Latest news with #BLB
Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
BLB reports standalone net loss of Rs 3.02 crore in the March 2025 quarter
Sales decline 71.31% to Rs 58.91 crore Net Loss of BLB reported to Rs 3.02 crore in the quarter ended March 2025 as against net loss of Rs 2.36 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024. Sales declined 71.31% to Rs 58.91 crore in the quarter ended March 2025 as against Rs 205.35 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2024. For the full year,net profit rose 47.89% to Rs 3.86 crore in the year ended March 2025 as against Rs 2.61 crore during the previous year ended March 2024. Sales rose 71.52% to Rs 539.23 crore in the year ended March 2025 as against Rs 314.38 crore during the previous year ended March 2024. Particulars Quarter Ended Year Ended Mar. 2025 Mar. 2024 % Var. Mar. 2025 Mar. 2024 % Var. Sales 58.91205.35 -71 539.23314.38 72 OPM % -6.18-1.42 - 1.201.50 - PBDT -3.95-3.02 -31 5.443.69 47 PBT -3.97-3.09 -28 5.323.50 52 NP -3.02-2.36 -28 3.862.61 48
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Innovative company announces revolutionary product that could help protect food supply: 'A transformative development'
Rice is a staple crop for over half of the world's population and is grown in over 100 countries, but bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is causing crop losses and driving the use of potentially dangerous pesticides. Ascribe Bioscience, a New York-based agricultural tech company, believes it can reduce the impacts of the disease with its new biopesticide: Phytalix. Jay Farmer, the company's CEO and founder, told Forbes that he believes the product is "a transformative development for farmers big and small." "Current chemical solutions used to manage these diseases are not meeting growers' needs," added Farmer. "They are harmful to the environment, expensive, and are losing their efficacy as pathogens develop resistance." BLB primarily affects rice crops in both temperate and tropical zones, although it's been particularly devastating to crops in tropical regions of Asia, where losses of up to 74% have been piling up, as a study in the journal Heliyon, shared by Science Direct, observed. India has been especially hard hit, with yield losses up to 80%, as the disease flourishes in its warm, humid climate. This threatens to disrupt the country's rice crop, which accounts for 27% of the world's supply, as Forbes explained. Trials of Phytalix conducted in the country resulted in an 83% reduction in BLB severity while outperforming traditional treatments by 20%, according to the publication. Rice yields saw a 30% increase in tests where BLB was particularly heavy and an overall boost of 13% across all the areas it was applied. The use of pesticides is estimated to have grown 20% over the last decade, according to the Institute for Functional Medicine, with some low-income countries seeing growth of up to 153%. Many of these are chemical pesticides that are associated with elevated cancer risks, among other dangers to human health. This has led to substantial growth in the global market for natural, non-chemical pesticides, which was said to be worth $226.3 billion in 2021, according to Acumen research. Its projections say it could hit $631.4 billion by 2030. Some farmers in parts of Asia have been using antibiotics on their crops in hopes of fighting the disease, but researchers are worried it may be fueling antibiotic resistance while using up the valuable medical resource. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Phytalix, however, is "derived from natural molecules sourced from the soil microbiome" as Forbes explained, which makes it sustainable for rice farmers big and small. Ascribe said that it actually helps to boost the plant's immune system and guards against major fungal pathogens, as well as bacterial and viral disease. Natural methods of pest control such as this could provide a safer way to protect global rice production, which Forbes suggested is projected to increase by 11.12% by 2030. Srinivas Veeranki, managing director of crop science service AgReveal, told the outlet that Phytalix could be "a major step forward for farmers and global food security, offering effective and long-lasting disease control while also making rice production more resilient to growing environmental and market challenges." Ascribe's product is currently pending review in Brazil and the U.S., as Forbes explained, with future plans for approval in key rice-producing countries across Asia. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Civic award winners recognised for outstanding contributions to community
The outgoing Mayor of Stockton has honoured outstanding people and organisations. Councillor John Gardner, in his final engagement as mayor, presented the awards at the annual Mayor's Civic Awards. These awards recognise individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the community. Councillor Gardner said: "It was a pleasure to present these awards to worthy winners from around the borough and it was a fitting way to end my mayoral year. The Green Award (Image: Stockton Council) "The community spirit across our borough is so strong and it was brilliant to be able to shine a light on some of the residents and organisations who help make that possible." The winners of this years awards were announced across eight categories including Green, Young Person, Service to Community, Health and Wellbeing, Carer/Foster Carer, and Mayor's Special Award. The Green Award went to the Mill Lane Community Garden group. Services to the Community Award (Image: Stockton Council) This group of volunteers transformed an overgrown piece of land into a community space with vegetables, flowers, and bug hotels. They've also engaged with Mill Lane Primary School for workshops and created a mural for the garden. The Young Person award had joint winners this year - Amelia Howson and Myles Sivewright. Mayor's Special Award (Image: Stockton Council) These selfless young carers have supported family members, raised awareness about young carers, and developed a mental health support booklet for young carers. Blue Light Babies (BLB) won the Service to Community award for groups and organisations. With more than 7,000 members, BLB has made more than 13,000 outfits for the Give A Duck foundation's ducks, used as teaching aids for children diagnosed with cancer. Joanne Owen, a paramedic, was recognised for her individual service to the community. Through her Facebook group, Blue Light Babies, Joanne has donated more than 8,000 of her handmade 'Snugglepods' to ambulance trusts across the UK. These pouches provide comfort to parents who have lost their premature babies in ambulances. The Service to Community - Business award was given to Hampton by Hilton for their dementia-friendly training and monthly drop-in groups for residents living with dementia or feeling lonely. The Women's Health Team at Hartlepool and Stockton Health were recognised in the Health and Wellbeing category for their support of people experiencing menopause. Since launching their menopause drop-in cafés in January 2023, they have helped more than 230 people. The Carer/Foster Carer award went to Lindsay Taylor, who supports young people in her care with practical skills and emotional warmth. The Mayor's Special Award was given to Les Southerton for his extensive charity work after retiring, including serving as the chair of the Tees Active Leisure board since 2015.
