Need for India to focus on standards-driven, value-chain centric agricultural export competitiveness – Part – I.
Although India is among the world’s largest producers of rice, milk, spices, fruits, fisheries and several horticulture products, its share in global agricultural exports remains modest at around 2.2 per cent. With vast production capacity the country still struggles to fully translate its agricultural strength into sustained global competitiveness, it is pointed out.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Over the Past Year, ICAR Developed 386 Improved Varieties Across 44 Crops, Including 94% Climate-Resilient and 29 Biofortified Varieties: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 98th Foundation Day in New Delhi today, reaffirming its commitment to advancing science-led, climate-resilient and farmer-centric agricultural development for realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Celebrated annually on 16th July, ICAR Foundation Day commemorates the establishment of the Council in 1928. Over the past 98 years, ICAR has played a pivotal role in strengthening India's agricultural research, education and extension systems, driving technological innovations, enhancing productivity, improving farmers' livelihoods and ensuring national food and nutritional security.
Source: pib.gov.in
India: Uttar Prdesh Government takes steps to promote horticulture.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Government is continuously taking steps to increase farmers' income and promote horticulture alongside traditional farming. Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), farmers are being provided subsidies to adopt modern technologies, undertake advanced cultivation of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and improve crop management. Through this scheme, the area under horticulture is expanding across the state while strengthening the economic condition of growers.
Source: hortidaily.com
ICAR-DMAPR’s Contribution to Nagori Ashwagandha GI Tag Gains Global Spotlight at G7 Summit.
Under the guidance and support from Indian Council of Agricultural Research in a landmark achievement for India’s medicinal plant sector, Nagori Ashwagandha, cultivated in Rajasthan’s Nagaur region, has secured the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag (GI no.1143), reaffirming its exceptional quality, therapeutic value, and distinct geographical identity. The central and western regions of Rajasthan, particularly Nagaur, Churu, and Bikaner, possess unique arid to semi-arid agro-climatic conditions and favourable soil characteristics that produce premium-quality Nagori Ashwagandha with long, thick, brittle, cavity-free roots, highly valued in the herbal industry.
Source: icar.org.in
India-EU trade pact to be signed by end of this year: Piyush Goyal.
India and the European Union (EU) have agreed to ink the free trade agreement by the end of this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. Addressing the India-Finland Business Round Table in Helsinki, he said the pact will come into force in the first quarter of 2027.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Indian rice export prices extend gain on higher reserve price, monsoon concerns.
Indian rice export prices rose for a third straight week, on a higher reserve price for the commodity sold under the government's Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) and concerns that weak monsoon rains could delay planting. India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $352-$357 per ton the week till Thursday, up from last week's $348-$352. Indian 5% broken white rice was priced at $353-$357.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India, UK trade pact to enhance exports competitiveness, slash trade costs: Experts.
The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to reduce trade costs, enhance the competitiveness of domestic goods in the British market and boost exports, according to experts. The pact came into force on July 15.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
ICAR to cap rice, wheat area under crop diversification plan; forms 52 task teams for 2047 roadmap.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will push for crop diversification under its roadmap for 2047, with the area under rice to be capped at 53-55 million hectares and a similar reduction planned for wheat, while expanding acreage under maize, nutritional cereals, pulses and horticulture crops. ICAR Director General M L Jat said the diversification plan has been worked out in consultation with NITI Aayog. To push demand-driven research towards this and other goals, ICAR has formed 52 task teams cutting across its divisions and institutions, each working under a defined 'theory of change' framework, he said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Little known to outside world, Ladakh’s apricot hits global market with 5 metric tonnes shipped to UAE.
Apricot from Ladakh is finally on its way to hit the global map of the fruit market. This season, the Ladakh administration was scaling up the export to over 1000 metric tonnes, 'a monumental leap from just 1500 kg export in the previous two years. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flags off the first five-metric-tonne consignment of Ladakh’s apricots for export to the United Arab Emirates through the MoU with the UAE-based Lulu Group at Ladakh Bhawan, in New Delhi on July 16, 2026.
Source: thehindu.com
43 New Crop Varieties, 17 Technologies and 14 Publications Released to Empower India's Farmers: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research was celebrated today at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi. Addressing the program, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented a comprehensive roadmap for 'Viksit Krishi and Samruddh Kisan' as a key pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Minister announced a series of ambitious goals, including the development of 100 Climate Smart Villages, ensuring that ICAR technologies reach 100 million farmers, introducing 'One Institute-One Grand Innovation', establishing an ICAR Open Digital Knowledge Platform, strengthening laws against counterfeit seeds and pesticides, and making ICAR financially self-reliant through innovation and technology commercialization. He also shared the joy of regularising the services of over 150 ICAR employees for the first time.
Source: pib.gov.in