Agri News India

India, the largest producer of pulses, is facing a shortage of tur dal, leading to increased imports. Issues such as hoarding and cartelisation in the importation contribute to price increases. The average market price of tur dal has risen by Rs 10 per kg, reaching Rs 149 per kg. To prevent hoarding, the government has reduced the stock limit for tur dal held by wholesalers and large retail chains. The Department of Consumer Affairs is monitoring stock levels, and the government has taken measures to boost domestic availability and contain price rise. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/385PuYN

There is likely to be a shortage of 1 million tonnes of tur till the harvest of new crops begins in December/January, while the production of kharif moong is expected to be lower by 12%. The quality of urad crop under harvest has been damaged due to rainfall in September. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/rFQLEh3

The National Small Tea Grower's Conference 2023 highlighted the significance of small tea growers (STGs) in the Indian tea industry and the challenges they face. They called for increased cooperation and support from organized sectors and government agencies to enhance their agricultural practices. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/hFX0vDK

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) committee is expected to recommend that futures trading for agri-commodities should not be allowed below the MSP. The committee believes this will encourage more farmers to participate in trading platforms. Additionally, the committee may suggest smaller lot sizes for trading contracts. The committee also wants exchanges to collaborate with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to hedge trading risks and make it easier for farmers to benefit from trading. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/fhHXSDj

India has defended its export ban on rice, stating that it is a regulation rather than a restriction and is necessary for the food security of its 1.4 billion people. India reiterated its commitment to ensuring food security in importing countries through exemptions granted upon request. The government has allowed exports of non-basmati rice to Bhutan, UAE, Mauritius, and Singapore. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/0JTNIug

Enrollment in India's crop insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), is expected to increase by 23% this fiscal year, reaching a record high of 37.5-40.0 million farmers. The scheme aims to provide financial support to stabilize farmers' incomes, particularly during periods of patchy rainfall caused by phenomena like El Nino. Despite delayed monsoon and below-normal rains in August, September has seen normal rainfall. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/n6VT0Hs

Indian higher educational institutes (HEIs) have joined together to form an 'Agri-Consortium', led by IIM Kashipur. The consortium aims to provide a platform for academics, researchers, students, and industry professionals to discuss trends and advancements in agriculture. The participating institutions have agreed to share startup databases, disseminate support programs, and share best practices. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/zIZ5OeJ

Sugar sector has now transformed into a green energy sector where ethanol is playing a major role. Ethanol is a green fuel and considering the reduced carbon footprint and sustainability factor associated with it is leading the sugar industry to be re-rated by investors and other stakeholders, says Vijendra Singh, executive director and deputy chief executive officer, Shree Renuka Sugars. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/yaRL7SY

India has lifted the ban on the export of non-basmati white rice and allowed the export of 75,000 tonnes to the UAE. The export was previously prohibited to control domestic prices and ensure food security. The exports will be permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited, based on government permission and requests from other countries for their food security needs. India had previously allowed rice exports to Singapore and Benin is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/JCF7loj

Tomato prices in Maharashtra, India, have dropped dramatically from Rs 200 per kilogram to as low as Rs 3-5 per kilogram, causing significant losses for tomato growers. The sudden decline in prices was due to an unexpectedly high tomato yield. Many farmers are abandoning their crops or destroying their produce as they cannot recover their investment. The situation is dire in various regions, with prices plunging in markets. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Rm5y4TD

The government on August 19 imposed a 40% duty on all types of onions exported from India to tame strong bullish trend in onion prices. This caused a nearly 70% fall in onion exports, said market sources. Meanwhile, in a meeting held on Monday, traders from Nashik decided to continue their onion strike that started on September 20. This is not likely to affect the onion prices in the country. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/k4gJ0tu

Canada is one of the key suppliers of potash to India and Indian companies last year signed a memorandum of understanding with Canpotex to buy up to 1.5 million metric tons of potash a year for 3 years, starting from 2023. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/xvT9MjQ

According to data from the agricultural ministry, the area planted with paddy has increased by over 3% so far during the current kharif sowing season to 411.52 lakh hectares, while the area planted with pulses has decreased by 5%. In the same period last year, there were 400.72 lakh hectares (LH) of paddy acres. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/pqaJA3Z

Groundnut prices in India have risen by about 20% in a month due to heavy rainfall in Gujarat, the country's top producer of groundnuts. The delay in the arrival of new crops, coupled with low carry forward stock from the previous year, has supported the recent increase in prices. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/jqsNEcz

"This mandatory weekly stock disclosure for these entities is another proactive step in the Government of India's efforts to maintain a balanced and fair sugar market. By preventing hoarding and speculation, GoI is aiming to ensure that sugar remains affordable for all consumers. This proactive measure empowers regulatory authorities to closely monitor stock levels and take prompt action against any potential market manipulation," the government release said. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/bemABrw

The sugar production in India is expected to improve due to good rains in September, India's food secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Thursday. "There's no shortage of sugar because production will be higher than our own consumption," he said. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/iIgPxC3

