Agriculture

Rajasthan agri dept sets kharif sowing targets, focus on major millets

Rajasthan boosts kharif targets for millets, guar and soybean, with sowing prospects hinging on monsoon progress and rainfall distribution

El Niño set to further disrupt India's $300 bn agricultural supply chain

A prolonged delay in monsoon rainfall is disrupting kharif crop planting and raising concerns over agricultural output amid the emergence of El Niño conditions

India asks farmers in rain-fed areas to shift to less water-intensive crops

The push by the farm ministry is part of a broader effort to prepare for the 2026 monsoon planting season after rainfall since June 1 has run 42% below normal

Govt makes contingency plans for 315 districts vulnerable to weak monsoon

The monsoon has so far brought rains about 43% below average, and the weather office has forecast weak rains through the week ending July 2

Farm sector growth could drop to 0-1% in FY27 on low monsoon impact: Report

Demand for most food commodities is relatively inelastic, implying that consumption adjusts only marginally to changes in prices

Fertiliser's U-turn: Linking prices, monsoon, subsidies and reforms

Market watchers say the reason for the drop in prices was China's big re-entry into world fertiliser markets

Climate-resistant crop varieties can reduce El Niño impact, say experts

Agricultural experts say resilient traditional rice varieties such as Kala Namak can help farmers withstand delayed monsoons and weather-related stress during the kharif season

Over 1.85 mn Assam farmers get PM-KISAN aid worth ₹8,200 cr: Sonowal

Since the launch of the scheme, farmers in Assam have received cumulative assistance exceeding ₹8,292 crore, Sonowal said

Centre awaits IMD's June-end El Nino projection to shape kharif strategy

While there have been broad forecasts of El Nino setting in around November, IMD is seeking greater certainty before firming up its assessment

Agriculture ministry sounds El Niño alarm; MFIs step up rural credit vigil

As the Centre warns of a severe El Niño impact in 12 states, microfinance lenders are intensifying vigilance to protect collection gains

El Nino to hit 12 states severely; Chouhan calls for district-level plans

The Centre has asked 12 states to prepare district-wise contingency plans as El Nino threatens a below-normal monsoon during Kharif 2026

Indian soybean acreage likely to rise on high prices, weak monsoon outlook

Soybean prices climbed to ₹7,587 per 100 kg last month, a four-year high and well above the government's support price of ₹5,328

Rajasthan extends wheat procurement till June 19; Gehlot seeks June 30

Rajasthan extended wheat procurement till June 19 and raised its target, while Ashok Gehlot alleged delays, gunny bag shortages and hardships for farmers

2 new urea plants with 2.5 mn tn capacity to start production shortly: Govt

Two new urea plants with 2.5 million tonnes annual capacity will begin production soon, boosting domestic output and helping cut India's import dependence

India has enough fertiliser stocks, prepared for El Nino: Chouhan

Urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) would continue to be available at subsidised rates despite concerns over supplies amid the West Asia crisis, he said

Ethanol beyond E20: Why India's clean fuel plan needs a water audit

India's ethanol push is moving beyond E20, but experts say higher blending must also account for groundwater stress and regional water limits

Global urea prices jump 141%, raising India's fertiliser subsidy burden

The recent import tender opened few days back though shows that there could come relief finally round the corner but how much will that be remains to be seen. In 2024-25

Agri-tech startups must move beyond basic problem-solving: NITI official

NITI Aayog's Himanshu Joshi said Indian agri- and water-tech startups should adopt technologies for new markets and move beyond basic problem-solving to tackle regulatory challenges

Centre may revise FY27 fertiliser subsidy maths after urea price drop

A sharp decline in global urea prices in the latest NFL import tender could prompt the government to reassess fertiliser subsidy estimates for FY27, officials said

Punjab BJP chief urges Centre to boost DAP, urea supply for paddy season

With the paddy sowing season now fully underway across Punjab, he requested that the supply of these crucial fertilizers be further enhanced to meet rising demand