Oilseed Cultivation Expands; Production Rises to 429.89 Lakh Tonnes.
As per the final estimate of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), the area under oilseed cultivation has increased from 301.92 lakh hectares in 2023–24 to 304.40 lakh hectares in 2024–25. The production of oilseeds has also increased from 396.69 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 to 429.89 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
Source: pib.gov.in
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Strengthens Post-Harvest Infrastructure through Interest-Subvented Loans.
The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a Central Sector Scheme to mobilize medium and long-term debt financing for the development of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. The scheme focuses on strengthening agri-logistics, reducing post-harvest losses, promoting modern storage, processing and value-addition facilities and improving farm-gate level infrastructure for efficient supply chains.
Source: pib.gov.in
Agriculture GVA Grows by 10.4% in 2024–25: Provisional Estimates.
During 2024-25, the GVA of agriculture sector registered a growth of 10.4% as per the provisional estimates of GVA. The Gross Value Added (GVA) percentage growth in the agriculture and allied sector including crops, livestock, fisheries and horticulture, during the last five years.
Source: pib.gov.in
India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies to Support Manufacturing and MSMEs.
India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi. The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), serves as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across BRICS countries, with a focus on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies.
Source: pib.gov.in
Connectivity under PM GatiShakti.
The 108th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was held at Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The meeting was convened to evaluate infrastructure projects. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP). The NPG evaluated 07 Road projects for their conformity to the PM GatiShakti principles of integrated multimodal infrastructure, last-mile connectivity to economic and social nodes and ‘Whole of Government’ approach.
Source: pib.gov.in
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
The Government of India has approved the plan to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives, aiming to cover all panchayats and villages in the country over the next five years. As per the National Cooperative Database, a total of 32,802 new PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered; and 15,793 Dairy and Fisheries Cooperative Societies have been strengthened as on 20.01.2026 across the country. Independent or third-party evaluation of the newly formed multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), dairy and fisheries cooperatives have not been contemplated, yet.
Source: pib.gov.in
Cultivation of dragon fruit offers a good long-term option to farmers in Karur district.
Cultivation of dragon fruit has found its place among farmers in Karur district. The cultivation of the fruit, which is valued for its rich antioxidant content, is limited to a few places in the State. With the intention of promoting the cultivation of the fruit, the State government came up with a subsidy scheme a few years ago. It was increased to Rs.1.62 lakh an hectare in 2025-26 from Rs.96,000 per hectare. While small and marginal farmers are eligible to get 100% subsidy, the others can claim 75% subsidy.
Source: thehindu.com
'India’s pomegranate supply shifts as Maharashtra’s season ends'.
Maharashtra's pomegranate export season is coming to an end, with Gujarat and Rajasthan now filling the gap, says Prasad Chavan of fresh produce exporter ACRES EXIM. 'Demand continues to stay high in Gulf countries like the UAE, but Maharashtra cannot fully meet volumes, so buyers turned to Rajasthan through January, and will source from Gujarat for the next 2 to 3 months. With Ramzan next month, we already see a 40-45% spike in orders versus last month.'
Source: freshplaza.com
Trump Announces Trade Deal With India to Reduce Tariffs.
President Trump said on Monday that the United States had reached a trade agreement with India that would reduce some of the punishing tariffs the United States had placed on Indian imports. The deal, as Mr. Trump described it on social media, would roll back some of his tariffs in return for India dropping its tariffs on some American goods and ceasing purchases of Russian oil.
Source: nytimes.com
Centre expands support for micro & small food processing enterprises under PMFME.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has reinforced its commitment to strengthen micro and small food processing enterprises across the country by scaling up financial, technical and market-linked support under the PM formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. The initiative aims to empower micro food entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, by facilitating access to credit, promoting formalisation, and creating stronger linkages to markets. Under the expanded support framework, eligible enterprises will receive financial assistance for both setting up new units and upgrading existing ones to enhance productivity and product quality.
Source: fnbnews.com