Netafim India Launches “FlexNet to Boost Next Generation” Farming in Indian Market

* The piping solution for above and below-ground drip irrigation systems makes #FarmingSimplified and offers upto 30% reduction in labour cost ~ 

Netafim India, a leading smart irrigation solution provider, has launched "FlexNet™ - a revolutionary mainline and sub-mainline piping for above and below-ground drip irrigation systems for Indian farmers to make #FarmingSimplified. This multifaceted piping solution could be adapted for any type of rabi, Kharif, vegetables, cucurbits, or other crops verities that uses drip irrigation in the row beds. The product has been unveiled by Mr. Randhir Chauhan Managing Director - Netafim India on the social media platforms and witnessed by 25 lac farmers across the country.  

Netafim’s FlexNet™ differs from the traditional PVC as well as layflat tubing systems majorly in terms of portability and convenience. One of the most salient aspects of the product is that due to its lightweight and sturdiness, installation and usability becomes much expedient for farmers. Due to low product weight, customized outlets spacing, and specially designed dripline connectors, farmers could easily layout and retrieve these portable pipes. These features reduce the installation time and manpower-cost up to 30% for farmers when compared to a typical PVC and layflat installation. Product longevity is achieved through patented material and weaving technology that provides both strength and flexibility of folding for easy transportation. The integral welded connectors ensure a secure, leak-proof connection between distribution pipes and laterals to increase the irrigation efficiency, thereby permitting uniform water distribution for better crop yield. 

The next generation piping system offers farmers a smart and sustainable irrigation mechanism. The premium polypropylene material avoids snaking and ensure the product to hold position even in the most stringent climatic and environmental conditions. It reduces weeding and muddy spots thanks to perfect sealing between the patented outlets and the pipe, that guarantees to provide top performance over many years. It offers a full line of branching and lateral connectors compatible with all Netafim systems. The white colouring offers thermal resistance and can withstand high chemical and UV exposure. 

The FlexNet™ solution by Netafim India is available in the diameter ranging from 2 inch to 5 inch and comes with Pipe Valve, Dripline Connector, Pipe Connector and Puncture Kit. The output of the submain line comes in differences of 2.5 (two and a half), 4, 5 and 6 feet respectively.  The feature to close the end cap of the submain line and open for cleaning is also achievable. It offers a full line of branching and lateral connectors compatible with all Netafim systems. For some reason even if this pipe is punctured, it can be repaired very effortlessly with the help of puncture kit and without any special assistance. The compact piping solution could be easily removed and placed anywhere in the house after irrigation. 

Expressing his thoughts on the launch, Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director - Netafim India, commented, “Netafim India is committed to offer unmatched modern farming solution to the Indian farmers. Even with India’s agricultural sector being predominated by small landholdings, we cannot let the opportunity to assimilate latest technological innovations escape any Indian farmer. The introduction of FlexNet™ is centered on this very objective to make #FarmingSimplified. Rooted in technological excellence, the piping solution aims to lend farmers greater support and autonomy over their fields.” 

Netafim India, through the launch of FlexNet™ aims to cover 1 lac hectare of land under irrigation and reach 50,000 farmers across India in the upcoming year. In Karnataka, the company intend to reach additional 25-30% of the farmer community and cover ~ 5,600 hectare of the farmland under irrigation. 

Lack of Tournaments Makes Tokyo Olympics Qualification Tougher: India Paddler Harmeet Desai

Reigning national table tennis champion Harmeet Desai feels the lack of tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic has weakened his chances to qualify for the 2021 Olympic Games. Desai expressed the concerns surrounding the same in conversation with compatriot paddler Mudit Dani on the latter's live online chat show 'In The Sportlight'.

India missed out on securing the Olympics berth via the team event at the last world qualifiers. As per existing Olympic qualification norms, only two Indian male paddlers can qualify for the Tokyo Games in the singles category. And seasoned campaigners Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran are strong contenders for the spots considering their world rankings, which are much ahead of Desai. Sharath and Sathiyan are placed 31 and 32 respectively while Desai is currently ranked 72 in the world.

"We have a strong team, so it will be very difficult for me to get ahead of the top two. Sharath and Sathiyan are really strong players. It would have been much better for me if I could have got a chance to play more international tournaments in this period because I didn't have the pressure of defending any of the points, I only had the chance to gain points after my performance at the Oman Open. It's sad that the chance is gone and I am in all likelihood missing the bus this time," Desai admitted while talking on Indian paddler Mudit Dani's online live chat show 'In The Sportlight'.

