Page 12 - Agriculture
India seeks 1.7 MT urea imports as West Asia conflict hits supply
India regularly purchases urea through global tenders to meet local demand. The latest tender is the second since the start of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran
 "India seeks 1.7 MT urea imports as West Asia conflict hits supply")
How extreme heat is exposing gaps in India's crop insurance system
As extreme heat damages yields, quality and farm incomes without triggering formal crop failure, experts say India's insurance system is struggling to adapt to climate reality
 "How extreme heat is exposing gaps in India's crop insurance system")
Organised plywood industry flags diversion of agriculture-grade urea
The organised plywood sector has urged the Centre to curb diversion of subsidised agricultural urea into industrial use amid rising fertiliser subsidy costs and supply pressures
 "Organised plywood industry flags diversion of agriculture-grade urea")
SKM announces stir from May 27, calls for burning of MSP order copies
SKM announces nationwide protests from May 27 against the Centre's MSP policy, rising fuel prices and the worsening fertiliser situation
 "SKM announces stir from May 27, calls for burning of MSP order copies")
Day after PM's meeting, Chouhan pushes result-oriented governance model
Dedicated teams of at least 10 officers each will review grievances, representations, citizen complaints across ministries on a daily basis
 "Day after PM's meeting, Chouhan pushes result-oriented governance model")
Rajasthan's 260K farmers to get subsidised seeds for pulse and oilseed crop
Rajasthan to provide subsidised pulse and oilseed seeds to 2.6 lakh farmers under ₹135-crore central mission scheme
 "Rajasthan's 260K farmers to get subsidised seeds for pulse and oilseed crop")
PM Modi receives prestigious FAO Agricola Medal for food security efforts
Modi said that the honour reflects India's unwavering commitment to food security, sustainable development and the hard work of those associated with the agriculture sector
 "PM Modi receives prestigious FAO Agricola Medal for food security efforts")
As India's thirst for edible oil grows, curbing imports seems unworkable
India's edible oil demand continues to rise on the back of population growth and improving incomes, making import dependence difficult to curb unless domestic oilseed production rises sharply
 "As India's thirst for edible oil grows, curbing imports seems unworkable")
Centre restores 97% gas supplies to fertiliser units amid West Asia crisis
Not only that, through strategic global tendering outside the Strait of Hormuz, India has successfully secured supplies of around 2.5 million tonnes of urea to meet peak kharif demand
 "Centre restores 97% gas supplies to fertiliser units amid West Asia crisis")
West Asia crisis: Global experts to brainstorm status of sugar industry
Sugar industry stakeholders and global experts will discuss sustainability, ethanol blending, policy, and technological innovation at a two-day conference in Lucknow
 "West Asia crisis: Global experts to brainstorm status of sugar industry")
Fertiliser subsidy bill for FY27 may rise by ₹70,000 cr on West Asia crisis
If the actual subsidy numbers come close to the current estimates, this would mean that India's FY27 fertiliser subsidy could be among the highest in recent years
 "Fertiliser subsidy bill for FY27 may rise by ₹70,000 cr on West Asia crisis")
Centre weighing import duty hike for edible oil to support farmers
The deliberations come as the government steps up efforts to curb foreign-exchange outflows, which have put pressure on the rupee - Asia's worst-performing currency this year
Fertiliser subsidy bill for FY27 may rise by ₹70K cr amid West Asia crisis
The budgetary allocation for fertiliser subsidies in 2026-27 stands at Rs 1.71 trillion
 "Fertiliser subsidy bill for FY27 may rise by ₹70K cr amid West Asia crisis")
FCI to raise ₹50,000 crore short-term loan for foodgrain operations
The funds are being raised to bridge cash flow mismatches arising from procurement and distribution of foodgrains
 "FCI to raise ₹50,000 crore short-term loan for foodgrain operations")
India's fertiliser imports from China jump 173% in FY26, shows data
Russia retained its position as the top source of India's fertiliser imports. It accounted for 6.8 million tonnes of imports, as against 4.9 million tonnes in FY25
 "India's fertiliser imports from China jump 173% in FY26, shows data")
ICAR to introduce performance ranking system for all institutions
Agri minister Shivraj Chouhan issues showcause notice to ICAR's Grapes Research Institute for administrative lapses
 "ICAR to introduce performance ranking system for all institutions")
Shivraj cuts convoy size, pushes work-from-home to save fuel amid crisis
He said foreign travel would be undertaken only when absolutely essential and most meetings would be held virtually, an official statement said
 "Shivraj cuts convoy size, pushes work-from-home to save fuel amid crisis")
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")
Uttar Pradesh ethanol production jumps 23% to 2.23 billion litres
Uttar Pradesh's ethanol output rose 23 per cent in 2024-25, supporting India's biofuel push and strengthening the state's farm economy
 "Uttar Pradesh ethanol production jumps 23% to 2.23 billion litres")
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")