 "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
Industry, farmers raise concerns as sugar exports banned until Sep 30
Sugar stocks tumble up to 7% after export ban announcement
 "Industry, farmers raise concerns as sugar exports banned until Sep 30")
IFAD looking to make 3-4 direct investments in India in next one year: AVP
IFAD's AVP Donal Brown said that the funding agency is now increasingly looking to fund 3-4 direct investments in the private sector over the next year
 "IFAD looking to make 3-4 direct investments in India in next one year: AVP")
Govt hikes paddy MSP by ₹72 per quintal and sunflower seed by ₹622
Cabinet raises MSPs for kharif crops for 2026-27, with sharper increases for oilseeds, pulses and cotton to encourage diversification and cut imports
 "Govt hikes paddy MSP by ₹72 per quintal and sunflower seed by ₹622")
CACP warns fertiliser DBT may hurt agricultural output, reduce usage
The Commission suggested that digital platforms such as AgriStack should be leveraged to contain imbalanced use of soil nutrients and reduce the subsidy burden without affecting farm production
 "CACP warns fertiliser DBT may hurt agricultural output, reduce usage")
IMD launches two AI-enabled monsoon forecast models for first time in India
IMD says 2026 monsoon likely to reach parts of south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman & Nicobar Islands by the weekend
 "IMD launches two AI-enabled monsoon forecast models for first time in India")
VB-G RAM G replacing MGNREGA to come into force across India from July 1
The Centre has notified the VB-G RAM G Act, replacing MGNREGA from July 1, 2026, with a 125 day rural employment guarantee and expanded infrastructure creation mandate
 "VB-G RAM G replacing MGNREGA to come into force across India from July 1")
PM's push for less use of chemical fertilisers may face pricing hurdle
India's is estimated to have consumed close to 40 million tonnes of urea in FY26, which is one of the highest in recent times
Agrochemical industry opposes curbs on Paraquat, Carbosulfan usage
Industry says restrictions on two widely used crop protection chemicals could increase cultivation costs, encourage counterfeit products and disrupt kharif operations
 "Agrochemical industry opposes curbs on Paraquat, Carbosulfan usage")
Suicides among those engaged in farm sector fall to two-year low in 2024
Experts often link farm suicides to indebtedness, while the government cites factors such as family problems, illness, drug abuse and marriage-related issues
 "Suicides among those engaged in farm sector fall to two-year low in 2024")
Farmer suicides drop 1.2% in 2024; farm labourers also dip, shows report
Suicides among farmers and farm labourers declined marginally in 2024, according to the latest Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India report
 "Farmer suicides drop 1.2% in 2024; farm labourers also dip, shows report")
Sugar industry wary of proposed tighter rules in Sugarcane Control Order
Proposed changes to Sugarcane Control Order, including stricter norms for mills and khandsari units, raise concerns over increased regulatory oversight and potential 'Inspector Raj' in the sector
 "Sugar industry wary of proposed tighter rules in Sugarcane Control Order")
Millers welcome sugarcane FRP hike; farmers say ₹10 rise too meagre
ISMA said the FRP hike is a progressive, farmer-friendly step reflecting the government's continued commitment to strengthening farmer welfare and boosting rural prosperity
 "Millers welcome sugarcane FRP hike; farmers say ₹10 rise too meagre")
Cabinet approves ₹5,659 crore cotton mission to double yields in 5 years
Cabinet raises sugarcane FRP by ₹10/quintal for 2026-27 season
 "Cabinet approves ₹5,659 crore cotton mission to double yields in 5 years")
Central schemes likely to get fresh push after BJP's West Bengal win
The prime example of this is MGNREGA, which has now been replaced by the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (GRAMIN) or VB-G RaM G
 "Central schemes likely to get fresh push after BJP's West Bengal win")
A vote for change, and continuity: BJP swept West Bengal and retained Assam
Superstar Vijay's TVK dazzled in Tamil Nadu, while UDF reclaimed Kerala, and the NDA held on to Puducherry
 "A vote for change, and continuity: BJP swept West Bengal and retained Assam")
Sub-par monsoon not a crisis; agriculture has shown resilience: Chand
Former NITI Aayog member and noted agriculture economist Ramesh Chand says India is better prepared to handle rainfall variability than in the past
 "Sub-par monsoon not a crisis; agriculture has shown resilience: Chand")
Centre releases ₹17,744 crore as first wage instalment for MGNREGA in FY27
Centre clarifies scheme to continue till VB-GRAMIN is rolled out
 "Centre releases ₹17,744 crore as first wage instalment for MGNREGA in FY27")
Above-normal heatwave days likely in parts of India in May, says IMD
Monsoon may arrive over Andaman and Nicobar Islands around May 14-16: IMD
 "Above-normal heatwave days likely in parts of India in May, says IMD")
MGNREGA demand dips in April as fate of VB-G RAM G remains unclear
The drop in work demand in April, the first month of the financial year, is rather unusual as April usually sees good demand as panchayats are flush with funds
 "MGNREGA demand dips in April as fate of VB-G RAM G remains unclear")
TN overtakes Gujarat as top marine fish producer in 2025: CMFRI data
India overall marine fish catch rose by 3 per cent to 3.57 million tonnes in 2025, shows Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute data
 "TN overtakes Gujarat as top marine fish producer in 2025: CMFRI data")