 "Sanjeeb Mukherjee")
Sanjeeb Mukherjee
Sanjeeb Mukherjee
Sanjeeb Mukherjee is currently the Agriculture Editor at Business Standard. He has been a journalist for over 20 years, mainly covering the agriculture, commodities, rural, and food policy space. His work has taken him to some of the most remote areas of the country, giving him invaluable insights into the dynamics of rural agriculture markets. He has honed his skills in analysing and providing commentary on India's farm sector policies, focusing on their impact on different stakeholders and their implications for climate change. His previous stints include United News of India (UNI), Dow Jones Newswires, and the Financial Express newspaper.
Sanjeeb Mukherjee is currently the Agriculture Editor at Business Standard. He has been a journalist for over 20 years, mainly covering the agriculture, commodities, rural, and food policy space. His work has taken him to some of the most remote areas of the country, giving him invaluable insights into the dynamics of rural agriculture markets. He has honed his skills in analysing and providing commentary on India's farm sector policies, focusing on their impact on different stakeholders and their implications for climate change. His previous stints include United News of India (UNI), Dow Jones Newswires, and the Financial Express newspaper.
Sanjeeb Mukherjee
Centre sets 30.3 million tonnes wheat procurement target for FY27
Government plans to procure 30.3 million tonnes of wheat for the Central Pool in the 2026-27 rabi marketing season beginning April 1
 "Centre sets 30.3 million tonnes wheat procurement target for FY27")
Farmers' earnings may come under pressure if West Asia exports stay stuck
Centre says India is sitting on 36.5 per cent more fertiliser stocks as on March 6, compared to last year; farmers fully insulated from global shocks
 "Farmers' earnings may come under pressure if West Asia exports stay stuck")
Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping
International freight rates have risen by an estimated 15-20 per cent, while war-risk surcharges and insurance premiums for Gulf-bound shipments have increased significantly
 "Rice exporters seek urgent relief as Iran crisis disrupts exports, shipping")
Maharashtra takes private route to revive sick cooperative sugar mills
Policy allows establishment of sugarcane byproduct processing projects through private investors
 "Maharashtra takes private route to revive sick cooperative sugar mills")
Sugar shares rally on hopes of higher ethanol blend amid West Asia crisis
Sugar stocks surged on expectations that rising crude oil prices amid the West Asia crisis may prompt the Centre to raise ethanol prices and increase the blending mandate from 20 per cent
 "Sugar shares rally on hopes of higher ethanol blend amid West Asia crisis")
West Asia conflict: Iran stepped up basmati imports under war cloud
The rise in shipments to Iran may also be linked to demand during Ramzan, which began in mid-February
 "West Asia conflict: Iran stepped up basmati imports under war cloud")
West Asia conflict: Edible oil rates firm up on crude price spiral
Brent rally amid Strait of Hormuz tensions may lift edible oil prices in India, even without supply disruptions
 "West Asia conflict: Edible oil rates firm up on crude price spiral")
Centre to leverage digital infra to optimise food, fertiliser subsidies
Government plans to use AgriStack and CBDC-based pilots to better target fertiliser and food subsidies, reduce leakages, and improve transparency in welfare delivery systems
 "Centre to leverage digital infra to optimise food, fertiliser subsidies")
Civil society groups welcome govt's suspension of rice fortification scheme
Experts said that the reasoning given by the government to stop the scheme, which is loss of nutrients in fortified rice due to prolonged storage, is extremely plausible
 "Civil society groups welcome govt's suspension of rice fortification scheme")
Farm sector underperforms in FY26 under new series; share rises to 18%
Nominal GVA growth maintains downward trajectory for agriculture and allied in FY26
 "Farm sector underperforms in FY26 under new series; share rises to 18%")
Centre discontinues rice fortification over nutrient stability concerns
The process of fortification will remain suspended until a more effective mechanism for delivery of nutrients to beneficiaries is identified, an official statement said
Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from 40 nations; India sees no big impact
Saudi Arabia has halted poultry imports from 40 countries, including India, over disease concerns, but industry players say the move will not affect India due to its limited exports to the kingdom
 "Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from 40 nations; India sees no big impact")
Traders fear wheat prices may fall below MSP in 2026-27 on surplus stocks
Market participants warn that surplus stocks and OMSS sales could push wheat prices Rs 300-400 per quintal below MSP in 2026-27, denting farm incomes and distorting trade signals
 "Traders fear wheat prices may fall below MSP in 2026-27 on surplus stocks")
Can't predict impact of US imports on India's livestock feed mkts: Cargill
Company opens largest dairy feed plant in South-Asia in Punjab today with an investment of ₹300 crore
 "Can't predict impact of US imports on India's livestock feed mkts: Cargill")
Agriculture Minister renews push for DBT of fertiliser subsidy to farmers
Shivraj Singh Chouhan says it would give them the freedom to choose which fertilisers to buy and in what quantities
 "Agriculture Minister renews push for DBT of fertiliser subsidy to farmers")
Basmati exporters seek separate Board for focussed attention on the sector
Some exporters want the new Board to function under the Ministry of Agriculture, to be carved out of APEDA
 "Basmati exporters seek separate Board for focussed attention on the sector")
Brazil pushes deeper agri-tech, livestock ties with India amid US tariffs
Brazil calls for greater trade diversification to counter the negative impact of rising US tariffs
 "Brazil pushes deeper agri-tech, livestock ties with India amid US tariffs")
AI is an accelerator, not replacement for humans: WFP's Magan Naidoo
AI is helping humanitarian agencies move faster, cut costs and reach more people - but cannot solve hunger on its own, says Magan Naidoo, chief data officer of the United Nations World Food Programme
 "AI is an accelerator, not replacement for humans: WFP's Magan Naidoo")
Budget 2026 shifts focus to allied sectors as farm economy diversifies
Despite criticism over gaps in farm support, Budget FY27 sharply raises allocations for fisheries, animal husbandry and cooperation, underlining the growing role of allied sectors
 "Budget 2026 shifts focus to allied sectors as farm economy diversifies")
Sale of non-subsidised fertilisers banned in UP, industry cries foul
Industry players warn that UP's ban on non-subsidised fertilisers could curb access to high-quality nutrients, potentially hitting yields of sugarcane, paddy and key vegetables across the state