APEDA to conduct Basmati survey in 4 mln ha, double the area of actual crop grown.
Last week, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada unveiled India’s first AI-based Basmati Paddy Survey project (2026–2028), an ambitious initiative to be implemented by APEDA covering approximately 4 million hectares. This target has sparked significant industry debate, as APEDA’s own 2023 report estimated the total Basmati cultivation area at only 2.14 million hectares, less than half of the new project’s scope.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Netherlands join hands with Indian spice industry on sustainability.
Sustainability, traceability and stricter food safety standards are emerging as critical determinants of competitiveness in the global spice trade, experts said at a seminar on 'Sustainable Spice Value Chains'. The seminar was organised by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for South India in association with the World Spice Organisation.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Fruit Horizon 2026 to Bring New Momentum to India’s Horticulture and Export Ecosystem: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will visit Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on May 6 and 7 to participate in key events related to 'Fruit Horizon 2026.' The two-day event, being held in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aims to promote fruit production, quality enhancement, processing, and exports in the country. The programme seeks to bring together farmers, scientists, exporters, and other stakeholders on a common platform to provide a new direction to the fruit sector.
Source: pib.gov.in
India's overall exports hit all-time high of $863 billion in FY26.
India’s services exports at $421.32 billion in FY26, were higher than the estimated $418.31 billion, taking the country’s overall goods and services exports to an all-time high of $863.11 billion in the last fiscal, an official said Wednesday. Services exports rose 8.71% on-year in 2025-26 from $387.55 billion in the previous fiscal.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, Vietnam elevate strategic ties, set $25 billion trade target by 2030.
India and Vietnam on Wednesday agreed to boost their bilateral relationship, aiming to elevate ties to an 'Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' while outlining an ambitious roadmap for trade, defence and technology cooperation. The decision followed talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnam president To Lam, with both sides emphasising deeper alignment across strategic and economic domains. The joint statement said the upgrade reflects a shared commitment to “shared vision, strategic convergence, substantive cooperation.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
India-Israel Trade Ties: India Ranks As Israel’s Second-Largest Asian Trading Partner In Merchandise.
Economic and commercial ties between India and Israel have expanded significantly since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, although recent regional tensions have temporarily impacted trade volumes. In FY 2024-2025, bilateral trade stood at approximately $3.75 billion, a decline attributed to regional security challenges and trade disruptions. India’s exports were valued at $2.1 billion, while imports from Israel stood at $1.6 billion.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
PM Modi Calls For Export-Oriented Agriculture Production, Says Animal Husbandry Key Pillar Of Rural Economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasised the need to make Indian agriculture more export-oriented and technology-driven, stating that scaling high-value agriculture could transform the sector into a globally competitive engine of rural prosperity. Addressing the post-Budget webinar on 'Agriculture and Rural Transformation', the Prime Minister said the Union Budget 2026-27 gives a strong push to the agriculture sector and rural development, and called for coordinated efforts to ensure that the provisions announced in the Budget translate into tangible benefits on the ground.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
Hoshiarpur: Bhunga Citrus Estate emerges as model hub for fruit cultivation, boosts farmers’ income.
In a significant push towards diversification of agriculture and promotion of horticulture, the Citrus Estate at Bhunga in Hoshiarpur district is steadily emerging as a comprehensive support hub for fruit growers. Established by the Department of Horticulture in 2007, the estate has evolved into a full-fledged horticulture centre, offering a wide range of services, technologies and infrastructure aimed at enhancing farmers' income and sustainability.
Source: tribuneindia.com
Central Otago exporters to benefit from India trade deal.
Speaking to a local electorate audience in his 'Miles’ Monthly' newsletter, Waitaki MP Miles Anderson said the agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand exports. 'Sheep meat and wool gain immediate duty‑free access, improving returns for farmers from day one,' he said.
Source: centralapp.nz
India, Jamaica agree to boost trade, skilled mobility: Jaishankar.
Kingston, India and Jamaica have agreed to strengthen trade linkages and explore cooperation for recruitment and mobility of skilled professionals, including healthcare workers and teachers, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. Jaishankar, the first Indian external affairs minister to arrive here on a bilateral visit, called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and held delegation-level talks with Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com