Fertiliser import likely to jump 41% in FY26 on strong monsoon demand: FAI
Despite a jump of over 136 per cent in urea imports during April-October and sales almost at par with the previous year, farmers’ complaints about shortages continue as stock has dropped to 4.99 million tonnes (mt) as of November 28, compared to 6.6 mt a year-ago. However, industry leaders maintain that the availability is adequate […]
Wheat sowing up 11%, mustard 5% higher as farmers cover Rabi season’s 75% area
Farmers in India have completed planting of winter crops in over 75 per cent of the normal area 637.81 lakh hectares (lh) this year as per latest data of the agriculture ministry. While mustard, the key oilseed crop of the Rabi season, and barley have exceeded their normal area, wheat, chana (gram), masur (lentil), maize […]
Maharashtra poised to lead India’s natural farming revolution
Maharashtra is uniquely placed to emerge as India’s leading state in natural farming at a time when the country is fundamentally rethinking the future of its agricultural growth. Decades of chemical-intensive cultivation has boosted production, but it has also weakened soil health, stressed water resources and sharply raised the cost of cultivation. Climate volatility, falling […]
Nearly 50% of farmers used AI monsoon alerts to change their planting decisions
Up to half of the farmers who received AI-generated local monsoon onset forecasts in 13 States adjusted their planting decisions during kharif 2025. This was revealed by the Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shivraj Sigh Chouhan, in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Replying to a query, he said an AI-based pilot was conducted on […]
Pesticides industry body CCFI objects to ICMR study
Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI), an industry body of pesticides manufacturers, has sought retraction of aresearch report published by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in September that talked about exposure to pesticides causing depression, mild cognitive impairment among agricultural workers based on a study in a West Bengal district. In a letter to […]
In a ‘SIR’ moment, Apeda makes 100% physical verification of Indian organic farmers a must
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has made it mandatory for 100 per cent physical verification of Indian farmers cultivating organic crops in all growers’ groups. The verification is mandatory for registration of new organic farmers, renewal of the scope certificate, which confirms a grower’s compliance and issuing a no-objection certificate […]
Seeds of hope: Sowing of rabi crops gathers further steam, shows data
Sowing of rabi crops further picked up pace during the week ended November 28, with all major crops recording higher acreages than the corresponding period of last year. Harsh Vardhan Bhagchandka, president of IPL Biologicals, said in 2025, rabi sowing has surged beyond 39.3 million hectares, which is a clear sign that farmers responded positively […]
62% of area under Indian rabi crops covered so far as wheat coverage gains 17%
Helped by an early start and conducive weather, farmers in India have completed planting of winter (rabi) crops on 62 per cent of the normal area this year, as per the latest data of the Agriculture Ministry. While 97 cent of the normal area under mustard, the key oilseed crop of the rabi season, has […]
PM-Kisan: From income support to digital agriculture leadership
When we look at the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme we must see more than what meets the eye. Yes, it is more than an income support programme. It is also a digital enabler for modern Indian agriculture. Under the scheme the government transfers ₹6,000 a year to each landholding farmer family. The […]
Farm sector GVA up 3.5% in Q2, collapses in nominal terms on low inflation
The gross value added (GVA) in agriculture, forestry and fishing recorded a growth of 3.5 per cent in real terms in the second quarter of FY26, down from 4.1 per cent during the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal, with nominal growth collapsing steeply, the quarterly GDP estimates released today showed. The data showed that […]