AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS
Optiemus Infracom in talks with govt, cooperatives to deploy 6,000 drones next year
Optiemus Infracom plans to deploy up to 6,000 drones in India next year, aiming for a revenue of Rs 600-900 crore. Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta aims to disrupt the market pricing by offering drones with a 10-litre payload capacity for Rs 2.25 lakh each. The company is in talks with the government and cooperatives, focusing on agriculture spray, with plans to invest Rs 140 crore in drone manufacturing.
Not politics, not interest rates: India's surging economy at risk from water
India is facing a growing water crisis, with the country's growing water stress potentially impacting its growth. The country's growing water stress could affect agricultural production and industrial operations, leading to food inflation and declines in income for affected businesses and workers, especially farmers. Contaminated water kills about 200,000 Indians each year, and the government is focusing on conserving the resource, recycling waste water, and reducing the country's over-reliance on the annual monsoon, especially in the agricultural sector.
Put off health stamp for milk, pork, fish imports: US to India
The US requests a six-month delay in India's health certificate requirement for imported food items like milk, pork, and fish to ensure the absence of antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metal residues.
No new duty concessions for milk, milk products imports: DGFT
India has strictly limited milk and milk product imports under tariff rate quotas (TRQs) in accordance with WTO commitments. Santosh Sarangi, director general of foreign trade, confirmed that no TRQ imports are planned for the current year. TRQ imports have occurred only three times in recent years, managed exclusively by cooperatives and state-owned entities, following guidelines that balance producer and consumer interests.
The worrying changes in India’s monsoon patterns have implications for everything from agriculture to health
Take Maharashtra, 80% of which is rainfed. In areas such as Vidarbha and Marathwada, the onset of monsoon is now late. After a small pickup in July, there is a break in rainfall in August, lasting up to three-four weeks during the fruit formation phase. The wet spell starts again in September and continues well into October, when it should be dry. This isn't limited to Maharashtra. Several critical areas considered the breadbasket of India—Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh—are witnessing the same pattern.
India allows imports of corn, vegetable oils at concessional duty
India has decided to permit restricted imports of corn, milk powder, crude sunflower oil, and refined rapeseed oil with concessional duty. As the largest global importer of vegetable oils, India will allow imports totaling 150,000 metric tons each of sunflower oil or safflower oil and refined rapeseed oil in the ongoing marketing year, according to the notification.
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Govt imposes stockholding limit on wheat to check hoarding
Food secretary Sanjeev Chopra hinted at the possibility of removing import duty on wheat, saying the government is open to all options to keep prices under control. Wheat prices in retail markets are ruling 6% higher than the comparable period of previous year, despite the government's claim of a bumper crop. "I want to dispel the shortage of wheat in the country," Chopra said, adding that the stock limit has been imposed to reduce hoarding.
Centre committed to procure pulses at MSP to boost production, cut imports: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The Centre commits to procuring tur, urad, and masur at Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to boost domestic production and reduce imports. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlights the launch of the e-Samridhi portal through cooperatives NAFED and NCCF for farmer registration.
Budget expectation of farm sector: Spotlight on agri research, fertiliser subsidy, climate fight in meeting with FM
Budget 2024 expectations: Experts at the meeting advocated for the consolidation of all agriculture-related subsidies for transfer through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and proposed a hike in the retail price of urea, unchanged since 2018. They also emphasized promoting bio-fertilisers and foliar fertilisers through subsidies.
After electoral setback, Modi may be forced to amend India's food policy
Facing policy challenges after recent election losses, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi grapples with controlling food inflation without angering farmers through export curbs and increased imports. With crucial provincial elections looming, Modi must balance economic measures and farmer interests to maintain political stability and address rural discontent.
PM Modi addresses farmers, says he wants Indian products on every dining table in world
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of Indian food products in the global market at a PM Kisan Samman Sammelan. He emphasized self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds and the 'one district one product' initiative to boost agricultural exports.
US cotton body seeks removal of 11% import duty on short staple cotton
US agri trade body Cotton Council International (CCI) has called for the removal of the 11% import duty on shorter staple cotton below 32mm length, which came into effect in 2021. The duty affects India's domestic textile industry, which is projected to grow to $350 billion by 2025. CCI and Supima, a non-profit trade association, will discuss mutual interest and cooperation with Indian textile companies.
MHT CET 2024 Result to be out today; Here's how to check and other details
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell is set to announce the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) 2024 results for both PCM and PCB streams today, June 16. Candidates can check their results on the official website and download their scorecards. The results will facilitate admission to engineering and other courses for qualified candidates.
ETMarkets Smart Talk: Agri, consumer durable & insurance could be dark horse of FY25: Kush Gupta
Elections in the past have always led to sharp movements pre and post-event, but history has shown that the markets finally stabilize one to six months post-event.
