CM Himanta pitches Assam tea in Davos, says FTA with EU will be game changer.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, pitching Indian tea as both a domestic strength and a global opportunity at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, said the upcoming free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union would be the ‘major breakthrough’ to unlock new markets and give Assam tea a powerful platform worldwide.'Once the free trade agreement with the European Union will be operationalised, I think Indian tea, more particularly Assam tea will get a very good market, very good platform,' Sarma said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Opinion: India and Israel: A Strategic Partnership Designed for the Future.
In a time of unpredictable global politics and increasing technological competition, few relationships have flourished as quickly and strategically as the one between India and Israel. What began as a cautious diplomatic relationship in the early 1990s has matured into a robust alliance spanning defense, technology, agriculture and geopolitics. Today, the cooperation between these two democracies is not only mutually beneficial but also fosters a shared sense of security.
Source: jewishtimes.com
For promoting sustainable horticulture, Punjab looks to Japan; cabinet okays collaboration with JICA.
As part of its crop diversification plan, the Punjab cabinet on Tuesday approved collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to introduce technology to strengthen Punjab's horticulture sector. The project for promoting sustainable horticulture in Punjab will involve a loan of Rs 1,085 crore from JICA to develop horticulture, while the state will contribute Rs 224 crore.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
APEDA Organic Meet Boosts Assam’s Agri-Export Linkages.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) recently organised an Organic Conclave-cum-Buyer Seller Meet in Guwahati, in collaboration with the Government of Assam, to strengthen agri-export linkages and improve global market access for the State’s farm and processed food products. The event saw participation from over 30 exporters, nine importers and around 50 Farmer Producer Companies, facilitating structured business-to-business interactions and long-term trade partnerships. Export-potential products showcased included Assam Joha Rice, speciality non-basmati rice varieties, fruits, vegetables, spices and organic produce such as ginger, turmeric and black pepper.
Source: constructionworld.in
GI-tagged Makhana exported to Dubai via sea route for first time: Ramkripal.
Bihar Agriculture Minister Ramkripal Yadav on Wednesday said that the state has achieved a significant milestone in agricultural exports with the first-ever export of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana to Dubai via sea route. Yadav said here that the historic consignment of two metric tonnes was successfully dispatched from Purnea district to Dubai on January 21, this year.
Source: dailyexcelsior.com
Mozambique centralizes rice and wheat imports to curb under-invoicing.
The Mozambican government has granted the Mozambique Grain Institute (ICM) a mandate to manage imports of rice and wheat in an effort to combat under-invoicing and tax losses. According to authorities, such practices cost the state around €85.2 million annually, ICM Director Luís Jobe Fazenda said.
Source: ukragroconsult.com
Bangladesh: Govt issues fresh permits to import 2 lakh tonnes of rice.
The food ministry has issued fresh permits allowing private traders to import 2 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice, amid comfortable public food stocks, an above average Aman harvest forecast and no sharp spike in the food staple prices. Besides, around 6 lakh tonnes of rice approved earlier in the current fiscal year has already entered the country.
Source: thedailystar.net
Indian millers welcome Bangladesh’s fresh 2 lakh tonne rice import move.
Indian rice exporters and millers have welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to allow private sector imports of 2 lakh metric tonnes of parboiled rice by March 10, 2026, describing it as a boost for trade and a chance to expand exports from eastern and southern India. The move comes amid rising domestic prices in Bangladesh, particularly for steam rice, and follows flood-related losses that affected local production. The fresh import allocation is in addition to Bangladesh’s earlier plan to import around 9 lakh tonnes of rice in the 2025-26 fiscal year to rebuild stocks and stabilise domestic prices.
Source: tmv.in
India's sugar output jumps 22% to 15.9 million tonnes by mid January: ISMA.
India's sugar production rose 22 per cent to 15.9 million tonnes by January 15 in the 2025-26 season from a year earlier, supported by higher cane supplies and better yields, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday. Output stood at 13 million tonnes in the same period last year, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said in a statement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Rabi sowing gains momentum, crop coverage up by over 20 lakh hectares.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the latest data on Rabi crop sowing progress for the 2025-26 season, showing strong growth compared to the same period last year. As of 16 January 2026, the total area under Rabi crop coverage has reached 652.33 lakh hectares, marking an increase of 20.88 lakh hectares over the previous year.
Source: fnbnews.com