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LONGi at UNCCD COP17: Li Zhenguo Explains Two Technological Pathways for PV-Powered Food Security

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Aug. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From August 17 to 28, 2026, the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. During the conference, LONGi participated in several side events, systematically presenting the enormous potential of PV technology to enhance the resilience of global food supply, and officially released its solutions for PV-powered food security.

At a side event titled “From Desert to Asset – Comprehensive Solutions for Integrated PV-Based Ecological Restoration,” co-hosted by the School of Social Sciences of Tsinghua University and the China Green Foundation, Li Zhenguo, founder and Chief Technology Officer of LONGi, joined via video link and noted that traditional food production relies heavily on natural photosynthesis and climatic conditions. Extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have severely impacted agricultural production, and global climate change is placing unprecedented pressure on an already fragile food supply system. However, as costs decline, PV technology can not only reduce carbon emissions but also offer a new solution for enhancing the resilience of global food supply.

Li Zhenguo recently published a forward-looking Perspective article titled “Photovoltaics for food security” in the leading international academic journal Nature Sustainability, in which he systematically set out two technological pathways with practical application prospects.

Pathway 1: PV-driven artificial synthesis of starch from carbon dioxide. PV-generated electricity is used to electrolyze water and produce green hydrogen, which is then coupled with captured CO₂ to synthesize green methanol. This methanol is subsequently converted into starch through oxidation, polymerization, and other processes. Compared with the solar energy utilization efficiency of about 2% in traditional natural photosynthesis, this pathway can raise efficiency to 7–10%. Calculations show that deploying PV on just 3.7% of the Sahara Desert could generate 26 trillion kWh of green electricity, enough to synthesize 3 billion tonnes of food and meet the current global food demand.

Pathway 2: PV-driven “energy-water-food” nexus system. By building PV power plants in desert areas, the shading effect of PV modules reduces soil moisture evaporation, improves the soil microclimate, and lowers irrigation requirements. Combined with PV-powered seawater desalination and inter-regional water transfer projects, this approach can gradually transform desert land that was previously unsuitable for cultivation into arable farmland.

In fact, LONGi has already been actively exploring this approach in the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, China – generating electricity on the panels, planting crops under the panels, and raising livestock between the panel rows. Under the PV panels, the once barren land is being revitalized. This practice verifies the feasibility of integrated PV-ecology-agriculture development and provides a replicable Chinese solution for the coordinated development of ecological restoration and food production in desertification-prone areas.

The theme of this year’s COP17 is “Restoring Land, Restoring Hope.” LONGi actively participated in multiple side events, engaging in in-depth exchanges with government agencies, scientists, and corporate representatives from around the world, and sharing Chinese experience in the deep integration of PV with desertification control and ecological restoration.

From cutting-edge laboratory exploration to on-the-ground validation in deserts, PV is evolving from an energy solution into a cornerstone of sustainable development. Looking ahead, LONGi will leverage Solar (PV)-plus-Storage technologies to actively address climate change, continue to promote the deep integration of PV with ecology, agriculture, water resources and other fields, build a more resilient global sustainable development system, and ensure that more affordable, safer, and more accessible green energy truly benefits everyone.

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SOURCE LONGi

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From Indian farms to American kitchens: BharatRohan takes its drone monitored spices to the US

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BSE SME listed precision agriculture firm to launch in Q1 2027; every jar carries a QR code tracing its spice to the farm and lab report

NEW DELHI, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BharatRohan Airborne Innovations Limited (“BharatRohan” or “the Company”), listed on BSE (SME) (BSE: 544535), today announced its entry into the United States through its step-down subsidiary, BharatRohan Inc. BharatRohan Inc. will launch a traceable, lab-tested spice range under the “BharatRohan” brand in Q1 2027, starting on Amazon and its own website.

BharatRohan Inc., incorporated in Delaware, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Groeigids B.V., the Netherlands, which is wholly owned by the Company.

The market opportunity

The United States imported spices worth about USD 2.1 billion in 2024, and India supplied about USD 374 million of that, or 18%. India is the dominant source for two of the staples in BharatRohan Inc.’s launch range:

U.S. spice imports, 2024

Value (USD million)

India’s share

All spices (total addressable market)

2,126

—

Imports from India (serviceable market)

374

18 %

Cumin seed

82

85 %

Turmeric

56

67 %

Dried chillies and paprika

613

22 %

Source: World Bank, World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS), UN Comtrade data, U.S. imports by
partner, 2024. Total covers HS 0904–0910 lines reported by WITS.

India is also the world’s leading spice exporter. It exported spices worth USD 4.72 billion in 2024–25 (Spices Board India), and the United States was its second-largest destination (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, via PIB).

Why traceability matters in the U.S.

Food safety is a live concern for U.S. buyers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found Salmonella in 6.6% of imported spice shipments it sampled, and since 2024 has warned consumers about elevated lead levels in more than 20 ground cinnamon products. U.S. importers are also required to verify the safety of their foreign suppliers under the FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program.