Onion traders in Nashik, Maharashtra, have suspended auctions indefinitely in protest against the government's decision to increase export duty on onions. The move has raised concerns about a shortage of onions and an increase in prices. Traders are demanding the cancellation of export duty, a reduction in market fees, and subsidies for transportation. Last month, traders accused the government of failing to fulfill its promise to purchase onions from farmers and of setting auction prices lower than announced. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/u5YNI7Q

The Indian government has announced plans to integrate 28 new wholesale mandis, or market yards, with the online trading platform eNAM. This will bring the total number of integrated mandis to 1,389. The Agriculture Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, highlighted the importance of providing key information to stakeholders in order to remove information asymmetry. He also emphasized the need to make the entire value chain more efficient and reduce wastage. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/zsRdHoO

The Maharashtra government has imposed restrictions on sugarcane farmers, preventing them from selling their produce outside the state. This is an effort to ensure that there is enough cane for the state's sugar mills to operate at maximum capacity. Erratic rainfall has led to a drought-like situation in Maharashtra, resulting in a drop in sugarcane yield. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/SNTdix4

Erratic rainfall has led to a drought-like situation in Maharashtra, the country's second-largest sugar producer, and it is likely to see a big drop in sugarcane yield. Lower availability of cane leads to competition among sugar factories for the crop, resulting in mills poaching cane in each other's jurisdiction. Farmers prefer to sell sugarcane to the mills that pay higher prices. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/N67hQpV

Farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh are facing a loss of ₹8,000-10,000 per acre due to the government's decision to set a minimum export price of $1,200 per tonne for basmati rice. Prices of the new crop have dropped by ₹400 per quintal in the past week. Millers and exporters are pressuring farmers to sell at a lower price in anticipation of the government removing the minimum export price after October 15. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/mnX74NU

Farmers in parts of the country have had to face an erratic southwest monsoon—excess rain in July followed by a record-dry August. ET travels to three states to gauge the impact on the fields. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/urJR75n

The Indian government has launched the Unified Portal for Agri-Statistics (UPAg), a digital platform that aims to provide stakeholders with credible and standardized data for informed decision-making in the agriculture sector. The portal, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, will address challenges related to data governance and offer features such as data standardization, analysis, granular production estimates, and commodity profile reports. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Xxv3ihY

The Indian tea industry is expected to report an 8% decline in revenue this fiscal year due to a decrease in export volume, according to CRISIL Ratings. Operating profitability is also expected to fall for the second year in a row. However, low leverage and minimal capital expenditure are expected to keep credit profiles stable. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/b1TOX97

India's food secretary has dismissed rumors of an impending sugar shortage, stating that there is currently enough supply to meet the country's consumption needs for three and a half months. Concerns had arisen about low sugar production in India, the world's second-largest sugar producer, leading to potential price spikes and export bans. Sugar companies' shares rose following reports of a possible drop in production in Maharashtra. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/zqCi4aS

from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/whRzqQl

The Indian government has decided to reduce the stock limit on wheat traders, wholesalers, and big chain retailers from 3,000 tonnes to 2,000 tonnes due to an increase in prices. The government had previously restricted these players to a stock limit of 3,000 tonnes until March 2024. The decision to further reduce the limit was made following a 4% increase in wheat prices on the NCDEX to Rs 2,550 per quintal in the past month. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/lbaID0z

"In the previous English auction system, division of lots were allowed. One lot is more than 30 packets. If these lots are divided, then the smaller buyers would be able to participate. But they are not able now in the present model. As a result, competition is less and hence price discovery is not to the optimum extent", the official said. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/SDlsvfo

The FCI sells wheat to flour mills and other bulk consumers under the open market sales scheme (OMSS) to keep domestic prices down. In June, it had offered 1.5 million tonnes of wheat under this scheme. However, wheat prices continue to remain firm. Industry executives have cited the lower volumes offered by FCI at its weekly tenders as one of the reasons for the increase in wheat prices. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/UKHFn3T

At this facility's Plant Pathology units, Namdhari Seeds will focus on developing pest and disease-resistant crop varieties, promising higher yields and reduced reliance on pesticides. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/M7stgb3

Full-stack agri-tech firm Leads Connect has raised $62.5m from FMCG company BL Agro Industries to enhance its agro-tech stack and provide more value to farmers. The funding will be spread over three years, resulting in a controlling stake for BL Agro. Leads Connect specialises in farm analytics and advisory, and will use the funding to improve technology, expand its reach among farmers, and establish AGRANI Centres in various cities. The company aims to enhance its AGRANI platform, which offers agri-fintech services, through further development of its Khet Se Kitchen Tak initiative. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/oicuECl

The western state of Maharashtra, which accounts for more than a third of India's sugar output, could produce 9 million metric tons in the 2023/24 season (which begins on Oct. 1), down from 10.5 million tons in 2022/23, said B.B. Thombare, president of the West Indian Sugar Mills Association. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/QFXNzhx

