Latest news with #MinistryofAgriculture
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Innovative vineyard discovers game-changing new method that almost works too well: 'Farmers are standing in line to get our solution'
It's a good problem to have when your tech almost works too well in a way that concerns regulators. That is the unique conundrum faced by SolarWine and its entrepreneurial founders Eli Safra and Dan Goldblat. ISRAEL21c profiled the company, which combines solar panels and winegrowing in a more expansive and sophisticated fashion than just about anyone else. While agrivoltaics in vineyards isn't novel, the extent to which SolarWine leverages the panel's capabilities to adapt to the weather is unique. SolarWine uses machine learning to guide the folding panels on when to provide needed shade for the grapes or take in excess energy. The panels can also be used as protection against heavy rainfall and wind. It all amounts to a win for farmers, who can control the weather and generate passive income as they do it. "What we're doing with machine learning is to control the panels in order to balance and optimize the energy of the sun," Safra explained to ISRAEL21c. "Exactly the right amount goes to the grape, and any excess goes to generating electricity." The setup also works seamlessly into the infrastructure of the vineyard. It uses the already-standing poles that bolster vines and don't impede harvesting machines. If that all sounds too good to be true, the Israeli government is worried that it is. Safra said that "farmers are standing in line to get our solution." That level of interest could have an unintended consequence. "On the one hand, the country needs a lot more energy, but on the other hand, they block you from putting up solar panels because they are afraid about food security," Safra noted. "The [Israel] Ministry of Agriculture is concerned that farmers will see they're getting more income from selling energy, so they will stop cultivating their fields." The company is addressing that concern by linking up with an energy company in Israel to navigate those hurdles and get on the same page with the government. SolarWine's inventive use of agrivoltaics and machine learning is another example of how farmers can creatively use the panels on their lands. Israel is no stranger to heat waves, and using the panels to contend with those and create a microclimate could pay huge dividends. Agrivoltaics has also shown a ton of promise for grazing sheep and cultivating olive production. It also helps bolster clean energy production and eases the transition from dirty energy that heats the planet. As farmers face challenges from the changing climate, it can help create more favorable conditions for crops and generate revenue. For SolarWine, it is on the verge of signing a contract for 120 megawatts of energy in the next four years, per ISRAEL21c. The company is growing deliberately from a 500-square-meter (5,382-square-foot) initial installation to a setup six times larger in the future. It's also looking to expand globally in other winemaking areas in California and Europe. If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation? Energy independence Lower power bills Helping the planet No chance I ever go solar Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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.
Muscat Daily
4 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Omani British Society hosts workshop on advancing sultanate's food security
Muscat – The Omani British Society hosted a workshop on Wednesday titled 'Harvesting Oman's Resilience: Advancing Food Security Through Innovation'. The event brought together a diverse group of experts from Oman and the UK – including government officials, agri-tech pioneers, policy strategists, and business leaders – to explore innovative solutions to the sultanate's food security challenges. Saleh Zakwani, Chairman of the Omani British Society, stated that the workshop reflects the Omani British Society's commitment to facilitating dialogue on issues of strategic national importance. 'Food security is a key component of Oman's long-term vision, with a clear goal of increasing self-sufficiency and building a resilient, sustainable food system. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, we aim to support the national agenda through collaboration and knowledge exchange. We are proud to serve as a platform for these vital conversations that shape Oman's future.' In addition to individual presentations, the workshop featured a dynamic panel discussion with five distinguished participants. The panel comprised Andrea Di Lello, Senior Director, Alvarez & Marsal; Eng Asma al Hinai, Manager of the Oman Vision 2040 Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources; Edward Gilbert, Regional Agriculture and Food Counsellor for the Gulf, British Embassy Riyadh; Sameer Ul Haque, Chief Investment Officer, Tawoos Group; and Shepard (Colie) Spink, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal. The engaging panel discussion was moderated by Jesal Asher Rajda, Executive Director, Al Ansari Group. Panellists shared insights into the complex challenges facing Oman's food systems – from water scarcity to supply chain optimisation and investment in agri-tech. Eng Asma al Hinai shared updates on the government's ongoing efforts and strategic initiatives to strengthen national food security, attract investment, and increase self-sufficiency in key food commodities. She noted that, as part of its Vision 2040 objectives, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources adopted Food Security Labs as a core mechanism to implement its five-year plan. 