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SaliCrop’s Novel Seed Enhancement Tech Makes Deserts Bloom

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SaliCrop’s seed innovation is bearing fruits of success in tomato cultivation: More yield and flavorful tomatoes

KFAR VITKIN, Israel, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Extreme weather events—heatwaves, droughts, extreme cold snaps—pose significant threats to agriculture, contributing to the phenomenon of desertification. Globally, fertile lands are increasingly being degraded, losing the ability to sustain life and grow food. AgriTech start-up SaliCrop, Ltd., has pioneered a breakthrough seed treatment to transform arid terrain into flourishing landscapes to growing food.

Leveraging its expertise in desert technology, the company developed a novel, non-GMO approach to bolster seeds’ resilience to abiotic stresses brought on by extreme climate challenges. SaliCrop’s solution can help boost crop cultivation in arid regions, raising yields and elevating the value to marginal lands, turning them into arable stretches more fit for growing food. The result is greater food security for the future.

SaliCrop’s benefits already are taking root in Spain’s tomato industry. Saline soil and heat stress are considered the worst abiotic stressors. Dry soil with excessive salt content hinders the germination and growth potential of numerous crops. Soil salinity is largely attributed to rising sea levels which leads to seawater intrusion in coastal areas and the weathering of rock. This is exacerbated by irrigation with brackish water which for many farmers is unavoidable.

Heat stress will threaten nearly three-quarters of the world’s food production over the next 20 years, according to a late 2022 report by research group Verisk Maplecroft. “The greatest concerns occupying farmers today is how to maintain yields in the face of volatile and harsh climate conditions which lead to poor soil quality,” explains Sharon Devir, Ph.D., co-founder and Active Chairperson of SaliCrop. “More than 830 million hectares of agricultural land is now salty. Abiotic stresses are responsible for 30-50% loss of agricultural productivity worldwide. This amounts to a colossal USD170 billion in revenue losses yearly. Our solution centered on countering this by helping farmers who grow crops in vast open fields.”

Sowing the seeds of abundance

SaliCrop’s proprietary seed enhancement technology is the brainchild of Ṛcā Godbole, Ph.D., co-founder and CSO of SaliCrop. Godbole is a plant biologist who hails from a dynasty of agronomists. She dedicated time assisting smallholder farmers in coastal regions of Mumbai contending with substantial soil salinity setbacks in efforts to grow crops such as rice and beetroot. Godbole and Devir, a mechanical agronomist who established the first Arab-Israeli life science technology greenhouse in Nazareth, Israel, began conducting trials in Israel growing wheat and vegetables using saltwater irrigation in a closed facility.

SaliCrop’s has developed  hundreds of seed enhancement protocols designed to improve plant resilience to the impacts of climate change by intentionally exposing the seeds to controlled abiotic stressors. This process  harnesses the innate stress-response mechanisms helping them thrive even during periods of intense heat, prolonged dry spells, and low water.

“Plants have certain environmental  stress inducible  genes that act as internal alarms,” explains Godbole. “When there is too much salt, or too much heat, these alarms go off and the plant enters defense mode. But often, by the time the plant reacts, it’s too late.” Without changing the plant’s DNA, SaliCrop’s green solution acts as a gentle nudge to preemptively stimulate the stress responses even before the plant finds itself in salty or hot conditions. 

“Under SaliCrop’s treatment, plants not only thrive in poor quality, highly saline soil through enhanced nutrient absorption and improved root structures, but they also exhibit increased vigor and superior germination rates,” affirms Carmit Oron, CEO of SaliCrop. “This innovation turns marginal lands, previously considered barren, into fertile grounds capable of abundant food production. As climate change intensifies, farmers globally are in urgent need of sustainable solutions to adapt and succeed. SaliCrop is at the forefront, with leading agricultural players already integrating our technology,” Oron adds.

The tomato success story

The SaliCrop solution is bearing fruit in tomato cultivation in multiple locations, including Spain, which has been experiencing seasonal temperature highs reaching 45°C. Two years ago, the start-up entered collaboration with farmers in Extremadura  in projects to boost the yields and quality of tomatoes grown in 30-hectare sized fields.

Spain is increasingly experiencing droughts, raising concerns about water scarcity. In fact, Spain could be experiencing its worst drought conditions in the last 160 years of records. Reservoir capacity has plummeted to 30% of its total; its lowest in 27 years according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition. “This results in a loss of soil moisture causing tomato crops to shrivel and is compounded by losses in yields,” explains Godbole. “The water loss leads to salt accumulation around the roots, hindering water absorption.”

“Our climate-smart seed enhancement technology has empowered tomatoes to better withstand extreme climate events,” adds Devir. “Through extensive field trials, with the leading commercial seed varieties, we’ve observed promising outcomes, including substantial enhancements in plant growth with an impressive 10-17% increase in yield. Additionally, post-harvest Brix levels have improved.  This translates to an added income of approximately 1,300-1,800EUR per hectare for the farmers.”

Going commercial

While the company is progressing with field trials across Europe, Africa, and India, focusing on a open field variety of crops including onions, broccoli, chili rice, and more. SaliCrop is already at commercial stages in Israel, actively selling treated tomato seeds across 700 hectares.

