Page 4 - Agriculture

El Niño set to crimp India's sugar output and tighten global market

Gross sugar production will range from 29 million tons to 31 million tons in the year through September 2027, according to estimates from 11 traders, analysts and millers

Food inflation threatens festive cheer as kharif, El Nino risks mount

Food inflation could remain elevated through the festive season as uneven monsoon rains, kharif crop uncertainties, El Nino risks and higher global food prices put pressure on household budgets

Right science, policies, markets can make drylands a strength: Chouhan

Government calls for crop diversification, better water management and stronger markets to boost farming in dryland areas

Australia challenges India over sugarcane support breaching WTO limits

Australia has sought clarification from India, alleging that its support for sugarcane exceeded the 10 per cent WTO limit in each of the seven years from 2018-19 to 2024-25

PM-KUSUM 2.0 aims to help farmers generate RE alongside crops: Joshi

The second version of the PM KUSUM Yojana will be launched soon to enable farmers to generate renewable energy and continue farming on the same land, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday.

Govt to overhaul pay scale of Krishi Vigyan Kendra staff, upgrade infra

The government has cleared a proposal to overhaul pay scales, allowances and promotion norms for staff at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the network of farm science centres that anchor agricultural extension work across the country.

India's sugar flip-flop highlights fault lines in agri trade policy regime

The decision to import 1 MT of raw sugar after allowing exports earlier in the season has revived questions over crop estimates, policy predictability and the cost of repeated trade interventions

New digital fertiliser system draws Opposition's flak in Rajasthan

As the ruling party lauds its online fertiliser sales, the Opposition condemns the move, flagging issues farmers in the state face while accessing the online facility

NCDEX signs agreement with cotton body to deepen role in derivatives

NCDEX and CAI will promote cotton derivatives, improve price discovery and expand hedging awareness among farmers, ginners, spinners, exporters and traders

Agriculture, allied sectors clock 3.6% GVA growth in Q1FY27: MoSPI data

Agriculture and allied activities' GVA growth slowed from 4.4 per cent a year ago, while experts expect full-year FY27 growth at around 3.5-4 per cent

Kharif sowing almost ends with acreage 1.7% lower than last year

Area sown till August 28 was also nearly 3 per cent below normal, while IMD's forecast of below-normal September rains puts focus on the remaining monsoon weeks

Rajasthan govt claims urea surplus, Oppn flags fertiliser shortage

Rajasthan says fertiliser supplies are adequate, but Congress alleges farmers face shortages, long queues and inadequate access to DAP

Centre releases fortnightly sugar quota for September, prices stay firm

Centre fixes a 1.3 million tonne sugar quota for September 1-15 as retail prices remain above Rs 60 per kg despite government measures to check the rise

Govt expands digital fertiliser tracking system to link farmers, subsidies

The Department has also worked to integrate iFMS with farmer, land and crop databases

Agriculture ministry teams work to bridge farmgate-retail gap in onions

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says ministry teams are examining the gap between prices received by farmers and those paid by consumers for onions

Statewide expansion of digital fertiliser sale system to aid farmers

The system was launched to ensure timely, easy availability of fertilisers to farmers based on their actual needs and to curb black marketing, hoarding, and irregular distribution effectively.

India's mushroom production surges, led by Bihar, but challenges remain

India's mushroom output rose from 51,000 tonnes in 2015 to 347,750 tonnes in 2024, with Bihar at the forefront, but productivity, cold-chain and infrastructure gaps threaten further growth.

ITA seeks West Bengal tea policy push for Darjeeling, Dooars-Terai

White papers seek financial support, tea-area rejuvenation, factory modernisation and trade reforms to revive production, protect livelihoods and attract investment in North Bengal

Agri varsities should focus on student employability, job data: Chouhan

MoS says over 2.5 million students passed out of agricultural universities in the last 10 years; but 0.8 million did not get employed

Govt moves to ban widely used plant protection chemical, Carbosulfan

An expert panel recommended a complete prohibition citing toxicity risks and lack of a specific antidote, while the agrochemical industry warned of pest-management and economic consequences