Page 4 - Agriculture Economy

Kharif foodgrain 2025-26 output likely to cross 171.39 MT target: Govt

The county's kharif foodgrain production is likely to surpass the government's target of 171.39 million tonne set for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June) buoyed by higher coverage and favourable monsoon rains, Agriculture Commissioner P K Singh said on Monday. Despite lower coverage, the prospects for oilseeds and pulses crops remain positive as productivity is expected to be higher due to good crop conditions, he said. Speaking to PTI, Singh said damage to crops due to flood and heavy rainfall was minimal compared to the overall sown area in the kharif season. "The crop condition is good and the overall (kharif foodgrain) production will be more than the targets that we have kept for this year," Singh said on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BSAI). Kharif crops coverage has exceeded that of previous years, rising to more than 110 million hectares from the usual 109.5 million hectares in recent years, driven by increased .

India doesn't buy even a small amount of US corn, says Howard Lutnick

India brags about having 1.4 billion people but won't buy even a small amount of American corn, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said, asserting that New Delhi must bring down its tariffs or face a tough time doing business with the US. Lutnick made the comments during an interview on Saturday when he was asked whether the US is mismanaging very valuable relationships with important allies like India, Canada and Brazil with the tariffs imposed on these countries. The relationship is one way, they sell to us and take advantage of us. They block us from their economy, and they sell to us while we are wide open for them to come in (and) take advantage, Lutnick said. The president says, fair and reciprocal trade', he added. India brags that they have 1.4 billion people. Why won't 1.4 billion people buy one bushel of US corn? Doesn't that rub you the wrong way that they sell everything to us and they won't buy our corn. They put tariffs on everything, Lutnick said. He added that ..

Buyers investing in agricultural land must adhere to state-specific rules

Some states allow only agriculturists to buy, while others require outsiders to secure approval prior to purchase

India becomes third-largest agrochemical exporter with $3.3 bn exports

Agrochemical exports surged to $3.3 billion in FY25, making India the world's third-largest exporter as ACFI seeks policy support for growth momentum

Late monsoon rains threaten kharif crop yields despite higher acreage

Normal acreage is the average area covered in the last five years

GST rate cut for dairy, agricultural inputs to benefit 10 crore farmers

The GST rate cuts across dairy products, agricultural inputs, and food processing items will directly benefit over 10 crore dairy farmers and strengthen the cooperative sector, Ministry of Cooperation said on Saturday. The GST restructuring addresses the inverted duty structure in fertiliser manufacturing and is expected to prevent price rise for farmers while ensuring timely availability of inputs during sowing seasons, the ministry said in a statement. For dairy farmers, the exemption on milk and paneer, combined with reduced rates on processing equipment, is likely to improve margins for both individual farmers and dairy cooperatives. Major dairy brands including Amul have welcomed the announcement. The reduction in tractor and component prices will particularly benefit small farmers engaged in mixed farming and animal husbandry, as these tractors are commonly used for fodder cultivation and farm produce transportation. The moves are designed to stimulate demand in semi-urban an

Heavy rainfall hits Kharif crops in Rajasthan in the last fortnight

Major crops such as moong, bajra, maize, soybean, groundnut, and cotton are most impacted

Maharashtra leads in FPO ease of doing business; Madhya Pradesh loses crown

Maharashtra has overtaken Madhya Pradesh as the state with the most supportive ecosystem for Farmer-Producer Organisations, according to the latest SOFPO report

Rajasthan govt mulling new policy for farmer-producer organisations

The Panch-Gaurav program focuses on one crop, one plant species, one product, one tourist spot, and one sport in each district

Only a third of nearly 33K registered FPOs financially viable: Icar body

Average equity capital support for FPOs at 45 per cent of optimal levels; credit access only 37 per cent of optimal levels, a paper by an Icar body shows

India won't compromise on farmers' interests: Agri minister amid US tariffs

Talks between India and the US on an interim trade deal fell through last month, after five rounds of talks, due to disagreements over imports of American dairy products and GM crops

Will explore more, no compromise on farmers' interests: Shivraj on tariffs

US imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods last month and increased it to 50 per cent over import of Russian oil

Monsoon-induced supply disruptions hold key to vegetable inflation ahead

While the monsoon has been fairly normal so far, rain-induced supply disruptions and damage to standing crops in areas adjoining major cities has already started pushing up vegetable prices

M S Swaminathan: Celebrating an icon of India's Green Revolution

As one reflects on Swaminathan's life and time, it is worth wondering if India could produce towering figures like him today

Basmati players cautious post trade deal with UK, shrimp exporters upbeat

While lower landed costs of basmati rice are welcome, traders feel it will be hard to entirely replace suppliers from Pakistan; meanwhile, marine and agricultural products are expected to see a bump

The voice of farmers: How Subramaniam backed Swaminathan's seed dream

How C Subramaniam's political backing helped MS Swaminathan secure funds for hybrid seed trials, setting the stage for India's Green Revolution and agricultural self-reliance

'Scientist of the soil': New book reveals untold stories of MS Swaminathan

New book 'The Man Who Fed India' reveals untold stories of MS Swaminathan, chronicling his journey, personal life, Green Revolution role, and lifelong service to Indian farming

PM Modi to transfer ₹20,500 cr to accounts of 9.7 cr farmers in Varanasi

Uttar Pradesh alone will see more than 23 mn farmers receive ₹4,600 crore, including Rs 48 crore to 221,000 farmers in Varanasi

Chhattisgarh to get APEDA regional office in Raipur for agri-exports

The regional office will facilitate direct exports of fruits, vegetables, rice, GI-tagged products, millets, and other agri-commodities to international markets

Cooperative major Iffco appoints KJ Patel as new MD, replaces Awasthi

Cooperative major IFFCO has appointed K J Patel as its new Managing Director (MD) with former chief U S Awasthi's term ending on Thursday. IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani announced Patel as the new MD, the cooperative said in a statement. Patel, who was Director-Technical at IFFCO, holds a mechanical engineering degree from Saurashtra University and has a rich experience of more than 32 years in the maintenance of Nitrogenous & Phosphatic fertiliser plants. He was heading the IFFCO Paradeep Plant, the biggest complex fertiliser plant in India. "Patel brings deep industry knowledge and, proven strategic thinking approach that aligns with the goals of IFFCO," Sanghani said. Further, he said the board is confident that Patel will steer IFFCO into a new era of innovation and value creation. Sanghani also thanked the outgoing MD US Awasthi for his invaluable contribution and dedication to IFFCO as well as farmers across the country. IFFCO posted a 16 per cent increase in net profit to