FSSAI issues draft norms proposing clarification regarding pkg of products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a draft regulation proposing introduction of the clarification regarding packaging of food products. Called the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Amendment Regulations, 2026, this new framework aims at updating the existing 2018 standards, introducing precise definitions including of -food contact material, food grade contact material, modified atmosphere packaging, food packaging, non-intentionally added substance and aseptic packaging.
Source: fnbnews.com
Shri Goyal Reviews Export Promotion Mission, Directs Sharper Focus on MSMEs, Agricultural Exports, Warehousing and Certification, and a Bigger Push on Brand India.
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, chaired a high-level review meeting to deliberate on the Plan of Action for achieving India’s USD 2 Trillion export target by 2030–31 and to review the implementation of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM). India is targeting USD 2 Trillion in total exports by 2030–31, comprising USD 1 Trillion in merchandise exports and USD 1 Trillion in services exports. The Department of Commerce has developed a structured Export Monitoring Framework, which breaks down the national target into sector-wise actions across Engineering Goods, Textiles, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals and Services.
Source: pib.gov.in
Andhra Pradesh natural farming initiative among 4 finalists for Food Planet Prize.
The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) has been named one of four global finalists for the 2026 Food Planet Prize. APCNF, a state-government-led initiative implemented through women’s self-help groups and a farmer-to-farmer extension, covers over 1.8 million farmers with an aggregate area of about 9 lakh hectares in 8,168 villages. The 10-year-old initiative promotes natural farming practices in the mandate areas.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
Armed with Govt missive, India’s APEDA poised to take up GMO rice issue with China.
India’s agri export promotion body APEDA has received communication from the Environment Ministry and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that genetically modified (GM) rice is not allowed for cultivation, making the country free from GMO risk while exporting the cereal. APEDA has the communication from regulatory authorities with regard to GMO crops as the agency plans to challenge the Chinese decision of rejecting some Indian consignments for alleged contamination with genetically modified material.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
India, Kenya discuss possibility of trade settlement in local currencies.
India and Kenya have discussed the possibility of settling trade transactions in local currencies to further promote two-way commerce, an official statement said on Wednesday. Discussions on digital public infrastructure covered collaboration on UPI-like payment systems, Bharat Connect and digital platforms to enhance financial inclusion, which also helps officials of the two nations.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Govt develops export monitoring framework to meet FY31 $2 trillion export target.
The Department of Commerce has developed a structured Export Monitoring Framework which breaks down the national target into sector-wise actions across engineering goods, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and services for India to reach its target of $2 trillion of goods and services exports by 2030-31, the government said Wednesday.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Argentina emerges as India's main supplier of edible oils.
Argentine Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino has stated that 'Argentina and India enjoy a very elevated degree of complementarity' and pointed out that India has become the sixth-largest economic partner of the South American nation. Speaking at a recent diplomatic conclave organized by Worsen University in Hyderabad, Caucino emphasized that 'our countries maintain a growing economic interaction stemming from the objective complementarity between our economies'.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India invokes WTO peace clause for FY25 rice subsidies for farmers.
India has invoked the peace clause for the seventh time for exceeding the 10% ceiling on subsidies offered to rice farmers under the World Trade Organisation rules. The country informed the WTO on Wednesday that it gave subsidies worth $7.6 billion to rice farmers in 2024-25, which was about 11.85% of the value of production at $64.13 billion.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
India's first Banana Field Gene Bank launched in Tiruchy, farmers to get up to Rs 15 lakh for conservation
In an effort to support the banana genetic conservation and prevent the loss of valuable genetic resources, the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchy, launched the 'Banana Field Gene Bank' project on Monday. Farmers who grow rare banana varieties can register with the NRCB, where scientists will preserve and develop it for multiplication. 'This is the first field gene bank for banana in the country,' said Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, chairman of the protection of plant varieties and farmers’ rights authority (PPV&FRA) and farmers welfare, Government of India, after launching the project.
Source: newindianexpress.com
India expands digital mandis for Himachal apple sector
More than 500 stakeholders, including growers, market participants, and scientists, attended the 7th Annual Apple Conclave in Theog, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry. Discussions focused on climate variability, declining productivity, and technology gaps in Himachal Pradesh's apple sector, valued at Rs.6,000 crore (US$720 million). Adani Agri Fresh announced plans to expand its digital mandi model following a pilot that traded nearly 1,000 tons last year. The system will be introduced across its controlled atmosphere storage facilities in Rampur, Rohru, and Sainj.
Source: freshplaza.com