Page 25 - Agriculture

Union Budget 2025: Agri industry lauds focus on pulses, seeds, tech

The Budget's agricultural roadmap, centered around making the sector a primary growth engine, has drawn positive responses for its focus on reducing import dependencies

Industry bodies project sugar output to drop 15% to 27-27.2 MT this season

The two industry bodies attributed early flowering of sugarcane in Maharasthra and Karnataka due to change in weather cycle for likely decline in sugar output

Sebi extends futures trading ban on seven agri-commodities till March 31

In December 2021, SEBI first announced the suspension of derivatives trading for five commodities/commodity groups

Agri credit disbursement hits Rs 19.28 trillion in first 3 quarters of FY25

In order to boost the credit to the rural sector with the help of effective and hassle-free agriculture credit, the government has been fixing annual targets for GLC

Rice industry calls for budget support to boost exports, agri infra

IREF VP called for raising the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme from 1 per cent to 3 per rcent and reintroducing the interest equalization scheme to support exporters

Eco Survey calls for policy shift to cut cereal output, boost pulses, oils

Agriculture sector growth averaged 5 per cent annually during FY17-FY23, showing resilience despite challenges

Private banks stumble on agriculture, microfinance slippages in Q3

Credit cost for most of the lenders increased due to higher provisions, mainly for unsecured retail loans

Sugar industry has potential to increase its GDP share up to 3%: Gadkari

The Indian agriculture sector provides livelihood to about 42.3 per cent of the population and has a share of 18.2 per cent in the country's GDP at current prices

India braces for warmer Feb, wheat crop, rapeseed output may be at risk

As the world's second biggest wheat producer, India is counting on a bumper harvest in 2025 to avoid costly imports, following three straight years of poor crop yields since 2022

Govt raises procurement price of C-heavy molasses ethanol by Rs 1.69/litre

Prices for ethanol produced from B-heavy molasses and sugarcane juice/sugar/sugar syrup remain unchanged at Rs 60.73 and Rs 65.61 per litre, respectively

India's coffee exports likely to decline over 10% on lower production

Lower exports from India could further tighten global supplies, already squeezed by weaker output from top producer Brazil, which would support benchmark futures that hit a record high this week

Bagasse-generated power from UP sugar mills dropped to six-year low in FY24

Sources attribute the slump in power production from bagasse to govt's reluctance to revise tariff rates

Rising wheat prices also have a subsidy aspect, thanks to open market sales

According to traders, the price spike this time could last a little longer as the Centre's ability to intervene in the market through open market sales might get squeezed due to dwindling stocks

Govt may consider agri subsidies via direct benefit transfer: Shivraj Singh

The minister also said that the government is considering bearing the transportation cost for agricultural produce so as to enable farmers to sell their products across the country

Wheat sowing increases 2.8%, oilseeds acreage remains lower: Govt

Area sown to pulses rose to 142.49 lakh hectares from 139.29 lakh hectares, while sowing of coarse cereals remained flat at 55.67 lakh hectares so far this rabi season

Budget 2025: Govt may raise farm allocation by over 15% to $20 billion

The additional cash would be directed to developing high-yielding seed varieties, increasing storage and supply infrastructure, and boosting production of pulse crops, oilseeds, vegetables, and dairy

From importer to exporter: How India took over the French fries market

India exported 135,877 tonnes of French fries valued at Rs 1,478.73 crore in 2023-24, marking a significant milestone in India's processed food industry

Sugar prices hit three-year low as govt allows 1 mn tonnes of exports

Although there had been speculation for weeks that exports would be allowed, the decision surprised some traders as this season's production is expected to fall below consumption

Agriculture ministry launches first-ever edible oil consumption survey

The initiative comes as India -- the world's largest consumer and importer of edible oils -- lacks recent data on consumption patterns

Agri research needs big boost, has to be more focused, say experts

Studies show that agri research has the highest RoI among farm-linked activities. Will ICAR get more funds in the Budget?