Gulf agriculture magazine

TM

S E P T E M B E R O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4I S S N 1 7 5 1 - 8 4 0 7

Y O U R G A T E W A Y T O T H E M I D D L E E A S T A G R I B U S I N E S S

EXPERTS IN PLANTNUTRITION

PROPORTIONAL DOSINGTECHNOLOGY

MAJOR GROWTH THATEXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

NEW HOLLAND TC5040COMBINES STEP UP

SPECIALIST IN FEEDRAW MATERIALS

3028 32 4624

VISITUS

AT

7-10 September 2014, Riyadh InternationalConvention and Exhibition Center (RICEC)

2 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014GULF AGRICULTURE

Editor in Chief Mohammed Nasser Editor Marie Matthew Associate Editor Andrew Thomas Graphic Designer Elizabeth JohnMarketing Manager Megha Mary Matt Production Manager Abdul ShareefContributors Neville J. Chandler, P.K. James, Douglas Bott, Shakeeb Kolakadan, Dr. Terry Mabbett

Head Office Matt Media International Ltd, Woodgreen, London N22 5AR, UK.E-mail: [email protected], Web site: www.gulfagriculture.comMiddle East Office Al Saad Advertising & Publishing L.L.C., P O Box 25694, Sharjah, UAE, Tel:+971 6 5639494, Fax:+971 6 5639449.

Gulf Agriculture is read by agri professionals, farm managers & owners, landscape consultants, contractors, agri-equipment suppliers, horticulturalengineers, greenhouse managers, agronomists, veterinary surgeons, ministries, poultry & dairy breeders, importers, distributors, manufacturers and whole salers of food and agri inputs.Printed and published by Matt Media© Intl. Ltd.(U.K.) 2014

26

CONTENTS

All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstance. The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for anyerror or omissions contained in this publication.

Cover courtesy: Jain Irrigation Systems

NEWS UPDATE PAGE 04

SAUDI AGRICULTURE 2014 GENERATES REMARKABLE GLOBAL INTEREST PAGE 18

ALYASEEN AGRI. AT THE FOREFRONT OF SAUDI AGRICULTURE PAGE 21

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JEHAD M. ATIYAT, CEO OF AGRI SCIENCES PAGE 22

HUMINTECH MOVED TO NEW PLACE PAGE 26

JAIN'S SOLAR POWERED MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM: PROMISING OPTION FOR AGRARIANS PAGE 34

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF LIQUID METHIONINE HYDROXY ANALOGUE IS

LOWER THAN THAT OF DL-METHIONINE — THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BACKGROUND PAGE 40

CASE STUDY PAGE 44

18 22


NEWS UPDATE

GCC Fertilizer Industry SeesGrowth More Than DoubleGlobal AverageThe fertilizer industry in theGulf region is growing twice asfast as the global industryaverage led by the increasedinvestments from petrochemicalproducers, says the GulfPetrochemicals and ChemicalsAssociation (GPCA).

According to GPCAestimates, GCC's fertilizerproduction capacity reached42.7 million tons in 2013, a 4%increase from the previous year,while the global fertilizerindustry grew by just 1.7% inthe same period. Capacitygrowth was achieved withseveral multimillion dollarprojects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar

and the United Arab Emiratescoming on-stream.

“In 2013, GCC producersexported 20 million tons offertilizer products to more than80 countries worldwide,” saidMr. Khalifa Al-Sowaidi,Chairman of the GPCA'sFertilizer Committee and ChiefExecutive Officer of QatarFertilizer Company (QAFCO).“The GCC industry accountedfor approximately one-quarter ofglobal urea trade and for 12% ofthe global ammonia tradevolume in 2013. With doubledigit capacity growth over thelast five years, the GCC industryhas demonstrated its potential tobe a major global player.”

With the world populationprojected to reach over 9.3

billion people by 2050, theInternational Fertilizer IndustryAssociation (IFA) predicts thatworld food production has toincrease by 60% to feed theworld's future generations.

“The growth in populationand the need to accelerate foodproduction represents a majoropportunity for the GCC'sfertilizer producers,” explainedMr. Al- Sowaidi. “As an exportoriented market that exportsmore than 90% of its nitrogenfertilizers (ammonia and urea) tothe Far East, the GCC fertilizerindustry can make a majorglobal contribution to addressingfood security challenges byproviding access to and efficientuse of inputs and resources.”

While analysts have


predicted of a slowdown ingrowth due to the availability ofcheaper feedstock elsewhere,particularly due to the shale gasrevolution, the GPCA forecaststhat region's fertilizer capacitywill continue to grow at asteady pace.

“Several multibillion dollarprojects will be completed inthe next years, which willstrengthen the GCC's fertilizercapacity to over 66 million tonsby 2018,” said Dr. AbdulwahabAl- Sadoun, Secretary General,GPCA. “In addition, theindustry will further diversifyits products portfolio to ensureits long-term competitivenessand profitability.”

To support the region'sfertilizer industry, the GPCAwill host its fifth annual

Fertilizer Convention fromSeptember 16-18, 2014 inDubai, United Arab Emirates.Discussions will focus on howfertilizers contribute to globalfood security.

Cash crops enhance food securityCrops sold on markets ('cashcrops') are an integral part ofstrategies to improve foodsecurity at farm household levelin developing countries. Byselling their surplus production,agricultural households generateincome that improves access tofood. Research by LEIWageningen UR, commissionedby the Dutch Ministry ofEconomic Affairs, shows howfarmers choose to cultivate cashcrops or food crops for

subsistence. The study arguesthat cash crops play a key role inthe transition towards sustainableintensification of agriculture.

Cash crops like cocoa andcoffee, but also vegetables andmaize, offer income andemployment opportunities to therural economy. In addition,farmers generate capital formanagement improvements andinnovation, and cash cropsaccelerate the build-up ofinstitutions that enable furthercommercialisation. As anyfarming activity, cash cropagriculture requires themanagement of various types ofrisk such as soil degradation andprice variability. Examples showthat farmers employ severaladaptive and risk reducingstrategies, for instance by

NEWS UPDATE


diversifying cropping patterns tocope with risks of harvest failures,price slums or loss of marketaccess, and by establishingcooperatives or using agriculturalcommodity exchanges.

In Africa food demand willbe increasing over the nextdecades. Sustainableintensification - aiming toreconcile production and protectthe environment - is a practicalapproach for African farmers tocope with food insecurity.Examples are micro-dosing offertilizers, intercropping,genetic crop improvements,extension and establishingfarmers' marketing associations.Cash crops are an essential partof sustainable intensification asincome generated with cashcrops provides farm households

with means to save and investin a more productive farm, andcash crops may have a catalyticeffect on agriculturalinnovations as they add valueand productivity in rural areas.

The Dutch Horticulturalsector contributes to foodsecurity in South AfricaDuring the visit of the DutchMinister Ploumen of ForeignTrade & Development, a bigstep has been taken in thecollaboration on Horticulturebetween the two countries. Thesigning of the collaborationbetween a Dutch consortiumand Jomajoco, lettuce grower inGauteng, gives a start to thepilot on developing highGreenhouse-technologiesappropriate for South African

markets and climate conditions.This pilot is the third of thethree pilot programmes in theSMART-project, focussing onlow-tech solutions to high-tech.

The contract is aformalisation of a jointdevelopment between SouthAfrican and Dutch experts. Thechallenge of the project isbringing in technologies andpractices that fit the localgrowing conditions. SMARTrealised pilot ventures with leadinvestors to test and operateSMART solutions. Thelaunching partners arecommitted to share technologieswithin their value chains andbeyond. Long-term partnershipagreements ensure this role.

SMART is a public privatepartnership between Dutch

NEWS UPDATE

1 0 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014GULF AGRICULTURE

leading horticulture companiesand knowledge institutions. Inthis program, the partners aimto make horticulturetechnologies affordable andapplicable for farmers in Africa.Sustainable development of thehorticultural sector is importantto realise food security, reducepoverty and protect the

environment. Currentbottlenecks in South Africa(pilot on mid-tech and high-tech) and Rwanda (low-tech)are low productivity,suboptimal functioning supplychains, and marketinefficiencies at trade and retaillevel. Most farmers lacknecessary recourses and have

difficulties to produce enoughyields and maintain qualitywhile handling and storing theirproduce. Let alone with sellingto the market.

SMART works in SouthAfrica and Rwanda, at differentlevels of technology. Thisallows the partners to gainexperience in different settings,with different circumstances. Itwill make the adaption processmore efficient, once the techsolutions are ready they will beextended to other regions.Greenport Holland Internationalis managing this project.Besides leading Dutchhorticultural companiesWageningen UR, TNO, BoPInc. are part of the SMARTconsortium. The project is co-financed by the FDOV-programme of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs / RVO.

Seed potato exports fromGB outstrip previous levels once moreAs Potato Council and the GBseed potato sector prepare fornext month’s Potato Europe eventin Germany, recent exportstatistics confirm that GB seedpotatoes continue to be in demandaround the world, with the2013/14 figures revealing a newseed exports record from Britain.

A diverse range of certifiedBritish potato varieties areexported for growing potatocrops overseas, and seed exporttonnages from GB have risensteadily and strongly over thelast ten years. From around70,000 tonnes in 2002 to wellover 100,000 tonnes over the2013/14 export season, GB seedpotato exports have risen byover 30%, which is an exportssuccess story by any standards.

GB seed potatoes areconsistently high health andhigh quality, due to the year-

NEWS UPDATE


round diligence and hard workof specialist growers and theUK's plant health authorities.The majority of seed potatoesare exported from Scotland,Cumbria and Northumberlandwhere most of the high gradestocks are produced.

However, what some peoplemay not know is that Yorkshireis an up-and-coming producer

and exporter of high qualityseed potatoes in its own right.An increasing amount of seedpotatoes are grown in theYorkshire Wolds, an areaapproximately the size ofBirmingham, which 30 yearsago was not used for growingpotatoes at all. Over the2013/2014 export season,record tonnages of over

103,000 tonnes of seed potatoeswere exported from GB,including an increasing amountof Yorkshire seed sent tocountries such as Egypt.

Edward Lindley, a seedgrower from Driffield inYorkshire, exports 'Hermes'variety to Egypt and explains,“We grow Pre-Basic (PB) andSuper Elite (SE) grades of seedpotato here in Yorkshire and seedproduction in this region hasincreased significantly in recentyears. I am able to producearound 80% of my own seedpotatoes for multiplying up eachyear.” Edward goes on to explain“We can lift and dry the seedcrop that little bit earlier downhere so we can supply the earlieroverseas markets comfortably.And because we are just that bitcloser to our markets, transportcosts are marginally lower andwe can pass those savings on tothe seed customer.”

Trade gets ready for biggestever gathering in Asia Attending the upcoming editionof Asia Fruit Logistica and Asiafruit Congress offers produceprofessionals the best valueinvestment for their businessthis year in Asia.

The continent's leading tradeshow and conference event forthe fresh fruit and vegetablebusiness is gearing up towelcome the biggest gatheringof the global produce trade inAsia to date.

Returning to Asia World-ExpoCentre on 3-5 September, AsiaFruit Logistica 2014 has alreadysmashed previous records for thearea of exhibition space sold.Companies from some 36countries and six continents havesigned up to exhibit, with CostaRica, Poland, Saudi Arabia andYemen all making their debutappearance at the show.

NEWS UPDATE

Mulch mats for weed protection Packing and transportation Arrangement and transportation Arrangement and transportation

Small mulch mats Packing and transportation Metal trunk shaping rings ARBO®-STRONG

Elastic mulch mat ARBO®-SAUNA 100% jute container in 270-360 g/m2 density

MARTEX® - TEXTILE PRODUCTS FOR RAISING OF ORNAMENTAL, FRUIT,AND FOREST SEEDLINGS, OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECULTIVATIONProducts commonly applied at nurseries, both in temperate and hot climateUsed for raising trees in the forest, idle land, semi-desert area, steppe …….Excellent for tree planting by the road and highway, useful for the purpose ofgeneral cleaning works, composting, and in any similar applications…….

MARTEX® PLANTING BAGS AND CONTAINERS Parking and transportation of planting bags, other types of containers, mulch mats and rings

THE COMPANY FROM POLAND OFFERING PRODUCTS FOR NURSERY SECTOR, AND FOR ORNAMENTAL, FRUIT, FOREST PLANT RAISING OR RECULTIVATION

Our representatives: D-Hermann Meyer KG: e-mail: [email protected]; NL/GB-B&P Co., www.b-en-p.nl;

Scandinavia: OY Urban natural Ab, www.natural.fi; Russia: Landscape Design Ltd., www.garden-center.ru,

Ukraine: Demetra Ltd., e-mail: [email protected]; Bulgaria-Romania: Hermann-Meyer, www.meyer-shop.com,

Abu Dhabi: Arid Land Co., LLC., www.aridland-dev.com,

e-mail: [email protected]


Almost 20 different nationshave booked national pavilionsat the event, includingArgentina, Australia, China,Chile, Ecuador, Egypt, France,Greece, Italy, Mexico, Malaysia,the Netherlands, New Zealand,Peru, South Africa, Taiwan,Turkey, Vietnam and the US.

“At Asia Fruit Logistica, wecan connect with everyone anddefine our businessprogrammes,” says JoséAntonio Gomez, chief operatingofficer of Peruvian agribusinessgiant Camposol. “It's the onetrip that saves you 20.”

Full-access pass holders enjoyentry to both the three-day tradefair, and the Asiafruit Congress,Asia's premier fresh produceconference event, which takesplace the day before Asia FruitLogistica at AsiaWorld-Expo on2 September.

Iberflora faces its 43edition with excellentperspectivesThe International Fair of Plants,Flowers, Technology and DIYGardening, Iberfloraoptimistically faces its 43edition. Even though it's stillmore than two months until thecelebration which will take place1 - 3 October at Feria Valencia,

the event has already reservedtheir entire exhibition surface forthis next edition. And they arecontinuing with marketing.

Miguel Bixquert, Director ofIberflora explains, “the newstrategy of the fair redirected atthe visitors and the progressiverecovery of the green sector aregoing to enable us to exceedour forecasts. In fact, manycompanies which had notparticipated in the last edition,or any addition, are going toparticipate in the next one!”

EIMA International: thecrossroads of agriculturalmechanizationSome 1,800 manufacturingindustries are arriving in Bolognafor the 2014 edition of EIMAInternational, the exposition oftechnologies for agriculture andgroundskeeping. More than200,000 businesspeople from140 countries are expected toattend. Other than the traditionalfourteen sectors of specialization,the event will feature four themesalons for ensuring an array oftechnical solutions adapted forall types of agriculture in allparts of the world.

Six months ahead of theopening of EIMA Internationalin Bologna for a run from 12 to

16 November the 2014 editionof the exposition organized byFederUnacoma has already set anew record for the exhibitionarea allocated and the number ofmanufacturers and officialforeign delegations arriving. Asof today, requests for exhibitionspace has exceeded the 150,000m2 net assigned out of a total of300,000 m2 to point to a 10%increase in the area finally takenover. Compared to the 2012event, which brought together1,750 exhibiting companies, theupcoming edition will draw 350manufacturers for their firstappearance in Bologna forrepresentation certain to confirmthe exposition as an agriculturalmechanization review whichcannot be missed.

Thanks to the arrival of some30,000 models of machineryand equipment and a system ofservices planned to assistbusinesspeople in attendance fortheir meetings, EIMAInternational is set to meet allthe needs of the vast public ofprofessionals, 20% of themfrom 140 countries around theworld, to bring the total ofvisitors to more than 200,000expected, compared to 198,000on record for the 2012 edition.

Moreover, about fifty official

NEWS UPDATE


foreign delegations will be taking partto further enliven the business-to-business meetings set up by theexhibiting industries. Enhancing theprofessional scale of the review is therigorous format for dividingmerchandise into fourteen separatecategories, plus four specialized salons:EIMA Green covering gardening andgroundskeeping; EIMA Componentson components, spare parts andaccessories; EIME M.i.A. focused onmulti-functional agriculture and therural environment; EIMA Energy ontechnologies dedicated to bioenergyproduction chains. Massimo Goldoni,the President of the Italian Federationof Agricultural MachineryManufacturers, FederUnacoma,commented, “The agriculturalmechanization market is growing at theworld level due to increasing demandin the new economic giants of India,China and Brazil and the emergingcountries of the Far East, LatinAmerica, Africa and Eastern Europe.”

EU and FAO partner to help flood-affected Serbian farms rebuildThe European Union (EU) will partnerwith FAO to help small-scale farmers inSerbia recover from the devastatingfloods of the past spring. An EU grant ofEUR 8 million, aimed at restoring thelivelihoods of the most vulnerablefarming families, was announced at aceremony.

Agriculture is the backbone of therural economy in Serbia and animportant source of income for themajority of the rural population.Extraordinary rainfall in mid-Mayswelled rivers and provoked floodingand landslides. Damage and losses tothe agriculture sector are estimated atEUR 228 million.

With EU funding, FAO's emergencyresponse will support around 15,000households in 24 municipalities withcrop and livestock packages -including animal restocking - designedto help farmers re-establishproduction.

Agriculture inputs include seed,

NEWS UPDATE

BÂTIMENTS D’ÉLEVAGE DE VOLAILLES CLÉS EN MAIN

POULTRY HOUSE BUILDINGSBroiler production (floor and cages)

Egg production (cages and free range)

Rearing and breedingWild game production (pheasant, partridge and houbara)

Volailles de chairPoules pondeusesReproducteursGibiers

BFC Constructions & AS Elevage26400 CREST - FRANCE

Ph. : +33 (0)4 75 25 99 69 Fax : +33 (0)4 75 25 62 66

[email protected]

www.bfc-constructions.com

Depuis plus de 20 ans, nous vous proposons les dernières innovations technologiques pour améliorer les performances de vos élevages et les adapter aux conditions climatiques de votre zone géographique.

For more than 20 years now, we have provided buildings with the latest technological innovations (including internet connections) to suit your particular climatic conditions and improve the performance of your farm.

TURNKEY

animal feed, fertilizer, buildingmaterials and other inputs to beprocured on the local market to themaximum extent possible.

In flood-affected areas, the impact onagriculture was severe. Fields plantedwith wheat, maize and other food andfodder crops were washed out. Cows,sheep, pigs, poultry and other livestockwere drowned or left without shelter.Storage buildings and other farminfrastructure were damaged or destroyed.

The EU-funded assistance isexpected to roll out immediately,beginning with identification of themost vulnerable small-scalehouseholds. Beneficiary selection willbe carried out in consultation with thefarming communities, localgovernments and Serbia's Ministry ofAgriculture and EnvironmentalProtection.

Food insecurity continues todeepen in South Sudan as funds dry upContinued efforts to provide farmers,fishers and pastoralists in South Sudanwith life-saving emergency livelihoodkits are at risk due to a funding shortfall,aggravating the risk of famine in someareas of the country, FAO warned.

The Organization has so farreceived $42 million of the $108million it has appealed for as part ofthe revised Crisis Response Plan for2014. Contributions received to datehave been used to reach more than205,000 vulnerable households - over1.2 million people - with emergencylivelihood kits, which contain crop andvegetable seeds, fishing equipment andlivestock treatment kits and vaccinesfor veterinary support.

FAO is delivering emergencylivelihood support at a pace ten timesfaster than last year. The Organizationhas delivered, spent or committed allof the funds it has received, andresources have now run out. FAOurgently needs an additional $66million in order to further expand itssupport to help the South Sudanesehelp themselves through the crisis.

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2014

NEWS UPDATE

1 7GULF AGRICULTURE

www.bfc-constructions.com


Saudi Arabia has initiated adrive to encouragebusiness to invest in

farming operations abroad,which could see the Kingdomimprove its food security aswell as increase investmentopportunities. In order to reducewater consumption whileprotecting local consumersagainst global food pricevolatility, the SaudiGovernment is incentivizing theprivate sector to invest infarmlands abroad, with the aimof importing products back intothe country. The government isacting as a facilitator for theSaudi private sector, seekingland and agricultural

investments, and providingfunds, credit and logistics.Following this shift, SaudiArabia is seeking to invest in 35countries across the world,planting the seeds for fruitfulpartnerships and joint ventureswith international agriculturalcompanies.

Saudi Agriculture 2014, the33rd International Agriculture,Water & Agro-Industry TradeShow, is set to gatherinternational and localcompanies to facilitate businesspartnership deals under oneplatform covering majorindustry fields. Held fromSeptember 7 to 10, 2014 at theRiyadh International

SAUDI AGRICULTURE PREVIEW

SAUDI AGRICULTURE 2014 GENERATESREMARKABLE GLOBAL INTEREST

SAUDI AGRICULTURE 2014SHOWCASES A VARIETY OFTOP INDUSTRY SOLUTIONSAND PRODUCTS IN SEVERALFIELDS, INCLUDINGAGRICULTURAL BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION, ANIMALHEALTH AND PRODUCTION,FINANCE AND BANKING,MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT,CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS,FISHERIES AND FISHFARMING, GREENHOUSES,IRRIGATION ANDLANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT,AND ORGANIC FARMING



1 9GULF AGRICULTURE

Convention and ExhibitionCenter (RICEC), the event hassuccessfully generated notableinternational interest in itsfeatures and benefits.Accredited by the GlobalAssociation of the ExhibitionIndustry (UFI), SaudiAgriculture 2014 has confirmedparticipation from 40 countries,including Morocco,Netherlands, Turkey, UAE,Australia, Bahrain, Belgium,Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus,Czech Republic, Denmark,Finland, France, Indonesia,Italy, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon,Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan,Poland, Portugal, Russia, SouthAfrica, Spain, Taiwan, the UKand the US.

Being the largest

marketplace for agriculturalproducts, solutions and servicesin the Middle East, SaudiAgriculture 2014 showcases avariety of top industry solutionsand products in several fields,including agricultural buildingconstruction, animal health andproduction, finance andbanking, machinery andequipment, chemicals andfertilizers, fisheries and fishfarming, greenhouses, irrigationand landscaping equipment, andorganic farming. Heldconcurrently with SaudiAgriculture 2014 are SaudiAgro-Food 2014 - the 21stinternational trade show forfood products, ingredients andtechnologies, and Saudi FoodPack 2014 - the 4th

international trade exhibitionfor food processing andpackaging technologies.

Saudi Agro-Food 2014 isdedicated to the foodprocessing and packagingindustry and features state-of-the-art products, technologiesand services, including frozenand chilled foods,confectionery, chocolates,healthy and natural foods,presentation, processing andpackaging equipments. SaudiFood Pack 2014 will showcasea vast array of equipments andsolutions for manufacturers anddistributors of tools, machineryand services that are essentialfor food production andpackaging as well as theirdisplay in stores and outlets.



2 1GULF AGRICULTURE

The Saudi agriculturalmarket has reached a highlevel of development and

sophistication but still there arenew challenges that should beovercome. The government in itsendeavor to find a delicatebalance between food securityand water security hasrestructured the agricultural sectorby suspending its buying of localwheat, by encouraging large dairyprojects to bring the fodder fromout of the country sources, byhandsomely subsidizing of up to70% of the cost of new irrigationtechnologies, by prohibitingexport of melon, watermelon,potatoes and onion, and finally by

giving liberal loans to investors toshift to produce under waterefficient glass/green houses.

Alyaseen Agri. Mission:“Provide Efficient Cost-effective Solutions to itsCustomers” neatly fit to be putinto action at this stage ofhistorical development. Inactual fact Alyaseen Agri. hadalready built its reputation andmarket differentiation based onproviding solutions rather thana mere material sales.

Alyaseen Agri. provide itscustomers with innovative andtested solutions from worldrenowned international supplierswith efficient water use, high

yield, superior quality produce,and a decent customer financialreturn are all in its mind. Marketdriven well experiencedagronomists back-up after salesservices to ensure customerssatisfaction and loyalty.

Alyaseen Agri. range ofitems comprise highlyproductive hybrid vegetableand forage seeds, specialty highgrade soluble and granularfertilizers, IPM systems andbiological control items, laborsaving efficient machinery,public health products, first rateagrochemicals, all of whichgain the customers satisfactionand acceptance.

ALYASEEN AGRI. AT THE FOREFRONTOF SAUDI AGRICULTURETHE CHALLENGES AND THE SOLUTIONS

Mahdi Y. AlramadanChairman

Q: Could you tell usmore about the goalsand growth approach

of Agri Sciences?A: Our goal is to become

among the top five producers ofhigh quality agrochemicals andfertilizers in Turkey and othermarkets where we alreadystarted our business like CIScountries, Middle East, NorthAfrica. We will achieve thistarget by strategic plan indeveloping uniqueenvironmentally sustainableproducts, invest in our peopleskills and meeting ourcustomer requirements, withhigh degree of response, inaddition, following up allinnovations in the agrochemical

technologies to produce them inour factory in Izmir.

Q: Can you provide anoverview of the company'sperformance?

A: Our sales increasedrapidly by 40% annually overthe first 4 years. As well as ourmarket share and productsrange expanded to include 100pesticides.

Q: Agri Sciences is one of theleading companies in thechemical fertilizers andagrochemicals industry inTurkey, North Africa, CISCountries and ArabCountries. Being the CEO ofAgri Sciences, can you pleaseexplain us the origin, earlygrowth, distribution networksand its focus?

A: Agri Sciences wasfounded in Izmir in 2010 withexperience that we have inmanaging this business, within ayear the factory was wellequipped with necessary labequipment for quality controland formulation, productionmachinery,... etc, from a well-known sources in the world, andthe focus on getting higher valueof pesticides and fertilizersregistered by the Ministry ofAgriculture in Ankara. We havean organised Sales & Technicalnetwork in Turkey and also weestablished our own subsidiariesin Morocco, Algeria, Iraq,Jordan, Ukraine, and Belarus,plus a distribution net in othercountries like Tunisia, Saudi

Arabia, Egypt, Emirates, Yemen,Sudan and Libya.

Q: Can you provide us detailsabout your product range?

A: We are producing all kindsof pesticides such as insecticides,fungicides, herbicides,acaricides, nematicides, PGRs,and public health products thatare required for our local marketin Turkey and for the exportmarket. We also producefertilizers of high technology andquality that are required by allfarmers in the region.

Q: Can you explain moreabout your operations inNorth Africa, CIS Countriesand Arab Countries?

A: In Morocco, Algeria,Jordan, Iraq, Belarus andUkraine, we have our ownsubsidiaries with an officemanager, sales team, technicalteam and warehouses to manageour all sales activities in all thesecountries. In other countries, wehave distribution network,meaning we are dealing withdistributors in other countries.

Q: How do you ensure thatthe product quality matchesinternational standards?

A: We are purchasing theactive materials specified by theFAO and WHO standards. Weare making a production that ison the upper limit of thestandards declared by theproduct's specification. We areguaranteeing this quality by ourtriple documented systemby ISO 9000, OHSAS18001, and ISO 14001.

An exclusive interview with

Jehad M. Atiyat,CEO of Agri

Sciences

OUR GOAL IS TO BECOMEAMONG THE TOP FIVEPRODUCERS OF HIGHQUALITY AGROCHEMICALSAND FERTILIZERS IN TURKEYAND OTHER MARKETS

‘‘


FERTILIZERS & AGROCHEMICALS

INTERVIEW



2 3GULF AGRICULTURE


The science andtechnology of plantnutrition has evolved

rapidly in recent years. Thisevolution continues today and isresulting in significant productsinnovation.

The introduction ofbiological activators, as well asthe use of foliar and water-soluble fertilizers, has madeplant nutrition a central elementof farming practice.

By this way it is possible to

increase both crop output andquality.

In other words, specializedplant nutrition has become thekey to enhance a plant'scomplex biological engine andto provide plants with all theyneed to realize their full geneticpotential.

Expert in nutritionAlba Milagro has beenproducing specialties fertilizerssince 1988, and has alwaysmaintained a focused,innovative strategy.

Alba Milagro productscombine efficacy and safetybecause they are designedexclusively to improve thebiological efficiency ofnutritional components to ensurea natural growth of the plant.


EXPERTS IN PLANT NUTRITION



2 5GULF AGRICULTURE

Worldwide precence Over the years Alba Milagrohas developed a distributionnetwork that today bring itselfin more than 35 countries fromCentral and South America, theMediterranean basin, to themajor Arab countries and theFar East.

Our portfolio Our products portfolio is theresult of a continuous R & Dactivity, both in our internaldepartment and in associationwith University andinternational institutes ofresearch

There are three aspects ofAlba Milagro product's style:� Developed in accordance

with methods andtechnologies which protectthe environment and thepopulation

� Effective and easy to use� Ecofriendly

Biological activatorsSelected and tested in our labs,these products have beenutilized in a vast array ofagricultural contexts. Thesehigh-yield nutritionalsupplements provide crops withgreater stress resistance andmaintain optimal rates ofgrowth, even in difficultsituations.

MicroelementsThis product range includesmicroelements in mineralform, in chelated form orcomplexed with molecules ofhigh biological affinity withplants.

In this direction we haverecently added an innovativerange of products cheleted byIDHA and productscomplexed with amino acids(PROMET line) which

represents the latestgeneration of microelement-based formulas.

Foliar fertilizersThose products have beenformulated using the best rawmaterials available in order toachieve maximum absorptionand compatibility with planttissue.

Water soluble fertilizersHigh quality crystalline water-soluble fertilizers: We have anextensive range of productsable to meet the needs of plantspecies in their various stagesof development. These productsare suitable for traditionalagriculture as well as for newagriculture techniques likehydroponic agriculture.


After several years ofsuccessful businesswith humic acids based

products, Humintech GmbH isexpanding its productioncapacity and therefore movedto a new production plant(30.000 m2) in Grevenbroich,Germany (directly closed to thehigh quality lignite open castmining Garzweiler II). Beforerelocation, the production ofhumic acids based productstook place in three differentareas with a far distancebetween them. Now Humintechhas joined all production linesin one area.

In this way, Humintech hasthe possibility to optimize thelogistics and to supply theproducts faster to all customersin Germany and worldwide.The new high technologyproduction line enables

FERTILIZERS

HUMINTECHMOVED TONEW PLACE

Dr. Yasser Dergham (Sales & Technical Manager) with Mr. AydoganCengiz (Humintech Manager).


FERTILIZERS

2 7GULF AGRICULTURE

Humintech to increase theproduction capacity ofhumic acids based productsto more than 50.000 t/yearin granular form with andwithout NPK (Perlhumus®and Humagra®), 10.000t/year in water soluble form(Powhumus®) and about30.000 cbm/year in liquidform (Liqhumus®).

Besides Humintechmaintains and increases thequality of its products, forexample by development ofhumic acids based productsin combination with otherorganic fertilizers andmicroorganisms(Biohealth®) and humicacids based products withamino acids and seaweed(Humicraft®,Aminopower®).

In addition to the currentproduct line, the companywill update its new productrange to more than 50different humic acids andorganic matter basedproducts within the nexttwo years, which willcontribute to increase thequantity and quality ofplant production.


Ayear after InnovaSeeds Companyacquired Niagara

Seeds from HM- Clause, asister company of GroupeLimagrain, back in August2013 the company is

experiencing a major growththat exceeded expectations.

Khaled Kazzaz, CEO ofInnova Seeds holding companyreports, "we are witnessinggrowth in sales with almost allour customers as well as true

expansion to both our productline and product offering.”

With an average of 12% oftotal sales invested in researchand product development, thecompany has just broke groundon a new research and trial

EXPERIENCING A MAJOR GROWTHTHAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

SEEDS


station in Modesto, CA., whereit will be hosting the annualfield day to showcase the newlydeveloped and advanced productby August 2015. The premiseswill be a testing ground for allnew hybrids and breeder’s earlycrossings and also where theinitial phase of productadvancement will take placebefore potential hybrids aretested in their target markets.

Besides the companies targetspecies which includes Tomato,Pepper, Cucumber, Melon,Squash, Watermelon and

Eggplant, they are expandingtheir research activities in threenew species covering Cabbage,Cauliflower and Nantes Carrot.

The company's capitalexpenditure projects did notstop at only the R&D level butalso the Operation and SeedConditioning Department addeda new fully automated SeedCounter, Air Separator andhigher capacity Seed Treaterand Dryer. These additionswere added to effectivelyaccommodate the larger seedvolumes the company is

currently handling and also inanticipation for continuedgrowth in the future. InnovaSeeds Co.'s goal will alwaysremain focusing on quickturnaround for all orderswithout compromising thequality of the seed; to ensurethis standard is metimprovements such as the onesalready made will continue tobe a priority.

From all of the staff at bothInnova Seeds and Niagara SeedsCompanies, we would like tothank all the customers for boththe trust and un-waveredsupport with their vegetableseeds need. As a company wewill continue to raise the bareven higher in quality, customerservice and support.

SEEDS

2 9GULF AGRICULTURE


Dosatron is the leadingmanufacturer of NonElectric Proportional

Dosing Pumps used fordosing accurately & mixingany liquid (or soluble)chemical to water.

Dosatron technology isbased on a hydraulic motorpump activated only by thepressure and the flow of thewater. Installed directly on thewater supply line, the Dosatronoperates by using the Waterflow as a source of energy.

The pressure and flow rateof the water actuates the motorpiston which drives a second,product dosing piston. Theproduct is injected and mixedcontinuously with the waterfrom the mains supply at theselected dosing rate % (rate ofproduct/water incorporation).The dose of concentratedproduct is directly proportionalto the volume of water whichpasses through the Dosatron,independently of variations inthe flow rate and pressure ofthe mains water supply.

Easy to connect & usebecause of non-electric andwith little maintenance, theunits are ideal for dosing liquidfertilizer in an accurate way.

The product has been provenall over in livestock, irrigation,industry, hygiene and watertreatment applications. Dosatronnon electric dosing pumps canbe used in a variety ofinstallations and configurationsproviding repeatable results withminimal maintenance, savingyou time and money.

Various models are availableto cater all flow rates and dosingrequirements (for more details,please, have a look at companywebsite: www.dosatron.com)

Irrigation Market&ApplicationsToday the challenge is to balancethe quality and vitality of plants,by providing them the rightamount of water and giving themthe correct amount of nutrients.For beautiful, healthy plants andblooms, professional growershave been turning to Dosatron

DOSING TECHNOLOGY

DOSATRON: PROPORTIONALDOSING TECHNOLOGY


for trusted experience. Dosatronis your solution for greenhouses,nurseries, garden centers,landscaping etc.

In order to respond in the bestway to increasing demand forthe following applications: plantcare treatments, flowering,

flower conservation, weedcontrol, pH correction, soildisinfection, drip irrigation,hydroponics, Dosatron has

created the Green Line Rangeand the Flower kit. Dosatronbuilt-in and automated fertilizedwatering is an ideal answer toyour need for budget and timeoptimizing and means you makeno concessions regarding thequality of your plants.

The concept of Flower Kit -plug & play!- Dosatron in alocked box, easy to use, withconnectors, filters, control valvesand fertilizer drum. No morehassle for dosing, no wastage, nowaste of time: when water isgiven, your fertigation is alsotaken care automatically. Theconcept has already proven itsefficiency in the Middle East:Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar.

DOSING TECHNOLOGY

3 1GULF AGRICULTURE

For more information, please, contact the export Manager incharge of the Area: Christian Leduc, Tel: +33 680 479 028, email: [email protected] .


Best-in-class productivity,big capacity and theability to perform in all

crop conditions: the TC5040four strawwalker model has itall in a compact package.

A next-generation combinewith a strong heritage ofinnovation.

New Holland Agricultureoffers, in the TC range ofconventional combineharvesters, the TC5040 fourstrawwalker model. Built uponproven technology that hasmade the reliability of the TCcombines worldwide famous,the TC5040 combine benefitsfrom more advanced andaward-winning features thatsignificantly increase output,productivity and the overalloperating efficiency.

The TC5040 combinedelivers outstandingperformance at the best valuefor money which makes it theideal harvesting solution forsmall up to medium scalefarmers, contractors andlivestock operations in Africaand the Middle East whereversatility and productivity areother key-factors to make themost out of short harvestingwindows.

The TC Series has a goldenheritage drawing from over 20years of conventional combinetechnology excellence, withmore than 50,000 units soldworldwide. Since 1992, whenthe first TC combine wasintroduced, New HollandAgriculture has continuouslydeveloped the range in

response to a growing demandfor compact combines. TheTC5040 combine furtherimproves the range's reputationfor dependable harvestingefficiency.

More power and efficiencywith first-class performanceThe New Holland TC5040combine harvester is small in sizebut big in performance. Poweredby a six-cylinder, 6.8 litre NEFengine, this machine delivers upto 175hp (129kW) and offersexcellent power and torque. Atfull load, the fuel consumptionis as low as 36 litres per hourand rapidly decreases as theengine load is reduced. Theengine's exceptional fuelefficiency combined with thelarge 300 litre fuel tank gives

TRACTORS

NEW HOLLAND TC5040COMBINES STEP UP INPERFORMANCE ANDVERSATILITY


the TC5040 harvester greatautonomy to run many hourswithout refueling which meansminimized downtime for theoperator and maximumproductivity in the field. The finest harvesting qualityand big capacityThe TC5040 four strawwalkermodel matches productivitywith the ability to deliver best-in-class grain and straw quality.The simple and efficientthreshing system ensures agentle treatment of the crop.The 1.04m wide and 0.60mdiameter drum coupled with thelarge 0.62m2 concave areaoffers plenty of space forefficient and powerful threshingand separation, whilstminimizing straw damage. Thebeater directs the crop to thefour strawwalkers that are fitted

with raisers and provide a five-step, large separation area of4.41m2, which improves theseparation process and ensuresa smooth crop flow.

The single cascade Fixcleaning shoe offers efficientcleaning and maximumperformance for the majorityof crops.

With a big grain tankcapacity of 4,000 litres, theTC5040 model keeps workingwithout having to unload. Theunloading system can functionwith the auger tube in virtuallyany position and the massivecapacity of 72 litres per secondallows fast unloadingoperations and optimum in-field efficiency.

With a big threshing area, asignificant separation capacityand a good cleaning action, theTC5040 combine is all aboutefficiency. Coupled with a biggrain tank and a performing,fuel efficient engine, theTC5040 is able to harvest more

hectares per hour and morehours per day with lower

operating costs thanany other combinein the samecategory.

Fast serviceability andreduced operating costsThe new TC5040 combine hasbeen designed to spend moretime in the field and less time inthe yard for servicing. Allservice points are easy to accessfrom ground level and from theengine platform. The grain tankaccess is simplified by means ofa conveniently opening panel.Daily checks and maintenancetasks are then easy and quick,giving extra reliability to themachine and further extendingthe long service intervals.

New Holland Agriculture'sreputation is built on the successof our customers, cash cropproducers, livestock farmers,contractors, vineyards, orgroundscare professionals. Theycan count on the widest offeringof innovative products andservices: a full line ofequipment, from tractors toharvesting, material handlingequipment, complemented bytailored financial services from aspecialist in agriculture. Ahighly professional global dealernetwork and New Holland'scommitment to excellenceguarantees the ultimate customerexperience for every customer.

TRACTORS

3 3GULF AGRICULTURE

For more information on New Holland visitwww.newholland.com


Dilip Yewalekar([email protected]) Manisha Kinge([email protected])Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd.Jalgaon India

Solar power is very curioussubject flaming all overworld in all sectors from

space station to agro-irrigationbecause of unlimitedavailability of free solarradiation withoutproprietorships and non-judicial! Concerning to use of

solar power in micro irrigationsector is in primeval stagebecause of lack of unawarenesson design aspects andexceptional types of electro-mechanical machines topressurized micro irrigationsystem. The concern articlethrows light on fundamentals of

IRRIGATION

JAIN'S SOLAR POWERED MICRO IRRIGATIONSYSTEM: PROMISING OPTION FOR AGRARIANS

solar energy and allied criticalaspects in solar powered microirrigation system.

In broad-spectrum microirrigation is a pressurizedirrigation system requireselectrical/gasoline poweredcentrifugal pump-set togenerate unswervinglypressure for irrigation of cropsmainly for 16-20 hours to meetthe crop demand on dailybasis. Means, while irrigatingthe crops for 16-20 hours ondaily basis, recurring cost of

electricity or fuel becomesenormous resulting in non-sustainability and viability ofagri-irrigation projects. That'sthe reason in many parts in theworld agriculture isdiminishing and agricultureland is turning todesertification. Second hotissue is shortage of power!Demand vs supply ratio ofpower is so truncated everyyear, that none of theGovernment is enduring toovercome this ratio in future in

spite of allocation of hugefunds. UN report says thatthere is a deficit of 21-85%electricity in many countriesand increasing @ 7-15 %every year. Hence, more thrustis given to alternativerenewable and sustainablesource of energy i.e. SolarPower! Although, solarradiation is freely available, ithas limitation and is not socost effective to afford &reliable to everyone.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) The photovoltaic effect refersto photons of light excitingelectrons into a higher state ofenergy, allowing them to actas charge carriers for anelectric current i.e. solar cellsconvert sunlight energy intoflow of electrons. Thephotovoltaic effect was firstobserved by Alexander-Edmond Becquerel (FrenchPhysicist) in 1839. The termphotovoltaic denotes theunbiased operating mode of aphotodiode in which currentthrough the device is entirelydue to the transduced lightenergy.

Virtually all photovoltaicdevices are some type ofphotodiode. Solar cellsproduce direct currentelectricity from sun light,which can be used to powerequipment or to recharge abattery. The first practicalapplication of photovoltaicwas to power orbitingsatellites and spacecraft, buttoday the majority ofphotovoltaic modules are usedfor grid connected powergeneration and domesticlightings.

Countries positioned acrossthe equator have wide scope ofharvesting maximum solarpower @ 350 w/m2 (refer


IRRIGATION

3 5GULF AGRICULTURE


figure1). Potential of solarenergy decreases whileproceeding towards north-south poles @ 3 to 5 % perdegree of latitude.

However, solar energyharvesting is dependent ontemperature, relative humidity,clouds, latitude, longitude andobstructions at the particularlocation. Therefore, it isnecessary to acquire theclimatic data from nearestmeteorological station. Baseon meteorological data,potential of solar energyharvested can be estimated fordesign purpose along withsolar module and alliedequipment.

Review - Micro IrrigationMicro Irrigation is the termused to describe the method ofirrigation which is characterizedby the following features:1. Water is applied at a low

rate.2. Water is applied over a

longer period of time.3. Water is applied at frequent

intervals.4. Water is applied directly to

into the plant's root zone.5. Water is applied via a low

pressure delivery system.Micro Irrigation System

IRRIGATION

Figure 1: Global Solar Power available (Twe = Terawatt - 1012 watt)

att)


delivers water to the cropusing a piping network &driplines with drippers spacedat certain intervals along therow of crops is generallypowered by electrical motorpump-set or diesel enginepump-set. Each Drippers /emitters supplies a measured,precisely controlled uniformapplication of water, nutrientsand other required growthsubstances directly into theroot zone of the crops therebygrowth of plant enhances andresulted in higher yield.

IRRIGATION

3 7GULF AGRICULTURE

Figure: 2 Schematic Layout of Jain's Solar Powered Micro Irrigation System.


Solar Powered MicroIrrigation (SPMI)

In Solar Powered MicroIrrigation System, solar energy(solar photovoltaic modules) isbeing used to powered motorpump-set unit in place ofconventional electrical motorpump-set or diesel engine. Toget better understanding atypical schematic layout ofsolar powered micro irrigationsystem is shown in figure 2.SPMI system comprising ofControl Head Unit, Pipingnetwork, Driplines, SolarPhotovoltaic Module, ControlPanel and Motor Pump-set.

Design Principles &considerationsSince solar radiation is availablein a day time for generation ofpower, the entire irrigation tocrops has to be concluded in aday time most preferably.Obviously all the designcalculation is based on thefluctuation of solar radiation frommorning to evening and season toseason to meet the crop waterdemand. However, followingfactors have to be considered andintegrated while designing microirrigation system.� Average solar radiation-

morning to evening onmonthly and seasonal basis.

� Optimization of ETcrop (Net

Crop water demand) on daily,alternate and monthly basis.

� Soil based water retentioncapacity.

� Master plan of crops.� Water availability and

assessment to meet cropwater demand.

� Operation / management ofsystem.

� Optimization of requirementof motor-pump-set (solarpowered)

� Photovoltaic Solar Module.� Techno-commercial

parameters.Master planning of crops is

very important while going forSolar Powered system.Conventional planning of cropsis not useful & suitable andmay become expensive inoverall. Therefore, masterplanning of crops should beproportional to meet demand ofETcrop to maximum harvest ofsolar radiation. Means thereshould not be shortage of solarradiation while crop waterdemand is at max stage.Precautions like soil basedretention capacity should beincreased by adding soilconditioner and organic manureto avoid the risk of depletingmoisture level beyond wiltingstage of crops even thoughthere is gap of irrigation.Sufficient water application

should be made to meet thewater demand of crops in theday time in the available solarradiation. Design of microirrigation components i.e.piping network, filtrationsystem and driplines etc. shouldbe adequate and harmonized tocope up the demand of crop atfluctuated solar radiations ondaily and seasonal basis. Inother word design of microirrigation system has to beharmonized with harvestedsolar power (radiation) to meetthe crop water demand.

Average solar energy can beharvested to 200-300 watt/m2in various countries base onlatitude and longitude. It variesfrom season to season andmainly affects the clouds andhaziness. Maximum solarpower can be harvested insummer season and minimumin rainy seasons due tocloudiness. Hence, thefrequency of irrigation in rainyseason is low and maximum insummer. Similarly in a day timesolar energy is minimum inmorning, maximum in noon andagain minimum during evening.From the below graphs it isvery clear that the design ofmicro irrigation should be doneto meet the water demand ofcrop in day time correspondingto available solar radiation only.

Solar Powered Submersiblemotor-pump setIt is a centrifugal type pumpdriver by DC motor. The designof impeller is made in signwave form resulted in constantdischarge (output) and head inthe designated rangeirrespective of solar radiation.Phenomenon of pressure/discharge compensation isincorporated while designingand manufacturing of such kindof motor-pump-set.

IRRIGATION


ConclusionAt this stage lot of researchand development is going onto find out the cost effectiveand friendly solar poweredsystem in India at variouslevels. Though investment at

initial stage is high,considering the recurring costand dependency likegovernment policies,international price of crudeoil & currency fluctuation,Jain's solar powered system

is much more sustainable andeconomical and promisingoption for farmers all overthe world to adapt toovercome the power crisis,become self-sufficient andindependent in power.

IRRIGATION

3 9GULF AGRICULTURE


Key informationThe lower biologicaleffectiveness of liquidmethionine hydroxy analogue(liquid MHA-FA) compared toDL-Methionine (DL-Met) canbe attributed to several factorssuch as chemical characteristicsof the two methionine sources,microbial breakdown in thesmall intestine and absorptionmechanisms:� A significant fraction of

liquid MHA-FA is lost due tomicrobial breakdown in thesmall intestine.

� Absorption of DL-Met andliquid MHA-FA by diffusioncan be neglected. The activeabsorption mechanism forliquid MHA-FA is lesseffective than that for DL-Met.

� Di- and oligomers whichrepresent approximately onethird of the active content ofliquid MHA-FA are poorlyavailable.

Methionine sources differ intheir effectivenessIt is well established that totalsulphur containing amino acids(TSAA) are the first or secondlimiting amino acids in poultryor swine diets. Methionine ismost important in this contextbecause monogastric animals arenot able to synthesise methionine(Met), whereas cysteine can beformed from methionine.

Supplementation of free Metis common practise, and twosources, DL-Met and thehydroxy analogue of methionine(MHA), are commerciallyavailable. Typically, MHA isused as liquid free acid with a

purity of 88% (liquid MHA-FA), whereas DL-Met containsmore than 99% of Met. A largenumber of dose response trialsperformed with different speciesclearly show that the biologicaleffectiveness of liquid MHA-FAis on average 65% compared toDL-Met on a product to productbasis, based on severalperformance criteria. Theobjective of the present surveyis to provide the physiologicalbackground for these differencesin in vivo performance,including most recent findingsfrom absorption experiments.

The fate of DL-Met or liquidMHA-FA after their intakeA considerable fraction of thebiological effectiveness ofliquid MHA-FA is already lostin the small intestine. Twofactors were identified to bemainly responsible for thiseffect. Firstly, there is amicrobial breakdown of liquid

MHA-FA and secondly, liquidMHA-FA is absorbed lessefficiently than DL-Met.

Intestinal microbes competewith intestinal absorption forthe methionine sourcesAfter feeding radiolabelled Metsources (14C) to broilers, Lingensand Molnar (1996) recovered only4.4% of the ingested 14C in theexcreta of broilers fed 14C-DL-Met, but 17% of the dietary 14C inthe excreta of broilers fed 14C-DL-MHA-Ca suggesting a lesseffective absorption of DL-MHAcompared to DL-Met (Figure 1).Additionally, the 14C content inthe breast and leg muscle washigher in 14C-DL-Met fed birdscompared to 14C-DL-MHA-Cafed broilers, indicating a clearrelationship between availabilityof dietary Met sources and theirincorporation into the muscletissue.

At the University ofSaskatchewan, Canada, Maenz

FEED ADDITIVES

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF LIQUID METHIONINE HYDROXY ANALOGUE ISLOWER THAN THAT OF DL-METHIONINE — THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

RESEARCH

Figure 1: Distribution of 14C in muscle tissue and excreta afteradministration of either 14C-labelled DL-methionine or 14C-labelled DL-MHA-Ca in 16 day old broilers (Lingens andMolnar, 1996)

Dr. Shady Khalil Technical Sales ManagerEvonikTasnee Marketing Co. Ltd.BU Health & Nutrition / Animal NutritionKingdom of Saudi Arabia Mobile: +966 56 303 3203Email:[email protected]/feed-additves


and Engele-Schaan (1996b)conducted a broiler study withbirds fed either DL-Met orliquid MHA-FA. On the lastexperimental day (day 32),diets containing radiolabelled3H-L-Met or 3H-L-MHA wereadministered. After three hoursof free access to the feed, birdswere killed and digestasamples were obtained fromsix consecutive segments ofthe small intestine. Thepercentage of unabsorbeddietary 3H was determined foreach segment. Still 12-15% ofthe dietary 3H were found atthe end of the small intestine(section 6) of the birds fed 3H-L-MHA, whereas only 3% ofthe dietary 3H were recoveredin 3H-L-Met fed broilers(Figure 2). In addition, similareffects could be observedunder heat stress conditionssuggesting that ambienttemperatures up to 32°C do notinteract with this effect.

Interestingly, HPLC-analysisshowed that only 10% of theradiolabelled material whichwas found at the end of the

small intestine of 3H-L-MHAfed broilers appeared as MHAmolecules (Maenz and Engele-Schaan, 1996b). A partialmicrobial breakdown ofparticularly 3H-L-MHA withsimultaneous conversion to non-absorbed, non-methionineproducts has been hypothesised.Therefore, Drew et al. (2002)

conducted a follow-up study toexamine whether or notintestinal microbes affect thedigestibility of Met sources. Thedesign of the trial was similar tothe previous experiment but thefactor 'microbial status' wasincluded as a second factor. Forthis purpose, conventionallyreared broilers or broilers raisedunder germ-free conditionswere fed diets supplementedwith either 3H-L-Met or 3H-L-MHA. Again, the small intestinewas removed and divided intosix sections after the birds hadfree access to the labelled feedfor three hours. As shown inFigure 3, conventionally raisedbroilers responded as observedin the previous study: Theresidual 3H activity wassignificantly higher for the 3H-L-MHA fed birds than for the3H-L-Met fed groups - in fact,in all six intestinal sections.Again, most of the remaining3H activity was not associatedwith the MHA molecules,which could be underpinned byHPLC-analysis.

Comparing the residual

FEED ADDITIVES

4 1GULF AGRICULTURE

Figure 2: Amount of non-absorbed L-Met or L-MHA of six consecutive sections of the small intestine of broilers four weeksof age; determined as the residual dietary 3H-activity (Maenzand Engele-Schaan, 1996b)

Figure 3: Amount of non-absorbed L-Met or L-MHA in six con-secutive sections of the small intestines of germ-free or conven-tionally raised broilers at four weeks of age, determined as theresidual 3H-activity (Drew et al., 2002)

ab Indicate significant differences within an intestinal section (p<0.05)

abc Indicate significant differences within an intestinal section (p<0.05)


dietary 3H-activity determined inconventional or germ-freebroilers fed 3H-L-MHA,provides clear evidence for asignificant degradation of L-MHA by intestinal microbes.The radiation found in section 6of the germ-free broilers wasless than half of that recoveredin conventional birds. This effectwas already visible in section 1of the small intestine, indicatinga strong affinity of the microbesto L-MHA. In contrast, L-Metdigestibility was not affected bymicrobial breakdown.

Additionally, despiteexclusion of intestinal microbesin germ-free broilers, residual3H-activity at the end of thesmall intestine was significantlyhigher in 3H-L-MHA than in3H-L-Met fed chicken. Thismight be due to differences inabsorption kinetics betweenboth Met sources. Maenz andEngele-Schaan (1996b)demonstrated that theabsorption of L-Met and L-MHA by simple diffusion isvery small and can beneglected. Results of in vitroinvestigations indicateddifferent active transportmechanisms for both L-Met andL-MHA absorption (Maenz andEngele-Schaan, 1996a).Moreover, the affinity for thetransporter as well as themaximum velocity of thetransport was higher for L-Metthan for L-MHA. This alsolowers the biologicaleffectiveness of MHA-FAcompared to DL-Met.

Investigations of Mitchelland Lemme (2008), applying anew in vivo technique withbroilers, confirmed a lessefficient absorption of liquidMHA-FA compared to DL-Met.In anaesthetised broilers, 4-5weeks old, about 20 cm of thesmall intestine were surgically

exteriorised and then used formeasurements of DL-Met orliquid MHA-FA absorptionfrom the intestinal lumen. Priorto the absorption study, birdshad been kept under differentambient temperatures includingmoderate temperature (22°C),slight heat stress (30°C), andsevere heat stress (35°C). Theauthors reported a moreefficient absorption of DL-Metper cm length of the smallintestine than of MHA-FA. Thiseffect was observed under allthree temperature conditionsemployed (Figure 4).

Di- and Oligomers of liquidMHA-FA are poorly availableIt should be pointed out that,except the experiment ofMitchell and Lemme (2008), allexperiments mentioned abovewere performed with monomers(single molecules) of Met- orMHA. However, in contrast toDL-Met which exclusivelyconsists of monomers, liquidMHA-FA is a mixture of mono-(~65%), di- (~19%) andoligomers (~4 %). Using thesame in vivo technique as in theprevious trial, Mitchell and

Lemme (2008) compared theabsorption rates of MHA-FA-monomers and MHA-FA-dimers under two ambienttemperature regimes (22 °C and35°C). Dimers were almostunavailable, independent of theambient temperature (Figure 5).This is in line with findings ofSaunderson (1991), whoreported a significantly higherexcretion of MHA in broilersprovided with only MHA-FAoligomers than in birds fed thecommercial product containingmono -, di - , and oligomers(Figure 6). In addition, VanWeerden et al. (1992) fedgraded levels of either DL-Met,MHA-FA, or MHA-FA-oligomers in a dose-responsetrial with broilers and found aclearly lower biologicaleffectiveness of MHA-FAoligomers relative to MHA-FA,which in turn was significantlyinferior to DL-Met.

Although findings on theabsorption of liquid MHA-FAand the di- and oligomericconstituents under variousenvironmental conditions(Saunderson, 1991; Esteve-Garcia and Austic, 1993; Maenz

FEED ADDITIVES

Figure 4: In vivo absorption rate of DL-MHA-FA from the smallintestine relative to DL-Met in broilers 4 to 5 weeks of age(Mitchell and Lemme, 2008)


and Engele-Schaan, 1996a, b;Lingens and Molnar, 1996;Drew et al., 2003; Mitchelland Lemme, 2008) suggest ahigher digestibility of DL-Methionine compared toMHA products, this effectwill partly or even entirely bemasked by the impact ofmicrobial degradation ofespecially MHA compounds.This is because digestibility isclassically been calculated onbasis of disappeared nutrientsfrom the digesta. It is usuallyassumed that disappearance isdue to absorption but not dueto degradation. Therefore, itmight well be that nodifferences betweenmethionine sources will befound in such conventionaldigestibility assays. In spite ofthe above this methodologicaldrawback - which is in favourfor MHA products - Rostagnoand Barbosa (1995) reported asignificantly higherdigestibility for DL-methionine compared toliquid MHA-FA (97.2%vs.90.8%). A more recent studyby Qi (2007) whosupplemented 0.03%, 0.10%,

and 0.21% DL-Methionine orequimolar levels of liquidMHA-FA to broiler feed alsoreported significant higherdigestibility values for DL-methionine (96.3% vs. 89.5%,95.3% vs. 86.9%, 96.3% vs.86.4%).

Absorbed MHA-FAmolecules still have to beconverted into the realamino acidFinally, one should keep inmind that the biologicaleffectiveness of liquid MHA-FA relative to DL-Met is notonly determined by intestinalabsorption. The metaboliceffectiveness plays animportant role, too. MHAmolecules have to beconverted into methionine viatransamination. Thistransformation process takesplace in the liver and kidneyand causes further losses ofbiological efficacy of liquidMHA-FA, which togetherwith the losses due to effectsin the gut are the reason forliquid MHA-FA being lessefficacious than DL-methionine.

FEED ADDITIVES

4 3GULF AGRICULTURE

Figure 5: Absorption rate of monomers and dimers in liquidDL-MHA-FA from the small intestine in 4 to 5 weeks oldbroilers in nmoles/min/cm (Mitchell and Lemme, 2008)

Figure 6: Excretion of DL-Met and MHA from commer-cial DL-MHA-FA or from DL-MHA-oligomers fed to 20day old broilers (Saunderson, 1991)

ReferencesDrew M. D., A.E. Estrada, A.G.Van Kessel and D. D.Maenz (2002): Interactions between amino acid transportsystems and intestinal bacteria: implications for theformulation of broiler chicken diets. Proc. Aust. Poult. Sci.Sym. 2002 (14): 163-170Lingens G. and S. Molnar (1996): Studies on metabolism ofbroilers by using 14C-labelled DL-methionine and DL-methionine hydroxy analogue Ca-salt. Arch. Anim. Nutr.49: 113-124.Maenz D. D. and C. M. Engele-Schaan (1996a): Methionineand 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio¬butanoic acid are transportedby distinct Na+-dependent and H+-dependent systems inthe brush border membrane of the chick intestinalepithelium. J. Nutr. 126: 529-536.Maenz D. D. and C. M. Engele-Schaan (1996b):Methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butanoic acid arepartially converted to non-absorbed compounds duringpassage through the small intestine and heat exposure doesnot affect small intestinal absorption of methionine sourcesin broiler chicks. J. Nutr. 126: 1438-1444.Mitchell M. A. and A. Lemme (2008): Examination of thecomposition of the luminal fluid in the small intestine ofbroilers and absorption of amino acids under variousambient temperatures measured in vivo, InternationalJournal of Poultry Science 7: 223-233.Qi, G.H. (2007): A methionine source comparison withmale Arbor Acres broilers showed DL-Methionine to besuperior to liquid MHA-FA. EVONIK Facts&Figures 1564.Rostagno, H. S. and W. A. Barbosa (1995): Biologicalefficacy and absorption of DL-methionine hydroxyanalog free acid compared to DL-methionine in chickensas affected by heat stress. British Poultry Science. 36:303-312.Saunderson L. (1991): Metabolism of methionine and itsnutritional analogues. Poult. Int. 30 (13): 34-38.Van Weerden E. J., J. B. Schutte and H. L. Bertram (1992):Utilization of the polymers of methionine hydroxyanalogue free acid (MHA-FA) in broiler chicks. Arch.Geflügelk. 56: 63-68.

Broiler H- Cobb-Van

Brazi

OUTSIDE view

Control

Air Entry

Air Extraction

Section view from 3D model

Fifty Munters IW wall air inlets optimally distribute the fresh air in the broiler house. They supply fresh air to the animals without causing cold drafts over them and avoiding any extra heating cost.

Farm

Farm Premium P Climate Controller. The flagship inautomated control of any climate equipment in the housfor exceptionally accurate ventilation.Removable plastic shutter

E i g h tE u r o e m m e ®

WF50 wall exhaust fans with discharge cones

create over 2,5m/s air speed inside the house during tunnel

ventilation. Thanks to the high wind chill effect, the bird’s comfort is considerably

improved.Removable plastic shutter allows for easy access for

maintenance and cleaning purposes.

INS


Hanzi

Farm

ip inhous

NS

r -Vara

agshithe h

I

r House-Vantress -razil

Heating

Air outlet

Two GPn100 diesel air heaters ensure that even in the coldest weather the animals are comfortable, even during the first weeks of their life. GPn series combine compact design, 90% or higher thermal efficiencies and low noise level to match farmer’s and animal’s needs.

Farm Premium P’s display

gship in Munters controller range provides fully the house. 30 ventilation levels can be programmed

INSIDE view

Cooling

Cooling process

Two CELdek® 6560 pad walls 2m high and 15cm thick with Mi-T-edg® coating are installed in the tunnel house. The top quality of the materials and of the manufacturing process combined with the MI-T-edg® protective edge coating guarantee extremely high cooling efficiency as well as unbeatable long life span. MI-T-Edg® is the only edge coating with patented algae resistance. Uniform wetting of the cooling pads is ensured by Easycool water distribution system.


CASE STUDY

4 5GULF AGRICULTURE

Nutriplus commoditiesFZCO is one of theleading international

commodities tradingcompanies in the feedingredients and raw materialsupply in the Middle East.

Based in Dubai, Nutriplusis involved in trading,indenting and representingfor international exportersand reputed producers offeed commodities in the USAand Europe.

“Our major customers arethe end users in Livestockfarms, Poultry farms - Feedmills in the UAE, Oman,Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatarand Jordan for the lastseveral years” says,Mohammed Haneef,managing director of thecompany.

“We are now adding newmarket to Sudan, Iran, Iraq,Yemen, Egypt and India.Our recent participations attrade shows of thesecountries made our marketentry more viable”.

“Respecting ourcommitment and dedication,our buyers and sellers alwaystrust and keep confidence inus which make us regularityand consistency in ourbusiness”. This is due to ourpast performance which wehave achieved through ourlong term supply chainrelationship with oursuppliers in international

commodity market andbuyers in the Middle East.

“The major feed rawmaterials and ingredientsindenting by us are Yellowcorn, Soyabean meal, Feedbarley in bulk vessel throughMNC commodity originator.From USA we trade andindenting in Soy By Passprotein - Amino Plus, DDGS- Distillery Dried Grains,Corn Glutten Meal, CottonSeed, Fish meal etc regularlyfor the Middle EastLivestock farms and feedmills”, he adds.

“Our raw materialsuppliers occupy the majorportion of Total Mix ratio forhigh yielding milk cowssince several years. Oursuppliers like FornazorInternational Inc USA etcoccupy major share of export

in their destination sinceseveral years we together.”

Nutriplus Commodities isgrowing year by year andadding new innovations to itsbusiness practice. Thecompany is under expansionand entering into differentsectors of market related toDairy / Poultry and feedindustry.

We assure you that theyear 2015 will be the year forinnovations and expansionsfor new products andmarkets.

We also plan to launchveterinary medicines andvaccine/injections and we arestudying the possibility ofregistering these vaccineswith authorities concerned inthe country.

We can offer you a rangeof products including feedadditives such as Toxinbinder, Omega supplements,Soy Protein concentrates,Udder and hoof hygieneproducts, functional livestockand poultry equipments suchas Calf Hutch, Milkingaccessories, Rotary cowcomfort brush, Hooftrimming chute, Mini feedercum sweeping wagon etc.

As a parent company,Nutriplus CommoditiesFZCO has diversified itsactivities in the distributionof retail speciality foodproducts coming underFMCG sector. Our sister

concern, Emirates GourmetGeneral Trading LLC basedin Dubai and is one of thewell known speciality andinnovative fine food importand distribution company inUAE and extending to othergulf countries as well.

Vast and wide range of1000 plus speciality foodproducts are imported by usand launched in Fine Foodmarkets such asGourmet/Delicatessenconcepts in retail, Five starhotels, Airline catering,projects etc.

“With a great respect toearth and health, we haverecently established anotherdivision for healthy foodconcept such as Organic,Gluten Free, Fat Free, SugarFree, Cholesterol Free andother healthy natural foodproducts”.

“In farm retail sector, wewill be expanding smallfarmers supporting suppliesthrough our company. Theyear 2015, company'sobjective is to reach thesector of retail farmers,domestic and householdfarms by extending itsservices and to satisy day today farmers requirements.”

A lot of work, dedicationand passion is required tofulfill our long term vision,says Mohammed Haneef, thechairman of Nutriplus Groupof companies.

Specialist inFeed Raw

Materials &Ingredients

Nutriplus Commodities FZCO

EXPANSION ininnovative additives &

Supplements, FarmEquipments & Tools andconcept of unique Dairy

& Poultry breederGenetics.

‘‘

� Yellow Corn, Feed Barley, Soyabean Meal etc in Bulk Panamax Vessel (Agent of Grain Originators)

� DDGS (Distillery Dried Grains)� Corn Gluten Meal & Soyabean Meal in Containers� Soy by Pass Protein (Amino Plus)� Whole Fuzzy Cotton Seed� Alfalfa Hay & Pellets� Sugar Beet Pulp Pellets� Fish Meal� Protected Fat for Ruminant & Veg Fat for Poultry� Omega 3 Supplement� Feed Chemicals and Minerals (MCP/DCP/Choline Chloride)� Oil Seed Extractions� Fiberous Ingredients (Sugar Cane Pellets-bagass)� Supplements and Additives� Vitamins, Lysine, Methionine� Toxin Binder, Pellet Binder, Antioxidants, Acidifier

Enzyme, Mould & Yeast Inhibitor, Flavor etc� Dairy Hygiene - Udder Health & Hoof Treatment Products� Cow Accessories� Feed Mill/Farm/Dairy Tools & Equipment

NUTRIPLUS COMMODITIES FZCO-DUBAIINTERNATIONAL COMMODITIES MERCHANTS FOR

FEED INGREDIENTS & RAW MATERIALS

Note:- To view specifications, packing etc of all our products, case studies and farm trialreports, regular newsletters on feed commodities prices, price list of our standard retailproducts for animal health etc refer our website www.nutriplusdubai.com

For Trade Enquiry Please contactMr. Mohammed Haneef (Managing Director)

Chamber 205, Flower Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Mob: +97150 6569416 | Tel: +9714 2200902 | Fax: +9714 2200903

Email: [email protected] www.nutriplusdubai.com

Gulf agriculture magazine

Documents

tms e p t e

b e r o c t o b e r

y t o t h e

agrarians page

g r i b u s i n e s

ceo of agri sciences

new place page

physiological background