Page 5 - Agriculture

GST cut on farm equipment could lead to 6-7% saving, ministry data shows

The Union Ministry for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, meanwhile, said that rate cuts on milk and milk products will have a direct bearing on 10 crore milk farmers across India

From automobiles to agriculture, EY analysis on impact of GST rate change

Relief from long-pending disputes around GST rates on auto components with a single GST slab of 18%

Centre approves 60,000 tonnes of urea for Chhattisgarh amid shortage

The state government has said it is addressing supply chain issues and promoting alternative fertilisers, due to the shortfall of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea

From boon to bane: How monsoon 2025 is turning into a nightmare for many

Above-normal monsoon this year has seen surge in kharif planting, driving up fertiliser demand, but heavy rains in northern states have also ruined standing crops, while floods have killed hundreds

PRYMA Aerospace gets DGCA nod for Arjuna drone to aid agriculture

City-based drone manufacturer PRYMA Aerospace has received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) certification for its Arjuna drone, which will enable the company to deploy the machine for agriculture-related activities. The development comes close on the heels of the aviation safety regulator recently approving the group's Drone School of Excellence as a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) and making it India's first end-to-end pathway for drone manufacturing, pilot training, and large-scale deployment through Salam Kisan's nationwide platform, PRYM Group's founder and CEO, Dhanashree Mandhani said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the DGCA Certificate to Mandhani, the company stated. Earlier this year, PRYM Group signed a Rs 300 crore MoU with the state government at the World Economic Forum in Davos to accelerate drone adoption and skill development. This certification is more than a regulatory milestone; it is proof that India can .

Countries pushed India on agri market, but nation stands firm now: Chouhan

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, without naming the United States, on Saturday said some countries had pressured India to open its agricultural market but the nation today stands tall and engages confidently on the global stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said national interest is paramount, and farmers' interests will not be compromised, Chouhan asserted while speaking at a symposium in Vidisha, his Lok Sabha constituency, on advanced farming. "Some countries were pressuring us to fully open the agricultural market, but today we can proudly say India is in a position to speak to the world with its chin up (in an assertive manner)," the Union agriculture minister said. "There was a time when we were forced to consume low-quality PL-480 wheat from the United States. But today, our food reserves are abundant. India achieved record 3.7 per cent growth in agriculture this year, resulting in record production of wheat, rice and maize, which has filled the nation's food ...

Farm sector GVA rises 3.7% in Q1 FY26, up from 1.5% a year earlier

Agriculture GVA grew 3.7% in Q1 FY26 from 1.5% a year ago, with surplus rains and higher kharif sowing expected to drive stronger growth in coming quarters

Nabard to raise maiden external commercial borrowing in FY26, says chief

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is looking to raise its maiden external commercial borrowing in FY26, a top official said on Tuesday. The entity has received the Reserve Bank approval to undertake such an issuance and is now gearing up for it, its chairman Shaji KV told reporters here. "We have the permission in place and have started work on it," Shaji said, speaking on the sidelines of the annual Fibac event here. The bank is keen to undertake the issuance in FY26 itself, Shaji said, choosing not to point out to an exact timeline or quantum to be raised. Proceeds of the issue will be deployed for climate change-related financing activities for which funds are available at a discount, he said, adding that nearly the entire rural portfolio of the lender will qualify under the category. Stating that it is yet to appoint merchant bankers to undertake the fundraise, he said the final costs of borrowing will play an important role in determining the fi

Rajasthan govt to build godowns to boost food storage capacity for farmers

Under the scheme, the target is to create over 160,000 million tonnes of additional storage capacity in the years 2024-25 and 2025-26 for food grains storage

Uttar Pradesh's agricultural economy surges over threefold to ₹7 trillion

"UP has been witnessing a robust growth in farm output with the current food grain production touching 73.7 million tonnes (mt)," Shahi informed

Onion farmers in Maharashtra claim losses over non-transparent procurement

Onion growers in Maharashtra are facing financial losses due to non-transparent procurement of the crop by a Central agency, an association representing farmers alleged on Saturday. State Onion Growers' Association president Bharat Dighole said farmers are compelled to stage protests even during festivals and demanded that the government should either ensure fair procurement or stop NAFED's onion purchases. A farmer from Nashik district staged a unique protest against NAFED on the occasion of the Pola festival with his bullocks. Pola is a thanksgiving festival celebrated by farmers to acknowledge the importance of bulls and oxen, who are a crucial part of agriculture. "For several years, NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India) has been procuring onions for buffer stock. However, farmers allege that large-scale financial irregularities occur in this process, depriving them of fair prices and causing losses worth crores of rupees annually," Dighole sta