What BharatRohan brings

Farm-level data: the Company works with more than 58,000 farmers across over 2.6 lakh acres through its SourceAssure® platform, monitoring crops with drones through the growing season.Tested every batch: each batch is tested by NABL-accredited laboratories for pesticide residues against EU Maximum Residue Limits, microbiology and heavy metals.Proof on every jar: a QR code links each jar to its certificate of analysis and the farm where the spice was grown.Certified processing: the Company’s India processing unit is undergoing FSSC 22000 certification, a scheme recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative, expected in December 2026.Already operational in India: the same farm-to-pack model is already running in India, where the Company sells traceable, lab-tested spices directly to consumers through its SafeAssure store (safeassure.bharatrohan.in). BharatRohan Inc. extends this working model to the United States.

Launch plan

BharatRohan Inc. will launch with eight to twelve single-origin staples, including turmeric and cumin, alongside signature blends. Sales will begin on Amazon and the company’s own website in Q1 2027, followed by B2B ingredient supply, natural and specialty retail, and later conventional grocery and foodservice. Product will be sourced, tested and processed by the Company in India, giving its farmer network and processing plant a dedicated route to U.S. consumers.

Management comment

Amandeep Panwar, Chairman and Managing Director, BharatRohan Airborne Innovations Limited, said:

“For ten years we have worked alongside our farmers to grow better crops and prove it with data. Bringing that proof to American families is a proud moment for our farmers and our company.

Our model starts at the farm. Through SourceAssure®, we buy directly from the farmers we work with, after monitoring their crops through the season under CropAssure® Program and testing every batch. We hold that inventory in India, close to where it is grown, and process and pack it in our own facility. That gives us control over quality, timing and cost at every step, and fewer hands between the farmer and the shelf.

Until now, much of what we sourced was sold in bulk to other brands, which captured most of the value. With BharatRohan Inc., we sell the same verified product under our own brand to U.S. consumers and businesses who value proof of origin and safety. Moving from bulk supply to branded sales lets us earn more from every kilogram we source. Over time, that strengthens the Company’s margins, and it lets us return more of that value to our farmers.”

About BharatRohan Airborne Innovations Limited

BharatRohan Airborne Innovations Limited (BSE SME: 544535) is an Indian agri-tech company founded in 2016. It uses drone-based hyperspectral imaging and data analytics to improve crop quality, optimise yield and raise farmer incomes. Through its CropAssure® and SourceAssure® platforms, the Company works with more than 58,000 farmers across over 2.6 lakh acres. It monitors crops from pre-sowing to harvest, buys produce directly from farmers, and supplies traceable, residue-tested spices and agricultural produce to corporate buyers and to consumers in India. Its U.S. step-down subsidiary, BharatRohan Inc., is launching a traceable, lab-verified spice brand in the United States.

For more information, visit www.bharatrohan.in.

Forward-looking statements: Statements in this release about the U.S. launch, product range, certification and channel plans are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update them, except as required by law.

 

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Yubi and Protean eGov Technologies join forces to integrate India’s trusted digital rails into the credit lifecycle

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Collaboration brings together Protean’s trusted identity and data capabilities and Yubi’s lending platforms, aiming for faster onboarding, sharper underwriting and a seamless digital experience for lenders and borrowers across India

MUMBAI, India, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yubi, the AI-powered operating system for financial services, and Protean eGov Technologies Limited, India’s most trusted digital infrastructure, announced a collaboration to bring trusted digital identity, KYC and data capabilities into the heart of lending across India. The aim is faster customer onboarding, better-informed underwriting and a seamless digital experience for lenders and borrowers alike.

India’s credit story is one of real progress, but visibility remains a gap. A recent report[1] found that only 28% of Indian adults (aged 18-60) are credit-active, and another[2] estimated a formal MSME credit gap of over ₹60 lakh crore, in part because lenders have limited access to verified information on how these businesses operate. Closing that gap depends on giving lenders reliable, verified signals on who a borrower is and how their finances work, at the point of decision.

Commenting on the collaboration, Gaurav Kumar, Founder & CEO, Yubi Group, said, “India has built world-class digital public infrastructure, yet lenders still make too many credit decisions without a clear view of who the borrower is. That gap is a big part of what keeps first-time borrowers and small businesses outside the formal system. Protean’s trusted identity and data capabilities, combined with the lending infrastructure Yubi provides to banks and lenders, can help close it. Our aim is to give lenders the confidence to say yes more often, and to give borrowers a faster, fairer and more transparent path to credit, at national scale. That is how we deepen India’s debt market and expand credit accessibility.”

Protean brings trusted identity, verification and data capabilities built for population scale. Yubi, which has facilitated over ₹3.2 lakh crore in credit, brings the lending infrastructure that banks and other lenders run on.

Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Ajay Rajan, MD & CEO, Protean eGov Technologies Limited, said, “Digital Public Infrastructure can be a powerful catalyst for transforming India’s lending ecosystem. Our collaboration with Yubi brings together Protean’s expertise in building trusted, scalable digital infrastructure and Yubi’s technology-led lending platform to simplify lending journeys, strengthen digital trust and drive greater operational efficiency. We see this partnership as an opportunity to translate DPI capabilities into tangible business value and accelerate innovation across the financial services ecosystem’ at scale.” 