The government is urging farmers to reduce their use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by 20% in the upcoming winter-sown season. This move is aimed at protecting soil fertility and human health. The government is also planning to organise the 'Kisan Samridhi Mahotsav' event to showcase initiatives undertaken in the last nine years to boost farmers' income. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the diversion of highly subsidised urea to industries and plans to take strict legal action against those found guilty. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/sh45eWO

Russian companies have stopped offering discounted fertilisers to India due to tightening global supplies. Last year, Russia became the largest supplier to India, but now companies are offering fertilisers at market prices. This could increase India's import costs and subsidy burden as global prices rally. Russia's aggressive selling last year reduced the market share of other exporters. Global fertiliser prices have been surging, making it challenging for Indian companies to accumulate stocks for the upcoming winter season. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ubL28V6

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed an MoU to collaborate on data-driven innovations in agriculture and food systems. The partnership aims to support smallholder farmers by sharing open-source data for product development, technology transfer, and policy framing. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/XvklauC

India's global market share in basmati rice is declining due to the government's decision to set a minimum export price of $1,200 per tonne. At a recent food fair in Turkey, no Indian companies received orders for the new basmati crop because of the high price. Global buyers are also delaying payments for orders shipped before the price was set. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/AmIjQJB

Over 81,000 farmers in Bihar have been found ineligible for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme due to reasons such as paying income tax. The government has instructed state-owned banks to collect the refund amounting to approximately Rs 81.6 crore from these farmers. The agriculture department has urged the banks to expedite the process and freeze the accounts of ineligible farmers. Some banks have already collected around Rs 10.3 crore in refund money. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Vq3EuX0

Amid shifting weather patterns and evolving agricultural priorities, the study urges a timely revision of the classification criteria governing pearl millet cultivation zones, established in 1979. Currently, India's zones are based on rainfall and soil type -- A1 for arid regions in Rajasthan, A for semi-arid regions in North and Central India, and B for semi-arid regions with heavy soils in South India. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/9pkH2ix

Food prices: The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that its world price index for food fell to a two-year low in August. The decline was driven by decreases in most food commodities, although rice and sugar prices increased. The overall index was 24% lower than its all-time high in March 2022. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/KlW3NPZ

There are concerns about production of sugarcane in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which is likely to affect availability of sugar for consumption and for ethanol production for blending with petrol in these states, it said. India had last imported raw sugar in 2017, after which the country has been an exporter. In 2021-22, India was the second largest exporter of raw sugar in the world. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/yzHlMnN

India witnessed the driest August in more than a century as the country received 36% less rainfall than normal in 2023, according to data compiled by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The country has received 10% lower rainfall than normal from June 1 to August 31 from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/RJ2s9dI

Chand also observed that many Western countries are shifting from agrochemicals to biopesticides and the Indian industry needs to pay attention to this aspect. He urged the Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI) to come out with a document on ease of doing business in agrochemicals. The Niti Aayog member was addressing a panel discussion on the occasion of the sixth annual general meeting of ACFI in the national capital. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ntp7JrC

The move has come at a time when National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) had to suspend their tenders to purchase imported lentils due to exorbitantly high bids received from few suppliers indicating at cartelization. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/V59IPmj

While wheat output forecasts are being revised lower due to dry weather in Australia, the world's second largest exporter, record-low monsoon rains are expected to reduce the volume of crops, including rice, in India, the world's biggest shipper of the grain, meteorologists and analysts said. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/lBZfuEP

The Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and the senior BJP leader, also said that with a new thinking under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the farmer will not only be a provider of food but also a provider of energy. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/0q9yoTJ

Sugar prices in India have surged over 3% in the past two weeks to their highest level in six years due to concerns over limited rainfall in key growing regions. This could lead to food inflation and discourage the Indian government from allowing sugar exports, supporting global prices. Sugar mills are worried about a potential fall in production in the upcoming season due to drought. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/5AiKIDP

The G20 Technical Workshop on "Climate Resilient Agriculture" has begun in Hyderabad, India, with the aim of discussing climate change challenges and promoting international cooperation to address climate-related agricultural issues. The workshop focuses on research needs and innovations for climate resilient agriculture and includes participants from G20 member states, guest-invited countries, and international organizations. The workshop will also involve visits to research institutes and cultural experiences. The event serves as a platform for collaboration and the development of strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/MPmsO8j

Retail and factory sugar prices in India have risen by approximately 3% in the past month due to a persistent monsoon deficit in key sugarcane producing states. Retail prices range between ₹40 and ₹45/kg, while factory gate prices in Kolhapur have reached ₹37/kg. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/v03zgEI

India's food ministry has said that the forecast for rain in the country this month should limit damage to crops, ensuring sufficient supplies. Rising food prices have been a major concern for the government, leading to restrictions on rice exports and the sale of state reserves. Wheat supplies are also sufficient, and the government is considering whether to scrap import duties. from Agriculture-Economy-News-Economic Times https://ift.tt/WLnrt8i