Co-operatives as engines of India’s bioeconomy
India’s bioeconomy is emerging as a sunrise sector with immense potential for rural transformation and sustainable growth. Valued at over $80 billion in 2021, it is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030. The sector’s dynamism is evident in the surge of biotech start-ups (over 1,100 were launched in 2021), R&D spending crossing $1 billion, […]
Second-generation ethanol export permitted for fuel purposes, says DGFT
The government has notified additional policy conditions for the export of second-generation ethanol, which is produced from materials such as bagasse, wood waste, and industrial waste. Under these conditions, the biofuel can be exported for fuel purposes, as it was previously allowed for non-fuel purposes. It said export of second generation ethanol, which is produced […]
BASAI seeks govt clarification on GST rates for biostimulants products
The Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BASAI) on Monday said it has sought clarification from the government over GST applicable on biostimulants. Biostimulants, which aid plant growth, have been regulated under the Fertiliser (Control) Order (FCO) 1985 since 2021. As of August, the government has officially notified and fully approved 146 biostimulant products under […]
India’s oilmeal exports drop 12% in August as soybean meal shipments slip
A decline in soybean meal exports led to a 12 per cent drop in overall shipments of oilmeal in August. Data compiled by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) showed that India exported 2.76 lakh tonne (lt) of oilmeal during August 2025 against 3.14 lt in August 2024, registering a decline of 12.1 per […]
AI-based monsoon forecasts help 38 million Indian farmers make planting decisions
This summer, 38 million farmers across India accessed AI-driven monsoon forecasts, enabling them to choose whether to plant, change crops, or delay. This was made possible by NeuralGCM, a Google Research model enhanced by the University of Chicago, combining physics with machine learning to deliver precise monsoon predictions. For years, weather and climate models have […]
Key Indian kharif oilseeds, pulses rule over ₹1,000 a quintal below MSPs in agri-market yards
Average mandi (agriculture market yard) prices of key kharif pulses and oilseeds are ruling lower by ₹1,076-1,778 per quintal than their respective minimum support prices (MSPs) of the 2025-26 season, even as arrivals of fresh harvest have started in some areas. If prices remain depressed after supplies increase from mid-October, the government will be under […]
Drop in Indian rice production may be marginal in Punjab
Punjab may see only a fall in rice production after the floods destroyed the paddy crop in about 2 lakh hectares, said a senior state official. The yield in non-affected areas is likely to be higher, he said. Last year, the State produced 14.36 million tonnes (mt) of rice, including Basmati. Official sources said more […]
Centre sets Rabi foodgrains production target at 171 million tonnes
TFertilizer became the main theme at the annual Rabi conference as most of the States demanded adequate availability during the next winter sowing season, commencing from October as the crop nutrients are essential to achieve targeted production. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan while announcing that there is more than enough seeds available for the Rabi […]
Kharif sowing increases 2% so far this year; oilseeds lag behind last year
Total area sown to paddy rose marginally by 2 per cent to 438.51 lakh hectares so far in the ongoing 2025-26 kharif (summer) season, but oilseeds acreage was lagging behind, according to agriculture ministry data released on Monday. Paddy, the main kharif crop, was sown in about 430.06 lakh hectare in the year-ago period. The […]
CBIC assures considering all micro-nutrients uniformly under GST
The Union Finance Ministry has agreed to consider the Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association’s (IMMA) plea for treating all micro-nutrients coming under the Fertiliser Control Order uniformly under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, this would be done in consultation with the Agriculture Ministry, the officials told a delegation of IMMA. The delegation met officials […]