Tag Archives: technology
Monsanto Buys The Climate Corporation, Brings Big Data to Agriculture
October 4, 2013 Monsanto has bought the Climate Corporation for about $930 million in an effort to help farmers use big data to produce more crops while using fewer natural resources, the agribusiness company says. The Climate Corporation’s technology platform uses hyper-local weather monitoring, agronomic data modeling and high-resolution weather simulations to help farmers predict crop yields. Data science is “agriculture’s next major growth frontier” and represents a potential opportunity of $20 billion beyond Monsanto ’s core focus, the company says. Monsanto and the Climate Corporation estimate the majority of farmers have an untapped yield opportunity of up to 30 bushels to 50 bushels in their corn fields, and they say that advancements in data science can help farmers achieve that additional value for the farm. The Climate Corporation will continue to offer its current risk-management products including an online service that provides crop planning, monitoring and recommendations, and crop insurance through its network of independent agents, the companies say. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of Monsanto’s 2014 fiscal year. The two companies’ combined capabilities will immediately expand both the near- and long-term growth opportunities of Monsanto’s Integrated Farming Systems platform and research and development pipeline in the coming years, Monsanto says. Longer-term, the acquisition will broaden the product choices available to farmers beyond Monsanto’s current row crop and vegetable portfolio, both inside and outside of the US, Monsanto says. This includes the delivery decision-support tools that could increase agriculture productivity on a billion planted acres around the globe, according to the company. In August, General Mills, Kraft Foods and Monsanto were among the first companies to join a project that aims to develop a comprehensive database for food and beverage life cycle assessments. Continue reading
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons Staff Report / 8 October 2013 Dubai Holding (DH) and Emaar Properties on Monday signed a joint venture agreement to develop The Lagoons, a magnificent waterfront city that will define the ambitious new face of Dubai’s future, within Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City). “The six million square metres development will feature a business district, residential units and hotels,” the companies said in a statement on Monday. The project stretches from the banks of the Dubai Creek, through central parcels of land linked to Al Khail Road and across Ras Al Khor. It serves as a modern architectural continuum from Dubai Creek to the modern business and lifestyle centres of the city today. Inspired and built by the banks of the Dubai Creek, this prestigious project will bridge modernity with tradition by upholding the core values that have shaped Dubai as a cosmopolitan hub that is home to over 200 nationalities. At the heart of the project is The Dubai Twin Towers, a mixed-use iconic development that defines a new skyline for the city, and is envisaged to join the rank of the world’s most prestigious skyscrapers. In a joint statement, Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, and Ahmad bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, constantly reminds us that Dubai has achieved less than 10 per cent of its development potential. Dubai has always been a forward-looking city, and today, as we enter our next phase of growth led by our youth, it is important that National Champion companies such as Dubai Holding and Emaar work jointly to launch projects that are important to boost the city’s future development. “As the city further underlines its credentials as a global hub by welcoming professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world, and led by the Dubai Tourism Vision to record 20 million visitors by the turn of the decade, it is important to continue to build our world-class infrastructure to meet future needs. The project, which will be a new catalyst for growth and create robust opportunities for commerce and entrepreneurship, will set new benchmarks in urban development, with its focus on the tech-savvy and connected youth population who are taking centrestage in driving Dubai’s impressive growth. “We are thus creating a vibrant destination that will not only address their lifestyle requirements of modern retail, entertainment and hospitality, but also connect them to their Arab heritage. This prestigious development fulfills His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision by creating a world-class infrastructure that will firmly establish Dubai as one of the Top 10 global cities by 2020. Truly world-class in design, it will be an inspiring work, play and live environment with several iconic developments, further driving the city’s growth.” The distinguishing feature of the development is its focus on creating distinctive neighbourhoods, which are pedestrian friendly. It will be supported by several sustainable transport modes including a direct link with Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines, an eco-tram system, light monorail, and water taxis. The sweeping waterfront of the project lined by retail, commercial and residential zones will be built around two central parks. The ‘green’ theme will further resonate in several environmental-friendly features including eco-resorts, water features, and gardens. A number of small marinas will also be developed across the waterfront. — business@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
UAE, UK to fight organised crime
UAE, UK to fight organised crime Sudeshna Sarkar (sudeshna@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 October 2013 With around 6,000 criminal groups — which add up to 38,000 organised criminals — targeting the UK, from home soil as well as overseas, security agencies need more teeth to protect the islands. A shot in the arm came on Monday with the launch of a new organisation that will work with UAE law enforcement agencies to tackle some of the world’s toughest and most organised criminals. The National Crime Agency (NCA), accountable to British Home Secretary Theresa May and to be headed by a chief constable, will be staffed with more than 4,000 specialist crime fighters fanned over 40 global locations. Its reach will stretch across 150 countries. The NCA will work with UAE partner agencies and organisations to tackle drugs trafficking, child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, immigration crime and cyber crime. Since the UAE is a major financial centre, the two sides will also jointly fight money laundering and the investment of criminal assets. UAE partners and the NCA will pool in intelligence on joint threats and targets. If required, they will also intercept people, property and money moving to and from the UK. Dominic Jermey, the British Ambassador to the UAE, said the bilateral cooperation between the UK and the UAE covers an enormous range, including tackling organised crime. “The NCA will allow law enforcement agencies in both countries to join hands and use their shared expertise to track down the perpetrators of serious crimes and bring them to justice,” he said. The UK already has officers from its Serious Organised Crime Agency, Revenue and Customs, and Counter Terrorism and Extremism actively based in the UAE, working together with local UAE contacts and agencies. Their actions involve identifying and targeting major British criminals involved in organised/fiscal crime harming the UK and related assets. These officers have been holding regular operational meetings with police and immigration in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to discuss trends and agree on responses. May said the NCA was born of the realisation that organised crime was one of the greatest threats to national security. Every year it costs the UK between £20 billion and £40 billion per year, She said the impact is felt every single day: “The drug dealing on street corners; the burglary and muggings by addicts; the trafficking of vulnerable young women into prostitution; the card cloning and credit card fraud that robs so many.” The NCA, she added, will transform the authorities’ response. Continue reading
