Page 5 - Agriculture

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

India's domestic urea production likely to jump over 11% in April

IPL tender receives urea import offers totalling 5.6 million tonnes

Taking a 'rain check' on agri output as past data softens monsoon concerns

IMD's below-normal monsoon forecast raises farm concerns, but past trends show steady foodgrain output supported by irrigation, resilient seeds, and better rainfall distribution

When rains falter: El Nino builds, India braces for water and farm stress

The call is for urgent conservation and replenishment measures, both for now and the future

IMD forecasts 'below-normal' monsoon in 2026 for the first time in 3 years

The forecast, which has a model error of plus or minus 5 per cent, is mainly due to the development of El Niño conditions during the June to September months, the Met department said

Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveils district-wise agri roadmap for 4 MP districts

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan harps on value addition and integrated farming models

India's poverty map bends under climate pressure, finds NISER study

NISER study finds climate shocks like floods, droughts, and rising temperatures are deepening poverty, especially in agriculture-dependent and vulnerable regions

Rajnath Singh calls for more agri reforms, says funds no barrier to growth

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called for more reforms in the agriculture sector, saying it is the backbone of the Indian economy, and that the shortage of funds would not come in the way of doing more for the farming community and rural India. Addressing the three-day Unnat Krishi Mela here, Singh said the Narendra Modi government has launched several schemes - PM-Kisan, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card and an online network of wholesale mandis - to boost farmers' income and farm productivity. "These efforts have transformed the lives of farmers. But I believe the change is not enough. There is a need to do even more for the agriculture sector and our villages," he said, adding, "We will not be worried about funds. The shortage of funds will not be an obstacle. I want to assure you this." Reflecting on his political journey, Singh said the farmer in him had never left despite holding several ministerial portfolios. "In my political life, I have .

Speciality fertilisers can ease geo-political supply bottlenecks: Experts

In India, speciality fertiliser or non-subsidised fertiliser sales have been growing at the rate of 10-12 per cent per annum

Govt to prepare state-specific agri roadmaps based on soil, water, climate

Shivraj Singh Chouhan says will use satellite-based remote sensing to provide relief from recent rains

Punjab arthiyas to continue strike till fixed commission demand is met

The arthiyas are demanding a fixed 2.5 per cent commission on their purchases, as was the practice till 2020, when it was changed to up to 2.5 per cent

Rajasthan govt set to achieve record mustard production this year

Rajasthan is set for a record mustard harvest, with output rising despite weather disruptions, supported by higher sowing and favourable crop conditions

Govt seeks 2.5 mn metric tonnes of urea amid West Asia supply disruptions

India, where farming is a mainstay, imports fertilisers such as urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash, as well as liquefied natural gas, a key feedstock for urea production

West Asia conflict: Fear arrives early in fields of Haryana and Punjab

In third part of series on West Asia impact, wholesalers warn of thin stocks as hoarding fears drive early fertiliser buying

Resilient rural demand drove 23% surge in India's FY26 tractor sales

Geopolitical uncertainties and concerns over a below-average monsoon remain overhang for FY27

Agro-chemical sector sees input costs falling 8-9% after customs duty cut

The duty exemption will start from April 2 and continue till June 30, 2026, an official order said

There is adequate supply of seeds, pesticides for kharif 2026 sowing: Govt

Says prices of most essential food items fairly stable despite the war

Centre assures adequate Kharif inputs, urges states to curb hoarding

The Centre on Wednesday asserted that the country has an adequate supply of seeds and agro-chemicals for the upcoming Kharif season, and asked states to check hoarding, black marketing, smuggling and diversion of fertilisers for non-farm usage. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, said, "The most important input is seeds. There is an adequate availability of seeds for the upcoming Kharif (summer-sown) sowing season". She said the total estimated requirement of seeds for the Kharif 2026 is 166.46 lakh quintals, while the availability is 185.74 lakh tonnes. So, there is a surplus of 19.29 lakh tonnes. Dwivedi noted that there is enough supply of seeds for all major crops. She said the total availability of seeds for paddy crop is 80.9 lakh quintals, soyabean 35.7 lakh quintals, groundnut 21.1 lakh quintals, and maize 11.9 lakh quintals. The availability of seeds is ...

MGNREGA work dips to 53.2 million households in FY26, lowest in six years

In FY25, around 57.8 million households got work under the scheme

Haryana begins mustard procurement, wheat procurement to start April 1

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday directed officials to ensure that farmers coming to mandis to sell their crops during the Rabi procurement season 2026-27 do not face any inconvenience. Saini was presiding over a meeting of officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department and other agencies related to crop procurement here. He also reviewed the arrangements made for the Rabi procurement season. Procurement of wheat will begin from April 1, 2026, and a target of 72 lakh metric tonnes has been set by the Government of India for this Rabi procurement season, an official statement said. Procurement of mustard has commenced from March 28. This year, the state government plans to procure approximately 13 lakh tonnes of mustard. Out of this, 25 per cent will be procured under the Price Support Scheme through central agencies (NAFED and NCCF), while the remaining 75 per cent will be procured by state agencies (HAFED and Haryana State Warehousing Corporation in a 50: