Agriculture

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

Farm sector underperforms in FY26 under new series; share rises to 18%

Nominal GVA growth maintains downward trajectory for agriculture and allied in FY26

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

Mahindra group to bring new products for all cropping cycles

It also said that the rotavator remains a big area of focus for the company and the ultimate goal was to increase the market share in this segment

India braces for unusually hot March this year, risking crop yields

The IMD is expected to release its forecast for March temperatures later this week. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the March temperature outlook

Maha allows BOT/BOOT projects to help revive sick cooperative sugar mills

A new Maharashtra policy allows cooperative sugar mills to monetise by-products through BOT/BOOT projects with private investors, aiming to diversify revenues and strengthen finances

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

UP targets pulses crop area of 3 mn hectares: State Agriculture Minister

Uttar Pradesh plans to raise pulses crop area by 20% in 2025-26, targeting higher farm incomes and reducing India's dependence on imports

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

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

Agri Minister Shivraj Chouhan pitches for DBT of fertiliser subsidy

Currently, fertiliser subsidies in India are primarily transferred to companies rather than directly to farmers

Smartphones became India's biggest export category in 2025: Vaishnaw

The photo post titled Smartphones India's No. 1 export category displayed that there were exports worth USD 30 billion in January-December 2025

Time has come for national debate on DBT in fertilisers, says Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls for a national debate on direct benefit transfer in fertilisers to curb diversion and ensure subsidies reach 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

Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls for making tree plantation a mass movement

Chouhan started the initiative on February 19, 2021, on Narmada Jayanti. He had planted saplings of 'Rudraksha' and 'Sal' at Amarkantak to mark the occasion

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

Shivraj Singh Chouhan calls for making tree planting a mass movement

He was speaking at an event to mark the completion of five years of his pledge to plant at least one sapling everyday

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

India allows limited Chinese equipment imports for key sectors

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has forecast output at 30.95 million tons for the year

Farm interests safeguarded in India-US trade deal: Agri Min Shivraj Chouhan

Without taking any names, Chouhan also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of levelling false allegations daily