Farm exporters take costly detours as Middle East conflict disrupts trade.
Indian horticulture exporters are rerouting shipments to alternative Middle East ports like Khor Fakkan. This move aims to bypass congestion and disruptions at Jebel Ali port in Dubai. The shift is crucial for perishable agricultural exports to West Asia. Despite increased freight costs, this strategy ensures trade continuity and helps overcome recent business losses.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Rabi pulses ease on improving arrivals.
Prices of key rabi pulses such as gram (chana) and lentils (masur) have eased further on improving arrivals across key producing regions and are likely to remain range bound according to the trade. The All India Average wholesale mandi prices of chana eased to Rs. 5042.55 per quintal for the week ended March 21 over the earlier week’s Rs. 5147.31. Similarly, the lentils prices eased to Rs. 6778.37 for the week ended March 21 over earlier week’s Rs. 7245.51, as per the UPAG.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Government Restores RoDTEP Rates and Value Caps to Support Exporters Amid West Asia Trade Disruptions.
Recent developments in West Asia have led to challenges in maritime logistics, including changes in routing and transit patterns. These have had an impact on logistics costs and shipping schedules for export consignments moving to or through the region.
Source: pib.gov.in
Indian sugar mills rush export deals on record-low rupee, rising global prices.
Indian sugar mills have returned to the export market, locking in 100,000 metric tons of shipments in a week after a slump in the rupee to a record low and a rally in global prices restored the economics of overseas sales, five dealers told Reuters. Shipments from the world's second biggest sugar producer will help Asian and African consumers to secure sugar at lower prices amid rising freight and global prices , which are trading near the highest level in five months.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Uttam, Harish spar over rice exports to Philippines in assembly.
Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao on Monday engaged in a heated debate over the export of rice from Telangana to the Philippines. While Uttam said the strategic initiative aimed to transform the state from an FCI-dependent, paddy-surplus region into a globally recognised rice export powerhouse, Harish alleged that it was a scam and demanded the formation of a House committee to probe the issue.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India’s Agriculture Policy to Focus on Quantity and Quality-Led Growth: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
India is sharpening its focus on farmer protection, crop loss assessment, and insurance efficiency as climate volatility continues to disrupt agricultural production across multiple states. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level review at Krishi Bhavan to assess the current status of the agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on weather-induced crop damage, insurance claim mechanisms, and timely relief delivery.
Source: global-agriculture.com
Punjab Tops Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme with 32,823 Projects Sanctioned, Rs. 7,050 Crore Disbursed; Eight Districts Rank Among India’s Top 10.
Punjab has emerged as the country’s best-performing state under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), recording the highest number of sanctioned projects nationwide and maintaining its leadership position consistently since 2024–25. With 32,823 projects approved and more than Rs. 7,050 crore disbursed, the state has surpassed larger agricultural states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in both project approvals and fund utilisation.
Source: indianmasterminds.com
Manipur govt committed to farmer-centric, self-reliant agriculture sector: CM.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday underscored the state government’s commitment to a farmer-centric and self-reliant agriculture sector. Speaking at the valedictory function of the ‘Agrivision Agri-Youth Parliament 2026’ at the Central Agricultural University, Singh said the sector requires sustained attention and policy support.
Source: theprint.in
Centre approves Rs 200 Cr banana cluster to boost Jalgaon’s agri ecosystem.
The Government of India has approved a Rs 200 crore Banana Cluster project in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, marking a significant step toward strengthening horticulture infrastructure and enhancing farmer incomes in one of the country’s key banana-producing regions. The initiative aims to create an integrated ecosystem spanning production, post-harvest management, processing, and export, reinforcing Jalgaon’s position as a key hub in India’s horticulture value chain.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
MP Minister Urges Entrepreneurs to Put GI-Tagged Ratlami Sev on World Map.
Madhya Pradesh's MSME Minister Chetan Kumar Kashyap has appealed to entrepreneurs to maximise the use of the GI tag and promote Ratlami Sev products in the national and international markets. Ratlami Sev, a crispy fried snack from Ratlam in MP, earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2014 and it was renewed in 2024.
Source: outlookbusiness.com