India’s dairy goes digital as NDDB builds a data spine for the world’s largest milk economy.
India produces more milk than any other country on the planet—roughly 25% of global output—but scale alone has never guaranteed efficiency. What is now reshaping the country’s dairy sector is not herd size or cooperative reach, but data. According to a recent report by the Government of India and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the transformation is being driven by a comprehensive suite of digital tools designed to link animals, farmers, cooperatives, and markets into a single, traceable ecosystem.
Source: etedge-insights.com
Agri exports poised to cross $30 Bn as APEDA taps startup engine.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce, has launched BHARATI—an integrated initiative designed to strengthen agri-food and agri-tech startups while expanding India’s export footprint in global markets.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
Anantapur pomegranates now seek GI certification.
After Solapur Pomegranates got their Geographical Indication - GI Tag for their distinct quality, the Anantapur Pomegranates are now in a similar race to get their GI Tag to boost their reputation and create wider access to markets in the USA and Australia. The intellectual property facilitation centre at the Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science (MITS), located at Madanapalle, submitted the requisite application for obtaining the GI tag for the Anantapur Pomegranates. MITS, deemed to be a university, Vice Chancellor Dr C Yuvaraj noted that Anantapur pomegranates possess a unique identity due to their deep red arils, high juice content, balanced sweetness, mild tartness, soft seeds, and extended shelf life. He emphasised that these distinctive qualities are directly linked to the unique agro-climatic conditions of the Anantapur region. He informed that the Anantapur Pomegranate Growers and Producers Association submitted the GI application to the Geographical Indications Registry, IPR Office, Chennai.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
'Demand for imported mandarins in India is growing strongly'.
The market for imported mandarins has been growing steadily in recent years, says Amit Sharma, owner of fruit trader Fresko Fruits: 'Imported mandarin volumes into India have grown significantly over recent years. In 2023, India imported approximately 19,156.9 tons of mandarins and clementines, nearly doubling from about 9,190.7 tons in 2022. The largest suppliers at this point are South Africa, which has the largest share of over 11,200 tons, China, which supplies around 4,887 tons, and Australia and Egypt, as these countries also contribute notable volumes.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Gujarat to host SEA’s 2-day Global Castor Conference from February 27.
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) will host the 24th SEA-Global Castor Conference 2026 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on February 27-28. BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, said the 24th international conference will deliberate and focus on the issues before the castor industry to arrive at the solutions by fruitful interactions with the eminent speakers and panel members from India and abroad.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
World potato output nears 400 million tons.
According to newly released data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation for 2024, global potato production reached 390.429 million tons, an increase of 1.0 per cent compared with 2023 and 6.0 per cent above 2014 levels. The harvested area rose slightly by 0.5 per cent year on year to 17.076 million hectares, although this was still 5.3 per cent lower than in 2014. Average yields increased by 0.5 per cent to 22.9 tons per hectare, representing a 12.2 per cent improvement over the past decade.
Source: freshplaza.com
Centre Grants GI Tag To 'Nagauri Ashwagandha’ To Boost Nagaur's Global Agricultural Identity.
The Centre has officially granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Nagauri Ashwagandha'. The move positions Nagaur as a new agricultural brand on the global map and marks a historic moment for farmers of the Marwar region, particularly those in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. After Sojat Mehendi, this is Rajasthan’s second major achievement in the agricultural category. Experts say the tag will not only protect the authenticity of Nagauri Ashwagandha but also enhance farmers’ income and export potential.
Source: etvbharat.com
Department Of Posts, Agriculture Ministry Sign MoU To Enable Pan-India Logistics For Testing Farm Inputs.
In a move aimed at strengthening quality control of agricultural inputs, the Department of Posts (DoP) and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a nationwide logistics mechanism for the transportation of pesticide, seed and fertiliser samples to designated laboratories across India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
Livestock Sector Continues To Strengthen India’s Agricultural Economy.
The livestock sector continues to strengthen India’s agricultural economy, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77 per cent since 2014-15, according to the government. The contribution of livestock to the total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (GVA) has increased from 24.38 per cent in 2014-15 to 30.87 per cent in 2023-24 (at current prices).
Source: ddnews.gov.in
Piyush Goyal's Brussels visit to give final push to EU FTA negotiations.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Brussels during January 8-9 to give a final push to the trade talks between India and the European Union (EU). During the visit, Goyal will hold high-level dialogues with the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič. 'The primary objective of these interactions is to provide strategic guidance to the negotiating teams, resolve pending issues, and expedite the conclusion of a balanced and ambitious agreement,' an official statement said on Tuesday.
Source: business-standard.com