Government boosts high-tech food processing across India under key schemes.
The Government of India is strengthening the food processing sector by promoting high-tech infrastructure and innovation under major central schemes, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh informed the Lok Sabha. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), and the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme are central to expanding modern food processing facilities, from farm gate to retail. These schemes are designed to enhance storage, transportation, value addition and create robust supply chains, leading to better farmer returns, reduced food wastage and increased employment opportunities in rural and urban areas.
Source: fnbnews.com
India’s Expanding Trade Agreements Unlock New Growth Opportunities for Agro and Food Product Exports.
India’s strengthening international trade architecture, supported by an expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Cepa Agreement, Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), is creating a favourable environment for the growth of agricultural and food product exports.
Source: tribuneindia.com
GI tag sought for Madanapalle Jamun.
Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science (MITS) in Annamayya district filed a Geographical Indication (GI) application for the region’s distinctive jamun variety, Allaneredu Pandu. MITS Vice-Chancellor C. Yuvaraj via a press release said the application was prepared with support from the MITS Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre and submitted to the Geographical Indications Registry.
Source: thehindu.com
'Indian white onion exports are significantly more competitive after last year’s duty removal'.
White onion shipments began this week from Gujarat's Bhavnagar district growing belt, where unseasonal October rains caused early-sown crop mortality and delayed the season's start, Danish explains. 'While initial volumes remain modest through February, resowing from mid-November will restore production levels roughly in line with last year, setting up a sharp ramp-up from March through the traditional mid-February to mid-April peak export window. After this period, rising temperatures typically tighten shelf life and slow export flows.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Revolution from field to farm through Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, infrastructure worth over Rs.1 lakh crore: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today categorically stated in the Rajya Sabha while replying to questions raised by Members of Parliament that the government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is not in power for the sake of authority, but for the comprehensive development of farmers, India’s villages and the poor. The Union Minister emphasised that a farmer is not merely an ‘annadata’ (food provider) but a ‘jeevandata’ (life giver) — 'not God, but certainly no less than God'. With this conviction, policies such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Minimum Support Price (MSP), Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), crop residue management and crop diversification are bringing visible change on the ground.
Source: pib.gov.in
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, UNDP India and Gates Foundation Convened CSR Conclave on Leveraging PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) for Farmer Prosperity.
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India and the Gates Foundation convened a high-level CSR Conclave on the theme 'Leveraging PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) for Farmer Prosperity' today at New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior government officials, financial institutions, corporate CSR leaders, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and development partners to explore strategic collaboration opportunities under the new initiative DDKY.
Source: pib.gov.in
Progress of National Mission on Natural Farming.
Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) was initiated as 'Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)-INDIA NATURAL' for certification of natural farming produces since 2025-26. The number of farmers certified State wise,till date (as on 04.02.2026)is given at Annexure-I. The cost of certification provided under National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is Rs. 2100/- per ha for two years. The State wise details of the funds sanctioned/released under National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) scheme (as on 04.02.2026) is given at Annexure-II.
Source: pib.gov.in
Scheme/Policy for Welfare and Protection of Onion Farmers.
Agriculture is a State subject. Government of India supports the States through appropriate policy measures and budgetary allocation for schemes for multiple aspects like agriculture inputs, price support etc. The Government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) from Rs. 21,933.50 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,27,290.16 crore BE during 2025-26.
Source: pib.gov.in
Distribution of Agricultural Drones under Namo Drone Didi Scheme.
The Government has approved ‘Namo Drone Didi’ as Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. As per the information provided by the Department of Fertilizers, Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) have distributed 1094 drones to drone didis of SHGs in 2023-24 using their internal resources. Out of these 1094 drones distributed, 500 drones have been distributed under the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. The drone didis provided with the drones have been trained as drone pilots at various Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs) authorized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The State-wise number of drones distributed to SHGs by the LFCs as on January 2026 and the members of SHGs given drone pilot training is indicated in Annexure-I.
Source: pib.gov.in
Centre for Trade and Investment Law Organises 3rd International Moot Court Competition under WTO Chairs Programme.
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, in collaboration with the School of Law, Bennett University, organised the 3rd CTIL–Bennett International Moot Court Competition 2026 from 6–8 February 2026 at Greater Noida under the aegis of the WTO Chairs Programme. The three-day international moot court competition served as an academic platform for law students to engage with contemporary issues in international trade law and labour standards. Teams from universities across India and abroad participated in the competition. The rounds were evaluated by experts drawn from the legal profession, academia and policy institutions.
Source: pib.gov.in