchanges say

A hot, dry austral summer is beginning to cause damage to Argentinas 2024/25 soybean and corn crops, the countrys two main grains exchanges said on Friday, after abundant spring rains had until recently provided excellent growing conditions.

Brazil - Rural insurance lost almost R$130 million in funding at the end of 2024

According to the subsidy programs Management Committee, the amount for use throughout the country fell to R$820.2 million.The news came as a surprise to insurance companies. It is estimated that R$65 million that had already been contracted to subsidize 10,000 policies will have to be removed from the system.

USA - Colorado ranchers seek $581,000 to cover losses caused by wolves

Ranchers and producers are looking to recover losses they say have been caused by the wolf reintroduction program, submitting nearly $600,000 in claims.

USA - Farmers Head into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension, Aid

Passed and signed into law in the early hours of Dec. 21, 2024 – the day a government shutdown would have begun if Congress had not acted – theAmerican Relief Act of 2025includes $31 billion in natural and economic disaster aid for farmers and ranchers, a second extension of the 2018 farm bill and $2.5 billion in additional aid to be distributed through USDA.

Air New Zealand ships 1 million kilograms of cherries globally during holiday season

Air New Zealand undertakes the task of transporting over five million kilograms of cargo during the holiday season, with New Zealand cherries being a significant part of this operation.

Ace Aquatec to produce trout-stunning system for FRD Japan

Dundee, Scotland-based aquaculture technology company Ace Aquatec has signed a deal with Japanese trout aquaculture producer FRD to manufacture a bespoke trout-stunning system for the latter firm.

Adverse weather cuts Korea's citrus production to 10-year low, impacting exports and prices

South Koreas marketing year (MY) 2024/25 citrus production is forecast down 2.6 percent to 565,000 MT, a 10-year low, on gradually declining acreage and adverse weather conditions.

India - IIT Bombay researchers identify bacteria that can consume toxic pollutants in soil, boost crop yield

Mumbai, The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay on Thursday said its researchers have identified bacteria that can consume toxic pollutants in the soil and produce helpful nutrients as a by-product.

India - Ladakh plans livestock-friendly solar pilot project in Pang to address nomadic concerns

The administration of Ladakh Union Territory, on Tuesday, instructed the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Powergrid, and the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) to formalize an action plan for developing a livestock grazing-friendly pilot solar project in Pang area.

Scottish seaweed startup lands significant investment

A Scotland-based seaweed farming startup has secured a significant six-figure investment as it moves to scale-up operations and develop a sustainable seaweed supply chain on the countrys West coast.

Nigeria - African fast-food chain to acquire fishing assets as part of blue economy expansion plan

The company plans to capture significant opportunities in the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood sectors.

India - Union Cabinet approves continuation of PM Fasal Bima Yojana, weather-based crop insurance scheme

Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26.