The World Bank’s board of executive directors has recently approved a US$320mn loan to promote green agriculture and rural development in China’s Southwest region
Crops
Addressing inconveniences faced by South Korean farmers
South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has recently upgraded the customised information system of projects supported by the Ministry to address the inconveniences faced by farmers in the country
Protenga raises investment to scale smart insect farms
Protenga, a developer of insect technology and animal foods, recently closed a US$2mn venture debt facility with a syndicate of Singapore-based investors
Promoting sustainability by turning food waste into personal care
Chia Tai Farm by Chia Tai Group, one of Thailand’s leading innovative agricultural companies, has launched personal care products made from Thai melon extract
FAO to endorse the International Day of Plant Health annually

According to FAO, protecting plants from pests and diseases is far more cost-effective than dealing with plant health emergencies. (Image source: FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a UN decision to establish an annual International Day of Plant Health, an issue said to be critical in addressing global hunger as plant pests and diseases cause massive crop losses and leave millions without enough food