Page 140 - CW E-Magazine (12-11-2024)

FOOD, FEED & FODDER SECURITYAcetonitrile
Top Stories

N,N,N,N-Tetramethyl Ethylene Diamine
ICRISAT & SKUAST co-develop fi rst cold-tolerant

sorghum in J&K
(TMEDA)
Jammu and Kashmir (K&K), in sustainable solutions that benefi t small- A Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST
northern India, will release new forage holder farmers and the broader agricul- Kashmir.
sorghum varieties in 2025, marking the tural sector,” said Dr. Stanford Blade,
fi rst successful adaptation of this dryland Deputy Director General-Research of Through the initiative, a compre-
crop to the region’s temperate climate. ICRISAT. Livestock rearing is crucial hensive multi-environment evaluation
in the Kashmir Valley, providing essen- program was established to identify
The release follows advanced tial protein and employment opportuni- high-yielding, nutritionally-rich sorghum DIETHYL HYDROXYLAMINE 85% & 98%
on-farm trials of elite sorghum lines ties. However, the limited availability genotypes suited for the unique agro-
conducted by the International Crops of nutritious feed poses a signifi cant climatic conditions of the Kashmir DEHA 85% & 98%
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid challenge for the sector, especially at Valley. The trials, conducted over two
Tropics (ICRISAT) in collaboration high altitudes. cropping cycles, assessed biomass
with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of yield, nutritional quality, and adaptabi-
Agricultural Sciences and Technology Fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) lity to low temperatures, leading to the MONO, DI, TRI
(SKUAST), Kashmir. The partnership has emerged as a promising solution. It identifi cation of superior cultivars.
focused on promoting dual-purpose offers high biomass production of up to
sorghum varieties that provide grain 50 tonnes per hectare, has adaptability “Developing elite sorghum lines tai- DIETHYL TOLUAMIDE
and forage. These varieties aim to to local conditions and also high nutri- lored to Kashmir’s high-altitude ecolo-
enhance food, feed, and fodder security, tional value. Its cultivation can improve gies is a remarkable achievement that DEET
addressing the critical feed supply- livestock productivity and enhance will further inform our efforts to extend
demand gap in the region’s animal the rural economy, directly benefi ting the cultivation north of 40° latitude,”
husbandry sector, which plays a vital marginalised communities, especially said Dr. Ephrem Habyarimana, Prin-
role in the local economy. Currently, smallholder farmers and landless labour cipal Scientist – Sorghum Breeding.
the region is facing a 40% fodder defi cit. dependent on animal husbandry for The project aims to enhance sustain-
their livelihoods. “This marks a signifi - able livestock production and improve
“This initiative refl ects ICRISAT’s cant step toward achieving feed, fodder, the socio-economic conditions of mar-
commitment to delivering demand- and livelihood security, especially for ginalized farmers across the Kashmir
driven innovations. Partnering with underprivileged tribal communities in Valley by releasing these cold-tolerant
SKUAST has allowed us to co-develop high-altitude areas,” said Prof. Nazir sorghum varieties in 2025.

EXPANSION

‘Hindustan Zinc to invest up to $2-bn to double capacity’

Vedanta Group fi rm, Hindustan production to 2-million tonnes… So, When asked about the investment
Zinc Ltd., plans to pump in up to $2-bn I am sure by the end of this quarter, the company plans to make to increase
(around Rs. 17,000-crore) to double its we should be able to make project production capacity, he said, as most of
production capacity to 2-mtpa in the announcements, which projects, how the mining infrastructure is in place, it
next few years, its CEO Mr. Arun Misra much and where it is happening,” he is between $1.95-bn and $2.0-bn.
has said. explained.
Hindustan Zinc is the world’s
The company, which had already The company is targeting a pro- second-largest integrated zinc producer
engaged consultants to ramp up its capa- duction capacity of 1.2-mtpa in 2025, and the third-largest silver producer.
STAR EXPORT HOUSE
city, is looking for mining partners followed by 1.35-mtpa in 2026 and The company supplies to more than 40 GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED
for the same, Mr. Misra was quoted 1.8-mtpa in 2027, Mr. Misra said. “And countries and holds a market share of
as saying in a report by news agency, then fi nally, sometime, we should be about 75% in the primary zinc market
PTI. “We have a plan of doubling the able to get 2-mtpa,” he added. in India.

140 Chemical Weekly November 5, 2024

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised