Agriculture

The article explores a growing trend of agricultural “hack” videos on social media, promising simple solutions to farming problems. These videos, often featuring purported experts, tout household items as miracle cures. While some non-pesticide methods exist, the videos oversimplify and exaggerate their effectiveness, potentially harming farmers who rely on them. Investigations reveal many such videos are produced by organizations employing actors with no agricultural expertise, aiming to generate views and profit through deceptive practices, a model also seen in law and medicine.

Santana Equestrian Private Financial (SEQP) plans a pilot program in Canal Point, Florida to cultivate açaí palms, aiming for the first US domestic production. SEQP will use its BioActivium™ organic soil technology to replicate Amazon growing conditions, addressing the challenge of fresh açaí’s perishability. Success could offer US consumers fresh “tree-to-bowl” açaí, reducing reliance on frozen imports. The early-stage initiative focuses on R&D, with no revenue projections. Potential benefits include sustainability and diversification, though success relies on replicating Amazon conditions.

India is resisting escalating trade tensions with the US after Washington’s tariff hike on Indian goods. Prime Minister Modi vowed to protect Indian farmers’ interests. The Ministry of External Affairs deemed the US tariffs “unfair” and pledged to protect national interests. Despite concessions already made by India, the US demands more access to India’s agricultural sector, a politically sensitive area. An opposition party member even suggested closing McDonald’s in India in response to the dispute and Trump’s claims regarding India-Pakistan relations.

A heatwave in South Korea is causing agricultural devastation, leading to soaring prices for essential produce like watermelons, napa cabbage, and radishes. Watermelon prices have jumped 36.5% year-on-year and 22.5% in one week. Napa cabbage prices are up 27.4% weekly, and radishes 15.9%. Insufficient sunlight in June compounded the problem. The government plans to implement measures to stabilize supply and demand to address potential crop losses and control rising prices. Online, consumers are reacting to the increased prices.