GCWAS-2026 Concludes with Renewed Global Commitment to Empower Women in Agri-Food Systems.
The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS–2026) concluded on Saturday in New Delhi with a strong call for strengthening women’s leadership, participation, and innovation across agriculture and agri-food systems. The valedictory session marked the culmination of three days of global dialogue focused on advancing gender-responsive policies, inclusive innovations, and sustainable agricultural development. The session was graced by Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, as the Chief Guest.
Source: pib.gov.in
Status of Aatmanirbharta Mission in Pulses.
Progress on procurement of Pulses is periodically reviewed with Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) namely National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF). To ensure remunerative price to the farmers and self sufficiency in pulse production, CNAs undertake procurement of Tur, Urad & Masoor from registered farmers as much as offered by them. During Rabi 2026-27 procurement season, the Government of India has already registered 1.5 lakh pulse farmers through NAFED & NCCF.
Source: pib.gov.in
APEDA Facilitates First Export of GI-Tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, facilitated the first export consignment of 25 metric tonnes of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy. The consignment was dispatched on 12 March 2026 in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam.
Source: pib.gov.in
Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan inaugurated Incubation Centre under PMFME Scheme at Tezpur University, Assam on 13 March.
The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Shri. Chirag Paswan, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Common Incubation Centre at Tezpur University in Sonitpur district of Assam on 13 March, 2026 with 100% financial assistance from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME Scheme).
Source: pib.gov.in
Foreign Direct Investment Strengthening India’s Food Processing Sector.
The details of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow over the last five years in food processing sector.
Source: pib.gov.in
Performance And Impact of the PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industries.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) for the period from Financial Year (FY) 2021-22 to FY 2026-27, with an approved outlay of Rs. 10,900 crores. The details of year-wise budgetary allocations, funds released and incentives disbursed under the scheme.
Source: pib.gov.in
Trust, trade and the slow architecture of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
In June 2024, at Rome’s Augustan Altar of Peace, the Ara Pacis, I launched the Indo-Mediterranean Initiative under the leadership of Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata. On that occasion Ameya Prabhu, then President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, distilled the entire geopolitical moment into a single line. There is no trade without trust.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India may extend duty-free pulses imports beyond March 31 on Iran war, El Nino possibility.
Amid forecast of an El Nino this year and ongoing disruptions in the war- torn West Asia pushing up freight costs, the Indian government is likely to extend the duty-free import window for pulses such as pigeon pea (tur) and black matpe (urad) to ensure adequate supplies. The duty-free import window for pigeon pea and black matpe ends on March 31, while the stakeholders are expecting an extension considering that India is deficit in these categories of pulses.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
West Asia, Black Sea tensions create supply concerns for Indian edible oil market: SEA.
Recent conflicts, particularly in West Asia and ongoing tensions affecting the Black Sea, have created significant volatility and supply concerns for India’s edible oil market, according to BV Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). He said the risks of disrupted sunflower oil shipments from Russia and East Europe, and higher freight costs for palm oil have caused price hikes in commodities such as sunflower oil, forcing traders and consumers to monitoring the situation to navigate the supply chain risks.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Milk producers, vendors told to register with food safety authority following incidents of adulteration.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked all milk producers and milk vendors to mandatorily obtain registration or licences. It has also directed states to ensure milk producers operate with the requisite registration or licences.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com