Agriculture

A problem of plenty in Haryana, Punjab as paddy glut sparks farmer distress

A bumper paddy harvest has led to procurement delays, mandi congestion and storage pressures in Haryana, while Punjab faces similar challenges as its procurement season gathers pace.

India is the largest producer of milk: Why are whey protein imports rising?

Whey protein, obtained during cheese production, is used in protein supplements, powders and bars, sports drinks, and other similar products

Govt may review fixed cost for three urea units to bridge gap with peers

The Union Government is also considering reviewing the fixed cost for two state-run and one cooperative urea manufacturing units along with others to bring the former on par with the latter

Urea offers in India tender fall nearly 10%, offering relief to farmers

Urea import prices fall nearly 10% from August, offering relief to Indian farmers and potentially easing the government's fertiliser subsidy burden

Monsoon deficit threatens crop output, adds to food inflation risks

The southwest monsoon was both patchy and deficient. That has hurt key farm regions and raised concerns over food prices

Micro lenders must map climate risk in underwriting, says report

Bharat Microfinance Report 2026 flags rising climate risks to rural credit as NABARD warns of potential rabi crop stress following a deficient monsoon and urges better underwriting

India's rural economy decoupling from monsoon shocks, says RBI report

Rural incomes are becoming less dependent on monsoons as allied activities, irrigation and diversification cushion the impact of rainfall shortfalls.

Govt should allow HTBt cotton cultivation; farmers need tech: Seed bodies

The association also demanded changes in glyphosate label claims. The product is used for weed management in the cotton crop

Diammonium phosphate stockpile healthy ahead of rabi sowing season

DAP stocks are 17% higher year-on-year ahead of the rabi sowing season, but higher import and raw material costs could push India's fertiliser subsidy bill sharply higher

VB-G RAM G: Work demand from households rises 34% to 15.64 mn in September

Household demand reaches 15.64 mn amid monsoon deficit in south, west states, up 26% from August

ICAR ties up with FCI to trial alternative pest control in grain storage

The trials will test nitrogen, carbon dioxide and a combination of carbon dioxide and phosphine to address pest resistance, worker health risks and fumigation costs

Weak monsoon dents rural demand as tractor sales fall in September

Tractor sales at Mahindra & Mahindra fell 21 per cent, and Escorts Kubota's declined 16.7 per cent in September, while passenger vehicle demand remained strong ahead of the festive season

35 years of liberalisation: How the reforms bus bypassed India's farms

Three decades after economic liberalisation, India's farm sector still faces deep structural constraints, from weak markets and investment to subsidy dependence and resistance to reform

2026 monsoon ends with nearly 13% rain deficit, worst since 2015: IMD

IMD forecast says October rainfall is also likely to stay below normal, while El Niño is set to peak in November

Cabinet raises wheat MSP by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal for 2027-28

The MSPs of pulses and oilseeds were increased by higher amounts, ranging between ₹83 and ₹675 per quintal (between 1.41 per cent and 10.32 per cent)

Centre clears ₹5,547.99 crore pulses, oilseeds procurement under PSS

The Centre has approved procurement of pulses and oilseeds worth ₹5,547.99 crore at MSP in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana for Kharif 2026-27

Smartworks adds ₹305 crore in contracted rental revenue from new clients

The latest leasing arrangements take the increase in contracted rental revenue to ₹540 crore in over a month, on top of the company's existing ₹5,400 crore base

Central govt increases MSP for new season's wheat to ₹2,610 per quintal

The MSP for wheat for the 2026-27 marketing year (April-March) was fixed at ₹2,585 per quintal

Fertiliser inventories hit two-year high at start of 2026-27 rabi season

Fertiliser stocks are estimated at 17.01 million tonnes, up 38 per cent from last year, with urea inventories rising 54.26 per cent ahead of the rabi season

Govt sets foodgrain target at 374 million tonnes amid El Niño concerns

Chouhan says five states impacted due to drought conditions in 2026 kharif season