Agriculture

Laser etching mangoes: Westfalia Fruit's latest innovation

This initiative eliminates the need for individual plastic PLU stickers. (Image source: Westfalia Fruit)

Leading multinational avocados and fresh vegetables and fruit supplier, Westfalia Fruit has announced the launch of laser etching on mangoes

The laser project was a collaboration between Westfalia’s capabilities in The Netherlands and in Germany to ensure the fruit’s quality and shelf life were preserved. Driven by its Netherlands-based operations, this initiative eliminates the need for individual plastic PLU stickers. Customer feedback has been very positive, and the plan is to expand the range further across Europe in the near future.

“Since joining Westfalia, my focus has been on improving collaboration and efficiency," said head of operations Central Europe, Mathijs Benard. "The introduction of laser etching, which is almost like a tattoo on the mango, has been an exciting project. Not only does it make the fruit stand out in-store, but it also has the potential to save up to 10 million plastic stickers a year. What we can laser on the fruit is only limited by our imagination and customer needs. Currently, we are etching the fruit origin, customer branding, and product reference.”

Westfalia's Poeldijk production facilities showcase diverse capabilities. While the company is renowned for its expertise in avocados, these facilities also offer year-round packing solutions for sprouts, capsicum, and other vegetables.

CGIAR launches visionary 2030 GSRD

Group photo following the Launch of the GSRD on 4 December 2024. (Image source: ICRISAT)

In an attempt to transform farming in arid regions and ensure sustainable food systems for future generations, the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has recently launched its visionary 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD)

Developed collaboratively under the leadership of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the GSRD provides a comprehensive, science-driven roadmap to improve the lives of some 2.7 billion people who call the drylands home with a particular focus on Asia and Africa.

Based on 50 years of research and innovations from CGIAR's 15 global research centres and partners, the GSRD provides solutions aimed at enhancing food security, conserve biodiversity, and build resilient livelihoods by delivering state-of-the-art agri-research solutions including solar-powered agrivoltaics, innovative agriforestry and livestock feed practices, among others.

Speaking at COP16 in Riyadh, CGIAR executive managing director, Dr Ismahane Elouafi said the new strategy builds on CGIAR's rich legacy of impact, uniting all fifteen centres in a stronger, more integrated effort to tackle the challenges of drylands.

“By combining our expertise, we will deliver more innovative, context-specific, and lasting solutions to secure the livelihoods of communities that rely on these vital but fragile ecosystems,” said Dr Elouafi.

New collaboration to strengthen plant-based protein market

Lars-Gunnar Edh, executive vice president of the Lantmännen Energy Sector and CEO of Lantmännen Biorefineries and Mike O’Riordan, Ingredion’s senior vice president of Texture and Healthful Solutions in EMEA. (Image source: Ingredion)

Leading global provider of ingredient solutions for food, beverage and industrial applications, Ingredion Inc recently announced its long term collaboration with agricultural cooperative, Lantmännen

The partnership will aid in the development of a differentiated portfolio of plant-based protein isolates based on yellow peas. A state-of–the-art production plant will also be built in Sweden, with its completion scheduled in 2027.

According to Ingredion’s senior vice president of texture and healthful solutions in EMEA, Mike O’Riordan, expanding their footprint in the European market marked a new milestone in their strategy to solidify their position as a global leader in the plant-based protein industry.

“This partnership allows us to leverage our combined strengths to deliver superior, sustainably sourced pea protein isolates that meet the evolving needs of the global market,” O’Riordan added.

BiocSol secures seed funding for next gen crop protection solutions

This funding acts as a catalyst for BiocSol's development. (Image source: David Plas)

UCLouvain spin-off, BiocSol which specialises in sustainable crop protection solutions recently announced the successful closure of its initial seed funding round after securing US$5.6mn in equity

BiocSol aims to attract a total US$10.5mn by year-end through additional non-dilutive and equity financing. Agri Investment Fund and VIVES IUF led the round, bringing extensive expertise in agribusiness and biotechnology, alongside Belgian investors, including Invest.BW and IMBC Spinnova SA.

The funding, which behaves as a catalyst for BiocSol's development, will not only enable the company to broaden its team and R&D pipeline, but also kickstart the regulatory processes for its pioneering biofungicies. Moreover, the product will also increase production to meet demand and optimise its quality and efficiency processes. BiocSol empowers farmers through the development of innovative microbial-based biopesticies, thereby providing an efficient biocontrol to protect their crops.

“This new investment is strategic for our fund as it enables us to become part of the rapidly growing Wallonia AgTech ecosystem,” said Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund. “We are particularly impressed by BiocSol's innovative approach, which addresses some of the most pressing agricultural problems by creating multiple modes of action to combat pathogens that are swiftly developing resistance to current solutions.”

Advancing their mission to develop sustainable crop protection solutions, CTO and founder of BiocSol, Simon Caulier emphasised that they were at a pivotal moment for the company. "This investment allows us to bring impactful solutions to agriculture, fostering a healthier planet for future generations,” Caulier concluded.

Olmix launches Myco'Kingdom to manage mycotoxin risk

The Myco'Kingdom platform gathers seven functionalities for identifying, assessing, preventing and managing mycotoxin risk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Global livestock and crop farming solutions company, Olmix has recently launched its new platform MycoKingdom.net, dedicated to managing and understanding mycotoxin risk

The initiative aims to address a growing concern involving the presence of mycotoxins in a wide variety of crops such as corn and wheat. This can pose a major threat to animal nutrition since mycotoxins can have a detrimental impact on animal health if not appropriately controlled.

In order to minimise economic losses linked to contaminationhe, the Myco'Kingdom platform gathers seven functionalities for identifying, assessing, preventing and managing mycotoxin risk. Among the tools on offer is Myco’Essential, now available in a digital version, a real guide containing general information on the nature of mycotoxins (around 30 different molecules studied belonging to 9 families) and more specific information on their effects on animals and the level of toxicity of the most common mycotoxins. In addition, the Myco’Simulator provides an in-depth understanding of mycotoxins. It shows the structure of the six main mycotoxins to learn about their physico-chemical behavior, which gives them th eir toxicity.

It is important to keep in mind the need for correct sampling since it accounts for 80% of laboratory analytical errors. To avoid errors, the Myco'Kingdom platform comes with a sampling procedure outlining the best practices for collecting feed samples to ensure accurate mycotoxin studies. The Myco’Screen service offers different types of analysis, including rapid methods and full screenings (up to 44 mycotoxins per sample) using chromatography.

The following tools have been used to build the reputation of the platform in recent years:

1. Myco'Evaluator: A diagnostic tool.

2. Myco'Calculator: Optimises the use of the platform's solutions.

In the event of a proven risk, Olmix offers two solutions:

1. MT.X+: In powder form, this is suitable for feed mills and premix producers.

2. MMi.S: The microgranulated version of this is particularly suitable for direct use on farms.

“Thanks to this platform of interactive tools, designed for simple, intuitive navigation, Olmix is extending its range of services to support livestock professionals on a daily basis: nutritionists, formulators, technicians, veterinarians and breeders,” explained Marie Gallissot, head of the mycotoxin solutions range at Olmix.

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