Prices of pulses to soften from end of July: Official
Imports of these three pulses from south African nations such as Mozambique and Malawi will also increase from the end of July, she said adding this would help augment domestic supply.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan chalks out 100-day plan to revive agriculture sector
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has discussed a 100-day action plan to strengthen the agriculture sector and alleviate farmer distress. The plan aims to ensure quality inputs are available to farmers, boost farm production, and enhance export quality. Chouhan stressed the importance of providing farmers with access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs to improve crop yields and economic conditions.
India’s EXIM Bank opens East Africa office to boost business & trade in continent
The Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) has opened an East Africa Representative Office in Nairobi to enhance India's business presence in the region. This move is expected to boost trade and investment between India, Kenya, and East Africa. Merchandise trade between India and East Africa has seen significant growth, reaching US$12.9 billion in 2022. India Exim Bank plays a crucial role in financing India's international trade and investment and has supported ventures in 14 African countries under its Overseas Investment Finance Programme.
Crisis in the fields: Experts say long-term solutions only way for agriculture sector to survive heatwave
Heatwaves in north India are impacting agriculture, causing heat stress in crops and reducing yields.
The show must go on: Push agriculture, make states fiscally responsible, avoid the middle income trap & stick to the PoA
The Indian electorate has defied predictions of certainty, but the economic agenda for India remains unchanged. Despite impressive economic progress since 1991, India remains a low-middle-income economy. Policy priorities include urban expansion, modernization of agriculture, tackling unemployment, and addressing state-level disparities. Additionally, India must prepare for challenges such as aging populations and technological advancements to sustain growth.
Will BJP win? This market awaits June 4 results for potential shakeups in India's trade policies & global food prices
India's agricultural markets are under scrutiny as a new government prepares to take office, potentially impacting global food prices. Prime Minister Modi's policies aimed at ensuring domestic supplies have influenced key crop exports. Changes post-election could affect rice, wheat, and sugar markets, with industry leaders seeking policy shifts to address supply and demand challenges.
Monsoon sets in over Kerala, northeast: IMD
Southwest monsoon advances into Kerala and Northeast India, one day early in Kerala and 6 days early in Northeast. Heavy rainfall in Kerala, beneficial for agriculture. Monsoon crucial for agriculture, providing 70% of India's yearly rain and supporting GDP and population.
Indian fertilizer industry on track to reach Rs 1.38 lakh cr by 2032 amidst robust growth and strategic innovations
In 2023, the Indian fertilizer market size stood at Rs 94,210 crore, driven by increased agricultural demands and strategic governmental interventions.
Best Seeder Machines for Agriculture in India for Improved Seeding Process (2024)
Are you looking for ways to stop seeding manually? If so, then continue reading this article to learn about the best seeder machines for agriculture in India. These machines will help you eliminate manual seeding enhancing speed while eliminating excessive fatigue resulting in enhanced productivity. Check out the options, find the one that suits you and place your order using the buying link shared in the article below.
Vidisha Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting on May 7; party-wise candidates and other important details
Vidisha parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh is a significant battleground for political contests, characterized by its rich cultural heritage, historical importance, and agricultural prominence. With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 7 in Phase 3, Vidisha reflects a dynamic political landscape with lively electoral contests between prominent parties such as the BJP and Congress.
Disclosure of pulses stock mandatory from April 15
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare will meet pulses traders, representatives of various government departments such as customs and state government representatives in separate meetings to discuss measures for bringing imported pulses, which are lying in customs warehouses, to the market. ET had reported that the government is planning to make it mandatory for pulses traders and retailers to disclose stocks of yellow peas (matar), tur (pigeon peas) and urad as prices in some markets show an increasing trend in its April 5 edition.
Govt allows urea imports by state-owned fertiliser companies till March' 25
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification, said that import of urea (for agriculture purpose) on government account shall be allowed either by designated state trading enterprises (STE) itself, or other entities authorised by the fertilizers department.
Centre exempts gold import by RBI from customs duty, agri cess
The Centre exempted gold imported by the Reserve Bank of India from import duty and Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess. India, the second-biggest consumer of gold, depends on imports. Cumulative gold imports reached $37.85 billion from April-January in FY24, with imports in January alone standing at $1.9 billion.
Govt launches mission to boost oilseeds' production, cut imports of cooking oils
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary was present at the inaugural event and visited an exhibition stall at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Assam. According to an official statement, Munda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special emphasis on the development of the Northeastern region. He said the central government has done the work of eliminating the gaps in the development of agriculture in the northeastern states and bringing them into the mainstream.
Farmers from 10 EU countries join forces - and tractors - to protest agricultural policies
The farmers met their colleagues from neighbouring Germany, Poland and Slovakia at a number of border crossings. Farmers from 10 EU countries, ranging from Central Europe to the Baltics and the Balkans, were participating in the protest, organisers said.
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