Piyush Goyal leads meetings to enhance India’s role in global agriculture and boost exports.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal chaired meetings on January 31, 2026, focused on initiatives to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen India’s position in the global agriculture sector, and expand agricultural cooperation with African nations. In a post on X, Goyal stated that during discussions with Dr MJ Khan, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Food & Agriculture, they addressed measures to enhance farmers’ welfare, increase India’s global agricultural presence, and identify new avenues for long-term food security and collaboration.
Source: thenewsmill.com
APEDA relaxes Organic Import Norms for select USDA-NOP certified ingredients meant for re-export to US.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has introduced a limited derogation framework under India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), allowing select USDA-NOP-certified imported organic ingredients to be used for value addition and re-export to the United States under tightly controlled conditions. The move comes as part of a partial modification to APEDA’s earlier advisories issued in 2014 and February 2025, which had permitted the use of imported USDA-NOP-certified organic ingredients only for manufacturing multi-ingredient products for re-export to the US.
Source: agrospectrumindia.com
India’s fresh green chilli season kicks off with G4 Gauri heading to the Gulf.
India's fresh green chilli export season kicks off this month, with the first shipments of G4 Gauri variety expected from Maharashtra's Aurangabad and Gujarat's Jafrabad belts, says Prasad Chavan of exporter Acres EXIM. 'From May onward, that's where most of the export‑bound G4 volumes will be coming from. The crop is moving mainly to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, with a separate, larger‑volume channel feeding Bangladesh once its government opens imports around June–July.
Source: hortidaily.com
India prepares digitised apple procurement system for new season.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) to complete preparations for apple procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) ahead of the upcoming season. During a review meeting of HPMC schemes, Sukhu said the state government remained focused on protecting the interests of apple growers, particularly small and marginal farmers. He instructed officials to notify procurement centres in advance and ensure all arrangements are completed before procurement begins.
Source: freshplaza.com
Indian wheat purchase gathers pace as M.P. mops up 2.5 million tonnes.
The Indian government’s wheat procurement jumped 51 per cent in the past week to 44.14 lakh tonnes (lt) from 29.22 lt purchased in the corresponding period last year, helping the government to narrow the deficit gap. This was possible due to half of the quantity (out of 52 lt total grain purchased in the State so far) procured during May 1-7 in Madhya Pradesh. This has created hope for the Union government to achieve the target of 345 lt in 2026-27 season even as overall purchase still trails.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan orders expert panel on litchi crisis in Bihar.
Taking serious note of the problems faced by litchi farmers in Bihar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has initiated immediate and sensitive intervention over the damage being caused to crops by the litchi stink bug. Following concerns raised by farmers, Shri Chouhan directed the constitution of a special expert task force that will visit the affected areas and submit a report along with recommendations for remedial measures.
Source: pib.gov.in
FSSAI 's new definition for processed foods to curb fresh or raw mislabelling.
In an effort to curb misleading marketing claims, the FSSAI has provided a strict legal definition for 'minimally processed' foods. This clarification ensures that manufacturers cannot mislabel highly altered products as 'fresh' or 'raw' to gain an unfair market advantage. According to the 2026 amendment, foods are only considered minimally processed if they have been slightly modified for preservation without changing their core nutritional profile.
Source: fnbnews.com
Uttar Pradesh Set to Emerge as a Major Hub for Premium Fruit Production and Exports; Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Participates in 'Fruit Horizon 2026' in Lucknow.
Addressing the 'Fruit Horizon 2026' conference organised at ICAR–Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that merely increasing production will no longer be enough. He stressed that India must now work seriously on quality, shelf life, processing, logistics and export standards to establish a strong identity in the global fruit market. The Union Minister underlined that agriculture can no longer remain confined to the farm alone. Strengthening the entire value chain from production to processing, marketing and exports is now the need of the hour, he said.
Source: pib.gov.in
India must boost fruit, vegetable exports to increase farmers' income: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said India needs to significantly increase exports of fruits and vegetables to enhance farmers' income, generate employment and earn foreign exchange. Speaking to reporters during a two-day 'Fruit Horizon 2026' programme in Lucknow, Chouhan said the event has been organised with the objective of increasing fruit production, improving quality and strengthening processing infrastructure.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
IIRR’s Speed Breeding facility to accelerate launch of new seed varieties.
The Indian Institute of Rice Research, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research agency, has commenced work on a Speed Breeding facility at its campus at Rajendranagar near here. The facility, which is expected to begin breeding operations in 4-5 months, will significantly reduce the time to release new seed varieties.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com