Page 2 - Agriculture

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

The Indian Biogas Association (IBA) has called for 10 per cent mandatory blending of fermented organic manure with chemical fertilisers by 2030 saying it can save USD 2 billion in imports annually. The IBA recently presented a white paper: FOM Feeds Soil, Soil Feeds Sustainability. The white paper was released by Union New & Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi during BBB Summit 2026 held from May 7 to 9, an IBA statement said. The white paper proposes a phased mandate to achieve 10 per cent blending of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) with chemical fertilizers by 2030, positioning it as a critical intervention to restore India's declining soil health and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. It outlined a comprehensive policy framework, the recommendation calls for integrating FOM into existing flagship government schemes such as the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) framework, Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). The ..

FMC Corp to sell India crop protection business to Crystal for $252 mn

FMC Corporation on Thursday said it would sell its India commercial business to Crystal Crop Protection Ltd for US 252 million, as the US agricultural sciences company looks to reduce debt and refocus resources on higher-growth markets. The deal, under which FMC has signed a definitive agreement, is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, including adjustments for cash, debt and working capital. FMC said it would direct all proceeds toward debt reduction. FMC had expressed intention to exit its India crop protection commercial operations in July 2025, saying the move would allow it to re-enter the Indian market through a new go-to-market strategy while redeploying capital elsewhere. Under the terms of the transaction, Crystal Crop will acquire FMC India's commercial operations in the crop protection segment, including a licence to use FMC's brands sold in the country, FMC said in a statement. Crystal will also receive a preferred supply agreement for certai

Two Bandra Girls: Farm life memoir blends dreams with reality of rural life

Two women leave their Bandra lives to start an organic farm in Raigad, resulting in a book packed with action, drama and occasional plot twists

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

Factories in Tanzania offer new avenues for Haryana farmers, entrepreneurs

Farming and doing business in Tanzania have become lucrative avenues for the people in Harayana, with the state government, along with the Centre, expanding trade ties with the East African nation. Farmers and entrepreneurs have started exploring the Tanzanian markets after Haryana began a push for investment opportunities in that country. To enable farmers to pursue agricultural ventures, the Haryana government, with the support of the Centre, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for one lakh acres of farm land in Tanzania, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said. Saini said that trade cooperation with African countries is being continuously expanded, with key sectors such as mining, plywood, agriculture, and IT being prominently included, according to an official statement. Somveer Ghasola from Dadri near Bhiwani is among those who have bought land in Tanzania. Ghasola, 58, has also set up a mining business near Tanzania's capital, Dodoma. According to him, the African .

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

Best of BS Opinion: Hopes fade for early resolution of West Asia crisis

From rising West Asia tensions and oil shocks to heat stress on food systems and women farmers' role in India, here are the key insights from Business Standard's Opinion page today

Rising heat stress: Integrated climate strategy key to building resilience

India, the largest producer of rice with an output of about 150.18 million tonnes, faces a sharpened threat as heatwaves are projected to severely impact production in the Ganga-Indus basin

Why monsoon-dependent India still struggles to scale micro irrigation

IMD's weak monsoon forecast revives a key question why India's push for drip and sprinkler irrigation has not translated into widespread adoption despite years of policy support

Centre refutes fertiliser shortage claims; urea stocks steady at mid-April

India has urea stocks of around 6.73 million tonnes, against last year's 6.80 million tonnes

India raises wheat procurement target 15% to support rain-hit farmers

States seek higher procurement as unseasonal rains damage crops

CropLife India seeks 5-year data protection in Pesticides Management Bill

The organisation warned that its absence discourages companies from introducing newer and safer crop protection technologies in India

Responsibility, trust crucial for AI systems: Anthropic India head

Anthropic bets on responsible AI and trust-led development to scale in India, as demand for safer, reliable large language models grows across enterprises

Centre floats draft amendments to marquee Sugarcane Control Order, 1966

Draft retains minimum distance criteria between mills at 25 km, mandates khandsari units to pay Centre-fixed Fair and Remunerative Price to cane growers

Fixing fertiliser subsidy: Pricing reform, targeted farmer support needed

Rising fertiliser subsidy exposes distortions in urea pricing, fuelling overuse and fiscal strain, highlighting need for direct farmer support and subsidy reform

Nipha Group to expand agri machinery business across 20 states, 10 nations

Kolkata-based Nipha Group has launched a brand OneHorn, as part of a push to expand its agriculture machinery business in at least 20 states and 10 countries, including the US and European markets, company officials said on Sunday. Its chairman Mahesh Chandra Shah said the Indian agricultural ecosystem was at an inflection point where mechanisation and entrepreneurship must come together. "With our brand, we are building a structured, partner-first platform that enables our channel associates to grow as agripreneurs - stronger, more profitable, and future-ready," he said. The company, which began its agri-business journey in 1988 with spare part supplies before graduating to components and then full machines, claimed that OneHorn is the first brand in eastern India to offer a diversified range of agri equipment with a make-in-India focus. Executive Director Aakash Shah said the brand is designed to give partners "the right products, systems, and support to scale their business with

El Nino impact may be muted, govt ready for kharif sowing: Shivraj Chouhan

The agriculture minister reviewed kharif preparedness amid El Nino concerns, said strong reservoir levels, irrigation and contingency planning will help limit impact on farm output

Datanomics: Met accuracy improves; farm GVA shifts slightly from crops

Improving monsoon forecasts and a gradual shift from crops to livestock are reducing agriculture's direct impact on India's overall economic growth