'The outcome of the first phase, launched in 2021, has already resulted in over 340 investment projects across the agriculture, fisheries, and water resources sectors. We are currently preparing for the final session of the Food Security Lab in October this year to conclude the first phase.' These Food Security Labs, she said, are aligned with the pillars of Oman Vision 2040. More than 40 enabling initiatives have also been launched to support long-term sustainability and investor confidence in the agriculture sector. Eng Asma also highlighted the ministry's support for entrepreneurs and investors through a range of incentive packages. She emphasised Oman's strategic focus on increasing production of food commodities where self-sufficiency is currently below 75%. 'We have established a National Food Basket that includes 25 commodities across eight food crop categories. These strategic crops are the focus of a national plan to raise sufficiency levels to at least 75% by 2028.' 'To guide these efforts, we developed a comprehensive investment map, which analyses crop composition, soil texture, and groundwater availability across Oman's governorates. This will help optimise agricultural production based on regional strengths.' Looking beyond primary production, Eng Asma said that the ministry is also working to enhance value-added processing capabilities for various food commodities. Success stories include Oman's growing industries in date processing, fish canning, and dairy by-products – many of which have already surpassed 75% self-sufficiency due to domestic value addition. Haifa al Khaifi, General Secretary of the Omani British Society, expressed deep appreciation for the insightful dialogue held during the workshop. She said, 'Under the esteemed leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman has charted a clear path towards sustainable agricultural development. Convening experts from both Oman and the UK – from government officials to agri-tech pioneers – demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment in bolstering national food security.' She acknowledged the critical role of public–private partnerships, the water–energy–food nexus, and coordinated supply–demand planning, and extended gratitude to all speakers, partners, and attendees for their valuable contributions.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
China set to resume seafood imports after Fukushima scare
China has agreed on procedures to resume imports of Japanese seafood products, Japan's government said yesterday, marking a step towards ending a nearly two-year trade ban. Officials from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and China's Customs reached the agreement during a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding that China-bound seafood exports were expected to resume after China completes 'necessary procedures'. China's General Administration of Customs said that the two countries made 'substantial progress' following another round of talks on the trade of Japanese aquatic products. The agreement comes as both governments work to ease tensions stemming from the 2023 release of treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It 'marks one important milestone', Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a regular press conference. 'We will continue calling for the resumption of Japan's exports of its beef to China and the lifting of import restrictions on agricultural and marine products from ten prefectures,' including Fukushima and Tokyo, Hayashi added. Those prefectures were not included in the agreement. Under the agreed measures, Japan will register fishery processing facilities with Chinese authorities, and exports will include inspection certificates confirming the absence of radioactive substances, the farm ministry said. The Nikkei newspaper, which reported the news earlier, said that China is expected to formally announce the resumption of seafood imports from Japanese prefectures outside the Fukushima region in the near future. China imposed the ban on Japanese seafood imports shortly after Tokyo began releasing the treated Fukushima wastewater, prompting a diplomatic and economic backlash. — Reuters
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Chinese hybrid rice boosts food security in Madagascar
Song (back, third right) poses with local residents in Anosiarivo, Madagascar, on March 25, 2025. – Xinhua photo ANTANANARIVO (May 31): 'Before, our land barely produced enough to feed us. Now, with hybrid rice, we not only eat our fill, but sell the surplus and even save to buy more land,' a farmer called Femosoa Rakatondratsara told me, smiling beside his blossoming rice field. Mahitsy, a town some 35km north-west of Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, is home to the Chinese Hybrid Rice High-Yield Demonstration Base. In the village of Anosiarivo, another hybrid rice site, vibrant paddies stretched to the horizon under blue skies and fluffy clouds. Ramboasalama Anolalaina Ratsina, an expert from the Ministry of Agriculture, was leading local farmers in pest control. Having twice received planting training in central China's Hunan Province, he is now a key figure in local hybrid rice promotion. 