The 27-year-old from Surat, who was in great form as he finished in the last four at the Oman Open just before the coronavirus outbreak, is not heartbroken but quite determined to make his Olympic debut in 2024 if he doesn't get to qualify for Tokyo. "Even though it will be difficult for me to qualify, I still hope to make it. And if not this time, I will work harder for 2024," Desai, who was part of the team that won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, further added.

Be it winning historic medals at the big-ticket events or rising high in the world rankings, Indian table tennis has seen exponential rise in the recent years. Desai credited the growth of table tennis in India to the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league and the support the sport is receiving from the government and Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

"Indian TT has caught a lot of attention in the last few years with good performances in all categories. Support of government, federation and playing in UTT has played an important role in the growth of Indian TT. Indian players all this while used to go to European countries but now foreign players are also coming to India to play UTT and this has given chance for youngsters to play against them, practice with them and learn from them. This has also helped us to believe that we can beat them irrespective of how higher ranked they are," Desai, an ardent fan of tennis great Rafael Nadal, said.

With the sporting world gradually getting back to normal, Desai is the first Indian paddler to travel abroad post the COVID-era and participate in the French League. He is currently training in Germany and intends to stay back in Europe and get match exposure and training opportunities in the coming few months.

NDDB Chairman Unanimously Elected to Board of International Dairy Federation On Nov 2

Shri Dilip Rath, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has been unanimously elected to the Board of International Dairy Federation (IDF) on 2ndNovember 2020 during the General Assembly of IDF.Shri Rath said, “I see my election to the IDF Board as an opportunity to bring along valuable insights from the Indian dairy experience and foster complementarities and synergies between dairying nations. It is a privilege for me to represent the world’s largest milk producing nation and contribute to promoting Sustainable Goals of dairying and also meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I keenly look forward to furthering IDF Board’s mandate.”

Shri Dilip Rath is associated with IDF for the last 10 years as Member Secretary of Indian National Committee and as a member of the Standing Committee on Dairy Policy and Economics. He has participated in National Committee Secretaries’ meetings as well as General Assembly on numerousoccasions. Shri Rath was also adistinguished speaker in the Leaders’ Forum Panel at Rotterdam Summit in 2016. He played a key role in signing the Dairy Declaration at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Rotterdam in October 2016 between IDF and FAO. The Declaration recognises the contribution of the dairy sector to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals such as ending poverty and hunger, and protecting the environment. The IDF Indian National Committee represented by Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India and Chairman, NDDB signed the Indian Dairy Sector’s endorsement to meet U N Sustainable Development Goals with President and Director General of International Dairy Federation at IDF’s World Dairy Summit at Istanbul in 2019.

Shri Rath as Secretary of the Indian National Committee, took the initiative to host the World Dairy Summit in India in 2022. India will host the first post COVID -19IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 in which over 1000 participants including experts, academicians, dairy professionals are expected to participate from about 55 countries. Hosting the World Dairy Summit in New Delhi, India, will be a proud moment and a befitting tribute to the dairy farmers. The summit provides a global forum to dairy leaders and experts to exchange knowledge and ideas on how the sector can contribute to nourish the world with safe andsustainable dairying.

Shri Rath said that cooperative approach in India is not a matter of choice but it constitutes an essential strategy by which millions of small dairy farmers are being empowered to have a level playing field in the market and get a fair share of the value of milk. Dairying in India has proven to be the growth engine for the farmsector as a whole. It is not only about providing nutrition to billions of consumers but is also about ensuring sustainable livelihood for millions of our milk producers. India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations and has the largest bovine population in the World. The milk production in country has been growing at the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43 % as against the global CAGR of 1.53 % for the last 5 years.  The impressive growth and self-sufficiency in the dairy sector has been made possible by the concerted efforts of the dairy farmers, Government of India, NDDB and many other stakeholders. In this context the selection of Shri Rath is considered to be a matter of pride for India.

The global dairy sector is poised to play an important role towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal aimed at eliminating hunger by 2030. Among others, it shall continue to focus on the important element of promotion of sustainable agriculture and supporting marginal and small farmers. In doing so, women’s empowerment leading to their increased participation in leadership and decision making in dairy cooperatives and producer’s association need to be promoted.

IDF is an international non-governmental, non-profit association with a vision “Helping to nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy”. IDF members are National Committees generally constituted by dairy organizations in each country. The National Committee represents its country. India is represented by the National Committee (INC) of the IDF. The Secretary (ADF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is the President of the INC-IDF and NDDB, as its Secretariat, coordinates its activities.

