Page 2 - Agriculture

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

Wheat production to surpass last year's level, says Shivraj Chouhan

The agriculture ministry had projected a wheat production of 120.21 million tonnes in 2025-26 prior to unseasonal rains, higher than last year's actual output

Rajasthan govt signs ₹1,679 crore agricultural MoUs ahead of GRAM-2026

Rajasthan has secured ₹1,679 crore in agri-sector investment proposals ahead of the Global Rajasthan Agri-tech Meet-2026 in Jaipur

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

IBA calls for 10% manure blending with fertilisers to save $2 bn imports

To institutionalise these efforts, IBA has proposed the launch of an umbrella national programme- SuBiCulP (Sustainable Biogas-Organic Fertilizer Based Cultivation Programme)

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

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

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

Cabinet approves ₹5,659 crore cotton mission to double yields in 5 years

Cabinet raises sugarcane FRP by ₹10/quintal for 2026-27 season

Rajasthan govt says enough fertiliser stock for Kharif 2026 amid Oppn flak

Rajasthan assures adequate fertiliser stocks for Kharif, but West Asia tensions and import risks keep concerns over future supply disruptions alive

Statsguru: Trouble in India's fertiliser sector amid West Asia crisis

Russia and Saudi Arabia were the largest sources for India's fertiliser imports in FY26

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

Fertiliser output steady; govt secures 3.7 MT urea imports for kharif

Total domestic fertiliser production (that includes DAP, NPKS and others) stood at 6.23 million tonnes during March-April, while imports were at 1.53 million tonnes

Sugar output rises 7% so far in FY26; ISMA presses for policy relief

Maharashtra, country's largest sugar-producing state, saw production climb to 9.92 million tonne from 8.09 million tonne, while Karnataka's output rose to 4.80 million tonne from 4.04 million tonne

Trade split on cotton duty cut; risks flagged for farmers, CCI

As industry seeks lower cotton import duty amid rising prices, sections of trade warn it could hurt farmers, trigger distress selling, and lead to losses for the Cotton Corporation of India

Fertiliser companies asked to source collectively from global markets

Traders said a beginning in this regards were made last week when IPL issued a tender to import 1.6 million tonnes of DAP and TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) on behalf of the industry

West Asia crisis: India expects FY27 fertiliser subsidy bill to rise 20%

The jump in subsidies is expected as the country plans to import 6.4 million tonnes of urea and 1.9 million tonnes of other fertilisers this kharif season at high prices

West Asia war: Govt expects annual fertiliser subsidy bill to rise by 20%

Rising import costs are likely to increase India's fertiliser subsidies to companies for selling crop nutrients to farmers below market prices

India's FY26 wheat production stable, resilient despite setbacks: Govt

In a statement, the ministry described the current wheat season as "mixed but resilient," shaped by both climatic adversities and strong adaptive measures undertaken by farmers

FM Sitharaman hints at Covid-like fertiliser subsidy for farmers

Finance Minister signals fertiliser prices may not be passed on to farmers despite rising global costs, as subsidy burden mounts amid West Asia tensions