As SaliCrop enters commercial stages, its treated seeds are making a difference across over 1,000 hectares in Israel and beyond. The company is advancing its field trials across Europe, Africa, and India, targeting a variety of crops and demonstrating the universal applicability of its solution.

Company Contact

Carmit Oron

CEO

SaliCrop Ltd

Email:  contact@salicrop.com 

Web:   www.salicrop.com

 

Press Contact

NutriPR

Liat Simha

Tel: +972-9-9742893

E-mail: liat@nutripr.com

Web: www.nutripr.com 

Twitter: @NutriPR_

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2339423/Salicrop_tomato_cultivation.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/salicrops-novel-seed-enhancement-tech-makes-deserts-bloom-302060424.html

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Cultural Tourism Sees Strong Growth in China, with Social Media Trends Reflecting Global Interest

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SHANGHAI, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — China’s cultural tourism sector is gaining international attention as more travellers seek immersive, heritage-rich experiences. Social media trends and travel data highlight a surge in interest, particularly during the recent Chinese New Year period, reinforcing the country’s growing appeal as a cultural travel destination.

One initiative contributing to this trend was the Chinese New Year Tour Global KOL China Travel Campaign, launched in mid-January by Tripadvisor and Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider. The campaign engaged over 40 international travel influencers, who explored ten cities across four themed routes, including Zhangzhou and Fuzhou in Fujian province, Yancheng in Jiangsu, Changzhi and Yuncheng in Shanxi, Nanchang, Lushan, and Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, as well as Changsha and Zhangjiajie in Hunan. Their content—showcasing Chinese New Year festivities, local traditions, and breathtaking landscapes—has already garnered over 80 million online views and nearly one million engagements, reaching a worldwide audience.

This is amidst the backdrop of China’s expanding visa-free policies, facilitating smoother entry for international visitors. According to immigration authorities, over 64 million foreign visitors had travelled to China in 2024, with over 20 million taking advantage of visa-free entry. The recent inclusion of ASEAN tour groups in February this year for visa-free programs in destinations like Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is expected to drive further growth.

Online travel trends also reflect this rising interest. Trip.com Group data reports a 7.5-fold increase in searches for Chinese lanterns, temple fairs, and theatrical performances during the Chinese New Year period compared to the previous year.

This year’s Chinese New Year celebrations were particularly significant, being the first since the festival’s recognition on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. As awareness of heritage preservation grows, efforts to highlight historic sites and traditional celebrations are expected to further engage travellers interested in cultural tourism.

Looking ahead, cultural events such as China Tourism Day on May 19 will continue to shine a spotlight on heritage destinations. “We are confident that such initiatives will inspire international tourists to explore cultural traditions and deepen their appreciation for global heritage,” says Benny Wang, Senior Vice President of Trip.com Group.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cultural-tourism-sees-strong-growth-in-china-with-social-media-trends-reflecting-global-interest-302401765.html

SOURCE Trip.com Group

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MEXC Lists AO (AO), Expanding Support for Decentralized Computing and AI Innovation with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool

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VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency trading platform, announces the listing of AO (AO) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC). To mark the occasion, MEXC is launching an Airdrop+ rewards event with a 140,000 USDT prize pool, providing users with multiple opportunities to engage with AO and explore its potential within the decentralized computing space.

Unleashing AO: MEXC Supports the Future of Decentralized Computing and AI Agents

AO is a decentralized ultra-parallel computing network that expands on-chain computation while ensuring all operations remain verifiable and permanently recorded. Built on Arweave’s permanent storage, AO features an actor-oriented architecture, where modular programs (actors) operate independently, select their own virtual machines (VMs), consensus mechanisms, and payment models, and communicate through a standardized messaging layer. With self-triggering execution and autonomous agent capabilities, AO enables efficient DeFi strategies, automated DEX trading, and AI-driven applications, unlocking a new era of decentralized computing.

By listing AO, MEXC reinforces its commitment to supporting cutting-edge innovations at the intersection of AI, blockchain infrastructure, and decentralized computing. As demand for on-chain processing and AI-powered applications grows, MEXC provides AO with critical market access, deep liquidity, and an engaged global user base to accelerate its adoption and utility. Beyond just a listing, MEXC plays a crucial role in fostering the adoption and development of innovative blockchain projects across AI and DePIN. With a strong trading community, strategic marketing initiatives, and a track record of launching high-potential assets, MEXC provides projects like AO with the tools to gain visibility and traction within the crypto ecosystem. Through this listing, MEXC continues to connect users with the latest blockchain advancements, ensuring accessibility to next-generation decentralized infrastructure.

Celebrate AO’s Listing with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool

MEXC, known for quickly listing trending tokens, expands its offerings with AO (AO). The AO/USDT trading market officially launched in the Innovation Zone on March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC), followed by the introduction of the AO USDT perpetual futures at 06:10 (UTC), offering adjustable leverage from 1x to 50x with both cross and isolated margin modes.

