AI in agriculture: Time to move from demos to decisions
There has been a growing hype in the agtech sector that: “AI will transform agriculture”. From advisories like NPSS (National Pest Surveillance System) to intelligent governance dashboard, AI is perceived as the game-changer from our policymakers to farmers. While this is a compelling vision, it is also dangerously oversimplified. It’s time we ask ourselves the […]
Allegations of irregularities in onion procurement surface again
Allegations of irregularities in onion procurement under the Centre’s Price Stabilisation Fund scheme have resurfaced, with farmer groups demanding immediate payment of pending dues and a white paper on the process. The scheme had set a target of procuring 3 lakh tonnes of onions through nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF. However, farmers allege that farmer […]
India lowers rice procurement target, to buy 46.35 million tonne in 2025-26
The Indian government has fixed the rice procurement target at 46.35 million tonne (mt) from the crop grown during the current kharif season. It had purchased about 47.4 mt from the kharif 2024 crop against a target of 51.16 mt. In a meeting with Food Secretaries of States and Union Territories on Monday, where officials […]
Countries pushed India on agri market, but nation stands firm now: Chouhan
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, without naming the United States, on Saturday said some countries had pressured India to open its agricultural market but the nation today stands tall and engages confidently on the global stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said national interest is paramount, and farmers’ interests will not be compromised, Chouhan asserted […]
Fertilizer industry seeks cut in GST to 5%, urges Govt for input tax credit refund
The Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) has urged the Centre to bring Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on ammonia and sulphuric acid, which are key raw materials in the production of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and complex (combination of nutrients) fertilisers, at par with their finished products at 5 per cent from the current 18 […]
Global urea prices spike on sudden Indian demand, low stocks
The price of urea in the global market is reported to have spiked in the Middle East from India’s last contracted rate of $530/tonne (CFR). This has been attributed to the sudden demand from India amid declining stocks. On the other hand, Indian importers are hopeful of bringing down prices to about $500/tonne when the […]
Farm equipment maker KisanKraft plans to scale up exports
KisanKraft Ltd, the Bengaluru based farm-equipment maker plans to step up exports to around 50 countries over the next five years. The company currently exports farm equipment such as inter-cultivators and brush cutters among others to about 10 countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines, Ivory Coast and Ghana. KisanKraft, which completed 20 years of […]
Nabard to raise maiden external commercial borrowing in FY26, says chief
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is looking to raise its maiden external commercial borrowing in FY26, a top official said on Tuesday. The entity has received the Reserve Bank approval to undertake such an issuance and is now gearing up for it, its chairman Shaji KV told reporters here. “We have […]
India, WFP to supply 200k tonnes of fortified rice for humanitarian needs
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian government on Monday signed a definitive agreement to supply up to 200,000 metric tonnes of fortified rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouses for humanitarian needs. The Letter of Intent (LoI), signed today, will be executed over the next five years and is aimed […]
Urea, DAP availability at comfortable levels for kharif season, says govt
The Central government today stated that despite global challenges, the supplies of major fertilisers across the country have remained comfortable during the ongoing kharif season, dismissing any notion of an unprecedented shortage. In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers said that for the 2025 kharif season, against the pro-rata requirement of […]