Centre to launch Bharat-VISTAAR scheme for farmers on Tuesday.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch a new digital companion 'Bharat-VISTAAR', which was announced in the Budget for 2026-27, on Tuesday for farmers across the country from Jaipur. This AI-based platform will provide information to farmers about weather, rates in mandis (agri market yard), pests and diseases, soil health, crop advice and government schemes through phone calls, chatbots and through the App.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Amit Shah defends FTAs with UK, EU & trade deal with US, says dairy and farmers ‘fully protected’.
Union Home and Co-operation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday strongly defended India’s recently concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as the trade deal with the United States, asserting that the interests of Indian farmers and the dairy sector have been 'fully protected.' Addressing a gathering in Gandhinagar, Shah accused senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misleading farmers over the implications of the trade pacts.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
NABARD-NCDEX price protection scheme helps growers harvest benefits.
A price protection scheme jointly launched by NABARD and the National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) a year ago has begun to help farmers, particularly cultivating turmeric, manage price volatility by taking part in options trade in the derivatives market. Under the scheme, NABARD subsidises premiums for put options for farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) across seven states. The crops covered under the scheme are turmeric, jeera (cumin) and dhaniya (coriander).
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
AP proposes Rs. 53,752 crore for agri, allied sectors.
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu has presented a Rs. 53,752 crore Budget for the Agri and Allied Sectors for the financial year 2026-27, including Rs. 14,277 crore for irrigation, Rs. 13,722 crore for the power sector, and Rs. 12,152 crore for the Agriculture Department.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
The cumulative exports (merchandise & services) during April-January 2025-26 is estimated at US$ 720.76 Billion, as compared to US$ 679.02 Billion in April-January 2024-25, an estimated growth of 6.15%.
India’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for January 2026* is estimated at US$ 80.45 Billion, registering a positive growth of 13.17 percent vis-à-vis January 2025. Total imports (Merchandise and Services combined) for January 2026* is estimated at US$ 90.83 Billion, registering a positive growth of 18.76 percent vis-à-vis January 2025.
Source: pib.gov.in
Govt expands support for food processing infrastructure under PMKSY.
The Government of India has announced significant enhancements to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) — a central sector scheme aimed at boosting food processing infrastructure and catalysing value addition across the agricultural supply chain. The announcement was made in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh.
Source: fnbnews.com
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