Farmers seek agri, dairy carve-out in India-US trade deal over duty-free import fears.
Farmers under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Thursday demanded agriculture, dairy and poultry sectors be excluded from the proposed India-US trade agreement, emphasising that duty-free imports would spell doom for domestic producers. The demand was raised at a Kisan Panchayat held at Ramlila Maidan here, which saw participation of thousands of farmers from across the country, according to a statement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-UK FTA likely to be implemented by early May; EU by year-end: Officials.
The free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK, signed in July last year, is likely to be implemented by early May, as both sides are 'sorting out a few issues', officials said on Thursday. According to officials, the EU has indicated November as the timeline for the ratification of the trade pact with India, and its implementation is expected this year.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Coconut growers face hard times as West Asia tensions hit export orders
Coconut growers in the central districts have been unable to fulfil export orders to countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as the conflict in West Asia enters the third week. Farmers say the cancellation of shipments to the GCC (comprising of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain) have caused a glut and fall in prices in the local market.
Source: thehindu.com
Big bets, weak ground: Why AI in Indian agriculture needs stronger data, oversight.
The most important technological development of the decade, without a doubt, is artificial intelligence (AI). Ever since its arrival, it has changed how we work and how industries function. Almost every sector, from manufacturing to healthcare, is embracing AI due to its immense potential. Agriculture, a key sector which contributes nearly 16-18% to the country’s gross domestic product and employs more than 40% of the population, is no exception.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Cabinet nod to Rs 1,718 cr MSP funding to Cotton Corp.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Wednesday approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding of Rs 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for the cotton season 2023–24. 'This funding aims to provide direct price support to cotton farmers across the country,' the government said in a statement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India to safeguard agriculture and fisheries interest at WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
India will safeguard its agriculture and fisheries interests at the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, government sources told ANI on Thursday. New Delhi has made clear it will stand firm on its declared positions on issues critical to the welfare of Indian farmers and fishermen. The high-stakes meeting is scheduled to be held at Yaounde, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, and has been widely described as a 'Reform Ministerial' by senior officials.
Source: tribuneindia.com
EU-India FTA: Putting the 'Brussels Effect' to the Test?
On February 27, the European Commission published the text of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and India. The FTA, negotiations for which were concluded at the end of January in Delhi during the EU-India Summit, addresses both economic issues and geopolitical objectives. In the context of wars, international tensions, and fragmentation of world trade, both EU and India are seeking to diversify their partnerships and assert their place in the global disorder.
Source: thewire.in
Government approves RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) – an intervention under Export Promotion Mission to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions.
Recent developments, including heightened security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, have led to vessel diversions, longer sailing routes, congestion at transshipment hubs and emergency conflict-linked surcharges. These developments have increased logistics costs and created operational uncertainty for export consignments moving to or through the region.
Source: pib.gov.in
A Rs. 200-crore ‘Banana Cluster’: A major step towards transforming the agriculture sector: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
On the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a cordial interaction with banana-producing farmers in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to increasing farmers’ income and strengthening agricultural infrastructure. Extending his greetings on Gudi Padwa, he said that the land of Khandesh, particularly Jalgaon, is known as the ‘Golden City’ and the ‘Banana City’, and it plays a significant role in the country’s horticulture sector.
Source: pib.gov.in
West Asia in turmoil, govt looks to clear trade routes to South Asia.
The West Asia crisis has prompted the government to look at ways to step up exports to South Asia. The commerce and industry ministry is reviewing issues related to tariff, non-tariff, logistics, regulatory and quality certification hampering business with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan so as to iron out any challenges, said an official. India's goods exports to these six countries increased 4.5% year-on-year to $25.5 billion in FY25. 'We are reviewing the export performance in this region and have asked industry for the challenges they face,' said an official, who did not wish to be identified.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com