Exporters, freight forwarders seek government help as war surcharges on cargo surge.
Exporters and freight forwarders have sought the government's intervention after global shipping lines began imposing steep war-risk surcharges on cargo to and from the Middle East. In some cases, the charges nearly doubled from previously negotiated rates, adding more pressure on trade facing severe turmoil due to the Iran war.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India’s tea imports doubled in 2024-25.
India’s tea imports doubled in 2024-25 compared with the 2023-24 fiscal, while 33.5 million kgs were imported during April-January this fiscal, according to a reply in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, said India imported 50.14 million kgs of tea during 2024-25 against 25.21 million kgs in 2023-24. In fact, India imported a significant quantity of tea during the first 10 months of 2025-26. India’s tea imports stood at 33.55 million kgs during April-January of 2025-26.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Sugar output up 10% to 26.21 million tonne in 2025-26 marketing year so far: ISMA.
India's sugar production reached 26.21 million tonne so far in the ongoing 2025-26 marketing year, up by 10.5 per cent from the year-ago period, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday. The sugar output so far has exceeded the total net production of 26.12 million tonne in the full 2024-25 marketing year (October-September).
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Iran war impacts Indian oilmeal exports.
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has said that the escalating conflict between Iran and the US and Israel has significantly disrupted India’s oilmeal exports, particularly to West Asia and Europe, due to instability around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, said the shipping companies are avoiding the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, causing detours that increase transit times and costs, which threatens the continuity of oilmeal exports to West Asia and Europe.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, we have created a new model of upliftment of the poor, progress of villages and ‘Lakhpati Didi’: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday spoke in the Rajya Sabha about the contribution of various flagship programmes — ranging from the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and MGNREGA to Viksit Bharat – G RAM G, PM Awas, Ayushman Bharat, free ration, Lakhpati Didi and rural employment schemes — in driving the country’s progress. He said that Mahatma Gandhi continues to live in the nation’s thoughts, emotions and collective conscience. In his address, which lasted for over one-and-a-half hours, the Union Minister repeatedly emphasised that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals remain deeply embedded in the country’s policies and governance approach.
Source: pib.gov.in
Government Achieves Milestone of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations Registered Across the Country.
The Government is implementing a Central Sector Scheme for 'Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)'. As on 1st March 2026, 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been registered across the country under this scheme.
Source: pib.gov.in
e-NAM Integrates 1,656 Mandis, Benefits Over 1.80 Crore Farmers with Rs.4.82 Lakh Crore Trade Since Inception.
The Government is implementing the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) since 2016. It is an online trading platform that integrates physical wholesale mandis across various States and Union Territories (UTs) to facilitate transparent and competitive online trading of agricultural commodities.Since inception, 1,656 mandis from 23 States and 4 UTs have been onboarded on the e-NAM portal. The State/UT-wise number of mandis integrated with the e-NAM platform is given at Annexure-I.
Source: pib.gov.in
Union Cabinet Approves ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ with Rs.11,440 Crore Outlay to Achieve Self-Sufficiency by 2030-31.
The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme namely ‘Missionfor Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ on 1st October, 2025 aimed at boosting domestic production and achieving self-sufficiency (Aatmanirbharta) in pulses over a six-year period, from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs. 11,440 Crore.
Source: pib.gov.in
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan releases Final Estimates of 2024-25 and First Advance Estimates of 2025-26 of area and production of horticulture crops.
Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's leadership, the Central government is steadily working to raise farmers' income and strengthen horticulture. Following approval by Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare released Final 2024-25 horticulture estimates and First Advance Estimates for 2025-26, signaling major rises in area and production of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers and medicinal plants nationwide.
Source: pib.gov.in
Progress of Area Coverage Under Summer Crops As On 13.03.2026.
Progress of Area Coverage Under Summer Crops As On 13.03.2026.
Source: pib.gov.in