Acronis And Compuage Infocom Collaborate To Provide Upgraded Cyber Protection For Cloud In India

 Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, today announced its partnership with Compuage Infocom Ltd, India’s leading IT and mobility distribution company, to introduce upgraded cyber protection solutions for cloud to enterprises and small businesses in India.

The news about this partnership comes in as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to expose gaps in traditional solutions and strategies. Securing home offices has never been more important, yet the recent Acronis Cyber Readiness Report 2020 revealed that nearly half (47%) of remote workers never received clear guidance on working from home. Alarmingly, 31% of companies around the world reported getting attacked at least once a day – while India reported nearly twice as many attacks as any other country.

Compuage, having started off as a reseller back in 1987, will help enhance the reach of Acronis’ easy, efficient, and secure cyber protection technology to local businesses through its extensive pan India partners network – including companies like Microsoft, HP, ASUS and more.

In today’s digital era when cyber protection solutions are of critical need, the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities which are part of Acronis cloud products, provide increased security and reliability, presenting an effective method to block any ransomware attacks.

“Acronis solutions are a perfect fit for local businesses in India – with this partnership, we plan to deliver top-notch cloud solutions to enterprises, SMBs and small business owners via our partner network. Our aim is to make Acronis Cyber Cloud solutions easily available for partners with flexible billing options.” said Mr Atul H Mehta, Chairman and MD of Compuage. “Data is of critical importance to smooth business operations, and with the Acronis solutions we will be able to protect our partners’ and clients’ data.”

Incorporating cybersecurity capabilities such as real-time antimalware protection, on-demand antivirus scans, web filtering, and videoconference protection into solutions, like the recently launched Acronis Cyber Protect 15, ensures businesses have complete cyber protection. For small and medium-size business owners, unifying these vital capabilities in one solution makes their protection easier to manage and more affordable, while greatly improving the security of their data and devices.

“Compuage is a recognised brand name not just in India, but across South Asia region with a strong presence established over a decade – we are excited to partner with a team that is well-equipped with technical skills in cloud backup and security. We believe this alliance will prove to be instrumental in delivering best cloud solutions tailored to the needs of customers”, said Rustom Hiramaneck, Acronis Head of South Asia.

By integrating the company’s VB100-certified antimalware technology into its award-winning software, Acronis can uniquely offer one single solution that tackles the complete range of modern data loss threats.

Solutions available

Compuage will now be offering Acronis Cyber Cloud solutions to businesses and partners – the range of solutions provided will also include Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, an innovative cyber protection solution that integrates backup, disaster recovery, next-gen anti-malware, cybersecurity and management tools into one solution.

Acronis cybersecurity solutions for cloud will empower Compuage partners with anti-ransomware protection, backup, disaster recovery, file sync and share, solutions that are easy to use, efficient, and secure. Compuage will be one of the few distributors to be providing all these services – allowing its partners to resell these solutions and address the growing cyber security and data protection concerns of businesses in the country.

About Acronis

Acronis unifies data protection and cybersecurity to deliver integrated, automated cyber protection that solves the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) challenges of the modern digital world. With flexible deployment models that fit the demands of service providers and IT professionals, Acronis provides superior cyber protection for data, applications, and systems with innovative next-generation antivirus, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection management solutions. With award-winning AI-based antimalware and blockchain-based data authentication technologies, Acronis protects any environment – from cloud to hybrid to on-premises – at a low and predictable cost.

Founded in Singapore in 2003 and incorporated in Switzerland in 2008, Acronis now has more than 1,500 employees in 33 locations in 18 countries. Its solutions are trusted by more than 5.5 million home users and 500,000 companies, including 100% of the Fortune 1000, and top-tier professional sports teams. Acronis products are available through 50,000 partners and service providers in over 150 countries in more than 40 languages.

About Compuage

Compuage Infocom Ltd is a distribution giant creating opportunities for enterprise advancement for its channel partners through agressive market development and continuous improvement through agility. With 46 offices and 69 service centers across the country, our 12,000+ online & offline retailers, resellers and system integrators enjoy doing business at ease.

Compuage Infocom Ltd acts as a strategic link between vendors and partners, thus readying them for unprecedented levels of business performance by catering to small and medium size businesses, large enterprises and government organizations across various industry verticals.

Our global infrastructure has its footprints in 7 countries across SAARC nations, coupled with a direct focus on enterprise solutions, cloud computing, PC & components and mobility. 

