Page 4 - Agriculture

India-US trade deal: Farmer groups fear backdoor entry of GM crops via DDGS

Most farmer organisations and Opposition parties have sounded an alarm about the possible entry of GM products; Say could harm soy farmers in MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan

India logs record phosphatic, potassic fertiliser output in January 2026

This signals a significant step towards strengthening India's fertiliser self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on imports in a segment that has traditionally relied heavily on overseas supplies

Govt proposes merging two agricultural schemes for flexibility to states

The government on Friday informed Parliament that it is seeking inter-ministerial comments on a proposal to merge two central agriculture schemes - Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Krishonnati Yojana - into a single umbrella scheme to provide greater flexibility to states. Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said the ministry's centrally sponsored schemes currently operate under two umbrellas - Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY). An Expenditure Finance Commission (EFC) draft for an umbrella scheme covering centrally sponsored schemes of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the 16th Finance Commission period has been initiated, he said. "The draft has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultations," Thakur said. The single umbrella scheme proposal has been initiated to give greater flexibility to states to take up need-based components, he ...

StarAgri sees 55% revenue jump in FY25, eyes ₹2,000 crore in FY26

StarAgri has remained profitable since inception, while its non-performing assets continue to remain below 1 per cent, reflecting disciplined risk management and balance sheet strength

Consumption story of staples is making a comeback: AWL Agri executives

AWL Agri targets 7-8% edible oil volume growth, banks on capacity expansion and a demand recovery led by rural markets and staples consumption

Farm livelihood concerns allayed as agri, dairy sectors kept out of US deal

Centre says sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy are outside the India-US trade deal, easing concerns even as US officials speak of higher farm exports

Indian agrochemical companies scale up via product deals with MNCs

As multinational companies grapple with regulatory uncertainty in India, domestic agrochemical firms are acquiring products and technologies, reshaping the crop protection landscape

Skymet says El Nino might strengthen in middle of Indian monsoon this year

Private forecaster warns evolving El Nino could suppress monsoon rainfall, raise heatwave risks and impact farm output, with models pointing to a peak in winter

Nabard's focus on rural MSMEs in Madhya Pradesh, says CGM C Saraswathi

Nabard's Madhya Pradesh chief general manager C Saraswathi outlines priorities around rural MSMEs, agri-processing, cold storage and tribal development

MP priority sector has credit potential of ₹3.75 trillion: Nabard

Nabard estimates priority sector loan potential in Madhya Pradesh at ₹3.75 trillion for 2026-27, about 20% higher than last year, led by agriculture and MSMEs

Budget 2026 outlook: Key expectations for agriculture, rural sectors

With falling crop prices, slowing farm income growth and pressure on subsidies, the Union Budget for FY27 is expected to focus on agriculture reforms, rural spending and cooperatives

Cropin unveils AI agriculture platform to rewire global food supply chains

New ecosystem with Google, BCG, Wipro and others aims to reduce climate, data and procurement risks in agriculture

Wheat sowing hits record 33.41 mn hectares in 2025-26 rabi season

Areas sown to wheat have touched a record 33.41 million hectares in the 2025-26 rabi season, buoyed by good weather, the agriculture ministry data showed. Total area under wheat rose 0.61 million hectares from 32.80 million hectares in the previous year same season. Sowing of wheat and other rabi or winter crops has been completed. The crop will be harvested from March onwards. As per the ministry data, area sown to pulses rose marginally to 13.7 million hectares in the 2025-26 rabi season, compared with 13.3 million hectares in the year-ago. Among pulses, the gram area rose to 9.58 million hectares from 9.12 million hectares. Coarse cereals acreage rose to 5.87 million hectares from 5.59 million hectares. Out of which maize comprised 2.75 million hectares. Oilseeds area rose to 9.68 million hectares during the 2025-26 rabi season from 9.33 million hectares in the year-ago season. Total rabi crops were sown in 65.23 million hectares, up 3.31 per cent from 63.14 million hectares

India needs fertiliser pricing reforms to restore soil health: Paper

ICRIER paper calls for rational fertiliser pricing, targeted support and site-specific solutions to restore soil health, improve crop nutrition and address India's persistent malnutrition challenge

Centre to soon frame rules to integrate MGNREGA workers into VB-G RAM G

States will get a six-month transition window to notify and align with the new scheme once the Act is formally notified by the Centre

Rajasthan assures quick disposal of crop insurance claims after protests

According to reports, an amount of ₹950 crore remains unpaid by insurance companies in the state under the crop insurance scheme

Rabi acreage tops normal levels for most crops till January 9, shows data

Cold wave grips North India; temperature dips to 2.7 degrees in Gurugram

MP CM to roll out 'Krishak Varsh' 2026 with tractor rally on Sunday

According to an official release, prior to the programme, CM Yadav will flag off a 'Krishi Rath' and a farmers' tractor rally at the Kokta Bypass in the state capital

Chhattisgarh extends mandi fee exemption on rice exports for another year

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday announced that the exemption on mandi (market) fee for rice exporters will be extended for another year, a move aimed at boosting rice exports in the state. Addressing the second edition of the India International Rice Summit at a private resort here, Sai said the extension would be significant for exporters and farmers, and strengthen Chhattisgarh's position in the global rice market, a government statement said. He said the summit was significant as it had brought together buyers from 12 countries and embassy delegations from six nations, reflecting growing international interest in the state's rice sector, it said. The participation of global stakeholders would help Chhattisgarh gain wider recognition in the international rice trade, he added. Chhattisgarh was rightly described as the "rice bowl" of India by earlier generations and the state continues to live up to that identity, with rice forming an integral part of its ...

US agriculture secy suspends $129 million benefit funds to Minnesota

The announcement was made as widespread protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement intensified after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday