New procurement norms to ensure transparency, says Haryana Agriculture Minister.
Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana today defended the state government’s new wheat procurement system, including biometric verification of farmers and photographing tractors with registered numbers for gate pass issuance. He said the measures were aimed at curbing irregularities and ensuring transparency and timely payments to farmers.
Source: tribuneindia.com
India's sugar production rises 9% to 272.31 lakh tons till March 31: ISMA.
India's sugar production has increased by around 9 per cent in the ongoing sugar season 2025-26, reaching 272.31 lakh tons as of March 31, 2026, compared to 248.78 lakh tons during the same period last year, according to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association. The data by ISMA shows that while production has increased, the number of operational mills has declined, with 56 factories currently operational compared to 95 mills at the same time last year.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
'India’s grape season wraps up with 10,000-15000 tonnes left to be harvested for exports'.
India's table grape season is now in its final stretch, with Maharashtra and the Nashik belt having completed around 85-90% of the harvest, says Shivam Gojare, founder of Nashik‑based grower‑exporter Sarvesh International. 'Roughly 40% of the remaining fruit meets export‑grade quality, with the rest destined for the domestic market. That leaves around 10,000–15,000 tonnes for exports yet to be harvested, mainly Thompson and Super Sonaka varieties. Harvesting will continue till mid‑April, marking the last two weeks of the season.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Freight Rates Surge 40% in Second Round of Hikes as MSC, Maersk and CMA CGM Raise India–Europe Rates.
Indian exporters absorbed a second round of container freight rate increases this week, with major carriers implementing hikes of up to 40 per cent from April 1 — a fresh cost shock that industry executives warn may prove more durable than the first round of increases in early March, given the deepening uncertainty over the duration of the Iran conflict and the absence of any credible near-term timeline for Hormuz restoration.
Source: maritimegateway.com
ITBP, Horticulture Council Sign Pact To Source Fruits, Vegetables From Border District.
In a move aimed at strengthening the local economy in Uttarakhand's border areas, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force and Uttarakhand Horticulture Council on Wednesday signed an MoU to supply fresh fruits and vegetables sourced locally to ITBP battalions deployed in the state under Vibrant Village Programme. The agreement extends an arrangement the two sides had already put in place for the supply of meat, fish and poultry, which, according to officials, had generated purchases worth Rs 14.7 crore.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Agrivartan FPO from Indapur exports bananas to Dubai.
In a significant boost to Maharashtra’s agri-export momentum, Agrivartan Agro Farmers Producer Company Ltd., a Farmer Producer Company (FPC) from Indapur in Pune district, has successfully exported a 20-tonne consignment of bananas to Dubai. The FPC, supported under the Hon. Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project, executed the shipment in partnership with Pure Planet India Pvt. Ltd., with transaction facilitation and technical support provided by Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd.
Source: deccanherald.com
Centre to Hold Zonal Agriculture Conferences to Boost Farmer Incomes and Policy Coordination.
In a major push to strengthen India’s agriculture ecosystem, the Government of India is set to roll out a nationwide series of region-wise Zonal Agriculture Conferences during April–May 2026, aimed at enhancing Centre–State coordination, accelerating innovation, and aligning policies with ground realities. The initiative, launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and led by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from policymakers to farmers—to shape the next phase of agricultural transformation in the country.
Source: devdiscourse.com
Indian Agriculture Will Not Be Affected By Iran War: Govt.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Wednesday assured that India’s agriculture sector remains well-prepared for the upcoming Kharif season, with sufficient availability of seeds, fertilisers and other key inputs, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Addressing a press briefing, Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, said a comprehensive review has been undertaken to assess preparedness in light of the evolving international situation.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
India’s Next Agricultural Revolution Will Be AI-Driven: Jitendra Singh.
India’s next agricultural revolution will be powered by artificial intelligence, Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said on Sunday, positioning AI as the central pillar of future farm policy, research and investment.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
Fruit-based farming systems boost climate resilience and farmer income in India's semi-arid regions.
A team of scientists in India has quantified the substantial environmental and economic advantages of integrating fruit trees into agricultural landscapes. The investigation, led by researchers from Banaras Hindu University, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, demonstrates that fruit-based agroforestry offers a potent strategy for climate change mitigation and improves livelihood security for farmers in resource-scarce semi-arid regions.
Source: eurekalert.org