Siemens Energy and Bentley Systems Introduce Asset Performance Management Solution for Oil & Gas Operators

• Solution combines Bentley Systems Inc.’s asset performance software capabilities with Siemens Energy’s oil and gas equipment expertise

• Enhances equipment uptime and reliability while reducing maintenance costs and safety risks

Siemens Energy and Bentley Systems, Inc. (Bentley) have announced a joint solution that delivers intelligent analytics derived from domain experience to reduce operating expenditures associated with oil and gas assets. The new service, known as Asset Performance Management for Oil & Gas, or APM4O&G, incorporates key complementary offerings from both companies to help operators enhance asset performance, eliminate downtime, and reduce maintenance costs.

The APM4O&G solution combines Bentley’s advanced asset performance software capabilities (AssetWise) with Siemens Energy’s technology and service expertise to empower operators to improve maintenance operations and planning.

The solution, part of Siemens Energy’s Omnivise digital solutions portfolio, supports maintenance activities across several assets, including onshore compressor stations and gas processing plants, as well as offshore production platforms and floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

The APM4O&G solution adopts smart, condition-based strategies based on predictive analytics to optimize maintenance schedules in compressor stations and gas processing plants, helping extend asset life and keeping maintenance costs down. Offshore, the solution helps operators reduce logistics costs associated with unplanned maintenance activities. Operators can also make the best use of limited laydown and storage areas offshore by holding just the right spare stock based on risk-based maintenance strategies.

In addition to monitoring assets, the APM4O&G Solution can run powerful diagnostics and risk analysis scenarios that further optimize plant uptime, including failure mode effect analysis, an operational health index of equipment, and a remaining useful life estimate for an individual component or a whole system.

“APM for oil and gas is the latest example of how our strategic alliance with Bentley is driving value for our customers,” said Laura Anderson, Head of Siemens Energy Services Controls & Digitalization business. “Through our combined offerings and expertise, the APM4O&G solution will help our customers manage maintenance costs, improve equipment reliability, minimize the risks of lost-time Incidents and serious injuries, and increase the performance and availability of their oil and gas production and processing infrastructure.”

The introduction of the APM4O&G solution follows the successful launch of an APM solution for power plants, announced by Siemens Energy and Bentley Systems in 2018.

“We’re excited to continue our strategic partnership with Siemens Energy to lower the risks and costs associated with maintaining the operationscritical infrastructure,” said Greg Bentley, CEO, Bentley. “Once again, our collaborative efforts, combined with advances in IoT, smart system diagnostics, and performance digital twins, are helping owner-operators reach new levels of efficiency and performance with their oil and gas assets.”

Godrej Appliances Protects India’s Health - Partners Government’s Universal Immunization Programme

 * Augments the health care cold chain for government’s immunization programme with more than 11000 units of vaccine refrigerators and deep freezers to be deployed pan India.

* Wins prestigious tender under the pan India programme by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Godrej Appliances, leading Indian appliances manufacturer, is all set to commission 11,856 units of state of art vaccine refrigerators and deep freezers under the Universal Immunization Programme by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in states across India over the next 6 months. These advanced medical equipments will be delivered at various state depots across the nation in 22 locations and will be commissioned at numerous government hospitals, district hospitals and health centers strengthening the cold chain for the massive immunization programme run by the Indian Government. The brand has recently won the tender worth Rs. 95 Cr for 8767 units of ice-lined medical refrigerators and 3089 units of horizontal deep freezers through the bidding process.

Powered by Sure Chill Technology, Godrej medical refrigerators help maintain the optimum temperature range of 2 to 8 °C - a necessity for vaccine preservation and blood storage. This refrigerator maintains its temperature even in case of power outages for as long as 8-12 days in ambient temperatures of 43˚C. In regions without electric supply, the equipment can be teamed with solar power to deliver the same results. This also includes the Lite Series apt for peri-urban and urban areas wherein power outage is not a major issue and hence it comes with an adequate holdover of 3 days.  

On the other hand, Godrej medical freezers with D-cool Technology use D-shaped Copper Refrigerating Tube for more surface contact and large heat exchange area for delivering high refrigeration efficiency. It provides precision cooling at -20 °C. 

Speaking on the announcement, Kamal Nandi – Business Head and Executive Vice President – Godrej Appliances said, “We are proud to be a part of one of the largest immunization programs by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Immunization has long been the most effective way to fight and eradicate diseases. Our Godrej medical refrigerators are equipped to deliver a precision cooling of 4°C at all times despite power cuts and is at par with international quality standards, with performance that outclasses most other ILRs. Like all Godrej appliances, these are eco-friendly and use 100% CFC, HFC and HCFC free R600A and world’s greenest R290 Refrigerant, helping deliver maximum energy-efficiency and ensuring that these don’t harm our environment. We are proud to partner the Indian government by strengthening the healthcare cold chain in this large-scale endeavor which protects the health of Indian citizens, safeguards our country’s current and future generations and helps build a robust nation and economy.”

Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan, Associate Vice President and Head - New Business Development, Godrej Appliances further added “Vaccines exposed to either more than 8°C or less than 2°C lose potency and this results in significant losses both in human terms – the end-user does not get proper immunization and economic –government has to discard costly vaccines at zero salvage value. A Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) report indicated a lack of adequate power supply (from extended/frequent power failures) as one of the key challenges for last-mile immunization infrastructure in India. Our range of technologically advanced medical refrigerators and freezers help maintain the ideal temperature for vaccines even at an ambient temperature of 43 °C and despite power cuts, making it a perfect companion for such vaccine outreach programs. Godrej is well placed in the medical cold chain category given its expertise in refrigeration over the years, its portfolio spanning medical refrigerators and deep freezers both and its widespread service network. Both these products are being manufactured in India. Together with the government and health workers, we are determined to provide last mile immunization, in line with the Indian government’s objective of quality healthcare to all.”

Health Facilities across several underdeveloped and developing countries are spread over large remote geographies, often inaccessible, making service delivery a challenge. The service arm of the brand, Godrej SmartCare, assumes critical importance here and is committed to 48-hour call closures in urban centers and 72 hours in rural centers. Backed by the assurance of spares availability, a wide service network with over 660 service centers, more than 4500 app-enabled Smart Buddy technicians, a 24 x 7 call center with linguistic capability of up to 14 regional languages to cater to India’s diversity and supported by the longest holdover time in the product, this translates into reassuring ‘always on’ performance and no fear of wastage when it comes to precious health care resources like vaccines. 

Microsoft Trials Last-Mile Content Delivery Technology to Drive Reach In Remote Geographies

In an effort to catalyze digital transformation and bring rich visual content to low bandwidth geographies, Microsoft is collaborating with Eros Now, a leading South Asian streaming entertainment service owned by Eros STX Global Corporation (NYSE: ESGC), a global entertainment company to deliver content to customers in low internet geographies of India. This pilot leveraged Microsoft Azure, a technology from Microsoft Research, content from Eros Now, and commerce capabilities from Novopay, a digital transaction partner and the commerce engine.

Recent statistics show that media consumption has changed dramatically over the last decade, revealing opportunities and challenges for media and over-the-top (OTT) service providers. While consumers’ increasing demand for latest content remains consistent, the trends demonstrate increasing ask for video-on-demand and accessibility across combinations of devices and carriers. Given that businesses need to grow subscribers and the vast audiences waiting to be connected in low bandwidth communities, Microsoft is testing new technology to bridge that digital divide.

In this pilot, Eros Now uploaded content to a central content repository, built on Microsoft Azure, that can quickly process large volumes of data to distribute to hubs. Consumers then connect to these hubs to securely download content to their mobile devices without internet connectivity.  By using this system, consumers in low connectivity regions could access Eros Now’s rich media content and pay for services in modes they prefer. The month-long pilot program tested the system from cloud to end consumer service. In the coming months, we will expand the test to additional providers to ensure consumers across India can access this service.

Ravi Krishnaswamy, Corporate Vice President – Azure Global Industry, Microsoft, said, “We’re committed to bringing together cloud technology, industry expertise, and partners to help our media and entertainment customers innovate and grow. By helping customers in low bandwidth locations across India access the content of their choice, we can expand retail distribution opportunities, help media partners connect with more customers, and help customers connect with stories and content they love.”

Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now, said, “In India’s cluttered online streaming industry, differentiation has gone beyond content and technology to provide an edge over others. Eros Now’s content catalogue, especially movies and original shows, attract massive regional audience base, and expanding the market by adopting pioneering technological innovation is the key for premium platform’s substantial growth. The association with Microsoft to utilize its cloud-enabled last-mile content delivery enables Eros Now to lead the space by tapping the underserved potential customer base in low bandwidth areas and continue catering to market demands.”

Microsoft is committed to inclusive growth in line with its vision to bring about a difference to the community and ensure technology access to the last mile. Microsoft Azure’s comprehensive portfolio of innovative engineering capabilities can be used to facilitate remote device management through the cloud. It can also help OTT providers stream media channels while ensuring end-to-end device connectivity, central content management, and security.

About Microsoft India

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 11,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research, development and customer services and support, across 11 Indian cities—Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft offers its global cloud services from local data centers to accelerate digital transformation across Indian startups, businesses, and government organizations.