India’s credit growth won’t be limited by capital. It will be limited by how fast and how safely a lender can know a borrower. Together, Protean’s comprehensive public rails (identity, KYC, consent, eSign) and Yubi’s cutting-edge lending stack remove that friction at four moments that decide a loan’s economics:

Onboard in minutes, not days. Verified identity, KYC and consent are embedded in the journey for individuals and MSMEs. Lower drop-off, lower cost to acquire.Know once, reuse everywhere. CKYC search at onboarding, updates reported back, digital re-KYC, plus portable KYC and documents across co-lending partners. A compliance cost becomes a shared asset.Underwrite on real cash flows. Consented bank statements and ITRs, analysed automatically, give lenders a truer view of how a borrower earns. Better approvals for borrowers and MSMEs with limited credit histories, with sharper risk selection.Close digitally, disburse faster. Agreements, sanction letters and security documents signed and stamped online. Fewer handoffs, faster time-to-cash, a cleaner audit trail.

For borrowers, the aim is a faster, more transparent onboarding and documentation experience, and a fairer chance at credit for new-to-credit customers, small businesses and others still outside the formal system.

Highlighting Protean and Yubi’s differentiation – trust infrastructure meets lending infrastructure, Mr. Rakesh Dosi, Chief Business & Product Officer, Protean eGov Technologies Limited, said, “One platform, one verified borrower, from first click to final signature, built on public rails and scaled by private innovation will be a game changer.”

The collaboration will be carried out within India’s regulatory and consent-based frameworks and in line with applicable laws, including data protection laws, with data privacy and security as a priority.

About Yubi Group

Yubi Group is the world’s only AI-powered operating system (OS) for financial services, founded in 2020 by CEO Gaurav Kumar. The Group comprises YuVerse, Accumn, Spocto X, YuCollect, Yubi Wealth – subsidiaries that together deliver end-to-end AI-based solutions in lending, underwriting, collections and wealth management. Backed by leading investors including Peak XV, Insight Partners, Lightspeed, B Capital Group, Dragoneer, and TVS Capital, Yubi has facilitated over ₹3.2 lakh crore in credit and 3.5 crore transactions, serving 17,000+ enterprises and 6,200+ investors & lenders while reducing collections costs by 57%. The company is redefining transparency, compliance, and performance across India’s financial services sector. Visit www.go-yubi.com to learn more.

About Protean eGov Technologies

Incorporated in December 1995, Protean eGov Technologies Limited is engaged in the business of developing citizen-centric and population-scale e-governance solutions. Protean is an information technology-enabled solutions company conceptualizing, developing, and executing critical and population-scale greenfield technology solutions. The company collaborates with the Indian government and has extensive experience in creating digital public infrastructure and developing innovative citizen-centric e-governance solutions. 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to anticipated future events, business prospects, operational outcomes, and strategic initiatives. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to various risks, uncertainties, regulatory developments, and other factors beyond the control of the parties. Neither party undertakes any obligation to update such statements.

[1] https://www.transunioncibil.com/content/dam/transunion-cibil/corporate/documents/Unlocking-Access-Digital-Report-New-Final.pdf [2] https://www.bain.com/globalassets/noindex/2026/bain_report_indias_next_growth_frontier_b2b_commerce_payments_and_credit.pdf 

 

 

 

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Novo Tellus statement regarding ISDN Holdings

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Novo Tellus has received enquiries following our recent reduction in shareholding in ISDN Holdings Limited (SGX: I07; HKEX: 1656), as disclosed in our substantial shareholder notifications filed with the SGX and HKEX in the last two months.

Novo Tellus invests in companies with strong fundamentals, good leadership, and long-term growth opportunities in attractive markets. We work with companies with the aim of clarifying strategy, supporting business focus, and building sustainable growth.

We are proud of our partnership with ISDN and the ongoing accomplishments of ISDN’s Managing Director and President, Mr Teo Cher Koon (CK Teo), and his team. In ISDN’s interim results announcement dated 14 August 2026, Mr. Teo highlighted the broad-based demand ISDN is seeing across diversified growth and long-term prospects, as well as ISDN’s momentum in expanding markets and capitalising on long-term automation demand.

In its 1H2026 results, ISDN also noted that its “order book has more than doubled from a year ago”, and that “favourable industry tailwinds continue to support the Group’s long-term business growth in industrial automation and renewable energy businesses”.

Novo Tellus’ decision to sell shares was driven by fund management considerations, and does not reflect a change in its views of ISDN, its markets, or its management team.

Nothing in this statement is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold ISDN shares. Novo Tellus may trade in ISDN’s shares from time to time in the ordinary course as part of fund management. Shareholders and potential investors are advised to exercise caution when dealing in ISDN shares, and should consult stockbrokers, bank managers and other professional advisers in case of doubt.

www.novotellus.com

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SOURCE Novo Tellus Capital Partners

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