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EUROPE- The EU could ban glyphosate, the active ingredient of the controversial weed killer Roundup after the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) reports finding alternatives for all agricultural uses. Roundup has been under a microscope since 2015 when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared glyphosate a possible human carcinogen. Since then, Bayer-owned Roundup manufacturer Monsanto has battled thousands…
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GLOBAL- Forecast models predict a quick transition from La Niña to El Niño over several months this spring and summer, and could lead to weather problems in many areas worldwide, negatively affecting crop production. According to World Weather, Inc., while the transition from La Niña to El Niño is advertised to be too aggressive, several areas globally could experience poor…
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SWITZERLAND- Syngenta Crop Protection and Aphea.Bio have partnered to bring a new wheat seed treatment technology to European markets, aiming at helping farmers improve sustainability through better yields and reduced fertilizer use. The new seed treatment technology to be introduced is ACTIV by Aphea.Bio. It is a biostimulant applied as a seed treatment on wheat; based on beneficial microorganisms that…
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USA- The USDA notes that U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2023 are projected at US$184.5 billion, down US$5.5 billion from the November forecast. According to the Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF) on February 23, the USDA provided that export forecasts for all major commodity groups are down, with corn, sorghum, and soybeans expected to have the most reduction. Overall…
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AUSTRALIA – The Wagga Wagga Agricultural Research Facility (WWARF) has opened its doors in New South Wales (NSW), Australia with a promise to improve research in the grains industry. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) and the Grains Research Development Corp. (GRDC) facilitated the opening of the research institution domiciled at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute. Built at…
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WEST AFRICA – The European Union is funding a project by CIRAWA that is aimed at developing new agroecological-based practices that will make food supply chains in West Africa more resilient to climate shocks. The project will specifically focus on building existing local and scientific knowledge to create more resilient food supply chains emphasizing food security and putting people in…
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AFRICA-The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Canadian government have announced a special fund to support Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture sector during the Dakar 2 African Food Summit. According to a statement from AfDB, Canada is contributing CAD 100 million (US$73.5M) to the fund known as “The Agri-food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism” which will…
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KENYA – A newly published data gathered over the last seven years by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) Kenya and African Union Commission (AUC), fertilizer consumption is increasing in Africa but at a slower rate. The report noted that poorly functioning value chains and lack of reliable data are some of the hindrances to Kenya and the rest of…
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