India needs ocean mission using AI, satellites, deep-sea tech, says Somanath
Embedding space-based oceanography into the marine research ecosystem is to harness the potential of the blue economy and the well-being of coastal fishing communities, S Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, has said. India should embark on a mission to conquer the oceans through technology, innovation, data integration and coordinated research, he […]
Agri exports up 12 per cent during H1 at $13.93 billion
India’s agri exports grew by about 12 per cent during the first half of the current financial year with shipments of products such as non-basmati rice, buffalo meat and pulses among others registering an increase during the period on higher demand. The shipment value of agri products monitored by Apeda grew to $13.936 million during […]
India’s coffee exports hit $1.8 billion in FY25, continues four-year growth streak
India’s coffee exports have continued their strong upward trajectory, maintaining their billion-dollar streak for the fourth consecutive financial year, according to the Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the financial year 2024-25, India’s coffee exports reached $1.80 billion, marking a 40.2 per cent growth over the $1.28 billion achieved in […]
India’s ethanol revolution: From sugar dependence to grain dominance in a decade
India’s ethanol blending program has transformed dramatically over the past 13 years, with supply surging nearly 68-fold and a historic shift in feedstock—from 100 per cent sugar-based to over 70 per cent grain-based—reshaping the nation’s biofuel ecosystem. The latest data, covering Ethanol Supply Years (ESY) 2012–13 to 2025–26, highlights this remarkable evolution. Ethanol supply to […]
Govt to bring stringent seed law in Budget session 2026: Shivraj Chouhan
The government plans to introduce legislation with stringent provisions to regulate seed quality during the budget session of Parliament early next year, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday. Addressing an event on Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs), Chouhan said the amendments are aimed at ensuring quality inputs for the farming community. The minister said […]
India’s soybean meal exports fall by 11% due to high prices
Due to low demand for Indian soybean meal in the international market, the country’s exports of this product fell by 11 per cent to 20.23 lakh tonne during the oil marketing year 2024-25 (October 2024 to September 2025), an organisation of processors said on Wednesday. An official of the Indore-based Soybean Processors Association of India […]
Maharashtra’s tur production may drop 40% on crop damage due to rain, floods
Farmers and district agriculture officers in Maharashtra are estimating nearly 40 per cent loss in the tur crop (pigeon pea/arhar) due to incessant rains and floods. The State, one of India’s top tur producers, contributes a significant share to national production. This will likely result in the pulse market facing disruptions in the coming months. […]
Commerce Ministry clarifies: Govt giving only non-financial support to Bharat Rice Conference
The commerce ministry on Monday clarified that the two-day Bharat International Rice Conference is being organised here by a private body IREF and the government is only giving non-financial support to the event. The clarification is important as certain allegations have been made against national President of Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) Prem Garg. “With […]
Cyclone Montha spins up ahead of forecasts, set to intensify
In a pattern increasingly associated with sea-based storms in the North Indian Ocean in recent times, Sunday’s deep depression over the south-east Bay and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal beat forecast timelines to intensify as cyclone Montha. It was declared during the intervening midnight of Sunday and Monday, ahead of its expected timeline, as a […]
Onion deflation at 6.5-year high in September amid subdued exports
Onion prices are once again seeing prolonged periods of deflation. Consumer price index (CPI) based deflation in onions was recorded at -49.85 per cent in September, which was a six-and-a-half-year high. This is the steepest deflation rate recorded in onions since February 2019 (see chart). So far, in this current financial year (2025-26), only April […]