Hyperspectral imaging breakthrough paves the way for satellite and drone-based early warning systems Researchers from the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, in collaboration with specialists from the All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, have developed an innovative methodology for detecting agricultural plant diseases at an early, asymptomatic stage. The approach is based on hyperspectral imaging data processed using artificial intelligence, enabling the identification of physiological changes in crops before visible signs of infection emerge. The technology could underpin the…

The Government of Gujarat is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in public administration as part of its smart governance strategy. A new pilot project is being prepared in Ahmedabad to tackle the long-standing problem of stray cattle in urban areas. This is reported by IANS, a partner of TV BRICS. The initiative follows the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar and is aimed at improving the identification of stray cows and their owners while reducing…

The first shipment of fresh fruit from South Africa in 2026 was delivered to the port of St. Petersburg. The cargo included approximately 1,800 tonnes of table grapes from the new harvest, supplied to the Russian market as part of regular seasonal imports to meet winter consumer demand. This is reported by Russia-RSA Business Council. Experts believe that fresh fruit from South Africa remains in high demand on the Russian market due to its quality, nutritional value and stable supply…

The Brazilian National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has issued a permit to launch the country’s first wheat-based ethanol plant. The plant is located in the municipality of Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul state. This is reported by Brasil 247, a partner of TV BRICS. During the initial phase, the plant will be capable of processing around 100 tonnes of wheat per day, with projected annual production reaching up to 12 million litres of hydrated ethanol. Construction…

Zimbabwe has surpassed its maize planting target for the 2025–2026 summer agricultural season, reaching 105 per cent of the planned area. A total of 1,885,833 hectares have been planted, exceeding the initial target of 1.8 million hectares. This was reported by The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS. According to data from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), the total maize area this season is also higher than last year’s figure of 1,728,897 hectares. The experts noted crop…

Egypt’s agricultural exports have reached about 8.8 million tonnes this year, up by nearly 750,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year, according to Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. According to the report, citrus fruits remained Egypt’s top export, with shipments exceeding 2 million tonnes. Fresh potatoes ranked second at around 1.3 million tonnes, followed by sweet potatoes with about 328,000 tonnes. Beans, both fresh and dried, reached…

South African sugarcane growers are warning that an unprecedented surge in sugar imports is threatening local jobs and rural livelihoods, as SA Canegrowers launches its Save Our Sugar campaign. The campaign, which encourages consumers to buy locally produced sugar, has already attracted more than 70,000 pledges from South Africans. “This groundswell of public support is heartening, and every single consumer’s commitment makes a difference. But the threat persists. We are still tracking sugar imports at levels with no precedent in…

In an exclusive commentary for NAN, a partner of TV BRICS, Mathew Adamu, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, highlighted the central role of agriculture in Africa’s development agenda ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. With more than 60 per cent of Africans employed in the sector, he noted that the continent still largely exports raw materials rather than processed goods – a gap that stronger international cooperation can help address. Adamu emphasised that enhanced partnership with the G20…

Egypt has begun establishing the world’s largest date plantation. A total of 2.3 million palm trees will be planted in the Toshka and Al-Owainat regions. The launch of the project was announced by the Republic’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, according to Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. The project is being implemented on the instructions of the President of Egypt. As Kamel Al-Wazir emphasised, the development of the…

Citrus exports from South Africa reached record levels in 2025, increasing by 22 per cent compared with the previous season. The figures were reported by MENA, a TV BRICS partner, citing the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA). The total export volume amounted to 203.4 million cartons, each weighing 15 kg. The growth in yield was attributed to favourable weather conditions, the commissioning of new fruit-bearing orchards, and improved farming efficiency in water management and pest control. The report…