BAU develops new mushroom variety to boost farmers’ income.
Innovative scientists at Bihar Agricultural University have introduced a vibrant pink oyster mushroom variety that resists diseases and boasts a remarkably quick harvest cycle of just 20-25 days, empowering farmers with faster financial returns. Flourishing in warm, humid environments, it cleverly utilizes agricultural waste and stands out in the market due to its striking color and delicious flavor.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
From apple belt to persimmon clusters: Himachal horticulture dept promoting exotic fruit cultivation in 5 districts.
A new shade of orange in expected to stand out in terraced orchards of Himachal Pradesh with the horticulture department promoting the cultivation of the exotic fruit persimmon (Japani phal) with new clusters developed in areas with favourable climatic conditions across Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, Bilaspur and Solan districts during this season. At present, Kullu accounts for nearly 90% of the state’s total persimmon production. The initiative has been taken under the Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition (HP SHIVA) project. A total area of 358 hectares is being covered under these clusters across the state.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Yogi bats for ‘land is lab’ model to achieve self-reliance in agriculture.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday underscored the urgency to strengthen agricultural self-reliance, citing global disruptions that have exposed vulnerabilities in food and energy supply chains. Addressing the inaugural session of the 6th Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Science Congress, the chief minister said uncertainties in international supply chains, fluctuating fertiliser prices and the volatile availability of petroleum products have made dependence on external sources increasingly risky.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Advisory to states on crop bonus policy to encourage greater crop diversification: FinMin.
The finance ministry on Sunday said its advisory to states to align their bonus policy to promote pulses, oilseeds and millets, in line with national priorities for nutritional security, was intended at encouraging greater crop diversification. In a statement, the finance ministry said the January 9, 2026, letter from the Department of Expenditure Secretary, Ministry of Finance, to chief secretaries of states was an advisory and not a directive, to align their bonus policy to promote pulses, oilseeds, and millets.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India-UK free trade pact may come into force from second week of May: Official.
The India-UK free trade agreement, signed in July last year, is likely to come into force from the second week of May, according to an official. India and the UK, on July 24, 2025, signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), under which 99 percent of Indian exports will enter the British market at zero duty, while tariffs on British products, such as cars and whisky, will be reduced in India.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Piyush Goyal holds talks with Saudi Arabia trade minister on stronger supply chains.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday held discussions with Saudi Arabia's Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al Qassabi on ways to strengthen supply chains disrupted due to the West Asia crisis, after holding talks with his counterparts from the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. All these countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with which India is negotiating a free trade agreement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Rice export rules relaxed for select European countries.
India on Friday said that the requirement for a certificate of inspection from Export Inspection Council (EIC)/Export Inspection Agencies (EIAs) for rice exports is limited to the EU, UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. 'Exports to other European countries are exempt from this requirement for six months,' the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The DGFT also revised the policy to export feathers, skins and other parts in line with applicable regulations of the EU and UK, including provision for issuance of Veterinary Health Certificate wherever required by the importing country.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
West Asia conflict: Govt to setup weekly monitoring mechanism to track exim trends.
The government will setup a weekly monitoring mechanism to track export-import trends and sectoral stress indicators amid concerns that supply chain disruptions, logistics constraints and rising input costs due to geopolitical tensions could impact industries, the commerce and industry ministry said Friday. In a statement, it said that Customs have agreed to examine specific cases relating to destuffing to further streamline procedures with regard to hazardous cargo.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
West Asia crisis: Piyush Goyal meets Kuwait, UAE to restore trade, energy flows.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday held separate discussions with his Kuwaiti and UAE counterparts on containing disruptions in energy supplies and restoring trade flows at the earliest. India's trade with West Asia has been disrupted severely because of the attack by the US and Israel on Iran.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Ladakh turns to apricot blossoms to stretch short tourism season.
In a bid to extend the tourism season beyond the traditional summer months, the Tourism Department in the cold desert region of Ladakh has been organising Apricot Blossom Festivals across multiple villages, drawing inspiration from Japan’s famed cherry blossom celebrations. The festival is already underway in several locations, with apricot orchards in full bloom, transforming parts of the region into swathes of white and pale pink and attracting a growing number of travellers as well as local visitors.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com