India’s wheat output may drop by over 1% from initial 120 million tonnes estimate, says private survey
Four districts in three States — Punjab, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh — are likely to lose 10-15 per cent of their wheat production due to unseasonal rainfall, according to a preliminary report by private agency Agriwatch. The agency was commissioned by the Roller Flour Millers’ Federation of India. On the other hand, 5-10 per cent crop damage […]
IIT Ropar’s Annam.AI to set up weather intelligence network
Annam.AI, the Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence for agriculture at IIT Ropar, is establishing a scalable weather intelligence network for India. As part of this Annam.ai has initiated the deployment of 100 advanced weather stations beginning with Punjab as the first implementation hub. Annam.ai has been established by the Ministry of Education at Indian […]
Centre relaxes monthly sugar sales quota for March on subdued demand
The Centre has relaxed monthly dispatch norms for sugar mills for March 2026, citing weak demand during the current month. In an official communication, the government said that lower sugar sales will not be treated as a violation of quota conditions for March. Under existing guidelines issued on March 28, 2025, sugar mills are required […]
Ethanol producers urge government to increase blending
The All India Distillers Association (AIDA), the apex body for ethanol, bio-energy and potable alcohol, has urged the government to enhance ethanol blending from 20 per cent to 30 per cent and promote its wider adoption across transport, including flex-fuel vehicles as well as domestic and industrial cooking applications. In a representation to the Union […]
Fertiliser imports at risk ahead of sowing season, 26% sourced from current hotspot West Asia: CareEdge Report
India’s fertiliser supply is facing growing risks ahead of the sowing season as the ongoing conflict in West Asia disrupts key trade routes, with around 26 per cent of fertiliser imports coming from the region, according to a report by CareEdge Ratings. The report highlighted that India sources over a quarter of its fertiliser imports […]
Subsidies or science? India’s farm future hinges on scaling up R&D
India’s farm policy debate is often reduced to a choice between subsidies and reforms. Subsidies are, and likely will remain, necessary, especially as climate change makes farming more volatile. But, say experts, they are not a substitute for robust, science-driven agricultural research. Over the past decade India’s gross expenditure on research and development (R&D) has […]
India’s corn exports may gain due to Iran war, other factors
India will likely export 6.5 lakh tonnes of corn (maize) during the current marketing year to September due to a slew of factors and the Iran war. According to the US Department of Agriculture, projections of corn exports have been raised from 3.5 lakh tonnes in view of competitive pricing, strong regional demand, higher production […]
India’s oilmeal exports to China surge over 20-fold amid competitive pricing
India’s oilmeal exports to China surged over 20-fold to 7.79 lakh tonnes in the first eleven months of this fiscal, following higher demand due to lower prices compared to competitors, according to industry body SEA data. Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), however, said the exports could face a challenge going forward. India exported 7,79,016 […]
India plans ₹600 crore war chest to boost LNG supply for fertiliser units
The government is building a war chest exceeding ₹600 crore to immediately augment gas supplies to fertiliser plants from spot markets, sources indicated. This comes when many gas-based urea units have advanced the dates of closure for annual maintenance in view of the shortage in liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sources said the need for more […]
ICAR to build national gender platform linking 900 institutions to boost women’s role in farming
Agricultural research body ICAR on Sunday said it is developing a national gender platform connecting more than 900 institutions to strengthen women’s role in farming, as an international conference adopted a declaration for a global alliance to boost their leadership across agri-food systems. Addressing the closing session of the Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food […]