'All my planting skills came from Chinese experts,' he said. Over the years, Chinese experts in Madagascar have not only promoted quality seeds but also passed on knowledge, from hands-on fieldwork to theoretical training. Now, technicians like Ratsina are sharing that expertise with farmers across Madagascar. After Irene Nonenjanahary's first hybrid rice harvest brought in a bumper yield last year, she is more confident than ever. 'We used to rely on the weather,' she said. 'Now we rely on technology.' In 2007, China launched the hybrid rice demonstration center project in Madagascar, led by the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Yuan's Hi-Tech Seed. It was one of the 10 agricultural technology demonstration centers pledged at the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. 'Farmers here relied entirely on the mercy of nature. Poor seeds, limited knowledge, and weak infrastructure meant many couldn't even grow enough to eat,' said Hu Yuefang, a Chinese agronomist. Hu (right) inspects hybrid rice growth with local farmers in Mahitsy, Madagascar, on March 25, 2025. – Xinhua photo 'The first challenge to promote hybrid rice was choosing the right seed,' said Hu. To identify varieties suited to Madagascar's climate and soil, he and his team carried dozens of seed samples across almost every major rice-growing region of the island, eventually developing five locally adapted varieties with high yields, drought tolerance and flood resistance. 'But the real challenge was getting farmers to accept these 'foreign' seeds,' said Chinese agricultural expert Song Chunfang. To prove the benefits, they planted side-by-side demonstration plots – one with local rice, the other with hybrid. Using the same planting methods, the yield of hybrid rice was two to three times that of local varieties. Impressed by the yield, farmers dubbed it 'Tsarabe' – 'the best thing' in Malagasy. Hu recalled living in leaky thatched huts, collecting rainwater to drink, and trekking kilometres for firewood. 'Once, while transforming a swampland, a tree branch pierced my foot. It was the villagers who carried me out,' he said. Farmers walk along the ridges of hybrid rice paddies in Mahitsy, Madagascar, on March 26, 2025. – Xiinhua photo Today, hybrid rice cultivation in Madagascar has reached a cumulative 90,000 hectares, with average yields of 7.5 tons per hectare – two to three times that of local varieties – making it Africa's largest hybrid rice producer by area. 'I hope one day hybrid rice will be planted across Madagascar,' said Eric Laperozy, my Malagasy colleague. 'That way, more families can eat well, earn more, and my country can achieve food self-sufficiency.' – Xinhua China hybrid rice Madagascar Xinhua
Kyodo News
a day ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan eyes more rice exports as domestic consumption set to decline
KYODO NEWS - 7 hours ago - 17:41 | All, Japan The Japanese government on Friday vowed to explore new overseas markets and provide support for more efficient production as part of efforts to increase rice exports in response to an envisioned long-term contraction in domestic consumption. In the annual white paper on food and agriculture for fiscal 2024 approved by the Cabinet, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recommends increased rice exports despite the Japanese government recently introducing measures to curb soaring domestic prices, driven in part by shortages. The report identified China, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan as target markets for exports. With the popularity of Japanese food booming abroad, the country's exports of agricultural goods reached a record 1.51 trillion yen ($10.5 billion) in 2024, as it sets a target of 5 trillion yen in 2030, the paper said. To achieve that target, the government wants to increase rice exports, which trended higher to 12.03 billion yen in 2024 -- 27.8 percent above the year before -- through sales at Japanese restaurants and stores. The government set a goal to boost rice exports by nearly eightfold to 353,000 tons in 2030 from 2024 in its medium- to long-term basic plan for agriculture, released in April. To bolster productivity for rice exports, the government aims to increase the acreage managed by export-focused farmers with fields of 15 hectares or larger. It also seeks to reduce the current production costs of 16,000 yen per 60 kilograms nearer to 9,500 yen for exports to help domestic producers better compete with foreign-grown rice, according to the plan. New farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi also urged rice growers to increase output, despite the government issuing a guideline annually for each major producing region to match expected demand, a step that has led to adjustments in supply. He said last week that even if there is a surplus, rice could be exported overseas or the government could find new ways to market it. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is also supportive of increasing agricultural exports, saying in a recent TV program, "Rather than saying, 'We will export if there is a surplus,' we should aim to export from the beginning." The paper, which includes a chapter dedicated to agricultural exports for the first time, said, "It is essential to shift to earning money in growing overseas markets" as domestic consumption is expected to decline due to the falling population. Related coverage: Japan opposition chief rebuked for calling gov't reserve rice "animal feed" Japan gov't vows reserve rice supply to countryside amid price spike Half of Japan's stockpiled rice sought by retailers under new scheme
