India prepares digitised apple procurement system for new season.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) to complete preparations for apple procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) ahead of the upcoming season. During a review meeting of HPMC schemes, Sukhu said the state government remained focused on protecting the interests of apple growers, particularly small and marginal farmers. He instructed officials to notify procurement centres in advance and ensure all arrangements are completed before procurement begins.
Source: freshplaza.com
Indian wheat purchase gathers pace as M.P. mops up 2.5 million tonnes.
The Indian government’s wheat procurement jumped 51 per cent in the past week to 44.14 lakh tonnes (lt) from 29.22 lt purchased in the corresponding period last year, helping the government to narrow the deficit gap. This was possible due to half of the quantity (out of 52 lt total grain purchased in the State so far) procured during May 1-7 in Madhya Pradesh. This has created hope for the Union government to achieve the target of 345 lt in 2026-27 season even as overall purchase still trails.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan orders expert panel on litchi crisis in Bihar.
Taking serious note of the problems faced by litchi farmers in Bihar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has initiated immediate and sensitive intervention over the damage being caused to crops by the litchi stink bug. Following concerns raised by farmers, Shri Chouhan directed the constitution of a special expert task force that will visit the affected areas and submit a report along with recommendations for remedial measures.
Source: pib.gov.in
FSSAI 's new definition for processed foods to curb fresh or raw mislabelling.
In an effort to curb misleading marketing claims, the FSSAI has provided a strict legal definition for 'minimally processed' foods. This clarification ensures that manufacturers cannot mislabel highly altered products as 'fresh' or 'raw' to gain an unfair market advantage. According to the 2026 amendment, foods are only considered minimally processed if they have been slightly modified for preservation without changing their core nutritional profile.
Source: fnbnews.com
Uttar Pradesh Set to Emerge as a Major Hub for Premium Fruit Production and Exports; Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Participates in 'Fruit Horizon 2026' in Lucknow.
Addressing the 'Fruit Horizon 2026' conference organised at ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that merely increasing production will no longer be enough. He stressed that India must now work seriously on quality, shelf life, processing, logistics and export standards to establish a strong identity in the global fruit market. The Union Minister underlined that agriculture can no longer remain confined to the farm alone. Strengthening the entire value chain from production to processing, marketing and exports is now the need of the hour, he said.
Source: pib.gov.in
India must boost fruit, vegetable exports to increase farmers' income: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said India needs to significantly increase exports of fruits and vegetables to enhance farmers' income, generate employment and earn foreign exchange. Speaking to reporters during a two-day 'Fruit Horizon 2026' programme in Lucknow, Chouhan said the event has been organised with the objective of increasing fruit production, improving quality and strengthening processing infrastructure.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
IIRR’s Speed Breeding facility to accelerate launch of new seed varieties.
The Indian Institute of Rice Research, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research agency, has commenced work on a Speed Breeding facility at its campus at Rajendranagar near here. The facility, which is expected to begin breeding operations in 4-5 months, will significantly reduce the time to release new seed varieties.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
APEDA extends deadline for 100% physical vertification of Indian organic farmers till July 3.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has extended the deadline to July 3 for the 100 per cent mandatory physical verification of Indian farmers cultivating organic crops in all growers’ groups. This is the second extension given for the physical verification of farmers, which began on November 3, 2025. In a communication, Apeda said requests were received from the stakeholders for extending the deadline to complete the verification process due to 'network issues, updation of grower group farmer records and temporary migration of farmers, among other things.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India plans stronger exporter support as Middle East crisis strains trade flows.
India is planning to raise spending on its key scheme designed to refund local taxes paid on export goods and extend the programme's tenure by five years, two government officials said, as the Middle East war clouds the county's trade outlook. The scheme, currently valid until September 30 with a budget of a little over $1 billion, reimburses exporters for taxes and levies paid to federal, state and local authorities that are not refunded under other programmes, to make export goods more competitive.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
EU envoy seeks investment liberalisation chapter in FTA with India, early investment pact conclusion.
Ambassador of the European Union to India Herve Delphin on Thursday called for inclusion of investment liberalisation chapter in the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU, and urged for early conclusion of the investment protection pact. India and the 27-nation bloc European Union (EU) announced conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement on January 27, which is touted as 'mother of all deals'.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com