Agri exports to West Asia resume at a slow pace.
Ending a halt after West Asia conflict, India’s agricultural exports to the Gulf region have commenced but at a slow pace, exporters said. However, higher freight charged by shipping lines is still causing problems for exporters. In addition, the onward movement of perishable cargoes like fruits and vegetables through Dubai to Saudi Arabia and Qatar has been hampered because of the security situation. A major chunk of the country’s horticulture exports to Gulf countries passes through Dubai, which also serves as the region’s key trans-shipment hub.
Source: financialexpress.com
HP apple output improves; mismatch between cultivation area & production a cause of concern.
Himachal Pradesh recorded an improved apple output in 2025, but the mismatch between a steadily expanding area under cultivation and the total production raises a concern over the stability of the apple economy. According to the Economic Survey report, the state posted a total apple production of 6.47 lakh metric tonnes in the financial year 2025-26, which was 28.6% higher than the total output of around 5.03 LMT in 2024-25. The total production last year was 27.9% higher than the FY 2023-24, when the state produced around 5.06 LMT of apples.As per the report, the area under apple cultivation in the state also increased by 0.08% from 1,16,240 hectare in 2023-24 to 1,16,338 hectare in 2024-25.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India, EU step up engagement to fast-track trade, tech talks.
India and the EU are stepping up engagement to fast-track outcomes of the January 27 India-EU Summit, with a series of initiatives planned over the coming months, according to people familiar with the matter. An 11-member European Parliament delegation, led by Angelika Niebler, chair of the delegation for relations with India, is expected to visit India soon to strengthen parliamentary ties.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Govt amends norms for exporters availing the interest subvention support.
India on Friday amended the norms for exporters availing the interest subvention support for pre- and post-shipment export credit January 2 onwards, as per which, the benefit will not be effective from the date on which the loan account is classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA).
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Amid Middle East war-related supply disruptions, govt emphasis on improving logistics ecosystem.
With the West Asia conflict disrupting the global supply chain, the government has given maximum emphasis on improving the logistics ecosystem of the country and its cost, which is estimated to be 7.97 per cent of GDP or approximately Rs 24.01 lakh crore. Officials said India's logistics ecosystem has entered a phase of structural transformation, driven by coordinated policy reforms, institutional realignment, digital platforms and large-scale infrastructure planning.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Facing a ‘crisis’, EU millers seek safeguard duties on rice.
The European Union (EU) may resort to imposing safeguard duties on rice imports, including from India, as it is under pressure from the rice industry that is facing a crisis. Trade organisations, led by the Federation of Rice Millers (FERM), are seeking a review of the trade agreements entered into by the EU and safeguard mechanisms to protect the domestic industry. They say EU rice production is becoming economically unviable, while producers and exporters are facing mounting burdens that are crushing businesses.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Lower maize prices may see Indian farmers switch back to oilseeds, pulses this kharif.
A section of Indian farmers is likely to return to cultivating oilseeds and pulses in the upcoming kharif season as growers have realised lower prices this year. The government is confident that there may be some change in the sowing pattern in the kharif season.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Cultivation and Conservation of Medicinal Plants.
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush is presently implementing 'Central Sector Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants' throughout the country including Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Source: pib.gov.in
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan does comprehensive review of the agriculture sector, focusing on crop loss, insurance claims, and timely assistance to farmers.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday conducted a high-level, comprehensive review of the overall condition of the agriculture sector at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting focused extensively on the potential losses suffered by farmers in several states due to recent incidents of excessive rainfall, heavy showers, hailstorms, and other adverse weather conditions.
Source: pib.gov.in
110th Meeting of Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti evaluates key Infrastructure projects.
The 110th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to evaluate infrastructure projects. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP). The NPG evaluated 02 Rail projects, 02 Metro projects, 02 Road and Highway projects for their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes and ‘Whole of Government’ approach. These initiatives are expected to boost logistics efficiency, reduce travel times, and deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the catchment areas of the project.
Source: pib.gov.in