To celebrate the listing of AO (AO) on MEXC Spot and Futures, MEXC is launching a series of exclusive events from March 13, 2025, at 12:00 (UTC) – March 23, 2025, at 10:00 (UTC), giving both new and existing users the opportunity to earn USDT bonuses and other rewards while engaging with the AO ecosystem.

Event 1: Deposit to Share 72,000 USDT (New User Exclusive)

New users who trade AO spot (≥ $100) or futures (≥ $500) can earn a 30 USDT bonus, with a total of 72,000 USDT up for grabs.

Event 2: Futures Challenge — Trade to Share 50,000 USDT in Futures Bonuses (Open to All Users)

Each user can receive up to 5,000 USDT in Futures bonuses.

Event 3: Invite New Users & Share 18,000 USDT (Open to All Users)Event 4: Spread the Word and Win Rewards

Your Easiest Way to Trending Tokens

MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 34 million by offering a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, competitive fees, and comprehensive liquidity. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and 605 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.

About MEXC

Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

MEXC Official Website X TelegramHow to Sign Up on MEXC

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641685/1920_1080_AO.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mexc-lists-ao-ao-expanding-support-for-decentralized-computing-and-ai-innovation-with-a-140-000-usdt-prize-pool-302401761.html

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V CAPITAL CONSULTING GROUP GUIDES SAGTEC GLOBAL LIMITED TO NASDAQ IPO, ACHIEVING FIFTH SUCCESSFUL LISTING

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Consultancy Firm Secures Fifth Consecutive Success, Assisting Local Software Provider in Raising US$7 Million through Nasdaq IPO

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — V Capital Consulting Group Limited (“VCCG”, or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the successful initial public offering (IPO) of its client, Sagtec Global Limited (“Sagtec”). The listing marks VCCG’s fifth overall success on Nasdaq and the third IPO within the past year, highlighting the Company’s expertise in guiding businesses to the global capital market. 

The corporate advisory firm, a subsidiary of VCI Global Limited (NASDAQ:VCIG),  provides turnkey solutions for companies seeking to list on Nasdaq. With Sagtec’s successful listing — the firm’s third Nasdaq IPO within a year — VCCG has further solidified its growing presence in the IPO advisory space. This achievement underscores the company’s commitment to guiding more Southeast Asian businesses to the global capital market.

As Sagtec’s IPO consultant, VCCG provided strategic guidance throughout the listing process, helping the software solutions provider raise US$7 million (approximately RM31 million) and achieve a post-listing valuation of over US$50 million (approximately RM221.4 million). Sagtec, which primarily serves the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, saw its flagship product, Speed+, surpass 10,000 subscribers, reflecting 47% growth. In 2024, the company’s revenue reached approximately US$11.63 million (approximately RM51.38 million), marking an 82.29% increase from the previous year.

“This IPO is another step toward strengthening Malaysia’s presence on Nasdaq, and we are thrilled to have supported Sagtec in reaching this milestone. With an expanding track record of listings and a commitment to empowering Southeast Asian companies, VCCG continues to pave the way for regional businesses seeking global capital market success,” said Dato’ Victor Hoo, Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VCI Global.

“This achievement reflects our team’s dedication and the invaluable guidance of our advisors, whose expertise was essential in navigating the complexities of the listing process and positioning Sagtec for long-term success. With this Nasdaq listing, we’re not just expanding globally but also redefining what’s possible for Southeast Asia tech innovators – and this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sagtec,” said Kevin Ng, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sagtec.

About V Capital Consulting Group Limited

V Capital Consulting Group, a spin-off and subsidiary of VCI Global (NASDAQ:VCIG), is a consulting firm specializing in capital market advisory services across pre-IPO, IPO, and post-IPO phases, as well as merger and acquisition advisory. Our team of experienced consultants is recognized for their in-depth knowledge and proven track record of delivering impactful results.

With a core team of experts in corporate finance, capital markets, and legal advisory, we empower clients to navigate complex market landscapes, anticipate challenges, and seize business opportunities.

To date, VCCG has successfully assisted notable companies in securing Nasdaq listings, including Founder Group Limited, YY Group Holding Limited, and others.

About Sagtec Global Limited

Sagtec specializes in customizable software solutions for the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector, offering table ordering, QR ordering, and self-service kiosk applications to enhance operational efficiency. The company also provides software development, CRM, invoicing, data management, and social media management for various industries, including Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). Through its majority-owned subsidiary, CL Technologies, Sagtec operates power-bank charging stations at 300 locations across Malaysia. Its flagship product, Speed+, a smart ordering system on leased POS machines, streamlines order management and surpassed 6,800 subscribers in 2024, reflecting its growing market adoption.

For more information, please visit https://www.sagtec-global.com/ . 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company’s ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including without limitation, the Company’s ability to achieve profitable operations, customer acceptance of new products, the effects of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and future measures taken by authorities in the countries wherein the Company has supply chain partners, the demand for the Company’s products and the Company’s customers’ economic condition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, successfully managing and, general economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release, except in accordance with applicable law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/v-capital-consulting-group-guides-sagtec-global-limited-to-nasdaq-ipo-achieving-fifth-successful-listing-302401703.html

SOURCE V Capital Consulting Group

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