Global Climate News

US-based Clemson University researchers explored how crop management and climate factors influence sorghum nutrient composition and amino acid digestibility in broilers. They found positive correlations between nitrogen fertilization and dry matter/starch, yield and amino acid digestibility, and negative correlations between seeding rate and dry matter/lysine. The study, funded by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and USDA, used data from six sorghum samples across the Southeast US and broiler digestibility data from a previous study.

The USDA published an interim rule on technical guidelines for climate-smart agriculture crops used as biofuel feedstocks. These guidelines will help recognize climate-smart agriculture in clean transportation fuel programs, creating new market opportunities for biofuel feedstock producers and enhancing climate benefits.

The article discusses tar spot, a fungal disease affecting corn crops, and strategies for managing it. It emphasizes residue management (tillage, crop rotation, residue removal), hybrid selection for resistance, fungicide strategies (products, timing, budgeting), technology for monitoring (AI-powered tools), collaboration with advisors, and staying informed. Fungicide application costs are estimated at $20-$30 per acre. Taranis, an AI-powered crop intelligence company, is mentioned as a tool for managing tar spot.

A team of researchers at MIT has developed a new method for producing ammonia underground using Earth's natural heat and pressure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The process involves injecting water with nitrogen and a catalyst into iron-rich rocks, generating hydrogen that reacts with nitrogen to form ammonia. This could reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 1 percent.

Several New Hampshire-based companies utilize geospatial technologies for various applications, including urban development, agriculture, environmental conservation, and disaster response. FlyPix AI, for example, offers AI-powered geospatial analysis solutions, while Geosyntec Consultants focuses on environmental and geospatial solutions for land-use planning and resource management. Other firms like Brown Engineering and Surveying, CAI Technologies, Nobis Group, Horizons Engineering, and Greenman-Pedersen provide services such as drone-based photogrammetry, GIS mapping, and environmental consulting.

Taiwan's Executive Yuan convened a meeting to stabilize prices of essential goods for the Lunar New Year. The government aims to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices by monitoring various products, encouraging discounts, and implementing price controls. Measures include increasing supply of key agricultural products (8%-17% for livestock, 18%-39% for vegetables/fruits), keeping gasoline and natural gas prices stable during the holiday, and monitoring restaurant prices. The government also addresses the impact of extreme weather on agricultural production.

The World Bank issued US\$2.7 billion in sustainable development bonds to raise awareness for food loss and waste challenges. The bonds support sustainable development projects, including \$4.6 billion in lending to fund infrastructure, market access, logistics, and waste management. Additionally, research shows that reducing food loss and waste yields tangible food security gains and emissions reductions. Too Good To Go, a scaleup, uses technology to connect consumers with surplus food.

The UK government has launched the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme to offer payments to farmers and land managers for environmental protection and improvement. The scheme prioritizes pre-application advice for specific groups and will open fully in summer 2025. Payment rates were updated on January 1, 2024, and the scheme aims to have around 1,200 new agreements by March 2026. Capital grants are also available for supporting actions.

India is organizing a two-day conclave in Shillong, Meghalaya, focusing on the holistic development of the livestock sector in Northeast India. The conclave aims to promote sustainable and inclusive farming practices, assess challenges, and explore growth opportunities through value chain strengthening and technological interventions. Several projects will be launched, and MOUs will be signed to boost investment. Government schemes like AHIDF, EDP, RGM, and NPDD support sustainable livestock practices.

Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart and her executives are seeking investment opportunities in the US, particularly in mining, oil and gas, and agriculture. They cite Australia's regulatory environment and high electricity prices as reasons for seeking investment elsewhere. Rinehart has publicly supported Donald Trump and criticized the Australian government's energy and resource development policies.

The Republic of Guinea has significant potential for deploying distributed renewable energy (DRE) in its agriculture sector. A report identifies solar PV as the most suitable solution for rice, maize, and vegetable value chains, estimating considerable market potential for solar PV water pumping, milling, and cold storage. Key barriers include limited access to credit, DRE supply, awareness, and quality concerns. The report recommends policy, finance, and supply-side actions to overcome these obstacles and stimulate DRE uptake.

The UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi, hosted the 7th Annual Meeting of the Global Research and Expertise Network for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR-GREN) from January 20-22, 2025. Over 80 experts from 30+ countries participated, focusing on PPR control strategies and sustainable livestock protection. This event highlights ADAFSA’s commitment to international collaboration in combating animal diseases and supporting the global eradication of PPR by 2030.

Several companies, including FlyPix AI, Picterra, Deep Forestry, SeeTree, MAV Drones, Saiwa, Aero PH, and The Water Channel, offer drone-based solutions for tree counting and forest management, integrating AI and advanced sensors for precise data collection and analysis. These solutions are used for various applications, including forestry, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

Several companies offer satellite-based tree counting services, including FlyPix AI, SkyWatch, Planet, AgroVech, UP42, Swift Geospatial, Saiwa, Satellite Imaging Corporation, and Esri India. These services utilize AI-powered geospatial analytics and high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor forest resources, support reforestation projects, and aid in sustainable forestry management. The ESA also supports such initiatives through its Space Solutions program.

The UK has launched a Grain Verification Scheme to track grain stolen from occupied areas of Ukraine, using cutting-edge science to determine where grain has been grown and harvested. The scheme strengthens Ukraine’s food security and ensures it remains a major agricultural supplier. The UK also committed to a global transition to low emission fertilisers and allocated funding to research biofertilisers.

Brazil will host the COP30 climate conference in Belém in November 2025. President Lula emphasized the importance of this event and Brazil's role in international climate action. He also mentioned the upcoming BRICS summit in July 2025.

The EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science have developed a screen-printed fungal battery that uses two types of fungi to generate energy. The battery is currently powerful enough for agricultural sensors and digests itself when its work is complete.

In Kenya, the Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project, funded by the IKEA Foundation and implemented by the Cereal Growers Association (CGA), in partnership with AGRA, has helped smallholder farmers like Lyna Nzambia adopt regenerative agriculture practices. This resulted in increased yields (from 2 to 6 bags of green grams per acre) and higher prices (from sh40 to sh100 per kilo). The project also facilitated the formation of the Kamantho Farmers Marketing Cooperative Society, improving the community's economic situation and living standards.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a report on sustainable nitrogen management in agrifood systems. The report highlights the need to improve nitrogen use efficiency to reduce environmental harm and improve human health. Key recommendations include reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production, promoting biological nitrogen fixation, improving manure management, encouraging organic fertilizers, and integrating sustainable nitrogen management into national policies.

India's coffee exports reached $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million in 2020-21. The Coffee Board of India launched the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) to improve yields and ensure sustainable farming. In Araku Valley, coffee production increased by 20% thanks to collaboration with the Coffee Board, ITDA, and GCC loans. Karnataka leads in production, contributing 248,020 MT in 2022-23.