Apeda to open offices in Patna, Raipur, Dehradun to aid agri exporters

The commerce ministry's arm, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has decided to open its three new regional offices in Patna, Dehradun and Raipur to support agri exporters, an official said. At present, the Delhi-headquartered authority has 16 regional offices in cities, including Bengaluru, Srinagar, Jammu, Ladakh, Guwahati, Mumbai, Varanasi, Kochi and Bhopal. The functions of the authority include development of industries relating to a certain number of products for export, registration of persons as exporters of those products, fixing of standards, improving packaging, and marketing. The official said the new offices would promote shipments by agri exporters. APEDA has taken a series of measures to boost the country's agri exports, which crossed USD 50 billion in 2024-25. "Focused measures are being taken by APEDA to diversify exports of its scheduled products, including GI-tagged products. This includes boosting exports of traditional

India, US negotiating agreement to liberalise trade in goods: Minister

India and the US are negotiating a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement and as a part of the negotiations, both sides are discussing liberalisation of trade in goods, including non-sensitive agricultural products, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. The government is engaged with all relevant stakeholders including agriculture, farming experts, to assess the interests and requirements of India's rural economy, farmers and agricultural sector, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. "India and the USA are negotiating a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). As a part of negotiations, among other things, both sides are engaged in discussions on liberalization of trade in goods, including non-sensitive agricultural products, with the aim to expand trade and deepen the India-US trade relationship," he said. He added that the government is committed to taking all necessary steps to secure and advance the country's ...

Pests, viral diseases threaten standing kharif crops, push up chemicals use

An increase in monsoon activity and resultant humidity has seen a significant proliferation of pests and viruses across states and crops, leading to greater application of chemicals

India's unemployment rate eases to 5.2% in July as rural jobs rise

The unemployment rate for the April-June period, the first quarter of current fiscal year, was estimated at 5.4 per cent among those aged 15 years and above, the ministry said

Govt policy must reward sustainability for India's small farmers: Syngenta

Government policies must incentivise sustainable farming to support India's smallholder farmers, as they face intensifying climate challenges like erratic monsoons, droughts, and floods, according to Swiss crop protection firm Syngenta Group Chief Sustainability Officer Petra Laux. Smallholder farmers account for 80 per cent of the agricultural sector. With agriculture contributing 25 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but receiving only 5 per cent of climate transition funding and subsidies rewarding climate-smart practices are critical to drive change, Laux said. In an interview with PTI, she said uncertain crop prices discourage smallholders from using sustainable methods. The lack of premiums for climate-smart crops, unlike niche organic markets, limits progress. Globally, consumer reluctance to pay more hinders adoption, and scaling emission reduction projects, like Syngenta's methane-focused initiative near Delhi for export markets, face challenges. "There's no pre

Agri scientists to visit farms for better rabi crop in October: Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said agricultural scientists will visit farm fields between October 3 and 18 to ensure a good rabi (winter) crop this year while reiterating the government's commitment to protecting farmers' interests. Speaking during an interaction with farmers, who were special guests for Independence Day celebrations here, Chouhan emphasised that safeguarding the interests of farmers, dairy farmers, and fishermen remains the government's top priority, according to an official statement. The minister stressed that government initiatives should translate into tangible benefits for people rather than remain confined to files. "The government work should be visible in the lives of the people, not in files," he said. The dialogue session was also attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur and Bhagirath Chaudhary, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, Director General of ICAR ML Jat, and other senior officials.

Why India still remains in a state of confusion when it comes to GM crops

For now, India's GM crop landscape remains one of promise stalled by policy inertia, while scientific, commercial, and global trade pressures continue to mount

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

Shivraj Chouhan to transfer ₹3,200 cr crop insurance to 3 million farmers

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will on Monday digitally transfer a crop insurance claim amount of Rs 3,200 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to 30 lakh farmer beneficiaries. The PMFBY claim amount will be transferred during an event organised for this purpose in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Besides Chouhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary, and state agriculture minister Kirodi Lal Meena will attend the event. Of the total claim amount, Rs 1,156 crore will be transferred to farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 1,121 crore to 7 lakh farmers in Rajasthan, Rs 150 crore to Chhattisgarh-based farmers, and Rs 773 crore to farmers in other states, according to an official statement. The Union agriculture minister stated that the Centre has implemented a new simplified claim settlement system in the interest of farmers, wherein claims can be paid proportionately based only on the central subsidy with