Scientists find way to surgically strike out weeds that impede crop growth.

Scientists find way to surgically strike out weeds that impede crop growth.Researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have shown that farmers can place fumigants in specific zones, rather than using a single treatment for every situation. By using a combination of fumigants, University of Florida scientists believe they can surgically strike out some weeds that otherwise get in the way of vegetable growth. fumigants applied to a specific area where weed seeds germinate can reduce the number of weeds that grow. Researchers say this will help growers as they try to manage pests in areas where they cause the most trouble. As a rule, growers manage pests by injecting fumigants into soil at the bottom of a raised bed to kill pests and pathogens in the bed of the soil. For the past several years, UF/IFAS researchers have worked to develop management zones. more

WHO issues new guidelines on use of antibiotics, HIV, cancer drugs.

WHO issues new guidelines on use of antibiotics, HIV, cancer drugs.The World Health Organization has released new advice on which antibiotics to use for common infections and which to preserve for the most serious circumstances. The advice is among the additions to the WHO Model list of essential medicines for 2017, which includes medicines for HIV, hepatitis C, tuberculosis and leukaemia. The updated list added 30 medicines for adults and 25 for children, and specifies new uses for nine already-listed products, bringing the total to 433 drugs deemed essential for addressing the most important public health needs. The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) is used by many countries to increase access to medicines and guide decisions about which products they ensure are available for their populations.more

Why a problem of plenty is hurting India's farmers.

Why a problem of plenty is hurting India's farmers. In western Maharashtra state, they have been on strike for a week in some seven districts now, spilling milk on the streets, shutting down markets, protesting on the roads and attacking vegetable trucks. In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, curfew has been imposed after five farmers were killed in clashes with police on Tuesday. Last month, farmers in southern Telangana and Andhra Pradesh staged protests and burnt their red chilli crop. The farmers are demanding waivers on farm loans and higher prices for their crops. For decades now, farming in India has been blighted by drought, small plot sizes, a depleting water table, declining productivity and lack of modernisation. Half of its people work in farms, but farming contributes only 15% to India's GDP. Put simply, farms employ a lot of people but produce too little. Crop failures trigger farm suicides with alarming frequency.more

An egg a day appears to help young children grow taller.

An egg a day appears to help young children grow taller.

An egg a day might help undernourished young children grow to a healthy height, according to a six-month study in Ecuador. Whether soft or hard-boiled, fried or whisked into an omelette, eggs appeared to give infants a boost. It could be a cheap way to prevent stunting, say researchers in the journal Pediatrics. 

The first two years of life are critical for growth and development - any stunting is largely irreversible. Poor nutrition is a major cause of stunting, along with childhood infections and illnesses. 

 According to the World Health Organization, 155 million children under the age of five are stunted (too short for their age). Most live in low- and middle-income countries and health experts have been looking at ways to tackle the issue. more

Needle-free injection gun revolutionizes pig vaccinations.

Needle-free injection gun revolutionizes pig vaccinations.A future without needles for pigs has already begun with the MSD needle-free injection gun. The intradermal application of liquids (IDAL) method has created a revolutionary improvement in vaccine administration in sows, boars and even the youngest pigs. Smaller doses of vaccine are delivered directly to the skin. This is a really good site for immunity protection, because it is loaded with the cells that create antibodies and other immunity-boosting cells. The IDAL method is a scientifically proven vaccination route in pigs for the reduction of disease. With IDAL vaccination, the small volume of vaccine is dispersed over a relatively wider area within the skin layers than if it was injected. Thereby, the vaccine’s exposure to these antibody-producing cells is increased. Skin has specifically evolved for protection – the outer part is thick and strong, while the inner part is loaded with cells to fend off foreign material in case it is breached.¹ Following activation by vaccine, long-lasting immunity is quickly developed. Muscle, on the other hand, has been evolved for movement. Needle injections cause damage to muscle cells that take longer to heal. This may cause an increased risk of infection, abscess formation and condemnation in a more valuable part of the pig at slaughter.more

Farmers connect on I-CONNECT-AGRIC PLATFORM.

Farmers are using the E-platform I-CONNECT-AGRICULTURE to access information about livestock and pet care. This platform provides farming tips , such as disease prevention, provide access to drugs ,feed and tools.

The platform also connects  farmers to international standard practices by webinars, training and other resources . 

Introduction to various farming innovations around the world is also made  possible by  linking farmers with international farmers. Access to information that will scale the production level to remarkable heights.

Coca-Cola and partners to invest $ 1.7 bn in Indian agri ecosystem by 2022.

Coca-Cola and partners to invest $ 1.7 bn in Indian agri ecosystem by 2022.The Coca-Cola Company - along with its bottling partners and fruit suppliers and processors in India - will invest $ 1.7 billion in the agri ecosystem of the country over the next 5 years, spanning the entire supply chain from grove to glass through a unique concept called the Fruit Circular Economy. Close to $ 800 million of this contribution would be towards the procurement of processed fruit pulp and fruit concentrate for The Coca-Cola Company’s ever increasing portfolio of juice & juice drinks and carbonated drinks with juice products in India and the remaining would be invested towards creating the required infrastructure. The company will further expand its juice product range with the launch of Minute Maid Pulpy Mosambi on Monday. An estimated 200,000 farmers will benefit from this 5 year roadmap of sourcing fruit pulp and fruit concentrate derived out of 2.10 million tonnes of fruit. more