MoFPI Holds Parliamentary Consultative Committee and NIFTEM Council Meetings in Shillong.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, today convened the Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee followed by the NIFTEM Council Meeting at Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong. The meetings were chaired by Shri Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries, in the presence of senior officers of the ministry including Sh. Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI, and Sh. Devesh Deval, Joint Secretary, MoFPI, along with Hon’ble Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.
Source: pib.gov.in
Cabinet approves Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Kharif season 2026.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for fixing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS), rates for Kharif season 2026, from April 1 to September 30, 2026, on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilisers. The tentative budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2026 would be approximately Rs 41,533.81 crore. This is approximate Rs 4,317 crore more than the budgetary requirement for Kharif 2025 season. The budget for Kharif 2025 was Rs 37,216.15 crore.
Source: fnbnews.com
Three-day National Agriculture Fair to bring all schemes under one roof for farmers.
At the National Agriculture Fair to be held in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, from April 11 to 13, farmers will get access to comprehensive information on crop insurance, credit, agricultural infrastructure fund, improved seeds and fertilisers, organic certification, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) marketing, and the future ‘agriculture roadmap’ — all on a single platform. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a virtual interaction with sarpanches of the region and appealed to them to ensure maximum participation of farmers from every village, making the fair a success through collective involvement.
Source: fnbnews.com
ICAR advances conservation agriculture & climate-resilient wheat research.
In a significant step towards advancing Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is spearheading transformative research in conservation agriculture and climate-resilient wheat and barley systems to strengthen national food security, fuel self-reliance, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Source: fnbnews.com
India-US trade deal: Indian delegation to visit Washington this month to ink deal, says envoy.
Taking to X, the US envoy stated that he held a 'highly productive' meeting with trade representative Jamieson Greer on how to advance President Donald Trump's trade priorities in South and Central Asia. 'The United States and India have previously agreed to a trade deal, and we look forward to welcoming an Indian delegation to Washington later this month,' he added further.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Kazakhstan, India pledge stronger ties in trade, tech, and culture.
During the meeting on Thursday, the Kazakh diplomat noted that on 22 February 2026, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of India marked the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It was emphasized that bilateral ties extend far beyond formal diplomacy and are rooted in deep historical and cultural connections. As close partners in the broader Eurasian and Asian region, Kazakhstan and India attach strategic importance to their cooperation.
Source: qazinform.com
Exporters flag concerns over shipping costs, scheme gaps.
Indian exporters on Thursday flagged their concern over the charges being levied by shipping lines as well as gaps in the ECGC scheme announced by commerce department, while seeking measures to address concerns related to packaging material, which is in short supply. At a meeting on the West Asia crisis with commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal and shipping secretary Vijay Kumar, exporters also complained about the shortage of bunker oil at ports, such as Paradip and Haldia and demanded adequate supplies. Besides, they complained about shipping lines not passing on the benefits of lower charges or waivers in a transparent manner. A leading exporter said that shipping companies were seeking upfront payment and promising to adjust it later. 'The benefit should be given upfront,' said Fieo director general Ajai Sahay. While DG Shipping sought to address this concern, exporters said govt has little control over foreign lines.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India Inc ramps up exports as Iran ceasefire reopens Middle East trade.
India Inc is moving rapidly to capitalise on the Iran war ceasefire by resuming exports and restoring factory utilisation in the region to full capacity. Companies are also bracing for a potential surge in orders amid expectations of reconstruction activity in the war-affected countries.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Yogi bats for ‘land is lab’ model to achieve self-reliance in agriculture.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday underscored the urgency to strengthen agricultural self-reliance, citing global disruptions that have exposed vulnerabilities in food and energy supply chains. Addressing the inaugural session of the 6th Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Science Congress, the chief minister said uncertainties in international supply chains, fluctuating fertiliser prices and the volatile availability of petroleum products have made dependence on external sources increasingly risky.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
'With the right ecosystem, pomegranate aril exports become a more predictable proposition'.
India's pomegranate‑aril exports are moving from being niche to strategic, and the focus is gradually shifting from the farm to the packhouse, as postharvest browning, moisture loss, microbial growth, and short shelf life continue to pose challenges during long‑haul transport, says Qadir Rangwala of Vista Packaging, based in Mumbai. 'We're seeing processors struggle with how quickly arils degrade once they're separated from the fruit, especially on journeys to demanding markets. Without proper shelf‑life‑engineered packaging, significant volumes remain at risk of quality loss or rejection well before they reach the retailer.'
Source: freshplaza.com